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Heart of Dorkness #1
Heart of Dorkness, Book 1
When an accident causes the early death of two young women, one is chosen to become a hero, a saviour, and a servant of the God of Heroes!
This is not her story. This is the story of Valeria, whose soul clung to her friend’s, and who was dragged into a new world where her wandering spirit was claimed by the Goddess of Darkness.
And so, one who doesn’t belong grows to become the servant of the Dark Goddess, a servant—definitely not a daughter—who will usher in a new age of despair and disgust.
The only problem is, she’s really bad at the whole “evil” thing, not that she’s unwilling to do her best to please her adoptive mom, the Dark Goddess Luciana.
This is not her story. This is the story of Valeria, whose soul clung to her friend’s, and who was dragged into a new world where her wandering spirit was claimed by the Goddess of Darkness.
And so, one who doesn’t belong grows to become the servant of the Dark Goddess, a servant—definitely not a daughter—who will usher in a new age of despair and disgust.
The only problem is, she’s really bad at the whole “evil” thing, not that she’s unwilling to do her best to please her adoptive mom, the Dark Goddess Luciana.
- GenresFantasy
416 pages, ebook
First published October 15, 2021
About the author
RavensDagger
58 books268 followersA bird that likes comfy and happy things, and also knives. Once ate a god’s eye and awakened the ability to see all that is good in the world. Known to steal shiny ideas and baubles. Currently forbidden from writing his own bios.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 23, 2026
DNF @ 77% Something about this book tastes off
The tone of this book is cute & sweet, but with an air of menace that clashes with the cute & sweet. This could be an interesting effect, but it's creeping me out. It's like child endangerment and it's making me feel quietly wrong for reading it.
I was digging on this book in the first half. There is a unique magical system that doesn't quite work but gets points for originality, and some Cinnamon Bun references. What starts out as a YA adventure of friendship & magic gets heavy as these little girls try to pull a heist they haven't got a hope of getting away with. (and maybe not living through)
The tone of this book is cute & sweet, but with an air of menace that clashes with the cute & sweet. This could be an interesting effect, but it's creeping me out. It's like child endangerment and it's making me feel quietly wrong for reading it.
I was digging on this book in the first half. There is a unique magical system that doesn't quite work but gets points for originality, and some Cinnamon Bun references. What starts out as a YA adventure of friendship & magic gets heavy as these little girls try to pull a heist they haven't got a hope of getting away with. (and maybe not living through)
August 26, 2026
This was not for me. I expected something dorky and cutesy but Im think this is an outright Middle Grade book. With that caveat + understanding that it's Valeria's first time being outside her house and felix not making any street smarts driven suggestions because she just wants to go along with whatever Valeria wants to do I can overlook a lot but it's not enough to bump up my rating.
I dislike when a blurb misleads me and sets wrong expectations.
The editor also dropped the ball couple of times. Like with moments where the story acts like Valeria revealed something she had not or has her explain something she had already explained or some other small things broke the flow of the story for me.
I think the magic system was needlessly convoluted for the needs of this story. It was also explained kind of too late(you would have already gotten most of it from the context) and in details that were not relevant to the story. Then it was explained again in a flashback. The magic system was the least interesting part of the story but had a lot of time dedicated to it because it's meant to be something Valeria and the goddess bond over, approximately half the book is dedicated to the flashbacks to her upbringing and it's all very samey .
I don't know why we got POV switches. This is a relatively short book so it only happens like 2 times and we don't get any new perspective or a side of a character they might not have already shared. It's just the same scene replayed.
I dislike when a blurb misleads me and sets wrong expectations.
The editor also dropped the ball couple of times. Like with moments where the story acts like Valeria revealed something she had not or has her explain something she had already explained or some other small things broke the flow of the story for me.
I think the magic system was needlessly convoluted for the needs of this story. It was also explained kind of too late(you would have already gotten most of it from the context) and in details that were not relevant to the story. Then it was explained again in a flashback. The magic system was the least interesting part of the story but had a lot of time dedicated to it because it's meant to be something Valeria and the goddess bond over, approximately half the book is dedicated to the flashbacks to her upbringing and it's all very samey .
I don't know why we got POV switches. This is a relatively short book so it only happens like 2 times and we don't get any new perspective or a side of a character they might not have already shared. It's just the same scene replayed.
May 28, 2023
I read books 1 and 2. It was a cute fluffy read. Not many bad points and written better than many light cutesy books are. I won't hold my breath for the third but would definitely read. Sometimes you just need something lighthearted and original.
October 16, 2022
Much good fun.
Book 2 payoff (reading on RR, so double-tapping this until it goes to press) super-excellent
Book 2 payoff (reading on RR, so double-tapping this until it goes to press) super-excellent
December 1, 2022
Sickeningly adorable.
Review of advance copy received from Author
RavensDagger keep surprising me. This is my second time.
Karla Serrato did a great job with the narration
Karla Serrato did a great job with the narration
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews