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The Darkwood Academy #2
From the Darkness
To whoever cares,
It hurts. The pain is blinding. And I’m not talking about the scars on my wrist. It’s the wounds bleeding from my heart.
The pain, lies, and heartache.
It’s all just too much.
I’m more alone than ever. My past has been exposed for the entire school to see, and the friend I thought I had abandoned me when I needed her most, along with the three guys I opened my heart to. And the moment I did, I was done for.
Daxon, Mason, and Colt brought on this darkness.
Their betrayal and their lies led me to the end.
And that’s what I wanted. I wanted it to be over.
I wanted the pain gone, I wanted the tears to dry up, and I wanted the world to go black.
Except, I don’t get an end.
My stalker is still out there. I’m still bullied by everyone around me. The only family member alive, ignores me and pretends I don’t exist. My life is slowly crumbling around me.
My sanity’s holding on by a thread.
My existence can’t get any darker can it?
Love,
Phoenix
This book contains strong subject matter that may not be suitable for all readers, including scenes that may depict, mention, or discuss: abduction, abusive relationship, anxiety, assault, attempted murder, blood, bullying, death, depression, emotional abuse, fire, kidnapping, murder, physical abuse, rape, self-harm, sexual abuse, sexual assault, slut shaming, stalking, starvation, suicide, violence.
It hurts. The pain is blinding. And I’m not talking about the scars on my wrist. It’s the wounds bleeding from my heart.
The pain, lies, and heartache.
It’s all just too much.
I’m more alone than ever. My past has been exposed for the entire school to see, and the friend I thought I had abandoned me when I needed her most, along with the three guys I opened my heart to. And the moment I did, I was done for.
Daxon, Mason, and Colt brought on this darkness.
Their betrayal and their lies led me to the end.
And that’s what I wanted. I wanted it to be over.
I wanted the pain gone, I wanted the tears to dry up, and I wanted the world to go black.
Except, I don’t get an end.
My stalker is still out there. I’m still bullied by everyone around me. The only family member alive, ignores me and pretends I don’t exist. My life is slowly crumbling around me.
My sanity’s holding on by a thread.
My existence can’t get any darker can it?
Love,
Phoenix
This book contains strong subject matter that may not be suitable for all readers, including scenes that may depict, mention, or discuss: abduction, abusive relationship, anxiety, assault, attempted murder, blood, bullying, death, depression, emotional abuse, fire, kidnapping, murder, physical abuse, rape, self-harm, sexual abuse, sexual assault, slut shaming, stalking, starvation, suicide, violence.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 20, 2022
350 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
September 20, 2025
Final review will be posted under last book
July 16, 2023
HECK NO!!!
This series warns us about the fact that it deals with “heavy and dark” issues. I’ve never shied away from books that deal with “dark matter” or characters trauma. I was looking forward to tackling this series, and now I’m thoroughly grossed out and want to strangle the fictional heroine, Phoenix!
This book continues where book 1 left off.
*SPOILERS, MAJOR ONES*
Soooooo the guys run into creepy awful abuser Chad. Chad tells them what happened only moments prior in the ballroom at homecoming. How the guy’s fiancé’s put on a humiliating and terrible slideshow about Phoenix and it showed for the entire school. The guys are horrified (Uhm you think? - she’s already traumatized by the fact that they ditched her for the Barbie Brigade, but then she finds out the Barbies are ENGAGED to HER guys!) They rush back to the dorms and Daxon finds her first; she tried to commit suicide and slashed her wrists. The guys get to her in the nick of time and yes, she’s saved. The guys blame themselves AS WELL THEY SHOULD, and when Phoenix wakes up, she bars them from her hospital room. They keep her for 72 hours in the psych ward where - hey, she finds her “fire” again and no longer is suicidal…just like that, in a hospital “psych holding room.” This is terribly unrealistic! The things she tells the psychiatrist’s while she’s there, and her blasé attitude seriously just do not “jive” with the fact that she was soooo deeply depressed and DONE WITH LIFE 72 hours ago that she tried to kill herself! This entire section does a disservice to those real people out there who have “disorders” or problems, because THIS was not realistically portrayed AT ALL!!
And then it gets worse!! How? You ask. I mean, come on, how could it possibly get worse than suicide? The day she gets out of the hospital she returns to her aunt’s cold mansion only to be “greeted” in a manner of speaking by the 3 douche-canoes who TORMENTED her and set the entire school against her (all during book one, except for a little toward the end when they decided that they really enjoyed sleeping with her and might just “have feelings” for her) — of course let’s add in that they drove her to be so depressed she tried to kill herself!! Sure it was a culmination of factors, but their actions, the fact that they didn’t trust her WITH THE TRUTH, and that they accepted their horribly father’s ultimatums was the straw that broke the camels back. Phoenix is understandably upset, but LETS THEM INTO HER HOME TO EXPLAIN THEIR SIDE!!! I’m sorry, maybe after a longer stint in a recovery facility, and time to “process” their horrific actions, I could see her POSSIBLY hearing them out. But this situation was written wildly ridiculously!! She lets them in. They tell her the truth (we can’t forget the fact that they’re STILL engaged to the Barbie Bimbos) when they come to see her but hey, that’s just a formality, right? *EYE ROLL* Phoenix tells them how much they hurt her. Tells them that their father’s are jerks, doesn’t even go ballistic about the engagements since the guys said they’re TRYING to find a loophole in the “you must marry the Barbie Bimbos,” contract, so it doesn’t really count *another eye roll* — And — Phoenix makes them grovel and pursue her for a good portion of the book —WRONG WRONG WRONG!— she ACCEPTS the situations, tells them she wish they’d trusted her and then has an orgy with them…including at school like the next day! What?! Seriously What?! In what world (except a really bad soap opera or telenova) does the spunky, kick a&& heroine who now needs to find her way “back” from the “darkness” - as she calls it (I call it severe depression due to horrific bullying, torment, and mind games played by the popular boys at school and all their minions i.e. the entire school) ACCEPT, and feel emotionally well enough to sleep with the three guys who have made her life h-e-l-l right after she’s left a psych ward? I’m scratching my head here. In no world is this believable. Even if the guys are horribly sorry. Even if the guys’s dads orchestrated the entire plan. Even if the bimbos were the ones to play the slideshow. No SANE person would just hop back into the sack to have hot (and the scenes are definitely steamy) sex with these idiots. I was literally disgusted when I read the scene where she’s in the bathroom at school doing “you know what,” *eye roll* with her guys right after she returns to school.
I’m sorry. This series reads like a horrible soap opera. And even though I’ve read books that are “unbelievable” as in, the situations are far fetched, etc. I’ve never read a series that is supposed to be serious (dealing with very serious subject matters) treat the “dark issues” so “off-handedly.” There in no way that Phoenix would’ve (believably) “healed” from her trauma enough to see, let alone sleep with the guys! It would’ve taken a lot longer for her to process everything, AND then after awhile when she was somewhat okay maybe she’d let them grovel for her.
This series warns us about the fact that it deals with “heavy and dark” issues. I’ve never shied away from books that deal with “dark matter” or characters trauma. I was looking forward to tackling this series, and now I’m thoroughly grossed out and want to strangle the fictional heroine, Phoenix!
This book continues where book 1 left off.
*SPOILERS, MAJOR ONES*
Soooooo the guys run into creepy awful abuser Chad. Chad tells them what happened only moments prior in the ballroom at homecoming. How the guy’s fiancé’s put on a humiliating and terrible slideshow about Phoenix and it showed for the entire school. The guys are horrified (Uhm you think? - she’s already traumatized by the fact that they ditched her for the Barbie Brigade, but then she finds out the Barbies are ENGAGED to HER guys!) They rush back to the dorms and Daxon finds her first; she tried to commit suicide and slashed her wrists. The guys get to her in the nick of time and yes, she’s saved. The guys blame themselves AS WELL THEY SHOULD, and when Phoenix wakes up, she bars them from her hospital room. They keep her for 72 hours in the psych ward where - hey, she finds her “fire” again and no longer is suicidal…just like that, in a hospital “psych holding room.” This is terribly unrealistic! The things she tells the psychiatrist’s while she’s there, and her blasé attitude seriously just do not “jive” with the fact that she was soooo deeply depressed and DONE WITH LIFE 72 hours ago that she tried to kill herself! This entire section does a disservice to those real people out there who have “disorders” or problems, because THIS was not realistically portrayed AT ALL!!
And then it gets worse!! How? You ask. I mean, come on, how could it possibly get worse than suicide? The day she gets out of the hospital she returns to her aunt’s cold mansion only to be “greeted” in a manner of speaking by the 3 douche-canoes who TORMENTED her and set the entire school against her (all during book one, except for a little toward the end when they decided that they really enjoyed sleeping with her and might just “have feelings” for her) — of course let’s add in that they drove her to be so depressed she tried to kill herself!! Sure it was a culmination of factors, but their actions, the fact that they didn’t trust her WITH THE TRUTH, and that they accepted their horribly father’s ultimatums was the straw that broke the camels back. Phoenix is understandably upset, but LETS THEM INTO HER HOME TO EXPLAIN THEIR SIDE!!! I’m sorry, maybe after a longer stint in a recovery facility, and time to “process” their horrific actions, I could see her POSSIBLY hearing them out. But this situation was written wildly ridiculously!! She lets them in. They tell her the truth (we can’t forget the fact that they’re STILL engaged to the Barbie Bimbos) when they come to see her but hey, that’s just a formality, right? *EYE ROLL* Phoenix tells them how much they hurt her. Tells them that their father’s are jerks, doesn’t even go ballistic about the engagements since the guys said they’re TRYING to find a loophole in the “you must marry the Barbie Bimbos,” contract, so it doesn’t really count *another eye roll* — And — Phoenix makes them grovel and pursue her for a good portion of the book —WRONG WRONG WRONG!— she ACCEPTS the situations, tells them she wish they’d trusted her and then has an orgy with them…including at school like the next day! What?! Seriously What?! In what world (except a really bad soap opera or telenova) does the spunky, kick a&& heroine who now needs to find her way “back” from the “darkness” - as she calls it (I call it severe depression due to horrific bullying, torment, and mind games played by the popular boys at school and all their minions i.e. the entire school) ACCEPT, and feel emotionally well enough to sleep with the three guys who have made her life h-e-l-l right after she’s left a psych ward? I’m scratching my head here. In no world is this believable. Even if the guys are horribly sorry. Even if the guys’s dads orchestrated the entire plan. Even if the bimbos were the ones to play the slideshow. No SANE person would just hop back into the sack to have hot (and the scenes are definitely steamy) sex with these idiots. I was literally disgusted when I read the scene where she’s in the bathroom at school doing “you know what,” *eye roll* with her guys right after she returns to school.
I’m sorry. This series reads like a horrible soap opera. And even though I’ve read books that are “unbelievable” as in, the situations are far fetched, etc. I’ve never read a series that is supposed to be serious (dealing with very serious subject matters) treat the “dark issues” so “off-handedly.” There in no way that Phoenix would’ve (believably) “healed” from her trauma enough to see, let alone sleep with the guys! It would’ve taken a lot longer for her to process everything, AND then after awhile when she was somewhat okay maybe she’d let them grovel for her.
December 26, 2022
Complete nonsense. I don't understand why the mafia needs to be involved, the 3 fathers are enough.
The kidnapping was really silly and lots of inconsistencies drags the story.
Can't believe the three mean girls are going to beat the ass of the three kings (lol kings of nothing).
Will the heroine be able to catch a break after all the trauma? Because girl is going to need therapy for life.
The kidnapping was really silly and lots of inconsistencies drags the story.
Can't believe the three mean girls are going to beat the ass of the three kings (lol kings of nothing).
Will the heroine be able to catch a break after all the trauma? Because girl is going to need therapy for life.
November 27, 2023
This series is seriously so good. On to book 3
December 7, 2022
Lynn Rhys is devious. And I mean that will tons of love for how I feel about the way From the Darkness affected me. The boys, Dax, Mase, and Colt, succeeded in breaking Phoenix in From the Ashes. Now they must pay the piper in From the Darkness as they realize the true nature of their feelings. Even after she heals from her physical wounds, Phoenix remains broken, and those emotional scars never fully close. She has the boys now, but it is temporary… they are still promised to wed the Queens. Secrets still pull them from her.
I love the angst. Perhaps too much. This time we got it from all players, not just Phoenix. As secrets are revealed, and alliances are exposed, the boys must navigate their roles as heirs and their affections toward Phoenix. Phoenix continues to be bullied by the Queens despite a moratorium decreed by the kings that constantly batters her emotional defenses. And after a long period of silence, the stalker returns to torment Phoenix, claiming ownership and possession.
There is a substantial increase in the smut level in book two. Now that they are in an established relationship, there is more s3x and a higher number of group scenes. The s3x is infused with much more emotion than straight lust, compared to book 1. But this does not make it any less hot. The scenes are absolutely scorching with loads of dirty talk. Hot and plentiful, a great combination.
We are left at an utter k!ller of a cliffhanger that I am still a bit mad about. But it is ok, because the next book will have the HEA (or so we have been promised), so it will all be worth it in the end.
NB: This is a DARK Romance. If you have triggers, do not skim the TW/CW.Specifically, I must highlight that there is on page r@pe and @buse of the FMC, not explicit. It is necessary for the storyline, not gratuitous.
I love the angst. Perhaps too much. This time we got it from all players, not just Phoenix. As secrets are revealed, and alliances are exposed, the boys must navigate their roles as heirs and their affections toward Phoenix. Phoenix continues to be bullied by the Queens despite a moratorium decreed by the kings that constantly batters her emotional defenses. And after a long period of silence, the stalker returns to torment Phoenix, claiming ownership and possession.
There is a substantial increase in the smut level in book two. Now that they are in an established relationship, there is more s3x and a higher number of group scenes. The s3x is infused with much more emotion than straight lust, compared to book 1. But this does not make it any less hot. The scenes are absolutely scorching with loads of dirty talk. Hot and plentiful, a great combination.
We are left at an utter k!ller of a cliffhanger that I am still a bit mad about. But it is ok, because the next book will have the HEA (or so we have been promised), so it will all be worth it in the end.
NB: This is a DARK Romance. If you have triggers, do not skim the TW/CW.
May 3, 2023
From the Darkness, the second book in the Darkwood Academy Series by Lynn Rhys was everything I needed it to be and more!!! After the brutal cliffhanger of an ending on the first one, to say that I anxiously awaited the arrival of this book is definitely an understatement! But man was it worth every single second because Rhys definitely knows how to pull on those heartstrings and evoke such soul wrenching emotions you feel it for days.
This second installment continues Phoenix’s story and man is it a tough one. As if all the pain, tragedy and trauma she experienced in the past wasn’t enough she has to deal with bullies and now a stalker. But finally seeing her grow and learn to fight back and take back some power is everything!!! And seeing the guys finally come around was perfection!
As always, check your triggers and be warned there’s yet again another fabulously crafted cliffhanger to leave you questioning whether or not you’ll survive the wait once again 😂
This second installment continues Phoenix’s story and man is it a tough one. As if all the pain, tragedy and trauma she experienced in the past wasn’t enough she has to deal with bullies and now a stalker. But finally seeing her grow and learn to fight back and take back some power is everything!!! And seeing the guys finally come around was perfection!
As always, check your triggers and be warned there’s yet again another fabulously crafted cliffhanger to leave you questioning whether or not you’ll survive the wait once again 😂
dropped
September 4, 2024This series has been dropped at 21%.
Why?
Phoenix (FMC) attempted suicide due to her emotional torment. She was hospitalized and she had a nurse who actually gave a shit and forced out the MMCs from her room. She was inpatient. Loved it! Loved seeing this!
And then…a psych professional sides with the people who pushed her into suicide?
Ah. So this is one of those stories.
Of course, the FMC takes back the MMCs. She cries for needing time, but, in reality, the author is a bit more gung-ho than necessary to get all the MCs back together 🫠 MMCs were so sorry and weepy when the FMC was unconscious, but she’s alive, so, ya know, now they can flirt and want her for sex again.
And then they have sex.
And not “let’s have sex as a toxic coping mechanism”. Nah. Let’s pretend the suicide was actually but a flesh wound. Time to fuck!
I’m going to ✨scream✨
WISHES
💫 The FMC’s inpatient psych team had to the actual understanding of not siding with the FMC’s abuser. FMC was given a social worker when her aunt was deemed unfit. FMC had temporary housing (similar to a program I underwent) until academy started again.
💫 MMCs were barred from the FMC and threatened with a protective order. They aren't coping well. They hope academy is where they can have a tete-a-tete with the FMC.
💫 FMC calls her aunt to clarify about her father. FMC is given a basic phone through another support program rather than the MMCs.
💫 FMC returns to school. MMCs are there for her. FMC is indifferent and empty to them. MMCs planned for everything to return to how it was, but her bulldog of a social worker / case manager aided her.
From then on, let the angst persist.
Since this is dropped, I won’t star it. But this is the end of the line for the series for me.
Why?
Phoenix (FMC) attempted suicide due to her emotional torment. She was hospitalized and she had a nurse who actually gave a shit and forced out the MMCs from her room. She was inpatient. Loved it! Loved seeing this!
And then…a psych professional sides with the people who pushed her into suicide?
Ah. So this is one of those stories.
Of course, the FMC takes back the MMCs. She cries for needing time, but, in reality, the author is a bit more gung-ho than necessary to get all the MCs back together 🫠 MMCs were so sorry and weepy when the FMC was unconscious, but she’s alive, so, ya know, now they can flirt and want her for sex again.
And then they have sex.
And not “let’s have sex as a toxic coping mechanism”. Nah. Let’s pretend the suicide was actually but a flesh wound. Time to fuck!
I’m going to ✨scream✨
WISHES
💫 The FMC’s inpatient psych team had to the actual understanding of not siding with the FMC’s abuser. FMC was given a social worker when her aunt was deemed unfit. FMC had temporary housing (similar to a program I underwent) until academy started again.
💫 MMCs were barred from the FMC and threatened with a protective order. They aren't coping well. They hope academy is where they can have a tete-a-tete with the FMC.
💫 FMC calls her aunt to clarify about her father. FMC is given a basic phone through another support program rather than the MMCs.
💫 FMC returns to school. MMCs are there for her. FMC is indifferent and empty to them. MMCs planned for everything to return to how it was, but her bulldog of a social worker / case manager aided her.
From then on, let the angst persist.
Since this is dropped, I won’t star it. But this is the end of the line for the series for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2025
this was the best book in series till now
February 25, 2023
Being an unfinished series at this point, it is harder for me to write a review for this middle child of a book. Why? Bc i need perspective in order to write a fair review. 🤷🏻♀️
Take note this book is way darker and the fmc is r@ped. So. Again. Check the content warnings.
We have our mentally unstable fmc recovering from attempted self unaliving. 🥹Yes. You got that right. Suic!de in the first book. R@pe, beatings and kidnapping in the second book.
We have the mcs all in love and obsessed with her but now they have been forced to get engaged to the three queen b’s of the school. 🙄🤦🏻♀️oh for the love. They literally toss the rings at these violent bitches and say done. 😂
Apparently all six of their families want heirs and tangled families. It’s very 1808 of them all. Super modern. 😂👌🏼
Oh. Toss in some mafia shit too. Bc. Why not? 🤦🏻♀️😂
The author has set the scene for a very entangled situation for the mcs. Contracted to marry. Dads deep with the mafia. The boys too are getting forced into mafia shit. No way out. And the boys still have no clue why their dads want their fmc out. Bleak af. 🔪☠️
The dads scream the fmc wants their money and will destroy their families but since they are in the dark about why, it is one of the book’s mysteries. But that does get cleared up a bit more too.
This fmc is STILL constantly getting bullied, abused and walked on thru out book 2. As noted above this book is even worse. She finally finds out what’s going on from her past and parents. Not that it matters bc at this point in the series she is about to die again and is broken, yet again.
Stuff starts to get answered tho and things are unraveling. I really hope the third book wraps it up but also spends a long time w the fmc and her men being happy. There has been very little happy. Sex yes. But not peaceful happy times. And as dark as these books are, I don’t think I will feel good about it all unless we have plenty of happy, lighter times.
Take note this book is way darker and the fmc is r@ped. So. Again. Check the content warnings.
We have our mentally unstable fmc recovering from attempted self unaliving. 🥹Yes. You got that right. Suic!de in the first book. R@pe, beatings and kidnapping in the second book.
We have the mcs all in love and obsessed with her but now they have been forced to get engaged to the three queen b’s of the school. 🙄🤦🏻♀️oh for the love. They literally toss the rings at these violent bitches and say done. 😂
Apparently all six of their families want heirs and tangled families. It’s very 1808 of them all. Super modern. 😂👌🏼
Oh. Toss in some mafia shit too. Bc. Why not? 🤦🏻♀️😂
The author has set the scene for a very entangled situation for the mcs. Contracted to marry. Dads deep with the mafia. The boys too are getting forced into mafia shit. No way out. And the boys still have no clue why their dads want their fmc out. Bleak af. 🔪☠️
The dads scream the fmc wants their money and will destroy their families but since they are in the dark about why, it is one of the book’s mysteries. But that does get cleared up a bit more too.
This fmc is STILL constantly getting bullied, abused and walked on thru out book 2. As noted above this book is even worse. She finally finds out what’s going on from her past and parents. Not that it matters bc at this point in the series she is about to die again and is broken, yet again.
Stuff starts to get answered tho and things are unraveling. I really hope the third book wraps it up but also spends a long time w the fmc and her men being happy. There has been very little happy. Sex yes. But not peaceful happy times. And as dark as these books are, I don’t think I will feel good about it all unless we have plenty of happy, lighter times.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2023
Forgives at 22% & Says 'I love you' at 24%
After the things the Kings put her through, there's no way. The first 70% of this book was so repetitive & unoriginal. I'm starting to loathe the FMC, & I'm not sure there's a way the author can save her. The fire is very cliché. It was slightly better than the first book. I feel it's an entry level dark romance because it lacks description. Once again, the potential was there, but it fell extremely flat.
After the things the Kings put her through, there's no way. The first 70% of this book was so repetitive & unoriginal. I'm starting to loathe the FMC, & I'm not sure there's a way the author can save her. The fire is very cliché. It was slightly better than the first book. I feel it's an entry level dark romance because it lacks description. Once again, the potential was there, but it fell extremely flat.
October 22, 2023
RH MMM/Bully/Academy
SYNOPSIS (of 3 Book Series): FC’s (Phoenix) father and mother have died and the FC is left in the care of her aunt who hates her and her mother and sends her to Darkwook Academy. The MCs are told by their father’s that they need to get rid of the FC so start a campaign of bullying her to get her to leave. The MCs discover there is more to what they are being asked than they first thought and soon fall for the FC and seek to protect her. She is being threatened and her life is in danger but does not understand why. There’s a HEA.
Let me start by saying that I genuinely respect and admire anyone who can sit down and write a story let alone one that is as long and complex as this. Having said if I am going to leave a review it has to be honest and reflect my opinion. This author clearly has the ability to write books but I would suggest that writing something that seems to have been pulled from multiple other bully romances, lacks any originality and takes the path of crudity, swearing and following overdone tropes is not the way to go.
In brief, I found this story to be dreadful. It is repetitive: how many times do we have to be told that the boys don’t know why Dax’s father wants them to get rid of the FC or that they just do what they are told and don’t want to follow in their fathers’ footsteps? It is in dire need of a good edit. There are words missing or incorrect; comparatives incorrectly used (prettier not more pretty; harder not more hard …); and disjoints in the story.
I found the writing to be juvenile and crude - how many times do we have to read about how hard the MCs get just looking at the FC or how they want to f*ck her pu$$y? Do we really need the obligatory “rubbing one out” in the shower scene? Does the author think that using foul terms and having the characters swearing all the time makes them sexy or tough? This is yet another story where the FC is abused and horribly bullied and yet can’t help getting aroused by the abuse. It’s so unoriginal and sad that authors feel this is a good message to send to young readers or a viable story mechanism - abuse does not equal sexy. In my view it’s just lazy writing. What happened to female empowerment? When are authors going to stop writing this type of plot? 😖There’s a scene where the FC is restrained and assaulted by all 3 MCs and of course she is panting and begging them to f*ck her and they are the ones that stop. It doesn’t matter that they have literally made her life hell and denigrated her at every opportunity. Then despite how she is treated by the MCs and how badly she was treated at the last party she attended she then goes to another party and allows herself to be taken to a room with the 3 MCs and begs them for sex. She tells her therapist that she finds them incredibly attractive despite everything they have done and continue to do to her 🫣; Dax breaks into her bedroom and she does nothing except allow him in and to treat her like dirt; Mason texts her and she responds to him instead of ignoring him after the way he has behaved.
I found the FC to be unlikeable. She is a foul loud mouth individual who brings much of the behaviour towards her on herself. The author seems to think that the FC constantly mouthing off and being nasty and crude is strong and tough. It’s not. What she says to others half the time is worse than what is said to her. The level of the bullying by both the MCs and the rest of the school is just OTT and becomes repetitive. The fact that none of the teachers do anything and constantly tell her she is doing all this stuff to herself quickly becomes ridiculous. The bullying is all very unoriginal with the obligatory throwing of food, tipping of drinks, tripping over, assaulting in the shower and messing with her clothing. There’s also the obligatory bitchy girls who get out of hand and the male wannabe who tries to sexually assault the FC. Whilst the bullying from the MCs stops towards the end of Book 1 unfortunately the bullying behaviour continues through the next 2 books from the Queen Bees and other students. It’s beyond believable and suspension of disbelief.
The sex scenes are plentiful, boring and left me cold. The about turn by the MCs to suddenly caring for the FC and the fact that the FC just caved without making them apologise or acknowledge how unacceptable their behaviour was towards her was pathetic and seemed to make their treatment of her acceptable which is wasn’t. The MCs never seemed to apologise or grovel and the FC never seemed to really acknowledge how bad and unacceptable their behaviour was. Again, where is the girl power?
One thing I loathe in stories like this and which was the last straw for me is where an author takes a serious and sensitive subject such as assault and rape and uses it simply to try and create drama and angst for the FC. It is insulting to those who suffer such situations. This author creates a situation where the FC is assaulted and raped and then, 5 minutes after she is rescued is asking the MCs for a 4 way. That’s is just wrong and again, what message is this sending to female readers? Whilst the author makes a nod to the fact that the FC has nightmares and sees a therapist there is no real acknowledgement of the true PTSD that she would suffer and its affect on her. She seems to return to “normal” within days.
I felt that the story lacked any real development or world and relationship building and just kept jumping from one pseudo dramatic situation to another without any real direction. The ultimate plot had so many holes it was depressing. One final comment is that having every male that the MC comes across being verbally abusive towards her (including the fathers of the MCs) and talking about wanting to f*ck her etc. is just grim. Again, this does not build drama for me it’s just a cheap attempt to create some kind of angst and show how bad the villains are.
I’m sorry to say that everything about this series made me cringe and I found it to be a terrible series. I was massively skimming to see if there was anything redeeming and unfortunately found nothing.
SYNOPSIS (of 3 Book Series): FC’s (Phoenix) father and mother have died and the FC is left in the care of her aunt who hates her and her mother and sends her to Darkwook Academy. The MCs are told by their father’s that they need to get rid of the FC so start a campaign of bullying her to get her to leave. The MCs discover there is more to what they are being asked than they first thought and soon fall for the FC and seek to protect her. She is being threatened and her life is in danger but does not understand why. There’s a HEA.
Let me start by saying that I genuinely respect and admire anyone who can sit down and write a story let alone one that is as long and complex as this. Having said if I am going to leave a review it has to be honest and reflect my opinion. This author clearly has the ability to write books but I would suggest that writing something that seems to have been pulled from multiple other bully romances, lacks any originality and takes the path of crudity, swearing and following overdone tropes is not the way to go.
In brief, I found this story to be dreadful. It is repetitive: how many times do we have to be told that the boys don’t know why Dax’s father wants them to get rid of the FC or that they just do what they are told and don’t want to follow in their fathers’ footsteps? It is in dire need of a good edit. There are words missing or incorrect; comparatives incorrectly used (prettier not more pretty; harder not more hard …); and disjoints in the story.
I found the writing to be juvenile and crude - how many times do we have to read about how hard the MCs get just looking at the FC or how they want to f*ck her pu$$y? Do we really need the obligatory “rubbing one out” in the shower scene? Does the author think that using foul terms and having the characters swearing all the time makes them sexy or tough? This is yet another story where the FC is abused and horribly bullied and yet can’t help getting aroused by the abuse. It’s so unoriginal and sad that authors feel this is a good message to send to young readers or a viable story mechanism - abuse does not equal sexy. In my view it’s just lazy writing. What happened to female empowerment? When are authors going to stop writing this type of plot? 😖There’s a scene where the FC is restrained and assaulted by all 3 MCs and of course she is panting and begging them to f*ck her and they are the ones that stop. It doesn’t matter that they have literally made her life hell and denigrated her at every opportunity. Then despite how she is treated by the MCs and how badly she was treated at the last party she attended she then goes to another party and allows herself to be taken to a room with the 3 MCs and begs them for sex. She tells her therapist that she finds them incredibly attractive despite everything they have done and continue to do to her 🫣; Dax breaks into her bedroom and she does nothing except allow him in and to treat her like dirt; Mason texts her and she responds to him instead of ignoring him after the way he has behaved.
I found the FC to be unlikeable. She is a foul loud mouth individual who brings much of the behaviour towards her on herself. The author seems to think that the FC constantly mouthing off and being nasty and crude is strong and tough. It’s not. What she says to others half the time is worse than what is said to her. The level of the bullying by both the MCs and the rest of the school is just OTT and becomes repetitive. The fact that none of the teachers do anything and constantly tell her she is doing all this stuff to herself quickly becomes ridiculous. The bullying is all very unoriginal with the obligatory throwing of food, tipping of drinks, tripping over, assaulting in the shower and messing with her clothing. There’s also the obligatory bitchy girls who get out of hand and the male wannabe who tries to sexually assault the FC. Whilst the bullying from the MCs stops towards the end of Book 1 unfortunately the bullying behaviour continues through the next 2 books from the Queen Bees and other students. It’s beyond believable and suspension of disbelief.
The sex scenes are plentiful, boring and left me cold. The about turn by the MCs to suddenly caring for the FC and the fact that the FC just caved without making them apologise or acknowledge how unacceptable their behaviour was towards her was pathetic and seemed to make their treatment of her acceptable which is wasn’t. The MCs never seemed to apologise or grovel and the FC never seemed to really acknowledge how bad and unacceptable their behaviour was. Again, where is the girl power?
One thing I loathe in stories like this and which was the last straw for me is where an author takes a serious and sensitive subject such as assault and rape and uses it simply to try and create drama and angst for the FC. It is insulting to those who suffer such situations. This author creates a situation where the FC is assaulted and raped and then, 5 minutes after she is rescued is asking the MCs for a 4 way. That’s is just wrong and again, what message is this sending to female readers? Whilst the author makes a nod to the fact that the FC has nightmares and sees a therapist there is no real acknowledgement of the true PTSD that she would suffer and its affect on her. She seems to return to “normal” within days.
I felt that the story lacked any real development or world and relationship building and just kept jumping from one pseudo dramatic situation to another without any real direction. The ultimate plot had so many holes it was depressing. One final comment is that having every male that the MC comes across being verbally abusive towards her (including the fathers of the MCs) and talking about wanting to f*ck her etc. is just grim. Again, this does not build drama for me it’s just a cheap attempt to create some kind of angst and show how bad the villains are.
I’m sorry to say that everything about this series made me cringe and I found it to be a terrible series. I was massively skimming to see if there was anything redeeming and unfortunately found nothing.
December 1, 2022
There are so many words I could use to describe this book (phenomenal, breathtaking, exquisite, fantastic, heartbreaking, earth shattering, eye opening) but none of them will do this book justice. I am so in love with these characters. They are ingrained in my soul and I wish their story could go on forever. If you have not read the first book, From the Ashes, you need to stop what you are doing and devour it and then experience this masterpiece. Lynn you should be proud, you outdid yourself and I wasn't sure that was possible after book one.
December 26, 2022
Needs more of something
I'm not sure if this is worth for stars. There is a little more climax, but nothing is really there. Phoenix has become this whiny thing that is "woe is me. " She thinks everything will be better if she's gone. Now, don't get me wrong. She's depressed, and fighting for everything, but man, I really would rather read more of the Kings and their crazy parents than read her POV at times.
Now lies and secrets are uncovering, but it the end it's just a mediocre read. Nothing special.
I'm not sure if this is worth for stars. There is a little more climax, but nothing is really there. Phoenix has become this whiny thing that is "woe is me. " She thinks everything will be better if she's gone. Now, don't get me wrong. She's depressed, and fighting for everything, but man, I really would rather read more of the Kings and their crazy parents than read her POV at times.
Now lies and secrets are uncovering, but it the end it's just a mediocre read. Nothing special.
December 20, 2022
LOVED! This was such a good book. Watch for triggers of course. I really enjoyed this book with the twists and the mystery. Phoenix finding out her stalker! That was a twist and for some reason I thought it was someone else. And that cliffhanger! come on! CANNOT wait to read the 3rd book! Thankfully the guys have given her the info she needs too!
October 27, 2023
I reinstalled kindle unlimited for this series 😅
May 29, 2024
Damn so much going on here
dnf
November 18, 2025I just read the first few pages to find out what happened from first book, and the writing is not any better.
There are 50+ better bully romances out there than this one, so I would skip this series.
There are 50+ better bully romances out there than this one, so I would skip this series.
December 22, 2022
I don’t know what I was expecting but this book really got me in all the places. I knew the beginning of this book would really make all the emotions come out. We’re in the second book of the Darkwood Academy series, and I swear you’re not ready.
Daxon, Mason, and Colton are really in a hard spot with the horrible contracts that their families have in place. The women that they’re ‘engaged to’ and their parents want Phoenix out of their lives, and the school, and just want her AWAY. They almost succeeded at the end of book 1, and so many things come to light at the beginning of book 2.
There are so many secrets that are still happening, no one is what they seem to be, and so many people are making Phoenix’s life hard. She still has her stalker, her aunt who is just awful, and the King’s dad. I swear this chick has it coming at her from all angles!
The ending of this book really made me question my sanity, it really pulls at your heartstrings, and you aren’t exactly sure if there will be a HEA. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I could get behind the guys again, they should’ve been open, and a few other things. But there is so much a play that it’s not as easy as ‘shoulda, coulda, woulda’. I can’t wait to see what book 3 will do to us, since everything is so crazy right now. I know we’ll be on the roller coaster of emotions for a bit longer.
Daxon, Mason, and Colton are really in a hard spot with the horrible contracts that their families have in place. The women that they’re ‘engaged to’ and their parents want Phoenix out of their lives, and the school, and just want her AWAY. They almost succeeded at the end of book 1, and so many things come to light at the beginning of book 2.
There are so many secrets that are still happening, no one is what they seem to be, and so many people are making Phoenix’s life hard. She still has her stalker, her aunt who is just awful, and the King’s dad. I swear this chick has it coming at her from all angles!
The ending of this book really made me question my sanity, it really pulls at your heartstrings, and you aren’t exactly sure if there will be a HEA. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I could get behind the guys again, they should’ve been open, and a few other things. But there is so much a play that it’s not as easy as ‘shoulda, coulda, woulda’. I can’t wait to see what book 3 will do to us, since everything is so crazy right now. I know we’ll be on the roller coaster of emotions for a bit longer.
December 8, 2022
Im shocked right now like in cannot move or think
The rollercoaster of emotions I just went through. This is the type of book thats going to keep you guessing from page one. I literally had no idea what was going to happen next. It had me at the edge of my seat.
My girl Phoenix went through hell and back in book one and some how ended up in a worse place in this book. I love and admire her so much because she's such a strong character. She went through so much stuff and still didn't give up.
I fell for Mase, Colt and Dax even more. The way they tried to show her how much they love her and how much she means to them was making my heart flutter. After what happened before it was nice seeing them defy their dads a little for Phoenix.
I loved the tender/sweet moments they guys and Phoenix had. There's was also a lot of spicy moments that made you see how much love and chemistry they all had.
In all honesty this is a book that i would always recommended. BUT pls read trigger warnings before reading bc it does touch certain topics that could be triggering.
The rollercoaster of emotions I just went through. This is the type of book thats going to keep you guessing from page one. I literally had no idea what was going to happen next. It had me at the edge of my seat.
My girl Phoenix went through hell and back in book one and some how ended up in a worse place in this book. I love and admire her so much because she's such a strong character. She went through so much stuff and still didn't give up.
I fell for Mase, Colt and Dax even more. The way they tried to show her how much they love her and how much she means to them was making my heart flutter. After what happened before it was nice seeing them defy their dads a little for Phoenix.
I loved the tender/sweet moments they guys and Phoenix had. There's was also a lot of spicy moments that made you see how much love and chemistry they all had.
In all honesty this is a book that i would always recommended. BUT pls read trigger warnings before reading bc it does touch certain topics that could be triggering.
January 5, 2023
childish storyline
The storyline is all over the place at some point it does not make any sense and I do not like how the writer developed the story and the plot. The main female character seemed at the beginning strong-willed but then the author makes her so weak. The first issue that makes no sense is that she is not curious to open the box left by her mother. Phoenix has a bunch of questions about the death of her parents but she does not open the box that perhaps might answer some of the questions. The three main characters Daxon, Colt, and Mason are her bullies but all of a sudden they are not. There was no building of a likable relationship between the four Daxon, Colt, Mason, and Phoenix suddenly they just professed their love. Everything happens to Pheonix bullying, unsafe environment to kidnappińg. I am not interested to read the following book.
The storyline is all over the place at some point it does not make any sense and I do not like how the writer developed the story and the plot. The main female character seemed at the beginning strong-willed but then the author makes her so weak. The first issue that makes no sense is that she is not curious to open the box left by her mother. Phoenix has a bunch of questions about the death of her parents but she does not open the box that perhaps might answer some of the questions. The three main characters Daxon, Colt, and Mason are her bullies but all of a sudden they are not. There was no building of a likable relationship between the four Daxon, Colt, Mason, and Phoenix suddenly they just professed their love. Everything happens to Pheonix bullying, unsafe environment to kidnappińg. I am not interested to read the following book.
February 12, 2023
Sigh 🙄I love this trope yet it is seldom done really well. It’s always cliché and disappointing. I don’t know why I keep doing this to myself. First off, Everything done to her was because of them. They suck and their soft apology and sad tears isn’t enough and yet she just forgives them. She doesn’t push them away. She doesn’t make them grovel or fix their mistakes. Just let’s them right back into her life and body immediately.
At 20% they are already in love. 🥱🙄 It’s been like a freakin week since the incident and they are screwing and in love.So lame.
Not all characters have to be revenge seeking types, I love a gentle and broken female. BUT!!! The author wrote her as tough and take no shit but didn’t follow through with it. Knowing what she knows while also knowing there are major secrets being withheld. I’m pissed she isn’t more suspicious and seems to just trust. She’s weak and woe is me.
I want her to be hardened and cold. I wanted to see her make them grovel and beg. I wanted them to earn their right in her life. I wanted her to question everyone and everything.
I will not be continuing this series.
At 20% they are already in love. 🥱🙄 It’s been like a freakin week since the incident and they are screwing and in love.So lame.
Not all characters have to be revenge seeking types, I love a gentle and broken female. BUT!!! The author wrote her as tough and take no shit but didn’t follow through with it. Knowing what she knows while also knowing there are major secrets being withheld. I’m pissed she isn’t more suspicious and seems to just trust. She’s weak and woe is me.
I want her to be hardened and cold. I wanted to see her make them grovel and beg. I wanted them to earn their right in her life. I wanted her to question everyone and everything.
I will not be continuing this series.
November 26, 2024
Nope, the author turned a series that I loved into something I hate
I have never gotten so disenchanted with a series so quickly. This went from four stars to two, and I'm only on page 232 at 71%. The author has made the female lead full of attitude and a kind of strength, but she is so led by her vagina that it's pathetic. She forgave the kings for laundry list of torture abuse humiliation and bullying on top of the whole homecoming debacle, and all they had to do was whine about how their dads made him do it. That's the crux of the problem with this book, the three kings that are supposed to be such bad-asses are complete utter whiny little failures. They fail to keep her safe at every turn, mostly because they jump the second daddies Warbuck say jump, despite the fact they should know how manipulative and perfidious the jerk(s) is(are), yet they keep leaving her alone to go do dear ole dads' bidding and she keeps paying the price for it -- they just can't learn, they're just too arrogant and stupid. They have the opportunity to beat the ever-loving hell out of Emerson senior when they go to try and get information from him, and Dax punches him once before they walk out -- like that supposed to be impressive -- without making good on their threat to Emerson Sr, without actually getting any information, without actually being a effectual at all. That however, follows a pattern because when they were supposedly protecting her against the bullies at school they were completely ineffectual at that as well, all they did was yell and bow up, maybe they hit one guy, and that was it. Given the bullying she was subjected to, I think knocking a couple of guys' teeth out to make an example would have been appropriate and realistic. Trouble is nothing about these guys is impressive. They posture and bow up and maybe yell, but they don't really take any ACTION, and they can't get anything right except torturing some poor innocent girl.
Also excruciatingly frustrating is the fact that she forgave the three guys for all of the torment as well as the breaking their word about homecoming and all they had to do is give her a little whiny song and dance about how they didn't mean it, without doing anything really to redeem themselves. Sure, they called 911 and sat at the hospital, but that is not all that earth shattering-moving mountains to protect her; it's more like what any person who has half a soul would do when they saw someone dying, call emergency services and hang around to see if the individual was okay -- especially when you're the cause of said extreme distress. Here again, they're not guys of much action, just a bit of whining a bit of posturing, and all is well.
The final straw for me came when she's locked up in the garage. Yeah, it's cold, she's hungry and chained, but she's whimpering and whining and just clinging to her stalker so quickly, just like she did with the kings, because she went through three days in the dire circumstances in pain granted but come on, you'd think her anger would keep her stronger than just 3 days -- you got a freaking be kidding me. I thought the author was going for tough? I'm close enough to the end I MIGHT finish, but saying I'm hating this book and disappointed is an understatement.
I have never gotten so disenchanted with a series so quickly. This went from four stars to two, and I'm only on page 232 at 71%. The author has made the female lead full of attitude and a kind of strength, but she is so led by her vagina that it's pathetic. She forgave the kings for laundry list of torture abuse humiliation and bullying on top of the whole homecoming debacle, and all they had to do was whine about how their dads made him do it. That's the crux of the problem with this book, the three kings that are supposed to be such bad-asses are complete utter whiny little failures. They fail to keep her safe at every turn, mostly because they jump the second daddies Warbuck say jump, despite the fact they should know how manipulative and perfidious the jerk(s) is(are), yet they keep leaving her alone to go do dear ole dads' bidding and she keeps paying the price for it -- they just can't learn, they're just too arrogant and stupid. They have the opportunity to beat the ever-loving hell out of Emerson senior when they go to try and get information from him, and Dax punches him once before they walk out -- like that supposed to be impressive -- without making good on their threat to Emerson Sr, without actually getting any information, without actually being a effectual at all. That however, follows a pattern because when they were supposedly protecting her against the bullies at school they were completely ineffectual at that as well, all they did was yell and bow up, maybe they hit one guy, and that was it. Given the bullying she was subjected to, I think knocking a couple of guys' teeth out to make an example would have been appropriate and realistic. Trouble is nothing about these guys is impressive. They posture and bow up and maybe yell, but they don't really take any ACTION, and they can't get anything right except torturing some poor innocent girl.
Also excruciatingly frustrating is the fact that she forgave the three guys for all of the torment as well as the breaking their word about homecoming and all they had to do is give her a little whiny song and dance about how they didn't mean it, without doing anything really to redeem themselves. Sure, they called 911 and sat at the hospital, but that is not all that earth shattering-moving mountains to protect her; it's more like what any person who has half a soul would do when they saw someone dying, call emergency services and hang around to see if the individual was okay -- especially when you're the cause of said extreme distress. Here again, they're not guys of much action, just a bit of whining a bit of posturing, and all is well.
The final straw for me came when she's locked up in the garage. Yeah, it's cold, she's hungry and chained, but she's whimpering and whining and just clinging to her stalker so quickly, just like she did with the kings, because she went through three days in the dire circumstances in pain granted but come on, you'd think her anger would keep her stronger than just 3 days -- you got a freaking be kidding me. I thought the author was going for tough? I'm close enough to the end I MIGHT finish, but saying I'm hating this book and disappointed is an understatement.
March 29, 2025
I loved it!
Warning: Please be advised that this book contains strong subject matter that may not be suitable for all readers. This book contains scenes that may depict, mention, or discuss subjects like anxiety, blood, bullying, death, depression, emotional abuse, self-harm, slut shaming, stalking, suicide, violence, abduction, abusive relationships, assault, attempted murder, fire, kidnapping, rape, sexual abuse, and starvation. There is profanity and sexual situations. Reader discretion is advised. attempted. Recommended 18+
It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. This is book 2 of the Darkwood Academy series. This book ends in a cliffhanger and is part of a Why Choose series. This is a story about a girl named Phoenix, while she missed her parents, she has many unanswered questions for them. Why she wasn’t enough? Why did they forget they had her to love? Do they even know where she ended up?
She wonders if anyone care that she is hurting, and the pain is blinding, and she not talking about the scars on her wrist. It’s the wounds bleeding from my heart that causes the most pain, the lies, and heartache; it’s all too much. She is now more alone then ever, for he past past has been exposed for the entire school to see, and the friend she thought she has abandoned her when she needed her most, along with the three guys she opened her heart to.
The moment she did, she was done for, for Daxon, Mason, and Colt brought on this darkness. Their betrayal and their lies led her to the end, and that’s what she wants, she wants it to be over. She wants the pain gone, she wants the tears to dry up, and she wants the world to go black, except, she doesn’t get an end because her stalker is still out there, she’s still bullied by everyone around her, and the only family member alive, ignores her and pretends she doesn’t exist. Her life is slowly crumbling around her, and her sanity’s holding on by a thread. Her existence can’t get any darker can it? So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. It’s a must read. I highly recommend to everyone.
Warning: Please be advised that this book contains strong subject matter that may not be suitable for all readers. This book contains scenes that may depict, mention, or discuss subjects like anxiety, blood, bullying, death, depression, emotional abuse, self-harm, slut shaming, stalking, suicide, violence, abduction, abusive relationships, assault, attempted murder, fire, kidnapping, rape, sexual abuse, and starvation. There is profanity and sexual situations. Reader discretion is advised. attempted. Recommended 18+
It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. This is book 2 of the Darkwood Academy series. This book ends in a cliffhanger and is part of a Why Choose series. This is a story about a girl named Phoenix, while she missed her parents, she has many unanswered questions for them. Why she wasn’t enough? Why did they forget they had her to love? Do they even know where she ended up?
She wonders if anyone care that she is hurting, and the pain is blinding, and she not talking about the scars on her wrist. It’s the wounds bleeding from my heart that causes the most pain, the lies, and heartache; it’s all too much. She is now more alone then ever, for he past past has been exposed for the entire school to see, and the friend she thought she has abandoned her when she needed her most, along with the three guys she opened her heart to.
The moment she did, she was done for, for Daxon, Mason, and Colt brought on this darkness. Their betrayal and their lies led her to the end, and that’s what she wants, she wants it to be over. She wants the pain gone, she wants the tears to dry up, and she wants the world to go black, except, she doesn’t get an end because her stalker is still out there, she’s still bullied by everyone around her, and the only family member alive, ignores her and pretends she doesn’t exist. Her life is slowly crumbling around her, and her sanity’s holding on by a thread. Her existence can’t get any darker can it? So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. It’s a must read. I highly recommend to everyone.
December 8, 2022
First things first do read trigger warnings before diving in, and if you are ok with them then this is an amazing story full of an emotional roller coaster for Phoenix. That girl is witty and intelligent but has suffered a lot and I want to see her happy. She has so much life in her. She lights up the lives of all three guys and helps them to improve themselves.
There’s huge character development and a lot of new hurdles are introduced which just made it more interesting and thrilling. The story is worth all the love we readers want to give to a book we like. Lynn Rhys wrote the story beautifully and blended the heartbreak the way that every reader will feel it and will pray that they get the conclusion super soon.
The last 30% just killed me and the ending is devastating since it ended on a cliffhanger. I really hate them but I know it was required here. So many questions are answered in this book towards the end that I’m still shaken and digesting it and my need for it to unravel at once is very high right now. When I finished the book I was like what the f*** just happened? Now I’ll be waiting for book 3 to soothe my heart.
It’s a 4.5⭐️ for me.
There’s huge character development and a lot of new hurdles are introduced which just made it more interesting and thrilling. The story is worth all the love we readers want to give to a book we like. Lynn Rhys wrote the story beautifully and blended the heartbreak the way that every reader will feel it and will pray that they get the conclusion super soon.
The last 30% just killed me and the ending is devastating since it ended on a cliffhanger. I really hate them but I know it was required here. So many questions are answered in this book towards the end that I’m still shaken and digesting it and my need for it to unravel at once is very high right now. When I finished the book I was like what the f*** just happened? Now I’ll be waiting for book 3 to soothe my heart.
It’s a 4.5⭐️ for me.
December 20, 2022
Lynn definitely pulled at my heartstrings with this one. From the Darkness is the second book in the Darkwood Academy series and picks up right where From the Ashes left off.
Daxon, Mason, and Colton are put in an impossible situation thanks to a contract their families had in place. The women they are now engaged to want Phoenix out of their lives and their school, and they do everything they can to make that happen. While they almost succeed at the end of the first book, Phoenix is saved by the Kings she thought had betrayed her.
After finding out the truth, Phoenix and the guys make amends, but things aren’t back to the way they used to be. Phoenix’s stalker is still out there, and the Queens of Darkwood, other students, the headmaster, her aunt, and the King’s dads are still making her life a living hell. But nothing and no one are as they seem. Secrets are finally revealed about Phoenix’s life, and it changes everything.
This book made me feel all the emotions. I honestly didn’t know what was going to happen next most of the time. The Kings are involved with some shady people, and the darkness starts to close in on Phoenix. But from the ashes, a phoenix always rises, and I hope that’s the case for her, especially after that cliffhanger of an ending!!
Daxon, Mason, and Colton are put in an impossible situation thanks to a contract their families had in place. The women they are now engaged to want Phoenix out of their lives and their school, and they do everything they can to make that happen. While they almost succeed at the end of the first book, Phoenix is saved by the Kings she thought had betrayed her.
After finding out the truth, Phoenix and the guys make amends, but things aren’t back to the way they used to be. Phoenix’s stalker is still out there, and the Queens of Darkwood, other students, the headmaster, her aunt, and the King’s dads are still making her life a living hell. But nothing and no one are as they seem. Secrets are finally revealed about Phoenix’s life, and it changes everything.
This book made me feel all the emotions. I honestly didn’t know what was going to happen next most of the time. The Kings are involved with some shady people, and the darkness starts to close in on Phoenix. But from the ashes, a phoenix always rises, and I hope that’s the case for her, especially after that cliffhanger of an ending!!
December 20, 2022
This story is heart wrenching, full of secrets and mistakes, characters who still have so much to learn. It was written in a way to highlight the good, while still having the bad bring you to your knees - I got whiplash reading some of these scenes.
I enjoyed it though - this Author knows how to write.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Phoenix wakes up in the hospital to see the guys - Mason, Colt, and Daxon.
Of course she freaks out!
She was never made aware of what was going on and that was a mistake of EPIC proportions on their end.
I personally needed more groveling, but these boys made their way back into her heart and bed.
A lot of weird things start to happen on campus and we are finally introduced to the stalker.
Should have known who that was, but what a twist.
Phoenix is taken and put through some unimaginable things.
With the way this book ends - I can only picture the worst. Yet, I know Phoenix will rise above the things that have happened to her and create a life worth living, with a found family who loves her unconditionally.
The next book, From The Flames, can not get here soon enough!
I enjoyed it though - this Author knows how to write.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Phoenix wakes up in the hospital to see the guys - Mason, Colt, and Daxon.
Of course she freaks out!
She was never made aware of what was going on and that was a mistake of EPIC proportions on their end.
I personally needed more groveling, but these boys made their way back into her heart and bed.
A lot of weird things start to happen on campus and we are finally introduced to the stalker.
Should have known who that was, but what a twist.
Phoenix is taken and put through some unimaginable things.
With the way this book ends - I can only picture the worst. Yet, I know Phoenix will rise above the things that have happened to her and create a life worth living, with a found family who loves her unconditionally.
The next book, From The Flames, can not get here soon enough!
December 27, 2022
Oh man was this book so dark and oh so delicious. I just can't get enough of these character's. If you haven't started this series you absolutely need to. This series is for those of us who love to read those dark reads that come with the warnings and the more the merrier, because this book has them, so if you need a warning label you might want to skip this series, because I have a feeling it's only going to get darker in the last book in the series and I am so here for it. I dont want to give any spoilers away other than this picks up where book one's cliffhanger left off at and from the first page to that wth cliffhanger. I just have to ask whyyyy Lynn whyyy do you want to do us that way🤔😂. So strap in and get ready for the wild ride you're about to get taken on.
This book literally had me on the edge of my seat, because Phoenix as been pulled through the wringer between the bullying at school and her stalker and not to mention what happened at the end in book 1 it's a wonder she's sane at all, but she has the 3 King's who are in her corner, but is it enough with all the secret's they're keeping? We'll have to wait for book 3 to find out what's going to happen.
This book literally had me on the edge of my seat, because Phoenix as been pulled through the wringer between the bullying at school and her stalker and not to mention what happened at the end in book 1 it's a wonder she's sane at all, but she has the 3 King's who are in her corner, but is it enough with all the secret's they're keeping? We'll have to wait for book 3 to find out what's going to happen.
December 2, 2022
This really took things farther than I was ever expecting! The mental health aspects were done with tact while also furthering the plot in a meaningful way. I got so sucked in to the book that I purposely walked off that cliff knowing this was a three book series! Seriously, I was that captivated.
I can admit the twist was a *little* obvious though (unless I’m literally the worlds best detective…in that case 🕵🏾♀️) but that still didn’t take away from how invested I was in this story. I’m very eager for the next novel and to see how we recover from the trauma built over the past two books and how the characters react to it. So far the reactions have been valid to real life experiences and that’s why I was so drawn to this series in the first place. I just know Lynn is going to knock out of the park.
Please don’t forget read the trigger warnings this addition is darker than the first!
I can admit the twist was a *little* obvious though (unless I’m literally the worlds best detective…in that case 🕵🏾♀️) but that still didn’t take away from how invested I was in this story. I’m very eager for the next novel and to see how we recover from the trauma built over the past two books and how the characters react to it. So far the reactions have been valid to real life experiences and that’s why I was so drawn to this series in the first place. I just know Lynn is going to knock out of the park.
Please don’t forget read the trigger warnings this addition is darker than the first!
December 21, 2022
Trigger Warning: Bullying, Attempted Suicide, Rape and Violence
I didn't think my heart could break anymore for Phoenix but boy was I wrong. This was a heartbreaking story but I enjoyed the growth in Daxon, Mason and Colton. Their pain and anguish over the thought of losing Phoenix was too much but it did serve as a catalyst for the guys to go from tormentors to protectors.
It was good to finally see the guys stand up for themselves against their families and just as the reader gets comfortable the unimaginable happens.
The things Phoenix endured in this book was WORSE than what she endured previously but her revenge was written beautifully. This book ends on an emotional Cliffhanger as if the reader hasn't suffered enough making us anxious for Book 3.
I literally cannot wait to see how Phoenix and her men take down everyone who has wronged them but more importantly it's time for Phoenix to reemerge and set the world on fire.
I didn't think my heart could break anymore for Phoenix but boy was I wrong. This was a heartbreaking story but I enjoyed the growth in Daxon, Mason and Colton. Their pain and anguish over the thought of losing Phoenix was too much but it did serve as a catalyst for the guys to go from tormentors to protectors.
It was good to finally see the guys stand up for themselves against their families and just as the reader gets comfortable the unimaginable happens.
The things Phoenix endured in this book was WORSE than what she endured previously but her revenge was written beautifully. This book ends on an emotional Cliffhanger as if the reader hasn't suffered enough making us anxious for Book 3.
I literally cannot wait to see how Phoenix and her men take down everyone who has wronged them but more importantly it's time for Phoenix to reemerge and set the world on fire.
April 12, 2023
From the dark place we left Phoenix at in the first book she is rescued by Daxon, Mason and Colton, The 3 Kings. She makes a slow recovery but someone is still making her life hell. The boys try to protect her but when their own fathers are making their own lives hard by forcing them into arranged marriages what can they do? Phoenix’s stalker is out there and when they finally reveal themselves it unravels a shocking family secret that links to a powerful enemy who kidnaps and abuses Pheonix. The 3 Kings try to rescue her but one of their own may have made a huge sacrifice of his own that leads to another drastic cliffhanger. Just like the original the author’s writing style is dark and fast, thundering along at 100mph. The torture and abuse scenes are told in descriptive and eye watering detail that has you fully invested in Phoenix’s plight. I am looking forward to seeing if she has a happy ending in the next instalment. She deserves it.
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