The Vampire King Awakens

Ever Dark #1

by X. Aratare

In a world where Vampires are real, but hiding from humanity behind magic and seduction, Julian Harrow and Christian Thorn will expose them to the light.

Julian must prove that Vampires are real to avenge his parents’ deaths, but what happens when he realizes that the King of Vampires is his destined mate?

Vampire King Daemon chose to go into deathless sleep, abandoning his rule, to await his fated love. But when his beloved Julian wakes him, he realizes his absence caused the Vampire World to fall apart.

Christian closed his heart to all comers to protect himself after being stalked by his father’s best friend. He has no intention of ever loving anyone again, especially someone like the rake Vampire Lord Balthazar Ravenscroft.

WARNING: This is a long serial that is divided into book-length segments. Every single one ends in a cliffhanger. We anticipate there being 7 to 8 volumes.

Genres: Fantasy, Vampires, Romance, M M Romance, Paranormal, Audiobook, LGBT

247 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 25, 2022

About the author

X. Aratare is the pseudonym for Raythe Reign's Gay(M/M) books.

Reviews

[toointofiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My mouth cannot be at your throat, beautiful boy. I am not yet free, but when I am, the Immortal murmured, I will fulfill your wish and kiss you. I slide my fangs into the soft flesh of your throat. Let my tongue linger on your pulse point.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

❗This review is spoiler-free❗


This absolute delight is not a typical book series. It is a web novel that the author, better known as Raythe Reign, publishes herself on her website and the first time I am reading anything like it (unless you count fanfics 😆😆). She updates new chapters weekly, and anyone can access it by making a subscription. Her books are available in ebook and audiobook form. She also publishes volumes of her books with several chapters each time, including this series. I have the digital edition of this series, but I am reading it volume by volume. Since there are about fifteen chapters per volume, this review will be about my thoughts on the first part of the story.

To begin with, while the premises aren't exactly original, the execution is quite spectacular. There is an ancient vampire society split into Houses with specific abilities, ancient vampire worlds, and a couple of feisty humans there to stir things up. The vampire worlds are parallel to Earth and are accessed via portals, every vampire has a magical tattoo indicating their House. They all have Fledgings, the humans they turned into vampires, and they are incredibly protective of them. (well..most of them anyway). The plot is as magnificent as the world-building. There are plenty of twists, intrigue, drama, and humour. There are also multiple points of view from both the heroes and the villains, which makes the story all the more fascinating.

Moreover, the characters are well-written and incredibly likable. Julian and Christian, the protagonists, are paranormal investigators with a viral vlog series. They are also best friends, and extremely loyal to one another. I especially love their dynamic and how they are willing to put themselves in danger for each other without a second thought. They are ride-or-die in the most wholesome way possible. They are also both headstrong, stubborn and so much more than their respective Vampire Masters bargained for when they decided to turn them. Speaking of which, Daemon and Balthazar are just as amazing as their Fledgings (Julian and Christian). Daemon is the Vampire King (see sexy book cover for reference) who has been in a deep slumber for several hundred years, only to be awoken by Julian in a desperate attempt to save his friend and himself. He is wonderful, kind, sensual, and possessive in a way that only fictional men are allowed to be. The same applies to Balthazar. He is an exiled Vampire Lord who wished to turn both Julian and Christian into vampires because he has an intense crush on both of them and wanted to have a threesome with them. 👀 Cute, right? 😂😂 He is compassionate, loving, and genuinely cares for his followers and Fledgings. I only got a small taste of what those characters are like, a single volume is not enough to get to know them in-depth, but I love them already.

Furthermore, there might not be much in the way of romance so far, it's only been fifteen chapters after all, but the set-up leading up to it makes my heart go fast. Julian and Daemon, one of the main couples, have a phenomenal dynamic. I love how they know each other for 0.2 seconds, yet they flirt with each other almost immediately. There is an attraction between them before they even lay eyes on one another, and while their relationship feels a little insta-love, it doesn't bother me much since it is because of the fated-mates trope. This is the only circumstance where I can accept the insta-love trope because if there isn't a clear, magical, and universal intervention that pulls two characters together, then it is the laziest kind of writing to me. I am not sorry about that statement and I will not accept criticism at this time. On the contrary, Balthazar and Christian's relationship couldn't be more different than Julian and Daemon's. While Balthazar is more than ready to take their relationship to the next level, even though they've known each other for about a day or two, Christian is nowhere near ready. He denies having any sort of feelings for the Vampire Lord (liiieeess!!), he fights his inner Vampiric instincts to stick close to his Master and even pushes against Balthazar's kind acts, expecting some ulterior motive from him. Balthazar may be the one who fell first, but I just know Christian is going to fall harder. I can't wait!! 🤩🤩

All in all, I can already tell how wonderful this series will turn out to be, even if I've only read a small portion of it. I am sure that an epic plot awaits, there are certainly numerous chapters to back that up, and I am anxious to see all the characters fall in love and get frisky with one another. 😁😁


✨Have you ever read Ever Dark?✨

[♡ cal ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Then Daemon said simply, ❝ I am getting stronger. ❞
And so am I, Julian realized.

this book gay boy is seated for he is invested! for the vampire king awakens, i obviously didn't loved it. i'm not even sure if i liked it but i'm highly invested. my nosy ass needs to know what will happen next! the lack of romance is definitely my biggest ick but again such thing is justified because we have to set up the world, these extensive numerous characters, and lore. hopefully something cooks in the romance department in the next book asap or i'll riot. keeping my fingers crossed still for these books!

[Sparkle (Roronoa Zoro’s girl) {in the longest slump🥴} 💜Tortured Reader🤍 · Rating 5 out of 5]

End of this had me giggling like a school girl at 12 am. Fully embracing my vampire era or whatever. Let’s go Daemon!!
Baltasar you have good intentions but you creep me out for now. Who needs sleep when i have this series.. Next!

[Katrine Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent lore and world building

[Linn · Rating 5 out of 5]

*high-pitched fan girl raptor squeal*

RTC

[Fudanshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐ (Rounded Up)

The first 50% was almost a shit-show. There was no build up, and we were thrusted into this world. A boy trying to find out how/why is parents died.

There was nothing remarkable or redeemable about any of the characters involved (or so I thought) and most of them grated on my nerves.

Then we hit the 60% mark! Wow. How the script got flipped!

I'm invested now and have to know what happens to these tribes of vampires. Their "king" has been awoken and is ready to claim the throne after so many millennia, but knows not of what has happened while he slumbered. And not everyone is happy about it.

[meesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh fuck yeah i’m gonna be eating this shit up for seven books just you watch

[~David~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this series as a webnovel on the Raythe Reign website, so this is a full series review.

I was shocked but how much I loved this. It's now not only my favorite vampire romance but possibly my favorite vampire story period. The worldbuilding was so interesting that it actually felt refreshing for a MM romance. I was HOOKED!

Following 2 couples with 6+ POVs made this story feel a lot bigger and gave it some of that high fantasy vibe. Damian and Julian were obviously the stars but Christian and Balthazar weren't overshadowed. There was a good, deep exploration of both romances.

I'd give this 6/5 stars if I could!

[Robert Fontenot · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my second attempt at reading a series by this author and it did not go quite as well as the first. The some extent this is just me not gelling with the writing but also it feels like the author has no interest in drawing you into the story, as opposed to just dumping you into it. The book starts off with some promise as two intrepid YouTubers strike out to prove Vampires are real. By the very next chapter we find out that not only are vampires real but they apparently have hacked the server of these particular humans so they can watch the videos before they post. It’s strange. There’s a lot of basic storytelling mistakes on display and I can’t fathom reading this whole series. They’re also a lot of exclamation points. More than I’m used to seeing in fiction geared towards adults.

[ML · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had a lot of set up. New universe and all.

Lots of character knowledge but it didn’t feel like a deluge of info thankfully.

Christian and Julian are humans until they enter the Ever Dark and things take a dramatic turn. They are looking for evidence of how Julian’s parents died. This is a serial read so I have a feeling you will have many crumbs that will need to be followed to get to the final truth.

The cast of characters are fascinating enough I’m going to binge into Volume 2…. 📖📖 👏🏻👏🏻

[user · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so freaking much!! I’m starting book 2 immediately after that cliffhanger!! I love these characters, the vivid imagery of this world, the vampire court politics, the potiental romances between Christian and Balthazar. Julian and Daemon!!! If you have never heard of this series pick it up now you won’t regret it!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

pls I need the smut

[Alanna]

DNF for now. The audiobook is full cast and my brain refuses to let me follow. So this is on me.

[Sidni Shockley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told in 3rd person and it was a bit hard to follow

Additionally, I feel like this whole book could’ve been two chapters. I don’t feel like we got anywhere.

[Deionna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just Getting to the Good Part

4 1/2 stars. Ever Dark’s introduction was well done. Establishing the story through the lens a grieving son added higher stakes. I liked how the intimacy between the vampires and their fledglings–and the two best friends–was subtly created and sustained.

The last chapter ended with a satisfying cliff hanger that has me excited to start book 2 in the series.

[Sugarpop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hits the spot just right.
Exactly the way vampire romance should be. I would give 11 stars if I could.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I come to X Aratare's books from her audiobooks on Spotify. Which I feel bring a lot of warmth and feeling to the text. The text on it's own though I still think is fun and heartfelt. However, I do have a couple of critiques.

I would love for Aratare to repeat things less. The serialized way she writes is probably the reason that she keeps repeating information. If you're not reading the story in one go but once a month you probably need to be reminded of certain details. This is really annoying though if you are reading a book that has at least a few chapters published already. It feels very tedious and a little patronizing having information fed to you again and again. Which I'm sure is not the intent, it's just a way to make it easier to understand when it's coming month by month. But I'd suggest maybe she makes second editions of her books. She could go through them once a series is finished and just tighten some details so it reads better as a whole.

Furthermore, I don't like how much of a power fantasy the characters are. This is obviously a matter of personal taste. However, I feel like there's a difference between a regular power fantasy character that still feels well rounded, vulnerable, and somewhat realistic and a character that feels untouchable or the narrative seems to bend over backwards to make them cool to an unrealistic degree. Daemon as vampire god feels so above reproach morally and physically. He seems unconcerned about any threat and it seems narratively like his arrogance is warranted so there's no danger there. He's also as The King TM meant to just be seemingly inherently just. Even when he has a complete disregard for human life in later books Julien bends over backwards to understand his point of view despite the fact that he should actually be held to a higher standard due to his position of power. Also, I'm really concerned how Aratare is going to balance his and Julien's powers once they've built up their strength. Because with all their gifts without some narrative contrivances there's going to be almost no tension or danger anymore.

Then there's Balthazar. It isn't enough that he's incredibly powerful for his age and the head of his house, there's a whole power invented to be the worse version of his. The siren gift seems to exist to boost him Balthazar in comparison. Which feels inorganic, to have just one ability that's worse than the others. Especially since siren powers are not something I associate with vampires. Balthazar has a great personality he would shine even if he was less powerful. You don't need to overcompensate like this.

I'm not one for too much relationship drama in stories as it often feels cliched and out of nowhere but there's almost the opposite issue here. Everything between the two couples seems to get resolved with such little fanfare. They're SO perfect for each other that they're just so in sync that there isn't any real tension in them getting to know each other or in how they build up trust. Despite the constant cliffhangers Aratare likes to use everything always feels like it's going to be okay. Which I like to a degree. I love a happy ending. But I just feel like much in how she needs to overcompensate how powerful the characters are she doesn't have enough confidence in her characters to let the couples really be at odds ever and test their relationship.

I really did enjoy this book. It's a good sign that details that bothered me actually stayed with me and I didn't just forget this whole thing. So I don't mean to keep critiquing it but that's the stuff that stays with me. I wonder why did she make that choice and what I would have done differently. But if the world wasn't interesting I wouldn't care enough to keep mulling it over. So, with that in mind, my last critique is I just really felt like the lads first blood drinking lacked urgency. The characters seemed to keep getting distracted away from it and it hardly felt like Julien was in any real danger except at the end.

[Kali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Type: Audiobook / Full Cast Narration

Well, this was a little bit confusing, but I still liked it. It took me some time to realize that there are two main couples and we follow all four main characters pretty evenly once we get to know them all. But I'm happy that I skipped reading the blurb again before I started the series, because there are some things in it that either spoil the first book a bit, or just don't make sense (at this point at least). Where exactly do we have in the book that the fledglings are their mates? It sounds more like they are children, which makes the romance part a bit weird for me.

I like a lot the idea of vampires being a secret to humans, because they mainly live in their own pocket universes and Earth is basically a Drive-through for them. Also vampires have their own religion and an overzealous Order that wants to control them all? Yes, please.

What I think will fall a little flat is the tension. When you have an all powerful being who is quickly recovering his strength, will any obstacle be an actual challenge for him?

I think it's a big plus that in such a long series there isn't much of a romance this early on.

The audiobooks should be great. And in some ways they are. A full cast narration is very much appreciated. What I didn't like is that there are a lot of inner thoughts in and it's difficult to differentiate it from the spoken dialogue most of the time. Especially when the characters so often answer questions or make remarks aimed at others, but only inwardly.

[Carina A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐

“Why did you come to Earth when you weren’t ready?”
“For you. I came for you.”

M/M | Vampires | Fated mates

The way I was so entangled in the book, I couldn’t stop reading it, a feeling I hadn’t had in years, is almost enough reason for the 4 stars.

The story starts with two friends who have a YouTube channel finding the entrance to a vampire city with the plan to prove vampires exist and that they were responsible for the deaths of one of the friends’ parents, and suddenly they are almost dying and awakening a vampire king at the same time.
The story is quick to develop after that, and it mostly happens in a space of two eventful days.

The writing may not be out of this world, but the worldbuilding, the vampire politics and conflicts, the fated mates!! are more than enough to not let you put this book down.
And the way it ended!! Does makes you want to start the next asap!

The romance hasn’t started yet, but that is a good thing, so the characters can get to know each other without being instant love only because they happen to be fated mates. I’m curious to see how the relationships will develop, and I’m especially curious to see Daemon and Balthazar interact after that first meeting!

Thank you, X. Aratare, for the free ebook. I can’t wait to continue the series!

[Joanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5🌟
I reached my book goal with this one!! 25/25 🌟😝
Thank you kindly to bookfunnel for providing me with this digital copy. I honestly think this was decent, I enjoyed the authors take on vampires and having different houses corresponding with powers and original godlike vampires whom these powers descended from. The concept of these two young men becoming vampires (partially against their will, difficult circumstances call for desperate measures) when one didn’t believe they existed while the other is convinced that vampires murdered his parents sets up a decent plot line and kept me invested in the characters. Though, whatever is going on with Balthazar and his obsession with both Christian and Julian, a little weird, it’s giving Stan (derogatory).
But, I just have to add, I don’t get great vibes from Daemon either and would much prefer the boys remaining with Balthazar but if I had to make a solid assumption based on the ending, these besties are gonna be split up 🥀💔

I do have to say, I did not know this was a long series when I originally began reading, I was under the impression that it would be several standalone books however, I was clearly wrong. With that said, I may not continue this series..

[Legendary · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

At first I wasn't sure about the story but then once MC became a vampire, it became better. The story was interesting because there's a world full of vampires. Julian and his friend become vampires from the start of it. I thought the whole telepathy was cool, even tho we didn't see Daemon, the ML, except his appearance twice now. I think cuz of the telepathy, there was a relationship built up kinda between him and Julian. Tbh once I read more on Balthazar's pov, I started to like him more. He's super caring to want Julian by his side to not let him die. I thought that was really sweet. He's the friend's love interest, but man I wish it was an M/M/M story so that the three of them can get together or something idk. I mean I know there's already Daemon for Julian but I don't really like him that much, seems too controlling but maybe he's not since we don't know him all that well. No romance in this book but hints of it and a start of one but I gave it a 4 stars cuz of the story. The writing was not that great, tho imo. Idk if I'll continue; it's just that I don't like Daemon

[BeckieLouLou · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Audiobook. Vampires and humans and love romances and bromances and friendships. Series of nine books with wonderful world building and a large cast of characters. Exceptionally well done character introductions, spaced out and different enough to keep them all straight, narration is with multiple actors, so that helped too. Low angst, low drama, a lot goes right for these characters and they actively try to fix hurts and heal emotional wounds for themselves and each other. Not OTT super sweet, but lots of support and caring. Felt like a mini series or soap opera since there were multiple romances and many different storylines with multiple POV. Really enjoyed the story, kept moving, stayed interesting. Totally binge-able, no tedious recapping. Recommend reading them all together or very close together due to the large cast and many plots, you need to remember who everyone is for the full impact at the end. Must read all installments for the HEA as many end on cliffhangers.

Sounded like there was a spinoff, Vampire Academy, that I would be interested in just to see what the characters are up to.

HEA, series, vampires, humans, m/m, urban fantasy vibes.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent start to a series!

Following several different characters this book quickly intertwines their stories and lives even as it causes situations that again pull them apart.

A pair of adventurers are out to prove that vampires exist by finding their hidden city. Julian believes vampires exist because it was the last things his parents, adventurers themselves, found before dying in an accident he believes was intentional. His best friend Christian is going with him. Unbeknownst to them they are watched by Balthazar, a vampire leader, as well as other yet unknown vampires who do not want them to find the truth. When they do indeed find the hidden city, one that turns out to have been lost to vampires themselves, they also find an unexpected occupant, the Vampire King. Soon Julian and Christian find their lives thrown into chaos and full of vampires with threats coming from all sides.

An exciting read filled with equal amounts of action and emotion as well as quite thorough world building, this is a great opener to a series and promises much more to come!

[Kano · Rating 1 out of 5]

i truly do not understand why this book is rated so highly. I dnfed at 30%(which is the most i’ll ever endure a book) the saddest part is that the only reason i endured for so long is because i had so much hope. genuinely so much hope, i love the vampire genre and i thought the world building would be so much fun but… i just found it very convenient (and kinda lazy) that all of the information about the world was so readily available to the MC and his friend. Like yeah sad that his parents died but the fact that everything was so readily available to them down to how to get into the damn city, and what the city looked like.

I also found the conversation between the MC and Daemon in their minds really forced, like idk.

“The Immortal pronounced it “Damon”, but Julian somehow knew it was spelled “Daemon” and meant “demon”.  ”

uhm-
idk this line made me so uncontrollably angry because it made me wonder… “how did y’all read that line and STILL rate it so high?”
Listen i know that there is a shortage of MM vampire romance books but no… RAISE YOUR STANDARDS PEOPLE

[Lucy Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book by listening to the podcast and honestly it was amazing so far. I really can’t wait for the next one.

I’m not a huge vampire romance fan. I’ve always found vampire romance novels to be too much about the spicy stuff for me but this one so far is pretty good. There is definitely some flirting and implied spicy scenes so far but it’s mostly about the plot and mystery. I was seriously on the edge of my seat as I read it, really wanting to know what would happen next.

The ending left me on a total cliffhanger which just felt unfair. I want to know what is going to happen to Daemon and Julian and next and what kind of relationship Christian and Balthazar are going to develop. Christian seems a little hesitant right now which makes me just want to know more. I really can’t wait for the next part of this series. The spicy rating was a level 2 but I expect that to go up pretty soon.

Overall, I would give this book a 5 out of 5 star rating. It was pretty good and I’m excited to see where it goes next.

[mike bullock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elegantly written. Funny vampires with issues and sexy nerds with attitude!!!😎😍😍

Gah!!!😘 Absolutely delicious!😋 So very yummy! Ever Dark is my new favouite! This beauty is so refreshingly fun. The characters are extremely well developed. Like, in your face..crazy beautiful. The premise is far out. Crazy good! I could not put this down. Didn't want to put it down. I'm really looking forward to the next installment! Daemon is so full on sulky and dreamy as the Vampire King. And Balthazar is as crazy as he sexy and the not-so-reluctant hero...*wink,wink* ...I was so keyed up right to the last words and X. Aratare delivers!!!😏 Oh so hot!!! All of the protagonists are hardcore enthusiasts in the end! 😁 The world creation is so full on when you enter Ever Dark this world we inhabit so effortlessly falls away and you find yourself walking through a world full of alien beauty and you stumble a bit to get your balance back. It's quite amazing!!!😍 I highly recommend this series!😂😎😍

[Laina Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure if anyone else felt this way, but I felt like this book is just a lot of talking and a lot of information, being thrown at us. I’m hoping since this is the first book it’ll get better as we go on. Maybe this book was just the world building part so then hopefully we get more action in the second book.

I felt like the information could’ve been written a little differently. Give the reader the power to figure out some things instead of just blatantly telling us all the answers. I honestly skimmed through some of the dialogue because I just felt like it was too much and most of the time I’m sitting here thinking, just get to the point already

Overall, it’s still intrigued me and I bought the second book. I’m really hoping it gets better and less over explaining. The storyline is great and I’m excited to see where it goes from there.

[karli ;3]

Didn’t like the way they wrote. Because what the fuck is “Balthazar leaned his aristocratic face back to bathe it under the young October moon.” Like oh. Oh wow. Thats. Thats not… Or like “and a day’s worth of stubble on cheekbones so sharp that they could have cut glass.” Uh huh. Right. Anywho, I’m just not here for this in general. The plot is like Van Helsing but make it gay. I don’t really care. Or the whole vlog like Sam and Colby. I really don’t care. His parents died so now he has to search for vampires. Oh wow. How interesting. So cool! I just don’t give a fuck. I don’t give two fucks about this story. Like it could go places, just not places for me.

[Blaise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say: some other books somewhat traumatized me away from vampires. And I really didn’t want to try any kind of vampire story ever again
BUT
well this series convinced me in the first chapter that vampires are actually a hell lot of sexy and amazing!
I love that there is none of that drama when the characters take three pages up for complaining about whether they love someone or not. The story flows just directly from one page to the next and the chance of getting addictive is just not avoidable
I love it
(Ps. listen to the audiobook as well it’s awsomeeeee!)

[369Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this is so much fun! The world is so immersive! I’m actually listening to the podcast sometimes, which is fully voice acted and well done!

So far it’s exciting, each chapter leaves me needing to read more! The vampire politics are cool, and the dynamics between the characters are interesting. Though it’s definitely insta love for certain people, there is so much room for the characters to develop.

The only gripe I have with this is that this book starts with two of the MCs super hating vampires, but they get really cool about it real fast.

Can’t wait to read more!