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The Legacy of Boulom #1
Platinum Tinted Darkness
When the gods send their harbingers, the Guardians are all who stand in the way. But who protects these defenders when the gods seek to sway them?
Crystal mage Serenna Morgan struggles to maintain the neutrality of the Guardian Pact when a neighboring kingdom invades her own. The God of Death offers his divine power to stop the invasion. For a price. As the conflict escalates, the remaining Guardians fall prey to the other meddling deities, and the choice given to Serenna might be the only thing that keeps them together. Or results in their doom.
Not all gods love their people, but the ones that do may end up the most dangerous
Crystal mage Serenna Morgan struggles to maintain the neutrality of the Guardian Pact when a neighboring kingdom invades her own. The God of Death offers his divine power to stop the invasion. For a price. As the conflict escalates, the remaining Guardians fall prey to the other meddling deities, and the choice given to Serenna might be the only thing that keeps them together. Or results in their doom.
Not all gods love their people, but the ones that do may end up the most dangerous
- GenresFantasy
368 pages, Hardcover
Published March 10, 2023
121 people are currently reading
1136 people want to read
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June 9, 2023
There are six Guardians who have a pact to stay united to face whatever Harbinger the gods throw at them. But when Serenna’s people are being invaded by another kingdom and slaughtered mercilessly, she decides that protecting her home is more important than honoring the Guardian Pact. Breaking this pact draws the attention of the god of Death, who offers to make her his Harbinger with unlimited power. What follows is a struggle between Guardians, gods, and Harbingers that may threated the very world as they know it.
The concept of this book was intriguing to me. I loved the idea of gods offering their powers to humans, creating powerful Harbingers that emulate their distinct powers. There were a few gods included throughout the work that were fascinating and left me wanting to know more about them and the way religion/deities functioned in this world. The concept of the Guardians was also interesting.
However, this work was lacking in meaningful world-building. The above concepts were all interesting but weren’t really explored or incorporated into the world in a meaningful way. Things relevant to the plot were included, but never in a way that brought the concept or the world to life. The world-building felt like it only scratched the surface of what it could and should have been. Similarly, the characters were painfully bland. There was no real personality evident, and the development was barely there, making them all feel like cardboard cutouts. This made the relationship that developed between two of the main characters feel forced, not to mention it escalated in seriousness with every page turn.
This is more of a personal dislike, but the names for most of the main characters grated on me. In this high fantasy world of gods and magic, the main characters mostly sounded like folks you’d run into at a barbeque in an expensive neighborhood (Melissa, Jeff, Grayson, etc.). These people also spent most of their page time snickering or giggling, making them feel like immature teenagers rather than immortals. The writing style didn’t work for me. The author overutilized italicized words to show emphasis. It constantly, which was just too much. The writing was also lacking in emotion. It was hard to tell if this was mainly since the characters were lacking in life/depth or because the author spent so much time telling us how the characters felt or what they were like rather than incorporating it smoothly into the story itself.
The premise of this work is fascinating, but its execution was severely lacking. My thanks to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The concept of this book was intriguing to me. I loved the idea of gods offering their powers to humans, creating powerful Harbingers that emulate their distinct powers. There were a few gods included throughout the work that were fascinating and left me wanting to know more about them and the way religion/deities functioned in this world. The concept of the Guardians was also interesting.
However, this work was lacking in meaningful world-building. The above concepts were all interesting but weren’t really explored or incorporated into the world in a meaningful way. Things relevant to the plot were included, but never in a way that brought the concept or the world to life. The world-building felt like it only scratched the surface of what it could and should have been. Similarly, the characters were painfully bland. There was no real personality evident, and the development was barely there, making them all feel like cardboard cutouts. This made the relationship that developed between two of the main characters feel forced, not to mention it escalated in seriousness with every page turn.
This is more of a personal dislike, but the names for most of the main characters grated on me. In this high fantasy world of gods and magic, the main characters mostly sounded like folks you’d run into at a barbeque in an expensive neighborhood (Melissa, Jeff, Grayson, etc.). These people also spent most of their page time snickering or giggling, making them feel like immature teenagers rather than immortals. The writing style didn’t work for me. The author overutilized italicized words to show emphasis. It constantly, which was just too much. The writing was also lacking in emotion. It was hard to tell if this was mainly since the characters were lacking in life/depth or because the author spent so much time telling us how the characters felt or what they were like rather than incorporating it smoothly into the story itself.
The premise of this work is fascinating, but its execution was severely lacking. My thanks to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
November 15, 2025
This book made my list of top Indie published SFF books I read in 2025.
See the link to all my top books for 2025, below:
https://beforewegoblog.com/p-ls-top-i...
Please see the link below for my booktube interview with the author where we discuss, among other topics, my thoughts on the novel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcWGF...
The gods cannot be trusted, but you can trust author Wolff to deliver a rip-roaring, action-packed thrill ride centred around the Guardians.
The Guardians are a group of powerful yet sometimes divisive warriors who are supposed to be autonomous and above political scheming. Yet, they keep ending up being drawn into the plots and machinations of the various realms they inhabit.
But despite such worries, the Guardians must protect all from the Harbingers, who are vessels for the gods, and whose power far exceeds the Guardians. Only unity can guarantee triumph, but all seems fractured.
Really fun stuff!
See the link to all my top books for 2025, below:
https://beforewegoblog.com/p-ls-top-i...
Please see the link below for my booktube interview with the author where we discuss, among other topics, my thoughts on the novel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcWGF...
The gods cannot be trusted, but you can trust author Wolff to deliver a rip-roaring, action-packed thrill ride centred around the Guardians.
The Guardians are a group of powerful yet sometimes divisive warriors who are supposed to be autonomous and above political scheming. Yet, they keep ending up being drawn into the plots and machinations of the various realms they inhabit.
But despite such worries, the Guardians must protect all from the Harbingers, who are vessels for the gods, and whose power far exceeds the Guardians. Only unity can guarantee triumph, but all seems fractured.
Really fun stuff!
November 17, 2025
Platinum Tinted Darkness by Tim Wolff is a GLORIOUS fantasy full of adventure, unique characters, and heart. While there’s a great deal of world building and rich lore, the story never gets bogged down by it. The story drops readers right in the middle of heated battle and political intrigue and doesn’t loosen its captivating hold until the last page.
The tale follows the Guardians, a group of very different people who have found to protect the realm of various demons and the gods who control them. Each character brings something special, not just to the group, but to the book. The platinum mage, Serenna, is powerful but nearing her breaking point. David, the leader, is war-hardened beyond measure, and only maintains any softness due to his gentle (but fierce warrior) love and fellow guardian, Melissa, and to some extent, the newcomer he recruits, Zeen, who serves as a reminder of the idealistic man he once was. Pyith is bold and brave, while Francis is invisible and insecure. Each takes a very different journey, and each adds layers of meaning to an already rich tale.
One of the main points of view in the story belongs to Zeen. As the newest Guardian, he serves as the reader’s introduction to the world and its people. He’s sweet, if somewhat naïve, and he may just serve as the one person who can keep Serenna from going down an even more dangerous path than the one we find her on as the book commences. Guardians are meant to remain neutral in politics and war, but when her homeland was invaded, Serenna can’t stand by and watch her people slaughter. She becomes the pact breaker, becoming a deadly adversary in a bloody war. Her choice puts her on the God of Death’s radar, and the weight of what Serenna is forced to do and endure threatens to turn her into the very monsters she’s sworn to fight. Yet a sweet, slow burn romance with Zeen forms that just might be enough to heal a heart tinted with darkness and will certainly appeal to anyone who loves a dose of love with their fantasy adventures.
The other great selling point of this book that I would be utterly remiss for not mentioning is the giant lizard war lord, Sardonyx. He is GLORIOUS — as is his kingdom, his God of Strength, and pretty much anything else he likes. He brings such a unique humor to a mostly serious story, and some of his lines, especially regarding Serenna and Zeen, had me cracking up. He was hands-down my favorite character.
Along with brilliant characters, there is some brilliant prose with universal insights and truths that pop off the page. It was wonderful to have an action-packed book full of poetic gems. Honestly, the author’s writing can’t be faulted. A few of the fights felt a bit too structured, but considering how hard writing battle scenes is and how many there were, it’s understandable and took away nothing from the enjoyment of reading this well-crafted tale. The dialogue was great, the characters were engaging, the story was captivating, and the ending was the perfect hook to set up book 2. If you like fantasy, a dash of romance, excellent characters, and strong writing, pick up this book. It’s truly GLORIOUS!
The tale follows the Guardians, a group of very different people who have found to protect the realm of various demons and the gods who control them. Each character brings something special, not just to the group, but to the book. The platinum mage, Serenna, is powerful but nearing her breaking point. David, the leader, is war-hardened beyond measure, and only maintains any softness due to his gentle (but fierce warrior) love and fellow guardian, Melissa, and to some extent, the newcomer he recruits, Zeen, who serves as a reminder of the idealistic man he once was. Pyith is bold and brave, while Francis is invisible and insecure. Each takes a very different journey, and each adds layers of meaning to an already rich tale.
One of the main points of view in the story belongs to Zeen. As the newest Guardian, he serves as the reader’s introduction to the world and its people. He’s sweet, if somewhat naïve, and he may just serve as the one person who can keep Serenna from going down an even more dangerous path than the one we find her on as the book commences. Guardians are meant to remain neutral in politics and war, but when her homeland was invaded, Serenna can’t stand by and watch her people slaughter. She becomes the pact breaker, becoming a deadly adversary in a bloody war. Her choice puts her on the God of Death’s radar, and the weight of what Serenna is forced to do and endure threatens to turn her into the very monsters she’s sworn to fight. Yet a sweet, slow burn romance with Zeen forms that just might be enough to heal a heart tinted with darkness and will certainly appeal to anyone who loves a dose of love with their fantasy adventures.
The other great selling point of this book that I would be utterly remiss for not mentioning is the giant lizard war lord, Sardonyx. He is GLORIOUS — as is his kingdom, his God of Strength, and pretty much anything else he likes. He brings such a unique humor to a mostly serious story, and some of his lines, especially regarding Serenna and Zeen, had me cracking up. He was hands-down my favorite character.
Along with brilliant characters, there is some brilliant prose with universal insights and truths that pop off the page. It was wonderful to have an action-packed book full of poetic gems. Honestly, the author’s writing can’t be faulted. A few of the fights felt a bit too structured, but considering how hard writing battle scenes is and how many there were, it’s understandable and took away nothing from the enjoyment of reading this well-crafted tale. The dialogue was great, the characters were engaging, the story was captivating, and the ending was the perfect hook to set up book 2. If you like fantasy, a dash of romance, excellent characters, and strong writing, pick up this book. It’s truly GLORIOUS!
June 17, 2025
full rtc (please don't yell at me for not doing it within a week), but I can't wait to start book 2. Loved this.
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October 13, 2023Review originally on JamReads
Platinum Tinted Darkness is the first book on the Legacy of Boulon series, a dark/epic fantasy proposal written by Timothy Wolff, and which was one of the SPFBO9 entries. A book that introduces us to a world of gods, mages and lizard people, with heavy inspiration from MMORPGs, and that fits totally the vibe of "what if we go to fight against gods".
In Boulon, gods are the embodiment of powerful forces, such as death, fear, strength, etc... and cannot be trusted. A few chosen ones are used as their Harbingers, turning their bodies into vessels for an incredible amount of power, becoming an immediate threat to the world, needed to be stopped. This is the labour of the Guardian, six powerful individuals that combat together, and who swear to maintain themselves apart from political disputes.
But all changes when Serenna Morgan oversteps and breaks the Pact, tired of seeing her people dying, attracting the attention of Death to become its Harbinger.
The actions of Serenna open a crack in the Guardians, as not all of them are sure she should continue being part; but with how twisted are gods' intentions in this world, letting one of the best Guardians go is not exactly an option.
With this premise, Wolff continues exploring the relationship between them, how some get targetted by gods, while at the same time, Boulon is struggling with the political and militar fights.
Wolff introduces us to a rich world, with several kingdoms that are fighting between themselves; in the middle of all, the Guardians are the institution that ensures a certain stability against the gods' designs. They are supposed to be the best warriors/wizards, working and fighting in a style that remembers to the job system in FF; as they are against forces much more powerful, coordination and teamwork is the key.
I personally appreciated that gods are developed and we get to know more about their past lives; instead of being generic forces, we soon discover how they are relatively known figures in the history of Boulon.
The pacing is quite fast, full of action and combats, really well written; however, it can feel confusing at the start, especially with how the Guardians start at different places during the book.
Platinum Tinted Darkness is the gate to a world with so much potential, that you will love if you are a fan of JRPGs or even DnD. Can't wait to continue with the adventures in the second book, which will be released this December.
Platinum Tinted Darkness is the first book on the Legacy of Boulon series, a dark/epic fantasy proposal written by Timothy Wolff, and which was one of the SPFBO9 entries. A book that introduces us to a world of gods, mages and lizard people, with heavy inspiration from MMORPGs, and that fits totally the vibe of "what if we go to fight against gods".
In Boulon, gods are the embodiment of powerful forces, such as death, fear, strength, etc... and cannot be trusted. A few chosen ones are used as their Harbingers, turning their bodies into vessels for an incredible amount of power, becoming an immediate threat to the world, needed to be stopped. This is the labour of the Guardian, six powerful individuals that combat together, and who swear to maintain themselves apart from political disputes.
But all changes when Serenna Morgan oversteps and breaks the Pact, tired of seeing her people dying, attracting the attention of Death to become its Harbinger.
The actions of Serenna open a crack in the Guardians, as not all of them are sure she should continue being part; but with how twisted are gods' intentions in this world, letting one of the best Guardians go is not exactly an option.
With this premise, Wolff continues exploring the relationship between them, how some get targetted by gods, while at the same time, Boulon is struggling with the political and militar fights.
Wolff introduces us to a rich world, with several kingdoms that are fighting between themselves; in the middle of all, the Guardians are the institution that ensures a certain stability against the gods' designs. They are supposed to be the best warriors/wizards, working and fighting in a style that remembers to the job system in FF; as they are against forces much more powerful, coordination and teamwork is the key.
I personally appreciated that gods are developed and we get to know more about their past lives; instead of being generic forces, we soon discover how they are relatively known figures in the history of Boulon.
The pacing is quite fast, full of action and combats, really well written; however, it can feel confusing at the start, especially with how the Guardians start at different places during the book.
Platinum Tinted Darkness is the gate to a world with so much potential, that you will love if you are a fan of JRPGs or even DnD. Can't wait to continue with the adventures in the second book, which will be released this December.
January 31, 2024
"...Everyone who gets close to you suffers.”
Daniel: Nothing I don’t tell myself every day.
Lizard people. Gods. Guardians. Death. Did I say Lizard people?
Platinum Tinted Darkness is the first book of the Legacy of Boulom series, and the debut book of author Timothy Wolff.
The book starts off with the POV of Serenna who breaks a pact made by a selected group of Guardians as she can no longer stand back and watch her people suffer afflicted by war. Her desperation and at times desire for power, be it out of desperation to live or save another comes at a… deadly cost.
I have to say I struggled to understand what the classic rules were with Guardianship, as it appears to be a union by word of mouth. Anyone strong enough could be a guardian it seems. The leader of the guardians is the one holding the band together, who is also chosen among themselves? Aside from not romancing each other, I couldn’t follow more on the do’s and do not. I’d hoped to find some clarity or history that would give more rapport for these characters and the burden they must carry. At the same time I don’t think this is something that has to be explained to be enjoyed, we start the first chapter following Serenna and the events that take after so I like that Wolff wasn’t going to hold our hands or flood us with information.
It’s important to mention that Platinum Tinted Darkness has multiple POVs and I found each one not only entertaining but perceptive as it carried me through the story smoothly. From the beginning, I grew attached to David. He was the experienced one from the group of POVs who was either corrupted, about to be corrupted or are new to the Guardian gang, which means I could trust him more. In the first few pages, I quickly sympathized and felt sorry for the guy! Not even death could tempt or sway this man’s self-loathing. His one light to the cruel world is his beloved Melissa who was an instant likable character.
In the case of antagonists, and villains, Wolff can really make you like the most morally grey characters, and villains until they completely go to the point of no return.
Zeen was a sweetheart, to the point where you can’t help but root for him and hope all of his wishes come true! Alas, I won’t be the first to say that Sardonyx won my heart through his chants, and unbending drive to live life gloriously. Without sharing spoilers, I was shocked when tragedy hit and when we uncover something about a particular star-shaped person towards the end of the book!
Platinum Tinted Darkness has powerful and engaging elements, that Wolff builds with dark themes, sword and sorcery, magical realism, subplots of romance, internal struggles, hopes, dreams, sorrow, anguish, and so much pain. If you’re ready to dive into a world plagued by suspicious gods, give this book a read for strength without honor is chaos!
March 18, 2023
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley, and this is my honest review.
(4.5 stars.)
After finishing this book, I have had numerous conversations with people about lizard people warlords and their views on unicorns and how they are a violation of the beastly form of horses.
Platinum Tinted Darkness introduces us to a world of mages, magic, gods, lizard people, and unicorns. IN this world, the gods are essentially the embodiment of such forces as death, fear, wisdom, strength, etc. A chosen few are chosen/coerced into becoming their Harbingers, turning their mortal bodies into vessels for the god’s power, often at an incredible cost. The most deadly of the Harbingers is death’s, who, unsurprisingly, leaves destruction in his wake and threatens to rip apart the realm at the seams. The only force keeping Death’s and all other Harbingers at bay is the Guardians, six magical badasses that swear to stay out of all politics and disputes between kingdoms in order to be ready when a Harbinger steps out of line. Yet, Guardian Serenna Morgan is tired of watching her people die. But in order to help, she must break her Guardian pact, and face the consequences of drawing Death’s attention.
The overall vibe of Platinum Tinted Darkness reminds me of a baby Brandon Sanderson book. The voice, stylistic choices/techniques, and characters are distinctly different from one another, but there’s that same fast pace action, high stakes, darker lens, and ragtag group of characters trying to save the world. I will say, though, I think some of the action sequences got a little too technical for me at times. There was so much detail about the specific slash of the sword/why it was made that what should be a fast-paced action sequence turned into something jerky at times. With this being said, the action had good breaks in between to let me emotionally recover, and the story had an mostly solid flow. We've seen the classic, "this dark being is coming to destroy the realm," countless times before, but I think the worldbuilding and diverse set of characters did such a good job of nevertheless making this feel like a new, easy to become invested in story. Speaking of characters, though, oh boy do we have things to discuss.
The first POV character we’re introduced to is Serenna, the crystal mage. Honestly, I loved her from the first page. We’re immediately injected into her watching the aftermath of a battle and chafing against her duty to remain uninvolved. She has a strong empathy for her people, an even stronger sense of responsibility and morality. Serenna is willing to do what she has to do in order to protect those she loves, even if that means defying the rules. Not to mention her owl staff is cool on its own, but then you throw in her ability to basically fight with summoned crystal? Badass.
Next, we have David: leader of the Guardians. David has the same crush of responsibility that Serenna has, but it weighs far more heavily on him. He has lost so many people under his watch, his seen and done things that drive him to hopelessness and despair. He’s lost his sense of meaning; his belief that he could possibly do something to change his reality. David subsequently rules over the Guardians with a cold, fear-inducing mask, even though you can tell he deeply cares about his Guardians. He’s a drunk, he’s a leader, and he is a man that must face the path he has been traveling down. I will say so many characters said he was cold and ruled with fear, but I didn't necessarily get that read? That might be a matter of opinion, though.
Finally, we have Zeen: the newest Guardian. Honestly, Zeen is just endearing. He may not be the smartest Guardian, he may even be a little dopy at times, but he has the kindest heart. He believes in hope and dreams, second chances and forgiveness. Yet, he has been forced into a dark, bloody life as a soldier. That, however, hasn’t stopped him from always being the first to smile; from extending a friendly hand to a captured enemy because he deserves one person to still treat him with kindness. Also, the man loves unicorns. He’s just adorable.
Overall, Platinum Tinted Darkness is an impressive debut. The characters are distinctive and diverse, and do a great job of making you love them right away. The plot itself is full of action, with the fate of people and kingdoms constantly looming over characters' heads. Oh, and the lizard people? Ten out of ten. I think I personally just wish the action sequences were more fluid. Also, I think there were two important death scenes, but they weren’t really given the punch to the reader’s face they deserve. There's also a romance subplot that feels a little under developed, but that's what usually happens when romances aren't the primary or secondary arcs of a story.
(Oh, and side note, but my trend of loving the side characters more than the protagonists continues. Team Tempest all the way.)
(4.5 stars.)
After finishing this book, I have had numerous conversations with people about lizard people warlords and their views on unicorns and how they are a violation of the beastly form of horses.
Platinum Tinted Darkness introduces us to a world of mages, magic, gods, lizard people, and unicorns. IN this world, the gods are essentially the embodiment of such forces as death, fear, wisdom, strength, etc. A chosen few are chosen/coerced into becoming their Harbingers, turning their mortal bodies into vessels for the god’s power, often at an incredible cost. The most deadly of the Harbingers is death’s, who, unsurprisingly, leaves destruction in his wake and threatens to rip apart the realm at the seams. The only force keeping Death’s and all other Harbingers at bay is the Guardians, six magical badasses that swear to stay out of all politics and disputes between kingdoms in order to be ready when a Harbinger steps out of line. Yet, Guardian Serenna Morgan is tired of watching her people die. But in order to help, she must break her Guardian pact, and face the consequences of drawing Death’s attention.
The overall vibe of Platinum Tinted Darkness reminds me of a baby Brandon Sanderson book. The voice, stylistic choices/techniques, and characters are distinctly different from one another, but there’s that same fast pace action, high stakes, darker lens, and ragtag group of characters trying to save the world. I will say, though, I think some of the action sequences got a little too technical for me at times. There was so much detail about the specific slash of the sword/why it was made that what should be a fast-paced action sequence turned into something jerky at times. With this being said, the action had good breaks in between to let me emotionally recover, and the story had an mostly solid flow. We've seen the classic, "this dark being is coming to destroy the realm," countless times before, but I think the worldbuilding and diverse set of characters did such a good job of nevertheless making this feel like a new, easy to become invested in story. Speaking of characters, though, oh boy do we have things to discuss.
The first POV character we’re introduced to is Serenna, the crystal mage. Honestly, I loved her from the first page. We’re immediately injected into her watching the aftermath of a battle and chafing against her duty to remain uninvolved. She has a strong empathy for her people, an even stronger sense of responsibility and morality. Serenna is willing to do what she has to do in order to protect those she loves, even if that means defying the rules. Not to mention her owl staff is cool on its own, but then you throw in her ability to basically fight with summoned crystal? Badass.
Next, we have David: leader of the Guardians. David has the same crush of responsibility that Serenna has, but it weighs far more heavily on him. He has lost so many people under his watch, his seen and done things that drive him to hopelessness and despair. He’s lost his sense of meaning; his belief that he could possibly do something to change his reality. David subsequently rules over the Guardians with a cold, fear-inducing mask, even though you can tell he deeply cares about his Guardians. He’s a drunk, he’s a leader, and he is a man that must face the path he has been traveling down. I will say so many characters said he was cold and ruled with fear, but I didn't necessarily get that read? That might be a matter of opinion, though.
Finally, we have Zeen: the newest Guardian. Honestly, Zeen is just endearing. He may not be the smartest Guardian, he may even be a little dopy at times, but he has the kindest heart. He believes in hope and dreams, second chances and forgiveness. Yet, he has been forced into a dark, bloody life as a soldier. That, however, hasn’t stopped him from always being the first to smile; from extending a friendly hand to a captured enemy because he deserves one person to still treat him with kindness. Also, the man loves unicorns. He’s just adorable.
Overall, Platinum Tinted Darkness is an impressive debut. The characters are distinctive and diverse, and do a great job of making you love them right away. The plot itself is full of action, with the fate of people and kingdoms constantly looming over characters' heads. Oh, and the lizard people? Ten out of ten. I think I personally just wish the action sequences were more fluid. Also, I think there were two important death scenes, but they weren’t really given the punch to the reader’s face they deserve. There's also a romance subplot that feels a little under developed, but that's what usually happens when romances aren't the primary or secondary arcs of a story.
(Oh, and side note, but my trend of loving the side characters more than the protagonists continues. Team Tempest all the way.)
December 17, 2024
Wow, Timothy Wolff has done it again! I loved Mutes story and now I am so excited to dive into a full novel and trilogy by an author who has become autobuy and one of my favorites! Platinum Tinted Darkness has it all. A cool magic system, a rich and well built world, political intrigue, demonic monsters, deep character work, and a fantastic story that sucks you in. Dark, hopeful, sad, and funny all at once, this was an amazing start to this trilogy and I can't wait for book 2!
July 19, 2023
Gorgeous and deep, with a world you’ll want to revisit.
“I’ve fallen for you and now I have a weakness.”
Why does this book not have more attention? It’s an absolute crime. The depth, the messages, the characters, the plot, the world…
Characters called to serve gods that are corrupt and having to decide what’s the right thing to do when there are no easy answers. Religions with history and titles. Friends forced against friend.
Gah, there is so much in this book and I enjoyed every word of it. Serenna is a great character to start the story with but the characters just get better from there! And they have histories with one another…which you see through interactions, not an info dump.
I dare not give away the twist. Just I hope you do a “WTF?!” like I did.
I can’t wait for more!
“I’ve fallen for you and now I have a weakness.”
Why does this book not have more attention? It’s an absolute crime. The depth, the messages, the characters, the plot, the world…
Characters called to serve gods that are corrupt and having to decide what’s the right thing to do when there are no easy answers. Religions with history and titles. Friends forced against friend.
Gah, there is so much in this book and I enjoyed every word of it. Serenna is a great character to start the story with but the characters just get better from there! And they have histories with one another…which you see through interactions, not an info dump.
I dare not give away the twist. Just I hope you do a “WTF?!” like I did.
I can’t wait for more!
May 23, 2024
Platinum Tinted Darkness by Tim Wolff
Tim graciously sent me a copy of the book to read and I give this book 4 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What would you do if your world was about to be 86thist .. Gone..Kapoot!!
Emotions run high in this story and Tim gracefully and elegantly portrays character’s feelings on the page , without a drop of sweat or tears on the page.
You have your leaders of the Guardians !
You have a crystal mage Serena Morgan, who's also a Guardian, or will she?? I'll let you decide! Now all jobs have the rules, and the guardian is no different, do you fight for duty or for love whatever decision she makes will impact her!
On the other side of the board, we have the God of Death and the Harbingers.
And he has plans of his own , he masterfully feeds into Serena's morality, when he proposes the chance for Serena Morgan to become his own Harbinger!!
The rest you just need to buy the book and see for yourselves 🧐
Tim graciously sent me a copy of the book to read and I give this book 4 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What would you do if your world was about to be 86thist .. Gone..Kapoot!!
Emotions run high in this story and Tim gracefully and elegantly portrays character’s feelings on the page , without a drop of sweat or tears on the page.
You have your leaders of the Guardians !
You have a crystal mage Serena Morgan, who's also a Guardian, or will she?? I'll let you decide! Now all jobs have the rules, and the guardian is no different, do you fight for duty or for love whatever decision she makes will impact her!
On the other side of the board, we have the God of Death and the Harbingers.
And he has plans of his own , he masterfully feeds into Serena's morality, when he proposes the chance for Serena Morgan to become his own Harbinger!!
The rest you just need to buy the book and see for yourselves 🧐
March 22, 2025
"Then say nothing. Just keep holding me. May this song never end."
"But it does. The song always ends. No matter how beautiful the first note, the end result is always silence."
"The way I see it, silence is an acceptable price for the fleeting joy of the music."
If I could sum up Tim's brilliant classic-style fantasy book with one word, it would have to be: Temptation. I mean that to the tune of:
1) How tempted are you to throw off what is difficult and embrace the seduction of your inner darkness? (which, by proxy, is difficult - knowing you'll never be the same again).
and
2) Are your thoughts your own, or have you been tempted/lured by an unseen force? This can be a meddling god, or your own internal monologue.
I believe Tim captures this beautifully in the first chapter of his 'The Legacy of Boulom' series. Bottom line up front: I will be returning for Books Two and Three, as I'm super invested in part of the story.
Who I loved:
SERENNA - I loved every bit of this character because she's the conflicted introvert with who guards herself, but when the world needs her to step up, she doesn't shy away from the spotlight. Her character pointed me to the personal torment and "walls up" personality of Final Fantasy 8's SQUALL LEONHEART. Watching her development was really fun. Admittedly, I'm not one for romance, so the slow building bond between her and Zeen was perfect. It went deep enough to explore feelings, and nod toward their inner thoughts, but didn't trend into spice territory.
SARDONYX - he was every bit Game of Thrones' Tormund Giantsbane. Absolutely lethal, with a desire for upholding honour and a crude tongue.
NYFE - the boisterous-badass General of Terrangus. I enjoyed Nyfe's character, as he reminded me a bit of Kefka Palazzo with a bit of Peter Baelish. He was a great compliment to Serenna and Zeen, and Wolff leaves you no choice but to have your heart bleed for him in the end. Damn you, Tim, for making me care about this man!
Who I didn't really love:
FRANCIS - I just, for whatever personal reason, couldn't get into the character. Not saying Wolff didn't inject anything special into him, I think it was just that I was so wrapped up in Serenna's story that I found myself just blowing through his chapters to get back to her story.
Who got lost along the way:
ZEEN - Though I wouldn't call it getting lost, only that there were more characters with a larger gravitational pull. He was pulled into being a Guardian rather quickly, that when he spoke up, I often found myself saying, "okay, quiet boy. Adults are talking." The character and his motivations are truly believable though, I just felt that when surrounded by Nyfe or Sardonyx, they took so much of the scene because of their large personalities that he often got lost in the fray.
What I really enjoyed:
Again, Serenna's story. I was able to put myself in her shoes, because of her introversion. She also cast off a sacred pact and did what she believed was right, deciding to bear the consequences for whatever may come. I enjoyed the battles, as I believe they were rounded out and paced to keep things interesting and moving forward. I like that Wolff was able to deliver the flair of each individual character even in combat. It was interesting to watch so many different personalities come together to "get the job done."
What I didn't enjoy:
Personally - it was the many different POVs. It was nice to get into the heads of each character, but I would've wished for something more honed in on two, maybe three characters - though I understand the purpose for each in the story. I wanted more time with Serenna, and found that when I was in the mind of Francis (sorry to pick on him again), I found myself annoyed.
Praise for the author:
Tim, I'm super excited to get into the rest of this series (after I clear a few books from my TBR). Your prose was eloquent, yet easy to read - I really appreciated this! You kept the language simple, to the point I didn't once have to consult the great Google Dictionary to search a word. You really dug into the uniqueness of each character voice, and I can't tell you how much I appreciated getting to know each one of them because of it (absolutely bang up job on Sardonyx by the way!!). I loved that you kept this a classic-style fantasy adventure, and I appreciated your world building as it gave me just enough to paint the picture of each location in my mind, while guiding me enough to know your intention.
Onward and Upward:
I'm really excited to see where the series goes. I've become quite invested in the characters and the world that was built, and want to see what happens with *REDACTED FOR SPOILERS* haha. I'll certainly be returning to finish TLOB and eagerly await the next chapter.
Stars: 5/5 - loved the read!
Now, onto my personal rating scale that was born for fantasy. How many f*** offs does this get. This is my personal scale, not born of book quality, but of moments that left me cursing an author's name as a reader. If you don't want spoilers, stop reading here!!
F-Offs: 3/5
- For what you did to Melissa
- For what you did to Zeen at the end
- For making me care about Nyfe
"But it does. The song always ends. No matter how beautiful the first note, the end result is always silence."
"The way I see it, silence is an acceptable price for the fleeting joy of the music."
If I could sum up Tim's brilliant classic-style fantasy book with one word, it would have to be: Temptation. I mean that to the tune of:
1) How tempted are you to throw off what is difficult and embrace the seduction of your inner darkness? (which, by proxy, is difficult - knowing you'll never be the same again).
and
2) Are your thoughts your own, or have you been tempted/lured by an unseen force? This can be a meddling god, or your own internal monologue.
I believe Tim captures this beautifully in the first chapter of his 'The Legacy of Boulom' series. Bottom line up front: I will be returning for Books Two and Three, as I'm super invested in part of the story.
Who I loved:
SERENNA - I loved every bit of this character because she's the conflicted introvert with who guards herself, but when the world needs her to step up, she doesn't shy away from the spotlight. Her character pointed me to the personal torment and "walls up" personality of Final Fantasy 8's SQUALL LEONHEART. Watching her development was really fun. Admittedly, I'm not one for romance, so the slow building bond between her and Zeen was perfect. It went deep enough to explore feelings, and nod toward their inner thoughts, but didn't trend into spice territory.
SARDONYX - he was every bit Game of Thrones' Tormund Giantsbane. Absolutely lethal, with a desire for upholding honour and a crude tongue.
NYFE - the boisterous-badass General of Terrangus. I enjoyed Nyfe's character, as he reminded me a bit of Kefka Palazzo with a bit of Peter Baelish. He was a great compliment to Serenna and Zeen, and Wolff leaves you no choice but to have your heart bleed for him in the end. Damn you, Tim, for making me care about this man!
Who I didn't really love:
FRANCIS - I just, for whatever personal reason, couldn't get into the character. Not saying Wolff didn't inject anything special into him, I think it was just that I was so wrapped up in Serenna's story that I found myself just blowing through his chapters to get back to her story.
Who got lost along the way:
ZEEN - Though I wouldn't call it getting lost, only that there were more characters with a larger gravitational pull. He was pulled into being a Guardian rather quickly, that when he spoke up, I often found myself saying, "okay, quiet boy. Adults are talking." The character and his motivations are truly believable though, I just felt that when surrounded by Nyfe or Sardonyx, they took so much of the scene because of their large personalities that he often got lost in the fray.
What I really enjoyed:
Again, Serenna's story. I was able to put myself in her shoes, because of her introversion. She also cast off a sacred pact and did what she believed was right, deciding to bear the consequences for whatever may come. I enjoyed the battles, as I believe they were rounded out and paced to keep things interesting and moving forward. I like that Wolff was able to deliver the flair of each individual character even in combat. It was interesting to watch so many different personalities come together to "get the job done."
What I didn't enjoy:
Personally - it was the many different POVs. It was nice to get into the heads of each character, but I would've wished for something more honed in on two, maybe three characters - though I understand the purpose for each in the story. I wanted more time with Serenna, and found that when I was in the mind of Francis (sorry to pick on him again), I found myself annoyed.
Praise for the author:
Tim, I'm super excited to get into the rest of this series (after I clear a few books from my TBR). Your prose was eloquent, yet easy to read - I really appreciated this! You kept the language simple, to the point I didn't once have to consult the great Google Dictionary to search a word. You really dug into the uniqueness of each character voice, and I can't tell you how much I appreciated getting to know each one of them because of it (absolutely bang up job on Sardonyx by the way!!). I loved that you kept this a classic-style fantasy adventure, and I appreciated your world building as it gave me just enough to paint the picture of each location in my mind, while guiding me enough to know your intention.
Onward and Upward:
I'm really excited to see where the series goes. I've become quite invested in the characters and the world that was built, and want to see what happens with *REDACTED FOR SPOILERS* haha. I'll certainly be returning to finish TLOB and eagerly await the next chapter.
Stars: 5/5 - loved the read!
Now, onto my personal rating scale that was born for fantasy. How many f*** offs does this get. This is my personal scale, not born of book quality, but of moments that left me cursing an author's name as a reader. If you don't want spoilers, stop reading here!!
F-Offs: 3/5
- For what you did to Melissa
- For what you did to Zeen at the end
- For making me care about Nyfe
June 14, 2025
In the words of the warlord, Sardonyx Claw: This is going to be glorious. Hm... No, he would have used caps for this: GLORIOUS!😂
We start with a siege. Our crystal mage Serenna Morgan watches with her father, and she is not allowed to intervene, she cannot breat the Guardian pact.
We are a month into a siege, and things do not fare well.
She is wondering if she should interfere. She could have help, Death whispers in her ear.
“And so it begins."
Serenna embarks on a journey unlike any other. Does she have the strength required for this?
We have warlords, emperors not worthy of their thrones, and adorable readheaded children.
"This is where it all began."
The characters are indeed well written, and some quite are surprising!🤭
We are in worlds of magic, and of course, more realistic traits like sarcasm among friends and enteties wanting things they do not have. As the journey progresses, I warm up to our characters more as I get to know them, and some of them might actually develop in a more favourable way.
"I am nothing. I am forever. I am the end."
Oh, and guess who is going to finish the second book this weekend... Yes, that would be me.🤗💙📚
We start with a siege. Our crystal mage Serenna Morgan watches with her father, and she is not allowed to intervene, she cannot breat the Guardian pact.
We are a month into a siege, and things do not fare well.
She is wondering if she should interfere. She could have help, Death whispers in her ear.
“And so it begins."
Serenna embarks on a journey unlike any other. Does she have the strength required for this?
We have warlords, emperors not worthy of their thrones, and adorable readheaded children.
"This is where it all began."
The characters are indeed well written, and some quite are surprising!🤭
We are in worlds of magic, and of course, more realistic traits like sarcasm among friends and enteties wanting things they do not have. As the journey progresses, I warm up to our characters more as I get to know them, and some of them might actually develop in a more favourable way.
"I am nothing. I am forever. I am the end."
Oh, and guess who is going to finish the second book this weekend... Yes, that would be me.🤗💙📚
September 26, 2024
FULL REVIEW ORIGINALLY POSTED ON SFFINSIDERS
Platinum Tinted Darkness is the first of The Legacy of Boulom, a trilogy by the wonderful Timothy Wolff. It feels like the love child of Sebastien De Castell and Steven Erikson in terms of its enjoyability and worldbuilding.
Platinum Tinted Darkness by Timothy Wolff
The premise is relatively straightforward: there’s six guardians that defend the realm against Harbringers, powerful beings that work at the behest of one of the gods. One of these guardians, Serenna, breaks her guardianship to protect her home country from an invading force earning the eye, good favor, and temptations of the god of Death.
From there, we see Serenna’s struggles with morality and her oath, as well as meet the two other major POV���s: David, a cynical veteran and leader of the guardians & Zeen, a hopeful and skilled young soldier. There are other POV’s present, including the cruel and narcissistic Nyfe, but we mainly stick with this trio of interesting, flawed heroes.
"I have fallen for you and now I have a weakness.'
It’s a fast paced book that’s full of fights, dark moments, cheesy lines, and breathtaking twists, hence the Sebastien De Castell comparison. Combined with menacing, untrustworthy gods using people as pawns (a la Steven Erikson), Platinum is a book that feels like the combination of Greatcoats and Malazan.
The thing I found most interesting about the book (other than the gods manipulating the world), were the character motivations. Wolff expertly drops you into their heads and each of the POV’s feel distinct and recognizable. Witnessing characters make damning decisions, and understanding why they walk their paths, was fantastic.
"Honor is the most useless concept since hope."
Wolff doesn’t have any weak facets of this book. The action, dialog, prose, character development, and world-building are all rather good, however, they’re all at a “good to great” level instead of having any at “elite” level. Additionally, there are a few questionable moments in this book, mainly some of the decisions the characters make border on “forced for the plot”. A few of the fights feel a bit repetitive and MMO-esque. Some of the world-building feels illogical.
None of these issues slowed me down. I tore through this book, greatly enjoyed it, and am prioritizing getting to the sequel ASAP. The writing is gorgeous (I picked it up because I saw Wolff reading quotes from random pages and each one was great. Seriously, the guy can write), and the meddling gods angle really worked for me.
If you’re looking for a well rounded book from an extremely promising author with some
Platinum Tinted Darkness is the first of The Legacy of Boulom, a trilogy by the wonderful Timothy Wolff. It feels like the love child of Sebastien De Castell and Steven Erikson in terms of its enjoyability and worldbuilding.
Platinum Tinted Darkness by Timothy Wolff
The premise is relatively straightforward: there’s six guardians that defend the realm against Harbringers, powerful beings that work at the behest of one of the gods. One of these guardians, Serenna, breaks her guardianship to protect her home country from an invading force earning the eye, good favor, and temptations of the god of Death.
From there, we see Serenna’s struggles with morality and her oath, as well as meet the two other major POV���s: David, a cynical veteran and leader of the guardians & Zeen, a hopeful and skilled young soldier. There are other POV’s present, including the cruel and narcissistic Nyfe, but we mainly stick with this trio of interesting, flawed heroes.
"I have fallen for you and now I have a weakness.'
It’s a fast paced book that’s full of fights, dark moments, cheesy lines, and breathtaking twists, hence the Sebastien De Castell comparison. Combined with menacing, untrustworthy gods using people as pawns (a la Steven Erikson), Platinum is a book that feels like the combination of Greatcoats and Malazan.
The thing I found most interesting about the book (other than the gods manipulating the world), were the character motivations. Wolff expertly drops you into their heads and each of the POV’s feel distinct and recognizable. Witnessing characters make damning decisions, and understanding why they walk their paths, was fantastic.
"Honor is the most useless concept since hope."
Wolff doesn’t have any weak facets of this book. The action, dialog, prose, character development, and world-building are all rather good, however, they’re all at a “good to great” level instead of having any at “elite” level. Additionally, there are a few questionable moments in this book, mainly some of the decisions the characters make border on “forced for the plot”. A few of the fights feel a bit repetitive and MMO-esque. Some of the world-building feels illogical.
None of these issues slowed me down. I tore through this book, greatly enjoyed it, and am prioritizing getting to the sequel ASAP. The writing is gorgeous (I picked it up because I saw Wolff reading quotes from random pages and each one was great. Seriously, the guy can write), and the meddling gods angle really worked for me.
If you’re looking for a well rounded book from an extremely promising author with some
February 29, 2024
W - War: War was quite a big part of this story. It's how the story begins and reverts back to. I had a slight issue in that it wasn't immediately clear when and if the war between Terrangus and Mylor from the beginning had actually ended. I assume it had from the ending. Beyond that, I enjoyed the different battles, particularly the final one. They had that essence of chaos.
O - Omnipotence: Gods and omnipotence are a prevalent aspect of the book. The gods are playing their own games, trying to find their next Harbinger to enact their will. The Guardians being there to stop that really took a U-turn when a few of them actually end up working FOR the gods rather than against them and I am really excited to see where that goes!
L - Language: The language was something that made this book a bit difficult for me. There was too much modern lingo which really took me out of it. I hope that's toned down a bit in book 2 because it's quite jarring having a high fantasy setting with normal planet Earth speech mixed in with fantasy.
F - Fate: The fates of the characters are quite interesting. I admit I didn't see the death of one of the Guardians coming so that caught me off guard, and David's fate was almost sad but I am very intrigued to see where his goes. The fates of Zeen and Serenna intertwining felt a little bit forced because I didn't see any kind of connection between them but the conclusion has me wanting more of Zeen's story after what happens to him.
F - Falsehood: The falsehood I primarily refer to is that of Wisdom. Quite the twist, him lying the whole time. I'm curious if his goal of Serenity was a falsehood too or if that was genuine but I'm sure we will see as the story continues to unfold. Nyfe being a continuous deceiver was frustrating to watch the characters just not kill him. I want him to die so badly! (He's a bad man so it's okay)
O - Omnipotence: Gods and omnipotence are a prevalent aspect of the book. The gods are playing their own games, trying to find their next Harbinger to enact their will. The Guardians being there to stop that really took a U-turn when a few of them actually end up working FOR the gods rather than against them and I am really excited to see where that goes!
L - Language: The language was something that made this book a bit difficult for me. There was too much modern lingo which really took me out of it. I hope that's toned down a bit in book 2 because it's quite jarring having a high fantasy setting with normal planet Earth speech mixed in with fantasy.
F - Fate: The fates of the characters are quite interesting. I admit I didn't see the death of one of the Guardians coming so that caught me off guard, and David's fate was almost sad but I am very intrigued to see where his goes. The fates of Zeen and Serenna intertwining felt a little bit forced because I didn't see any kind of connection between them but the conclusion has me wanting more of Zeen's story after what happens to him.
F - Falsehood: The falsehood I primarily refer to is that of Wisdom. Quite the twist, him lying the whole time. I'm curious if his goal of Serenity was a falsehood too or if that was genuine but I'm sure we will see as the story continues to unfold. Nyfe being a continuous deceiver was frustrating to watch the characters just not kill him. I want him to die so badly! (He's a bad man so it's okay)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2023
The Guardians have one role to play: stop the Harbingers that the Gods have created. David is the leader of the guardians, and his fear is living a miserable and lonely existence and he does everything in his power to make sure his fear doesn't become his fate. War breaks out and while the Guardians are away, one of the Guardians that stayed behind is murdered by the Emperor. David has a hard time processing this death, and his fear becomes reality. I loved seeing David's character development from beginning to end. At the beginning of the book, he believed he was destined to be alone and live a miserable existence but towards the end, it made me so happy to see him realizing that he deserved to be happy all along. Serenna broke the Guardian Pact when her home was invaded, and now she is dealing with the consequences of that and being held captive by the kingdom that invaded her home. As she is being held captive, Death, one of the Gods, holds her breaking the Guardian Pact over her head and uses this as an advantage to get her to become a Harbinger. Zeen is part of the Guardians and was my favorite character to read about because even though he is fighting in a war and there were many things to be pessimistic about, he was optimistic and tried to look on the bright side of a situation all the time. In the end, this trait of Zeen's became his downfall. I loved reading about the worldbuilding in this series and seeing how the Gods meddle in everyone's lives in the kingdom. The second book comes out on December 15th, and I will definitely be continuing with this series. I can't wait to continue reading in this world and see what chaos happens in book two after what happened in the ending of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2023
Platinum Tinted Darkness by Timothy Wolff
Challenging, dark, mysterious, sad, and tense.
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75 🌟
From cover to cover...I enjoyed the story, but I cannot say that I understood everything that went on, nor the motivations for why a LOT of the things happened in this book.
I reread a number of portions to try to decipher arcs that seemed to happen for no reason at the beginning, to then on the reread...it made MORE sense, but in my opinion...not enough sense (sorry).
Serenna, Zeen and Mary seemed to be the good guys. David, at first was, but then wasn't. Nyfe always seemed to be bad.
The Emperor and his wife seemed to ALWAYS be bad.
The Lizard people, Zepham...at least to the Guardians, seemed to be allies, but they were not always towards humans.
The structure of gods, which I was able to follow was the god of strength, the god of wisdom, and the god of death. There might have been more, but those three seemed to be the ones making the most trouble in the realm of humans.
The idea of a harbinger (to me) was still unclear...if it was something to achieve or run away from.
There are concepts of The Void, which in some senses seemed like it should be similar to death, but in some instances...death was worse...and in others the void was worse. A bit confusing.
I will reading the sequel, but I hope that there is a little bit more of "hand holding" in this book...for if not, I'm going to be REALLY confused.
By the way...did I say that I enjoyed the story. I did.
Challenging, dark, mysterious, sad, and tense.
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75 🌟
From cover to cover...I enjoyed the story, but I cannot say that I understood everything that went on, nor the motivations for why a LOT of the things happened in this book.
I reread a number of portions to try to decipher arcs that seemed to happen for no reason at the beginning, to then on the reread...it made MORE sense, but in my opinion...not enough sense (sorry).
Serenna, Zeen and Mary seemed to be the good guys. David, at first was, but then wasn't. Nyfe always seemed to be bad.
The Emperor and his wife seemed to ALWAYS be bad.
The Lizard people, Zepham...at least to the Guardians, seemed to be allies, but they were not always towards humans.
The structure of gods, which I was able to follow was the god of strength, the god of wisdom, and the god of death. There might have been more, but those three seemed to be the ones making the most trouble in the realm of humans.
The idea of a harbinger (to me) was still unclear...if it was something to achieve or run away from.
There are concepts of The Void, which in some senses seemed like it should be similar to death, but in some instances...death was worse...and in others the void was worse. A bit confusing.
I will reading the sequel, but I hope that there is a little bit more of "hand holding" in this book...for if not, I'm going to be REALLY confused.
By the way...did I say that I enjoyed the story. I did.
October 30, 2023
I didn’t know what to expect when I jumped into Platinum Tinted Darkness Book One of the Legacy of Boulom series. What I should have anticipated was prism mages, giant human lizard hybrids, and multiple gods causing chaos throughout the land. The first chapter is thick with plot details and character points that linger until the end of this four-hundred-page book. Serenna Morgan, a Guardian from Mylor, Nyfe from the country of Terrangus, and a soldier Zeen are presented in the first pages, and all three play a heavy hand throughout the rest of the book. It’s a setup I didn’t see coming, and having reread the first chapter now brings so much to fold after I finished.
The world Mr. Wolfe breathes into life blossoms to its full potential near the end of the book after warring nations and allegiances are broken. The political strife could be more high-minded or tough, gritty politics, but it’s just enough to keep the plot and the reader engaged and not bogged down with plot strings that a reader must weave together using a push pin board and yarn.
Mr. Wolff’s writing strength shows directly from the characters’ conversations and inner dialog on each book page. Conversations provide not just the spoken words but also the inner feelings and thoughts in those moments, which can sometimes contradict each other. This helps focus the plot and provides a sense of humanity to the characters early in the book. During crucial battle scenes, Mr. Wolff also throws in internal dialog, often breaking the tension and providing keen detail as swords and magic fly, breaking armor and bones and slashing blood onto the walls. The different nation’s borders and allegiances adjust and change through battles, almost like a game of Risk, while the gods, including Wisdom, Strength, and Fear, manipulate the country’s leaders and each other. I hope to learn more about the gods swirling in the author’s mind in the preceding novels.
“I am nothing. I am forever. I am the end.”
Platinum Tinted Darkness’s main POV is Serenna, and her choice to become a harbinger of Death are the main focus of the book, but the most interesting characters are the gods. Death, Wisdom, Fear. They have some of the book’s more complicated and interesting story arcs and character-building. Most of the characters are human except for a different race of beings called the zephum, who are… the best way I could bring them to mind would be a large orc crossed with an alligator, but I could be wrong. I need to know more about this race and their culture. They were so abrasive next to their human counterparts. It’s jarring and hilarious in the middle of a chaotic battle. Loved watching them interact with all of the soft weak humans.
“This will be glorious!”
For all the death and chaos, this book does not fall into the grimdark side of fantasy for me. The action is sharp, and fatalities occur plenty, but Mr. Wolff’s prose provides hope and empathy in a war-torn world, making this a sword & sorcery novel with hints of the epic and noble bright side of fantasy. The book has swords, bows, high magic, and a slight D&D feel.
Platinum Tinted Darkness is edited well and effort was put into its typography and page settings creating a complete epic fantasy book. The art on the cover by Alejandro Colucci reminds me of a fantasy oil painting of Joan of Arc. For fantasy readers, this book fits into the realm of adult noble-bright fantasy that is easy to read, feeling like a medium-bodied pilsner on a warm afternoon day. Seeing what Mr. Wolff brings with his next few books will be exciting but start first indulge in a little bit of corruption with Platinum Tinted Darkness.
The world Mr. Wolfe breathes into life blossoms to its full potential near the end of the book after warring nations and allegiances are broken. The political strife could be more high-minded or tough, gritty politics, but it’s just enough to keep the plot and the reader engaged and not bogged down with plot strings that a reader must weave together using a push pin board and yarn.
Mr. Wolff’s writing strength shows directly from the characters’ conversations and inner dialog on each book page. Conversations provide not just the spoken words but also the inner feelings and thoughts in those moments, which can sometimes contradict each other. This helps focus the plot and provides a sense of humanity to the characters early in the book. During crucial battle scenes, Mr. Wolff also throws in internal dialog, often breaking the tension and providing keen detail as swords and magic fly, breaking armor and bones and slashing blood onto the walls. The different nation’s borders and allegiances adjust and change through battles, almost like a game of Risk, while the gods, including Wisdom, Strength, and Fear, manipulate the country’s leaders and each other. I hope to learn more about the gods swirling in the author’s mind in the preceding novels.
“I am nothing. I am forever. I am the end.”
Platinum Tinted Darkness’s main POV is Serenna, and her choice to become a harbinger of Death are the main focus of the book, but the most interesting characters are the gods. Death, Wisdom, Fear. They have some of the book’s more complicated and interesting story arcs and character-building. Most of the characters are human except for a different race of beings called the zephum, who are… the best way I could bring them to mind would be a large orc crossed with an alligator, but I could be wrong. I need to know more about this race and their culture. They were so abrasive next to their human counterparts. It’s jarring and hilarious in the middle of a chaotic battle. Loved watching them interact with all of the soft weak humans.
“This will be glorious!”
For all the death and chaos, this book does not fall into the grimdark side of fantasy for me. The action is sharp, and fatalities occur plenty, but Mr. Wolff’s prose provides hope and empathy in a war-torn world, making this a sword & sorcery novel with hints of the epic and noble bright side of fantasy. The book has swords, bows, high magic, and a slight D&D feel.
Platinum Tinted Darkness is edited well and effort was put into its typography and page settings creating a complete epic fantasy book. The art on the cover by Alejandro Colucci reminds me of a fantasy oil painting of Joan of Arc. For fantasy readers, this book fits into the realm of adult noble-bright fantasy that is easy to read, feeling like a medium-bodied pilsner on a warm afternoon day. Seeing what Mr. Wolff brings with his next few books will be exciting but start first indulge in a little bit of corruption with Platinum Tinted Darkness.
August 2, 2023
Platinum Tinted Darkness doesn't fit my usual genres. Actually, I’m not sure what my usual genres are, but I gravitate towards hopeful stories, and while this one isn't quite grimdark, it can be brutal at times. I like to take a chance on original indie books; in this case, it paid off.
PTD is a complex, 3rd person, multi-pov story that is cohesive in spite of all its moving parts. Tonally, it feels like high fantasy with some litRPG, which I have never read, but it gives off a certain self-aware, quippy vibe. The character names and the language they use also reflect this unusual mixture of epic and familiar, but the author makes the combination work. Black humour abounds in the form of physical comedy and witty comebacks, but this doesn’t detract from the emotional gut punches when they come. Out of a large ensemble cast, Zeen and Serenna emerge as the emotional core of the story – two people choosing to place their hope in each other.
Here, people are the playthings of corrupt gods (two or more of whom were once mortal). Their motivations vary, but they seldom benefit those they use. Their incorporeal forms are fascinating, and I’d love to draw them. A scene in which Wisdom “drinks” wine depicts the glass slowly emptying as he holds it up to his mask. There was something very Ghibli-esque about that image.
I admit I found the first 3 or 4 chapters disorientating. The guardians aren’t united, and enemies and allies blur together. I also took a while to notice the difference between Heralds and Harbingers; I initially thought Death was trying to make Serenna replace Nyfe as his Herald. If you wait for the narrative to crystallise, it will reward you greatly. The story only gets stronger as it progresses; you’ll miss out on something special if you don’t give it time to unfold.
Content warnings:
All the characters have very distinct voices. Zeen is stubbornly good-hearted, while Serenna and David are burdened with power, leadership roles and fatalistic outlooks. I really liked the intriguing arc reserved for a relatively passive character like Francis, an overlooked mage. His distaste for the ugly side of life and his disappointment in himself are relatable.
There are some profound philosophical discourses woven throughout this book. It doesn't feel like the villains are proud of the choices they have made. Nyfe and Forsythe are portrayed as pitiful victims of fate. This book frequently confronts the reader with the question of, "at what cost?".
I hope I've won you over because this is a very worthwhile read. There's also a ferocious lizard warlord with a soft spot for children.
PTD is a complex, 3rd person, multi-pov story that is cohesive in spite of all its moving parts. Tonally, it feels like high fantasy with some litRPG, which I have never read, but it gives off a certain self-aware, quippy vibe. The character names and the language they use also reflect this unusual mixture of epic and familiar, but the author makes the combination work. Black humour abounds in the form of physical comedy and witty comebacks, but this doesn’t detract from the emotional gut punches when they come. Out of a large ensemble cast, Zeen and Serenna emerge as the emotional core of the story – two people choosing to place their hope in each other.
Here, people are the playthings of corrupt gods (two or more of whom were once mortal). Their motivations vary, but they seldom benefit those they use. Their incorporeal forms are fascinating, and I’d love to draw them. A scene in which Wisdom “drinks” wine depicts the glass slowly emptying as he holds it up to his mask. There was something very Ghibli-esque about that image.
I admit I found the first 3 or 4 chapters disorientating. The guardians aren’t united, and enemies and allies blur together. I also took a while to notice the difference between Heralds and Harbingers; I initially thought Death was trying to make Serenna replace Nyfe as his Herald. If you wait for the narrative to crystallise, it will reward you greatly. The story only gets stronger as it progresses; you’ll miss out on something special if you don’t give it time to unfold.
Content warnings:
All the characters have very distinct voices. Zeen is stubbornly good-hearted, while Serenna and David are burdened with power, leadership roles and fatalistic outlooks. I really liked the intriguing arc reserved for a relatively passive character like Francis, an overlooked mage. His distaste for the ugly side of life and his disappointment in himself are relatable.
There are some profound philosophical discourses woven throughout this book. It doesn't feel like the villains are proud of the choices they have made. Nyfe and Forsythe are portrayed as pitiful victims of fate. This book frequently confronts the reader with the question of, "at what cost?".
I hope I've won you over because this is a very worthwhile read. There's also a ferocious lizard warlord with a soft spot for children.
March 1, 2023
That was definitely entertaining! Thank you, Net Galley for the opportunity & ARC for this book!
Some fun & sage nuggets were delightfully sprinkled throughout the book. I enjoyed the little proverbs & wisdom throughout the book. I found that refreshing.
I loved finding the Ch. Titles while reading the chapter. That was new & I enjoyed it!
I liked the characters & even the villains had personalities I found comical. Gods behaving badly, lizard people that are hilarious brutes, mages, warriors, neurotic scholars… It was all very fun! I felt like I was playing D&D or an iRPG. It was great!
I didn’t LOVE the romance between S&Z- it just was too cheesy & unrealistic for me. There was no build or even lust factor. It tried to be sweet- but honestly just made me cringe from the awkwardness. I would have preferred an unrequited situation or even a blossoming one? It just didn’t seem necessary & took away from the overall feel of the plot, imo. I will admit, I read A LOT of epic fantasy romance- so my standards are high. This has a very M/YA vibe in a an adult epic fantasy. It’s hard to pin point… but I would have been ok with either no romance at all between them or just something entirely different. That’s my only complaint.
I thought this was a decent first novel in a series- I can’t decide if I would prefer a prequel or a sequel but it is nicely set up for both. Lots of looming questions are niggling & there were plenty of little Easter eggs scattered throughout. I’ll definitely pick up the next one & keep an eye out. The world building was minimal- but the characters were solid. At first, I thought there were too many, but by the end- I knew them all & that was a job well done! Honestly, I think Sardonyx & Nyfe might be my favorite.
3.5 stars for me. It would have been a 4.5 if the romance got sorted a bit more. 👏😉
Some fun & sage nuggets were delightfully sprinkled throughout the book. I enjoyed the little proverbs & wisdom throughout the book. I found that refreshing.
I loved finding the Ch. Titles while reading the chapter. That was new & I enjoyed it!
I liked the characters & even the villains had personalities I found comical. Gods behaving badly, lizard people that are hilarious brutes, mages, warriors, neurotic scholars… It was all very fun! I felt like I was playing D&D or an iRPG. It was great!
I didn’t LOVE the romance between S&Z- it just was too cheesy & unrealistic for me. There was no build or even lust factor. It tried to be sweet- but honestly just made me cringe from the awkwardness. I would have preferred an unrequited situation or even a blossoming one? It just didn’t seem necessary & took away from the overall feel of the plot, imo. I will admit, I read A LOT of epic fantasy romance- so my standards are high. This has a very M/YA vibe in a an adult epic fantasy. It’s hard to pin point… but I would have been ok with either no romance at all between them or just something entirely different. That’s my only complaint.
I thought this was a decent first novel in a series- I can’t decide if I would prefer a prequel or a sequel but it is nicely set up for both. Lots of looming questions are niggling & there were plenty of little Easter eggs scattered throughout. I’ll definitely pick up the next one & keep an eye out. The world building was minimal- but the characters were solid. At first, I thought there were too many, but by the end- I knew them all & that was a job well done! Honestly, I think Sardonyx & Nyfe might be my favorite.
3.5 stars for me. It would have been a 4.5 if the romance got sorted a bit more. 👏😉
July 3, 2025
A flawed book that ended up as a whole greater than the sum of its parts.
By that I mean that it's writing was... not good. Clunky dialogue, inner thoughts that weren't implemented to the story in an organic way. The characters were mostly childish, even though they're adults, and their relationships felt a bit rushed. The plot progression and decision making of the protagonists also felt rushed and not well justified..
So why rate it 3 stars how did I ended up enjoying this.. First of all the worldbuilding and the lore. We deal with different Gods, humans and non-human characters and the world is diverse and has a lot of potential. Then there are the lizards (the non=human characters). They stole the show for me and they were the only consistent characters. Finally the final battle was pretty good and had some great moments. I also havr to mention the length of this book, which is around 400 pages (short for a fantasy book these days) and that worked in its favor.
This is not a perfect book, not even a very good one, but after a rough start, I started having fun (although at times a bit campy fun) and ended up invested in the story. If the author improves his writing in the next books then this could be a big hit with me..
6,2/10
By that I mean that it's writing was... not good. Clunky dialogue, inner thoughts that weren't implemented to the story in an organic way. The characters were mostly childish, even though they're adults, and their relationships felt a bit rushed. The plot progression and decision making of the protagonists also felt rushed and not well justified..
So why rate it 3 stars how did I ended up enjoying this.. First of all the worldbuilding and the lore. We deal with different Gods, humans and non-human characters and the world is diverse and has a lot of potential. Then there are the lizards (the non=human characters). They stole the show for me and they were the only consistent characters. Finally the final battle was pretty good and had some great moments. I also havr to mention the length of this book, which is around 400 pages (short for a fantasy book these days) and that worked in its favor.
This is not a perfect book, not even a very good one, but after a rough start, I started having fun (although at times a bit campy fun) and ended up invested in the story. If the author improves his writing in the next books then this could be a big hit with me..
6,2/10
March 19, 2023
I massively enjoyed this story. It was fast paced and engaging, and for these reasons I couldn't put it down.
I also really liked the characters. The story centred around the Guardians - Serenna was magically powerful yet, because of her connection to a god of death, afraid of what she might become, and this affected many of her decisions. It also gave her a complexity that made her so interesting to read. I found her similar to the character Lightning from the Final Fantasy 13 game. Zeen could be naive, and his ability to see the good in people proved to be both his undoing and his making. Then you had a host of other characters including the other guardians, the lizards and the various gods who interfere in human lives.
For an epic fantasy, it was really easy to follow this story and I could picture in my head all the characters and scenes really well. There was a nice sprinkle of humour as well.
All in all, I thought this was a great book and I'll be keeping an eye out for any sequels!
I also really liked the characters. The story centred around the Guardians - Serenna was magically powerful yet, because of her connection to a god of death, afraid of what she might become, and this affected many of her decisions. It also gave her a complexity that made her so interesting to read. I found her similar to the character Lightning from the Final Fantasy 13 game. Zeen could be naive, and his ability to see the good in people proved to be both his undoing and his making. Then you had a host of other characters including the other guardians, the lizards and the various gods who interfere in human lives.
For an epic fantasy, it was really easy to follow this story and I could picture in my head all the characters and scenes really well. There was a nice sprinkle of humour as well.
All in all, I thought this was a great book and I'll be keeping an eye out for any sequels!
October 24, 2023
Brief Synopsis:
When meddling deities call forth their harbingers, only the nations’ Guardians can assemble to stop them. Warriors, mages, outcasts. Six standing together to protect the realms from demons and gods’ monsters.
Serenna Morgan, the crystal mage Guardian, breaks the Pact when she opens herself to the God of Death in order to protect her kingdom from invasion. But when a new harbinger rises in the land in which her kingdom fights, she joins the rest of the Guardians in performing her duty, but only after she nearly falls prey to Death, saved only by a simple soldier, Zeen Parsons.
With a harbinger in a hostile land, and more dangerous harbingers ready to serve the deities, Serenna must shed her fears and lead, putting her trust in a team who may or may not take her back after her actions.
What worked for me:
Treat this statement as made with all the respect possible: this book tells a very simple story. And that’s exactly why I liked it! If told correctly, a simple story can be excellent and in my humble opinion, this story is excellent!
I love good subplot heavy stories with multiple POV characters. I love complex worlds with betrayals, cultures galore. Characters with their own agendas.
It’s not to say PTD doesn’t possess all of these, it does! But every facet of the worldbuilding, of the characterization, the subplots all follow the singular, linear plot arc. Any deviation off the main arc path is swiftly turned back and strengthens the road upon which we are traveling. To continue the traveling metaphor, everything added to the story is like expanding from a two-lane road to four. Everything serves to build toward the ending, an ending in which we are essentially given in the very first chapter. I simply love it!
Speaking of characters, I can hands down say that the cast of PTD is so engaging, so well-rounded, so flawed, I was actually in awe at how Mr. Wolff was able to craft such a group. The best thing a large cast of characters can be is different. Different in behavior, different in introspection, different in overcoming obstacles, different in mindset, different in determination. Every POV character, as well as most of the side characters all feel realistic in their differences.
David is the grizzled veteran Guardian who has turned to drink to suppress his feelings, not just toward his role as a Guardian, but to forget the losses he’s suffered through his leadership over the years, to his love of Melissa (who might be the only level-headed one of the group btw!!!), with whom he can never have a normal life with. David goes through some stuff, dang you Mr. Wolff for Chapter 15: Falling, Falling, Always Falling… But the outcome to David’s arc is quite tragic, but also fitting to the character we are introduced to.
Francis is the jealous mage who strives to be seen for his power, his ability, his skill, and yet, he is referred to as the Invisible Guardian by many, a moniker that drives his ambition to make a decision that I won’t lie, saw coming a mile away, but the way in which it played out/ended, I was not expecting. I also liked that Francis’ constant internal dialogue of ‘they’re looking at me again’ was quite humorous.
Before getting to the two main characters, huge shoutout to Sardonyx and Pyith, the warrior zephum (aka lizard people). These characters are great and the entire basis of the zephum is really neat. I cackled multiple times when either were on page, especially during Sardonyx’s lone POV chapter. It was glorious! I also want to say the various god characters were quite interesting. Wisdom and Fear had some great moments that we can tell are going to play a major part in Book 2.
Oh, can I just say I love the simple modern names of many of these characters: David Williams, Francis, Melissa, Mary Walker, etc. It was kinda refreshing.
So Zeen Parsons, I don’t think I’ve ever read a character like him. The dude seriously gets his butt handed to him more times than not but still has this endearing, caring belief that anyone can still be a good person. Even the main villain working for the God of Death (the baddie’s name is Nyfe and he has a knife hahaha, I really enjoyed that). He isn’t the most skilled warrior, doesn’t have magic, isn’t great at talking to women (or Sardonyx), and loves these weird in-story books everyone else dislikes/questions, but the man is driven to protect his friends, his people, his love. Zeen was a great protagonist, I really liked reading his arc.
Serenna Morgan, the platinum mage Pact Breaker who Death constantly courts to be his harbinger. From breaking the Pact in the 1st damn chapter to her tasting the power gifted by the God of Death to her redemption as a Guardian to the growing romance between her and Zeen, I loved every word of it. She is fascinating as a character, super flawed, but also one of the most realistic warrior-type characters I’ve read in a while. Her decision making is so succinctly human, driven by things anyone might care about, giving in to temptation to save what matters most. Exquisite character work, Mr. Wolff.
As far as prose, worldbuilding, and pace go, this story nails all three. The world is fleshed out slowly, no big, long info dumps that break up the flow. We get what we need to advance the story where it is most necessary. We don’t get a ton of concepts thrown at our face all at once, which helps keep the pace steady. There are very few, if any, scenes I can think of that dragged or slowed the story down. And that, to me, means the prose is spot on. There is some great use of descriptors and metaphors, but nothing too purple-y.
Everything about this story hits the right chord for a great fantasy story.
What didn’t work for me:
Honestly, anything I found (such as everyone snickering constantly or resheathing/drawing weapons during continuous battle scenes – also, how does one sheath a polearm? Gonna have to YouTube that later…) would be extreme cases of picking nits.
If I had to find something to comment on, I suppose a bit more backstory on HOW Nyfe was able to become a general in Terrangus’ army would have been a ‘nice-to-have’. He seemed a pretty dastardly dude for quite a long time, especially with the Herald of Death in hand, soooooo maybe some more explanation of how perhaps the former emperor wanted to exploit someone like him? Again, not necessary but would have added another layer to his villain arc.
Seriously, Platinum Tinted Darkness doesn’t have much wrong with it!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
When meddling deities call forth their harbingers, only the nations’ Guardians can assemble to stop them. Warriors, mages, outcasts. Six standing together to protect the realms from demons and gods’ monsters.
Serenna Morgan, the crystal mage Guardian, breaks the Pact when she opens herself to the God of Death in order to protect her kingdom from invasion. But when a new harbinger rises in the land in which her kingdom fights, she joins the rest of the Guardians in performing her duty, but only after she nearly falls prey to Death, saved only by a simple soldier, Zeen Parsons.
With a harbinger in a hostile land, and more dangerous harbingers ready to serve the deities, Serenna must shed her fears and lead, putting her trust in a team who may or may not take her back after her actions.
What worked for me:
Treat this statement as made with all the respect possible: this book tells a very simple story. And that’s exactly why I liked it! If told correctly, a simple story can be excellent and in my humble opinion, this story is excellent!
I love good subplot heavy stories with multiple POV characters. I love complex worlds with betrayals, cultures galore. Characters with their own agendas.
It’s not to say PTD doesn’t possess all of these, it does! But every facet of the worldbuilding, of the characterization, the subplots all follow the singular, linear plot arc. Any deviation off the main arc path is swiftly turned back and strengthens the road upon which we are traveling. To continue the traveling metaphor, everything added to the story is like expanding from a two-lane road to four. Everything serves to build toward the ending, an ending in which we are essentially given in the very first chapter. I simply love it!
Speaking of characters, I can hands down say that the cast of PTD is so engaging, so well-rounded, so flawed, I was actually in awe at how Mr. Wolff was able to craft such a group. The best thing a large cast of characters can be is different. Different in behavior, different in introspection, different in overcoming obstacles, different in mindset, different in determination. Every POV character, as well as most of the side characters all feel realistic in their differences.
David is the grizzled veteran Guardian who has turned to drink to suppress his feelings, not just toward his role as a Guardian, but to forget the losses he’s suffered through his leadership over the years, to his love of Melissa (who might be the only level-headed one of the group btw!!!), with whom he can never have a normal life with. David goes through some stuff, dang you Mr. Wolff for Chapter 15: Falling, Falling, Always Falling… But the outcome to David’s arc is quite tragic, but also fitting to the character we are introduced to.
Francis is the jealous mage who strives to be seen for his power, his ability, his skill, and yet, he is referred to as the Invisible Guardian by many, a moniker that drives his ambition to make a decision that I won’t lie, saw coming a mile away, but the way in which it played out/ended, I was not expecting. I also liked that Francis’ constant internal dialogue of ‘they’re looking at me again’ was quite humorous.
Before getting to the two main characters, huge shoutout to Sardonyx and Pyith, the warrior zephum (aka lizard people). These characters are great and the entire basis of the zephum is really neat. I cackled multiple times when either were on page, especially during Sardonyx’s lone POV chapter. It was glorious! I also want to say the various god characters were quite interesting. Wisdom and Fear had some great moments that we can tell are going to play a major part in Book 2.
Oh, can I just say I love the simple modern names of many of these characters: David Williams, Francis, Melissa, Mary Walker, etc. It was kinda refreshing.
So Zeen Parsons, I don’t think I’ve ever read a character like him. The dude seriously gets his butt handed to him more times than not but still has this endearing, caring belief that anyone can still be a good person. Even the main villain working for the God of Death (the baddie’s name is Nyfe and he has a knife hahaha, I really enjoyed that). He isn’t the most skilled warrior, doesn’t have magic, isn’t great at talking to women (or Sardonyx), and loves these weird in-story books everyone else dislikes/questions, but the man is driven to protect his friends, his people, his love. Zeen was a great protagonist, I really liked reading his arc.
Serenna Morgan, the platinum mage Pact Breaker who Death constantly courts to be his harbinger. From breaking the Pact in the 1st damn chapter to her tasting the power gifted by the God of Death to her redemption as a Guardian to the growing romance between her and Zeen, I loved every word of it. She is fascinating as a character, super flawed, but also one of the most realistic warrior-type characters I’ve read in a while. Her decision making is so succinctly human, driven by things anyone might care about, giving in to temptation to save what matters most. Exquisite character work, Mr. Wolff.
As far as prose, worldbuilding, and pace go, this story nails all three. The world is fleshed out slowly, no big, long info dumps that break up the flow. We get what we need to advance the story where it is most necessary. We don’t get a ton of concepts thrown at our face all at once, which helps keep the pace steady. There are very few, if any, scenes I can think of that dragged or slowed the story down. And that, to me, means the prose is spot on. There is some great use of descriptors and metaphors, but nothing too purple-y.
Everything about this story hits the right chord for a great fantasy story.
What didn’t work for me:
Honestly, anything I found (such as everyone snickering constantly or resheathing/drawing weapons during continuous battle scenes – also, how does one sheath a polearm? Gonna have to YouTube that later…) would be extreme cases of picking nits.
If I had to find something to comment on, I suppose a bit more backstory on HOW Nyfe was able to become a general in Terrangus’ army would have been a ‘nice-to-have’. He seemed a pretty dastardly dude for quite a long time, especially with the Herald of Death in hand, soooooo maybe some more explanation of how perhaps the former emperor wanted to exploit someone like him? Again, not necessary but would have added another layer to his villain arc.
Seriously, Platinum Tinted Darkness doesn’t have much wrong with it!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
February 22, 2023
No! No! No! Where is my happy ending??? This can't really be the ending. Please Timothy Wolff tell me this is just the opening to a series - a trilogy at least.
I did not expect to be so totally taken by this book, but I was! I loved the multiple POV's and I loved the characters. I a world of gods, demons, demoralized men, heroes in the making, and broken kingdoms Zeen, David, Melissa, Serenna and others forge ahead marking the world they live in. I just can't accept that this book is the end of their stories - there is so much more for Serenna, Haide, Marie, the Zephum, David and Zeen. Please tell me there is a continuation. My heart ached as I read the last page, my eyes teared up, my breath caught....then I was frustrated and angry - too many loose ends, too many stories yet to be finished or to be told.
Reader pick this book up knowing that the ending is not your typical happy ending.
I did not expect to be so totally taken by this book, but I was! I loved the multiple POV's and I loved the characters. I a world of gods, demons, demoralized men, heroes in the making, and broken kingdoms Zeen, David, Melissa, Serenna and others forge ahead marking the world they live in. I just can't accept that this book is the end of their stories - there is so much more for Serenna, Haide, Marie, the Zephum, David and Zeen. Please tell me there is a continuation. My heart ached as I read the last page, my eyes teared up, my breath caught....then I was frustrated and angry - too many loose ends, too many stories yet to be finished or to be told.
Reader pick this book up knowing that the ending is not your typical happy ending.
June 26, 2023
I DNF at 23% primarily due to lack of strong storytelling, failure of immersion, and poor character strength.
The story reads like the second book in the series, to the point where I had to double check if it was indeed the first book. There's such a big difference to a books starting off with a ton of great action, and one that just throws everything at you immediately and expects you to just understand what's going on and be invested with the characters. I wish the author had taken his time with introducing different topics and events, instead of trying to pile everything on in the first few chapters. It really does feel like a whole book was skipped and this is the sequel.
It was hard to stay immersed in the story, one of the main reasons I chose to DNF is because I just felt so disconnected from the story and the plot. A lot of elements were eerily similar to Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archives series, not in the writing style but with similar plot points.
The character names were so bad, half the characters had "fantasy" names and the other half had names like David and Melissa. (I genuinely paused and was like really) It would have flowed better if the naming scheme was more consistent.
Sereena is such a weirdly written character, she is described as being tiny, but has broad shoulders. (All her descriptions were inconsistent) It was kinda odd that Melissa is also mentioned being "adorable".
There isn't diversity in this book, one of my biggest bookish icks is when BIPOC characters are introduced, but nothing about them even reads as BIPOC. If you take away one word saying they have "dark" skin, and nothing else changes about their character or how they read, then more research needs to be done writing diverse characters. (Or getting BIPOC beta readers)
I was so excited to read a adult fantasy book, especially after coming off reading the Expanse Series, and a Strange & Stubbon Endurance. I was very disappointed by the quality of writing, and the pacing.
I would not reccomend this book.
The story reads like the second book in the series, to the point where I had to double check if it was indeed the first book. There's such a big difference to a books starting off with a ton of great action, and one that just throws everything at you immediately and expects you to just understand what's going on and be invested with the characters. I wish the author had taken his time with introducing different topics and events, instead of trying to pile everything on in the first few chapters. It really does feel like a whole book was skipped and this is the sequel.
It was hard to stay immersed in the story, one of the main reasons I chose to DNF is because I just felt so disconnected from the story and the plot. A lot of elements were eerily similar to Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archives series, not in the writing style but with similar plot points.
The character names were so bad, half the characters had "fantasy" names and the other half had names like David and Melissa. (I genuinely paused and was like really) It would have flowed better if the naming scheme was more consistent.
Sereena is such a weirdly written character, she is described as being tiny, but has broad shoulders. (All her descriptions were inconsistent) It was kinda odd that Melissa is also mentioned being "adorable".
There isn't diversity in this book, one of my biggest bookish icks is when BIPOC characters are introduced, but nothing about them even reads as BIPOC. If you take away one word saying they have "dark" skin, and nothing else changes about their character or how they read, then more research needs to be done writing diverse characters. (Or getting BIPOC beta readers)
I was so excited to read a adult fantasy book, especially after coming off reading the Expanse Series, and a Strange & Stubbon Endurance. I was very disappointed by the quality of writing, and the pacing.
I would not reccomend this book.
March 8, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Timothy Wolff for approving my request to read an advance copy of Platinum Tinted Darkness.
I, unfortunately, will be dnfing Platinum Tinted Darkness. This was a hard decision to make, considering that I don't like leaving reviews on books without fully reading them. But, after dealing with a major book slump and the procrastination to read this book, I had to accept that this book wasn't for me. That's not to say that it was bad, but there were definitely flaws that I could not overlook.
First off, the writing isn't the best. It doesn't flow smoothly and comes off as either rushed or disconnected. From the very beginning, it felt like I was being thrown into battle without a sword. Most of the time, I was guessing what was going on despite the little explanations that were given. Either there wasn't enough information given or there was way too much information given. This threw off the pacing and caused the story to become a little bit of slog to get through. The action scenes were kind of wonky, and things just kind of happened out of nowhere without any warning.
Platinum Tinted Darkness does have potential. I got really excited when I saw crystal magic. Like, when's the last time we've seen crystal magic in a book? The concept was also intriguing. There is a group of guardians who are supposed to protect against these harbingers of death. The harbingers are people who are granted great power by the god, Death, and act as their vessel. And, from what I've seen of others feedback, it seems like there's a lot more to this book. But, I just couldn't get into it. There wasn't enough here to keep my attention.
Since I'm dnfing this book, I won't rate it 1 star because that seems unfair. Like I said, it wasn't bad, it just wasn't for me.
I, unfortunately, will be dnfing Platinum Tinted Darkness. This was a hard decision to make, considering that I don't like leaving reviews on books without fully reading them. But, after dealing with a major book slump and the procrastination to read this book, I had to accept that this book wasn't for me. That's not to say that it was bad, but there were definitely flaws that I could not overlook.
First off, the writing isn't the best. It doesn't flow smoothly and comes off as either rushed or disconnected. From the very beginning, it felt like I was being thrown into battle without a sword. Most of the time, I was guessing what was going on despite the little explanations that were given. Either there wasn't enough information given or there was way too much information given. This threw off the pacing and caused the story to become a little bit of slog to get through. The action scenes were kind of wonky, and things just kind of happened out of nowhere without any warning.
Platinum Tinted Darkness does have potential. I got really excited when I saw crystal magic. Like, when's the last time we've seen crystal magic in a book? The concept was also intriguing. There is a group of guardians who are supposed to protect against these harbingers of death. The harbingers are people who are granted great power by the god, Death, and act as their vessel. And, from what I've seen of others feedback, it seems like there's a lot more to this book. But, I just couldn't get into it. There wasn't enough here to keep my attention.
Since I'm dnfing this book, I won't rate it 1 star because that seems unfair. Like I said, it wasn't bad, it just wasn't for me.
May 15, 2023
Platinum Tinted Darkness by Tim Wolff establishes itself as a remarkable addition to the realm of fantasy literature, standing shoulder to shoulder with celebrated authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien and George R.R. Martin. Set within the Kingdom of Boulom, a realm marred by the ravages of chaos and devastation, the story unfolds with an unwavering sense of adventure and resilience.
At the heart of the narrative resides David Williams, an emblematic figure embodying the quintessence of heroism among the ranks of the Guardians. Williams assumes the mantle of leadership, shouldering the responsibility of shielding the Realms from the pernicious deities and their loyal Harbingers. His unwavering determination and unwavering commitment to his cause mirror the enduring spirit of classical literary heroes, evoking a sense of reverence and admiration.
Moreover, Platinum Tinted Darkness benefits from the captivating presence of Serenna Morgan, a Crystal Mage and Guardian. Serenna's internal conflict, torn between upholding her sworn duty and protecting her beloved homeland, adds a layer of complexity and emotional depth to the narrative. Her struggle becomes a relatable thread that resonates with readers, engendering empathy and reflection upon the complexities of moral decision-making.
Tim Wolff's storytelling prowess manifests prominently within the pages of Platinum Tinted Darkness. Through meticulous prose and well-crafted scenes, the author breathes life into the Kingdom of Boulom, inviting readers to traverse its treacherous landscapes and experience the harrowing journey alongside the characters. The vivid descriptions captivate the senses, immersing readers in a world that is at once familiar and otherworldly.
Central to the narrative is the thematic exploration of power and temptation, a universal quandary that transcends genres. Serenna's pivotal choice to accept the God of Death's offer serves as a catalyst for introspection, prompting readers to contemplate the profound consequences of moral compromise. As the plot unfolds, the story challenges our preconceptions and sparks a thought-provoking examination of our own moral compasses.
Platinum Tinted Darkness solidifies Tim Wolff's position as a masterful storyteller within the fantasy genre. With deft strokes, he weaves a tapestry of enthralling adventures, complex characters, and thematic depth that captivates readers from beginning to end. This work undoubtedly earns its place among the cherished classics of the genre, destined to be celebrated alongside the greatest works of fantasy literature.
Prepare to embark on an extraordinary literary journey with Platinum Tinted Darkness. Brace yourself for gripping adventures, unforgettable characters, and profound philosophical musings that will leave an indelible mark upon your literary soul. Tim Wolff's magnum opus is a testament to the enduring allure of the fantasy genre and a timeless testament to the power of storytelling.
At the heart of the narrative resides David Williams, an emblematic figure embodying the quintessence of heroism among the ranks of the Guardians. Williams assumes the mantle of leadership, shouldering the responsibility of shielding the Realms from the pernicious deities and their loyal Harbingers. His unwavering determination and unwavering commitment to his cause mirror the enduring spirit of classical literary heroes, evoking a sense of reverence and admiration.
Moreover, Platinum Tinted Darkness benefits from the captivating presence of Serenna Morgan, a Crystal Mage and Guardian. Serenna's internal conflict, torn between upholding her sworn duty and protecting her beloved homeland, adds a layer of complexity and emotional depth to the narrative. Her struggle becomes a relatable thread that resonates with readers, engendering empathy and reflection upon the complexities of moral decision-making.
Tim Wolff's storytelling prowess manifests prominently within the pages of Platinum Tinted Darkness. Through meticulous prose and well-crafted scenes, the author breathes life into the Kingdom of Boulom, inviting readers to traverse its treacherous landscapes and experience the harrowing journey alongside the characters. The vivid descriptions captivate the senses, immersing readers in a world that is at once familiar and otherworldly.
Central to the narrative is the thematic exploration of power and temptation, a universal quandary that transcends genres. Serenna's pivotal choice to accept the God of Death's offer serves as a catalyst for introspection, prompting readers to contemplate the profound consequences of moral compromise. As the plot unfolds, the story challenges our preconceptions and sparks a thought-provoking examination of our own moral compasses.
Platinum Tinted Darkness solidifies Tim Wolff's position as a masterful storyteller within the fantasy genre. With deft strokes, he weaves a tapestry of enthralling adventures, complex characters, and thematic depth that captivates readers from beginning to end. This work undoubtedly earns its place among the cherished classics of the genre, destined to be celebrated alongside the greatest works of fantasy literature.
Prepare to embark on an extraordinary literary journey with Platinum Tinted Darkness. Brace yourself for gripping adventures, unforgettable characters, and profound philosophical musings that will leave an indelible mark upon your literary soul. Tim Wolff's magnum opus is a testament to the enduring allure of the fantasy genre and a timeless testament to the power of storytelling.
February 27, 2024
I'm in my DnD phase thanks to Baldur's Gate 3, and when I first came across Platinum Tinted Darkness, it immediately drew my attention!
The fantasy world introduced in this first chapter of The Legacy of Boulom, with its gods and god-fighting warriors, is fairly intriguing, and I'd love to dive even deeper into it in the sequels. The zephums were by far my favourite characters - I could read entire books with those lizard folks! Of the gods, Wisdom conquered my heart, but it was also intriguing to see how Fear and especially Death wrapped themselves around our cast of characters. I was also not expecting the gods to have backstories as mortals, which was a very nice addition.
My biggest issue was the relationship between Zeen and Serenna. I see what the story tried to accomplish with them, and I like it, but I could never truly connect with them and their love. It's a case of instalove when I expected a more nuanced development, especially since Zeen comes across as a very immature person whose feelings for Serenna appear more as fascination and obsession than actual love. The same applies to Mary and Francis (at least where Francis is concerned), but since Zeen and Serenna have way more weight in the story, my disconnection with them was more impactful.
Overall, it's a nice fantasy tale with RPG inspirations, and I'm interested to see where it goes next!
The fantasy world introduced in this first chapter of The Legacy of Boulom, with its gods and god-fighting warriors, is fairly intriguing, and I'd love to dive even deeper into it in the sequels. The zephums were by far my favourite characters - I could read entire books with those lizard folks! Of the gods, Wisdom conquered my heart, but it was also intriguing to see how Fear and especially Death wrapped themselves around our cast of characters. I was also not expecting the gods to have backstories as mortals, which was a very nice addition.
My biggest issue was the relationship between Zeen and Serenna. I see what the story tried to accomplish with them, and I like it, but I could never truly connect with them and their love. It's a case of instalove when I expected a more nuanced development, especially since Zeen comes across as a very immature person whose feelings for Serenna appear more as fascination and obsession than actual love. The same applies to Mary and Francis (at least where Francis is concerned), but since Zeen and Serenna have way more weight in the story, my disconnection with them was more impactful.
Overall, it's a nice fantasy tale with RPG inspirations, and I'm interested to see where it goes next!
April 29, 2025
Having finished another book by Wolff, I was quite excited to get into another. However, I feel I'll have to be taking a break as this didn't have the same feel as what I was expecting.
While I don't care much for D&D and MMORPG, I can appreciate a good story when I see one. This one has a mix of high fantasy and Greek God-inspired characters. It's a concept I haven't seen implemented, so full points for being unique, however with breaking from the mould comes the risk of not connecting. Unfortunately I never really connected with this book to want to keep reading. I felt no investment in the characters.
Wolff does well in not permitting you to see the "good guy vs bad guy" trope, and just because you feel the character is important it doesn't mean things go well, these are all good things. The dialogue did feel as though it wasn't sure what genre to be in, it flipped between contemporary and classic which was quite frustrating. This also matched the names, ("Dave" doesn't elicit an aged fantasy warrior type of persona for me. I mean it is better than "Keith".)
The pacing I found to be a bit unsteady. There were some great scenes, some great concepts, and some genuinely rockstar qualities, but in the aggregate of the whole, the book itself remains a solid effort, but not one that I feel I will remember in a week's time.
While I don't care much for D&D and MMORPG, I can appreciate a good story when I see one. This one has a mix of high fantasy and Greek God-inspired characters. It's a concept I haven't seen implemented, so full points for being unique, however with breaking from the mould comes the risk of not connecting. Unfortunately I never really connected with this book to want to keep reading. I felt no investment in the characters.
Wolff does well in not permitting you to see the "good guy vs bad guy" trope, and just because you feel the character is important it doesn't mean things go well, these are all good things. The dialogue did feel as though it wasn't sure what genre to be in, it flipped between contemporary and classic which was quite frustrating. This also matched the names, ("Dave" doesn't elicit an aged fantasy warrior type of persona for me. I mean it is better than "Keith".)
The pacing I found to be a bit unsteady. There were some great scenes, some great concepts, and some genuinely rockstar qualities, but in the aggregate of the whole, the book itself remains a solid effort, but not one that I feel I will remember in a week's time.
March 11, 2023
I want to start by thanking NetGalley for giving me an ARC and the opportunity to read this book.
Now onto the review: this book was… a book. It suffered on three points: the characters were flat, the story was rushed, and the dialogue was too dry.
The characters: they just didn’t have much development. There was no buildup to any changes in their personalities, they were just one way and then suddenly were another.
The story: it felt like the book started in the middle of a story and took no effort or time to explain or expose anything. We were just dropped into this world and told “they’re a guardian, they fight Harbingers” with no explanation of what either of those things are until roughly 10 chapters in. This book reads like a sequel and not the first book in a series.
The dialogue: it was just… flat, I guess? There was little feeling in it, and it was honestly cringey at times. It felt like I was read it a story on AO3 rather than a novel that was being published.
All that said, with the right editor and some more exposition, this would have been a real good book. The story, despite being rushed, was engaging enough that I wanted to keep reading. For all its faults, this book was not terrible.
Now onto the review: this book was… a book. It suffered on three points: the characters were flat, the story was rushed, and the dialogue was too dry.
The characters: they just didn’t have much development. There was no buildup to any changes in their personalities, they were just one way and then suddenly were another.
The story: it felt like the book started in the middle of a story and took no effort or time to explain or expose anything. We were just dropped into this world and told “they’re a guardian, they fight Harbingers” with no explanation of what either of those things are until roughly 10 chapters in. This book reads like a sequel and not the first book in a series.
The dialogue: it was just… flat, I guess? There was little feeling in it, and it was honestly cringey at times. It felt like I was read it a story on AO3 rather than a novel that was being published.
All that said, with the right editor and some more exposition, this would have been a real good book. The story, despite being rushed, was engaging enough that I wanted to keep reading. For all its faults, this book was not terrible.
February 15, 2023
First of all, I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and to the amazing Timothy Wolff for giving me this opportunity to read the first book of the Legacy of Boulom series early. It's such an honor!
[BOOK REVIEW]
The first four chapters of the story confused me I'm not gonna lie. I don't know who is who.
I wish there was a list of names of the character and a little description of them. Anyways that's just my little concern but as I continue to devour this story I was able to familiarize the characters. I love Pyith by the way. She is my favorite!
This story is amazing. Right from the first page, you can already see how intense it is. It's overflowing with action and there is so much shit happening. Every page will consume you right from the beginning. I know this is a series but hell, these characters need rest. I'm scared of what will happen in the upcoming books because I know it is going to be a wild rollercoaster ride.
I can't wait for the second book because my mind is still in jumbles with the last few chapters. I need to know more about this world. I would love to see Pyith and Tempest in action too.
[BOOK REVIEW]
The first four chapters of the story confused me I'm not gonna lie. I don't know who is who.
I wish there was a list of names of the character and a little description of them. Anyways that's just my little concern but as I continue to devour this story I was able to familiarize the characters. I love Pyith by the way. She is my favorite!
This story is amazing. Right from the first page, you can already see how intense it is. It's overflowing with action and there is so much shit happening. Every page will consume you right from the beginning. I know this is a series but hell, these characters need rest. I'm scared of what will happen in the upcoming books because I know it is going to be a wild rollercoaster ride.
I can't wait for the second book because my mind is still in jumbles with the last few chapters. I need to know more about this world. I would love to see Pyith and Tempest in action too.
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