And as all are aware I absolutely love me a dark tale
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So, Savages (Badlands, #1), This book is all sorts of Craaaazy!!!
and also plenty dark it makes no apologies for itself.
sickness and depravity reign here.
And as all are aware I absolutely love me a dark tale, the blacker the better.
I'm also a major sucker for a messed up dystopian landscape.
This book was made for me melding my love of dark romances against the backdrop of the Badlands.
A match made in heaven and hell.
A bit like the main characters Calista and Romero.
The devil and his darkly decedent handmaiden.
So Savages is set in a sort of dystopian post-apocalyptic nightmare of cults, Outliers, skinners and cannibals.
And against this backdrop, The king meets his queen there crazy just matches like the cracked pieces of each other's souls.
This is bloody, evil and totally sick but is also so bloody addictive I couldn't put it down.
In a way reminding me slightly of that film doomsday when they wall Scotland in and out of the ashes rises a new civilization, one where morality is a forgotten concept and only the strong survives.
But amid that corruption, there is also a sense of brotherhood and a admiration for strength and resilience.
This also had some great side characters and I really never had a clue where this was heading.
It was an unpredictable whirlwind and I landed wherever it chose to take me.
So this was fabulously well written and was so different with its complete lack of moral compass.
I Cant recommend this highly enough.
Really looking forward to the next in this series as this ended on such a cliffhanger.
But before I go a warning this book contains a lot of triggers and isn't for the faint of heart.
Please avoid if this bothers you at all as Savages is definitely one hard-core read and doesn't pull its punches.
I was provided with a review copy of "Savages (Badlands, #1)" By the author of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: An engrossing and unique tale filled with dark, paranormal elements that will leave you wanting more.

Opening Sentence: I wake up barefoot, standing on cold slate tiles.

The Review:

Holly Black brings us into the world of curse workers, in White Cat, the first book of the Curse Workers series. I've never read any of Black's books, prior to White Cat, but many of my friends have raved about her work and world building. I was told to expect a wonderful range of characters, all with a varying array of personality depth. I was also told to expect the unexpected, throwing out all preconceived notions of whatever I heard about this book. Well, I'm here to tell you the same thing. Embrace White Cat for each word that Black writes onto the page.

The plot of White Cat is none like I've ever seen. It is a modern take on magic and magicians, but in the form of curses. In a world where curse workers are feared and outcasted, Black explains her unique world in detail. Cassel is a young man who comes from a well-known line of Curse of Workers. Every member has a powerful curse, all except him. In his life of non-existent power, he is the one with more morals than the rest of his family, mostly turning away from a life that belongs to mobsters and con artists. The only downfall to Cassel's life? He killed Lila, his best friend.

I instantly loved Cassel from the moment I was introduced to him. He is smart and witty, filling the pages with snark and charisma. But Cassel is not social nor is he a social-climber, he is mysterious and reclusive, keeping away from as many people as he can. A white cat and a best friend haunt his dreams, and when added with bouts of sleepwalking, it's bound to result in disaster.

Black's White Cat is filled with new and adult material. Teetering on adult situations and problems, Black touches on the issues of loyalty and betrayal, depression, and criminal flaws. I feel that White Cat has mafia-like elements, but in the end, Black talks about family and all of the dysfunctional traits of one.

White Cat's world is superb. There are so many dark moments in mysterious corners that I couldn't wait to find out about. In Black's modern world, White Cat has many paranormal elements that could belong in a fantasy world. Nothing needed to be explained in detail, but that is the amazing talent that Black has. She introduced the right amount of detail for the reader to accept and allow their imagination to run away with.

Holly Black's White Cat has quickly become one of my favorite books. I highly urge you to pick this up if you haven't done so already. So many twists, turns, and surprises. I cannot wait to find out what happens next.

FTC Advisory: Simon & Schuster/Margaret K McElderry provided me with a copy of White Cat.  No goody bags, sponsorships, "material connections," or bribes were exchanged for my review.
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I will admit that I am not usually a reader of dark romance. I love angst and suspense, however I am usually unable to connect to the characters and/or the storyline. But when it comes to Natasha Knights novels I can never say no. There is something about them. Although dark and twisty, they just pull you in and never let you go. Dishonorable was no different. This was my favorite of hers to date.

Take care when fighting the monsters you don't become one.

Raphael Amado has a history with Sofia Guardias family. He wants revenge. A debt to be paid. To teach her grandfather a lesson, he takes Sofia as his bride. Unwilling and hesitant, she goes as she knows this will protect her family. Most importantly her sisters future. In a sense, she has become collateral damage. I won't go into the plot too much, but the way this story is executed was simply brilliant and addicting. I held on to every last word. I was hooked from the prologue but to learn the family history and how everything unfolds truly testifies to the gifted talent of this author.

Because some part of me, it liked this side of him. This damaged, dark, broken soul. It longed to touch him. To touch that fractured part of him. The one that left him open and lost and dangerous.

In true Natasha Knight fashion, this is not for the faint at heart. Raphael is fractured. His soul in pieces. There is no lightness that revolves around him. He simply lives in darkness. The story is flawlessly narrated in dual POVs. It flows effortlessly moving between both the voices of Sofia and Raphael and the pacing of the story is skillfully fulfilled. This book is also very hot. The steam and darkness is perfectly balanced with emotions that simply jump off the page. You will feel anger for Raphael. And your heart will also bleed for him and everything he has endured. The author allows you to feel his resentment and despair. His only light and hope for redemption was found in Sofia. While she was taken and she found it hard to love a man like him, she accepted everything about him. Even the darkest parts. And the monsters he battled inside due to his past. I never wanted to put this book down. The actualization of the storyline was masterfully done.

Dishonorable is an intense read. Theres greed, betrayal, lies. Its a vivid telling of when darkness challenges light in the face of redemption. There are so many twists and turns in this story that you can never guess what is to happen next. Their past, present and future are tied to each other and their families in so many ways. As the storyline unfolds you are absolutely blown away with how each detail adds to the intricate plot. Its a powerful love story, yet it will make you question everything about love and all it can go against. It reminds you that love always threatens darkness even when it seems impossible. Sofia and Raphaels love story is a tumultuous one. With so many ups and downs. But their journey is worth it. It may not be a story that fits every couple, but its theirs. If you are a fan of dark romance, be sure to read Natasha Knight. This was certainly an unforgettable read.
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Anyone who knows me (and you don't, I know that, but bear with me) knows that I love LOVE love to read....I do not write reviews, I just read. So consider that a proper shout out on how great this book was. Not too many things cause me to have my "What. The. Fu@k ?" Face on in the middle of my living room, but while I read this story, I wore it often, and I wore it like a boss. And, a word for the wise: this is NOT a vanilla love story...it's a crazy, dark, filthy, sexy, disgusting story.... But a damn good one at that! Consider yourself warned.
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*As spoiler-free as possible*

The story of Mary Hades is dark, moving, at times incredibly humorous, and, all together, profoundly beautiful.

Characters: Adored all of them! Mary, our main character, is just fantastic. She wears the weight of the afterlife on her shoulders, and she does so with grace, strength, and humor. Lacey is her BFF, who just so happens to be a ghost. I cant say enough about Lacey. I. Love. This. Character. She is fun, spunky, snarky, and witty. Seth, who is Marys love interest, is one mysterious guyand, oh, I loved him. Everything about Seth is subtle; his character draws you inyou cant help but be intrigued by this guy. The incredibly shocking twists and turns with his character will create an emotional roller coaster ride for your emotions. I really, really, really hope to see much more of him in future books. Neil was another wonderfully rich character that Id love to see in future books. Marys momloved her! I could go on and on about how much I loved the characters, truly.

World & Story: Sarah has created a story that makes the reader feel like theyve boarded a demonic Ferris wheel. There are so many emotional highs and lows in this beautifully paced tale that is written to perfection. Sarahs ability to cut right to the heart of a situation and pull you in with the characters is impeccable. I loved being transported to the English countryside; I honestly felt like I was right thereat the fair, walking through the moors, sitting (or hanging from) the Ferris wheel.

Fear Factor: Im kind of a fraidy cat and not ashamed to admit it (okay, well, maybe a little ashamed). Mary Hades was just scary enough to make the hairs on my arm stand up, but not so scary that I was afraid of any little pop and creak in the house. Without giving too much away, I felt that the conclusion of the story, though intense, was gracefully written, especially given the circumstances surrounding the tragic story of little Amy. So, in other words, this is the perfect book for those who like scary stories, but are also fraidy cats like me.

Overall: A perfectly creepy, yet emotional ride as the present and the afterlife collide in an unforgettable way. Tremendous start to a series I literally cannot wait to read more of.
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I was memorized by Griffin's debut duology last year and devoured every single book. Her dark attention to detail and the vivid images she presented were hard to resist. Throw in a classic retelling of a Poe story with lots of equally dark twists and you have one heck of a story. I was so very excited to learn she was doing writing another one and was eager to start it.

I shouldn't have expected anything less from her latest twist on an old Poe tale, The House of Usher.

Once again this was deliciously dark and macabre. Everything you would expect from an Edgar Allen Poe tale with those small steps Griffin takes to truly make this her own story.

This one is hard to explain except to say that if you like those dark stories that will keep you thinking, keep you guessing and completely mess with your mind, this is one you need to try and experience for yourself.

I loved every single minute of it and ended up devouring it.

The ending left me feeling empty and longing for more as well as guessing if there would be a book two, which I am really hoping there will be. I wasn't ready for Madeline's tale to be over or the Usher curse to be broken.
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"Blackbird fly, blackbird fly. Into the light of the dark black night."

I have nothing but all good praises for Molly McAdams. Blackbird is a proof of how talented she is as an author. How brilliant she is for amazingly delivered a story so unforgettable, a story that will really leave a mark to all the readers. Because Blackbird? It's Molly McAdams at her finest. This is her masterpiece!
Because he is the darkness
He is the devil.
and I love him

I admit, reading this book at first gave me conflicting emotions. I actually stopped reading it and waited days because I do not know if I read the right book. That to say because it was really new to me, I'm used to the angst Molly gave us, I'm used to that heart wrenching scenes she's known for but I was never used to read a book from her that was just dark and so twisted. When I finally put on my big girl panties, I am amazed! I love the story so much I hardly put it down.

First few pages in and I literally cringe at the thought, but slap me several times, but this book just opened another version of me. The twisted-pervert side that had me questioning my morality. Because who will not? The story screams DARK AND TWISTED but I was devouring it like it was my last meal. I was flipping through the pages like a mad woman looking for her next prey. I was puzzling the pieces together, inhaling and breathing the suspense. I was at the edge reading the book but my knickers were soaking for the twisted desire I have with Lucas and Briar's interaction. Tell me who aren't affected by Lucas and Briar? Tell me who aren't rooting for them even when it wasn't the right idea? Tell me who aren't as giddy as I am swooning for this broken man and loving him despite his darkness? None. Because everything is worth falling for. Everything is just perfectly imperfect the way it is. And I am loving it to bits. I can never forget this story. In fact, this made my love to the author in another new level.

Seriously, when I thought about it, I was definitely thinking it was all sorts of wrong. But reading it in Molly's perfectly written and flawless portrayal and delivery, I realized I cannot think of that. Blackbird and her devil is just perfect together. Their chemistry is sinful but at the same time rightful in all aspects. The sizzling scenes had me. That emotions in the book portrayed even got me. I was so consumed by them. The complicated relationship they had me even questioning if there will be even a HEA with the leads. When I thought I had it figured out, I was wrong, there are pieces yet to unfold and there are twists and turns I never saw coming. Whatever it is, it's for you to find out. This book is better read blind. You can as much feel the emotions when you do not have any idea what's bound to happen. I'll tell you, you'll appreciate it more.

To Molly McAdams, kudos! Blackbird just became one of my top reads this year. As I read through the pages, I can feel the powerful words and lines you gave to it. It was addicting, sinful but out-rightly beautiful...so beautiful in the darkest, suspenseful manner. Ahhh..this is romance in the newest level.
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Why cant everyone just be happy LIKE WHYYYY
REALLY. TELL ME.
even though it was our idiocy on my part, I spent THREE DARK CROWNS and ONE DARK THRONE just wanting EVERYONE TO BE FREAKING HAPPY. LIKE OMG. obviously thats stupid because you can tell from the beginning that not everyones going to be happy, and even in other books not everyone gets to be happy but sheeesh I just wanted all my preciouses to be happy.
So somehow through sheer and utter genius, Kendare has made it absolutely impossible to hate anyone in this story, I LOVE EVERYONE OKAY.
Ike I tried to hate Katherine but THEYRE ALL SO COMPLEX THAT ITS LIKE I CANT HATE YOU ITS NOT YOUR FAULT THAT YOURE THAT WAY OMG. (If you cant tell yet, Im going to be spending a ton of time exercising my right to a caps lock button)
Also the ships? I AM HERE FOR IT YASS. so many ships. I love them so much I cant even right now.
So THREE DARK CROWNS was a little dark but this book just jumped in and was so dark and I AM HERE FOR IT YASSSS. It was deliciously dark. But like complex too. You never knew what was going to happen next and it was AHMAZINGG.
ever heard of second book blues? Hahahaha this book had none of that. It grabbed THREE DARK CROWNS by the throats and smashed it up and TOOK THAT FREAKING CROWN. I probably need several more days to properly process what the freak just happened but I THINK I LOVE THIS BOOK MORE THAN THREE DARK CROWNS IDK IDK.
I feel like THREE DARK CROWNS spent a lot of time setting up the characters and the story and the world, whereas ONE DARK THRONE was able to dive in and murder me with feels and amazingness. It didn't have to take time to set things up.
I feel like THREE DARK CROWNS was setting up a maze of dominoes, and ONE DARK THRONE was all the dominoes falling.
Have I mentioned how FREAKING GOOD this book is yet? Like how. TEACH ME YOUR SECRETS I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO WRITE THIS GOOD. everything in this book was just amazing, the plot, the world, the characters. A freaking +. I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW
I just. I cant even word all my feels. This book was a masterpiece of darkness, love, and heart-pounding twists. Im going to go cry now bye.
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A dark, intense, irresistible sequel you won't be able to put down. If you thought putting down Daughter of Smoke & Bone was hard, wait till you pick up this book. Thrown right back into the mesmerizing world I fell in love with Laini's debut, this book took me on one incredible fantasy ride. With the stakes even higher than they were before, Days of Blood & Starlight is brimming with suspense, heart break, twists, and love. I loved being back with the characters I got to know before, and enjoyed meeting new ones. Each of these characters plays a role in this storyline. Whether it's deciphering which side of the war they really belong to, knowing their place in Karou's world, and if they're part of the ongoing secrets, plot twists and betrayals that continue to plague this incredible world.

Laini Taylor is a literacy genius. I would love to sit down and have a peak inside her mind. I'm in awe over her storytelling, her series's history and this absolutely incredible world she has conjured up. I'm not sure what I love more, the storyline, her characters or the world. I love how all three of these things go hand in hand. They're all beautifully crafted and create a story unlike anything I've read. There's something I find utterly fascinating about her dark, and richly detailed series. There's this incredibly rich history that allows this story to take place both within our world and within the world Laini's characters were created/born in/re-born in, that I love. This series goes beyond fascinating for me. It's one that lures me in and makes me wish I could crawl into the pages of this book just to get a peak around it's dangerous world.

The other thing I loved about this sequel are the characters, and the changes within some of the characters, the yearning some of them felt, because I felt it too, and the heartbreak! Laini Taylor can you rip my heart out any more. I was not prepared for the yearning and the loss of something that two characters no longer have, but in their own ways fight to regain. That's saying something without giving anything away. This wanting not only allows readers to see the changes that have taken place with some of the characters, and the reasoning behind their changes, it also allows for other options to possiby be explored. This may not make sense to you until you read it, but believe me it will. I am not going to give any spoilers away.

I loved each of these characters, even the not so nice ones. There's something about each of the characters that I couldn't help but like. They were both good and bad, but above that, they each fought for something they believed in. That's not to say some of them aren't ruthless, because they are. Mixed into their moments of violence are characters on both sides that have their moments of good, and I liked seeing both sides of them. The way they were written allowed me to understand their motives, which also made me like something of even though I knew better than to not. I just couldn't help myself.

Let me just say this sequel is AWESOME! It's everything I hoped it would be a whole lot more. Don't let the size of this book fool you. It's incredibly well paced, flawless written, and once you start it you won't be able to stop reading it. It's one of those reads you want to devour, but instead you can't help but savor each word. If you're someone who's grown tired of the demon/angel lore, than you haven't read any of Laini Taylor's books. This series is far from "just another angel/demon book." It's a dark, beautiful written fantasy, that gave me a sigh worthy ending and makes me wish book three was already being released.
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****4.5 stars***

Not for the faint of heart but a must-read for those of us who can appreciate the beauty in a truly dark romance, Knight takes readers on a painful and twisted journey with a woman who has faced a nightmare of agony and humiliation.  An unnamed heroine for most of the story, her existence has been torn down to two identities- slave to the bastard that took her, and any number of endearments that her rescuer, detective Smith James, has bestowed upon her.  When he found this shell of a woman- terrified, beaten, and jonesing for her next hit- dominant Smith was disgusted by the way she had been treated.  But what started out as his attempt to help her through detox and get her on her feet turned into so much more.  She needed a Master to bridge her way from slavery into reality, and Smith was her choice whether he wanted it or not.

I absolutely LOVED the premise of this story!  Lydia, our Jane Doe heroine, had quite literally been through hell and back, and she was this fragile shell on the verge of cracking into a million tiny pieces.  Her muddled and terrified thoughts of utter paranoia were brilliantly written, I felt as though I was reliving all of her fears and pain right along with her as she tried to get through each day.  The experience was horrific, but she had made it through the hard partor had she?  She was in such a state of distress and insecurity that she was desperate for that strength and stability that a true dom, not the piece of s*** that raped and beat her, would give her.  And Smithoooh, lord, Smith.  I just wanted to lick him and have him bend me over to spank me for the fun of it, he was so yummy!!  So strong for Lydia at every turn, but so torn over the role he was playing in this madness.  He was the epitome of the dominant male a pillar of fortitude for his sub but tender with her when she needed it.  And a Holy s*** sexy!! one at that, I honestly got goosebumps when he finally claimed his woman! I loved him, just loved him.

Then there were the twists, and damn they came unexpectedly and wrenched my heart!  Just when you think to yourself well this became a happy ending pretty early on, Sykes rips apart that reality and you're left to wrap your mind around the next crossroads for Lydia.  I never once got bored or irritated going through her struggled thoughts with her, you really just experience the therapeutic discussions in her mind as she does.  Reality for her had been forever altered, and Sykes did an amazing job at making all of it progress in a believable way.

When all was said and done, this was a gut-wrenching, meaningful, deeply twisted love story that readers will have trouble putting down, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great dark read!

Quotes:

It was the first time I could recall the woman I had been before I was broken.  But remembering her was almost as agonizing as the memories of what had been done to her.  She had been strong and brave and defiant.  She would have found what I was now to be abhorrent. ~Loc 141

He had mentioned others that he had tortured before her.  They had died.
 Once, she had tried to die.  But he wouldnt let her. ~Loc 307

Are you still prepare to go to hell with me, Lydia? He asked roughly.
Of course, Master, I promised huskily.  So long as you take me to heaven and back first. ~Loc 3618
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I was so happy to see that the last book not only met, but exceeded my expectations. Dark, fast-paced, and touching all at the same time. My only quibble is the epilogue, which seemed to leave out the end of quite a few characters' stories.

I have no desire to spoil this book for anyone, so I'll leave you all to read it for yourselves and figure out why it is so good.

Having grown up with this series, I am sad to see it go, but excited that I'll have these great tales to read to my children and hopefully give them a love of reading, as well.
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This became one of my favorite books after I stumbled upon it last year. It is a dark fairy tale that can be enjoyed at a face value as a wonderful imaginative story, or as an archetypal quest for liberation of dark repetitive and destructive inner forces through courage and  love.
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This prequel is very dark. I like dark and this is definitely dark as it gets. There are triggers some people might need to think about with this book i.e. kidnapping and rape. This story was very intense, a true page turner for me. I just know this story has great things to come. Cant wait to read the rest of this series. If you like dark romance youll love this book like I did. I recommend reading it.
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I am a big fan of A Zavarelli's books, so of course learning that she was going to try her hand on grown up takes of fairy tales, its safe to say that my curiosity was peaked. This take of Beauty and the Beast is so not what I was expecting and yet everything that I knew this author could deliver. I mean I am still grabbing tissues to clear away these stubborn tears from the epilogue alone. Fair warning though, this is a dark dark dark romance so go into it knowing that certain things will make you uncomfortable but if you trust the story, and just go along for the ride, you won't regret it. Now bring on Snow white and River!! Can't wait for these two
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I feel like I have been waiting to read a dark YA Fantasy like this for ages. I was drawn to the concept because of the family dynamics, and it did not disappoint. The characters feel so real and believable, which makes the dark elements so much more twisted and emotionally gripping. The fantasy world is interesting and easy to understand. The pacing is thrilling. The mysteries had me shouting "I KNEW IT!" at my Kindle. Please give this a read if you like dark fantasy stories. I can't wait to read what happens next!
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Robin McKinley tells stories as if they are fairy tales, and she does so magnificently. If you've done any looking into writing you will have heard the mantra "Show don't tell!", and I think it is a testimony to McKinley's skill that she can just throw this rule over her shoulder and TELL a story that is captivating and heart warming and nightmare-evoking and and funny and dark all at once. Words cannot possibly describe how impressed and lovestruck I am with this book.

A warning about this book, it is very dark and should have a trigger warning (rape) attached to it.
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I love this story both for its uniqueness and darkness. Everything about it is infinitely creative and original, from the thumb-striking clock that marks the passage of time with an "ouch" instead of the same old "cuckoo," to the fantastically twisted characters. However, this is not really a book for children. I think it is best read by teens and adults, (or mature younger readers!) The story involves two wicked individuals working for the Devil Himself to destroy the world. There is still hope though, in two raggedy animals who have just one night to foil their masters' plans! For an extra fun experience, I suggest you read this book in real time. It takes place in the course of that single evening, and there is even a clock every few pages to let you know how much time remains! If you crave dark stuff, or just enjoy really original stories, you'll fall in love with THE NIGHT OF WISHES!