Vanessa Booked Up's Reviews > Nightshade

5++ STARS!

"We were fated to be together. It is your light to which I am drawn. It feeds the dark thoughts in my head."

Absolutely speechless! This might be my top read of 2021.

Now, I will be honest, I have not read a lot of fantasy. It is just such a huge genre and I have no idea where to begin. Earlier this year though, I read A Fate of Wrath & Flame and really enjoyed it. So when I saw that one of my very favorite authors was writing a gothic romance, I knew I had to read it.

I will say this to any reader who might be a fantasy, PNR, and/or gothic newbie like me, if you are maybe not sure if this is the kind of read for you. My very favorite sub-genre is dark, mafia romance. And with that sub-genre there is a ton of world building and hierarchy in the respective systems. I would say, if that kind of dynamic intrigues you, then you will for sure enjoy this book!! There are some definite parallels.

"You no longer belong to the church or these people. You are not bound by the laws of their world. From this night forward, I am your church. When you are lost, I am your shelter. When you are in pain, I am your elixir.”

The best advice I can give you is to go into this book totally blind. In this review, I am going to be intentionally vague. Just do it. Jump in! It hits the ground running. For a book that I'm pretty sure is going to clock in at 600+ pages, for me, there were no lulls. It doesn't spend a ton of time with the world building up front (admittedly, a qualm I have with some fantasy/PNR I've read previously). I just want to get to the story. And this story absolutely does.

Nightshade is a truly unique read. It has Keri's signature darkness and grit that she truly does like no other, along with a dark underworld filled with some of the most depraved beings one can imagine.

"Nightshade is where you go when you don't believe in anything."

And the leader of this underworld?

Jericho Van Croix



Talk about a ruthless, scarred hero who's been seriously pissed off for the last few centuries. This man's magnitude and the lengths he'll go for the woman he loves know no bounds. From the very start, every word between him and Farryn was pure crack! All the witty banter!

"Unfortunately for you, you are precisely my type."
"Why is that unfortunate?"
"Because I will fuck you in all the worst ways."

This is the ultimate spooky read. Nightshade and Blackwater Cathedral are as much a character in this book as our H/h are. I loved the author's description of this place. It allowed me to see it like a movie in my head.

The only other thing I will tell you is that if forbidden love is your thing, and if you are a fan of EPIC love stories, then THIS is the book!

“You belong to me, Farryn. Should another man dare to lay so much as a finger on you, I will flay his hand and shine my boots with his skin.”

But nothing comes easily for these two and they have to fight the darkest powers of the underworld to be together. This book really has it all: angels, demons, monsters... Also, an air of mystery and suspense to it. Oh, and, fret not, plenty of delicious steam too!

“Tell me to walk away, Farryn,” he whispered. “Tell me you don’t want me to grab you by the throat and fuck you against this wall right now.”

I work full-time, have two girls, three pets, a husband, and a mom who lives with us. My cup is (thankfully) very full...and busy! But I read this book in just about 48 hours, late into the wee hours of two nights in a row.

The author did announce that this is going to be a duology but I would not describe the ending as a cliffy ending at all. It's more of a (view spoiler)[HFN (hide spoiler)].

Nightshades will take you to a dark and enchanting world that you will never want to leave. It's a slow-burn romance that spans centuries. The pacing is flawless and kept me completely invested the whole time. This is a masterpiece of a book that the author clearly poured her heart and soul into, and I would recommend it to all fans of dark romance who like a gritty, meaty story.

I immediately one-clicked Master of Salt & Bones and The Isle of Sin & Shadows upon finishing it and can't wait to read those ASAP!

"You are my eternity."