Bold and intense, this debut fantasy romance promises passion, grit, and a heavy dose of
emotional highs and lows.
In her first novel, Darling introduces us to Elowen Atarah, a princess on the run who must join forces with an unlikely ally to reclaim what’s hers.
Elowen isn’t an ordinary princess. Proclaimed “forged from the fire of the gods” when dragon eggs hatched in her presence, she was viewed as a threat by her father, who shackled her instead of celebrating her dragon bond. After years of confinement, Elowen finally escapes—without her dragons but free from her father’s cruelty. She emerges stronger, training herself to become a fierce warrior, determined to retrieve her dragons. Her chance comes with Cayden Veles, commander of a neighboring kingdom and her father’s enemy. An alliance is struck, and with the help of Cayden and her closest allies, Elowen sets out for revenge and a fresh start.
Darling blends the heist-like excitement of Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows with the dragon-filled world of Samantha Shannon’s The Priory of the Orange Tree, adding her own layer of intense romance and violence. While the revenge-driven plot with warring kingdoms might feel familiar, this story centers around romance. Worldbuilding and battles serve as a backdrop to the fiery connection between Elowen and Cayden, who protectively warns, “Even if a man even hardly touches you, it’ll be the last thing he does in this life.” The raw violence may not suit everyone—Darling’s author’s note provides trigger warnings—but the story’s first-person perspective makes Cayden’s dark nature a clear match to Elowen’s own, creating a bond that finally makes sense to her.
Though Cayden’s rapid affection and Elowen’s denial of their romance occasionally feel forced, Darling ultimately succeeds in showing Elowen’s journey back to confidence and strength.
Bold and brash, with a passionate core that’s far from light reading—prepare for emotional rollercoasters and a craving for more.
