Ten years ago, King Lorcan of the Dark Kingdom Dorjhalon defeated Queen Evelayn and cut her conduit stone from her. Since then, he has kept her trapped in her swan form. With the loss of balance between Dark and Light, winter has descended and the Draíolon of Éadrolan lose more power every day. But once a year, Lorcan transforms her back to her Draíolon form and offers a truce. And every year Evelayn refuses — for he requires her to Bind herself to him for life.

But now, with an Ancient power bearing down upon them, everything may change. Evelayn will learn that the truths she once believed have shattered, and that she may need her enemies even more than her allies. Lorcan and Evelayn become partners in a desperate quest to return the balance of power to Lachalonia. How far will this partnership go? Can friendship — perhaps even love — bloom where hatred has taken root?

Sara B. Larson delivers a thrillingly romantic and hauntingly satisfying end to this extraordinary duology.

Wow. Where do I begin? I actually loved Sara B. Larson’s other books–I even liked the book preceding this–however this one… boy oh boy…

This story takes place ten years after Dark Breaks the Dawn. Evelayn has been trapped in the body of a swan for ten years, TEN YEARS, only ever becoming human when the guy who transformed her showed up. And, um like, also?? This same guy?? Also killed her fiance??? Okay, anyways, I need to form this into a cohesive review.

Basically, Evelayn is transformed back to her human form, and almost IMMEDIATELY starts to fall in love with her captor, Lorcan. Okay, yeah, this could be the whole Beauty and the Beast thing, or even a cool Darkling-esque spin. HOWEVER, that is not what happens. The two are passionately making out and professing their undying love for each other within a matter of days. I already struggle with novels that try to condense any normal plotline into a matter of weeks/days, as it can become far too convoluted. However, trying to attempt such intense character development and romance in such a short time span is ridiculous. The characters lacked all believability and empathy and really weakened the entire story for me.

That being aside (and, honestly, it kind of ruined the whole book for me…) I had a hard time with the story anyway. I did not see any connection to the original Swan Lake, which was a huge part of the advertising. But, regardless of that tie, I didn’t get very invested in the story. The character’s emotional connection and motivations were very weak and kind of jumped around, and thus it was hard for me to make any connection and, well… care.

That being said, I really did enjoy everything else I’ve read from Sara B. Larson. So, I wouldn’t let this review stop you from trying out some of her other series, but I would certainly not start with either of this duology.

1 out of 5.

Maddie