Perfect for fans of Brigid Kemmerer and Lexi Ryan, this debut romantasy stand-alone novel blends an immersive world, unique magic system, and swoon-worthy romance to create an unputdownable read that explores the great and terrible lengths to which love compels us to go.
Elia Tallis’s key conjuring abilities, when used with her father’s magic, allow her to open a path to any location. But Papa is dying, and Elia has been forced to painfully tether him to life so she can siphon his magic to provide for her siblings. The god of death, angry to be denied his due, punishes her by claiming her youngest brother as a servant.
Desperate to save her brother, Elia accepts a potentially deadly commission from Trys, a kindhearted prince with his nose stuck in a book. Trys wants Elia to help him find a legendary scroll. In exchange, he’ll give her his hand in marriage, securing her and her siblings’ futures and allowing her to release Papa to the afterlife.
Despite the danger of their quest, Elia and Trys find themselves increasingly drawn to each other. But when Trys finally reads the scroll, it transforms him into a monster beyond comprehension. Elia will have to wield her power in ways she never thought possible, braving a world of endless darkness and the nightmares dwelling within it to bring home the prince she’s growing to love.
Elia Tallis’s key conjuring abilities, when used with her father’s magic, allow her to open a path to any location. But Papa is dying, and Elia has been forced to painfully tether him to life so she can siphon his magic to provide for her siblings. The god of death, angry to be denied his due, punishes her by claiming her youngest brother as a servant.
Desperate to save her brother, Elia accepts a potentially deadly commission from Trys, a kindhearted prince with his nose stuck in a book. Trys wants Elia to help him find a legendary scroll. In exchange, he’ll give her his hand in marriage, securing her and her siblings’ futures and allowing her to release Papa to the afterlife.
Despite the danger of their quest, Elia and Trys find themselves increasingly drawn to each other. But when Trys finally reads the scroll, it transforms him into a monster beyond comprehension. Elia will have to wield her power in ways she never thought possible, braving a world of endless darkness and the nightmares dwelling within it to bring home the prince she’s growing to love.
Title: Unlock the Dark
Author: Sasa Hawk
Publisher: Storytide/Harper Collins
Expected Publication Date: February 25, 2025
Review:
Thank you to Edelweiss and Storytide (Harper Collins) for providing me with an egalley of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
You don't find a lot of stand alone fantasy books. I know it's hard to build a world and bring the story full circle in only one book. I have to say Hawk did a fairly good job with it. Though I could definitely see where this could have been at least two books, maybe more.
The world Hawk creates is unique and intoxicating. She builds the world easily without holes considering the time constraint of it being just one book. I would love to see more stories in this world even if they are novellas. I'd also love to see the other kingdoms. We had a glimpse of one outside of the main kingdom but not enough. It would be amazing to see a follow up with the characters in that world and see how they heal it! The magic system in this one is unique. It was nice to see the magic could manifest itself in anyone, not just those of a specific position.
Elia was an interesting character. I honestly think she felt younger than her 18/19 years of age. This was mostly due to her recklessness. She is definitely an act before you think kind of character which bites her more times than not. But she's feisty, smart, and witty and that made me feel a kinship with her. I wish we would have seen her stretch her magical boundaries just a bit more. Her relationship with her sister and brothers was done very well. And her found family was also a great support. I really liked the interactions we did see with them. You can feel her love and protection for them. It would be fun to follow their stories, as well.
Trys was not as fleshed out as I would have liked. I know that's harder when you only have one point of view, and with the fact that he spent a good amount of the book not being able to talk. I would have loved more background on him besides being told he is the 9th prince. His development was lacking for me though I did like him from what I was given.
I definitely felt an emotional attachment to theses characters. I enjoyed the romance, though it was a bit too insta-love for me and I would have liked to see the FMC and MMC spend just a bit more time together, learning each other, before they fell for each other. I think the fact that the book stands alone limited this a lot. It felt a bit rushed as the author only truly had a short time to bring them together.
I think the plot was interesting but it truly felt like totally different stories. One part takes place in Elia's homeland and the other in a dark battlefield. It made for a little of a disconnect in the story. This is where I feel like a duaology would have done this book justice. Because this was just one book, the pacing felt a bit rushed to me. I did love the different monsters Hawk presented to us, though. They were very interesting though I would have liked to see more of the lore attached to them so we could understand how they might fit into the magic system.
I am not sure I would classify this as a romantasy. Yes, there is a romantic aspect, but the plot truly focuses on something else and that overshadows the actual romance that is happening.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. Hawk's writing was incredibly easy to read and her descriptiveness was great. I am looking forward to more stories from her in the future.
Author:
Sasa Hawk lives in Tennessee with her husband, three toddlers, and mountains of books. When she isn’t writing or running after her children, you can find her nose-deep in a good story, working in the garden, or watching anime and Marvel shows. Unlock the Dark is her debut novel.
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