Awakening the Dark Throne Book Review
“The greatest power comes from surviving the darkest of nights…”
Synopsis
In a world ruled by immortal elves, Genevieve Autumn, a forbidden half-breed of human and elf, hides among humans to escape persecution. When her sister is seized by the dark elven court, Genevieve offers herself to the light elves in exchange for her sister's freedom. Little does she know, this decision thrusts her into a treacherous world of political intrigue and cruelty. As Genevieve struggles to conceal her identity within the light court, she discovers a latent power: the ability to foresee the future. With war looming and dark forces gathering, she must confront her destiny and make a choice that will shape the fate of her world. Betrayal lurks around every corner, and enemies close in, forcing Genevieve to embrace her true heritage to reclaim her place as the heir to the dark throne. In a breathtaking tale of magic and redemption, Genevieve Autumn embarks on a journey that will test her courage and challenge her beliefs. With her newfound abilities, she must navigate a dangerous landscape where survival depends on uncovering the truth of her lineage and embracing the power within her.
Review
Jessica Ann Disciacca’s Awakening the Dark Throne is a dark fantasy romance that sets its stage in a world ruled by the alfar (elves), where half-human/half-alfar Genevieve Autumn commences a journey filled with dangers, mysteries, and surprises. The story begins with Genevieve’s desperate attempt to save her adopted sister, Lily, from the clutches of the alfar of the Dark Court. In a daring move, Genevieve offers herself as a human slave to the light alfar, hoping to secure passage to their realm in order to save Lily. As Genevieve finds herself entangled in the affairs of the Light Court, she discovers her latent ability to foresee the future, a power that may hold the key to her destiny. However, her easy trust in those closest to her and her lack of urgency in rescuing Lily raise questions about her character’s depth and motivations.
While the book excels in describing the scenery, intricate court politics, and history of the courts, it struggles to maintain momentum, with a number of underdeveloped or abandoned storylines and rudimentary characters contributing to a sense of disjointedness. One of the novel’s most glaring flaws is its rushed romance between Genevieve and the apparent male main character, which lacks the necessary buildup and depth to be convincing. The comparison to ACOTAR is inevitable, given the similarities in tropes and themes. However, while ACOTAR excels in crafting complex characters and relationships, Awakening the Dark Throne unfortunately falls short in this regard. Additionally, the inclusion and elaboration of sexual assault scenes feels gratuitous for what they add to the story. Finally, despite its promising premise, the novel fails to deliver a compelling and cohesive story, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and longing for more depth and coherence.
Awakening the Dark Throne earns 2.5 stars for its ambitious ideas but ultimately disappoints in its execution. While the character of Eren (or Erendrial), the Dark Court’s Ambassador, stands out as a redeeming factor, the book struggles to fulfill its potential, resulting in a lackluster reading experience. That said, the story ended on a cliffhanger and I’m hoping that the next book will bring some much needed character development and romance that I look forward to.
Tropes include forced proximity, enemies to lovers, hidden powers, and court politics; content warnings include violence, sexual assault, and gore, which may be unsettling for some readers.
Expected publication date is 2 April 2024.
Author Profile
Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, Jessica, an Italian American and dedicated teacher with a Master’s in Educational Leadership, brings a diverse background, having also graduated with a Bachelors in Fine Art, English, Business, Education, and Communications from Park University in 2015.
Beyond her professional life, Jessica is a passionate creator, finding joy in art and family time. A lifelong reader, she began writing at 16, making authorship a dream now realized at Asturian House Press. Stay tuned for the enchanting worlds she’ll unfold in her upcoming literary books!
TL;DR
- Rating: 2.5 stars | Genre: Dark Fantasy | Pages: 330
- Book 1 of The Dark Throne series
- Similar to ACOTAR in tropes (forced proximity, enemies to lovers, hidden powers) and themes
- Description of scenery, intricate court politics, and history of courts is excellent
- Romance between FMC and apparent MMC is rushed
- Sense of disjointedness in plot
- CWs: violence, sexual assault, gore
