Dark magic holds no bounds. Before the Theater of Secrets was formed, before the Nameless was built, before Daisy Darling learned of her magical bloodline, there was the Realm of the Shadow Gods—ruled by the most powerful and wicked creatures known. For nearly two decades, Daisy’s twin sister, Rose, was held captive by the Shadow Gods and survived. Now Rose has come to find Daisy to stop their … Daisy to stop their impending evil from spreading into the human world. But Rose bears a terrible secret that has the power to destroy everything.
In the devastating Realm of the Shadow Gods, dark magic holds no bounds. Daisy will risk everything to save those she loves, but will the truth finally break her?
A DARLING SECRET is the heart-pounding third installment in the Strange Luck Series—a fast-paced YA supernatural adventure that delves into true love, loss, and self-discovery in a unique magical world.
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I am a big fan of variety and indie books and for that reason alone, the Strange Luck series by Amie Irene Winters has definitely been a great adventure as well as a wonderful addition to my library. As is, the Strange Luck series shines brightest in the concepts and ideas Winters brings to her stories. Each and every book surprises at every corner with high concept ideas that are downright brilliant.
If you read the first book, it’s mainly fantasy with some horror elements. Nightmare birds which is the second instalment is WAYYYYY darker, yet just as imaginative. More ethereal than fantastical, it has a dark vibe to it but very poetic in its phrasing. A Darling Secret falls somewhere in between and it’s the most YA feeling book in the series. You see, the first book could be perfect for a slightly younger audience, the second for a more adult audience, and the third, for somewhere in between. I can easily compare that arc to Star Wars, not based on content but yes on tone. Jedi has some dark moments, but the dark moments in Empire Strikes Back far eclipse either of the other two books, but I digress.
As mentioned above, the concepts in A Darling Secret are where this book really shines. From icons that when pressed have magical powers, to transporting between realms, to poetry strewn across the Realm of the Shadow Gods, this can lead to quite the sensorial adventure with wonderful sights that truly tantalize.
In regards to the rest of the book, the dialogue works but I think the other two books were more consistent and punchier than Book 3. It definitely gets the job done, but the dialogue wasn’t as quotable as Book 1 or definitely Book 2 with its creepy-creepy feels.
As for the plot, once again we dive into worlds of ethereal wonders in the Realm of the Shadow Gods. Just GETTING to this realm is amazing. Some people can access it through one method, while others take a more drastic approach. The realm itself is as misty as it is mysterious, governed by laws that are different from our own. Imagine a world of scary darkness, shrouded in mist, with peaks and mountains as your only safety points. In regards to the dangers that lurk, take your pick because they’re all pretty awful choices to have to face. The plot is driven by the secret shared between Daisy and her recently discovered raven haired sister, Rose. Rose is a tough cookie who shoots from the hip and succeeds and survives through strength and determination while Daisy is the more cerebral of the two. As for the color red, what is done in this book with that color is just a fascinating exploration in symbolism.
There are a few points where I do question either the decisions taken or the reactions had, because some feel underplayed (how Roger got to the realm) while others got overplayed (Rose’s resentment for the life she’s endured in this realm). When the book hits its balance, it’s a terrific read through and through but when it skews under or over, sometimes I felt as if more or less emphasis should have been given. Another important element is a major plot twist in the book, which I feel can divide people. Obviously I won’t divulge but it did inspire conflicting emotions until the very end where I had gotten past that initial bit and was able to allow myself to be swept by the story.
Winters, once again delivers a highly imaginative adventure to close out the Strange Luck series, but I have a feeling that this is not the last we hear about the Darling family, or so I hope.