Tonight, I killed the Queen of the Starlight Faeries… my grandmother.
I am Zenevieve, the Starlight Princess, and with one glance you’d think nothing else of me, yet there’s another side that no one knows. From the age of five I’ve secretly trained in the dark arts, foreseeing that one day I would be summoned by the God of the Realms.
So, when a burning rose appears on my pillow, I know … Realms.
So, when a burning rose appears on my pillow, I know I’ve been chosen.
Accepting my new purpose means losing the only family I’ve ever known, earning a one-way ticket to Darkling Penitentiary. Nevertheless, my mission is bigger than all of us. But there is one obstacle I didn’t anticipate, the monster who rules the prison, and in order to fulfill my destiny I’ll have to eliminate him.
The issue? He appears to be the only creature immune to my deadly light.
**The Darkling Penitentiary Series is a powerful paranormal prison fantasy with a touch of mythology, swoon-worthy romance, action, and fiery passion. This is a story of self-discovery, accepting who you are, and having the courage to choose your own destiny.
*This series is recommended for readers 16 and older due to a dark and dangerously sexy Dark Phoenix. It may contain some sexual situations and strong language.*
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Such a great start to a new series! I laughed and cried so much! With a strong female lead this book checks off all the boxes! I’ll be (im)patiently waiting for the next one!
“All hail the Starlight Queen”
O.M.G.
The truth is that this book did not appeal to me so much because the idea of a prison did not convince me. I can’t explain how glad I was to have read it anyway.
I love this kind of illustrations in books
Zeneviève is a Starlight Faery, a really special kind created by goddess Dalu, and being from the royal family, she can absorb energy from the moon, which can be clearly seen in the shine of her wings. But Zeneviève is even more special. She is a Star of Prophecies that are born every 5000 years in the Fae Realm.
Legend told that at the beginning of time, Goddess Danu reached into the night and brought down the brightest star from the sky. Infusing her own magic into it, she turned the star into a woman, and the first Starlight Faery was born.
Our first queen.
Looking at Grandma now as she flew down to the ballroom, her wings illuminating the entire space, I believed it.
Being a Star of Prophecies implies having premonitory dreams, but they don’t simply show the future, they actually give her instructions she must fulfill. None of her predecessors have been able to escape their destinies.
Every 5.000 years, a Star of Prophecies is born in the Fae Realm. The day I first opened my eyes, the clock reset itself…
The last one was Zeneviève’s mother and, as only one can be in existence, when Zeneviève was born, she gave her life for her daughter’s. She was raised by her grandmother as, after her mother died, her father disappeared. However, she never lacked affection. The relationship between Zeneviève and Queen Noreen is perfect.
Except that they both know that Zeneviève’s dreams show her that she must murder her grandmother. Since Noreen knows the nature of these dreams, she urges her granddaughter to accept them and simply enjoy until they come true. And among Zeneviève’s joys is Jareth, her royal guard with whom she has a “relationship.” However, she knows that her time in the palace will not last much longer.
“No matter what you wish for me, Jareth, the day will come when my duty will rip me away from here, never to be seen again. I will disappoint you. I will betray you and everything we ever held dear, but I will have no other choice.”
After murdering the queen, Zeneviève is sent to the Darkling prison, a place of darkness where even the moon does not exist, and must resign herself to waiting for her new mission to be able to leave that place. However, for a prison it is not so terrible. Except for the guardian. A Dark Phoenix.
The massive Dark Phoenix was perched at the very top, on the edge, looking down into the prison like it was his nest, and we were all worms waiting for him to eat us. It was kind of intimidating; I wasn’t going to lie.
This beast is the one who rules the place together with his babysitter assistant, Lord Aros. A muscular man with obvious disdain for shirts and huge black wings sticking out of his back, who happens to hate faeries more than anything in the world. And that hates Zeneviève even without knowing that she is a faery.
Idiots. Everyone here was an idiot. The guards were idiots. The hot as fiery hell guy with the black wings was an id—Did I just call him hot?
Ugh.
Now Zeneviève must fulfill her mission, which by the way she does not know, while she makes sure not to reveal her identity and finds a way to get rid of the surveillance of the giant bird.
As soon as I started reading this book it immediately captured me. I thought we would meet Zeneviève at the time of the crime or even afterwards. With the synopsis I never imagined that I would understand her reasons, but she really had no choice. Despite knowing that she would kill the queen, I hoped with all my heart that she would find a way to escape her fate and have a life with her grandmother and Jareth. But this was impossible and, as she herself expected, Zeneviève is sent to the prison for the most dangerous criminals where they literally never see the light of the sun again.
Zeneviève is accepted by the most powerful couple in the prison, Alani, a vampiress, and Lynet, a Banshee. Who become her “frenemies” in prison.
There are also Gwenn, who works at the prison, and her son Keegan. Who prove to be loyal friends and powerful allies for the new mission of Zeneviève.
I’m sorry I’m late. Keegan took forever to fall asleep. I love Junior to pieces, but I swear sometimes I feel like tying him up and hiding him in the closet” Her eyes widened when she realized what she had said out loud. “I’m only kidding.”
Here appears Lord Aros. To be honest, the typical shirtless handsome (I’m not complaining) who hates Zeneviève for no reason. But it is impossible not to fall in love with him. He is totally a slave to his past and his own darkness.
Wiping the fog from the mirror, I glanced at myself for several moments, trying to find the other half of the man I once was. The man Callista found in the shadows of a cursed existence.
I didn’t know what destiny awaited me, but I knew the happiness she believed I deserved, had been just an illusion. Nothing more, nothing less.
However, he has a good heart and, inadvertently and despite trying to avoid it at all costs, he sees in Zeneviève the light that could illuminate his life again, even against his will.
We are all slaves, Aros. Slaves to our nature, our duties, our legacy, our families, and even to others’ expectations of us. Our chains might all seem different, but we are bound by them nonetheless.”
Incredible world-building, fabulous characters, all with a past that sustains them. In addition to being original and funny, but no less emotional for this. My only complaint is that the second part is not yet out. I recommend it 100% and now I just have to wait.
love this new series with Zeneviève! … with choices to make and wanting to follow her own passion … cannot wait for the next book
Omg! I’m feeling so many emotions right now. I’m absolutely in love with this book! I cannot wait for the second one to come out!
Must read!!!!
I absolutely adored this book! So many twists and turns. Brilliant world building, and very interesting characters. Zenevieve is a royal Starlight faery different from the others. She’s not only got the gift of premonition, but is given the immense weight of making sure the visions she sees come to pass. No matter now painful or heartbreaking… If she sees it she can’t try to change it. This part of herself is kept secret from all but her beloved grandmother the queen. Woken from nightly horrendous nightmares that speak of the future, she desperately yearns to be free. Little does she know her wish might just be granted… Just not in the way she expects. Join the journey into learning who she truly is, what she must become, and who she comes to be. A very layered story with themes of love and loss, family, betrayal, and secrets galore. Look for the light in the darkness to lead the way. This book grabbed my heart immediately… I can’t wait to see what’s next in this tale.
Fantastic!!!
OMG what a fantastic start of a new series: The story line is awesome, the world building amazing, the twist and turns unexpected and shocking, the angst intense!!!
All these fantastic elements will keep you on edge, turning pages as crazy, wanting more and more and, after that f’ing cliffhanger, the feeling is even worse!!! #dyinghere #needthenextbook
You will love Zenevieve and Aros, two broken souls, slaves to their masters, to their fate…
Now that they have found each other, not at all casually, what does the God of the Realms want with them?
#cantwait #Arosishot #Zenevieveisawesome #lovethem #amazingbook #100recommended #allthefeelings
Such an amazing book!
A strong main female character. The story line is fantastic. Plenty of intrigue, heartbreak, twist and turns! It will definitely keep you enthralled!
i can’t wait to see what else the next book brings!
I was really sad at the beginning of this book. I really felt for Zenevieve. Still, there’s a reason for everything and things start lining up. There’s still a lot of mystery to what’s going on and things weren’t resolved at all in this book, still it’s an awesome story that makes me wish all the books were out and I could binge read. This book may feel like an introduction to the bigger going ons but it was a very entertaining ride from beginning to end.
I loved reading Darkling Penitentiary: Phantom Assassin..
The storyline is beautiful and fantastic. With the main character being the Starlight Princess with her name being Zeneviève. Zeneviève is special and has a secret side to her or a duel identity. Then there is Aro he special and and has a story of his own in how he came to the Darkling Penitentiary.
Both characters are unique and super special in there own way.
I can’t wait to read the next book.
Wow….I love this new world that Stephany Wallace has created. This book has everything you would want a great book to have. Can’t wait for the next one.
Wow! This book made me laugh and made me cry. I love the characters! I definitely have a few favorites. There is fire and passion throughout the story. Lots of surprises as well. Can’t wait for the next book.
I love the way Stephany Wallace thinks. She comes up with the most interesting stories, worlds, and characters! She creates strong characters in every book, and this one is no exception. Zenevieve is a strong character with a lot of sass and attitude that you can’t help but love. You will experience all your emotions from the beginning until the end. I can’t wait until the next book is out!
I have read all of her books and love them all.
O M G!!! So amazing. Start to finish this boom is thrilling and hits a spot that I didn’t know needed to be hit. Zenevive is hardcore and everything you want a heroin to be. Aros is kind of a dick, who does things that make little to no sense.
The Warden, is a monster so terrifying no one dares speak against it.
What a fantastic start to this series and truly I can’t wait for more. Book 2 can’t come soon enough.
As usual author, Stephany Wallace writes an amazing book. Her new series, Darkling Penitentiary debut book “Phantom Assassin” is a must read. Zenevieve, a Starlight Princess is a strong character and goes a lot during this first book. So much emotions you feel along with the character. Great character development. Once she is at the Darkling Penitentiary, the supporting characters are just as great. Very entertaining reading what happens at the penitentiary for Zenevieve with a few surprises. This book also has great world building. As a reader you can really feel yourself in the characters shoes and view what they are viewing. Overall, I truly enjoyed this story and I’m really looking forward to what is next in Zenevieve’s adventures.
Such an amazing book! I have always loved Stephany Wallace’s books. She definitely didn’t disappoint with this one!
A strong main female character. Zeneviève is so fiesty and snarky! I absolutely love her! The story line is fantastic. My emotions were all over the place like I was on a rollercoaster ride! Plenty of intrigue, heartbreak, twist and turns! It will definitely keep you enthralled!
i can’t wait to see what else the next book brings!
Love reading this!!! Cant wait to read more!!!! I couldnt put it down highly recommend reading
What can you say? Stephany Wallace captures your attention and draws you right into another world her imagination has created!
Such a thrilling read; with lots of sass, snark and heartbreak – it will wrench your heart out. BUT! The story brings hope as well. Definitely a page turner!!!
I have to start off saying that I love Stephany’s writing. She was able to capture a whole new fantasy world in this story that’s modern and out of this world while taking you on a ride of emotions. The Phantom Assassin, Zenevieve’s story is heartbreaking but hopeful. As she begins to accept her fate and future she learns things might not be as they seem. The Dark Phoenix shows an interest in Zenevieve like no other. Will he overcome his hatred of fairies or will he condemn her to the darkness. This tale has truly kept me on the edge of my seat not knowing what’s going to happen next. I’m excited about what happens next for the Starlight Queen and the Dark Phoenix!
This book has it all…. All the feels…
How can you go wrong with hot sexy “bad” boy…. Snarky female lead…
Darkling Penitentiary is not your ordinary prison…..
Can’t wait to see what comes next!!
OMG what an absolutely fantastic read! I am currently Sitting here trying to put into words how awesome this was! It’s addictive and exciting and totally engrossing and i just couldn’t put it down it was that good! The female MC is strong, snarky and sassy, the storyline full of betrayal, heartbreak, twists and turns and intrigue and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time! I absolutely cannot wait for the next book.