Once upon a time, I was once the only Brightling in the Fold, a hidden realm of night time and dark magic. I lived each day scared and cold until the Oracles breathed prophecy upon me. They spoke of dark nights, bright dawns, and deep oceans.And power. So much power.I’d never known power in the land of eternal darkness. So when the Oracles showed me the way to live a new life, I took it, even if … took it, even if it meant my death.
It has been a month since Karina was crowned the Queen of Shadows and Flame. For the first time in her life, she is blessed with the power to protect herself and those she loves. Her Inner Circle are with her, and her Shadow Guard grow steadily to protect her newly established court in the Shadow Realms.
However, Karina’s peace is shortlived. When a Prince of Hell comes knocking on her door, and presents her with an offer she can’t refuse, she discovers that her court is not as protected as it should be. With new enemies emerging that threaten the stability of the veils, and therefore her court, Karina must choose her next allies quickly.
But can she trust a Prince of Hell whose language is full of doublespeak and lies? Or will he be key of their undoing?
For mature audiences, 18+ years old. This is a paranormal romance reverse harem series with steamy sex scenes and multiple happily-ever-afters.
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I am so in love!! Elle has a such a way with words that you literally feel like you are in the story. This world of courts, intrigue, power, and danger will keep in on the edge of your seat as you wonder what will be on the next page. Mixed in between are some of the steamiest scenes I have ever read. I can’t wait to see what happens in book three. If you like fantasy reverse harem romance novels then this is truly a must read. Obviously I give it 5/5 stars.
Come and read Elle Cross upping her writing game with So Bright The Dawn!
Stupefied. I have been waiting and wanting to use this word sfm so when I finished this read I finally can put this word into great use. Because I really am stupefied. This read is everything to me. The development of the story, the theme and the characters-jfc send help, I think I have just fallen deeper and harder. There’s no coming back from this.
The writing style, good God, even from so dark the night and grit, I already deem the author’s brand as a perfect fit to my reading preference and standard. And to think that so bright the dawn topped those two amazing reads!
I love how I can’t seem to miss a word while reading. That my thumb is shaking to get to the next page. I actually did one last reread because I’m anal like that.
Okay, so for the story. Despite of the title, sbtd is not all brightness and sunshine. You know that feeling after midnight and just before the sun rises, where it’s not completely bright nor completely dark…when it’s all literally quiet, but maybe mentally the loudest (creative minds are the most active during this certain period). I think I am completely mindblown as this thought dawns to me, even as writing this review…but this title is probably one of the most befitting titles to ever capture its own story & theme.
At first, it does feel like I am being lulled by the serene pace. How Karina is with her inner circle and court after being crowned as a new queen. All the love and support she’s getting and all the trust she’s establishing with them…ah, she totally deserves each and everything and everyone.
Until it slowly climbs to a less calm pacing, when another demon prince is wanting to propose his allegiance to the newly hailed queen and her court.
Up to the raucous peak where they all went to Underworld. And it is the most tumultuous point of the story. As if the brightness is already there, but not really. Let’s just say I’ve had my share of breakdown at that freaking twist. I have to stop altogether because I’m scared. And a little hopeless. But yes, for all of my talk about bleak and gloom, So Bright the Dawn has lived up to its title. There is a bright dawn waiting for me in the end. There is hope.
I have mentioned this before and I am mentioning this again. Karina is my soul sister. So far, she’s a character I relate to the most. Not only in this series but most probably in…every other read I’ve had.
She’s battling her own demons and darkness within her. IMO, people like us, wired like this, will always do. But what has changed is now she’s with her lovers, friends and family now. She’s not going to trust alone. She’s not going to solely carry the burden. There may be times she will want to be alone, will want to do decided on her own…and those things are definitely ok, too. And it’s definitely not an overnight thing. Like, when you carelessly say to a depressed person not to be “sad” anymore, the person won’t magically be healed or or or be fixed in just a snap of a finger. No.
S/o to Elle Cross for creating such a powerful character and influence. I love Karina’s strengths and weaknesses. How she’s a remarkable literary art held by jagged pieces. She’s everything!
The men…they are a wonderful, swoony bunch. They’re funny and great lovers and…not perfect. They have made a mistake-falling asleep, seemingly just a mundane weakness but nonetheless is a grave one in their situation. Which is why there is an advantage in numbers. So that another man’s strength can fill up another one’s weakness. Again, not perfect but the way each hero complements another one, all together they make each other whole. And there’s nothing more beautiful than that.
Plus, omg the steam! I think Elle Cross finally snapped and delivered it in a silver platter huhuhu hahaha.
PS Speaking of silver platter, Steward is amazing!!! omg
PPS Her sister and her mother, goodness gracious, have mercy to their respective courts! lmao. They are so freaking cool! See (read) for yourselves!
Have you ever come across a book that gave you goosebumps and left you speechless at the same time? Well I have and it is this book So Bright The Dawn by Elle Cross.
This book omg this book is amazing so amazing that I’m not able to describe what I feel except to say this story was brilliantly written by an awesome author who definitely knows how to grab her readers attention and hold it until you get to the end of the book. I thought So Dark The Night was a awesome book but I got to say SBtD just knocked SDtN out of its number one slot and jumped into its place and made itself at home there.
I wonder if So Deep The Ocean is going to overstep the others? Hmm I guess I’ll find out whenever that book is finished sometime in the near future.
Anyway if you haven’t figured it out yet, well that is a big HECK YEAH I most definitely recommend this book! But if you haven’t read So Dark The Night then I highly suggest that you do that way you’ll know who’s who when you finally get to So Bright The Dawn!
I wish I was able to give this book more than just five measly stars because it definitely deserves so many more!!