The Demon of Darkling Reach

The Black Prince Trilogy Volume 1

By: P.J. Fox

Narrated by: Shiromi Arserio

Length: 14 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Peregrine Cavendish, 12th Earl of Enzie, has made a devil's bargain: he's going to sell Rowena, Isla's beautiful and innocent younger sister, to a known murderer in exchange for forgiveness of his debts. Tristan Mountbatten, the infamous Duke of Darkling Reach, has a habit of marrying such women and then disposing of them...horribly. For this and other reasons, there are rumors. That he practices the dark arts; that he's a necromancer; that he is, in fact a demon. And studying him, this notorious politician and realm builder across the table, Isla can believe it. Believe it all. Because she knows, even from that first introduction, that Tristan Mountbatten isn't human. No one else seems to have noticed the obvious, but Isla has...and is terrified. For herself, but more so for the sister she loves. The sister who's been more of a daughter, the sister for whom she'd sacrifice anything. So Isla makes a devil's bargain of her own.

©2014 Evil Toad Press (P)2015 Evil Toad Press

not bad

the author banters on with a lot of unnecessary things, but overall, the story is a good one.

Eye rolling bad book,author shows potential

This author has an annoying habit of dropping "wikipedia" style tangents in related history that literally everybody knows already. Cutting these "know-it-all style fact rants" out would reduce the text in half. The other half is a 19 year old midevil girl getting arranged marriage to "totally not a vampire" She spends half the book lamenting the double standard on woman's sex life's and the other half fighting with her prude and shitty sister. It of course like every fantasy these days, ends on a cliffhanger that requires a second book. It's full of romance cliches, and zero smut. All smoke, no fire. Big boring.

surprisingly great story.

loved this it was hard to put down. the narrator was easy to listen to and the story was engrossing.

Dark and Mysterious

What did you love best about The Demon of Darkling Reach?

The mystery surrounding Tristan. What is he and are the rumors true?

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tristan Mountbatten. He or his character was the only reason that I wanted to listen to the book. I love paranormal romances and read as much as possible.

Which scene was your favorite?

I am very interested in herbs so I think the part where the witch was describing what each herb is used for. Very interested in the hair growing remedies if I had the gumption to try them.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It did not make me laugh or cry but kept me intrigued enough to keep going. If I wasn't expected to review this book, I probably would have stopped after the first 3 hours or so. I am glad I finished it because it did get better and better.

loved it, want more

"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com.”

i loved this book. this is my favorite type to read or listen to. i really want thecrest that go with it. i cant wait for the other books on Audible

Beauty Meets Dark Shadows

The Demon of Darkling Reach begins with Peregrine Cavendish, 12th Earl of Enzie sacrificing his younger daughter, Rowena to the Tristan Mountbatten, infamous Duke of Darkling Reach in turns that Tristan will forgives his debt. Isla is the only one who could that the Duke is not a man but a demon. No one and not even her father's guests were able to see the Duke for what he is.

The Duke of Darkling Reach is rumored to have married several times and mysteriously has disposed of his wives and have practiced the dark arts. Because of her love for her sister Rowena and in order to save her sister from such fate, Isla made a deal with Tristan that he wed her instead of her sister.

The more time that Isla spent with Tristan, the more that she found the people she has loved are more cruel and conniving in their quest for power. They are willing to use her against Tristan and even to overthrow Tristan's brother, the King.

The Demon of Darkling Reach is a dark romance story. The story goes into human nature. Even if story has presented Tristan as human, the story wouldn't have deviated from the storyline and its content. Isla would still be able to see how politics played out from her father, Rowena, and even the priest. Isla has even changed her opinion of Tristan from fear to loving him even though he is a demon.

The story has a touch of Beauty and the Beast and Dark Shadows theme. At the beginning of the story, Tristan is more of a monster to Isla because she is able to see what he is. But as the story progress, Isla is able to accept Tristan. The way the story ended, I wanted to know what is in store for Isla as she makes her journey into Tristan's world.

The narrator, Shiromi Arserio does an excellent job in narrating the story. This book would have been overlooked by readers/listeners and even by me due to the blurb as a horror story. The narrator makes the story enjoyable to listen to. I wouldn't mind having her to come back for the next two books in this trilogy.

I was given this audiobook by the author/narrator/publisher via Audiobook Blast in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated or influence in any way for writing this review.

Superb dark gothic tale

Would you consider the audio edition of The Demon of Darkling Reach to be better than the print version?

I loved reading the book, but the audio version brought the book to life.

Which scene was your favorite?

Any time the sister threw a fit.

Any additional comments?

This is a great dark gothic tale that made me get totally absorbed in the characters. It takes you through every emotion and leaves you wanting to know the rest of their tale. I immediately bought the second audio book in the series.

Excellent Story - Kept my attention throughout!

This book was provided to me through Audiobook Blast free of charge in return for my honest review.

The storyline is one that keeps the readers attention and though the early part of the book requires quite a bit of layout to give the reader the information needed for full comprehension of the period and background, it is not too much. I found it difficult to press pause/stop when I needed to go about my day. The allure of the "Demon" while dark and mysterious at the same time shows that he still has some humanity and compassion left. I especially liked the part where he struck Rowena for being such a nasty twit to Isla and Asher. Something I was certainly craving myself based on her childish and arrogant behavior. Isla and Tristan together are a wonderful combination and I am looking forward to the next book in the series The White Queen.

The narration was superb and flowed so smoothly, it was almost hypnotic.

smartly written and a journey worth taking

So, I'm a huge fan of Grace Draven, and have been looking for a similar read. This book really hit the spot for me. Although very different from Ms. Draven, the story was beautifully written and full of love, heartbreak, and an amazing setting. I loved the narration here, and gelt like each character was portrayed so perfectly! I really enjoyed the themes in this book also, because they are very relatable the times we're living in, yet are set in the dark ages type era. All together it was wonderful and I'm looking forward to book 2. *I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

Maiden Sacrifice

The story takes place in a fantasy land much like middle age England. The earl Peregrine Cavendish is strapped for cash due to his gaming and mismanagement of finances. His younger spoiled manipulative daughter Rowena goes wailing to her older sister Isla that she fears that their father is about to betroth her to the infamous Duke of Darkling Reach Tristan Mountbatten who has a habit of disposing of wives. Furthermore Rowena sobs that she is in love with a neighbor and childhood friend Rudolf.

The Duke is also rumored to be a demon possessing the original Duke's body, Isla offers herself to the duke to save her sister, Believe me her selfish, conniving sister does''t deserve such a sacrifice.

The story is a composite of favorite fairy tales and legends. Isla for example is very much like Cinderella and the spoiled Rowana is very much like the ugly step sisters.

There is also a fanatical priest in the mix who is much more evil than the demon duke. The duke himself is a paradox. He is a demon who seems to want to be human and who has very human traits, yet he needs to feed on humans in order to survive. He is not cruel and he is a protector however he is also ruthless. In contrast the priest was a cruel sadist who enjoyed inflicting pain on others.

The book was well performed and narrated. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.



“I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot come”