Melissa K. Roehrich

Rain of Shadows and Endings is book one of The Legacy series. This is a dark fantasy romance set in the same universe as the author’s Lady of Darkness series but in a different realm. While you CAN read this book without having read that series first, I would certainly recommend reading the Lady of Darkness series first as certain lore will make more sense (and there are little Easter eggs hidden in this book). Tropes include he falls first, political intrigue, forced proximity and enemies with benefits. Content warnings include jealous/possessive themes, explicit content, violence and more. This is a book for 18+ year old readers.

The Lovely: All of it - but particularly the characters because they were so complex and imperfect people. Both Theon (mmc) and Tessa (fmc) have unique past experiences that have not only shaped them individually but impact how they respond to each other. Tessa is a victim of circumstance and of her own nature she cannot control. And she gets hangry, which I identify with. Her indecision and apprehension make her feel real. Theon is dark and does do some inexcusable things. However, I can also see where he does what he does to protect her. He very much has a view of how things should go and struggles when that doesn’t happen. He’s conflicted snd troubled in his own ways and sometimes that frustration erupts, dramatically.

The Mundane: I honestly struggled to think of anything in this story I thought was just meh. There was good world building around the lore, and I think some of it came easier to me because it did build on the Lady of Darkness series. A lot of items weren’t new or confusing simply because I had seen them, or a variant of them, before. So, I do recommend reading the Lady of Darkness series first.

The Dreadful: newp. none. zip.

Rating: 5/5 stars. 2/5 flames.

Recommendation: This book was mesmerizing and I lost myself in the story. It alternated between making my heart melt and ripping it out to throw against a wall. I cried, I smiled, I laughed, and I got angry. I love a book that makes me feel the full range of emotions on such a deep level. Simply an amazing story with non-stop tension, an intriguing plot and characters you love and hate in equal measure. This is a must read for dark romantasy readers, and any readers who like dark romance with a deep and lush world and story. I was provided an ARC for this book for my review.… (más)

Lady of Starfire by Melissa Roehrich is the fifth and final book of the Lady of Darkness series. This is a new adult, dark fantasy romance. Scarlett fights against the fates and destiny for her family, her twin flame and the realm. Succeeding May cost her everything but she’s determined to play the game and make her own path. Tropes include banter, touch her and die and slow burn. Trigger warnings include sexually explicit material, references to sexual trauma, violence, and jealous/possessive themes.

The Lovely: This final book of the series does an amazing job of wrapping up all of the threads and stories of the prior books. They weave together at the end to reach a satisfying conclusion. Some might say too neat of an ending, but I like a happily ever after.

The Mundane: So this is a good and bad. This book spends a lot more time with the other characters and their relationships as compared to the prior books. On one hand, I loved seeing those relationships develop and deepens. But, at the same time, I didn’t feel like we had much time overall with Sorin and Scarlett, which was sad.

The Dreadful: There was one small part of the ending that I’m upset about. The book wrapped up the stories of all the characters (or, those that survived) except Sorin and Scarlett. They never really had their own final scene together and I’m lacking a sense of closure around them, especially after loving their relationship for the prior books.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Recommendation: Aside from the dreadful item above bringing me down, this series as a whole was gut wrenching and epic (and traumatizing). I’m going to miss the characters and their relationships, the found family, the banter, the mysteries and the magic. I’m so sad this over and I will never hear new stories of these characters, or see Sorin and Scarlett banter again. How soon is too soon to re-read?… (más)

The Reaper by Melissa Roehrich is a novella in the Lady of Darkness series. This book focuses on the story of the Ash Rider, Rayner, from the time he kind of became an adult to when he joined Sorin’s Court. Trigger warnings include violence, references to sexual trauma, and jealous/possessive themes. It is quite dark.

The Lovely: I liked how Rayner and his relationships with others were portrayed. He may have been the Reaper but he had noble intentions.

The Mundane: Well now I want a novella about Eliza. And Sorin. And Briar and Sawyer.

The Dreadful: I still have a lot of open questions about Rayner/ the Ash Riders. How did Ashtine know the Ash Riders could rescue her? What exactly is Moranna’s relationship to Alaric? How did the Ash Riders come to be?

Rating: 4/5 stars

Recommendation: If you’re reading the rest of the Lady of Darkness series, don’t skip this novella. It goes in between Book 4 and Book 5. The background it provides, not just on Rayner, is beneficial. And now I feel like Rayner just needs a hug too.… (más)