A review by nclcaitlin
Lady of Darkness by Melissa K. Roehrich

2.5

The indie book with Throne of Glass comparisons overtaking booktok!

Apparently, this gave everyone else major Throne of Glass vibes. Apart from a few similarities, I didn’t really see it. 

Scarlett is a part of a trio of infamous assassins raised by the cold Assassin Lord dealing with some trauma in the house of a lord she is friends with. 

Then children begin to go missing and Scarlett is determined to track down those responsible which might mean allying with Sorin - a secretive Commander who is training her and seems to be hiding a lot. 

“You think he broke you, and maybe he did. But look at what rose from those ashes. Look at the strength, at the power, at the beauty of those shadows and that darkness on your soul.”

Even though this is supposed to be a romantasy, the character work is developed a lot more than the romance, with it only becoming more prominent after 60%. 

There was good banter between them, sharing secrets, sharing one horse, training montages…. Basically, it’s a troupe hotlist. 

Admittedly, it’s fairly predictable. Perhaps this is why I never felt hooked or why none of the characters felt ones I could latch on to. 

I couldn’t help but role my eyes at the dramatic and over-the-top angst and theatrics. It was just too much for me. Too cliched. 

Not to mention, Sorin barely calls her Scarlett - it is love or darling or princess. 

I am gutted this didn’t work for me as I know so many people are binging through this series. 

Thank you to Harper Collins for providing an arc in exchange for a review.