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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is just all around lovely. The descriptions of places, magics, feelings, pretty much everything made it feel like you’re actually there. There’s a unique take on the ‘humans in fae lands’ setting, involving a series of rather interesting trials.
I love how well written the characters are, even the minor ones. I especially love Brida and Kadian’s relationship (the FMC and her bestie). They have such a nice friendship, which shows a guy and girl having a healthy relationship with physical affection that isn’t romantic.
The story does leave us on a cliffhanger, but that’s fine by me. It just makes me more excited for the next book!
adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
I found the beginning of this book to be a little slow going, but overall a good story!!
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Well this was a fantastic read - I loved the characters, the atmosphere, the setting, the world building was easy to follow and I need to know more!! Brida is our FMC and she gets into a trial based apprenticeship (I’d call it that anyway) - but along the way secrets are starting to reveal themselves and she starts to question who her mother really was. Throw in a love triangle (which to be honest I knew one of them was going to turn out to be an arse and I was right!), some sentient shadows which are just big black puppy dogs and an event to change the world Brida knows. I have so many unanswered questions and I’m eager for book 2, I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy! That ending was flipping brutal
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
I received an early edition of this book and my current only thoughts are; oh my god what no I need the next book and I need it right now please what is happening.
I am emotionally ruined at the moment. Five stars, no notes. Will be back for coherent words later.
I am emotionally ruined at the moment. Five stars, no notes. Will be back for coherent words later.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
𝓐𝓻𝓬 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
“I am more than my fear. I am the story I choose to write.”
I’d like to start by saying thank you to Laura A Blake for choosing me to be an arc reader for “The Forgotten Dawn” I am so so grateful.
The Forgotten Dawn is the first instalment in The Shattered Sky saga, which will be a four book sereis!
We follow Brida, a fierce human FMC with anxiety that could rival my own, as she sneaks into a set of trials held by Fae in hopes of finding a cure for her father!
- Trials
- Academia setting
- “Who did this to you”
- Human in a fae court
- Sorting Ceremonies
- 4 courts
- Meddling Gods & Goddesses
- Elemental Magic
- Shadow wielding character
- Found Family
Although this is advertised as a romantasy, personally, I would say it leans more towards epic/high fantasy. I have zero doubts that going forward with the series the story will lead more towards romantasy feel.
My favourtie things about The Forgotten Dawn is the Found Family and the anxiety I felt through Brida; the relationships that Brida makes with the side characters (who feel super fleshed out and not just 2D characters) are absolutely the highlight for me! I won’t say anything for the romance element of this book as I feel like anything I say will say too much.
I feel this book also has a bit of political intrigue, it starts to show towards the end of the book, definitely in the last 25%!
For me a 5 stars read is a feeling, and The Forgotten Dawn is so close! The -0.25 is purely because I was confused with the timeline of the story and some of the questions I had that I felt could have been answered before the end of the story.
Although I am left with a lot of questions I am excited for book two, "Tides of Memory, and having that little snippet for the start of book 2, I need more!
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
“I am more than my fear. I am the story I choose to write.”
I’d like to start by saying thank you to Laura A Blake for choosing me to be an arc reader for “The Forgotten Dawn” I am so so grateful.
The Forgotten Dawn is the first instalment in The Shattered Sky saga, which will be a four book sereis!
We follow Brida, a fierce human FMC with anxiety that could rival my own, as she sneaks into a set of trials held by Fae in hopes of finding a cure for her father!
- Trials
- Academia setting
- “Who did this to you”
- Human in a fae court
- Sorting Ceremonies
- 4 courts
- Meddling Gods & Goddesses
- Elemental Magic
- Shadow wielding character
- Found Family
Although this is advertised as a romantasy, personally, I would say it leans more towards epic/high fantasy. I have zero doubts that going forward with the series the story will lead more towards romantasy feel.
My favourtie things about The Forgotten Dawn is the Found Family and the anxiety I felt through Brida; the relationships that Brida makes with the side characters (who feel super fleshed out and not just 2D characters) are absolutely the highlight for me! I won’t say anything for the romance element of this book as I feel like anything I say will say too much.
I feel this book also has a bit of political intrigue, it starts to show towards the end of the book, definitely in the last 25%!
For me a 5 stars read is a feeling, and The Forgotten Dawn is so close! The -0.25 is purely because I was confused with the timeline of the story and some of the questions I had that I felt could have been answered before the end of the story.
Although I am left with a lot of questions I am excited for book two, "Tides of Memory, and having that little snippet for the start of book 2, I need more!
omgomgomg needing book 2 like rnnnnn!!
Firstly, congratulations on the debut! Truly, job well done. It’s a great first step into this world and I really need to find out what happens next.
I’m don’t love the Romantasy genre much so I’m really glad I enjoyed this. There were a few of the classic tropes nicely woven into the story, they didn’t feel cliche in my opinion.
the world-building was something I loved and struggled with tbh. It’s supposed to be a fantasy setting but it had a bit of a modern feel to it (ex. coffee shops, university, apartments) and there wasn’t much clothing description in the beginning (to me that helps with identifying the “era” we’re in) but it gets a much better in the second half. We’re kind of learning with Brida and it made the second half much more enjoyable.
Brida’s adventure in Azmeer was pretty academic and the trials were interesting and tbh I appreciate that you just get to go home rather than it be something that was to the death or like last one standing. There are more deadly things… like impeding war lolol.
I feel like any relationship at any capacity will be spoiler soooo I’ll just say that they were done pretty well. Given how I feel like the more I read the more I enjoyed, I have no doubt the next book will be a reflection of that. I want to see the found family aspect flesh out more, especially with how things ended in the first one. btw that cliffhanger was criminal like please why must everyone and I mean everyone be suffering at the end.
please don’t let their impending doom deter you from reading this book when it comes out on June 5, 2025! It was a great time, we already have the title reveal for book 2 “Tides of Memory” and that TERRIFIES ME!
A million Thank yous to the author for an advanced copy, you just wanted me to suffer earlier than the world and I respect it ☺️. lolol but fr these are my honest opinions!
Firstly, congratulations on the debut! Truly, job well done. It’s a great first step into this world and I really need to find out what happens next.
I’m don’t love the Romantasy genre much so I’m really glad I enjoyed this. There were a few of the classic tropes nicely woven into the story, they didn’t feel cliche in my opinion.
the world-building was something I loved and struggled with tbh. It’s supposed to be a fantasy setting but it had a bit of a modern feel to it (ex. coffee shops, university, apartments) and there wasn’t much clothing description in the beginning (to me that helps with identifying the “era” we’re in) but it gets a much better in the second half. We’re kind of learning with Brida and it made the second half much more enjoyable.
Brida’s adventure in Azmeer was pretty academic and the trials were interesting and tbh I appreciate that you just get to go home rather than it be something that was to the death or like last one standing. There are more deadly things… like impeding war lolol.
I feel like any relationship at any capacity will be spoiler soooo I’ll just say that they were done pretty well. Given how I feel like the more I read the more I enjoyed, I have no doubt the next book will be a reflection of that. I want to see the found family aspect flesh out more, especially with how things ended in the first one. btw that cliffhanger was criminal like please why must everyone and I mean everyone be suffering at the end.
please don’t let their impending doom deter you from reading this book when it comes out on June 5, 2025! It was a great time, we already have the title reveal for book 2 “Tides of Memory” and that TERRIFIES ME!
A million Thank yous to the author for an advanced copy, you just wanted me to suffer earlier than the world and I respect it ☺️. lolol but fr these are my honest opinions!
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
“It is when one learns to embrace the darkness and shadows that one is then able to see light.”
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hooooly smokes friends, The Forgotten Dawn had absolutely zero business shattering my heart and leaving me with such a brutal book hangover, but here we are. Brimming with riveting intrigue, sizzling tension, high-stakes action and soul-stirring emotion, this first instalment in The Shattered Sky Saga is one hell of an unforgettable journey that will keep you turning the pages from dusk till dawn.
Now, I am going to have to start this review off with a little disclaimer. See, not only did I have the absolute privilege and honour to read (almost) every single draft of The Forgotten Dawn as Laura is one of my best bookish friends, but this book is also dedicated to me (someone PINCH ME please). Does that make me biased? Probably, but I can honestly say that this book is just everything I love in epic fantasy romance, executed to perfection.
Okay, with that out of the way, let’s get to the gushing! You know those books that just make you completely forget time exists? That are so immersive that you feel like you are living and breathing the story yourself? That get you so deeply invested that you feel physically, mentally and emotionally unwell because of all the wicked twists and turns? Well, that is The Forgotten Dawn in a nutshell for you.
Through the eyes of our wonderfully relatable FMC Brida, we are drawn into the deceptively alluring city of Azmeer, the meeting place of the four Fae Courts. She is dead-set on finding a cure for her dying father, so armed with nothing but her sharp wits, strong ambition and crippling anxiety, she lies herself into the dangerous Fae Trials with the foolish hope of securing a place in one of the Courts to gain their coveted knowledge and magic. But as she gets caught in the webs of wonder, deception, mystery and desire, she soon starts to realise that she might find things much more valuable than just a cure for her dad; she finds a place where she belongs, a found family to die for, and a forbidden love that sets her heart and soul aflame.
From the very first page, Brida’s intimately vulnerable first person narration had me completely enthralled, and I just felt all her feels so deeply; her overwhelming anxiety, her worry for her father, her grief over her deceased mother, her love for her friends, her awe at all the magical marvels, and, of course, her inexplicable yet irresistible attraction to the wickedly handsome Fae men vying for her attention. I mean, if you thought you were done with love triangles, you better think again; this is the type of emotional turmoil that I live for!!
Now, I was absolutely 100% Team Dainan from the second this broody, mysterious Prince of Shadows graced us with his presence on the page. I mean, he isn’t just a shadow daddy, he is a BOOKISH shadow daddy… and he can COOK! Their deliciously dangerous slow-burn dynamic had me in an absolute chokehold, and all the tension, yearning and risky banter had me kicking my feet in giddy delight the entire way through.
But it’s not just the romantic elements that give The Forgotten Dawn so much heart, it’s all the beautifully complex and heartfelt relationships that lie at the core of this narrative. Every character, from the most loveable goofballs to the most morally grey enigmas, leap off the page with personality, and I am not exaggerating when I say that this story has the best found family since The Inner Court at Velaris. I mean, the almost sibling-like bond between Brida and her childhood best friend Kadian is pure gold, we need more of these strong platonic relationships in our stories! And then add to that my feisty half-Fae/half-Nymph girl Lil, the dynamic duo of the Fae Kadem twins, and the ever gallant Prince Alvar; they are such a fun and diverse bunch (be that in personality, race, cultural background, or sexuality), and I absolutely ate up all the light-hearted banter and unwavering support between them all.
And the best thing? All that exquisite character work doesn’t come at the expense of a gripping plot and solid world building. No plot hole galore, no flimsy fantasy world building that is little more than pretty window dressing; this world is complex, it’s rich, and it is brimming with mystifying mysteries, deadly secrets, intricate schemes, and ancient powers that are just waiting to be uncovered. The way that Blake brought these four different Courts, each with their own distinguishing (physical) traits, values and beliefs, unique magical affinities, and their own conflicting versions of history, to life at the Center Court in Azmeer through all her vivid, sensory descriptions had me so deeply immersed, and I loved how she managed to make this world feel so vastly epic despite the intimate setting of this story.
Moreover, Blake is just a master at knowing exactly when to trickle in just the right bit of foreshadowing and drop the next tantalising breadcrumb or shocking reveal, which is exactly what creates that utterly addictive ‘just one more chapter’ quality that had me burning through the pages. And then that ending… ooooh boy, talk about some jaw-dropping revelations and diabolical twists and turns. I mean, plot armour? We don’t know her… helloooo emotional destruction. Where is book 2? It’s not a want, it’s a primal need.
Forget ACOTAR, forget Throne of Glass, forget Fourth Wing, The Forgotten Dawn just single-handedly raised the bar for what epic fantasy romance can and should be, and I absolutely can’t wait to see what Blake has in store for the rest of The Shattered Sky Saga. Whether you come for the intricate world building, the cutthroat intrigue and action, the powerful friendships or the electrifying sloooow-burn romance, this story will deliver it all in spades and leave you desperate for more in the best way possible. I am calling it now, Laura A. Blake is going to be an author to watch, so don’t miss out.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Forgotten Dawn is scheduled for release on June 5th, 2025.
Now, I am going to have to start this review off with a little disclaimer. See, not only did I have the absolute privilege and honour to read (almost) every single draft of The Forgotten Dawn as Laura is one of my best bookish friends, but this book is also dedicated to me (someone PINCH ME please). Does that make me biased? Probably, but I can honestly say that this book is just everything I love in epic fantasy romance, executed to perfection.
Okay, with that out of the way, let’s get to the gushing! You know those books that just make you completely forget time exists? That are so immersive that you feel like you are living and breathing the story yourself? That get you so deeply invested that you feel physically, mentally and emotionally unwell because of all the wicked twists and turns? Well, that is The Forgotten Dawn in a nutshell for you.
Through the eyes of our wonderfully relatable FMC Brida, we are drawn into the deceptively alluring city of Azmeer, the meeting place of the four Fae Courts. She is dead-set on finding a cure for her dying father, so armed with nothing but her sharp wits, strong ambition and crippling anxiety, she lies herself into the dangerous Fae Trials with the foolish hope of securing a place in one of the Courts to gain their coveted knowledge and magic. But as she gets caught in the webs of wonder, deception, mystery and desire, she soon starts to realise that she might find things much more valuable than just a cure for her dad; she finds a place where she belongs, a found family to die for, and a forbidden love that sets her heart and soul aflame.
From the very first page, Brida’s intimately vulnerable first person narration had me completely enthralled, and I just felt all her feels so deeply; her overwhelming anxiety, her worry for her father, her grief over her deceased mother, her love for her friends, her awe at all the magical marvels, and, of course, her inexplicable yet irresistible attraction to the wickedly handsome Fae men vying for her attention. I mean, if you thought you were done with love triangles, you better think again; this is the type of emotional turmoil that I live for!!
Now, I was absolutely 100% Team Dainan from the second this broody, mysterious Prince of Shadows graced us with his presence on the page. I mean, he isn’t just a shadow daddy, he is a BOOKISH shadow daddy… and he can COOK! Their deliciously dangerous slow-burn dynamic had me in an absolute chokehold, and all the tension, yearning and risky banter had me kicking my feet in giddy delight the entire way through.
But it’s not just the romantic elements that give The Forgotten Dawn so much heart, it’s all the beautifully complex and heartfelt relationships that lie at the core of this narrative. Every character, from the most loveable goofballs to the most morally grey enigmas, leap off the page with personality, and I am not exaggerating when I say that this story has the best found family since The Inner Court at Velaris. I mean, the almost sibling-like bond between Brida and her childhood best friend Kadian is pure gold, we need more of these strong platonic relationships in our stories! And then add to that my feisty half-Fae/half-Nymph girl Lil, the dynamic duo of the Fae Kadem twins, and the ever gallant Prince Alvar; they are such a fun and diverse bunch (be that in personality, race, cultural background, or sexuality), and I absolutely ate up all the light-hearted banter and unwavering support between them all.
And the best thing? All that exquisite character work doesn’t come at the expense of a gripping plot and solid world building. No plot hole galore, no flimsy fantasy world building that is little more than pretty window dressing; this world is complex, it’s rich, and it is brimming with mystifying mysteries, deadly secrets, intricate schemes, and ancient powers that are just waiting to be uncovered. The way that Blake brought these four different Courts, each with their own distinguishing (physical) traits, values and beliefs, unique magical affinities, and their own conflicting versions of history, to life at the Center Court in Azmeer through all her vivid, sensory descriptions had me so deeply immersed, and I loved how she managed to make this world feel so vastly epic despite the intimate setting of this story.
Moreover, Blake is just a master at knowing exactly when to trickle in just the right bit of foreshadowing and drop the next tantalising breadcrumb or shocking reveal, which is exactly what creates that utterly addictive ‘just one more chapter’ quality that had me burning through the pages. And then that ending… ooooh boy, talk about some jaw-dropping revelations and diabolical twists and turns. I mean, plot armour? We don’t know her… helloooo emotional destruction. Where is book 2? It’s not a want, it’s a primal need.
Forget ACOTAR, forget Throne of Glass, forget Fourth Wing, The Forgotten Dawn just single-handedly raised the bar for what epic fantasy romance can and should be, and I absolutely can’t wait to see what Blake has in store for the rest of The Shattered Sky Saga. Whether you come for the intricate world building, the cutthroat intrigue and action, the powerful friendships or the electrifying sloooow-burn romance, this story will deliver it all in spades and leave you desperate for more in the best way possible. I am calling it now, Laura A. Blake is going to be an author to watch, so don’t miss out.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Forgotten Dawn is scheduled for release on June 5th, 2025.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It will take me a million years to make all of my thoughts about this book coherent, but let me start with this: If you like fantasy, if you like romance, if you like complex characters - READ IT.
'The Forgotten Dawn' has complex world-building. It has a cool magic system. It has trials. It has a badass FMC. It has found family. It has THE shadow daddy. It has mystery. It has healthy friendships. It has...honestly, everything I wanted.
The story is told from the POV of our FMC Brida, who is determined to join the Fae Courts in an attempt to save her ailing father's life. Full humans are very seldom invited to take part in the Fae trials, but it has become clear that this is her dad's best chance. So, she risks everything to enter, alongside her best friend. What she does expect is for her anxiety to be kicked up at every turn, for things to be difficult, and for her subterfuge to be discovered immediately. What she finds, however, is a place where she belongs, a friend group she would do anything for, and a forbidden attraction to the Prince of Shadows that threatens to undo everything.
I absolutely devoured this book. I cheered for Brida from the very beginning. I loved reading about the deep friendship between her and Kadian. Enough time was spent with our other characters for me to form a deep connection with them as well. I was left breathless at that ending and absolutely begging for book 2 ASAP. The way that this book is written, from the magic systems to character interaction, sucked me in immediately and had me absolutely bingeing 300+ pages in one day.
The slow burn tension is TAUT. The spice is SPICY. And, while I rate the romance in this book 10/10, I also enjoyed that just as much time was spent on Brida forming new friendships, finding her way, and finding out more about her own history. I cannot wait to spend more time with these characters, to see what happens next, and to dive right back into this world the second book 2 is available.
"I am more than my fear. I am the story I choose to write."
Thank you so much to Laura Blake for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
'The Forgotten Dawn' has complex world-building. It has a cool magic system. It has trials. It has a badass FMC. It has found family. It has THE shadow daddy. It has mystery. It has healthy friendships. It has...honestly, everything I wanted.
The story is told from the POV of our FMC Brida, who is determined to join the Fae Courts in an attempt to save her ailing father's life. Full humans are very seldom invited to take part in the Fae trials, but it has become clear that this is her dad's best chance. So, she risks everything to enter, alongside her best friend. What she does expect is for her anxiety to be kicked up at every turn, for things to be difficult, and for her subterfuge to be discovered immediately. What she finds, however, is a place where she belongs, a friend group she would do anything for, and a forbidden attraction to the Prince of Shadows that threatens to undo everything.
I absolutely devoured this book. I cheered for Brida from the very beginning. I loved reading about the deep friendship between her and Kadian. Enough time was spent with our other characters for me to form a deep connection with them as well. I was left breathless at that ending and absolutely begging for book 2 ASAP. The way that this book is written, from the magic systems to character interaction, sucked me in immediately and had me absolutely bingeing 300+ pages in one day.
The slow burn tension is TAUT. The spice is SPICY. And, while I rate the romance in this book 10/10, I also enjoyed that just as much time was spent on Brida forming new friendships, finding her way, and finding out more about her own history. I cannot wait to spend more time with these characters, to see what happens next, and to dive right back into this world the second book 2 is available.
"I am more than my fear. I am the story I choose to write."
Thank you so much to Laura Blake for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.