Who Would Like This Book:
If you love a fantasy romcom with a tongue-in-cheek twist, you’re in for a treat. "Throne in the Dark" combines magical quests, laugh-out-loud banter, quirky worldbuilding, and a deliciously slow-burn, grumpy-sunshine romance between a so-called villainous half-demon and a relentlessly kind-hearted heroine. The vibe is full of heart and humor, with clever subversions of classic fantasy tropes and a story that manages to be both light-hearted and genuinely moving. Fans of T. Kingfisher, Terry Pratchett, or anyone craving an irreverent, character-driven adventure will absolutely adore this series.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Those who prefer their fantasy dark and serious, or with immediate high-stakes action, might find the light, satirical tone and slow build a bit jarring. The first few chapters are notorious for being dense with info-dumping, and the self-published nature means there are noticeable typos and editing hiccups. If you need your romance to be fast-paced or ultra-steamy, or struggle with a heavy focus on quirky dialogue and whimsical worldbuilding, this may not be your perfect match.
About:
'Throne in the Dark' by A.K. Caggiano is a fantasy novel with a mix of lightheartedness and dark elements. The book follows the story of Damien, an evil half-demon who starts softening for a human named Amma. The writing style is praised for its humor, entertaining dialogue, and well-paced plot, keeping readers engaged from the very beginning. The relationship between Damien and Amma is described as a delightful slow burn that feels genuine, with a blend of humor that adds depth to the prose.
Amma, the lead character, is portrayed as kindhearted and unapologetically herself, which makes her endearing to readers. The book is noted for its interesting worldbuilding and the chemistry between the main characters, Damien and Amma. The author successfully creates a fantasy world filled with adventure, banter, and engaging interactions that leave readers eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.
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Notes:
Has Romance?
The book has a prominent romantic subplot, focusing on the evolving relationship between the main characters.
From The Publisher:
His dark destiny awaits, and nothing will stand in his way. Except her.
Dark lord, demon spawn, prophesied realm destroyer.
With a demon for a father, Damien Maleficus Bloodthorne's destiny could be nothing but nefarious, and with the completion of his most vicious spell, Damien is on the cusp of fulfilling the evil inevitability all of his dark machinations have led to.
And then, her .
Bubbly, obnoxious, blonde.
Harboring secrets of her own, a tiny yet troublesome thief calling herself Amma completely upsets Damien's malevolent plans when she mistakenly gets chained to his side through magic, forcing him to drag her across the realm. Killing her would fix things, of course, but the nauseatingly sweet Amma proves herself useful on Damien's unholy crusade and then proves herself the source of something even more sinister: feelings .
Will Damien be forced to abandon his villainous birthright to help the tender thorn in his side? Or will he manage to overcome the virtue Amma insists on inspiring and instead cut it out at the heart?
Ratings (127)
Incredible (27) | |
Loved It (41) | |
Liked It (28) | |
It Was OK (12) | |
Did Not Like (14) | |
Hated It (5) |
Reader Stats (579):
Read It (121) | |
Currently Reading (5) | |
Want To Read (306) | |
Did Not Finish (24) | |
Not Interested (123) |
3 comment(s)
This was a really fun book! I can see why a lot of people love this and why it'd be a big whiff for others. It's a quest fantasy but make it romcom. It didn't make for the most compelling or interesting thing I've ever picked up, but was pretty entertaining. And the audiobook narrators did a great job with the delivery.
Damien was definitely the star character of the duo and the reason this book worked for me. Amma was a little bit flat, though I hope she has a bit more growth to show in the next books. Which I do plan on reading once my library gets them. Who knows when that will be though.
Book Title: Throne in the Dark | Author: A.K. Caggiano | Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why I picked this book:
This book was recommended to me by Meet New Books and I'm so glad that it was!
Quick Summary:
Damien Maleficus Bloodthorne is a blood mage, son of a demon, destined by prophecy to unleash unholy chaos on the land. At least, that’s the plan... until a tricky (yet lovely) thief named Amma tries to steal from Damien and ends up magically tied to him for the foreseeable future (or until her untimely death, yikes). Now, the two are stuck navigating prophecies, danger, and their own reluctant partnership with plenty of chaos, humor, and slow-burn tension along the way.
What I Liked
1. The characters and their dynamics are fantastic! Following Amma, Damien, and his mischievous pet imp Kaz kept me completely engaged and their banter was sharp, hilarious, and often heartwarming.
2. The worldbuilding was rich and immersive. I loved the lore of hundreds of gods, split between good and evil, and the sense of a deep history underlying the plot.
3. I’m always a sucker for a good slow-burn “will-they-won’t-they,” and this one delivered beautifully.
What I Didn’t Like
1. The beginning took me a little while to adjust to. It felt like being dropped midstream into a very big world with a lot of history to catch up on. But after a couple of chapters, I was fully hooked and didn’t want to put it down.
Favorite Quote / Moment:
She gasped, too playful now to be convincing.
“No! That can’t be what he meant. It’s got nothing to do with chickens.”
“Chickens?”
“He said if I went back there with him, he’d show me his massive co—”
There were so many laugh-out-loud moments like this. The banter had me giggling constantly!
Who I’d Recommend It To & Final Thoughts:
I’d recommend Throne in the Dark to readers who enjoy fantasy with humor, vibrant worldbuilding, and characters you can’t help but root for... even when they’re supposed to be a little wicked. If you love snarky banter, slow-burn tension, and a touch of chaos in your fantasy romance, this is a must-read. I’ll definitely be continuing the series!
conflicted MMC
What can you read after
Throne in the Dark?
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