Not sure how to feel about this book. It was good and was written well and yet something didn’t truly grab me and sink me in. The world building and the descriptions of each world was amazing but there was a lot of it. I think the first chapter was also very hard to understand from anyone who doesn’t have a lot of background knowledge of Greek myths because the names threw me off instantly and I had to try adjust.

The relationship between Theron and Deina was written well as enemies bit their development into ‘friends’ and then ‘lovers’ was off. There was no push and pull vibes.

The other characters were cool (but Chrysse (was that her name?) was bleh) but I didn’t really feel attached to them. I predicted which one I shouldn’t trust and some of the plot twists too. Nat was probably the most interesting and I wish we saw more of him.

I think I’d give this more of a 3.5 if I could.

Really a 3.5 but not an option to give halves 😅. I really enjoyed this. A great use of mythology and imagination. All the emotions. Could see some things coming but I didn't mind that and it didn't take impact away from those moments. A few typos but I read the unedited proof so shall let it slide. I definitely look forward to the sequel!

First of all I would like to thank hotkeys books and the lovely ladies their self's Liz and Katharine for such a wonderful , epic fantasy .
I'm going to try keep this spoiler free as much as I can .

The Plot : Deina the main character in the story embarks on a very dangerous journey to the underworld because she desperately wants to become a soul server to gain her freedom , in order to do this she has to go and retrieve the soul of Eurydice ,{which is the wife of Orpheus the tyrant king ]. But in order to do this she must join forces with fellow soul servers which she dose not like or trust .I can blame her . They journey into the realm of Hades is perilous and the price of freedom is layed before her but what will it take for the ultimate goal to be achieved


My Thoughts : When I knew the ladies was about to bring a new book in to this world I didn't know what to expect , but oh wow! this book was fantastic, full of Greek mythology which I love may I add, you can tell Liz and Katharine did their research brilliant work . I really enjoyed this book they exceeded my expectations , I couldn't turn the pages quick enough to know what happened next . This had lots of different bits of retold Greek stories, and we all know me I love a retelling .
Their writing style has changed so much from their first books which is phenomenal to me , [ The witches kiss trilogy] ,you can really see the hard work they have poured into this book .


I enjoyed the love story between Deina and Thero its a slow burn but I do love a good slow burn romance although I feel there could be a love triangle coming with the character Nat but we will see .

all the charters was very strong with there own little arcs in the story , I cant pick just one I love though or hate .

I'm looking forward to the next book if we get one? .I couldn't put it down , even now the story still has me guessing that is great story telling to me .

I rate this book 5 wonderful stars

DNF
Unfortunately this wasn't for me and I DNFed at around 35% mark.
I loved the first duology by the Corr sisters so I am sad this wasn't for me. Especially as I love greek mythology remakes. Sadly it was too dry and boring for me and I just didnt click with the characters at all.

A highly entertaining journey through the underworld. Beautiful world building that changed constantly but always made sense.
A story that seems like one thing but is in reality many different things like fantasy, mythology, adventure, familial bonds, love, sacrifice, friendship and betrayal. Daughter of darkness takes all these things and tells a beautiful story.

I NEED book two asap please!

the premise and setting of the book are interesting enough. However I did not find some parts of the plot believable or well constructed. I still enjoyed reading most of it, and would recommend it to teenagers.

4.5 stars
Steeped in Greek mythology and full of such endearing characters, Daughter of Darkness is a richly detailed and enthralling start to an irresistibly magical new Duology from the authors of A Throne of Swans, Katherine and Elizabeth Corr.

“Sing, O muse, a song of Death”

In a desperate bid to evade her future as a soul severer (and gain her freedom), Deina embarks on a deadly quest to the underworld to retrieve the soul of Eurydice, wife of Orpheus the tyrant king. But in order to succeed she must team up with a group fellow soul severers she neither likes or trusts.

The journey into the realm of Hades is perilous and the price of freedom is before her….but what will it take to reach it?

This was such an enjoyable (and rather addictive) read! The worldbuilding was so rich and incredibly detailed that I found myself immersed in this ancient landscape of gods, monsters and tyrant kings. It’s a loosely based reimagining of the Orpheus and Eurydice tale and I found it really intriguing. I loved how action packed and plot twisty it was and the characters we encounter were all so exquisitely crafted. There were soo many likeable characters too (my faves were Deina and Drex but I really liked Theron and Nat as well.)

The romance between Deina and Theron was subtle but really well written and I really loved the slow-burn, tension filled buildup though I suspect there may be a little chemistry between Deina and Nat as well so I’m definitely intrigued to see where it goes.

I loved the imagery of the underworld which was beautifully written and incredibly atmospheric— the threat of danger around every corner was utterly palpable and rendered every scene with a delicious (and intense) urgency that I really enjoyed.

The action is fast paced and ferociously brutal at times, I found myself on the edge of my seat more than once during Deina and Co. journey through the underworld. Not knowing if they’d all make it back alive was, seriously gut wrenching—but in the best way possible!

Trust me, there’s soo many twists, turns, betrayals and revelations that it was difficult to predict what was going to happen next, and THAT ending was *chef’s kiss* absolutely phenomenal—I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel!

A must read for YA fantasy or action/ adventure lovers and fans of Greek mythology.

Also a huge thank you to Hot Key Books and Netgalley for the e-arc.

"Sing, O muse, A song of death."

Review

What do a warrior, a thinker, a bard and a thief have in common? Not much you're probably thinking but there's a thread of fate that binds this group of Soul Severers together as they (and a few others they meet along the way) undertake a perilous journey to the Underworld. Marked by the gods and indebted to serving the house of Hades to shepherd the dying to the Underworld is no life at all. So while this quest may be dangerous and they might not get out alive, when it's your only chance at freedom how can you refuse.

Daughters of Darkness is steeped in Greek myths and magic and a retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice with oh so many twists!

There's many reasons why this book captured my fantasy loving heart above including:
*Steeped in Greek mythology
*Retelling of Orpheus & Eurydice
*Rich world building
*Romance Subplot
*Loyalty and betrayal
*Pre-destined fate
*Dark fantasy
*YA duology

The world building, storytelling and characters are richly described and we see their individuality and complexities shine through as the story progresses. Deina for example is much more than a thief, she's brave and fiery and wants more than what fate has planned for her. Her story and journey is wrapped up with the other severers (and the mysterious Nat) who flick between friends and foe and you're never sure just who she can trust right up until the end.

The gods (including Hades) are as powerful and tricky as always and the spin on Orpheus (as a tyrant) and Eurydice's story is refreshing and unexpected. This story still cleverly weaves strands to the original stories with a lullaby for the hound of hell 'Cerberus' and a trick for avoiding a sea siren's song etc. I loved all the twists especially the bigger ones which I can't mention because of spoilers and I'm so glad Daughter of Darkness is a duology so we get more of the story ✨ If you love Greek myths and magic in a dark fantasy world, I think you'll love this book !

Thank you to Bonnier Books UK & Hot Key Books for the arc.
This is my honest review.

I absolutely adored this book! I loved the characters and their interactions with each other! I loved that it was fairly fast paced, always something going on and I really struggled to put it down once I got reading! I found Nat as a character really intriguing and I really grew to love Theron as a character too! I honestly can’t wait for the next book!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review- releasing 4th August 2022.

This book can be described as a must-read for lovers of the fantasy genre and Greek mythology. It’s a loose but great retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice - the story was easy to follow and had all of the fantasy elements that usually appeal to me. Really strong world building, but slightly confusing at times and a bit info dumpy for my liking - however this is a very dense book with information, characters, and culture, so considering that it could have been a lot worse! Really lovely writing style, Deina’s POV was really strong, good plot line and good ending! Also an absolutely stunning cover!

Wow! What a fantastic setting for this greek myth inspired adventure!

First of all, I am slightly biased as I love the Corr sisters, I haven’t read all of their books yet but Throne of Swans remains one of my favourite books so I was very pleased to get an early copy of Daughter of Darkness - the first book in the sisters’ newest duology (who doesn’t love a duology?) The only downside is now waiting for the next book!

Daughter of Darkness is anchored in many Greek myths and I’m sad I don’t have the knowledge to give them all the admiration they deserve as I’ve probably missed many little tidbits. The Corr sisters have done so much research! There are several pages at the back of the novel in which they’ve mentioned all of the liberties they’ve taken with the subject material, right down to the size of the ships (they would have been smaller in reality). Ultimately, I love that this book came from a ‘what if?’ and that the authors have run away with themselves to tell this story.

We are introduced to several characters quite quickly in Daughter of Darkness, Deina (our MC) longs for freedom and she isn’t afraid to push to get there. She is pragmatic, she steals and she does it with the confidence of someone who knows any life would be better than what she is living. As a Soul Severer, every soul she sends between worlds wins her some time off of her sentence of servitude to the House of Hades. Unfortunately, the rest of the Severers are in the same boat which makes them brutally selfish and deceitful towards each other. Deina doesn’t trust her comrades and with good reason!

Underneath her tough exterior, Deina has a good heart and wants the best for everyone, including her best friend Chryse who, in all honesty I just didn’t like! In terms of romance … it took a long time for us to learn of Deina’s affections for a certain Severer ;) but when we did it was excellent reading - I enjoyed that little bit of forced proximity although it was very brief indeed! I did love the character of Nat who was mysterious and cheeky!

Beyond the cast of characters, the setting of the underworld was intricate but also expansive. The team of Severers travel through several different terrains and meet many monsters in doing so but the authors keep the reader on track with their clear descriptions and the excitement - I was on the edge of my seat in some instances and could imagine the journey quite clearly - funnily enough it hasn’t made me want to go visit!

I’m always a bit nervous when it comes to dual authors but the Corr sisters always hit the mark, ensuring they write with a unanimous voice - although after listening to them at an author talk this does surprise me as they are like chalk and cheese! Anyway, the countdown is on … I cannot wait to get my hands on book two following the reveals in book one - I think the wait will be quite painful thanks to that ending!

3.5⭐️

Anyone who is familiar with Greek myths will be aware of the dark and ruthless power of the Gods. Deina is no exception - hating the Gods and desperate to buy her freedom from the House of Hades. So when the chance to earn this, alongside riches aplenty appears, she doesn’t care that it’s dangerous. One thing she does care about though is having to travel into the underworld with some of her arch rivals.

Daughters of Darkness is a true YA book, well paced with quick and effective world building and a host of entertaining characters. If you enjoy Greek mythology and are looking for a light and enjoyable adventure then this is the book for you!


Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for this ARC.

I really enjoyed the story, I’m Greek so I always enjoy Greek mythology in different settings.
I think at the beginning of the book there should be a pronunciation guide, as a Greek speaker the pronunciations came easily, but I think non-Greek speakers would struggle a bit.
The story was fun, It was a good pace, a little predictable in places. But on the whole I liked it and I’m excited to see where the story goes!
I’d give it a 3.5/5

Firstly, huge, huge thanks to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for the arc of Daughter of Darkness by Katherine and Elizabeth Corr. I’ve been a huge fan of theirs for a while now and as soon as I heard that they were working on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice with a twist, I simply had to get my hands on it!

Truthfully, I was not disappointed the book has a storyline that delivers everything a YA should hold, longing, rejection, desire, a journey to achieve a goal and of course all the drama and emotion that you could wish for.
The book itself is set in a mash of ancient Greece and Macedonia, which the authors acknowledge as a historical time mesh. The protagonist, Deina is a Soul Severer is an acolyte indentured to the House of Hades since the age of 5 years old, who is desperate to escape, and sees a visit from Orpheus requesting volunteers for a quest as her chance.

Along with a number of other indentured members of the House of Hades, including her arch-enemy Theron (the Bard,) Aster (the Warrior,) Drex (the Thinker,) Deina (the Thief,) set off on the unknown mission that is not revealed to them until they go through a terrifying challenges. A quest to travel to the Underworld to find and return Orpheus’ deceased wife Eurydice to the mortal world.
The plot twists and events kick off with an impressive pace from the beginning of the book, with our intrepid questors travelling to the Underworld armed with limited supplies, weapons and their Soul Severing skills to be truly tested as they search for Eurydice.
Trust me, this book delivers on all fronts, enemies to lovers, unrequited love, betrayal, loss, and every emotion in between, and sacrifice, but beware the gods are tricky and cannot be trusted.
Can I have book 2 of this duology now please!

Such a great rewrite of a Greek classic myth. Strong female lead and the world building bordering on brilliant. An excellent read.

Stunning cover with an even better story! I would highly recommend this book, I have been talking about this non-stop. Do not miss out!

💙🖤 Daughter of Darkness 🖤💙

Wow! So glad I picked this up. I have not really been into Greek mythology before, so I was taking a chance with choosing it, but I am so glad I did!

The prose was beautiful, I was totally captured by the story. What an incredible protagonist! Deina is everything!! Strong, witty female who I rooted for the whole way.

The world Katherine & Elizabeth Corr have created is so well crafted. I could visualise every scene :)

Highly recommend!

Daughter of Darkness turns the well-known story of Eurydice and Orpheus on its head in an original and intriguing way. Deina is a soul severer and her and her companions get chosen to retrieve Eurydice from the underworld. For the main, this story follows their journey.

Deina reminded me in many ways of Amara from Elodie Harper's Wolf Den; smart, stubborn, determined. Whereas I really liked her, I felt a disconnect from the side characters and wish they could have been explored a little more.

I guess the main word I would use to describe this is 'okay'. That character development was okay, the world building was okay, the plot was okay - I liked it but I didn't love it. That said, I'll definitely read the sequel when it comes out and wouldn't hesitate to read other books by these authors.

As not only a lover of Greek mythology, but also a lover of the works of Katherine & Elizabeth Core, I pounced on this opportunity to read this book via NetGalley.

Deina is a Soul Severer in the employe of Hades. Deina is determined to reduce her indentured, however during her last ceremony she was distracted by a face that she had seen during he recent ceremonies. The face she did not know.

The story is full of Greek mythology, action and adventure and is brilliant! I really enjoyed the story and the characters.

Such an exciting trip into Antiquity and the world of Greek mythology. A page turner full of twists and fight against fate. Great take on the classics of the mythology !