I really loved this book! It ended without a resolution so I’ll be waiting on the follow up. Hoping for further character development next time. The only reason I didn’t rate 5⭐️ was because the author switched POV randomly within the same chapter which is usually a death sentence for me. Overall, a fantastic story!
I received this eARC from NetGalley for my unbiased opinion. Thank you!

A good written, but short book that I enjoyed very much reading. Loved the character building and the action throughout the book. Would recommend this to my friends and others :)
Thank you for the opportunity to review this book :)

All The Dark Souls follows Jocelyn - Joss - Brevyn, a female executioner and her assistent Henrik.

When they find a beaten man next to the road, they decide to take him in and heal him the best they can. He is not the first and probably won't be the last, as the executioner has a nurturing side to her. Being the towns executioner is a result of the family name, and not by choice. However, she takes her tasks seriously and wants to be as professional as she can be to ensure a quick and clean death for those sentences to death.
For this, she is named the Angel of Death by prisoners, while the townsfolk don't really want to deal with her.

While the man they found, Aric, is recovering at their home, she continues to do her job and worries that he may find out the truth of who she is eventually and flee. As so many others have. But when Aric finds some letters, trying to get a pardon from the king for being the towns executioner, he finds out that they are not so different after all. He believed her to be a healer at first, seen that she knew so much about herbs and the human anatomy. Being an assassin himself, the shock of her being a hired killer, was not that big.

However, he is currently on a mission he rather not succeeds on. As he is ordered to find the kingdoms missing prince Callan and make sure his execution proceeds as planned and nothing gets in between his death. He is to be taken care of it, if it does.

He is reminded of this mission, by the group of people who left him beaten up besides the road. The person he knows as 'The Mask' visits the cottage and tells him:

"Don't make yourself too comfortable here. You may find yourself complicating things."

And ofcourse, Joss is the one who's meant to execute a prisoner that day. She finds it strange that the prisoner is gagged, unnamed, from another jurisdiction and has direct execution orders from Wolburn.

Lord Hilcox questions the situation aswell and provides extra time for the prisoner to prove his claim, namely that he is the 'missing' prince. At the time of the execution, two days later, the scream of a pardon comes in right before the killing takes place and Joss decides to listen to her gut feeling and set the prisoner free.

She is then targeted by Aric with his crossbow and sets out to flee and fight their way to freedom.
After a while, Aric manages to shoot the prince in the shoulder while Joss and him are on horseback and he drops. Joss is telling him to flee, leaving her and Aric alone. Aric then gets a chance to quickly explain himself and the situation. For them to be free if only the prince's life would be taken. Joss counters that she would still suffer the consequences of setting him free. He leaves her and continues to search for the prince and complete the task he's been given. The stakes are too high.

The prince is in danger. They're all in danger. And in the epilogue, it becomes clear that the threat for the prince is more closely than he will expect.

I haven't read a book before mainly focused on an executioner. I find the character intriguing to be able to 'close herself off' for the deadly tasks she's been given duly because of her name. But to be so nurturing and empathetic on the other end. Next to that, she doesn't hold too much intrigue for me but she's likable. Henrik has a bit of that golden retriever effect; he is loyal to the bone, they communicate in a intimate way and he has her back completely. They each got eachothers back. When Aric shows interest in Jocelyn and Henrik picks up on it, he makes sure Aric knows that he will find out what type of executioner he would've been and he strikes through when he protects her from Aric on one occasion. I think Aric is a complex but interesting character on his own, who's in a difficult situation where there are no good choices. He makes a difficult one, to keep them all safe. One life for many to be free. I'm not entirely sure how I think about Aric and Joss' "romantic vibes", sometimes it felt like they're just deprived of love to begin with, which is why they tend to be interested in eachother and possible just a lot of it has been physical attraction.

~ The writing was fluent, easy to follow (for a foreigner) and descriptive. The only downside to the writing would be the pace of it, it's a rather slow book that doesn't really pick up until about 60-70% in this book. Prior to that part, it tries to focus on the characters and let's you get to know them and their morals. I usually don't mind slow books but I did find myself slightly bored at times as nothing of importance happened. But in the end it did all make sense to me and I think it was needed to really understand some of the moves made.

Story wise it isn't unique; kingdom politics, a prince, a villain, a protagonist, a true friendship/relationship etc. However I do find the choice for a female executioner as a main character interesting. The worldbuilding isn't much there, but there also isn't much to do since most, if not all, of the story happens in one town. The scenes are descriptive enough to envision it in your mind. The only 'negative' I could think of was that it picked up rather slow and nothing much was happening for a big chunk of this book.

Because it did take a bit of effort to keep my interest, I'm going to keep the rating at a great 3 stars; which is still recommendable and a positive rating! Just not blown away by it.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher to provide me with this book, in exchange for an honest review.

I'm surprised because this book was really, really good. But let me start at the beginning.

The characters are likeable. More of it I could see why are they doing what they're doing cause their motivations are clearly mentioned throughout the story. Also the specific of their roles in the book! I like the fresh idea in here. There's no damsel in distress, no knight in shining armour and certainly there is no course.

The medieval like society is acceptable and I liked the atmosphere there.

I can't wait to see where it goes next!

3.5 ⭐️
I enjoyed the premise of this book and appreciated the research that went into the plot to ensure historical accuracy. Joss is a female executioner who doesn’t fit her society’s standards. First of all, she is a women and a executioner. I loved the idea of a women excelling in what was deemed a man’s profession. My biggest concerns were the structure of the book and lack of connection with the characters. There wasn’t any indication that POVs were changing and it would happen mid chapter. I also didn’t feel emotionally invested in Joss or Aric’ stories. I would like to get more of their back story and see more of their interactions.

*thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this one! Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass or Red Queen. The ending left so many loose ends, and, without giving too much away, it's the perfect segue for a sequel. Some of the wording seemed a little awkward, and I had to read it a couple times before I figured it out, but thats a small complaint given how much I loved the book. I couldn't put it down!
In the Epilogue, Dunnewin mentions inspiration from the Hangmans Diary. I read that when I was a teenager (my parents thought it was a very strange Christmas request) but once I saw that, I was definitely able to look back and see the connection.

3.5 stars.

Super short. Novella length under 200 pages.

The plot seemed interesting right off the bat. Dark and fresh. Don’t read a lot of executioner books, don’t know that there are many executioner books.

I liked Henrik. I thought his backstory was very fitting for the dynamic between him and Joss. Joss and Aric’s dynamic was kind of fun. We love a man on the mend. But where I really bought in was Muriel. GIVE ME MORE MURIEL. A woman waiting for her missing husband to return. A power play for the crown. Hereeeeee we go baby. But then the story ended and I was bummed.

This was a pinch slow to start, based on the length. Really the pacing wasn’t overly slow for a full standalone novel… got really cooking at like 120 pages and that’s where I start to decide if I’m really interested. For the record, I was just getting invested. Lotssss of description, I think that is what slowed the pace a bit for me. If I was only getting (less than) 200 pages for this part, it felt like it cut off right at the beginning of the action and then it was just done.

I have learned that this is part one in a three part series. I almost hope that this gets combined with part two. I was bummed to have only a few pages of action before it was just over, and it kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. I am actually interested in what happened after, it was just getting good when the story ended!

It feels like the POV changes chapter to chapter but it doesn’t fully. I wish it fully switched from Joss to Aric’s POVs and back.


*The whole “we’ve learned everything about the body to learn how to kill it and now we can heal” was a stretch. 180 dead, 150 beheadings…. I don’t think these people are really doing much with the information about the human body. Besides that claim, I actually thought the plot was very interesting.

This is a action filled, unique fantasy read about Joss, a female executioner, who also has a kind heart who one day finds Aric a man brutally left beaten on the side of the road. She decides to take him home and help him heal, however whilst he stays secrets unravel about who he is and what he was doing before Joss found him.

I loved the executioner angle it was a really interesting, unique spin on a strong-female lead and I liked reading about the world building and executioner ""laws". I did think that although this was short it sometimes was repetitive I wish some parts could have been developed more especially the relationship between Joss and Aric; however as this is going to be a series I hope this will happen in future books. This is quite dark compared to most YA fantasy books and I think it will be a big hit - I just wish it was a bit longer so themes could develop more.

This was a good book. The world building and characters were great. I was entertained with this and want to read the next two books when they come out.
I just reviewed All the Dark Souls by A. M. Dunnewin. #AlltheDarkSouls #NetGalley
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This book was definitely really short. I wasn't huge on the writing style and if I never continue the series I won't be too put out by that, but it had a good plot and I liked the characters.

Joss is an executioner and her and Henrich find Eric beating and almost dead on side the road and against Hendricks plees Jas pick some up she is a healer and who better to take care of this poor beaten man but her what just doesn’t know is he is an assassin the longer she takes care of him she starts having feelings for him and although they have their moments nothing happens the book ends in a cliffhanger which was fine with me because I would be down to read Buy the author I love historical fiction in love when I find an author that not only grasp the era but as talented as this author seems to be. This is the first in the trilogy and OMG I can’t wait for the next. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The storyline was amazing, and the characters just draw you in from the beginning. Joss is probably one of my new favorite female leads. Her life has already been mapped out for her, and she has no real choice in it. Her family is gone, save for Henrik, yet she’s still kind and compassionate at her core. And poor Aric…he’s been so used to only caring about himself that Joss’ kindness blindsides him. He doesn’t quite know what to make of her, but he knows he’s incredibly drawn to her. But the road to happiness very rarely is smoothly paved, and these two have a lot to overcome in the next book if they’re going to make their way back to each other. I’m looking forward to book 2!

While a little repetitive at times, I enjoyed the dual POV from both Joss and Aric. Their relationship didn't seem to be completely developed, but Aric does come off as a bit of a jerk so I could see how that felt to the stronger-willed Joss. The suspense and dark fantasy will bring me back for book two.

This was such an action filled book! I absolutely loved the characters and the journey they went on. The plot was creative, interesting, and exciting. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know.

3.0/5.0

I have mixed feelings about this book.

I LOVED the premise behind this which I think ended in me being left a little disappointed.

Joss was not quite the strong female lead character I was promised when I heard "lady executioner," grow a backbone & open your eyes lady - this guy has been lying to your face, rifling through your things & tries to kill you and yet you're still pining after him ?!

The whole forbidden love happened waaaay too quickly - the guy has just opened up his eyes and decides he's falling in love with her?

And the ending. Overall a very disappointing and rushed ending to disappointing but mildly fun book.

I was immediately drawn in by the description of All the Dark Souls. I’d never read a book about an executioner before and was intrigued. This book had a lot of promise and I think I would’ve enjoyed it more had it been longer. It’s very short for a fantasy, and I think it would’ve benefitted from more world building and character development. I wanted to know more about the kingdom the characters live in, as well as the challenges they face. We’re briefly told about the main characters’ backgrounds but I wanted to see them more fleshed out. I especially wanted to know more about Joss’s family and upbringing, as well as seeing more about the challenges she faced as the only female executioner.

Also due to the book’s short length, I felt that the main characters fell in love too quickly and that there wasn’t much time for them to actually get to know each other. For a book that had such a promising plot, there was more talk than action for the majority of the book.

I am curious to see if we’ll get a more in depth look at this world as the series continues.

(3.5 stars)

*Minor Spoilers* Jocelyn serves as the town’s executioner, a role she inherited from her father after his passing. Although it is not the life she had once envisioned for herself, she performs her required tasks with skill and solemn professionalism. However, Joss is much more than her gruesome job. She is also a healer, and the day she takes in an abandoned and injured man lying on the road is the day that changes her life forever.

Once Joss and her adopted brother Henrik nurture this mysterious man back to health and discover who he really is, danger starts to follow them, and she starts to question her role within her kingdom. After she makes a split second decision that upturns her life as she knows it and forces her and her loved ones on the run, they find themselves in a web of betrayal, political intrigue and corruption.

I loved that this plot was not one that I had read before, and I feel that it is unique and refreshing amongst the fantasy genre. I love a strong female lead, and the morally grey supporting characters add a layer of intrigue and complexity that I found captivating. There is a hint at a potential slow burn romance but it plateaus a bit in this book, so I’m hoping that will be more prevalent in a second book, and I have a feeling I will enjoy book two even more! I got through the book very quickly and although the build up of the book felt a bit lackluster, I found myself having trouble putting it down once the action picked up about halfway through!

I wish this book was longer!
It was a slow burn in the beginning and fast paced at the end. The slow pace in the beginning is full of cute and innocent love story that leaves you rooting for the main characters.
The premise behind the book is very interesting. I did not know the history of executioners was that complex until I read the acknowledgments. I am definitely on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens. The epilogue certainly promises a tale of quite the royal family drama. I can’t wait!

Joss Brevyn, the final heir to a long line of executioners, and Aric Kayden, an assassin haunted by his previous mistakes, are the protagonists of "All the Black Souls Trilogy: Book 1" by A. M. Dunnewin. In this book, we join Joss and Aric as they work together to carry out the sentence of death on a mystery prisoner.

The plot moves very slowly, which is the book's major weakness. There's hardly any action or major plot development in the first two-thirds of the book because it's just talk. Readers who are hoping for an exciting story may become impatient since it takes so long to get going.

It's also uncomfortable and artificial that Aric and Joss fall in love so quickly. After only two conversations, Aric is already in love with Joss and acting possessive and entitled. His attitude is off-putting, and it's hard to cheer for them as a couple when their affection seems so undeserved.

It's also concerning how Aric feels about Joss's work. When Joss doesn't instantly tell him that she is an executioner, he becomes angry and expresses relief that her father is dead. It's perplexing that Aric would feel attracted to Joss despite his dislike for her work and family.

All in all, "All the Dark Souls Trilogy: Book 1" is a boring read with flat characters and a forced love story. The story's premise is interesting, but it's not carried out very well.

2/5 Stars from me.

***A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.***

This book was such a nice surprise, the description was what got me interested but the characters are what made me stay. A story about a female executioner who finds a badly beaten man on the side do the rode who reveals very little about himself. I instantly felt the chemistry between the characters and loved the strong female protagonist. The gritty atmosphere was perfectly done. The beginning was a little repetitive but the action picking up towards the end made up for it. I can’t wait to reads the next books to see where the author takes this story.