🌊 🍃 🔥 💨

First of all, I feel so deeply honoured, that Andy felt like sending this book for me to read this early 🥹 thank you so so much, this means a lot to me 🫶🏼

Just like with 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐔𝐬, I knew right from the first chapter that this reading experience would be just incredible. But to be honest, I already knew that before even reading a single page of this book ❤️‍🔥

This book was definitely one of my most anticipated reads for this year, and let me tell you, this book didn’t disappoint! I was super excited (and scared, thanks to Andy) to dive back into the Elemental world, to see what kind of things Alexis, Demi, Blaise and Caeli would deal with this time.

The story and the way it was written is just incredibly beautiful 🥹 I had so many chills, tears and smiles while reading, this book was definitely an emotional journey! And oh how the plot TWISTED at times 🫣 (stay tuned for a reaction video)

While in previous book we got to know Alexis, in this book we also get to know our precious Blaise better ❤️‍🔥 and oh my how much I loved that 🥹🫶🏼

This book was definitely everything and even more I could’ve ever ask for or even imagine, this is a ✨𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦✨ 🤌🏼

So thank you Andy for writing this book, I love it so much 🥹🫶🏼 I can’t wait for you all to read this story as well 🫵🏼❤️‍🔥

I was deceased by this book, it was incredible and the last line??? I am violated, I need book three immediately

I'm trying to work out what it is about THE DARK THAT HIDES US that just didn't click for me. I grew up on classic fantasy so I love big bad villains who just are evil and I love elemental magic. There's so much in this series that should be perfect for me, but the only way I can describe it is that it didn't click. I never had that moment of getting caught up in the story, getting behind the characters. And I cannot work out why.

Most of this book is one epic battle. The battle before the henge takes up maybe 60% of the book itself. It's a pretty intense battle with a lot happening - magic, demons, romantic moments, plenty of action. It was rather impressive that Andy had managed to make a single battle the focus of so much of the book, with so much happening within in.

Alexis is the main narrator, but, unlike THE LIGHT THAT BLINDS US, other characters get to speak too. Blaise gets the most page time of the characters with two others getting one or two chapters. I liked getting a glimpse into Blaise's head - he appears one way on the surface but seeing his perspective showed why this was the case and what he was struggling with deep inside.

The original deal for this series was for two books, and this does feel like it could be where it ends. There has been a big battle, after all, but there are things left over and the author has spoken about plans for at least one more book, so we shall see if another comes!

Thank you Simon and Schuster children's uk for the opportunity to read the second book by Andy Darcy Theo
The way I haven’t fully wrapped my head around what has happened.. so many unanswered questions.. so many emotions during this read. I loved the fact we got blaise’s POV. It was EVERYTHING I could’ve wished for. I love these books so much 🔥

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Qoutes:

Serena reached out to cradle the side of Incantus’s face. ‘You really love them like they’re your own, don’t you, my dear?’ Incantus’s smile softened. He spoke quietly, unaware that Alexis had been listening in. ‘I may not be their father, but they are certainly my children.’

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‘I know I’m not much, but you’ve got me,’ Alexis offered softly. ‘I’ll be your family.’ Alexis’s cheeks visibly reddened, but still he went on, like it was important Blaise knew this. ‘I’ll scold you for staying out late and comfort you when you’re sad. I’ll cheer you on and have your back, just like you’ve had mine. In times of darkness and times of light. You’ve got me, Blaise. You’ve always got me.’

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That was the thing about fire –Blaise realised as he opened the door to his own, empty room –one could admire it, but only at a distance. Come too close, and it’ll burn you, and when it does, you will no longer seek the warmth of its flame or miss the light of its glow. Instead, the spite of its kiss will be all you remember.

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Not every misstep deserved a reaction. Sometimes, forgiveness and acceptance served the dual role in absolving the guilt of another as much as it healed the grudge held by oneself.

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‘Things do not need to be real for someone to think they are. Illusions of the mind can be just as convincing as reality, especially if what is shown is that which a person believes they deserve.’

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Alexis didn’t believe in her god, but nonetheless, he prayed for Demi Nikolas. For her life, for her soul. For her to come back to him.

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‘Trying to choke the Daughter of the Air?’ Caeli’s eyes darkened to a stormy grey. ‘You fool.’ Before the Shadowless could realise his mistake, a roaring gale swept him up. A ragged sound escaped him as all the air was pulled from his lungs. He collapsed to the ground without even a scream. Caeli paid him no attention as she stepped over him to find her next target. Blaise turned to Alexis, his mouth gaping open. ‘I don’t know whether to be turned on or scared . . .’

A great sequel to The Light That Blinds Us! I really like how we explored more of the elemental powers as well as the relationships the characters have with each other. I really hope there is going to be a third book with how that ended too!

The Dark That Hides Us is a worthy follow-up to Andy Darcy Theo’s YA fantasy debut. Picking up shortly after the events of the first book, we’re reintroduced to Alexis, Demi, Blaise, and Caeli as they prepare for a climactic showdown with Mortem.

Theo builds on the relationships and the lore introduced in book one. I particularly enjoyed how each of the main characters grapples with their individual identities in some way, allowing for compelling growth that I'm sure will carry on throughout the series. Once the ‘big battle’ kicks off, there are plenty of tense, action-packed scenes that will keep you hooked.

Unfortunately, the story does feel more limited in scope compared to the first book, as we’re essentially rooted to one location. I also think the final battle came too quickly considering how little time the characters had to train their powers. So whilst I was eager to get to that final conflict, I think an extra side-plot—perhaps something that took them away from the Haven and Stonehenge—could have improved the overall narrative arc.

With that said, this was a very enjoyable read and I trust that Theo’s plotting is intentional. I loved the inclusion of mental health and found family themes and look forward to seeing where the next book takes us!

An incredible reading journey where I sat on the edge of my seat the whole time. The high stakes meant no one was safe, and so many twists and turns were happening, I just couldn't put the book down (and when I did, it was the only thing I was thinking about). The insight into Blaise's character added so much more depth. It's also amazing that the whole book is set during the battle but it never drops or gets boring for a second. The author manages to keep the pace consistent.

Another absolutely brilliant book from Andy Darcy Theo!

This is the sequel to The Light That Blinds Us where we follow Alexis, Demi, Caeli, and Blaise on their quest to try and beat the darkness.

This book had me crying from the authors note at the start! There were tears of happiness and of sadness throughout the entirety of The Dark That Hides Us.

TDTHU is action packed! Think Narnia, think The Battle of the Five Armies, think Avengers End Game. I think this is one of the longest fight scenes I have ever read and it did not disappoint!

Not only do we get Alexis’s pov in this one but we also get a pov from Blaise. I loved learning more about him as a character and that although he seems a tough guy he is just as vulnerable as everyone else 🥺

Once again Andy has managed to intertwine the mental and physical battles that people go through in life and how it can affect people differently. This YA fantasy sequel has found family, a romantic subplot, action upon action upon action, and shows ways to overcome doubts and negativity.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.25 stars.

I want to start off by saying I’m so obsessed with the character art and I wish more books included this, it was beautiful.

The story really jumps in the deep end from the get go I feel like as we deal with the repercussions of book 1, we start really deeping the gravity of the situation and the stakes attached if they fail. The book had some lovely highs which felt like stolen moments considering everything they were dealing with, and the lows were heartbreaking and quite cutthroat at points.

I also love how book 2 ended as it felt so open ended so I’m obviously quite optimistic we will get more from this world and some of our fav characters.

I highly recommend this for fans of YA fantasy with diverse characters and great world building.

This book was a strong 4 star read, with my own personal preference, I didn’t quite feel it met 5 stars because it was quite a slow burn at the start and took me a little bit of time to get in to the story.

The authors writing is strong and the characters continue to be written well. On a side note, I enjoyed the artwork as well to the book and I feel as though this really helped with some imaginative aspects of the book.

Overall it is an enjoyable read and I would recommend to read this book if you enjoyed the first.

I'd like to firstly thank Andy and Simon & Schuster UK for giving me an early copy for an honest review and taking me out of the 2 year misery that I have endured while waiting for this absolute masterpiece.

Where do I even begin?! I've been sweeped off my feet, thrown across the room, heart hammering in my chest, rocking back and forth, and then stitched right back up again. [Then thrown in a spiral with that epilogue]

But first and foremost can we give 13 year old Andy a standing ovation 👏🏼  of the masterpiece he's written!!

This exhilarating read was filled with twists after twists, emotionally wrecking my heart and soul, a therapy session that leads to a good cry , and most of all a darkness that begins to rise.

Andy has once again captivated readers by weaving together the complexities of the mind in his beautifully crafted book. It tackles not only the struggles within but also the intense physical challenges that provoke me with anxiety. I found myself in deep reflection, wondering if I was experiencing a personal therapy session or simply engaging with Alexis's journey—it's a mystery we'll never unravel! These characters are my home [even Mortem, that man had me giggling] and I couldn't have had it any other way 🧡✨️

The stakes are high, the darkness rises, and a battle brims. Take it from me...he said "you aren't ready?!" I say "I should have taken that statement seriously!!"

I cannot give much away but those 2 years were worth every second of these finely written pages with each and every line being delicately thought out. Andy is one of those authors where you thank the Fates for making him a writer !!! 👏🏼 

Not long until this gem releases into the world, so if you haven't already preordered, then I urge you to 🤺

You don't want to miss the adventures, the trials and tribulations, and the fight against light and darkness, that is The Dark That Hides Us.

Andy does it again with this enthralling sequel. The characters are strong and always developing and the plot line is so packed I couldn’t stop reading. Each character could stand on their own and carry the story which I love

I don’t even know where to start with this book . I’ve been following Andy‘s journey for as long as I can remember. Definitely from my early days on Booktok. I remember the absolute joy of receiving the first book and getting to read it and the way I fell in love with all of the characters. It gave me that nostalgia of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. And by the time I finished, I couldn’t wait for the day to share it with my children.

And now here I am posting a review for the second book . There are so many incredible things about this sequel. But the thing that stood out to me the most was the incredibly long battle scene. It took up a good chunk of this book and it was so worth it. There was so many different things going on but you never felt lost. And sometimes in these battle scenes it becomes far too much about the action and not enough about the characters. Andy just got this balance perfect whilst there was still a lot going on and a lot of gasping moments the bits I loved the most was how intimate it was for each character and how many realisations and revelations they had whilst dealing with this incredibly scary situation.

The way you so deeply get to know the rest of the characters. And yes, Blaise 100% has my heart.
And then on a more technical side you can see how much Andy’s writing in this story has improved. His storytelling is perfect . You can see how incredibly hard he has worked on everything. It literally shines through all of his characters and his scenes and his arcs.

Let me know when that book 3 manuscript is ready dude!

Andy has absolutely done it again with this book! Only he could centre a whole book around a battle and ensure that the reader is never bored!

The whole world is so well built and the characters have so much depth in them. They are constantly challenged, and a great representation of true friendship and the curveballs of life. Their vulnerability it perfectly paired with their strength and the balance is perfection.

So many twists and turns and eating out of the palm of his hands! Book 3 cannot come soon enough!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for this ARC! 🩵

Thank you to Andy, Darcy, Theo, and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I want to emphasize one thing: have tissues on hand!

Andy has done it again with a fast-paced book filled with emotion, drama, conflict, love, friendship, and meaningful messages.

The storyline was captivating and gave me goosebumps multiple times. I hope this isn't the end of the story, as I have several questions and theories that I need answered.

I highly recommend both The Light That Blinds Us and The Dark That Hides Us.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this early.

What a wonderful follow up to The Light that Blinds Us. I loved this, the magic system is so unique, the character development is fantastic within the story and never feels forced within the context of the world or the story itself - which is twisty and fast paced. I loved every chapter and now need the next instalment asap!

An absolutely amazing sequel full of high stakes, big moments but also intimate declarations of love that are strong enough to drown out the battle for a second. Brilliantly paced with no lulls and an intriguing ending leaving you hoping for another.

Perfect for older teens looking to bridge the gap between books like Percy Jackson and Harry Potter but not quite ready for the world of Game Of Thrones.

Full of action and plot twists that kept me guessing, this sequel definitely lived up to the hype of book one.

The magic is unique and exciting, and I loved being back with the characters and the world.

I definitely reccomend this series, and what a perfect time to catch up!

“For even when the day goes dark, the light of our lives will shine on and we will burn brighter than the dark that hides us” 🔥

Thank you so much NetGalley for approving this ARC for me in exchange for my honest review 🤎

Wow. What can I say. Andy you have gone and done it again!

It was amazing to dive back into the world with our children of the elements and to discover what going to happen next. I knew there was going to be lots of dark paths and twists and turns and I couldn’t wait for them to unfold!

I absolutely loved how fast paced this book was. The tension and build up towards the battle was written perfectly and it made the whole experience feel full of suspension. The way Andy describes the battle field is so immersive you are made to feel as though you are fighting along side our characters. I was always left feeling 100 different emotions while reading what our characters were experiencing. It was a rollercoaster of emotions for sure!

I loved the character developments within this book and seeing our characters become more powerful and strong (especially when being forced to be independent) was amazing to see. They are such incredible characters and they have been written so perfectly. As much as I love Alexis, it was amazing to see more of our other characters and I personally loved seeing more of Incantus. (Shout out to our boy Gibbious) 🐶

I love how we get to see more of the dark side of things in this book and how it affects everyone and everything around our characters. AND THE TWISTS! Did not see those coming at all! 😱

I love a book that makes you feel all the emotions; shock, sadness, envy, horror, uncertainty and happiness, and it’s safe to say, the book gave us all the feelies! ❤️

Thank you Andy for a wild adventure! I cannot wait to see what more you bring for us! (And how many more emotions you want to us to experience) 👀

Seems a little punny to say but The Dark That Hides Us well and truly blew The Light That Blinds Us out of the water- and was the sequel we all never knew we needed!

Not just in the sense that it was a fantastic continuation of where TLTBU left off- but for the fact that Andy quite clearly put his all into TDTHU- whether it was describing the vulnerability of a character or just the setting of a scene- everything felt thought out and in the end it all came together, whilst simultaneously leaving us gasping for a next book