Wow—book one was amazing, but book two? Even better! The mystery surrounding Thea’s identity deepens, the intensity of the forbidden romance ramps up, and the plot twists kept me hooked from start to finish.

I loved that the story opened during Thea’s first trial—it dropped us right into the action and kept the momentum going. Nothing felt like filler. Discovering Thea’s past alongside her added so much depth; it made her journey feel personal and immersive.

And okay, I thought Prince Clayton was endgame... but now? I’m not so sure. Enter Caldrius—the dark, brooding newcomer—and suddenly, I’m rethinking everything. He may not have had a ton of page time, but wow, did he make an impression. Meanwhile, Clayton felt a little too whiny in this book—like a spoiled prince not used to things not going his way. Still hot, but frustrating.

Caldrius? Swoon-worthy. He definitely won my heart.

Can’t wait for book three—I need more!

So grateful to have recieved this one! After the way the first one ended I was ready to dive right in and pick up where I left off. Thea and Clays chemistry is so addicting and always leaves me craving more!!! This book had me feeling all the emotions and I cried on multiple occasions. The twists and turns will have you on the edge of your seat! I did not see the ending coming and I will be impatiently waiting for the third in The House of Hyrax series to release! Thank you for this amazing fantasy series Arcadia!

I couldn't wait to jump back into this world after reading the first one and the novella.

The twists and turns in this book are excellent, really keeping you on your toes! The understanding of the characters only deepens and that slow burn is slow burning!

If you want a captivating Romantasy full of surprises and lots of character chemistry this is the book for you.

With the end of this book I am holding my breath for the next one!

Trails, Court Intrigue, Political Scheming, and a war with the gods

The Crown of the Dark Prince picks right back up where the first book in the House of Hyrax series ends. In this stunning sequel we get questions answered and even more questions asked. This book does NOT suffer from second book syndrome and is just as good, if not better than the first. The romance, heart break, and triumphs are all there and I can not wait for the next book in the series!

⭐ 5 🌶️ 2

OMG! What a book! I was not expecting this, but I am in love with this series! I really enjoyed the first book, but this one is even better.

- 💁🏻‍♀️ First thing... the writing style is so addictive! I could not put this book down. It has the right amount of everything.
- 📚 The plot is refreshing and surprising, and I had so many "WAIT WHAT?!" moments! So many twists and reveals! I truly enjoy the story, the complex interactions, and the development and side effects of each action and decision the characters took. So well written! I think this was my favorite part, I loved it!
- ♥️ The love story felt so real! I love them both, and the level of yearning!!! OMG! I loved how the relationship evolved, and although there was so much miscommunication (and I am not a huge fan of that trope), it definitely worked in this case. I love the two characters separately, but together... I was enjoying every single interaction
- 🫂 Talking about characters... I love each of them! Thea is a great FMC, and Clay is just amazing. I love his ethics and how he treats Thea. I love his personality. In general, all the characters were interesting, even Camilla. Every character has their special characteristics and personalities, and each of them has an important part in the story. I loved Caldrius and Veric! And even Elaina! I am also looking forward to knowing more about Nikolai... even the Gods! Truly amazing characters
- 😱 And that end!! OMG, I won't be able to stop thinking about this series... I need to read the next book now!

I highly recommend anyone who hasn't read this series to do it ASAP.

Thank you so much to Arcadia Rayne and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for giving me access to this amazing ARC via NetGalley.

Wow!! I might have like this book better than book 1 and that never happens. The twists and turns in this fast paced story kept me glued to the pages. I’m absolutely fending for book 3!!

I just finished The Crown of the Dark Prince, the incredible second book following The Rose in the Shadows, and I’m honestly still catching my breath! Arcadia Rayne had me completely glued to every page—I literally couldn’t put it down and stayed up far too late finishing it.

Thea and Clay’s relationship stole my heart all over again. The intense love and fierce protectiveness Clay shows for Thea actually reminded me so much of my own husband, making their scenes even sweeter and more meaningful for me. Their chemistry and emotional bond felt beautifully real and deeply moving.

I loved getting deeper into Thea’s friendships and alliances—especially Iris, who surprised me by being not just a spy, but also one of the kingdom’s top assassins. Her character quickly became one of my favorites. And the twist involving Clay’s betrothed made me appreciate her character more than I’d anticipated.

Without spoiling too much, the tension and stakes ramped up dramatically as Hyrax and his complicated history came to the forefront. Battles, heartbreak, and shocking betrayals made for an emotional rollercoaster. By the end, my heart was aching yet hopeful, desperate to know what happens next.

This book was a perfect mix of romance, action, magic, and intrigue. I’m already counting down the days until book three—I can’t wait to see Clay and Thea’s love continue to fight against the odds!

Gripping, immersive, and absolutely masterful, The Crown of the Dark Prince reels you in from the very beginning and holds you tight. I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough.
It's amazing. I was hooked from the first page. I loved everything about it. The world building is fantastic; it's got enough background information that it doesn't overload.
This is such a fun fantasy romance read!

So glad I found this series! I had to quickly read Book 1 before reading Book 2. Blown away! Twists, intrigue, great character development.
Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys Romantasy.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

5 stars — I’m obsessed with this series!!

Okay but The Crown of the Dark Prince had me in a chokehold from the first chapter. The stakes? So high. The emotions? So intense. Thea is just everything… Strong, brave and still figuring things out in a world that keeps throwing curveballs at her.

What I love most about this series is how NOTHING is what it seems. There are so many secrets and twists, I was literally whispering “no way” out loud like every other chapter. The way Arcadia Rayne builds the underworld, it makes you question everything you thought you knew. And those conversations? Some of them hit a little too close to home in the best kind of painful way.

Also… I think I’m falling for Caldrius. He’s so morally grey and tormented and his scenes with Thea? Top tier tension. I still love Clay but like… Caldrius is creeping in.

If you’re into dark fantasy with mystery, banter, and characters who actually grow, you NEED to pick this up. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and now I’m lowkey terrified (but excited) for book 3!

If life didn't get in the way, I would finish this book in one sitting. It's marvelous!

Read this book if you like: forbidden love, arranged marriages, magic battles, betrayals, deities, trials, dragon shifters.

This is the second installment in the House of Hyrax series, and this book is so much better than the first one!

It's such an intense rollercoaster with lots of twists and turns. You sometimes forget to breathe 'cause of the suspense. It's action-packed, a real page-turner, and the romance is everything!

That open ending made me scream. I want to know what happens next! Please hurry, Arcadia!

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!

Theadora is about to find out a lot more about her origins - and she's not exactly going to be enamoured with it! The Athenian Court is still shackled to the every whim of The Dragon but there would appear to be a rebellion afoot!

Theadora has a lot more on her plate than just those pesky missing memories - court politics, a trauma filled trial to prove her right to sit on the council, an arranged marriage to somehow dodge and a bucketful of lesser problems to solve. Oh, and to somehow figure out how to save her former assassin/rival!

Clay is his infuriatingly handsome self and the found family vibes continue to grow between them and the rest of the crew. There were many a time I'd happily slap the the MC's heads together - talk dammit! There are more than a few "oh f*ck" comments spewed throughout - why do authors always try to kill off the secondary characters you love most?!?!?!

Thankfully the story moves at a fair clip for book 2, sometimes these middle books can just feel like filler but not so here. There's plenty of redemption being sought and forgiveness to find and a big old book of the gods to decipher. I did rage a bit at the way we've been left but thankfully that last wee bit of story from Clay's POV let's us know that he's well aware of what's happening and now we just need to wait and see how they get themselves out of this quandary!

Great story and complex enough to be interesting but not bogging itself down in over world-building either. Strong found family and low to medium spicy which doesn't get in the way of the plot.

Loved this book. I thought it was a great sequel and I loved the recaps at the beginning of the 1s book & novella. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

This book was absolutely everything I wanted it to be and more. This sequel took everything I loved about The Rose in the Shadows and turned it up a notch. Theadora Moore is navigating trials, political intrigue, and secrets that could change the fate of the Mortal Realm. And let’s talk about Crown Prince Clayton Vail, brooding, intense, and impossible to ignore.

The chemistry between Thea and Clay? Off the charts. The stakes? Higher than ever. And the twists? Let’s just say I didn’t see them coming.

If you’re into dark fantasy with a dash of forbidden romance and a strong female lead, this one’s for you.

The Crown of the Dark Prince, book two in the House of Hyrax series, is absolutely exceptional. It was one of my most anticipated sequels—and it overdelivered in every possible way.

Theodora has been accepted as the last heir of Hyrax, and after completing her three trials, she’s ascended to her place on the Royal Council. Still reeling from the devastating loss of her friend Lorelai—a loss she blames herself for—she’s also grappling with her unrelenting attraction to Prince Clayton… and a mandatory arranged marriage she does not want.

Still plagued by haunting dreams of the Underworld, Theodora begins to glimpse more of that realm through the maddeningly snarky (and undeniably handsome) Supreme Lieutenant, Caldrius. As she digs deeper, she starts to see there may be more to Hyrax—and his world—than she ever imagined.

But when a powerful sword is stolen from the archives, it becomes clear that a new threat is rising in the Mortal Realm. Something dark is coming—and the question is, will Theodora uncover the truth about herself in time to face it?

I can’t say enough about this series—it’s smart, captivating, and so richly developed it feels almost tangible. This is one of those rare books where getting an ARC feels like a curse, because now I have to wait even longer for book three. And that ending!!! I’m not okay.

The Crown Of The Dark Prince is an exciting, action-packed sequel that will leave you wanting more and more! 💫💫💫💫💫

Thea, Clay, Iris, Kent, and Rankor are back, and this time, they must fight one of the greatest battles yet. Thea, per the Dragon's request, must marry his nephew Veric Starsen of Tenebris. While she is being hosted by the Tenebris, someone from the underworld escaped and is looking for vengeance in the mortal world.
Caldrius Dagon, Supreme Lieutenant of the Underworld and the right hand to Hyrax the God has his own plans, and they also include Thea.

I really enjoyed the new characters, like Veric, Caldrius, and even Pasnia herself. The imagery that portrayed the Underworld was also very surprising and thoroughly enjoyable. I liked how Thea's origin story played out, and her romance with Clay got warmer and warmer. My favorite part was what Hyrax did to the Dragon because he hurt Thea.

Thank you, Netgalley and Victory Editing, for my arc.

5 Stars – Utterly Addictive!
The Crown of the Dark Prince is a seductive, darkly enchanting sequel that completely pulled me in. Arcadia Rayne delivers steamy romance, rich world-building, and a dangerously magnetic prince I couldn’t get enough of. Full of twists, tension, and heart—this is dark fantasy romance at its finest. I couldn’t put it down!

I absolutely loved how Thea's character was the focus in this book as well as the detailed and intricate world building and explanations of the gods.

I absolutely can't wait for the next book. Thank you to Arcadia Rayne and Netgalley for this amazing ARC read and introducing me into a new fantasy world.

Thrilling sequel to The Rose in the Shadows! I absolutely loved the plot in this book and specially how it explained more about Thea and her relationship with Hyrax. And the evolving relationship with Clayton was delicious!

This is truly amazing romantasy, I highly recommend it!

The Crown of the Dark Prince is a fantastic sequel to The Rose in the Shadows!
This book dives deeper into Thea’s bond with Hyrax, her growing powers, and her evolving relationship with the dragon prince, Clayton Veil.

I loved how this book deepened Thea’s journey, from exploring the Underworld to uncovering her heritage and growing into her power—all while navigating the emotional complexities of her bond with Clayton.
The author’s recap made it easy to reconnect with the world and new characters, which I really appreciated!

Their relationship was one of my favorite parts—watching their feelings grow while being torn between duty and rules made this story quite emotional.
Despite the challenges, seeing their connection evolve was incredibly satisfying, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for them!

The last few chapters had me completely hooked—so many twists and turns, and I couldn’t put my Kindle down!
A few new characters make an appearance, and I’m incredibly curious to see how they’ll play into the next book, especially after that massive cliffhanger!!!!

Overall, this was a total page-turner!
With stunning world-building, compelling characters, swoony romance, and a gripping plot, this series just keeps getting better.
I seriously hope the third book comes out sooner rather than later because I need to know what happens next!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: sexual content, violence, experience of grief and depression, suggestion of self-harm and suicide, suggestion of abuse (off page) and portrayals of insanity.

I would say this is between 3-4 stars for me - Whilst I really enjoyed the first book and was keen to get into this one I found the love interest between the FMC and MMC fell a bit flat and I actually was rooting for her to end up with the alt MMC in the underworld as it felt like they had more chemistry - that could just be my opinion! I did really enjoy the storyline and keen to see where this story leads and looking forward to book number three. I think it's a great spin take on the gods and the underworld and look forward to seeing Thea develop further as a character.