An interesting concept and I liked the overall plot, but it was a bit confusing. The time-travel aspect really through me off at first, and the mmc and mfc relationship was both slowburn and also fast at the same time? Overall, I think this was a good book, but I'm struggling to say what exactly I found missing from it. 3 stars.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and had some moments that really stood out. Overall, it offered an entertaining reading experience.

DNF bc I can't find anything I like about the book to keep going -- the writing is verbose for no reason, the characters are bland, and the MMC and the world in general are giving me the ick :( Someone in their romantasy phase might enjoy this more than me tho.

The Oracle of Dusk by Elyse Thomson is slow burn, time-travel, fated mates epic fantasy adventure. Although the chapters are very long and filled to the brim with complex information- there was still so much to love in this epic adventure! I enjoyed the witty banter, how Aurora really just wanted to be a librarian and now has the whole save the world complex, and as an added hurdle she finds that she needs the help of a sexy King Theron. I wanted to love the story more- but the pacing was just off, and the time jump made it a little confusing. Also, then ending could have used a little more work. I gave this book a 3.5 but rounded up as goodreads does not round their stars.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for my honest review.

The Oracle of the Dusk is an epic fantasy inspired by the Legend of Zelda, a well loved Nintendo game released in 1986.
The story includes key elements that mirror Zeldas; a ‘hero’s journey’, three core virtues and time and cycles, among others. AAlthough I haven't played any of the games I don't think that was important to be able to read this book.

The MC’s of this book focused on Aurora and Theron both of which had their own POV’s which I felt were so important to the telling of the story. Aurora’s journey throughout was intense and tricky as she has experienced the future. I’m very curious to see the world that Aurora left behind and how her actions or inaction have changed her world. I feel there may be some things that weren’t fully solved but I think that will all come back in the next book.

Theron is a complicated, morally grey character who despite his actions I love. The banter and chemistry between him and Aurora is brilliant. I love that he’s experiencing someone who isn't treating him as a king and seeing how he responds. I could see them developing a romantic relationship, but I found the bond a little out of nowhere, however I could see that coming right before it did. It did make sense especially considering the end of the book.

One of the main things I found a little too easy was the very ending where Aurora agreed to Orithyia’s deal. Mainly because Orithyia has never done anything without an ulterior motive and Aurora knew thats what she does. But also why didn't she think about it or talk to Theron about it before running off. I think she was too blinded with anger to think it through but it’ll cost her.
I think these too are going to struggle to get back to a happy place and although I agree that Theron has to think like a king, I don't think he needed to keep the secret of the snakes hidden from Aurora, even if his cousin is their creator. As he says he’s a bad man, but a good king.

I’m really excited to see how this book develops and how questions are then answered.

What an incredibly engaging read. I've been told this is inspired by The Legend of Zelda, however, I have no knowledge of the story behind the game

Richly imagined and brimming with tension, this book delivers a high fantasy experience with compelling characters and unforgettable dynamics.

The world-building is absolutely top-tier: vivid, immersive, and beautifully layered. I felt genuinely drawn into the universe the author created, and the emotional depth of the FMC's relationship with her best friend stood out. Their bond, and the heartbreak that followed its unraveling, was written with sincerity and weight.

The deliciously slow-burning tension between the FMC and the MMC: this back-and-forth had me kicking my feet on more than one occasion. Their chemistry is sharp, witty, and full of that addicting kind of push and pull that makes you unable to look away. Alongside a villainous show stealer of a Queen. If you're a fan of Red Queen-esque flair, she'll absolutely captivate you (her verbal sparring with the MMC was a highlight all its own.

Thomson's writing in this novel leans into the classic high fantasy style, which I adored. There's something so rich and elegant about the prose that perfectly natches the epic scope of the story. While I didn't get to enjoy it as leisurely as P hoped (ARC life is real, I still appreciated the story's depth and style

A heads-up: this is a very slow burn. Things don't heat up until about 70% in, but when they do... whew. We're talking will it fit moment and some unexpected spice (with toys). It was a fun surprise!

I do wish the romantic development between the leads had been explored more emotionally and physically not full on habanero but maybe some sparring type tension). And the ending felt a bit too easy- like the FMC was a little too quick to accept the major twist.

All in all, this is a fantasy romance I'd absolutely recommend- especially for fans of The Legend of Zelda. If you've ever wanted to see a Ganondorf/Zelda dynamic brought to life in a dark, magical world, this odd couple will not disappoint.

Please note the Amazon review is still pending and will be updated as soon as it’s available.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the concept of this story because what millennial doesn’t love Zelda?! I enjoyed the characters at the very beginning of the book. That said, the pacing was almost too quick and it left me feeling like the character development suffered as a result. I loved Fae sooo much. She and Sylvanis cracked me up.

I love world building and complex magic systems, so that part didn’t trip me up but I don’t think everyone would be able to keep up! I hope book 2 slows down a little so we can get a better grasp on each character’s thread, I want to see where the series goes.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️

I really loved the writing style. This is truly good as a debut novel.it was A pleasure reading this

There's political intrigue, there's a HOT romance and a plot that rivals Outlander. Laughed at people commenting on the height difference but found myself loving it with Theron and Aurora!

Thank you to NetGalley and Two Laurels Press for an ARC of this. This book has a lot going on. There is a bit of time traveling, romance, fantasy and more!! It’s a really nice blend and the plot is engaging. With the time traveling and time jumps, you have to pay attention to where in the timeline you are. The story was a bit slow at the start for me, but I was engaged once things picked up. I enjoyed all the characters and the world that was created. There are multiple POVs and that can be tricky because it changes a lot and can be frequent. Our main characters are Aurora and Theron and their relationship starts off a little rocky. They have a lot of secrets from one another and I didn’t feel the chemistry at the start. This is also a slow burn romance. Overall, I did enjoy the story and I’m looking forward to the next one because the book ends on a cliffhanger!!

A really interesting fantasy with a great romamce. I enjoyed the romance the most with plot coming in second. I feel like the plot had roo much going on even though there were so many exciting moments and worldbuilding happening.

A fun reading experience from start to finish. Intriguing story, characters that will appeal to all reads and action packed twists and turns.

The Oracle of Dusk presents an ambitious blend of time-travel fantasy and romance, with richly evocative imagery in its opening chapters. The initial third offers a vivid and immersive experience, showcasing a talent for setting and atmosphere.
However, as the narrative goes on, a significant time jump introduces a new cast and setting, creating a disconnect from the story and the characters from the beginning. The frequent shifts in point of view, sometimes without clear indicators, can lead to confusion and disrupt the narrative flow.
The morally grey male lead, King Theron, embodies the enigmatic anti-hero archetype, yet his motivations remain vague, making it difficult to understand his character arc.
While the novel's premise is intriguing and the world-building shows promise, the execution may pose challenges for some readers. Those who appreciate complex narratives and are drawn to morally ambiguous characters might find this story rewarding.

The story started out slow, but I quickly enjoyed it the more I read. I finished the book in two days!

I loved Aurora and Theron’s story in this book. The relationship started out rough with all the secrets and pain they endured from others and each other. I swear this couple’s words can hurt more than any other weapon. There are many exchanges between them that made my heart hurt. At the end, I was really rooting for them. However, what transpired made me want to read the next book more.

I wish we know more about what happened with Phaedra and Sylvanus. I know their fate may be explored more in the future, but their exchanges were fun. Epicasta and Hyllus seem to be their parallel.

If anything, I wish Aurora was developed as a stronger character. There were times when her neediness was a little irritating. I know she needed time to grow into her magic, but I wanted to tell her to stand up for herself more.

Overall, I enjoyed the book even though it started slow. I can’t wait for the next one!

✅ Fated mates
✅ Magic
✅ Multiple POV
✅ Secrets and betrayals
✅ Monsters and beasts
✅ Slow burn
🌶️🌶️/5

I really wanted to love The Oracle of Dusk. The concept? Fantastic. A time-traveling oracle thrown into a doomed romance with a king? Sign me up. And the cover? Stunning. But somewhere along the way, the story just lost me.

The book starts off strong—with action, a hint of danger, and some promising character dynamics. But once the time travel element kicks in, it felt like the story shifted into a completely different tone. Characters I had started getting attached to just disappeared, and the emotional stakes didn’t carry over.

The romance, which should’ve been the glue holding it all together, felt more like insta-lust than a true connection. I wasn’t sold on the chemistry between Aurora and Theron, and the constant reminders of how tiny she was compared to him got old fast.

I also struggled with the writing style. It often told me what to feel instead of letting the scenes speak for themselves. There were whole stretches where I felt like I was being hand-held through every beat, which pulled me out of the immersion.

Ultimately, it just didn’t hold my attention enough to keep going. It’s not a bad book—there’s definitely an audience for it—but I don’t think that audience is me.

The premise for this sounded real interesting. Wish I liked it more but just could not get into it. The writing style was not for me and I just did not connect with the characters.

The Oracle of Dusk begins with a young historian being told she is fated to face the terrifying flying monstrosity, Drakon, which is set on destroying everything in its path. She then finds herself thrown back thousands of years in time, with no allies, and no idea how to save her world from the brink of destruction.

“Yes, quite the opposite of the wild, wicked life of my dearest friend. Why, I caught you dog-earring a page last year. Wars have been fought over less.”

This is the first epic romantasy novel in the Cycle of Calamity series following the oracle, Aurora, as she awakens her powers of prophecy and time travel. The time shift forced me to leave behind characters I was beginning to grow attached to, making it difficult to adjust. But I suppose that gives you a sense of how the protagonist must have felt, thrown into an unfamiliar time and place full of strangers. Aurora doesn’t know who to trust and where to look for help in preventing the impending disaster. She is rather naïve at times and falls for some schemes the reader may see coming a mile off. However, I’d like to continue with the series to find out if she ever makes it back to her time and see how her romance with the doomed king, Theron, plays out.

The Oracle of Dusk by Elyse Thomson is an epic fantasy romance that had me hooked from the start. Aurora, a historian turned accidental hero, stumbles upon an ancient artifact that catapults her back in time and into the path of King Theron, a ruler with a reputation as dark as his fate.

The world-building is immersive, blending elements of magic, time travel, and political intrigue. Aurora's journey is both thrilling and emotional as she grapples with her unexpected role in a prophecy and her growing attraction to Theron. Their chemistry is palpable, and the slow-burn romance is worth the wait.

Inspired by The Legend of Zelda, this novel offers a fresh take on classic fantasy tropes. The narrative is rich with action, suspense, and a touch of spice that keeps the pages turning. Fans of fated romances and strong heroines will find much to love here.

A book base on the legend of Zelda? I’m sold!

I absolutely love auroras character, she is so well developed .

I love that you could feel the similarities between this book and LoZ, while still being introduced to new and beautifully creative world building.

The end of the book is so fast paced, I LOVED IT SO MUCH. It was an absolute rollercoaster which caused some serious whiplash, but enjoyable whiplash indeed.