The Prince of Power by Skyler Mason is a dark, steamy new adult romance that delivers on the tropes fans of the genre crave: a brooding, dangerous hero, Damian Cross, a sheltered heroine, Ava, and the high-stakes world of an elite secret society. The premise is enticing—Damian Cross, the “prince” of Ashford University and heir to a powerful legacy, claims the innocent pastor’s daughter, Ava, as his own, setting up a battle of wills and hearts.

Mason’s writing is fast-paced and atmospheric, with plenty of tension and chemistry between the leads. The dynamic between Damian and Ava, and their push-pull relationship keeps the pages turning. The secret society setting adds intrigue and drama, and the emotional stakes are high.

However, the book leans heavily on familiar tropes without bringing much new to the table. Damian’s possessiveness sometimes crosses into uncomfortable territory, and Ava’s transformation from rule-follower to power-player feels a bit rushed. Some secondary characters and plotlines could have been developed further to add depth.

Overall, *The Prince of Power* is an entertaining read for fans of dark academia romance and possessive antiheroes. While it doesn’t break much new ground, it delivers a satisfying, angsty escape—just don’t expect too much nuance or originality.

If you’re unhinged and you know it clap your hands… Somewhere Damian Cross is clapping his hands. If you are looking for a dark romance where the MMC is severally unhinged look no further because The Prince of Power delivers that!

There is a secret society, disguised as a fraternity, surrounded by mystery and Ava finds herself in Damian’s cross hairs. Give credit where credit is do because Ava is no damsel in destress and she was not an easy target. She was feisty every step of the way and I loved that! Also shout out to the author because Ava is described as chubby with not perky breasts, and I am here for that!

And Damian, oh Damian. If you like your MMC to be possessive, obsessive with a “touch her and die” wait, forget that look at her and die attitude then this man is for you.

I found The Prince of Power to be very fast paced, spicy, and a fun mysterious ride. I did guess something early on, but that’s okay it didn’t take away my feelings towards the book in the slightest.

*Thank you Skyler Mason and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review*

This book devoured me. Damian Cross is the ultimate dark, possessive anti-hero—and watching him unravel for the “good girl” was deliciously addictive. The tension? Unmatched. The power plays? Chef’s kiss. 😈✨

If you’re into secret societies, brutal games, and dark romance with obsessive vibes and enemies-to-lovers intensity, The Prince of Power will absolutely wreck you in the best way. I’m already counting down the days for book 2. 👀💋

Fans of dark, kinda twisted, academy romance will devour this one. Secret society, grey morals, entitlement, and secrets at every turn. Some surprises along the way, and a HFN, and more to come ...

This book is really perfect if you're looking to dip your toe into dark romances with the secret society trope.

I really liked the 2 characters and their dynamic. Ava is Catholic and a pastor's daughter. She's naive and sweet without being a doormat. She's really different from the sunshine and sweet FMC of the usual dark romances. She assumes her positions through her arguments and her vision of the world. She's smart and sharp, gentle but determined, naive but not stupid. She's a peaceful badass, and I liked her a lot.
The MMC is part of a secret society, and like any man with too much power, he's an asshole. But boy, will he fall hard. By the end, he was so pathetic for her, I couldn't stop laughing.

This book was a pleasant surprise. There was plot, twists and turns and I really want to learn more about the universe. I'm also particularly looking forward to reading the story between Hunter and Lucy!
As a darker romance reader myself, the fact that this book isn't pitch black didn't stop me from having a great time. If I had to make a comparison, I'd say it's a tamer version of The Ritual by Shantel Tessier.

Another book hooking me in under 24 hours? ✅

Really liked the dynamic between the two main characters and despite the unconventional circumstances of how they meet and their differing personalities, I did feel like they matched really well and I found myself really liking Ava! (I think because of her ability to stick up for herself in situations and for others and not just be another timid fmc!! - so this was very refreshing)

I also really liked that this was a somewhat slow burn and it didn’t jump into the romance so quick into the book. Like make it make sense you know? And Skyler did that!

Now, I love the whole secret society trope and I did love the plot twist (although I called it 😉) but I do wish there was a lot more in terms of the history of the society to give it a little bit more context. However that being said, I know there will be another book and the story won’t be over on this front, so I look forward to finding out more as the series develops.

Overall, I did enjoy this book and will look forward to reading the next instalment and continuing the series because HOT DAYUM I know Hunter and Lucy’s book is going to be electric.

This book is a dark romance/dark college romance so of course check your triggers as this won’t be for everyone. However, in my opinion it’s not too dark (if you’re an avid dark romance reader like me I’m sure you’ve read heavier books) but it’s a nice entry level with a nice level of spice (no weird scenes don’t worry!)

Thank you NetGalley for the ebook arc, with dual POV. This book absolutely had me hook from the start I simply could not put it down. Would recommend to people who are fans of Rina Kent, and love romances were the bad boy gets the girls, with touch her 💀 vibes, he falls first and secret society.

ARC Review

-Dual POV
-Secret Society
-Good Girl x Bad Boy
-Touch Her and 💀
-He Falls First

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy: 🌶️🌶️

This book was chef’s kiss👌🏻!! Once I started it I just couldn’t stop!
Totally recommend!!

I can’t wait for the next book to come out!!

4.5 🌟
Spice: open door
Format: ALC

This would be a great book for someone looking to dip a toe into dark romance. Our MMC is definitely morally gray, but his ability to be soft for Ava left me in a puddle. I loved the whole secret society thing, it was super intriguing. The audio is fantastic freaking tastic. Duet narration, dual pov, round of applause for the narrators because wow. I devoured it in one sitting and am already so excited for the next one!
While it may not be overly dark, still check triggers! I absolutely loved Damian, but he is not a golden retriever hero, he is morally gray so not everyone will love him.

The Pince of Power was a good secret elite society standalone romance story. From the moment Damian laid eyes on Ava he knew there was something special about her, he just didn't know how special she would become to him. Damian is the new head Prior, and he needs a virgin sacrifice now that Ben is out of the way. Ava wants to uncover the secret behind Thorncroft and her desire to help her friend Rhett puts her in the lion's den. Damian will stop at nothing to make Ava his and as much as she fights it, she can't deny her attraction to him. Their story is one that has secrets, threats, deaths, betrayal, jealousy, possessiveness, consorts, romance, love, steamy scenes and ends with a HEA. The next book gives us Hunter and Lucy's story which I look forward to reading.

Thank you Netgalley, Skyler Mason, and Victoria Editing for ALC/ARC!

I devoured this, I love a good secret society dark romance! Especially one where he falls first. This has everything I was craving; touch her and 💀, obsessive MMC, banter, betrayal, amazing smut.
Not only was the story great, the narrators did a phenomenal job! I loved listening to them both, they brought this story to life. The duet style worked so well.
The author did a great job presenting the new couple for the next stand alone as well. I can't wait to continue this series!

I picked this book up at 8 p.m. last night and I. Did. Not. Stop. I was lucky enough to receive both the ARC of the book and the audiobook, and let me tell you, being immersed in a story like this is an experience you do not want to miss.
If you're into dark romance, this book was made for you. There's a whole menu of trigger warnings, yes, I read them like appetizers before the main course, and they only added to the delicious sense of danger. There’s something thrilling about opening a book and knowing it's going to leave you gasping. Skylar Mason’s writing is razor-sharp, her plotting absolutely top-tier. I love when a book lets me think I’ve got it all figured out, only to twist the knife in a way I never saw coming.
The story centers on a secret society where the entry price is… a virgin sacrifice. Of course, it’s men pulling the strings, and of course, our FMC, Ava, is caught in the middle. Ava is a smart, book-loving student who’s too clever for her own good. She has morals, boundaries, and a will of steel, until she meets Damian. He challenges everything she thought she knew about herself. Is she really as pure as he hopes? Or as she thinks?
Damian is controlling, cold, and calculating, but how could he not be? His life has been scripted by his powerful family and the twisted organization he's destined to lead. He’s determined to hold all the power in the world. Then Ava stumbles into his orbit, and he decides to pull her under. She doesn’t know his world, but he’s going to drag her into it, inch by inch, heartbeat by heartbeat.
And the audiobook? Phenomenal. I’ve liked a lot of voice actors, but Corvin King? I fell hard. His voice could make me love words I normally hate. Seriously, I would listen to him read a grocery list and swoon. The entire narration cast brought this story to life in a way that made it even more unforgettable.
Also, shoutout to the author for not making Ava some clueless damsel. She’s sharp. She knows something’s wrong. And she still walks into the fire.
So if you're craving danger, spice, forbidden love, and a dark secret society, grab this book immediately. It drops on July 5th and the best part? The audiobook releases the same day. Do yourself a favor: get both. You’ll thank me later.

This books has everything you could want, from a dark romance, Secret society collage romance!
Damian is cold,scary and ruthless. That’s until he meets Ava.
Damian chooses Ava to be his Sacrifice.
Over time Ava becomes everything to Damian, and Damian will do everything to protect Ava.
The Tension between Damian and Ava is palpable.
I loved the setting, storyline and character developments of this book.
The twist was *chefs kiss*
I absolutely ate this book up in one sitting.
I can’t wait for book 2!