Genres: Dark Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy, Fantasy | Release Date: 4 September 2025 | Standalone | Pages: 276 | Indie Author | Review
“You look as if you’ve seen a monster.”
Ciara Hartford
Overview:
A huge thank you goes to Ciara Hartford for letting me read an e-ARC of the dark romantasy, Blackwarden! This beautiful book is such a delight for those who prefer a standalone adventure; in actual fact it’s been a little while since I got to read one! But before I give you all of the reasons why you’ll fall in love with this romantasy, let’s give you an overview…
Having already witnessed the evil of which the Dark Fae are capable, Rosalin immediately volunteers to go in her sister’s place when the Unseelie Court calls. But before she even enters the Dark Fae territory, Rosalin must spend eight days with the Gatekeeper Keres, in an eerie mansion known as the Gatehouse. Rosalin knows she should despise Keres as much as she does any other Dark Fae, but she has a feeling that not all is as it seems with him… Will Keres be able to reveal the devastating truth of a centuries-old curse to Rosalin in time? Can Rosalin ever accept that not all fae are monsters, despite her past? Or will these eight days mean nothing, when Rosalin enters the terrifying Unseelie Court and witnesses what awaits her there?
Happiness Boost:
Blackwarden is such a richly layered dark romantasy, full of secrets and terrors just waiting to trap both Rosalin and reader alike. I absolutely love it! This story gives me hints of Beauty and the Beast, thanks to the sentient Gatehouse and Keres bound in a curse, but trust me when I tell you it is also a wonderfully unique romantasy. And hands up who knows The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde? I can’t tell you why I’m asking, but I *do* want you to let me know when you’ve dived into Blackwarden, because I need to fangirl about something. Could I tell you specifics? Yes, yes I could. But I won’t, because I’m a fan of being a secret keeper.
Rosalin has known love and loss, with her hatred for Dark Fae seemingly set in stone. But what Ciara does, ever so well within Blackwarden, is explore how prejudices can be overturned. I’m a huge fan of how nuanced these characters are, and their ability to be beautifully flawed. I don’t want perfection. I don’t want cookie cutter stereotypes. Give me this grieving heroine, this broken Dark Fae. I have forged a bookish found family of my own, of characters I adore, and these two certainly make the cut!
If ever there is a name meant to conjure up horror, it’s the Hag Queen of the Unseelie Court. And Ciara, please do take a bow. Because *this* monarch? She is the perfect example of a cautionary tale one would tell young children by firesides, so that they don’t get lured away by the fae. Beneath the beauty lies untold evil and the heart of chaos. You go against her at your peril. And you know what? I am *swooning*, because this makes for a hauntingly dark romantasy. How could it not be a happiness boost?!
Downside:
I don’t have a downside to this wonderful tale!
Final Thoughts:
Blackwarden by Ciara Hartford is a dark romantic fantasy full of horrifying fae, devastating secrets and a grieving heroine. I love it with everything that I am. So if you want to read an incredible standalone in this genre? Look no further, because *this* is the book you need. Love what you’ve heard from my review? Just click on any of the links below to pre-order yourself a copy! Happy reading, glitterbugs!
You can pre-order Blackwarden via these links:
