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Melissa Roehrich1 book reviewed
Lady of Darkness
by Melissa Roehrich
LuvemBooks Verdict
Best for: Romantasy readers who love dark, enemies-to-lovers series fiction — particularly fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses or Throne of Glass who want a fierce assassin-trained heroine, a possessive Fae love interest, and the promise of a sprawling six-book world to sink into.
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- Is it worth reading?
- For readers who love dark romantasy in the tradition of A Court of Thorns and Roses and Throne of Glass, Lady of Darkness delivers on its core promises: a fierce, assassin-trained heroine in Scarlett Monrhoe, a central romance praised by readers for its chemistry and emotional pull, and a plot twist near the end of book one that drives immediate investment in the series. The significant caveat is the slow opening — one Audible reviewer describes the first hundred pages as 'tough to get through' — but that same reviewer affirms the story ultimately becomes 'a great read and worth it.' Those willing to extend trust through the setup are well-served by what follows.
- Similar books
- Readers drawn to Lady of Darkness typically cite the same romantasy landmarks that inspired it. The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole and When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker occupy similar dark-fantasy-romance territory with formidable female leads. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig and Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber offer the same blend of atmospheric world-building and emotionally charged romance for readers who want to stay in the genre. Lady of Shadows by Melissa Roehrich — the direct sequel — is also recommended for those ready to continue Scarlett's story, as is Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, one of the landmark series to which Lady of Darkness is most frequently compared.
- Who should read this?
- Lady of Darkness is built for adult readers who love dark fantasy romance with a fierce female protagonist, a charged enemies-to-lovers dynamic, and a sprawling supernatural world. It is especially well-suited to fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, and From Blood and Ash who want something in that same vein — though readers already deeply saturated in those properties may recognise familiar structural DNA. Readers who prefer standalone stories or need a fast hook should approach with caution, as the book opens slowly and commits to a six-book series arc.
- How's the world-building?
- Roehrich's world spans possessive Fae, wicked Witches, sexy Shifters, and arrogant Vampires — rich genre territory that gives the series its dark, layered atmosphere. The reviewer at writingtheuniverse.com, having read the entire series, praised the world-building and character construction as transporting. Reader commentary frames the series as sitting at the intersection of some of the biggest romantasy properties, which signals both the ambition of the world-building and its recognisable genre conventions.
- Where does this fit in the series?
- Lady of Darkness is book one of Melissa Roehrich's six-book dark fantasy romance series. The story does not function as a standalone — it is structured as a long-form entry point, with the ending designed to drive readers directly into book two, Lady of Shadows. Multiple readers report moving from book one to book two without pause, underscoring how tightly the series is connected.
- What are the content warnings?
- The publisher openly flags content advisories for Lady of Darkness, signalling that Roehrich pitches this squarely at adult readers. Specific warnings include love-hate dynamics, violence, sexual scenes (both consensual and non-consensual), and jealous or possessive themes. Sensitive readers should factor these advisories in before committing to the nearly nineteen-hour audiobook or the full six-book series.
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Age & Reading Level
Recommended age
Adult
Reading level
Adult
4 content notes · who it suits
Content to know about
Best for: Adults / mature 18+ — publisher-flagged content includes non-consensual sexual scenes, violence, and possessive themes throughout a dark fantasy romance pitched explicitly at adult readers.
Skip if you prefer standalone fantasy romance or need a story to hook you within the first hundred pages.
Editorial Review
Lady of Darkness is the first book in Melissa Roehrich's six-book dark fantasy romance series, following Scarlett Monrhoe — a deadly assassin raised alongside her two sisters under a ruthless Assassin Lord — as she navigates a world of Fae, Witches, Shifters, and Vampires. The audiobook edition, narrated by Laura Horowitz, runs nearly nineteen hours and delivers the enemies-to-lovers, new-adult fantasy that has earned the series a passionate fan following.
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