Spoilers for the events of Rae’s first story, The Theft of Sunlight, Dauntless Path #2 below.

After her efforts to free captured children from the slavers find Rae in their grasp as well, she has no choice but to make a risky bargain with a dangerous sorceress for a chance at freedom. But the slavers aren’t so easily escaped, and the Darkness is an ever-present danger, so Rae turns to old friends, from both outside of and inside the law in an attempt to bring down the trade once and for all. She just may not recognize herself if she manages to come out the other side.

I loved this story. I really enjoyed getting to know Rae in the previous book, and the connections to the first book in the series, Thorn, have always been a joy, but this installment drew me in and did not let me go. I would say you most definitely need to read A Theft of Sunlight to fully experience this story – there’s not much time for getting caught up before the action pulls you away – but a knowledge of Thorn is not quite as necessary, though nevertheless nice to have.

Rae is a protagonist to be reckoned with. Bursting at the seams with all the qualities of a hero but with very human elements of anxiety, self-doubt, PTSD, and fear, she could not be more fleshed out. This book takes place at a variety of locales, all but one entirely new and unfamiliar, and Rae changes with the tide. I am very happy to report that a certain thief is very much present and accounted for and just as charmingly devilish as he has been in the past.

A grounded fantasy, magical elements present but not the main part of the story, this series’ heart is truly its characters and their many relationships and conflicts. It’s beautifully woven and the world is fully realized in every aspect. The element of conspiracy is detailed yet not too complicated that it’s impossible to follow. The amount of care and thought that went into plotting this novel is evident and I could not be more grateful for this beautiful story. Go read read read.

Content warning: child abuse, human traficking, ableism, blood, death, murder, violence.

Wow!!! Absolutely Epic Read!

I was left reeling after Theft of Sunlight at having to wait for answers but this is possibly the best ending to a book I’ve ever read!

Rae is fierce and strong and capable even if she doesn’t realise it. While Bren is mischievous, daring and stubborn. The two find each other again and continue the work they started in Theft of Sunlight.

I love the focus on Rae throughout and her journey, how she makes her own path and her own allies.
I loved Lirika and her personality.

There is so much in this book it was a rollercoaster from start to finish. I literally couldn’t put it down once I picked it up!

** spoiler alert ** You know when you finish a book and you immediately want to flip back to chapter one and start it all over again...this is the book.

The reason it took me forever to read was not because I wasn't 100% obsessed with every single word–it was because I didn't want this to be over. I still don't. I finished reading the last pages a little after midnight today and I almost cried so many times.

***beware for major spoilers***

A Darkness at the Door starts off with Rae imprisoned in the hold of a ship with other Snatched children. The story took off immediately and kept me on the edge of my seat. So much happens just in the first 1/4 of the book. I was literally not expecting the Lady to make an appearance, but of course she does and uses Rae for her own motives.

I think my new favourite character has to be Mage Ehelar. The way he saw through Rae's trauma, but was gentle and patient with her. His only intention to help and not harm. It was a nice contrast and a bit of relief after everything Rae had gone through on the ship.

And then Bren shows up with Artemian and Lirika dsjfkdsfjs and the romance begins. Every interaction between Bren and Rae was SO GOOD. I was smiling the entire time and seeing little things like Bren adjusting his walk so Rae can keep up, teaching her certain fighting techniques that would accommodate her foot and her hand, and just being all round amazing and smirky and his usual charming self.

Lirika was such a fun addition to the cast. I loved seeing another female thief in Bren's court. I also loved the scene where she admits that she thought Rae would be some spoiled noblewoman, but instead Rae puts herself at risk and fights just as hard as they do for what she wants. I really felt for her at the end there as she blames herself for what happened to Artemian. But Rae's offer to let her stay at her parent's farm was a nice ending, and then seeing them get together at the end to find the children wrapped everything up perfectly.

ARTEMIAN THOUGH...there is something about an older man adopting a child that is not his that will always get me. I still cannot get over Bren's backstory and how Artemian took care of him and how Bren would go to him when he needed help. It's just so sdjfskfjsdk. ALSO EVERY INTERACTION WITH ARTEMIAN AND THE CHILDREN. He's just a big softie. And I stand by my previous reading update from Thorn (?) where I said he reminds me of Raoul. Just a big softie, who can kill a man and cuddle a child with the same arms dsjfkdsfjsdf.

My one issue with this book was honestly summed up really well by Sidrah's review. It was Rae's obsession with the "King's Justice" and how everyone should follow "one law" instead of making up their own, even if the "one law" sucks. As Sidrah mentions, this whole logic fit better with Alyrra, and honestly it kind of reminded me of the commentary we get in Babel. The idea that revolution or change needs to be done through the law, through gentle conversations and discussions, versus violence. I could understand Alyrra wanting to follow the law, especially as a white person in a position of power. But Rae...Rae who has seen how the law has failed, what the Circle has been allowed to do unimpeded...Every time she has asked for help from Alyrra or Kestrin they've told her their hands are tied because they can't oppose the Circle. If anything, it would have made sense for Rae to realize the law can't help and sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands. Which in a way she does do for a lot of this book, but at the end she defaults to the law again. The only way I can understand it is that some form of violence and resistance needs to occur in order for the law to be changed for the better. I just think it's a bit difficult to accomplish something like this when the entire country knows the King and his law have failed them, and are unaware of the extent of the Circle's crimes and what has been done to rectify the issue. It's difficult because you can't exactly tell all the nobles that Rae took down the Circle so they could be replaced, BUT when you think about it, Rae was wrong and the law couldn't do what needed to be done, so she had to take care of the Circle outside of the law. I just think there were a lot of contradictions with Rae's logic about the law and justice. She didn't seem to follow the morals she preached, and did judge people who took matters into their own hands, mainly Bren, who was doing his best to create a law that protected his people, even if it was more bloody than she would have preferred it.

While I love Bren and Rae together (they're literally my fav couple ever), I do think him giving up the mantle of Red Hawk was a little sad, though I guess Rae does confirm he would have done it anyway and was not doing it for her (I still feel he probably did it for her lol). I would not have mind if Red Hawk became a spy or someone who works behind the scenes to help the Crown do the work that needs to be done but can't be done openly. I think that would have fit better. While we still get Bren working to catch the Snatchers and find the children, he does it with more authority and support from the King. And this makes Rae happy and agree to marry him because they now have shared values: aka the King's law should be the only law. I don't know how to feel about all of this, even though I really loved the book and the ending. It was a perfect fairytale like ending, especially after all the stress of this book.

I also wanted to talk a little about disability rep. I think my favourite scene ever was Rae admitting to Bren that she sometimes uses a cane at home on the farm, and then he gives her TWO pretty canes to choose from dsfjsdkfj. And at the end, on her sweetening, she decides to bring her cane because she knows at the end of the night she might be more exhausted and will need the support the cane can provide. It was so nice to see Bean just grab the cane, no questions asked.

(While not exactly the same thing, I remember going to a wedding once and the bride chose to wear glasses. People commented on why she didn't wear contacts, but I loved how she decided to ignore what people would say and wear something that was comfortable for her, especially for a long day of celebrating.)

Rae learns to love and respect her body. She realizes she is more capable than she was raised to believe. And I appreciated the conversation she has with her mother at the end, where her mother apologizes for limiting Rae and what she can do with her life, how they only wanted to protect her, but by doing that, they prevented Rae from becoming who she is.

This is a perfect segue into family. I literally almost cried so many times because of anything related to family. Bren's backstory. Artemian's backstory was just dsjfslkfjs. Any time he was playing with the children made me want to sob. And then we have Rae and her family. I'm so used to seeing family who don't support the main character or are mostly absent for the entire book, but Rae's family is always there. When Niya showed up to protect her older sister knowing the risk she was taking sdfjsdklfjslk Rae's anguish and screams when Niya is taken away almost broke me. When Rae sees her mother and Melly again. Anytime Rae and her mother talk. It was so nice to see Rae's mom try to understand what Rae has gone through and how much she's changed since Sheltershorn. It was sad seeing Niya leave, but I'm glad that she gets to start her own life somewhere where she'll be safe and be able to nurture and grow her Talent. It was a perfect ending, though I will admit, I also loved the idea of Niya and Rae always being there for each other.

The ending was intense and fast and anxiety-inducing lol. Things were tied up pretty well, which made for a happier ending in a way.

The last few chapters did feel like additions to what could have been the end of the book. They were nice and sweet moments, that I appreciated seeing, but did add to the length of the story.

My absolute favourite scene was Rae proposing to Bren and then having the conversation about babies dsjfkdsjfksd. I love a world where magical vasectomies exist. Every world with magic should have reversible vasectomies so those of us who have uteruses don't have to go through the horrible side effects of birth control.

I really appreciated a main character who doesn't want children. THIS IS SO RARE TO SEE IN BOOKS. It's like everyone gets into a relationship and immediately thinks BABIES. But Rae wants to be just Auntie Rae, and not have kids of her own. And Bren's reasoning being that he never really grew up with parents and wouldn't know how to parent was a very realistic reason. I don't think many people think that far ahead when planning a family.

THE LAST CHAPTER THOUGH AND FINDING SERI DSJFLSDFJS I ACTUALLY SHED TEARS BECAUSE THIS WAS SUCH A NICE WAY TO CIRCLE BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THE THEFT OF SUNLIGHT. We end off with hope that maybe Kirrana will be found one day too, and other families will be reunited with their children one day. Such a great way to end off a book.

Overall, this book gets a 4.5/5 stars. Still one of my favourite reads of 2022. I cannot wait to get my special edition and be able to read it again.

I am absolutely t(h)orn about ending A Dauntless Path. At the one hand I am so happy for Intisar that the journey of these books with traditional publishing has happened despite running into some kinks. But on the other hand I am just sad to say goodbye to this world for now.

A Darkness at the Door jumps into place where we ended A Theft of Sunlight. Rae is among the taken children on board a ship. But she is older than them and stands out. She manages to escape and then all hell truly breaks loose.

It was a joy to sink into this world again and to see all the good people that are out there, even more so outside of the city. All those that do see the goodness and fierceness in Rae. The story propels forward as we meet Bren and find the true answers to what has been going on. We never truly stand still. Even as the plot seems to stand still a little there is a lot going on between the various characters.

The conversations between Bren and Rae were interesting. From the conversations about who he truly is (while I was shouting, you knew this Rae) and about the future of their relationship. I was happy with how things ended between them.

All in all I think this was a worthy conclusion to the series.

Rae's story wraps up wonderfully in A DARKNESS AT THE DOOR, as she takes on the slavers and the all-powerful mages protecting them.

If THE THEFT OF SUNLIGHT is a story about doggedly pursuing the truth, then A DARKNESS AT THE DOOR is about obtaining justice. Sometimes it's a justice that goes beyond the law when the law is protecting the wrong people, but mostly it's about forcing those in power to enact the justice of their own laws. Rae absolutely steamrolls the king (etc) into doing what is right by ensuring they have everything they need to enact it and then taking actions that ensure they have to. She has a lot of conversations with Bren (whose version of justice is to do it outside the law) about the different systems and which should be followed.

It's also just a lot of fun. We go beyond Trianon, when most of the previous two books were set, and see more of the country. There's a chance to glimpse general more rural life after so much time in the palace and how power trickles out from the palace.

Plus Rae et al become pirates (though, sadly, sans a parrot.) I really like boats in books (not real life) so that's a big bonus when there are long sections on board ships. It's the first sequence where she gets to fight back against the slavers, which makes it a turning point in the duology as a whole.

There is a bit more romance in this one compared to the previous entries. Rae and Bren's relationship goes through some ups and downs as secrets come to light. I liked that most of their relationship was about challenging each other ethically/morally, and that those differences were probed when Rae had to make a decision about where to go from there. There are also very frank, very healthy conversations between Rae and Bren and Rae and her mother about the nature of the relationship and what constitutes a good one.

I know there is one other story Intisar Khanani is writing set in this world, and so I very much hope her publishers pick it up so I have a matching edition of it on my shelves - particularly as the story is referenced several times in the book itself.

I loved A Darkness at the Door! The way Rae’s tenacity and fierce love for others gets her into, and then out of, life or death situations kept me voraciously turning pages.

Darkness was filled with harrowing action, found family, deep and sweet romance, light magic, and impossible missions.

The disability representation was also a unique and well-done part of Rae’s story. I love how she is so appreciative of the work her body does for her and begins to feel empowered in using walking aids in public.

The ending is everything I had hoped for Rae and so much more. If you’re a fan of thieves as love interests (I think of Flynn Rider and Aladdin here!) you will love how that aspect of the story turns out!

I highly recommend the entire Dauntless Path series including A Darkness at the Door!

Simply bloody brilliant. Such a wonderful world with fantastic characters.

Also there was a conversation between the main characters towards the end which had me cheering as its something so rarely seen.

Adored it.

Thank you to #netgalley for an ARC of Intisar Khanani's "A Darkness at the Door." The author did a beautiful job concluding Rae's story after we first met her in "The Theft of Sunlight," which takes place in the Thorn universe. As an accessibility ally, I was so pleased to see a heroine with a disability; and one who many describe as a bad@ass! The love story was everything I needed, and I am so happy with the conclusion. I would love to read more stories from the author in the Thorn universe!

A Darkness at the Door was easily my most anticipated release of 2022 and thus I was nervous it wouldn’t live up to my high, high expectations. When I tell you it met and exceeded my every expectation, it blew my socks off. I loved every single second of this fantastic book. It’s still early days, but it’s absolutely a contender for favourite book of 2022.

The story starts off right where The Theft of Sunlight left off, and we’re thrown right back into the adventure and excitement of Rae’s journey. I was instantly hooked and couldn’t put the book down. I really loved that we got to explore more of the kingdom and travel to new places, especially as the previous book was mostly set in the palace. I also loved all the new characters that were introduced and if we could have books about all of them that would be great please and thank you.

And the romance! The romance!!! I'm absolutely feral for Bren, I full on squealed every time him and Rae interacted. I loved how slow-burn the romance was, no insta-love to be seen here. And they actually seemed to like and care about each other, and this really is the bare minimum for romance but you’d be amazed how often it seems to be missing. Two of my favourite characters and one of my favourite book relationships.

It's very hard to write a review for a book you loved because there’s not much to say other than you loved it. My only niggle, and it really is a little one, is that there wasn’t any LGBTQ representation, which think was made more obvious by the fact that there was such amazing representation everywhere else! It would have been nice to see a queer character, but I do understand that it doesn’t always work out and I spoke to the author about it who said she had had queer characters in the story but they’d been cut in the editing process.

Overall I loved Darkness and thought it was the perfect end to the duology and wider Dauntless Path trilogy (although I'm keeping my fingers tightly crossed for more books). There’s nothing not to like, it’s got amazing disability rep, action, intrigue, sexy thieves, slow-burn romance, and moments to make you laugh and cry. What more could you possibly want?

Although she holds the truth about the snatchers plaguing her country, Rae is far from her allies and trapped in the bottom of a slaver's ship. Rae refuses to let the truth die with her, planning to bring every snatcher to justice even to the highest levels of power.

Picking up where The Theft of Sunlight left off, A Darkness at the Door enhanced everything I loved about the first half of this duology. Rae is unapologetic in her convictions and refuses to let anyone talk her down from a good idea. What I loved about this book was her character development to accept genuine support. Just because Rae CAN do everything on her own doesn't mean she must. It was a delicate line, and Khanani walked it beautifully. I also have to say that I adored the tension and conviction between Bren and Rae. Khanani absolutely nailed this book and I can't wait to see what she gives us next!

Content Warnings: references to sexual violence, violence, domestic abuse, misogyny, ablism

A clever, twisty fantasy, the Dauntless Path series is a fantastic read. A Darkness At The Door picks up within a few days of the explosive events at the end of Theft of Sunlight, and the action doesn't stop for a moment. I particularly love how there is nothing "special" about Rae - she has no magic, she's not particularly good with a weapon, she isn't an extraordinarily talented thief. And yet, she's about as badass as its possible to be. Definitely a book I'll be recommending!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Dauntless Path world has three books, and "A Darkness at the Door" is the second book in the duology about Rae. I love a good adventure quest with interesting magic, and this story did not disappoint. While the stakes are high and the story deals with dark topics, it didn't feel gritty or depressing. Great character complexity and clever solutions to problems.

The story has a romantic subplot (clean), and murder and mayhem in the adventures (which is just what I like, so I enjoyed it!)

I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly I love Intisar's writing so much - I adored Thorn, and the two sort of sequels that followed have also blow me away. I was supposed to be buddy reading this with a friend and I just could NOT put it down. She sent me many judging gifs, as was her right :D

I honestly adored the relationship between Rae and Bren, and seeing it blossom from tentative trust into true trust and friendship was just lovely. And while we get less of her relationship with the Princess here, I loved getting to see Rae trust in that. And all the allies she makes along the way. Basically I adore everything about Rae, would die for her, want more of her etc :D

The storyline of the missing children and the smugglers was brilliantly done - just enough of a mystery with plenty of tense and dramatic moments. Poor Rae really goes through the mill on this one. I loved the work to uncover more and how she couldn't do everything alone. But I also adored how she came to love her own body and push her limitations, or accept them. The use of the cane towards the end had me tearing up cause I have seen friends have similar thoughts to using one.

Also there is something Bren says he has done right at the end (at the HEA moment) that had me full on *heart eyes* at him. I love him. What a legend.

Honestly I just want to rave about this book and series non stop. Please go and read them if you haven't already. You will NOT regret it.

This is the sequel to The Theft of Sunlight and it was absolutely phenomenal. It has fast become a favourite read this year and one of my all time favourite series! I cannot even begin to describe how much I absolutely adored this book and just how seen Rae made me feel. I did in fact sob at the wonderful nuanced disability rep in this duology.

These books mean so much to me not only because being Pakistani and seeing a desi inspired magical world with brown characters but also because the main character has a physical disability and the representation was so well done and made me feel so seen. As someone who has a disability that affects my mobility it was so refreshing to see a young woman who has similar issues but this isn’t her whole personality nor is it tokanised. She fights injustices that she sees and while her mobility may limit her in some things she adapts and continues the fight.

One life to protect many is not a hard decision.

I also loved seeing that the love interest accepted her completely and entirely as she is and didn’t for even one second think less of her or pity her because of her disability. I think it’s so important for people with disabilities to see that. To be reminded that they are enough the way they are and they don’t need to hide or minimise themselves to fit in or be loved.

I absolutely adore Rae and how determined and passionate she is about fighting injustices and fighting for those who can’t and her journey into seeing that actually the justice system that is in place may not actually protect everyone. That it only protects the rich and the rest have had to turn to the thieves for justice. And how she struggles to reconcile her ideals with the reality of the situation and then make decisions as to how she can help change the system. The discussions on systemic corruption needing systemic change was so well written into the story, especially the parallels between this world and ours. How Rae had to speak up and stand against those in power and how difficult and scary it can be especially when they can hurt those you love in retaliation.

She can certainly try to fight the injustices she’s chosen. That’s her decision, not yours.

Bren has become one of my favourite male characters ever. I love him so much. From when we first meet him in Thorn to his arc in the duology. How his tragic backstory has made him into the man he has become. He knows that the system is corrupt so he built his own and while it isn’t perfect and technically makes him an enemy of the government he fights for the poor and those who the system does not protect. I loved seeing how his ideas of justice also changed and evolved just like Rae’s. In needing to find a balance that helped everyone and that the thieves justice is not a long term solution to the systemic issue.

Rae and Bren’s relationship was one of my favourite parts of the story. The slow burn romance that bloomed while they both tried to deny their feelings and the flirting was just top tier! I loved every single scene between them and a particular scene that left Bren speechless for once lives in my head rent free! I cannot begin to explain how much I loved them together. How Bren accepts every part of her, how Rae accepts all of him and how they both change to be better for each other.

It’s not cheating, it’s changing the rules.

This has one of the most satisfying endings I have ever read and how the pieces that started in Thorn are all wrapped up in a realistic way but still satisfy the readers and yet there are little tendrils where we can see that there may be more story there, especially when it comes to Niya. I hope we get to see more of the world and maybe even more of Rae and Bren and Alyrra. But I love how the story ended for them all.

Please everyone go read these books, you will not regret it!

This is the good final part of an epic series. As the other books in this series it's gripping and highly entertaining.
Well developed characters and world building, good storytelling.
Can't wait to read the next book by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Read this in beta twice now. Once as an arc. Reading my final ebook today. I could read this book a million times and it still wouldn't be enough.

Anyone who knows me, knows I am a massive fan of Thorn and The Theft of Sunlight. I adore Intisar and her writing and so you can probably imagine my excitement when I was taken on as a beta reader for the finale of this series. Even from that very first version I read, I knew this book was an epic conclusion to a powerful series.

Rae and Bren and everyone in this book have my entire heart. I lost track of how many times I put my book down to squeal because I LOVE THEM YOUR HONOR. The romance was so well written, it's secondary to the plot and Rae sets up her boundaries so well, I was applauding. Rae is so strong, and her development over this journey was perfectly captured. Bren's growth as well! I adore them both immensely and will gladly take extra chapters of just fluff if Intisar ever decides to write them.

There's not much I can say without getting into spoilers but if you're a fan of this series, this is the ending we DESERVE. This book is fast paced, intense, a whirlwind of action, betrayal, love, and strength, and a continuation of Rae's strive for justice.

Intisar's motto for her writing is "strong girls and diverse worlds". Her books DELIVER on that promise and then some. I love, love, LOVE this series and I really do hope you pick it up.

I received beta copies and an ARC of this book from the author. This review is based on the ARC.

Thank you Netgalley and Bonnier Books for the e-arc of A Darkness at the Door by Intisar Khanani.
This book was everything that I love. I found it to be well-paced with no particular part dragging, and the romance, whilst there, was not forefront in the story. What I enjoyed most was Rae's personal development, from being quite narrow-minded to seeing that not all solutions are black or white, and also how she managed to persevere and overcome obstacles despite her difficulties.

Once again Intisar Khanani has graced us with her brilliant storytelling skills. This is what drew me to her books after reading her first novel, Thorn. She is the ultimate storyteller. Her stories are always moving forward, even during quiet scenes, there's never a lull or any boring patches. She doesn't waste a sentence, every word is adding something to the narrative. Every time I finish one of her books, when I next sit down to read, I am always a little sad when I realize I'm not reading it anymore. This book was the perfect conclusion to her Dauntless Path series. This book also has a physically disabled main character.

Thank you NetGalley & Hot Key Books for the eARC! I'm just sorry I didn't think to look for the ARC sooner! This was probably my most anticipated 2022 release, so even a week before publication mattered :)

Thank you Initsar Khanani for writing this beautiful series. A Darkness at the Door was brilliant!

We pick up right were A Theft of Sunlight left us: with Rae snatched and imprisoned on a slaver ship. It's a pretty action-packed book, with unexpected rescues, dangerous threats and near misses. It's not all excitement, though. I think the author finds a great balance between making it realistic and not making it bleak. Slavery (especially of children) is a really serious topic, so getting that balance is not easy.

Rae continues to be amazing, love her so much! She is not perfect, but when it comes to standing up for what's right and protecting those who need it, she is fierce! Such a clever young lady. She's the sort of character I wish I could meet, definitely inspirational.

All the characters were great, really. I loved the sprinkling of romance. Even though in book one I was hoping for something else initially, I was 100% won over.

The only disappointment was (slightly spoilery) that we didn't have a lot of interaction with Genno and the Cormorant, but I'm hopeful that there will be more books in the Dauntless Path universe and I'm definitely reading them!

Khanani reigns supreme on my insta-buy author list.

This book was everything I had hoped for and more. My emotions are all over the place because I'm not ready to bid the characters farewell. The plot direction and character dynamics DELIVERED. All my favourite tropes alongside skillfully woven themes of justice and bravery, coupled with magic, clean romance, high stakes, and overall exceptional writing, made this a thrilling and unforgettable conclusion to The Dauntless Path series, which I wouldn't hesitate recommending over and over again.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'm super excited to get my hands on the physical version whenever it reaches my side of the globe.