Fated to the Dark

I received an advanced reader's copy of Fated to the Dark (A Shade Dimension Novel) by Haven Fox from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Haven Fox is a new-to-me author, but the summary interested me and I am glad that I had the opportunity to read Fated to the Dark. The premise is intriguing; there is action, world building, and romance. The pacing of this novel could be smoothed out so the flow is better and less disjointed, but it is engrossing.

Looking forward to the next novel.

Ugh there is so much potential from this author!

Great debut novel with an extremely interesting premise and execution! The multiple povs which I worried about were great to read about and I found myself connecting with the characters in different ways. The romance, the sprinkles of spice, everything about it was extremely well done.

The pacing of the book was my only issue and why I had to rate it one star lower however overall this was a greatly entertaining read for me, and after that cliff hanger I cannot wait to read the next book!

A Refreshing Blend of Fantasy and Sci-Fi - Fated to the Dark by Haven Fox

Fated to the Dark, by Haven Fox, offers a refreshing and unique reading experience that combines elements that give fantasy vibes, sci-fi, and a future Earth setting. This genre blend adds an exciting and dynamic layer to the story, making it stand out from other novels in the genre.

Eva and her no-nonsense, straight-shooting demeanor add depth and relatability to her character. As she navigates life in a world where aliens have made contact, Eva's curiosity about a mysterious character she encounters. This intriguing element adds a touch of mystery and suspense, compelling readers to uncover the secrets surrounding Eva's connection to this enigmatic figure.

Callan, the character searching for his "fated" and bearing strong Fae king vibes, brings a sense of grandeur and purpose to the story. His determination/he "had nothing better to do while he looked for his fated" to protect Earth's fragile population from traffickers showcases his special skills and adds an element of action and danger to the plot.

Overall, Fated to the Dark is an enjoyable and engaging novel that successfully blends fantasy, sci-fi, and future Earth elements. The well-developed characters, intricate world-building, and intriguing plot make it a worthwhile read for fans of genre-bending stories. Haven Fox's ability to weave together different elements and create a captivating narrative sets this book apart, leaving readers eager for the next installment in the Shade Dimension series.

Fast paced somewhat dystopian adventure in a creative and well fleshed out new reality- yes we are only a speck in the universe, and a clueless one that ruined Earth. The aliens are all more advanced and smarter - and are trafficking humans. Conspiracy, betrayal, kidnapping - but also loyalty, friendship, and finding the fated mate, which adds a bit of spice. Spoiler, ends on a cliff ...

3.5*

Worldbuilding:
We all know we're not alone in the universe (I mean... come on), so having first contact happen shouldn't surprise us. However, it might be a surprise that they've come to help us evacuate our dying planet. Unfortunately, there are also aliens with more... corrupt and moneymaking agendas finding their way to Earth. Queue the Hunter and his band to find them and get rid of them... well, amongst other things, as his Fated could well be an Earthling herself...
Scenes and environments were well described, going into detail when needed and leaving your mind to fill in the blanks when not. I enjoyed that; it made for really smooth reading!

Character development:
Our main female character in this installment is Eva. She and her best friend Daisy work and eventually own a bakery when the aliens arrive. It is hard work, but they make ends meet... barely.
She's a smart cookie (har har) with her heart in the right place.
Callan, King of the Shade Dimension but better known as The Hunter by the people on the intergalactic council, is trying to find his Fated. When a mission to Earth pops up, he decides to go in the hope of finding her there. Callan has a lot of power, and I don't think we have seen all of it yet in this installment. He is kind to those close to him and ruthless to the ones he hunts.
In my opinion, the characters were somewhat superficial. We don't know much about them, and even when Eva finds out she's Callan's Fated, she goes with the flow instead of freaking out even a little bit about being together with an alien. I would have liked to have a lot more depth to the characters.
That said, the characters are interesting, and I loved reading about them!

Pacing and flow:
A bit slow at the start, which is perfectly normal, as our characters get introduced, and the stage is being set. Once it gets going, you're sucked in, so beware ;)
Good balance between conversations and action.

The book:
The book was well written with only a small error here and there (but I'm going to guess those will be gone by the time the book goes live). There is sexual content described (if that is important to you).
The book is 422 pages, spread over 32 chapters, and is told from multiple points of view. It can get a bit confusing as it's not clear who you're following at that moment, and it jumps quite a lot. But once you get used to it, you go with it :)

Final thoughts:
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley, and all in all, it was a fun read. It felt like it could be much more in-depth, especially character-wise, but it was a fun and easy read. While it's listed as Fantasy on Goodreads, it should, of course, be Sci-fi.
I will be looking out for the next installment of the book. I love the "fated mates" trope :D

I really enjoyed this. I thought that it was a very good story line. And I can't wait for the next book to come out.
I just reviewed Fated to the Dark by Haven Fox. #FatedtotheDark #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Fated to the Dark by Haven Fox is a thrilling blend of romance, intergalactic politics, and unexpected twists that kept me engaged from start to finish. Set in a future Earth where aliens have made contact, the story follows Eva, a resilient woman just trying to make ends meet, and Callan, the enigmatic King of the Shade Dimension. When they cross paths, their lives take an unexpected turn as they face danger, unravel mysteries, and navigate the complexities of their undeniable connection.

The world-building in Fated to the Dark is impressive, seamlessly integrating futuristic elements and alien encounters with familiar Earth settings. The author's attention to detail allows readers to vividly envision the alien outpost in Portland and the intergalactic council's operations. I found myself immersed in this intriguing world, captivated by the blend of fantasy and sci-fi elements.

Eva and Callan are compelling protagonists with distinct personalities that complement each other. Eva's determination, strength, and no-nonsense attitude made her a relatable character, while Callan's royal charm and sense of duty added an air of mystery and grandeur. Their evolving relationship, though initially rushed, blossoms with chemistry and genuine emotion as they navigate the challenges they face together.

The plot of Fated to the Dark is fast-paced and action-packed, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout the story. The interplay between intergalactic politics, the pursuit of slavers, and the exploration of the fated mates trope added layers of excitement and suspense. While some perspectives felt unnecessary, the book still delivered an enjoyable and immersive reading experience.

Overall, Fated to the Dark is a captivating novel that seamlessly combines elements of romance, sci-fi, and interstellar adventure. Haven Fox's imaginative world-building, well-drawn characters, and engaging plot make this book a must-read for fans of genre-bending stories. I eagerly anticipate the next installment in the Shade Dimension series, eager to discover what new surprises and challenges await Eva and Callan.

I love this book!!! Eva and Callan are amazing together. Eva surprised you through out the entire book. Their relationship development is absolutely beautiful. The smut is pretty good too.

This was my first space romance and I was pleasantly surprised! Character development was good, sometimes the wording was a little strange and required a couple rereads, but overall I enjoyed it and am excited for the second one

This was a fantastic book. It does begin a bit slow, but there is a lot of worldbuilding that needs to happen for things to make sense. I was beyond excited to see the fated mates trope pop up in this. Sometimes when you get a book that has Fate in the title it's more of a general idea of fate and not the trope but the layers that it added to this story was perfect!

It took me a few chapters to get in to this. The initial world-building was hard to follow and I was getting characters mixed up. I took some time to get used to the writing style as the perspective often changes from paragraph to paragraph within the same scene, in third person. But, once I got my head around it I really enjoyed it. I loved the premise/plot and all the characters. <spoiler>I loved Callan and Eva’s connection and the intensity between them. I enjoyed the differences between the species that were highlighted. I loved Eva’s treatment of the people she met through Callan. How she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, but still respectful when she needed to be. I loved the markings and what they mean. Daisy and Eva’s friendship was so relatable; but, I really loved Eva and Birilius’ relationship with their emotions; it was such an instant connection between them and I love how they are there for each other after only knowing each other for 1 day.</spoiler> I was expecting it but i hated that there was a cliffhanger. I am definitely going to be reading the next one, I can’t wait to see where this series goes.

This book provided a delightful twist on both the aliens trope and the fated mate's trope. I found the main characters to be well-developed, and charming, and their chemistry was evident in how well they worked together. Eva's toughness was particularly appealing, although I did find it a bit surprising that such a strong female character didn't inquire more or express more apprehension about leaving her planet to become the queen of another realm. Nevertheless, their dynamic as a couple was enjoyable, and this concern was only a minor issue for me.

One aspect that I found somewhat disorienting was the rapid changes in perspectives throughout the book. There wasn't a clear indication beforehand that the perspective would shift, and at times, it led to confusion when the thoughts being conveyed didn't seem to align with the character's viewpoint. While I don't mind changes in perspectives, I wish there had been more noticeable cues before each shift, allowing me to better comprehend the unfolding events.

Overall, the book was enjoyable, offering a fresh take on familiar tropes. However, I'm not particularly compelled to continue reading the series at this time.

I received this book for free for an honest unbiased review from Netgalley.

I wish more books were this well written. Characters were witty and the setting fantastic.