I have to admit, my expectations for this book were pretty low, but it definitely exceeded them. The plotline isn't too bad, I'd like a little more clarification about the academy vs adair - they don't seem to be that different in powers so what's the criteria for the selection/killing? And it also irked me that you'd think they would probably know about the second resistance if they were that big. I was a bit confused at first because the first chapter seemed like Brok was the love interest but it worked out. I hate Nyx, I know I"m supposed to but I really do, so good writing on that character. The cast were a bit all over the place, I think I could have done without the demon/faeries being added in as well as two resistance groups, raiders, adair - there were just so many players going on at the end there's too many factions to figure out. I'm still confused why everyone feels the Academy couldn't work. It seems it would have worked if it wasnt for Adair and his power-hungry ways. I'll probably read the next book as I'd like to know what's going to happen.

Black dawn is a YA fantasy novel set in another world with magic, evils kings, and rebels trying to fight for a better...something. The trouble with Black Crown is that it doesn't have much in the way of detail. We meet Emory who was supposedly stashed on Earth for a number of years but we aren't sure why. Her family were the original rulers or leaders of something called "The Academy" that you never really learn enough about to understand. When they are betrayed and killed she asks her two childhood friends to help her leave their world. For some reason the two friends, Brokk and Memphis, take her memories and let everyone in their home world think she has died and again you aren't sure why. The story starts with them deciding they need to tell everyone they have received them and bring her back. This whole situation is not well explained or explored to help us understand why this needs to happen suddenly after many years. Then there is Emory who supposedly.remembers nothing but adapts very well to what she could have interpreted as a kidnapping. She decides, rather quickly and with little reason to, that she will help the rebels and show them she isn't weak or cowardly. The romance in the story was rushed and felt hollow and there was a love triangle element that was introfuced and then quickly ignored much like the third person in that triangle. Then, these people who have supposedly worked and lived together for many years suddenly doubt each other for everything and turn on one another for what seems like nothing. All of these things could be dealt with by simply flushing out the story. I left this book not being connected to or invested in any of the characters or what happens to them. Maybe this book would be better suited for a less mature reader. It has promise but lacks the depth of a book I would want to read more of.

I loved this book! We first meet with Emory Fae, a young girl, leading a normal life on earth until two soldiers appear at her apartment and whisk her away to Kiero where it turns out she is the heir to the throne, and is dragged straight into the Black Dawn rebellion, and a plot to overthrow the king.

This is a big page turner - the plot twists and turns, love, hate, betrayal- it has it all and you never know what's coming next. Who is really telling the truth? Are the rebels doing what is right for Emory and Kiero? Who knows?!

This is the first book in the series, and I for one can't wait for the next instalment - what a cliffhanger!!!

I enjoyed this book, I liked the idea of being dropped straight into a war and not giving us any sort of warning. Emory seems to take things in her stride, although not sure 'Fae' was the best choice of a last name given the constant use of it with fantasy writers. I was slightly confused by the character of Brokk, as we were led to believe he was her 'dark romance', yet nothing really happened there at all. She also felt attracted to a man who seemed to be sort of a too obvious choice, and didn't really seem to have anything interesting about him. That being said, I liked the backstory and the world setting, and I would have loved to get to know the younger girl she became friends with more, as I think they could have had the friendship that she seems to need. I don't really feel like I know Emory, and that was great for the first half as she didn't really know herself, but by the end there was nothing about her that peaked my interest enough to read the next book. I loved her power, but again it wasn't really spelled out what the abilities actually did.. everything was a bit 'and suddenly the world lit up', which I get that the author is trying to 'show not tell' but I'd like to know if fire is coming out of her hands or arms or whatever.

Overall I give it 3 stars, okay to read, but not enticing enough to read the next one.

*Thank you to the author and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

2.5 stars

The storyline was nothing new or original, but it was a solid book. It did progress too fast for my liking, especially in the beginning when Emory finds out about her 'true purpose.' She accepted it very quickly - little things like that really bug me in books. Development, people! Also when characters have names like... Brokk....just no.

So yeah, it was alright. I'll look out for the sequel to see where the story goes, and to find out more about Adair!

publisher synopsis:

Emory Fae enjoys leading a quiet, normal life. That is until two mysterious, and handsome soldiers show up at her apartment, and the life she knew is instantly whisked away. Memphis Carter and Brokk Foster come from the magical and war ridden world of Kiero, and upon Emory's arrival she will discover she is the long lost heir to the Royal Line and is thrown into the Black Dawn Rebellion with a dynamic role to ignite the rebels and reclaim her throne.

With both men being darkly woven in her past Emory uncovers hidden secrets, a power held long dormant, and will soon realize there are worse things than supernatural humans, love, loss, betrayal, and a Mad King.

Some things are better left in the shadows.


I was really excited to read this book, but when I started it I found it was very hard to read. Very hard to get into. The author tried to add so much into this book it was really boged down.

I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

I loved that book very very much!
I am amazed at the writing of the author and I loved the action and the characters.
The first thing that got to me was the title and I immediately decided that I wanted this book ad that I wanted to read it ^^
I am not disappointed and I hope everybody else gets to enjoy it as much as I did.

I think the plot is good, but it lacked something, it felt to rushed and didn’t meet my expectations when I read the synopsis.

At first, I tought that book would be amazing, reading the first few pages, I had high expectations and I tought it had everything to be good...but I felt as if the author decided at some point to just add everything possible to make it full of fantasy ( witches, love triangle , différents powers, creatures...) and the story suddenly got very bad... and i completly lost all interest. As soon as they added the witches... the new twist... I tought "this is too much directions" I decided to quit... I am very dissapointed because i really wanted to like it... and it started so well

The premise in this book is interesting but it feels very rushed. Things is happening so fast, the relationships because of this is suffering - it doesn't feel believable and it's rushed. Mallory as a MC is good enough, but I feel like she has been stripped of personality. I know there has been lots of talking about you don't need to feel connected to the MC, but it does become a problem for me when I don't feel engaged in the history or with the MC. To be honest, this could all have been fixed with a longer book and/or more books.

I like the cover artwork and the blurb makes the book sound really good. Fast paced but starts off a little confusing thanks to the prologue. Nothing is black and white, everyone has a game plan or an ulterior motive. The story does feel a bit rushed given its only 180 pages and there’s a lot to fit in. I think they all got what they deserved. I feel sorry for the rebellion being under Memphis’s leadership and a little bit for Nyx.

McCartney’s Black Dawn tells the story of the fall of Kiero’s Academy. On a world where magick manifests as special abilities (much like mutant powers in X-Men), the elite institution was created by the King and Queen to be a place where the best could hone their skills to better aid society. But soon enough, a student turned rogue. He destroyed the Academy, slaughtered the ruling family, and usurped the throne.

The Academy lives on, fighting guerilla battles. And the last of the ruling line still lives, secreted away through the magic of time and space. Now is the time for her return.

Six years ago, Emory Fae was sent from Kiero to Earth, her memory wiped. Her return from the dead is a shock to everyone save the two who sent her away to begin with, and not everyone is happy she's back. They feel she should have been with them the entire time, and Emory will have to work hard to gain their trust. As she trains, honing her unique leech skills, she begins to formulate a plan of her own to take down Adair. The question is, can she do it before betrayals, and secret histories threaten to undo all that Emory, and the Academy itself has worked to build?

I had a bit of trouble getting into the beginning of the story, but it soon captured my attention, and I ended up getting lost in it when I was supposed to be going to bed! I liked that the chapters moved from character to character, so you got a bit more of the puzzle, things that some characters haven't learned yet, but are needed for the story flow. I loved that the magicks were unique, and, while Brokk shifted to a wolf, he wasn't a 'werewolf’. Wolves as shapeshift animals have become a trope in my eyes, and is usually a big turn off for me. The feel here, though, was that he could be something else if he wanted.

I enjoyed the twists and turns to the story, as we learn Brokk's parentage, and get less clouded glimpses into what Roque and Nei may have really intended with the Academy. I really want to know more about the Oilean too!

Another good proofing would be in order. The story itself is thoroughly enjoyable, and I am looking forward to the sequel. The cover is awesome, and was one of the things that intrigued me to reading it.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Clean Reads Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. (Previously read through Lola's Blog Tours)