Fantasy, mysteries, a beautiful prince, oh my!
Can I please have another story by Sara Knightly? She knows exactly what she's doing, and she is damn good at it too!

Another beautiful book! Really enthralled me! It’s another book to be adding to re reads next year I loved it so much!

The story is well-paced and gets wonderfully intriguing as it progresses. The characters are brilliantly written, as well.

At the end of the last book, I was very curious as to how this next book would go with Ivy, and her move into the castle as she takes on her new job, and a new life.

Ivy spends time in this book learning more about the castle and it's secrets, as well as more about her father and what happened to him through clues he left behind for her. During this time, she also discovers that her friend is also in the castle and is being experimented on and she decides that she must conduct a rescue mission.

The pacing of the story line of this book was great, and it often did not drag or have too much happening all at once to where you could get overwhelmed. I did not find myself getting bored, and instead I was able to read this book in one sitting.

Also, I'm not usually a fan of slow burn romances, but this was just so well done. The tension and the build up was just the perfect amount. I LOVE the fact that we even got some written from the Count's POV to show the other side of things and his way of thinking.

I am very excited for the next book after the way that this one left off!

Very enjoyable and easy to read for lovers of fantasy and suspense! Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this! I truly appreciate it! :)

Castle Ever Dark by Sara Knightly is the second installment of a mesmerising Teen and YA Fantasy series, The Everlight Series. It's a fascinating dark adventure, even more artfully crafted than the first book, with an eerie atmosphere and ongoing revelations that kept me enthralled throughout.

The Count’s Forbidden Castle, pulsing with mystery and dark secrets, becomes Ivy’s new ‘home’ from now on. She’s left with no other choice but to live and work among its ‘ghosts’ and dilapidated walls. Who’s the enemy, and who’s her friend? She quickly learns the hard way that no one is to be trusted if she wants to survive long enough to uncover the truth about her parents and save those cruelly used by the Count as tools to achieve his evil goals.

Amidst this treacherous environment, Ivy discovers forbidden love and passion—an illicit flame that burns brighter than the castle’s torches. Her heart races when they meet and their stolen glances and touches promise both danger and desire. But love isn’t the only surprise awaiting her. When she least expects it, she finds her most precious ally—an unexpected confidante who holds the key to unraveling the castle’s darkest secrets.

As revelations cascade like dominoes and ground-breaking twists reshape reality, readers hurtle toward an unforeseen ending desperate for Book 3. The talented author paints the incomparably beautiful canvas of the dark castle with distinct strokes, introducing intriguing, fully fleshed-out characters and gradually revealing intricately hidden facets of her magical world.

What made me fall harder for this book was Ivy's perfectly weaved transformation into a strong, unyielding woman - one who risks everything to expose the truth, protect the vulnerable, and perhaps even rewrite her own destiny. I can't praise this series enough. I wholeheartedly recommend it and extend my sincere thanks to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read the eARC.

While the first book was refreshing, things got way darker in the second book.

I think the author did a really well job writing this book. The characters are added to the book really smoothly and the atmosphere was perfect, keeping me on my toes. You really feel like a part of the castle, not knowing who can be trust, not being sure what's going on, but the ominous feeling is super strong and it makes your heart beat really fast.

I loved that many questions from the first book were answered and finally we know about the secret Ivy's father left for her to decipher. I was a bit shocked how much it really took her (maybe because in my native language ivy is translated to something really close to hedera), but it think it actually highlight how awful she was as an herbalist. However, I have so many new questions, and I can't wait to read the next book.

In conclusion, I feel like this volume was better than the first one, with complex characters that really added to the story, a good pacing (at least for me), a cute love story and a lot of magic.

The second book was even better than the first. Starting off right where the first left off, Ivy has to learn to navigate her new circumstances while also determining who she can trust in the castle. Along the way, she works to decipher her father's clues, forges new relationships, and discovers more about the world she lives in.

The character development here was wonderful. So much of this story depends on the characters as well as the plot that it was great to see how each one had their own personality and motivation. Even though many questions from the first book have been answered, there are plenty more to explore in the next book.

Thank You Netgalley, Portal Publishing, and Sara Knightly for the advanced copy Publication date 6/6/2024. I did purchase the audio to tandem read. I enjoyed it on the first book and is narrated by Kim Churchill. I know I am not the intended audience for this series but I love it. Everything is so different and I have never read a story like this. In the second book we are following Rune through the castle as she tries to learn the secrets and what is going on. By the end we know. The ending does leave a big wide open door for another book in the series so it doesn't seem completely finished. Will await the next book patiently.

This was a high anticipated book for me! I have been thinking about Ivy and wondering what would happen next in her journey. The first book ended with me wanting more and this book delivered! I couldn't put it down. All of the secrets and mystery held my attention until the end. I needed to know what was happening in the castle and what role each character played. I am happy to say that most of my questions were answered, and I am excited and anxiously waiting for the third book!

This book was just as lush and fantastical as I could have hoped. The different backdrops and scenes were painted so vividly and beautifully. The authors writing is stunning yet realistic. I really loved that I could feel I was in every scene of this book.

What a great book! It ended on a soft cliffhanger, allowing for more to the story, but still wrapped up nicely. I enjoyed the characters and their back stories and especially enjoyed some surprise changes in some of them. The main character showed excellent growth as she learned more about herself and what was happening. A very enjoyable read that I highly recommend!

Incredible tale of magic and otherworldly abilities, a man’s obsession, another’s madness and cruelty masking as science and the people they manipulate, experiment on, torture and the final escape. Gripping and hard to put down! Can’t help but hope the Count will find happiness and redemption in the next book of magical adventure!

The secrets have bloomed . . . beware of the thorns.
I devoured this captivating sequel in one sitting, utterly enthralled by the continuation of Ivy and York’s journey! The story masterfully weaves together themes of friendship, trust, and the unknown, with a dash of mystery and magic that will keep you spellbound.

I found myself deeply invested in Ivy's struggles, as her fears and anxieties were portrayed with remarkable realism. I'm now eagerly awaiting book three!

If you're a fan of YA fantasy, do yourself a favor and add this series to your reading list - you won't regret it!"


I requested and received an advance readers copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I was lucky enough to receive an eARC for both Secrets Ever Green and now Castle Ever Dark.
I remember adoring Ivy and York and being so intrigued into their story. I was so curious to see where their story was going. In the second installment, we see just that. There’s a lot of mystery surrounding this new castle and the people in it.
Overall I enjoyed it. I felt like the ending was rushed, but that could have been a decision made to feel like you were a character rushing at the end too.
Spoilers ahead



I wish Ivy had gotten to play with her powers more before the whole escape. I wish that had been discussed more and wasn’t mixed in with all that was happening towards the end.

SO. DANG. GOOD.

I really liked Secrets Ever Green, and yet somehow this managed to be ten times better! It really closed a lot of gaps from the first book, but still leaves me desperate to know what happens next.

I really enjoyed getting to know Ivy more and uncovering the secrets of the castle. I also loved getting to dive deeper with all of the other characters in Castle Ever Dark - from Jack to Ember... even Anna! And the slow burn/ will-they-won't-they/ little bit forbidden romance does not disappoint. :)

I absolutely sped through this book in a day, so now I'm doomed to semi-patiently wait for Forest Ever White. But I freaking LOVE an author that treats me to the first chapter of the next book each time. ;) Overall - a series that I'll be recommending to all who will listen!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I’ve been waiting for this sequel and it came through! The questions to my answers and some of the mystery! I find this series so fascinating and love the complexity! Can’t wait for number 3!!!

Thank you Portal Publishing and NetGalley for sending me an advanced copy of A Castle Ever Dark! I think I loved this one even more than the first!
In the Count's castle, Ivy Rune doesn't know who she can or should trust. While working with Dr. Ply on his research, she is pushed to learn more about the castle she now resides in and dig deeper to find the truth she is trying to uncover.
I loved how this world unfolded, how attached to each character I became! Twist and turns unfolding, only to reveal another astonishing secret.
I am so eager to continue this series, it has become a world I think of nearly daily. I simply cannot get the characters out of my head!

This was an incredible follow up to the first book that I LOVED! The twists and turns and surprises had me on the edge of my seat. I’m very excited for the next book!

ARC Book Review!

Castle ever dark : the everlight series
by Sara knightly

4.5/ 5 ⭐️
1.5/ 5 🔥


This second installment of the everlight series is an ARC I received from netgalley ( release date : June 6,2024). Ivys integration into the castle sparks even more curiosity about what is the happening behind closed doors and the people involved. It feels like following a rabbit down a hole, never knowing when the next turn will be. There's a couple major twists that are shocking and sudden! The slow burn is delectable.

I was a little disappointed it took Ivy as long as it did to crack her fathers code. However, that was so minor in the grande scheme of this journey. I love Saras writing style and this series. I can't wait for Forest ever white!

This book is for you if you like:

Alice in wonderland vibes
Mystery
YA fantasy
Slow burn


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