This book had all the right ingredients: cursed magic, fantasy island, love triangle. But what happened? Unfortunately the plotline was just mismanaged and lucia was just such a weak protagonist and the worldbuilding was not fully fleshed out. This needed more time, effective pacing to understand not only was going with the island but also why the reader should care about lucia's love life. It just didn't work for me.

This is a gripping read that kept me turning the pages, eager to see what would happen next. The plot’s twists and suspenseful moments drew me in, making it hard to put the book down. However, while the story itself was compelling, I often found it difficult to connect with the characters on a deeper level, as their motivations sometimes felt unclear to me personally. But despite that, the book still delivered an enjoyable and engaging experience—definitely a solid 4-star read. I am going to keep this author on my radar, because I would love to check out whatever they write next!

A girl visits an enchanted island in order to pay her debts and make her dreams come true...but the magic is cursed and she's in over her head and stuck in a love triangle as well. Lucia lives in debt and has been selling her magic charms illegally to just get by. She dreams about making it to the enchanted island of Estralla and making her wishes come true... and the only way she can even get there is as a tour guide. When she cons her way into becoming one while nursing a heartache from the boy who has been trying to sabotage her ever attempt, she soon finds herself with a mysterious girl who is as enchanting as she is secretive. Torn between a past lover who broke her heart and a new one who could break it again, Lucia has her work cut out for her as she discovers that the magical island she thought would make all her dreams come true has deadlier and darker magic. This book sounded so promising but it kind of just missed the mark with me. I found myself getting bored throughout it and honestly the love triangle aspect just wasn't hitting the way I was hoping it would, there is a clear love interest. The story ends in a way that has potential for a sequel but its one I won't be reading. The magic system was just kind of bland unfortunately. While this one was a miss for me, if you want a love triangle journey, I'd say give this one a go, maybe you'll have a better time with it than I did,

Release Date: October 1,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books | Bloomsbury YA for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

All too pretty, creepy horror island is such an excellent setting and Luken utilized this so well. I loved how the magic system of the island shaped the islands culture and also the culture of the surrounding lands who can only glimpse the magic through a single port or the fabulous vacations taken by the most powerful and wealthy patrons. This culture sets up the mystery and glamour as well as leaving space for the dark underbelly of such a world. This world in turn sets up the impossible heist our heroine must now pull off as well as throw so many complications her way. Lucia is wonderfully written and I enjoyed seeing how she navigates the obstacles of both the island and the other characters. I thought the romance was cute and it added some lighter moments to the high stakes at hand while also adding intrigue. Overall this story really drew me in and was a great read!

Unique and interesting world building! Great characters with well-built romantic tension. I found the plot a little hard to follow at times, but the vibes were perfect.

DNF, unfortunately I just wasn’t able to get invested in this book. I do think it’s a me thing and that others should still give this one a shot.

DNF. I just can’t get into this one. I’ve spent the week trying, and I’m just not very interested in anything that’s going on, so I’d rather dnf than spend more time reading a book I’m not enjoying.

Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury YA for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“This Dark Paradise: by Erin Luken is a captivating YA fantasy debut that invites readers into the enchanted yet perilous world of Estaralla. Lucia Arduini, living in the bleak tenements, dreams of the mystical island where fountains reveal deepest desires, feasts appear magically, and caverns allow whispers with the dead. But Lucia's journey to Estaralla is driven by desperation, not wonder. She must steal the source of the island's magic within five days to save her brother from a dangerous gang. As she navigates the island, Lucia finds herself caught between a boy who once broke her heart and a girl harboring a dark secret, discovering that Estaralla's enchantments hide deadly truths.

The story is set in an alternate fantasy world that feels distinctly inspired by Italy, lending it a rich cultural texture that enhances the story. The world-building is both simple and well-developed, particularly in its depiction of the illusionists and their unique magic system, although the complexity of the magic can be somewhat confusing once the story moves to the island. I just couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to trust the Vessels once they were described, though the imagery was well-done and vivid. I liked the give-and-take aspect of the magic as the consequences showed the true flaws of the magic system in the book.

Lucia Arduini is a compelling protagonist, driven by a sense of urgency and familial loyalty that makes her relatable and sympathetic. She never loses sight of her goal in saving her brother throughout the entire book. Her mission to steal the source of Estaralla’s magic keeps you engaged as Lucia navigates the island's many dangers. The plot itself is well-conceived, though some aspects, like getting on the boat, seem a bit too easy, contributing to the fast-paced nature of the plot. The description of the book made me think this would be more of a heist centered story, but the main focus is on uncovering the secrets of the island.

The book features a bisexual love triangle involving Lucia, a boy who once broke her heart, and a girl with a dark secret. There is an element of insta-love with Calista, which I did not really enjoy, especially since Lucia only got to become closer to Calista in just a few days and Calista was keeping secrets basically the entire time they knew each other. The resolution of the love triangle is clear and decisive, and it was made obvious who the victor would be in the love triangle.

Representation in “This Dark Paradise” is commendable, with bisexual and aromantic characters included. While the aromantic representation is implied rather than explicitly stated, it adds a layer of diversity to the cast. The book’s exploration of these identities is integrated naturally into the story, though I wanted more focus on the mystery rather than the romance in regards to the plot. The romantic pieces slowed down the pace a bit, and I just wasn’t as invested in those elements as I was in the mysteries of the island. The plot is filled with unexpected twists, particularly towards the end, and I enjoyed learning more about the island and the magic system. The fast pace of the story ensures that there is never a dull moment, though some problems faced by the characters could have been resolved more easily with better communication. Despite this, the ending wraps up the story nicely, providing a satisfying conclusion to Lucia’s journey.

Overall, “This Dark Paradise” by Erin Luken is a must-read for fans of YA fantasy. Its unique blend of magic, heist, and romance, set against the backdrop of an enchanting yet dangerous island, makes for a thrilling and immersive read. The well-developed world, compelling characters, and representation of diverse identities add depth to the story, making it a standout debut. I definitely can’t wait to read more from Luken.