this will be the only time you ever hear me say this book should have been a series. too much was packed into one book. the premise and the characters were great, but it would be even better if there was more than one book. everything felt rushed, especially the romance. the way the cliffhanger would have devoured if the book ended at the 50% mark?!?!?! oh i will never get over what could have been if this book was longer.

“Unlock the Dark” by Sasa Hawk is a unique, intriguing fantasy that leaves me excited to see what this author will do next, This book has a unique magic system, and complex character development. The love Elia has for her siblings is a driving part of her character and impacts a lot of the decisions she makes. The plot is developed nicely, and I like the ending. I’m very glad I read this book, and would definitely recommend it, especially those who like fantasy.

This book was a good read. The magic system was cool, although I wish we learned more about it. The characters were good, and I wanted to know what would happen next. Where I think the book suffered was needing to be longer. There were just many things going on, and I feel like it could have been a duology. Everything felt a little rushed, and we didn’t get enough on-screen characters planning for their adventures. And, the romance also felt very rushed. It was instalove, which sucks because they were both excellent characters. If it had been a duology, there would have been enough time for the romance to develop, and for me to really care about the relationship.

So, while I enjoyed the magic system and the storyline, I think this book would have benefited so much from being split up into two books. And, I would definitely be willing to try more books by this author, because while this is a really big problem, it’s something that will likely be fixed in future works.

And, if you don't mind instalove, this book has an awesome magic system, cool characters, and a fun story, so you might want to check it out!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins Children's Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

If you’re in the mood for a story that will transport you to a whimsical, magical world, Unlock the Dark by Sasa Hawk is exactly what you need! Fans of Stephanie Garber’s Once Upon a Broken Heart series will absolutely love this one. The atmosphere is enchanting, the stakes are high, and the world-building is utterly captivating.

The story follows Elia, a Conjurista with a unique ability: she can conjure keys for any lock. As the oldest of four siblings, Elia has had to take on a lot of responsibility, managing her family’s travel shop after her mother’s death and her father’s illness. Things take a turn when a mysterious boy enters her life and asks her to create a key to open a door to a place she vowed never to visit again—the floating islands of Serratura.

The plot was so thrilling, with twists and turns I didn’t see coming! What’s even more amazing is that this is a standalone novel—yes, you get a complete, magical journey in just one book. It’s so rare to find a fully realized world wrapped up in a single volume, and Hawk does it beautifully. Of course, I’d happily read more stories set in this universe, but I was so satisfied with this one that I don’t feel like I’m missing anything.

If you decide to dive in, I highly recommend going in blind. The surprises and revelations are part of what makes the story so mesmerizing. Unlock the Dark is one of those books that stays with you long after you turn the last page—it’s a tale that truly leaves its mark.

my biggest problem is that there wasn't more. i wanted more of all the characters and more depth to the story, and i missed that. 3.5 stars, though. rounding up. tysm for the arc.

This was a magnificent debut YA Fantasy novel! I thought the plot was so intriguing and unique. The world building was really interesting, and I would love more tales set in that world. Elia was a great main character, and I loved getting to see her grow throughout the book. Overall, I would definitely recommend reading this novel! I can't wait to read what Sasa Hawk writes next!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

The pacing of this book was very off to me. She spends so much time just hanging out in a cottage doing nothing to reverse him as a monster. Besides for pacing issues, I liked the magical abilities in this book, it felt unique. I'd recommend if you like the Cursebreakers series.

Thank you to the Publisher, Author and Netgalley for providing me with a E-ARC of "Unlock the Dark" in exchange for an honest review *

This was so good!

Unlock the Dark by Sasa Hawk is an incredibly impressive debut. This book has me so eager to see what fantastical stories the author will weave next.

It’s supported by a marvelously developed magic system, a world-building that feels impressive and intricate, a high-risk plot that will have your pulse racing, and a very relatable protagonist who faces both vulnerabilities and strengths.

Upon entering this story, I felt immediately intrigued. The magic system is at the heart of this journey and I latched on to every facet of it. It felt like a truly original look into magic. The world-building that encompasses it all is intricate and complex, without ever feeling heavy-handed. I didn’t struggle at all in engaging with the world and its magic.

I also really enjoyed Elia as a protagonist. She too was a breath of fresh air. She is no warrior, but she is strong in heart. Her family is that heart and she will do whatever it takes to keep them safe. So she does. Even if at the cost of her own safety. For as loving and loyal Elia is, we see her past is riddled with a grave mistake. She is a character with flaws and whose actions result in warranted consequences. I very much appreciated seeing a heroine set forth like this, one who is vulnerable as we are, and one willing to own up to that vulnerability and still place on foot in front of the other. We need more heroines like Elia. Whose strength doesn't reside in brawn, but in heart.

The pacing in the second half of the book is where I stumbled. There’s so much happening and I never felt I could quite breathe. A duology would have been perfect— especially to really hit home the romance between Elia and Trys. I never felt convinced by their romance, even though I appreciated their chemistry. There wasn’t enough on page romancing to have the ending feel properly earned.

Nevertheless, the writing in this story showcases Hawk’s prowess. It makes me eager to stand in line and buy this book and all future works by her. I want more from her, for this book demonstrates her shining talent.

If you enjoy unique magic systems, an accessible yet intricate world-building, and a sweet romance, be sure to pick up Unlock the Dark.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for this complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

Hello!? This was immediately so fun, gripping, and such a blast to read. I couldn't believe how immediately engaging I found the world and characters. Absolutely fantastic, from start to finish!

There are few if any books I have recently read that are as fun to read as this one! From start to finish I was thoroughly engaged and absolutely loved every aspect of the novel. From the characters to the storyline to the romance, I cannot wait to read this book time and time again.

As a quick premise, this book centers on Elia who is doing all she can to provide for her family after the death of her mother and ongoing death of her father. Beyond the role of a regular older sister, Elia is using her magical ability to conjur keys that can unlock anything (literally ANYTHING!) until a mysterious man enters her shop requesting that she unlock a portal to the one place she refuses to return.

First off, I love how this book handled the oldest sister stepping into the role of a parent. Elia was able to perfectly balance becoming a mother figure as well as remaining a sister to her siblings. Often times in books this balance gets lost in an unintentional way, so I very much enjoyed reading a fantastic execution of this concept. Furthermore, I have NEVER heard of a magical ability that is anything similar to this one-and that was so interesting to explore. In fact, this entire magic/god system was novel to me. I can't tell you enough how much I enjoyed exploring this world and how excited I am to dive back in when I do a reread!

Now, getting to the part I just know you're all waiting for: Trys. I absolutely ADORE Trys. From the moment he stepped into the story to the last page, I was absolutely in love with this character. He was the kind of man I want in my YA fantasies. He also had such an interesting magical ability, I won't go into detail, but let's just say I think if I could choose any magic I would choose his! He was also just so caring and hardworking. Sometimes it's hard to remember that genuinely good guys exist in books. I at no point had to justify his toxic behaviors because there were none and I LOVED that!

The plot was so interesting! I can genuinely say I have never read a book like this one and very much hope that there are more books in this world. In fact, I would love a book about the past, another in the present, and one in the future. I honestly only had one fault with this book and that's that I wanted more! I feel as though so much happens that it could have been multiple books, but I was also happy to have a standalone novel that got through the whole story.

Overall I highly recommend checking out this book and am 100% positive that it will be one of the top books of 2025!

Unlock the Dark has an intriguing magic system and brilliant world building. The plot felt a bit fast at points, but I was gripped throughout the whole book. Completely devoured it in only a day!

Thank you to the publisher for sending a review copy

First and most important, I think this book should’ve been a duology. I wouldn’t say everything felt rushed but things could’ve definitely been developed more, I finished the book wanting more details on a lot of things

Second, I wanted more of Trys. To me he was one of the most interesting characters to follow so I REALLY missed him after that thing happened (not going to spoil it 🫵🏻). The fact that he didn’t show up for so long made a huge difference in the story for me

Third, the romance had so much potential but it got sidelined in several parts. Their romantic scenes were perfect but I can count on one hand how many there were, I also think they went from strangers to “I love you” waaaaaay too fast

I loved the setting, that part was definitely well developed and left me wanting to read more stories set in that world, also the magic system was different from anything I’ve read before and that alone earned it some bonus points

I truly wish the book had been longer or split into two parts bc the story has so much potential to fit into just 350ish pages. Despite everything, it’s still worth the read

4.5 stars. I loved this stand alone fantasy romance novel. I found the pacing to be perfect. It caught my interest from the very beginning and held it until the very end. I adored the characters and I hope the author decides to write more novels about Elia and her family. I would love a book focused on each of her siblings. I highly recommend this book to lovers of YA fantasy, witches, or monsters.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review which is not affiliated with any brand.

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

Devoured this book, there's something about a main character that strikes me when they have everything to lose and have made mistakes. There are always consequences, but there are improvements that can be done. The effect is still there but that does not mean you have to just let it happen. Elia and Trys are a dynamic duo, giving the "you are my other half". A naive scholarly prince that believes in the best of the world, and a girl who will do anything to keep her family safe. I love all the side characters, their cranky witch-almost grandmother Rinna-Grivya, her best friend Maisie, and the Nameless Queen.

The world-building atmosphere of the book was fantastic. It was a unique and interesting story plot. The story starts strong, pulling readers into Elia’s desperate situation and the heart-wrenching choices she must make to save her family. However, as the narrative progresses, the pacing falters. Elia and Trys lack chemistry. Their growing attraction feels forced and underdeveloped. Trys is mainly one-dimensional, making it difficult to invest in their relationship. The story tries to juggle too much, maybe the book could be a duology instead of one stand-alone. This leaves the reader feeling that the story is overstuffed and underexplored, with too many competing threads for a single book. It has all the ingredients for a captivating fantasy with distinctive magic. The book is an immersive and emotionally engaging experience and think it was worth the read.

I received an ARC ebook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins.

This was a good, solid debut! I was hooked from the beginning but began losing interest towards the middle-end. I wasn't a big fan of the pacing and the plot was confusing at times, but I thought the characters were great; definitely the strongest point of this book. Would read from this author again, but this definitely isn't my favorite book of the year.

Thank you NetGalley for this ebook ARC!

Characters: The set up at the beginning of the book with our main MFC was beautiful. You care about her and her family's desperate situation. Motive and the way the family’s predicaments unfold were not rushed and felt grounded.
BUT as the story develops none of the character’s flaws are worked on over the course of the book and it is a standalone. All the external problems are solved creatively but the depth that you feel at the beginning of the book, or any internal character growth, doesn’t carry through.

World Building: Oh the world building! It was magical. There were bakeries, locksmith, weaving, healing, all sorts of magical powers in the kingdom that were fascinating and so were the glimpses of the politics that we got to see.
The first chapter puts you right into our MFC’s powers and how fun they are. And then a neighboring kingdom is introduced that is also beautifully descriptive with unique problems happening, and it was truly a wonderful ride.
BUT
Halfway through, all that beautiful world building in both kingdoms gets left behind for a desolate battlefield the rest of the book and I felt like all the magical build up was left wanting in the last half of the book.

Writing: The writing was easy to read and enjoyable, all through the POV of our MFC.

Romance: Again, at the beginning of the book there was good chemistry, interesting encounters and problems, a marriage of convenience and even some good bantery moments.
All that was left behind.
Especially for it being a standalone, the couple did not have enough time together for the relationship to feel believable, so when halfway through the book our love interests are basically separated for the rest of it, the magic fizzled out and it was hard to be invested in their relationship like you were in the beginning.

Ending: Since this is a standalone, the ending was a solid HEA but like I said, I wish their relationship would have had a little more substance for me to feel completely satisfied with the ending.

Overall: 3 out of 5 stars for me. I’m glad I read it and really did love the first 50% of it. I guess I just had different expectations for how the story would go based on the set up and had wished the magic and the relationship would have continued as strong to the end. I’m glad I read it and I think it was a fun YA read.

This started out as a 5 star read. It really hooked me from the very first page, and the concept was so promising. However, it fell flat by the end. The world is AMAZING, so unique and magical. I loved the vibes and the whimsy atmosphere. The magic system was really cool and I wanted to see more of it. The main character has the ability to conjure keys to unlock anything, including doors to other worlds. Trys was a good love interest. Great? No, but good. We didn’t see enough of him for him to be great. Which is what made the romance not very believable for me. The humor and chemistry was there until about halfway through the book where they split up and the plot really takes a plummet and drags for way too long. I still think this will be a great read for others, it just didn’t reach its potential for me.

This is a standalone YA fantasy novel that should appeal to younger YA readers. Aspects of the book feel young, but there are dark themes (death) and violence, and the main characters are technically adults.

The pacing is brisk. There’s a romance between a scholarly prince and a more pragmatic girl with an interesting form of magic; both are similarly naïve, although they have good intentions. This is a case of instalove; the two have very few interactions before they’re ready to commit to the rest of their lives together.

The ending is quite bittersweet. You want to call the characters foolish for some of their decisions, but they are forced to carry the weight of the consequences.