Book: Dark Heart
Author:Donna Grant
Series: Elven Kingdoms, #2
Book Length: 378 Pages
Publisher: DL Grant, LLC
Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5 Saltire Flags

Dark Heart centers on the FMC Arya who is a dark elf spy. She learned this and trained from Dain who is another dark elf. Now Arya is missing and is discovered by an enemy, the MMC who is Jai who abducts her and plans on selling her to the Masters for vengeance and spite! This book centers on Zora which is the name of the planet filled with Elves, but evidently there are many different types of Elves in this world. Be prepared as there are so many twists and turns in this novel so hold on to your seat and be prepared for so many surprises.

This book is absolutely mind blowing! Again Donna Grant has developed these well developed characters you can't help but love. She is a literary genius as she put every trope in this book that romantasy readers absolutely love and more! Furthermore it shows there is a very thin wall between love and hate.You can also read this as a stand alone book-if you have not read Rising Sun the first book in the Elven Book series. This is another fast paced book with non stop action that will be connect to Donna’s Bastard Duology.

I noticed all her series are connected to her Dark Universe in her Elven Kingdoms, Skye Druids, Bastard Kings series. As you will revisit some characters and settings which is so much fun to revisit. I absolutely love that. This book has a bit of everything you can imagine just have a box of tissues nearly as it is definitely emotional and had me sobbing.

Disclaimer: I received an advance readers copy from the publisher. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair, review and blog through netgalley. All words, thoughts, ideas are my own.

The second book in the Elven Kingdoms series spends it's tale in a very carefully crafted yarn. Donna Grant really spends time developing the characters and the plot thoroughly in this book. The reader can enjoy watching each develop and unfold as the plot continues to thicken across the series. I would recommend reading the first book in the series but it isn't absolutely necessary. It just makes the plot twists and turns richer. Anya, our heroine goes missing, and she is captured by none other than Jai, the hero who is seeking revenge and plans to sell her to the Masters. Read this wonderfully written story full of mystery, intrigue, and captivating characters, and do not forget love! Can't wait to see what answers we will get in the next in the series book!

This story is a captivating blend of romance, mystery, and suspense, weaving together an irresistible mix of passion and intrigue. The characters are well-developed, their chemistry crackling with intensity, making every interaction feel electric. The plot moves at a steady pace, offering twists and turns that keep you hooked, though some moments lean toward the predictable. The atmospheric writing adds depth, immersing you in a world that feels both dark and enchanting. With a perfect balance of emotion and tension, this is a gripping read that keeps you engaged until the very end. A solid 4.25 stars intense, seductive, and perfect for fans of romantic suspense.

I expected to read more about Yasmine and Ravi, but I got to learn more about Dain and Arya and I loved every second of it.

The author managed to create a captivating story yet again, with lots of secrets, tension and romance. Elven Kingdoms is so far a very intriguing series, with its unique type of elves and many adventures and credible villains.

Personally, I enjoyed the first book a bit more, but this one is also a great book.

This new series by Donna Grant has been interesting. As an expert in Paranormal Romance, I love the worlds that Grant creates. Despite there only being two books out in the series so far, it’s clear that the worldbuilding continues to develop and improve.

I enjoyed the characters and writing style equally as the author does a great job with the narration. I have no doubt that this series will do as well as her other ones.

I never thought I would enjoy elven stories this much, but Grant has convinced me. This mystical series is unlike any other series out there, so if you’re looking for something different to try, this new series might be fun to try.

If you loved Rising Sun, then you’re in for a treat with Dark Heart! Donna Grant delivers another captivating fantasy romance full of magic, danger, and swoon-worthy moments. The worldbuilding is just as rich, and the characters continue to shine—especially the chemistry between the leads.

I loved diving back into the Elven Kingdoms, and this book did not disappoint. The action, the tension, and the romance kept me flipping pages, and Grant’s writing made it all feel effortless. While there were a couple of slower moments, the overall story was gripping, and I was fully invested in the characters’ journey.

I rate Dark Heart as a four out of five star read. Now, I just need the next book ASAP! If you're a fan of fantasy romance with strong characters and plenty of adventure, this series is a must-read.

***Thank you Donna Grant/DL Grant, LLC for gifting me an ARC in return for my honest review.***

Firstly thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with this Arc in return for an honest review.

Having read Rising Storm I had prior knowledge of the world which made it easier to head back into this second book of the series spin off. I've actually really come to enjoy reading the authors writing and find it well paced and descriptive.

I really enjoyed the focus on dark elves in this book- the plot focussing on the slavery/trafficking as well as the characters dealing with betrayal, secrets and lies. I enjoyed the characters for the most part - although Priya did grate on me a fair amount. Who doesn't love to hate a villain though. I also felt it might have been useful to include some flashback chapters in order to see the MCs relationship in its initial glory. This would have helped us to root a little more for their romance.

Without any spoilers- this book has action and drama in buckets, high stakes, fantastic world building and character development, enemies to lovers, twists you don't see coming at all and a cliffhanger which will make you desperate for the next installment. The overall theme is the struggle between good and evil.

Although it had a few minor issues I'd still be very excited to read the next book!

Big thanks to Donna Grant and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for a review.

This is the second in the series (and yes, this time I did make an effort to read the first one). This one maybe could be a stand alone, it's a sort of spin off on characters from the first book. They make an appearance but are not MC's at all.

The plot felt holy - as in... some of the characters were making things harder on them selves by not doing something they could easily do, to advance the plot.. You have magic that instantly transports you anywhere you want... but the entire story is set on a boat on the most dangerous river anyone could travel on.

I did enjoy the story, but it felt a rushed and not as intriguing as it could have been.

3 stars.

The kingdom of Elves, unfortunately, didn’t captivate me. Although the story of Arya and Jai is interesting, I feel it is overshadowed by the abundance of other plotlines, which pushes the romance into the background.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Themes/Genre: Fae, Elves, Dark Fae, Romantasy, Magic, Betrayal
Author: Donna Grant
Book Publication date: November 12, 2024
Page Count: 406
Book Cover first thoughts: Love the cover even more than Rising Sun

Story Review / Summary:
Just as in Rising Sun the Map and image depictions are the best I’ve seen in all fantasy books. 7 Races of Elves page was a good refresher I looked over. All appreciate this and I don’t know why it is not common especially with complex world building.

I felt like this story is missing a little of a backstory, I would like to have more of Arya’s backstory. This book seemed darker than Rising Sun especially between Priya and Jai storyline. I enjoyed the writing, characterizations of the story which has a little mystery, romance and even dark themes with plot twists.
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Thank you to #NetGalley and DL Grant LLC for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of #DarkHeart All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was November 12, 2024. This review is being shared on NetGalley and Goodreads

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

Wow, each book just keeps getting better and better!

This time Arya is featured as she pines for her lost love, Jai. Unfortunately, Jai is not dead like she thinks and is under the impression that she betrayed him. So, he is fine kidnapping her to turn her over for a bounty and doesn't care what happens to her.

There is so much drama and action in this book, as Jai finally has his eyes opened and learns the truth. Their road forward is not easy and very dangerous as they fight for their lives. Good thing that Arya has good friends to help her!

Can't wait for more with Dain and Reva. When are we going to find out what mysterious powers Reva has and why??!

A Captivating Read

I picked up Dark Heart by Donna Grant without having read the first book in the series, and while I felt a little lost at times, it didn’t detract too much from my enjoyment. The story draws you in with its richly imagined world and well-rounded characters, even if you’re jumping in midstream like I did.

One of the standout aspects of this book was the incredible cast of characters. Donna Grant has a way of making them feel dynamic and compelling, and I found myself deeply invested in their lives and relationships. It’s rare to find a book where every character feels this vibrant, and it’s one of the reasons I’m now eager to go back and read the first installment to fully grasp the nuances of the story.

Book 2 in the Elven Kingdoms Series, Dark Heart is an action-packed ride. Arya and Dain are on a mission to rid the Elven world of their enemies, The Masters, while Jai seeks vengeance on Arya for betraying him. Assisted by his friend Priya, Jai is on a collision course with Arya’s group as questions arise about who the true villains are and who can be trusted. Along the way, we get a closer look at the many types of Elves living on Zora, which adds depth and richness to the story’s world-building. The ending perfectly sets the stage for the next installment in the fight against The Masters, leaving me eager for what’s to come.

The pacing was a bit uneven at times, with moments where the plot felt rushed or where I wished for more backstory to ground certain events. This might have been due to my lack of context from missing book one, but I think a little more recap or clarification could have made it easier for new readers to follow along.

Overall, Dark Heart is an enjoyable read that delivers romance, action, and intrigue in a beautifully crafted world. While I can’t give it a full five stars due to the occasional confusion and pacing issues, it’s a solid book that makes me excited to dive deeper into the series. If you love strong characters and a touch of magic, this one is worth a try—just start at the beginning if you can!

I’ll definitely be picking up book one soon to complete the experience

After Rising Sun I expected a story about Dain. And in a way, it was. But this one was more about his employee, Arya and her former assignment (and crush) Jai. As with Rising Sun, Donna keeps you on edge due to the fast pace of the story and the large number of characters.

I loved to see Yasmin, Ravi and Dain for yet another story. And also “One” made another appearance. I do wonder what he is up to and whose side he is really on. Donna just keeps you guessing.

A story, definitely not for the faint of heart. But highly enjoyable although I would suggest you read Rising sun first. And now we await the next part in the series, because I really, really need to know what the masters are up to. Five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

Once again, Donna Grant gives us an amazing installment of the Elven Kingdoms. There are so many elves, but the Dark Elves Arya and Jai are looking for vengeance. The author continues to weave her intricate web and draws the reader deep into the underlying plot. This was an exciting addition to the Elven Kingdoms, sharing with us more of the intricacies of Donna Grant's Dark Universe.

How far would you go to be free? Jai had no choice but to go along with Priya as he would have done anything to save her. But now he knows the truth about Priya and her plans for their future. And he can’t alliw ger to destroy the only woman that he has ever loved. Even if it means duping in her place. Arya has kept many secrets from those that she loves as she has only wanted them safe. She would do anything to keep Jai safe even if it means dying. But her friends won’t allow that to happen they have to stop the evil that has kidnapped elves & humans alike. But what will the cost be?
A great read full of adventure & intrigue. Love the descriptions of the different worlds the light & dark. Great characters that only add to the storyline.
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the ARC copy. This is my voluntary review.

Thank you Netgalley and DL grant CC for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

I have read the first book of Elven kingdoms and I really liked it. I had liked both the main protagonists Ravi and Yasmin. Just as I had finished that book, I saw blurb of this one and as soon as it was available here on Netgalley I requested it.

It was a pleasant experience reading Yasmin, Ravi and Dain all my favourite characters making an important appearance in this book. Sadly I had thought this book would be about Dain but it is about Arya. I didn't care much about her as there's no much character development not even in the first book and not even in this one. Same goes for Jay. I did not care for either.

The plot too was not so great. There's some other place like shaldorn so why was shaldorn described as single hell I do not understand. Shaldorn was unreachable, not enterable to common folks. But when there's some place even worse than shaldorn I feel it watered down the whole concept of it.

I would have given it 2 stars but giving it 3 stars coz I didn't expect to get so much of my favourite characters, it just felt more nostalgic. So 3 stars it is. I hope third book is about Dain.

This is the 2nd installment to the Elven Kingdoms series. Honestly, I enjoyed the first book more. I wish the writing showed us more detail instead of just telling it to the reader. This story is about Jai and Arya, and man, the back and forth emotions of both really gave me whiplash. There is not nearly enough backstory on their connection with one another. We know that they met 4 years prior and immediately had feelings for each other, but had to keep it secret due to their jobs. We know they wrote letters to one another and had made plans together. But I needed more. A POV from that time would've really solidified their romance for me. Not to mention how random the spice was. I normally look forward to it in a romantasy, but honestly this could've done without it. Or at least not been 5+ pages of the same sex scene?! I was still rooting for things to work out in the end, however it was hard to actually root for THEM. I'm still curious where the next book will take us - the ending definitely leaves you wondering what's next. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

I love Donna Grant's writing. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Everything I have read so far has been addicting. This story continues on from the Rising Sun book that followed Yasmin and Ravi. This book focuses more on Arya and Jai's story.

Arya is one of the agents that took down Shaldorn in the first book. It delves into her past more where she once fell in love with a man named Jai who she met when she was undercover. She waited for him after warning him about a raid and he never showed. Jai works for the masters as a slave. He sees the the bounty on Arya's head and finally gets to put his revenge fantasies into motion. Jai believes Arya put him in the path of the masters. He wants his hatred for her to fuel his plan but things don't work as he wants them to because he still has feelings for her.

This story was captivating. I loved seeing Ravi and Yasmin again. And after reading the Bastard King is was so nice to see Kendrick too. Seeing all the twists and turns of this series was making me feral. Priya is one crazy woman. Seeing all the steps she took to secure her love left me reeling because holy shit, that was another level of obsessed.

Arya and Jai were so amazing. I felt every struggle and ounce of their emotions. They really are made for each other.

But, I still have so many questions. I still don't know what to make of One. And that book?! I have so many theories my head is spinning. All of which will go unanswered until I can get my hands on the next book. Which I am now counting down the days until it releases!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. I highly suggest you read this book. But this isn't a standalone so if you do make sure to check out Rising Sun first.

Buckle up, folks! Dark Heart isn't just a book; it's a high-stakes, elf-packed rollercoaster with more twists than a bowl of spaghetti. Donna Grant yanks us into the chaos of the Elven Kingdoms, where betrayal and secrets are as common as questionable fashion choices at a middle school dance.

The story kicks off at a sprint—no leisurely world-building strolls here—and plunges us headfirst into Arya's mission to find her old flame, Jai. But wait, there’s more: Jai thinks Arya betrayed him (ouch), Arya's walking into a trap (double ouch), and there's a side plot of slave trafficking masterminded by some seriously sketchy elf overlords. Just another day in Zora, right?

The ensemble cast feels like a fantasy soap opera you didn’t know you needed. Arya’s team includes her mentor Dain and mates Yasmin and Ravi, who bring just the right mix of loyalty and sass. On the other side, Jai has his brooding angst and bestie Priya, who’s harboring a "love Jai, hate Arya" grudge so intense it might as well be her full-time job. Throw in some Dragon Kings, evil elves, and a map to keep you from getting totally lost, and you’ve got a recipe for chaos—in the best way.

The action? Non-stop. The drama? Off the charts. The love-hate relationship between Arya and Jai is so convincing you’ll need popcorn to get through their scenes. And yes, the limited steamy moments are tasteful, for those of you who prefer your romance without a side of cringy euphemisms.

If Dark Heart were a theme park ride, it’d be one of those coasters that hurls you into the air, flips you upside down, and leaves you both exhilarated and slightly queasy. By the end, you’ll be begging for another turn—or, in this case, the next book in the series.

Warning: May cause sleep deprivation and irrational distrust of evil elves. Highly recommended for lovers of fantasy, drama, and tormented romance.

PS.... Donna, I still need my Dain book..... 😅🤣😅

I did not enjoy this book at all and to be honest my eyes glazed over while reading. However that is partially my fault because I had no clue this book was a sequel. Oops. However, even from the first page the writing just felt extremely bland. Apologies, I wish I had more to say, but this book just kind of was a snooze fest for me. However, thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me access.