I was very hesitant starting this book but I found a treasure! I absolutely loved Forgiving Darkness and I am so keen for book 2 when it comes out. In this debut novel from Cat Sirota, we follow Estrid, a Dark Witch, on a journey she never expected to find herself on. After saving a Fae who stumbled into her forest after being attacked, the two of them are pulled onto a path Fate had set for them. If you are a fan of borderline morally grey main characters with badass animal companions and found family, book one of the Binary Souls Duology is something you should check out.

Rating: 4.5 stars

I think this was a great debut novel. Obviously, it was the cover that really pulled me in because how gorgeous it is! But I'm very happy I decided to give this a chance.
This isn't a 5 star for me because I'm more of a character focused reader. I felt a bit like the characters were a little flat and I missed the chemistry, missed actually seeing relationships developing on page.

Regardless, it was a good read and I might be here for book 2, as well.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC copy.

While the premise of this book was interesting, and it was decently written, I found the first half of the book to the rather lacking and hard to get through. While it does pick up in the later half of the book, I found that I just didn't care for many of the characters. Readers are told what happens rather than see it happen, and personally I am not a fan of that kind of story telling. For this reason, I feel like is one of the few situations where the book would have benefited from being longer than than being shorter.

However, I do feel like fans of typical 'bookTOK' style romantasy may enjoy it, I didn't find it that innovated and very over-done with characters the can be found in many popular fantasy books that are coming out recently. However, for a first time author, I believe that this series will get better with time.

Estrid, known as the Dark Witch to the people, has been on the run from King Rodden. Hidden in the Dark Forest, she finds solitude in a small cottage with her wolf dog Rafe until she finds a wounded Fae. After helping him, things aren't the same as she has to leave behind her refuge in the forest to save the people and kingdom she loves.

The beginning of this was really strong and the magic was so interesting I thought for sure this would be a quick read. There were several aspects I liked about this. Rafe, the interesting magic of Estrid, the mystery of the human world and Faery, and a few choice characters. With good though there is “bad.” It did slow down a lot, became pretty predictable, and there wasn't much chemistry between the FMC/MMC. There wasn't much connection to any of the characters really aside from just liking their attitude.

I wish the battle scenes had a little more feeling to it, or really just the whole book. Sometimes it felt like things were happening around the characters rather than the characters actually making decisions to get there. This wasn't a bad read for all the magic in it, though i just couldn't connect to the story and characters themselves.

I generally liked this book but didn't love it. I felt there was more "tell" than "show." Normally once I start a book, I try to read it straight through, but I just wasn't compelled to do so. Sometimes the narrator shifted without a helpful notice at the beginning of a chapter. There were a couple British English spellings and words (vs American English). It's not a complaint but normally I appreciate the head's up that certain authors use so I don't think fulfil is misspelled or use of kitted seemed odd. I didn't feel the epilogue was necessary. Thanks for the ARC opportunity NetGalley & the publisher.

This book had me sucked in from the first page!! The characters are wonderful, the setting and story is great and the writing is fantastic! I read this book in two days! Just could not put it down! If you liked ACOTAR series this book is for you!

Summary:
Forgiving Darkness is a breathtaking dark romantasy that grips you from the very first page. With a stunning cover that perfectly matches the enchanting yet ominous tone of the story, this book is a must-read for fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses. It weaves together thrilling world-building, dynamic character growth, and an unpredictable plot full of twists and turns. The story features fascinating fae characters, a human world on the brink of destruction, and a dark mage and ruthless king who must be stopped. It’s a gripping blend of romance, danger, and magic that will leave you desperate for more.

Full Review:
What an incredible read! I couldn’t put this book down—it had me completely hooked from the start. The world-building was immersive, and the characters were all so compelling. I especially loved how each character showed real personal growth throughout the story. Initially, I thought the plot might be predictable, starting as a sweet romance with a touch of magic, but I was completely wrong. As the story progressed, it grew darker, richer, and more surprising, with twists that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The romantic tension was captivating, and the hints of spice added to the intensity without overshadowing the intricate plot. Every reveal heightened the stakes, making the narrative more thrilling. And that ending? Absolutely devastating. The cliffhanger left me sobbing, unable to move on to anything else for hours.

If you love dark fantasy with unforgettable characters and a touch of romance, Forgiving Darkness is for you. The only downside is the wait for the sequel—I need the second book in the Binary Souls Duology on my shelf as soon as possible! This series is destined for a place of honor in my collection.

I read this book as an ARC which I was so happy to receive. I had seen the cover and read the blurb and thought it looked so good!
I loved Estrid and Rafe and their cosy cottage life, and when she meets Zain, he fits right in. I loved the introduction of their family and friends and seeing their relationship change and grow.
The story was engaging and well plotted, though I’m still not quite sure exactly what happened at the end! It’s definitely a cliff hanger ending but I was a bit confused - guess I’ll have to wait for the next one to find out!
The one thing that I found a bit distracting is that is written in present tense - I don’t think I’ve ever read a whole book in present tense before and I found I kept fixating on certain words and thinking they didn’t seem right - they were, but I had trouble adjusting.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one!

this was a strong start to the Binary Souls Duology series, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed about this type of book. I was hooked from the first page and getting into the world that was created. I was invested in the characters and how everything worked together in the world. Cat Sirota wrote this perfectly and left me wanting to read more in this series.

Great book! It's a g rated version of the book, "Hunted Heir". A princess runs away from her abusive father and into the arms of the opposing side.

Cat Sirota’s Forgiving Darkness dives headfirst into a world brimming with tension, mystery, and moral complexity. As the first installment in the Binary Souls Duology, it masterfully sets the stage for an emotionally charged journey where light and dark intertwine both literally and figuratively.

The story follows Alina, a young woman with a shadowy past and a rare, dangerous gift that makes her a target in a society where secrets are currency and betrayal looms at every turn. When she’s forced to confront the ghosts of her past while forging unlikely alliances, Sirota weaves a narrative that balances introspection with action. The protagonist’s inner conflict is as compelling as the external dangers she faces, making her a character both relatable and unforgettable.

Sirota’s prose is evocative, painting vivid landscapes and emotionally resonant moments without bogging the pace. The worldbuilding shines with intricacy, combining a dystopian edge with almost mythological undertones. The binary theme—exploring dualities of trust and betrayal, power and vulnerability, and light and darkness—is compellingly executed, offering depth and nuance to the story’s core conflicts.

While the plot is engaging, it can occasionally feel dense with exposition, particularly in the early chapters, which slowed the initial momentum. Personally I also felt that some side characters, though intriguing, could benefit from further development to enrich their contributions to Alina’s journey.

That said, Forgiving Darkness is a strong debut for the duology, with its gripping twists, complex relationships, and morally grey undertones leaving readers eager for the sequel. Sirota crafts a story that is not only entertaining but thought-provoking, making readers reflect on themes of redemption and the choices that define us.

Fans of character-driven fantasy with high stakes and emotional depth will find this a rewarding read. Forgiving Darkness is a promising start to an intriguing duology.

This review will be posted on instagram (@kerryreadbooks_ and @kezzie87) in late December 2024.

This is a book that has been done many times before, and much more successfully. Estrid has run away from her father, the tyrannical king, and runs into a Fae during a hunting trip. Of course, they are attracted to each other and even though they both have secrets, they can't fight the bond between them.

The best part of this book was Estrid's wolf companion. The characters are discount versions of better fantasy leads, there is no personal growth arc or well crafted relationships, we are just told about them and so they are. The world is your standard fantasy world, with little to recommend it or distinguish it from other, better, fantasy worlds. This should have been the first of many drafts before a finished product saw the light of day.

DNF'D at 11%

The story is quite action packed and fast past. Tze world building and the characters interesting. The wrinting itsself and the inner thoughts of the people just weren't for me.

Thank you for letting me try this book.

This story has everything to be great.
Amazing premise. Great world-building and really interesting characters.
Unfortunately, the execution is lacking and I cannot get over that.
I really tried to enjoy my reading but the writing is a bit amateur and you can see all the plot ideas getting mixed up and confusing.
I could see that the author was going for plot twists but they were unsuccessful.
All in all, it has the potential to be better and perhaps it should happen before publishing.

P.s. Estrid and Zain's constant inner thoughts ruined me.

Thank you @NetGalley for the copy!

Wowza - intense and rich reality building, Fae versus human, hidden lineage, fated mates, shifters, forbidden lovers, betrayals - it is all here. I yelled at my eReader repeatedly! And yep, ends on a cliff - but with this intense plot you knew that ...

Thank you NetGalley, the Author Cat Sirota and Victory Editing for an early copy in exchange of an honest review.

The start of this book was amazing, Estrid was realistic, her ways of speaking and uncertainty with Zain when he popped up waved a perfect start to the book. Alvey bless his sweet soul needs to have more screen time in book 2 or I will riot while I'll be if Del doesn't end up with Mr It's-been-a-while-since-I-lost. But for me the MVP of the book is hands down Rafe, oh you lovely wolf I want 10 versions of you to keep close to me at every time.

This of mine is a question with spoilers: Why doesn't Estrid have pointy fae ears if both her parents are fae? And Zain knows about mates, unlike Estrid, shouldn't he recognized the signs that she was his mate?

Sooo many questions which I hope will be answered with the sequel and last installation of this duology.

The book felt...lacking after I passed the first half, some (maybe all) twists were obvious. Taking out Zain's complement I hated the way Faris and Estrid became basically besties from day 2. With him always hugging her and her yet not calling her father with that title. It felt unreal, a bit forced, they don't know each other well (they aren't even family) and yet they go around hugging and grinning and displaying way too much affection. Especially since we were referred to how Estrid and Zella were raised while living under Rodden. (Another thing that felt short was Zella becoming so good into wielding a sword after what? A month? Two? Especially considering she isn't fae but 100% human.

Would this book had been better had it been 50 pages longer? Yes. Maybe with even less characters? Again Yes.

At the end, however, this is a gripping debut perfect for those who would like even remotely to have something close to SJM'S ACOTAR.

Great story! I enjoyed the slow burn romance and introduction into the fairie and human world. This book would be great for fans of SJMaas, as I caught a lot of themes in common with the ACOTAR series.
My main issue with the book is that the writing is rather simplistic and at times the actions of the characters seemed comical or cliche. Zain is an idiot and IMO Estrid forgave him too quickly because of the bond.

Forgiving Darkness by Cat Sirota is a touching exploration of trauma and self-forgiveness. The story follows Estrid, a young woman wrestling with a painful past that continues to shape her present. Sirota’s writing is packed with emotion, capturing Estrid’s internal struggle with sensitivity and depth. The novel excels in portraying the complex, ongoing nature of healing, though the pacing can feel slow at times, it really picked up in the second half.

I adored many of the characters in this book, although I struggled with Zain, and found his character development to be sporadic. I think this was an incredible debut, and cannot wait to continue with the series!

What drew me in was the cover, but what got me to stay was the world building. The plot didn't get lost at all, which was amazing. Especially for a debut book, and for being a first in a duology.
Check this out!

Thank you to NetGalley, author, and Publisher for the eARC.

This book has the type of trope that is my favorite- girl in human world meets fae from a faerie world, and gets thrown into all their drama. The story is interesting from the first chapter, and i found myself having a lot of questions after only a few pages- so it definitely leaves you wanting to know more from the start.

I felt like the story at times did end up being a bit rushed, as we jump very quickly forward and I wish that we were left in a bit more suspense throughout the book. However, the story is very action filled all the way through, which is a big plus. The pacing did however affect how i connected with the characters, as i felt like i could not connect as deeply with them as i would like- including that i wish there was a bit more character development.

However this book does have lots of twists and turns from the very start, that will intrigue fantasy lovers. I also found myself really liking a lot of the side characters, with their banter and sass. And of course one of my favorite things about this story is Estrid's wolf companion, Rafe. Absolutely loved him. And the ending was a major cliffhanger, that will definitely leave you with lots of questions!

I would recommend this book to fantasy readers that love a fast-paced and action filled book with a cute romance, companion animals, found family, twists & turns, and fae. A solid debut novel from Cat Sirota! <3
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Cat Sirota for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!