Castle Ever Dark continues Ivy Rune’s story from Secrets Ever Green. Ivy finds herself in the Count’s castle, working as an assistant to Dr. Ply. Her position is precarious, because Dr. Ply doesn’t reveal much about his work and Ivy must earn his trust to receive more information. As she discovers other people in the castle, she is unsure of who to trust. There are secrets around every corner, and Ivy is determined to find out more about her father and what the Count and Dr. Ply have planned for the Transposers in the castle, including her best friend York.

I really enjoyed the continued mystery of Ivy’s story in book two of The Everlight Series. Knightly does a great job with the new characters in the Castle, and makes you unsure of who can be trusted.

Some of the questions from book one are answered, and Knightly sets up new questions that I’m looking forward to being revealed in the next book. Poor Ivy never seems to catch a break, but we finally see some good things happening for her in Castle Ever Dark and I felt so relieved for her character.

The atmosphere of the Castle is done really well. I liked how Ivy discovered different parts of it, and the descriptions of the settings in the Castle give you a feeling of how good and evil co-exists in the same place, among the different characters. Cora and Dr. Ply are really intriguing opposites in the story.

It was also nice to have some chapters from the Count’s POV, so we could get more of a first-hand look at his character. I am interested to find out more about him and the White Forest.

Castle Ever Dark is a fantastic read, if you enjoy YA based fantasy and magic. There is also a great gothic feel to the book, and a lot of mystery to keep the story interesting.

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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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!

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!!!

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!

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

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.