With Dark Chemistry, we follow the journey of Ren, who has secrets and lives in a world where her family’s nature makes them different from all others and puts them vulnerably in danger. Following the illness of her grandfather that leaves her alone, Ren is faced with increasing threats from villagers who perceive her as a monster. Fleeing for her life and in fear, she finds her way to Mal, an inventor of intrigue with his own deep-seated past and a sprinkle of magical expertise. Together, they face off against personal demons and external foes in a complexly woven tale of suspense and budding romance, intermingled with self-discovery.

With Dark Chemistry, we follow the journey of Ren, who has secrets and lives in a world where her family’s nature makes them different from all others and puts them vulnerably in danger. Following the illness of her grandfather that leaves her alone, Ren is faced with increasing threats from villagers who perceive her as a monster. Fleeing for her life and in fear, she finds her way to Mal, an inventor of intrigue with his own deep-seated past and a sprinkle of magical expertise. Together, they face off against personal demons and external foes in a complexly woven tale of suspense and budding romance, intermingled with self-discovery.

Character Development and Relationships
Ren: The character of Ren is multilayered, with aspects of vulnerability and quiet strength. One sees her evolve as she learns to trust others, even to love them, as in the case of Mal. Her inner conflicts-her struggle to come to terms with her identity, yearning for safety, and above all, the strong need to protect her loved ones-are beautifully captured. For all these reasons, she is a character with whom one can identify, yet she is complex with her flaws and fears that immediately evoke empathy.

Mal: Mal is an enigma, knowledgeable in inventions, and has this protective nature that goes well with Ren’s guarded personality. His character does so much, shifting, from almost guarded detachment to fierce loyalty and love towards Ren. The more psychological connotations show how he approaches Ren displays layers of trauma and defenses unravel piece by piece; their relationship is pretty core to his arc.

Side Characters: Tate, Mal’s apprentice, brings in light-hearted moments and a sense of family, as well as underscores his softer side. Albert-a magical creature-sorts them out by adding a mystical dimension that explains Ren’s complex view of family and loyalty.

Powerful character dynamics of balancing power with vulnerability, the relationship between Ren and Mal explores equality and respect; support through Tate and Albert develops found family themes.

This book is partly about Ren’s identity as a vampire and where she fits into the world. Her trying to fit in with humans while hiding her true self really brings the struggle with acceptance.
Through sacrifice, Ren and Mal exhibit deep attachment. Ren’s eventual acceptance of her dark side-when she would have to make a choice that would test her love for Mal-is a signifier of the lengths to which we go through for those we love.
Ravenhill unveils a world through villagers’ hostility and the seclusion of Ren’s family, where Ren will be confronted with the disturbing realities of survival burdened by prejudice upon the aggressor.

Writing by Lina Ravenhill in Dark Chemistry is atmospheric, perceptive, and emotional. She makes great use of sensory details, especially when describing tense moments or introspective scenes. The pacing allows for deep introspection at moments, while balancing action and suspense perfectly. Dialogue poignantly voices complex internal struggles in an all-too-real way. Her prose is like poetry. Each scene is painted with a beautiful, haunting brushstroke that sets off the paranormal ambiance of the story.

In Dark Chemistry, Lina Ravenhill threads a story of dark romance and the quest for acceptance amidst characters fighting their place in a world that fears them. By the riveting effects of the storyline, it gives the reader a view into the fragility of trust and the power of love, with Ravenhill deftly handling suspense and romance. The book resonates so much on many levels, opening up discussions about identity, love, and resilience. Fans of paranormal romance and those who love nuanced characters will find it both familiar and uniquely different, weaving classic themes into the Ravenhill voice.

Overall★★★★☆
Writing Style★★★★★
Characters★★★★☆
World-Building★★★☆☆

This book is really going to appeal to anyone who enjoys romances that are a little bit more subtle and have that element of darkness. If you like paranormal fantasy or just a good story about self-identity and love conquering prejudice, then Dark Chemistry is for you. In the same league as Sarah J. Maas and Holly Black, Lina Ravenhill creates an atmosphere unique to this genre.

A Dreamy Getaway with a Touch of Reality: A Review of Dream a Little Dream of Me by Akira Varma
“Dream a Little Dream of Me” by Akira Varma is a sweet novella with elements of fantasy and romance developing into a heartwarming escape. Wrapped around two old childhood best friends, Maya and Alex, whose life took them different ways, it seems their lives come together once again, as the themes of an old bet surrounding a mythical Cupid resurface, reigniting them together and facing their feelings.

Myth Meets Modernity: Varma’s quirky idea of personifying Dream and Cupid as mischievous entities adds a whimsical touch to the place setting. It is the lighthearted interactions between these immortals and human characters that fill in those elements of humor and intrigue in the storyline. Even while keeping essentially the central romance intact, their presence gives it a touch of fabulousness.

Second Chances and Rekindled Sparks: It had its share of themes regarding second chances and just how childishly strong attachments really are. One truly feels sweetness when viewing Maya and Alex go through sorting out a renewed friendship and feeling their way through hidden emotions. One feels the journey of these two characters to be relatable, especially to those who lost a close friend and wish to reconnect with them.

A Light, Sweet Romance: Maya and Alex’s romance is sweet and light but something that builds and burns out from the very beginning. It does have a bit of emotional vulnerability and a good deal of witty banter to keep the reader awake. Not at all explicit, the emotional connection does feel real in some sense, and one ends up rooting for them to be happy.

Fast, Satisfying Read: “Dream a Little Dream of Me” will please readers who like light reads and feel-good romances. This novella makes sure the pace is fast, not meandering off the point of the story. It’s the perfect size to get through in an afternoon or as a short reprieve from heavier works.

This novella is a great read for readers who love contemporary romance with a touch of the fantastical. If you enjoy second chances, rekindled friendships, and sweet romances, “Dream a Little Dream of Me” will have you smiling at the end. This will more than likely appeal to readers who enjoyed works such as “The Betrothed” by Stephanie Laurens or “The Friend Zone” by Jenny Lawson but with a slight, more fantastical turn.

Nighmare needs his own book!!! PLEASEEEE

This is a story of a woman, Tori, kidnapped and brutally tortured to a point where after some incidence, she turned into a vampire. Basically, the book centers on Tori’s agony into transformation. Since being turned, she has spent her life meting out punishment to the evils of the world, never once letting herself feel helpless again. In walks Ronan, a PI hired to track Tori-who by now has turned into a vampire. Their universes collide as they go against human and otherworldly enemies, adding in a potent attraction that just may turn out to be their strength or their conflict. The novel well navigates the thin line between survival and power, with moral ambiguity maintained throughout, all while keeping the tension between the two leads romantically charged.

Tori is an amazingly complex lead. She was subjected to a position wherein she became completely helpless at the very start of the novel: unspeakable torments by a sadistic captor, turning her into a vampire was representative of physical and psychological rebirth. The morality of the new life leaves her torn between avenging and yearning for human companionship. Her various scars, both real and emotional, shape her relationships with Ronan and other people. Her motivational point is to not be victimized again, and she thus wants control. The inner conflicts that she struggles with-guilt, power, and morality-add up to her character, creating a richly layered one.

Ronan is brought on stage as a man of duty, a private investigator with an acute sense of moral judgment. His attraction to Tori complicates his mission, and thus he must grapple with questions of trust, loyalty, and morality. He feels decadent inside between his developing emotions for Tori and his duty’s call. His character graduates from being strictly mission-driven to one that would go that extra inch against the rules for the sake of love. His psychological dimension unravels with the afterthoughts of his past mistakes, and thereby Ronan is a realistic and likable character.

The relationship between Tori and Ronan is strong and multi-dimensional. Right from the very beginning, this equation is unevenly balanced, where Tori is a newly-turned vampire with great power, while Ronan is human and trying to maneuver his uncontrollable emotions. Still, in due time their emotional attachment becomes stronger and so does the shift in the equation. Tori’s vulnerability is exposed in her growing feelings for Ronan; Ronan’s strength is tested in his willingness to protect Tori. It is the mutual growth dynamic where one character leads another through facing fears or moral dilemmas.

Supporting Characters: Edgar Brannon is crucial to Ronan’s investigation and hence weaves mystery into the plot, yet a lot of his true motives throughout the story remain shadowy. Tori’s younger sister Lizzie, even not being a central character, represents much of Tori’s lost humanity and the life she could have lived. The relationship complicates the central romance and pushes up layers of emotional and moral conflict.

Tori’s turning into a vampire symbolizes her emotional rebirth, but at what cost? The novel explores how embracing one’s dark side may mean survival but at what cost to one’s humanity?
Tori tries to punish those who hurt the innocent. Empowering and gray, the novel will ask how far does justice go before vengeance begins?
Power and control are related in both the relationship and the supernatural world. First, most of all, the dynamic between Ronan and Tori undergirds how power can shift and reshape action and identity; so does the full-scale battle between vampires and humans.
These themes interrelate in a way that further enriches the novel in its exploration of morality, power, and love. Together, these themes set up a backdrop for understanding both Tori’s internal struggle and her relationship with Ronan.

Carla Swafford writes with vivid intensity. Perhaps the most powerful use of her figurative language is against Tori’s transformation and ensuing inner struggle, which is hauntingly beautifully written. The storyline toggles between Tori and Ronan; such toggling between them gives deep insights into their emotional and psychological states, true to the dual perspective that works well in storytelling.

It works well, balancing suspense with more reflective emotional moments. Swafford does especially well in ratcheting up the tension, be that in the supernatural action scenes or romantic moments between Tori and Ronan. The tone of the novel is very dark and atmospheric, managing to merge well with the themes of survival and power. The language is direct and poetic at times, especially in moments of high tension or emotional depth.

Savage Champion is an emotionally deep romance and a supernatural suspense novel with the deepest analysis of character. The main themes are well-developed: to survive, the question of power, and moral ambiguity; the characters have so many depths. What is most impressive about the book, however, is how it will have the reader experience not only the terror of what Tori has gone through but also the strength of this new power she now has. Even though it gets too graphic at times for some readers, the lovers of tales with dark and morally ambiguous nuances find Savage Champion thrilling and a plethora of food for thought.

In a series of paranormal romance novels, the psychologies of Savage Champion probably are explored deeper than most; for that matter, into darkness itself. Fans of the Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward or the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost will love many of the same themes: power, redemption, and romance.

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Savage Champion holds up as a strong entry into the paranormal romance genre. The story is rich in character development and an interesting plot that really keeps one on their toes. It does, however, contain extreme graphic violence that does not sit well with sensitive readers.

Star Rating: Writing Style ★★★★☆
It is intense and atmospheric, though there can be an off-putting weight toward violence and darkness at times that may alienate some readers.

Characters: ★★★★★
Tori and Ronan were just so multifaceted, and the emotional story arcs made them brilliant to read as the lead. The supporting cast added mystery but fleshed out second to the core relationship.

World-Building: ★★☆☆☆
The concept with the vampire lore was really intriguing, but I think in areas, it could have been fleshed out just that little bit more.

Trigger Warnings:
Torture
Graphic violence
Kidnapping
Blood and gore
Sexual assault (implied)
Psychological trauma

Recommended for Lovers of darker paranormal romance with multi-dimensional characters and situation-mandated moral ambiguity on a frequent occasion. Fans of series by J.R. Ward, Nalini Singh, or Laurell K. Hamilton will find just the right dose of suspense, supernatural creatures, and romance they love.

A perfect read for one interested in dark erotic horror with extreme psychological undertones. It would appeal to readers who enjoyed the dark mysteriousness of Alma Katsu’s The Hunger or the utterly psychosis-ridden American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis, but taken to an even further extreme regarding visceral, often disturbing content.
If one has a taste for such dark works, then this is surely an engrossing piece-you will love it. It isn’t for the fainthearted, but this is indeed an excellent way through which to learn about fear, morality, and the darker sides of human nature.

TRIGGERS (Just some dear lord please read the list)
Blood and Gore, Graphic Depictions Of Murder, Grief and Loss,
Drugging, Waterboarding, Whipping, Cutting, Graphic Acts Of
Violence, Trauma, Rape and Sexual Assault (mention, graphic, not
with MMC/FMC), Manipulation (not by MMC or FMC), Amputation,
Stabbing, Eye Gouging, Castration, Decapitation, Extensive Use Of A
Gili Saw, Skinning, Flaying. Jaw & Tongue Removal, Scalping,
Breaking Bones, Gun Violence.
Sexual Scenes:
Praise, Primal, Choking, Dub/Con, Graphic Sexual Scenes,
Toe Sucking, DVP, Voyeurism, Sharing, Punishment,
Free Use, Spitting, Exhibitionism, Knife Play, Blood Play, Punishment
Stocks, Spanking, Rough Sex.

Desperate Run by C.J. Riggs and M.L. Burns is an extreme merge of erotic horror with complex moral characteristics. The plot centers around Max and Draven, each of the characters playing his role in this awful and gruesome game of survival, chock-full of hefty psychological connotations.

A setting of a horror carnival entitled “Midnight Menagerie” sets a haunted scene for the dark interaction between predator and prey. It combines visceral, graphic action with complex morality.

Desperate Run is an erotic horror novel that satiates a reader with unapologetic violence and dark themes in sex and the first of its kind, this version foreshadows a narrative teeming with horror and psychological depth.

The novel is about Max, a college student, and Draven, a sadistic hunter, each getting caught up in a nightmarish game at the Midnight Menagerie-a carnival of terrors. We are experiencing this mental and physical strife through their shifting perspectives. Now add to that a gray-at-best morality protagonist in the form of Max into the lethal hunt orchestrated by Draven, a cold, calculated predator with tenuous holds on reality and morality. The maze of carnival greets the debilitating chain of events where one must be witted, strong-willed, and accommodative of the vilest of instincts to survive.

Max: A multi-layered female character, Max has a traumatic history. She has inner demons she struggles with, and her relationship with fear and control is convoluted. Violence and humor at her own expense hide the vulnerability.

Draven: A perpetuating evil as black as his morals are dangerous. This is a personal villain who encompasses heartless regard for human life in addition to instinctive, predatory inclinations. His ruthlessness is absolute, and there’s an interesting layer in the psychological setup, mainly towards the source of his motivation and desire.

Side Characters: The Sasha and Ben, Decker-type characters, add further dimensions to the story as they get intertwined into the horrors of the carnival. The Hunters are all different, each with their own roles and characteristics that add flavor to the story in ways both primal in fearful presentation and sadistically pleasurable.

The relationships in this novel often tend to have instances of imbalance. Draven’s domination over Max, among other characters, always raises questions about consent, fear, and manipulation. Like in all internal conflicts, Max finds her need to be in control of her situation in contrast to the external force that happens to be Draven’s dominance.

Fear and Survival: The novella explores basic instincts of fear and usually makes survival the most prime animalistic aspiration. It’s always thrown into such a situation in which they have to fight not only against the external forces but their own terror.

Morality and Corruption: Max and Draven came across as morally borderline figures, and the story tests the readers regarding what is right and wrong.
Power Dynamics: The power play between Draven and Max, even between the hunters and their prey, serves as another layer to the domination, submission, and free will that have been in exploration thus far.

Writing Style and Effectiveness:
It is a sharp, visceral write, and violence is put forth just as much as intimacy is. Burns has used imagery to drop their readers into some sort of twisted carnival or blood-soaked battle. The pacing is fast-moving, jumping between tense action scenes and the rare moments of reflection. Using the alternating POVs by Draven and Max adds depth to this story and gives the reader a glimpse into the minds of each character to raise tension.

Atmosphere: Dark, seductive, and forbidding, this is a novel that whisks readers into a landscape infested with terror. The use of grotesque imagery coupled with the inbuilt eerie atmosphere of the Midnight Menagerie surely makes one ponder on impending doom.

Desperate Run is a bold venture into the realms of fear, power, and morality gone haywire. With its plethora of characters, all vibrantly real, it will call upon readers to stand against their fears right next to its protagonists. Strong in thematic depth, with complexity of characters and well-crafted world-building, this is probably not a story for every audience, since there is full-blown violent and graphic sexual content. The story navigates some very important discussions about consent, control, and survival with evenness and offers a really new take on many classic horror tropes.

Compared to other works of erotic horror, Desperate Run stands out because it manages to link these elements of primal fear with complex psychological narratives.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★
Writing Style: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★
World-Building: ★★★★★
Spice: ★★★★★
JACKPOT