Blog
This blog is your behind-the-scenes look into the minds of the Saints of Sorrow. In this blog you’ll find reviews of independently published dark romance books, articles on controversial or taboo bookish topics, and reading lists curated by dark romance readers for dark romance readers.
Whether you're a writer, reader, or lover of all things dark romance, here you'll find inspiration, resources, and community!
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If you’re looking for articles on Parasocial Behavior In The Book Community, Kink and Fetish’s Role In Dark Romance, or The Positives of Reading Smut, AND SO MUCH MORE. Look no further! Find all LA articles right here.
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Have you ever wondered what new independently published books you should pick up? Never fear! Library of Angels focuses on reviewing books by indie authors in the dark romance field. We do the research so you don’t have to! Find your newest read here.
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Have you had a friend ever ask you for a beginner friendly dark romance list and have you been stuck? Never fear, find lists for 5 Dark Romance Books for Beginners, 9 Dark Little Mermaid Retellings, and new releases each month right here!
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Ever wanted to know what the Library of Angels founder is working on? Check out her what this week series to stay up-to-date. She will occasionally drop hints for new LA Services, Merch, and site updates.
It’s Okay Not to Be
TW: Brief discussion of depression and anxiety.
“Gotta take the good with the bad, smile with the sad. Love what you got and remember what you had” - Life We Live by Project Pat
The sunshine will come.
Bookish Socials - Is There a Difference?
Booktok, Bookstagram, and Bookthreads.
And if you don’t think there is a difference, you haven’t seen how wild it can get on all sides.
Review: Sick Bargain by Nordika Night
Reviewed by Laya, Sick Bargain by Nordika Night, a dark MM, masked man romance.
Tropes include: Masked Man, Forced Proximity, Possessive and Obsessive, Deranged Love, Fear Kink, Primal Play, Touch Him and Die, Surprised Identity Reveal
I Learned to Bleed Beautifully
I used to believe devotion was a soft thing.
Petal-skinned. Gentle. Something you cupped in both hands like water.
I was wrong.
It is tectonic. It rearranges fault lines beneath your ribs. It fractures what you thought was stable and calls it destiny.
To Our Cult Mama…
A love letter from us to you, cult mama ♥ Happy birthday to you, and to Library of Angels!
Review: Dead of Summer by A.J. Merlin
Reviewed by Aubrey, Dead of Summer by A.J. Merlin, a dark enemies-to-lovers, stalker romance.
Tropes include: Enemies to Lovers, Stalking, Serial Killer, Touch Her and Die, Slasher Vibes, Summer Camp
Review: Marrow by Trisha Wolfe & Brynne Weaver
Reviewed by Lebi, Marrow by Trisha Wolfe and Brynne Weaver, a dark enemies to lovers
Tropes include: enemies to lovers, dual pov, rival serial killers, spice with kinks, morally grey MMC
Review: Crawl Space by J.N. Bamforth
Reviewed by Jay Depraved, Crawl Space by J.N. Bamforth, an erotic horror.
Tropes include: Haunted Inheritance, Stalker MMC, Obsession/Possession, Forced Proximity, Erotic Horror, Morally Corrupt MMC
Review: Prey Drive by Jen Stevens
Reviewed by Talahia, Prey Drive by Jen Stevens, a dark stalker romance.
Tropes include: Serial Killer, Stalker, Secret Society, Masked Man, “Who Did This?”
Review: The Poisoner by I.V. Ophelia
Reviewed by Giorgia, The Poisoner is a gothic romance.
Tropes include: victorian era, vampires, horror, and obsession.
The Kink In Me: The Existence of Identity in Perversion
Why is the modern world so freaking obsessed with kinky smut? Now before you click that X and exit this article, don’t worry folks—this girl has two thumbs, loves to use them to crack open book spines, and read characters getting to the nitty gritty. This isn’t a campaign to end the reign of spice, it’s just a girl with her gentle readers trying to get to the bottom of why the community lives for freaky nasty motherfuckers.
“The Psychology of Obsessive Love: Why Readers Crave “Unhinged” MMC’s”
What is it about dark romance and the MMC’s that make us love them so much? No matter how pitch-black or taboo? Well, that’s what I’m here to debunk. I’m going to go in depth about the psychology of obsession and why us readers go feral for men we wouldn’t date in real life.
The Girls and The Gays: Female Presence in Queer Media
With the Heated Rivalry phenomenon taking over all forms of social media, the question of what defines the true representation of the queer demographic arises. The history of homosexuality in society and media has always been viewed as taboo, abnormal and villainous behavior, but now in the modern era of media, the continued misconceptions has put the queer community under the scrutiny and a constant battle of conforming to mainstream identity politics. It needs to be acknowledged that the queer community deserves recognition and a well deserved seat at the table of media popularity because it brings representation diverse experiences, not to be mere figures of psycho-sexual and emotional release through misinterpreted narratives.
Review: Mean One by Ab. Cynthe
Reviewed by Laya, Mean One is a dark, horror retelling of The Grinch.
Tropes include: Christmas Erotic Horror, Novella, Grumpy x Sunshine, Multiple POVs, Age Gap, Non-HEA
Take a Step Outside the Box
Not every reader’s journey and preferences are the same. Exploration of different genres and authors can be refreshing, especially when you tend to gravitate to the same genre and tropes out of comfort. No matter your aesthetic or image, your space belongs to you and you can make it whatever you want it to be. There’s so many amazing stories in the world to experience, all you have to do is take a step outside the box.
Review: The Purge by XG Guillen
Reviewed by Paula, The Purge: Wicked Truths is a dark, reimagining of the movie, The Purge.
Tropes include: Enemies to lovers, Forbidden Love, Morally Gray Hero, “Love as Rebellion”, System vs Soul, Dystopian Night of Chaos, Fight the System, Fiery FMC, Latine Rep, Chicago Setting, Puerto Rican FMC, Mexican MMC
Sisters of Darkness: Women in Dark Fiction
Dive into the evolution of the femme figure in dark fiction. From Lilith’s ancient mythos to the modern femme villain redefining power in gothic fiction, horror, and dark romance. This article explores how feminine rage, autonomy, and agency have been distorted, reclaimed, and radicalized across literary history. Discover how dark fiction subverts patriarchal archetypes, uplifts marginalized identities, and celebrates the complex, morally grey women who challenge society’s expectations.
Balancing Rep Spots: A Real Routine in the Bookish World
Rep spots, ARC teams, and street teams all come with deadlines and expectations—so how do readers juggle it all? After nearly four years in the bookish community, Jay is sharing the real way she manages rep commitments through scheduling, planning, and consistency. No hacks, no fluff—just the honest process behind keeping up with the bookish world.
Review: Unveil by Greer Rivers
Reviewed by Paula, Unveil is a dark ballet retelling.
Tropes include: Arranged marriage, Masked stalker, Primal play, Touch her and die, Hidden identity, Stolen bride, and Villain gets the girl
Review: Pounded in the Patch by Dana LeeAnn
Reviewed by Laya, Pounded in The Patch is a Halloween themed erotic horror.