Thoughts on The Forgotten Dawn by Laura A. Blake – Flawed but Full of Potential

Intrigue, competition, and forbidden attraction collide in a debut romantasy full of promise and magic.

Synopsis

Where lies are currency, the price of truth is blood.

Brida Larrow has no right to be among the Fae Courts, but she’s willing to risk everything to save her dying father. Armed with a forged invitation and a fierce determination, she enters the treacherous Fae Trials, a deadly contest crafted to break even the strongest Fae. One misstep, and the truth of her identity could be her undoing—and cost her the cure she so desperately needs.

With enemies around every corner, Brida must rely on her wits and cunning to survive. But when Dainan, the enigmatic Prince of Shadows, takes notice of her, the stakes grow even higher. Betrothed to her most dangerous rival and a master of secrets himself, Dainan sees through her every deception. His dark allure stirs something within her, sparking a forbidden attraction that could either ruin her or become her greatest weapon.

Caught in a web of deception and desire, Brida walks a fine line between ambition and survival. In a world where alliances shift like shadows and betrayal is the currency of the Courts, she must find the strength to face not only the ruthless Trials but also the dangerous emotions Dainan awakens. One wrong move could doom her to failure—or reveal a side of herself she never knew existed.

The Forgotten Dawn is the spellbinding first book in The Shattered Sky Saga, an epic fantasy romance series brimming with rich world-building, slow burn chemistry, and pulse-pounding action. Perfect for fans of Fourth Wing, Throne of Glass, From Blood and Ash, and A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Mini review

3.5 stars

The lower rating is mostly due to editing issues and inconsistencies, especially at the beginning of the book.

That said, let’s not forget: this is a debut novel, and the potential for the sequel is very strong! Writing is a learning curve, after all.

So, what does this book really shine at? The magic system and the story arc.

The magic remains somewhat mysterious even by the end, but we know that your choices during the grueling assessment determine your gifts—and I loved wondering who would get what!

I’m also a huge fan of competitions and underdog heroes, and that’s exactly what we get here. The Fae Trials must be won to enter court and earn a better life with magic.

Enter Brida, a human disguised as Fae (or perhaps of Fae parentage). She doesn’t belong in the trials, hides her true identity, and is at a serious disadvantage compared to the multi-talented Fae around her. Following her journey made the story that much more compelling!

Add a forbidden attraction to a Shadow Prince, a dedicated (and sexy) Fae suitor, plenty of court intrigue, and forgotten gods—and you have the basics for a solid romantasy.

Throw in a twist I never saw coming and a cliffhanger ending, and I’m definitely reading the sequel despite the flaws mentioned earlier.

My only hope is that the author uses thorough editing and lots of beta readers for the next book to polish the story even further and iron out inconsistencies.

Thanks for reading.

Sophie