Beg the Night

Mystics of Ashora, Book 1

De: Emily Blackwood

Narrado por: Laura Horowitz, James Cassidy

From author Emily Blackwood comes a dark and twisted romantasy about two powerful mystics and the forces that urge them together—even if they hate each other.

Athena is an earthly. She wields no power, and though war rages across the lands, she lives a relatively normal life in isolation until she's kidnapped by the Ministry and questioned for the magic they're certain she possesses.

As she struggles to grasp her new reality, she's forced into a dungeon with dozens of mystics. Only to discover she's the only female.

True unleashing of power can only be obtained by claiming—a mating ritual under the powerful blood moon. But Athena is in luck. Those mating must be willing, and she is certainly not willing to come within a foot of any of her options.

Until she meets Sinner.

Sinner is a tier three—the only three in the entire dungeon, making him the most dangerous and powerful of the men. He has very little interest in getting along with others and prefers to live his life alone.

So it comes as a shock when he volunteers to complete the claiming with Athena. She's his ticket out of that dungeon, and she knows it.

The two struggle for the upper hand as Sinner tries to convince Athena to mate with him willingly.

But Athena resists. She has a secret, and it's one the Ministry would do anything to get their hands on.

Can she keep her secret hidden long enough to survive? Or is Sinner the one person who will expose her for what she truly is—a monster?

©2025 Emily Blackwood (P)2025 Podium Audio

Loved it!

Emily Blackwood has done it again! I absolutely loved it and can’t wait for the next one! The voice acting was top-tier as always with these two. I really enjoyed the storyline and the ability’s they have.

Dark Dystopian Romantasy

Story

Dark dystopian romantasy with an FMC full of rage and dark MMC with a tortured soul and he has all the obsessive, jealous, possessive “shadow daddy” vibes.

We’re introduced to Athena as she buries the last of her family, completely alone and hollowed out by grief. That’s when the Ministry shows up and takes her into custody. She’s lost all will to fight, and even under torture, insists she has no powers. Eventually, they throw her into a dungeon packed with a lot of men. She’s given one month to choose a mate at the Claiming.

Sinner has already been down there for months. It’s his dungeon, his rules. So when this new girl shows up, claiming to be powerless and shaking up the established order. He knows she’s hiding something, he just needs to uncover her secrets and figure out how to use them to escape.

Athena and Sinner begin as reluctant allies, both operating in survival mode within the brutal confines of the Ministry's underground prison. Sinner stakes a claim on Athena, declaring that he’ll be the one to claim her. From the moment Sinner claimed her, she became his. He knew it, and so did his power.

I loved this book! I thought this story was in a way unique. The slow burn was painful in the best way possible. I am DESPERATE for more of them! I would have like for more information about the mystics/magic system/world building, but other than that I absolutely ate this up!

With angst, plots and a good background, this book is an excellent way to start this series. I cannot wait for book 2!

Audiobook

The narrators, Laura Horowitz and James Cassidy, delivered a clear, steady, and inviting performance that draws the listener effortlessly into the story. Their voices enhanced every moment of action, making the suspense and tension come alive. Each character is distinct, with unique voices that felt authentic and memorable, yet they both kept everything perfectly organized, never losing track of the story’s flow. A truly engaging and skillful narration that elevates the book to another level.