• The Demon of Darkling Reach

  • The Black Prince Trilogy Volume 1
  • By: P.J. Fox
  • Narrated by: Shiromi Arserio
  • Length: 14 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (61 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Demon of Darkling Reach  By  cover art

The Demon of Darkling Reach

By: P.J. Fox
Narrated by: Shiromi Arserio
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $24.95

Buy for $24.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Peregrine Cavendish, 12th Earl of Enzie, has made a devil's bargain: he's going to sell Rowena, Isla's beautiful and innocent younger sister, to a known murderer in exchange for forgiveness of his debts. Tristan Mountbatten, the infamous Duke of Darkling Reach, has a habit of marrying such women and then disposing of them...horribly. For this and other reasons, there are rumors. That he practices the dark arts; that he's a necromancer; that he is, in fact a demon. And studying him, this notorious politician and realm builder across the table, Isla can believe it. Believe it all. Because she knows, even from that first introduction, that Tristan Mountbatten isn't human. No one else seems to have noticed the obvious, but Isla has...and is terrified. For herself, but more so for the sister she loves. The sister who's been more of a daughter, the sister for whom she'd sacrifice anything. So Isla makes a devil's bargain of her own.

©2014 Evil Toad Press (P)2015 Evil Toad Press

What listeners say about The Demon of Darkling Reach

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    27
  • 4 Stars
    19
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    4
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    32
  • 4 Stars
    13
  • 3 Stars
    6
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    25
  • 4 Stars
    19
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    3

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Superb dark gothic tale

Would you consider the audio edition of The Demon of Darkling Reach to be better than the print version?

I loved reading the book, but the audio version brought the book to life.

Which scene was your favorite?

Any time the sister threw a fit.

Any additional comments?

This is a great dark gothic tale that made me get totally absorbed in the characters. It takes you through every emotion and leaves you wanting to know the rest of their tale. I immediately bought the second audio book in the series.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Its ok

Its a grood first book but was a little disappointed. seemed very very dragged on. There was no sex scenes. Just very dragged on is all I can say not much truly going on in the first book. Just mostly whining and verbal arguments.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Maiden Sacrifice

The story takes place in a fantasy land much like middle age England. The earl Peregrine Cavendish is strapped for cash due to his gaming and mismanagement of finances. His younger spoiled manipulative daughter Rowena goes wailing to her older sister Isla that she fears that their father is about to betroth her to the infamous Duke of Darkling Reach Tristan Mountbatten who has a habit of disposing of wives. Furthermore Rowena sobs that she is in love with a neighbor and childhood friend Rudolf.

The Duke is also rumored to be a demon possessing the original Duke's body, Isla offers herself to the duke to save her sister, Believe me her selfish, conniving sister does''t deserve such a sacrifice.

The story is a composite of favorite fairy tales and legends. Isla for example is very much like Cinderella and the spoiled Rowana is very much like the ugly step sisters.

There is also a fanatical priest in the mix who is much more evil than the demon duke. The duke himself is a paradox. He is a demon who seems to want to be human and who has very human traits, yet he needs to feed on humans in order to survive. He is not cruel and he is a protector however he is also ruthless. In contrast the priest was a cruel sadist who enjoyed inflicting pain on others.

The book was well performed and narrated. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.



“I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot come”

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

MUCH better than I expected!!

After reading the description, I didn't know what I was going into. I like fairytale retellings and while this sounded somewhat like beauty and the beast so that was on the plus side. What I wasn't so sure about was the over the top sounding description. If you like retellings or fantasy tales along the lines of a cross between Jane Eyre, a horror movie beauty and the beast with some erotica thrown in. (Jane Eyre is being used for story reasons only. While I did really like this book, it's not reminiscent of Charlotte Bronte's writing style.) Definitely a worthwhile listen and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author, narrator or publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Only partial way through

I’m actually enjoying the book, the “info dumps” others talk about are refreshing, small and help you to understand it’s more gritty living than the fairy tale ones where everything smells great and their version of grungy is dirty clothes and smudged faces.
So far I’m enjoying the female lead and her being so practical! I love that she’s more strong internally and not the surface level only strength that many of the female leads are given. You know the ones that meet the male lead and suddenly become idiotic, mean and arrogant.
This book is one that I think I’ve been waiting for. Definitely give it a try!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Eye rolling bad book,author shows potential

This author has an annoying habit of dropping "wikipedia" style tangents in related history that literally everybody knows already. Cutting these "know-it-all style fact rants" out would reduce the text in half. The other half is a 19 year old midevil girl getting arranged marriage to "totally not a vampire" She spends half the book lamenting the double standard on woman's sex life's and the other half fighting with her prude and shitty sister. It of course like every fantasy these days, ends on a cliffhanger that requires a second book. It's full of romance cliches, and zero smut. All smoke, no fire. Big boring.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A LOT of exposition, but still, so worth it!

There are an unnecessary amount of repetitious observations and Isla seems to be back and forth with what she wants, but I love her anyway. I think all women can relate to the feeling of wanting to be in control of their own life one minute but the next wanting to just be able to let go of being the savior of everyone else and be able to be taken care of for a little while without being seen as some brittle little thing for it. The only thing I wish for this series is Tristan's POV; it would help make sense of some of the story, just a little, to have even a small amount of his thoughts shared with us as the reader. Even just a sentence here and there would be enough, honestly. That said, I can't help loving the book regardless of the small things that I'd change if I could. The book probably could have been cut down by a few hours if the author didn't delve as deeply into Isla's thoughts, but I'm betting that as we move further through the series, that will diminish a little or at least become more necessary. By the end of this one, I was like "okay girl, stop second guessing the man/demon every time he's not in the same room as you, it's insecure and you're better than that!" My worry is that Isla is so wrapped up in the demon that she doesn't recognize that she needs to have a life outside of him. In that time period I know that's easier said than done, but if anyone can do it, it's our Isla. She's strong-willed and smart as a whip, and I can't wait to see how the dynamic between her and Tristan develops when they move into his territory. Definitely an excellent book to read, but honestly I would only recommend it to those that are in it for the long haul. If you're looking for a one-off story, this isn't the one since there are several books in the series and they're hours and hours long.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Listener received this title free

smartly written and a journey worth taking

So, I'm a huge fan of Grace Draven, and have been looking for a similar read. This book really hit the spot for me. Although very different from Ms. Draven, the story was beautifully written and full of love, heartbreak, and an amazing setting. I loved the narration here, and gelt like each character was portrayed so perfectly! I really enjoyed the themes in this book also, because they are very relatable the times we're living in, yet are set in the dark ages type era. All together it was wonderful and I'm looking forward to book 2. *I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Dark, Beautiful Work of Art

This is probably one of my favorite novels of all time. The story is captivating, as are the writing and narration. The characters are complex, intricate people with whom I felt a deep connection. The writing style is extremely wordy-- you may feel that it is overkill, however I enjoyed hearing the detailed world-building that the author chose to include. Magic, mystery, fantasy, and (most importantly) EXCELLENT writing are all present. I loved seeing the relationship between Isla and Tristan change from antagonistic to hesitantly tolerant to magnetically drawn together over the course of the book. Every character has a well-developed personality, so much so that I couldn't help but think "I know someone who is EXACTLY like that!" The book had me questioning my own beliefs in a way that few novels achieve: What is good? What is evil? How can the two possibly be... the same?? Or perhaps irrelevant?? This mind-blowing work of art is a must-read (listen) for anyone who loves a dark and complicated love story with compelling characters who will keep you on your toes! Narration is also excellent-- with Tristan, Shiromi Arserio portrays the sibilant words of a deeply conflicted... person? demon?... BEING with exactly the right flavor. This book is a MUST READ!!! I would give it 10 stars if I could!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

not bad

the author banters on with a lot of unnecessary things, but overall, the story is a good one.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!