Lady of Darkness: Lady of Darkness Series, Book 1

Name: Lady of Darkness: Lady of Darkness Series, Book 1
Rating: 4.5 (20800 reviews)
Author: Melissa Roehrich

by Melissa Roehrich

4.5

About this book

Scarlett Monrhoe is a lethal weapon forged in the shadows. Raised by a ruthless Assassin Lord alongside her two sisters, she has spent her life perfecting the art of cruelty. However, after a devastating betrayal leaves her trapped in a noble household, her autonomy is stripped away.

Scarlett’s only tether to her former self is a decade-long thirst for vengeance against the Fae Fire Prince who murdered her mother. When an unexpected assignment offers her the chance to exact that revenge, Scarlett is forced to navigate a treacherous path between her internal moral code and her insatiable need for retribution. Her plans are further complicated when a string of disappearances threatens the innocent, pulling her into a mystery that bridges the divide between the mortal realm and the forbidden magic of the Fae.

As she hunts for the truth, she crosses paths with a mysterious newcomer whose presence challenges everything she knows about her world. Amidst the high-stakes intrigue and shifting allegiances, Scarlett must decide how much of her soul she is willing to sacrifice. In a landscape of dark secrets and dangerous desires, the lines between monster and savior blur, igniting a slow-burn collision of wills that threatens to consume them both.

Available Formats

Audiobook: $0.00 Audiobook: $0.00

View on Amazon

What readers are saying

Winter

Top Tier Fantasy Romance..A New Obsession for SJM Fans!

"“Scarlett Monrhoe, I would cross deserts and oceans for you. I would cross the realms for you. Did you really think a mortal man could keep you from me?” I have no words—none that could possibly convey just how utterly obsessed I am with this series and Melissa K. Roehrich’s writing! This series (and I say this while mid-way through book 2) is TOP TIER. 6⭐️s. God-tier status. In my opinion, it’s in league with Throne of Glass—dare I say, it’s giving it a run for its money. I said what I said. Scarlett, our fierce and compassionate assassin FMC, is everything. She fights for those she loves, protects those who can’t protect themselves, and refuses to back down. She’s a heroine you can’t help but root for. And the MMCs? Let me just say—there are multiple swoon-worthy options, but Sorin… Oh, Sorin. He’s in a league of his own. I know comparisons to Rowan (ToG) are tempting, but honestly, even that doesn’t do him justice (and I love Rowan). Sorin is a warrior to his core—protective, possessive, alpha, yet deeply compassionate, and someone who shows unwavering love to his chosen family. The miscommunication trope—or, more accurately, the “I’ll withhold information to protect those I love” trope—will absolutely make you want to throw your book or Kindle at times. But it serves its purpose: breaking and rebuilding bonds and trust, forging connections that you know will be unbreakable in the end. This series is everything: intoxicating, addicting, spicy, slow-burn, and emotional. It pulls you into its immersive world, and I promise, you won’t want to put it down. Sleep? What sleep? Grab an XL coffee and settle in. For fans of Sarah J. Maas—or even Rebecca Yarros—you’ll appreciate the incredible writing style, intricate plot, unforgettable characters, and perfectly placed spice. This series is an absolute must-read! ["

January 5, 2025 Verified Purchase

RxBookSiren

Slow Burn Romance Wrapped in Shadows

"Lady of Darkness is a dark fantasy romance that delivers strong atmosphere, tension, and character depth. The story immediately sets a gritty, shadowed tone, and Scarlett is a compelling main character, fierce, morally complex, and shaped by a brutal past. Watching her navigate loyalty, vengeance, and her own buried humanity was one of the strongest parts of the book. The slow burn romance stands out, with solid enemies-to-lovers tension, sharp banter, and plenty of emotional push-and-pull. The supporting cast adds depth and personality, and the found family elements help balance the darker themes. The plot weaves together mystery, magic, and political intrigue while maintaining good pacing, and the worldbuilding feels immersive without being overwhelming. The ending clearly sets up the rest of the series and left me eager to continue. A great start to a dark fantasy romance series. 🖤✨ ["

January 15, 2026 Verified Purchase

KMorris

Secrets, shadows and The Lady of Death

"Lady of Darkness is a dark, gripping, slow-burn fantasy romance that hits hard from the first chapter and refuses to let go. Full of secrets, blood-soaked loyalty, and buried power, this book launches readers into a world of fae, assassins, and vengeance ~ and trust me, you’ll want to stay. The Plot Scarlett Monrhoe, once one of the deadly Wraiths of Death, now finds herself caged in a noble’s estate; grieving, punished, and removed from the shadows she was raised in. But when a lead resurfaces in her mother’s long-unsolved murder, she’s pulled back into a dangerous game of deceit and destruction. Alongside her quest for answers, children from her former syndicate begin vanishing, and Scarlett must choose between vengeance and justice, or find a way to pursue both. Enter Sorin, a mysterious fae General with secrets of his own and a fighting style Scarlett can’t resist learning. Their growing connection is as compelling as it is forbidden. But with every question Scarlett answers, two more emerge, and trust becomes a currency far more dangerous than blades. Characters Scarlett is sharp, complex, and heart-wrenchingly human beneath her killer’s shell. Watching her rediscover her purpose and start to trust again was one of the most rewarding parts of the book. She makes mistakes. She lashes out. But she keeps going, and that makes her unforgettable. Sorin is… everything. Alpha without being toxic. Mysterious without being cold. His restraint, devotion, and the way he allows Scarlett to choose rather than control her makes him a standout MMC. (Though, yes, he keeps secrets and you will want to shake him.) Cassius, the sisters, the Assassin Lord, the noble household, the Fire Prince... each character adds layers to this twisted world, and no one is as simple as they seem. Writing & Pacing Roehrich’s prose is emotional, cinematic, and loaded with tension. The worldbuilding is rich but accessible, though the first half does have a lot of names, politics, and hidden agendas to track. However, it’s worth it once you’re immersed. The alternating POVs between Scarlett and Sorin work beautifully, offering a fuller picture of both their trauma and their desires. Final Thoughts This isn’t a light fantasy. Melissa Roehrich tackles grief, trauma, control, identity, and autonomy with raw honesty. Scarlett’s internal struggle—to find meaning in her pain, to reclaim her agency—is deeply emotional. She’s a killer shaped by loss, but also a protector driven by hope. The “chosen but caged” motif is strong, and Scarlett is constantly fighting for freedom, not just from others, but from her own darkness. Overall, Lady of Darkness is a dark gem in the fantasy romance world. With unforgettable characters, haunting emotion, and a world thick with danger and magic, it sets the tone for an epic journey of vengeance, self-discovery, and hard-won hope. Yes, there are familiar tropes, but they’re executed with raw emotional depth. If you love found family, morally gray leads, and slow-burn intensity, this book is calling your name. Tropes 🖤Assassin FMC 🖤Hidden identity 🖤Secrets 🖤Slow burn 🖤Tension 🖤One horse 🖤Multi POV 🖤Political intrigue ["

August 24, 2025 Verified Purchase

BookishbyRenee

One of my favorite series of all time - beautiful slow burn fantasy romance!

"I loved this even more the second time! This world and these characters are some of my favorites of all time. Scarlett was raised by a cruel Assassin Lord and has been trained to kill and torture. After a mission gone wrong results in the death of one of her sisters, she refuses to cooperate with her Master and is sequestered in a local Lord’s house until she falls in line. When the Assassin Lord offers her long coveted information in exchange for her compliance with his demands, she must make a choice whether to kill for him again or be forced into obedience through a different kind of torture. Life becomes even more complicated when the General of the king’s army offers his help in solving a mystery involving innocent children and she can’t decide whether or not to trust him. With the worst of choices before her, Scarlett feels the darkness overwhelming everything and when even more mysteries come to light she must choose to hope when it feels like everything is lost. My feelings/non-spoilery thoughts for the series and not just book one because I can’t separate them: Y’all, the Lady of Darkness series has everything you could want in a fantasy romance. It’s got fae, gods, magic, mistaken identity and the most amazing slow burn romance. Our MMC is ::sigh:: one of my favorites of all the best out there. Our FMC, Scarlett is guarded and stabby but who can blame her with all of the trauma she’s been through. Her character growth throughout this series is amazing. The way Melissa writes mental health and found family is so heart-achingly beautiful. These characters allow each other to go through all the emotions of heartbreak and grief and you just fall in love with every imperfectly perfect side of them. I know 5 books can seem daunting but each book is a gem and you won’t regret it. This series is complete so even if the cliffhangers blow your mind, closure is just the next book away! I reread this by listening to the audio book and I very much enjoyed it. After the initial shock of the fae having a British-like accent, I was in full support and will forevermore attribute that accent to them. ["

September 8, 2023 Verified Purchase