All the Dark Souls by A.M. Dunnewin: A Book Review
We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
A beaten man on the side of the road, a mysterious prisoner with too many secrets, and a long line of executioners waiting for their next kill—welcome to the world of All the Dark Souls by A.M. Dunnewin. The first book in a new trilogy weaves plot twists with slow-burning dread, where fate is as cruel as the masked figures lurking just out of reach. But does it deliver the tension, intrigue, and urgency that makes you crave the next installment? Or does it stumble down under its own weight?
Title: All the Dark Souls
Author: A.M/ Dunnewin
Publisher: Dark Hour Press
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy
Release Date: November 1, 2022
Pages: 202
Star Rating: 3 stars
Spice Rating: 0
Okay, I’ll admit it. All the Dark Souls sat in my Kindle library for a while before I decided to take the plunge. Why? I was afraid that I would be disappointed in the story. On paper, it had all the makings of everything I love.
A strong female main character? Check. Joss Brevyn is the only female executioner in the land. Along with her assistant, Henrik, who wants nothing more than to quit her job and heal people instead of killing them. A brooding assassin? Check. Aric Kayden is bound to a masked figure who won’t stop haunting him until he finishes the job and kills his last victim. A lost prince? Absolutely. The last heir to the kingdom, missing and presumed dead.
What could go wrong, right?
Well… it’s boring. Joss, Henrik, and Aric never get beyond surface-level development. The world-building? Practically nonexistent. And the supposed undeniable attraction? Let’s say it’s very deniable.
But I’m getting ahead of myself—let’s take a step back.
Let’s talk about the setup.
Leirum U Oye Voli.
The kingdom is teetering on the edge of chaos. The last heir is missing, presumed dead, leaving behind a throne that’s grown colder with every passing year. But we all know how these things go. Joss Brevyn, the land’s only female executioner, has spent years serving the monarchy, carrying out orders with lethal precision. After all, she has no choice. Executioners are allowed three tries to kill someone (cleanly) before it is their head on the chopping block. Having what was done to their target done to them. But she’s had enough. Killing people for a corrupt system doesn’t sit right with her anymore, and she’s ready for a change.
Meanwhile, Aric Kayden has his own problems. As an assassin, Aric’s only job is to take lives, but his latest target has left him tangled in a deadly game with a masked figure pulling the strings. The kingdom’s shadows hold secrets, and Joss and Aric are about to find themselves caught in something bigger than they bargained for.
The only problem is that Joss has a change of heart. Setting off a chain reaction of better days ahead.
Sounds intense, right? It should be. And yet, somehow, it never quite reaches the level of intrigue it promises.
All the Dark Souls is a little under 200 pages. And while I’m all for a story that gets to the point, why not take the time to build something more decadent? A longer book—300, even 400 pages (I’m looking at you, Veiled Kingdom) —could have done so much for this story. And if All the Dark Souls is going the way I think, then it would have done well to merge all three books into one. It feels incomplete (and not in a cliffhanger way) like pieces of your soul are missing. Does everything need to be extended to create more books? No, no, it doesn’t. Sometimes, a stand-alone is ok. Sometimes, a duology is ok.
It’s the only way to save her in case they are watching…
First, it would have deepened the world-building, allowing readers to truly see the lands (which I imagine are stunning) rather than just being told they exist. Telling me where they are and what’s around doesn’t do as good a job as giving rich details. This would allow us to see the lush green forest in which Aric is found, see the water rippling at the watermill, and hear how loud it is in the tavern.
Second, it would have given the plot room to breathe, letting tension build instead of rushing through key moments.
And third—perhaps most importantly—it would have created a real connection with the characters. Not only between the reader and the characters but the characters themselves. Did I want a slow burn? No, honestly, I am not one for slow burns (I don’t want insta love, though). As it stands? I couldn’t care less about any of them. I wanted it so bad that I was willing to overlook the progression of the plot.
The book eventually picks up, adding intrigue to the story as a plot point is revealed. However, I wish some of the events in the second half of the book had been given to secure a foundation in the first half. When they occur at the 60% mark, it feels too late to build that base.
So why didn’t I DNF it? Sheer stubbornness. By the final time, I said I should DNF it, I was almost done, and I wanted to see if there was enough to make me want to read book two. Spoiler alert: in spite of everything, there is (Not much, though). Is it a priority? No, but I will continue when I need a quick read (all three books are under 200 pages).
You can pick up All the Dark Souls from your local indie bookstore.
You May Also Like:
Spring 2025 Fantasy Books That Will Ruin Your Sleep
Kindle Unlimited Fantasy Reads to Devour—Plus, What You Need to Know
Dragons, Magic, and Mayhem: Must-Read Fantasy Novels That Slay