Into the Darkness

University of Isles, Book 1

By: Vee Taylor

Narrated by: Paige Reisenfeld, Oscar Reyes

Into the Darkness I'll go

Ember Solis is a sweet girl from a not-so-innocent world.

When it comes time for her to venture out to the real world—to the college of her dreams—Ember is released from the shelter of her home, straight into bad boy and sworn enemy, Ash Ortiz’s addictive spell.

Ash teaches Ember everything he knows but soon, the student becomes the master.

Ember emerges from the depths of her inexperience to discover she is stronger than she seems.

But there is a bigger price to pay for loving Ash, and the way that Ember views her past, her present and her future will never be the same.

She realizes the entire world she once called home is there to drive her and Ash farther apart.

What was once shrouded in light is now rooted in the dark.

Confronted with the most critical decision of her life, Ember must choose between her family and Ash.

But what price will their lives bear as a consequence of her choice?

©2024 Vee Taylor (P)2024 Victoria Taylor

I’m so sad

Such a good story line but man am I devastated. I hope the next one heals me.

Dark Retelling of Romeo and Juliet

Enthralling dark college romance! The definitive enemies-to-lovers set-up, with Ember and Ash as children of rival crime families. The lust-at-first-sight tension between them is delicious, and develops into the “us against the world” dynamic from Romeo and Juliet. I really appreciate that while Ember is fairly sheltered and naive at the beginning of the story, she is shameless when it comes to embracing her sexuality as it is enthusiastically awakened by Ash. The other alpha males in Ember’s life, while very much taking that overprotective male stance, listen to her when she calls them on the idiocy of continuing the blood feud between their families. The only relationship that I did not love was the dynamic between Ember and her roommate - I just never fully bought into the friendship to begin with, and so the tensions between the two as time went on was just not interesting. I found myself skimming their conversations as much as possible. WARNING - ENDS ON A CLIFFHANGER!! Thankfully the next book is on its way, so we only have to last a few months before learning the fate of our young couple. The voice actors were wonderful - the perfect amount of passion during the spicy scenes without being over the top. The dual performance style was very natural, and they played off of each other well.

My Heart

Okay, I need the second book right now! I can not believe the ending. Why? *sobs*

I am absolutely wrecked

I’ve been sitting here for an hour, trying to process what I just read. I’m completely overwhelmed and have been crying nonstop. Please be very careful when reading the trigger warnings. I didn’t read them properly, and although the writing was brilliant and captured raw emotions, I would never have read this. I’m so devastated that I don’t know when I’ll recover. Oh my gosh. Do not expect any type of happy ending.

Absolutely loved!

I loved this book! It had me sucked in from the beginning. The narration is superb 👌 LOVED ash.

duet narration

duet narration was great (man speaks all male speaking parts, as if in conversation, woman speaks all female speaking parts).

the story was a wonderful blend of suspense and spice. the cliffhanger ending was rough, and I'm definitely looking forward to book 2.

I think character growth was well developed, and the story kept me on my toes.

I need a minute to recover because my heart is in pieces

This story is a Romeo & Juliet type, dark college romance filled with secrets and lies. The story had me sucked in from the very beginning, and honestly, there was not a single dull moment.

I loved how Ash always did his best to protect Ember, even when presented with impossible tasks. And Ember's growth and the way she stood up to her family were perfectly executed. The ending was really unexpected, and it left me with a lot of questions and even more assumptions. I can't wait to see what will happen next.

The audiobook had excellent narrators, and they did an amazing job in portraying the characters' feelings and emotions.

Quote: “Once you go into the darkness, there was no light to guide you out.”

What did you do to me!?!

Vee- my heart is hurting!!!! But it’s sooo good. This is a Romeo and Juliet inspired tale with darkness, spice (oh the spice is soooo hot) and a mafia/cartel world.
You will eat it up and then be so glad part 2 is nearly out!

4 stars

It's been a few weeks since I finished this one and I'm still shocked by the ending. So first off make sure to check triggers. This book deals with heavy topics so just keep that in mind. The story is about Ember who moves out to go to University of Isles. There she meets Ash. He's from the wrong side of the tracks. When she has to make a difficult decision Ember will have to choose Ash or her family.

Vee Taylor is a new to me author. I loved the Romeo and Juliet vibes. She built the characters so well down to their personalities. I easily connected to them. I loved the push and pull of Ash and Ember's relationship. I liked the mystery aspect as well.

As for the audiobook narration, it was amazing! Performed in duet narration by Oscar Reyes and Paige Reisenfeld. They were fantastic! They were perfect as Ash and Ember. I loved their voices. Oscar has a deep timber to his voice. He captured Ash's grumpiness. Paige's voice had a gentle tone that was soft. She captured Ember's excitement of being free from her family and starting college with her brother. Paige and Oscar transitioned through the different character dialogues seamlessly. Overall, I enjoyed it!

WTF

First PLEASE check your trigger warnings on this book. Second woof.. The hangover this book leave you on… NOT OKAY! The good news is that the second book comes out in October.. so I don’t have to wait that long. This book is a retailing of a modern day Romeo and Juliet. I am really hoping that what happens at the end of this book is a Joke and that they get a HEA, BUTTT oh man I really hope. That is not how I saw this book ending.. I am speechless and have not words to articulate how I am feeling. October can’t come soon enough.