It took a while, but I finally read "Throne in the Dark" by A.K. Caggiano. This is the first book in the Villains and Virtues series, which is, like, insanely popular on romance book Reddit (which is my romance recommendation refuge). I definitely know why this book appeals to so many people—it's written in that "funny millennial" style. Think Joss Whedon or Rian Johnson. Very MCU core. There's nothing particularly wrong with that; it just isn't for me.

I think a major issue I have with this book is the romance, which is sort of the main part. Amma and Damien are sort of insufferable. My main issues lie with Amma, who is far too accepting of her fate as a slave to this obviously evil person. I would have liked more angst or struggle from her, especially since we learn that she escaped a similar situation. We're constantly told that Amma is purely good, but I really just think she's passive. She gives money away, she advocates for others, but she never really pushes back against Damien's use of blood/demonic magic.

Meanwhile, Damien is Kylo Ren. He is clearly much kinder than he lets on, but I really do think he isn't as evil as he could be. I’d say more about him, but he essentially boils down to an edgy teenagers idea of evil filtered through a romance MC lens.

It's hard to review a "meh" book. Like, yes, this book is readable, yes, it's well-written—it's just written in a style I don't vibe with. I understand the appeal, but I'd rather read something that takes itself seriously. Solid 2½ stars. Truly "meh." I won't be reading the sequels.