
Nightbane
by Alex Aster
Isla Crown has secured the love of two powerful rulers and broken the curses that plagued the six realms for centuries, but few know the true origins of her powers.
Now, in the wake of a crushing betrayal, Isla finds herself hungry for distraction, preferring to frequent Lightlark’s seductive haunts instead of embracing her duties as the newly crowned leader of two separate realms. Worse, her fellow rulers haven’t ceded victory quietly, and there are others in Isla’s midst who don’t believe her ascent to power was earned.
As certain death races toward Lightlark and secrets from the past begin to unravel, Isla must weigh her responsibility to her people against the whims of the most dangerous traitor of all: her heart.
Alex Aster’s intricate world expands after the riveting culmination of the Centennial games, delving more deeply into Isla’s memories of her past, as her future hurtles toward two possible fates.
- Spice
- 2/5
- Burn
- Slow
- Pages
- ~432
- Ending
- Cliffy
Cliffy means it ends on a cliffhanger, mid-story.
How spicy is Nightbane?
Nightbane is a 2 out of 5 on our spice scale: simmer (closed door). Sex happens, but the door closes (or it is brief and non-graphic). Tension without the details.
- Steam: Behind closed doors
- Burn: Slow burn
- Pairing: One man, one woman
- POV: Heroine's POV only
- Ending: Cliffhanger
Content warnings
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Show 3 content warnings
- Graphic violence
- Self-harm
- Murder
Our editorial notes, which may be incomplete. If something is a hard limit for you, check the author's own content notes too.
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Nightbane: quick answers
How spicy is Nightbane?
Nightbane is a 2 out of 5 on our spice scale: simmer (closed door). Sex happens, but the door closes (or it is brief and non-graphic). Tension without the details.
Is Nightbane a standalone?
No. Nightbane is book 2 in Lightlark. Start with Lightlark. The series is still ongoing.
What tropes are in Nightbane?
Nightbane features love triangle, morally grey mmc, royalty, secret identity. It is a slow burn M/F romance that ends with a cliffhanger.
Does Nightbane have content warnings?
Our notes for Nightbane include: graphic violence, self-harm, murder. This list may not be complete; check the author's own content notes if anything is a hard limit for you.
What should I read after Nightbane?
If you loved Nightbane, try Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer, Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, Caraval by Stephanie Garber. They share its love triangle and morally grey mmc energy at a similar spice level.











