4.3 (14 ratings)

The Darkest Gift (The Spells of Darkness Book 1)

Name: The Darkest Gift (The Spells of Darkness Book 1)
Rating: 4.3 (14 reviews)
Author: Nikki Welton
ISBN: B0G5R2PWB8

by Nikki Welton

ghosts

About this book

The magical Academy ball in Conifer, Colorado, was meant to be a night of celebration, but for eighteen-year-old Amanda, it becomes a descent into a nightmare. After witnessing a horrific crime committed by her headmaster, she and her boyfriend, Eric, are thrust through a forbidden portal into Sunshadow, a dark, legendary realm. When a vicious curse leaves Eric clinging to life, Amanda realizes she is trapped in a treacherous world where shadows serve as doorways and every corner hides a lethal secret.

To save the boy she loves, Amanda must navigate a landscape of shifting alliances and dangerous magic. Her journey forces her to team up with a mysterious warrior prince, sparking a forbidden romance that threatens to distract her from her desperate mission. As she ventures toward the Palace of Darkness, she discovers that the prince is as captivating as he is formidable, and her own dormant magic is becoming increasingly difficult to control.

Fans of paranormal romance will be hooked by the high-stakes tension and the lush, immersive world-building of this dark academia adventure. Blending whimsical elements like powerful unicorns with the dangerous allure of royalty, this series starter is a must-read for anyone craving a gripping tale of sacrifice, betrayal, and the shadows that lie between worlds.

Publication Date: May 25, 2026
ASIN: B0G5R2PWB8

Reader Reviews

great start!

April 30, 2026

The Darkest Gift pulled me in right away with its dark academia vibes and didn’t let go. What starts as a magical academy ball quickly spirals into something far more dangerous, and I loved how fast the stakes escalated. Amanda is such an easy heroine to root for.. she is brave, determined, and willing to risk everything for the people she loves. Watching her dive into the forbidden realm of Sunshadow to save Eric had me completely invested. The worldbuilding felt vivid and eerie, especially...

My favorite book of 2026!

February 24, 2026

I loved everything about this book. It has a unique magic system using Shadows as doors and corridors between places. Relationships that remind me of the ones in A Court of Thorns and Roses which I love with all my heart. It kept me invested in the story. Characters that have depth and I would like to be friends with. The ending was not at all what I was expecting! This book made me gasp so many times thanks to all the twists. And I loved the romance. I can't say much here because of possible...

Immersive Fantasy

April 9, 2026

The Darkest Gift is the first book in the Spells of Darkness series, a series that blends portals and secret magical realms, unicorns, princes, and secrets. It seems whimsical but is slightly dark; it opens with intensity, when Amanda (our protagonist) and Eric witness their teacher committing a crime and fleeing, Eric opens a portal to Sunshadow, a kingdom which they believed was a legend. Amanda has multiple missions: the first is to save Eric, to find their teacher, and to track down a...

Great epic fantasy

April 1, 2026

I loved this book. It was an amazing epic quest with unicorn companions and a very interesting prince! ) !Image 76: Great epic fantasy !Image 77!Image 78: Great epic fantasy !Image 79 ![Image 80 Nikki](https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/amzn1.account.AEI3JUR4QXPUDTUIFSK7YSONHWVA) _5 out of 5 stars_ ##### Great epic fantasy

Great epic fantasy

April 1, 2026

](https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_avp?ie=UTF8&nodeId=G8UYX7LALQC8V9KA) I loved this book. It was an amazing epic quest with unicorn companions and a very interesting prince! * !Image 82 Helpful Sending feedback... Thank you for your feedback. Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again