Reviewed by True
TITLE: Dead Nights
SERIES: Legacy of Deth #1
AUTHOR: Crea Reitan
PUBLISHER: Dragon Fire Fantasy
LENGTH: 384 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 19, 2026
BLURB:
Everyone is a little broken
Dark Island holds secrets. In the summer months when the sunny weather draws in members of the boat club, the castle is filled with laughter and good times. As winter brings icy wind through Alexandria Bay, New York, the halls fall silent.
Four lonely hearts alone in the castle are drawn together by voices of the dead when they send up an alarm that someone is on the island who shouldn’t be. What begins with solitude has them coming together to protect their secrets.
If they can survive the harsh winter, the silent attacks in the night, and their own emotional baggage, there might just be a happy ending for the new year. IF they can survive.
***
This is a polyamorous LGBTQIA+ story with content not intended for those under 18 years of age due to graphic scenes and situations.
REVIEW:
I love how all these books by this author are connected. There are always familiar faces to find.
Still, they can be read and enjoyed as stand-alone. I think it’s a good thing when you read Graduation No Face first. You’ll understand Dead Nights better.
Zephyr is somewhat depressed, Jude, his best friend, left the Dark Island. He and all the others left the castle, left Dark Island, and returned home. Normally, they are together, but Jude now has a boyfriend and returned home with him.
Darwin is also at the castle. Zephyr and Darwin aren’t close, but they made a deal. Friends with benefits, and oh boy, do they act on it. They become friends, they sleep, cook, and eat together, and have the same interests.
The castle and Dark Island have sinister secrets and a mysterious society.
There’s also Matty at the castle, who can never leave. He’s trapped because he knows secrets. Matty and Liam have a heartbreaking story.
Matty is left alone by Liam, with all the ghosts around. He sees and hears people, dead people.
One night, he’s afraid and needy and joins Darwin and Zephyr in bed.
Darwin is amazing with Matty’s angst. I loved how he handled it. I loved how they were with Matty.
Then there’s Liam, who returns to the Island. He’s burdened by the guilt of what happened to Matty. His presence does not amuse Darwin and Zephyr.
Sweet Matty is the centre of their relationship.
Intruders are entering the Dark Island, people who have no business being there.
The story is told from four different perspectives. I loved the dynamic. Don’t forget it’s a romance!
The spicy side of this story gets really spicier.
While they interact, we get to know them better, not just somewhat, but truly better, their lives, their families, their hopes, the hurt they’ve been through.
There’s still enough to discover, we will find out more with the stories to come.
Overall, it was an entertaining story, clearly written and well-developed. It’s emotional, bloody, and mysterious.
RATING: 
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