Books, Boots and Bakeries

I’ve just realised something about my reading habits. I read a lot of series. Like, a lot. Sometimes they’re standalones within a shared world, but most of the time, they build. Which means I’m usually halfway through book three or four by the time I think, “Hey, I should blog about this.” But by then, it’s too late to do a neat little intro. We’re deep in lore, character arcs, chaos and betrayal.

Which brings me to Two Kingdoms, book three in Kristy Cunning’s Dark Side series. And yep, if you’ve made it this far, you’re well and truly in it. The vibe? Still unhinged. The humour? Still sharp. The spice? Increasing. The plot? Somehow makes sense and also not at all. Welcome to Kristy Cunning’s brain.

Keyla is now more than just “the girl who used to be dead.” She’s a god. Maybe. Kind of. And she’s finally starting to pull back the curtain on what exactly she is and what she’s capable of. Spoiler alert: it’s a lot. But of course, it’s never that easy. Because now the boys are dealing with visions, curses, memory gaps, and the fact that sharing your feelings is still harder than fighting off literal demons.

I loved this one. Probably more than I expected to. It hits that sweet spot where the story deepens and the stakes get real, but it doesn’t lose that chaotic, ridiculous, totally self aware humour that makes this series so much fun. You get more of the emotional stuff, more of the connections, and just enough clarity to feel like the puzzle is coming together… even if the edges are still blurry.

And the boys? Honestly, I care about these four absolute disasters more than I should. Watching them try to be vulnerable while still being powerful, cursed, grumpy weirdos is the good stuff. Jude being a quietly tortured cinnamon roll, Arion being a terrifying drama queen, Gage being Mr Practical with a soft spot, and Damien… being Damien. You know. I think I’m married to a Gage.

What I love most is how Kristy Cunning balances complete nonsense with genuine heart. This series should not work. But it does. It really does. Somehow, it blends laugh out loud one liners with moments that sneak up on you and make you feel things. And I reckon that’s part of the magic.

So yes, this is book three. No, you can’t jump in here. And yes, you’ll want to read all four back to back. Because once you’re in, you’re in. And honestly, that’s the best kind of series. The ones that pull you all the way through, where you’re already reaching for the next book before the last page even hits.

Next stop? One Apocalypse. Let’s see how this wonderful hot mess wraps up.