Review: Daughter of the Night by Gemma Vale

July 10, 2026

Synopsis:

She was never meant to be found.
For years, Seren has survived in the shadows, carving out a fragile existence far from the reach of the world that hunts her. But when she is taken and dragged into the heart of a powerful court, survival is no longer enough.
The court calls it protection.
Others call it mercy.
Seren knows better.
Because something inside her is waking.
As ancient forces begin to stir and buried truths claw their way to the surface, Seren finds herself caught between those who would control her and something far more dangerous—something that has been waiting for her.
Watching.
Whispering.
Claiming.
And the closer she comes to the truth, the more she begins to realise—
She was never meant to survive.
She was meant to become something else.

Review:

I’ve been following Gemma’s journey for a while, and when given the chance to read her work, it felt very special to me. I almost felt as though I didn’t want to disappoint her as a reader.
Getting into this book, I was already aware that it was more of a slow-paced read and not my typical kind of book in terms of writing style. I am glad to report that both of these aspects turned out to be some of the book’s strongest points, allowing me to instantly connect with the characters and immerse myself in the world. The beginning, in particular, helped me connect with Seren and her feeling that she was carrying a heavy weight on her shoulders. As a character, I felt immediately connected to her.
When her life suddenly changed drastically, the pacing started to pick up, and I was eager to see how everything would unfold.
Finishing the book in one sitting, I can applaud Gemma for her debut novel. It felt different and will stay with me long after finishing it. Some things at the end did not fully connect with me, and that is absolutely fine. I am excited to see where the story will take me next and look forward to following Gemma’s journey as an author.

🌙 Recension: Daughter of the Night (The Shattered Divine Series #1) by Gemma Vale
📚 Genre: Gothic, Fantasy, Romantasy
📅 Release Date: July 10th, 2025
📗 available in various formats
📱 Read as: Kindle
💸 I received a free copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
🗣️ Language: English
📆 Pages: 329
⭐️ 4/5