In the exhilarating second romantasy novel in Rebecca Robinson’s Dark Inheritance Trilogy, a fiery couple forced apart must navigate a deadly maze of politics and power to reunite across a continent at war.
Torn from her husband Reid’s arms and dragged back to her homeland in chains, Vaasa is no longer a ruler, but a political pawn. Now under the control of Ozik—a cunning Zetyr witch with a stranglehold on her magic—she faces annulment, forced betrothal, and a kingdom that no longer feels like her own. As Ozik’s machinations aim to install himself as the true power behind the Asteryan throne, Vaasa is forced to take part in his game.
Meanwhile, across the continent, Reid is done playing politics. But waging war is never simple, and a soldier’s fury cannot stand up against Icruria’s bureaucracy. With allies fading and time slipping away, Reid may have no choice but to infiltrate Asterya on his own to find the woman he loves and bring her home.
As Vaasa’s magic begins to flare, she desperately seeks control, even if Ozik is the only one who can offer it. She then finds a cryptic final message from her mother about a precious missing necklace that might just be the answer to finally freeing her magic from Ozik. Yet when a ghost from Vaasa’s past reemerges among the suitors vying for her hand, escape might be within reach—but will it demand a betrayal that real love may not survive?
Torn from her husband Reid’s arms and dragged back to her homeland in chains, Vaasa is no longer a ruler, but a political pawn. Now under the control of Ozik—a cunning Zetyr witch with a stranglehold on her magic—she faces annulment, forced betrothal, and a kingdom that no longer feels like her own. As Ozik’s machinations aim to install himself as the true power behind the Asteryan throne, Vaasa is forced to take part in his game.
Meanwhile, across the continent, Reid is done playing politics. But waging war is never simple, and a soldier’s fury cannot stand up against Icruria’s bureaucracy. With allies fading and time slipping away, Reid may have no choice but to infiltrate Asterya on his own to find the woman he loves and bring her home.
As Vaasa’s magic begins to flare, she desperately seeks control, even if Ozik is the only one who can offer it. She then finds a cryptic final message from her mother about a precious missing necklace that might just be the answer to finally freeing her magic from Ozik. Yet when a ghost from Vaasa’s past reemerges among the suitors vying for her hand, escape might be within reach—but will it demand a betrayal that real love may not survive?
Title: The Wicked and the Damned (The Dark Inheritance #2)
Author: Rebecca Robinson
Publisher: Saga Press
Publication Date: February 24, 2026
Publication Date: February 24, 2026
Review:
Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
If you have not read the first book: STOP RIGHT HERE. You cannot read this one without reading the first of the series. You will be lost and miss out on all the things that lead up to this book. So, do yourself a favor, stop what you're doing and go read The Serpent and the Wolf because I promise you WILL NOT be disappointed.
That being said, I wasn't sure I'd get to review this book before publication. I received a copy from the publisher but had not read the first book yet and it took forever to come through on my library. When it finally did, I tore through it. It was so good I just knew I would tear through this one, as well. And I was write. I loved the first book but this one? WOW! It was over the top fantastic.
This book picks up right where the first one left off. Vassa and Reid have been separated as she gave herself up for him to live. She's imprisoned in her own home by Ozik, a man she trusted growing up but who has completely changed and is now a power hungry person set on taking over her country.
I knew this book would be dual POV as the last chapter of the first book is told from Reid's POV. And let me tell you, I did not mind having both their POVs one bit. I honestly kind of craved it with the first book but author's make choices they feel keeps the book in line with their view of it and I would never fault Robinson for the choice she made with that. Plus, with the separation of Reid and Vassa, it was necessary to see Reid's POV. I honestly would have liked more chapters from him than what Robinson provided but what I did get was phenomenal. I loved watching him fight for Vassa and what they had begun to build together in Icruria. The story told here is that of vengeance but also of passion and love and the lengths people will go to in order to save the ones who are so dear to their hearts.
The return of characters from the previous book was, of course, necessary. But we also get introduced to some new characters in this book. Some of them I absolutely adored, others made me see red. I will say the surprise character that popped up was not such a surprise for me. I had a feeling there was more to his story than what we saw in the first book but I wasn't sure how it would have worked out.
I loved how Robinson expanded the world building even more in this book. It truly made the plot much deeper and the story so much more interesting! There were a ton of revelations in this story! They kept the pace moving and pushed the story forward. Plus Robison imbued so much action and emotion into the pages of this story I just did not want to put it down. I didn't think she could write a follow up to the first book that I would love more but she did!
I cannot tell you how much I love this series. I haven't read fantasy that pulled me in and twisted my heart up in a long time. I absolutely adored the characters, the setting, the plot, the pacing, the political intrigue, the deep world building, the magic system, and everything Robinson has offered up with his story line. It's dark and twisted but also romantic and at times witty. I would venture to say this series is going to make it to my top three fantasy series of all time. If you're looking for a series to get you out of your Maas or Yarros slump, may I suggest you pick this one up and see what Robison has to offer? I do not think you will be disappointed in the least! I cannot wait for the final installment to see how everything that is happening plays out!
Author:
By day, Rebecca Robinson works as a high school administrator. By night, she’s an avid reader, writer, and consumer of all things art. When she’s not writing, Rebecca loves to cook, spend time with her husband and son, and lounge in the garden with her husky.
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