She swore she’d never return. The Devil had other plans. In 1984 Romania, Ilena Firan has spent eight years running from the one place that destroyed her— Scholomance , the Devil’s hidden school beneath a cursed lake. Its graduates gain impossible power… and an oath that chains them forever. Dragged back by a summons she can’t refuse, Ilena expects scorn. She doesn’t expect him . Her former lover—now the Devil’s scarred, merciless Vânătorii—hunts oath‑breakers across Europe. The boy she loved is gone, replaced by a weapon with storm‑gray eyes and a hatred that cuts deeper than any blade. Then the Devil announces an ancient dragon is seeking a new rider, and the school erupts into ambition, treachery, and blood‑deep temptation. Power whispers. Old wounds burn. And every choice pulls Ilena closer to the darkness she once escaped. But the Devil’s lies run far deeper than anyone realizes—and time is running out for Ilena to decide whether she’ll reclaim her past, seize forbidden power, or survive the Devil’s design at all. * * * Set against the paranoia of 1984 Cold War Romania , TRIBUTE blends Romanian folklore with second-chance romance and dark academia atmosphere. Perfect for readers who loved: → The dragon bonds of Fourth Wing → The atmospheric tension of Babel This standalone dark romantasy delivers second-chance romance intensity , forbidden magic, and a love story forged in desperation and reclaimed through truth. *** Heat Level: ***(Spicy with emotional depth) Genre: Dark Romantasy Adult Fantasy Romance Tribute: A Dark Romantasy by C.S. Kading (Goodreads Author), Finley Hislop (Editor), Tony Fuentes ★★★★★ - Cynthia Adams's review Tribute is a beautifully dark and emotionally charged romantic fantasy that completely captured my attention. Set against the paranoia of 1984, Romania, the story blends folklore, forbidden magic, and second-chance romance in a way that feels both haunting and deeply personal. Ilena Firan is a compelling heroine whose journey through betrayal, power, and unresolved love kept me invested the entire time. The tension between her and her former lover, now the Devil's enforcer, added emotional weight that balanced perfectly with the high-stakes supernatural elements. The dragon bond concept and the mysteries surrounding the Devil's true intentions added suspense that made this book impossible to put down. A richly atmospheric read that will especially appeal to fans of dark academia and romantic fantasy. A five-star experience. Tribute: A Dark Romantasy by C.S. Kading (Goodreads Author), Finley Hislop (Editor), Tony Fuentes - TheWritersDay I honestly didn't think a book set in 1984 would have me checking my own doors for demons, but Tribute definitely managed to give me the chills. I finished it last night with my bedside lamp on full blast, and I'm still kind of obsessed with the whole vibe of Scholomance. If you're a fan of "dark academia" but wish it had a more gritty, Eastern European folklore edge, you're going to love this. The setting-a secret school for the Devil hidden under a Romanian lake-is just chef's kiss. It's so atmospheric that I could almost feel the cold water and the weight of those inescapable oaths. It reminded me a bit of the dark, gothic feeling I got when I first watched The Ninth Gate, where you're just waiting for the other shoe to drop. The reunion between Ilena and her former lover, now the "Vânătorii," was easily my favorite part. Seeing him go from the man she loved to this cold, scarred enforcer with "storm-gray eyes" full of hate was a total gut punch. Their dynamic isn't your typical "second chance romance"; it's messy, dangerous, and actually felt like it had real consequences. I also loved the 1980s backdrop-it's subtle, but it adds this layer of isolation since they can't just pull out a smartphone to solve their problems. The only reason I'm not going full 5 is that I wanted even more lore about the other students at Scholomance, but I have a feeling the authors are saving that for the next book. The pacing is tight, and the "oath-breaker" stakes kept me turning pages way past my bedtime. If you like The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo or you're a sucker for stories where the price of magic is way higher than you expected, you should definitely pick this up. It's a dark, brooding, and super creative take on the genre. Highly recommended!