Release date: March 10, 2026
Publisher: Saturday Books
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Synopsis:
DARKENING SONG is a fiercely feminist debut about two young women; one a recording artist failed by the industry which made her an idol, and the other her ambitious manager, forced to make an impossible choice between friendship and power.
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Eva is just 18 years old and interning at a record label when she discovers 16 year old Alora online. Never has she heard a voice like Alora’s and when it’s clear there isn’t anyone at the label interested in hearing this phenomenal talent, Eva takes matters into her own hands. On a whim, Eva offers Alora representation as her manager without knowing the first thing about artist management or what’s about to happen to both of them.
And it turns out Eva was right… Alora is swiftly catapulted into the spotlight of major superstardom, and as the two navigate the whirling vortex of fame—the parties, the money, the paparazzi, and power—they form a deep bond, becoming found family for one another.
But when Alora’s dark and mysterious past begins to infiltrate her present and Eva’s ambition and success blind her to the obvious signs that her client and, most importantly, her friend is in trouble, their lives unravel with disastrous consequences.
DARKENING SONG is a story about friendship and betrayal. It’s a love story, and a story about growing up in an industry which sometimes disregards the needs of young girls and women in favour of self-interest. But more than anything, it’s a story about redemption, and the ways that hopes and dreams can come true in ways we least expect.
Review:
Darkening Song by Delphine Seddon is a gritty, character driven exploration of fame, ambition, friendship, and the devastating cost of power. Following Eva, an 18 year old record label intern, and Alora, the 16 year old singer she discovers online, the story charts their meteoric rise and the deep bond that forms between them as they navigate the intoxicating chaos of superstardom. The comparisons to Daisy Jones, Euphoria and Luckiest Girl alive feel fitting, but this debut firmly establishes its own voice as fiercely feminist, unflinching, and emotionally raw.
I’ll be honest: the middle section felt slow and at times I worried it might lose me. The pacing lingers in the rise to fame whirlwind, and the tension simmers rather than explodes. But in hindsight, that deliberate build makes the final stretch hit much harder. Patience truly pays off here. As the emotional unraveling begins and the full weight of the industry’s exploitation comes into focus, the story sharpens into something powerful and devastating. Seddon doesn’t shy away from sexual assault, misogyny, consent, and the systemic ways young women are failed by those meant to protect them. Because both main characters are so young, parts are deeply unsettling, but intentionally so and the discomfort serves the story’s larger message.
The audiobook elevates the experience even further. Narrated by Cherise Silvestri, Mei Mei Macleod, and Milly Oldfield—three new to me narrators who absolutely impressed me—the production is immersive and emotionally layered. The inclusion of original songs makes this such a compelling listen; hearing the music woven directly into the narrative adds depth that feels essential to the story being told. While it may require some patience in the middle, the payoff is worth it. This is not an easy story, but it’s an important one—bold, disturbing at times, and ultimately deeply resonant.
Overall rating: 4/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
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