Whispers of Mayhem (Guardians of Death)
by Aurora Ramsden
Overview
Whispers of Mayhem is a dark romantasy packed with savage creatures, deadly magic, unhinged humor, and a heroine who absolutely will take your head.
Nyx Blackwood has always suspected she isn’t human. She’s immune to fire and plagued by visions ripped straight from a horror movie. Loud, unapologetic, and fiercely independent, Nyx is done pretending to be normal and she has no intention of softening herself for anyone.
Alongside her sisters, triplets Opal and Rue, Nyx owns The Triad, a tattoo and piercing studio. Opal serves as the rational backbone of the business, balancing Nyx’s explosive temper and Rue’s take-it-or-leave-it attitude. Together, the Blackwood sisters take life by the horns, and heaven help anyone who gets in their way.
Everything changes when a mysterious stranger named Ryker walks into the shop, tosses Nyx a gold coin, and promises he’ll see them soon.
Not long after, the sisters are transported to another realm and enrolled in Death University. Surrounded by chaos and danger, they learn they are powerful creatures who need intense training, because the world’s evil isn’t waiting for them to catch up.
Review
Whispers of Mayhem is a fast-paced plunge into dark romantasy that revels in chaos, blood, and biting humor. Aurora Ramsden introduces Nyx as a vision-seeing tattoo artist whose sharp wit is matched only by her sharper instincts. Alongside her sisters, she is violently ripped from everything familiar and thrown into a brutal new world crawling with savage creatures, deadly magic, and truths that refuse to stay buried.
The tone is unapologetic and the humor delightfully unhinged. Fight scenes are vivid and immersive, pulling the reader straight into the action:
“I pull the vine tighter around his throat, standing to the side of him, reveling in his rising panic…”
Told in first person through both Nyx and Ryker’s perspectives, the danger feels constant and deeply personal.
Nyx is not a passive heroine waiting to be saved, she is rage, survival, and teeth. Ramsden writes her with an itchy trigger finger and zero hesitation to turn violent when pushed, making it impossible not to root for her. The bond between the sisters adds emotional weight, grounding the carnage in loyalty and love. Together, they are an unstoppable trio.
As they uncover who and what they truly are, the tension escalates toward a chilling truth: self-discovery isn’t optional, and time is not on their side.
Dark, violent, and wickedly entertaining, Whispers of Mayhem is a must-read for fans of gritty fantasy with heart and humor buried beneath the bloodshed. This being the first book in the Guardians of Death series, prepare yourself for the Blackwood sisters, they’re just getting warmed up. If you love strong female leads, this book is for you.
“The shadow figure-faceless and void-moves with predatory grace, slicing at her with a malevolent glee, leaving trails of darkness swirling in the aftermath of each cruel blow.”
Content Warning
Intended for mature audiences. Contains:
- Violence and gore
- Dark humor
- Strong language
- Explicit sex scenes
About the Author
Aurora Ramsden’s love for fantasy romance is rooted in memories of her mother and strengthened by the bond she shares with her closest girlfriends, trading smutty recommendations, laughing over morally gray men, and celebrating heroines who bite back.
Her stories are messy, blunt, sexy, a little unhinged, and unapologetically raw, packed with chaos, sarcasm, and enough spice to keep your Kindle sweating.
Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5 out of 5)
Whispers of Mayhem delivers a ferocious blend of dark fantasy, sisterhood, violence, and unhinged humor. The worldbuilding is immersive, the pacing relentless, and Nyx Blackwood is the kind of heroine who refuses to be forgotten. The sister dynamic adds emotional depth, while the action and spice keep the pages turning.
A few moments feel intentionally chaotic, which largely works in the book’s favor, but readers who prefer slower worldbuilding or softer fantasy tones may find the intensity overwhelming. For fans of gritty romantasy with spice, morally gray characters, and heroines who choose violence every time, this book hits hard.
Perfect for readers who want their fantasy dark, bloody, funny, and unapologetically wild.
*Thank you to Aurora Ramsden for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
SA Examiner 