It is with immense excitement (and a little bit of deep-sea dread) that we announce the newest member of the Darkling Collective: A.K. Rook.
A.K. Rook is the siren of grounded monster romance. While Lola haunts the city shadows, Kate alchemizes gothic mysteries, Kat brews cozy magic, and Valentina corrupts the academy, A.K. Rook takes us somewhere entirely different: the Abyssal Trench.
The Monsters of Ahi'koa
Rook's flagship series, The Monsters of Ahi'koa, is set on a fictional Hawaiian island where brilliant women—marine biologists, ER nurses, and scientists—find themselves drawn into deep waters and tangled up with ancient, terrifyingly protective creatures.
This isn't your standard paranormal romance. This is grounded monster romance. It features clinical humor, women who are exhausted by the absurdities of the modern world, and monsters who recognize that exhaustion and offer them a place to finally rest.
Dive In Today
We highly recommend starting with Tidebound, a Kraken romance that perfectly sets the tone for the series. Once you're hooked, you can immediately follow it up with Skinbound, a Selkie romance that dives even deeper.
You can check out A.K. Rook's brand new author page right here on the Collective website, or subscribe to her Substack, Deep Water Dispatches, for world-building lore and exclusive monster spotlights.
Welcome to the Sanctuary, Rook. The water is fine.