Untethering Dark, Desiree M. Niccoli
Untethering Dark, Desiree M. Niccoli
List: $28.99 | Sale: $20.29
Club: $14.49

Untethering Dark

Author: Desirée M. Niccoli

Narrator: Kimberly M. Wetherell

Unabridged: 11 hr 22 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/20/2026

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

In the shadows of the forest, he waits…

A bloody and bewitching monster romance from Desirée M. Niccoli. 

A winter hag in training, Astrid spends her days in the Black Forest sharpening her spell craft and flinging axes at tourists, and her nights leaving offerings to the ancient eldritch monster that guards the woods. She’s one sex ritual away from leaving the last trace of her unwanted humanity behind and stepping into her full power.

It’s the perfect life. Until a group of unruly humans brings that same deadly monster to her doorstep. Now, her only hope for survival is a plate of poisoned cookies.

Gudarīks has roamed the Black Forest since it sprouted its first trees, consuming any who violate his beloved land. Lured to the witch’s gate, he is amused at her attempt to poison him with sweets…but spending time with her awakens millennia of repressed desire. Astrid doesn’t shy away from the gentle caress of his claws or his most ravenous attentions.

As witch and monster find long-buried heat in the wintery landscape they call home, signs of a dark, lost magic begin to appear in the forest. When a rising supernatural threat has them questioning not only their ability to protect the forest, but Gudarīks’s own immortality, their only solution may be to share their strength and create a union beyond mortal comprehension. 
 

About Desirée M. Niccoli

By night, Desirée M. Niccoli writes a blend of vicious romance and cozy horror, featuring monsters, villains, and the supernatural, often served with (mostly) emotionally intelligent characters and heart. By day, she is a public relations professional living the nomadic military life with her husband and two cats Pawdry Hepburn and Puma Thurman. Although born and raised in Pittsburgh, Desirée has since lived in coastal Maine (where her spooky heart truly lies), Maryland, and Connecticut.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Poppy || Monster Lover on February 02, 2025

This was intense, violent, and emotionally moving. Astrid was morally gray edging to morally black and had few people she genuinely cared for. The ones she loved she protected fiercely. Both she and Gudarīks were plant parents and would do anything to protect the forest. Their official meeting was u......more

Goodreads review by Selene on December 22, 2025

I AM OBSESSED this is literally the perfect monster romance. Spicy , witchy, monstrous , terrific banter , an excellent plot. German folklore strewn in, I literally could not put this down. It’s going to be living rent free for a long time and is def one of my top reads this year. Narrator did a fan......more

Goodreads review by Julotlinde on April 01, 2025

Very different than I expected. Not bad perse but it was not as enjoyable as I hoped. You know, sometimes you get annoyed by how little plot there is in comparison with the romance. This way it was the other way around. I know, sounds weird. However, by the title, I just expected a filthy monster ro......more

Goodreads review by K on January 06, 2026

ALC 5 Stars! Monster Romance + Winter Witch & Protector of the Forest + German Folklore + Supernatural Threat I love me some monster romance, so when I saw the cover of this book, I knew I was going to be hooked! This book follows a winter witch who is in the process of transitioning into hag (a skill......more

Goodreads review by ⚔️Sarah⚔️ on January 25, 2025

This book was such a vicious delight. I feel like that is the best way to describe it. Niccoli brought her specific brand of heartwarming bloodthirsty vibes right into the darker monster lover world, and I loved every second. There is a quote from the book that I feel like can sum up a lot of my tho......more