No need to pinch yourself, because this is finally happening. After Logan Karlie revealed the title to the much-anticipated sequel to Dream by the Shadows, readers have been counting down the days until we find out what happens next to Esmer and Erebus as they face off against Raelion. Luckily for all of us, this dream is actually real and we're finally getting to reveal all the details about the final book in the The Shadow Weavers Duology that will surely keep us up at night as we count down the days until it's finally out.
Cosmopolitan has an exclusive first look at Cursed by the Dawn by Logan Karlie, which is set to be released on August 4, 2026.
"Writing Cursed by the Dawn was an unforgettable experience. The Shadow Weaver Duology has my whole heart, and in this book, the story becomes darker, the romance more consuming, and the world more alive with adventure," Logan tells Cosmopolitan. "Esmer and Erebus are pushed to their limits, and I'm eager for readers to witness how love, vengeance and sacrifice ultimately decide their fate."
Here's some more info from our friends at Christy Ottaviano Books:
Perfect for fans of Adalyn Grace, this captivating sequel to the New York Times-bestselling Dream by the Shadows is filled with revenge, romance, and redemption.
Esmer Havenfall thought freeing Erebus from his five-hundred-year imprisonment would end her nightmare. Instead, it has only just begun. Now bound by fate and darkness, Esmer and Erebus are no longer just dreamers—they are Shadow Weavers, wielders of a power both divine and damning. And something is already clawing its way through the Dream Realm’s cracks.
Raelion, the demon king lurking within Mithras, is poised to destroy the world. His corruptive curse spreads like a plague, twisting dreams into nightmares and turning humans into monsters. If Esmer and Erebus are to survive, they must achieve the impossible: forge an army from the broken and unravel ancient horrors before it’s too late. But when Esmer and Erebus are abruptly cast from the Dream Realm into a kingdom teetering on the edge of ruin, they quickly learn that something monstrous has already slipped through—and their love might be the first thing it devours.
We can't forget the stunning deluxe limited edition copy of Dream by the Shadows and Logan has already gotten us excited for what the team has come up with for this sequel. And yes, there's someone new on the cover that will get you even more hyped for what's to come. Check out the deluxe limited edition version of Cursed by the Dawn below, including its beautiful sprayed edges with a quote that has us all in our feels:
And that's not all! You can officially see what Esmer and Erebus have been up to in a special excerpt you can check out below! Just remember to pre-order Cursed by the Dawn so you can catch up once it's officially released!
An Excerpt From Cursed by the Dawn
By Logan Karlie
He turned to the dreamers, a dark king with the fate of the world on his armored shoulders.
“Since you doubt my intentions and my loyalties, Esmer and I will give you a choice,” he began. “You can choose to remain here, square your shoulders, and fight with us. Help restore the Dream Realm to its former glory and save the Kingdom of Noctis and what remains of its people for generations to come. And we will do what we can to make this place feel . . . habitable.” He took a deep breath, steadying himself. “Or you may choose to leave. We will relinquish your souls for the Maker to determine your fate.”
The dreamers erupted in frenetic, excited murmurings. Ceveon and Sorren, on the other hand, appeared utterly shocked.
“But before you decide, you must witness the enemy we face,” I added. “You asked who it is we should rage against.” I took a steadying breath, mustering my courage for what would come next. “So I will show you.”
Not so long ago, my imagination had freed me from the confines of Erebus’s cell. I had been angry, bitter, and achingly lonely— and that had led me to crave my family so much that my cell transformed into my home in Norhavellis. I had first imagined Chester, Elliot’s stuffed cow. Then a wooden chair Eden had painted with lilacs and daffodils. A simple linen dress. Untamed plants from Mother’s apothecary. And the more I remembered, the more I imagined, the richer the space became.
Surely I could do the same conjuring, but with the memory of the demon instead.
I lowered my eyes, focusing on what I could remember.
Bits of imagery. A guttural voice. A flash of sound.
A skull ringed in horns. Red smoking eyes. A mask of swirling darkness. A hunger for the very fabric of a person’s being: the threads that held their soul together.
“You’re doing it,” Erebus breathed. “Incredible.”
The illusion came together in pieces.
First, a cloud appeared over the castle, growing darker and more ferocious by the second. It burst with erratic curls of lightning, blasts of light so sharp that I flinched. As thunder rumbled from its core, sounding eerily similar to laughter, it took everything in me not to shy away from the horror I was about to unleash.
“Keep going,” he urged. “You’re almost there.”
It was just enough to steady me.
To inspire me.
A claw- tipped hand parted the storm, followed by a colossal skull. It lurched from the center, red eyes smoking as if set eternally aflame. The demon laughed, a hideous mockery of the sound. It was like the roar of thunder. Overwhelming, endless, and filled with the promise of impending destruction.
Dreamers froze in place, faces twisting in alarm.
“This is the one we must fight. The one that took everything from us,” I announced loudly, voice cracking in disgust. “The one that seeks to rip our world apart.”
Copyright © 2026 by Logan Karlie. From CURSED BY THE DAWN, by Logan Karlie. Reprinted by permission of Christy Ottaviano Books, an imprint of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, a Division of Hachette Book Group.
Cursed by the Dawn, by Logan Karlie will be released on August 4, 2026 by Christy Ottaviano Books. To preorder the book, click on the retailer of your choice:
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