Shadows of the Crown Book Review
How easy it is to anger the male species. Let the games begin.
Synopsis
He's the heir to the kingdom.
She's the kingdom's worst nightmare.
In the kingdom of Eldoria, where essence weaves the fabric of reality, whispers tell tales of the Silver Wraith - a legendary assassin born of forbidden magic. Ariella Mistaire, known for her lethal skill and striking silver hair, is drawn into a treacherous competition by the King, a game with trials veiled in secrets and lies.
As Ariella navigates a labyrinth of deceit, her rare affinity for all strands of essence marks her as both a valuable weapon and a potential threat. Among her adversaries is the enigmatic Prince Caspian, whose intentions blur the lines between ally and enemy.
But the trials are more than a test of prowess; they are a web of dark secrets. Amidst the cutthroat rivalry, Ariella uncovers unsettling truths that stretch beyond the castle walls. As hidden agendas come to light, she finds herself entangled in a plot that could alter her fate and the very fabric of Eldoria. What began as a quest for vengeance might lead Ariella to discoveries that challenge everything she knows about her world and herself.
In the heart of Eldoria, where magic breathes and shadows dance, the Silver Wraith must confront the truth of her past to forge the future of two worlds.
REVIEW
Not in a long time has the latter part of a story so thoroughly changed my mind on a book—or at least on the rating I was expecting to give it. To be honest, from the beginning, Dakota Monroe’s Shadows of the Crown, the first installment of her aptly named Shadows of the Crown series, gave me very strong Throne of Glass vibes (a series which I love), though not in a way I was necessarily enjoying … Initially, I did not like the female main character, Ariella Mistaire (aka the “Silver Wraith”), and felt as though she came across as a try-hard—and to be honest, I’m not sure that I still don’t like her. I also took issue with how vague a lot of the world-building and plot points were, how it seemed like the plot didn’t really move until maybe the last quarter of the book, and various plot holes.
POTENTIAL SPOILERS HERE SO READ ON AT YOUR OWN RISK: Another thing that irked me was the insta-“love” between her and the male main character (at least on his part) that just felt completely unfounded and based on … nothing? However, once Monroe got past the awkwardness of moving the main characters beyond their introduction and “getting to know each other” phase, I will say that she did a very good job of portraying the intensity of their feelings toward each other, as well as the little bit of spice we were blessed with. Though I’d be remiss in my duties if I also didn’t point out that our dear Prince Caspian seems to skew toward sadism/masochism in a way that may seem slightly … off? questionable? to certain readers, especially if you aren’t used to darker characters. Additionally, his obsession, at least at first, definitely gives off Joe Goldberg vibes, idk. #ISaidWhatISaid
All told, the last 100-150 pages or so were what earned this book the rating it ultimately got from me: 3.5 stars. The couple of nice little plot twists; the intrigue of an unknown, urgent mystery; the relationship between the main characters (that, at that point—if I ignore how they got there—I actually liked well enough); the increased pace; and the freaking cliffhanger ending and epilogue … I wish I’d had more of that throughout the rest of the story. I’m glad I finished the book, though now I’m annoyed that I have to wait for the next one to get to the meat of the main plotline. I’ll be keeping an eye out for the next installment!
Content warnings include adult language, alcohol use, anxiety, death, explicit sexual scenes (MF and suggestive FF), mentions of stalking, murder, physical abuse, praise, torture, trauma, verbal abuse, and violence.
Publication date was 8 August 2024.
Author Profile
Dakota Monroe lives in a dark world and dreams of even darker fantasies. She has been a fantasy-obsessed reader since she was a child and now brings hers to life through her writing. As a neurodivergent woman, Dakota has always felt out of place with her thoughts and ideas; but books have been her savior, and a nonjudgmental place for her to escape the colorless world we call reality. She hopes her characters, and stories, provide an outlet for others, even if just for a little while.
TL;DR
- Rating: 3.5 stars | Genre: Epic Fantasy, Fantasy Romance | Pages: 433
- Book 1 of Shadows of the Crown series
- Similarities to Throne of Glass
- Last 25-30% of the book is what made it worth it!
- Assassin FMC, forced proximity, he fell first, battle royale
- Cliffhanger ending
- CWs: adult language, alcohol use, anxiety, death, explicit sexual scenes (MF and suggestive FF), mentions of stalking, murder, physical abuse, praise, torture, trauma, verbal abuse, and violence
