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Essence of Ash #1
Of Shadow and Light
When finding about her impending arranged marriage, with no other way of escaping her fate, and the help of her best friend, Darakai flees her Kingdom. What she doesn't expect is to flee into the arms of a sexy, toned male, smelling of leather and pine, with a husky voice. Together they let down their walls and build a bond unlike any other, until betrayal leaves Darakai once again, fleeing from her problems. Only this time completely alone and heartbroken.
468 pages, Paperback
Published July 20, 2023
196 people are currently reading
1630 people want to read
About the author
Melissa McSherry
15 books679 followersWhen Melissa isn't writing about delulu men, she is chasing kids, cleaning, or downing her fifth coffee of the day. She loves dark romance, especially dark fantasy romance, with possessive men, lots of gore, and the right balance of 'WTF' moments and spice!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
July 24, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fantasy romance ☑️ magic ☑️ fated mates ☑️ SPICE ☑️☑️
Wow! What a great debut book!
Of Shadow and Light has all the great workings of a fantasy romance book. You have to go into this book looking for and wanting the spice though. I feel that this book was heavy on the plot and character development but also on the spice and I was all there for it.
Our main characters are Kai and Wilder. From two different kingdoms they meet by chance and the chemistry between them is on fire!
I am already counting down for book two!
Fated mates
Arranged marriage
Dual POV
Plot twists
Cliffhanger ending
Dark male MC
Betrayal
Dragons
SPICE
Blood/violence
Touch her and die
One bed
Fantasy romance ☑️ magic ☑️ fated mates ☑️ SPICE ☑️☑️
Wow! What a great debut book!
Of Shadow and Light has all the great workings of a fantasy romance book. You have to go into this book looking for and wanting the spice though. I feel that this book was heavy on the plot and character development but also on the spice and I was all there for it.
Our main characters are Kai and Wilder. From two different kingdoms they meet by chance and the chemistry between them is on fire!
I am already counting down for book two!
Fated mates
Arranged marriage
Dual POV
Plot twists
Cliffhanger ending
Dark male MC
Betrayal
Dragons
SPICE
Blood/violence
Touch her and die
One bed
December 3, 2023
Literally DNFd in the prologue! The phrases “Give me your juices” and “You let her unholy pu$$y cloud your judgment” we’re used in the first three pages.
December 29, 2023
Forewarning this review is literally just one big spoiler because I literally describe the entire book and what happens and how it's absolute trash.
Okay but what the actual fuck is this book? Starting out, I immediately noticed right away it kept jumping from past to present tense. The first sentence of every chapter would start out past tense, then it would switch to present. Also throughout the chapters the tenses would jump back and forth. A lot of sentences had incorrect grammar, punctuation, or words were missing completely. Ex: when the two thugs jump Kai in the forest she says, “I wrap my shadow tendrils around the taller one’s body, squeezing him until he passes.” It wasn’t till a few pages later that I realized she didn’t kill him (and let me tell you I read that a few times cause that is the weirdest way to say someone dies), the author just forgot the word “out”.
Honestly, this whole book was not well written. It kind of felt like a high schooler was trying to write something cool and sexy. The oversexualization of literally every scene with Wilder got so old. We get it. He has a cock and he likes to play with it. But you see, I’m not a prude. No, I love me a good smut book. But it has to be done well. It has to be written well. Give me Sarah J Maas? Say no more, I’m devouring that book. But this? Cringe. Where’s the detail? Where’s the fire? I mean, even in the non-sex scenes there was no detail. And the plot? Girl. That could use a lot of work.
We start out by being told that it’s forbidden to merge light and dark powers (quick aside but the way the author described how they used their powers was literally so lame. Writing was very amateur) and that people have been killed because they try to merge the powers. Okay by who? Kai one time mentions the ancestors saying it’s forbidden. Girl what? How are the ancestors going to punish people? And if the king is causing an arranged marriage to merge the powers, who is saying it’s forbidden and they’re going to be punished? Huh?? And then BOTH male and female, prince AND princess decide I’m not going to do this and leave. Let me repeat that. THEY JUST LEAVE. Like that. That’s it. I’m a princess who has never been outside the castle and I don’t know how to do anything like hunt or cook food but no worries!! I’m leaving my entire life with the drop of the hat cause I don’t want to marry. Talk about fucking unbelievable.
So then we switch to Wilder’s perspective and after he’s finished jacking off twelve times and stating every time he thinks about the princess that he doesn’t understand why he is thinking about her and he’s so confused cause he doesn’t care about women but apparently he cares about her even though he’s only ever seen a portrait of her, he meets this family and then he proceeds to tell us that dragons exist in this universe??? It’s so out of left field. Like nothing was ever mentioned until now about dragons until this family is just like hehe hoho we’re watching over some dragon nests so poachers don’t get to them.
Anyways, back to the other POV. The princess and her stupid friend continue on walking with no destination in mind and stumble upon a town where they steal bread and fruit cause they’re hungry and they feel bad but don’t worry they gotta eat so nevermind they don’t feel bad. Even though the friend stole, and I quote, “three small loaves of bread, some croissants, a few muffins, and the most over-sized blueberry muffin I’d ever seen.” You steal all of that from a small town baker? One, again, not believable, and two, talk about greedy. Bitch, a loaf of bread would have been fine for the both of them to split. I digress. They’re eating their snacks and then two thugs come and chase them and one attempts to rape Kai. He ties her up and at this point, I’m really starting to get tired of his mouth cause he’s saying the foulest things about raping her and I get the author is trying to make it super scary but saying the word “cunt” a bunch of times isn’t the way to do it. Then of course Wilder is in the same forest and comes to the rescue. Okay cool kind of guessed that would happen. He slits the thug’s throat, lights him on fire. Okay cool burn the fucker to the ground. AND THEN PEES ON HIS ASHES???? At this point it’s not even romantic that Wilder saved her anymore cause like what the actual fuck. He takes her back to the place he’s been staying at and when she wakes up they talk for a bit and then he hugs her and kisses her forehead and then the next morning he puts his hand on her thigh to “reassure and ground” her. Um, I’m sorry what? Even if we’re not including the fact that this girl almost got raped (which really pisses me off that authors use rape as a plot point), they don’t know each other??? I’m not letting a man I literally just met a couple of hours ago be touching me like that, even if they can “feel each other’s heartbeats”, whatever the fuck that means.
And then when she’s chilling on the grass the next day thinking of what happened and replaying the memory of Wilder killing the thug, she states that all she could think of in at that moment (mind you, when she was literally seconds from being raped) was Wilder “taking her then and there in the blood he had shed protecting her”. GIRL WHAT?????? Then Wilder comes over and is like let me show you something cool and brings her to a hot spring where he then gets naked and makes her get naked as well and then he fingers her… Bitch they just fucking met wtf?? And she was almost just raped yesterday?? After this part every time they interact it’s sexual in some way and honestly, I’m not a fan of it. He’s rough with her but don’t worry, he “knows she likes it rough” even though she’s a virgin. And he’s also rude to her? Ex: “This is my fucking pussy, Kai,” I command. “Don’t you question my behavior again.” I’m sorry but if a man said that to me I would not hesitate to cut his balls off. He then goes to later say, “Kai is taking my little tease in the bedroom to heart this evening.” THATS a tease?? I feel like it’s borderline abuse, but sure jan.
Anyways later on Kai and the people she’s staying with go pick berries and “poachers” stumble upon them and then the princess, who has been locked in a castle her whole life, who has never hurt much less killed anyone, strangles a poacher to death with her shadows, all the while mocking him for gasping at air and then telling his corpse “pathetic.” I’m sorry, call me a realist, but usually when people kill for the first time they go into shock a little bit and it weighs on them that they’ve just killed a person. Mind you, depending on the person, they could get over it quickly, but I feel like a sheltered princess isn’t one of those people (like aka an assassin who has been trained to kill).
Then Wilder and the husband from the cabin go searching for the poachers and one of them injures the husband and when they get back to the cabin via flying on a dragon cause that makes sense, Wilder’s like “is he going to be okay” and the wife immediately goes (after looking at her husband for a few seconds) “yeah I know how to treat this poison.” Girl what??? Poachers that are infected with weird shit that makes their skin white and blood black and Wilder can’t even heal with his powers and this bitch knows how to stop the poison???
Apparently the cure is in this weird Marsh and it’s super far away but Wilder has the brilliant idea to fly on the dragon that brought the husband and him home. And he then straps a fucking saddle on the dragon. HUH?! First off, where the fuck did he find this huge saddle that fits a fucking dragon. Secondly, the dragon is just like “yep I’m totally chill with this”??? I’m sorry I’m reading Iron Flame at the same time and it’s really hard to imagine a dragon that’s never been around humans before, much less being ridden by one, is totally cool having a saddle strapped to its back.
So they head to the weird marshland and when they get there Kai and Wilder get off the dragon’s back and Kai immediately asks “So what are we looking for?” IM SORRY???? This dumb bitch just jumped on a dragon’s back and journeyed three days for what??? To spend time with Wilder??? While the cabin husband dude is literally about to die??? And you didn’t even think to ask the cabin wife what you’re supposed to be looking for?? This bitch forreal??
They grab the moss they need and fly back and then they have a moment in the bedroom. It’s so obvious the author is trying to drag out the first p/v scene cause we all know after that happens these two idiots will just fuck like rabbits and there will be no more plot. So instead of using his penis, Wilder fucks her with his knife. Yes. You read correctly. He makes her suck on the pommel of his knife, then drags it down and fucks her with it…Like seriously what the actual fuck. And of course if he’s fucking her with the pommel, that means he’s holding the blade. And she literally states that his blood running down his hand from holding the blade turns her on even more…Ma’am you got some fucking issues. I’m all for a good sex scene, but blood is not a fetish I have. In fact, I was quite grossed out just reading that shit. Honestly, the whole sex scene is just cringe. If a man was saying to me what Wilder says, I would immediately tell him to get the fuck out of my house. Did I finish? No. Am I finished? Absolutely. Like serious: “Good girl Kai. Make that pussy cum again for me, baby. Fuck you’re so beautiful.” and “Clench that tight cunt around my cock like you want my cum, baby.” and “Fuckkkkkkkk.” (yes I counted the ks to make sure it was the correct amount).
The next chapter is about Wilder complaining about how he can’t “fuck her tight little pussy” even though he wants to sooo bad cause of the dark and light powers thing and so he pushes her away by sleeping on the floor, not talking to her, and drinking a BOTTLE of whiskey a night. I’m sorry, this cabin is in the middle of the woods with no town nearby and bitch boy is able to drink a whole bottle every night??
Later, a dude comes to the cabin and tells everyone (well not everyone, Kai went to bed with permission from Wilder; yes, permission) that everyone knows about them and that they’re helping the dragons because this disgraced goddess is trying to kill the dragons to rule the world. And then apparently people from all over, men, women, children (???), and dragons are coming to help the mated ones. Oh yeah, because their child is prophesied to slay the disgraced goddess and save the world. Yikes. What the actual fuck.
The people come and they’re setting up camp around the cabin and Kai is playing with this baby and then she’s like “oh Will can you teach me swordfighting?” And this cunt immediately says no. And then she goes “Well I want to learn so that I can keep myself safe besides using my magic.” And dumbbitch Wilder goes “I’ll always be here to keep you safe so you don’t need to learn it.” Excuse me??? Thankfully Kai digs her heels in and he says yes. But guess what? Literally the next day Wilder and the men go off hunting and this child poacher (cause he got black eyes and white skin) tries to kill Kai. Bet you feel real fucking stupid now, Wilder. He’s so fucking controlling it’s not cute or romatic or adorable like the author is desperately trying to make it. It’s just fucking gross and annoying and abusive.
The huge group of people decide to have a feast and this dude Jinto tries flirting with Kai. She tries being nice but then tells him no she doesn’t to dance. Her dragon steps between them cause he wasn’t taking no for an answer and drunk Jinto leaves and goes into the forest to piss. So what does Wilder do? He follows him because Jinto “touched what was his”. And then? Oh yeah and then brutally murders him. No really. It says he literally couldn’t count how many times he sank his blade into him and Wilder’s hands are so slick with blood he can barely hold onto the knife. He says Jinto is dying too quicky so he HEALS HIM to continue stabbing him. He literally starts getting an erection during this. Like what the actual fuck. BUT WAIT it actually gets fucking worse. Kai stumbles upon them and is like “omg you can’t do this will!” and then when Wilder looks into her eyes he sees (what were you going to guess? Horror? Disgust? Wrong) excitement. She apparently loves that he sheds blood for her and kisses him. Now read this fucking sentence straight from the book, ‘She wraps her legs around my waist, deepened the kiss while my victim’s blood mingles with our saliva, coating our tongues.’ I literally want to burn this book rn. AND THEN THEY FUCK. RIGHT ABOVE JINTO’S SLOWLY DYING BODY. And Jinto literally watches them cause oh idk he’s in fucking pieces and can’t leave. Wilder puts his fingers into Kai and then brings them to Jinto’s nose to smell?? AND THEN he takes some of Jinto’s blood on his fingers and tells Kai to suck on them which she happily does. And right before Wilder’s about to come he pulls out and comes right onto Jinto’s face. Someone gouge my eyes out please. I’m done reading.
Oh but I’m not cause I’m 70% through and I have the need to finish shit when I start it. So they go to the lagoon to wash off and Wilder tells her that he used to fight in these pits and people used to call him a monster and this bitch literally goes, “You’re not a monster, my sun. You’re just misunderstood.” MAAM EXCUSE ME?!?! They’re about to fuck again when Wilder just goes sheet white and then just straight up leaves the lagoon. Just peaces the fuck out. And for weeks on end stops talking to Kai. Instead of going up to him and asking him what’s gotten up his asshole, she goes “two can play at this game” and silent treatments him as well. I love the mature communication skills these two have.
Anyways, everything of course comes crashing down when Kai finds out who he is and everything that he’s been hiding from her, shocker. BUT THEN he tells her the reason he left that night in the lagoon and why he has been avoiding her is cause he didn’t know how to tell her but shes pregnant. BUT WAIT not with one, not with two, BUT WITH TRIPLETS HAHAHAHAHAH stop this is too funny. What kind of shit is this I literally busted out laughing when I heard that.
Kai says fuck this and leaves because that’s a mature non-reckless thing to do when one just learns they are pregnant and travels for weeks. Apparently the author doesn’t know how a woman’s body looks after a few weeks at the beginning of the first trimester because apparently homegirl has a bump, a full on “swollen belly.” Huh??? She’s rescued by Finnick, Wilder’s younger brother and the bitch instantly starts falling for him, wondering how soft his hair would be, blah blah blah. Then when he leaves her room she “releases the breath she didn’t know that she was holding.” Someone slit my wrists open.
Wilder continues to search for his mate during the day and then drinks himself silly at night thinking of his mate and how dumb he was to his mate and how could his mate just run off like that and how could his mate be so reckless with the fetuses. Oh, did I mention his mate? The ENTIRE chapter after Kai leaves is literally just Wilder repeating that Kai is his mate. Like, we fucking get it. Finnick is not the end game. Don’t give a shit.
A messenger comes from Wilder’s kingdom and tells him that Kai is there, so he leaves. When he gets there Kai still feels angry and tells him that she doesn’t wish to see him. Him, on the other side of her bedroom door does this: ‘His fist slams against the door in one brutal motion, the door, and frame rattling with impact.’ You know, I once read this quote that said something along the lines of being careful when men are angry and they break things/punch holes in the wall/are physical with objects because they want to do that to you. They want the power that comes with seeing you flinch or frightened. It’s toxic people who don’t know how to control themselves and their anger that take their anger out on things. Why Kai wants to be with him, honestly I have no idea. Oh yeah, and then in the next second he physically breaks down the door. He sees her belly and kneels down to touch it and homegirl backs away (as she should). This fucking piece of shit goes, “What are you doing? Do you really think you have the strength to keep me from touching you?” WOOOOOW if that doesn’t sound fucking rapey as shit. She tells him to leave her alone and he finally leaves and once again she releases a breath she didn’t know she was holding.
Wilder gets mad and needs some blood shed (cause he’s just “misunderstood,” not a monster) so he goes back to the fighting pits, drinks some whiskey before, fights, drinks some whiskey afterwards. I swear all this man does is be abusive/manipulative and chug whiskey. Then this drunken whore comes up and sits on his lap and he pushes her off and then??? Begins to imagine carving her eyeballs from her head??? In very graphic detail??? And then fucking her eyesockets which really doesn't make sense cause eyesockets aren't holes??? Literally what the fuck??? Like it’s a good two big paragraphs of him just describing how he would carve them out and then fuck her brain out via her eyesockets.
Anyways Wilder and Kai finally make up and have sex and then randomly her father comes and tells them that Kai’s stupid friend that died in the beginning was the child of the disgraced goddess that wants to rule the world. HUH?!?! That’s a random fact that really just felt like it was thrown in there to make a plot twist for no reason. Then the father just leaves. She gets into the bathtub and feels the babies start kicking. Might I add that babies don’t start kicking till month 4-6. And for first pregnancies it’s more towards month 6. It’s only been a couple of fucking weeks since she got here… Meaning she’s two MAYBE three months pregnant (she was wandering the forest for a couple weeks as well). Does this author not know that Google is free and offers a plethora of information such as when fetuses start kicking in the womb???
Anyway, the end. Yeah that’s fucking it. Except a dumb epilogue from the disgraced goddess which is useless. And then the very last page is from the author thanking everyone for taking the time to read her debut novel.Yeah… Debut. No fucking shit. I hadn’t fucking noticed. Holy shit, woman, please do not quit your day job to become a full-time writer. This shit not only made me dumber just reading it, but it also made me suicidal. Au revoir.
Okay but what the actual fuck is this book? Starting out, I immediately noticed right away it kept jumping from past to present tense. The first sentence of every chapter would start out past tense, then it would switch to present. Also throughout the chapters the tenses would jump back and forth. A lot of sentences had incorrect grammar, punctuation, or words were missing completely. Ex: when the two thugs jump Kai in the forest she says, “I wrap my shadow tendrils around the taller one’s body, squeezing him until he passes.” It wasn’t till a few pages later that I realized she didn’t kill him (and let me tell you I read that a few times cause that is the weirdest way to say someone dies), the author just forgot the word “out”.
Honestly, this whole book was not well written. It kind of felt like a high schooler was trying to write something cool and sexy. The oversexualization of literally every scene with Wilder got so old. We get it. He has a cock and he likes to play with it. But you see, I’m not a prude. No, I love me a good smut book. But it has to be done well. It has to be written well. Give me Sarah J Maas? Say no more, I’m devouring that book. But this? Cringe. Where’s the detail? Where’s the fire? I mean, even in the non-sex scenes there was no detail. And the plot? Girl. That could use a lot of work.
We start out by being told that it’s forbidden to merge light and dark powers (quick aside but the way the author described how they used their powers was literally so lame. Writing was very amateur) and that people have been killed because they try to merge the powers. Okay by who? Kai one time mentions the ancestors saying it’s forbidden. Girl what? How are the ancestors going to punish people? And if the king is causing an arranged marriage to merge the powers, who is saying it’s forbidden and they’re going to be punished? Huh?? And then BOTH male and female, prince AND princess decide I’m not going to do this and leave. Let me repeat that. THEY JUST LEAVE. Like that. That’s it. I’m a princess who has never been outside the castle and I don’t know how to do anything like hunt or cook food but no worries!! I’m leaving my entire life with the drop of the hat cause I don’t want to marry. Talk about fucking unbelievable.
So then we switch to Wilder’s perspective and after he’s finished jacking off twelve times and stating every time he thinks about the princess that he doesn’t understand why he is thinking about her and he’s so confused cause he doesn’t care about women but apparently he cares about her even though he’s only ever seen a portrait of her, he meets this family and then he proceeds to tell us that dragons exist in this universe??? It’s so out of left field. Like nothing was ever mentioned until now about dragons until this family is just like hehe hoho we’re watching over some dragon nests so poachers don’t get to them.
Anyways, back to the other POV. The princess and her stupid friend continue on walking with no destination in mind and stumble upon a town where they steal bread and fruit cause they’re hungry and they feel bad but don’t worry they gotta eat so nevermind they don’t feel bad. Even though the friend stole, and I quote, “three small loaves of bread, some croissants, a few muffins, and the most over-sized blueberry muffin I’d ever seen.” You steal all of that from a small town baker? One, again, not believable, and two, talk about greedy. Bitch, a loaf of bread would have been fine for the both of them to split. I digress. They’re eating their snacks and then two thugs come and chase them and one attempts to rape Kai. He ties her up and at this point, I’m really starting to get tired of his mouth cause he’s saying the foulest things about raping her and I get the author is trying to make it super scary but saying the word “cunt” a bunch of times isn’t the way to do it. Then of course Wilder is in the same forest and comes to the rescue. Okay cool kind of guessed that would happen. He slits the thug’s throat, lights him on fire. Okay cool burn the fucker to the ground. AND THEN PEES ON HIS ASHES???? At this point it’s not even romantic that Wilder saved her anymore cause like what the actual fuck. He takes her back to the place he’s been staying at and when she wakes up they talk for a bit and then he hugs her and kisses her forehead and then the next morning he puts his hand on her thigh to “reassure and ground” her. Um, I’m sorry what? Even if we’re not including the fact that this girl almost got raped (which really pisses me off that authors use rape as a plot point), they don’t know each other??? I’m not letting a man I literally just met a couple of hours ago be touching me like that, even if they can “feel each other’s heartbeats”, whatever the fuck that means.
And then when she’s chilling on the grass the next day thinking of what happened and replaying the memory of Wilder killing the thug, she states that all she could think of in at that moment (mind you, when she was literally seconds from being raped) was Wilder “taking her then and there in the blood he had shed protecting her”. GIRL WHAT?????? Then Wilder comes over and is like let me show you something cool and brings her to a hot spring where he then gets naked and makes her get naked as well and then he fingers her… Bitch they just fucking met wtf?? And she was almost just raped yesterday?? After this part every time they interact it’s sexual in some way and honestly, I’m not a fan of it. He’s rough with her but don’t worry, he “knows she likes it rough” even though she’s a virgin. And he’s also rude to her? Ex: “This is my fucking pussy, Kai,” I command. “Don’t you question my behavior again.” I’m sorry but if a man said that to me I would not hesitate to cut his balls off. He then goes to later say, “Kai is taking my little tease in the bedroom to heart this evening.” THATS a tease?? I feel like it’s borderline abuse, but sure jan.
Anyways later on Kai and the people she’s staying with go pick berries and “poachers” stumble upon them and then the princess, who has been locked in a castle her whole life, who has never hurt much less killed anyone, strangles a poacher to death with her shadows, all the while mocking him for gasping at air and then telling his corpse “pathetic.” I’m sorry, call me a realist, but usually when people kill for the first time they go into shock a little bit and it weighs on them that they’ve just killed a person. Mind you, depending on the person, they could get over it quickly, but I feel like a sheltered princess isn’t one of those people (like aka an assassin who has been trained to kill).
Then Wilder and the husband from the cabin go searching for the poachers and one of them injures the husband and when they get back to the cabin via flying on a dragon cause that makes sense, Wilder’s like “is he going to be okay” and the wife immediately goes (after looking at her husband for a few seconds) “yeah I know how to treat this poison.” Girl what??? Poachers that are infected with weird shit that makes their skin white and blood black and Wilder can’t even heal with his powers and this bitch knows how to stop the poison???
Apparently the cure is in this weird Marsh and it’s super far away but Wilder has the brilliant idea to fly on the dragon that brought the husband and him home. And he then straps a fucking saddle on the dragon. HUH?! First off, where the fuck did he find this huge saddle that fits a fucking dragon. Secondly, the dragon is just like “yep I’m totally chill with this”??? I’m sorry I’m reading Iron Flame at the same time and it’s really hard to imagine a dragon that’s never been around humans before, much less being ridden by one, is totally cool having a saddle strapped to its back.
So they head to the weird marshland and when they get there Kai and Wilder get off the dragon’s back and Kai immediately asks “So what are we looking for?” IM SORRY???? This dumb bitch just jumped on a dragon’s back and journeyed three days for what??? To spend time with Wilder??? While the cabin husband dude is literally about to die??? And you didn’t even think to ask the cabin wife what you’re supposed to be looking for?? This bitch forreal??
They grab the moss they need and fly back and then they have a moment in the bedroom. It’s so obvious the author is trying to drag out the first p/v scene cause we all know after that happens these two idiots will just fuck like rabbits and there will be no more plot. So instead of using his penis, Wilder fucks her with his knife. Yes. You read correctly. He makes her suck on the pommel of his knife, then drags it down and fucks her with it…Like seriously what the actual fuck. And of course if he’s fucking her with the pommel, that means he’s holding the blade. And she literally states that his blood running down his hand from holding the blade turns her on even more…Ma’am you got some fucking issues. I’m all for a good sex scene, but blood is not a fetish I have. In fact, I was quite grossed out just reading that shit. Honestly, the whole sex scene is just cringe. If a man was saying to me what Wilder says, I would immediately tell him to get the fuck out of my house. Did I finish? No. Am I finished? Absolutely. Like serious: “Good girl Kai. Make that pussy cum again for me, baby. Fuck you’re so beautiful.” and “Clench that tight cunt around my cock like you want my cum, baby.” and “Fuckkkkkkkk.” (yes I counted the ks to make sure it was the correct amount).
The next chapter is about Wilder complaining about how he can’t “fuck her tight little pussy” even though he wants to sooo bad cause of the dark and light powers thing and so he pushes her away by sleeping on the floor, not talking to her, and drinking a BOTTLE of whiskey a night. I’m sorry, this cabin is in the middle of the woods with no town nearby and bitch boy is able to drink a whole bottle every night??
Later, a dude comes to the cabin and tells everyone (well not everyone, Kai went to bed with permission from Wilder; yes, permission) that everyone knows about them and that they’re helping the dragons because this disgraced goddess is trying to kill the dragons to rule the world. And then apparently people from all over, men, women, children (???), and dragons are coming to help the mated ones. Oh yeah, because their child is prophesied to slay the disgraced goddess and save the world. Yikes. What the actual fuck.
The people come and they’re setting up camp around the cabin and Kai is playing with this baby and then she’s like “oh Will can you teach me swordfighting?” And this cunt immediately says no. And then she goes “Well I want to learn so that I can keep myself safe besides using my magic.” And dumbbitch Wilder goes “I’ll always be here to keep you safe so you don’t need to learn it.” Excuse me??? Thankfully Kai digs her heels in and he says yes. But guess what? Literally the next day Wilder and the men go off hunting and this child poacher (cause he got black eyes and white skin) tries to kill Kai. Bet you feel real fucking stupid now, Wilder. He’s so fucking controlling it’s not cute or romatic or adorable like the author is desperately trying to make it. It’s just fucking gross and annoying and abusive.
The huge group of people decide to have a feast and this dude Jinto tries flirting with Kai. She tries being nice but then tells him no she doesn’t to dance. Her dragon steps between them cause he wasn’t taking no for an answer and drunk Jinto leaves and goes into the forest to piss. So what does Wilder do? He follows him because Jinto “touched what was his”. And then? Oh yeah and then brutally murders him. No really. It says he literally couldn’t count how many times he sank his blade into him and Wilder’s hands are so slick with blood he can barely hold onto the knife. He says Jinto is dying too quicky so he HEALS HIM to continue stabbing him. He literally starts getting an erection during this. Like what the actual fuck. BUT WAIT it actually gets fucking worse. Kai stumbles upon them and is like “omg you can’t do this will!” and then when Wilder looks into her eyes he sees (what were you going to guess? Horror? Disgust? Wrong) excitement. She apparently loves that he sheds blood for her and kisses him. Now read this fucking sentence straight from the book, ‘She wraps her legs around my waist, deepened the kiss while my victim’s blood mingles with our saliva, coating our tongues.’ I literally want to burn this book rn. AND THEN THEY FUCK. RIGHT ABOVE JINTO’S SLOWLY DYING BODY. And Jinto literally watches them cause oh idk he’s in fucking pieces and can’t leave. Wilder puts his fingers into Kai and then brings them to Jinto’s nose to smell?? AND THEN he takes some of Jinto’s blood on his fingers and tells Kai to suck on them which she happily does. And right before Wilder’s about to come he pulls out and comes right onto Jinto’s face. Someone gouge my eyes out please. I’m done reading.
Oh but I’m not cause I’m 70% through and I have the need to finish shit when I start it. So they go to the lagoon to wash off and Wilder tells her that he used to fight in these pits and people used to call him a monster and this bitch literally goes, “You’re not a monster, my sun. You’re just misunderstood.” MAAM EXCUSE ME?!?! They’re about to fuck again when Wilder just goes sheet white and then just straight up leaves the lagoon. Just peaces the fuck out. And for weeks on end stops talking to Kai. Instead of going up to him and asking him what’s gotten up his asshole, she goes “two can play at this game” and silent treatments him as well. I love the mature communication skills these two have.
Anyways, everything of course comes crashing down when Kai finds out who he is and everything that he’s been hiding from her, shocker. BUT THEN he tells her the reason he left that night in the lagoon and why he has been avoiding her is cause he didn’t know how to tell her but shes pregnant. BUT WAIT not with one, not with two, BUT WITH TRIPLETS HAHAHAHAHAH stop this is too funny. What kind of shit is this I literally busted out laughing when I heard that.
Kai says fuck this and leaves because that’s a mature non-reckless thing to do when one just learns they are pregnant and travels for weeks. Apparently the author doesn’t know how a woman’s body looks after a few weeks at the beginning of the first trimester because apparently homegirl has a bump, a full on “swollen belly.” Huh??? She’s rescued by Finnick, Wilder’s younger brother and the bitch instantly starts falling for him, wondering how soft his hair would be, blah blah blah. Then when he leaves her room she “releases the breath she didn’t know that she was holding.” Someone slit my wrists open.
Wilder continues to search for his mate during the day and then drinks himself silly at night thinking of his mate and how dumb he was to his mate and how could his mate just run off like that and how could his mate be so reckless with the fetuses. Oh, did I mention his mate? The ENTIRE chapter after Kai leaves is literally just Wilder repeating that Kai is his mate. Like, we fucking get it. Finnick is not the end game. Don’t give a shit.
A messenger comes from Wilder’s kingdom and tells him that Kai is there, so he leaves. When he gets there Kai still feels angry and tells him that she doesn’t wish to see him. Him, on the other side of her bedroom door does this: ‘His fist slams against the door in one brutal motion, the door, and frame rattling with impact.’ You know, I once read this quote that said something along the lines of being careful when men are angry and they break things/punch holes in the wall/are physical with objects because they want to do that to you. They want the power that comes with seeing you flinch or frightened. It’s toxic people who don’t know how to control themselves and their anger that take their anger out on things. Why Kai wants to be with him, honestly I have no idea. Oh yeah, and then in the next second he physically breaks down the door. He sees her belly and kneels down to touch it and homegirl backs away (as she should). This fucking piece of shit goes, “What are you doing? Do you really think you have the strength to keep me from touching you?” WOOOOOW if that doesn’t sound fucking rapey as shit. She tells him to leave her alone and he finally leaves and once again she releases a breath she didn’t know she was holding.
Wilder gets mad and needs some blood shed (cause he’s just “misunderstood,” not a monster) so he goes back to the fighting pits, drinks some whiskey before, fights, drinks some whiskey afterwards. I swear all this man does is be abusive/manipulative and chug whiskey. Then this drunken whore comes up and sits on his lap and he pushes her off and then??? Begins to imagine carving her eyeballs from her head??? In very graphic detail??? And then fucking her eyesockets which really doesn't make sense cause eyesockets aren't holes??? Literally what the fuck??? Like it’s a good two big paragraphs of him just describing how he would carve them out and then fuck her brain out via her eyesockets.
Anyways Wilder and Kai finally make up and have sex and then randomly her father comes and tells them that Kai’s stupid friend that died in the beginning was the child of the disgraced goddess that wants to rule the world. HUH?!?! That’s a random fact that really just felt like it was thrown in there to make a plot twist for no reason. Then the father just leaves. She gets into the bathtub and feels the babies start kicking. Might I add that babies don’t start kicking till month 4-6. And for first pregnancies it’s more towards month 6. It’s only been a couple of fucking weeks since she got here… Meaning she’s two MAYBE three months pregnant (she was wandering the forest for a couple weeks as well). Does this author not know that Google is free and offers a plethora of information such as when fetuses start kicking in the womb???
Anyway, the end. Yeah that’s fucking it. Except a dumb epilogue from the disgraced goddess which is useless. And then the very last page is from the author thanking everyone for taking the time to read her debut novel.Yeah… Debut. No fucking shit. I hadn’t fucking noticed. Holy shit, woman, please do not quit your day job to become a full-time writer. This shit not only made me dumber just reading it, but it also made me suicidal. Au revoir.
August 8, 2023
Forbidden Love and Ancient Prophecy Prevail
This book is a promising start to a new intriguing dark fantasy series.
A Princess born and raised in obedience with power to manipulate shadows, conjure illusions and teleport is devastated that her father has arranged a marriage between her and a prince she knows nothing about, decides to take matters into her own hands.
Wilder the Prince of Lendorr has the power of light and healing but struggles to control the bloodlust lingering beneath the surface. Enraged of the arranged marriage his parents thrust upon him, he decides to set out on his own and change his fate.
With the fate of Askira hanging in the balance; inhuman poachers are ridding the land of dragons needed for Askira's survival. In order to put a stop to this vile and evil plan of eradication an ancient prophecy has been revealed with Kai and Wilder as the keys necessary to bring the prophecy to fruition.
Raised to believe that the joining of Shadow magic with that of Light magic is forbidden; both Kai and Wilder both set out to twist the hands of fate and change the trajectory of their futures only to end up right where fate intended them to be. Though history says they are forbidden to love and come together. Prophecy says otherwise.
This fantasy had it all: Magic, Sorcery, Spice, Dark Elements, Witty Banter, Secrets, Lies, Betrayal and Action.
Wilder and Kai had a lot of obstacles to overcome to mend their fragile relationship and understands the fate of mankind rests upon their family's shoulder.
While their friends are setting up camp in preparation of an upcoming war against the evil being responsible for creating the inhuman poachers and murdering innocent dragons; there is a traitor in their midst who is out for revenge.
This book is a promising start to a new intriguing dark fantasy series.
A Princess born and raised in obedience with power to manipulate shadows, conjure illusions and teleport is devastated that her father has arranged a marriage between her and a prince she knows nothing about, decides to take matters into her own hands.
Wilder the Prince of Lendorr has the power of light and healing but struggles to control the bloodlust lingering beneath the surface. Enraged of the arranged marriage his parents thrust upon him, he decides to set out on his own and change his fate.
With the fate of Askira hanging in the balance; inhuman poachers are ridding the land of dragons needed for Askira's survival. In order to put a stop to this vile and evil plan of eradication an ancient prophecy has been revealed with Kai and Wilder as the keys necessary to bring the prophecy to fruition.
Raised to believe that the joining of Shadow magic with that of Light magic is forbidden; both Kai and Wilder both set out to twist the hands of fate and change the trajectory of their futures only to end up right where fate intended them to be. Though history says they are forbidden to love and come together. Prophecy says otherwise.
This fantasy had it all: Magic, Sorcery, Spice, Dark Elements, Witty Banter, Secrets, Lies, Betrayal and Action.
Wilder and Kai had a lot of obstacles to overcome to mend their fragile relationship and understands the fate of mankind rests upon their family's shoulder.
While their friends are setting up camp in preparation of an upcoming war against the evil being responsible for creating the inhuman poachers and murdering innocent dragons; there is a traitor in their midst who is out for revenge.
July 24, 2023
“A princess born of obedience and shadows. A prince with unbounded blood lust. Forced together by fate. Destined to fulfil an ancient prophecy, or risk the destruction of Askia”
First impression - I love a man with blood on his hands and a psychopath mentality, so I immediately loved Wilder’s character. New book boyfriend for sure.
Darakai our FMC I took longer to warm up to, but the author wrote her obedience so well, I was convinced that would be her demeanour throughout the story. However, by the time I finished the book, I was so pleasantly happy with how Darakai started to come into herself and her power.
Both characters had good development throughout the book, the world is very interesting, and I was genuinely interested in seeing what will happen in the next instalment.
Of course - the spicy was top tier! 🥵 (remember to check your TW’s)
Congratulations Melissa on your debut novel and thank you for allowing me the pleasure to ARC read it for you. I can’t wait to see where you take us next.
First impression - I love a man with blood on his hands and a psychopath mentality, so I immediately loved Wilder’s character. New book boyfriend for sure.
Darakai our FMC I took longer to warm up to, but the author wrote her obedience so well, I was convinced that would be her demeanour throughout the story. However, by the time I finished the book, I was so pleasantly happy with how Darakai started to come into herself and her power.
Both characters had good development throughout the book, the world is very interesting, and I was genuinely interested in seeing what will happen in the next instalment.
Of course - the spicy was top tier! 🥵 (remember to check your TW’s)
Congratulations Melissa on your debut novel and thank you for allowing me the pleasure to ARC read it for you. I can’t wait to see where you take us next.
August 10, 2023
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.25
I truly enjoyed Melissa's debut ... this is the beginning to an amazing world of fantasy, romance, magic and darkness. The spice was an added bonus.
I loved the whole idea behind the fate aspect in this book. Melissa truly brought that together so beautifully. I am glad to see that in the end this brought Wilder and Darakai closer together.
I am curious about some details in this book, especially about the whole entanglement with Finnick.
So I am super excited to continue this world of Askia by reading book 2 when it comes out.
I truly enjoyed Melissa's debut ... this is the beginning to an amazing world of fantasy, romance, magic and darkness. The spice was an added bonus.
I loved the whole idea behind the fate aspect in this book. Melissa truly brought that together so beautifully. I am glad to see that in the end this brought Wilder and Darakai closer together.
I am curious about some details in this book, especially about the whole entanglement with Finnick.
So I am super excited to continue this world of Askia by reading book 2 when it comes out.
September 19, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
Lust & heartbreak at every turn of the page. This dark romance fantasy had me burning for more, unable to put this book down and reading long into night.
This book was spicey, and man, oh man, I was quite literally glued to it until I finished it.
"WOW" moments followed by loud screeches of "YES" with every bit of smut.
As an ARC ebook reader, I am now dying to get my hands on the physical copy, which has just been released.
Book 2 is due early 2024, and Book 3 later 2024
~~
This masterpiece by Melissa McSherry is a dual POV of a princess born of shadow and a prince born of light who are fated mates and fight their blood lust at every turn. The prophecy requires their unity, but the ultimate betrayal may bring us all to our knees.
ARRANGED MARRIAGE
TWO KINDOMS
FATED MATES
LUST
VIOLENCE
LOVE
SPICE
DRAGONS
ADVENTURE
TWISTED FATES
BETRAYAL
HEARTBREAK
DUAL POV FMC & MMC
🌶🌶🌶
Lust & heartbreak at every turn of the page. This dark romance fantasy had me burning for more, unable to put this book down and reading long into night.
This book was spicey, and man, oh man, I was quite literally glued to it until I finished it.
"WOW" moments followed by loud screeches of "YES" with every bit of smut.
As an ARC ebook reader, I am now dying to get my hands on the physical copy, which has just been released.
Book 2 is due early 2024, and Book 3 later 2024
~~
This masterpiece by Melissa McSherry is a dual POV of a princess born of shadow and a prince born of light who are fated mates and fight their blood lust at every turn. The prophecy requires their unity, but the ultimate betrayal may bring us all to our knees.
ARRANGED MARRIAGE
TWO KINDOMS
FATED MATES
LUST
VIOLENCE
LOVE
SPICE
DRAGONS
ADVENTURE
TWISTED FATES
BETRAYAL
HEARTBREAK
DUAL POV FMC & MMC
August 11, 2023
The genre of fantasy, a world of dragons, princesses, kingdoms and gods is 100% NOT my thing until now.
I still don't know how Melissa McSherry kept me reading - not just reading but avidly turning pages with only a nightlight for company - but she did. Actually, I do know. It's all in the writing the beautiful cadence she employs.
No spoilers however as this book is a discovery unto itself.
This is a book that requires focus. It is plot rich and character driven, no mind wandering permitted or you will literally lose the plot. It is told from multiple POVs which is a personal favourite trope of mine as it helps so much to understand the characters and they are complex here.
It is absolutely a romance though with heaps of spice to keep you warm. A truly stunning debut from a very talented writer. I can't wait to see what else she produces as she is a writer to watch out for.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I still don't know how Melissa McSherry kept me reading - not just reading but avidly turning pages with only a nightlight for company - but she did. Actually, I do know. It's all in the writing the beautiful cadence she employs.
No spoilers however as this book is a discovery unto itself.
This is a book that requires focus. It is plot rich and character driven, no mind wandering permitted or you will literally lose the plot. It is told from multiple POVs which is a personal favourite trope of mine as it helps so much to understand the characters and they are complex here.
It is absolutely a romance though with heaps of spice to keep you warm. A truly stunning debut from a very talented writer. I can't wait to see what else she produces as she is a writer to watch out for.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 16, 2023
What an incredible debut book! 4.5 ⭐️
I was honoured to receive an ARC and I absolutely devoured it. The writing was incredibly descriptive, and I was able to perfectly visualize everything that was happening.
The world building was immense, and a bit over whelming at first, but after taking my time to slow down and read every word (I’m bad for skimming😅) I was able to follow along. I can’t wait to learn more about these kingdoms and the prophecy.
This was spicy and delicious, and the lusty tension between Kai and Wilder was everything. I found myself kicking and grinning every time Wilder opened his mouth, ooh the dirty mouth on that one. And the touch her and die trope is also one of my personal favourites.
And the way it just ended?! How could she do that to me?!
Not so patiently waiting for book 2!
I was honoured to receive an ARC and I absolutely devoured it. The writing was incredibly descriptive, and I was able to perfectly visualize everything that was happening.
The world building was immense, and a bit over whelming at first, but after taking my time to slow down and read every word (I’m bad for skimming😅) I was able to follow along. I can’t wait to learn more about these kingdoms and the prophecy.
This was spicy and delicious, and the lusty tension between Kai and Wilder was everything. I found myself kicking and grinning every time Wilder opened his mouth, ooh the dirty mouth on that one. And the touch her and die trope is also one of my personal favourites.
And the way it just ended?! How could she do that to me?!
Not so patiently waiting for book 2!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2023
Omg can't wait for book 2 WHEN ITS COMING???
It's her debut book, it was so good.
Kai and Will both of them ran away after hearing they have to marry each other to make their kingdom strong. But fate has different plans and they met as strangers Kai didn't know the person she was falling in love with was the reason for her running away. All along wilder knew that she was the princess he was supposed to marry. They madly fall in love with each other.
Now let's wait for book two ❤️
It's her debut book, it was so good.
Kai and Will both of them ran away after hearing they have to marry each other to make their kingdom strong. But fate has different plans and they met as strangers Kai didn't know the person she was falling in love with was the reason for her running away. All along wilder knew that she was the princess he was supposed to marry. They madly fall in love with each other.
Now let's wait for book two ❤️
July 17, 2023
This book was far out of my reading comfort zone but I’m so glad that I read it. It has the right combination of action/adventure with the added bonus of a very spicy romance. Word of caution, this is not for the faint of heart, there was only one scene in particular that felt a little gratuitous but understanding the author’s characters I can see why it was so graphic. While it shocked me a bit, it didn’t detract from me continuing to read the rest of the book.
It’s fast-paced and held my attention the whole time. I can’t wait for the sequel!
It’s fast-paced and held my attention the whole time. I can’t wait for the sequel!
July 22, 2023
I got this as and ARC and all I can say is WOW!! This is a Dark Fantasy Romance, with amazing spice 🥵 and great characters. I really enjoyed this book, and couldn’t put it down . Loved this story and can’t wait to see what else she writes. Please do your self a favour read this book 🖤
July 22, 2023
I was lucky enough to be a beta reader for this wonderful story. Wilder and Kia can really boil your blood, in both heat and frustration. They ran from their kingdoms to escape the upcoming forced marriage, only to have fate shove them back together and their chemistry is immediately explosive and I could not help myself but pray they gave into it. There are twists and turns that will have you shook and turning the pages quickly. The ending promises nothing but good things for the next book and I can not wait.
August 8, 2023
Such a great book! Fated mates, touch her and die. Plot & Spice! Obsessed!! Can not wait for the second one to come out 🖤
June 26, 2023
FIVE STARS - I was a beta reader for this book, and I can’t wait for the public to get their hands on it. Melissa’s writing will draw you in, leaving you desperate for more. I binged this book each time I found a free moment to read… staying up far too late two nights in a row.
If you love alphaholes, dark romance, and fantasy you’ll be sure to enjoy this book. If I hadn’t been told this was a debut novel I would have never known. Melissa McSherry should be very proud of this piece of art.
You’ll fall for her characters and she’ll toy with your emotions. Toward the end of the book I began to fall for not only the male MC, but a side male character. I can’t wait to see where he falls later in the series. Other side characters within Of Shadow and Light provide value and character development throughout the book.
I can’t recommend this book enough!!
If you love alphaholes, dark romance, and fantasy you’ll be sure to enjoy this book. If I hadn’t been told this was a debut novel I would have never known. Melissa McSherry should be very proud of this piece of art.
You’ll fall for her characters and she’ll toy with your emotions. Toward the end of the book I began to fall for not only the male MC, but a side male character. I can’t wait to see where he falls later in the series. Other side characters within Of Shadow and Light provide value and character development throughout the book.
I can’t recommend this book enough!!
November 10, 2023
This book deserves more recognition!! This book was amazing! This took me into a fantasy world like no other. I absolutely loved the setting of this book and the way this was written. The spice was spicy. The plot was well thought out. This book has a very well structured from beginning to end. This is James packed with fantasy and suspense. I truly enjoyed this book and can’t wait until book two is released.
December 7, 2023
“One from the Kingdom of Light, and the other from the Kingdom of Shadows, fated to find each other in every life..”
When an arranged marriage is force upon the Princess of Vadronia and the Prince of Lendorr. They both flee their Kingdoms.
What they don’t expect is to find one another or for the Prince, Wilder to save the Princess, Darakai from danger.
Now together, they feel a connection that they never felt before!
What happens when betrayal and secrets resurface?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
The novel did have it slow parts. I really enjoyed the bond between Darakai and Wilder! This book doesn’t hold anything back. It has so much spicy scenes that I enjoyed!
The ending had me wanting to know more of what’s to come.
Thank you so much for this opportunity to be an Arc reader for an honest review! I’m looking forward to release day! Coming August 2023!!
When an arranged marriage is force upon the Princess of Vadronia and the Prince of Lendorr. They both flee their Kingdoms.
What they don’t expect is to find one another or for the Prince, Wilder to save the Princess, Darakai from danger.
Now together, they feel a connection that they never felt before!
What happens when betrayal and secrets resurface?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
The novel did have it slow parts. I really enjoyed the bond between Darakai and Wilder! This book doesn’t hold anything back. It has so much spicy scenes that I enjoyed!
The ending had me wanting to know more of what’s to come.
Thank you so much for this opportunity to be an Arc reader for an honest review! I’m looking forward to release day! Coming August 2023!!
September 22, 2023
“I may be your moon, Will. But I’ve realized that you’re my sun.”
Melissa McSherry’s debut novel, Of Shadow and Light, is action-packed! McSherry utilizes descriptive words and characters to entrap you in the story. I devoured this ARC in one sitting and regret nothing!
The relationship between Wilders and Kai makes all of the stress worth it. Wilders, a morally grey character, defines himself by his darkness. Kai’s reaction to such darkness makes for a beautiful relationship where there is potential for both characters to grow together.
As readers, we like to accept and love the darkness in our main male characters, and McSherry did an amazing job highlighting that.
Make sure to check out the trigger warnings before reading this book as it deals with some heavy stuff!
Melissa McSherry’s debut novel, Of Shadow and Light, is action-packed! McSherry utilizes descriptive words and characters to entrap you in the story. I devoured this ARC in one sitting and regret nothing!
The relationship between Wilders and Kai makes all of the stress worth it. Wilders, a morally grey character, defines himself by his darkness. Kai’s reaction to such darkness makes for a beautiful relationship where there is potential for both characters to grow together.
As readers, we like to accept and love the darkness in our main male characters, and McSherry did an amazing job highlighting that.
Make sure to check out the trigger warnings before reading this book as it deals with some heavy stuff!
August 20, 2023
Of Shadow And Light is the first book in the Essence Of Ash series. It is a fantasy romance featuring Darakai (Kai) Reyes, Princess of Vadronia, and Wilder (Will) Haven, Prince of Lendorr.
Askia is divided into two kingdoms: Vadronia, where inhabitants have shadow magic, and Lendorr, where they have light magic. The two kingdoms keep apart as it is forbidden to blend the shadow and light magic, under penalty of death. So why then have the two kingdoms arranged for their children to be married?
Both Kai and Will independently flee their kingdoms into the Witiral Woods, and somehow manage to find each other. Will knows who Kai really is as he received a drawing of her likeness when he was informed they were betrothed, but he doesn't tell Kai who he is. It is the first of many things he keeps secret all because he wants to keep her safe. The two are inexplicably drawn to one another.
They end up living with a druid family who are dragon protectors. In exchange for pulling their own weight around the druid's homestead, they are welcomed and find a new family. Together they navigate the dangers of the corrupt poachers who are trapping and killing the dragons, and anyone who might get in their way.
With time, Will learns that he and Kai are fated mates, and are part of an ancient prophecy. He endeavours to find some way to change their fate, and until he can figure it out, he chooses to keep this from Kai. No good can come from secrets...
This brilliant book is McSherry's debut. I fell in love with her morally grey characters who share some deliciously spicy scenes together. Will is a highly possessive alpha male with a very dark side that he struggles to keep in check. He likes to be in control.
"No one will ever touch you again. You are mine, Myskiá, and I will burn any soul who even thinks of touching you."
Kai comes across as demure since she was raised to be obedient, but once free of her father's reign, her feisty, sassy side comes out, but she will still fight Will for control.
"Sorry, Will, but I'll be damned if a man is ever going to tell me what to do again."
I found McSherry's writing to be completely captivating. I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. In addition to an arranged marriage, fated mates, and an ancient prophecy, this book also has gods, dragons, mysteries, plot twist and turns, and of course a cliffhanger ending.
I am eager to get my hands on the second book in this series, but I'll try not to hover while she writes. I'm certain it will be worth the wait!
Askia is divided into two kingdoms: Vadronia, where inhabitants have shadow magic, and Lendorr, where they have light magic. The two kingdoms keep apart as it is forbidden to blend the shadow and light magic, under penalty of death. So why then have the two kingdoms arranged for their children to be married?
Both Kai and Will independently flee their kingdoms into the Witiral Woods, and somehow manage to find each other. Will knows who Kai really is as he received a drawing of her likeness when he was informed they were betrothed, but he doesn't tell Kai who he is. It is the first of many things he keeps secret all because he wants to keep her safe. The two are inexplicably drawn to one another.
They end up living with a druid family who are dragon protectors. In exchange for pulling their own weight around the druid's homestead, they are welcomed and find a new family. Together they navigate the dangers of the corrupt poachers who are trapping and killing the dragons, and anyone who might get in their way.
With time, Will learns that he and Kai are fated mates, and are part of an ancient prophecy. He endeavours to find some way to change their fate, and until he can figure it out, he chooses to keep this from Kai. No good can come from secrets...
This brilliant book is McSherry's debut. I fell in love with her morally grey characters who share some deliciously spicy scenes together. Will is a highly possessive alpha male with a very dark side that he struggles to keep in check. He likes to be in control.
"No one will ever touch you again. You are mine, Myskiá, and I will burn any soul who even thinks of touching you."
Kai comes across as demure since she was raised to be obedient, but once free of her father's reign, her feisty, sassy side comes out, but she will still fight Will for control.
"Sorry, Will, but I'll be damned if a man is ever going to tell me what to do again."
I found McSherry's writing to be completely captivating. I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. In addition to an arranged marriage, fated mates, and an ancient prophecy, this book also has gods, dragons, mysteries, plot twist and turns, and of course a cliffhanger ending.
I am eager to get my hands on the second book in this series, but I'll try not to hover while she writes. I'm certain it will be worth the wait!
September 2, 2023
OF SHADOW AND LIGHT
PAGE TURNER, EMOTIONAL, TWISTS, DRAMA, SPICE, INTENSE!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5/5🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️5/5
WOW!! Absolutely LOVE from start to finish. The more that you get into this book the more mind blown and intense it gets. It just keeps getting better and better with each page turn. You go through high and lows in emotions. Super action packed. I’m in love with the storyline and characters. This story was beautifully written into a masterpiece. The world building and character development that goes on is fanfeckintastic!!! Darakai(Kai) is a princess of darkness, her shadows are powerful and meet their match when coming face to face with Wilder(Will) who is also of royalty. They were destined to meet one way or another, it was inevitable. They tried so hard to stay away from each other because it is forbidden for their union. However fate had other plans. As the story unfolds you find out secrets that hold power to destroy or save the world of Askia. This book had my emotions all over the place, from excited, to panic, sad, stressed, happy, spicy and frustrated as hell. Melissa’s writing is so unique, you get hooked and don’t want to ever let go! That cliffhanger at the end is one that still haunts me 😭. DA’MN IT!!!
I definitely recommend this book HOWEVER please watch for the triggers as there are events in this book that can be rough for some readers!
PAGE TURNER, EMOTIONAL, TWISTS, DRAMA, SPICE, INTENSE!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5/5🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️5/5
WOW!! Absolutely LOVE from start to finish. The more that you get into this book the more mind blown and intense it gets. It just keeps getting better and better with each page turn. You go through high and lows in emotions. Super action packed. I’m in love with the storyline and characters. This story was beautifully written into a masterpiece. The world building and character development that goes on is fanfeckintastic!!! Darakai(Kai) is a princess of darkness, her shadows are powerful and meet their match when coming face to face with Wilder(Will) who is also of royalty. They were destined to meet one way or another, it was inevitable. They tried so hard to stay away from each other because it is forbidden for their union. However fate had other plans. As the story unfolds you find out secrets that hold power to destroy or save the world of Askia. This book had my emotions all over the place, from excited, to panic, sad, stressed, happy, spicy and frustrated as hell. Melissa’s writing is so unique, you get hooked and don’t want to ever let go! That cliffhanger at the end is one that still haunts me 😭. DA’MN IT!!!
I definitely recommend this book HOWEVER please watch for the triggers as there are events in this book that can be rough for some readers!
August 10, 2023
Of shadow and light review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice ✅
Romance ✅
Fantasy✅
Fated Mates ✅
This book has it all! It did not disappoint! I was so happy to get an arc copy but of course all thoughts and feelings are my own.
Two kingdoms, each with their own magic system that shouldn't be merged, force our FMC and MMC into a tricky situation. Mcsherry does an excellent job of building this fantasy. The world itself comes together beautifully with her writing style. There's dragons, power dynamics, epic spicy times but please remember, as with any book, check those trigger warnings.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wilder: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Be sure to follow @pagemastermama on IG for behind the scenes/ extra content, as well as info on book two!!
#fantasy #currentread #faereads #fantasyromance #slowburn #obsessed #tbrlist #booknews #bibliophile #booknerd #bookreader #booksarelife #booksofinstagram #booksta #book #booklover #bookcommunity #kindleunlimited #instabook #bookstagram #readingtime #booktok #fantasyreads #morallygray #enemiestolovers
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice ✅
Romance ✅
Fantasy✅
Fated Mates ✅
This book has it all! It did not disappoint! I was so happy to get an arc copy but of course all thoughts and feelings are my own.
Two kingdoms, each with their own magic system that shouldn't be merged, force our FMC and MMC into a tricky situation. Mcsherry does an excellent job of building this fantasy. The world itself comes together beautifully with her writing style. There's dragons, power dynamics, epic spicy times but please remember, as with any book, check those trigger warnings.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wilder: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Be sure to follow @pagemastermama on IG for behind the scenes/ extra content, as well as info on book two!!
#fantasy #currentread #faereads #fantasyromance #slowburn #obsessed #tbrlist #booknews #bibliophile #booknerd #bookreader #booksarelife #booksofinstagram #booksta #book #booklover #bookcommunity #kindleunlimited #instabook #bookstagram #readingtime #booktok #fantasyreads #morallygray #enemiestolovers
August 31, 2023
This book is absolutely amazing and I can't wait to carry on with the next book. Such a cliff hanger to leave us on Melissa but you did it with such beautiful style.
I haven't read many fantasies as I could never really get into them. Melissa was kind enough to send me and ARC and I have to say this was one of the best decisions I've made I love this book and I am so excited to see more of your work.
This book has so many twists and turns. It has dragons, magic, romance, passion, smut, betrayal and a whole lot of sexy man Wilder🔥🔥
My favourite Wilder Quotes:
"Your Mine Kai"
"A Good Little Mate"
"There is no one I will not strike down, no one in all of Askia I will not slaughter when it comes to you"
"Mine. All of you are mine"
It has to be rated a 5⭐️ read as anything but that wouldn't do this book justice for how much I enjoyed this storyline and the MC's.
I haven't read many fantasies as I could never really get into them. Melissa was kind enough to send me and ARC and I have to say this was one of the best decisions I've made I love this book and I am so excited to see more of your work.
This book has so many twists and turns. It has dragons, magic, romance, passion, smut, betrayal and a whole lot of sexy man Wilder🔥🔥
My favourite Wilder Quotes:
"Your Mine Kai"
"A Good Little Mate"
"There is no one I will not strike down, no one in all of Askia I will not slaughter when it comes to you"
"Mine. All of you are mine"
It has to be rated a 5⭐️ read as anything but that wouldn't do this book justice for how much I enjoyed this storyline and the MC's.
July 27, 2023
A book full of unexpected twists! If you love fourth wing, eragon and Acotar you must read this book! It had the perfect balance of whimsy and darkness to make it very hard to put down! The characters were so relatable and charming, the plot line was full of trauma/dark twists and the Freaking dragons!?!? Yes.
Princess of Shadows and Prince of Light forbidden to be together by history, yet fated to be mates. Resisting their attraction in amazing slow burn. Multi POV with just the right amount of 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Plus all the good tropes! Arranged marriage, runaway bride, one bed, who did this to you?, fated mates and prophecy.
Cannot wait for book 2!!!!
Princess of Shadows and Prince of Light forbidden to be together by history, yet fated to be mates. Resisting their attraction in amazing slow burn. Multi POV with just the right amount of 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Plus all the good tropes! Arranged marriage, runaway bride, one bed, who did this to you?, fated mates and prophecy.
Cannot wait for book 2!!!!
July 23, 2023
This book is smut with a side of plot and I enjoyed it.
This book is slow paced with a lot of information that can get to much sometimes. But trust me the sex scenes totally make up for that Wilder has such a dirty mouth and I love the nickname he gave her Myskià.
Read this for the smut even though the storyline is interesting it is slow and the more we get into the book the more the focus relies in the relationship between Darakai and Wilder then the prophecy. The closer I got to the end the slower the pace became and I do have to say it because it became so slow it was sometimes hard to continue reading. And most of the information got mentioned to many times or could have simply be left out.
The dagger scene? To die for 🥵
The lagoon scene? I am melting 🫠
The forest scene when he claimed her 🔥
And I could keep going on about how amazing the smut is in this book!!
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Favorite quote: I refuse to let my attack define me, even if its memory stays forever.
This book is slow paced with a lot of information that can get to much sometimes. But trust me the sex scenes totally make up for that Wilder has such a dirty mouth and I love the nickname he gave her Myskià.
Read this for the smut even though the storyline is interesting it is slow and the more we get into the book the more the focus relies in the relationship between Darakai and Wilder then the prophecy. The closer I got to the end the slower the pace became and I do have to say it because it became so slow it was sometimes hard to continue reading. And most of the information got mentioned to many times or could have simply be left out.
The dagger scene? To die for 🥵
The lagoon scene? I am melting 🫠
The forest scene when he claimed her 🔥
And I could keep going on about how amazing the smut is in this book!!
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Favorite quote: I refuse to let my attack define me, even if its memory stays forever.
July 24, 2023
Wow I loved this! I'm new to the fantasy romance but this was great! I love the writing style and the story line. I'm not normally a fan of cliff hangers but you better believe I set a calendar reminder for book 2. This truly was "a dance between two powers. The light and the dark. " I can't wait to see how this turns out! There are dragons and a princess and kingdoms...the ultimate sexy fairy tale! I highly recommend this book and any story after this!
July 27, 2023
✨ ARC REVIEW ✨
What a great start to the series. The world building was great and lots of twists and turns along the way. Great level of spice for a first book of a series and I really enjoyed this read.
I am looking forward to seeing where the story goes for Darakai and Wilder and I am super intrigued by Finnick.
✨ TROPES ✨
- Arranged marriage
- Magic and dragons
- Murder and betrayal
- Forbidden love
- “She’s mine”
- Fated mates
❗️ Please check trigger warnings before starting ❗️
Special thanks to the author for an ARC of this for my honest review.
What a great start to the series. The world building was great and lots of twists and turns along the way. Great level of spice for a first book of a series and I really enjoyed this read.
I am looking forward to seeing where the story goes for Darakai and Wilder and I am super intrigued by Finnick.
✨ TROPES ✨
- Arranged marriage
- Magic and dragons
- Murder and betrayal
- Forbidden love
- “She’s mine”
- Fated mates
❗️ Please check trigger warnings before starting ❗️
Special thanks to the author for an ARC of this for my honest review.
August 14, 2023
I'll be [not-so] patiently waiting for book 2.
World building is so important to me and this delivered. I want to be sucked in and i was sucked in. The spice was delicious and unique, it felt true to the characters and was sometimes unexpected - loved that.
The emotions hit hard in this too. Tugged at more than a few heartstrings as the plot moved along.
Dark and twisty. Multi POV. "Who did this to you?"
Mind the trigger warnings ⚠️
World building is so important to me and this delivered. I want to be sucked in and i was sucked in. The spice was delicious and unique, it felt true to the characters and was sometimes unexpected - loved that.
The emotions hit hard in this too. Tugged at more than a few heartstrings as the plot moved along.
Dark and twisty. Multi POV. "Who did this to you?"
Mind the trigger warnings ⚠️
August 13, 2023
Not going to lie the opening was not my cup of tea but I am glad I kept reading because then I was hooked!
This book does have darker elements so make sure you check the triggers! If you like spicy, arranged marriage, fated mates, and some violence this is definitely a fun book!
This book does have darker elements so make sure you check the triggers! If you like spicy, arranged marriage, fated mates, and some violence this is definitely a fun book!
August 9, 2023
Princess Darakai and Prince Wilder, from neighbouring kingdoms, have always been told that people with shadow and sun magic should not be together as unimaginable things may happen.
Even with this knowledge the pair are arranged to be married and to avoid this they both run away only to meet unexpectedly in a forest where both are taken in by a farming family.
Trying to avoid the pull they feel for each other just becomes more and more difficult as time goes on.
As a whole I really enjoy this book even though in some parts it was a little bit slow paced. This book was very plot and character development driven which I loved. And spicy 🥵🥵🥵🥵. This book was on fire 🔥🔥 with spicy sense from both povs.
This book has:
🌟Fated Mates
🌟Arranged Marriage
🌟Multiple pov
🌟Cliffhanger ending
🌟Dark MMC
🌟Dragons
🌟Magic
🌟Spice 🥵🥵🥵
🌟Touch her and you die
🌟Violence
🌟Heartbreak
Even with this knowledge the pair are arranged to be married and to avoid this they both run away only to meet unexpectedly in a forest where both are taken in by a farming family.
Trying to avoid the pull they feel for each other just becomes more and more difficult as time goes on.
As a whole I really enjoy this book even though in some parts it was a little bit slow paced. This book was very plot and character development driven which I loved. And spicy 🥵🥵🥵🥵. This book was on fire 🔥🔥 with spicy sense from both povs.
This book has:
🌟Fated Mates
🌟Arranged Marriage
🌟Multiple pov
🌟Cliffhanger ending
🌟Dark MMC
🌟Dragons
🌟Magic
🌟Spice 🥵🥵🥵
🌟Touch her and you die
🌟Violence
🌟Heartbreak
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews