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Bound to the Shadow Prince
In order to protect her kingdom from the wrath of a vengeful goddess, Princess Candra must remain locked inside a tower for seven years. Seven long years without a friend―or a lover―by her side. And shut inside the tower with her? A Fellian, the enemy of her people, a fearsome warrior race complete with wings and claws and fangs. Nemeth is terrifying, cruel, and disturbingly magnetic. Candra should kill him for his supplies, but she’s desperate for his company…and his touch.
As time inside the unchanging tower rolls on, Candra uncovers the man behind the stony facade. And when their tenure hits an unexpected snag, Candra and Nemeth are forced to make a difficult choice. They’ll need to face an outside world they no longer recognize, one that threatens their lives and their surprising love.
As time inside the unchanging tower rolls on, Candra uncovers the man behind the stony facade. And when their tenure hits an unexpected snag, Candra and Nemeth are forced to make a difficult choice. They’ll need to face an outside world they no longer recognize, one that threatens their lives and their surprising love.
536 pages, Paperback
First published July 2, 2024
671 people are currently reading
19562 people want to read
About the author
Ruby Dixon
159 books19.4k followersRuby Dixon is an author of Science Fiction Romance. She likes fated mates, baby-filled epilogues, and cinnamon roll heroes. She also likes to write biographies of herself in the third person, because it feels more important that way.
Ruby also loves coffee and dirty books and will probably be a cat lady at some point. :)
Ruby also loves coffee and dirty books and will probably be a cat lady at some point. :)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 947 reviews
February 15, 2024
When I requested this, I thought it sounded like it would have a sort of B&B plotline, but it ended up being a messy enemies-to-lovers story with little to recommend it. Rival reigning houses send their children to be enclosed in a tower without windows or doors (how can the girl even live in that airless kind of tomb?) so a curse can be avoided, mostly unamusing banter ensues, they fall for each other rather quickly and predictably, and their banging gets the spotlight. The End.
That's all the story there is. It's neither B&B nor Rapunzel but steals elements from both for a basically soft erotica concoction that has some plot somewhere. Not for me!
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
That's all the story there is. It's neither B&B nor Rapunzel but steals elements from both for a basically soft erotica concoction that has some plot somewhere. Not for me!
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 2, 2024
*4.5 stars*
Finally!
I've been a Ruby Dixon fan-girl since her Ice Planet Barbarians series, but I've been crushingly underwhelmed with her other books since, especially her newer offerings. However, I could NOT stop reading Bound to the Shadow Prince, and I pulled two nearly all-nighters to finish this nearly 600 page book.
I've read nothing but kind of negative reviews of this book, so I went into it with extremely low expectations. However, I was SO pleasantly surprised with this one! Like, it went above and beyond my expectations, which probably contributed to my high rating.
Warning: this book has a VERY slow burn romance, enemies-to-lovers, lots of violence and death, and it is LONG. This isn't the typical Ruby Dixon "love at first sight" kind of story. It is kind of slow with lots of world-building, and I was here for it!! It struck me in just the right sort of ways.
The romance is romancing, baby! Give me a bookish, kind of nerdy GIANT male alien MC and a sultry female seductress MC any day of the week. Just, YES. It really worked for me. I loved the chemistry that developed between these two, and I kept wanting more. Also, I adored the chronic medical condition representation in this romance. I would postulate, based on symptoms and treatment, that the medical condition is loosely based on type-1 diabetes, and it's really well done.
I have very few negatives about Bound to the Shadow Prince. Any book that keeps me reading all night automatically gets 4.5-5 stars, in my book. Be ready for twists and turns, and some smoldering sex scenes. Thank you, Ruby Dixon!
*~*Follow me on instagram for more reviews, book talk, and deals posts*~*
Finally!
I've been a Ruby Dixon fan-girl since her Ice Planet Barbarians series, but I've been crushingly underwhelmed with her other books since, especially her newer offerings. However, I could NOT stop reading Bound to the Shadow Prince, and I pulled two nearly all-nighters to finish this nearly 600 page book.
I've read nothing but kind of negative reviews of this book, so I went into it with extremely low expectations. However, I was SO pleasantly surprised with this one! Like, it went above and beyond my expectations, which probably contributed to my high rating.
Warning: this book has a VERY slow burn romance, enemies-to-lovers, lots of violence and death, and it is LONG. This isn't the typical Ruby Dixon "love at first sight" kind of story. It is kind of slow with lots of world-building, and I was here for it!! It struck me in just the right sort of ways.
The romance is romancing, baby! Give me a bookish, kind of nerdy GIANT male alien MC and a sultry female seductress MC any day of the week. Just, YES. It really worked for me. I loved the chemistry that developed between these two, and I kept wanting more. Also, I adored the chronic medical condition representation in this romance. I would postulate, based on symptoms and treatment, that the medical condition is loosely based on type-1 diabetes, and it's really well done.
I have very few negatives about Bound to the Shadow Prince. Any book that keeps me reading all night automatically gets 4.5-5 stars, in my book. Be ready for twists and turns, and some smoldering sex scenes. Thank you, Ruby Dixon!
*~*Follow me on instagram for more reviews, book talk, and deals posts*~*
March 1, 2024
3.5 🌟
“Then you know, in a world without freedoms, those that we have are more precious than ever.”
This book revolves around the story of Princess Candra, of Lios and Prince Nemeth of Darkfell. In order to not anger the gods, two sacrifices must be made from their people to please the gods. The sacrifice? Living in a tower, in complete darkness with only the other person for seven years. If they don’t, they chance angering the gods and dooming their people. Bound to the Shadow Prince is a story filled with tension, lust, love and betrayals.
This book was enchanting and was easy to become immersed in. The author had great world building. Not only that, but the way the author described everything from the characters to the setting made it so easy to picture them in my head. I absolutely loved after After being edged by other romantasy books, it was amazing to finally read a mating ceremony with actual details. It actually made one of my reading dreams come true.
The things I didn’t enjoy were that I felt like I was only really invested in the book for the last 30% or so. Some parts of the book did feel like they dragged a bit and could have been made shorter while others could have been emphasized more.
While I did enjoy Candra and Nemeths love story, something felt like it was missing to me. Maybe that Candras characters feels so.. one dimensional and has no interests outside of lounging around and sex? I’m not sure. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I did however, love how their relationship ended up at the end of the story, and how protective Nemeth was over Candra. The rescue scene in the dungeon? 🤌🏻
Tropes
➝ Enemies to lovers
➝ Forced proximity
➝ Pregnancy
————————————————————
Thank you NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 🫶🏻
“Then you know, in a world without freedoms, those that we have are more precious than ever.”
This book revolves around the story of Princess Candra, of Lios and Prince Nemeth of Darkfell. In order to not anger the gods, two sacrifices must be made from their people to please the gods. The sacrifice? Living in a tower, in complete darkness with only the other person for seven years. If they don’t, they chance angering the gods and dooming their people. Bound to the Shadow Prince is a story filled with tension, lust, love and betrayals.
This book was enchanting and was easy to become immersed in. The author had great world building. Not only that, but the way the author described everything from the characters to the setting made it so easy to picture them in my head. I absolutely loved after After being edged by other romantasy books, it was amazing to finally read a mating ceremony with actual details. It actually made one of my reading dreams come true.
The things I didn’t enjoy were that I felt like I was only really invested in the book for the last 30% or so. Some parts of the book did feel like they dragged a bit and could have been made shorter while others could have been emphasized more.
While I did enjoy Candra and Nemeths love story, something felt like it was missing to me. Maybe that Candras characters feels so.. one dimensional and has no interests outside of lounging around and sex? I’m not sure. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I did however, love how their relationship ended up at the end of the story, and how protective Nemeth was over Candra. The rescue scene in the dungeon? 🤌🏻
Tropes
➝ Enemies to lovers
➝ Forced proximity
➝ Pregnancy
————————————————————
Thank you NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 🫶🏻
March 21, 2024
I am so happy to have read something by Ruby Dixon that was different than Ice Planet Barbarians. This book was such a fun read, and definitely longer in page count than the IPB books, so it was also great to read a longer, in-depth novel by Dixon as well.
I really liked the concept of this book, with the main concept being forced proximity by forcing the two main characters, who are enemies, to live in a tower together for 7 years. The spice scenes in this book were, in true Ruby Dixon fashion, very well done. The relationship between these two characters kept me interested and reading through the whole book.
The reason why this is not 5 stars is because I did feel the pacing was a bit off. I wish there were more tension points in this book to keep the stakes higher. Also, the personalities of these two are not ones I generally I enjoy reading about, but if you like the spoiled overly sexual princess mixed with sweet innocent good boy, this book will definitely be for you.
Overall, this was a solid book and kept me entertained most of the time. The last 25% was a slog. I will definitely be reading more of Ruby Dixon in the future, though. My one question is, why did the main character not use the magical knife more?! This would have solved so many problems.
Provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked the concept of this book, with the main concept being forced proximity by forcing the two main characters, who are enemies, to live in a tower together for 7 years. The spice scenes in this book were, in true Ruby Dixon fashion, very well done. The relationship between these two characters kept me interested and reading through the whole book.
The reason why this is not 5 stars is because I did feel the pacing was a bit off. I wish there were more tension points in this book to keep the stakes higher. Also, the personalities of these two are not ones I generally I enjoy reading about, but if you like the spoiled overly sexual princess mixed with sweet innocent good boy, this book will definitely be for you.
Overall, this was a solid book and kept me entertained most of the time. The last 25% was a slog. I will definitely be reading more of Ruby Dixon in the future, though. My one question is, why did the main character not use the magical knife more?! This would have solved so many problems.
Provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2024
I was loving this SO much.. what happened? 😭😭
I really enjoyed the set up and the first 60% of this book. I liked watching Candra and Nemeth fall in love. I enjoyed their conversations and only one bed cuddles. I thought the scenario and the location were prime for a great relationship builder through unique circumstances. I thought Candra's illness and her treatment added pressure and danger to an already tenuous situations.
Really, we were set up for success.
However, I was utterly confused and unbelieving that the way the 3rd Act played out could lead to an HEA. I feel like we skipped a bunch of steps and things just ended... I won't go into all the details for spoiler purposes but it did not hold water for me. I could never have trusted my future health and happiness on the situation we were left in. It just felt incomplete.
3 stars
3.5 on the spice scale
*I received an early copy for Edelwiess for review.*
I really enjoyed the set up and the first 60% of this book. I liked watching Candra and Nemeth fall in love. I enjoyed their conversations and only one bed cuddles. I thought the scenario and the location were prime for a great relationship builder through unique circumstances. I thought Candra's illness and her treatment added pressure and danger to an already tenuous situations.
Really, we were set up for success.
However, I was utterly confused and unbelieving that the way the 3rd Act played out could lead to an HEA. I feel like we skipped a bunch of steps and things just ended... I won't go into all the details for spoiler purposes but it did not hold water for me. I could never have trusted my future health and happiness on the situation we were left in. It just felt incomplete.
3 stars
3.5 on the spice scale
*I received an early copy for Edelwiess for review.*
dnf
March 26, 2024DNF At 7 hours and 30 minutes
OMG. What did I just read?! Don't get me wrong I LOVE a fantasy with romance being THE plot but this one was hell. Nothing happened. The hero and heroine are stuck in a tower, in the dark for 7 years. I stopped reading at around the time they had just hit the 1 year mark. WHY WAS THIS SO LONG WINDED?! There was no reason for this book to be as long as it is. You'll never ever catch me badmouthing any smutty book because of how much smut is in it but there's only so much smut can do for a book. What this book needed was to be cut down and to have someone find where the plot went.
The heroine was kinda meh for me. She was a princess who got blindsided by having to go to the tower so the curse wouldn't eat everyone up. She was an annoyance. She loves to prattle on about how she's used to everyone doing things for her and how hard not having all that is and woe is me blahblahblah. Even her breathing was annoying me by the end of those 7 hours. Also, she has an all-knowing knife and refuses to use it.
The hero was kinda mean and growly in the beginning. Which was understandable considering the histories between both their families. He eventually warms up to her and they fall for each other. He barely has a personality aside from caring about her and taking care of her. Which is great and all but doesn't a great book make.
This is only the second book I've read by this author and I can't say love her writing. Maybe these books aren't for me after all.
* Side Tangent: I'm on the vintage sewing/ clothing history side of Youtube so every time she (the heroine) mentioned her chemise I was under the impression that it was an under dress type of garment to protect your Stays and over dress from the sweat/oils of your body. There were times she would say she was going to put her chemise on but the way it was described clearly made it seem like the chemise was actually the over dress. It's mentioned that the fashion is to use panniers but there's never a mention of her stays (which I think would be what was used with panniers, I could be wrong). I can't even imagine how much all the layers hanging just from your own body instead of Stays would feel. That has to hurt. Stays and corsets were used to distribute the weight of your skirts so they wouldn't dig in. She also mentioned at one point that she would just put on what read like an outer dress with no panniers. Like, I'm sorry?! You know you're going to trip on that skirt considering it was made to go over a specific garment and when it doesn't have that structure underneath will just pool on the floor and be super inconvenient, right? I may be wrong about all of this but it bothered the HELL out of me. Ever since I started sewing these details suddenly matter a lot and will take me out of a story.
OMG. What did I just read?! Don't get me wrong I LOVE a fantasy with romance being THE plot but this one was hell. Nothing happened. The hero and heroine are stuck in a tower, in the dark for 7 years. I stopped reading at around the time they had just hit the 1 year mark. WHY WAS THIS SO LONG WINDED?! There was no reason for this book to be as long as it is. You'll never ever catch me badmouthing any smutty book because of how much smut is in it but there's only so much smut can do for a book. What this book needed was to be cut down and to have someone find where the plot went.
The heroine was kinda meh for me. She was a princess who got blindsided by having to go to the tower so the curse wouldn't eat everyone up. She was an annoyance. She loves to prattle on about how she's used to everyone doing things for her and how hard not having all that is and woe is me blahblahblah. Even her breathing was annoying me by the end of those 7 hours. Also, she has an all-knowing knife and refuses to use it.
The hero was kinda mean and growly in the beginning. Which was understandable considering the histories between both their families. He eventually warms up to her and they fall for each other. He barely has a personality aside from caring about her and taking care of her. Which is great and all but doesn't a great book make.
This is only the second book I've read by this author and I can't say love her writing. Maybe these books aren't for me after all.
* Side Tangent: I'm on the vintage sewing/ clothing history side of Youtube so every time she (the heroine) mentioned her chemise I was under the impression that it was an under dress type of garment to protect your Stays and over dress from the sweat/oils of your body. There were times she would say she was going to put her chemise on but the way it was described clearly made it seem like the chemise was actually the over dress. It's mentioned that the fashion is to use panniers but there's never a mention of her stays (which I think would be what was used with panniers, I could be wrong). I can't even imagine how much all the layers hanging just from your own body instead of Stays would feel. That has to hurt. Stays and corsets were used to distribute the weight of your skirts so they wouldn't dig in. She also mentioned at one point that she would just put on what read like an outer dress with no panniers. Like, I'm sorry?! You know you're going to trip on that skirt considering it was made to go over a specific garment and when it doesn't have that structure underneath will just pool on the floor and be super inconvenient, right? I may be wrong about all of this but it bothered the HELL out of me. Ever since I started sewing these details suddenly matter a lot and will take me out of a story.
July 4, 2025
ARC review through NetGalley
WOW.
This was a masterpiece of intrigue, passion, and growth. Candra was such a selfish woman at the beginning of the book, but had fair reasons to be the way she was. Her court was awful and chronic illness took most of her choices away from her. Nemeth had his reasons to be who he was as well.
This is the slowest burn I’ve seen from Ruby Dixon, and it fit the overarching plot so well. The forced proximity and enemies to lovers tropes fit in organically. It was high stakes and packed with difficult choices that both characters had to make. I LOVE being surprised by plot twists, and there were several that caught me off guard.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Spice: 4.5/5
SOME TRIGGERS ARE SPOILERS
Triggers: starvation, severe illness (“blood illness”), murder, genocide, war, poison, SA (MC, limited description, groping), SA (off page, side character), slavery, pregnancy, captivity, murder of child (off page), gore, violence, pet death
WOW.
This was a masterpiece of intrigue, passion, and growth. Candra was such a selfish woman at the beginning of the book, but had fair reasons to be the way she was. Her court was awful and chronic illness took most of her choices away from her. Nemeth had his reasons to be who he was as well.
This is the slowest burn I’ve seen from Ruby Dixon, and it fit the overarching plot so well. The forced proximity and enemies to lovers tropes fit in organically. It was high stakes and packed with difficult choices that both characters had to make. I LOVE being surprised by plot twists, and there were several that caught me off guard.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Spice: 4.5/5
SOME TRIGGERS ARE SPOILERS
Triggers: starvation, severe illness (“blood illness”), murder, genocide, war, poison, SA (MC, limited description, groping), SA (off page, side character), slavery, pregnancy, captivity, murder of child (off page), gore, violence, pet death
November 15, 2023
3 stars. This story dragged quite a lot at times, especially in the beginning, but I did enjoy parts of it. My biggest issue was definitely the plot hole surrounding the all-knowing knife and how the heroine chose to barely use it… because she didn’t want to know the truth?!?!? Every interaction surrounding the knife just made me question the intelligence of the MCs.
Safe
VIRGIN HERO!!!!
Non-virgin, very sexually active heroine
Heroine obviously remains celibate after being locked the tower until she’s with the hero
Mild OM drama
No OW drama
No scenes with OM/OW
No cheating
TW: lots of graphic violence, rape of side characters off page, heroine is nearly raped but hero rescues her before anything happens, death, famine, infertility, pregnancy
Safe
VIRGIN HERO!!!!
Non-virgin, very sexually active heroine
Heroine obviously remains celibate after being locked the tower until she’s with the hero
Mild OM drama
No OW drama
No scenes with OM/OW
No cheating
TW: lots of graphic violence, rape of side characters off page, heroine is nearly raped but hero rescues her before anything happens, death, famine, infertility, pregnancy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ If you like fantasy romance and Ruby Dixon, then definitely pick this book up
He's a polite monk of a Fellian who just happens to be trapped in a tower with a princess of loose morals who really, really wants to ride his c*ck.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ fantasy romance
✨ feuding factions
✨ gods x humans x ‘monsters’
✨ locked away in a windowless tower with your enemy
✨ she’s a spoiled, chronically ill, lusty human princess
✨ he’s a shy, celibate, bookish non-human prince
✨ virgin, cinnamon roll monster
✨ enemies to friends lovers
✨ forced proximity
✨ opposites attract
✨ nursing back to health
✨ he falls first
✨ 4/5 🌶️ (primal, knotting, somnophilia)
✨ "you can take it"
✨ political intrigue
��� world building
✨ high stakes
✨ intense third act
✨ HEA
✨ standalone
✨ single POV
✨ 1st person (present tense)
✨ TW: chronic illness, war, famine, starvation, violence, murder, r@pe (off-page, not the MC)
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this story overall! It was super unique and really engaging, especially from a fantasy standpoint.
Ruby Dixon really took her time developing the characters and explaining this world and the politics. This information was given in a palatable way where even though there were some complexities to the situation, it was easy to follow and understand.
The premise is amazing! Two enemies stuck together in a windowless tower for 7 years??? This is the ultimate forced proximity pairing! Since this story is from the FMC Candra's POV, the reader gets to experience all the fear, despair, and loneliness she encounters during her first few months in the tower. And even though she didn't start off as a likable character (I'll explain this more below), I couldn't help but pity her and her situation. My heart definitely went out to her and I felt some anxiety trying to figure out how the heck she was going to survive all that time in the dark.
The main characters, Candra and Nemeth, were also really interesting. Candra is a spoiled princess with a life threatening illness that is kept at bay by a daily dose of medicine. She was never intended to spend seven years in the tower or really do much of anything besides flit about in court, so she was woefully unprepared for the challenges that she would encounter being alone in the dark. Candra isn't usually a character I would like. She's vain, overindulgent, and (somewhat) selfish. But throughout the book, she slowly transforms into a brave, determined, kind-hearted person and someone I respected. She still has some vanity but I appreciated that she never tries to hide that part of herself. Nemeth comes off as dangerous and grumpy at first, but as he and Candra spend more time together, we discover how shy, kind, and patient he truly is. Ruby Dixon loves her gentle giant, cinnamon heroes and Nemeth is no exception. I'm also a huge fan whenever the love interest wants to take care of and pamper the heroine, and Nemeth is a king at this. I honestly loved their dynamic and the romance that blossoms between them.
This book is SPICY. There is a lot of sex and it’s explicit. Since Nemth isn't human, it's all very primal. There's also knotting, a chase, and many BJ somnophilia scenes. 😉
I know a lot of people will see the three-stars and think that must mean this isn't good, but that's not the case. While I really loved the premise, characters, and the romance, I ended up skimming a lot of the story. It was just so damn wordy with pages of unnecessary descriptions, explanations, inner thoughts, and showing the passing of time. Whenever Candra and Nethem get together by the 50% mark, I ended up skimming most of the non-dialogue and it truly didn't impact my understanding of the story. I will say, I've read all of the Ice Planet Barbarian series as well as Bound to the Battle God and I've noticed that for her fantasy romance books, Ruby Dixon likes to make them extremely long and wordy. I've never found that to be the case with IPB but I think it's because that world and the stories are less complex than these. It isn't a bad thing, but I think there should be a bit more editing with these longer stories to make it more palatable to the reader. If it's too long and filled with a bunch of unnecessary scenes/paragraphs, you're going to lose the audience.
The use of old-timey words in the beginning are never used again. This is such a small thing to bring up, but I found it strange that in chapter one, the Candra and her people use words and phrases like 'thrice,' 'thus,' and 'for shame' while speaking but quickly after, those words are never used again and are instead used with modern language. Sometimes too modern. For example, the magic blade she has is described as 'salty' because it wasn't working the way she wanted it to. Again, this isn't a huge issue with the story, but it's an inconsistency that I did notice.
**3rd Act Spoiler Ahead**
Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! As always, all opinions are my own.
Favorite Quotes:
"I don't like a man who's too smart. You can't trust them."
_______
How do peasants get anything done without a staff to clean up after them?
_______
"I would have waited a thousand years for you. You are worth waiting for, Candra."
_______
"I can manage anything as long as I have you, Candra."
_______
He's a polite monk of a Fellian who just happens to be trapped in a tower with a princess of loose morals who really, really wants to ride his c*ck.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ fantasy romance
✨ feuding factions
✨ gods x humans x ‘monsters’
✨ locked away in a windowless tower with your enemy
✨ she’s a spoiled, chronically ill, lusty human princess
✨ he’s a shy, celibate, bookish non-human prince
✨ virgin, cinnamon roll monster
✨ enemies to friends lovers
✨ forced proximity
✨ opposites attract
✨ nursing back to health
✨ he falls first
✨ 4/5 🌶️ (primal, knotting, somnophilia)
✨ "you can take it"
✨ political intrigue
��� world building
✨ high stakes
✨ intense third act
✨ HEA
✨ standalone
✨ single POV
✨ 1st person (present tense)
✨ TW: chronic illness, war, famine, starvation, violence, murder, r@pe (off-page, not the MC)
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this story overall! It was super unique and really engaging, especially from a fantasy standpoint.
Ruby Dixon really took her time developing the characters and explaining this world and the politics. This information was given in a palatable way where even though there were some complexities to the situation, it was easy to follow and understand.
The premise is amazing! Two enemies stuck together in a windowless tower for 7 years??? This is the ultimate forced proximity pairing! Since this story is from the FMC Candra's POV, the reader gets to experience all the fear, despair, and loneliness she encounters during her first few months in the tower. And even though she didn't start off as a likable character (I'll explain this more below), I couldn't help but pity her and her situation. My heart definitely went out to her and I felt some anxiety trying to figure out how the heck she was going to survive all that time in the dark.
The main characters, Candra and Nemeth, were also really interesting. Candra is a spoiled princess with a life threatening illness that is kept at bay by a daily dose of medicine. She was never intended to spend seven years in the tower or really do much of anything besides flit about in court, so she was woefully unprepared for the challenges that she would encounter being alone in the dark. Candra isn't usually a character I would like. She's vain, overindulgent, and (somewhat) selfish. But throughout the book, she slowly transforms into a brave, determined, kind-hearted person and someone I respected. She still has some vanity but I appreciated that she never tries to hide that part of herself. Nemeth comes off as dangerous and grumpy at first, but as he and Candra spend more time together, we discover how shy, kind, and patient he truly is. Ruby Dixon loves her gentle giant, cinnamon heroes and Nemeth is no exception. I'm also a huge fan whenever the love interest wants to take care of and pamper the heroine, and Nemeth is a king at this. I honestly loved their dynamic and the romance that blossoms between them.
This book is SPICY. There is a lot of sex and it’s explicit. Since Nemth isn't human, it's all very primal. There's also knotting, a chase, and many BJ somnophilia scenes. 😉
I know a lot of people will see the three-stars and think that must mean this isn't good, but that's not the case. While I really loved the premise, characters, and the romance, I ended up skimming a lot of the story. It was just so damn wordy with pages of unnecessary descriptions, explanations, inner thoughts, and showing the passing of time. Whenever Candra and Nethem get together by the 50% mark, I ended up skimming most of the non-dialogue and it truly didn't impact my understanding of the story. I will say, I've read all of the Ice Planet Barbarian series as well as Bound to the Battle God and I've noticed that for her fantasy romance books, Ruby Dixon likes to make them extremely long and wordy. I've never found that to be the case with IPB but I think it's because that world and the stories are less complex than these. It isn't a bad thing, but I think there should be a bit more editing with these longer stories to make it more palatable to the reader. If it's too long and filled with a bunch of unnecessary scenes/paragraphs, you're going to lose the audience.
The use of old-timey words in the beginning are never used again. This is such a small thing to bring up, but I found it strange that in chapter one, the Candra and her people use words and phrases like 'thrice,' 'thus,' and 'for shame' while speaking but quickly after, those words are never used again and are instead used with modern language. Sometimes too modern. For example, the magic blade she has is described as 'salty' because it wasn't working the way she wanted it to. Again, this isn't a huge issue with the story, but it's an inconsistency that I did notice.
**3rd Act Spoiler Ahead**
Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! As always, all opinions are my own.
Favorite Quotes:
"I don't like a man who's too smart. You can't trust them."
_______
How do peasants get anything done without a staff to clean up after them?
_______
"I would have waited a thousand years for you. You are worth waiting for, Candra."
_______
"I can manage anything as long as I have you, Candra."
_______
January 5, 2024
I've read most of Ruby Dixon's back catalogue. Bound to the Battle God is one of my favourite books and I've enjoyed a lot of her other books. This one has very few reviews and, even on fan sites, I've hardly heard it mentioned, so I was a bit unsure going in. These are my thoughts having listened to about 40% of the audiobook, before getting bored and giving up.
The premise:
A princess is locked away in a tower for 7 years and her only company is a Monstrous prince from an enemy race. I really like forced proximity and enemies to lovers, so it sounded promising.
Things I liked: possessive MMC who likes to read and is sexually inexperienced. I almost always love Ruby Dixon's MMCs. The spice was pretty good and I enjoyed the tension building up to it. liked that the FMC was very forward and unashamed of her sexuality. Worldbuilding had promise.
Things I disliked:
Problem number 1: I kept getting the name wrong because the author already has books called Bound to the Battle God & Sworn to the Shadow God and this is like the two combined. Very confusing - and from what I got through, he isn't a “shadow” anything. Despite the name being very similar, this is set in a different universe to the Aspect and Anchor series and is unrelated, but there are similarities (length, POV, fantasy setting).
Problem number 2: This is only available as an audiobook - I found it on Libby. It was originally released in a pay per chapter app, and apparently it will eventually be released on KU.
Problem number 3: (the main one) It's soooooo loooong. The audiobook is 21 hours! I've listened to 40% and there are only really 2 characters and they are locked in a tower, so there's no movement or interactions with others. So it's pretty slow. I assume this is linked to the fact it was released pay per chapter, so the more chapters the more money (unless people get bored and give up…). It really needs some heavy editing. I don't need to read whole chapters about cooking stew.
Bound to the Battle God is a similar length but they're constantly on the move, visiting new locations and meeting new characters, so it doesn't feel so slow.
Problem number 4: the logistics of being locked in a tower don't make sense to me at all. The tower has no door and *no windows* - not even slits to let in light or air. She spends the first few months just sitting in the dark. She has nothing to occupy her time - no books, no sewing, nothing. In the first year there are periods of many weeks where she speaks to nobody. Surely a person would go literally insane. Not to mention the food situation - they get a year's worth of food (and presumably water) delivered at a time. How is a medieval tower storing the gallons and gallons of water which would be required to sustain two people for a year? No fresh fruit and veg, so they're probably both getting scurvy and rickets. Normally I could suspend disbelief for this sort of thing, but when not much else is happening your mind starts to wander!
Problem number 5: minor, but I got pretty fed up with the FMC constantly calling things “dragon shite” and telling the MMC to “piss off”. Use a bit of variety! Another thing the editor could have done.
The premise:
A princess is locked away in a tower for 7 years and her only company is a Monstrous prince from an enemy race. I really like forced proximity and enemies to lovers, so it sounded promising.
Things I liked: possessive MMC who likes to read and is sexually inexperienced. I almost always love Ruby Dixon's MMCs. The spice was pretty good and I enjoyed the tension building up to it. liked that the FMC was very forward and unashamed of her sexuality. Worldbuilding had promise.
Things I disliked:
Problem number 1: I kept getting the name wrong because the author already has books called Bound to the Battle God & Sworn to the Shadow God and this is like the two combined. Very confusing - and from what I got through, he isn't a “shadow” anything. Despite the name being very similar, this is set in a different universe to the Aspect and Anchor series and is unrelated, but there are similarities (length, POV, fantasy setting).
Problem number 2: This is only available as an audiobook - I found it on Libby. It was originally released in a pay per chapter app, and apparently it will eventually be released on KU.
Problem number 3: (the main one) It's soooooo loooong. The audiobook is 21 hours! I've listened to 40% and there are only really 2 characters and they are locked in a tower, so there's no movement or interactions with others. So it's pretty slow. I assume this is linked to the fact it was released pay per chapter, so the more chapters the more money (unless people get bored and give up…). It really needs some heavy editing. I don't need to read whole chapters about cooking stew.
Bound to the Battle God is a similar length but they're constantly on the move, visiting new locations and meeting new characters, so it doesn't feel so slow.
Problem number 4: the logistics of being locked in a tower don't make sense to me at all. The tower has no door and *no windows* - not even slits to let in light or air. She spends the first few months just sitting in the dark. She has nothing to occupy her time - no books, no sewing, nothing. In the first year there are periods of many weeks where she speaks to nobody. Surely a person would go literally insane. Not to mention the food situation - they get a year's worth of food (and presumably water) delivered at a time. How is a medieval tower storing the gallons and gallons of water which would be required to sustain two people for a year? No fresh fruit and veg, so they're probably both getting scurvy and rickets. Normally I could suspend disbelief for this sort of thing, but when not much else is happening your mind starts to wander!
Problem number 5: minor, but I got pretty fed up with the FMC constantly calling things “dragon shite” and telling the MMC to “piss off”. Use a bit of variety! Another thing the editor could have done.
Read
December 31, 2023Wow, I really didn't like this. And I can't tell if it was a me issue or not because I typically love Ruby's books a lot.
I don't think I'm going to rate this. I enjoyed some parts, but others I hated. I would have 💯 pushed that bitch out of the tower year 1, for sure no doubts in my mind.
I finished it, I think I don't regret reading it but I don't know if I enjoyed reading it? I don't know, I don't think I would recommend this to anyone, unless bratty women really don't bother you, as the FMC is a very specific type of woman.
I don't think I'm going to rate this. I enjoyed some parts, but others I hated. I would have 💯 pushed that bitch out of the tower year 1, for sure no doubts in my mind.
I finished it, I think I don't regret reading it but I don't know if I enjoyed reading it? I don't know, I don't think I would recommend this to anyone, unless bratty women really don't bother you, as the FMC is a very specific type of woman.
March 9, 2024
I know I love a book… when I want to keep it a secret. The whole time I was reading this book, it felt like something I wanted to hide and protect because I loved it so much.
This is an epic fantasy romance, with incredible world building, intense and fascinating stakes, and spiiiiiiice.
This book is spellbinding and seductive and so romantic I could puke.
This story follows Princess Candra Vestalin from the Kingdom of Lios. There is a blood curse on her family line, and Candra has this curse. The taint in her blood, the family curse, means she’s useless as a bride because she is barren.
Candra is a bit of a spoiled princess. Because of her curse, she doesn’t have really any responsibilities in the kingdom besides surviving. Because of this, she spends her free time being a bit of a brat. Causing trouble at court, being scandalous, spreading gossip, and being doted on hand and foot.
Every 30 years, the Golden Moon Goddess appears in the sky, and remains there for 7 years. To appease the prickly goddess over some things that happened in the past…. When the Golden Moon rises, a Royal Offering of bloodlines from both the Kingdom of Lios, and the Kingdom of Darkfell, must both be given to the Tower Of Balance. Where they spend 7 years in the tower. Alone. To step foot outside the tower before the 7 years is up… is to anger the goddess once more, and cause complete destruction to the kingdoms.
Lios and Darkfell are at war… I won’t go into the details, but the history of these kingdoms, the gods and goddesses, and the current war raging on are fascinating and the way it plays out in this book is gripping. It’s so interesting and layered.
Candra’s sister was actually supposed to go into the tower. But unfortunately a terrible accident at sea takes her life… and so Candra is forced to replace her… even though it’s dangerous to keep her alive with her blood curse… and no one else to help her survive. Eventually... she meets the Royal Offering sent from Darkfell… her shadowed companion… Prince Nemeth - of the First House of Darkfell.
This book feels like a guilty pleasure. It feels too good, too intriguing, too spicy, and too loving to be true.
Ruby Dixon is the master at suspense, high stakes, and spice.
There’s a chase. You guys. I love a chase oh my gosh. Is it my favorite trope? Possibly.
When I found out this book has knotting. I blacked out. The only reason I came to… was for the sole purpose of continuing this story. I was not *wink wink* expecting it. And it did. Not. Disappoint.
This book is long. It really is an epic fantasy romance. And for me it could have been double the length and I still would have felt like there wasn’t enough. I wanted this story to keep going. I wanted to stay in this world.
You won’t be able to put this book down.
I honestly think this is a great intro to fantasy romance if you’re ok with spice. Because even though it’s so detailed and layered, it’s incredibly easy to follow.
This story almost plays out like a mystery/thriller. There were moments I was scared. And totally shocking twists and realizations play out that have you screaming.
Seeing Candra grow up and come into her own was really nice. seeing her have to take are of herself, mature, and make smart choices was so fun to witness. This is character growth at its finest.
This is really and emotional and layered story dealing with trauma, loss, and being thrust into a life by everyone else’s choices and actions BUT your own. And then taking charge of your own path.
This epic fantasy romance has my heart. Ruby Dixon’s books always make me feel strong, confident, and inspired. After finishing this book I was mystified. This is a love story that will make you feel enchanted and take your breath away. The passion, intrigue, and high stakes will stay with me for a long time to come.
This is an epic fantasy romance, with incredible world building, intense and fascinating stakes, and spiiiiiiice.
This book is spellbinding and seductive and so romantic I could puke.
This story follows Princess Candra Vestalin from the Kingdom of Lios. There is a blood curse on her family line, and Candra has this curse. The taint in her blood, the family curse, means she’s useless as a bride because she is barren.
Candra is a bit of a spoiled princess. Because of her curse, she doesn’t have really any responsibilities in the kingdom besides surviving. Because of this, she spends her free time being a bit of a brat. Causing trouble at court, being scandalous, spreading gossip, and being doted on hand and foot.
Every 30 years, the Golden Moon Goddess appears in the sky, and remains there for 7 years. To appease the prickly goddess over some things that happened in the past…. When the Golden Moon rises, a Royal Offering of bloodlines from both the Kingdom of Lios, and the Kingdom of Darkfell, must both be given to the Tower Of Balance. Where they spend 7 years in the tower. Alone. To step foot outside the tower before the 7 years is up… is to anger the goddess once more, and cause complete destruction to the kingdoms.
Lios and Darkfell are at war… I won’t go into the details, but the history of these kingdoms, the gods and goddesses, and the current war raging on are fascinating and the way it plays out in this book is gripping. It’s so interesting and layered.
Candra’s sister was actually supposed to go into the tower. But unfortunately a terrible accident at sea takes her life… and so Candra is forced to replace her… even though it’s dangerous to keep her alive with her blood curse… and no one else to help her survive. Eventually... she meets the Royal Offering sent from Darkfell… her shadowed companion… Prince Nemeth - of the First House of Darkfell.
This book feels like a guilty pleasure. It feels too good, too intriguing, too spicy, and too loving to be true.
Ruby Dixon is the master at suspense, high stakes, and spice.
There’s a chase. You guys. I love a chase oh my gosh. Is it my favorite trope? Possibly.
When I found out this book has knotting. I blacked out. The only reason I came to… was for the sole purpose of continuing this story. I was not *wink wink* expecting it. And it did. Not. Disappoint.
This book is long. It really is an epic fantasy romance. And for me it could have been double the length and I still would have felt like there wasn’t enough. I wanted this story to keep going. I wanted to stay in this world.
You won’t be able to put this book down.
I honestly think this is a great intro to fantasy romance if you’re ok with spice. Because even though it’s so detailed and layered, it’s incredibly easy to follow.
This story almost plays out like a mystery/thriller. There were moments I was scared. And totally shocking twists and realizations play out that have you screaming.
Seeing Candra grow up and come into her own was really nice. seeing her have to take are of herself, mature, and make smart choices was so fun to witness. This is character growth at its finest.
This is really and emotional and layered story dealing with trauma, loss, and being thrust into a life by everyone else’s choices and actions BUT your own. And then taking charge of your own path.
This epic fantasy romance has my heart. Ruby Dixon’s books always make me feel strong, confident, and inspired. After finishing this book I was mystified. This is a love story that will make you feel enchanted and take your breath away. The passion, intrigue, and high stakes will stay with me for a long time to come.
February 9, 2024
IMAGINE being locked in a windowless tower for 7 YEARS with your mortal enemy 😏 in total darkness! Can you say CLAUSTROPHOBIA!?!
Candromeda
💖 Princess of Lios
💖 notorious flirt & lady of the sheets
💖 chronically ill girlie (aren’t we all)
💖 unexpected sacrifice to the Goddess
Nemeth
💙 Prince of Darkfell
💙 shy scholar/warrior
💙 dirtiest mouth in all the land
💙 has wings!
Candra was never meant to be a sacrifice. She is a carefree Princess with a flirtatious streak & and chronic illness. Basically an everyday modern girlie 💕 after her sister says ‘bye-bye’ to the mortal realm Candra is placed in a dark tower to survive on her own. Started from the top now we…down here. Let’s just say our girl went through it in that tower 🗼
Thank the Goddess for Prince Nemeth or Candra’s stay in the tower would be truly boring 👑 The spice in this story very on brand for Dixon. Initially shy mmc becomes insatiable and a real beast in bed. Think Ice Barbarians but he is grey and has WINGS 🪽 I really enjoy the sexually open fmc in this story. Candra loves to tease & flirt with Nemeth and let’s just say she is not a meek flower. The initial shy mmc/femme fatale fmc were GIVING EVERYTHING! Lots and lots of smut in this one 🌶️🌶️ but the friendly banter and amazing fantasy plot makes the storyline interesting 4/5 🌶️
I just couldn’t put this book down. Candra & Nemeth are in the tower for YEARS and a large portion of the book is just them coexisting in a tower. No side characters no other story lines but the book was still so interesting. The plot twist ACTUALLY had me gasping!!
The story stayed with me days after I finished it. That alone deserves 5 ⭐️ would definitely recommend to all romantasy girls!!!
enemies-friends-lovers
sick bed 🛌
virgin mmc
size difference
knotting
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this ARC.
Candromeda
💖 Princess of Lios
💖 notorious flirt & lady of the sheets
💖 chronically ill girlie (aren’t we all)
💖 unexpected sacrifice to the Goddess
Nemeth
💙 Prince of Darkfell
💙 shy scholar/warrior
💙 dirtiest mouth in all the land
💙 has wings!
Candra was never meant to be a sacrifice. She is a carefree Princess with a flirtatious streak & and chronic illness. Basically an everyday modern girlie 💕 after her sister says ‘bye-bye’ to the mortal realm Candra is placed in a dark tower to survive on her own. Started from the top now we…down here. Let’s just say our girl went through it in that tower 🗼
Thank the Goddess for Prince Nemeth or Candra’s stay in the tower would be truly boring 👑 The spice in this story very on brand for Dixon. Initially shy mmc becomes insatiable and a real beast in bed. Think Ice Barbarians but he is grey and has WINGS 🪽 I really enjoy the sexually open fmc in this story. Candra loves to tease & flirt with Nemeth and let’s just say she is not a meek flower. The initial shy mmc/femme fatale fmc were GIVING EVERYTHING! Lots and lots of smut in this one 🌶️🌶️ but the friendly banter and amazing fantasy plot makes the storyline interesting 4/5 🌶️
I just couldn’t put this book down. Candra & Nemeth are in the tower for YEARS and a large portion of the book is just them coexisting in a tower. No side characters no other story lines but the book was still so interesting. The plot twist ACTUALLY had me gasping!!
The story stayed with me days after I finished it. That alone deserves 5 ⭐️ would definitely recommend to all romantasy girls!!!
enemies-friends-lovers
sick bed 🛌
virgin mmc
size difference
knotting
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this ARC.
March 13, 2024
After many, many years of a tentative truce, two kingdoms were on the brink of war. The only thing that has kept the people blessed is the seven years committed to the tower. One person from each faction must sacrifice these years to calm the goddess. Two people prepared to be shut off from the rest of the world, their people, their freedom.
Princess Candra was not prepared. As a last minute fill-in, this spoiled brat had no idea what she was in for. There was no one to dress her, bathe her, prepare her meals, or generally make her life easier. She had to do everything herself, including preparing and administering her medicine. Girl was absolutely clueless and provided me with endless fun, at her expense.
So there Candra was, with a chronic blood illness, trapped in a tower with one of the enemy. However, Nemeth was far from the bad guy. He took care of her, shared his supplies with her, and made her fall helplessly in love with him. And when I thought that was all for this story... the author gifted me with so much more.
There was danger and intrigue, honor and betrayal, tons of love and sexy times.
If you weren't a fan of this author before reading this book, you'll be one after.
Princess Candra was not prepared. As a last minute fill-in, this spoiled brat had no idea what she was in for. There was no one to dress her, bathe her, prepare her meals, or generally make her life easier. She had to do everything herself, including preparing and administering her medicine. Girl was absolutely clueless and provided me with endless fun, at her expense.
So there Candra was, with a chronic blood illness, trapped in a tower with one of the enemy. However, Nemeth was far from the bad guy. He took care of her, shared his supplies with her, and made her fall helplessly in love with him. And when I thought that was all for this story... the author gifted me with so much more.
There was danger and intrigue, honor and betrayal, tons of love and sexy times.
If you weren't a fan of this author before reading this book, you'll be one after.
June 22, 2024
Tropes:
• forced proximity
• enemies to lovers
• monster romance
• caretaking - both him taking care of her & vice versa
Candra the whiney sick princess vs a massive winged gargoyle like male with an interesting pp.
The fact that this wasn’t all spice and we had a good conflict & plot was super fun. I think the middle (from 50-75%) dragged a little bit but the ENDING! I wasn’t expecting those twists.
• forced proximity
• enemies to lovers
• monster romance
• caretaking - both him taking care of her & vice versa
Candra the whiney sick princess vs a massive winged gargoyle like male with an interesting pp.
The fact that this wasn’t all spice and we had a good conflict & plot was super fun. I think the middle (from 50-75%) dragged a little bit but the ENDING! I wasn’t expecting those twists.
February 17, 2024
I was thrilled to receive an ARC for "Bound to the Shadow Prince" in exchange for an honest review. As a fan of the IPB series, I hoped for a similarly enjoyable read. The book captivated me from the start, and I couldn't put it down, finishing it in just two days. Following Princess Candra, known for her outgoing nature and strategic use of her feminine charm, the story takes an unexpected turn after her sister's untimely death. Candra becomes the "sacrifice" for her country, facing seven years in isolation with her sworn enemy, Prince Nemeth, who is known as death on wings. Despite her initial resistance, Candra's predicament is complicated by her cursed blood, requiring daily injections. As supplies dwindle, she must decide whether to trust her sworn enemy or face the consequences of her ignorance. While I appreciated the well-paced narrative, I occasionally wished for more depth or unexpected twists to enhance the overall seamlessness of the story. Despite this, I wholeheartedly recommend this fantasy novel by Ruby Dixon.
January 25, 2024
Candra and Nemeth are royals from rival races (she's human, he's kind of like a bat?), both chosen by their families to stay in an isolated tower together for 7 years to keep peace and prevent a curse from raining (literally) down and destroying the world as they know it. Even though they're supposed to be enemies, they're each the only company available so they carefully get to know one another and slowly become friends...and then more. But when their annual supplies fail to arrive, they have to choose between leaving the tower --which might trigger the curse -- or dying.
I knew going in that this was going to be kind of an unusual love story, seeing as how Dixon's other books are about Ice Barbarians (I haven't read any of those yet). And the fact that it's a human woman and a bat didn't weird me out at all. There was plenty of smut, and I was prepared for and looking forward to that. I will say those scenes were a little repetitive after a while and often seemed to come up out of nowhere, but I also understand that this book was originally was released a chapter at a time...so if readers had to wait between sections, it might have flowed better and seemed fresher.
My biggest issue was that the book changed half-way through to being more about political intrigue and less about 2 people locked in a tower together, trying to survive. The story just suddenly took a big turn and became something else entirely. Which again, maybe worked better when gradually told over time, but I found it frustrating.
I might check out the Ice Barbarians at some point, but I can't say I understand the excitement over this one.
**Thank you to NetGalley and WattPad Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!**
I knew going in that this was going to be kind of an unusual love story, seeing as how Dixon's other books are about Ice Barbarians (I haven't read any of those yet). And the fact that it's a human woman and a bat didn't weird me out at all. There was plenty of smut, and I was prepared for and looking forward to that. I will say those scenes were a little repetitive after a while and often seemed to come up out of nowhere, but I also understand that this book was originally was released a chapter at a time...so if readers had to wait between sections, it might have flowed better and seemed fresher.
My biggest issue was that the book changed half-way through to being more about political intrigue and less about 2 people locked in a tower together, trying to survive. The story just suddenly took a big turn and became something else entirely. Which again, maybe worked better when gradually told over time, but I found it frustrating.
I might check out the Ice Barbarians at some point, but I can't say I understand the excitement over this one.
**Thank you to NetGalley and WattPad Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!**
July 2, 2024
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
Bound to the Shadow Prince is a stand alone novel outside of any of the worlds that we have previously read about by Ruby Dixon. I was excited to read something outside of the Ice Planet Barbarians series by Ruby Dixon, but big blue alien men with horns and a tail are still my kink. The story is single PoV and follows two characters Princess Candra, of Lios and Prince Nemeth of Darkfell. Candra, the narrator of our story, is the throw away princess. She has a blood illness and is barren so her entire life is being pampered, taking lovers and play around with court intrigues. That is until she is told her sister, the one slotted to be the sacrifice to the tower has died in a shipwreck and she has three days before she will take her place in the Tower with a Prince of their enemy.
Unprepared to live on her own, Candra ends up as the sacrifice to a Goddess, to go live in the Tower for seven years with the enemy of her people. She has no skills, has never cooked for herself and has to take a medicine by syringe daily for her blood illness, one she now has to make for herself. She was not prepared to live on her own in a dark tower. Nemeth, on the other hand, has been living with scholars and monks for years preparing to be the sacrifice. They are enemies but if Candra is going to survive, she is going to need some help from Nemeth or she will need to kill him to take all of his supplies.
It took a little while to warm to Candra. She is spoiled and a little whiny about her situation and doesn't like to read *gasp*. But as she struggles alone in the tower, she becomes a better person in general. She learns some lessons, becomes more kind and appreciative of those who served her previously (although she treated her favorites well) and becomes a character you can root for. I like Nemeth from the beginning though. We don't get real interaction with him for quite awhile but when we do you can tell he is a good and kind man. I was extremely interested in his culture and people and the differences between the lore of his people compared to Candra's. They turn from friends to lovers in their tower isolation but when they yearly supplies don't show up after a few years they must decide. Stay in the tower and starve, or leave and feel the wrath of the goddess on their people.
I enjoyed this story quite a bit overall. The sex scenes were spicy and the overall story line was really interesting. The pacing struggled in a few spots, especially once Candra and Nemeth left the Tower in search of what happened to all the people. I would have liked a little better flow in the beginning 15% and final 30%. I did like the reveal at the end and while sad, how the Goddess took her revenge out on the people of Lios and Darkfell while they were in the tower and the twist to the story. The lore and history of both cultures was really interesting to me as well. So the only reason I took a few stars off is for pacing since I think it will really affect others' enjoyment of the story.
If you are new to Ruby Dixon, I highly recommend one of her books in the Ice Planet Barbarians series. But this could give you a decent understanding of her writing ability.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
Bound to the Shadow Prince is a stand alone novel outside of any of the worlds that we have previously read about by Ruby Dixon. I was excited to read something outside of the Ice Planet Barbarians series by Ruby Dixon, but big blue alien men with horns and a tail are still my kink. The story is single PoV and follows two characters Princess Candra, of Lios and Prince Nemeth of Darkfell. Candra, the narrator of our story, is the throw away princess. She has a blood illness and is barren so her entire life is being pampered, taking lovers and play around with court intrigues. That is until she is told her sister, the one slotted to be the sacrifice to the tower has died in a shipwreck and she has three days before she will take her place in the Tower with a Prince of their enemy.
Unprepared to live on her own, Candra ends up as the sacrifice to a Goddess, to go live in the Tower for seven years with the enemy of her people. She has no skills, has never cooked for herself and has to take a medicine by syringe daily for her blood illness, one she now has to make for herself. She was not prepared to live on her own in a dark tower. Nemeth, on the other hand, has been living with scholars and monks for years preparing to be the sacrifice. They are enemies but if Candra is going to survive, she is going to need some help from Nemeth or she will need to kill him to take all of his supplies.
It took a little while to warm to Candra. She is spoiled and a little whiny about her situation and doesn't like to read *gasp*. But as she struggles alone in the tower, she becomes a better person in general. She learns some lessons, becomes more kind and appreciative of those who served her previously (although she treated her favorites well) and becomes a character you can root for. I like Nemeth from the beginning though. We don't get real interaction with him for quite awhile but when we do you can tell he is a good and kind man. I was extremely interested in his culture and people and the differences between the lore of his people compared to Candra's. They turn from friends to lovers in their tower isolation but when they yearly supplies don't show up after a few years they must decide. Stay in the tower and starve, or leave and feel the wrath of the goddess on their people.
I enjoyed this story quite a bit overall. The sex scenes were spicy and the overall story line was really interesting. The pacing struggled in a few spots, especially once Candra and Nemeth left the Tower in search of what happened to all the people. I would have liked a little better flow in the beginning 15% and final 30%. I did like the reveal at the end and while sad, how the Goddess took her revenge out on the people of Lios and Darkfell while they were in the tower and the twist to the story. The lore and history of both cultures was really interesting to me as well. So the only reason I took a few stars off is for pacing since I think it will really affect others' enjoyment of the story.
If you are new to Ruby Dixon, I highly recommend one of her books in the Ice Planet Barbarians series. But this could give you a decent understanding of her writing ability.
February 21, 2024
Bound to the shadow prince was… in a word… odd! It is a very interesting premise, but it took until at least 20% to properly get into the story. I had a really hard time imaging Nemeth, and from what I can picture he seems pretty usual looking - gray skin? Multiple horns? Knees bent backwards? This also made the story a bit more difficult to get into. Not quite Ice Planet Barbarians 🤷♀️ but still interesting with stellar plot twists.
November 6, 2024
I'll be completely honest, I have been in a bit of a reading slump which is why I picked up a Ruby Dixon! I was really happy with this book. The premise was interesting, two enemies locked away in a tower for 7 years together?? Come on! I thought I was in for a fluff piece, oh how wrong I was...
If you love fantasy and world building I would recommend this title. Yes, there is spice, but the plot is truly good. There were twists that I wasn't expecting and truly heart wrenching moments.
If you love fantasy and world building I would recommend this title. Yes, there is spice, but the plot is truly good. There were twists that I wasn't expecting and truly heart wrenching moments.
January 14, 2024
》ARC Review: Bound to the Shadow Prince《
I had so much fun reading this one! I’ve long been a Ruby Dixon fan, so I had a pretty good feeling about this but I still found myself happily surprised. Yes, this book is long, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea; and after reading Ice Planet Barbarian, I certainly expected a more fast paced, short read. However, due to its length, Dixon worked her magic into world-building and slow romancing. The narrative breathed, allowing its love story to take its time (very well paced!) and allowing intrigue to what was happening outside the tower to constantly heighten tension and anticipation. 4.5✨
》The Leads《
The star of the show, for me, was Candra.
I loved her.
She is the type of character to be spilling thick tears down her cheeks while remaining steadfast that she’s certainly not weeping. She puts up a very strong front, tries to appear nonchalant and nonplussed, but she’s such a softie. She’s got a great big, soft heart. I also love how wickedly forward she is in her seducing and affection towards Nemeth. Speaking of whom! I loved Nemeth almost as much as Candra. I loved how utterly opposite his personality his to Candra. Where she is an extrovert, he’s an introvert. Where she is forward in her flirting, he is subtle. They may be opposite yet they are a perfect fit, one for the other.
》The Romance《
The love story was gorgeous! I was giggling and kicking my feet in total delight when Candra and Nemeth finally crossed that line into something more. He’s like a blushing school boy to Candra’s wicked temptress. Their dynamic was so much fun! The only hiccup I had along the way was how some of Nemeth’s late game arc developed. Nevertheless, that never stopped me from loving this couple.
》The World-Building《
This book did a great job of making the enclosed tower feel initially claustrophobic but then feel like a home. The said, I felt such tension rise, wondering what was happening outside that tower. The narrative cleverly built up that anticipation of discovery. I was itching to leave the tower. I think of all the books I’ve read by Dixon, this one, by far, did the best job with building its world.
》To Sum it Up《
This is easily my favorite Ruby Dixon read. I loved the leads, their romance, and their story.
Thank you NetGalley and Wattpad Books for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I had so much fun reading this one! I’ve long been a Ruby Dixon fan, so I had a pretty good feeling about this but I still found myself happily surprised. Yes, this book is long, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea; and after reading Ice Planet Barbarian, I certainly expected a more fast paced, short read. However, due to its length, Dixon worked her magic into world-building and slow romancing. The narrative breathed, allowing its love story to take its time (very well paced!) and allowing intrigue to what was happening outside the tower to constantly heighten tension and anticipation. 4.5✨
》The Leads《
The star of the show, for me, was Candra.
I loved her.
She is the type of character to be spilling thick tears down her cheeks while remaining steadfast that she’s certainly not weeping. She puts up a very strong front, tries to appear nonchalant and nonplussed, but she’s such a softie. She’s got a great big, soft heart. I also love how wickedly forward she is in her seducing and affection towards Nemeth. Speaking of whom! I loved Nemeth almost as much as Candra. I loved how utterly opposite his personality his to Candra. Where she is an extrovert, he’s an introvert. Where she is forward in her flirting, he is subtle. They may be opposite yet they are a perfect fit, one for the other.
》The Romance《
The love story was gorgeous! I was giggling and kicking my feet in total delight when Candra and Nemeth finally crossed that line into something more. He’s like a blushing school boy to Candra’s wicked temptress. Their dynamic was so much fun! The only hiccup I had along the way was how some of Nemeth’s late game arc developed. Nevertheless, that never stopped me from loving this couple.
》The World-Building《
This book did a great job of making the enclosed tower feel initially claustrophobic but then feel like a home. The said, I felt such tension rise, wondering what was happening outside that tower. The narrative cleverly built up that anticipation of discovery. I was itching to leave the tower. I think of all the books I’ve read by Dixon, this one, by far, did the best job with building its world.
》To Sum it Up《
This is easily my favorite Ruby Dixon read. I loved the leads, their romance, and their story.
Thank you NetGalley and Wattpad Books for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
April 6, 2025
4/5
My first Ruby Dixon book.
I’m mad because I liked it — and was hoodwinked by the person who bought it for me. However, for monster smut (that’s not my normal read) it was good for a standalone book. I applaud Ruby for her use of T/W and how most of it was just referred to and not actually written out for the reader to experience.
The banter was funny and honestly, I enjoyed the writers ability to have a dialogue for the FMC that was funny and almost relatable in some aspects. There was some modernization of the dialogue in a fantasy setting but it wasn’t overdone and ridiculous.
Also if you’re reading this J — I dislike you 😂
My first Ruby Dixon book.
I’m mad because I liked it — and was hoodwinked by the person who bought it for me. However, for monster smut (that’s not my normal read) it was good for a standalone book. I applaud Ruby for her use of T/W and how most of it was just referred to and not actually written out for the reader to experience.
The banter was funny and honestly, I enjoyed the writers ability to have a dialogue for the FMC that was funny and almost relatable in some aspects. There was some modernization of the dialogue in a fantasy setting but it wasn’t overdone and ridiculous.
Also if you’re reading this J — I dislike you 😂
dnf
March 3, 2024I got to 10% of this before I DNF. Nothing happened and I was so tired. *Nothing happened so far.
Side note, this makes me very sad. I love Ruby Dixon. Maybe if I kept reading it would get better but I’m done.
Side note, this makes me very sad. I love Ruby Dixon. Maybe if I kept reading it would get better but I’m done.
Read
January 9, 2025Another amazing fantasy romance by Ruby!!
I love a slow burn romance, and this was the epitome of one! These two people from rivaling royal families are forced into a tower together for seven years! And they definitely are not suppose to fall in love with each other.
I love a slow burn romance, and this was the epitome of one! These two people from rivaling royal families are forced into a tower together for seven years! And they definitely are not suppose to fall in love with each other.
February 23, 2024
I really loved parts of this, mostly the first 50% or so. But as much as the great parts were great, the parts I didn’t enjoy? I *really* didn’t enjoy them.
Some combination of Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel, and Maid Maleen gives us the first half of the story. Two royals from rival countries are forced to spend 7 years lock away in a secluded tower together as sacrifices to one of their goddesses. And I LOVED this part of the story. Nemeth and Candra are forced to live alongside each other and eventually work together when their supplies begin to dwindle and it was perfect forced proximity turned to voluntary proximity. I mean, there’s a truth telling knife! He’s a virgin! She’s an experienced princess that loves fun and dancing and frivolity and court life! He’s a shy awkward baby with wings that was raised by monks! There’s a lot to love here.
And maybe if that had been the meat of the story, I would have been all in. But at the middle of the book we had them in love, mated, and pregnant only to have them thrust into a war torn world outside of the tower that was gritty, dark, and upsetting. Of that hadn’t been the case, I would have loved the minutiae of living in the tower and the slowburn until they fall in love. But having an entire secondary plot that came in on the back half made their time in the tower feel boring and drug out compared to the action later in the book.
I loved both characters. I love that Nemeth is a classic shy baby like only Ruby can nail. And I really loved that Candra is a helpless royal that lives with a chronic illness that can be deadly (sort of like diabetes meets Rh factor?). But this was too long for me and felt like two seperate stories, unfortunately. I love Ruby! But I didn’t love this one that much.
Some combination of Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel, and Maid Maleen gives us the first half of the story. Two royals from rival countries are forced to spend 7 years lock away in a secluded tower together as sacrifices to one of their goddesses. And I LOVED this part of the story. Nemeth and Candra are forced to live alongside each other and eventually work together when their supplies begin to dwindle and it was perfect forced proximity turned to voluntary proximity. I mean, there’s a truth telling knife! He’s a virgin! She’s an experienced princess that loves fun and dancing and frivolity and court life! He’s a shy awkward baby with wings that was raised by monks! There’s a lot to love here.
And maybe if that had been the meat of the story, I would have been all in. But at the middle of the book we had them in love, mated, and pregnant only to have them thrust into a war torn world outside of the tower that was gritty, dark, and upsetting. Of that hadn’t been the case, I would have loved the minutiae of living in the tower and the slowburn until they fall in love. But having an entire secondary plot that came in on the back half made their time in the tower feel boring and drug out compared to the action later in the book.
I loved both characters. I love that Nemeth is a classic shy baby like only Ruby can nail. And I really loved that Candra is a helpless royal that lives with a chronic illness that can be deadly (sort of like diabetes meets Rh factor?). But this was too long for me and felt like two seperate stories, unfortunately. I love Ruby! But I didn’t love this one that much.
February 5, 2024
Oh.My.Goodness. Talk about enemies to lovers, amirite? Candra and Nemeth are on opposite sides of a very old divide and they're forced to spend seven years together in a tower with only one another for company and I CAN'T HANDLE HOW MUCH I LOVED THESE TWO TOGETHER.
Frankly, Candra is a hot mess when she first gets sent to the tower. She's a little shallow (not her fault, simply a product of her upbringing and being the "useless, cursed" sister), she can barely take care of herself, and she's woefully unprepared for everything. Literally everything. She's also kind of convinced Nemeth is very much a bad guy and it takes a while before she gets over that.
As for Nemeth, he might look like a monster to Candra (at first, at least), but he's a good person through and through. He helps her when she becomes ill because it's the right thing to do and slowly the two of them begin to lean on one another as the weeks and months tick away. When the unthinkable happens and they're forced to leave the tower or starve to death, he's willing to sacrifice himself again and again if it means she'll be safe.
War, political intrigue, a cozy tower (although maybe it isn't cozy all the time), two people stumbling their way into a relationship, a knot or two that leads to some VERY good times, danger, sibling rivalries of epic proportions, a scholarly Fellian who risks everything for the woman he's grown to love, and a princess who learns that she's not nearly as useless as she's been told. MAN, I liked these two and this world and everything going on here. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Frankly, Candra is a hot mess when she first gets sent to the tower. She's a little shallow (not her fault, simply a product of her upbringing and being the "useless, cursed" sister), she can barely take care of herself, and she's woefully unprepared for everything. Literally everything. She's also kind of convinced Nemeth is very much a bad guy and it takes a while before she gets over that.
As for Nemeth, he might look like a monster to Candra (at first, at least), but he's a good person through and through. He helps her when she becomes ill because it's the right thing to do and slowly the two of them begin to lean on one another as the weeks and months tick away. When the unthinkable happens and they're forced to leave the tower or starve to death, he's willing to sacrifice himself again and again if it means she'll be safe.
War, political intrigue, a cozy tower (although maybe it isn't cozy all the time), two people stumbling their way into a relationship, a knot or two that leads to some VERY good times, danger, sibling rivalries of epic proportions, a scholarly Fellian who risks everything for the woman he's grown to love, and a princess who learns that she's not nearly as useless as she's been told. MAN, I liked these two and this world and everything going on here. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
August 8, 2024
I wanted to like this but unfortunately I’m disappointed with it. The concept is interesting and different, and I felt like there could have been more explored with two enemies being forced to stay in a tower together or else face the wrath of a goddess, but it fell a little flat for me.
The main character wasn’t the most interesting FMC Ruby’s come up with. She just let a lot of things happen to her, though that did change towards the end. So yay for character growth. I feel like her main personality trait was horny, which despite this being a romance, isn’t actually a personality trait I think needs to be front and center. I honestly think she could have been even more spoiled. I find myself wondering how the story would have changed if she was a spoiled little princess who always got her way except this one time when it really really matters.
I also feel like the world-building could have been more fleshed out as well. I have a lot of questions still. Why were the Liosians so ready to go to war? How exactly was the curse set off? How do these two countries that have this weird curse attached to them interact with other countries? The moon goddess is never fully explained and we don’t know what her goal was? What was up with the 7 years? Anyway.
Lastly, the pacing was super off. We spent over half of the book doing a whole lot of nothing, then all of a sudden the plot speeds up real quick and then a murderous sister shows up and things escalate so fast from there.
Ive read all of Ruby Dixon’s anchor and aspect series so I know she can execute pacing and world building and well crafted main characters really well, but this just didn’t hit the mark.
The main character wasn’t the most interesting FMC Ruby’s come up with. She just let a lot of things happen to her, though that did change towards the end. So yay for character growth. I feel like her main personality trait was horny, which despite this being a romance, isn’t actually a personality trait I think needs to be front and center. I honestly think she could have been even more spoiled. I find myself wondering how the story would have changed if she was a spoiled little princess who always got her way except this one time when it really really matters.
I also feel like the world-building could have been more fleshed out as well. I have a lot of questions still. Why were the Liosians so ready to go to war? How exactly was the curse set off? How do these two countries that have this weird curse attached to them interact with other countries? The moon goddess is never fully explained and we don’t know what her goal was? What was up with the 7 years? Anyway.
Lastly, the pacing was super off. We spent over half of the book doing a whole lot of nothing, then all of a sudden the plot speeds up real quick and then a murderous sister shows up and things escalate so fast from there.
Ive read all of Ruby Dixon’s anchor and aspect series so I know she can execute pacing and world building and well crafted main characters really well, but this just didn’t hit the mark.
April 3, 2024
I am so glad I am finished with this book because it was such a struggle to get through. I should have cut my losses 1/4 of the way in but I wanted to stick it out in hopes it would get better. I am a fan of Ruby Dixon's other works but this was not for me at all. I honestly could not stand Candra and found her to be unbearable. The amount of times they use the phrase "dragon shite" made me want to scream.
I found this was incredibly predictable and I was in most literal sense rolling my eyes over and over again when certain things were "revealed". Overall, I would not recommend at all.
I found this was incredibly predictable and I was in most literal sense rolling my eyes over and over again when certain things were "revealed". Overall, I would not recommend at all.
April 13, 2024
I absolutely love Ruby Dixon, but this one just wasn't it for me.
I recently discovered that this may have been released as a pay by chapter story, and that would make sense for the pace the story seemed to follow. I believe a really good edit to shorten the story and make it a little more readable as a novel would be beneficial. This plot was very good overall, but stretched too far to hold the readers attention.
I recently discovered that this may have been released as a pay by chapter story, and that would make sense for the pace the story seemed to follow. I believe a really good edit to shorten the story and make it a little more readable as a novel would be beneficial. This plot was very good overall, but stretched too far to hold the readers attention.
August 29, 2024
This book was so long and so very boring🥸 the plot felt as if it was moving at a snails pace, the chemistry between the characters was alright, but I didn’t really care for them, and some of the situations the characters put themselves in was just so idiotic🙃 It’s safe to say this is my first and last Ruby Dixon book bc even though when they finally got to Darkfell, I got a lot more interested, the story was just way too long to keep me interested and her writing just isn’t for me🫠
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