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Shadows in the Golden City
Shadows In The Golden City is the first installment in the Chronicles of Ambrose series.
Leoni is the Thief of Aurum. Her control of shadows is her strength, and she will stop at nothing to provide for her people. Living in the South District, the poorest region of the so-called 'Wealthy City', she's known hardship all her life. Leoni has dedicated her talents to serving her people, even if those means are illegal.
When she gets the opportunity to steal a priceless artifact from the Lord of Aurum, Leoni can't resist. But the robbery doesn't go as planned, and she finds herself in a cell under the guard of Aurum's fiercest Riel.
As fate would have it, Riel needs her expertise to find the culprit of a string of thefts affecting the city. Her reward? Freedom.
But Leoni needs more than her freedom. She needs to ensure that her people will be taken care of. All that's left to discover is how far she is willing to go to get it.
Leoni is the Thief of Aurum. Her control of shadows is her strength, and she will stop at nothing to provide for her people. Living in the South District, the poorest region of the so-called 'Wealthy City', she's known hardship all her life. Leoni has dedicated her talents to serving her people, even if those means are illegal.
When she gets the opportunity to steal a priceless artifact from the Lord of Aurum, Leoni can't resist. But the robbery doesn't go as planned, and she finds herself in a cell under the guard of Aurum's fiercest Riel.
As fate would have it, Riel needs her expertise to find the culprit of a string of thefts affecting the city. Her reward? Freedom.
But Leoni needs more than her freedom. She needs to ensure that her people will be taken care of. All that's left to discover is how far she is willing to go to get it.
342 pages, Paperback
Published October 24, 2023
22 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 22, 2023
I received an ARC of this book.
I loved this story. It was a perfect intro to the world without being overbearing with lore and info dumping. I appreciate a first book in a series that doesn’t end on a cliffhanger but leaves a lot of room for the story to continue on. I liked how Leoni evolved throughout this book - in a way that felt earned and intentional. Definitely looking forward to learning more about the world and reading the next one whenever it comes around :)
I loved this story. It was a perfect intro to the world without being overbearing with lore and info dumping. I appreciate a first book in a series that doesn’t end on a cliffhanger but leaves a lot of room for the story to continue on. I liked how Leoni evolved throughout this book - in a way that felt earned and intentional. Definitely looking forward to learning more about the world and reading the next one whenever it comes around :)
September 26, 2023
10/10
I was sent this as an ARC and I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book, but it surpassed all my expectations. A fantasy book with spice, dragons, and pirates?! I mean honestly what else do you need?! I hope this book gets all the hype that it deserves. OCTOBER 24TH YA’LL! Mark your calendars.
I was sent this as an ARC and I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book, but it surpassed all my expectations. A fantasy book with spice, dragons, and pirates?! I mean honestly what else do you need?! I hope this book gets all the hype that it deserves. OCTOBER 24TH YA’LL! Mark your calendars.
October 1, 2023
Book Name: Shadows in the Golden City
Author: Jennifer Kay
Cover Designer: Leslie Ramsey
Genre: Fantasy Romance, Magic, Adventure
Book type: Ebook ARC
Pages: 337
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Series/Stand Alone: 1st in series
Tropes: Soulmates, Enemies to Lovers, Forced proximity, Magic, Slowburn
TW/CW: Alcohol Consumption Anxiety/Panic Attack, Drug Use, Drug-Related Deaths/Overdose, Non Consensual Drug Use, Explicit Language, Explicit Sexual Content, Violence
Summary:
Leoni, the renowned thief of her community Arrum, faces a dire choice when her theft from the city's Lord leads to her capture. She must either assist General Riel in tracking down a mysterious artifact thief or face execution. As Leoni delves into the case to secure her freedom and safeguard her community, can she resist the irresistible allure of General Riel and steal his well-guarded heart?
My Thoughts:
⚠️Spoilers ⚠️
This story offered a rollercoaster of emotions. It had me laughing, swooning, seething, tearing up, and sitting on the edge of my seat throughout. As the story unfolded in the world of Ambrose, my commitment and curiosity about the characters and their lives grew. Initially, I empathized with Leoni and wasn't fond of Riel, but as their relationship developed, I witnessed the depth of Riel's love and unwavering devotion. Leoni and Riel truly captured my heart, and I cannot wait to dive back into the captivating world of Ambrose.
Favorite Quote:
“If I was the thief of Aurum, I was going to steal Aurum’s most precious commodity: Riel’s lips against mine.” -Leoni
Author: Jennifer Kay
Cover Designer: Leslie Ramsey
Genre: Fantasy Romance, Magic, Adventure
Book type: Ebook ARC
Pages: 337
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Series/Stand Alone: 1st in series
Tropes: Soulmates, Enemies to Lovers, Forced proximity, Magic, Slowburn
TW/CW: Alcohol Consumption Anxiety/Panic Attack, Drug Use, Drug-Related Deaths/Overdose, Non Consensual Drug Use, Explicit Language, Explicit Sexual Content, Violence
Summary:
Leoni, the renowned thief of her community Arrum, faces a dire choice when her theft from the city's Lord leads to her capture. She must either assist General Riel in tracking down a mysterious artifact thief or face execution. As Leoni delves into the case to secure her freedom and safeguard her community, can she resist the irresistible allure of General Riel and steal his well-guarded heart?
My Thoughts:
⚠️Spoilers ⚠️
This story offered a rollercoaster of emotions. It had me laughing, swooning, seething, tearing up, and sitting on the edge of my seat throughout. As the story unfolded in the world of Ambrose, my commitment and curiosity about the characters and their lives grew. Initially, I empathized with Leoni and wasn't fond of Riel, but as their relationship developed, I witnessed the depth of Riel's love and unwavering devotion. Leoni and Riel truly captured my heart, and I cannot wait to dive back into the captivating world of Ambrose.
Favorite Quote:
“If I was the thief of Aurum, I was going to steal Aurum’s most precious commodity: Riel’s lips against mine.” -Leoni
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2023
4.5 ⭐️. I was gifted this as an ARC in exchange for a fair review. I REALLLY enjoyed this book!! Jennifer Kay managed to build this world quickly but also thoroughly.
For me personally, I can’t handle too much world building at once, so this was perfect for me.
I think Leoni was perfectly written-a female Robin Hood who is trying to repay those who took her in. Riel arresting her and taking her on as a teammate to work for her freedom was brilliantly done, as well as the dynamic between Leoni, Chefren, and Miska.
Leoni is so lucky to escape death/capture so many times, which was such a hang up for me. How lucky can one girl be???
The unlikely ally in Kasiel who ended up saving the day was wonderful to read and Galen truly appears to be daddy.
Riel going after Leoni at the end had me entirely in my feels 🥺🥺🥺
One of my major hang ups is will there be another book? The artifacts are still missing and Galen is searching for them. The epilogue wraps things up with Leoni and Riel, but the way the plot ended made it seem like she was setting us up for a second book.
I really enjoyed this book and I think you will too!! If you like fantasy but world building kind of turns you off, this is for you!!
For me personally, I can’t handle too much world building at once, so this was perfect for me.
I think Leoni was perfectly written-a female Robin Hood who is trying to repay those who took her in. Riel arresting her and taking her on as a teammate to work for her freedom was brilliantly done, as well as the dynamic between Leoni, Chefren, and Miska.
Leoni is so lucky to escape death/capture so many times, which was such a hang up for me. How lucky can one girl be???
The unlikely ally in Kasiel who ended up saving the day was wonderful to read and Galen truly appears to be daddy.
Riel going after Leoni at the end had me entirely in my feels 🥺🥺🥺
One of my major hang ups is will there be another book? The artifacts are still missing and Galen is searching for them. The epilogue wraps things up with Leoni and Riel, but the way the plot ended made it seem like she was setting us up for a second book.
I really enjoyed this book and I think you will too!! If you like fantasy but world building kind of turns you off, this is for you!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2024
Steamy, exciting, and endearing!
This is a fast-paced, super easy to digest Romantasy that kept me engaged the whole time. This is great for those (aka me) who enjoy some of adventure of fantasy but don’t love heavy world-building.
Leoni is a strong fmc with a mind of her own and is instantly likeable, I really enjoyed seeing how her perspective changed but her passion for her people never wavered. I especially loved the tension between her and Riel, the hottie general of Ambrose. Their disagreements, steamy moments, and romantic bond were all really enjoyable. Even the side characters were instantly likeable and well fleshed out.
I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series! If you’re looking for a fantasy book you can breeze through while still getting all those high and lows of conflict, loss, and victory, this is it.
This is a fast-paced, super easy to digest Romantasy that kept me engaged the whole time. This is great for those (aka me) who enjoy some of adventure of fantasy but don’t love heavy world-building.
Leoni is a strong fmc with a mind of her own and is instantly likeable, I really enjoyed seeing how her perspective changed but her passion for her people never wavered. I especially loved the tension between her and Riel, the hottie general of Ambrose. Their disagreements, steamy moments, and romantic bond were all really enjoyable. Even the side characters were instantly likeable and well fleshed out.
I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series! If you’re looking for a fantasy book you can breeze through while still getting all those high and lows of conflict, loss, and victory, this is it.
October 23, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A book where the female is the heroine, the bad guy is actually the bad guy, and the good guy makes you believe in happily ever after.
Shadows In The Golden City is about a shadow wielding female Robin Hood. There is world building, action, spice, and betrayal. This is an epic first book to what will be a series and I can't wait to read more. I really hope we see more of Galen and his back story *cough cough*
Tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Found family
Forced proximity
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Spice: 3/5
A book where the female is the heroine, the bad guy is actually the bad guy, and the good guy makes you believe in happily ever after.
Shadows In The Golden City is about a shadow wielding female Robin Hood. There is world building, action, spice, and betrayal. This is an epic first book to what will be a series and I can't wait to read more. I really hope we see more of Galen and his back story *cough cough*
Tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Found family
Forced proximity
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Spice: 3/5
September 18, 2023
I was fortunate to be a Beta reader for this lovely novel. If you’re thinking of picking this book up, do it. The imagery is unmatched. I could see every scene so clearly in my minds eye. With how great the beta draft was, I know the final is going to be even better. I can’t wait until the release day so I can dive right into the golden city again. I’m pretty good at sussing out things that happen in stories as they go on, but this one had twists I couldn’t predict. I love the characters and I hope you do too. Definitely worth the read.
March 11, 2024
This was such a pleasant surprise! 🤍
I loved the creativity, engaging plot and easy to digest worldbuilding. I would definitely recommend this to people who are starting to dive into the fantasy world 🐉.
The characters had their own unique traits and I really enjoyed the distinctive magical powers. The main couple (Leoni and Riel) had the best banter and THE TENSION.
Now, I have to say it was predictable. I saw all of the big twists coming from mile away, however it didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the story.
I loved the creativity, engaging plot and easy to digest worldbuilding. I would definitely recommend this to people who are starting to dive into the fantasy world 🐉.
The characters had their own unique traits and I really enjoyed the distinctive magical powers. The main couple (Leoni and Riel) had the best banter and THE TENSION.
Now, I have to say it was predictable. I saw all of the big twists coming from mile away, however it didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the story.
October 2, 2023
Jennifer Kay has started off with a winner! I kept forgetting this was a first novel for her as I was reading. The world building was done quickly and well. By the end of the first chapter I felt like I had a good idea of the world without it feeling like a list or massive info dump, harder to accomplish than one may think.
She then takes us on a Robin Hood esc story in which we get to watch our fmc and some new frenemies fight for their city all in their own way. Without spoilers let’s just say there were moments I was on the edge of my seat getting ready have some strong words with our author.
Now before you ask yes there is a love interest and yes there are some very nice spicy scene throughout. But what we don’t get is a fmc loosing all her goals and values because of a guy. (Thank goodness)
I am greatful to have had a chance to ARC read this book and can’t wait to see where Jennifer takes the world and her characters from here.
She then takes us on a Robin Hood esc story in which we get to watch our fmc and some new frenemies fight for their city all in their own way. Without spoilers let’s just say there were moments I was on the edge of my seat getting ready have some strong words with our author.
Now before you ask yes there is a love interest and yes there are some very nice spicy scene throughout. But what we don’t get is a fmc loosing all her goals and values because of a guy. (Thank goodness)
I am greatful to have had a chance to ARC read this book and can’t wait to see where Jennifer takes the world and her characters from here.
December 31, 2023
Shadows in the Golden City is an interesting and unique take on a Robin Hood-esque character and story. Leoni is a thief, an excellent one due to her ability as a Magi to manipulate shadows to hide herself in the dark. When a job goes wrong, she finds herself having to work for a man she views as an enemy. There are pirates, magic, dragons and assassins, plus betrayal along the way.
Here are some things I liked about the book:
Unique Setting (compared to most fantasy books)
Good worldbuilding
Plot and banter that is entertaining.
Spicy scenes that don't take away from the story.
Things I disliked:
I struggled to relate to Leoni. She felt very young in her actions, but was supposed to be older. I wanted her to reign in her impulses more and act like someone with a fully-developed prefrontal cortex.
The middle of the book's pacing was slow. (More info below)
The action scenes didn't have the punchy writing I wanted in order to feel heart-pounding.
The use of potions during the last fight scene. After the first use of it, I thought it was a bit too liberal of a fix-all.
Grammar/Sentence issues (will delve into that below)
Pacing Issues:
The middle of the book (from about 40%-70%) felt incredibly slow, at least for me. I wanted more action to break up the dialogue scenes or the exploration scenes. Even a nice "Old habits die hard and I just stole an orange from a vendor and now I have to escape" scene would have made those scenes easier to get through. I also think the chapters could have been broken up smaller, but short chapters are more of a personal preference.
Grammar/Sentence Issues:
There were several sentences that should have been edited out early on in the process. For example, one sentence said "-immobilized him from moving" and 'From Moving' isn't necessary. There were other sentences that are similar to this where there were unessary words. It wasn't every page, but enough for me to see it as an issue.
Would I recommend this book?
I would, but I think it would mostly be for people who are trying to make their way between YA and NA as this book sometimes feels like a YA book but with more NA intimate scenes. This could help someone bridge the gap between the two. The world Jennifer built is unique and interesting and while I didn't relate to the MCs, I think she laid some groundwork for an interesting and compelling series.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and I'm going to be following this author as she creates and releases more stories. The fresh scenery was a welcome relief to all of the stories featuring fae or vampires or other euro-centric themes. I think if the writing issues were fixed, the pacing were a bit better, I would have given it 4.5 stars.
Here are some things I liked about the book:
Unique Setting (compared to most fantasy books)
Good worldbuilding
Plot and banter that is entertaining.
Spicy scenes that don't take away from the story.
Things I disliked:
I struggled to relate to Leoni. She felt very young in her actions, but was supposed to be older. I wanted her to reign in her impulses more and act like someone with a fully-developed prefrontal cortex.
The middle of the book's pacing was slow. (More info below)
The action scenes didn't have the punchy writing I wanted in order to feel heart-pounding.
The use of potions during the last fight scene. After the first use of it, I thought it was a bit too liberal of a fix-all.
Grammar/Sentence issues (will delve into that below)
Pacing Issues:
The middle of the book (from about 40%-70%) felt incredibly slow, at least for me. I wanted more action to break up the dialogue scenes or the exploration scenes. Even a nice "Old habits die hard and I just stole an orange from a vendor and now I have to escape" scene would have made those scenes easier to get through. I also think the chapters could have been broken up smaller, but short chapters are more of a personal preference.
Grammar/Sentence Issues:
There were several sentences that should have been edited out early on in the process. For example, one sentence said "-immobilized him from moving" and 'From Moving' isn't necessary. There were other sentences that are similar to this where there were unessary words. It wasn't every page, but enough for me to see it as an issue.
Would I recommend this book?
I would, but I think it would mostly be for people who are trying to make their way between YA and NA as this book sometimes feels like a YA book but with more NA intimate scenes. This could help someone bridge the gap between the two. The world Jennifer built is unique and interesting and while I didn't relate to the MCs, I think she laid some groundwork for an interesting and compelling series.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and I'm going to be following this author as she creates and releases more stories. The fresh scenery was a welcome relief to all of the stories featuring fae or vampires or other euro-centric themes. I think if the writing issues were fixed, the pacing were a bit better, I would have given it 4.5 stars.
October 16, 2023
*ARC*
Shadows in the Golden City has an interesting story but reads like the prequel of a more complete book.
The lore and world building remind me of the chapter books I read as a kid: it's an easy read with a predictable plot, likable characters, and magical elements. There were a few well written scenes and excellent plot points where we aren't just told what's happening but rather shown (Delvar's viciousness in Ch 2, Seraph's drugged state, the fighting in the tea house when we find out about Riel's magic and meet Kasiel, the camaraderie of game night, to name just a few) but in-between these points of great writing there were also a lot of convenient "twists" and unanswered questions:
Why did Langley look at Leoni before dying? Why didn't it occur to her that Devland or even someone from his crew had betrayed her when she got caught? Why is THE GENERAL dealing with a series of thefts directly, severely understaffed, and why does it take the uneducated thief to spot the correlation between magical relics (ie. they're magical)? Where is Kasiel keeping all these potions? Why didn't he kill Leoni? And very importantly, if Dragon's Breath is so addictive and Leoni was given an expectedly fatal dose how does she survive and experience no side effects at all?
The best part of the story is that even with titles like the "thief of Aurum" and the infamy that Riel has as a fighter, they are by no means Mary Sues or Gary Stus. Leoni is terrible at combat, which makes sense because her skill set is literally just "hiding." Riel can stop time and is a FORCE, but has limits to his magic. Devland is vicious and dangerous throughout the story and doesn't lose any potency just because other strong male characters are on scene. The story could be better written, but the characters are off to a strong start.
With all that being said, the grammar and spelling errors throughout this copy were the most difficult part of staying in story. Assuming that's all fixed by the time the final copy is out, it should be a fun, easy read the builds a backstory for an expected better second book and yes, it does have spicy scenes.
Shadows in the Golden City has an interesting story but reads like the prequel of a more complete book.
The lore and world building remind me of the chapter books I read as a kid: it's an easy read with a predictable plot, likable characters, and magical elements. There were a few well written scenes and excellent plot points where we aren't just told what's happening but rather shown (Delvar's viciousness in Ch 2, Seraph's drugged state, the fighting in the tea house when we find out about Riel's magic and meet Kasiel, the camaraderie of game night, to name just a few) but in-between these points of great writing there were also a lot of convenient "twists" and unanswered questions:
Why did Langley look at Leoni before dying? Why didn't it occur to her that Devland or even someone from his crew had betrayed her when she got caught? Why is THE GENERAL dealing with a series of thefts directly, severely understaffed, and why does it take the uneducated thief to spot the correlation between magical relics (ie. they're magical)? Where is Kasiel keeping all these potions? Why didn't he kill Leoni? And very importantly, if Dragon's Breath is so addictive and Leoni was given an expectedly fatal dose how does she survive and experience no side effects at all?
The best part of the story is that even with titles like the "thief of Aurum" and the infamy that Riel has as a fighter, they are by no means Mary Sues or Gary Stus. Leoni is terrible at combat, which makes sense because her skill set is literally just "hiding." Riel can stop time and is a FORCE, but has limits to his magic. Devland is vicious and dangerous throughout the story and doesn't lose any potency just because other strong male characters are on scene. The story could be better written, but the characters are off to a strong start.
With all that being said, the grammar and spelling errors throughout this copy were the most difficult part of staying in story. Assuming that's all fixed by the time the final copy is out, it should be a fun, easy read the builds a backstory for an expected better second book and yes, it does have spicy scenes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2024
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it as much I thought.
Despite a few spicy scenes, the books feels very young adult, the plot is rather predictable, some dialogues sound juvenile.
The main character is supposed to be in her 30s, but she acts and thinks like your typical YA teenage protagonist. She's impulsive, irrational, rarely thinks things through, and overly idealistic and naive. She's so preoccupied with the well-being of "her people", but doesn't seem to have a single close friend. When she suddenly disappears, they just assume she's dead? Nobody could be bothered to try and find out what happened to her? Given that her community sounded more like a bunch of free-loaders leeching from her, it was very difficult to sympathize with her concern over them.
What was the point of introducing a character and then killing him off a chapter later?
The MMC was more interesting, but I wish he and Leoni interacted more and we learned more about him. By the way, the word "general' must mean something different in their world, because I cannot imagine why a general in the traditional meaning of the word would bother to personally investigate some thefts and drug deals. No wonder the city is a mess if their law enforcement is three people.
The main character is supposed to be that super stealthy, sneaky thief, yet she's constantly getting captured in the book? With this level of prowess she would have been imprisoned after her first theft.
The way the FMC is treating her love interest is honestly reprehensible. The guy He deserved better, honestly.
Despite a few spicy scenes, the books feels very young adult, the plot is rather predictable, some dialogues sound juvenile.
The main character is supposed to be in her 30s, but she acts and thinks like your typical YA teenage protagonist. She's impulsive, irrational, rarely thinks things through, and overly idealistic and naive. She's so preoccupied with the well-being of "her people", but doesn't seem to have a single close friend. When she suddenly disappears, they just assume she's dead? Nobody could be bothered to try and find out what happened to her? Given that her community sounded more like a bunch of free-loaders leeching from her, it was very difficult to sympathize with her concern over them.
What was the point of introducing a character and then killing him off a chapter later?
The MMC was more interesting, but I wish he and Leoni interacted more and we learned more about him. By the way, the word "general' must mean something different in their world, because I cannot imagine why a general in the traditional meaning of the word would bother to personally investigate some thefts and drug deals. No wonder the city is a mess if their law enforcement is three people.
The main character is supposed to be that super stealthy, sneaky thief, yet she's constantly getting captured in the book? With this level of prowess she would have been imprisoned after her first theft.
The way the FMC is treating her love interest is honestly reprehensible. The guy He deserved better, honestly.
September 23, 2023
5⭐️
I was so lucky to be a beta read for this and I am SO happy that I did!! "Shadows In The Golden City" by Jennifer Kay is an absolute gem for fantasy readers! I really enjoyed the world-building and attention to detail. The author's ability to bring the city and its surroundings to life was amazing, making it easy and fun to imagine the characters. It was the perfect amount of world building too, keeping me entertained the whole time.
Leoni is nothing short of a badass. Her strength and determination are qualities that really stuck out to me. But of course one of my favorite things was the slow burn romance. I am absolutely in LOVE with Riel. This is one of the few books where I really felt the chemistry between the two characters making it hard for me to put the book down. The spice was chefs kiss🤌🏼. There were also some really beautiful pieces of dialog between Leoni and Riel, which just made me love them all the more.
I’m unsure if there will be another book but I really hope so, I NEED more Leoni and Riel and would love to see more with the dragons, plus we have to find out what happened with the artifacts, right?! Overall I really enjoyed this book, with dragons, pirates, and soulmates, it had everything I want in a fantasy book and can’t recommend it enough!!
I was so lucky to be a beta read for this and I am SO happy that I did!! "Shadows In The Golden City" by Jennifer Kay is an absolute gem for fantasy readers! I really enjoyed the world-building and attention to detail. The author's ability to bring the city and its surroundings to life was amazing, making it easy and fun to imagine the characters. It was the perfect amount of world building too, keeping me entertained the whole time.
Leoni is nothing short of a badass. Her strength and determination are qualities that really stuck out to me. But of course one of my favorite things was the slow burn romance. I am absolutely in LOVE with Riel. This is one of the few books where I really felt the chemistry between the two characters making it hard for me to put the book down. The spice was chefs kiss🤌🏼. There were also some really beautiful pieces of dialog between Leoni and Riel, which just made me love them all the more.
I’m unsure if there will be another book but I really hope so, I NEED more Leoni and Riel and would love to see more with the dragons, plus we have to find out what happened with the artifacts, right?! Overall I really enjoyed this book, with dragons, pirates, and soulmates, it had everything I want in a fantasy book and can’t recommend it enough!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2023
📚 Book Review: Shadows in the Golden City 🏴☠️🔮🌟
Shadows in the Golden City is an electrifying blend of pirates, magic, romance, and the superb pacing of spice that had me hooked from start to finish! 🌊✨
Leoni, our female Robin Hood, steals not only treasures but also hearts as she navigates a world of danger and enchantment. The author's vivid storytelling brings the Golden City to life, and I felt like I was right there with Leoni and the group. She had me, laughing, yelling, and falling in love with characters.
The magi elements added a captivating twist to the classic pirate tale, making it a unique and enchanting read. The romantic tension between characters kept me eagerly turning pages, and the sprinkling of spice added a delicious layer of intrigue.
Overall, Shadows in the Golden City is a thrilling page-turner that combines the best of multiple genres. It's a must-read for anyone looking for adventure, magic, and spice. I’m already missing Aurum and can’t wait for the next installment 😬⚓🔥💕
Shadows in the Golden City is an electrifying blend of pirates, magic, romance, and the superb pacing of spice that had me hooked from start to finish! 🌊✨
Leoni, our female Robin Hood, steals not only treasures but also hearts as she navigates a world of danger and enchantment. The author's vivid storytelling brings the Golden City to life, and I felt like I was right there with Leoni and the group. She had me, laughing, yelling, and falling in love with characters.
The magi elements added a captivating twist to the classic pirate tale, making it a unique and enchanting read. The romantic tension between characters kept me eagerly turning pages, and the sprinkling of spice added a delicious layer of intrigue.
Overall, Shadows in the Golden City is a thrilling page-turner that combines the best of multiple genres. It's a must-read for anyone looking for adventure, magic, and spice. I’m already missing Aurum and can’t wait for the next installment 😬⚓🔥💕
October 25, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! I loved the world that it was built in. All of the characters having different powers was so exciting. I never knew what to expect when there was a new character introduced, and I loved the creativity of the powers. Controlling other people’s emotions would be crazy. I do wish some of the characters were developed a bit more since I think there was a lot of potential for deeper connections, but overall I enjoyed the plot. The BETRAYAL definitely shocked me, I did not see that coming at all, and I’m still mad about it. I’m really hoping there’s a second book because I have QUESTIONS. What was the significance of the stolen artifacts? What happened in the seven year time jump? I need a second book - it feels like this first book was just the tip of the iceberg and there’s a lot more to uncover. I definitely would recommend this book if you are looking for a spicy new world to dive into.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2023
*ARC provided by Jennifer Kay*
This book has an excellent plot line and concept, but I struggled to get into and stay in the world. The worldbuilding is very simple and straightforward, but the consistent use of pronouns as sentence starters kept me from feeling super connected to Leoni and the other characters, especially Seraph, who we lost early on in the story.
I would have loved to see some closure to some of the things that felt significant but ultimately were not (Langley looking at Leoni as he died, etc.), but I also understand that this could potentially bog down the plot with some info-dumpy lore regarding relationships.
I think, and hope, that this book is an excellent build to the second book that will blow away the audience with something more gripping and exciting!
This book has an excellent plot line and concept, but I struggled to get into and stay in the world. The worldbuilding is very simple and straightforward, but the consistent use of pronouns as sentence starters kept me from feeling super connected to Leoni and the other characters, especially Seraph, who we lost early on in the story.
I would have loved to see some closure to some of the things that felt significant but ultimately were not (Langley looking at Leoni as he died, etc.), but I also understand that this could potentially bog down the plot with some info-dumpy lore regarding relationships.
I think, and hope, that this book is an excellent build to the second book that will blow away the audience with something more gripping and exciting!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2024
I found this author through Instagram. The story sounded interesting, and I love to support indie authors when I can! So, I ordered her book box with all the goodies (art piece, bookmark, map, a little dragon keychain, etc).
There's a little of everything in here: enemies-to-lovers, betrayals, soulmates, Magi with special abilities, dragons, pirates, anxiety/panic disorder rep, and lots of SPICE. Everything you could want from a romantasy story. The only reason that I didn't rate it higher was the many grammatical errors that I found. It needs some more editing work done to it. Otherwise, it was a great story, and I can't wait to read book 2 in September!
There's a little of everything in here: enemies-to-lovers, betrayals, soulmates, Magi with special abilities, dragons, pirates, anxiety/panic disorder rep, and lots of SPICE. Everything you could want from a romantasy story. The only reason that I didn't rate it higher was the many grammatical errors that I found. It needs some more editing work done to it. Otherwise, it was a great story, and I can't wait to read book 2 in September!
August 6, 2025
A great read that gave Aladdin and Robin Hood vibes!
I love when a book gives me a beautiful setting, and Jennifer Kay did exactly that! Her descriptions painted a great picture, and it was a world I could totally get lost in.
I'm not normally a romance or spice reader, so it wasn't typically the type of book I'd pick up, but I have to say, she did a great job balancing plot, character development, and spice. There was plenty of action, especially later in the book, and that kept things moving well.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and definitely recommend it if you like books with action, magic, heists, pirates, spice, and gorgeous desert settings!
I love when a book gives me a beautiful setting, and Jennifer Kay did exactly that! Her descriptions painted a great picture, and it was a world I could totally get lost in.
I'm not normally a romance or spice reader, so it wasn't typically the type of book I'd pick up, but I have to say, she did a great job balancing plot, character development, and spice. There was plenty of action, especially later in the book, and that kept things moving well.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and definitely recommend it if you like books with action, magic, heists, pirates, spice, and gorgeous desert settings!
October 25, 2023
3/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶
I was lucky enough to receive this as an ARC book. I really enjoyed the premise of this book - it was a very cool idea. The prologue chapter from the author drew you in, as well as the first chapters of the book. The ending was also great at wrapping up the story and letting you look a little ways into the main character's futures, which I love.
I would have rated this higher, but the pacing of the story through the middle was off for me (but maybe it would not for others). Overall, it was a really enjoyable read.
2/5 🌶
I was lucky enough to receive this as an ARC book. I really enjoyed the premise of this book - it was a very cool idea. The prologue chapter from the author drew you in, as well as the first chapters of the book. The ending was also great at wrapping up the story and letting you look a little ways into the main character's futures, which I love.
I would have rated this higher, but the pacing of the story through the middle was off for me (but maybe it would not for others). Overall, it was a really enjoyable read.
November 22, 2024
Really good start to a series!
I love the different version of shadow magic in this one. Where she could only use the surrounding shadows to conceal herself, to make herself invisible. Instead of the usual of controlling the shadows in the way they are used in other stories.
The only thing I didn't like was that she just used her power to make herself invisible while she was stealing, and that she didn't know how to fight. For the stuff she does, I feel like there should be at least some fighting skills.
Other than that, I really loved the plot and characters!
I love the different version of shadow magic in this one. Where she could only use the surrounding shadows to conceal herself, to make herself invisible. Instead of the usual of controlling the shadows in the way they are used in other stories.
The only thing I didn't like was that she just used her power to make herself invisible while she was stealing, and that she didn't know how to fight. For the stuff she does, I feel like there should be at least some fighting skills.
Other than that, I really loved the plot and characters!
September 26, 2023
This book is pretty fast paced. I really liked the characters and the story told that it’s set in is magical. The only reason I’m giving it 4 stars is because I feel like the main characters got involved very quickly and they didn’t really interact much. I would have liked to see them interact a bit more before getting together. Other than that the book was amazing and I would read it again in between arcs.
October 13, 2023
I was sent an ARC and as the first indie book I’ve ever read, this far surpassed my expectations! Romantasy seems to have my heart at the moment, and I loved the female Robin Hood premise. With class struggles, allusions to our very own opiate crisis, no shortage of spice, AND dragons?! I absolutely recommend you mark your calendar for October 24th and get your hands on a copy of Shadows in the Golden City!
October 16, 2023
I enjoyed this! Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC. I can definitely see how it still needs an editor for some clarity and grammar, but the characters were strong and the world building was well done. The romance between Leoni and Riel felt inevitable and I enjoyed the found family aspect of their little crew with Chefren and Masika. A good debut for the author and I’m looking forward to seeing what else she brings out.
October 19, 2023
I received and ARC of this book and honestly, 5 stars. I read this book in ONE day. I absolutely loved it. The enemies to lovers and fated mates trope is my favorite (even though it does make things a little predictable). But Riel is one of my new fav book boyfriends FOR SURE. I loved that the FMC wasn't an 18 year human, but that the 2 MC's are both Magi. The plot, the story, the world Jennifer Kay is building; I can't wait for more.
October 21, 2023
ARC Review: Shadows in the Golden City
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This book had me hooked from the beginning! It's fast-paced and was hard to put down. I had to know what was going to happen next, and it kept me on the edge of my seat! I really enjoyed the writing! It is a great debut novel!
It gives female Robin Hood trying to do everything she can to protect her family! It has pirates, dragons, magic, thieves, and enemies to lovers! I highly recommend this book if you like these things!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This book had me hooked from the beginning! It's fast-paced and was hard to put down. I had to know what was going to happen next, and it kept me on the edge of my seat! I really enjoyed the writing! It is a great debut novel!
It gives female Robin Hood trying to do everything she can to protect her family! It has pirates, dragons, magic, thieves, and enemies to lovers! I highly recommend this book if you like these things!
October 24, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Leoni was a well fleshed-out, relatable character and I found myself intrigued. Her sense of justice was inspiring and though her decisions were sometimes misguided, they felt very real. And the male lead was certainly swoon-worthy.
I loved how fun and mysterious the magic system was. The action was well-paced, the sex scenes were perfectly steamy, and the plot was easy to follow but interesting. I highly recommend this book.
I loved how fun and mysterious the magic system was. The action was well-paced, the sex scenes were perfectly steamy, and the plot was easy to follow but interesting. I highly recommend this book.
November 8, 2023
The book was a little hard to get into, not a whole lot of action or intrigue in the beginning, but as the book went on it got better and better. I loved the main character and her love interest and was very pleased with how their roles played out in the end of the book. Not what I was expecting at all but very exciting to see where it went with the story. If there’s a book 2 I will definitely be reading it.
October 30, 2023
Loved every minute in the Golden City
Such a good read! I loved Leoni’s journey and seeing her grow as a character. The world building was done really well, too. If you love fantasy romance and a strong female protagonist, read this book! I can’t wait to read more from this author!
Such a good read! I loved Leoni’s journey and seeing her grow as a character. The world building was done really well, too. If you love fantasy romance and a strong female protagonist, read this book! I can’t wait to read more from this author!
November 5, 2023
Beautifully written book! Adventure, mystery, betrayal, fierce love, magic…It captivated me with every page. I laughed and cried and awe and fury - I didn’t want it to end. I cant wait to see more from this world. Jennifer Kay writes with such intricacy and detail, you can see this world come alive right in front of you.
November 9, 2023
This book was recommended by a friend. I don’t usually read romance, and I was surprised by how much I absolutely adored this book. The characters are very well developed, and I cared about them immediately. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mainstream fantasy, romance, or really just reading in general. I look forward to more by this author. I will happily read anything she writes.
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