Shadows Within the Fire: Volume I

Volumes of Elementum #1

by Megan L. Adams

A curse of fire. Dark shadows and pain. There's only a fine line between control and chaos.

Evren is a young fae coming of age, but not her powers. She’s always been viewed as a pawn by her father, pushed aside by her mother, but adored by her brother. Now she is forced into a mating bond with an abusive male. Tired of being used by the men in her life, she runs. Though she’s lived a life of isolation and pain, she knows deep down she was made for more.

Delrik, The Hunter, has a hidden past and is trying to find a way to atone for all the atrocities he committed during the war. Darkness and death follow in his wake wherever he goes and whomever he hunts. The internal struggle between desiring solitude and an unknown force pulling him in a new direction has him questioning everything.

Fate throws Evren and Delrik together in a dangerous game of trust and love, altering the path of their futures. They have to set aside their fears and figure out a way to stop dangerous magic from falling into the hands of a High Ruler on the precipice of a takeover.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance

507 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2024

About the author

Megan L. Adams is a stay-at-home mom and military wife from Washington DC. She earned a Bachelor’s in Biology from North Georgia College and State University but has found a passion for writing over the last few years. She is a new indie author focusing on fantasy romance. Her books have been sold in the United States, Canada, and across the world. When she isn’t writing, she’s exploring local bookstores and historic libraries while sipping on a latte. She loves to take care of her many orchids and house plants, as well as spend time outside. Her best writing buddy, Toma, is a two-year-old golden retriever-husky mix. She also enjoys a good glass of wine and reading to her heart’s content.

Reviews

[Emilia Dashfire · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

First thoughts…
A bit of a Rapunzel retelling but with secret magic, curses, and a dash of spice.
A princess trapped in her life and the duties expected of her like a betrothal to a super icky man. Bring on the prison break.


Good thoughts…
It’s hard to say without spoilers, but I loved trying to work things. Everything was set up nicely and made sense when I found out what was going on.
Spice was nice. Not long and dragged out, but long enough to feel the deeper connection between the characters.
Just when you think it’s going to end with sunshine and rainbows…

Not good thoughts…
I think it would have benefitted from another revision with focus on the writing. The descriptions were good, but the structures were repetitive and had lots of short sentences that lacked flow. It was a little distracting.
A random POV was a bit out of place and spoiled a later surprise for the reader in my opinion.

Random thoughts…
I knew it. I knew it. Can’t tell you because of spoilers, but I knew.

Final thoughts...
I’m so glad I read this. It’s a great debut novel and a great start to a new series.

[Katie Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kissed goodbye to a day reading this. You get sucked into it from the start, and you want to keep reading on until you get to the end of the book. Ended up finishing it in a few hours. Well worth a read

[Tammy Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did love this book! It starts off a little slow but once you get farther along into the book it becomes so good and holds you and makes you want to know what is going to happen next. The way it ends leaves you hungering for more and I can’t wait to see what happens next for Evren and Delrik! A must read!

[Amelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly loved this book so much!

Megan Adams has done an incredible job and this is her debut novel. Can’t wait to see what else she comes up with!
Her ability to make world building easy and entertaining to read, had me captivated from the very start. I honestly struggled to put this book down and found myself thinking about it during the day.

I loved following Evren in her journey to find herself. loved seeing her turn into a confident young fae and accepting and giving into her powers.
I particularly liked how her relationship with Delrik wasn’t a head over heels from the moment they saw each other kind of relationship. You follow their journey and see them slowly trust each other and slowly realise they are bondmates. And once they give into each other, oh my god did the story get good and I loved every bit of it.

Can’t wait for the second book to come cuz I need to know what will happen next!

[Vicki (MayhemBoundBookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC copy of this book from the Author for review.

I have nothing but praise for this wonderful high fantasy book by Megan Adams. Her debut book was engaging, intriguing and most of all accessible. Shadows Within the Fire was a leisurely read that I didn’t want to put down. There wasn’t a ton of confusing world building but there was enough to keep the plot moving.

I appreciated that the bond between Evren and Delrik wasn’t “instant” but that it burned slowly and steadily and then hit its mark.

There were moments of surprise and there were moments of redemption and clarity that kept me hanging on for more.

Ending on a cliffhanger, Megan did a great job making sure the reader will want to pick up book two when that hits shelves, too!

[Nolwenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an ending wow.

First off Congratulations to Megan on her debut novel!

Special shoutout to the transformation scene, I haven’t read something so enticing in a while.

Loved the dual POV, it really added something to the story.
Can’t wait to see what happens next!

[Tristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Megan L. Adams' 'Shadows Within the Fire' immerses readers in a richly woven tapestry of fantasy, featuring Evren, a young fae grappling with her burgeoning powers, and Delrik, The Hunter, a man haunted by his past. Set against the backdrop of a realm teeming with magic and political intrigue, this novel earns a solid 4-star rating for its engaging characters, compelling world-building, and a plot that skillfully balances darkness with hope.

Evren's journey from a pawn in the games of the men in her life to a figure of strength and resilience is captivating. Her forced mating bond with an abusive partner serves as a painful catalyst for her flight towards freedom and self-discovery. In contrast, Delrik's quest for redemption from the shadows of war highlights the internal battles that rage within, making him a complex and intriguing character.

The dynamic between Evren and Delrik is at the heart of this narrative, evolving from mutual distrust to a deep, if tentative, bond. Their growth, both individually and together, is a testament to Adams' skill in character development. The challenges they face, both external threats and internal demons, enrich their story, making their journey not just about love but also about healing and finding purpose.

Adams' world-building is another highlight of 'Shadows Within the Fire.' The setting is not only vivid and well-conceived but also integral to the story's unfolding drama. The political machinations and looming threat of a takeover add layers of tension, making the stakes clear and compelling.

The pacing of the novel is well-managed, with moments of action and introspection balanced in a way that keeps the pages turning. The narrative is easy to follow, yet it doesn't shy away from exploring complex themes such as abuse, redemption, and the power of choice.

In conclusion, 'Shadows Within the Fire' is a promising start to what promises to be an enthralling series. Megan L. Adams has crafted a world filled with intriguing characters, dangerous magic, and a plot that intertwines fate with personal agency. Fans of fantasy looking for a story that blends dark themes with a hopeful undertone will find much to appreciate here. I eagerly await the next installment to see how Evren and Delrik's story continues to unfold.

I'd like to express my gratitude to Megan L. Adams for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of 'Shadows Within the Fire.' This review reflects my honest opinions and insights into the book.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this book was so good from start to finish. Megan did amazing for her first book. I literally would say “one more chapter and then read 5 more” it was so good. Can wait to the start the 3rd book. Entertaining from start to finish.

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one book NOT TO MISS!!

Obsessed. I am completely obsessed with this story and its characters. I was hooked from the very first page… Megan L Adams writes so beautifully and instantly has you enthralled with this magical world. I absolutely love her beautiful and descriptive way with words.

Evren is such an amazing character…. I loved watching her grow throughout the book… and although she is “powerless” initially she still isn’t weak and does all that she can to protect herself. I love her story and how she gains strength in herself. I was drawn to her from the very beginning as my heart hurt to the blind eye that was turned to her suffering. I knew the moment we were introduced to Delrik that their relationship was going to be something special - I am dying for the continuation of their love story.
I really loved the relationship Evren has with her brother Adaris - he is willing to sacrifice it all to protect her… no matter the costs.

I was so excited before I started reading this book and it lived up to the hype - a magical world with a hidden curse threatening to destroy it all, a quest to save one’s love and best of all the slow burn, enemies to lovers we all adore…. What more could you ask for? I couldn’t put this book down and am dying for the next book to be released so we can continue on in Evren and Delriks story.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

*updated 2/28/24: I can’t stop thinking about this book. I’ve been reading a lot lately and my mind keeps going back to the relationships, character building and the world that Meg Adams has created. I appreciate the growth of the characters throughout the book and how I felt myself becoming attached to Evren. I recognized fae culture that I’m becoming more familiar with, but it wasn’t too much that made me lost. This is a fun read with some spice and adventure. The author included a note about sensitive topics within the book, but provides guidance on what to skip if you want to avoid those part. Best part: pronunciation guide! All books should have one!

[bookish_adventurer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an engaging tale! What started off at a slower pace contours to build into something of awe and worth the wait. The world building is immersive and easy to follow—wonderfully written to tie in political intrigue, magic, twists and much more.
Without giving too much away, I also enjoyed the nature of Evren’s character as well as the dynamic between the other characters. Which we get more insight with instances of dual POV. A good read for any fantasy reader! Looking forward to reading more from this author!

[Ariane Bilodeau (bibi.reads.writes) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I have never once in my life had control. I’ve always been told what to do, where to go, who to be with. I am reclaiming my life, starting with you. I’m choosing you.”

This was a nice surprise! I was expecting *yet another* romantasy novel with not much plot, but a looooooong slow burn between a generic morally-grey shadow daddy and a superpowered silver-haired ingénue who hates him but desires him at the same time. *yawn* But this book went in a direction I wasn’t expecting—and thank gods for that. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It’s a solid debut novel and I’m looking forward to continuing the series, but I do hope future ARCs will be more heavily edited.

Note: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for honest feedback.

❤️ Likeable characters
❤️ Captivating, yet very accessible, worldbuilding dans lore
❤️ Vivid, evocative descriptions
❌ Too many POV switches
❌ Stupid decision bonanza
❌ Choppy writing and typos (was probably fixed since I read the ARC)

Plot:
Evren is a prisoner in her own home. The only daughter of the High Ruler, she is told again and again that her sole purpose in life is to marry and then breed many heirs. With the help of her brother, she runs away to escape a forced marriage to a cruel and abusive male. But Evren knows nothing of the world outside her home, and her magical abilities still haven’t manifested. She is alone and vulnerable—and a dangerous bounty hunter is soon on her trail.

Dark magic and curses, angst, sibling love, and lots of tension with a hint of open-door, but not very explicit, spice. What more could a girl want? This book is fast-paced and hard to put down, with some plot twists that were predictable, and others you won’t see coming.

The author labelled it as having the enemies-to-lovers trope, but it really doesn’t. I’d say it’s more like instalove on the MMC’s part, and hate-to-love on the FMC’s (but then again, the hate part is very short, thank gods). I thought it was delightful and refreshing. Maybe I’m becoming bored with the genre, but I was happy not to read another absurdly long slow burn with way too many near-misses and “I hate you” lines.

The only thing that annoyed me a little about the pace and structure: the POV switches. They got a little out of control at some point, and I feel like things would have been better with only Evren and Delrik’s POVs. There is one specific chapter where the narrator, a villain, spoils a plot twist that would have been much more impactful if it had been revealed later, when reading from the MCs’ POV. I hope that in the next installments, the chapters will be a little longer, and more centred on limited characters.

Also, some inconsistencies could have been reworked a little: stupid decisions, wonky mind control parameters, characters not mourning after a death, etc.

Characters:
If you follow my reviews, then you know that this is usually where I get the most critical. I’m easily annoyed by characters and badly written character arcs or development (or lack of), except when I’m reading TJ Klune, the absolute character wizard. But I quite liked the characters in this one. I felt like Evren was very relatable. She was naïve but not stupid, slightly incompetent at first, inexperienced but sexually curious. She was not defined solely by her trauma. Delrik was a cheeky one, and I loved it. Such a flirt! Love them together.

Note: Maybe it’s just me, but having characters named Adaris and Aramis drove me nuts. There aren’t that many characters in the story, so why name two of them so similarly?! Aargh.

Writing:
I feel like I should abstain from commenting on the writing, because I seriously have no idea what the final result looks like. But as a professional writer myself, I was shocked by the state of the writing in the ARC I received. I felt like, writing-wise, I had been sent a very early draft. I’m not talking about a typo here and there—I’m talking typos, missing words, repetitions, choppy sentences, lines that make absolutely no sense no matter how many times you read them. It was very distracting at times…

I could tell the writer is probably very skilled, given the vocabulary, the pace, the dialogues, the descriptions, etc. But this draft should have been heavily edited before being called an ARC. I felt like more of a beta reader. I hope the author takes this into account for the next installments of this series.

That said, I thought Adams’ writing has huge potential—the descriptions, especially, were stellar and made it so easy to imagine the characters, settings, clothes, actions, etc.—and I can’t wait to read the final version.

[Veronique Gagne · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOTE: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

We dive head first in Evren little secluded life in her father's estate, where she is treated like a dog at worst, ignored at best, except for her brother who's, despite the age gap, a protector and a companion. She flees this life after learning that she is promised to the most cruel and sadistic male. She soon realizes that she is helpless in a world full of dangers as she hasn't come into her power just yet. A dangerous bounty hunter is on her tail: will he be her downfall or her savior?

This is a very good debut novel from Adams: the worldbuilding is well done and interesting, it's not quite the typical enemies to lovers stereotype (I was surprised it was labelled as is as it's really not that), the MCs and some secondary characters are loveable and it's fast paced. Adams did write nice descriptions, dialogues and characters. I really enjoyed reading it and went through the book in less than 3 days. I look forward to reading the next books in the series.

Also, there are two explicit smut scenes, but there is a warning at the beginning of the book telling which chapters to avoid to be a smut-free novel.

On the down side, the POV switches were a little too much. I wouldn't say on a HOFAS-level too much, but too much. I will go as far as saying that one POV was completely unnecessary: it ruins a plot twist and it would have had a better effect if it was revealed to the reader at the same time as the MC.

And the writing... I read an updated version of the ARC as the author received a lot of mistakes reports. Yet, the numerous typos, repetitions and clearly missing words were really hard on my sanity. Call it a occupational bias as a translator, but an attentive proofreader or a specialized software would have easily caught them! And it makes me worried as this debut novel is out NOW. I do hope her publisher made a last review before publishing the final version of it.

[Briana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was...okay. I feel like you could tell it was the author’s debut novel, and not in a good way.

The writing felt kinda juvenile at times (not necessarily like a child wrote it, but like someone who doesn't yet know how to write compelling characters and stories). The book also needs another round of edits. There were random words missing or in the wrong order, and sentences often felt either choppy or ran on. There were also a lot of repetitive descriptions.

The storyline was interesting, but the pacing needed to be faster. The MFC Evren and MMC Delrik just hang out for weeks in the mountain kingdom, literally doing nothing. At one point, the Delrik internally thought of Evren as a distraction as a reason not to pursue a relationship, but I'm not sure what she's supposedly distracting him from when he has done nothing for weeks.

I also couldn't get into the relationship. Evren is sexually assaulted and abused at the beginning of the book. Much of the early interactions between Evren and Delrik seemed to echo her past experiences. He was always the one in a position of power, he was often rude and teasing to her (we are supposed to see this a flirting, but it just felt mean), and he would often physically put his hands on her without consent. There were even a couple of scenes where he would back her into something like a wall and box her in, which was almost an exact replica of a sexual assult scene at the beginning of the book. This just made me very uncomfortable and unbelieving of the relationship growing between Evren and Delrik.

The pacing does get much better in the last third of the book. This is where the majority of the action and plot happen. I think the book would benefit from cutting about 100 pages and another round of editing. The ending was interesting and does make you want to continue the series.

[Monserrat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t believe I’m about to say this but I have NOT liked a book this much since I first read the throne of glass series yearsss agooo and to this day it’s still on my absolute favorite series but omg I think this book is definitely up there with it now! This isn’t me saying it gave me throne of glass vibes because while the feeling I had while reading throne of glass was there it was still it’s very own amazing story with so much to love!
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I sped through this because you just get sucked in from the start and it makes u not want to put it down for anything! I absolutely loved our main character Evren and being able to see her become the badass she is! The world building was just amazing and so is the pacing. I loved having to work things out and not feeling confused by what was going on I also really loved the bond that Evren has with the people around her especially her brother! Like it was just so wholesome and sad but still I absolutely love their dynami.
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There’s also some spicy scenes so you know if ur into an action packed books with romance and spice then definitely check this one out 😉 but overall I really liked how those scenes weren’t dragged out too much but we’re still very much present throughout the book. The dynamic between Evren and Delrik was so cute and I just absolutely love sassy men and he’s as sassy as they get and they just fit so good together that I was rooting for them through the whole book!

BUT I actually didn’t see that ending coming like I did not know what to expect but it wasn’t that?!? So I just sat there thinking about what I had just read because out of everything I don’t know why I did not see that coming but I’m glad I didn’t because it just makes me more excited for the next

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although Evren is a highborn fae, she has no magic, at least that's what she thinks. When her father demands that she marry the Head of the black guard, she flees. She soon realizes that there is a lot she doesn't know about herself, because there is more to her than she ever thought.

I liked Evren as the main character. Although she has had to endure a lot of suffering in her life, she doesn't give up and is an incredibly strong woman.
I also like Delrik. Although he seems rather tough and dangerous from the outside, he shows Evren his caring side.
I like the way they interact with each other and I liked the moments when it's just the two of them.
One secondary character I liked was Adaris. He is a good brother to Evren and has always protected her.
I also enjoyed it that the characters are all adults.
I liked the plot. You follow Evren as she learns more about her abilities and the curse that is on her family. She doesn't have to do this alone because Delrik is always by her side. There is more action towards the end when the two confront Evren's father.
The writing style is pleasant to read and it's easy to immerse yourself in the world. The worldbuilding is great and you get to know different realms.
I think the cover is very fitting for the story and it's very beautiful and appealing with its simplicity.
I can recommend the book to anyone who wants to read a good fantasy story about fae, bondmates and magic, in which there is no lack of suspense and some secrets are revealed.

[VanessaCliterateur · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s nothing like starting a book and immediately root for the main characters. I was little upset I couldn’t read this book in one sitting and had so many interruptions during my time with it, as it is one of those books that lulls you into their world, immersing you in the atmosphere. I felt like I was right there, watching everything unfold.

I absolutely loved Evren’s character and I love how she relates to every other character in the story. The relationship between not just her and Delrik, but also with herself is beautifully done. At the begininning of the book her powers haven’t manifested yet and it’s satisfying to take the journey of discovering her powers along with her. Her and Delrik have a lot of chemistry, but it doesn't not translate into insta-love or insta-lust. It’s not really love that is built, but trust (which I found very refreshing) and that is what leads to their relationship blooming. Speaking of, there is some low-level spice (not open-door, I’m used to VERY spicy so take this with a grain of salt and do your due diligence). The world building isn’t simplistic yet it’s still very easy to follow. There’s political intrigue, magic system, plot twists and more.

It is mostly a dual POV, although there comes a point where there are more POVs. It didn’t bother me or affect how much I enjoyed the story but it is something to keep in mind. There is a spoiler within the book that I wish wasn’t there, but overall this is an incredible debut novel by Meg.


I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Santana Calo · Rating 4 out of 5]

***arc copy***


This book was an easy read. Even though it could use another round of editing (which I'm sure it will get), it was still enjoyable and, honestly, probably the best debut I've read so far this year.

The characters were all written well. Personalities, traits, and presence were very individual and diverse. I also liked the different changes in scenery. It helps keep a story fresh.

Evren was crystal clear through the eyes of Delrik. The descriptions were vivid, and I could picture her very easily. Not only her looks, but her demeanor. Delrik, on the other hand, I felt could have used more attention. My view of him was a little fuzzy.

I wasn't keen on Delrik immediately being infatuated with Evren. I wanted a little more slow burn, captor/captive tension.

There were a couple of times the story seemed a little weak, but it wasn't anything that really bothered me.

The open-door spice is there, but it's not "smutty." I would give this a lower spice rating just because it's more of an emotional connection between the characters than intense, tension-filled release.

As I was nearing the end of the book, I was starting to wonder if it would turn out to be a standalone, but we end up with a few loose ends and a little cliffy.

I enjoyed Shadows Within the Fire and look forward to finding out what happens in book 2!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Beatriz Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5 ⭐️

He disfrutado bastante esta historia, la trama es buena y los personajes me han gustado bastante. El libro está narrado desde varios POV lo cual siempre es plus para mi. La costrucción de mundo y el sistema de magia me parecieron interesantes y espero que siga ampliándose en el resto de la serie.

Los personajes están bien marcados, definitivamente logras despreciar a Cadoc y Renwick. Adaris es el hermano protector, amoroso y el punto de apoyo principal de Evren, siempre está para ella, aún cuando las cosas no son fáciles para él. Evren es más fuerte de lo que ella imagina y su determinación es inigualable, es impresionante todo el crecimieno que tiene a lo largo del libro. Delrick, tiene un pasado oculto, siente culpa y remordimiento por todo lo que tuvo que hacer durante la guerrra y cuando conoce a Evren todo su mundo cambia. El romance entre estos dos evoluciona más rápido de lo que me hubiera gustado pero no está mal y de igual forma se disfruta.

Los plot twist estuvieron desde mi perspectiva un poco predecibles y la verdad no me sorprendí con ninguno, de cierta forma me los veía venir, otra cosa es que siento que en algunas escenas había descripciones en exceso, es común que los libros de fantasía tengan bastantes descripciones, pero en mi opinión eran descripciones que no me aportaban nada a la historia. No obstante el libro de forma general fue entretenido en todo momento.

El final sin lugar a dudas te deja con ganas de leer el siguiente, y para ser honesta no se que esperar en los siguientes o cual me intriga y me gusta.

[Red Wolf Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, I want to say thanks to the author for the opportunity of selecting me to be an ARC reader of this book.

Now, why 2★? Well, let's begin.

The narrative and the quality of the writing weren't bad; actually, the author has a nice way of narrating. But I have a few problems with a lot of descriptions.

I know that fantasy, and even more in a first book, has to be very descriptive, but in this case, the descriptions came in moments where it wasn't necessary to describe something, which made me get a little bit lost in what I was reading.

And I have to be honest, I think that it's a little bit excessive, the amount of chapters for a first book. Maybe it's because I'm used to reading sagas where the first book has a short amount of chapters and then in the next book there are a little bit more, and the author adds chapters book after book.

With this, I'm not saying that the worldbuilding was bad, not at all; it was good and interesting. Maybe I'm used to read this kind of fantasy but with something different that I can't find a way of putting into words, and that is why I couldn't connect with the characters and the story in general.

But for those who wants to discover a new world, a new adventure full of fantastics things, this book it's going to be for you.

[Nee · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘She might slaughter me in my sleep if I was not careful. I smiled as I kissed the tips of my fingers and then touched them to her forehead before standing and retreating to my own room.’

‘ “So, who is she?” Aramis asked, popping a piece of cheese into his mouth.
Someone that has turned my world upside down.’

‘She was temptation in the purest form and I wanted it to consume me whole.’

‘She was now the center of my heart and spirit, and I couldn't imagine ever leaving her side. I couldn’t endure it. I would rather experience death a thousand times than be separated from her ever again.’

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
🌶️🌶️(2/5)
✨chapter 40🤌🏻✨

🔥My Review:

For me, it was the moment when the title clicked into place in my head!!! The eagerness in me to read faster and faster once i reached the last 10 chapters of the book! It was soo exciting!!

Megan has done a WONDERFUL job at the creative outlook and details each and every scene! I love how she has written it! And Delrik, oh my god. Such a charmer!!! I always love a strong FMC!!

Don’t miss this one out!!! It’s sooo good! I’ve read it soo quick despite my draining schedule! Just couldn’t put it down!

What a lovely read!! I absolutely like this one!!!

Cant wait to read book 2!🫶🏻

[Rio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows Within the Fire: Book 1
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a great debut novel by an indie fantasy author! The story was so creative and full of layers, and it had good plot development and pacing. By the end, I was truly sitting on the edge of my seat. The world building was fairly easy to understand, as were the character names. I also loved that she had a pronunciation chart at the back of the book for all names/places, as well as a guide to skip any spicy scenes. I truly loved the two MC's, Evren and Delrik, as well as their character and relationship development. The banter and spice were just the perfect amount! I loved Evren's strength and willingness to never give up. And Delrik... I can't wait to see more of our swoon-worthy Bounty Hunter/Commander in the next book! Not only did she create some really great MC's, Megan also created the perfect villains in this story. I truly hated them 🤣. And by the end...well, you know where I wanted them to be! Needless to say, I can't wait for the next book. Well, luckily I don't have to because I'm Beta reading it right now 😉.

⚠️ Trigger Warnings ⚠️
Some Language, Sexual Content, Neglect, Abuse, Physical Assault/Fighting

[sarahelen.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it! Megan L Adams has done a brilliant job of her first novel.
The storyline was truly captivating and I found myself struggling to put it down at times. Megan’s beautiful description of the magical land transports you into the scene, where you can almost feel and smell what’s happening.
I loved being able to follow Evren and watch her flourish as the story went on, especially how the relationship between her and Delrik grew. It may have been a slow burn but once it got there the two of them and their banter was pretty cute really.
It was so great to get back into reading fantasy books I loved being transported to this magical high fantasy world, following the quests were really captivating and kept you guessing. The dark magic and threatening curse really kept you enthralled in the story. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves a fantasy story full of magic, twists & turns and an ending leaving you wanting more.
I can’t wait for the next book to come out!

[_aimsreads_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, i want to say that when reading this, some of the text didn’t make any sense, so i believe someone should check over it again before release - however i do want to state that it did not effect my reading at all and doesn’t have an effect on my rating. I really did enjoy this, it didn’t take long to read and i didn’t get bored. The plot was good, and originally i was wondering how this would end because i believe it’s going to be multiple books, and then at the end i understood. However, i felt as if when the plot had no action, the story was slower and then when we were in the action, the plot just went by so fast instead. Also i feel as if the romance was too quick, almost like love at first sight when i was expecting more of a slow burn. I loved witnessing the MC’s personal journey, and discovering the person she is. I did feel myself getting emotional at scenes, and even begging in my mind for characters to survive, so you know it’s good. I will definitely read the next one, especially with that ending making me very curious.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed the plot of this story. I didn't have any attention issues in the middle of the story as others have said. There were no issues for me with the point of views bouncing between the two main characters and I don't think it took away from the story at all. Everything flowed well for me. However, the reason that I marked the book as 4 stars instead of 5 is how aggressive and creepy Delrik's thoughts and actions were towards Evren. He actually creeped me out. I know the author was going for a hot romance but there was no slow burn, he pretty much had to talk himself down from some pretty heated impulses. I also found the fact that his voice was described as 'husky' any time he said anything remotely suggestive. It was so many times that it caught my notice and started taking away from the story every time I saw it.

All of that aside I would definitely read the second book because eventually the two characters flowed together and their relationship was 'comfortable' to me and no longer creepy.

[BookReviewMystic | Tabitha S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔥𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬🔥

"I am reclaiming my life, starting with you. I'm choosing you."

Book Features:
🔥 Multiple POVs
🔥Dark Magic & Curses
🔥Enemies to Lovers
🔥Hidden Truths
🔥Girl Saves Boy
🔥Quest
🔥Sibling Bonds
🔥High Fantasy
🔥M/F Romance with Spicy Scenes

I loved this story! I actually got to read this during a solo cabin stay, & what an amazing way to spend that time; in a high fantasy world with magic, battling evil, & a love that conquers all! The story is intriguing & kept me captivated.. There are twists & turns that kept me guessing & eventually had me open-mouth staring at my Kindle.

The character development for Evren is absolutely amazing. This is not another “damsel in distress” story. I fell in love with this traumatized but loving, kind, and strong woman! This book is definitely a slooow burn but it is well worth it! If you are a fan of Armentrout’s “From Blood & Ash'' or Maas’ “A Court of Thorns & Roses”, you will love this book! I would absolutely recommend!

[Shannon Heck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evren is a fae with hardly any powers and Delrik is a bounty hunter, but they are both so much more. Evren must escape her life before being thrust into an impossible situation and along the way she meets Delrik. This seems to be fate, and the book mostly takes place after they meet. They go on a journey together that neither one saw coming. Shadows Within the Fire had all the fantasy tropes I love, including some romance. I really enjoyed the beginning of the book and the end. However, in the middle I got a little bored. Time was supposed to be passing, but the passage of time seemed a little disjointed. Towards the end, the story did start to heat up and things came back together for me. I feel like the book finished strong. A lot of secrets were revealed and everything came together nicely. At the very end the story sets up part of the plot for book 2. Overall I enjoyed the book, so I give Shadows Within the Fire a 4 out of 5 starts.

[Whitney Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book after an ACOTAR hangover, definitely add this book to your TBR! This fabulous book includes fae, magic, fated mates, spice, and all the things you love from a great romantasy book!

Evren is a fae who has been locked away in her father's fortress yet whole life. Her father mistreats her and is trying to force her into a bondmate with a male that is awful. With the help of her beloved brother, she runs away to escape this. Delrik is the hunter that locates her but instead of turning Evren over to her father, he feels the need to protect her.

This book takes you on a journey that includes all the things that make a great romantasy novel. There are twists and turns, some spice, fated mates, magic, and a quest. The book ends on a cliffhanger that has me ready for book two to be released!

🌶️/5

🔥Romantasy
🔥Fae
🔥Magic
🔥Fated Mates
🔥Enemies to Lovers
🔥Quest
🔥Multi-POV

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid fantasy debut with plenty of excitement and romance

This is a really solid debut novel for Megan L. Adams. We follow the story of Evren, a High Fae born into a powerful family who is desperate to escape the arranged marriage her father is pushing her into. Sounds a bit cliche, but that’s where the cliche ends. Evren runs away and what follows is a fabulous story of adventure, romance, magic, curses and so much more.

The world building is excellent, the characters were all different and had unique traits and personalities, the romance was swoon-worthy and there was a good old climatic ending with a last minute curveball.

It’s hard to blend multiple POV’s into one storyline but the author has managed to do it really well. It flows nicely and the pacing is great, and I didn’t often get confused as to whose POV I was reading.

I look forward to reading more of Evren and Delrik’s story, especially of their time in Arcelia - what a dreamy sounding place 🏔️❄️🌲

[Katherine Pogatshnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows Within the Fire: Volume I is divided into 4 parts.
Part 1: Uncomfortable, horrific situations that make you want to murder certain characters and cringe at what might come.
Part 2: The growth of a beautiful, respectful relationship. It may be considered slow for some, but this is where I fell in love with this book.
Part 3: Time for some action and a progression of the storyline.
Part 4: Climax and resolution of the story, by this point you won't be putting this book down and will need everyone to leave you alone until you finish.

This book definitely grew on me. The further you get into the story, the more you want to read, until it ends and you are left wanting the second volume. Will I read the second volume when it comes out? Yes, I will very much be reading the second volume to see where the story and charters go.