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The Curse and the Crown #1
Shadows of Winter
Kaylina wants to prove herself to her family by opening a successful meadery, but on her first day in the capital, she runs headlong into the powerful royal ranger, Lord Vlerion. He’s aloof, sexy, dangerous, and… he accuses her of being a spy.
To remove suspicion from her name, Kaylina must work with him to stop the real danger to the crown.
But she soon learns that Vlerion suffers from a curse. When he experiences strong emotions, he turns into a deadly beast who can’t tell friend from foe.
Irking him would be a bad idea. Developing feelings for him would be even worse. Unfortunately, as Kaylina spends more time with Vlerion, she struggles with both.
If she can’t keep from rousing the beast, she won’t clear her name, fulfill her dream, or even survive the week.
~
Shadows of Winter is the first in a romantic fantasy series perfect for fans of Beauty and the Beast and enemies-to-lovers stories.
To remove suspicion from her name, Kaylina must work with him to stop the real danger to the crown.
But she soon learns that Vlerion suffers from a curse. When he experiences strong emotions, he turns into a deadly beast who can’t tell friend from foe.
Irking him would be a bad idea. Developing feelings for him would be even worse. Unfortunately, as Kaylina spends more time with Vlerion, she struggles with both.
If she can’t keep from rousing the beast, she won’t clear her name, fulfill her dream, or even survive the week.
~
Shadows of Winter is the first in a romantic fantasy series perfect for fans of Beauty and the Beast and enemies-to-lovers stories.
386 pages, Paperback
First published May 23, 2024
1895 people are currently reading
32383 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay Buroker
198 books6,243 followersI'm a full-time indie fantasy and science fiction author. When I'm not writing, I'm ferrying my dogs to hiking trails for adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
June 3, 2024
Lindsay Buroker is an interesting enigma for me. Her early works such as The Emporer’s Edge, Dragon Gate, Fallen Empire etc., were surprisingly complex and nuanced series. Then, her work lightened up a bit to include series like “Death Before Dragons” and others. These works still had meat, but also had a good dose of humor and fun.
As time has gone on, however, the lightness and humor has completely taken over any depth and nuance of old. For readers who have enjoyed her books since way back when, this is a constant frustration because we keep expecting more. But, for those who are just now picking up her books, they see a light-hearted, funny, but surface story that is just a charming escape.
This first in a new series goes along those lines perfectly. And, I’ve settled myself into just shutting up (well, after this review) and enjoying this fun, escapist ride. Because, the characters are enjoyable, the story is entertaining and, of course, the humor is delightful.
As time has gone on, however, the lightness and humor has completely taken over any depth and nuance of old. For readers who have enjoyed her books since way back when, this is a constant frustration because we keep expecting more. But, for those who are just now picking up her books, they see a light-hearted, funny, but surface story that is just a charming escape.
This first in a new series goes along those lines perfectly. And, I’ve settled myself into just shutting up (well, after this review) and enjoying this fun, escapist ride. Because, the characters are enjoyable, the story is entertaining and, of course, the humor is delightful.
September 15, 2024
This book made me curious enough that I want to continue reading the next book. It was not wonderful, but it was entertaining. Very silly heroine, though. I guess that is part of the entertainment.
May 17, 2024
An excellent and dramatic start to a new series! The slow burn romance and the chaos of political upheaval set against the heroine's goal of just opening her meadery sets a fantastic scene. Absolutely loved it, lots of smiles, laughs, and fear for the characters. I highly recommend it!
June 25, 2024
I think Buroker might be my new favorite author. This one was so fun. I like how she writes characters that are unique and believable. The magic was interesting and compelling. Really looking forward to the next book; hopefully the wait's not too long!
September 12, 2024
Cheesey and slow
This isn't a long book, but it drags.
There's not much excitement and the action is mostly watered down.
I'm not sure what about this makes it high fantasy outside of how slow it is.
I did like the taybarris and I'd love one, but like another reader pointed out, I don't really know what they look like. With so little description, I've pegged them as a blue Falcor with fangs.
The romance was okay, but lacking interactions that highlight the growth.
There are a ton of plot holes. So many things that are not properly explored, so it's obvious that the plot is forced because of it.
I'm not really interested in a cure for the curse. I'd rather Vlerion just be that way, it kind of cheapens everything he is by holding a curse over him.
I didn't mind Kaylina but she isn't really utilized beyond blushing. She is easily misdirected. She was nonplussed by revelations, which made everything feel kind of bland. She didn't fully explore anything. Nothing was resolved in this book.
The same plot devise was used, being arrested for something she didn't do.
I can't say that this was very impressive. But if you don't mind slow everything, this might be something for you.
This isn't a long book, but it drags.
There's not much excitement and the action is mostly watered down.
I'm not sure what about this makes it high fantasy outside of how slow it is.
I did like the taybarris and I'd love one, but like another reader pointed out, I don't really know what they look like. With so little description, I've pegged them as a blue Falcor with fangs.
The romance was okay, but lacking interactions that highlight the growth.
There are a ton of plot holes. So many things that are not properly explored, so it's obvious that the plot is forced because of it.
I'm not really interested in a cure for the curse. I'd rather Vlerion just be that way, it kind of cheapens everything he is by holding a curse over him.
I didn't mind Kaylina but she isn't really utilized beyond blushing. She is easily misdirected. She was nonplussed by revelations, which made everything feel kind of bland. She didn't fully explore anything. Nothing was resolved in this book.
The same plot devise was used, being arrested for something she didn't do.
I can't say that this was very impressive. But if you don't mind slow everything, this might be something for you.
June 10, 2024
Kaylina only wants to open a meadery, a honey infused wine, with food served as well. Her brother tagged along when she left home determined to be independent and on her own after her boyfriend rejects her. She gets wrapped up in a cursed castle, a cursed man and a determined revolt by the commoners, but she's fallen for the ranger and she has no choice but to help stop the rebellion and she's beset by the other side who think she is either with them or against them. She just wants her little restaurant.
It's a wonderful story and I can't wait for the next installment.
It's a wonderful story and I can't wait for the next installment.
December 30, 2024
I wanted to like this. The characters are interesting, and the story is told in a way that doesn't feel too formulaic. The world-building seemed promising, and the core character motivations were at odds with the plot, which I always enjoy.
Sadly, the author didn’t pull it off in practice. There are just too many inconsistencies in the characters’ behavior. While some parts are clearly well thought out and logical, others make absolutely no sense whatsoever.
I can’t really discuss most of the inconsistencies without spoiling the story, but at least the first example should be safe. The very opening of the story shows the MC and her brother caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, without having done anything wrong. Yet, the rangers (an elite military unit) who catch them immediately assume they are rebel spies and want to arrest and interrogate them. (There is a large and growing underground rebel group.)
This treatment feels extremely harsh, and the story later acknowledges this as well. So far, so good. But later in the plot, a person arrives at the castle where the MC and her brother reside and speaks to her. This person explicitly asks her to help the rebellion by creating a distraction. Their entire conversation is overheard by another ranger, who—rather than arresting this obvious rebel—instead waits for her to leave and then accuses the MC of also being a spy. Excuse me, what the fuck?
This kind of contrivance for drama keeps happening throughout the book in increasingly ridiculous ways. By the time I dropped it, there was a completely absurd and contrived situation similar to the one I just described but a thousand times worse. It made absolutely zero sense, yet all the characters involved acted as though it did. The MC’s thoughts even explicitly state that this makes complete logical sense—as if the author thought that just writing it often enough would make it true.
And it’s not just a single detail either. The author keeps piling on the nonsense, apparently because she couldn’t think of a better way to raise the stakes or introduce divisive conflict. Smaller inconsistencies, like the earlier example, are annoying but ultimately forgivable in the grand scheme of things. However, the later instances are crucial to the plot, and they might as well have been made up by a five-year-old telling a fantastical, fabricated story.
As the cherry on top the book also indulges in all the worst bad-guy clichées, from the villain monologue to the disgusting rapist guards. You can tell how evil a man is in this story by how many inapproriate sexual remarks and gestures they make towards the MC.
This ultimately led me to drop the book at 88%.
This sounds a lot more scathing than I meant it to. I am just allergic to this kind of thing in stories. I’ve already mellowed out over the years in this regard, but this was still far beyond what I can tolerate.
And the fact that I’m so frustrated by this shows that I cared—which is already pretty big praise when it comes to me.
I really liked the MC and her brother. I liked the slightly contrived but funny and interesting start of the story, where they moved into a literally cursed castle to run a mead brewery.
There were so many good parts to this story, but I just cannot with the bullshit.
Sadly, the author didn’t pull it off in practice. There are just too many inconsistencies in the characters’ behavior. While some parts are clearly well thought out and logical, others make absolutely no sense whatsoever.
I can’t really discuss most of the inconsistencies without spoiling the story, but at least the first example should be safe. The very opening of the story shows the MC and her brother caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, without having done anything wrong. Yet, the rangers (an elite military unit) who catch them immediately assume they are rebel spies and want to arrest and interrogate them. (There is a large and growing underground rebel group.)
This treatment feels extremely harsh, and the story later acknowledges this as well. So far, so good. But later in the plot, a person arrives at the castle where the MC and her brother reside and speaks to her. This person explicitly asks her to help the rebellion by creating a distraction. Their entire conversation is overheard by another ranger, who—rather than arresting this obvious rebel—instead waits for her to leave and then accuses the MC of also being a spy. Excuse me, what the fuck?
This kind of contrivance for drama keeps happening throughout the book in increasingly ridiculous ways. By the time I dropped it, there was a completely absurd and contrived situation similar to the one I just described but a thousand times worse. It made absolutely zero sense, yet all the characters involved acted as though it did. The MC’s thoughts even explicitly state that this makes complete logical sense—as if the author thought that just writing it often enough would make it true.
And it’s not just a single detail either. The author keeps piling on the nonsense, apparently because she couldn’t think of a better way to raise the stakes or introduce divisive conflict. Smaller inconsistencies, like the earlier example, are annoying but ultimately forgivable in the grand scheme of things. However, the later instances are crucial to the plot, and they might as well have been made up by a five-year-old telling a fantastical, fabricated story.
As the cherry on top the book also indulges in all the worst bad-guy clichées, from the villain monologue to the disgusting rapist guards. You can tell how evil a man is in this story by how many inapproriate sexual remarks and gestures they make towards the MC.
This ultimately led me to drop the book at 88%.
This sounds a lot more scathing than I meant it to. I am just allergic to this kind of thing in stories. I’ve already mellowed out over the years in this regard, but this was still far beyond what I can tolerate.
And the fact that I’m so frustrated by this shows that I cared—which is already pretty big praise when it comes to me.
I really liked the MC and her brother. I liked the slightly contrived but funny and interesting start of the story, where they moved into a literally cursed castle to run a mead brewery.
There were so many good parts to this story, but I just cannot with the bullshit.
March 29, 2025
This is a fun and light-hearted read. The world building is deep enough to satisfy my fantasy loving side too. I very much enjoyed the book (and series) but it lacks the depth, detail and intricacies of this author’s earlier work, such as The Emperor’s Edge.
June 6, 2024
4.5 stars
2nd reading (already). My scoring doesn't change but a couple niggles.
________
Lindsay Buroker has such an imagination!! If you've enjoyed her other stories, you have to read this one.
Kaylina has ventured (more like stomped) away from the comfort of her extended family, accompanied by her 17 y/o brother, Frayvar. Together, they plan to establish a meadery and small eatery, utilizing the family's recipes....as well as their independence. Maybe even branch out into having over night guests!
They're hindered by a cursed abandoned castle, nosy rangers, the competition, and the rebels Kaylina hadn't known to exist. The siblings simply want to be successful with their brews and cooking.
Big question.....when is the next one going to be released?
2nd reading (already). My scoring doesn't change but a couple niggles.
________
Lindsay Buroker has such an imagination!! If you've enjoyed her other stories, you have to read this one.
Kaylina has ventured (more like stomped) away from the comfort of her extended family, accompanied by her 17 y/o brother, Frayvar. Together, they plan to establish a meadery and small eatery, utilizing the family's recipes....as well as their independence. Maybe even branch out into having over night guests!
They're hindered by a cursed abandoned castle, nosy rangers, the competition, and the rebels Kaylina hadn't known to exist. The siblings simply want to be successful with their brews and cooking.
Big question.....when is the next one going to be released?
July 5, 2024
Entertaining relationship listening
This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 1 of 2
Lindsay Buroker is one of my favorite authors.
A fantasy world 🌎 novel with interesting characters lots of action, misdirection, and violence . She has moved to the capital to operate a mead store. But everything does not go as planned.
I would recommend this series and author to readers of fantasy world adventure novels. 2024
This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 1 of 2
Lindsay Buroker is one of my favorite authors.
A fantasy world 🌎 novel with interesting characters lots of action, misdirection, and violence . She has moved to the capital to operate a mead store. But everything does not go as planned.
I would recommend this series and author to readers of fantasy world adventure novels. 2024
July 10, 2024
Very slow. Nothing to grab your attention. Painful read
August 6, 2025
Good start to this series! I wish a little bit more actually happened, but we've learned a bunch about the characters and setting up the world and the issues to solve, and I love the taybarri.
June 3, 2024
I really like the way Lindsay Buroker writes, it's fun and intriguing and made me want to read the next one and then the next one. So that's the way to go, Lindsay!
And yes, the characters are quite the same, but not, and that's why I liked it.
And yes, the characters are quite the same, but not, and that's why I liked it.
February 28, 2025
3.25 stars
A beauty and beast story with snark, some silliness, mead, a fur shark, and other carnivorous creatures. The heroine can be irreverent yet the story has fun reading moments. I’ll read the next book.
A beauty and beast story with snark, some silliness, mead, a fur shark, and other carnivorous creatures. The heroine can be irreverent yet the story has fun reading moments. I’ll read the next book.
August 5, 2024
Source: Kindle Unlimited
New author for me but I really enjoyed this book! There is great banter between Kaylina and her brother Frayvar and the rangers, and it has enemies to lovers aspects without the toxic/bullying parts I don't really enjoy. There was a good balance of action, worldbuilding, and romance. The first time Kaylina explored the cursed castle, there were some nice gothic-horror vibes as well. Creepy!
I liked the overarching plot about the Virt rebellion and how Kaylina was inclined to sympathize with the rebels but thought their terroristic/assassination methods were too extreme.
I am glad book 2 came out, as it does kinda have a cliffhanger ending. There are a few loose ends from the beginning of the book (we never learn what Naybor was up to, or the resolution of the "murder mystery").
I don't really trust
For people wondering why they didn't
I plan to read more by this author!
New author for me but I really enjoyed this book! There is great banter between Kaylina and her brother Frayvar and the rangers, and it has enemies to lovers aspects without the toxic/bullying parts I don't really enjoy. There was a good balance of action, worldbuilding, and romance. The first time Kaylina explored the cursed castle, there were some nice gothic-horror vibes as well. Creepy!
I liked the overarching plot about the Virt rebellion and how Kaylina was inclined to sympathize with the rebels but thought their terroristic/assassination methods were too extreme.
I am glad book 2 came out, as it does kinda have a cliffhanger ending. There are a few loose ends from the beginning of the book (we never learn what Naybor was up to, or the resolution of the "murder mystery").
I don't really trust
For people wondering why they didn't
I plan to read more by this author!
May 25, 2024
Good start..lots of repetitive statements…need a better description of what the creatures are in this world…The tayberri is blue with a long neck, back, 4 legged with floppy ears and fangs…yeah can’t picture what that is..fur sharks…is that a furry shark? Needs more descriptions or relatable real creatures to help with visualize what it is. FMC yeah it’s alluded at she had let her anger take over and that is why she is here also that her dad left and her mom is depressed. And her sister is miss perfect…but not what actually happen..also her brother is quite the weakling…think the queen is a B and of course they deserve to be overthrown…the cursed castle…think that is FMC’s home..think the plant is protecting her…think her dad is Druid and she inherited that from him…will I read the next book which is out in July..yes.
May 26, 2024
Addictive!
I devoured this book in two days! I couldn't stop reading. The enemies to lovers trope seems to be one of my favorites, especially when done right and Lindsay did not miss a beat with this one.
Adored Kaylina's friendship with her little brother Frayvar. It's so rare you get a story where siblings of the opposite sex actually mutually respect each other and also support each other. I loved that. And of course...
Vlerion. I loved his entrance into the novel and couldn't get enough of his interactions with Kaylina. I feel for him and I definitely need more between them. But I loved that they DID NOT have relations in this novel. I love a slow burn romance, the slower the better. I'm almost annoyed with myself for finishing this book so quickly because now I have to wait for the next book! Can't wait to dive back into the world of the Taybarri!
I devoured this book in two days! I couldn't stop reading. The enemies to lovers trope seems to be one of my favorites, especially when done right and Lindsay did not miss a beat with this one.
Adored Kaylina's friendship with her little brother Frayvar. It's so rare you get a story where siblings of the opposite sex actually mutually respect each other and also support each other. I loved that. And of course...
Vlerion. I loved his entrance into the novel and couldn't get enough of his interactions with Kaylina. I feel for him and I definitely need more between them. But I loved that they DID NOT have relations in this novel. I love a slow burn romance, the slower the better. I'm almost annoyed with myself for finishing this book so quickly because now I have to wait for the next book! Can't wait to dive back into the world of the Taybarri!
December 10, 2024
Overal series: 4 stars.
Series review: I would say, overall, all the books in this series were 4 stars. My favourite books were books 1 and 3, though. So what made this series so good…
The MCs were just the best. They were funny and engaging. No inta anything. It’s a slower burn with a lot of sexual tension. And the banter was just exquisite. Honestly, their dialogue, as well as the secondary character interactions, was just really funny and entertaining.
The overall story line isn’t the most in depth or well fleshed out. All that is pretty superficial but that’s not what we are here for. We are here for entertainment, adventure, and a love story.
If you really want, you could pick this story apart and tbh the ending was super predictable but again, this series should be read for fun. And the author definitely delivers on that end.
Series review: I would say, overall, all the books in this series were 4 stars. My favourite books were books 1 and 3, though. So what made this series so good…
The MCs were just the best. They were funny and engaging. No inta anything. It’s a slower burn with a lot of sexual tension. And the banter was just exquisite. Honestly, their dialogue, as well as the secondary character interactions, was just really funny and entertaining.
The overall story line isn’t the most in depth or well fleshed out. All that is pretty superficial but that’s not what we are here for. We are here for entertainment, adventure, and a love story.
If you really want, you could pick this story apart and tbh the ending was super predictable but again, this series should be read for fun. And the author definitely delivers on that end.
May 17, 2024
Absolutely loved the return to high fantasy! The amount of times I smiled and laughed out loud while reading.
December 18, 2024
For the love of god please rate your books correctly. This is a CLEAN young adult romance. CLEAN.
July 5, 2024
Lindsay Buroker is quickly becoming a one click author for me. Anxiously awaiting the next book
June 16, 2025
I can see how some people would love this book but this is not for me
August 1, 2025
3.5-3.7 stars. This one took me a bit to get into but once I did it was enjoyable.
September 29, 2025
I would have rated this book higher, but the narrator was not good. There we so many overly exadurated pauses in the middle of sentences. It killed the flow of the scenes for me.
June 26, 2024
That was different to what I imagined it would be, after reading a LOT of Lyndsay’s other work.
I enjoyed the twists and humour and hope to meet Kaylana’s Grandma who appears to be a force of nature without appearing in book one
I enjoyed the twists and humour and hope to meet Kaylana’s Grandma who appears to be a force of nature without appearing in book one
June 27, 2024
A quick read with some humor and a fun story. Nothing super captivating but will probably read book two.
July 2, 2024
I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book but the more I read the more I got into it. It was very intriguing and I am very curious to see how book 2 plays out. I sure hope they resolve the issue with Kaylina being able to prove her Innocence. And getting rid of the curse so Vlerion and Kaylina can be together. I'm curious to see if she becomes a ranger or a mead maker or a meadmaker ranger. Lol. I love a book that can make me feel all my emotions and this one makes me laugh, makes me sad, makes me sooooo mad several times, but its endearing at moments too. I hope book 2 is just as captivating.
June 14, 2024
3.5 stars
June 21, 2024
4.2 Only Buroker Could Have Written This stars
I know 4 truths when I crack open a Lindsay Buroker book.
1. There will be creative use of weaponry. In this case, a slingshot.
2. The writing will be flawless. Maybe I'm jaded by the not-well-edited books I've read of late, but there is something refreshing about not noticing grammatical errors left and right. And the last I checked, Buroker is self-published. Which is funny because her caliber of writing and editing could put many a Big Five published books to shame.
3. Most importantly, the heroine will be smart and snappy, and all the characters are well-written and thought out.
4. There will be snark. And banter. And sass.
Not surprisingly, this book delivered on all 4 of these promises.
If you mixed Clean Sweep with a dash of Rebecca and a large helping of Buroker's unique imagination, flawless writing, and quirky characters, you would end up with Shadows of Winter.
I loved it.
So why not 5 stars, then?
Emperor's Edge is one of my all time favorite series. The character arcs were beautiful. The romance was reeeallly slow burn, and Sicarius is one of my All Time Favorite Fictional Characters. And there was a depth of character, plot, and emotion that I loved. While I have started and enjoyed many other Buroker series, none have reached the pinnacle that is Emperor's Edge.
But this series? This series just might.
And I'm holding out my 5 star for when that happens.
“You don’t even like my mead,” Kaylina added, striving for a lighter tone, but it was hard to think about more than the arm wrapped around her—trapping her—and his hard body behind hers.
“I didn’t dislike it.”
“Such praise. Can I put that on the menu under the tasting notes? Rambunctious Red. Not disliked by rangers.”
“I’ll allow that.”
“Magnanimous.”
I know 4 truths when I crack open a Lindsay Buroker book.
1. There will be creative use of weaponry. In this case, a slingshot.
2. The writing will be flawless. Maybe I'm jaded by the not-well-edited books I've read of late, but there is something refreshing about not noticing grammatical errors left and right. And the last I checked, Buroker is self-published. Which is funny because her caliber of writing and editing could put many a Big Five published books to shame.
3. Most importantly, the heroine will be smart and snappy, and all the characters are well-written and thought out.
4. There will be snark. And banter. And sass.
Not surprisingly, this book delivered on all 4 of these promises.
If you mixed Clean Sweep with a dash of Rebecca and a large helping of Buroker's unique imagination, flawless writing, and quirky characters, you would end up with Shadows of Winter.
I loved it.
So why not 5 stars, then?
Emperor's Edge is one of my all time favorite series. The character arcs were beautiful. The romance was reeeallly slow burn, and Sicarius is one of my All Time Favorite Fictional Characters. And there was a depth of character, plot, and emotion that I loved. While I have started and enjoyed many other Buroker series, none have reached the pinnacle that is Emperor's Edge.
But this series? This series just might.
And I'm holding out my 5 star for when that happens.
May 27, 2024
Oh so good!
Shadows of Winter is oh so good! I had a hard time putting it down between adulting. But good news I accomplish all the mundane tasks and read Shadows of Winters in one day! I've read several of Lindsay Buroker's series and I have to say this is going to be my new favorite series of her's! She is a wonderful story teller, creating new worlds full of adventures, friendship, mysteries and amazing creatures. I can't wait for more! Also good news, not a cliffhanger! But it does leave you wanting more but not in that desperate ohmygawd what the hell is going to happen next and having server anxiety for the next six months until the next book is released. I'm however, probably going to check several times a month just in case it's released early because I can't wait for the next adventure to happen!
Shadows of Winter is oh so good! I had a hard time putting it down between adulting. But good news I accomplish all the mundane tasks and read Shadows of Winters in one day! I've read several of Lindsay Buroker's series and I have to say this is going to be my new favorite series of her's! She is a wonderful story teller, creating new worlds full of adventures, friendship, mysteries and amazing creatures. I can't wait for more! Also good news, not a cliffhanger! But it does leave you wanting more but not in that desperate ohmygawd what the hell is going to happen next and having server anxiety for the next six months until the next book is released. I'm however, probably going to check several times a month just in case it's released early because I can't wait for the next adventure to happen!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews