The Shadowbound King

Realms of the Covenant #2

by Amy Pennza

Beware the shadows. Ever since I was a child, my father taught me to fear the elven kingdom that borders our lands. A place of twilight and falling leaves, the Autumn Court is rumored to be beautiful and deadly. No one knows what kind of creatures live in the thick, undying forests. No one knows what haunts the shadows.

But now those shadows have a name. And they’ve come for me.

Captured by the King of Autumn’s cruel bodyguard, Rane Laruthian, I’m carried into the heart of the shadow realm and dumped at the feet of King Andrin himself. As mysterious and dangerous as the shadows he commands, Andrin accuses my father of stealing the heart of Autumn’s power. Forbidden to enter the human realm, Andrin can’t make my father answer for his crimes—so he’ll take his revenge on me.

Surrender is unthinkable. I’m not without power, and I’ll do whatever it takes to prove my father’s innocence and win my freedom. But I didn’t realize what kind of revenge my captors had in mind. They’ll collar and keep me, molding me into the perfect weapon. They plan to use me against my father…but not until they use me for their own purposes first.

Caught in a web of magic and vengeance, I have to play a dark and seductive game. But when you dwell in the shadows, you discover that nothing is ever as it seems. As the game grows more deadly, I’m forced to question everything—including where I place my trust. And as I grow closer to my captors, I have to wonder if I really want to escape at all.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, M M Romance, Audiobook, M M F, Queer

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 22, 2024

About the author

Amy Pennza is a USA Today Bestselling Author of steamy fantasy romance. After becoming a lawyer because everyone insisted writing wasn’t a “real job,” she stubbornly wrote anyway—and is delighted to have proved them wrong. She’s grateful to spend her days crafting dirty, swoony books about magic, swords, and unforgettable characters. She lives in the Great Lakes region with her husband and five children.

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Reviews

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Shadowbound King! Amy Pennza once again proves she’s the queen of MMF stories, masterfully weaving fantasy elements with steamy romance.

This book follows Mirella, a character we first met in The Frostbound Queen. It was so exciting to see her story finally unfold. Kidnapped into the Autumn Court, she embarks on a thrilling journey alongside King Andrin and Rane, his lover and knight. The dynamic between the three is electric, and the chemistry leaps off the page.

That said, I wish the story had a bit more breathing room. The ending felt a bit rushed, and I would have loved more buildup to the relationships. A duology or even an extended version could have explored the emotional depths even further.

Still, this was a perfect read for anyone who loves MMF romance with top-tier smut. Amy Pennza continues to deliver an irresistible blend of passion and fantasy that keeps readers hooked.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Your_bookish_fantasy Kerri-louise Whitham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Available on KU
SERIES: Book 2 of 4 realms of the covenant. (Currently, the first 3 books are published) This series are all a standalone but set in the same world/realm as other books in the series
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶.5 MM /MFM /MF /MMF
354 Pages
Release date 22.12.2024
Character driven


TROPES:
👑Royal intrigue
😈Enemies to lovers
🖤Shifters
☠️Kidnapping
🗡Bad ass FMC
⛓️HEA


I would class this as a high stakes cozy read, it's quite short, the details are there, but it could be better/more of them, and the structure was a bit off. I became disappointed at around 30% because of the similarities to the first book, it made this one far more predictable.

I love the characters in this series and how their journey unfolds. I enjoy the amount of growth each character has and how there are good side characters, too. This series is predictable but satisfying, but there are a few small twists in their yo keep you on your toes.

The writing style is good but the pacing is a little up and down, we find out theres a world ending disaster but were going to give someone all the time in the world to 'choose'the right course of action. Or something is so dangerous that you can't go near it yet people are going there alone.... theres a few contradictions in this book.
There are a few spicy moments which are very enjoyable to read and the detail is captured well but personally- fpr this level of spice I would have expected each 'scene'to last a few pages longer because if you have 2 guys and a girl there's A LOT they can get up to. ( I totally understand that this is personal preference, though)

This series has very similar themes in each book, to the point that I won't read the next one because I know there will be 2 men and a woman, I know what positions they will do and I know how they will all 'stumble' across their desire for each other. It was a cute read, and if you like the tropes and a good spicy story, then it's worth the read, but I wouldn't re-read it.

What I find disheartening about this series is that about 80% of the way through ot feels like the end, as in- all the tension gets dropped, we forget about the main high stakes problem and it just seems like everything is resolved. There is a spicy scene where finally the characters get together, and then we're reminded that actually time is of the essence and it's life or death. But by the time you are reminded of that, you don't really care anymore because it just doesn't feel genuinely important now.
I love the spicy scenes. I just wish the writing didn't make it feel like it was a happily ever after moment but instead kept us feeling tense and worried.


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, that was disappointing. The love interests were happy to keep the main character as a slave (one having been enslaved themselves in the past) until she got useful. Actually, their attraction to the main character was directly correlated with how useful she was to them.

The main character was incredibly bland, and I don't know anything about her except that she has red hair.

The plot and exposition was dumped via mind-reading flashback or history pop quizzes. I wish I was joking.

Amy Pennza does write solid smut and probably the best MMF smut I've come across, so here's your pity star. Again, if power imbalances or age gaps bother you, this isn't the series for you.

[Flavia Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better!

Scorching hot... is one way to define the relationship between Rane and Andrin.… and if we add Mirella's appearance it definitely makes things more interesting.

However, it is the emotional ties that unite these characters that make the reading addictive.

It is impossible not to fall in love!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christine Biesheuvel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing And Captivating!
WOW, my goodness! I really liked The Frostbound Queen, book 1 in this series, but this one is even more complex and surprising. Two lovable MMCs and a strong and ‘do not mess with me’ FMC. The story is full of humor, sass, wonderful side characters, an evil that is ever coming closer and a surprise ending. Of course not the HEA, that is preceded with some heavy breathing (by me). I would say, treat yourselves to a rollercoaster that is the world created by Amy Pennza.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one as much if not more than the first in the series and can’t wait to read the next two installments. Hella smexy and steamy!

[Briarsong's Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needs trigger warnings & a kink list

Quality of the writing is great. The plot line is great too and very interesting. It's more than a little buried in the spice.

Very spicy book.
Unfortunately, not to my taste.

Neither of the men were particularly appealing to me either. They treat the FMC terribly throughout the book, then she magically turns around and says she loves them just because she gets turned on by their bedroom shenanigans. Consent feels questionable at best in most of the encounters.

[Cassie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book, so much faster than I anticipated. I actually started it and then had to stop to read other books from the library, and I started to resent those books because they were keeping me from reading this one. I couldn’t quite put my finger on why I was so drawn to this book, but I was a decent chunk of the way in when I realized the parallels between it and Beauty and the Beast (which is far and away my favorite fairytale). I was so here for it. In this case though, I suppose it’s Beauty and the Beasts, and that’s another thing that keeps me coming back for Pennza’s books: she has mastered the art of the MMF romance.

I enjoyed how she characterized Mirella, Andrin and Rane. I only wish that we had gotten a bit more development of their romance earlier in the book. It wasn’t until about 3/4 of the way in before Mirella really started being a part of that romantic group and I wish we had a bit more build up in the earlier part of the book. Otherwise, I liked the romance in this book more than I did with the Frostbound Queen.

As far as other characters, I love Ginhad so freaking much. He is the best character, and I will be accepting no arguments. He is such well written comedic relief in this book. It was actually his character that made it click for me that this book was giving such strong Beauty and the Beast vibes, because I went, “Oh, this is Lumiere!” Well, Lumiere if the sassiness and horniness was dialed waaaaaay up, but, again, that’s what I’m here for.

I also appreciate that while this is the second book in the series, it isn’t really necessary to have read the first book. There are some references to it in this book and it certainly goes into some aspects of the overall magic system a bit more, but it was nice that Pennza has each one of the Elvin Courts have their own subset of magic that you can understand independently within each novel.

I do think the ending itself felt a bit rushed, and between that and the romance not feeling like it quite had enough time to develop, it almost felt like this would have been better done in two books. But I get that this being an installment in this broader series that involves the other courts limits that a bit. I guess it can be taken as a positive, though, that I would have gladly read another book about these characters and their story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Manuela Molteni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Pennza has once again graced us with her signature blend of humor, heat, and high fantasy in The Shadowbound King. Known for her easy command of paranormal romance—particularly her nuanced and passionate takes on MM and MMF dynamics—Pennza doesn’t disappoint in this latest installment. With her knack for delivering steamy romance, a sprinkle of sharp wit, and guaranteed happily-ever-afters, she serves up a story that’s as tantalizing as it is emotional.

This time, the spotlight is on Mirella Lornlark, a half-human, half-Fae firecracker whose misadventures begin with her dramatic kidnapping by the King of Autumn’s surly bodyguard, Rane Laruthian. Mirella is unceremoniously dumped at the feet of the shadowy King Andrin, and the real fun begins. Andrin, furious but bound by restrictions that keep him out of the human realm, channels his wrath through Mirella, whose father’s sins hang over her like an ominous storm cloud. Cue slow-burn tension, simmering emotions, and secrets lurking in every shadow of the Autumn Court.

Pennza masterfully balances the story’s darker themes with her trademark humor, thanks in no small part to the irreverent and scene-stealing Ginhad. This absolute gem of a character provides much-needed levity amid the tension, delivering zingers that could cut through even the thickest of shadowy gloom. Honestly, give Ginhad his own novella—he deserves it.

As for the central trio—Mirella, Rane, and Andrin—oh, the angst! Their relationship is a slow burn in the truest sense, with every smoldering glance and biting exchange practically crackling with pent-up emotion. However, while the romantic tension is undeniably delicious, the payoff could’ve been a tad richer. With a trio like this, I’d have loved just a bit more depth in their dynamic—something to fully satiate my greedy little MMF-loving heart.

Still, The Shadowbound King is a triumph for anyone who craves top-tier smut wrapped in a fantastical package of intrigue and revenge. Pennza’s elegant prose elevates the story beyond its steamy underpinnings, creating a world that feels alive, vibrant, and thoroughly addicting. Whether you’re here for the forbidden love, the snarky humor, or the breathtakingly sexy power plays, this book delivers it all with flair.

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of The Shadowbound King takes us to the Court of the Autumn King where an act of treachery has allowed dark shadows to progressively engulf the land of this realm. The MMCs, Rane and Andrin, are fighting a losing battle against the shadows and the small glimmer of hope and light that may turn the tide is Mirella, daughter of their sworn enemy.

I love the strong FMCs that Pennza writes. Mirella is beautiful, kind and brave with a backbone of steel and a heart of gold. She is the perfect match for Rane and Andrin although it takes a bit of time for them all to come to this realisation. Once that realisation is reached the chemistry between the three is off the charts. As always, the intimate scenes between Andrin, Rane and Mirella are detailed and well written, but not for the faint of heart. And underlying all the heat is the recognition that there are feelings of deep connections between the MCs.

This is also a story of the darkness of biases and prejudices held but ultimately shattered to shine the light of the truth on things. That Mirella is willing to forgive those who looked at her with contempt and derision is testament to her strength of character and kindness and ultimately her bravery to save those she loves and cares for.

Although there is much darkness in this story there are some absolutely hilarious moments to help break the tension. Ginhad, the castle steward, steals every scene he is in and provides some lines that can’t help but cause the reader to snort-laugh. He is absolutely one of my very favourite characters, ever!

Although The Shadowbound King can be read as a standalone I would recommend reading the first book in the series ( The Frostbound Queen) to get some of the history and world building of the series. You won’t be disappointed! I wait with great anticipation for the next book in the series.
I received a free advanced review copy from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[stephanie cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shadowbound King is the perfect blend of magic, suspense, and steamy romance, making it a compelling read from start to finish. From the very beginning, the story amps up the excitement as Mirella is captured by Rane and taken to King Andrin in the heart of the shadow realm. The tension is immediate, and you can feel that something big is about to unfold.

Andrin accuses Mirella’s father of stealing the heart of Autumn’s power, and since he is forbidden from entering the human realm, he can’t hold Mirella’s father accountable for his actions. Instead, Andrin seeks revenge by tormenting Mirella, taking his anger out on her. This twist brings so much intensity to the plot, and you can’t help but be captivated by the way Mirella’s fate becomes tied to the shadow realm and its dangerous king.

As the story unfolds, Mirella’s relationship with her captors grows more complex. She’s torn between the desire to escape and the undeniable connection she forms with Andrin and the other characters. Her internal conflict adds depth to the narrative, and as her attraction to them builds, you’ll find yourself questioning whether escape is really what she wants anymore.

The combination of magic, vengeance, and the sizzling romance elements (MMF, BDSM, and menage) creates a passionate and thrilling ride. The characters are well-developed, and their interactions are full of tension and emotional complexity. The Shadowbound King successfully keeps you on the edge of your seat, delivering a story that’s equal parts exciting and scorching.

If you love a story with a perfect blend of magic, drama, and steamy romance, The Shadowbound King is definitely a book you’ll want to dive into. It’s a captivating continuation of Realms of the Covenant, and I can’t wait to see where the series takes us next.

[Morgana Lefaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been looking forward to finding out what happened to Mirella ever since Rane’s brief but intriguing appearance in The Frostbound Queen. And this book did not disappoint.

It’s not necessary to have read the first book of the series to understand this one, but I think it would probably be helpful and that if you are new to it, you would be better off starting at the beginning.

If you’re not familiar with Amy Penza’s work, be prepared for a high level of spice, with as much MM (complete with crossing swords) as MMF, and dubcon and noncon elements. If you’re not comfortable with those themes, you should probably skip this and the rest of her books. However, if you’re not offended by morally grey MMCs, you’ll find much to enjoy in this book. Rane and Andrin are complex, interesting and very sexy, the Autumn Court is quite a revelation, and Ginhad is a delightful side character. The unfolding story of the Kree was fascinating, with surprising betrayals and counter betrayals.

I did feel that the book could have benefited from being longer, as the growth of love between Mirella and the two MMCs seemed to happen too quickly to be really credible, and during the climactic struggle by the Edeloak, I was never able to figure out exactly what Mirella did that allowed our protagonists to win out over a very surprising last minute antagonist. That scene would have benefited from expansion. I also would have liked for Mirella to have at least one private sexual encounter with each of the MMCs, but all of the scenes in this book were either MM or MMF.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Laura Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mirella has come home after failing to get the Nordlinga Prince to fall for her and marry her, while caring for his father. Her father is upset with her. Their bloodline is part fae and thus they have powers. We saw those in the previous book. She can use the shadows to travel. Aedith was Mirella’s servant and now that she is returned, so has Aedith. However, Mirella finds out that not all is well with her servant’s family. Mirella is a good person, a healer, and has a way with animals. I find Mirella to be beautiful inside and out. Her father, however, not so. I really disliked him and when I find out just how much he is not what I expected, I began to want to punch him. Eftar, is the land that her father controls and it is near the elvish Autumn Court, which seems to be getting weirder by the day. We get to learn more about the Covenant and about the Autumn Court and Eftar. However, not all is as it seems and there is a lot of intrigue and subterfuge throughout the book. None of which is on Mirella’s part. It upsets me how her father treats her, how the Autumn Court treats her because of who she is based on her title and relation to her father. Her father wants to her to marry someone and she so doesn’t want to. While searching for a way to help Aedith’s family she is captured by the Autumn Court and things go to heck really quickly. Mischief and Mayhem abound and I spent a lot of time chewing on my nails and cursing. My AC was on full blast as I freaked out in worry about Mirella and how she was treated. I could see both sides’ pov. King Andrin of the Autumn Court is powerful and scares the living daylights out of me at first. His second is Rane and he is freaking hot and scary at the same time. Learning about the Autumn Court was fascinating and it broke my heart that there were so few children there. Plus, there is so much going on from there on out. I chewed on my nails waaaaay too much while reading this book, but I did laugh a lot too. Rane is outrageous. But, the love that Andrin and Rane shares is forceful, beautiful and scary all rolled up into one. The book was just as awesome as the first book and I loved it. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

I received this advance reading copy for free and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Brianna McAllister · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝕭𝖊𝖜𝖆𝖗𝖊 𝖔𝖋 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖉𝖔𝖜𝖘.

The Shadowbound King
By: Amy Pennza
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶.5

• Multiple POV
• Enemies to Lovers
• Light vs. Dark
• Forbidden Love
• Imepmeding Doom

The Shadowbound King is a novel within a series. Amy does a beautiful job weaving togther fantasy and spice with her writing. There was never a dull moment while reading this story.

This story has one FMC named Mirella and two MMCs named Rane and Andrin. Mirella was first mentioned in the first novel in the series called The Frostbound Queen. It was great how the three MCs stories unraveled and how their past intertwined.

I would have loved to see more in depth storyline of some things. Many main points were rushed. I happened to catch myself even saying "wow when did that happen?" I would've enjoyed a couple more chapters to be able to elongate the ending of the story so it wasn't so rushed.

None the less, this story was a short and easy read with a plot that kept you wanting more! And the spice.....𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎! *𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗳𝘀 𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘀*

I can't wait to pick up more stories by Amy Pennza.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I then went and purchased the actual book, along with the first one in the series.

[Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book one day later than planned. It's part of a series but was advertised as a possible standalone for those who don't necessarily want to get into another series (aka me). I liked the premise of the story: a world divided in two - a human territory and an elf territory. Joined as well as decided through history and conflict, shadows are threatening to overcome both territories. And the Elven King and his companion only have one chance of healing their land: find the heart of the land that had been stolen more than 100 years ago.

The story developed nicely, but sped up with about 100 pages left. It felt quite rushed and as if some of the developments could have been introduced earlier. The plot revelations also have been a bit predictable and I struggled with a few of the synonyms that were used in intimate scenes.
Overall, I liked it and had a good time.

What you get
- an Elven king and his bodyguard lover (dom/sub dynamic)
- a noble woman treated like a pawn by her father
- magic and shadows
- a fateful kidnapping
- from caged bird to lover
- MM / MF / MMF; although 80 percent of the book are MM

📖 The Shadowbound King by Amy Pennza
Rating 3.75 ⭐

#bookstagram #reading #booktok #fantasy #romantasy #magic #humansandelves #shadowdaddy #domsub

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Shadowbound King," is the second book in the fantasy series Realms of the Covenant, but can read as a standalone novel. It follow Mirella, a character that was introduced in the first book, as her story unfolds with a controlling and abusive father, a kidnapping, and a new life in a foreign realm where she's condemned to serve for her father's sins.

Tropes:
-Enemies to Lovers
-Royal intrigue
-Knight/King dynamic
-Kidnapping
-Shifters
-MMF
-Multiple POV

If you're not one for spice, turn the other way - this book has lots of it (plenty of MM, and then MMF as well), all woven together with the elements of a good fantasy novel. It was a quick read, although I would have loved to see some aspects and scenes expanded on, especially the climatic scene where the surprise antagonist is revealed. The relationship between the three main characters also felt a bit rushed and I would have liked to see more of that before they fell into bed together. The book *felt* like it should have been very high stakes, but the characters didn't make me really believe that as much as I would have liked. All in all, an enjoyable quick read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Velda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book 4 stars because it really is a good story. However, I was honestly so annoyed by the male characters in the first half. Mirella is treated horribly, as if she’s responsible for her father’s actions, and that just felt really unfair.

That said, I absolutely loved Mirella’s character. She’s strong, resilient, and easy to root for, even when others treat her unfairly. The chemistry between Andrin and Rane was strong from the beginning and really well written. Still, it wasn’t until about halfway through the book that I started to appreciate them more. Once Andrin began to see something good in Mirella (around 40 percent) and Rane followed shortly after (around 55 percent), their development finally started to work for me.

The enemies-to-lovers dynamic is definitely well executed, though for my taste, the pacing could have been a bit faster. That said, I did really enjoy myself while reading. And like all of Amy Pennza’s books, the spice was really well written and added a great layer to the story.

All in all, it’s a solid book, just not my favorite in the series so far. I’m definitely curious about the next ones!

[Alexia shesbetterat40 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second Amy Pennza book and I am a fan! I received an ARC for this book and so thankful. This story is about a human who is secretly elf kin (Mirella) and is kidnapped by an elf (Rane) and taken across the magical barrier separating humans and elves to the king of Autumn (Andrin). She is kept prisoner until her captors realize she is innocent and they both fall in love with her. The romance is MMF and pretty heavy on the MM, and the relationships are very sweet. The spicy scenes are sooooo well written. I was able to picture them clearly (which is sometimes a problem especially when there are three bodies involved) and so hot. 🥵

The plot is also really good! There is betrayal and secrets and lies and a really villainous villain or two. There are some very lovable side characters, and a few you love to hate. My only criticism is the end felt rushed and I would have liked a little more conflict with the father and some explanation from his point of view. Mirella deserved a little more closure from him. However, I was satisfied with the conclusion of that arc. The entire book ended sweetly and so satisfying.

[PN_booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the second one in the Realms of the Covenant series. Whilst there are some references to the first book (and Mirella was introduced to us in that book), you don't have to have read that one to enjoy this one. However, I would still recommend to read that one though coz it's just as good as this one. I basically read this book in one sitting, it was so difficult to put down! I was afraid at times that Rane and Andrin would go too far in their mistreatment of Mirella in the beginning which would have made it difficult for me to buy into a growing relationship between them. But this author managed to go to the edge but not cross any lines. If I had one wish, it was to see more of Rane and Andrin's background and history. There were mentions here and there and I craved more. I think Rane and Andrin's story could be a book on its own to be honest. Would definitely read that, and look forward to also reading the rest of this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shadowbound King is an awesome read with excellent worldbuilding and characters! Mirella, who we met in the Frostbound Queen, is kidnapped by the Autumn Court in a desperate attempt to save their land and people.
We have some seriously hot and kinky MM scenes and a believable established relationship between Rane and Andrin, the Autumn king, but their declarations of love for Mirella just seemed to come out of nowhere. I didn’t feel enough buildup of yearning or emotional turmoil from them, only some lustful thoughts about her when reading the chapters from their point of view.
Other than that, I really enjoyed the story - so much so that I read it all in one sitting! The twists and turns as we get to the end were unexpected and reached a very satisfying conclusion. I can’t wait to get more stories about the other two elvish courts!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Adrianna Heaney-velu · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We’re all captive to the past… and everyone serves. Even kings.”

“The Shadowbound King,” by Amy Pennza

I adored this book so much. I loved how they were autumn court fae the most. I loved the MMF relationship with sword crossing, it’s a messy and entertaining relationship to read with the push and pull between the three MC’s. I felt like it was paced really well so I wasn’t bored but wasn’t too fast that I could enjoy the relationships build. I definitely need to read more books by Amy Pennza. 5 out of 5 stars.

-Fae, Elves
-MMF
-Shadow Magic
-SA
-Kidnapped
-Enemies To Lovers
-BDSM

Thank you for the ARC, Booksprout.

“If I could hurt him, I hadn’t lost him to the nameless, faceless monsters neither of us could ever really conquer. We could only battle them… and lose a little bit of the war each time.”

“Strong things are harder to break, but they can be broken. Everything can be broken.”

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What I told you at our first meeting remains true. Your father stole everything from Autumn. You’re going to help me get it back. Whether you do so in pain or comfort is up to you, Mirella. I suggest you choose wisely.”
“We’re all captive to the past.”
“And everyone serves. Even kings.”

I really enjoyed this book. Great world building and wonderful characters. I loved Mirella, Rane, and Andrin. The story had suspense and intrigue, vengeance and kidnapping, desperation and love. I was fascinated with Andrin and Rane, and quickly hooked to the page at Mirella's situation- pushing back when she could but not match for the force these two presented. The history of what happened was sad, and wanted things set to rights probably as much as Andrin. I liked how Mirella's dynamic with them began to change the more time passed. And I loved Ginhad. He was a fun character and usually made me smile.

"When will everyone accept that I’m always right?”

5 stars

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF: 73%

I’ve already read this story. It follows the same plot line as the authors other series: Bitten and Bound. Swap out the character names and it’s deja vu. I don’t dislike it… but I also don’t want to read the same book again back-to-back.

Read this and tell me I’m wrong:

MMC is the king of a once wonderful land, but it’s slowly dying. The other MMC is his strong second in command with a troubled past. MMC’s have an established relationship dynamic with one being more dominate, but both help to keep the demons at bay in each other. Maybe a smidge codependent, but it’s fine. FMC is a so’called prisoner, but not really and her hidden powers are part of the cure to save the land. Even the way the spicy scenes are structured is repetitive. Mirella/Given each start out as a voyeur to the MMC’s and then she’s added in the mix.

I’m not wrong.

I liked it the first time. I don’t need to keep going.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Balance of Darkness and Light

Mirella hates being a political pawn for her father, but being kidnapped and forced across the Covenant is definitely work. Rane is loyal to his King, even when he completely disregards his requests. King Andrin’s kingdom, the Autumn Court, is dying, swallowed by shadows which are killing his people and threatening to spread further and further. Rane and Andrin are an established couple, Mirella is their political captive, and for the majority of the story, this dynamic is maintained, with simmering glances and illicit thoughts. That said, this is still one steamy story, with Andrin and Rane heating up the sheets (and the barn, and the bath…). I stayed up far too late reading this book, but I could not put it down. It starts a touch slowly, but once it gets going it’s completely gripping. Phew! What a fantastic read.

[Jennifer D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book!
Definitely a slow burn, this enemies to lovers, fantasy romance also had a good deal of suspense and action. You really have to stick it out and be patient for the “burn” but it definitely delivers. MMF with sword crossing and viewing of/discussions of all manner of other kinky shenanigans by the ancillary characters. This is a true beautiful romance though, you’ve just gotta be patient. Passion between the main characters is wonderful. The story itself is gripping and very well written. The ending?… 😍😍😍.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carol Demmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story. Mirella is kidnapped by Rane to be used to save the Autumn Court. King Andrin is furious but doesn't return her. He knows that he has to use her to trade for the Kree that will save the court. Mirella will be caged until they realize that she knows nothing about the Kree that her father is to have. As the three are sharing a apartment, Mirella becomes aware that the men are lovers and she finds herself aroused by them. This book is full of danger, conflicted emotions and a satisfying ending. I enjoyed reading it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kasey Fallon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyable read (overall?), especially for fans of MM spice as there is a LOT of it. I like our trio of heoes and the writing style is easy to get through. My main problem was the casual attitude toward the r@pe. All that scene needed was to give her a choice, and she would have chosen them, but they took that away from her. R@ping with shadows is still r@pe. They also all realized they were all attracted to each other and 'realized it was love' from one page to the next, and it was entirely convenient. Will not be reading any more of the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Crystal M Parrelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book. I actually read the first one before I read this one. Just in case I needed to. And that wasn’t a disappointment either. Creating characters and a story line that catches the attention of your audience is hard enough. But creating a whole new world and doing a great job at it that’s something to be proud of. And let’s just say this was a home-run. There is detail but not to much. If your like me and you imagine the world and characters as you read a book you should absolutely check this out.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series so far, and I'm surprised that it doesn't have a bigger following/more ratings. I both liked and disliked this book more than the first book in the series. Finishing it, it left me with the feeling that the male characters didn't deserve the happy ending they got efter how terribly they treated Mirella most of the book. I was angry for her sake, and I wanted her to have revenge rather than to fall in love with them. It also annoyed me a bit how inconsistent Ranes character felt at times. Ginhad was a surprising delight and I am enjoying the world the author is building. The spice is good and overall it was a solid read.

[Yana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Another good story in the Realms of the Covenant. The story is as good and as easy to read as the first book. There is a wonderful plot, magic, and interesting characters.

Once again, my issues are with the romance. Almost the entire book is focused on the relationship between the two MMC, which is not my cup of tea. While in the first book, all was fast-burn, in this book, the relationship with the heroine was very slow to develop. In the end, the shift from enemies to lovers took a very sharp turn, and all of a sudden, they loved each other.

The good fairytale story, however, outweighs my issues with the romance part, and I really enjoyed reading the book.