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Shard Daughters #1
The Shard & The Serpent
A high-stakes, spicy dark romantasy where assassins and criminally ruled cities battle for dominance, Fate twists bonds into violent obsession, and female rage fuels a revenge story as brutal and relentless as John Wick.
Her: “I wasn’t raised to let go of the past. I was taught to take it to bed. Then to slaughter it.”
Him: “Whether to love her, to kill her–I crave her…If she’s the darkest thing in the realm, I’d rather be dragged into her depths than remain incomplete.”
In Mirror, ruined kingdoms have risen into darkly inventive criminal empires, each perfecting its trade through human trafficking and ruthless experimentation. Among the shadows, a secret league of female assassins with Fate-blessed powers exacts their ultimate punishment, vendettas paid only in blood.
Rayze Angeline is one of them. A Shard Daughter. The Angel of Sin. She can fold oceans, warp gravity, and slip into minds.
But her specialty is pleasure threads, entering a person’s mind by fulfilling their darkest desires and commanding them to spill their secrets.
Her target? Warrick Ivor. Obsessive Heir to The Serpent. Her sworn enemy. The one man she should never touch.
Unfortunately for Rayze, and to Warrick’s smug satisfaction, their souls are bound by Fate.
She hates him almost as much as she craves the way he makes her his. Every glance is a challenge, every touch a dare, and neither of them ever walks away without drawing blood. Why would they? Killing is their favorite pastime.
The more they push the limits of their Bond, the closer they edge toward a line that, once crossed, could turn passion into ruin. Dark secrets unravel, lust and empires collide, and revenge will be taken.
For. Always. No matter the cost.
If you crave a genre-bending dark fantasy/sci-fi romance with morally grey heroes, addictive spice, and twists that cut deep—where betrayal is as intoxicating as desire–The Shard and The Serpent will keep you up all night, gripping your Kindle, and screaming at the page.
✦ Tropes You’ll Find Inside ✦
★ Criminal empires and assassins in a female-rage, John Wick–style revenge story
★ Unique twist on fated mates and fate magic
★ Medium-burn, addictive spice with a hard-earned HEA
★ Found family with women supporting women
★ Playthings to enemies to lovers
★ Masked, morally grey Heir who kneels only for her
★ Deadly female assassin with Fate-blessed superpowers
★ “You’re mine”, “Touch her and die”, “Who did this to you”
★ Primal chasing / primal hunting tension
★ Betrayal as foreplay, revenge as devotion
★ Pirates and flying pirate ships colliding with a grunge-punk cityscape of masked criminals
★ Dark secrets, memory loss and memory manipulation
★ Standalone in a series of interconnected standalones
•┈••✦☆✦••┈•
⚠ Intended for adult readers: The Shard and The Serpent is a dark and spicy sci-fi romantasy featuring explicit content and themes that may be triggering to some. The Shard Daughters series is part of Jinapher J. Hoffman’s multiverse of feminine rage, Wrathos, and is set in the bestselling realm of Mirror.
It can be read on its own or alongside the completed Fates of Mirror trilogy and the Alchemight duology. While the romance arc has a complete beginning, middle, and end, the worldbuilding, magic, side characters, and subplots will continue into future Shard Daughters books.
Her: “I wasn’t raised to let go of the past. I was taught to take it to bed. Then to slaughter it.”
Him: “Whether to love her, to kill her–I crave her…If she’s the darkest thing in the realm, I’d rather be dragged into her depths than remain incomplete.”
In Mirror, ruined kingdoms have risen into darkly inventive criminal empires, each perfecting its trade through human trafficking and ruthless experimentation. Among the shadows, a secret league of female assassins with Fate-blessed powers exacts their ultimate punishment, vendettas paid only in blood.
Rayze Angeline is one of them. A Shard Daughter. The Angel of Sin. She can fold oceans, warp gravity, and slip into minds.
But her specialty is pleasure threads, entering a person’s mind by fulfilling their darkest desires and commanding them to spill their secrets.
Her target? Warrick Ivor. Obsessive Heir to The Serpent. Her sworn enemy. The one man she should never touch.
Unfortunately for Rayze, and to Warrick’s smug satisfaction, their souls are bound by Fate.
She hates him almost as much as she craves the way he makes her his. Every glance is a challenge, every touch a dare, and neither of them ever walks away without drawing blood. Why would they? Killing is their favorite pastime.
The more they push the limits of their Bond, the closer they edge toward a line that, once crossed, could turn passion into ruin. Dark secrets unravel, lust and empires collide, and revenge will be taken.
For. Always. No matter the cost.
If you crave a genre-bending dark fantasy/sci-fi romance with morally grey heroes, addictive spice, and twists that cut deep—where betrayal is as intoxicating as desire–The Shard and The Serpent will keep you up all night, gripping your Kindle, and screaming at the page.
✦ Tropes You’ll Find Inside ✦
★ Criminal empires and assassins in a female-rage, John Wick–style revenge story
★ Unique twist on fated mates and fate magic
★ Medium-burn, addictive spice with a hard-earned HEA
★ Found family with women supporting women
★ Playthings to enemies to lovers
★ Masked, morally grey Heir who kneels only for her
★ Deadly female assassin with Fate-blessed superpowers
★ “You’re mine”, “Touch her and die”, “Who did this to you”
★ Primal chasing / primal hunting tension
★ Betrayal as foreplay, revenge as devotion
★ Pirates and flying pirate ships colliding with a grunge-punk cityscape of masked criminals
★ Dark secrets, memory loss and memory manipulation
★ Standalone in a series of interconnected standalones
•┈••✦☆✦••┈•
⚠ Intended for adult readers: The Shard and The Serpent is a dark and spicy sci-fi romantasy featuring explicit content and themes that may be triggering to some. The Shard Daughters series is part of Jinapher J. Hoffman’s multiverse of feminine rage, Wrathos, and is set in the bestselling realm of Mirror.
It can be read on its own or alongside the completed Fates of Mirror trilogy and the Alchemight duology. While the romance arc has a complete beginning, middle, and end, the worldbuilding, magic, side characters, and subplots will continue into future Shard Daughters books.
670 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2025
1709 people are currently reading
18606 people want to read
About the author
Jinapher J. Hoffman
21 books397 followersJinapher J. Hoffman is an epic dark fantasy author building a multiverse of feminine rage. She is an Amazon #1 Best Seller and mother to two adorable bunny rabbits. She lives in California with her hero and partner and spends most of her day organizing multiverse plot holes and building magic systems.
You can find all of Jinapher's books, including their content warnings, at wrathosbooks.com.
You can find all of Jinapher's books, including their content warnings, at wrathosbooks.com.
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July 31, 2025Hi, fellow dark romantasy lover<3 I'm the author of this book! I only pop onto GoodReads to display the following information on my books. Thank you so much for your interest in The Shard and The Serpent: A Standalone Dark Fantasy Romance
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Access All Books & Links
September 20, 2025
Confusing Worldbuilding and Repetitive Romance Make The Shard & The Serpent a Missed Opportunity
I went into The Shard & The Serpent with high hopes. Normally, sci-fi and dystopian fantasy aren’t my go-to genres, but the blurb completely hooked me. The promise of assassins, female rage, morally grey characters, and a gritty, high-stakes world sounded irresistible. Unfortunately, despite wanting to love this book, I came away more frustrated than thrilled, and I’m giving it two stars.
Opinion
The first major issue I ran into was the worldbuilding. It took me nearly 150 pages before I felt even remotely oriented in the world Jinapher J. Hoffman created. The book drops readers straight into the middle of its chaos—criminal empires, four factions of ruling powers, secret assassins, and mysterious magic—and offers little clarity along the way. For me, that meant spending much of the first half of the book just trying to figure out where everyone fit. The Shard Daughters themselves, who should be the centerpiece of this story, were difficult to understand in terms of their origins, motivations, and powers.
And while I appreciate slow-burn reveals in some cases, here it felt more like stumbling around in the dark. The magic system is a prime example: it wasn’t properly explained until almost the very end. Even then, I still had unanswered questions, and some elements remained confusing after I closed the book. When the scaffolding of the world doesn’t feel solid, it’s hard to get immersed in the story itself.
My biggest disappointment, however, was the main character, Rayze. The marketing promised me female rage in the vein of John Wick, and I was ready for that. Instead, what I got was a repetitive cycle of her playing psychological and physical games with Warrick, the male lead she’s bound to by fate. She’s meant to kill him, but instead she goes through the motions of tormenting and sparring with him in ways that quickly grew monotonous. I kept waiting for her rage to explode into something raw and satisfying, but it never really arrived.
The dynamic between Rayze and Warrick is meant to be enemies-to-lovers, full of passion and bloodlust. On paper, that sounds thrilling. In practice, it felt like watching the same scene repeat over and over again. Their bond had potential, but it never broke new ground, and by the time a new enemy entered the stage—something that should have injected energy into the plot—I was already too disengaged. The tension just wasn’t there.
For readers who prioritize spice above all else, there’s plenty to enjoy here. The intimate scenes are frequent and unapologetically intense, so if that’s what you’re looking for, you’ll probably come away satisfied. But for me, the overemphasis on sex left little room for meaningful character development. Both Rayze and Warrick are supposed to be morally grey, which could have led to fascinating clashes and a more layered story. Instead, their complexity was flattened into lust-driven encounters that felt empty rather than compelling.
Conclusion
The real tragedy of The Shard & The Serpent is that its concept had so much potential. Fated mates, betrayal, revenge, morally ambiguous heroes, and a heroine unafraid to speak her mind—these are all tropes I love when they’re executed well. Unfortunately, the muddled setting and lack of depth in both plot and characters made it hard for me to stay invested. Instead of being swept up in the drama, I was mostly just glad to finish the book.
Two stars for the ambition and flashes of creativity, but sadly, this one wasn’t for me.
Through BookSiren I received an advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This review was first published at The Art of Reading.
I went into The Shard & The Serpent with high hopes. Normally, sci-fi and dystopian fantasy aren’t my go-to genres, but the blurb completely hooked me. The promise of assassins, female rage, morally grey characters, and a gritty, high-stakes world sounded irresistible. Unfortunately, despite wanting to love this book, I came away more frustrated than thrilled, and I’m giving it two stars.
Opinion
The first major issue I ran into was the worldbuilding. It took me nearly 150 pages before I felt even remotely oriented in the world Jinapher J. Hoffman created. The book drops readers straight into the middle of its chaos—criminal empires, four factions of ruling powers, secret assassins, and mysterious magic—and offers little clarity along the way. For me, that meant spending much of the first half of the book just trying to figure out where everyone fit. The Shard Daughters themselves, who should be the centerpiece of this story, were difficult to understand in terms of their origins, motivations, and powers.
And while I appreciate slow-burn reveals in some cases, here it felt more like stumbling around in the dark. The magic system is a prime example: it wasn’t properly explained until almost the very end. Even then, I still had unanswered questions, and some elements remained confusing after I closed the book. When the scaffolding of the world doesn’t feel solid, it’s hard to get immersed in the story itself.
My biggest disappointment, however, was the main character, Rayze. The marketing promised me female rage in the vein of John Wick, and I was ready for that. Instead, what I got was a repetitive cycle of her playing psychological and physical games with Warrick, the male lead she’s bound to by fate. She’s meant to kill him, but instead she goes through the motions of tormenting and sparring with him in ways that quickly grew monotonous. I kept waiting for her rage to explode into something raw and satisfying, but it never really arrived.
The dynamic between Rayze and Warrick is meant to be enemies-to-lovers, full of passion and bloodlust. On paper, that sounds thrilling. In practice, it felt like watching the same scene repeat over and over again. Their bond had potential, but it never broke new ground, and by the time a new enemy entered the stage—something that should have injected energy into the plot—I was already too disengaged. The tension just wasn’t there.
For readers who prioritize spice above all else, there’s plenty to enjoy here. The intimate scenes are frequent and unapologetically intense, so if that’s what you’re looking for, you’ll probably come away satisfied. But for me, the overemphasis on sex left little room for meaningful character development. Both Rayze and Warrick are supposed to be morally grey, which could have led to fascinating clashes and a more layered story. Instead, their complexity was flattened into lust-driven encounters that felt empty rather than compelling.
Conclusion
The real tragedy of The Shard & The Serpent is that its concept had so much potential. Fated mates, betrayal, revenge, morally ambiguous heroes, and a heroine unafraid to speak her mind—these are all tropes I love when they’re executed well. Unfortunately, the muddled setting and lack of depth in both plot and characters made it hard for me to stay invested. Instead of being swept up in the drama, I was mostly just glad to finish the book.
Two stars for the ambition and flashes of creativity, but sadly, this one wasn’t for me.
Through BookSiren I received an advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This review was first published at The Art of Reading.
August 1, 2025
DNF @ 63%
God, I really wanted to like this book. The summary had so much promise. Sci-fi and dystopian vibes mixed with magic? Yes, please. Throw in a badass assassin FMC who's sent to kill the heir of a rival faction but ends up forced into a magical Bond with him? That should’ve been an immediate one-click read. But honestly? It just went so wrong.
The first major issue was the world building. It took over a hundred pages before I had even a basic understanding of how everything worked. The book drops you right into the action without easing you into the setting, and while I usually don’t mind that, this time it felt more confusing than immersive. I knew it was a dystopian sci-fi world going in, so I tried to piece it together myself, but between the four factions, their separate territories, and the mystery of where The Daughters live, it was a lot to keep track of with very little explanation.
The magic system didn’t help either. It felt underexplained and inconsistent. And then there’s Volt. It might just be me, but it took way too long to figure out that Volt is literally just a drug with no magical function. I kept expecting some kind of reveal about its power, only to realize... nope, it’s just a drug. Even though I was struggling to follow everything, I stayed intrigued enough to keep going. I was still hoping the payoff would come, even if it meant powering through some frustration.
But then came the repetition. Rayze, the FMC, kept reacting to the Bond with Warrick the exact same way. every. single. time. There was no growth, no shift in approach, just rinse and repeat. And when the story introduced a new enemy threatening The Daughters’ society, I was actually excited, thinking it would raise the stakes. But nope. Rayze kept doing the same damn thing and I couldn’t take it anymore.
Warrick, though? I loved him. His obsession was consistent and intense in a way that didn’t feel performative, and even when the Bond was severed, he still cared. If I’d pushed through the rest of the book, it would’ve been for him. But I found myself annoyed, bored, and lowkey debating skipping entire chapters, and I never do that unless I’ve checked out completely.
I really wanted this to be a hit because the concept is genuinely cool and had so much potential. But the execution just didn’t land. With over 400 pages in and 270-plus still left, I just can’t keep going. It’s a DNF for me, and I really wish it wasn't.
Spice? 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ A+
‼️‼️‼️Trigger Warning‼️‼️‼️
There are a lot of dark themes in this book. I don’t have any triggers and went in blind, and I was totally fine, but definitely check in with your mental health before diving in.
⟣Tropes⟢
✅ Touch her and 💀
✅ 🩶 Morally Grey MMC 🩶
✅ 🩶 Morally Grey FMC 🩶
✅ Stabby/Badass Heroine
✅ Banter *chef’s kiss*
✅ Sassy FMC
✅ Obsessive/JP MMC
✅ Fated Mates
✅ Betrayal
✅ Groveling
✅ Secret Identity
✅ Dual POV’s (first person)
✅ Enemies-to-Lovers
✅ No OW/OM drama
✅ He falls first
✅ 🔥 Medium Burn 🔥
✅ MINE
✅ Dystopian
God, I really wanted to like this book. The summary had so much promise. Sci-fi and dystopian vibes mixed with magic? Yes, please. Throw in a badass assassin FMC who's sent to kill the heir of a rival faction but ends up forced into a magical Bond with him? That should’ve been an immediate one-click read. But honestly? It just went so wrong.
The first major issue was the world building. It took over a hundred pages before I had even a basic understanding of how everything worked. The book drops you right into the action without easing you into the setting, and while I usually don’t mind that, this time it felt more confusing than immersive. I knew it was a dystopian sci-fi world going in, so I tried to piece it together myself, but between the four factions, their separate territories, and the mystery of where The Daughters live, it was a lot to keep track of with very little explanation.
The magic system didn’t help either. It felt underexplained and inconsistent. And then there’s Volt. It might just be me, but it took way too long to figure out that Volt is literally just a drug with no magical function. I kept expecting some kind of reveal about its power, only to realize... nope, it’s just a drug. Even though I was struggling to follow everything, I stayed intrigued enough to keep going. I was still hoping the payoff would come, even if it meant powering through some frustration.
But then came the repetition. Rayze, the FMC, kept reacting to the Bond with Warrick the exact same way. every. single. time. There was no growth, no shift in approach, just rinse and repeat. And when the story introduced a new enemy threatening The Daughters’ society, I was actually excited, thinking it would raise the stakes. But nope. Rayze kept doing the same damn thing and I couldn’t take it anymore.
Warrick, though? I loved him. His obsession was consistent and intense in a way that didn’t feel performative, and even when the Bond was severed, he still cared. If I’d pushed through the rest of the book, it would’ve been for him. But I found myself annoyed, bored, and lowkey debating skipping entire chapters, and I never do that unless I’ve checked out completely.
I really wanted this to be a hit because the concept is genuinely cool and had so much potential. But the execution just didn’t land. With over 400 pages in and 270-plus still left, I just can’t keep going. It’s a DNF for me, and I really wish it wasn't.
Spice? 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ A+
‼️‼️‼️Trigger Warning‼️‼️‼️
There are a lot of dark themes in this book. I don’t have any triggers and went in blind, and I was totally fine, but definitely check in with your mental health before diving in.
⟣Tropes⟢
✅ Touch her and 💀
✅ 🩶 Morally Grey MMC 🩶
✅ 🩶 Morally Grey FMC 🩶
✅ Stabby/Badass Heroine
✅ Banter *chef’s kiss*
✅ Sassy FMC
✅ Obsessive/JP MMC
✅ Fated Mates
✅ Betrayal
✅ Groveling
✅ Secret Identity
✅ Dual POV’s (first person)
✅ Enemies-to-Lovers
✅ No OW/OM drama
✅ He falls first
✅ 🔥 Medium Burn 🔥
✅ MINE
✅ Dystopian
October 28, 2025
E urrej kur ni liber is a fucking mess
January 27, 2026
This was not my personal cup of tea, someone who likes dark and straight romances would maybe like this? I read it because of a recommendation I saw on social media about the twist which was cool but I spent so much of the book feeling lost and not into it.
Maybe if I read the series this is a spin off for I would’ve liked it more? I guess we’ll never know
Maybe if I read the series this is a spin off for I would’ve liked it more? I guess we’ll never know
October 17, 2025
This was my first dark romance and at first I was scared tbh… but I honestly really liked the story line, and I love the main characters as well. I’ll be keeping an eye out for book 2.
August 2, 2025
You know that feeling, toward the end of a book when the two main characters finally admit their feelings for each other, or there is that final last dramatic battle? The whole story is building up to this moment, and then someone says does something fantastically dramatic? A confession of Undying Love, declaration of "I won't live without you! I crave you with all of my being!" or a final battle where you think the main character might falter, but then at the last moment they rally?
It's beautiful and intense! Because it's so deep.....
Well that's 98% of this book. And I wish I could say that's a good thing, but was exhausting.
The entire book of essentially a series of one-liners, and dramatic declarations....what the?
I wanted it to work for me 😭😭 I've read three other books by the author (Fates of mirror trilogy) and they didn't have the same feeling, they were a tad confusing (same world) but they were GOOD.
I pre-ordered this and started reading it the day it was released. But I almost didn't finish it because there is only so many dramatic declarations that I can handle 😭. I'm legit upset because I WANTED to love it 😭
It's beautiful and intense! Because it's so deep.....
Well that's 98% of this book. And I wish I could say that's a good thing, but was exhausting.
The entire book of essentially a series of one-liners, and dramatic declarations....what the?
I wanted it to work for me 😭😭 I've read three other books by the author (Fates of mirror trilogy) and they didn't have the same feeling, they were a tad confusing (same world) but they were GOOD.
I pre-ordered this and started reading it the day it was released. But I almost didn't finish it because there is only so many dramatic declarations that I can handle 😭. I'm legit upset because I WANTED to love it 😭
September 7, 2025
1 ⭐️ because I was literally confused the entire time. Still am not 100% sure what happened.
2 extra ⭐️’s because Warrick’s mouth is nasty and sarcastic and I like that.
2 extra ⭐️’s because Warrick’s mouth is nasty and sarcastic and I like that.
September 9, 2025
DNFed…had to
November 12, 2025
This one is hard to review. I liked the writing style but it was both too long and too short. For it being a standalone, it could have been whittled down at least 150 pages by cutting out the repetitive spicy scenes, cutting of the bond and hunts. It also could have been longer and made into a duet. That way more time could have been spent on the world building, its history, magic, volt/brass, the people, threads, how each territory works, why the one heir was brought up once and never mentioned again, how noone seems to die after being stabbed, crushed, dropped, or mangled (is that also magic?), why they seem to be in this super futuristic sci-fi world, yet everyone fights with swords and arrows (maybe this falls into the world building and theres actually a reason we dont know?) etc. As it stands, i read almost 700 pages and I am left still confused about the world. Which has nothing to do with the fact that its just book one of a series.
Im also not a fan of Rayze. She is meant to be this morally gray hero yet she has the emotional intelligence of a preteen. Her reactions to Warrick and how she lacked trust even after it was proven, how she enjoyed destroying his brain, the hunting and cutting the bond really made me dislike her. Maybe if it was explained better I wouldnt feel this way. Also, the book starts with her power being pleasure magic, yet after the first few chapters its not mentioned again. Instead it focuses entirely on lightening, the threads she can command and her arrows. Why bring it up and make it such a big deal if it wont be mentioned again or used in the story? As for Warrick, I loved his character. Obsessed, devoted, morally gray, determined, willing to drop to his knees for his woman... perfection. I actually really liked how he was written. I was annoyed about how he wanted to be her weapon, yet he felt his mind breaking and kept letting it happen. Those two cancel eachother out and made for a more confusing and convoluted storyline.
Overall, I didnt hate the book but I also feel like it could use alot more in terms of explaining everything so the reader isn't left scratching their head or racking their brains trying to remember things like "who is that person?" "Whats that city have?" "Who is this heir?" "What does that do?" Etc. I know there was a series before this i haven't read that was maybe in the same world, but even if thats the case and all my answers are in that series, it should still be explained here too. I honestly almost dnf'ed this book also few times.
Im also not a fan of Rayze. She is meant to be this morally gray hero yet she has the emotional intelligence of a preteen. Her reactions to Warrick and how she lacked trust even after it was proven, how she enjoyed destroying his brain, the hunting and cutting the bond really made me dislike her. Maybe if it was explained better I wouldnt feel this way. Also, the book starts with her power being pleasure magic, yet after the first few chapters its not mentioned again. Instead it focuses entirely on lightening, the threads she can command and her arrows. Why bring it up and make it such a big deal if it wont be mentioned again or used in the story? As for Warrick, I loved his character. Obsessed, devoted, morally gray, determined, willing to drop to his knees for his woman... perfection. I actually really liked how he was written. I was annoyed about how he wanted to be her weapon, yet he felt his mind breaking and kept letting it happen. Those two cancel eachother out and made for a more confusing and convoluted storyline.
Overall, I didnt hate the book but I also feel like it could use alot more in terms of explaining everything so the reader isn't left scratching their head or racking their brains trying to remember things like "who is that person?" "Whats that city have?" "Who is this heir?" "What does that do?" Etc. I know there was a series before this i haven't read that was maybe in the same world, but even if thats the case and all my answers are in that series, it should still be explained here too. I honestly almost dnf'ed this book also few times.
September 29, 2025
“You’re beautiful, Rayze Angeline,” I whisper. “I’m a fucking wreck near you.”
I really wanted to love this book. The teasers I saw on Instagram were amazing and had me so excited but unfortunately, that was about as good as it got.
Taken in small parts, the writing is great, and I genuinely enjoyed some moments. But as a whole, the book just didn’t work for me. It felt flat, repetitive, and I kept pushing myself just to finish.
The world-building was another struggle.
As for the characters, Rayze had her badass moments, but she frustrated me endlessly. The constant push-and-pull with Ivor was dragged out to the point of repetition. By the time her reasons were revealed, I understood them a little, but they still fell flat and honestly just annoyed me.
On the other hand, I did enjoy Ivor’s obsessive side but imo he deserved better. Rayze tortured and destroyed him, and while she said she was sorry, it never felt genuine. Claiming she did it all out of love didn’t ring true to me.
So yeah, it was a miss for me, and as it's my first book of this author i'm a bit mixed on wether i should read more of her book or not.
𐙚 Quotes
Warrick snatches my calf and drags me down. My knees hit stone, and I’m back where I started. Straddling him. His hands pin my hips. “You,” he whispers, voice cracking. “You. Are. Mine.”
I just feel that if a man is given a choice of fighting or watching an attractive woman fight for him—in her underwear on a beach—it would be a shame not to sit back and enjoy the show.
It occurs to me I’ve been a dick. Of course, she needs help. Of course, she can’t take out twelve men by herself. Then she launches from the sand with a war cry, and I stop, mesmerized. Of course, she’ll prove me wrong.
“Practical enough,” I grit out and nail my knee in his crotch. Warrick groans and rolls to the side. “Fuck, you know how to make a man fall in love.” “I know how to kill them, too,”
I really wanted to love this book. The teasers I saw on Instagram were amazing and had me so excited but unfortunately, that was about as good as it got.
Taken in small parts, the writing is great, and I genuinely enjoyed some moments. But as a whole, the book just didn’t work for me. It felt flat, repetitive, and I kept pushing myself just to finish.
The world-building was another struggle.
As for the characters, Rayze had her badass moments, but she frustrated me endlessly. The constant push-and-pull with Ivor was dragged out to the point of repetition. By the time her reasons were revealed, I understood them a little, but they still fell flat and honestly just annoyed me.
On the other hand, I did enjoy Ivor’s obsessive side but imo he deserved better. Rayze tortured and destroyed him, and while she said she was sorry, it never felt genuine. Claiming she did it all out of love didn’t ring true to me.
So yeah, it was a miss for me, and as it's my first book of this author i'm a bit mixed on wether i should read more of her book or not.
𐙚 Quotes
Warrick snatches my calf and drags me down. My knees hit stone, and I’m back where I started. Straddling him. His hands pin my hips. “You,” he whispers, voice cracking. “You. Are. Mine.”
I just feel that if a man is given a choice of fighting or watching an attractive woman fight for him—in her underwear on a beach—it would be a shame not to sit back and enjoy the show.
It occurs to me I’ve been a dick. Of course, she needs help. Of course, she can’t take out twelve men by herself. Then she launches from the sand with a war cry, and I stop, mesmerized. Of course, she’ll prove me wrong.
“Practical enough,” I grit out and nail my knee in his crotch. Warrick groans and rolls to the side. “Fuck, you know how to make a man fall in love.” “I know how to kill them, too,”
January 8, 2026
i’m struggling with what to rate this bc the idea is there but it’s a bit all over the place. the concept is good but i think with clearer writing and wayyy less pages it would’ve been better. it just got a bit repetitive and a little predictable. fmc and mmc i did enjoy but didn’t feel overly connected to so i also struggled there. not my favourite, you’re not missing out on anything if you chose not to read
Read
January 14, 2026No. This had to be a DNF because what are you doing throwing me into the action with 0 preface nor explanation. How are you gonna world build for 200 pages sloppily. HOW ARE YOU GONNA NOT EXPLAIN VOLT UNTIL 40% IN AND REFERENCE IT RELENTLESSLY PRIOR. Great- even phenomenal premise. Devastatingly bad follow through.
October 28, 2025
filth of course but made me cry !! deserves a mention most of my kindle books won’t get
January 19, 2026
This book had some really fucked moments. It was great. I got real mad at Rayze for a hot second because Warrick DID NOT deserve what she did to him. It ended well though so there's that. Definitely a bunch to resolve still though.
November 27, 2025
DNF at 24%. The book’s description had me excited, but once I started reading, I couldn’t find a reason to care about the characters or the plot. I even checked the cover multiple times because it felt like I’d jumped into the middle of a series. Maybe it gets better, but I wasn’t invested enough to continue. 😕
November 27, 2025
Convoluted world-building and a bit long and repetitive at parts. Overall an entertaining, albeit extremely dark, read
November 18, 2025
DNF @ 20%. i might give it another go at some point but like wtf is going on? it feels like the author just wanted to write a bunch of ‘badass’ fight scenes and smut and forgo the concept of a plot. the writing wasn’t atrocious, but it is pretty cringe at some points. also the magic system is so fucking confusing. we are given NOTHING when it comes to understanding how the magic works. i feel like at 20% in i should have a better grasp of the magic than i did. i get that magic was gone and now it’s back and shit but like how does she access it? what is the full range of capabilities she has, what are the limitations? she can do SO MUCH with her magic that it’s just so confusing. she can make portals and send her belongings to safety but she can’t transport herself? too many questions.
October 24, 2025
Absolutely wild start to a book by the way. I’ll admit I read this because I was influenced by a quote on TikTok but the way it was described and the way it was played out were two entirely different things and I don’t appreciate being misled like that. This book was entirely too long for what actually happened. The plot was minimal, the world building was terrible—I still didn’t know what was going on after almost 700 pages. It felt like the MMC had almost no substance. This is one I should’ve DNF’d but I was already too far in I had to see if it was redeemable. Spoiler alert: it was not.
October 25, 2025
Look, I could not keep an interest in this book for the life of me.
It was so bloody repetitive. 90% percent of this was the Main Characters having a chase scene and then having sex. Sure the settings and whatever variated (slightly) but even after the third time of that, you knew what was coming. No pun intended.
Anyway, 70% or something in and even the ‘action’ scene was super boring and predictable.
I just skipped to the end and even then was so bored that I breezed through most of it for the general gist of what happened.
Wasn’t worth the read really.
It was so bloody repetitive. 90% percent of this was the Main Characters having a chase scene and then having sex. Sure the settings and whatever variated (slightly) but even after the third time of that, you knew what was coming. No pun intended.
Anyway, 70% or something in and even the ‘action’ scene was super boring and predictable.
I just skipped to the end and even then was so bored that I breezed through most of it for the general gist of what happened.
Wasn’t worth the read really.
Read
September 13, 2025Dnf at 50%
While I liked the premise of Enemies to lovers bonded soulmates and the angst was top tier…..the politics and general storyline were complicated and I was getting too confused
While I liked the premise of Enemies to lovers bonded soulmates and the angst was top tier…..the politics and general storyline were complicated and I was getting too confused
September 8, 2025
To love her? To let myself break apart and become something less empty—a vessel for her to fill with her hatred? I accept the challenge.
♾️💫 incredible. Honestly the banter and the female rage rep alone makes this worth it, but the writing was also so good. I’m trying to get my thoughts together but this was…amazing. The world, the characters, the twists. I almost didn’t pick this up because of the other reviews, but it was in kindle unlimited so I figured maybe as well give it a try. I’m glad I did.
The World:
I went in blind, so there were some things that left me curious. I didn’t find it confusing, but I did read reviews before going in so maybe I didn’t because I went in making sure I paid attention. Stuff like Volt was explained on page one, so I was a little surprised by some of the other reviews. I don’t like muddy worlds, and I thought this was clear BUT it does move super fast. Like so fast. I think the pacing works well because of the plot, and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. But I personally feel like that’s where the confusing world take is coming from because if you don’t pay attention when world lore is dropped then it will speed by. The writing states things bluntly and then it will have a few reminders here and there or it will show how things work instead of tell you out right. I personally prefer that over being spoon fed but I also read a lot of fantasy. So is it a hard read? If you don’t read action novels or more high fantasy, you might struggle a little bit??? But I thought it was well done.
I really loved the different cities. Each one is so unique and knowing now that this is a series of standalone does have me sooooo curious as to how each will play out. This book focused on Synlon/Warrick’s city which is a city for the ‘skin’ trade or human trafficking (check your TW). There are missions that take place where the group goes to the other cities and it seems like each one has its own ecosystem which is really cool. Even though these are standalones, this still felt like a starter book where you get like the edge of everything but not the whole. I’m excited for book two.
The Plot/Romance:
The politics between the different cities was very cool. Loved how everything seemed to have high stakes that drove the fight scenes and the action. These were some of the best fight scenes I’ve read in a book. I felt like I could see them in my head playing out. There’s a lot of times that fight scenes get kinda repetitive and boring, but that was not the case with these. Each one served a purpose for either one of the characters or to world build, which was a unique way to world build in my opinion.
This book was pretty spicy. I don’t read a ton of spice, so it did take me a little by surprise, but I found myself as into the spice as I was the fight scenes. The way the writing was like the spice scenes were battles to was really really cool. Like it kinda changed my mind a little bit about never reading spice. If there was more spice written like this, then I’d probably really enjoy it.
The romance overall was toxic and highly entertaining. It’s a very complex relationship with a fated mate situation but Rayze can memory wipe. Again, based on other reviews, I thought I’d hate this, but it was so solid. I loved how the story was kinda broken up into little fragments during their relationship phase of the story. With all the foreshadowing with broken mirrors and how they’re literally called shard daughters I thought the way the author did that was clever. You get the most spice during that phase on the book (I believe it was part 3) and you also get to see the shard daughters together more which I really loved. I hope the next book has more fight scenes and backstory about the daughters.
There was no cliffhanger, which I loved, but there’s still questions.
Overall:
This was unlike anything I’ve read, but I do think if you read a lot of romantasy that you need to go into this with an open mind. It has tropes and things that feel like typical romantasy, but the pacing, the spice, the world and the plot are very different from what’s trending or popular. I didn’t use it, but there is a guide at the front of the book for some world stuff. This was one of those books where everything builds and everything affects everything else. It won’t be for everyone, which is why I wouldn’t say this is a general adult audience read. But I do think it deserves more hype. I really loved it! I’ve already preordered the next book💫⚡️✨
♾️💫 incredible. Honestly the banter and the female rage rep alone makes this worth it, but the writing was also so good. I’m trying to get my thoughts together but this was…amazing. The world, the characters, the twists. I almost didn’t pick this up because of the other reviews, but it was in kindle unlimited so I figured maybe as well give it a try. I’m glad I did.
The World:
I went in blind, so there were some things that left me curious. I didn’t find it confusing, but I did read reviews before going in so maybe I didn’t because I went in making sure I paid attention. Stuff like Volt was explained on page one, so I was a little surprised by some of the other reviews. I don’t like muddy worlds, and I thought this was clear BUT it does move super fast. Like so fast. I think the pacing works well because of the plot, and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. But I personally feel like that’s where the confusing world take is coming from because if you don’t pay attention when world lore is dropped then it will speed by. The writing states things bluntly and then it will have a few reminders here and there or it will show how things work instead of tell you out right. I personally prefer that over being spoon fed but I also read a lot of fantasy. So is it a hard read? If you don’t read action novels or more high fantasy, you might struggle a little bit??? But I thought it was well done.
I really loved the different cities. Each one is so unique and knowing now that this is a series of standalone does have me sooooo curious as to how each will play out. This book focused on Synlon/Warrick’s city which is a city for the ‘skin’ trade or human trafficking (check your TW). There are missions that take place where the group goes to the other cities and it seems like each one has its own ecosystem which is really cool. Even though these are standalones, this still felt like a starter book where you get like the edge of everything but not the whole. I’m excited for book two.
The Plot/Romance:
The politics between the different cities was very cool. Loved how everything seemed to have high stakes that drove the fight scenes and the action. These were some of the best fight scenes I’ve read in a book. I felt like I could see them in my head playing out. There’s a lot of times that fight scenes get kinda repetitive and boring, but that was not the case with these. Each one served a purpose for either one of the characters or to world build, which was a unique way to world build in my opinion.
This book was pretty spicy. I don’t read a ton of spice, so it did take me a little by surprise, but I found myself as into the spice as I was the fight scenes. The way the writing was like the spice scenes were battles to was really really cool. Like it kinda changed my mind a little bit about never reading spice. If there was more spice written like this, then I’d probably really enjoy it.
The romance overall was toxic and highly entertaining. It’s a very complex relationship with a fated mate situation but Rayze can memory wipe. Again, based on other reviews, I thought I’d hate this, but it was so solid. I loved how the story was kinda broken up into little fragments during their relationship phase of the story. With all the foreshadowing with broken mirrors and how they’re literally called shard daughters I thought the way the author did that was clever. You get the most spice during that phase on the book (I believe it was part 3) and you also get to see the shard daughters together more which I really loved. I hope the next book has more fight scenes and backstory about the daughters.
There was no cliffhanger, which I loved, but there’s still questions.
Overall:
This was unlike anything I’ve read, but I do think if you read a lot of romantasy that you need to go into this with an open mind. It has tropes and things that feel like typical romantasy, but the pacing, the spice, the world and the plot are very different from what’s trending or popular. I didn’t use it, but there is a guide at the front of the book for some world stuff. This was one of those books where everything builds and everything affects everything else. It won’t be for everyone, which is why I wouldn’t say this is a general adult audience read. But I do think it deserves more hype. I really loved it! I’ve already preordered the next book💫⚡️✨
September 27, 2025
Wow. Just f*cking WOW
I’ve seen some mixed reviews and honestly, I’m wondering if we all read the same book because The Shard and the Serpent was EVERYTHING 😭
Rayze Angeline, the Angel of Sin, is an assassin and a Shard Daughter with fate blessed magic, and one goal. Kill the Serpent, take down his bossdom and exact revenge on the Serpent heir Warrick Ivor. But plot twisttttttt, they’re bound to each other. As in fated bloody mates 😍
I’m not gonna lie, the beginning threw me. There's heavy world building and no hand holding. This book would really benefit from a map and a glossary! But once I got into it? I was LOCKED THE F*CK IN. It became second nature and the world unfolded like a cyberpunk fever dream. The vibes gave Aeon Flux, Ultraviolet, Kate, Neon Assassins, John Wick and Bladerunner, and it was done so well!! With a criminal underworld in cities that trade in Skin aka human trafficking and human experiments
The magic system is wildly unique in an extremely captivating way and every single plot twist was a sucker punch to the gut. Around 60%, I thought surely this is the end of the book and there’s nothing more to give but boy was I wrong! It gave and gave and gaveeeeee. I was gobbed with emotions flittering all over the place
There is quite a bit of spice early on, but keep going, the emotional weight hits HARD. The emotions that I felt reading this book were unmatched. As the story unfolds, you learn the history and the truth about our FMC. Rayze Angeline is a broken, powerful, rage filled, suffering, deadly woman. She’s been through hell and back and is still standing. A true force of nature. Her pain is visceral, her rage addictive and her strength unmatched
& Warrick Ivor??? That man is the morally black MMC of dreams. Brutal and vicious, with a golden retriever energy only for Rayze. He’s a weapon for her to wield and her match in every way that matters, even when she was literally stabbing him or running away from him 😂
Also, do not get me started on Sonya and Aleksi aka Fangs and Red? The beautiful found family that Rayze and Warrick needed
I can’t wait to see how everything unfolds in the next book and be reunited with Rayze, Warrick, Sonya and Aleksi
Check your triggers! There are a lot of dark themes and this book is extremely bloody and gory and touches on topics of sexual abuse, violence, sex trade, human trafficking and drugs
5 bloody stars!! Every single one earned 😍
I’ve seen some mixed reviews and honestly, I’m wondering if we all read the same book because The Shard and the Serpent was EVERYTHING 😭
Rayze Angeline, the Angel of Sin, is an assassin and a Shard Daughter with fate blessed magic, and one goal. Kill the Serpent, take down his bossdom and exact revenge on the Serpent heir Warrick Ivor. But plot twisttttttt, they’re bound to each other. As in fated bloody mates 😍
I’m not gonna lie, the beginning threw me. There's heavy world building and no hand holding. This book would really benefit from a map and a glossary! But once I got into it? I was LOCKED THE F*CK IN. It became second nature and the world unfolded like a cyberpunk fever dream. The vibes gave Aeon Flux, Ultraviolet, Kate, Neon Assassins, John Wick and Bladerunner, and it was done so well!! With a criminal underworld in cities that trade in Skin aka human trafficking and human experiments
The magic system is wildly unique in an extremely captivating way and every single plot twist was a sucker punch to the gut. Around 60%, I thought surely this is the end of the book and there’s nothing more to give but boy was I wrong! It gave and gave and gaveeeeee. I was gobbed with emotions flittering all over the place
There is quite a bit of spice early on, but keep going, the emotional weight hits HARD. The emotions that I felt reading this book were unmatched. As the story unfolds, you learn the history and the truth about our FMC. Rayze Angeline is a broken, powerful, rage filled, suffering, deadly woman. She’s been through hell and back and is still standing. A true force of nature. Her pain is visceral, her rage addictive and her strength unmatched
& Warrick Ivor??? That man is the morally black MMC of dreams. Brutal and vicious, with a golden retriever energy only for Rayze. He’s a weapon for her to wield and her match in every way that matters, even when she was literally stabbing him or running away from him 😂
Also, do not get me started on Sonya and Aleksi aka Fangs and Red? The beautiful found family that Rayze and Warrick needed
I can’t wait to see how everything unfolds in the next book and be reunited with Rayze, Warrick, Sonya and Aleksi
Check your triggers! There are a lot of dark themes and this book is extremely bloody and gory and touches on topics of sexual abuse, violence, sex trade, human trafficking and drugs
5 bloody stars!! Every single one earned 😍
November 4, 2025
▸Dark romantasy
▸Scifi x fantasy x romance
▸Enemies to lovers
▸Fated bonds
▸Feminine rage
▸Assassin FMC with superpower
▸Obsessed MMC
▸Unhinged yearning
▸Memory manipulations
▸Hunting her, chaining her, loving her
▸Severed body parts as gifts
▸Lightning powered cities ruled by crime
▸Hard earned HEA
▸Political intrigue
▸Dark world, tragic backstories
▸Standalone
▸Dual POV
♥️♥️Thanks to Jinapher J. Hoffman for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own♥️♥️
it's a little bit hard for me, the worldbuilding here is unique but confusing me. maybe there are prequel books that have to be read to make it easier reading this book? and I think I'm lost at these parts: at the beginning of the story, our FMC, Rayze, and her friends–the Shard Daughters attacked the Heirs when they doing 'The Bid' they tried to kill the leader of the Serpent, but then it seemed like they spared him? why?? and it wasn't just one time they spared their enemies, but maybe I'm just lost or misread, I don't know, maybe I should reread this book and pay more attention while reading it before continuing to book two, so I can understand it more deeply.
I enjoyed the premise of this book. the storyline is also tense from the beginning of the book, action-packed and fast paced. even though it was confusing...the plot keeps jumping around...I'm intrigued. the chemistry between the main characters is also good, but the push and pull between them frustrates me. Rayze is somehow, annoying for me. I think she's just being mean to Ivor. #JusticeForIvor !!
This book tells the story of Rayze, a skilled archer who wields magic that can erase/manipulate other people's memories, versus her fated mate–Warrick Ivor, the prince of the city's ruling clan, the Serpent, who turns out to have his own magic. with all political intrigue around them.
▸Scifi x fantasy x romance
▸Enemies to lovers
▸Fated bonds
▸Feminine rage
▸Assassin FMC with superpower
▸Obsessed MMC
▸Unhinged yearning
▸Memory manipulations
▸Hunting her, chaining her, loving her
▸Severed body parts as gifts
▸Lightning powered cities ruled by crime
▸Hard earned HEA
▸Political intrigue
▸Dark world, tragic backstories
▸Standalone
▸Dual POV
♥️♥️Thanks to Jinapher J. Hoffman for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own♥️♥️
Warrick snatches my calf and drags me down.
My knees hit stone, and I’m back where I started. Straddling him. His hands pin my hips.
“You,” he whispers, voice cracking. “You. Are. Mine.”
it's a little bit hard for me, the worldbuilding here is unique but confusing me. maybe there are prequel books that have to be read to make it easier reading this book? and I think I'm lost at these parts: at the beginning of the story, our FMC, Rayze, and her friends–the Shard Daughters attacked the Heirs when they doing 'The Bid' they tried to kill the leader of the Serpent, but then it seemed like they spared him? why?? and it wasn't just one time they spared their enemies, but maybe I'm just lost or misread, I don't know, maybe I should reread this book and pay more attention while reading it before continuing to book two, so I can understand it more deeply.
I enjoyed the premise of this book. the storyline is also tense from the beginning of the book, action-packed and fast paced. even though it was confusing...the plot keeps jumping around...I'm intrigued. the chemistry between the main characters is also good, but the push and pull between them frustrates me. Rayze is somehow, annoying for me. I think she's just being mean to Ivor. #JusticeForIvor !!
“Practical enough,” I grit out and nail my knee in his crotch.
Warrick groans and rolls to the side. “Fuck, you know how to make a man fall in love.”
“I know how to kill them, too,” I spit and hobble to my feet
This book tells the story of Rayze, a skilled archer who wields magic that can erase/manipulate other people's memories, versus her fated mate–Warrick Ivor, the prince of the city's ruling clan, the Serpent, who turns out to have his own magic. with all political intrigue around them.
August 7, 2025
4.25 ⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
To write a review of a book as complex as this one is honestly my worst bookish nightmare. Because I'm a vibes reviewer and the vibes here were ALL over the fucking place. Like holy shit, I felt uneasy for like 85% of this book, from start to finish, I was waiting for some other shoe to drop. The author did an amazing job of keeping us on our toes. You are also thrown face first into the world, so if this is your first Jinapher book (which it was for me), this can be a bit daunting and confusing. But I just let myself discover things along the way and I feel like that was a good attitude to read this book with.
Now, the MC's. Holy. Fucking. Shit. I think these were some of the most complicated, sometimes toxic AF characters I've ever read. Rayze is manipulative, angry, scared and hellbent on revenge. Warrick is... Well, a simp. He's (in the beginning) just happy to be there in her presence and worships the ground she walks on. But along the way, his mind gets a little away from him (you know, because of the constant meddling by Rayze). He's chaotic, wild, a product of his upbringing, but also genuinely trying to be and do better. And despite everything, he always finds (more like claws) his way back to Rayze.
Things I am unsure of: somewhere around 60% there's the introduction of a new evil but after is never mentioned again. I know it's a smoking gun for the next book, but maaaaybe a few little hints at the end would not have been bad. Also, Warrick's powers. But again, probably just things we'll find out in the next book.
The ending for me was a little sudden and a lot has not been resolved yet between the MC's.
The writing style takes some getting used to. It did feel appropriate within the story, because it's chaos.
This is a dark dystopian fantasy, so mind your triggers! Sex (a loooott), violence, gore, and depictions of (C)SA and forced prostitution are some of the big ones.
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
To write a review of a book as complex as this one is honestly my worst bookish nightmare. Because I'm a vibes reviewer and the vibes here were ALL over the fucking place. Like holy shit, I felt uneasy for like 85% of this book, from start to finish, I was waiting for some other shoe to drop. The author did an amazing job of keeping us on our toes. You are also thrown face first into the world, so if this is your first Jinapher book (which it was for me), this can be a bit daunting and confusing. But I just let myself discover things along the way and I feel like that was a good attitude to read this book with.
Now, the MC's. Holy. Fucking. Shit. I think these were some of the most complicated, sometimes toxic AF characters I've ever read. Rayze is manipulative, angry, scared and hellbent on revenge. Warrick is... Well, a simp. He's (in the beginning) just happy to be there in her presence and worships the ground she walks on. But along the way, his mind gets a little away from him (you know, because of the constant meddling by Rayze). He's chaotic, wild, a product of his upbringing, but also genuinely trying to be and do better. And despite everything, he always finds (more like claws) his way back to Rayze.
Things I am unsure of: somewhere around 60% there's the introduction of a new evil but after is never mentioned again. I know it's a smoking gun for the next book, but maaaaybe a few little hints at the end would not have been bad. Also, Warrick's powers. But again, probably just things we'll find out in the next book.
The ending for me was a little sudden and a lot has not been resolved yet between the MC's.
The writing style takes some getting used to. It did feel appropriate within the story, because it's chaos.
This is a dark dystopian fantasy, so mind your triggers! Sex (a loooott), violence, gore, and depictions of (C)SA and forced prostitution are some of the big ones.
August 28, 2025
okay… so much like this book, my review might be all over the place.
here’s what i loved:
the banter between mcs was fun
the plot was interesting
the romance was angsty and the spice was good
now here’s why it wasn’t a five star read for me:
it took a while before the world building made any sense and then halfway through the book random pieces were added in or different. i think too much information was thrown out at once and then more names and places were added but without good explanations imo.
i think this could’ve been split into two books easily and felt like much better pacing.
the couple actually just being “happy” or officially together took way too long, the memory plot was super cool to me at first but then just got dragged out a bit (which again i think could’ve felt paced better if it was split into two books).
i also couldn’t tell you my spice ranking on this because im pretty sure they had sex like three times but talked about it one thousand three hundred and forty two million times.
overall, i think it had great moments, an interesting plot, and enjoyable characters! but it felt like an author’s first book, simply because the pacing was off and the world building rocky.
spoilers portion below!!!!!!!
now here’s some specifics…
wtf was up with volt, it was mentioned throughout the book and i figured it was just like a random drug like weed or whatever but then all the sudden that shit is like spice in dune. literally, blue eyes and everything. how that suddenly had to do with the magic system, i do not know. and to make it worse, then brass pops out of nowhere to counter volt but again wtf why is this important on page 500??? also, i could not for the life of me figure out a map of these locations or understand really any of the layout. and again, the magic system? all over the place. i also think the government made no sense 90% of the time but whatever. 🤷♀️
here’s what i loved:
the banter between mcs was fun
the plot was interesting
the romance was angsty and the spice was good
now here’s why it wasn’t a five star read for me:
it took a while before the world building made any sense and then halfway through the book random pieces were added in or different. i think too much information was thrown out at once and then more names and places were added but without good explanations imo.
i think this could’ve been split into two books easily and felt like much better pacing.
the couple actually just being “happy” or officially together took way too long, the memory plot was super cool to me at first but then just got dragged out a bit (which again i think could’ve felt paced better if it was split into two books).
i also couldn’t tell you my spice ranking on this because im pretty sure they had sex like three times but talked about it one thousand three hundred and forty two million times.
overall, i think it had great moments, an interesting plot, and enjoyable characters! but it felt like an author’s first book, simply because the pacing was off and the world building rocky.
spoilers portion below!!!!!!!
now here’s some specifics…
wtf was up with volt, it was mentioned throughout the book and i figured it was just like a random drug like weed or whatever but then all the sudden that shit is like spice in dune. literally, blue eyes and everything. how that suddenly had to do with the magic system, i do not know. and to make it worse, then brass pops out of nowhere to counter volt but again wtf why is this important on page 500??? also, i could not for the life of me figure out a map of these locations or understand really any of the layout. and again, the magic system? all over the place. i also think the government made no sense 90% of the time but whatever. 🤷♀️
September 16, 2025
I don’t even know where to start with this book, except to say that I am emotionally wrecked and absolutely obsessed. The Shard & The Serpent is, without question, one of the darkest, most twisted, and heart-wrenching stories I’ve read in a long time.
From the very first page, the atmosphere grips you and doesn’t let go. This isn’t a story that flirts with darkness; it plunges you headfirst into it. The writing is sharp and deliberate, weaving pain, rage, and desperation into every chapter. It feels raw and brutal, but also so achingly beautiful that you can’t look away.
Rayze and Warrick’s story is not a simple romance. It’s jagged, cruel, and often devastating. Even when you think you’ve got it figured out, you’ll soon get torn apart again. Their connection is laced with hate as much as love, and the push and pull between them is nothing short of intoxicating. For so much of the book, I honestly didn’t think a happy ending was even possible. Rayze’s internal war and the damage she inflicts on Warrick had me crying and holding my breath, waiting to see if they’d ever be able to claw their way back to each other.
It’s not an easy read.. it will shred you, it will frustrate you, it will break your heart, but that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable. The intricacy of the plot, the emotional depth, and the sheer ferocity of these characters left me absolutely reeling.
I need the next book immediately.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
From the very first page, the atmosphere grips you and doesn’t let go. This isn’t a story that flirts with darkness; it plunges you headfirst into it. The writing is sharp and deliberate, weaving pain, rage, and desperation into every chapter. It feels raw and brutal, but also so achingly beautiful that you can’t look away.
Rayze and Warrick’s story is not a simple romance. It’s jagged, cruel, and often devastating. Even when you think you’ve got it figured out, you’ll soon get torn apart again. Their connection is laced with hate as much as love, and the push and pull between them is nothing short of intoxicating. For so much of the book, I honestly didn’t think a happy ending was even possible. Rayze’s internal war and the damage she inflicts on Warrick had me crying and holding my breath, waiting to see if they’d ever be able to claw their way back to each other.
It’s not an easy read.. it will shred you, it will frustrate you, it will break your heart, but that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable. The intricacy of the plot, the emotional depth, and the sheer ferocity of these characters left me absolutely reeling.
I need the next book immediately.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 28, 2025
“You’re not picturing it,” Warrick argues
“Have no fear,” he announces, “Red, Fangs, Angel, and D!ck are here.” They burst into laughter. 🤭
The ultimate game of cat & mouse.
This book had my heart beating outrageously from the action, eyes leaking from the devotion and pain, and of course the laughs that came with the banter and amazing kinship within our characters.
While reading this I definitely felt like it could be an anime/cartoon bc of the amount of action and the world. I just see it so bright with the colorful neon and insane fight scenes as I would while watching an anime with tons of action.
I love the dystopian feel to the world, and the magic that is hidden from most. It is a dark, very dark dystopian world where the trade of sk!n is one of the largest commodities and the one place you do not ever want end up. Rayze knows, and her story is gut wrenching. But her vengeance? Oh her vengeance is so sweet.
But this bond? It was something she never expected.
I will say it took till about part 2 (13 chapters) for it to really hook me. But there was something about the vibes that kept me going. And I’m so glad I did!!
Now knowing this story is part of a multiverse created by the wonderful Jinapher, I’m definitely going to go back and read the rest!
Thank you Jinapher for my eARC 🫶🏼
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
“Have no fear,” he announces, “Red, Fangs, Angel, and D!ck are here.” They burst into laughter. 🤭
The ultimate game of cat & mouse.
This book had my heart beating outrageously from the action, eyes leaking from the devotion and pain, and of course the laughs that came with the banter and amazing kinship within our characters.
While reading this I definitely felt like it could be an anime/cartoon bc of the amount of action and the world. I just see it so bright with the colorful neon and insane fight scenes as I would while watching an anime with tons of action.
I love the dystopian feel to the world, and the magic that is hidden from most. It is a dark, very dark dystopian world where the trade of sk!n is one of the largest commodities and the one place you do not ever want end up. Rayze knows, and her story is gut wrenching. But her vengeance? Oh her vengeance is so sweet.
But this bond? It was something she never expected.
I will say it took till about part 2 (13 chapters) for it to really hook me. But there was something about the vibes that kept me going. And I’m so glad I did!!
Now knowing this story is part of a multiverse created by the wonderful Jinapher, I’m definitely going to go back and read the rest!
Thank you Jinapher for my eARC 🫶🏼
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 24, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ // "Pitch-black love in a brutal world"
The Shard and the Serpent is a dark, gritty ride through the brutal world of Wrathos in this interconnected standalone. This story follows Rayze Angeline—a Shard Daughter rescued by fate and thrust into a deadly game to take down the warring bosses of the realm and Warrick Ivor the Heir to the Serpent and the one man she should never want.
This book is a wild blend of dark urban fantasy, romantasy, and splatterpunk. The love-hate dynamic between Rayze and Warrick is intense and addictive - Combined with the grittiness of the book and the violence of the world of Wrathos I was on the edge of my seat and biting my nails the whole time, wondering how they'd survive each brutal twist—and if their love would survive with them.
⚠️ Major trigger warnings—this book does not hold back. Be sure to check the list before diving in.
But if you're into morally gray (okay, pitch-black) characters who will do anything to get what they want, found family, vengeance, magic, and hard-won happy endings—this one’s for you.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Shard and the Serpent is a dark, gritty ride through the brutal world of Wrathos in this interconnected standalone. This story follows Rayze Angeline—a Shard Daughter rescued by fate and thrust into a deadly game to take down the warring bosses of the realm and Warrick Ivor the Heir to the Serpent and the one man she should never want.
This book is a wild blend of dark urban fantasy, romantasy, and splatterpunk. The love-hate dynamic between Rayze and Warrick is intense and addictive - Combined with the grittiness of the book and the violence of the world of Wrathos I was on the edge of my seat and biting my nails the whole time, wondering how they'd survive each brutal twist—and if their love would survive with them.
⚠️ Major trigger warnings—this book does not hold back. Be sure to check the list before diving in.
But if you're into morally gray (okay, pitch-black) characters who will do anything to get what they want, found family, vengeance, magic, and hard-won happy endings—this one’s for you.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 26, 2025
“I see your blood, and when the time comes, I’ll match it with my own. Our bodies are weapons. Our pain is our power. Our hearts are our greatness.”
.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️|🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
.
Rayze Angeline, the woman you are. She is the definition of finding beauty in the broken glass. Rayze is a weapon, honed through years of pain and suffering, made to annihilated those who have wronged her. She is darkness and light, madness and sanity, a beautiful messy woman with so many secrets it’ll drive anyone insane. And it does.
Warrick Ivor had me on my knees, in a chokehold, holding back sobs of laughter while wishing any man would think or say half the things he does about Rayze. A dirty mind, a ruinous devotion, a king hiding in the shadows waiting for his moment to take his empire.
There were some moments I had a hard time following what was happening, and then about 70% through the book, I realized that that was completely by the author’s design. I am usually a master at guessing plot twists, but damn I was left mouth agape and putting pieces together that I hadn’t even realized were broken.
Such a good book, incredible ending, great characters. I can’t wait for more!
.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️|🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
.
Rayze Angeline, the woman you are. She is the definition of finding beauty in the broken glass. Rayze is a weapon, honed through years of pain and suffering, made to annihilated those who have wronged her. She is darkness and light, madness and sanity, a beautiful messy woman with so many secrets it’ll drive anyone insane. And it does.
Warrick Ivor had me on my knees, in a chokehold, holding back sobs of laughter while wishing any man would think or say half the things he does about Rayze. A dirty mind, a ruinous devotion, a king hiding in the shadows waiting for his moment to take his empire.
There were some moments I had a hard time following what was happening, and then about 70% through the book, I realized that that was completely by the author’s design. I am usually a master at guessing plot twists, but damn I was left mouth agape and putting pieces together that I hadn’t even realized were broken.
Such a good book, incredible ending, great characters. I can’t wait for more!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews