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A Bargain with the Shadow Queen: A Dark Sapphic Retelling of the Classic Beauty & the Beast
Ameri Morrel has had bad days. But being thrust into a realm of shadows, one she never even knew existed? That was a new low.
Now she has to find her way back home. Back to her life dodging pretentious male suitors and wearing tight little corsets. That's what she wants. The world of shadows is too different, too weird. The women wear slacks, for gods' sake.
Luck sends her right into the lap of the realm's queen: a towering, vicious woman who looks more like a soldier than a ruler. A woman whose dark eyes watch her like she's something to eat. Unfortunately for Ameri, a bargain with the broody, shadow-wielding demon might be her only way out.
Renna had just about given up trying to break the curse. So when a cute little human with angry hazel eyes shows up, smelling deliciously like cherries and demanding her help, she's completely disarmed. Disarmed and enthralled. There's no way for the little human to get back home. But Renna just can't resist. A promise to help the woman find a way, in exchange for a little taste...
Except, once she has a taste, she's not sure she can let her go.
This novella is complete with a HEA. It is the first in a series of standalones and is told in first-person alternating POVs. Trigger Warnings include sexual content, death, and violence. Details inside.
Now she has to find her way back home. Back to her life dodging pretentious male suitors and wearing tight little corsets. That's what she wants. The world of shadows is too different, too weird. The women wear slacks, for gods' sake.
Luck sends her right into the lap of the realm's queen: a towering, vicious woman who looks more like a soldier than a ruler. A woman whose dark eyes watch her like she's something to eat. Unfortunately for Ameri, a bargain with the broody, shadow-wielding demon might be her only way out.
Renna had just about given up trying to break the curse. So when a cute little human with angry hazel eyes shows up, smelling deliciously like cherries and demanding her help, she's completely disarmed. Disarmed and enthralled. There's no way for the little human to get back home. But Renna just can't resist. A promise to help the woman find a way, in exchange for a little taste...
Except, once she has a taste, she's not sure she can let her go.
This novella is complete with a HEA. It is the first in a series of standalones and is told in first-person alternating POVs. Trigger Warnings include sexual content, death, and violence. Details inside.
247 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2024
24 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 19, 2024
4 stars. This was fun! And really, really steamy. I liked the characters and the world building was intriguing. However, the romance between Renna and Ameri felt a bit…off. They jump into sex immediately and there was no build up. I wanted more moments of them just being together and not just sex. I feel like they lacked chemistry so when we got to the ‘I love you’ between them I just wasn’t buying it unfortunately.
Both characters are bad ass and head strong women and the sex scenes were great but I just wanted a bit more to the relationship. I did however like the writing style, the plot, and the world building was great. I also think that the author did a nice job giving Beauty & the Beast a new twist and I like what she did with the story and how fresh and different it felt. Overall, this was still great and I will definitely read book two when it comes out.
Both characters are bad ass and head strong women and the sex scenes were great but I just wanted a bit more to the relationship. I did however like the writing style, the plot, and the world building was great. I also think that the author did a nice job giving Beauty & the Beast a new twist and I like what she did with the story and how fresh and different it felt. Overall, this was still great and I will definitely read book two when it comes out.
January 29, 2025
I really wish authors would take the time building a connection between the characters before jumping straight into dubious consent (at best).
September 27, 2024
loved loved loved
Im surprised at how much I loved this book. It was sweet and passionate but also intriguing and layered. I love that Ameri had a voice and used it. I can’t wait for more from this author!
Im surprised at how much I loved this book. It was sweet and passionate but also intriguing and layered. I love that Ameri had a voice and used it. I can’t wait for more from this author!
October 16, 2024
I loved this book. The characters were interesting, the plot engaging, and the spice was plentiful and varied. If you like vampires, women with swords, and the Touch Her and Die trope then you should definitely read this.
January 20, 2025
This was a fun, dark fantasy romance. It had an interesting twist on demons that I enjoyed. They were like a mix of demons and vampires, but it worked well. I loved all the characters, including Deven and Ceri. Didn't get to see much of Lilith, but I assume we'll see more of her as well as the other two in the next book based on the author note at the end of this book.
The romance between Ameri and Renna was extra spicy. I'm not sure I enjoyed how much voyeurism was involved considering it was a mono romance. If it had been more poly or open it would have been different I think. There is chemistry between Ameri and Renna from the moment they see each other, and if anything it only gets hotter as they spend time together and get to know each other. And as physical as it was, I didn't feel like the emotional development was neglected either.
There is no third act breakup. There is a small part of the book where the MCs are seperated, but it is brief and full of action that speeds up the reading. I didn't expect the ending of the curse to work out the way that it did, but it kind of works especially if the next book is what I think it is. So looking forward to that.
The romance between Ameri and Renna was extra spicy. I'm not sure I enjoyed how much voyeurism was involved considering it was a mono romance. If it had been more poly or open it would have been different I think. There is chemistry between Ameri and Renna from the moment they see each other, and if anything it only gets hotter as they spend time together and get to know each other. And as physical as it was, I didn't feel like the emotional development was neglected either.
There is no third act breakup. There is a small part of the book where the MCs are seperated, but it is brief and full of action that speeds up the reading. I didn't expect the ending of the curse to work out the way that it did, but it kind of works especially if the next book is what I think it is. So looking forward to that.
November 3, 2024
Enthralling Sapphic Romantasy
When Ameri suddenly gets swept from her privileged but restrictive life into the Shadow Realm, she’s enthralled by the magical world with its warrior demon women ruled by the alluring Queen Renna, even as she seeks to find a way home. But the path to freedom turns out to be just as complicated as her growing feelings for the Shadow Queen.
A Bargain with the Shadow Queen has an appealing blend of adventure, world-building, romance, and spice. Ameri and Renna are both interesting and engaging characters on their own, and the author does an excellent job of developing their physical and emotional chemistry as a couple. The romance keeps the pages turning as does the intrigue and danger that wait around every corner of the darkly beautiful Shadow Realm.
Fans of sapphic romantasy with gutsy women and powerful Amazonian queens will love A Bargain with the Shadow Queen.
When Ameri suddenly gets swept from her privileged but restrictive life into the Shadow Realm, she’s enthralled by the magical world with its warrior demon women ruled by the alluring Queen Renna, even as she seeks to find a way home. But the path to freedom turns out to be just as complicated as her growing feelings for the Shadow Queen.
A Bargain with the Shadow Queen has an appealing blend of adventure, world-building, romance, and spice. Ameri and Renna are both interesting and engaging characters on their own, and the author does an excellent job of developing their physical and emotional chemistry as a couple. The romance keeps the pages turning as does the intrigue and danger that wait around every corner of the darkly beautiful Shadow Realm.
Fans of sapphic romantasy with gutsy women and powerful Amazonian queens will love A Bargain with the Shadow Queen.
January 22, 2025
I want there to be at least 10 of these books in the series. Those MCs. I’m dead. Drooling and dead. Mother of all that is holy, a hungry demon has a human fall through the shadows into her lap and just queue my murmuring sapphic heartbeat. Those steamy scenes?? Just, pace thyself. Do not read in public. The chemistry? You can smell it, bunson burners set to full tilt boogie!
When the next book is released I’ll be rereading this one to enjoy the hours of deliciousness before adventuring into the next fray! I’m sooooo excited!
When the next book is released I’ll be rereading this one to enjoy the hours of deliciousness before adventuring into the next fray! I’m sooooo excited!
October 21, 2024
Hot sapphic demons - sign me up for more!
This was a great dark & spicy sapphic romp through the Shadow Realm. I’d choose to spend forever surrounded by these kinky tattooed demon warriors over the real world any day! Kudos to the author for some really efficient world-building in a 200-page story. Definitely looking forward to the next one in the series!
This was a great dark & spicy sapphic romp through the Shadow Realm. I’d choose to spend forever surrounded by these kinky tattooed demon warriors over the real world any day! Kudos to the author for some really efficient world-building in a 200-page story. Definitely looking forward to the next one in the series!
October 18, 2025
I really enjoyed this, fated mates is growing on me and I love a good Shadow Mommy (Daddy? 🤭) if I had a complaint it was towards the end felt like things were left unfinished with Dev and Lilith, so I was delighted to see the story will continue and they will get their own story in their own book so I look forward to that
November 9, 2024
It gave me everything i wanted 😍😍
January 2, 2025
Found a new author to follow. This book was really good. Well written. Great story. I feel like there’s a lot more to come in this series.
Plot 5/5
Spice 4/5
Plot 5/5
Spice 4/5
dnf
June 2, 2025No connection
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews