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Of Shadow and Moon
I was murdered.
I sit up abruptly, the movement making my head spin. I’m on a hard slab in a dimly lit room, rows of bodies covered with white sheets surrounding me.
A morgue.
What the f—?
In the divided realm of Tonalli, where five kingdoms cling to fragile alliances, I find myself in a world where darkness seeps from every corner, and secrets are more dangerous than the creatures that lurk in the Dark Forest.
I am Selestina, the Shadow Reaper—the most feared assassin in Tonalli, a weapon crafted to strike from the shadows. For so long, I’ve been nothing more than a tool in someone else’s game, a puppet. But everything changes when I’m thrust into the heart of Obsidian Academy, a place teeming with powerful heirs and deadly rivalries. Here, my past begins to catch up with me in ways I never anticipated or wanted.
As I navigate the academy’s classes and unravel the dark mysteries surrounding the heirs of Tonalli, I find myself inexplicably drawn to five enigmatic princes, each hiding dangerous secrets of their own.
But one thing is true. I need to figure out what’s going on with this academy, these princes, and me. Before it gets me murdered, for real this time.
This book contains explicit content and language and is for a mature audience. This is a full length why choose romance novel which means the female main character has multiple love interests. This book explores dark and emotional themes, including trauma, manipulation, and morally complex characters, so please check content warnings before reading.
I sit up abruptly, the movement making my head spin. I’m on a hard slab in a dimly lit room, rows of bodies covered with white sheets surrounding me.
A morgue.
What the f—?
In the divided realm of Tonalli, where five kingdoms cling to fragile alliances, I find myself in a world where darkness seeps from every corner, and secrets are more dangerous than the creatures that lurk in the Dark Forest.
I am Selestina, the Shadow Reaper—the most feared assassin in Tonalli, a weapon crafted to strike from the shadows. For so long, I’ve been nothing more than a tool in someone else’s game, a puppet. But everything changes when I’m thrust into the heart of Obsidian Academy, a place teeming with powerful heirs and deadly rivalries. Here, my past begins to catch up with me in ways I never anticipated or wanted.
As I navigate the academy’s classes and unravel the dark mysteries surrounding the heirs of Tonalli, I find myself inexplicably drawn to five enigmatic princes, each hiding dangerous secrets of their own.
But one thing is true. I need to figure out what’s going on with this academy, these princes, and me. Before it gets me murdered, for real this time.
This book contains explicit content and language and is for a mature audience. This is a full length why choose romance novel which means the female main character has multiple love interests. This book explores dark and emotional themes, including trauma, manipulation, and morally complex characters, so please check content warnings before reading.
408 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2025
41 people are currently reading
607 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
June 2, 2025
Omg. I cannot believe this is a debut novel by Margot Ophelia. I immediately signed up to be an ARC reader once I saw dark fantasy reverse harem, and I am SOOO glad I read this one.
This one starts out with our FMC, Selestina, who wakes up murdered in a morgue but she is assumably human and has no memory of her murder. Additionally, and unbeknownst to all, she is the most feared assassin in the land known as the Shadow Reaper. Her assignment takes her to Obsidian University where five of the realms princes are also studying. She immediately feels an unexplained pull to these princes and it’s obvious from their continuous stares that they are also affected by her.
I really enjoyed this one because the world building and magic system were easy and fantastic. It’s impossible to not admire Selestina for all the adversity she has overcome and her character growth in this book. It does end on a big cliffhanger so be warned.
Read this if you like:
🔮 dark academia
🌙 why choose
🔮 fated mates
🌙 plus sized, Latina FMC
🔮 assassin FMC
🌙 instant attraction
🔮 touch her and ☠️
🌙 first book in a series
🔮 enemies to lovers and lovers to enemies
🌙 forced proximity
🔮 fantasy world with humans, witches, mages, vampires, dragon shifters, etc.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Thank you to Margot Ophelia for the eARC!
This one starts out with our FMC, Selestina, who wakes up murdered in a morgue but she is assumably human and has no memory of her murder. Additionally, and unbeknownst to all, she is the most feared assassin in the land known as the Shadow Reaper. Her assignment takes her to Obsidian University where five of the realms princes are also studying. She immediately feels an unexplained pull to these princes and it’s obvious from their continuous stares that they are also affected by her.
I really enjoyed this one because the world building and magic system were easy and fantastic. It’s impossible to not admire Selestina for all the adversity she has overcome and her character growth in this book. It does end on a big cliffhanger so be warned.
Read this if you like:
🔮 dark academia
🌙 why choose
🔮 fated mates
🌙 plus sized, Latina FMC
🔮 assassin FMC
🌙 instant attraction
🔮 touch her and ☠️
🌙 first book in a series
🔮 enemies to lovers and lovers to enemies
🌙 forced proximity
🔮 fantasy world with humans, witches, mages, vampires, dragon shifters, etc.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Thank you to Margot Ophelia for the eARC!
May 28, 2025
I received this arc (thank you so much to the author) all thoughts are my own
This grips you from the get go, there's no info dumping just a steady flow of backstory and action and a pinch of spice to get you started. Of shadow and Moon may be a reverse harem but it's a slow burn one at that and very plot driven. There's quite literally a prince for all your needs; there's the bully (YUM), the obsessive stalker, the quiet but strong, the cheeky flirt and the grump! & The banter and tension is top tier.
The friendship between Selestina & Nasarea is EVERYTHING I love them sm 🥹
Selestina is an assassin with one hell of a history and the boss from hell. She's sent to Obsidian Academy; as everyone is no matter where you're from, human and magic alike, and she realises the five princes are also in attendance this year. She's left to juggle focusing on her studies and blending in, keeping her head down and not getting distracted by the hot princes (yeah, right). Selestina has an assignment to complete, she knows the repercussions if she fails; but as she begins uncovering secrets and prophecies she learns there's much more at stake than she ever realised.
If you're into slow burn why choose within an academic setting then you are gonna be as obsessed with this as I am
This grips you from the get go, there's no info dumping just a steady flow of backstory and action and a pinch of spice to get you started. Of shadow and Moon may be a reverse harem but it's a slow burn one at that and very plot driven. There's quite literally a prince for all your needs; there's the bully (YUM), the obsessive stalker, the quiet but strong, the cheeky flirt and the grump! & The banter and tension is top tier.
The friendship between Selestina & Nasarea is EVERYTHING I love them sm 🥹
Selestina is an assassin with one hell of a history and the boss from hell. She's sent to Obsidian Academy; as everyone is no matter where you're from, human and magic alike, and she realises the five princes are also in attendance this year. She's left to juggle focusing on her studies and blending in, keeping her head down and not getting distracted by the hot princes (yeah, right). Selestina has an assignment to complete, she knows the repercussions if she fails; but as she begins uncovering secrets and prophecies she learns there's much more at stake than she ever realised.
If you're into slow burn why choose within an academic setting then you are gonna be as obsessed with this as I am
April 28, 2025
Selestina is such a badass!
i loved every aspect of the book and how it took me through the world building and storyline. I enjoyed how Selestina meets her entire clan in the best ways possible. I loved the Mexican culture references it had. If I'm honest, I want my own Alebrije. The ending left me flabbergasted and I wanted to know so much more
i loved every aspect of the book and how it took me through the world building and storyline. I enjoyed how Selestina meets her entire clan in the best ways possible. I loved the Mexican culture references it had. If I'm honest, I want my own Alebrije. The ending left me flabbergasted and I wanted to know so much more
April 24, 2025
An utterly fun time and wild ride! With a plus sized Latina FMC, that exists in a world full of magic in an academy setting, this why choose dark Romantasy has more twists and turns than you can imagine! With fated mates and 5 love MMC’s, you will never get bored with the constant tension. I am salivating for the next book!!
June 4, 2025
I’m so proud of Margot on her debut novel 🖤 I’m obsessed! Of Shadow and Moon is definitely a slow burn, why choose novel with five yummy princes to quench your thirst no matter the type of MMC you’re into. The banter is so on point and just right. Selestina is a bad ass assassin who not only tries to blend in at the Academy as a student but must focus on keeping herself unknown and safe. Her friendship with Nasarea is everything! Again this is a slow burn with an ending that will snatch your heart out. What would you do if faced with the realization that your life is full of betrayal? Could you trust again… love again? This is a must read in my opinion.
July 16, 2025
" To the girl who wishes to be the main character in a fantasy realm and doesn’t have to choose between the hot af villains.
Because, why choose? This is for you."
⭐️: 4.5/5
🌶: 2/5
PLOT : 3/5
RH : medium size (5) , why choose; Matheus, Tomas, Nazriel, Kaelion and Rhyker
I felt so sorry for Selestina (FMC), she has already gone through a lot.
This book reminded me of throne of glass but it has RH.
I really need the next book because I need to find out what happens.
Because, why choose? This is for you."
⭐️: 4.5/5
🌶: 2/5
PLOT : 3/5
RH : medium size (5) , why choose; Matheus, Tomas, Nazriel, Kaelion and Rhyker
I felt so sorry for Selestina (FMC), she has already gone through a lot.
This book reminded me of throne of glass but it has RH.
I really need the next book because I need to find out what happens.
June 1, 2025
4.25⭐️
“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘮𝘦, 𝘈𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘮𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘛𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪’𝘴 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘦.”
what a debut novel from Margot Ophelia. this book will have you hooked from the very beginning wanting to know what exactly is going on. Margot is able to build a world that doesn’t feel like a copy and paste of other paranormal fantasy academy books.
this is a low spice book but with a list of potential love interests 😏 i can’t wait to see how things work out with them all and now many and ends up with. (and i know Selestina and Nasarea are just besties but when they were up in each others face at the beginning, i just wanted them to kiss bc i felt tension 😜)
there is still so much to be learned about Selestina and i can’t wait to see what else is uncovered. she is a badass fmc that i feel will only get more badass.
if you’re a fan of Morgan B. Lee’s 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔 series, you’ll enjoy 𝑶𝒇 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒐𝒐𝒏. this does end on a major cliffhanger and leaves you with so many more questions.
🌙 why choose
🗡️ assassin fmc
✨ paranormal fantasy academy
🔮 prophecy
🖤 fated mates
🐉 shifters, vampires, witches, demons, fae
⭐️ 1st person multi-POV
😈 cliffhanger
thank you Margot Ophelia for an e-ARC of 𝑶𝒇 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒐𝒐𝒏 🖤
“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘮𝘦, 𝘈𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘮𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘛𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪’𝘴 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘦.”
what a debut novel from Margot Ophelia. this book will have you hooked from the very beginning wanting to know what exactly is going on. Margot is able to build a world that doesn’t feel like a copy and paste of other paranormal fantasy academy books.
this is a low spice book but with a list of potential love interests 😏 i can’t wait to see how things work out with them all and now many and ends up with. (and i know Selestina and Nasarea are just besties but when they were up in each others face at the beginning, i just wanted them to kiss bc i felt tension 😜)
there is still so much to be learned about Selestina and i can’t wait to see what else is uncovered. she is a badass fmc that i feel will only get more badass.
if you’re a fan of Morgan B. Lee’s 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔 series, you’ll enjoy 𝑶𝒇 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒐𝒐𝒏. this does end on a major cliffhanger and leaves you with so many more questions.
🌙 why choose
🗡️ assassin fmc
✨ paranormal fantasy academy
🔮 prophecy
🖤 fated mates
🐉 shifters, vampires, witches, demons, fae
⭐️ 1st person multi-POV
😈 cliffhanger
thank you Margot Ophelia for an e-ARC of 𝑶𝒇 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒐𝒐𝒏 🖤
May 22, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
🌶️
a why choose dark romantasy featuring a plus size baddie latinx fmc & 5 scorching hot princes?? SAY LESS. an amazing debut from indie author margot ophelia will leave you begging for answers over her badass leading lady and thirsting for these delicious men. full of mexican culture & lore, i can’t stop thinking of this story. the plot is magical & has such good pacing. i’m literally so obsessed!
this book will have you hooked from the very beginning & in the end, on the edge of your seat!
its giving lady of darkness meets the bonds that tie and im so here for it!
✨tropes/vibes✨
✨ why choose
✨ dark romantasy
✨ fated mates
✨ assassin fmc w/ a mysterious past
✨ academy
✨ feminine rage
✨ enemies to lovers to…enemies 😈
✨ slow burn tension
✨ stalking
i received this arc in exchange of an honest review. i was also a beta reader. thank you margot 🫶🏻
🌶️
a why choose dark romantasy featuring a plus size baddie latinx fmc & 5 scorching hot princes?? SAY LESS. an amazing debut from indie author margot ophelia will leave you begging for answers over her badass leading lady and thirsting for these delicious men. full of mexican culture & lore, i can’t stop thinking of this story. the plot is magical & has such good pacing. i’m literally so obsessed!
this book will have you hooked from the very beginning & in the end, on the edge of your seat!
its giving lady of darkness meets the bonds that tie and im so here for it!
✨tropes/vibes✨
✨ why choose
✨ dark romantasy
✨ fated mates
✨ assassin fmc w/ a mysterious past
✨ academy
✨ feminine rage
✨ enemies to lovers to…enemies 😈
✨ slow burn tension
✨ stalking
i received this arc in exchange of an honest review. i was also a beta reader. thank you margot 🫶🏻
June 11, 2025
I will get right to it - This was so good!!! From the world building to the characters to the story, I really enjoyed this book! There are secrets and twists and magic - it was so easy to get lost in this world the author created. I also loved how Mexican culture was woven into the story.
Selestina was an orphan raised as a badass assassin in the realm of Tonalli and she ends up at Obsidian Academy…but this isn’t your typical college. It’s full of powerful heirs and deadly rivalries….
She tries to navigate this new place, and she finds herself drawn to 5 princes…but why? Is there something else going on here….
I loved Selestina! She is fierce and takes exactly zero sh*t from anyone…but underneath she is also carrying pain.
No spoilers here - but oh there is some series tension and chemistry happening!! I would call this a slowish burn - we get to see everything around her ramping up and heading towards…well, I can’t tell you!!! While some secrets are answered, we are left with more questions!!
I am so excited for the next book!!
✨What To Expect:
🥀Dark Fantasy Romance
❤️🔥 Why Choose
🔥 Enemies To Lovers To Enemies Vibes
🌙 Fated Mates
🏫Dark Academia
💋Plus Size Latina FMC
💙Broody MMCs With Secrets
🖤St@lker & Unhinged MMC
🏛️Political Rivalries
🤬Feminine Rage
🩸Touch Her/Him & 💀
🗡️She’s An Assassin
😈Dragons, Fae, Vampires, Witches, Demons
Selestina was an orphan raised as a badass assassin in the realm of Tonalli and she ends up at Obsidian Academy…but this isn’t your typical college. It’s full of powerful heirs and deadly rivalries….
She tries to navigate this new place, and she finds herself drawn to 5 princes…but why? Is there something else going on here….
I loved Selestina! She is fierce and takes exactly zero sh*t from anyone…but underneath she is also carrying pain.
No spoilers here - but oh there is some series tension and chemistry happening!! I would call this a slowish burn - we get to see everything around her ramping up and heading towards…well, I can’t tell you!!! While some secrets are answered, we are left with more questions!!
I am so excited for the next book!!
✨What To Expect:
🥀Dark Fantasy Romance
❤️🔥 Why Choose
🔥 Enemies To Lovers To Enemies Vibes
🌙 Fated Mates
🏫Dark Academia
💋Plus Size Latina FMC
💙Broody MMCs With Secrets
🖤St@lker & Unhinged MMC
🏛️Political Rivalries
🤬Feminine Rage
🩸Touch Her/Him & 💀
🗡️She’s An Assassin
😈Dragons, Fae, Vampires, Witches, Demons
May 23, 2025
Of Shadow and Moon is the debut novel from author Margot Ophelia and consider me impressed! I read this book so fast and enjoyed it so much! This story is full of intrigue, magic, complex characters and steamy tension. It hits all of my soft spots, dark academia, why choose, mystery and strong female characters. Those hot princes don’t hurt either. Selestina is already one of my new favorite characters and her story is clearly just beginning. Margot has flawlessly woven Mexican and Latin American influences into this fantastic story and the representation is so refreshing to see in a fantasy setting! There is subtle wit and humor written into almost every interaction and it makes reading this book so enjoyable. There is immense potential in this story and I can’t wait for the continuation of Selestina’s journey. If you’re a fan of Zodiac Academy, Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac, Bloodwing Academy, or the Bonds That Tie series, I think you will really enjoy Of Shadow and Moon. Here’s some tropes to seal the deal!
🪄 Witches, Fae, Vampires and Demons oh my!
🌙 Dark Academia
🪄 Why Choose
🌙 Secret Identity
🪄 Fated Mates
🌙 Who did this to you?
🪄 All the banter
Happy Reading my friends!!
🪄 Witches, Fae, Vampires and Demons oh my!
🌙 Dark Academia
🪄 Why Choose
🌙 Secret Identity
🪄 Fated Mates
🌙 Who did this to you?
🪄 All the banter
Happy Reading my friends!!
May 22, 2025
4.3 stars. I thought for sure this book would be 5 stars and it was up til the last 20 percent. It then became a little rushed and choppy. I was left wanting more and basically just left a little disappointed because if that. Will I read the next one ? Yes ! But hope it has smoother transitions at the end. It could have easily been another 40 pages longer.
May 26, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow, just wow!
A romantasy that won’t leave you feeling lost in the world building. Though there is not true time setting it feels like an old world but modernized.
An orphan raised as an assassin, 5 princes, a new best friend and betrayal. The tension, and plot twist will have you wanting more! I can’t wait for the second book!
Wow, just wow!
A romantasy that won’t leave you feeling lost in the world building. Though there is not true time setting it feels like an old world but modernized.
An orphan raised as an assassin, 5 princes, a new best friend and betrayal. The tension, and plot twist will have you wanting more! I can’t wait for the second book!
June 5, 2025
Academy settings are typically not my favorite but WHOA. This one blew me away and it being more of a college helped. This is such a strong debut novel that even without me personally knowing Margot, I am so proud of her. The characters, places, history, it is all so rich and I enjoyed every moment of it.
May 30, 2025
I was intrigued from the very beginning of this book and the more I read the more I wanted to know. I love how strong Selestina is and that she doesn’t take shit from anyone. The guys are interesting and I NEED more chapters from their POVs. And Selestina’s friendship with Nasarea is just everything. I love that they were both finally able to develop an actual friendship that allowed them to feel like normal girls, if only for a little while.
I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next, especially given that ending! 👀
I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next, especially given that ending! 👀
May 20, 2025
I loved this book! I want a second one now, the ending left us with many more questions that I need answers to. Fantastic writing!
June 11, 2025
Why have one human boyfriend when you could have 5?! A dragon boyfriend. vampire boyfriend. mage boyfriend. demon boyfriend, and a fae boyfriend!
This book will have you asking yourself exactly that! This why choose, romantasy book was so freaking good. I’m a beginner fantasy girlie - I know, I know. I’ve been seriously missing out. I think I put it off because I’ve heard that world-building can be a little hard to follow, BUT this book was completely different!
The world-building flowed so well into the story that it did not feel tedious to follow at all. I love the FMC. She is a strong, female assassin who is very confident and true to herself, despite the chaos that has been her entire life. Her story really pulled me in from the get-go. It had all my fave elements, hot paranormal men, witchy vibes, and a magical world with magical things happening!
This is the first of the series, so the spice was a little on the lighter side, but I definitely think it will heat up as the series continues. I won’t divulge any spoilers, but I definitely recommend this book to “why choose” romantasy readers! The ending was so wild, and the cliff-hanger/epilogue has me so so ready for book two!
This book will have you asking yourself exactly that! This why choose, romantasy book was so freaking good. I’m a beginner fantasy girlie - I know, I know. I’ve been seriously missing out. I think I put it off because I’ve heard that world-building can be a little hard to follow, BUT this book was completely different!
The world-building flowed so well into the story that it did not feel tedious to follow at all. I love the FMC. She is a strong, female assassin who is very confident and true to herself, despite the chaos that has been her entire life. Her story really pulled me in from the get-go. It had all my fave elements, hot paranormal men, witchy vibes, and a magical world with magical things happening!
This is the first of the series, so the spice was a little on the lighter side, but I definitely think it will heat up as the series continues. I won’t divulge any spoilers, but I definitely recommend this book to “why choose” romantasy readers! The ending was so wild, and the cliff-hanger/epilogue has me so so ready for book two!
May 29, 2025
Of Shadow and Moon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ⭐️
🌶️/5 🌶️
✨ I did receive this as a ARC & this is my honest review of this book) ✨
Tropes:
Fantasy why choose
Enemies to lovers to enemies
Fated mates
Academy (college)
Assassin FMC
Broody men
Political rivalries
Feminine rage
Touch her & 💀
Slow burn
Very plot driven
Stalking
Selestina:
the fierce human assassin
The princes:
the obsessive fae prince
the bully demon prince
the flirty vampire prince
the grumpy mage prince
the nerdy dragon prince
The Realm of Tonalli is divided into five broken kingdoms, ruled by five merciless kings.
- The Fae king from Xochitlalpan (Earth Kingdom) (Prince Rhyker)
- The vampire king from Itzcalli (Stone Kingdom) (Prince Tomas)
- The demon king from Mettli (Night Kingdom) (Prince Kaelion) Kai-LEE-ohn
- The mage king from Atlacoya (Water Kingdom) (Prince Nazriel)
- The dragon king from Tepetl (Fire Kingdom) (Prince Matheus) mah-THAY-oos
About the book:
For so long, l've been nothing more than a tool in someone else's game, a puppet. But everything changes when I'm thrust into the heart of Obsidian Academy, a place teeming with powerful heirs and deadly rivalries. Here, my past begins to catch up with me in ways I never anticipated or wanted. As I navigate the academy's classes and unravel the dark mysteries surrounding the heirs of Tonalli, I find myself inexplicably drawn to five enigmatic princes, each hiding dangerous secrets of their own. But one thing is true. I need to figure out what's going on with this academy, these princes, and me. Before it gets me murdered, for real this time.
My thoughts/opinions: (Some spoilers below but I’ve added spoiler in front of my opinions below)
•The FMC being morally gray is a nice change.
FMC has been taken captive for years & have to do what her captor says & also takes punishment from him.
•If your a why choose girlie that loves the why choosing. This book has light why choose.
•Lots of world building in this book, some might love it some might hate it. I like a happy medium of world building. But this does seem a little intimidating for someone who’s never read a world building as complex IMO as this one.
•(SPOILER) Forget about the heated conversations with the brooding princes, the way her & Nasarea gets close & how their friendship blooms is probably my favorite thing about this book. The fact that they both feel the same about being stuck in duty but also wanting a normal life with friends.
•You get a lot but not every answer for your questions you have at the end.
•HOT-TAKE but IMO I don’t think this is a why choose. I do think the series will be a why choose but the first book isn’t giving the vibes IMO.
•(SPOILER) At the end I’m a little confused like did she die? Is she in the after life? Is Zar the one that she talks to when shew really low rhe Hellbound at the end?? From him saying Mi Reina at the end makes me think about how he speaks to her in chapter 35… Did no one really know they were fated mates?? Until the block was removed?! Like even Nasarea kinda hinted to her brother about how he’s been feeling. Also I HATED that the princes were in on this “game” together. I swear it better be something else going on & not what we’re thinking. The way the block lifted & she could feel all their emotions & could finally see that they’re fated mated to then know she will die was WILD. But yeah dumbnut (Nazriel) fight to get her back 🤦🏽♀️ stop them from killing her! I just want book 2 already. I NEED ANSWERS!!
Content warnings: (From Author)
Of Shadow and Moon is a dark fantasy why choose romance novel and contains heavy themes including explicit sexual content, manipulation, suicidal thoughts, violence including torture and self-harm, trauma, and parental neglect and torment.
While book one is not super dark, the books will continue to get darker and contain darker themes as the series continues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ⭐️
🌶️/5 🌶️
✨ I did receive this as a ARC & this is my honest review of this book) ✨
Tropes:
Fantasy why choose
Enemies to lovers to enemies
Fated mates
Academy (college)
Assassin FMC
Broody men
Political rivalries
Feminine rage
Touch her & 💀
Slow burn
Very plot driven
Stalking
Selestina:
the fierce human assassin
The princes:
the obsessive fae prince
the bully demon prince
the flirty vampire prince
the grumpy mage prince
the nerdy dragon prince
The Realm of Tonalli is divided into five broken kingdoms, ruled by five merciless kings.
- The Fae king from Xochitlalpan (Earth Kingdom) (Prince Rhyker)
- The vampire king from Itzcalli (Stone Kingdom) (Prince Tomas)
- The demon king from Mettli (Night Kingdom) (Prince Kaelion) Kai-LEE-ohn
- The mage king from Atlacoya (Water Kingdom) (Prince Nazriel)
- The dragon king from Tepetl (Fire Kingdom) (Prince Matheus) mah-THAY-oos
About the book:
For so long, l've been nothing more than a tool in someone else's game, a puppet. But everything changes when I'm thrust into the heart of Obsidian Academy, a place teeming with powerful heirs and deadly rivalries. Here, my past begins to catch up with me in ways I never anticipated or wanted. As I navigate the academy's classes and unravel the dark mysteries surrounding the heirs of Tonalli, I find myself inexplicably drawn to five enigmatic princes, each hiding dangerous secrets of their own. But one thing is true. I need to figure out what's going on with this academy, these princes, and me. Before it gets me murdered, for real this time.
My thoughts/opinions: (Some spoilers below but I’ve added spoiler in front of my opinions below)
•The FMC being morally gray is a nice change.
FMC has been taken captive for years & have to do what her captor says & also takes punishment from him.
•If your a why choose girlie that loves the why choosing. This book has light why choose.
•Lots of world building in this book, some might love it some might hate it. I like a happy medium of world building. But this does seem a little intimidating for someone who’s never read a world building as complex IMO as this one.
•(SPOILER) Forget about the heated conversations with the brooding princes, the way her & Nasarea gets close & how their friendship blooms is probably my favorite thing about this book. The fact that they both feel the same about being stuck in duty but also wanting a normal life with friends.
•You get a lot but not every answer for your questions you have at the end.
•HOT-TAKE but IMO I don’t think this is a why choose. I do think the series will be a why choose but the first book isn’t giving the vibes IMO.
•(SPOILER) At the end I’m a little confused like did she die? Is she in the after life? Is Zar the one that she talks to when shew really low rhe Hellbound at the end?? From him saying Mi Reina at the end makes me think about how he speaks to her in chapter 35… Did no one really know they were fated mates?? Until the block was removed?! Like even Nasarea kinda hinted to her brother about how he’s been feeling. Also I HATED that the princes were in on this “game” together. I swear it better be something else going on & not what we’re thinking. The way the block lifted & she could feel all their emotions & could finally see that they’re fated mated to then know she will die was WILD. But yeah dumbnut (Nazriel) fight to get her back 🤦🏽♀️ stop them from killing her! I just want book 2 already. I NEED ANSWERS!!
Content warnings: (From Author)
Of Shadow and Moon is a dark fantasy why choose romance novel and contains heavy themes including explicit sexual content, manipulation, suicidal thoughts, violence including torture and self-harm, trauma, and parental neglect and torment.
While book one is not super dark, the books will continue to get darker and contain darker themes as the series continues.
June 5, 2025
It's giving, touch me and di- but she'll be the one to unalive you..
4 Stars, 2.5/ 4 spice (open door scenes)
Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance
Tropes: fantasy why choose, enemies to lovers to enemies, fated mates, college setting, curvy latina FMC, broody men, political rivalries, feminine rage, touch her/him and d-e, slow burn
Read Time: 4 Days
Ok, hear me out...
She's the one they fear. The whispers in the night. The Shadow Reaper. Feared for her stealth and number of kills. From the first chapter I was hooked! Our FMC, certified bad ass. Assassin x beauty with curves. Yes, definitely my kind of FMC.
Set in Tonalli, where the five kingdoms share a fragile alliance, this story follows Selestina (FMC). Deadly with a blade but with looks that'll have men wrapped around her fingers. For as long as she can remember, she has been groomed for this role. A puppet to her master. Until a routine assignment ends with her murder..ish? Whelp she comes back alive. Cue the small violin because she is clearly like wtf?
The failure of the assignment isn't taken lightly by her Master. To right her wrongs, she is sent off to the Obsidian Academy where she is to spy on the five princes of Tonalli. Learn their dangerous secrets while navigating the academy's classes.
What starts as an assassins' story, quickly shifts into the mystery of who she is and why does she feel as if there's more to herself. And how is it that she feel's an unwavering pull to each of these five men..
SISTER! Give me a hidden identity trope any day and I will devour it. Sprinkle with a why choose but the FMC doesn't loose her mind and has a sense of self-worth. I AM EATING IT UP! For this to be her debut novel. AMAZING. I was captivated by Selestina's growth. Her willingness to be venerable.
hold please while I CLUTCH my pearls, because what you're NOT going to do is give us an array of devilish men that fit every cup of tea!
Matheus--"deep and brooding. He doesn't speak, he never does."
Tomas -- "a beacon of light and liveliness. His red eyes are sharp, vibrant and sparkle with mischief."
Kaelion--"the room darkens around him. His tattoos wind across his neck and hands, marks his demonio heritage that pulse with power."
Rhyker--"there's an unrestrained wildness to him, the feeling he knows the effect he has on me."
Nazriel-- "quiet grace, his steps light; his presence commanding without trying, like silence."
"From that moment on, she consumed me, stealing every thought, every breath, as if the very air between us had been altered."
BE STILL MY OVARIES
Ok buttt hear me out.. my only "ehh" moment was how we truly don't know these men. They are portrayed as these powerful princes but every time we encounter them, they are p*ssy whipped. I wish I knew more about THEM and their role in the kingdom.
Also.. I thought the friendship between Selestina and Nasarea was weird. It didn't feel like a genuine connection happened. One moment she's the scum between her toes while Selestina is trying to be cordial for majority of the book. Then the next page their best friends? Acting like they have been for months, weird. I didn't like it how it happened but I liked the girl gang vibes afterwards!
This is perfect if you like a slow burn romance mixed with betrayal, hidden identities and darker elements. We have morally grey men with a fierce stabby FMC. Plot twist you may not see coming.
4 Stars, 2.5/ 4 spice (open door scenes)
Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance
Tropes: fantasy why choose, enemies to lovers to enemies, fated mates, college setting, curvy latina FMC, broody men, political rivalries, feminine rage, touch her/him and d-e, slow burn
Read Time: 4 Days
Ok, hear me out...
She's the one they fear. The whispers in the night. The Shadow Reaper. Feared for her stealth and number of kills. From the first chapter I was hooked! Our FMC, certified bad ass. Assassin x beauty with curves. Yes, definitely my kind of FMC.
Set in Tonalli, where the five kingdoms share a fragile alliance, this story follows Selestina (FMC). Deadly with a blade but with looks that'll have men wrapped around her fingers. For as long as she can remember, she has been groomed for this role. A puppet to her master. Until a routine assignment ends with her murder..ish? Whelp she comes back alive. Cue the small violin because she is clearly like wtf?
The failure of the assignment isn't taken lightly by her Master. To right her wrongs, she is sent off to the Obsidian Academy where she is to spy on the five princes of Tonalli. Learn their dangerous secrets while navigating the academy's classes.
What starts as an assassins' story, quickly shifts into the mystery of who she is and why does she feel as if there's more to herself. And how is it that she feel's an unwavering pull to each of these five men..
SISTER! Give me a hidden identity trope any day and I will devour it. Sprinkle with a why choose but the FMC doesn't loose her mind and has a sense of self-worth. I AM EATING IT UP! For this to be her debut novel. AMAZING. I was captivated by Selestina's growth. Her willingness to be venerable.
hold please while I CLUTCH my pearls, because what you're NOT going to do is give us an array of devilish men that fit every cup of tea!
Matheus--"deep and brooding. He doesn't speak, he never does."
Tomas -- "a beacon of light and liveliness. His red eyes are sharp, vibrant and sparkle with mischief."
Kaelion--"the room darkens around him. His tattoos wind across his neck and hands, marks his demonio heritage that pulse with power."
Rhyker--"there's an unrestrained wildness to him, the feeling he knows the effect he has on me."
Nazriel-- "quiet grace, his steps light; his presence commanding without trying, like silence."
"From that moment on, she consumed me, stealing every thought, every breath, as if the very air between us had been altered."
BE STILL MY OVARIES
Ok buttt hear me out.. my only "ehh" moment was how we truly don't know these men. They are portrayed as these powerful princes but every time we encounter them, they are p*ssy whipped. I wish I knew more about THEM and their role in the kingdom.
Also.. I thought the friendship between Selestina and Nasarea was weird. It didn't feel like a genuine connection happened. One moment she's the scum between her toes while Selestina is trying to be cordial for majority of the book. Then the next page their best friends? Acting like they have been for months, weird. I didn't like it how it happened but I liked the girl gang vibes afterwards!
This is perfect if you like a slow burn romance mixed with betrayal, hidden identities and darker elements. We have morally grey men with a fierce stabby FMC. Plot twist you may not see coming.
May 27, 2025
Shadows, Secrets & So Much Strength 💪
Spice is low maybe 2 - its slow burn.
Okay, let’s just start with this: Of Shadow and Moon by Margot Ophelia absolutely bewitched me. Yes, it starts a little slow, but honestly? I needed that slower pace to settle into this rich, mystical world. The layers of fantasy, the undercurrent of pain, and the slow burn that turns into a fiery explosion? Obsessed. Selestina is such a wholesome character and you really feel for her. Like, can someone please give this woman a hug and maybe a therapist? Because wow.
What I Loved About This Book:
The Worldbuilding
You can smell the magic. Seriously. It’s lush, it’s dark, and it’s so carefully woven. I loved being eased into it, bit by bit—like the author was holding our hand through the fog.
Selestina, My Queen
What a layered, aching, brilliant character. Her pain feels like yours. Her quiet strength? Ugh, it hurts in the best way. I felt connected to of her—she’s been so strong for so long, and it shows.
Enemies to Lovers to… Enemies Again?
Ohhh the tension. The chemistry. The BURN. And then—the betrayal.... It’s messy in the best, most painful way.
Mixed POVs
I love when we get little glimpses into other minds, and the shifts in perspective here were subtle but really added to the tension and mystery. It made everything feel more human, more grey.
That Ending
Why. Would. You. Do. That. To. Me. Margot. WHY? So many questions! But in the best way. It’s a perfect setup for book two and I already need it in my life.
The Tropes:
Stalker and unhinged MMC
Why choose
Fantasy world with a magical system
Broody men with secrets
Strangers to lovers to enemies
Fated mates
Slow burn romance
Political rivals
Magical academy vibes
Emotional heroine who’s been through a lot
Of Shadow and Moon is a glittering start to what I know will be a powerful series. Margot Ophelia’s writing is immersive, and Selestina is the kind of character who lingers in your heart long after the last page. I felt this story—its ache, its yearning, and its magic. Bring on book two, please and thank you.
Spice is low maybe 2 - its slow burn.
Okay, let’s just start with this: Of Shadow and Moon by Margot Ophelia absolutely bewitched me. Yes, it starts a little slow, but honestly? I needed that slower pace to settle into this rich, mystical world. The layers of fantasy, the undercurrent of pain, and the slow burn that turns into a fiery explosion? Obsessed. Selestina is such a wholesome character and you really feel for her. Like, can someone please give this woman a hug and maybe a therapist? Because wow.
What I Loved About This Book:
The Worldbuilding
You can smell the magic. Seriously. It’s lush, it’s dark, and it’s so carefully woven. I loved being eased into it, bit by bit—like the author was holding our hand through the fog.
Selestina, My Queen
What a layered, aching, brilliant character. Her pain feels like yours. Her quiet strength? Ugh, it hurts in the best way. I felt connected to of her—she’s been so strong for so long, and it shows.
Enemies to Lovers to… Enemies Again?
Ohhh the tension. The chemistry. The BURN. And then—the betrayal.... It’s messy in the best, most painful way.
Mixed POVs
I love when we get little glimpses into other minds, and the shifts in perspective here were subtle but really added to the tension and mystery. It made everything feel more human, more grey.
That Ending
Why. Would. You. Do. That. To. Me. Margot. WHY? So many questions! But in the best way. It’s a perfect setup for book two and I already need it in my life.
The Tropes:
Stalker and unhinged MMC
Why choose
Fantasy world with a magical system
Broody men with secrets
Strangers to lovers to enemies
Fated mates
Slow burn romance
Political rivals
Magical academy vibes
Emotional heroine who’s been through a lot
Of Shadow and Moon is a glittering start to what I know will be a powerful series. Margot Ophelia’s writing is immersive, and Selestina is the kind of character who lingers in your heart long after the last page. I felt this story—its ache, its yearning, and its magic. Bring on book two, please and thank you.
May 25, 2025
ARC Review:
Thank you SO much for the opportunity to ARC read and I’m beyond excited to leave this review.
I think this is definitely in my top reads for this year! And am looking forward to see what the rest of this series will be! I’m excited for a Latina rep book and even more excited it’s a why choose / RH series too.😍😍
Fantastic action packed book with plenty of tension and girl kicking her feet on the bed excited from the little moments between the FMC and her men 🥹🔥 a couple spice scenes so you know what will be in store 🥵 backstab and plot twist don’t expect to happen (in the greatest way) left me standing there in shock over that ending! Such an easy and fast paced read that’s so hard to put down!
I will be impatiently waiting for book 2 and honestly whatever the rest of this author comes up with 🔥😍
Genre: fantasy romance
Tropes to expect:
•Why Choose / RH
•Fated mates
• Powers / magical creatures-beings (witches/fae/demons/ other monsters)
•prophecy mystery
•betrayal
• feminine rage
•Latina curvy FMC & Hispanic culture lore
•SLOW burn - tension - and like 2 spicy scenes 🥵
• academia setting
Kind of spoiler but not exactly part of my review:🧐
Listen I am usually OBSESSED with why choose/RH books because of the spice & the dynamic of everyone’s personality to come together because our shared love for the FMC. HOWEVER, this was a different variation for me where I thought would be more love for each other but the betrayal that snuck up on her at the end!!!! 🥺 The ending was a phenomenal plot twist that I truly didn’t expect to see! Prior to the unfortunate ending was leading us to believe that her and some characters were getting along and flirting and everything was great and then BAM it all flips.
I loved the moment when her roommate and her actually found friendship of being BA bi+ches together power sister moments I love a good bestie story line 🥹 they both needed to feel a friendship beyond their expected relationship to be themselves and I’m glad they had each other 🫶
Thank you SO much for the opportunity to ARC read and I’m beyond excited to leave this review.
I think this is definitely in my top reads for this year! And am looking forward to see what the rest of this series will be! I’m excited for a Latina rep book and even more excited it’s a why choose / RH series too.😍😍
Fantastic action packed book with plenty of tension and girl kicking her feet on the bed excited from the little moments between the FMC and her men 🥹🔥 a couple spice scenes so you know what will be in store 🥵 backstab and plot twist don’t expect to happen (in the greatest way) left me standing there in shock over that ending! Such an easy and fast paced read that’s so hard to put down!
I will be impatiently waiting for book 2 and honestly whatever the rest of this author comes up with 🔥😍
Genre: fantasy romance
Tropes to expect:
•Why Choose / RH
•Fated mates
• Powers / magical creatures-beings (witches/fae/demons/ other monsters)
•prophecy mystery
•betrayal
• feminine rage
•Latina curvy FMC & Hispanic culture lore
•SLOW burn - tension - and like 2 spicy scenes 🥵
• academia setting
Kind of spoiler but not exactly part of my review:🧐
Listen I am usually OBSESSED with why choose/RH books because of the spice & the dynamic of everyone’s personality to come together because our shared love for the FMC. HOWEVER, this was a different variation for me where I thought would be more love for each other but the betrayal that snuck up on her at the end!!!! 🥺 The ending was a phenomenal plot twist that I truly didn’t expect to see! Prior to the unfortunate ending was leading us to believe that her and some characters were getting along and flirting and everything was great and then BAM it all flips.
I loved the moment when her roommate and her actually found friendship of being BA bi+ches together power sister moments I love a good bestie story line 🥹 they both needed to feel a friendship beyond their expected relationship to be themselves and I’m glad they had each other 🫶
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2025
OMG! You have to drop everything and read this. I can't believe Margot Ophelia is a new author. Of Shadow and Moon was incredible! When the MC wakes in the morgue in the first chapter, you know it has to be good.
Okay, it does start off a little slow, but you have to stick it out because it gets so much better when MFC, Selestina, reaches the academy. Ophelia has created a detailed world with magical creatures, its own mythology, dark history, multiple kingdoms, secrets, lies, assassins, and more, all in an academy setting that actually feels like it's in an academy. I do wish she gave us a little more about the characters' individual powers, but I think that's coming in the next book. I liked that Ophelia included touches of her own Latin heritage; it blended familiar elements with the world she created.
This is a dark fantasy, which means these characters are questionable at best. I liked Selestina. I mean, who doesn't like a female assassin? She's confident and incredibly strong; she had to be to survive what she has. I felt that in my soul; my heart went to her. I was so happy that she made a friend and finally had someone in her corner. They had some really special moments, some of which were my favorite scenes. The guys I was split on. Two I liked, two I didn't like, and one just had me questioning.
The rest of the plot was good. It felt like they were on a powder keg, waiting for things to blow. Something in the kingdoms is changing, and all kinds of powerful people are pulling strings behind the scenes. There's mention of a prophecy and lots of mystery. The picture that's being painted isn't a good one. So much went down in those last few pages... the ending left my jaw on the floor. I was yelling at the screen. Margot Ophelia is seriously fecking savage. If you're looking for your next dark why-choose fantasy, read this, and we can be miserable together while we wait for the next one.
Okay, it does start off a little slow, but you have to stick it out because it gets so much better when MFC, Selestina, reaches the academy. Ophelia has created a detailed world with magical creatures, its own mythology, dark history, multiple kingdoms, secrets, lies, assassins, and more, all in an academy setting that actually feels like it's in an academy. I do wish she gave us a little more about the characters' individual powers, but I think that's coming in the next book. I liked that Ophelia included touches of her own Latin heritage; it blended familiar elements with the world she created.
This is a dark fantasy, which means these characters are questionable at best. I liked Selestina. I mean, who doesn't like a female assassin? She's confident and incredibly strong; she had to be to survive what she has. I felt that in my soul; my heart went to her. I was so happy that she made a friend and finally had someone in her corner. They had some really special moments, some of which were my favorite scenes. The guys I was split on. Two I liked, two I didn't like, and one just had me questioning.
The rest of the plot was good. It felt like they were on a powder keg, waiting for things to blow. Something in the kingdoms is changing, and all kinds of powerful people are pulling strings behind the scenes. There's mention of a prophecy and lots of mystery. The picture that's being painted isn't a good one. So much went down in those last few pages... the ending left my jaw on the floor. I was yelling at the screen. Margot Ophelia is seriously fecking savage. If you're looking for your next dark why-choose fantasy, read this, and we can be miserable together while we wait for the next one.
May 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 5 Star Rating
Multi First Person POV (Selestina &
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
Age Rating: 16+
🖤 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀 🖤
This was such a wild ride! Like seriously! A plus sized Latina FMC in a why choose romantasy?!! What more could you possibly ask for?! Five scorching hot princes?! You got it! As a first time read by the author, I am so pleased that this book got to be my first experience because I was absolutely drawn into the world building and spicy plot. Can’t wait to read what’s going to happen next! So full of Mexican culture mixed with the fantasy realms that I devoured.
🖤 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽 🖤
Selestina is an orphan who becomes the most dangerous assassin in the kingdom, known as The Shadow Reaper. But when she is murdered and wakes up in the morgue the next day, she sets off a chain of events that will change her life for good. She is forced to attend Obsidian University so that she can keep an eye out on her enemy, while keeping her identity a secret. But that may be a bit hard as she has a questionable roommate and five attractive princes who won’t let her go…
🖤 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼 🖤
Selestina is such a wholesome but badass plus-sized, Latina FMC that you really go through all the emotions for. Nazriel, Tomas, Matheus, Rhyker, and Kaelion are just a group of guys that are different from each other but have one thing in common; their attraction to Selestina.
🖤 𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 🖤
🖤 fantasy why choose
🖤 enemies to lovers to enemies
🖤 fated mates
🖤 plus sized Latina FMC
🖤 touch her/him & ☠️
🖤 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓬𝓵𝓾𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷 🖤
Are you kidding me?! That’s how you end book one?! But I have so many unanswered questions. You left me with my jaw dropped to the floor and I absolutely can’t wait to see how book two is going to grab me as hard as this book did! If this is how my first read from the author is going to be, I can’t wait to add more titles from her to my ever growing TBR list!
Multi First Person POV (Selestina &
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
Age Rating: 16+
🖤 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀 🖤
This was such a wild ride! Like seriously! A plus sized Latina FMC in a why choose romantasy?!! What more could you possibly ask for?! Five scorching hot princes?! You got it! As a first time read by the author, I am so pleased that this book got to be my first experience because I was absolutely drawn into the world building and spicy plot. Can’t wait to read what’s going to happen next! So full of Mexican culture mixed with the fantasy realms that I devoured.
🖤 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽 🖤
Selestina is an orphan who becomes the most dangerous assassin in the kingdom, known as The Shadow Reaper. But when she is murdered and wakes up in the morgue the next day, she sets off a chain of events that will change her life for good. She is forced to attend Obsidian University so that she can keep an eye out on her enemy, while keeping her identity a secret. But that may be a bit hard as she has a questionable roommate and five attractive princes who won’t let her go…
🖤 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼 🖤
Selestina is such a wholesome but badass plus-sized, Latina FMC that you really go through all the emotions for. Nazriel, Tomas, Matheus, Rhyker, and Kaelion are just a group of guys that are different from each other but have one thing in common; their attraction to Selestina.
🖤 𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 🖤
🖤 fantasy why choose
🖤 enemies to lovers to enemies
🖤 fated mates
🖤 plus sized Latina FMC
🖤 touch her/him & ☠️
🖤 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓬𝓵𝓾𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷 🖤
Are you kidding me?! That’s how you end book one?! But I have so many unanswered questions. You left me with my jaw dropped to the floor and I absolutely can’t wait to see how book two is going to grab me as hard as this book did! If this is how my first read from the author is going to be, I can’t wait to add more titles from her to my ever growing TBR list!
May 30, 2025
What a great introduction into this brand new world.
So we have our fmc Selestina. She is intelligent, fiery, fierce, and also happens to be an assassin for a vile man.
Our mmc's are Nazriel, Rhyker, Tomas, Kaelion, and Matheus. These princes are all so different from each other and aren't really fans of each other. The only thing they all have in common is their shared interest in Selestina. We do learn a little about each of them throughout the story, but I haven't fully formed opinions on them yet.
The plot was incredible. Selestina enters Obsidian Academy after a life altering event and is drawn towards the 5 Princes. She does everything she can to remain under the radar so she can focus on "other things," but it doesn't really pan out that way, considering she draws literally everyone's attention, not only the princes. Things get more complicated for Selestina when she starts noticing some things that don't happen to humans and really starts to question everything about her existence. Selestina's world comes crashing down when the King's of each realm come together to confront Selestina....
The gasps that I gasped with that massive cliffhanger at the ending were crazy. This story is just so complex, and there's so many layers to Selestina's story that I need to know now (I will wait patiently).
Congratulations, Margot, on your debut novel. It was brilliant, and I can't wait to see what's next. You should feel extremely proud of all your accomplishments.
Thank you, Margot and your lovely team, for the opportunity to read this story. I am forever grateful 🙏
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
🗡 baddie fmc
🗡 why choose
🗡 enemies to lovers to enemies
🗡 slow burn
🗡 fated mates
🗡 academy based
🗡 broody mmc's
🗡 fantasy
🗡 feminine rage
🗡 so many secrets
So we have our fmc Selestina. She is intelligent, fiery, fierce, and also happens to be an assassin for a vile man.
Our mmc's are Nazriel, Rhyker, Tomas, Kaelion, and Matheus. These princes are all so different from each other and aren't really fans of each other. The only thing they all have in common is their shared interest in Selestina. We do learn a little about each of them throughout the story, but I haven't fully formed opinions on them yet.
The plot was incredible. Selestina enters Obsidian Academy after a life altering event and is drawn towards the 5 Princes. She does everything she can to remain under the radar so she can focus on "other things," but it doesn't really pan out that way, considering she draws literally everyone's attention, not only the princes. Things get more complicated for Selestina when she starts noticing some things that don't happen to humans and really starts to question everything about her existence. Selestina's world comes crashing down when the King's of each realm come together to confront Selestina....
The gasps that I gasped with that massive cliffhanger at the ending were crazy. This story is just so complex, and there's so many layers to Selestina's story that I need to know now (I will wait patiently).
Congratulations, Margot, on your debut novel. It was brilliant, and I can't wait to see what's next. You should feel extremely proud of all your accomplishments.
Thank you, Margot and your lovely team, for the opportunity to read this story. I am forever grateful 🙏
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
🗡 baddie fmc
🗡 why choose
🗡 enemies to lovers to enemies
🗡 slow burn
🗡 fated mates
🗡 academy based
🗡 broody mmc's
🗡 fantasy
🗡 feminine rage
🗡 so many secrets
June 1, 2025
MRS. MARGOT PLEASE STEP TO THE FRONT!
Ma'am. This is your debut? This book? I don't want to overwhelm you, welcome to being an author and everything but unfortunately welcome to me becoming obsessed and immediately needing to know where we are with book 2 so I can plan how to distract myself while I wait. This book was insane! I don't love when people compare books to each other but this felt like the way the Zodiac Academy felt for me, I became horrifically obsessed, but with a more high stakes feeling mixed with J Bree's Hannaford Prep which is my favorite series so this was right up my alley. It's based at an academy, there's a few princes who the fmc, Selestina, feels drawn to and they feel the same way but they're all fighting it, sorta. There was a one night stand that turned into, "Hey are you following me, what are you doing here?" There's so many secrets its not even funny. And then there is the roommate situation thay results in one of the funniest scenes where I literally sat up to say, "Wait does that mean she knows about xxx" only to go back and read the next line which was, " Wait you xxxx?!" I screamed 😂
This book was so good and had me absolutely hooked, the history and back story was so interesting, I'm loving the world building and cannot wait for book two because the ending was insane, hence why I said it has ZA qualities 😒 but I had to go back to get quotes and even though there wasn't a ton of spice cause we're just meeting everyone, the way everything is building up? It's going to get crazy i can already tell. The way these guys are so possessive and some barely even talk to Selestina. But seriously I can't wait for book two this was so good and the characters are so interesting I can't wait to see what happens!
Thank you to margot ophelia for allowing me to be apart of your debut!
Ma'am. This is your debut? This book? I don't want to overwhelm you, welcome to being an author and everything but unfortunately welcome to me becoming obsessed and immediately needing to know where we are with book 2 so I can plan how to distract myself while I wait. This book was insane! I don't love when people compare books to each other but this felt like the way the Zodiac Academy felt for me, I became horrifically obsessed, but with a more high stakes feeling mixed with J Bree's Hannaford Prep which is my favorite series so this was right up my alley. It's based at an academy, there's a few princes who the fmc, Selestina, feels drawn to and they feel the same way but they're all fighting it, sorta. There was a one night stand that turned into, "Hey are you following me, what are you doing here?" There's so many secrets its not even funny. And then there is the roommate situation thay results in one of the funniest scenes where I literally sat up to say, "Wait does that mean she knows about xxx" only to go back and read the next line which was, " Wait you xxxx?!" I screamed 😂
This book was so good and had me absolutely hooked, the history and back story was so interesting, I'm loving the world building and cannot wait for book two because the ending was insane, hence why I said it has ZA qualities 😒 but I had to go back to get quotes and even though there wasn't a ton of spice cause we're just meeting everyone, the way everything is building up? It's going to get crazy i can already tell. The way these guys are so possessive and some barely even talk to Selestina. But seriously I can't wait for book two this was so good and the characters are so interesting I can't wait to see what happens!
Thank you to margot ophelia for allowing me to be apart of your debut!
May 22, 2025
Of Shadow and Moon was enthralling, enchanting and I did not want it to end.
Margot does a great job of world building, you can see the different landscapes, creatures, the description of characters really help to draw the world into your head. That dark forest though, seems like a place that I would not want to be in. I loved the mystery and suspense of the story line. I have so many questions.
Selestina gives bad bitch vibes, she is so strong and tries to hold onto her identity so tightly.
I enjoyed each of the 5 princes for different reasons. I will say that Matheus is my favourite, I love his whole demeanour. He’s stoic, hangs out in the library and enjoys running.
Thomas is a charming vampire and he knows it. His flirting skills were much appreciated.
Rhyker is also charming and can flirt, he and Thomas combined would make anyone blush.
Nazriel….I liked him, most of the time….you’ll have to read to find out. Come talk to me after.
Kaelion was intriguing, I’m a sucker for a demon and would love to see more of his character.
I will say while this does have some spice, if that is predominately what you read. This book might not be the best fit for you. But if you love some fantasy with some spice mixed in here and there. This will be right up your alley.
I can’t wait for book two, please tell me there is a book two coming!?!
Favourite quotes-
“She had to know this isn’t infatuation.this is an obsession and I’m hers to command”
“ I should be fucking pissed, right? But no. Of course, I get turned on by the unhinged price. Again, like always, my vagina is a traitor”
“Everything I do from this point forward, every choice I make, every risk I take, it will all be for her”
May 19, 2025
Life Drained By Breath,
Death Raised By Touch,
A Soul That Wanders Is Never Enough
This story was phenomenal!! That ending felt like I ended. Aching for the next book.
She wants to be more than a weapon but she doesn’t have a choice. She must be the Shadow Reaper or suffer the consequences by Alexander’s hand. So many scars. Then she will murdered…yet wakes up a few hours later. No time to ponder how this happened because she is told she must go to the Obsidian Academy right away.
After days of walking through the Dark Forest and viscously fighting creatures of nightmares, she makes it to the gates of the academy. Everything changes for her within these walls. Selestina discovers prophecies, strange abilities she can’t explain, strange pulls to all 5 princes, friendship she never thought she could have and so much more.
Secrets unfolded, twists and turns, betrayals, old magic, a powerful prophecy that could collapse all five kingdoms, fated mates, Mexican and Latin lore. This story has it all.
Each prince is scared and trapped. Each given a task. Will they go through with it?
This is a major “Touch her and Die” book!! These princes are obsessed!! Protective and cocky. Taking stalking to a new fun level. They try to resist but it doesn’t work.
My favorite part is the dust packet scene. 😂 Had me dying!
🌘Tropes:
🌙 Fantasy why choose
🥀 Enemies to lovers to enemies
🗡️ Fated mates
🌙 Academy (college)
🥀 Plus size Latina FMC
🗡️ Broody men
🌙 Political rivalries
🥀 Feminine rage
🗡️ Touch her/him and 💀
Thank you to the author for this gifted ARC for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Death Raised By Touch,
A Soul That Wanders Is Never Enough
This story was phenomenal!! That ending felt like I ended. Aching for the next book.
She wants to be more than a weapon but she doesn’t have a choice. She must be the Shadow Reaper or suffer the consequences by Alexander’s hand. So many scars. Then she will murdered…yet wakes up a few hours later. No time to ponder how this happened because she is told she must go to the Obsidian Academy right away.
After days of walking through the Dark Forest and viscously fighting creatures of nightmares, she makes it to the gates of the academy. Everything changes for her within these walls. Selestina discovers prophecies, strange abilities she can’t explain, strange pulls to all 5 princes, friendship she never thought she could have and so much more.
Secrets unfolded, twists and turns, betrayals, old magic, a powerful prophecy that could collapse all five kingdoms, fated mates, Mexican and Latin lore. This story has it all.
Each prince is scared and trapped. Each given a task. Will they go through with it?
This is a major “Touch her and Die” book!! These princes are obsessed!! Protective and cocky. Taking stalking to a new fun level. They try to resist but it doesn’t work.
My favorite part is the dust packet scene. 😂 Had me dying!
🌘Tropes:
🌙 Fantasy why choose
🥀 Enemies to lovers to enemies
🗡️ Fated mates
🌙 Academy (college)
🥀 Plus size Latina FMC
🗡️ Broody men
🌙 Political rivalries
🥀 Feminine rage
🗡️ Touch her/him and 💀
Thank you to the author for this gifted ARC for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 27, 2025
Firstly a huge thank you to Margot Ophelia for providing me with an ARC of 'Of Shadow and Moon' to read and review.
3.5 Stars
This was a difficult one for me to rate. I really enjoyed the book for its storyline and world building. I liked the concept of 5 different races that are all rivals for different reasons, but there is a central academic setting where everyone is on even footing. I loved Selestina, the FMC and her background as a trained assassin. The story wastes no time in getting going and you are immediately drawn into everything and then the world building unravels at an easy pace for the reader as Selestina reveals it bit by bit.
Selestina's latest mission then leads her to go undercover at the University where each of the 5 rival races study...fae, daemons, vampires, dragon shifters and water folk. She's forced to try and fit in, whilst adjusting to being a human among the various races and of course, carry out her missions from her boss Alexander. You get dark academia elements, tension when she might be discovered, we meet her prickly roommate and we meet the 5 princes, which all seem drawn to Selestina, but act differently in their approaches.
So the main bit I struggled with in Of Shadow and Moon is the dialogue. I almost felt like a different person had written the dialogue compared to the rest of it. The writing for me is great in that it flows well and I loved following Selestina, but then the dialogue between characters, especially between the princes and her best friend, just didn't work for me. I found the interactions between Selestina and the princes really childish and awkward and it threw me out of the story a bit each time. I can tell what the author is going for and I know some of it is meant to be banter and flirting so it might be that it just wasn't to my taste but it didn't work for me at all. Which meant I struggled to connect to the princes and her friend and as a result I don't really feel strongly about the other characters.
The other thing I struggled with is that Selestina is supposed to be a feared assassin across the 5 races and their various realms, but she regularly gets her ass absolutely handed to her and makes silly mistakes on some missions that I feel like she wouldn't if she was that good? It just didn't add up.
That said, for all the other reasons above, I did enjoy the book and I loved the ending, so I would really like to read book 2!
3.5 Stars
This was a difficult one for me to rate. I really enjoyed the book for its storyline and world building. I liked the concept of 5 different races that are all rivals for different reasons, but there is a central academic setting where everyone is on even footing. I loved Selestina, the FMC and her background as a trained assassin. The story wastes no time in getting going and you are immediately drawn into everything and then the world building unravels at an easy pace for the reader as Selestina reveals it bit by bit.
Selestina's latest mission then leads her to go undercover at the University where each of the 5 rival races study...fae, daemons, vampires, dragon shifters and water folk. She's forced to try and fit in, whilst adjusting to being a human among the various races and of course, carry out her missions from her boss Alexander. You get dark academia elements, tension when she might be discovered, we meet her prickly roommate and we meet the 5 princes, which all seem drawn to Selestina, but act differently in their approaches.
So the main bit I struggled with in Of Shadow and Moon is the dialogue. I almost felt like a different person had written the dialogue compared to the rest of it. The writing for me is great in that it flows well and I loved following Selestina, but then the dialogue between characters, especially between the princes and her best friend, just didn't work for me. I found the interactions between Selestina and the princes really childish and awkward and it threw me out of the story a bit each time. I can tell what the author is going for and I know some of it is meant to be banter and flirting so it might be that it just wasn't to my taste but it didn't work for me at all. Which meant I struggled to connect to the princes and her friend and as a result I don't really feel strongly about the other characters.
The other thing I struggled with is that Selestina is supposed to be a feared assassin across the 5 races and their various realms, but she regularly gets her ass absolutely handed to her and makes silly mistakes on some missions that I feel like she wouldn't if she was that good? It just didn't add up.
That said, for all the other reasons above, I did enjoy the book and I loved the ending, so I would really like to read book 2!
April 19, 2025
🖤Fantasy Why Choose
✨Enemies to Lovers to Enemies
🖤Fated Mates
✨Academy (college setting)
🖤Plus Size Latina FMC
✨Broody Men
🖤Political Rivalries
✨Feminine Rage
🖤Touch Her/Him and D!3
✨Review✨
OMG! I’m still reeling from this book. I knew it was a debut and kinda knew what the vibe was gonna be going into it but WOW. So Selestina(known as Shadow Reaper-most feared assassin in Tonalli) yeah she’s a baddie. She deals with her own personal struggles and trauma. She’s got a sassy bite back personality and let me tell you she ain’t scared of fighting back in any way. Add in the supernatural princes whom she’s seen, hidden behind her assassin mask and finding out a one night stand happened to be the only prince she’d yet to meet or see, well you can only the imagine the drama that store. Especially when she sees him at Obsidian Academy. This book in best description has a feminine rage, zodiac academy meets fate hollow academy, all wrapped in a Coco vibe. It has some of the most unique and detailed inspo and well written Latin inspired day of the dead aspects I’ve ever read, the overall plot and storyline to me was solid to the point I binge read this one in about 13 hours cause I couldn’t stop reading it, and when I tell you how I’m already shipping my fav men in Nazriel, Rhyker, and Kaelion you don’t even know. And yes we do have some obsessed men one who likes to stalk and a cliffhanger that left me going WHAT?!?! I’m so proud of Margot Ophelia on this debut it was such a compelling read and I can’t wait for Book 2!
✨Enemies to Lovers to Enemies
🖤Fated Mates
✨Academy (college setting)
🖤Plus Size Latina FMC
✨Broody Men
🖤Political Rivalries
✨Feminine Rage
🖤Touch Her/Him and D!3
✨Review✨
OMG! I’m still reeling from this book. I knew it was a debut and kinda knew what the vibe was gonna be going into it but WOW. So Selestina(known as Shadow Reaper-most feared assassin in Tonalli) yeah she’s a baddie. She deals with her own personal struggles and trauma. She’s got a sassy bite back personality and let me tell you she ain’t scared of fighting back in any way. Add in the supernatural princes whom she’s seen, hidden behind her assassin mask and finding out a one night stand happened to be the only prince she’d yet to meet or see, well you can only the imagine the drama that store. Especially when she sees him at Obsidian Academy. This book in best description has a feminine rage, zodiac academy meets fate hollow academy, all wrapped in a Coco vibe. It has some of the most unique and detailed inspo and well written Latin inspired day of the dead aspects I’ve ever read, the overall plot and storyline to me was solid to the point I binge read this one in about 13 hours cause I couldn’t stop reading it, and when I tell you how I’m already shipping my fav men in Nazriel, Rhyker, and Kaelion you don’t even know. And yes we do have some obsessed men one who likes to stalk and a cliffhanger that left me going WHAT?!?! I’m so proud of Margot Ophelia on this debut it was such a compelling read and I can’t wait for Book 2!
May 29, 2025
I don’t even know where to begin with this oneeee. This was such a good read with so much love I don’t even know where to start omg. There are so many amazing elements in this story to highlight but I guess I’ll start with the tropes. This book is a why choose dark romantasy centered around a Latina FMC that is plus sized (not in a fetishized way as we can see in other plus size rep books but in a healthy body positive way that is NOT made into the fmcs only personality trait but rather supplements everything else she brings to the table) with 5 yes F I V E princes set in a dark academia school vibe with magic and a whole lot of sexy suspense.
Now from the tropes ALONE this book sounds like a home run (which it is) but the writing is equally as incredible with so much depth in the story and within each character. I love love loved getting to know each character and the world they live in! The world building is complex in a good way but gently done in a way that doesn’t confuse or overwhelm the reader and the backstories we are given for each character beautifully fit in to the larger pieces of story which makes this story so beautifully well rounded.
This book had me hooked from the prologue and when I say I couldn’t put it down I’m not kidding!! This book will be available June 1st and for anyone even slightly intrigued with what this book has to offer add it to your TBR and let me know!!!
Thank you to this incredible author for sharing this story with me a bit early I truly appreciate you and all the work you put into this wonderful book.
Now from the tropes ALONE this book sounds like a home run (which it is) but the writing is equally as incredible with so much depth in the story and within each character. I love love loved getting to know each character and the world they live in! The world building is complex in a good way but gently done in a way that doesn’t confuse or overwhelm the reader and the backstories we are given for each character beautifully fit in to the larger pieces of story which makes this story so beautifully well rounded.
This book had me hooked from the prologue and when I say I couldn’t put it down I’m not kidding!! This book will be available June 1st and for anyone even slightly intrigued with what this book has to offer add it to your TBR and let me know!!!
Thank you to this incredible author for sharing this story with me a bit early I truly appreciate you and all the work you put into this wonderful book.
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