Ties of Shadow

Tethered Hearts

by Alora Carter

A vengeful shadow.
An obliging noblewoman.
A mangled kingdom.


Aelia is everything a noble woman should be – graceful, lovely and quiet. But as a motherless, magicless foreigner, she’s often treated as no better than a well-dressed castle servant. Finding the herbs to make the queen’s healing potions becomes harder as the fire prince battles the violent shadow attacks from their enemy, the Shade. The battles poison the land, and the herbs are drying out. Aelia will do anything to save the queen … or so she thought.

When the prince receives a prophecy that demands she forfeit her life to save the kingdom, she flees to avoid becoming the ultimate sacrifice. And with nowhere to hide, she runs directly to the Shade. But bleeding on his doorstep may be her greatest mistake. Menacing and self-assured, the dark lord may be yet another master demanding her servitude.

Aelia swore she'd never be fooled again, but the Shade’s kindness makes her question if he’s more than the shadows he commands. And when new monsters attack from the deep and a new potion is discovered, Aelia must decide what is she willing to sacrifice. Will she save herself, the queen, or the Shade?

Ties of Shadow is book 6 in Tethered Hearts, a multi-author series of no spice fantasy romances. Each standalone story features a magical bond that forces the couple to discover how much they’re willing to sacrifice for the sake of love.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Magic, Enemies To Lovers, Young Adult, Cozy, Romantasy

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 11, 2025

About the author

Author Alora Carter is a native Coloradan sun-child who would rather be lost in a forest than adulting. She has three vibrant littles and a handsome viking-esque husband, as well as two German Shorthaired Pointesr, a frog, some fowl, and a four-foot corn snake named Sancho. Currently thriving in the lake lands of the mid-west, she finds herself through writing fantasy that sprinkles in cool science alongside themes of endurance in hardship, found family and growing the hidden potential in us all.

She began writing amidst the Pandemic in fall of 2021 and finished May 2022 with her first draft. Working nearly full-time and mothering full-time means she sneaks in minutes and hours to write and work on the next novel. She loves the imaginative human soul and hopes someone learns some amazing facts along the way. To combine her love of science with her love of writing and reading is a dream come true.

Spoiler alert: Good wins and love conquers all, even if it might not look like it at the time.

Website: www.AloraCarter.com

Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorAloraCarter

Instagram at www.instagram.com/AuthorAloraCarter

TikTok at www.tiktok.com/AuthorAloraCarter

Reviews

[TaniaRina Valdespino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never lose sight of who you are
Among other things, this is a cautionary tale about the dangers of being a people pleaser. Yes, it’s important to be helpful, kind, polite…but not more so than setting healthy boundaries for ourselves. If we do not reserve some of our time and energy, then others think that’s permission to disrespect and to take advantage of our generosity. People pleasers are easily discarded after being perceived of no longer having a use.
Some paradigm shifts to increase awareness of our own merits:
*We each of us has what to offer the world.
*Our worth is more than what we do for others.
*We do not need to diminish ourselves in order to serve.
*NEVER think of yourself as our heroine once did, ‘If I do nothing, then I am nothing’.

I really appreciate the author’s calling out the ills that when rulers fight over power, they end up destroying what they are to protect. Coveting, disease, environmental damage, falsehoods, illiteracy, poverty, scarcity, unrest, war…are but to name a few. There’s little energy left for creating better lives when all one can do is struggle to put food on the table. The longer unfit rulers are in place, the deeper the downward spiral digs.


Some sage advice to keep in mind when making important decisions:
‘The right risk at the right time is worth all the stars in the skies.’
I LUVED this!
‘Darkness isn’t evil. Darkness is a cozy blanket, a safe place to rest. It’s peace and quietness. It’s cool water when the world grows too hot. Without the darkness, you cannot see the stars.’

May we all find our voice and use it to tame the darkness that others cause. ‘Fight for what is right, for the vulnerable, for the weak.’


This is my first time enjoying this author and I look forward to reading more of her works (I already have ‘The Awakened Prince’, part of the “Once Upon A Prince” multi-author series of clean fairy-tale retellings).

[DragonRider Elf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book in the Tethered Hearts series thus far I think!!!

Content warnings:

Language: N/A

Sexual content: Kisses, wanting to kiss, and one scene where the two main characters are in a hot spring together (though it was not intentional and nothing happened other than embarrassment for the characters)

Violence/Gore: Mentions of abuse from parents, death of animals, death, wounds, and magic battles that end with someone ending up hurt at some point (though none of this is terribly descriptive)

I literally just finished this book. It is 1:20am. I can barely open my eyes. It was worth it.

Aelia was hard for me to understand, but I also understood her. I feel like my sisters would especially be able to relate to her. Aelias biggest flaw is the fact that she is a people pleaser… she always wants to keep people happy, no matter how cruel they can be to her. I am not that way. Nonetheless, she had amazing character growth!! I was glad to see her grow out of the prejudices she was taught quickly, and to see her relationship with the Shade grow!

Speaking of the Shade… I’m going to marry him. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I have little to say beyond that. I adore everything about his character. Well, almost everything. Shade has a major insecurity: He feels as though no one wants him for who he is. He has a right to feel that way, however, as he has been rejected over and over (I don’t know why though! This man is the most adorable, sarcastic, goofy little terrifying cinnamon roll that ever existed!!!). I didn’t like that he assumed Aelia would do the same for the first 50% of the book. I can’t blame him though… not too much. He could hear her thoughts initially after all.
Nonetheless, he is easily a top 5 favorite MMC.

I have a side character or several that I love, but none quite so much as Jamison. TELL ME WHY THIS LITTLE BAT IS SO SASSY!? I loved him 😭🤣 I cannot count the amount of times I laughed out loud bc of him! He’s so cute!

This is my first ever Alora Carter book, and I am absolutely in love!

The “plot twists” never surprised me as they were really easy to guess (for me at least). HOWEVER, that did not take away from my love of the book! I still loved it!!!

A couple quotes I laughed at from the Shade:

“I am an amazing specimen, Dayspring. A gift to all mankind.”

“I’m a poor ladies’ maid, I’m afraid. But you’ll look put together enough for the cave creatures.”

And while I only mentioned Jamison, worry not friends… there are plenty of adorable animals in this, and you can hear their thoughts 😆 I loved so many of them!

Another thing I loved was the banter between Aelia and the Shade! I highlighted half the book bc of it 🤣

I think it goes without saying (though I have already said it plenty) that I love this book and I HIGHLY recommend you read it! It’s got action, it’s got romance, it’s got drama, it’s got humor, and it’s got Jamison (I’m sorry, I love the bat. I’m not ashamed).

I received this book as an ARC, though all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own!

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is well written at least. The plot is nothing new: magicless girl ends up saving the world with her magic. I wanted to DNF at 20% and again at 49% because I couldn't find it in my heart to care at all about the main character.

Aelia has got to be the world's absolute biggest idiot. She makes all kinds of excuses for everything and everyone around her. People are actively hurting her and she dredges up yet another excuse.
Her father gets drunk and punches her? Well it's just that he so heartbroken over the loss of her mother.
Everyone bullies her? Well it's just that she isn't working hard enough.
The prince takes credit for her success? Well it's just that he works hard defending the kingdom, it must have slipped his mind.
The king blames her for getting guards killed? Well he must just be worried.
She was just in the way when her supposed friend literally hurled a fireball at her.
When supposed friend and awful father would like her to sacrifice herself it's probably the first time in her life she's ever said no. And what does she do? She runs away and immediately blames herself some more. Then she convinces herself that when supposed friend prince comes to get her that he's there to apologize. Like, hello he just tried to kill you!
Not to mention that anyone can see that Shade is the banished boy she remembered and the queen's son. Who was banished at nine years old... who no one remembers?
Aelia is just.. awful.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3,5 ☆)

Aelia is a young noble woman, but as magicless she's treated more like a servant at the castle. She doesn't mind serving prince Leon and the queen, who is gravely ill, but when the prince interprets a prophecy as needing to sacrifice Aelia's life, she runs. She has nowhere to go and she ends up at the kingdom's worst enemy, the Shade. The question is if she has gone from bad to worse?

Aelia has a difficult time saying no and wants to be helpful, but that makes people take advantage of her. I get angry at all those around her who only think of themselves and take her for granted. I also get irritated at Aelia, who's too naive and meek; I want to tell her to grow a backbone! It takes her way too long to realise things that are obvious, and therefore she feels younger than she is. The latest books I've read have had strong and independent female protagonists and I believe that makes it hard for me to sympathise with Aelia. I also prefer to read about strong FMC's, even though they have some flaws. Aelia grows considerably during the book - thanks to the Shade - and she's a completely different person at the end.

"You showed everyone you are worth something, worth more than some sacrifice determined by an old crone. That you don't have to please the world to earn your place. That saying no is the first step to a full and joyful yes."

The whole book is from Aelia's POV so it takes a bit longer to get to know the Shade, but you understand early on that he's not as evil as he seems (naturally). He surrounds himself with various animal companions and the bat Jamison has some fun interactions with Aelia!

To sum it up; I like the premise of the story, about finding yourself and not letting others control what you want in life. I had some difficulties with Aelia for a long time, but it's more of a personal opinion, although it effects my overall judgement.

* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *

[thelilcloseddoorbookgal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cliché? Yes (which I knew going into it) Still intriguing and swoon worthy? Also yes
Check this out if you like the villain gets the girl trope but without spice

[Lisa Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ties of Shadow by Alora Carter is another ARC I received from the Tethered Hearts multi-author series about characters who are binded together by magical ties. So far, this series has been surprisingly dark, especially in comparison to Sacrificed Hearts, which shares similar themes. Despite its simplistic nature, this book has some levity to it in the form of cute animal sidekicks that live the shadow world and make wisecracks to the main characters. It does a good job developing the romance and is thematically similar to Mask of Deception and Sacrifice, which was inspired by "Beauty and the Beast" and Phantom of the Opera. The dark/light dynamic of the lead characters works well, allowing them to balance out each other's strengths and weaknesses.

Lady Aelia has a hard time saying "no." She is dangerously loyal to the crown and Prince Leon who was once a dear friend to her. However, when those she is most loyal to ask her to sacrifice herself based on the loose interpretation of a prophecy, she decides she has had enough enough and runs straight into the arms of her kingdom's worst enemy. The Shade, a dark being who possesses shadow magic and lives on the outskirts of the kingdom, swears he will protect her at any cost. He gives her a home, teaches her about his dark powers, and helps her come to terms with some uncomfortable truths about the people she served. Ultimately, Aelia must realize that love does not mean giving up your freedom and happiness to make others happy.

Although the story gets more interesting after Aelia moves in with the Shade, it starts out pretty slow. I had a hard time understanding the mechanics of the world, its magic, and what her duties were for her father and the prince. It was only when she was asked to sacrifice herself that I realized she was in an abusive relationship with multiple people and needed to learn how to respect herself. Once the Shade takes her in, the book really picks up. His world is fully of fantastical beings like talking animals, monsters, and magical glowing objects. He helps her to understand the flaws in her philosophy and takes her under his wing.

The further I got in this book, the more interesting it became. The best parts of the story are not revealed until the final chapters. These parts gave me a much better understanding of the world and everyone's role within. There is a unique magic system in this book that does not feel fully fleshed out. For instance, I knew that the queen was sick due to her powers and they way they responded to the environment, but I was not clear on the details of her sickness and how her magic was affected by it. The Shade has shadow magic, which seemed to mean different things depending on the situation. The specifics of the magic system aren't that important overall because it's a love story first and foremost, but they still would have been nice to know.

Ties of Shadow by Alora Carter is an enlightening tale of self-discovery, loyalty, and the power of love. While the story takes its time to unfold, the world-building and character development ultimately pay off in a satisfying and romantic conclusion. Lady Aelia's journey from naive loyalty to empowered independence is a compelling one, and her dynamic with the enigmatic Shade adds depth and complexity to the narrative. Fans of dark fantasy romance will appreciate the unique magic system and the atmospheric world-building, even if some aspects feel slightly underdeveloped. Overall, Ties of Shadow is a solid addition to the Tethered Hearts series, and readers who enjoy slow-burn romances with a touch of darkness will find plenty to appreciate.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember filling in the form to sign up for this arc team. For a moment I was doubting to only select the authors I knew and loved. In a way I wanted to be sure to get their arcs. And then I remembered why I loved these kinds of series: discovering new authors. I eventually got three arcs from authors I was less familiar with and yet I couldn't be disappointed. And after my first two arcs of this series, I was very excited about this book.

While reading this book I all of a sudden realized that this book was about me. This book is about the issues I'm talking about with the therapist. This book is about saying no to make your yes more powerful. This book is about respecting your own limits and making others respect them. This book is about learning to ask yourself what you want before deciding what to do. And the author did an amazing job having the heroine go through this process.

It also helps that the book has an interesting setting. Although we don't get very detailed descriptions of the kingdom, we understand quite soon and easily how this kingdom works. We understand the politics, the power structures, the issues this kingdom is facing and the battle they're fighting. Add an extra layer of mythical creatures and interesting magic and I hope the author is ready to write more stories set in this world!

I also loved the finale of the book. Of course I don't want to give away too much and I can totally understand if for some people the ending feels a little easy. However, for me it was the perfect ending, fitting the characters and their journey. This book is not about who is the strongest and most powerful. This book is about who is the kindest. And when it comes towards kindness there is one thing we all know for sure: it's never too late to choose being kind.

[Sebi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content:
magic: elemental magic that's vaguely defined, some telepathy
violence: a few fight scenes with both weapons and magic, some injuries but not too graphic, one shown instance of parental abuse
romance: pretty clean, mild kisses, a scene where the two MCs are bathing in a hot spring together but nothing sexual happens and it is described as awkward.
language: clean

I received an ARC from the author who is part of the Tethered Hearts multi author series. I have read books by other authors on that team but this is the first book by Alora Carter that I have read. This review contains spoilers.

This was a quick read for me that kept me entertained for a weekend; however, there were a lot of plot holes. But first, I appreciated the message that a person has intrinsic value that is not tied to what they can do. The Shade had some great comments on that topic. Additionally, the theme of freedom of choice was a pleasant surprise, as most YA/ new adult romances are driven by passion or desires, and while that wasn't necessarily absent, I did appreciate the Shade setting the boundary on their relationship if she didn't truly choose him. He wasn't demanding her, but he also wasn't letting her (or his own) emotions dictate the course of the relationship.

I thought the magic system needed more explanation. For example, bonding shows your soulmate, but you can also keep them alive with your life. Why didn't Aelia's father do that with her mother? The shadow magic is tangible and also includes telepathy. But then Uncle Koll can also use telepathy independent of the Shade even though he has earth magic? And did nobody remember the firstborn prince and heir who lived at the castle until he was 9 years old?! I also found the ending inconclusive. I understand that sometimes you can't get perfect justice in this life, but the King (and Leon) got away with way too much. The Queen's actions at the end didn't seem like those of the good ruler she was before her illness, and there was no explanation for how Shade's identity would affect the future of the kingdom.

[Riella Cristobal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my word! I flew through this story! It was so exciting to read and I loved getting to follow Aelia’s journey.
Poor Aelia! I really felt for her as she struggled with her place in the castle. She felt invisible and at the same time obviously out of place. I admired her genuine desire to help and her care for people. But at the same time, her tender heart left her drained and shocked when a prophecy demands that she forfeit her life. I loved getting to see Aelia’s perspective change as she was forced to find refuge with the Shade. She found such kindness and was able to evaluate how she viewed herself and the treatment she was given.
It was so cool to see the world Ms. Carter has created! The magic of it was so cool and I loved getting to see different variations. When Aelia was in the Shade’s realm, the majesty of his castle was so descriptive as I read it! I loved the creatures that we also got to meet there! It was so sweet to see some of the connections that the Shade had with his people. I do not want to give any spoilers, but there were so many lovely characters that Aelia got to meet and connect with! As secrets and mysteries were uncovered, I could not get to the end fast enough! I loved how the twists were prepared for, so nothing felt completely out of left field, but as if the last piece of the puzzle was put into place!
This is an exciting romantasy with only kissing. It has some fantasy violence and I think would be suitable for teens and up.
I received an ARC.

[LeeEllen Belcher (Caw) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fantasy romance was amazing, it had me laughing, crying, and on the edge of my seat! The female main character was very relatable to my own life, even though this was in a medieval setting. Aelia was the daughter of a nobleman with earth magic. She helped her father gather ingredients and make potions for the ailing queen. But with no magic of her own the nobles of the kingdom ridiculed her, even though she was always ready to help anyone with anything. Until the prophecy seemed to be talking about her and the Prince, whom she thought was her best friend, betrayed her and she said her first no. On the run from the prophecy, and on the brink of death, she goes to the enemy, the Shade, who everyone sees as death himself. The kingdom has been fighting with him because they've been told that he is poisoning the lands with his dark shadow magic. As she's nursed back to health she begins to trust him, and the beasts that live in his manor. As they try to make a better life giving potion for the queen, she realizes that he isn't who everyone has made him out to be. Will they discover the true meaning of the prophecy, and save the kingdom before it falls? Will she find true happiness and bring light into the darkness?
I received an ARC with no expectation of a review. All opinions are my own.

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! So many feels in this book! So many things to say!
I felt for the characters from the beginning and was sucked in the story and hooked right away.

Aelia(the FMC) is stuck between two worlds and doesn't feel like she belongs anywhere. Being both powerless and a noble lady of the kingdom. She overcompensates by being extra helpful and never saying no. I felt she was really relatable and my heart hurt for her. She goes through a lot but also has some amazing growth!

The Shade(the MMC) is supposed to be the "bad" guy but I instantly loved him. He has shadow magic and can also hear people's thoughts. He has his own trauma and sad backstory and grows through that as well. But he is so sweet and funny. And gives Aelia the love she needed!

Together they help each other heal and love, and become the best versions of themselves. From learning how to forgive, to knowing you are worthy and loveable! They made me smile, they made me laugh, and they made me cry, so many feelings in here!

And many side characters that I loved so much!! The Shade has adopted a menagerie of animals which was so fun! There is also his uncle Koll who was hilarious and supportive. And Jamison the bat who is a grouch but worms his way into your affection. In a way the animals talk through his mind magic, so that was an interesting addition!

In this world there's soul bonds, which when you meet your soul mate and you touch, even for a second you get a mark and the more you are with this person the bigger it grows until your bond is complete. This was something new and different and I really liked this aspect. The FMC struggles with bonding and you see her grow in that as well.

The ending had so many plot twists! Surprises I did not expect, and they were so good! The ending of the book had action but it was also so heartwarming and beautiful in the, they finally found someone to love them kind of way, it made tears well up in my eyes 🥹🥰 I loved it so much!

I'm so grateful I was able to beta read this book! And I am voluntarily leaving my honest review 😊

Content: No-Spice/kisses only, no swearing, one of the characters suffered abuse (mostly just deals with the emotions of it), death(nothing graphic), attempted sacrifice of a person(failed)

*I was able to beta read this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review

[Aubrey Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is pretty well written. The romance is sweet with no spice, the FMC is endearing and has fantastic growth as a character, and the MMC is the most grumpy, lethal cinnamon roll, which seems like a contradiction, but it honestly works so well!

And when the author teased that this story would have ALL the animal sidekicks, she meant it! The MMC collects pets like some people collect Pokémon! Though, Jamison is the best! I could read an entire book about that sarcastic, sassy bat!

Now, I am not a fan of the fated mates/soulmates trope. I didn't mind how that trope was used in this story, particularly between the main couple, and I liked how the FMC grows and changes her opinion of the idea of soulmates by the end of the story.
I found nearly all the plot twists predictable but the book on a whole was still a fun read with some deep and very meaningful themes. Definitely worth reading!

I did receive an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Leticia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating:4.5

If you like shadow mmc but without the spice, this book is for you and if you like fmc who have to grow up and learn how strong they can be and fight for what matters most, and if you like grumpy bats, give it a try.
I really liked the dynamics of the characters and the way the fmc improves and changes. Perhaps if the system of powers had been explained a little more, in terms of what determines strength, I think I would have liked even more, but in no way does this hinder the reading and the events in the book, it's more curiosity really. Honestly, I can't wait to read more from Alora Carter.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion, thank you.

[Nospicereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so beautiful to watch unfold. There were things in the plot i could see coming and others that I was suprised by. The most impactful thing of the story was the emotional plot.
Aelia's development through the whole story had me in tears by the end. The strength she had while going through everything she did and with the grace she handled it was very inspiring.
I also like how Alora played out the bond between the two main characters. The Shade did not force the bond on Aelia but rather held back because he wanted her to have the freedom she never had and to make sure it was something she fully wanted and not out of obligation. That being said the banter and teasing between the two had me giggling the whole time.
The little animal side kicks added so much more to the story and now I want a pet skunk
Also the world building was well through out and flowed effortlessly. I look forward to reading more of Alora's work in the future!

[Phi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!! Alora's stories are always so deep and meaningful, and this one did not disappoint. It hit me right in the heart, but then made up for it in the absolute best ways! If you want to feel deeply, I cannot recommend this one enough! I adore these characters, and this story was seriously more amazing than I can even describe!

[Brie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy from the Author.

This book is now permanently in my top 5 books. The characters Aelia and Shade are just amazing. The side characters are hilarious, I honestly felt like I was in Narnia with some of the scenes. I felt like forgiveness was the theme but some characters needed to get slapped with a frying pan.

[Beba Andric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about doing the dirty! OMG what a shocker! The Prince and King lead the nation with light and hope, yeah....right....Oy, I'm way ahead of myself...but before I get into it, I just have to state emphatically, I LOATHE the king!!! Ok, that's out the way now, let me tell you a bit more....The land is dying, the queen is dying, all those with earth magic are feeling the repercussions, ailing health, ailing magic, and the cause of this plague is directed at the Shadow lord, the Shade. This story truly has so much to offer, way more than I could have anticipated. Not only a convoluted intriguing plot, of fears, of despicable acts, of sociatal bias and abuse. But also one of deep convictions, of growth, of love.

Aelia, dutiful, the quintessential people pleaser, conditioned into the need to be useful, needed, helpful, has always been a "yes" person. Having no magic, she's barely tolerated at court, so she hides further and further into herself, accepting everything that's dished out at her. I honestly wanted to cry for her, this lonely young woman, with no friends, no one to show her any affection, no one she could count on, least of all her abusive father or even her childhood friend, Prince Leon, striving to "be better, do better", yeah, definite sorrowful violin moments. And Alora captured each moanfull string expertly... Aelia feels it's HER duty to save the queen and as a talented healer and potion maker, she ventures into dangerous territory to gather the means to do so. Until, she was betrayed by those who purported to care for her. Hmmm, betrayed? Oh this goes way beyond betrayal, this veers towards insurmountable duplicitous treacherous stab in the back! Even I was horrified at what was expected of her!

My heart was in my throat, my feet tripping just as hers when she flees, right into the domain of the Dark One, the Shade. But boy were we both in for a surprise! Assumption, presumptions, set Aelia one a linear path of thinking, though this path did, for the first time in her existence, allow her to choose, to see truths, to see how much she had missed out on. I loved the entire slow chipping away at her past conviction of being unworthy, as she faced the wonders of loyalty and respect unfold before her. And with this, she grew. It was awesome watching her unfold like a rare plant, slowly unfurling, blooming and exposing a genuine rare flower that she was. I absolutely utterly adored her, the author gave her a realism of a genuinely downtrodden and fearful persona and turned her into a majestically magnificent rose!

If my heart ached for Aelia, it cracked wide open for the Shade. Oh my word was he dealt a bitter blow! Thrown out, literally, from his home, his family, for a magic that's feared, he's a recluse, living in solitude with only his faithful uncle and his many many critters! I gotta confess, his manor and the array of animals loyal to him, put my mind firmly in Beauty and the Beast territory, no teapot and mice, but bats and wolves instead. Although he was drool worthy to look at, Aelia had been so conditioned that he was evil, his deeds didn't match his reputation. The beauty of the tension between was sublime! This entire story was sublime! The ending was sublime!

About halfway through I had an inkling of "something", a theory poking at my mind but when that "something" was confirmed, I was truly gobsmacked. Alora set down subtle, hidden tentacles I was reining in on and showing her expertise at concealment! Yes, she cunningly led this story, and me, into the dark burrows of the mountains, where I was on tenderhooks not knowing what the possible escape route was, and when she led me to the light, I was filled with the most euphoric joy!

[Chad Barrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author but was not required to post a review. This is my honest, voluntary impression I had upon reading this book.

This book has everything a reader would want to read in a book! It has a developed plot, main characters that instantly attract and hold your attention, writing that is top notch, love and betrayal, despair and loneliness but inside a fierce determination to preserve regardless of what others may think of you!

Aelia has been scorned, rejected, ridiculed, humiliated and laughed at her whole life because she doesn’t possess magic but through it all she still smiles and tries her best to be the person she always is regardless. She only has two friends, the queen who is dying and the chef. She gathers the ingredients to make the potions which keep the queen alive but things around are dead and dying because of a boyhood friend who is now the prince next in-line to be king and a perceived outside threat.
However,things aren’t as they seem as Aelia will find out shortly when her “friend “ wants her to give herself as the ultimate sacrifice and she finally flees from certain death! Alone and wounded she ends up at the doorstep of the one man she has always been told is the reason for the state of the kingdom and the lands around it.

Here she slowly discovers the truth but there are secrets she doesn’t yet know which surface later and when a crucial moment arises she is faced with believing what she has always thought or embracing a new concept which just may be the salvation of not only her but the entire kingdom!

This book will completely captivate and hold your interest throughout your reading experience! I loved the story and of a woman who felt herself nothing because of what she and others perceived but found in the end she was more than anyone and was the only one ,in fact, who could save the kingdom surprising not only herself but everyone around her!

I was angered at how callous those around her including the one boy she felt was her friend to disrespect her and think her so insignificant that he and others could kill her and she’d willingly agree to it!

It shows what can happen when one person gives everything and gets nothing in return but then slowly realizes that later on someone else is returning the same favor to her.

I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend this book as one I throughly enjoyed and would like everyone to read it as a result for the messages contained herein. They are nuggets of wisdom that you can apply in your everyday life to improve yourself and your outlook on life in general!

Don’t pass up this opportunity- get this book today and embrace the story of Aelia a girl who everyone but two initially but later three despised who rose and outshone them all!

[Shawna Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 3 1/2 stars for a charming new take on Beauty and the Beast.

Aelia is a girl without magic who is trapped in-between. On the one hand she is a Lady who eats with the nobles and attends balls, but she’s really just a poor daughter of an ailing herbalist. As her father is still reeling from the death of his wife years ago, he somehow manages to create the potions needed for the ailing queen, but it’s his daughter who has to find and harvest the herbs and help him do his duty as he spends most of his time as a heartless drunk who isn’t above causing her pain.

Prince Leon was Aelia’s friend since childhood, but as the country relies on his magic more as he grows older, he’s begun to take his tiredness and frustration out on Aelia as well.

So when the king decides to force and old prophecy to turn Aelia into a human sacrifice, she has no choice but to run… straight into the woods and to the gates of the kingdom’s enemy, a man known as The Shade. His arsenal of shadowy figures and his ruthless attacks to destroy the kingdom are well-known, but what if he wasn’t the enemy after all but rather the scapegoat?

Can Aelia and the Shade try to see each other clearly and perhaps save the kingdom? Perhaps find their own HEA?

Plenty of memorable animal characters will charm you and there is certainly loads of chemistry between our unlikely couple. Through all of the twists and turns there is hardly a moment to grow bored or distracted, and the ending makes for one heck of a showdown.

So why only 3 1/2 stars? Well, there is hardly any mystery here. Leon shows his true colors far too fast, and Aelia just happens to be the running joke/punching bag to 99% of the kingdom? It is obvious who Shae is pretty much from the start, and there is no real explanation as to why his shadow magic allows him to talk with animals, though I do love his relationships with them… it still doesn’t stop anyone from hunting down a deer, dragging it into the kitchen and butchering the animal. Ah, the circle of life. And why does Aelia only discover her true strength at the end after she announces her true feelings? No one else in the kingdom had to jump through so many hoops to gain theirs.

Did these questions and issues keep me from enjoying the story? No, but had a few of these been addressed I would have rated the book far higher. Just because it’s a YA fantasy/fairy tale romance doesn’t mean key points of the storyline should be ignored.

It’s worth the read, and you do not need to read any other book in the series as these are all standalone works tied around bargains. The series, however, has been a charming delight with every author involved having written solid pieces of fantasy and romance fit to make your heart sing.

[The Book Dragon's Hoard by A.V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely blazed through this wonderful read, and loved everything in the first three quarters of the story. Aelia was a fabulous FMC who I rooted for from the start. She totally captivated me and everything she went through was so recognisable from so many women I know, and I really appreciated how the author presented the ways in which peoples’ good can be manipulated and used by others, eroding who they are and ultimately betraying them. I also loved the Shade, who showed Aelia a different path and supported her when she was at her lowest, helping her find herself.

I also really loved the message about choosing for oneself and choosing after one's own heart, and how that is the only way to truly make those around us happy. It's a beautiful message that really touched my heart.

Everything was set up for an intense and cathartic ending, but that’s where things started to unravel. Although I’d worked out the Shade’s identity quite early on in the story, the moment it’s revealed to Aelia, she just took the information in stride. There was no shock, no realigning of her worldview, no anger at the injustices he’d experienced. And that lack just reduced the scene that could have been amazing into the first stumble that ultimately brought the resolution crashing down like a house of cards for me because every encounter after that lacked the emotions I needed to see. Aelia’s father just accepts the Shade without question. Where were the years of indoctrination in his reaction? Just not there, which was unbelievable. Aelia didn’t have to defend the Shade at all, even though the social build up would indicate the contrary. That along with the encounters that followed during and after the battle continued to gloss over the emotions and what Aelia truly felt, thought, and believed, which all made her ultimate choice less impactful and ruined the ending for me.

Lastly, I had so many questions about how the magic worked and how it expresses itself. There were indications that it's genetic, but honestly I had no idea how things worked and why Aelia didn't have magic. The explanation at the end was woefully inadequate to understand the magic system and its rules.

I really wished I could have loved, loved, loved this one because I really did until everything fell apart during the ending and that made me sad because I was so invested in this story. Losing the emotional connection at the end really hurt.

[Sarah Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book!! Aelia is a young woman who leads 2 lives. By night she is a noble woman living with her father, by day she is as good as a servant since she has no magic. Her father is a potion maker, who is a valuable member of the court since he is providing potions to help the Queen. The Queen has a sickness caused by the Prince and the Shade fighting constantly. With acid rain caused by the Shade and fire from Prince Leon, nothing is able to grow and the land and the Queen's health wither. Ever the faithful noblewoman/servant, Aelia does anything asked of her to help the Queen - anything except sacrifice herself it seems. Running straight into the arms of the enemy, she must figure out a way for herself and find out who she really is.
Aelia is a people pleaser. She wants so desperately to belong that she never utters the word no, even when she should. She has no concept of her own self worth and it is heartbreaking what she has to suffer through. Even her childhood best friend, Prince Leon, pretends not to know her or acknowledge her. She has few people she can count on or turn to and the other nobles laugh at her. The Shade is, of course, meant to be a terrifying enemy. When she runs into his territory and he saves her, she has no idea what to think. And he makes her think - about how she has been treated, what she is really worth and can she change the way she thinks about him. He is swoon-worthy for sure! He will stop at nothing to protect her, even from herself. He forces her to think outside of her normal and puts her on the path to discovering herself. The romance is definitely clean and sweet. The entire book definitely has you rooting for the Shade. It has a Beauty and the Beast feel to it, only with a greenhouse instead of a library.
Besides the romance, there is plenty of action and magic. There are so many creatures, some fun
and hilarious and some terrifying! I loved Jamison and all his snark! He is the faithful companion of the Shade and always willing to get into the fray. There are also the terrifying animals from below ground. There were several scenes where I had the creeps and would shudder at the thought of these creatures!! The magical battles were incredible as well! There really is never a "dull" moment in this book. And as the story moves along, you are given lots of dropped breadcrumbs to help you figure out what is going on and it just done so wonderfully!
I absolutely loved this book and can't wait for everyone to get to read it!

[Bethany Aich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. I have JUST finished reading and Ties of Shadow brings out all the emotions. It was funny. It was romantic (but clean!!!!!). It was soulful. It was heartrending. It was everything beautiful and bright, and dark and shadowy. (Again, CLEAN; please do not read spice into anything I say because there is none.) And now, onward:

Let’s start with that cover, shall we. I can’t get enough of it; I may need a poster. Before even reading the book, I was in love with this cover—and it matches the story so perfectly, which makes it even better.

The plot: It’s such a wonderful feeling to have a book I can fly through and have all the feels for. There is enjoying a book and there is ENJOYING a book. This one was beauty to my soul. It took me a bit over 24 hours to finish, but that’s only because I did take a break to sleep. Other than that, I barely put it down.

The romance: Clean!! Normally I feel like I need to put some disclaimers in stories since I have such a high standard for what I will consider truly “clean”. But I would be okay with a teenager reading this. There are a few kisses (non descriptive), and there are some descriptions of maybe skin tingling, but it’s nothing smarmy and feels like it fits the story beautifully. Now, I wouldn’t read it aloud to my mother, but I’m bashful that way, lol. (I wouldn’t even like reading the mild romance in the Anne of Green Gables series out loud to her either, for reference.) If you are in doubt, just pre-read or buddy-read it so you can discuss as your youth goes through it. Overall rating for romance: PG.

Violence: this is a bit trickier. There are a few gross magical creatures we come across. There is fighting, mostly with magic. And there is some death that we see, though not directly. The violence is most definitely heavier than the romance aspect, and I would label it PG-13 for sure.

Religion: while there are some cultish feelings in the beginning, that balances out by the end and change is coming to the land. It’s also not a true cult as much as an attempted covering up of wrongs done by those in authority.

While I read an early copy, this review is completely my own. And I will definitely be reading this again post publishing.

[Amanda McGee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I begin, I would like to thank Alora Carter for allowing me to read a copy of her upcoming book, Ties of Shadow, which is part of the multi-author Tethered Hearts series and will be available on April 11th, 2025.

Aelia does her best to be the perfect noblewoman - beautiful, graceful, and silent. However, she’s treated as a castle servant due to being a foreigner without a mother or magic. The fire prince fights the kingdom’s villain, the Shade, which results in the herbs meant for the queen’s healing potions drying out and the land poisoned. When the prince learns of a prophecy that requires her to be the sacrifice to save the kingdom, she runs feeling betrayed and like a fool. The Shade gives her sanctuary, but her experiences make it difficult for her to trust again. Perhaps the Shade is more than the villain the people portray him to be. Along with his kindness, new monsters, and a potion that can cure the queen, Aelia has to figure out the truth and whether the person she needs to save is the Queen, the Shade, or herself.

I loved this book. You have Aelia, a kind, loyal, skilled, trusting, and beautiful young woman that does her best to make potions for the queen, help her father, and do her best for their kingdom. You have the Shade, a considerate, funny, thoughtful, determined, and handsome young man deemed as the kingdom’s adversary and has secrets of his own. The interactions between Aelia and the Shade were sweet, honest, and funny. The worldbuilding and magic were fantastic, and I laughed whenever Uncle Kroll or Jamison were sassy. The themes of propaganda, nature, and the discussion of healthy relationships vs abusive ones were powerful, and I resonated with Aelia’s struggle to be more confident in her desires and identity and cheered for her throughout the story. Overall, if you like great worldbuilding, fantastic found family dynamics, discussions about identity, propaganda, healthy relationships, and balance, and sweet cinnamon roll/morally grey mmc x sweet/loyal fmc romance with low amounts of spice, then I would highly recommend this book.

[Kaitlin M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ties of Shadow is a beautiful story about learning to love and value yourself after living a life of people-pleasing.

Aelia is a magicless noblewoman who is treated like nothing by all the rest of the nobility. In a kingdom where the strength of your magic determines your status, she does everything for everyone in an attempt to be worthy. The people of the kingdom treat her horrendously and she has nobody to defend her. Even her friend, Prince Leon, never comes to her defense in public, choosing instead to be a when-no-one-is-around friend. Her father is a healer, tasked with healing the queen from her illness, but also an abusive drunk, who spends his time drowning his sorrow over the loss of his wide while his daughter fulfills many of his responsibilities without thanks from any.

The Shade is believed to be a dark, shadow-magic monster causing the sickness of the land and the Queen. When an old prophecy leads the king and Prince Leon to attempt to sacrifice Aelia, she flees to the Shade and his shadowy manor. During her time with him, she slowly learns how to value herself simply for who she is rather than for what she can do for others. As she grows closer to the Shade, she also comes to learn that he’s not quite the shadow villain that the kingdom has painted him as.

This story was so sweet and it was lovely to see Aelia grow to value herself and to see the Shade come to be treated with the love and understanding that he deserved. Both struggled with abandonment and rejection by those who should have loved and protected them most and it was so sweet to watch them grow together.

The animal companions were an absolute delight, and the dry, sarcastic, wit and charm of the Shade and his banter with Aelia made this an incredibly entertaining read.

Thank you to Alora for including me on her ARC team, all opinions stated are my own. Go check this book out!

Content Warning:
Violence - death of people (off page); death of creatures (on page, not graphic)
Abusive father
Alcoholic father
Bullying
Shadow magic (not evil)
Monsters
Attempted human sacrifice (occultish vibes; one scene only)
Kisses only
No language

[Leigh W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aelia just wants to be helpful and present, Able Aelia as her father calls her. Without having magic but being the daughter of a nobleman puts her in a weird place, not quite wanted in any circle. She is friends with the prince but he can't openly show it for fear of his father. She views the ailing queen as a mother and wishes to do more. Her father, who is in a constant state of drunk, is inconsistent with his anger and affection. The only true place of recognition and affection comes from Chef and even she can't do as much as she would like. After coming home without the herbs she needed for the queens potion again due to the persistent battle between Prince Leon and the Shade she is more determined to prove her worth. However, the Shade crashes a ceremony at the castle and saves Aelia causing her loyalty to be questioned. She is then brought to the seers and told that sacrifice is required to fulfill a prophecy. For once Aelia says no. And runs to the protection of someone that even Prince Leon won't cross easily, the Shade. Now she is faced with the mystery that is him and finds that the truths she has been fed may be elaborate lies.

I found the opening a bit clunky to get through the worldbuilding but once I got a grasp of it I just devoured the story. Aelia is someone that I can relate to at times, the yes person that can overstretch themselves. She knows she is an outsider grasps at any praise and attention, even if it slowly kills her spirit. When she finally stands up for herself it was so nice to see. The person she becomes at the end and the journey, and time, it took to get there was satisfying. The Shade was definitely a wounded soul and the hurt/comfort trope was strong in this story. The animal sidekicks were hilarious and we could all use a Jamison Harold Crocus Marcus Delaney the Third in our lives.

[Melinda Cater · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is Absolutely Spectacular!!! From the very first sentence to the final word I was drawn in, completely captivated, and reluctant to put it down…especially when I was forced to do adulting activities like working and driving kids to and from school….

Aelia is a servant by day and a magicless Lady by night. And in a kingdom where self-worth is often defined by a person’s magic Aelia’s life has been anything but easy. And with a drunken father, a dying queen, and a Prince under his father’s thumb Aelia soon finds herself at the center of a dark and deadly prophecy. Lucky for her she will find a savior in the most unexpected place—The Shade and his dark and mysterious manor. And with a little trust Aelia may just discover nothing is what it seems!

I love! Love! Love! The Shade! He is dark and mysterious and the perfect kind of morally grey MMC! He is nothing of what Aelia expected and EVERYTHINGHING she NEEDED! Carter couldn’t have written him any more perfect! If you are seatching for all the Shadow Daddy vibes, without the open door scenes and spice, The Shade is exactly what you are looking for!

I also really appreciated Aelia and her ARC! I do enjoyy a well written ARC and Carter wrote Aelia’s just right. She needed to find herself and find herself she did!

And then there are ALL the animals! I love a well written animal companion…or fifty! And even a deadly beast or two. And from a snarky bat, to protective wolves, to the many legged and more vicious creatures, this story had animals in spades! They are nothing short of delightful!!! And I loved them all…well…maybe except the creepy crawlies…they kind of game me the heebie jeebies…😬

So…yep…Ties of Shadows is unputdownable fantasy romance perfection!!! I loved every single word! All the characters! And most importantly, the life lessons that Carter so deftly wove throughout!

ARC review

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page, this book captured my attention and never let up. I absolutely loved this story. Aelia is a lovely character. All she wants is approval, and she is willing to serve in whatever manner the king, prince, and her father deem necessary. Her inability to say no is a huge part of her personality and therefore learning how to stand up for herself becomes a crucial part of her journey to discovering her own self-worth. I thought the way the Shade taught her that skill was hilarious. There were several jokes I loved, half of them due to the menagerie collected by the Shade. Speaking of the Shade, he turned out to be far more considerate and a much deeper character than I originally thought. His propensity for befriending animals is a quirk that made him much more human and entertaining. More importantly, he was respectful of Aelia and taught her how to respect herself. His character balanced well with her. The talking animals though sealed the deal on how awesome this book was to me!

The plot moved quickly which I liked. There was never a dull moment. The resolution did seem a bit too perfect, but frankly, I needed that even if it was slightly unrealistic how well everyone reconciled. It was more believable though than the ending of The Awakened Prince. Honestly, sometimes in a fairy tale, they just have to have an ending where there is a path to hope and forgiveness, so I'm pleased with it.

The author's content warnings at the beginning of the book were helpful without giving away too much. I appreciated them. Aelia's father is mean and physically abusive when drunk. Romance and language are clean. World building is great!

*I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Rachel Wehr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aelia is a magicless young woman who is floundering in her current life. After a dangerous encounter sends her into the arms (literally) of the most dangerous man in the kingdom, Aelia finds herself questioning things she thought she knew. The more time she spends with the Shade, the more she realizes that some things aren't as clear as she once thought. But with a kingdom in trouble, can Aelia and the Shade work together to find a solution, before it's too late?

My thoughts 💭:

I need more Alora Carter books asap as possible! Aelia was such a great FMC. Even though she was mistreated by pretty much everyone in her life, she remained positive and optimistic about what her life could be. She doesn't give up, and she fiercely fights to protect
those dear to her. Shade is as secretive as he is fearsome, but as we learn more about him, we see that things are truly not always as they seem. He's protective and fierce, but he, too, has been mistreated. They come together in a dreadful way, but he becomes a favorite character in a short time. Other things to note are the numerous and adorable animal sidekicks(and some creepy ones!), as well as other lovable side characters. This is definitely a great book, and I can't wait for more from this talented author!

What to expect:
👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 swoony kisses only. There is some talk of being bonded to your soul mate.
🪄Elemental Magic, including earth magic, shadows, light, and fire. There are also potions, but they are made from natural elements such as plants with healing or magical properties. Thought/emotional projection are a big part of the plot and highly enjoyable.
⚔️ Some violence, nothing gratuitous. There is some death.
⚠️ death of parent; alcoholic and abusive parent

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ties of Shadow is one of those novels that leaves you with a warm and fuzzy feeling while still wishing it had never ended. It is also one of the most relatable fantasy novels that I have read. Yes, there are a couple of subjects that may be tender for some people but I believe it is totally worth it. There is hope and happiness always present.

First off, I want to say that I am a huge sucker for world building. I love going into a new novel and seeing how kingdoms and environments work. The world of Ties of Shadow really came alive for me and I adored the weather, the shadows and flames, the different monarchies, and the animals. I would absolutely love to read more stories set in this world!

There are some very lovable and very loathsome characters throughout. Aelia and The Shade are everything you could want in a romance. The flirting and sweet encounters made my day. I honestly can’t get enough of them. They are all goodness. There are a few fairly despicable side characters but I won’t spoil anything and instead say that the creature companions are so cute.

The storyline is both fun and dramatic. Danger lurks around the corners and trust must be earned. I absolutely love the outcome. Every little detail is tied into the climax and conclusion. I want to go back and do a reread just to find the extra details I might have missed. I’m hoping to see another novel with one of the side characters in the future.

Thank you to Alora Carter for an ARC of Ties of Shadow! All opinions are my own.

No-Spice Level: lighter kissing
Language: Clean
Faith Elements: None

💜TROPES💜
Touch her and 💀
“You are mine”
Animal companions
Damsel in distress
Found family

[Suzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is little worse in the bookish world than a book that is merely good that could have been great. This, unfortunately, is one of those books.

The story and world were intriguing from the start, and the characters believable. As much as I would like to say that the whole nobility being bullies is unreal, the king’s attitude and actions would set the tone, and so it’s all too believable the whole court would be pretty awful.

Aelia and the Shade were both good leads, and their chemistry and the way they worked together was great.

However. The story needs more editing, as there are multiple tense switches, incorrect punctuation throughout, and other things that decreased my enjoyment while reading it.

The biggest thing, though, was that the story needed more development, especially around the plot of the seers. They’re thrown into the story as a kind of villain, but their roles aren’t believable because it’s the only thing they do. To realistically have seers that both see the future and require a sacrifice, there needs to be some sort of god for them to serve.

Lastly, the ending was unsatisfactory and somewhat ruined several of the things that had been stated/shown throughout the book. A couple of the worst things for me were: the Queen was good, but she didn’t stop the king regent when she could have and there were no real consequences for these who committed wrongs.

Throughout the story, I had to suspend too much belief, leaving me with a bad taste upon finishing it, despite having enjoyed specific parts.

I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.