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A Tempest of Shadows: The Akothian Ascension
Brenna’s father had brought dishonor to their house. Her only aspiration in life is to restore their name to what it had once been. She had begged her father to allow her to enlist in the Farlon army and when he finally agreed, she had been elated and hopeful of the future. That is, until she realizes that there are much darker entities at play. One’s that seek retribution. Brenna is used to the monotonous routine she has lived in over the past ten years within the stables but when her chance to finally bring honor back to her family arises, she finds herself at the heart of a world-shattering prophecy. She must battle demons of the mind as well as the ones that walk the earth. Can she overcome the darkness that dwells within her or will she succumb to the Shadow’s wrath that surrounds her?
359 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2024
13 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 27, 2025
Brenna starts out as just your average human girl trying to get by in life. Her goal to restore her father’s honor is thwarted when a scouting mission goes awry and she finds herself facing not only literal Shadow demons, but now the gallows as well.
The only option she has left is to run. To run and run and run until she can’t anymore. Her escape quickly turns into an endless bout of prophetic information that she is bound by fate to uphold.
The only option she has left is to run. To run and run and run until she can’t anymore. Her escape quickly turns into an endless bout of prophetic information that she is bound by fate to uphold.
November 5, 2025
I love this book and can’t wait to pick up the next one.
July 14, 2025
I was so emotionally invested, I felt every betrayal, every choice, every moment of quiet hope.
I couldn’t put it down. I didn’t want to. This book reminded me why I love reading...dark magic, fierce loyalty, and characters that stay with you long after the last page.
I couldn’t put it down. I didn’t want to. This book reminded me why I love reading...dark magic, fierce loyalty, and characters that stay with you long after the last page.
March 3, 2025
unique story
This book was completely out of my wheelhouse and something I wouldn’t normally read, but I’m so glad I did. The plot was very unique with plenty of twists and turns. I’m interested to see what will happen next.
This book was completely out of my wheelhouse and something I wouldn’t normally read, but I’m so glad I did. The plot was very unique with plenty of twists and turns. I’m interested to see what will happen next.
December 5, 2024
DO NO SLEEP ON THIS BOOK. I could not put this book down, Marcey created a world in which the reader feels like they are right next to Brenna going through her trials and tribulations with her. With vivid imagery, magic, friendship and a strong FMC, this book is the perfect cozy read for your next series. Do you love a good “Oh my god! No! Screaming out loud” moment? Then this book is for you because I can guarantee you won’t see what’s coming with this story. Eloquently written the words fly off of the page and create a beautiful story in our minds. I can’t wait to see what Marcey has in store for us in book two.
December 15, 2024
This book was overall five stars.
I loved the FMC Brenna, a woman on a clear path to clear her father's name. However, everything goes so very wrong on a mission. From there, she narrowly avoids death several times, loses her fiancé, and runs into a coven of witches on her way to escape the gallows.
This book is filled with anticipation. My anxiety was skyrocketing in the last two chapters, all of it coming to a cliffhanger, leaving me wanting more.
Magic, Fae, Witches, Strong FMC, Shadows, Soldiers, Coal-a large black horse, and a mysterious man who just walked out of the woods one day.
Do not sleep on this book. Read it; you won't regret it.
I loved the FMC Brenna, a woman on a clear path to clear her father's name. However, everything goes so very wrong on a mission. From there, she narrowly avoids death several times, loses her fiancé, and runs into a coven of witches on her way to escape the gallows.
This book is filled with anticipation. My anxiety was skyrocketing in the last two chapters, all of it coming to a cliffhanger, leaving me wanting more.
Magic, Fae, Witches, Strong FMC, Shadows, Soldiers, Coal-a large black horse, and a mysterious man who just walked out of the woods one day.
Do not sleep on this book. Read it; you won't regret it.
August 24, 2025
A Tempest of Shadows is a book I enjoyed immensely.
Brenna lives a monotonous routine in the stables, where she is safe from the attentions and abuse of other soldiers. She looks after the horses and awaits her chance to prove herself and regain her family's honour with the King.
The land where Brenna resides is harsh and brutal and one infringement can see your life in the balance. The people are violent and dark. Brutality is a way of life, and women are treated like dirt. Enemies are everywhere - very few people can be trusted.
The twists and turns of this book kept me turning page after page. Everything seemed to pit itself against Brenna, time after time, sometimes her own actions were the cause of the problems. I like that Brenna has faults and just as she was trying to rectify some of them, things really went down hill for her. The ending of book one is so satisfying in the aspect that Brenna discovers her courage and yet I'm left wondering what will happen next.
A Tempest of Shadows is very well written, the characters are believable and relatable, but also frustrating which I think is a good mark of writing too! The world building, the darkness and creepiness of the place, especially the Shadows is very well wrought. I was thoroughly engrossed by this book.
It looks like I'll be taking a trip into book two.
Brenna lives a monotonous routine in the stables, where she is safe from the attentions and abuse of other soldiers. She looks after the horses and awaits her chance to prove herself and regain her family's honour with the King.
The land where Brenna resides is harsh and brutal and one infringement can see your life in the balance. The people are violent and dark. Brutality is a way of life, and women are treated like dirt. Enemies are everywhere - very few people can be trusted.
The twists and turns of this book kept me turning page after page. Everything seemed to pit itself against Brenna, time after time, sometimes her own actions were the cause of the problems. I like that Brenna has faults and just as she was trying to rectify some of them, things really went down hill for her. The ending of book one is so satisfying in the aspect that Brenna discovers her courage and yet I'm left wondering what will happen next.
A Tempest of Shadows is very well written, the characters are believable and relatable, but also frustrating which I think is a good mark of writing too! The world building, the darkness and creepiness of the place, especially the Shadows is very well wrought. I was thoroughly engrossed by this book.
It looks like I'll be taking a trip into book two.
December 18, 2024
✨Book Review✨
Read the above post for a Quick Look at “A Tempest of Shadows” by Debut author @marcey_pierce_author 💕
Rated: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There is a LOT to love about this book!
First off, the FMC is equal parts badass and ridiculous, but I think that that is what makes her relatable in a lot of ways. The reader gets to witness Brenna come to realizations that ROCK her entire world, and then watch her react in the most humanly way possible: running from our problems. 😂
The next wonderful part about this book is the mystery and secrecy that surrounds the Shadows. No one knows what they are and everyone is afraid of them. Are they real? Are they a figment of the imagination? A bedtime story to scare children from wandering into the forest? Guess you better read on to find out 🤷🏼♀️
Read the above post for a Quick Look at “A Tempest of Shadows” by Debut author @marcey_pierce_author 💕
Rated: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There is a LOT to love about this book!
First off, the FMC is equal parts badass and ridiculous, but I think that that is what makes her relatable in a lot of ways. The reader gets to witness Brenna come to realizations that ROCK her entire world, and then watch her react in the most humanly way possible: running from our problems. 😂
The next wonderful part about this book is the mystery and secrecy that surrounds the Shadows. No one knows what they are and everyone is afraid of them. Are they real? Are they a figment of the imagination? A bedtime story to scare children from wandering into the forest? Guess you better read on to find out 🤷🏼♀️
December 16, 2024
Immerse yourself in a world in a world of shadows, deception, and action loaded with twists and turns.
Brenna is determined to clear her father's and her families name after he was seen as treasonous in the eyes of the king. She enlisted in the army, determined to do just that. After 10 years of service, she is pegged with the same crime.
After years of abuse from everyone, she fights back while on a mission in the woods while tasked to lure out the shadows that lurk within the woods.
She learns that there are so many secrets tucked within her world. After an escape, she begins a journey that will reveal the slow crumble of her world as she knows it.
A face paced and dark fantasy, found family, strong FMC, magic, and extremely tall shadow men.
Brenna is determined to clear her father's and her families name after he was seen as treasonous in the eyes of the king. She enlisted in the army, determined to do just that. After 10 years of service, she is pegged with the same crime.
After years of abuse from everyone, she fights back while on a mission in the woods while tasked to lure out the shadows that lurk within the woods.
She learns that there are so many secrets tucked within her world. After an escape, she begins a journey that will reveal the slow crumble of her world as she knows it.
A face paced and dark fantasy, found family, strong FMC, magic, and extremely tall shadow men.
December 14, 2024
The mouth dropping descriptions and the emotional connections you make along the way had me white knuckle gripping my kindle to finish it.. cannot wait for book 2
June 13, 2025
This book has everything I could possibly want in a dark fantasy. I'm foaming at the mouth for book 2.
June 6, 2025
Wow is all I can say about this book. I have so many questions. I need the second book. This book had me in a mind blown chokehold. The plot twist and betrayal in this book was crazy. The poor FMC is literally betrayed left and right throughout the book. And the ending.
I need the 2nd book.
I need the 2nd book.
January 22, 2025
This story was such a fun read and it keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. There’s so much to love from this book from the plot, the characters, the plot twists, the world building - it’s all so well thought out! There’s a complexity to every character that makes you wonder many of their true intentions and motives and the ending I wanna hate but only because I need to know what happened next! Can’t wait for the second book!
June 22, 2025
This dark fantasy is beautifully written, almost poetic, and fascinatingly human. Our FMC is a little bit of a spitfire, who is thrust in to a world she doesn't fully understand, doesn't really want to understand and yet must live within. Choices and consequences outside of her control are constantly present and I love how the author makes her truly grapple with the weight of what is being put on her. This is a brutal, grim world and the story does a really good job of walking us through it without it being overbearing. There is a glimmer of hope here, even in the shadow and that is present because of the excellent writing. There was a few moments I would have liked to seen just a little bit more of (that "creature" in the mountain pass? Whew. Creepy and awesome) but ultimately, this was a great dark fantasy read that sets up a truly epic story that has hints of a twisted hero's journey and a lot of creepy intrigue. Can't wait to get into more.
November 6, 2025
Brenna has spent ten long years serving in the Farlon Army, waiting for her chance to restore her father's honor. When she's sent on a mission that uses her as bait to lure out the shadows being hunted by the realm, she comes face to face with one who doesn't see her as prey, but sees her as an offering for penance. That encounter sets her on a journey of self discovery, prophecy and a dark truth about who and what she really is.
If you like your fantasy dark, full of moral grayness, and filled with questions about who the real villains are, this one delivers.
The pacing and flow were steady and kept me hooked from the start. A Tempest of Shadows is a shadow drenched world of witches, powerful magic, and shadow men (yum). It's action packed, tense, and never dull. The world building felt vivid and the character development gave weight to the story.
A solid dark fantasy debut that kept me guessing until the end.
If you like your fantasy dark, full of moral grayness, and filled with questions about who the real villains are, this one delivers.
The pacing and flow were steady and kept me hooked from the start. A Tempest of Shadows is a shadow drenched world of witches, powerful magic, and shadow men (yum). It's action packed, tense, and never dull. The world building felt vivid and the character development gave weight to the story.
A solid dark fantasy debut that kept me guessing until the end.
June 22, 2025
A fantasy with a great story and great writing.
I ordered this book on 6/19, but started reading it sooner due to a review I saw on TikTok.
Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. I stayed up way too late, then got up way too early. It has witches, fae, darkness, evil in abundance and regular towns and villages. I was enthralled with Brenna’s story and the images that were created by the author. This is a fantasy with a great depth to the characters, never knowing who is good and who is not, with a storyline that sucks you in from the beginning. I don’t do spoilers, but I can’t wait for the next book to see if some of the characters get the ass kicking they deserve.
I ordered this book on 6/19, but started reading it sooner due to a review I saw on TikTok.
Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. I stayed up way too late, then got up way too early. It has witches, fae, darkness, evil in abundance and regular towns and villages. I was enthralled with Brenna’s story and the images that were created by the author. This is a fantasy with a great depth to the characters, never knowing who is good and who is not, with a storyline that sucks you in from the beginning. I don’t do spoilers, but I can’t wait for the next book to see if some of the characters get the ass kicking they deserve.
June 9, 2025
Absolutely riveting!
Get ready to be sucked in. This is a bingeworthy read. The ups and downs keep you entranced and the deep emotions of love and loss, solace and betrayal, and the whisper of light in the darkness. Marcey provided incredible world building, relatable characters who you fall in love with and also learn to loathe, and most of all, character building at its finest. I found myself gasping, anticipating each turn of the page, and grappling at what was going to happen next. This is one of those books that will forever live in my mind - and will sending waves across the reading world.
Get ready to be sucked in. This is a bingeworthy read. The ups and downs keep you entranced and the deep emotions of love and loss, solace and betrayal, and the whisper of light in the darkness. Marcey provided incredible world building, relatable characters who you fall in love with and also learn to loathe, and most of all, character building at its finest. I found myself gasping, anticipating each turn of the page, and grappling at what was going to happen next. This is one of those books that will forever live in my mind - and will sending waves across the reading world.
October 10, 2025
Absolute 5 star read. The only reason it took me so long was because I start 50 million projects & never finish one. 😂
But this book…. So much detail, world building, twist & turns, tug at the heart strings falling in love with characters… you name it. The meticulously detailed story line is what I live for. And this book hits the nail on it. I won’t spoil anything in this book because you’ll need to read it for yourself, but please. Stop what you’re doing & give this book some love. 10/10 recommend.
But this book…. So much detail, world building, twist & turns, tug at the heart strings falling in love with characters… you name it. The meticulously detailed story line is what I live for. And this book hits the nail on it. I won’t spoil anything in this book because you’ll need to read it for yourself, but please. Stop what you’re doing & give this book some love. 10/10 recommend.
April 11, 2025
The world building in this book was so fun and unique. I consistently thought I knew exactly where the plot was going and was so pleasantly surprised. I am SO excited for book two, and truly can’t wait to find out where the heck the FMC is headed. It better be straight into the arms of a certain shadow 👀
May 31, 2025
Holy mind F**K...this book was fantastic!! I couldn't keep up with all the twists and changes, anytime I thought I figured it out something would change again. I was a bit confused but it made sense the more I read. I am very passionate about characters that make me wanna punch them ...this book had plenty! Highly recommend.
June 26, 2025
If you are looking for a book that will get you lost into a story worth reading then this the one!!! Perfect amount of adventure and the banter “sweet girl” has me swooning… oh I want more! I can’t so see what happens to Brenna and of Saleah. Briar oh Briar… This really played with my emotions and looking forward to all the new twists.
September 6, 2025
Truly unique and beautifully written, hard to believe this is a Indie book, when there is books in big box stores that are nowhere close to how good this book is! If you’re tired of cliche romantasy books, and want some unique, from the characters, world building and the aspects of dark academia, this is a must!!!!
April 13, 2025
Potential spoilers!
The story arc of mixed magic and mystery made this book an exciting read! I especially loved the unique world of the Shadows when we got a glimpse into it, and the bonding with animal familiars. A series I plan to finish.
The story arc of mixed magic and mystery made this book an exciting read! I especially loved the unique world of the Shadows when we got a glimpse into it, and the bonding with animal familiars. A series I plan to finish.
September 13, 2025
needs some major editing but a good story
This book needs some major editing to make it easily readable. But, if you can muster through the many, many editing issues, the story has promise. I’m hoping the second book is better.
This book needs some major editing to make it easily readable. But, if you can muster through the many, many editing issues, the story has promise. I’m hoping the second book is better.
May 19, 2025
I absolutely devoured this book!
It’s absolutely incredible, there are some fantastic twists!
I feel like it has you hooked from the get go 🥰
It’s absolutely incredible, there are some fantastic twists!
I feel like it has you hooked from the get go 🥰
May 30, 2025
Don’t skip past this one! This book had me on the edge of my seat. The FMC’s journey is a brutal one. Dealing with fae and witches, restoring her father’s honor. Looking forward to the next one!
June 6, 2025
I have no idea what I just read but I liked it!! I was drawn into this world and it kept me gripping my seat. The plot is plotting!! I can't wait for the second book and hopefully more.
June 10, 2025
amazing
Loved this book couldn’t put it down can’t wait for another the sorry line keeps you guessing want more and make you fall for the main character
Loved this book couldn’t put it down can’t wait for another the sorry line keeps you guessing want more and make you fall for the main character
June 19, 2025
Such a gripping tale that genuinely had me on the edge of my seat I genuinely did not want to put this book down loved ever second of it.
September 8, 2025
A Tempest of Shadows stole something from me, and I don’t want it back.
There are books that entertain, and then there are books that haunt you: A Tempest of Shadows did the latter. I went into this story thinking I’d read a dark fantasy filled with twists and betrayal, but what I got was so much more. I didn’t just read this book, I fell into it, heart first, soul wide, completely unguarded.
And I was not prepared.
From the very first page, Marcey didn’t hold back. The world she wove is brutal yet intoxicating, full of unspoken history, fractured alliances, and dangerous power that clings to every shadow.
This isn't just a setting, it’s a living, breathing force that shapes the characters and tests their spirit. It's raw and cold and beautiful in that aching kind of way, like standing outside during a storm, letting the rain soak through your bones.
And then there’s Brenna.
Oh, Brenna. At first glance, she feels breakable; like glass beneath too much weight. But that’s the surface. If you look deeper (and Marcey makes you look deeper), you start to see the quiet storm inside her. A strength not born from loud defiance, but from endurance. From surviving things that should have destroyed her.
I watched her stumble through betrayal, wrestle with doubt, and question everything she thought she knew. And in the quietest moments, when everything else falls away, you see the spark of something ancient and unyielding inside her. The kind of power that people either want to use or destroy. That slow, painful realization that she is not weak.... just not yet awakened.
This book is not heavy on spice, and honestly? It doesn’t need it. What it does give you is emotional intimacy, character growth, and a plot so thick with tension and dread that I found myself holding my breath more than once. It’s about trust, fractured loyalty, and the quiet unraveling of a soul trying to make sense of its place in a broken world.
Marcey’s writing is immersive in a way I rarely experience. She doesn’t just tell you the story, she pulls you into it and forces you to feel it. Every line is laced with aching purpose. Every choice Brenna makes hurts a little. Every betrayal hits like a blade. Every quiet triumph feels like it was earned in blood.
And yes, this is the setup for what’s to come in the second book. But it is not just a stepping stone. It is the foundation. The moment the pieces begin to shift. The moment you start to see the true shape of what’s coming. And if this is only the beginning…. I don’t know if my heart is ready for what comes next.
I finished the final page and just sat there. Still.
Shaken.
In love.
A Tempest of Shadows gave me a heroine I believe in, a world I fear, and a story that feels like a storm in my chest. It’s the kind of book you want to talk about for hours and recommend with your whole soul. It’s the kind of story you carry with you.
And I cannot wait to showcase it on my bookshelf because it’s more than a book. It’s a piece of me now.
There are books that entertain, and then there are books that haunt you: A Tempest of Shadows did the latter. I went into this story thinking I’d read a dark fantasy filled with twists and betrayal, but what I got was so much more. I didn’t just read this book, I fell into it, heart first, soul wide, completely unguarded.
And I was not prepared.
From the very first page, Marcey didn’t hold back. The world she wove is brutal yet intoxicating, full of unspoken history, fractured alliances, and dangerous power that clings to every shadow.
This isn't just a setting, it’s a living, breathing force that shapes the characters and tests their spirit. It's raw and cold and beautiful in that aching kind of way, like standing outside during a storm, letting the rain soak through your bones.
And then there’s Brenna.
Oh, Brenna. At first glance, she feels breakable; like glass beneath too much weight. But that’s the surface. If you look deeper (and Marcey makes you look deeper), you start to see the quiet storm inside her. A strength not born from loud defiance, but from endurance. From surviving things that should have destroyed her.
I watched her stumble through betrayal, wrestle with doubt, and question everything she thought she knew. And in the quietest moments, when everything else falls away, you see the spark of something ancient and unyielding inside her. The kind of power that people either want to use or destroy. That slow, painful realization that she is not weak.... just not yet awakened.
This book is not heavy on spice, and honestly? It doesn’t need it. What it does give you is emotional intimacy, character growth, and a plot so thick with tension and dread that I found myself holding my breath more than once. It’s about trust, fractured loyalty, and the quiet unraveling of a soul trying to make sense of its place in a broken world.
Marcey’s writing is immersive in a way I rarely experience. She doesn’t just tell you the story, she pulls you into it and forces you to feel it. Every line is laced with aching purpose. Every choice Brenna makes hurts a little. Every betrayal hits like a blade. Every quiet triumph feels like it was earned in blood.
And yes, this is the setup for what’s to come in the second book. But it is not just a stepping stone. It is the foundation. The moment the pieces begin to shift. The moment you start to see the true shape of what’s coming. And if this is only the beginning…. I don’t know if my heart is ready for what comes next.
I finished the final page and just sat there. Still.
Shaken.
In love.
A Tempest of Shadows gave me a heroine I believe in, a world I fear, and a story that feels like a storm in my chest. It’s the kind of book you want to talk about for hours and recommend with your whole soul. It’s the kind of story you carry with you.
And I cannot wait to showcase it on my bookshelf because it’s more than a book. It’s a piece of me now.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews