Crimson Shadow

by Elsie McMahon, Clara Abigail (editor), Sadia Shahid (illustrator)

In a world where magic courses through the veins of its wielders, twenty-seven-year-old Layla Valentine is on the brink of graduation from the prestigious Reigner Academy. As the daughter of the kingdom’s general, she makes a choice that forever alters her fate, sending her on a perilous journey where old feuds clash and new alliances form.

Crimson Shadow weaves a tapestry of action, heartache, and fiery romance, exploring the bonds of family, the cost of freedom, and the thin line between enemy and ally. As shadowy secrets unfold and the stakes soar, will Layla’s fierce loyalty for her brother drive her toward salvation, or plunge her deeper into despair? Will her encounter with a sworn enemy be the flame amidst the darkness, or the shadow that swallows her whole?

Join Layla on this spellbinding journey that promises to captivate the hearts of its readers. Discover if she has the strength to defy her fate and reclaim her life amidst the shadows.

281 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2025

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um yes, hello??? Elsie??? Leaving it like that??? Chop chop, next book please.

I follow this author on TT, it started with Fridge Namjoon but it evolved into enjoying her other posts. Long time nearly silent lurker. As soon as she said she wrote a book, I knew I would be there. I fell in love with every character, the world, and the plot. Wonderful debut book.

[Rachel Dane · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FING END WAS THAT. Omg i love this book. I love Riggs. I love everything. It's like a mix of fourth wing with hunger games and so much more. Omg. Just. Omg. I'm in love. That's all I can say. I'm. In. Love. With. This. Book.

[Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I begin?


This book is filled with action, and romance and spice and it’s such a fun read!


I usually have issues getting into books but I had zero issues here. If you’re like me, then you will probably love this book.

It really does have those elements of hunger games and fourth wing without being overdone or unoriginal.

The characters are spicy and funny and strong which you don’t see often so I thoroughly enjoyed that, and the spice was SPICING!!

I loved the twists and turns and the high stakes of this book and what pisses me off more is I have to WAIT FOR ANOTHER BOOK😭😭😭

I also have a thing for books that create their own worlds. That in itself is already impressive and it’s so much fun learning about a new place and thinking what it would be like to live there.

100/10 recommend💕

[Émilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this book cause the author is a fellow Army I've been following for a while on Tiktok and I got to say this book was really good. I read it in 24 hours i literally could not bring myself to put it down. Love the story and the magic type .. and the smut 🤭. I cannot wait for the following books (fingers crossed). This book deserves to become a big hit.

[R Scott McMahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sure that based upon my name, you can guess that I know the author of Crimson Shadow and that is true. However, if you take a look at my book shelf you will see that I have been reading a very large amount of fantasy and science fiction. In fact, this is only a very small fraction of what I have read as I have been an avid reader of fantasy and science fiction since the mid-70’s.

With that said, I was blown away at just how good this was for Elsie’s first book. It is an easy fast read with some detailed world building and a unique magic system. I enjoyed the various characters and their various abilities and even though I don’t read a lot of romance, I thought it was really well done and tied in perfectly to the story. I was quickly engaged and genuinely surprised by the twists and turns of the narrative and the characters that we meet. It is a satisfying self contained story that also sets up a larger world that can be continued on in future sequels which I cannot wait to read.

[E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

ummm… was this written just to check off all my fav tropes in one book?!

THANK GOODNESS for my TikTok FYP leading me here.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, well this was a blast and a half! I loved how the magic system worked. I couldn’t put it down - and that ending!? I am ready for book 2!

[Chelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so beautifully done! Even the elements that I didn't enjoy initially, they had such purpose to the overall arc that by the end I couldn't help but appreciate them. I don't think I've read something before too where the author uses description as a device for the conversations between characters instead of just dialogue, but it was done so well in this book and really added to the enjoyability of reading!

Also that plot? The spice?! That ending???!! I had no idea the end was where we were going, but I love it and I am SO excited to see the continuation of this story!

[Collin McMahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I’ve read in the “romantasy” genre, but it was easy to get into as someone who is a big fan of high fantasy. The story is well-paced and I felt consistently engaged and interested in what would happen next to Layla and those she meets along her journey.

The story arc this book covers is satisfying in and of itself, but I look forward to the continuation of Layla’s journey and learning more about the Kingdom of Zeolum!

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot wait for more!

*Spoilers
*
*
*
*

While the beginning was giving Fourth Wing vibes, it quickly changed into something very unexpected. I love how halia is used and how different people have different abilities and even within those subcategories, abilities vary. I started to really connect with Layla when she was first dumped in Nedaria and encountered Bryce and Bryan. She shows compassion and understanding that only comes from the experiences and traumas she has had with her family. The initial encounter with Riggs was also super hot, I loved every bit, especially the part where he absolutely obliterated all those men. The trials within the shadow competition were interesting, I enjoyed Riggs knowing that the fake Layla was fake. I got worried for a moment but was very relieved when he clocked that it was wrong.

Overall I thought it was a great read and thankful things weren’t dragged out. Sometimes I don’t want to read an 800 pg book where the characters miscommunicate for 15 chapters. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to the continuation of the series!

[delusioanal | emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows Layla, she’s the daughter of one of the kingdoms generals. As she about to graduate from an academy something happens that changes her life drastically, taking her away from her twin brother. The one family me never she has left she can trust. Now she must compete in the shadow competition to try and get back to her brother. Where she meets new friends and enemies, and goes through a bunch of crazy shit.

This book has romance, spice and so much action. Had me laughing and even tearing up at a few moments. The ending?! I was gagged!! I will definitely be watching for book two. Some parts kinda reminded me of Fourth Wing. Which I loved. Also, RIGGS?!!!!!! Girl if he isn’t end game I’m suing. Bye. lol

Anyways…. so glad I decided to read this. Heard the author explain the plot on TikTok and immediately downloaded it from KU, started reading it the same day. Once I started I could not stop. Finished in one sitting. Thank you!!

[Kristi Leverington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know Elsie from TT bc of kpop but I definitely wanted to support a new author and one who seems to love the same books i do!!!
AND LET ME TELL YOU….
For a first time author she really hit the nail on the head with this! It gave me everything I could want in a book.
It had great characters that I cared about and a found family/friend group that I also really loved. It had great spicy scenes and aside from the first coupling, the romance was very organic feeling and not to mention THE ACTION!! It was action packed with trials and tribulations and I NEED THE NEXT ONE IMMEDIATELY!!
Bravo Elsie!!!
Loved this!!!

[Lynn Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. just wow. 😮

Ok. So much to say but speechless at the same time.

I found this book from the author’s TikTok and it sat in my TBR for a month. I was wanting a quick lite read. Well quick it was. Started in the evening and finished the next morning. So quick I didn’t put it down but to sleep.

Story line was excellent. So good and can’t wait for the next book.

I’m giving it 5 stars although there was some repetition in wording that could have been edited better.

Elsie has a follower now.

[Desirae Schauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loveee this book! it really is a magic realm dystopia ❤️ almost like a mix of fourth wing and the hunger games with spice 🤩 The beginning is a little bit slow but PLEAse keep reading! my only critique is dialogue - more interaction would’ve been great and at times the dialogue was slow.
There was action and creativity throughout, it was a very short and fun read, i can’t wait for the next book! ❤️

[Becky Juarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The emotions you feel with the FMC going through all her challenges hit so hard. Its hard to talk about the book without giving spoilers because so many good things happen in this book. A mystery man joins the story and OMG!!! The twists that happen in this book all are good. I cannot wait for the next book to come out!!! The ending is definitely something that I did not see coming.

[Amber Bauman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing could’ve prepared me for how amazing this debut novel would be. The plot line is amazing with characters that have true depth. The writing is well done as well. I’m eagerly anticipating the next book!!

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh this book was so good! Pulled me right out of my reading slump. I hope the author gets all the recognition she deserves, and this becomes bookstagram/booktok famous.

✅ Plot
✅ Pacing
✅ Enemies to lovers (with a twist)
✅ Spice
✅ Badass MFC
✅ Games & Trials
✅ World building

[Beatriz Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing 💜

The world Elsie has created is amazing. I really enjoyed that the characters are older, making the story line more realistic. I didn’t expect the ending which was surprising, can’t wait for the next book.

[Krista Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What!!! It just ended like that! This book was so good love all the characters in this book! I just gotta know if there’s gonna be more cause we can’t leave it like that,we gotta know more! Everyone should read this book if they’re looking for a fast paced Romantasy! Loved it!

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read

I truly enjoyed this book. I found myself feeling all the emotions. laughing, crying, and surprisingly shocked. I didn't want to put it down and now I have to wait for the next book. Can't wait to see where the story goes.

[Liz Henningsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this book enough. I could not put it down and finished in a day and a half. Fast pace, action, spice. All the tropes we love to see in a fantasy romance with its own unique spins. Plot twists that left my jaw on the floor. I am so impressed with this debut and need book 2 ASAP.

[꧁ Brutally Honest ꧂ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just don’t feel like the stuff that happened at the beginning deserved the punishment and since that wasn’t believable the whole plot fell for me. It just didn’t seem high stakes and felt very YA. Just not for me.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great first book! A lot of detail and could expand and go in so many directions.

[Kelcy Shupe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Shit! This was so good!

[Stefani L Kniesler · Rating 5 out of 5]

sooooo good

Took me less than a day to finish, I hope we get more of this story. Layla is a badass

[Ian Ragan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

This book. The characters. The plot. The spice. Was everything! If you are second guessing this book. Don’t! I downloaded today and finished the same day.

[Rachel Wunderle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laughing, crying screaming throwing up yes. Couldn’t put it down, I was too busy kicking my feet like a school girl over these characters. CANNOT wait for the next one

[Alexia Pogue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

This book is really good! It definitely kept me on my toes the entire time and kept my attention without trying. I can't wait for the next book!

[Lauren Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

The scream i scrumpt 😭😭😭

[book.nerd.goddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a long time since I've read a book that put me in such a headlock. The action, the spice, the EVERYTHING!! I need the next one yesterday.