Dance of the Shadow Walkers

by Angelina Bruno

Nicodemus Crawford has lived a very secluded life in the forests of Vermont. He's always been a weird kid, who can talk to the dead and hunt demons in his spare time. His parents are a pretty big deal; they're the gods of Life and Death, and that means Nick has some pretty big shoes to fill. When his powers become too powerful to handle, Nick is brought to the world of Elementals, where he is meant to excel and flourish as he follows in his father's footsteps as a Death Elemental. What happens when an ancient force that created the universe as he knows it is after him? What does this mean for Nick's incredible powers, his safety, and his place in the universe around him? Is there more to how powerful he is? What does it mean to be an Elemental God-to-be? How much can one control their destiny when the universe has already pathed a very clear path for you? Follow Nick's journey as he explores being a teenager, a God-to-be, and the center of a prophecy that will change life as he once knew it forever.
*This is an LGBTQ+ Romance.*

609 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2025

About the author

Angelina Bruno Angelina is a writer from Delaware, Ohio. She graduated from Otterbein University with a Fine Arts Degree in English. She has won numerous writing awards, had her work published in magazines and online sites such as Quiz and Quill, and has taken part in numerous writing contests. Dance of the Shadow Walkers is her debut novel, with many more in the series coming soon. She has three cats named Percy, Tilly, and Gatsby who help her craft worlds for your enjoyment. She is a lover of good sushi, late nights, and espresso to fuel late night writing sessions. You can find her on Facebook under Author Angelina Bruno, and TikTok under the same name, where she posts updates and previews of upcoming books. She is always looking to connect with fans, and hopes to see you there. .

Reviews

[Sykora Partee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and memorizing

I'm a colossal fantasy nerd at heart, my soul is completely captivated by this byworld. If you have a love for fantasy, then this is absolutely a must read for you. It’s filled with mesmerizing worlds, unforgettable characters, and epic adventures that will ignite your imagination. Yes, there are some fiery, spicy moments woven into the story, and I know that might not be everyone's cup of tea. But hey, if you're really opposed to that, you can easily skip them and still enjoy the incredible journey this book offers. For me, I wouldn't miss those parts for anything, they add some extra sizzle to an already passionate and thrilling tale. Trust me, this is the kind of story that will stir your heart and make you fall in love with reading all over again.

[Alejandro Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book. I found the characters to be incredibly quirky, lively, and overall well thought out. Each character has a purpose, a reason to be, and that is shown clearly. The elemental power scenes are so cool; I could imagine Nicodemus becoming the Grim Reaper in my head, like a movie. I think the romance is built up nicely as a nice slow burn, and found myself feeling for the real struggles these characters face. You NEED to give this book a try; I can't wait to dive into two, and three when it comes out!

[Tealery · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like stories with gods, magic involving the elements, and young characters who actually have healthy relationships with their families (for once! finally!), this book is for you.

Nicodemus has had a strange life so far, but he has no idea how much stranger it's going to get until, well, things get wild. I'll be vague to avoid spoilers, but let's just say the kid goes through a lot! A lot of challenges, but also a lot of good moments as well. He falls in love, makes friends at a new school, and grows into his abilities—all while his hugely important potential future looms over his head!

I especially love his Shadow Walkers, whose distinct personalities keep things fresh and fun. I've never seen anyone use punctuation the way this author does to indicate which Shadow Walker is speaking and I LOVE it. It's so creative and makes keeping track of the large cast of characters easy.

Speaking of, this is definitely a story with a large ensemble cast. Despite how many characters there are, I never had trouble following along or figuring out who was who, which I think is a feat in and of itself. Also great for anyone, because everyone can find a favorite character among this diverse cast! (But tbh if Nicodemus isn't one of your favorites, I'd be surprised. He's a sweetie.)

Overall, super fun read. If you like LGBT love stories, magic school, and family drama, this will be so up your alley. It's also a fairly long read, so if you're looking for something to really sink your teeth into for a while, this is a good one. Loved it!!

[James Cyrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has moved to one of my top reads for queer romance. Love the characters; they are so quirky and cute. The story flows nicely into itself and I don’t feel lost in the plot. I like that finally we have a character whose parents aren’t jerks to him. The relationship between Nicodemus and Odysseus is a nice slow burn but keeps me wanting more. series has been great so far!

[L · Rating 2 out of 5]

I noticed a lot of grammar and punctuation errors throughout this book which stopped its fluency. The phrase ‘screamed bloody murder’ is severely overused (sometimes features more than once in a chapter) and, honestly, I got bored of it. As an amateur novelist, I’m always on the lookout for alternative phrases and words to add variety and flavour to my work. It makes everything more interesting.

[Dana Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a truly exciting fantasy! I loved the complex characters and how each play an important role in how the main character opens up revealing his personality. The author paints a vivid picture for the imagination and makes you feel like you’re in the story. I can’t wait to see more from this talented author!

[Jean Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick Crawford fighting the undead while also catching feelings? This book gave me whiplash in the best way. Angelina Bruno, how dare you make me laugh, cry, and question the stability of the universe all in one sitting.

[Alex Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a queer reader, it was incredible to see a protagonist like Nick navigate his powers and his identity with such depth and authenticity. The romance is sweet and subtle, the world-building is rich, and the writing is poetic without being inaccessible. Thank you, Angelina Bruno, for this gift.

[Kayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was kindly send an email arc of this book and I enjoyed everything about it.

it was nice to read a book with loveable characters and a great family life too!

if you like books with God's and Queer romance this one is for you!!

can't wait to read more next year by the author

[Haley Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story but horrible editing/typos