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Scaled Shadows
In a world ruled by serpents and shadow, one girl’s destiny will reshape everything.
Keira was born without a blessing—a failure in a land where the elemental serpents choose champions to wield their power. For years, she lived in the shadows, believing she had no purpose. But when Eryx, the long-dormant serpent of shadow, awakens, he chooses her to be his champion.
As the Riftspire trembles and the Isles crumble, Keira is thrust into a battle against ancient forces that threaten to destroy her world. But the question remains—can she trust the serpents, who have hidden so much, or is she nothing more than a pawn in their game?
Scaled Shadows is a tale of elemental magic, slow-burning connections, and the strength to forge your own path in the face of destiny. Perfect for fans of high-stakes fantasy and stories where power comes at a price.
Keira was born without a blessing—a failure in a land where the elemental serpents choose champions to wield their power. For years, she lived in the shadows, believing she had no purpose. But when Eryx, the long-dormant serpent of shadow, awakens, he chooses her to be his champion.
As the Riftspire trembles and the Isles crumble, Keira is thrust into a battle against ancient forces that threaten to destroy her world. But the question remains—can she trust the serpents, who have hidden so much, or is she nothing more than a pawn in their game?
Scaled Shadows is a tale of elemental magic, slow-burning connections, and the strength to forge your own path in the face of destiny. Perfect for fans of high-stakes fantasy and stories where power comes at a price.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2025
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 25, 2025
3.5 ⭐
Before I begin I want to thank the author, JJ Whit, for giving me this ARC.
I enjoyed it; I really did. It was a fast read that left me a bit confused. The magic (?) system was kind of confusing, but I liked how different it was. I don't think I ever read anything like this. I was not prepared for this to be that snakey. I should've known, but I simply forgot.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this, and I can't wait to see what this author will write next.
Before I begin I want to thank the author, JJ Whit, for giving me this ARC.
I enjoyed it; I really did. It was a fast read that left me a bit confused. The magic (?) system was kind of confusing, but I liked how different it was. I don't think I ever read anything like this. I was not prepared for this to be that snakey. I should've known, but I simply forgot.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this, and I can't wait to see what this author will write next.
April 2, 2025
I’m still not sure what I’m exactly rating this book but I’m thinking around 3.75-4 stars! When I saw the blurb of this book on threads I knew I needed to apply for an arc and I was so happy when I got accepted!! This was my first ARC and I really enjoyed this book. I loved the world and the characters it was so fun. It is really fast pace, sometimes a bit too fast and I think this book should’ve been at least a 100 pages longer. But it’s ok I still really enjoyed it and I really loved the part with the trials and the high stakes it was really fun. It is YA and I would definitely recommend this it was so easy to read as well!!
February 13, 2025
Thank you so much to JJ Whit for this ARC!
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My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (2.75 stars rounded up to 3)
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So I have ophidophobia (extreme fear of snakes). When I say extreme, I mean it. I have nightmares about them. I don't like anything about them - the way they look, sound, and move is all terrifying to me. What possessed me to apply for an ARC with a snake on the cover and a synopsis that spoke of a world ruled by serpents, I have no idea. But I applied and got chosen and here we are. This book is a ya fantasy (the author's first foray into fantasy and young adult as she usually writes adult romance) but for me, parts of it were more like a horror novel due to my fear of snakes. But it is not the author's fault that I applied for this ARC when it was very clear the book was about snakes so I'm going to put aside my phobia for this review.
The concept of this book was really interesting and it had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, in my opinion, it wasn't executed very well. There were pacing issues and I did not like the writing style. The first forty percent of the book was mostly setup. This might not have been an issue except that it was clear that the setup could have been half that length. The scenes were stretched out too long to the point of being repetitive. Many things were reiterated multiple times just in slightly different wording. The book got better a little before the halfway mark, once the story started moving and there were less needlessly drawn-out scenes. However, though these issues lessened, they didn't disappear. There were several words, phrases, and descriptions that were overused. Ideas that I thought had already been established were being presented as brand new. There were too many similes, which in small doses would have been fine, there were times that I appreciated them, but the near constant nature of them was annoying. There were parts of this book that I enjoyed and elements that of it that were really cool - specifically I enjoyed the trials and some of the scenes of Keira and Eryx - but I had to force myself through much of it.
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My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (2.75 stars rounded up to 3)
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So I have ophidophobia (extreme fear of snakes). When I say extreme, I mean it. I have nightmares about them. I don't like anything about them - the way they look, sound, and move is all terrifying to me. What possessed me to apply for an ARC with a snake on the cover and a synopsis that spoke of a world ruled by serpents, I have no idea. But I applied and got chosen and here we are. This book is a ya fantasy (the author's first foray into fantasy and young adult as she usually writes adult romance) but for me, parts of it were more like a horror novel due to my fear of snakes. But it is not the author's fault that I applied for this ARC when it was very clear the book was about snakes so I'm going to put aside my phobia for this review.
The concept of this book was really interesting and it had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, in my opinion, it wasn't executed very well. There were pacing issues and I did not like the writing style. The first forty percent of the book was mostly setup. This might not have been an issue except that it was clear that the setup could have been half that length. The scenes were stretched out too long to the point of being repetitive. Many things were reiterated multiple times just in slightly different wording. The book got better a little before the halfway mark, once the story started moving and there were less needlessly drawn-out scenes. However, though these issues lessened, they didn't disappear. There were several words, phrases, and descriptions that were overused. Ideas that I thought had already been established were being presented as brand new. There were too many similes, which in small doses would have been fine, there were times that I appreciated them, but the near constant nature of them was annoying. There were parts of this book that I enjoyed and elements that of it that were really cool - specifically I enjoyed the trials and some of the scenes of Keira and Eryx - but I had to force myself through much of it.
February 27, 2025
Serpents, Intense Trials, Alliances, Elemental Magic, Friendship, Battles and Zero Spice.
Favorite quote: " Because you're not just a pawn in this game, Keira. You're a player. And players change the rules."
Had fun reading this book, the story at first was a little slow but nonetheless engaging and well written with mysterious and emotional characters. The world created by JJ Whitt is fascinating, full of imagery that you almost felt immerse in that world.
The story was easy to follow and what I liked, no complicated words. I will point out that some of the ideas/phrases appeared to have been said couple of times that I felt I had already read that scene over and over a couple of times.
This was my first book by this author but definitely not my last.
Definitely give this book a change.
Favorite quote: " Because you're not just a pawn in this game, Keira. You're a player. And players change the rules."
Had fun reading this book, the story at first was a little slow but nonetheless engaging and well written with mysterious and emotional characters. The world created by JJ Whitt is fascinating, full of imagery that you almost felt immerse in that world.
The story was easy to follow and what I liked, no complicated words. I will point out that some of the ideas/phrases appeared to have been said couple of times that I felt I had already read that scene over and over a couple of times.
This was my first book by this author but definitely not my last.
Definitely give this book a change.
April 3, 2025
Scaled Shadow ARC review ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is a Shadow Daddy novel, but with Snakes. The overall concept of this book was intriguing, but what got me hooked was the subtle sprinkle of politics—snake politics, but politics nonetheless. The plot of this book was good, and the characters were well-rounded. However, the pace felt like a rollercoaster, to the point that it felt rushed. I would read a book by this author again. She is amazingly talented, and her ideas are fresh. I wish her the best with this publishing.
This is a Shadow Daddy novel, but with Snakes. The overall concept of this book was intriguing, but what got me hooked was the subtle sprinkle of politics—snake politics, but politics nonetheless. The plot of this book was good, and the characters were well-rounded. However, the pace felt like a rollercoaster, to the point that it felt rushed. I would read a book by this author again. She is amazingly talented, and her ideas are fresh. I wish her the best with this publishing.
February 21, 2025
This is a Shadow Daddy novel, but with Snakes. The overall concept of this book was intriguing, but what got me hooked was the subtle sprinkle of politics—snake politics, but politics nonetheless. The plot of this book was good, and the characters were well-rounded. However, the pace felt like a rollercoaster, to the point that it felt rushed. I would read a book by this author again. She is amazingly talented, and her ideas are fresh. I wish her the best with this publishing
February 26, 2025
This book was very good. It has been a while since I’ve read anything without a good spicy scene and I needed a break from that. The blurb for this book caught my eye and I’m so glad that it did. The story was great, the world that author built for it was so good and you got just the right amount of details about it while reading the story. I loved the relationship between Keira and Eryx and the slow burn sort of tension between them. The plot was there and it was overall a very nice read, nothing was overdone and the book was set up very nicely to easily flow into a second book. I highly recommend this book!
February 14, 2025
Serpents ✔️
Magic ✔️
Shadows ✔️
Humans live under the rule of the benevolent serpents, their elemental powers sustaining their world and their life.
But what if everything was not as it seemed?
What if there was more to the story?
A battle for truth. A battle for survival.
A battle for the world.
This book will keep you guessing until the very end!
Magic ✔️
Shadows ✔️
Humans live under the rule of the benevolent serpents, their elemental powers sustaining their world and their life.
But what if everything was not as it seemed?
What if there was more to the story?
A battle for truth. A battle for survival.
A battle for the world.
This book will keep you guessing until the very end!
February 19, 2025
I received an ARC and I absolutely loved the concept of this book; it was different from anything i had read so far. The FMC is an underdog who grows into a powerful and confident badass. The MMC is a misunderstood “villain”. I don’t want to give much away but it’s definitely worth checking out, in my opinion.
February 23, 2025
I want to thank the author for sending this to me as an arc! The entire concept is lovely of this book the pacing is a little bit off in my opinion but it doesn’t make it bad. There was a few terms that got a little repetitive but overall the story was really good and I liked it.
February 13, 2025
Loved this. Hooked from page one. Loved how well the FMC described. She is someone that no one believes in but she is more than anyone gives her credit for. Love the support she has from the Mmc.
February 26, 2025
Arc review
Title: Scaled Shadows
Author: JJ Whit
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: none
This was such a good book.
Held my attention from the beginning to the very end. Lots of turns of events. Was a little different from what I’m used to reading, but I really enjoyed it. I’m thankful to have been given the chance to arc read this. I enjoyed this book a lot. It did take me a little bit to read, but that’s because of mental health, kids being sick, etc, but it was a really good book. So thank you JJ Whit for giving me a chance to read your book. ❤️
Title: Scaled Shadows
Author: JJ Whit
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: none
This was such a good book.
Held my attention from the beginning to the very end. Lots of turns of events. Was a little different from what I’m used to reading, but I really enjoyed it. I’m thankful to have been given the chance to arc read this. I enjoyed this book a lot. It did take me a little bit to read, but that’s because of mental health, kids being sick, etc, but it was a really good book. So thank you JJ Whit for giving me a chance to read your book. ❤️
March 15, 2025
I wanted to like this book. The premise sounded so intriguing to me. Unfortunately this was a struggle for me to get through. The first half flew pretty quickly. However I felt like I was rereading the same thing over and over just phrased slightly differently. Once I got to the trials I was expecting the pacing to continue to flow at a good pace or even pick up more. Again I was let down. I felt like the author spent more time describing things that had already been established and the action of the trials was a blink and you missed it. I understand that this book is more of a ya book and I do think that it would be a great book for a younger crowd.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews