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Arcanum Academy #1
Shadows of Change
Living with sentient shadows isn’t exactly a recipe for staying under the radar. Just ask Kaia Draven, who’s spent twenty-three years pretending her shadows don’t have opinions about everything—including her disastrous love life. But when a Nightwraith attack forces her shadows to show off their teeth, Kaia finds herself recruited to Arcanum Academy, where magic isn’t just studied—it’s a deadly serious game.
The academy might be beautiful, but its politics are vicious. As a member of the scorned Faction of Shadow, Kaia should be keeping her head down. Instead, she keeps collecting complicated brooding twin berserkers with fire and ice in their veins, a chaos mage whose humor masks surprising depth, a mysterious shadow warrior with too many secrets, and a dangerously charming prince whose darkness calls to her own. Her shadows, naturally, have opinions about all of them.
But attraction becomes the least of her problems when an ancient artifact tied to the legendary Valkyries resurfaces. The Heart of Eternity pulses with familiar power, stirring fragments of memories Kaia didn’t know she had. As her powers grow stronger and her bonds deeper, dark forces gather. Someone wants the Heart—and they’ll tear through anyone to claim both it and her.
Welcome to Arcanum Academy, where magic has consequences, shadows have attitude, and falling for multiple powerful mages might be the least of Kaia’s problems. Probably.
Perfect for fans of dark academia romantasy, SHADOWS OF CHANGE weaves together elemental magic, found family, and slow-burn romance into a story about finding your power—and your people.
This is a slow-burn reverse harem romance featuring MMFMM relationships, snark for days, and one very opinionated shadow named Bob who totally ships it.
The academy might be beautiful, but its politics are vicious. As a member of the scorned Faction of Shadow, Kaia should be keeping her head down. Instead, she keeps collecting complicated brooding twin berserkers with fire and ice in their veins, a chaos mage whose humor masks surprising depth, a mysterious shadow warrior with too many secrets, and a dangerously charming prince whose darkness calls to her own. Her shadows, naturally, have opinions about all of them.
But attraction becomes the least of her problems when an ancient artifact tied to the legendary Valkyries resurfaces. The Heart of Eternity pulses with familiar power, stirring fragments of memories Kaia didn’t know she had. As her powers grow stronger and her bonds deeper, dark forces gather. Someone wants the Heart—and they’ll tear through anyone to claim both it and her.
Welcome to Arcanum Academy, where magic has consequences, shadows have attitude, and falling for multiple powerful mages might be the least of Kaia’s problems. Probably.
Perfect for fans of dark academia romantasy, SHADOWS OF CHANGE weaves together elemental magic, found family, and slow-burn romance into a story about finding your power—and your people.
This is a slow-burn reverse harem romance featuring MMFMM relationships, snark for days, and one very opinionated shadow named Bob who totally ships it.
366 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2025
431 people are currently reading
2282 people want to read
About the author
Zora Stone
11 books39 followersZora Stone writes steamy fantasy romance where magic has attitude, found family matters as much as found love, and humor is the secret ingredient in every spell. A lifelong dreamer with a wild imagination and a serious coffee addiction, she believes the best stories happen when magic collides with reality, and romance sneaks in through the cracks.
When she’s not conjuring tales of magical mayhem and emotionally complicated relationships, you’ll find her negotiating with her cat (who insists the keyboard is their throne), debating the wisdom of “just one more chapter,” or reminding her kids that ice cream counts as dinner.
Zora lives in the Midwest with her two kids, one judgmental cat, and an ever-growing collection of half-empty coffee mugs.
When she’s not conjuring tales of magical mayhem and emotionally complicated relationships, you’ll find her negotiating with her cat (who insists the keyboard is their throne), debating the wisdom of “just one more chapter,” or reminding her kids that ice cream counts as dinner.
Zora lives in the Midwest with her two kids, one judgmental cat, and an ever-growing collection of half-empty coffee mugs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 25, 2025
Poorly constructed FMC and repetition without much substance
For the first chapter or two the book had potential. Then you get about 200 pages of the most oblivious and idiotic FMC possible, very little world building or story, and a solid 4 chapters that say nothing more than "something bad is coming". Even the chapters with movement leave something to be desired. Twice in one chapter I thought I had lost track and had to go back and verify that yes this exact paragraph was just said, word for word, two or three lines ago. There's also a weird time warping - is it the next day, next week or months later? I can't tell and it doesn't work.
Kaia is one of the most poorly written FMCs I've read in a while despite the solid foundation of potential that she has. It's not that she refuses to listen to the people she has only just met, she refuses to listen to herself about the creepy (and also brand new to her) people in her new sphere. She is bland bordering on unlikeable for 200 pages where we should be falling and rooting for her. Instead she instills disgust when she puts herself in dangerous situations to spite guys who have been consistently friendly and concerned for her welfare.
The lack of strong female interactions in this book is absurd. Lira and Seren are both available and have strong bestie potential but the author gives them each about 6 sentences and very little presence, even when they each have so much to give the FMC. They deserve way more focus than they are given.
The guys are probably the best part about the book. This is both good and bad. I love that the guys are so likeable and that we get to know their backgrounds a bit. I hate that they overshadow the FMC because she is the focal character and we get way less from her.
I hate the left field relationship that springs up between Kaia, Malrik and Finn. It's just shoehorned in. It has potential but isn't well presented or built into the story.
The lack of world building makes things confusing and absurd. You have to go to this school and learn about your powers but you don't have to go. You can leave at any time but oh the school board, who is not the government as far as I can tell, can bind your powers whenever they like? The students all arrive with a base power and it is obvious who does what but then they get warned they might be moved to a different faction regardless? An entire fleet of fully grown and trained adult Valkyries were defeated by wraiths but all an untrained young girl has to do is open her wings?
None of it makes sense. If someone tells me the book was written by AI it would not be a surprise because I don't know how any creative human could miss so many obvious voids in their storyline.
For the first chapter or two the book had potential. Then you get about 200 pages of the most oblivious and idiotic FMC possible, very little world building or story, and a solid 4 chapters that say nothing more than "something bad is coming". Even the chapters with movement leave something to be desired. Twice in one chapter I thought I had lost track and had to go back and verify that yes this exact paragraph was just said, word for word, two or three lines ago. There's also a weird time warping - is it the next day, next week or months later? I can't tell and it doesn't work.
Kaia is one of the most poorly written FMCs I've read in a while despite the solid foundation of potential that she has. It's not that she refuses to listen to the people she has only just met, she refuses to listen to herself about the creepy (and also brand new to her) people in her new sphere. She is bland bordering on unlikeable for 200 pages where we should be falling and rooting for her. Instead she instills disgust when she puts herself in dangerous situations to spite guys who have been consistently friendly and concerned for her welfare.
The lack of strong female interactions in this book is absurd. Lira and Seren are both available and have strong bestie potential but the author gives them each about 6 sentences and very little presence, even when they each have so much to give the FMC. They deserve way more focus than they are given.
The guys are probably the best part about the book. This is both good and bad. I love that the guys are so likeable and that we get to know their backgrounds a bit. I hate that they overshadow the FMC because she is the focal character and we get way less from her.
I hate the left field relationship that springs up between Kaia, Malrik and Finn. It's just shoehorned in. It has potential but isn't well presented or built into the story.
The lack of world building makes things confusing and absurd. You have to go to this school and learn about your powers but you don't have to go. You can leave at any time but oh the school board, who is not the government as far as I can tell, can bind your powers whenever they like? The students all arrive with a base power and it is obvious who does what but then they get warned they might be moved to a different faction regardless? An entire fleet of fully grown and trained adult Valkyries were defeated by wraiths but all an untrained young girl has to do is open her wings?
None of it makes sense. If someone tells me the book was written by AI it would not be a surprise because I don't know how any creative human could miss so many obvious voids in their storyline.
February 2, 2025
Update: Rating has been added.
I'm torn on a rating here, so I'm going to jot down my thoughts and come back soon once I have a firmer assessment in mind.
First of all, the bones of the story are good. The premise is unique and interesting. The characters are (mostly) likeable. (Kaia made me frustrated often.) The shadows add a fun element that I enjoyed, and the storybuilding was cool. I really liked the way Malrik and Finn's relationship developed, and I craved more from Torric and Aspen in their POVs. Loved the Valkyrie aspect.
The hesitance in my rating comes from the lack of execution to the point where I had to put it down frequently in frustration or I got confused and questioned if I missed something. The transitions needed a lot of work. The timeline was not always coherent. It felt like we were assuming a lot of the in between of scenes. The connection of the characters was stuttered because 1)he and she were used interchangeably for Mouse and another character later on, which caused me to have to double check who was acting/speaking, and 2)things about the characters were repeated (especially with the shadows) or expressed like we already saw things play out that we didn't. It made me feel like there were missing sections.
There was also a ton of repetitive phrasing. Bob was described as gathering the other shadows into tactical formation repeatedly. Patricia was always taking notes. The thing about Finn naming the shadows was funny at first, but when it became a sticking point in almost every interaction, it quickly lost its humor. There are more things that I could list that detracted from my reading experience, and while I understand this is a debut, if I can't fully understand what's happening or questioning if I missed important pieces of the story, it becomes an issue for me.
I give major props for originality and fun ideas, but it was hard to keep reading.
I'm torn on a rating here, so I'm going to jot down my thoughts and come back soon once I have a firmer assessment in mind.
First of all, the bones of the story are good. The premise is unique and interesting. The characters are (mostly) likeable. (Kaia made me frustrated often.) The shadows add a fun element that I enjoyed, and the storybuilding was cool. I really liked the way Malrik and Finn's relationship developed, and I craved more from Torric and Aspen in their POVs. Loved the Valkyrie aspect.
The hesitance in my rating comes from the lack of execution to the point where I had to put it down frequently in frustration or I got confused and questioned if I missed something. The transitions needed a lot of work. The timeline was not always coherent. It felt like we were assuming a lot of the in between of scenes. The connection of the characters was stuttered because 1)he and she were used interchangeably for Mouse and another character later on, which caused me to have to double check who was acting/speaking, and 2)things about the characters were repeated (especially with the shadows) or expressed like we already saw things play out that we didn't. It made me feel like there were missing sections.
There was also a ton of repetitive phrasing. Bob was described as gathering the other shadows into tactical formation repeatedly. Patricia was always taking notes. The thing about Finn naming the shadows was funny at first, but when it became a sticking point in almost every interaction, it quickly lost its humor. There are more things that I could list that detracted from my reading experience, and while I understand this is a debut, if I can't fully understand what's happening or questioning if I missed important pieces of the story, it becomes an issue for me.
I give major props for originality and fun ideas, but it was hard to keep reading.
February 4, 2025
New author Zora Stone creates a fantastical story in Shadows of Change. MFC Kaia has landed herself a bunch of great guys. I loved them. Things weren't smooth sailing, but they were protective and supportive right from the start, which I liked. Finn's playful interaction with shadows was very entertaining and was the source of most of the humor in the book. I'm on the bubble about Kaia. She irritated me constantly, making poor decisions after poor decisions. She's the type of character who doesn't learn until she falls flat on her face. However, I liked her determined spirit. Plus how she treated her shadows says a lot too.
The idea of shadow magic is amazingly cool. It's rare, and the way that Zora tackled it certainly was unique. Kaia's shadows were quite a surprise. There were some characters with their own personalities. I found the whole thing fascinating. I enjoy a good academy read myself so I wished that there was little more effort put into the school and more examples of the magic other than that things were good. I loved the unexpected mythological aspect along with a great backstory that had developed over time. There were some technical issues, but overall this book checked a fair amount of boxes. Shadows of Change is a good start to the series, and after that ending, I'm very curious about what will happen next.
The idea of shadow magic is amazingly cool. It's rare, and the way that Zora tackled it certainly was unique. Kaia's shadows were quite a surprise. There were some characters with their own personalities. I found the whole thing fascinating. I enjoy a good academy read myself so I wished that there was little more effort put into the school and more examples of the magic other than that things were good. I loved the unexpected mythological aspect along with a great backstory that had developed over time. There were some technical issues, but overall this book checked a fair amount of boxes. Shadows of Change is a good start to the series, and after that ending, I'm very curious about what will happen next.
July 5, 2025
Great
I think this is a new author and for her first book she hit it out of the park. With all the Academy books I've read its hard to tell them apart sometimes. But this kept me completely entertained for the whole day. Read it in one go.
I think this is a new author and for her first book she hit it out of the park. With all the Academy books I've read its hard to tell them apart sometimes. But this kept me completely entertained for the whole day. Read it in one go.
dnf
September 13, 2025dnf 30%
Chciałam ją polubić, naprawdę próbowałam, ale coś mi tu nie gra z tą książką i nie jestem w stanie określić co do końca. Bo mimo, że bohaterka mi się spodobała i jej moce w teorii też, to im dalej w las tym przestałam ogarniać co się z nimi dzieję i taki sam problem miałam z fabułą.
Chciałam ją polubić, naprawdę próbowałam, ale coś mi tu nie gra z tą książką i nie jestem w stanie określić co do końca. Bo mimo, że bohaterka mi się spodobała i jej moce w teorii też, to im dalej w las tym przestałam ogarniać co się z nimi dzieję i taki sam problem miałam z fabułą.
December 21, 2024
A fun interesting and slightly chaotic first installment that I enjoyed.
May 1, 2025
It’s a good idea. Horrible execution. Horrible. 1.5 stars because of the concept alone.
March 7, 2025
🌟 Book Review: Shadows of Change by Zora Stone (Arcanum Academy #1) 🌟
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5)
A promising but flawed debut! Shadows of Change drew me in with its unique shadow magic and engaging character dynamics, but rough execution held it back from being truly great. I loved Finn’s antics and the Valkyrie lore, yet I often found myself frustrated with the pacing and underdeveloped academy setting. Despite these issues, the book had enough intrigue to keep me turning the pages, and I’m definitely curious about the sequel!
The Good:
✔ Unique Premise & Magic System – Shadow magic is rare and fascinating, and Zora Stone’s take on it was refreshingly original. The sentient shadow element added a fun, mischievous twist. 🌙
✔ Character Relationships – Malrik and Finn’s growing bond was a highlight, and I wanted more from Torric and Aspen’s perspectives. The found family dynamic was a strong aspect. 💜
✔ Valkyrie Lore – A fantastic addition! I loved the mythological tie-ins. ⚔️
✔ Finn & the Shadows – Hands down the most entertaining part of the book. His playful nature and his antics with naming the shadows brought much-needed humor. 😆
✔ The Plot Kept Me Hooked – Despite its flaws, the story was engaging enough to make me want to continue the series. 📖
The Not-So-Good:
❌ Rough Transitions & Timeline Issues – The pacing felt inconsistent. There were moments where the flow was choppy, and I frequently had to pause to figure out if I had missed something. ⏳
❌ Repetitive Writing – The same descriptions and phrases kept popping up (Bob’s tactical formations, Patricia’s note-taking, Finn’s shadow-naming), making it feel redundant. 🔄
❌ Lack of Academy Development – The school setting felt underutilized. Why are they training in combat? What determines faction placement? More worldbuilding would have enhanced the experience. 🏫
❌ Unanswered Questions – Kaia’s past is left vague, Darian’s betrayal felt rushed, and the fate of Thorne and Darian after the final battle was unclear. 🤔
❌ Kaia’s Frustrating Choices – She made impulsive decisions that led to avoidable trouble, and while her determined spirit was admirable, her lack of growth was frustrating. 😤
TROPES LIST
🌙 Shadow Magic – Sentient, unpredictable, and powerful.
✨ Magic School – Arcanum Academy, though underdeveloped.
🕳️ Hidden Truths & Secrets – Kaia’s past and the true nature of the academy remain mysterious.
💜 Why Choose (Reverse Harem) – A multiple love interest dynamic.
🧡 Found Family – Strong friendships and protective bonds.
💀 Dark Deception – Betrayals lurking in the shadows.
⚔️ Trials & Training – The academy includes combat but lacks clarity on its purpose.
🧙♀️ Valkyrie Mythology – A cool twist woven into the story.
🌌 Magical Artifacts – Significant but not fully explained.
🤖 Magical Creature Sidekick – The shadows were practically characters in their own right!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Zora Stone delivers an intriguing debut with Shadows of Change, blending shadow magic, academy fantasy, and romance into an engaging story. While the execution was flawed, the creativity and potential are undeniable. The confusing transitions and underdeveloped world-building made it difficult to immerse fully, but the characters and their relationships (especially Finn!) kept me invested. 📚
Would I recommend it? Yes, but with caveats. If you enjoy a reverse harem with an interesting magic system and don’t mind some rough edges, you’ll likely find it entertaining. Will I read the next book? Absolutely! I need answers after that ending. 🤯
🌟 Final Verdict: A promising start with room for improvement. If the sequel smooths out the inconsistencies, this series could become something truly special. 🌟
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5)
A promising but flawed debut! Shadows of Change drew me in with its unique shadow magic and engaging character dynamics, but rough execution held it back from being truly great. I loved Finn’s antics and the Valkyrie lore, yet I often found myself frustrated with the pacing and underdeveloped academy setting. Despite these issues, the book had enough intrigue to keep me turning the pages, and I’m definitely curious about the sequel!
The Good:
✔ Unique Premise & Magic System – Shadow magic is rare and fascinating, and Zora Stone’s take on it was refreshingly original. The sentient shadow element added a fun, mischievous twist. 🌙
✔ Character Relationships – Malrik and Finn’s growing bond was a highlight, and I wanted more from Torric and Aspen’s perspectives. The found family dynamic was a strong aspect. 💜
✔ Valkyrie Lore – A fantastic addition! I loved the mythological tie-ins. ⚔️
✔ Finn & the Shadows – Hands down the most entertaining part of the book. His playful nature and his antics with naming the shadows brought much-needed humor. 😆
✔ The Plot Kept Me Hooked – Despite its flaws, the story was engaging enough to make me want to continue the series. 📖
The Not-So-Good:
❌ Rough Transitions & Timeline Issues – The pacing felt inconsistent. There were moments where the flow was choppy, and I frequently had to pause to figure out if I had missed something. ⏳
❌ Repetitive Writing – The same descriptions and phrases kept popping up (Bob’s tactical formations, Patricia’s note-taking, Finn’s shadow-naming), making it feel redundant. 🔄
❌ Lack of Academy Development – The school setting felt underutilized. Why are they training in combat? What determines faction placement? More worldbuilding would have enhanced the experience. 🏫
❌ Unanswered Questions – Kaia’s past is left vague, Darian’s betrayal felt rushed, and the fate of Thorne and Darian after the final battle was unclear. 🤔
❌ Kaia’s Frustrating Choices – She made impulsive decisions that led to avoidable trouble, and while her determined spirit was admirable, her lack of growth was frustrating. 😤
TROPES LIST
🌙 Shadow Magic – Sentient, unpredictable, and powerful.
✨ Magic School – Arcanum Academy, though underdeveloped.
🕳️ Hidden Truths & Secrets – Kaia’s past and the true nature of the academy remain mysterious.
💜 Why Choose (Reverse Harem) – A multiple love interest dynamic.
🧡 Found Family – Strong friendships and protective bonds.
💀 Dark Deception – Betrayals lurking in the shadows.
⚔️ Trials & Training – The academy includes combat but lacks clarity on its purpose.
🧙♀️ Valkyrie Mythology – A cool twist woven into the story.
🌌 Magical Artifacts – Significant but not fully explained.
🤖 Magical Creature Sidekick – The shadows were practically characters in their own right!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Zora Stone delivers an intriguing debut with Shadows of Change, blending shadow magic, academy fantasy, and romance into an engaging story. While the execution was flawed, the creativity and potential are undeniable. The confusing transitions and underdeveloped world-building made it difficult to immerse fully, but the characters and their relationships (especially Finn!) kept me invested. 📚
Would I recommend it? Yes, but with caveats. If you enjoy a reverse harem with an interesting magic system and don’t mind some rough edges, you’ll likely find it entertaining. Will I read the next book? Absolutely! I need answers after that ending. 🤯
🌟 Final Verdict: A promising start with room for improvement. If the sequel smooths out the inconsistencies, this series could become something truly special. 🌟
February 9, 2025
3.5 🌟
Fantasy . A Magic School . Hidden Truth . Secrets . A Magical Creature Sidekick . Why Choose . Found Family . Shadow Magic . Chaos Magic . Magical Artifact . Dark Deception . Trials .
Kaia is a woman wrapped in mischievous shadows. She has a violet-eyed panther familiar, Mouse, as her protective shadow guardian.
All she has of her past are her moody, unruly shadows, watchful Mouse, and an amethyst amulet necklace. She doesn't remember her origins.
"Normal people don't talk to their shadows. Normal people don't have shadows that move independently at all." (ch 1, pg 17)
She enters Arcanum Academy, a magic school, "where shadows meet light" (ch 2, pg 29), which is divided into factions. It is there that she hopes to learn how to wield, control, and master her gifts. She encounters several mages with different personalities. Some have dark hidden agendas, and some want to protect her, but they all are drawn to her like magnets, and she, like-wise, has varying degrees of complicated attraction toward them.
"If Aspen is the calm before the storm and Torric is the raging inferno, then Malrik is the seductive whisper of danger in the dark." (ch 7, pg 57) "Finn.... all barely contained energy and chaos." (ch 7, pg 59). "Darian.... everything about him screams danger and mystery.... like a predator ready to strike..." (ch 17, pg 119).
She has to figure out who is on her side and who might have ulterior motives, but they prove to be a distraction to her concentration and senses. As the looming threats close in, she needs to work with the guys to figure out her past to protect herself and the future.
.....
At first, though the storyline seemed interesting enough, it took me a bit to get into the book, feeling a little disjointed. Though, gradually, it grew on me.
The book is written in multiple points-of-view, but it had a couple of chapters in the beginning that overlapped, so an entire conversation was repeated. Luckily, that seemed to be the only instance. It was confusing here and there, between repetitive phrases and conversations. There are a lot of characters to focus on and keep track of, and words, emotions, and behaviors were contradictory at times for some of them. And it was difficult to assess how much time was passing between events. Also, the characters would talk about something or reference something, but it was so vague and never clarified as to what it was exactly they were discussing. There were times I had to go back and reread just to make sure I didn't miss something.
I love the protectiveness and worry that her multiple potential love interests show and demonstrate toward her. They're like hovering brothers, even banding together with a common cause.... but of course, they don't want to be her brothers or be put in the friend-zone, but seem to put that on the back-burner anyway. Due to Kaia's stubbornness and blinders, she doesn't appreciate their concern or efforts.
Also, I love that her shadows have separate personalities, but it's both endearing and annoying. But as long as they have been with her, you'd think she'd trust them more. Though, I suppose that's like trusting yourself. Sometimes, it's hard to trust your gut feelings, instincts, and the nagging warnings in the back of your mind.
The author keeps you guessing as to who she will end up with, if anyone. Until just like that, bam, there's a decision, and the tension is crackling. ".... we all orbit each other like stars caught in the same gravitational pull." (ch 66, pg 387.). But it's short-lived. Hopefully, with book 2, Kaia can explore that more.
Now that I've read to the end, I'm kind of invested, so I will have to see how it continues to unfold.
Fantasy . A Magic School . Hidden Truth . Secrets . A Magical Creature Sidekick . Why Choose . Found Family . Shadow Magic . Chaos Magic . Magical Artifact . Dark Deception . Trials .
Kaia is a woman wrapped in mischievous shadows. She has a violet-eyed panther familiar, Mouse, as her protective shadow guardian.
All she has of her past are her moody, unruly shadows, watchful Mouse, and an amethyst amulet necklace. She doesn't remember her origins.
"Normal people don't talk to their shadows. Normal people don't have shadows that move independently at all." (ch 1, pg 17)
She enters Arcanum Academy, a magic school, "where shadows meet light" (ch 2, pg 29), which is divided into factions. It is there that she hopes to learn how to wield, control, and master her gifts. She encounters several mages with different personalities. Some have dark hidden agendas, and some want to protect her, but they all are drawn to her like magnets, and she, like-wise, has varying degrees of complicated attraction toward them.
"If Aspen is the calm before the storm and Torric is the raging inferno, then Malrik is the seductive whisper of danger in the dark." (ch 7, pg 57) "Finn.... all barely contained energy and chaos." (ch 7, pg 59). "Darian.... everything about him screams danger and mystery.... like a predator ready to strike..." (ch 17, pg 119).
She has to figure out who is on her side and who might have ulterior motives, but they prove to be a distraction to her concentration and senses. As the looming threats close in, she needs to work with the guys to figure out her past to protect herself and the future.
.....
At first, though the storyline seemed interesting enough, it took me a bit to get into the book, feeling a little disjointed. Though, gradually, it grew on me.
The book is written in multiple points-of-view, but it had a couple of chapters in the beginning that overlapped, so an entire conversation was repeated. Luckily, that seemed to be the only instance. It was confusing here and there, between repetitive phrases and conversations. There are a lot of characters to focus on and keep track of, and words, emotions, and behaviors were contradictory at times for some of them. And it was difficult to assess how much time was passing between events. Also, the characters would talk about something or reference something, but it was so vague and never clarified as to what it was exactly they were discussing. There were times I had to go back and reread just to make sure I didn't miss something.
I love the protectiveness and worry that her multiple potential love interests show and demonstrate toward her. They're like hovering brothers, even banding together with a common cause.... but of course, they don't want to be her brothers or be put in the friend-zone, but seem to put that on the back-burner anyway. Due to Kaia's stubbornness and blinders, she doesn't appreciate their concern or efforts.
Also, I love that her shadows have separate personalities, but it's both endearing and annoying. But as long as they have been with her, you'd think she'd trust them more. Though, I suppose that's like trusting yourself. Sometimes, it's hard to trust your gut feelings, instincts, and the nagging warnings in the back of your mind.
The author keeps you guessing as to who she will end up with, if anyone. Until just like that, bam, there's a decision, and the tension is crackling. ".... we all orbit each other like stars caught in the same gravitational pull." (ch 66, pg 387.). But it's short-lived. Hopefully, with book 2, Kaia can explore that more.
Now that I've read to the end, I'm kind of invested, so I will have to see how it continues to unfold.
December 29, 2024
I received a free ARC from the author.
The book started off a little shaky; I wasn't sure if Kaia came from regular old Earth and the academy was in a new, magic world or not. She doesn't really react like someone who is just finding out magic is real enough to warrant a whole magical academy. Certain things are mentioned and then never expanded on, like the twins having special runes, or why they would be part of the shadow faction if they can't see or use shadows. There was also never really any indication of how much time was passing, which made things difficult to follow at time.
I really wished we'd learned more about the academy and Thorne. How is it he's been there for twenty years, under different names, and no other professor or the unnamed head of the school ever noticed or cared? What is the purpose of the academy, who gets to go there, why are they learning combat? What was the deal with the light and shadow factions, were there more factions, what causes someone to be placed into light vs shadow? I feel like the academy was just sort of there in the background, but someone coming from the mundane world would likely have been a lot more interested and excited to suddenly be in a magical school, which made me doubt whether Kaia actually comes from the regular world or not.
We also don't really find out anything about Kaia's past, the time between the prologue and her getting into the school. She's spit out into a new world and then... was she placed in foster care? If her mother had been communicating with someone in the present time, why didn't that person raise Kaia? What was she doing for however many years she spent before Thorne took her to the academy?
Despite all of that, I actually did enjoy the book, and I will definitely read the next installment. While the above discrepancies did leave me a little confused at times, it wasn't enough that I couldn't follow what was happening. The plot was engaging, though I wish the betrayal by Darian had been expanded on a little more. It felt very glossed over, but things did pick up nicely after that. I think my biggest complaint is that, during the final battle, what actually happens to Darian and Thorne? Are they still there in the arena when the group walks away? Did Thorne teleport them somewhere? Do the group just leave them behind? They defeat both of them and then just don't mention at all what actually happened to them, and since I'm hoping Darian gets a redemption arc, that seemed like a strange oversight.
The book started off a little shaky; I wasn't sure if Kaia came from regular old Earth and the academy was in a new, magic world or not. She doesn't really react like someone who is just finding out magic is real enough to warrant a whole magical academy. Certain things are mentioned and then never expanded on, like the twins having special runes, or why they would be part of the shadow faction if they can't see or use shadows. There was also never really any indication of how much time was passing, which made things difficult to follow at time.
I really wished we'd learned more about the academy and Thorne. How is it he's been there for twenty years, under different names, and no other professor or the unnamed head of the school ever noticed or cared? What is the purpose of the academy, who gets to go there, why are they learning combat? What was the deal with the light and shadow factions, were there more factions, what causes someone to be placed into light vs shadow? I feel like the academy was just sort of there in the background, but someone coming from the mundane world would likely have been a lot more interested and excited to suddenly be in a magical school, which made me doubt whether Kaia actually comes from the regular world or not.
We also don't really find out anything about Kaia's past, the time between the prologue and her getting into the school. She's spit out into a new world and then... was she placed in foster care? If her mother had been communicating with someone in the present time, why didn't that person raise Kaia? What was she doing for however many years she spent before Thorne took her to the academy?
Despite all of that, I actually did enjoy the book, and I will definitely read the next installment. While the above discrepancies did leave me a little confused at times, it wasn't enough that I couldn't follow what was happening. The plot was engaging, though I wish the betrayal by Darian had been expanded on a little more. It felt very glossed over, but things did pick up nicely after that. I think my biggest complaint is that, during the final battle, what actually happens to Darian and Thorne? Are they still there in the arena when the group walks away? Did Thorne teleport them somewhere? Do the group just leave them behind? They defeat both of them and then just don't mention at all what actually happened to them, and since I'm hoping Darian gets a redemption arc, that seemed like a strange oversight.
February 7, 2025
I do not know what Zora put in this, but i was hooked from the start.
So our main characters are Kaia, Finn, Aspen, Torric, and Malrik.
Kaia is our beautiful fmc. She has had a somewhat normal life. Apart from the small fact that she has magic and shadows. I really like Kaia. She is brave, kind, and intelligent, but I sometimes think she doesn't want to acknowledge what is truly going on. However, on the flip side, she does want to learn more about her magic and shadows.
Our guys are amazing. I was on the fence a little with Torric to begin with, only because of his approach (I know it's coming from a place of concern), but he's a bit grumpy but I have learned that that's just him. His twin Aspen, I loved instantly, he has such a calming personality, and I appreciated that. Malrik is our dark one who knows too much, but you can't help but be drawn to him, and our beautiful Finn is our very charismatic chaos wielder. I adore Finn. He is so easy to love, and he feels like a breath of fresh air.
The plot was so interesting. I feel as though we've only just tapped into this world, and I'm excited to see where it takes us. We do see Kaia learn a little about her powers, but I think we'll see what she's really made of in the next instalment of the series. It was so sweet that the guys stopped at nothing to help Kaia. I do have questions, though... Like, what's up with Darian? I know we only touched on his past, but I know there's something more between him and Kaia, I just don't know what. Also, are the guys Kaia's fated mates? And Professor Stone, he's very naughty, but I need to know more about him.
I'm so excited to see what's next for Kaia and her guys because I know it's going to be explosive, especially after that ending.
Thank you so much to Zora and your lovely team for the opportunity to read this story. I am forever grateful 🙏
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
🔮 why choose
🔮 slow burn
🔮 multiple pov
🔮 memory loss
🔮 Academy based
🔮 chosen one vibes
🔮 so many secrets
So our main characters are Kaia, Finn, Aspen, Torric, and Malrik.
Kaia is our beautiful fmc. She has had a somewhat normal life. Apart from the small fact that she has magic and shadows. I really like Kaia. She is brave, kind, and intelligent, but I sometimes think she doesn't want to acknowledge what is truly going on. However, on the flip side, she does want to learn more about her magic and shadows.
Our guys are amazing. I was on the fence a little with Torric to begin with, only because of his approach (I know it's coming from a place of concern), but he's a bit grumpy but I have learned that that's just him. His twin Aspen, I loved instantly, he has such a calming personality, and I appreciated that. Malrik is our dark one who knows too much, but you can't help but be drawn to him, and our beautiful Finn is our very charismatic chaos wielder. I adore Finn. He is so easy to love, and he feels like a breath of fresh air.
The plot was so interesting. I feel as though we've only just tapped into this world, and I'm excited to see where it takes us. We do see Kaia learn a little about her powers, but I think we'll see what she's really made of in the next instalment of the series. It was so sweet that the guys stopped at nothing to help Kaia. I do have questions, though... Like, what's up with Darian? I know we only touched on his past, but I know there's something more between him and Kaia, I just don't know what. Also, are the guys Kaia's fated mates? And Professor Stone, he's very naughty, but I need to know more about him.
I'm so excited to see what's next for Kaia and her guys because I know it's going to be explosive, especially after that ending.
Thank you so much to Zora and your lovely team for the opportunity to read this story. I am forever grateful 🙏
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
🔮 why choose
🔮 slow burn
🔮 multiple pov
🔮 memory loss
🔮 Academy based
🔮 chosen one vibes
🔮 so many secrets
February 7, 2025
DNF 18%
From what I did read, the story and premise have so much potential. The magic of the FMC is one rarely explored in academy settings and I liked that the shadows were their own identity.
The main problem with the story is the way that it is written. The author was trying too hard to set a scene and would often repeat phrases, actions and dialogue. There was also SOOO much telling and not enough showing.
Several examples:
Between the formatting and the unnecessary words, this book is about 100 pages longer than it should be.
I do hope that the author gets an editor worth their salt for whatever project they have lined up next. 'Cause the idea of the book was solid, but the author needs some polish before publishing their next work.
From what I did read, the story and premise have so much potential. The magic of the FMC is one rarely explored in academy settings and I liked that the shadows were their own identity.
The main problem with the story is the way that it is written. The author was trying too hard to set a scene and would often repeat phrases, actions and dialogue. There was also SOOO much telling and not enough showing.
Several examples:
My shadows dart across the floor and walls, merging seamlessly with the ancient darkness as though testing its boundaries—or greeting an old friend.
The shadows here feel different—older, more aware somehow, like they've been waiting for someone who could truly see them.
There's something disarming about Finn's energy, like he refuses to take anything—including himself—too seriously.
The energy here feels different—darker, yes, but also warmer, like the shadows themselves are alive and watching with careful interest.
Between the formatting and the unnecessary words, this book is about 100 pages longer than it should be.
I do hope that the author gets an editor worth their salt for whatever project they have lined up next. 'Cause the idea of the book was solid, but the author needs some polish before publishing their next work.
February 8, 2025
Shadows
Shadows of Change is the first book in this RH fantasy series. This new author has a very fascinating concept of how shadow magic works around the FMC. Most of the book takes place in an academy setting, with different types of light and shadow students there.
Kaia is an unknown. Her early memories are gone, she has shadows that seem to have a mind of their own, and a necklace that she's had since she was kid. Oh...and a shadow cat that follows her everywhere.
A professor gives her his card after she's attacked and tells her that she needs to learn how to control her shadows. This is a surprise because she thought she was the only one who could see them. This is how she ends up at the academy and meets the guys.
Finn is entertaining. He's full of chaos and jokes. Malrik is dark and brooding. Aspen is sweet and calming. His twin brother, Torric, is moody and fiery. They are all drawn to Kaia. And she'll need them by her side as she tries to figure out what her professor is hiding.
Kaia, at times, was frustrating. She has depended on her shadows throughout her life, but when they keep giving her signals that something is wrong, she just continues on with her training. It happened again and again. It was irritating because other times she's strong and stands firm.
Overall this was a really interesting storyline and I liked the chemistry with the characters. I hope we get to know the twins better in the next book.
Shadows of Change is the first book in this RH fantasy series. This new author has a very fascinating concept of how shadow magic works around the FMC. Most of the book takes place in an academy setting, with different types of light and shadow students there.
Kaia is an unknown. Her early memories are gone, she has shadows that seem to have a mind of their own, and a necklace that she's had since she was kid. Oh...and a shadow cat that follows her everywhere.
A professor gives her his card after she's attacked and tells her that she needs to learn how to control her shadows. This is a surprise because she thought she was the only one who could see them. This is how she ends up at the academy and meets the guys.
Finn is entertaining. He's full of chaos and jokes. Malrik is dark and brooding. Aspen is sweet and calming. His twin brother, Torric, is moody and fiery. They are all drawn to Kaia. And she'll need them by her side as she tries to figure out what her professor is hiding.
Kaia, at times, was frustrating. She has depended on her shadows throughout her life, but when they keep giving her signals that something is wrong, she just continues on with her training. It happened again and again. It was irritating because other times she's strong and stands firm.
Overall this was a really interesting storyline and I liked the chemistry with the characters. I hope we get to know the twins better in the next book.
February 7, 2025
This is definitely one of the top magnetic books released this year! Zora Stone nailed building this world in this first book.
Kaia's story unfolds with a brief glimpse into her past and then takes you on her journey as she learns more about herself and her powers. Her shadows are unlike any she's seen before and the more she learns, and the closer she gets with some of the others at her new academy the more her shadows develop and she realizes who she can trust and who is just trying to use her.
The relationships within this book are just amazing. The spice level might be down in this first book but things are definitely going to be heating up. I love that Zora Stone took the time to really focus on the dynamics of the group rather than just throwing them into the heat of the moment without having any foundation. It makes the book more interesting in my opinion.
This book will end on a cliffhanger and as jaw dropping of a cliffhanger that it is, I fully recommend this book and this author!
Kaia's story unfolds with a brief glimpse into her past and then takes you on her journey as she learns more about herself and her powers. Her shadows are unlike any she's seen before and the more she learns, and the closer she gets with some of the others at her new academy the more her shadows develop and she realizes who she can trust and who is just trying to use her.
The relationships within this book are just amazing. The spice level might be down in this first book but things are definitely going to be heating up. I love that Zora Stone took the time to really focus on the dynamics of the group rather than just throwing them into the heat of the moment without having any foundation. It makes the book more interesting in my opinion.
This book will end on a cliffhanger and as jaw dropping of a cliffhanger that it is, I fully recommend this book and this author!
February 11, 2025
Arcanum Academy
This is a very clever and unique fantasy. The world building has great potential and the interplay of the shadows is charming and hilarious. The book describes a no burn, possible reverse harem, magic, hidden heritage, good v. evil plot line. The main issue I found was the first 100 pages. They require serious continuity editing and I almost dnf. The writing style continues to be overdramatic but the flow improves. Our heroine is introduced in the prologue as the daughter of a Valkerie and a Light magic warrior. They face an evil foe and her parents send her into the future with a magic gem. The confusion for readers lies in whether she actually remembers who she is, or that magic and shadows exist. It's written as if she's just a confused human who has mischievous shadows that only she can see. And a flickering cat that people can see. Once at school she seems to already know much about magic? Plot inconsistencies abound. A rewrite of the beginning could easily jump this up to a higher level.
This is a very clever and unique fantasy. The world building has great potential and the interplay of the shadows is charming and hilarious. The book describes a no burn, possible reverse harem, magic, hidden heritage, good v. evil plot line. The main issue I found was the first 100 pages. They require serious continuity editing and I almost dnf. The writing style continues to be overdramatic but the flow improves. Our heroine is introduced in the prologue as the daughter of a Valkerie and a Light magic warrior. They face an evil foe and her parents send her into the future with a magic gem. The confusion for readers lies in whether she actually remembers who she is, or that magic and shadows exist. It's written as if she's just a confused human who has mischievous shadows that only she can see. And a flickering cat that people can see. Once at school she seems to already know much about magic? Plot inconsistencies abound. A rewrite of the beginning could easily jump this up to a higher level.
Read
May 20, 2025I liked the premise pretty quickly, but found myself being distracted by some of the writing decisions.
Having an entire conversation repeated - literally word for word - from a second character’s perspective was a choice. The two identical conversations happened in back-to-back chapters and felt like a waste of time. There are also a couple of pretty big typos in the first 20%, (like quotation marks in a sentence that is not dialogue) but those I would generally overlook. The thing I just can’t get past is several versions of a sentence or paragraph written in slightly different ways, one right after the other. It looks like the author was trying out different phrasing in the rough draft, but nothing ever got edited out. This was a problem half a dozen times before I decided to dnf for now.
I do think the author has storytelling talent, and hope to see more work in the future! Writers need good editors, and I’m mostly disappointed in whoever dropped the ball there. I hope this book gets a second edition after an editor spends some time with it.
Having an entire conversation repeated - literally word for word - from a second character’s perspective was a choice. The two identical conversations happened in back-to-back chapters and felt like a waste of time. There are also a couple of pretty big typos in the first 20%, (like quotation marks in a sentence that is not dialogue) but those I would generally overlook. The thing I just can’t get past is several versions of a sentence or paragraph written in slightly different ways, one right after the other. It looks like the author was trying out different phrasing in the rough draft, but nothing ever got edited out. This was a problem half a dozen times before I decided to dnf for now.
I do think the author has storytelling talent, and hope to see more work in the future! Writers need good editors, and I’m mostly disappointed in whoever dropped the ball there. I hope this book gets a second edition after an editor spends some time with it.
February 2, 2025
I loved the shadows and the idea of shadow magic, something unusual that I’ve not read about before, at least not like this. When the shadows are named though, they develop their own personalities and become characters in their own right. Take a bow Bob!
I did spend a fair portion of the first half of the book feeling like I was missing a prequel or something. I even went to zon and checked that there wasn’t one. It felt like the first couple of chapters were a recap, especially as Kaia just slotted straight in to Arcanum, knew her way around, seemed to get on with her teachers, kinda and make a friend all seemingly in a day or so.
Kaia and the guys are all well written, especially Finn and Malrik, lots of broody vibes from the latter, though I did love the twins, I hope they get a bit more to do in the next book.
Throw in some seriously creepy villains and not knowing who to trust and this could be a total winner.
I did spend a fair portion of the first half of the book feeling like I was missing a prequel or something. I even went to zon and checked that there wasn’t one. It felt like the first couple of chapters were a recap, especially as Kaia just slotted straight in to Arcanum, knew her way around, seemed to get on with her teachers, kinda and make a friend all seemingly in a day or so.
Kaia and the guys are all well written, especially Finn and Malrik, lots of broody vibes from the latter, though I did love the twins, I hope they get a bit more to do in the next book.
Throw in some seriously creepy villains and not knowing who to trust and this could be a total winner.
September 8, 2025
This book was hard to read mostly because of the FMC and all her choices she made throughout out 60%-70% of the book. I had to take multiple breaks between reading which made finishing it take longer than normal. Kaia was just so annoying that anytime it was her POV or the chapter had her in it was my least favorite and I would literally groan and roll my eyes. Her four guys (the ML) were the only part of the book that I liked. Overall, the book was okay but if I wasn't the one reading and anyone else that was reading, they probably would not have finished the book and have given up half way through. it was an okay read and could be better if more parts were added and some editing.
It got better after the 70% of the book, after she got all the hints the guys, her shadows and even Thorne and Darian that showed subtle hints that she caught but didn't actually think about them.
It got better after the 70% of the book, after she got all the hints the guys, her shadows and even Thorne and Darian that showed subtle hints that she caught but didn't actually think about them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2025
“Some shadows hide sharper teeth than others”
The premise of this is fun and I’m a sucker for a good academic setting. The origin of Kaia’s shadows was really touching and I thought the shadow magic she had was unique. As a plus, I loved getting a FMC with shadow magic. Often the MMCs are the ones with the shadows, so having the FMC with it was a refreshing and pleasant choice.
From a structural standpoint, there should have been less repetition. For example, it is mentioned several times that Finn has named Kaia’s shadows. There will be a part where she acknowledges it and then chapters later she’s shocked that they’ve been named.
Secondly, the story would have benefitted from at least 50 or more pages for the world — giving insight into the school, the professors, other students. This is in addition to more development of the relationships. She meets the guys and all of a sudden they’re all friends. It would’ve been nice to actually see a growth between being strangers to becoming friends. Part of the issue here is that it’s hard to tell how much time is passing in the story. (Has it been weeks? Months? Days?)
That being said, I think the premise is interesting and I am curious to see how the series further shapes itself.
3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sending all my thanks to the author for the advanced reader copy!
The premise of this is fun and I’m a sucker for a good academic setting. The origin of Kaia’s shadows was really touching and I thought the shadow magic she had was unique. As a plus, I loved getting a FMC with shadow magic. Often the MMCs are the ones with the shadows, so having the FMC with it was a refreshing and pleasant choice.
From a structural standpoint, there should have been less repetition. For example, it is mentioned several times that Finn has named Kaia’s shadows. There will be a part where she acknowledges it and then chapters later she’s shocked that they’ve been named.
Secondly, the story would have benefitted from at least 50 or more pages for the world — giving insight into the school, the professors, other students. This is in addition to more development of the relationships. She meets the guys and all of a sudden they’re all friends. It would’ve been nice to actually see a growth between being strangers to becoming friends. Part of the issue here is that it’s hard to tell how much time is passing in the story. (Has it been weeks? Months? Days?)
That being said, I think the premise is interesting and I am curious to see how the series further shapes itself.
3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sending all my thanks to the author for the advanced reader copy!
February 9, 2025
Really liked this RH.
For once in an academy there is no OW drama ; no useless MC who can't do anything but cry (I'm sorry but that's what most authors make their heroin do) ; no humiliation ; no instant hate from a ML for no reason and less cliche.
Instead there is a strong MC, even stronger than the MLs, adorable MLs and quite a good plot.
There is a little MM too between 2 of the 4 (or 5 ?) potential MLs.
One criticism though : way too little relation development : it is insta crush honestly bc there are almost no talking or no activities between the MLs and the MC ; we mostly concentrate on the plot.
I will definitely read the second one.
P.S : sorry for the grammatical mistakes ; english isn't my primary langage
For once in an academy there is no OW drama ; no useless MC who can't do anything but cry (I'm sorry but that's what most authors make their heroin do) ; no humiliation ; no instant hate from a ML for no reason and less cliche.
Instead there is a strong MC, even stronger than the MLs, adorable MLs and quite a good plot.
There is a little MM too between 2 of the 4 (or 5 ?) potential MLs.
One criticism though : way too little relation development : it is insta crush honestly bc there are almost no talking or no activities between the MLs and the MC ; we mostly concentrate on the plot.
I will definitely read the second one.
P.S : sorry for the grammatical mistakes ; english isn't my primary langage
July 4, 2025
DNF
I really tried to like this book - I even gave it a second try - but I only ever made it 40% through.
My problem is the FMC was for all intents and purposes was abandoned in the human realm as a child - she goes through foster care (and kicked out of numerous homes because she’s “cursed”)and living on the streets - she has shadows with personality and a magic cat pet that have been with her all along. She’s in her 20’s with no friends. She gets attacked and “saved” and then invited to an academy - she gives it less than 24 hours of thought and accepts. From there - she seems to immediately trust and make friends with everyone she meets & no longer listens to the shadows who have been her constant companions. It just doesn’t add up and she’s just an idiot.
I really tried to like this book - I even gave it a second try - but I only ever made it 40% through.
My problem is the FMC was for all intents and purposes was abandoned in the human realm as a child - she goes through foster care (and kicked out of numerous homes because she’s “cursed”)and living on the streets - she has shadows with personality and a magic cat pet that have been with her all along. She’s in her 20’s with no friends. She gets attacked and “saved” and then invited to an academy - she gives it less than 24 hours of thought and accepts. From there - she seems to immediately trust and make friends with everyone she meets & no longer listens to the shadows who have been her constant companions. It just doesn’t add up and she’s just an idiot.
December 24, 2024
This was such a wonderful book! I can’t believe it’s the author’s first release. I loved the plot - it was very interesting and the action kept me engaged throughout the whole story. The writing itself was well done, although there were a few questionable repeats of certain facts that seemed to be introduced as if new more than once, but it wasn’t too often and didn’t detract from the story. I absolutely loved all the characters. They all had such clear personalities! Kaia and her guys are just perfect, and I love Bob and Mouse (and all the other shadows!). I truly hope we learn more about Darian because I can’t help but just love him. I will 100% be reading the next!
January 10, 2025
This book was my first read from this author and I have to say, it's definitely become one of my favorite romantasy reads yet!
I love the main FMC (Kaia) who goes through so much starting at a young age. I cant imagine going through the heartbreak she does and still maintain a sassy, yet giving spirit. She grows a lot in this story and learns to lean on people (not just her shadows). She also grows in her powers, more than she ever thought she could.
Now to the MMCs...can we say how perfect they are for her? Yes, they have some growing up to do but, I can see lots of potential ;)
I can't wait to read what comes next as there is a cliffhanger!
I love the main FMC (Kaia) who goes through so much starting at a young age. I cant imagine going through the heartbreak she does and still maintain a sassy, yet giving spirit. She grows a lot in this story and learns to lean on people (not just her shadows). She also grows in her powers, more than she ever thought she could.
Now to the MMCs...can we say how perfect they are for her? Yes, they have some growing up to do but, I can see lots of potential ;)
I can't wait to read what comes next as there is a cliffhanger!
February 17, 2025
I loved this book so much and CANNOT wait for the next one. I can't tell you how much I laughed. The FMC, Kaia, has shadows that are "sentient beings". They are basically alive and some of them have their own personalities, and it's FREAKING HILARIOUS. Bob and Finnick are my favorite. One of the MMCs, Finnick, is the one who decides to name all the shadows, and of course he names the most mischievous one after himself, and it's amazing. Finnick is my favorite of the MMCs but they're all great. This book was so entertaining, and I can't wait to see how the story progresses. Also, it's a great ending. It leaves you wanting more, without leaving you broken until the next book.
April 10, 2025
a must read by this author a book i enjoyed ,a girl named kaia as a young girl her mom sends her through a realm in the future she is grown up she meets a man who says he can help her with her powers at a academy he is teaching at she goes there she has shadow magic ,she meets 4 guys who she befriends will she fall in love with one of them ,her cat compainon he is there for her.a book was well written all the way through ,towards the ending it was so good cant wait to see how book 2 turns out with kaias adventure.
June 30, 2025
This was a fun series opener and it had such an intriguing premise. Kaia is a strong and determined FMC and while she did do some frustrating things, you really can see that she's come through a lot. She also is snarky and quite funny ;) I loved her shadow magic. Her men were all fascinating and perfect for her. I'm looking forward to more time with them in the next book. I should mention that there is a cliffy at the end, but it isn't too steep, so it's not too painful of a wait to dive into the next book ;D
December 21, 2024
I can't believe that this is the first book of this author! I mean, who does that?! Who writes such a brilliant first book with words and characters that hook you from the first page? Who gives us a Kaia, a snarky and hilarious FMC? Who gives us mysterious MMC's who make you swoon? Who gives us shadows with strong personalities and manic sense of humours? It's this new author!!! And now I need to wait for book 2!!!
December 24, 2024
This was a really fun read. Kaia and her shadows are a likeable group especially Bob and that mischievous Finnick (both of them to be fair). There were a couple of spots that had me confused but they were very minor and don’t detract from the story (repeating some details and the timeline about her past which was cleared up towards the end). Great read from a new author and looking forward to book 2
February 20, 2025
DNF- plot holes
This story has a fantastic concept and would have greatly benefited with an editor. There are glaring plot holes I just couldn’t get around and major issues with timeline. The story also jumped weirdly at points. Lots of showing, info dump, and repetitive inner monologue. Still, the personal shadows, Bob and Patricia, were great concepts. Hopefully this gets a rewrite or a major edit. I’d try it again.
This story has a fantastic concept and would have greatly benefited with an editor. There are glaring plot holes I just couldn’t get around and major issues with timeline. The story also jumped weirdly at points. Lots of showing, info dump, and repetitive inner monologue. Still, the personal shadows, Bob and Patricia, were great concepts. Hopefully this gets a rewrite or a major edit. I’d try it again.
Read
March 25, 2025DNF
Kaiya is an idiot. I just couldn't read anymore of this. The shadows that have Always protected her are telling her over and over Damien is bad news .... What does she do?? Keep letting him touch her, get close to her!! The rest of the guys feel safe, she feels it, her shadows feel it but nooo Damien is sooo handsome so let's just jump into the fire.
This level of TSTL makes me mad.
Kaiya is an idiot. I just couldn't read anymore of this. The shadows that have Always protected her are telling her over and over Damien is bad news .... What does she do?? Keep letting him touch her, get close to her!! The rest of the guys feel safe, she feels it, her shadows feel it but nooo Damien is sooo handsome so let's just jump into the fire.
This level of TSTL makes me mad.
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