Shadows & Stone

by Carita Martin

A stolen throne. A shattered kingdom. A power that could save—or destroy—two worlds.

Centuries ago, the Lirian forged a stone of unimaginable power, opening a portal between realms. Now, the stone has returned, its Keeper lost, and its purpose forgotten.

Jade, an ordinary woman from Earth, is thrust into a world of war and betrayal, bound to a destiny she never chose. As the new Keeper, she alone can wield the stone’s magic. But with a murdered king and queen, a fugitive prince, and a dark force rising, the fate of two realms hangs in the balance.

Torn between loyalty and desire, enemies and allies, Jade must decide—will she unite a broken kingdom or doom it to eternal war?

Shadows & Stone is a gripping tale of sacrifice, vengeance, and forbidden desire, where love and power collide in a battle for survival.

425 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2025

About the author

Born in the Caribbean, raised on books, and currently plotting magic and mayhem from the cornfields of Quebec. I studied literature and sociology before trading sunshine for snow and diving headfirst into the corporate world in Montreal. After a layoff and a much-needed reset, I finally gave voice to the story that had been living rent-free in my head for a decade. Shadows & Stone is my debut novel—and just the beginning. When I’m not writing, I’m wrangling two dogs, a kid, and far too many book ideas.

Reviews

[Sandie Checks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows & Stone is one of those books that hooks you fast and doesn’t let go.

Carita Martin gives us a story that’s packed with magic, betrayal, slow-burn tension, and a heroine who never stops fighting, even when she has no idea what she’s been thrown into.

Jade wakes up in a world she doesn’t understand, tied to a magical stone with a power no one fully remembers. Suddenly, she’s caught in the middle of a kingdom on the edge of war, with a murdered royal family, a fugitive prince who’s way too hot for her sanity, and a dark power rising that wants her dead, or worse.

I loved watching Jade go from overwhelmed and totally out of her depth to someone dangerous in her own right. Her chemistry with Faelan? Unreal. And Valen? Explosive… he’s complicated in all the best ways.

The world feels lived-in, the magic is mysterious in a way that keeps you guessing, and every chapter adds another layer. And when I hit the ending? I just sat there for a second like... what just happened??

If you're into Throne of Glass, Fourth Wing, or From Blood and Ash, you're going to devour this one. I need Book 2 immediately.

[Carissa Warner · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Reader here.

If fantasy is you're genre then you'll like this one.

Thropes:
Enemies to lovers

World:

The world that this is set in is solid and believable.

Characters:
Likable (the good guys) and hate worthy (the bad guys)

Plotline:
Best part of the book is the plotline. It's engaging and keeps me wanting more. Writing evenly paced.

Sometimes the world building can be a little tedious but it comes with the genre and it must be done.

The one thing that I would say I didn't like is the use of the phrase I let out a breath/ sigh. It occurred often throughout the book enough for me to notice.

I did skip the sex scenes just cause it's not my cup of tea.

Oh! And Jade a one hot Gal cause everybody want she lol. Love that for her 🤣

I enjoyed this read very much, it ended definitely leaving me wanting more and I'm ready for book two.

[Juliette Vulliez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read recently that there are two key aspects to an effective story. First, it must capture and hold our attention. The second thing an effective story does is “transport” us into the characters’ world. I truly felt transported to Jade's world. The careful descriptive writing carried me to the rooms she was in and allowed me to experience the characters, to see and feel them, through Jade's eyes. It has been a few weeks since I finished reading Shadows & Stone and I still find myself thinking about Jade. She has left me with a curiosity on how she is doing, as if she has jumped off the storyline into real life.
I am waiting patiently for her next adventure!

[Élyse Fauteux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down!!! The action starts right away and doesn't stop until the very end. I was so immersed in the colourful and magical world that the author created and invested in the characters' journeys. I haven't stopped thinking about them since I finished the book! This story is the perfect balance of action, fantasy, humour and spiciness. The ending came waaaay too soon! I'm so excited (and relieved!) to see there will be a Book 2 - I need to know what happens next!

[Pamela Glennon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC and I loved this book! I felt like I was in the location, both Canada and transported to the fantasy world.

So jade is a ‘normal’ girl who after running away from some criminals wanting to hurt her, finds a stone that somehow transports her to another world. When she gets to the other world, the main objective is trying to get back to Canada, but with no one knowing how she got there, only one person can reasonably help her: the prince. (Don’t worry he’s not important yet).

Along the way, she meets Valen. Come in Mr broody, troubled, misunderstood but he sure does get jade all hot and bothered. Between kidnappings, beatings and magic, jade is super busy just tryna stay alive!

What I LOVED about the book is that Jade was a badass. She’s super smart and not a whiney h. I loved reading about her and her relationship with Serin. Serin was also another powerful and witty woman I loved reading about. ( I wouldn’t mind a spin-off or book about her).

I loved this book and I can’t wait until the second one comes out because that cliff hanger left me with some questions!