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Shadowmarked
Every year, nine women are taken beyond the walls of the Holy City.
Every year, nine women are sacrificed to the Demon King.
Every year, nine women are lost forever.
This year, Lena Tessyr is chosen.
Determined to escape the fate that claimed her sister, Lena has no intention of becoming a sacrifice on her city’s yearly Offering Day. She wants nothing more than to take her surviving sister and make a new start far from the Holy City and its cruelty. But when her escape plan is thwarted, Lena is taken to the dark city of Shan Iranath, a place where nightmares reign and hope dies.
There, she catches the eye of the Demon King, who claims her as his own. But instead of meeting a quick and grisly end, Lena is plunged into the shadowed city, where secrets unfold all around her. Her beliefs about demons, gods, and the world itself begin to fracture. And greatest among the surprises of the demon city is the king himself.
But Lena’s desire for the king is only outpaced by her growing despair for her family. With her failed escape as a stain on their house, her mother and sister are in danger. She vowed to return for them, and nothing will stand in her way.
Not the walls of the Holy City.
Not the Demon King himself.
Not even a love she never thought possible.
Shadowmarked is a lush fantasy romance filled with shadowed pasts, scarred hearts, and a world where nothing is as it seems. This is a full-length novel that is a massively expanded, rewritten, reimagining of the novella 'The Demon King's Prize' which I originally published in the Big Feels anthology under my other pen name, Stella Frost. If you previously read this story, you'll find the same core story, but with SO MUCH more to love.
Every year, nine women are sacrificed to the Demon King.
Every year, nine women are lost forever.
This year, Lena Tessyr is chosen.
Determined to escape the fate that claimed her sister, Lena has no intention of becoming a sacrifice on her city’s yearly Offering Day. She wants nothing more than to take her surviving sister and make a new start far from the Holy City and its cruelty. But when her escape plan is thwarted, Lena is taken to the dark city of Shan Iranath, a place where nightmares reign and hope dies.
There, she catches the eye of the Demon King, who claims her as his own. But instead of meeting a quick and grisly end, Lena is plunged into the shadowed city, where secrets unfold all around her. Her beliefs about demons, gods, and the world itself begin to fracture. And greatest among the surprises of the demon city is the king himself.
But Lena’s desire for the king is only outpaced by her growing despair for her family. With her failed escape as a stain on their house, her mother and sister are in danger. She vowed to return for them, and nothing will stand in her way.
Not the walls of the Holy City.
Not the Demon King himself.
Not even a love she never thought possible.
Shadowmarked is a lush fantasy romance filled with shadowed pasts, scarred hearts, and a world where nothing is as it seems. This is a full-length novel that is a massively expanded, rewritten, reimagining of the novella 'The Demon King's Prize' which I originally published in the Big Feels anthology under my other pen name, Stella Frost. If you previously read this story, you'll find the same core story, but with SO MUCH more to love.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2025
11 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 23, 2025
This is a fantastic monster fantasy romance that’s dark, obsessive, misogynistic and has you hooked and on the edge of your seat. Gripping, this story tells of Lena and her journey to escape being forced to be a sacrifice to the demon king, only to find herself in the dark city of Shan Iranath. She’s a tough character, strong, loyal and stands up for herself and her family and I would want her on my side and in a city where nothing is what it’s seems, Lena finds her place. Action packed, danger filled with off the charts chemistry, this is one hell of a read!
June 22, 2025
This was such an engaging monster romance with plenty of adventure. I loved the world building and strength of Lena. Her journey from an oppressed society of misogynistic rulers, using fear and lies to control women, to mate of a demon who was devoted to her, was gripping. With action, danger, loss, chemistry and steam, it was a page turner. I about inhaled this book and love that we could be getting more books set in this world. Good fun!
June 23, 2025
I really enjoyed Lena's journey. Along the way she came to realize that hope, love, heart, bravery, courage, passion and family were matters of the mind as well as of the emotional psyche. Her defiance in face of danger, her determination in face of outstanding forces and her sense of self in the wake of forces beyond only show how far she has come from the lost, lonely little girl she started as under the shadows that governed her life.
July 2, 2025
Wow! This author is amazing; they have created a world is totally believable. I was totally engrossed from the beginning to the end: sleep! Who needs it? This fantasy romance is not just sex scenes, it is a journey through a misogynistic, patriarchy society, a demon society that fights demon beasts and a budding understanding that all is not what they were told – brilliant!
I voluntarily received and reviewed an ARC copy of the book.
I voluntarily received and reviewed an ARC copy of the book.
July 29, 2025
What a ride. This story is fast paced and covers so much that it is almost over before you even realize it. You feel for the people trapped in suffering only because they've been lied to and don't know any better. Lena is a perfect example of someone who sees the truth but has a hard time of letting go of everything she's ever been taught. There is heartbreak, but this story is more about hope and light.
June 14, 2025
I love the names of all the characters in the story, they are quite beautiful. The story is well woven with anticipation for the next page, there is much to tantalise for another book in what promises to be series of satisfying reads. I managed to get the story read in 3 days in between chores, and looked forward to my reading time. Congratulations JD you have once again written another winner.
July 3, 2025
While I find it difficult to read on my iPad, I couldn’t put this one down! This story touches on so many themes that we see in the real world while also exploring a fantasy world. There are many gripping moments that will keep you hooked! This book is very well written and well-paced! I highly enjoyed it!
July 3, 2025
Monroe builds a vivid, dark fantasy world where Lena’s courage and cleverness shine. The twists kept me hooked, and I really enjoyed how her relationship developed in unexpected ways. A great read for fans of fantasy romance with depth and emotion. This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.
July 3, 2025
Am amazing new fantasy romance full of action, danger and suspense. Lena's journey to not become a sacrifice shows her true strength. Once I started reading, I just couldn't stop. J.D. has given us a fantastic world full of unique characters. I can't wait for more.
July 5, 2025
Once again this author has outdone herself. Lena tries to help herself and her sister from a dreadful fate. Can she possibly help her family and live a normal life. Full of secrets and danger to keep you never wanting to end this story. Loved this book from beginning to end.
July 10, 2025
Shadowmarked by J.D. Moore is ones of the best new books I've read in awhile. The world building is wonderful. The characters will draw you in. The twist in the story will have you wanting more. Be prepared to read it in ones setting.
September 15, 2025
I enjoyed every moment I was in this demon fantasy world that J. D. has written! I couldn’t put this book down—I had to find out what would happen to Karlena against the misogynistic rulers, and I couldn’t wait until she arrived in Shan Iranath and was introduced to the Demon King. All of the demons have such beautiful names, but I see why they would use nicknames. Stories like Fenomiras and Karlena’s are why I love to read romance, and I enjoyed everything about this story—all of the intense edge-of-seat situations throughout the book, the side characters I want to read more about, and after all, Fen and Lena’s journey to falling in love with such adoration and devotion.
I had met J.D. Monroe at a book convention and have loved her Cursed Blood vampire series. I was so excited when I heard about her new release, Shadowmarked! Once I read the blurb, I immediately wanted to start reading it.
I had met J.D. Monroe at a book convention and have loved her Cursed Blood vampire series. I was so excited when I heard about her new release, Shadowmarked! Once I read the blurb, I immediately wanted to start reading it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews