Shadowvein

by L. Ann

Ellie Bennett was never meant to be here.

One moment, she was in her world. The next, she was standing in a desert, drawn to a tower that should not exist. Inside, she finds a prisoner—bound by magic, waiting for the one who can break the spell. Waiting for her.

He summoned her for one to set him free.

Now, they are bound together in a land where magic is outlawed and those who wield it are hunted.

Power is dangerous. Secrets even more so.

Sacha Torran is manipulative, cunning, and always three steps ahead. He wields words like weapons, never reveals more than he must, and bends the world around him to his will.

And Ellie is about to discover that breaking his chains was just the beginning …



A stunning new romantasy, where magic is outlawed, power is a death sentence, and the only person who can help her was never meant to be freed.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Magic, Fantasy Romance, Slow Burn, Paranormal

694 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 12, 2025

About the author

If you are looking for gentle romps through the flowers, with lovers holding hands and never making mistakes, then my books are not for you.

I don't write heroes or heroines, I write people with baggage, history and problems. My characters are flawed, they're messy, they make disastrous mistakes that are hard to come back from. My stories are not sweet or kind, they are dark and, at times, cruel. They deal with uncomfortable subjects and I do not apologise for it.


If you like plot twists, characters you don't think you'll ever grow to love but eventually do, sarcasm, dark paths and messy relationships, then come on in. The water may be deep and shark-infested, but I know the way out ...I promise.

You can find L. Ann at the following locations:-

NEWSLETTER ➙https://lannauthor.com and get a FREE E-BOOK!

AMAZON -- https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B078...

FACEBOOK -- https://www.facebook.com/LAnnAuthor/

READER FB GROUP -- https://www.facebook.com/groups/lanns... - join her Reader Group on Facebook and be in with a chance to pick up ARCs and swag before anyone else.

BOOKBUB -- https://www.bookbub.com/profile/l-ann

INSTAGRAM -- https://www.instagram.com/lee_ann_aut...

TWITTER -- https://twitter.com/LeeAnn_Author

VIP Reader Group - https://clubdamnation.com

Reviews

[Fantasy Book Review Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is THE romantasy book of the year! This story had me enthralled from the start. I couldn’t put it down. The author gave use a morally questionable male main character with shadow powers unlike any we have ever seen. She created an entire world and fed us its lore piece by piece and had me devouring each morsel.

Ellie is tough but timid. Shy but skeptical. Sasha is dominant but aloof. Commanding but mysterious. The twists and turns in this story were unexpected in the best way. And that ending had me hyperventilating because I didn’t see it coming.

This book will have you under its control and begging for more.

[Ceacea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ate this book up!

Genre: Fantasy Romance
⭐️ 4.5/5
🌶 1.5/5
🧠 6/10 (New language/glossary references)
🎵 Fade Into You by Mazzy Star
Noteworthy: Book 1 of an incomplete trilogy. Portal fantasy. Available on KU. This slow burn is written a little differently. No insta lust.

My heart wants to give this 5 stars so badly. It resonated with me to the point that I devoured almost 700 pages in 24 hours and have started a countdown for book 2, which is out August 15th.

I'm an absolute fiend for descriptive prose, and the first quarter of this book had it in spades. Being in the MMC Sacha's mind while he acclimates to freedom and the sensory overload he experiences reads like being wrapped in black silk. His POV gives morally ambiguous with 'I do what I have to do' vibes. A level of hyper focus that plays out through most of the book. This character is spectacular.

The FMC Ellie has her strengths. She was not whiny or weak, but her push and pull with the MMC felt misplaced at times. She was often telling him his answers were not good enough, and while I appreciated her recognizing that she was being pushed and manipulated, sometimes his answers were fine. It felt like she refused to be satisfied no matter what. A little of this is fine, but it was repetitive. Something I hope the character grows out of in book 2. If he doesn't give you what you think you need, find another way, sis. I did love how she clocked his manipulations for the most part. So refreshing for an FMC in this genre.

The romance here. Yeah, don't go in expecting insta lust and fireworks from the first meeting. Honestly, I appreciated that. Both characters were in dire circumstances in the first act, so of course, that should not even be crossing their minds. By 50%, there are barely hints of sparks. But shortly after we get a little flicker, then it gets slowly stoked until boom! Finally, a flame!

Things I wish were different, and the main reasons for the half star ding is two fold. First is the repeating scenes from alternate POVs. I feel like this could be resolved with shorter alternating chapters. But to be fair, I was happy to just have more time with the characters even if it was repeating scenes. Second is the lack of background for the mains. We got just a little for the MMC and practically nothing for the FMC. Girl, what did you leave behind? Where is your family? What kind of relationships are you trying to get back to? There was one line about a group home and references to friends.I have a theory that we didn't get a lot of info on her because it's a clue as to why she was thrown into this new world. Even still, we needed a reason to care that she wanted to get back home.

All in all, I am begging you to read this book. If you like Sarah A. Parker, Shadow and Bone, or Spark of the Everflame, this series is probably for you!

[Belinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

what I liked: the overall story was interesting. I liked the fight between those that tried to take and control the magic, and those that want to be free and allow magic - the politics of it all, I'd like to know more about it.
The characters were really good. A strong, reserved MMC and a strong, not whiney FMC.

what i didn't like: I didn't like the repetitiveness that came from the two different points of view. I get it, the FMC clothes were designed for a Chicago winter, not the desert. say it once, twice at most. But I preferred Ellie's POV to Sasha's. although, I wanted to know her more, who she left behind in Chicago, why we should feel sorry for her. I would have loved her character to be fleshed out more.
And Sasha's thoughts were often like a villian's monologue in a soap opera like The Bold and the Beautiful, "I will have vengeance, one day when you least expect it, i will come for you" over and over and over again. I understand he was very careful and cut off emotionally, but it also would have been nice to know more about him.

[Michelle #michellebookishmeltdowns · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 👏🏻 was 👏🏻 so 👏🏻 GOOD! I’m book hungover already!

Slow burn
Fantasy
Romantasy
World building
Tension
Cool magic system

I loved the way this story and these characters developed over the course of the book. The FMC feels so relatable and I was drawn to her journey and discovery. Who wouldn’t feel out of place thrusted into a new world? This girl fights and adapts and I can’t wait to see what happens next and she will continue to evolve.

The MMC is so stoic, calm, reserved, calculated… and Hot 😆 Shadow Daddyyyyy - need I say more? Love his story and I am entirely on his side rooting for him.

There is so much yet to happen that I cannot wait for the rest of the series !

As always, this author has left me screaming and ranting at her for the brutal cliffhanger 😑😑😑 BUT I know it will be all worth it in the end.

[Candie Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

WTF did you do to me, Lee Ann???

The number of times I yelled “No. No. Just NO.” — because that’s not how it ends!! I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room. This book hooked me. I went in curious, came out full-blown obsessed.

And let’s be honest… the main male character? 100% the OG shadow daddy — commanding, complex, and completely unforgettable.

The story hits that sweet spot: high stakes, rich character work, and emotional moments that linger. That slow burn? Had me ready to combust. I haven’t cursed like that at a book in a long time — and I loved every second of it.

Lee Ann, you absolutely slayed this fantasy world. Queen behavior only. 👑🔥 NOW GIVE ME BOOK 2 (kidding…NOT)

[Tema Boub · Rating 2 out of 5]

What’s the point of slow burn if there’s no chemistry between them ? Like the so called “love” literally came from nowhere especially from Ellie .

Also can the shadow daddy fuckass stop thinking ellie like she’s the brilliant/genius woman ever ? Like I swear she literally asks the most basic questions ever and he’s like “OMG she’s soo INterAsting and smart” or do the most basic things that anyone of us would do to survive and he’s like “DUDE she’s so resilient I NEVER saw anything like that before “ , Unless he’s from the world were the average iq below 40 this reactions doesn’t make sense at all
and fact she’s also kind of stupid angers me more , Wdym you literally saw people bowing for him and you still didn’t deduce that he’s leader of some sort ?

Also why are you asking the same dumb questions, like no sweat bear he can’t just keep the government officials alive because then they will fuck all of you .

If I ever read again the phrases “why her 🥺?” I swear I will crash tf out , this book had one of the worse repetitions ever and what’s worse we get the same exact scene in the two pov like why ? We don’t care what they both think at that moment just move on .

[Shani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to check my expectations at the door for this book. Romantasy without the usual dragons and fae, you say? How is that going to work? It's going to work with portals, forbidden magic, a shadow master, and an innocent young woman who falls into a hidden world.

What I didn't expect was to be pulled into a book with so much world-building! Its not just dipping your toes into a fantasy world. It's all sorts of various buildings through different regions, people, a resistance, and more. I didn't think I'd be so engrossed in the story of Ellie and Sacha. Not only that but the voices of Sacha's people. The ones who are fighting for so much. Ellie's strength shines through as she has to navigate through one obstacle after another. Never knowing what is happening again. She makes the perfect FMC for this book. She's strong, brave and fierce.

I truly loved that this was a slow burn because it puts more focus on the amazing story telling that is happening.

That ending though!!!! I yelled and cursed so much. Like so many, I'm not okay!

Epic read, a must have for your shelf.

[Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️

Full stop, this has jumped the list and has settled itself in my top five books of the year. L. Ann has achieved what many authors fail to do, craft a realistic, slow burn relationship. This is dual POV and both characters are mature and likable. If you're tired of an FMC who acts like Poppy, then you have nothing to worry about here. Ellie asks intelligent questions and I found her to be extremely relatable. I admit, I tend to lean more towards fantasy books that take place in lush forest or medieval settings, but the way the author wrote the desert and the towns, I immediately felt transported there myself. A great reading experience all around and thankfully book 2 is around the corner!

[Bene_reads_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your average romantasy story.
This book is a lesson : a lesson in worldbuilding, in slow burning, a lesson about the weight, burden and loneliness of power, about the sadness of exile.
There are so many things in that story, and a worldbuilding so rich I probably didn't catch everything on my first read.
And, of course, there are Sacha and Ellie. I loved how strong Ellie is while facing the unknown and Sacha...Sacha is just THE MASTER. Master of shadows, of duplicity, of manipulation.
And then, there's the ultimate cliffhanger. And all those theories in my head..
That book is a masterpiece.

[Julie Burdick · Rating 1 out of 5]

1⭐️.. Easily one of the worst books I have ever read! If I had to describe this beast of a tome in one word, I would say “REPETITIVE”. The first 95% of the book they’re basically traveling and nothing else. The chapters switch from the FMC POV and then repeats the same exact chapter from the MMC POV.. like why?!?! Do I really need to read the same chapter twice??? Apparently so?! 😩 Also.. Kill me now with the long inner monologues! And if I’m going to die let’s make it hurt by discussing the same three thoughts over and over again. This book is so bad I’m having a hard time believing the 5⭐️ reviews are real. There is no possible way anyone would like this book. End of rant.

[Hold-my-beer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what the rating is for, for what the story could be in my head, or for the actual package.

As you begin reading, at least during the first three chapters this thought doesn't leave your head: it's the author's precious perfect baby and she loves it too much to cut anything from it.

It needs a merciless, fat trim. Especially at the beginning. But once you survive the first 3 or 4 chapters, it does get better, it builds and builds, the tension between the two main characters becomes palpable, so much that you start making assumptions. Theories. Expectations.

And that's when it starts to get complicated for the author. Because she was so successful in building a slow burn, my expectations were hard to tame. I knew the book was wordy. I knew I kept losing track of what I was reading constantly, having to come back and reread a paragraph again and again. I knew it was flawed. But I still hoped. The slow burn was so good, so perfect. It alone carried the story.

But the slow burn, sublime as it was, wasn't enough for how many gaping holes there were.

And of course my expectations were shattered by the last quarter of this book. I'm still glad I glimpsed the missed potential the story could have had, what it could have truly built itself into, even if it hadn't.

My anticipation started to crumble when the "ruthless strategist" MMC makes the dumbest decision of all time and further ramps up the risk & danger factor of it by giving the weakest excuse for it. The plot took a really big hit for me there.

I thought maybe it would convince me I was wrong, that maybe it would turn out really smart, that I didn't see the talent, the brilliance behind this seemingly stupid plan that no way in hell a grown ass adult with a brain would submit himself to.

Of course it didn't.

The author had invited me to play a game (hypothetically). I decided to play. I decided to believe her MMC was this smart, capable leader without much evidence, without being shown any hard proof. I was like ok, I'll buy it. But then she went and shattered my immersion completely by that final decision. Which further solidified my belief that the story was standing on cracked, crooked stilts.

Now about the slow burn. It was reeally subtle and subdued, just the way a true slow burn should be but then *WHAM* the book is ending, we gotta escalate this somehow. And they just do the deed. I know the two heroes have been building up to it, but was still at the gradual, slow stage not far enough into that impossible, inescapable impulse that the slow-burn characters usually fight the whole time and have no choice but to submit to. I expected a bigger climax, more burning, more yearning. It's ok to leave the sex scene for the next book in the series, you don't have to make the characters do it just because your story arc is approaching an end. This was my disappointment #2.

I will read the next one but currently my expectations are at 0.

[Miche · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the book has a slow pace, it really worked for me in this setting. This was a refreshing read that had me engaged. Onwards to book two, because that cliffhanger requires immediate answer!

[BrookeDesni✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a new Shadow Daddy look no further because L.Ann has given it a whole new meaning 😏

I got recommended this by a friend who absolutely loved it and I can now confirm that i’m obsessed and I needed the next book yesterday. The world building, the plot, the characters. Everything in this book is *chefs kiss*. And don’t even get me started on that ending. OH MY GOD. Its been a long time since I’ve read something that grabbed me as much as this book has, from start to finish I did not want to put it down.

[Julia Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional and everything I never knew I needed in my life. Is there nothing that L Ann can not turn her hand to writing.

Shadowvein, the first book in the Veinbound trilogy is quite simply a must read. The world building and storytelling together with the characters have taken up permanent residence in my head and I have been transported back to my first reading love from many years ago when fantasy and romance first pulled me in.

I've finished this book, but my heart, soul and brain are still back in Meridian with Ellie, Sacha, Varam and Mira and won't be returning to this world for some time to come.

I'm already counting the hours until the next installment but I will try my hardest to remain patient.

Very highly recommended.

[Kristi Schatz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the what!!!! I’m just in shock and a little WTF! 😳 That being said this book is amazing. A fantasy book like I’ve never read before and I loved it! It’s so unique and the story just keeps you wanting more. But Lee Ann excuse me ma’am that cliffhanger 🤯😳! I need book 2 stat, please!

[Jessica Sexton · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5⭐️
1/5🌶️

Not going to lie, this one was a little tougher to get through. There was a lot to the world, plus a whole new language and it took me a while to really get into the book. I enjoyed it at the end, so I’m glad I kept going but if you love L Ann’s dark romance this is definitely not that.

[Tommie G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadowvein - L Ann
The Veinbound Trilogy Book 1

My Review:
My Rating: Infinite Stars⭐️Perfection
Pages 694
Genre: Fantasy/Romantasy
Tropes:
🐦‍⬛Portal Romantasy
🐦‍⬛Forced Proximity
🐦‍⬛Intricate World Building
🐦‍⬛Shadow Master
🐦‍⬛Outlawed Magic
🐦‍⬛Reluctant Allies
🐦‍⬛Slow Burn
🐦‍⬛Touch Starved MMC
🐦‍⬛Rebellion & Resistance
🐦‍⬛Strong FMC
🐦‍⬛Unique Magic System

This is Sacha and Ellie’s story. This book is gripping. It has a slow start as most world building fantasy books do, but it didn’t take long for it to have me in its grip hungering for the next word.

Ellie is the perfect FMC. She reads situations like no other. She doesn’t just see surface level, she sees the turmoil underneath. She knows that something that has been dormant in her is coming to life. She just has not yet grasped what it is.

Sacha. Words cannot fully describe his complex character. Sacha is to be experienced. The perfect shadow daddy! He is so gentle with Ellie watching her abilities come to life and guiding her through. Teaching her to control them. Yet he keeps his focus also on his goal that he has waited decades to be able to put into action.

The ending broke me. I finished this book a couple days ago and I am still emotionally in its grip hungering for the next word and book. I feel I may need therapy to get past this ending.

This book will be published June 12, 2025

You definitely need to head to Amazon and preorder this book! This is one I will definitely need a physical copy on my shelf!

I’ve read every book L Ann has written and loved them but this one is truly a masterpiece!

#romance #fantasy #romantasy #shadowvein #shadowdaddy #LAnn
#forcedproximity #slowburn #worldbuilding #mustread

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m new to the romantasy books, but this author is one of my auto reads so I jumped straight into this book and OMG!!! It’s sooo freaking good.

Ellie is our MFC and she finds herself thrown into another world drawn to a mysterious tower where she finds a man imprisoned.
She’s the only one who can free him and he has summoned her there.

Sacha is a morally grey shadow daddy who is 🥵 I loved him so much.

The world building was so good and I was hooked from the start.
But OMG that cliffhanger!!! i can’t wait to read more of this story there’s still so much we need to know.
Hands down one of my favourite reads this year.

[Aria Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am obsessed with this take on fantasy and magic systems. I had question after question fighting for my attention the deeper I delved into this book. The storyline that unfolds holds political intrigue, drama, tention, and devistation slowly building to climax.

The way the imagery,emotions, and lanscapes are painted in such vivid detail had me in a chokehold. Usually I devour books in a whirlwind but I really took my time absorbing each beautiful detail with this one and it was truly fascinating. The writing style felt like a specific part of my brain was scratched in a way that made it sing. There were multiple times when I was silently screaming into the void and others where I felt on the verge of tears. My heart rate spiked and stalled in response to the rollercoaster my mind was subjected to. I swear every book L. ANN writes shatters my psyche in one way or another.

Sascha is an enigma, and everything he does is so precise and calculated. Until Ellie slowly unravels that control. Their connection burns from an ember into an infurno. Ellie really steps up to every curveball thrown her way. She's persistent and determined, and honestly, if I were in her position, I would have 100% have crashed out.

At points, I forgot to breathe entirely. Don't get me started on those last few chapters, between hysterically sobbing and straight-up shock. I think I may have heart failure. What do you mean that's the ending?! I need a therapist to peice me back together before book 2 shreds me to bits again.

[Anair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where do I even begin?
One of the stars is purely for the name Ellie and the silver ability. I will not elaborate further on this.
It wasn’t bad enough to DNF, but I’m not continuing the series.

Now, the story:

Repetition. So much repetition and inner monologue. The action and plot didn’t really begin until around the 90% mark. This book could have been cut in half and it probably would have bumped my rating up by at least one star.

Things just always conveniently happen to them (oasis, caravan, free sandstriders, coins, food, etc). This leads to zero plot or action for almost the entire book, and they’re ALWAYS on the road.

Also, am I the only one unsettled by the fact that she doesn’t think of her family once throughout the entire book? She mentions her friends maybe once and the city, Chicago, a couple of times. Must be isolated af at home or something.

The characters are robotic. Barely any personality. The romance is out of nowhere. No chemistry.

There’s barely any impact from Sasha being imprisoned for 27 years. He comes back to civilization like he left only a week ago.

The whole idea of keeping him alive instead of killing him doesn’t make sense either, especially since his “imprisonment” seems… pleasant? At least compared to normal prison.

If you start to really dissect the logic, the system, and the story itself, little makes sense. There are a lot of holes and gaps with weak support.

Oh and one more thing, if I read another book with shadow x lightning abilities, I will lose my shit. What happened to originality???

[Katie Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book still has me in a daze. I stayed up too late reading it with a storm brewing outside my window and in my mind!
This is the first book of a fantasy romance trilogy and you definitely have a lot of world building in this one. You learn as the FMC learns and it's a slow drip of information but it's so worth it. The slow burn will have you rejoicing at eye contact! Yes, I was swooning over frickin eye contact across a room! Lmao
The magic system is so unique and intricate. The MMC Sacha is a broody touch-starved shadow daddy with epic powers. He's brutal and I'm here for it. (slicing and dicing 😏)
Ellie the FMC is so resilient and strong. She's literally dropped in a new world where magic is an actual thing but it's outlawed. There's a new language and a war that's honestly not her fight but she's always adapting, always making the best of it and honestly I have to give her all the props
That ending.... well we're not talking about it.... I'm still in denial over here and I cannot wait for book 2! I loved it! Give me more!

[Pernilla Samuelsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadowvein is book 1 of a trilogy, so their will be more.

This book had me so drawn in from the first page and just craved me to know more and more. This author is so good to do twist and turns. It has an amazing slow burn, and I just love fantasy, you seriously cannot miss out on this book it was soo amazing.

No one can do a slow burn story like this amazing author.

Taken from a different world and thrust into one filled with intrigue and danger Ellie Bennett found herself at the mercy of questionable prisoner Sacha Torran with a seemingly dark agenda. At the same time they had a bond that couldn’t be explained or wanted to be explained… it’s messy, complicated,raw and completely intresting to the point where it’s not only the author how have created this new world you also find yourself deeply in it, so I highly recommend this book, just be aware that it ends on a mayor cliffhanger…

[The Aqua Pisces · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was way too looong. It had both POVs which thats all fine, but we had to reread the whole scene through each of their own eyes. Basically 2 books into 1, it reminds me when Stephanie Meyer wrote Twilight all through Bella’s pov then Midnight Sun through Edward’s pov. The story was interesting, a lot of action. I liked the build up and slow burn between Ellie and Sasha. I really enjoyed Ellie’s character, she handled everything really well considering she was pulled out of her world and dropped into some strange world. I liked that there is so much more we need to find out about Ellie, and what all her powers are and the connection she has to Sasha, are they soul mates?

TBH I almost gave up and DNF’d this one, but I refuse to DNF one more book and plus kept seeing that there was going to be an Epic cliffy!

Don’t know if I’ll continue the next book or not.

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five solid stars, wow 🤩🤯

This book started with one of the most unique settings I have read in the romantasy genre. Well done to the author for creating such an interesting and fantastic setting and environment to pull the reader in!!

- SLOW SLOW BURN 🔥 So much tension that builds. It was so well done! This is NOT instant love or attraction. A lot of books are slow burn, but the main characters are super attracted to each other from the beginning. That is not the case in this book. There are zero comments from either main characters about how attractive the other one is for quite some time. Loved that!

- The MFC is smart, thoughtful, and calculated. This MFC was such a fresh take on women that I thought depicted women more realistically. She has emotions and sometimes they get big and she reacts, whereas other times she pauses and uses her tools to navigate those emotions. FINALLY an MFC who doesn’t mouth off every second she can get and then thinks “I don’t know why I did that, I’m not normally like that.” 🙄 Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy books with MFCs who often snap back, but I get bored because so many books have that character type. As a reader, I wish sometimes the MFCs would just pause and think, just for a second, since her safety is on the line. This MFC does! She gets that she has to be calculated to survive and saying something back to the MMC could compromise that. Sometimes she does nothing with her thoughts and sometimes she snaps back. Again, what a refreshing, more realistic MFC!

- Again, the start of the book was super unique and I loved it.

- I was worried that the characters would stay in the environment that the book starts in, but it moves rather quickly into the next setting. Then it moves forward from that setting into to the next. I really enjoyed the pacing of this book.

- I thought the author did such a fantastic job depicting thoughts, emotions, the complexities of loneliness and connection, desperation, and trust.

- Another comment about the MFC, I really enjoyed how she slowly built trust over the book, whether with people or accepting the world in general. You weren’t two chapters in and all of a sudden she just trusted everyone. It is a beautiful depiction of how, overtime, she slowly started to understand and trust people and the world.

- The MMC was also beautifully written. A man with multiple, very thick boundaries designed for survival. Again, the boundaries don’t just fall because there’s this new woman. It takes almost the whole book for some of those boundaries to fall, be rebuilt, and then fall again. He was a complex character filled with trauma that has excellent character growth through the book.

- The politics and genocide were very strong in this book. Provoked strong emotions in the reader. So well written.

- The alternating POV between the MMC and MFC was FANTASTIC! Some content was repeated as it switched from the MMC to the MFC’s or the MFC to the MMC’s perspective, and I loved it! I wanted to know the alternative perspective and what they were thinking in that situation. Although the same situation, their experiences and thoughts were different, making the repetition unique and not boring.

- The magic system is very cool. The book ends and we still don’t know everything about it, I enjoy the mystery.

- The ending…. Ugh that ending. CANT WAIT FOR BOOK TWO!

[Ju Lie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional, Slow-Burn Fantasy That Hooks You Quietly

Note: I discovered this book/author as part of my reading journey for RARE London 2025.

✨Short Review✨
“Shadowvein” is a beautifully written, character-driven fantasy that draws you in with quiet intensity and emotional depth. Told in dual POV, it follows Ellie, a resilient woman from modern-day Chicago magically transported into a harsh, magic-fearing world; and Sasha, a shadow wielder imprisoned for 27 years, cold and closed-off but full of hidden pain.

Their relationship is a slow, simmering burn, full of tension, silences, and emotional stakes that build until the payoff hits hard. The world-building unfolds gradually, but the mystery, trauma, and connection between the characters kept me hooked. Ellie’s growth is believable and refreshing, and Sasha’s reintegration into a world that moved on without him is heartbreaking and compelling.

By the end, I was emotionally wrecked (that cliffhanger!) and desperate for book two. If you love slow-building fantasy with real emotional weight, “Shadowvein” is one to savor.

✨Long Review✨
"Shadowvein” is the kind of story that doesn’t rush, it draws you in gradually, building a richly emotional and character-driven narrative that quietly hooks you until you realize you can’t put it down. As the first book in a trilogy, it focuses on laying the foundation, of the world, the characters, and the quiet tension running underneath it all.

Told in dual POV, the story follows Ellie and Sasha.
Ellie is a 23-year-old woman from modern-day Chicago, who’s suddenly pulled into a foreign, magical world ruled by a controlling regime, that has purged magic from society.
She’s a fantastic main character: resilient, adaptable, and fiercely determined to reclaim her independence. One of the things I appreciated most about her, is how believable her growth feels. Unlike many fantasy heroines who go from lost to badass overnight at barely 18, Ellie’s progression is steady, grounded, and real. She struggles. She thinks. She questions. And that made me root for her even more.
Her journey is as much about self-understanding as it is about surviving in this new world. She’s endlessly patient, almost too patient at times, especially in the face of Sasha’s careful silences and secrets.

Sasha is a shadow wielder, imprisoned for 27 years in a magical tower lost in the middle of the desert, his aging suspended. When we meet him, he’s essentially 56, though outwardly still in his late twenties. He’s cold, calculating, and emotionally guarded, clearly carrying the scars of isolation and loss. Watching him try to reintegrate into a world that moved on without him isn’t easy, and it makes you feel deeply compassionate, even when he keeps you at arm’s length.

The relationship between Ellie and Sasha is very slow-burn (painfully slow), but it never feels static. There’s tension simmering constantly beneath the surface. And when it finally breaks, it’s explosive in every sense. That emotional payoff hits hard, because the buildup has been so carefully paced and earned.

Lee Ann's writing is immersive and quietly intense. She doesn’t rush; she builds. The world, the emotional stakes, the dynamic between characters, all of it develops with a logic and depth that makes it easy to believe and feel. I was completely swept into this dangerous world and deeply invested in the journey.
And that ending?! Lee Ann, how dare you? That cliffhanger destroyed me. I cried. I need book two immediately.

If you love slow-building fantasy focused on emotional depth, believable growth, and characters navigating trauma, power, and connection, "Shadowvein" is absolutely worth the journey. Just be prepared to yell when you reach the last page.

[Allie Leingang · Rating 3 out of 5]

This just did not need to be almost 700 pages. 4 stars if it were shorter. I will read the next at some point

[Minni Mouse]

DNF at chapter two because this is going to read like one of those books.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

IF I COULD RATE THIS HIGHER I WOULD BECAUSE MY GOD THIS IS WORTH IT.

[Charlotte Yund · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has absolutely captured me! I have to admit, I am not a big fantasy reader but this storyline hooked me in! Be warned , it’s a sloooow burn and you’re going to get edged hard and before you realize it, you suddenly have a new k!nk!
A MMC shadow daddy captured into a tower for almost three decades
A FMC from Chicago suddenly finds herself in the middle of a desert
A tower with no doors
Magic is illegal
And a cliffhanger that made me gasp and scream “WTH Lee?!”
Get ready for a journey through Meridian!

[Stacy Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

L.’s story will tear out your heart before she puts it back together. Plays with your emotions and gets into your soul. But they are the best stories out there! Hooked from the first word and beginning for more a the end!!