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Land of Shadows #1
Of Shadows & Ash
Perfect for fans of The Plated Prisoner and A Court of Thorns and Roses, Of Shadows and Ash is the first book in a dark fantasy romance series with slow-burn heat, morally grey fae, cursed witches, secret identities, found family, and a heroine who refuses to go quietly.
They say I used to be someone else.
Someone powerful. Dangerous.
Now I’m just Felicity Forrest—journalist, sceptic, nobody. Until I kill a man…and the blood won’t wash off.
One problem. He wasn’t just a man. He was fae.
When a dark bargain rips away my identity and buries my past, I wake up in a world I don’t recognise with magic I’m not supposed to have and a snarky familiar who insists I’m a Shadowborn Witch. The Veil between realms is thinning. The monsters are stirring. And the dangerously beautiful stranger who watches me with haunted onyx eyes? He swears I’m fated to destroy everything.
He might be right.
But I’ve never been good at playing by the rules. If I’m the harbinger of chaos, then maybe it’s time the courts learned what happens when you back a witch into a corner.
Reader Contains cliffhangers so rude they may cause yelling, late-night reading, and emotional damage.
“There’s something you need to understand,” he says, voice rough. “What happened tonight…you’re right. It can’t go beyond this field, this moment.”
My heart skips. “What do you mean?”
Pain flashes across his face. “This—us—it’s dangerous. For both of us.”
I want to scream at him, tell him I’ll take the risk. But before I can, he murmurs something in a language I don’t recognize. His hands move with precision, weaving a symbol in the air.
The world tilts. Magic surges.
“No, wait—”
Too late.
Everything slips. The rush of the ride. His lips on mine. The heat of his body. Gone. Like a dream unraveling.
Still, I lift my chin and lie through my teeth. “Fine by me. Trust me, you’re not that memorable.”
I turn and walk away, memory already dissolving behind me. But some part of me knows—I’ll feel this ache long after I forget his name.
“Fine, ye stubborn pain in me hole. Suit yerself and walk back for all I care,” he mutters behind me.
I smile to myself, even if I won’t admit that hearing him curse at me, his thick accent wrapping around the words like a goddamn spell, has anything to do with the curve of my lips.
I can’t help it. I shouldn’t want this. I shouldn’t want him. I keep moving, but I’m angry by the time I’m halfway back to town. I’m wondering how much of this I’ll remember tomorrow. Bastard. My head swims in a haze, but I cling to my memories with a vice grip, refusing to let them slip away.
The cold night air wraps around me like a pelerine, chilling my skin, but something else tingles at the back of my neck…
They say I used to be someone else.
Someone powerful. Dangerous.
Now I’m just Felicity Forrest—journalist, sceptic, nobody. Until I kill a man…and the blood won’t wash off.
One problem. He wasn’t just a man. He was fae.
When a dark bargain rips away my identity and buries my past, I wake up in a world I don’t recognise with magic I’m not supposed to have and a snarky familiar who insists I’m a Shadowborn Witch. The Veil between realms is thinning. The monsters are stirring. And the dangerously beautiful stranger who watches me with haunted onyx eyes? He swears I’m fated to destroy everything.
He might be right.
But I’ve never been good at playing by the rules. If I’m the harbinger of chaos, then maybe it’s time the courts learned what happens when you back a witch into a corner.
Reader Contains cliffhangers so rude they may cause yelling, late-night reading, and emotional damage.
“There’s something you need to understand,” he says, voice rough. “What happened tonight…you’re right. It can’t go beyond this field, this moment.”
My heart skips. “What do you mean?”
Pain flashes across his face. “This—us—it’s dangerous. For both of us.”
I want to scream at him, tell him I’ll take the risk. But before I can, he murmurs something in a language I don’t recognize. His hands move with precision, weaving a symbol in the air.
The world tilts. Magic surges.
“No, wait—”
Too late.
Everything slips. The rush of the ride. His lips on mine. The heat of his body. Gone. Like a dream unraveling.
Still, I lift my chin and lie through my teeth. “Fine by me. Trust me, you’re not that memorable.”
I turn and walk away, memory already dissolving behind me. But some part of me knows—I’ll feel this ache long after I forget his name.
“Fine, ye stubborn pain in me hole. Suit yerself and walk back for all I care,” he mutters behind me.
I smile to myself, even if I won’t admit that hearing him curse at me, his thick accent wrapping around the words like a goddamn spell, has anything to do with the curve of my lips.
I can’t help it. I shouldn’t want this. I shouldn’t want him. I keep moving, but I’m angry by the time I’m halfway back to town. I’m wondering how much of this I’ll remember tomorrow. Bastard. My head swims in a haze, but I cling to my memories with a vice grip, refusing to let them slip away.
The cold night air wraps around me like a pelerine, chilling my skin, but something else tingles at the back of my neck…
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2025
40 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Julie Blackheart
11 books11 followersJulie Blackheart is a dark romance and fantasy romance author who writes about monsters, magic, and the beautifully broken. Her books don’t just explore the shadows. They revel in them, worshiping the darkness within us all.
Once upon a time, she wrote under the name A.C. James, hitting the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists with her steamy paranormal romance in Spice Box. Those stories still exist for the OG readers who fell in love with her first, but these days, she’s sliding deeper into the shadows. Trust us, it’s worth the descent.
A former video game beta tester and unapologetic tech geek, Julie grew up hosting a WWIV BBS, going to cons, and watching SmackDown. If you dig deep enough, you might even stumble across some cosplay photos from her glory days (Bloodberry, anyone?), but some secrets are better left in the dark. ;)
When she’s not conjuring up villainous heartthrobs or morally gray antiheroes, Julie’s busy dissecting obscure fandom lore, crushing her family in tabletop games or arguing why her way is the only way to survive the apocalypse. She shares her chaotic life with her adoring husband, Ron (aka Mr. Blackheart), who not only tolerates her dark sense of humor but embraces her twisted imagination, which is why he’s the real hero of this story.
She lives in the Philadelphia suburbs, but her heart belongs to the underworlds and dark kingdoms she creates. You can explore them too. Visit www.JulieBlackheart.com for a front-row seat to the insanity. Snacks are optional, but you’ll definitely want to bring a dagger.
Once upon a time, she wrote under the name A.C. James, hitting the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists with her steamy paranormal romance in Spice Box. Those stories still exist for the OG readers who fell in love with her first, but these days, she’s sliding deeper into the shadows. Trust us, it’s worth the descent.
A former video game beta tester and unapologetic tech geek, Julie grew up hosting a WWIV BBS, going to cons, and watching SmackDown. If you dig deep enough, you might even stumble across some cosplay photos from her glory days (Bloodberry, anyone?), but some secrets are better left in the dark. ;)
When she’s not conjuring up villainous heartthrobs or morally gray antiheroes, Julie’s busy dissecting obscure fandom lore, crushing her family in tabletop games or arguing why her way is the only way to survive the apocalypse. She shares her chaotic life with her adoring husband, Ron (aka Mr. Blackheart), who not only tolerates her dark sense of humor but embraces her twisted imagination, which is why he’s the real hero of this story.
She lives in the Philadelphia suburbs, but her heart belongs to the underworlds and dark kingdoms she creates. You can explore them too. Visit www.JulieBlackheart.com for a front-row seat to the insanity. Snacks are optional, but you’ll definitely want to bring a dagger.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 2, 2025
OH MY GOSH this was so so good.
I loved everything about it, from the plot to the characters to the world building. From the very first page I was completely hooked and I read it all in one sitting. The story is so captivating it is impossible to put the book down.
Niall and Felicity completely own my heart. Their banter, their chemistry, the yearning between them was everything. I already miss them so much.
The writing flows so effortlessly, and I absolutely loved the author’s style.
The book is not very long and it is the first in a series. Let me tell you, you will wanna read them all. It's just that good. I cannot wait to continue.
Thank you so much to the author for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review voluntary.
I loved everything about it, from the plot to the characters to the world building. From the very first page I was completely hooked and I read it all in one sitting. The story is so captivating it is impossible to put the book down.
Niall and Felicity completely own my heart. Their banter, their chemistry, the yearning between them was everything. I already miss them so much.
The writing flows so effortlessly, and I absolutely loved the author’s style.
The book is not very long and it is the first in a series. Let me tell you, you will wanna read them all. It's just that good. I cannot wait to continue.
Thank you so much to the author for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review voluntary.
May 3, 2025
Wow! This book was amazing! I was entranced at page 1. It starts off strong and never quits. I'm in love with the multiple POVs as well. Niall and Felicity are 🔥. This is one of my top series for the year, and I can't wait to read more!
April 25, 2025
Wow I'm so intrigued by this! I love the fact that I the reader know more about what's happening than the FMC 😁 I definitely reccomend this series to Fantasy lovers
June 5, 2025
Loved this book, already dove in to book 2!
This book was well written, some background to go along with the present, with things slowly beginning to surface for the MFC. Loved that the reader is more clued into the MFC than she herself is. Great introduction to this world, I can only see this developing further, along with the characters, as Felicity discovers who she is. The banter/exchanges with Niall and Felicity were entertaining and talk about slow burn 🥵. Looking forward to diving into the realms and the secrets and mysteries going on, just enough hints to keep you wanting to read more!
This book was well written, some background to go along with the present, with things slowly beginning to surface for the MFC. Loved that the reader is more clued into the MFC than she herself is. Great introduction to this world, I can only see this developing further, along with the characters, as Felicity discovers who she is. The banter/exchanges with Niall and Felicity were entertaining and talk about slow burn 🥵. Looking forward to diving into the realms and the secrets and mysteries going on, just enough hints to keep you wanting to read more!
October 7, 2025
I will say Felicity and Niall are so good together 😍 but that cliffhanger?! No thank you
The beginning of this book got me hooked and had me laugh but also for this length of a book it felt rushed like everything was crammed into it.
Will I be reading the next? Not sure. I don’t really care for it 😭
The beginning of this book got me hooked and had me laugh but also for this length of a book it felt rushed like everything was crammed into it.
Will I be reading the next? Not sure. I don’t really care for it 😭
May 6, 2025
I received this book as an arc. I really enjoyed this book! It does end in a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to read the remaining books. I do wish that the key/cheat sheet for sayings were found at the beginning of the book so I could have flipped back and forth to keep up with the translation.
July 3, 2025
I don't know.
I guess the premise was good but the book didn't deliver anything major, this felt more like a starting novella or a prequel and the actual book is coming in later? So while I did like some parts of it, it felt like I couldn't connect and understand things that were put in motion since nothing really happens yet.
I will give props that this is one of the unique shifting forms I've seen on an MMC.
I guess the premise was good but the book didn't deliver anything major, this felt more like a starting novella or a prequel and the actual book is coming in later? So while I did like some parts of it, it felt like I couldn't connect and understand things that were put in motion since nothing really happens yet.
I will give props that this is one of the unique shifting forms I've seen on an MMC.
July 26, 2025
I hate a cliffhanger BUT I already had book two in hand so I was safe from angst. Felicity kills a Fae and wakes up in a different realm. She meets Niall who is sure she is fated to end the world but the back and forth between them is chefs kiss. This is a low spice book but I am thinking it will ramp up a bit in book two.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 31, 2025
Felicity & Niall
This story really surprised me, I am truly impressed with the story and the characters. I came in to this not truly knowing what to expect, and was so taken away by this story, I had to finish it without stopping! I will be waiting at the cliff for what is next! I Loved It!! No Spoilers!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story really surprised me, I am truly impressed with the story and the characters. I came in to this not truly knowing what to expect, and was so taken away by this story, I had to finish it without stopping! I will be waiting at the cliff for what is next! I Loved It!! No Spoilers!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 5, 2025
Of Shadows & Ash: A Shadow Magic Fantasy Romance with Enemies to Lovers Tension (Land of Shadows Book 1) By: Julie Blackheart. I did not know what to expect but it’s a very good book. I enjoy the story and jump right into the second but ..Good Good
July 6, 2025
Excellent
Different than your typical fae romance. I really enjoyed it and I'm moving on to book two. It is well written and has a good plot and storyline. Julie is a new author for me so I'm glad I found her books. I'm off to recommend her to my groups.
Different than your typical fae romance. I really enjoyed it and I'm moving on to book two. It is well written and has a good plot and storyline. Julie is a new author for me so I'm glad I found her books. I'm off to recommend her to my groups.
July 5, 2025
The Story felt very rushed. It's a very short book and tried to do too much, so it all ended up falling flat for me. It appears well thought out at least, but just not written well enough for me.
December 17, 2025
Soooo good
I didn't have any expectations going into this but its a pleasant read. I honestly cant wait to read the next one.
I didn't have any expectations going into this but its a pleasant read. I honestly cant wait to read the next one.
May 23, 2025
I absolutely loved this story. It was so easy to follow and I got lost in their world.
Niall & Felicity are just so much fun. Felicity doesn't remember her past, but they think she is going to destroy everything.
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Niall & Felicity are just so much fun. Felicity doesn't remember her past, but they think she is going to destroy everything.
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews