The King of Smoke and Shadows

by Rachael Staudt

Survival. Power. Betrayal.

Once you enter the Training Sector, you have two succeed or be banished to The Shadow Lands as a Lesser.

Unfortunately for twenty-year-old witch Reign Calloway, surviving the Training Sector will be anything but easy. As someone who has always considered herself ordinary, the last thing Reign expected upon entering the Sector was to have a target on her back.

Thankfully, with the help of her friends and Head Officer Damien Delecroix taking a special interest in her, her chances of survival start to improve. But just as things begin to look up, new threats and obstacles lurk around every corner.

There are those who want her dead, those who want her power, and those who want her heart.

With a cruel king ruling the Realms and a rebellion on the rise, she’ll have to learn how to fight, how to trust, and how to believe in herself in order to survive.

But even then, will it be enough to save her?

Genres: Fantasy

510 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2025

Reviews

[Samm 🍄🥀🌙🪐⚡️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourth wing meets TOG

I LOVED THIS BOOK.
I need the second one immediately.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book got better with every chapter! As a romantasy reader, I loved that there were magic aspects I’ve never seen before! I was impressed with the pacing, and how the story unfolded. It kept me guessing every step of the way! The banter was delightful, and parts of the book had me gasping out loud! The vibe and aspects of the story are like if you meshed Harry Potter & Divergent. Great ending! Can’t wait for book 2!

[Tifany Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to read this book as an ARC and went in completely blind. I was captivated from the first chapter all the way to the very end! I love the relationship between the FMC and MMC! I also love the found family in this book. I felt like the banter was really good and I found myself LOLing at some parts. Ive read a few Romantasy books and this author put a very interesting spin on the magic in this book unlike anything I had ever read before. I am very excited for the next one!!! It was truly one of my best reads of the year! I still think about it sometimes! And the spice was *chefs kiss*- just the right amount!

Edit- reread June 2025. Still sooooo good. I cannot wait for the 2nd book.

[Haili · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut novel stole my breath. The twists and turns had me audibly gasping—what an immersive, unforgettable read. I’m already dying for book two.

Told through Reign’s eyes, this story isn’t just fantasy, it’s emotional warfare in the best way. Reign is the kind of character who lives in your mind long after the final page. Anyone who’s experienced trauma, heartbreak, or has had to build walls to survive will see themselves in her strength, her scars, and the quiet ways she fights to power through and rise up. Her character development is raw, resilient, and beautifully layered.

The world-building is rich and cinematic. The realms are distinct and vivid, each with its own identity, but all are overshadowed by their cruel king who rules through fear. And just when I thought I had it all figured out, the second half of the book hit me like a tidal wave. The plot twists aren’t just surprising, they’re devastatingly good. One betrayal in particular shattered me. The way relationships shift, the way loyalties unravel… I just couldn’t put it down.

If you love romantasy with high emotional stakes, jaw-dropping twists, and a simmering undercurrent of romantic tension that keeps you breathless, you need this book in your life. The connection that builds between certain characters is undeniable, and I have a feeling it’s only the beginning. The ending left me reeling, and I’ll be counting down the days until book two.

[Nic's Book Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review – The King of Smoke and Shadows by Rachael Staudt
From the first chapter, this book had me hooked! Think a darker, grown-up Harry Potter meets The Hunger Games, with major Fourth Wing and The Wolf King vibes.
Reign is a powerful young witch who’s just discovering the immense power of her magic—right as she comes to learn that the dangerous King collects powerful, magical beings to control them. The worldbuilding is rich, the magic system has serious potential, and the political intrigue kept me turning pages.
The romance? So good. A swoony connection straight out of Fourth Wing, with just the right touch of danger from a bad boy you know you shouldn't want. Think Callum & Blake vibes!
The ending was twisty and intense, and that cliffhanger? Brutal (in the best way).
If you love fantasy with high stakes, rebellion, dark magic, and complicated love interests, The King of Smoke and Shadows needs to be on your TBR. Rachael Staudt is definitely one to watch!

[Destinee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even begin???

This was an easy 5 star read for me! Every chapter will keep you on your toes! The writing, characters, the story.. everything was great!

I loved Reign. Her character was easy to connect with.

I can’t wait for the second book because that cliff hanger will have me in a hangover for a while!

[Caitlin McDougald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one will have you hooked!! I was obsessed with the friendships built throughout this entire book, the cattiness was very enjoyable, caught me laughing often! Love the story line and growth of the characters. The ending though…. was abrupt (in a good way) and INSANE. I couldn’t have guessed what was reveled in the end at all. I kind of hate I was this early, but excited for the rest of the series!

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING!!! I have never been so upset over a cliffhanger!!
The King of Smoke and Shadows- by Rachael Staudt is definitely a five star. The characters she has created in this book are the best mixture of friends, family, and Enemies. The relationships they have with each other are so realistic you can feel it!
You can’t determine what is going to happen next.
The magic and the transformations are so surprising and unexpected.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!
I can’t wait to get hold of the next book!!

[Lindsay Schmiedecke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly loved reading this book. It gave me chills with each chapter. I will say that there were some chapters that had things that I didn’t feel were relevant and then some chapters that didn’t elaborate enough. I love how the author keeps you on your toes. I’m usually pretty good at determining what was gunna happen next. However, the author did a fabulous job on not giving too much stuff away. She gives just enough that has you speculating but not guessing. I did, however, see who the one of the villains would be. All in all, a very nice read! I highly recommend you give this book a chance! It will keep you captivated the entire time! If I didn’t have to take care of life stuff, I would have finished this book in 3 days.

[J'Lyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book, and wow. I loved and related to reign so much and was proud to see how far she came. I like the relationship that built between her and Damien. I couldn't put this book down while reading it. If this is the start of a series I'm ready for the rest of the journey!

[Dee Nighswonger · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has never read this genre, I am now hooked! I took a chance at the recommendation of others and all I can say is WOW! I can't believe this is a debut novel. The pace of the story was perfect and the character development reeled me in! I finished it in three days and stayed up way too late because I couldn't put it down. The ending has me shook and I can't wait for book 2! Just hope we don't have to wait too long for it. I highly recommend.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm impressed with this first book from the author! A solid 4 ⭐ read. However - I feel like there were parts of the book that I found a little vague. Why were Amaya & Reign on the train to the sector? Would have loved more backstory, is this something everyone has to go through from all six realms in order to stay living in the realms? Maybe in book 2 there will be more about this.

I read a good amount of the Fantasy & Romantasy genres and I would have loved to have had a little more world building. I love how it is a cross between Harry Potter, ACOTAR, Fourth Wing, and Avalon Tower series. If you like any of those, you'd enjoy this book. I'm interested in seeing what comes next in the series!

My last comment is that I wish the spicy scenes were a little more descriptive and didn't end so abruptly. I would love to see more from Damien's POV, also Ryder's POV as well because I think it would help strengthen the plot & character building. Loved the ending and the cliff hanger!

Overall, I really enjoyed the book, and hope the next one is more in depth and descriptive!

[Sammy V · Rating 5 out of 5]

So. Freaking. Good.

Just finished A King of Smoke and Shadows and I’m honestly obsessed. The story sucks you in right away. It’s full of magic, secrets, and characters that feel real. The vibe is perfectly dark and mysterious without being too heavy. If you’re into fantasy that’s fast-paced, a little moody, and totally addictive, you need to read this.

[Ashley Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

I didn't want to put it down. Love the whole thing. Magic, fighting, romance. Can't wait to read the next one!

[Ashley Freire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was THOROUGHLY impressed by Rachel’s debut novel! Initially I was a little skeptical at certain parts thinking things moved too quickly or too slowly but truly by the end of the book you understand why everything was written the way it was! I would say this book gives a mix between Fourth Wing, ACOTAR, and a little hunger games tossed in. I think the character building was great and the magic aspects were unique! I had no problems envisioning every scene she described. Overall I thought this was a great book and can’t wait for book 2!

[Kat Balke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading the ARC copy of this. Romantic fantasy is usually NEVER my genre of choice, but I was completely captivated this entire book! Staudt’s world-building talents and her ability to develop thoughtful, complex, characters can be compared to greats such as Margaret Atwood and C.S Lewis. I cannot wait for the sequel!!

[Kymber Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachael Staudt's book The King of Smoke and Shadows is book one in the Smoke and Shadows series, a fantastic new romantasy that has the power the knock its readers to their knees without even trying.

Ms. Staudt has every tick up her sleeve and use each one to bring her readers in close, much like a spider draws a fly, weaving it into its silky web. The King of Smoke and Shadows has action, drama, vengance, murder, romance, loyalty, magic, shapeshifters, and betrayal. For long-time fans of Harry Potter, the King of Smoke and Shadows will feel like an easy progression in their reading.

Wanting to make a new life for themselves, Reign and Amarya go to the Training Sector much like the young adults do in The Hunger Games, where they are trained to fight, no just physically but in the ways of magic too. Along the way they make new friends, make a few enemies, learn secrets they don't know are true or not, find people they don't know if they can trust, and find people they trusted are actually actually trying to hurt them. Now, it's a matter of learning who they can trust, and can they get out of their predicament before it's too late and anyone else gets hurt?

The King of Smoke and Shadows is perfect for a weekend read or anyone looking to get lost for just a few days. This book will keep readers up until the last page is closed and have them demand for more as they eagerly await the next book in the series.

[Shauntae · Rating 3 out of 5]

full disclosure - I bought this book after watching the author on a reality show LOL but I'm giving it a fair review although she was my favourite cast member!

I think that this book was as original as you can get in a new adult training academy setting since it's been done so many times....

I liked that the FMC is 20-21 in the story and also has a pretty believable personality. Her words and actions all fit into being a young woman who has a big heart and emotions but due to life's circumstances has to protect herself. I also really liked that romance wasn't part of the conflict or a plot device. The progression of just having a crush on an older student then developing a relationship over time was really refreshing, the meat of the story didn't come from the relationship (they were pretty solid for most of the book and there was no conflict there). The MMC was actually someone who she could count on, there wasn't any snarky banter or enemies to lovers cliche - all of the drama came from political intrigue which is a personal favourite of mine!

3/5⭐️ because I prefer more details/immersive writing, but the pacing was good

[Stina Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first the writing was very YA with the interactions between the characters, but as the story progressed this lightened up a bit. I'm hoping that for the next book the characters will have more mature attitudes since they've gone through these traumatic events and experienced intense training. There were parts that felt juvenile given that these are characters in their 20's in a war college. The story had some predictable parts but there was also a lot of unexpected parts that I think will play into the next book we'll. Overall I really enjoyed this book but it did take awhile for me to get into it. The magic structure is interesting and different, and I really liked how in depth the witch skills went. The ending was kind of expected for me but I'm still looking forward to seeing how Reign handles it in the next book.

[Michelle Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every chapter this book got better and better. For this book being the author’s debut I am thoroughly impressed- and hooked!!! The next book in the series cannot come soon enough.

The book is reminiscent of Forth Wing and ACOTAR - if you’re a fan of those, give this book a read.

I loved that while there is an element of romance and spice, It does not take over the main characters entire storyline. While romance is nice, the development of Reigns friendships and personal development and growth stayed central to the plot.

[Natasha Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured the first book in this series in just three days. It’s been a long time since a story fully pulled me in, and this hidden gem was such a wonderful surprise.

It gave me that same excitement I felt reading Throne of Glass and Fourth Wing for the first time. Late nights, nonstop anticipation, and the constant need for just one more chapter.

I’ve already started book two, and it’s just as much of a page-turner. Highly recommend for readers who love academic settings, diverse magic, found family, and a lot of heart.

Congratulations, Rachel, this is a truly special read.

[Jennifer C. Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. It stole my attention from the first chapter, kept me on my toes when I thought I knew where the story was taking me, and it made me scream I want more when it ended. I’m trying to wait patiently here for book two to release! :)

[Rachel Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree with other reviewers that it’s a good combo of FW & TOG. It’s own book but has that vibe. It’s a great intro to romantasy though. It’s beautifully written and has a good pace to the storyline. I can’t wait to read book 2 later this month!!

[Amber Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wild ride! Academy setting, shifters, witches, and fae, curses, grimores, evil royalty and a rebellion?! This has it all but most unexpected were the very unexpected plot twists that had me reeling! I could not put it down!

[Amanda Aveiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this! Good world building and character development. The magical system is interesting, with different kinds of powers that I haven’t seen in other books (and I’ve read a lot). It has good pace that keeps you interested.

[Brooke Kozlowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story: 4/5 - definitely enjoyed it, some plot holes but overall good

Writing: 2/5 - typos and some stating of the obvious

[Amy Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fantasy book. It is the perfect pace and length. I can’t wait for the next book to come out!

[Mikayla Kitsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good debut book! It’s like Divergent and Harry Potter with a twist of Fourth Wing! Can’t wait for book 2!

[Sandra Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

King of Smoke and Shadows was so good — I honestly couldn’t put it down! I absolutely loved Reign; she’s such a relatable character, and watching her growth as she learned to believe in herself was one of my favorite parts. The world-building is fantastic, with all the elements you want in a fantasy, but with the author’s own unique spin on magic and details I’ve never seen before. And that ending… OMGhee, I need book 2 right now!