Shadows and Secrets

The Fatebreaker Trilogy #1

by Arcadia Rayne

She was sent to kill him. Now she might have to marry him.

Huntyr Lachlan is Velia’s deadliest assassin, and the fae prince who destroyed her family just walked into her kingdom.

But when her plan goes wrong, she’s thrust into the Conclave, an ancient competition for the prince’s hand.

Now trapped in a deadly game, Huntyr must navigate rival suitors, perilous trials, and a prince who is far more dangerous, and captivating, than she ever imagined.

In a world where nothing is as it seems, though, her greatest enemy may be the one she least expects.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Fae, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Unfinished, Enemies To Lovers

614 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2025

About the author

Arcadia Rayne is a fantasy romance author based in Maryland.

Arcadia developed a passion for storytelling from a young age. After receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland, she went on to pursue a Master's and PhD at Boston University.

Arcadia is passionate about creating fantastical worlds with strong characters. She loves all the tropes. When she's not writing, Arcadia enjoys binging reality tv and crocheting.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadows and Secrets (The Fatebreaker Trilogy #1) by Arcadia Rayne

Book Blurb: She was sent to kill him. Now she might have to marry him.
Huntyr Lachlan is Velia’s deadliest assassin, and the fae prince who destroyed her family just walked into her kingdom.

Rating: ****
Feels: Sassy, Stabby, Fun, Challenging
Style: Romantasy, Fantasy, Fae, Magic, Fantasy Romance
First published November 13, 2025: 614 pages

I got totally absorbed into this well paced action Romantasy. I love the premise of what if Cinderella was sent to kill the prince !! Give me all those vibes !! The world building with various types of magical beings, magical styles and ancient lore looming over current events was sooo fun to watch. I’m always in love with a strong stabby FMC and Huntress was perfect. Raised as an assassin and thrown into the conclave (a game to the death ) !!! Yes please. Absolutely adored the tension and heat between her and the prince. Found family and amazing side characters round it out for a thoroughly enjoyable read for me. Definitely need more.

Favorite Quote: And suddenly through the absolute terror and agony ripping me apart, I feel the briefest spark of relief. Relief tangled with a feeling so warm warm its overwhelming. Because I fell in love with the monster who controls the skies.

This book has:
Enemies to Lovers
Assassin FMC
Slow Burn
Forced Proximity
Trials for HIS hand
Fae vrs Human
Magic system with varied powers
So much Morally Grey
Ancient Lore

[elizabeth rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book said “What if this is Throne of Glass… but make it spicier and slightly off-brand?” 😂 Fun read, but if you’ve read SJM, you’ll spot every twist before it lands.

[chelsannereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS IS SURPRISINGLY GOOD!!!

Rating: 4.5/5🌟
Genre: Fantasy Romance | New Adult (18+) | Contains mature scenes
Trope: Fae prince x mortal huntress | Enemies to lovers (I guess?) | He fell first and harder 💘

(ARC REVIEW) Releasing on November 13 2025

This story follows Huntyr, a mortal huntress who despises the Fae after they caused her father’s death. One day, she’s given a mission to kill the Fae prince who’s coming to the mortal realm to marry a mortal princess. That’s where things get interesting Huntyr accidentally kills the wrong Fae. She thought she’d killed the prince, but it turns out to be one of his warriors instead.

When the prince finds out, he announces a traditional event called the Conclave a competition to choose his bride but secretly, it’s also his way to uncover who the killer is. And the rest… you’ll have to find out yourself once the book releases hshshsh

My Thoughts 💭

If you’re looking for a romantasy packed with tension and flirty moments, this is definitely the one! Every time Huntyr and Derian appeared together, I couldn’t stop smiling—their interactions were full of tension, teasing, and that undeniable chemistry that kept me wanting more 😭 Even from their first meeting, the attraction was clear, though both kept denying it 😜

The magic system and world-building were so fascinating too. I honestly loved how immersive the world felt it kept me hooked and made me not want to put the book down. The chemistry between the main leads and the plot itself were the main reasons I stayed glued to every page.

Also… I really want to know more about this 'Mother' thing. Who is she? And what’s her connection to one of the characters?? My curiosity is sky high right now 📈

Overall, this book is a big YES from me! Highly recommended for romantasy lovers who enjoy a thrilling mix of danger, mystery, and magic.

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

[Natalie "Curling up with a Coffee and a Kindle" Laird · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review.
Amazing. Just amazing.
Read in 2 days, and I would have been quicker had the book been on my kindle!
This is how you do Romantasy. Still full of the drama and gasp moments (IYKYK) but the romance was... yeah.
Fans of Powerless and Heartless Hunter, THIS is your next must read. I cannot wait for the next book. This author is now on my auto buy list.

[Sab · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fun time, but not groundbreaking.

As someone who almost exclusively reads romantasy, Shadows and Secrets falls into another copy + paste of the genre. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it just makes it harder to stand apart from the rest. We have a "stabby" orphan turned deadly assassin who competes in trials to win a marriage to the fae prince she was sent to kill. It feels like I've already read this book fifty times, which made it very predictable. There was little mystery about what happened next and how it would end, making the plot lack momentum.

The one thing that was done well was the world-building. I felt so immersed in this world that I could vividly picture the characters and setting. I loved the subtle differences between the mortal and fae lands that contrasted with the desolate wastelands. The trials were also really well done—I just wish we spent more time going through them because they were completely over at the halfway point. I'm also a huge sucker for animal companions, and Kaia was perfectly sassy and no bullshit. I literally laughed out loud at a few points because of her dialogue.

My biggest gripe was with the romance—it just wasn't naturally developed enough to warrant their connection. There is a very overused trope that I know a lot of people love, but I'm personally not a fan because I like there to be a sense of mystery with the romance. This trope is often used as a default to explain a quick connection, which I hate because that means there typically isn't enough of a foundation. The MMC's POV was very lust-forward from the beginning, and the FMC's POV was the stereotypical i ShOuLd HaTe HiM, hE's My EnEmY... bUt He iS sOoOo HoT! Like girl, you're a deadly assassin and you're going to let a strong jawline get in the way of you completing your mission?

Which brings me to how this book was marketed. If you're going to tell me that this is a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers, you'd better drag that romance out and make them actual enemies. Considering this is the first book of a planned trilogy, they should not already be fucking 45% of the way in—that is NOT a SLOW BURN! All we got was lust and banter (albeit, the banter was fun); there was no yearning or emotional development. At the beginning, the MMC was overpossessive, suffocating, and entitled over a girl he had just met. I will say, his character did have good development, where he realized the error of his ways and improved after his friends called him out. However, his POVs were still insufferable because he was always thinking with his cock first, even after the FMC was literally on the brink of death. The enemies-to-lovers was strictly one-sided from the FMC's POV. The MMC never hated her or deemed her as such, and by their first sexual encounter (halfway in), the FMC no longer thought of him as an enemy anyway.

While I'm sure a lot of readers will love this (especially those new to the genre), it just wasn't enough to captivate me. If I were to look back a year from now, I don't think I would be able to distinguish this book from others.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC!

[chrissy king · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the start and binge read within a day because I couldn’t put it down.
I absolutely love the trials Huntyr goes through, and watching the slow burn with amazing banter is the chefs kiss on top.

I’m so excited for book two and to see more of Huntyr adjusting to some of the things she discovered in book 1.

[Tay (Read With Tay) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I read a beta copy of this, so I won’t be reviewing it since a lot could change!

But I loved it*

[Cinnamon&Pine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An assassin, a fae prince, and a deadly trial — enemies, fated mates, and far too much at stake.

⸻

Hantyr, disowned as a child after her father’s murder, has built a life in the shadows as a renowned assassin. Her latest contract — a birthday present, no less — is to kill the fae prince Derian, the man she believes responsible for that loss. But one mistake changes everything: she kills the wrong fae.

Under the pretense of a conclave, an ancient trial for his hand in marriage, Derian summons the suspects to the fae lands to eliminate the murderer and quietly avoid the political marriage his brother arranged. What follows is a deadly trial where only one woman survives — a premise everyone seems disturbingly comfortable with until Derian begins to care for Hantyr.

Both are killers shaped by their pasts, and yet their relationship grows with surprising tenderness. The bond between them — a literal one, though neither of them quite realizes it — builds slowly and convincingly. Their connection is mirrored by Hantyr’s devotion to her mortally ill sister, a thread that reveals her rare vulnerability and humanity beneath the steel.

The addition of Kaia, her panther guardian bonded during the first trial, adds both companionship and a welcome layer of perspective. The world itself is dark but vividly drawn, the tension sharp, and the trials gripping enough to keep the pages turning long past bedtime.

Derian’s scent — smoked leather and citrus — suits him perfectly: dangerous with a hint of brightness that softens the edges.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Morally gray characters, real enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, and found family — a compelling mix that kept me reading straight through.

[The Fated Shelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 5 🌶️ 4

“Shadows and Secrets” by Arcadia Rayne absolutely devoured me—in the best possible way.

From the first page, I was hooked by the dark atmosphere, the slow-burning tension, the delicious mix of danger and desire, and the banter!!! 🫠🫠🔥🔥 The worldbuilding is rich and mysterious—full of hidden magic, political intrigue, and morally gray characters that keep you guessing who to trust.

The chemistry between the main characters? 🔥 Off the charts. Every interaction crackled with tension, longing, and that perfect enemies-to-lovers energy that makes you kick your feet and scream into a pillow. And when things finally ignite… yeah, it’s spicy 🌶️. I think I have a new favorite book boyfriend 🖤 OMG Derian 🖤

What I loved most, though, is how Arcadia Rayne balances the romance with a strong plot. It’s not just about the heat —it’s about secrets, loyalty, and learning to trust the darkness within. Also, her writing style! Once again, she got me hooked from the beginning! I read this in one sitting! I could not put this book down

If you love:
✨ Dark romantasy vibes
⚔️ Deadly trials
🧚 Incredible and rich Fae world
🗡️ Enemies to lovers - She was sent to kill him
💋 Tension-filled banter
🖤 Strong heroine & morally gray hero
🔥 Perfect balance of plot and spice
💘 He fell first and harder

…then this book is an absolute must-read. I already can’t wait for book two.

Thank you, Netgalley, Victory Editing, and Arcadia Rayne for this eARC.

[Ceacea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, Victory Editing and Arcadia Rayne for this eARC.
Genre: Romantacy
⭐️ 4/5
🌶 2/5
🧠 4/10
Cliffhanger 3/10 (Gentle set-up for book 2)
Noteworthy: Book 1 of an incomplete trilogy. Dual POV. Publication date is 11/13/2025.

I do love a good fight to the death for a fae prince's hand story. We get a really good one in the first half of this book. The FMC Huntyr gets herself into a bit of a pickle when she tries to assassinate Prince Derian but fails. She is then forced into a deadly game of The Fae Bachelor where unfortunately it's a last woman standing scenario. Much to her dismay, she is not only fighting 11 other women but also her inconvenient attraction to the fae prince she still needs to kill. The cat a mouse games played during the trials are delicious. This whole part of the story is really fun. Then we have a big switch in focus for the 2nd half of the book where the true meat of the story starts unfolding. We get secrets coming to light and a thickening of the plot that changes everything.

The 2 main characters are so complimentary. The FMC is the baddest of the baddies and the MMC is a growly, possessive, storm wielder who fights all those alphahole instincts to give us a perfect supportive hero! This is an enemies to lovers but also a medium to fast burn. I would expect nothing less from 2 firey characters like this. Bonus shout for having a bonded animal as part of the story. That's always a treat!

My only issue with this book is some modern verbiage. Words like washrag and the MMC calling himself cute is so out of place and caused me to pause as I was reading. It just didn't fit in my eyes. There aren't a ton of these in the book so they're easily pushed through.

Definitely pick this one up if you like tons of action and scorching hot attraction in your Romantacy books!

[chlogirlll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This romantasy book is your classic case of “basic white girl.” She shops at Aritzia, wears UGGs in the winter, white sneakers in the summer, and has the most complicated Starbucks order this town has ever seen. She’s predictable… but thriving. And honestly? That is THIS BOOK.

This book said, “why create something new when I can take a little ✨inspiration✨ from everywhere?” It’s giving Hunger Games with the fight to the death trials, ACOTAR with the mate bonds, and Fourth Wing with the sassy animal bond companion, storm wielding power, and the Velkai draining the land a little too similarly to Venin. At this point I was not reading anything new because I felt like I had read this story in five different universes already. 😵‍💫

And yet… I ate it up. Because I AM the target audience. I am the problem. It’s me. Hi. I’m the problem. I loveeee a trope-filled, basic white girl romantasy. Give me enemies to lovers. Give me deadly trials. Give me the powerful man whose control becomes UNHINGED when he’s jealous. Give me a man who would burn down the world for her and act like it’s normal behaviour. I will eat it up. Every. Single. Time. 🤪

4.5⭐️’s because this is NOT true enemies to lovers. They were attracted to each other from the start, so the “enemies” label is doing a LOT of heavy lifting here. Still enjoyed the romance, but I needed more slow burn, more tension, more angst, more “I hate you but I also can’t breathe when you leave the room” energy. 🔥

Despite that, I LOVEEEE Derian and Huntyr. I loved how powerful they both were. Derian radiates power. He has that walks into a room and the weather changes type of power with his storm wielding ability. But what I love even more is a powerful man with a soft spot for his woman. The way he took care of her after the trials??? The jealousy??? The possessiveness??? The immediate “who do I have to kill” response??? I ate that UP. He controls the storm… but he cannot control himself when it comes to her. If she was in danger, he wouldn’t hesitate to strike. Lightning pun FULLY intended. ⚡️

And no matter how feral he is when it comes to protecting her, I LOVEEEE that Huntyr never actually needed protection. Give me a feisty female character who can HOLD HER GROUND. I LOVE that she’s a trained assassin. She was cocky, confident, feisty, and fearless, and I loved everything about her. ⚔️🗡️

Overall, this book is just a basic white girl in romantasy form… it was predictable, unoriginal, emotionally addictive, and I will absolutely be reading the next book because I clearly learned nothing. 🤍🤍

[KMart Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books where if you love romantasy, you’re going to settle in quickly. It hits a lot of the familiar beats that we all love: deadly trials, enemies forced into close proximity, high tension, lots of heat. And it does them in a way that’s just really easy to enjoy.

Huntyr is out for revenge, and while it’s not hard to guess early on that things aren’t exactly what she thinks they are, the story takes its time letting those pieces fall into place. I didn’t mind that predictability too much because the ride itself is fun. Huntyr is capable and very certain of her mission, which makes watching her slowly question everything more interesting than if it had all unraveled too quickly.

The dynamic between her and the prince is where this really shines. There’s a lot of banter, a lot of tension, and the chemistry is very much present. It leans into that intense, immediate pull between them, but what I liked is that the emotional side doesn’t keep pace with the physical. Even if the attraction hits early, the trust and actual connection take their time, which made it work better for me than it usually does. I usually don't like instant lust but this one worked well.

The prince himself walks that line between dangerous and protective well. He has that darker edge, but he’s not just bulldozing over her autonomy, which I REALLY appreciated. Their personalities bounce off each other in a way that keeps things engaging, especially once they’re forced into closer quarters.

There’s also a nice little found family element with the side characters, and I loved the animal companion. That always wins me over, and this one actually felt like it added something instead of just being there for vibes.

That said, it does stay pretty surface-level in some areas. The world-building is interesting, but it’s not especially deep, and while the story keeps moving at a good pace, I did find myself wishing for a bit more weight behind some of the bigger moments. It’s not trying to reinvent anything, and that’s fine. It knows exactly what it is.

Overall, this was just a really fun read. Dramatic, fast-paced, a little over-the-top in places, but in a way that fits the genre. Not groundbreaking, but definitely entertaining. I had a great time.

Thanks so much to the author and R&R Booktours for the complimentary copy and opportunity to read and review. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[Ashton V · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book! This book has everything I always look for in a romantasy. We have enemies to lovers, deadly trials, an assassin heroine (my fave!) a slow burn he falls first romance, political intrigue, fae, and so much more! From the start I was immediately invested in the story as I always love to see assassin fmc's. But especially with this being an assassin x enemy fae prince romance I was hooked.

Arcadia Rayne always does a fantastic job with world building. Her writing is lush with beautiful descriptions that make the story so easy to picture and immerse yourself in. And this book is no different. I loved the transition of main character Huntyr's world of assassins, to the life of a noble lady during the masquerade ball, to finally Huntyr's time in the fae lands. We truly see different parts of Huntyr throughout the book and her development was perfect in my opinion.

Now Huntyr and mmc Derian may just be one of my new favorite book couples! They are so complimentary to each other and their development as a couple was so strong. They start off as enemies when Huntyr's attempt to kill him goes wrong and she now has to travel to the fae lands and join the Conclave, deadly trials where the surviving winner will marry the prince. For Huntyr this is another opportunity to try and kill Derian, but when many secrets come to light and their connection grows it becomes harder and harder for Huntyr to remember he is supposed to be her enemy. These two characters are powerhouses so their connection is so intense and passionate. The fiery banter between them was one of my favorite things and their back and forth game during the trials was perfection!

Overall this was a fantastic read! I loved the political intrigue that we begin to learn about towards the end of the book. There's so much going on that will definitely come up in the second book. I absolutely need the second book ASAP! After learning more about the lands in between the human and fae lands I am so curious and need more answers. This is the start to a fantastic new series and I can't wait to see what comes next!

[Tiffany Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read this one as an ARC and was honestly suprised by how much i enjoyed this book!! I actually binged this in ONE SITTING!!!!

I loved the trials in this book, they felt so unique and i genuinely appreciated how they didn’t take up the entirety of the book!! the part 1 and part 2 of this book was brilliant!!

part 1 felt PACKED but in the best way!! we did A LOT in part one, felt like a whole book in itself (and a well written one at that) and then when we get to part 2 (that aftermath of the trials)… and i honestly LOOVVEEEDD that we didn’t have to wait for a book 2 for this story bc that’s typically what happens with books with trials 🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️

this was super fun, and extremely bingeable!! if you’re looking for a fun romatasy with games and trials, then this would be a good pick for you 😇😇

[Morgan Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this in 2 days…it hooked me from the very beginning and I couldn’t put it down!! Huntyr ran away after her father was murdered by Fae when she was 5 and ends up being taken in to learn how to be an assassin and kill Fae. She is such a badass and gives serious Aelin vibes! Derian is the Fae prince sent by his brother to marry a mortal princess, but after his guard is killed he decides to issue a conclave to find out who the killer is! This turns into a deadly trial to pick his wife and it was action packed!! Of course things aren’t always what they seem and as Huntyr and Derian grow closer, Huntyr starts to learn the truth about the Fae…and about herself! The chemistry between Huntyr and Derian was amazing and the entire story was gripping and exciting!!

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
📖: Shadows and Secrets (The Fatebreaker Trilogy Book 1)

“𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭.”

Orphaned at a young age, Huntyr is taken and trained to be an elite ǟssassin. And in the years that pass, she lives up to her reputation as the Huntress.

To secure an alliance between fae and mortals, Prince Derian is sent into an arranged marriage with a mortal princess. That is, until the Conclave, an ancient marriage trial is enacted.

Now, Huntyr’s latest target becomes the very prince she must now fight to the deǟth to marry.

Tropes:
🥷Ässassin FMC
⛈️Storm Daddy
🩶Morally grey MCs
⚔️Enemies-to-lovers
💀Deǟdly trials
🐾Animal sidekick
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒Found family
🩹Wound tending
🎭Masquerade ball
🔥Slow burn 🌶️

Determined to seek revenge against the fae who wronged her, Huntyr must keep her cover and avoid drawing attention to her skill set. I adored her take no 💩attitude and snark.

Derian is broody, powerful, and oh so possessive. This “he falls first” was so much fun to read. As the story unfolds, they discover they may be two sides of the same coin. But what does fate have in store for them?

If you love delicious enemies to lovers energy, stǟbby FMCs, and MMCs that would burn the world for her, this fast-paced and action-packed story is for you! I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Huge thanks to the author for the review copy. This is my honest and voluntary review

[Danni Drummond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows and Secrets
The Fatebreaker Trilogy Book 1
By Arcadia Rayne

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶

⚡️ Enemies to Lovers
🗡 Slow burn romance
⚡️ Magical competitions with dea dly stakes
🗡 Human a$$assin FMC
⚡️ Fae Prince MMC
🗡 A mission to save her sister

This first instalment of The Fatebreaker Trilogy had me completely enraptured from the first page!

I mean COME ON! A human as$assin who would do anything to save her sister which ends up sending her on a mission to unal¡ve a particular Fae Prince and of course she is up for it because she has been told all her life just how bad the fae are and that they were responsible for the passing of her dad.
But when I tell you, the fae she is sent to ☠️ is sm0king 🥵 ohhhh my, I'm talking tall, dark and handsome, and has the ego to boot, just ask him 😆

This was an amazing read, with absolutely everything you need to keep you captured amongst its pages 😍

Shadows and Secrets releases November 13th 😘🖤

#shadowsandsecrets #romantasybooktok #romantasy #bookreview #booktokfyp

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So grateful to have read an early copy of Shadows and Secrets, thanks to Arcadia Rayne, NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op!!

4.75⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ this may change to 5⭐️ if I can't think what it was missing!!

I really really enjoyed this book!! Like way more than I expected!! It dragged me straight out of a reading slump and now I’m impatiently waiting for book two — and book one isn’t even out yet!

Huntyr was a great FMC and I loved her attitude throughout the book. Derian again was a great MMC and their dynamic was so good to read - not quite enemies to lovers, but definitely a slow burn, fated-mates read. Their flirting/banter was top tier! I'm glad Huntyr didn't just instantly fall for the Fae Prince, if anything - it read more of a he falls first trope, which we're always here for!

The Conclave gave Fae Hunger Games vibes which was something I haven't read before but definitely showed what Huntyr was capable of!

"You want to know what I am?" I whisper, wrapping my hand around the back of her head and pulling it towards me. "I'm something more than a worthless Mortal. I am something much, much darker." 🙌🏼

I’ve already been recommending this book to friends and will DEFINITELY be keeping an eye out for book 2!!!

[Haleemah · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was about 10 different parts to that story 😭 that was a long but good read :)
(Two 600 pages books in a weekend muahaha)

[Queenie2023 aka Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVED this book !!! Could not put it down ! I love a strong FMC who is also a badass !! Cannot wait for the next one !

[KazLikesToRead · Rating 3 out of 5]

It comes in a little late but I’m so thankful to be given an ARC of this book. I didn’t get to it on time so I read the Kindle edition that was published. Again, thank you to Netgalley and Arcadia Rayne.


Thoughts:
This had so much potential, and I LOVED the first 50% but then, it just got a little chaotic and certain bits about the writing got a bit irritating by the end. It was giving classic Romantasy vibes, I loved the world, the fae, the magic. It was easy to understand and the characters were classic romantasy — broody and powerful MMC, FMC who doesn’t give a flying F who you are, is badass and refuses to step down.

There were a fair few things I had issues with which impacted my reading experience.

1) the pacing was all over the place. We spend a lot of time going through 1 day then time jumps a week later, and then several days later etc. it was hard to keep track of it. The general pacing of the story was also very different from other books. I got to the end of these deadly trials and I was still only 50% the way through? It kinda made it seem like they weren’t super important because by the end, I forgot she had to kill all those other girls.

2) the FMC for one of the most lethal assassins, she sure makes some stupid decisions in the story. Like her choice and reactions are not consistent with her character.

3) everything was over explained and everything was just so predictable. — possibly a me thing as I read a lot of Romantasy

4) the riddles in the games??? I think it could have been workshopped a little longer….

Overall, I’d definitely recommend to someone who is new to romantasy, as everything, all the magic, gets explained. If you don’t have existing reconceptions about how a romantasy is structured or what to expect, i think this is a great entry into the genre.

[Kirstie Ellen]

DNF at 30%

I really should have put this down sooner. I'd been so excited going by the premise of this book – fae, assassins, a gauntlet challenge where the main character's mission is turned on its head?! Everything sounded so exciting.

And that part of the plot almost kept me going (well, at least it kept me going for as long as I did). But good god, does this lean heavily on smut to build the romance. I just couldn't bring myself to keep going back for more because of how the insta-love (and quite frankly, insta-lust) was written.

There is no real buildup between the two POVs this is written between; from the moment they see each other, the are drawn to each other intensely. And while I can tolerate that trope (that is one of the main tropes in fae fantasy, after all), it was the vulgarness with which it was written that put me off. Instead of backing the romance, I was going eurgh and ewww every time words like "wetness" (*gag*) and so on were used to describe desire.

Sometimes books like this make me feel like a jaded old woman. But I swear, people have forgotten how much more effective subtle things are for building up sexual tension, and only later on letting the characters get carried away with daydreams of ripping each other's clothes off. Objectification ain't love nor sexy.

So yeah, hard pass. I'm not sure how so many people are getting through 600+ pages of that. It's so unnecessary and feels like I'm being bludgeoned over the head with romance in the author's attempt to make it "intense", rather than being swept away on an epic and irresistible romance. No thank you.

[Nickole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received an advanced reader copy from the author for voluntarily giving my review. Wow this book has a lot of action to keep you hooked! We meet assassin Huntyr, who is known as the Huntress in the Mortal Kingdom. she is feared by all and her goal in life is to avenge her father against the Fae. We meet Derian, a fae Prince who is the being sent to the mortal realm to marry the princess in an alliance..ugh! Huntyr is being spoiled by her boss and father figure only to get a contract of her own..to kill the fae Prince. finally she will have her vengeance. But when she uses her skills on thr wrong fae, she never imagined entering the fae world to partake in the Conclave. Derian is fascinated by Huntyr and there is smtg about her that sets her apart from other mortals. Getting to know her may be a very bad idea but he isn't one to shy away from a challenge. Huntyr has a goal....win the Conclave, save her sister and kill the Prince...what could possibly go wrong? drama, deceit, OMG moments and a whole whack of violence make this a riveting read.

[Dru · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶.5
🔥🔥🔥🔥

Huntyr Lachlan, Velia’s deadliest assassin, is sent to kill Derian, the fae prince who destroyed her family, but her plan goes horribly wrong. Derian is already being forced into an arranged marriage with the human princess to unite the fae kingdom and the mortal kingdom, a plan that benefits both sides, even though he is absolutely not on board. Everything changes at the engagement ball when he meets Huntyr, who immediately captures his attention, even though he doesn’t yet know who she really is. Now thrust into the Conclave, a deadly competition for Derian’s hand, Huntyr must navigate rival suitors, perilous trials, and a prince who is far more dangerous and captivating than she ever expected. In a world where nothing is as it seems, Huntyr may discover that her greatest enemy is the one she least expects.

Huntyr is exactly what you want in a trained assassin heroine. She was taken off the streets as a child, trained to fight, and prepared for the day she would kill the fae responsible for her parents’ deaths. She may have slightly… messed up when she went after the prince and accidentally killed the wrong fae. To figure out the real murderer, Derian calls a Conclave, a competition open to anyone who wants to fight for his hand. That means fae, mortals, and even his overly jealous ex, who immediately sees Huntyr as a threat.

Huntyr is fully capable of holding her own, but she isn’t overpowered, which I loved. She also does not give in to Derian, no matter how hard he tries. The banter between them is hilarious, and his constant flirting had me laughing. Huntyr is having none of it, but Derian cannot help himself. He only has eyes for her and is crazy protective and possessive without even realizing why. Of course, the readers know, but his denial is strong and entertaining throughout the entire book.

We do get hints about Huntyr’s true identity, and it’s not too hard to piece together. What I’m really looking forward to is seeing where the story goes from here. This first book sets up so much tension, romance, and intrigue, and I cannot wait for the next installment.

⟣Tropes⟢
✅ Touch her and 💀
✅ 🩶 Morally Grey MMC 🩶
✅ Stabby/Badass Heroine
✅ Banter *chef’s kiss*
✅ Obsessive/JP MMC
✅ Dirty Talk
✅ Fated Mates
✅ Age Gap (classic fae)
✅ Dual POV’s (first person)
✅ Enemies-to-Lovers
✅ OW drama (no cheating, jealous ex)
✅ FMC not Virgin
✅ Found Family
✅ He falls first
✅ 🔥 Slow Burn 🔥
✅ Trials
✅ MINE
✅ Cliff



‼️‼️‼️Trigger Warning‼️‼️‼️
I don’t have any specific triggers and was okay reading it without any warnings, but always take care of your mental health before diving in, since this book definitely has triggers.

[₊⋆˚⊹ soph °♡⋆.ೃ❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of “Shadows and Secrets“ by Arcadia Rayne in exchange for an honest review.

She was sent to kill him. Now she might have to marry him.

I am so so so mesmerized by this book. But before I start gushing about this, let me tell you about the only two points of criticism I have:
1. The story was generic. It felt like a mixture of Sarah J. Maas’ books with a sprinkle of Shadow and Bone. But nowadays it is super difficult to write something completely new and never done before, so seeing parallels to other works is inevitable. Therefore, most aspects of the book were predictable. Some aspects though, for example the world’s history, weren’t fleshed out, but that is something that can definitely be changed in the future books.
2. The protagonists’ badassery was not well written and felt more “tell, not show“ and therefore a bit exaggerated. Huntyr oftentimes expressed she is “not like other girls“ simply by wanting to wear trousers instead of dresses. I found myself cringing at some sentences.

Now, let me tell you about what I LOVED in this book. I’m trying not to spoil anything so everyone can experience this book the way I did.
This was one of the books I could vividly see play out in my head. I don’t have this experience super often, but I was immersed and reading this felt like watching a TV Show. Trust me, Netflix NEEDS to adapt this!
The “deadly game“ Huntyr is trapped in was sooo good and intense, and felt truly original. Trials and games have been done before, but the ones in this book are new and so interesting. I loved reading them while gasping out loud and being captivated.
Speaking of gasping, the author is RUTHLESS. I’m not gonna elaborate further but I may have almost cried at least once.
I also quite enjoyed the romance aspect in this book. I feel like it’s usually basic nowadays. Although it wasn’t creative, it still felt very real and intense. Believe me, the intensity was crazy! Not too fast paced as well, which I appreciated.
In conclusion, I enjoyed this so much. I haven’t found any information on the sequel yet but you best believe I will try my hardest to get the ARC for that as well because I. Cannot. Wait. I NEED to know how this story continues. I’m the biggest fan.

[Taylor Sheppard · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5)

“There is just me… and the monster I’ve become.”

Shadows and Secrets left me feeling conflicted. On paper, it has so many elements I usually love—enemies to lovers, deadly trials, sarcastic (and deadly) characters, and nonstop action. And while I did enjoy those aspects, some things just didn’t fully land for me.

The pacing felt off at times, and many of the twists were pretty predictable. If you read a lot of romantasy, you’ll likely see where the story is headed long before anything is revealed. That’s not always a bad thing, but here it took away some of the mystery and excitement.

I also struggled a bit with the main characters. They felt somewhat flat at times, and their dialogue and actions occasionally came across as immature, which made it harder to fully connect with them.

That said, if you enjoy the romantasy genre, there’s still a good chance you’ll have fun with this one.

Tropes: deadly trials, fae, assassin FMC, enemies to lovers, morally gray characters

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huntyr is an human assassin who tries to kill Derian, a fae prince at a ball. However, after making a mistake, she ends up shipped off to the fae lands to compete in the Conclave, aka deadly trials with a fancy title, against other fae and human women in order to marry Derian. Derian has storm powers and is super powerful, but all the other women competing in the Conclave have to die in order for her to win the prize of being his wife. The trials were definitely deadly and brutal but they were quick.

I think Huntyr and Derian had good banter and convincing chemistry. It was definitely enemies to lovers but not quite a slow burn. They definitely had an instant connection, they both just fought it for a bit. I did enjoy them fighting against both each other and themselves though. The history and worldbuilding here was also done well. It was clear and easy to understand. The book was a fun time. I will definitely be reading more.

[des ☽ · Rating 3 out of 5]

⚝ ꒰ 3/5 stars ꒱ ♡

i won’t lie the synopsis for this book pulled me in… assassin + fae prince vibes?? count me in.

the story is a fast paced romantasy with throne of glass vibes mixed with deadly trials. the characters are lovable and there’s even a sassy pet companion. the trials were high stakes and the imminent threat kept me on my toes throughout the story.

for me i would of liked more world building and more character depth.. it did feel pretty insta lovey and things happened so fast to keep the plot going. i felt there was no time to process some of the major things that happened. i did find the plot predictable and a lot left unanswered.

perhaps i’ll be picking up book two??

thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. ♡

[Kristie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huntyr is a deadly assassin who is thrilled to get the assignment to kill the fae prince Derian. She has a lifelong grudge against fae after they killed her father. But soon her plans go out the window when she ends up in a set of deadly trials competing for the prince's hand in marriage.

Arcadia Rayne has done it again! I loved diving into this vivid, intriguing world. I was hooked and bought into the story right from the beginning. I loved Huntyr's energy and badassery and her chemistry with Derian was top notch. Can't wait for the rest of the series!

Tropes
* Assassin FMC
* Fae Prince MMC
* Deadly Trials
* Revenge Plot
* Found Family
* Fated Mates
* Animal Sidekick
* He Falls First

4.5 stars

[Adrianna Heaney-velu · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Shadows and Secrets,” by Arcadia Rayne

This book was amazing. One of my favorites in a while. I loved the FMC being an assassin and MMC is a Fae prince. The weather/storm part of MMC’s powers reminded me of Fourth Wing, so that was perfect. I loved the amount of adventure and political intrigue. Found Family was a big part of the story line and the death trials (which is one of my favorite tropes). I literally loved every second of the book. The romance and tension were perfect. I can’t wait for the next book! 5 out of 5 stars.

-Dual POV
-Assassin X Fae Prince
-Found Family
-Enemies To Lovers
-Forbidden Love
-Political Intrigue
-Death Trials
-Storm Magic

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.