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Shadow War Academy #1
Shadow Bonds
Death was supposed to be my end. Instead, it was just the beginning.
I woke up in someone else’s body, inside the Shadow Academy, a school for elite warriors. Now they think I’m someone I'm not, and until I escape, I’ll have to play along.
But things get complicated when strange powers awaken inside me, along with forgotten memories.
Then there are the four elite Shadows who hate me for some reason, but also think I’m their mate:
Knox, the lethal assassin who hears my every thought and whispers back in a voice like sin.
Malakai, the Shadow shifter who sees through my eyes—and likes what he finds.
Theon, whose shadows alone cause pain, pretends to be cold, but one hint of my fear sends him feral.
And Cyrus, the nightmare Shadow who slithers into my dreams just to play.
Between brutal classes, war camps, and deadly games against a rival academy, I’m also hunting the truth. Because this body isn’t the only thing that’s stolen.
My death was no accident. And if they think I’ll play by their rules, they’re dead wrong.
Answers or ashes. Maybe I’ll just end up burning this place down.
I woke up in someone else’s body, inside the Shadow Academy, a school for elite warriors. Now they think I’m someone I'm not, and until I escape, I’ll have to play along.
But things get complicated when strange powers awaken inside me, along with forgotten memories.
Then there are the four elite Shadows who hate me for some reason, but also think I’m their mate:
Knox, the lethal assassin who hears my every thought and whispers back in a voice like sin.
Malakai, the Shadow shifter who sees through my eyes—and likes what he finds.
Theon, whose shadows alone cause pain, pretends to be cold, but one hint of my fear sends him feral.
And Cyrus, the nightmare Shadow who slithers into my dreams just to play.
Between brutal classes, war camps, and deadly games against a rival academy, I’m also hunting the truth. Because this body isn’t the only thing that’s stolen.
My death was no accident. And if they think I’ll play by their rules, they’re dead wrong.
Answers or ashes. Maybe I’ll just end up burning this place down.
388 pages, ebook
First published July 12, 2025
873 people are currently reading
3515 people want to read
About the author
Rumer Hale
7 books433 followersRumer Hale is a paranormal and fantasy romance author that loves writing about worlds filled with magic and strong heroines and their love interests. Love will always be at the heart of her stories but adventure is a big part too. So each story will give you a different experience.
She lives in Ireland with her daughter and family. She’s both a morning and nighttime person so her favourite time to write is either early mornings or late at night when everyone is asleep.
When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, she’s getting lost in a good book or binging a series or movies.
You can connect with her on TikTok and Instagram @rumerhaleauthor.
She lives in Ireland with her daughter and family. She’s both a morning and nighttime person so her favourite time to write is either early mornings or late at night when everyone is asleep.
When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, she’s getting lost in a good book or binging a series or movies.
You can connect with her on TikTok and Instagram @rumerhaleauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
August 8, 2025
highly addictive, wonderfully trashy. this really hit the spot for my little rh craving! we had some guys who originally hated our heroine - but quickly got over it and were always incredibly obsessed with her (that's what i like to hear) - a vaguely unique body swap plotline, and a fully unnecessary cliffhanger. do i know a single love interests' name or personality? no. do i care? no!
basically, it's a hit alongside all my other forgettable trashy rh books!!
ps. people said they had a lot of grammar and editing problems. honestly, i only noticed a couple of them, but i have heard that the author is fixing errors in the e-book as people point them out, so i may have just read the updated version. either way, didn't affect my reading, but i can understand the irritation!
basically, it's a hit alongside all my other forgettable trashy rh books!!
ps. people said they had a lot of grammar and editing problems. honestly, i only noticed a couple of them, but i have heard that the author is fixing errors in the e-book as people point them out, so i may have just read the updated version. either way, didn't affect my reading, but i can understand the irritation!
August 16, 2025
Shadow Bonds was.. okay. Probably more like a 2.75/5. I’d probably be kinder to it had I not just read a series or two before this that felt more compelling to me. I know it’s unfair to compare this to those series, but it’s hard not to.
I think I found a couple of grammatical errors and typos, and the pacing of this was off. The cliffhanger was an interesting choice…
I ended this feeling more confused than anything else really.
I think I found a couple of grammatical errors and typos, and the pacing of this was off. The cliffhanger was an interesting choice…
I ended this feeling more confused than anything else really.
July 13, 2025
This was so good, but there were SO many grammatical errors. It almost felt like reading a mid-rate translation at times. I don't usually mind typos and such, but it did get a bit annoying. That being said, this was a good read, and I look forward to the next book.
I would like to know what happened to the original Sena, though. Especially after learning what we did in the last chapter. I'm so curious about the person who was living her life before her, since she seemed like an absolute terror.
I would like to know what happened to the original Sena, though. Especially after learning what we did in the last chapter. I'm so curious about the person who was living her life before her, since she seemed like an absolute terror.
December 20, 2025
Fastpaced and amusing, exactly what I needed right now. I read it in 1 sitting and it made me giggle at several moments. I need book 2 rn
July 22, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Just what I needed as a break from my other books. Very fast paced but lacked world building and some character development but I loved the dynamic between Sena and her shadows. Looking forward to reading the next one!
Just what I needed as a break from my other books. Very fast paced but lacked world building and some character development but I loved the dynamic between Sena and her shadows. Looking forward to reading the next one!
July 29, 2025
Some interesting ideas but lightly done and WAY too close to those of The Bonds that Tie series by J Bree.
August 21, 2025
4 ⭐
obsessed
obsessed
July 26, 2025
Engaging fast read but just not enough backstory or clues. Really took away from the book. Still enjoyable 😊
December 30, 2025
well it’s definitely on me for starting series when only one book is out, sigh, i guess i’ll just sit here and stare at the wall while we wait to find out what that cliffhanger is all about
(January 30th for those wondering when the sequel is out, the author also stated she’s already working on book 3)
(January 30th for those wondering when the sequel is out, the author also stated she’s already working on book 3)
August 11, 2025
Grow a spine.
DNF @ 89%
FMC gets tossed into a new body. Ok.
Drama ensues. Ok.
Ridiculous blackmail side plot with her “family”? A step too far for me.
She caves to any kind of external threat without ever once saying anything to the impacted parties because she assumes she knows best. Over and over. By the time the brother showed up again, it was just stumbling into stupid. I did not like the FMC, and come the “shocking” reveal? I just don’t care anymore.
DNF @ 89%
FMC gets tossed into a new body. Ok.
Drama ensues. Ok.
Ridiculous blackmail side plot with her “family”? A step too far for me.
She caves to any kind of external threat without ever once saying anything to the impacted parties because she assumes she knows best. Over and over. By the time the brother showed up again, it was just stumbling into stupid. I did not like the FMC, and come the “shocking” reveal? I just don’t care anymore.
July 14, 2025
The story concept was good. Execution was where it was lacking. I feel like the writing could have been stronger. I don’t think I was fully invested in the characters. There were reveals which should have been interesting but were not. I found myself skimming pages near the end. I saw this book on tik tok and was intrigued by the concept but this was a little disappointing.
September 27, 2025
EDITED. THE AUTHOR confirmed this is a DUET. Thank you LORD.
Fuck’s sake. I thought this was a finished series. Fuck my luck. 😭😭😭
Ugh.
This was actually a good read. Interesting plot. Liked the characters. Etc.
Let’s hope the author sticks to a duet here bc tbh it isn’t going to be a good series if she drags this out. There isn’t that much more to tell, learn and conquer.
No spice
RH no MM
Fated mates
KU
FMC is a super special mary Jane and it unfolds as the story goes. 😬
UNFINISHED AND I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY BOOKS😡 (EDITED AGAIN TO CONFIRM ITS A DUET CONFIRMED BY THE AUTHOR. THIS MAKES ME SOOOOO HAPPY!) 🥳
Adding to my review here bc this honestly changes things for me. I am so glad it’s a confirmed duet. With the plotting and pace it wouldn’t have made sense to create a book 2 filler fluff shit and then end at a book 3.
Final book will be out near end of Nov.
Fuck’s sake. I thought this was a finished series. Fuck my luck. 😭😭😭
Ugh.
This was actually a good read. Interesting plot. Liked the characters. Etc.
Let’s hope the author sticks to a duet here bc tbh it isn’t going to be a good series if she drags this out. There isn’t that much more to tell, learn and conquer.
No spice
RH no MM
Fated mates
KU
FMC is a super special mary Jane and it unfolds as the story goes. 😬
UNFINISHED AND I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY BOOKS😡 (EDITED AGAIN TO CONFIRM ITS A DUET CONFIRMED BY THE AUTHOR. THIS MAKES ME SOOOOO HAPPY!) 🥳
Adding to my review here bc this honestly changes things for me. I am so glad it’s a confirmed duet. With the plotting and pace it wouldn’t have made sense to create a book 2 filler fluff shit and then end at a book 3.
Final book will be out near end of Nov.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2025
Fast-paced and completely unputdownable — I read it in a day.
The story kicks off with the FMC waking up in a body that’s not hers, no memory, just the image of her real body burning in a fire. She’s thrown into a world she doesn’t understand, surrounded by men who all hate her… at first.
It’s a reverse harem with strong hate-to-lovers energy, a slow burn, and a badass, sassy heroine. The relationship tension is top tier — watching the trust rebuild was addictive. Ends on a cliffhanger and now I need the next book.
Tropes:
✔️ Reverse harem
✔️ Hate to lovers
✔️ Slow burn
✔️ Amnesia/memory loss
✔️ Strong FMC
✔️ Found family / forced proximity
✔️ Cliffhanger ending
⭐️4.5
🌶️ 1
The story kicks off with the FMC waking up in a body that’s not hers, no memory, just the image of her real body burning in a fire. She’s thrown into a world she doesn’t understand, surrounded by men who all hate her… at first.
It’s a reverse harem with strong hate-to-lovers energy, a slow burn, and a badass, sassy heroine. The relationship tension is top tier — watching the trust rebuild was addictive. Ends on a cliffhanger and now I need the next book.
Tropes:
✔️ Reverse harem
✔️ Hate to lovers
✔️ Slow burn
✔️ Amnesia/memory loss
✔️ Strong FMC
✔️ Found family / forced proximity
✔️ Cliffhanger ending
⭐️4.5
🌶️ 1
August 19, 2025
Mates, bonds, 4 shadow zaddies, FMC who’s not a completely helpless damsel in distress? ✅✅✅✅
I liked it!
Spice level 🌶️
But with some serious potential for book 2, which of course ISNT OUT YET!!! Hate that for me.
I like the preface that she’s not in her own body but like wtf, no one could give her a heads up? Nothing?
Idk why but I love it when a book has a dream walker.
Don’t get me wrong, there were lots of grammar errors and the plot wasn’t perfect but overall I enjoyed!
P.S why is there ALWAYS a main character named Knox? And why is he always the most unhinged?
I liked it!
Spice level 🌶️
But with some serious potential for book 2, which of course ISNT OUT YET!!! Hate that for me.
I like the preface that she’s not in her own body but like wtf, no one could give her a heads up? Nothing?
Idk why but I love it when a book has a dream walker.
Don’t get me wrong, there were lots of grammar errors and the plot wasn’t perfect but overall I enjoyed!
P.S why is there ALWAYS a main character named Knox? And why is he always the most unhinged?
July 13, 2025
I stumbled across this book thanks to a random TikTok - I am surprised that it is not all over Booktok yet (to be fair it JUST came out) but I am sure that it will get there. For fans of The Blackened Blade series and Bonds of Hercules, this is EXACTLY what you need. Now it is the first book in a series which just came out so you'll probably be waiting around for awhile for Book 2. If you are ok with that then don't wait - pick it up today. Might be my fave book of 2025 so far.
The FMC, who comes to awareness in the body of a girl named Sena, has no past memories and no idea what the person's (previous Sena) life was like and she now has to navigate her time a brutal academy she doesn't remember (because she's never been there) with 4 men that hate her for reasons she doesn't know. On top of that she can't tell anyone that she has woken up in someone else's body or risks certain death. This book is mainly dedicated to now Sena learning about the academy and the world, developing the relationship with the men (enemies to lovers but not yet lovers in this book really - prob qualifies as slow burn) and developing skills that someone like her isn't supposed to have. Cool abilities and world building. Everything is not resolved at the end of the book as this is the start of a series but at the same time the Cliffhanger is not one that had me wishing I hadn't begun the book until the rest of the series was out. Enjoy!
The FMC, who comes to awareness in the body of a girl named Sena, has no past memories and no idea what the person's (previous Sena) life was like and she now has to navigate her time a brutal academy she doesn't remember (because she's never been there) with 4 men that hate her for reasons she doesn't know. On top of that she can't tell anyone that she has woken up in someone else's body or risks certain death. This book is mainly dedicated to now Sena learning about the academy and the world, developing the relationship with the men (enemies to lovers but not yet lovers in this book really - prob qualifies as slow burn) and developing skills that someone like her isn't supposed to have. Cool abilities and world building. Everything is not resolved at the end of the book as this is the start of a series but at the same time the Cliffhanger is not one that had me wishing I hadn't begun the book until the rest of the series was out. Enjoy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2025
Ultimamente sono stata molto fortunata con le mie letture Reverse Harem, spero che diventi una regola e non un'eccezione.
Questo libro mi è piaciuto, l'ho letto tutto d'un fiato senza annoiarmi neanche per un momento, anzi, non sono riuscita a metterlo giù finché non l'ho finito.
Parte in maniera molto originale, o almeno a me non era mai capitato di leggere una via di mezzo tra una reincarnazione istantanea e uno scambio di corpi.
La parte divertente è che la protagonista si risveglia nel corpo della ragazza maligna e manipolatrice dell'accademia, quella che molti odiano ed in particolar modo i suoi compagni.
Piacevoli anche gli MMC, non molto riconoscibili all'inizio ( molto dipende dal fatto che i loro poteri sono tutti legati alle ombre ), ma hanno delle caratterizzazioni abbasta distinte.
Leggerò anche il secondo ovviamente, e fortunatamente non dovrò aspettare tanto, solo un paio di giorni.
Questo libro mi è piaciuto, l'ho letto tutto d'un fiato senza annoiarmi neanche per un momento, anzi, non sono riuscita a metterlo giù finché non l'ho finito.
Parte in maniera molto originale, o almeno a me non era mai capitato di leggere una via di mezzo tra una reincarnazione istantanea e uno scambio di corpi.
La parte divertente è che la protagonista si risveglia nel corpo della ragazza maligna e manipolatrice dell'accademia, quella che molti odiano ed in particolar modo i suoi compagni.
Piacevoli anche gli MMC, non molto riconoscibili all'inizio ( molto dipende dal fatto che i loro poteri sono tutti legati alle ombre ), ma hanno delle caratterizzazioni abbasta distinte.
Leggerò anche il secondo ovviamente, e fortunatamente non dovrò aspettare tanto, solo un paio di giorni.
August 15, 2025
The premise and promise for this book has a lot going for it. I’m really intrigued by the plot and setting, but felt like we circled the miscommunication and secret drain too long to make headway in the romance and character depth. I left this book feeling the characters were at exactly the same connection level as they were at the beginning minus the bulky angle. I think if the author had leaned into the emotions a little more, made me the reader feel them, than this book could’ve certainly risen to another level. It has all the makings for a good book, just needs a little more oomph on each page to carry it beyond surface-dwelling lust and mate bonds to something truly special.
It was a good book with the potential for great. I just was looking for a little more depth, but I will be continuing with the next installment to see where we go from here.
It was a good book with the potential for great. I just was looking for a little more depth, but I will be continuing with the next installment to see where we go from here.
July 12, 2025
Jaw Dropper
OMG... I saved this book... put a reminder in my phone for the day of the books release... I woke up at 6am just to be able to read this...
I LOVE SENAS FIRE! the way she bites back at the four guys is satisfying to say the least. She's resilient and fights back. She doesn't let shit push her.
I don't want to spoil anything but this will be at my #1 spot for fav books. Love the characters. I absolutely love the way Rumer Hale writes. It's intriguing it pulls you in. You feel the characters emotions as if they're your own... I cannot wait for book two.
OMG... I saved this book... put a reminder in my phone for the day of the books release... I woke up at 6am just to be able to read this...
I LOVE SENAS FIRE! the way she bites back at the four guys is satisfying to say the least. She's resilient and fights back. She doesn't let shit push her.
I don't want to spoil anything but this will be at my #1 spot for fav books. Love the characters. I absolutely love the way Rumer Hale writes. It's intriguing it pulls you in. You feel the characters emotions as if they're your own... I cannot wait for book two.
August 18, 2025
I really liked this. It had some small issues with grammar /typos, but the story was good. It kinda felt like what the blackened blade should have been. The pacing is good and there’s good mystery stuff that isn’t predictable with a mix of solved and unsolved to keep you coming back for more. There are a couple little plot holes and some underdeveloped areas, but overall an enjoyable read for those of us that like academy books.
It will be interesting to see if the second book holds up
It will be interesting to see if the second book holds up
September 1, 2025
I’m obsessed! I really enjoyed this story. Even though I still struggled to tell all the mmcs apart, I loved the fmc and all the tropes like body swapping, unique magical creatures, and the fast paced plot. The writing style made me binge this book in one sitting.
I’m so glad I picked this book up because it pulled me out of my never ending reading slump.
I’m so glad I picked this book up because it pulled me out of my never ending reading slump.
September 13, 2025
Plot: 3/5 • Smut: 0/5 ———> I feel like i’ve read this so many times before. I wanted to enjoy it more than I actually did. I liked the whole switching bodies/amnesia aspect, but other than that this was a highly predictable read. I liked all the cheaters. The FMC was probably the most difficult to like bc she doesn’t know who she is and that carries through the entire book. She regains zero memories back. Her mates. I like them all. All broody and asshole-ish. That’s how I like them. While the tension between her and her mates is palpable, there is no smutty good times in this one. 🤷🏻♀️
December 30, 2025
2.5⭐️
With more substantial editing and deeper development of both the plot and the characters, this story has real potential. I usually find most why choose dynamics to be cringe, but this one avoided that pitfall. My main issue is that the central plotline was largely sidelined in favor of the characters’ day-to-day lives. While those moments add texture, the overarching conflict is far more compelling, and I often found myself wishing the story would return to it. The core premise is genuinely intriguing, and I hope future installments place greater focus on developing that main plot.
With more substantial editing and deeper development of both the plot and the characters, this story has real potential. I usually find most why choose dynamics to be cringe, but this one avoided that pitfall. My main issue is that the central plotline was largely sidelined in favor of the characters’ day-to-day lives. While those moments add texture, the overarching conflict is far more compelling, and I often found myself wishing the story would return to it. The core premise is genuinely intriguing, and I hope future installments place greater focus on developing that main plot.
July 17, 2025
I neeeeeeeeed book 2 ASAP. This was excellent, I couldn't put it down. Great writing and characters! that cliffhanger was crazy, but I absolutely loved the revelation at the end.
July 21, 2025
didn’t stand a chance against me
July 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 22, 2025
Actioned back adventure! Need the second book asap.
Reminds me of the bonds of Hercules.
Reminds me of the bonds of Hercules.
August 9, 2025
Wow. Just wow. I cannot wait until November.
October 25, 2025
4.5⭐️
December 19, 2025
An interesting story. Lots of unanswered questions and missing information. Sometimes it felt like the author would change facts midway through. Might read the next one.
December 24, 2025
4,5 ✨️ I really like this book. The story was full throttle from the get go - I would've finished it in a day if I didn't have other things. I do feel like it was sometimes a little rushed and that it became a little repeating - FMC has to do something, she gets hurt, she heals, the mates are annoyed, then they're good. Like they never just have a moment to relax. So maybe just a little off the throttle and it would be a five star 😊
Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews