Shadows of Silver

by Daphne D.H.

Fate moves in shadows, leading us down paths we never imagined.

Alora’s life was never meant to be extraordinary—until the night everything changed. Forced to flee her home, she is thrust into a world of whispers, betrayal, and a curse that binds her to a kingdom lost in eternal winter.

Trapped in a fate she never asked for, Alora’s heart and mind are torn apart as she faces a prince who thrives in shadows—manipulating, deceiving, and pushing her to the edge.

Hunted across kingdoms, Alora must navigate dangerous truths, unsure of who she can trust. With the fate of her world at risk, she must choose—fight the prince’s deadly game or lose herself to the lies that bind her.

Shadows of Silver is the first book in a fantasy trilogy about self-discovery, betrayal, and a curse that changes everything. With dark twists, shifting alliances, and an enemies-to-lovers slow burn, Alora’s journey is only just beginning—and the shadows are only getting darker.

Genres: Fantasy

547 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2025

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

*edit for my reread*
I am HURT

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

HOLY HELL THIS BOOK WAS FIIIIRRREEEEE

Beauty and The Beast x These Hollow Vows kinda vibes

Daphne's writing was fabulous and all consuming, and I LOVED the fact this book didn't follow the standard Fantasy book plot.

Betrayal, death of a loved character 😭, solid world building, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, battle scenes that had me on my knees and pure - unfiltered female rage to end this amazing book.

Read this book if you loved ACOWAR, but you wanted Amren to die 😉 *cries*

[Danni Drummond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows Of Silver
The Destiny of Darkness Series Book 1
By Daphne D.H.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❄️ Fantasy
🥀 Slow burn
❄️ Enemies to Lovers
🥀 Changing Alliances
❄️ Amazing Character Development
🥀 Intricate World Building
❄️ Dragon-shifters
🥀 Mythical Beings
❄️ Magic of Sorts
🥀 Ultimate Betrayal


This incredible fantasy adventure follows the tale of Alora who lives a sheltered life in her small town where she feels she just doesn't quite fit, then comes along a traveller who changes everything!
He ends up taking her with him on his travels with the promise of showing her the world, but all is not as it seems when he ends up stealing her and taking her to his master in a far-away kingdom thought to be wiped out.

This master makes Alora play a twisted game of quests for her freedom, while she races against time to try and find the key to breaking the kingdom's winter curse.

This amazing novel is full of secrets unravelling, hidden magic revealing, Mythical beings, adventure, betrayal and so much more!

I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book 😍

Shadows Of Silver releases August 1st 😘🖤

[Ida-Emilin dahlberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi❤️
I’m a Dark romance reader, I LOVE dark romance.
This book isn’t about dark romance but it is about Dark Fantasy, and the got my attention❤️
I was a little sceptical at first, not gonna lie. But after watching a few of the author’s TikTok videos and on how she described it and sheared her journey and all, I was willing to try it and OMG I do NOT regret it!

It has manipulation, betrayal, love, trust, loyalty, fun and happiness and more. In every chapter something interesting is always happening and that made me not wanting to stop reading 📖.
I am in love with this book 📕 and can not wait for the next one🫶🏻

I got some news that have been scaring my half to death these past few months and haven’t really had much else to take my mind off things. But this book told all my worries away and you will fill the thrill in it that you normally might not get often.

Do I regret reading this book? No!
Do I regret buying this book? No!
Do I regret irritating and upset my realities with talking about how good this book is? NO!!

Give it a chance, you are gonna LOVE IT!! 😍

Take that from a teenage girl that usually doesn’t read a lot!!

[Fran Winters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I normally don't read fantasy, but I really loved this! It took me some time to get into it, but especially in the second half I couldn't stop reading! I can't wait for the second book :))

[Daphne · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot going on in this book. The fantasy world is rich and there are a lot of very strong world building elements. The characters are consistent. However, there were a few things that made it a lot harder for me to get into this story that was maybe necessary.

For me, there was a lot of telling not showing. Most of the story happens in (mental) dialogue instead of scene description or building up the plot or character arcs. I felt like not that much happened plot wise, especially for a 500+ page book, and also the nature of character relationships were jumped to instead of building them. So the romance and found family elements but also trust issues fell flat to me. Overall it felt like the author knew where the story needed to go, knew what the main character was thinking about it all, but I didn’t feel like I was brought along for the journey.

That being said. The writing style is good. The world building is intriguing. There were a few unexpected twists and turns. And at the end I was curious to know what would happened next.

I think this book is a good stepping stone for the author to develop further because there are definitely super interesting stories in her mind and she can tell a story beautifully. If there was a better balance between character development, world building, description, relationship arcs and plot, this would’ve been amazing.

Thanks to the author for the free advance copy I received for reviewing!

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows of silver is a book that will leave you gasping for air. You will be unable to guess what the next page
will reveal to you. Finding yourself entangled in a complex
new world where high stakes are at play and the risks
are even higher.
What I liked the most was how the author made us feel about the characters. It played with our minds twisting and turning and I ended up actually feeling bad (kind of) for the bad guys. I was feeling very emotion the MC was feeling and I tried really hard to guess where the book was getting me. I failed.
I also loved how it showed us what tiredness and mentally stress can do. Our MC was trapped in games that exhausted her mentally and that affected her a lot. I loved how the author used that and showed us that we need our mind clear and rested ro see the biger picture.
And some times, the answers are right in our faces.

[Miryam Drakon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the beginning, but I was completely thrown off by the sister’s betrayal. Even more so when she was taken to the prince forcefully.

The notes and letters had me so intrigued (my love language is giving/receiving letters), and I absolutely loved the chapter names.

I also really enjoyed the multiple POVs. Sometimes they can feel overwhelming if they aren’t done properly, but here it worked so well.

And DAMN that ending!! I’m so excited to read the sequel.

[ChaFay Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slowburn enemies to lovers. Dark fantasy. Secrets and so much more? Sign me up! I love books that are so different from others and this was one of them. Not only was it a slowburn to the action but it went into depth of Alora’s character and her life.

This book follows a young woman named Alora who wants to do more than just what her life has to offer. And she surely does get that opportunity but it’s nothing she assumes it to be. She gets thrown into a world unknown to her and forced to protect not only herself but something. Something bigger.

This was an amazing read. I enjoyed getting to learn about the characters that are introduced, the development between Alora and everything she has to go through, the mysteries that are still yet to be discovered and of course the main villian.. that is also still a mystery and one that you are wanting to know more about it. Every character is unique in their own way, making you invested in their journey and who they are.

This is a trilogy so of course I’m excited to see how this is going to end and see how much more development Alora will get especially with that ending. It makes you want to know more. This is a good read if you’re into dark fantasy with a slowburn and I mean a SLOWBURN enemies to lovers.

[Nicketa Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows of Silver by Daphne D. H.

I received this book as an ARC, so first off—thank you so much for the opportunity!

This story was beautiful and absolutely spellbinding. I love multi-POV narratives, so I was thrilled to see that used here—it definitely added more depth and richness to the story.

The side characters were a real highlight for me. They were well-developed and brought so much personality to the world. As for romance, it wasn’t a central element in this book—but honestly, it didn’t need to be. I actually appreciated being able to enjoy the story without trying to anticipate romantic subplots the whole time.

There’s action, mystery, a solid plot, and a vivid setting—it really had everything I enjoy. The pacing started off a bit slow, but once it picked up, it really took off and became amazing.

Definitely recommend!

[Kaycee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story has amazing world building and great character consistency. I wish there was a bit more information on the pages about what is going on and what led the characters to where they are. However, I think going into this realizing the story is from the main characters point of view changes that as you’re learning with her. I anticipate great things and far more information in the next book of this series and I’m excited to see where it goes.

[Tracy Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely intrigued from the very beginning. Alora has spent her life always wishing for more. Orphaned from an early age, with an adoptive sister who may or may not have it in for her, Alora has not had an easy start to life. When a sequence of events means Alora finally finds the courage to leave the tiny village, she finds herself embroiled in an adventure the foundations of which were set in place before she was even born!

There are some amazing side characters. I loved the multiple POV’s. Really intrigued into Ryu’s story, I feel there is so much more to him than we’ve seen so far.

I loved the mystery and intrigue, the plot was action packed while still giving the reader a detailed understanding of the immense world building which developed throughout the book. I look forward to reading further how the story unfolds with a certain dark and mysterious prince. The glimpses we’ve been afforded so far I just can’t make up my mind about him.

The romance on this was minimal, but the story didn’t need it. I have no clue as to where Alora’s journey will continue (and with whom) which I think is what makes this series even more appealing.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and can’t wait to read the next!

[Giulia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot:
Shadows of Silver is the first book in the fantasy trilogy ‘The Destiny of Darkness’‘ which follows the journey of Alora, an ordinary girl, who is forced to flee her home and enter a world of whispers, betrayal, and a curse that binds her to a kingdom lost in eternal winter. Trapped in a fate she never sought, Alora is driven to the edge by a manipulating and deceiving prince who thrives in the shadows. As she’s hunted across kingdoms and confronted with perilous truths, she must choose whether to defy his deadly game, or lose herself to the lies that ensnare her.


Thoughts:
Before I get started on this review, I should mention that I’m not a fantasy fan and I rarely read fantasy books, and when I do, I almost never rate them above 3.5 stars. However, I devoured this book in just three days, even reading the entire second half in a single afternoon. I would say that Shadows of Silver could be described as light but full of action and plot-twists, offers relatable and diverse characters, and lastly, highlights important themes such as Trust and Betrayal; Family, Sibling Rivalry and Relationships; Grief, Guilt and Trauma; and Belonging and Social Injustice.


Prior to exploring the themes, I want to share a few general thoughts:
– The author’s note does a great job of setting expectations without spoiling anything. I also found the list of trigger warnings at the beginning of the book very thoughtful.

– The use of foreshadowing, right from the prologue and consistently throughout the book, creates a mysterious vibe and instills curiosity in its readers.

– The dialogue is light and full of witty banter, which offers some comedic relief on what is considered relatively dark themes.

– Overall, the world-building is solid, though I think it could benefit from a bit more detail. That being said, I really enjoyed the descriptions of the different creatures.

– My only issues were a few small inconsistencies and the occasional POV switch within the same scene, which could be a bit confusing at times.

-Ultimately, I would definitely recommend this book, and I look forward to reading the sequel which is rumored to come out in 2026.


Family, Sibling Rivalry and Relationships:
Alora is orphaned from a young age and is left to live with Elowen and her daughter Seraphina. One thing that struck me was the contrast between Alora’s relationship with her adoptive mother and that of her adoptive sister. The author leans heavily into the idea that not all family is blood, something Alora herself reflects upon when she says: “Family is a strange thing… Some get good ones, some don’t. Life decides for you and you have absolutely no say in it… Elowen will always be my family though.”

However, this sense of belonging doesn’t extend to Seraphina. In fact, Alora often makes it clear that “Seraphina wasn’t [her] sister,” and throughout the story we see the kind of sibling rivalry that’s rooted more in resentment rather than affection. While “Elowen cares for [Alora] like [she’s] her own daughter”, Alora emphasizes that she and Seraphina “were never really family”, and although there were “some good moments”, they “always bickered and fought.”

Nevertheless, on the whole, Alora still wishes Seraphina well and there are slight moments of sibling banter and them getting along. It’s probably for this reason that Alora takes Seraphina’s betrayal so badly, kicking off the theme of betrayal and trust.


Betrayal and Trust:
This theme stands out in both family relationships and friendships. In fact, Daphne D.H. remarks that “Betrayal from family is the hardest to swallow” and that “Friends…? The word felt foreign, almost impossible. It was used so casually, so normalised by others. The friendship – real friendship – was both exciting and terrifying. Something [Alora] never truly understood.” This is proof that Alora has been burnt in the (immediate) past and as a result, might have trust issues. In fact, this is further highlighted by the phrase: “You must understand that trust is earned, not given lightly.”


Belonging and Social Injustice:
The author weaves strong social commentary into the fantasy setting, using the dangers of this world to reflect the darker sides of our own. Through the theme of social injustice, she points out that people are often “locked away for no reason at all, while real criminals [continue] to roam free above us in their golden rooms and shiny courts.” She also calls out the human race for its brutality and intolerance, noting that “our world is a violent place. Humans and other beings rarely coexist peacefully. Humans, especially, are driven by ambition and ego.”

Speaking of societal issues, the theme of belonging and authenticity, or the lack of it, is also explored. Alora reflects that “there’s this expectation to fit into a box. People don’t dare step out of it. It’s kind of sad,” and admits that “[her] whole life, [she’s] always wanted to feel loved – unconditionally, without reason.”


Grief, Guilt and Trauma:
Grief, guilt and trauma are all prevalent in Shadows of Silver. We see grief not only connected to death but even to lost relationships and loss of the self in many characters. In fact, when Alora commits her first murder and says that “the aftermath of killing someone felt strangely calm, or maybe the shock just hadn’t fully hit me yet”, it shows both a character shift as well as a coping mechanism often associated with death and guilt – shutting down emotionally.

Trauma is significantly tied to water imagery in this book, particularly with drowning. Alora’s triggers frequently appear around water. She recalls a childhood trauma: “A day that still haunts [her] – fighting against invisible hands, water choking [her], and the terror of drowning.” We see her trauma revisit her anytime she’s next to water: “For a full minute, [she] was somewhere else, before the suffocating feeling of water in my lungs took over. Memories flooded to the surface, panic arose, and [she] left the bathtub immediately, gasping for breath, searching the wall for balance.” Interestingly, her fear of love is also tied to water. At one point, she realises that “if [she] were to drown, it would be in his eyes and nowhere else.”


Honourable Mentions:

Enemies to Lovers slow burn: This dynamic seems to be present, and will likely be explored in much more depth in Book 2.

Character Development (in the main characters): Alora shows strong personal growth throughout the book, transitioning from submissive and passive to determined and assertive. Contrastingly, the Prince’s character declines as he descends into evil and madness.

Historical Context: The book briefly touches on the history of the kingdoms and their characters. I’m hoping (and expecting) that future books will expand on this worldbuilding.

[Raven Crow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows Of Silver or the short version of the name SOS is a dark fantasy book where there is Betrayal, friendships, trust broken, self-discovery and a LOT Of plot twists!! for sure🙂‍↕️

The main character, her name is Alora. She is the one we follow. She is the cure for lifting a curse from a kingdom everyone thought was lost for years!
But it isn’t easy, especially when you don’t know who to trust or not.

I was a dark romance reader (and still am) but there was something about how Daphne D.N described it so I decided to try it out.

I fell in love🥰

First, of the cover - Pretty🫶🏻
The map - Beautiful💙
The text size - Perfect!! I struggle with small text so this is also perfect.

There was a lot of moments where I just wanna throw the whole book in the wall, scream out in shock and anger, giggle🤭 over the smallest cuteness mentioned, laugh over the stupidest stuff the characters say and more🫶🏻

I personally recommend this book with my heart and I am SO Excited to see what’s gonna happen in the next book as we follow Alora and her friends on the journey to lift a curse over a frozen kingdom🌨️

You might be questioning everything you ever known about some of the characters too😉

[Sophie G.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had such a fun time reading Shadows of Silver!

Firstly, the world was really unique and magical. Every small detail added to the intricate world-building, and although you discover some things in the first book, I'm sure we'll find out so much more as the series continues.

The storyline about how Alora ended up at the castle was full of lies and omissions. The poor girl is just trying to explore the world! But it was refreshing and interesting to read.
We've only seen a glimpse of her powers so far, and I can't wait to see just how strong she really is. The dialogue between her and her 'dark side' was one of my favorite parts of the book. I want more of it!

The slow burn in this book is done so well. For a moment, you're not quite sure who the love interest is, but by the end, you realise who it is—and I am all for it!

The only thing I wished had been different was finding out M's secret in a big reveal rather than in his chapter, but that's just a personal preference.

[Linda Sääv · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book in 3 days! Even though the author states that this book isn't fast paced, it never had a dull moment. The writing is really good, it gripped me straight away and I got immediately sucked into the story. I felt for the FMC Alora very early on. This book is full of secrets, magic, mysteries and betrayal. You never knew who to trust. Alora lost her parents when she was a small child, to who she does not know, and one day she learns that her whole life has been a lie. But she herself has also kept a secret, her powers, and with everything that happens, they are threatening to take control. Will she be able to hold them back? Can she trust any of the new people she meet and befriends? And the prince in the castle? Definitely not prince charming.

[siyaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO good. It has alliances, intricate world building, and AMAZING character development. I adored the FMC, Alora, who proves to be extremely strong and determined no matter what comes her way. Her character development was SO good and I can't wait to read more about her! The writing in this book is AMAZING; It's super descriptive and easy to understand. Daphne did a great job with simplyfing the world building in this fantasy read! The multiple POVs were a fun addition as well. What I did not foresee? THE ENDING!?!?!?!?! Oh my gosh I cannot BELIEVE it. I'm going to be [impatiently] waiting for book two because AHHHHHHH. Thank you Daphne D.H. for providing me with a copy to review! I can't wait to read more of your work.

[Luna Lemmens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know where to start…. This book has gotten me out of my reading slumber and let me tell you something.
This book is such a rollercoaster of emotions!! I LOVED IT! The character development is so good and there is so much thought in the world and story 🤯

Also this book had me GUESSING !! I was always wrong ahahah like the plot twists are amazing and had me on the tip of my seat!

If you love dark fantasy with a baddie who has shadow powers… THEN THIS IS FOR YOU!!! Alora goes through so much but it so nice to read how she changes and goes through all the challenges.

I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND IT !!!

[D. S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The story took lots of unexpected twists and turns (I can't say too much without spoilers). I liked that our main girl isn't just amazing at everything without breaking a sweat. I appreciate that she struggled with her powers and how they took very tangible shape. Occasionally, I felt a bit disoriented as to the environment and where exactly she was in a room, but I have a feeling that at least towards the end that was intentional to bring across Alora's increasing mental disorientation.
The Prince is a very intriguing character. I can't wait to see where this is going in book 2.

[claire wilband · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic. This book was mind bogglingly beautiful.
The world building is first class and the style of writing flows in a way that makes it feel like you’ve only just picked up the book but actually 2 hours have passed.
While the start of the book feels a little slow, this is necessary for the world building and allows the story to progress quicker as you move forward.
I loved the multiple POVs in this book and would definitely read more from other characters in this world.
I can’t wait to read the next in the series!

❤️ I received an advanced review copy for free and I’m leaving this review voluntarily ❤️

[mels · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MUST READ!!!

I absolutely loved this book. It had everything, the enemies to lovers, the world building, it was everything. The mystery and the plot twists had me hooked for hours. The characters became a part of me and I found myself relating to them in more ways than just one.

This novel made me fall back in love with fantasy as a whole. I am starting a countdown for book 2 in the series ✨

[Tiffany J McLay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It is an amazing dark fantasy. It had me thinking about it even when I wasn't able to read.

I found it unique and exhilarating!

[Ams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The storyline, characters and world building are sooooo good in this book!! I couldn’t put it down.
Finished it in 2 days, highly recommend it!!

[John Szalasny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much more entertaining than your normal Stuff Your Kindle fair. If Alora learns to co-exist with her shadow, there will be no stopping her.

[Ines V · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I can't wait for the second book <3!

[Shawn Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes: Fantasy, slow burn, enemies to lovers. This is a story about a girl named Alora who lives a sheltered life in her small town, where she does t feel like she fits in until a traveler comes along and changes everything. He tells her if she comes with him he will show her the world but he ends up stealing her away to another kingdom thought to be gone. The MMC makes Alora play a game of quests for her freedom. She races against time to try and break the curse of the kingdom. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

I received an advanced reader copy for free and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kozyreadsxo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadows of Silver hooked me from page one and I'm still thinking about it days later.

Alora flees after devastating loss and ends up bound by curse to a kingdom trapped in eternal winter. The atmosphere is what grabbed me first. Creeping dread, haunted forests where shadows move on their own, ancient magic pulsing beneath everything. The world reveals itself gradually, keeping me as off-balance as Alora. I wanted more clarity on the magic system and political history, but what we get ignites the imagination.

The characters kept me completely hooked. Watching Alora transform grief into fury and determination was compelling. She's messy and emotional, grappling with dark decisions in a world where light and shadow blur constantly. Her growth into someone who can face literal darkness without flinching is one of the most satisfying arcs I've read this year.

The Prince is easily one of the most compelling and frustrating characters I've encountered. Ruthless, enigmatic, but not wholly evil. Watching these two circle each other with lies and secrets, with occasional cracks of genuine feeling, made for deliciously tense reading. The slow-burn enemies to lovers romance delivers perfectly. Tangible chemistry entangled with mistrust and witty sparring that had me yelling at the book in frustration and delight.

The pacing dips in the middle during quieter castle scenes, which kept this from five stars. Some plot threads feel underdeveloped, leaving me with "wait, what about this?" But I'm invested enough to be desperate for book two. This is dark fantasy that doesn't flinch from darkness, with characters walking the line between light and shadow. Easy 4 stars.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and it had me hooked from the start.

I loved all the mystery and intrigue. The world building is fantastic which developed with action paced detail throughout the whole book. Alora has not had an easy start to her life. Events happened to give Alora the courage to leave the tiny village.

The romance was minimal, but it wasn’t needed. I have no clue as to where Alora’s journey will continue (and with whom) which I think is makes this series so appealing for me to want to continue to read.

Daphne D.H.

[Faiza BEGUM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows of Silver

First book from The Destiny of Darkness trilogy series

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Ok I regret for not starting this book way sonner. But nevertheless I enjoyed myself while reading this book. This book is about Alora who navigate her life through ups and downs with difficulties and hardships. Honestly after everything everything she went through, she’s the strongest person. There were some point where I cried while reading. I’ve felt everything emotions. I couldn’t put this book down once I’ve started. And now I can’t wait for the next book and need it asap 😍😍😍

[Murielle Hendrickx · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect Shadows of Silver to pull me in the way it did. What starts as a story about loss quickly turns into something darker, colder and far more dangerous. Alora’s journey is filled with secrets, betrayal, and a kind of magic that feels both beautiful and cursed.

Nothing in this world is what it seems — not the people, not the power, not even the shadows themselves. And that prince… let’s just say I’m still not sure if I love him or fear him.

If you enjoy fantasy where every page feels like a secret waiting to be uncovered — read this one. But be warned: it won’t let you go easily.

Eager to see where book two takes us!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

I LOVED the final third of this book. It felt like a real unravelling mystery that kept me on my toes, and a few surprises that were very cleverly done.

The first half was a bit slow and repetitive but overall I think this is a really solid fantasy debut. I’ll definitely read the next one when it’s out 🙌

Thank you to the author for an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.