Shadowed Relics

by G.J. Ogden, Sabrina Vale

Most PIs chase bad guys. Astrid Knightstorm chases demons.

Astrid Knightstorm handles the cases other private investigators can't. When your clients have fangs, claws, or magical abilities, you need someone who understands their world. Being a tough-as-nails Texan doesn't hurt, either. But when the Vatican hires her for a job that leads to a three-headed dragon, she realizes she's facing her deadliest challenge yet.

A dark alchemist has stolen an ancient artifact capable of manipulating time itself, and he's using it to settle a centuries-old vendetta that could unravel reality. As the trail leads from Rome to London, Astrid must rely on unlikely allies, including a fae assistant and a werewolf, to stop a power that threatens to destroy everything she's sworn to protect.

Some cases are about finding the truth. This one is about saving the world.

Shadowed Relics is the first book in the electrifying Knightstorm Arcane Investigations urban fantasy series. Perfect for fans of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, Patricia Briggs, and Ilona Andrews, this fast-paced adventure features a snarky wizard detective, supernatural mysteries, and a world where Magick hides in plain sight.

Genres: Collections

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 9, 2025

About the author

G J Ogden is a proud recipient of the Kindle Storyteller Award and has written over 50 books that have garnered over 15,000 5-star ratings. When he’s not writing, G J Ogden is usually getting whooped in games of Warhammer 40K by his son. Unless he’s playing Adepta Sororitas, then he wins.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)

I liked the MC and other characters for the most part.

Marked down for:
Some telling, not showing. Including at the end where it goes from showing, to telling. IMHO it would have worked far better to get to know the character that the MC decided to tell us what she said, if we'd 'heard' it from her, ourselves. She works with the MC, so its not like she was a 'throwaway' character who we'd not see again.
I felt the world building was a bit inconsistent.
To me, some character species traits at the end were really belaboured, that part of the word count could have been used to 'show' not tell of the above complaint. I mean, I get it, werewolves eat a lot, I didn't need the point repeating a few times within a few pages, especially when it was 'all' show. ---- Was it supposed to be amusing, endear the possible love interest to me? ---- It didn't, he finished off her ice cream, didn't read like there was just a dish full left, and a large amount of milk. He's a grown male, surely he could have left her enough for a coffee, but no he drinks the entire bottle. ---- She should stick with not dating him.
Also she shouldn't date the other possible love interest. The series doesn't need her to have a love interest!

First time read the author's work?: Yes

Will you be reading more?: Yes

Would you recommend?: Yes


------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)

All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked

Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of Shadowed Relics by Sabrina Vales and G. J. Ogden in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book.
Rating: 3.75 stars
Shadowed Relics is a generally enjoyable urban fantasy with some standout moments, though it occasionally struggles with clarity and consistency.
Astrid Knightstorm is a wizard and private investigator operating in a world where magick exists just beneath the surface of everyday life. When she’s summoned to the Vatican to deal with a mysterious magickal threat, she finds herself caught in a wider investigation that pulls in witches, fae, and even a werewolf.
The book has clear Dresden Files vibes right from the start. I enjoyed the humour, especially the playful pop culture nods, one Star Wars moment in particular made me laugh:
“You didn’t see a minotaur…” I say, in a deep, theatrical voice. “This was just a false alarm. This isn’t the library you’re looking for…”
While the writing is generally solid, a few issues kept me from rating it higher. There were several inconsistencies in the worldbuilding and plot logic that pulled me out of the narrative. I also found the prose a little too “tell-y” in places, I would have liked more insight into Astrid’s inner world, rather than being told how she feels. Because of this, I struggled to fully connect with her. We’re given very little backstory: How did she become a wizard? Does she have a family? In fact, the first chapter tells us more about her office than about Astrid herself. Supporting characters, too, felt somewhat underdeveloped.
The worldbuilding, while imaginative and with lots of potential, could have used more clarity. Key information, such as the difference between witches and wizards, arrives more than halfway through the book, and by then, the lack of detail had already caused some confusion.
That said, this is a promising start to a new series. Despite the abrupt ending, I’m intrigued enough to see where the story goes next and will be picking up the sequel.

[Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really well written. It moved quickly and coherently with great incorporation of various fantasy elements. It reminded me a lot of “Where in World is Carmen San Diego” the way Astrid was chasing down clues, fighting dangerous creatures, and ultimately foiling the evil plan. I liked the possibility of a sequel and look forward to another book!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Teri B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is urban fantasy just as I like it, fast paced, entertaining, with a vast variety of paranormal beings as we travel with Astrid Knightstrom from Austin to Rome to London and back to Austin.
Feels like a very nice set up for the next book in the series.

Loved the banter, the sparkling hearts and the ragged team that comes together to fight an alchemist gone dark. It may be a tad trope heavy, for me it worked.

[Olwen White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Medium-paced with likable characters and a believable plot. It lost stars because it's written in a first person present tense style. I just find that style annoying. The characters themselves are easy to tell apart. Well fleshed out and for a first book in a series, they are definitely beginning to come across as 'real' individuals. Especially Dean. I'm hoping there is more of Dean in later books!

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

Like anyone needs another paranormal private investigator, right? Not.

Actually, this might have been a pretty good read — the story and characters were fine — but I honestly don’t like present-tense writing very much.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading G J Ogden scifi books so I was curious with reading this new genre from this author and all I can say is WOW. This story will completely suck you in. It is a must read.