Shadowbound: A YA Shifter Academy Fantasy Series with Shadow Magic, Romance, and Rebellion

by Isabel Riley, Virtual Voice (Narrator)

She broke the Gate once.
Now the Veil wants her back—and this time, it won’t ask.

Ayla Starwyn has survived deadly trials, uncovered forbidden magic, and defied the prophecy meant to control her. But the Veil—a living, ancient force—has begun to crack open, and it wants its chosen Gateborn returned. If Ayla can’t contain the darkness rising inside her, it won’t just consume her—it will tear the world apart.

At Nyxridge Academy, tensions boil over as alliances shatter and secrets surface. Ayla must navigate shifting loyalties, elite shapeshifter politics, and the slow-burn pull of Rafe, the one person tethering her to humanity. But when an ancient enemy returns and a new seal begins to break, Ayla will have to sacrifice her soul to save the ones she loves—or become the weapon she was born to be.

Perfect for fans of Zodiac Academy, Crave, and Blood and Ash, Shadowbound delivers high-stakes romance, magical intrigue, and a fierce heroine who won’t be broken.

Audible Audio

Published July 31, 2025

About the author

Isabel Riley is an author of historical fantasy and gaslamp fiction with heavy steampunk elements. Her stories focus on coming of age drama with a healthy dose of romance and humor. When she's not escaping to a fantasy world of long ago, she can usually be found with her friends and husband while they get into mischief in and around their hometown of New Orleans.