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Veils of Terr #1
Child of Shivay
Two hundred years ago, when mortals hunted the fea toward extinction, the Ancients sundered the veils of Terr, fracturing their world into five realms. Many fled beyond the Veil of War, but not all who remained did so with benevolent intentions. Shivaria is an elite assassin of the crown, forged for a single purpose: to end the life of the Feyn King. Upon foreign shores, she discovers a land steeped in power, forgotten truths, and whispered legends that defy everything she was taught. When she finds herself bound to the king's general, sought by the fea in the northern woods, and uncovering the hidden truths of her world, she is thrust into a choice that will define her: follow the path she has always known, or endure a breaking that will set her on a course destined by the Fates.
502 pages, Paperback
Published October 16, 2025
221 people are currently reading
3896 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 533 reviews
August 18, 2025
“𝙄𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙖 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙨.“
Child of Shivay by @jrcathers
5⭐️ | 3🌶️
-fea/feyn/humans
-fea bargains
-unique magic
-hidden identity
-fated mates
-forced proximity
-enemies to lovers
-lots of secrets
AHHHHHOMGGGG ANOTHER TOP READ 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 the way that I devoured this and ignored all responsibilities probably wasn’t healthy but I have zero regrets.
This is a classic case of “don’t judge a book by the cover” because you have NO IDEA what’s inside.
JR Cathers creates such an immersive, magical world with continents at war with each other. The lore, the mystery, the breadcrumbs, the characters, the TENSION, was all so beautifully written.
What I loved most about her writing style is that’s not just superficial and quipy one liners and tropes, but the depth of the emotion and the moment is in the whole page.
Shivaria (Vari) was raised to be one of the elite female assassins, her mission to seduce and kill the enemy king. But of course not everything is as it seems once she crosses the sea.
The flashbacks to her past had me spiraling from the very beginning and immediately addicted. You see the hard lessons she’s had to learn to become the fearless assassin she is and the heartbreak that hardened her. She’s intelligent, brave, and incredibly skilled but not perfect, as there were times I was shaking my kindle at her but I understood her reasoning.
“𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙥𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙩 𝙖 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧.”
As for our MMCs… I can’t talk about it yet. But you will swoon, from the snarky banter and dislike to the little moments of intimate vulnerability. (We’ve got one horse/cabin, gentle touches, he washes her hair, gives her presents).
“𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨. 𝙉𝙤𝙬 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚.”
And the last 20% will have you anxious, spiraling, on the edge of your seat and heart racing. And yes, I threw my kindle and screamed silently. It was the best kind of torture.
If you liked To Bleed a Crystal Bloom, Kindreds Curse Saga, Shield of Sparrows, Throne of Glass, and the Bridge Kingdom, then you’ll LOVE this one.
Child of Shivay by @jrcathers
5⭐️ | 3🌶️
-fea/feyn/humans
-fea bargains
-unique magic
-hidden identity
-fated mates
-forced proximity
-enemies to lovers
-lots of secrets
AHHHHHOMGGGG ANOTHER TOP READ 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 the way that I devoured this and ignored all responsibilities probably wasn’t healthy but I have zero regrets.
This is a classic case of “don’t judge a book by the cover” because you have NO IDEA what’s inside.
JR Cathers creates such an immersive, magical world with continents at war with each other. The lore, the mystery, the breadcrumbs, the characters, the TENSION, was all so beautifully written.
What I loved most about her writing style is that’s not just superficial and quipy one liners and tropes, but the depth of the emotion and the moment is in the whole page.
Shivaria (Vari) was raised to be one of the elite female assassins, her mission to seduce and kill the enemy king. But of course not everything is as it seems once she crosses the sea.
The flashbacks to her past had me spiraling from the very beginning and immediately addicted. You see the hard lessons she’s had to learn to become the fearless assassin she is and the heartbreak that hardened her. She’s intelligent, brave, and incredibly skilled but not perfect, as there were times I was shaking my kindle at her but I understood her reasoning.
“𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙥𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙩 𝙖 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧.”
As for our MMCs… I can’t talk about it yet. But you will swoon, from the snarky banter and dislike to the little moments of intimate vulnerability. (We’ve got one horse/cabin, gentle touches, he washes her hair, gives her presents).
“𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨. 𝙉𝙤𝙬 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚.”
And the last 20% will have you anxious, spiraling, on the edge of your seat and heart racing. And yes, I threw my kindle and screamed silently. It was the best kind of torture.
If you liked To Bleed a Crystal Bloom, Kindreds Curse Saga, Shield of Sparrows, Throne of Glass, and the Bridge Kingdom, then you’ll LOVE this one.
August 30, 2025
5/5 ⭐️
2.5/5 🌶️
Oooookay WHAT! Y’all. Calling all high fantasy lovers—I repeat, calling all high fantasy lovers: this is THE BOOK for you. 😍✨
From the very first page, Child of Shivay absolutely consumed me. The lush, emotive writing, the layered, immersive world-building, the secrets hidden around every corner, it all gripped me and refused to let go. Reading this was like being handed a beautiful puzzle map—every piece clicking into place, only to reveal a bigger, more tangled picture of truths and shocking revelations. And each discovery left me reeling: long awaited answers in one hand, ten new questions in the other. Pure mastery of storytelling. And the romance?! Equal parts swoon-freaking-worthy and “girl, grab yourself a fan.” The tension, the yearning—it gave me Mr. Darcy hand-clench levels of ache, sooo yeah, obsessed.
“𝐼’𝓋𝑒 𝒶𝓁𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝓎 𝓉𝑜𝓁𝒹 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝐼 𝒶𝓂 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈. 𝒩𝑜𝓌 𝓁𝑒𝓉 𝓂𝑒 𝓈𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓉 𝓂𝑒𝒶𝓃𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝑒.”
The story centers around Shivaria—an elite assassin of the crown, forged for one brutal purpose: kill the Feyn King. Fierce, unyielding, and an unstoppable force of nature, she survives with blades, wit, and sheer defiance. But when her mission collides with forbidden truths and ancient power, she’s faced with a choice that could shatter her, or forge her into something entirely new. Watching her break down the meticulously crafted walls she’d built, adapt to unrelenting realities, and finally begin to live was breathtaking; I loved her character arc so much.
“𝒟𝑜 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓂𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝒶 𝒽𝒶𝒷𝒾𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒶𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓃 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒹𝑜𝓃’𝓉 𝓉𝓇𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒𝒹?”
“𝐼 𝒹𝑜 𝓃𝑜𝓉, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝒾𝒻 𝒶𝓃𝓎𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝓅𝑒𝓇𝓈𝓊𝒶𝒹𝑒 𝓂𝑒, 𝒾𝓉 𝓌𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒷𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊.”
This book was a nonstop, heart-pounding rollercoaster I never wanted to end. That last 20%? PHEW. My watch kept alerting me that I was having a “stressful day” because—spoiler alert—I was stressed. I’m still collecting my thoughts and fighting the immediate urge to reread just to stay in its pages longer. I devoured this. I wanted to live inside this story. Zero notes. And book two??? I needed it yesterday.
Tropes to expect:
✨ high fantasy
✨ immersive world-building & rich lore
✨ hidden identities
✨ slow burn w/ spice
✨ he falls first (and hard)
✨ enemies-to-lovers
✨ humans, creatures (fea) , & fae (feyn)
✨ betrayals + fate
2.5/5 🌶️
Oooookay WHAT! Y’all. Calling all high fantasy lovers—I repeat, calling all high fantasy lovers: this is THE BOOK for you. 😍✨
From the very first page, Child of Shivay absolutely consumed me. The lush, emotive writing, the layered, immersive world-building, the secrets hidden around every corner, it all gripped me and refused to let go. Reading this was like being handed a beautiful puzzle map—every piece clicking into place, only to reveal a bigger, more tangled picture of truths and shocking revelations. And each discovery left me reeling: long awaited answers in one hand, ten new questions in the other. Pure mastery of storytelling. And the romance?! Equal parts swoon-freaking-worthy and “girl, grab yourself a fan.” The tension, the yearning—it gave me Mr. Darcy hand-clench levels of ache, sooo yeah, obsessed.
“𝐼’𝓋𝑒 𝒶𝓁𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝓎 𝓉𝑜𝓁𝒹 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝐼 𝒶𝓂 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈. 𝒩𝑜𝓌 𝓁𝑒𝓉 𝓂𝑒 𝓈𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓉 𝓂𝑒𝒶𝓃𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝑒.”
The story centers around Shivaria—an elite assassin of the crown, forged for one brutal purpose: kill the Feyn King. Fierce, unyielding, and an unstoppable force of nature, she survives with blades, wit, and sheer defiance. But when her mission collides with forbidden truths and ancient power, she’s faced with a choice that could shatter her, or forge her into something entirely new. Watching her break down the meticulously crafted walls she’d built, adapt to unrelenting realities, and finally begin to live was breathtaking; I loved her character arc so much.
“𝒟𝑜 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓂𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝒶 𝒽𝒶𝒷𝒾𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒶𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓃 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒹𝑜𝓃’𝓉 𝓉𝓇𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒𝒹?”
“𝐼 𝒹𝑜 𝓃𝑜𝓉, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝒾𝒻 𝒶𝓃𝓎𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝓅𝑒𝓇𝓈𝓊𝒶𝒹𝑒 𝓂𝑒, 𝒾𝓉 𝓌𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒷𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊.”
This book was a nonstop, heart-pounding rollercoaster I never wanted to end. That last 20%? PHEW. My watch kept alerting me that I was having a “stressful day” because—spoiler alert—I was stressed. I’m still collecting my thoughts and fighting the immediate urge to reread just to stay in its pages longer. I devoured this. I wanted to live inside this story. Zero notes. And book two??? I needed it yesterday.
Tropes to expect:
✨ high fantasy
✨ immersive world-building & rich lore
✨ hidden identities
✨ slow burn w/ spice
✨ he falls first (and hard)
✨ enemies-to-lovers
✨ humans, creatures (fea) , & fae (feyn)
✨ betrayals + fate
December 12, 2025
My Rating: 4.25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Series Status: Less than 24 hours, 511 pages devoured, and I’m still wondering how clean words had me clenching harder than half the smut I’ve read.
We Have:
✅ M/F Romance
✅ Enemies-to-lovers
✅ Friends-to-lovers
✅ He falls first
✅ Forced proximity
✅ Hidden identities & secret heritage
✅ Fated mates
✅ Fantasy swearing dictionary that had me giggling
✅ Sprites who stole the damn spotlight
✅ Thumb-circle possessiveness that ruined me
✅ Bargaining-away-your-soul levels of devotion
I started this book at 3 PM Friday and crawled out the other side at 1 AM Sunday, 511 pages later. With the exception of actual sleep, my weekend was consumed whole. That should tell you everything about how addictive this was.
From chapter one, I was hooked. The author doesn’t dump lore on you… she feeds you breadcrumbs so perfectly placed you can’t stop chasing them. Every page had me guessing: who’s lying, who knows the truth, and what the hell is Mi’ajna supposed to mean because if I don’t find out soon, I’ll combust.
This is high fantasy at its core… court politics, hidden identities, and a world so layered I didn’t expect to love it this much. We’ve got a little bit of everything: Fea, Feyn, Sprites, and every sharp-eared, secret-keeping creature in between. It’s magic and betrayal woven tight with assassins, bargains, and a romance that somehow manages to be both slow-burn and explosive.
So if you know me… and if you’re on my GR you damn well do 😈… I’m a smut gremlin. I want it filthy, I want it frequent, I want it now. Cock, clit, dick, fuck…. Inject that shit into my veins. And yet here I am, panties soaked, RUINED without a single illicit word on the page. Not one. Bayyybe, J.R. wrote these scenes so FUCKING FANTASTIC I was grinding like a church pew cushion at Sunday service. She served tension so raw I forgot to be mad about the slow burn. And when I say slow burn, I mean SLOW. AF. BURN. The slowest burn of my life, and I 👏 didn’t 👏 notice 👏. That’s sorcery! SORCERY I TELL YOU!!!!
The characters breathe, bleed, scheme, and seduce; not a single one is wasted.
• One golden retriever assassin who taught me anatomy lessons I did not get in school.
• One grumpy fucker who bargains with monsters like it’s foreplay and rubs thumb circles on hips like it’s prayer.
• A mentor who might be savior, might be traitor… jury’s still out and my trust issues are thriving.
• A certain someone who knows way more than he’s saying and probably deserves his own novella.
• Mischief sprites that waltzed in, stole the book, and walked out with full custody of my heart.
Not a single flat arc in the bunch… everybody’s hiding shit, everybody’s playing games, and every interaction had me feral.
The FMC fucking owned me. Strong as hell without being a cardboard “badass,” messy and insecure in a way that feels real, and smart enough to actually think shit through. She takes the hits, adjusts, and keeps moving. She’s soft but steel… vulnerable without weakness, sharp enough to cut throats if you push her. She’s the kind of heroine you don’t just root for… you kneel for. Goddammit, she’s HER. She is mother. She is everything. I’d follow this woman into Haliel barefoot, bleeding, and begging for more.
The plot had me feral in ways I didn’t see coming. I was nervous when she was nervous, anxious when she was anxious, hurt when she was hurt. My body was in it… sitting there sweating, heart pounding through my chest like it was me in danger. FML, it’s just words on paper, but I couldn’t stop. I had to know what happened on the next page.
But let’s set expectations… this isn’t nonstop action. It’s storytelling. It’s worldbuilding. It’s immersive in that slow, layered way where the deeper you read, the more questions you have… and you need those answers like air. And J.R., you MF, you didn’t give me many of the answers I wanted, but you sure as fuck gave me answers to questions I didn’t even realize I was asking. That’s wizardry.
The ending… was…. just different. Like we walked up to the edge of a cliff, stared over it, and then the lights went out. Fade to black. That’s not how cliffhangers cliffhang. That’s like walking out of the theater and realizing they cut the last five minutes of the movie. Like watching the credits roll when you know there had to be one more scene. But the thing is… while it’s not a cliffhanger… she leaves us begging, and it feels like the book itself is whispering, “shhh, I know, I got you.” BRUUH!
Obviously, I 100% enjoyed this ARC. This wasn’t even my typical read, and I fucking loved it. Every breadcrumb, every reveal, every soul-crushing almost-cliff… hooked. This is a solid story, a solid world, a solid fucking plot, and the kind of book you know is going to damage you in the long run.
Book one ate my whole weekend alive, and now I’ve got a year of emotional damage to look forward to. So I’m gonna salute J.R. with the biggest middle finger I’ve got… because fuck you for hurting me in the future, and fuck you even more for making me beg for it. See you in book two, bitch. (Totally joking of course… mostly😏)
Thank you to J.R. Cather for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. In exchange for a completely unbiased, totally rational, not-at-all feral review.
Series Status: Less than 24 hours, 511 pages devoured, and I’m still wondering how clean words had me clenching harder than half the smut I’ve read.
We Have:
✅ M/F Romance
✅ Enemies-to-lovers
✅ Friends-to-lovers
✅ He falls first
✅ Forced proximity
✅ Hidden identities & secret heritage
✅ Fated mates
✅ Fantasy swearing dictionary that had me giggling
✅ Sprites who stole the damn spotlight
✅ Thumb-circle possessiveness that ruined me
✅ Bargaining-away-your-soul levels of devotion
I started this book at 3 PM Friday and crawled out the other side at 1 AM Sunday, 511 pages later. With the exception of actual sleep, my weekend was consumed whole. That should tell you everything about how addictive this was.
From chapter one, I was hooked. The author doesn’t dump lore on you… she feeds you breadcrumbs so perfectly placed you can’t stop chasing them. Every page had me guessing: who’s lying, who knows the truth, and what the hell is Mi’ajna supposed to mean because if I don’t find out soon, I’ll combust.
This is high fantasy at its core… court politics, hidden identities, and a world so layered I didn’t expect to love it this much. We’ve got a little bit of everything: Fea, Feyn, Sprites, and every sharp-eared, secret-keeping creature in between. It’s magic and betrayal woven tight with assassins, bargains, and a romance that somehow manages to be both slow-burn and explosive.
So if you know me… and if you’re on my GR you damn well do 😈… I’m a smut gremlin. I want it filthy, I want it frequent, I want it now. Cock, clit, dick, fuck…. Inject that shit into my veins. And yet here I am, panties soaked, RUINED without a single illicit word on the page. Not one. Bayyybe, J.R. wrote these scenes so FUCKING FANTASTIC I was grinding like a church pew cushion at Sunday service. She served tension so raw I forgot to be mad about the slow burn. And when I say slow burn, I mean SLOW. AF. BURN. The slowest burn of my life, and I 👏 didn’t 👏 notice 👏. That’s sorcery! SORCERY I TELL YOU!!!!
The characters breathe, bleed, scheme, and seduce; not a single one is wasted.
• One golden retriever assassin who taught me anatomy lessons I did not get in school.
• One grumpy fucker who bargains with monsters like it’s foreplay and rubs thumb circles on hips like it’s prayer.
• A mentor who might be savior, might be traitor… jury’s still out and my trust issues are thriving.
• A certain someone who knows way more than he’s saying and probably deserves his own novella.
• Mischief sprites that waltzed in, stole the book, and walked out with full custody of my heart.
Not a single flat arc in the bunch… everybody’s hiding shit, everybody’s playing games, and every interaction had me feral.
The FMC fucking owned me. Strong as hell without being a cardboard “badass,” messy and insecure in a way that feels real, and smart enough to actually think shit through. She takes the hits, adjusts, and keeps moving. She’s soft but steel… vulnerable without weakness, sharp enough to cut throats if you push her. She’s the kind of heroine you don’t just root for… you kneel for. Goddammit, she’s HER. She is mother. She is everything. I’d follow this woman into Haliel barefoot, bleeding, and begging for more.
The plot had me feral in ways I didn’t see coming. I was nervous when she was nervous, anxious when she was anxious, hurt when she was hurt. My body was in it… sitting there sweating, heart pounding through my chest like it was me in danger. FML, it’s just words on paper, but I couldn’t stop. I had to know what happened on the next page.
But let’s set expectations… this isn’t nonstop action. It’s storytelling. It’s worldbuilding. It’s immersive in that slow, layered way where the deeper you read, the more questions you have… and you need those answers like air. And J.R., you MF, you didn’t give me many of the answers I wanted, but you sure as fuck gave me answers to questions I didn’t even realize I was asking. That’s wizardry.
The ending… was…. just different. Like we walked up to the edge of a cliff, stared over it, and then the lights went out. Fade to black. That’s not how cliffhangers cliffhang. That’s like walking out of the theater and realizing they cut the last five minutes of the movie. Like watching the credits roll when you know there had to be one more scene. But the thing is… while it’s not a cliffhanger… she leaves us begging, and it feels like the book itself is whispering, “shhh, I know, I got you.” BRUUH!
Obviously, I 100% enjoyed this ARC. This wasn’t even my typical read, and I fucking loved it. Every breadcrumb, every reveal, every soul-crushing almost-cliff… hooked. This is a solid story, a solid world, a solid fucking plot, and the kind of book you know is going to damage you in the long run.
Book one ate my whole weekend alive, and now I’ve got a year of emotional damage to look forward to. So I’m gonna salute J.R. with the biggest middle finger I’ve got… because fuck you for hurting me in the future, and fuck you even more for making me beg for it. See you in book two, bitch. (Totally joking of course… mostly😏)
Thank you to J.R. Cather for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. In exchange for a completely unbiased, totally rational, not-at-all feral review.
July 3, 2025
God Tier series in the making:
To witness the early stages of Child of Shivay was both a privilege and an unforgettable experience. JR Cathers has crafted something truly special—an emotionally rich, beautifully layered fantasy that left me completely breathless. The ending? I’m still reeling. Book two cannot come soon enough.
I live for immersive worldbuilding and the kind of emotional wreckage only the best fantasy can deliver, and Child of Shivay gave me all of that. From the first page, you’re pulled into the shadowed world of an assassin cloaked in secrets, where loyalty is blurred and trust is a dangerous game. Shivaria’s journey of self-discovery is magnetic; watching her unravel and evolve was nothing short of mesmerizing.
The world of Terr is a masterpiece in progress. The veils, the intricate language in the works… it’s all alive with a sense of myth and mystery that lingers long after the final page. It will live in your head long after finishing the book! And the chapter that dives into the past? I was shook in the best possible way. My mind is still spinning. There are bread crumbs of mystery so artfully dropped throughout the chapters, it’s addicting trying to speculate what is going to happen.
The Fae. The Feyn. The General. The betrayals. The slow reveals. The tension. Every thread is intentional, and every detail feels like poetry. The story flows effortlessly, it’s lyrical without ever losing clarity and easily ranks among the most well-written early reads I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing.
And dare I say it? If you’re a fan of Sarah A. Parker, or Throne of Glass… you’ll feel right at home here. Child of Shivay has that same rich emotional tension and intricate fantasy depth that stays with you.
This is more than just a story. It’s the beginning of something epic.
🌶️🌶️ for spice but it was a delicious slow burn with well detailed scenes.
To witness the early stages of Child of Shivay was both a privilege and an unforgettable experience. JR Cathers has crafted something truly special—an emotionally rich, beautifully layered fantasy that left me completely breathless. The ending? I’m still reeling. Book two cannot come soon enough.
I live for immersive worldbuilding and the kind of emotional wreckage only the best fantasy can deliver, and Child of Shivay gave me all of that. From the first page, you’re pulled into the shadowed world of an assassin cloaked in secrets, where loyalty is blurred and trust is a dangerous game. Shivaria’s journey of self-discovery is magnetic; watching her unravel and evolve was nothing short of mesmerizing.
The world of Terr is a masterpiece in progress. The veils, the intricate language in the works… it’s all alive with a sense of myth and mystery that lingers long after the final page. It will live in your head long after finishing the book! And the chapter that dives into the past? I was shook in the best possible way. My mind is still spinning. There are bread crumbs of mystery so artfully dropped throughout the chapters, it’s addicting trying to speculate what is going to happen.
The Fae. The Feyn. The General. The betrayals. The slow reveals. The tension. Every thread is intentional, and every detail feels like poetry. The story flows effortlessly, it’s lyrical without ever losing clarity and easily ranks among the most well-written early reads I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing.
And dare I say it? If you’re a fan of Sarah A. Parker, or Throne of Glass… you’ll feel right at home here. Child of Shivay has that same rich emotional tension and intricate fantasy depth that stays with you.
This is more than just a story. It’s the beginning of something epic.
🌶️🌶️ for spice but it was a delicious slow burn with well detailed scenes.
July 16, 2025
This is truly one of those books that changes your brain chemistry. I was locked in from page 1 and could not put it down. I would give it a million stars if I could!
The words are written in a way that truly allow you to lose yourself in the book, the world is beautiful, and the characters are so easy to love (or hate, whatever).
If you love a dark twisty fantasy with an amazing romance read this! Do it! You won't be disappointed.
The words are written in a way that truly allow you to lose yourself in the book, the world is beautiful, and the characters are so easy to love (or hate, whatever).
If you love a dark twisty fantasy with an amazing romance read this! Do it! You won't be disappointed.
January 4, 2026
Genre: Fantasy Romance
⭐️ 5/5
🌶 2.5/5
🧠 6/10
Cliffhanger: 4/10
Noteworthy: Book 1 of an incomplete series. Single first-person POV with a few chapters in 3rd person to provide context clues and to further along the story. Available on KU.
This book gave me so much more than I expected. It has a classic fantasy feel to me. It lacks the modern vibes of most books recently written in this genre and it's all the better for it.
Shivaria is an amazing character. She's so strong and resilient but the life she's led and everything she has been groomed to be are what steels her spine. That is until everything she's ever believed to be true starts to come unraveled. Her fight to maintain her purpose and sense of self provide us with a beautifully crafted slow build of revelations and character growth. There is a potential love triangle but I don't truly think it will pan out. Her relationship path seems rather clearly laid out. The MMC has his 'touch her and die' turned up to 100. Just my type honestly.
This book ends on cliffy but it's mostly some unanswered questions and expected confrontations after secrets are brought to light in the last act. This book is really really good and I would questionable things to get my hands on book 2.
Check out the bonus chapters on the Author's website. It's so rude! 😂
⭐️ 5/5
🌶 2.5/5
🧠 6/10
Cliffhanger: 4/10
Noteworthy: Book 1 of an incomplete series. Single first-person POV with a few chapters in 3rd person to provide context clues and to further along the story. Available on KU.
This book gave me so much more than I expected. It has a classic fantasy feel to me. It lacks the modern vibes of most books recently written in this genre and it's all the better for it.
Shivaria is an amazing character. She's so strong and resilient but the life she's led and everything she has been groomed to be are what steels her spine. That is until everything she's ever believed to be true starts to come unraveled. Her fight to maintain her purpose and sense of self provide us with a beautifully crafted slow build of revelations and character growth. There is a potential love triangle but I don't truly think it will pan out. Her relationship path seems rather clearly laid out. The MMC has his 'touch her and die' turned up to 100. Just my type honestly.
This book ends on cliffy but it's mostly some unanswered questions and expected confrontations after secrets are brought to light in the last act. This book is really really good and I would questionable things to get my hands on book 2.
Check out the bonus chapters on the Author's website. It's so rude! 😂
Read
October 9, 2025DNF @ 59%
October 12, 2025
This was such an impressive debut and such a fresh take on romantasy! The world-building immediately stood out vivid, layered, and full of history and politics that felt alive without ever becoming confusing. I loved the way the story wove together ancient magic, fae lore, and fatebound destinies in a world that felt entirely its own.
Shivaria was an incredible FMC to follow. She’s a trained assassin who’s learned to survive through skill and stubbornness, yet beneath that steel there’s heart, doubt, and determination. Watching her discover the truth about her world and herself kept me completely hooked. And then there’s Xeyvian, the grumpy, battle worn general who falls first (and hard). Their dynamic had that perfect mix of tension, trust, and slow-burn attraction that made every interaction feel earned.
The pacing starts slower while the world settles in, but once it hits its stride, I couldn’t put it down. There’s action, political intrigue, and the perfect sprinkle of romance and magic. The ending left me immediately wanting the next book. I wasn’t ready to leave this world or these characters behind.
If you love complex fantasy settings, strong heroines, and that “he-falls-first” energy mixed with destiny and slow-burn tension, Child of Shivay absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR. Thanks to the author for the gifted arc.
Shivaria was an incredible FMC to follow. She’s a trained assassin who’s learned to survive through skill and stubbornness, yet beneath that steel there’s heart, doubt, and determination. Watching her discover the truth about her world and herself kept me completely hooked. And then there’s Xeyvian, the grumpy, battle worn general who falls first (and hard). Their dynamic had that perfect mix of tension, trust, and slow-burn attraction that made every interaction feel earned.
The pacing starts slower while the world settles in, but once it hits its stride, I couldn’t put it down. There’s action, political intrigue, and the perfect sprinkle of romance and magic. The ending left me immediately wanting the next book. I wasn’t ready to leave this world or these characters behind.
If you love complex fantasy settings, strong heroines, and that “he-falls-first” energy mixed with destiny and slow-burn tension, Child of Shivay absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR. Thanks to the author for the gifted arc.
November 9, 2025
LOOOOVED! Went into this completely blind and I enjoyed it so much!
September 12, 2025
3.5⭐
Fantasy • Romance • World-Building
Two hundred years ago, when mortals hunted the fea toward extinction, the Ancients sundered the veils of Terr, fracturing their world into five realms. Many fled beyond the Veil of War, but not all who remained did so with benevolent intentions. Shivaria is an elite assassin of the crown, forged for a single purpose: to end the life of the Feyn King. Upon foreign shores, she discovers a land steeped in power, forgotten truths, and whispered legends that defy everything she was taught.
When she finds herself bound to the king's general, sought by the fea in the northern woods, and uncovering the hidden truths of her world, she is thrust into a choice that will define her: follow the path she has always known, or endure a breaking that will set her on a course destined by the Fates.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book, especially the flashback chapters that explored Shivaria’s time with her trainer. Those moments built her character and gave depth to why she is the way she is in the present day. Her mission to kill the king sets up the story well, but the unexpected romance with the general brought an interesting twist, and I liked the tension between her duty and her heart because it kept me engaged.
The world building is very detailed and at times a bit long. Some chapters dragged for me, but they usually contained important information that tied back in later, so the payoff was worth it.
Overall, Child of Shivay is an entertaining and complex read with strong character development, layered relationships, and a richly built world. I am curious to see where the story goes next.
Fantasy • Romance • World-Building
Two hundred years ago, when mortals hunted the fea toward extinction, the Ancients sundered the veils of Terr, fracturing their world into five realms. Many fled beyond the Veil of War, but not all who remained did so with benevolent intentions. Shivaria is an elite assassin of the crown, forged for a single purpose: to end the life of the Feyn King. Upon foreign shores, she discovers a land steeped in power, forgotten truths, and whispered legends that defy everything she was taught.
When she finds herself bound to the king's general, sought by the fea in the northern woods, and uncovering the hidden truths of her world, she is thrust into a choice that will define her: follow the path she has always known, or endure a breaking that will set her on a course destined by the Fates.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book, especially the flashback chapters that explored Shivaria’s time with her trainer. Those moments built her character and gave depth to why she is the way she is in the present day. Her mission to kill the king sets up the story well, but the unexpected romance with the general brought an interesting twist, and I liked the tension between her duty and her heart because it kept me engaged.
The world building is very detailed and at times a bit long. Some chapters dragged for me, but they usually contained important information that tied back in later, so the payoff was worth it.
Overall, Child of Shivay is an entertaining and complex read with strong character development, layered relationships, and a richly built world. I am curious to see where the story goes next.
July 2, 2025
I’ve read a few beta copies since joining Bookstagram, and at this point over a hundred arcs and hundreds of other books… thousands if we consider life pre-Bookstagram and of all the books I’ve read, I have NEVER felt as invested in a fantasy story as I was, as I still am, as I may always be… in JR Cathers’ upcoming masterpiece. I mean it with my whole heart when I say, if this book isn’t the next big thing, sitting on shelves next to all the big names… then we as a book loving community have failed. The treasure trove that is this book left me battling emotion after emotion, theory after theory, plot thickener after plot thickener… in the very best of ways. This book has been my favorite fantasy read in as long as I can remember and I do not say that lightly, I feel like I have rediscovered what it is to fall in love with a book with this one. ♾️⭐️. I can’t even rate it out of 5 because that is just plain inadequate. JR CATHERS… you amaze me.
Read
October 17, 2025There is literally nothing worse than not enjoying a book everyone seems to love.
I DNF'd this at 23%. I originally gently DNF'd it and then picked it back up a few weeks later, read two sentences, and set it back down. It's been a month and I haven't had any inclination to pick it back up.
I was so excited about this one, but it just didn't work for me. The romance with the mentor felt like it was just thrown in there. I didn't feel their chemistry at all. I also wasn't a fan of the FMC and the pacing felt so weird.
I tried to give this a fair shot, but I was over 100 pages in and couldn't do it anymore.
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
I DNF'd this at 23%. I originally gently DNF'd it and then picked it back up a few weeks later, read two sentences, and set it back down. It's been a month and I haven't had any inclination to pick it back up.
I was so excited about this one, but it just didn't work for me. The romance with the mentor felt like it was just thrown in there. I didn't feel their chemistry at all. I also wasn't a fan of the FMC and the pacing felt so weird.
I tried to give this a fair shot, but I was over 100 pages in and couldn't do it anymore.
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
July 22, 2025
There are books that you like, books that you love, books that become favorites. Then there are books that captivate your very soul in a way that you don’t see coming. Child of Shivay is that epic kind of captivating. You have a winning combination of compelling characters, beautiful world building, and plot that twists, turns, and keeps you guessing and second guessing your own internal theories days after you have finished it. The kind of book that you instantly want to re-read and keep an epic lore binder to connect all the threads. Child of Shivay is the first book in JR Cather’s Veils of Terr trilogy. You have an FMC that is the perfect blend of stabby and sassy. You have broody males that make you want to reach into the page and touch them. And you have a cast of supporting characters that you would legit lay down your own life for. Seriously, Tig is the best and I love her. No review I think could adequately do this justice so I’ll just say this: Read it. No Notes.
10/5 ⭐
10/5 ⭐
July 2, 2025
If I could give this 10 stars I would. I was lucky enough to be a beta reader for this novel and LET 👏 ME 👏 TELL 👏 YOU 👏
This is NOT one you will want to miss.
It has everything you want in a fantasy novel. The characters are well written, the world building is next level, the plot is thick and your emotions will be wrenched on in the best way possible.
It hooked me from page one and I could not put it down. By FAR the best book ive read this year and definitely in my top 5 ever.
It's dark when it needs to be, sexy when you want it to be, and atmospheric throughout.
It releases in October and is on track to be the next ToG or ACOTAR.
Do yourself a favor and read this.
This is NOT one you will want to miss.
It has everything you want in a fantasy novel. The characters are well written, the world building is next level, the plot is thick and your emotions will be wrenched on in the best way possible.
It hooked me from page one and I could not put it down. By FAR the best book ive read this year and definitely in my top 5 ever.
It's dark when it needs to be, sexy when you want it to be, and atmospheric throughout.
It releases in October and is on track to be the next ToG or ACOTAR.
Do yourself a favor and read this.
December 1, 2025
I was blessed to receive an ARC from J. R. Cathers and I am going to do my absolute best to leave a review worthy of this masterpiece.
Child of Shivay left me speechless. It had my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE tropes in this book: enemies to lovers, found family, one horse, grumpy MMC... the author keeps you guessing and wanting more the entire time. I could not put this book down and am blown away by the work of art it is.
I think this will be the next big romantasy series. J. R. Cathers creates the best plot, characters, creatures, and romance within this book. I cannot WAIT for book 2.
Releases October 16th on Kindle!!
Child of Shivay left me speechless. It had my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE tropes in this book: enemies to lovers, found family, one horse, grumpy MMC... the author keeps you guessing and wanting more the entire time. I could not put this book down and am blown away by the work of art it is.
I think this will be the next big romantasy series. J. R. Cathers creates the best plot, characters, creatures, and romance within this book. I cannot WAIT for book 2.
Releases October 16th on Kindle!!
October 16, 2025
Child of Shivay is a high stakes, adventure filled fantasy with compelling characters. My absolute top read this year, I was immediately sucked into the story and fell in love with the fierce FMC. This book is full of twists, secrets, and beautiful imagery. It hits all of my favorite tropes... forced proximity, slow burn, enemies to lovers, he falls first... I could keep going forever. If you enjoyed Throne of Glass, I highly recommend adding Child of Shivay to your TBR. You will not be disappointed.
October 8, 2025
OMG!!!! What a debut!! Seriously this book has me spiraling like a mad woman trying to figure out what will happen next! I have never been a theory reader (typically all vibes) but I’m telling you that you will not be able to help yourself on this one! IT IS INCREDIBLE!!!! The breadcrumbs! I highlighted sooooo much because there were so many times I was like “oh I might need to remember this”! I will be living in torture land until I get the next book in my hands!!
The freaking tension, slow burn and eventual reward in this book is INSANE!! There's forbidden love vibes, touch her and die, tell me to stop, what do you need, only one cabin, and so much more to have you squealing and your toes curling!! The fae bargains, the secrets, potential betrayals, the dreams, and the entire plot will have you not wanting to put this one down! The way the past and present timelines were interwoven added to the mystery. There is so much I want to say about the characters, but I do not want to spoil anything so just trust me that you NEED TO READ THIS BOOK!!
“If I ever thought I was strong, watching you sleep when you could have been in my arms was a greater test of strength than I ever endured before.”
“I’ve already told you that I am yours. Now let me show you what it means to be mine.”
The freaking tension, slow burn and eventual reward in this book is INSANE!! There's forbidden love vibes, touch her and die, tell me to stop, what do you need, only one cabin, and so much more to have you squealing and your toes curling!! The fae bargains, the secrets, potential betrayals, the dreams, and the entire plot will have you not wanting to put this one down! The way the past and present timelines were interwoven added to the mystery. There is so much I want to say about the characters, but I do not want to spoil anything so just trust me that you NEED TO READ THIS BOOK!!
“If I ever thought I was strong, watching you sleep when you could have been in my arms was a greater test of strength than I ever endured before.”
“I’ve already told you that I am yours. Now let me show you what it means to be mine.”
October 26, 2025
First in a series. Good story line but a little uneven in a few places in my opinion. Enemy to lovers romance with a moderate amount of spice.
August 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
“𝙄𝙛 𝙄 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜, 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙄 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚.”
Oh.my.gosh. This book is absolutely incredible! Beautifully written, with lore and breadcrumbs expertly crafted, it captivated me from the first page to the very last. I had the best time highlighting and chasing theories with my buddy reading bestie.
The characters have so much depth to them, and they each guard secrets that I’m dying to get to the bottom of. I love each and every one of them. Well…except for ONE…iykyk. I love a good found family and this one delivered many heart warming moments!
The romance is banter and tension filled, and BEAUTIFUL. The lengths they would go 𝘧��𝘳 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 knows no bounds.
“𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡 𝙗𝙚𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙡.”
“𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚,” 𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙛𝙩𝙡𝙮. “𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙩?” 𝙄 𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙢𝙪𝙧 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙚. “𝙄𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧.” 𝙃𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙤 𝙨𝙤𝙛𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙨𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙣. “𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙥𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙩 𝙖 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧.”
The world is magical and perfectly built, filled with mythical and magical beings that will steal your heart and give you all the fantasy feels. I would protect Tig and Eon with my life.
I desperately need the second installment of this series to get to the bottom of all of these questions I still have! Thank you so much to the author for the arc and the opportunity to read this early! I can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on this masterpiece.
July 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Child of Shivay by JR Cathers
I had the absolute privilege of ARC reading this book, and you definitely need to add this to your TBR!!
Now onto my review! Wow, this book is the most surprising book I’ve read this year! 🫶I was immediately pulled into the most beautiful world building and invested in every character. The writing is beautiful and truly immersive. I truly feel like I lost myself into the world, the twists and turns kept me on my toes, and made it IMPOSSIBLE to put down!
Read this book if you like:
💚Epic fantasy
✨Plot twists
💚Enemies to lover
✨He falls first
💚Fated mates
✨Hidden identity
Thank you Jess for letting me read your book baby! Can’t wait for it to be out in the world (and for the rest of the series!!!)
I had the absolute privilege of ARC reading this book, and you definitely need to add this to your TBR!!
Now onto my review! Wow, this book is the most surprising book I’ve read this year! 🫶I was immediately pulled into the most beautiful world building and invested in every character. The writing is beautiful and truly immersive. I truly feel like I lost myself into the world, the twists and turns kept me on my toes, and made it IMPOSSIBLE to put down!
Read this book if you like:
💚Epic fantasy
✨Plot twists
💚Enemies to lover
✨He falls first
💚Fated mates
✨Hidden identity
Thank you Jess for letting me read your book baby! Can’t wait for it to be out in the world (and for the rest of the series!!!)
September 24, 2025
Amazing! I can tell this book is setting us up for A LOT in the future. I’m so excited to see where this series goes. I feel like we have only scratched the surface of the world, the abilities, and the creatures that will appear in this story.
Shavaria is such a great realistic FMC - while she’s been trained all her life to be strong and unfeeling, she can’t fight the fact that she’s just a girl that sometimes doubts that. While we love an FMC who’s always strong and confident it’s great to see one who doubts and stumbles too. I know we will have SO much growth from her when she realizes what we, and our MMCs, know to be true about her.
And the GUYS!!! 😮💨🙂↕️😌😏 okay I have thoughts, but I’ll keep this spoiler free and just say: HOT! We have some “tear down the world for you” vibes in here and I am HERE FOR IT!
We also are building, what I think will be, an amazing Found Family!
I am so sat for where JR takes us going forward and will 10000% be at the front of the line for future books because I HAVE to know what Vari is going to get up to! I love her, I love the characters, I love the world! ✨🌿
Shavaria is such a great realistic FMC - while she’s been trained all her life to be strong and unfeeling, she can’t fight the fact that she’s just a girl that sometimes doubts that. While we love an FMC who’s always strong and confident it’s great to see one who doubts and stumbles too. I know we will have SO much growth from her when she realizes what we, and our MMCs, know to be true about her.
And the GUYS!!! 😮💨🙂↕️😌😏 okay I have thoughts, but I’ll keep this spoiler free and just say: HOT! We have some “tear down the world for you” vibes in here and I am HERE FOR IT!
We also are building, what I think will be, an amazing Found Family!
I am so sat for where JR takes us going forward and will 10000% be at the front of the line for future books because I HAVE to know what Vari is going to get up to! I love her, I love the characters, I love the world! ✨🌿
December 31, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
🌶️🌶️
Romantasy
Book 1
Tropes:
- Enemies to Lovers
- Training Montages
- Magical Beings
- Plot Twists & Betrayals
The main character has been training as an assassin her whole life. She is sent to infultrate a court, seduce, and kill a king. But, what and who she finds is not what she expects.
I really liked the MMC & MFC and their romance. Also, the twist at the end/in the bonus chapter was crazy. I enjoyed the various training montages, and I liked the character of the Shadow Master- I am hoping to learn more about him in book 2. I was a little confused regarding who was who at the end with the various members of the court. I could not keep track of the secondary court characters. I also was a bit confused about the world and who has been involved in the various previous wars. I am hoping the plot will become more clear in book 2, and I am very much looking forward to reading it!
🌶️🌶️
Romantasy
Book 1
Tropes:
- Enemies to Lovers
- Training Montages
- Magical Beings
- Plot Twists & Betrayals
The main character has been training as an assassin her whole life. She is sent to infultrate a court, seduce, and kill a king. But, what and who she finds is not what she expects.
I really liked the MMC & MFC and their romance. Also, the twist at the end/in the bonus chapter was crazy. I enjoyed the various training montages, and I liked the character of the Shadow Master- I am hoping to learn more about him in book 2. I was a little confused regarding who was who at the end with the various members of the court. I could not keep track of the secondary court characters. I also was a bit confused about the world and who has been involved in the various previous wars. I am hoping the plot will become more clear in book 2, and I am very much looking forward to reading it!
October 23, 2025
landing at a 3 for this one! I had a good time for the most part, but some pieces were pretty predictable. I found myself wanting to shake the FMC’s shoulders bc she wasn’t using her brain to connect dots 😀
loved the magic system and the way the world was set up, especially with the sprites. some of the pacing was off and parts of the narrative didn’t make sense to me (the initial romance with the professor felt so out of place to the rest of the book). I loved the way the MMC talked and the way he yearned but I wanted!!! more yearning!!! more tension!!! it felt like it went from reluctant allies to I can’t breathe without you in the span of a single page. I would have loved more internal dialogue for Shivaria on her feelings of him before it just all happened BUT ALAS.
I’m super curious to see where it goes based on the ending so catch me reading book 2!
thank you so much to the author for the advanced copy!
loved the magic system and the way the world was set up, especially with the sprites. some of the pacing was off and parts of the narrative didn’t make sense to me (the initial romance with the professor felt so out of place to the rest of the book). I loved the way the MMC talked and the way he yearned but I wanted!!! more yearning!!! more tension!!! it felt like it went from reluctant allies to I can’t breathe without you in the span of a single page. I would have loved more internal dialogue for Shivaria on her feelings of him before it just all happened BUT ALAS.
I’m super curious to see where it goes based on the ending so catch me reading book 2!
thank you so much to the author for the advanced copy!
October 17, 2025
Hands-down, a 5-star read.
The world building that takes place in this book is captivating. I couldn’t put the book down! There were so many adventures, and you feel like you are right there because of the way it’s written.
The world building that takes place in this book is captivating. I couldn’t put the book down! There were so many adventures, and you feel like you are right there because of the way it’s written.
October 10, 2025
Stunning 🤌🏻 Beautiful 🤌🏻 Not your average Romantasy 🤌🏻
When I tell you I ate this book uppp omg. And I'm still not over it!! It's been living rent-free in my head since I finished it last week. My husband (& prob Josclyn) are sick of hearing me talk about it 😂
Reading Child of Shivay was like playing Clue. I was side eyeing & pointing fingers at every character 😂 and also screaming "WHAT DOES THIS WORD MEAN" every chapter 💀
The writing style and world building are so beautiful & suck you in immediately! There are so many things I want to say about this book & so many theories, but I don't want to spoil anything—so do me a favor (and yourself) and just read it please 😩😩
"I have always been, will always be, a sharp blade hidden in a vase full of lovely flowers."
“You may feel otherwise, but your life is worth saving, and I would take that blade again a hundred times over to see you walk away unharmed.”
“I’ve already told you that I am yours.” He leans over me, my breasts pebbling against his chest as it brushes against me. “Now let me show you what it means to be mine.”
When I tell you I ate this book uppp omg. And I'm still not over it!! It's been living rent-free in my head since I finished it last week. My husband (& prob Josclyn) are sick of hearing me talk about it 😂
Reading Child of Shivay was like playing Clue. I was side eyeing & pointing fingers at every character 😂 and also screaming "WHAT DOES THIS WORD MEAN" every chapter 💀
The writing style and world building are so beautiful & suck you in immediately! There are so many things I want to say about this book & so many theories, but I don't want to spoil anything—so do me a favor (and yourself) and just read it please 😩😩
"I have always been, will always be, a sharp blade hidden in a vase full of lovely flowers."
“You may feel otherwise, but your life is worth saving, and I would take that blade again a hundred times over to see you walk away unharmed.”
“I’ve already told you that I am yours.” He leans over me, my breasts pebbling against his chest as it brushes against me. “Now let me show you what it means to be mine.”
October 8, 2025
2.5⭐️ rounded down.
This one had all the makings of a romantasy I’d normally love, but the execution didn’t quite land for me. There was so much exposition early on that the story took a long time to find its rhythm, and even when it did, I found myself wishing for more drive, tension, and emotional spark.
—
🙌 What I Liked
The world itself had promise. I liked the concept of the warring nations and the deeper layers of history, culture, and power that shaped their conflict—the sort of immersive detail that gives a world its texture. The prose was also generally good and often descriptive in a way that made scenes easy to picture.
The FMC being torn between her duty and her growing entanglement with the MMC was interesting; it’s a trope that can be deliciously tense when done well, and there were some flashes of that here. There were also moments toward the end where the story finally felt like it was hitting its stride—the threads of mystery beginning to converge and long-held secrets spilling out. If the pacing throughout had been more even, I think those emotional and narrative payoffs could’ve landed with much more weight.
❌ What Didn’t Hit
While I can appreciate slow-burn plot and world-building, this story suffered from “first book-itis”—an overabundance of groundwork with too little payoff spread throughout. The world-building and political backdrop were intriguing, but the delivery leaned heavily on exposition and long stretches of history that weren’t revealed in particularly dynamic ways. It often felt like I was being told about the world rather than discovering it through the story, and that tell-heavy approach made the pacing drag. Between the constant riddles, cryptic conversations, and endless buildup, much of the book felt monotonous and oddly low-energy.
The protagonist herself also felt strangely passive, and despite spending most of the book in her head, I never felt especially connected to her. Her role as an “elite assassin” was a bit of a stretch—she was more like a long-term undercover agent; and a bad one at that because she spent a surprising amount of time idling, sparring, or helping plan events, rather than actively pursuing her mission (it also helped that her target was conveniently absent for the entire book). Her relationships with others—particularly the MMC—seemed to drive more of the plot than her own goals, which made it hard to buy into her supposed skill.
Another aspect that didn’t quite work for me was the portrayal of her sexuality. We’re told that assassination by seduction is an accepted tactic in her line of work, which implies a level of knowledge and control over her own body (perhaps even a Seduction 101 class in her training)—and yet she’s incredibly naive about it. And even if she didn’t receive training in that, it just didn’t feel believable that a woman in her mid-twenties would have so little understanding of her own desires or physicality. So the scenes on the boat when Vakesh teaches her how to touch herself felt awkward, contrived, and cringe-worthy—especially since his entire presence on the ship seemed to exist solely for that purpose.
I also wasn’t particularly enamoured with the MMC. He felt very cookie-cutter—the kind of brooding, powerful figure we’ve all seen before, without much to distinguish him. Their romance, too, felt underdeveloped. The first intimate scene between them came out of nowhere with an intensity that just didn’t feel earned—I mean, it was obvious that his opinion of her was starting to shift and he was doing small, kind things for her, but there was nothing like that from her side. The second half of the book then shifted heavily towards sex, but the scenes were too many and repetitive.
And while the writing was good overall, at times it tipped into being a little too elaborate. There were passages where the writing felt overwritten, describing things that didn’t really need to be dressed up so heavily.
👀 Do I Recommend It?
I think this one will work best for readers who love richly written fantasy worlds and don’t mind a slow pace or heavy dose of romance along the way. If you’re looking for fast-moving intrigue, sharp political strategy, or a protagonist who truly *feels* like an assassin, this might not hit the mark.
For me, it’s a book that had strong ideas and ambition but lacked the energy and narrative tension to pull me all the way in. There’s potential in the world, and with a bit more balance in pacing and character depth, future instalments could be much more engaging—I just don’t know if I’m that interested in continuing.
—
I was gifted an ARC of this book—many thanks to J. R. Cathers for the copy. All opinions are my own.
This one had all the makings of a romantasy I’d normally love, but the execution didn’t quite land for me. There was so much exposition early on that the story took a long time to find its rhythm, and even when it did, I found myself wishing for more drive, tension, and emotional spark.
—
🙌 What I Liked
The world itself had promise. I liked the concept of the warring nations and the deeper layers of history, culture, and power that shaped their conflict—the sort of immersive detail that gives a world its texture. The prose was also generally good and often descriptive in a way that made scenes easy to picture.
The FMC being torn between her duty and her growing entanglement with the MMC was interesting; it’s a trope that can be deliciously tense when done well, and there were some flashes of that here. There were also moments toward the end where the story finally felt like it was hitting its stride—the threads of mystery beginning to converge and long-held secrets spilling out. If the pacing throughout had been more even, I think those emotional and narrative payoffs could’ve landed with much more weight.
❌ What Didn’t Hit
While I can appreciate slow-burn plot and world-building, this story suffered from “first book-itis”—an overabundance of groundwork with too little payoff spread throughout. The world-building and political backdrop were intriguing, but the delivery leaned heavily on exposition and long stretches of history that weren’t revealed in particularly dynamic ways. It often felt like I was being told about the world rather than discovering it through the story, and that tell-heavy approach made the pacing drag. Between the constant riddles, cryptic conversations, and endless buildup, much of the book felt monotonous and oddly low-energy.
The protagonist herself also felt strangely passive, and despite spending most of the book in her head, I never felt especially connected to her. Her role as an “elite assassin” was a bit of a stretch—she was more like a long-term undercover agent; and a bad one at that because she spent a surprising amount of time idling, sparring, or helping plan events, rather than actively pursuing her mission (it also helped that her target was conveniently absent for the entire book). Her relationships with others—particularly the MMC—seemed to drive more of the plot than her own goals, which made it hard to buy into her supposed skill.
Another aspect that didn’t quite work for me was the portrayal of her sexuality. We’re told that assassination by seduction is an accepted tactic in her line of work, which implies a level of knowledge and control over her own body (perhaps even a Seduction 101 class in her training)—and yet she’s incredibly naive about it. And even if she didn’t receive training in that, it just didn’t feel believable that a woman in her mid-twenties would have so little understanding of her own desires or physicality. So the scenes on the boat when Vakesh teaches her how to touch herself felt awkward, contrived, and cringe-worthy—especially since his entire presence on the ship seemed to exist solely for that purpose.
I also wasn’t particularly enamoured with the MMC. He felt very cookie-cutter—the kind of brooding, powerful figure we’ve all seen before, without much to distinguish him. Their romance, too, felt underdeveloped. The first intimate scene between them came out of nowhere with an intensity that just didn’t feel earned—I mean, it was obvious that his opinion of her was starting to shift and he was doing small, kind things for her, but there was nothing like that from her side. The second half of the book then shifted heavily towards sex, but the scenes were too many and repetitive.
And while the writing was good overall, at times it tipped into being a little too elaborate. There were passages where the writing felt overwritten, describing things that didn’t really need to be dressed up so heavily.
👀 Do I Recommend It?
I think this one will work best for readers who love richly written fantasy worlds and don’t mind a slow pace or heavy dose of romance along the way. If you’re looking for fast-moving intrigue, sharp political strategy, or a protagonist who truly *feels* like an assassin, this might not hit the mark.
For me, it’s a book that had strong ideas and ambition but lacked the energy and narrative tension to pull me all the way in. There’s potential in the world, and with a bit more balance in pacing and character depth, future instalments could be much more engaging—I just don’t know if I’m that interested in continuing.
—
I was gifted an ARC of this book—many thanks to J. R. Cathers for the copy. All opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2025
Thank you so much to the author for sendning me an early ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited to start this book the second I got my hands on it. A romantasy set in an expansive fae universe filled with rich lore, with a kick-ass FMC and an enemies to lovers romance? Sold!
And I can't say I was disappointed.
Shivaria is on an undercover mission. She has been sent across enemy lines to assassinate the feyn king. However, as she begins infiltrating the feyn society and meeting the people – a welcoming pair of twins and the surly yet handsome general – she discovers a different reality that defies everything she was ever taught to believe.
It did take me a little while to find my footing in the world (it has a pronunciation guide for a reason) but once on solid ground I would have gladly run a marathon, or multiple even.
I truly think this book has everything you could want. It gives you everything you want and expect from a story of this genre but then elevates the story with so much originality and imagination. It just builds and builds on top of your expectations.
I am so enthralled by how the story manages to center its plot around trust, as its main theme, all the way through. It expertly seeps into almost every aspect of Shivaria's journey. Her identity, her history, her worldview, her relationships. It's fascinating to see her point of view as she grapples with who and what she can actually trust and navigates all the truths and false truths she'd come to accept.
This is an absolutely marvellous debut. It very much reads like the first book in a series – I feel like we've only just scratched the surface – but I am so invested. I am left with nothing but a craving for more, to know what happens next (beware of the cliffhanger, enter this peril at your own risk). I’ll be (im)patiently waiting for the next one!
I was so excited to start this book the second I got my hands on it. A romantasy set in an expansive fae universe filled with rich lore, with a kick-ass FMC and an enemies to lovers romance? Sold!
And I can't say I was disappointed.
Shivaria is on an undercover mission. She has been sent across enemy lines to assassinate the feyn king. However, as she begins infiltrating the feyn society and meeting the people – a welcoming pair of twins and the surly yet handsome general – she discovers a different reality that defies everything she was ever taught to believe.
It did take me a little while to find my footing in the world (it has a pronunciation guide for a reason) but once on solid ground I would have gladly run a marathon, or multiple even.
I truly think this book has everything you could want. It gives you everything you want and expect from a story of this genre but then elevates the story with so much originality and imagination. It just builds and builds on top of your expectations.
I am so enthralled by how the story manages to center its plot around trust, as its main theme, all the way through. It expertly seeps into almost every aspect of Shivaria's journey. Her identity, her history, her worldview, her relationships. It's fascinating to see her point of view as she grapples with who and what she can actually trust and navigates all the truths and false truths she'd come to accept.
This is an absolutely marvellous debut. It very much reads like the first book in a series – I feel like we've only just scratched the surface – but I am so invested. I am left with nothing but a craving for more, to know what happens next (beware of the cliffhanger, enter this peril at your own risk). I’ll be (im)patiently waiting for the next one!
November 7, 2025
Child of Shivay was my very first ARC (Advanced Reading Copy), and it completely won me over. This book checks every box from my personal rating system: I’d recommend it to a friend, I’ll be rereading and continuing the series, and I’ll definitely be speculating theories until the next book comes out.
Shivaria is an assassin trained from childhood with one mission: seduce and kill a king. But as with any good romantasy setup, things don’t exactly go as planned. Along the way, she draws the attention of a broody MMC (the kind we all love), and once she cracks through that hard exterior, the shift between them creates moments that are both tender and spicy—I was grinning and blushing more than once.
The worldbuilding is layered and immersive. Cathers gives us fresh mythology while weaving in familiar fantasy elements like fae bargains and wood sprites, making it easy to sink into. What stood out most for me, though, was the political intrigue. Like in Fourth Wing, we’re reminded that history often depends on who’s telling it, and watching Shivaria wrestle with that truth kept me turning the pages.
The ending leaves you with a cliffhanger and a lot of questions—setting the stage for what feels like a much bigger series to come. I already know I’ll be impatiently waiting for book two.
Verdict: A strong assassin FMC, a romance full of tension and heart, and a world rich with secrets. If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers dynamics, political intrigue, and fantasy worlds that challenge what you think you know, this is one to add to your TBR.
Release date: October 16, 2025.
Shivaria is an assassin trained from childhood with one mission: seduce and kill a king. But as with any good romantasy setup, things don’t exactly go as planned. Along the way, she draws the attention of a broody MMC (the kind we all love), and once she cracks through that hard exterior, the shift between them creates moments that are both tender and spicy—I was grinning and blushing more than once.
The worldbuilding is layered and immersive. Cathers gives us fresh mythology while weaving in familiar fantasy elements like fae bargains and wood sprites, making it easy to sink into. What stood out most for me, though, was the political intrigue. Like in Fourth Wing, we’re reminded that history often depends on who’s telling it, and watching Shivaria wrestle with that truth kept me turning the pages.
The ending leaves you with a cliffhanger and a lot of questions—setting the stage for what feels like a much bigger series to come. I already know I’ll be impatiently waiting for book two.
Verdict: A strong assassin FMC, a romance full of tension and heart, and a world rich with secrets. If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers dynamics, political intrigue, and fantasy worlds that challenge what you think you know, this is one to add to your TBR.
Release date: October 16, 2025.
September 12, 2025
Totally forgot to update this but
6 STARS!!!!!! ✨
This book is amazing. You are gripped from start to finish. I love when you can’t really trust anything 🤭
The world build is one of my absolute favorites of all time. Just beautiful, descriptive, mesmerizing. I found myself feeling as though I was right there right along side the characters and that’s the goal for me when reading!!
The plot, the twists, the END?? You’re not ready, but now’s the time to get ready!!
She releases mid October!!
Y’all I loved this so much I preordered a paperback AND special edition.. so…
6 STARS!!!!!! ✨
This book is amazing. You are gripped from start to finish. I love when you can’t really trust anything 🤭
The world build is one of my absolute favorites of all time. Just beautiful, descriptive, mesmerizing. I found myself feeling as though I was right there right along side the characters and that’s the goal for me when reading!!
The plot, the twists, the END?? You’re not ready, but now’s the time to get ready!!
She releases mid October!!
Y’all I loved this so much I preordered a paperback AND special edition.. so…
October 31, 2025
I really wanted to like this more. The first half of the book set up a lot of interesting possibilities but then nothing. The set up with the world building and history was also interesting but nothing seemed to happen with the information. The FMC is the most oblivious and naive elite assassin in history. The magic system was barely talked about at all with the explanation that it’s a secret. This may all be easily remedied in the next book but I wished there would have been more to capture my attention in this one. That being said, I will likely read the next one with the hope the story makes some progress.
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