The Shadow of a Vicious King

Curse of the Fae #5

by Anya J. Cosgrove

Villains have more fun. Even the broken ones.

I’m a ghost.
A shadow stuck on this earth, cursed to rot.
No escape. No mercy. Just a gilded cage I call home.

Until she moves in. Little Fox.
Hair red as flame against the pillow she clutches at night.
Skin pale as the moonlight spilling through her window.
Lips red as blood, parted in sleep.

I want to touch her, crawl into her bed, and drink her tears.

Bad men want her dead, and I’ll kill anyone who tries to hurt her.
I'll save her. Or ruin her.

I only break the ones I love.
But I crave her beyond reason.

This novel is a full-length romantasy with a happy ending, and though it's part of an interconnected series, it can be read first.

Steamy. 18+. Full list of triggers inside.

Invisible Shadow Daddy
Hidden Identity
Forced proximity
Forbidden Love

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy

452 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 27, 2026

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Reviews

[Thalia Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

It all felt a bit hollow

Compared to the other books it feels like it took a while to get into the main story and then everything felt rushed. Perhaps its because its been a while since I read the other books in this series but it just didnt read as good as the others.

[Deolain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book even though the ending is horrible (by horrible, I mean frustrating and makes me want to scream) cliff hanger.

The ending felt a bit rushed but also brought answers to questions that I like.

Even though they say you can read the book of this series as a stand-alone, I feel you lose a lot of the feel if you do. You should read all the books because they do follow each other, not a lot, but the characters and their back stories do make a difference.

Ezra is such a teddy bear, but also, he doesn't take shit. I don't like how the book ended 😔
I hate that I have to wait for the next book, I want answers now 😫

[Avis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. The stories so far have been standalone ones. This one as in the previous ones is well written. This one is too intriguing to be just one book though. It would be advisable to read the series in order , so you know all of the characters. To help refresh your memory there is a list of characters. The married ones and the cursed ones.
We finally find out who or more accurately where E has been. I love Max, goddaughter to Devi.
I loved learning what her magic can do. Her determination, her spunk and her compassion towards E.
E is trying to survive being a ghost. I love his wit. I loved that Max calls him Boo. Her brother calls him Casper. He calls her little fox.
Iris was intriguing with her actions. We also get a visit from Willow and Mabel .
The worldbuilding was phenomenal. POV of both. The chemistry is off the charts even though he is a ghost, more or less. You will know what I mean when you get there. Action from the first page. Love the twists and secrets revealed. No spoilers, but they, Max and her brother ,go from the pot to the flame .
We learn about her and her brother's past.
Please read the triggers. They are throughout the book.
I can't wait to see what happens next. Will they get the HEA they deserve.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Leslie R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a bit of a let down compared to previous books in the first hundred pages or so, but it really picks up when they go to Faerie.

Clearly, I had forgotten some things from the last time we saw Elio because its hard to believe his dad was able to subdue him. Happy that someone finally killed the dad because he was one of the biggest 🍇ists in the series.

I will definitely read the next book.

This is one of the best Fae series out to date, particularly by an indie author.

[Elinor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love and possible redemption

So very much enjoyed this installment of the story. I knew there was hope for E, but oh that tragic cliffhanger. I guess I have to keep hoping for Max and E.

I love how the world keeps expanding and the characters are coming together and growing.

I can't wait for the next part of the stody.

[Jams · Rating 1 out of 5]

I generally liked the previous books in the series but this one just felt… stunted. Dialogue between the main characters felt silly most of the time, and how much of his form was visible at any given time was unclear and the parameters around how/why/when that fluctuated were so unclear.

[Jessica Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart hurts. 💔 I don’t want to wait a year for the next one… 😩
I’ve really been enjoying the flow of this series and how each book builds into the next.

[Katie Keenon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appreciate how it keeps you on the edge of your seat

[Savannah Tallant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it, however I feel like the first half was very detailed and balanced and the second half was very rushed.. now to await the next one

[Parv · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book really picked up towards the end, and now I'm excited for the final book.

[Tammy Thorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series

I was hooked on book one. Now I can’t wait until book 6. I love how the characters develop and are seen again in each book.

[Doodles McC · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

4/5 Good. E and Max's story. Orphaned witches Maxine and her brother Nick have been brought up in the human world by Mable Bloodsinger, with Auntie Dev etc who all turn out to be powerful fae. E is the amorous ghost she falls in love with. When the mist king attacks and swears to return they all flee to the fae world and unfortunately run into Nathan Lucifier Lightbringer. This book is a little sader than the others. Hint of vanilla & hot spice.