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Heirs of the Second Dawn #1
The Light Under the Shadow Wing
Not yet published
Expected 23 Feb 26DANGER, DESIRE, AND KINGDOMS ON THE BRINK OF WAR.
Enter a world of secrets, betrayal, and high-stakes action in this sizzling, slow burn romantasy from USA Today bestselling author Amanda Bouchet.
A woman searching for answers.
Idallia has been serving in the Dragon King’s Elite Wing of dragon shifters for nearly two hundred years. She doesn’t have fire or flight of her own, but she’s a phoenix rider with enough speed and skill to make her enemies think twice about tangling with her or her warbirds.
Centuries of life without knowing who or what you are is complicated enough without harboring a growing secret attraction, but the more time Idallia spends with Bale Cinderheart, the harder it is to stay away from the fiercely protective Dragon King. Dominant, intense…and the one man with the power to ruin everything.
A king safeguarding his treasures.
Bale has centuries of ruling under his scales and more responsibilities than he has fangs. His greatest triumph is his Elite Wing and their warbirds, but his biggest fear is losing them. Especially Idallia. She’s his forbidden desire and the one person he can’t seem to let go of—even for his own good.
While the man in him guards his heart as relentlessly as the dragon in him guards his kingdom, he's also the keeper of the answers Idallia has been seeking her whole life. Revealing the truth now could cost him everything—his home, his crown, his heart…
The threat of war looms as magic fades from the world of Ellonrift. Will the Dragon King preserve the fragile peace between the kingdoms? Or burn it all down, for her…
“Romantasy readers will love the mix of secrets, secret longings, and dragon shifters in The Light Under the Shadow Wing.”—New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Estep
The Heirs of the Second Dawn are interconnected standalone fantasy romance novels with no cliffhangers.
Enter a world of secrets, betrayal, and high-stakes action in this sizzling, slow burn romantasy from USA Today bestselling author Amanda Bouchet.
A woman searching for answers.
Idallia has been serving in the Dragon King’s Elite Wing of dragon shifters for nearly two hundred years. She doesn’t have fire or flight of her own, but she’s a phoenix rider with enough speed and skill to make her enemies think twice about tangling with her or her warbirds.
Centuries of life without knowing who or what you are is complicated enough without harboring a growing secret attraction, but the more time Idallia spends with Bale Cinderheart, the harder it is to stay away from the fiercely protective Dragon King. Dominant, intense…and the one man with the power to ruin everything.
A king safeguarding his treasures.
Bale has centuries of ruling under his scales and more responsibilities than he has fangs. His greatest triumph is his Elite Wing and their warbirds, but his biggest fear is losing them. Especially Idallia. She’s his forbidden desire and the one person he can’t seem to let go of—even for his own good.
While the man in him guards his heart as relentlessly as the dragon in him guards his kingdom, he's also the keeper of the answers Idallia has been seeking her whole life. Revealing the truth now could cost him everything—his home, his crown, his heart…
The threat of war looms as magic fades from the world of Ellonrift. Will the Dragon King preserve the fragile peace between the kingdoms? Or burn it all down, for her…
“Romantasy readers will love the mix of secrets, secret longings, and dragon shifters in The Light Under the Shadow Wing.”—New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Estep
The Heirs of the Second Dawn are interconnected standalone fantasy romance novels with no cliffhangers.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 23, 2026
10 people are currently reading
724 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Bouchet
22 books3,842 followersAmanda Bouchet grew up in New England where she spent much of her time tromping around in the woods and making up grand adventures in her head. It was inevitable that one day she would start writing them down. She writes what she loves to read: epic exploits, steamy romance, and characters that make you laugh and cry.
Amanda is a USA Today bestselling author of fantasy romance and space opera romance. She was a Goodreads Choice Awards top 10 finalist for Best Debut in 2016 with her first novel, A Promise of Fire.
For more about Amanda's books with equal parts adventure and kissing, connect with her online: www.amandabouchet.com
Instagram: @amandabouchetauthor
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmandaBouchetAuthor
Facebook reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/14490...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amandabouchet...
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@amandabouche...
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/amandabouche...
Amanda is a USA Today bestselling author of fantasy romance and space opera romance. She was a Goodreads Choice Awards top 10 finalist for Best Debut in 2016 with her first novel, A Promise of Fire.
For more about Amanda's books with equal parts adventure and kissing, connect with her online: www.amandabouchet.com
Instagram: @amandabouchetauthor
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmandaBouchetAuthor
Facebook reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/14490...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amandabouchet...
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@amandabouche...
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/amandabouche...
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 25, 2025
I LOVED THIS SO MUCH! I couldn’t stop reading and I was happy to lose sleep over this dragon-shifter romantasy!!
There are secrets abounding and even more abounding scorching feelings (and also literal fire).
It’s a standalone - huge win!! But I’m hoping for more interconnected companion books.
If you are looking for a fast-paced, action-packed romantasy, this book hits each of those categories flawlessly!
There are secrets abounding and even more abounding scorching feelings (and also literal fire).
It’s a standalone - huge win!! But I’m hoping for more interconnected companion books.
If you are looking for a fast-paced, action-packed romantasy, this book hits each of those categories flawlessly!
November 25, 2025
I came across Amanda Bouchet’s Kingmaker Chronicles shortly after I got back into reading and immediately fell in love with her writing!
So when I saw she was releasing another fantasy series I was so excited!
I can honestly say not only did this book deliver, it may be her best book!
We get a world of dragon shifters, fae, vampires, and more. The magic system is so captivating and unique with how it intertwines within the different species.
Our female main character is such a strong and inspiring FMC. She’s witty, funny, and holds her own. She’s on a journey to discover her past and her identity with her found family.
The romance is slow burn and worth every torturous second of build up. And while I loved every second of this, it really is secondary to the incredible journey we get to go on with our characters.
The political plot in this book is top tier. It really keeps you on your toes and guessing what is next! I’m not giving anything away, but trust me it’s amazing!
No cliffhanger! HEA!
I’m so excited for the next book. It won’t so much be a sequel but an interconnected story.
I received an early ARC of this book and this is my honest review!
So when I saw she was releasing another fantasy series I was so excited!
I can honestly say not only did this book deliver, it may be her best book!
We get a world of dragon shifters, fae, vampires, and more. The magic system is so captivating and unique with how it intertwines within the different species.
Our female main character is such a strong and inspiring FMC. She’s witty, funny, and holds her own. She’s on a journey to discover her past and her identity with her found family.
The romance is slow burn and worth every torturous second of build up. And while I loved every second of this, it really is secondary to the incredible journey we get to go on with our characters.
The political plot in this book is top tier. It really keeps you on your toes and guessing what is next! I’m not giving anything away, but trust me it’s amazing!
No cliffhanger! HEA!
I’m so excited for the next book. It won’t so much be a sequel but an interconnected story.
I received an early ARC of this book and this is my honest review!
December 24, 2025
Absolutely loved this first installment in the Heirs of the Second Dawn series!
This story has all the elements I adore: a sizzling slow-burn romance, fun side characters and found family, magical species and creatures, plenty of action, witty banter, impeccable spice, and the sweetest baby phoenix of all time.
Don’t sleep on this new fantasy romance from Amanda Bouchet—you won’t want to miss it!
This story has all the elements I adore: a sizzling slow-burn romance, fun side characters and found family, magical species and creatures, plenty of action, witty banter, impeccable spice, and the sweetest baby phoenix of all time.
Don’t sleep on this new fantasy romance from Amanda Bouchet—you won’t want to miss it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely adore the Kingmaker Chronicles so I was so excited to read another fantasy book by Amanda Bouchet.
The Light Under the Shadow Wing is the first standalone book in the Heirs of the Second Dawn series and I absolutely adored it. In fact, I think that it will go down as one of my all time favourite fantasy books.
I was immediately drawn in by the beautiful writing, the rich worldbuilding and the loveable characters. I adored the already established history between Idallia and the rest of the Elite Wing and I loved how her and Bale, the dragon king, were already falling for each other at the beginning of the book.
The romance was the most delicious slow burn with so much yearning from both Idallia and Bale. Every scene they spend together way full of longing and sizzling chemistry that ha my kicking my feet and giggling. This book reminded me why I love romantasy!
I loved how fast paced and exhilarating the fight scenes were and how they perfectly balanced the slower, romantic scenes. The Light Under the Shadow Wing blends high stakes fantasy perfectly with swoonworthy romance!
The phoenixes were such an integral part of the story and I loved hiw all three had their own unique personalities. The way Idallia loved and cared for them really warmed my heart.
I completely devoured this book and loved every second! I am beyond excited to read more books in the Heirs of the Second Dawn series and I am eager to see which couple Amanda Bouchet will write about next!
Thank you so much to Amanda Bouchet for the eARC!
The Light Under the Shadow Wing is the first standalone book in the Heirs of the Second Dawn series and I absolutely adored it. In fact, I think that it will go down as one of my all time favourite fantasy books.
I was immediately drawn in by the beautiful writing, the rich worldbuilding and the loveable characters. I adored the already established history between Idallia and the rest of the Elite Wing and I loved how her and Bale, the dragon king, were already falling for each other at the beginning of the book.
The romance was the most delicious slow burn with so much yearning from both Idallia and Bale. Every scene they spend together way full of longing and sizzling chemistry that ha my kicking my feet and giggling. This book reminded me why I love romantasy!
I loved how fast paced and exhilarating the fight scenes were and how they perfectly balanced the slower, romantic scenes. The Light Under the Shadow Wing blends high stakes fantasy perfectly with swoonworthy romance!
The phoenixes were such an integral part of the story and I loved hiw all three had their own unique personalities. The way Idallia loved and cared for them really warmed my heart.
I completely devoured this book and loved every second! I am beyond excited to read more books in the Heirs of the Second Dawn series and I am eager to see which couple Amanda Bouchet will write about next!
Thank you so much to Amanda Bouchet for the eARC!
Read
December 9, 2025Read as a content pull with HOF but absolutely ADORED it 🥹
Review of advance copy received from Author
I feel complete, if this is a standalone in an interconnected series. I also would be excited for this story to continue... since it says "Heirs" after all!!
Possessive Dragon shifters. Vampires. Fae (not our typical Fae either). Animal shifters. Humans. and the Phoenix!! It has everything!
This was well blended, well developed and a tension filled slow burn romance that fits standalone standards! My only wish was a slower wrap up in the end. It's like edging the whole book only for the raging peak to rush to finish! Easily 500+ page book though... but I do love a good frustrating drama!
We've got ourselves a winning FMC by my standards here! Strong. Independent. A little traumatized. True to herself and her morals. She kicks ass, literally!! She chooses herself and those she loves, but would sacrifice herself in a heartbeat to protect them first.
Thank you to the Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC!!
Possessive Dragon shifters. Vampires. Fae (not our typical Fae either). Animal shifters. Humans. and the Phoenix!! It has everything!
This was well blended, well developed and a tension filled slow burn romance that fits standalone standards! My only wish was a slower wrap up in the end. It's like edging the whole book only for the raging peak to rush to finish! Easily 500+ page book though... but I do love a good frustrating drama!
We've got ourselves a winning FMC by my standards here! Strong. Independent. A little traumatized. True to herself and her morals. She kicks ass, literally!! She chooses herself and those she loves, but would sacrifice herself in a heartbeat to protect them first.
Thank you to the Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ahhhh the perks of having author friends! I met Amanda in an elevator at a romance conference. I'd just read A Promise of Fire and saw her name on her badge. Yes, I'm not ashamed to admit I fanned girled! She also fanned girled at me over Poison Study. We had so much in common, we instantly bonded.
I've read all of Amanda's books, and her new one is HOT! There are dragon shifters, phoenixes, danger, romance, magic and some spice. It's the entire package and won't disappoint. The book is available for PRE-ORDER right now and it's due out on Feb 23, 2026.
I've read all of Amanda's books, and her new one is HOT! There are dragon shifters, phoenixes, danger, romance, magic and some spice. It's the entire package and won't disappoint. The book is available for PRE-ORDER right now and it's due out on Feb 23, 2026.
Review of advance copy
I really enjoyed this!! The slowburn tension was top tier. I ALSO appreciate that it was a standalone but in the same breath, I wanted more lol. Idallia was everything I want in a FMC. Strong, sassy and smart. This was my first Amanda Bouchet book and now ill definitely be going through some of her other works!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This action-packed romantasy is perfect for readers of Fourth Wing. Amanda Bouchet delivers dragon warriors, magical creatures, and tons of danger along with a slow-burn romance—and a dangerously hot Dragon King.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews