Queen of the Shadow Woods

by Val E. Lane

She swore to never let anyone into her Woods...or her heart.

Marked by forbidden magic, Caramyn survives in the only place no one else dares to go—deep within the Shadow Woods. Protected by the Shadows and known only as "the Witch," she's a hunted outcast in a kingdom where magic means death and secrets are survival. But the deadliest secret is the one she carries in her blood...and she'll guard it with her life.

Prince Asterious is the king's son, and a ruthless executioner of his father's enemies. When he crosses into the Woods, and the Shadows fail to stop him, Caramyn must hide her identity and learn what he so desperately seeks within the Woods—so that she can kill him herself. But the more time she spends in his mysterious court, the more dark truths begin to unravel. And as the beastly curse Asterious swore he buried begins to reawaken, Caramyn realizes she's not the only one with secrets in the shadows.

When dark powers shift to further divide the realm, and a new queen moves to claim the Shadows' power for herself, Caramyn and Asterious find their fates hopelessly entwined. As trust becomes a weapon and love a liability, they must confront the truth of what they are—and decide whether they are each other’s salvation…or their ruin.

Perfect for fans of ACOTAR, the Wolf King, and Beauty and the Beast, *QUEEN OF THE SHADOW WOODS* is the first book in a fantasy romance duet featuring magic, slow-burn romance, and morally gray heroes.

Genres: Romantasy

439 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2026

About the author

Val is a fantasy romance author who loves looking for magic beneath the surface. Her favorite things to write about include star-crossed love stories and about finding magic within the world we think we know.
While Val writes more than just ocean fantasy, the sea is very special to her and more often than not finds its way into her stories (yes, there are even some nautical settings in Queen of the Shadow Woods).
FTT is the cherished first book in her TORMENTED TIDES series, a modern take on pirate fantasy and a story loosely inspired by an imaginative tall tale her father told her as a child.
When she's not writing, Val loves spending time outdoors in the Appalachian mountains or dreaming of the beaches of St. Augustine or Puerto Rico, both of which inspired the settings for her pirate series.

Keep up with Val and her upcoming works and live book events on social media @authorvalelane and her website authorvalelane.com.

Reviews

[Signy Løvslett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of the book, but the opinions in this review is 100% my own.

I am a slow reader and have a couple of chapters left still, but I am completely obsessed with this book!
It has had me in a chokehold since the first chapter, and to be completely honest, I wouldn’t be too mad if it was Asterious or Caramyn who did.

«Welcome to the Forbidden Court, my little mystery.»

As other reviewers, I too fell in love with Val’s writing during her pirate series, I was very excited about this book and it did not disappoint! I cannot wait to see what happens in the next one (or the end to this one, my reading speed is very slow).

[Natalie Mediano · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Trust no one...Guard it with your life."

This book took me on a journey! I absolutely loved the characters and the storyline. I got lucky as an ARC reader and started this book a days ago and was not expecting it to suck me in like it did! It was a refreshing change to romantasy -fantasy -dark magic books. Real enemies to lovers - real dangers- AND REAL PASSION. I just finished it this morning and let me tell ya ....I am loving this story and cant wait for the next! The excitement was real.. overall didnt seem like i was reading a YA -it was a damn good time and id recommend it for a little adventure 😀

[Ashley {_xamountofbooks} · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via the author)

3.5 stars

I liked all the Beauty and the Beast references and the animal companion. I think I could have used just a little more build up for their relationship though. I wouldn't call it miscommunication but I don't feel they communicated well at times? I didn't fully connect with the characters but this story may be a better fit for someone else.

[Mae Polzine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks, Val E. Lane for letting me read this early even if I didn't manage to finish it before the book released.

Here is the link to my full review, but overall I enjoyed this book inspired by Beauty and the Beast.

Both characters are very stubborn, complex, and have to learn to work together in order to save the world, even if that means becoming the villains that everyone believes them to be. Not only that, but they have to learn to trust themselves. I would have loved a little more buildup for their relationship to show why they went from distrusting each other to allowing the world to burn down for the other.

There are plenty of breadcrumbs in the book that lead up to the ending, so there aren't any major plot twists that come out of nowhere. This book also does not end on a cliffhanger but still leaves enough unanswered to set up the next book. There was also a lot that happened at the end to pull all those crumbs together, so there was a lot more action happening in the last few chapters than there was in the rest of the book. But I enjoyed seeing how these pieces came together, and I'm curious to see what the end and final book in this duet will bring.

[Rayya O'Reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for letting me read this book.

Val E Lane writes so beautifully. Her imagery, tone and expression of emotions was truly poetic. It honestly tugged at my heart strings at times. I dont usually read third person pov books, but I didnt mind this as I loved the book.

I loved how complex both characters were. I also loved the love usage of animal companions in this book. Both MCs were very strong, fierce and independent. I only wish we could've experienced their bond deepening more. I need more intense love, more passion and more acting upon it (I dont just mean spice, I mean other forms of intimacy!) All the little touches, the hidden smiles and warm jokes, did however, make me smile!

I know this is planned to be a duet, so I hope we can see their bond intensifying and becoming easier to connect with. I also cannot wait to see what happens next. What will come of Cara learning about herself now, or the consequence of the ending of book 1. And how torturous the war with Sinevia will be.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a good time reading this book. It was fast paced with hidden identities, magic, enemies to lovers with a decent slow burn, good worldbuilding and curses. Caramyn lives hidden in woods that kill anyone who enters. She has a type of shadow magic that would have her put to death if caught. She ends up being kidnapped or rescued (depending on who you ask) from the edge of the woods by Prince Asterious. He is also on the run from the throne. Caramyn is stubborn, stabby and starts off being single minded. I loved her growth as she leaves the woods mentally as well as physically and sees the world. Asterious is also stubborn with backstory trauma. However, he is also the type of man who would burn down the world to right a wrong, even if he dies while lighting the fire. Together, they're such a hot mess with great banter and I loved it. There isn't huge cliffhanger (yay) at the end but there are still things needing to be resolved. I am very excited to read the next book.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would first like to say thank you to Val for giving me the opportunity to be an ARC reader for Queen of the Shadow Woods. I had a decent time while reading this story, there were things I liked throughout such as the Beauty and the Beast aspect and I enjoyed that Caramyn was a strong FMC who was more than willing to fight back when needed. Other than that, I didn’t feel very strongly towards either MC and I’m not a huge fantasy reader so there was parts of the story where I was struggling to follow along but if you are a fantasy lover than this is the story for you!

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a fantasy book with a slowburn romance, this is for you. A prince cursed to shift into a wolf. A shadowblood woman that hunts in the woods & is protected by the shadows. In a world of curses and brutal leaders, these two main characters are learning to embrace themselves and work to change the world.

Tropes:
-Enemies to Lovers
-Slowburn
-Animal companion
-Forbidden magic
-Touch her & 💀
-“Who did this to you?”

Thank you to Val E. Lane for the ARC copy of Queen of the Shadow Woods. Release date is 2.11.26! Make sure you read it!

[Logan Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was soooooo good!

I first fell in love with Val's writing with From Tormented Tides, and I was really excited for this new world that she was creating. And she did not disappoint!

Val did a phenomenal job with creating a new world that was easy to understand and picture, along with characters that were complex but easy to root for.

I cannot wait to see where she takes this world next! This one did not end in a cliffhanger, but definitely ended in a way that made you salivating for the next one!

[Selina K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing me with an advance copy! This review reflects my honest opinion.

I absolutely loved this book! I’ve read Val E. Lane’s work before, but never one with such rich and intricate world-building. It was done beautifully and felt so immersive.

And girly pops… the slow burn? It had me screaming into my pillow more than once. Asterious completely stole my heart.

This is perfect for anyone who loves a strong female lead and enjoys fantasy with just the right balance of romance...and a little bit of spice ✨

I’m already excited for the next installment!

[Samantha Quintana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of this book on kindle. I also purchased another kindle copy just cause I love the author and anything she writes. Queen of the Shadow Woods was such a great read for me, it had everything I would want in a fantasy story. Also, the MMC is my favorite from all my reads so far this year. I am waiting with bated breath for the next installment, it cannot get here soon enough.

[Aadhya Jindal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book quite slow at first but then finished it in a night. I was hooked. I found it easy to read, and I actually really liked the writing style so I look forward to reading more by her. I would definitely re-read this book, because it was very intriguing. In conclusion I would definitely recommend this book, because it is truly very beautifully written!

[MacKenzie Bakos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an ARC of this book from the author herself. It was an amazing story. I could not put it down. I cannot wait for book 2 in this duet series. Thank you to another great story done by one of my favorite authors, Val E. Lane. <3

[Noelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique and refreshing way to tell a story about witches and magical wild creatures.

I was completely captivated by it, the story is incredibly well-developed, entertaining, and leaves you eager for a second part.

The relationship between the Caramyn and Asterious isn’t the typical one we’re used to in fantasy novels; that dark and mysterious touch makes it feel truly especial.

I’ve recieved the ARC copy of the book but all of this is 100% my own opinion.

[Dominika K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from the author, this is my honest review.
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3.75 ⭐

Forbidden magic, wolf shifter prince, raven companion, touch her and die, "one horse" and more.
One thing I really like about this book is that even though I did take a little break while reading it, it still was really easy to get back into the story and honestly, I am glad I did that cause the second read was much more enjoyable.