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The Prince of Power and Lies
The Prince of Power and Lies is book 2 of the Smoke and Shadows Series
- GenresRomantasy
536 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 3, 2025
Being a huge fan of the first book I had very high hopes for the sequel and was not disappointed in the slightest with the ARC copy. The characters have continued to grow, the plot is progressing in alignment with book one yet isn't predictable or boring, it goes slow through the best parts you want to soak in while skipping ahead when it's needed, and the imagery conjured by Rachael is magnificent. Best of all, she is able to follow the "rules/lore" she has created that govern her world when telling her beautiful story. Just like the first, it does not feel like I am reading a 500 page book. I sincerely hope to read much more about Reign and her party of brave adventurers. Now, down with King Cimmerian!
December 1, 2025
After absolutely loving book 1, I was excited to not have to wait too long to get my hands on book 2… esp when book 1 ended with such a cliffhanger. I thought I had an idea of what book 2’s plot would entail, but I was wrong on all accounts in the best way possible. Without giving anything away, I particularly love how this author writes in a way that you can picture the story perfectly in your head, with vivid detail… yet not so much detail that you get bored by it. Also, I love how the plot is constantly evolving and moving. I felt like I went on quite an adventure in my imagination while reading this book. I also particularly liked that it was written in 3 parts.. it truly felt like I read 3 books in one when I got to the end because so much happens in each part. The character development in this book was top notch! I can’t wait to see where this story goes in the final book. Definitely one of the best books I’ve read all year !
December 1, 2025
Wow! I loved book 1 and was anxiously awaiting book 2 and it did not disappoint. Book 2 is somehow even better than book 1. If you love Forth Wing, ACOTAR and TOG, you will love this series. The pace never slows, the character development is exceptional and the will they won’t they tension is palpable throughout. I love that the love triangle isn’t the focus of the story, rather Reign is the focus. Will be dreaming of skycaps until the next book release.
October 30, 2025
I received an ARC of this book and I'm so thankful since I didn't have to wait long after reading the first book recently! I lovedddd this book! The first book really took off around the halfway point for me. This book was hard for me to put down the whole way through.
I really enjoyed how this book grew off the first one and I appreciate the authors creativity. I love the magic and the uniqueness of it.
It's also refreshing that the characters communicate pretty well (obviously there is some info withheld, etc) but some books get so frustrating with the lack of communication/misunderstanding that goes on for sooo long.
I still have not recovered from the ending 😭 already can't wait for book 3!
I really enjoyed how this book grew off the first one and I appreciate the authors creativity. I love the magic and the uniqueness of it.
It's also refreshing that the characters communicate pretty well (obviously there is some info withheld, etc) but some books get so frustrating with the lack of communication/misunderstanding that goes on for sooo long.
I still have not recovered from the ending 😭 already can't wait for book 3!
January 18, 2026
What a sequel. Wow. I have so many feelings after finishing this book. This book is everything- these characters, the plot and the world that the author created will stick with me for a long time. One of my favorite, if not my favorite, fantasy books I’ve read from a girl who swore she could never get into the genre. Can’t wait to read more from Rachael Staudt!
November 21, 2025
I absolutely loved book 2 of this series! It continued the story right where the cliffhanger of book 1 leaves off. The author’s creativity and world building amazes me! One of my favorite aspects of book 2 was getting the additional POV from one of the characters. The ending had me in tears and I’m dying for book 3 to come out!
November 4, 2025
One of my absolute favorite series so far and this book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. And the ending!!! Rachael is such an incredible writer especially with these being her debut novels. I highly recommend that you read this series ASAP! Book 1 was fantastic and Book 2 left me speechless. I can’t wait for Book 3!!!
March 21, 2026
To borrow a line from Tyra Banks: "I was rooting for you. We were all rooting for you."
I picked up The Prince of Power and Lies because the first book offered a concept intriguing enough to get me hooked. Though, in the spirit of full honesty, the first book was no masterpiece either.
I returned for the sequel, hoping to see the prose and character development evolve alongside the stakes. Unfortunately, I was left disappointed.
*The "Main Character" Vacuum*
We are all familiar with the Bechdel test, but this novel suffers from a far more claustrophobic narrative trap. Every character in this world exists solely as a satellite to our heroine, Reign. Their dialogue and motivations are so tethered to her that they lack any independent agency. It feels as though, if a character attempted to have a thought unrelated to Reign, they might cease to exist.
Ryder telling Reign, "Believe it or not, my life doesn't revolve around you", made me cackle and reminded me of that American journalist who said (paraphrased) "Don't believe your eyes, listen to me".
*Chemistry or Caricature?*
The most significant failure occurs at the collision of character development and dialogue. Every character shares the same voice and the same sense of humour. Without distinct verbal identities, the dialogue flattens into a single, monotonous tone. A lot of times, I found myself scrolling back to check who was actually speaking, because the "chemistry" felt less like a spark between two people and more like the author talking to themselves in a mirror.
This vacuum is most exposed when the protagonist casually admits she has "yet to find out what her power does" while referring to one of her closest companions. In isolation, that could read as a compelling mystery. In context, it lands less like deliberate intrigue and more like the author admitting that this character hasn't been developed enough to foreshadow her role as the story advances.
*The Phoenix Out of Nowhere*
What came first: the bird, or the total lack of foreshadowing?
I personally feel like twists are things we need to earn in a story, and well-built ones take the reader along for the ride. In a fantasy world where Phoenixes have never been mentioned, be it in lore, art, or a distant myth, the protagonist suddenly erupting into a legendary firebird felt like a convenient exit strategy.
What's most jarring is the immediate, collective recognition: despite the species apparently having no place in the historical record, every character instantly knows the word "Phoenix" and exactly what it implies. Rather than a soaring climax, this turned into a match being thrown at the plot, with the author crossing their fingers that this is going to land well.
*The Triangle That Isn't*
I'm a sucker for a love triangle. Unfortunately, I didn't buy this one, as what we have are two men whose entire personalities revolve around Reign, yet who maintain a level of mutual trust that defies romantic logic. Sure, towards the end of the book Ryder says it's a bit uncomfortable between him and Damien, but is uncomfortable enough to when in theory these two guys are competing for the love of their lives?
While every secondary character seems to be actively cheering for Ryder to pursue her, Reign remains conveniently oblivious, and even as they finally acknowledge their feelings, the side of the triangle connecting her to Damien is so shallow that the whole shape collapses into a line.
The stakes and obstacles feel equally hollow. After Damien's "massive" curse is revealed and then broken within ten pages, it becomes impossible to feel any genuine dread about Ryder's predicament. The obstacles in this story don't feel like organic developments; they feel like checkboxes, hurdles thrown into the characters' path with little thought given to their weight or consequence.
At this point, I've learned to manage my expectations. In fact, the only twist that could salvage the emotional stakes would be a 180 pivot: what if neither Ryder nor Damien is the one? Imagine a story where Kane is the true soulmate, where Reign didn't randomly manifest as a Phoenix but was transformed by the fire of her twin flame. The idea that she wasn't born a mythical bird, but was instead forged in dragon-fire by her actual soulmate, is a far more compelling arc than a convenient elemental upgrade. It would reframe a lacklustre plot point as a genuine revelation that would justify the heat.
*The Romance (or Lack Thereof)*
Reign and Damien finding each other again should have felt like an emotional climax after months of separation and growth. Instead, we get a reunion so crass and tonally jarring that it strips away whatever emotional weight the story had supposedly been building toward. It felt less like a payoff and more like a shortcut. I might be clutching my pearls, but do I really need to read the word as* twice in five rows?
*Prose and the "Googly Eyes" Problem*
The characterisation and plot aren't the only things that broke my immersion. English is a beautiful, elastic language, but the linguistic choices here repeatedly pull the reader out of the world. In one instance, while overlooking a sweeping vista, Reign remarks that she "can't wait to see this from the ship's point of view." Instead of feeling the romance of the moment, I spent the next several minutes picturing a massive vessel with googly eyes glued to its hull.
This, combined with modern vernacular ("nope," "gotta") scattered throughout a fantasy setting, gives the book a fan-fiction quality that makes it difficult to fully commit to the world on offer.
*A Word on the World-Building*
I love food, so this to me is too glaring to ignore. We are told that this world doesn't have marshmallows; they have "meltpuffs." Fine, cute. But these same characters are also sitting down to shish kebab, shrimp cocktail, and lobster mac and cheese? The world-building happens when it's charming and convenient, not in service of creating a coherent, believable ecosystem. Selective invention isn't atmosphere; it's decoration.
*The Rush at the End*
The final stretch of the book attempts to close multiple storylines and plant the hook for book three, but it feels hollow and not earned. Reign's realisation about finding the island arrives without the reader being taken along for the journey. The information that supposedly supports the conclusion was buried hundreds of pages earlier, with little foreshadowing to bridge the gap. We don't see the mechanics of how she pieces it together; it simply happens off the page, and we are left to accept it on faith. That isn't a revelation. That's a shortcut dressed up as one.
*Final Verdict*
The concept at the heart of this series is genuinely beautiful, and it deserves an equally beautiful execution. There is a Phoenix of a story buried somewhere in here, but it is currently smothered under underdeveloped characters, convenient plotting, and prose that too often mistakes attitude for voice. I truly hope the author slows down and invests more deeply in the craft. The readers, and these characters, deserve to see this concept truly take flight.
I picked up The Prince of Power and Lies because the first book offered a concept intriguing enough to get me hooked. Though, in the spirit of full honesty, the first book was no masterpiece either.
I returned for the sequel, hoping to see the prose and character development evolve alongside the stakes. Unfortunately, I was left disappointed.
*The "Main Character" Vacuum*
We are all familiar with the Bechdel test, but this novel suffers from a far more claustrophobic narrative trap. Every character in this world exists solely as a satellite to our heroine, Reign. Their dialogue and motivations are so tethered to her that they lack any independent agency. It feels as though, if a character attempted to have a thought unrelated to Reign, they might cease to exist.
Ryder telling Reign, "Believe it or not, my life doesn't revolve around you", made me cackle and reminded me of that American journalist who said (paraphrased) "Don't believe your eyes, listen to me".
*Chemistry or Caricature?*
The most significant failure occurs at the collision of character development and dialogue. Every character shares the same voice and the same sense of humour. Without distinct verbal identities, the dialogue flattens into a single, monotonous tone. A lot of times, I found myself scrolling back to check who was actually speaking, because the "chemistry" felt less like a spark between two people and more like the author talking to themselves in a mirror.
This vacuum is most exposed when the protagonist casually admits she has "yet to find out what her power does" while referring to one of her closest companions. In isolation, that could read as a compelling mystery. In context, it lands less like deliberate intrigue and more like the author admitting that this character hasn't been developed enough to foreshadow her role as the story advances.
*The Phoenix Out of Nowhere*
What came first: the bird, or the total lack of foreshadowing?
I personally feel like twists are things we need to earn in a story, and well-built ones take the reader along for the ride. In a fantasy world where Phoenixes have never been mentioned, be it in lore, art, or a distant myth, the protagonist suddenly erupting into a legendary firebird felt like a convenient exit strategy.
What's most jarring is the immediate, collective recognition: despite the species apparently having no place in the historical record, every character instantly knows the word "Phoenix" and exactly what it implies. Rather than a soaring climax, this turned into a match being thrown at the plot, with the author crossing their fingers that this is going to land well.
*The Triangle That Isn't*
I'm a sucker for a love triangle. Unfortunately, I didn't buy this one, as what we have are two men whose entire personalities revolve around Reign, yet who maintain a level of mutual trust that defies romantic logic. Sure, towards the end of the book Ryder says it's a bit uncomfortable between him and Damien, but is uncomfortable enough to when in theory these two guys are competing for the love of their lives?
While every secondary character seems to be actively cheering for Ryder to pursue her, Reign remains conveniently oblivious, and even as they finally acknowledge their feelings, the side of the triangle connecting her to Damien is so shallow that the whole shape collapses into a line.
The stakes and obstacles feel equally hollow. After Damien's "massive" curse is revealed and then broken within ten pages, it becomes impossible to feel any genuine dread about Ryder's predicament. The obstacles in this story don't feel like organic developments; they feel like checkboxes, hurdles thrown into the characters' path with little thought given to their weight or consequence.
At this point, I've learned to manage my expectations. In fact, the only twist that could salvage the emotional stakes would be a 180 pivot: what if neither Ryder nor Damien is the one? Imagine a story where Kane is the true soulmate, where Reign didn't randomly manifest as a Phoenix but was transformed by the fire of her twin flame. The idea that she wasn't born a mythical bird, but was instead forged in dragon-fire by her actual soulmate, is a far more compelling arc than a convenient elemental upgrade. It would reframe a lacklustre plot point as a genuine revelation that would justify the heat.
*The Romance (or Lack Thereof)*
Reign and Damien finding each other again should have felt like an emotional climax after months of separation and growth. Instead, we get a reunion so crass and tonally jarring that it strips away whatever emotional weight the story had supposedly been building toward. It felt less like a payoff and more like a shortcut. I might be clutching my pearls, but do I really need to read the word as* twice in five rows?
*Prose and the "Googly Eyes" Problem*
The characterisation and plot aren't the only things that broke my immersion. English is a beautiful, elastic language, but the linguistic choices here repeatedly pull the reader out of the world. In one instance, while overlooking a sweeping vista, Reign remarks that she "can't wait to see this from the ship's point of view." Instead of feeling the romance of the moment, I spent the next several minutes picturing a massive vessel with googly eyes glued to its hull.
This, combined with modern vernacular ("nope," "gotta") scattered throughout a fantasy setting, gives the book a fan-fiction quality that makes it difficult to fully commit to the world on offer.
*A Word on the World-Building*
I love food, so this to me is too glaring to ignore. We are told that this world doesn't have marshmallows; they have "meltpuffs." Fine, cute. But these same characters are also sitting down to shish kebab, shrimp cocktail, and lobster mac and cheese? The world-building happens when it's charming and convenient, not in service of creating a coherent, believable ecosystem. Selective invention isn't atmosphere; it's decoration.
*The Rush at the End*
The final stretch of the book attempts to close multiple storylines and plant the hook for book three, but it feels hollow and not earned. Reign's realisation about finding the island arrives without the reader being taken along for the journey. The information that supposedly supports the conclusion was buried hundreds of pages earlier, with little foreshadowing to bridge the gap. We don't see the mechanics of how she pieces it together; it simply happens off the page, and we are left to accept it on faith. That isn't a revelation. That's a shortcut dressed up as one.
*Final Verdict*
The concept at the heart of this series is genuinely beautiful, and it deserves an equally beautiful execution. There is a Phoenix of a story buried somewhere in here, but it is currently smothered under underdeveloped characters, convenient plotting, and prose that too often mistakes attitude for voice. I truly hope the author slows down and invests more deeply in the craft. The readers, and these characters, deserve to see this concept truly take flight.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2025
I received an ARC of this book, and couldn’t wait to dive in! The world that Rachael has created is captivating and spellbinding, with rich character development. Great sequel to the first book!
October 29, 2025
I am a MAJOR fan of the world Rachael has created! If you loved Fourth Wing, Spellcaster, Shield of Sparrows, or anything in that realm, you’ll absolutely LOVE this too. Watching Reign grow into herself and following all the twists and turns of the storyline made it nearly impossible to put down. I’ll be impatiently waiting for Book 3!
December 18, 2025
I thought book one had me hooked, but book two has me in a full chokehold. I need book three immediatelyyy!
This sequel takes everything in the first book and deepens it on a much larger scale. The plot is dense in the best way, constantly moving forward and raising the stakes. Nothing feels stagnant. Every revelation pushes the story into darker, more dangerous territory, and just when you think you’ve caught your footing, the ground shifts again.
Reign’s growth is massive. She’s still raw and scarred, but stronger, sharper, and learning what it truly means to survive in a world built to break her. The yearning, the tension, the emotional weight, it all hits harder here. Relationships evolve, trust is tested, and some moments genuinely wreckedddd me. I’m still not over certain moments, and I don’t think I ever will be.
The world building is phenomenal. The Realms feel expansive and alive, with looming threats casting a shadow over everything. Rachael truly has a gift for making each setting vivid and cinematic without slowing the pacing, which makes the book impossible to put down.
I also have to say how amazing it’s been, as a reader, to get these books so close together. Being able to stay immersed in this world without a long wait has been such a gift, especially for a series this emotionally consuming.
This book shattered me, rebuilt me, and then shattered me again. This is the kind of sequel that asks you to feel everything alongside the characters, and it doesn’t hold back. That ending left me breathless, heartbroken, and counting down the seconds until the announcement of book three.
This sequel takes everything in the first book and deepens it on a much larger scale. The plot is dense in the best way, constantly moving forward and raising the stakes. Nothing feels stagnant. Every revelation pushes the story into darker, more dangerous territory, and just when you think you’ve caught your footing, the ground shifts again.
Reign’s growth is massive. She’s still raw and scarred, but stronger, sharper, and learning what it truly means to survive in a world built to break her. The yearning, the tension, the emotional weight, it all hits harder here. Relationships evolve, trust is tested, and some moments genuinely wreckedddd me. I’m still not over certain moments, and I don’t think I ever will be.
The world building is phenomenal. The Realms feel expansive and alive, with looming threats casting a shadow over everything. Rachael truly has a gift for making each setting vivid and cinematic without slowing the pacing, which makes the book impossible to put down.
I also have to say how amazing it’s been, as a reader, to get these books so close together. Being able to stay immersed in this world without a long wait has been such a gift, especially for a series this emotionally consuming.
This book shattered me, rebuilt me, and then shattered me again. This is the kind of sequel that asks you to feel everything alongside the characters, and it doesn’t hold back. That ending left me breathless, heartbroken, and counting down the seconds until the announcement of book three.
August 18, 2026
When I say I didn’t think she could top the first book i mean it.
This may sound like the beginning of a negative review but when I tell you I could not have been more hooked on a book in my life I mean it! The character development - the twists that make you gasp out loud! Oh my goodness, this book let me practically step through the pages and be inside the six great realms myself.
Reign is such a strong character and it can be seen so much in every decision she makes. There are times that you feel she is just going to give up and choose a different path or even lose herself but she manages to push through every time and i love that Rachael wrote her story so perfectly! I feel like there’s a little bit of Reign in all of us.
In a lot of romantasy books you find the female protagonist heavily caught up in the romance and then eventually become a submissive character to her love interest and then it becomes boring but that most definitely did NOT happen! Her fiery personality did NOT disappoint! I won’t say more on that as I don’t want to spoil this for any future readers but i’ll leave you with this. In a world full of fake friends and unsurity, if you find your Amaya hold on tight and never let him/her go 🖤
This book truly broke me in more ways than one but i physically could not put it down. You’ve outdone yourself Rachael & I cannot wait for book 3!
This may sound like the beginning of a negative review but when I tell you I could not have been more hooked on a book in my life I mean it! The character development - the twists that make you gasp out loud! Oh my goodness, this book let me practically step through the pages and be inside the six great realms myself.
Reign is such a strong character and it can be seen so much in every decision she makes. There are times that you feel she is just going to give up and choose a different path or even lose herself but she manages to push through every time and i love that Rachael wrote her story so perfectly! I feel like there’s a little bit of Reign in all of us.
In a lot of romantasy books you find the female protagonist heavily caught up in the romance and then eventually become a submissive character to her love interest and then it becomes boring but that most definitely did NOT happen! Her fiery personality did NOT disappoint! I won’t say more on that as I don’t want to spoil this for any future readers but i’ll leave you with this. In a world full of fake friends and unsurity, if you find your Amaya hold on tight and never let him/her go 🖤
This book truly broke me in more ways than one but i physically could not put it down. You’ve outdone yourself Rachael & I cannot wait for book 3!
August 12, 2026
There’s something incredibly satisfying about watching a character finally start to see the strength you’ve been seeing in them all along.
That was Reign for me in The Prince of Power and Lies.
One of my biggest frustrations in the first book was watching Reign doubt herself and what she was capable of. Here, I finally started seeing that shift. She’s still figuring herself out, but watching her confidence grow and seeing her begin to understand her own strength was easily one of my favorite parts.
The world feels bigger this time around, with a deeper look into the realms, magic, and growing conflict. I loved watching the friendships and found family deepen and I was VERY happy that the couple I’d been rooting for finally got a chance. 😂 The romantic development definitely gave me something to cheer for while everything else continued getting more complicated.
And every time I thought I knew where the story was headed… apparently I did not.
There were a few moments where the pacing felt slightly rushed and I would’ve happily spent more time with certain parts of the story, but it never stopped me from being invested.
And then there’s that ending.
I have questions. I have feelings. I would like compensation for emotional damages.
That was Reign for me in The Prince of Power and Lies.
One of my biggest frustrations in the first book was watching Reign doubt herself and what she was capable of. Here, I finally started seeing that shift. She’s still figuring herself out, but watching her confidence grow and seeing her begin to understand her own strength was easily one of my favorite parts.
The world feels bigger this time around, with a deeper look into the realms, magic, and growing conflict. I loved watching the friendships and found family deepen and I was VERY happy that the couple I’d been rooting for finally got a chance. 😂 The romantic development definitely gave me something to cheer for while everything else continued getting more complicated.
And every time I thought I knew where the story was headed… apparently I did not.
There were a few moments where the pacing felt slightly rushed and I would’ve happily spent more time with certain parts of the story, but it never stopped me from being invested.
And then there’s that ending.
I have questions. I have feelings. I would like compensation for emotional damages.
August 6, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Prince of Power and Lies somehow managed to do the impossible—it surpassed an already incredible first book.
This book expands the world I genuinely loved in book one of this series in every possible way, raising the stakes while delivering phenomenal character growth, emotional depth, and secrets/twists I never saw coming. Every chapter pulled me deeper into the story, and I found myself saying “just one more chapter” until suddenly it was 2 a.m.The tension is absolutely addictive and the balance between action, romance, and plot is perfection. The pacing never drags, and every reveal feels earned. Reign continues to prove why she’s now one of my favorite fantasy heroines—strong without losing her heart, and flawed in the most human way.If you loved The King of Smoke and Shadows, prepare yourself because this sequel raises the bar in every way. The world-building becomes richer, the emotional moments hit harder, and the ending left me completely shattered in a way that only a book you truly connected to can. I already know this series is going to live rent-free in my head until the next book.
The Prince of Power and Lies somehow managed to do the impossible—it surpassed an already incredible first book.
This book expands the world I genuinely loved in book one of this series in every possible way, raising the stakes while delivering phenomenal character growth, emotional depth, and secrets/twists I never saw coming. Every chapter pulled me deeper into the story, and I found myself saying “just one more chapter” until suddenly it was 2 a.m.The tension is absolutely addictive and the balance between action, romance, and plot is perfection. The pacing never drags, and every reveal feels earned. Reign continues to prove why she’s now one of my favorite fantasy heroines—strong without losing her heart, and flawed in the most human way.If you loved The King of Smoke and Shadows, prepare yourself because this sequel raises the bar in every way. The world-building becomes richer, the emotional moments hit harder, and the ending left me completely shattered in a way that only a book you truly connected to can. I already know this series is going to live rent-free in my head until the next book.
December 21, 2025
This book had me on an emotional rollercoaster! Reign had a journey of finding and accepting herself and leaning to appreciate life and that it is okay to be selfish sometimes. Th patience of our prince is admirable and I liked that we got his POV in this book. I loved seeing the new found family members and seeing their relationships develop with our FMC. There were times the plot was slow in this book versus the last book but it was necessary for our FMC’s character development. I’m happy about her romantic choice and am so glad she stopped fighting herself. Th ending was absolutely devastating and I cannot imagine this story progressing after what happened. Things are going to go dark in the next book and we may have a role reversal with light and dark but I know our man will continue to be the rock and safe place for her. Ugh, why though! I’m going to have to sit and process this one for a minute.
May 2, 2026
♾️🌟
Spice rating: 🌶🌶
This series broke me and pieced me backed together just to break me all over again. I loved this book so much, i laughed, cried, and was blown away by the cliffhanger. The love triangle was done so perfectly. I hated Damien the first MMc at the beginning of this one but he had his redemption but I still don't trust him 🤔 The magic system was unique and the world building was perfect we were given just enough details that it didn't feel over whelming or too much filler. It was filled with BA fight scenes.
○ Dragons
○ Witches
○ Fae with wings
○ Shape Shifters
○Deadly Trials
○Training War Academy
○Deadly Monster/Creatures
🔥🧙♀️Reign the FMC is one fierce baddie I was so sad for everything she went through. My girl could not catch a break!
🐉Damien... 🙄 I feel like he wasnt a good fit and he held her back. He trained her for the most part but he wanted to cauddle her and was way to over protective.
🖤Shadow daddy Ryder Cimmeran.. the MAN you are whewww. He deserves the world. he sees Reign for who she is and who she could be! He sees her potential. He trains and encourages her to be her best self so she can protect herself and stand by him as an equal. 🖤
P.S. I 🧡 a good morally grey villain over a cinnamon roll anyway!
P.s.s dont wait just redddd
I NEED the 3rd book. https://form.jotform.com/261167956981169
Spice rating: 🌶🌶
This series broke me and pieced me backed together just to break me all over again. I loved this book so much, i laughed, cried, and was blown away by the cliffhanger. The love triangle was done so perfectly. I hated Damien the first MMc at the beginning of this one but he had his redemption but I still don't trust him 🤔 The magic system was unique and the world building was perfect we were given just enough details that it didn't feel over whelming or too much filler. It was filled with BA fight scenes.
○ Dragons
○ Witches
○ Fae with wings
○ Shape Shifters
○Deadly Trials
○Training War Academy
○Deadly Monster/Creatures
🔥🧙♀️Reign the FMC is one fierce baddie I was so sad for everything she went through. My girl could not catch a break!
🐉Damien... 🙄 I feel like he wasnt a good fit and he held her back. He trained her for the most part but he wanted to cauddle her and was way to over protective.
🖤Shadow daddy Ryder Cimmeran.. the MAN you are whewww. He deserves the world. he sees Reign for who she is and who she could be! He sees her potential. He trains and encourages her to be her best self so she can protect herself and stand by him as an equal. 🖤
P.S. I 🧡 a good morally grey villain over a cinnamon roll anyway!
P.s.s dont wait just redddd
I NEED the 3rd book. https://form.jotform.com/261167956981169
September 17, 2026
Damien is still the enemy in my eyes, and honestly, the love triangle dragged out way longer than it needed to. I actually found myself skimming through several chapters just to push past the Damien/Reign relationship with a grumpy Ryder.
That being said, the banter was absolute perfection! I was genuinely laughing out loud and kicking my feet at the back-and-forth.
Switching up the perspective with the multiple POV chapters was also a fantastic choice.
And that ending? Totally wrecked me. I was a crying mess by the final page. The ending set up one hell of a pissed female who will burn the world down in revenge for her friend. And I'm here for it.
Cant wait for book 3!
That being said, the banter was absolute perfection! I was genuinely laughing out loud and kicking my feet at the back-and-forth.
Switching up the perspective with the multiple POV chapters was also a fantastic choice.
And that ending? Totally wrecked me. I was a crying mess by the final page. The ending set up one hell of a pissed female who will burn the world down in revenge for her friend. And I'm here for it.
Cant wait for book 3!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2026
wow
Okay the first book reminded me a lot of fourth wing. Don’t get me wrong I did really like it. But this book has so many more layers, the magic, the love, friendships, the trials, and all of it was different. I can say I love Reign completely her character growth is incredible. Did I end up loving Ryder absolutely.
Geez I cried for a like for a long time. I’m completely invested in this series now. Can’t wait for the next book there is no doubt I will read this series again.
Okay the first book reminded me a lot of fourth wing. Don’t get me wrong I did really like it. But this book has so many more layers, the magic, the love, friendships, the trials, and all of it was different. I can say I love Reign completely her character growth is incredible. Did I end up loving Ryder absolutely.
Geez I cried for a like for a long time. I’m completely invested in this series now. Can’t wait for the next book there is no doubt I will read this series again.
May 28, 2026
Tragically Beautiful
This book is devastatingly, tragic and beautiful. It has it all. Betrayal, love, enemies to lovers, lovers to enemies, angst, desire. But the cliffhanger... I'm utterly destroyed. This series needs recognition at a higher platform. Rachael Staudt is a masterful world builder. Her characters have a depth that pull you in. 5 STARS isn't high enough of a rating.
This book is devastatingly, tragic and beautiful. It has it all. Betrayal, love, enemies to lovers, lovers to enemies, angst, desire. But the cliffhanger... I'm utterly destroyed. This series needs recognition at a higher platform. Rachael Staudt is a masterful world builder. Her characters have a depth that pull you in. 5 STARS isn't high enough of a rating.
January 3, 2026
Definitely liked this book more than the first. The characters were more developed and you really get more in depth into their world. It is a way better feel into the ARC of the story. I’m excited for the next book to see how everything goes more into their journey and how they all start to develop even more.
December 5, 2025
I just devoured this book! I was anxiously awaiting book two after loving The King of Smoke and Shadows. This one has me shook in the best way! I love the character development and just when you think you know where the story is heading...Bring on book 3!!!
December 22, 2025
The ending!!! I can’t wait for book 3!!! It’s soo freaking good! The love triangle makes your heart yearn! I love both Ryder and Damien! Seriously, will read again and it will live in my head!! Amazing!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2026
I liked this book better than the first. Fast paced and lots of interesting twists and turns. I enjoyed watching the growth of the characters and deepening of the different relationships. Be warned… it ends in a major cliffhanger!
February 23, 2026
I need more
This book ends on a cliff hanger. I need to know what happens. This book was a great follow up from the 1st one but I need more. Lots of twist and turns. you get to see growth and hardships throughout this book. Great story line.
This book ends on a cliff hanger. I need to know what happens. This book was a great follow up from the 1st one but I need more. Lots of twist and turns. you get to see growth and hardships throughout this book. Great story line.
May 26, 2026
Oh my gosh 😭 that ending... I cannot wait for the next one. What a whirlwind. Absolutely loved but I am devastated. If I shed tears it's a instant five star for me and I definitely shed tears I loved this whole book from start to finish! Ugh now to wait for #3 lol 🤍
September 26, 2026
Best series ive read in forever
These books are hands down some of the best I have read in so long! Her story telling pulls you and envelopes you, swallows you whole and makes you a part of their world! READ THESE BOOKS!
These books are hands down some of the best I have read in so long! Her story telling pulls you and envelopes you, swallows you whole and makes you a part of their world! READ THESE BOOKS!
December 11, 2025
Such a good series!!
April 12, 2026
addicting and invested
The plot was plotting, the twists were twisting, I bawled like a baby and I CAN’T wait for Book 3!!
The plot was plotting, the twists were twisting, I bawled like a baby and I CAN’T wait for Book 3!!
July 29, 2026
OMG I’m totally blown away!! 💕
What can I say Rachael has me hooked with this series!! I’m so totally team Ryder! Absolutely love him! If you love a morally grey MMC shadow daddy than this one is for you! Without giving spoilers I just want to say that I’m totally heartbroken with the ending. Dying for book 3 to come out, I need more!!!
What can I say Rachael has me hooked with this series!! I’m so totally team Ryder! Absolutely love him! If you love a morally grey MMC shadow daddy than this one is for you! Without giving spoilers I just want to say that I’m totally heartbroken with the ending. Dying for book 3 to come out, I need more!!!
August 11, 2026
The second book is just as good as the first! I loved every bit of it and wanted more!
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