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A Code of Honour and Shadows
She wants revenge. He wants redemption. Neither is ready for what awaits them.
Two years after waking with no memory of her disappearance, Sophia still carries a hollow ache where her past should be. When she meets Ethan at a sword convention—familiar in a way she can’t explain—sparks ignite… until he admits he once belonged to those who hurt her.
Ethan wants to earn her forgiveness. Sophia wants nothing from him except answers. Fuelled by rage, she follows him to England, determined to confront the people who wronged her. Instead, she finds a desperate her former found family is trapped in a medieval world slipping into chaos. A monstrous red dragon has risen, villages burn, and time is running out.
To save them, she and Ethan must return—together. Bound by a fragile alliance and a fake marriage, they journey across England and into the wilds of Wales, facing brutal dangers, old enemies, and the ghosts of who they once were.
As they fight to survive, Ethan faces a painful Sophia has changed. And if he wants a future with her, he’ll have to fall in love with the woman she is now… not the one he lost. Sophia must confront an even harder is Ethan still her enemy—or the only man who has ever truly seen her?
Every trial strips them back to who they were—and who they might become again. But the path to the dragon’s lair forces a final can they save the people depending on them… and find their way back to each other’s hearts?
A dark, slow-burn, second-chance historical fantasy romance—perfect for fans of revenge arcs, wounded knights, and dragons.
Two years after waking with no memory of her disappearance, Sophia still carries a hollow ache where her past should be. When she meets Ethan at a sword convention—familiar in a way she can’t explain—sparks ignite… until he admits he once belonged to those who hurt her.
Ethan wants to earn her forgiveness. Sophia wants nothing from him except answers. Fuelled by rage, she follows him to England, determined to confront the people who wronged her. Instead, she finds a desperate her former found family is trapped in a medieval world slipping into chaos. A monstrous red dragon has risen, villages burn, and time is running out.
To save them, she and Ethan must return—together. Bound by a fragile alliance and a fake marriage, they journey across England and into the wilds of Wales, facing brutal dangers, old enemies, and the ghosts of who they once were.
As they fight to survive, Ethan faces a painful Sophia has changed. And if he wants a future with her, he’ll have to fall in love with the woman she is now… not the one he lost. Sophia must confront an even harder is Ethan still her enemy—or the only man who has ever truly seen her?
Every trial strips them back to who they were—and who they might become again. But the path to the dragon’s lair forces a final can they save the people depending on them… and find their way back to each other’s hearts?
A dark, slow-burn, second-chance historical fantasy romance—perfect for fans of revenge arcs, wounded knights, and dragons.
491 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 14, 2026
About the author
Eliza Hampstead
9 books110 followersAward-winning author Eliza Hampstead is a scientist by training. When she's not writing, she spends her time as a geek. Playing all sorts of games (board games, video games, RPGs) and being a big fan of medieval history are only a few of the many hobbies she has. Passionate about fantasy, she’s always planning her next adventure.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the great honor and pleasure of Beta reading A CODE OF HONOUR AND SHADOWS by Eliza Hampstead, book two in her Swords of Time series. In book one, Sophie, a German woman, wife, and mother, on vacation, is attacked. She wakes and finds herself in medieval England. She must learn to navigate the medieval world and find a place for herself. Needing to protect herself, she secretly learns to wield a sword and falls in love with the handsome knight who is teaching her.
But all is not as she thinks. She actually in a computer simulation and her knight is one of the programmers. Book one ends with her escaping the program.
In book two, Sophie has returned to Germany and her son. Her marriage has failed as she tries to put her life back together. Her one joy is sword fighting, a skill she learned in simulation. At a competition, she comes face to face with Ethan, her programmer/knight/lover. He asks the unaskable of her, return to the simulation to rescue those still trapped inside.
I devoured the first book in this series and was excited to see where book two would take me and she did not disappoint. Hampstead is a master world builder, recreating medieval England. Her history is spot on, giving the reader a genuine feel for the gritty brutal world of the 1300s. There is, of course, a romance with plenty of spice. I really enjoy the author’s writing style and her twisty plot kept me guessing how the book would end.
Sophie, the female MC, is a character you can get behind. She has an inner strength that shines through despite her fears and doubts. Ethan is madly in love with her, understands her rejection of him, but is fighting to win her back. Will they reunite? I was cheering them both on!
If you enjoy romantasy with a big twist, I know you will love this series as much as I did. I highly recommend A CODE OF HONOUR AND SHADOWS to lovers of romantasy and good old-fashioned storytelling.
But all is not as she thinks. She actually in a computer simulation and her knight is one of the programmers. Book one ends with her escaping the program.
In book two, Sophie has returned to Germany and her son. Her marriage has failed as she tries to put her life back together. Her one joy is sword fighting, a skill she learned in simulation. At a competition, she comes face to face with Ethan, her programmer/knight/lover. He asks the unaskable of her, return to the simulation to rescue those still trapped inside.
I devoured the first book in this series and was excited to see where book two would take me and she did not disappoint. Hampstead is a master world builder, recreating medieval England. Her history is spot on, giving the reader a genuine feel for the gritty brutal world of the 1300s. There is, of course, a romance with plenty of spice. I really enjoy the author’s writing style and her twisty plot kept me guessing how the book would end.
Sophie, the female MC, is a character you can get behind. She has an inner strength that shines through despite her fears and doubts. Ethan is madly in love with her, understands her rejection of him, but is fighting to win her back. Will they reunite? I was cheering them both on!
If you enjoy romantasy with a big twist, I know you will love this series as much as I did. I highly recommend A CODE OF HONOUR AND SHADOWS to lovers of romantasy and good old-fashioned storytelling.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the utmost pleasure of being a critique partner for this book. Since we both write fantasy with a dragon, it’s a no-brainer that we would make a great pair.
The story follows Sophia after Book One. The kidnapping and the horrors she endured in the simulation still haunt her, but her love for Medieval history persists, and she signs up for a Medieval convention. During her stay, she meets Ethan, a doppelganger of her lover in the simulation known as Henry.
Ethan was Henry in the simulation.
I don't want to go too deep into the fabric of the story and their relationship for fear of spoiling anything, so I’ll keep my lips (or fingertips) sealed and let you find out more for yourself.
The comps used for this title and its predecessor are Black Mirror and Outlander. I want to go a little deeper into the premise that it feels like the Black Mirror episode ‘USS Callister’, but instead of a Star Trek-based simulation, it’s Outlander with a touch of Merlin, especially for this title.
Sophia and Ethan’s return to the simulation to destroy the dragon was a lot of fun; the worldbuilding and the historical accuracy of the weapons, clothing, armour, and social politics are very immersive. I love it when a book teaches me something, and I’m glad that Hampstead went out of her way to make sure that not only her characters were experiencing Medieval England, but we would be too.
The story follows Sophia after Book One. The kidnapping and the horrors she endured in the simulation still haunt her, but her love for Medieval history persists, and she signs up for a Medieval convention. During her stay, she meets Ethan, a doppelganger of her lover in the simulation known as Henry.
Ethan was Henry in the simulation.
I don't want to go too deep into the fabric of the story and their relationship for fear of spoiling anything, so I’ll keep my lips (or fingertips) sealed and let you find out more for yourself.
The comps used for this title and its predecessor are Black Mirror and Outlander. I want to go a little deeper into the premise that it feels like the Black Mirror episode ‘USS Callister’, but instead of a Star Trek-based simulation, it’s Outlander with a touch of Merlin, especially for this title.
Sophia and Ethan’s return to the simulation to destroy the dragon was a lot of fun; the worldbuilding and the historical accuracy of the weapons, clothing, armour, and social politics are very immersive. I love it when a book teaches me something, and I’m glad that Hampstead went out of her way to make sure that not only her characters were experiencing Medieval England, but we would be too.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fantastic conclusion.
In book one the FMC, Sophia, wakes up in 15th century England, in Warwick Castle, and at the end of the book she discovers that she was kidnapped and without her consent she was sent into the past via a computer simulation. In this book, she will be asked to return to that world by Henry/Ethan to free others from forced captivity. Wow, I loved this book! Sophia and Ethan will continue their romance but will have to do some major soul searching along the way, because after two years Sophia is not the same woman as she was before the events of two years ago changed her in ways that she herself has not quite realized. Just like the first book this one has graphic descriptions of sexual violence, vividly described bloody fights and battles, plenty of exciting action, and includes specific depictions of medieval torture. This book is not for the faint of heart and there could be possible triggers for some readers. This is a steamy time travel romance, but to me, it also has elements of what I would consider sci-fi and fantasy, and there are plenty of surprising twists in the plot that made it difficult to put this book down. I think this is a must=read book and series that I highly recommend to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC provided by the author.
In book one the FMC, Sophia, wakes up in 15th century England, in Warwick Castle, and at the end of the book she discovers that she was kidnapped and without her consent she was sent into the past via a computer simulation. In this book, she will be asked to return to that world by Henry/Ethan to free others from forced captivity. Wow, I loved this book! Sophia and Ethan will continue their romance but will have to do some major soul searching along the way, because after two years Sophia is not the same woman as she was before the events of two years ago changed her in ways that she herself has not quite realized. Just like the first book this one has graphic descriptions of sexual violence, vividly described bloody fights and battles, plenty of exciting action, and includes specific depictions of medieval torture. This book is not for the faint of heart and there could be possible triggers for some readers. This is a steamy time travel romance, but to me, it also has elements of what I would consider sci-fi and fantasy, and there are plenty of surprising twists in the plot that made it difficult to put this book down. I think this is a must=read book and series that I highly recommend to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC provided by the author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
In this sequel to A Code of Knights and Deception, we meet Sophia six months after she returns from England following her journey in that novel. She meets a guy at a Medieval sword convention/competition, who is very familiar, but the knowledge of where she knows him from escapes her. Then up from the recessed of her memory…
He has a task for her. Well, his boss does: help save the people who harmed her badly.
Will she or won’t she go back into that virtual world where threats to life are on every side, just to save those who abused and traumatised her previously?
I was looking forward to this next instalment of Sophia’s and Ethan’s story and hoped Hampstead would have some surprises and twists to match ACOKAD.
In A Code of Honour and Shadows, she does.
The fight scenes are fantastic. Some may well have come from a horror movie (fighting with phantoms). And the final twist, logical and delightful and scary all at once.
Our heroine, Sophia doesn’t disappoint—as feisty as ever. And Hunky Henry—I mean Ethan—is just as smoulderingly gorgeous and brave. Plenty of romantic angst. Spice level high.
I can recommend this novel to Romantasy readers who enjoy a strong heroine, high-heat romance scenes, and plenty of action in a well-researched medieval setting.
He has a task for her. Well, his boss does: help save the people who harmed her badly.
Will she or won’t she go back into that virtual world where threats to life are on every side, just to save those who abused and traumatised her previously?
I was looking forward to this next instalment of Sophia’s and Ethan’s story and hoped Hampstead would have some surprises and twists to match ACOKAD.
In A Code of Honour and Shadows, she does.
The fight scenes are fantastic. Some may well have come from a horror movie (fighting with phantoms). And the final twist, logical and delightful and scary all at once.
Our heroine, Sophia doesn’t disappoint—as feisty as ever. And Hunky Henry—I mean Ethan—is just as smoulderingly gorgeous and brave. Plenty of romantic angst. Spice level high.
I can recommend this novel to Romantasy readers who enjoy a strong heroine, high-heat romance scenes, and plenty of action in a well-researched medieval setting.
September 23, 2026
Keeping Ahead of AI.
I read book 1 a while ago so it took some time (and reading my previous review) to remember where this story left off. The idea of an AI immersive world is fascinating and equally frightening at the same time. Watching Sophia and Ethan try to find a solution continuously kept me on edge. At times their responses seemed to swing from love to hate, from support to indifference and even selfless to selfishly self centered. I guess I too went through phases of liking and disliking both of them based on their treatment and judgements of each other. Still, I was pulled along desperately wanting to see the final escape with a HEA for all. I even have a thought that this is not REALLY the end. I guess I’ll have to wait and see. The warning at the beginning is justified as their is a LOT of actions and situations that may trigger some readers.
I read an advance review copy and am leaving this review voluntarily
I read book 1 a while ago so it took some time (and reading my previous review) to remember where this story left off. The idea of an AI immersive world is fascinating and equally frightening at the same time. Watching Sophia and Ethan try to find a solution continuously kept me on edge. At times their responses seemed to swing from love to hate, from support to indifference and even selfless to selfishly self centered. I guess I too went through phases of liking and disliking both of them based on their treatment and judgements of each other. Still, I was pulled along desperately wanting to see the final escape with a HEA for all. I even have a thought that this is not REALLY the end. I guess I’ll have to wait and see. The warning at the beginning is justified as their is a LOT of actions and situations that may trigger some readers.
I read an advance review copy and am leaving this review voluntarily
September 14, 2026
ARC Review of A Code of Honour & Shadows by Eliza Hampstead
* * * * *
Loved it! So happy Eliza allow me the chance to read this story.
For those who want to have their mind completely boggled, their heart rates up and needing a cold drink for some of that spiciness.
As the fantasy world becomes in danger to those trapped within, and a threat to those in the real world, it comes to question who can Sophia really trust?
Ethan, who she knew to be someone else, and someone who was part of a traumatic experience to not only herself but others.
The people within the fantasy world?
The people in control?
Will her family be safe, and will she really be free once the true evil has been vanquished?
Not to forget, as Sophie is facing all this, she is still mending a broken heart and a confused mind filled with blanks, and it all just keeps coming!!!
* * * * *
Loved it! So happy Eliza allow me the chance to read this story.
For those who want to have their mind completely boggled, their heart rates up and needing a cold drink for some of that spiciness.
As the fantasy world becomes in danger to those trapped within, and a threat to those in the real world, it comes to question who can Sophia really trust?
Ethan, who she knew to be someone else, and someone who was part of a traumatic experience to not only herself but others.
The people within the fantasy world?
The people in control?
Will her family be safe, and will she really be free once the true evil has been vanquished?
Not to forget, as Sophie is facing all this, she is still mending a broken heart and a confused mind filled with blanks, and it all just keeps coming!!!
September 15, 2026
This sequel was a whirlwind of emotion and adventure! I loved diving back into the world especially after the way the first book ended.
I really enjoyed how unique the story was. It wasn’t just historical romance but a blend of different genres and technology.
I loved getting back to these characters and also seeing the other ones as well from the previous book. I enjoyed the high stakes and the high emotions with this one.
If you love medieval romance with some dark fantasy elements, modern times, technology, second chances, self growth, forced proximity, strong fighter FMC, protective MMC, found family, high stakes, high emotions, spice, and more then check this one out!
I really enjoyed how unique the story was. It wasn’t just historical romance but a blend of different genres and technology.
I loved getting back to these characters and also seeing the other ones as well from the previous book. I enjoyed the high stakes and the high emotions with this one.
If you love medieval romance with some dark fantasy elements, modern times, technology, second chances, self growth, forced proximity, strong fighter FMC, protective MMC, found family, high stakes, high emotions, spice, and more then check this one out!
September 21, 2026
This book could not come fast enough for me! After reading book 1, A Code of Knights and Deception, I could not stop thinking about it for weeks and was desperate to get my hands on this sequel. I am so happy to say it did not disappoint! The author continues to deliver beautiful details and incredible world-building that completely draws you in. I also absolutely loved the little nod to Avengers: Endgame, such a fun touch! An amazing story with an ending that was bittersweet, and honestly, I really can't formulate words for how this book made me feel. I just know I need more!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow! I loved this book!
It exceeded all my expectations—this story holds so much more than a typical romantasy romance. The writing is fantastic, the worldbuilding is chef’s kiss, and the characters feel so vivid and real.
I especially loved Ethan’s yearning and Sophia’s growth throughout the book.
The twists kept me on the edge of my seat, and the ending—wow. I genuinely had to stop and think, “Wait… what?”
Read it—you’ll thank me later!
It exceeded all my expectations—this story holds so much more than a typical romantasy romance. The writing is fantastic, the worldbuilding is chef’s kiss, and the characters feel so vivid and real.
I especially loved Ethan’s yearning and Sophia’s growth throughout the book.
The twists kept me on the edge of my seat, and the ending—wow. I genuinely had to stop and think, “Wait… what?”
Read it—you’ll thank me later!
Review of advance copy received from Author
It is a perfect ending to the first book! The emotional tension is perfectly done, with a mix of female rage and forgiveness, especially as love comes into the picture.
I loved this book! Sophia is a true, fierce, and independent heroine, which I love about her arc! This second book felt fulfilling after ending the first on such a cliffhanger! There were twists I didn't see coming, and god, I rooted for them to get together so badly!
Thank you, Eliza
I loved this book! Sophia is a true, fierce, and independent heroine, which I love about her arc! This second book felt fulfilling after ending the first on such a cliffhanger! There were twists I didn't see coming, and god, I rooted for them to get together so badly!
Thank you, Eliza
Read
September 16, 2026After surviving Ethan and the medieval game in book 1, Sophie has tried to put everything behind her. But of course she is faced with the choice of returning to the medieval world she escaped for a good cause. And watching what unfolds and her choices made for a fun story full of drama, and action, and choices. Plus there is whatever is going on between Sophie and Ethan to keep things interesting. Enjoyed it and was drawn in with everything going on in this one.
September 14, 2026
A brilliant conclusion to a wonderful story! The twist at the end is so good! There’s so much heart and imagination poured into this story. The premise is incredible! I really enjoyed seeing the mediaeval world and modern characters work together as the story progressed. You can really feel the care that has gone into creating it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved the concept behind the book: historical period inside of a virtual reality, an AI going rogue, and a love story to top it all off. The book is fast paced and full of romance; exactly what you need for a Friday evening.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2026
In the second installment of this Romantasy, we returned to medieval England. The world building is immersive and fun. From the battles, the action, to the violence, and let’s not forget the romance. There are so many twists. My pages kept turning…this is a great read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A great sequel to the first book. I really enjoyed the journey these two went on, the shift in emotions from both of them all the while tackling the unknown!!! Well worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews