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Heirs of the Second Dawn #1
The Light Under the Shadow Wing: Heirs of the Second Dawn
Not yet published
Expected 24 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.
Audible Audio
Expected publication February 23, 2026
56 people are currently reading
1321 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Bouchet
17 books3,865 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...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 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!
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!
February 16, 2026
5 stars honestly doesn’t feel like enough for this one.
I was completely addicted from the start — the kind of book that takes over your life and makes it impossible to focus on anything else. I found myself bouncing between reading and the audiobook because I wasn’t ready to leave this world.
And speaking of the audiobook, it was incredibly well done. It’s narrated in duel, which isn’t always my personal preference, but the performances were strong enough that I was fully pulled into the story. The male narrator handled the female voice surprisingly well (no awkward distraction there), and the emotional delivery added another layer of intensity to an already immersive book.
This is romantasy done exceptionally well. A Shadow-wielding dragon shifter that I just was obsessed with, dangerous politics, brutal fight scenes, tender moments, and choices that had me staring at the page thinking did that really just happen? It delivers action, emotion, tension, and romance in a way that feels effortless.
And the characters… I was fully invested. The chemistry, the longing, the emotional weight behind their decisions, it all pulled me in deeper with every chapter.
Some books entertain you, but others completely consume you. This one consumed me. I already know this is a story I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
Without question one of my favorite reads, and an easy auto-recommend from me thanks to RB Media, NetGalley, and the nerdfam for the ALC and ARC.
I was completely addicted from the start — the kind of book that takes over your life and makes it impossible to focus on anything else. I found myself bouncing between reading and the audiobook because I wasn’t ready to leave this world.
And speaking of the audiobook, it was incredibly well done. It’s narrated in duel, which isn’t always my personal preference, but the performances were strong enough that I was fully pulled into the story. The male narrator handled the female voice surprisingly well (no awkward distraction there), and the emotional delivery added another layer of intensity to an already immersive book.
This is romantasy done exceptionally well. A Shadow-wielding dragon shifter that I just was obsessed with, dangerous politics, brutal fight scenes, tender moments, and choices that had me staring at the page thinking did that really just happen? It delivers action, emotion, tension, and romance in a way that feels effortless.
And the characters… I was fully invested. The chemistry, the longing, the emotional weight behind their decisions, it all pulled me in deeper with every chapter.
Some books entertain you, but others completely consume you. This one consumed me. I already know this is a story I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
Without question one of my favorite reads, and an easy auto-recommend from me thanks to RB Media, NetGalley, and the nerdfam for the ALC and ARC.
February 2, 2026
I went in excited and came out absolutely satisfied . This book is romantasy catnip: lush worldbuilding, found family chaos, dragon shifters, vampires and so much more.
The romance? Slow-burn, yearning, foot-kicking, why-are-you-two-not-kissing-YET energy. The chemistry is unhinged in the best way, the secrets are doing backflips, and the tension is so thick you feel personally violated when they resist each other lol.
Fast-paced fight scenes balance perfectly with swoony moments, the characters feel lived-in and lovable, and by the end you’re book-hungover, emotionally attached, and demanding more immediately.
This was my first read from the Author and will not be my last! Thank you Nerd Fam for the e-ARC copy.
The romance? Slow-burn, yearning, foot-kicking, why-are-you-two-not-kissing-YET energy. The chemistry is unhinged in the best way, the secrets are doing backflips, and the tension is so thick you feel personally violated when they resist each other lol.
Fast-paced fight scenes balance perfectly with swoony moments, the characters feel lived-in and lovable, and by the end you’re book-hungover, emotionally attached, and demanding more immediately.
This was my first read from the Author and will not be my last! Thank you Nerd Fam for the e-ARC copy.
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
This book was soooo good!! And it's a stand alone so get the ending in this book! Thank you to The NerdFam for the gifted eArc
January 21, 2026
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
This book was absolutely fantastic. It was so good I feel like I am in a book hangover. So many tropes here!
🌟found family
🌟vampires
🌟dragon shifters
🌟paranormal royalty
🌟royalty massacre
🌟chosen one
🌟second chance romance
🌟Ball bustin Vampire Queen!
It is well known that dragons are hoarders, but usually we think this in terms of material goods, gold and riches ect. This king values his people as well as his riches. He has a special wing guard including dragon shifters, phoenixes, and one non shifter who knows next to nothing about her self. But the wing guard fights injustices put upon the Dragon Kings people, by the Vampires and werepeople.
Idallia asks the king many times if he knows her history or parts of it, but he repeatedly hides his secrets, terrified that he will lose her if she knows her story.
The attraction and desire between them is so intense that it is almost unbelievable when you turn the page and find they actually resisted each other! But his secrets are still swirling and he knows that he needs to tell her soon. Only. He talks himself into every excuse to wait.
This book has all the elements that keep you from putting it down! I hope a second book will be written because it would be a shame for these characters not to live on.
#thelightundertheshadowwing
#thenerdfam
@thenerdfam.
This book was absolutely fantastic. It was so good I feel like I am in a book hangover. So many tropes here!
🌟found family
🌟vampires
🌟dragon shifters
🌟paranormal royalty
🌟royalty massacre
🌟chosen one
🌟second chance romance
🌟Ball bustin Vampire Queen!
It is well known that dragons are hoarders, but usually we think this in terms of material goods, gold and riches ect. This king values his people as well as his riches. He has a special wing guard including dragon shifters, phoenixes, and one non shifter who knows next to nothing about her self. But the wing guard fights injustices put upon the Dragon Kings people, by the Vampires and werepeople.
Idallia asks the king many times if he knows her history or parts of it, but he repeatedly hides his secrets, terrified that he will lose her if she knows her story.
The attraction and desire between them is so intense that it is almost unbelievable when you turn the page and find they actually resisted each other! But his secrets are still swirling and he knows that he needs to tell her soon. Only. He talks himself into every excuse to wait.
This book has all the elements that keep you from putting it down! I hope a second book will be written because it would be a shame for these characters not to live on.
#thelightundertheshadowwing
#thenerdfam
@thenerdfam.
January 21, 2026
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for this gifted eARC!
“She’s iron disguised as silk. I never want to be her enemy. Someone who loves as intensely as Idallia can hate just as powerfully.”
Oh how I devoured this book! Dragon shifters, a phoenix rider, an evil vampire king, found family, he falls first, the yummiest tension, amazing banter…This story has it all. And it’s the first book in an interconnected standalone series so there’s no cliffhanger!! I can happily look forward to book 2 without any stress. Idallia is strong, fierce but trying to find her true place in the world. Bale is broody, tortured but puts everyone in his kingdom before himself. He wants to be a good man, a good king. Loved this so much. Read it.
“She’s iron disguised as silk. I never want to be her enemy. Someone who loves as intensely as Idallia can hate just as powerfully.”
Oh how I devoured this book! Dragon shifters, a phoenix rider, an evil vampire king, found family, he falls first, the yummiest tension, amazing banter…This story has it all. And it’s the first book in an interconnected standalone series so there’s no cliffhanger!! I can happily look forward to book 2 without any stress. Idallia is strong, fierce but trying to find her true place in the world. Bale is broody, tortured but puts everyone in his kingdom before himself. He wants to be a good man, a good king. Loved this so much. Read it.
Review of advance copy
"Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #thelightundertheshadowwing #thenerdfam"
my opinions on the review are my own.
this book has dragons, phoenix, and vampires. it was a very good book, couldn't put it down. it has 2 main characters and both are awesome. so much fighting action, and finding ways to figure things out with what they are going through at the moment. not to spicey. for me it was a fun read.
my opinions on the review are my own.
this book has dragons, phoenix, and vampires. it was a very good book, couldn't put it down. it has 2 main characters and both are awesome. so much fighting action, and finding ways to figure things out with what they are going through at the moment. not to spicey. for me it was a fun read.
January 28, 2026
Full disclosure: I worked with the author on this book, so obviously I am biased!
This is somehow both deeply bingeable, and also has moments that will stop you in your tracks to just let it sink in (the number of times I audibly yelled “AMANDA, THAT LINE!” was wild).
In no particular order, a non-exhaustive list of the things I love about this book:
🐦🔥 Phoenixes (I would die for sweet baby Embersol)
🏠 Found family (the family you choose)
🐉 Dragon King (give me this man on his knees for her)
⚔️ Rage-fuelled fight scenes (they are gory and glorious)
🌶️ The burn is slow, but when they get there… (🔥)
💪 A woman’s agency (all is not as it seems, the payoff is 🙌)
🗺️ A rich fantasy world, ready for more (I ❤️ standalones)
🧎 She makes him atone (no easy apologies here!)
2️⃣ Duel first person POV (enjoy that yearning ache)
❤️ It’s a romance at heart (with all the mess that brings)
✍️ Have I mentioned the evocative writing?
A brief favourite line of FMC narration, in the middle of a gruesome fight scene: “Grinning like a knife-opened throat…” The book is positively littered with these deliciously evocative moments!
I can’t wait to read this again via audiobook on release day next month—the narration will be in duet, and the casting is perfection.
This is somehow both deeply bingeable, and also has moments that will stop you in your tracks to just let it sink in (the number of times I audibly yelled “AMANDA, THAT LINE!” was wild).
In no particular order, a non-exhaustive list of the things I love about this book:
🐦🔥 Phoenixes (I would die for sweet baby Embersol)
🏠 Found family (the family you choose)
🐉 Dragon King (give me this man on his knees for her)
⚔️ Rage-fuelled fight scenes (they are gory and glorious)
🌶️ The burn is slow, but when they get there… (🔥)
💪 A woman’s agency (all is not as it seems, the payoff is 🙌)
🗺️ A rich fantasy world, ready for more (I ❤️ standalones)
🧎 She makes him atone (no easy apologies here!)
2️⃣ Duel first person POV (enjoy that yearning ache)
❤️ It’s a romance at heart (with all the mess that brings)
✍️ Have I mentioned the evocative writing?
A brief favourite line of FMC narration, in the middle of a gruesome fight scene: “Grinning like a knife-opened throat…” The book is positively littered with these deliciously evocative moments!
I can’t wait to read this again via audiobook on release day next month—the narration will be in duet, and the casting is perfection.
Review of advance copy
When reviewing a book (especially an Arc like this is) I like to try to stay positive as I know that other people have different tastes to me, so in spirit of that I will list the positive things about this book but frankly I worry about the mentality of the people that are ok with this romantic dynamic so I cannot recommend this to anyone.
This book is written well, the pace is consistent and not too slow, the characters foundations are written well to begin with, and the initial romantic building was intriguing. Then it went downhill and then it just got worse.
The least spoilery way I could explain the necessary information is saying that the author failed to add or mislabelled some trigger/content warnings including but not limited to
- Adult MMC met and kidnapped the MFC as a baby.
- Abuse from the MMC via manipulation and intentional withheld information that knowingly causes physical harm/prevents full physical health.
- Romance between the kidnapper and the kidnapped child once grown.
- Rape by deception/fraud.
It is important to stress the difference between triggers from an enemy and triggers that are between the main couple because that is not triggers, that is tropes. And honestly anyone that wants to read a romance about a kidnapped child growing up and falling in love with her kidnapper and manipulator may need an appointment with the police or an intense therapist. It is not the same as romanticising and adult kidnapping an adult, yes that is still messed up but has its reasons. Romanticising the kidnapping of a baby is absolutely never ok no matter how much glitter and sparkles are covering it. There is an unwritten rule about the main couple ONLY MEETING AS ADULTS regardless of the age gap. But maybe the rule needs to be written.
I honestly wanted the book to end a few chapters before it did.
In all of my reading years there have only been 3 MMC's that I've wished for the MFC to kill... this is one of them. And I have read and enjoyed dark romance. I'm heavily traumatised and enjoy trauma core, I am not easily offended/triggered by dark topics. But there is absolutely nothing that excuses the...
Spoilers!!!
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Kidnapping (a baby) - He didn't have to take her to keep her safe, he could have handed her to her own people to raise and protect in secret. Also him meeting her as a baby, naming her, and being her dads friend and then later falling in love with her is so so icky. I still have questions about how closely he kept tabs on her as she grew up. Because of this storyline I can't help but question the authors morals.
Grooming - Because yes, he groomed her to be a political advantage. And he groomed her by building trust, a friendship, and a sexual relationship on lies. And lets be serious, the entire situation and him not telling her the truth before sex as well as knowing she would likely hate him for it, makes that entire week of sex rape by deception/fraud.
&
Lying - Which kept her weak and caused her a life of physical and emotional distress, harm, weakness, and as a result put her in unsuspecting danger.
This isn't a romance, it is a crime documentary that starts with a kidnapping and ends with a brain washed victim falling in love with her abductor. Sticking a bow on it by making him hot and having him training her doesn't make any of it suddenly stop being as bad as it is.
All of this would be fine if it ended with him as the villain he is instead of romanticising the situation.
It's a shame because the writing was really good, I was seriously enjoying it until him meeting and abducting her as a baby came into. And then to make it worse!!! the manipulation! Which was all unnecessary, it easily could have been written as his dad saved her as a baby or a general or literally anyone other than the MMC and him not know her history, the story wouldn’t have been different in anyway other than it wouldn't be icky.
This book is written well, the pace is consistent and not too slow, the characters foundations are written well to begin with, and the initial romantic building was intriguing. Then it went downhill and then it just got worse.
The least spoilery way I could explain the necessary information is saying that the author failed to add or mislabelled some trigger/content warnings including but not limited to
- Adult MMC met and kidnapped the MFC as a baby.
- Abuse from the MMC via manipulation and intentional withheld information that knowingly causes physical harm/prevents full physical health.
- Romance between the kidnapper and the kidnapped child once grown.
- Rape by deception/fraud.
It is important to stress the difference between triggers from an enemy and triggers that are between the main couple because that is not triggers, that is tropes. And honestly anyone that wants to read a romance about a kidnapped child growing up and falling in love with her kidnapper and manipulator may need an appointment with the police or an intense therapist. It is not the same as romanticising and adult kidnapping an adult, yes that is still messed up but has its reasons. Romanticising the kidnapping of a baby is absolutely never ok no matter how much glitter and sparkles are covering it. There is an unwritten rule about the main couple ONLY MEETING AS ADULTS regardless of the age gap. But maybe the rule needs to be written.
I honestly wanted the book to end a few chapters before it did.
In all of my reading years there have only been 3 MMC's that I've wished for the MFC to kill... this is one of them. And I have read and enjoyed dark romance. I'm heavily traumatised and enjoy trauma core, I am not easily offended/triggered by dark topics. But there is absolutely nothing that excuses the...
Spoilers!!!
*
*
*
*
*
Kidnapping (a baby) - He didn't have to take her to keep her safe, he could have handed her to her own people to raise and protect in secret. Also him meeting her as a baby, naming her, and being her dads friend and then later falling in love with her is so so icky. I still have questions about how closely he kept tabs on her as she grew up. Because of this storyline I can't help but question the authors morals.
Grooming - Because yes, he groomed her to be a political advantage. And he groomed her by building trust, a friendship, and a sexual relationship on lies. And lets be serious, the entire situation and him not telling her the truth before sex as well as knowing she would likely hate him for it, makes that entire week of sex rape by deception/fraud.
&
Lying - Which kept her weak and caused her a life of physical and emotional distress, harm, weakness, and as a result put her in unsuspecting danger.
This isn't a romance, it is a crime documentary that starts with a kidnapping and ends with a brain washed victim falling in love with her abductor. Sticking a bow on it by making him hot and having him training her doesn't make any of it suddenly stop being as bad as it is.
All of this would be fine if it ended with him as the villain he is instead of romanticising the situation.
It's a shame because the writing was really good, I was seriously enjoying it until him meeting and abducting her as a baby came into. And then to make it worse!!! the manipulation! Which was all unnecessary, it easily could have been written as his dad saved her as a baby or a general or literally anyone other than the MMC and him not know her history, the story wouldn’t have been different in anyway other than it wouldn't be icky.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for the ALC in exchange for honest review.
A standalone romantasy? In interconnected series? With dragon shifters, phoenixes, vampires and an amazing magic system? Sign me up, I'll take a million!!!
As much as I love series, standalones hold a special place in my heart! I LOVED how immersed I was in the world and that we got the story wrapped up by the end of the book. I am so excited for other books within the series!
Idallia (our FMC) is part of the elite group of dragon shifters/phoenix riders commissioned by the King (Bale). She's been part of the team for years, oh did I forget to mention that the MMC and FMC are BOTH hundreds of years old, but don't age nearly as quickly? Also adored that, the 500 year Fae male falling for the teenage human is getting a little overdone.
She's ways had lingering questions about her heritage and feels like she needs to know more!
Throughout the story, we all get to discover more about her background and see her love story develop, fall apart and come back together. I loved every single second and you had better believe I'll be back for the rest of the series!
The audiobook narration was fantastic and had me completely immersed! 5 stars all around!!!
A standalone romantasy? In interconnected series? With dragon shifters, phoenixes, vampires and an amazing magic system? Sign me up, I'll take a million!!!
As much as I love series, standalones hold a special place in my heart! I LOVED how immersed I was in the world and that we got the story wrapped up by the end of the book. I am so excited for other books within the series!
Idallia (our FMC) is part of the elite group of dragon shifters/phoenix riders commissioned by the King (Bale). She's been part of the team for years, oh did I forget to mention that the MMC and FMC are BOTH hundreds of years old, but don't age nearly as quickly? Also adored that, the 500 year Fae male falling for the teenage human is getting a little overdone.
She's ways had lingering questions about her heritage and feels like she needs to know more!
Throughout the story, we all get to discover more about her background and see her love story develop, fall apart and come back together. I loved every single second and you had better believe I'll be back for the rest of the series!
The audiobook narration was fantastic and had me completely immersed! 5 stars all around!!!
February 7, 2026
Usually I’m one for several books in a series and prefer to have stories stretched out over many more pages, but this standalone was so well done it could make me start to try them out more!
You are launched into this world full of vampires, fae, dragon and other shifters, and humans who all live amongst kingdoms with those of other kingdoms trying to capture them to either satiate their blood or magic needs. In order to help keep the turf wars under control, the king who is a dragon shifter has an elite group of warriors who pair with the war birds he made from his own scales and magic to help them protect their people. This is where we find our FMC, who’s the only non dragon shifter in these elite six but has earned her way into this group and has bonded with her birds over the past 200 years. You get to follow her story as she navigates protecting her people with the upcoming meeting of the kingdoms leaders threatening to end their relative peace.
This book was full of action, adventure and plenty of built up nerves and tension that I was hooked from the start. The multiple POVs throughout the story showed the inner turmoil of both the FMC and MMC as they struggle to keep their people safe. I enjoyed the unfolding of several reveals and the sound family the FMC has built amongst this community when she has no idea of her real past. The storyline was wrapped up in a satisfying way and I’m glad with how everything worked out in the end! My rating 4.5/5!
Thanks to the author and the nerd fam for the gifted arc, all opinions given are my own!
You are launched into this world full of vampires, fae, dragon and other shifters, and humans who all live amongst kingdoms with those of other kingdoms trying to capture them to either satiate their blood or magic needs. In order to help keep the turf wars under control, the king who is a dragon shifter has an elite group of warriors who pair with the war birds he made from his own scales and magic to help them protect their people. This is where we find our FMC, who’s the only non dragon shifter in these elite six but has earned her way into this group and has bonded with her birds over the past 200 years. You get to follow her story as she navigates protecting her people with the upcoming meeting of the kingdoms leaders threatening to end their relative peace.
This book was full of action, adventure and plenty of built up nerves and tension that I was hooked from the start. The multiple POVs throughout the story showed the inner turmoil of both the FMC and MMC as they struggle to keep their people safe. I enjoyed the unfolding of several reveals and the sound family the FMC has built amongst this community when she has no idea of her real past. The storyline was wrapped up in a satisfying way and I’m glad with how everything worked out in the end! My rating 4.5/5!
Thanks to the author and the nerd fam for the gifted arc, all opinions given are my own!
February 13, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC copy of this book.
✨ What This Book Gave Me
• Epic worldbuilding with layered mythology
• Powerful, emotionally driven romance
• Action that never lets you breathe for long
⸻
🖤 What I Loved
• The phoenix imagery and fire-laced magic — absolutely cinematic
• The tension between destiny and choice
• The emotional depth beneath all the battle and power struggles
⸻
⚠️ What Didn’t Fully Work for Me
• The stakes are relentless — but honestly, that’s part of what made it impossible to stop listening
⸻
🧠 Final Thoughts
This was one of those audiobooks where I kept finding excuses to press play. One more chapter turned into five. The pacing is sharp, the emotional beats land hard, and the romance burns just as brightly as the magic.
Amanda Bouchet blends sweeping fantasy with intimate character moments so seamlessly — you feel the weight of prophecy and power, but also the vulnerability of the characters trying to survive it. The phoenix symbolism woven throughout gives the story this constant undercurrent of rebirth, resilience, and fire.
It’s dramatic, intense, and completely immersive. I was hooked from start to finish.
✨ What This Book Gave Me
• Epic worldbuilding with layered mythology
• Powerful, emotionally driven romance
• Action that never lets you breathe for long
⸻
🖤 What I Loved
• The phoenix imagery and fire-laced magic — absolutely cinematic
• The tension between destiny and choice
• The emotional depth beneath all the battle and power struggles
⸻
⚠️ What Didn’t Fully Work for Me
• The stakes are relentless — but honestly, that’s part of what made it impossible to stop listening
⸻
🧠 Final Thoughts
This was one of those audiobooks where I kept finding excuses to press play. One more chapter turned into five. The pacing is sharp, the emotional beats land hard, and the romance burns just as brightly as the magic.
Amanda Bouchet blends sweeping fantasy with intimate character moments so seamlessly — you feel the weight of prophecy and power, but also the vulnerability of the characters trying to survive it. The phoenix symbolism woven throughout gives the story this constant undercurrent of rebirth, resilience, and fire.
It’s dramatic, intense, and completely immersive. I was hooked from start to finish.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Dragons, phoenixes, vampires, battles and romance. I liked the audiobook readers and the narrative style was good as well as the characters and the world . I also liked that the book is standalone 3.5⭐️.
The speechlessness and Bale's repeated I should tell, I should tell, but I'm afraid I'll lose Idallia's -thinking continued and repeated for too long for my taste, to the point of mild irritation. I like the world, so I plan to read the next standalone part of the series as well.
Thank you to RBmedia | Recorded Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of the audiobook in advance.
The speechlessness and Bale's repeated I should tell, I should tell, but I'm afraid I'll lose Idallia's -thinking continued and repeated for too long for my taste, to the point of mild irritation. I like the world, so I plan to read the next standalone part of the series as well.
Thank you to RBmedia | Recorded Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of the audiobook in advance.
January 27, 2026
High stakes but even higher tension. The story is full of secrets, betrayal, and slow burn romance. This is the first interconnected standalone from The Heirs of the Second Dawn series. I’ve been a fan of Amanda’s writing for a while so I was beyond excited to hear about her new book.
The book centers around Idallia and Bale. He’s the fiercely protective dragon king who wants to keep her all to himself. She’s the elite warrior content to just be with her three phoenix companions. She’s focused on uncovering who and what she is while also harboring a secret attraction towards him. He has the answers she seeks but is also juggling the brewing war.
Perfect for anyone looking for a standalone fantasy that doesn’t leave you with any questions or cliffhangers. The story was simple enough to make it a quick read. I really enjoyed the uniqueness of the story. Nothing about the book felt rushed. Almost too slow at times. Idallia’s bond to her phoenixes was a highlight for me. Also, the he trains her scenes get me every time!
I didn’t connect to the story the same way I did with the Kingmaker Chronicles. Over all it’s okay but not a stand out read.
Romantasy
Dragon Shifters
Slow Burn
He Trains Her
Phoenixes
Vampires
“If he’s the lightning strike, then I’m the thunder. We need each other to be whole.”
The book centers around Idallia and Bale. He’s the fiercely protective dragon king who wants to keep her all to himself. She’s the elite warrior content to just be with her three phoenix companions. She’s focused on uncovering who and what she is while also harboring a secret attraction towards him. He has the answers she seeks but is also juggling the brewing war.
Perfect for anyone looking for a standalone fantasy that doesn’t leave you with any questions or cliffhangers. The story was simple enough to make it a quick read. I really enjoyed the uniqueness of the story. Nothing about the book felt rushed. Almost too slow at times. Idallia’s bond to her phoenixes was a highlight for me. Also, the he trains her scenes get me every time!
I didn’t connect to the story the same way I did with the Kingmaker Chronicles. Over all it’s okay but not a stand out read.
Romantasy
Dragon Shifters
Slow Burn
He Trains Her
Phoenixes
Vampires
“If he’s the lightning strike, then I’m the thunder. We need each other to be whole.”
February 6, 2026
This book had everything I want in fantasy romance: a broody dragon shifter king, a take-no-crap FMC who’s just happens to be the only phoenix rider in the King’s Elite Wing, and three very opinionated phoenix. Did I mention dragons, vampires, fae, humans and every kind of shifter all delicately woven into an unforgettable story?
The characters are layered and complex. Each carrying their own struggles but together they form a force that should absolutely not be messed with.
And the angst? The emotional tension between Bale and Idallia is so well written that I genuinely didn’t want to put the book down. Their slow-burn connection, unspoken feelings and push-and-pull added so much depth to an already incredible story.
If you love powerful heroines, broody kings, rich world building and found-family vibes you don’t miss this one.
The Light Under The Shadow Wing is pure storytelling magic.
The characters are layered and complex. Each carrying their own struggles but together they form a force that should absolutely not be messed with.
And the angst? The emotional tension between Bale and Idallia is so well written that I genuinely didn’t want to put the book down. Their slow-burn connection, unspoken feelings and push-and-pull added so much depth to an already incredible story.
If you love powerful heroines, broody kings, rich world building and found-family vibes you don’t miss this one.
The Light Under The Shadow Wing is pure storytelling magic.
Review of advance copy
I got this from the nerd fam. it is such a good story. i love the world building and the characters. it was a little slow af some points but I loved it. I think that this book has good readability and I cant wait to see if there's a book 2 or not. I found this super interesting. I dont read a lot with phoneixes and this book did not disappoint. highly reccomend it 10/10.
January 23, 2026
I liked the premise of this but writing felt juvenile. With the exception of a couple explicit scenes (that weren’t really necessary) this could be a YA Romantasy. I felt bored and like it dragged on for forever. There were moments that had me hooked but they only lasted for a few pages and then I was back to rolling my eyes and getting frustrated. The miscommunication was atrocious and borderline unbearable.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and the author for the gifted e-arc
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and the author for the gifted e-arc
February 10, 2026
This was good! Romantasy fans will eat this up
Read
February 10, 2026My review will follow soon
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rated: 4.5 🎧
Spice: 🌶
I absolutely loved this book and struggled to put it down. The light under shadow wing was the perfect mix of romance, spice, fantasy, world building/storytelling, dragon-shifters, vampires, and action! What more could you ask for. It gave me the vibes/feels of Underworld with how amazing the FMC is. I enjoyed the love story where she wasn't a damsal in distress or the man treating her like one. I much as I really liked not having a cliffhanger, I did feel like the ending was rushed a bit. I've never read any of Amanda Bouchet books, and for sure, I will be looking to read more of her books! Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the ARC.
Spice: 🌶
I absolutely loved this book and struggled to put it down. The light under shadow wing was the perfect mix of romance, spice, fantasy, world building/storytelling, dragon-shifters, vampires, and action! What more could you ask for. It gave me the vibes/feels of Underworld with how amazing the FMC is. I enjoyed the love story where she wasn't a damsal in distress or the man treating her like one. I much as I really liked not having a cliffhanger, I did feel like the ending was rushed a bit. I've never read any of Amanda Bouchet books, and for sure, I will be looking to read more of her books! Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the ARC.
Read
December 9, 2025Read as a content pull with HOF but absolutely ADORED it 🥹
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Light Under the Shadow Wing by Amanda Bouchet is a fantasy romance with a killer concept, a fierce FMC, dragons (always a win), and a slow burn that makes you work for it.
Idallia is our strong female lead, and when I say strong, I mean earned strength. She isn’t human—but she doesn’t know what she is or where she truly comes from. As the only non–dragon shifter in the Elite Wing, she’s constantly pushing herself harder than everyone else, refusing to be seen as weak. And trust me… she is anything but. She has a hidden power that only fully surfaces in life-or-death situations, which makes for some seriously intense moments. The world-building and overall storyline are super cool, and the mystery surrounding Idallia kept me invested.
That said, this is where I struggled a bit. The question of what Idallia is felt drawn out just a little too long. I also found myself mildly frustrated with her constant desire to “find where she belongs” when it’s painfully obvious she already belongs with the Elite Wing. They gravitate toward her, they love her, and so do her phoenixes. The found-family vibes are right there, even if Idallia can’t always see it.
Now let’s talk about Bale 🐲🔥—our dragon king. From the very beginning, it’s clear there’s something simmering between him and Idallia. This is a true slow-burn romance, and while it takes its sweet time, the anticipation absolutely pays off. Bale knows exactly what Idallia is, and in classic fantasy-romance fashion, he keeps that truth to himself out of fear of losing her. We all know how that usually goes… 😅
When the truth about Idallia finally comes out, I loved the reveal—but I did feel like everything after that moved a little too fast compared to how long it took to get there. Still, I appreciate that this is a complete fantasy romance in one book. No cliffhanger. No waiting years for book two. That alone earns major points from me 🙌
That said… the side characters? The other potential romances? 👀
I would absolutely read more books set in this world if Amanda Bouchet decides to explore them.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read with a strong heroine, dragons, slow-burn tension, and a fascinating mystery. Even with a few pacing issues, it’s a story that stuck with me—and one I’d recommend to fantasy romance lovers.
✨ **Thank you to the author for this story and this world—I’d happily return to it again
Idallia is our strong female lead, and when I say strong, I mean earned strength. She isn’t human—but she doesn’t know what she is or where she truly comes from. As the only non–dragon shifter in the Elite Wing, she’s constantly pushing herself harder than everyone else, refusing to be seen as weak. And trust me… she is anything but. She has a hidden power that only fully surfaces in life-or-death situations, which makes for some seriously intense moments. The world-building and overall storyline are super cool, and the mystery surrounding Idallia kept me invested.
That said, this is where I struggled a bit. The question of what Idallia is felt drawn out just a little too long. I also found myself mildly frustrated with her constant desire to “find where she belongs” when it’s painfully obvious she already belongs with the Elite Wing. They gravitate toward her, they love her, and so do her phoenixes. The found-family vibes are right there, even if Idallia can’t always see it.
Now let’s talk about Bale 🐲🔥—our dragon king. From the very beginning, it’s clear there’s something simmering between him and Idallia. This is a true slow-burn romance, and while it takes its sweet time, the anticipation absolutely pays off. Bale knows exactly what Idallia is, and in classic fantasy-romance fashion, he keeps that truth to himself out of fear of losing her. We all know how that usually goes… 😅
When the truth about Idallia finally comes out, I loved the reveal—but I did feel like everything after that moved a little too fast compared to how long it took to get there. Still, I appreciate that this is a complete fantasy romance in one book. No cliffhanger. No waiting years for book two. That alone earns major points from me 🙌
That said… the side characters? The other potential romances? 👀
I would absolutely read more books set in this world if Amanda Bouchet decides to explore them.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read with a strong heroine, dragons, slow-burn tension, and a fascinating mystery. Even with a few pacing issues, it’s a story that stuck with me—and one I’d recommend to fantasy romance lovers.
✨ **Thank you to the author for this story and this world—I’d happily return to it again
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If info dump via exposition was a book, this would be it. because holy moly, every paragraph just turned into sweeping monologs of the most boring world building exposition. we are not getting the information of this world in an organic way, and the author just has the MFC dump everything I need to know all at once. Give it to us in breadcrumbs and when it makes sense to the story!
Our MFC is living among a group of dragon shifters, fighting a war against werebeasts and vampires. But she is none of those. she's something different and unknown.
Her character is so boring and bland. She's your typical sassy card board cut out self insert FMC who does nothing to the plot. Multiple times we are told that she's been training for hundreds of years, yet multiple times she's easily bested by her foes, gets knocked out, is taken away to safety by a male love interest, sidelined to heal, and then repeat.
She has 2 firebirds that scream Fourth Wing fanfiction, yet lack all the charm of Violet's dragons.
The MMC is basically Xaden. You could tell me this whole book started out as Fourth Wing Fanfiction and I'd believe it.
The biggest issue with this book is the end and the twist. Not only do you see it coming a mile away, but it also ruins the character of the MMC. Withholding information from someone about their past is gross enough, but she is sick all the time because she's not getting proper care that she knows she's lacking. So he's not only keeping her parentage from her, but he's also keeping her sick. that's gross dude.
The ending goes just as it begins. A big ol fat info dumb of exposition. Two years of plot go by in a matter of a paragraph! Plot that is extremely important, mind you!
The audiobook was fine, but both the male and female voice actors used similar voices for different characters that it made it difficult to keep up with who was speaking. But other than that, they did a fine job.
I would not recommend this, even if you're someone who loved Fourth Wing and wants another regurgitated version of it. This was so bland, nothing happens, the MFC has no agency, the MMC isn't sexy like at all. And the firebirds don't do anything for me. It's another soulless cash grab.
Thank you NetGalley, RBMedia, and the author for the audiobook ARC!
Our MFC is living among a group of dragon shifters, fighting a war against werebeasts and vampires. But she is none of those. she's something different and unknown.
Her character is so boring and bland. She's your typical sassy card board cut out self insert FMC who does nothing to the plot. Multiple times we are told that she's been training for hundreds of years, yet multiple times she's easily bested by her foes, gets knocked out, is taken away to safety by a male love interest, sidelined to heal, and then repeat.
She has 2 firebirds that scream Fourth Wing fanfiction, yet lack all the charm of Violet's dragons.
The MMC is basically Xaden. You could tell me this whole book started out as Fourth Wing Fanfiction and I'd believe it.
The biggest issue with this book is the end and the twist. Not only do you see it coming a mile away, but it also ruins the character of the MMC. Withholding information from someone about their past is gross enough, but she is sick all the time because she's not getting proper care that she knows she's lacking. So he's not only keeping her parentage from her, but he's also keeping her sick. that's gross dude.
The ending goes just as it begins. A big ol fat info dumb of exposition. Two years of plot go by in a matter of a paragraph! Plot that is extremely important, mind you!
The audiobook was fine, but both the male and female voice actors used similar voices for different characters that it made it difficult to keep up with who was speaking. But other than that, they did a fine job.
I would not recommend this, even if you're someone who loved Fourth Wing and wants another regurgitated version of it. This was so bland, nothing happens, the MFC has no agency, the MMC isn't sexy like at all. And the firebirds don't do anything for me. It's another soulless cash grab.
Thank you NetGalley, RBMedia, and the author for the audiobook ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Light Under the Shadow Wing is a satisfying, dragon‑soaked fantasy romance and a strong start to the Heirs of the Second Dawn series, and it landed at 4 stars for me. Idallia has spent nearly two centuries flying with the Dragon King’s Elite Wing, riding phoenix‑like warbirds because she has neither fire nor wings of her own. She’s fast, deadly, and fiercely loyal, but also driven by questions about her past and the strange magic inside her that doesn’t quite fit anywhere.
Opposite her is Bale, the Dragon King: old as sin, weighed down by rulership, and quietly obsessed with keeping his Elite Wing—and Idallia in particular—safe, even as she’s the one treasure he’s forbidden from claiming.
Their dynamic is a delicious mix of duty, tension, and long‑buried longing, especially as looming war and fading magic force them closer together and peel back the secrets he’s been keeping about who and what Idallia really is. The aerial battles, warbird flights, and broader politics of Ellonrift make the world feel vivid and cinematic, and I loved the sense of found family within the Wing.
It’s a 4‑star read for me because, while I adored the pairing and the worldbuilding, some pacing in the middle sagged slightly and I occasionally wanted a touch more emotional excavation before a few key reveals. But overall, it’s a compelling, romantic, and immersive fantasy with dragons, warbirds, a guarded king, and a heroine determined to carve out her own place in a world that keeps underestimating her. I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Opposite her is Bale, the Dragon King: old as sin, weighed down by rulership, and quietly obsessed with keeping his Elite Wing—and Idallia in particular—safe, even as she’s the one treasure he’s forbidden from claiming.
Their dynamic is a delicious mix of duty, tension, and long‑buried longing, especially as looming war and fading magic force them closer together and peel back the secrets he’s been keeping about who and what Idallia really is. The aerial battles, warbird flights, and broader politics of Ellonrift make the world feel vivid and cinematic, and I loved the sense of found family within the Wing.
It’s a 4‑star read for me because, while I adored the pairing and the worldbuilding, some pacing in the middle sagged slightly and I occasionally wanted a touch more emotional excavation before a few key reveals. But overall, it’s a compelling, romantic, and immersive fantasy with dragons, warbirds, a guarded king, and a heroine determined to carve out her own place in a world that keeps underestimating her. I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 10, 2026
So so thankful to have found Amanda Bouchet cos I just love her writing. When I saw she was coming out with a new series, I immediately added to TBR. Did I know what this was about? No. Amanda Bouchet narrated by Samantha Brentmoor and Ryan West was all I needed to know.
The Light Under the Shadow Wing immediately drops you into the action. Since I was listening to the audiobook, it was a little more jarring without the book to help anchor me with but that's more of a me thing. I'm like a broken record but truly, my favorite FMC is a badass FMC and Idallia is 1000% a badass. There was so much yearning between Idallia and Bale, the dragon king she served under. Throw in an ex that cannot let her go and you've got so much tension. While the romance is front and center, there is still so much plot that happens around them. This world has so much going on with the shifters, fae, humans, and vampires and as expected, there are tons of the conflicts between the different groups. I loved the romance as much as the plot. There was so much action to keep things moving and there's a part near the end that had me feral cos gd, Idallia in beast mode is wild.
Highly recommend this and as a huge plus - it's technically a standalone! The Heirs of the Second Dawn series will all be interconnected standalones which seems so rare in the romantasy space. A big point to note is that the noncommunication trope plays a huge role in this book and had me yelling at Bale every time I was in his POV.
Me to Bale:
Thank you so much to RBmedia and NetGalley for a copy of the audiobook. All opinions are my own.
The Light Under the Shadow Wing immediately drops you into the action. Since I was listening to the audiobook, it was a little more jarring without the book to help anchor me with but that's more of a me thing. I'm like a broken record but truly, my favorite FMC is a badass FMC and Idallia is 1000% a badass. There was so much yearning between Idallia and Bale, the dragon king she served under. Throw in an ex that cannot let her go and you've got so much tension. While the romance is front and center, there is still so much plot that happens around them. This world has so much going on with the shifters, fae, humans, and vampires and as expected, there are tons of the conflicts between the different groups. I loved the romance as much as the plot. There was so much action to keep things moving and there's a part near the end that had me feral cos gd, Idallia in beast mode is wild.
Highly recommend this and as a huge plus - it's technically a standalone! The Heirs of the Second Dawn series will all be interconnected standalones which seems so rare in the romantasy space. A big point to note is that the noncommunication trope plays a huge role in this book and had me yelling at Bale every time I was in his POV.
Me to Bale:
Thank you so much to RBmedia and NetGalley for a copy of the audiobook. All opinions are my own.
February 6, 2026
The Light Under the Shadow Wing by Amanda Bouchet was such an enjoyable read.
I loved the use of dual POV, which allows the reader to fully experience the yearning from both sides while also providing clear insight into each character’s motivations. It made the romance feel layered and emotionally grounded. The addition of a family of phoenixes and the mystery surrounding Idallia’s background, particularly Bale’s decision to withhold what he knows, added a compelling layer of intrigue that kept me turning pages.
This is a beautifully written standalone that also serves as the beginning of a connected series. The world-building is rich without being overwhelming, and the lore feels distinct and thoughtfully developed. Dragon shifters, werepeople, fae, vampires, and humans coexist across rival kingdoms, creating a setting filled with tension and possibility.
A strong, immersive fantasy romance that stands confidently on its own while leaving me eager to return to this world again.
My sincere thanks to The Nerd Fam and the author for the opportunity to read this early.
I loved the use of dual POV, which allows the reader to fully experience the yearning from both sides while also providing clear insight into each character’s motivations. It made the romance feel layered and emotionally grounded. The addition of a family of phoenixes and the mystery surrounding Idallia’s background, particularly Bale’s decision to withhold what he knows, added a compelling layer of intrigue that kept me turning pages.
This is a beautifully written standalone that also serves as the beginning of a connected series. The world-building is rich without being overwhelming, and the lore feels distinct and thoughtfully developed. Dragon shifters, werepeople, fae, vampires, and humans coexist across rival kingdoms, creating a setting filled with tension and possibility.
A strong, immersive fantasy romance that stands confidently on its own while leaving me eager to return to this world again.
My sincere thanks to The Nerd Fam and the author for the opportunity to read this early.
February 11, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia/Recorded Books for the advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun, fast-paced romantasy filled with dragon shifters, phoenix riders, and vampires—and I really appreciated that it’s a true standalone. Knowing the series will consist of interconnected standalones (with no cliffhangers) makes it even more appealing. You get a complete story without committing to a massive multi-book arc.
The dynamic between Idallia and Bale delivers exactly what you’d expect from a grumpy/sunshine pairing—especially since she’s literally nicknamed Sunshine. It also weaves in friends-to-lovers to enemies-to-lovers, which keeps the emotional tension high throughout. The banter was strong, the chemistry felt earned, and the action kept the pacing moving.
The worldbuilding is immersive but not overwhelming, making this a great palate cleanser between heavier or more complex fantasy series. It’s romantic, dramatic, and easy to fly through.
My only real critique is that the final resolution felt a bit rushed compared to the buildup. I would have loved slightly more breathing room at the end. Still, that didn’t take away from the overall enjoyment.
The dual narration by Samantha Brentmoor and Ryan West added depth to the experience. Both captured the intensity of the characters well, and the alternating POV enhanced the romantic tension.
Overall, this was an engaging, action-forward romantasy with strong vibes, solid banter, and satisfying chemistry.
Rating: 3.75 stars
This was a fun, fast-paced romantasy filled with dragon shifters, phoenix riders, and vampires—and I really appreciated that it’s a true standalone. Knowing the series will consist of interconnected standalones (with no cliffhangers) makes it even more appealing. You get a complete story without committing to a massive multi-book arc.
The dynamic between Idallia and Bale delivers exactly what you’d expect from a grumpy/sunshine pairing—especially since she’s literally nicknamed Sunshine. It also weaves in friends-to-lovers to enemies-to-lovers, which keeps the emotional tension high throughout. The banter was strong, the chemistry felt earned, and the action kept the pacing moving.
The worldbuilding is immersive but not overwhelming, making this a great palate cleanser between heavier or more complex fantasy series. It’s romantic, dramatic, and easy to fly through.
My only real critique is that the final resolution felt a bit rushed compared to the buildup. I would have loved slightly more breathing room at the end. Still, that didn’t take away from the overall enjoyment.
The dual narration by Samantha Brentmoor and Ryan West added depth to the experience. Both captured the intensity of the characters well, and the alternating POV enhanced the romantic tension.
Overall, this was an engaging, action-forward romantasy with strong vibes, solid banter, and satisfying chemistry.
Rating: 3.75 stars
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