Sins and Shadows

by Kay D. Rose

We pretend the other half of the island doesn't exist. Behind the electric wall that was built to keeps us safe is where magic twisted the land into something alive. The trees move, monsters hunt and the dead don't stay buried.

No one is stupid enough to cross it. No one except my brother. So I go in after him.

Now the forest watches me and I find strange rips where reality tears open. The clues point to a necromancer taking my brother and if I don't find him soon, another war will begin.

And I'm not alone. Two men, both dangerous and not quite human, circle me like wolves. Each of them wants a piece of me.

Asher - Beautiful and dangerous, and far too willing to set the world on fire if it means keeping me.
Reyes - Chained in shadows and secrets, his touch cold as terror and sweet as temptation. He shouldn't want me. He does anyway.

They hate each other. They refuse to leave me and one of them just chained himself to me.

I don't know who to trust. I don't know if I'll survive the monsters, the rips or the lies.

All I know is this
Nothing on this island is what it seems... and if I fail... nothing will ever be the same again.

339 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 10, 2026

Reviews

[Alesha Anset · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ARC read this ❤️

I went into this thinking it was a dark read but found it mellow for me in that department.

The characters are great and there is definitely potential for it to be a great series..

the "monster" guys are great plenty angst.

Orabel love her name but found her a bit weak but hoping next book when she comes into "herself" truly she will be a force

overall worth a read, slow slow burn but think the next book should be fire.

[Marilyn Coombs · Rating 1 out of 5]

⭐☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5)
I don’t even know where to start with Sins and Shadows… and not in a good way.
This book promised darkness. It listed triggers that made me brace myself for something intense, gritty, and emotionally wrecking. I went in expecting morally gray chaos, twisted tension, and scenes that would actually push boundaries.
Instead?
The “triggers” felt like they were just… words on a page. They were mentioned maybe once, hinted at, brushed against — but never truly explored. Nothing dug deep. Nothing lingered. Nothing hurt. And in dark romance, if you’re going to warn me, then commit.
It kept losing me.
The pacing felt disjointed, the emotional connection never fully landed, and every time I thought we were about to dive into something raw or unsettling, it pulled back. I wasn’t shocked. I wasn’t uncomfortable. I wasn’t invested.
I was just… there.
The characters had potential, but I never felt fully immersed in their darkness or chemistry. It felt surface-level when it should have been consuming.
The only reason this gets half a star instead of zero? The concept had promise. Somewhere in there was a book that could’ve been powerful.
But this wasn’t it for me.
If you’re looking for truly disturbing, emotionally intense dark romance fantasy, this one might feel tame. And if you’re going to list heavy triggers, you need to deliver on them.
Unfortunately, this just didn’t.

[Rebecca Purchon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly I want to say this book was amazing!!!

Kay D. Rose did a fantastic with the world building in this book, it really drew me in and kept me hooked not knowing who to trust or not, what was real and wasn't.

I loved the FMC and you can tell she deeply cares for her brother. I think there definitely more to her and we will hopefully see that in the next book.

The MMC's are great and I love the guessing of are they really helping, what are their intentions and what even are they.

This book was a great first book in a series to really hook you in. It leaves you with questions that makes you want to read the next book to get those answers.

I highly recommend this book. It is a slow burn but keeps you wanting more. It has it dark points but wouldn't say it is too dark and has a little bit of spicy. This is a fantasy world full of mystery and love story that leaves you want more. Warning this does end of cliff-hanger so be prepared for what will happen.

[Kathryn Feola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sin and Shadows ARC
I was scrolling on Facebook, and came an upon a reel from the author.

This book kept me in a world that was not my own. It was well written, draw me in. The main characters have their secrets and now I have to patiently wait to know more... (not liking this)

Orbel care for her brother more than anything, even herself in most of the situations that happen in book. I am hoping Orbel comes into her full self and remember everything, so she can be focus to be wrecked with.

Asher is your strong, arrogant self-centered. But does have a soft spot for Orbel and some serious secrets that I am so waiting to know...

Ryes, is tied to Orbel in someway. ( just don't know what yet. But come on ladies who won't want an Shadows daddy that cuffed bond to you.

Lastly Zimel OMG 😲 this bat monster in the Jar ( cracks me up) will some please tell me, he has to come out soon.

Overall can not wait for more in this series.

[Kierra Coxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sins and Shadows by Kay D. Rose was an absolute standout read. As an ARC reader, I can confidently say this book is phenomenal. The world-building is rich and immersive, the characters are layered and compelling, and the plot is thoughtfully crafted with twists that truly land.

While the pacing is a bit slower at the start, that feels intentional, and honestly expected for the first book in a series. The groundwork being laid pays off in a big way. Once the story finds its stride, it grabs hold and does not let go.

Keep reading, because just when you think you know where things are headed, this book shocks you. If you love strong world-building, complex characters, and a plot that builds toward unforgettable moments, Sins and Shadows is absolutely worth your time. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this dark fantasy romance. The community Orabel and her family live in has a dystopian feel to it. This story had great world building and there were moments when it was hard to tell what is real and what isn't. Who is to be trusted and who isn't? What we do know is that Orabel deeply cares for her brother and will do all she can to protect him. When he goes missing, she will do all she can to find him. With Asher and Reyes to help her, what we thought we knew continues to blur.

I feel I am a reader that can start to guess what is going to happen as a story progresses and I did not see the twist coming towards the end. I will impatiently be waiting for the next book to see what happens next!

[Bethanie Ilsley-Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

ARC read

I think I need a minute.
This was brilliant. At first it was giving off Bermuda Triangle vibes, as Kay D. Rose said, nothing is what it seems.
This was written well, easily bingable and a very intriguing premise. The way you learn information from the twists and turns was impeccable, it left me both bewildered and and shocked as things clicked into place.
This gives off Gothic Romantasy Vibes.

I loved the characters, it had me hooked, and what can I say, I like my men dark, and Kay D. Rose gave me that.

I hope the next book is out soon as I can't be left without answers...

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful story! Unique world building, action packed, slow burn with a surprise at the end I did not see coming! That cliffhanger has me wanting more ASAP!

The only reason I didn't give a 5 star rating was because the world is a little confusing, I wish they're explained more at the beginning on how they got to the island, how the towns, technology etc were created. it left me with more questions that had no real answer.

Overall I recommend this book to anyone looking for a world dipped in magic, with creatures of every size and a wonderful love triangle that has you wanting for now!

[Sabrina Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very in depth world building. It was really hard to know what was real or fake and who to trust and who to not trust. Everyone and everything seemed to be something other than what it should. The only thing we know for certain is that Orabel loves her brother Ezra but who is Orabel really and what is wrong with Ezra. The mysteries never end especially when Orabel goes on a journey to bring her brother home and is with Asher and Reyes but who knows what they even are and why they are “helping” her. I hope for more enlightenment in the next book

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sins and Shadows is a great dark romance slow-burn. Kay D. Rose did great with the world building and telling a unique story. I loved that we are finding out the mysteries of the world and her life with the FMC, Orabel. I had fun putting together the “pieces of the puzzles” and trying to figure out what had happened in the past and what is coming next. The 2 MMC’s, Reyes and Asher, are quite mysterious and I look forward to finding out more about them in the next book. Great work for a first time author.

[Tabetha McMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me say OMG this is a must read! This book is amazing has great world and character building. I couldn't put down it had you thinking something was going to happen a certain way then bam you're wrong g and went a completely different way. I dont want to spoil anything or give anything away because i dont want to spoil anything. That being said I can't wait for the next book to find d out what happens with Orabel, Asher, Reyes, and Ezra. This book ends with a huge cliffhanger and questions unanswered but sets up for the next book 10/10

[Taylor Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ Read!
I got to ARC read this. I went in with minimal information to keep myself from having too high of expectations.

My goodness! I was hooked from the start. Kay D Rose does an amazing job with the story and character building. Keeps you guessing and questioning who to trust until the very end.

I would say maybe 2 spice level for this book. Definitely a slow burn and with a good (not great, sorry) payoff.

I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read what Kay comes up with next.

[Keelie Chant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I could not stop reading. It’s dark, mysterious, fantastically mystical. The first chapter sucks you in and slams you against a wall with a force that leaves you reeling. This book is absolutely a slow burn, but the character development is wonderful. Page after page of thinking im starting to understand the characters backstory, only to realise with a turn of the page that I know nothing at all! The story ends on a cliffhanger and I’m left with an insatiable thirst for the next instalment

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Took a few chapters to get into it but after then I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed this book and I’m already excited for the next one!
There’s good world and character building which I hope will continue in following books. I NEED to find out what happens to Orabel, Asher and Reyes!

[Kylie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world building of this book was detailed and phenomenal. I loved the feel of the main female character’s town and how the world outside the wall was. It was great to read a book where I couldn’t predict all the twists coming! The characters in it had my full attention, because I wanted to know how they were all connected. Absolutely ready for the second one! Please give this a read!

[Kyrstin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an ARC reader voluntarily leaving my honest review... and I thought it was sooo good! Loved the tropes in this book. I'm usually not a big fan of fantasy but this one was so great I binged it! The beginning really drew me in and made it easy to read!

[holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

No spoilers but if you enjoy escaping to a fantasy world this is a fantastic start, and I can not wait for the rest of the series the ending left me in complete devastation.

[Timothy Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good read the blend of Fantasy with a real world feel was intriguing. The mystery of what was beyond the wall and the adventure to follow kept me hooked the whole way.

[Jody Stoutzenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! the world building was a mix of future and old times. loved the banter between characters. awesome first book and cant wait for the next one