Withered by Shadows

by Ada Marlowe

In a world fracturing under shadows, one mortal girl could save it—or doom it forever.

Kiera of Eldwick lives a simple life in her quiet village—tending gardens, avoiding trouble, and dreaming of a future far from prophecy or power. But when shadow rifts tear open across the realms, unleashing vicious dark wielders and nightmarish creatures, her world shatters in an instant.

Marked by an ancient prophecy she never asked for, Kiera is ripped from everything she knows. Rescued by a monstrous beast in the heart of the chaos, she finds herself soul-bound to the brooding, dangerously magnetic Shadow Lord of the Umbral Expanse—a being as feared as he is irresistible.

Bestowed with lost relics from forgotten dragon gods, Kiera awakens to a wild surge of elemental magic that burns through her blood and soul. But every gift demands a price.

In the shadows, fae weave their intricate webs, pulling strings from afar—and they’ve been waiting for someone exactly like her.

Withered by Shadows is the spellbinding first book in the Scale of Eternity trilogy. This epic romantic fantasy weaves high-stakes prophecy, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers tension, and a steamy soul-bond that will leave you breathless—all set in a lush, crumbling world on the brink of beautiful ruin.

Perfect for readers who devour fierce, reluctant heroines who claim their power, morally gray love interests with hidden depths, and immersive realms.

If you love magic that comes at a cost, forbidden bonds that ignite, and a heroine’s rise from ordinary to extraordinary—dive into the shadows today.

Genres: Fantasy, Magic

416 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 2, 2026

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Withered by Shadows is a fast paced, action packed adventure full of elemental magic, dragons, and fae. The story revolves around Kiera and a prophecy that says she is the one chosen to save the fae realm - and by extension her own. During her journey in the fae realm she grow close to Soren and before long love is in the air.

I received a copy of this book from the author and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

Rating: 3.5 stars, 1.5 spice.

This story starts off with action! Kiera is immediately pulled into the fae realm and has to quickly adapt and fight in order to survive. Alongside the action is beautiful world building. I could vividly picture every detail of each scene, which is quite unusual for me! I found myself enjoying a lot of the side characters too, at times just as much (or more) than the main characters.

The fast pace of the story is a double edged sword; it creates tension and excitement but it hardly left time to digest the event that just occurred before the plot forces you to move on. Sometimes this caused rushed character development, especially for our FMC. And while the writing was wonderful for world building I did notice that the dialog was very formulaic. There is so much detail given after each character speaks before the other will reply and I wish we'd have had a few scenes where the conversation flowed freely without being overloaded with so many details.

This was still an enjoyable read. I appreciate that there is romance happening at a slower pace and on the lower end of the spice scale. There are some fun and exciting moments for sure! I really like the water and dragon realms! I can tell that this book was a labor of love and I think the author should be proud of her hard work.

[Bry Sando · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome book! If you love Avatar for its elemental magics, Fourth Wing for its dragons and Dragon Prince for its fae and human bonds and fight for what's right then Withered by Shadows is a must read. So excited for book 2!

[Eli V · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled a teeeeeny bit at the start of this, with just how quickly things were happening, and there was a lot to process. But then it is all pretty much explained as the story goes along. Once I hit my groove with this book, I flew through it.

The writing in this is very descriptive, which I thoroughly enjoyed. At times, the flow seemed a tiny, tiny bit off, but nothing too major. Overall, an amazing effort for writing this debut story.

This story is fast-paced and full of secrets that get revealed as you follow Kiera's adventures. Kiera herself is a no-nonsense kinda gal, and I really enjoyed it. Her banter with many of the other characters is quite good too. And then there's a loveable, smoking hot Shadow Daddy to boot. (who doesn't love one of those!?)

This being a romantic fantasy, you might be expecting some spice. Sorry for all you chilli fans, but this is closed door/fade to black. But, the tension between the MC's is delightful.

Now, the ending..... what. What? WHAT!? 😧

I NEED BOOK TWO NOW! 😂

[Dalia M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was such an amazing read! I definitely lost sleep because of this book 😅 Ada Marlowe knows how to bring this story to life, every detail was so vivid in my mind, I felt like I was a part of the story.
It really gave me ATLA (avatar the last airbender) vibes. Which no complaints here, I absolutely love Avatar. Only instead of sea turtles we have dragons who bestowed their powers to the fae only to have disappeared without a trace. We also have a shadow daddy included! Hehehe.

I don't want to get into too much detail and spoil it for you all but the FMC, Kiera, is strong, fierce, and very mouthy! My favorite kind! Haha Our MMC, Soren, is a broody man but soft only for her. The found family in this book is also quite amazing! Zyra and Rennor are my favorites. The banter between all of them had me giggling like crazy. The world building, each dominion and their Lady/Lords, the history of the dragons, and the war that brews was all intriguing to me.
I am so glad I have an ARC for book 2 so I don't have to wait long for what comes next.


Thank you Ada Marlowe for this absolutely beautiful story, I am so ready to jump into the next 🥰

If you haven't read this book, please go read it now. It's on KU!
Especially if you're into ATLA. You're gonna love the elemental magic in here.

[Jillian Brand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wondering if it’s worth it to buy a debut novel of an indie author? Well, guess what: IT IS. Marlowe’s descriptions reeled me into this world… which I find ironic since the story starts in a fishing town. And I didn’t even realize how invested I was in the characters until they were in danger.

A lot of the time, with books like these, I feel like the FMC and/or MMC have to compromise parts of themselves to make it work, but that’s not the case for Kiera and Soren! She grew up under cloudy skies, which makes her feel more at home in his realm of darkness. And he’s used to people judging him as a dark wielder, but she only knows about them through him so she takes him as he is. I root for them to get together basically from their first or second meeting… although I find it ironic that the expanse of dark wielders keeps Kiera in the dark. With that said, she also keeps secrets from him, so the mutuality of it makes me less annoyed at either of them.

Also, although Kiera’s a natural at elemental magic, her ignorance regarding the fae world’s history and politics keeps her well away from Mary Sue Territory. I’ve only read one other book in recent memory where the FMC didn’t annoy me at any point, but Kiera definitely fits the bill! She works hard to get stronger, and she doesn’t get annoyed over stupid little things. When she DOES get mad, Soren deserves it, and she doesn’t string it out unnecessarily.

Basically, if you’re looking for a chosen one/soulmate read that still feels character-driven, then I’d definitely recommend this book!

[Kelly King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shadows. Romantasy readers, meet your new obsession. Kiera, our humble, fierce, FMC is tough and defiant, compassionate and clever. She did not let her emotions rule her decisions, she struggles with her role in this world but always knows her heart. (never once did she annoy me).The chosen one, forced into a world she did not believe existed. A fae world, full of magic, elements soul-bonds and hidden dragons.

Rhysand who…? Soren is a shadow wielder, with all of the brooding darkness, yet none of the demeaning, arrogant masculinity of other MCCs. The soul-bound is beautiful, leaving all of the heavy intimacy behind closed doors. The spice is not needed to fully feel Kiera and Soren’s bond. The side characters will also capture your heart, but also leaving you wary…who can Kiera trust??

The descriptive language in this story is incredible. I could envision every place, every character, feel every emotion. Well written, well plotted. I am blown away by Ada’s storytelling. will be thinking about this story until the Scales of Eternity book #2 is released. Amazing!

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of Withered by Shadows. This is my honest and unbiased review.

[Emma Bolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadows 🖤, dragons 🐉 , and magic ✨, oh my!

*I received this eARC in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review. Thank you to the author, Ada Marlowe!*

Withered by Shadows is the first installment in the Scale of Eternity series and is an exciting story full of twists and turns, a brooding shadow daddy, and a spunky heroine tasked with saving the world. The author’s descriptive world-building really allows you to feel like you’re a part of the action. It ends on a big cliffhanger, so beware if you’re not a fan of those!

I loved all of the characters (especially the dragons and Veyrick!) and the way that they related to the magic system was interesting. The romance is perfect for those of us who yearn for the yearning! It was the ideal balance of tension, and the introduction of “soul-bound” was magical.

I just wish we had a bit more backstory in the beginning! Being thrown into the plot is so great and exciting but I wanted to know a bit more about her time in Eldwick and her family!

The vibes are impeccable and the last 20% of the book is a whirlwind! I’m eagerly awaiting book 2 and can’t wait to see where this story goes. (Hoping a certain missing character will show up later…?) (if you know you know!!)

[Nicole Pichler · Rating 3 out of 5]

5,5/10 ⭐

The author provided me with a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

🗣️ 1st person, single POV
🥠 Prophecy/Fate
🗡️ Reluctant heroine
🌫️ Shadow daddy
🌪️ Elemental magic
🐉 Dragons
❤️‍🔥 Slow burn
🚪 Closed door spice


What it’s about:
Kiera of Eldwick is human, living a quiet mortal life with her mother and brother, unaware of the fae and magic beyond her world. When a rift tears open, she is swept into Aelthar - the fae kingdom - where she learns of a prophecy claiming she is “marked by the stars to reshape Aelthar’s fate.”
Some of the Lords of the four Dominions - Cerulean (water), Crimson (fire), Aether (air) and Verdant (earth) - are more reluctant to support her than others. Lord Soren of the Umbral Expanse, however, seems determined to save the realms at any cost. When the dragons of the Skyward Expanse bless Kiera with unknown abilities, she must prove herself worthy of the power she’s been given.



The straight forward writing style and that you were swept into the story right away spoke to me instantly. There is no long prologue and action in the first chapter.

However, as the story progressed, I started to struggle a bit. I found myself confused by some of the FMC’s decisions. For example, she refuses to help Tormen while she blindly trusts shadow daddy Soren from the first moment she meets him.

The pacing also felt uneven to me. At times it moves very quickly, while in other moments scenes felt over-explained. I found myself skimming through fight scenes a couple of times.

I also had difficulty emotionally connecting with the characters and I can’t really pinpoint why. I didn’t fully feel the romantic development between Kiera and Soren and their attraction and relationship came out of nowhere for me.

My favourite character was Rennor (“Soren’s advisor and, on my better days, his conscience”) - he’s smug, witty and fun and kinda reminded me of all my favourite side characters (Cassian, Ridoc, Carrion). I just wish he had more page time.

Of course I LOVED the dragons as god-like creatures of the elements. I really liked the idea that Vyrathax’s (dagon of fire) personality was so similar to Veyrik’s (Lord of the Crimson Dominion) and the way the dragons communicated with Kiera.

A couple of smaller things pulled me out of the story: the frequent use of star-drifting at chapter transitions started to feel repetitive, and some storylines (like the Vyrskal) felt introduced but not fully explored.

Overall, I liked the concept, the world-building and the elemental magic system. For me personally, the book felt longer than it needed to be and I found myself losing engagement at times. While it wasn’t entirely for me, I can definitely see readers who enjoy prophecy-driven fae fantasy with elemental dragons loving this.

[kizziisreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The corrupt do not cry.

That line speaks volumes to me and can be interpreted in many different ways.

**I received this book as an eARC. I was not paid for this review, the thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Ada Marlowe for the chance to read & review this book.

Kiera is a normal human, just doing what she can to survive and provide for her family. Her mother sells tea, her brother works on fishing boats, and she fixes things. Her father was a sailor, and disappeared at sea years ago. But she doesn't believe he got lost.

Whispers in her village talk of how he was mad, speaking about Fae & creatures of shadows that he fought alongside. So when she encounters those same beasts at the pier, she begins to question everything.

The early chapters of this book give me ACOTAR vibes; The Lord of the Verdant Dominion, claiming he was protecting her. Definitely gives Tamlin vibes, if Tamlin was more unhinged. And Soren? Soren gives me hard Rhysand vibes. In the good way.

One of my favorite parts of this book, is when Kiera asks Soren how he manages to resist kissing her, and how she needs to learn that same restraint. Just blunt to the core; straight out asks how he hasn't given in yet. She's not afraid to speak her mind, but she by no means is arrogant about it.

You will fall in love with the characters you meet. I promise. You'll also dislike a couple, but that's to be expected. There's so much world building in this first book, and yet we've hardly scratched the surface. Things are unfolding so quickly, but also everyone speaks in riddles and typically Fae fashion of speaking around the truth. I guarantee you could probably spend the extra time to take all the clues and hints and figure out the missing information if you really tried.

While this is more a closed door romance, there's still tension. And it does get a little steamy; more like a bell pepper 🫑 than a chili 🌶. But the tension is beautiful and will make you yearn for more.

If you liked ACOTAR, but wished there was dragons, this is the book for you.

[Dani Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy release day! 💕☺️✨✨

I had the opportunity to read this book prior to its release, and it was a thoroughly engaging experience. I would like to thank Ada Marlowe for providing me with an e-arc copy. Below is my review.

This novel exceeded my expectations. The characters are well developed, including those intentionally written to provoke frustration particularly Torment, whose repeated reappearances consistently disrupt Kiera’s life and heighten narrative tension in effective ways.

The overall storyline felt fresh and thoughtfully constructed. The plot did not rely on overly familiar tropes, which made the reading experience especially enjoyable. The concept of Kiera having to master all four elements was a compelling narrative device, adding both structure and depth to her character development.

The tension between Soren and Kiera is particularly well executed. Although the narrative establishes their connection early on, the emotional progression between them unfolds gradually. It takes nearly half the book for both characters to fully acknowledge their feelings and act on them, which makes their relationship feel earned rather than rushed. This slow-burn dynamic adds depth to their character development and enhances the emotional impact of the story.

Among the supporting cast, Soren and Veyrik stood out as particularly strong characters. Aside from the protagonist, they were the characters I found most engaging whenever they appeared on the page. While Soren features more prominently, I hope future installments will further explore Veyrik’s role.

One of the strongest elements of the novel is the inclusion of the dragons, the ancient beings responsible for granting the fae their powers. Their long absence and the resulting loss of faith among some fae adds meaningful thematic weight to the world-building and reinforces the mythological foundation of the story.

Overall, this was a well-crafted and immersive read, and I look forward to seeing how the series develops in future books.

[Courtney Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Withered by Shadows is the kind of dark, immersive fantasy that pulls you in slowly—like stepping into a forest where every branch whispers a secret. Ada Marlowe blends gothic atmosphere, quiet tension, and emotional vulnerability into a story that feels both intimate and haunting.

What worked for me

• Atmosphere that clings to you. Marlowe’s world is shadow-soaked and eerie in the best way. Every scene feels textured, like you can smell the damp earth and hear the rustle of something just out of sight.
• A heroine shaped by grief and grit. The protagonist’s emotional arc is the heart of the book. She’s flawed, stubborn, and deeply human, and her internal battles are just as compelling as the external ones.
• A slow-burn, shadow‑kissed dynamic. The tension between the leads is subtle but electric—more about glances, silences, and the danger of wanting something you shouldn’t.
• Mythology woven with restraint. Instead of dumping lore, Marlowe lets the world unfold piece by piece, which kept me curious and invested.


What I wanted more of

There were moments where I wished the pacing tightened, especially in the middle, but the payoff in the final third made the slower sections feel intentional.

Overall

Withered by Shadows is a beautifully written, atmospheric fantasy perfect for readers who love:

• gothic vibes
• morally grey magic
• slow-burn tension
• character-driven storytelling


It’s the kind of book that lingers after you close it—quietly unsettling, quietly beautiful.

[Alexandra Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was an ARC reader for this book and overall I really enjoyed it. I’m giving it a solid 4 stars because once I got into the story, I was completely invested.

The writing itself was really well done and I especially loved the FMC. Kiera felt relatable, emotional, and easy to root for. Watching her get thrown into this massive world of prophecy, magic, and chaos while trying to figure out who she is and what she is capable of made the story really engaging.

The magic, shadow elements, soul bond, and overall darker fantasy vibe were all really fun to read. I also loved the MMC and the tension between them. That connection and mystery definitely kept me wanting to know more.

My only main struggle was at the beginning. I felt like I got dropped into the world really quickly and it took me a little bit to fully catch on to what was happening and understand the world around the characters. I personally would have loved just a little bit more worldbuilding and setup earlier on to help ease into everything.

But once the story picked up, I was hooked. The pacing got stronger, the stakes kept building, and I became way more emotionally invested in the characters and where the story was heading.

And that ending?? WOW. Absolutely a cliffhanger that leaves you needing the next book immediately because there is no way to just casually move on after that.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable romantasy with strong characters, magic, tension, and a world that has a lot of potential to keep expanding in future books. I’m definitely excited to continue the series.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC opportunity to the author, Ada Marlowe.
This story is fast-paced but emotionally driven, with secrets, magic, and destiny constantly pushing the characters forward. The romance is closed door, but don’t let that fool you. The yearning is heavy, and the soul bound connection carries real weight. A big part of the journey centers on elemental magic, trials, and training, watching the FMC grow into her power while navigating prophecy and impossible choices. The bond develops quietly, through shared struggles and trust, and i loved how nothing feels rushed… it’s a true slow emotional burn. The world building feels immersive without being overwhelming, and the tension between the leads gives subtle enemies to lovers energy.

Spanish: Es una historia rápida en ritmo pero cargada de emoción, donde los secretos, la magia y el destino empujan constantemente a los personajes hacia adelante. El romance es a puerta cerrada, pero no se dejen engañar-el anhelo se siente intenso, y la conexión de almas destinadas tiene un peso real. Gran parte del viaje gira en torno a la magia elemental, las pruebas y el entretenimiento, mientras vemos a la protagonista crecer en su poder y enfrentarse a profecías y decisiones imposibles. El vínculo entre ellos se desarrolla de manera sutil, a través de lucha compartidas y confíanza, y me encantó que nada se siente apresurado- es un slow burn emocional en toda regla. El mundo está bien construido sin resultar abrumador, y la tensión entre los protagonistas tiene ese toque ligero de enemigos a amantes.

[halli · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ By the time I finished this book, I was so invested I literally could not stop reading! I immediately jumped into the ARC of book 2, Shattered by Wrath, and am already loving it.

To start, this heavily reminded me of ACOTAR and I was a bit hesitant because of how similar it was, however, the story took its own route and that's the moment that I became obsessed with it. There were still some echoes of ACOTAR throughout but the author crafted it into something unique. Once the plot picked up, it had me hooked until I finished it in one setting. I thought the pacing became very solid and I really enjoyed going on the journey with Kiera as she learned more about magic and the different dominions. The magic system wasn't something unheard of but the author did a great job of describing it and I liked getting to see how it was used in the action scenes.

Kiera, the FMC, was not afraid of a challenge but did have moments where she doubted herself. That was where our MMC, Soren, came in and helped her realize her own potential. He was the broody and dark shadow lord who wanted to protect Kiera at all costs, but he did not take away her autonomy when it came to making any decision.

Overall, I really enjoyed Withered by Shadows and am so excited to see what book 2 brings!

[Amanda C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Withered by Shadows and am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was an imaginative debut with a strong opening that pulled me in quickly. The author clearly has a lot of creative ideas, and the blend of fae, elemental magic, and fantasy concepts shows a lot of promise. I really enjoyed the elemental portion, as that’s not as common as some other magic systems used in books.

That said, the pacing and clarity didn’t quite work for me. Some important moments felt rushed, while other lesser scenes went on a little too long. The worldbuilding was interesting but often unclear. The author went into a lot of detail with so many descriptions, but I found myself stopping to question how certain things worked—especially the magic system, which felt very powerful but not clearly defined or limited. Also found myself wondering at times, “did I miss something?”

The ending felt a little abrupt. There was so much tension in the last 10% of the book and then it just left me with too many questions. I understand it’s setting up a series, but very little felt truly resolved by the final page.

Overall, this book has a lot of potential and creativity behind it. Fantasy readers who enjoy fae stories and high-powered magic may still find it worth checking out.

[Hazel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

I really struggled with this rating because the world building and descriptions of places/things were amazing and I thought the magic system and dragons were really cool. The ATLA but make it fae vibes were immaculate, although I'm not sure if that was the author's intent. But I liked it regardless!

However, I found myself getting a bit lost and confused as the novel went on, especially with regard to the fae from the Umbral Expanse and their powers. I also found myself getting a bit confused with the lore of the Dragons, but that one is more on me for getting their names mixed up.

The pacing of the novel felt rushed at points and the dialogue felt stilted, with everyone's emotions on the page instead of inferred. The novel felt very "out of the frying pan, into the fire" at every turn with little to no time to breathe before the next catastrophe.

I really loved the pictures the author painted of landscapes and architecture. It was my favorite part of the novel. I truly felt transported to every destination described. I can feel how much the author cares about this world, and it made me care about it too. As a debut novel, this is a solid start and I am excited to see how book 2 turns out!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an ARC I had the pleasure of being part of, and I’m so glad I said yes to this one.

The story follows Kiera, a mortal swept into the Fae world by prophecy — destined to be the key to saving their realm. And let me tell you… the action starts immediately. No slow warm-up, no dragging intros — we’re in it from page one.

One thing Ada Marlowe does beautifully is world-building without slowing the story. The magical systems, dominions, and Fae hierarchy are woven in naturally, so you’re learning while still fully immersed. I especially loved the different dominions and Kiera becoming Fae through dragon-given power — that part was chef’s kiss.

Now… the romance 👀
Kiera and Soren? I LOVE. Their dynamic, the tension, the development — give me more immediately.
Tormen though… absolutely not. Straight to jail. I said what I said.

I’m fully invested in this world and these characters and will 100% be continuing the series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

I will be buying a physical copy because I’m really hoping for a map of the Fae world and a character list — I did get a little lost at times, but honestly? Worth it.

[Tennie Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

***potential spoilers***


I will try and keep this as spoiler free as possible. I received this as an ARC reader. And let me say, I know it’s early in the year, BUT it’s one of the BEST books I’ve read this year so far. I always say if a book makes me emotional and stressed…it’s a good one. I literally had moments of such stressing that I had to pause to breathe. This is such a creative story that I can’t wait to get more of. This is book 1 and I CANNOT wait for the rest. I’m so thankful I got to be a part of this ARC read.

Kiera is a fierce FMC and we love that! Soren is dark and broody and I am here for it. It’s sort of slow burn and there’s fade to black romance but that’s okay with me, especially because the two of them are perfect for each other. They balance each other out nicely. I can’t wait for Elarion to be thrown off an island, IYKYK LOL. I also can’t wait for more of Veyrik’s snark. He gives total Fenrys Moonbeam vibes, who is one of my very favorite characters so I hope we get to see more of his character development. And Tormen? Screw that guy.

[Mallory Astrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy to have been an ARC reader!

A really exciting introduction to Ada Marlowe!

She drops the reader right into the action at a sprint, introducing both us and the FMC to this magical world and its ways. Marlowe seems to take a lot of inspiration from the most interesting elements of series like ACOTAR (without all the chapter padding and half the faerie brooding), Fourth Wing, and ATLA while creating something original.

It is so refreshing to read a FMC who doesn't ask permission for anything, stands on business, follows her instincts, and unabashedly takes up the space she inhabits in a room, despite her circumstances.

I'm looking forward to seeing where this world leads in future entries and what secrets we have yet to discover!

(I'd also, personally, love to see a graphic novel or animated adaptation made because I think the action she writes would lend itself well to those types of quick-paced visual mediums as well!)

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC reader review
This book hooks you fast, and impressively, that immediate pull never comes at the expense of rich world-building. The transition of the FMC between worlds feel immersive rather than rushed, grounding you in the magic, and danger from the very start.

This book, in its own unique way, gave me ACOTAR, Crown of Nyaxia, or Fourth Wing vibes. If you enjoyed any of those stories, this will absolutely hit the mark—think courts (or elemental dominions), ‘underworld vibe’ rifts, and shadowy dark wielders/creatures enemies. And the dragon lore?! Genuinely unexpected and woven in with such intrigue and mystery that it became one of my favorite elements of the story.

Kiera is a standout FMC—determined, grounded, and refreshingly unannoying. I never once found myself frustrated with her choices, which is a rare gift in romantasy. The MMC, meanwhile, is pure shadow-daddy perfection: calm, cool, and (mostly, lol) collected, balancing gentlemanly restraint with just the right edge of unhinged possessiveness.

The romance is a delicious slow burn, fueled by stolen glances, simmering tension, playful competitiveness, and that taut, magnetic pull that keeps you turning pages long past bedtime.

[Kate - Lekxareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Format: 📱
I really liked this book. It was easy to follow and pulled me in right away. There is a lot of lore, but it’s shared slowly and at a good pace, so it never feels overwhelming. I do wish there was a map and a pronunciation guide.

There are dragons, which I loved, and the story moves fast. I read the whole book in one day because it was hard to put down.

Kiera was a great main character. She is brave, and watching her learn about her powers was fun. It felt natural and not overdone.

Soren was a great main male character. He is kind, gentle, and very protective. He’s different from a lot of male leads in other books, and that was refreshing. I’m just hoping he doesn’t turn into a Tamlin in the next book 😂

Overall, this is a fast-paced and enjoyable read with good world-building, strong lore, and great main characters.

[Mels_wyrld · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fantasy story starts with a bang! Kiera a mortal woman is taken into the Fae world in chapter 1!

There aren't chapters of world building in this novel, it's weaved into the flow of the story and dispersed through conversations throughout.

Kiera is the answer the high lords have been waiting for, but no one tells her exactly what the need from her or how she was supposed to do it.
She is told conflicting information, knowledge is used as currency and the high lords expect her to protect their way of life.

We have a brave, fierce, caring, and eager to learn FMC. We have a shadow wielding MMC, and the villain are on multiple fronts...oh, and Dragons!!!!

So good! If you like living in a fantasy world with mortals, fae, swords, power, love and loss then Withered by Shadows is for you!

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review! Withered by Shadows releases February 2nd! Elemental magic, dragons and fae oh my! This fast paced debut novel by Ada Marlow packs a punch! The beginning is a little hard to follow because a lot happens in a couple chapters, but it settles out and all the questions are answered pretty quickly.

Kiera the FMC, is down to earth and her banter with the other characters is fun to read. The MMC is the Lord of Shadows, ruler of the Umbral Expanse, and he is tasked with teaching Kiera what she needs to know to prepare for her role in saving the world.

The dragons have been banned to their own realm, but are extremely helpful in Kiera's training as well. I'm excited to see where book 2 takes us!

[Liz Fully Booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

Withered by Shadows is a fantastic fantasy romance with a chosen FMC, brooding Fae, Dragons, prophecies, action, slow burn romance, soul bonds, elemental magic, you name it!

You get dropped right into the action in chapter one. I usually enjoy a little bit more world building but in this case, it worked out okay. The world building came later, where it really counted. This book was just so much fun to read, I loved the interaction with the dragons, the slow burn low spice romance, the descriptions of the different realms. I’ve been so fortunate to read a lot of really good books this year, and this was one of them.

If you’re looking for something good to read after ACOTAR, this would be it! Hard to believe this is the author’s debut.

[Lauren Weyrauch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely loved this book. The story moved fast but the connections were deeply woven in the short amount of time.
The magic was interesting and continually developing and I appreciated that it just seems to flow naturally from Kiera without her having to go through chapters and chapters of trying and failing first. (I hate that magical trope.) We see her learning and growing and accepting her abilities with understanding. I know that there must be so much for Kiera to master, probably even more elements for her to unlock and that will just continue to add to the plot in the next book.
I LOVED the dragons. This book was dragons done right, in my opinion. They were treated with reverence and awe, quietly in the background, but their quiet strength was noticed throughout the story (even before we met them).
Soren and Kiera might be end-game through the series, but the tension that Veyrik brings to the scene is top tier.
This series is one that I will definitely be continuing. Withered by Shadows came to an end but there are still so many details I need to kn0w!

[A Court of Sprayed Edges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Withered by Shadows reminded me exactly why I love fantasy: the escape into a world so vivid it feels like stepping through a portal. Ada Marlowe brings the dominions and expanses of Aelthar to life with stunning detail—I swear I’d happily take up residence in the Cerulean Kingdom.

Kiera’s journey pulled me in from the start. She’s a human girl from a quiet seaside village just trying to care for her family… until she’s taken by a mysterious fae Lord with Earth elemental magic. And then there’s Soren—our stoic, shadow‑wielding MMC who absolutely gives “shadow daddy” energy in the best way. He has hints of Rhysand, but still feels fresh, intriguing, and entirely his own.
Between the elemental magic, the mysteries of Aelthar, the dragons woven into its creation, and the fated‑mates tension, this story had me hooked from page one. It’s immersive, emotional, and beautifully crafted. I’m thrilled that book two is already on my ARC list.

If you love lush worldbuilding, fae politics, elemental battles, and a romance wrapped in shadows, this book deserves a spot on your TBR.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc reader!!

This was really good. The first two chapters I was like whoa whoa whoa, I might not be able to get into this but I was veryyy wrong. As a no spice romantasy reader this was perfect. It gives the vibes of Acotar without the spice which I loved!! I’m a pretty slow reader so being able to sit down and speed through the last 150 pages in one sitting was crazy for me but I couldn’t put it down so that’s definitely saying something. Over all 4 stars. An amazing quick read for anyone who loves powers and dragons and of course some romance 🤭

[Cheisa Miele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy from the author and I DEVOURED this book. I could not put it down. It's hard to believe this is a debut book. The world building is so good it transports you as if you were there. The story of resilience and determination of Kiera is inspiring. I enjoyed this journey so much. I cant wait to read more of Kiera and Soren and all the rest of the characters. Standing ovation to Ada Marlowe

[DobboDoesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ate this book up in 2 days. I was a bit confused at the beginning as it goes straight into the action and everything moves very quickly. it then slowed down and you really get into the story and characters. I really enjoyed the magic system in this book and the different realms and dominions. a great slow burn romance.
also has come great side characters that I hope to see more of!
fae, dragons, elemental magic, soul bonds. what more could you want?

[Sam Womersley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keira is taken from her home in Eldwick and thrown into the world of faeries, dragons and magic. She is to fulfil a prophecy and possibly save the world while navigating the new powers and lands she now lives in. All while trying to determine her pull to Soren, Lord of Darkness.

If you loved Avatar: the last Airbender for the 4 elements, Eragon (or fourth wing for the spicy readers among us) for the dragons and ACOTR for faeries, you will love this book!!

Starting book 2 straight away!!