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Creatures of Song and Shadow
Not yet published
Expected 3 Apr 26
Love is a pyre. Let it burn.
Once, sirens were feared and respected. Then the Shadow War saw their brothers slaughtered, and the sirens were forced to kneel before a hateful king.
The power of their song will be lost forever if the king discovers their greatest every siren must enter the waters of Lake Naissant and perform a sacred rite by their twentieth year, or else succumb to landsickness and death.
Orphaned by the war, the Siren Tully could only rely on herself. With her age of transformation approaching, she travels to pay tithe to the King, seeking access to the sacred lake. But with drought and famine gripping the kingdom, her request is denied.
A cunning stranger, Eivas, offers to help Tully navigate courtly politics and the king’s whims. But when Eivas’s schemes border on treason, Tully must decide whether to trust him with her heart and her life, before time runs out.
Creatures of Song & Shadow is a stand-alone fantasy romance of tragedy and desire, perfect for fans of Carissa Broadbent, Elizabeth May and Kristen Ciccarelli.
Tropes / Sirens and shadow-beastsAncient world setting and mythologySlow-burn romance with spicy payoffCourtly intrigue and rebellionForbidden romanceFiercely independent FMCTortured prince MMC
Once, sirens were feared and respected. Then the Shadow War saw their brothers slaughtered, and the sirens were forced to kneel before a hateful king.
The power of their song will be lost forever if the king discovers their greatest every siren must enter the waters of Lake Naissant and perform a sacred rite by their twentieth year, or else succumb to landsickness and death.
Orphaned by the war, the Siren Tully could only rely on herself. With her age of transformation approaching, she travels to pay tithe to the King, seeking access to the sacred lake. But with drought and famine gripping the kingdom, her request is denied.
A cunning stranger, Eivas, offers to help Tully navigate courtly politics and the king’s whims. But when Eivas’s schemes border on treason, Tully must decide whether to trust him with her heart and her life, before time runs out.
Creatures of Song & Shadow is a stand-alone fantasy romance of tragedy and desire, perfect for fans of Carissa Broadbent, Elizabeth May and Kristen Ciccarelli.
Tropes / Sirens and shadow-beastsAncient world setting and mythologySlow-burn romance with spicy payoffCourtly intrigue and rebellionForbidden romanceFiercely independent FMCTortured prince MMC
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 3, 2026
3 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy
A.K. Farley’s Creatures of Song and Shadow is a beautifully haunting tale that dances between light and dark, music and silence, in a world that feels as alive with magic as it does with danger. From the very first page, Farley pulls you into a captivating realm where the air hums with secrets and creatures born of song weave in and out of the narrative like shadows in the night.
The premise alone promises a world rich in mystery and wonder, and Farley does not disappoint. The lyrical prose blends seamlessly with the dark fantasy elements, creating an atmosphere that feels almost dreamlike—both familiar and foreign at the same time. The balance of enchanting beauty and terrifying unknowns is expertly crafted, leaving you breathless as you try to decipher the layers of this intricate world.
The characters are complex and relatable, each with their own strengths and vulnerabilities. The protagonist’s journey, marked by internal and external struggles, is compelling, and Farley doesn’t shy away from the morally gray areas that make their choices all the more impactful. The emotional depth in Creatures of Song and Shadow is undeniable, and I found myself invested in their fates from start to finish.
That said, the pacing was a bit uneven at times. There were moments where the plot felt slow, and while the world-building is rich, there were parts where I wished the story would move forward more quickly. The descriptions, while lush and atmospheric, occasionally veered into the over-explained, making some scenes feel a touch repetitive.
Still, despite these minor bumps, Creatures of Song and Shadow is a spellbinding read. The world Farley has created is one I’m eager to return to, and the characters will stick with you long after you’ve closed the book. It’s a book that lingers in the best way—haunting, magical, and utterly unforgettable.
The premise alone promises a world rich in mystery and wonder, and Farley does not disappoint. The lyrical prose blends seamlessly with the dark fantasy elements, creating an atmosphere that feels almost dreamlike—both familiar and foreign at the same time. The balance of enchanting beauty and terrifying unknowns is expertly crafted, leaving you breathless as you try to decipher the layers of this intricate world.
The characters are complex and relatable, each with their own strengths and vulnerabilities. The protagonist’s journey, marked by internal and external struggles, is compelling, and Farley doesn’t shy away from the morally gray areas that make their choices all the more impactful. The emotional depth in Creatures of Song and Shadow is undeniable, and I found myself invested in their fates from start to finish.
That said, the pacing was a bit uneven at times. There were moments where the plot felt slow, and while the world-building is rich, there were parts where I wished the story would move forward more quickly. The descriptions, while lush and atmospheric, occasionally veered into the over-explained, making some scenes feel a touch repetitive.
Still, despite these minor bumps, Creatures of Song and Shadow is a spellbinding read. The world Farley has created is one I’m eager to return to, and the characters will stick with you long after you’ve closed the book. It’s a book that lingers in the best way—haunting, magical, and utterly unforgettable.
Review of advance copy received from Author
gorgeous worldbuilding and prose! i loved the politics and all the different parties involved, it kept my brain working. headstrong FMC, surprisingly romantic MMC, and a fun ensemble whose presence feels earned. i'd recommend to anyone looking for a slow burn fantasy romance.
pacing towards the end felt a little off - i know it's a standalone, but it felt like it wanted to be the start of a series instead. (that being said, i would 100% read a second book!)
- the notes sent by arrow were a lovely touch
- very nice points about illiteracy meaning people can feed you any info they want
- social/political commentary toooo real, it almost hurt how spot-on some of the lines were
- went into it ready to hate bellanca but i still cried like a baby when she ended up comforting tully
- the death flags were too loud, dread bubbled up as soon as bellanca joined her in bed
- figured out eivas's secret early on, probably bc i was hoping he'd have a neat little twist like that. buuut it felt like there should have been more done with it?
pacing towards the end felt a little off - i know it's a standalone, but it felt like it wanted to be the start of a series instead. (that being said, i would 100% read a second book!)
- the notes sent by arrow were a lovely touch
- very nice points about illiteracy meaning people can feed you any info they want
- social/political commentary toooo real, it almost hurt how spot-on some of the lines were
- went into it ready to hate bellanca but i still cried like a baby when she ended up comforting tully
- the death flags were too loud, dread bubbled up as soon as bellanca joined her in bed
- figured out eivas's secret early on, probably bc i was hoping he'd have a neat little twist like that. buuut it felt like there should have been more done with it?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is an interesting book and the magic system is nice - we have humans and sirens, and the sirens need to use the bodies of water that the humans control, and if they aren't allowed to they will die.
If you like court politics, this book has it in spades. Like it's 80% of the book.
We do have one siren that has a slow burn love with the Prince, but it is really slow.
If you like court politics, this book has it in spades. Like it's 80% of the book.
We do have one siren that has a slow burn love with the Prince, but it is really slow.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews