HELLIGDOM: The Heir to the Aftermath: Fantasy, Mystery, Forbidden Magic, Dark Secrets

by Kelly Shade

437 pages, Paperback

Published January 27, 2026

About the author

"A life without mystery is just a schedule on repeat."
- Kelly Shade

Kelly Shade is a mystery and fantasy writer, an entrepreneur, and all arts enthusiast.

Kelly thrives on bringing stories to life - twisty mystery thrillers and noir-tinged mystery-fantasies, both with cinematic reveals and morally gray hearts.​

For Kelly, all forms of art are highly needed for survival. She also loves music, acting, and dancing.

Reviews

[Jo Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flew through this. Jake’s voice feels real, funny, stubborn, and bruised in a way that makes you root for him even when he’s being a menace. The moment Helligdom enters the picture, the story turns into a full-on “I need answers now” ride.

[Gracie Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book nails that feeling of being trapped in a life you didn’t choose and wanting to burn a hole through the door. The worldbuilding is vivid, especially the history of Helligdom and the idea of the island as a sanctuary. I finished it already wanting the next one.

[Arthur Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to care this much about the sibling relationship, but Jake and Zoe felt layered and complicated in the best way. The banter is fun, and then it hits you with real emotional weight. The story has momentum from page one.

[Ben Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The opening chapters grabbed me fast, and the tone stayed consistent throughout. Jake’s sarcasm and attitude made me laugh, but the stakes never felt like a joke. It’s a great blend of character voice and plot urgency.

[Molly Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when fantasy gives you a new place to obsess over, and Helligdom did that for me. The lore feels like it has history, culture, and politics behind it. The mystery of what the adults aren’t saying kept me turning pages.

[Leon Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has that addictive “one more chapter” energy. The writing is clear and cinematic, and the scenes at the HQ and around the portal reveal are so tense. Jake’s determination is impossible not to follow.

[Buddy Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

The family conflict feels personal, not generic. You can tell everyone is holding something back, and the silence between them says as much as the dialogue. I really enjoyed how the book builds suspense through secrets.

[Kelly Shade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope you love this story as much as I loved writing it. 🙂

[Eli Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake is such a strong narrator. He’s messy, bold, and surprisingly vulnerable, and the way he reacts to his dad had my stomach tight more than once. The pacing moves fast without feeling rushed.