What do you think?
Rate this book
A Road of Shadows and Crows
375 pages, Paperback
Published February 21, 2026
20 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 25, 2026
ARC review
This book had potential, and that’s honestly what makes my feelings about it a little bittersweet. The premise is genuinely intriguing and filled with possibilities, and I was truly excited when I started reading. There’s a strong and interesting idea at the heart of the story, and I really appreciated the magic and the direction the plot was heading.
That said, the execution felt a bit rushed for my personal taste.
The story moves quickly from the very beginning, with big events unfolding before I had time to fully settle into the world. While fast pacing can absolutely be exciting, I tend to enjoy having space to connect with the characters, understand their motivations, and get a sense of their emotional landscape.
Because of that, some of the more dramatic and emotional moments didn’t land as deeply as they might have with a bit more build-up. I found myself wishing for richer character development and more layered backstories to give the plot additional emotional weight. The romance, in particular, didn’t fully click for me. I wanted to feel chemistry and tension between the love interests so I could truly invest in their relationship.
The FMC’s development also felt a little abrupt. She begins the story as very submissive and unsure of herself, seemingly without strong opinions of her own — and then suddenly she becomes bold and outspoken, telling people off without hesitation. I would have loved to see more of the internal journey that led to that transformation, as it had the potential to be incredibly powerful. With a bit more gradual growth and visible inner conflict, her arc could have felt even more impactful and believable.
Overall, this is a story built on a compelling foundation, and I can see why others might like it. For me, though, I need more depth, more build-up, and stronger character development to get fully invested in the story.
This book had potential, and that’s honestly what makes my feelings about it a little bittersweet. The premise is genuinely intriguing and filled with possibilities, and I was truly excited when I started reading. There’s a strong and interesting idea at the heart of the story, and I really appreciated the magic and the direction the plot was heading.
That said, the execution felt a bit rushed for my personal taste.
The story moves quickly from the very beginning, with big events unfolding before I had time to fully settle into the world. While fast pacing can absolutely be exciting, I tend to enjoy having space to connect with the characters, understand their motivations, and get a sense of their emotional landscape.
Because of that, some of the more dramatic and emotional moments didn’t land as deeply as they might have with a bit more build-up. I found myself wishing for richer character development and more layered backstories to give the plot additional emotional weight. The romance, in particular, didn’t fully click for me. I wanted to feel chemistry and tension between the love interests so I could truly invest in their relationship.
The FMC’s development also felt a little abrupt. She begins the story as very submissive and unsure of herself, seemingly without strong opinions of her own — and then suddenly she becomes bold and outspoken, telling people off without hesitation. I would have loved to see more of the internal journey that led to that transformation, as it had the potential to be incredibly powerful. With a bit more gradual growth and visible inner conflict, her arc could have felt even more impactful and believable.
Overall, this is a story built on a compelling foundation, and I can see why others might like it. For me, though, I need more depth, more build-up, and stronger character development to get fully invested in the story.
February 25, 2026
ARC provided by the author Viola Nichols. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review!
If you loved The Prison Healer trilogy, you absolutely need to read this!
This is enemies to lovers done right. The tension is perfectly paced: subtle, charged, and powerful enough that I was blushing over a literal hair tuck. Yes. A hair tuck. That’s how well the chemistry is written.
The world-building is immersive without feeling overwhelming, and the elemental magic system adds such a dynamic layer to the conflicts. There’s something happening in every chapter — action, revelations, emotional depth. I genuinely couldn’t put this down.
What truly stood out to me was the found family element. Raven, our FMC, finds her place among the Crows, and watching her slowly realize she belongs somewhere was incredibly satisfying. She begins the story struggling with panic attacks and years of being made to feel small and irrelevant. Seeing her reclaim her voice and strength even just in this first book was powerful and hopeful.
The side characters are not background filler, they are fully realized and beautifully woven into the story. Each one gets depth and history. Oscar was a personal favorite. And Ari? By the end of the book, everyone loves Ari, including me. Even the MMC, whose guarded heart is first claimed by a little orphan girl, completely melted me.
The tone balances grit and hope beautifully. While this book doesn’t end on a dramatic cliffhanger, it clearly sets up the next journey and I am so ready to follow these characters wherever they go.
And yes, there is one open-door scene.
Silver-haired MMC. Man bun. Found family. Elemental magic. Emotional growth.
A strong start to what promises to be an incredible series!
If you loved The Prison Healer trilogy, you absolutely need to read this!
This is enemies to lovers done right. The tension is perfectly paced: subtle, charged, and powerful enough that I was blushing over a literal hair tuck. Yes. A hair tuck. That’s how well the chemistry is written.
The world-building is immersive without feeling overwhelming, and the elemental magic system adds such a dynamic layer to the conflicts. There’s something happening in every chapter — action, revelations, emotional depth. I genuinely couldn’t put this down.
What truly stood out to me was the found family element. Raven, our FMC, finds her place among the Crows, and watching her slowly realize she belongs somewhere was incredibly satisfying. She begins the story struggling with panic attacks and years of being made to feel small and irrelevant. Seeing her reclaim her voice and strength even just in this first book was powerful and hopeful.
The side characters are not background filler, they are fully realized and beautifully woven into the story. Each one gets depth and history. Oscar was a personal favorite. And Ari? By the end of the book, everyone loves Ari, including me. Even the MMC, whose guarded heart is first claimed by a little orphan girl, completely melted me.
The tone balances grit and hope beautifully. While this book doesn’t end on a dramatic cliffhanger, it clearly sets up the next journey and I am so ready to follow these characters wherever they go.
And yes, there is one open-door scene.
Silver-haired MMC. Man bun. Found family. Elemental magic. Emotional growth.
A strong start to what promises to be an incredible series!
February 24, 2026
✨ARC REVIEW✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️
An interesting and immersive world built on rigid class systems and a desperate rebellion, this book offered all our favorite things about romantasy: adventure, enemies to lovers, lovable side characters and found family, and bringing down the patriarchy.
Both MCs Raven and Reggie seemed well developed and nuanced, though I had trouble connecting with both. Raven, being raised as the Princess’s “playmate” since infancy, was both sympathetic and infuriating. Her story was a difficult one, but she was also contradictory, ignorant, selfish, and painfully naive. I attributed some of this to her upbringing, but there was also an element of willful ignorance that was frustrating, especially given her own experiences. Still, I was anxious to see her character growth.
Reggie was equally infuriating. The quintessential broody anti-hero, I felt the pull to him immediately. But once we’re around him consistently, he’s arrogant and petty, bordering on cruel. He seems to hold Raven to a different standard than everyone else, being guilty of the same prejudices he accuses her kind of. Their banter was good, and made me excited to see where their relationship would go, but I didn’t feel much sexual tension between them, more just… tension. I felt bad for Raven being on the receiving end of his barbs, but her behavior was equally frustrating so I kind of understood.
For me, the found family was the star here. I absolutely adored this misfit band of thieves, and wanted even more. Oscar, Lila and sweet Ari had my heart.
In general, a decent start to this world. Full of fast paced adventure and tension, and a sweet band of rebels fighting for what’s right.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
An interesting and immersive world built on rigid class systems and a desperate rebellion, this book offered all our favorite things about romantasy: adventure, enemies to lovers, lovable side characters and found family, and bringing down the patriarchy.
Both MCs Raven and Reggie seemed well developed and nuanced, though I had trouble connecting with both. Raven, being raised as the Princess’s “playmate” since infancy, was both sympathetic and infuriating. Her story was a difficult one, but she was also contradictory, ignorant, selfish, and painfully naive. I attributed some of this to her upbringing, but there was also an element of willful ignorance that was frustrating, especially given her own experiences. Still, I was anxious to see her character growth.
Reggie was equally infuriating. The quintessential broody anti-hero, I felt the pull to him immediately. But once we’re around him consistently, he’s arrogant and petty, bordering on cruel. He seems to hold Raven to a different standard than everyone else, being guilty of the same prejudices he accuses her kind of. Their banter was good, and made me excited to see where their relationship would go, but I didn’t feel much sexual tension between them, more just… tension. I felt bad for Raven being on the receiving end of his barbs, but her behavior was equally frustrating so I kind of understood.
For me, the found family was the star here. I absolutely adored this misfit band of thieves, and wanted even more. Oscar, Lila and sweet Ari had my heart.
In general, a decent start to this world. Full of fast paced adventure and tension, and a sweet band of rebels fighting for what’s right.
February 26, 2026
ARC provided by the author.
4.5
The book is set in a world where there is a rigid class system with the royals being at the top, going down to the Groden right at the bottom. The Groden have horrible existence, doing all the horrible jobs in particular mining eludite which brings out magical powers in the upper classes.
Raven is a companion for the princess she was taken as a baby and lives in the Royal castle, living almost like a pet
To avoid being forcibly married to the horrible prince she escapes and takes up with 'The order of Crows' a band of people trying to reject the class system and wanting to overthrow it.
Raven discovers she is actually an elemental wielder meaning she can access multiple magical elements.
She has a connection to Reggie one of the crows , their magic connects and they develop a relationship.
Reggie came across as a bit abrupt and not particularly likeable to me. However his back story does explain why he is like how he is.
I absolutely loved the idea of the story and was gripped when reading it. I just had to keep reading
The story flows well and has really some interesting ideas. The companions Lila and little Ari I absolutely loved and Viola Nichols the author develops the characters and their back story really well.
I did feel that the romance between Raven and Reggie lacked a bit, it felt a bit like an add on or afterthought and I didn't feel like it added too much to the story.
The ending has definitely made me look forward to the next book and I look forward to seeing how the series develops
4.5
The book is set in a world where there is a rigid class system with the royals being at the top, going down to the Groden right at the bottom. The Groden have horrible existence, doing all the horrible jobs in particular mining eludite which brings out magical powers in the upper classes.
Raven is a companion for the princess she was taken as a baby and lives in the Royal castle, living almost like a pet
To avoid being forcibly married to the horrible prince she escapes and takes up with 'The order of Crows' a band of people trying to reject the class system and wanting to overthrow it.
Raven discovers she is actually an elemental wielder meaning she can access multiple magical elements.
She has a connection to Reggie one of the crows , their magic connects and they develop a relationship.
Reggie came across as a bit abrupt and not particularly likeable to me. However his back story does explain why he is like how he is.
I absolutely loved the idea of the story and was gripped when reading it. I just had to keep reading
The story flows well and has really some interesting ideas. The companions Lila and little Ari I absolutely loved and Viola Nichols the author develops the characters and their back story really well.
I did feel that the romance between Raven and Reggie lacked a bit, it felt a bit like an add on or afterthought and I didn't feel like it added too much to the story.
The ending has definitely made me look forward to the next book and I look forward to seeing how the series develops
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️stars
Tropes
💧 Elemental magic
💧 Enemies to lovers
💧 ‘Chosen One’
💧 Slow burn
💧 Bonded Magic
This was a good book. I did find it a bit slow in the beginning but I think it needed that to build up for the ending.
Our FMC Raven was taken to be the Princesses companion at a very young age. And has grown up believing that things are happening a certain way until she comes across our MMC Reggie and she soon learns that all is not as it seems.
I liked Ravens character progression throughout the book. She starts off very quiet and reserved but soon becomes a force of nature.
Our MMC Reggie is a grumpy silver haired, arrogant and brutish character. But he has his reasons as to why he is this way and I liked reading about his background.
I liked the slow burn/ yearning in this book although I would have liked to see more of it. This book has good banter between all the characters.
I loved the side characters Oscar,Lila and Arietta they all played a huge part in this storyline and enjoyed reading about their backgrounds.
This book had immersive world building and a good plot.
Would definitely recommend this book.
I will definitely be continuing this series.
I like how it ended and set up for book 2.
I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Tropes
💧 Elemental magic
💧 Enemies to lovers
💧 ‘Chosen One’
💧 Slow burn
💧 Bonded Magic
This was a good book. I did find it a bit slow in the beginning but I think it needed that to build up for the ending.
Our FMC Raven was taken to be the Princesses companion at a very young age. And has grown up believing that things are happening a certain way until she comes across our MMC Reggie and she soon learns that all is not as it seems.
I liked Ravens character progression throughout the book. She starts off very quiet and reserved but soon becomes a force of nature.
Our MMC Reggie is a grumpy silver haired, arrogant and brutish character. But he has his reasons as to why he is this way and I liked reading about his background.
I liked the slow burn/ yearning in this book although I would have liked to see more of it. This book has good banter between all the characters.
I loved the side characters Oscar,Lila and Arietta they all played a huge part in this storyline and enjoyed reading about their backgrounds.
This book had immersive world building and a good plot.
Would definitely recommend this book.
I will definitely be continuing this series.
I like how it ended and set up for book 2.
I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 24, 2026
ARC provided by the author. This is my honest review.
I need the next book like now. This book was so good, at times it felt slow and then other times I couldnt get through it fast enough. Slow burn in the sense that it was a bit before anything romantic happened but not so much yearning slow burn. Very well set in my opinion with the bickering and differences. Would of loved to see more of their connection explored at least in the magical sense but that could be for the next book or books so it definitely makes me want the next book quickly.
I need the next book like now. This book was so good, at times it felt slow and then other times I couldnt get through it fast enough. Slow burn in the sense that it was a bit before anything romantic happened but not so much yearning slow burn. Very well set in my opinion with the bickering and differences. Would of loved to see more of their connection explored at least in the magical sense but that could be for the next book or books so it definitely makes me want the next book quickly.
February 25, 2026
I lost sleep over this one. It was a little slow to begin with, though in the grand scheme of this book, I do feel as though it was a necessary evil. The FMC had a lot of character progression that was utterly divine. While ARoSaC was light on the spice, I don't think it detracts from the overall romance aspect. Minor cliffhanger at the end, but also feels like a natural place to end book 1. Cannot wait for book 2.
Thank you Viola Nichols for gifting me your story. Opinions are my own
Thank you Viola Nichols for gifting me your story. Opinions are my own
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews