Riven Shield

by Talia Fen

325 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2026

About the author

About the author
I am a UK-based author of fantasy and romantasy, drawn to stories of survival, loyalty, and the thin line between humanity and instinct.

When I'm not writing, I can usually be found lost in a book, wandering woodland paths, or spending time with my Husband and Children.

Find me on Socials:

Tiktok: Talia.Fen.Author

Facebook: Talia Fen's Fantasy Forest

Reviews

[charleyreads]

I received this book as an ARC from the indie author, Talia.

First of all, if you love a shifter romance filled with will they won’t they tension, slow burn yearning, and plenty of emotional buildup, then this is absolutely the book for you.

I found the book to be very well written, and even the smallest details added so much to the overall impact of the story. The pacing felt perfect for the length of the book, never rushed or dragging, and it kept me fully invested throughout.

The characters were incredibly lovable, and one of my favourite things was how important the side characters felt. They never seemed like “just” side characters, they each brought something meaningful to the story and made the world feel richer and more complete.

Riven definitely gives off golden retriever energy with just the right touch of broody, which I absolutely loved! But I must say Nolani is my new favourite side character, she's so sweet and kind, I just loved her so much.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story, and Talia should be incredibly proud of what she has created. This was such a strong and memorable read, and I’m excited to see what she writes next.

[Freya Cassidy]

Such a good book,the definition of a 5 star fantasy read for me,Caelen is a boss FMC always taking risks until riven comes along I can’t believe the title of the book reflects the story,I thought that was fab and different too.even though there are touchy subjects in this book and I do recommend you read and check the triggers I definitely felt a sense of comfort by the end and I 100% felt with the characters I connected with them on another level and that helped me read and enjoy the book so much better.the found family is a massive part of this book but it’s all happy vibes in the end and i love that.there is another level of yearning and sexual tension in this book but its written so well it just falls in with story it’s not over powering the plot! the events and party’s in this story feel a lot like Gilmore girls vibes but imagine them being wolfs,I definitely felt a beginning,middle and end to the story which I liked,it wasn’t all the same all the way through,there was definitely twists and turns towards the end,every character is needed even little Zachariah.we can’t forget about Anna even though she is human Anna has took all her time taking care and researching all aspects of wolf’s,when the fight breaks out a massive secret is revealed and many are dead that you didn’t expect! It is very touch and go with some characters at the end to whether they will make it or not! The way Talia has included caelens mothers return in this and the feeling you get knowing she survived from domestic violence is extraordinary,next thing you know the pups are born and Nolani is finally with her best friend and mated! The pact is living there life’s.The character development of Brynn is so interesting she is a little strange at first but I definitely fell in love with her eventually! When i started this book I thought oh it’s just going to be a standard wolf shifting story and I was so wrong,I definitely enjoyed this book to a T and I will be making sure to read anything else Talia Fen writes I love her style of writing! 🐺💖

[Sarah N]

Fantasy isn’t usually my go-to genre, but Riven Sheils completely captivated me. Talia Fen’s writing is brilliant, drawing me into the story and keeping me invested throughout. I loved the twists, the developing romance and the depth of the characters, with plenty of moments I genuinely didn’t see coming. This was easily a 4-star read for me, and I’d happily pick up more of Talia Fen’s work. She is a truly gifted writer!

[Holly 📚]

This book is incredible.
It has spice without it overpowering the storyline. The book dives into the backstory of the main characters throughout, giving you a better understanding of them and why they act the way they do.
Without spoiling anything, the book threw me for a curveball at one point and the twist made so much sense but I hadn’t thought about it until it came about in the story.
The story keeps you wanting to come back for more!
I would read this book again and again and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

This last bit is a slight spoiler in a sense, but the one thing I wish I got a bit more insight into during the book, was at the end, with what Sarah went though, I wish I heard a little more from her, and that whole scenario (not wanting to spoil it) but yeah. 100% worth the read!!!

[Ginareadsalot]

OMGGGGG! I loved every single minute of this 😍 I read it first as a beta reader and again when it came to kindle. the writing is spectacular, you feel like your right there with the characters. I spoke with talia throughout me reading it and on tt live (which i know you screenshoted 👀) I told her my predictions and by god was my mind blown! I messaged her as soon as I finished it and yes I definitely shouted at her but because I needed more.. better be writing the second book girl 😑 i will definitely be rereading this over and over again, im soo proud of you sweetie! keep smashing it 🖤

[Onyx Ali]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Riven Shield by Talia Fen

First, a huge thank you to the author for choosing me for the ARC read, what a privilege to dive into this story early!

At first, I wasn’t sure this book was for me, but the more I read, the more I found myself pulled in by the characters, their journey, and the fascinating shifter dynamics.

One thing that surprised me was how early the MMC’s past begins to surface. I wasn’t expecting that level of insight so soon, but it actually helped make the characters feel more layered and understandable. The author explains the characters well, which made it easier to connect with them and understand their motivations as the story progressed.

There is little to no spice, but the tension, the storyline, and the family bonds kept me reading and wanting to know what would happen next. The story focuses more on character relationships, loyalty, and emotional tension rather than romance.

I would probably classify this as leaning toward a young adult fantasy read, especially for readers who enjoy character-driven stories.

Stick with it if the beginning feels a bit slow, the character development and rising tension make the journey worthwhile.

As an indie fantasy story, I also appreciate the care the author put into developing the characters and their relationships. Overall it is a great fantasy read!

[rozcozyreading Cozy Corner]

This is my first time reading anything from talia indie author thanks for accepting me for the arc What an absolutely fantastic book I loved every single page and was gripped from page 1 to the end! I loved the style of writing the characters and the way the story progressed there’s male MMCs FMMC wolf shifters romantic parts and tense parts 5 stars from me would recommend to anyone x

[Amanda]

I had a hard time reviewing this ARC as I feel like I would give too much away. If you like wolf shifter stories, check this one out on April 7th! Low on the spice, but great story and character building. Definitely made me cry

[Annie White]

Couldn't get enough!

This was absolutely brilliant. It didnt feel like i was reading yet another shifter book thats always the same as all others. Don't get me wrong I love shifter books. They're just a lot alike. Unlike this one it felt completely different in a good way. Unlike a lot of shifter romance books it wasn't over loaded with intimate scenes and even the tiny ones that there were it wasn't explicit. It was enough detail for you to get the importance but didn't take away from the plot in anyway. Plot moved in a perfect pace. I can't wait for the next one I'm officially hooked.

[Jaqueline Doldersum]

I loved the book. It is so different from other shifter books I have read.
Caelen was raised in a traditional pack. After leaving the pack. She encounterd Riven, the Alpha of the Riven Shield pack. She follows him, to his pack. Because it is not save for her, to be alone.
Which is very different, from how she grew up. Here humans and wolves live together, as one big family.
I love how the story is written. The slowburn between Riven and Caelen.
How they interact with there wolf. Even when they are in their human form.
The twist I didn't see coming. But, had a gut feeling about it. I would definitely recommend this book.
I loved the book. It is so different from other shifter books I have read.

Caelen was raised in a traditional pack. After leaving the pack. She encounterd Riven, the Alpha of the Riven Shield pack. She follows him, to his pack. Because it is not save for her, to be alone.

Which is very different, from how she grew up. Here humans and wolves live together, as one big family.

I love how the story is written. The slowburn between Riven and Caelen.

How they interact with there wolf. Even when they are in their human form.

The twist I didn't see coming. But, had a gut feeling about it. I would definitely recommend this book.


Thank you Talia for having me as an ARC reader.

[Charlotte Wells]

I absolutely adored this shifter romance!!!

I'm usually an audiobook girly and seldom eyeball read if I'm totally honest, but this book had me enthralled from the start

I felt like I was part of the story, I felt their feelings every step of the way 🫶

Needless to say I want more from this world and this author, roll on book 2 🙌

[Laura M.]

A real page turner!

I loved this book from start to finish and couldn’t put it down. I loved all the characters especially Riven! The plot twists had me up well past midnight. I can’t wait for the next book! I would highly recommend to anyone who loves wolf shifter stories!

[carolyn sim]

Great read

Loved this what an adventure and you never know what will happen next. Definitely recommend if you love wolf stories and want to see those who treat one badly get what they deserve, and of course for love to win overall.

[amanda bedwell]

This was utterly brilliant from the first few pages. It dragged you into the story and wouldn’t let go. The characters are engaging and you feel like you need to fight for good while reading the book. The story was easy to follow and you found yourself invested in what was going to happen. I’m feeling utterly breathless at the end of the book. It is one of those books that stays with you and you can’t stop thinking about and I’m sorry I can’t go into more detail, but there was just far too much to get carried away with and it would swallow it for others. But I would highly recommend everyone reading this book and you will love it as much as everyone else has.

[Samuelsunking]

Talia Fen did a fantastic job crafting a story that leaves a lasting impression.
I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy immersive storytelling, strong characters, and emotional depth. Definitely a well-deserved 5-star read, and I can’t wait to read more from this author!

[Claire]

OMG what a fantastic shifter romance book - If you love a slow-burn, an action packed plot line, community pack vibes, political pack intrigue, then I would recommend you grab a copy of this fabulous shifter romance book.

Riven (MMC) is an Alpha of a progressive pack who welcomes humans & wolf shifters from all walks of life to live together in harmony & support of each other. He does give off a bit of a golden retriever vibe when he shows his softer side. He has a traumatic history from when he was a pup, but that only enhances his mind-set to be inclusive to all.

Caelen (FMC) has been brought up & conditioned in a more 'traditional' pack mentality, where females wolves are regarding just as bitches & only good for breeding & dealing with home functions. Her father has trained her to fulfil this role as an Alpha female & potentially his successor, only to do this he is going to marry her off to strengthen pack ties. Only she has other ideas & flees in the middle of the night!

This book has some amazing supporting characters in both wolf & human forms, giving the story multiple layers & depth, the pacing was quite fast & you could easily zoom through the chapters. The flow was superb & the flashbacks only enhanced the detail of the plot line & didn't make the story feel disjointed in any way.

The world building is fully immersive, that you feel you are padding along the woodland with the wolves & smelling the damp moss riverbeds, or feeling the dappled sunlight on your skin, having your ears assaulted by the dinner gong or smelling the gorgeous food mountains being prepared.

Overall, this book is not only powerful in it's subliminal meanings of hierarchy & acceptance of all, but also it is a fresh view on wolf shifter books - Which I loved, I would of devoured this book quicker if time had permitted, as whenever I had just 5 mins I would be picking it up, just to read a few pages - it was that addictive! Can't wait for book 2 to be released.

[SJ]

This review will be broken into three parts: the storyline, character development, and the emotional impact.


When I started reading this book, I already had some preconceptions about what the story would be and had formed a general idea of how it might unfold. This story completely blew my mind because it didn’t follow that path—it subverted all my expectations.

Talia explores some very heavy and dark topics, and they are handled extremely well. The nuance in how people might act or react to these situations is portrayed excellently (it’s hard not to give anything away).

As for character development, Talia does it brilliantly. She makes you question characters and feel conflicted about them. I loved the MMC. The FMC tested my patience at times, but it felt realistic. Every character introduced had a role to play in the story.

There were moments when I wanted to throw my tablet—not because I wasn’t enjoying the book, but because the characters were frustrating me. That’s how I know a book is good: it had me ready to scream into the void.

Overall, this book was fantastic, and I would absolutely recommend it to any hardcore wolf-shifter romantasy fan.

[Didi Norman]

I was very lucky to receive this as an Arc. Thank you so much, Talia!

This is a wolf shifter story with very little spice, but wow… what a story!

We follow Caelen, our FMC, who is strong, resilient, and powerful despite everything she’s been through. I really loved her character. Riven, our MMC, is powerful, dominant, and, of course, very easy to picture as handsome, but he also has a really emotional past that adds so much to his character.

I don’t want to say too much because there are a lot of twists and turns in this one, and it’s definitely better going in without spoilers. But I will say this book took me on an emotional ride — I even cried a couple of times!

Also… the slow burn in this book is so good. The yearning and pining between them had that electric tension that keeps you turning the pages.

The story is really well written with a great plot, and once I got into it, I genuinely couldn’t put it down.

This releases April 7th, and I would definitely recommend ordering it if you enjoy wolf shifter stories!

[Katie Rushworth]

I was lucky enough to receive an arc of Riven Shield and I enjoyed it. I've given it 4 stars. I enjoyed the wolf shifting and the found families of them all in the little community that they had . It was super easy to understand and I read it so quickly, I couldn't put it down to be honest. I would have liked to have kept reading about all the characters. I loved the ending and I'm glad it worked out like that. It also touched on sadder subjects and pulled at the heartstrings. The chapter when Riven was a pup 😭 There was a lot of characters to keep track of and sometimes I did get a bit confused about who was talking just by the way it was written but that is something I struggle with anyway and a me problem
I really appreciate getting this copy early and look forward to reading more by this author

[Harper N]

I'd seen Riven Shield on social media and was really keen to read it.
I was not disappointed!

A fantastic shifter romance - plenty of tension, emotion, loveable characters and a storyline that keeps you intrigued and wanting to know more!

Definitely recommend!