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Heartless Gods #1
Shadow Trials: An Epic Slowburn Romantasy
She’s trained her whole life to kill monsters like him and the dragon he rides. Now, he may be the only one who can save her…
Humans are treated like cattle by the Godforged, the terrible creatures created by the gods to wage a never-ending war with each other. Fiona’s spent her life learning to wield magic stolen from the divine, to protect her people from the violence. Now she’s given the chance to become the thing she’s sworn to kill.
The God of Darkness’s champion is dead, and he’s holding a series of trials to decide who will be his next, open to anyone, including humans. If Fiona wins, she’d control his army… and how it treats innocent humans. And none of them know of the powers she wields…
These trials are filled with the strongest and most ruthless of the Godforged. But if they discover the secrets she hides, it will doom all her people.
In this world of magic and violence, there’s one person who truly understands secrets. Azric Cyrus, Death’s champion and first dragon rider, is the most brutal of all the Godforged. And the most beautiful. With wings of bone, shadows, and seduction as his deadliest weapons, even the gods listen when he speaks. Even more reason for Fiona to be wary when he takes an interest in her.
Destiny is not a fixed thing, and as its strings are pulled from behind the shadows, these two broken souls must learn to trust each other. Their lives are the least that hang in the balance.
Perfect for fans of Fourth Wing, Crowns of Nyaxia, and The Games Gods Play, Shadow Trials is the first in a long, epic romantasy series that will follow multiple couples. It does not end an HEA, but the series will.
Humans are treated like cattle by the Godforged, the terrible creatures created by the gods to wage a never-ending war with each other. Fiona’s spent her life learning to wield magic stolen from the divine, to protect her people from the violence. Now she’s given the chance to become the thing she’s sworn to kill.
The God of Darkness’s champion is dead, and he’s holding a series of trials to decide who will be his next, open to anyone, including humans. If Fiona wins, she’d control his army… and how it treats innocent humans. And none of them know of the powers she wields…
These trials are filled with the strongest and most ruthless of the Godforged. But if they discover the secrets she hides, it will doom all her people.
In this world of magic and violence, there’s one person who truly understands secrets. Azric Cyrus, Death’s champion and first dragon rider, is the most brutal of all the Godforged. And the most beautiful. With wings of bone, shadows, and seduction as his deadliest weapons, even the gods listen when he speaks. Even more reason for Fiona to be wary when he takes an interest in her.
Destiny is not a fixed thing, and as its strings are pulled from behind the shadows, these two broken souls must learn to trust each other. Their lives are the least that hang in the balance.
Perfect for fans of Fourth Wing, Crowns of Nyaxia, and The Games Gods Play, Shadow Trials is the first in a long, epic romantasy series that will follow multiple couples. It does not end an HEA, but the series will.
671 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2026
About the author
Evelyn Hart
4 books67 followersEvelyn Hart is a fantasy romance author who finds joy in bringing magical worlds to life. Her books are filled with stabby heroines, dark and sometimes broody, morally gray males, twists and turns, and magic and mayhem.She fell in love with fantasy stories as a small child. As she got older, she realized those stories could have kissing and then she was hooked.When Evelyn isn't writing, she fills her days with homeschooling her youngest twin children and attempting to crochet when her horde of rescued cats are not running off with her skein of yarn.She dreams of the day that she can move out of the city and into a castle in the forest with her husband, kids, and army of furballs to live out a fantasy life. Until then, she’ll be happy to create those worlds in the pages of her books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 684 reviews
April 15, 2026
I have to just say that this arc read fully surprised me. It was recommended by another arc reader and I have to thank her so much for it because I loved reading this book. It is a mix of Assassin’s Creed, with Hunger Games and The Ascended.
Fiona is a trained adopted daughter of the head of the Priest Order, a human community that are trained to kill off gods, champions (gods chosen ones) and their creatures. The Order do not accept women but Rhaskar Thorne did train his adopted daughter so she can survive this horrible world of constant war and battles between those with magic and those without.
In order to save this world, a few Fae and other champions are tired of this war and they conspire and plead for Fiona to join a gruesome trial of warriors to become one of the God’s champion (past one had died). To achieve peace and leave the dying dead (a lot of magic beings are reborn, like a loop), she agrees to join the deadly trials and become Nyxthos’s champion. What she wasn’t expecting was a whole new world she never knew about (hidden truth from her father so he can protect her) and discovers there are many people who want to kill her or use her for their own benefit. She then learns to suspect everyone and fight all by herself. But that would be even harder for her if she wants to win this. She will have to learn to trust her instincts and know who to be friends with that she can trust and have the same goal as she.
She also needs to control her feelings about Azric, another champion who is trying to help her win the trials but in unconventional ways, leaving Fiona even more confused if he is also another one just using her.
We have dragons, pegasi, and so many other creatures in this book that makes the imaginative world more interesting. The magic system is so different and wonderful to learn about. The Priest markings is one of them as well as potions to enhance different powers such as speed, strength, healing, etc.
I was so immersed in this world that it imprinted on me. Thank you Evelyn for showing me Nyth and all it’s wonder. Can’t wait to read book 2 when it comes out.
Fiona is a trained adopted daughter of the head of the Priest Order, a human community that are trained to kill off gods, champions (gods chosen ones) and their creatures. The Order do not accept women but Rhaskar Thorne did train his adopted daughter so she can survive this horrible world of constant war and battles between those with magic and those without.
In order to save this world, a few Fae and other champions are tired of this war and they conspire and plead for Fiona to join a gruesome trial of warriors to become one of the God’s champion (past one had died). To achieve peace and leave the dying dead (a lot of magic beings are reborn, like a loop), she agrees to join the deadly trials and become Nyxthos’s champion. What she wasn’t expecting was a whole new world she never knew about (hidden truth from her father so he can protect her) and discovers there are many people who want to kill her or use her for their own benefit. She then learns to suspect everyone and fight all by herself. But that would be even harder for her if she wants to win this. She will have to learn to trust her instincts and know who to be friends with that she can trust and have the same goal as she.
She also needs to control her feelings about Azric, another champion who is trying to help her win the trials but in unconventional ways, leaving Fiona even more confused if he is also another one just using her.
We have dragons, pegasi, and so many other creatures in this book that makes the imaginative world more interesting. The magic system is so different and wonderful to learn about. The Priest markings is one of them as well as potions to enhance different powers such as speed, strength, healing, etc.
I was so immersed in this world that it imprinted on me. Thank you Evelyn for showing me Nyth and all it’s wonder. Can’t wait to read book 2 when it comes out.
April 9, 2026
I really loved this book—from the characters to the way the story flows, it pulled me in so easily and kept me engaged the entire time.
It’s definitely a dark fantasy, but not overwhelmingly heavy. It has those darker elements, but it still feels accessible and enjoyable without being too intense.
There were quite a few moments that caught me off guard—the twists and certain character deaths added a lot of impact (no spoilers though 👀).
Fiona is such a strong FMC. She’s confident, unapologetic, and completely owns who she is, which made her really enjoyable to read.
And Azric, the Prince of Bones… he starts off dark, but as you learn more about him, it’s hard not to fall for him.
I also loved the dragons—each one had its own personality and abilities, which made them feel distinct and added so much to the story. The supporting characters were great as well, especially Darian, whose personality, charm, and cleverness really stood out.
The slow burn was done really well. I liked that it almost happens… and then doesn’t, which made the tension and chemistry feel even more worth it in the end.
The world building and magic system really pulled me in, and the writing was clear and easy to follow. It’s definitely a page-turner.
It didn’t emotionally destroy me, but there were moments that hit harder than expected, and the ending left me wanting the next book immediately.
I would definitely recommend this—especially if you enjoy strong FMCs, immersive world building, and fast-paced fantasy with twists and engaging character dynamics.
It’s definitely a dark fantasy, but not overwhelmingly heavy. It has those darker elements, but it still feels accessible and enjoyable without being too intense.
There were quite a few moments that caught me off guard—the twists and certain character deaths added a lot of impact (no spoilers though 👀).
Fiona is such a strong FMC. She’s confident, unapologetic, and completely owns who she is, which made her really enjoyable to read.
And Azric, the Prince of Bones… he starts off dark, but as you learn more about him, it’s hard not to fall for him.
I also loved the dragons—each one had its own personality and abilities, which made them feel distinct and added so much to the story. The supporting characters were great as well, especially Darian, whose personality, charm, and cleverness really stood out.
The slow burn was done really well. I liked that it almost happens… and then doesn’t, which made the tension and chemistry feel even more worth it in the end.
The world building and magic system really pulled me in, and the writing was clear and easy to follow. It’s definitely a page-turner.
It didn’t emotionally destroy me, but there were moments that hit harder than expected, and the ending left me wanting the next book immediately.
I would definitely recommend this—especially if you enjoy strong FMCs, immersive world building, and fast-paced fantasy with twists and engaging character dynamics.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2026
This story is about self sacrifice in the battle between good and evil. But who fights for which side? Fiona grows up trained as a Priest, thrown into trials to become the champion for the god of Darkness and Secrets.
The blurb said this would be a romantasy, but I feel like it falls more into the epic fantasy section as there are many gods, their champions, dragons on the run, high fae, lesser fae, all kinds of magical creatures and humans. It was rather a lot to keep track of them all. Focus on the main ones, and you'll be fine. There's a glossary at the start and the end. But then there's what the dragons are running from - an invasion is coming- and that was the bit that was a little too much of a good thing for me. Also because it felt like an anticlimax once the story got to it.
The political intrigue in this book is strong. Though there are not many unexpected plot twists, the story keeps you reading with a major strong point: the trials in this book are written so well! There is inception, one feels like your back in the Hunger Games but it hits differently enough! Enjoyed the courage of the writer to kill beloved side character(s) immensely. That sting and 'no, no,noooo' feeling just does it for me every time.
Fiona is a strong well rounded character (short hair! Red head! Not a teen!) I liked alot. You really cheer her on and break with her when she is at her weakest.
Azric feels too distant until the last 150 pages. When you get a glimpse at his previous suffering and his youth, the character is growing on you. Would have been great to get this earlier on.
The romance between these two felt awkward at best. She hates him, resists his magic but with one kiss turns feral for him. That was too big a shift for me. During scenes without Azric she doesn't think of him. Tells you she dreams of him but you never get a glimps of her yearning. That really lacked in this story for me. Same goes for Azric imo.
Fiona's adoptive father, Rhaskar, is still an enigma to me. This human leads the Priesthood and is some kind of alchemist. He is the only one who has the skill to give the priests their marks with special abilities. (What if he dies??) He was a grown man when the war started and is - 80 years of fighting later - still as fit as a fiddle. He must be over 100 years old. I suspect he isn't all that human at all. But that's something to find out in the second book as this one ends on a cliffhanger.
All in all I enjoyed reading this story, because of the trials! Still curious how the story goes on...
Thank you for the ARC so I could give my honest opinion!
The blurb said this would be a romantasy, but I feel like it falls more into the epic fantasy section as there are many gods, their champions, dragons on the run, high fae, lesser fae, all kinds of magical creatures and humans. It was rather a lot to keep track of them all. Focus on the main ones, and you'll be fine. There's a glossary at the start and the end. But then there's what the dragons are running from - an invasion is coming- and that was the bit that was a little too much of a good thing for me. Also because it felt like an anticlimax once the story got to it.
The political intrigue in this book is strong. Though there are not many unexpected plot twists, the story keeps you reading with a major strong point: the trials in this book are written so well! There is inception, one feels like your back in the Hunger Games but it hits differently enough! Enjoyed the courage of the writer to kill beloved side character(s) immensely. That sting and 'no, no,noooo' feeling just does it for me every time.
Fiona is a strong well rounded character (short hair! Red head! Not a teen!) I liked alot. You really cheer her on and break with her when she is at her weakest.
Azric feels too distant until the last 150 pages. When you get a glimpse at his previous suffering and his youth, the character is growing on you. Would have been great to get this earlier on.
The romance between these two felt awkward at best. She hates him, resists his magic but with one kiss turns feral for him. That was too big a shift for me. During scenes without Azric she doesn't think of him. Tells you she dreams of him but you never get a glimps of her yearning. That really lacked in this story for me. Same goes for Azric imo.
Fiona's adoptive father, Rhaskar, is still an enigma to me. This human leads the Priesthood and is some kind of alchemist. He is the only one who has the skill to give the priests their marks with special abilities. (What if he dies??) He was a grown man when the war started and is - 80 years of fighting later - still as fit as a fiddle. He must be over 100 years old. I suspect he isn't all that human at all. But that's something to find out in the second book as this one ends on a cliffhanger.
All in all I enjoyed reading this story, because of the trials! Still curious how the story goes on...
Thank you for the ARC so I could give my honest opinion!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2026
Shadow Trials, book one in the Heartless Gods series by Evelyn Hart
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
4.5 stars (rounded up.)
I’m not certain where I heard about this novel? Most likely, Threads but regardless I’m stoked that I did. I’ve had a dry spell with Fantasy reads until very recently. Shadow Trials is one of the books that grabbed me by the baby hairs from the word Go and took me on an exhilarating ride!
There were many things that met and even surpassed the vibe check, for me.
One thing I really appreciate is when the author includes a guide for pronunciation and a geographical breakdown of the world. This novel not only has a pronunciation guide, but it also breaks down the Gods and their powers, which domain they lord over, who their Champion is, their powers and who they command. Not only does the author provide this to the reader but they also placed it AT THE BEGINNING of the novel, rather than at the end where it is rendered useless.
The world building was on point. The characters were well developed and were even further developed (as well as the relationships,) as the story progressed. There is dry humor. Sarcastic humor. Silly humor, humor all around. I loved the comedic banter.
”I’d probably bend over and kiss my own ass goodbye, to be completely honest.”
There is a large cast of characters, which might make it somewhat difficult for some readers to keep track of but for me, personally, I didn’t mind at all. Fiona is our human FMC and the story takes off at a fast pace with Fiona leading the charge. Fiona is young, 25 I believe, and has been raised by a prominent figure, Rhaskar, since the death of her parents. She’s lived in a “man’s world” her entire life (obtaining a top notch education and weapons and fight training,) and her only dream has been to make Rhaskar proud and to earn the privilege of standing beside him.
She realizes this will never happen and when one of the Champions shows up to ask Rhaskar for help by sending someone to compete in the Trials, Fiona, a magic-less human, volunteers herself to compete against other Champions. Is it to spite Rhaskar? Is it to obtain freedom? To save human lives? All of the above?
Fiona will have to fight harder than she ever has just to survive. She’s been told to never trust any of the Gods and Champions but she might make some allies at the very least and most definitely some enemies.
This adventure put me through a gambit of emotions. Fiona is our FMC but I feel like there could realistically be more than one MMC. Darrian, for example. Azric, for sure. Every character was fleshed out well, the relationships (whether amicable or not,) were well developed. The found family trope hits hard in this story. The magic systems were believable and the powers were wielded well. The fighting whether it be offensive or defensive, was done well and I truly loved all the critical thinking skills that were showcased. The storyline and pacing were fantastic, there was some mystery and things that made you question what was really going on, there was build up and tension, plot twist, palpable desire and heartbreak. There were moments where you’re cheering characters on and of course, some moments where you’re please to see people fail or fall.
This book gave me everything…except romance. However, there are relationships that were built on trust and emotional connections were made. Personal walls were broken down and characters were able to show vulnerability for likely the first time ever. This makes me hopeful that this was intentionally laying the work down for an explosive romance in book two.
The plot twist at the end left my jaw on the floor and in addition to pre-ordering this novel, I am hopeful that I will get the opportunity to ARC read the next book.
***WAVES FRANTICALLY AT EVELYN HART***
Thank you to the author, Evelyn Hart, for the digital advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion. It has most definitely been a pleasure.
Expected publish date: April 14, 2026
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
4.5 stars (rounded up.)
I’m not certain where I heard about this novel? Most likely, Threads but regardless I’m stoked that I did. I’ve had a dry spell with Fantasy reads until very recently. Shadow Trials is one of the books that grabbed me by the baby hairs from the word Go and took me on an exhilarating ride!
There were many things that met and even surpassed the vibe check, for me.
One thing I really appreciate is when the author includes a guide for pronunciation and a geographical breakdown of the world. This novel not only has a pronunciation guide, but it also breaks down the Gods and their powers, which domain they lord over, who their Champion is, their powers and who they command. Not only does the author provide this to the reader but they also placed it AT THE BEGINNING of the novel, rather than at the end where it is rendered useless.
The world building was on point. The characters were well developed and were even further developed (as well as the relationships,) as the story progressed. There is dry humor. Sarcastic humor. Silly humor, humor all around. I loved the comedic banter.
”I’d probably bend over and kiss my own ass goodbye, to be completely honest.”
There is a large cast of characters, which might make it somewhat difficult for some readers to keep track of but for me, personally, I didn’t mind at all. Fiona is our human FMC and the story takes off at a fast pace with Fiona leading the charge. Fiona is young, 25 I believe, and has been raised by a prominent figure, Rhaskar, since the death of her parents. She’s lived in a “man’s world” her entire life (obtaining a top notch education and weapons and fight training,) and her only dream has been to make Rhaskar proud and to earn the privilege of standing beside him.
She realizes this will never happen and when one of the Champions shows up to ask Rhaskar for help by sending someone to compete in the Trials, Fiona, a magic-less human, volunteers herself to compete against other Champions. Is it to spite Rhaskar? Is it to obtain freedom? To save human lives? All of the above?
Fiona will have to fight harder than she ever has just to survive. She’s been told to never trust any of the Gods and Champions but she might make some allies at the very least and most definitely some enemies.
This adventure put me through a gambit of emotions. Fiona is our FMC but I feel like there could realistically be more than one MMC. Darrian, for example. Azric, for sure. Every character was fleshed out well, the relationships (whether amicable or not,) were well developed. The found family trope hits hard in this story. The magic systems were believable and the powers were wielded well. The fighting whether it be offensive or defensive, was done well and I truly loved all the critical thinking skills that were showcased. The storyline and pacing were fantastic, there was some mystery and things that made you question what was really going on, there was build up and tension, plot twist, palpable desire and heartbreak. There were moments where you’re cheering characters on and of course, some moments where you’re please to see people fail or fall.
This book gave me everything…except romance. However, there are relationships that were built on trust and emotional connections were made. Personal walls were broken down and characters were able to show vulnerability for likely the first time ever. This makes me hopeful that this was intentionally laying the work down for an explosive romance in book two.
The plot twist at the end left my jaw on the floor and in addition to pre-ordering this novel, I am hopeful that I will get the opportunity to ARC read the next book.
***WAVES FRANTICALLY AT EVELYN HART***
Thank you to the author, Evelyn Hart, for the digital advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion. It has most definitely been a pleasure.
Expected publish date: April 14, 2026
April 14, 2026
I was instantly drawn to this title because of the cover (dragons!) and the premise, so I had pretty high hopes when diving into this one. Unfortunately, it just wasn't a great fit for me. It's really hard for me to write this review because I hate when I didn't absolutely love a book, but I know that feedback is super helpful - both to the publisher and other readers - so I want to explain *why* I wasn't sold. Full transparency, I ended up DNF'ing this one at 25% through, because I knew the bits I was personally not jiving with was something that wasn't going to miraculously change mid book.
I did love that our first chapter dives right in - en media res - in the middle of a heist. This was a solid start. But I knew by the end of Chapter 1 that the writing style itself was going to be problematic for me. The writing comes off as an early draft, with a heavy hand in telling and not showing and I personally really struggle with this style. It makes the prose feel like it's a constant info dump, and less like I'm there looking through the eyes of our character, *especially* because we don't get the first hand emotions. In example, in the first few pages she's climbing a tower and sneaking into enemy territory. At no point do we hear how her heart is racing, the hairs on her arms are raised, the absolute panic someone would feel while trying to pull of a heist - alone, no less. We are instead *told* that she's ducking down, she's hiding in the shadows, she feels stressed etc but this makes the situation feel super detached and almost clinical.
The magic system was great, the infusions based on animals reminded me a little of The Witcher (both the game and the books), and I loved the concept of the sigils marked on their skin. I was really hoping to dive more into the Priests themselves, so I was bummed when we didn't get much time interacting with her father or the other priests. (Though I did enjoy the FMC pushing back against the patriarchal BS club her father is running, and setting out to prove herself one way or another).
That being said, even with unique magic system, I knew this was going to be a struggle for me when the first several conflicts were blown through wayyy to easily. It's the equivalent of having a super over powered character in a video game. It's not fun if there's no challenge, and through 30% of this book there is absolutely no challenge or conflict for our FMC that she can't get out of. At no point was I actually in fear for our main character because almost as soon as a potential problem popped up** (see below for minor spoilers), it was resolved or she was super overpowered to deal with it. Between the writing style and every conflict becoming a piece of cake, it really fell flat for me.
WHO THIS MIGHT BE A GOOD FIT FOR:
I do think the the Crowns of Nyaxia is the perfect comparison title, because it reads very similar to me. I could see someone who loves the vibes of fantasy but gets stressed out if the stakes are too high loving this one, or someone who is just getting back into fantasy but hasn't read a ton of the recent releases.
MARKETING FEEDBACK:
The cover depicts a dragon, and they're mentioned in the back blurb of the book, along with a comp title of Fourth Wing, but at almost 30% of the way through we've still not seen a single one. The cover, blurb and comp title made me think we'd see way more dragons that we actually do. I do think this negatively impacted my expectations for this, as I went into this thinking we'd get a very different story than we did.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for this ARC!
** Slightly spoiler-y, so I'll put examples here: (The heist itself, making it back across the borders, the ambush at the village, the argument with her dad that immediately has him stocking her up on supplies and offering his help, the first two trials).
I did love that our first chapter dives right in - en media res - in the middle of a heist. This was a solid start. But I knew by the end of Chapter 1 that the writing style itself was going to be problematic for me. The writing comes off as an early draft, with a heavy hand in telling and not showing and I personally really struggle with this style. It makes the prose feel like it's a constant info dump, and less like I'm there looking through the eyes of our character, *especially* because we don't get the first hand emotions. In example, in the first few pages she's climbing a tower and sneaking into enemy territory. At no point do we hear how her heart is racing, the hairs on her arms are raised, the absolute panic someone would feel while trying to pull of a heist - alone, no less. We are instead *told* that she's ducking down, she's hiding in the shadows, she feels stressed etc but this makes the situation feel super detached and almost clinical.
The magic system was great, the infusions based on animals reminded me a little of The Witcher (both the game and the books), and I loved the concept of the sigils marked on their skin. I was really hoping to dive more into the Priests themselves, so I was bummed when we didn't get much time interacting with her father or the other priests. (Though I did enjoy the FMC pushing back against the patriarchal BS club her father is running, and setting out to prove herself one way or another).
That being said, even with unique magic system, I knew this was going to be a struggle for me when the first several conflicts were blown through wayyy to easily. It's the equivalent of having a super over powered character in a video game. It's not fun if there's no challenge, and through 30% of this book there is absolutely no challenge or conflict for our FMC that she can't get out of. At no point was I actually in fear for our main character because almost as soon as a potential problem popped up** (see below for minor spoilers), it was resolved or she was super overpowered to deal with it. Between the writing style and every conflict becoming a piece of cake, it really fell flat for me.
WHO THIS MIGHT BE A GOOD FIT FOR:
I do think the the Crowns of Nyaxia is the perfect comparison title, because it reads very similar to me. I could see someone who loves the vibes of fantasy but gets stressed out if the stakes are too high loving this one, or someone who is just getting back into fantasy but hasn't read a ton of the recent releases.
MARKETING FEEDBACK:
The cover depicts a dragon, and they're mentioned in the back blurb of the book, along with a comp title of Fourth Wing, but at almost 30% of the way through we've still not seen a single one. The cover, blurb and comp title made me think we'd see way more dragons that we actually do. I do think this negatively impacted my expectations for this, as I went into this thinking we'd get a very different story than we did.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for this ARC!
** Slightly spoiler-y, so I'll put examples here: (The heist itself, making it back across the borders, the ambush at the village, the argument with her dad that immediately has him stocking her up on supplies and offering his help, the first two trials).
March 30, 2026
*Review of advanced copy received from author*
This book had me sucked in from the start! It’s everything you want in a fantasy and more!
A badass heroin fighting for her place in the male dominated world of the priesthood she was raised in. She has to fight tooth and nail to carve out her own path.
A morally grey MMC who will do absolutely anything to save the world, even if that means loosing himself.
Dragons, bonds, enemies to lovers, secrets, impossible trials, and found family all wrapped up and this fantasy world!
The world of Nyth will draw you in and keep you on the edge of your seat! It will have you laughing, cheering, and it will break your heart.
I cannot begin to express how much I loved this book. 10/10 a must read!
“Only from darkness can there be light”
This book had me sucked in from the start! It’s everything you want in a fantasy and more!
A badass heroin fighting for her place in the male dominated world of the priesthood she was raised in. She has to fight tooth and nail to carve out her own path.
A morally grey MMC who will do absolutely anything to save the world, even if that means loosing himself.
Dragons, bonds, enemies to lovers, secrets, impossible trials, and found family all wrapped up and this fantasy world!
The world of Nyth will draw you in and keep you on the edge of your seat! It will have you laughing, cheering, and it will break your heart.
I cannot begin to express how much I loved this book. 10/10 a must read!
“Only from darkness can there be light”
April 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5)
I went into this pretty blind—I hadn’t heard of it before and just happened to come across it, but the cover definitely sold me.
The first half of the book didn’t fully hook me, and at one point I thought I might end up doing a soft DNF. However, the second half really picked up and grabbed my attention. That’s when things started to take shape more, and I found myself more invested in the story.
There were definitely elements that worked well and others that didn’t quite land for me, but overall I’m still curious to see where book two goes—especially after that cliffhanger!
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5)
I went into this pretty blind—I hadn’t heard of it before and just happened to come across it, but the cover definitely sold me.
The first half of the book didn’t fully hook me, and at one point I thought I might end up doing a soft DNF. However, the second half really picked up and grabbed my attention. That’s when things started to take shape more, and I found myself more invested in the story.
There were definitely elements that worked well and others that didn’t quite land for me, but overall I’m still curious to see where book two goes—especially after that cliffhanger!
Read
May 2, 2026I really enjoyed this one overall! The world was intriguing and felt like it has so much potential, and I especially loved the interludes and the glimpses into the MMC’s past, they added such an interesting layer to the story. His character development was definitely a standout for me, and I found myself really invested in him and his journey.
While the romance wasn’t the strongest element for me personally, it also didn’t feel like the main focus, so I was still able to enjoy the story for everything else it offered. I would’ve loved a bit more depth with the FMC and a stronger emotional connection, but there were still plenty of moments that kept me engaged and wanting to see how everything would unfold. I did enjoy her friendships and how she learned to trust.
Overall, this was a solid read with an interesting, lore-heavy world and a lot of promise, especially with the bigger picture elements involving the gods and the unfolding story.
While the romance wasn’t the strongest element for me personally, it also didn’t feel like the main focus, so I was still able to enjoy the story for everything else it offered. I would’ve loved a bit more depth with the FMC and a stronger emotional connection, but there were still plenty of moments that kept me engaged and wanting to see how everything would unfold. I did enjoy her friendships and how she learned to trust.
Overall, this was a solid read with an interesting, lore-heavy world and a lot of promise, especially with the bigger picture elements involving the gods and the unfolding story.
April 9, 2026
Wow! This book did not disappoint, it truly was the start to an epic fantasy series! We have a bada** FMC who has been training her entire life by a secret society to stand against the Gods and their Champions. Dark and broody MMC who will do anything to save the world and those in it.
Fiona has to learn to see things from a different perspective and that not all she has been lead to believe is true. We follow her journey through deadly trials to become the very thing she has spent her life training to kill.
Big emphasis on the slow burn part of the romance, I enjoyed this as the romance was not the focus of the story and flowed naturally. The main characters acknowledge their growing emotions but the focus remains that saving the world comes first.
As with ALL epic fantasy worlds there is a degree of confusion for me, whilst trying to remember the various kingdoms and their Gods, that being said it didn’t take away from the story progression.
This is just the beginning………❤️🔥
Fiona has to learn to see things from a different perspective and that not all she has been lead to believe is true. We follow her journey through deadly trials to become the very thing she has spent her life training to kill.
Big emphasis on the slow burn part of the romance, I enjoyed this as the romance was not the focus of the story and flowed naturally. The main characters acknowledge their growing emotions but the focus remains that saving the world comes first.
As with ALL epic fantasy worlds there is a degree of confusion for me, whilst trying to remember the various kingdoms and their Gods, that being said it didn’t take away from the story progression.
This is just the beginning………❤️🔥
May 1, 2026
This is exactly the type of fantasy books I’ve been looking for I love it, slow burn ummm yes please I knoww from like chapter 1 that this would be a top fantasy book of the year for me
The fmc is such a baddie being the only female priest in her ‘group’ like yes girl and she’s such a great fighter like I was rooting for her and hyping miss girl up🤭
The magical world in which we find ourselves in while reading this book can definitely be a little confusing and it did take me a few chapters to figure out who what where when🤣 but mostly because of the names of people and places and the different creatures and I was getting a little confused in the beginning
However the book is also quite good at at time with explaining who characters are like for example it would say “so and so the king of whatever place’ which is obvs helpful of you get confused😅
I really really enjoyed the writing style and it didn’t feel too tropey like there were a lot of good tropes that one likes in a slow burn fantasy
I’ve been looking for romance, fighting, different types of creatures and this book had it all so I’m definitely getting this in physical asap as I want to own the physical copy so I can annotate it too and do a re-read with a more organized layout of characters and places😅
4.5 stars
The fmc is such a baddie being the only female priest in her ‘group’ like yes girl and she’s such a great fighter like I was rooting for her and hyping miss girl up🤭
The magical world in which we find ourselves in while reading this book can definitely be a little confusing and it did take me a few chapters to figure out who what where when🤣 but mostly because of the names of people and places and the different creatures and I was getting a little confused in the beginning
However the book is also quite good at at time with explaining who characters are like for example it would say “so and so the king of whatever place’ which is obvs helpful of you get confused😅
I really really enjoyed the writing style and it didn’t feel too tropey like there were a lot of good tropes that one likes in a slow burn fantasy
I’ve been looking for romance, fighting, different types of creatures and this book had it all so I’m definitely getting this in physical asap as I want to own the physical copy so I can annotate it too and do a re-read with a more organized layout of characters and places😅
4.5 stars
April 29, 2026
ARC read. 4.5 ⭐️ rounded down!
This was such an interesting fantasy!! REAL slowburn, found family, trials and gods. It felt a little bit confusing at first but wow that ending had me hooked! I read the last 20% of the book non-stop
This was such an interesting fantasy!! REAL slowburn, found family, trials and gods. It felt a little bit confusing at first but wow that ending had me hooked! I read the last 20% of the book non-stop
May 3, 2026
Shadow Trials by Evelyn Hart pulled me into a world that feels ruthless, and I was hooked almost immediately.
Fiona, a human trained as a priestess, navigates a world where the magic system is incredibly unique. She has markings that channel power and potions that allow her to embody animal abilities. It's unlike anything I've read before.
With gods, fae, dragons, and yes… a shadow daddy, the stakes don't let up. What I appreciate the most is that the enemies become reluctant allies isn't rushed, and it slowly grows into something deeper, layered with tension that builds with every interaction.
Add in betrayal, shifting loyalties, and unexpected friendships, and I was locked in from beginning to end.
Evelyn created an immersive experience that completely consumed me, and I'm not ready to let it go.
ARC Review 🖤
Thank you to the author for trusting me with an early copy.
This is my honest review.
(original review posted on 4/13. Edited on 4/14 to expand thoughts.)
Fiona, a human trained as a priestess, navigates a world where the magic system is incredibly unique. She has markings that channel power and potions that allow her to embody animal abilities. It's unlike anything I've read before.
With gods, fae, dragons, and yes… a shadow daddy, the stakes don't let up. What I appreciate the most is that the enemies become reluctant allies isn't rushed, and it slowly grows into something deeper, layered with tension that builds with every interaction.
Add in betrayal, shifting loyalties, and unexpected friendships, and I was locked in from beginning to end.
Evelyn created an immersive experience that completely consumed me, and I'm not ready to let it go.
ARC Review 🖤
Thank you to the author for trusting me with an early copy.
This is my honest review.
(original review posted on 4/13. Edited on 4/14 to expand thoughts.)
April 25, 2026
This was such an enjoyable read that had me feeling alllll the emotions and I'm really excited to continue with the series!! It felt like a slightly higher fantasy than what I usually read, just because there was SO MUCH going on at all times. It was definitely one that I just had to read without trying to figure things out along the way because there were soo many secrets and timelines to keep up with. But with the gods having their time, it allowed the pacing to flow really nicely so it wasn't too overwhelming. I was definitely kept on the edge of my seat the whole way through, needing to know what would happen next! I also liked the undercurrent of fear that ran throughout the entire story for the real enemies.
Now obviously I love some deadly trials and these ones were done really well! You could really sense the tension in them, especially the second trial(my fav) which really let me see how strong and resilient Fiona is. I'm usually a bit 50/50 when it comes to FMCs but Fiona is just such a badass and I loved how quickly she was able to adapt to her new reality any time she needed to. Next we have sweet baby Darian who is SO funny, I really enjoyed their friendship and his lighthearted vibes! Then we have Azric who I honestly ADORE! I mean, a kiss of death?? Sign me right uppp. I can't even put it into words, but he must be protected at all costs. He had me laughing one minute and crying the next, talk about a guy who's only soft for her... I can't wait to learn more about him and see how their relationship changes after that ending. Honestly the development and emotional depth in all of the characters was done super well throughout the story and I think it's set the scene amazingly for the next book.
As you would expect, the last 15-20% was a superrrr stressful time and the ending has left me with far more questions than answers! But that's exactly what you want with the first book of a series and I'm absolutely dying to know what will happen next. I think the only negative I have, is that I really wanted and was waiting for more of a threat within the castle itself. We were told of the dangers
within the halls, but with how much Fiona snuck around, I would have loved her to be caught, or even seen, by some of the other competitors.
Lastly, I'm not sure I'll ever be able to forgive THAT PART🏹 (iykyk) I had to take a break because I couldn't see through my tears. Then I re-read it, hoping it would change the outcome... but all that did was cause more tears🙃🙃
HUGE thanks to Victory Editing and Netgalley for the ARC🫶
Now obviously I love some deadly trials and these ones were done really well! You could really sense the tension in them, especially the second trial(my fav) which really let me see how strong and resilient Fiona is. I'm usually a bit 50/50 when it comes to FMCs but Fiona is just such a badass and I loved how quickly she was able to adapt to her new reality any time she needed to. Next we have sweet baby Darian who is SO funny, I really enjoyed their friendship and his lighthearted vibes! Then we have Azric who I honestly ADORE! I mean, a kiss of death?? Sign me right uppp. I can't even put it into words, but he must be protected at all costs. He had me laughing one minute and crying the next, talk about a guy who's only soft for her... I can't wait to learn more about him and see how their relationship changes after that ending. Honestly the development and emotional depth in all of the characters was done super well throughout the story and I think it's set the scene amazingly for the next book.
As you would expect, the last 15-20% was a superrrr stressful time and the ending has left me with far more questions than answers! But that's exactly what you want with the first book of a series and I'm absolutely dying to know what will happen next. I think the only negative I have, is that I really wanted and was waiting for more of a threat within the castle itself. We were told of the dangers
within the halls, but with how much Fiona snuck around, I would have loved her to be caught, or even seen, by some of the other competitors.
Lastly, I'm not sure I'll ever be able to forgive THAT PART🏹 (iykyk) I had to take a break because I couldn't see through my tears. Then I re-read it, hoping it would change the outcome... but all that did was cause more tears🙃🙃
HUGE thanks to Victory Editing and Netgalley for the ARC🫶
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Evelyn Hart for the ARC. This is my honest, voluntary review.
Trials That Break the Body and Test the Soul
Some stories feel like a challenge from the very first page. 'Shadow Trials' by Evelyn Heart wastes no time pulling readers into a world where survival is earned through pain, endurance, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.
Fiona’s journey feels raw and relentless. From the moment she is thrown into the deadly trials, every step forward feels uncertain and dangerous. Her role as the so-called "Little Priestess" adds a heavy layer of expectation, turning every failure into something that feels far too costly. The trials themselves are brutal, not just physically but emotionally, forcing her to push through exhaustion, fear, and doubt. Each challenge leaves marks, both visible and hidden.
Azric Cyrus carries the kind of presence that shifts the atmosphere of every scene. Powerful, controlled, and often unreadable, he stands as both protector and mystery. His role in training Fiona creates a dynamic filled with tension and reluctant trust. The way he pushes her beyond her limits while also protecting her fragile recovery adds depth to their connection. What begins as resistance slowly evolves into something heavier, layered with restraint, emotion, and growing loyalty.
The slow-burn romance unfolds carefully, never overshadowing the danger surrounding them. Instead, it strengthens the emotional core of the story. Moments of healing, quiet support, and unspoken understanding carry just as much weight as the high-stakes trials. The sense that Azric would do anything to protect Fiona lingers beneath the surface, shaping their interactions in subtle but powerful ways.
What truly drives the tension forward is the constant presence of secrets. Hidden motives, unanswered questions, and buried truths create an atmosphere where trust feels risky. The deadly trials act as more than tests of survival. They become catalysts that expose weaknesses, reveal hidden strengths, and reshape alliances.
The pacing balances physical danger with emotional vulnerability. Training sequences, recovery moments, and the introduction of compelling side characters give the world a sense of depth that keeps readers emotionally invested beyond the central plot.
By the final pages, the feeling remains that the trials may be over for now, but the real battles are only beginning.
mostly from FMC POV | "Little Priestess" | shadow daddy x human FMC | MMC would do anything to save her | slow burn x enemies to lovers | deadly trials & lots of secrets | he trains her & heals her broken body after | side characters you will be emotionally invested in
Trials That Break the Body and Test the Soul
Some stories feel like a challenge from the very first page. 'Shadow Trials' by Evelyn Heart wastes no time pulling readers into a world where survival is earned through pain, endurance, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.
Fiona’s journey feels raw and relentless. From the moment she is thrown into the deadly trials, every step forward feels uncertain and dangerous. Her role as the so-called "Little Priestess" adds a heavy layer of expectation, turning every failure into something that feels far too costly. The trials themselves are brutal, not just physically but emotionally, forcing her to push through exhaustion, fear, and doubt. Each challenge leaves marks, both visible and hidden.
Azric Cyrus carries the kind of presence that shifts the atmosphere of every scene. Powerful, controlled, and often unreadable, he stands as both protector and mystery. His role in training Fiona creates a dynamic filled with tension and reluctant trust. The way he pushes her beyond her limits while also protecting her fragile recovery adds depth to their connection. What begins as resistance slowly evolves into something heavier, layered with restraint, emotion, and growing loyalty.
The slow-burn romance unfolds carefully, never overshadowing the danger surrounding them. Instead, it strengthens the emotional core of the story. Moments of healing, quiet support, and unspoken understanding carry just as much weight as the high-stakes trials. The sense that Azric would do anything to protect Fiona lingers beneath the surface, shaping their interactions in subtle but powerful ways.
What truly drives the tension forward is the constant presence of secrets. Hidden motives, unanswered questions, and buried truths create an atmosphere where trust feels risky. The deadly trials act as more than tests of survival. They become catalysts that expose weaknesses, reveal hidden strengths, and reshape alliances.
The pacing balances physical danger with emotional vulnerability. Training sequences, recovery moments, and the introduction of compelling side characters give the world a sense of depth that keeps readers emotionally invested beyond the central plot.
By the final pages, the feeling remains that the trials may be over for now, but the real battles are only beginning.
mostly from FMC POV | "Little Priestess" | shadow daddy x human FMC | MMC would do anything to save her | slow burn x enemies to lovers | deadly trials & lots of secrets | he trains her & heals her broken body after | side characters you will be emotionally invested in
April 14, 2026
eARC Review: How can you put into words something that took your breathe away @evelynhartauthor. Thank you for this honored opportunity to fall in love with Shadow Trials.
I truly cannot remember the last time I’ve devoured a book this size (878 pages!).
I can’t remember the last time I’ve ugly cried with my insides feeling like they were crushing and disintegrating. My husband asked me if I was okay and all I could say was “it’s my book” through puffy eyes.
Shadow Trials is a Dark Fantasy with my new favorite enemies to lovers MMC and FMC. Azric The Prince of Bones and Fiona Thorne a human (with magic marks and powers raised by an Order of Priests, her father being the head of the Order) It is mainly written from the FMC POV but there are beautiful interludes and quotes at the beginning of each chapter that provide the reader with history and great insight.
He is what she’s been training her life to kill. His dragons are what she’s been training her life to kill. But the moment she stole from him, she has been stuck in his mind and she’s felt drawn to him unlike anything other.
But as the Gods start cracking down on their world another deathly trial begins as one of the gods needs to claim a new champion. Fiona angered by being denied to enter the priesthood because she’s female, volunteers to partake in the trials. That’s where everything falls into place and falls apart. That’s where betrayals and secrets come to light. That’s where weaknesses and strengths are exposed. That’s where Fiona is forced to make a decision - is the world what she thought it was ? Is the magical world really evil? Is she willing to sacrifice those she loves to save everyone? Why and who are the gods scared of ?
The Prince of Bones. All I can say is my heart goes out to him. You need to meet this formidable dark shadow daddy that has become the monster to help save the world. His story is raw, graphic and selfless. Oh, and his dragon Inni feels everything he does 😭😭
To say I cannot wait for book 2 is an understatement!
I truly cannot remember the last time I’ve devoured a book this size (878 pages!).
I can’t remember the last time I’ve ugly cried with my insides feeling like they were crushing and disintegrating. My husband asked me if I was okay and all I could say was “it’s my book” through puffy eyes.
Shadow Trials is a Dark Fantasy with my new favorite enemies to lovers MMC and FMC. Azric The Prince of Bones and Fiona Thorne a human (with magic marks and powers raised by an Order of Priests, her father being the head of the Order) It is mainly written from the FMC POV but there are beautiful interludes and quotes at the beginning of each chapter that provide the reader with history and great insight.
He is what she’s been training her life to kill. His dragons are what she’s been training her life to kill. But the moment she stole from him, she has been stuck in his mind and she’s felt drawn to him unlike anything other.
But as the Gods start cracking down on their world another deathly trial begins as one of the gods needs to claim a new champion. Fiona angered by being denied to enter the priesthood because she’s female, volunteers to partake in the trials. That’s where everything falls into place and falls apart. That’s where betrayals and secrets come to light. That’s where weaknesses and strengths are exposed. That’s where Fiona is forced to make a decision - is the world what she thought it was ? Is the magical world really evil? Is she willing to sacrifice those she loves to save everyone? Why and who are the gods scared of ?
The Prince of Bones. All I can say is my heart goes out to him. You need to meet this formidable dark shadow daddy that has become the monster to help save the world. His story is raw, graphic and selfless. Oh, and his dragon Inni feels everything he does 😭😭
To say I cannot wait for book 2 is an understatement!
April 20, 2026
⭐️ 4.5 stars
Thank you so much to Evelyn Hart for the advance reader copy 🤍
The first ~20% was a bit dense with world building, but once you push through that… this book really takes off.
If you thought Fourth Wing was good, this felt like a more mature, more grounded version. The characters felt deeper, the stakes higher, and the writing more immersive.
Fiona (FMC) goes through so much — loss, impossible choices, constant pressure and what stood out to me most was her ability to stay kind and brave through it all. That kind of strength is rare, and I really admired her for it.
And Azric… my Prince of Bones 😭
You had me from the moment Fiona stole from you and you still walked her out like a gentleman. The tension? The presence? Elite.
Darian deserves a special mention too, easily one of the best side characters. He plays the fool, but he’s actually the smartest and most loyal person in the room!
I also loved getting Azric’s POV in the final chapters, and I really hope we get more of that in book two 👀
One thing to note: despite the title, dragons are not the main focus in book one, but they play an important role in the world. There are only five left, which adds to the intrigue.
This leans more toward epic fantasy than romantasy, with immersive world building and strong plot twists. The romance is more tension and yearning than spice, which I personally loved it felt intentional and well-paced.
Overall, once the story finds its rhythm, it becomes incredibly engaging, emotional, and hard to put down.
I’m very ready for book two!
💕 Read this if you like:
• epic fantasy with strong world building
• low spice / high tension romance
• resilient, emotionally strong FMCs
• powerful, composed MMCs
• found family + loyal side characters
• political intrigue and plot twists
• books like Fourth Wing but more mature
Thank you so much to Evelyn Hart for the advance reader copy 🤍
The first ~20% was a bit dense with world building, but once you push through that… this book really takes off.
If you thought Fourth Wing was good, this felt like a more mature, more grounded version. The characters felt deeper, the stakes higher, and the writing more immersive.
Fiona (FMC) goes through so much — loss, impossible choices, constant pressure and what stood out to me most was her ability to stay kind and brave through it all. That kind of strength is rare, and I really admired her for it.
And Azric… my Prince of Bones 😭
You had me from the moment Fiona stole from you and you still walked her out like a gentleman. The tension? The presence? Elite.
Darian deserves a special mention too, easily one of the best side characters. He plays the fool, but he’s actually the smartest and most loyal person in the room!
I also loved getting Azric’s POV in the final chapters, and I really hope we get more of that in book two 👀
One thing to note: despite the title, dragons are not the main focus in book one, but they play an important role in the world. There are only five left, which adds to the intrigue.
This leans more toward epic fantasy than romantasy, with immersive world building and strong plot twists. The romance is more tension and yearning than spice, which I personally loved it felt intentional and well-paced.
Overall, once the story finds its rhythm, it becomes incredibly engaging, emotional, and hard to put down.
I’m very ready for book two!
💕 Read this if you like:
• epic fantasy with strong world building
• low spice / high tension romance
• resilient, emotionally strong FMCs
• powerful, composed MMCs
• found family + loyal side characters
• political intrigue and plot twists
• books like Fourth Wing but more mature
April 6, 2026
Netgalley eARC:
4.5 Stars from me ⭐️
I wasn’t 100% sure what this book was going to entail but it had me at trials and monsters.
I really liked the magic system in this book used by the FMC. It was different to anything I had read before & also had a bit of vunrebility to the FMC due to the possibility of the magic running out or that some of magic came with side affects.
The dragons were great, enjoyed learning more about them as the story progressed. The bond between Inni & The Prince of Bones was a lovely touch especially as the more you read the more invested you became in them.
The trials themselves were amazing! They weren’t rushed and had a good level of detail within them. They added to the story well. This also helped with the development of the side characters nicely. I became invested in the FMC & Darian’s relationship. Chapter 43 though!!!
Learning about the different type of Godforged and their abilities was amazing. Unique and also added a touch of horror to the book which I loved!
The growth of the FMC felt very natural and not rushed. Also the relationship between the FMC & The Prince of Bones felt natural and not forced.
The ending was fabulous! I’m not sure I had predicted what was going to happen but so so excited to see what happens next 👀
If readers like The Serpent and the Wings of Night they will love this book!
Thank you for allowing me to read an ARC - was a fabulous book and can’t wait to see what comes next!
4.5 Stars from me ⭐️
I wasn’t 100% sure what this book was going to entail but it had me at trials and monsters.
I really liked the magic system in this book used by the FMC. It was different to anything I had read before & also had a bit of vunrebility to the FMC due to the possibility of the magic running out or that some of magic came with side affects.
The dragons were great, enjoyed learning more about them as the story progressed. The bond between Inni & The Prince of Bones was a lovely touch especially as the more you read the more invested you became in them.
The trials themselves were amazing! They weren’t rushed and had a good level of detail within them. They added to the story well. This also helped with the development of the side characters nicely. I became invested in the FMC & Darian’s relationship. Chapter 43 though!!!
Learning about the different type of Godforged and their abilities was amazing. Unique and also added a touch of horror to the book which I loved!
The growth of the FMC felt very natural and not rushed. Also the relationship between the FMC & The Prince of Bones felt natural and not forced.
The ending was fabulous! I’m not sure I had predicted what was going to happen but so so excited to see what happens next 👀
If readers like The Serpent and the Wings of Night they will love this book!
Thank you for allowing me to read an ARC - was a fabulous book and can’t wait to see what comes next!
April 12, 2026
4.5 stars
I love games and trials and when i saw that this book had those as well as dragons i knew i had to dive in ASAP. It did not disappoint.
Now this book is chunky and it is definitely a fantasy book with a romance element so there is a lot of worldbuilding and history and information given. Its all done in an easily digestible way and there is a reference guide to the different gods and their champions etc and then an appendix regarding the magic used by some humans which is helpful.
There are quite a few characters to get your head around and they all have different allegiances and histories with each other so i definitely had to concentrate a fair amount in the first 30% of the book in order to keep them straight in my head. However each character really does bring something unique to the story and there were a few that i became very attached to by the end, with a few of them surprising me with how emotional their stories made me.
The FMC is someone you can root for, she is trying to prove herself in a world where she is the underdog and her story brings up some solid feminine rage. I enjoyed following her development and seeing her interactions with other characters.
I really loved the trials, they were interesting to follow along and were different to ones i have read before. And i ADORE the dragons.
I am hooked and will be eagerly awaiting the next book.
I love games and trials and when i saw that this book had those as well as dragons i knew i had to dive in ASAP. It did not disappoint.
Now this book is chunky and it is definitely a fantasy book with a romance element so there is a lot of worldbuilding and history and information given. Its all done in an easily digestible way and there is a reference guide to the different gods and their champions etc and then an appendix regarding the magic used by some humans which is helpful.
There are quite a few characters to get your head around and they all have different allegiances and histories with each other so i definitely had to concentrate a fair amount in the first 30% of the book in order to keep them straight in my head. However each character really does bring something unique to the story and there were a few that i became very attached to by the end, with a few of them surprising me with how emotional their stories made me.
The FMC is someone you can root for, she is trying to prove herself in a world where she is the underdog and her story brings up some solid feminine rage. I enjoyed following her development and seeing her interactions with other characters.
I really loved the trials, they were interesting to follow along and were different to ones i have read before. And i ADORE the dragons.
I am hooked and will be eagerly awaiting the next book.
April 15, 2026
Marvelous!
Once I started this book, I could not stop! It was intriguing right from the start. This book gave me TOG vibes along with heavy doses of slow burn, enemies to lovers, and found family. Plus, it has DRAGONS!
Nyth is a magical world controlled by gods, and their endless wars are led by their magically infused champions. When a new champion must be found through the gods' deadly trials. The FMC enters as the only human, determined to win to protect the rest of people through alliances. The trials bring to light secrets, betrayals, and a new path to follow that could change the course of her world.
I was invested in the FMC from the beginning of her journey. She is strong-willed, confident, and determined to win.
The MMC puts the shadow in shadow daddy. He is everything I want in an MMC. Dark, powerful, morally gray, and full of secrets.
Evelyn Hart's world-building is perfection. I felt as if I was walking alongside the characters through their dangerous journey. I also appreciated the complex character dynamics and unique lore. And the ending?! I'm eagerly awaiting the next book!
Add this book to your TBR immediately! You will not regret it!
Thank you so much to Evelyn Hart for allowing me to be an ARC reader for this book. It is one of my favorite reads so far this year!
Once I started this book, I could not stop! It was intriguing right from the start. This book gave me TOG vibes along with heavy doses of slow burn, enemies to lovers, and found family. Plus, it has DRAGONS!
Nyth is a magical world controlled by gods, and their endless wars are led by their magically infused champions. When a new champion must be found through the gods' deadly trials. The FMC enters as the only human, determined to win to protect the rest of people through alliances. The trials bring to light secrets, betrayals, and a new path to follow that could change the course of her world.
I was invested in the FMC from the beginning of her journey. She is strong-willed, confident, and determined to win.
The MMC puts the shadow in shadow daddy. He is everything I want in an MMC. Dark, powerful, morally gray, and full of secrets.
Evelyn Hart's world-building is perfection. I felt as if I was walking alongside the characters through their dangerous journey. I also appreciated the complex character dynamics and unique lore. And the ending?! I'm eagerly awaiting the next book!
Add this book to your TBR immediately! You will not regret it!
Thank you so much to Evelyn Hart for allowing me to be an ARC reader for this book. It is one of my favorite reads so far this year!
May 17, 2026
I cannot rave about this book enough. I would give it infinity stars if I could. One of the top fantasy reads of 2026. Epic high fantasy on the slightly darker side. Fiona our FMC has been trained to be a priest all of her life. Drawn to god touched items she steals from the fearsome prince of bones Azric. Fiona ends up in high stakes trials to become the god nyxthos champion to fight in a war to save Nyth. I loved the relationship between azric and his red dragon inni. There are multiple gods and goddesses who all move pieces of the chessboard to try to influence fate and destiny. The dragons were amazing. A whole host of characters that just make the story. There’s some heartbreak that made me have to put the book down and stare at a wall. Loved reading the back stories entwined into the main plot. The way this is written is exceptional and so clever. The plot is fast paced and original. Evelyn was so lovely listening to my OMG moments and favourite quotes. I cannot wait for book 2. It’s rare that I read a book and get to the end without realising how close I was to finishing.
April 14, 2026
4.25 ⭐️'s
This book honestly surprised me in the best way. The world-building and magic system are deeply developed. You can really tell how much thought went into it.
I immediately loved the female main character (she’s such a badass) and I was hooked from the start. And the magic system, especially the Order of the Priest, was incredibly interesting. I would 100% read an entire book just about how Rhaskar came up with all of this.
Also… dragons. That’s it. I’m sold 🐉
At times, the magic system did feel a *tiny* bit complex with all the different elements (gods, godforged, champions, priests, etc) so it took a bit of focus to fully keep up. But honestly, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment.
Overall, this was such an immersive and gripping read that really pulled me in. I had such a great time with it, and I genuinely don’t understand how this hasn’t been traditionally published yet.
Thanks to Evelyn Hart and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy of Shadow Trials.
This book honestly surprised me in the best way. The world-building and magic system are deeply developed. You can really tell how much thought went into it.
I immediately loved the female main character (she’s such a badass) and I was hooked from the start. And the magic system, especially the Order of the Priest, was incredibly interesting. I would 100% read an entire book just about how Rhaskar came up with all of this.
Also… dragons. That’s it. I’m sold 🐉
At times, the magic system did feel a *tiny* bit complex with all the different elements (gods, godforged, champions, priests, etc) so it took a bit of focus to fully keep up. But honestly, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment.
Overall, this was such an immersive and gripping read that really pulled me in. I had such a great time with it, and I genuinely don’t understand how this hasn’t been traditionally published yet.
Thanks to Evelyn Hart and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy of Shadow Trials.
May 1, 2026
thank you to evelyn hart and netgalley for the opportunity to read this as an arc. unfortunately, shadow trials was not a book for me and i decided to dnf it at 17%. i was very excited for this book and its premise, but i felt as though the story itself was too overwhelming. the first 5% was hard to get into and felt slightly disconnected with the continuation. not to mention, there was a lot of lore drop in the first 15% and it got my head spinning because of all the gods, powers, roles in society, new characters, rules and terms. i was incredibly confused, despite being intrigued. and as i continued reading, i only got more confused and the interest was vanishing. not to mention, i had a huge problem with the file's formatting because the pages turned light grey with dark grey writing all of a sudden which made it impossible to read. i do plan on giving this book another chance when it comes out officially, but for now it's a no for me!
May 16, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“…sometimes you must become the monster to be strong enough to protect the ones you love.”
Shadow Trials is a fast-paced, action-packed romantasy filled with deadly trials, monsters, gods, and layered characters. The worldbuilding is dark, ruthless, and violent, balanced by threads of hope, friendship, and the potential for love woven throughout the story.
The champion trials felt fresh, and I’ll always love a good “there can only be one winner” trope. The MMC is deliciously dark, and the enemies-to-lovers dynamic is done well, paired with an incredibly slow burn that keeps the tension simmering.
While there were a few slower moments, the compelling world and characters more than made up for it. Add in a massive cliffhanger, and I’m officially hooked for book two.
Fans of darker romantasy will definitely enjoy this one and its strong use of familiar tropes.
Tropes: enemies to lovers, gods & monsters, darker themes, layered characters, fate, dragons, deadly trials, only one champion, slow burn, mentor x mentee, tragic backstories, found family, magic
“…sometimes you must become the monster to be strong enough to protect the ones you love.”
Shadow Trials is a fast-paced, action-packed romantasy filled with deadly trials, monsters, gods, and layered characters. The worldbuilding is dark, ruthless, and violent, balanced by threads of hope, friendship, and the potential for love woven throughout the story.
The champion trials felt fresh, and I’ll always love a good “there can only be one winner” trope. The MMC is deliciously dark, and the enemies-to-lovers dynamic is done well, paired with an incredibly slow burn that keeps the tension simmering.
While there were a few slower moments, the compelling world and characters more than made up for it. Add in a massive cliffhanger, and I’m officially hooked for book two.
Fans of darker romantasy will definitely enjoy this one and its strong use of familiar tropes.
Tropes: enemies to lovers, gods & monsters, darker themes, layered characters, fate, dragons, deadly trials, only one champion, slow burn, mentor x mentee, tragic backstories, found family, magic
April 7, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’m honestly obsessed with this book!
From the very first page, Shadow Trials pulled me into a dark, dangerous world filled with deadly trials, powerful magic, and dragons. Fiona is such a strong, determined heroine—trained to kill monsters, yet forced into a situation where she might have to become one.
The tension throughout the trials kept me hooked, and I loved how high the stakes felt the whole time. And Azric Cyrus… wow. Dark, ruthless, and completely captivating. The slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers tension between them is just 🔥
This book is intense, addictive, and so hard to put down. If you love romantasy with danger, secrets, and morally grey characters, you need to read this!
I’m honestly obsessed with this book!
From the very first page, Shadow Trials pulled me into a dark, dangerous world filled with deadly trials, powerful magic, and dragons. Fiona is such a strong, determined heroine—trained to kill monsters, yet forced into a situation where she might have to become one.
The tension throughout the trials kept me hooked, and I loved how high the stakes felt the whole time. And Azric Cyrus… wow. Dark, ruthless, and completely captivating. The slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers tension between them is just 🔥
This book is intense, addictive, and so hard to put down. If you love romantasy with danger, secrets, and morally grey characters, you need to read this!
April 29, 2026
This was a solid 4-star ARC read for me. It took me a while to get through, but I think that had more to do with my reading pace than the book itself, because I really ended up loving it.
The world-building took a little time to click, but that’s pretty typical for fantasy. As the story progresses, everything starts to fall into place and the important details really begin to stand out.
I’m always a fan of a good trials storyline, and this one definitely delivered. But what really stood out to me was the character development. Interestingly, not so much the FMC, but the MMC and several of the supporting characters. I felt really connected to them, and the way Evelyn weaves in their backstories carries a lot of emotional weight.
By the time I finished, I wasn’t ready to leave this world or these characters behind. I’ll absolutely be picking up the next book.
The world-building took a little time to click, but that’s pretty typical for fantasy. As the story progresses, everything starts to fall into place and the important details really begin to stand out.
I’m always a fan of a good trials storyline, and this one definitely delivered. But what really stood out to me was the character development. Interestingly, not so much the FMC, but the MMC and several of the supporting characters. I felt really connected to them, and the way Evelyn weaves in their backstories carries a lot of emotional weight.
By the time I finished, I wasn’t ready to leave this world or these characters behind. I’ll absolutely be picking up the next book.
April 4, 2026
2.75 stars.
Honestly I was so excited for this book! I thought it was going to be the next epic fantasy book I would read. So, in thinking this I thought there would be a ton of world building that would need to happen and I was okay with that. Well, I felt like there was no world building in this at all. There was a map and definitions list at the beginning, but that was not enough for me to understand what was going on.
I also was kinda confused on the trials aspect as there is such a large gap between each trial but like no talk about what was happening between them? I felt like this book could have been two books with how much info I felt was missing.
Honestly I was so excited for this book! I thought it was going to be the next epic fantasy book I would read. So, in thinking this I thought there would be a ton of world building that would need to happen and I was okay with that. Well, I felt like there was no world building in this at all. There was a map and definitions list at the beginning, but that was not enough for me to understand what was going on.
I also was kinda confused on the trials aspect as there is such a large gap between each trial but like no talk about what was happening between them? I felt like this book could have been two books with how much info I felt was missing.
April 11, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Evelyn Hart for this eARC!
Wooooow I don’t know what she put in this but it was addicting! A perfect balance of high fantasy world building, action scenes, and character arcs and it’s only the first book of the series. The only thing I struggled with is the amount of names you need to remember (granted there is a chart provided) but I was confused and just vibing for the first 30%.
This story included trials that were unique from other books. Also, unexpected twists that I did not expect. This was a slooooooow burn. The slightest of burns that I expect will take off in the next book. And that ending?! Okay, ya, need book 2 asap
Wooooow I don’t know what she put in this but it was addicting! A perfect balance of high fantasy world building, action scenes, and character arcs and it’s only the first book of the series. The only thing I struggled with is the amount of names you need to remember (granted there is a chart provided) but I was confused and just vibing for the first 30%.
This story included trials that were unique from other books. Also, unexpected twists that I did not expect. This was a slooooooow burn. The slightest of burns that I expect will take off in the next book. And that ending?! Okay, ya, need book 2 asap
April 19, 2026
Shadow Trials is an amazing story revolving around a young woman, Fiona, who was raised to be a human in the world of gods and those who serve the gods. She is willing to go to any lengths to be a protector, but she makes a choice that could place her life in jeopardy. Who can she trust? During the deadly trials to find the next champion she has to figure that out fast. Evelyn Hart creates a detailed world that feels so real. The story pulls you in and keeps you wanting more. Definitely ends in a cliffhanger, but I cannot wait for book 2!
BTW I received this as an ARC read and I am so happy I was chosen as it was a great read!
BTW I received this as an ARC read and I am so happy I was chosen as it was a great read!
April 22, 2026
Horrible
This book was not very good. The tone was immature, the fate of the world was placed on the shoulders of the FMC without much buildup (which killed any suspense or anticipation), and too much inconsistency. For example, one minute she’s saying that she doesn’t trust the faes, even those she calls close allies and yet she revealed everything her and Azric discussed in their first meeting. The vernacular was also overly modern, especially with a historical setting. The 100+ year old head of human secret society uttering “it is what it is”, was very off putting. Readers need to be able to envision your world and it is very difficult to do so if there is misalignment between speech/language vs. setting.
I also struggled to see anything special about the FMC that would warrant her having the fate of civilization placed on her shoulders. No above ordinary intellect, fighting skills, etc. Like Darian having to teach her the battle game - I still don’t fully understand why she wasn’t better. Yes, she wasn’t on the front lines of the battle but she was raised under the tutelage of her father, the head of Priests, and grew up with the best tutors known to man, who personally taught her everything (from fighting to history and strategy). I simply think there was too much too soon. The trials hadn’t even fully kicked off before everyone was telling the FMC she had to win - she hadn’t proven herself at that point. Just a human with special armor and marks who was naive enough to throw herself into a competition with otherworldly creatures. It came across as corny more than anything. If there had been a consistent buildup prior to that point, and she had earned that faith over the course of the trial, perhaps it would have been more believable then.
I wanted to like this book - I personally love competitions but this one was simply not it.
This book was not very good. The tone was immature, the fate of the world was placed on the shoulders of the FMC without much buildup (which killed any suspense or anticipation), and too much inconsistency. For example, one minute she’s saying that she doesn’t trust the faes, even those she calls close allies and yet she revealed everything her and Azric discussed in their first meeting. The vernacular was also overly modern, especially with a historical setting. The 100+ year old head of human secret society uttering “it is what it is”, was very off putting. Readers need to be able to envision your world and it is very difficult to do so if there is misalignment between speech/language vs. setting.
I also struggled to see anything special about the FMC that would warrant her having the fate of civilization placed on her shoulders. No above ordinary intellect, fighting skills, etc. Like Darian having to teach her the battle game - I still don’t fully understand why she wasn’t better. Yes, she wasn’t on the front lines of the battle but she was raised under the tutelage of her father, the head of Priests, and grew up with the best tutors known to man, who personally taught her everything (from fighting to history and strategy). I simply think there was too much too soon. The trials hadn’t even fully kicked off before everyone was telling the FMC she had to win - she hadn’t proven herself at that point. Just a human with special armor and marks who was naive enough to throw herself into a competition with otherworldly creatures. It came across as corny more than anything. If there had been a consistent buildup prior to that point, and she had earned that faith over the course of the trial, perhaps it would have been more believable then.
I wanted to like this book - I personally love competitions but this one was simply not it.
May 3, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A great new series by Evelyn Hart.
I was so excited to be taken back to the world of Nyth and thrust into the future after finishing the Shadow Debts Series. But if you haven’t read the prequel series yet, don’t let that dissuade you from picking up this next installment. This beauty is a new start, and can be read independently of The Shadow Debts as there is new characters, new lore, new prophecies, new elements, more dragons, trials, new species and different worlds.
We have a strong FMC and a shadow daddy MMC. It is addictive and somewhat dark, and totally deadly.
You have done it again Evelyn, and the only thing I am kicking myself about right now is, I read it so fast, I have to torturously await the next book.
I was so excited to be taken back to the world of Nyth and thrust into the future after finishing the Shadow Debts Series. But if you haven’t read the prequel series yet, don’t let that dissuade you from picking up this next installment. This beauty is a new start, and can be read independently of The Shadow Debts as there is new characters, new lore, new prophecies, new elements, more dragons, trials, new species and different worlds.
We have a strong FMC and a shadow daddy MMC. It is addictive and somewhat dark, and totally deadly.
You have done it again Evelyn, and the only thing I am kicking myself about right now is, I read it so fast, I have to torturously await the next book.
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