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The Guidal: Returning Shadow
They told you magic wasn’t real. They lied.
Aurora once believed she was alone in her magic. Now, she carries within her the last hope of a dying legacy, whose existence could awaken a world forced into silence.
But as old enemies rise and loyalties blur, love is no longer a sanctuary. Not when the boy who once swore to protect her returns without his past… and without her.
The rebellion is rising. The institute is fracturing. And across the fractured lands, a single truth spreads like magic was never lost. It was stolen.
In the final chapter of The Guidal, the lies of the old world burn, but what rises from the ashes will cost more than anyone imagined.
Because freedom demands sacrifice.
And not everyone survives the dawn.
Aurora once believed she was alone in her magic. Now, she carries within her the last hope of a dying legacy, whose existence could awaken a world forced into silence.
But as old enemies rise and loyalties blur, love is no longer a sanctuary. Not when the boy who once swore to protect her returns without his past… and without her.
The rebellion is rising. The institute is fracturing. And across the fractured lands, a single truth spreads like magic was never lost. It was stolen.
In the final chapter of The Guidal, the lies of the old world burn, but what rises from the ashes will cost more than anyone imagined.
Because freedom demands sacrifice.
And not everyone survives the dawn.
- GenresFantasy
659 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 10, 2026
Reviews aren’t my strong suit.. I struggle to find the words to explain how books made me feel and this is no different in that sense. The journey of disliking characters to absolutely loving them, being unable to choose which team to be on, the utterly heartbreaking moments, the moments you never see coming and the second to last chapter which had me thinking I was going to hate the ending but got tied up and brought me back around with the last chapter, what a book it was.
This series took over my book life a couple years ago and I had been so lucky and grateful to review them as ARC’s.
Thank you Roxy for writing this incredible, captivating series, what a journey it has been.
This series took over my book life a couple years ago and I had been so lucky and grateful to review them as ARC’s.
Thank you Roxy for writing this incredible, captivating series, what a journey it has been.
July 19, 2026
This book is the final installment in the dystopian YA series, and it picks up right after the shocking revelations at the end of book three including the death of sovereign skill and the reveal of Jennsen as Puracordis. This book had me on an emotional rollercoaster ... I laughed, cried, and even tossed it across the room at the end.
We finally get long awaited answers to some of our biggest questions, and the ending is completely unpredictable. It even breaks some major rules of YA romantasy, leaving me a bit stunned. I might need to take some time to process it all.
While some of the final battles felt a bit anti-climactic, I still found myself satisfied overall, especially with the twist involving Lil. If you're looking for a series that takes you on an emotional journey, this one is definitely worth picking up!
We finally get long awaited answers to some of our biggest questions, and the ending is completely unpredictable. It even breaks some major rules of YA romantasy, leaving me a bit stunned. I might need to take some time to process it all.
While some of the final battles felt a bit anti-climactic, I still found myself satisfied overall, especially with the twist involving Lil. If you're looking for a series that takes you on an emotional journey, this one is definitely worth picking up!
Review of advance copy received from Author
absolutely incredible.
I have not got the words. infinity stars!
This was a incredibly strong ending to the series and I can promise it will keep you hooked from the start. I feel like this book was so much more intense, there was many time my mouth was wide open with pure shock. The emotional moments didn't just hit, they hit HARD.
One of my favourite things was seeing how much the characters have developed through the four books. Characters I thought I disliked I ended up loving, you can really feel the impact of everything they've been through. I am absolutely devasted it's come to a end, I am so greatful to have been able to read these and see roxy absolutely shine through the pages. What a ride. I am still processing.
With many fantasy reads, it can be quite easy to get lost. However I find Roxy writes so beautifully well and because of how fast paced and action packed it is I feel it's easy to keep up with. If you think you know how these books are going to play out I can absolutely tell you, you're wrong. I had so many theories, Roxy left me absolutely speechless. I felt so many things through this book resonated with me on a personal level, I've laughed, I've cried and I've loved this journey.
if you like the hunger games or divergent those sort of vibes then you will absolutely love the guidal series, i believe its so so so much better. It was absolutely like watching a movie but in my mind. If you do anything, please go and get this series, I wish I could read them again for the first time 🥹🤍
Roxy enjoy this ride, you deserve it. Thank you so much for allowing us to read your arcs.
I have not got the words. infinity stars!
This was a incredibly strong ending to the series and I can promise it will keep you hooked from the start. I feel like this book was so much more intense, there was many time my mouth was wide open with pure shock. The emotional moments didn't just hit, they hit HARD.
One of my favourite things was seeing how much the characters have developed through the four books. Characters I thought I disliked I ended up loving, you can really feel the impact of everything they've been through. I am absolutely devasted it's come to a end, I am so greatful to have been able to read these and see roxy absolutely shine through the pages. What a ride. I am still processing.
With many fantasy reads, it can be quite easy to get lost. However I find Roxy writes so beautifully well and because of how fast paced and action packed it is I feel it's easy to keep up with. If you think you know how these books are going to play out I can absolutely tell you, you're wrong. I had so many theories, Roxy left me absolutely speechless. I felt so many things through this book resonated with me on a personal level, I've laughed, I've cried and I've loved this journey.
if you like the hunger games or divergent those sort of vibes then you will absolutely love the guidal series, i believe its so so so much better. It was absolutely like watching a movie but in my mind. If you do anything, please go and get this series, I wish I could read them again for the first time 🥹🤍
Roxy enjoy this ride, you deserve it. Thank you so much for allowing us to read your arcs.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have such mixed feelings about this ending because it was so incredibly good, yet I cried through the entire finale. A true emotional rollercoaster.
It felt amazing to return to this world and see how much the characters have changed and grown. Although, as usual, Aurora still couldn’t really control herself. I’ll be honest, sometimes she started to feel a bit too much for me, and she often acted very immaturely. But then again, she is still just a child, really. Maybe the story would have worked better as a why choose romance, I don’t know. Still, this whole “can’t choose” and “won’t choose” dynamic definitely had its own kind of excitement.
At the same time, my opinion completely changed about certain characters. People I thought I hated slowly became characters I loved, and I started to understand their motivations more and more. Ahem… Seiho Boulderfel.
I still absolutely adore the entire world and concept, and this final installment never lets you get bored for even a second. It’s packed with unexpected twists, and some mysteries are revealed that genuinely left me speechless. Simply brilliant.
It wraps up the story beautifully, but one thing is certain: it will also break your heart.
If you love the vibe of Divergent and The Hunger Games, then I highly recommend this series. Now that I’ve finished it, I think I’m already starting to crave a reread.
It felt amazing to return to this world and see how much the characters have changed and grown. Although, as usual, Aurora still couldn’t really control herself. I’ll be honest, sometimes she started to feel a bit too much for me, and she often acted very immaturely. But then again, she is still just a child, really. Maybe the story would have worked better as a why choose romance, I don’t know. Still, this whole “can’t choose” and “won’t choose” dynamic definitely had its own kind of excitement.
At the same time, my opinion completely changed about certain characters. People I thought I hated slowly became characters I loved, and I started to understand their motivations more and more. Ahem… Seiho Boulderfel.
I still absolutely adore the entire world and concept, and this final installment never lets you get bored for even a second. It’s packed with unexpected twists, and some mysteries are revealed that genuinely left me speechless. Simply brilliant.
It wraps up the story beautifully, but one thing is certain: it will also break your heart.
If you love the vibe of Divergent and The Hunger Games, then I highly recommend this series. Now that I’ve finished it, I think I’m already starting to crave a reread.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was so fortunate to get this whole series as an ARC and I fell in love with it from the first book and it has become one of my favorite series !
In this book so much happens and I really had a hard time putting it down because there where no good times to take a break from it, I wanted to know what happened next.
The fight, the parkour games, the love stories and the anticipation of an ending of this wonderfull story. It made me feel a bit sad when I first started the book to know that once done it would be done but also excited to know what it would end with.
The ending broke my heart (whyyyyyy) and the last chapter feels like it is building up to something more to come, a new story in this Universe, but not Aurora’s story, so I am excited to see what the future will bring, if we get to see more of this lovely Universe.
I loved all of it and I would recomend it to everyone loving dystopian fantasy with slow burn, yearning, closed door romance, strong friendship, banter, magic and good writing.
In this book so much happens and I really had a hard time putting it down because there where no good times to take a break from it, I wanted to know what happened next.
The fight, the parkour games, the love stories and the anticipation of an ending of this wonderfull story. It made me feel a bit sad when I first started the book to know that once done it would be done but also excited to know what it would end with.
The ending broke my heart (whyyyyyy) and the last chapter feels like it is building up to something more to come, a new story in this Universe, but not Aurora’s story, so I am excited to see what the future will bring, if we get to see more of this lovely Universe.
I loved all of it and I would recomend it to everyone loving dystopian fantasy with slow burn, yearning, closed door romance, strong friendship, banter, magic and good writing.
May 10, 2026
I received this as an ARC, and wow… what a ride. I was frustrated with Aurora for a good portion of the book right up until that ending. Then suddenly everything clicked into place for me.
This isn’t a “why choose” romance. It’s very much a can’t choose and won’t choose situation, and honestly? I understood it. But if I absolutely had to pick favorites, Pax and Ryker own my heart. And speaking of Ryker… Roxy, my friend deserves justice!
Overall, the plot throughout this series was incredibly interesting, especially considering when the first book was released. The final installment brought the story full circle in a way I genuinely didn’t expect, and the ending left a lasting impression on me.
I’m really going to miss my Enforcers. Thank you for sharing their story with us.
This isn’t a “why choose” romance. It’s very much a can’t choose and won’t choose situation, and honestly? I understood it. But if I absolutely had to pick favorites, Pax and Ryker own my heart. And speaking of Ryker… Roxy, my friend deserves justice!
Overall, the plot throughout this series was incredibly interesting, especially considering when the first book was released. The final installment brought the story full circle in a way I genuinely didn’t expect, and the ending left a lasting impression on me.
I’m really going to miss my Enforcers. Thank you for sharing their story with us.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If I could give this series infinity stars I would. Grabbed me from the first book. My heart shattered into so many pieces in this book. Hen I tell you I cried. The whole story from start to finish was so unique. The world building, plot, magic. The characters all grabbed you and hooked you in, and I loved every single one of them. Oh aurora 🥺🥺🥺 honestly I couldnt get through this book quick enough. This series will always have a piece of my heart. Thankyou Roxy so much for the ARC. I’m so sad this series is over. Roxy will definitely be one of my top favourite authors and I look forward to anything else that she writes.
June 2, 2026
Wow, what a rollercoaster of emotions…. I so loved this series and I’m gutted it has ended!!! And how it ended! Get ready for tears for this book ! I never expected that ending .. omg ! I’m so glad I got the chance to read these books! And I’m glad I didn’t have to wait in between books and I could read these one after the other because my god they had me hooked from the first paragraph!! One of my most favourite reads ever ! The charectors, the stories, everything! Definitely recommend this series to everyone !! I don’t know how I’m going to get over this book 😭😭 love love love! 5 stars all around !!!
July 5, 2026
Secrets
Lies
Interesting power dynamics
Strengthened friendship
Questionable motives
More games & trials
Interesting magic system
Emotional turmoil
Unexpected alliances
If this sounds like your kind of vibe then this series will be right up your street.
This is book 4 in the series and it didn't disappoint.
I enjoyed the jux to position in the power dynamic between Tayo & Auror, I found it really interesting.
I loved the confidence and determination of Aurora, the MMC .
The ending took me by surprise, I didn't see it coming!
Lies
Interesting power dynamics
Strengthened friendship
Questionable motives
More games & trials
Interesting magic system
Emotional turmoil
Unexpected alliances
If this sounds like your kind of vibe then this series will be right up your street.
This is book 4 in the series and it didn't disappoint.
I enjoyed the jux to position in the power dynamic between Tayo & Auror, I found it really interesting.
I loved the confidence and determination of Aurora, the MMC .
The ending took me by surprise, I didn't see it coming!
Review of advance copy received from Author
WOW WOW WOW!
This series had had me in a chokehold from the start...
I had high hopes for Aurora keeping her hands to herself in this book, but as always she went a head and surprised me.
This book took a turn and then another turn and then yet again another turn the entire book, everytime I thought id figured it out Roxy went ahead and surprised me🫣
I absolutely loved Roxys writing style, the chapters lengths, the character depth.
This whole world has taken me on such a journey i never wanted to end. It had me in a chokehold from start to finish, I couldn't get enough of it.
AND THE ENDING...🫣🫣🫣
This series had had me in a chokehold from the start...
I had high hopes for Aurora keeping her hands to herself in this book, but as always she went a head and surprised me.
This book took a turn and then another turn and then yet again another turn the entire book, everytime I thought id figured it out Roxy went ahead and surprised me🫣
I absolutely loved Roxys writing style, the chapters lengths, the character depth.
This whole world has taken me on such a journey i never wanted to end. It had me in a chokehold from start to finish, I couldn't get enough of it.
AND THE ENDING...🫣🫣🫣
Review of advance copy
So many answers answered, so many more questions. Then many more answers. This book perfectly broke my heart, the ending was ruthless. Big thankyou to Roxy for sending the arc out, i feel complete and sad.
May 24, 2026
This book was much more complicated than the previous books but I read it in 3 days. I have enjoyed this series but this book made me feel strong emotions multiple times.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews