Shadow Walkers: Book 1 of The Books of Arona

by T.D. Fox

A war hero who doesn’t remember saving the world… or that mythical monsters walk among us.
A secret agency determined to keep that truth hidden.
A superhuman terrorist hellbent on hunting her down… and a bond that could change everything they thought they knew.

Packed with adventure and simmering with slow-burn romance, SHADOW WALKERS plunges readers into a modern world of reimagined myths, where shadowy giants of ancient folklore wage a secret war against humanity. As Melanie navigates a hidden underworld of superhumans, traitors, and family she’s not sure she can trust, she fights to confront her stolen past. Careening toward a final showdown, she must wrestle with her own heart to decide where she truly belongs.

452 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 13, 2026

About the author

A world-romper from the Pacific Northwest, T.D. Fox supplements a hyperactive imagination with real life shenanigans to add pizzazz to her storytelling endeavors. Ask her sometime about an ill-fated canoe on a frozen river, a bush-flattening "horse killer" in the Amazon, or a certain alley during a thunderstorm, and you'll see where she gets some of her wildest scene ideas.

Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Studies, her favorite stories to write usually involve a clash of worldviews, an unflinching reevaluation of one’s own internal compass, and an embrace of the compelling unease that arises when vastly different worlds collide.

Reviews

[Mrs.k]

I had the pleasure of being an ARC reader for this book. I can say that it has stuck with me for the long haul. There are books I read that I enjoy and tell a friend or two about, then move on to the next. But every so often I read a book that finds a place in my mind and camps out there rent free for life. THIS is one of those books! I still think about the world and characters T.D. Fox created.

The various cultures/societies, the powers and their systems, the language created, the absolute magical world of Arona, the characters and their story unfolding.. man, I wish I could go back and reread it for the first time!!

Go grab your copy of this gem of a book by T.D..Fox so that you can know what I'm talking about and so I can envy you reading it for the first time ;)

[AstridValeFantasy]

Wow, just wow! This book held my attention the whole way through! The characeters and their dynamics were so well written. They felt almost real at times. I loved the conversations between Melanie and Avery.
But that ending... It was the kind I had been bracing for, but still managed to hit me hard. I really need to read the second book as soon as it comes out!
I would recommend this book to readers who love:
-Clean slow burn romance
-A complex mmc
-Characters with depth
-Cliffhangers that stab your heart but make you want to keep reading
-Fire and Ice.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karleigh]

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author.


This book is a little out of my typical genre but I am so glad I gave it a try. This book was packed with adventure and a little mystery. It took a little bit for me to get into at first but once the adventure started I really enjoyed the unique storyline. The author wrote in such a detailed way that I could really picture the world she was writing about. I am looking forward to reading more about where the story is going.

[Kallie Oliver]

Received an advance copy of this book, happy to offer an honest review.

Love to see an urban fantasy set in my home state of Idaho! This is a great start to a series and I felt very connected to the characters, especially Melanie. Fun original world building and I will 100% be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series.

[Stefanie Verhelst]

This story is varied by a fierce female character! While reading the story I really started to like and appreciate her and the actions she takes.

The world building is unique, I loved it!

This installment opens up a very promising dreamworld, a journey that I’m thrilled to continue reading!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kaitlyn]

I really enjoyed this. Melanie is such a cool protagonist. With her memory issues and her personality mixed together i thought she really stood out. I loved the plot and i loved her relationships and not spooning anything but her love interest made me squee a little. Honestly a fun good read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christy De]

This book gripped me from the first page! To find a book that I don’t want to put down is rare for me but I found it in this story. Amazing character development and complex relational tension? Do yourself a favor and order this when it comes out, PRONTO. I want to be in this world for real.

[Lisa C.]

Shadow Walkers is a must read! Fox’s lyrical prose captures you, engaging you in the scene. Her characters are rich and well defined, and although the story is riveting, it has very current themes that make you think.

[Abby Miller]

I love the pacing of the story. The story hook me in first chapter and I can’t put it down. The characters are quick to find a place in your heart, the plot flow nicely.


Can’t wait to see more from this series!