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Shadow & Flame
Ryn Valor is the crown’s most lethal weapon. Raised to hunt traitors, forged by discipline, and bound by loyalty. She follows orders without question. But when a mission to assassinate a rebel commander goes wrong, everything she knows begins to unravel.
Held within the heart of the rebellion, and bound to a Dragon she was never meant to touch, Ryn is forced to play a dangerous game. Her orders are clear. Destroy them from within. But Commander Kade Draven sees the truth behind her eyes and he holds the key to a past she never knew was hers.
A forgotten name. A buried bloodline. A choice that could ignite a war.
As the line between enemy and ally blurs, so does the line between duty and desire. Loyalty is a weapon. Love is a threat. And some truths are too dangerous to stay hidden.
Held within the heart of the rebellion, and bound to a Dragon she was never meant to touch, Ryn is forced to play a dangerous game. Her orders are clear. Destroy them from within. But Commander Kade Draven sees the truth behind her eyes and he holds the key to a past she never knew was hers.
A forgotten name. A buried bloodline. A choice that could ignite a war.
As the line between enemy and ally blurs, so does the line between duty and desire. Loyalty is a weapon. Love is a threat. And some truths are too dangerous to stay hidden.
501 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 7, 2026
Book editors are not optional.
They are a requirement if you’re going to charge people for books. Period.
Practice writing all you want on Ao3. I encourage it! There, you can make mistakes, such as the ones I found in this book, including:
• Using sore” instead of “soar”
• Using a ; instead of a :
• Not taking the three seconds you’d need to look up obsidian daggers on Google where it clearly states that they’re extremely brittle and very impractical as combat weapons.
• Naming your kingdom “Eryndor” when your book is already too closely related to Fourth Wing.
Speaking of that: girl, come on. At least change the answers a bit so the teacher doesn’t know you were copying.
Here are excerpts from this book. No, these are not excerpts from Fourth Wing:
The bond trials. It's the only reason anyone risks this climb. Dragons choose from the hopefuls, bonding with those they find worthy." His smile dimmed, just slightly. "Or killing the ones they don't."
I straddled his hips, pressing my palms to his chest to keep him down. His heat burned through the thin fabric of his shirt beneath my hands. His eyes lifted to meet mine. Onyx flecks, sharp with defiance and something much more dangerous simmering beneath.
I closed it and pushed deeper into the stacks where the books smelled older, where scribes had written between lines and bound warnings into the margins.
She pulled out a folded set of dark leathers and slid them toward me. "Wear these at dawn. No exceptions."
I picked them up, feeling the weight, the durability. Black leather pants and a thick black long sleeve.
"How many riders have you had? You're
so ancient. You must have had dozens."
[he] gave a low laugh that sounded like thunder rumbling. "Far less than you think. I've only ever had two riders in my life."
“You’ll report to the Flight Field at first light.”
He stood at the far end of the platform just below the archway. Tall, tan, broad-shouldered, and dark hair framing his face. A gleam of light plays over the faint scar running from his temple through his eyebrow, and below his eye […] Dark, swirling tattoos stretch across his chest and wind down his left arm, beginning at the back of his hand before climbing to his neck. His eyes, a brilliant, unforgiving goldish brown. They locked with mine the instant I turned. Gods, he is the most beautiful man I've ever seen.
"[he] is a memory seer," he said evenly. "He can access your memories.
Everything you've seen, heard and experienced with a touch of his hand."
He lowered his head until the heat of
him kissed my skin.
"And that," he said, his voice curling deeper into my mind, "is precisely why I chose you."
Guys, do not do this. This is blatant. You will not find success directly copying, almost word-for-word, exact scenes from other, extremely popular works.
Listen: mistakes are important parts of learning. Everyone makes them. But, if you plan to sell a book without having it even semi-professionally edited, you’re giving license for me to write a review like this. To be fair, I also wouldn’t be as mad if the author wasn’t also using pity marketing or AI for her cover art and social marketing.
There is enough derivative, commodified literary slop in the world, and I want us, as a collective, to expect more and demand better.
I understand this author is young and new, but writing takes effort, deep and infuriating research, imagination, originality, and consistent practice.
And finally, circling back, you need a trustworthy developmental AND copy editor. They can be one person; they can be two people. But you need both.
It’s not optional.
They are a requirement if you’re going to charge people for books. Period.
Practice writing all you want on Ao3. I encourage it! There, you can make mistakes, such as the ones I found in this book, including:
• Using sore” instead of “soar”
• Using a ; instead of a :
• Not taking the three seconds you’d need to look up obsidian daggers on Google where it clearly states that they’re extremely brittle and very impractical as combat weapons.
• Naming your kingdom “Eryndor” when your book is already too closely related to Fourth Wing.
Speaking of that: girl, come on. At least change the answers a bit so the teacher doesn’t know you were copying.
Here are excerpts from this book. No, these are not excerpts from Fourth Wing:
The bond trials. It's the only reason anyone risks this climb. Dragons choose from the hopefuls, bonding with those they find worthy." His smile dimmed, just slightly. "Or killing the ones they don't."
I straddled his hips, pressing my palms to his chest to keep him down. His heat burned through the thin fabric of his shirt beneath my hands. His eyes lifted to meet mine. Onyx flecks, sharp with defiance and something much more dangerous simmering beneath.
I closed it and pushed deeper into the stacks where the books smelled older, where scribes had written between lines and bound warnings into the margins.
She pulled out a folded set of dark leathers and slid them toward me. "Wear these at dawn. No exceptions."
I picked them up, feeling the weight, the durability. Black leather pants and a thick black long sleeve.
"How many riders have you had? You're
so ancient. You must have had dozens."
[he] gave a low laugh that sounded like thunder rumbling. "Far less than you think. I've only ever had two riders in my life."
“You’ll report to the Flight Field at first light.”
He stood at the far end of the platform just below the archway. Tall, tan, broad-shouldered, and dark hair framing his face. A gleam of light plays over the faint scar running from his temple through his eyebrow, and below his eye […] Dark, swirling tattoos stretch across his chest and wind down his left arm, beginning at the back of his hand before climbing to his neck. His eyes, a brilliant, unforgiving goldish brown. They locked with mine the instant I turned. Gods, he is the most beautiful man I've ever seen.
"[he] is a memory seer," he said evenly. "He can access your memories.
Everything you've seen, heard and experienced with a touch of his hand."
He lowered his head until the heat of
him kissed my skin.
"And that," he said, his voice curling deeper into my mind, "is precisely why I chose you."
Guys, do not do this. This is blatant. You will not find success directly copying, almost word-for-word, exact scenes from other, extremely popular works.
Listen: mistakes are important parts of learning. Everyone makes them. But, if you plan to sell a book without having it even semi-professionally edited, you’re giving license for me to write a review like this. To be fair, I also wouldn’t be as mad if the author wasn’t also using pity marketing or AI for her cover art and social marketing.
There is enough derivative, commodified literary slop in the world, and I want us, as a collective, to expect more and demand better.
I understand this author is young and new, but writing takes effort, deep and infuriating research, imagination, originality, and consistent practice.
And finally, circling back, you need a trustworthy developmental AND copy editor. They can be one person; they can be two people. But you need both.
It’s not optional.
October 8, 2026
It just needed more originality and editing
October 2, 2026
The enemies to lovers plot line isn’t written very well imo. It’s lacking for me and almost feels like instalove? I hate how Kade never really takes accountability for any thing he does wrong, one moment you think he’s super considerate and understanding and the next he’s a stone wall and it’s extremely jarring. It feels like Ryn had a better character arc but it was also a complete 180 which wasn’t realistic imo. i’m typically very tolerant of character flaws because it makes the characters feel more real and contributes to their arc, but both the plot and character arcs fell very flat for me. Overall it felt extremely 1 dimensional without any depth to either the plot or the characters.
December 7, 2025
Shadow & Flame is one of those books you open thinking, “I’ll just read a chapter,” and suddenly it’s midnight and you’re emotionally attached to people who make questionable life choices.
Ryn Valor is fierce, guarded, and absolutely convinced she doesn’t have time for feelings… which of course means she walks straight into a situation where feelings happen anyway. The romantasy tension in this book sneaks up on you — not dramatic, not overdone, just that nice slow-build where you can see two people circling around each other and pretending they’re not doing exactly that.
And honestly? It works. The chemistry feels earned, a little prickly in places, and just soft enough in others that you’ll catch yourself smiling. There’s banter, there’s tension, and there are definitely moments where you want to tap the page like, “You two. Come on.”
Butler’s worldbuilding gives all of this a really solid backdrop — shadows, danger, magic — but nothing so heavy that it pulls away from the characters. It’s atmospheric in a way that feels engaging instead of overwhelming.
Overall, it’s the kind of story that’s easy to fall into: a little action, a little heart, a sprinkle of humor, and a romance that’s more “slow-burn warmth” than “set the house on fire.” I genuinely loved it, and I’m already ready for whatever comes next.
Ryn Valor is fierce, guarded, and absolutely convinced she doesn’t have time for feelings… which of course means she walks straight into a situation where feelings happen anyway. The romantasy tension in this book sneaks up on you — not dramatic, not overdone, just that nice slow-build where you can see two people circling around each other and pretending they’re not doing exactly that.
And honestly? It works. The chemistry feels earned, a little prickly in places, and just soft enough in others that you’ll catch yourself smiling. There’s banter, there’s tension, and there are definitely moments where you want to tap the page like, “You two. Come on.”
Butler’s worldbuilding gives all of this a really solid backdrop — shadows, danger, magic — but nothing so heavy that it pulls away from the characters. It’s atmospheric in a way that feels engaging instead of overwhelming.
Overall, it’s the kind of story that’s easy to fall into: a little action, a little heart, a sprinkle of humor, and a romance that’s more “slow-burn warmth” than “set the house on fire.” I genuinely loved it, and I’m already ready for whatever comes next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2026
Kinda predictable, no spice, strong MFC.. I'll read book 2
May 14, 2026
Trying to keep this spoiler free!
If you’re looking for something to pull you out of your reading slump, this definitely scratches the itch. I will say, the world building could’ve been stronger and some of the similarities to Fourth Wing are impossible to ignore at times. There were moments where it almost felt like fanfiction with dragons, training, and certain character dynamics, but underneath that, it does carve out its own story and plot.
What really made the book enjoyable for me was Ryn. She’s the kind of FMC readers are constantly begging for. Tough, capable, not a doormat, and fully able to hold her own. At the same time, her internal struggles and self-doubt create an interesting contrast with the persona she presents outwardly, which kept her from feeling too one-dimensional.
What also really worked for me was the dynamic between Ryn and Kade. It fed something in me that both MCs were equally badass. In so many fantasy romance books, there’s usually a noticeable power imbalance where one character is stronger, more persuasive, more experienced, or more capable than the other. Here, Kade and Ryn felt like they were on equal footing from the start, which made their interactions so much more compelling. Neither of them overshadowed the other, and that balance allowed the tension, chemistry, and sparks between them to feel natural and intense.
Overall, it was a fun, addictive read. If you want dragons, action, tension, and a badass female lead, this is worth picking up. I’ll definitely continue the series when the next two books come out. I’m especially excited to see how the relationship between the FMC and MMC develops because there’s a lot of potential there. I’d also love to see more from the secondary characters and how their roles expand within the overall storyline moving forward.
If you’re looking for something to pull you out of your reading slump, this definitely scratches the itch. I will say, the world building could’ve been stronger and some of the similarities to Fourth Wing are impossible to ignore at times. There were moments where it almost felt like fanfiction with dragons, training, and certain character dynamics, but underneath that, it does carve out its own story and plot.
What really made the book enjoyable for me was Ryn. She’s the kind of FMC readers are constantly begging for. Tough, capable, not a doormat, and fully able to hold her own. At the same time, her internal struggles and self-doubt create an interesting contrast with the persona she presents outwardly, which kept her from feeling too one-dimensional.
What also really worked for me was the dynamic between Ryn and Kade. It fed something in me that both MCs were equally badass. In so many fantasy romance books, there’s usually a noticeable power imbalance where one character is stronger, more persuasive, more experienced, or more capable than the other. Here, Kade and Ryn felt like they were on equal footing from the start, which made their interactions so much more compelling. Neither of them overshadowed the other, and that balance allowed the tension, chemistry, and sparks between them to feel natural and intense.
Overall, it was a fun, addictive read. If you want dragons, action, tension, and a badass female lead, this is worth picking up. I’ll definitely continue the series when the next two books come out. I’m especially excited to see how the relationship between the FMC and MMC develops because there’s a lot of potential there. I’d also love to see more from the secondary characters and how their roles expand within the overall storyline moving forward.
October 4, 2026
I LOVED this book! The tension between Ryn and Kade was 🤌🏻🤌🏻! I could not stop turning the pages of this book! It was soo good. I absolutely loved the bond between Ryn and Tharok was beautiful and powerful! I absolutely loved Ryn. She is a deadly assassin that is sent on a mission that could end her life easily. Instead she ends up bonding with a dragon that is strong, powerful and a little sassy. Ryn holds nothing back. She is a fighter and when she starts seeing the truth. Watching her take that information and grow was great to watch. It felt like it unfolded very well Infront of the reader.
Kade is the drop dead gorgeous commander who just be the very thing that makes the assassin bend the knee in a different direction than the king. When they fighting in the arena. It is like there is flames everywhere and no one is safe from that tension and heat.
The other relationship that I really enjoyed was Ryn and Mavens. They are the true definition of soul sisters. And it's fierce!
And last of all, i freaking adore Erik. He is hilarious and his quick come backs are perfectly placed in tense moments.
I really enjoyed this book and absolutely can NOT wait to read book two!! The ending of book one has me dangling off a cliff!
This book has it all, enemies to lovers, found family, dragons, betrayal, cliff hangers, tension that could bend steel, and so much more!
I highly recommend this book!
Kade is the drop dead gorgeous commander who just be the very thing that makes the assassin bend the knee in a different direction than the king. When they fighting in the arena. It is like there is flames everywhere and no one is safe from that tension and heat.
The other relationship that I really enjoyed was Ryn and Mavens. They are the true definition of soul sisters. And it's fierce!
And last of all, i freaking adore Erik. He is hilarious and his quick come backs are perfectly placed in tense moments.
I really enjoyed this book and absolutely can NOT wait to read book two!! The ending of book one has me dangling off a cliff!
This book has it all, enemies to lovers, found family, dragons, betrayal, cliff hangers, tension that could bend steel, and so much more!
I highly recommend this book!
August 14, 2026
I am a huge fantasy person and I came across this book on Tiktok and thought it sounded really good. I bought this book and didn’t put it down for the whole day! I finished it in 2 days! This book definitely got me out of a reading slump that I have been in for like 2 weeks.
i’ve always been looking for a book that had a strong fmc and if your looking for that Ryn is your girl! she is a tough and capable girl. Not only is Ryn an amazing fmc all the characters have their own challenges and strengths, which makes it a very interesting story, world, and character building book! The 2 mc have very conversations which I highly enjoy. The mmc Kade is devoted to the fmc which adds to the plot of the story.
The story building unlike other books where i feel like it drags on forever this book didn’t. it was quick but also gave so much detail and events to the story that i didn’t know i needed! This book is something that I have been looking for which has the badass fmc and the mmc who lets her be the badass that she is.
Although there are some parts of the book that I found very similar to Forth Wing (which i absolutely loved) I loved this book and it has its own path that has been built. I absolutely fell in love with this book and I can’t wait for the second book to come out!
i’ve always been looking for a book that had a strong fmc and if your looking for that Ryn is your girl! she is a tough and capable girl. Not only is Ryn an amazing fmc all the characters have their own challenges and strengths, which makes it a very interesting story, world, and character building book! The 2 mc have very conversations which I highly enjoy. The mmc Kade is devoted to the fmc which adds to the plot of the story.
The story building unlike other books where i feel like it drags on forever this book didn’t. it was quick but also gave so much detail and events to the story that i didn’t know i needed! This book is something that I have been looking for which has the badass fmc and the mmc who lets her be the badass that she is.
Although there are some parts of the book that I found very similar to Forth Wing (which i absolutely loved) I loved this book and it has its own path that has been built. I absolutely fell in love with this book and I can’t wait for the second book to come out!
August 30, 2026
I loved it so muchhh!!! It’s the second romantasy book I have read and I stumbled across your book and wanted to give it a try and it DID NOTTT DISAPPOINT!
I loved how the tension started off pretty fast but nothing romantic happened until deeper into the book. I love how he knew who she was from pretty early on in the book and he fell for her despite the fact that she killed his brother!! I also loved how much yearning there was from both of them for one another especially throughout the last chapters with the big battle and how they were almost like only concerned for each other rather than themselves!!
I love how in his point of view it shows his thoughts about her and how he fell for her!!
I don’t have many more words than this because I just loved the book so much I’m speechless!!!
Lorraine though… I kinda saw it coming then it left my mind for a bit until she actually did betray them and I was kinda shocked but also not because I was skeptical about her from when we first met her character.
Overall…
LOVED IT SO MUCH!!!
I can’t wait to see how the story continues to unfold!!!
I loved how the tension started off pretty fast but nothing romantic happened until deeper into the book. I love how he knew who she was from pretty early on in the book and he fell for her despite the fact that she killed his brother!! I also loved how much yearning there was from both of them for one another especially throughout the last chapters with the big battle and how they were almost like only concerned for each other rather than themselves!!
I love how in his point of view it shows his thoughts about her and how he fell for her!!
I don’t have many more words than this because I just loved the book so much I’m speechless!!!
Lorraine though… I kinda saw it coming then it left my mind for a bit until she actually did betray them and I was kinda shocked but also not because I was skeptical about her from when we first met her character.
Overall…
LOVED IT SO MUCH!!!
I can’t wait to see how the story continues to unfold!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2026
I am a huge fan of fantasy, and I came across one of her videos on TikTok explaining what her book was about. I immediately thought, “Ooh, this sounds really interesting,” so I ended up getting it on Kindle Unlimited and ordering a physical copy as well.
The moment it came in, I read the first line and was instantly hooked. I could not put the book down at all. I was reading it at work, reading it after work basically every chance I got.
Ryn and Kade’s relationship is so intense, and the tension between them is written so well. I absolutely love them together, and I cannot wait for the second book to come out. The second it releases, I’m reading it no matter what.
I highly recommend this book.
The moment it came in, I read the first line and was instantly hooked. I could not put the book down at all. I was reading it at work, reading it after work basically every chance I got.
Ryn and Kade’s relationship is so intense, and the tension between them is written so well. I absolutely love them together, and I cannot wait for the second book to come out. The second it releases, I’m reading it no matter what.
I highly recommend this book.
September 1, 2026
“His presence pressed against the edges of my mind, heat and smoke and something ancient. “You were not made to be his weapon, Ryn Valor.” “
If you’re looking for a book to get over your Onyx Storm hangover, THIS is it. As an avid fantasy reader, this book had me hooked from the beginning. The story is original, the characters are unique, and it’s overall such a good read. The banter between characters was such a fun addition to the story and a great in depth into each one. And the plot twists, which were insane in the BEST way, literally had my jaw on the floor. Read this, read this, read this if you love fantasy, I could not recommend it enough! 10/10, 600 stars, no notes at all. I loved this!
If you’re looking for a book to get over your Onyx Storm hangover, THIS is it. As an avid fantasy reader, this book had me hooked from the beginning. The story is original, the characters are unique, and it’s overall such a good read. The banter between characters was such a fun addition to the story and a great in depth into each one. And the plot twists, which were insane in the BEST way, literally had my jaw on the floor. Read this, read this, read this if you love fantasy, I could not recommend it enough! 10/10, 600 stars, no notes at all. I loved this!
June 3, 2026
So honored to be your ARC reader and so excited for book 2!!
A shadow, a commander. A mission that got trickier by the days. A bond through time and tension, that’ll make you blush. Betrayal that enrages you, and pain that leaves your heart aching. I need book two NOW!
• If you love dragons, strong fmc and an emotionally intelligent mmc you’ll definitely find this read to be page turning
• Loved the side characters they have their part and really build the immersion. Can’t forget the solid banter and it feels like solid friendship you’d have in person.
• Plus the world we’re in is so well written!
• Hate the villain entirely!
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8s8xTLW/
A shadow, a commander. A mission that got trickier by the days. A bond through time and tension, that’ll make you blush. Betrayal that enrages you, and pain that leaves your heart aching. I need book two NOW!
• If you love dragons, strong fmc and an emotionally intelligent mmc you’ll definitely find this read to be page turning
• Loved the side characters they have their part and really build the immersion. Can’t forget the solid banter and it feels like solid friendship you’d have in person.
• Plus the world we’re in is so well written!
• Hate the villain entirely!
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8s8xTLW/
May 29, 2026
Wowww where do I begin? I finished this book in 2 sittings. I truly enjoyed this book so much. While it had similar elements to other books the way it was done was incredible. The FMC was great! I liked that she was sure of herself, driven, and skilled. The fantasy elements were great and the world building was done skillfully without dragging on and on or being confusing. I never felt like I didn’t know what was going on. The side characters were well thought out and had depth. Overall if you’re thinking of checking this out I recommend you do!!
June 16, 2026
I finally sat down with the Extended Edition, and once I started, I couldn’t put it down. It’s an impressive debut for an indie author—perfect for fantasy readers who love a fierce, complex female lead, especially one navigating life as a shadow assassin. Her growth arc feels authentic and deeply compelling, pulling you in as she stumbles into a rebellion, friendship, love, and ultimately, a clearer sense of who she is becoming. I’m already counting the days until book two.
July 13, 2026
4.5⭐️
This book was so fun! I found out about this book from actually the author’s Tik tok account and was like well that sounds like a good time let me lock into that!
I thought the characters had a great dynamic and tension galore!!! The dragons were obviously an addition that literally makes any book great!! I was SHOCKED by that ending and had to take a moment for it and the plot twist that occurred!
Overall, it was a great book, and I cannot wait for book 2! ⚔️🐉
This book was so fun! I found out about this book from actually the author’s Tik tok account and was like well that sounds like a good time let me lock into that!
I thought the characters had a great dynamic and tension galore!!! The dragons were obviously an addition that literally makes any book great!! I was SHOCKED by that ending and had to take a moment for it and the plot twist that occurred!
Overall, it was a great book, and I cannot wait for book 2! ⚔️🐉
July 17, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. The confidence and strength of the FMC really drew me in. The world building was great and the plot was spot on. The found family aspect really put some extra emotion into the story and I LOVED how all of them stood with her no matter what. And the dragons.. love the dragons.
I normally like reading Romantasy with spice but I was hooked from beginning to end. So excited for the next one!
I normally like reading Romantasy with spice but I was hooked from beginning to end. So excited for the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2026
If you love Fourth wing and TOG this is for you. WHEN I TELL YOU I SAT MY ASS DOWN AND GRINDED THIS BOOK IN A DAY. I cant even begin to express how amazing this book really is. The betrayal, the banter, the humor, THE YEARNING. Come oooon. It has the right amount of fantasy to romance, without it being overwhelming. I know she’s a chucky book BUT I promise it’s WORTH THE READ.
September 30, 2026
No spoilers!!!
Honestly, I was hooked on the first chapter!! I truly felt very immersed in the world and with the characters. I have been hooked on a fantasy book this good since I read Fourth Wing😂
The tension 10/10
Main female character 10/10
Commander👀 100000/10
Finished this book in one day and I’m going to get the other one tomorrow😂😂🫠
Honestly, I was hooked on the first chapter!! I truly felt very immersed in the world and with the characters. I have been hooked on a fantasy book this good since I read Fourth Wing😂
The tension 10/10
Main female character 10/10
Commander👀 100000/10
Finished this book in one day and I’m going to get the other one tomorrow😂😂🫠
September 6, 2026
I loved this book!!! I love the strong FMC and the plot so much. People deserve second chances and opportunities! Not to mention, the side characters are also positive additions. I also appreciate the twists and turns of the plot!
September 9, 2026
I don't want to give any spoilers away, but reading this book was amazing. Ryn definitely grew up in this book. She is tough and fearless which all women want to be. She doesn't let her heart and mind control herself. She makes the right decisions without a fight. She lays everything out there.
September 14, 2026
I loved the detail of the world building. As a visual reader, it made the story feel more alive and immersive. I was not expecting some of the twists, and loved that I could not predict the way parts of the story were going.
September 22, 2026
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! I couldn’t put it down!! I loved reading Kade’s POV at the end of the book and only wish it had been included throughout to add a little more character development, but still an awesome read. Super excited to start reading the second one!!
October 6, 2026
An honest review..
The book starts out quite detailed and interesting, but as the book continues on the details become lacking. I feel like it’s written very upfront without the details that matter inbetween.
The part where she goes to find Maven had no depth. It took all of two pages to convince her to leave. There wasn’t any fall out, there were barely any questions, it was just bland and Maven agreed too easily.
There’s very few details about the world building as well. The magic system still remains a giant ? to me.
There are also quite a few grammatical errors that I feel the editor should have caught.
I also feel like the whole romance was weird and barely written well. Nothing about the MMC made me like him.
All in all, it felt like the author made a list for the plot, and I read just the list and none of the meat.
The book starts out quite detailed and interesting, but as the book continues on the details become lacking. I feel like it’s written very upfront without the details that matter inbetween.
The part where she goes to find Maven had no depth. It took all of two pages to convince her to leave. There wasn’t any fall out, there were barely any questions, it was just bland and Maven agreed too easily.
There’s very few details about the world building as well. The magic system still remains a giant ? to me.
There are also quite a few grammatical errors that I feel the editor should have caught.
I also feel like the whole romance was weird and barely written well. Nothing about the MMC made me like him.
All in all, it felt like the author made a list for the plot, and I read just the list and none of the meat.
July 2, 2026
such a great read!!
July 7, 2026
This book was amazing the plot the romance and the writing was soo good.
August 18, 2026
Loved this can’t wait for book two!!!!
August 29, 2026
I came across Shadow and Flame on my BookTok feed, and I was immediately hooked — both by the story and by the characters. It’s the kind of romantasy that pulled me in quickly and kept me reading, even when I started noticing a few cracks in the plot.
-The Story
Ryn is an assassin working for the king, known for carrying out her missions with speed and precision. That all changes when she is ordered to assassinate the leader of the rebellion — along with everyone around him. Needless to say, it sounds like a suicide mission.
Things get even more complicated when Ryn unexpectedly finds herself bonded to a dragon, forcing her to rethink her entire assassination plan if she wants to limit the damage. And, of course, things get even messier when she finds herself irresistibly drawn to her target.
The story is well-paced overall, with a good balance between action, romance, and world-building. It never felt too slow or too rushed to me. That said, there are definitely a few cracks in the plot: some things are predictable from a mile away, and there are moments where the logic doesn’t completely hold up. But by that point, I was already too invested in the story to care too much. I happily chose to overlook the holes in the plot because I was having too much fun.
-The Characters
Ryn is exactly the kind of FMC I love: strong, independent, intelligent, and incredibly agile. I also liked that, despite all her skills, she isn’t completely fearless — she has doubts and moments of vulnerability that make her feel more human.
Kane, on the other hand, is a pretty classic romantasy MMC: handsome, strong, muscular, mysterious… nothing particularly groundbreaking there. 😅 But honestly, the chemistry between him and Ryn more than makes up for it.
Their dynamic was probably one of my favorite parts of the book. The sarcastic — and sometimes downright cynical — banter, the slow-burn romance, and the palpable tension between them were really well done. Their relationship kept me invested and constantly waiting for something to happen.
The secondary characters are also interesting, although some of them could have been developed a little more, especially Erik. I particularly loved Tharok, though, and his relationship with Ryn was one of the highlights for me.
-Final Thoughts
The book ends on a cliffhanger that makes it pretty easy to guess where the story is heading next. Surprisingly, I wasn’t too frustrated by it. The ending doesn’t feel completely abrupt, and getting a few chapters from Kane’s POV helps soften the blow and gives us a little more to chew on before the next book.
Overall, Shadow and Flame isn’t a flawless romantasy, and there are definitely some predictable moments and plot holes if you stop to think about them too much. But if you like strong FMCs, dragons, assassins, enemies-to-lovers vibes, sarcastic banter, and a good slow burn, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Was it perfect? No.
Did I have a great time reading it? Absolutely. And honestly, that’s what matters.
-The Story
Ryn is an assassin working for the king, known for carrying out her missions with speed and precision. That all changes when she is ordered to assassinate the leader of the rebellion — along with everyone around him. Needless to say, it sounds like a suicide mission.
Things get even more complicated when Ryn unexpectedly finds herself bonded to a dragon, forcing her to rethink her entire assassination plan if she wants to limit the damage. And, of course, things get even messier when she finds herself irresistibly drawn to her target.
The story is well-paced overall, with a good balance between action, romance, and world-building. It never felt too slow or too rushed to me. That said, there are definitely a few cracks in the plot: some things are predictable from a mile away, and there are moments where the logic doesn’t completely hold up. But by that point, I was already too invested in the story to care too much. I happily chose to overlook the holes in the plot because I was having too much fun.
-The Characters
Ryn is exactly the kind of FMC I love: strong, independent, intelligent, and incredibly agile. I also liked that, despite all her skills, she isn’t completely fearless — she has doubts and moments of vulnerability that make her feel more human.
Kane, on the other hand, is a pretty classic romantasy MMC: handsome, strong, muscular, mysterious… nothing particularly groundbreaking there. 😅 But honestly, the chemistry between him and Ryn more than makes up for it.
Their dynamic was probably one of my favorite parts of the book. The sarcastic — and sometimes downright cynical — banter, the slow-burn romance, and the palpable tension between them were really well done. Their relationship kept me invested and constantly waiting for something to happen.
The secondary characters are also interesting, although some of them could have been developed a little more, especially Erik. I particularly loved Tharok, though, and his relationship with Ryn was one of the highlights for me.
-Final Thoughts
The book ends on a cliffhanger that makes it pretty easy to guess where the story is heading next. Surprisingly, I wasn’t too frustrated by it. The ending doesn’t feel completely abrupt, and getting a few chapters from Kane’s POV helps soften the blow and gives us a little more to chew on before the next book.
Overall, Shadow and Flame isn’t a flawless romantasy, and there are definitely some predictable moments and plot holes if you stop to think about them too much. But if you like strong FMCs, dragons, assassins, enemies-to-lovers vibes, sarcastic banter, and a good slow burn, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Was it perfect? No.
Did I have a great time reading it? Absolutely. And honestly, that’s what matters.
September 13, 2026
Loved!! I just purchased the second book, can't wait to read it.
August 21, 2026
Shadow & Flame
i actually really like the story and i’m going to keep reading this series, but i wish there was more. it does feel like the story was a little rushed and i would’ve loved more buildup of each event. with all that said, i think ryn is a badass and i can’t wait to see what happens next!
i actually really like the story and i’m going to keep reading this series, but i wish there was more. it does feel like the story was a little rushed and i would’ve loved more buildup of each event. with all that said, i think ryn is a badass and i can’t wait to see what happens next!
October 8, 2026
It’s like a badly written fourth wing fan fic. Tbh, I’m surprised she hasn’t been sued for plagiarism.
Other notes:
Ai slop, though the “author” swears up and down no Ai was used… but come on girl. We’re not stupid.
Other notes:
Ai slop, though the “author” swears up and down no Ai was used… but come on girl. We’re not stupid.
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