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.
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.
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.
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!
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!!
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.
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! ⚔️🐉
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!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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.
Shadow & Flame was a fun read that kept me entertained from beginning to end! I never found myself bored, and it definitely left me wanting to see what happens next.
I just wish the story had slowed down a little. I would've loved more time to see the relationships develop, especially between Ryn and Kade. Their connection had so much potential, but I wanted more of the little moments between them and to see their trust between each other build. I also would've liked to see Ryn struggle more with learning to ride Tharok instead of picking it up so naturally. Tharok and his commentary was top tier!
Overall, I really enjoyed it, and for a debut novel, I'm excited to see where the series goes. I'll definitely be reading book two!