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The First-Forged Mirror: A Starlight and Shadows Story
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26A spellbinding romantasy prequel filled with star-crossed love, dangerous magic, and devastating choices, The First-Forged Mirror is perfect for fans of bittersweet romance and cozy fantasy.
Seraphine has spent over twenty years perfecting her craft as an artificer in the mountains of Grauradur. Her work is unerringly precise, she is respected, and she prefers to work in solitude. When a scholar named Eiran arrives at her workshop with an unusual commission and a curiosity about her that refuses to stay within its brief, she can’t help but take note, observing him as she would a puzzle to be solved.
She does not expect to love him.
She does not expect to lose him.
When a council shrouded in secrets offers Seraphine a new commission, an object capable of anchoring corrupted magic before it devours what remains of the world, she accepts. Not for the council, but for Eiran.
But the lore of making has never asked for skill alone. And the mirror, it turns out, knows the difference.
The First-Forged Mirror is a prequel story to The Starlit Shadow about the oldest truth of that the finest things are never made without cost.
Seraphine has spent over twenty years perfecting her craft as an artificer in the mountains of Grauradur. Her work is unerringly precise, she is respected, and she prefers to work in solitude. When a scholar named Eiran arrives at her workshop with an unusual commission and a curiosity about her that refuses to stay within its brief, she can’t help but take note, observing him as she would a puzzle to be solved.
She does not expect to love him.
She does not expect to lose him.
When a council shrouded in secrets offers Seraphine a new commission, an object capable of anchoring corrupted magic before it devours what remains of the world, she accepts. Not for the council, but for Eiran.
But the lore of making has never asked for skill alone. And the mirror, it turns out, knows the difference.
The First-Forged Mirror is a prequel story to The Starlit Shadow about the oldest truth of that the finest things are never made without cost.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 2, 2026
About the author
Cidney Mayes
10 books40 followersCidney Mayes is a fantasy author whose work weaves dark, atmospheric worlds with fierce heroines and forbidden knowledge. She is the author of Season of Fire and The Starlit Shadow, and loves stories that explore what it means to be our truest selves. Based in Portland, Maine, she is a teacher librarian, Yale Writers’ Workshop alumna, and MFA in Creative Writing candidate at Southern New Hampshire University. When not writing, you can find her wandering wooded paths, playing boardgames, or watching reality TV with her husband and cats. You can connect with her at cidneymayes.com.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
🧪STEM
🖤Dark academia
🧪Friends to Lovers
🖤Research
I received this book as an ARC. I loved this!! The whole concept of this story was so creative and I kept asking myself how did the author think of this, even the smallest details. It was so informative and I read this right after reading Starlit Shadows and it made this book even better.
It had a little bit of a slowburn to start but for the best reason. The author sets it up so you understand the environment, the characters and the context of what is going on, especially regarding the material and the lab and the creations. I’m really glad she did as well because sometimes I can get confused when there’s a lot of informative information and world building but it was really easy to understand and imagine with this book!
🖤Dark academia
🧪Friends to Lovers
🖤Research
I received this book as an ARC. I loved this!! The whole concept of this story was so creative and I kept asking myself how did the author think of this, even the smallest details. It was so informative and I read this right after reading Starlit Shadows and it made this book even better.
It had a little bit of a slowburn to start but for the best reason. The author sets it up so you understand the environment, the characters and the context of what is going on, especially regarding the material and the lab and the creations. I’m really glad she did as well because sometimes I can get confused when there’s a lot of informative information and world building but it was really easy to understand and imagine with this book!
May 28, 2026
Thank you to Cidney for the ARC! This was a prequel novella to the Starlit Shadow! I really enjoyed it and it gave a lot of unexpected context to the magical corruption of the Starlit Shadow.
The novella follows Serephine as she studies the magical corruption. I thought this was a little tragic, had kind of cool academia vibes to match the fae fantasy of Starlit Shadow and it was a quick novella which I always love! Can’t wait to read more from this world.
The novella follows Serephine as she studies the magical corruption. I thought this was a little tragic, had kind of cool academia vibes to match the fae fantasy of Starlit Shadow and it was a quick novella which I always love! Can’t wait to read more from this world.
May 15, 2026
I had received a gifted copy of this book from Cindy Mayes for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book. The beginning was slow but then it starts to build up the intensity drawing you in more as you go.
I absolutely loved this book. The beginning was slow but then it starts to build up the intensity drawing you in more as you go.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews