Shadows of Souls

by Bwabs

A phantom princess. A monster king. An arranged marriage that will ruin an empire.

Nahomie possesses fire that can unmake worlds—a gift that marks her for death. The empyrean’s holy order wants to execute her. And Fallen Angels want to consume her. Her only sanctuary lies in the ruins of a cursed castle, with a monster king banished into exile.

Tassarion was captured by Fallen Angels, broken and remade into a fearsome monstrosity. Exiled and alone, he has one path to a bond with a mate powerful enough to break his curse. So when Nahomie arrives—with a fiery attitude and forbidden magic—he offers her protection. For a price. She must become his bride.

In a castle where spirits whisper and shadows breathe, something ancient in the ruins begins to stir. And when their enemies inevitably come for them both, the phantom and her monster will discover what the empire tried hiding beneath bones and they’re not abominations after all—they’re the empire’s undoing.

Shadows of Souls is Book 4 in the Forbidden Bonds Collection.
A multi-author fantasy romance collection where forbidden love, fire magic, and high-stakes danger collide. Featuring standalone romantasy adventures with smoldering tension, impossible choices, elemental magic, and lovers who should never be together. Each book is a standalone and can be read in any order.

Genres: Fantasy

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 28, 2026

Reviews

[Cnm_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

🖤Dark Romantasy🖤
This book is advertised as Phantom of the Opera Meets Frankenstein and it's every bit exactly that.
The book starts out with a SOLID prologue setting the stage for who the MMC is and how he became the way he is. We then switch gears to the FMC. Her secrets are a little bit more slowly revealed throughout the book.
He's traumatized and has lost the meaning of belonging and home. He’s out for revenge.She's looking for safety, peace, and connection. They begin to realize they need eachother for more than just an arranged marriage and breaking his curse.
A gothic feeling romantasy featuring angels, gargoyles, and an obsessive type romance.

There is also a spiritual influence with a “twist” on a scripture. The MMC is also shown to be giving up his ambitions and hurts and seeking guidance and redemption from the “god” in the story to overcome evil. LOVED that!

[Sixella MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

July 2026 Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews (BookFable Edition): “Shadows of Souls” by Bwabs

Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.

“The Phantom Princess..The Monster King.. An arranged marriage destined to bring ruin upon an empire!” - Paraphrased from Bwabs

From the author that brought you “Wicked Prince of Curses”, “Bound by Watchers”, and the “Seraphim Resistance” series presents the fourth installment in the author-collaborated Fantasy Romance series “Forbidden Bonds”! Bwabs not only continues to incorporate her signature angelic lore and world-building into her work, but the narrative also delivers a unique narrative that combines Caribbean Fantasy with classic Gothic tales such as “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Frankenstein! The central lovers of this narrative, Nahomie and Tessarion, also bring a burning chemistry that will make readers reflect on what it means to truly find unconditional love and a safe space in someone when faced with loss, isolation, systemic discrimination, and fear of broken trust in a world where all seems cruel and nothing is certain. Craving to take flight into Bwabs’s “Elle Delle” universe? Then don’t miss out on this book when it hits online shelves on July 28, 2026!

Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Meter: 3/5🌶🌶🌶

- Tropes: Fantasy Romance, Paranormal Romance, Arranged Marriage, Phantom Princess Angel FMC x Monster King Angel MMC, POC/Caribbean Representation, Gothic Kingdom, “Touch Her & Die”, Forced Proximity, Gothic Fated Mates, Love vs. Obsession, Supernatural & Angelic Beings, and Gargoyle Supporting Character!

- Trigger Warning: Discussions/Depictions of Physical/Emotional Abuse, Prejudice, Animal Cruelty, Violence, Trauma, Body Horror, Near-Death Experiences, and Brief Gore.

[Cover to Cover Fantasy Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved reading Shadows of Souls by Bwabs! It is a brilliant Gothic, afro-caribbean  fantasy that delivers a raw, deeply satisfying story of two lonely outcasts finding salvation in one another. The narrative brings together Nahomie, an incredibly fierce, unhinged, and isolated princess, and Tassarion, a broken Monster King haunted by Fallen Angels. Forced into an arranged marriage, their connection sparks an intense, agonizing tension and yearning that drives the plot forward, making their slow-burn romance feel earned.

I absolutely loved how Bwabs showcased the true dark realities of this world. From the first page you catch a glimpse of the relentless brutality and bloodshed present in this world and it makes the story all the more raw and powerful. Drawing inspiration from The Phantom of the Opera and Frankenstein is actually wild, but it all worked so cohesively and created a unique and beautiful story.

I absolutely loved the diversity of the magical species incorporated in this book. There were several that I have not come across in reading fantasy! The small details like Nahomie's bonnet and the Caribbean inspired food were so refreshing to see in a fantasy setting.

Overall this was a captivating story that made me smile, cry and want to jump into the book and seek out vengeance my self!

[Elinor Harker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The author mentions that she drew inspiration from Frankenstein and The Phantom of the Opera, and those influences are prominent. I love The Phantom, so I was already hooked, but the story pulled me in deep. The world-building is wonderful. The imagery created is fantastic and the unique language used adds to the magic. Some of the names are complicated enough that my type-A brain stumbled over them and insisted on checking the pronunciation guide included at the end of the book, but that added to the ethereal feel. Tassarion and Nahomie are the perfect pair. The story feels like a series starter to me...I would be very interested in reading about other characters from this world.

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

[Elizabeth Dragina · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 ⭐️ 2/5 🌶️

I don’t know where to start ….. I have so many thoughts about the book but I want it to be concise (it’s not going to be).

I had a really hard time understanding/accepting the setting of the world. A fantasy about Angels? Specifically Angels based off Biblical descriptions? It made me very uncomfortable. In my opinion we should not be fantasizing or creating a world in which they are not holy (aside from the Fallen Angels ofc)?

Additionally there were several scenes in which the characters almost seemed to “play God” where they took vengeance for themselves. There was an Angel that helped souls pass to heaven or hell. There was also a scene in which the Angels held a trial and condemned an Angel (innocent of the crimes he was accused of) to hell forever and then brutally murdered him. It was incredibly violent and dark (which can be ascertained by the synopsis). My main frustration is that it seems to be Christian themed YA Romantasy with passages of scripture being “rephrased” but placed within the story. . . . and yet the characters are morally grey and clear lines of right and wrong are not drawn ON CLEARLY EVIL THINGS.

Besides that I had an incredibly hard time following the plot of the story. There were so MANY things that did not get explained (or flushed out) that left me scrambling to understand how or why things occurred. I’m not sure if there is supposed to be a sequel to tie up loose ends?

Example 1: The powers the angels have are different elements/abilities depending on rank and yet I had trouble understanding the limitations of those powers? FMC had “black fire” which is super rare and incredibly dangerous….so dangerous she had to be hidden away and isolated. Except in the beginning of the story she says she doesn’t fully understand her power. But apparently she can… heal people inside and out, shoot out vine-like ropes, burn things, transform into a being of burning black fire, send out illusory images or wrathful snakes, and even give her power to her bonded mate for him to combine with HIS power.

Example 2: So FMC was kidnapped like right away by Angels that serve the king? But she was being kidnapped to be put to death? And the executioner was a demon? Then she escapes and never sees them again but that whole situation NEVER GETS EXPLAINED. We are given her assumptions on why she was kidnapped and a few passages where she “remembers her mom telling her what to do on the day they come for her”. Except the only conclusion is that they are after her because she “is so powerful and has such a rare gift”. But we never get to see or understand why these “high ranking Angels” are so “scary” or under whose authority they are operating.

Example 3: The MMC is supposed to be a “Monster King” so disfigured and terrifying. So why does the FMC hardly notice his disfigurement and almost immediately after meeting him start lusting after his body?

Example 4: The MMC curse that is supposed to be so horrible no one loves him or can stand to be around him……except he has a whole manor of staff, souls, and gargoyles that love him?

Example 5: There are a few characters that “betray them” and there is little to no explanation on why. They just end up dead. 👍🏻

Besides the inconsistencies and all the “non-answers” we are given as explanations the romance was something else. The characters fell in love instantly. They got married like a week after she had been brought to his manor. He asked her to “bond with him” to break his curse and she agreed because she “thought it was a joke”. What. 💀🙏 After this they basically just fell in love with each other with no explanation. There is like 2 scenes where they are arguing and yelling until she gives into him.

Then after the trouble of bonding WHY IS BREAKING THE CURSE NEVER BROUGHT UP AGAIN. Until near the end of the book where he’s like “Oh that’s when the curse must have broken. When she said she loved me.” How do you NOT notice a horrible curse suddenly disappearing?

I did enjoy the characters interactions and laughed a few times in between the cringe. But there was so much sexual tension between them and steamy comments after knowing each other for like 2 weeks. *rolls eyes*

Also I never want to read another “fight scene” by this author. It was so confusing.

ANYWAYS sorry for the rant. I wanted to love the story because the author’s sense of humor was funny and some of the flirtations were cute. But so many things did not work for me.

*FTC DISCLOSURE* I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a review. All my opinions are based on my personal experience with the book and not meant to offend. To each their own. Thank you.

[K · Rating 1 out of 5]

There's a lot of fun banter, unique world-building, and well-developed characters in this book. It's steamy (still closed door, but suggestive), and very engaging. I enjoyed the writing style, the representation, and the banter.

However

I really wanted to like this book and I truly couldn't for a very serious reason. This book has Judeo-Christian elements: it has a God character (who personally interacts with His people/angels) and it recited Bible passages from Ecclesiastes and Psalms. However, none of the characters (and *especially* not the main characters) reflected Christianity.

****Please note that this review contains spoilers from here****

They were CRUEL. They were full of vengeance and anger and malice. Nahomie kills an innocent angel/cherubim just because she was jealous that Tassarion was looking at her. She later tortures a few other angels/cherubim because they say some mean things about her singing protege.

Tassarion KILLS A KID (his enemy's son) in a wildly violent, physical way, then falsely accuses the kid's brother for the death. Then he attends the tribunal and gleefully watches the distress of his enemies while they watch their son be convicted of murder. The executioner (an old friend) then cites scripture from Ecclesiastes and Psalms 139 (one of my favorites) while killing this falsely accused angel by BREAKING EACH INDIVIDUAL BONE and then consigning him to hell (regardless of the fact that these characters are not, in fact, God).

And yes, there is an element where both Tassarion and Nahomie were possessed by a demon, but it was never communicated that the ways they were treating others was wrong and out of character for them. In fact, once the curse of possession was removed from Tassarion, he still executed judgement against his enemy, but not is a merciful "put the irredeemable enemy to death" way. Instead, he tortures him by slowly killing the rest of his children in front of him, then physically gouging his eyes out BEFORE killing him. And because there is a scene where the God character says to go ahead and kill the enemy, it is implied that everything Tassarion is doing--HOW he is doing it--is somehow righteous anger and vengeance.

No. That is not how God works. That is not how His people should be.

I felt grieved by how these characters portrayed God and how they carried themselves. This book was dark in not fun ways. I don't recommend this for anyone and I won't be reading any more from this author (which is a shame, because her writing is actually very good).

Rated PG-17 for violence
--closed-door romance (sexual intercourse implied on page at the end, but with limited description)
--strong violence, torture, mutilation, death, and gore
--mild to moderate language

I received this eARC free from the author without expectation of a good review. My opinions are my own and voluntarily given.

[Magpie's Reading Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Thank you to BWABS for the ARC. All opinions are my own.***

“What’s the point of building a perfect home you are forced to live in alone just to survive the hatred of a world that won’t ever accept you for who you are?”

For years, I have wanted a book with Phantom of the Opera vibes where the Phantom gets the girl. And Bwabs delivered on that in Shadows of Souls.

This book has it all: two morally gray characters who are down bad for each other and fated to be together, an arranged marriage for protection that is ripe with tension, and gothic vibes in a unique, Caribbean-inspired setting.

I loved the use of both biblical angels and beings from Caribbean mythology. It was a beautiful blend of the two, marrying the cultures and creating a story in a unique setting. And Bwabs’ descriptions were perfect, putting the reader in the heat of the islands, humid air sticking to us, the ocean breeze caressing our skin as waves crashed onto the sand.

From the very opening of the novel, Bwabs cracks open the reader’s heart, ripping it from their chest by introducing us to Tassarion at the lowest, most horrifying part of his life. Condemned to a life of being cast out from his people for events outside of his control, the reader feels the same sense of injustice and desire for revenge that Tassarion does, especially once the true extent of his torment is revealed. Tassarion shows that even the best of people, when pushed to the limit, have a dark side and will go past the point of no return in the name of vengeance.

Nahomie is a headstrong spitfire of a woman who is unafraid of danger and will stop at nothing to get her way. She is young (by angel standards) but fearless, carrying a burden with her and a power that has excluded her from the community, a staple of Caribbean culture. To be ostracized for something outside of your control is a lonely experience, and is one that allows a common ground between her and Tassarion.

Between the quick-witted banter, their undeniable attraction, and their vulnerability with one another, Nahomie and Tassarion became a favorite couple of mine. Tassarion’s hatred of the world but softness for Nahomie, and her ability to open up and tell Tassarion things she had told no one else in her life had me melting into a puddle. Plus, their chemistry was undeniable from the moment they met.

While I wish we could have explored the lore a little more, overall this was an incredible story. Well done to Bwabs for this incredible gothic Caribbean standalone. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

[Sonderous Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can only hide in one place for so long... Gifted with the fire of a lost star, Nahomie spent centuries isolated from her family in order to protect herself. Unfortunately for the angel, her time hiding in her manor has come to an end. When the Farasees come calling for her death, Nahomie has to find salvation in the home of a cold, cruel, and cursed Monster king. However, when he barters protection for her hand in marriage, she learns he is much more than the monster his kingdom has made him out to be. That beneath the cold and cruel exterior, was a man lost in torment. Together, plagued by both Heaven and Hel, Nahomie and Tassarion must learn the truth of what happened centuries ago to protect the fragile future laid before them.

“Shadows of Souls” is the fourth book of the Forbidden Bonds Collection inspired by both the ill-fated “Phantom of the Opera” and the tragedy of “Frankenstein”. As soon as I started in this novel, I was drawn in. Tassarion was a true Gothic hero that was matched in equal measure by a fiery and stubborn Nahomie. Combining the characters with the Afro-Caribbean inspired world and angelic foundations, I couldn't possibly stop myself from becoming entangled in the lives of the characters. By the time I got to the end, I needed more. And, luckily for readers everywhere, BWABS has other novels set in the realm of Elledelle; some even take place in Sorellien.

Readers that love Gothic literature, fallen angels, and heroes that brood and yearn in equal measure, “Shadows of Souls” is waiting for you. It is the perfect slow-burning romance with swoon-worthy banter that will leave you laughing. It even has a dark and thrilling vibe that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Moreover, it healed those hearts broken by gothic tragedies and heroes that deserved more than the morose fates they endured.

[KMart Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised by how many complex themes are packed into this one. This feels like a story the author poured herself into.

Nahomie and Tassarion are both products of their circumstances rather than inherently monstrous, and watching two people who have been othered and cast out find safety and love in each other is genuinely moving. Their bond is way softer than I anticipated given how dark and broody the gothic premise is.

The themes running through this are fantastic: exile and belonging, the way empire hides ugly truths to maintain control, transformation and reclaiming identity after being broken. Really impressive for a standalone, less than 300 pages.

That said, this trends closer to dark romance than I personally enjoy and I had to overlook some character choices that didn't sit easily with me. I was expecting more gothic atmosphere and less dark romance energy, though the romance itself is less toxic than the genre often leans.

The mingling of Christianity and Caribbean mythology is one of the most interesting and unique things about the world-building here. Really well done cultural blending that gave everything a distinct flavor. The heavy links to religious elements from our own world aren't really my thing personally, but they didn't derail my enjoyment.

The banter is fun, the writing style engaging, and the representation is fantastic. Really impressive story overall.

Thanks to Hidden Hollow Book Tours and the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[Ravyen♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had super high expectations for this one! 😔 I enjoyed the characters individually, and towards the end enjoyed Nahomie and Tassarion together.

I feel like this could have been way more fleshed out as a duology/trilogy. The world was SO big! With Seraphim, different worlds, levels of magic, and the marriage of convenience, I couldn’t connect or understand a lot of it since everything is briefly mentioned then never spoken of again.

If I had went into it expecting a surface level read with insta-love and some past trauma that progresses everything to the ending, it would have been a 4 star read for me. I really did enjoy SoS!

Obsidian, Nahomie, and Tassarion made the whole book🖤 Obisidan is happy to be involved and looks up to them both SO much! Nahomie and Tassarion are the same person, just different trauma. They’re both morally grey (leaning towards black), have been alone and shunned because of who/what they are or represent, and end up finding love despite their past. I would 100% read a sequel of them or this world! I want to learn more because it was so unique😩

Thank you so much to the author and Hidden Hollows for the gifted copy!

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever wonder what you would get if you mashed up Phantom of the Opera and Frankensttein and place it in a Carribbean\celestial setting? Well wonder no more with the Shadows of Souls.

Nahomie, our Phantom of the story, has rare fire magic that can unmake worlds and music that may even heal...

Tassarion, our monster king, has been captured and tortured by the Fallen and now has been cursed and is living in exile. Will Nahomie be able to break his curse.

I enjoyed watching these two interact as they have both been alone for so long. They have been seen as different and unaccepted by those around them. Through a marriage of convenience, they grow and learn to trust and eventually love one another. Even to let the past go and to embrace a future together.

I was moved by Tassarion's story of betrayal and torment, his thirst for revenge, the love of Nahomie allowing him to begin healing, and ultimately seeking help from the Infinite. Great story and characters . Obsidian might be my favorite side character in this book. (IYKYM)

[Zero · Rating 2 out of 5]

✨ARC Book Review✨

2/5⭐

This book is written in first person, past tense. It has mainly 1 pov, our main character Nahomie.

I'll be honest the style of writing and pacing was very good in this book. I got to about 25% and something icked me out that made me stop reading.

The thing that icked me was the "I'm going to leave." "No you are going to stay." I just couldn't do it. After a few chapters of not knowing where we were time or location wise and trying to set up a meek character who acts strong, it felt awkward and I couldn't look back at the book. It doesn't help I personally don't like stories where the MC has no choice but to stay with their future love interest and so on.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pretty dark, so be prepared for that. Granted, it drew inspiration from Phantom of the Opera and Frankenstein, neither of which are terribly light-hearted. It's pretty clear to tell which bits were inspired by either story.

The pacing was a little off in places, but the characters shine through. I would have preferred a little bit slower of a book to fully enjoy some of what was going on, but overall, it was an interesting story.

[Mariem · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ 1🌶
This book was amazing.
I loved the story, and I love the characters so much, and the build-up of the story and the pace of the book were perfect.
But I found myself not understanding the world as a whole, and it made me rate the book less.
But over all It was an amazing read, and I'm super excited to read more books by this author

[Bess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Per my rating system, 2 stars means this book was not for me.
The writing, world-building, characters were well done. The story was one of triumph and redemption. But I'm not the intended audience.
Give it a try though!!

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. I thought it was well written and I enjoyed the uniqueness of the terminology. I also like that this book has inspired so many mixed reactions/reviews. To me that is a sign of a thought provoking story.

[The_enchanted.Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gosh! I really enjoyed so many aspects of this book. A Caribbean setting with a mix of Frankenstein, Castle of Ontranto and Phantom of the Opera? Say no more!
I loved the cursed castle and how there are so many elements to learn in all the world building. I would love to know more about the powers, more about how the world actually is. The characters and the pacing was really well done and I loved the banter.