Shadows of Air

Veiled Elements Trilogy #1

by Laura Groombridge

12,000 years ago, human mages unleashed a cataclysmic event, known as the Younger Dryas, while attempting to restore the balance of power against their oppressive Fae rulers. Today the Fae still struggle with the aftermath, fighting over the now limited source of their magical powers, and condemning humanity for its fall.

Living in the human world, Laila’s life seems to be governed by chaos. Out of options and in a desperate situation, she accepts a mysterious offer to join Vale Academy - an elite warrior college for element-wielding Fae. Swapping one hell for another, she enters an impossible world far from the turret castle she had imagined.

Being half-human, Laila is more than just another competitor to the merciless students; she is a walking enemy to the Fae. Thrust into brutal trials, ancient rivalries, complicated romances, and a darkness that torments her, Laila must uncover the truth about her power before the chaos she carries destroys everything, including herself.

Genres: Dark Academia

414 pages, Paperback

Expected publication September 22, 2026

Reviews

[Chloe Wratten]

⭐⭐⭐✨

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Shadows of Air had so many elements that I genuinely enjoyed. The elemental magic was one of my favourite parts of the story, and I loved uncovering how the magic system worked alongside all the little breadcrumbs that were scattered throughout the first half of the book. It really felt like I was discovering the world alongside Laila. And, of course, the talking cat completely stole the show for me, I adored every scene it was in. I also really enjoyed watching the central relationship begin to develop and seeing where it was headed.

The first half of the story felt very focused on the world building, introducing the magic system, and laying the foundation for the mysteries to come. I found myself really invested and excited to see how everything would connect.

As the story progressed, the pace picked up considerably, with a lot of events happening one after another. For me personally, I would have loved a little more time spent developing some of the key characters and relationships before moving into the bigger moments. There are quite a few characters introduced throughout the story, and at times I found it difficult to keep track of everyone. I think I would have connected even more strongly if there had been a little more focus on building those characters and their roles within the story.

Overall, this was a fun fantasy read with an imaginative world, an engaging magic system, plenty of mystery, and a companion that completely won my heart. Any reader who enjoys magical academies, elemental magic, expansive fantasy worlds, and fast paced fantasy adventures is really going to enjoying this one.

[Jessica Bowman]

Thank you to the author for providing me with this ARC!

I had a blast with this story. From the beginning I was sucked in by the MFC. I felt like I knew her and I just really wanted her to find her place in the world and catch a break for once. The magic world was explained well and I wasn't super confused about the magic systems and how things worked which I sometimes get lost in books like these. It held my attention and I really enjoyed it. Can't wait for the next book!

[Mandy Enchantedbookduo]

Rating
5 💎
3 🌶️

Quick Summary
I absolutely loved the world-building in this book. The history woven in from the start immediately pulled me in, and I was hooked from page one. My heart broke for Laila and everything she endured throughout the story. The found family dynamic was perfection, and Orson quickly became one of my favourite characters. The spice was beautifully written and not what I expected at all. The twists and turns kept me constantly messaging the author, and Vaelin was simply irresistible. I couldn't get enough and was completely addicted from beginning to end.

While Reading Thoughts
🩶The world straight up sounded really awesome and the history given at the start was great
🩶There was a lot of pain revealed in this book and it broke my heart for Laila and everything she had to go through
🩶The found family elements were spot on. Orson was brilliant and one of my fav characters.
🩶The spice in this book was written so well and isnt what you expect at first.
🩶Soo many times through this book with the twists and turns and there were many many messages to the author 😝.
🩶Vaelin was yum and I couldn’t get enough of him
🩶This book grabbed me right from the start and I was addicted.

Words that linger
💬I wouldn’t need a flute to make you come, you would obey me willingly
💬Let me see you, as remarkable as you are, until you can see it for yourself. Because I want it to be you.
💬The one I carry home. The one I wake up next to. The one who will be the complete and utter destruction of me. I want it all to be you.
💬You are the beautiful nightmare that haunts my dreams
💬He understood her better than she knew. He saw in her all that she couldn’t see.
💬You will see the obstacles weren’t placed in your life to test you. They are there to build you.
💬You are the scariest bitch in the room

Tropes
🐈Elemental Magic
🐈Warrior Academy
🐈Morally grey characters
🐈High tech fae
🐈Reluctant hero

[Constantina Tsobanoglou]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Shadows of Air by Laura Groombridge completely took me by surprise. As someone who had never read a dark academia book before, I didn’t know quite what to expect, but this book has definitely left me wanting to dive deeper into the genre.

One of my favourite things was the character development. Watching the characters grow and change throughout the story felt natural and at times, genuinely inspiring. The world was so much fun to get lost in and I really enjoyed watching the story unfold and develop with every chapter.

There was something about the atmosphere, the characters, and the way everything came together that kept me invested. And that ending?! I was left absolutely gasping and needing to know what happens next. (Can’t wait for book 2 in 2027 and will be buying a physical copy)

The quote “Hope is a ridiculous word” really stuck with me, and the more I thought about it, the more I understood why it played such an important role throughout the story. The FMC puts so much of her faith in the fate that has already been set out for her, while also carrying the immense pressure of having to fulfil it. Watching her navigate that weight, and seeing how it shaped her choices and growth, made the quote feel so much more meaningful as the story progressed

I’m incredibly grateful that I was given the opportunity to read this as an ARC alongside other readers. It was such a fun experience being able to discover the story early, and I genuinely believe Shadows of Air is going to capture the attention of a lot of readers.

A fantastic introduction to dark academia for me and now I definitely want more. 🖤📖

[Jenna Book Shelf]

**⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4.5/5)**

**ARC Review**
*I received an advance review copy of this book, and all opinions are my own.*

*Shadows of Air* pulled me in more and more as the story went on. While the opening chapters are a little slower because there's a lot of world-building and lore to establish, once the story settles into Vale Academy I was completely invested.

I really enjoyed the elemental magic system, the Fae politics, and the darker academy setting. There were so many characters with questionable motives that I was constantly second-guessing who could actually be trusted, which kept the tension high throughout the book.

Laila is a wonderfully chaotic main character. She isn't perfect, and she definitely makes choices that frustrated me at times. My biggest struggle was watching her knowingly cause harm while feeling unable to stop herself. It wasn't enough to ruin the story for me, but there were moments where I wished she'd made different decisions.

Once Laila really begins to understand her powers, the story becomes incredibly exciting. The action ramps up, the emotional stakes get higher, and I found myself flying through the pages to see how everything would unfold.

The romance, the magic, and the mystery all left me wanting more, and I'm already looking forward to seeing where the rest of the trilogy goes.

If you enjoy:
✨ Dark academia
🖤 Fae fantasy
⚡ Elemental magic
❤️ Romance with plenty of tension
🔥 Action-packed fantasy

...this is definitely one to keep an eye on.

[Carly Lane]

I was so excited to be selected as an official Street Team member for Shadows of Air by Laura Groombridge, and I was kindly provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For a debut novel, Laura has done such a great job with this story! I really enjoyed how fast-paced it was, there was always something happening, and I never felt like I was waiting for the story to pick back up.

One of my favourite parts was watching Laila grow throughout the book. She develops so much as the story progresses, both in her strength and in understanding the world she has been thrown into, and I became more invested in her the further I read.

I also really loved the use of the elements and elemental magic throughout the story. It gave the magic system its own identity and added such a fun layer to the academy setting, trials and wider world.

The ending was done really well too, it wrapped up enough to feel satisfying while leaving the door wide open for Book Two without feeling like the story just stopped.

There is so much potential here, and I can honestly see this world expanding into a much bigger series. Considering this is Laura’s first published book, I’m really impressed and very excited to see where she takes these characters next.

Dark academia, elemental magic, academy trials, morally grey characters and plenty of action
Shadows of Air was a really enjoyable read and a fantastic start to the series.

4/5 stars from me! Bring on Book Two!

[Jess]

I received this as an ARC but my opinion is my own, as always.

After a slow start, this story got its hooks into me and kept me up reading way past my bedtime.
There was a lot of lore and info dumping at the beginning, which is understandable to build up the very complicated world setting, but did make the first few chapters a bit hard to get through.

Once Leila was at the academy the pace picked up though, and I really liked the elemental magic system. There was a confusing number of enemies/potential MMCs, so I wasn’t really ever sure who to trust and had that feeling of unease the whole way through, waiting for the inevitable betrayal to happen. I think this was the vibe that had me reading until after midnight - I had to know how it finished!

I have to say I enjoyed the second half much more, once Leila came into her powers properly and it stopped being a big bully-fest at the school. It was giving me Zodiac Academy book 1 vibes for a bit there, and that was my least favourite of the ZA books. I loved it when she started kicking arse and getting revenge on everyone.

I enjoyed the writing style of the author, there were no issues with grammar or dialogue that took me out of the story.

I’m very very keen to read the next book in the series to see where this goes - and how the MMC redeems himself.

[Victora Nightling]

I NEED BOOK TWO!!!!!!

a book where danger lurks in corners and within those you didn't think were dangerous, fae who hunger for power and an average woman's life is flipped upside down.
woah this book is good, I am book lagged after finishing this, I am such an emotional roller coaster after what I just read, I can't get enough.
I love the world, Vale Academy was just spot on along with many other places that you see along in Shadow of Air.
I hold one character very close and dear to my heart; I adored him though out the whole book. also, all of the characters are amazing, you got our enemies, you got your allies and foes. than you got someone who lingers close to your heart. they were very well written.
I love the magic of this book, it is new and I enjoy it a lot. I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a few things that were in the book.
the danger in the book has you on edge, you didn't know what to expect next, truths that are so well hidden that most have yet to see the full picture, emotions are high and lives are at stake.
I highly recomend reading this if you love Fae, Element Magic, and a good deadly school setting.

to the author: you have done so well with this, thank you so so much for trusting me to read and review your amazing book, it has been an honor to journey into Vale Academy and make it out... just barely.

[Aimee Cosentino]

ARC Review- *I received an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.*

4.25 ✨

Shadows of Air hooked me immediately! The prologue throws you straight into the action and from there the story is high stakes, fast paced and full of twists.

I really enjoyed the elemental magic system. The world building is expansive and atmospheric, switching from a modern world to fantasy realms. There are fae, mages, portals, trials, politics, and some fantastic animal companions.

Our FMC, Laila, is definitely not your typical fantasy heroine. She has attitude, and while she occasionally tested my patience, I actually enjoyed that she wasn’t written to be perfectly agreeable. Her character development throughout the book was really well done and I became increasingly invested in where her story was going.

We also have a swoon worthy MMC who 100% gives off “touch her and die vibes” while being supportive and seeing the best in Laila, even when she doesn’t see it in herself. “My beautiful nightmare.” 😍❤️

I really appreciated the blend of plot and romance. This book is spicy 🌶️ Though it doesn’t take from the plot and is balanced well with the dark academia/fantasy story.

Shadows of Air is a fast paced, high stakes fantasy with magic, fae, politics, trials, morally grey characters and plenty of questions still waiting to be answered.
And yes … I will absolutely be reading book two!

[Grace Brattley-Lockwood]

Thank you to the author who gave this to me as an ARC in return for my honest review.

I loved this book and it was the perfect read to follow fourth wing. The book just kept me turning the pages.

I loved how we the readers discovered the world with the character, the magic was easy to understand and I love how real the main character felt. Laila was not the hero she represented how we all feel some times the crazy chaos that is yet to understand her purpose.

I loved how the book played with forced/decided fates, hidden truths and false family. The academy felt very real and I could envision all the areas within it. The world building was interesting and fascinating and I can’t wait to learn more about the world when the rest of the trilogy comes out.

This book has loveable characters that guide Laila through her journey some in the form of loveable friends and others in the form of Scottish cats as well as characters you don’t know whether to love or hate and who you’ll beg for (them to have a redemption)!🙏

Overall, I loved this book and it’s definitely a top read of this year so far. If you like magic fae, forced fates, elemental magic, chaos, spice and all things nice then this is a book for you.

Thank you Laura for an ARC of this book I cannot wait for the rest of the trilogy and I will indeed be getting a physical copy as a book trophy. 🩶

[Bronwyn Wilton]

Dark academia set in the Fae realm; however, this overlaps with the human world.
We meet Laila who is living in the human realm with no idea who she is. She has nothing to her name, she had no idea who her father is, and her mother disappeared five years ago.
The Fae believe she is a powerful half Fae and take her to the Fae realm and enrol her in their academy to train to fight demons. Because she is only half, she is bullied by everyone, even the teachers prevent her from training properly and some of the students try to kill her.
But nothing is as it seems, even Laila. As the book progress we learn about Laila, her gifts and her parentage as she does.
The book grows in intensity and the twists and turns at the end are so well done. And Laila realises she really is on her own in this world.
My favourite character in the book is Stoic, the cat. Laila has the gift of Beast Speak and can talk to all animals. There a lot of cats at the academy as the vibrations of their purrs are used to help heal injuries and illness. Stoic has a Scottish accent which I think is fantastic. He becomes a friend and professor, helping her with her magic and teaching her about the Fae world.
I loved this book; I read it in one night. This book is a trilogy, and I am definitely keen to keep reading this series and see how Laila moves on.

[Rachel]

Laila’s life is pure chaos. But after she discovers she is secretly half Fae and invited to enrol in the Vale academy, she is thrust into a world bigger and deadlier than she ever believed possible. Now she must not only reckon with the chaos around her, but the one growing within her.

Shadows of Air is the debut novel from indie author Laura Groombridge, and the first of three in her The Veiled Elements Trilogy. Groombridge’s past as a filmmaker shines through with her ability to weave stunningly cinematic scenes that are overflowing with vivid action and vibrant characters.

This dark academia romantasy is raunchy in all the right ways. The spicier scenes sizzle delightfully on the page and while this story does come with its trigger warnings, Groombridge handles the darker moments with care. The stakes couldn’t be higher for the story’s reluctant heroine and with the high-tech magical world putting a fresh spin on this fantasy, the adrenaline levels are kept high throughout.

Shadows of Air is an absolute must-read. The next two instalments of The Veiled Elements Trilogy cannot come soon enough.

Perfect if you love
- Unputdownable page-turners
- Spice levels on high
- Dark academia romantasy

[Linde]

Once I started I couldn't put it down. I'm someone who always reads multiple books at the same time and rotates them, but not this time... I was quickly hooked, so very curious about what happens next. No spoilers: 

It is a fantasy book with an academic setting. Found family, original magic system, struggles for power, good vs bad (but what is good and what is bad?), who/what to trust, spicy and I totally enjoy Stoic (when you know you know, "snackies"). There are many twists and turns, mostly very unexpected. And I definitely have some unanswered questions for book 2 & 3 of this trilogy, whilst many were also answered in book 1.

For me, only downside for reading it now: I'll have to wait for book 2 and 3! I hope book 2 will have something like a mix of the one-pager in the Emma M. Lion books where previously mentioned people are described with a one-liner and the overview of the people and to which element they are linked (something like in Onyx Storm, even though I missed the one-liners there, it was good to see who belonged where). However, maybe this book will be the exception to my self-imposed rule to not reread books. Will I reread this one before book 2 comes out? Who knows...

[Samantha Bickerstaff]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Shadows of Air and really loved it.

Laila is chaotic, impulsive and at times self-destructive, which made her both really fun and occasionally incredibly frustrating to read. There were moments where I wanted to yell at her for the decisions she was making, but it also made her feel much more like a real person.

I really enjoyed the world-building, particularly the different elemental powers and the wider Fae world with all its political intrigue and history, and I liked that there was still so much left to discover. The mystery around Laila’s magic was one of the things that kept me most hooked, especially as it became clear that her abilities didn’t fit neatly with what everyone believed about her.

The tension between Laila and Vaelin was another highlight and built really well without taking over the whole story.

And Stoic the cat? Easily one of the best characters. No notes.

The final chapters had me completely hooked and definitely left me wanting more. A great start to the series and an easy five stars.

I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Bebe Rebel]

A brutal, atmospheric descent into dark academia, deadly politics, and devastating heartbreak
​Shadows of Air is an unapologetically sharp, immersive entry into the romantasy space. Laura Groombridge builds a world steeped in ancient mythology and high-stakes friction, pulling you straight into the merciless halls of Vale Academy. Laila is a compellingly reluctant heroine, forced to navigate an elite environment where her very existence makes her a target.
​The sheer atmospheric weight of the setting stands out above everything else. Tension clings to every page, and the blend of elemental magic, complex power dynamics, and morally grey characters keeps you completely hooked. Be warned that the emotional toll is very real. This story refuses to pull its punches, and the raw, heartbreaking moments left me in absolute tears, proving just how deeply invested you become in these lives. It is dark, gritty, and absorbing from start to finish. An incredible debut for anyone who loves high-tension academy settings, sharp edges, and a heavy dose of danger. The wait for where this trilogy goes next is already agonising.

[Ivy]

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the introduction to the characters and the mystery surrounding the door Laila chose at Vale Academy. It immediately drew me into the story and made me eager to discover what would happen next.

This book is definitely on the spicy side, and while the fae's carefree attitude towards relationships sometimes frustrated me, that is purely a matter of personal preference as I'm a hopeless romantic at heart.

I absolutely loved the mystical cats - they added a unique and charming element to the story. As the book progressed, I found myself a little distracted by some of the new characters that were introduced, as I felt they took some of the focus away from the chemistry between the main romantic leads.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to Book 2. I'm especially hoping to see a few characters find their redemption along the way!

[Bek S]

"You will follow me, Laila Simmons, because you thrive on chaos and bad decisions."

I was fortunate to get an advance copy from the author and I'm glad to report - reading this was not, in fact, a bad decision.

It took me a little bit to get into in (the prologue is reminiscent of the prologue for A Ballard of Falling Dragons - trust me when I tell you to stick with it).

From chapter one Laila is a riot. She will make you laugh. Make you want to rage. Maybe even want to wield elemental magic and fight some demons.

Their are plenty of characters to love (Stoic I am looking at you!).

Plenty more to hate.

And even some you will love to hate, but gosh they make the spicy scenes spicier.

It's got all the tropes we love in this genre but is still an original story with unique elements. I enjoyed reading something fresh.

Will be eagerly awaiting book 2.

[Katie Rinaldi]

I had the absolute pleasure of being a Beta reader for Shadows of Air. Where do I even start!? I couldn’t put this book down.

This book is special for so many reasons. The characters, magic, chaos, danger, romance, plot twists and impossible challenges that Laila faces along the way are so captivating. It’s a story of such resilience - about finding out who you really are and discovering strength you didn't know you possessed. I have loved exploring every bit of Laila’s journey and the incredible world she is thrown into.

I don’t want to give away any spoilers but I will say I genuinely can’t wait to find out what happens next and cannot recommend this book more highly.

[Cassandra]

This book kept me up at night, it got under my skin like a good story does. The writing felt real to me, as if I were Laila going through the training and trials. She has her flaws, which made me not like her at first, but she grew on me (like a slime mold) and by the end I was feeling empathy for her situation and the deception she incurred.
Shadows of Air was more like a movie playing in my head than a book with only words. I loved how the plot slowly twists and turns, leaving you feeling like you never quite have a grasp on what is going to happen. Amazing storytelling for a debut author, I truly can’t wait to read the next installment! A must read!

[Dee dee]

This book sucked me in from the prologue! This is a romantasy, that has trials, and an academy setting. WIth a truly unique magic system that revolves around the 4 elements. Our FMC actually has a character arc ( which i find alot of books dont lately) there is an animal companion that only she can talk to (he has a Scottish accent and is adorable!) But be warned this author is not afraid to give you what you need and not what you want! Will be waiting desperately for the next book!

[Rochelle Murphy]

Thank you to the author for the ARC copy. I adored this book. I love some dark academia, elemental magic and magical animals. This genuinely kept me up until 1am, as I just really needed to know what happened next.

The characters felt well developed and the plot and world building were great. I genuinely didn’t expect the twist at the end with the MMC, and now I’m biting my nails waiting for 2027 to get the next installment!

[Lara]

This story flew by!
The story is so well written and easy to follow, the characters are perfection and I love the ending😉
Advanced copies aren’t always AMAZING but this one absolutely was. The entire time I was reading i just kept thinking, this is going to blow up when it releases!
I can’t wait for the rest of the world to get their hands on this baby! 🖤

[Malvine]

4.5 stars, I absolutely loved this book. Thank you to the author who gave me an ARC copy. The story follows Laia who enrolls in the Vale Academy. This leads her on a path of discovery, friendship and love. Starting slow, this book turns fast paced and kept me hooked to the very end. When is book 2 due for release as I can’t wait.

[Kathleen Bennett]

I loved this book. It was spicey and had my heart going with the action. It also had me crying a little bit for the FMC.
I can not wait for the next book to come out as i am hooked on this adventure.

[Kiyoni]

I've had the pleasure of being an ARC reader of this book. So here is my honnest review:
My current favourite read of 2026.
It's definitely a fast read! The story is intriguing.
It has everything a good fantasy needs: clans, romance, tension, etc.
She did a really good job on writing her first book. Congrats!

[Beth Thompson]

The beginning of the book is a slow burn which is needed to understand the story and some of the characters however as the book progresses it really picks up the pace and sucks you in. I really struggled to put the book down and loved the journey the story took you along with the characters. I would definitely recommend reading this book