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Heavy Lies the Crown #1
The Shape of Darkness
An instant bestselling tale of empowering women in the face of impossible odds, perfect for Sarah J. Maas and Holly Black fans.
For ten years, Nefari Ashcroft, princess of the Shadow Kingdom, has hidden. For ten years, she’s endured the memory of everyone she’s lost. Half the shadow people are dead, the other half are enslaved, and her once prosperous kingdom is nothing but an elaborate mass grave.
Now, dark magic has allowed the Queen of Salix to wreak havoc on the realm; wraiths hunt from the sky, the harvestmen march across the land, and the bone criers pick apart the flesh of the corpses left behind.
Nefari was prophesied to rise and be the sword of the realm. With her bright starlight magic, she was born to conquer the darkness. And for ten years, she’s trained to do just that. . .
It should be easy to step into the position her mother let for her, since everyone thought she died the day her kingdom was destroyed. But staying hidden - remaining ‘nobody’ - is simpler than accepting her dark past, enduring her harrowing fate, and claiming her broken crown.
This series is a detailed world full of legends and myths given flesh, and a princess chosen to save them all.
For ten years, Nefari Ashcroft, princess of the Shadow Kingdom, has hidden. For ten years, she’s endured the memory of everyone she’s lost. Half the shadow people are dead, the other half are enslaved, and her once prosperous kingdom is nothing but an elaborate mass grave.
Now, dark magic has allowed the Queen of Salix to wreak havoc on the realm; wraiths hunt from the sky, the harvestmen march across the land, and the bone criers pick apart the flesh of the corpses left behind.
Nefari was prophesied to rise and be the sword of the realm. With her bright starlight magic, she was born to conquer the darkness. And for ten years, she’s trained to do just that. . .
It should be easy to step into the position her mother let for her, since everyone thought she died the day her kingdom was destroyed. But staying hidden - remaining ‘nobody’ - is simpler than accepting her dark past, enduring her harrowing fate, and claiming her broken crown.
This series is a detailed world full of legends and myths given flesh, and a princess chosen to save them all.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2020
8 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
D. Fischer
40 books323 followersAn author, a mother, a wife, a daughter, and a reader.
D. Fischer is a mother of two very busy boys, a wife to a wonderful and supportive husband, and an owner of two hyper sock-loving dogs and an attention seeking fat cat. Together, they live in a quiet little corner in a state that's located in the middle of the great USA.
D. Fischer is, by no means, an expert in literature, but a book lover at heart. After her kids are tucked in and fast asleep in their dream worlds, she spends most of her evenings buried in Paranormal Science Fiction books, but her dream as been to publish one of her own - not for fame, but for an easy read for all of the other Paranormal Science Fiction lovers out there.
D. Fischer dedicates her books to those exhausted fathers, mothers, and hard-working citizens who just want to come home, sit down, and relax into a world that isn't their own.
In order to maintain privacy, this author has decided to refrain from giving more personal information than what you see above. She wants to thank you for purchasing her books as it helps support her dream, hobby, and household.
***This author is currently working on her next book: Brenna Johnson's Story: (The Cloven Pack Series) Check back soon!***
D. Fischer is a mother of two very busy boys, a wife to a wonderful and supportive husband, and an owner of two hyper sock-loving dogs and an attention seeking fat cat. Together, they live in a quiet little corner in a state that's located in the middle of the great USA.
D. Fischer is, by no means, an expert in literature, but a book lover at heart. After her kids are tucked in and fast asleep in their dream worlds, she spends most of her evenings buried in Paranormal Science Fiction books, but her dream as been to publish one of her own - not for fame, but for an easy read for all of the other Paranormal Science Fiction lovers out there.
D. Fischer dedicates her books to those exhausted fathers, mothers, and hard-working citizens who just want to come home, sit down, and relax into a world that isn't their own.
In order to maintain privacy, this author has decided to refrain from giving more personal information than what you see above. She wants to thank you for purchasing her books as it helps support her dream, hobby, and household.
***This author is currently working on her next book: Brenna Johnson's Story: (The Cloven Pack Series) Check back soon!***
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 4, 2021
I really enjoyed the story. Nefari is a princess who has the fate of her world resting on her shoulders. Will she be able to rise to the occasion or will she succumb to the dark magic her foe has released? I love stories like this that keep me wanting to turn the page to see what happens next.
I will recommend this story to others who love epic YA fantasy stories.
I will recommend this story to others who love epic YA fantasy stories.
January 6, 2021
✴️✴️ONE PHENOMENAL JOURNEY✴️✴️
Jumping jellybeans! Fischer not only brought it, she waxed the floor with it in this earth shaking turbulent tilt-a-wheel, divvying out some callous lessons, harsh facts and ruthless drive, hooking you from start to finish, skyrocketing this baby to a whole new level. Stunning mishaps and unpredictable events descend in a flurry of cunning strategy and stealthy maneuvers, busted boundaries and crushed perimeters solidify as limitations are amplified and expanded, secrets confessed, revelations unmasked and promises made, bursting this baby to life brilliantly. Navigating a minefield through this action packed, hard hitting, nailbiting, spine tingling, heart pounding, pulse racing, adrenaline pumping, block busting bombshell, putting our characters through their paces, melding this bad boy together seamlessly. The characters are complex, genuine and realistic with traits and qualities that balance and blend, with amazing depth and diversity and enough spice to add an extra kick to the mix. Throw in 100% on point realism, raising the stakes with such graphic scenarios that are so colorfully descriptive and vividly detailed its like you're living it with them instead of on the sidelines, feeling everything the characters feel. Incredible job Fischer, thanks for sharing this little treasure with us.
Jumping jellybeans! Fischer not only brought it, she waxed the floor with it in this earth shaking turbulent tilt-a-wheel, divvying out some callous lessons, harsh facts and ruthless drive, hooking you from start to finish, skyrocketing this baby to a whole new level. Stunning mishaps and unpredictable events descend in a flurry of cunning strategy and stealthy maneuvers, busted boundaries and crushed perimeters solidify as limitations are amplified and expanded, secrets confessed, revelations unmasked and promises made, bursting this baby to life brilliantly. Navigating a minefield through this action packed, hard hitting, nailbiting, spine tingling, heart pounding, pulse racing, adrenaline pumping, block busting bombshell, putting our characters through their paces, melding this bad boy together seamlessly. The characters are complex, genuine and realistic with traits and qualities that balance and blend, with amazing depth and diversity and enough spice to add an extra kick to the mix. Throw in 100% on point realism, raising the stakes with such graphic scenarios that are so colorfully descriptive and vividly detailed its like you're living it with them instead of on the sidelines, feeling everything the characters feel. Incredible job Fischer, thanks for sharing this little treasure with us.
June 3, 2021
Fate, Choice, Despair and Hope. Once they walked the Realms, now - well, now there is imbalance and the Shadow Realm that managed to sit out the last war is right in the middle of this conflict. Fate merged his power with Nefari, a heavy burden for a young child. Nefari is an interesting lead. Young and impetuous, defiant, and also scarred, and wise beyond her years. One of the last of her people with really cool magical powers - and liabilities.
Overall, I would describe this as a coming of age book. A young woman with a tragic past was given a brief reprieve from her heavy destiny to just be for a while, but now time is up, and she needed to make the choice to take up her mantle of fate. Epic YA fantasy with a deep mythos that keeps it real with believable teen angst.
This is the first book in a new series and had quite a bit of world building and character development. It was a little bit of a slow start for me as it is a pretty complex mythology and large cast, but did come together well. And once the story got going it was an engrossing and entertaining read. This takes place in the same universe as the Realms War, shortly after that actually. If you have read Rise of the Realms series it helps with the underlying mythology a bit. Some of it is explained in the prequel as well. It is not necessary to read those to enjoy this book though.
Overall, I would describe this as a coming of age book. A young woman with a tragic past was given a brief reprieve from her heavy destiny to just be for a while, but now time is up, and she needed to make the choice to take up her mantle of fate. Epic YA fantasy with a deep mythos that keeps it real with believable teen angst.
This is the first book in a new series and had quite a bit of world building and character development. It was a little bit of a slow start for me as it is a pretty complex mythology and large cast, but did come together well. And once the story got going it was an engrossing and entertaining read. This takes place in the same universe as the Realms War, shortly after that actually. If you have read Rise of the Realms series it helps with the underlying mythology a bit. Some of it is explained in the prequel as well. It is not necessary to read those to enjoy this book though.
December 15, 2020
“The Shape of Darkness” is the first full-length installment in the brand-new “Heavy Lies the Crown” YA epic fantasy series by D. Fisher, which is set on the Shadow People Realm, a world already known to those familiar with Fisher’s “Rise of the Realms”.
Nefari Ashcroft was barely eight years old, when the darkness engulfed the Shadow Realm, devastating the kingdom, killing half of the population and enslaving the rest. Since then Nefari has been hiding, training and preparing to be able to rise again and follow into her mother steps. Now the moment has come to fulfill Fate prophecy, but first Nefari will have to accept the past and fight the darkness to be able to claim her crown.
D. Fisher has an unique gift for storytelling, her description of the Shadow Realm is rich, detailed, dark, eerie and captivating, this is a world populated by myth and legend, where epic archetypes become fleshed-out enticing characters, who lure the reader into the realm to wander the path along Nefari, while enjoying a wonderful story that will linger for times to come.
A veritably must-read for both fans of epic fantasy and all those looking for timeless, high quality storytelling.
Nefari Ashcroft was barely eight years old, when the darkness engulfed the Shadow Realm, devastating the kingdom, killing half of the population and enslaving the rest. Since then Nefari has been hiding, training and preparing to be able to rise again and follow into her mother steps. Now the moment has come to fulfill Fate prophecy, but first Nefari will have to accept the past and fight the darkness to be able to claim her crown.
D. Fisher has an unique gift for storytelling, her description of the Shadow Realm is rich, detailed, dark, eerie and captivating, this is a world populated by myth and legend, where epic archetypes become fleshed-out enticing characters, who lure the reader into the realm to wander the path along Nefari, while enjoying a wonderful story that will linger for times to come.
A veritably must-read for both fans of epic fantasy and all those looking for timeless, high quality storytelling.
February 12, 2021
Nafari is one of the last of her race, the shadow people, hidden by friends of her dead kingdom from the Queen of Salix when she should be reigning over her own kingdom. While she's been chosen by Fate to change her realm, it isn't as easy as taking her place. Despair has run amok and is using the Queen of Salix with her dark magic and those under her control to find the young princess and gain the power she desires. While Nafari searches for her place in this realm, beyond the prophecy she would much rather ignore, she discovers so much more than she bargained for, and it may cost her dearly if she is to save the realm from Despair.
The intricacies with which this author writes make the adventure come to life in vivid colors and pictures like so few authors know how to do. Her characters are deep and pensive, each holding some secret that could change the direction of the story with each page I turn. I get sucked into her worlds and find myself tagging along within the minds and souls of those she writes. This is only the beginning of Nafari's story, and I already want more. I'm once again impatiently looking forward to the next chapter in this epic fantasy.
The intricacies with which this author writes make the adventure come to life in vivid colors and pictures like so few authors know how to do. Her characters are deep and pensive, each holding some secret that could change the direction of the story with each page I turn. I get sucked into her worlds and find myself tagging along within the minds and souls of those she writes. This is only the beginning of Nafari's story, and I already want more. I'm once again impatiently looking forward to the next chapter in this epic fantasy.
December 18, 2020
We start this journey with Nafari as a young woman. She had become a warrior for the centaurs, trying to be nobody and avoiding her "fate". She trusts no one, and with good reason because unbeknownst to her she has be betrayed, told half truths, and been lied to. She may have found and unlikely ally in who she though was her enemy. I personally think she is one of the divine and desperately hope she doesn't f*** over Nafari. Dispair is knocking on their doorstep and decisions must be made. Will Nafari overcome her her fears and step in the role that she is destined to take? Will she become the Queen her people need her to be? Hope is missing, Choice may have been compromised, Fate is in hiding, and Dispair is on the rise. This is such an amazing world! The characters the author has brought to life is astounding! I love with them and I hate with them. I have experienced a slew of emotions while reading this book. My words do not do this book justice. Just read it! You will not regret it.
May 4, 2021
A world full of dark magic and seemingly futile resistance against the darkness. Or it would be without the heroine it seems. Really like the world and the creatures it keeps. The supporting cast is interesting and full of naughty secrets of their own. The only fault I find with the book is some of the aspects of the heroine´s motivation or lack of it. But it could also be me just not understanding the reasoning. Some of the aspects of the story are new to me and quite enchanting. The “humanity” of the characters, usually up to no good, or at least mostly serving themselves, is refreshing in a way, and is actually the best feature of the story in my opinion. Close second is the magical world and it´s creatures. The books is well written in every way, the world building superb, but it is the way the author writes her characters I love most. The narrator does a good job as well. Interesting read/listen, full of surprises. Recommend.
January 28, 2022
Nafari is one of the last of her race, the shadow people, hidden by friends of her dead kingdom from the Queen of Salix when she should be reigning over her own kingdom. As I read this story, I could not help to compare to all the indigenous peoples of our world today. The author may not have meant for it to be taken that way. We might not think of our indigenous peoples as hiding away and needing protection, but oh is this not so true. This book is amazing, and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. As I write this review, I am already reading the second novel and you won't be disappointed. Don't miss this one - you won't be sorry if you add this series to your collection.
January 11, 2021
This is the second book in the Heavy Lies the Crown series and once again, Ms. Fischer has given readers an epic young adult fantasy that will hook anyone from the beginning. Nefari is a young woman with the weight of the world on her shoulders and it is her journey that readers share as the pages turn. From the incredible world to the depth of the characters, this is one storyline that will have you feeling a plethora of emotions. It is a story that needs to be read to feel the full impact and I highly recommend it.
April 27, 2022
Nefari, the sole surviving royal of the massacred Shadow Kingdom, lies hidden in anonymity within centaur rebels. But her magic is arising and the time of destiny fast approaching, whether she likes it or not.
Now that makes it sound like a plethora of YA staples, but I rather liked this one. The feel is darker and snarkier than usual, with some borderline characters, such as the child crone, and a sense of loss and impending doom.
The plot picked up the pace towards the end, leading neatly into a quest phase for book 2.
Now that makes it sound like a plethora of YA staples, but I rather liked this one. The feel is darker and snarkier than usual, with some borderline characters, such as the child crone, and a sense of loss and impending doom.
The plot picked up the pace towards the end, leading neatly into a quest phase for book 2.
March 3, 2021
The Shape of Darkness comes alive from the very start. Taking you on a journey that plays out like a well produced movie. Nafari the main character is a true warrior that is aww inspiring. The scenes just meld together perfectly drawing you in deeper and deeper until you crave more. I absolutely devoured this book and I want more! I need to know more and D. Fischer holds the story I seek. I salute her for capturing my heart with The Shape of Darkness.
December 15, 2020
The Shape of Darkness (Heavy Lies the Crown) by D. Fischer is an awesome story that I have loved reading. This is book number two in this awesome series that I have loved reading. I highly recommend this story to everyone.
I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
January 19, 2021
I adore these books. The world is rich and dark and full of surprises. The characters are complex. They are interesting and flawed. Nefari is my kind of heroine ... she keep secrets and make mistakes, she is frighted and insecure... and stronger than she knows. D. Fischer paints a beautiful world and she has breathed real life even into the most fantastical characters.
January 9, 2021
This fabulous Epic Fantasy storyline is filled with action, adventure, deceit, and amazing characters. Our heroine has been lied to and fears the role she is meant to have. Wonderful read, sometimes emotional, well-paced, and I loved it. I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my honest review.
January 12, 2021
This is such a powerful book. Nefari grows up as a nobody and is crippled by fear and anger. This is the beginning of her journey to accept herself, her people, and her fate. I loved reading this story because of all the tantalizing hints of power and events to come. I can’t wait!
March 18, 2021
I liked the concept, but the plot was a little too cliche. Also, the motivations of some of the "hero's" made no sense. I couldn't really connect with the characters due to their one dimensional personalities. May give this series a pass.
March 24, 2021
Awesome story
I borrowed this book on kindle unlimited and was then given an audio copy, so I listened as I read along. The narrator was awesome. It was like I was listening to multiple people. Great story telling. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I borrowed this book on kindle unlimited and was then given an audio copy, so I listened as I read along. The narrator was awesome. It was like I was listening to multiple people. Great story telling. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
January 1, 2021
An amazing story, short but worth the read. Nefari tries hard to fix things, not so easy. Even being an princess doesn’t seem to do much. Loved it and can’t wait for more.
January 3, 2021
Great book full of emotions.
Wonderful characters.
About a now destroyed kingdom with half the shadow people dead.
Many are enslaved can things get better ,read on to find out?
Wonderful characters.
About a now destroyed kingdom with half the shadow people dead.
Many are enslaved can things get better ,read on to find out?
January 6, 2021
This is epic fantasy at it's best! I fell in love with this series when I first read the prequel Woe of Shadows. The first full book in the series definitely lives up to the promise of the prequel. My first thought on finishing was, "When can I read the next one?" I highly recommend this.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews