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Shadows and Crowns #3
The Call of the Void
War is building. Blood is spilling. And the gods are not pleased.
Casia has survived her brother’s attempts to crush her and her growing army, but the battle for their empire is just beginning. Bitter and wounded, carrying the curse of a dark and dangerous upper-god, and desperate for more allies, she charges northward to seek the elves who once walked alongside the divine beings.
The elven Court of Moreth holds knowledge. Secrets. And power. The kind of power that could shift all of Casia's wars in her favor. If she can survive the dangerous politics and treacherous magic of the elf-kind.
While these outer battles rage, so too do the ones within. Elander is losing what remained of his divinity. His court. His powers. His grasp on what he once was and what he once knew. But he’s determined to keep fighting, gathering his own ancient allies and working to aid Casia in her wars. He lost her once. He won’t do it again.
But his devotion to her may be the very thing that destroys him.
And when that destruction comes, it comes with a twist—one that could change their entire world.
Casia has survived her brother’s attempts to crush her and her growing army, but the battle for their empire is just beginning. Bitter and wounded, carrying the curse of a dark and dangerous upper-god, and desperate for more allies, she charges northward to seek the elves who once walked alongside the divine beings.
The elven Court of Moreth holds knowledge. Secrets. And power. The kind of power that could shift all of Casia's wars in her favor. If she can survive the dangerous politics and treacherous magic of the elf-kind.
While these outer battles rage, so too do the ones within. Elander is losing what remained of his divinity. His court. His powers. His grasp on what he once was and what he once knew. But he’s determined to keep fighting, gathering his own ancient allies and working to aid Casia in her wars. He lost her once. He won’t do it again.
But his devotion to her may be the very thing that destroys him.
And when that destruction comes, it comes with a twist—one that could change their entire world.
578 pages, ebook
First published September 30, 2021
1336 people are currently reading
13783 people want to read
About the author
S.M. Gaither
27 books2,094 followersI don't check Goodreads regularly, but you're welcome to send me an email (smgaitherbooks@gmail.com) or reach out to my PA, Rachel (rachel@smgaitherbooks.com) anytime!
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As a kid, S.M. Gaither spent way too much time playing video games like Final Fantasy and reading every book she could get her hands on instead of doing silly things like her assigned homework. As an adult…Well, not much has changed. Her goal is to write books that distract others from their life’s obligations, too, thus creating an army of fellow procrastinators over which she can reign supreme. These days, her personal favorite places to procrastinate are in the mountains near her North Carolina home, in the company of her husband, their daughter, and their very spoiled dog.
--
As a kid, S.M. Gaither spent way too much time playing video games like Final Fantasy and reading every book she could get her hands on instead of doing silly things like her assigned homework. As an adult…Well, not much has changed. Her goal is to write books that distract others from their life’s obligations, too, thus creating an army of fellow procrastinators over which she can reign supreme. These days, her personal favorite places to procrastinate are in the mountains near her North Carolina home, in the company of her husband, their daughter, and their very spoiled dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 642 reviews
January 6, 2022
I don’t know but at this point I’m so bored and honestly I don’t care anymore
I’ll read the 4th for closure but that’s it
Edit: shit are there gonna be 5 books oh no
I’ll read the 4th for closure but that’s it
Edit: shit are there gonna be 5 books oh no
May 12, 2022
4.5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
“There is nothing so very wrong with breaking, so long as you put yourself back together in a better way.”
The Call of the Void is the third installment in the Shadows and Crowns series and it was quite the page-turner.
Expect everything from political schemes, meddlesome gods, treacherous elves, darker truths, rising powers, sizzling romance, and more magic.
S. M. Gaither crafted such a brilliant and unique Magic system, although it is kind of hard to keep track of all the gods and goddesses but their inclusion in the storyline adds more rather than keeping them as background characters. They're meddlesome and conniving and I love that.
“Because it’s perfectly human to hope. To believe in things despite evidence to the contrary.”
I think this book is the most political-heavy out of the previous two but it did its job at fleshing out the political conflict and the outcomes of the looming War.
Casia continues to grow as a character and so does my adoration for her. I'll happily follow her journey till the end.
And whew, someone pass me a bucket of ice because saying that the sizzling passion and love Elander and Casia feel for one another is an understatement.
It was a vow. She was his. He was hers.
And in that moment, it felt as if not even the upper-gods could tear them apart.
What held me back from giving this book 5-stars is the pacing. It's mainly good but there were times I feel some scenes were prolonged or draggy so it added a strain to the steady pacing.
Overall, I'm having a blast with this series! I'm looking forward to the next installment A Crown of the Gods
“There is nothing so very wrong with breaking, so long as you put yourself back together in a better way.”
The Call of the Void is the third installment in the Shadows and Crowns series and it was quite the page-turner.
Expect everything from political schemes, meddlesome gods, treacherous elves, darker truths, rising powers, sizzling romance, and more magic.
S. M. Gaither crafted such a brilliant and unique Magic system, although it is kind of hard to keep track of all the gods and goddesses but their inclusion in the storyline adds more rather than keeping them as background characters. They're meddlesome and conniving and I love that.
“Because it’s perfectly human to hope. To believe in things despite evidence to the contrary.”
I think this book is the most political-heavy out of the previous two but it did its job at fleshing out the political conflict and the outcomes of the looming War.
Casia continues to grow as a character and so does my adoration for her. I'll happily follow her journey till the end.
And whew, someone pass me a bucket of ice because saying that the sizzling passion and love Elander and Casia feel for one another is an understatement.
It was a vow. She was his. He was hers.
And in that moment, it felt as if not even the upper-gods could tear them apart.
What held me back from giving this book 5-stars is the pacing. It's mainly good but there were times I feel some scenes were prolonged or draggy so it added a strain to the steady pacing.
Overall, I'm having a blast with this series! I'm looking forward to the next installment A Crown of the Gods
July 9, 2021
I need to know what happens to Elander immediately
April 18, 2022
I’m so glad this is over
I’ve binged this series, because it’s fairly well written, but it’s so boring. I had to force myself to keep going several times, because the world building makes it very interesting, but the plot just doesn’t move. It’s completely rudderless, you’re treading water until the last three chapters. I only finished it because I was already in too far to quit. I will not complete the series, this was just not a good book.
I will say, the world building is good, and the characters are fairly good. The main character isn’t very smart, which is a huge pet peeve of mine, especially because a lot of that is her lack of communication, which is a terrible trope. My biggest issue is just that the world is very intricate, but the characters are not very smart, and the actions don’t really make sense within the world that’s been established. Really, I think if this author were to work with a good editor a lot of this could be solved.
The ending is just bad. My biggest pet peeve is dumb MCs and this one is a doozy. The whole plot doesn’t move, she never seems to get to the point, and just nothing is well thought out. The entire system and book lack consistency. From travel, the magic system, plot flow, the relationships…there’s very little consistency. We go from absolutely crawling to everything happening in the space of the last few pages. Nothing happens politically except for like one page, which determines the entire book? Similar to the last few, the magic system is very inconsistent, sometimes it’s extremely powerful and hugely impactful to the plot and other times it seems to be completely useless.
Spoilers after this point:
For one, the mark was pointless. For several reasons. One of them being that they mention the ability to transfer it multiple times, and yet nobody mentions that they could just give it to the current god of death, which would fix all of the issues they have with his longevity and her problem with being cursed with it.
Also, chapter 36 was just annoying. And completely pointless, again. He’s literally back two chapters later, which is 100% predictable.
But let’s back up, to the scout. Now, just a few chapters prior an entire kingdom fell to somebody using a disguise. Facing that exact same enemy still, they didn’t think to put anything in place to protect them from the exact same trick?
Or, in the battle with her brother, who is a mortal, he somehow survives again? Without her protection? Even though, at this point, she has full mastery over death? And is focused solely on him and severing his life? So how the heck is he alive? He should not have been able to meet with them the first time he almost died, that should’ve taken weeks or longer to heal from, and this time he’s back up and at em immediately? Where is the consistency?
Speaking of consistency, there’s literally none in this magic system. Sometimes magic exhausts her, sometimes she’s great at it, sometimes she can make an impressive display, sometimes she recovers very quickly. Sometimes magic is incredible and can take down fields of enemies, but when it’s actually needed it does nothing. And apparently against her completely mortal, unshielded brother, it does nothing?
I think there’s another book after this, but to be honest, I skimmed the last chapter or so, so I really don’t know and don’t care. We all know how it was going to end, chapter 36 was just a distraction, and as far as I’m concerned the series is done.
I’ve binged this series, because it’s fairly well written, but it’s so boring. I had to force myself to keep going several times, because the world building makes it very interesting, but the plot just doesn’t move. It’s completely rudderless, you’re treading water until the last three chapters. I only finished it because I was already in too far to quit. I will not complete the series, this was just not a good book.
I will say, the world building is good, and the characters are fairly good. The main character isn’t very smart, which is a huge pet peeve of mine, especially because a lot of that is her lack of communication, which is a terrible trope. My biggest issue is just that the world is very intricate, but the characters are not very smart, and the actions don’t really make sense within the world that’s been established. Really, I think if this author were to work with a good editor a lot of this could be solved.
The ending is just bad. My biggest pet peeve is dumb MCs and this one is a doozy. The whole plot doesn’t move, she never seems to get to the point, and just nothing is well thought out. The entire system and book lack consistency. From travel, the magic system, plot flow, the relationships…there’s very little consistency. We go from absolutely crawling to everything happening in the space of the last few pages. Nothing happens politically except for like one page, which determines the entire book? Similar to the last few, the magic system is very inconsistent, sometimes it’s extremely powerful and hugely impactful to the plot and other times it seems to be completely useless.
Spoilers after this point:
For one, the mark was pointless. For several reasons. One of them being that they mention the ability to transfer it multiple times, and yet nobody mentions that they could just give it to the current god of death, which would fix all of the issues they have with his longevity and her problem with being cursed with it.
Also, chapter 36 was just annoying. And completely pointless, again. He’s literally back two chapters later, which is 100% predictable.
But let’s back up, to the scout. Now, just a few chapters prior an entire kingdom fell to somebody using a disguise. Facing that exact same enemy still, they didn’t think to put anything in place to protect them from the exact same trick?
Or, in the battle with her brother, who is a mortal, he somehow survives again? Without her protection? Even though, at this point, she has full mastery over death? And is focused solely on him and severing his life? So how the heck is he alive? He should not have been able to meet with them the first time he almost died, that should’ve taken weeks or longer to heal from, and this time he’s back up and at em immediately? Where is the consistency?
Speaking of consistency, there’s literally none in this magic system. Sometimes magic exhausts her, sometimes she’s great at it, sometimes she can make an impressive display, sometimes she recovers very quickly. Sometimes magic is incredible and can take down fields of enemies, but when it’s actually needed it does nothing. And apparently against her completely mortal, unshielded brother, it does nothing?
I think there’s another book after this, but to be honest, I skimmed the last chapter or so, so I really don’t know and don’t care. We all know how it was going to end, chapter 36 was just a distraction, and as far as I’m concerned the series is done.
March 26, 2022
“ There is nothing so very wrong with breaking, so long as you put yourself back together in a better way”
This literally sums up the book. I have felt so seen by the author and Casia fight with anxiety, panic attacks and self doubt, but she is also a fighter, a true heroine. I couldn’t help but think of Kaladin from WOK and how he just carried on fighting his demons. Casia is very much the same, she always picks herself up, even when her heart is being ripped to shreds.
This book literally does not stop, every page there is action or characters reactions, just incredible. So much happened there was no space to think or breath I literally couldn’t put the book down.
We meet so many new characters throughout the journey.
The love that has gone Into writing this book just pours out of every page.
This is definitely an adventure and an emotional rollercoaster of a read, something that the reader experiences just as much as Casia does.
I was drawn straight into the story I felt like I was experiencing every emotion ever nerve wracking fight along side the Casia and her friends.
And can not leave out the sizzling relationship between Casia and Elander. But it doesn’t distract from the main story line.
The world building was just excellent. If you have read the first two books in the series you must read this book too, and if you haven’t then I highly recommend you do. If you liked TOG you will absolutely be sucked right into this world.
This literally sums up the book. I have felt so seen by the author and Casia fight with anxiety, panic attacks and self doubt, but she is also a fighter, a true heroine. I couldn’t help but think of Kaladin from WOK and how he just carried on fighting his demons. Casia is very much the same, she always picks herself up, even when her heart is being ripped to shreds.
This book literally does not stop, every page there is action or characters reactions, just incredible. So much happened there was no space to think or breath I literally couldn’t put the book down.
We meet so many new characters throughout the journey.
The love that has gone Into writing this book just pours out of every page.
This is definitely an adventure and an emotional rollercoaster of a read, something that the reader experiences just as much as Casia does.
I was drawn straight into the story I felt like I was experiencing every emotion ever nerve wracking fight along side the Casia and her friends.
And can not leave out the sizzling relationship between Casia and Elander. But it doesn’t distract from the main story line.
The world building was just excellent. If you have read the first two books in the series you must read this book too, and if you haven’t then I highly recommend you do. If you liked TOG you will absolutely be sucked right into this world.
March 29, 2024
I’m not sure how I’m feeling about this one… it was definitely the most boring but even the plot twists that happened felt so confusing? And a bit jarring like they didn’t make sense at all with the rest of the story so far?
I think this had middle book syndrome. It was a lot of set up and so that’s why it wasn’t the most interesting even though the cliff hanger from book two that lead into this book was juicy.
SPOILER SECTION:
I don’t understand why Laurent just killed his brother? Like did we get an explanation I don’t understand? Maybe I missed something.
Elander was one of the sun goddesses warriors that survived…. Does he know this? But he like fully died with a sword between his shoulder blades and then boom he was back. How?
Cas’s brother just turned into the death god…….. the person who has been the most against magic and wanted to destroy it. Like what is going on?
I think this had middle book syndrome. It was a lot of set up and so that’s why it wasn’t the most interesting even though the cliff hanger from book two that lead into this book was juicy.
SPOILER SECTION:
I don’t understand why Laurent just killed his brother? Like did we get an explanation I don’t understand? Maybe I missed something.
Elander was one of the sun goddesses warriors that survived…. Does he know this? But he like fully died with a sword between his shoulder blades and then boom he was back. How?
Cas’s brother just turned into the death god…….. the person who has been the most against magic and wanted to destroy it. Like what is going on?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2022
I am wiping the tears from my face as I write this review. It is late and I am tired and I thought I would write this review tomorrow but the ending moved me so much I had to sit down and write it while it was still fresh in my mind.
This is hands down the best series I have read in 2022 and I am 10/10 obsessed with the Black Witch Series which I also started this year. I didn't expect anything to beat that but this series did, and I am so attached to this storyline and these characters. How is this book not more popular?! How is this not the NA fantasy book that everybody is talking about!
I love S.M. Gaither's way of writing. There is plenty of action and emotion but not too much exposition that it becomes tiresome. These books are hefty in size but are still quick reads because of how addicting the storyline is and how easy it is to move through them. This is the 3rd book in the series and it always feels weird sitting down to write the review because SO MUCH has happened since the start of the book it's hard to know where to begin.
If you are on the fence about this series you need to go for it. This is the best NA Fantasy series I have read in quite some time and I can't wait for the next book. The next book has a kindle release date only not paperback so I might just have to get both the kindle and paperback versions because I cannot wait to find out what happens next. I have so many questions left unanswered. I also love that these books are spicy but not too spicy. It is enemies to lovers and the spice grows as the books go on.
This book is close to my heart now and is going to have a special place on my bookshelf along with the other to books of this series.
This is hands down the best series I have read in 2022 and I am 10/10 obsessed with the Black Witch Series which I also started this year. I didn't expect anything to beat that but this series did, and I am so attached to this storyline and these characters. How is this book not more popular?! How is this not the NA fantasy book that everybody is talking about!
I love S.M. Gaither's way of writing. There is plenty of action and emotion but not too much exposition that it becomes tiresome. These books are hefty in size but are still quick reads because of how addicting the storyline is and how easy it is to move through them. This is the 3rd book in the series and it always feels weird sitting down to write the review because SO MUCH has happened since the start of the book it's hard to know where to begin.
If you are on the fence about this series you need to go for it. This is the best NA Fantasy series I have read in quite some time and I can't wait for the next book. The next book has a kindle release date only not paperback so I might just have to get both the kindle and paperback versions because I cannot wait to find out what happens next. I have so many questions left unanswered. I also love that these books are spicy but not too spicy. It is enemies to lovers and the spice grows as the books go on.
This book is close to my heart now and is going to have a special place on my bookshelf along with the other to books of this series.
July 10, 2023
~4.75⭐️~
Elander. The man that you are. I want one too🥹🫠
Elander. The man that you are. I want one too🥹🫠
October 13, 2021
Idk why but I stopped caring about the characters..maybe the plot changed too much since the first book
August 16, 2022
This was meh. I tried really hard to pay attention, but I just wasn't impressed with the writing style and the way the plot of these books is laid out. There's a lot of book for how little actually happened, and it feels too formulaic (last book was all focused on a certain character and his relationship with Cas, and then big things happen, and the same happens in this book as well) and I think it would feel more natural and less choppy if the relationships developed more evenly throughout each book. I don't know if I'm describing it well enough but it just felt off when reading. Also there's no audiobook out for the next book, and I'm not interested enough in the story anymore to really push myself to read a 500 page ebook so we'll be taking a break now.
October 10, 2021
Well, that was a wild ride.
It took me about a third of the the book to really remember all of the details on the past series. That's the trouble when you read so many different books between releases!
This was an excellent continuation of the series, with very high stakes. The aim is to gain allies for her up and coming battle with bit just her brother, but the Death God as well. All the time fighting the death magic he tries to entice her with, that is draining the power from Elander at the same time.
I love her and Elander together. Whilenthe book is mostly plot, the romance is intertaines nicely within it.
I highly recommend this series.
It took me about a third of the the book to really remember all of the details on the past series. That's the trouble when you read so many different books between releases!
This was an excellent continuation of the series, with very high stakes. The aim is to gain allies for her up and coming battle with bit just her brother, but the Death God as well. All the time fighting the death magic he tries to entice her with, that is draining the power from Elander at the same time.
I love her and Elander together. Whilenthe book is mostly plot, the romance is intertaines nicely within it.
I highly recommend this series.
June 1, 2022
I NEED ANSWERS. IMMEDIATELY.
Thank god the next few books are coming out this year. I don't think I could wait for years to get those answers.
I don't even know what to say. I just loved this. The magic system is so unique, the characters are well developed and the plot is ever evolving. Trying to describe this book series to people is tricky because of how much it has changed from book one. And that's why I love it. I can't wait to read the next book and see how Casia deals with the throne and the looming death God.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Story
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spice (most in the series but still milder than other books)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Voice actor
Thank god the next few books are coming out this year. I don't think I could wait for years to get those answers.
I don't even know what to say. I just loved this. The magic system is so unique, the characters are well developed and the plot is ever evolving. Trying to describe this book series to people is tricky because of how much it has changed from book one. And that's why I love it. I can't wait to read the next book and see how Casia deals with the throne and the looming death God.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Story
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spice (most in the series but still milder than other books)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Voice actor
April 27, 2023
GODSSS. I love this series.
Quotes:
“What am I supposed to do? Let that go unchecked? That’s how you get tyrants you know.”
“And you can have only one of those in the family at any given time I suppose.” Elander remarked deadpan.
“Yes.” 😂
“There is nothing so very wrong with breaking. So long as you put yourself back together in a better way.” 😭
The banter in this series has me cackling. So so good. The love. The romance. The found family. The twists and turns. The gods and magic. The spice sprinkled in.. Perfect.
Read this.
Also the audiobook version is pretty good. But audiobooks are hard to annotate. 😮💨
Quotes:
“What am I supposed to do? Let that go unchecked? That’s how you get tyrants you know.”
“And you can have only one of those in the family at any given time I suppose.” Elander remarked deadpan.
“Yes.” 😂
“There is nothing so very wrong with breaking. So long as you put yourself back together in a better way.” 😭
The banter in this series has me cackling. So so good. The love. The romance. The found family. The twists and turns. The gods and magic. The spice sprinkled in.. Perfect.
Read this.
Also the audiobook version is pretty good. But audiobooks are hard to annotate. 😮💨
July 22, 2024
This book was far more politically heavy than the two prior, which is great. SM writes a wonderful fantasy world, there's so much action, tension and angst throughout each book. I'm still enjoying the two MC's and absolutely loved getting to know some of Casia's friend's better in this book. I felt like pacing wise, and with this book involving more politics, it was a bit slower than I anticipated. I feel like some of the world building is beginning to get lost with me so I really hope she mentions past events & their importance to the plot as they go on especially jumping into book 4!
May 17, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Love the building of tension and spice between Casia and Elander!! This series continues to hook me and I will forever love the differences in all of the characters that make the group perfect. Can’t wait to continue!
Love the building of tension and spice between Casia and Elander!! This series continues to hook me and I will forever love the differences in all of the characters that make the group perfect. Can’t wait to continue!
May 16, 2023
just once time, follow through on killing someone
also sick of leaving the villain alive bc he’s ‘basically dead - no one could survive that’ when we all know how these books work
feels like season 7 of a tv show. running out of ideas so just change the names and run the same plotlines
also sick of leaving the villain alive bc he’s ‘basically dead - no one could survive that’ when we all know how these books work
feels like season 7 of a tv show. running out of ideas so just change the names and run the same plotlines
August 6, 2024
this is a tentative 4 star, possibly 3.5 i have mixed emotions
“i still believe it is pointless, foolish. but if the world is to descend into chaos, then i believe i would like to descend with you”
“death was treated similarly across almost every cultured he’d witnessed - as an ever-present ethnicity that people acknowledged and occasionally flirted with whenever they needed a rush, but one that they were afraid to stare at or sit with for too long”
“i still believe it is pointless, foolish. but if the world is to descend into chaos, then i believe i would like to descend with you”
“death was treated similarly across almost every cultured he’d witnessed - as an ever-present ethnicity that people acknowledged and occasionally flirted with whenever they needed a rush, but one that they were afraid to stare at or sit with for too long”
July 9, 2023
I found this book a bit slow for the first half. Then it really picked up. So much happened and the introduction of new characters, both allies and enemies made the plot even better. Learning more about the gods and goddesses is also nice! I also love have Cas and her chosen family stick together no matter what.
April 28, 2022
“Not happenstance. Choice. That is the important thing. And the choice to love—to hope—in spite of the chaos and the darkness is no small thing.”
Those last few chapters had my heart racing! This is such an amazing series and more people need to read and hear about it! I just have another favourite couple to add to my list. Book 4 I need you.
Those last few chapters had my heart racing! This is such an amazing series and more people need to read and hear about it! I just have another favourite couple to add to my list. Book 4 I need you.
November 2, 2025
3.75⭐️
Better than the last book in terms of action, but still lacking something, I just don’t know what! Still intrigued as to where this story will go.
Better than the last book in terms of action, but still lacking something, I just don’t know what! Still intrigued as to where this story will go.
June 19, 2022
Actual - 4.5
Another excellent instalment! Casia is one of those FMC’s that you can relate you, despite being the centre of a fantasy world. Her struggles with anxiety and panic attacks and how she overcomes them herself, along with her chosen family/support systems, is just so relatable.
Elander continues to give off BDE but in a way that doesn’t take away from the story and gives us that steamy banter we love from our heroes.
This series is perfect for those looking for those TOG feels. The found family, the banter - between the love interest & the friends, the world building, Gods and mortals, the romance, it’s all here, and it grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let you go.
Super excited for the next book!
Another excellent instalment! Casia is one of those FMC’s that you can relate you, despite being the centre of a fantasy world. Her struggles with anxiety and panic attacks and how she overcomes them herself, along with her chosen family/support systems, is just so relatable.
Elander continues to give off BDE but in a way that doesn’t take away from the story and gives us that steamy banter we love from our heroes.
This series is perfect for those looking for those TOG feels. The found family, the banter - between the love interest & the friends, the world building, Gods and mortals, the romance, it’s all here, and it grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let you go.
Super excited for the next book!
September 18, 2021
SM Gaither has given us another heart stopping, full of political intrigue between the realms of the mortals and their gods story in this, book 3 of the Shadows and Crowns series. There is a lot of magic use and battles galore as Cas and her friends, namely Nessa, Rhea and Silverfoot, Sev and Laurent together with Elander and at times Caden strive to gather allies to her cause. She has been marked by the sun goddess Solartis to bring the empire together and make this safe for magic users too, however Cas has now been marked by Melaphar, the God of darkness and death and the battle between darkness and light was not only being fought in the human realm but more so internally as Cas fought with all her might not to become a tool in Melaphar's hands. She started to gain death magic, she knew she was ascending to become the next death goddess and that she was draining these powers directly from her partner Elander the former death god and in doing so turning him back to a mortal. Her friends stood by her through all their trials and tribulations, risking their lives in the realm of the elves, being betrayed and having their powers subdued however never once bowing down to dominance. Cas was adamant she would fight her brother Varen till the empire was free and safe for all citizens but Varen was hungry for power and would use anyone and anything to keep his crown. Cas on the other hand feared the darkness encroaching and shutting down her powers of light but she was tenacious in the face of all adversity, she just kept looking for opportunities, never once giving up on her freedom and that of her friends. Elander on the other hand promised to be always by her side but can he keep this promise to her? Can she win the war in which she and her friends seem to have become simple pawns in the hands of their Gods? I found this 3rd book in this gripping series a real page turner and I cannot wait to read book 4 as our kick ass heroine is a character to admire.
December 21, 2024
Idk… I’m getting bored. This review might be a bit of a rant. It felt like this series was going to be such a solid fantasy (with a touch of romance), but it really feels like it’s dragging on at this point. I don’t mind a long book, but there’s so many pages that feel pointless. I rarely have this opinion, but I feel this is a series that could actually benefit from multi POV’s. I’m more interested in the side characters by this point, and they’re not even that interesting.
Our heroine, Casia, is starting to get on my nerves as well. Idk how she’s still alive tbh. The shit this girl goes through is really making her feel like she’s embodying the typical fantasy heroine: unique girl who doesn’t want to save the world sets out to save the world despite the world actively trying to kill her. Like ya ya horrible curse whatever, but is it really that bad? Other than some descriptions of pain, I’m really not seeing much of an actual consequence for like 95% of the book.
I still really enjoy the anxiety representation, and the way her panic attacks are described feels very authentic, but I’m not loving how her boy magically shows up and just seems to be a walking cure all. The way he helped with her anxiety in the first book was so much more fitting.
Speaking of her boy, I honestly don’t really get the point of Elander anymore. I liked him in the first book, and then the appeal died for me. This story would do more for me if he died tbh (that’s harsh but 🤷🏻♀️). He just seems to try so hard to be mysterious, but like… it just feels like lazy writing. There’s no need for it.
Maybe I’ve just finally had enough of the super old, super powerful broody, dark male heroine.
Ultimately, 2.5 stars for good banter and a solid fantasy atmosphere. I still enjoyed most of this book, but I probably won’t be continuing since apparently book 4/5 are even more boring and long.
Our heroine, Casia, is starting to get on my nerves as well. Idk how she’s still alive tbh. The shit this girl goes through is really making her feel like she’s embodying the typical fantasy heroine: unique girl who doesn’t want to save the world sets out to save the world despite the world actively trying to kill her. Like ya ya horrible curse whatever, but is it really that bad? Other than some descriptions of pain, I’m really not seeing much of an actual consequence for like 95% of the book.
I still really enjoy the anxiety representation, and the way her panic attacks are described feels very authentic, but I’m not loving how her boy magically shows up and just seems to be a walking cure all. The way he helped with her anxiety in the first book was so much more fitting.
Speaking of her boy, I honestly don’t really get the point of Elander anymore. I liked him in the first book, and then the appeal died for me. This story would do more for me if he died tbh (that’s harsh but 🤷🏻♀️). He just seems to try so hard to be mysterious, but like… it just feels like lazy writing. There’s no need for it.
Maybe I’ve just finally had enough of the super old, super powerful broody, dark male heroine.
Ultimately, 2.5 stars for good banter and a solid fantasy atmosphere. I still enjoyed most of this book, but I probably won’t be continuing since apparently book 4/5 are even more boring and long.
July 27, 2023
Everything is getting so much more complex and I am here for it! This book is very political and we get to explore more of the world which was so fun.
Cas & Eleander are one of my favorite book couples, I love them so much🥺. Their banter is top tier and the spice in this book is PHENOMENAL!
The found family continues to be amazing and this book is so action packed I couldn’t put it down. The ending was absolutely crazy but in the best way and I can’t wait to pick up the next book. I will always recommend this series, I love everything about it and the writing is so good! Also I 10/10 recommend the audiobooks.
Cas & Eleander are one of my favorite book couples, I love them so much🥺. Their banter is top tier and the spice in this book is PHENOMENAL!
The found family continues to be amazing and this book is so action packed I couldn’t put it down. The ending was absolutely crazy but in the best way and I can’t wait to pick up the next book. I will always recommend this series, I love everything about it and the writing is so good! Also I 10/10 recommend the audiobooks.
December 7, 2023
3.75⭐️ 3 🌶️ more spicy scenes, but long drawn out plot. It’s like this book could have been shorten and weaved together into another book, or that this series could have been 3-4books . Also, why doesn’t anyone permanently die? Like why are we going through this predictable “rollercoaster”? Something happens to a character: oh well they’ll be actually alive again soon. 🙄
November 4, 2023
S.M. took this story she’s been building and just shook everything to hell. And damn it I love it. This book was non stop chaos as the characters race to make alliances, protect each other, and figure out just who to trust. The twist and turns were extremely enjoyable and kept you on the edge of your seat. I cannot wait to see where she takes this story next!
May 21, 2022
i don’t even know what to say anymore.
Watch my reviews become more and more incoherent babbling.
I am just to overwhelmed by everything to write a decent review.
So if you want to know anything meaningful about this series read my review from book one.
I NEED BOOK 4 ASAP.
I need Cas and Elander and the gang back!
Also damn you S.M. Gaither for the serious heart attack you gave me.
I will send you my therapy bill and also the cost for my clinic visit.
also I must say my fav character besides the obv Cas and Elander MUST be Nephelle. She has such an „I dont give a shit“ attitude but secretly does give one. I love her.
Give me a book about our stormy goddess.
I must say my rating at this point is biased as fuck. I dont even know anymore if it really is worth 5 stars or if I just am so enchanted by the characters and so anxious about the plot that i dont give a fuck anymore besides knowing how the story continues.
I am 99 percent sure i wouldn’t even notice plot holes or typos or anything bad about it.
I also refuse to see anything bad - there just cant be. This series is a masterpiece and I will die on that hill.
5🌟
Watch my reviews become more and more incoherent babbling.
I am just to overwhelmed by everything to write a decent review.
So if you want to know anything meaningful about this series read my review from book one.
I NEED BOOK 4 ASAP.
I need Cas and Elander and the gang back!
Also damn you S.M. Gaither for the serious heart attack you gave me.
I will send you my therapy bill and also the cost for my clinic visit.
also I must say my fav character besides the obv Cas and Elander MUST be Nephelle. She has such an „I dont give a shit“ attitude but secretly does give one. I love her.
Give me a book about our stormy goddess.
I must say my rating at this point is biased as fuck. I dont even know anymore if it really is worth 5 stars or if I just am so enchanted by the characters and so anxious about the plot that i dont give a fuck anymore besides knowing how the story continues.
I am 99 percent sure i wouldn’t even notice plot holes or typos or anything bad about it.
I also refuse to see anything bad - there just cant be. This series is a masterpiece and I will die on that hill.
5🌟
March 14, 2024
This is book #3 in the Shadows & Crowns series. I liked book #1 but I have struggled with #2 & #3 for some of the same reasons. But I will say, this one had more of a story than book #2, but it still dragged a lot.
The MC is still more of a damsel in distress than a heroine. She seems to have no control over anything. If something good happens, it is serendipitous. If it's something bad, it's because she no control over zip. It's the same thing over and over. That loop is a little numbing. So 2 stars.
The MC is still more of a damsel in distress than a heroine. She seems to have no control over anything. If something good happens, it is serendipitous. If it's something bad, it's because she no control over zip. It's the same thing over and over. That loop is a little numbing. So 2 stars.
April 27, 2022
“There is nothing so very wrong with breaking, so long as you put yourself back together in a better way. […] And either way, broken souls can still be bright lights.”
Holy fucking shit, I love this series. I love it so very much it’s a shame it is so highly underrated. Because it’s absolutely AMAZING!!
I can’t wait for book four!
Holy fucking shit, I love this series. I love it so very much it’s a shame it is so highly underrated. Because it’s absolutely AMAZING!!
I can’t wait for book four!
October 1, 2023
As with the other books in this series I didn't feel the love for this story, but it was an its-me-not-you situation. The book was well-written. The audio production was well done. It just didn't grab me. I wish it had. I think that if I had been in a different headspace I might have felt differently. I give it three stars.
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