Winter of the Shadow Fae

Land of the Fae #1

by L.P. Dover

Twenty-five years have passed since the darkness was defeated in the Land of the Fae. Since then, the realm has flourished under four courts.

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

However, nothing is as it seems. An evil lurks close by, known as… the Shadow Fae. Years ago a plan was set in motion to keep the darkness alive. But there is one who’s destined to defeat it.

Ella, the future queen of the Frost Court, has trained to embrace her destiny and save her people.

When Kai, the Shadow Fae leader, crosses paths with Ella, he knows it’s his time to strike. Yet things take a shocking turn when he begins to long for the one woman he’s supposed to kill. While passion ignites between the enemies, there is no escaping their fates. Ella is meant to save her people, and Kai has no choice but to end them. A decision must be made… and it could cost them everything.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fae, Fantasy Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Magic, Paranormal Romance

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 10, 2023

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she began her literary journey she worked in periodontics, enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.

She loves to write, but she also loves to play golf, go on mountain hikes and white-water rafting, and has a passion for singing. Her two youngest fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime, usually Christmas carols.

Dover has written countless novels in several different genres, but her favorite to write is romantic suspense. However, she has found a new passion in romantic comedy, especially involving sexy golfers. Who knew the sport could be so dirty and fun to write about.

Reviews

[L.P. Dover]

Forever Fae spin off series!! I'm excited to get back into the Land of the Fae. Even though the dark sorcerer is defeated there is still evil that threatens everything the fae hold dear. New characters will be introduced, old ones will resurface, and the past will bring new meaning to the future ahead.

[Dawn 🫶 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

"No amount of good deeds or love I had for Ella was going to save me. I was a ticking time bomb."


I received an ARC for free, and this is my honest review.

HOLY. SHIT.

I don't really know how and I don't really know why, but this book really grabbed me from the beginning and drug me into Ella & Kai's whole situation...


Within this novel, we follow Ella, daughter of the current winter court queen and king, a badass take no shit type of fae. Ella is stuck between claiming her right to the Frost court and her current boy toy. When a vision comes to Ella in her dreams one night, her path becomes muddied and dangerous. Ella will stop at nothing and no one to protect the Land of the Fae.

Just when you think you know, you surely don't. L.P. Dover did such an amazing job writing this novel. I can't wait to see where the other courts land after everything that happens within this book.

For lovers of A Court of Thorns and Roses & Frost, this book will have you read it, then read again as you wait for the next in the series to come out!

Spice Rating:
4/5

Tension Rating:
10947y893y5103958093591835/10

Favorite Quote:
"I want more."
"Take it, it's yours."

[A.BookNerd.Bookseller&Bibliophile.Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that Winter of the Shadow Fae is the first book I’ve ever read by L.P. Dover but I assure you it won’t be my last. I was quickly pulled into the story of Ella and Kai and was quite frustrated when my own life got busy and I couldn’t get back to my kindle for a few days! No matter what I was doing, work, walking my dogs, house chores etc, I was thinking about this story and where it was going. Today I finally got to sit down and finish this book in one fell swoop and I devoured it! I really liked the chemistry between Ella and Kai, I’ve always been a fan of the love/hate relationships, add Fae and I’m even more sold and theirs didn’t disappoint. There were highs and lows, blood and lust. I did feel like this may have been a spin off from other books/series that the author may have written so that will be something I will check out. One thing is for sure though, after reading Winter of the Shadow Fae, L.P. Dover has gained herself a new fan.
~Heidi 💜

[Kendall {Book Crazy} · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read the prequel series to this own because I had only read the first book and I wanted to finish the series off so I could read my ARC of this book! After reading, I can say that I really enjoyed this book! It focused on the characters child from book four of the prequel series! The plot was brilliant and it developed at the perfect pace and actually surprised me with the direction that it went in because I wasn’t expecting the main male character to be who he was! There was a lot of romance in the plot, which allowed for quite a few seriously steamy scenes between the two main characters! There was also some action and suspense, which added to the plot and made me enjoy it more! There were some twists to shake the plot up as well! The characters were also amazing and made this book even better! Ella was the main female character, and in this book she was just brilliant! I loved her a lot and she wanted what was best for her land! Ella was also kick-ass and she could take care of herself! She also had a really cool ability which she used to her advantage several times in this book! Kai was the main male character and love interest of Ella! Now, I was very intrigued by Kai because of who his father was! This was such a cool twist by the author and I really didn't expect it! Kai was after Ella at the beginning of this book, but then he fell in love with her and everything changed! I loved Kai with Ella and he was protective of her and willing to sacrifice everything to keep her safe! This book was written from both Ella and Kai’s point of views! I was hoping that it was going to be written from dual point of view because the prequel series was written this way! I’m really happy that it was because it helped me connect more with both characters and see their feelings for each other develop and see how they really felt about each other! It allowed for more things to happen in the plot as well, which helped as Ella and Kai did go through some situations by themselves and they didn’t spend every second of the plot together! I now can’t wait to read the next book in this series! It says that it releases in March, which isn’t long of a wait at all! I’m genuinely so excited to read it because of who the main characters are going to be and I’ll definitely be reading it as soon as it releases! I also love the cover for this book and it suits the feel of the book! It suits the covers for the prequel series perfectly and it would draw me to the book if I didn’t already know the author’s name! Big thank you to L.P. Dover for an ARC of Winter of the Shadow Fae!

[Jessica Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of Dover's books I was excited to see a brand new series starting. It is amazing!!!!! We get fantabulous world building filled with all sorts of quirky characters that will keep you totally engrossed. Ella has been training to take her place as the future Queen in the Frost court while Kai is destined to destroy her. Him being drawn to her was not part of the plan but oh boy does it make things interesting. An amazing read and I cannot wait to see what happens next. I totally loved it so I give it 4/5 stars.

[Veronica LaRoche · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing read that I didn’t want too put down. Ella & Kia are enemies but became so much more. Truly an amazing story that gave me all the feels. I couldn’t get enough of Ella & Kia. Another amazing read by L.P. that everyone should read.

[Dawn McGill Dalrymple · Rating 3 out of 5]

Talk about insta-love

[Jill M (Embrace the Romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leslie never ceases to amaze me with the way she writes a story. This is the start of a new series and I was blown away. I loved how she grabs your attention with a enemies to lovers with so much more. It’s a paranormal/fantasy romance with lots of mystery, action, family and loads of love.

I absolutely loved Ella as she was a kick ass heroine that has a mind of her own and isn’t afraid of anything. She is what all little girls should strive to be; confident, brave and full of life. Kai has hidden layers and not just the monster he is portrayed as. It only took a beautiful stubborn woman to extract those layers and see the real man. And boy was he all man. Together these two are fire. Their chemistry is explosive and their bond undeniable.

Leslie writes stories that make you turn the page quicker and want loads more. And I can not wait for more in the start of what is undoubtably going to be a fantastic series.

[Heidi Marvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that Winter of the Shadow Fae is the first book I’ve ever read by L.P. Dover but I assure you it won’t be my last. I was quickly pulled I to the story of Ella and Kai and was quite frustrated when my own life got busy and I couldn’t get back to my kindle for a few days! Everything I was doing, work, walking my dogs, house chores etc, I was thinking about this story and where it was going. Today I finally got to sit down and finish this book in one fell swoop and I devoured it! I really liked the chemistry between Ella and Kai, I’ve always been a fan of the love/hate relationships, and theirs didn’t disappoint. I did feel like this may have been a spin off from other books/series that the author may have written so that will be something I will check out. One thing is for sure though, after reading Winter of the Shadow Fae, L.P. Dover has gained herself a new fan.

[Vanessa Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review ✨
***
Thank you to L.P. Dover and Give Me Books Promotions for the ARC to review.
***
Winter of the Shadow Fae was a great story. It was fast paced, full of adventure, and spice. I loved Kai and Ella. Their passion and love burned hot. The story line was so good and I was hooked from the start. The Fae world was super interesting and I look forward to more stories from this world.
***
⭐⭐⭐⭐
***

[Sissy Satterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great dark and steamy, enemies to lovers, Fae fantasy story. Ella and Kai steel the show with this amazing dynamic, and have me anxiously wait to see what is next in this new series. I Loved It!!! No Spoilers!.

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

[Cindy Fong · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a good start to a new PNR world to explore. Ella and Kai, connected from birth and mortal enemies. That line between love and hate straddled. I loved the push-pull between them and was rooting for their HEA. Ella:s ability to see the good in Kai gave us his swoony side.

I enjoyed meeting so many more friends and characters in the Land of the Fae.

[Sassy Southern Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!!!!!!! This book was AMAZING!!!! Enemies to lovers, and mystical creatures all wrapped up into one fabulous action packed story. From the second I started reading I was hooked and couldn't put this book down. I was completely drawn into the magical world of the Fae and on the edge of my seat wondering how things could possibly work out for Ella and Kai.

Full of danger, suspense, heartbreak and off the charts chemistry this book has it all! I can not wait go get my hands on the next book in this series and I will definitely be adding the previous books by this author to my must read pile!

By Alisa

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you looking for away to explore the Fae worlds? Are you ready to discover the world of fantasy romance? If you answered yes, then Winter of the Shadow Fae is the perfect read. To be honest, Winter of the Shadow Fae is the perfect read for just about everyone.

Winter of the Shadow Fae has so much to offer the reader. Ella is a strong heroine. She is soon to be Queen of the Frost Court. Unfortunately, she is a little lost. Her struggles are something many of us can identify with. Handling responsibilities is a challenge. Protecting your world is not without risk. Doing what is right isn't always easy especially when history is about to be repeated.

Alasdair, Shadow Fae and dark sorcerer, tried to take over the Land of the Fae 25 years ago. He may have failed but he had a contingency plan. Kai, his son, is following in his father's footsteps. He is out to destroy those in power. Princess Ella is to be his first victim. She knows he is coming but she doesn't realize how powerful he is or how he will affect her. She will not be alone in her struggles.

The author does a magnificent job illustrating Kai's struggles and his forbidden romance with Ella. Oh my Word!!! Their love is one for the history books. Their time together heats up the pages. The love scenes are beautiful. Kai is trying to fight the evil that wants to control him, wants him to kill Ella. His struggles made for very intense reading. The tension felt so real.

Others had a different idea. The Land of the Fae was to belong to the Shadow Fae. There are those that will not accept anything less than Ella's death. They want war and they don't care what they have to do to start it. Grab the popcorn. The battles are going to be a real nail biter.

Winter of the Shadow Fae brought up so many emotions. I swooned. I cried. I stomped my feet. I cheered them on. I had to step outside and cool off.

The ending blew me away. It was pure bliss.



Merged review:

Are you looking for away to explore the Fae worlds? Are you ready to discover the world of fantasy romance? If you answered yes, then Winter of the Shadow Fae is the perfect read. To be honest,
Winter of the Shadow Fae is the perfect read for just about everyone.

Winter of the Shadow Fae has so much to offer the reader. Ella is a strong heroine. She is soon to be Queen of the Frost Court. Unfortunately, she is a little lost. Her struggles are something many of us can identify with. Handling responsibilities is a challenge. Protecting your world is not without risk. Doing what is right isn't always easy especially when history is about to be repeated.

Alasdair, Shadow Fae and dark sorcerer, tried to take over the Land of the Fae 25 years ago. He may have failed but he had a contingency plan. Kai, his son, is following in his father's footsteps. He is out to destroy those in power. Princess Ella is to be his first victim. She knows he is coming but she doesn't realize how powerful he is or how he will affect her. She will not be alone in her struggles.

The author does a magnificent job illustrating Kai's struggles and his forbidden romance with Ella. Oh my Word!!! Their love is one for the history books. Their time together heats up the pages. The love scenes are beautiful. Kai is trying to fight the evil that wants to control him, wants him to kill Ella. His struggles made for very intense reading. The tension felt so real.

Others had a different idea. The Land of the Fae was to belong to the Shadow Fae. There are those that will not accept anything less than Ella's death. They want war and they don't care what they have to do to start it. Grab the popcorn. The battles are going to be a real nail biter.

Winter of the Shadow Fae brought up so many emotions. I swooned. I cried. I stomped my feet. I cheered them on. I had to step outside and cool off. The ending blew me away. It was pure bliss.

[Serpina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a bit hesitant to grab a first book in a new series but the story is finished in itself and the following books have other main protagonists, so no open ends or cliffhangers.

The story is marketed as an enemy-to-lovers romance. That is not wrong, but I assume that many people who love this trope, will not be satisfied by this setup, because even though they want to kill each other, there is not much tension and hate between them but it switches very quickly to lust and desire.

With that out of the way, I have to say, I really enjoyed the book. The story is fast-paced and captivating, so I read it in one go. Ella and Kai are well written and I loved their development throughout the story. For me, this was a 4,5 star read and I rounded to 5, since I loved the plot, the characters, the smut.

I'm definitely looking forward to the next book, which follows Ellas' cousin from the spring court.

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

[Kirsten Van Hooland · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this has literaly everything I needed in a book! It has:
• fae and elves
• enemies-to-lovers
• dagger to the throat
• I came to kill you
• I hate you, but I love you
• touch her and you die
• strong and sassy FMC
• sexy badass MMC
It’s a total page-turner and addictive as hell. The world-building is so beautifully written and magical, that i will sweep you off your feet. It kinda reminds me of ACOTAR. The characters are so diverse, which makes it possibly to relate to multiple characters. I love Ella’s vibe, she is so kind but has also sassy comebacks. And please don’t get me started on Kai. He is sexy, strong, a total badass, a dark-shadow fae and cares so much for Ella. Total chefs kiss!!
Definetly 5⭐️ Can’t wait to read other books from L.P. Dover!
This book was an ARC i got from Booksprout.

[Haley Allbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another phenomenal story from Dover! This is an amazing dip back into the land of the Fae that she has created. Packed from the first page until the end. I literally could not put it down until I finished the story. A book that will have you saying "just one more chapter," and then before you know it, it's 330am and you've finished it and ready for the next story that isn't even finished yet. 😆

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!!! What an amazing new series!!!!! I love this book. Enemy to lovers then family bonding plus more! Ella is the princess of winter court. She is waiting to take over when it’s her turn. When visions start to form she is very concerned and has questions. Kai has been cursed his whole life. He now has to choose between family or love. I can’t wait for the next one!

[Annemarie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Described as an enemies to lovers, this book is really more of an insta-lust situation. There is no progress from enemies to lovers, they just see each other and are instantly consumed by an uncontrolable want. They haven't even spoken when they first kiss/sleep together. I'm not a fan of instalove/instalust at all, and this managed to go from instalust to instalove in the span of a few weeks.

The characters were annoying. Our leads are both not very good people, as they both torture and want to kill in gruesome ways. Yet somehow we're supposed to believe our female lead is such a good person.
I’d never used my magic to torture anyone, but I wasn’t about to show mercy to an enemy. Concentrating on the air, I envisioned it leaving her lungs. I pulled it away and watched her fall to the floor, writhing in agony. She grabbed her throat, her mouth hanging wide open in a silent scream.
This enemy has done exactly nothing. In fact, all the fae hate the Shadow Fae because... their father was evil. Which of course makes all of them evil too.
It was hard to think of any of the Shadow fae as good people.

The personalities shift based on what's most useful for the plot. Like when our female lead kidnaps are dark fae, and tortures her.
I used to think I wanted to be a part of your world. But you just made me realize how wrong I was. The dark fae wants nothing to do with the fae world.
Yet just a day later she decides to join the fae world. Where she refused to talk despite the torture, the next day she's just like: Guess I'll have to tell the truth if you threaten me.
"How are you at telling the truth?”

She shrugged again. “Okay, I guess. I mean, if my life depends on it, I’ll do what I have to do.”
It just makes no sense.
And then this fae, one day after being kidnapped and tortured says she ows our female lead her life, and will do whatever she can to help her. Your life wouldn't even have been in danger if she hadn't kidnapped you???

Also, when our couple is together for just a week, our female lead says: I kept hoping, with time, the urge to hurt me because of his father’s revenge would dissipate, but it was still there and there were no signs of it weakening.
With time... how is a week enough time? Especially seeing as this curse has been around for so long? That just makes absolutely no sense.

The writing is repetitive, with many of the phrases repeating over and over again. The plot is a weak background to the romance, which was also underwhelming and lacked development. And then we get a deus ex machina ending on top of that. All in all, not at all what I expected, especially seeing as how many very positive reviews this book has.

[Joyffree · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a few chapters for me to get fully engaged in the story and its characters - once I was however - I read straight through- even fought not to peek ahead - I may have lost that battle but ...

There is so much to this universe and such diversity when it comes to the fae and their origins. The characters were simple yet complex in their pasts and what was driving them.
I felt like it should have been a duet - not sure that was me being greedy or impatient to get my answers as the series unfolds
And do I have questions?
Kai's dad - Kai's curse - the stones - the siblings - the original laws - the land- and that is just for starters

I acknowledge that first in series don't always answer all my questions - they usually set foundations, introduce characters, set tones, and build storylines as well as leave trails for future plots - which this did very well
Packed with action, betrayal, growth, and romance

I am looking forward to the next in series

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty-five years ago, Alasdair was a sorcerer whose hunger for power brought about a war in the Land of the Fae, intending to place himself in a position over all the Fae. He failed in this, was defeated by the Queen of the Ice Court. As he lay dying, he vowed to wreak his revenge upon those who thwarted his march to power. He transferred some of his powers to his son Kai, then laid a curse upon him. A spell that at some point in the future would drive Kai to kill those who had stood in the way of his father’s rise to power. He had been but a boy of fourteen when his father laid the curse within him. But it never laid totally dormmate, the hatred simmered within him for twenty-five years, changing him into a hardened heartless man, caring for no one.
In the intervening years, the Land of the Fae had been divided into four distinct lands, Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Some of the cruel, hard and fast laws had also been softened. Ella, the daughter of Queen of The Ice Court was coming of age. She would marry and create a new Court, one of Frost and more change would be coming under her rule.
The time had come, Kai would be the means of his father’s vengeance and he would begin with the death of Ella. As he stole into her bed chamber, he leaned over the beauty reposed in slumber upon her bed. No one had detected him. She stirred but didn’t wake. As he looked upon her the desire to kill her was ever as strong, but now it warred with his desire to claim her as his own as well.
Ella was a Keeper, the fae’s version of a guardian angel. When one of her kind were close to death, she was one who would appear to lead them to the Hereafter, the next world where the dead lived on in spirit. She was of an age to marry and claim her land that would become The Court of Frost. For the last two years she and Iston, an Elven Prince, had managed a close relationship, leading to the belief of all that it would culminate in their marriage. However, Ella had her doubts of late. She’d had a vision of a man with dark hair and grey eyes, emanating power. There was as well a feeling of danger that surrounded him. For Ella there was something about him, that called to her. Told, he was truly evil, one of the Shadow Fae, the son of the sorcerer Alasdair and warned to beware of him. She had to find out more about him. To do this she would have to step into the mortal world of his home.
There was a time when marriages between Fae and humans was forbidden. If a Fae were to go against this law, they were banished to the mortal world for the rest of their days. It was a deadly environment, shortening the life of Fae banished there, some for crimes against the Land of the Fae, some simply by their choice of mate. But times had changed after the war, marriages between Fae and mortals were no longer forbidden and they might choose to live where they would. However, once banished they were not allowed to return to the Land of Fae.
There were times when Ella slipped into the mortal world to retrieve a dying soul to escort the dead to the Hereafter. As she stood by Linnet’s bedside, she felt him slip into the shadows. He was too late. He could only stand and watched as his mother took her last breath. It had been a long time since he’d last seen her. Once they had been close, but his father had changed that, as a boy he taught him to hate, to close off his feelings for anything but the service to revenge. Even so, Kai let another opportunity to kill Ella pass, as she stood with her back to him. Some part of him held him back, while deep inside the spell pulled at him, wanting to taste her blood. He knew he would one day kill her but until that day, he would watch her, get close to see where these strange feeling he seemed to have to protect her was coming from.
It started with a shared kiss. Ella knew who Kai was and wanted to learn more about him and his plans to kill her and her family. Watching him she saw her chance when she grabbed a Draya, a female half fae, that was part of Kai’s group of Shadow Fae. Taking her back to the Ice Court, she questioned her to learn more of their plans. Ella returned to the mortal world shifting in her appearance to that of Draya to see if Kai would share information with her. What she wasn’t aware of, was that Kai could sense her presence as easily as she could sense his nearness. So, when he grabbed her, taking her in his arms and kissing her both were surprised at their reactions to the kiss that turned demanding and hot. Angry at herself and him she pulled away and ran. No matter how much he wanted to claim her as his own, he knew one day they would face each other with daggers, and one would die.

There is so much happening in this story. The story opens as Kai recognizes the time has come for his father’s revenge, for in truth it is his father’s hatred that lives on in his sons. The story may begin twenty-five years after the Alasdair’s death, but gradually throughout the tale the reader learns more and more about the history behind the war, Kai’s role and how it changes after he sees Ella and realizes the strange connection between them is tearing him apart. The story is presented succinctly but with twists and turns that you might not see coming. There is cruel death, a puppeteer who reaches beyond the grave with his hatred to destroy his children by turning them into monsters. There is love so strong it lives beyond the grave.
At first, I wasn’t certain I would appreciate Kai, he was a bit of a cyborg like character that only lived to wreak havoc and death. A man who turned away from his sisters and mother who so loved him, no matter what to follow in the footsteps of an evil psychopath, long turned to dust. Ella too seemed a bit hard hearted. Her relationship with Iston one of protocol and convenience, the merging of two different peoples. But Kai is fighting a curse that he didn’t ask for that has ruled his way of life and changed him from a loving young boy to a bitter killer. Ella cares deeply for her people and would place her life in danger to save them. But she has a duty to her living land, that will some day become her court. So as the story goes on we get a better look at the characters and how they change each other. It is inevitable though that the beast inside Kai won’t be ousted until it has seen the death of Ella. Will he be able to control the curse that holds him or will he be the death of the woman he loves. This is a story that took a minute to find my way in but once there I didn’t want it to end. I will say there are parts that broke my heart but I loved that romantic spicy tale of enemies that loved so well, each would die for the other.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Listened to this as an Audiobook**
For a (12) Hour Audiobook, this kept my attention! It also comes from KU, and was available on Libby/Hoopla.

Overall, I liked this - I'd like to give it 3/3.5 out of 5 stars.

Tropes:
Fated Mates
Enemies to Lovers
Fantasy
Kind of Forced Proximity

Summary:
The best way to summarize is with a quote from the book:
"You fall in love with Ella, and she with you. You died to save her, she brought you back. Now you're a king, and live in the land of the Fae."
This is basically the book, start to finish. It's honestly too much to summarize! It's a LONG book, but worth the read.

Some Highlights:
- VERY Spicy. 4.5/5 on the Spice Meter.
- Very weak Third Act. In the audiobook, it happened in less than (20) minutes. No opportunity for a redemption arc, or for Ella to struggle to get what she wants. She struggled for HOURS about falling in love with her enemy. She should equally struggle to get her fated mate back.
- Lots of loose ends. The second book has almost nothing to do with the first, and nothing was tied up as it should have been. I'd like to see more of Ella and Kai's Frost Court.
- Modern, but also Fantasy. Guns/Cars in Mortal Realm, but Medieval in the Fae Land
- Queen of the Frost Court - felt a little Narnia to me.
- Word building was excellent. I had a strong picture of all the characters and the places in the book.

Overall, this was a good book. Not great, but good. I do recommend reading it if you love the tropes mentioned above. I'm not sure I'll continue this series, but I have requested it via Libby/Hoopla, so if it pops up from the library, I'll borrow it. I'm interested in reading this author's other works, as the descriptions were fabulous.

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I made it 20% of the way through this book, and the best word I can use to describe it is boring. After 7 chapters, the plot hadn't moved an inch. In the first page or two, Kai (the ostensible villain) stands looming over the sleeping heroine, ready to complete his greatest wish and kill her. Then he decides he wants to, from what I could tell, make her his sex slave first (willingness did not seem to factor in at this point), so he...leaves. Is this to prepare a dungeon? gather resources? Apparently, it was to set a target number of times he'd like to run into her without doing anything useful before he finally captures her, a number which I hadn't yet reached the end of. Not that I missed his presence on the page much since he and his siblings are incapable of interacting without histrionics. And Ella and her story line, while inoffensive, is so stagnant that most of it was filled with meeting new characters and getting their full back stories or hearing about other characters and getting their backstories. And so, adieu.

[Angels · Rating 5 out of 5]

irst off have to say that it has been a very long time since I have read a book like this and we have to say that this story is off to a great start we loved the world that the author has created for us that was filled with so much adventure for us to explore.

We love strong heroine characters like Ella. Love characters when they're in a forbidden love triangle. Loved being on this couples journey of falling in love their struggles what the characters had to endure but, for us we love rooting for a happily ever after for a couple like this in love how are doomed from the start.

For the reader they go through a ton of emotions with this story as it takes you on a bit of a roller coaster ride but, those are the types of stories I loved the most.

I am really loving these characters and we are loving the different courts and we can't wait to see what is in store next. The chemistry and passion between Kai and Ella was beautifully written.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading L.P. Dover and I really enjoyed this book! It was a quick, fast-paced read that instantly caught my attention and had me hooked the whole way through!

Ella and Kai are complete opposites, but both are determined to end one another. Ella is a Winter Fae, and Kai is a Shadow Fae. The Shadow Fae have been at war with the Winter Fae for years, and Kai, being the strongest of his kind, is determined to get revenge for his father’s death - starting with the daughter of the woman who killed his father. But each time Ella and Kai cross paths, a connection between them grows stronger, and it isn’t long before feelings start to develop. They both know a relationship between them will never work, and only one can survive to win this war.

I really liked how fast paced this story was, and there were a couple of things I did not see coming! I also haven’t looked into it yet, but I’m almost positive there’s a story (or series) that comes before this one, and I’m definitely considering going back to read it if there is! There’s just enough background provided to make it easy enough to follow along, but there’s also enough of the story left untold to have me intrigued enough to read it!

I look forward to more books in this series and plan to read more from this author in the future!

[Melinda T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and spicy

The story starts a bit awkwardly, introducing characters and their roles and connections.

Kai is the bad-guy shadow fae who is cursed by his now-dead father to hunt down and kill the Royals in the Fae Lands. His first target is Ella, the daughter of the Fae Queen that killed his father. At first glance at Ella, something awakens in Kai that draws him to her, as a physical and emotional bond, that is in contrast to the revenge he is cursed to fulfill.

The story follows their crazy relationship, from its murderous beginning, to the passions they share, and then the unavoidable ruinous end.

Ella does get her HEA, but her journey to get there is more difficult than expected.

Good first book. It is a stand-alone. The next book is about characters who were introduced in this book.

[Lirio · Rating 5 out of 5]

100% this book needs more than five stars!!
Seriously Best Read this month! L.P. Dover has knocked it out of the park with Winter of the Shadow Fae!!!! I will be waiting on pins and needles for Spring of the Cursed Fae book two. I am sure you will think it’s just another Fae romance, but you would be misled thinking that way because this whole story is way beyond. Dover has figured out how to make the Fae world new and exhilarating! The whole story is filled with intense anticipation, Hope, lots of delicious spiciness, and sadness… I actually was crying and that hasn’t happened in a while! This story is an adventure like non you’ve experienced before and will leave you wanting in the best ways any book should! Again.. March will not arrive soon enough!

[Piros OlaSz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy happy read

Honestly I enjoyed the book as even it had some tension it was still a satisfying, easy read. There were parts that was expected and some which were not but overall it had a satisfactory vibe throughout the whole book. (Maybe my last book was too dark so I was more than happy to read this short pieace and with HEA)
I honestly adding extra points here for not overdoing and having a closure! While the worldbuilt and relationship is blurry it has a nice (steamy here and there) romance line.
Also great intro to other people in the court so Im looking forward for the Spring court story! Im definitely keeping these books for the time Im utterly disappointed in another story as it elevated my spirit high! So 3,5 rounded to 4.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy for an honest review.

This was my first book by this author and I liked it. I like a good enemies to lovers book, and then to add Fae to the mix and I'm in heaven. This was a quick and fast paced story for me. Kai and Ella definitely have the insta chemistry going on. And I love how Ella is a badass. She doesn't just sit back, so fights for her family. And then she fights for Kai! And Kai fights so hard for her as well!! And I love how even despite her family not understanding her choice, they accept her! And the last several chapters had me sitting on the edge of my seat because I wasn't sure how things would turn out. But thankfully all was made well! And this won't be my last book by this author. I will definitely read the next in the series

[Dark and Angsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5 ⭐️
3/5🌶

I really enjoyed this book. It is the 1st book I’ve read by L.P. Dove, and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. This is a true forbidden enemies to lovers. It has fae, magic, romance, and action that is at a pace that does not feel rushed, but flows seamlessly. The world and magic system are unique for a story based in the fae realm. I loved Ella, the FMC, instantly. She knows exactly what she wants, and will put the needs of her land and people above everything, including her own desires. She is a fae princess with extremely powerful abilities, and seems to have her life figured out. She is willing to accept a life full of contentment, thinking she will be happy enough with, until something happens and she finally meets her match, Kai. Unfortunately, he is the enemy. She will have to decide if she is willing to be destroyed at the hands of shadows or learn to embrace them and find true happiness? Kai and Ella have every odd stacked against them, but also have this undeniable pull to each other, that puts them in some dangerous and steamy situations at times. The story has a good mix of plot and romance creating a great balance. Ella’s willingness to see past the darkness that is Kai, makes you root for them to find their HEA. I loved that this story ended and didn’t leave you on the edge of a cliffhanger.