Format: E-Galley, 300 pages
Release Date: September 14th 2021
Publisher: TrueType Press
Source: Publisher
Genre: Fantasy
A spellbinding fantasy story... and a fascinating world to escape to! ~InD'tale Magazine
As the king’s only daughter, Ava was supposed to be many things; meek,
submissive, and above all, silent. While she dreams of fighting
alongside the armies of Ankara, she’s forced to hide her identity behind
a veil. It seems her prayers are answered when fate intervenes,
allowing Ava to sneak away and join the battle. Yet the tides of war
turn on her, leaving the young beauty defeated... her hopes shattered.
Her only chance at salvation is Callan, a mysterious black wolf willing
to risk everything by hiding her away among his kind. But there are some
dangers far more ominous than the snapping jaws of a wolf. Ripped away
from the brave Turnskins, Ava is imprisoned by the beguiling Shadow King
who fills her head with promises of peace and a haze of passion. Forced
to choose between her family, the bond she shares with Callan, and the
handsome king's striking proposal, Ava finds herself torn between duty
and desire. When an unthinkable sacrifice is required to save all she
holds dear, will Ava accept the crushing demands of taking the crown? Or
follow her heart to the forbidden touch she desperately craves?
Kingdom of Shadows and Dust, by author Sherry D. Ficklin, is the first installment in what appears to be a new series. Ava is an Ankara princess and the King's only daughter who is forced to hide behind a veil. She has suffered in isolation while dreaming about fighting with her best friend Bridger who has taught her how to fight. Her own father believes her place is with other women, including the Queen, in the Terem because women are more precious and divine than men.
This is a misogynistic society where women are paraded in front of men who make their choices as to whom they want for their bride's. AKA Bride Show. Ava has been sneaking away for years to be with her friend Yoann who is a magus. Magus unwillingness to save Ava's mother created a huge rift between people's. Ava has tried her best to smooth over the rift but old habits and hurts die hard. After Ava defies her father's orders, and sneaks away to join Bridger's army, she finds herself in harms way.
Her only chance at salvation is Callan, a mysterious black wolf called Turnskin willing to risk everything by hiding her away among his kind. Turnskin's are people who are able to shift from human to wolf. They were soldiers once until they were betrayed. Ava gradually falls for Callan which, of course, anyone would have seen coming a mile away. Soon though, she is "imprisoned" by Aldrin, the King of a neighboring country who has been at war with Ankara for years.
However, Aldrin turns out to be a decent fellow, and that's where things get really twisted for me. You can say that this book doesn't contain an instalove. It doesn't. It does however contain a twisted love triangle between Ava, Callan, and Aldrin. While one relationship with help her country stop an war that has costs lots of innocent lives while uniting countries, the other is a fated bond which can't be broken. What do you do?
One of the more interesting relationships in this entire book is between Ava and her brother Cassian who is the heir to Ankara. Unfortunately, even though it was an overall enjoyable read, the book did not leave me as satisfied or enthusiastic about reading the sequel.
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