ARC Review: ‘Bride of the Shadow King’ by Sylvia Mercedes
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Bride of the Shadow King
by Sylvia MercedesSeries: Bride of the Shadow King #1
Published by Ace on November 12, 2024
SubGenres: Fantasy Romance
Format: Paperback
Pages: 400
Source: the publisher
Audience: 18+/Adult
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For fans of The Bridge Kingdom and A Deal with the Elf King, this arranged marriage romance about a human princess forced to wed a dark and desperate Shadow King is sure to entice!
A shunned princess. A reluctant king.A marriage that could save both their kingdoms . . . but destroy their hearts.
Though she is the oldest daughter, Princess Faraine lives in the background, shunned from court and kept out of sight. Her chronic illness makes her a liability to the crown, and she has learned to give place to her beautiful, favored younger sister in all things.
When the handsome and enigmatic Shadow King comes seeking a bride, Faraine is not surprised that her sister is his choice.
Though not eager to take a human bride, King Vor is willing to do what is necessary for the sake of his people. When he meets the lively Princess Ilsevel, he quickly agrees to a marriage arrangement.
So why can’t he get the haunting eyes of her older sister out of his head?
When disaster strikes and the marriage alliance is compromised, Faraine suddenly finds herself forced to take her sister’s place . . . regardless of her new husband’s desires. Can she find a place at Vor’s side as his queen? Or is his heart forever closed to the woman who deceived him so cruelly?
Passionate and alluring, Bride of the Shadow King is an arranged marriage tale with dual point-of-view (his and hers). It’s perfect for fantasy fans looking for a touch of spice to go with the sweet in their next swoony, slow-burn romance.
I’ve always enjoyed reading Fantasy Romance books, and after finishing Bride of the Shadow King, I find myself craving more of this story by Sylvia Mercedes, as well as other similar books. I can’t believe I just discovered this trilogy because it perfectly aligns with my reading interests. The story involves two kingdoms that need each other’s assistance and decide to form an alliance through an arranged marriage. The problem is that neither one trusts the other, but they will do anything to protect their kingdoms from the threats that seek to destroy them.
This book is told from two perspectives, switching back and forth between the hero, Vor, and the heroine, Faraine. While reading Faraine’s point of view, I felt a strong sympathy for her. Her family, particularly her father, treated her horribly simply because she refused to marry the man they had arranged for her years ago. As a result, they forced her to live in a convent until they needed her help with her younger sister, who was preparing for her own arranged marriage to the Shadow King. Faraine’s younger sister, much like her, is rebellious and does not want to be pushed into a marriage either. I loved how, despite being shunned by her own family, Faraine remained committed to her love for her younger sisters, refusing to let her father and mother get in the way.
Vor won me over immediately, not only because of how he treated Faraine but also her younger sister. While he may come off as intimidating, he is really a sweet, gentle Shadow King who only wants what is best for his kingdom, even though he is falling for the wrong girl the entire time. I loved his connection with Faraine and how protective he is of her, especially since he knows she is not being treated well.
It was frustrating that he was being forced to marry the younger sister while he had feelings for the eldest sister, but he was only doing what was right for his kingdom. In the end, however, there were unexpected twists and turns that left Vor feeling betrayed. I completely understood his frustration and his reaction to the situation.
Bride of the Shadow King was my first book by author Sylvia Mercedes, and it definitely won’t be my last. I plan to pick up the rest of the trilogy as soon as I can, especially after that cliffhanger ending Sylvia left us with. Will the hero trust the heroine after what she did to him? I hope so because it’s clear that they are destined to be together. It’s important to understand that the heroine’s actions weren’t entirely her fault; her family pressured her into making those choices. To discover what happened between the hero and the heroine and why he doesn’t trust her, you’ll need to read the book.
Overall, I would give this book four stars, and I can’t wait to read the next one. It’s a slow burn, so expect to be left wanting more after finishing this book. I certainly was.
Cliffhanger: Yes.
Single/Dual POV: Dual POV
Standalone or Part of Series: It’s the first book in the Bride of the Shadow King Trilogy and needs to be read in order.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you enjoy reading Fantasy Romance featuring an arranged marriage between two kingdoms, check out this trilogy.
What to Expect:
👑Fantasy Romance
👑Slow Burn
👑Arranged Marriage/Forced Marriage
👑Shunned Princess
👑Reluctant King
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