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Cover of Child of Shivay

Child of Shivay

by J.R. Cathers

🌶️🌶️mild·Veils of Terr #1
4.4 on Goodreads (1,360)

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Ending

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Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?

An assassin sent to kill a fae king finds herself bound to his general in this immersive debut with layered worldbuilding, fae bargains, and a devastating cliffhanger.

Synopsis

Two hundred years ago, when mortals hunted the fea toward extinction, the Ancients sundered the veils of Terr, fracturing their world into five realms. Many fled beyond the Veil of War, but not all who remained did so with benevolent intentions. Shivaria is an elite assassin of the crown, forged for a single purpose: to end the life of the Feyn King. Upon foreign shores, she discovers a land steeped in power, forgotten truths, and whispered legends that defy everything she was taught. When she finds herself bound to the king's general, sought by the fea in the northern woods, and uncovering the hidden truths of her world, she is thrust into a choice that will define her: follow the path she has always known, or endure a breaking that will set her on a course destined by the Fates.

book details below may contain spoilers. some hidden

At a Glance

A curator's note goes here with flavor that could spoil the plot.

trope onetrope twotrope threetrope four

Book Details

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.

4.44 ★ (1.4k)

Page CountHow long the commitment is.

514 pages

PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.

2025

Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?

Romantasy

PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.

M/F

POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).

First Person

Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.

Slow Burn

AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

No audiobook yet

FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.

Single Narrator (unspecified)

Narrator Count

Single

TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
fated matesforced proximityhidden identityassassin romanceenemies to loversforced alliancesecret powervirgin x experienced
RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.

darkmysteriousadventurousepicintenseatmosphericdangeroustense

Writing StyleHow the author writes - prose style, dialogue approach, and narrative voice. This is about craft and delivery, not emotional effect.

immersiveatmosphericdramaticlushlyrical

Story PacingDoes the story sprint or saunter? Fast = you'll miss sleep. Slow = you'll savor every word. Medium = balanced chaos.

fast

Emotional WeightHow much are you gonna cry? Light = fun feels. Moderate = real stakes. Heavy = bring tissues. Devastating = call your therapist.

heavy

Energy RequiredCan you read this on a Tuesday after work, or do you need a full Saturday and three cups of coffee? Low/Medium/High.

high

VibesOne perfect sentence that captures the essence. Like: 'Fae politics meets forbidden romance with zero chill.'

fae courts and deadly politicsassassin sent to kill a kingfated mates slow burnexpansive world with fae bargains

Characters

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

FMC ArchetypeWho is she? The female main character's core identity/role. Assassin? Healer? General Badass?

assassinmorally gray FMCwarrior/fightervengeful / revenge-driven

MMC ArchetypeWho is he? The male main character's core identity/role. Your exact flavor of book boyfriend.

war general / commandermorally gray MMCdark/tortured soulpossessive alpha

Relationship DynamicsThe interpersonal dynamic between the main characters. How do they relate to each other? This is about character energy and connection style, not plot situations.

enemies to loversfated matesslow burnhe falls firstmutual pining

Spice Details 🌶️

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
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Spice Level 2

Spice StyleNot just how much spice, but what kind. Emotional intimacy? Explicit but vanilla? Plot-driven heat? Know your flavor.

intense / passionateemotional / vulnerable intimacyslow seductionfantasy / supernatural intimacy

Getting SteamyGentle kinks. Fun but nothing too crazy. The appetizer, so to speak.

longing glancestensionanticipationpossessive/protectiveeye contact intensity

Bringing the HeatFor those who know exactly what they came for. This is where you find your exact brand of chaos. The good stuff.

bonding/claiming/markingrough/aggressive intimacypossessivedominance
Browse more books by spice level →
This stuff might hit different. No shame in needing to know what's coming. (9)▼
spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
violencedeathtraumaabusekidnappingcaptivitywarbloodstalking
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World & Setting

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World TypeWhat kind of world are you stepping into? High fantasy = full secondary world. Urban fantasy = magic in modern cities. Portal = starts here, goes there.

high fantasymythologicalfae realm / faerie courts

Primary SettingWhere does the story physically take place? Court intrigue = palace. Dark academia = campus. Cozy witch vibes = small town. This is about location, not world rules.

forest / wildernessroyal court / palacewar front / rebellion

Fantasy CreaturesWhat supernatural beings populate this world? Fae courts, vampire covens, dragon riders, or just regular humans doing their best.

faegods/deitiesmonstersshifters

Reading Context

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Emotional PayoffWhat you get for showing up. The catharsis, the growth, the 'I'm a different person now' moment. This is why the hard books are worth it.

tension finally satisfiedaddictive readbook hangover incomingadrenaline rush

Best Time of YearSeasonal mood rings for books. Summer romance reads different than winter gothic.

anytime

When & Where to ReadContext matters. Some books are Beach Trip energy, others are 3am Bedtime spiral-reads. Trust.

vacationcozy eveningcan't sleepat night

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Quick Facts

Spice LevelThe heat scale. 0=wholesome, 1=kisses, 2=fade-to-black, 3=tasteful spice, 4=explicit, 5=you need a cold shower. Know thyself.🌶️🌶️mild
PagesHow long the commitment is.514
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.2025
GoodreadsThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.4.44 ★ (1.4k)
EndingEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.reveal ending

SeriesThe series this book belongs to and where it falls in the reading order.

Veils of Terr #1
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