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What Lies Within Masks & Shadows
by Nicolle May
Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?
You'll get a morally gray shadow daddy, intense emotional angst, and a slow-burn romance that leaves you obsessed and craving the next book.
Synopsis
Throne of Glass meets The Witcher and Once Upon a Time in this heart-wrenching, high fantasy romance packed with trauma healing, epic magic, and high-stakes rebellion. "What could be worse than death?" They made her kneel. So, she would see them burn... Alora—a Marked One—is bound to a fate of suffering. Therefore, when Lord Kaine takes her as his lady, life under his status and within his manor should have offered her everything—including safety. Except, in the darkness, Alora is a dying star, an explosion contained by his will and cruelty. Waiting for the day she’ll blaze a light so intense it would burn at the edges of shadow itself, she endures her destined torment. But outside his walls, evil terrorizes Elysian, and as the Savage Prince sets his attention on Alora next, the lines between monster and savior blur. Her desire for freedom becomes tainted, and a new price must be paid. With rumors of his cruelty, ruthlessness, and unrelenting power, Alora's trust is not easily earned. She can't help feeling like she's exchanged one monster for another—a lord for a prince. A betrothed for a shadow beast. Can Alora ever truly be free under those who have bound themselves to her? Or will her only escape sit masked in shadow? What Lies Within Masks & Shadows is the first book in a new series featuring a morally gray hero with powers of darkness, enemies-to-lovers, "traumance", banter, dark secrets, and captivating, action-packed adventure with slow burn romance. Welcome to the darkened world of Elysian. Welcome to What Lies Within Masks & Shadows. Authors Readers are encouraged to check the trigger warnings inside. This is an adult book that touches on very dark themes.
At a Glance
4.01 ★ GoodreadsTop 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.
MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.
Book Details
Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.
4.01 ★
Page CountHow long the commitment is.
532 pages
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.
2024
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
FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.
Standard
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.
Mood & Vibe
MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.
FMC: survivor sign in to unlock
intense / passionate sign in to unlock
grimdark / dark fantasy sign in to unlock
the angst delivered sign in to unlock
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