MoodReads - Romance Book Discovery
The Stacks
DiscoverMy ShelvesReading Stats
Sign upLog in
MoodReads - Romantasy Book Discovery

because goodreads doesn't
have a spice filter

Discover

  • Discover Page
  • Reading Stacks
  • Tropes
  • Moods
  • Creatures
  • Spicy Books

Get MoodReads

  • so what is it.
  • iOS App
  • Browser Extension
  • MoodReads Premium
  • Gift a Subscription
  • For Creators
  • Share MoodReads

Go Deeper

  • FAQ
  • Roadmap
  • Request a Feature
  • vs Goodreads
  • vs StoryGraph
  • Who Built This?

The Serious Stuff

  • Values
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Support

get emails when something big happens. no spam, just news.

© 2026 MoodReads. Built by a romantasy reader for romantasy readers.

rattle the stars, bitches.

Cover of Curse of Shadows and Thorns

Curse of Shadows and Thorns

by L.J. Andrews

🌶️🌶️mild·The Broken Kingdoms #1·✓ Series Complete
4.0 on MoodReads (2 ratings)4.0 on Goodreads (57,494)

Rate this book

sign in to add to shelves, track reading status, and see your stats

Available on Kindle Unlimited
find similar →
ReportSpoiler settings

Ending

reveal ending

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

A Viking-meets-fairy-tale slow burn where the hidden fae identity reveal reframes everything you thought you knew about the romance, and the world-building pulls you straight into book 2.

Synopsis

A rebellious princess. A cursed rogue. A forbidden love that will bring a kingdom to its knees. As niece of the king, Elise Lysander cares about two things: sneaking into gambling dens, and avoiding an advantageous marriage at all costs. When her uncle holds the life of her deathly-ill father over her head, reluctantly, Elise puts her fate into the hands of Legion Grey, the handsome and mysterious dowry negotiator. He may be arrogant and infuriating, but soon Legion incites a blistering, forbidden passion she can’t ignore. As their attraction grows, so do the dangers: attacks from black-eyed people, a cursed enemy who is more beast than man, and rumors of fae returning for the crown they believe was stolen from them long ago. After a bloody coup upends the kingdom, Elise flees with Legion, but nothing is as it seems. The man she allowed into her heart reveals his own secret plans with the return of magic—and he has every intention of using Elise to see them through. With war between magic and mortal on the horizon, Elise must pick a side to protect her kingdom. Does she stand with her people who stole the throne? Or with a man who lied his way into her heart and whose secret past could bring her destruction? Filled with luscious world building, banter-filled romance, and epic battles, this first book in the dark, fantasy romance series, The Broken Kingdoms , part Viking, part fairy tale. One-click to start reading today.

book details below may contain spoilers. some hidden

At a Glance

Book 1 of 9 in The Broken Kingdoms series (complete). Spice is MILD in book 1 — the series escalates in heat with later installments. The author has confirmed this via BookTok FAQ. Book ends on a cliffhanger (Legion chooses war/revenge over Elise). The Viking + fae mashup world-building is the standout feature. Romance.io rates heat as 2/5 (behind closed doors). Part Beauty and the Beast, part Swan Princess retelling across the broader series. Previously listed as moderate spice which overstates book 1.

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.

3.99 ★ (57.5k)

Page CountHow long the commitment is.

348 pages

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

2021

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).

Dual POV

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

Slow Burn

CliffhangerEnding 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

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.

Yes

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

Single Narrator (female)

NarratorThe voice in your ears.

Stina Nielsen

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
hidden identityenemies to loversforbidden lovearranged marriagefairytale retellingfae romancebeauty and the beastforced alliance
RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

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

darkromanticmysterioustenseepicatmosphericangsty

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

immersiveromanticatmosphericdramaticemotional

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

medium

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.

medium

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

page turnerViking-inspired fae kingdomshidden identityforbidden lovedark fairy taleBeauty and the Beast retelling

Characters

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

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

royaltyrebellious chosen onesnarky/sarcastic

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

mysterious strangercursed MMCmorally gray MMCfae prince

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 loversforbidden lovebetrayal to trusthe falls firstslow burn

Spice Details 🌶️

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
Spice Level 2

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

tension / anticipationslow burn with late spiceemotional / loving

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

tensionanticipationlonging glancespossessive/protectiveeye contact intensityplayful banter

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

None
Browse more books by spice level →
This stuff might hit different. No shame in needing to know what's coming. (6)▼
spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
attempted sexual assaultviolencegraphic violencedeathwarbetrayal
Browse books by content warning →

World & Setting

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

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 fantasy

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.

royal court / palaceforest / wilderness

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

fae

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.

the angst deliveredbook hangoverobsessedtension finally satisfied

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

autumn

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

cozy eveningat nightbedtimerainy weekendcamping trip

The Broken Kingdoms

Curse of Shadows and Thorns

#1 Curse of Shadows and Thorns

Court of Ice and Ash

#2 Court of Ice and Ash

Crown of Blood and Ruin

#3 Crown of Blood and Ruin

Night of Masks and Knives

#4 Night of Masks and Knives

Game of Hate and Lies

#5 Game of Hate and Lies

Den of Blades and Briars

#7 Den of Blades and Briars

this page is just the start

  • import your Goodreads or StoryGraph TBR. we tag every book with spice, tropes, CWs, mood, all of it
  • tell us a vibe (“enemies to lovers fae, high spice”) and BookMatch finds the book
  • 4,000+ romantasy books searchable by 45 fields
  • book clubs, reading challenges, and a community of readers who get it
free account

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.348
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.2021
GoodreadsThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.3.99 ★ (57.5k)
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.

The Broken Kingdoms #1
Similar picks →

My Notes

Loading...

Short Takes

quick 280-character reactions for this book. drop a thought, rate the vibe, keep scrolling.

Sign in to share your take.

Loading...

Book Chat

live reactions, hot takes, screaming into the void about Curse of Shadows and Thorns

Similar Books

Cover of Skyshade

Skyshade

Lightlark, #3

Alex Aster

🌶️🌶️·first person
love triangleenemies to loversfated mates
Cover of Heat of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, #3)KU

Heat of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, #3)

Kindred's Curse, #3

Penn Cole

🌶️🌶️🌶️·first person
forced proximityhidden identityfated mates
Cover of GlintKU

Glint

The Plated Prisoner, #2

Raven Kennedy

🌶️🌶️🌶️·first person·✓
captive romanceforced proximityhidden identity
Cover of How Does It Feel?KU

How Does It Feel?

Infatuated Fae, #1

Jeneane O'Riley

🌶️🌶️·dual POV·✓
captive romanceforced proximitygames/trials romance
Cover of Glow of the EverflameKU

Glow of the Everflame

Kindred's Curse, #2

Penn Cole

🌶️·first person
enemies to loversforbidden loveforced proximity
Cover of The Stolen Heir

The Stolen Heir

The Stolen Heir Duology, #1

Holly Black

🌶️🌶️·first person
enemies to loversarranged marriageforced proximity
Cover of A Court This Cruel & LovelyKU

A Court This Cruel & Lovely

Kingdom of Lies, #1

Stacia Stark

🌶️🌶️·dual POV·✓
forced proximityhidden identityfated mates
Cover of The Cruel Prince

The Cruel Prince

The Folk of the Air, #1

Holly Black

🌶️·first person
fae romanceforbidden lovecourt intrigue