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Cover of The Call of the Void

The Call of the Void

by S.M. Gaither

🌶️🌶️🌶️moderate·Shadows and Crowns #3·✓ Series Complete
3.9 on Goodreads (8,962)

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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?

The war stakes ratchet up to divine-level chaos while Casia and Elander's bond deepens through genuine partnership—they build each other up instead of tearing each other down, and it's refreshing.

Synopsis

War is building. Blood is spilling. And the gods are not pleased. Casia has survived her brother’s attempts to crush her and her growing army, but the battle for their empire is just beginning. Bitter and wounded, carrying the curse of a dark and dangerous upper-god, and desperate for more allies, she charges northward to seek the elves who once walked alongside the divine beings. The elven Court of Moreth holds knowledge. Secrets. And power. The kind of power that could shift all of Casia's wars in her favor. If she can survive the dangerous politics and treacherous magic of the elf-kind. While these outer battles rage, so too do the ones within. Elander is losing what remained of his divinity. His court. His powers. His grasp on what he once was and what he once knew. But he’s determined to keep fighting, gathering his own ancient allies and working to aid Casia in her wars. He lost her once. He won’t do it again. But his devotion to her may be the very thing that destroys him. And when that destruction comes, it comes with a twist—one that could change their entire world.

book details below may contain spoilers. some hidden

At a Glance

This is where the Shadows and Crowns series goes full epic fantasy and the romance becomes the emotional anchor keeping you grounded through the chaos. Gaither writes anxiety and panic attacks with a specificity that feels lived-in rather than performative. The gods-meddling-in-mortal-affairs plotline adds delicious layers of tension beyond the romance. Another cliffhanger ending, so stack books three and four together or you will regret it.

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.

3.85 ★ (9k)

Page CountHow long the commitment is.

578 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).

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

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 (unspecified)

NarratorThe voice in your ears.

Jesse Vilinsky

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
forbidden loveslow burnforced alliancefae romance
RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

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

intensedarktenseepicangstydramatic

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

immersivedramaticdarkemotionalsuspenseful

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.'

forbidden desirepage turner

Characters

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

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

mercenarywarrior/fightersurvivorsnarky/sarcasticrebel leader / revolutionary

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

morally gray MMCwarrior/fighterbrooding princesecretly softwar general / commander

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.

forbidden loveslow burnbanterprotective love interestreluctant allies to lovers

Spice Details 🌶️

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
🌶️
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Spice Level 3

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

Stepped up from earlier books, emotionally charged intimate scenes that feel earned after the slow burn buildup

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

tensionpossessive/protectiveanticipationtouch starvation

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

possessivebonding/claiming/marking
Browse more books by spice level →
This stuff might hit different. No shame in needing to know what's coming. (8)▼
spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
violencenear death experienceswarbattlesanxiety depictionpanic attacksgods meddling in mortal affairsbetrayal
Browse books by content warning →

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 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.

War-torn kingdoms on the brink of divine conflict

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

elvesgods/deities

RepresentationIdentity representation in the book. LGBTQ+, race/ethnicity, disability, neurodivergence, body type, age and more.

anxiety repmental health rep

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 deliveredferal brain activatedadrenaline 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.

rainy weekendat nightcan't sleep

Shadows and Crowns

The Song of the Marked

#1 The Song of the Marked

A Twist of the Blade

#2 A Twist of the Blade

The Call of the Void

#3 The Call of the Void

A Crown of the Gods

#4 A Crown of the Gods

The Queen of the Dawn

#5 The Queen of the Dawn

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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.🌶️🌶️🌶️moderate
PagesHow long the commitment is.578
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.2021
GoodreadsThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.3.85 ★ (9k)
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.

Shadows and Crowns #3
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