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A review by stephdaydreams
The Horde King of Shadow by Zoey Draven
5.0
The Horde King of Shadow brought it all! From a beautiful slow burn romance, to its accompanied sizzling spice, to a very well-paced plot, and to a gorgeous, evolving world-building. It is a magical read I won't soon forget, and it left me clamoring to stay immersed in its world so I can discover the future works yet to come. Zoey Draven's writing continues to be thrilling and always, always engaging.
This series is set 200 years after Zoey Draven's Horde Kings of Dakkar series, and I was so massively impressed with how the world felt changed yet harbored those familiarities from the world we once knew. It felt like a world truly evolved, whose rich past still matters, and that's something our heroine Klara especially held on to in her quest for knowledge. I loved knowing secrets of the world past, it made it all the more exciting watching Klara research and discover her world's history.
History is very present throughout this narrative is a way that pushes it forward. And our heroine Klara takes the lead in this journey. Klara is a heroine who feels so tangible and relatable, whose excitement for books and history is so happily infectious. She is a heroine who is thrust into arrangement and set of expectations without a true say in the matter, but who finds her agency, confidence, and self-belief due to it. She at times feels small and outcast, but her resiliency shines through, determined to prove doubters wrong. I found her wholly inspiring.
Then we have our hero, Sarkin. His duty is his life, and marriage is but a transaction to better his people's position rather than a choice of heart. While he treats Klara very well from the start, he is convinced feelings will never amount into their relationship. That it will remain transactional. Which makes watching him fall head over heels in love with Klara all the more pleasing. He respects her greatly for the start, and comes to trust her steadfastly. And to admire her courage and tenacity. he may think his heart a thing made of stone, but his actions time and time again showcase how that stone softens around Klara. I loved him for him-- and I loved him for how he loved her.
Klara and Sarkin's relationship is a delicate thing of beauty, one that takes its time to form, and once it does, once it's allow to blossoms, it takes off in flight in spectacular fashion.
Then there are the dragons! Dragons are used in a way that felt familiar yet so dynamic and refreshing. I set certain expectations as I read through and many times the narrative took those expectations and threw me a twist-- and I loved it! I loved feeling this creature we now see more and more often in fantasy romances take new life. It was all very well done!
I am so happy to immerse myself in a new series by Draven. This book exceeded expectations and laid the groundwork for even more enticing storytelling yet to come.
Thank you to Zoey Draven for this complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
4.5✨
This series is set 200 years after Zoey Draven's Horde Kings of Dakkar series, and I was so massively impressed with how the world felt changed yet harbored those familiarities from the world we once knew. It felt like a world truly evolved, whose rich past still matters, and that's something our heroine Klara especially held on to in her quest for knowledge. I loved knowing secrets of the world past, it made it all the more exciting watching Klara research and discover her world's history.
History is very present throughout this narrative is a way that pushes it forward. And our heroine Klara takes the lead in this journey. Klara is a heroine who feels so tangible and relatable, whose excitement for books and history is so happily infectious. She is a heroine who is thrust into arrangement and set of expectations without a true say in the matter, but who finds her agency, confidence, and self-belief due to it. She at times feels small and outcast, but her resiliency shines through, determined to prove doubters wrong. I found her wholly inspiring.
Then we have our hero, Sarkin. His duty is his life, and marriage is but a transaction to better his people's position rather than a choice of heart. While he treats Klara very well from the start, he is convinced feelings will never amount into their relationship. That it will remain transactional. Which makes watching him fall head over heels in love with Klara all the more pleasing. He respects her greatly for the start, and comes to trust her steadfastly. And to admire her courage and tenacity. he may think his heart a thing made of stone, but his actions time and time again showcase how that stone softens around Klara. I loved him for him-- and I loved him for how he loved her.
Klara and Sarkin's relationship is a delicate thing of beauty, one that takes its time to form, and once it does, once it's allow to blossoms, it takes off in flight in spectacular fashion.
Then there are the dragons! Dragons are used in a way that felt familiar yet so dynamic and refreshing. I set certain expectations as I read through and many times the narrative took those expectations and threw me a twist-- and I loved it! I loved feeling this creature we now see more and more often in fantasy romances take new life. It was all very well done!
I am so happy to immerse myself in a new series by Draven. This book exceeded expectations and laid the groundwork for even more enticing storytelling yet to come.
Thank you to Zoey Draven for this complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
4.5✨