A review by booksalacarte
Vow of the Shadow King by Sylvia Mercedes

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

2.5⭐️2.75🌶️

Second book
Romantasy
Dual POV 
Slow burn
Unique Fae magic and lore
Mythical beasts 
Politics

This book introduces a lot of new issues that weren’t foreshadowed in the first one, and it makes for a confusing read. It’s hard to stay engaged when it feels like the story has taken a sharp turn with little build-up, especially when so much foreshadowing was laid out in the previous book.

I also feel that the magic system—specifically how the fae races’ magic and their vows work—should have been explained earlier, especially in book one. The way it’s revealed only as it becomes relevant doesn’t really work for me. Had it been explored earlier, it could have added more tension and given us deeper insight into Vor’s perspective. The constant references to it in the plot felt like missed opportunities to show its significance, leaving the stakes feeling a bit hollow.

One thing that really bugged me was the portrayal of the MMC’s interactions with the female protagonist. It often feels like he treats her as fragile, almost as if she’s a delicate object that needs to be handled with care. This constant dynamic didn’t sit well with me—it felt overdone and took away from their connection.

Ultimately, I’m struggling to stay invested in this story. The magic system, plot, timeline, and character development all have weak points that make it hard to truly enjoy the series as I read. I was hoping for more consistency and depth, but right now, it just isn’t pulling me in.

I will not be continuing with this series

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for a eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.