A review by sarah_ae13
In the Shadows by L.B. August

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Lilith Clarke has spent years living in the shadows. She lost her name and old life but eventually gained a new title—the Queen of Umbra. Bound to King Asher, she rules in the dark fearing that one day she will lose herself to it. Her fate of darkness seems inevitable until the captain of a rival kingdom stumbles into hers. Theodore Kincaid is determined to find justice for his lost men and the Kingdom of Lux. Trapped in Umbra with no way out, he believes death is his fate as it is the end of all captives caught by King Asher. That is until Umbra's Queen proposes an offer he can't possibly refuse. As the two spend more time with one another and understand each other better, can either of them resist the plans the fates have for them?

Um... wow. WOW!! It is hard to put into words how incredible this book is. The world-building is perfection and not overwhelming. Lily is a fierce FMC, and I love her tenacity and undying love for the family she gained and her kingdom. Her close relationship with Nyx was a perfect mix of snarky and loving as these two would do ANYTHING for each other. Theo! He is a new book-boyfriend favorite for so many reasons and I will leave it at that. I am unwell in all the best ways after that ending, so I am desperate for book 2 and cannot WAIT to get my hands on it. 

Read if you like: 
🫠Forced Proximity
⚔️ Fierce FMCs
❤️‍🔥Slow Burn
🌶️Enemies to Lovers Spiciness
💗Found Family