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A review by theshelfarchive
The Horde King of Shadow by Zoey Draven
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Don’t let the cover fool you—this book is an absolute gem! I ate it up in less than a day.
If you’ve finished Onyx Storm and are feeling some post-Empyrean blues, this story is a must-read. It shares some similar themes: a scholarly woman proving her worth in a world where she’s underestimated, all while learning to claim and fly a dragon. But here, the tone is much more adult, and it really hits the mark.
The slow-building tension and longing between the main characters is a highlight. Even though it’s a forced marriage trope, it never feels like insta-love—it’s earned, and that makes the payoff so satisfying. The world-building is immersive, with intriguing magic elements woven in. I haven’t read the author’s Horde Kings of Dakkar series yet, but I’m definitely going to dive into it—I'm hoping it’ll add even more depth to this world. Highly recommend!
If you’ve finished Onyx Storm and are feeling some post-Empyrean blues, this story is a must-read. It shares some similar themes: a scholarly woman proving her worth in a world where she’s underestimated, all while learning to claim and fly a dragon. But here, the tone is much more adult, and it really hits the mark.
The slow-building tension and longing between the main characters is a highlight. Even though it’s a forced marriage trope, it never feels like insta-love—it’s earned, and that makes the payoff so satisfying. The world-building is immersive, with intriguing magic elements woven in. I haven’t read the author’s Horde Kings of Dakkar series yet, but I’m definitely going to dive into it—I'm hoping it’ll add even more depth to this world. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content