Take a photo of a barcode or cover
26nmb 's review for:
Slaying the Shadow Prince
by Helen Scheuerer
Slaying the Shadow Prince was my third read in the Legends of Thezmarr series, following the so-called “emotional impact order”—and let me tell you, I highly recommend it. While I liked Wilder and Thea in the main books, their immaturity sometimes made me want to bonk their heads together. Then this book came along, featuring Wilder’s mentor, Talemir, and his love interest, Drue, and suddenly—this was the story I’d been waiting for.
These two? Absolute perfection. I shipped them so hard I practically capsized. Unlike the usual fantasy pairings of barely-20-year-olds running headfirst into miscommunication tropes, Talemir and Drue are grown adults—mature, self-assured, and actually capable of talking like reasonable people. What a concept! Based on context clues, they seem to be in their mid-to-late thirties, and their age shows in the best ways. The depth of their decisions, the weight of their experiences, and the sheer competence they bring to the table? Chef’s kiss.
And the banter? Absolutely off-the-charts. Their initial hate and constant back-and-forth is golden. It’s sharp, it’s cutting, it’s laced with tension so thick you could slice it with Talemir’s swords. Every interaction crackled with the kind of energy that had me grinning like an idiot. The best thing ever? Quite possibly.
Talemir’s struggles with self-doubt due to his condition were beautifully handled—he wrestles with his demons but doesn’t let them define him. And Drue? A warrior out of necessity, strong yet undeniably feminine, which is a balance that often feels rare these days. Their dynamic was everything I wanted—mature, intense, and packed with the kind of tension that physically hurts in the best way possible.
And oh, the angst. The “F*** it” moment where they finally almost go all the way? And then they stop. I was ready to launch my Kindle into orbit. The tension was unbearable. Sweet, torturous agony—but it made perfect sense for their characters and their journey.
Beyond the romance, this book adds so much to the world-building and backstory of the main series. I genuinely don’t understand how anyone could read the series without it (looking at you, my friend who somehow missed this). The emotional beats hit even harder, especially with glimpses of Malik (cue heartbreak) and a much younger, even more immature Wilder—who, while still occasionally annoying, benefits from this added context.
And Adrienne? I was ready to hate her on Thea’s behalf, but I just couldn’t. She’s strong, confident, and an incredible leader and a phenomenal friend. I ended up loving her.
Honestly, I might love this book even more than the main series. It was everything I wanted—intense, emotional, and deeply satisfying. Five stars, a top-shelf trophy book, and a desperate need to read it again
These two? Absolute perfection. I shipped them so hard I practically capsized. Unlike the usual fantasy pairings of barely-20-year-olds running headfirst into miscommunication tropes, Talemir and Drue are grown adults—mature, self-assured, and actually capable of talking like reasonable people. What a concept! Based on context clues, they seem to be in their mid-to-late thirties, and their age shows in the best ways. The depth of their decisions, the weight of their experiences, and the sheer competence they bring to the table? Chef’s kiss.
And the banter? Absolutely off-the-charts. Their initial hate and constant back-and-forth is golden. It’s sharp, it’s cutting, it’s laced with tension so thick you could slice it with Talemir’s swords. Every interaction crackled with the kind of energy that had me grinning like an idiot. The best thing ever? Quite possibly.
Talemir’s struggles with self-doubt due to his condition were beautifully handled—he wrestles with his demons but doesn’t let them define him. And Drue? A warrior out of necessity, strong yet undeniably feminine, which is a balance that often feels rare these days. Their dynamic was everything I wanted—mature, intense, and packed with the kind of tension that physically hurts in the best way possible.
And oh, the angst. The “F*** it” moment where they finally almost go all the way? And then they stop. I was ready to launch my Kindle into orbit. The tension was unbearable. Sweet, torturous agony—but it made perfect sense for their characters and their journey.
Beyond the romance, this book adds so much to the world-building and backstory of the main series. I genuinely don’t understand how anyone could read the series without it (looking at you, my friend who somehow missed this). The emotional beats hit even harder, especially with glimpses of Malik (cue heartbreak) and a much younger, even more immature Wilder—who, while still occasionally annoying, benefits from this added context.
And Adrienne? I was ready to hate her on Thea’s behalf, but I just couldn’t. She’s strong, confident, and an incredible leader and a phenomenal friend. I ended up loving her.
Honestly, I might love this book even more than the main series. It was everything I wanted—intense, emotional, and deeply satisfying. Five stars, a top-shelf trophy book, and a desperate need to read it again