A review by originalbooknerd
Shadows of the Crown by Dakota Monroe

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

𝔖𝔥𝔞𝔡𝔬𝔴𝔰 𝔬𝔣 𝔱𝔥𝔢 ℭ𝔯𝔬𝔴𝔫 - 𝔖𝔥𝔞𝔡𝔬𝔴𝔰 𝔬𝔣 𝔱𝔥𝔢 ℭ𝔯𝔬𝔴𝔫 1 - ℜ𝔢𝔳𝔦𝔢𝔴

Author: Dakota Monroe

Couple: Ariella Mistaire & Prince Caspian

Tropes: he falls first, assassin FMC, Prince MMC, cinnamon roll MMC, enemies to lovers, hurt/comfort, forced proximity, dagger to the…, deadly competitions, secrets, magic, steamy, banter, jealous, touch him/her

Review: Shadows of the Crown was enthralling and a new take on a tortured heroine who gets put into deadly trials to accomplish her revenge. Dakota was a new author to me with this book and from the beginning she enthralled me with this story. The romance, the tension, the plotting, the revenge, and the evil king and his oblivious heir. All of these things were done exceptionally well while adding complexities to Ariella’s story and trials in this first book.

Ariella was the absolute favorite character for me in this book. I LOVED her from beginning to end and found that she never quite did what I expected her to do but also was able to toe the line of utterly ruthless and a closet romance really well. Dakota was able to capture her inner child’s need to be loved and adored by someone after the loss of her parents and the way she slowly allowed Caspian in her prickly and iced over heart was gut wrenching to see since I was just waiting for Caspian to do something dumb and have her push him out. I appreciated how Dakota chose to begin the deep dive into her past and powers towards the end to keep us guessing at who Ariella is and how her parents will play a role in the future books.

Now let’s talk about Caspian! I think I can safely say Caspian was the glue that held this book together. I adored his utter disregard for his safety as he pursued Ariella and found that his character was EXACTLY what this book needed since Ariella tended to stray towards a darker vibe. I also ADORED how he was head over heels for her but almost oblivious to it until closer to the end. The way he was like a puppy dog around her but then could turn into a Rottweiler when anyone harmed her or got too close was endearing to watch and Dakota was truly able to make him into what Ariella needed. His unending support and belief in her was also the cherry on top in his character arc and I cannot wait to see what he does next…and how he continues to break down her walls.

Ariella and Caspian are a VOLATILE couple. The banner and wit these two have was EPIC and I was wither swooning or sweating or laughing as Caspian played all his cards to just get a tiny bit closer to her. The whole “assassin and Crown Prince” vibes were done really well and I salivated over the forbiden-ness of their romance but also adored how they each found solace in the other. What truly did me in thought was Caspian’s acceptance about who she was and how she would never be the demure and polite royal but he fell for her anyway. I also appreciated how Dakota made Caspian the honorary keeper of Ariella’s secrets regarding her past, magic and the reason she was in the castle outside of being in the trials. The push and pull these two share in this book was explosive but Dakota only set up the final events for book 2 to have much more in store and I cannot wait!

Also on a side note...can we talk about Gavriel?? I adore that man and cannot wait to see all the steam come from his ears when Ariella and Caspian continue to grow closer!

Rating: 100+, Ariella and Caspian were a couple made in h3ll in this book and I adored Every. Minute. Of. It! Dakota blew me away with this book and you can bet I am eagerly anticipating book 2!

Thank you NerdFam & Dakota for this eARC!