Content levels
Trigger warnings
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
Revealing Shadows and the Guardians of Areli series are perfect for fans of Carrie Cotton's The Huntress, Karen Hancock's Legends of the Guardian King , Ronie Kendig's Abiassa's Fire , or Morgan Busse's Ravenwood Saga. There is treachery without. And treachery within. Prince Beniah receives this cryptic warning when a lethal storm drives him to take refuge in the Western Cliffs. Yet the tension between him and his father compels him to hide his investigation. Evidence of conspiracy continues to stack. A divisive treaty. Scarred earth. The opening of Areli’s borders to their ancient enemy. A murder. As the threat to his kingdom escalates, Beniah faces chilling questions … Who is the mastermind? And who is their ultimate target? Anne has lived her life cloaked in obscurity and rejection. Hidden behind a hair scarf and tinted glasses, she serves the High King and Areli with quiet devotion. But disturbing revelations force her to choose between staying safe in the shadows or betraying her sect by reaching across the class chasm for help. As the web of mystery tightens, Beniah’s and Anne’s paths—and loyalties—cross treasonous boundaries, making discovery even more dangerous. Yet when their enemies close in, no safe options remain. Either they step into the light and risk revealing their deepest-held secrets … Or they let the shadows swallow them whole. *** Rev ealing Shadows is the first book in the romantic fantasy trilogy, Guardians of Areli and is preceded by the prequel, Reviving Embers. This saga is written for the adult market and is set in an alternate earth history, non-magical – but supernaturally fantastical – story world. Readers who love ... Character-driven tales Slow burn romance Rebellious princes Deep love stories (meaningful/fade to black) Class prejudice Cinderella vibes Political conspiracy Action/Fight scenes Soul stirring journeys … will find all this and so much more in Rev ealing Shadows and the books to follow. The prequel to this trilogy is Reviving Embers, a story set twenty years earlier featuring some of the supporting characters in this book, as well as the dynamics/backstory that leads to what happens in the rest of the trilogy. Even though each book has its own satisfying ending, this series is best read in order as each book builds on the next. For readers who love to have every single piece of the story in order, read as follows: Reviving Embers, prequel to The Guardians of Areli trilogy Of Dust and Stars (a novella available for free at the back of Reviving Embers ) Revealing Shadows, book 1 of The Guardians of Areli trilogy Of Queens and Sons (bonus scene available for free at the back of Revealing Shadows ).
Is Revealing Shadows appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 16 and up.
This Christian-influenced fantasy contains political conspiracy, murder, action/fight scenes, and class prejudice themes. Romance is slow-burn and fade-to-black, with meaningful emotional depth but no explicit content.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, mild sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include murder, class struggle, and betrayal (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens will enjoy the Cinderella-inspired romance between a rebellious prince and a hidden outcast as they uncover dangerous political secrets.