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Shadow Magic
Out of Embers and Shadows follows a woman navigating a fiery landscape in which rival nations are engaged in war as she simultaneously faces the truth about her past. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
In truth the idea stemmed from a long hike where I considered dragons and war. As we hiked both up and then back down a mountain in Slovenia I distracted myself from the grueling steepness by imagining dragons and the dynamics that would be at play if I had a dragon and others did not. Then I began to build a war around that idea and thus the Shadowfire series sparked to life.
How did you balance magic and its use throughout the story to keep it believable?
Magic is alive everywhere and for fantasy readers, I think it’s important to make it as a part of the characters as breathing is. Lora doesn’t just have shadow magic when she needs it, she feels the pulse of her power along her arms, in her very blood. She uses shadows that are already there and her magic dances with the flames from Emir or Garrison. Magic is not simply used; it is in every fiber of these characters’ being. I think having it that way helps to make the world more immersible and the magic more believable.
Lora is a memorable main character. What was the inspiration for her traits and dialogue?
I LOVE reading books that have strong female leads who are unapologetically themselves (Think Jude from Cruel Prince or Aelin from Throne of Glass). As I started really diving into the fantasy genre, I realized a lot of the female leads still leaned heavily on their male counterparts – either to train them or support them emotionally. I got tired of this so instead of searching for a book that had an already confident and highly skilled female lead – I wrote one!
Can you give us a peek inside book 2 in this series? Where will it take readers?
Book 1 is such a whirlwind and book 2 immediately picks up where book 1 leaves off. You follow Lora and Kalon as they grapple with their new “relationship” all while Lora is trying to rediscover herself while still running from her past. There are definitely more twists and turns in this one and I am excited to see how readers react to certain actions and revelations!
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In a world where the clash between rival nations ignites the flames of war, Lora finds herself thrust into a whirlwind of unexpected alliances and dangerous secrets. Forged with a singular purpose, she was meant to be the weapon that brings down the Shades’ greatest foes, the war-mongering Drakes.
But fate has other plans when Lora is captured by the very enemy she was trained to destroy. Desperate to escape, Lora is offered a bitter bargain: aid her enemies in their quest, and in return, she’ll be granted freedom from the relentless grip of war.
Lora must navigate the murky waters of trust and betrayal, where the boundaries between friend and foe blur with each passing moment.
If you’ve already sacrificed everything, what else is there to lose?
Dive into a realm brimming with magic, dragons, and unexpected twists in Out of Embers and Shadows. Perfect for fans of thrilling adventures like Throne of Glass and The Bridge Kingdom, this epic fantasy will whisk you away on a journey of bravery, betrayal, and the enduring power of friendship. This tale includes an enemies-to-lovers romance, an endearing found family, LGBT representation, a battle of good versus evil, a journey of self discovery, and so much more.
Join Lora as she embarks on a journey that will test her courage, challenge her beliefs, and ultimately define her fate. Prepare to be spellbound from the very first page — click now and lose yourself in the adventure!
Out of Embers and Shadows
Shelby Oval’s Out of Embers and Shadows, the inaugural book in the Shadowfire series, is an electrifying dive into a world ravaged by war, shadowy intrigue, and deeply human struggles. It follows Lora, a tough, sarcastic, and resourceful heroine, as she navigates a treacherous landscape filled with dragons, shadow armies, and uneasy alliances. The story’s gripping opening plunges readers into chaos, setting the stage for a journey that is as much about survival and loyalty as it is about uncovering the truth of Lora’s past.
One of the things I liked most about this book is its biting dialogue and unflinching narration. Lora’s internal monologue brims with wit and a kind of hard-edged vulnerability that makes her instantly relatable. Early scenes, like her survival atop a dragon she initially sees as an enemy, are charged with tension and dark humor. Her complex dynamic with Garrison and the dragon Emir adds layers of intrigue, blending mistrust, dependence, and reluctant camaraderie. Oval balances world-building with action, but at times, the pacing in these moments felt slightly rushed, leaving some character motivations a bit hazy.
The world-building is where Oval truly shines. The eerie descriptions of villages turned to ash are haunting and atmospheric. The author draws readers into a richly detailed setting where dragons, shadow armies, and magical powers are not just elements of fantasy but deeply integrated into the fabric of the story. Certain moments, such as Lora’s mysterious transformations or the glowing silver fire connected to her spark intrigue, but I think it would benefit from a bit more detail.
What stuck with me most was the emotional weight behind Lora’s quest. She’s driven by a desperate need to rescue her friend Kacey, whose fate looms like a shadow over the story. Oval has crafted scenes that fairly pulse with emotion. These moments make the stakes feel real and personal, even as the plot escalates into broader political and magical conflicts.
Out of Embers and Shadows is an enthralling start to a series that promises epic battles, deep betrayals, and a heroine who refuses to back down, no matter how stacked the odds. Fans of dark fantasy, morally complex characters, and dragons (especially snarky ones) will find much to enjoy here. While it leaves some questions unanswered, this book sets up its sequel with a tantalizing sense of anticipation. I’d recommend it to readers who love the grit of The Priory of the Orange Tree and the emotional stakes of Sarah J. Maas’s works.
Pages: 560 | ASIN : B0D29F1Q99
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