I am so in love with reading indie authors in this wave of "overhyping copycat books'
because this book is a masterclass in how to take an already-there idea, be inspired by Fae Folklore then come up with your own story, plotline and character arcs.

The Throne of Shadows is an upper YA high fantasy. This means that there are violence, gore, and sexual implications that are not suitable for those under 15.

The world-building is simple but not too simple to consider it juvenile. There are two Lands, and each Land is divided into kingdoms. The story here takes place in the Land of Lela, divided into Khero, Selay and Menah. These Lands were inhabited by magical unicorns and Fae creatures, however, their sighting has been so rare that people started considering them a myth.

There are four POVs, two of the main characters, Cora and Teryn, and two side characters, Princess Mareleau and Larylis (Teryn's half-brother). Although most of the book is from the main characters' POV.

we are introduced to Cora, a witch living with the Forest Folk because she is hiding from being accused of murdering the Queen and Princess. She forges a friendship with a mighty sassy unicorn who is trying to free his brethren and helps him with his task.
Taryn is forced to marry Mareleau because of his kingdom's debt. meanwhile, Mareleau hates this arrangement and tries to come up with a devious plan to get out of this situation by sending her suitors on a hunt for three unicorns.

Cora and Taryn's paths collide and yep! you guessed it! Enemies to friends (not lovers yet) to enemies again. Their encounter is filled with plot twists and dark magic that set their fate even more together

I cannot say more or else I would spoil but I'll leave you with these two clues

there are unicorns and a horrible beast


and there is a somewhat a Jaffar feel



so many things made me love this book

1- the slow build-up to the story. The book started out ok with a normal YA feel but with each event, you start feeling anxious and attached to the characters and what is happening to them. The clever plot construction and scheme keep you interested and forget that this a 502-page book

2- the characters act their age. When you are reading about 18 and 19-year-olds, most YA books especially fantasy ones give you the feeling that they are 30 or 40 by how they talk and act. Not here. they talk like teenagers and act like teenagers. but at the same time, they have the subtle maturity of teenagers thrown into difficult situations.
I just loved Lex's, a side characters, adorable personality

3- The humor in the dialogue here and there
you recall that water nymph statue? Lily puts her to shame."
"in what way?" Teryn tried to keep a straight face. "Her silent dispostion? Her failure to respond to your tough?"

4- The villain is as good or even better written than the heroes with a very strong background story



5- Each of the characters is flawed. And I do not mean physically, I mean in their characters. Cora has trust issues, Teryn is a pushover, and don't even get me started on Mareleau and Larylis' miscommunication trope.

this is the first book in the trilogy
3rd book comes out in December
and you bet I am going to purchase the series