Slaying the Shadow Prince Review
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️
What is Slaying the Shadow Prince?
Slaying the Shadow Prince is a standalone prequel book in The Legends of Thezmarr series. Meaning it can be read with, or independently from, the original series. However, I highly recommend reading it alongside The Legends of Thezmarr. While Slaying the Shadow Prince does a good job summing up the world so that you could enjoy it independently, you would definitely be missing out on a lot of information that would make the story more emotionally impactful.
Though Slaying the Shadow Prince is part of the Thezmarr world, it was originally released as a part of a series called Mortal Enemies to Monster Lovers. A series made of standalone stories contributed by various authors. Many of the other books in this collaboration series are linked to other series as well. Slaying the Vampire Conqueror is part Carissa Broadbent’s Crown’s of Nyaxia series. While Slaying the Shifter Prince is part of Clare Sager’s Sabreverse.
What is the Legends of Thezmarr?
The Legends of Thezmarr is a completed 4-part epic, romantic fantasy. It is author Helen Scheurer’s debut into the subgenre, having previously written YA fantasy. The main four books of the series need to be read in publication order they are: Blood & Steel, Vows & Ruins, Fate & Furies, and Shadow & Storms. Scheurer also offers a short prequel novella that describes the events leading up to our main character’s story in Blood & Steel for free. Sign up for Scheurer’s newsletter to receive the free prequel, An Alchemist’s Vow.
The author is currently working on a spinoff series, The Ashes of Thezmarr which is intended to be a trilogy. This series can be read independently of Legends of Thezmarr, but will definitely spoil it for you. The first book of this series, Iron & Embers, is currently available with the next being released in July.
It is important to remember this is a dark, romantic fantasy intended for adults. As such, it touches on topics that may be sensitive or too graphic for some readers.
When to Read Slaying the Shadow Prince
There are several ways you can read Slaying the Shadow Prince.
- Standalone: you can read it on its own.
- Chronological Order: Read it after the prequel novella, An Alchemist’s Vow, and before Blood & Steel.
- Publication Order: Read it between Blood & Steel and Vows & Ruins.
- Emotional Impact Order: Read it after Vows & Ruins.
I personally read it in the emotional impact order as recommended by the author. If you like to have a little bit of mystery while reading before having the big, clarifying moments, this is the order for you!
Slaying the Shadow Prince Summary
Slaying the Shadow Prince is a dual POV story following our main female character, Drue, and main male character, Talemir Starling.
Talemir is a renowned warsword sent with his companion, Wilder, to the fallen kingdom of Naarva. Their mission is simple: find and kill Drue Emmerson who is accused of tampering with the steel source that is imperative to killing the Wraith monsters haunting the Midrealms.
Drue is a noblewoman turned wraith-killing-ranger who is determined to end every monster she comes across. The problem? Talemir has become part wraith himself and Drue knows it. She is determined to end him, but will use him to destroy the other monsters in the kingdom and find her beloved ward first. If her undeniable attraction to the wraith-warsword doesn’t get in the way first.
What did I like about the book?
**May contain minor spoilers for Blood & Steel and Vows & Ruins
This is my favorite book in the series so far. It filled in the blanks of the main series so far. I loved learning what happened between Talemir and Wilder to cause such contempt in their relationship. You get so much information for the main series in this book. You get an explanation for Wilder’s actions in the main series and a look into the shadow-touched. You get to see Wilder as a young warsword determined to prove himself and battling with his guilt. Plus, you get a look at his previous love interest Adrienne and an explanation for that infamous sapphire necklace.
I loved seeing the turmoil, fear, and loneliness within Talemir as he dealt with his new reality. The love story between Drue and Talemir felt natural as they battled their own prejudices and worked together to help Naarva and its remaining people.
If you’re considering skipping the book during your reading of The Legends of Thezmarr, don’t! It is a must read to get the full emotional experience of the series.
What did I not like?
Not much. This is my favorite book in the series thus far. As can be expected in any romance, there are some cheesy moments. My only complaint about this book would be the cover. While very pretty and offering a look at the main characters, I am 100% opposed to other people seeing covers like these while I am reading. But it matches the rest of the collaborative series that it is a part of.
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