Curse of Shadows and Thorns by L.J. Andrews
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Audience: New Adult — Genre: Fantasy — Sub-Genre: Romance —
Length: Print: 356 pages • Audio: 10:38:00 — Dates Read: 09.25.25 – 09.28.25 — Spice Level: ★ ★ ★ — Plot: ★ ★ ★



🕊️ ➞ Top 5 Tropes:

Forced Proximity — Political Intrigue — Touch Her, You Die —
Hidden Powers — Chosen One




🕊️ ➞ Synopsis:

A bargain between enemies. A curse without an end. A love that will bring a kingdom to its knees.

Long ago, Elise’s ancestors stole the crown from the fae king. As the niece of the brutal, current king, her purpose is to do whatever is asked to ensure her family keeps the throne for centuries to come. The trouble is, Elise would rather sneak into gambling halls with the servants than be a silent princess at a ball.

Soon, reckless games are ended when her uncle forces her into negotiations for a marriage. If she refuses, her deathly ill father will pay the price.

Trapped by her sense of duty, Elise is given to the charge of Legion Grey, the handsome and mysterious dowry negotiator. But Legion holds more than her future in his hands. He incites her anger and a forbidden passion.

When a coup upends the kingdom, Elise flees with Legion, only to discover he holds more secrets than anyone. Unknowingly, Elise sets in motion a beastly curse Legion has endured as long as he can remember.

As secrets unravel about Legion’s vicious past, questions rise over who has the true right to the throne. When answers come, more lives are put at stake, and Elise is forced to make an impossible choice: avoid a bloody game by leaving Legion to the beast within, or end his curse and restore magic to the land by sacrificing a life–hers.

For fans of Court of Thorns and Roses and The Shadows Between Us, this tale of a rebellious princess and cursed rogue is seductively romantic. Part Viking, part Beauty and the Beast, one-click to preorder a dark, swoon-worthy slow burn romance with the perfect amount of sweet and steam.



🕊️ ➞ My Thoughts:

***Possible Spoilers below

Curse of Shadows & Thorns took a bit to get into; the first 200 pages were mostly focused on world-building, the romance, and courtly intrigue. The action picked up towards the end, and since it was such a quick read, I’m excited to see how the plot develops over the next 5 books.

Overall, it was a good read. The FMC, Elise, was very strong-willed and just — which I love. Her family was useless. Runa was a B!tch, her mother was weak, and her father was a cuck. The royal monarchy was strange; the king’s consorts were more revered than the queen, and the “b@stard” children were considered legitimate heirs.

Also side note —

Runa was betrothed to her first cousin….



Both were twisted twits anyway.

Legion Grey was everything. Only, I hated the ending and his change in mindset once he learned his true identity. Elise deserved better.



🕊️ ➞ My Favorite Quotes:

“Books are my windows to another world, another life.”

“Do you think being witty when I have your hands bound is the wisest choice, Elise?”

“Are you asking if I’m pleased to injure your pride by not groveling for my life at your feet? Yes, absolutely.”

“I ask how I am to give you to some fool because I do not know how. How am I to accomplish anything I set out to do here when my heart burns to have you for myself?”

“All of this is what you deserve in a match. And I wish, by the gods, I wish I could be the one to give it to you.”

🕊️ ➞ Conclusion:

Curse of Shadows & Thorns was a fun read that left me with questions and a desire to learn more. I am excited to finish this series and see where the author takes the lore. I recommend this book to those who love political feuds, courtly drama, forbidden romances, and hidden agendas.

Have you read Curse of Shadows & Thorns? What were your thoughts on the pace of the story? How about the romance? Did it flow smoothly, or did it seem forced? How do you feel about Elise’s past with the Blood Wraith and how it continued to haunt her dreams and current life? How did you feel about Legion? How about the ending and Legion’s choice? Drop a comment with your thoughts!

– ♡ L.B.

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