I loved the concept of this book and its unique magic system, however I just struggled to immerse myself in the story. I felt throughout the book there wasn’t really a main goal - was Thea wanting to be a council member? Or was she tracking down her memories? I always felt the romance went from 0 to 100, without much tension which there was supposed to be. Towards the end I did start to get into it more so I most likely will continue the series.

Forbidden Romance. Slow Burn. Dragon Shifters. Gods and Witches. Found Family. Yes Please.

Memories lost and full of unknown power, Theodora Moore tries to find answers from the mark on her chest, those within the Kingdom and her dreams, all while trying to battle with her feelings towards Prince Clayton Vail.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting lost in the world building and connecting with the characters in Arcadia Rayne's debut novel. The world building was done perfectly where I wasn't overwhelmed in description and information, where I could picture everything so clearly.

The prologue started off action packed, with questions I was dying to find the answers too. If you are looking for a fast-paced romantasy then this is definitely one to pick up. Perfect for first time romantasy readers.
The plot overall kept me turning pages needing answers and that final chapter done the job in wanting me to pick up book 2 ASAP. Talk about a cliffhanger. The intricacies of this world and power systems was not overwhelming for a fantasy but done to a point where you won't get lost or confused.

The slow burn, the banter... was everything I need from a romantasy. Then a the forbidden aspect. I was giggling and kicking my feet. I can't wait to see more of Clay and Thea in book 2.
I will say, I wish we had more training scenes of these two!

Please make sure you check the content warnings before reading.
Thank you Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op and Arcadia Rayne for the eARC of this book for an honest review.

This is such a wonderful debut novel. From the very beginning, we are thrown right into the story. Every chapter continued to be fast paced and action packed. And I loveddddd the magic system. As a long time fan of Percy Jackson, I am a sucker for stories involving gods and allllll the drama that comes with them.

Our FMC has wonderful character development throughout the book and by the end, I couldn’t help but truly admire her strength and resilience.

“But I did it then. I bowed to my people. Because who is it that truly rules a land, if not the people within it?”

This is a very slow burn romance. And a forbidden one at that. I am rooting so hard for Thea and Clay.

“I wanted so much, but above all, I wanted him.”

And let’s not forget to mention that ending?! I genuinely did not see it coming. I love when a book can surprise me. I just know the next book is going to be insane in the best way.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for this ARC!

I loved this book, I was easily sucked into the plot and wasn’t expecting the ending at all! Very grateful I have received an arc for book this book and the second one because after that ending I RAN to book number two! Can’t wait to see where this series goes. It’s really unique in the world building with nods towards Greek mythology but a interesting spin on it… would highly recommend

After looking at the other reviews, I’m questioning if we read the same book. The writing felt very juvenile at times, the plot felt predictable to me, & many of the characters felt as though they should be young teens—not adults. I kept waiting for this book to stand out, to shock me, to bring some kind of element to the table to keep me engaged. It fell very short. I’m a huge fantasy & romantasy reader. I’m constantly looking for new books that will take me on adventure I don’t want to put down. This book didn’t have it.

Immediate 5 star read! It has ALL the tropes you desire and I couldn’t get enough!
DRAGON SHIFTERS, Lost heir, elemental power, God descendants, fierce enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, dream walker, untouched power, unknown powers, found family… just to name a few!
You wake up with Thea and follow her on this journey of rediscovery, with lost memories and a sassy, fierce attitude. The slow burn, forbidden romance is to DIE for with a protective MMC with glittering golden eyes, with a tendency to breathe fire and gain some scales when he’s angered *smirk*
The world building is amazing with a strong found family built up throughout the story and I couldn’t recommend it enough!

The Rose in the Shadows is a must-read for anyone who loves a fast-paced, romantasy! TRINS is the first book of the series and by the time I reached the last page, I wasn't sure who wanted answers more: Thea or ME!!!! I think by now we are all a little bit weary of the "trials" trope so, I loved how the author wove the trope into the plot without making book one consist of only trials. In fact, I was even asking myself when I finished reading, "wait, what about the trials??". I am excited to see how the characters and plot progress in book 2 but I must confess that I am not entirely sold on Clayton as Thea's HEA and am secretly hoping another MMC makes an appearance in the next book.

Thank you so much to Arcadia Raye & NetGalley for the Arc Opportunity

"The Rose in the Shadows" is a truly remarkable book.  We initially know little about the main female character, but we follow her journey as she explores friendship, love, and politics, gradually discovering her identity and place in this new world.

I found the magic system captivating; each house in the kingdom is associated with a god, granting them unique powers.

The romantic tension between the main female character and the male character was intensely compelling.

I eagerly anticipate the next book and am curious to see how the story unfolds.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher of *The Rose in the Shadows* for the wonderful opportunity to review this ARC.

This book! THIS! BOOK! I slipped right into this world and never wanted out!

After waking up in an infirmary in the Athenian castle, with no memory of who she is or how she got there, Theodora is thrust into a world of court politics and manoeuvring. She bears The Mark of Hyrax, labelling her as the last descendant of the House of Hyrax. Which makes her valuable and a target. Theodora needs to uncover the secrets of her past, all while training to wield her newfound powers, avoiding "The Dragon" King of Athenia, who wants to use her for political gain, trying her best not to fall for the annoyingly handsome Prince Clayton that seems to want nothing to do with her, yet is always there when she needs him, oh, and figuring out who the heck keeps trying to kill her!

This book needs to be on everyone’s radar! The world was full and developed, giving you twists you don't see coming. The characters were impeccable, found family at its finest. I was infatuated with Theodora and Clayton's slow burn, forbidden romance, pinning... ughhh!!! It was delicious! The world, the magic, everything! Did I mention the cliffhanger? I want more; I need more; please give me more!

4.5 ⭐

Awoken with no memory, Theadora Moore can only rely on the mark inked on her for answers. Thea learns her mark represents that she is the last Descendant of Hyrax, the God of the Dead, a house thought to be extinct. Thea becomes engrained in the politics of Athenia, destined to become a member of the Royal Council, and now has magical powers she must learn to control. With assassination attempts and threats from the Dragon king become common occurrences, she turns to Prince Clayton Vail, crown prince of the kingdom, for guidance. Will the prince ensure her survival or will he be her downfall?

I was incredibly impressed that this was Arcadia's debut novel as it is more than just a romantasy - it touches upon grief, PTSD, addiction, mental health, and shows readers that you are never truly powerless (even when you feel like you might be). Thea's strength of acknowledging her weaknesses and struggles while still pushing to do the right thing, carry on with her duties, and being the best version of herself is inspiring. I think we all face moments when we think the pressures of the world fall on our shoulders like Thea. This story shows that when you believe in yourself and confide in a support system, you are stronger than you could have ever imagined. Thea's resilience to oppressive authority and sticking up for her beliefs is admirable. I loved her character, especially how brave she was despite not knowing her past or her own strength.

Clay quickly stole a piece of my heart with his intentions, caring soul, and his complex backstory. The slow burn forbidden romance filled with yearning, subtle gestures to show affection, and heartbreaking twists had my soul aching. I am excited to see where their love story will go (and it best be in the right direction!). The secondary characters were all complex as well. Thea, alone in this new world, manages to surround herself with friends that become her family. There were many betrayals that occurred by the end of the book, and each one pierced new holes in my heart. I grew attached to many of Thea and Clay's friends in ways that I didn't expect. I wonder if and when the betrayers will be able to find a way back into Thea's life.

The world building was intricate, in a non overwhelming, digestible way. I love how elements of the lore are a play on Greek mythology. As the reader, it was fun learning about the world as Thea was learning the history and piecing together parts of her past.

Overall, I cannot wait to read the second installment in this series. This book is perfect for those that enjoy:
✨ slow burn romance
✨ interesting world building
✨ amnesia
✨ magic and shifters
✨ badass FMC
✨ royals and politics
✨ one bed

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Rose in the Shadows - Arcadia Rayne
5✨
I devoured this book, it had me hooked from page one! Usually I am not the biggest fan of protagonist with amnesia but here it really worked. The world building was great, the plot and characters amazing. The twists and turns just kept on coming and I am here for it. I adored our FMC, she is fierce, loyal, strong minded and gosh is she powerful. Clay is the perfect love interest, forbidden and protective. Her found family is great and they all have such nice chemistry. I can’t wait to dive into book 2 of this series and see what happens next! If you like the following,
🥀Forgotten past
🥀Powerful FMC
🥀Enemies to lovers
🥀Kingdoms and courts
🥀Found family
🥀Mythology
🥀Descendants of Gods
🥀Captive
🥀Dragons
this book is for you!
Thank you NetGalley and Arcadia for this ARC, I am leaving this review voluntarily💕

I recently discovered "The Rose in the Shadows" when I requested an Advanced Reader Copy of its sequel, "The Crown of the Dark Prince". "The Rose in the Shadows" was a compelling and fast-paced read. I appreciated the elements of fantasy, court politics, and the mystery surrounding Thea, along with the theme of betrayal. From the outset, it was evident that this book would be difficult to put down, and I eagerly anticipated the second book. Although the ending was somewhat jarring, being able to dive right into "The Crown of the Dark Prince" eased the ending for me. Overall, I really enjoyed reading “The Rose in the Shadows” and look forward Rayne’s next works. 3.75 stars.

Okay wow! This book was so fascinating I’m so glad I got approved for both books so I can instantly continue on!!
I devoured this book wait no… is they a word that means more than devoured? If so I mean that.
The plot was fast paced and easy to follow full of fantasy, mystery and a whole lot of betrayal.
The romance aspect had me giggling and kicking my feet and I genuinely had to stop and put the book down at some parts(in the best way!)
This was one of the best Debut novels I’ve read in a WHILE

I really enjoyed this book. It took me about 59 pages to get into it but once I was, I was hooked! The book starts off jumping right into action and felt so lost, but eventually I caught up and started enjoying it. The characters have good banter. I really like the FMC- she reminds me of SJM’s ToG FMC Smart, cunning, and strong. A lot of books make the FMC seem like they all need rescuing, not this one, and I love it! I cant wait to read The Crown of the Dark Prince when it comes out!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and author Arcadia Rayne for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The publication date was last year and I am so glad I got to read it! My review on GoodReads has already been posted.

Wowwwww!! 😭❤️ this was such an intricate and fascinating book! Book 1 of this series was absolutely amazing!! My heart broke at different points for Thea and Clay, as well as the entire friend group, especially Iris. I really hope Iris can heal from all the things she endured emotionally. The world building was incredibly easy to follow. It made it super easy to picture Athenia in my mind.

While the plot, premise, and ideas do follow what most fantasy books are about (magic, forbidden love, a kingdom in need of a new ruler, a secret enemy, etc.) the author truly made Athenia and the characters stand out in its own unique world. The descriptions were stunning and I felt so connected to the characters!! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series! Hoping for a HEA for Thea and Clay 💓🤞

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review of this book.

3.75 rounded up
This was a unique take on a fantasy romance with a blend of mythology, mystery, court politics, witchcraft, and magic. There's a lot readers will love about this start to the series - the beginning of the story opens up with our main cast meeting each other in the thick of the action and the story is quite fast-paced at the beginning. The author did a great job of balancing not only developing the MMC and FMC but also making us care about the supporting cast. I can't quite put my finger on it but I felt it was a bit hard to connect with the main FMC at times... I felt her personality varied a bit throughout the book and she responded to things in ways I didn't expect her to so it kind of threw me off. The romance was secondary to the main overarching plot but readers will still get their fill of a slow burn and that reveal at the end will leave them begging for the second book.

This is a spoiler-free review!

I would first like to thank NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review. After suddenly appearing, Theadora Moore is found to be the last Descendant of Hyrax, and she is thrown into royal politics and attempts on her life. With no memory of who she is or how she ended up here, she must navigate life as a royal and tune into the magic that very much but a target on her back. Prince Clayton Vail is weary to trust this girl who has already caused an amount of destruction without intention, and he must determine if her presence at court will be one of distraction or duty.

The amnesia trope is something I have actually rarely come across - sure, there have been points in books where characters have lost their memories after being cursed or drinking potions, but I do not recall more than a few times where the lead has had no memory from the beginning. It creates such a unique challenge for not only the lead, but for the supporting characters who have to discover if Thea is able to be trusted. Watching her grow into herself and work to discover how she ended up with such a target on her back and searching for answers.

Clay's immediate mistrust of Thea is not unexpected - in fact, if he trusted her immediately, I would have been weary of Clay's reasoning abilities. As he continues to side eye her throughout the days and warn everyone within a hundred foot vicinity that she should not be so easily welcomed, we also see the longing gazes and beginnings of protectiveness towards her. I loved his character - I would not go as far to say that he is stand-offish, but rather as heir, he must be cautious on who he interacts with and opens up to. The bickering between Thea and Clay was definitely a highlight of this book, and truly showed how their relationship developed over time.

Thea may be a stranger to her own memories, but that does not hinder the way she interacts with those in court or her boldness when it comes to making a scene for the good of the people. She is strong-headed and often times it does have consequences, not only for herself, but for others. I do think a lot of the supporting characters do place a lot of strong feelings on her - she is incredibly new to the idea that she is a princess, and yet she is under scrutiny at every turn. That being said, supporting characters like Iris have been by her side essentially since the beginning, and you can tell that she does have a support system in place, no matter how small it is.

The action in this book is certainly captivating, and I found myself truly enjoying the intensity - it reminded me a lot of Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard in that regard. There were so many instances where I felt as though I could not turn the page fast enough - sure, there is world-building in the beginning, but even so, there is action right from the start. The author had a clear vision of what she wanted to convey with this story, and I appreciate the fact that she took the time to development side characters without sacrificing the main plot or Thea's development. Both Thea and Clay have such strong presences in this book, and are the main drawing point for me to continue reading this series and seeing where it goes. If you are looking for an adult fantasy to keep you on the edge of your seat, The Rose in the Shadows is definitely for you.

Started fast paced and action packed. Which hooked me in to continuing reading straight away… then couldn’t put it down!

Mystery, magic and more. The lead FMC has no memory and you are on a journey to find out more about her. She finds new friends and one is the unruly crown prince… but is he her enemy or friend?

🐉 Magic, gods, descendants and dragons with court politics thrown in for good measure. All the perfect ingredients for a fantasy novel!

‼️ Tropes - touch her and die, found family, only one room at the inn, romantancy, tension building, trials

Available for everyone from 11 April!

#TheRoseintheShadows #NetGalley #ARCRead #romantancyreads #booktok #bookstagram #booktokuk #booktokfyp #fyp #reading #fantasyreader #tbr #booklife #fantasyworld

Magic, mystery, and a prince who may or may not be trustworthy—what more could you ask for? The House of Hyrax sweeps you into a world of courtly intrigue, where danger lurks in the shadows and secrets whisper through the halls. With a dash of romance and a heroine bound by fate, this enchanting tale is one you won’t want to put down!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#TheRoseInTheShadows #NetGalley

First of all, I want to say thank you to NetGalley and publisher who accepted my request for this book and gave me opportunity to read it.

The book is really interesting, especially, if you love Greek Mythologies. Although, Rayne did some modification to the name of the Gods, that's still fun!

The story is written in first person POV. So, if you like that as well, this would be nice for you. The FMC (Thea) is strong and determined. The MMC (Clay) is so sweet beneath his "stern" mask. The friendship is really heartwarming, too. This book serves the found-family trope nicely!

Overall, I would say this book is a fantastic debut!