Review: Ties of Shadow

Ties of Shadow by Alora Carter is another ARC I received from the Tethered Hearts multi-author series about characters who are binded together by magical ties. So far, this series has been surprisingly dark, especially in comparison to Sacrificed Hearts, which shares similar themes. Despite its simplistic nature, this book has some levity to it in the form of cute animal sidekicks that live the shadow world and make wisecracks to the main characters. It does a good job developing the romance and is thematically similar to Mask of Deception and Sacrifice, which was inspired by "Beauty and the Beast" and Phantom of the Opera. The dark/light dynamic of the lead characters works well, allowing them to balance out each other's strengths and weaknesses.

Lady Aelia has a hard time saying "no." She is dangerously loyal to the crown and Prince Leon who was once a dear friend to her. However, when those she is most loyal to ask her to sacrifice herself based on the loose interpretation of a prophecy, she decides she has had enough enough and runs straight into the arms of her kingdom's worst enemy. The Shade, a dark being who possesses shadow magic and lives on the outskirts of the kingdom, swears he will protect her at any cost. He gives her a home, teaches her about his dark powers, and helps her come to terms with some uncomfortable truths about the people she served. Ultimately, Aelia must realize that love does not mean giving up your freedom and happiness to make others happy.

Although the story gets more interesting after Aelia moves in with the Shade, it starts out pretty slow. I had a hard time understanding the mechanics of the world, its magic, and what her duties were for her father and the prince. It was only when she was asked to sacrifice herself that I realized she was in an abusive relationship with multiple people and needed to learn how to respect herself. Once the Shade takes her in, the book really picks up. His world is fully of fantastical beings like talking animals, monsters, and magical glowing objects. He helps her to understand the flaws in her philosophy and takes her under his wing.

The further I got in this book, the more interesting it became. The best parts of the story are not revealed until the final chapters. These parts gave me a much better understanding of the world and everyone's role within. There is a unique magic system in this book that does not feel fully fleshed out. For instance, I knew that the queen was sick due to her powers and they way they responded to the environment, but I was not clear on the details of her sickness and how her magic was affected by it. The Shade has shadow magic, which seemed to mean different things depending on the situation. The specifics of the magic system aren't that important overall because it's a love story first and foremost, but they still would have been nice to know.

Ties of Shadow by Alora Carter is an enlightening tale of self-discovery, loyalty, and the power of love. While the story takes its time to unfold, the world-building and character development ultimately pay off in a satisfying and romantic conclusion. Lady Aelia's journey from naive loyalty to empowered independence is a compelling one, and her dynamic with the enigmatic Shade adds depth and complexity to the narrative. Fans of dark fantasy romance will appreciate the unique magic system and the atmospheric world-building, even if some aspects feel slightly underdeveloped. Overall, Ties of Shadow is a solid addition to the Tethered Hearts series, and readers who enjoy slow-burn romances with a touch of darkness will find plenty to appreciate.