ARC Review: A Court of Shadows

18 March 2026     bamxo     ARC, Book Review, Fantasy, Romantasy

A Court of Shadows by Ember-Raine Winters
Series: Unseelie Fae Academy #2
ARC Review: A Court of Shadows
Genres: Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Romantasy
ASIN: B0FSJ7XPDR
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Source: ARC, Booksprout

The Seelie Princess's enemies are out for blood—and these academy walls offer nowhere to hide.

Erica never asked to be found. Raised human, dragged back to a kingdom she barely remembers, and dumped into enemy territory under a fragile peace treaty, she’s left with nothing but a magical book marked by a dangerous prophecy—and a growing list of enemies who want her dead.

To the Unseelie, Erica is a threat. To Prince Maddox, she’s a spy—sent by her parents to uncover his kingdom’s secrets and sabotage his claim to the crown. But when his enemies discover what Erica’s hiding, Maddox is ordered to seduce the truth from her before someone else kills her to get it first.

But when Erica’s life is repeatedly threatened, Maddox comes to his own startling discovery: he's not just pretending anymore. He can’t live without the silver-haired princess, and if he’s not careful, that may just cost him his crown—and both their lives.

Fans of Sarah J Maas and Jennifer L Armentrout will love this spicy enemies to lovers fantasy romance.

Tropes:

  • Dark Fantasy Romance
  • Fated Mates
  • Enemies to Lovers
  • Quest for Power
  • Betrayal
  • Secrets and Lies

My Review

This is the 2nd title in the series, and it did not disappoint!

I often find sequels to be subpar, but this delicious tale has only grown more wicked, smutty and twisty, yet there’s a taste of a sweet romance brewing, fleeting, but it’s under the surface.

This book is a direct follow on with the same character arcs as book one, we get more in depth character developments, more intrigue and more of a deep twisty plot.

I absolutely adored the new touch her and die trope surfacing, along with the internal battle each of them face regarding their feelings.

I loved this book, and I love this series.
I am far too excited to wait for the 3rd installment, so I hope it’s not too far behind.

If you enjoy dark romance, bully romance, Fae, fantasy, mystery, royal families, smutty smut smut, dark twisty plots, academic settings and all those good things, then you will love a
A Court of Shadow.

Make sure you start with A Court of Discovery, otherwise you will be clueless as to what the hell is happening.

This, is fully worthy of my 5 shiny stars.
I worship you Winters. Keep me in the loop for book 3, I’m going crazy with that abrupt ending.
I demand answers!🫨😵‍💫

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