The powers of old are fading. A new Age is dawning.
Holy relics are all that remain of Theron’s sacred legend. Now those relics, the enchanted weapons forged by the Three-Faced Goddess to help Theron defeat the wicked Sorcerer Argoss, are disappearing.
Lysandro knows the village magistrate Marek is responsible, and he searches for proof disguised as the masked protector the Shadow of Theron. But when Marek wounds him with an accursed sword that shouldn’t exist, Lysandro must find a way to stop Marek from gaining any more artifacts created by the Goddess or her nemesis. The arrival of the beautiful newcomer Seraphine, with secrets of her own, only escalates their rivalry.
As the feud between Lysandro and Marek throws Lighura into chaos, a pair of priestesses seeks to recover the relics and return them to safekeeping. But the stones warn that Argoss is returning, and they must race to retrieve Theron’s most powerful weapon. But as they risk their lives for a legend, only one thing is certain. The three temples to the Goddess have been keeping secrets: not just from the faithful, but from each other.
Wheel of Time readers and fans of Sarah Maas, Saladin Ahmed, and Trudy Canavan will delight in this fantasy adventure duology infused with romance.
*Review*
The Shadow of Theron was my first book by Kathryn Troy, the blurb caught me right away and I can tell you I’m now hooked.
Troy combined her experience as a historian and writer to give us a wonderful, one of a kind story. I loved the Latin/Italian-esque feel to the story. From the language they speak to the amazing world-building. My husband was [is] a huge Legends of Zelda fan, so I appreciated the nod there. My nerdy people will get it once they pick up the book. 😉
As well as all the Zorro/Count of Monte Cristo and The Princess Bride vibes. I know people mentioned that it is also reminiscent of The Wheel of Time, but I’m unfamiliar with that series and cannot make a fair comparison.
I can’t lie, once I started reading I wasn’t sure if The Shadow of Theron was for me. It’s a slower pace than what I’m used to, but it’s necessary. With how the intricate the world building is, not only in scenery, but the lore as well.. it made sense that book was at this pace. The plot, romance, and action really make this up. Once I got a few chapters in, it was hard for me to put the book down.
The action! While there aren’t overly detailed fighting scenes, they aren’t really glossed over either. It is a nice balance.
The scenes with Marek were great. Troy did a fantastic job showing his emotions and his thought processes throughout the entire book, whether he was the main POV in the scene or not. He is a fantastic antagonist.
I LOVED the scenes with Asha and Eugenie. The complemented each other nicely. I look forward to seeing more of them, because there will be more of them.. I hope.
The romance is very sweet. I love how our heroine, Sera, makes our hero, Lysandro, work for her affection. And boy, does he work for it. I’m not a fan of the insta love trope, but it surprisingly works here. This is where I felt the most Princess Bride vibes because Lysandro would go to the ends of the world to protect the woman he loves. The insta love is combined with the no like other girls’ trope. I wouldn’t necessarily say that it’s a love triangle, but I could potentially see it.
I feel some what betrayed with the hand Sancio was dealt. At the same time, it felt right. I won’t say that he is the “token gay character” as there is other same sex relations in the novel that I’m sure we will see more of later, but I felt sad that he was done that way. Again though, his arc was so profound. I cried tears for him.
That ending, though!
I was unprepared for it. I didn’t see it playing out that way, but wow! I’m mentally readying myself for that roller coaster in book two.
Tropes:
Unconventional Friendship
Revenge
Magical/Religious Relics
Not Like the Other Girls
Chosen One/Bloodline
Content Warning:
Violence
Death & Gore
Rape
Mentions of Miscarriage
About the Author: Kathryn Troy
I’m a history professor by day, a novelist by night. I like to write what I read – fantasy, romantic fantasy, gothic fiction, historical fiction, paranormal, horror, and weird fiction. Horror cinema and horticulture are my other passions.
When I’m not reading or writing or teaching, I’m gaming, traveling, baking, or adding some new weird creepy cool thing to my art collection. I’m a Long Island native with one husband, two children, and three rats.
Connect with the author: Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Amazon ~ Goodreads
Be sure to check out an excerpt of The Shadow of Theron, an interview with author Kathryn Troy, as well as a Spotlight feature with a downloadable word search!
Title: The Shadow of Theron (Age of Shadows Book One)
Genre: Romantic Fantasy/Epic Fantasy/Fantasy Adventure
Word Count: 141k
Date of publication: Feb 28 2023
Price: $4.99 (digital), $15.99 (paperback)
Number of pages: 546 pages
Digital ISBN: 978-1-64898-297-2
Print ISBN: 978-1-64898-296-5
Books with a Chance of Traveling 