The King's Shadow by K. M. Shea Series: Gate of Myth and Power #2
Published by K. M. Shea on January 13, 2023
Format: eBook
Pages: 362
ASIN: B0BP5SKF2V
Source: Purchased
I just spent the last month pretending to be the pet cat of an elf king. Today, I discovered we’re enemies.
In a supernatural society filled with vampires, werewolves, and wizards, I’ve always been an outcast with my ability to turn into a housecat. No one knew what I was.
Turns out, I’m a shadow—a race of supernaturals that were wiped out by the elves centuries ago.
Who explains this to me? Noctus, the elf king I’ve been staying with while pretending to be his pet “cat,” not knowing I’m the archenemy of his people. Talk about the most awkward ancestry results ever.
Now I’m stuck staying with Noctus because he can’t let me go thanks to all of his secrets I unwillingly learned as a cat. At least he hasn’t killed me. Yet.
If that isn’t bad enough, I’m being tracked by a creep obsessed with killing me because I’m a shadow, and he doesn’t mind doling out collateral damage during the hunt.
So I’ve got a mysterious elf king holding me captive in his hidden home, a slew of new powers to learn with my revealed ancestry, and a psychopath on my tail. Wow, things are looking up.
It’s time to find out if cats really do always land on their paws.
King’s Captive is the first book in the Gate of Myth and Power urban fantasy trilogy, and is part of the Magiford Supernatural City world. It is an adventure-filled and hilarious take on the Hades and Persephone myth, with a twist of mystery. It’s packed with humor, battles, and a sweet, slow burn romance between an outcast magic user and the deadly king of the elves.
Spiritual Content
Phrases like “handsome-as-an-angel Noctus” are as spiritual as The King’s Shadow gets.
As far as magic goes, The King’s Shadow takes place in the Magiford Supernatural City world (also seen in Hall of Blood and Mercy and Court of Midnight and Deception), which, in addition to humans, is inhabited by wizards, vampires, werewolves, fae, and elves. (There are dragon shifters in the world, too, but neither they nor their magic appears in this book.) All of them have varying magical abilities (as described below).
- Wizards have magical houses and the ability to “bend the elements to/ our will — like fire, wind, water, you get the point — and fight or defend with raw magic.’ (Quoted from Hall of Blood and Mercy #1.)
- “The fae are in a similar but opposite position. Since they have to use things to channel the magic for them, they can use magic for things like sealing powers, disguises, embedding a spell in an item, a strain of hypnosis, and so on.” (Quoted from Hall of Blood and Mercy #1.)
- Though they could “replenish magic” simply by existing, “elves were somewhat similar in that [they] worked best if using an artifact or tool, but it wasn’t fully necessary. The check to [their] power, however, was emotions. An emotionally unstable elf wouldn’t be able to summon even a flicker of magic.” (Quoted from Gate of Myth and Power #1)
- Vampires are typical vampires, except sunlight only makes them weaker and uncomfortable. They have enhanced senses and are faster than werewolves but not as strong.
- Werewolves are typical werewolves who can shift at will. They, like vampires, have enhanced senses. (See difference above.)
- Dragon shifters are the only shifters capable of casting magic.
Violence
Chloe witnesses a turf war between two Seelie trolls and an Unseelie chimera and its handler. To protect the barrier of his realm, Noctus kills some shadow monsters. He also fights off five Seelie fae who try to capture Chloe. After her siblings get kidnapped and beaten, Chloe battles the Seelie and Unseelie monarchs. None of these scenes get graphic.
Drug And Alcohol Content
Not present.
Sexual Content
A near-kiss not so subtly interrupted by the clocktower bell is as heated as The King’s Shadow gets.
Swearing Or Foul Language
Not present.
My Take On The King’s Shadow by K. M. Shea
If the first book in K. M. Shea’s Gate of Myth and Power series was the rollercoaster slowly clickety-clacking its way to the top of the track, The King’s Shadow is the moment of breathless anticipation, the culmination of that slow and steady climb. And though you know it can’t last forever — that the best is yet to come — you can’t help wishing for that moment to go on just a little longer.