Shadow Trials: An Epic Slowburn Romantasy (Heartless Gods Book 1)
Evelyn Hart
"Thoroughly enjoyed losing myself in Hart's lyrical, poetic writing and intricate worldbuilding. This gorgeous gothic fantasy is led by a strong heroine that you love to root for and a dark, intriguing man I couldn't get enough of. A beautiful tapestry of a book, and a story I can't wait to follow into book two!" – PENN COLE,New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of Spark of the Everflame “What an incredible gothic fantasy debut from Lindsey Hart! The Thorns We Inherit is atmospheric and sexy, with unfolding mysteries that kept me turning the page long into the night.” – DEMI WINTERS, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of The Ashen Series This lush dark gothic fantasy debut by Lindsey Hart weaves haunting worldbuilding, goddess-blessed magic, and an aching slow-burn romance into a story of legacy, devotion, and survival. Perfect for fans of V.E. Schwab, Rachel Gillig, and Hannah Whitten—and for readers who crave gothic fantasy steeped in tension, magic, and emotional depth. Aurelia Moirae never asked for power—or for the gods who carved her bloodline to come calling. When her world collapses, Aurelia is dragged into Nyxarra, a mist-shrouded city ruled by blood bargains, ancient grudges, and magic long thought buried. What begins as a desperate attempt to save her brother quickly unravels into something far more dangerous. With a haunted warrior at her side and a beautiful monster at her throat, Aurelia must face the stories etched into her blood—and the cost of daring to rewrite them. Power is a curse. Love is a risk. And survival may cost her everything she has left. “The thorns we inherit do not ask permission. They prick, they scar, they remind us that beauty was never meant to be harmless. And neither were we."
Onlymisty5 stars on so many levels
"This novel has blown my mind and stolen my heart! Lindsey is vastly talented! She has woven such a tall tale of unique and beautiful world building, with actual found family... like not just because she tells us so... but because the relationships build, grow, and bleed out on every page of this journey! Her side characters are so multi faceted...with their own strengths, traumas, and back stories. The familial relationships cut DEEP and made me cry in EVERY SINGLE interaction. She writes from what feels like an eldest daughter perspective and it resonated so deeply with me... the burdens, the sacrifices, the corner stone... and she never whines or cries or curses her lot in life... she is all heart and does it all for love. The level of mental health representation in this story demands and requires applause. I applaud Lindsey for the courage and vulnerability to address these things, and the sheer scope of creative genius it must have taken to fit it into a fantastical world. These are the types of things I obsess over in Demi Winters books. So well done! I will gladly read any and everything this woman puts out because it was Chefs kiss. Debut my butt.... somebody lying! Soooooo goooood! Read this if you're a fan of Rachel Gillig (A Knight and the Moth), Demi Winters (The Road of Bones), Sarah A. Parker (When the Moon Hatched), Amber V. Nicole (The Book of Azrael), Callie Hart (Quicksilver), Stacey McEwan (A Forsaken Alchemy).... if you like reading, and you like beautiful thoughtful stories...READ THIS!!!!! ["
May 21, 2026 Verified Purchase
HavokI Feel Feminine Rage.... 3 2 1
""The thorns we inherit do not ask permission They prick. They scar. They remind us that beauty was never meant to be harmless. And neither were we." Aurelia Moirae is pulled into a world she never asked for, where her bloodline ties her to something far more dangerous than she understands. After her life begins to unravel, she is forced into Nyxarra, a city wrapped in mist, power, and old magic that feels as alive as the people who rule it. What starts as a mission to save her brother quickly shifts into something heavier, where every choice feels like it carries a cost she may not be able to afford. Aurelia is easily one of the strongest parts of this story. She has a quiet resilience that grows into something sharper as the story progresses, and there is a depth to her that feels like it has only just been scratched. You can feel that there is more waiting beneath the surface, especially with how the ending leaves her story hanging in a way that promises something much more intense in the next book. There is a strong sense that her journey is heading toward something fueled by feminine rage, and I am fully invested in seeing that unfold. The dynamic between the characters adds a layer of tension that keeps everything moving. It feels very intentional, almost like each character is being placed with purpose, even if their full roles are not clear yet. Her brother stands out as a looming emotional thread. There is a sense that he will either become a major driving force in her story or the very thing that breaks her. That uncertainty adds a quiet weight to everything Aurelia does. Then there is Malachi and Kaelith, who both bring completely different shades of darkness. One feels more controlled, the other more dangerous, and the story does a good job of making you question what their roles will ultimately be. It is not entirely clear who will take the place of the main love interest, or if that line will blur, but either way there is going to need to be some serious groveling to make any of it work. Malachi’s perspective in particular stood out and added a level of depth that made me want more of him on the page. The world itself is vivid and atmospheric. Nyxarra feels rich with history, magic, and tension, and the concept of blood bargains and old grudges gives it a strong foundation. That said, I did find myself wanting more time to sit in that world. The pacing moves a bit quickly in places, and there were moments where more detail and breathing room would have made the emotional and world building elements hit even harder. Overall, this was a strong start to a series. While the writing style was not always exactly what I personally prefer, the story, characters, and underlying tension carried it to a solid four star read for me. The ending leaves a lot open, but in a way that feels intentional rather than incomplete. I am especially looking forward to seeing Aurelia step fully into her power and what that will cost her when everything begins to unravel further. ["
April 13, 2026