Shadow Trials: An Epic Slowburn Romantasy (Heartless Gods Book 1)
Evelyn Hart
by Laura A Blake
Brida’s world fractures when betrayal pulls her from the familiar into the lethal depths of the Court of Whispers. Abducted by someone she once trusted, she finds herself a pawn in a high-stakes game where secrets serve as the only currency and her own identity is the most dangerous mystery of all. As she navigates a landscape of shifting allegiances and shadowed truths, Brida must confront the unsettling reality of her mother’s past and the true nature of the power blooming within her.
Caught in a web of political intrigue, Brida is forced to rely on the very person who orchestrates her confinement. Their volatile dynamic pulses with electrifying tension, balancing a precarious dance of mutual suspicion and undeniable attraction. Every step toward the truth threatens to dismantle the foundation of her world, forcing her to choose between the safety of her past and the terrifying potential of who she must become to survive.
In a realm where names are lies and memory is a weapon, Brida must master the chaos of her heritage before the sky shatters completely. The cost of freedom is high, but the price of remaining a pawn is everything she has left.
Ashley McLeodThe world building in this series is phenomenal, and I loved this book even more than the first one!
"After the way The Forgotten Dawn ended, I was so excited to pick this one up and dive back into this world! Tides of Memory picks up right where book one left off, and this time we get multiple POVs as the main group of characters is pulled in different directions. I really liked this choice because it lets you get to know the other characters better and see what each of them is going through on their individual journeys. Even though they're separated, all the separate storylines remain interconnected in a way that fits together seamlessly without ever becoming confusing. There’s a lot more emotional depth in this installment because of the events at the end of book one, and Laura writes these moments in a way that makes you feel completely immersed in the characters and their struggles as they battle the world, other people, and sometimes even themselves. I also loved the expansion of the already incredible world-building introduced in the first book. You learn more about the history of the world and the characters, and everything is connected in such an incredibly creative way. If you're looking for a story with a lot of spice, you won’t really find that here. But honestly, with everything else happening in the story, I didn’t miss it at all. There’s still romance between several characters, but instead of overtaking the plot like it does in many books, it enhances the story and makes it even stronger. This book reveals so much about both the world and the characters, and there were several twists I genuinely didn’t see coming—especially the one at the end. I've loved this series so far and can’t wait to see what happens next! ["
May 21, 2026 Verified Purchase
Kindle CustomerExceptional and emotional sequel
"The story continues where we left off in a great way. We learn many new things about the world as well as the characters. There were twists I didn't see coming. There were some jumps requiring concentration, but you need to do the work to get to the next turn in the story. The biggest thing is the way this book made me feel all the feelings and I really needed my tissues. I am so happy there is more to come still, because this was the best read in awhile for me ["
May 17, 2026 Verified Purchase
crombiestarsGreat epic fantasy romance!
"Tides of Memory is Book 2 in The Shattered Sky Saga and an epic fantasy romance with immersive worldbuilding, high stakes, secrets, and betrayals. I loved book 2 as much as I loved book 1. There are more POV’s in book 2, which I enjoy, and it gives the story more depth and extra layers. The beginning was a little slow and I had no idea where it was going to go, but then it picks up and all starts to make sense. It reads quite different from book 1 and a little darker, but I enjoyed it all the same. There is a lot of lore, emotional depth, plot twists, and the introduction to new characters. There is a lot to think about throughout this book and it had my mind reeling on the possibilities. It answers questions left from book 1, but then makes you ask more questions by the end of book 2. Overall, this is an amazing read left on another cliffhanger and I can’t wait for the next book. If you love epic fantasy romance, elemental magic, rich world-building, fae courts, meddling gods, new worlds, slow burn, political intrigue, and multi POV (in book 2) I definitely recommend checking out this series! Thank you to the author for a free copy. I am voluntarily leaving a review, and all thoughts are my own. ["
May 20, 2026
ReadandListenThe World Has Grown! And It is An Adventure!
"Thank you to the author and her team for the ARC to read and review this book. I loved The Forgotten Dawn, but, this book is another Book 2 that I loved so much more! I am a big fan of world building, and piecing together mysteries of the past to understand the present, and Tides of Memory has that. We pick up where we left off, which is always a nice way to begin. We immediately know who the villains are, and check in with our main characters who have been separated from each other. I loved getting to know Brida more and reading her work through her current predicament. There was a larger mystery there to be solved. Kaidian was one of my favorites! I am even more happy he is so important to Brida as a good friend. His character was hilarious and in many ways, he was us in that world trying to figure out what’s going on. The look into the past and its connection to the present helped to open the worlds. And yes, worlds in plural because we do travel to another realm! The scope and universe of this story literally expanding. This book has plenty of action, but, it had a subdued atmosphere. I didn’t mind that at all, as it seemed to fit the overall vibe of the story. With what is to come in Book 3, I am betting there will be more than enough action there. ["
May 14, 2026