Dragon Soul

“Daughter of Shadow” by L.J. Swallow promised to be a thrilling addition to the adult romantasy genre, but it falls painfully short on nearly every front. Despite having all the ingredients for a great story, the execution is severely lacking.

Firstly, the romance aspect is almost nonexistent. Instead of genuine romantic development, we get several poorly written and awkwardly inserted lust scenes that are fully clothed and fail to evoke any real emotion or connection between the characters. It's frustrating and misleading for readers looking for a romantasy experience.

The writing itself is another major letdown. If I could, I would rate it 0 stars just for this alone. The narration, which changes with each POV, spoils the entire story. Instead of immersing readers in the world and allowing us to experience it alongside the characters, we are told every single detail in a dry, uninspired manner. This approach strips away any potential for mystery, excitement, or engagement.

In conclusion, “Daughter of Shadow” had the potential to be great but is ultimately ruined by its poor writing and lack of true romance. It's a massive disappointment for any adult romantasy fan.