A Tempest of Shadows

A Tempest of Shadows #1

by Jane Washington

I was born with a curse that spun a violent storm around me, seizing every beautiful and fragile thing that flittered into my life, tearing it all from my grasp as effortlessly as the wings of a butterfly are torn from its body. Or so I thought, anyway. It all changed when they came for me, when they dragged me to trial for my crimes. I should have faced execution, but fate is a fickle and funny thing, taunting me with the knowledge that I was always destined to be so much more. They know the five great masters who took control of my life, and now fight for control over my soul. He knows it, as well. The golden-eyed warrior whose fate is tied horribly and inexplicably with mine.From the great cliffs to the wide, violent ocean, they shadow my steps. From the perfumed halls to the quiet, dusty rooms, they push my every limit in cruel and unrelenting ways.Because we all know… There is something evil taking root deep beneath the earth, a horror growing behind every shadow, a disease clawing into our midst, the end of the world as we know it drawing close enough to spot on the horizon.The darkness is coming. And I might be the only one who can stop it.

Genres: Fantasy, Reverse Harem, Magic, Dark, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Why Choose

472 pages, Paperback

First published October 23, 2020

About the author

Jane is a Wall-Street Journal bestselling author who spends all her time writing books and then telling people not to read them.
Find her here: https://linktr.ee/janewashingtonbooks

Reviews

[Ｄｒｅｙ]

That cover?

[Lucie V. · Rating 1 out of 5]

✅ Gorgeous cover
🆗 Pace
🆗 plot
🆗 Main character
🆗❌ World-building
❌Male characters
❌❌Reverse-harem / romance
❗️❗️ Trigger warnings: sexual assault, verbal abuse, and bullying

DNF at 58%

What a disappointing read, I am really struggling with the RH books I've been reading lately... 😔

The opinions on this book seem to be either a stellar 5 stars or a mediocre 1 star. I fell in love with the Curse of the Gods series by this author so I was hoping for another great RH series, but sadly I have to lean more towards the 1-star review for this one. I’m at 58% and I am just bored and creeped out by the 5 masters (who are the “love interests” in this RH) and I just don’t care about this story at all.

The beginning of the book is a little confusing, but it slowly starts to make sense after the 10% mark. Even then, there are still things that confused me honestly. The world-building has much potential, but it ended up being lacking because it was not well explained enough for me… Or I’m just too slow to understand it maybe… 🤔

From the start, we are presented with new vocabulary, legends and mythology, history of war and conflicts, and the impending end of the world… but nothing is really explained and fleshed out. Anyways, I just feel that we did not really get a chance to understand the world Tempest lives in before we are trusted into the plot. Some information is presented as big revelations, but we had no idea the concept even existed until it was introduced so the “dropping bomb” effect was kinda lost. Tempest also traveled a lot and we were introduced to new locations that I just couldn’t picture in my head for the life of me, I swear my brain was only half working when I read this book. I honestly just powered through the book at one point instead of trying to remember everything because I couldn’t make sense of everything.

The stewards were the roots of our society, toiling in the ground, seeking nutrients and stabilising the sectorians as they strove for the sun, dropping fruit back to the stewards who waited below. With the stewards, we all had life—but it was the sectorians who made that life magnificent.

There are sectorians, who are divided into 5 groups with their own set of magical abilities:
- Skjebre have Fate magic
- Sjel have Soul magic
- Vold have War magic
- Sinn have Mind magic
- Eloi have Spirit magic
The stewards are the ones without magic, the ones who serve the sectorians. Tempest is a steward girl with a sectorian dad that wants nothing to do with her since she shows no special ability. She grew up with her mother, but only because her mother couldn’t get rid of her… There is no love lost between them.

An unknown fate was an unending opportunity; a revealed fate was nothing more than a damning sentence—a gamble with impossible odds.

After a traumatic event that led to Lavenia (aka Tempest) accidentally murdering two people, she is forced into servitude for the 5 masters of the sectorians. She is to travel between their keeps to serve each of them for one day every week.

“Tempest-born and tempest-dashed, be wary of the forces of chaos that brought you into this world, as they would see you leave it the same way. Bathed in blood and screaming. Look to the deep waters for your fate, for your soul is not your own.”

Well, Tempest is a very special snowflake indeed. Having been ostracized since her birth because she was apparently cursed, she now realizes that she is not exactly cursed, but she does have a strong and mysterious power inside her.

There is a kinda sexual aspect to this book, but I just found it awkward and even disturbing at times. First, Tempest can’t speak because of a spell that was put on her, and while it is mentioned that one of the masters could remove the spell, nothing is done about it. They decided that it would be more convenient if she remained mute and that was the first thing that did not sit well with me. The second thing that bothered me is how they all tried to trick her or force her to accept their mark on her, thus giving them control over her life. She was raped, killed two people by accident while defending herself, and is then forced to obey and serve 5 masters that spend their time pushing her down, insulting her, and making her feel worthless. And still, they all wish for her to “choose them” over the others and to spend the rest of her life with them because she is so powerful and they want to control her…

Honestly, the plot did not hold my attention either, it just all seems like a way to force more sexual or “hot” scenes (that are not hot because the masters are creeps) into the book.

He stared at me, and I realized that the bitterness, the vicious undertone in my voice had shocked him. Did he think I was happy about my servitude? My life had been spared, that was true … but despite the guilt that ripped at me in the secret place of my heart that I steadfastly refused to visit, I still believed that I hadn’t meant to kill anyone. I had been defiled, attacked, and my magic had exploded without my meaning it to. I hadn’t been given the chance to defend myself. As far as I knew, the Weaver had orchestrated the entire accident to force me into a situation where I would be under their complete control. Because they knew what I was.

I love a good RH, but I am at the 50% mark and so far I don’t like any of the male characters in the book. The protector is okay, but not impressive and the 5 masters are just creeping me out. There is no sexual tension and no connection at all between Tempest and the men. I am not sure how the RH will develop, but at that point, I am just confused about the world-building and uneasy with the treatment that Tempest is subjected to. I don’t mind dark fantasy at all, but knowing that she will somehow end up in a RH with them is just weird. This is not even a case of hate to love, this is bullying and abuse with no possibility for her to defend herself and you have me believe that she will somehow develop sweet romantic feelings for them? Especially now that she knows the masters orchestrated the whole incident just so they could gain control over her life?

I think it’s the fact that this book was presented as a RH and romance that bothers me because that’s not what it is. At all. There is no romance here. Also, I’m just not invested in the whole relationship part, or in the plot if I’m being honest.



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[SarahBear88 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Probably the worst from this author

Normally, I love this author. I love Jane Washington's books. But in no universe would this ever be classified as a romance. I hate all five of the main characters. I even hate her protector. No part of any of them is redeemable at all. No part of this was a romance. This was a torture book. Over and over she is betrayed and used and tortured and hurt. And if it's under the guise of "for her own good" I will be even more pissed. There is nothing good about this book. The world building is so excessive, I was literally just skipping chunks trying to get through it. It was unnecessarily descriptive. Unfortunately, just a terrible book by this author. I can't see how she will ever end up with any of them at all - if she does, she will have become a TSTL wimpy trope heroine who loses any personality. I would not recommend this to anyone at all. 0/10.

[cha [on and off for now] · Rating 3 out of 5]

People said you just need to get through the first book & the rest will be worth it. So there. I did it. The rest better be good or I'd be pissed.

I was prepared for this to bore me. I did my research and a lot of people did give warnings so my expectations were low. But in Jane Washington we trust.

I gotta say tho I've never struggled to finish something so bad in my life. Usually I'd just skim the boring parts but I couldn't with this book.

I had to reread so many sentences like five times over because I couldn't retain a single damn thing. This book is written in a way that is too pretty and it takes like ten detours to get to the point. I think the term is flowery language.

So the writing is NOT bad, especially if you're into pretty words (I usually don't mind) but it is torture in a world building scenario. PLEASE just get to the point already 😭 like I was already struggling I did not need fifteen other ways to describe a goddamn lake.



It was also difficult for me to remember the MMC's real names. People addressed them as their fated names and I couldn't remember who the fuck was who. I had to have a cheat sheet open 😭

So yeah I was STRUGGLIN LOL

BUUUUUUT after the 50% mark, it started to get somewhat interesting. It got a liiiiiitle easier to digest, so I got the gist of things. I still didn't understand a lot of shit, but I was vibing anyway.

It was like going to a silent rave but you got broken headphones. You could still vibe with them (or pretend to) but really you had no idea what the fuck was going on lmao



I also might have gaslighted myself into thinking I was having way more fun than I actually was. In my defense I was trying to do everything I could to persevere

BUUUUUUT, towards the end, this book surprised the fuck out of me.

I think at around.. 95% ish? It started getting SUUUUUUPER good. What happened was very engaging and was able to keep me invested, enough to change my mind about putting this series on hold. I started the second book immediately after that ain't gonna lie.

My interest in the MMCs just went from a simmering 10 to boiling 100 REAL QUICK. And based on the ratings on the next books (and my research) apparently it will only get better from here so you know what, I'm excited.

One thing for sure tho if I do end up liking this, I would NEVER include the first book in my rereads. Once is enough 😩

[Health · Rating 1 out of 5]

A minor is placed into sexual situations with grown men who abuse her.

Okay let me explain. In this book, it is very much like the United States where the age you officially become an adult is 18. There is nothing said about the age of consent other than the author making sure to mention that children are special and are to be protected until they turn that magical age. The main character is 17 when this all goes down, and she does turn 18 towards the end. So i can only assume that this girl is considered a child by the society she lives in. Either way, its creepy. The five men who are her captors and tormentors have to be at least 20 years older than her (its mentioned later in the books that they were searching for her for years and by that time they were considered to be these professional masters. I can't see anyone being a master of anything under the age of 20), or even perhaps they are immortal gods who are ageless... I have no idea. There isn't a whole lot of information and fitting with the theme of the of the book things are just brushed away and not explained properly. Its like the author wants to leave the bulk of the story up to your own interpretation.

There is very little character development. Within the first few chapters this 17 year old girl is mutilated and raped while her mother watches. This young girl then kills them both. Later you come to find out that the five love interests orchestrated the entire event to happen. You'd think that she'd would be pissed upon finding out or try to work past such an awful event. But she doesn't. Its brushed away. It just doesn't matter to her or anyone else, not even her protector cares about her well being. Its like she's just a hollow shell who has been so abused that she has shut down. Girl you need therapy.
All the torture and bullying she is forced to endure is just accepted by her and everyone around her. She is forced to dress in proactive clothing and is cut down by everyone weather it be by words or physical abuse. She is placed in highly sexual situations with these men who say they hate her and find her disgusting all while her not even being considered an adult. The only thing that makes sense to me is that she is being groomed by these older men or has already been by her mother and they are just continuing her edication. All the while, these men are demanding she marry one of them when she becomes an adult. Like what.

This book is confusing, there are tons of inconsistencies that are never really addressed and for the most part I was confused for a great portion of this book and the second one. The pacing is fast and slow at the same time and nothing really happens. The climax of this book is just so shallow and is not properly given justice. She is expected to become this amazing fighter in a few weeks and you're expected to believe that she becomes one. It just seems impossible. There is no way she can raise her first let alone beat a master.

I could go on about this book, but its just so forgettable and rightly so. Please get out of my head, you don't even pay rent.

[Bibi · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 86%.

[Saint Fitz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow plot pacing and confusing world building. Whenever an author positions the big bad as just “the Darkness”—you know it’s gonna be confusing. Is the darkness a sickness? Dark magic? How did it start? Where did it come from? Why are there 3 worlds and why do we care if they don’t affect the world the characters live in? This was all unclear.

The Masters were all terrible, awful people and impossible to distinguish (against the author’s efforts to give them stupid names PLUS "Fated" names—so all 5 guys have 2 names!—I still was unclear who was who). The author asked us to “bear with her” on these nasty men, but there simply wasn’t enough here to intrigue or redeem so far. The dialogue with the mc was minimal, with soooooo much description filler. Honestly, I couldn't care less what type of stone the floor was made out of and how it reflected the light just a certain way. And, I didn’t smile once--zero banter--just lots of “bargain with me” trickery and then (big surprise) Lev fell for it.

Similarly, Levania was a passenger to her own life. I mean, stuff happens to her but we don’t read about her feelings or thoughts about them. She's attacked and raped in the first chapter and there was absolutely ZERO fallout emotionally or physically. As if it never happened. It’s as if we are just watching the plot unfold through her eyes but it’s not happening TO her. Just at her. Ugh.

Sorry to have to give up on this series, but I read the teaser for book 2. It was more of book 1 and I’m just fed up with the lack of tension, plot development and character development in this story. Lev continues to jump from place to place and get beat up and tricked. She is more confused (as are we), and I’m just fed up with it.

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

2020 the Year of the Brief Review and...."what do you get when you mix a GPS with PMS, a moody B*tch who will find you!"

I am clearly getting to the stage in life when I am becoming like one of "those " old people. You know the one's, those with very little patience and the kind you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley especially if you are an author.

So if you haven't hooked me by page 5 or if I am feeling generous page 10, you are out of here. Well all I can say is, congratulations Jane you got me on page 1 and now I am sitting here waiting for the second book, and what are you going to do about THAT!! (please note above comments, so you have been warned)

[Ashlee » libraryinthecountry]

Why hello there, stunning cover.

[Jennifer G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Born cursed, born in the shadow of power, tempest-born, fated. Lavenia has lived her life with secrets but a series of costly accidents put her on trial and once found guilty, she's at the mercy of the five masters, Helki, Vale, Andel, Vidrol, and Fjor. They are determined to break her and if they do, all may be lost. The darkness has arrived and is feeding, spreading. The only chance to defeat it is the storm of the Tempest.

This is a fantasy of a fantasy. Brilliant. Imaginative. Jane Washington has created a new world. The world-building is immense complete with a social structure, language, and vivid descriptions. No detail is excluded. The broad picture of the world, the differences of the people detailing their characteristics, abilities, clothing, and beliefs. This is a massive undertaking. At times picturesque, at others poetic. Jane has a mastery of language and storytelling. The world-building and foundation of this story are complex. It requires attention before sweeping you away. Once immersed, you are transported into Ven's life. Tempest is the perfect fated name for her. She is a storm, pure chaos, a disturbance to the set ways. She is pure innocence but can leave a path of destruction. She has no plan but her confidence is growing, her power is increasing, her support is expanding. The masters are enigmas, wicked, and selfish. Each so different and yet so alike. Each believing he is omnipotent and in complete control over their world. Yet they're not immune to Lavenia. Despite wanting to control her, they cannot and are instead becoming intrigued and maybe starting to respect her. Her bonded Calder is the most fascinating to me. Intelligent, powerful, and beautiful with a complicated history. He's inscrutable, a rare quality for a character. I have such high hopes and expectations for this man. It remains to be discovered if he will care more for Ven or for the purpose. Ven's fellow Sentinal recruits ended up being a wonderful surprise. Their fellowship and the support of the commonfolk will play a large role in the success or failure of the Tempest.

I look forward to following along the path of this storm. Jane's cleverness means never knowing the winding road ahead. You may think you know the final destination but the genius of her storytelling is beyond prediction. I look forward to seeing what the masters throw at Lavenia and how she deflects their attempts to destroy her. Even more, I look forward to her bringing them to their knees because she will. That we know. After all, she is the Tempest.

[⊹ Gabriela | Asternyx ⊹ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⇢ What to expect:
∘ Adult Dark Fantasy
∘ High-fantasy
∘ Apocalyptic
∘ Reverse Harem — 5 mysterious love interests: Vale, Fjor, Helki, Andel, Vidrol (each one worse than the last) & one caring Captain
∘ Rivalry between love interests
∘ Strong & smart FMC
∘ Incredible worldbuilding
∘ Complex Plot
⇢ Tropes:
∘ True Enemies to Lovers
∘ Slowburn
∘ Forced Proximity

⇢ Trigger warnings: rape, sexual assault, verbal abuse, violence.

— RTC.

[Al *the semi serial series skipper* · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This was pretty good. I liked the heroine, I liked her tenacity. I feel like the hero could be fleshed out some more, he seemed pretty aloof and not at all interested in the heroine. I know that he thinks that would soil the bond they have, it would have been nice to see him struggle with wanting the heroine and being true to the bond.

I can't wait to see the heroine unleash her full powers in book 2.

[Christine Woo · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOOOOOOOOW.



That's literally all that's going on in my head right now.

I will warn you that I'm so busy getting into the next book that I'm not sure I can even write a proper review right now, so I'll keep it short. What I can say is Jane Washington is a TRUE GENIUS. She is the queen of immersive storytelling and the queen of RH in my personal opinion. This is why I have added her to my "Authors I would Follow til the End" shelf. She is an author that I pretty much would read if I'm in a rut, if I need to re-read anything because I have a book hangover, or just looking for something new to read. She is an author that hasn't really disappointed me. I have read 3 full series that she's written now. The Curse of Gods series, Charcoal Tears series, and this one (ehem, yeeeeah I'm going to be honest I'm already halfway finished w/ it). So, I can truthfully and faithfully put her in that category because she definitely earned it!



This series follows a very similar vein to the Curse of Gods (COG) series, but IT IS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING THE SAME. Yes, I had to emphasize that and I'm sorry for being so overdramatic lol *rolls eyes*. It's just that I know that some people might be turned away from reading something they might think was already written before by the same author because nobody like repetition or copycats. Please worry not, readers, this is nowhere near the Curse of God series, it just has a familiar impression.

For example (and I will try not to spoil), the MC is very strong willed and does things her way. She is not easily swayed and she challenges herself by being independent even if it hurts. In a way she reminded me of Willow (COG) because of some of those traits, but other than that she is purely unique and nothing like the other MC. The guys are also VERY different from the Abcurse brothers. They have a more mature feel and they are not as playful either. They are also A LOT more violent in general than the Abcurse bros. Yet, like I said, they still hold a similar feel to the COG main guys. Oh! That reminds me...when Jane says slow burn. It will burn...VERY SLOWLY, which was WAAAAYYYY slower than in COG too.

So I hope that explains how I correlated a lot of the feels with the COG series.



HOWEVER (yep, I am not done yet lol), this was a frustrating book for me. You heard right guys. FRUSTRATING. With a capital EFFING EFF! It has a lot to do with the slow burn part that will drive you crazy. So here it is. I hated the main guys, at first. I LOVED CALDER. *Heavy Sigh* I really am trying not to have any spoilers so I'll keep it at that. I mention this for those who also start off hating the guys and are thinking of DNF-ing just out of spite. PLEASE DON'T! Trust the process *facepalms* (yes that was a TIK TOK reference) and keep GOING! It does work out and the guys have become some of my favorite people (Yes, this is me talking as I head into book 4 and yes, I also understand this is only book one). I had a very hard time believing that I was going to feel ANY sympathy for the Masters. They were insufferable and downright mean. In fact, I was sure I was going to hate them until the end of the series. This is EXACTLY why Jane Washington is the queen of RH. She isn't afraid of confrontation or angst. She will make you hate the bastards and then LOVE them. You'll want them in every scene and you'll forgive their pig headed-ness. Mostly.

Sorry, I know I am either rambling or I'm off track somehow, but I wanted to say that just in case some of you are upset with the guys or are new to Jane's writing. Seriously, though, she is great at turning her plots around and is straight up comfortable with flipping the proverbial table just to make you uncomfortable again. Its ingenious!



So, although I put a lot of book 2 and 3 feels into this very book 1 review, I will be continuing on and doing a FULL review on the last book of the series. I just know that sometimes I get curious about how a series is going to go when I'm on the fence about a series. And boy was I wondering about starting this baby (I'll explain why later), but I'm ready to continue on this WONDERFUL well written, hilarious journey and I'm ready to see how it all comes together! ;D

[Missy Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!

I am a huge fan of Jane’s and this still blew me away! I love her writing style and where her mind goes. This was just so dang good.

The world, the characters, never knowing what is going to happen next. Everything just had me reading straight from beginning to end. I did not want any distractions.

I really need to know what happens next.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. The world, the characters, the room for growth, the mythology. Such a strong start, I'm very much looking forward to the next one!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark Complex Mess

I don't know if I hated this or liked it, I'm so confused and intrigued at the same time.

This is a DARK high fantasy Why Choose where the FMC loses her 'innocence' in the first 10% of the story and the MMCs seem completely unredeemable.

The world-building is beyond confusing, and extensive. It was both overly descriptive and not informative enough at the same time, how that works only this book knows 🤷‍♀️.

There was an overabundance of new terms to try and learn. Every title, town, building, person, and every other noun you can think of got reworked to fit into this Fantasy world. Then on top of that, the author would change the names of innate objects like calling a violin a 'golli' and a cello a 'gola', but the term for harp stayed the same. Also, none of the main characters used these instruments and they only appeared in the book once. So I needed to learn two new terms so that I could know what the Trio of musicians were playing in the background of one scene. It's unnecessary and confusing and just too much information to digest in one book.

The magic in this world doesn't go by the usual standards we've grown used to. There's a name for each magic and the people who are born with that kind of magic, I can't remember all of them but I think it's one for the soul/spirit, knowledge, war, fate, and I think mind/body? I'm not entirely sure if I got that right because the magic is only ever referred to by its fantasy name and what each person can do with the magic in each class can differ and change.

There are three main classes of people, Stewards are the ones with no magic, and the lower class workers of the society. Next are the Sentinals who are born with magic and tend to work in all the trained guilds and are in the middle class of society. Last (I think) are the Masters and there is only one master for each branch of magic and, in this story, those masters also seem to be the unredeemable MMCs screwing with the FMC's life for who knows why? There is one final rank called the Legionare and there is typically only one of those and they are exempt from most class rules and free to rise above everyone else.

The MMCs have two names each one real and one more like a title. I can't tell you the real names but I think I can remember the title names.

Warmaster, head of war (Vold) magic, and the army. Only living Legionnaire and an asshole
Inquisitor, I think his magic is the mind/body one, he can pull information from your mind and I have no clue what else, also an asshole
Scholar, knowledge magic runs the Onxy Oblisic building that's like a giant library/apothecary where all the knowledge is stored. Emotionless asshole
Weaver, fate magic who lives near the lake and controls all the other fate-wielding people (there's a name for that and I can't remember it) who seem to be completely detached from the rest of society.
King, yes just king and he is the actual King of the land but doesn't seem to hold any more power than the other masters. Soul magic, egotistical jackass

All the MMCs have come to some kind of agreement about the FMC and how they want to try and control or be a part of her fate, whatever that is. They all claim they want her to pick one of them to marry but we don't know what their motives are.

There is one more possible MMC and that is the Captain, (war magic) he has a title but is not a master and has been hand-picked to be the FMC's protector. Hand-picked by the masters and fate it seems?

I would like to tell you about the many complexities of this very confusing tale but I wouldn't even know where to begin. A lot of times with high fantasy plot-heavy tales you walk away with more questions than answers but in this case all I have are questions except I'm so confused I don't even know what I should be asking. If you decide to try and unravel the mysteries of this story, bring a pen and pad of paper for note-taking! And please if you learn the point of this story can you let me know?

I will continue this series shortly, mainly because I want to see how the MMCs become redeemable but also because I want to understand the point of the FMCs suffering! Cause right now it all seems unnecessary and cruel.

[Varya · Rating 5 out of 5]

My name was Lavenia Lihl, and I was one thing above all else.
I was a goddamn liar.

Lavenia might be that but she also was many other things, one of which was MAGNIFICENT!! ♥️ The author did a truly commendable job with the storyline and the characters.....and well, practically everything else.
Everything is shrouded in mystery and more twists and turns than a rollercoaster ride. I loved all the 5 big villains....the Inquisitor, the Scholar, the Warmaster, the Weaver and the King. Each of them had their own distinct personality that the reader could easy witness and each of them were bursting with the intensity of that distinction and power. It isn't easy to create so many similar authority people but make the so vastly different and still deadly in their own way. I love the author for that alone.

In the middle of all that is Calder and Lavenia and the wretched fate they are destined to. They were beautiful together♥️😍✨ While Lavenia was the highlight of the series for obvious reasons (the hero), Calder was the candle keeping her bright. He took my heart and kept taking until it was his entirely. 🔥❣️

All the characters ignited different emotions in me and the plot is making me more and more intrigued to know what happens next. This series is exciting and has already become so grand and spectacular 😍 I am off to read the next one now✨✨

[Ash (so there’s this book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know what to expect going into this series, but I am so so glad that my friend suggested it to me. I will warn you that the world building is thick, but if you can get though it, you will be rewarded with a rich and layered world, who’s social structure and magic system is entirely unique. I am a huge fan of what the author has done here.

The most basic premise is that Lavenia has believed, her entire life, that she is cursed to bring nothing but death to those around her. Through some seriously awful events, she lands in the hands of the five most powerful men in Fyrio. She learns that maybe her life is not quite what she thought it was, and must choose one of the masters to marry, despite their mutual hatred. Lavenia is an incredibly strong FMC, who overcomes the most heinous of circumstances. By the end of this series, is going to be an absolute badass!

As of book one, the MMCs are all arrogant, unhinged, evil masterminds who will bend Lavenia any way they want so long as their goals are being met. It is not hard to hate them. I am so so eager to see how the author is going to weave this story into a romance, and how the plot will unfold.

Obsessed!

[Jemimah Decker-Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brand new series from Jane Washington full of epic world building, interesting characters and a tantalising storyline that leaves you wanting the next book pretty sharpish. It is a great new book from an author whose books I love and this one is no different. I did find the first few chapters quite full on with the world building and found I really needed to concentrate on the book to understand everything but once I got into it and the story started developing I found myself really enjoying it. I love how the characters are slowly developing through the story too and am looking forward to seeing more of that in the next books. I am left with many unanswered questions at the end of this book, however it's not a cliffhanger ending but it's an end that leaves me wanting more. I'm very much looking forward to reading the next book when it releases and A Tempest of Shadows gets five stars from me.

[Karin Dirksen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read some mixed reviews, so I knew it was important to start reading with the right mindset. If you want an epic fantasy, with RH and romance elements then this is the right story for you. Romance is hardly an aspect in this book, but I expect it to play a bigger role in books to come. The world building is beautiful, as you can expect from any epic fantasy story. The writing style is poetic at times. I merely read through the words to get the gist, because personally I like building the world in my own head with the actual words just hints and suggestions. Otherwise the writing could be considered a bit tedious and long winded. As sais, I knew this upfront therefore didn't let it bother me. I well and truly love the story, the dynamic between the Tempest and the Captain and the masters. I look forward to learning more about the latter and I hope some payback occurs to these plotting bastards with a superiority complex.

[Renée · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Tempest of Shadows by Jane Washington is the first book in the series.

Lavenia Lihl’s story starts off with a crashing beginning and an accidental fate which will change everything in her world. This is a novel of power and prophecy, fate and heartache, debt and desire.

The five men (Vale – the Weaver, Fjor – the Inquisitor, Helki – the Warmaster, Andel – the Scholar and Vidrol – the King) that control Lavenia’s fate are potentially more wicked then initially thought. Every moment she’s thrown another curve ball, which she either needs to catch or let fall, as she plays their game. But her resilience and strength are growing, and she won’t be as easily manipulated. Luckily she had one person on her side and that’s Calder – the Captain, but he’s been drawn into this game just as much as Lavenia’ has.

This is a level of writing I’ve not experienced before with Jane Washington’s stories. I love the tale woven, and how each chapter unravels more of this fantasy world.

I also really loved how each chapter was named with a single word, which after reading the chapter you realised the connection.

As mentioned in the blurb there are elements of dark scenes, readers should heed this warning as scenes might be triggering.

Favourite quote: “Keep your secrets…..That is how women beat men. They never know what we know until it’s too late.”

[Danielle (Danniegurl) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3 stars confusing

This book could really use a glossary and a list of characters. The story is entirely too confusing and is written in such a flowery type of way that I can’t ever really understand what’s going on. What’s more is there’s tons and tons of unnecessary description. Baths and dressing and the surroundings are more explained than the plot.

At the very beginning our heroine is thrust into a volatile situation. Her mother summons someone to their home and this guy tries to bind her magic, but isn’t just ok with taking her birth mark (which needs more explanation mind you) he wants all of her. This 17 year old girl a month away from her 18th birthday which is some celebration thing except for her, he goes and rapes her. And when she defends herself she’s labeled a murderer of the weak bc she killed her mother too. There is zero processing of the rape, of her treatment of anything in her life. I need my heroines to be at least semi realistic for the traumatic things that happen to them. No one is kind to her, they say it’s to build her up but I don’t understand any of it. I don’t understand the world enough, I don’t understand the mythology, I don’t understand the characters.

In addition to that our heroine jumps around a lot, and we have no frame of reference of where things are. I was hoping for a map like other books had of the different places she travels and then maybe a map of the different worlds, but nothing. She has to do this recruitment but she’s barely there, and what she does do is told instead of shown like every other mundane part was shown. All her training, glossed over, all the recruiting glossed over. We see some growth but we don’t get the emotional component of it all.

I don’t know where this is all going and I’m hoping it’ll iron out soon. I’ll give the series until book 3 to really get going unless book 2 is absolutely something I can’t hang with. Also there are several typos in the book which I’m surprised by since I have read many other things by Washington.

Overall it’s different the book needs more fleshing out, more details on the plot and less on the description, needs to tidy up what’s going on so that the audience can make sense of what’s going on.

[Lisa Alvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many thoughts!

I don't know where to start. Did I love it? I did. But I'm hesitant to say I did. Why? I don't know. I'm a bit confused at how I feel to be honest.

The tempest starts out slow. It gives a bit of information on who she is and how she came to be but... it's it real? One tragedy after another starts a dangerous downward spiral that leaves me trying to catch up. I'm not sure how I got here, spinning my thoughts and trying to put all the pieces together just to have my theories smashed to pieces all over again.

The commander. I'm so torn. He's exactly what's needed yet how can that be? One minute he's devoted the next making deals that leave the tempest in danger. Why? How did he know what to do? Will it be enough to save her? This is a mess.

I'm still reeling. The book ended in a place that has me yelling "Nooooooo!" I need the next book. I need to understand this crazy mess and I need to know what lies in wait. Will the tempest prevail? With the commander or without? Why do I feel like they are fated mates? So many thoughts and questions! I need answers and must have book 2!

FYI - This feels more like high fantasy to me and I'm ok with that!

[Eva ✧ ࣪ ⋆ ⁺₊ ⋆ evathedreamer ₊˚.⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊ ✩ · Rating 4 out of 5]

An okay start to the series. It took me a while to get into it, but the blend of fast-paced action and intricate world-building eventually drew me in. It’s not nearly as good as the Ironside Academy series, which I was hoping for 😅, oh well…

The book follows a strong-willed young girl thrust into a world of dangerous magic, political intrigue, and dark secrets. The characters are well-developed, with complex relationships that add emotional depth to the plot.

It was a good fantasy read, but I feel like it was missing something - I hope the next one has that ‘something’ 🤞.

I don’t know how to rate this one… it’s probably somewhere between 3.5-4.25 ⭐️.

[Cee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf @ 58%/ 13 chapters

I’m so annoyed at the lack of world building, love interests who show no good points, and an enemy that is literally “the darkness” or what I can gather the concept of evil.

I’m out y’all.

[Iretsia · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF at 68% but not because of anything that happened at 68%. There are only a few grammar errors and tons of worldbuilding, but something about this book just seemed to drag for me and not hold my attention. According to Amazon, this book has more than 500 pages and another 3 books after it with similar page counts. I felt like if I was going to keep going with the book/series, I needed to know what direction it was going in. I read the blurb for book 2, and, when I saw it basically said "Now it's time to do it all over again," my brain just went "oof" and I knew it was time for me to drop.

I know the blurb very clearly says slow burn and enemies to lovers, but I think this was a little too much of both for me. For enemies to lovers to work for me, I can't ever hate the love interests, even if the MC does. If I hate them at any point, I'll never be able to end up rooting for them to be with the MC. In this book, I didn't quite hate the 5 masters but only because I didn't care enough about them either way. There was nothing humanizing about their characters, and their interactions with the MC seemed repetitive even as she cycled through the 5 of them. The protector was the only potential love interest who felt like a developed character, so this read more as a star-crossed lovers m/f story with 5 villains than a potential reverse harem. Even then, I'm not sure whether I'm actually rooting for the MC to end up with the protector.

As I said, there's a ton of worldbuilding here, but there was so much that I had trouble getting it all to stick. I eventually had to power through instead of trying to remember everything. Even with all that, some things would still seem to pop up out of nowhere, even later in the book. Like "by the way, this is a thing too." I'm also pretty sure the MC originally said her world was in a golden age and then later was like oh yes we're clearly in the middle of the greatest darkness ever.

I might be willing to read more from this author in the future, and I didn't hate this book, but it wasn't for me.

[H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all things Jane Washington writes, A Tempest of Shadows grabbed me and wouldn't let go. The world building is beautiful, the characters multifaceted and it was well paced. You think you know who is good, who is bad, but you're not 100% sure you're right. I LOVED the character development. Ven is amazing, strong and smart. I adored her so much, I was horrified and furious on her behalf, I was proud of her, cheered her on and was invested in her. All the characters are interesting, even side characters that wouldn't normally have depth, they have backstory and motivation and reason. I really, really loved this book. I took my time and savored it's intelligence and depth and I enjoyed the twists and turns, the fantasy and unique magics that saturated the entire novel. I am so looking forward to seeing where Washington takes this and am 100% there for the ride. It was cleverly written and compelling and I eagerly await another trip into the storm.

[Christie Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressive as always

This is definitely a great start to a series, made for people who have enough imagination to follow Jane into a new world. Some say 'wordy' I say artful.

I'm a fan of the dark, so this definitely was a good read for me, tragedy and seemingly irredeemable men are my kryptonite.

Also, I feel the need to say this every time I review a SERIES. The point of a series is to watch the character develope and grow in each new addition. Expecting the plot, and characters to have a definitive outline at this point is absurd and short sighted. I suspect Jane has something amazing for us when this story unfolds.

I say read it and wait to see what Jane Washington has in store for us.

[Del Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathtaking, Utterly Unique!

I’m not entirely sure how I missed this series when it originally came out—but after reading Jane Washington’s most recent new release (Plier) I needed more! I found this, and let me tell you what: it absolutely blew me away! Jane Washington had to be one of the most talented paranormal/fantasy writers I’ve read in a very long time. Her world building is absolutely unparalleled, and her characters are so well written that you cannot help but relate to them.

This book had me on the edge of my seat, from start to finish! It was beautiful, and painful, and so well written I can hardly come up with the right words of praise.

Jane Washington is, without a doubt, a one click, no questions asked author for me from this moment on!

[Sydnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the writing on this was superb!! I highlighted so many lines of the book, completely blown away by the beautiful imagery and prose. The world-building was great (important for a fantasy novel lol) and all of the characters were unique. I love our main character as well; she's the best ever.

Some of my favorite lines:

"Because our fates have been written together. If your pages stop turning, so do mine."

“I have found my purpose, the pages of my book, without which I cannot have words.”

I was only a cursed waif, a lone candle in a wind-whipped window, spluttering for air while my mother burned bright in the distance, always too far away for me to feel her warmth.