Books like 'To Kill a Shadow'
Readers who enjoyed To Kill a Shadow by Katherine Quinn also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
young adult fantasy dark romance paranormal high fantasy magic queer horror m-f from hate to love
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Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius as war looms on the horizon. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those who don't...Categorized as:
strong heroine magic from hate to love high fantasy vengeance military dystopian dangerous heroine -
Throne in the Dark by A.K. Caggiano
His dark destiny awaits, and nothing will stand in his way. Except her. Dark lord.Demon spawn. Prophesied realm destroyer. With a demon for a father, Damien Maleficus Bloodthorne’s destiny could be nothing but nefarious, and with the completion of his most vicious spell, Damien is on the cusp of fulfilling the evil inevitability all of his dark machinations have led to.And then, her. Bubbly... -
Of War and Ruin by Ryan Cahill
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsSolian ata'yar. Dauv ata'yar. Nur temen vie'ryn valana.Live as one. Die as one. For those we've lost.The city of Kingspass burns, and Calen Bryer's world has been shaken to its core. With Valerys at his side, Calen must battle his demons and push forward. There are people who need him, people who need what he must become, and he will not let them stand alone... -
The Traitor Queen by Danielle L. Jensen
A queen now in exile as a traitor, Lara has watched Ithicana be conquered by her own father, helpless to do anything to stop the destruction. But when she learns her husband, Aren, has been captured in battle, Lara knows there is only one reason her father is keeping him alive: as bait for his traitorous daughter.And it is bait she fully intends to take... -
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The Last Herald-Mage by Mercedes Lackey
The Last Herald-Mage Trilogy—three groundbreaking, Lambda Award-winning novels that established Mercedes Lackey as a fantasy tour-de-force and her Kingdom of Valdemar as a place millions of readers return to again and again... -
A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir
Prepare for the jaw-dropping finale of Sabaa Tahir's beloved New York Times bestselling An Ember in the Ashes fantasy series, and discover: Who will survive the storm?Picking up just a few months after A Reaper at the Gates left off...The long-imprisoned jinn are on the attack, wreaking bloody havoc in villages and cities alike... -
The Fires of Vengeance by Evan Winter
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 37 ratingsIn this "relentlessly gripping, brilliant" epic fantasy (James Islington), an ousted queen must join forces with a young warrior in order to reclaim her throne and save her people.Tau and his Queen, desperate to delay the impending attack on the capital by the indigenous people of Xidda, craft a dangerous plan... -
Allison Shatters the Looking-Glass by C.M. Stunich
I'm so fucking scared right now. No, not just scared—I'm terrified. And if you're reading this, you should be, too. I fell through the Looking-Glass; I got back home. But get this: I didn't come alone. Oh, and it doesn't feel like home anymore. Unlike Alice in the original story, this is not my Wonderland. In the original story, the Walrus and the Carpenter didn't follow Alice back...Categorized as:
magic from hate to love found-family cold hero commander strong heroine warrior-heroine bisexual -
Night of Masks and Knives by L.J. Andrews
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsWicked men stole the boy she loved. But when she found him again, he'd become more wicked than them all.Malin Strom has been searching for Kase, her childhood sweetheart, since he was lost at the annual masquerade years ago.With her gift for stealing memories, Malin crosses more than one dangerous line to take secrets from those who know what goes on behind the curtain of the wicked festival... -
Suitor Armor: Volume 1 by Purpah
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsSecrets hide behind every corner of the castle walls in the first volume of an exciting Webtoon romantasy graphic novel that follows the budding romance between a lady-in-waiting and an enchanted suit of armor.While humans and fairies are at war beyond the castle walls, Lucia’s life is dedicated to helping prepare Lady Kirsi for her upcoming wedding to King Reimund... -
The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 49 ratingsThe Omehi people have been fighting an unwinnable fight for almost two hundred years. Their society has been built around war and only war. The lucky ones are born gifted. One in every two thousand women has the power to call down dragons. One in every hundred men is able to magically transform himself into a bigger, stronger, faster killing machine... -
The Faithless Hawk by Margaret Owen
Kings become outcasts and lovers become foes in The Faithless Hawk, the thrilling sequel to Margaret Owen's The Merciful Crow.As the new chieftain of the Crows, Fie knows better than to expect a royal to keep his word. Still she’s hopeful that Prince Jasimir will fulfill his oath to protect her fellow Crows... -
Fae Nightmare by Sarah K.L. Wilson
The hunt is on.Allie Hunter has lost ten years in the blink of an eye.But though the town she left has changed, some things - the worst things - remain exactly the same.As Allie battles conflicting loyalties, the censure of the town, and her own broken family, she begins to realize that she might be the only one standing in the way of a war between fae and mortals...Categorized as:
from hate to love magic high fantasy strong heroine tortured hero horror m-f grumpy sunshine -
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A Promise of Blood by R.A. Sandpiper
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsOLD FATES AWAKEN. DEADLY PASSIONS MEET DEADLIER DEALS.Suri survived the fallout of Queen Lera’s ceremony, but now finds herself deep in unfamiliar territory—the City of the Damned. The City’s deadly ruler, Kol, believes she's the key to breaking the curse upon the desert wasteland. Suri just wants to save her brother and forge her own destiny away from the growing temptations of Kol’s court... -
Draco Malfoy and the Mirror of Ecidyrue by starbrigid
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsAll it takes is one look in a mirror and an ill-advised attempt to shatter it, before an embittered Draco Malfoy fresh out of Azkaban is sent back into his body on the day he gets his Hogwarts letter... -
Girls of Fate and Fury by Natasha Ngan
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsThe epic romance of Lei and Wren comes to a breathtaking conclusion in the explosive finale to the acclaimed, New York Times bestselling Girls of Paper and Fire series.'Don't struggle, Lei-zhi. It's time to take you back to the Hidden Palace. You're going home.'The jaw-dropping conclusion to Girls of Storm and Shadow left the fates of Lei and Wren hanging in the balance... -
Lost Towers by Angelina J. Steffort
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsWith evil rising, every secret can change the course of history.The curse is broken. The Fae are free. And so is Gandrett—at least to walk away from the palace at Lei’Vreah, from the King of Fae who she supposedly is in love with, from the prince who almost died in her arms.Her friends are out there, needing her help...Categorized as:
magic high fantasy from hate to love found-family fantasy fae young adult fated-mates -
Ghostsmith by Nicki Pau Preto
In this action-packed finale to the House of the Dead Duology, Wren and her friends put everything they know to the test as they battle the living and the undead to save their world.Wren is still reeling from the revelation that the mother she thought was dead is actually the Corpse Queen, a ghostsmith with the terrifying power to control the undead... -
The King's Beast, Vol. 1 by Rei Tōma
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsPrince Tenyou is not what Rangetsu expected, and the political currents in the palace run deep and strange... -
Fae Pursuit by Sarah K.L. Wilson
Allie Hunter is playing a dangerous game for mortals.From USA Today bestselling author Sarah K. L. Wilson comes a deliciously trope-filled young adult romantic fantasy about a viciously funny mortal girl and her quest to hunt, trap, and conquer powerful fae...Categorized as:
from hate to love magic horror high fantasy m-f disabilities and marks survival vengeance -
Immortal Origins by Taryn Knightly
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 15 ratings“Champions are fated. Not even the gods can interfere. Once a name has been given, it can’t be taken back.”Born into servitude to the warrior kingdom of Eltoria, Ambrose has spent her entire life confined within the palace walls. Forced to train in secret, she’s a shadow among the warriors that are the pride of the empire... -
Of Cages and Crowns by Brianna Joy Crump
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsFor goddess-touched girls, there is only one destiny: the CullingFrom the moment Monroe Benson is born with a mark on her hand and the ability to summon fire from her fingertips, her life will never be her own. She’s goddess-touched, which means she’s destined to participate in the Culling, an age-old competition to determine the next queen of Erydia... -
Nightstrider by Sophia Slade
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsTo stop a vicious demon’s conquest, nightmares and humans will band together in book one of a heart-stopping new dark fantasy series. Wren is a nightmare, a deadly manifestation of the frightening dreams of humans. She is forever bound to the insidious Para Warwick, the only night creature who can cross the boundary between the dream and waking realms... -
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Rebel Rising by Susanne Valenti
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsI live in a cage.This city is a lie.And I’m done following the rules.No one knows what lurks beyond The Wall.Only criminals are sent into the wastelands to face the Lawless Trials and I never thought I’d find myself fighting amongst the ruthless convicts who live in the shadows of society.But the more rules I break, the more secrets I unveil... -
Blade of Shadow by Sarah K.L. Wilson
Every surface of the land creeps with monsters. I escaped from the first wave of monsters with a magic sword, a kidnapped duke, and a big chip on my shoulder. It's not enough for me to run. Not when this tide threatens to sweep over the entire world. I'm the only one who can warn people of what's coming. I'm the only one who knows the truth... -
The Sorceress of Lycaster by Perci Jay
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratings“Love is not a token you pass from one person to another. It does not abide by the laws of time, or logical sense, or reality.” Serafina Bloodstone is a sorceress. After the Queen of the Giants takes her husband, she strikes a deal with an immortal trickster. The cost—her blood bond.Through her newfound partnership, she soon realizes that Riyan is not the only one she must save from captivity... -
Nightstrider by Sophia Slade
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsTo stop a vicious demon’s conquest, nightmares and humans will band together in book one of a heart-stopping new dark fantasy series. Wren is a a deadly manifestation of the frightening dreams of humans. She is forever bound to the insidious Para Warwick, the only night creature who can cross the boundary between the dream and waking realms... -
This Raging Sea by De Elizabeth
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 5 ratings18-year-old Briar Winters must untangle the horrifying eldritch secrets of her picture-perfect coastal town in order to save the boy she loves after he disappears from time itself in this YA dark fantasy for fans of Bly Manor... -
Song of the Forever Rains by E.J. Mellow
From the award-winning author of the Dreamland series comes a new dark romantic fantasy about a young woman finding hope in her powers of destruction.The Thief Kingdom is a place hidden within the world of Aadlior. Many whisper of its existence, but few have found this place, where magic and pleasure abound... -
A Whisper in the Walls by Scott Reintgen
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsIn this sequel to the New York Times bestselling, “pulse-pounding” ( Publishers Weekly ) A Door in the Dark , Ren’s intellect and cunning are stretched to the limit in her quest to take down the system that stole her father’s life.Ren Monroe is a wolf among lions... -
The Assassin Bride by Anastasis Blythe
It is said that the Neverseen King comes for a bride every hundred years. I thought it was only legend . . . until he came for me. I am one of twelve assassins forced to compete for the hand of our unseen king, who I’m beginning to doubt is even human at all. Why he needs a bride, much less one who wields a blade, isn’t any of my business...Categorized as:
from hate to love high fantasy magic m-f height-difference survival vengeance competent heroine -
The Liar’s Crown by Abigail Owen
Some shadows protect you…others will kill you in this dazzling new fantasy series from award-winning author Abigail Owen.Everything about my life is a lie. As a hidden twin princess, born second, I have only one purpose—to sacrifice my life for my sister if death comes for her...Categorized as:
from hate to love magic high fantasy m-f competent heroine fantasy young adult paranormal -
A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet
Catalia "Cat" Fisa is a powerful clairvoyant known as the Kingmaker. This smart-mouthed soothsayer has no interest in her powers and would much rather fly under the radar, far from the clutches of her homicidal mother. But when an ambitious warlord captures her, she may not have a choice… Griffin is intent on bringing peace to his newly conquered realm in the magic-deprived south... -
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The Sleeping Prince by Melinda Salisbury
Rated: 4.02 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsReturn to the darkly beautiful world of The Sin Eater's Daughter with a sequel that will leave you awed, terrified . . . and desperate for more. Ever since her brother Lief disappeared, Errin's life has gone from bad to worse. Not only must she care for her sick mother, she has to scrape together rent money by selling illegal herbal cures... -
A Bond of Fire and Roses by G. Bailey, Scarlett Snow
The dragon rider might have taken everything from me.My home, my family, and my crown.But I vowed long ago he would never take my heart.I survived ten years being tortured by his crazy worshippers. I know I can survive anything the king throws at me.Because if this usurper thinks I’m going to bend and break to his will now that I’m his wife, he doesn’t know what his new queen is capable of... -
The Scarecrow Queen by Melinda Salisbury
Rated: 4.03 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsThe final battle is coming . . .As the Sleeping Prince tightens his hold on Lormere and Tregellan, the net closes in on the ragged band of rebels trying desperately to defeat him. Twylla and Errin are separated, isolated, and running out of time. The final battle is coming, and Aurek will stop at nothing to keep the throne forever . . -
The Mountain of Souls by Marcus Lee
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsOnly the strong survive! When Malina is sold at an auction block, she fears life will take a turn for the worse.But even her darkest nightmares are nothing compared to the reality of what she faces when she's delivered to the Mountain of Souls.Thrust into a brutal selection process where failure means death, Malina must train and fight not only to survive but to prove herself worthy to serve... -
Mara and Morok by Лия Арден, Leah Arden
Rated: 4.01 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsWelcome to the world of belligerent kingdoms of Serat and Araken, where on the border of good and evil Mara is resurrected for revenge. Grey haired, wearing a scarlet cape, she is tied to the one who has brought her from the grave.The perfect blend of dark epic fantasy and romance swirls “Corpse Bride” and “Van Helsing” under the scarlet cape of the one, whose spirit is free... -
The Whispering Night by Susan Dennard
The forest is more dangerous than ever in this highly-anticipated, pulse-pounding, and swoon-worthy conclusion to the bestselling Luminaries trilogy. Winnie Wednesday’s future is looking bright. Hemlock Falls is no longer hunting the werewolf, she and Erica Thursday are tentative friends, and Winnie finally knows exactly where she stands with Jay Friday... -
Feast of Fates by Christian A. Brown
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMorigan lives a quiet life as the handmaiden to a fatherly old sorcerer named Thackery. But when she crosses paths with Caenith, a not wholly mortal man, her world changes forever. Their meeting sparks long buried magical powers deep within Morigan... -
Reaper of Souls by Rena Barron
Rated: 4.03 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsA prince repelled by magic. A king bent on revenge. A witchdoctor who does not walk alone. Brimming with dark magic, high stakes, and serpentine twists, the second book in Rena Barron’s thrilling YA fantasy saga is perfect for fans of Laini Taylor, Sabaa Tahir, and Tomi Adeyemi... -
Empire of Dark by K.J. Jackson
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI'm desperate to wipe his family from the earth. He's desperate to put a baby in my womb.He is the king of the heathens. A king that wants my womb. But it's forbidden, our species breeding.Yet, a deal has been hatched for that very thing. One year—I’m to give Damen one year in his castle to impregnate me...Categorized as:
from hate to love strong heroine vengeance magic cold hero fantasy paranormal captive -
Wings of Ink by Angelina J. Steffort
The seductive and thrilling first book in the Wings of Ink epic romantic fantasy series from award-winning author Angelina J. Steffort.Stuck in prison, pirate Wolayna Milevishja is waiting to be dealt her punishment—one worse than death, her captors promised when they closed the door of her cell over nine months ago.Now that punishment has come to collect her... -
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This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede
Three weddings. Three funerals. Alessa’s gift from the gods is supposed to magnify a partner’s magic, not kill every suitor she touches.Now, with only weeks left until a hungry swarm of demons devours everything on her island home, Alessa is running out of time to find a partner and stop the invasion...Categorized as:
high fantasy magic dystopian from hate to love found-family fantasy paranormal young adult -
The Eternal Ones by Namina Forna
The dazzling finale to the groundbreaking, New York Times bestselling Gilded Ones series. One girl holds the power to defeat the gods—but can she become one?Mere weeks after confronting the Gilded Ones—the false beings she once believed to be her family—Deka is on the hunt... -
Academy of Villains by Ever King
Revised and Expanded Edition (June 2025): Includes 8 new chapters, an exclusive epilogue, and expanded world lore.Academy of Villains is a Greek mythology-inspired romantasy for readers who grew up on Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, and Throne of Glass—but are now ready for something darker, romantic, and more soul-shattering... -
House of Bastiion by K.L. Kolarich
Rated: 3.97 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsBEHIND THE MASK OF DUTY AND POWER, NO ONE IS WHO THEY SEEM...After the Forgotten Wars ravaged the world and turned it to ash, the realm of Orynthia has thrived. To bring peace to their territories, the Houses of Pilar, Darakai, and Boreal forged an accord with Bastiion, founding a Quadren of advisory to the throne. Each generation, a single haidren is appointed to this coveted chair...Categorized as:
from hate to love high fantasy magic competent heroine commander strong heroine m-f fantasy -
The Oracle Queen by Kendare Blake
Rated: 3.95 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsThe #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series introduces readers to the Oracle Queen in this riveting prequel e-novella.Triplet queens born on the island of Fennbirn can be many things: Elementals. Poisoners. Naturalists. If an oracle queen is born, however, one with the gift of sight, she’s immediately drowned, extinguishing her chance at ever taking the throne... -
Curse of the Divine by Kim Smejkal
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsReturn to the world of inklings, tattoo magic, and evil deities as Celia uncovers the secrets of the ink in order to stop Diavala once and for all. This eagerly anticipated sequel to Ink in the Blood is perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Wicked Saints.Celia Sand faced Diavala and won, using ink magic to destroy the corrupt religion of Profeta that tormented her for a decade...
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