A Silence in Shadows
by Annie Anderson
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶
Synopsis:
Merrit Locke runs Lock & Key, a neutral bar at the edge of vampire court territory, keeping her head down, her past blank, and her telepathy a secret. Until Prince Kieran Veyne walks through her door.
He’s beautiful, dangerous, and far too observant. When a violent ambush forces Merrit to act, Kieran sees just enough to draw the wrong conclusion, believing she’s a rare seer. A lie Merrit must uphold when he drags her into a world of velvet deception.
To use her, he makes her part of his court.
To shield her, he tells the world she’s his lover.
To protect her, he makes the lie look real.
Now Merrit must navigate a palace of monsters and masks, all while pretending to belong to the one man who unnerves her most. But when blood is spilled and an ancient bond awakens, the line between truth and desire grows perilously thin.
And in a court of shadows, even lies can taste like fate.
A Silence of Shadows is the first in a world of interconnected standalone romantasy novels—complete stories linked by blood, magic, and courtly deception. Expect one dangerously charming vampire prince, a mute heroine with mind-reading abilities, and a fake relationship that turns into something all too real. Mature themes and dark romantic tension included. Reader discretion advised.
My Review:
A Silence of Shadows delivers the kind of dark, fast-paced
romantasy that immediately sweeps you into its world and refuses to let go.
From the opening pages, the story thrums with danger, political intrigue, and
emotional tension, the kind that had me visibly reacting while reading in
public. That’s the level of immersion this book brings.
Merrit Locke is an unforgettable FMC. Her
strength, sharp humor, and sheer resilience had me rooting for her instantly,
and the way her nonspeaking representation is handled feels thoughtful,
respectful, and deeply meaningful. She’s a heroine who fights for her survival
and her autonomy, and it’s impossible not to connect with her.
Prince Kieran Veyne may start off guarded and
difficult to read, but the more the story unfolds, the more he grows on you.
Their dynamic, hidden truths, reluctant trust, and a deliciously complicated
bond, creates a tension that simmers beneath every chapter. Once the
Whisperbound connection is revealed, the emotional shift between them feels
natural and incredibly satisfying. Watching their relationship develop,
especially with the symbolism of the Astria flowers (bonus chapter readers, you
know), was one of my favorite parts of the book.
The worldbuilding is rich without ever feeling
overwhelming. Vampires, shifters, witches, fae, demons, mages, Annie Anderson
balances it all with vivid, gothic atmosphere and cinematic detail. The side
characters are compelling enough that I was already hoping for their stories
before I even turned the last page. And yes, if we get more of the shadow fae
or “Enzo” in future books… I will absolutely lose it.
What really anchors the novel, beneath the
action and courtly deception, is the emotional core: healing, chosen family,
survival, and learning to trust in a world built on secrets. By the end, I
wasn’t just invested, I needed more.
A Silence of
Shadows is intense, magical, and addictive in the best way. Fans of
vampire romances and immersive romantasy worlds will find so much to love here.
I’m already counting down to book two.
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