Some call him a madman. Others call him a warlock. Both are true.But if it wasn’t for Aon, I’d be dead. I was mere seconds away from dying by Edu’s hands when the King of Shadows appeared in a flash of lightning, saving me from Edu’s murderous plans.Now I’m under his protection, living in his home. The more time I’m forced to spend with him, the more I start to piece together the puzzle of why … the puzzle of why Aon and Edu are at war.
Despite how everyone else seems to hate Aon, there’s something that pulls me towards him—like gravity, refusing to let go. My heart is telling me to believe what he says is true, yet there’s this prickle of warning in the back of my skull cautioning me against falling for the King of Shadows.
In the world of Under trusting the wrong person can get you killed. Only the strong survive out here, and that’s what I intend to do.
Survive.
more
First off, I am just going to say Lydia is my spirit animal. Christ on a cracker I LOVE her character! The whole scene with Otoi…GOLD. Pure gold. (lol)
This book was just as enjoyable as book one. The writing remains top notch. It was well paced. The amazing world and character building continues. The cast of intriguing secondary characters grows. I’m completely #shipping Lydia and Aon. We even get some sexy times (PG 13) but still very sexy. Last, that ending…gaah! I need book three NOW…
Oh. My. Goodness. This book was a perfect follow up from King Of Flames (book 1) and I didn’t want it to end! Kathryn has amazed me more than I thought possible – I felt so involved in Lydia’s story and in each character Kathryn has created. I’m so emotionally invested in the characters at this point and I would honestly give this book 6 out of 5 if I could. (Five will have to do, I guess…) Looking forward to reading book 3!
OMG!!! What such an amazing book! I loved it to no end!
King of Shadows is awesome. The chemistry between Aon and Lydia is too much. I can’t get enough of them. Wonderful character building and the plot gets more and more interesting.
It’s thrilling fantasy/paranormal story where the main characters aren’t good or evil. The lines of good and evil, hero and antihero are blending here and you must decide what you want to do with the information and the behavior all the characters are showing.
Love Aon. He’s dark, powerful, possessive, self-assure and extremely attractive. No question why Lydia finds so hard to resist him.
Totally recommend this series. I’m already in book 3 and loving every word.
OMG is all I can day. I couldn’t put this book down. The second book pulled me in so hard, that i am left with so much desire and want that is part of Under. The characters development has been wonderdul, ro see a different side to Aon that no one else wanted to see. He had to be the cillian whenin truth he ia the hero of the story. So many emotions qhen reading this, flowed through me. I ravished the book until the end. Left with wonderment of this wonderful world, the second book allows you to see more into Under and those who live there. Lydia has a great choice left to her in the end. Also how the ancients really see Aon. What.is tomcome.for this worls and for Lydia and Aon. Cannot wait for the next book, however wait I must qith desire and want to see this world develop more.
King of Shadows was amazing! It started off right where we were left in King Of Flames. I couldn’t help but be sucked right in! I didn’t want to leave this world! The twists and turns had me glued to the pages to see what would happen to Lydia. I am now going to sit back and wait not so patiently for the next book!
My heart is breaking
“Crying won’t help. Begging won’t work. I can’t run, and struggling will do more harm than good. I…I’ve lost. The only thing left to do is die with pride, ” – Lydia to the King of Shadows
This is book 2 in the series and if you haven’t read book one turn back now ’cause you really really will want to.
NO SPOILERS
There is so much that develops in this second installment and I truly do not want to give away anything that might spoil how this unfolds –
The above is from the beginning of Shadows. We pick up right where we left off in book one. Aon is back and damnnnnn if you thought he was sadistic in her dreams – He is so much more in the flesh.
Lydia is still taking things as they come – Can’t beat them find a way around them I love her character! One of my top five favorite heroines.
The other houses are unsure of what to make of her. Good? Evil? A Fluke? Edu still believes Lydia will be the key to the downfall of Under and is determined that Aon knows something or is using her for his own nefarious purposes.
As plots unfold and truths are revealed
Enemies become allies and trusted friends? Become the blade buried in your back.
If you are a fan of intense fantasy that truly captivates its readers than this is a must own series!
I was not able to put this down, honestly, I read this undisturbed in one sitting.
I need book three now!
This was all sorts of fabulous and I was absolutely salivating to get started here.
I had a couple to read on my list before this and it nearly killed me to wait but the anticipation definitely lived up to my internal hype and I’m all sorts of digging “King of Shadows” and would go as far as to say this is my stand out series so far this year.
This begins exactly where we left things in the previous instalment and Lydia still seemed very fearful and wary where it concerned Aon and his unknown intentions towards her, while this was an understandable reaction from her I did want her to come to the realisation faster that despite his violent actions in her dreams he had never harmed her in any real physical sense.
Not only that he also assured her repeatedly that he has no plans to do so considering her fragile human state.
So Aon, (that is who I am concentrating on in this review as Lydia got the stage last time around) well he does so love his mind games and employs this strange quirk of his constantly around Lydia. Sometimes throwing all etiquettes and rules to proper social behaviour and norms out of the door.
Aon certainly dances to his own piper and does seem mostly unaware of his unusual and improper conduct around others.
There is at times an almost devilishly wicked but almost fun vibe to Aon’s encounters with Lydia its almost like he finds her a breath of fresh air in his long mundane existence, an anomaly, if you will, one he is compelled to analyse and dissect (metaphorically of course)
“King Of Shadows” was very slow burn in nature and also wasn’t that graphic, when it comes to the encounters between Lydia and Aon a lot is left to your own imagination this was not an issue for me at all: the chemistry here was still through the actual roof and pulsated off the page I could still feel the carnal tension and developing emotion between Lydia and Aon in actual spades.
I mentioned previously how much I adored Lydia now Aon also gets the seal of approval from moi.
He is just so wickedly delicious with a large hint of bad that just left me panting in his wake, Lyd never really stood a chance here.
I also should mention that the old world prose and descriptions of this fantastical new world were so vivid and real that I could actually picture Under in my mind.
I felt like I had been dropped into an episode of The Twilight Zone or even a very macabre alternate wonderland.
So let us talk about Aon’s supposed madness: well this to me came across as a somewhat forgetful and eccentric nature more than likely brought about by his advanced age rather than any insanity or psychosis itself, I actually found this an extremely endearing and somewhat charming quality to him: In fact, there were even times that Aon reminded me very much of a gorgeous and delicious Mad Hatter.
So, this has some of the best world building ive experienced to date, it was brilliant and just ever so entertaining indeed.
The old world prose mixed with a huge dash of steampunk just worked for me on every level.
The writing itself is also second to none and I devoured every single word, this really was in a league all of its own and that ending, my god I need that next book like right now people.
This series so far has been amazing and I’m sorry for my waffling on but I am just so in love here.
Think its a tad obvious by now that this one definitely gets my stamp of approval.
So before I toddle off On a side note, I really did appreciate that sneak peek of book three very much appreciated.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of “King Of Shadows (The Masks of Under #2)”
All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9460945-bex-beckie-bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
http://www.beckiebookworm.com
I read a lot and this book definitely stood out. I deeply nestled into my little niche of paranormal books whether it’s reverse harems, romance, or just paranormal and occasionally reading dystopian, sci-fi, romance, and fantasy. This series I’d say is definitely horror-esque fantasy. The monsters were well described as was the world and mythology. I love the deepening of the mythology in this book. The suspense of not knowing what the plan for the main character enhanced the story and created a pull to keep reading not just this book but the series as well. Some characters were an acquired taste and others you might just needed a twisted sense of love to care for. The concept of a shadow like world is not new, but the author created a very unique take and background for it. The world it’s self is Unique to a tee I’ve never seen anything quite like it. I would’ve liked to see more of the “madness” that everyone refers to Aon having. I love the relationship that budded between Aon and Lydia. Some of the parts and themes reminded me of A Court of Thorns and Roses, Beauty and the beast, and Greek/Roman Mythology.
I wrote this review while I was halfway through the third book, but I am absolutely love this series. If you love urban fantasy/paranormal romance with a dash of horror, I think these would be right up your alley.
Aon, the lead (anti)hero, is a sadist. He’s not a good guy, but…he wants to help fix what he’d broken—which is their world. So that’s some good, right? I think so. As Shrek would say, he is like an onion. He has layers. **Snicker** He’s a guy that you sympathize with, even while you cringe at the atrocities he commits. But…he loves Lydia. She’s perfect for him, and while he delights in darker things (pain), he is careful with her mortal body. Makes me question my morals when I love a guy like Aon. But…I love Kane from Heat by R. Lee Smith, so… **Cough**
Anyway! Highly recommended! Amazing world building, beautiful writing, and so much characterization. Kathryn painted a beautiful world full of life and more. I’m hooked.
This author consistently keeps on track a complex cast of characters and an evolving, intricate storyline that keeps unfolding with surprising twists and turns with each new addition to this series. Please keep in mind you do need to read these sequels in order. So if this book has caught your eye, do yourself a huge favor and backtrack to Book 1. You will need and want to get the whole picture of what is at play and stake here starting from the very beginning. The adversarial personalities yet symbiotic relationship between many of these Greek god like beings will need to be fully understood to appreciate the long term plot development.
Queen of Dreams continues this saga with two intermixed plots filled with drama, relationship angst, some graphic bloody scenes, along with quite a bit of distraught, inward reflection as we watch these key characters struggle with what has happened and their apprehension of their unknown future.
Isolation, fear, acceptance, denial, sacrificial love, a blind thirst for revenge/control, forgiveness, and even death face off here as this mythical world continues to spiral into uncertainty. Then just when things come to an expected explosive showdown, a whole new element is introduced that leads us directly into book 4, King of Blood.
As for the heroine, she’s found herself in an unimaginable new position. She’s come a long way, baby, especially since book 1. Her future and new unexpected role has placed her directly in the Jekyll and Hyde hands of an immortal dark soul many have dubbed the loveless. He certainly proves nothing or anyone will stand in his way of dealing out his master plan. Seriously, brace yourself for some very drastic, jaw dropping measures. Casualties and collateral damage are necessary evils he’ll take on regardless of the consequences. His at times gruesome actions are likely to be disturbing to some.
In each book, the writing has flowed seamlessly. Surprisingly, each storyline has had a different undertone to it, despite a reoccurring main theme. I can’t wait to find out what happens next in The King of Blood.
Title: Queen of Dreams, Series: The Masks of Under (Book 3), Author: Kathryn Ann Kingsley, Pages: 282, not a stand-alone, must read books in order, some graphic violence, resilient heroine, no OW/OM drama, no cheating, no love triangle.
Book 1 – King of Flames
Book 2 – King of Shadows
Book 3 – Queen of Dreams
Book 4 – King of Blood
(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/PR firm.)
This story picked up right where the first one stopped. Lydia is fighting for her life and she has no idea how to defeat Edu but he is out for her and wants her dead. Then she gets help from Aon who saves her minutes before she is to die. Lydia isn’t sure why he saved her but she is grateful for him saving her.
Now Lydia is under his protection because she is living with him and he is her protector. The more time she spends with him the more she is beginning to put together the pieces as to why Aon and Edu hate each other. This hatred that they have comes from way back and as Lydia digs she is starting to see that both Aon and Edu have a side to them that she would never have guessed.
What is going to happen to Lydia? Will Aon be able to keep her safe? What does Edu have planned for them all? I need book three like ASAP!
This book picks up right where the first book ended, in the heart of the Under. This book is fast-paced from beginning to end and there were so many twists and turns I couldn’t put it down. I HAD to know what happened to Lydia. She is still determined to get home but makes a concession living with Aon the “madman” of the Under. He isn’t like what the others say about him or how he was portrayed in her dreams. I’m just going to say this now, I liked this book better than the first one. I got sucked into the world of the Under more in this book and I didn’t want to leave. I can’t wait for the third installment of the series!!