The epic finale of the Daughters of Avalon! Medieval romance with a sprinkling of fantasy. “Perfect!” says Whiskey & Wit Book Reviews.Rhiannon’s destiny is fated from the moment of her birth. She and her dewine sisters must defeat an ancient evil, or Britain itself will go the way of Avalon. Her sisters and their champions have set the stage for a final, epic battle against the Witch Goddess … set the stage for a final, epic battle against the Witch Goddess Cerridwen, but Rhiannon can only fulfill her destiny if she can win the heart of the Lord of Shadows, the man who holds her prisoner.
Fueled by vengeance, Cael d’Lucy’s ambition has raised him to the pinnacle of power. Concealing an ancient secret, he’s close to achieving his desires, and once the dust of battle settles, he stands to rule again as Duke of Wales. All he must do is vanquish a slip of a girl—Morwen Pendragon’s daughter. Trouble is… Rhiannon is Cael’s match, mind, body and soul. Winning her means losing Blackwood; losing her means winning Wales, but what shall it profit a man if he gain the entire world, and lose his very soul?
Books in the Daughters of Avalon series:
- The King’s Favorite
- The Holly & the Ivy
- A Winter’s Rose
- Fire Song
- Lord of Shadows (Rhiannon’s story)
more
I’ve never read a book by Tanya I didn’t love. And LOOK at this cover! xoxo
Lord of Shadows
Daughters of Avalon Series #5
Tanya Ann Crosby
https://www.facebook.com/tanyaannecrosby/
Release date 09/22/2020
Publisher Oliver Herber Books
Rhiannon’s destiny is fated from the moment of her birth. She and her dewine sisters must defeat an ancient evil, or Britain itself will go the way of Avalon. Her sisters and their champions have set the stage for a final, epic battle against the Witch Goddess Cerridwen, but Rhiannon can only fulfill her destiny if she can win the heart of the Lord of Shadows, the man who holds her prisoner.
Fueled by vengeance, Cael d’Lucy’s ambition has raised him to the pinnacle of power. Concealing an ancient secret, he’s close to achieving his desires, and once the dust of battle settles, he stands to rule again as Duke of Wales. All he must do is vanquish a slip of a girl—Morwen Pendragon’s daughter. Trouble is… Rhiannon is Cael’s match, mind, body and soul. Winning her means losing Blackwood; losing her means winning Wales, but what shall it profit a man if he gain the entire world, and lose his very soul?
Will their love be the end or the beginning of them …
Having read only Rose’s story, the beginning of this one had me a bit confused but once I passed the first chapters and settled in the story, it was quite a good one.
At first I wondered if Rhiannon suffered from the Stockholm syndrome, five years imprisoned would do that. Yet it is the jailer who fell in love.
I am not sure I liked much Rhiannon, she is not easy to appreciate. Of her many sisters, she is quite the haughty one, believing she was destined to the higher level.
So here is her tale of coming of age, she will grow and mature, shred her skin of the childish and unripe layers.
Cael is the conundrum of this tale, his name is no secret from us but his true nature and goal are.
Yet, he is the one showing early his faith in Rhiannon, even when he doubts himself.
I loved him for his flaws but also dedication to the woman who has become everything to him, even more than his thirst for revenge.
But this story is more than theirs, as it closes a circle, bringing closure to a very unstable historical period and giving voice to a legend.
4 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the author and publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/703561820232992/?extid=7u21JvLOSdr0uEaz&d=n
Lord of Shadows Book 4 in the Daughters of Avalon series by Tanya Anne Crosby is the completion of the series. Continuing the adventures of the Pendragon sisters, this is Rhiannon’s tale. Separated from her sisters and imprisoned for 5 years, Rhiannon transcends her bonds and meets her fate. Tanya masterfully weaves all the strings together from the previous 4 books in a culminating explosion of drama and fantasy. To fully experience the tale, I strongly suggest that you read them in close succession. You will fall in love with the characters and their sisterly bonds. The plot line will take you on a fanciful journey, tossing you here and there for a ride you will not soon forget. Tanya Anne Crosby weaves a tale as few others can, with exquisite skill and finesse.
The end of a wonderful series. Morwen is defeated and Rhiannon and Cael find their rightful place together. If you love medieval stories filled with tales of the mystic and fae then you will love this story and the rest of the series. It is filled with history as well as fun stuff. Rhiannon, her sisters and their husbands have to fight to keep the rightful rulers of England on the throne and keep it out of the hands of their mother. In the midst of all that Cael has to prove his love to Rhiannon in order to gain her trust after keeping her prisoner for five years. A great story.
You can always count on a entertaining read from Tanya Anne Crosby!
Tanya Anne Crosby never fails to write a lush historical romance that transports me away from my worries! Highly recommend!
I love Tanya Anne Crosby’s medieval romances! Always lush, vivid, and transportive. Highly recommend!
Tanya Anne Crosby’s books are pure magic, full of emotion and wonderful characters.
I read all 4 (or 3.5) of the books in this series before reading this. You really do need to, in order to understand what’s going on. I am a fan of historical romance, not fantasy. The first 4 books were wonderful. This one was good, but a little more on the fantasy side. I had difficulty keeping up with all the different types of “beings” there were discussed. I would like to have had more personal interaction between the sisters once they were all reunited. Still and all, this was a good book, and I did enjoy it. I’m just a little sad the series has come to an end.
Enter the amazing world created by this author’s imagination and know that you will never be the same!
Magic, a battle for power and for love as Cael d’Lucy strives to carry out his ambition with his fight against Rhiannon. But she is strong and has knows she has to be careful. But the feelings between them grow even as he keeps her prisoner.
Prepare to be enthralled and get lost in a story that is almost epic and will leave you mesmerized and only wanting to read more by this author!
Another 5-star read from Tanya Anne Crosby!
I enjoyed this story. The story was hard to get into at first because I hadn’t read any of the other books in the series but I soon realized what was happening in the story. Rhiannon and Cael’s story takes many ups and downs but it is worth the ride. This was not my typical type of read, but I enjoyed reading it. I plan to read the entire series after this and recommend it to everyone.
I received this book from Oliver Heber Books for an honest review. They in no way influenced my review.
It didn’t take me long to realize that not having read any of the previous books in this series was a serious detriment. I am a fast and voracious reader but found myself struggling to get into this very complicated and multilayered story. I love this author’s work and have read many of her previous books but not in this genre. Tanya Anne Crosby gives her readers excellent writing and this one was no exception. I think if I’d read even just one previous book in the series, it would’ve made a huge difference in my complete enjoyment of LORD OF SHADOWS. As it was, I had to go back and reread and double check names to make sure I was getting the details right. Because of the excellence of her writing, I think recommending this entire series is a better idea than just this last book. Of course, if you’ve been reading this series all along, nothing will keep you from diving into this on, Book 5, to get the conclusion. Strongly recommend.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review.
Book: Lord of Shadows
By Tanya Anne Crosby
Series: Daughters of Avalon, Book 5
Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook (of)
Tartan Book Reviews
Celtic World of Historical Book Reviews
Purple Tulip Book Reviews
Celtic Barb’s Kilted Book Review Blog
Heat Rating: Sweet, loving and passionate
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars and Kilts
“I have loved you from the moment you opened your mouth Rhiannon Pendragon…disheveled and lovely, proud and fierce!”
– Cael d’Lucy
Blackwood Castle, 1153
Cael d’Lucy. Lord of Blackwood in Britannia, year of the lord 1153. Yet he was only in another body because of Nesta. The Dragon King’s former wife in another life, made the ultimate sacrifice to save her husband Maelgwn, Dragon King of Anglesey, in his past life in Llanrho Wales 547AD.Now he was given a dead man’s body, who he has no idea the type of man d’Lucy was. Cael also had been murdered by his nemesis Uther Pendragon,giving him a so-called gift which only ended his life. It was an enchanted, cursed, sword that made him lust after it like a woman. This ultimately caused his death.
It was his Queen, that made the ultimate sacrifice trying to save him. This was done even though he had never loved her the way he should have. She cared for him knowing he did not love her in the all consuming way, like she cared for him. Though he had searched for that type of love, to find someone aligned to him, his other half, soulmate and confidante. The type of love that would last forever, that would last in life and death and all through eternity. This is what he truly desired, but never discovered. He couldn’t complain, as he had a wife and children he thought before this tragedy happened.Yet his heir also been murdered shortly after him, so Uther Pendragon sitting on his throne, the new Lord King of Anglesey. Except he was brought back to life by the witch goddess Morwen, so now he owed her everything! He had been wanting to get revenge on his enemy for the past six hundred years who had long been dead. So it would be Uther’s heir, Rhiannon Pendragon, except she wasn’t wicked and evil like her ancestor that murdered him and stole his life or Morwen, her demented mother. is so jealous of her daughter’s power she wants her dead. If he made this daughter disappear he could have all he has lost. Wales, his Kingdom and title. After all he as the Shadow King not some petty English Lord.
He truly wanted revenge on Uther’s heir Rhiannon Pendragon until he met her. This caused so much turmoil and emotion in him having feelings he had been trying to fight! After all it was only five years to his six hundred and one. The problem was he was in love with his enemy! Yes Uther took his place sitting on his throne! He was Maelgwn ap Cadwallon, high King of Gwynedd, Dragon Lord of Angelsey not some petty English noble English Lord!
It is the old story that has been going on since the beginning of time of light vs darkness, sweet vs bitter and good versus evil. As this is the position Rhiannon Pendragon, her sister’s and the men who own their hearts are in. As they must defeat in this last and final battle or die trying! It starts with destroying the mother that never ages, Morwen Pendragon, also known as the powerful and ruthless, Witch Goddess, Cerridwen. If the dewine sisters do not overpower and win this final battle it is quite possible Britain will vanish and be lost and forgotten! Following the same direction as Avalon with the same result. Britain will be in named in stories as a possible Kingdom, but there will be no proof of its existence, or it’s Noble inhabitants. Britain like Avalon will only be known as a possibility more of a fantasy place not a reality.
The problem is Rhiannon has lost her magic due to her being captured, abducted, imprisoned by her jailers. The chemicals and specific metals on her mannicles has blocked off her magic.Another reason her mother is so threatened by her own daughter, Rhiannon is a very powerful witch too, but filled with more goodness and light , than evil darkness that consumes her mum. She can only fulfill her fate if she can get Cael d’Lucy to fall in love with her and allow her to escape. Problem is he is a man of many unknown secrets and does not trust him.She will not open her heart to her jailer no matter how attractive he is, Plus he owes her mother and fears her power of destroying him. He can’t hold too much sympathy after all it is revenge he wants against the Pendragon ancestors of the past. It is due to a big wrong from his past. On top of that he owes Morwen a very large debt. Yet the more time he spends with beautiful Rhiannon the more he starts feeling for her. He tries to make her as comfortable as possible unknown to Morwen. She wants him to marry this daughter but he does not want to force her plus he knows Rhiannon would be good as dead if he does nothing. The problem is in love with his victim. No it it not Stockholm syndrome as this is her mother’s idea not his, plus it is not the prisoner but the jailer who is in love. On top of this he knows he is supposed to make Rhiannon disappear. He could never harm Rhiannon, but no matter what he knows something bad and irreversible will happen too,0 as this will be the beginning of a war no matter what. Will he help Rhiannon or protect her by putting himself in danger and losing everything he has ever wanted, including the woman he loves?
Will love and light or evil and darkness dominate the future? Who shall win this epic battle?
OMG this final novel in the Daughters of Avalon is absolutely both phenomenal and exhilarating! Even though my heart is breaking a little that it is the last book of the series. It is another Crosby series that I will definitely reread again. As her books are always shelf keepers in my opinion. This novel is a riveting, action packed, fast paced, page tunrning, heartstring pulling masterpiece! It is filled with so many twists and turns that my heart was doing flip flops! The setting, dialogue, and plotting is both breathtaking and brilliant. Both the diverse main characters and secondary characters are absolutely extraordinary! There is a reason I have been reading this extraordinary storyteller’s books for over 25 years! Again Ms. Crosby is at the top of her game, when she penned this enchanting awe inspiring story in her new novel “Lord of Shadows”! It is her “Daughters of Avalon” historical fantasy series! It is where readers get mesmerized and swept away in which is an absolute delight!
“Again I was dazzled from start to finish!” You can read as a stand alone book but I highly recommend to read all five books of the series!
“I didn’t just read it, I felt it deep in my heart! It’s off the charts of how extraordinary this story is! I can’t recommend this magical spellbinding book enough!
Daughters of Avalon
By Tanya Anne Crosby
1)The King’s Favorite
2)The Holly & the Ivy
3)A Winter’s Rose
4)Fire Song
5)Lord of Shadows (Rhiannon’s story)
I was gifted this ARC from the publisher . I voluntarily agreed to read, give honest review and blog this book. All opinions, ideas, words and thoughts are my own.
Buy Links:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XF8V1WH
https://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/lord-of-shadows-tanya-anne-crosby/1134517319
https://oliver-heberbooks.com/our-books/lord-of-shadows-daughters-of-avalon-book-5/
https://books.apple.com/us/book/lord-of-shadows/id1470269697
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/lord-of-shadows-7?
https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Tanya_Anne_Crosby_Lord_of_Shadows?id=L_LKDwAAQBAJ&hl=en_US
Tanya Anne Crosby has weaved her magic with Lord of Shadows. She has combined historical events, fantasy and folk lore with a passionate romance in this final book in the Daughters of Avalon series. She kept me enthralled as I read Rhiannon and Cael d’Lucy’s story. Secrets are revealed that threaten their relationship as well as the balance of power. I wondered if the past would destroy them. As Rhiannon and Cael with her dewine sisters and their champions prepare to battle with Morwen and her army. The fate of so many depend on the outcome. Who will be the victor? I had to know. Would love triumph or would the ancient evil be vict?
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily Tanya Anne Crosby has weaved her magic with Lord of Shadows. She has combined historical events, fantasy and folk lore with a passionate romance in this final book in the Daughters of Avalon series. She kept me enthralled as I read Rhiannon and Cael d’Lucy’s story. Secrets are revealed that threaten their relationship as well as the balance of power. I wondered if the past would destroy them. As Rhiannon and Cael with her de wine sisters and their champions prepare to battle with Morwen and her army. The fate of so many depend on the outcome. Who will be the victor? I had to know. Would love triumph or would the desire for absolute power?
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion. read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.