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Court of Midnight and Deception #1
Crown of Shadows
The fae of the Night Court are desperately searching for a new monarch to crown before the Court collapses.
I couldn’t care less.
I’ve done everything I can to bury my fae blood and embrace my human half. That changes when some fae nobles show up on my doorstep and announce that I’m the next Queen of the Night Court.
Becoming an unwilling fae queen? Check. Inheriting a terrible mess? Double check.
The Court is almost bankrupt, my citizens’ favorite hobby is backstabbing one another, and I don’t know who I can trust since someone keeps trying to assassinate me.
Speaking of assassins, I get introduced to the best in the business—a fae lord nicknamed the Wraith. His deadly profession means he fears no one. The only reason he doesn’t kill me on the spot is he’s also a member of the Night Court and the Court’s magic protects me. But that doesn’t prevent him from trading verbal barbs with me whenever we meet.
And if cat herding all these uncooperative fae and chatting with assassins wasn’t enough, I’m required to get married as part of some archaic Court law. This “queen” gig is the worst!
Supposedly I can choose anyone to marry, but with all the infighting I need someone who is neutral and won’t provoke more political power struggles.
So, why do I keep thinking of a certain assassin?
Court of Midnight and Deception is an urban fantasy trilogy featuring fae, werewolves, vampires, and wizards. It’s packed with humor, adventure, and a sweet, slow burn romance between a reluctant fae queen and the assassin who tried to kill her.
I couldn’t care less.
I’ve done everything I can to bury my fae blood and embrace my human half. That changes when some fae nobles show up on my doorstep and announce that I’m the next Queen of the Night Court.
Becoming an unwilling fae queen? Check. Inheriting a terrible mess? Double check.
The Court is almost bankrupt, my citizens’ favorite hobby is backstabbing one another, and I don’t know who I can trust since someone keeps trying to assassinate me.
Speaking of assassins, I get introduced to the best in the business—a fae lord nicknamed the Wraith. His deadly profession means he fears no one. The only reason he doesn’t kill me on the spot is he’s also a member of the Night Court and the Court’s magic protects me. But that doesn’t prevent him from trading verbal barbs with me whenever we meet.
And if cat herding all these uncooperative fae and chatting with assassins wasn’t enough, I’m required to get married as part of some archaic Court law. This “queen” gig is the worst!
Supposedly I can choose anyone to marry, but with all the infighting I need someone who is neutral and won’t provoke more political power struggles.
So, why do I keep thinking of a certain assassin?
Court of Midnight and Deception is an urban fantasy trilogy featuring fae, werewolves, vampires, and wizards. It’s packed with humor, adventure, and a sweet, slow burn romance between a reluctant fae queen and the assassin who tried to kill her.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2020
2,133 people are currently reading
11.3k people want to read
About the author
K.M. Shea
117 books4,554 followersMy pen name is K. M. Shea, but my readers—I prefer to call them Champions—call me Kitty.
I love to write funny, clean stories with strong characters. Books like that are among my favorite to read so naturally I love writing stories like that as well. My philosophy is that life is tough, so books should be something that makes you relax and laugh!
VISIT MY FACEBOOK GROUP
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VISIT MY AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
https://www.amazon.com/K-M-Shea/e/B00...
VISIT MY WEBSITE
https://kmshea.com/
I love to write funny, clean stories with strong characters. Books like that are among my favorite to read so naturally I love writing stories like that as well. My philosophy is that life is tough, so books should be something that makes you relax and laugh!
VISIT MY FACEBOOK GROUP
https://www.facebook.com/groups/27090...
VISIT MY AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
https://www.amazon.com/K-M-Shea/e/B00...
VISIT MY WEBSITE
https://kmshea.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 644 reviews
December 3, 2020
While this is first in a new series, it's a direct follow-on of the author's Hall of Blood and Mercy series and there's a lot of cross-over, at least to start (not least of which that it was in that series that the Night Court crisis culminates). Since I loved that initial series, I highly recommend reading it first. That said, you can definitely start here if you like and don't mind a couple of cameo's that won't gel without knowing the events from before.
I really liked Leila in her appearances in the first series, so if I had known she was the main character in this I'd have jumped on it sooner. As it was, I got a thrill as soon as I recognized where we were and settled in for the fun. And I wasn't disappointed.
Leila is a great lead character, frankly. She's dropped into a new (to her) situation so she makes a great entry for the reader. Plus, she's sympathetic and fighting a terrible inertia in her court that has them wasting so much effort fighting each other that they aren't even aware of the multi-level crisis they actually face. Coming in as the head of a house divided is it's own special kind of difficult and I loved seeing Leila rise to the challenge.
And I liked even better how the story leans into Leila's dual heritage as half-fae, half-human. I like how she has to embrace both aspects of her heritage in order to succeed, using her human side to throw spanners into the usual workings of the court and her fae side to take the resulting disruption and forge it to her purposes. And I liked even more the solidity and support she has in her family.
There's not much else to say. The romance, if it is there (and it probably is), is extremely slow burn. We get some PoV from Rigel but it's only barely enough to get a sense of his personality and purpose. I like what we see of him, though, so I have hopes this will turn out well.
Since I couldn't put it down and stayed up way too late to finish it, I'm giving it all five stars. I'm glad to see this come up and can't wait for the others. My only real regret is that I've caught up to Shea's production and will have to actually wait!
A note about Chaste: Yeah, there's no sex, explicit or otherwise. Leila isn't in a place of trust or intimacy so it makes sense. Not even any kissing, so this is very chaste.
I really liked Leila in her appearances in the first series, so if I had known she was the main character in this I'd have jumped on it sooner. As it was, I got a thrill as soon as I recognized where we were and settled in for the fun. And I wasn't disappointed.
Leila is a great lead character, frankly. She's dropped into a new (to her) situation so she makes a great entry for the reader. Plus, she's sympathetic and fighting a terrible inertia in her court that has them wasting so much effort fighting each other that they aren't even aware of the multi-level crisis they actually face. Coming in as the head of a house divided is it's own special kind of difficult and I loved seeing Leila rise to the challenge.
And I liked even better how the story leans into Leila's dual heritage as half-fae, half-human. I like how she has to embrace both aspects of her heritage in order to succeed, using her human side to throw spanners into the usual workings of the court and her fae side to take the resulting disruption and forge it to her purposes. And I liked even more the solidity and support she has in her family.
There's not much else to say. The romance, if it is there (and it probably is), is extremely slow burn. We get some PoV from Rigel but it's only barely enough to get a sense of his personality and purpose. I like what we see of him, though, so I have hopes this will turn out well.
Since I couldn't put it down and stayed up way too late to finish it, I'm giving it all five stars. I'm glad to see this come up and can't wait for the others. My only real regret is that I've caught up to Shea's production and will have to actually wait!
A note about Chaste: Yeah, there's no sex, explicit or otherwise. Leila isn't in a place of trust or intimacy so it makes sense. Not even any kissing, so this is very chaste.
March 6, 2021
✰ 4 'Wraith' Stars ✰
-ˏˋ A Visual of My Thoughts After Reading ˎˊ-
It has been confirmed, K.M. Shea is an official favorite author of mine. What a time to be alive ❤︎
He stared at me. “You’re planning something.”
“Only sort of,” I said.
He shrugged. “Don’t bring ruin to our Court.”
With that “beautiful” and “touching” advice, he left.
-ˏˋ A Visual of My Thoughts After Reading ˎˊ-
It has been confirmed, K.M. Shea is an official favorite author of mine. What a time to be alive ❤︎
stay tuned for a longer review in the future. . .i'll probably write a series review once i finish books two and three ✨
December 3, 2020
If it weren`t for the promise that I had made myself last year, I wouldn`t have even bothered with a review. I promised myself that I`ll try to write something, anything about every book I finish and put on Goodreads.
It is my fault, all right? I am waiting for the January because it seems that all the good books were pilled up for that month and until then I am swimming in the pool of shallow plots.
This is a rip off of the ACOTAR or not even that series, maybe any kind of series that had a heroine that lusted after some forbidden bad wolf while she had to keep afloat a kingdom that she somehow inherited.
It says something about this book that I have even thought to give it a chance and more than that, to finish it. Just from that premise it is better than many others that I have read and DNF even in the middle because they were getting so atrocious.
I should not be so harsh. It is hard writing a book. Maybe everybody wants to write something that would sell. I mean, you wouldn`t want to bring your Publishing House to bankruptcy with your first release, would you?
This book was about a girl that was chosen my magical horses to be the next queen of the most badass court in the faerie. She was named queen in time before an assassin tried to kill her. He did not succeed. However, he was successful at stealing her heart (not ad literam!). It goes on that she is crowned as new queen and she goes around the palace, trying to solve really weird specific problems. She is buying time as she has to chose her consort. It is a weird made up law of that court that a queen could only official start her reign after she had chosen a consort. Which, fine, if the author didn`t find a smarter way to bring the love interests together, we`ll go with this. What could we do?
I for one I am still stuck at home, waiting for the January books. I will take it.
”I had focused on surviving the way the fae wanted me to I didn't play up the strengths I had that they didn`t. I`d let them drag me into their game, and protested by being snippy with them, when in reality I could just change the game.”
Look at an almost pretty quote.
Instagram\\my Blog\\
It is my fault, all right? I am waiting for the January because it seems that all the good books were pilled up for that month and until then I am swimming in the pool of shallow plots.
This is a rip off of the ACOTAR or not even that series, maybe any kind of series that had a heroine that lusted after some forbidden bad wolf while she had to keep afloat a kingdom that she somehow inherited.
It says something about this book that I have even thought to give it a chance and more than that, to finish it. Just from that premise it is better than many others that I have read and DNF even in the middle because they were getting so atrocious.
I should not be so harsh. It is hard writing a book. Maybe everybody wants to write something that would sell. I mean, you wouldn`t want to bring your Publishing House to bankruptcy with your first release, would you?
This book was about a girl that was chosen my magical horses to be the next queen of the most badass court in the faerie. She was named queen in time before an assassin tried to kill her. He did not succeed. However, he was successful at stealing her heart (not ad literam!). It goes on that she is crowned as new queen and she goes around the palace, trying to solve really weird specific problems. She is buying time as she has to chose her consort. It is a weird made up law of that court that a queen could only official start her reign after she had chosen a consort. Which, fine, if the author didn`t find a smarter way to bring the love interests together, we`ll go with this. What could we do?
I for one I am still stuck at home, waiting for the January books. I will take it.
”I had focused on surviving the way the fae wanted me to I didn't play up the strengths I had that they didn`t. I`d let them drag me into their game, and protested by being snippy with them, when in reality I could just change the game.”
Look at an almost pretty quote.
Instagram\\my Blog\\
January 6, 2024
2022 Re-read Review: The audiobook version is SO amazing!!! This series is one of my favorites by K.M. Shea that I was really hoping I'd love the narrators. And I do!! So if you haven't read this series yet, it is now available on audiobook!
Original Review:
There are not enough stars for this book! SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I have already read it twice. It is that good! KM Shea just keeps getting better and better with each book, and this one is her best yet! Though, I adore every book she has ever written, to be honest!
This book is about Leila, who was a minor character in the connected House of Blood and Mercy series. While the previous series focused on wizards and vampires, this series is about the fae. It is an urban fantasy series, so it was fun to have modern references and mini golf mixed in with super serious, super fantasy fae. All the hilarity.
I particularly loved that Leila is a farm girl and an animal person. As a farm girl and super animal person myself, I really appreciated it.
Not to mention the arranged marriage with a fae assassin. That was just the icing on the cake. The romance doesn't really start much in this book, but I have high hopes for a KM Shea style, clean, hilarious romp of a slowburn romance starting in the next book of this trilogy.
I can't WAIT for the next book!
Original Review:
There are not enough stars for this book! SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I have already read it twice. It is that good! KM Shea just keeps getting better and better with each book, and this one is her best yet! Though, I adore every book she has ever written, to be honest!
This book is about Leila, who was a minor character in the connected House of Blood and Mercy series. While the previous series focused on wizards and vampires, this series is about the fae. It is an urban fantasy series, so it was fun to have modern references and mini golf mixed in with super serious, super fantasy fae. All the hilarity.
I particularly loved that Leila is a farm girl and an animal person. As a farm girl and super animal person myself, I really appreciated it.
Not to mention the arranged marriage with a fae assassin. That was just the icing on the cake. The romance doesn't really start much in this book, but I have high hopes for a KM Shea style, clean, hilarious romp of a slowburn romance starting in the next book of this trilogy.
I can't WAIT for the next book!
January 12, 2024
I think I have found what the draw for me is in Ms. Shae’s books - it’s her heroines! Each series that I have read, from Hazel’s, to Pip’s to Leila, all feature an extremely likeable yet morally strong woman with that never give up attitude. I love that type of female character and none write them better than this author.
In this book, we are re-introduced to Leila (we first met her in Hazel’s series but only for a minute or two). She is half-fae and half-human, although throughout her life she has totally embraced her human side and completley ignored her fae side. That is until her love of animals suddenly finds her with some scary fae horses that bind her to them which makes her queen of a fae realm. What follows is a rollicking good time read! She doesn’t want to be there so doesn’t bother holding her tongue against the extremely snobbish and nasty fae, and that is all kinds of enjoyable. But, as attempts on her life increase and become more viable, Laila has to own up to her position and take control.
Okay… that’s enough for now. I’m off to attack the next book, no more time for yammering. I’d suggest just picking this up and reading it for yourself!
In this book, we are re-introduced to Leila (we first met her in Hazel’s series but only for a minute or two). She is half-fae and half-human, although throughout her life she has totally embraced her human side and completley ignored her fae side. That is until her love of animals suddenly finds her with some scary fae horses that bind her to them which makes her queen of a fae realm. What follows is a rollicking good time read! She doesn’t want to be there so doesn’t bother holding her tongue against the extremely snobbish and nasty fae, and that is all kinds of enjoyable. But, as attempts on her life increase and become more viable, Laila has to own up to her position and take control.
Okay… that’s enough for now. I’m off to attack the next book, no more time for yammering. I’d suggest just picking this up and reading it for yourself!
January 18, 2021
The first time they met, the hero tried to kill the heroine and failed!
Later on, she’s married him 😂.
Well, she is a clever and cunning woman, for sure 😘.
I will write a full review on book #3 after I finished this fabulous trilogy.
❤️❤️❤️
Later on, she’s married him 😂.
Well, she is a clever and cunning woman, for sure 😘.
I will write a full review on book #3 after I finished this fabulous trilogy.
❤️❤️❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2023
The audiobook is beautifully done and there were several parts I laughed out loud at 😂 I love Kitty’s books so much, especially this multi-series urban fantasy!
October 18, 2022
“Rhonda! Rhonda, we’ve got a rider of the apocalypse in the drive through!”
5 stars // read February 2022
Marriage of convenience? Check.
Assassins? Check.
Sensible and hilarious heroines? Check.
Slow burn romance? Check.
Tricksy Fae bargains? Check.
They say to write the book you want to read, but in this case, my book has already been written. 😍
A couple of notes:
-2022 has been one big reader’s block for me- even if I’m interested in a book, it’s been difficult to finish. However, once I started reading this, I couldn’t put it down, and basically binge read the entire trilogy in the space of three days.
-The Court of Midnight and Deception is a spin-off/sequel series to Shea’s Hall of Blood and Mercy. I read Magic Forged a while back and it was a bit iffy for me, mainly because of the vampire romance aspect. (As a general rule, I’m not much of a vampire person… unless, of course, he just happens to speak Korean and owns a tie frog. *cough*) While I was familiar with characters like Hazel and the Paragon, and this is fairly interconnected with the previous series, I think this could be read as a stand alone, as long as you don’t mind potential spoilers.
-There’s also a Fae lawyer, which is kind of my favorite thing because I’ve always thought that would be an excellent profession for the race who basically invented the loophole. 😂
-I really appreciated that the romance was fun and slow-burn and not really a whole lot of drama.
-The world building!! ❤️ Gotta love the “night mares.”
-Clearly, a lot of thought was put into the characters. They feel very layered, not stereotypes.
-There’s something to be said for serious, epic sagas, but the way to my heart is through humor. I laughed so hard at different times throughout the series. Maybe not the best thing when it’s 11:00 and everyone else in the house is asleep, but I couldn’t restrain laughing out loud at some of the scenes (particularly those involving Leila talking about Rigel to the other court rulers.)
Content:
Language: Mentions of a character swearing, but no actual words said
Violence: Mild- some fights with monsters, including giant spiders
Sensuality: Mild. An ongoing joke throughout the series involves Leila talking about a character’s abs.
5 stars // read February 2022
Marriage of convenience? Check.
Assassins? Check.
Sensible and hilarious heroines? Check.
Slow burn romance? Check.
Tricksy Fae bargains? Check.
They say to write the book you want to read, but in this case, my book has already been written. 😍
A couple of notes:
-2022 has been one big reader’s block for me- even if I’m interested in a book, it’s been difficult to finish. However, once I started reading this, I couldn’t put it down, and basically binge read the entire trilogy in the space of three days.
-The Court of Midnight and Deception is a spin-off/sequel series to Shea’s Hall of Blood and Mercy. I read Magic Forged a while back and it was a bit iffy for me, mainly because of the vampire romance aspect. (As a general rule, I’m not much of a vampire person… unless, of course, he just happens to speak Korean and owns a tie frog. *cough*) While I was familiar with characters like Hazel and the Paragon, and this is fairly interconnected with the previous series, I think this could be read as a stand alone, as long as you don’t mind potential spoilers.
-There’s also a Fae lawyer, which is kind of my favorite thing because I’ve always thought that would be an excellent profession for the race who basically invented the loophole. 😂
-I really appreciated that the romance was fun and slow-burn and not really a whole lot of drama.
-The world building!! ❤️ Gotta love the “night mares.”
-Clearly, a lot of thought was put into the characters. They feel very layered, not stereotypes.
-There’s something to be said for serious, epic sagas, but the way to my heart is through humor. I laughed so hard at different times throughout the series. Maybe not the best thing when it’s 11:00 and everyone else in the house is asleep, but I couldn’t restrain laughing out loud at some of the scenes (particularly those involving Leila talking about Rigel to the other court rulers.)
Content:
Language: Mentions of a character swearing, but no actual words said
Violence: Mild- some fights with monsters, including giant spiders
Sensuality: Mild. An ongoing joke throughout the series involves Leila talking about a character’s abs.
January 4, 2021
This series starts after the end of Killian and Hazel's book. It's about Leila, their neighbor who trained the dogs. This is a terrific series if its been a while since you read Hazels book. I say that because Leila is Hazel with another name basically and the same for Killian and Rigel. They both have the same temperament, the same moral compass, the same quirks, they could be the same people. There is no romance in this book, just banter between the two main characters.
Since its being a while for me, I enjoyed this book. I like Leila's fun personality and her trolling the nobles. Can't wait to read more.
Since its being a while for me, I enjoyed this book. I like Leila's fun personality and her trolling the nobles. Can't wait to read more.
December 12, 2020
Half fae and half human Leila prefers humans over the duplicitous and backstabbing fae, but when she is marked as the new Queen the Night Court she finds herself right in the middle of fae life/society. Enemies at every turn she is determined to eradicate the power games that are destroying the court, but to wear her crown she needs to marry, an archaic tradition that has her more than a little peeved. Sadly we don't get a moment like in Princess Diaries 2 (the movie) where she says gets the law changed and I don't think it will be coming in book 2 either.
I liked the heroine, she has me interested in seeing where things will go. Hoping for more compelling world building in the next book and for some sizzle and spark between her and a certain assassin.
I'm curious to see what will happen next so will read book 2 at some point if it's free or on KU.
On KU.
I liked the heroine, she has me interested in seeing where things will go. Hoping for more compelling world building in the next book and for some sizzle and spark between her and a certain assassin.
I'm curious to see what will happen next so will read book 2 at some point if it's free or on KU.
On KU.
January 6, 2024
Wow, fae are petty, lol. Despite that I really enjoyed this!
Leila is a super fun, independent character and being an animal lover myself I love that she’s one too not to mention a devoted pet owner to the extreme, haha. I also love how positive she is despite being thrown in a situation she never wanted or asked for. And at first Rigel reminded me of a block of wood but by the end he was slowly revealing a personality so I have a feeling he’ll develop more of one as the series progresses and he and Leila become closer. 😏 I love Indigo (glasses girls for the win!) and our new set of side characters and I’m excited to learn more about them and watch Leila gain them as friends. And do I squeal like a demented fangirl every time Hazel and Killian are mentioned? Yes, yes I do. I just love them a lot, okay? 😍😍
And even though the fae are petty and mean their power play is interesting to untangle if a bit annoying and frustrating for Leila and me at times, lol. And as always the snark and sarcasm is spot on and hilarious.
I’ve also come to the conclusion that the first book of each of the Magiford trilogies I’m probably going to rate four stars due to the groundwork of the magical world we’re in at the time and the characters and then once everything solidifies and such I’ll rate the other two books higher. Maybe. 🤷🏼♀️ It’s just a theory right now, so we’ll see if I’m right!
I’m looking forward to seeing were Leila’s story goes from here!
‼️Content‼️
Language: what the heck; what the; heck; oh my gosh; arse; crud; darned; screwed up; gee; holy cow
Violence: giant spiders attack a character which she smashes and sprays with wasp spray (not detailed); a character is shot at; a man’s neck is sliced (not detailed); a large object is smashed over a man’s head; a character shoots at a woman; a statue almost falls on a woman; a shadowy monster attacks a character; injuries and blood (not detailed or shown)
Sexual: a couple very mild suggestive hints
Drug/Alcohol: a character drinks; food is magically poisoned
Other: magic; vampires, werewolves, fae, wizards and other magical creatures/beings; a character is an assassin; a character is a gambler
Leila is a super fun, independent character and being an animal lover myself I love that she’s one too not to mention a devoted pet owner to the extreme, haha. I also love how positive she is despite being thrown in a situation she never wanted or asked for. And at first Rigel reminded me of a block of wood but by the end he was slowly revealing a personality so I have a feeling he’ll develop more of one as the series progresses and he and Leila become closer. 😏 I love Indigo (glasses girls for the win!) and our new set of side characters and I’m excited to learn more about them and watch Leila gain them as friends. And do I squeal like a demented fangirl every time Hazel and Killian are mentioned? Yes, yes I do. I just love them a lot, okay? 😍😍
And even though the fae are petty and mean their power play is interesting to untangle if a bit annoying and frustrating for Leila and me at times, lol. And as always the snark and sarcasm is spot on and hilarious.
I’ve also come to the conclusion that the first book of each of the Magiford trilogies I’m probably going to rate four stars due to the groundwork of the magical world we’re in at the time and the characters and then once everything solidifies and such I’ll rate the other two books higher. Maybe. 🤷🏼♀️ It’s just a theory right now, so we’ll see if I’m right!
I’m looking forward to seeing were Leila’s story goes from here!
‼️Content‼️
Language: what the heck; what the; heck; oh my gosh; arse; crud; darned; screwed up; gee; holy cow
Violence: giant spiders attack a character which she smashes and sprays with wasp spray (not detailed); a character is shot at; a man’s neck is sliced (not detailed); a large object is smashed over a man’s head; a character shoots at a woman; a statue almost falls on a woman; a shadowy monster attacks a character; injuries and blood (not detailed or shown)
Sexual: a couple very mild suggestive hints
Drug/Alcohol: a character drinks; food is magically poisoned
Other: magic; vampires, werewolves, fae, wizards and other magical creatures/beings; a character is an assassin; a character is a gambler
November 21, 2020
(I've discarded my rambly analytical bullet points in favor of this, but...)
WOAH!! Just...WOAH!! The writing, pacing, the character development, the relationships and side characters and progressions were just.....perfect. Ten points for amazing parental figures for the main heroine and 100 points for her slow character development. I love the fact that the heroine doesn't end up fully fixing her prejudice but DOES do her best.
No big negatives, honestly...
Okay, this is the first time I found myself relating so *closely* to a heroine. Usually, there might be one aspect of a heroine that I can, of course, relate to, but I hardly ever find myself easily able to connect to someone (though liking is usually simple). But LEILA! She is SO brutal, blunt, and sassy...and maybe I'm not really like her, but she is what I kind of aim to be. The reactions and actions she takes are so....well, yes. I really DID love the characters, and the sides (of course) and that cameo of Hazel and Killian. :P And the way the court politics were navigated was fantastic.
Also, as a last kudos...the way Shea mixed modern technology in a fantasy setting was phenomenal and felt so natural.
Finally...ANIMALS!! ACH! I want ALL of them as my pets!!
Content: Arachnophobic people be a bit wary? Some violence but nothing romantic (yet *smirks*)
WOAH!! Just...WOAH!! The writing, pacing, the character development, the relationships and side characters and progressions were just.....perfect. Ten points for amazing parental figures for the main heroine and 100 points for her slow character development. I love the fact that the heroine doesn't end up fully fixing her prejudice but DOES do her best.
No big negatives, honestly...
Okay, this is the first time I found myself relating so *closely* to a heroine. Usually, there might be one aspect of a heroine that I can, of course, relate to, but I hardly ever find myself easily able to connect to someone (though liking is usually simple). But LEILA! She is SO brutal, blunt, and sassy...and maybe I'm not really like her, but she is what I kind of aim to be. The reactions and actions she takes are so....well, yes. I really DID love the characters, and the sides (of course) and that cameo of Hazel and Killian. :P And the way the court politics were navigated was fantastic.
Also, as a last kudos...the way Shea mixed modern technology in a fantasy setting was phenomenal and felt so natural.
Finally...ANIMALS!! ACH! I want ALL of them as my pets!!
Content: Arachnophobic people be a bit wary? Some violence but nothing romantic (yet *smirks*)
August 31, 2024
Sometimes, when things are hard, you need to read an action packed urban fantasy with wild horses, sass & banter, a half fae-half human woman forced to be queen of a Court that doesn’t want her, and the assassin she marries who tried to kill her. This is one of those time.
Sufficed to say, I am enraptured with the Magiford world Shea has created, especially with the cameo appearances of Killian & Hazel! There’s high octane action with plenty of laughter!
And the audiobook is impeccable! 😂
Sufficed to say, I am enraptured with the Magiford world Shea has created, especially with the cameo appearances of Killian & Hazel! There’s high octane action with plenty of laughter!
And the audiobook is impeccable! 😂
April 29, 2024
This was my audio book for this month! I really enjoyed getting to see another side to the Magiford series! The FMC is fun and headstrong and her love for animals is heartwarming! I really enjoyed the plot and how it unfolded for her!
I feel like for the MMC we didn’t see too much of him in depth but I’m excited to see more of him and what he’s like in the next two books! Overall very easy light fantasy that’s a casual fun read!
I feel like for the MMC we didn’t see too much of him in depth but I’m excited to see more of him and what he’s like in the next two books! Overall very easy light fantasy that’s a casual fun read!
September 29, 2021
3.5 stars
January 18, 2021
I really enjoyed this one!
This was a great start to a new urban fantasy series. Leila is half-fae and is trying to live a normal life when she is suddenly made the Queen of the Night Court. While she is less than thrilled with this new role, she really does try to make the best of it and to make changes that will benefit her people. Leila is a pretty likable character, a little brash at times, but it was fun to watch her navigate the fae court and try and get her footing as the new queen. It was also fun to see the people close to her start to like her and how she wins them over as well as any animal that crosses her path.
The worldbuilding was good, I enjoyed the cast of characters and overall storyline. I'm a sucker for romance and do wish that had been bumped up a bit more, at least given them some more page time together, but I am excited to see where things go in the next couple books. I did like that while this is a spin-off series to the Hall of Blood and Mercy series, it stood really well on its own. I haven't read the previous series and didn't feel lost.
Overall, this is a book and series I would easily recommend to fans of the genre. I am antsy to jump into the next book to see what will happen next!
Content Rated PG
Romance: Very mild
Language: None that I remember
Violence: Mild. Assassination attempts, death some battles with mythical creatures
Court of Midnight and Deception
This was a great start to a new urban fantasy series. Leila is half-fae and is trying to live a normal life when she is suddenly made the Queen of the Night Court. While she is less than thrilled with this new role, she really does try to make the best of it and to make changes that will benefit her people. Leila is a pretty likable character, a little brash at times, but it was fun to watch her navigate the fae court and try and get her footing as the new queen. It was also fun to see the people close to her start to like her and how she wins them over as well as any animal that crosses her path.
The worldbuilding was good, I enjoyed the cast of characters and overall storyline. I'm a sucker for romance and do wish that had been bumped up a bit more, at least given them some more page time together, but I am excited to see where things go in the next couple books. I did like that while this is a spin-off series to the Hall of Blood and Mercy series, it stood really well on its own. I haven't read the previous series and didn't feel lost.
Overall, this is a book and series I would easily recommend to fans of the genre. I am antsy to jump into the next book to see what will happen next!
Content Rated PG
Romance: Very mild
Language: None that I remember
Violence: Mild. Assassination attempts, death some battles with mythical creatures
Court of Midnight and Deception
November 23, 2020
(4.5 stars) - Return to Magiford! (w/a Parental Caveat)
The heroine of this fun book is Leila, whom readers of Hall of Blood and Mercy will remember as the Drake family's neighbor with the dogs & the donkey who helped Hazel after she was kicked out.
It's not necessary to have read the Hall of Blood and Mercy trilogy to read this one, but it will help you better understand the magic-verse Leila lives in (and it's a totally awesome series, anyway)
Leila is half human-half fae, but prefers humanity over duplicitous fae like her biological father who abandoned her & her mother. So she's more than a little surprised when fae creatures start showing up on her farm - including one who tries to kill her, but is stopped by some invisible force & calls her "queen" before retreating.
The story is exciting & frequently amusing. If Leila sounds quite a bit like Hazel at times, it's surely because they are such good friends & hang out together a lot. 😉
The book's description lets you know what's going to happen in the main, but the details are where the heart & life of the story reside as Leila figures out her place in a world where she is unwelcome - and she doesn't want to be, either.
The setup for Leila's relationship with Rigel is here, but romance lovers will have to wait for the next installment for it to develop.
*Romance level: nothing graphic; safe for general consumption
*Parental Caveat: the fae are not able to lie, which has made them geniuses at lying by omission & obfuscation, Leila, being only half fae, CAN lie, and it's depicted as an advantage for her - yet ironically, she despises the fae's untrustworthiness & dishonesty.
I don't see it as reason for forbidding the book - it's pretty obviously just comic level entertainment - BUT it's a great opportunity to talk about the ways people can lie - - & how easily we can fall into hypocrisy even as we fault others
The heroine of this fun book is Leila, whom readers of Hall of Blood and Mercy will remember as the Drake family's neighbor with the dogs & the donkey who helped Hazel after she was kicked out.
It's not necessary to have read the Hall of Blood and Mercy trilogy to read this one, but it will help you better understand the magic-verse Leila lives in (and it's a totally awesome series, anyway)
Leila is half human-half fae, but prefers humanity over duplicitous fae like her biological father who abandoned her & her mother. So she's more than a little surprised when fae creatures start showing up on her farm - including one who tries to kill her, but is stopped by some invisible force & calls her "queen" before retreating.
The story is exciting & frequently amusing. If Leila sounds quite a bit like Hazel at times, it's surely because they are such good friends & hang out together a lot. 😉
The book's description lets you know what's going to happen in the main, but the details are where the heart & life of the story reside as Leila figures out her place in a world where she is unwelcome - and she doesn't want to be, either.
The setup for Leila's relationship with Rigel is here, but romance lovers will have to wait for the next installment for it to develop.
*Romance level: nothing graphic; safe for general consumption
*Parental Caveat: the fae are not able to lie, which has made them geniuses at lying by omission & obfuscation, Leila, being only half fae, CAN lie, and it's depicted as an advantage for her - yet ironically, she despises the fae's untrustworthiness & dishonesty.
I don't see it as reason for forbidding the book - it's pretty obviously just comic level entertainment - BUT it's a great opportunity to talk about the ways people can lie - - & how easily we can fall into hypocrisy even as we fault others
November 30, 2020
I tried to finish it but in vain. The MC, I can't even remember her name at this point, imagine, was one of the worst characters ever written or at least I have had the opportunity to read about. She was a spoiled, entitled, rude excuse of a human. From the first moment she's informed that she's the Queen of Fae she starts acting like a freaking child. She's rude to EVERYONE just bcs she's afraid they will try to kill her although she does know that no one can really harm her as she's their Queen, magic doesn't permit any motion against her.
We have the classic fae court that she tries to reform to her own needs and style without taking into consideration a single subject of hers. She's reaction upon reaction, insult upon insult just by using the excuse that they hate her. DAMN, GIRL, I would freaking hate you and want to kill you with this kind of attitude.
Who would like a Queen like her, seriously???
No this girl was brainless, zero character building nor development.
Not even her romantic interest was interesting nor interested in her😂😂
So, yeah, this kind of characters piss me off as they have zero credibility.
Go and read sth else bcs this definitely doesn't deserve your time.
We have the classic fae court that she tries to reform to her own needs and style without taking into consideration a single subject of hers. She's reaction upon reaction, insult upon insult just by using the excuse that they hate her. DAMN, GIRL, I would freaking hate you and want to kill you with this kind of attitude.
Who would like a Queen like her, seriously???
No this girl was brainless, zero character building nor development.
Not even her romantic interest was interesting nor interested in her😂😂
So, yeah, this kind of characters piss me off as they have zero credibility.
Go and read sth else bcs this definitely doesn't deserve your time.
April 1, 2021
I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. Because the cover isn’t particularly "appealing" to me and I take covers really seriously.
Anyway, we have Leila who just wants a normal life as a "human" but unfortunately overnight she became the queen of the fae. If i got that job I'd scream out of my mind and accept the position without reading the job description but Leila had something else in mind.
The rest of the book is Leila trying to survive the hateful court with her humorous but somehow bitchy comments.
See? Leila was such a fun character to read. I didn’t always agree with her style to "deal" with the fae and the court but I definitely enjoyed reading it.
If it wasn’t for so much politics I don’t think I'd like this book. The first half was slow..really slow. The author could have write this story within 250-300 pages. Somehow it kinda felt dragged to me. Atleast the last 30% was worth it.
I heard so many good things about the next book. Also, I'm so excited to see more of Wraith. Finger crossed!
Anyway, we have Leila who just wants a normal life as a "human" but unfortunately overnight she became the queen of the fae. If i got that job I'd scream out of my mind and accept the position without reading the job description but Leila had something else in mind.
The rest of the book is Leila trying to survive the hateful court with her humorous but somehow bitchy comments.
If you want to exchange insults, you’d be better off picking fights with someone who cares!
See? Leila was such a fun character to read. I didn’t always agree with her style to "deal" with the fae and the court but I definitely enjoyed reading it.
If it wasn’t for so much politics I don’t think I'd like this book. The first half was slow..really slow. The author could have write this story within 250-300 pages. Somehow it kinda felt dragged to me. Atleast the last 30% was worth it.
I heard so many good things about the next book. Also, I'm so excited to see more of Wraith. Finger crossed!
January 29, 2021
I found this while browsing KU. I've read Shea before and I thought the premise was good so I gave it a go. Parts of it were kind of campy and over the top silly and the middle almost lost me, but I ended up liking it enough to download the second in the series.
I thought Leila was kind of funny to start with, but she seemed petty and immature toward the middle of the book. She kept doing things to embarrass the nobles of her court, which seemed so strange to me. She definitely showed her age (and lack of maturity) with all of her antics. Still, I was curious what would happen with her court and the Wraith, so I kept reading. I'm glad I finished and I'm looking forward to the next book, but I think this was only about a 3.25 read for me.
I thought Leila was kind of funny to start with, but she seemed petty and immature toward the middle of the book. She kept doing things to embarrass the nobles of her court, which seemed so strange to me. She definitely showed her age (and lack of maturity) with all of her antics. Still, I was curious what would happen with her court and the Wraith, so I kept reading. I'm glad I finished and I'm looking forward to the next book, but I think this was only about a 3.25 read for me.
September 14, 2023
The humor is the absolute best!
5 Stars
Content: attempted murder x3
5 Stars
Content: attempted murder x3
February 10, 2021
I loved the Magic series that is the starting series to these. If you haven't read that series start there. Shea has a couple different writing styles and the style she went with in this series is not my favorite. Is is more young adult and zany. Zany is a really good word for it. Amusing and unconventional. I have to be in the mood for those and I was looking more for the feel I got in the Magic series.
Leila is a very reluctant Queen of the fay and this is the story of how she got to be queen. It is silly and unconventional. Don't go into this was normal Fay books in mind, Shea loves to twists things on their heads. I know I will like the second book more it will be more romance and more adventure then the first book which was mostly set up.
Again and most always I am not a fan of trilogy's, I think most could be written in one book.
10 and up
Leila is a very reluctant Queen of the fay and this is the story of how she got to be queen. It is silly and unconventional. Don't go into this was normal Fay books in mind, Shea loves to twists things on their heads. I know I will like the second book more it will be more romance and more adventure then the first book which was mostly set up.
Again and most always I am not a fan of trilogy's, I think most could be written in one book.
10 and up
December 21, 2021
3.5 stars Rounded Up
There were many things that I liked about this book, Leila’s supportive family, Leiela’s animal magic, and Leila herself… most of the time. I loved that she could hold her own against bespelled animals and murderous fey creatures. I even loved her willingness, once she realized that she had no choice, to start trying to change the Night Court for the better. But, sometimes, I got a little frustrated with her. It made perfect sense why she didn’t trust the fey and why she made many of the choices she did, but sometimes I also felt my self thinking: really? Is it really necessary to do this next outrageous thing?
With the above said, I did still enjoy how she handled the nobles as well as her shrewdness when picking her advisor, head-of-guard and other necessary roles. In some aspects, I liked her a bit more than Hazel (because she didn’t trot and, beyond some initial surprise about some living arrangements, there was no squawking about butts). Clean books don’t have to feel juvenile but there were a few instances, in the Hall of Blood and Mercy series when I felt like it did. For the most part though, I like Hazel and Leila fairly equally. They are both strong women willing to adapt (even if it’s because of the lack of better options).
I also have a slightly more favorable opinion of Rigel than I did Killian. Killian started off insulting Hazel while Rigel, though he did attempt to assassinate the future queen, became neutral after that. Yes, I’m splitting hairs as Rigel, like I said, did try to kill her but it’s how I feel. I am interested in finding out what happens next in their story, so I’m off to the next book.
There were many things that I liked about this book, Leila’s supportive family, Leiela’s animal magic, and Leila herself… most of the time. I loved that she could hold her own against bespelled animals and murderous fey creatures. I even loved her willingness, once she realized that she had no choice, to start trying to change the Night Court for the better. But, sometimes, I got a little frustrated with her. It made perfect sense why she didn’t trust the fey and why she made many of the choices she did, but sometimes I also felt my self thinking: really? Is it really necessary to do this next outrageous thing?
With the above said, I did still enjoy how she handled the nobles as well as her shrewdness when picking her advisor, head-of-guard and other necessary roles. In some aspects, I liked her a bit more than Hazel (because she didn’t trot and, beyond some initial surprise about some living arrangements, there was no squawking about butts). Clean books don’t have to feel juvenile but there were a few instances, in the Hall of Blood and Mercy series when I felt like it did. For the most part though, I like Hazel and Leila fairly equally. They are both strong women willing to adapt (even if it’s because of the lack of better options).
I also have a slightly more favorable opinion of Rigel than I did Killian. Killian started off insulting Hazel while Rigel, though he did attempt to assassinate the future queen, became neutral after that. Yes, I’m splitting hairs as Rigel, like I said, did try to kill her but it’s how I feel. I am interested in finding out what happens next in their story, so I’m off to the next book.
September 28, 2022
The only reason I decided to give this series a try was because one of my goodreads friends posted this quote and a 5 star rating for book 2, "The Turkish Delight tastes like bathwater since it’s rose flavored—I’m only eating it out of loyalty to the Chronicles of Narnia."
When I saw the quote I thought, "wow, that author gets me." So I clicked the link to the book and took one look at the cover and thought, "no way." Then I read the description of the book and thought, "that sounds just like every other fantasy plot out there." But I saw what great reviews it got I decided to give it a try without much hope of enjoying it or even finishing it.
All I can say is, "Bless you Rose (Adventurous Bookworm) for posting the Narnia quote!" I LOVED this book! It was hilarious, squeaky clean, and filled with magic. Leila reminds me a lot of a female Percy Jackson (without Greek mythology). Depending on how book #3 goes I may bump this 4 star rating up to 5 stars. I can't wait to read more by Kitty Shea! She is a genius! I don't know why I have never heard of her before this!!!
When I saw the quote I thought, "wow, that author gets me." So I clicked the link to the book and took one look at the cover and thought, "no way." Then I read the description of the book and thought, "that sounds just like every other fantasy plot out there." But I saw what great reviews it got I decided to give it a try without much hope of enjoying it or even finishing it.
All I can say is, "Bless you Rose (Adventurous Bookworm) for posting the Narnia quote!" I LOVED this book! It was hilarious, squeaky clean, and filled with magic. Leila reminds me a lot of a female Percy Jackson (without Greek mythology). Depending on how book #3 goes I may bump this 4 star rating up to 5 stars. I can't wait to read more by Kitty Shea! She is a genius! I don't know why I have never heard of her before this!!!
January 21, 2023
Leila is chosen by the night mares to be the new Queen of the fae Night Court, and being half-human, her subjects are not happy (nor is she)
What I enjoyed:
* I liked Leila and loved the night mares
* Leila's staff is also interesting and I hope we learn more about them in the future books
* Leila finally deciding to take charge and run the court the way she wants was great and since she was raised human, she has a lot of things she wants to change
* I enjoyed Dion and Rigel's friendship
What could have been better:
* The law forcing her to marry seems a convenient way to start the romance
*
What I enjoyed:
* I liked Leila and loved the night mares
* Leila's staff is also interesting and I hope we learn more about them in the future books
* Leila finally deciding to take charge and run the court the way she wants was great and since she was raised human, she has a lot of things she wants to change
* I enjoyed Dion and Rigel's friendship
What could have been better:
* The law forcing her to marry seems a convenient way to start the romance
*
February 17, 2022
Free on Amazon alert! https://kmshea.com/2022/02/17/comd-th...
Ends on Mon. 02.21.22
The rest of this trilogy is for sale at 99 cents each! :) I love Shea's writing - the stories are light and funny but with plenty of development and twists. <3 (I skimmed through these... so I didn't "properly" read them yet. Need to sit down when I have the time... xD)
Ends on Mon. 02.21.22
The rest of this trilogy is for sale at 99 cents each! :) I love Shea's writing - the stories are light and funny but with plenty of development and twists. <3 (I skimmed through these... so I didn't "properly" read them yet. Need to sit down when I have the time... xD)
Want to read
February 6, 2021"the fae of the Night Court..."
me: ACOTAR??
"Speaking of assassins, I get introduced to the best in the business—a fae lord nicknamed the Wraith."
me: Six of Crows???
*adds to my to-read anyways*
me: ACOTAR??
"Speaking of assassins, I get introduced to the best in the business—a fae lord nicknamed the Wraith."
me: Six of Crows???
*adds to my to-read anyways*
March 2, 2023
Ik vond het verhaal geweldig! De hoofdpersoon was echt mijn favoriete persoon. Haar reacties waren geweldig! Eindelijk een karakter dat gewoon doet wat ze wilt. Ook ben ik verliefd op de dieren in het boek. Kan niet wachten om verder te gaan met deel 2!
June 19, 2024
Pretty boring
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