⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 stars)

Crown of Shadows by Lexie Jansen is an emotionally charged, character-driven fantasy that pulled me in from the very first chapter. With influences from Slavic, Celtic, and Nordic folklore, a world built on rune magic and forbidden history, and a cast of flawed, complex characters, this book offers a rich, layered experience for fantasy readers who love moral ambiguity, high stakes, and hard-won victories.

One of the standout elements for me was the dynamic between the characters. Their relationships—tense, playful, or tender—felt authentic and full of emotional depth. Enzo, in particular, brought some much-needed levity to the heavier moments. His teasing and banter had me laughing out loud more than once, and his presence really balanced the darker undertones of the story.

Speaking of laugh-out-loud moments—one scene I loved (and kept thinking about) was the absolute chaos that was holding a strategy meeting under the castle in a dungeon, surrounded by literal gravestones. The sheer, deadpan absurdity of it, and the way the male characters reacted, was peak dark humour. It broke the tension in all the right ways and gave the book a sense of personality that sets it apart. Enzo also plays the part of psychotic guardian beautifully!

I deeply appreciated the portrayal of flawed characters. No one here is squeaky clean or all-knowing—and that’s what made their arcs so compelling. Everyone is doing their best in deeply complex circumstances, and watching them grow and stumble felt very real and human.

The story doesn’t hold back on action either—there are battles and dangerous encounters that raise the tension and deliver some satisfying grit. The fight for survival—both physical and emotional—is a key theme, and Jansen doesn't shy away from putting her characters through the wringer.

That said, I did find myself confused at times, particularly around the magic system and some of the lore. But as the story progressed, it became clear that this was intentional. The mystery surrounding the world's hidden truths mirrors the characters’ own journey of discovery. It’s a clever device, and it left me intrigued for the next instalment.

My biggest struggle was with the main romantic arc. I adored Aaron—his emotional vulnerability, his deep loyalty, and the sense of internal conflict he carried after being disinherited by his father. But his relationship with Mayu left me scratching my head more often than not. She’s strong and capable, yes, but she withholds critical information from him, often comes across as cold or indifferent, and her choices (like soul-binding to another character while claiming to love Aaron) felt contradictory and emotionally murky.

There were glimmers of genuine love—moments that made me think, yes, she really does care for him. When a demon attacks Aaron and Mayu steps in, fiercely declaring, “Don’t touch what is mine,” it hit like a lightning bolt—a rare moment of emotional clarity. Later, Enzo, clearly irritated, tells Aaron that although Enzo loves Mayu, she has chosen Aaron over and over again, and even that she intends to marry him. Those confirmations should have made the relationship feel secure, but the overall lack of transparency and her hot-and-cold behaviour (as well as exceptionally close and intimate behaviour with Enzo) kept me—and Aaron—off balance.

I’m still unclear about what truly happened between them in the past, why she keeps Aaron at arm’s length (only to pull him tightly back in), or what her connection to Enzo really is. The emotional push and pull created tension, but I sometimes wished for more clarity to ground their relationship. I'm hoping this will become more apparent in the next book and that this instalment was setting up the groundwork.

Still, the psychological themes of control, trauma, and identity add real depth to the story, and I think there’s more going on beneath the surface than we’ve seen yet. I’m hopeful that future books will explore those threads in more detail.

Final thoughts: If you’re into fantasy that blends emotional complexity, action-packed battles, folkloric monsters, mind-twisting magic, and characters that refuse to fit in neat boxes, then Crown of Shadows deserves a spot on your shelf. Lexie Jansen’s writing is atmospheric and layered, and I’ll absolutely be picking up the sequel—especially to get answers to all my burning questions.

• Nawelle Feral Reader Books