Cast in Shadows (Shadow's Lure Book 1) by Alice Winters

Shadow's Lure is a new, darker, series from Alice Winters and begins with Cast in Shadows.

From the blurb:

Andras

When the light-magic users known as Casters took everything from me, I vowed to make them pay.

Little did I know the perfect opportunity would show up in the form of a sweet Caster the moment I took his arrow to the heart… literally. Bastian knows that I’m made of dark magic, the very thing he’s been taught to destroy. But instead of turning away from me, he takes a chance on me, leading me behind the walls of the group out to kill me.

Bastian makes me remember that there’s more to life than revenge—although I can’t help but love the look he gives me when I cause chaos. But what I don't realize is there's someone who's been watching me, someone only Bastian can help me fight.

Bastian

How is it that a man wielding dark magic is the only one who can save me?

Even though Andras goes against everything I fight for, I can’t stop myself from drawing him into my life.

What’s worse is that it’s clear he wants something from the Casters, but when he makes me laugh and feel like I’m living for the first time in my life, it’s impossible to turn him away.

When I find myself caught in a web of lies between those I trusted and those I feared, I realize the only one I can rely on is the one person who’s forbidden.

Cast in Shadows contains an antihero with no filter and a strange obsession with chili, a “pet” who sleeps through all the excitement, and possibly the least romantic movie date ever.

Jacquie's Review:

Cast in Shadows started off with a completely different vibe than I was expecting. It's darker than a lot of Alice Winters' usual books, and at least to begin with, has less of the humor that is Alice's trademark.

There's a lot to get used to as the lore and world-building are established for the coming series. Some of the jigsaw pieces have settled into place, but there are a lot of questions that need answered.

As it is a new series, it ends with a HFN for the couple, though open for the ongoing series.

This is a slow burn and, honestly, I loved that about it. Andras and Bastian are great characters and they work together. That's not to say there won't be some angst and pain in there.

A lot of great side characters, like Oliver and Roman, Bastian's brother who is firmly a love to hate character. It will be interesting to see his growth.

I love a book that gets me thinking up theories, and this was certainly one of those.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Cast in Shadows is available to buy as an ebook or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.