Review: Shadows of a Crown by M. Lynn and Melissa A. Craven

I received this book via the author M. Lynn, Melissa A. Craven. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Shadows of a Crown by M. Lynn, Melissa A. Craven
Series: The Falling Kingdoms #1
Published by Twin Rivers Press on 2025-03-13
Length: 264 pages
Reviewing eARC from the author M. Lynn, Melissa A. Craven
Rating:
Reading Challenges: 2025 New Release Challenge

An exciting new fantasy series from bestselling authors M. Lynn and Melissa A. Craven begins here with a story of prophecy, hidden identities, and forbidden romance.

Before the dawn of a new age can begin, the old one must die.

An empire will crumble. And a champion will lose.

It’s the same every millennia when the cycle of prophecy begins anew. One by one, the kingdoms of Teitora fall to the words of a book written long ago.

Samara, knows nothing of her past. Orphaned among the servants of the Covenant of Morimei in their isolated city of caves, her mission is theirs. To guide the empire through the next cycle of prophecies and prevent the complete destruction of the world.

After a vicious attack, Samara and her best friend Zak—who is equally unaware of his own crucial role in the prophecies—flee the aftermath, embarking on a perilous journey across the ocean to the distant kingdom of Doragune. There, the recurring prophecy awaits as the new cycle begins.

Zak and Samara's journey is fraught with danger as rebels relentlessly pursue them for the coveted book of prophecies—a key to the fate of their world—now dismissed by many as a powerless relic of the past.

When they reach their destination, a familiar princess and her beguiling guard have a proposition. An alliance, of sorts. One that is likely to get them killed and jeopardize a future less certain than the book of prophecies would have them believe.

Join Samara, Odessa, Zak, and Gideon as they navigate the ancient fates, fall in love, and battle each other to be the ones standing when the Kingdom comes crumbling down.

Shadows of a Crown by M. Lynn, Melissa A. Craven is the first book in a new YA epic fantasy series, The Falling Kingdoms, which follows four unlikely heroes as they traverse the kingdoms to stop the prophecy before it can start. The book opens with two girls at opposite ends of the kingdom, one a princess about to take the crown and the other an orphan on a remote isle. When the prophecy is set into motion, their worlds will collide.

Samara is an orphan raised in the Covenant of Morimei on a remote island with only the Brothers for company. She longs for adventure and to see the world. She is cunning, and her trust doesn’t come easy. Her best friend, and the only other person close to her age, is Zak. Zak is the apprentice of the Keeper of the Book of Prophecy. Only the Keeper can read the book, so to be his apprentice is fairly boring…or so he thinks. While Samara longs for adventure, Zak is perfectly content learning what he can from the Brothers.

On the other side of Doragune, the shadow crown has chosen Odessa. It will mark her reign as one with trouble and strife. Normally headstrong and a natural born leader, this shakes Odessa. She becomes withdrawn and subdued. Gideon, the leader of her Chosen, sees it and challenges her to rise above. A part of her guard and longtime friend, he knows that if the shadow crown chose her, she is the one to meet the challenges that come with it.

This book really sets the stage for the entire series, introducing us to the key players and what is at stake. I loved how it was laid out. The catalyst for Samara and Zak to leave their isle is heartbreaking, but it is also what begins the next cycle. It is up to Samara, Zak, Odessa, and Gideon to either stop it or ensure their people survive to see the next one.

Overall, I really enjoyed Shadows of a Crown. While the romance hasn’t started yet, there are hints of what is to come. The world-building and character introduction take a front seat, and I honestly couldn’t get enough of it. The magical system is easy to understand and follow. And the Book of Prophecy is a hoot, almost a character itself. If you are a fan of Wheel of Time or epic fantasies, I highly recommend it.

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