Ink & Wonder Book Club Review – Rain of Shadows and Endings by Melissa Roehrich
Fae in chains, a ruling class with too much power, and a broody heir who really needs therapy.
I never promise my book reviews won’t have spoilers. I can’t be trusted not to spill the tea, especially when the tea is piping hot. As such, proceed at your own risk. 😉
You ever pick up a book just to try it out and then suddenly it’s 3 AM and you’re in deep? That was me with Rain of Shadows and Endings. I could not put it down. I did the full Kindle Unlimited + audiobook combo (my ultimate sign of commitment), and honestly? It was worth every second.
First off, the modern elements in a fantasy setting? Loved it. It gave me Crescent City vibes (the good kind, as in CC1 and CC2, let’s not talk about CC3), and while I don’t usually read urban fantasy, this book might have just convinced me to change that.
Now, let’s talk about this world. It’s brutal. The fae are literally enslaved, bred, and experimented on by the ruling class (Legacy), and Tessa is thrown right into the worst of it. This girl tries so hard, and I felt so bad for her. I get it. I would be pissed too. And then we have Theon (Legacy), who is exactly the kind of broody, morally-gray heir I live for… except, my guy, we need to work on your communication skills. 99% of the problems in this book could’ve been avoided if he had just sat down and said, “Hey, my dad is a literal threat to humanity, and here’s why.” Instead, we got secrets, suffering, and a whole lot of unnecessary tension.
That said? Obsessed. This world is dark, the stakes are high, and the power dynamics make for some of the best tension I’ve read in a while. And considering how much I adored Lady of Darkness (the only series that’s even come close to scratching my Throne of Glass itch), I knew I was in for something good.
I want to binge the rest of the series immediately, but I think I’m gonna hold off until Book 4 drops in August because I need it in my hands the second it’s out. If you love dark fantasy with twisted power plays, impossible choices, and enough angst to ruin your sleep schedule, this one needs to be on your list.
What to read next:
Storm of Secrets and Sorrow - Book 2! (obviously)
Lady of Darkness - Book 1 of Melissa Roehrich’s other series. While not required reading for The Legacy Series it does have some familiar elements plus it gives serious ToG vibes.
House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City 1) - Another Urban Fantasy fae world.
City of God’s and Monsters - Another Urban Fantasy (haven’t read this on yet but it’s on my TBR!)
Now, let’s discuss—who else screamed at Theon’s inability to just say things? And can we talk about that ending?! I need theories, predictions, everything!!!
💛 M