New love. A newfound home. And a betrayal that could destroy it all.
Lora has finally found a home among the Drakes—a new family bound by loyalty and unwavering love, anchored by both her long standing friendship with Kierra and her growing bond with Kalon. Amid the chaos of the Shade invasion, she feels a rare sense of security, a peace she never thought possible. But peace is fragile, and the conflict between the Shades and the Drakes is far from over.
When the Shades unleash a terrifying new weapon capable of obliterating entire armies, Lora and her friends set out on a perilous journey to find a lost library that may hold the key to stopping it. But as they search for answers, Lora’s world is upended. Trust is shattered and the life she had begun to build begins to fall apart.
As love, loyalty, and survival blur together, she faces impossible choices—choices that will push her toward a painful truth. In the end, Lora will have to decide how far she’s willing to go to protect the people she loves, even if it means losing herself along the way.
This gripping sequel, Into Flames and Shadows, brings you deeper into a world of treachery and passion, where every choice comes with devastating consequences and Lora’s heart may be the deadliest weapon of all.
Shelby Oval is the award winning author of Out of Embers and Shadows, book one in the Shadowfire series. Her second book, Into Flames and Shadows releases on Amazon on the 8th of January.
While Oval is a teacher by day, she is fighting wars, falling in love, and building worlds by night as she furthers her Shadowfire adventures. She loves to read fantasy and explore the different worlds other authors have created which is why she got a master’s in literature from the University of Glasgow - it was all for the books!
If you can’t find her reading or teaching or writing, then her partner has probably dragged her on another hike up another mountain - which means another book is sure to come soon!
The Shadowfire series is just one of many projects she is working on so there are plenty more opportunities to read her works. So whether you enjoy hiking or not - let’s all hope Shelby Oval’s partner keeps dragging her on outdoor adventures!
Oh my gosh! I have no words for just how much I enjoyed this book! When I really love a book I find myself stalling the finish. I will wait a week to do the last 1/2 to 1/4 of the book when there isn’t another one ready for me to read yet. This book left me with my jaw on the floor dying to know what the heck is gonna happen to Kalon, Lora and Garrison! I sure hope Shelby gives me the next one pretty soon or I may just cry!
Into Flames and Shadows, the second installment in the Shadowfire series, is everything I hoped for and more after Out of Embers and Shadows. Shelby Oval delivers a gripping continuation packed with heart, betrayal, and a whole lot of fire—both literal and emotional.
Lora’s journey deepens beautifully in this book. She’s not just surviving—she’s growing, stepping into her own strength among the Drakes, a chosen family that finally gives her a sense of belonging. Her bond with Kierra continues to shine, but it’s her connection with Kalon that really takes center stage. The romance is intense, emotional, and builds in a way that feels both natural and earned.
The character development in this book is a standout. Every relationship feels deeper, more layered, and the way Lora evolves as a badass FMC is truly satisfying. She’s fierce, loyal, and full of heart—exactly the kind of heroine I love to root for.
As for the plot? Non-stop. From the very first chapters, I was hooked. The pacing is tight, the stakes are high, and just when you think you can breathe, another twist pulls you back in. The betrayal teased in the blurb is sharp and emotional, making the ending hit even harder.
If you loved book one, this sequel absolutely delivers. It’s thrilling, emotional, and full of heart. I couldn’t put it down, and now I’m desperately waiting for book three.
This is the definition of a slow burn, but it's never annoying or frustrating. Just like in Book one, everything feels intentional and the emotions feel realistic and earned making the slow burn purposeful and intresting.
If the first book was the cake, then this secound book was definitely the icing. Picking up immediately after the cliffhanger ending of Book one, we follow the fallout from Lora finding out Kalon and Emir are one ....and from there, the twists, turns, and surprises just keep coming.
This book builds brilliantly on everything that made the first one so enjoyable. The spice is turned up just a little bit, the magic expands, and we get even more dragons, shadows, and fire. Relationships deepen, new characters are introduced, and every chapter feels exciting and meaningful.
One of my favourite things about this series is the chapter titles, which give just enough of a hint about what's coming to keep you reading. Every time I finished a chapter, I had to keep going to uncover the next surprise. It genuinely feels like there's a plot twist around every corner.
For readers who love unpredictable stories and plot twists that aren't obvious from miles away, this book delivers. It keeps you guessing right until the end.
I had the privilege of being an ARC reader for Into Flames and Shadows.
Gah, that cliffhanger! I felt all the feelings and then a last second plot twist got me!
As much as I loved what a firecracker Lora in book 1, she's much more subdued in this one. Lora is my favorite FMC maybe ever, so I wasn't happy about this. In the end, she had the needed character development for becoming a leader. There was also a lot of filler that just made the plot slow compared to book 1.
Oh, be ready for there to FINALLY be some spice! It was so good and then wham -- Shelby, whyyyy?! LOL!
Chef's kiss on the title once you figure out what it means! I cannot wait to read more! I foresee so much of the plot but am excited on how this plays out.
This is book two of the Shadowfire series. The world building is detailed and imaginative. This book has strong, well-developed characters and an interesting story line that keeps you turning the pages. Great characters that make the story come alive. Pain and passion radiate from them. The plot draws you in so that you can’t put the book down because you need to know what will happen next. This review is based on an early review copy I was sent by the publisher, but this didn't affect the content of my review that I am voluntarily providing.
A beautifully written addition to the series! I flew through the book- I was unable to put it down. The pain and emotion felt by the characters and by the reader are spot on. I laughed with them, I cried, I longed for the happy ending that keeps falling just out of reach alongside the characters. I love Lora's sassiness, her character is written so well that you feel every splinter of pain she goes through. And MY GOD, the tension! Left my heart racing and leaping for the next installment of the series.
A thrilling, captivating, beautiful buildup from the Out of Embers and Shadows book 1, the characters and relationships have such a strong and special growth and the plot thickens! I could not put this book down from the first couple of chapters till the end! The OES world grows bigger and keeps you wanting to know more about it and all of the characters in it, keeps you on a great book hangover!! Beautifully written and extremely enjoyable!
After finishing the first book in the Shadowfire series, I immediately wanted to read more. I loved this book, too, and devoured it in no time. The plot drew me into the story right from the start and never let go, so I couldn't put the book down. The characters developed beautifully, and I love the badass FMC. Now, I need the third book in the series because I can't wait to read more!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It seems to be a thing nowadays, almost - but not all writers - seem to prefer the word F.U.C.K. Fornicating Under Consent of the King. It’s like that’s the only expletive they know how to use. It wasn’t so bad in the first book, but this book -#2 she got carried away with the use of that word. I couldn’t stand it any longer and had to quit reading. The book was not that good.
This book is amazing! I would give 6 stars if I could! if you love a badass FMC and a strong and selfless MMC this book is for you! it’s the second in the series and there was never a dull moment. It had me hooked the whole way through. Now patiently waiting for book 3 :)
Stakes higher than book 1 and things start to really get juicy for our heroes. The fight scenes really shine!!! The romantic tension????? The loveable found family?????? We still have dragons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just… all around lots of fun to be had but I’m gonna need book 3 ASAP
No. Just no. That’s all I’ve got left after that ending. I just can’t. I have no words. My heart doesn’t know what to feel. I’m numb.
But let’s start from the top. This book was incredible. Book 1 was great, but this book was phenomenal. The push and pull between Lora and Kalon was an adventure.
I adore Lora and her devotion and loyalty and the fire in her. She loves fiercely, even when she tries to deny it and bury it deep down. She is a true friend and she deserves everything good in the world after all she’s been through in her life. And she is the epitome of a shadow momma😏. And I have major theories about who she is and where she actually came from, but I’m not going to spoil that.
Kalon is so dedicated and passionate and I wish he’d just tell Lora everything. I get why he holds back, but it’s so frustrating because I want her to know who and what she is to him. If they’d both just tell the truth it would save them so much pain.
Garrison has quickly become one of my favorite people. With his big brother energy toward Lora and his loyalty to Kalon as best friends and brothers, he is honestly one of the best. And he is hilarious. His wit and charm is unmatched and he’d be my bestie IRL. But can he and Liam please explain what Mi Fia means instead of everyone just talking around it?!
I knew Jade was a snake in the grass. And I’m convinced Tura is as well. Those lying 🐝s just need to touch grass. I loathe them both. But now I’m a bit conflicted on Pollux, because I feel like he was trying to give Lora a warning there at the end before everything exploded.
And then the ending…like I knew it was gonna be something like that because secrets catch up with us…but not THAT. Like both of them? Really? WHY SHELBY?! You’re so wrong for leaving us with that cliffy. I need book 3 YESTERDAY, because I’m not okay and I’m not sure I’m gonna make it until the next book releases🫣🤯😵💫
I am in shambles AGAIN! Shelby Oval knows how to write and boy does she know how to leave you hanging! I want to throw my kindle across the room! 😂 Her books are officially neck and neck with ACOTAR for me which is HUGE. The banter, the fighting, the push and pull of Lora and Kalon 🥵 I just cannot put into words how good these two books have been and now waiting for another is going to ruin me! If you enjoy books by SJM and JLA then this is up your alley and this series is next to blow up. I’m promising you. Being front and center at the beginning of such an incredible journey is an honor! I’m trusting you Shelby Oval.. give me that third book! 🥰