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Secrets of Dagome #2
King's Shadow
Not yet published
Expected 7 Apr 26One Shadow to protect the Crown. One betrayal to tear the world apart.
Roksana’s burden was watching her king ride to war, leaving her with an impossible guard the capital at any cost.
As the King’s Shadow, she enforces his rule with forbidden magic and poisons that shift alliances overnight. Hidden behind the porcelain mask of the Deadly Nightshade, Roksana is the throne’s most lethal secret—and she is committed to protecting the only man who ever touched her heart.
But a silent threat capable of shattering the realm is festering in the city’s depths.
With King Reynard cut off by the tides of war and the court plotting a coup, Roksana must rely on the only family she has a fae courtesan who trades in whispers, a dwarf inventor whose genius uncovers the plot, and an assassin who always trusts her plans.
To save the kingdom and her king, Roksana must become the monster the world already believes her to be. She would rather lose her soul than the man she loves—and the family—she’s fought to protect.
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Blending grit, passion and power play, this adult high fantasy romance delivers a morally grey competent heroine in her 30' with deadly secrets, a cursed king whose love language is obsession, and a slow burn enemies-to-lovers bond that burns into spice against the backdrop of a Slavic-inspired kingdom steeped in betrayal and dangerous magic.
A dual POV. Perfect for fans of Six of Crows and The Witcher
Check content warnings in the “Look Inside” section.
Roksana’s burden was watching her king ride to war, leaving her with an impossible guard the capital at any cost.
As the King’s Shadow, she enforces his rule with forbidden magic and poisons that shift alliances overnight. Hidden behind the porcelain mask of the Deadly Nightshade, Roksana is the throne’s most lethal secret—and she is committed to protecting the only man who ever touched her heart.
But a silent threat capable of shattering the realm is festering in the city’s depths.
With King Reynard cut off by the tides of war and the court plotting a coup, Roksana must rely on the only family she has a fae courtesan who trades in whispers, a dwarf inventor whose genius uncovers the plot, and an assassin who always trusts her plans.
To save the kingdom and her king, Roksana must become the monster the world already believes her to be. She would rather lose her soul than the man she loves—and the family—she’s fought to protect.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Blending grit, passion and power play, this adult high fantasy romance delivers a morally grey competent heroine in her 30' with deadly secrets, a cursed king whose love language is obsession, and a slow burn enemies-to-lovers bond that burns into spice against the backdrop of a Slavic-inspired kingdom steeped in betrayal and dangerous magic.
A dual POV. Perfect for fans of Six of Crows and The Witcher
Check content warnings in the “Look Inside” section.
- GenresFantasy
475 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 7, 2026
4 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Olena Nikitin
12 books498 followersOlena Nikitin is the pen name of a writing power couple who share a love of fantasy, paranormal romance, rich, vivid worlds and exciting storylines. In their books and out, they love down-to-earth humour, a visceral approach to life, striving to write realistic romances filled with the passion and steam people always dream of experiencing.
Meet the two halves of this Truro UK-based dynamic duo!
Olga, a Polish woman, has a wicked sense of humour with a dash of Slavic pessimism. She’s been writing since she was a small child, but life led her to work as an emergency physician. While this work means she always has stories to share, it often means she’s too busy to actually write. She’s proud to be a crazy cat lady, and together with Mark, they have five cats.
Mark, a typical English gentleman, radiates charm, sophistication, and an undeniable sex appeal. At least, he’s reasonably certain that’s what convinced Olga to fly across the sea into his arms. He’s an incredibly intelligent man with a knack for fixing things, including Polish syntax in English writing. If you give him good whiskey, he might even regale you with his Gulf War story of how he got shot.
Olena Nikitin loves hearing from their fans and critics alike and welcomes communication via any platform! https://linktr.ee/olenanikitinauthor
Meet the two halves of this Truro UK-based dynamic duo!
Olga, a Polish woman, has a wicked sense of humour with a dash of Slavic pessimism. She’s been writing since she was a small child, but life led her to work as an emergency physician. While this work means she always has stories to share, it often means she’s too busy to actually write. She’s proud to be a crazy cat lady, and together with Mark, they have five cats.
Mark, a typical English gentleman, radiates charm, sophistication, and an undeniable sex appeal. At least, he’s reasonably certain that’s what convinced Olga to fly across the sea into his arms. He’s an incredibly intelligent man with a knack for fixing things, including Polish syntax in English writing. If you give him good whiskey, he might even regale you with his Gulf War story of how he got shot.
Olena Nikitin loves hearing from their fans and critics alike and welcomes communication via any platform! https://linktr.ee/olenanikitinauthor
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 12, 2026
More magic, more plot twists, more betrayals and MORW DRAGONS!
Loved how deeply political and intricate this book is, the way I never knew what was going to happen, the amount of twists is absolutely incredible, and all the new magic in play!? I want to know more!
I feel deeply for Roksana, she’s been through so much and she deserves the world, I loved the found family aspect and the imperfect relationship her and Rey have.
I can’t wait to see how this story ends!
Loved how deeply political and intricate this book is, the way I never knew what was going to happen, the amount of twists is absolutely incredible, and all the new magic in play!? I want to know more!
I feel deeply for Roksana, she’s been through so much and she deserves the world, I loved the found family aspect and the imperfect relationship her and Rey have.
I can’t wait to see how this story ends!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I finished King’s Shadow, and I’m honestly just sitting here like… okay. WOW.
This book had me in that feral “one more chapter” spiral where you swear you’ll stop, and then it’s suddenly 2 a.m., and you’re still reading because how dare they end the scene like that. The tension is CONSTANT — not just the romance, but the politics, the betrayals, the feeling that nobody is safe, and the danger is already inside the room.
Roksana is the kind of FMC I live for. She’s smart, sharp, stubborn, and she does not exist to be tamed. Watching her stop shrinking herself and start choosing power on her own terms? So satisfying.
And Reynard… he’s not a soft boy. He’s a war king with chaos magic and that “I will burn the world down if you’re threatened” energy, but it’s layered with actual responsibility and cost. Their relationship isn’t cute — it’s intense, messy, protective, and it feels like a partnership you earn through bl00d, fear, and trust you don’t want to give.
Also: the court intrigue is NASTY (in the best way). Everyone has an angle. Every conversation feels like a trap. And the bigger magical threat creeping in the background kept me stressed the entire time.
If you like dark romantasy with enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, morally grey everything, and a romance that feels like devotion with teeth… read this. But start with Book 1.
Tropes (Book 2)
• Enemies-to-lovers ⚔️
• Forced proximity 🏰
• Morally grey heroine 🖤
• War king MMC 👑
• Chaos magic ✨
• Court intrigue 🗝️
• Betrayal & secrets 🐍
• Devotion with teeth 🫀
• Touch-her-and-d1e 😈
• Dragon bond 🐉
This book had me in that feral “one more chapter” spiral where you swear you’ll stop, and then it’s suddenly 2 a.m., and you’re still reading because how dare they end the scene like that. The tension is CONSTANT — not just the romance, but the politics, the betrayals, the feeling that nobody is safe, and the danger is already inside the room.
Roksana is the kind of FMC I live for. She’s smart, sharp, stubborn, and she does not exist to be tamed. Watching her stop shrinking herself and start choosing power on her own terms? So satisfying.
And Reynard… he’s not a soft boy. He’s a war king with chaos magic and that “I will burn the world down if you’re threatened” energy, but it’s layered with actual responsibility and cost. Their relationship isn’t cute — it’s intense, messy, protective, and it feels like a partnership you earn through bl00d, fear, and trust you don’t want to give.
Also: the court intrigue is NASTY (in the best way). Everyone has an angle. Every conversation feels like a trap. And the bigger magical threat creeping in the background kept me stressed the entire time.
If you like dark romantasy with enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, morally grey everything, and a romance that feels like devotion with teeth… read this. But start with Book 1.
Tropes (Book 2)
• Enemies-to-lovers ⚔️
• Forced proximity 🏰
• Morally grey heroine 🖤
• War king MMC 👑
• Chaos magic ✨
• Court intrigue 🗝️
• Betrayal & secrets 🐍
• Devotion with teeth 🫀
• Touch-her-and-d1e 😈
• Dragon bond 🐉
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am so completely obsessed with this series, and even more so with Sana and Reynard.
I wasn't sure I could love the world and the characters any more than I did in Poisoned Kingdom, but I fell completely and irrevocably in love with Sana, Rey, Tova, Irsha and the gang. Found family is one of my favourite tropes, and the found family in this series is one of the best I've read.
This book definitely brings darker elements than the first book, and even though some things are not written on page, the impact is felt just as strongly as if it were. I love the writing and the author's ability to bring their characters and world to life.
I was brought to tears by Sana's strength, courage and determination, but I was brought to my knees by the force of Reynard's love and devotion. The way these characters are written is so stunningly beautiful and real. They love each other so completely, flaws and all; their chemistry is so electrifying I'm shocked my kindle didn't burst into flames.
The world and characters in this series are beautifully developed. I'm so completely immersed in the story that I didn't want to put it down. I gobbled up every single word and now I'm here, begging for more.
Poisoned Kingdom was one of my favourite books of 2025, and I know King's Shadow will hold its place this year. I can't wait for book 3 to drop so I can dive back into Dagome and the characters I love so much.
I wasn't sure I could love the world and the characters any more than I did in Poisoned Kingdom, but I fell completely and irrevocably in love with Sana, Rey, Tova, Irsha and the gang. Found family is one of my favourite tropes, and the found family in this series is one of the best I've read.
This book definitely brings darker elements than the first book, and even though some things are not written on page, the impact is felt just as strongly as if it were. I love the writing and the author's ability to bring their characters and world to life.
I was brought to tears by Sana's strength, courage and determination, but I was brought to my knees by the force of Reynard's love and devotion. The way these characters are written is so stunningly beautiful and real. They love each other so completely, flaws and all; their chemistry is so electrifying I'm shocked my kindle didn't burst into flames.
The world and characters in this series are beautifully developed. I'm so completely immersed in the story that I didn't want to put it down. I gobbled up every single word and now I'm here, begging for more.
Poisoned Kingdom was one of my favourite books of 2025, and I know King's Shadow will hold its place this year. I can't wait for book 3 to drop so I can dive back into Dagome and the characters I love so much.
March 13, 2026
Wow! Just wow! I loved Posioned Kingdom but this was just everything and more!!
It’s the kind of book that you pick up and just don’t want to stop reading! There’s intrigue, betrayal, courtly politics, and tension so thick and constant it’s palpable!
Sana is true power and strength! What she endures to protect those she loves, she’s a warrior and a queen! I sobbed at her courage, never broken by her pain or what she has injured instead letting it forge her anew!
Rey, I think I might just be in love! Our growly berserker, will truly raze a kingdom for her! They fit so well, flaws and all!
But what I think really makes this series is the rich tapestry of other characters, each so pivotal, so integral and full. Each with backstories of their own. The Grand Master, Tova, Lily, the Blade - I loved every second and did I say there’s dragons!!
Now, I just need to wait and not so patiently for book 3.
Thank you to the author
For this advance copy to review
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love this series so much. It has some of my favourite found family dynamics and some of my favourite romance banter. That said, this instalment does get dark, so please check the content warnings. For a book that feels youthful, with prose that isn’t overdone, it holds a surprising amount of character depth and plot development. I really enjoyed this read despite the heartbreaking moments, and I seriously cannot wait for the next book. This is a series to keep your eye on.
Review of advance copy received from Author
*Arc review*
5 plus stars.
Woooow, just as good as the first (which was 5 plus stars) if not better.
This had me crying twice, laughung at the banter.
The character growth of our fmc was phenomenal and she still doesn't take no sh*t lol
And our king, or Rey, is still as dishy as ever and even more lovable.
Actually the character growth oc fhem all was lovely to read
Thank you Olena, fabulous read
5 plus stars.
Woooow, just as good as the first (which was 5 plus stars) if not better.
This had me crying twice, laughung at the banter.
The character growth of our fmc was phenomenal and she still doesn't take no sh*t lol
And our king, or Rey, is still as dishy as ever and even more lovable.
Actually the character growth oc fhem all was lovely to read
Thank you Olena, fabulous read
Review of advance copy received from Author
Plots to overthrow the king, dangerous magic, an even more dangerous King's Shadow. Treacherous members of the King's Council must be dealt with. Good battle scene between dwarfs and humans halfway through the book. Warning: 15 chapters towards end of book all end in a cliffhanger, and you have to keep reading to find out what happens next. I should note I received an ARC from the author.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews