King of the Shadow Fae

The Darkest Fae #1

by Amelia Hutchins

New from USA Today Bestselling Author Amelia Hutchins comes a new Dark Urban Fantasy that will have you begging for more. Spellbinding, action-packed, mystery, and romance.

I’d trained my entire life to take over the hunter guild. When the unthinkable happened, my father was taken, and I was forced to step up. The moment I took control, everything began to unravel around me. The transition should have gone smoothly, and it would have if Kieran Knight hadn’t shown up. He’s an egotistical maniac with a secret agenda and a psychotic need to possess and control me. There’s one thing Kieran didn’t count on, though. No one owned me. There’s too much at stake to allow myself to be influenced or for him to stand in my way.

Just when I thought I had everything under control, our enemies attacked the hunter guild from every angle, and my whole world was kicked out from beneath me. Everything I thought I knew was now questioned, and I didn’t know who could be trusted or where to turn. To make matters worse, Kieran had his hand in the pockets of every Immortal House in town, preventing my allies from helping me find my dad and from discovering why bodies from Otherworld creatures were piling up at dumpsites around town.

I may have been played at every turn, but now I know the truth, and I intended to show the world what one pissed-off hunter would do when the odds were against her. I’m Xariana Anderson, and I came into this world fighting, and I’ll leave the same way if I’m forced to do so.

Genres: Fantasy, Fae, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy Romance

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 5, 2021

About the author

Amelia Hutchins is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling author of the Monsters, The Fae Chronicles, and Nine Realm series. She is an admitted coffee addict who drinks magical potions of caffeine and turns them into magical worlds. She writes alpha-hole males and the alpha women who knock them on their arse, hard. Amelia doesn’t write romance. She writes fast-paced books that go hard against traditional standards. Sometimes a story isn’t about the romantic aspect; it’s about rising to a challenge, breaking through them like wrecking balls, and shaking up entire worlds to discover who they are. If you’d like to check out more of her work, or just hang out in an amazing tribe of people who enjoy rough men, and sharp women, join her at Author Amelia Hutchins Group on Facebook.
Books by Amelia Hutchins along with reading order for the series.
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/12402...

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/authoramelia...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author.amel...

LEGACY OF THE NINE REALMS

Flames of Chaos
Ashes of Chaos
Ruins of Chaos
Crown of Chaos
Coming Soon
Queen of Chaos
King of Chaos 2024
Reign of Chaos


THE FAE CHRONICLES

Fighting Destiny
Taunting Destiny
Escaping Destiny
Seducing Destiny
Unraveling Destiny
Embracing Destiny
Crowning Destiny
Finished Series

THE ELITE GUARDS

A Demon’s Dark Embrace
Claiming the Dragon King
The Winter Court
A Demon’s Plaything
Standalones, which can be read alone.

A GUARDIAN’S DIARY

Darkest Before Dawn
Death before Dawn
Midnight Rising -TBA

MONSTERS SERIES

Playing with Monsters
Sleeping with Monsters
Becoming his Monster
Revealing the Monster
Finished Series

WICKED KNIGHTS

Oh, Holy Knight
If She’s Wicked
Book Three -TBA


MIDNIGHT COVEN BOOKS
Forever Immortal
Immortal Hexes
Midnight Coven
Finished Series

BULLETPROOF DAMSEL SERIES
Bulletproof Damsel
Coming Soon
Silverproof Damsel 2024
Fireproof Damsel

Alpha’s Claim Standalone

WITHIN THE DARKNESS
Moon-Kissed
Book 2 TBA
THE DARKEST FAE
King of the Shadow Fae
Coming Soon
King of the Night Fae
Queen of the Stars

Fate Series
Whispers of Fate (Intro to Kahleena’s book)

If you’re following the Fae Chronicles, Elite Guards, and Monsters series, the reading order is as follows.

Fighting Destiny
Taunting Destiny
Escaping Destiny
Seducing Destiny
A Demon’s Dark Embrace
Playing with Monsters
Unraveling Destiny
Sleeping with Monsters
Claiming the Dragon King
Oh, Holy Knight
Becoming his Monster
A Demon’s Plaything
The Winter Court
If She’s Wicked
Embracing Destiny
Crowning Destiny
Revealing the Monster
Whispers of Fate

Reviews

[Rumplemfugginstiltskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is entirely biased because Amelia Hutchins is my favorite author of all time. Her fantasy and paranormal series transport you into her world and stay with you forever. They’re dark and angsty deliciousness.

Everything Amelia Hutchins writes is pure book perfection. The character development is always unreal. Although this is the start of the series you can feel the emotion coming off the pages. I absolutely adore Kieran. Before reading this book Knox was/is my all time favorite hero and now I’m not so sure who is in my top spot.

This book is everything. Amelia writes wild and crazy books with amazing plot and twists that you cannot possibly see coming. She never fails to put u into the story. And you’re so into it you forget to adult. Be sure to pack up on snacks to throw at the kids and dedicate time to reading cuz lort are you gonna need it. Absolutely mind blowing. The escapism is real. I’m entirely obsessed. This woman can’t write a bad book if she tried.

If you jump into the tribe please do read and pay attention to the trigger warnings. And dude join in on fb. She’s so receptive to her fans and we just all love her.

[Cassie Guest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I am not going to lie, this story was a little disappointing because it was a little bit rushed and short. I would have definitely have loved to have had more details added to the plot. However, this is Amelia Hutchins so it was still fucking fantastic. I also believe this had one of the better character developments for the main heroine (maybe I think this because it was shorter?). Nonetheless, our heroine got thrown a curveball but she still managed to keep a level head and do what she needed to do. She is someone who already understood what kind of individual she was and decides to confront her problems using her own belief system. She doesn’t allow anyone else to decide for her which is why I loved the ending so much. She has a different kind of strength than what I have read from other Amelia Hutchins’ heroines. She’s already a savage.

[Sweet and Salty Reviews by DD · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a twisted storyline…. This. Is. It.

I was on the edge for a good 80% of the book. The romance hasn’t hooked me yet but the story has. Hutchins is quit the story teller.

I am frothing at the mouth for book 2 but I can not seem to find any info on it or release date… nothing. If anyone knows please let me know. Left in a cliff hanger and sister needs some answers!

Happy reading,
DD🥂

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

In typically Amelia fashion she always leaves you wanting, no, craving more.

King Of The Shadow Fae is no different. This is a brilliant beginning to what will become an amazing series.

Enemies to questionable lovers ✔
Dominating MMC ✔
Badass FMC ✔

Add a little angst, a lot of spice, and some massive ass kicking and you have yourself a book you NEED to read.

[lina · Rating 1 out of 5]

i just be reading anything sometimes. don’t ask

[Lily]

Interesting concept, but the writing does not work for me. The dialogue is really bad, there's no emotional depth, and the heroine is too brash in the typical urban fantasy way.

[Paganalexandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as part of Taste: 2021 Edition . I might go back and read the original book, because the version included in the boxset felt like a preview sample. I can't believe that was the complete first in the series.

[Michelle #michellebookishmeltdowns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amelia will always be a one click author for me. I can’t get enough of the way she writes her characters.

In this new series, the main characters certainly do not disappoint, although I would’ve LOVED to have seen more Kieran. It was nice to have some cross over from other people from previous books as well! Just another reminder of more books I’m dying waiting for 😂

I really loved Kieran personality, dominance, darkness, his bluntness and general 0 fuxks given attitude. That man screams alphahole and I am here for it! I neeeeeeed more of it.

Ana is a bad ass and I love how kick ass she is! My heart was angry, happy, sad, (and horny 😅) right along side her. There are quite a few giant bombs dropped near the end that left my jaw on the floor. 😳

I have so many questions….and a deep need for revenge 🤬 so will definitely be anxiously awaiting book 2!

[Innie | Kindledallnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition!

What a journey! I really enjoyed this slow burn fantasy book, and I can't wait for the next book in the series.

There are so many twists and turns now. One thing though, is that the author's heroines are becoming predictable, and that's a slight down for me.

I could see what Xari would do a mile away towards the end of the book. It's not super off-putting, but it is maybe something the author should consider.
High predictability and heroine after heroine doing the same things to the point where you can point out several similarities, can be a negative thing, even if the book itself is good.

Which it is, I really like this universe (which is the same as Bulletproof Damsel & Alpha's Claim) and I'm looking forward to exploring it further.

This is urban fantasy and therefore shorter and more slow burn than "epic" fantasy. But the book does have steam.
It's moist with tention and we know at some point Kieran and Xari will have an explosive get together when he finally catches up with her! Hehhehee.

[rosa]

DNF. I’m giving books that have been on my TBR for too long 100 pages to hook me in, and this one didn’t cut it.

I did like the fmc, but it felt like I’d been dropped into the middle of the story and I wasn’t invested in any of drama going on between the characters. It also seemed odd that the author would write a second series based around a ‘guild’ that polices the supernatural but have them completely unrelated? Unless I’ve missed something? I think I’ve potentially missed something…I dunno.

[Mefab ⋆˚✿˖° · Rating 3 out of 5]

So... the ending and the beginning was epic! the middle was just nope.
The Dedication was hilarious, loved that.
Will I read the next book in the series? yes was the answer when I was first done. Now, given time to marinate, I dont think so. As much as I like her (when she is not being a horny tennie) I really dislike Kieran Knight.

[Sentranced Jem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amelia Hutchins’s books just hit the right spot for me. I could get lost in her books for days on end.
King of the Shadow Fae was a good and absolutely entertaining start to a new series. I cannot wait to read more.

[Krystal- Celestialbookdragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5 Stars*

I had been looking forward to this book since I met Xariana in Alpha's Claim and I was not disappointed in the slightest, it was well worth the wait! Like Remi and Aria, I absolutely loved how strong and capable Xariana is both physically as the best hunter in the guild second only to her father but also emotionally with how she handled everything that was thrown at her throughout the whole book. By the middle I was mad at nearly all of the side characters that I had previously loved, I'm looking at you Rhys, Cole, Eryx, Enzo, and Ezekiel but by the end I was furious with literally everyone except Xari and her team. I want them all to burn or at least suffer moderately after all of the things they said and did to her, they all deserve worse in my opinion! 😈 I was cheering Xari on at the end and supported her decision wholeheartedly and want her to do nothing but cause chaos while also showing everyone how awesome she is cause for some reason they all seemed to forget that? 🤨 They do not deserve her and it's about time they remembered how lucky they were to have her in the first place! I really liked Kieran's character, up until the end cause now I'm mad at him lol, because unlike the love interest in her other books I've read he wasn't giving me whiplash the whole time! In fact, he was very clear about what he wanted and I was very much there for it, I still am if I'm being honest but he needs to be put in timeout before he can get back on my good side. I know this just released but I already cannot wait for the next two books!

[Mony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally finished this one and what a good one! The two MCs were fabulous...the MMC possibly a favourite in my PNR reads. (I won't use his name - don't want to spoil things). Secondaries were well developed and were integral to the story. Also loved this world - the concept and its mix of fae, shifters and witches; the modern and traditional, forests, clubs, suits.
It's a cliffy but if I never read the next one this story has already satisfied me. Book #2 delayed due to Hutchins taking a health break in late 2021 & some months in 2022. Her website says it's on her to-do list... 5+★

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Betrayal in the worst way

You would think when your a hunter and trying to find your father you wouldn't be slapped in the face with extreme betrayal. She finds everything she knew was not real. What kind of a father is Xavier. I would hope that Xar would get him back, I'm not sure I could ever get past it.

Can't wait to see was King of Shadows will do!

[Swathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first of Hutchins books where I didn't have an immense moral dilemma over the love interest. Making it my favorite of hers yet.

[Alice · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing is so bad. Story not cohesive. Expressions used incorrectly or at weird times, like “grunted” and “snorted”. Doesn’t flow nicely. Also the audible audiobook narrator is robotic and terrible I DNF

[Shir · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really don't know how this book have such a high rating.
The writing wasn't geart and the story was terrible with a littel sadism to spice it up. Definitely not my cup of tea.

[Heart Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia once again draws you in and doesn't let go.

I felt all the emotions in this one.

Xari, my heart broke for her with what happened and what she learned.
But she's still going and taking names, capable in her own right.

Kieran, he's dark, delicious and dominant and doesn't care what anyone thinks.

As usual, I'm questioning everyone and have so many questions left open that I can't wait to divulge in and predict what happens next.

I really liked book one and the direction it's going for this story.

Kieran is about to start his hunt while xari is aslo starting a hunt of her own.

It's about to go down and I can't wait for book 2 to come.

[Jessica Coggan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A overall good start to a new series’s

I have read all of Amelias books so in this review I’m going to get critical and list what I like about this book and what I don’t..here goes…. Good points:

*refreshing interesting storyline
* intriguing ,sexy and hot as hell male lead ( wouldn’t expect nothing less from author)
*female lead strong and likeable and doesn’t drag on in her inner monologue.(always a plus)
*page turning full of twists band turns

Bad points:
* slow burn no sexy times at all just very close but no cigar moments (disappointed as Amelias books are usually more drooling shall we say)
* introduced too many secondary characters I get it’s first book world building but I kept loosing track of who’s who and by the time second book comes I will have to reread and probably still forget who everyone is

All in all I would say a good start but it will be a long time before we see book 2 unfortunately as the author does have a few other unfinished series so book turnaround is very slow (maybe too many projects all at once)

[=^..^= Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic Amelia as always

Epic as always. I love that the cliffhanger was semi resolved and just has you so excited for the next installment. After legacy of the nine realms I said I wouldn't read an incomplete series but I lasted a day before I had to give in. Loved the characters and loved Kerian!

[No · Rating 1 out of 5]

My forehead creased with worry moments before something rammed into me.
So her forehead is separate than her?

I was lifted, and a scream ripped from my throat before my body smashed against the rock wall of the valley.
This is really odd.

and a yelp escaped me.
Why does the narrator keep herself separate from her physical body? It’s like body dysmorphia but unintentional.

The being threw my body without warning, and I shouted in rage, landing hard against more rocks.
This is really jarring to read. Why is none of the action happening to **her**?

Air left my lungs rapidly, threatening to hyperventilate my brain.
Okay. Well brains can’t hyperventilate.

I screamed, sending air bubbles to the surface, but no sound escaped.
That’s also untrue. Sound carries underwater. So either, she didn’t scream and there was no sound or she screamed and there was no sound.
What is up with this writer?

My hand landed on a rock, and my fingers gripped the smooth, solid item before I was picked up once more.
omg, item?? this writing makes me want to cry.


Lol and thats all in ch. 1.


It was going to be a long night. It was my first inside the apartment that I would have shared with Micah. We hadn’t been able to be within it together, and I was glad I’d chosen the smaller one, since I’d be in it alone now.
“It” relates to three separate things yet is used

I grimaced at the tiny little fella trying to make an appearance. It looked like he hadn’t graduated from tortoise school, too shy to leave his shell.
-_- this is the most silliest awful thing

I had over three hundred ID cards and credentials stashed around the continent. I’d hidden money in offshore accounts and buried some beneath rocks in the woods across America.
I aM a BaDaSs

Also, ew. Xavier promises his baby daughter to a man and the man waits for the baby to grow up to then own/fuck it? I can’t do those types of stories. And why does Kieren almost kill her in the beginning if she’s promised to him?

[Lunarbookwyrm aka Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

An edited review from my IG too:


But bow down to Amelia 😍

Good lord AMELIA never fails to amaze me. 🥵🔥SHE IS truly a goddess!


Spice Meter: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. 5/ 5
Rating: 💫💫💫💫💫/5

There was never a boring moment in this book. Of course the female lead was super kick ass! And my, my the male lead. Ugh Kieran Knight. Good lord. I stayed up until 5:33 AM for this book. And yes, it will gets hot and heavy. Totally worth it!

It's a Dark urban Fantasy and we follow Xariana Anderson the daughter of the leader of the Hunter's Guild. She's super strong, she kicks demon ass, and she will eff you up if you stand in her way. Something uneventful happened one night during a hunt and her father had been taken and she has to take over the guild and all the responsibilities that come with it. She has to deal with this hot brooding male named Keiran Knight, who suddenly popped back into her life. This possessive, brooding male, and hot male will do anything to own Xariana... Even if it means destroying everything and burning the world for this woman. Just read the gawd dang book. I am biased towards Amelia Hutchins. 🥺 Add it to your TBR! ANGST, SPICE, SMUT, ASS KICKING? WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED?


🌙 Enemies to Lovers ( duh)
🌙 Strong ass Female Lead
🌙 Dark, brooding, hot male lead
🌙 Action packed story
🌙 Of course we love Fantasy ⭐
🌙 It has not only SMUT, but Good Plot ( best kind of book)

Witches, Vampires, Fae, Demons, Wolven (Werewolves), and more! I love it. Need more. When you read an Amelia Hutchins book... A glass alcohol or whisky is mandatory 🍷


Note :

Forgive me... I only read The nine realms series 🙏 and ugh.. Becoming his monster?

Can't wait for Book 2! Need more of this. I will surely read Bulletproof damsel. Definitely recommend to read it first 💫🤣

[Kreela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hits so many tropes:

#VavavoomVillains
#Hate F**k
#CoitusInterruptus
#Kick-A** Heroine…too hardened for me. “You spend all your extra time hunting, and the only thing you ever adorn yourself in is guts, entrails, and bruises.”
#PossessiveMale

The Characters:
=====================
Honestly, Xariana as a character gave me an insecurity complex. She was a Wonder Woman with strong leadership capability but was so hardened I could not feel for her. Her character was well-developed, and her tough-guy attitude made sense.

Kerrian was the ultimate in dark book boyfriends: mercenary, attracted to her destructiveness, possessive and predatory. My heart fluttered for him.

And strangely enough, my heart also fluttered for the bar owner, who ultimately proved to be an unsavory savior. Cool!

Her ex, Micah: Oh I felt so sad for him. He was getting mixed messages throughout and was important for the plot.

The only weak characters were Xari's girlfriends. They had no real personality, but they were not part of the plot twists, so this was less crucial to the plot.

The Plot:
===================
I loved the action and pacing and drama, until the last 15% of the book.
** Spoiler Alert **
Xari suddenly became this devious master plotter who planned her exit years in advance. I could not understand how someone who loved her father, her coworkers, and her friends, could possibly expect or plan for a sudden flight from her life. WTF?!? Although the plot was twisted and interesting, I cannot imagine reading book 2. It just didn't seem right for Xari's character.

The Theme:
====================
This felt like a bubblegum fantasy. I loved the action and romance, but missed any major theme, unless it will be revealed across the series.

Since this is part of a series, there are elements left unfinished, but the story arc in the first novel was complete. It is not for a young adult.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicious

I really enjoyed this. Amelia Hutchins has a certain type of character she writes about, they tend to be the same yet different. And I love them. Strong, dangerous, crazy. These characters are all about the fight and coming up on top while everyone lays dead around them. I've always had a thing for a strong take no s### women, and delicious dark leading men totally taken with her. A power couple riddled with red flags you can't help but fall in love with. Can't wait to see where this all goes.

[lady d ⚡️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved that Xariana was bad ass and unlike some other characters by this author, NEVER fully caved towards the alpha a hole male MC. I wasn’t in love with this book by any means nor did i hate it. I felt like Kieran could have been developed a lot more and idk i expected more personality and spark from his character especially with all the mystery build up around him. Instead we just got typical “i’m gonna own you” vibes and actions. I just wish there was something distinctive about him but he really didn’t do much for me. My only other issue was that it seemed so rushed and short, especially given the plot lines and conflict

[Amanda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book. But omg it's freaking amazing. All kinds of revelations, lots of action, twists and turns. It'll capture your interest from the beginning, holding you captive till the very end. I can't wait for more of this story. Absolutely loved reading this. Amelia delivered one hell of a book. Definitely recommend.

[Pohato Alrus · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was confused from the very start, the plot, the pacing, the characters were puzzling, and I couldn’t understand what was going on in the first chapter. The next couple chapters were so so repetitive, the characters were saying the same exact things; I could’ve legitty on my titties ripped out chapters and the plot wouldn’t have lost any value. The way the characters talked felt incredibly sexist and uncomfortably primal, addressing each other as male, female, woman, etc. etc. for example, “Every female submits when she meets the right man.” ??? I can’t tell if this is just some sort of kink, considering that this is a romance, but come on, this is setting us back years. The pacing is odd, random things keep occurring and I have to go back and re-read to check if I missed something but no, something unrelated just happened. Anyway, all-in-all, I don’t like romances—usually—either way, especially ones with “strong dominating alpha males” and “itty bitty helpless females who submit”. It’s just unlikeable. There were a couple grammatical errors, too.

[Cindyg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot Damn! Yes please!
Loved Xariana, she was everything I look for in a kick ass female!
And Kieran…wowza!
I can’t wait for the next installment.
Fast paced,action packed and steamy as F——e!
Highly recommend!

[Sucker4Smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live for Amelia’s smutty, alpha-asshole books. Throw in some Fae shit and I’m a goner.

This book is like a blend of Fae chronicles and Legacy of the Nine Realms.
Characters, plot, smut, world…all gold. Literally can’t go wrong.

This curbed my cravings for next Nine Realms book….