Kerrigan Argon, a half-human, half-Fae, took part in a
major contest during the first of this Royal Houses series.
After unexpectedly winning the tournament, sheβs got a
small dragon, which doesnβt seem that delighted. HOUSE
OF SHADOWS is their new allegiance. Β
Now, itβs my problem that I didnβt read the
first book. But I really felt that I had come here for the
dragon on the cover, and⦠for much of the book we get
no dragon. The five contest winners have to study and train
for a year before graduating as warriors. Fae prince,
Fordham Ollivier, encourages Kerrigan to ride off with him,
back to his home in the House of Shadows mountain. They have
to leave the dragons outside a magical barrier. So, on with
meeting staff and royalty, having tea parties and balls.
While the dragons, I suppose, forage, or whatever dragons
do. Presumably during the first story, Kerrigan told us all
about the care and feeding of these noble and dangerous
beasts. She never feeds her dragon as much as a chicken,
never grooms his scales or oils his harness, that I can see.
No wonder she doesnβt form a bond with Tieran, any
more than she would with a horse she never groomed or fed.
Two sisters, Benton and Bayton, are the half-Fae servants
assigned to tend Kerrigan (who was assigned to tend a war
dragon, but doesnβt) and the maids reveal the extent
of racism in the society Kerrigan has joined. They are
indentured servants, and no halfling can expect better.
Kerrigan is treated with disdain by many in the palace, and
itβs clear they only want to use her in some way.
Ashby March, a pompous prince, decides he will become
engaged to Kerrigan because her rustic castle home would be
a good addition to his future kingdom. Without a family to
back her, the young lady finds it hard to refuse. There are
strident civil rights meetings which seem like the very last
place Kerrigan should be, but she gets dragged along anyway.
I get the impression she is a girl who canβt say no.
Β
Well, dragons do come into the fray, with a thrilling
battle, but Tieran gets about equal time with the various
instructors teaching Kerrigan magic. I would like less
protests and more time spent with dragons. The sinister Red
Masks provide friction even before war breaks out. There is
romance for the decidedly unchaperoned riders, putting the
story into the New Adult category, although the first book
was probably YA. Β Β
K.A. Linde has created a detailed world and magic system
in HOUSE OF SHADOWS, which is a lengthy read that should
please fans of the series.
Kerrigan Argon was never meant to be chosen. As a half—human, half—Fae pariah, her admission into the Dragon Society breaks every law of her world. Now she's bound to a dragon—and to a brutal year of training that could claim her life.
But first, she must survive a journey into the infamous House of Shadows, led by the dark Fae prince Fordham Ollivier. No half—Fae has ever returned from its halls. In a place built on cruelty, secrets, and absolute power, Kerrigan must battle not just enemies—but centuries of prejudice and the slow unraveling of magic itself.
Something ancient is cracking. A long—buried spell is weakening. And Kerrigan may be the only one who can stop the collapse—or cause it.
No excerpt available.
© 2003-2026