Bound to the Shadow Prince was a really fun read. This enemies-to-lovers romance is full of intrigue and has a sassy female lead character that had me laughing out loud at times. Perfect for fans of Dixon's other works and other fantasy romance like Jennifer L Armentrout.

Honestly this wasn't my cup of tea, maybe I'm just not into monster romances lol This was my first attempt at one and I just didn't vibe with it at all, and if I had to read the word "knot" one more time I was gonna lose it. I will say the characters were fun and I liked their banter and dynamic in the beginning, but I quickly lost my interest with them half way through. I also think I just got bored with them being stuck in the tower for two years, more than half the book. It just felt very stagnant.

While this wasn't for me personally, I do think it will appeal to a lot of other readers. So definitely give it a try!

I enjoyed this. I'm not sure how to review without giving away too much but THAT plot twist towards the ending! I did not see that coming! I loved out two main characters. The only thing that would have made it better is if we could have had his POV as well. I loved the spicy bits of the book as well as the sweet moments. The author really gets you hooked and I was stressed for these characters throughout the book.

This book was fun. I do feel like it dragged a bit longer than necessary. This book was over 500 pages and probably could have been edited down 100 pages or so. However, I liked the main relationship in this and the twist at the end was good. It was a bit predictable at times but in a way that made me want to get to the end to have all my questions answered. I was curious about a new Ruby Dixon book after Ice Planet Barbarians. This was certainly different but I’m glad I got my hands on it. She really is one of the spice queens. And it was my first Knotted Romance and I can’t say I’m mad about it lol. If you're a fan of other Ruby Dixon books you'll certainly enjoy this one. Her writing has really matured, which is evident throughout this book.

Sassy cursed princess. Noble shadow price. One tower. Adorable. This is my first Ruby Dixon so I came into this with a clean slate. This reads like it was a salacious fantasy history channel feature. A good time with a meatier plot toward the end.

Overall, I had a difficult time with this book. There was a lot of pacing issues as well as super consistent language that needed variety! This did not have the spice and fluidity that i associate with Ruby Dixon's materials. It does make sense though after I found out this used to be a pay-to-read chapters story, but I wish there could have been better editing for a bound copy.

I really enjoyed this book. It was slow to start, and I almost gave up, but I'm glad I stuck with it. If you enjoy close proximity, enemies to lovers, with a hint of Beauty and the Beast vibes, I highly recommend this book.

The romance between Candra and Nemeth was a little slow, but worth it. Several spicy scenes and Nemeth's adorable ignorance vs Candra's temptress guiles made this one of my favorite romantasy books of the month. Even though there was a pregnancy, I fully expected it and didn't feel like it detracted from the story at all.

This was the first of Ruby Dixon's novels that I've read, and I'm definitely interested in reading more.

I love Rubys writing, and as a new series of hers, this definitely did not disappoint.
Imagine being locked in a tower with your enemy for 7 years, because that is what Princess Chandra has to do. As you can expect, Chandra isn’t thrilled with this outcome. Enter Prince Nemeth. A tall, winged, broody, clawed Fallian (monster) warrior. Nemeth has spent his whole life training for this endeavor, and Chandra realizes she may not survive this ordeal at all.
Overall, I love this book. Forced proximity, disability, feisty fmc, it was giving everything id hope it would. Patiently waiting for book 2

If there's one thing about Ruby Dixon it's that she will get you out of a reading slump! This book was so entertaining and easy to read. Was it anything profound? No. Was it fun and entertaining? ABSOLUTELY.I loved her IPB series and now I can add this one to the list to keep me busy.

“Bound To The Shadow Prince" is a captivating blend of cozy confinement and thrilling adventure, making it a standout in the realm of romantic fantasy. The story begins with Princess Candra, who must endure seven years locked in a tower to appease a vengeful goddess. This setting initially creates a surprisingly cozy atmosphere, allowing for deep character exploration and the development of a complex, enthralling relationship between Candra and her Fellian companion, Nemeth.

The book takes a refreshing turn in the second half, bursting into a world brimming with unforeseen challenges and revelations. The narrative is skillfully woven with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, gasping for air right until the exhilarating conclusion.

One of the most commendable aspects of this novel is its portrayal of a strong, badass main character who navigates a chronic illness, offering rare and much-needed representation in the genre. The evolving dynamics between Candra and Nemeth are both intense and magnetic, striking a perfect balance between emotional depth and the exhilaration of their journey.

Highly recommended for those who aren't afraid to dive into a story featuring gargoyles and seek a romantic adventure that's as heart-pounding as it is heartwarming.

Fun fantasy monster romance smut. I believe this was written as a serial story released chapter-by-chapter on the platform Yonder and released on Wattpad books imprint. So, it’s got a sense of humor, problems that get serious and are strangely compelling. Trapped in a tower with an enemy shadow creature for seven years? Well, there is only one thing to do….

Too many “dragon shites.” Fun main female character. Also love the MMC. Similar to her blue barbarians series.

this might be the first monster romance i've read that felt more like monster romantasy, with a fleshed out world, kingdoms at war, kings, queens, and vengeful gods and goddesses - and it was an absolute delight.

bound to the shadow prince is lengthy, but seeing as how it was originally published as a serial and was compiled and published as book, the length is to be expected. and despite its length — every chapter is FUN.

the story focuses on candra, a hedonist, spare-heir princess with a chronic illness: a blood curse that requires an injection every night, and can kill her if she misses her dose. also, part of this blood curse? infertility, making her ineligible as the queen and heir responsible for continuing the royal line.

after her younger sister dies in a shipwreck, candra inherits the role of designated sacrifice to the gods, in which she’s sent to a windowless tower to live for seven years with the other kingdom’s sacrifice. the catch: the door is bricked up behind them, and they're not able to step even one foot outside for the duration of those seven years, otherwise a terrible curse befalls their kingdoms, bringing tempests to the seas and droughts to the farmlands.

LOCKED IN A TOWER FOR SEVEN YEARS WITH AN ENEMY? a HOT, MONSTER ENEMY? sign me all the way up. (except not really, because i’m not even remotely claustrophobic, but i would need at least a window of sunlight to avoid clawing my way through the brick to freedom.)

over the course of the first year, candra and nemeth — prince of the fellian kingdom — have to cohabitate, share food and resources, and navigate the darkness and loneliness together. like the one bed trope, but one tower — a recipe for falling in love with your enemy. it’s kind of giving love island, except it’s a dark, crumbly tower, and you’ve only got one romantic option. but you're lucky because he's hot, kind, and 8 feet tall with anatomy to match.

this was honestly so much fun to read, both in terms of grade A-spicy monster smut and interesting, complex romantasy, but it’s definitely one you need to be in the mood to commit to, because she’s girthy (much like a certain scholarly virgin prince’s appendage). bound to the shadow prince is fun, but it requires a fair bit of patience while the story itself unravels over 500 pages.

note that there are a few TW/CWs to be aware of before jumping in: animal death (for food/survival), infertility and surprise pregnancies, and the death of a child (off page, recounted by a side character). and also, if the idea of being stuck in a bricked-up dark tower for seven years terrifies you, best to skip this one.

otherwise, if you’re on the hunt for monster smut that fills the romantasy hole in your heart, this delivers warring kingdoms, winged and fanged monsters, and a dash of dystopian, apocalyptic survival.

Full-length standalone monster romantasy. And by full length, I mean a very full 536 pages. A feisty FMC and a shyer inexperienced monster MMC who come from enemy/warring peoples.

I definitely enjoyed this novel and the storyline, yet I can’t help having my overwhelming feeling be that it was too long and dragged in parts. This story was originally put out as a serial and I think the pacing and length make a lot more sense for that format vs. a novel.

There is certainly plenty of the monster smut we know and love from Ruby Dixon, but there is also plenty of fantasy plot with gods, curses, war, and magic. Definitely has some darker elements as well.

I do not recommend for someone wanting a quick monster romp, but would recommend to readers looking for a full length epic monster standalone fantasy!

3.5 stars. Stunning cover.

Thank you Netgalley and to the publisher for a free review ecopy!

After clearing up the confusion that this was not part of the Anchor and Aspect series (took me a hundred pages or so)- I let myself really enjoy this!

Ruby did an excellent job creating two different personalities between Candra and Nemeth which I felt were reminiscent of stronger FMCs in IPB (currently also making my way through Ice Home). I loved the growth through and through, the survival through the last 30% of the book and just the expression of loyalty written.

I recieved this copy as an ARC and this is solely my own opinion!

This was a good book. It fell flat in parts of it but picked back up. There was several scenes of spice and I would probably give it 3 chili peppers. I liked the fact that there was no cliff hanger.

While this heroine seems a bit vain and self centered which did not make her my favorite character, overall this was an excellent book. It has a lot of twists and turns and the characters, especially the heroine, are multi-dimensional people.

I am a Ruby Dixon fan through and through, and I enjoyed my time in Bound to the Shadow Prince. I thought the story was unique, the plot twists were fun, and I loved the characterization of both the FMC and MMC. Grumpy Sunshine is always such a fun trope, and Ruby knows how to bring characters to life. The story was long, which felt unusual for one of her books, but I thought the plot had a lot of places to go so I was never bored. I laughed out loud, loved the omegaverse vibes, and the absolute dedication of Nemeth to Candra had me swooning the entire time. Plus they both had deliciously dirty mouths!

- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Enemies to friends to lovers
- Forced Proximity
- Touch her and die
- Virgin MMC
🌶️ SMUTTY 🌶️

3.5 ⭐️

I really liked the premise of this book, forced proximity and soft enemies to lovers. Candra started out a little spoiled, but quickly realized her situation and had a lot of growth at the end. I enjoyed the twist towards the end of the book and how it came together at the end.
I do feel like the story dragged in places that could’ve been shortened up and some of the spicier scenes were a little repetitive.

Also am I the only one who pictures the MMC as the guy with horns from Star Wars?? 😭

Thank you to NetGalley for the E-ARC!!

Thanks to NetGalley for approving me to read and review this early. Now I know what I’m getting myself for my birthday (July, where you at?)

I did not think it possible to love Mrs. Dixon any more than I already did, but I was wrong. While Ice Planet Barbarians has a special place in my heart (I picked up the first one in 2017) I absolutely adore the Risdaverse novels and novellas and, especially, the Aspect and Anchor series. These worlds are jam packed with adventure, heartbreak, passion, and a story that sticks with you like a warm hug. For the longest time I have been focused on impatiently getting through a book quickly so that I could know all of the secrets it has been hiding, and then immediately turn to another story when I have not fully digested the one before. But with Bound to the Shadow Prince I wanted to savor it and didn’t want it to end (iykyk). I quickly related to Candra, the female lead, who was born with the Vestalin blood curse (iykyk). But that doesn’t keep her down for long or rob her of the hilarious and, sometimes, naughty things that come out of her mouth. She feels so real, and Dixon writes her so well that you want to be her friend and kick ass with her. I suffer from debilitating illnesses that make me dependent upon an injection and meds (and I can’t jab myself with a needle, even to save my life, so I rely on my mother or fiancé). I felt seen with this book, as I do with every book Dixon puts out. Forgive this bit of an English lesson from an English teacher, but Dixon knows her characterization, text structure, and themes (see, my sweet 9th graders, people do use what they learned during high school in real life), and I believe this is a driving factor when it comes to why her books are so popular and why they work. So. Well.

And can we just pause and think of sweet Nemeth, Candra’s enemies-to-lovers monstrous mate who scratches that damsel-in-distress, please take care of me and love me fiercely itch I have? There were many times I, personally, wanted to strangle him for being a shite, but his love for Candra made me fall in love with this story even more. The constant whiplash from their relationship had me trying to work out was going to happen, which kept me from coming to any conclusions I trusted, based on the text evidence.

This is a fantastic book that I think will reach people who read specific genres and want to dabble in others. Bound to the Shadow Prince has court intrigue, warring sides between humans and a race of humanoid/beastly creatures, enemies-to-lovers, spying, a vengeful goddess, close quarters, forbidden love, main character with an illness, etc. It’s a cross between (and hear me out on this) Bridgerton, Lord of the Rings, Twilight, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Strange? But it WORKS.

I was given a free ARC of this book to provide my honest opinion.

Bound to the Shadow Prince is full of action and adventure and twists and turns. It kept me going! I read this book in one sitting and couldn’t down. What starts off seeming like a horrible upcoming 7 years, turns into a crazy series of events that brings love (the 🌶️ parts are so good!) laughter, war, the worst of the worst scenarios, and a twist right where you don’t expect there to be one. This is a great Romantasy read!