3.5-stars.

I have absolutely loved reading the Ice Planet Barbarians books by Ruby Dixon, so when I heard she was writing a standalone fantasy romance, I was excited to read it. Bound to the Shadow Prince is a forced proximity enemies to lovers story. Candra and Nemeth are locked away in a tower for seven years together. Alone. Candra was not the most likable at the beginning as we get to know her. She was a bit spoiled and self-centered, but we get to see her grow throughout the story. Nemeth is a bit reserved and quiet who was on the shy side, kind and inexperienced. Their journey was on the slow burn side and enjoyed watching them fall.

Happy reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me an eARc in exchange of an honest review.

I have read and loved Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon so I really thought it would be my cup of tea but it wasn’t. The pacing was strange! And I just couldn’t get into it, had to DNF.

As an Ice Planet Barbarians stan, I was thrilled to dive into a Ruby Dixon book that offered something different. The forced proximity, enemies to lovers story was interesting enough at first, but I did find it to be a bit too long-winded. I think I enjoy Dixon's shorter works better.

This novel was a binge read for me. Enemies-to-lovers, female main character with a sexual appetite, and solid world-building? It sells itself. I was thrilled to read a novel that had a main character who enjoyed sex, and despite moments of self-doubt, never allowed herself to feel ‘lesser than’ for it. It was refreshing to read about a woman who was a shameless flirt, spoiled and selfish at times who wasn’t also villainized for it. Candra was realistic. She didn’t want to be a martyr, she wasn’t a good princess or always a good sister, she was self serving for a long while and she didn’t trust Nemeth unconditionally. She tried her best and loved hard and that is what made her such an interesting narrator. As wild as the story became, as deep as the worldbuilding got, making Candra a realistically flawed human was the best thing Ruby Dixon could’ve done for this novel.

When Princess Candra is called upon to serve for seven years in an isolated tower to appease the gods, she is devastated. Not only will she be cut off from her life in the palace, but she will also be trapped with the heir to the monstrous kingdom next door. Over time, Candra is drawn to Nemeth, and discovers that the prejudices she was taught as a child don't hold up in the face of his kindness. When the two fall in love, they know the wrath of both of their kingdoms is likely to fall on them. Can they survive the consequences of not only their choices, but the developments in the world outside?

This dark romance is a perfect fit for readers who crave a dark, adventurous, and spicy romance. It's perfect for romantasy readers who are willing to immerse themselves in a world of forbidden love and forced proximity.

I just love Ruby Dixon and I am always surprised by the connections in her stories. I will continue to read more from this author. Thank you for the ARC

I always know when I pick up a Ruby Dixon title that I will enjoy it, and this book didn’t let me down!

Generally, a fine and fast read but not what I had hoped. This was full of smut with a sassy FMC but just wasn't enough. The plot is nice and unique but a lot happens off page and that made it a bit flat for me.

I took this ARC because of RD's prowess but was just disappointed I didn't get Shadow Daddy. Overall, if you're a fan of the author or genre this is probably a good fit for you. If you're just starting out with RD I don't think I'd start here.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and W by Wattpad Books for this ARC Copy!

A cursed princess and a price from a rival kingdom are sent to live in a tower to appease the a vengeful god. Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, betrayal, drama, and lots of spice.

Is this a lyrical masterpiece, no. Is it just a bit longer than necessary and drags at times, yes. Did I still enjoy ever minute of it and was truly invested in the ending and our characters the entire time, absolutely yes. Was the spice spicing, absolutely!

OH MY GOD I LOVED THIS ONE SO MUCH

We've got forced proximity, we've got Romeo & Juliet "My fam hates your fam" except with kingdoms type of stuff, we've got shy, lemme take care of you MMC and a flirty FMC.

This book was fun to read. I loved the storyline, I loved the characters and the banter and the worldbuilding. The spice was good. I did expect more of an enemies thing, but I was satisfied with what I got. I think it fit better with the characters anyone (especially Nemeth)

Overall, this book was badass and sexy and I definitely recommend it.

Every time I read a Ruby Dixon book, I go in thinking it’s just going to be straight up monster porn. And EVERY TIME she surprises me with great world building, characters and story…and of course monster porn…but in the best way. This will probably happen the next time I read on of her books, I never learn.

I’m going to need some time to recover from the book hangover that this book gave me. Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc copy for my honest review. I know the book started off a little slow with them being locked in the tower but I was hook from page one, and the twists that the book took till the end made me unable to put the book down. I would highly recommend for monster smut fans.

Bound to the Shadow Prince by Ruby Dixon is a steamy enemies to lovers monster romance. It's a bit on the longish side but worth the read if this genre is your jam!

When I requested this I found out it was already previously published, I thought maybe it was a new book for her. I loved her Ice Planet Barbarians series but this was just not a favorite. I think it may have been published on Wattpad which makes more sense.

This is was what I would describe as an enemies to lovers but it was very messy in my opinion. Some parts could have done with more description while others were way over described. I honestly did not enjoy the first half of the book. This was like Rapunzel but like a smut spinoff lmao. I don't really do retellings which I wouldn't even classify this as that but it pulled from it a bit.

The story was very predictable, it was honestly more erotica than anything. This is just not the genre I am into anymore, I wish I had liked it more but I didn't.

Ruby Dixon is the queen of this genre. If you like monsters and romance she balances character driven storylines with spice. I loved the concept of Candra and Nemeth. This novel is reminiscent of her Aspect and Anchor series - so if you are looking for something lighter like her Ice Planet series, this series displays more of Ruby's literary abilities. I am enjoying her work and look forward to her new releases.

I immensely enjoyed this book, but then again, I enjoy anything Ruby writes! Sexy and kept me intrigued from beginning to end!

love!

I always enjoy Ruby Dixon’s work and Bound to the Shadow Prince is no exception. A Trojan war inspired fairytale about a spoiled princess forced to sacrifice seven years of her life in a tower with the enemy. Candra is a unique heroine for fantasy as nowadays we expect female characters more like her sister Erin; physically strong and vengeful. Candra is just so refreshing, seeing her struggle because she’s not the type of person that thrives in survival situations gave the book a new layer for me. I related to her much more than other heroines. She is desperately trying to survive, that’s her motivation and while she’s not built to ace it, she keeps going.
Ruby Dixon’s monster men are my absolute favorites, Nemeth is no exception. He is a gentle giant whose number one priority is always Candra. Even though he’s supposed to be deceiving her, he falls in love and decides to marry her.
This world is crazy and expansive and the twists are insane! I really enjoyed this book!

I love the characters Ruby writes, or more specifically, how the characters interact. I always love an enemies/rivals to lovers story and the banter it brings about. This story was chalked full of banter and spice and for that alone, I was happy. That being said, I found the story to a weird kind of rapunzel. These two people are trapped in a windowless tower to avoid a curse and I'd be pissed more than anything that my family just threw me in there. Because the book was very character driven, it was hard at times to find the plot. The spice made up for it but I needed a change of scenery a bit. If you're a fan of forced proximity, man do I have news for you.

Candra and Nemeth are from enemy families and are sent to stay in a dark tower for seven years to avoid a curse. This sounded like a great story but didn't work for me. I like fantasy and monster romances but this just wasn't my kind of book.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley.

I was interested in this one based on the title and synopsis. Unfortunately I dnfed this at 20%. I wasn't connecting with the characters, the writing, and I was extremely bored.