Crown of War and Shadow by J.R. Ward

A gritty, immersive romantasy where danger, secrets, and fate collide.

Crown of War and Shadow feels like J.R. Ward has stepped confidently into romantasy while keeping the grit and emotional weight that makes her paranormal romance so engaging. The world is immersive from the start, and the imagery makes it easy to settle into the danger and the larger conflict slowly unfolding beneath the surface.

Sorrel is a compelling main character whose growth unfolds naturally. I liked how her past is revealed in pieces, shaping both her choices and how she understands her own power. She knows she’s dangerous, yet chooses to use her magic to heal, which adds depth to her character. Merc remains something of a mystery since the story stays in Sorrel’s POV, but his actions speak clearly to who he is. Or do they? So many secrets. The chemistry between them works well, though the romance takes a slight back seat to the action and overall plot. It feels intentional, and I expect their relationship to develop further in the next book.

The action and battle scenes are a standout. The danger feels real, and the monsters are genuinely unsettling. I kept turning pages to see what would happen next. While I initially wanted more world building, later revelations filled in those gaps in a way that made the buildup feel purposeful. The story reaches a satisfying stopping point while leaving enough unresolved that I’m genuinely excited for what comes next.

A strong and immersive start to a new series that blends Ward’s signature intensity with epic fantasy scope. I’m very ready for book two.