Shadow Trials: An Epic Slowburn Romantasy (Heartless Gods Book 1)
Evelyn Hart
by Lindsey A. Hart
Aurelia Moirae has spent her life avoiding the shadows of her ancestry, but when her world fractures, she is pulled into the mist-shrouded city of Nyxarra. In this realm governed by blood bargains and long-buried magic, Aurelia’s only goal is to save her brother. However, she soon discovers that her lineage is not merely a history, but a sentence—one that demands she navigate a landscape of ancient grudges and divine retribution.
To survive, Aurelia must form an uneasy alliance with a haunted warrior and contend with a beautiful, dangerous figure who seems determined to claim her. As she delves deeper into the city’s dark architecture, the line between ally and enemy blurs. The magic etched into her blood is both a weapon and a curse, forcing her to decide how much of herself she is willing to sacrifice to rewrite a legacy she never chose.
Amidst the tension of a lethal, slow-burn romance and the suffocating atmosphere of a city that feeds on devotion, Aurelia must learn that in Nyxarra, beauty is inherently sharp, and the cost of survival is often the very thing she fights to protect.
Onlymisty5 stars on so many levels
"This novel has blown my mind and stolen my heart! Lindsey is vastly talented! She has woven such a tall tale of unique and beautiful world building, with actual found family... like not just because she tells us so... but because the relationships build, grow, and bleed out on every page of this journey! Her side characters are so multi faceted...with their own strengths, traumas, and back stories. The familial relationships cut DEEP and made me cry in EVERY SINGLE interaction. She writes from what feels like an eldest daughter perspective and it resonated so deeply with me... the burdens, the sacrifices, the corner stone... and she never whines or cries or curses her lot in life... she is all heart and does it all for love. The level of mental health representation in this story demands and requires applause. I applaud Lindsey for the courage and vulnerability to address these things, and the sheer scope of creative genius it must have taken to fit it into a fantastical world. These are the types of things I obsess over in Demi Winters books. So well done! I will gladly read any and everything this woman puts out because it was Chefs kiss. Debut my butt.... somebody lying! Soooooo goooood! Read this if you're a fan of Rachel Gillig (A Knight and the Moth), Demi Winters (The Road of Bones), Sarah A. Parker (When the Moon Hatched), Amber V. Nicole (The Book of Azrael), Callie Hart (Quicksilver), Stacey McEwan (A Forsaken Alchemy).... if you like reading, and you like beautiful thoughtful stories...READ THIS!!!!! ["
May 21, 2026 Verified Purchase
HavokI Feel Feminine Rage.... 3 2 1
""The thorns we inherit do not ask permission They prick. They scar. They remind us that beauty was never meant to be harmless. And neither were we." Aurelia Moirae is pulled into a world she never asked for, where her bloodline ties her to something far more dangerous than she understands. After her life begins to unravel, she is forced into Nyxarra, a city wrapped in mist, power, and old magic that feels as alive as the people who rule it. What starts as a mission to save her brother quickly shifts into something heavier, where every choice feels like it carries a cost she may not be able to afford. Aurelia is easily one of the strongest parts of this story. She has a quiet resilience that grows into something sharper as the story progresses, and there is a depth to her that feels like it has only just been scratched. You can feel that there is more waiting beneath the surface, especially with how the ending leaves her story hanging in a way that promises something much more intense in the next book. There is a strong sense that her journey is heading toward something fueled by feminine rage, and I am fully invested in seeing that unfold. The dynamic between the characters adds a layer of tension that keeps everything moving. It feels very intentional, almost like each character is being placed with purpose, even if their full roles are not clear yet. Her brother stands out as a looming emotional thread. There is a sense that he will either become a major driving force in her story or the very thing that breaks her. That uncertainty adds a quiet weight to everything Aurelia does. Then there is Malachi and Kaelith, who both bring completely different shades of darkness. One feels more controlled, the other more dangerous, and the story does a good job of making you question what their roles will ultimately be. It is not entirely clear who will take the place of the main love interest, or if that line will blur, but either way there is going to need to be some serious groveling to make any of it work. Malachi’s perspective in particular stood out and added a level of depth that made me want more of him on the page. The world itself is vivid and atmospheric. Nyxarra feels rich with history, magic, and tension, and the concept of blood bargains and old grudges gives it a strong foundation. That said, I did find myself wanting more time to sit in that world. The pacing moves a bit quickly in places, and there were moments where more detail and breathing room would have made the emotional and world building elements hit even harder. Overall, this was a strong start to a series. While the writing style was not always exactly what I personally prefer, the story, characters, and underlying tension carried it to a solid four star read for me. The ending leaves a lot open, but in a way that feels intentional rather than incomplete. I am especially looking forward to seeing Aurelia step fully into her power and what that will cost her when everything begins to unravel further. ["
April 13, 2026
Sara AllisonLet's talk about The Thorns We Inherit by Lindsey Hart
"Let's talk about The Thorns We Inherit by Lindsey Hart. Poetic masterpiece. Lyrical prose. A wonderfully gothic tale set in a world of mist and secrets. Lindsey weaves us a story like none other. I was immediately immersed from the very first page. Her writing drew me in, sliding through my synapses and tickling the creative neurons that have been begging to be woken up. "You're stronger than storms. You don't have to roar to survive." Our tale is one of those who have lost and almost have been forgotten. It's about stories hidden so deep, that they have been banned from existence. When we meet Aurelia, she is only trying to live her life, trying to keep what little she has afloat while finding a cure to save her brother. The goddesses of Nyxarra have not shown grace on them and their parents were ripped from their lives. In order to find a cure, she sets off to the realm of Nyxarra - beyond the veil, in hopes that she will succeed. But little does she know that other mysteries of old are afoot and life as she once knew will never be the same. "The thorns we inherit do not ask permission. They prick. They scar. They remind us that beauty was not meant to be harmless." With horrors and love lost at every turn, Aurelia is confronted with her own mortality. Lore is rich and drips like blood within the walls. Caught between rivalries centuries old and love losts, she knows in order to survive her task, she must keep her heart closed, even when the darkness tries to creep in. "Hello, little dove. Lost, are we?" If you love stories that are rich in world building, fairy tales, and deep secrets, than this book is for you. ✨ Humans x Vampyres x Fae ✨ Chosen One / Prophecies ✨ Hints of a Love Triangle / Slow Burn ✨ Epic Lore / Storytelling ✨ Elemental Magics ✨ Found Family / Diverse Characters ✨ World Building ✨ Forced Proximity ✨ One Horse Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spice: 🔥🔥 Series: Book 1 of 3 ["
April 8, 2026 Verified Purchase
Claribel A.Your Next Favorite Gothic Romantasy
"I’m a HUGE fan of Lindsey’s poetic writing. The writing was beautiful and compelling! There’s lines that you’d appreciate for how beautiful they sound. But there’s lines that you’d appreciate for how they make you feel. And her words hit you right in the heart! I was squealing, snapping * slam poetry snaps * and clapping throughout my entire journey reading this! The writing was insane! Honestly, the writing unexpectedly pulled me in during the prologue. And the amount of highlights I have! It’s beautifully written! I love our FMC’s, Aurelia’s, quiet strength. She’s a badass. She’s sharped tongued, fierce but not completely reckless. Her heart is her compass and that’s what made me love her! Aurelia was so easy to relate to. I can’t wait to see her growth in what's to come! Our MMCs are both dark and mysterious, but have opposing motives. But I already know who I’m rooting for! The side characters have some layers to them, they don’t phase in the background, which I love! I can’t wait to explore their storylines. Please check TWs before diving in! Gothic fantasy and dark fantasy lovers, this is a must read! I promise you, you will be obsessed! ["
April 15, 2026 Verified Purchase