Crown of Ruin & Redemption (Kingdom of Shadows 3) by Vi Carter & Joanna Maz-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 28, 2025

I thought losing our child was the worst thing that could happen to us. I was wrong.

Four months ago, a shapeshifter murdered my unborn son. Four months ago, Kaan chose to save me instead of our baby. Four months ago, our bond shattered beyond repair.

Now Kaan’s cousin Yasar has arrived with violet eyes and dangerous secrets. He says he’s here to help. But when he touches my hand, I feel something I shouldn’t—a pull I can’t explain.

Because Erlik didn’t just cleanse me of shadow magic. He bound me to Yasar. Soul to soul.

My best friend Banu is trapped in the Veil Between—a nightmare realm accessible only during the Twilight Eclipse. We have three hours to save her before the Veil closes forever.

Three hours with a husband I can’t forgive, a cousin whose binding makes me crave what I shouldn’t, and the discovery that I’m twilight-born—carrying both shadow and light magic.

The key to ending a war. Or the weapon that destroys us all.

•••••

REVIEW:CROWN OF RUIN AND REDEMPTION is the third instalment the adult KINGDOM OF SHADOWS dark, epic fantasy series co-authored b Vi Carter and Joanna Maz. This is the continuing story of Prince Kaan Karanlikoglu, Lord of the Shadow Court, and his consort Nesilhan. CROWN OF RUIN AND REDEMPTION should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events of book two Crown of Storm and Silence.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Kaan and Nesi) CROWN OF RUIN AND REDEMPTION follows in the aftermath of the attack on our story line heroine. Four months earlier, a shape shifter murdered Kaan and Nesi’s unborn child but in the aftermath Nesi is unable to forgive the man she loves, a man she blames for choosing her life over the life of their unborn child’s but the betrayal goes deeper when our couple discover their bond has been fractured by a manipulative family member who is determined to take control. A war between the dark shadow and the light shadow courts is threatening Kaan’s tenuous hold over his people and the land,and the our couple must, once again, give up something in an effort to help everyone else.

The world building is detailed and complex as Nesilhan is determined to rescue her friend, a fairy trapped in the Veil Between, but the rescue will come at a cost to everyone involved. Nesi is so blinded grief and loss, she is willing to sacrifice everyone including herself and the man whom she loves, to save the life of her friend. A deal made with the Fae, threatens the future, as there is always a caveat, a disclaimer, and a play on words even friendships are threatened by deception and lies.

The relationship between Nesi and Kaan is fractured and strained. Grief leads to blame, to vengeance, and pain, and in this Nesi struggles to forgive the man whose heart is breaking with each rejection.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including the return of Nesi and Kaan, Kaan’s second in command Emir; Kaan’s cousin Yasar; Nesi’s siblings Zoran and Solene, and their father Lord Eldric Alari; Nesi’s best friend Banu, guardian Elcin, Fae Queen Morwenna, and Peri Ayse.

CROWN OF RUIN AND REDEMPTION is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, secrets and lies, dysfunctional family dynamics, forgiveness and love. The premise is intricate and intimate, as our couple find themselves at odds, pulled apart for the sake of all others. The characters are broken, determined and desperate as the betrayals run dark and deep; the romance is negligible as our couple must sacrifice everything to protect the one’s they love.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy