Think twice if…
- Content warnings: Violence, Graphic violence, Death, Trauma, PTSD, Child abuse (referenced), Rape, Sexual assault (referenced), Suicidal ideation, Self-harm, Abuse, Torture, Blood
A Life of Shadows
by Kristen Banet
Book 1 in The Redemption Saga
A former assassin trying to atone, four magical men who refuse to let her keep punishing herself, and a slow burn reverse harem that takes its trauma seriously. The whole 5-book series is complete so you can binge.
goodreads 4.16/5 7,202 ratings
storykind_community 3.5/5 2 ratings
Quick fit
Is this story right for you?
A decision-first view of the reading experience.
Length382 pages
Series statusOngoing series
Spice2/5 · Passionate / intense
PacingMedium
Story profile
What the story promises
The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.
Romance promise
- Polyamorous
- Why Choose / Reverse Harem
- Slow burn
- Medium
- Passionate / intense
- Found family feels
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- Morally gray
- Emotional / vulnerable intimacy
- The angst delivered
- Warrior/fighter
- Found family
- Possessive / claiming
- Book hangover incoming
- Protective love interest
- Morally gray love interest (LI)
- Slow burn with late spice
- Redemption arc
- Assassin/spy
- Touch starvation
- Earned hope
- Betrayal to trust
- Possessive/protective
- Tension
- Anticipation
- Possessive
- Marking
- Claiming
Fantasy promise
- Urban fantasy
- Reverse harem / why choose
- Big city / metropolis
- Witches/wizards/warlocks
- Multiple partners (consensual)
- Bunker / base / compound
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- Paranormal
- Vampires
- Shifters
- Dark romance
Reading experience
- First person
- Dark
- Heavy
- Assassin
- Intense
- Damaged survivor
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- Angsty
- Emotional
- Atmospheric
- Character-driven
- Former villain / reformed antagonist
- Suspenseful
- Earnest
- Vengeful / revenge-driven
- Redemption
- The long game
- Morally complex
- Underground rebellion
- Page turner
- Series binge material
- Addictive pacing
Similar stories
Similar in ways that matter
Matched by the most important shared story signals, with the tradeoffs made explicit.
486 pages Completed
The Blackened Blade
Isla Davon
Similar because
Polyamorous · Multiple partners (consensual) · Suspenseful
Different because
Spice is lower (1/5 vs 2/5). A longer read (486 vs 382 pages).
396 pages Completed
Shattered Vow
Eva Chase
Similar because
Suspenseful · Series binge material · Betrayal to trust
Different because
Spice is higher (3/5 vs 2/5). Fast pacing rather than Medium.
890 pages Completed
City of Lies and Legends
Kayla Edwards
Similar because
Underground rebellion · Big city / metropolis · Vampires
Different because
Spice is higher (5/5 vs 2/5). A longer read (890 vs 382 pages).
Book details
- Length
- 382 pages
- Language
- English
- Format
- Book