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Cover of A Sword of Shadow and Deceit by Lucinda Dark
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A Sword of Shadow and Deceit

by Lucinda Dark

Book 1 in Mortal Gods

This is for the nights when you want your romantasy sharp, messy, and full of morally ruined men.

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goodreads 3.99/5 3,793 ratings

Quick fit

Is this story right for you?

A decision-first view of the reading experience.

Think twice if…

  • Content warnings: Sexual content, Dubious consent, Slavery, Death of loved one, Death of a parent, Violence, Blood, Bullying, Captivity, Abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Classism, Torture, Murder, Gore, Alcohol use
Length400 pages
Series statusOngoing series
Spice4/5 · Passionate / intense
PacingFast

Story profile

What the story promises

The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.

Romance promise

  • Enemies to lovers
  • Why Choose / Reverse Harem
  • Medium burn
  • High
  • Passionate / intense
  • Adrenaline rush
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  • God/deity
  • Power imbalance
  • Dominant vibes
  • Book hangover incoming
  • Morally gray
  • Predator x prey
  • Power dynamic
  • Obsessed
  • Villain
  • Captor/captive
  • Kinky / adventurous
  • Possessive alpha
  • Morally gray x morally gray
  • Rough / primal
  • Dragon shifter
  • Possessive love interest
  • Possessive / claiming
  • Possessive/protective
  • Tension / anticipation
  • Longing glances
  • Mine declarations
  • Wall pinning
  • Power exchange
  • Dominance
  • Possessive
  • Rough/aggressive intimacy

Fantasy promise

  • Dark romance
  • Reverse harem / why choose
  • Academy / campus
  • Academy / school
  • Gods/deities
  • Prison / captivity
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  • High fantasy
  • Dragons
  • Captive romance
  • Underground / underworld
  • Grimdark / dark fantasy
  • Demons
  • Bully romance
  • Castle / fortress
  • Dragon romance

Reading experience

  • First person
  • Fast
  • Dark
  • Fast-paced
  • Heavy
  • Assassin
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  • Intense
  • Survivor
  • Dangerous
  • Dramatic
  • Reluctant chosen one
  • Steamy
  • Punchy
  • Angsty
  • Deadly trials
  • Slow descent into darkness
  • Survival against impossible odds
  • Cliffhanger warning
  • Addictive pacing

Similar stories

Similar in ways that matter

Matched by the most important shared story signals, with the tradeoffs made explicit.

Book details
Length
400 pages
Publisher
Lucinda Dark
Language
English
Format
Book