The King's Shadow
- Downloads：5252
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2023-01-14 09:16:39
- Update Date：2025-09-23
- Status：finish
- Author：K.M. Shea
- ISBN：B0BP5SKF2V
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
- Download
Summary
I just spent the last month pretending to be the pet cat of an elf king。 Today， I discovered we’re enemies。
In a supernatural society filled with vampires， werewolves， and wizards， I’ve always been an outcast with my ability to turn into a housecat。 No one knew what I was。
Turns out， I’m a shadow—a race of supernaturals that were wiped out by the elves centuries ago。
Who explains this to me？ Noctus， the elf king I’ve been staying with while pretending to be his pet “cat，” not knowing I’m the archenemy of his people。 Talk about the most awkward ancestry results ever。
Now I’m stuck staying with Noctus because he can’t let me go thanks to all of his secrets I unwillingly learned as a cat。 At least he hasn’t killed me。 Yet。
If that isn’t bad enough， I’m being tracked by a creep obsessed with killing me because I’m a shadow， and he doesn’t mind doling out collateral damage during the hunt。
So I’ve got a mysterious elf king holding me captive in his hidden home， a slew of new powers to learn with my revealed ancestry， and a psychopath on my tail。 Wow， things are looking up。
It’s time to find out if cats really do always land on their paws。
King’s Captive is the first book in the Gate of Myth and Power urban fantasy trilogy， and is part of the Magiford Supernatural City world。 It is an adventure-filled and hilarious take on the Hades and Persephone myth， with a twist of mystery。 It’s packed with humor， battles， and a sweet， slow burn romance between an outcast magic user and the deadly king of the elves。
In a supernatural society filled with vampires， werewolves， and wizards， I’ve always been an outcast with my ability to turn into a housecat。 No one knew what I was。
Turns out， I’m a shadow—a race of supernaturals that were wiped out by the elves centuries ago。
Who explains this to me？ Noctus， the elf king I’ve been staying with while pretending to be his pet “cat，” not knowing I’m the archenemy of his people。 Talk about the most awkward ancestry results ever。
Now I’m stuck staying with Noctus because he can’t let me go thanks to all of his secrets I unwillingly learned as a cat。 At least he hasn’t killed me。 Yet。
If that isn’t bad enough， I’m being tracked by a creep obsessed with killing me because I’m a shadow， and he doesn’t mind doling out collateral damage during the hunt。
So I’ve got a mysterious elf king holding me captive in his hidden home， a slew of new powers to learn with my revealed ancestry， and a psychopath on my tail。 Wow， things are looking up。
It’s time to find out if cats really do always land on their paws。
King’s Captive is the first book in the Gate of Myth and Power urban fantasy trilogy， and is part of the Magiford Supernatural City world。 It is an adventure-filled and hilarious take on the Hades and Persephone myth， with a twist of mystery。 It’s packed with humor， battles， and a sweet， slow burn romance between an outcast magic user and the deadly king of the elves。
Reviews
A。M。 Hogue
，
Holy Wow， Batman！Noctus and Chloe returned in The King's Shadow， and I ate up the pages like nothing。 It was fun getting to see more playful interactions between our favorite supernaturals at the house and to finally get to meet Chloe's brother and sister and learn more about their lives in conjunction to Chloe。 There were laugh-out-loud moments and heart-tugging moments， and now I really need the last book to come out already。 Holy Wow， Batman！Noctus and Chloe returned in The King's Shadow， and I ate up the pages like nothing。 It was fun getting to see more playful interactions between our favorite supernaturals at the house and to finally get to meet Chloe's brother and sister and learn more about their lives in conjunction to Chloe。 There were laugh-out-loud moments and heart-tugging moments， and now I really need the last book to come out already。 。。。more
LaShunda
，
What a ride！Wooo hooo！ What a ride。 I am so excited for this second book， I can hardly stop imagining the next one！ How will Chloe and Noctus find their way to a happily ever after？ I can hardly wait to find out！ I'm going to read this again！ What a ride！Wooo hooo！ What a ride。 I am so excited for this second book， I can hardly stop imagining the next one！ How will Chloe and Noctus find their way to a happily ever after？ I can hardly wait to find out！ I'm going to read this again！ 。。。more
Katlover
，
Loved this！ Chloe is a scaredy cat but definitely grows a lot in this book。 I can't say too much more without spoiling it but I think I love this book better than the first one。 Aristide's remarks are hilarious as ever and his bantering with Ker are still giggle worthy。 I love how this book answers a lot of the questions from the first one but springs to mind many more。 So， I can't wait to see where Kitty goes with the 3rd book！ I was worried that this series wouldn't be as good as the others du Loved this！ Chloe is a scaredy cat but definitely grows a lot in this book。 I can't say too much more without spoiling it but I think I love this book better than the first one。 Aristide's remarks are hilarious as ever and his bantering with Ker are still giggle worthy。 I love how this book answers a lot of the questions from the first one but springs to mind many more。 So， I can't wait to see where Kitty goes with the 3rd book！ I was worried that this series wouldn't be as good as the others due to unforeseen circumstances Kitty had this year， but this series so far is soooo good！ I also love how Kitty always has family （created or born int0） as a major theme in her books。 And this one does not disappoint！ 。。。more
Jessie
，
Shadows Kick ButtI really enjoyed The King’s Captive， where Chloe spent most of her time as a cat。 It was fun to see her and Noctus try to figure out how to navigate their reactions now that she’s human。 This was also the book where she learned more about her powers as a Shadow and trained up。 She’s amazing！I can’t wait to see what happens in book 3。 Two months is so long to wait！
Jennifer Lyons
，
Another great installment by K。M。 Shea！ I was in the edge of my seat the entire book and will be counting the days until the next book releases！
Tiffany
，
Contains some fighting。 A lot of these Magniford books have the same structure but I’m not mad about it。 So far I like this series is better than the last one with the werewolves。 I look forward to reading the concluding book。
Ticklemepnk35
，
PowerfulThings are getting good！ Chloe knows what she is and is learning how her kind fights。 Meanwhile， the relationship with Noctus is getting more serious。
Everly Reads
，
Loved it。 Great follow up。 Growth with Chloe and Noc。 Great to see Chloe finding out more about what she is capable of。 Love the peaks of French Fry。 Can't wait for the next one。 Loved it。 Great follow up。 Growth with Chloe and Noc。 Great to see Chloe finding out more about what she is capable of。 Love the peaks of French Fry。 Can't wait for the next one。 。。。more
Caitlin Pollastro
，
So good！ Mild spoiler - the meeting of Aphrodite and "Ama" that we all wanted to see happens in this book 😄 A lot of Hades/Persephone but also Beauty and the Beast elements。 I have a lot of unanswered questions and theories for book 3， but the cliffhanger wasn't nearly as bad as the one from book 1。 So good！ Mild spoiler - the meeting of Aphrodite and "Ama" that we all wanted to see happens in this book 😄 A lot of Hades/Persephone but also Beauty and the Beast elements。 I have a lot of unanswered questions and theories for book 3， but the cliffhanger wasn't nearly as bad as the one from book 1。 。。。more
Trudy Little
，
ooohh can’t wait for #3So I’m biased！ KMS is my absolute FAVORITE of all time- and I LOVE many great authors。 I needed book 2 like I needed water。 Book one left me needing more。 And now I am absolutely on edge waiting for book 3！ Many other reviewers will give you the storyline and what not。 I loved the intensity crackling btw Noctus and Chloe。 I loved that I cried in a sad way but with hope bc I know HEAs are on the way。 I’m intrigued with where the Magiford storyline is going…。。 GREAT BOOK to ooohh can’t wait for #3So I’m biased！ KMS is my absolute FAVORITE of all time- and I LOVE many great authors。 I needed book 2 like I needed water。 Book one left me needing more。 And now I am absolutely on edge waiting for book 3！ Many other reviewers will give you the storyline and what not。 I loved the intensity crackling btw Noctus and Chloe。 I loved that I cried in a sad way but with hope bc I know HEAs are on the way。 I’m intrigued with where the Magiford storyline is going…。。 GREAT BOOK to further the overall series and bring in these AMAZING characters。 I can’t decide who my favorite supporting character is- Charon， Aristide or French Fry！ KMS is still the best！！！ 。。。more
Jack-Jack
，
This one was sad， but I really liked that her family took a little bit more importance in the story。 And the ending was quite realistic， all things considered。 Still， I regret not waiting for the third installment。
Beth Smith
，
really enjoying this seriesSuperior KU find compared to 90% of my usual suggestions in paranormal/urban fantasy， Shea is going into my reread pile for revisiting and enjoying again。Bit more pg romance than I usually like but good fun with tender moments， action and a cracking bit of writing and character building from the author。I enjoy the take on different magic powers and types of supernatural Shea creates in this and the previous trilogies， will be on the look out for the next one in March。
Janette
，
Brilliant as usual Since my five star ratings are reserved for the Lord Of the Rings， I have given this four。 KM Shea knows exactly how to make me laugh out loud， and cry in sympathy。 This is another amazing Magiford book。 The only thing I don't like is that I have to wait until March to read the next one。 Brilliant as usual Since my five star ratings are reserved for the Lord Of the Rings， I have given this four。 KM Shea knows exactly how to make me laugh out loud， and cry in sympathy。 This is another amazing Magiford book。 The only thing I don't like is that I have to wait until March to read the next one。 。。。more
M。K。
，
First of the KM Shea magiford world books that I didn't stay up all night reading but that's more because it wasn't released at midnight than any claims of making better choices regarding my sleep schedule。 Loved it and am super excited for the next book First of the KM Shea magiford world books that I didn't stay up all night reading but that's more because it wasn't released at midnight than any claims of making better choices regarding my sleep schedule。 Loved it and am super excited for the next book 。。。more
Spinneretta
，
GoodWARNING！ Cliffhanger！ This rates about 3/5 on the trauma scale， and is of the “to be continued” variety of cliffhanger。Now Chloe has been ‘outed’ as being very much NOT a cat （or not only one）， she has to adjust to a new way of life with Noctus and the others…So much happens in this book， but I really don’t want to spoil the fun for readers！We see romantic progress， but don’t get very far; there is a little bit more information about Chloe and what she is， and it’s fairly obvious that some i GoodWARNING！ Cliffhanger！ This rates about 3/5 on the trauma scale， and is of the “to be continued” variety of cliffhanger。Now Chloe has been ‘outed’ as being very much NOT a cat （or not only one）， she has to adjust to a new way of life with Noctus and the others…So much happens in this book， but I really don’t want to spoil the fun for readers！We see romantic progress， but don’t get very far; there is a little bit more information about Chloe and what she is， and it’s fairly obvious that some interesting and intriguing plots are going on。Ultimately this book is all about Chloe powering up， and learning to be more confident in herself。It’s a very entertaining read， and an enjoyable one for both Magiford fans， and urban fantasy/contemporary fantasy fans。 Well worth the read， and I look forward to the next one！ 。。。more
Kelly Tyler
，
Wow！ Just read it。Okay so actually read the first book if you haven't already， then read this one！ The magiford books seem to get better and better as they go。 I would rave over all the good stuff in this book but I don't want to plot spoil。 Read it and you will understand。 Wow！ Just read it。Okay so actually read the first book if you haven't already， then read this one！ The magiford books seem to get better and better as they go。 I would rave over all the good stuff in this book but I don't want to plot spoil。 Read it and you will understand。 。。。more
Megan Chouinard
，
The Kings Shadow Chloe and No this really come alive in this book。 We get to learn about Chloe’s abilities and what motivates Noctus to be the stoic king of the hidden elves。 Another magical clean fairytale set in the wonderful world of Magiford with lots of familiar faces！
Bethany Aich
，
What a satisfying read。 I think that this book actually has left me feeling the most whole and satisfied before the end of the series than any of the other Magiford books。 I look forward to an equally good conclusion with book 3。
Aeris
，
I feel sad about the ending and I cannot wait for the last book。 So many questions！
Ameenah
，
3。75⭐️This book， although not as good as the first one， was still super fun and had a really good chemistry amongst the character。 I really liked how the author made sure to stay true to Chloe’s previous attributes in the first book， whilst still managing to develop her skills and strength。 She manages to make， what Chloe thought was her weakness， into to her greatest strength without turning Chloe into one of those OP FMCs we usually see。 Overall I really liked the book， and I can’t wait for Ma 3。75⭐️This book， although not as good as the first one， was still super fun and had a really good chemistry amongst the character。 I really liked how the author made sure to stay true to Chloe’s previous attributes in the first book， whilst still managing to develop her skills and strength。 She manages to make， what Chloe thought was her weakness， into to her greatest strength without turning Chloe into one of those OP FMCs we usually see。 Overall I really liked the book， and I can’t wait for March’s release！ 。。。more
Meagan
，
So good！！！ I loved seeing more of Noctus’ crew and Chloe exploring her Shadow magic with Noctus。 That ending though！ I can’t wait until the third book！
Tassy
，
3。5 ⭐️
Rebecca
，
Sooo good。 The medically- and magically-necessary hug was just so 🥺 excited to read book 3！！！
Vibliophile
，
My favorite superhero is a parkour cat！ Well， as any Magiford reader should anticipate at this point， book 2 is an emotional roller-coaster ride。I appreciated that the response to Chloe's secret was pretty close to what you would expect。 That Chloe begins to learn about her gifts。 And the relationship development was。。。 yummy （this trilogy is more romance focused than the others - when Noctus calls her 'Amalourne'， oh my heart！ 💕）。 But now my heart is broken 😭We learn many answers in book 2， but My favorite superhero is a parkour cat！ Well， as any Magiford reader should anticipate at this point， book 2 is an emotional roller-coaster ride。I appreciated that the response to Chloe's secret was pretty close to what you would expect。 That Chloe begins to learn about her gifts。 And the relationship development was。。。 yummy （this trilogy is more romance focused than the others - when Noctus calls her 'Amalourne'， oh my heart！ 💕）。 But now my heart is broken 😭We learn many answers in book 2， but there are still many to learn。 At the end of book 1， Noctus nearly blew his cover trying to punish the fae who first tried to steal Ama - presumably he was swamped by his emotions then instead of thinking about his people - what will happen to his magic & his people if he loses control because of her？ There are several parallels between Hazel's story & Chloe's， and IIRC， Kitty once said she saw Hazel as a Persephone character。 The ending is promising for book 3 - I would like to see it do something different from Hazel's， but I love both stories so much that I know I'll love it regardless。 If only I can survive till it comes out！ Hurry， March 23rd！！！*Romance level: passionate kisses， nothing graphic 。。。more
Michelle
，
HookedSo good！ I'm going to die waiting for number 3！ Besides the killer cliffhanger， this book is amazing。 This trilogy ties as my favorite HookedSo good！ I'm going to die waiting for number 3！ Besides the killer cliffhanger， this book is amazing。 This trilogy ties as my favorite 。。。more
Karen
，
Obligatory headline Did I stay up too late reading this book？ Yes。Was it worth it？ Also yes。Am I dying for the third and final book？ SO MUCH YES！！！
Jolene （ink_for_days）
，
A Beautiful Tale Another win for Shea。 I loved how this book continued with developing the elves， their lore， and the relationships of everyone。 I loved seeing Chloe grow stronger and gain more confidence。 I loved everything about it。EXCEPT - without giving spoilers， I don't entirely agree with the reason for how the book ended。 It felt flimsy and a poor excuse for what happened。 There could definitely have been a better way to wind the book up where it ended， for whatever reason I assume will b A Beautiful Tale Another win for Shea。 I loved how this book continued with developing the elves， their lore， and the relationships of everyone。 I loved seeing Chloe grow stronger and gain more confidence。 I loved everything about it。EXCEPT - without giving spoilers， I don't entirely agree with the reason for how the book ended。 It felt flimsy and a poor excuse for what happened。 There could definitely have been a better way to wind the book up where it ended， for whatever reason I assume will be answered in book 3。*SPOILER *I just hope that things will be resolved quickly between Chloe and Noctus in the 3rd and not dragged out as much as it was with Hazel and Killian。 I would enjoy the book more with the two of them actually building a relationship， actually being together as a couple， during the struggle with the tracker and less。。。 dragging things out， like， again， with Hazel and Killian。 I wish to see a different type of story from this trilogy。 This is the 4th time she's separated the main couple in the 2nd book， only to spend the majority of the 3rd with them going back and forth before finally being "no， I really do love you！" and getting together。 It's kinda exhausting having this rinse and repeat model Shea is doing for this world when it comes to the main couple's relationship。 I ask Shea to PLEASE， do something different here。 Preferably， as mentioned before， we actually get to experience Chloe and Noctus as a couple and not just quick epilogues with the hope of a cameo in another book。 Still absolutely loved and devoured it and am still wanting the next book faster。 。。。more
Em （Diversify Your Shelf）
，
All of these books are just such a warm hug and there is something about this trilogy being so cat-based that makes it even more cozy。 There is still danger and high stakes but the cat shenanigans are a gift and I will be pining for the next two months
Chelsea Nielson
，
The plot thickens！Wow。 I loved this so much！I enjoyed Chloe’s first book a lot， and with this new installment I really felt like I took one “step” into The King’s Shadow and it was like I had entered the Magiford version of Narnia。 The story has so many answers （and raises new questions 😂） overall it is just so much richer after The King’s Captive set the stage。 It was masterfully done。It was also interesting to see the whole world around Noctus unfold more。 I loved seeing things I took for gran The plot thickens！Wow。 I loved this so much！I enjoyed Chloe’s first book a lot， and with this new installment I really felt like I took one “step” into The King’s Shadow and it was like I had entered the Magiford version of Narnia。 The story has so many answers （and raises new questions 😂） overall it is just so much richer after The King’s Captive set the stage。 It was masterfully done。It was also interesting to see the whole world around Noctus unfold more。 I loved seeing things I took for granted in the previous Magiford books explained and watching him be a king。 The story picked up a lot of speed and I loved seeing Chloe step into who she really is。 KM Shea always does a great job of making the romance make sense， and with Chloe coming into her own it made complete sense why she and Noctus are a great pair。 All in all， each of the characters developed so beautifully and I loved seeing their relationships grow！Non spoiler things I loved in random order:1。 The clock tower adventures！2。 The cat meet up 😂3。 Training with Charon 4。 “We have the worst timing” 😍5。 The luxury car derby 👀😬10/10 I can’t wait til March！！！ 。。。more
jynee
，
4。75 stars。 I could not stop reading 🥹Not much action happens in this book until the 80% mark， let me get that off my chest first lol （it’s my biggest grievance）Chloe & Noctus are getting reacquainted and most of the story is focused on them growing close again。 Thankfully， Chloe isn’t trapped in cat form for most of it this time around， so it actually feels like proper progress in their relationship。 It’s beautiful to see Chloe grow her confidence and in character throughout the book， although 4。75 stars。 I could not stop reading 🥹Not much action happens in this book until the 80% mark， let me get that off my chest first lol （it’s my biggest grievance）Chloe & Noctus are getting reacquainted and most of the story is focused on them growing close again。 Thankfully， Chloe isn’t trapped in cat form for most of it this time around， so it actually feels like proper progress in their relationship。 It’s beautiful to see Chloe grow her confidence and in character throughout the book， although I’m still not 100% sure why she’d been advised to train in the first place。 I just wish there had been a little bit more excitable things to happen， but I’m sure it’ll amp up again in the finale for this trilogy。I’m happy to report there is no major cliffhanger at the end （unlike all of my other recent reads so I’m very happy to mention this！） but I still cannot wait to read the conclusion to this trilogy。 I’ve grown very fond of Chloe & Noctus and the rest of the gang and it’s cute how much they seem to adore Chloe in return。 She deserves to feel like she belongs somewhere and I just love how much thought she puts into her actions。 It gets really tired， real fast when heroines dive head first into things with no common sense or strategy， unaware of everything。There are still some questions or things I’d love to be addressed in the next book:What does Amalourne mean？ I’m sure all of us are wondering by nowWhat’s the deal with the tracker and does he tie in with the “larger” organisation that’s been responsible in all of the other Magiford books？ The broken artefacts， too， for that matter。 Am I right to feel squeamish about Shiloh or am I just paranoid lolWill Chloe let herself breakthrough the Paragon’s glamour and will we finally find out more about him？ Admittedly， he’s one of my favourite characters in the Magiford AU so this might be purely for selfish reasons oop—Will we find out who the person is the Paragon is looking for and why？ Will we get to meet them？？ What if it was Shiloh all along 🤡 This whole heirloom business… I feel like it will be important in regards to Chloe but why would Noctus entangle her in it at all？？ Doesn’t feel like a simple show of trust and good faith to meWhat kind of supernatural is Ms Booker？Will we finally find out all of the implications of a binding between two people？ Not only magic wise but also socially？All in all: I loved this installment although it had its slow moments and I literally cannot wait for the next book！！ The slow burn is killing me 😭 。。。more
Reference
google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=The King's Shadow
hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=The King's Shadow&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft
The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,The King's Shadow&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0