4 ⭐ CW: violence, blood, death/murder

Heart of Shadow by Sarah K. L. Wilson is book one in the Seven Swords series. I went into this book not knowing anything about it since it came in a Faecrate box. It's not something I probably would have picked up on my own since it is described as fantasy romance, but honestly it was light on the romance. It's more of a prelude to a romance, but I did enjoy the story. 

We follow Ilsaletta, a bookish girl of a noble, who is trying to escape an apparent attack on her home, and is desperately trying to pick a lock on a weapon that might save her. Little does she know the sword in the box isn't just a sword, but a sentient spirit with great powers. Though Ilsaletta has no knowledge of fighting, the sword, Vargaard, helps her and keeps her safe, eventually binding itself to her shadow. 

Vargaard is an ancient being that was hidden away, and is now reborn now that he is bound to Ilsaletta's shadow. He worships her, calling her his Star of the Morning, and vows to be with her always and to protect her. Ilsaletta engages in a lot of self-doubt and has little confidence in her abilities, since she sees herself as only a soft girl with no practical skills (can relate 😆), but on her journey she is finding she has more grit than she thought. She becomes close with Vargaard, longing for his presence and assurance, even though he is an insubstantial shadow. We also get a few interludes from Vargaard's point of view. 

The villain is a princess Ilsaletta's age, and has gained access to a powerful jewel with the power to infect others and turn them into husks to be possessed by evil. It's all a rather elaborate coup, and I'm interested to learn her motivations. Ilsaletta is also saddled with a charming, but useless duke more skilled in finery and healing than fighting and scheming. I can tell I'm going to like him even if he is a bit simpering and annoying. 

I thought the ending was a little abrupt with the cliffhanger, but I'm definitely interested in the next book!