Shelby Oval
Fantasy writer and reader
Shelby Oval
Fantasy writer and reader
Fantasy writer and reader
Fantasy writer and reader
Shelby Oval is an award winning self-published fantasy writer with a passion for crafting captivating stories. Her debut novel, "Out of Embers and Shadows," is the first book in the thrilling Shadowfire series. Featuring a strong female protagonist, found family dynamics, betrayal, and the power of female friendships, Shelby's work promises to transport readers to a world of magic and adventure.
Out of Embers and Shadows
War, forbidden love, and a bargain that could change it all.
In a world where the clash between rival nations ignites the flames of war, Lora finds herself thrust into a whirlwind of unexpected alliances and dangerous secrets. Forged with a singular purpose, she was meant to be the weapon that brings down the Shades' greatest foes, the war-mongering Drakes.
But fate has other plans when Lora is captured by the very enemy she was trained to destroy. Desperate to escape, Lora is offered a bitter bargain: aid her enemies in their quest, and in return, she'll be granted freedom from the relentless grip of war.
Lora must navigate the murky waters of trust and betrayal, where the boundaries between friend and foe blur with each passing moment.
But if you've already sacrificed everything, what else is there to lose?
Dive into a realm brimming with magic, dragons, and unexpected twists in "Out of Embers and Shadows." This epic fantasy will whisk you away on a journey of bravery, betrayal, and the enduring power of friendship. Join Lora as she embarks on a journey that will test her courage, challenge her beliefs, and ultimately define her fate.
New love. Betrayal. And a secret that could destroy everything.
Lora thought she had found relative peace after her bargain with Kalon, the prince of the Drake Kingdom, but nothing is ever that simple and peace is short-lived in a world shattered by the brutal conflict between the Shades and the Drakes. As tensions between the armies reach a boiling point, Lora is once again caught in the crossfire of a conflict she can’t avoid.
With the Shades unveiling a terrifying new weapon—one capable of wiping out entire armies in the blink of an eye - Lora and her friends are desperate to uncover the truth before the weapon seals their doom.
But protecting the ones she loves comes at a cost. To safeguard those dearest to her, Lora must walk a treacherous line between light and darkness, facing impossible choices that threaten to unravel her soul. How far will she go to protect them? And at what point does she become the very monster she seeks to destroy?
The lines between loyalty, love, and survival have never been more blurred. And this time, the price of freedom may be far greater than she ever imagined.
This gripping sequel, Into Flames and Shadows brings you deeper into a world of treachery and passion, where every choice comes with devastating consequences and Lora’s heart may be the deadliest weapon of all.
Shelby Oval is proud to announce that her debut fantasy novel, Out of Embers and Shadows, has been awarded the prestigious Literary Titan Award, celebrating its captivating storytelling, powerful characters, and evocative themes. This epic tale follows Lora, a young woman caught between warring nations, who must navigate trust and betrayal when forced to ally with her enemies to escape the relentless grip of war. Praised for its strong female protagonist, found family dynamics, and immersive world-building, Out of Embers and Shadows is the first installment in the thrilling Shadowfire series. Oval’s work, rich in magic, dragons, and unexpected twists, has resonated with readers and critics alike, marking a stunning debut for this award-winning self-published author.
I am in shambles AGAIN! Shelby Oval knows how to write and boy does she know how to leave you hanging! I want to throw my kindle across the room! 😂 Her books are officially neck and neck with ACOTAR for me which is HUGE. The banter, the fighting, the push and pull of Lora and Kalon 🥵 I just cannot put into words how good these two books have been and now waiting for another is going to ruin me! If you enjoy books by SJM and JLA then this is up your alley and this series is next to blow up. I’m promising you. Being front and center at the beginning of such an incredible journey is an honor! I’m trusting you Shelby Oval.. give me that third book! 🥰
Shelby Oval’s Out of Embers and Shadows, the inaugural book in the Shadowfire series, is an electrifying dive into a world ravaged by war, shadowy intrigue, and deeply human struggles. It follows Lora, a tough, sarcastic, and resourceful heroine, as she navigates a treacherous landscape filled with dragons, shadow armies, and uneasy alliances. The story’s gripping opening plunges readers into chaos, setting the stage for a journey that is as much about survival and loyalty as it is about uncovering the truth of Lora’s past.
One of the things I liked most about this book is its biting dialogue and unflinching narration. Lora’s internal monologue brims with wit and a kind of hard-edged vulnerability that makes her instantly relatable. Early scenes, like her survival atop a dragon she initially sees as an enemy, are charged with tension and dark humor. Her complex dynamic with Garrison and the dragon Emir adds layers of intrigue, blending mistrust, dependence, and reluctant camaraderie. Oval balances world-building with action, but at times, the pacing in these moments felt slightly rushed, leaving some character motivations a bit hazy.
The world-building is where Oval truly shines. The eerie descriptions of villages turned to ash are haunting and atmospheric. The author draws readers into a richly detailed setting where dragons, shadow armies, and magical powers are not just elements of fantasy but deeply integrated into the fabric of the story. Certain moments, such as Lora’s mysterious transformations or the glowing silver fire connected to her spark intrigue, but I think it would benefit from a bit more detail.
What stuck with me most was the emotional weight behind Lora’s quest. She’s driven by a desperate need to rescue her friend Kacey, whose fate looms like a shadow over the story. Oval has crafted scenes that fairly pulse with emotion. These moments make the stakes feel real and personal, even as the plot escalates into broader political and magical conflicts.
Out of Embers and Shadows is an enthralling start to a series that promises epic battles, deep betrayals, and a heroine who refuses to back down, no matter how stacked the odds. Fans of dark fantasy, morally complex characters, and dragons (especially snarky ones) will find much to enjoy here. While it leaves some questions unanswered, this book sets up its sequel with a tantalizing sense of anticipation. I’d recommend it to readers who love the grit of The Priory of the Orange Tree and the emotional stakes of Sarah J. Maas’s works.
This book is addictive! It is SO GOOD!
Aahh! I was so excited when the author reached out to me with details on her book, I read the blurb and knew it was right up my street. What I didn't realise was how much I was going to enjoy this! And there is dragons!
The plot was intense and all go from the very first page, I loved being flung straight into the action while the world was built around the scene. Such talented story telling and world-building! The way the story unfolded and truths came out, I was gasping, laughing, crying, and everything in between.
Both main characters are so complex, and both changed from standoffish, sometimes arrogant and hesitant, to becoming trusting and trustworthy. Icy hearts were unthawed and the enjoyable forced proximity plot does what it does best.
The descriptions and explanations of the worlds, landscapes, character features, and mannerisms were so intricate and so beautiful.
All my life I have loved to read and immerse myself in my wild imaginings. As I grew up I used different genres of books to escape the trivial perils of everyday life but my favorite stories were those involving magic and heroism. Harry Potter was my first real taste of magic and by the time I was in my twenties I became fully invested in High fantasy (specifically the subgenre of Romantasy).
As I devoured books suggested by BookTok and ‘Author’s Lounge’ I found that a lot of times the strong female leads started off weak and in need of guidance from their male counterparts. By the end of the stories they had come into incredible power, only to lose it all in order to save the world. These tropes are fine – and believe me I still tear through books that have this – but I have grown rather bored with the idea of females needing men really at all on their quest for greatness/destiny.
So, one day as I traversed a mountainous trail with my partner I conceived the idea of Lora: a headstrong, already powerful female, full of rage and might. She is stubborn, yes, but she is brave and courageous and moral – all things that help her help herself. Does she make friends along the way that guide her and help her unlock parts of herself? Sure. Are they only men? No. Lora navigates war, abuse, and betrayal as she works to find her kidnapped friend and gain her freedom. The story includes a romance – because who doesn’t love a good romance – but it also features the growth of female friendships and self-discovery, which I believe is equally important to showcase.
For Lora, the road ahead is going to get pretty rocky, but she will have not only her own internal strength, but people that care about her to help her manage the challenges I plan on throwing her way. The Shadowfire series will be a five-book series, which may or may not cross over with another series in development. I feel as though I have so many stories to share with so many diverse characters. I create each new character as a tiny piece of my soul brought to life on the page, and I can’t believe others get to be part of my wild imaginings with me.
If you are looking for a strong female lead who is already confident in her own abilities and is determined to protect those she loves at any cost, Out of Embers and Shadows is for you! Out of Embers and Shadows is already available on Amazon (as an ebook and paperback) using this LINK, and Into Flames and Shadows, book 2 in the Shadowfire series, is being released soon! I have included both blurbs below, as well as my social media handles and the link to my website and newsletter (where you can get exclusive sneak peeks into the Shadowfire world!)
Out of Embers and Shadows follows a woman navigating a fiery landscape in which rival nations are engaged in war as she simultaneously faces the truth about her past. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
In truth the idea stemmed from a long hike where I considered dragons and war. As we hiked both up and then back down a mountain in Slovenia I distracted myself from the grueling steepness by imagining dragons and the dynamics that would be at play if I had a dragon and others did not. Then I began to build a war around that idea and thus the Shadowfire series sparked to life.
How did you balance magic and its use throughout the story to keep it believable?
Magic is alive everywhere and for fantasy readers, I think it’s important to make it as a part of the characters as breathing is. Lora doesn’t just have shadow magic when she needs it, she feels the pulse of her power along her arms, in her very blood. She uses shadows that are already there and her magic dances with the flames from Emir or Garrison. Magic is not simply used; it is in every fiber of these characters’ being. I think having it that way helps to make the world more immersible and the magic more believable.
Lora is a memorable main character. What was the inspiration for her traits and dialogue?
I LOVE reading books that have strong female leads who are unapologetically themselves (Think Jude from Cruel Prince or Aelin from Throne of Glass). As I started really diving into the fantasy genre, I realized a lot of the female leads still leaned heavily on their male counterparts – either to train them or support them emotionally. I got tired of this so instead of searching for a book that had an already confident and highly skilled female lead – I wrote one!
Can you give us a peek inside book 2 in this series? Where will it take readers?
Book 1 is such a whirlwind and book 2 immediately picks up where book 1 leaves off. You follow Lora and Kalon as they grapple with their new “relationship” all while Lora is trying to rediscover herself while still running from her past. There are definitely more twists and turns in this one and I am excited to see how readers react to certain actions and revelations!
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