Shelby Oval
Fantasy writer and reader
Shelby Oval
Fantasy writer and reader
Shelby Oval - Fantasy Author
Explore the Shadowfire Series
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.
Books
Out of Embers and Shadows
War. Betrayal. 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.
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. Perfect for fans of thrilling adventures like Throne of Glass and The Bridge Kingdom, this epic fantasy will whisk you away on a journey of bravery, betrayal, and the enduring power of friendship. This tale includes an enemies-to-lovers romance, an endearing found family, LGBT representation, a battle of good versus evil, a journey of self discovery, and so much more.
Join Lora as she embarks on a journey that will test her courage, challenge her beliefs, and ultimately define her fate. Prepare to be spellbound from the very first page!
Into Flames and Shadows
New love. A newfound home. And a betrayal that could destroy it all.
Lora has finally found a home among the Drakes—a new family bound by loyalty and unwavering love, anchored by both her long standing friendship with Kierra and her growing bond with Kalon. Amid the chaos of the Shade invasion, she feels a rare sense of security, a peace she never thought possible. But peace is fragile, and the conflict between the Shades and the Drakes is far from over.
When the Shades unleash a terrifying new weapon capable of obliterating entire armies, Lora and her friends set out on a perilous journey to find a lost library that may hold the key to stopping it. But as they search for answers, Lora’s world is upended. Trust is shattered and the life she had begun to build begins to fall apart.
As love, loyalty, and survival blur together, she faces impossible choices—choices that will push her toward a painful truth. In the end, Lora will have to decide how far she’s willing to go to protect the people she loves, even if it means losing herself along the way.
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.
The Emperor's Assassin
An assassin in the palace. A prince in her path. A choice that changes everything.
Fallan has spent her life preparing for one mission: kill the Tavarian Emperor. Disguised as a concubine, her deadly skills are hidden behind graceful bows and stolen smiles. But survival in the imperial palace means more than navigating court politics—it means using her waterborne magic to outwit rival concubines and earn the Queen Mother's approval.
When a night of espionage turns to chaos, Fallan saves the life of Emeric, the Emperor’s estranged son, by killing his would-be assassin—his own brother. Mistakenly believing Emeric orchestrated his death, the Emperor rewards him with an extraordinary gift: Fallan herself.
As she grows closer to Emeric, Fallan finds herself drawn to his strength and kindness, a dangerous vulnerability that threatens to unravel her mission. With her heart torn between revenge and love, she faces an impossible choice: fulfill her destiny and doom the man she loves, or abandon her people and risk the wrath of an empire.
In a world of betrayal, power, and forbidden desire, the line between duty and passion blurs. And for Fallan, one wrong step could cost her everything.
Debut Fantasy Novel Out of Embers and Shadows Wins Award
Out of Embers and Shadows
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.
Reviews for OES, IFS, and EA
5 Stars on Goodreads
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! 🥰
5 Stars on Amazon
I want to start off by saying that I was absolutely blown away by this ARC and Shelby's writing style. My bestie recommended a couple of her other books a while ago; I hadn't gotten to them on my never ending TBR. IYKYK. When Shelby reached out to me asking if I'd liked to read the ARC for her newest book I knew I had to say yes. The Emperor's Assassin follows Fallan, a powerful assassin with one mission - kill the Tavarian Emperor. She goes undercover as a concubine trying to earn her place in the imperial palace. There she faces challenges where she uses her water magic to stay alive and fight her way up the ranks. Her mission is going to plan until she meet Prince Emeric, who she comes to realize is unlike his brothers and father. He cares. As thier relationship grows things start to become much more complicated and the fate of her kingdom hangs in the balance. Will she chose the prince willing to give his life for her or does her loyalty belong solely to her home?
Review on Instagram
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.