[How it Works](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/how-it-works/) [Bookshop](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/books/bindery/) [Publishing](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/publishing/) [Team](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/team/) [Contact](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/contact/) Log in or Sign up A Shadow Crown (The Halfling Saga) Melissa Blair Save to Your Books [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/87137/9781454947899) [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1454947896?tag=a3afb18a) 100% of affiliate revenue supports Left Unread Books The highly anticipated second installment of the new adult fantasy saga that took BookTok by storm picks up where _A Broken Blade_ left off…. To the kingdom, Keera is the king’s Blade, his most feared and trusted spy and assassin. But in the shadows, she works with Prince Killian and his Shadow—the dark, brooding Fae, Riven, who sets her blood on fire. Together, they plot to kill a tyrant king. In Myrelinth, the lush, secret city of trees, Fae, Elves, and Halflings like Keera live in harmony. But Keera cannot escape her past: her crimes against her own people have followed her all the way to the Faeland. There is a traitor in their midst, and Keera is the top suspect. Keera finds comfort in the allies that have become her family. **She swore she would never open her heart again after a loss she barely survived.** But she will soon find she has more to lose than she ever imagined…. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas’s _Throne of Glass_ series, _A Shadow Crown_ is a tour-de-force high fantasy novel with stunning world building and a slow burn enemies to lovers romance. Readers seeking more LGBTQ+ and BIPOC representation in the fantasy realm will fall in love with the unforgettable cast of characters introduced in _A Broken Blade_, whose sagas are only beginning… Show more Get the Bindery app * * * Posts about this title from Left Unread Books [Left Unread Books\\ \\ Michael LaBorn\\ \\ • Jan 10 2025](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/) [GIVEAWAY: The Halfling Saga](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/hL38W7P4ZQnbvYothOUS/) If you haven't read The Halfling Saga by Melissa Blair, you are truly missing out on one of the best series to come out in recent years! Luckily for you, I am giving away two full sets, so check out how to enter!!! * * * 4 books 47 [99](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/hL38W7P4ZQnbvYothOUS/#comments) [Left Unread Books\\ \\ Michael LaBorn\\ \\ • Jan 5 2025](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/) [Here's what I read this week!](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/GdDpYU32LKpAqaLmPPxe/) If you've been following me a while, you know reading wrap-ups are not really my thing. But 2025 is about trying new things! So here is our first of the year! Enjoy! * * * 12 books 9 [1](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/GdDpYU32LKpAqaLmPPxe/#comments) [Left Unread Books\\ \\ Michael LaBorn\\ \\ • Nov 4 2024](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/) [Indigenous Books You NEED To Read This November!](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/QQC4MWrakXcv60MOb27m/) If you aren't already aware, November is Native American Heritage Month. And while I think you should have Indigenous books moving through your TBR all year round, I thought this would be a good time to tell you about some of my favorites! * * * 10 books 7 [Left Unread Books\\ \\ Michael LaBorn\\ \\ • Nov 4 2024](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/) [November Book Club Pick](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/N1rWUffx2VFkVomdR0Xd/) We are reading A Broken Blade by Melissa Blair for November! If you want to be a part, make sure you grab a copy and read along! There are several ways you can engage with our community as we read, so check out the information below for details!!! * * * 4 books 4 [Left Unread Books\\ \\ Michael LaBorn\\ \\ • Jun 26 2024](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/) [Read this instead of ACOTAR](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/3Ksu4WByDOOgd08ZQYPI/) If you're here, you are probably already aware of the reasons I don't like Sarah J Maas or A Court of Thrones and Roses (if not, read below), so here are two series' that I think will scratch the same itch...but you know...better. \| Also, here are the other places you can engage with me: tiktok.com/@michael.laborn, www.instagram.com/michaellaborn/, www.threads.net/@michaellaborn & https://discord.gg/zejmcM5m * * * 7 books 9 [2](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/3Ksu4WByDOOgd08ZQYPI/#comments) [Left Unread Books\\ \\ Michael LaBorn\\ \\ • May 8 2024](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/) [Melissa Blair is the author of the Halfling Saga (Broken Blade, A Shadow Crown, A Vicious Game). She is an indigenous "BookTok sensation" and is coming to hang out with US tonight at 6:30 CST. Come join us!\\ \\ Melissa is one of the most brilliant authors and marketers I know personally and I cannot wait for you to get to know her and learn from her! Come ready!\\ \\ The meeting will take place on Zoom. Here is the information:\\ \\ https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81282561608?pwd=gA7Fo5qtWbBaWCrWDsKLwl2aOwjBA8.1\\ \\ Meeting ID: 812 8256 1608\\ \\ Passcode: 819394](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/EzT8cKoAeeVOIKcdqXBJ/) [Meet author Melissa Blair](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/EzT8cKoAeeVOIKcdqXBJ/) Melissa Blair is the author of the Halfling Saga (Broken Blade, A Shadow Crown, A Vicious Game). She is an indigenous "BookTok sensation" and is coming to hang out with US tonight at 6:30 CST. Come join us! * * * 3 books 4 Posts about this book from across Bindery [The Nerdy Babe Life\\ \\ Brianna \\ \\ • Mar 13](https://thenerdybabelife.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [Poll:\\ \\ What Do You Prefer? \\ \\ I just finished **book three of the Halfling Saga** and I’m about to start the fourth book, and I went down the rabbit hole of reading reviews. A lot of people are upset about the direction of the male lead, saying that in the last book he basically becomes a “lap dog” for the main character and loses his edge.\\ \\ \\ \\ And TBH… I’m confused by that criticism.\\ \\ To me, Riven/Killian never felt like a traditional **shadow daddy** character in the first place. Yes, he’s powerful and mysterious at times, but once you really get to know him he feels much more like a **soft but strong** type of character. Loyal, protective, a little emotionally vulnerable, and very centered around the main character.\\ \\ So seeing people complain that he isn’t dominating the story or acting like the classic morally gray alpha male is interesting to me. I feel like some readers expected one archetype and got another.\\ \\ And i got me to thinking about my own reading preferences.\\ \\ I actually like two very different types of male leads:\\ \\ **Soft & steady** – the loyal, emotionally grounded characters who support the heroine and let her shine. They’re strong but not performative about it. \\ \\ Think: \\ \\ - Peeta from Hunger Games\\ \\ - David from Uglies \\ \\ - River from the Halfling series \\ \\ \\ **Shadow daddies** – the dark, morally gray, intimidating characters who carry power and danger with them.\\ \\ Think: \\ \\ - Xaden from Fourth Wing \\ \\ - Caz from Vicious Bonds \\ \\ \\ Both can be great, but I don’t necessarily think every fantasy series needs the second one.\\ \\ Now I’m curious where everyone else falls.\\ \\ When you’re reading fantasy or romantasy, which type of male character do you prefer?\\ \\ The soft and steady ones…\\ \\ or the shadow daddies?\\ \\ Join for free or login](https://thenerdybabelife.binderybooks.com/item/37H25TXTsU3fr6JBnsLw/) [Hot take: Not every fantasy MMC needs to be a shadow daddy](https://thenerdybabelife.binderybooks.com/item/37H25TXTsU3fr6JBnsLw/) * * * 3 books 3 [Boozhoo Books\\ \\ Naomi\\ \\ • Apr 21 2025](https://boozhoo.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [Shelves and The City Influencers Recommend Indigenous Books (Part One)](https://boozhoo.binderybooks.com/item/SXAI24D8Q1KFjn3gom5Y/) At Shelves and the City, I asked influencers to give me an Indigenous book they would recommend! Shout out to Joshua who wasn’t the only influencers to admit he hadn’t read one, but suggested he talk about it on film! You’ll also notice a lot of repeats! Nothing wrong with that! Great books! My hope is to get people to expand and read more books by Indigenous authors. At an event with over 100 readers, I passed out about 50 book bingo cards and if you didn’t get one and were there, drop a note in our chat and I will mail you one if you want! If you aren’t a member of my reader community on Bindery, joining is free (first 🔗) and I’ll be posting about my entire SATC experience and a post with all the books mentioned here to make them easy to check out! My goal with my publishing imprint, Boozhoo Books, is to help make sure people have several options in the genres they love to read #readindigenous #shelvesandthecity #bookinfluencer #bookrecommendations @steph ✨ 📚 ✡︎ (@starrysteph) @zach•booksthatslay @aubrei @priyanka 📚✨ @Alex @Amivi⁷ @serareadthat 🌿📖🤠 @SARAH @Rae @Mari - booktok + media reviews @maya @A Very Queer Book Club @Rachel Skye @EmmaSkies @Greekchoir🧋\| Bailey @IG/YT: ashunti\_reads @Seth \| dramakingbooks @Emma Ann (@theaceofbooks) @Joshua @Michael LaBorn * * * 19 books 2 [Left Unread Books\\ \\ Michael LaBorn\\ \\ • Jan 10 2025](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/) [GIVEAWAY: The Halfling Saga](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/hL38W7P4ZQnbvYothOUS/) * * * 4 books 47 [99](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/hL38W7P4ZQnbvYothOUS/#comments) [Left Unread Books\\ \\ Michael LaBorn\\ \\ • Jan 5 2025](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/) [Here's what I read this week!](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/GdDpYU32LKpAqaLmPPxe/) * * * 12 books 9 [1](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/GdDpYU32LKpAqaLmPPxe/#comments) [Left Unread Books\\ \\ Michael LaBorn\\ \\ • Nov 4 2024](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/) [Indigenous Books You NEED To Read This November!](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/QQC4MWrakXcv60MOb27m/) * * * 10 books 7 [Left Unread Books\\ \\ Michael LaBorn\\ \\ • Nov 4 2024](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/) [November Book Club Pick](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/N1rWUffx2VFkVomdR0Xd/) * * * 4 books 4 [Left Unread Books\\ \\ Michael LaBorn\\ \\ • Jun 26 2024](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/) [Read this instead of ACOTAR](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/3Ksu4WByDOOgd08ZQYPI/) * * * 7 books 9 [2](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/3Ksu4WByDOOgd08ZQYPI/#comments) [Left Unread Books\\ \\ Michael LaBorn\\ \\ • May 8 2024](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/) [Meet author Melissa Blair](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/EzT8cKoAeeVOIKcdqXBJ/) * * * 3 books 4 [Paws, Pages and Brews\\ \\ Sammie\\ \\ • Apr 12 2024](https://pawspagesandbrews.binderybooks.com/) Join for free \\ \\ Upgrade for $12 or login](https://pawspagesandbrews.binderybooks.com/item/04fmrNNiJoDQTm0cMi3u/) [Interview With Author Melissa Blair](https://pawspagesandbrews.binderybooks.com/item/04fmrNNiJoDQTm0cMi3u/) Chatting with Author of the Halfling Saga Melissa Blair! * * * 4 books 1 [Sapphic and Proud \\ \\ Amivi\\ \\ • May 18 2023](https://sapphicandproud.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [might have too many copies 🫣#abrokenblade #ashadowcrown #fantasybookrec #bookishlife](https://sapphicandproud.binderybooks.com/item/xNODjdp5htzjgiUeVJWN/) might have too many copies 🫣#abrokenblade #ashadowcrown #fantasybookrec #bookishlife * * * 1 book [Fantasy & Frens\\ \\ Zoranne\\ \\ • Apr 30 2023](https://fantasyandfrens.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [april was my best reading month of the year so far!!! ##fantasybookrecs##readingwrapup##monthlyreadingwrapup##zorannereads](https://fantasyandfrens.binderybooks.com/item/KLQ1QV3opCPwToXMGKo5/) april was my best reading month of the year so far!!! ##fantasybookrecs##readingwrapup##monthlyreadingwrapup##zorannereads * * * 8 books [Fantasy & Frens\\ \\ Zoranne\\ \\ • Apr 24 2023](https://fantasyandfrens.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP BC I FINISHED YELLOWFACE #weeklyreadingupdate #yellowface #fantasybooktok](https://fantasyandfrens.binderybooks.com/item/6lVpHoZquURmgiwsPnzh/) SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP BC I FINISHED YELLOWFACE #weeklyreadingupdate #yellowface #fantasybooktok * * * 6 books [Fantasy & Frens\\ \\ Zoranne\\ \\ • Apr 17 2023](https://fantasyandfrens.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [BUCKLE UP BC IT’S THE WEEKLY READING UPDATE 🥳 #readingupdatetime #fantasybooktok #fantasybookrecs](https://fantasyandfrens.binderybooks.com/item/iEiDTKe9m4XV2uJ2BcoN/) BUCKLE UP BC IT’S THE WEEKLY READING UPDATE 🥳 #readingupdatetime #fantasybooktok #fantasybookrecs * * * 5 books [Fantasy & Frens\\ \\ Zoranne\\ \\ • Feb 17 2023](https://fantasyandfrens.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [another month, another book haul…nobody’s shocked ❤️ thank you to all of the publishers for the gifted books! #bookhaul #bookishthoughts #zorannereads #fantasybookhaul #berkleyromance](https://fantasyandfrens.binderybooks.com/item/ciiF3ohwO2C306yQobq9/) another month, another book haul…nobody’s shocked ❤️ thank you to all of the publishers for the gifted books! #bookhaul #bookishthoughts #zorannereads #fantasybookhaul #berkleyromance * * * 11 books