Kingdoms of Silver and Shadows
Kingdoms Series: Book 1
"Where do you think your legends come from?"
After nearly being killed by a shadow beast in the snowy Colorado woods, Elora Wolfe is ripped away from everything and everyone she’s ever known. Stuck in the treacherous magical land of Estros within the Immortal Realm of Asteah with no idea where she is or how to get home, she finds herself in the middle of a centuries old battle. Through an unlikely and fragile friendship with the elf prince, Thallan, Elora finds the land is in danger from a blight which threatens to steal the magic from not only the land, but all who live within.
As she settles into a life she prays is brief, Elora realizes the friendship with Thallan is becoming more than she bargained for. And that trust can be a fragile thing. Driven by her desire to return home, Elora must learn to face the dangers lurking in the shadows as well as the conflict that arises when the Elf King sets his sights on her. However, to survive, Elora must embrace her true self and the power within. A power as ancient and deadly as Asteah itself.
REVIEWS
"Reading Kingdoms of Silver and Shadows hit me like the first part of a dream I didn’t know I’d been waiting for. Howard writes with warmth and cinematic depth; every scene is carefully crafted, every moment is tied to something deeper. Elora Wolfe is the kind of character that lingers: sharp, funny, guarded, but full of heart. Her journey feels both personal and mythic, and the world she enters is rich, dangerous, and enchanting in all the right ways. There's a natural rhythm to the storytelling that invites you to sink in and a quiet emotional power that makes the fantasy feel grounded and alive. Tom Howard has created something special here. Kingdoms of Silver and Shadows is both a thrilling adventure and a deeply felt story about legacy, strength, and the strange magic that calls to us when we least expect it."
— Paul Zietsman, Readers' Favorite
"Author Tom Howard has real talent for description, and he brings a cinematic quality to his prose as he paints Estros in rich, atmospheric strokes. The tension between Elora and the royal family is deliciously fraught, and the romantic subplot never overshadows the stakes but adds layers to them. I especially appreciated how Elora’s internal conflict was just as compelling as the external danger—her journey from ordinary girl to reluctant savior feels genuine and resonant. The pacing is smooth, with well-placed reveals and escalating tension that keep the reader engaged throughout. This is classic portal fantasy with modern emotional depth and a strong female lead who earns her strength one decision at a time. Overall, Kingdoms of Silver and Shadows is a captivating fantasy adventure that blends heart, heat, and heroism into a tale you will not want to leave: I know I didn't."
— K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite
"Kingdoms of Silver and Shadows by Tom Howard goes beyond the usual fantasy tropes, favoring atmosphere over exposition and expert substance and style. Elora Wolfe’s journey is framed as destiny and disruption, as the author refuses to paint her into a corner, giving her the strength a female protagonist deserves. Elora confronts two relationships that come without tidy labels, one forced and another in choice. Love and power are legitimate, volatile resources. The pacing is deliberate, even superbly austere at times, and Howard makes the characters do the work. What emerges isn’t a referendum on morality but a question of how much Elora is willing to leave behind in either world, to stay or to return home, even if she does not know any more which one can now be called “home.” For those wanting a book with the power to enchant, this one comes highly recommended."
— Jamie Michele, Readers' Favorite
BOOK TRAILER
