Kingdoms of Silver and Shadows by Tom Howard is an exhilarating, lushly imagined fantasy that draws readers into a world of hidden power, perilous alliances, and the echoing question of who we are when everything changes. Elora Wolfe begins the story in the Colorado wilderness, but a violent attack by a shadow beast plunges her into the magical realm of Estros. There, she learns of a blight threatening the world’s magic and discovers a lineage that ties her fate to the mysterious Elf King and his troubled heir. Torn between duty, passion, and the terrifying magic rising within her, Elora must determine who to trust and what kind of future she wants to claim for herself, and for a world on the edge of ruin.

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.

Kingdoms of Silver and Shadows by Tom Howard sets in motion the story of Elora Wolfe, dragged from her snowy Colorado world into Estros, a land ruled by magic and silence where unfamiliar skies watch over fading forests. She does not know the rules or the faces, but danger is everywhere, cloaked in beauty and ritual. An unlikely bond with Prince Thallan offers guidance, but trust proves uncertain. The Elf King begins to take notice, and with his attention comes a shift in the winds that carry more than just secrets. As Elora searches for a way home, something ancient stirs within her, something neither welcome nor quiet. Estros does not let go easily. Neither does the force rising inside her, one that might change everything, including what it means to belong.

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.

Kingdoms of Silver and Shadows by Tom Howard is the story of Elora Wolfe as her life takes a shocking turn. Her blissful life changed when a shadow beast attacked her in the Colorado wilderness and threw her into the mysterious realm of Asteah. She is trapped in Estros, a land cursed by a deadly disease that saps magic from all living things. Lost and desperate to return home, she finds herself caught in a centuries-old conflict. She makes a fragile alliance with the Elf King Thallan purely to survive. As her temporary life in Asteah extends, her friendship with Thallan deepens into something more, and she realizes that trust is a dangerous commodity. To survive, Elora must embrace her true self and an ancient, deadly power within her. Does she have what it takes to protect Asteah and herself before it is too late? Can she ever go back home?

Tom Howard has created a beautifully immersive world where magic is real and the danger is even more incredible. The worldbuilding is imaginative, the descriptions are fantastic, and the character development is incredible. The fast-paced narrative is packed full of action and intensity that never stops. The world of Estros and Asteah is richly imagined, with its ancient conflict, magical disease, and various inhabitants. I loved the relationship between Elora and Thallan. I enjoyed how their relationship started as a friendship and then developed into something more. Her evolving relationship with Thallan is written with care, balancing tension, mistrust, and emotional intimacy in a way that feels authentic. Fans of Sarah J. Maas and Holly Black will love Kingdoms of Silver and Shadows!

In Kingdoms of Silver and Shadows by Tom Howard, after a violent encounter in the Colorado wilderness, Elora Wolfe is transported to an unknown world called Estros, part of a realm known as Asteah. Cut off from home, she finds herself in unfamiliar territory ruled by immortal beings. The land is under threat from a spreading corruption that drains its magic. Elora forms an uneasy connection with Thallan, heir to one of Estros’s ruling families, and learns the danger may affect every living thing. Her presence draws attention from powerful figures, including the Elf King. As Elora searches for a way back, she must navigate this foreign land, guard her trust carefully, and come to terms with a force within her that may alter everything, if she chooses to use it. “The same blood that flowed through her veins, flows in yours. You are a Keeper by birthright.”

Tom Howard’s Kingdoms of Silver and Shadows is a fantastic introduction to what, based on the finale, is likely to move into an excellent series. Howard effectively merges realism with fantasy, and a descent, or, rather, Elora's awakening, launches into something greater. In a testament to his skill as a writer, Howard uses pain metaphorically, and Elora's actual suffering is both a literal threat and a deeper emotional representation of her dislocation, fear, and transformation—effectively, being reborn into a new world. This also plays into a romantic angle where agony signifies a body that, in this respect, may no longer be her own. Overall, with world-building that has all the fantasy pieces readers love, from dragons, griffins, and politicking among elves, humans, and the Fae that are harnessed to old legends, this is a story that is totally worth the time commitment. Very highly recommended.