Title: Mayhem and the MortalAuthor: Shanora Williams
Pages: 512
Publication Date: March 3, 2026
Publisher: Red Tower Books
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Fantasy / Romantasy
Synopsis:
One mission. One curse. No escape.
Zaira doesn’t want a hero. She needs a weapon.
To save her sister from a soul-devouring curse, she has to cross The Shallows—a nightmare landscape of ruined magic, shifting paths, and vicious creatures that eat people alive.
Her guide? Thane Valkor: sorcerer, assassin, walking red flag. His name clears rooms. His magic kills quietly. And whatever he’s really after, it’s not salvation.
He promises to help. He might even mean it.
But Zaira knows better than to trust a liar with a blade and ice in his veins.
She just doesn’t have a choice.
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Mayhem and the Mortal is such a great romantasy! With a dangerous mission, a cursed sister, a fabulous protagonist, a moody and broody MMC, and a journey through a brutal, unpredictable world with brutal and unpredictable characters, this is an entertaining read from start to finish. The world-building is also fantastic. It’s immersive and easy to imagine, with cool magic, vivid settings, and unique and often dangerous creatures.
Zaira is the kind of main character I immediately root for. She’s driven, loyal, and willing to risk everything for those she loves, even when the odds are clearly stacked against her. She’s snarky and intelligent and strong, both physically and emotionally. And it’s a good thing, too, because she is really put through it! Zaira is tested at every step, and, thankfully, she has a hired shadow daddy and several other traveling companions who help her along the way.
Oh. My. Word… Thane. He is so much more than the angry, hired mercenary Zaira first meets. A morally grey shadow daddy with a ton of secrets, he’s mysterious and dangerous, and absolutely not someone Zaira should trust, which of course makes him the perfect person to travel with and fall for. lol The banter between them is sharp and sometimes a little antagonistic, and always filled with tension. I love it. The sarcasm, teasing, and comedic moments between them are fantastic, as is their slow-building love story.
Zaira and Thane have a complicated relationship built on mistrust and secrets. It’s clear from the start that they don’t trust each other, and they definitely don’t make things easy on each other. They question and challenge each other at every turn, and there are a lot of things standing between them. Sometimes, when it comes to their romance, they’re their own worst enemies, and a few things happened that made me question how they could ever trust again. But, I think that’s what makes their connection so interesting. There are some really sweet moments mixed in with all the frustration and snarky banter, and I was completely invested in where their relationship was going. I was also glad that there was some groveling and work to earn trust back. Some of the lies and betrayals were bigger than others, and I like that they weren’t easily forgiven or swept under the rug.
The secondary characters were another highlight of the story, and I loved the found family vibes. The crew Zaira gathers along her quest adds so much to the story. It was very easy to become emotionally invested in all of their arcs. Each is so intriguing! I always enjoy a found family, and this one had a lot of heart and care for each other (well, mostly lol). There are several scenes where I laughed out loud at their antics and conversations, and these moments and the lighter scenes balance out the chaos and danger they all face really well.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and would totally recommend it to readers looking for a unique and fresh romantasy. It’s a faster-paced read with great characters and an amazing found family, and the romance is messy and chaotic and fabulous. And that ending!! So good!!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
- enemies to lovers
- slow burn romance
- only one bed
- grumpy/sunshine
- shadow daddy
- found family
- magical quest
Shanora Williams is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author known for her versatile voice, diverse characters, and high-stakes stories. Whether grounded in reality, set in a world of magic, or immersed in suspense, her books explore connection, chaos, and emotions that linger long after the last page.
As a self-proclaimed “mood writer”, Shanora has never believed in boxing herself in. Her desire has always been to take risks and challenge herself. If a plot is relentlessly on her mind, she will try her hand at it.
When she isn’t writing, she’s deep in family life, binge-watching shows and movies, working out, gaming, or getting cozy with a book. She lives near Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband and three sons.
Great review! I’m looking forward to reading this one.
I hope you enjoy it, Yolanda!
Thanks!