A Kiss of Iron
Author: Clare Sager
Spice Level: 
Release Year: 2023
Ranking at #17 on my all-time romantasy favorites list, the Shadows of the Tenebris Court series by Clare Sager is what happens when you want your Fae romance delivered with a razor’s edge and a side of genuine character metamorphosis. There’s a reason I keep coming back to this trilogy: the world is lush and the stakes are relentless, but it’s the emotional journey that leaves the deepest mark. Sager doesn’t just throw you into a realm of bargains and court intrigue—she makes you feel every betrayal, every glimmer of hope, and every surge of longing between Kat and Bastian. I found myself rooting for them, not just as a couple, but as individuals clawing for agency in a world that wants to use them up and spit them out.
You’re not just reading about Fae and humans, you’re living in the tension between them. The romance is the kind that simmers and then scorches, and yes, the explicit scenes are present and accounted for—spice factor sits at a solid 3.75, enough to make you blush but not so much that it overshadows the plot. What I love is the way Sager weaves intimacy into the fabric of the story; it’s never gratuitous, always earned. The chemistry between Kat and Bastian is magnetic, but it’s the emotional vulnerability that makes their connection feel real. There’s no shortage of longing, stolen moments, and the kind of tension that makes you want to scream at the page.
The pacing across the trilogy is a bit of a rollercoaster, and I’ll admit, the first book took a little warming up for me. But by the time you hit the second installment, the momentum picks up and doesn’t let go. Sager’s plotting is intricate, sometimes almost too ambitious—there are moments in the final book where I wished she’d let certain revelations breathe instead of firing them off in rapid succession. Still, I can’t help but admire how tightly she ties every thread by the end. No open ends, no lazy shortcuts; just a satisfying, hard-won conclusion that feels both epic and intimate.
What really cements this series for me, though, is the character growth. Kat’s transformation from a pawn to a force in her own right is the kind of arc that sticks with you long after the last page. She’s flawed, sometimes frustrating, but always compelling. Bastian, the quintessential “shadow daddy” (as the fandom loves to call him), is more than just a brooding love interest—he’s layered, vulnerable, and his evolution is just as rewarding to witness. The side characters aren’t just filler; they add depth and vibrancy to the world, making Tenebris feel lived-in and real.
By the end, I was left with that bittersweet ache that only the best series can deliver—the kind that makes you want to immediately reread just to spend more time with these characters. Shadows of the Tenebris Court isn’t flawless, but it’s addicting, heartfelt, and brimming with the kind of Fae romance that keeps you up at night. I’ll miss Kat and Bastian, but I know their story will linger with me for a long time. If you’re after a romantasy with teeth, heart, and just the right amount of spice, this one more than earns its place on my shelf.
Back to List