“J.R. Ward is a powerhouse in the genre and never disappoints!”--Rebecca Yarros, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

"Absolutely unputdownable!"--Jennifer Armentrout, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author



Crown of War and Shadow is a brand new, sweeping, slow-burn romantasy from #1 New York Times bestseller J. R., perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, and Jennifer Armentrout!



An outcast burdened with a curse. A mercenary out for himself. A kingdom that must be saved.

In the deep, dark, dead of night, passions rise, and empires fall…

The Fulcrum is failing, and demons are slipping into the mortal world.

No one is safe.

Especially not Sorrel. An orphan and an outcast within the walls of her small village because of her mystical abilities. She wants to survive…and find somewhere she can call her true home. But Fate has other plans.

Sorrel has been chosen. Cursed.

She must cross the Badlands to return the Queen's crown and convince the fearsome female to save their world from destruction.

Well aware she’s no brave hero, Sorrel makes a dangerous deal with Merc, a brooding, commanding mercenary known only by his unscrupulous profession.

The deal? A night in his bed that she will never forget, in exchange for her safe passage.

But Merc has secrets of his own, and even though desire runs hot between them, adventure, danger, and betrayal lurk around every corner.

Crown of War and Shadow is the first book in the Kingdoms of the Compass series.

Crown of War and Shadow

*Forced proximity/Only one bed

*Chosen mates

*Dark mercenary

*Who did this to you?

*Touch her and die

*I'll die for you

*Hidden magic

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.



Praise for this book

Praise for Crown of War and Shadow:

"A powerhouse in the genre." ―Rebecca Yarros, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Absolutely unputdownable.” - Jennifer Armentrout, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Praise for the J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood Series:

“Utterly absorbing and deliciously erotic.”—Angela Knight

“Delicious, erotic, and thrilling.”—New York Times bestselling author Nicole Jordan

“Dark fantasy lovers, you just got served.”—New York Times bestselling author Lynn Viehl

“To die for. I love this series!”—New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Brockmann

“J.R. Ward’s urban fantasy romance series is so popular I don’t think there’s a reader today who hasn’t at least heard of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.”—USA Today

“Hold on tight for an intriguing, adrenaline-pumping ride.”—Booklist




About the AuthorJ.R. WARD is the author of more than sixty novels, including those in her #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling series, the Black Dagger Brotherhood. There are more than thirty million copies of Ward’s novels in print worldwide and they have been published in twenty-five different countries around the world.
Title: Crown of War and Shadow : Kingdoms of the Compass
Author(s): J.R. Ward
Series: Kingdoms of the Compass
Volume: 1
ISBN: 9781250373632
Copyright 2026
Release Date: February 17, 2026
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group
Countries: United States, Canada | Learn more about available countries
Language: English
Format: None available | Learn More about our supported formats
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