Tap cover to enlarge

Crown of War and Shadow

Published
Feb 2026
Main Genre
Fantasy Romance Fantasy Romance
Rating
Pages
480

About This Book

"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. Ward, 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.

Series Placement

Genres & Themes

Characters & Occupations

Buy This Book

Formats & Editions

Browse the different covers, formats, and publication history for this title.

Hardcover

Hardcover edition cover
Hardcover
First Edition Feb 2026 Tor ISBN 125037362X
Buy
Hardcover edition cover
Hardcover
Mar 2026 Thorndike Press, A Cengage Group ISBN 1420533347
Buy

eBook

eBook edition cover
eBook
Dec 2025 -- Not Selected ISBN B0FXY9F114
Buy
eBook edition cover
eBook
Feb 2026 Tor ISBN 1250373638
Buy
eBook edition cover
eBook
Feb 2026 -- Not Selected ISBN B0F5PD5P92
Buy
eBook edition cover
eBook
Feb 2026 Piatkus Books (UK) ISBN 0349445095
Buy

Audio

Audio edition cover
Audible
Feb 2026 -- Not Selected ISBN B0F6GJ8LRX
Buy