Author: Jane Washington

Series: Shadowsong

First Published: 12 March 2026

“Speak for yourself. The only thing I love more than chocolate is anarchy.”

I will start by saying that I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own. Thank you so much to Jane for sending a copy my way!

Something is wrong inside her.

It’s changing her.

She chased her loved ones into the dark, and they stumbled out with monsters beneath their skin. Now they are less than they were, but destined for so much more.

If they survive training.

And if her new commander doesn’t kill her first.

The boy-prince she saved as a child is now the unforgiving, terrifying man in charge of her future. They are bound in a way neither can escape: two forces as opposite as sunrise and shadow, drawn together as inevitably as the dawn collides with the sky.

But don’t misunderstand.

This is not a love story.

The king has already decided that she will be married to one of his other sons—regardless of her opinion on the matter.

So let this be a story of war instead.

She will wage war on the magic awakening beneath her skin. On the power-ravenous king who would do anything to control her. On the many hands that seek to mould her, shape her, and shackle her.

But most of all … she will wage war on him. Prince Chasin. Her commander. Her tormentor.

Let this story end with a dagger in his treacherous heart.

Let her carve his influence from her soul.

Let her make him suffer as she has suffered.

Let her have this one, small thing.

I devoured Jane Washington’s Ironside Academy series last year, so when she offered to send me a copy of her dark fantasy romance, I said please and thank you! This world intrigued me from the start. I ate up every moment.

Eiko and her friends flee their hometown to escape religious zealots who are an increasing danger to them. Unfortunately for them, the only way to escape persecution is to hand themselves over to the Kingsweep, which offers sanctuary at the price of an indelible contract with the crown. They will be forced into the Silencing, a trial to bond with a monster. This bonding has a 50% survival rate. Those who survive will join the ranks of the Godsgaurd, the King of All’s elite army. Eiko and her friends have a simple plan. Refuse the silencing and be assigned to another role within the kingdom. What could go wrong?

I adore Eiko. Her inner monologue had me cackling and is the perfect levity to the darkness of this world. She’s a woman after my heart — fiercely loyal, stubborn and a total klutz. Eiko has been at the mercy of others’ support after losing her sight as a child, when she refused to bond with a monster. I am interested to see where Eiko’s story goes, as currently she seems like a pawn between warring royals and a tool used to keep her best friend, Rion, in line. I do love that while Hymn — her bonded monster — gives her access to his sight, it’s limited and doesn’t completely fix her disability, which we love to see. Eiko refuses to let anyone see her blindness as weakness. She knows people will try to exploit it, but Eiko works hard to make sure she has the skills and knowledge to protect herself and her friends.

Hymn, my God! This baby monster owns my heart and soul. The banter between him and Eiko was top-notch. I loved how he also brings a dash of toxic positivity to Eiko’s life, which I am all kinds of obsessed with. It will be interesting to see how his power adapts and how they affect Eiko.

Eiko’s core group of friends and family truly are goals. The way they join the Kingsweep together, with no hesitation, speaks volumes about their commitment to each other. These might be one of my favourite fantasy found families.

This is going to be a slow burn. The main romance at the start is between Eiko and her brother’s best friend, Ren. The pair had been sneaking around for a while, but things changed once they entered the silencing. I adore the way they ended it. They both realise that they’ve outgrown their relationship, but they will still be friends. Who is going to be endgame for Eiko? I am not sure. I have my money on Chasin Goldmoor, the selectively mute, ruthless Commander of the Godsguard and the king’s youngest son. The tension between Eiko and Chasin is palpable. But then we have an arranged marriage with the other prince, Corvan Goldmoor, that intrigues me. I don’t know if it will become a why choose situation or stay a delicious love triangle, but you better believe I am here for it! I’m excited to see how this mess all develops in the rest of the series.

This world is fascinating. We have this golden capital and a seemingly benevolent royal family, but beneath that public façade, something sinister lurks. Everyone is happy. No one says anything against the King of All because of his benevolence. It has nothing to do with the fact that the royal family and their elite guard are bonded with monsters, right? I loved peeling back the layers of this world as Eiko is dragged further into royal politics.

That ending had my jaw dropped. I need the sequel, One Twisted Hymn, effective immediately. One Small Echo was a captivating start to a series I feel will be my newest obsession. If you love a military romantasy with a glacially slow-burn romance and/or you enjoy Jasmine Mas’ brand of dark humour, you need to add One Small Echo to your TBR!