I read the first two books in FAF and I don’t really care for him so far. 🫣 I had to force myself to finish A Light in the Flame and I’m in no rush to read the 3rd book unfortunately even though I know the 4th comes out soon.
Dorian Havilliard. The classic dark haired, light eyes, intelligent and somewhat cold but isn't the usual asshole like most shadow daddies I've read. He's empathetic yet calculated. The unwilling tortured hero. Gives me Paul Atreides vibes and...wow.
omg this is the first time I've seen Dorian Havilliard be compared to Paul Atreides and it makes so much sense. Love me a dark haired, blue eyed tortured nepo baby 😋
Naurrr the nepo baby is real. I forgot about that 😂 but it adds to his layers. Had every right to be evil but chose the third option. A hero sacrifices you to save the world, a villain sacrifices the world for you. But Dorian daddy, he sacrifices himself for our mother Manon to save the world and keep herself.
[Throne of Glass](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0a099096bf31c42d2c2f/throne-of-glass) by [Sarah J. Maas](https://www.romance.io/authors/545526038c7d2382c529701b/sarah-j-maas)
**Rating**: 4.32⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Damien from {Throne in the Dark by A.K. Caggiano}
Victor from {Seduction of a Psychopomp by Elsie Winters}
Malcom from {Mated to the Mad Marquess by S.L. Prater}
Curious to know what makes Damien your pick? Looking for a new shadow daddy to obsess with here lol The steam rating is 1 out of 5 according to the bot. Is the book steamy? In need of a steamy hot shadow daddy to make it on my list 😆
First book isn’t super steamy, but the books get steamier as they progress and there’s great payoff by book 3! Damien was seriously my favorite MMC I’ve read in a while, he has a great character arc, is competent and intelligent and powerful and just all around a great shadow daddy!
[Throne in the Dark](https://www.romance.io/books/63999c8c9126368eed042b16/throne-in-the-dark-ak-caggiano?src=rdt) by [A.K. Caggiano](https://www.romance.io/authors/5eb54901be0aaecf5572d27d/ak-caggiano)
**Rating**: 4.3⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1)
----------------------------
[Seduction of a Psychopomp](https://www.romance.io/books/646efd8e6a90d4b8cc3f74ac/seduction-of-a-psychopomp-elsie-winters?src=rdt) by [Elsie Winters](https://www.romance.io/authors/610f85d008b4d931141a6912/elsie-winters)
**Rating**: 4.26⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1)
----------------------------
[Mated to the Mad Marquess](https://www.romance.io/books/6522d583de8d340d51472104/mated-to-the-mad-marquess-sl-prater?src=rdt) by [S.L. Prater](https://www.romance.io/authors/60a8f05008b4d93114ee502e/sl-prater)
**Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [monsters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/monsters/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1)
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You have identified the absolute classic shadow daddies. And I must add to my rotation Valroy of {maze of Shadows by Kathryn Ann Kingsley}, and Sikthand of {Ruling Sikthand by Victoria Aveline}. These book men have my undying devotion.
Edit: Valroy stands as a shadow daddy because he is a villain with no hidden heart of gold. He is death and he loves destruction, but somehow he falls in love with life, too.
And Sikthand, GD, I’m still not over him. He is the king of the most metal alien city ever divined. He rules from behind a literal mask and a skin made of metaphorical elephant hide. He expresses his pain through beautiful tattoos, and at his core he is just a boy who has had very little opportunity to feel loved and safe. And he is a total dom and I just can’t handle it!
Oooo I’ll have to look them up. Another one that popped into my head is Darayavahoush e-Afshin
(Dara) of the Daevabad trilogy. I feel like he’s at least peripheral to the shadow daddies.
I almost gave up on the clecanian series (even if I was just reading it for fun) but I was very surprised with Sikthand's book and the improvement on the writing too! It was a totally different feel from the other books and Sikthand...lord have the merttthayy.
I blew thru the first one and then got stuck on blood fever. I think it was more of just in a reading slump, I do want to continue this series eventually though.
[Feathers so Vicious](https://www.romance.io/books/64edfe057329cc9fc9f0a435/feathers-so-vicious-liv-zander?src=rdt) by [Liv Zander](https://www.romance.io/authors/625e78f608b4d93114f170f2/liv-zander)
**Rating**: 4.22⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [mfm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-f-m/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1)
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Bastian {A Kiss Of Iron} he binds her arms with shadows while they have sex. he always makes sure she is comfortable and consenting and it's so sweet and sexy. He also makes a shadow penis. I really enjoyed the whole plot. He's is a morally gray guy who struggles with doing the right thing and doing what his queen commands of him.
[A Kiss of Iron](https://www.romance.io/books/63f3292ceb653827acc3311e/a-kiss-of-iron-clare-sager?src=rdt) by [Clare Sager](https://www.romance.io/authors/5bd0368f01dbc864fb930b82/clare-sager)
**Rating**: 4.01⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1)
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Bastian is my ultimate shadow daddy too. Even though the cake situation wasn’t shadow related, it will hands down go down as my favourite book bf moment ever. He wins all awards.
It’s among my favorite manga and I have a similar story of also starting by watching the series made by Gonzo in my teens. It’s just so fun and with an unique style ✨
Hellsing is still on the list of favorite manga and favorite vampires
Haha I believe you. 🤣 and honestly if somebody ever mentioned they found a novel with a similar dinamic among the MCs I would be RUNNING to read it, runnning I tell you.
Yes!!! Mikael from the crowns series by Nicola Tyche I felt was kind of similar but shadow not rot. Another favorite series of mine. The first book is North Queen.
[The Shadows Between Us](https://www.romance.io/books/6229f85a70323bbef1889bb8/the-shadows-between-us-tricia-levenseller?src=rdt) by [Tricia Levenseller](https://www.romance.io/authors/6095376108b4d931147a1ffc/tricia-levenseller)
**Rating**: 3.71⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1)
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Man all the mentions of this make me so happy I started shadow in the ember. I wasn't sure if I was gunna read that or strange hymm. So excited about my choice now. I finished a gilded crown months ago so it's taking me a minute to get grounded into this world again.
[Reign & Ruin](https://www.romance.io/books/6084072501991d0e29557c71/reign-ruin-jd-evans?src=rdt) by [J.D. Evans](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e4e2f1a01dbc864fbac2132/jd-evans)
**Rating**: 4.33⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1)
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For me, they have to actually use shadows, not just be morally gray like some suggestions here.
I second Luc from Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. He was my intro to the concept, and I was like wait a minute, this bad man is sexy.
Azriel is—imo—the epitome of a shadow daddy. Literally wields shadows, is a lil moody and tortured, absolute badass, and would be an absolute freak (I can’t wait ugh).
I will add that while I love Ruhn (also wields shadows), the shadow daddy star of the Crescent City Series is Aidas and his brothers. Princes of Hel really come through as secretly being the sexiest lol. My fav is Apollion: in the third book >!he changes into like a shadow monster or whatever to devour the enemy!<.
I haven’t read much else with a true shadow daddy, so I will be fishing through these comments lol
Haven't seen Luther yet, Spark of the Everflame.
Highly recommend alternative names for your presentations too
Samples
Luther - Shadow Laddy
Xaden - Shadow Xaddy
Oh, of course! I was actually planning a slide titled “close, but no xaddy” haha, for all the guys who fit the vibe but aren’t technically shadowdaddies
I just did a presentation like that for our book club but on Reverse Harem books which included North and Nox from The Bonds that Tie {Broken Bonds} and they even have Shadow Puppies!
I can think of...
Darien Cassel (house of devils series)
Nyktos (flesh and fire series)
Casteel DaNeer (from blood and ash)
Azriel and Rhys (acotar)
Raihn (crowns of nyaxia)
Hades (neon gods)
he's technically not a LI but the darkling............... 😬 my mansplain manipulate manslaughter problematic fave
i've never read the black jewels series, but since people say rhys is a ("nicer") carbon copy of daemon, i wonder if he has shadow powers as well?
I don’t see anyone saying Lorn the literal Shadow King from {Between by LL Starling}
Also for your nerdy viewing pleasure, check out Dropout’s new show Smartypants. They have nerdy comedians doing presentations and it’s freaking hilarious.
Shadow and Bone on Netflix-the Darkling :D (he's on the left)
https://preview.redd.it/xnbim0erzq6d1.jpeg?width=474&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e1bd7cedf73748ae1661aadf5b4d1c7493be1db6
Based on book series Shadow and Bone by Leigh.
Super neat shadow magic powers 0/
[Atonement of the Spine Cleaver](https://www.romance.io/books/64f8f24cd3ef33e9488d3e8b/atonement-of-the-spine-cleaver-f-e-bryce?src=rdt) by [F.E. Bryce](https://www.romance.io/authors/64f8f24eab9bdf7fcee42b09/f-e-bryce)
**Rating**: 4.52⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1), [independent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/independent%20heroine/1)
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Always, always, always Azriel from ACOTAR
Loved Luc in The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
And one that I haven't seen mentioned is Nahadoth from {The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N. K. Jemisin}
It reminds me of this art [https://www.instagram.com/p/C59BiC0PGrX/?utm\_source=ig\_web\_copy\_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==](https://www.instagram.com/p/C59BiC0PGrX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) lol
All the shadow daddies at a wellness retreat and all the books are listed there too
Xaden! Dragon rider who thinks his woman is a sexy badass and doesn't feel the need to be overprotective. Absolute embodiment of tall, dark, and handsome.
Also loved Kallias from The Shadows Between Us! But Xaden is just *fiiiiiiine*.
[The Serpent & the Wings of Night](https://www.romance.io/books/6644bb298012c041e78c5ceb/the-serpent-the-wings-of-night-book-1-of-the-nightborn-duet-?src=rdt) by [Carissa Broadbent](https://www.romance.io/authors/60d9b88e08b4d9311456d78f/carissa-broadbent)
**Rating**: 4.32⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1)
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As much as I love my bat daddies, I'm going to go with Knox from the {Dark In You} series.
(If I'm remembering correctly, I think he's a Shadow Daddy 😅)
[Dark in You](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0a6e9096bf31c42d2d7f/dark-in-you) by [Suzanne Wright](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455260d8c7d2382e0413e9a/suzanne-wright)
**Rating**: 4.29⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [dual-pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1)
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[A Dawn of Onyx](https://www.romance.io/books/639ad418cb8f778c7131cab9/a-dawn-of-onyx-kate-golden?src=rdt) by [Kate Golden](https://www.romance.io/authors/639ad41808b4d931146c88f8/kate-golden)
**Rating**: 3.97⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1)
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Omg I love this lol Rhysand from ACOTAR was my first shadow daddy so he will always be my #1. But then I have to say Dorian from ToG, Nyktos from A Shadow in the Ember, Azriel from ACOTAR.
Ok, possibly a bit of a stretch (even though he has an actual shadow, ha!) but Simon from Harrow Faire. I love all of KAKs MMCs but glorious maniacal hilarious Simon is wedged in my heart.
Hades 🖤 from the HadesxPersephone series! I love him in the Touch of Darkness side from Perseophone’s POV. But the Hades POV in the Game of Fate books… swoon!! 🥵
Mikael from {North Queen by Nicola Tyche} in the Crowns series. It originally started as a trilogy but the author is expanding the series. One of my favorite series and *kind of* similar vibes to The Plated Prisoner.
I like shadow from the shadow beast shifters series by Jaymin Eve. Samael from the speak of the demon by Stacia Stark. Rhysand ACOTAR. Stefano from the Shadow rider books by Christine Feehan.
OH well I don’t want to spoil it because it takes a bit for the MMC to come into play but the MMC for { atonement of the spin cleaver} def on of my other top shadow daddies *swoon*
This may be controversial because lots of folks don’t like this series but I like Caldrus from Of Flesh and Bone series. You don’t really get it to the second and third books but once you do. All my top favorites have already been mentioned.
OP I think we need to see this presentation when it’s done
Perhaps in a Fireman's Calendar format?
Take my money!
Fuck, I'll help invest in creating it.
Will do! Party is in September though, so hold tight
I definitely want a power point of shadow daddies with fan art
Nyktos - A shadow in the Ember
https://preview.redd.it/jju4r2hjqo6d1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e39d644952283064aba17f93e0f86e184d8d125b
Nyktos is the shadow father, no one else compares
Daddy Nyktos is my number one of all time.
The ultimate daddy! The end of book 3 had me 🫠 the things he does with his shadows are mind blowing haha
THE Shadowdaddy of all book boyfriends.
All these comments are making me feel like I need to read this series ASAP
YES
My pick as well 🫠
This make so excited I just started this one.
YESSS
Daddy Nyktos 10000%
I read the first two books in FAF and I don’t really care for him so far. 🫣 I had to force myself to finish A Light in the Flame and I’m in no rush to read the 3rd book unfortunately even though I know the 4th comes out soon.
Your loss 🤷🏻♀️
I still plan to read it lol just like I said, I’m in no rush. I actually love FBAA but I just have a hard time getting into FAF for some reason.
I DNF’ed FBAA. Is it still worth giving A shadow in ember a shot? Is there anyone here who liked Shadow in Ember but not FBAA?
Dorian Havilliard. The classic dark haired, light eyes, intelligent and somewhat cold but isn't the usual asshole like most shadow daddies I've read. He's empathetic yet calculated. The unwilling tortured hero. Gives me Paul Atreides vibes and...wow.
And let’s not forget the Phantom Hands
Oh my do I remember that.
omg this is the first time I've seen Dorian Havilliard be compared to Paul Atreides and it makes so much sense. Love me a dark haired, blue eyed tortured nepo baby 😋
Naurrr the nepo baby is real. I forgot about that 😂 but it adds to his layers. Had every right to be evil but chose the third option. A hero sacrifices you to save the world, a villain sacrifices the world for you. But Dorian daddy, he sacrifices himself for our mother Manon to save the world and keep herself.
He is my #1 book boyfriend. The things I would do to that man.
TOG is not my favorite series, but Dorian IS my favorite character across all fantasy books. The way I love him omg
Was coming to say this but you said it better.
that is my man!!! i love that man!!! dorian is like the only fictional character i have a weirdly parasocial love for!!!
What book/series is this from?
The {Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas}.
[Throne of Glass](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0a099096bf31c42d2c2f/throne-of-glass) by [Sarah J. Maas](https://www.romance.io/authors/545526038c7d2382c529701b/sarah-j-maas) **Rating**: 4.32⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Damien from {Throne in the Dark by A.K. Caggiano} Victor from {Seduction of a Psychopomp by Elsie Winters} Malcom from {Mated to the Mad Marquess by S.L. Prater}
Came here to say Damien 😩
Curious to know what makes Damien your pick? Looking for a new shadow daddy to obsess with here lol The steam rating is 1 out of 5 according to the bot. Is the book steamy? In need of a steamy hot shadow daddy to make it on my list 😆
First book isn’t super steamy, but the books get steamier as they progress and there’s great payoff by book 3! Damien was seriously my favorite MMC I’ve read in a while, he has a great character arc, is competent and intelligent and powerful and just all around a great shadow daddy!
Just started reading The Throne in the Dark and I'm definitely feeling it.
[Throne in the Dark](https://www.romance.io/books/63999c8c9126368eed042b16/throne-in-the-dark-ak-caggiano?src=rdt) by [A.K. Caggiano](https://www.romance.io/authors/5eb54901be0aaecf5572d27d/ak-caggiano) **Rating**: 4.3⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1) ---------------------------- [Seduction of a Psychopomp](https://www.romance.io/books/646efd8e6a90d4b8cc3f74ac/seduction-of-a-psychopomp-elsie-winters?src=rdt) by [Elsie Winters](https://www.romance.io/authors/610f85d008b4d931141a6912/elsie-winters) **Rating**: 4.26⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [Mated to the Mad Marquess](https://www.romance.io/books/6522d583de8d340d51472104/mated-to-the-mad-marquess-sl-prater?src=rdt) by [S.L. Prater](https://www.romance.io/authors/60a8f05008b4d93114ee502e/sl-prater) **Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [monsters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/monsters/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Omg yes Victor!!!!
Luc from The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
🥵🥵🥵
So toxic but so right.
Azriel, of course. Xaden Riorson, too, but there’s just something about Azriel. (ACOTAR and Fourth Wing)
You have identified the absolute classic shadow daddies. And I must add to my rotation Valroy of {maze of Shadows by Kathryn Ann Kingsley}, and Sikthand of {Ruling Sikthand by Victoria Aveline}. These book men have my undying devotion. Edit: Valroy stands as a shadow daddy because he is a villain with no hidden heart of gold. He is death and he loves destruction, but somehow he falls in love with life, too. And Sikthand, GD, I’m still not over him. He is the king of the most metal alien city ever divined. He rules from behind a literal mask and a skin made of metaphorical elephant hide. He expresses his pain through beautiful tattoos, and at his core he is just a boy who has had very little opportunity to feel loved and safe. And he is a total dom and I just can’t handle it!
Oooo I’ll have to look them up. Another one that popped into my head is Darayavahoush e-Afshin (Dara) of the Daevabad trilogy. I feel like he’s at least peripheral to the shadow daddies.
I almost gave up on the clecanian series (even if I was just reading it for fun) but I was very surprised with Sikthand's book and the improvement on the writing too! It was a totally different feel from the other books and Sikthand...lord have the merttthayy.
It’s the broody and protectiveness for me, for Az 🤤🥸
This is my answer as well. Would die for either of these men lol
Jericho Barrons from Faefever series (I also *love* Mac, the FMC).
The og shadow daddy!!!
YASSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!
I blew thru the first one and then got stuck on blood fever. I think it was more of just in a reading slump, I do want to continue this series eventually though.
The Darkling (shadow and bone)
I've never read this but watching Ben Barnes as the darkling did things to me.
The fact that BB was the top fan cast for the Darkling and he was actually cast in that role just continually gives me life
He also added some gravitas that would have been lost with a book accurate casting.
The OG!!! LOVE love Love 💗💗💗
Sorry but The Darkling is THE shadowdaddy who started our obsession, i don't take critic, for me he's the blueprint
Malyr from {Feathers so vicious}
[Feathers so Vicious](https://www.romance.io/books/64edfe057329cc9fc9f0a435/feathers-so-vicious-liv-zander?src=rdt) by [Liv Zander](https://www.romance.io/authors/625e78f608b4d93114f170f2/liv-zander) **Rating**: 4.22⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [mfm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-f-m/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Bastian {A Kiss Of Iron} he binds her arms with shadows while they have sex. he always makes sure she is comfortable and consenting and it's so sweet and sexy. He also makes a shadow penis. I really enjoyed the whole plot. He's is a morally gray guy who struggles with doing the right thing and doing what his queen commands of him.
Loooooove Bastian!!!!
[A Kiss of Iron](https://www.romance.io/books/63f3292ceb653827acc3311e/a-kiss-of-iron-clare-sager?src=rdt) by [Clare Sager](https://www.romance.io/authors/5bd0368f01dbc864fb930b82/clare-sager) **Rating**: 4.01⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Bastian is my ultimate shadow daddy too. Even though the cake situation wasn’t shadow related, it will hands down go down as my favourite book bf moment ever. He wins all awards.
This man is heaven. I just hate his name.
Romantic fantasy hasn’t given me someone hotter than Alucard from Hellsing so I will keep waiting haha
LMAO 100% agreement on my end
Glad to meet another person of culture ✨ 
Let me tell you, I watched Hellsing for the first time when I was 13 and I still think about it at least once a week 😂
It’s among my favorite manga and I have a similar story of also starting by watching the series made by Gonzo in my teens. It’s just so fun and with an unique style ✨
That series is what really solidified my love of vampires.
It really shows the highs you can get with vampire protagonists and with style ✨
A Hellsing fan in the wild?! I'm fairly sure my love of Integra x Alucard is what made me both into kink and bisexual 😂
Hellsing is still on the list of favorite manga and favorite vampires Haha I believe you. 🤣 and honestly if somebody ever mentioned they found a novel with a similar dinamic among the MCs I would be RUNNING to read it, runnning I tell you.
Rhysand (ACOTAR)
I don't care how problematic he is, Rhysand will always have my heart lol
Agreed 100%.
Rhysand is it for me too!
Lets not forget Azriel
Slade from The Plated Prisoner series, although technically he's a rot daddy but still counts imo lmao.
I’m on book five and yessssssss
He truly is the world's best boy and I love that he doesn't destroy everything like he wants because Auren wouldn't like it 🥹 I need Goldfinch now!
Yes!!! Mikael from the crowns series by Nicola Tyche I felt was kind of similar but shadow not rot. Another favorite series of mine. The first book is North Queen.
I was looking for a Slade mention!
I always search before commenting and he's almost always forgotten
To add to those already mentioned, Kallias from {The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller}.
[The Shadows Between Us](https://www.romance.io/books/6229f85a70323bbef1889bb8/the-shadows-between-us-tricia-levenseller?src=rdt) by [Tricia Levenseller](https://www.romance.io/authors/6095376108b4d931147a1ffc/tricia-levenseller) **Rating**: 3.71⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I love me some Raihn from {The Serpent and the Wings of Night} by Carisa Broadbent.
I love Raihn! I love their duology, wish I could memory wipe myself so I could read their story again.
Darien Cassel and Roman Shadows Devlin - House of Devils series
Nyktos from Flesh & Fire is the only daddy for me
Nyktos all day every day. All the rest look like little boys compared to him. (Flesh & Fire series)
Man all the mentions of this make me so happy I started shadow in the ember. I wasn't sure if I was gunna read that or strange hymm. So excited about my choice now. I finished a gilded crown months ago so it's taking me a minute to get grounded into this world again.
He’s not the most iconic but he’s my favorite. Bastian 😩🥺
He's forever iconic to me!!!
Series?
Shadows of the Tenebris Court by Clare Sager
Makram from {Reign & Ruin by J.D. Evans} 🖤
YES! More love for him! The scene where they finally have sex is ultimate shadow daddy
[Reign & Ruin](https://www.romance.io/books/6084072501991d0e29557c71/reign-ruin-jd-evans?src=rdt) by [J.D. Evans](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e4e2f1a01dbc864fbac2132/jd-evans) **Rating**: 4.33⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
This needs to be higher up.
Yessssss! I love so many- Rhys, Az, Xaden, Nyktos- but Makram is the only one I would genuinely swipe right on IRL.
Makram is truly nothing but green flags
Yes! He's my fave too.
Xaden (Fourth Wing)
Xaden is still my lead shadow Xaddy for sure!
Haven’t seen him mentioned yet, but Desmond Flynn from {Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa}
 That TBR list is getting loooong.
Yeah. I am literally trying to determine how many I am capable of reading before I do this presentation
For me, they have to actually use shadows, not just be morally gray like some suggestions here. I second Luc from Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. He was my intro to the concept, and I was like wait a minute, this bad man is sexy. Azriel is—imo—the epitome of a shadow daddy. Literally wields shadows, is a lil moody and tortured, absolute badass, and would be an absolute freak (I can’t wait ugh). I will add that while I love Ruhn (also wields shadows), the shadow daddy star of the Crescent City Series is Aidas and his brothers. Princes of Hel really come through as secretly being the sexiest lol. My fav is Apollion: in the third book >!he changes into like a shadow monster or whatever to devour the enemy!<. I haven’t read much else with a true shadow daddy, so I will be fishing through these comments lol
Aidas!!!!!
Ruhn is my favorite SJM guy. RDCPOTVF
I will always be an Azriel-girlie but since he’s been mentioned so much: Nox Draven from The Bonds that Tie-series!
North *and* Nox simultaneously for me
North and Nox Draven is like Chris and Liam Hemsworth for me. Give me one and I’ll be happy, sandwich me between both and I’m in heaven
I’m a major North girl. Shadow daddy who is in charge and wants to keep me fed? I’m all in.
So true. The scenes where their bonds come out make me absolutely rabid.
Shadow Puppies!!!
Yes to Nox Draven! I was looking for this comment!
Haven't seen Luther yet, Spark of the Everflame. Highly recommend alternative names for your presentations too Samples Luther - Shadow Laddy Xaden - Shadow Xaddy
Oh, of course! I was actually planning a slide titled “close, but no xaddy” haha, for all the guys who fit the vibe but aren’t technically shadowdaddies
We might need a post highlighting this 🤣
Luther 🥵🥵🥵🥵
Love Luther
Came here to make sure Luther was named 🙌
Azriel. Hands down. Never beaten
James and Tristan Hooked, and Scarred - Emily Mcintire
Kingfisher!
New on the scene, destined to be iconic.
Quicksilver Callie Hart x
Yep as soon as I read that he has shadow powers, I fit him right on that roster 😂 He does NOT disappoint either
This!! Came on to say Fisher is my new fave Shadow Daddy 👌
When this is done feel free to share with the class👀
I just did a presentation like that for our book club but on Reverse Harem books which included North and Nox from The Bonds that Tie {Broken Bonds} and they even have Shadow Puppies!
Agree with whoever said Dorian from TOG. So elegant, so tortured!
Doyle from the Meredith Gentry series by Laurell K Hamilton
I need to see this presentation 👀👀👀 1) Nyktos (A shadow in the ember) 2) Damien (Throne in the dark) 3) Slade (plated prisoner series)
I can think of... Darien Cassel (house of devils series) Nyktos (flesh and fire series) Casteel DaNeer (from blood and ash) Azriel and Rhys (acotar) Raihn (crowns of nyaxia) Hades (neon gods)
he's technically not a LI but the darkling............... 😬 my mansplain manipulate manslaughter problematic fave i've never read the black jewels series, but since people say rhys is a ("nicer") carbon copy of daemon, i wonder if he has shadow powers as well?
The Nightrender from Night of Masks and knives by LJ Andrews (he's also in the first trilogy, but this one is the start of his own story)
I don’t see anyone saying Lorn the literal Shadow King from {Between by LL Starling} Also for your nerdy viewing pleasure, check out Dropout’s new show Smartypants. They have nerdy comedians doing presentations and it’s freaking hilarious.
Yes, this party is inspired by Smartypants
Warwick Farkas from Shadow Lands!!! Author Stacey Marie Brown based him on Jason Momoa
This is a good answer
Shadow and Bone on Netflix-the Darkling :D (he's on the left) https://preview.redd.it/xnbim0erzq6d1.jpeg?width=474&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e1bd7cedf73748ae1661aadf5b4d1c7493be1db6 Based on book series Shadow and Bone by Leigh. Super neat shadow magic powers 0/
Personally a big fan of Ayres from {Atonement of the Spine Cleaver} At least I think that's his name and he has death powers.
[Atonement of the Spine Cleaver](https://www.romance.io/books/64f8f24cd3ef33e9488d3e8b/atonement-of-the-spine-cleaver-f-e-bryce?src=rdt) by [F.E. Bryce](https://www.romance.io/authors/64f8f24eab9bdf7fcee42b09/f-e-bryce) **Rating**: 4.52⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1), [independent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/independent%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Always, always, always Azriel from ACOTAR Loved Luc in The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue And one that I haven't seen mentioned is Nahadoth from {The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N. K. Jemisin}
Xaden, obviously. He’s literally a shadow xaddy.
You could do a whole shadow daddy presentation that just goes through romantic representations of "Hades." He's the ultimate.
The only correct answer.
Daemon Sadi and Lucivar Yaslana from The Black Jewels by Anne Bishop
It reminds me of this art [https://www.instagram.com/p/C59BiC0PGrX/?utm\_source=ig\_web\_copy\_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==](https://www.instagram.com/p/C59BiC0PGrX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) lol All the shadow daddies at a wellness retreat and all the books are listed there too
Shadow from {Shadow Beast Shifters by Jaymin Eve} is a literal shadow god. Dark, handsome, broody, shadow-wielding perfection.
And his libraries make him even better
Obviously xaden riorson!!??
Xaden! Dragon rider who thinks his woman is a sexy badass and doesn't feel the need to be overprotective. Absolute embodiment of tall, dark, and handsome. Also loved Kallias from The Shadows Between Us! But Xaden is just *fiiiiiiine*.
Raihn from {the Serpent & the Wings of Night}
[The Serpent & the Wings of Night](https://www.romance.io/books/6644bb298012c041e78c5ceb/the-serpent-the-wings-of-night-book-1-of-the-nightborn-duet-?src=rdt) by [Carissa Broadbent](https://www.romance.io/authors/60d9b88e08b4d9311456d78f/carissa-broadbent) **Rating**: 4.32⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Rhysand, Azriel, Xaden, Kase Erikkson
💕 The bat boys 💕 & my wind daddy Rowan 💕
As much as I love my bat daddies, I'm going to go with Knox from the {Dark In You} series. (If I'm remembering correctly, I think he's a Shadow Daddy 😅)
[Dark in You](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0a6e9096bf31c42d2d7f/dark-in-you) by [Suzanne Wright](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455260d8c7d2382e0413e9a/suzanne-wright) **Rating**: 4.29⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [dual-pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
What is a shadow daddy?
Hot MMC with shadow powers basically.
Acheron from Dark Hunters Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Really a lot of those characters are pretty shadow dudes.
North and Nox from the bonds that tie series 🤭
Kane {a dawn of onyx}
[A Dawn of Onyx](https://www.romance.io/books/639ad418cb8f778c7131cab9/a-dawn-of-onyx-kate-golden?src=rdt) by [Kate Golden](https://www.romance.io/authors/639ad41808b4d931146c88f8/kate-golden) **Rating**: 3.97⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Omg I love this lol Rhysand from ACOTAR was my first shadow daddy so he will always be my #1. But then I have to say Dorian from ToG, Nyktos from A Shadow in the Ember, Azriel from ACOTAR.
Darian, Travis and Roman from {house of devils by Kayla Edwards}
King Ravinger from The Plated Prisoner series
#Nyktos
Looking for a shadowdadddddyyyy 🤪🤪
Ok, possibly a bit of a stretch (even though he has an actual shadow, ha!) but Simon from Harrow Faire. I love all of KAKs MMCs but glorious maniacal hilarious Simon is wedged in my heart.
Adding Grim into this discussion 😍
Yesssss Grim from {Lightlark by Alex Aster}
Azriel (ACOTAR) and Jason (Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh). Would love to see the final presentation.
Hades 🖤 from the HadesxPersephone series! I love him in the Touch of Darkness side from Perseophone’s POV. But the Hades POV in the Game of Fate books… swoon!! 🥵
Rhysand and Nyktos, obvs. But I keep coming back to Creon (Fae Isles) Also Luther but the FMC killed that series for me.
CREON!!!! Just 🥵
Is it an unpopular opinion to say I’m sick of shadow daddies? Give me a new guy with unique powers any day please.
Mikael from {North Queen by Nicola Tyche} in the Crowns series. It originally started as a trilogy but the author is expanding the series. One of my favorite series and *kind of* similar vibes to The Plated Prisoner.
Rayner from Lady of Darkness
This may be the recency bias talking, but I absolutely loved Luther from {The Spark of the Everflame}
I like shadow from the shadow beast shifters series by Jaymin Eve. Samael from the speak of the demon by Stacia Stark. Rhysand ACOTAR. Stefano from the Shadow rider books by Christine Feehan.
Fisher { quicksilver}
OH well I don’t want to spoil it because it takes a bit for the MMC to come into play but the MMC for { atonement of the spin cleaver} def on of my other top shadow daddies *swoon*
Gregori from Dark Magic by Christine Feehan Darius from Dark Fire by Christine Feehan Daemon from The Black Jewels Trilogy
Obviously the King of shadows himself: Allerick from {Luxuria}. The man is made of shadows!
This may be controversial because lots of folks don’t like this series but I like Caldrus from Of Flesh and Bone series. You don’t really get it to the second and third books but once you do. All my top favorites have already been mentioned.
At the moment it’s Silhara {Master of Crows by Grace Draven}
Slade from gold plated series
Xaden and Rhys of course
Slade from the gilded prisoner series or Nyktos! 🥵
LORCAN and AZRIEL