Shadow Legacy was the winner in the Dark Fantasy category in the 2025 IndieReader Discovery Awards, where undiscovered talent meets people with the power to make a difference.
Following find an interview with author Colleen Mitchell.
“I’m deeply honoured to receive the IRDA award for Dark Fantasy for my debut novel Shadow Legacy. Thank you to the judges, my supporters, and everyone who still believes in the magic of the written word.”
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Shadow Legacy – published February 18, 2025
What’s the book’s first line?
Never in her wildest dreams would Rowan have imagined that the fate of everyone she loved would depend on her crawling inside a tiny, claustrophobia-inducing box while it descended beneath the frozen northern tundra.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Passion and peril collide when Rowan narrowly escapes execution for a crime she didn’t commit, with the help of Casimir—a vampire knight seeking redemption. When Rowan uncovers her shocking power to control vampires against their will, she threatens the hierarchy of both the supernatural and human worlds. Will Rowan be able to control her growing dark magic and resist the dangerous allure of Casimir before they consume her completely?
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
The story originally came to me in a dream several years ago. It was so realistic that it stuck with me and wouldn’t let go. At the time I was working full time as well as completing a masters program, so I put the story to the wayside for a few years. However, I always knew I wanted to return to it someday, and I am beyond thrilled to win this award.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
The main protagonist, Rowan, lives with an invisible illness that causes full body pain and fatigue. Rowan has a lot of my personality and I incorporated some of my own experiences living with an invisible illness to add to her character arc in an authentic way.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
Independent stories like this one don’t have big marketing teams—they thrive because of readers who crave something real, raw, and different.
Readers looking for an emotionally charged romantasy with real stakes and unforgettable characters will find their next obsession in Shadow Legacy. As one editorial reviews puts it: Shadow Legacy is a thrilling read that blends dark magic, emotional turmoil, and high stakes battles into a story that keeps you turning pages late into the night. It’s perfect for anyone who loves morally complex heroines, sizzling romantic tension, and a touch of darkness.”