“No mourners, no funerals,” said our beloved Crows in “Six of Crows” by Leigh Bardugo, but to introduce the topic of this article I would like to change the quote to: “No regrets, no shame”. Because, let’s face it, a shadow daddy has entered our hearts sooner or later in our existence.
For those who have not yet been touched by the “shadows” of this type of character, how can we best describe it? I think of Pedro Pascal’s interview, which later became a meme, where the actor says “I’m your daddy”. Aware that we would very much like to see Pedro Pascal play a shadow daddy sooner or later, the definition for such a character refers to those protagonists in the books who have the power to summon, control, and use shadows or darkness. Usually, at the same time, they have a mysterious appearance (dark hair is practically a must), they are immortal or at least powerful, with gray morals, with scars and/or tattoos, actually bad, or who are presented to us as such initially and who, almost always, fall in love with the protagonist. A very common identikit in fantasy and romance literature in recent years (even spicy, for those who want to understand), he is a character who wants to intrigue, lead us to question our tastes, and then end up defending him almost always because he is the victim of a trauma. Defend it, not justify it, I want to specify. It is, in other words, the representation of that ironic quote that goes around the Internet and says: “But he killed people!”, “And he looked sexy while doing it!”.
This article is intended to be an area where there is no room for judgments, but only for Shadow Daddy-themed advice. Because one is fine, but if there are even more… Well, even better!
Xaden Riorson – “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros
Last perhaps in chronological order but who immediately climbed the rankings of the most loved Shadow Daddies in the world, we find the gloomy commander of the Dragon Knights Quadrant Wing where the protagonist, Violet, is assigned. Her mother killed his father, a rebel, and for this reason, there is certainly no good blood between the two: powerful, strategist with innate talent and knight of one of the strongest dragons in Aretia, as if that were not enough he also can control shadows. Intimidating for everyone, but not for Violet, who will be able to go beyond her darkness to discover what is hidden inside her heart. Rebecca Yarros, this appeal is for you since we have three other books ahead of us: please. And you know what I’m talking about.
Rhysand – “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas
No one can compare to him. From that moment he said to Feyre, “There you are. I’ve been looking for you,” our life took a new direction. High Lord of the Court of Night, irresistible, dark, and the most powerful being ever, Rhys belongs to another league. The way Sarah J. Maas presents him to us, and then leads us to discover all his nuances, and indeed shadows, is masterful: capable of anything to protect his loved ones and his people, he controls the darkness and draws his absolute charm from the darkness. No description will ever do him justice, you can only “live” him between the pages of this saga.
Luc – “The Invisible Life of Addie Larue” by r V. E. Schwab
Luc is the lord of the night, that figure with gray morals capable of fulfilling your wish without completely revealing the price to pay for it, as the protagonist, Addie, will soon discover. It is also, however, the dark presence that always accompanies you, that feeling of thrill and fascination for the unknown that frightens and attracts at the same time. A character who hides in the shadows (literally), whose call is impossible to resist…
The Darkling – “Shadow and Bone” by Leigh Bardugo
If we had already fallen in love with the Darkling only thanks to reading this trilogy, Ben Barnes’ interpretation in the Netflix series gave us the coup de grace. Summoner of shadows, leader of the Grisha, general, and seducer, he is a character who shows us all the potential of darkness, both in a literary and metaphorical sense. But above all, it reminds us that monsters can be hidden anywhere: what matters is to cling to the light that each of us has inside, even if we are not a Lightcaller like Alina!
Death – “Belladonna” by Adalyn Grace
Could a character linked to the concept of Death be missing from this list? Here, he takes on the guise of a ferryman of souls and master of the darkness that only the protagonist, Signa, can see. Theirs, however, is not a usual relationship: because if she can perceive it, he cannot take her to the afterlife because Signa cannot die. A gothic, intriguing, and seductive relationship full of dark and mysterious, but extremely fascinating nuances.
Dorian Havilliard II – “Throne of Glass” by Sarah J. Maas
A heartthrob who, throughout the saga, reveals all his strength, his soul, and his personality, making us fall madly in love with him and leading us to recognize his value and courage, which will prove to be fundamental elements for the development of the saga. Sarah J. Maas is the queen of the Shadow Daddies and she proves it here too: tall, with black hair, blue eyes, irresistible and powerful (shadow control is just one of her talents), what more could you want? “Hello, princeling.”
Casteel Da’Neer / Nyktos – “Blood and Ash” / “Flesh and Fire” by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Both are immortal, shrouded in darkness, presented as enemies, and then revealed to be heroes (in their way), although Casteel and Nyktos are the protagonists of two sagas (main and prequel), both are united by the power of shadows, by the vengeful soul and ready to sacrifice themselves for the love of their respective beloved, Poppy and Sera. Proof that love can overcome any obstacle and be the key to immortality, these two shadow daddies remind us that appearances can be deceiving and that sometimes they can surprise us in unexpected ways.
Will – “Dark Rise” by C. S. Pacat
In a world where magic seems to have disappeared and the battle between Light and Dark is long forgotten, dark forces move to upset the (already precarious) balance of an alternative London of the early 1800s and ensure the return of the Black King. Fate will assign Will, together with James and his friends, the task of preventing this from happening: but the shadows are closer than ever, so much so that preventing them from settling in the heart of the protagonist is impossible. Perhaps, then, there is nothing left to do but embrace that darkness, and learn to control it, before it controls us…
Wrath – “Kingdom of the Wicked” by Kerri Maniscalco
One of the princes of Hell, king of the house of Wrath and shadows, demon and unscrupulous, Wrath is the last ally one could want to achieve one’s goals. But if these goals are secret and with questionable morals, such as those pursued by the protagonist Emilia, then one can do nothing but fall into his trap of seduction: impossible to trust him, but also impossible to resist him, is the representation of the concept “keep your friends close, but your enemies even closer“. Until, with their obscure presence, they become something more.
Hades – “A Touch of Darkness” by Scarlett St. Clair
In this contemporary retelling of the myth of Hades and Persephone, the god of the dead is represented exactly as we imagine him: lethal, unscrupulous, and powerful, he loves darkness, challenges, but above all impossible bets. Like the one that will see him irremediably linked to the young Persephone, with whom he will create a bond of forbidden love so strong that he will be able to challenge the gods. Needless to say, he has dark hair, an intimidating appearance, questionable morals, and a dangerous reputation. Do we need to say more?
