A popular trope for male love interests within the romance-fantasy (romantasy) book genre. It is a common phrase found on BookTok.
A Shadow Daddy often has the following characteristics: 1) tall, dark, and handsome, 2) a tortured and traumatic past, 3) a “tough guy” exterior that terrifies most people (with the exception of the female interest usually), and 4) the ability to wield some type of shadow/darkness/night magical power.
A “Shadow Daddy” often begins a story as a misunderstood character that initially comes off as cocky or intense, and the female love interest usually dislikes him at first. But eventually the Shadow Daddy’s true personality ends up shining through — honorable, selfless, kind, protective, a willingness to be seen as a villain for the greater good, and LOYAL to a fault — and through this he eventually wins over the female love interest. Bonus points if he ends up worshipping the ground the female love interest walks on.
He’s almost always dominant in the bedroom, but never so dominant that he disregards the female main character’s agency. Extra bonus points if he uses his shadow powers in the bedroom as bondage, or he loses control over his shadow powers when he climaxes.
Some popular examples of characters that embody the “Shadow Daddy” trope:
Rhysand from A Court of Thorns and Roses
Azriel from A Court of Thorns and Roses
Dorian Havilliard from Throne of Glass
Xaden Riorson from Fourth Wing
Nyktos from Flesh and Fire
A Shadow Daddy often has the following characteristics: 1) tall, dark, and handsome, 2) a tortured and traumatic past, 3) a “tough guy” exterior that terrifies most people (with the exception of the female interest usually), and 4) the ability to wield some type of shadow/darkness/night magical power.
A “Shadow Daddy” often begins a story as a misunderstood character that initially comes off as cocky or intense, and the female love interest usually dislikes him at first. But eventually the Shadow Daddy’s true personality ends up shining through — honorable, selfless, kind, protective, a willingness to be seen as a villain for the greater good, and LOYAL to a fault — and through this he eventually wins over the female love interest. Bonus points if he ends up worshipping the ground the female love interest walks on.
He’s almost always dominant in the bedroom, but never so dominant that he disregards the female main character’s agency. Extra bonus points if he uses his shadow powers in the bedroom as bondage, or he loses control over his shadow powers when he climaxes.
Some popular examples of characters that embody the “Shadow Daddy” trope:
Rhysand from A Court of Thorns and Roses
Azriel from A Court of Thorns and Roses
Dorian Havilliard from Throne of Glass
Xaden Riorson from Fourth Wing
Nyktos from Flesh and Fire
My favorite Shadow Daddy is Rhysand from ACOTAR. Instead of hiding the darkness that exists inside of him, Rhys weilds it as a weapon for the greater good. He’s also handsome, devoted to Feyre, and good in bed. He’s my Shadow Daddy.
by Booktokkie August 07, 2024
Shadow titties are in reference to a female who is strongly equipped in the chest region but hides them well under clothes etc..
by Dr. Hiemlich January 11, 2020
by NoShoesGuy May 07, 2022
by The devil in pink November 29, 2020
shadow jacking is where you are jacking off secretively like in a meeting room, in public(Just don't get a charge) or at a party
"Late at night, he thought no one was watching, but little did he know his roommate caught him shadow jacking behind the curtain, thinking the darkness made him invisible"
by Succc33d June 21, 2025
Shadow Hopping is when a person sneaks out at night wearing dark clothing and sneaking around neighborhoods pulling small pranks on people. These pranks can range from misplaced objects, to straight up vandalism. This activity is often participated in by bored teenagers.
by SkepticRo July 17, 2021
No! Not Shadow Fever!
by Cwf1997 August 03, 2021