REVIEW: Beast by Denver Shaw (Legends Series)

- September 04, 2026

BEAST

Legends Series

by Denver Shaw

Release Date: September 4, 2026

Review

The Beast is a sentinel of the forest. Living alone with only the Monster Network as regular contact.

Then a photographer trying to find himself rents a cabin in his territory, and he can’t seem to stay away. Despite being a city boy who photographs weddings and the like, he fits beautifully in nature.

It’s a slow burn with a hefty length, but there’s some great dialogue, a little cryptid intrigue, and some great lore.

I especially loved Calder turning to Boone for advice!

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Synopsis

A grumpy cryptid falls for his sunshine human.

I didn’t come to Wisconsin looking for a legend. I came to get out. Out of staged smiles. Out of corporate campaigns. Out of photographing happiness that felt manufactured.

I was supposed to spend two months in the woods. No clients, no deadlines, just open sky, real silence, and nothing that needed editing.

What I find instead… is Calder.

Seven feet of muscle and shadow and ancient forest stillness.

He doesn’t trust humans, but I don’t scare easily. And the more time I spend with him, the harder it is to ignore the way he looks at me. The way his body reacts when I get too close. The way mine answers.

But the forest isn’t as empty as it looks. There’s something else out there. Calder won’t name it—only follows its movement, and keeps himself between me and whatever’s slinking through the trees.

And I’m starting to understand that whatever he’s been guarding me from isn’t the only danger in these woods.

I should leave… but I don’t. Because knowing that doesn’t change anything.

I still want him.

And the worst part?

He wants me too.

Enter the Legends world, where National Parks hold secrets—and monsters steal hearts.

About Denver Shaw

Denver Shaw is a girl who enjoys the simple things in life: the first sip of coffee in the morning, the changing colors of sunset, and clothes fresh out of the dryer- although she doesn’t enjoy folding them. When she isn’t reading romance stories, she spends her time plotting and writing them.

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