About the Book
Barrington University is home to the Lords — a secret society of the most powerful men in the world, built on blood, violence, and power. Each year, during their senior year, the Lords are granted a “chosen one.” When Ryat Alexander Archer chooses her, the narrator believes she’s finally found a way out of the rigid, planned-out life her wealthy family built for her. Instead, she’s pulled into a world of manipulation, ownership, and danger where the only way out may be death. The Ritual is Book 1 of Shantel Tessier’s L.O.R.D.S. series.
Why Readers Love This Book
- The original, viral start to the USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling L.O.R.D.S. series
- An over-the-top, jealous, possessive hero archetype that dark romance readers seek out by name
- A slow descent from glamorous secret-society intrigue into genuine danger and stakes
- Sets up the entire L.O.R.D.S. world that six more books now build on
Who Should Read The Ritual
Perfect for readers who want to start dark romance from the very beginning of a beloved series — fans of secret society romance, dubious-consent dynamics, and morally grey, controlling heroes. Content note: this is an explicit dark romance with intense themes including power imbalance and dubious consent; content warnings are listed inside the book. Recommended for mature readers 18+.
About the Author
Shantel Tessier is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, and The Ritual remains one of her most talked-about series openers.
Series note: Book 1 of the L.O.R.D.S. series. Continue with The Sinner, then The Sacrifice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Ritual the first book in the L.O.R.D.S. series?
Yes, The Ritual is Book 1 and the best starting point for the series, followed by The Sinner and The Sacrifice.
What edition is this listing?
This is the A Rnative Cover edition paperback, 552 pages, published by Dark Angel Creations LLC.
Is The Ritual appropriate for all readers?
No — it’s an explicit dark romance with intense themes and is intended for mature readers 18+; content warnings are listed inside the book.
Can The Ritual be read as a standalone?
It can be, but since it’s the series opener, reading it first gives the fullest experience of the L.O.R.D.S. world.
People Also Ask
Is The Ritual the same as The Sinner?
No — The Ritual is Book 1 of the L.O.R.D.S. series; The Sinner is the separate Book 2 that follows.
Does The Ritual have a happy ending?
It ends on a cliffhanger typical of series openers — the couple’s arc continues and develops further across the following L.O.R.D.S. books.
Is The Ritual a fantasy romance or contemporary romance?
It’s a contemporary dark college romance, not fantasy — set at a real-world elite university rather than a fantasy world.
Specifications
| Title | The Ritual |
| Author | Shantel Tessier |
| Publisher | Dark Angel Creations LLC |
| Publication Date | 1 May 2023 |
| Edition | A Rnative Cover ed. |
| Language | English |
| Binding | Paperback |
| Pages | 552 |
| ISBN-13 | 979-8988704904 |
| Weight | 730 g |
| Dimensions | 15.24 x 2.84 x 22.86 cm |
| Genre | Dark Romance / New Adult |
| Series | L.O.R.D.S. Book 1 |
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