Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Writing Style: 3/5
Cover: 5/5
Representation: 4/5
Enjoyment: 4/5
Worldbuilding: 1/5
Overall: 4/5

This book had a lot of things going for it, and a few things that could have been improved. Overall, I really liked it.

First: The cover, which is what drew me to this book in the first place. This is a *gorgeous* cover. It's very clever and deceptively simple, and after reading the book and learning the meaning behind 'silver' and 'shadow' I love it even more. It's rare that you find such a perfect visual representation of an important story concept. I adore it.

The pacing was perhaps a little off, as the first 3/4 seemed really slow and then part four was a fast-paced barrage of events and POV changes. It was well done, however, and I actually would have preferred the first 3 parts to have a slightly faster pace to match.

I enjoyed the characters, though sometimes they felt a bit too... convenient? Like they popped onto the page fully-formed when needed to suit the plot. This is what ultimately made me knock a star off my rating - too much convenience, too little struggle, and too neat.

Also the worldbuilding was practically nonexistent and you could have plopped the characters down into just about any story and it would have proceeded much the same way. The city and palace were so incredibly generic that it made it difficult to connect with or care for the characters.

4.5 out of 5 stars!

Intriguing magic, mischievous thievery and a compelling rebellion topped with a good old fashioned hate to love romance. This was everything I needed in a novel.

Fast paced and gritty this story grips the reader from the first page and leads them on an incredible adventure.

If I had anything negative to say, it would be that there was a lot of focus on people's good looks and I feel that their personalities should have been highlighted more.

But it also gets points for being inclusive with regards to race, gender and sexuality. I think this is going to be one of the forerunners of this year's YA releases.

It was very well written I loved how the main character was such a strong female character she did an excellent job in having that character be able to open up and fall in love without seeming weak or losing her personality which is some thing that often happens. Loved how she was strong and powerful but not ridiculously invincible and she had a great blend of sarcasm and dark humor. The lesbian couple was a bit unnecessary however it wasn’t like being rubbed in our faces. The book was positively a page turner and was a perfect blend of action, girl power, and romance. Wish I had seen a bit more of what Dareks personality was and his hopes, fears and scars. Freya was a great side character and managed to be both presented and not overpowering although if there is a second book it would be really cool to have her view in it. I was kinda disappointed by Dareks brother Markus it really felt like he contributed little to nothing to the story and the story would have lost nothing if he wasn’t in it. The thing that stood out to me the most was how perfectly the author was able to portray Ren as cruel and selfish but help us to completely understand that it was her defense to protect herself from the world and instead of that making her seem weak she actually seemed stronger and gave me more respect for Ren because if the world doesn’t effect you then you feel none of its pain but to feel it’s pain and come out so strong from it is inspiring.

This story took me a little while to get into, which is what kept it from being a five star read. I felt really aggressively thrown into the story without too much groundwork. I wasn’t so much as confused because I knew that an explanation would be coming, but it still felt rushed.

HOWEVER this had a really strong finish! I loved the humor, I LOVE the main character and how the plot forms as you move your way through the chapters. I enjoyed that the darkness in the characters was explored as much as the light was. A lot of nature vs nurture. I’m extremely interested to see where this moves on to and I’ll definitely be buying this one for my collection!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely loved this book, and would read it over and over again. I know, I know, this exact story has 15,000 other books with exactly the same plot. I won’t get into spoilers, but it’s the same story, and I loved it!!!!

All characters in this book are exactly like many other characters in books. I could pin point each one as a nearly identical charter from another story. But for some reason, I don’t care and will continue to rave about this book forever.

I love Ren and I’m glad we get to see female characters outside their stereotypical roles. They have to be pretty, and dainty and follow orders. Well not Ren. She’s everything I want to be when I become a book character!

I am very happy to give me a great chance to read this ARC, and I was not disappointed at all, it is a fantastic story and I can't wait to go out on physique, but this kind of story I love.

My review on my blog (Lori's Bookshelf Reads) will be available on March 26th, 2020.

Actual Rating: 1.5 stars!

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley, in exchange for my honest review.

"I'd rather give up chocolate than my books."

I'm really not sure what I'm to expect about this book. It seems really interesting with the assassin and stuff, but honestly. I'm not even sure how much I'll be liking this book.

From what I've seen, there is a little bit of a queer relationship going on. When I saw this book, I thought this book was going to be another straight romance fantasy book, but I'd really hope I'm wrong because I want queer relationships in fantasy!

I'm not sure if my reading tastes has changed, but I'm not liking the switching POVs. There seems to be a lot of characters, and all of them doesn't seem very developed. I'm hoping that I'd like them, but I'm really not sure because it's still too early to tell about it.

Later in the book, I finally understand the characters just a tad-bit. None of them seems very developed and all seem to have the sameness to them. They just seem to have the same voice to them, and I do not feel emotionally invested with these characters one bit.

Normally, characters are one of the things I love especially if they develop. Now, this is the author's debut novel and I understand where she is coming from. One of the important things about a book is interesting characters, but I don't see anything unique about them. No spark in them that keeps me invested in this book. 

And they still remain to be one of the very boring characters I've ever read. I just didn't really see anything interesting about them, and felt meh so there's that.

Of Silver and Shadows seems very promising with it's fantasy take. Unfortunately, it kind of reminds me of a lot of fantasy books I've read, but still remains to be interesting.

I'm still so confused on what "silver" is. All I gathered that it's magic-but that's it. Where's the details in what it is. Why is it outlawed in this book? What makes it so dangerous? What is it? I want the DETAILS to it, but it seems to be very brushed off and I wished it wasn't. I would have had a better experience if "silver" was explained, if it is mentioned so often. I'm just really frustrated that this important thing is brushed off, and would have made the world-building in this book better!

The plot? I kinda felt like it was nonexistent for a good chunk of the book. We have a rebellion that I don't remember it's purpose, because this book was unmemorable. Magic being illegal, the hell is silver? And than nothing happens until the last ten chapters where it was rushed. 

There was this one part which is my absolutely favorite part of the entire book is the romance (if you can't tell it's sarcasm). And literally almost made me bang my head against the table, because it was so terrible!

*I need my tea* Anyways, the romance. The fuck? Okay, I'm a queer person who can't understand straight romance because why. I came across a part, and it made me sick and even more confused. Maybe it's because I'm A-spec I don't know, and I don't understand sexual/romantic desires. Like what is that first of all? 

Okay, after reading that part (again), it's still so weird. Here, there are two characters who just have banter and nothing else. I don't see chemistry (god, screw chemistry) between these two characters. And than all I see this entire chapter is I want you. from these two characters.

Okay, fine. Though, I always find weird that whenever two people are arguing (and their in love), than one admit's their feelings and than they both kiss. And the both agree they want each other. What? Okay? And just leave their argument at that?

What is the purpose of that? These characters don't have chemistry between them. It just seems to be very convenient for the romance aspect in books, and nothing else.  It doesn't even go well with the book or the plot Like why?! Do people really do this for nothing? Straight people confuse me, because they make no damn sense?

First of all, thank you Flux and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I first decided to request this book because someone compared the main character to Lila Bard, if anyone knows my reading preferences, she is my favorite! So I was super excited to dive into this!

Magic has been outlawed, and only royalty can wield silver. But Ren, a normal girl with no formal education. has the abilitiy. Ren is funny, whitty, strong, and determined. Thought to be murdered by King's Children, Ren must stay low. When she's offer the chance of the lifetime, she can't say no to a bit of gold! Throughout the book, Ren gets some serious character development, and it's awesome to see her progression through the story.

Of Silver and Shadow is told from 4 POVs, which is usually hit or miss for me, but I thought this book did it really well! The characters were all very well-rounded, and I think Ren and Kellen were my favorite! Overall, I really enjoyed the unique magic system. I was getting some slight Mistborn and ADSOM vibes from this, and overall really enjoyed the book!

This story was amazing! I read it all in one sitting! I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a great read. Cannot wait to buy it when it comes out.

Of Silver and Shadow wasn’t what I wanted it to be. I felt really lost, not being able to keep up with each crew of delinquents and what they wanted to do.

The characters were okay, Ren was just okay. I didn’t feel any special connection to any of them, sad to say. Not even Darek.

Overall it wasn’t really memorable and I’m so sad because one of my favorite authors loved this book and so I too, expected to love it.

I tried to get into this book a couple of times but I couldn't seem to get invested in the story. But one day i just really felt like reading this book and i was just hooked. I really liked the character and the world. Even though the writing is a bit rough at first and we jump right into the action (which can make us care less about the character) i just grew attached to this story as i was reading it. I just had a great time and i can't wait to read what Jennifer Gruenke writes next !

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with the ARC. I thought this was a great read! Kept me entertained for sure! Will read more from this author in the future.

Overall this was good but it was also predictable. I didn't see the end twist coming though. It looks like there will be a second book and yes I will read it

I was not the biggest fan of this book. Hence the three stars. It’s not that it was a terrible book, it just wasn’t what I prefer.
The 4 different point of views were overwhelming and at times confusing for me. I liked that we got to see the story as a whole and from different characters, but sometimes I would have to go back feeling like I missed something. Don’t get me wrong, I do like that we saw different POVs of the revolution and how things are seen differently from different characters.


Of course I am a sucker for romance so the slow burn was what kept me reading and I loved it so much. Definitely my favorite part of the book. Along with the plot and building of the setting. Overall, it was written well!

DNF at 75%.

I really wanted to like this book but I just couldn't find it in me. I would put it down, read something else, then come back to it but each time I found myself uninterested. It's a similar story to most other YA novels and it did little to stand out among them. Maybe I'll finish this book sometime in the future ( I mean I do only have 25% left) but for right now I'm done.

I am SO glad I was able to get a free copy of this book from NetGalley because it blew me away.
I love the whole world and story that Jennifer has created.
The 4 different point of views were just enough that it all tied in and not only seemed relevant but helped you see the story as a whole. Sometimes people can get carried away with POVs but I think this book had just the right amount and it didn’t confuse you or cause any lack of interest because of how many there were.
I love that we got to see all different sides of this revolution and the author did such an amazing job at showing that just because we seem or are supposed to see one way, it doesn’t mean that’s how we actually have to be.
The slow burn love that was happening was so great, in my opinion. Of course, we all knew it was going to happen, but it didn’t make it any less satisfying when the two of them finally admitted it to one another!
The world building done in this book truly was wonderful. I felt like I was right there in Denfell with all the characters. She described the perfect, slightly fantasy, slightly renaissance world and I loved it!
Overall the book really was so very enjoyable and I highly recommend going out and getting it in May!!

I appreciate the opportunity to get to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The cover caught my eye first and the description was enough to have me intrigued. I was hooked from the beginning of the story. I enjoyed how the author gave us solid main characters and their back stories while weaving them all together for a great story.
I really liked how the author used silver wielding as a different spin on the magical theme. It was definitely a page turner and I hope there will be more books with Ren, Adley, Derrick and my favorite Kellan! This is a good 4 star read.

Thos was given to me as an ARC from Netgalley and the publisher to review. All opinions are my own.

I was really excited to read the book, but then highly disappointed in characters, plot, and overall performance.

The disjointed 4POVs kept you from really immersing yourself in the book and none of the characters even Ren really never stood out to me.

I did like the growing friendships between characters, but ince again because the story dragged so much I felt like they didn't get much attention.

Overall, the book as whole wasn't that bad, but it wasn't that great either.

Of Silver and Shadow is a gritty, YA(ish), Magically Realistic Fantasy. It is a solid debut and also quite unputdownable! There are Revolutions, Coup(s), back alley ring fighting to the death... dum dum dummmm... and killer assassins that were raised from tiny little foundlings(?), groomed to be killing machines. There is forbidden love and a slooow burn that is almost too slow to believe... plus extremely iffy wooing dialogue that is both uncomfortable and slightly painful (at times) to witness BUT I'm getting ahead of myself... back to the specifics.... The world building is good, the character development even better and the writing?? Well, the writing skillfully held my undivided attention... I was fully dialed in and absorbed. The pacing is on point, thankfully there are no lagging spots to slog through.

There are 4 POVs:

1) Ren -our Silver wielder, kick ass, antiheroine that cuts people at will with her sharp tongue and bleak outlook.

2) Darek- Ren's love interest and full time partaker in the Rebellion. We were repeatedly told just how handsome, loyal , handsome and brooding he was... did I mention he's handsome?? We were told this much too often and each time it niggled a little more, it felt insincere. Hopefully this will be ironed out here and avoided completely in book #2. Also, with regards to Ren and Darek, their dialogue was (often) stilted to the point that both the banter and the burn left me feeling cheated... but again, I'm hoping these things will be addressed and polished in book #2. If Ren's awkward romantic connection doesn't resolve itself completely, she can always go for the roguish royal with a gooey caramel center... which, by the way, I am SO here for... and speaking of which...

3) Kellen- the youngest princeling that has a heart of gold (to his father's chagrin), a gentlemanly nature and is painfully, classically handsome as well. He was unfortunately born into a family of sadistic vipers but still manages to be (undercover) sweet, thoughtful of others and their plights and man is he good at keeping secrets. Kellen was one of my favorite characters. I loved his roguish, multifaceted, reluctant ruler charm.

4) Adley- is one of the King's Children (bad ass killers who were trained up from tikes) who somehow manages to retain a shred of her humanity. She is nasty with a longbow, one part of a forbidden love assassin duo, and an all around badass character.


Then there is the Silver wielding. I get that information on magic, at the time, was scarce due to a purge BUT it could have been explained to us with a touch more detail... even just a smidge. It/we needed it and sadly, again, I felt jipped. Its form, function and scope are almost entirely unexplained and for it being such a central part of the story, it came up lacking.



Overall: this story is a strong debut by Jennifer Gruenke and an all around satisfying read. The way the (seemingly) separate lives of our MCs comes together is done skillfully. The ending is a bit Cliffy for my liking BUT I was left feeling that the foundation for the next book in the series was laid down nicely. The time I spent reading seemed to evaporate at an unbelieveable rate which is always a good sign. Even with the rough spots I mentioned above, it turned out being an enjoyable way to spend a quiet day. I enjoyed experiencing this story alongside the morally ambiguous chatacters and I wholeheartedly believe that those who love the genres I mentioned will find this book appealing... why not give it a go?

~ Enjoy

*** I was given a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review ***

5 reason why you must read Of Silver and Shadow by Jennifer Gruenke
Most of the time, if you have lucky you have the pleasure to find excellent books to get lost a few hours.
I have to say that I found one and is thanks to the team of netgally who give me an advance reader copy to enjoy this adventure.
That's why I found a way to convince to read Of Silver and Shadow an amazing book of Jennifer Gruenke
So, I will present you five reason why you must read this book of fights and love

1. A tough woman. Bye bye to the damsel in distress, Ren is going to fight and she didn’t have fear of anyone.
She can get out of trouble alone and on top of that she can manage a house where street children without family can live

2. Romance everywhere and diversity. It’s not only the non-wanted love that finally fall into place of a men and a woman, you can also find this kind of cute love of two girls who will fight against everything to save the person who love.

Likewise, you will find conquests, romance and one night's love of women and men.

3. Fights in every corner. But wait! is not only men’s fights a really tough woman will be hunting the dreams of some men because she sucks the life of them.
In those pits you will find also the royalty someone who you can’t imagine and he will surprise you.

4. You will have goose bumps because of the villains of this book. Why the writers have to be so cruel and create the most awful person?
There are three in special who I can’t stand: Heath, the king and one mobster that at the end I hate him

5. Unexpected twists: seriously I can’t imagine none of the events of the books. Even in the end