Thank you for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

I enjoyed this book, but I wasn't much of a fan of the pacing - every other page something dramatic happened and that even though the 'Shadow King', who has been established to be the big bad villain on several occasions, hardly gets any page time.
Also I expected a more in-depth exploration on Ava's feelings, but not only does she fall in love instantly, but she also apparently forgets about how she felt just a few days ago only to remember and be torn between two men when it's convenient for the plot, or the reader should be reminded of the fact that she's not fully committed to Aldin.

The whole book started off strong and the plot was all over the place, but still interesting and incredibly fast-paced. However the whole insta-love trope isn't a favourite of mine and the fact that every character was quick to change their feelings about someone else didn't exactly help. I'd have loved to explore the inner struggles of Ava more as well as see more of the rest of the characters express their's rather than being told how they do.

Worldbuilding wise there is still a lot to explore and a lot of potential - still not sure how I feel about the ending of the book just now though, might have felt a bit too convenient how everything fell into place.
[posted on review and will be up on bookstagram later today]

real rating 3.5
This book was very surprising. At first, it was a bit hard for me to get into the story but everything changed once Callan came along. I love romance so when there's romance you hook me immediately.
I think the plot was good and the characters were interesting but I didn't love them. Except for Callan, I think. However, I liked how mature their decisions were, well Ava not that much. I'm a bit conflicted with her. I found her a bit childish and inconsistent. The world-building was also good and you can easily imagine it.
I know many people didn't like the ending but I think it wasn't that bad. At least, it ended like I wanted it to end. But it was a bit rushed. Actually, I think all the romance was a bit rushed.
However, is still a light entertaining fantasy read.
Thanks Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. This is my honest and voluntarily opinion.

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review, contains spoilers

Ava is a princess who is protected by the crown and her father, while her only desire is to fight for her kingdom. Her father believes that she needs to stay unseen at the court so that he can sell her to the highest bidder to further the kingdoms political advantages. So of course when her best friend leaves for the front lines of the war she joins him.

This book is a good read, however, there are a few issues I had with it. The dialogue at times read as choppy and not fully developed. The mental dialogue between Callan and Ava was confusing, as it was hard to tell if someone was speaking out loud or not. The writing also didn't feel fully developed, as the character's thoughts seem to change so as to fit the story (ie. Being an outcast in the army and then calling them her friends to Pria). As well, the world building could have been fleshed out more to provide a better experience for the reader. The knowledge provided feels more like a sequel than the first book.

Ava is a princess that has been hidden for most of her life. She is to be kept away from the lustful court (her father’s words) until she is ready to be sold to the best potential political ally. Of course, Ava is not happy with her boring and sheltered life, she dreams about leaving the palace and helping her people. That’s why, when the occasion arises, she leaves for the front with her best friend, where things don’t really go as planned. Ava meets some Magus and Turnskin (people with the ability to shift), and soon realizes that what she was led to believe about them is quite wrong.

The world-building could be more developed. We know that there are kingdoms at war, that the Magus have magical abilities, but are outsiders, and the Turnskins are shapeshifters, but they are worth nothing according to the king and they live hidden in the woods. There is potential for political moves, complex relationships, and different worlds and cultures, but we don’t really see it, and we don’t have enough backstory about the different groups involved.

The writing felt choppy at times, and the dialogues were not the best. Some characters can share their thoughts through a mental bond, but it was hard sometimes to tell if the characters were talking to each other or communicating through telepathy. The story was easy to follow, but it also lacked some depth (as did the characters). The characters are nice, but everyone is good (except for the few villains) and feels unidimensional. It would have been better is some of the characters were morally grey or at least had more depth. There is a hint of betrayal coming from one character, but it’s swiped away as soon as it appears in the story.

There are also inconsistencies in the plot, and overall, it felt as if the characters' thoughts and feelings shifted to accommodate the plot, rather than the other way around. For example, when she travels with her friends, he keeps her isolated because he does not want anyone to realize who is traveling with them. After an ambush resulting in the death of many soldiers, she refers to the soldiers as "her friends" because the author needs her to go through a personal loss, but she never said a single word to any of them and does not know the name of most of them.

Another issue that I had with this book is the insta-love between Ava and Callan. Their relationship was so fast-paced there was no time for me to process what was happening, and the next thing I know is that she is jealous because he is talking to another girl, and he proclaims his eternal love for her because they are (apparently) mates. It just annoyed me honestly. The whole telepathic part where Callan accidentally projects thoughts such as “she’s really beautiful” or “don’t touch her, she’s not for you”, was not cute. It was weird. And later on, they had whole telepathic conversations while being far away from each other, but it was not cute or sweet, it just made me roll my eyes because everything progressed so fast between them (and I am most definitely NOT a fan of insta-love).

This story was told from the point of view of Ava a noble princess who craves to be more than just another noble women behind a veil. I quickly connected with Ava and felt that I understood her motivation even though I did not always agree. The story in some ways revolves around an unconventionally love triangle which explores different types of love. My favourite love story featured in Kingdom of Shadows and Dust is that over Ava and her younger brother the heir to the kingdom. I enjoyed the sneak peek into other cultures within the Kingdom of Shadows and Dust universe though sometimes they felt a little rushed and I would like to know more.

Overall, I really enjoyed this read and I definitely recommend this book. I plan to explore more books by Sherry D Ficklin.

Kingdom of Shadows and Dust is released in September 2021!

https://pjsandbooks.wordpress.com/2021/04/27/kingdom-of-shadows-and-dust/

I have very mixed feelings regarding this book. I very much enjoyed the initial plot and concept and where the story was headed. But for some reason the story ended up not moving forward bur rather stayed in a back and forth cycle for no reason. Throughout the story the things that I liked were paired with things that I did not enjoy.

I really liked the characters, but all of them lacked emotional depth. Ava's character had so much potential but after she acted like a child time after time, her badassness started to fall flat. Also supposedly she did everything for her brother and kingdom, yet throughout the book her actions suggested the opposite. The same is true for all the male characters, and I wanted to like the Shadow King so much.

all the relationships, be it friendship, love, hate etc. felt forced and superficial. None of the realtionships evolved, had substance or made me feel anything. Quite obviously I wasn't able to connect with any of the characters in this book.

The story had so much potential as well. The worldbuilding was great with unique races like the magus and the turnskin. However it lacked the details to sell it. The plot was interesting and got me hooked for like 20% of the book then it went nowhere even though I kept hoping for it to pick up. There were many things happening but all of those scenes were rushed and again lacked detail. It also very much felt as if the writer couldn't decide if she wanted to write a book for teens, young adults or adults.

I believe that with some revision this story would have massive potential but as it was it just wasn't gripping enough and was a near dnf for me.

Thank you for Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

So, I expected from the cover and the first few chapters a novel about a badass princess fighter who was going to ride into war and be tough and amazing. What I got, was a novel about love and all the different types of love, and you know what? I’m not mad about it. It started with some weirdly formal language that was a bit clunky and hard to get into, but after that fell away into something more readable the story kept drawing me in and I never knew what would happen next. I read this so quickly and liked it much more than I expected. It was more realistic than I expected, about someone changing the future in the way that they had the power to do so; being the princess, sometimes the prize, the barterer the victim, if it served her purpose best. This was an enjoyable and surprising read. Each character had depth and motivations you could understand. The political undertones of the novel that guided decisions made everything feel… real. Basically, I’m impressed. It’s a great YA novel that has an unexpected story to tell.

Three and a half
This started out as quite a typical YA fantasy with a Princess who felt she should change the world or at the very least her little part of it. Ava is quite spoiled and definitely very headstrong but I did feel that she honestly wanted to do the best for her kingdom and its people. She feels stifled by the way females are perceived and frequently ventures out to spend time away from the palace. Things come to ahead when she clashes with family about the war they are in the midst of and how things need to change so Ava sneaks out to join her best friend as he tries to protect a vulnerable grain store . As battle rages Ava realises they cannot win and as those around her fall she's forced to run but has she ran toward safety or even more danger ?
There's an interesting assortment of characters here and I particularly liked Bridger who has always been Ava's cohort when it comes to mischief although hasten to add theirs is a refreshing platonic relationship. We are introduced to people who possess magic who as the story progresses added much needed levity with their somewhat brazen behaviour. Then of course there are those who can shift into Wolves , a race of people persecuted by not only the King but also the neighbouring Kingdom with whom they are at war. Which brings me to those who attack Ava and this is when the author added a character to test Aca's resolve.
I will say no more but yes there is the almost obligatory love triangle but as this story ended a strange resolution that leads me to wonder how things will progress in the next book. It's left in such a way that as much as I was happy for Ava there are still things in motion that leave at least two characters on a precipice. These are likeable characters in an unfortunate situation and I am intrigued to know what will happen next.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from NetGalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

I really struggled with the pacing and overall writing style of the book. The premise was interesting and the characters were okay, but ultimately this book just fell flat for me.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my exclusively my own.

I was excited for this book however I was ultimately disappointed by it.

My main issue with this book is the writing itself. I didn’t like the pacing, world building or character development. I found most of the characters to be very one dimensional and so many scenes felt rushed that I couldn’t feel connected to them, their relationships or the world itself.

This book is about the struggle of following ones own dreams vs doing what they believe is best for their people and those they love who rely on them. There is a lot of inner turmoil. It also deals a lot with the limited role of females in some cultures. “ there is no power in my title, no sway or authority. Being a princess in Ankara is to be silent, unseen, and insubstantial in the world.”

I really enjoyed the dialogue. There is a lot of great, fun banter. I smiled often and even laughter at times.

“Or if I am to be paraded out for your court like a prize pig, perhaps you prefer I hold an apple in my teeth?” He steps forward, closing the space between us and whispering, “Are you afraid we’ll eat you, Princess?” “I’d happily let you devour me, if only I were sure you’d choke on it.”

Ava is such a wonderful character. She is strong, feisty, speaks her mind, and is comfortable with being herself. The chemistry between Ava and every other character was great.

I did enjoy this book a lot, but the ending really frustrated me. It was very rushed. It could have used another hundred pages. I don’t want to give up any spoilers, so I will just say that I didn’t care for the author’s choices at the end.

Some of my favorite quotes:
“I will not fall, Father, of that I am certain. I was born to soar.”
“Your power is your own; it is granted only by you and no one can take it from you.”
“I will always choose love. Hate is a burden I no longer have the strength to carry.”
“Strength doesn’t come at the tip of a sword; it comes from having the courage to make hard choices and the fortitude to carry the consequences.”

Thank you so much to TrueType Press for providing me with an ARC for an exchange of an honest review.

This was a decent fantasy read. The only thing I knew about it going into the book was that it featured werewolves after reading the cover and I didn’t really have any other expectations otherwise. I liked reading about Ava as a main character--she’s definitely determined, strong-willed, and confident in herself, which I admired. The world building was interesting to read about too and I had fun following Ava on her journey and visiting the various courts while reading this book.

The main thing that I didn’t like about this book was how rushed it felt. If you like books that are fast-paced, you probably will enjoy this book because it felt like I was speeding from scene to scene. I normally do like fast-paced books, but the pace of this book made me feel more confused than excited about what was going to happen next. I think this also affected the relationship between the characters as well, such as Ava and Callan. I had a hard time believing their relationship because of how rushed it felt and because of the insta-love trope.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, medieval-esque fantasy read with interesting world building, I’d recommend reading Kingdom of Shadows and Dust!

I received this book for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

Not was I was expecting. In a great was!! I really enjoyed this and can't wait to read more.

Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read kingdom of shadows and dust.
Firstly this draws you in from the get go wolf shifters Kings, castles what's not to like, however whilst the story sounds great and the characters are enjoyable the ending was a let down.

I loved the development of this story, Ava was amazing character and her development was an interesting one. The only reason this isn't a 5 star for me is because of the ending. It disappointed me a bit but i hope the story continues as i feel there is more to be told about these characters and the repercussions of the end.

Kingdom of Shadows and Dust follows Ava, a princess whose kingdom is embroiled in a war with a neighboring kingdom. As Ava becomes more immersed in the war, she finds out that things are not always what they seem, and as she uncovers greed, secrets, and power-hungry motivations, Ava must decide who and what she is fighting for.

Ava wants to be more than just a princess and a political pawn and spends much of the story on a physical, as well as an emotional, journey. She learns so much about herself and what kind of leader she wants to be. She learns what it means to be strong. Above all, she understands that there are many different kinds of love, and all are worthwhile and good. Ava grows and learns so much over the course of the story, and she never loses that fierce determination to help her people.

I’m still not sure how I feel about the love triangle. I like both of Ava’s potential love interests and can totally see her with both. They both have a deep and profound respect for Ava, though one seems to truly love her, which makes sense since he’s Ava’s fated mate. He, like Ava, is willing to sacrifice anything to see her protected and happy. The other potential romance has a lot of chemistry and witty banter and is promising, but it isn’t as deep and strong as the first. It’s interesting to see who Ava chooses as she grapples with staying true to her heart and doing what is best for her brother and her people.

I love some of the other relationships Ava had, including her lovely bond with her younger brother and her long-lasting friendship with her best friend. Ava’s motivation often stems from protecting those she loves, especially her brother, which says a lot about her character and the strength of their love. And I love that she has such a strong relationship with her best friend. They have been so close for so long that they act more like brother and sister than friends, and it’s clear that they love each other (in a totally platonic way). And I think that’s what at the heart of this story – love. What are you willing to sacrifice to protect those you love? Can love conquer all? Is there room in one’s heart for many different loves? Do people show love in different ways?

I do wish there was a bit more world-building, as I found so many aspects of the book really interesting. The story introduces many different kingdoms, lands, people, legends, and magical elements, but they weren’t as vividly described as I had hoped. However, I believe this is the first book in the series, and these elements will probably be developed more in future books.

Overall, this is an enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading more by this author. The story is filled with action, romance, political drama, battles, humor, natural disasters, secrets, betrayal, and more. I think readers who enjoy YA fantasy will enjoy Kingdoms of Shadow and Dust. Thanks so much to NetGalley, TrueType Press, and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I will post links closer to pub. date.

I received an e-arc of this in exchange for an honest review.

I had a lot of mixed feelings about this story.
I definitely enjoyed the plot and thought the story was quite different with the Magus(similar to fae) and Turnskins(Werewolves) present throughout the book.

It was a fast paced read, but that may have been just because I read it in one sitting. It features all the things I enjoy in fantasy, royalty, betrayal, love.
I had thought I knew where the end was going and I was slightly disappointed because I really adored Callan and that’s what I wanted.
I wasn’t much of a fan of Aldin, I think he always seemed to try too hard, but he does make a good king.
Whilst the world building was there, it was lacking and I felt I didn’t know too much about any of the countries featured. And I would have loved more backstory on Callan and the Magus.

But overall, I really did enjoy this read. As I mentioned, I read it in one sitting and I definitely recommend this book.
It releases in September!

A story told from the point of view of a princess who wants to be more than just a noble woman. Ava has no desire to be a lady of the court and would rather fight with the army. She is stubborn and has been sheltered from the reality of what is beyond the castle walls, until she discovers for herself what battle is like. Ava loves fiercely, especially her little brother and will protect those she loves as well. Ava meets a Turnskin named Cassan, whom she has a special connection with, but Cassan keeps secrets from Ava. Ava ends up with the enemy king, who is more than he seems, for he wants peace between their kingdoms and begins negotiations. Ava's loyalty is to her brother, who is the heir, and will make sure it remains that way, even if she has to sacrifice herself. Ava's experiences have shown her what she must do in order to keep her people safe, even at her own expense.
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Let’s start with the good, once Ava broke free of the restraints of the castle, I really enjoyed her character development, and watching her view of the world crumble and be rebuilt was really interesting, and as a character I thought her growth was considerable, justified and interesting. She is on the strong end of female protagonists which I really enjoy reading.
I enjoyed the general plot/story, but I think they tried to pack too much into one book. I love a fast-paced book, but there were times where I had to go back a few pages to figure what was happening. The book is very dialogue heavy, but there wasn't a lot of travelling description, often the characters started each new chapter at the next location. I found that this took away from my personal experience in the world, but I suppose this is just preference.
One thing that I found really frustrating about this book was also that I was often left with more questions than answers. There are some amazing ideas and concepts in the world-building here, and I wish that these were explored or explained more thoroughly. The first section of the book highlighted Terem as a huge part of Ava's kingdom, I am still unsure, is this a religion? Ava struggled against Terem viciously but later in the book it is barely mentioned. The same goes for the magic systems, the Magus are introduced and it is suggested they are incredibly powerful, but there is little to no information on their gifts. The Turnskins are in a similar boat, we learn a bit more about them as a race, and how they came to be but were a lot of dropped comments that didn't seem connect with what we were being told.
I suppose looking at this it is arguable that Ava is simply an unreliable narrator, and the lack of information stems from her lack of knowledge.
My overall thoughts are that this book was an alright read. I loved the concept of the Turnskins and the Magus, I wish there had been more insight into these races, and a more in-depth look at the magic system. If you like a fantasy book which is more dialogue heavy and creative concepts of a magical world you might enjoy this book!
Not my favourite personally, but not something I regret reading. If this becomes a series I'd read the follow up to see if some of my questions have answers.

2.5 I’m so disappointed because I really thought I’d love this

At the start of the book we are introduced to our protagonist, Ava, who is the princess of the oppressive kingdom of Ankara and is dying for a way out of the path of arranged marriage laid out for her but her father. The book follows Ava’s journey of love, friendship, betrayal and uncovering if everything told by her father has been a lie. The premise of this story parallels From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout in several ways except it is just, unfortunately, a lot more boring.

The biggest let down in this book for me was the romance. I really did not appreciate the insta-love better Callan and Ava, I’d hoped we’d left that trope in 2015 but I guess not! Their relationship was so fast paced there was literally nothing to get me to route for them to be together at all, if anything, they just created a general sense of annoyance towards the story. Things started to look up when King Aldin was introduced and while the scenes of Ava in the Taurel Court were my favourite and by far the most interesting, there still felt like something was lacking. I feel like the synopsis promised some mysterious stranger and villain love triangle and just never came through. Instead Aldin was just a slightly misunderstood king and Callan a whiny wolf guy.

All that being said, I did really enjoy Ava as a character and also that her lifelong friendship with Bridger was a completely platonic one which is not often seen. As well as that, as I mentioned before, the scenes of Ava being kidnapped and held in the Taurel Court and slowly unravelling the truth while forming friendships really did pique my interest and if the whole book had kept me at that level of intrigue, this would probably have been a 5 star read.