I fell in love with the cover and the color so I just requested, unfortunately it was not what I thought and it didn't do it for me.

Calling this Fantasy Horror is a bit of a stretch, slightly disappointing since that’s 100% the reason I wanted to read it. This is straight up romantasy. Which I think a lot of people will prefer! This was an intriguing read with worldbuilding dispersed throughout the story rather than info-dumping in the beginning. I enjoyed the characters, particularly the leads, and liked that it was dual POV. The passages from their lore was definitely my favorite part but gave a bit too much of the twists away (though it was blindingly obvious where things were going anyways). The ending did set up for a great sequel so I’m curious to see where the story goes! The story is centered around acceptance of who we are and I think that was very well-done.

While this felt a bit young for me, I think a younger audience will definitely enjoy it.

I was provided an ARC of this title for free by the publisher and NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This deliciously binge-worthy upper YA (NO 🌶️) romantasy has a lot to offer readers, including but not limited to: an enemies to lovers slow burn romance between a broody MMC and headstrong FMC, both of whom have a history of trauma, a mysterious adventure, and a world you’ll be captivated by. This is a story you’ll happily lose yourself in.

Those last handful of chapters really turned me on my head there, providing a hearty dose of pain and a cliffhanger to go hand in hand with it. I, like so many others, will definitely be on the lookout for the second book of this series.

Thank you Entangled Teen Publishing for the e-ARC.

Thank you Entangled and Netgalley for the ARC

While I wont say that this book was bad the whole story just felt flat and un established to me. The Romance if you can call it that starts off weird and just progressively gets even more irritating while feeling very rushed and underdeveloped. The FMC was brash to self centered for my liking. I like a character with good confidence a great independent fierce FMC is great but this one felt a little to young and cocky rather than anything. I get why this book is popular and while the plot wasn't the most thought out it was good and I did enjoy it I just feel it would have been better if the characters were a little more developed and likable.

Thank you to the publisher for my arc.


I didn’t end up loving this as much as I thought I would and that’s due to it not really standing out to me from all the other books I’ve read

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC of this book. It was the first I’ve read by Katherine Quinn but it won’t be the last. I loved how well balanced the plot was and how the characters themselves were written and portrayed. Kiara is a badass and I love that in a main female character. The whole trope of female knight has been a favorite of mine since I first witnessed it in game of thrones so that was a bonus as well. 4.8/5 stars and will definitely be buying a physical copy. I already can’t wait for book 2

If you're looking to read a character driven romantasy, definitely pick this one up, the mythology and the slow-burn romance and the well-developed plot (with chapter headers that provide increasingly informative hints about the past as the story progresses) were amazing!

The twist at the end was so cool 😭

Also, THE CLIFFHANGER. ahhh. I need book 2 😭

TWs - death of loved ones on page, violence, murder, isolation of a person in a community because of their scars

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

Badass FMC and a morally grey MC?!?! Sign me up. This was so phenomenal. I loved the plot twist, the prophecy, all the characters. Just everything about it was great. And that ending?!?! Jesus I need more asap

I adore Katherine Quinn’s books, so I was beyond thrilled to get an arc of the first book in her new Mistlands series. To Kill a Shadow is a fantastic start to the series. It’s action-packed, immersive, and suspenseful with a well-paced and layered plot, dynamic characters, and a swoon-worthy love story that had my whole heart.

Quinn is an amazing storyteller, and I found myself quickly sucked into this bleak and harsh world and the characters who live in it. The story takes place in a world that has been plunged into darkness for the last fifty years, and Kiara is a young woman, the only woman, drafted to serve the kingdom by battling the mist and the monsters who live there. Kiara, with many other young men, goes through a grueling and perilous training led by an enigmatic and ruthless commander.

Kiara is a layered and compelling protagonist, as is Jude, the commander. She’s brave and skilled, and she’s a strong leader among the trainees. She stands out, and not just because she is the only woman soldier. Her quick thinking, training, and determination attract the attention of many, most of all Jude. He’s drawn to Kiara from the moment he meets her, which is the antithesis of what you’d expect from this ruthless and merciless commander. I love Jude and how protective he is. I’m all for the moody, broody MMC who falls first, and Jude delivers. He has a heartbreaking story, and I so wanted this man to find happiness. The story is told from both Jude’s and Kiara’s points of view, which adds depth and dimension to both characters.

The character development is balanced well with a quick-paced and action-filled plot. From the deadly and dangerous training to the journey into the Mist, the story is intense! And the world-building is as layered as the plot and characters. I found the world so interesting and horrifying, and the lore and history are engrossing. It’s definitely the kind of plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

There are a bunch of secondary characters that are great too, and there are major found family vibes going on with the other recruits. Kiara forms some strong relationships with her peers, and they go through A LOT together. Some parts are brutal and harsh, but it’s appropriate for the world they live in. My heart broke more than once when reading, and I was completely stunned by a couple of the twists and revelations. It’s the kind of book that takes you through myriad emotions, and once I started reading, I found it tough to put the book down. I had to know what happened next!

I thought this was a fantastic start to the series, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next because, man, some of the stuff that happened toward the end HURT MY HEART. I would absolutely recommend the book to readers who like YA romantasy. Thanks to Entangled Teen and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book as I've never read the author, but I liked it! There were several plot twists and surprises that I was not expecting, which I appreciate in a book. I liked both the main characters but do wish there was more world building in the first book. As with most Fantasy/Romantasy books I've read, this one ends on a cliffhanger! If you are into YA Fantasy books, I'd recommend trying this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Entangled Teen and NetGalley for an e-arc!

I started out not sure about this book, then I got more into and liked it, and then I wasn’t into it again. I waffled over whether I was enjoying the book or not. I’m not exactly sure why I didn’t love the book, l definitely liked it, but I wasn’t as into it as I was hoping to be.

This book has A LOT of death in it. Like, I was not expecting as much death as there was! I will admit to being shocked about that. I felt it helped keep the tone of the book though, especially since a lot of it had to do with darkness and the receding of the light. There were dark moments throughout the entire book, but at the same time there were also lighter moments.

I did enjoy the romance between Jude and Kiara, and I wasn’t sure that I was going to at first. I was hesitant because I didn’t sense any chemistry between them in the beginning of the book. But by the middle I started to be able to see it.

I will admit, I had guessed at who the villain was, but it didn’t take away from the fact that I enjoyed the book. I think this was a solid start to a good series!

“Your first kill is the hardest” and “dangerous-and- brooding” are just a couple of lines to help summarize this book! It is a great read! If you’re looking for something with Wolves and Vampires, adventure and suspense then this book is for you! It is a book that makes you want to keep turning the page to figure out what happens next!

This coming-of-age YA Fantasy was absolutely fantastic. This book has amazing lore and world-building, characters I'm truly invested in, and a plot with a twist I didn't see coming.

MCs Kiara and Jude both have tragic backstories from their childhood and have very strong personalities because of that. I thought both MCs were really well done and worked well together as a budding romantic couple.

Add this to your tbr if you like:
💜YA coming-of-age Fantasy
💜Slow-burn, he falls first romance
💜Suspense, mystery, betrayal
💜Strong-willed FMC
💜Broody and Reliable MMC
💜Action, missions, unique lore
💜Hero's journey
💜Gods & prophesies
💜Game of Thrones vibes
💜Dual POV

I will definitely be impatiently waiting for book two! Tysm Entangled Teen Publishing for the ARC!

I haven't read anything by Katherine Quinn before, but I definitely will now. There was dark and wonderful world-building, a broody MMC and excellent suspense with a splash of romance!

Kiara, our FMC, wants to prove herself as a strong-willed recruit, and that she is just as capable (if not more so) than the men that surround her. Both Kiara and Jude, our MMC, are sent on a journey to bring the sun back to their moonlight plagued lands. They struggle with traumatic childhoods and how those events have shaped them into the people that they are. Together they work through that trauma and that they are more than their trauma (and a beautiful romance blossoms!).

It's YA fantasy with romantic angst, in a world that has been plunged into darkness for half a century. It is fantastic. It is beautifully written as well, with characters that I genuinely cared about.

Also, someone give Jude a hug.

Thank you Entangled Teen for a review copy of this one. All opinions are my own.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Teen for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Just the perfect amount of everything.

To Kill a Shadow by Katherine Quinn is a YA fantasy novel about Jude Maddox, who knows nothing of love or even light. He knows only his grim duty as the Hand of Death, to lead the Knights of the Eternal Star into a land filled with nightmares and certain demise. It’s only when he sees her—a young woman with wild, amber eyes who’s as fierce, defiant, and swift as the shadow beasts themselves—that he feels the warmth of life in his blood...The other Knights may fear their lethal commander, with his hard, merciless demeanor. Outcast Kiara Frey sees only a leader, a man who knows how to survive. Someone like her. But wanting him is as treacherous as the shadows themselves...and just as seductive. With a kingdom on the verge of collapse, the Knights must now venture into the darkest heart of the land and uncover the secrets of the misted shadows, where evil will prey upon their minds and feast on their flesh. It will betray their senses. It will surpass their nightmares. Most of them will die. But they have no other choice. Because the only way to fight the darkness...is to become it.

This book is the literal definition of angst, and I am here for it. He's dark and brooding, and she's a ray of sunshine. What more can I say? The suspense is there, the brooding and tension are so thick you can slice into it like. And I am more than happy to take a slice.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5/5 STARS

Genre: YA fantasy romance

Ahhh, I love fantasy romance and this book was great! Entangled Publishing always delivers the 5 stars reads. I have yet to read a bad romantasy from them!

This fantasy romance is filled with everything you could possible want! It sucks you in from the beginning with the action! It has all your favorite tropes: found family, enemies to lovers, bad ass female heroine, mythology, mythical beasts, magic, gods/goddesses, romance, a quest. The plot was very well done and the suspense perfectly woven in!

It is book 1 in a series that I will be reading the rest of. It does end with a cliffhanger.

If you enjoy fantasy romance, read this book!

Thank you Entangled Teen for the ARC!

This was my intro to K.Q. writing, the first thought was I love the cover but when I start reading I was delighted with then plot and the characters, immediately the story keep my attention from start to finish. Sorry NO SPOILERS!!! If you love read romance suspense mystery fantasy
with a strong female character this story is for you!!
Thanks to Entangled a Teen and NetGalley for the ARC copie

I would like to thank Entangled Teen and NetGalley for providing me with an egalley of this book to read and review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
The Hand of Death? Knights? Shadows? Monsters? Sign me up!
I was drawn to this book because of the cover. Can we just talk about how beautifully gorgeous it is? Did I initially want to judge this book by it's cover? I sure did. But then I read the blurb and it sounded like it would be totally interesting. I was ready for a broody knight who would be worn down by a girl whose power he could not even imagine.
Quinn is a new author to me so I'll start by talking about the writing. My only way to describe it is mediocre. It wasn't horrible, but it was honed. I noticed a lot of repetitive words, even in sentences strung together immediately. It frustrated me a bit. But I pushed on because I wanted to read the story and see where it went.
I'd say the pacing for this book is medium to slow. I wanted to action to really pop and move me through the book, but it just didn't do that. I actually found myself putting the book down. I even read a few other books in between as that sometimes helps me refocus. But it didn't speed the pace for me at all. The plot seemed to be all over the place. I could see there was some big secret that would be revealed at some point right away when the MFC has a moment in a cave, but then this theme was dropped for a long time before the author circled back to it. If you're going to introduce a theme and want it to be a great reveal at the end, you really need to be consistent with incorporating that into the book throughout.
World building, I cannot for the life of me tell you anything about this world other than there's a kingdom, they are fighting to get the light back into their world, and there's a realm where there are monsters. The world is dark and it seems it was meant to be a bit terrifying. At the beginning of each chapter there is a quote related to the lore or a missive meant to give us background. I know these quotes are there to help the world building but there was so much mystery to them, I really didn't see it happening. Plus, I feel like this particular writing technique has been used recently in other fantasy stories (particularly by this publisher) with much better results.
Let's talk about those characters. I didn't really connect with any of them. Especially the FMC, Kiara, and MMC, Jude, who were narrating the book. I usually enjoy dual POV, though I feel like third person works much better for fantasy. But if done right, you can certainly see the characters grow and develop and watch their arc. I didn't get that here. I did enjoy a few of the side characters. I would have liked to see more background earlier on. Things are kept so mysterious until the end it was really hard to have any empathy for the characters.. The MMC's partial background we get shows him as a tragic figure marred by what he has experienced. I feel like what is in his past would make him less likely to trust people or have him putting walls up. I do see it a bit but not enough to truly be part of his arc. I was happy the author attempted to build a strong FMC. One who also has tragedy in her past but chose to become strong and resilient despite her past. The insta-attraction/love really bothered me. The pair were essentially the enemies to lovers trope, but they never truly went through the enemy phase.. Once they were in each others presence consistently very close to the beginning of the book, it was obvious they were attracted to each other and would be together. But the tension and the building of the relationship just was not there.
The ending is not a cliff hanger, per se, but is does build onto at least a sequel if not more books for this series. I'm not sure if I will pick up the next book or not but I might be willing to give it a try if I knew there was some growth in the author's writing within the pages.
Overall the story was good but not great. I just felt way too much was lacking in how the world was built, the importance of the lore we learn at the beginning of the chapters, and what it all meant.

Q: What’s your favorite book you’ve read so far in 2023?

🌿Book Review🌿

🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿
Title: To Kill a Shadow
Author: Katherine Quinn
Genre: YA Fantasy, Romance
Pub Date: November 28, 2023
🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿

🌿Synopsis in comments

🌿My Thoughts
To Kill a Shadow is my newest obsession that I will spend the remainder of the convincing you all to read!

Kiara is such a fiesty, confident young woman. She doesn’t hesitate to stand up for what she believes in or fight to save those she cares about. She may be the only female chosen to train to defend the kingdom, but she has what it takes.

In contrast, Jude is known as the Hand of Death and yet he may not be the heartless killer everyone thinks he is. He’s been put in terrible situations and does what he has to survive.

I love how ying and yang Kiara and Jude are throughout the book. The banter, the push and pull of their relationship, it all works splendidly.

There were many unexpected moments, some of which really pulled at my heart! I had SUCH a hard time putting this book down. I’m not a big re-reader, but this is one I will re-read.

This book is such an adventure and I absolutely recommend it if you like secrets, darkness, and strong fighters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Teen for the opportunity to read this book. The review expresses my own opinions.

I loved this book! It's my first time reading this author, but it definitely won't be the last. Katherine's writing had me feeling like I was right there with the characters the whole time.

Even though it's not my typical genre - I usually go for romance - this horror-fantasy novel had a Stephen King vibe, with a secondary and relatively mild romantic subplot.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.