Wow this book!! This was a fantastic YA romantic fantasy book and I want to immediately re-read it! Even if the last few chapters hurt. The twist at the end had me shooketh.

I am here for the tension and slow burn between Jude and Kiara. Both of these characters are amazing on their own, but when they are together *chefs kiss* perfection. Kiara is one badass strong woman and I want to be like her when I grow up. Jude is the brooding commander but is one big teddy bear when it comes to Kiara. I love these two so much!

Katherine Quinn not only makes you feel for the main characters but for all the side characters too. Just like Kiara, I wanted to protect Liam, Patrick, Jake, and Nic.
Seeing her become friends with them when she never really had friends was heartwarming. I also love the world building we got. This place sounds beautiful and scary all at the same time.

I highly recommend everyone to read this book when it's released. It has everything you could want in it. Romance, action, tension, twists, horror (that mist is terrifying), and everything in between. I can not wait for book 2!!!

This novel had wonderful world building and I honestly loved the plot and the characters chemistry throughout. Ki comes off as this protective strong character while our mmc Jude is broody and rude. Leading to great banter.

The plot line had twists and turns that I didn’t necessarily expect, and the ending? Blew my mind, what a crazy cliffhanger. I literally can’t wait for the second novel.

The pacing and flow was flawless, leading up to a beautiful element of self love that goes beyond the main characters. Buckle up and be ready for a wild ride!

Loved this book from the title, the cover and the characters and plot! I enjoyed that it was an easy read and would definitely recommend to my friends and family

Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Teen for inviting me to read and review this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Do not fear the dark. It was where we were born, and it is where we all shall die."

I hate to say it but To Kill a Shadow has the vibe of "if you've read one, you've read them all". Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the book and the characters but I feel like I've read pieces of it somewhere else before.

The romantic tension / attraction between Kiara and Jude is pretty hot. I liked their dynamic and development. The characters are entertaining to follow, and the writing style is fast paced and engaging. Like with all Entangled Publishing books, To Kill a Shadow will be another hit with romantasy lovers.

Make sure to pre-order so you can get the limited first edition with purple sprayed edges.

I'm kind of on the fence about my rating it would be either 3.5 or 4 stars.

To Kill a Shadow is a gripping, fantasy horror with a unique plot, morally gray characters, and a lot of darkness. Jude Maddox, the brooding and merciless leader of the Knights, is responsible for leading a team into the land of shadows, a land filled with nightmarish creatures and poisonous mist. In order to save his kingdom, Jude must successfully enter the dark, find three keys, and return alive. Unfortunately, no one ever survives the mist. Kiara, a young woman from a faroff village who has taken her brother's place among the Knights, is selected to be part of Jude's team. While Kiara is a fierce fighter and brave individual, she has a massive secret - one that if revealed would be her demise. Can Jude, Kiara, and her friends survive the land of shadows? Can Kiara keep her secret safe? And, can Jude save the kingdom from an all-consuming darkness?

To Kill a Shadow is beautifully written. I truly felt that I was in the land of shadows with the group. The characters are well-deveoped and all have their strengths and flaws. I especially loved Jude! I can't wait to read more of him in the next book. Kiara is a strong, brave, determined character. She is a fantastic female lead. The book is full of surprises and unexpected twists. The horror element of the book is also very well-done. The creatures are straight out of my nightmares. I will be highly recommending To Kill a Shadow. I cannot wait for the sequel! Easy five stars!

"To Kill A Shadow" is an absolute must-read if you enjoy reading in the YA Romantasy genre. I went into this book with high hopes and it was still better than I anticipated. One of the easiest 5 ⭐ ratings I have given out this Fall.

From start to finish the author pulled me into this storyline and sent my emotions on a rollercoaster ride. The characters are so well-developed and likeable, it was easy to become emotionally invested in this story. A found family trope will get me every single time. Pair that with slow burn tension, action , suspense, intrigue and romance. It makes for a fantastic read.

I've been recommending this books for weeks and I will continue to do so, seriously add this one to your TBR in my opinion it's definitely worth it.

Thank you Katherine Quinn, Net Galley and Entangled Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book!

"To Kill a Shadow" by Katherine Quinn is a dark and atmospheric fantasy horror that weaves a tale of shadows, duty, and forbidden desire in a kingdom shrouded in darkness.

The story revolves around Jude Maddox, the Hand of Death, whose grim duty is to lead the Knights of the Eternal Star into a nightmarish land filled with shadows and certain death. However, when he encounters Kiara Frey, a young woman with fierce determination and wild amber eyes, something stirs within him. Kiara sees in Jude a leader who knows how to survive, and a connection between them ignites. But their attraction is as dangerous as the shadowy creatures they face.

Katherine Quinn excels in creating an eerie and haunting atmosphere throughout the narrative. The kingdom enveloped in darkness serves as a chilling backdrop to the story, and the author's vivid descriptions make it easy to imagine the shadowy landscapes and menacing creatures that lurk within.

The characters, particularly Jude and Kiara, are complex and compelling. Jude's portrayal as the stoic and ruthless commander, juxtaposed with his inner conflict and vulnerability, adds depth to his character. Kiara is a strong-willed and resilient heroine, making her a perfect match for Jude. Their developing relationship adds an element of forbidden romance to the narrative, heightening the tension.

The plot is filled with twists and turns, and the sense of impending doom keeps readers on edge. The Knights' mission to uncover the secrets of the misted shadows is fraught with danger, and the story explores themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the consequences of embracing darkness to combat evil.

Quinn's writing is evocative and immersive, drawing readers into the nightmarish world she has created. The pacing is well-executed, with moments of intense action and suspense balanced by quieter, character-driven scenes that allow readers to connect with the protagonists.

"To Kill a Shadow" is a gripping and haunting fantasy horror novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy atmospheric and character-driven stories with a touch of forbidden romance. It explores the depths of darkness and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds, making it a compelling and memorable read.

Right from the synopsis I knew I was going to enjoy this book but I didn’t realize how much I was going to love it! Romantic fantasies have become my favorite genre recently and this book absolutely did not disappoint!

This book was good enough to make me pre-order a physical copy. I don’t enjoy slow-burn a bunch but this was so good that I didn’t even mind it. But MY FRIENDSSSSSS when he fell, and he fell first, homie was smitten!

Only complaints; why everyone gotta die?

Wow. This book is going to be everywhere once more people get their hands on it, or it's going to completely sell out. This is Fourth Wing level good! I was captivated from beginning to end (that end by the way, broke my heart.). Dark fantasy with amazing characters and an enthralling plot line. Great banter between the characters as well. The love story is beautiful with heartbreaking sacrifices. This is a story I could read again and again. This book leaves off on a cliffhanger and I'm looking forward to this series. We have so much to learn and uncover still. I ran to amazon to pre-order the sprayed edges edition!
Thank you to Entangled Teen and Katherine Quinn, I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley, Entangled Teen, and the author for the opportunity to review this book.

"To Kill a Shadow" is my first introduction to Katherine Quinn's work, and it was one that I quite enjoyed. What got me to first consider this book was wanting to branch out in my genre's and I was quite intrigued by the fantasy horror grouping this book was placed in. Add in the comparisons to "The Mist" if it had "Game of Thrones' Night Watch" and you have a very interested reader.

This series introduction is dual POV by our love interests, Jude and Kiara, and has helped solidify further my budding love for dual POV's. We get introduced right off the bat to a self-assured young woman of a FMC who has already spent most of her life training. Unlike most fantasy books that has our FMC's lately be the "rescued" we have one who can defend herself, and knows it, which frankly is a breathe of fresh air. Kiara is a little cocky, tough, and fiercely loyal, almost to a fault, of those she cares about. Her protective instincts are admirable and helped me grow fond of her on her journey of self-love and internal strength. Add in our brooding commander Jude, how can you go wrong with morally grey? grey is my favorite color of boy. The chemistry between the two, with a male who falls first, was fun and there early on in their interactions.

I enjoyed the pacing, the third act reveals, particularly the last chapters, were surprising and great twists that break your heart. Add in the little excerpts from books and letters at the start of each chapter you start to piece together the world and backstory in the lore of this world in a fun way that isn't all "tell".

I can honestly say this was a pleasant introduction to Katherine Quinn's writing and I anxiously await the next installment in this series. I can see the groundwork for a greater over arching adventure and am excited to see how Quinn lays it all out as the books continue. If you're looking for a book with a badass FMC with Gods and creepy monsters in the mist and a slow-burning young romance. Give "To Kill a Shadow" a chance, this is the book for you.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the advanced readers copy.

Overall I enjoyed the book. It took a while to get into the story as the world building and character development was slow.

By the last third of the book, I was hooked. Cannot wait for the continuation of Kiara and Jude’s story..

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
I loved the tension between Kiara and Jude, each had their reservations and it kept me wondering about their next move.
The world in the book was really detailed and nicely described. No info dumps that feels awkward. Likewise, the characters had backbones and there were not a move that was just aimed to stretch the story.
As a YA book, I enjoyed the romance Kiara and Jude had. They started a journey to bring the sun back, and their individual background, their vulnerabilities made them perfect for each other.
There was not a page that I felt bored to move on, the story gripped me feom the beginning. Action was adequate, dialogues were adequate.. I will definitely moving on to the Azantian trilogy by Katherine Quinn!

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

The Cover is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful and the colors make it seem mystical and mysterious. The title and blurb made me even more curious so I was glad I got this eARC!

Because of an illnes it took me ages to finish but I didn't want to put it down which was a struggle because I needed to know what would happen but at the same time I really needed some rest. Katherine Quinn's writing style had me hooked from page 1. Normally I skip or skim little quotes and excerps before chapters but I read every single one here because they fit so well and they actually added to the story, gave little hints here and there and made everything even more mysterious.

The character-dynamic was amazing, the tension between Jude and Kiara? To die for. They were written so well. It wasn't this cheesy Insta-love, but attraction. Katherine Quinn did it so well.

The worldbuilding was intriguing and not too-detailed. The reader always knows enough but it never gets confusing or overloaded. Even the gods and history of the world is added in but just enough to make sense and keep some room for more without making it boring or too detailed. Personally, I really love this wasn't too complex while reading since we only know what is relevant to the story.

The plot was gruesome, dark and twisted and also heartbreaking. I was not prepared for the tunrs the story took and I had to preorder myself a physical copy so that I can re-read the story again when it comes out in November. What I really need is a sequel tho.

I Voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced copy of this book. All Thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book had me from the start and I could not put it down. I had to know what was going to happen. IF you like strong female main characters and brooding males this book is for you.

Absolutely stunning! A big fan of Katherine's NA series, this YA first installment was amazing! Katherine stays true to ensuring the FMC doesn't become weak and dependent on the love interest to save her and stays true to her wittiness with her banter! I gobbled this book up in a week and am so sad I have to wait for the next one to come out! I truly did NOT see the twist with a certain character and the ending had me let an out a huge gasp!

I loved To Kill a Shadow by Katherine Quinn and highly recommend it to other readers who enjoy the fantasy romance genre. It has everything a good fantasy novel should have, from the mysterious curse on the lands, the adventures into the unknown, the battles against magical threats, to the main characters hidden secrets, newfound friendships, and the forbidden romance between Kiara and the brooding commander Maddox. I couldn't put it down and was on the edge of my seat the whole way through. I didn't predict what was going to happen and there were lots of surprises throughout the book. Well worth the read!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for saving me my hard-earned cash on this one.

Listen you all, if you want to buy pretty books - especially purple edged page ones, please, youtube how to do it yourself, BUY some spray paint at a craft store and find some book that looks like this book. Then, print out a cover of said book on the internet, put it on the book you find to be your dupe and there you go - instant, cheaper, pretty book. Or better yet, if you think this cover is pretty please go and support the artist (as long as it's not an AI print).

This book was absolutely difficult, insulting, and bad. It was misleading with the tag grab of Mists meets Evil Dead. Listen, I have seen both of these films and what I encountered in this book DOES NOT equate to either of those films. So if you're like me and you pick this book up for that reason, please, do not pick up this book.

What this book is is actually a romantasy - a fantasy romance. Romantasy has become popular due to some series over time, and people are trying to fill shelves with them. While I am not a fan of Sarah J. Maas' books, these books make her book series look like the Bronte sisters' combined work.

The first chapter was all right. Introduced you to the characters - a brother and a sister, each anticipating the arrival of the King's forces to take able bodied men into the mists. The Commander of said men is said to be dark, dangerous, mysterious, lethal, you name it type person who our main girl is attracted to right off the bat. By the way, he is in armor and all she can see is his eyes at a distance from the helmet he wears. She ends up going in the place of the brother because she beats the tar out of someone who was picking on her brother. It is here you find out that our female lead has a delight (or anger issue) for beating people up. The Commander chooses her, and they are taken to the kingdom to train to go into the mists.

The book is told from point of views from each character, and you find right off the bat both characters like one another but the author likes to tease out their possible attraction with godawful head-butting for the sake of romance moments.

Looking through the notes I made on the book as I read, it appears a big source of my issue is how modern and direct the characters are with one another. Here we are in a (I believe) medieval setting, and you have characters with first names of 'Jake' and 'Lucas' and throwing down terms like 'okay' and mannerisms like 'stuffing hands in pockets of pants'. I was expecting a cell phone to come whipping out next and our FL texting him with the words 'Hey bb, u a hot-T.' Like, come on! Even worse was as soon as the main character learns his name, which is Jude, every time she thinks of him or mentions him, she has to go 'Ju--Commander Maddox'. It happened more than three times. We get it.

The men (and lady) chosen for this clearly are supposed to be trained or prepared for the mists, but instead, they are just 'threat-told' that the mists will take no prisoners and subject you to your worst fears... You are also treated to moments of the female lead asserting her 'I WANT TO BEAT PEOPLE UP, LET ME DO IT NOW SO I CAN SHOW HOW TOUGH I AM' moments which lead no actual training or insight on how this will help with creatures and feelings that may be found in said mists. There are also moments where the female lead is cornered by men who hate her and want to take her down a notch only to be beat up by Commander Maddox, leaving her some kind of stuttering, shy mess.

I had to laugh at one point when they finally get to do something - a training exercise - with a creature that was found in the mists. It's lurking in a moat below the castle. It takes ahold of one of the men, she jumps in there to save him and ends up getting wounded. Commander Maddox sees this, cradles her, takes her to the baths and submerges her into warm water to ... wake her up? He then yells at her telling her that she was reckless and she should have stayed away from doing such a thing. ... Why. This was a test, a clear test to see how they would handle themselves in the mist and obviously she was going to save someone. But apparently when it comes to her the Commander wants to protect her and keep her away from asserting her female dominance.

So, finally around the 40% mark it's time to go into the mists. Apparently they are looking for an item that is to stop the mists from taking over the kingdom. But it can only be found inside the mist? The Commander has been told by the king that our female lead (because she has the need for bloodshed) needs to get in there and be one of the four chosen. The Commander freaks out (because of feelings) and keeps her from being chosen. This angers her and she makes her distaste known with a god-awful almost romantic tinged spat of being denied time in the mist. When they leave to go, she sneaks away too and is caught by him.

We finally get to some mist action, but it's so poorly done and at 50% I knew I had to stop. I was looking for something tension filled (due to hype regarding the mists and again, the hype of Evil Dead). Nope. Poorly executed and lacking any sort of fear or threat.

As I look at the reviews for this so far, they're not very detailed nor do they give compelling reasons of why this book is worth a read to someone who may be interested. I like romance in fantasy too (maybe not romantasy), but being my first official one, I thought to give it a try. I had to tap out.

So, if you enjoy books that lack subtlety, character, and suffer from poor romance and ill attempts at conflict and fear, this is your book. I struggle to think how romance fans could enjoy this too, since the romance is so poor or not on level of that you'd even find in a YA book.

To Kill a Shadow was such a wonderful read, and once I started it I literally could not put it down.
It was my first Katherine read, and goddamn I am such a fan now - both of her writing and fantasy world she's built in Mistlands.

Katherine's storytelling, world building and character dialogue bring the world to life. The YA gem follows our two protagonists, with a dual POV - Kiara, a thoughtful, headstrong protector, and Jude, an army commander both caught in the whirlwind of the King's insanity. The chemistry between the two MCs is off the charts, and despite there being an absence of hard spice (not complaining), the slow-burn, tension and relationship development kept me h o o k e d.

"But the only thing I could feel were those firm arms holding me, clutching me securely. And all I could hear was that deep, velvety voice telling me that everything was going to be all right - Though I didnt believe a single word." SWOON.

The balance between the different story elements were incredibly well done, at no point did I find the story or plot slowed down by filler, unnecessary romance or supporting characters. Both Ki and Jude were balanced exceptionally throughout, learning from their experience and traumas in what felt like a mature and undefining way - especially when you remember their age.

Mistlands #1 wrapped up with a twist and a major cliffhanger, and I am both so mad and so book hungover from finishing it - I cannot wait until book two.

"One taste, and a thousand deaths you shall receive."

I typically tend not to read YA fantasy, but TKAS is right up there as one of my top reads for the year [romantasy girlies slay]! Feed me some more fantasy, a lil bit of romance with strong af chemistry, adventure, mythology and adventure - I need it!
Thank you Entangledteen for the ARC, I LOVED it.