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.

Seriously!!!! This book is absolutely AMAZING! My heart is still trying to recover. All the feels in this book and that last couple of chapters aghhh if I could I’d give it more stars! Both the main characters Jude (our lovely broody commander) and Kiara (our very witty smart woman) I absolutely loved the slow burn with this book. First time I’m reading Katherine Quinn and she has won my heart! I desperately need book 2 and this hasn’t even came out yet!!

This. Was. So. Good. 🤩

"You are what I imagine the sun to be like. Fiery, beautiful, d*mning."

This book had me thoroughly interested from the beginning. The storyline is so good, the characters are amazing, I instantly loved Ki and how protective, strong, and thoroughly bad*ss she is! Jude is broody and rude and I love itt. I honestly thought I had the mystery parts figured out around page 254, and I still only got it half way right. Those plot twists at the end sheeew wee did not see that coming like at all! REALLY excited to read the next book and this one isn't even officially released yet!

A huge thank you to Entangled, the author, netgalley, and anyone else who had a hand in allowing me to arc read! I loved it. ❤️ my review is also processing on Books A Million and Barnes and Noble!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Boy oh boy what?!?!
This was wicked cool and such an intriguing world to step into. And the characters were excellent.

I loved the dark twisty vibes and the intensity.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an arc copy of this book to read and review. All of these comments are my own.

I absolutely loved this book. The storyline was fantastic and the characters were so much fun and likable.. I do wish that there was more world/story building. I felt like some stuff wasn’t explained enough but I’m hoping since this is a series, that more will be explained later.

The slow burning romance was top notch. I’m seriously inlove with Ki and Jude. I love them so so much and I hope that in the next book everything gets worked out.

My only “complaint” but not really a complaint is that the “villain” didn’t make sense in who it ended up being. I just didn’t really like the way that ended up. Also, warning… DO NOT get attached to anyone because a lot of deaths happened that I did not see coming and it made me sad lol.

Now, I’m going to sit here impatiently and wait for book two.

4 stars!

Thanks to Entangled Publishing/Netgalley for an eARC!

Entangled publishes some really interesting, really unique YA fantasies, but this was not one of them. I'll also add that I've never read anything of this author before, but nonetheless, I am interested in looking out for more of her work, because I do think that--generally speaking--she is a good writer. Ultimately, I think there was great POTENTIAL for this book that never quite managed to scratch the surface. It falls, once again, into my struggles with YA fantasy over thee past few years. A lack of worldbuilding and development. Same with the characterization.

Overall, I wish I'd loved this more. The cover is gorgeous!

I didn't want it to end!! I loved it and didn't want it to end!

To Kill a Shadow is one of the best books I have read in quite a while. Jude and Kiara are amazingly complex and strong characters that had me totally immersed in their world from the first page. In fact all the characters surrounding Jude and Kiara are some of my favorite characters I've ever read. Jude's tragic past and present make you love him as the layers are peeled back and you get to see his motivations. Kiara is an extremely strong female who isn't afraid to speak her mind and can handle herself in ALL ways.
Katherine Quinn writes so vividly that I felt I was standing right there in the story and I felt ALL the feels. I laughed, cried, and cared for them throughout the book as though I was a recruit serving right beside them the entire time.
Some of my favorite quotes are:

"Tell me a secret, then. One you can part with"

"Control is an illusion, something to make us feel grounded and in charge of our destinies."

"Don't overthink everything. You might be surprised by how much you'd like being out of control. Being alive is chaos, and living in it is half the fun."

" 'You are what I imagine the sun to be like.' I whispered so softly I wasn't sure she could hear the admission. 'Fiery. Beautiful. Damning' "

I am truly hoping that Katherine Quinn will continue to write more about this world as there is definitely an opening for a second book. I am not ready to let go of Jude, Kiara, or the others that made it to the last page just yet.

"To Kill a Shadow" is the first installment of "Mistlands," a ya fantasy romance series written by Katherine Quinn and currently in progress.

I loved the premise of this book and the cover atmospheric! I really hoped to like it, but unfortunately the unfolding disappointed me and I'm sad.

I loved the writing! Compelling, evocative and lyrical, it fascinated me a lot! I enjoyed the suggestive descriptions, quite vivid, so much so that I could imagine the various places. The fast, effervescent, and light pace kept me glued to the pages, making me reach the end without almost realizing it! Seriously, on a purely aesthetic level, I loved the style a lot! The problem, in my opinion, comes when it comes to world building and characters.

The world building to me seemed confusing at the highest levels. I don't know, I felt a lot of gaps, and that left me very puzzled. I'm sorry because I found it full of potential, it intrigued me, but then it got lost along the way.

I liked the plot quite a bit! Captivating, quick and smooth, it kept me entertained without moments of boredom or heaviness. Too bad for the lacking world building, which in my opinion affects the story in a negative way. I perceived some convenient situations and several plot holes, which I think is just due to the poor setting and not the narration itself.

The characters, main and secondary, did not convince me. They seemed superficial, poorly analyzed, so much so that they left me indifferent. I was unable to bond with them, to care about their events. I am sorry, because they had all the makings of winning me over, but instead it did not happen. Unfortunately, because of this, I wasn't even able to appreciate the romance in the book.

All in all, this is a book with great potential, which unfortunately failed to satisfy me. However, I hope for improvement in the second installment, because I love the idea behind the story!

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. .

This book has it all - amazing world building, a swoon-worthy romance and a darkly atmospheric plot. A must read for any fantasy lover!

Tha k you to the publisher for providing a review copy.

U was super excited for this one and it didn't disappoint! I couldn't wait to pick this up. This book has controlled every moment of my awake time. 10/10 I honestly am lost for words. I love when a book is everything you hope it to be

This one GOT me. Kiara is as selfless as they come, starting with saving her brother from the fate of becoming a knight. On that fateful day, her path crosses with Jude. Soon they’re off, heading into dangerous territory to try to save their people by bringing the sun back, only to find nightmares come to life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It kept me on edge wondering what was going to happen next, which secrets would get revealed next, and when the romance would kick it up a noch. This has themes and tropes of slow burn, chosen one, and found family.

Will be reviewed on Amazon & Goodreads.

Thank you Entagled Publishing and NetGalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. My review is my own and not influenced by others.

I was looking forward to read this book, but in the end it was a disappointment for me. The characters lacked depth and the world building and plot were not well developed.

For me this book didn’t work but I’m sure other people will enjoy reading it.

2,5 ⭐

I wanted to love this book, but in the end, I didn't.
I felt like we were given not enough information about the world-building and I often felt like I was missing something. The characters lacked that characterization I enjoy and they felt rather flat to me. I couldn't really empathize with any of them and it was definitely a letdown.
The plot was the most interesting part of this book, but without the proper world-building, it didn't live up to its potential.
The thing I loved the most is the character arc story of Patrick, a character I didn't really care for at the beginning, but who became more interesting towards the end.

The found family trope: an example of a badly written one. I felt like Kiara finding so many friends who felt like a family was just too forced. And finally, the love story: I wished there was none. This book had a lot of potential, which I truly hope will be developed in the next installment.