“You are what I imagine the sun to be like.” “Fiery. Beautiful. Damning.”

This was a good and interesting start to an upper YA romantasy and I enjoyed the read. I love how easy to read this book was and the characters. This book has shadows, assassins, monsters, and gods. The mmc Jude is a commander of knights who needs to go to this nightmare land. The fmc Kiara is an outcast who can fight and is strong af. They are instantly attracted to each other and are so cute. I thought the world building was done well and I was able to picture the gritty and mysterious world. The ending was surprising to me and I'm glad I have an arc of the next book to read.

Tropes/themes:
- Upper YA
- Romantasy
- Instant attraction
- Grumpy sunshine
- Shadows and mists
- Found family

To Kill a Shadow is easily one of my favorite books of the year! The story started off a little slow for me but once I got hooked, I. WAS. HOOKED. Kiara Frey is a harboring a dark secret of a curse that has caused her and her family to become the town pariahs in a sense. When it is time for her sickly brother Liam to be chosen to fight for the king in the Knighthood of the Eternal Star, Kiara's warrior training kicks in to defend her brother getting her chosen in his stead. Commander Jude Maddox has a dark past and secrets of his own. When the two are sent on a suicide mission into the mist along with other recruits of the the knighthood to find the keys to breaking the curse of the realm, all secrets are revealed with devastating results.

This story has all the elements to make it a well rounded novel: broody and dark MMC, strong and fearless FMC, found family, magic and curses, enemies to lovers, ancient lore surrounding temperamental gods, and so much more. The ending leaves us on a cliffhanger with anticipation of what is to come but does not leave you reeling. I can't wait for the sequel and to see what happens in the fall out from the events in this book.

I have been provided with a review copy of this title from NetGalley for an impartial review. I was just drawn into this wonderful story and I just couldn’t get enough of it. It was just so easy to get lost in this great story. I just didn’t want it to end. I just lost myself in and I just couldn’t get enough of these interesting characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

A friend recommended this book and I was very happy to receive an ARC copy. I love the cover. It took me a while to finish, I read several other books instead. It was just hard to hold my attention. I'll try again before the 2nd book comes out - it interested that much where I want to read the second one.

2.5 stars. The fact that I didn’t DNF this is what brought it from 2 to 2.5 stars. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me. The characters and plot were extremely underdeveloped. The two main characters were supposed to be like an enemies to lovers trope (maybe?) but the author never gave enough time to develop it. First thing you know the male is this horrible guy and the next page they like each other. Similarly, the world building didn’t expand or stay consistent. I was able to keep reading it though so it wasn’t horrible, but not for me.

I wanted to get into this but I didn't vibe with the writing. I liked the plot but the execution fell a little flat again. I might try some other books by Katherine Quinn at another time.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me give my honest review

Favorite quote(s):

“You’re not leaving me, Kiara,” he commanded, nostrils flaring. “I won’t allow it.” He let out a reverberating growl, more animal than man. “You say you’re a monster”—he dug deeper into the wound, and tears streaked my cheeks—“but a monster didn’t rescue me, didn’t make me believe in hope again.”


“Love is not the absence of self, but rather, the absence of fear, for only the brave drop their armor and walk onto a battlefield with their hearts exposed.”


Review:

I loved this book. It was action-packed, and I never knew who to trust fully. I loved the friendships and how there was the found family trope. I loved the magic and history throughout. The banter was great and entertaining. I thought Jude was an interesting character. He won me over after a few chapters. I was unsure about him at first. I loved Kiara from the start, how she wanted to protect her brother and her friends. There were so many twists and I enjoyed them so much. Some moments were creepy, like with those undead creatures. And a fair bit of death and violence, too. Which shocked and enticed me. I enjoyed the romance and can’t wait for more. I was so shocked at how the last few chapters went. It was insane. Over all this was a great read and I can’t wait for the next book to get more answers and more of the characters.

Didn’t think this would be for me and it would probably read more YA. It’s actually pretty dark. Reminded me a lot of One Dark Window with an evil mist around the kingdom and the kings commander as the love interest. I did like To Kill a Shadow better. The story felt a bit repetitive at times, but I was still curious enough to keep reading. Jude and Kiara are strong characters. Interested to see how things resolve in the next book.

Thanks to @entangledpublishing for the gifted e-book.

This book was truly incredible. I enjoyed both listening to the audiobook and reading the book simultaneously. The narrators did an exceptional job, bringing the characters Kiara and Jude to life.

Kiara Frey is a fierce fighter, loyal friend, and strong woman. When she is selected to train with the King’s knights, her unexpected attraction to the commander, Jude, adds an intriguing layer to the story. As a small group venture into the darkest part of the lands, Kiara showcases her fighting skills and friendship.

Each chapter started with some background that tied the story together. The plot is fast-paced, action-packed, and filled with surprising revelations that will keep you hooked. The ending leaves you eager to jump into the next book to discover what happens to Kiara and Jude. I highly recommend this book! The sequel, "To Shatter the Night," is set for release on December 3, 2024.

Thanks so much to Katherine Quinn and Entangled Publishing, LLC | Entangled: Teen for the eARC of this book. it was such a great easy and quick read for me. I loved reading about Judes story. I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy! Can't wait to read other books by Katherine.

Katharine Quinn’s To Kill a Shadow pulls you into a dark and mesmerizing world filled with mystery, danger, and a slow-burn romance that leaves you breathless. The protagonist, Kiara Frey, is an absolute force to be reckoned with. From the moment she is introduced, you can feel the weight of her past, though it remains hidden in shadows for much of the story. As we unravel the layers of her character, we discover her resilience and strength in the face of darkness. I loved how her fierce determination mirrored the brutality of the world she lives in.

The story’s atmospheric world-building was incredible, painting a vivid picture of a kingdom teetering on the edge of collapse, where the only way to survive is to face the terrifying unknown. The dangers lurking in the shadows were palpable, and as the secrets of the misted shadows slowly unfurled, I found myself on the edge of my seat.

To Kill a Shadow is a perfect blend of fantasy, horror, and romance, with high stakes and powerful characters. Kiara’s strength and Jude’s brooding intensity create a dynamic that’s impossible to look away from. If you love slow-burn romance, angsty tension, and a story where survival is not guaranteed, this is a must-read!

To Kill a Shadow is a young adult fantasy book with a dark twist that I liked more than I expected.

The story takes place in a world that has not seen the light of day for 50 years, since a curse fell on the earth after the death of the goddess of the Sun, which led them to live in perpetual night since then. After this, the creatures of the shadows do not stop attacking towns and the mist increasingly hides dangers, dangers that the main characters of this story, Kiara and Jude, must face if they want to end the curse once and for all.

Kiara is a girl who has lived much of her life avoided by the people of her town, after suffering an attack in the forest when she was just a child that changed her whole life, since then she only trusts her brother and tries to be strong for both of them, until he is called by the king's knights to enlist. At that moment, Kiara will show the strength and fierceness that she carries within, something that attracts Jude, commander of the knights, who agrees to take her in exchange for her brother.

Jude has never known freedom. Since he was a child, he has been tied to a man he called father who has used and mistreated him as he wanted, and then the king took him to the palace and enlisted him in the knights, using him as an assassin. He is the only one who has traveled to the Mist and has returned alive to tell the tale, and is sent back there to find three key pieces that will break the curse.

What Kiara and Jude don't know is that they will find something more than dangers and monsters during the mission. They will know love, freedom by being together and many secrets that have been pulling the strings of their lives without them knowing.

The story is engaging from beginning to end and I read it quite quickly, thanks to the fact that the chapters are short and that the points of view of Kiara and Jude alternate. It mixes fantasy with mythology, since the gods have a very important role in the book, not to mention the romance that arises between Kiara and Jude. Another point in its favor is the entire central plot, linked to folklore, which has kept me in suspense at more than one moment and at the end has left me speechless. As for the characters, Kiara is a strong and brave girl, who will bond with several of her comrades and consider them as her own family, so she will do anything to protect them, even so she has moments of fragility, due to everything she has suffered as a child, but she will not let herself be defeated by it. Jude will see in Kiara a light that will take him out of the darkness in which he has always lived, breaking the barriers he has put around his heart. And my favorite is undoubtedly Jack, who despite being a secondary character, has touched my heart for his good humor, his charisma and his camaraderie.

If I have to give a negative point to the story, it is Jude's indecision regarding Kiara. He spends half the book wanting to have something with her and then not. Again yes and again no. That indecision has made me a little unhappy, but otherwise it is a story that I highly recommend. I am looking forward to December to be able to read the second and final part, and see what the future holds for Kiara, Jude and what other secrets the people around them are hiding.

This was one of the let me try something out of my normal books.
Unfortunately, it was not a winner for me.
Kiara was the kind of main character that I would have liked to smack some sense into. She had an ego that just did not make her all that likeable and drive me batty at times. She could have done with a lot more character development and must go through some rough patches or put real effort into something. When things are too easy-going for a character it just isn’t something I’m all that much a fan of.
As you go through the book, there were many parts where more details would have been a key point to get me back into the book. The backdrop of the Gods and curse could have had more history to it to really build you into what’s going on. Same for the characters and other sections of the book. If there was a little more oomph, I would have been way more interested in the book than I was.
Overall, it wasn’t a horrible book, just one that needed that fine tuning to get my full attention. I will give the next book a chance. Who knows, I’ve been greatly surprised at times when the second book was the best yet.

I’m so glad I finally had the opportunity to read “To Kill A Shadow.” My only lament is that I didn't read it sooner! I stayed up all night reading and finishing this book! I love fantasy so much; this story couldn’t have come at a better time for me. From the characters to the plot, world-building, twists, moral lessons, and rich lore – I’m obsessed. I cannot wait for the next book!! I need to know what happens next! If you're seeking an exceptional fantasy read, this book is a must for you!

I went into To Kill a Shadow blind; it was an adventure! Kiara is a fantastic main character, and she’s not messing around; she puts all the men in their place. She is heroic and a leader in her own way. Jude Maddox, the Hand of Death, is another fascinating character. Kiara and Jude's connection was palpable in this closed-door young adult romance. The only thing I wish was better was the overall world-building. This story felt like it took place in a generic fantasy world. I would have loved some more personalization to set it apart. That said, I still want to read book two to find out how the story ends!

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for sending me this ARC!

I absolutely loved the dystopian romantasy vibes of this story! The romance, action and mystery were all balanced perfectly.
The plot twist at the end...HELLO!? Never saw that coming! The world building was done so well and feels so large that it seems we could easily get a prequel, a sequel and maybe a novella or two.
Two things held this back from being a 5 star for me. First, I feel like the YA tag on it held it back a little. The romance could have been a touch spicier (like half a pepper spicier) and some more horror in the middle of the book to pick things up a bit would have been great!
And the second thing, every time it was "...she hissed" or "...he growled". She isn't a snake...he isn't a wolf, why did the author keep using those words? Hiss or hissed was used 44 times and growl or growled was used 40 times. I dunno know but that really irked me after a while.

Jude Maddox is nothing more than a broken man leading men who will die or break. He’s the Hand of Death, delivering death to the enemies of the king. He is Cold, detached, haunted… until he sees her

The other knights of the realm fear the mists and the beasts that haunt it. But not her, not Kiara Frey. She and the commander ignite each other, and when recruits and knights must enter the land of mists, she follows him.

There, evil will prey on their minds, and feast on their flesh. So give in… become the darkness.

I absolutely fell in love with this book. The characters are well rounded, they grow, and they develop. The plot and storyline are gripping, grabbing and sinking claws into your very soul. I’d never heard of this book, but when the opportunity to read it came up, I grabbed it. It truly is a delight! As a word of caution, there are scenes of death, and there is danger. There is an aspect of fantasy horror, so readers please be aware of this.

Very interesting start to the series, really enjoyed the dark, gloomy, grim vibes of the setting.

Kiara was a fun FMC to cheer on, excited to see what happens next!

I just finished reading “To Kill a Shadow” and I absolutely loved it! The story is incredibly gripping, with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters are so well-developed and relatable, making it easy to get lost in their world. Katherine Quinn’s writing style is both engaging and evocative, painting vivid pictures with her words. This book has made me a new fan of hers, and I can’t wait to read more of her work. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a thrilling and immersive read!

I am so late on reviewing this wonderful book, but I am here to say that I adored this so so much! This is my first book by Katherine Quiin and I truly can't wait for the sequel. Jude and Kiara are such great main characters - I loved learning both of their stories throughout the book and could feel the tension coming off the page! Those two had me at the end of my seat for the entire book - I went in blind and had no idea what to expect. There is nothing like getting that kind of hooked unexpectedly! I did like that the worldbuilding was easy to follow and I absolutely can't wait to see more in book 2. This easily became a favorite and I am glad we are getting closer to the sequel!