This book. TAKE ALL MY MONEY. I will legit buy a whole paperback, hardback copy of this book because when I tell you that this was an enjoyable read, I MEAN THIS IS A FANTASTIC, AMAZING, GORGEOUS MASTERPIECE OF A BOOK.
Hence meaning, READ IT.

There was angst, JUDE, romance, WHO DID THIS TO YOU, magic, suspense, and more!!

This is such an erratic review because honestly, honestly, this book is one that has me so excited!

YA Romantasy with a heartbreaking jaw dropping ending. I cannot wait to read more from Katherine Quinn’s new world. Very intricate world building without being overloaded and throwing lots of information at the reader in one go. I can’t wait to see what is next for this couple

Jude Maddox is one of the Knights of the Eternal Star. He's out searching for new recruits when he meets tough girl Kiara Frey. There's something about her that's different and it makes him take notice. Jude is focused on his job to bring the sun back to their kingdom, but they'll have to go through a whole lot before that can happen. There's a mist that is full of monsters in their way!

Kiara becomes a recruit and their relationship dynamic becomes commander-recruit which I thought was interesting as well as straddling the forbidden. In spite of the "insta-attraction" their relationship is slow burn which I love. It really works in this YA fantasy / romance.

The author has created a harsh world in the Mistlands and there is quite a bit of world building as one might expect in such a fantasy / romance. Sometimes things get a bit bogged down, but overall, the story moves at a nice pace, and the ending is really terrific. You will want more of this unique world and its characters. The ending will leave you wanting more.

Imagine a world where the sun hasn't come up for fifty years. The Goddess of the Sun disappeared, and night is a constant 24/7. As if this wasn't bad enough, there are also Cursed lands with a sinister Mist, where all kinds of monsters and creatures live - whoever ventures here never comes back. ..... Welcome to the Realm of Asidia.

Jude Maddox, The Hand of Death, is a feared commander of the Knights of the Eternal Star. His task is to find promising recruits during The Calling and train them to become skilled Knights who will venture into the Mist and find the key to break the curse of their realm. He's cold, closed off, and feared by the most with a reputation that precedes him everywhere he goes.

Kiara Frey is an outcast in her village. All because of the accident that happened ten years ago. She's honourable, fiercely protective of those she loves and a very skilled fighter thanks to the training from her uncle. On the day of the Calling, she's chosen by Jude to join the recruits, which is the first time a girl has ever joined the ranks of recruits to become a Knight. And that's where it all truly begins....

These two are completely different, yet the more time they spend together, the closer they get, and the undeniable pull between them uncovers they are not so different after all.

Jude's background story was interesting as well as tragic. I love him so much - the poor guy went through a lot (he deserves a hug), and I can't wait to uncover more of his history in the next book. As for Kiara, her life wasn't exactly a walk through a park either. The scars she has are a constant reminder of her past, and that’s why she tends to keep to herself. She's reckless, acts before she thinks most of the time, and follows her own rules, which drives Jude mad. I enjoyed their interactions, banter, and the growing chemistry between them.

I also loved the worldbuilding - the Mist is practically a character of its own, and what lurks inside it is something from a nightmare . While the beginning might feel slow to some people, I haven't minded it at all since the story picks up fast after the first 30%, and after that milestone, it's hard to put it down. I had so many theories!! I guessed right some of them, some changed to different ones and back again, and some still need answers. But even then, there were still a lot of surprises for me. And the last few chapters?? That really hurt, I felt the pain along with the characters. The author doesn't spare anyone. Thinking about some scenes brings me to content warnings - expect the death of a loved one, murder, suicide, description of parental violence toward a child, description of torture, some gory scenes, vomiting, blood, spiders, and hallucinogens.

To sum it up, To Kill a Shadow is one of the books I was very excited about this year, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. I think it's an amazing start to a new series, it has everything I love - romance, high stakes, surprises, and betrayal. I can definitely recommend this to anyone searching for a thrilling YA fantasy with dark elements.

To Kill A Shadow is a YA romantic fantasy and is a great first book in this new series! It took me a little bit to really get into it, but once I did, I was completely drawn in. The world building was great and the characters strong. It is a slow burn with adventures, betrayal, suspense, and all the emotions. It does end in a cliffhanger, and that last bit HURT. But also, I needed book two like yesterday!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review. As always, you’ve given us a wonderful Fantasy Romance book!

He falls first
Broody commander
Headstrong female lead
Action
Fantasy
Romance
Slow burn
Mystery

I went through so many emotions while reading this book. It had a very interesting world-building. I was able to visualize the “misted shadows” because of the clear and captivating writing of Katherine. The book alternates between Jude and Kiara's POV. Reading about their perspectives and how each of their past shapes who they are today was insightful. On the romance part, it gave me an insta-love vibes but their interest with each other grew and their interactions were fun to read. I have to admit, while I already anticipated some parts, the twists and the ending still shocked me.

This is a first in a series and I believe it could pair well with other well-known YA romance fantasy books.

This was such a fun read I loved it so much I couldn't put it down and was completely hooked from the first page

First, thanks to Entangled Teen for a chance giving me this eARC! It was a good wonderful read that I've read in YA genre.

Second, there were alot of things happening in this book, however, I didn't want to say any major spoilers that would ruin others' reading experience! I like Kiara's character who is one of the main dual POV, what ever she do is meant for herself independently and protecting whoever the people she cares about. That's the most main point what I see from her.
Jude's character is a different perspective, I wasn't really sure about his interest with Kiara that probably is a star-crossed lovers trope? But anyway, he is an assassin and the commander of the king's elite guard to follow the main mission against darkness. I do think their dynamics is good though I was expecting more development (that's just me!) Overall, the plot is somewhat interested but hopefully in the second book it gets better to keep holding on to the hype!

I am blown away, this is by far my favorite book of the year it is mesmerizing, immersive, mind-bending, everything I want a book to be and so much more.

I'm sitting here thinking about what I just read, going over it in my head, wondering how I missed some of the things that I missed, how we got to where it ended, and where on earth we go from here.

Kiara is my favorite kind of character, one who has a chip on her shoulder, wants revenge, and isn't afraid to break the rules to get what she wants.

Jude is an assassin and the commander of the king's elite guard known as the Knights of the Eternal Star and has a past more clouded than his eye after a certain evil King orders his goons to remind Jude of what his mission is.

One act of selflessness in trying to protect her brother sets Kiara and Jude on a collision course that will alter the very world they live in and make them both question everything they think they know.

Thank you to Entangled Teen and NetGalley for providing a copy of this E-Book, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

'To Kill a Shadow' by Katherine Quinn is a split POV tale that follows the mingled paths of a Knight Commander named Jude Maddox and Kiara Frey, a young woman from a poor village, whose decision to protect her brother lands her in conscription.

Jude, also known as the Hand of Death, is a brutally scarred warrior who is said to belong to the King. Marked inside and out, he's suffered greatly at the hands of those who should have loved him.. as much or more than he has from the enemies he has encountered. He's considered cold, hard, and unreachable, considering himself as much monster as the beasts he has felled.

Kiara is an outcast in her village. Her connection with anyone left beyond her younger brother, is tenuous at best. Defiant, she's quick to anger and quick to fight, relishing the adrenaline of the challenge.. and that's exactly what puts her in peril.

Though there is an overarching plot and clearly intentions for more in a series, I felt most of the book centered on the characters themselves. Quinn seemed to focus largely on the development of Jude and Kiara.. both as individuals.. and on the story growing between them.

Pacing was moderate.. seemingly to allow time for things to expand between not only the main characters, but the cast of supporting characters as well. As is often the case, for me.. that meant it dragged just a little. Not enough that I ever wanted to stop reading, just enough that it felt like it took me a bit longer to read than it needed to. That's just my personal preference though and in no way does it reflect on the quality of the writing.

That being said, I did feel there were moments the writing felt a little clumsy, but they were mostly brief and really subject to the same things 90% of modern authors seem to struggle with. Transitional moments in relationships and natural dialogue have got to be two of the most common I see. While these emotional transitions were a little off-balance, the dialogue here is largely pretty good.

My only complaint is probably the actual statement that Kiara 'isn't like others.' I mean, we get it. We get tired of it.. but we get it. You don't have to say it. Again, that's personal taste. On that note, Quinn does have a habit of repeating things she doesn't want the reader to miss, which irks me because I pay attention. However, seeing as most readers seem to lose the plot easily, I can understand her choice to do so.

Quinn did do a fantastic job on settings, in my opinion. From the grittiness of the small village, to the opulent, oppressive nature of the Knights home.. and later.. within the mist.. where all manner of vile and carnivorous thing might dwell, her descriptions are visually lush.

I really loved Jude though and Kiara is a pretty good co-lead. I found her to be kind and funny.. and she managed not to annoy me.. which is really what I ask most in a 'strong, female character' design. I do hope Quinn continues the story as I am hooked enough that I want to see what Jude has planned.. and there's a villain I'm waiting to find out about in-depth.

While I will happily recommend a read, there is a fair bit of violence and gore, and some subjects certain readers might find uncomfortable.. as it is a horror fantasy.

“𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥.”

I don’t even know where to start with how much I loved this book. The character development, captivating plot, eerie world-building, and mythos of gods and monsters were accomplished exquisitely. Kiara is a fierce warrior who isn’t afraid to make the first move, and I love her loyalty and devotion to her friends. Her banter with Jude was splendid, and I could not get enough 😂.

“𝘐𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘐’𝘥 𝘳𝘪𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵. 𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺.”

Speaking of Jude…please welcome him as the newest addition to my list of favorite book boyfriends. Because I am in love with his love for Ki. Boy, did he fall first and hard, transforming him from “Sir Tall-Rude-and-Growly” to a cinnamon roll for Kiara. He is such a tortured soul with much trauma, and Kiara’s unconditional love and acceptance of him was so heartwarming. The peace he found with her was beautiful to witness. The meadow scenes are some of my favorites 😭.

“𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦.”

The friendships also played a significant role in the plot, but that’s best discovered as you read through the story. The author did not pull any punches when showing exactly how cruel and dangerous the cursed lands are, which made the journey much more impactful. The plot twists left me gasping, and “one more chapter” became the last chapter before I realized. The ENDING!! I am so freaking excited for the next book and to explore more of Asidia!

If you’re looking for a literary epiphany you won’t find it in this book, but you will still find a very solid first entry into a fantasy series with great world building and atmosphere.

To Kill a Shadow is the first book in (from what I can find) author Katherine Quinn’s Mistlands series, which reminds me of such series as Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer and a touch of Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. The blurb makes this book seem a lot darker than it actually is with all of its horror references, since the allusions to both The Mist and The Evil Dead are both mostly glancing askance instead of embracing the horror wholly.

I found this book a touch confusing at first because I thought it might be an age-gap romantasy and I just missed the memo, but it’s not. (Though that would’ve been a cool surprise had it not taken the book entirely out of the YA genre). I did love our two MCs, Jude and Kiara. They have a natural chemistry on page, with terrific dialogue that snaps and crackles with emotion. While their relationship evolves rather fast compared to other romantasy series of the same genre, I didn’t mind it because I’m not a lover of slow-burn. This series makes a huge point of Kiara being a woman who knows her own mind and that both she and Jude know how fleeting life can be in their world, so maybe it’s not too hard to imagine when someone reaches a hand out you take it.

The plot? Well, it’s rather transparent. That’s the thin point here. The plot is rather derivative of several other YA romantasy series and is very predictable (at least it is to me). The saving grace to this book is the comfort feel of a solid fantasy read, the characters, the dialogue, and the world building.

A good first entry into a new series, so I recommend reading this if you’re looking to get into a new series.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. This review was written without compensation. Thank you.

File Under: Book Series/Dark Fantasy/Fantasy Series/LGBTQ Fiction/Supernatural Fantasy/YA Fantasy/YA Romantasy

Thank you so much to Net Galley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of “To Kill a Shadow” by Katherine Quinn in exchange for an honest review. All of the following opinions are formulated on my own. Any quotes in this review should be cross-referenced with the final copy for any possible edits.

Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (rounded up)

Favorite quote(s):

My review: To Kill a Shadow was such a fun read and the ending definitely had me gasping! I can't wait for the next one. I really loved the side characters and you bet this one will look so good on my shelf.


<b> Notable Themes, Elements, and Tropes: </b>
- Romantic Fantasy
- Slow Burn
- He Falls First
- Loveable Side Character
- Strong Female Lead
- Forced Proximity
- Forbidden Romance
- Hidden Identities

Such an amazing fantasy YA novel! Sometimes it’s hard for me to get into YA, and this was clearly an exception. The writing was amazing, and even though the slow burn was slowwwwww it still felt perfectly laid out.

There’s a bit of world building in the beginning, but that’s pretty typical of any fantasy book and it wasn’t boring or hard to get through.

Overall, I enjoyed this book!

To Kill a Shadow is the start of a new series by Katherine Quinn. You might already know Quinn from her Azantian trilogy and now she is bringing the Mistlands series. The cover really spoke to me, making me curious about the story. What will To Kill a Shadow bring?

From the start it is clear that Kiara is a strong female main character. She knows how to take care of herself and wants to protect those she loves. Jude is also a strong minded character, making them good opposites. Therefore this book has a opposites attract trope, as well as love at first sight, he falls first, enemies-to-lovers and only one bed. Even though this does seem like lots of romance tropes, this book isn't about the romance.

This story is well paced and has a lot of tension. Adventure and mystery is everywhere in this book. In addition also friendship and romance is present. Katherine Quinn has a nice writing style, making me want to continue reading. Lots of things in this book are very similar to other fantasy or dystopian books, like The Luminaries and Divergent or The Hunger Games. Therefore I didn't feel like this plot is a unique one, however the storyline itself is unique. I enjoyed reading To Kill a Shadow and am curious about what else there is to come in this Mistlands series. I would love to give this book a 4 star rating.

4.5 stars rounded to 5

To Kill a Shadow is a dark fantasy that seemingly has it all — romance, dry humor, action, mystery, deadly creatures, unique mythology and epic battles.

The story unfolds from the alternating points of view of Jude and Kiara. Commander and recruit. Both have traumatic pasts and the scars to show it. Both are hiding secrets. And they both dream of a life where the sun shines. In them, author Katherine Quinn has created two compelling protagonists that can easily stand on their own but work better when together.

Quinn brings Jude and Kiara to life in a complex world that is expertly crafted. Her clever use of the mist as almost a third character allows information to be obscured and revealed when the timing is just right. It becomes the undercurrent that connects everything together.

At just under 450 pages, To Kill a Shadow is not short, but Quinn’s strong pacing keeps the action moving forward. And there are plenty of plot twists to keep you guessing. It’s a compelling fantasy that’s a good choice for older young adults (ages 14 and up).

Sensitivity note:
To Kill a Shadow is a romance, and Quinn definitely uses physical and emotional tension to amp that up. However, it’s fairly chaste on the physical side, and doesn’t really go beyond kissing. On the other hand, the violence may be too much for some. The story also includes murder, blood, fictional hallucinogens, suicide, descriptions of past parental violence toward a child, and descriptions of past torture.

**Warning this review may contain spoilers**

Thank you Netgalley, Entangled Publishing and Katherine Quinn for this eARC!

Spice Level: 1
Tropes: Found Family, Star-Crossed Lovers


Wow. Just wow. If I could give this 10,000 stars I would. I was skeptical to start this book because it is classified as horror, but to my surprise, To Kill a Shadow has become one of my top reads for 2023. More suspense than horror, To Kill a Shadow focuses on Kiara and Jude form a dual POV narration. Not only do we get the joy of reading from both of their perspectives, we also get to watch as their stories unfold on their time, not on someone else’s. This seemingly pair of star-crossed lovers will leave you on the edge of your seat, gasping at every twist and turn.

The writing on this one is fantastic, everytime you think you have the pieces fitting together, there is another twist, another mystery and another turn just waiting on the next page. The writing is well paced, and the characters are endearing without being soppy. It is really difficult to find a book that pulls elements of mythology without appropriating it, however, Katherine Quinn has been able to do so while still creating her own elements within the world. Set in a world cast into Night with no daylight in sight, our main characters fight to not only save the world, but save themselves. Quinn has been able to tactfully give us a romance tale, without crating the damsel needs saving narrative. Additionally, Quinn is able to tell a story that contains all elements of life, including LGBTQ and POC characters, in a way that does not make them “token” the way we often see in fantasy.

Overall the plot was well developed, with the elements of the world thoroughly thought out, revealing bits and pieces as you go. Now, onto the characters. I felt as if I was there. Like actually there. Kiara, the strong, brave independent outcast who is fiercely protective of those she loves and Jude, the brooding outcast commander who judges his every action as though he is the true villain. Then you have Patrick, sigh, (you will have to read about him), Jake and Nic, who swifty become the friends Kiara so longs for. You get to see each character shine through in their own way as the story goes, and each one contributes a bit of themselves in their own way to the story. It has been a long time since I have connected with characters in such a way, and it was so nice to be able to do so.

Overall, if you are in doubt, read this. I do not say it often, but I would give my soul to be able to experience this book again for the first time. I am so ready for the second book, I cannot wait to see what the series brings!

“And then Jude—Jude Maddox, Commander of the Knights-was gone, leaving me speechless for the first time in my life.”

“Fate might have brought me here, but from now on, I would be the one to choose my destiny.”

I’m a fan of this fantasy series!! A brand new fantasy world, with a brand new complicated curse and mist (inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia? Hope so) and a brand new enemies to lovers story between a spitfire young woman who’s stronger than anyone thinks, hiding a secret under her gloved hands, and a brooding commander of the guards who decides to recruit her instead of her brother for a life threatening mission. Kiara’s story was wonderful!!! It caught me deep from the very first pages and I couldn’t stop reading for a second! I felt enthralled by the plot, the magic, the mystery, the characters and the very complicated, impossible but oh so addicting romance between two people who have been through so much and will have to live with and love each other’s scars!! I really really loved it!! And the tension between them … so good!!!! And the cliffhanger at the end … SUPERIOR!!! Can’t wait to read the next one !!!

"You wear your scars well," I said, echoing the words she'd once told me. "If anything, they draw me to you."
Her head gradually rose,”

"Good," I said, suddenly feeling breathless.
"I like you ruined for me."

3 stars
TW: death depicted with detail, violence, gore

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC to review. All thoughts are my own

For full transparency, I'm going to start this review with I don't think I'm the right reader for this type of book. I don't enjoy heavily depicted gore and death, or needlessly dark fantasy, and I think I was too optimistic and eager to try another read from this author that I didn't think enough before applying. For that reason, I have given a higher rating than my personal one.

I couldn’t get into the story. Everything was too much and too fast that I had to keep pushing myself to finish the book. It was dark and depressing. These are things that affected me personally, the book itself was great if that’s the tone you are searching for. The only sense of relief from the brutal plot was the attempt at romance. I didn’t find the instant love believable. It felt like forced chemistry to me. The dynamic is Commander-Recruit so there is a small power play.

The world building itself took a really long time to make sense. The lore could’ve been explored so much more than it was. Near the end all these characters were introduced. Word of advice, read the letters at the beginning of every chapter. They come into play later.

I can see how fans of fantasy romance might pick up this read and enjoy it for the romance that overtakes the storyline, but frankly, I wish there had been none, or it was a subplot, as a lot was happening in here that needed attention to thrive.

Sadly, I think Quinn is a writer with great talent but isn't one for me as this is the second of the three books I've read by her that has taken a really dark turn and I've struggled to read. I won't be continuing with this series.

En bref, j'ai énormément aimé le contexte mis en place par l'autrice, la vie de nos deux héros, Jude et Kiara et leurs différents combats. Elle s'engage à la place de son frère malade, va se lier d'amitié avec d'autres soldats et se rapprocher petit à petit de Jude qui n'est autre que leur commandant. J'ai aimé l'alchimie que l'on ressent entre eux dès le départ et la façon dont l'autrice fait avancer à la fois la romance et son monde, on va vivre de nombreux combats et de nombreux morts et j'ai été prise par les rebondissements et autres révélations. Le final est intense et j'ai hâte de les retrouver pour la suite !!