#ToKillAShadow:⁣
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Thank you @entangledteen [partner] for my gifted copy.⁣
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There’s really no words to describe how much I loved this book. We gently pushed Divine Rivals and Bonesmith to the side as my the contender for favorite book of the year. ⁣
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Kiara was amazing. She has this inner strength that I could not fathom. Just the only girl dominating the Knights of the Eternal Star. Jude, THE Hand of Death, just yes. His character was everything I wanted him to be. He played his beastly role perfectly and was a touch her and die guy that we all adore. ⁣
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Honestly, the twist threw me so hard. Call me General Mattias once more, because I screamed a, “what?!” at the reveal. That was such a cruel twist that left my jaw on the floor. ⁣
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The amount of annotations and quotes I have in this book is more than I think I’ve ever had. I could (and probably will) make a reel just out of quotes. The fact that Chapter One and Chapter FiftyTwo started the same way, absolute masterpiece. ⁣
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I’ll leave you with one of my favorites:⁣
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““Don’t resort to the dark when you could hold the very sun in your hands.”⁣
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Out 11/28, say hello to my top contender for 2023. ⁣
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QOTD: what are some of your contender for your favorite of 2023?

This was a great introduction to the Mistlands Series! This book captured my attention from the very beginning as Quinn created a beautifully unique and dark world that will captivate its readers. A book of about Gods & Myths where our MCs go on a mythical quest with secrets, a forbidden romance, and a found family. I liked the pace in which the world building was done - it wouldn't overwhelm a reader with an information dump. It was done perfectly and in tandem with introducing the characters in the book, as well as the unraveling of the plot. There is a lot of mystery, suspense and action with lots of twists and revelations that will emotionally stir you.

Although this is a YA Romance, you could feel the slow burn, tension, and angst oozing from the palpable connection between Kiara and Jude. Personally, I'm not a big fan of anything remotely close to being insta-love, it didn't bother me here too much as it leaned more towards instant attraction. I was focus and invested on our MCs and the their journeys; their traumatic childhood was heartbreaking and I loved how that bonded them. Jude was broody and grumpy battling his own darkness and pain (I love a tortured hero) while Kiara was headstrong, fierce, feisty, confident and a badass. There are a lot of likeable secondary characters that will grasp your attention.

THE ENDING! Wow, I needed book 2, yesterday!

This is a fantasy that will tend to lean on the dark side that will give you spectacular character development, heartbreaking stories and plot twists, with lots of mystery and adventure. Highly recommended!

I adore Ki and Jude and the last few chapters of the book are quite devastating in the setup for the next book in the series. Some of the plot points I guessed, but others were surprising, so I was constantly drawn back into the story. If you enjoy fantasy stories with gods and monsters, evil politicians, prophesies and of course, a tinge of romance, this is a great book to add to your list.

This YA fantasy/horror blew me away. I could not put this one down, and everything from the plot to Jude and Kiara to the unknowns awaiting them around every corner kept me turning the pages - all the way to an ending I did not see coming.

Sometimes, you can just tell from the very first chapter that the book will keep you captivated from beginning to end, and Quinn's writing pulled me in from page one and kept me hanging on through every twist and turn. There were so many elements to this story that kept me guessing. There was suspense, action, romantic tension; I repeatedly forgot that I was reading YA.

I fell in love with a lot in this book. I loved Kiara and Jude; she's brave and feisty, and he's the merciless and ruthless shadow that we should all fear. But just like every other antihero, Jude captured my heart and admiration without much trouble and, just like Kiara, I was willing to easily overlook all of his perceived flaws.

Surrounded by a dark forest and unimaginable enemies, Kiara, Jude, and their friends had a journey unlike any I've read in YA. As a reader, I didn't know what to expect at the start of their adventure, but everything that happened blew me away. From lore being unraveled, secrets being revealed, and allies becoming enemies, To Kill a Shadow packed a punch and left me reeling by the end.

Well written, with fantastic plot devices and character development, this book grabbed a hold of me and left me eager for more Jude and Kiara.

To Kill A Shadow
Katherine Quinn

⭐5⭐

“Besides, no one could kill a shadow.”

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

To Kill A Shadow is a fantasy romance novel that follows Kiara, a girl who has trained to fight for years after a terrible accident that left her cursed and scarred. An outcast in her village, her only friend is her brother, Liam. However, Liam is set to be drafted by the king to fight as a knight for the kingdom; regardless of his inability to do so in both physical capacity and demeanor. Kiara will do anything to protect her brother, and in an unexpected turn of events, she is selected to take his place in training for knighthood.

Jude is the captain of the king’s knights and his favored assassin. He is convinced that he is all dark and his soul is tainted because of the work that he does. Not only that, but his scars, both emotional and physical, remind him that he is always to be feared. But Kiara looks at him with wonder, as if his scars only draw her to him more. To Jude, she is everything light and good; she makes him believe that he still has something to live and hope for. He is also drawn to her by some invisible and unknown force, and he fears that this can only end in ruin.

When Jude and Kiara, along with a group of recruits and knights, are sent on a quest into the deadly mist in order to search for a means to return the sun, which after the goddess Raina disappearance 50 years ago, has not returned. A trip into the mist is practically a death sentence, as so many do not return. Within the mist, people change and go missing, and wicked things are lurking in the trees. When the quest takes many unexpected and dangerous turns, as Kiara and Jude grow closer, they are forced to address the dark secrets of their pasts. Many secrets are hidden in the mist, some that are finally emerging into the light. Will they be able to solve the mystery of the missing sun and cast the kingdom out of shadow? Or will they be forced to remain only in darkness for all of time?

I LOVED this book. The last few chapters were painful, and I’m going to need the sequel ASAP. What a great start to a new series!


Quotes:

“Hope is a dangerous thing to possess.”

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

“Kiara, although hard headed and stubborn, reminded me of all that was light and good.”

“Nothing of beauty and substance should be kept by one person alone.”

“‘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 was never crafted to sit and wait. To huddle in fear and wrap my arms about myself as others fought the monsters that thrived in the dark. I wouldn’t have been able to stop myself if I tried.”

“I think that you’ve always claimed you were hard to love, but really, you just saw the best in everyone else and the worst in yourself.”

“I coveted a love so profound, so realm-shattering, that my home became their arms and the music in my ears belonged to the beating of their hearts.”

“For some reason, jude called to all of my shadows; the parts of my soul I’d shown him without me even realizing it. And I wanted more. More time to see what else I could feel.”

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

“Uncle Micah had often told me that things were never as they appeared. That sometimes even the most beautiful things could be poisonous. I suppose that applied to people as well.”

“The heart is the wickedest of beasts, for it can never be tamed. - Asidian proverb”

“My goddess of war was so very docile in her sleep.”

“We were different in so many ways, but when we connected, truly connected, everything that separated us was just one more thing to find beauty in.”

“Only monsters could defeat monsters.”
“You are the only light I will vow to protect.”

“Loyalty was a greater commodity than brute force or skill.”

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

“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.”

“I was both the night and a forgotten light. The vast universe of black and the endless possibility of the day.”

“‘A good man is often the one who has known the most evil.’”

“All things must come to an end–even if it’s just a walk through the woods.”

“Besides, no one could kill a shadow.”

I just finished the thrilling world of “To Kill a Shadow,” and the ride was nothing short of exciting!
Meet Jude, our jaded knight turned reluctant assassin, and buckle up for a wild ride. The plot kicks off with a bang as he’s forced into a perilous role, and things get even more interesting when he stumbles upon an extraordinary recruit. A girl breaking the mold and becoming the first female Knight? Say no more.

Jude and his newfound companion make for a duo that’s not only fun but also incredibly well-rounded. Their chemistry is slow-burning and innocent. The romance unfolds sweetly, and you can’t help but root for their relationship as it blossoms amidst the chaos.

The story is a rollercoaster of surprises and adventures. From the edge-of-your-seat moments to heartwarming relationship, every page is a new thrill. While the ending may not have flowed seamlessly, the promise of a series continuation has me eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this journey.

This is a stellar start to a promising series. The characters, the romance, and the unexpected twists all contribute to a tale that grabs you from the beginning and refuses to let go. Despite a slightly rocky end, I’m on board for the long haul. Can’t wait to see where this story takes us next!

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for the copy!

✨”Isn't this what you always wanted? I thought bitterly. To be anywhere from Cila, to be someone who wasn't tainted by something that happened a decade ago? But when wishes turn into reality, they never leave you feeling how you pictured.”✨

Right away, I was brought into the fictional world and all of its chaos. I thoroughly enjoyed the storytelling and beautifully descriptive writing. I would recommend to those looking for a new, (semi)dark fantasy.
Some tropes/aspects:
🖤Familial mysteries
🖤Strong, fighting heroine
🖤MMC falls first
🖤Forbidden Love
🖤Slow burn, YA content
🖤Some violence/fighting sequences
🖤Aspects of mythical/god-like characters

‘To Kill A Shadow’ is the first in a series. The book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, but does set up an exciting continuation! I absolutely look forward to reading what comes next for the characters.

Thank you to Netgalley, Entangled Publishing, and Katherine Quinn for the opportunity to read and review an advance ebook copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

KATHERINE. QUINN. NEVER. MISSES!

First and foremost, I ADORE Katherine Quinn. I’ve had the privilege of ARCing for all of her books, and even beta reading for one. This was her first foray into YA fantasy, and WOW did she slay it!

This is a truly epic and completely absorbing story. We have a tortured commander, a fiery MC, monsters hidden in dark places, vengeful gods and goddesses. A world that is gradually dying as a result of the magical “mist” surrounding civilization that came about in the wake of the sun goddess leaving her people behind in the dark.

Kiara is an easy MC to love. She’s impulsive and brave, but also so deeply caring. She is unwaveringly dedicated to the people she has claimed as her own. She also has a shrouded past and secrets to hide, just like our commander Jude Maddox does. The captain/mentor-mentee forbidden romance is always one of my favorites, and these two have chemistry jumping off the page from the get go.

There was also so much in this story that took my by surprise. Massive betrayals, devastating losses, hidden histories that impact the world at large on such a huge scale. The action is plentiful but not so much to be so fast moving that it loses depth or time spent getting to know our characters and their motivations. I really read this book in just over two days, and I genuinely couldn’t put it down. The last hundred pages especially had me tearing through the pages with my heart in my throat.

I could go on forever, but I will end with this: do not sleep on miss Katherine Quinn. If you’re in the market for a thrilling YA fantasy romance (that feels to be more on the upper YA side for SURE), with a bi-sexual MC, tension and high stakes, betrayal and surprising reveals, look no further!

Thank you endlessly to Katherine Quinn, Entangled Teen and NetGalley for the eArc of this title. I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel!

I really try to connect with this book. But I'm at 60% and I just can't.

I love Kiera, she's fearless, has so many great qualities and good values. I would follow her everywhere.

But the World-Building is hard to follow. There are a lot of gods, of elements in the story that I can't seem to follow. I'm not sure that a Younger Adolescent would love it.

The interactions will all the characters seems forces and aren't naturals. It's almost weird. They don't know each other at all and they become more so fast. And I'm not talking just about Jude but with her fellow knights too.

I won't post about it anywhere. I think this book will find his people but it wasn't me.

Thank you Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC!

I have to admit, this one took a few chapters to get into and only because there is a lot of world building and character building right at the start! But once the romance kicks in and Kiara finds her way in the Knights, SO GOOD!

I also loved that the Mist is literally its own country/area at the moment and it’s all unknown for the most part. It keeps all the characters and yourself as the reader on your toes the whole time!

There’s gore, killing, and some really good description of the beasts/animals, so just be prepared for that! But I think it helps with the depiction of the story in your head!

Not much romance, which for a YA I appreciated it! Just enough that you can understand the feelings between Kiara and Jude.

And let’s talk about the ending, WHAT?! I have so many questions.. but I won’t spoil them here. I need to talk to some asap about it! 🙈😂

Katherine Quinn writes a beautiful YA novel that matches and is on par (if not better) than some of the recent fantasy! If you loved Omen of Ice and ACOTAR, you’ll love this!

I can’t wait for the second book!

I'm obsessed with this book! When I read the premise, I thought it would be an interesting fantasy coming of age story, but it turned out to be so much more!
The plot seems like your usual fantasy plot: travelling somewhere dangerous to find magical artifacts that can destroy the darkness, but as time progresses, you start to realize there's a lot more behind it: many hints can be found in the chapter headers, which include fragments of letters sent by side characters before the story begins!
Kiara and Jude are the main characters, and both of them possess powers they couldn't imagine! I was expecting the reveal of who Kiara actually was, but not Jude's! Their relationship progresses in a very natural way, and I can't wait to see them again in the sequel!
There's some insane plot twists in this book, especially concerning the character's true identities and the lore. I honeslty couldn't stop reading after page 200!
The ending was so exciting. I'm very curious to see how Jude will take down King Cirian and how Violet and Jake will make it back home. I really want to see the gang reunite again!

TW:death, murder, mentions of torture and scars.

I absolutely devoured this book, read all of it in one sitting and was immediately sad I didn't have more of this world to jump into! Definitely a. Top 10 read of the year 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.

That being said, I'm disappointed by more than the dark elements in this book. Kiara steps in to take her sick brother's spot when the Knights of the Eternal Star come through taking mandatory recruits for the empire. Conveniently for her, she's already got a few years of combat training under her belt and a mysterious curse that insists upon her covering her hands up at all costs. Add in a brazen personality because she knows she's good (re: she made me think of Celaena from Throne of Glass), an instant attraction to her commander Jude who also has had a Bad Time, and a group of fanboys to fill in the found family aspect, and viola! You have the foundation for a decent high fantasy. I really wanted to like this too.

Sadly the foundation is all we get. My biggest issue with this book (aside from instalove as it's a total cringe trope for me) was the lack of building from the foundation. The world is never fully fleshed out and a lot of the answers are at the very end where they come too late to keep up the level of intrigue. I wanted to know more about the Mist, the loss of all light, and the Gods, and whilst I applaud the author for placing little snippets of lore at the top of each chapter, it wasn't enough to work with. The reader spends more time with Jude and Kiara skirting around their excessive feelings because they're both not like the other boys/girls and are too broken/evil for the other to truly love, that the world-building is forgotten. Because of this lack of building, I found a lot of the elements when the group is sent into the Mist far too gruesome and dark. We're thrown into his perilous world with needless deaths and things just keep darting all around the place without offering more clues and understanding. A lot of the happenings are too convenient or glossed over so fast that the explanation isn't enough. I feel the reader is left to just accept a lot of things without questioning why, and that didn't sit right with me. The plot had so much potential but without proper building of the world to support it, both characters and progression fell flat. I did guess the side-character plot twist but it was very wild how last minute it occurred.

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.

Thank you so much to Entangled Teen for the free eARC. I was intrigued by the very pretty first edition special sprayed edges, so I did pre-order the book.

What happens if the sun never rises? You get a land that no longer knows the sun, and lives in darkness, but 50 years has past and the people are getting desperate.

Kiara doesn't think her brother should be chosen to be conscripted into the guard, and defends her brother from a bully, gaining the attention of the one person she doesn't want looking her way. Jude Maddox is intrigued by the red-head female and conscripts her instead of the brother. Kiara has to survive the training, by any means possible.

There is so much going on, and at the beginning of each chapter you get a short note about various information pertinent to the plot, but they also have tidbits about the characters, which is incredibly interesting.

Going into this, I was immediately reminded of one of my absolute favorite series of all time, Song of the Lioness quartet by Tamora Pierce. Come to find out that the author is also a huge fan, made all of the reminders make sense.

This is a fantastic beginning of a new series and I am looking forward to what happens next.
5 out of 5 stars.

WOW!!! This story captures you from the very beginning. It's a wild ride and shows the length people will go through the protect the ones they love. Ki is a warrior and protector being chosen to train as a Knight of the Eternal Star so her brother wouldn't be chosen proved her selflessness and protectiveness towards her loved ones.

Jude is the Hand of Death. A deadly assassin to the King. He is emotionless, ruthless and numb until the day he saw Ki and her mere presence turned his world on its axis.

As Ki trains to become a Knight; Jude tries to keep his distance because he understands the mission they will soon embark upon and they must all be ready.

This story was so enthralling and captivating. I loved how Ki was so fearless and a true powerhouse. The push and pull between her and Jude was full of angst and tension but their witty banter was chef's kiss.

By order of a deceitful and arrogant King; Jude must take a small team of recruits into the cursed land on a mission to find 3 sacred object that will be the key to destroying the darkness that surround the kingdom.

As Jude, Ki and a few of her friend journey on this mission they come face to face with unsurmountable odds. Lives are lost and has they move further into their missing secrets are revealed and they are soon faced with the reality that things aren't as they appear to be. After a soul crushing betrayal; Ki realizes that in order to fight the darkness she must become the darkness.

Expect to Find:
World Building
A Fierce and Powerful FMC
Magic
Political Intrigue
Corrupt King
Brutal Warrior Training
Angst/Tension
Slow Burn Romance
Betrayal
Familial Secrets Revealed
God and Goddesses

Ending on a Cliffhanger I am early awaiting book 2

5+++++ stars!
wow I'm in shock, I’m in awe, so bewitched, this story is the best of the best, brilliant, dark, it is my first book by this author and it will definitely not be the last, it is SPECTACULAR!

Jude and Kiara are perfect for each other, their tension is so palpable through the pages, their dialogue and interactions stole my breath and caused a swarm of butterflies in my stomach, and I love the way the author narrates their relationship, the connection between them is so intense and deep. I love Jude so much, he is a tortured antihero with a past so tragic and painful, and Kiara and her loyalty and bravery, I love how small glimpses of their past are slowly revealed

The slow burn romance is epic, but beyond that, this is a story so exquisitely told, complex and unique, with a great world building and interesting characters. The author did a masterful job combining horror, betrayal, suspense, adventures, gloomy creatures, dark and terrifying places, fantasy, in a story that left me speechless.

This is a unique YA fantasy and so beautiful, the last pages almost gave me a heart attack, it consumed me, it enchanted me, it's so addictive. A MASTERPIECE! I can't wait for more of this world.

Asidia is cursed to be without a sun and the Knights of the Eternal Star enter the dangerous mist that surrounds it to find a cure. On the day of the Calling, one child joins from each family. Kiara, 'tainted' by something that happened a decade ago takes her brother's place and inevitably spares him. Following the Hand of Death, their dark & mesmerizing leader into the Mist to uncover its deadly secrets, they must become darkness to fight darkness.

Poignant, with a gentle but potent darkness, the figurative speech presents lyrical flourishes of wonderful wordplay embellishing the prose with vibrant imagery. The descriptions ooze familiarity though they build a world we do not know but feel we do. The storytelling breathes danger, and mystery looms as we go further into the story and the Mist. I like how we gradually learn about the characters and the world, no severe info dumping in sight, just a narrative that is simultaneously soft and powerful. The little tidbits at the beginning of chapters such as excerpts of letters, prayers etc add to the book's atmosphere and the story.

Each of the 2 POVs has its own presentation, the one more emotionally carved, an open book if you will, while the other starts out more precise, abrupt without fanfare until Jude starts revealing himself. It is enthralling to see the story from each of their views, expertly interchanging to have the full scope of the story.

I love how Kiara is ready for anything. Smart, brave and quick-witted, she stands out, and not because she is a woman in an all-male environment. Jude is feared and misunderstood, seemingly hard and efficient as needed, and an interesting onion of a character to be peeled. They are joined in loneliness and determination. She is hope and he needs it. Their situation is smile-worthy and gasp-worthy, wiping into your heart. Also, you will love Kiara's 'squad'.

Slow burner, it needed a little more oomph to the story in some parts. Less musing about feelings and more action, especially since the action was amazing. The insta-feelings of the protagonists rubbed me the wrong way in the beginning, probably because they felt too much, too soon. Then I grew to enjoy the mentions of their feelings and how they regard each other. Oh, and their teasing. Yes, you root for them.

This is about bias and prejudice without just cause fuelled by things like gender, social status etc. Being true to yourself no matter what and belonging. About power, the mightiness of love and the glory of purpose. Unpredictable, adventurous, a doom-filled quest that breathes hope, this is a brilliant beginning to a new promising series.

It's been a long time since I've read a solid fantasy novel and this reminded me why I love the genre!

I really enjoyed how this just kept building. First, you have the world. I never felt lost when it came to the worldbuilding. Albeit complex, it was easy to understand and follow along. It's a layered world and I like how that builds up the idea that something bigger it at play.

Then you've got Kiara navigating her new life in Knights and learning how truly strong she is. I appreciated her character evolution and watching her come into her own. Her slow burning but sparking chemistry with the commander won over the romantic in me.

Add to that the mysteries of the world, the mission to save it and the allusions to a bigger prophecy at play. There is a lot going on in this novel with every turn of the page.

It's just a well crafted novel from start to end and I can't wait to read the sequel!

Thank you Entangled Teen and to Net Galley for giving me this arc. 5 stars! Katherine Quinn is now an auto buy author for me. I was hooked from the very first page, and that's so rare for me. First of all, the world building in this book is gorgeous. The main characters Kiara, and Jude are so easy to love and get attached to. Their romance is so beautiful. This book is the perfect fantasy romance. I need to go read Katherine Quinn's other books now! And the need the next book right now!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
50 years ago, the Sun Goddess has left the kingdom in darkness; food is beginning to become scarce. Every year, the king rounds up eligible candidates who can be trained to enter the mist in hopes of finding the keys that will bring the Sun Goddess back to the realm.

Kiara’s brother Liam is being selected by the King’s Guard for this year’s recruits. However, Kiara is chosen instead. Trained by her Uncle, she is a better warrior and the Commander of the Guard can sense that she is a better choice.

Now Kiara and select recruits will venture into the mist to find the keys and hopefully bring daylight back to the land.
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This is an amazing Young Adult book; planned to be a duology.

I feel like this book is a mix of:
One Dark Window and the Crowns of Nyaxia (The Serpent & the Wings of Night).

It’s filled with a magical mist, horrific monsters, gods & goddesses, prophecy, corrupt King, strong warriors, and an undeniable connection.
⚔️
I foresaw some things but was completely caught off guard at a major twist at the end.

This ends on a fairly large cliffhanger.
⚔️
The first print run will have purple sprayed edges and will be released on Nov 28th