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.
⚔️
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

ARC Review: To Kill a Shadow

Rating: ✨4/5✨
Spice: 🌶
Tropes: quest, mentor to lovers, love triangle (kinda), forced proximity, found family

Just finished To Kill a Shadow – an interesting fantasy novel about a world where the sun goddess had abandoned it and left the world in darkness with a murderous mist📚 Here's what I loved and what gave me pause:
👍 Liked:
- Engaging characters with well-developed backstories.
- The romance was really well done imo. It felt believable. I liked we got a few romantic moments.
- Kiara and her belief in doing the right thing.
- The concept was cool and I enjoyed the darker tone of the book.

👎 Didn't Like:
- A few pacing issues in the beginning and middle of the book. I feel like I lost interest a few times.
- Predictable use of "I'm leaving you too protect you." I hate when couples are separated and I also predicted the ending.
- Kiara being a dumb*ss and not listening to anyone.
- Patrick. The whole book that guy was just so annoying and then even more so at the end.

Overall, a solid read with great promise! I'm excited for the second book. Thanks to Netgalley and Entangled for this early copy in exchange for an honest review.

#BookReview #ARCreview

Thank you Entangled teen for allowing me to read this incredible book! The writing really sucked me in. The words strung together were very poetic and the story alone was amazing! Had everything you need in a book. The character relationships were knit together very well. I do wish there was a bit more world building but that was the only thing that really felt loose.

Dark and daunting yet at the same time fierce, I absolutely loved the light and darkness wrapped up in To Kill A Shadow. There are heart-pounding moments around every corner and as dark as this book is, the constant searching for light is what drives it and I could not get enough of Jude and Kiara.

We do get a dual POV from both our FMC and MMC. Let start with our MMC… with a name like Jude Maddox how could he not be a sexy, brooding, lethal god of perfection? Jude is nothing short of ruthless when we first meet him yet you’re still drawn to him and know there is so much more beneath the facade he displays. For Kiara, strength also shines from her right from the very first page we meet her and not once does she ever let that strength falter. She continually fights to be a protector and I loved her boisterous personality.

I was not 100% sure what to expect going into this book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I do think in the beginning there was some background or more deep diving into the lore that could have happened. However, I loved the story we got and found myself not being able to put it down. I think Katherine still has a lot of secrets to share regarding some characters and I am so excited to figure those out in book 2. And of course… screaming for a Jude and Kiara endgame! Absolutely give this thrilling start to a series a pick-up.

💜 To K*!! A Shadow ARC Review 💜
By Katherine Quinn
Mistlands, Book 1

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️
NA • Fantasy Romance
448 pages
🗓️ November 28

🌑 Romantasy
⚔️ Forbidden Love
🌑 Morally Gray MMC
⚔️ Curse
🌑 Close Proximity
⚔️ Found Family
🌑 Dual POV
⚔️ Betrayal
🌑 Slow Burn

📍“Few people knew that the night spoke. Even fewer knew how to answer when it did.”

And this book spoke to me and I answered. Boy, did I answer. Ask me anything Kiara and Jude, it’s yours.

ONE OF THE BEST FANTASY READS OF THE YEAR FOR ME. ALL CAPS AS IT DESERVES.

📍“Curse me all you want, Jude. But if I’m your reflection, you can’t escape me.”

If you want to end this year on a high note, this is the book you need to get. This one. What a journey.

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

Kiara: our fearless, quite stubborn FMC. You will meet her. You will love her. You will want to protect her AND befriend her. She’s everything that’s good in fantasy.

Jude: our brooding, broken anti-hero. The man who sees himself as nothing but a monster. Until her. Until she sees past the mask. Past the scars.

Curse: I’m not talking about this. It’s wild. It’s “I’m going to keep you guessing.” It’s twisty 🤌🏼

📍“All of our jagged pieces might not have fit together perfectly, but what a beautiful, disastrous mosaic we made.”

Romance: deliciously slow burn that ends with my heart in my hands as I gift it to them. Because all the feels have flooded me and now they must return home. There is nothing I would dare to change. Nothing.

📍“If I lost her, there was no chance I’d ever recover. Kiara was my tether to the world, a beautiful, fearless, disastrous reminder of what could be possible.”

Content Warnings: gore, abuse, suicide, murder

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this one but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. There is so much tension between Kiara and Jude right from the first time they meet. Their banter was super fun and I liked seeing their trust in each other grow throughout the book. The characters were super interesting. I think we just scratched the surface with Jude and Kiara’s backstories so I’m interested to see what the author does in the next book. There were a couple of times that I was confused about the subplots because we don’t get enough information beforehand.

I really liked the world building in this one. The Mist was super dark and brutal. The things the characters went through on their journey were intense and gruesome. There were times that I was disturbed from the brutality that was happening. Some of the gory scenes are detailed but it’s an upper YA/NA book so it’s to be expected.

The romance was super fun. It’s a slow burn but it moves at a steady enough pace that I wasn’t bored with it. Jude and Kiara’s banter was my favourite. And I loved her relationship with the other guys in her troop. The friendships were so wholesome.

While there was nothing that absolutely wowed me, I still really enjoyed this fantasy and am excited for the second book, especially after that ending!

To Kill a Shadow is book one in the new Mistlands series by Katherine Quinn.
This is an enthralling and imaginative fantasy novel that whisks readers away to a world of intrigue, romance, and daring adventure.
Woah, this book was truly one I couldn’t put down an intriguing YA fantasy with romance and suspense.
Fabulously atmospheric, vivid and I loved all the character’s.
This story was so well written and so full of details that I was living for.
The pacing of the story was really good. It moved at a good pace, and it didn’t feel rushed. It had moments of fear, tension, romance, triumph, and overall was a fantastic story.
The world building is fantastic, and the revelations that were revealed were epic! I am now patiently waiting for the next book!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Entangled: Teen for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

This book! I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I really enjoyed it...YA hasn't been keeping my attention lately but To Kill a Shadow was one I couldn't put down.

Jude Maddox is the Hand of Death and as commander of the Knights of he Eternal Star, he is beholden to the King's wishes and demands. How he ended up working for the king is a whole story and I won't give any of it away but when he finds himself in a village called Cila to collect recruits, he is drawn to our fmc, Kiara who has a backstory of her own.

Kiara is a force to be reckoned with. At her heart, she is a protector and a fighter. She draws the eye of Jude because she is determined to protect her brother Liam and when she does, she is chosen as a recruit and this is where the rest of the story begins.

I can't say a lot here because I don't want to give anything away. With their own histories and backstories, it's easy to see why Jude and Kiara are drawn to one another. They both have scars they try to hide but they soon realize they don't have to do that with each other.

When the king sends a small group into the most dangerous shadow lands, Jude and Kiara must do whatever they can to survive and I'll tell you...not everyone in their group makes it out alive. Quinn has created a harsh world and I loved how it helped to drive the story forward. The characters she has developed as a supporting cast for Jude and Kiara are great too and if you're like me, you might be just as surprised around how everything plays out.

The last few chapters of this book have me anxiously awaiting the next book in this series because I have no patience but with that said, definitely pick this book up when you can. I loved every minute of it and hope you do too!

This story started ironically similar in many stories I have read recently. The crux of the problem is the world is thrusted in darkness. No sun in sight and where monsters roam. The world is dying. How eerie and ominous that reality mimic fantasy. Global warning is a huge crisis going on and to have many stories fettering around this concept makes me believe unconsciously this is an important issue on many people’s mind.

Unlike the other stories with this theme, I really enjoyed the concept, lore, and twist in this story.

Told in two POV, Jude and Kiara, have grown up differently but they could not have been more alike. Ostracized, feared, and different - they gravitate towards each other.

Jude is the tortured, strong commander -inflicted with the duty to do the kings dirty biddings. He might be tainted in death but his soul is pure, loyal, and strong.

I love Kiara. She’s spunky, devious, and loyal. I love how she protects her friends and devotes her whole energy in what she believes is right. She does not run.

The quest they are instructed to take is downright a horrible nightmare. But it was so good. Realistic and deadly, their companions fall in the mist. They tumble upon some undead cannibals which was truly terrify.

The end was anti-climatic but it definitely set the stage for the subsequent sequels to this trilogy.

One part I love is at the start of every chapter, we get a note. Between different people that revolve around the story. It was incredibly important. I enjoyed the snippets. Lots of questions I have. I cannot wait for the sequel!

4.5 stars

This was a really solid series opener! The ending was wild, not something I thought was very predictable ( I guessed it and was still surprised that it actually happened LOL ). I liked the main characters, but I think Jake was probably my favourite. I liked Patrick too! The romance between Jude and Kiara felt kind of forced and was a bit too insta-lovey for me, but I still thought it was well written land they were cute). The plot was a bit slow at the beginning, but it really picked up at the 30% mark and did not slow down from there. And the ending!! I cannot believe that we ended like that! I need the next book immediately. Overall, I would highly recommend this book!

🖤💜 To Kill A Shadow ARC Review 💜🖤

Thank you so much to Katherine Quinn and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!!

To Kill A Shadow is a fantasy adventure romance. When the guard passes through town, they always select new recruits for the army, which is almost always a death sentence. But Kiara is determined to save her brother from this fate. However in her attempt to keep her brother alive, she gets the attention of the commander and is selected for recruitment herself. Can she leave everything she’s known and survive the nightmare she’s found herself in?

This was a fun fantasy read! I enjoyed Kiara and her strength in this story! Jude was an awesome broody character and I enjoyed his story! The world building and lore in this story were unique and compelling, which made for a fun read!

Overall this was a solid 4 star read for me! I enjoyed the characters, the world and the story. This book did have some darker themes, so please check triggers if you’re sensitive! While this book had a romantic subplot, there wasn’t any on page spice, so one flame for spice.

If you’re a fan of fantasy reads with strong characters, interesting world building and all the found family vibes, then absolutely pick this one up!

Please note - review will be posted to Amazon upon publication

Wow. Just wow! Phenomenal story/plot. Great characters and the pace of this book is *chefs kiss* perfect! It took me a couple of chapters to actually get into it but once I did it was something I couldn’t put down. Finished it in one sitting. I keep trying to figure out who my favorite characters are and I can’t choose. I loved them all for their own reasons. Beautifully written book. Well done!