Wonderful wonderful wonderful!!!!

I can't tell you how hard it was to put this book down! It truly pulls you in from the first chapter! I don't think I've ever saved so many passages in a book before! So many funny moments and so many tense moments! Just an absolute joy of a book! 1000000% recommend to anyone who is a fan of horror and mystery! Truly the characters are loveable and the story is just amazing!

This book had such an intriguing set up. A sister who searches for answers to find her missing sister and is led to a mysterious painting and an even more mysterious set of twins. I really flew through the book wanting all the answers. Unfortunately, I finished feeling like I needed more. The ending felt rushed and not much a climax. The story was choppy in parts. However, I did enjoy trying to piece the answers together. Seems like it’s set up for a second one? I’ll definitely check it out if so. Maybe I’ll find my answers there.

Thank you to netgalley and Meriam Metoui for this arc to read and review.
Review for Portrait of a Shadow by Meriam Metoui below

Portrait of a Shadow is a young adult horror novel, loosely based on the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. The book takes place in the modern day, and follows Mae, who travels to her missing sister’s apartment to search for some answers the cops might have missed. On her arrival, she meets Dev, who knows more about her missing sister than he originally lets on. Mae agrees to let Dev join her on her adventure to find out what really happened to her sister, and what this painting has to do with it.

This novel was good, and had lots of good parts. I enjoyed the disjointed flashback structure to add context and Dev’s background into the story, and I enjoyed getting to know Nik as a character, before he was ripped away from us. I almost wish that the backstory structure happened in a long-form prologue that took place before the book. It could’ve been part one, since the book is already separated as such.

One thing I had a problem with throughout the book is that it’s marketed as a horror novel, but I was not scared. A horror book should make my skin crawl, or at the very least make me a bit apprehensive to turn out the lights at night. And, there were so many missed opportunities to make the book more scary, like having the painting whispering to the characters, or catching glimpses of the shadow woman in her rearview mirror. The simple things that can scare the pants off of readers. I digress.

That being said, I did like this book for the plot. Although I have never read The Portrait of Dorian Gray, I will have to consider it after this read.

First and foremost, thank you to MacMillan Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC copy of this book! I think the best adjective to describe it is melancholy. It is something that settles over the entire tale, with the smallest slivers of hope found within. I think that it was a well-paced story, moving quite quickly but giving just enough time for the characters to develop. It was also a compelling mystery, and the uncertainty surrounding this painting throughout the story provides a tinge of the unknown to what is largely a story about grief, loss, and coping with both of those things. I will say that it feels far less like a horror novel than a paranormal mystery that can unsettle at times, but intrigue just as much. I gladly recommend this book to anyone looking for a bit of mystery driven by an enigmatic painting.

"Portrait of a Shadow" by Meriam Metoui is a captivating novel that unfolds a mysterious tale involving a missing sister, a peculiar boy, and a painting hiding truths beneath its surface.

The story revolves around Mae, whose older sister Inez has gone missing. Despite the police investigation hitting a dead end and her parents moving on, Mae is determined to find Inez. When she begins clearing out her sister's studio, Mae stumbles upon a peculiar canvas with an ornate frame, seemingly older than it should be. The canvas draws her in, its mottled surface, heavy layers of white paint, and a peeling top corner captivating her attention.

Convinced that Inez's disappearance is connected to the mysterious painting, Mae decides to trace her sister's last steps in search of answers. Along the way, she encounters a strange boy who claims to have been Inez's neighbor. Despite his good looks, the boy avoids answering Mae's questions. Together, they embark on a scavenger hunt, unraveling the clues left behind by Inez. This journey leads them to centuries-old questions and dark secrets that were meant to remain hidden.

The novel explores themes of truth, love, and the lengths people are willing to go to uncover mysteries. Meriam Metoui, known for "A Guide to the Dark," weaves a tender horror story that delves into the complexities of relationships and the allure of hidden truths. "Portrait of a Shadow" promises to be a compelling and atmospheric read, blending elements of horror and mystery with a focus on the bonds that tie us to the ones we love.

Mae refuses to believe that her sister, who is missing, is never coming back. While cleaning out her sister’s apartment Mae finds a painting, some weird research about the painting, and she meets a mysterious (and cute) boy. Together, they set out to find the truth about what happened to her sister, but along the way nothing is really what it seems.

Part Portrait of Dorian Grey, part Vampire Diaries, the story takes place in a few different time periods. The story moves along at a pretty quick pace, and you get to know the characters along the way… or do you? Even though this falls short of “horror” for me, this was fun, mysterious, and playful, and kept the pages turning late into the night.

It is worth noting that readers who are not a fan of open-endings should beware!

This is in your wheelhouse if you like: diverse characters, mysteries, lgbtqia+ friendly, POC friendly, open endings, difficult family dynamics, cursed objects

This was a YA novel and I don't usually read those , but I ended up finishing this one regardless. It was really creepy, had great characters, and the storyline was good. So I would recommend it, no matter your age if you like spooky books. It's not hardcore or a gore fest, but spooky.