I struggled with this book. The characters were very surface-level and it tried to do too many things.

I really wanted to love The Realm of Ice and Shadow—the concept had so much potential: an eerie, dangerous world full of mystery? Total win. But actually finishing it felt like a bit of a slog.

The pacing dragged in parts that should’ve been tense or exciting, which made it tough to stay hooked. I kept waiting to be pulled in, but instead, I was just… pushing through. And while the characters sounded interesting on paper, they didn’t have enough depth to make me feel connected to them or their struggles.

fast pace which I did enjoy how ever i do feel more explanation was needed in certain parts.

liked the characters but again I wanted more depth and explanation I feel like this had alot of potential but fell a little flat for me xx

"Realm of Ice and Shadow" by Leigh Stratton offers an engaging fantasy journey that many readers will enjoy. The world-building is impressive, with ice-bound landscapes and mysterious shadows that create an immersive and enchanting setting.
The characters are likable and show potential, even if their development feels a bit rushed at times. The protagonist's adventure through the icy realm is captivating, though some plot points are somewhat predictable. However, the story's charm lies in its magical atmosphere and the sense of wonder it evokes.
Stratton's writing style is clear and descriptive, painting vivid pictures of the cold, eerie realm. While the pacing can be uneven, with some sections dragging while others feel too brief, the overall narrative is still enjoyable.
Despite these minor shortcomings, "Realm of Ice and Shadow" provides a pleasant escape into a world of magic and mystery. It's a solid read for fantasy fans looking for a new adventure. Overall, it's a book that I found to be a satisfying and enjoyable experience.

This was a four star book until the last page. I loved the characters and the pace of the story but I needed to read that ''lie'' at the end. It doesn't feel like the book is over. Don't get me wrong, I like open endings but in this particular case, it doesn't feel complete.
I loved the writing style, it pulled me in every time I wanted to sleep. That's why I will read the next book (even risking a weird open ending like this one),

This book sounded really good, sadly it was archived before I got a chance to read it. I thought the cover was super pretty and the little bit I did get to read was very well written.

I need more description to pull me in. The idea is and with a good editor I could see this going big. I honestly would make the book bigger too. It feels as though the plot is being rushed. The first half seems to start off okay and then I felt like it just went to fast.
Though the book is predictable with a little more world building and character development you can still bring the reader in. The concept is there but it seems like everything is on the border verses going in depth. If I was younger I could find myself being obsessed with this story line however being older, I just need more depth.

"Realm of Ice and Shadow" by Leigh Stratton truly pulled me into its magical world. The story of a young hero facing challenges in a land of eternal winter felt both adventurous and deeply personal. Stratton's descriptions made me feel like I was right there in the icy landscape, experiencing the hero's struggles and triumphs. The characters were so well-crafted that I found myself rooting for them and feeling their emotions. If you're into epic fantasy with a lot of heart, this book is a fantastic escape.

Sadly, this book was just too predictable for me. I read most of the book, and found myself skipping through some content in hopes that something or someone would pop from the context and grasp me. This story lacked anything original in the sense that a lot of stories in this genre just seem to be all too similar. It’s probably a great book if you’re experiencing a book hangover and need something to power you through.

It’s by no means terrible or even bad. I would recommend it to someone getting into this genre who hasn’t yet been “tainted” by the SJM and RY of the YA/Fantasy world.

We follow teenager named Ryleigh (and her little sister) when suddenly her whole world turns upside down while trying to land a job (an earthquake destroys the building) and she meets Jackson.
Jackson is the Prince of Cymmera (completely different realm).
And Ryleigh might be the key to help save his dying realm.

I'll be honest, the book was predictable and silly at times, but it was really enjoyable. The magic and the atmosphere were great and I can't wait to learn more (I really hope there's a sequel).
The ending felt little rushed, and the romance was fast, but I didn't mind, it's still fun and easy read.

Definitely not everybody's cup of tea, but give it a try!
2,5⭐

Ich weiß ehrlich gesagt nicht, wie ich dieses Buch bewerten soll, da ich es aufgrund relativ kurzer Ausleihdauer (ohne Verlängerung) nicht lesen konnte.

Not the worst YA fantasy I’ve read but….this genre has so much competition that I just don’t have the patience for predictable writing. That said it had its moments. They’re just weren’t that many

The reviews on this one largely panned it and while I don‘t disagree there are some issues, I actually feel like this was a pretty decent read. The younger sister comes off as much younger than twelve in most of her interactions (having a twelve-year-old, I know), but the book moved along at a pretty decent clip. There are several things going on with traitors in the kingdom, fighting, never knowing when someone might just show up. I liked it, overall!

What a great fantasy story! The characters were wonderful and interesting with such great fantasy elements.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Realm of Ice and Shadow starts with a thrilling premise—a handsome prince descends from the sky with deadly intent towards a young girl, immediately gripping readers from the first page. The tension between the characters is palpable, drawing us into their tumultuous world with vivid imagery. However, as a YA book, the focus on relationships feels somewhat lacking in maturity. While the first half of the story is captivating, the plot takes a sudden and rushed turn around the halfway point, leading to an abrupt ending that leaves much to be desired in terms of closure. Despite these pacing issues, the book remains a compelling read with a unique premise that will likely appeal to YA fantasy fans.

Very interesting how this story was build. It starts in the real world, soon to shift to a magic realm where the MC has a duty to fulfill. Although things don't always seem to go the way they should, they manage to do just fine. There's a lot of action in this book and it makes you want to read further to know what will happen next.

I enjoyed reading the book. I gave it 3 stars.

A handsome prince who drops from the sky is just the way to start a book! A handsome prince who drops from the sky to kill the young girl is also a great beginning to this story! I was immediately immersed in this storyline. It had me on the edge of my seat from page one. Emotions are high and we are involved with the prince and the girl. The imagery is fantastic and the characters paint themselves into my mind.
This is a YA book, and I could definitely tell pretty quickly, as I was missing a more adult relationship between the characters. The first half of the story is great, but at about the halfway point it takes a very sharp turn, too quickly for me, into a conflict, and in a very short time it’s over. So the pacing was off for me and the abrupt ending. But I still enjoyed the premise and would definitely recommend to all YA readers.

This was a pretty short book in my opinion. There was so much they could have expanded on to make it longer and more details. I hope there is a 2nd one but I am not seeing anything about future books. Definitely a great start to a new world and concept, just truly hope there are more to come.

2.5 Stars Rounded to 3 Stars for review

Realm of Ice and Shadow was a fairly quick read for me as I was able to read in a few short hours. The cover and synopsis is what drew me into wanting to read this book as I’m a huge fan of fantasy. This is a ya book but I felt it’s geared more towards the younger end of ya.
This book was ok but I felt that it fell a little flat. The plot was pretty predictable at certain points throughout the book but it did have plenty of twists and turns.
I felt the world building could do with being expanded more. I felt that we got a quick description but it needed more as I struggled to understand what was going on.
I feel that with a little more development and depth this could be a great book.


Thank you to Netgalley, the Author and the Publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.