This book was not what I expected it to be. I expected an easy to read YA, but instead this is a high fantasy book, with complex characters and more mature themes.

The book was a bit hard to get into at first, especially since there is an avalanche of information, but there are still many pieces missing (that we get to learn about later). That being said, the book seemed to drag a bit at times, but it was still a very rewarding read.

I loved the sister's relationship and how they are always there for each other, even when they were upset with each other. I loved learning more about other nations and I found their tutor to be a very smart man, finding new ways to teach them his culture. I actually enjoyed reading about each character and they were all beautifully written.

There are many things in this book that make it great (the characters, the magic system, the story), I just would have liked the information to be given in a easier to understand and remember way and the pacing to be a bit more even (and maybe a tad more faster).

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Silver River Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

We join princess Kharis, the vessel for a fire demon, and princess Saya, her protector and future executioner, when they’re twelve years old trying to survive an unfavourable realm that wants to keep them trapped.
Their uncle wants to kill Kharis, their brother wants to use them, and their father, the King, is powerless to oppose the Cabinet’s decisions about his daughters. The only positive figures in their life are Healer Yuna and, eventually, the princes of a foreign land.
This coming-of-age tale is full of intrigue: an ancient prophecy hanging over the sisters will put their love for each other to the test.

Oh, this was good.
It took me a while to finish, and not for any fault of its own: I was just in a bit of a reading slump, but whenever I started reading I would fly through chapters.

The world building intrigued me, the characters are consistent, the emotional bonds between them felt raw and incredibly real, and the hatred I felt for some of them (Arjun Ghan when I fucking catch you) can only be summoned by truly amazing writing.

Lets’s get into some of my thoughts about some characters

Kharis
I love her, I actually have no words to explain how important she is to me.

Saya
I think she’s great. I disagree with her inaction, but she’s a child so I forgive her.

Yuna
Marry me.

Arjun Ghan
Go die in a ditch I fucking hate you I hope you get got. I love when a gay person is allowed to be actually awful, but also I despise him so much.

Queen Aghuti
She’s dead and she haunts the narrative, I love that for her.

King Hröld
Unfortunately, I don't particularly like him. He’s a good father and a good king, but not when he has to be both of those things.

Rawiri
Unfortunately, he’s my best friend.

This review is probably a bit disorganised, but that’s what happens when I’m a fan of something: I start rambling.

If I had to find a fault with this, I’d say the time skips are jarring and that being introduced to some of my favourite characters (the Kahurangi delegation) just for them to leave halfway through made me a bit disappointed, even if I understood why it happened.

Still, I’m now a fan of A. S. R. Gelpi and will definitely continue reading this series. I recommend you pick this up if you like reading about sisterly bonds, twists that will have you at the edge of your seat, enjoy great world building, and amazing writing.

Excellent book, loved it! Looking forward to more from this author! Apologies for the lateness of my review

Thank you for the chance to read this book, and I admire all of the hard work that went into cultivating such a story. I especially love stories with 2 sisters as it resonates with me and the bond I have with my own.

This was beautifully written with intricate world building. I'm curious to see what the author does next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Silver River Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a solidly good YA book, and I am excited to read the next one. This would be an excellent gift for an older teen who loves fantasy, adventure, and strong female characters.

I appreciate the very detailed content warning pages, and the pronunciation guide in the beginning of the book.

The story revolves mainly around Kharis and Saya, a pair of children bonded by a curse to contain a demon lord. Karis doomed to die as the curse slowly destroys her mind, with Saya as her protector and helping to keep the curse in check.

We only visit a small part of this beautiful world, with the story mostly taking place in and around Zahar. The descriptions are beautifully detailed, and all the characters were memorable and interesting with their own quirks and flaws. I deeply enjoyed how varied the cultures from the different lands are as well. The mythology and lore were interesting, and it made me hungry to learn more about how the world and it's magic works.

This was a very fast paces story filled with court intrigue, drama, and internal and external struggles. Watching Kharis and Saya grow and mature into adults, while dealing with hatred and trauma taught a lot of good lessons to readers about patience and overcoming impulsiveness. There were also a lot of learning about how our choices have consequences, and how what we do affects others.

3.75 stars. Had some good potential to further develop the worldbuilding. I feel like we could have got some more depth and interesting plot for the length of this book was long and it feels too much as if we aren't fully involved in the world yet.

The story of two you girls who are taken over by demons one to protect the other since babies. As they learn to use their powers they are feared. Yet the still fall in love, get hurt and deal with family issues.

From the first page, this had me under it's spell, I didn't want to put it down. The story pulls you into the world of two sisters and takes you on a roller coaster journey of emotions. The characters and the world they live in are well written and keep you wanting to know what happens next. There is even a pronunciation guide in the front with a glossary in the back that was very helpful. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Kharis craves freedom but her life in the palace is restricted because she is the vessel of a fire demon. Saya, her adopted sister, is bound to Kharis’s fate as her protector. Can they forge a new path and find freedom?

The writing was descriptive and drew me in, but I wished for more focused world-building early on to better understand the characters, cultures, politics, religions, and terms. Several times the explanation I needed appeared a page or chapter after the term or group was first introduced.

I didn’t have a sense of stakes during much of the early unfolding action. I found the first 50% difficult to push through, as it felt like only set up of the current state issues—with little movement toward Kharis’s vague goal of “freedom.” I was excited at the midpoint to see something starting to happen to change the course of the story, a step toward her goal, but their actions were thwarted and a beloved character banished, making the rest of the story still feel very slow.

The last third of the book was the most engaging, but the very end was abrupt and underdeveloped, skipping large chunks of time and leaving me feeling as if nothing much changed for Kharis or Saya. The main villain may have been defeated but the freedom Kharis longed for wasn’t attained and there wasn’t a clear hook for the next book in series to explore.

This book set up an interesting world and developed characters, with unique lore and supernatural forces, but I wished for a stronger plot and broader character arc.

Also, early in the story, the attention Taika paid Kharis felt awkward. He was fifteen, she not yet thirteen, and he was already courting her after an abrupt thought that they were something like fated mates. He promised to wait five years for her to be of marriageable age, but it was odd and underdeveloped and they felt too young for it. I didn’t connect with Taika when years later he still had unusually strong emotions for her, despite them not having seen each other or corresponded since their first meeting.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC.

A high fantasy not set in medieval Europe is always a nice change. This unusual story of adopted sisters bonded through two sides of a curse as well as their shared upbringing and love for each other includes mythical elements from North Africa and the Pacific Islands. The girls are relatable, the villain is gratifyingly awful, and despite the author's warning about this not being a book for children, I wouldn't hesitate to hand it to anyone who enjoyed the Hobbit.

That said, there are some pacing problems as it repeats things we already know and indulges in luxuriously detailed description of irrelevancies. And the whole thing with the quasi–Pacific Islanders is played up so hard that I suppose it must pay out in a later book, but it doesn't really sell the relationship.

Reading A Land of Shadows and Moss by A.S.R. Gelpi is like walking into a dark forest by yourself. You know the risks, but you still want the inimitable experience you’d get from it. The story of Kharis and her sister Saya is rife with discoveries, adventure, and growth. It is filled with moments of friendship, love, joy, pain, hurt, and anger. But, in the midst of it all, the unbreakable bond between the sisters helped them weather everything thrown at them.

I also love how the author spun the web that made the world and characters of this book come alive. It made me feel every emotion that comes with every prohibited dance, undeserved lash, disappointment, and even each small win. A Land of Shadows and Moss makes me want to read every book in the series until its very end.

Two sisters. Magic. Curses. Demons. What more could you want from a fantasy book? Well, A Land of Shadows and Moss definitely gives you more than you asked for and more than you ever thought you needed. I devoured this book. The world-building is intricate and detailed, the character growths immense and the way in which Gelpi weaves the politics of the world into the story is fantastic. I could not put this book down. This definitely has a Game of Thrones style vibe with how some of the characters wish to use others for their power. I cannot wait for the next installment and I think that A.S.R Gelphi is an author to watch. This would make a brilliant tv show...

I was pleasantly surprised to receive approval for my application; Thank you for this opportunity!
The writing is wonderful, the sisters' story is intriguing.
Character development is another prominent feature in Land of Shadows and Moss.
As a high fantasy reader, I devoured this novel.
My only criticism is that the narrative can sometimes feel a little dragged out, which sometimes disrupts the flow and pacing of the scenes, making them feel a little awkward.
But it's still an incredible book.

A Land of Shadows and Moss" by A.S.R. Gelpi is a dark and atmospheric fantasy novel that pulls you into a world where secrets lurk in every corner and danger is just a heartbeat away. The story takes place in a mysterious land shrouded in mist, where the boundaries between the living and the dead are thin, and the lines between friend and foe are even thinner.

The plot centers around a young wanderer named Eira, who is drawn into a web of ancient magic and forgotten lore as she tries to uncover the truth behind her family's mysterious past. Gelpi does an excellent job of building suspense, with every chapter adding layers to the mystery and leaving you wanting to know more.

What really stands out in this book is the setting. The world of shadows and moss feels almost alive, with Gelpi's descriptive writing painting vivid images of eerie forests, crumbling ruins, and haunted landscapes. The atmosphere is thick with tension, making the reader feel as if they’re right there alongside Eira, navigating the dangers of this enigmatic world.

The characters are intriguing, each with their own secrets and motives. Eira is a strong and determined protagonist, but she's also vulnerable in a way that makes her relatable. The supporting cast is equally compelling, with plenty of morally gray characters who keep you guessing about their true intentions.

The pacing is deliberate, with a slow build-up that gradually increases the stakes, leading to a thrilling and satisfying conclusion. Gelpi’s writing style is poetic and immersive, drawing you deeper into the story with every page.

Overall, "A Land of Shadows and Moss" is a hauntingly beautiful fantasy novel that’s perfect for readers who enjoy stories with a darker edge. It’s a book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page, making it a must-read for fans of atmospheric, character-driven fantasy.

I think that this will be a great book for a certain audience however that audience is not me. When I initially requested this novel I wasn’t aware of the ages of the main characters and their young ages at the beginning simply made me uncomfortable. However from what I read the style of writing is lovely and I do think in the correct readers hands it will do very well.

This book is so cool! The story, characters & characters development, world building, the writing, EVERYTHING is soo good.

I started the book out intimidated by all the new words. The glossary and how to pronounce at the front helped a lot but I still ended up making up my own sounds because some were so complex. The book itself was good. Caught my attention pretty quickly. A lot of world building but I loved it. Can't wait for more.

Perfect for fans of Throne of glass.

A high fantasy novel following 2 sisters that will do absolutely anything for each other.
A beautiful story of love and high fantasy incorporating a unique magic system along with prophecy, mortality and fate.

As a high fantasy reader, I devoured this novel. The writer grabs your attention right from the start.

4/5 stars!

This was a 5 star read for me. I usually don't give books 5 stars because that's pushing a little but in this book it totally deserves this rating. Loved so much the story. Recommend to everyone👏