4.5 STARS

What an AMAZING fucking ride holy shit. I started Six of Crows and I ended up being in a reading slump so i ended it. After I read the description her a couple months later, I needed motivation to pick it back up so I was hoping this book could do it AND BOY DID IT.
I will be reading SoC here soon but THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING.

(Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.)

So this book follows our MC and her immediate action heist where she needs the money to help her dying mother. Her siblings work but they support out FMC which is rare in fantasy books so go them. Anyways, I can't get too much farther into it without spoiling but IM SO GLAD I PICKED THIS UP!

This book has all the elements you need for a great magical heist adventure.
Unique magic system, well written and flowing plot, banter between characters...however unfortunately I just didnt really gel with it although I cant put my finger on why.
Read if your favourite book is six of crows!

I LOVED THIS ONE SO MUCH!!!! The magic system is chefs kiss, the world building was excepcional and the characters are so lovable 😭❤️‍🩹

The writing hooked me from the beginning and I thought it was SO good!!! For me, the only *mini* flaw in this book was that the author divided the development of the romance too much between her ex and her current romantic interest, but it was still one of the easiest books to rate 5 stars.

I did not go into this read with high expectations and I've no explanation as to why but I was blown away by this read. One of my few five star reads of the year and I'm so incredibly thankful to have received an e-arc of this because I am in awe. Kate Dylan, this was PERFECTION

"I guess that's why they call love the deadliest shade of all."

Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Dylan, and Hodderscape for the E-ARC!

Actual Rating: 2.5/5

When I read the premise to this book, I was really excited to read it. I'm really sad to say that it didn't meet those expectations.

Let's start with some positives though! The magic system and this world are very unique and intriguing. I've never read a book with this sort of magic system. Not only is there a space that only magic wielders can access, the Gray, but depending on your colour, you also have different powers you can use in it. I liked that there was a risk with the use of those powers too, that if you let your guard down for even a second, you would literally shatter. I will be honest that I didn't know the difference between Shades and Hues until well over the half-way point in the book, which kind of hindered some of my reading. I think it must have been explained in the first chapter, but there was such a huge info dump that I must have missed it.

Characters are probably the most important thing to me while reading, so I was pleasantly surprised by a few of them. Lyria was my favourite, her powers and background the most interesting to me. She was just thrown into this situation with a group of people who all know each other and took it in stride. I also liked Chase and trying to figure out what his plans were. I feel like I was mostly right about his character until the end, but he still had me surprised at times.

Unfortunately, unlike the side characters, I really didn't like Cem. Her character was what brought a 4 star book down to a 2.5. She aggravated me to no end. She would always jump to conclusions, and the wrong ones at that, and get mad at other people for them. She barely ever took accountability for her actions. She would always act like she was right and everyone else was wrong, when that was almost never the case. She would lie and yet be mad when other people did. She was jealous when she had no right to be. On top of this, she would constantly throw trauma back into Chase's face whenever she was mad, which was often. Cem had no redeeming qualities to me and made a book with an interesting premise that I was enjoying, to something I didn't want to read because she annoyed me so much.

Overall, I do think if the author came out with another book in this world (with a different main character), I would be intrigued to read it. There's so much more I feel like could be explored outside of Isitar. Sadly, this one just wasn't for me.

Wonderful story, excellent world building, lovable characters - I enjoyed this very much!! Wonderful story, excellent world building, lovable characters - I enjoyed this very much!!

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an eARC for an honest review

Heists? Magic? Politics? This was interesting from the first page, and yes this was. It took me a while to get past the information dump, I believe that stories especially with magical systems should have a show, not tell. The information felt like an afterthought, and for the rest of the story, there is very little mention afterwards . I liked how packed it was for a shorter book, there's a lot to think about as you progress. I just wish the worldbuilding was properly distributed.

Not a big fan of Cemmy's attachment and relationship issues. Maybe just Cemmy in general and the way she treats those around her. Every character has their own flaws, and I think self-centeredness is one of her biggest flaws.

Besides the main girl herself, there were some decent plot twists, fairly predictable but enjoyable nonetheless. The scenes were well paced, no one moment is dragging, not too much action. A lovely short YA read

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read an ARC of Until We Shatter.

The magic in this world is so interesting, and I wish there was more time spent on the different shades and how they worked. I had a hard time remembering everything and had to scroll back a bunch of times.

I am blown away by the diversity in this book. It is handled so well and my heart is so full. I do wish the characters would've gotten a bit more time too, because they weren't very distinctive to me.

Overall, I think Kate Dylan tried to do a lot with this book, but with a new, extensive, magic systems, quite a lot of characters and a whole heist, it could've easily been twice as long and still interesting. I hope there will be a second part, because I'm very invested.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. I enjoyed this, always have been a sucker for colour based magic ever since reading Warbreaker many years ago, although I did feel that the magic system could have been a little better explained, I would have liked a little more in regards to the side characters and the book does use mis/non communication which I am not the biggest fan of, but overall I would recommend if you like fast paced YA with found family and heist troupes.

I am a huge fan of Kate Dylan's books and so far she has yet to disappoint! I was so excited when her fantasy debut was announced and the plot of this book sounded right up my street. It took me a while to get to grips with the world and the magic system, which would be my only downside of this book. Once I'd figured out what was going on it was a rollercoaster of emotion and action from there and I could not read fast enough. Well worth a read!

Kate Dylan's Until We Shatter is a captivating fantasy adventure that weaves a thrilling tapestry of magic, danger, and forbidden love. Cemmy, a young woman living under the constant threat of both the Church and the Council of Shades, finds herself thrust into a desperate fight for survival. The story immediately grabs the reader's attention with its compelling premise: Cemmy, burdened by her ambiguous magical abilities, is forced to resort to theft to save her ailing mother. The stakes are high from the get-go, and Dylan masterfully builds tension with each turn of the plot. Cemmy's character is deeply relatable. She is a young woman navigating a world that feels stacked against her, constantly having to fight for a place where she can simply exist. Her struggles resonate with anyone who has ever felt misunderstood or trapped in a system that doesn't value them. The introduction of Chase, a mysterious and alluring figure with secrets of his own, adds another layer of complexity to the story. Their relationship is fraught with tension and attraction, creating a dynamic that keeps the reader guessing.
The world-building is both intricate and imaginative. Dylan crafts a believable society with well-defined factions, each with their own motives and agendas. The realms of shadows, with their inherent dangers, are described vividly, adding to the overall sense of wonder and suspense. While the plot is fast-paced and action-packed, Dylan also takes the time to explore the emotional depth of her characters. Cemmy's journey of self-discovery, her struggle to accept her powers, and her search for a place to belong are all compelling aspects of the story.
Overall, this is a highly enjoyable read that will appeal to fans of fantasy adventures with a touch of romance. Dylan's writing is vivid and engaging, and her characters are both complex and captivating. With a thrilling plot, a rich world, and a heroine who is both resourceful and courageous, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for an immersive fantasy experience.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC!

This was such an interesting read! The first few chapters are a little confusing with trying to comprehend and remember all the details of the magic system, but once you get the hang of it, it just flies by.

The plot is fast-paced and thoroughly engaging, drawing me in from the beginning. I appreciated how the magic system is gradually revealed alongside the main character, Cemmy, as she discovers more about her powers. However, Cemmy's character was somewhat frustrating, as her "woe-is-me" attitude persisted despite repeatedly endangering those around her. Although I wished for more extensive world-building, I still found the book to be an enjoyable read, filled with action from start to finish.

Until We Shatter is YA fantasy heist with a pretty cool magic system. The first 20% is slightly confusing as there’s a-lot to absorb about the way magic works in this world (but to be honest if you aren’t confused at the start of a fantasy book it’s probably not going to be a good one).

The plot is fast paced and really sucked me in. I liked how we learn more about the magic system alongside the main character Cemmy as she slowly discovers more about her powers… even though her character was questionably enjoyable. She was very ‘woe-is-me’ despite the fact she endangered everyone several times over. I would have liked to see more world building but I still enjoyed myself with this book! Action packed from start to finish.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes YA’s with younger protagonists and some cute queer love!

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review

I rated this book 4/5 stars and really enjoyed how unique the magic system is. I also love the representation throughout. This story has friendship, romance, action and a mystery to solve, with some plot twists I didn’t see coming. I enjoyed the character development as well. My only complaint about this book is that some scenes about “the gray” were a little confusing, I understood more and more as the story progressed. I would recommend this book to fantasy book lovers! Thank you for Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to be an arc reader.

I received an early e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a delightful read! The world-building and magic system were captivating, with the unique abilities and limitations of the shades and hues adding an intriguing layer to the story. Although the concepts of the Gray and the in-betweens were initially a bit confusing, I quickly got the hang of them as the story progressed.

The eclectic cast of characters was another highlight. Cemmy, the main character, is wonderfully complex. I appreciated how she, Cassiel, and their group of friends were morally grey yet still relatable and easy to root for. The heist plot added an exciting twist to the narrative.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely read more from this author!

UNTIL WE SHATTER

“I am the violence the world made of me”

In a country torn in two by the anti-magic Church and the pro-magic Council, Cemmy’s existence as a Hue –the daughter of a magicless human and a Shade—is reduced to hiding and stealing money for her mother’s illness. But when her and her Hue friends are forced to commit a heist against the Church by a rogue Shade and his alluring Hue partner, Cemmy knows she will either find the solution for all her problems or die trying.

“Until we shatter” made me feel 13 again, when I first read a 2010s urban fantasy. If you remember fondly Clary and Jace’s dynamic in the first Shadowhunters book, you’ll enjoy Cemmy and Chase’s banter, their teenage angst, their secrets and betrayals.
This book features plenty of representation: my highlights would be our chaotic bi main character, wavering between her ex girlfriend and her new romantic interest, and Lyria, a deaf side character. I really appreciated how the hearing characters were so accomodating towards her and always made a point to show how the issue wasn’t her disability, but them not knowing sign language.
So much of this book was centered around ‘middles’: from the main characters, Hues, not typics but also not Shades, and being set in a world where people were either with the Church or with the Council, to the way the characters phased into the magical realm—by creating middle spaces from observing their reality. “Until we shatter” is a book about the grays, the not-here-but-not-quite-theres, those who don’t fit into two defined categories but go beyong the black and white.

**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an eARC of this book**

Instagram: @librisinetenebris

I so wanted to read this one, but unfortunately it wouldn't load on my ereader (it freezes every time I get to the second page). Due to problems with my eyes, I can't give it the proper attention by reading it on my phone, but did manage at least the first chapter until a headache settled in, and that was highly enjoyable and super well written to me. I'll just have to buy the book once it comes out.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book!

A standalone fantasy heist with great characters and an incredibly intriguing magic system, what more do you want?

I went into Until We Shatter by Kate Dylan pretty open and not sure what to expect, but I absolutely loved this book. From the writing style, to the characters and world building, it was such an enjoyable read. We follow Cemmy along with her friends and some new characters in their journey to doing a heist. I loved seeing the dynamics between the characters, they really felt like people if that makes sense. The magic system — that being a color magic system — was a little overwhelming to get into at first, as it is very detailed and thought out, but as you grow accustomed to it, your understanding deepens and it truly is interesting. The pacing of the book was great, as well as the writing style. There was not a single moment where I felt bored!

As the ending neared, I was unsure if the conclusion of this book would be a satisfying one, as I’m used to the fantasy books that I read having at least two books, but this was done incredibly well and I would definitely recommend Until We Shatter to anyone looking for a great fantasy heist with an interesting magic system. It makes you feel all sorts of things, from happiness, to anger, to sadness, i was completely shattered (ha ha pun intended I’m so funny / sarcasm) at some points. Also, the cover of this book is absolutely gorgeous, props to the people who worked on it because it looks amazing.

Overall, I loved Until We Shatter, and I cannot wait for its release!

A little bit disappointed overall. The premise was so intriguing but I found myself overwhelmed and then exhausted by the magic system and worldbuilding. Many characters were flat and I didn’t find the book as action-packed as promised. However, a late game twist genuinely surprised me and the incredibly high quality of the writing elevated this for me.