Fast paced with a lot going on. Characters felt pretty one dimensional and were hard to get attached to. I love the idea behind this one, but wish it would have been more fleshed out.

The narrator was also very monotone and I don't think it did this book any favors

Thank you NetGalley and Maddox Grey for the ARC of A Shift in Shadows!! I thoroughly enjoyed this story! From the plot to the characters to the love interest!! I look forward to the next installment of this series!!!

I really struggled to get into this book and as such struggled to follow along and really get into the story. Nemain is a feline shapeshifter, which was fun because I haven't read a lot of fantasy with feline shapeshifters. I I really enjoyed her interacations with Sebastian and really felt the tension from their past and how they were twined together! I found the writing was more tell-y than showy which doesn't necessarily bother me but it did take me out of it a bit. I was a bit confused by the world-building and never connected. I think it was more a me thing and perhaps I wasn't in the right mood for an urban fantasy!

Thank you for providing me with an ARC copy of this book. I really enjoyed reading A Shift in Shadows and the audiobook was also excellent. I loved the fact that the author brought together a range of supernatural beings and humans and that the focus was not on humans. The world building was great and I loved that explanations were given as to the magic system and the world/realms they live in without giving too much away and still leaving some things undiscovered for future books in the series. The intertwining of Gods and Godesses and supernatural beings was also really interesting and was done in quite a unique way. All of the characters in the book were so interesting and many of them had their own development arc, not just the main character which I really enjoyed. The storyline of revenge and coming to terms with the past was also excellent and executed amazingly. I would love to read the remainder of this series and would 1000% recommend to others who like urban fantasy/different realms/chosen family/ powerful beings/ cool magic systems/ interaction between different supernatural beings.

Neman once loved Sebastián but now she is in fear of him. The warlock is hunting her and is a threat to those she cares about. Nemain has skills and magic that remain unknown but suspected, making her capture invaluable. Can she escape and survive to live her life?

Enjoyed this well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Strong and complex characters battling to avoid capture and possible death. Vampires, werewolves, warlocks, witches, mermaids and humans. Complicated lives interact in this well paced, adventurous novel. Look forward to book two.

This book has it all! Mermaids, werewolves, feline shifters, vampires, witches, warlocks, fae, and greymalkin all have their place in this book. There is a lot of worldbuilding with the various characters, settings, magic traits, etc. That is always something that a good fantasy author needs. With this being the first book of the series, I did find it slightly overwhelming trying to keep up with who is who just due to the sheer number of characters introduced. That said, I have absolutely fallen in love with the greymalkin! I hope we see so much more from them throughout the rest of the series! I want my very own Jinx at this point. Lol!

Format-wise, I listened to this book on audio, and found it to be really well done. The narrator did a good job. It would be cool if this series could make it big enough to get a full-cast audio version as I think it would help with some of the character recognition. My biggest complaint regarding listening on audio is that I wasn’t able to look back to see what a character’s abilities were or try to remember which race/classification they belonged to. It is also a bit difficult when it comes time to leave a review and I realize I don’t even know if Jinx is spelled with an x or a k or a ck (thanks other reviewers for including names - hope you spelled them right lol).

Overall, I would give this 4 stars. I found the book interesting and it kept me engaged throughout. I definitely think I will continue reading the rest of the series. 😊

🧚🏻A huge thanks goes out to NetGalley, the publisher, and author, Maddox Grey for providing me with a free audiobook version in exchange for my honest review.

I think I would have enjoyed this more as an ebook or physical book. The audio just wasn’t doing it for me. I felt lost most of the times and just got really irritated with the FMC. She was all over the place and there were so many side plots and diversions that it was distracting. I think it has potential but it lacked a lot of explaining of the world, supernatural creatures etc.

This was very well done. This is the first book in a series and it immediately draws you in and keeps you going throughout this whole story. The concept of how these mythical creatures came to be on planet earth is very well done and I really enjoyed it and very much look forward to hearing more about this world and these characters.!

3⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 🎧

This world was fun and diverse all the characters are interesting, and I want to get to know them more after reading about them. Just to name a few we have mermaids, vampires, werewolves, Fae, demons, witches, warlocks, and probably more that I can't think of right now.

The book is set on Earth, but our FMC can open portals to other realms and that is always interesting when you don't expect the main characters to have such an ability. But she has more surprises up her sleeve that is for sure.

I love that our main character is a feline shifter you don't see many of those, and the fact that she is in a relationship with a werewolf was a bit surprising, but I enjoyed it.

I want more and I need more from this world. The narrator does a great job with each character but doesn't overdo it. It was very entertaining and if you enjoy a slow burn with a great plot this one is for you.

🎧 ALC Review

A Shift In Shadows (Lost Legacies 1) by Maddox Grey
Narrated by Krys Janae
Released 15th February 2022
Paperback on Greymalkin Press, 18th October 2021

This first Lost Legacies book ticks a lot of my boxes: a badass FMC, vampires, shifters, fae, morally grey characters, magic, slow burn romance. But, there are also things I'm not so much a fan of: not finding out the FMC's name until someone mentions it halfway through, no backstory, info dumping, spice just for the sake of it, inconsistent timelines.

Nemain (shifter) receives a bloody heart on her birthday each year from her ex Sebastian (warlock). Nemain has been captured by Sebastian but is broken out by Magos (vampire) just before her birthday. The next thing we know, it's a year later, and she's flat sharing with Magos while seeing Andrei (werewolf). Sebastian is hunting her, but there's little mention of her birthday again, or the heart. There's also mention of a tattoo turning up each year, but that isn't explained further. Lots of things DO happen, and there's a good story there, but my mind was too busy trying to work out what was happening with the things that weren't explained to enjoy it properly.

In some places, the narrator was really good, like with the different accents of the characters such as Mikhail and Magos, but in some places, she sounded a bit like Alexa!
Everything I've said hasn't put me off reading the next book in the Lost Legacies series, but I'd probably prefer a hard copy next time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to the publisher and author for providing an ALC via NetGalley; this is my honest review.

Loved!!! This story had it all! Literally! We have shifters, vampires, fae, deamons, mentions of angels, witches, and warlocks! Plus creatures! To say I’m obsessed is an understatement!! Our FMC is a fighter and a bad ass! She gives me some Bryce MF Quinlan vibes for sure! There is a tiny bit of spice but the romance plays second fiddle to the plot in this one. I’m a romantacy girlie through and through but I still ate this one up and can see if having more romance as the story progresses!!! 10 out of 10 would recommend! I’m off to read the next one right now!

i loved the premise of this story and i will be getting in to book 2 whenever it’s released. i liked the world building and the premise of the main characters (especially the FMC being such a badass). i was left a but unsatisfied by quite a few things in the book, like the lack of a complete backstory but that didn’t hinder being able to enjoy the book. overall was good & again, will be looking forward to book 2

"Feline Fine in the Face of Dark Magic: A Purr-fectly Twisted Tale"🐱🌑

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)

Maddox Grey's "A Shift in Shadows" kicks off the Lost Legacies series with a bang, delivering a gripping urban fantasy that'll have you purring for more. This audiobook, narrated by the talented Krys Janae, is a feast for the ears and imagination alike.
The story follows a fierce feline shifter navigating a treacherous magical world. Our protagonist's past comes back to haunt her in the form of Sebastian, a possessive warlock who can't seem to let go. Just as she finds new love, Sebastian's return threatens to unravel everything, pushing her towards unleashing forbidden magic that could cost her everything.
Grey's world-building is rich and immersive, creating a vivid backdrop for the unfolding drama. The found family dynamic adds depth to the narrative, providing a heartwarming contrast to the darker elements of the plot. Character development shines throughout, with our morally grey heroine stealing the show with her strength and complexity.
Janae's narration is a standout feature, bringing each character to life with distinct voices and emotive performances. Her pacing complements the story perfectly, ramping up tension in all the right places.

Tropes:
🐱 Shifter romance
🔮 Forbidden magic
👥 Found family
🌙 Slow burn romance
🦹‍♀️ Morally grey characters

Trigger Warnings:
💔 Past abuse
🩸 Violence
🧠 Trauma

While the plot is intricate, Grey manages to keep it coherent and engaging. The balance of action, romance, and character development is well-executed, though there is a romantic subplot, it takes a backseat to the main conflict. I do have a sneaking suspicion that it is setting me up for something delicious further into the series! The cliff-hanger ending was well done and not thrown in as a Hail Mary. It effectively sets up the next instalment to make you want to continue.
"A Shift in Shadows" is a must-listen for urban fantasy fans who enjoy complex characters, magical intrigue, and a dash of romance. It's like catnip for audiobook addicts - once you start, you won't want to stop.

I loved the story of Nemain and her band of friends. Nemain is trying to live a "normal" life after being tortured by a former lover. She wants to feel like herself again and with the help of friends she slowly gets there, but as her birthday approaches she feels less safe. Loved the audiobook. it brought me into Nemain's story and built an amazing world.

I received this audiobook as an arc from NetGalley, I was drawn to the cover and description but I just was not connecting with the audio itself. I’m not sure if it was the accents, or what but I couldn’t bring myself to finish it. I think if I had a physical copy of the book I’d enjoy it a little more. I might try it again in the future because I want to know what happens. I can tell the story is good and I wanted to know where it went but I ended up DNFing just based on the audio.

If you like audiobooks, this would be the perfect fantasy book to listen to.

I enjoyed this story. I listened to it, and I loved the way the accents from the characters really added depth to the story. I was quickly caught up with the characters and what was going on in their lives. The FMC draws trouble her way, so you're never bored, and you're always wanting to know what's going to happen next! I was feeling all the *vibes* while reading this story and I can't wait for the release of the next book.

I loved this book! The world building was spot on, I loved the hierarchy and the dynamics. I also really liked all the male characters Magos, Andrei and Mikhail 🙌🙌 (even Sebastian was the perfect bad guy) Nemain was a weird FMC, sometimes I loved her, sometimes she confused me and sometimes I hate her 😂 overall the story it’s super engaging and I definitely recommend it to all my urban fantasy friends ♥️ ((Last note, I absolutely loved how the LGBTQ+ community is totally integrated in this world building 😍))

The story doesn’t seem fleshed out enough for a higher ranking. I loved the premise and look forward to seeing how the story is further explored in book 2

3.75 stars

Read the story again and I’m upgrading from a 3.75 to a 4.25, immersion read and it felt better the second time around

Definitely love the book, plot and characters. But the voice actor has a siri, Alexa tone and style voice that makes it hard to not think it's being read by them. But I really do love it maybe this voice actor isn't my cup of tea

Unfortunately, this book for me was just confusing. I did not understand pretty much anything from the get-go and at around the 27% mark I just realised that I just didn't even know the main character's name. I will definitely be trying to read it again at some point because I do think there is potential to the story, but for now this book just wasn't for me.