A Touch of Shadows is the first book in the Lost Queen series by Jessica Thorne. This book follows Wren in a world split by dark and light magic. Raised in a kingdom predominantly ruled by light magic by a hedge witch with immense powers. Wren is drawn to the darkness of magic but has the power to use light magic as well. She meets Finn who she instantly feels drawn to. This two run into several mishaps and Wren learns she knows nothing about her life.

There is a little spice for those looking for something spicy. Romance is not heavy but has a presence throughout the book. Magic is present consistently and well thought out.

The narrator of the audiobook, Helen Keeley, did a wonderful job bringing the story to life.

I recommend this book for those looking for finding self fantasy novel. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

A Touch of Shadows - audio by Jessica Thorne 4.5 ⭐
So much action straight off the bat. I’m still processing how much was packed into a small package. Witches, Royalty, light and dark.

I gasped aloud at the twists and anticipation.

So many of us Romantasy readers get overwhelmed by info dumps of world building, that wasn’t the case here. The world unfolds alongside the action and it's done so well.

I really enjoyed Thorne’s pacing and way with words, totally engrossed in this world. I listened on audio book and found the narrator, Helen Keeley, to be fantastic. I also appreciated all the different POV’s.

I’d class this as New Adult Fantasy.
The relationship between Wren and Finn unfurled and developed very quickly. I can see how some would find this problematic but I thought the way the magic acted as a catalyst to speed things along was intriguing and, dare I say it, saved a lot of time so we could get to the good stuff 🙂.

Wren grapples with her power and fights against a lifetime of being told she needed to repress it. The dark aftermath of using her power to save Finn, a perfect example.

I refuse to spoil things by saying much more. Only that I’m so pleased I got this ARC and that I recommend it to all Romantasy lovers. I will also definitely be requesting this book for my Library, a perfect addition to the Fantasy section.

Wow. Each and every one of these chapters was PACKED with action. There was no lull, no wasted page. This story has a lot going on and I found myself pacing, staring into space- I could not be talked to because you can't be distracted for a second as there's a chance you'll miss something.

I loved the narrator for every voice but Wrens. I don't know if it was just me but I felt it made her come across as a lot more whiny and almost childlike that made me feel uncomfortable.

There's a lot of Wren - "what's going on?" Elodie/Roland/Finn -"I can't tell her any information" Wren- *does something* E/F- "what have you done?!"
Wren gets herself in a lot of situations when backed against a wall and does her best with the very little amount of information given to her. A lot of her mistakes stem from her trying to keep her and Finn alive or because she literally was given zero or very little information. I was mad that everyone was keeping her in the dark and she was in such a difficult and ignorant position.
Also, side note - LOVE all these POV's

I'm interested in where this story will go next and how Wren & Finn will make it out of all this 🙌

WOW!!!
I definitely wasn't expecting THAT!!!

What a wonderful surprise!!

Wren and Elody have lived a 'quiet' life outside of the spotlight. Elody never really tells Wren who she is to her, but she does show love, and how to survive, as well as teaching her some magick. They have been on the run for a while now... One thing she has reinforced over and over is to 'only reach for the light' ... 'never let in the dark'. However, on one occasion, when Wren was wandering the forest, alone, she had no choice but to let in the dark in -- in order to save herself, and the new friend she had made who so recently saved her life...
Finn is a noble knight who is looking to destroy the users of 'shadow magic'... He unknowingly gets involved in a fight where he all but loses his life, if not for Wren.

But, not to be undermined...He saves her life too!

I'm going to 🛑🛑 stop here 🛑🛑 as I don't want to give away the storyline. Just know that it revolves around magicks, romance, families, wars, struggles for power… and ?? love??

This is book #1 of a new series! I am looking forward to reading whatever books may follow!

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫 for me!! (Rounded up to 5!)

#ATouchOfShadows by #JessicaThorne and narrated beautifully by #HelenKeeley.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #SecondSky for the opportunity to read the Audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The release date is TOMORROW, 9/5/24, so look for it on shelves then.

Feel free to like, follow and friend me on: Goodreads,
Insta @ #BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine.

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, and click ‘LIKE’ below!! 📚⭐️

Is this a fantasy book? yes,
is it amazing fantasy? no.
Is the romance good? mah.
Did I enjoy it and do want to know how it continues? sort off

This is what I would call step in fantasy and it was enjoyable. I wouldn't call it spectacular or ground breaking. I feel like there many romantasy books very similar to it. But some of the fantasy books it took inspiration were definitely more enjoyable and original.
I feel like currently there are so many books similar to it that if you would pick one off those books you would still have an amazing time.
Yet still I enjoyed it because I could sort off zone out while listening to it because I kind off knew which direction I would go. But those books should be there too, I will give the sequel a shot when it will cross my path because I'm still curious how it will continue and maybe It will become a bit more original.

Two kingdoms at war…
A lost queen…
Young love….
What more could we ask for from a new fantasy?

I really enjoyed this story, the world building took me a moment to grasp, however once I did, I was sold on what Jessica was selling!

Hold on tight as the book has all the twists and turns to keep you wanting more.

So, I am not completely sure how I feel about this book.

There was not a lot of world-building and the question of who Wren's actual mother is, is not completely understood, this may be in book 2. The relationship between Finn and Wren happened so quickly that there was no way to become invested.
You realize later in the story, their bond had something to do with her magic, which is caught in her hair and because of this, she keeps it cut short.

Some things are missing in this one for me. I will say, however, the ending did pique my interest. I am not running to it, but I will read the next book because of the ending.

Helen Keeley did a good job narrating this book, I would like to listen to more of her narrations in the future.


Thank you Netgalley, Jessica Thorne, and Second Sky for the ALC of A Touch of Shadows.

Audiobook review

A Touch of Shadows is a fast-paced romantasy. There was some light world building and likable characters. This would be a good read for someone who is new to the fantasy genre as it had light, non-complex world building. There are some twists and turns, and the plot was interesting.

As far as the audio portion goes, I really enjoyed the narrator, who had a wonderful voice and felt that her pacing was perfect. I enjoyed the way she brought the story to life.

I did feel like there was a bit missing from this book, but I can't put my finger on it. I would be interested in reading the next book to continue the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for early access to this audiobook.

I am going to need book 2 to be available in audio format STAT!! I adored this story and had an immediate emotional connection to our young FMC. This story gave be a bit of a Rapunzel vibe which was fun!

The world building was fantastic, the magic system was unique, the pacing was on point, the characters were all strong with great potential for development and the storyline was like peeling back one beautiful layer at a time!

I love the mystery behind this story. The author did a fantastic job dropping clues and enough hints along the way to make you feel like you had an idea where it was going to end up, only to peel another layer and cause you to second guess your suspicions.

The romantic plot is a nice addition but in no way overpowers the storyline, just beautifully adds to it. I am excited to see where Thorne takes us in book 2 and I NEED ANSWERS!!!!

I am sorry to report that this book was not for me. I couldn’t get into it despite trying several different listening environments and situations. I can usually tell if I will DNF a book within the first couple pages, and I knew pretty instantly this book wouldn’t be one I could finish. To start, the world building was weak, and the beginning chapters didn’t do anything to grab me or make me care about the characters or the story. I appreciate Jessica Thorne, Second Sky, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in advance. I look forward to reading other titles that may suit me better.

✨ Magical creatures
✨ Dark and light magic
✨ Forbidden Love
✨ Lies and deception

I enjoyed this new romantasy, A Touch of Darkness by Jessica Thorne. I read this on audio and the narration was perfect. Helen Keeley did such a phenomenal job.

I am giving this book 4 stars because I very much did enjoy this book, but felt the short length impacted the plot. This is a quick read, which almost feels like a prequel or Part 1 of a larger book. You start to see some world building and character development just as it ends. However, there is a lot of potential for the books to follow. I like Wren and look forward to her story in particular. Elodie had me rooting for her, but it was hard by the end. The bond between Wren and Finn, however, has me in a chokehold. I hope the next book explores deeper in to their relationship.

The story is fast paced, but almost too fast paced. I would have liked a little more descriptions of the magic and the history. I would recommend this for fantasy romance readers.

A Touch of Shadows by Jessica Thorne. Book 1 in The Lost Queen series. This is my first ever arc, and it was via audiobook. As someone who primarily consumes books via audio, I must say, narration was excellent. Helen Keeley really brought the characters to life. If you like a well paced story and a unique magic system this may be for you! A fantasy with romance and spice with mystery vibes. Great world building with glossary and chapter epigraphs. Warring kingdoms, light vs dark, hidden identity, shadow mommy that ends on a cliffhanger. I am looking forward to book 2. Thank you NetGalley, Second Sky, and Jessica Thorne.

Thank you Netgalley Audio for allowing me to listen to this arc.

What an exciting witchy fantasy. A runaway queen, a baby who has grown into a powerful young woman, and a knight who falls in love. I cannot wait to find out what happens next in The Lost Queen series. If you love a thrilling romantasy then this book is the book for you! I will say it does feel like a slow burn- very low on the spice level.

Quite a quick novel, this didn’t take long to get through via AudioBook. Unfortunately it felt lacking in story due to it being a shorter read but I will of course attempt the next in the series as this is a world building first novel.

I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review.

For a romantasy book, this was definitely on the lighter side in terms of in-depth worldbuilding, however I found I rather enjoyed it. Wren has been kept in the woods away from everyone, including her own past, by a witch. She eventually has to go out and find her mother with the help of a knight, Finn. She's got magic hair that she has to keep short for reasons. And when she saves his life with magic, her magic creates a bond between them.

If this isn't a darker version of Rapunzel, then I don't know what is. But, I enjoyed it. I know some people are turned off by instalove, but in this, it made a whole lot of sense. There's one spicy scene that was definitely on the romantic side that left me feeling like I needed more moments between them. The magic was interesting, though I definitely feel like we need more information as to what's going on. The reveals that came about? Definitely didn't see them coming.

All in all, I enjoyed this one.

Well, this is the first in a stunning new fantasy series. One that was left on a cliffhanger!

So I LOVED the narrator of the book, and I listened to the book, but I think, for me, this is one I would have been better off reading. I feel like I missed out on some things because of the detail that Jessica has put in. It didn't all completely sink in for me - so next book, I am reading! Although, I might re-read this one! The detail is not a bad thing, you need this detail but because my brain floated away, I missed things.

For me, Elodie was the shining star. There is something mysterious and endearing about her all at the same time. I need to find out more about her and Roland!! Their love, their story I need more!

This is going to sound silly to say, but this book was magical. I love the magic, the world-building, the characters but it was just something special. I loved the easy way you found yourself with the characters as if you had always been with Wren from the beginning. And yet, there is still so much we don't know about her and the shadows. Why does the darkness want her? I know we see a snippet of things, but that's just it, a snippet. I want more - and I have 2 more books to find out my answers.

It was free-flowing, easy going, but with some sizzle and some battles and a whole lot of magic and I can't wait for the next instalment.

A well-narrated romantasy with just the right amount of spice, even though this did come across as kind of YA at times.

Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for an early copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.✨

A Touch of Shadows by Jessica Thorne,
narrated by Helen Keeley

This was so good, I'm genuinely impressed!
I enjoyed the world-building, quick pace, character dynamics, multiple character POV, and nonlinear timeline. (Plus, there was a glossary at the beginning, which I love having in fantasy books.)

I saw some reviews that complained there wasn't enough background/world-building, but I disagree.
The main character was kept in the dark about so many things and we're learning these things as she does. It would ruin the twists if we already knew all the background details.

I enjoyed this book the whole time I was listening and I will definitely continue reading the series.

I really enjoyed the vibes this gave me it’s fantasy/romance I love the two genres put them together and I’m all for it lol. This read gives you a taste of romance and fantasy world building it’s not too crazy with the world building so I was able to keep up with it.

Everything in this read had the right amount it wasn’t too spicy it’s just right for this type of story the twists and turns are also there. Overall I feel this is a great read for anyone who’s into fantasy there are topics of magic amongst other things in this storyline. I don’t wanna ruin it for anyone so I’ll leave it at that😊 Also, the narration is perfect for this book

I would recommend this to anyone who’s into fantasy 🥰

thank you, NetGalley, Second Sky, and Jessica Thorne for giving me the chance to read this arc 🥰

I’m on a bit of a Romantasy kick right now if you can’t tell, and when I saw the cover for this book and that it was available as an audiobook on Netgalley? I knew that I had to give this one a go. The plot sounded interesting, the cover was pretty and hopefully, it would be the start of a new series that I would love.

In this book, we follow Wren, a young woman who lives in a dark forest and has been told to ignore the dark magic that calls to her, and Finn, the Knight of a kingdom of the light who is trying to stop those who use shadow magic and to stop his Father from doing evil in another kingdom. When the two run into each other in the forest, Wren gives into the shadows and uses her magic to protect Finn, but that magic creates a bond between the two of them that they don’t understand. Can they work together to save the kingdom?

This book sounds pretty epic. Like, it should have plenty of tension and would be a lot of fun.

And yet…

Look, I don’t want to be completely negative. I genuinely enjoyed the worldbuilding in this book. I’m fascinated to know more about the world and the book definitely had promise.

It’s just that it felt like nothing happened for the entire book.

There is technically a plot, and that felt like it could finish about halfway through the book, but it then takes things further. So tell me why it still feels like the book had no plot?

I could possibly forgive all that if I liked the main relationship. There was some interesting relationship stuff with some side characters in the past. But Wren and Finn were just meh. I was expecting banter and distrust and you don’t really get that. Finn is immediately drawn to Wren due to shadow magic stuff and then the magical bond happens and he’s just happy to go along with anything she says? There was a little bit of smut, but it’s a single scene and it wasn’t particularly memorable either.

So, yeah, this book failed on both the fantasy and romance fronts and I was a little disappointed.

That said, I didn’t mind the book. I listened to it whilst working and it kept me somewhat entertained for a few hours. But it really wasn’t anything special. Will I read book 2? Honestly, I’m not sure. If I even remember the book when it comes out, I might as there’s definitely worldbuilding I’m curious about. But I really don’t think this is a book that I’m going to think much about after this.