3.5/5 stars

Summary: A dark and thrilling sapphic vampire romantasy, Where Shadows Meet explores sacrifice, love, and destiny. Set in a world shaped by war between vampires, humans, and gods, the story follows crown princess Leyla, as well as a cast of other characters, as she journeys to the island of the dead, unknowingly risking the return of an ancient evil.

I keep asking myself why I requested this book because it's not one that I would usually read - let me tell you, it's DARK. I have to be in the right mental state for heavy books like this and I'm not sure that I was in the right frame of mind when I read Where Shadows Meet. This story follows three main character's POVs, which didn't feel super overwhelming. I've seen other reviews complaining about the number of characters being too much, and I didn't feel this way at all. I didn't like the switches in POV between Leyla and Najja as it became confusing to me in the middle of the chapter to figure out which one was narrating and which one was referred to as "she". I also couldn't easily resolve this by flipping back to the beginning of the chapter on my e-reader, so I often had to stay confused until one of them would say the other's name and clear up whose POV the chapter was from. I will say that the prose and descriptive language that Caldwell uses is beautiful and feels very much like a poetic epic. I also really loved Favre's journal entries and the past storyline that was scattered throughout - man is she a damaged and desperate lover, which made it a bit hard to actually connect to the characters.

The main thing that impacted my reading experience was the lack of world-building. The author did preface her story with the fact that the world-building in this book would be missing in favor of expanding on a "larger change" in the following book. I am glad that Patrice Caldwell prefaced with that because I would have given this book 2 stars for the utter lack of world-building. Those missing details about the world around our main characters made it difficult for me to picture an entire scene (seeing only the characters with a blurry background or no background at all in my mind) and it created a disjointed story that felt like it jumped from place to place too quickly for me to keep up.

I probably won't continue on with this series, but I would still recommend giving this book a chance as the writing is beautiful and it's an overall quick read!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Patrice Caldwell for allowing me access to an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Where Shadows Meet
by Patrice Caldwell
Where Shadows Meet #1
Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Apr 1, 2025
St. Martin's Press
Ages: 16+

Favre cut off her own wings so Thana, the girl she loved, could have power, but for that power, they sacrificed the sun and had to feed on the blood of others, which led to their downfall and Thana locked in a curse, leaving Favre to wander alone waiting for the key to wake her love.

A thousand years later, after the war between vampires, humans, and the gods that created them, Layla, the sheltered crown princess of an ancient race who survives on human blood sneaks out to the Island of the Dead to rescue her best friend after creatures fly off with her. Najja, a seer, goes with her hoping her presence will change the fate she saw befall Layla.


The blurb made this story sound interesting; I mean who couldn't pass up a story with different types of vampires, but their stories felt more like summaries. Sure, the story was centered on Layla, but the world-building was lacking, as were the vampires. Plus, there were quite a few chances for major action, but those events fell flat.

There were a lot of info dumps, and rambling, not to mention jumping from third to first person from three different characters, including diary entries from the past interrupting the present. While it sounds like it would keep a reader's attention, it lost mine. It was hard to keep track of who was speaking, and more importantly why they and their story mattered. The most discouraging part was the diary entries; they felt so out of place and with them I knew what was happening and going to happen within the first few chapters and that took the fun out of the story.

It's not gory, graphic, or scary, but it did push on the adult content border so it's only suitable for readers 16 and older.

I guess this is the first book in a series, but I'm not interested in continuing.

2 Stars

3/3 stars
0/5 spice

Where Shadows Meet had lots of elements that intrigued me but unfortunately in execution, it wasn't my favorite. I think Patrick Caldwell created a well-rounded YA Fantasy with relatable characters and a great amount of heart, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I do recommend that people who are interested in this title, give it a chance, it may just be for you!

A dark and thrilling romantasy.

What would you sacrifice for love? Do we choose our fates or do our fates choose us?

I usually don’t go for vampire novels but this one seemed interesting. I had a hard time getting into the store. I put this book down and waiting a really long time before picking it back up. There was just too much going on in the beginning, it was hard to keep up.

I think this book could work for the right person but it wasn’t for me.

If you like:

🧛Vampires
🐍Toxic relationships
❤️forbidden love
🩸Multiple POVs
🧙Witches

Then this book is for you!!

Thank you NetGalley, Patrice and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC!

Rating : 🩸🩸
Publication Date: April 1 2025

#WhereShadowsMeet #NetGalley

This was a quick read. Saw it up for grabs in a book box so decided to request it. After finishing decided to skip the book box. The marketing of this is GREAT and the premise sounds wonderful but it just lacks a lot. This is where I don’t necessarily blame the author but rather the editor and publishers cause y’all aren’t helping these stories that could be great reach that level.

DNF
The premise of Where Shadows Meet sounded very intriguing but I could not get into the writing style. It was slow, a little bland, and didn't draw me in. I kept putting it down and not feeling a desire to resume it!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I made it 35 pages in to a 250 page book, and I didn’t care about anything. I didn’t care about the characters, I didn’t care about the world, I didn’t care about the past…

And I’m done making excuses for mediocre books, and I’m not going to put myself in a slump.


Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

There are aspects of this I really liked! The characters were well thought out but felt a little underdeveloped until the very end when you finally got some character growth! I will say I loved the romance! I loved how the story was about what people would do for the ones they love and how far they will go. The world building was not the main focus, so it was a little simple, but what we got, I enjoyed.

For some reason I had a really hard time reading this book I stopped for weeks because I wasn't vibing with it. The end was definitely the best part. Overall enjoyed but not a favorite!

I don't thi know this was a book for me. Unfortunately it felt like a huge info dump in the beginning and woth the amount of names, characters, places, timelines....i couldnt keep track and just didnt enjoy reading. I also felt like it was such a let down that thus was marketed as a romance when it takes ~250 pages for our MCs to finally kiss only for them to break up 15 pages later??

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
# Pages: 320
Publication Date: 04.01.25

"You miss your wings," she says, as if she's divined my darkest secret rather than my most obvious truth.

How high I once soared, all those years ago. How happy flying made me. How the sun welcomed me into its warm embrace. But Thana loves me, she nceds me. There is no point in dwelling in the past.
I turn away from the dead goddess and walk back down the hall. "I miss many things, don't you?"

🩸 YA Dark Gothic Romance
🩸 Multiple POV
🩸 Dual Timelines
🩸 Sapphic Romance
🩸 Witty Banter
🩸 Vampires & Witches
🩸 Forbidden Love
🩸 Chronic Illness Rep
🩸 Desire, Sacrifice, & Power
🩸 Black Bi Vampire Princess

The dark and thrilling Black sapphic vampire romantasy that questions what it truly means to sacrifice for love.

Where Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell is the first book in a planned duology. Authors note did say there will be an HEA. It had me sucked in from the beginning of the book. Such awesome storytelling that was unique and refreshing. There’s a lot of detail but really helped with laying down the world building, character development for both timelines (past and present), which I feel was needed. The pace was interesting at different points in time but I feel like it worked for it.

Leyla, a vampire princess embarks on a journey to Nekros, the island of the dead, in search of her missing friend. However, she ends up discovering long-buried secrets. Which she ends up risking awakening an ancient force that’s tied to a tragic love story.

Overall, I truly enjoyed the read. I loved the mix of vampires, humans, gods, and more! There is a cliffhanger and now I’m ready for the second book. Definitely worth checking out if the tropes match your interests!

Thank you netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC copy.

Received a copy through NetGalley for review.

This features two women from the same line, over two different time periods. Both the past and current times, it goes back and forth.
Gods, sapphic vampires, fate and its many paths, and the length you go to sacrifice bits of yourself for those you love (literally) to be together. This is a generational story of one family and the daughters who rebel against their fate, and how far they will go for those they love.

Vampires were created, descended from gods when they left the Heavenly Realms.
The daughter of the king of gods, fell in love with the daughter of a human and a god (an angel). And the angel sacrificed her wings to create a weapon to kill the king, so her and her princess could be together. Favre helped Thana murder her father, when she killed him, he cursed her with his last breath, and when she drank his blood, to solidify her transition of power, the sun forever turned against her, and she craved only blood from then on, and became the first Vampire.

Leyla, is the descendent of Thana's line, from the Daughter of Favre that was sent away in secret- who was bound to the fate to some day bring down her mother Thana and end her rule of terror. Leyla is Heir to the throne, her mother is dying, and she doesn't not feel ready for what is to come.

Najja is a Yamaja, seers of death and fate, descended from the goddess Anae - goddess of knowledge and the sea. Yamaja usually weave the threads of fate into a great tapestry, but Najja's power is different from those of her family, she sees death, and spirits. She can tell you how you will die. Not a type of fate most people are interested in knowing.

Mirrored generational events are converging, and Leyla and Najja will be caught up in fate, and her ancestors great plot. The things you will do for those you love, and how far you will go, and the lines you will cross.

I didn't find this all that hard to follow once you get into it. But its you aren't big on books with multiple back and forth through time plot lines and multiple POV's you may not love this. I really did enjoy it, this series sort of feels like it's just warming up. The real big stuff will be coming in the next book!

Where Shadows Meet is the first book in a series about love, fate and regrets. This story flips between three main narrators, the princess Leyla, the queen's true love Favre, and the girl destined to see the future Najia. Caldwell takes us from the past and the present often in the book as well as between the different perspectives so often that it is easy to forget who is doing what. There is a big info dump at the beginning and the names just fly from your memory. I feel that the story could have been fleshed out more and while it isn't finished, I didn't particularly care about any of the characters. While I will probably read the next book just to see where things go, I won't be looking for it. I was really looking forward to a good book about vampires, gods and mortals. What I read was a story about a petulant god who fell in love with someone she shouldn't have and threw a temper tantrum until she got what she wanted. Then kept doing it, much to the detriment of the entire world. While I am thankful to Net Galley for this arc, this was not one of my favorites.

Where Shadows Meet – Review

I’m always intrigued by vampire novels—each one offers a fresh take. Where Shadows Meet delivers a unique, sapphic spin, asking: What are you willing to sacrifice for love?

The story pulls you into a world of vampires, gods, and humans. While it took some time to keep track of the different vampires and gods, the rich world-building kept me hooked.
Told from three points of view over 1,000 years, the book explores the origins of vampires, the era of gods, and the war between vampires and humans. I loved the POC and queer representation—most of the relationships are queer, adding depth to the story.

Ms. Caldwell created a fascinating mythology that felt fresh and timeless. As the first in a two-book series, it sets the stage well but ends on a cliffhanger, leaving me eager for book two.
I recommend this to fans of vampire lore, mythology, strong female leads, queer stories, and rich world-building.

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for this ARC to read and review.

3.5 Stars

Where Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell is an intriguing sapphic vampire fantasy that blends romance, mythology, and power struggles in a richly built world. Set in the aftermath of a war between vampires, humans, the story follows several women whose fates are deeply entwined.
Leyla, a vampire princess, embarks on a perilous journey to Nekros—the Island of the Dead—to rescue her best friend, a mission that forces her to question everything she’s been taught about her people’s past. Najja, a human with the ability to see glimpses of the future, accompanies

Leyla, and the two develop a tense yet compelling dynamic. Meanwhile, through flashbacks, we uncover the tragic love story of Favre and Thana—two powerful figures whose choices and betrayals have shaped the world as it is now.
I really enjoyed learning about the history of how vampires came to be, and I was always eager for the flashback scenes—they added depth to the lore and were some of my favorite parts of the book. The strong female-led cast was another highlight, and I appreciated the themes of love, sacrifice, and fate woven throughout the story.

However, while the world-building was interesting, some of the details felt fuzzy around the edges, leaving me wanting more clarity. Additionally, while the characters had compelling arcs, I struggled to fully connect with them, which made certain moments fall flat. The novel lays a solid foundation for what could be an engaging duology, and I’m hopeful that the sequel will bring more depth to both the characters and the world.

Thank you to Wednesday Books, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review. Where Shadows Meet releases on April 1, 2025!

Patrice Caldwell's Where Shadows Meet is a darkly romantic fantasy debut that explores the enduring power of love, the crushing weight of loss, and the complex journey of self-discovery. Set in a world scarred by a war between vampires, humans, and gods, this story delves into the lingering consequences of past choices and the potential for both destruction and redemption.

The narrative weaves together the stories of Favre, Thana, and Leyla, each grappling with the echoes of love and betrayal. Favre's sacrifice of her wings for love, only to be met with Thana's pursuit of power, forms the emotional core of the story. Their millennia-spanning history adds a layer of epic scope to the narrative, hinting at the long reach of past actions. Leyla, the vampire princess, is thrust into the heart of the conflict when her friend is captured, forcing her to confront not only external threats but also the secrets and complexities of her own heritage.

Caldwell's world-building is immersive and atmospheric. The island of Nekros, the land of the dead, is vividly depicted, creating a sense of both beauty and dread. The intricate history of the war and the roles of the various factions are gradually revealed, adding depth and intrigue to the story. The interplay between vampires, humans, and the gods who created them creates a rich tapestry of conflict and power dynamics.

The emotional resonance of Where Shadows Meet is its greatest strength. The pain of loss, the sting of betrayal, and the struggle to forgive are all explored with sensitivity and nuance. Favre's longing for what she sacrificed, Thana's regret and ambition, and Leyla's search for her place in a fractured world all contribute to a powerful and moving narrative. The romantic elements are woven seamlessly into the larger story, adding fuel to the already high emotional stakes.

While the plot is engaging, it's the characters and their internal struggles that truly drive the story. Caldwell has crafted complex and flawed individuals whose choices resonate with the reader. Their journeys of self-discovery are fraught with challenges, forcing them to confront their pasts and make difficult decisions about their futures.

Where Shadows Meet is a compelling and emotionally resonant debut. It's a story that will stay with you long after you finish reading, prompting reflection on the nature of love, sacrifice, and the enduring power of the past. Fans of dark fantasy and intricate character studies will find much to appreciate in this captivating tale.

Where Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell is a lush, atmospheric fantasy that weaves queer romance, vampire lore, and intricate world-building into a gripping tale of love and power. The story thrives on its star-crossed lovers trope, delivering high stakes and emotional depth as its protagonists navigate a world shaped by myth and betrayal. Caldwell's writing is immersive, with vivid descriptions and a well-developed matriarchal society that sets it apart from typical vampire fantasies. However, the pacing occasionally falters, making some sections feel slower than others. Still, the novel’s rich themes and compelling characters make it a standout read.

I received a copy through netgalley and am offering my opinion freely.

The synopsis caught my interest immediately. I wish I could say I loved this book, but I didn't.

There were a lot of names and info dumping that just couldn't grab my attention. I found myself rereading pages more than once because I started daydreaming while reading.

I read so many words, but would fail to tell you what I read.

I'm still convinced someone will love this. That someone just isn't me.

I am not a huge vampire fan, so I do adjust for that in reviews. I don't think that preference means that the book itself was bad. Now if I remove that component and look at just the romantasy and the character development, I think this is a pretty good book. The worldbuilding was really interesting and the characters were well-rounded and complex. The timelines were a bit difficult to get use to, and I think they could have been better used, but in general I think it came together fine. The timelines interrupted the pacing, but the pacing of each timeline separately was pretty good.

a bit disappointing. Favre was a very generic character and none of the others felt that much better, and the worldbuilding was so intricately planned as to be incredibly hard to remember, even after setting it down for 10 minutes. still, i can see the vision. 3 stars. tysm for the arc.

3.5 stars rounded up. Set in the aftermath of a war between vampires, humans, and the gods that created them, Where Shadows Meet follows three women on their journeys of love, and learning its true cost.

This concept was fantastic. I loved everything about it. However, for me, the delivery didn’t quite work.

While I appreciate the note from the author at the start of the book stating the world will be more explored in book two, and that questions will be answered there, I also question if that’s a technique I enjoy? Would I have enjoyed this story more to have things a little better outlined in book one? Probably. The story just did not grab me because I had little reasoning as to why or how things were even happening. This “in the next book I’ll world-build more - promise!” note having to be included in the first place has me wanting to see the editor notes…

I look forward to seeing what comes next and having the story ideally fleshed out a bit more.

Thank you to Wednesday Books, St.Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review. Where Shadows Meet comes out April 1, 2025.