I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Y’all. I just want Tycho to be happy. And Jax to be happy. And everyone.

So trilogies sometimes have a rough second book, where there are a lot of transitions and moving around and sometimes they just aren’t interesting.

This isn’t one of those.

I wanted so desperately for Tycho and Jax to get out of their damn heads and do something. I want Cally to be happy without the douchebag. I want the kingdom to just all get along. But we can’t always get what we want.

That being said, it isn’t necessary a bad thing. The tension and discord made the resolution much more satisfying, and it was written in such a way that it didn’t feel uncomfortable or forced. One of my least favorite tropes is miscommunication, and this book definitely has it all throughout it, but it was done in such a way I don’t mind. The characters are constantly learning and changing their minds about things and perceptions of others, so the characters worked everything out very naturally. It was really wonderful to read and watch the characters really develop through the book.

The plot is certainly action packed enough to keep interest, but there are plenty of tender moments and moments of doubt as well. This book isn’t as emotional as some I’ve read, but there’s plenty of sweet moments between main characters. Jax’s PoV was my favorite because it really highlights the struggle a newcomer who doesn’t speak the language would have. My favorite part is honestly how well Kemmerer humanizes her characters. They feel real and kept me invested the whole book. Even minor characters make an impact.

Of course it leaves on a bit of a cliffhanger, but no one’s life is in immediate danger, so there’s that.

All in all, this was fantastic. I’m dying to see how the last book plays out, because there are a lot of things in motion now and a lot of alliances and betrayals to come.

Carving Shadows into Gold continues the journey of Tycho, Jax, and Callyn from Forging Silver into Stars. While I loved the first book for its fast pace and gripping storylines, this sequel didn’t quite capture the same spark for me. The slow-burn lacked intensity, feeling more like a “no-burn” experience. I had hoped to finish the book quickly in one or two sittings but found it too easy to put down, ultimately finishing it out of a sense of obligation rather than enjoyment.
The character arcs were another challenge for me. Grey has unfortunately become unlikable, Tycho feels diminished compared to his earlier portrayal, and Callyn stood out as the sole character I truly connected with. Interestingly, the scraver Nakiis ended up being the most compelling part of the plot. I remain hopeful for the next installment, with the potential return of Rhen and Harper, a more nuanced Grey, and a stronger, more determined Tycho. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I would recommend this book primarily to fans eager to continue the series as they await the next chapter.

Brigid Kemmerer has done it again! What a joy to return to Emberfall and Syhl Shallow. A compelling storyline, well-rounded, well-developed, and realistic characters, and some satisfying romance make the second book in this trilogy a winner in my book! Now I'm just said I have to wait for the ending.

The second installment of this spin-off series picks up where the first left off. The pacing was a bit off throughout, it was very slow in the first 60% of the book and finally picked up towards the end. I expected some cliff-hangers (which we got) but I was hoping for something more to be given to the readers in this title as well. It felt almost as if it was a huge build up to what happens at the end of this novel. I appreciate the character development throughout, Kemmerer always excels at that in my opinion. It was nice to see more of Rhen, Harper and Grey in this one as well. I will say that some of the sexual content feels like this should be categorized as a New Adult title instead of Young Adult - particularly looking at it through the lens of a library. Ultimately a solid choice for fans of the series.

Brigid Kemmerer is an auto-read/auto-buy author for me. Forging Silver and Stars is already a favorite on my shelf and I was absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to read this eARC before release. It was wonderful and I just love her entire magical universe. Highly recommend and go read the first one as well as her other trilogy A Curse So Dark and Lonely!

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

The story of Tycho and Jax opens with their journey to Emberfall, during which there's a vicious attack by scravers. With scravers terrorizing the countryside, Tycho worries about the consequences of his promise to Nakiis. Prince Rhen orders Tycho away to warn the King and once again he finds himself riding away from Jax. Callyn's story opens with her chasing the princess through the palace, part of her new job as Sinna's lady in waiting. Soon it becomes her responsibility to figure out why the Queen was attacked, trapping her in a game of politics that may turn deadly.

I'm going to start by saying, Jax and Tycho are sooooo sweet. They're sweet together and sweet to each other. If you are looking for a lighthearted romantasy that makes you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside, this book's opening salvo fits the bill. But as wonderful as it is it can't stay that way for long. Their relationship becomes strained by the necessity of finding balance between their love for each other and the need to maintain their reputations.

Callyn's story is less sweet... Let me be so bold as to call it mildly sour. Callyn is trying to assimilate to palace life but finds herself being humiliated by Nolla Verin on a daily basis. She's afraid of the King and she's being used by the Queen. And if that's not complicated enough, she can't allow herself to admit that she's still in love with Alek because he betrayed her. Where Tycho and Jax are sweet, Callyn and Alek's relationship hooks you with sexual tension. As angry as she is with Alek, you know it's not over yet.

What I enjoyed:

I thoroughly enjoyed the pacing, Brigid Kemmerer's sense of timing is great. At no point did the story drag on with useless details or irrelevant character interactions. One thing consistently led to the next, and had I had the time available I would have read it in one sitting easily.

I'm not a romance reader by nature. I find there isn't enough going on in them to keep me entertained. But with Carving Shadows into Gold the romantic elements in this story were surrounded by action sequences and complimented by character growth: Jax making friends and overcoming the trauma that his father left behind, Tycho learning to let his guard down and beginning to question his oath to Grey, and Callyn realizing that not everything is black and white.

What didn't I enjoy?

This contains one of my pet peeves of too much blushing. It's in every single chapter. Sometimes blushing occurs multiple times a chapter. No matter the situation, someone is always blushing. People don't actually blush every five minutes and I think it ruins the quality of the characters when everything under the sun embarrasses them. Why are they so insecure?

Not really sure BK knows who her target audience is, I certainly don't. The writing style is what I would expect to find in a Young Adult novel (especially with all that blushing), but some of the content is not suitable for kids... Things heat up around the 20% mark. I would maybe classify it as light reading for the New Adult. I feel like the author needs to firm up her writing for the new adult or, remove sexual content for the young adult.

I received a free electronic copy from Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I have been stalking Netgalley forever since reading Forging Silver into Stars. FOREVER. So believe me when I tell you I was screeching out loud when I saw it pop up in my search. I absolutely could not wait one more millisecond to get back into my favorite world, Emberfall.

Unfortunately it took a while for this story to take off. At around the 25% mark I was beginning to get really worried because I was not getting sucked in and the story felt stale and stagnant. Somewhere around the 50% area it began to take off. Especially with the more consistent appearances of Grey, Harper and Rhen. While in the first part of this book I was beginning to wonder if I would even bother with the next installment but after that ending you better believe I will be stalking Netgalley on a freakishly frequent basis for the third installment.

OH MANNNNNN BRIGID KEMMERER DOES IT AGAIN FOLKS!!!! I ain’t never met a Kemmerer book I didn’t EAT UP.

I loved Forging Silver into Stars but it’s been quite a long wait and I unfortunately did not write a recap, so I was a little worried I wouldn’t be as invested bc I didn’t remember anything. SHOULD’NT HAVE DOUBTED HER!! Brigid’s writing is SO addictive and immediately I was BACK in it. Flewww through this in a few sittings and had the time of my life.

I already sense that some readers will feel like this is a bit of a filler book, as the second book in a series sometimes is, but I HAD SO MUCH FUNNNNN, it literally did not phase me. SO much good character building! RHEN is such a superstar in this series; last book his relationship with Tycho was a highlight and in this one Jax & Rhen came in and had me near tears! I usually dislike when characters are separated for the book but man, every POV was a delight. The side characters and the characters from the OG series were balanced out so well, I never felt like I wanted to be in a different setting or POV.

Again, LOVED Jax & Rhen, loved Malin, loved Tycho (curious to see where the Nakiis storyline goes), loved Grey’s character arc, LOVED Harper (I so wish there was more of her). Super interested to see Callyn grow more and Alek… what is there to say about that man.

ANYWAY, I love this series so so much and these characters are sooo fun! Can’t wait for it to continue. BRIGID QUITE LITERALLY NEVER MISSES FOR ME

The most stunning maps in this book!!

Tycho, Jax, and Callyn’s saga continue. 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝 picked up where book 1 left off. I enjoyed being thrust back into their world in this character-driven fantasy with romance. Brigid Kemmerer is a master with complex characters and emotional depth which make the book feel rich and alive. It kept me engaged. The saga continues with more political intrigue and unexpected alliances.

I love how Kemmerer weaves together the three MCs paths and portrays a range of emotions from tension, love, confusion, and betrayal. I think these characters will stay with me for a while. I felt like each MC had their own growth and they each carried different burdens yet never drifted far from who they are as a person. Jax and Tycho’s relationship continues to be just too darn swoony. I see a lot in store for Callyn in book 3.

The pacing was a bit slow initially but picked up in the last 30% or so of the book. I feel that this gradual build-up adds depth to the characters and their motivations and readers are rewarded with a tender reunion and then a gripping ending. I am not sure when book 3 will be released but I am eager to follow the characters’ journeys.
Rating: 4.5/5

Thank you @netgalley for a gifted eARC!

Carving Shadows Into Gold by @brigidkemmerer

Flawless. Perfect. Stunning.

Hello? I am OBSESSED with this series and these characters and this world. I can’t even put all my thoughts into words. I love these fictional characters with my whole entire heart. I cried, I laughed, I cried some more. So happy I got to read this early and so excited to get my beautiful copy in the mail!

Thank you to @netgalley and @bloomsburypublishing @bloomsburychildrens for the arc!
Pub date: 1/28/2025

#CarvingShadowsintoGold #NetGalley

This is the 2nd book in the spin-off series to A Curse so Dark and Lonely, which is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. If you haven’t read that one and you like YA fantasy, I would highly recommend- I think it’s vastly underrated. The previous characters from that series are prominently featured in this one, although they aren’t the main characters. I had so much fun with this book. I like the world, I love the new (and old) characters, I enjoy the plot. Overall a solid sequel

Will upload full review on goodreads closer to pub date

Brigid Kemmerer’s Carving Shadows into Gold delivers a mesmerizing continuation of the Forging Silver into Stars saga, immersing readers in a world of magic, peril, and intricate personal bonds. The narrative follows Tycho, Jax, and Callyn, three characters whose lives are thrown into turmoil by dangerous forces and looming political conflict. As they face mounting challenges, each character must make difficult choices that could shape the fate of their kingdom.

The novel takes its time to build momentum, with a slow-burn start that carefully layers tension and sets up the stakes. For some, the pacing may feel unhurried initially, but as the story progresses, the action escalates, transforming the second half into a thrilling whirlwind of surprises and high stakes. This gradual build-up adds depth to the characters and their motivations, rewarding patient readers with a fast-paced, gripping climax.

A standout aspect of the book is the tender, well-developed romance between Tycho and Jax. Their relationship evolves naturally and thoughtfully, creating a genuine emotional connection that is heartwarming without ever feeling forced. The LGBTQ+ representation in their storyline is handled with care, offering a positive and refreshing element to the story. In contrast, Callyn’s journey brings its own set of complications as she struggles to adjust to her new life at court, navigating treachery and political intrigue.

The strength of Carving Shadows into Gold lies not just in its individual characters but in how their paths weave together, creating a multi-layered narrative filled with tension, love, and betrayal. Tycho’s perilous deal, Jax’s escape from his past, and Callyn’s reluctant role in the royal court form a compelling backdrop of personal stakes amidst the larger threats to the kingdom. Each of their arcs is rich with emotion, loyalty, and the pain of making sacrifices for those they care about.

With its dynamic mix of magic, action, and deeply emotional moments, this novel is a captivating read for fans of the fantasy genre. The balance of personal growth, political drama, and the ever-present magical dangers keeps the reader hooked, leaving them eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. Kemmerer crafts a spellbinding story that resonates long after the final page is turned.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books | Bloomsbury YA for providing me this epic fantasy's digital reviewer copy in exchange of my honest opinions.