It feels surreal to finally, finally be reviewing this book—especially knowing it won’t officially be out until the end of this month. The wait has been excruciating, but let me just say right off the bat: The Shadow Bride was absolutely worth it.

Ever since I turned the final page of The Scarlet Veil back in January of last year—because, hello, cliffhanger—I’ve been counting down the days for this sequel. And wow, did it deliver.

First and foremost, Shelby Mahurin’s writing is phenomenal. If you’ve read anything by her, you already know why she’s an auto-buy author for me. Her storytelling is immersive, her prose is lush without being overindulgent, and she has this incredible way of making characters feel so achingly real.

And The Shadow Bride? It’s such a ride. Every bit as mesmerizing and addictive as The Scarlet Veil, with all the elements that made that book an instant favorite—only now, the stakes are even higher, the tension even sharper, and the emotions even deeper.

There’s something to be said for a well-executed duology. In fact, I’d argue that when done right, duologies are superior to trilogies. They feel tighter, more intentional, with no filler to drag the pacing down. And The Scarlet Veil and The Shadow Bride? This is how you do it. Perfectly planned, perfectly plotted, perfectly executed.

And the characters? Ugh, I love them. This series is a spin-off of Serpent & Dove, one of my all-time favorites, so we also get glimpses of those familiar, beloved faces. But at its heart, this duology belongs to Célie, and I couldn’t adore her more.

I love that she’s soft, that she leads with her heart, and that she’s never forced to change who she is in order to be strong. She finds her power on her own terms, in her own way, and that means everything. This is a series for the girls who see themselves in characters like Célie, and I appreciate that so much.

And then there’s Michal. Michal. I was obsessed with the dynamic between him and Célie—the tension, the longing, the slow-burn perfection of it all. Their relationship unfolds so beautifully, so deliberately, that I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

Simply put: this book understood the assignment. If you loved The Scarlet Veil, The Shadow Bride will sweep you right off your feet. And if you haven’t read either yet? You’re in for something incredible.