by: Katherine Quinn
Series: Mistlands
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Release Date: November 23, 2023
Publisher: Entangled Publishing ~ Entangled Teen
Britannia meets The Mist―with a touch of Evil Dead―in this illusory fantasy horror about a kingdom left to darkness…
Jude Maddox knows nothing of love or even light. He knows only his grim duty as the Hand of Death, to lead the Knights of the Eternal Star into a land filled with nightmares and certain demise. It’s only when he sees her―a young woman with wild, amber eyes who’s as fierce, defiant, and swift as the shadow beasts themselves―that he feels the warmth of life in his blood…
The other Knights may fear their lethal commander, with his hard, merciless demeanor. Outcast Kiara Frey sees only a leader, a man who knows how to survive. Someone like her. But wanting him is as treacherous as the shadows themselves…and just as seductive.
With a kingdom on the verge of collapse, the Knights must now venture into the darkest heart of the land and uncover the secrets of the misted shadows, where evil will prey upon their minds and feast on their flesh.
It will betray their senses.
It will surpass their nightmares.
Most of them will die.
But they have no other choice. Because the only way to fight the darkness…is to become it.
50 years ago, the Realm of Asidia was cursed into darkness. For almost as long, the families of Asidia have been asked to sacrifice one of their children to The Calling. A day when the Knights of the Eternal Star go through the Realm collecting the chosen to train and eventually venture into the cursed lands of the Mist to try and end the curse of darkness. The families believe this to be a privilege and many have their children training since birth. On this day, Liam Frey is to leave his family in Cila and join the Brotherhood of the Knights which is a guaranteed death sentence due to his asthma. After a spur-of-the-moment action brings attention to her, 18-year-old Kiara Frey is ordered to take her brother’s place. A decision that’s unheard of as The Calling has only ever been for boys.
While in training, Kiara excels and shows great promise. In her, Jude Maddox, Commander of the Knights sees a better version of himself. They have an attraction that blooms into a friendship. And friendship isn’t really something either is used to having. Soon, King Cirian orders Maddox to gather a small group and return to the Mist, the same place Maddox lost all of his men to the year before. Maddox knows the recruits aren’t ready and that this is a mission they won’t return from but he has no choice.
To Kill a Shadow was a truly amazing read. I loved the characters of Kiara and Jude. In fact, my heart broke for Jude, while I was awed by Kiara’s fierce tenacity. The story is made up of several tropes (found family, grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and forbidden romance). It is also full of mystery, intrigue, suspense and betrayal. This was a wild ride that will leave you speechless. To Kill a Shadow is definitely a violent story and there are content/trigger warnings on Entangled’s website that you should be aware of. I know people always say that they can’t wait for the next book to come out. But I seriously will be on pins and needles waiting.
~ Favorite Quotes ~
“You can’t save everyone.”
“A good man is often the one who has known the most evil.”
“Hope is a powerful thing to have.”
“Some strengths do not lie in the physical.”
“Control is an illusion, something to make us feel grounded and in charge of our destinies.”
“Sometimes we have to give away pieces of ourselves to others we love, even if it hurts at the time.”
“Love is nothing if not sacrifice.”
“Books…They don’t lie or betray you.”
“History always has a way of repeating itself, no matter how hard we try to rewrite the story.”
“Knowledge had a way of altering one’s world.”
“No one can break me.”
“Love was acceptance.”
**Received a copy from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed it. Also personally purchased a hardcover copy.**
Rating: 5
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Her love for writing began after she read her first fantasy series, Song of the Lioness, by Tamora Pierce. After that, she wanted nothing more than to be a dagger-wielding heroine. Unfortunately, it’s frowned upon to give a child a dagger, so she settled on writing about daring adventures instead.
Coffee is her true love, and she believes anything can be fixed with Starbucks and dark humor.
Places to find Katherine Quinn:
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