Title: To Kill a Shadow
Author: Katherine Quinn
Publication: November 28, 2023
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Genre: YA Fiction, Fantasy
Pages: 448
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SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)
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.
REVIEW:
**A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.**
The synopsis and the cover of this book drew me in from the beginning. I read a lot of fantasy and this felt like something fresh, something I hadn’t seen before. It feels like a gothic fairytale which does not get enough attention in my opinion.
Kiara is a strong female character who just lights up every page of this book. She’s loyal and fearless and prepared to take on the world. Jude, a troubled and broody commander seems to be the opposite side of Kiara’s coin. He’s had a hard life and benefits from Kiara’s hopeful outlook on such a bleak world.
Aside from the wonderful characters though, I did have trouble making connections to the story and the relationships within. The world building felt rushed and there were moments I felt like I was missing pieces of the puzzle. This is a series, so that could be a factor, but the last few chapters of this book were the best and the most emotional. There is so much we don’t know about Jude Maddox and I am eager to find out.
I’m giving To Kill a Shadow a well-earned 4 stars. Give it a read and have your adventure in the mist!
