I did not finish this book. I couldn’t get into it . I felt that there wasn’t enough build up to the main characters meeting or insight into what was going on . I got 50% through and it just wasn’t for me .

A prince in a kingdom long dead and hopeless. A girl in the human realm. The prince is ordered to get the girl in the dead realm (Cymmera) and the prince fails to do so. And thence follows the most lazily written, dreadfully mismanaged story.

I just read this book for the sake of finishing it. And the sad thing is that the plot wasn't terrible, it could have been a great story. But the author didn't want to devote much commitment to it. Just 200 pages weren't enough for the story that was created. There was no work done on the characterwork, world building, history, or even the descriptions. Ryleigh's character had no proper shape. I got so sick of the tears that would spill/trickle/track/slide/fall down her cheeks in a literal microsecond after her being insensitive and rude for an hour. Her sister Mia acted more like an eight year old than a twelve year old. The romance was so terribly handled. I can hardly understand how we could have focused on the romance and not on the worrisome situations going on in the kingdom. The villain was supposed to be a great vile threat but only succeeded in being an entertaining cartoon. And oh the king! I have never been so annoyed by a character. His advisor was such a jerk and all he did to reprimand was "enough of it", "stop or I will do bla bla". Like, the person was violating every royal rule in the royal court, and the king is so weak, he can't even control a rebellious memeber?
A good author is the one who can convey the direness of the situation to the reader in a way that would make him feel anxious for the characters. But she failed badly in this book. The ending was tried to be shown as happy, romantic and dreamy, but because of the rotten stakes, only helped me cringe.
A bad book. Not worth reading.

Realm of Ice and Shadow
by Leigh Stratton
YA Fantasy
NetGalley ARC
Publication Date: November 7, 2023
Level Best Books
13+

At seventeen Ryleigh is now the only one to care for herself and her little sister. With only a few months left before she graduates, she is looking for a full-time job, and at the interview, an earthquake hits, and in the destruction Ryleigh searches for her sister whom she left on the first floor. But in the dust of the rubble, she swears she sees a man staring at her, holding a sword.

Waking up in the hospital with her sister, Jackson comes into her room, the man she is positive she saw in the dust, but he is not there to hurt her, even though that was what he was ordered to do if he wanted to pass his last test to become a Death Dealer, a warrior for the Kingdom of Cymmera, and to take his place as the next in line to the throne.

The blurb sounded decent and it started out interesting, but it was lacking descriptions, thus making it more for middle school readers, but it also has some content that is pushing that suitability line, plus the characters are 17 and 19.

Everything felt brushed over so to get from A to Z as quickly as possible, without a lot of explanation on how, and some of it didn't make much sense.

A really good rewrite with attention paid to adding descriptions and color to the world, characters, and 'magic', could change this story from ehh to wow. It's a good idea, but...

So if you're looking for a quick and simple read, this is it, but it's unfulfilling because you can tell there could be so much more if the time was taken to create it.

2 Stars

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

An enjoyable fantasy novel. An easy read, which had a good story line and good character development. However, some parts didn’t keep me focused and gripped so settled with 3 stars instead of 4.

I finally finished this guy! I’m a little bummed that I didn’t fall in love with it, because it definitely has similar elements to books I’ve loved in the past. Unfortunately, this book just fell flat for me. I didn’t enjoy the writing, and found the tell-not-show to be frustrating and fruitless.

Maybe I’m just too old to be in the ideal audience? I struggled to connect with the characters.

Thank you for the opportunity to check this out though!

It was a lovely, engaging read, and immediately pulled you in. The characters were well-built and you felt their struggles as you read. Action was detailed without being overly descriptive, and whereas you think you know where the story is going there is just enough uncertainty to keep you on the edge of your seat. My 13-year-old son enjoyed this book as much as I did and I have loved discussing the nuances of the perspectives of the main characters through both of our lenses as the central plot revolves around a teenage boy and how he deals with his father's orders when his instincts tell him differently.

I couldn't put the book down and am looking forward to my next trip to Cymmera.

I loved this book so much, I devoured it. Loved the writing it was such a quick read for me definitely recommend

I could honestly see where this book was going but the writing was not amazing. There were so many things that happened in the book in too little of time. The author tried writing a few twist at the end but they felt very butchered and not well executed. I also did not feel a connection with the characters and had a hard time figuring out who was what at some points. I genuinely feel like this book would be a great read for younger audiences, the author uses simple diction and I could see my middle school self enjoying this. This book had such a great idea embedded into it and I enjoyed the premise of the story, however this book was not for me.

First, thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and the writer for this opportunity.

I wanted to read this book because I LOVED the cover, it´s beautiful, and the synopsis was very attractive (I love a good fantasy book).

In general, it was a good book, with a great premise but I think it could be better. Sometimes I was a little lost in the narrative but either way it was interesting. Furthermore, I felt that the plot was rushed a lot of times, and it turns out a little difficult to process all the information. So, I think it would be much better if it had more world building.

But overall, I liked the plot, even though it was predictable, it had potential and I think that the next book can be a lot better.

The premise was promising. Jackson Maynard is about to be ordained as a Death Dealer, a warrior for the Kingdom of Cymmera, but first, he must pass one more test. He must obtain the girl shown in the prophecy. When he fails, he’s forced to stand trial for treason. Banished from his realm to build his defense, he seeks out the girl from the vision, Ryleigh Donnovan, and together they embark on a journey to save his dying kingdom.

While I enjoyed reading the book, the execution was lackluster. Everything felt rushed. It was a lot of action but not as much substance. I would have appreciated more world-building and character development. These life-altering events are occurring, but we don't get to spend much time with them and explore how they affect the characters. In terms of characters, they felt a little one-dimensional at times. I did enjoy the sisterly bond between Ryleigh and Mia. I think Mia might be my favorite character.

Seventeen-year-old Ryleigh Donnovan is certain her life is cursed. Nothing ever goes smoothly, and her first job interview is no exception.

Yikes. Ryleigh is not a likable protagonist. What a whiny brat. I could barely finish this.

Two POV’s FMC MMC
Story about land of violence, darkness and hopelessness who finds a savor.
FMC is a 17 year old girl who is trying to survive and take care of her younger sister as they have lost everything.
MMC is a warrior prince who does not have the same beliefs as the people in power. And thinks there is a better way.

Baddie is completely oblivious, I actually thought it was a trick since it was so clear but nope, it was him.
Starts strong but just went down hill literally the 2nd chapter. Not believable,
FMC was weak, whiney and emotional, she cries literally all the time . World building or even charter development was non existent. Chapter were unnecessary long, jumping from both POV’s was confusing- like let us know.
Too fast paced, like jumping from scene to scene so quick. Like it’s throwing so much at us it lacks depth and full understanding the world and characters themselves. Just felt far too rushed.
This is def a read for 12-14 year old- it will not hold losers interest. Would not recommend and will not continue.

This book starts off with young characters who are skilled in their professions and hidden orphans struggling to survive. However, it quickly became apparent that there was a lack of depth. The plot remained stagnant, the characters failed to capture my interest, and the world-building was not really good. There was an excessive amount of discussing the need to talk about things and explaining why they needed more time to explain. It became frustrating as a reader because I just wanted something to happen already. Additionally, the chapters were unnecessarily long and the difference in point of view between the two main characters was almost indistinguishable. At first, I thought maybe this book was intended for a younger audience, perhaps ages 15 to 17. However, the author made the female main character 17 and portrayed her as "innocent," while the male main character, from chapter one, considered her to be his bond mate at age 19. Overall, it felt rushed and poorly planned in terms of conveying its intended message.

"Realm of Ice and Shadow” by Leigh Stratton transports readers to an exciting world of fantasy. The world-building in this YA story is a highlight, immersing you in a realm filled with magic and mystery. The fantastical elements are skillfully woven into the narrative.The pacing is generally engaging, with multiple action packed scenes. The wholesome undertones add depth, and the characters, especially the endearing sisters Ryleigh and Mia, are both likable and relatable. The heartwarming bond between the sisters adds a beautiful layer to this enchanting tale. A solid 4-star read, offering a balance of fantasy, relatability, and warmth.

I loved the concept but , i felt the pacing was a bit off. There were some moments that were confusing and some plot twists made me question but , it made me sad that this book wasnt for me.

This book was a mess, to put it mildly.

The pacing is all over the place, there's a whole lot of nothing happening and the writing itself reads very amateur.

I never felt immersed in this story. As someone who reads for escapism I never once felt like I wasn't reading. I was always aware of myself sitting in my room reading a book I just wasn't really enjoying.

These are pretty popular tropes and common in Sarah J Maas but I just can't get into it. Jackson being "19" and romantically interested in a 16-year-old girl, why? Add onto that, that he's actually HUNDREDS of years old and that's just icky. This protective alpha male partnered with a naive innocent female is always gross dynamics to me. Also, the fact that when Jackson talks to Ryleigh about bonding he never once considered the concept of consent until she mentioned it?????
The idea that Jackson's home world is dying and the savior is a young girl who can come and nurture (mother) things back to how they used to be - just not at all my vibe.

There were many parts in this book that just didn't feel like they needed to happen. At one point a character called Kai voices his displeasure and storms out of the room only for a beat or two later to be summoned back to the same room by the king. What was even the point of that? Instances like this happen consistently throughout.

The initial concept sounded interesting but I think the author needed more time to properly flesh this out and review.

Would not recommend and will not be continuing the series.

Let me start by saying that I really did like the concept of this book. It was a fun idea, and it has a beautiful cover and a title that puts you in the mindset of a decent fantasy novel. It starts you off right in the action, too, skipping the slow build and, unfortunately, most of the world building.

'Fast' is probably the best way to describe this book. It's a story where things keep moving and keep happening, but often at the expense of any actual development. Elements are introduced to the story and then moved through so quickly that it feels like we don't actually have time to really explore them before we've moved on to the next thing. The characters feel the same way. Any development is rushed through and inconsistent. It feels more like the characters have roles, rather than actual personality traits. The relationships and dynamics are inconsistent and hard to follow and, like the plot of the book, rushed through so much that I don't feel like I ever really learned anything about them or had a chance to connect with them on any level.

Overall, it feels like a full series of a show was squished down into a short novel that moves so fast in order to cover so much ground that we don't get a chance to stop, take a breath, and explore anything that's happening.

That being said, I did kind of enjoy the concept of the world, and would have liked to see more of it. And it is a really quick read, so if it seems at all interesting to you, it might be worth the couple of hours it takes to read through.

The book was fairly similar to other YA fantasy books. I did like the action-packed adventure we went on throughout the book. Some parts were predictable. However, I did really enjoy it. It was a very quick read that wasn't hard to get into. I can't wait to read the next part of the story.

Thank you for the ARC.

"Realm of Ice and Shadow" by Leigh Stratton is a captivating fantasy novel that introduces readers to the enchanting Kingdom of Cymmera. Seventeen-year-old Ryleigh Donnovan, convinced that her life is cursed, faces unexpected challenges during her first job interview. An earthquake disrupts the proceedings, leading Ryleigh on a frantic search for her younger sister. In the chaos, she finds herself in the hospital and, fearing interrogation, decides to escape with a mysterious stranger.

This stranger is Jackson Maynard, on the verge of becoming a Death Dealer—a warrior for the Kingdom of Cymmera. However, he faces a crucial test, and when he fails to capture the human girl prophesied, he is accused of treason. Banished from his realm, Jackson seeks out Ryleigh, the girl from the vision, and together they embark on a journey to save his dying kingdom.

The narrative weaves together elements of adventure, magic, and prophecy, creating a rich and immersive fantasy world. The dynamic between Ryleigh and Jackson adds depth to the story as they navigate the challenges of their quest and the unraveling mysteries of the kingdom. The characters' growth and the unfolding of the plot keep readers engaged and invested in the outcome.

Leigh Stratton demonstrates skill in world-building, crafting a realm filled with magical elements, intriguing characters, and a quest that propels the narrative forward. The blend of new adult, fantasy, and young adult elements makes "Realm of Ice and Shadow" a versatile read that can appeal to a broad audience.

Overall, "Realm of Ice and Shadow" promises an exciting journey through a fantastical realm, making it a recommended read for fans of fantasy adventures.

Realm of Ice and Shadow is a unique fantasy tale about other realms, hidden heritage, and a prophecy to save a kingdom. I really enjoyed the story, characters, setting, and the author's writing style. I was pulled into the book and kept engaged by descriptive scenes, wonderfully written and imperfect characters, and a mystery I just had to figure out.

Ryleigh, Mia, and Jackson are such likable characters. Strong, independent, supportive and protective of one another even after Ryleigh and Mia had only known Jackson for a short time. I enjoyed the suspense, action, and anticipation the author built up throughout the story.

I can't wait for the next book.