2.5 stars but rounding up!

This was not my favorite book that I've read but it was definitely one of the fastest books to read! This was a fast-paced magical story about a girl hidden away in the woods for her own protection and the knight that saves her, kicking off a big adventure crossing worlds and learning the differences between light magic and dark magic.

I thought the characters, their connections, and the magical mystery surrounding them were very interesting, but I found myself wishing that they went a bit deeper. The strongest relationship was between Wren and her mother (?) Elodie, and even that needed a bit more depth to it. Wren and Finn had the insta-love that wasn't founded on an emotional connection level as much as a magical level.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Jessica Thorne for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This book was ok. It had the premise to be really good but I felt like I was reading more of someone's initial draft that was written after they created a rough outline versus a completed story. There was very little world building, or character development and I often felt confused about what was happening. Our main character made bad decisions that you knew were coming but even as she was making the decision I kept thinking "I'm missing something" because while I KNEW it was a bad decision, the plot was so vague that it was almost like it was counting on the reader to draw conclusions as to what was happening.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

elodie and wren and arrived in the village many years ago.... they were the hedge witches in the forest and many of the villagers sought out elodie for help

but the day the village was invaded was the day that changed everything...

wren met the man that was to change her life forever

elodie was about to have her past thrust back at her

was the dark magic about to come back....

what a read and what an ending...cant wait for the next book in this series

A Touch of Shadows is a nice book for someone who wants to read a romantic fantasy novel for the first time. It's fast paced, the magic system is not complicated and the book is well written. However, for me, there was a lack of world building and the main characters needed a bit more fleshing out. I wasn't able to pick up exactly their personalities and traits - they felt a bit bland. Excluding Elodie, who stole the show, in my opinion.
The romance was too quick for me and a bit out of the blue, but I am a slow burn kind of girl.
The cliffhanger at the end was really nice and left me wondering what will happen next! All in all, this was a nice and quick read.

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



✨ Fast Paced
✨ Cliffhanger
✨ Sci-fi




✨ Eloise was the main character of the story.
To be honest, it’s my first time reading a scifi series and I’m struggling at first.
But knowing the author, have some handy tips on the first few chapter I can actually read it lightly even though it’s a struggle.

✨ Cliffhanger is a huge part of this book so you may keep an eye out on the second book.



✨ Overall, it’s a good read. Lots of things to learn about. Not the greatest fan of sci-fi but this is a great start of the journey.



✨ Thankyou #secondsky #bookouture for the opportunity to read this arc for a honest review.





🫶🏼shaye.reads

Well, this is the first in a stunning new fantasy series. One that was left on a cliffhanger!

So I LOVED the narrator of the book, and I listened to the book, but I think, for me, this is one I would have been better off reading. I feel like I missed out on some things because of the detail that Jessica has put in. It didn't all completely sink in for me - so next book, I am reading! Although, I might re-read this one! The detail is not a bad thing, you need this detail but because my brain floated away, I missed things.

For me, Elodie was the shining star. There is something mysterious and endearing about her all at the same time. I need to find out more about her and Roland!! Their love, their story I need more!

This is going to sound silly to say, but this book was magical. I love the magic, the world-building, the characters but it was just something special. I loved the easy way you found yourself with the characters as if you had always been with Wren from the beginning. And yet, there is still so much we don't know about her and the shadows. Why does the darkness want her? I know we see a snippet of things, but that's just it, a snippet. I want more - and I have 2 more books to find out my answers.

It was free-flowing, easy going, but with some sizzle and some battles and a whole lot of magic and I can't wait for the next instalment.

I was very fortunate enough to get an arc of this. Loved the cover and the premise. It was an enjoyable read and the magic system was interesting as the first book in a series. I am excited to see how it develops further on.

Found my new favorite series! I couldn’t put this book down! The great world building and twists and turns keeps you hooked until the end. I can’t wait for the 2nd book in this series to be released! Thank you Second Sky for providing me an ARC!

One-word review: wonderful-escape
Emojis: 🤔😳🫣
Rating: 4 🌟s

Favorite Character:
My favorite character was not Wren—at least not in this first book in the trilogy—but Elodie, who is the mother or mother figure (that's one of the mysteries that needs to be solved) of Wren and a powerful wielder of magic. She is fascinating and powerful, with a past full of mystery and a power that can change the fate of everyone she comes into contact with. She is a supporting character with definite main-character energy.

My Top-Five-style Review:
5. The world-building, while in need of more development, holds great potential. With two books to go, there's a sense of anticipation. The basic introduction was sufficient to prevent confusion or frustration, leaving room for more to be unveiled.

4. The romance, though rapid, is a whirlwind that worked for me. In a fantasy story like this, the concept of insta-love is easily believable and can engulf you like no other emotion, adding to the immersive experience.

3. The story pulled me in from page 1 and thoroughly entertained me from start to finish. Its entertainment level is perfect for an afternoon read.

2. I'm never a fan of a cliffhanger ending, and boy, did this have one. Fortunately, I will be delving into book 2 in just a few days, making the impact not as bad as it would have been otherwise.

1. I loved the story's pacing, which is enhanced by loads of high-stakes situations such as life-threatening battles and intense magical confrontations, and plenty of tension. The fast pace kept the pages turning rapidly, and I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next.

3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️

For readers who are new to the fantasy genre - A Touch of Shadows might be a great introductory book. Short, fast paced with an interesting and engaging magic system - A Touch of Shadows hits all the right notes without being overwhelming.

For more experienced romantasy and fantasy readers like myself - A Touch of Shadows may be something you want to tackle after more books in the series are out. I loved the magic system that Jessica built. It felt unique and played on the trope that two sides of the same coin must exist in balance with one another. The characters leave you wondering who is up to what and who you can trust which led to me devouring the book in less than 24 hours because i had to know what was going on. However, the story left way more questions for the reader than answers and given the story’s brevity the world building and character development was limited which I think added more questions than it answered. I’m also not a huge fan of the insta love trope but the way Jessica structured it within the magic of the universe made it more palatable then I expected - I just wish we would have had more of a slow burn outside of the magical bond between Finn and Wren as it came across a little unbelievable and rushed at times.

Overall I think if the book had been a little longer and we had a bit more character development this would be an amazing series and I would have rated it a little higher. However, if you’re a reader new the genre I think this would be a great entry point without being overwhelming.

I need the second asap really.. Oh I loved this book very much easy 5 stars for me I also made a proper review on my Booktok about it and it's an easy recommendation from me to be honest, I loved seeing the different perspectives and I loved Wren and Finn together

Jessica Thorne’s A Touch of Shadows (The Lost Queen Book 1)* is like stepping into a magical blender set to “chaos.” You’ve got light magic, dark magic, good guys, bad guys, and a heroine who’s just trying to figure out who the heck she is amidst all this. It’s a wild ride from start to finish, and honestly, I couldn’t put it down.*

Our leading lady starts off with an unknown past—because why make things easy, right? As she tries to untangle the mess of her life, she encounters characters who are as morally gray as they come. And trust me, you’ll love (and sometimes hate) every one of them. Whether they’re dishing out cryptic advice or dropping major bombshells, they keep the story buzzing with tension.

The plot is full of twists and turns that’ll make you question everything you think you know. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, Thorne throws in another curveball that leaves you flipping pages faster than a wizard in a spellbook. The battle between light and dark magic is more than just a backdrop—it’s woven into the characters, the magic itself, the love interests, and even Elodie’s tumultuous past. The constant theme of good vs. evil manifests in every aspect of the story, from the conflicting emotions that Wren grapples with to the moral complexities of those around her. It’s like a high-stakes game of magical tug-of-war where the lines between right and wrong are constantly blurred, keeping you on your toes and deeply invested in the outcome. Is the darkness the evil after all or are the shadows neither good nor evil but influenced by the person wielding their power?

Emotionally, this book packs a punch. You’ll laugh, you’ll side-eye, and you’ll probably yell at the characters to get their act together (they won’t listen, but it’s worth a try). Luckily the characters and the world-building were very well done.

Thorne’s writing is immersive without being overly flowery. The story unfolds in a medieval setting where two neighboring kingdoms, locked in a bitter feud for years, create a backdrop brimming with tension and intrigue. The setting mainly takes place in an ancient forest where the shadows tell of conflict and power struggles. The forest acts as a divide so to speak between the kingdoms where the evil from long ago still resides and is lying in wait. Elodie reminds Wren often to focus on the light to prevent the shadows from forming, as Wren secretly is drawn to the shadows. The long-standing rivalry between the kingdoms adds depth and complexity to the plot, making the world feel both expansive and intimately connected to the Wren and Finn’s personal pasts.

One aspect that occasionally had me groaning was Wren’s naïveté. I get that she’s dealing with a lot, but there were moments when I found myself wanting to shout, “Wren, connect the dots!” She is definitely giving “deer in headlights” kind of vibes multiple times as she makes questionable decisions. It’s particularly frustrating because her mother, Elodie, is aware of the dangers lurking in Wren’s past but doesn’t provide her with crucial information. A little advance warning about the magical chaos would have been helpful, right? While Elodie’s overprotectiveness is understandable, it sometimes feels like it does more harm than good. It’s a classic case of ‘if only they’d communicated better,’ leaving me wishing Wren had been more prepared for the upheaval in her life.

As Wren navigates this complex world, she finds herself entangled with two brothers, both connected to her mother’s past but with very different backgrounds. Leander, the prince of the neighboring kingdom, is drawn to Wren because of her unique magic and has his own reasons for pursuing her. On the other hand, Finn, a seasoned knight, meets Wren under unexpected circumstances—he intervenes when a local boy is bullying her. As Wren travels with Finn, she discovers that he has a deeper understanding of the shadow kin, a contrast to her limited knowledge as she was mostly trained as a hedgewitch or healer growing up. The real question is whether Finn can help Wren unravel her past and tackle the conflicts she faces, or if his own troubled history will hinder their connection.

If you’re into epic fantasy with a side of moral complexity (and who isn’t?), this book is for you. Fans of Sarah J. Maas Throne of Glass series and Leigh Bardugo Shadow and Bone trilogy, consider this your next read. Plus, Thorne has a knack for slipping in quotes that’ll make you stop and think, like: ‘In a world of shadows, even the brightest light casts a darker shade.’ Deep, right?

In short, A Touch of Shadows is a fun, fast-paced read that’s perfect for anyone who loves a good magical mystery with characters that aren’t afraid to get a little messy. Add it to your reading list, and prepare to be hooked!

And yes... It does end on a cliffhanger.

Overall: (4 out of 5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I really enjoyed reading the 1st book of the series. It captured my attention and I ended up reading the book in 1 day. I cannot wait to see Wren’s growth in book 2!


Review will be live on Amazon and GoodReads.
Goodreads review is currently live online - 9/1/24.
Amazon - I will add after the book is released 9/5/24.

I really struggled to get into this one, the book was feeling too similar to some other books in the genre

I loved this magical fantasy. The world building was great, I loved the connection of dark and light. Poor Wren doesn’t know where she belongs, but she has such powerful magic and she just wants to learn about herself. Finn is such an amazing MMC, the way he protects Wren, at all costs, he loves her with his whole being. It ends on a major cliffhanger and I need to read the next book!!

Thank you to Jessica Thorne, Second Sky, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

This book was a definite easy read without extensive world building and without a complicated magic system and it was pretty short for a fantasy book so it was also a quick read. It is the first book in an incomplete series, and the remaining books have yet to be written or released at this time.

Since this book was short, I do feel like that affected the plot and romance aspects of this story. The romance was very quick, a kind of love at first sight romance story, and it seemed like there was not enough time for the two characters to really form an actual bond and that fell flat to me, especially when this book is marketed as a romantic fantasy. I also wish that some of the characters were explored more. Elide was such a great character and it seemed like she had a lot of depth due to what we saw and I loved her as a character, I just wish we got a little more. I think that this was all due to the short length of the book, and that could have been improved if the story was just a little bit longer. Especially since it is the first book in the series, it is when the readers are first learning about the characters, and it would be the best time to give more details about the characters and their back stories. The rest of the characters, like Wren and Finn, were also great. They had many layers that were peeled back and explored more as the story went on, and it really added to the story as a whole but once again could use with some more exploring.

Speaking of the fantasy aspect, I did like the idea of the dark magic, but I feel like it wasn't as explored as I would have liked. Like I mentioned above, it didn't have a complicated magic system, but the book didn't go that in depth into the magic system, so it may actually be more complicated than was stated in this book.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and will be looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series. I would recommend to any lovers of fantasy books, with a romantic twist, without the unnecessarally long world building.

This book was a page turner! I found myself deseperate for answers and reading till 3am learning about this incredibly interesting world. I loved that Wren got to be her own shadow daddy and I loved the twists and turns she took learning who she is.

The world building was slow to start and a little bit confusing. It took me awhile before I understood the 2 different kingdoms and how it worked but once I understood I couldn't put it down.

Action, adventure, secret love, betrayals, and of course a bit of magic. Great world building and tons of court intrigue - solid fantasy read!

ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴛɪᴛʟᴇ: A Touch of Shadows
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ: Jessica Thorne
ɢᴇɴʀᴇ: Fantasy
ꜱᴏᴜʀᴄᴇ: e-ARC
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ⭐⭐⭐⭐


Thank you Second Sky Books and NetGalley for the gifted review copy!

A Touch of Shadows by Jessica Throne is the first book in the new series.

The author captivated the readers from the first chapter, carefully threading the plot to be captivating for readers to ask for more. I was enthralled from the very beginning and could not put it down.

The plot is a mystery itself because the story is moulded with so many twists and secrets that you get captivated to follow the story regardless.

The book is very atmospheric and there's a lot of purple prose used. I was almost immediately hooked from the first chapter where the mystery had begun.

The word building is heavy on the first book with a unique magic system that is easy to understand and follow. I think that the author has given great detail to the word building and naming.

I think this is a very good start to a snee series. The atmospheric setting, the way it hooked me from the beginning and was easy to follow.

Wren, our FMC is a witch living with Elodie in the forest and they support a small community as a healer. She has always felt magic but had to keep it a secret.

The book is not YA as there is one open door scene. However, there's a lot of adventure and mystery lurking everywhere!

Overall, the book is a perfect read for those who wantthe world-building mild in fantasy. It has piqued my interest enough to pick up the second book.

🌑✨ 𝓢𝓱𝓪𝓭𝓸𝔀𝓼 𝓞𝓯 𝓓𝓮𝓼𝓲𝓻𝓮: 𝓐 𝓖𝓵𝓲𝓶𝓹𝓼𝓮 𝓘𝓷𝓽𝓸 "𝓐 𝓣𝓸𝓾𝓬𝓱 𝓸𝓯 𝓢𝓱𝓪𝓭𝓸𝔀𝓼" 𝓑𝔂 𝓙𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓲𝓬𝓪 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓻𝓷𝓮 ✨🌑

𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘱 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘳, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘮. 𝘞𝘳𝘦𝘯, 𝘢 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤, 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘯𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘯, 𝘢 𝘬𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘥. 𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮, 𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱? 🔥🖤

This book had me hooked right from the start—the glossary alone was a game-changer! When I was just 88 pages in, I was already desperate to pick up the next installment. The story practically read itself, with an addictive pace that pulled me right in.

However, I did find myself wanting more from the world-building and magic system. It’s an easy fantasy to fall into, but I wish there was a bit more depth. The romance, while intense and electric, leans into insta-love, and I couldn’t help but think a slow burn would have made it even more captivating.

Still, A Touch of Shadows is a spellbinding read that will leave you craving more. Fantasy romance fans, you won’t want to miss this one! 🌘✨

📅 This book will be published on September 5, 2024.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Jessica Thorne, and Second Sky for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Touch of Shadows by Jessica Thorne is an new adult fantasy romance full of danger, family secrets and devastating magic. The story is fast paced and captivating. You are instantly immersed into the plot but it does not take away from it. I have been enchanted with this wonderful tale, and
I can't wait to carry on with the rest of this series.

A must read for fans of fantasy, romantasy, and good old fashioned epic story telling