This was a decent fantasy romance book. I was excited that it’s a bit on the shorter side from similar books in the genre. Though I will say this was a tad of a disservice as we had some world building and relationship building that gets glossed over and we could have used a bit more time developing both. It was a good story with some unique aspects to it. I will likely continue on in the series.

2.5 Stars ✨

Adult Fantasy

Audio Version 🎧 Via Netgalley
Narration 5/5

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced audio copy of A Touch of Shadows, in exchange for an honest review.

This was a decent and easy fantasy read. The plot was fast paced but felt a bit underdeveloped. There is a glossary of sorts at the beginning of the book that explains a few things, but that seemed like a shortcut to not fully explain and actually build the world. I did like parts of the storyline and the characters were ok, but didn’t feel fully fleshed out. Then there was the romance - it was 100 % instalove and I’m more of a slow burn kind of girl. I will say that the instalove was part of the magic system - so I guess it was semi justified. I did like the narrator and thought she did an awesome job. Overall it wasn’t terrible, but I’m not sure if I would continue with the series.

Content ⚠️
-no language
-open door romance (chapter 34)

Unfortunately this is a DNF for myself, purely for the fact I can’t get along with the voice used in the audiobook. I gave it a good go and loved the vibes of what I did hear. I won’t be writing any reviews for this book as it wouldn’t be fair on the author as it is nothing to do with the actual content, just personal preference issue.

I absolutely loved the premise and thought that the plotline of A Touch of Shadows was really interesting, fast paced, and engaging. I can't wait to be able to read the next book because I was definitely not ready to put this one down. My only complaint is that I don't feel like I formed a very strong connection with either of the main characters because the writing seemed to create distance between the characters and my perspective. It was almost as if I was watching the events of the book through a lens, rather than feeling that I was right there amongst the action, which dampened my ability to be completely swept away. I would have also enjoyed a bit more tension between Finn and Wren before giving in to their feelings. I know that Finn contemplated whether the pull he felt towards Wren was due to the way that she healed him or based on true attraction and decided that it was the latter, but I would have really appreciated a more thorough investigation of their feelings or even a little hesitation before giving in to each other. If I had been able to relate to the characters even marginally more than I did, I think this would have been a 5-star read for sure. All of the ingredients were there, and I certainly enjoyed the ride very much. I also felt that the narrators did an outstanding job and their performances perfectly complemented the characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Second Sky for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was actually pleasantly surprised by this book, and agree with many of the other reviewers here that it would be a great entry into Romantasy for anyone not versed in the genre.

That said, this book has more fantasy than romance, and unfortunately the fantasy aspect isn’t fully developed. I craved more world building, and more information regarding the magic system. For such a short book, I feel like this could have easily been added.

As for the romance, it is love at first sight, which isn’t my favorite trope but it is done well here. The author made this believable, despite the inherent unbelievability of the trope. The chemistry was on point, and I will always love a simp.

Overall, this was a good and I would recommend to anyone new to the Romantasy genre.

Narrator: 4.5/5
Story: 4.25/5 rounded down
Spice: 2 (Spice is super subjective)

This book lost me once or twice and then quickly brought me right back in. The story had several twists you saw coming and one or two you did not. Our FMC really learns who she actually is in this book and I cannot wait to see her grow more in future books. I loved seeing her not just be helpless the whole book. If you're on the fence about this series, pick up the audiobook. It's amazing.

I loved the plot of this book. The story is fast paced and captivating. You are instantly immersed into the plot but it does not take away from it. The glossary in the beginning of the book comes in really handy to figure things out. I listened to it on audio and really loved the narrator Helen Keeley, her work to make characters come to life is immaculate in this one.
What did not work for me is the insta-love trope, I find that I do not buy it and prefer more of a slow-burn story. Magic system explanation and world building were a little lacking to my taste.
Overall it is an easy read that I enjoyed, I was still hooked by the story having finished it in two days and after the cliffhanger in the end am very tempted to continue this series.

Wren has been protected and raised by her mother away from the town to keep her magical skills hidden. They seemed safe but no longer. Wren meets Finn and this leads to them being attacked and she is forced to use her magical power to save him. Now they are being hunted. Enemies from Ilanthus are coming to Asteroth and they want to capture Wren and kill Finn.

Excellent well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Great characters in this adventurous, well paced novel. Magic, creatures, knights, a king and a lost queen will keep the action going. Can love overcome the dangers and hardships they must face and can Wren be happy? Read to find out.

This book started really strong, I was hooked by chapter one and I read the first half of the book in half a day. The world and magic were easy to understand and the characters were super likeable.
Around 50% the story started to slow down and there was a lot of dialogue with the panicky damsel in distress FMC which I didn’t vibe with. I read to the end and enjoyed the rest of the first book although I feel like some fluff could have been removed from the middle.
I really enjoyed the narration on this audio copy, they were engaging not monotone or dry.

Thank you NetGalley and SecondSky for the advanced listening copy!

I was not a fan of the narrator her voice sounded very flat and made all the characters sound the same making me want to DNF the audiobook 6% into the book. The story has a slow start and I could not care about any of the characters.

I really liked this book. Loads of magic and darkness. Instant love and chemistry between the FMC and MMC. The plot is captivating and keeps you engaged.

My only complaint is the book is very rushed. There is very little world or character building. We’re kind of just thrown into everything!

l really enjoyed this read. The narrator did well to develop a persona for each of the characters and l was able to clearly imagine the story as it unfolded. The settings was lovely and l enjoyed the idea of a world where magic and romance coincided that allowed our main character Wren to begin figuring out her identity and who she should truely trust.

With elements of surprise and so many new people, Wren doesnt know who to turn to.

Finn and Wren's romance was love at first sight and l am intrigued to see how they grow together with the magic and plot reveals. Almost like Romeo and Juliet as they are both from warring sides though Finn chooses to be good and l think it is Finn that anchors Wren and this romance will play a huge part in Wrens character development to warrior and witch.

The cliffhanger at the end has hooked me in and l want to know more, It was a beautiful touch that will clearly see the story become more in-depth and chaotic for our characters.

Reccommend to anyone who has a love for Fantasy Romance books and want to try something new.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jessica Thorne, and Second Sky for providing me with this ARC.

This is the kind of romantasy where you can definitely tell we are in book one that is leading into a bigger series. I enjoyed the backstory with Elodie and Wren that seems to be a bit of a rapunzel retelling with her hair needing to be cut to keep her powers at bay. I found into be a quick read that was fast paced. The characters were enjoyable and I am looking forward to seeing where the story goes from here. I thought that the narration was well done as well.

**I received an Audio ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review**

A girl with a mysterious past, dark woods that have sinister forces lying within, a cryptic note left in a journal, a scorching romance. This book has literally everything you would want within a unique fantasy romance. There are so many questions you have throughout the book and of course some questions are answered but others are definitely left as a cliffhanger at the end. I truly can't wait to continue with this series!

This is the first 5 star I have read in a LONG TIME. In the style of some of the best epic fantasy novels, the story immediately immerses you into a realm of magic and darkness, that feels as recognizable as an Arthurian tale. The book is told in multiple POVs: (1) the FMC, Wren, the bastard born daughter of the local (and indomitable) hedge-witch/midwife, who is plagued with an inherent ability for shadow magic but strives to be a follower of the light; (2) Elodie - the mysterious and powerful witch, mother (we think) of Wren, on the run from her past and determined to protect Wren from powerful and unknown enemies; and (3) the MMC, Finn, the noble knight, who stumbles upon Wren in the dark wood and is instantly drawn to her and her power, though if by destiny or dark enchantment weighs heavily on both of them…

The story moves at a quick pace, taking the reader from a tiny forest village, to the capital city of the Kingdom of Asteroth, and everywhere in between. There is a heavy sense of racing against time and prophecy, reminiscent of the Wheel of Time or Game of Thrones - and Thorne does a wonderful job of weaving history, prophecy, and folklore into each chapter to give the reader just a little glimmer of the larger stakes game being played between the forces of good and evil. The romantic tension between Wren and Finn is not only believable, but leaves you rooting for them as more and more elements try to separate them.

The ending does leave you with a bit of a cliffhanger, but one that gives you the sense that this world is so much bigger than you have seen so far. It is a perfect first novel in series, and fulfills that longing I have had for a true fantasy story in a market saturated with “romance plus.”

It was entertaining, intriguing, and oh so satisfying in the way that I have not felt since finishing the Shadow and Bone Trilogy or Throne of Glass. A MUST READ for fans of fantasy, romantasy, and good old fashioned epic story telling!

A touch of shadows is the first installment in The Lost Queen series. It is a fairly short book, so the plot and the romance element moved swiftly. There was also little world or character building. I'm hoping that as the series progresses, more will be revealed.

The main character Wren is a hedge witch in training, who has been very sheltered by the woman who raised her. She also hides a dangerous secret, that the she has the ability to wield shadow magic. She meets Finn, a night sworn to hunt down shadow wielders, when he saves her from a confrontation in town. They have an almost instant connection. Soon they find themselves on the run, not sure who to trust.

The plot is full of twists and turns. I can't wait to read the next installment!

Dark fantasy, with a love at first sight which is sure to bring pain. I listened to the excellent audiobook. Just remember if you keep secrets from your child you have to expect some problems when those secrets are exposed. Some problems is an understatement for Wren, as her life is totally changed when she saves Finn’s life. A fight between light and dark then explodes for your listening delight. The story started slowly, but by the end had me wanting more. Thank you to Second Sky and NetGalley for the audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

Review as posted on my Goodreads account.

Thanks Netgalley & Second Sky publishing for providing me with this advanced readers audio copy.
3 stars, very average:


A touch of Shadows is an easy readable, quick paced romantasy story about two kingdoms at war for centuries, the battle between light and darkness, a lost queen, and two people from oppositie sides falling in love.

The book starts with Elodie seeking refuge with baby Wren from the dark power that ravaged their home of Astaroth, but the shadows always keep whispering to Wren, singing her lullabies, trying to lure her in. Elodie tells Wren to keep her magic hidden, because discovery of her gifts could mean death, but the magic is tied to Wren’s very core of being, and it’s almost impossible for her to stay in the light.

Finn, a knight who has sworn to serve Astaroth by hunting down those who use shadow magic, people like Wren, is passing through her small town when he gets attacked by terrible creatures. Their paths cross when Wren uses her forbidden magic to save his life. As they touch Wren’s magic floods through Finn and it intertwines their fates forever.

Finn and Wren have to navigate this new bond between them, trying to figure out their feelings about each other, and having to learn to trust eachother even though they're on opposite sides, while they make discoveries about the long lost queen that could change everything.
In the mean time the shadows are gathering strength and an old darkness is threatening the kingdom of Astaroth again. Will Wren and Finn be able to save their kingdom?


Overall impression:
I enjoyed this book, but it’s not great. It’s very easy to read, but there’s very little world building and the characters fall a bit flat. For me it’s always hard to connect with insta-love scenarios, and I noticed the same with this book. I just don’t buy it.

What I do like is the glossary in the beginning of the book. I like that it’s there, and I also like how complete it is and how easy it makes it to start the story.

Another thing I very much like is that the story is from the perspective of a mother and her daughter. It’s original.



Characters
They are underdeveloped, which makes it harder for me to feel for them. I hope this is a ‘first book of a series-problem', and gets solved in the rest of the trilogy.

Plot
Also underdeveloped, which might also be a ‘first book of a series' problem. For me it felt like the story had a lot more potential, and I hope we get to that later in the series.

It’s a quick paced and easy readable story, which is really nice, especially when you're new to the fantasy genre or when you need a palet cleanser.
I'm planning on reading the next installments, and I will overlook the underdevelopment of both characters and plot in this book if it gets better later on.

Magical system
I found the magical system both original and unoriginal at the same time. I liked the rapunzel/samson element (with the magic tied to the length of Wren’s hair), I also liked the shadows, and I want to find out more about them. I am however a bit bored by the good vs evil trope.

Romance
Underdeveloped. I wanted it to pull at my heartstrings so bad, but it didn't.

Spice
Maybe half a pepper. Nothing special.

I think that sums it up best; The book was ok to read, the narration of the audiobook was pretty good, but overall it was nothing special.

I recieved this audible as an arc from Netgalley, Jessica Thorne, and Second Sky publishers! Thank you!!
Possible Spoilers.
I really enjoyed this book as an audible. Having a glossary in the beginning of any fantasy book is also (I feel) a smart play 😉 Rating it a 3.5⭐️ (rounding up here to 4)

This book gave Rapunzel vibes for sure! Loved it. Magic hair, handsome male to save her... We have witches, magic, lost heirs, etc. The making of a great fantasy.

Romance: If you are an "enemies-to-lovers" lover... this may not be for you in book #1. There was INTSA love for the main characters. Not my fav, but didn't bother me too much. Who's to know what the next book will hold though!

Plot: I felt a little lost as to where the story was taking us. We have rival enemy lands, secret magic, and a lost/hidden sorceress that are at play, and I felt the world building left something to be desired.

Overall: This book was a very interesting read. I enjoyed the characters, Wren, Finn, Elodie and Roland. There were times I started to feel a tiny bit lost, only because I felt there were parts we rushed through. This would be a great starter series for those who are newer to fantasy! I enjoyed it, and will definitely read the remainder of the series once out!

I loved A Touch of Shadows as both a romantasy and an audiobook. The world building is simple yet intriguing, the (main) characters are few yet well thought out, the world is mysterious yet beautiful.

This book was so good I just couldn’t put it down so finished it quite quickly. I really enjoyed the fact that the story was told not just by Wren and Finn, but also by other important characters which made the story feel a lot more three dimensional. I think the one negative I have about this book is that I felt like there could have been more description of the Knox and the shadowkin but I’m hoping that might happen in book 2, which I cannot wait to read/listen to.

Audiobook review: I think that Helen Keeley did a great job narrating this book.

Summary: Wren tries to resist and hide her dangerous shadow magic in Asteroth while noble knight Finn hunts its users. Their fates collide when she saves him and their fates become entwined.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a ALC of this book, all thoughts are my own.