To Kill a Shadow (Mistlands #1)

Katherine Quinn

YA Fantasy Romance

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.

-Excerpt taken from Goodreads.

Check Goodreads to see the book’s ratings.

My Opinion

(4 / 5) I just finished the thrilling world of “To Kill a Shadow,” and the ride was nothing short of exciting!

Meet Jude, our jaded knight turned reluctant assassin, and buckle up for a wild ride. The plot kicks off with a bang as he’s forced into a perilous role, and things get even more interesting when he stumbles upon an extraordinary recruit. A girl breaking the mold and becoming the first female Knight? Say no more.

Jude and his newfound companion make for a duo that’s not only fun but also incredibly well-rounded. Their chemistry is slow-burning and innocent. The romance unfolds sweetly, and you can’t help but root for their relationship as it blossoms amidst the chaos.

The story is a rollercoaster of surprises and adventures. From the edge-of-your-seat moments to heartwarming relationship, every page is a new thrill. While the ending may not have flowed seamlessly, the promise of a series continuation has me eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this journey.

This is a stellar start to a promising series. The characters, the romance, and the unexpected twists all contribute to a tale that grabs you from the beginning and refuses to let go. Despite a slightly rocky end, I’m on board for the long haul. Can’t wait to see where this story takes us next!

General content summary: From Entangled Publishing= TO KILL A SHADOW IS AN EXCITING FAST-PACED ROMANTIC FANTASY THAT ENDS ON A HOPEFUL NOTE. HOWEVER, THE STORY INCLUDES ELEMENTS THAT MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL READERS. THE DEATH OF A LOVED ONE, MURDER, BLOOD, SPIDERS, FICTIONAL HALLUCINOGENS, SUICIDE, VOMITING, DESCRIPTIONS OF PAST PARENTAL VIOLENCE TOWARD A CHILD, AND DESCRIPTIONS OF PAST TORTURE ARE MENTIONED IN THE NOVEL. READERS WHO MAY BE SENSITIVE TO THESE ELEMENTS, PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

F words= 3, f/f relationship (previous), physical violence (fists, killing, weapons, blood, multiple), m/f kisses, a man is attracted to other men, man-eating sliders, slit throat (blood, death, grief), beheading, creature attack (fighting, blood, death, drinking blood).

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for the copy!

The book releases November 28, 2023.

**As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.