The premise for The Library of Shadows was right up my alley, unfortunately it fell short of my expectations.

This was a very interesting concept, but immediately the story felt off to me. I personally don’t think there was enough lead in to the plot. In the first few pages Este’s finding a secret key, participating in paranormal talk, and breaking and entering on a whim, before we the reader have any sense of either her or the setting. Starting with the first disappearance in 1917, with Este’s dad stealing the spire key, with the fades reappearing after 30 years, or even just Este’s trip to Vermont with her mom would have helped orient the reader and provided some sort of backstory. Without any of those types of lead ins, I started the story semi-confused and uninvested.

Also, as someone who works for a historical society, the entire concept of the spire overgrown with ivy and also home to precious books and artifacts was a hard sell for me. There’s no way any professional librarian, archivist, or curator would just leave known treasures there unattended for thirty years. Hire a locksmith. Also the idea that a wax candle is less harmful to archival materials than a few minutes of exposure to natural or man made light was another hard sell. I think it goes without saying that fire is an immediate threat to paper, whereas it needs to be exposed to UV rays over a period of time for any true damage to occur. These plot holes are easily solved with just five minutes conversation with a librarian and/or archivist.

Overall, the story had the appropriate atmospheric and dark academia vibes, but I think the concept could have been executed better. I just personally couldn’t get invested in the characters or their mission. Despite this, I’m still giving it three stars as I think it’s appropriately geared towards its intended age group/audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Library of Shadows is the romantic ghost story I didn't know I needed! The line-level writing is gorgeous, the chemistry between the characters jumps off the page, and the plot is twisty and page-turning. I enjoyed every page, and am so excited for more from this debut!

I'd give this 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

This is very much YA and reads as such. Something to keep in mind! The romance is cute, but it feels a bit shallow. There were some sweet moments, but nothing really enraptured me about the relationship growth between Este and Mateo. I yearned for more interaction between them. I think they had the potential to be a great book couple, but it fell a bit short for me. It felt like most of their relationship happened in the background and we missed out on it.

What did grip me was the atmosphere and the story itself. The atmosphere was very Dark Academia. The author did introduce some modern flare to it, which was fun for some quick, funny quips. I enjoyed most of the humor presented and the mystery. It was fun to follow the clues alone with the characters, though I did suspect who the villain was from the get-go. It was still fun to have it confirmed!

The Fades were mostly terrifying, though their description kind of detracted from it (you'll understand once you read it).

Overall, it was a fun little book to take a break from any heavy reading you may be wrapped up in. I had fun with it!

Thank you netgalley for the advanced readers arc of this book! Although there was plenty to love here, it wasn’t quite a five star for me. Formulation wise, it had all the great components I usually tend to like. Paranormal, romance, even dark academia. However this is YA, and perhaps that’s my biggest gripe with it. It reads very young at times. It’s not the books fault, perhaps it’s just mine. I have a love/hate relationship with YA.

Buckle up because Rachel Moore's debut will take you on the atmospheric, romantic ride of your life. Truly.

From the lush prose to the pacing, I was breathless more than once. The settings took my darn breath away. Moore does such a good job with sensory description you'll feel like you are IN the stacks. IN the coffee shop. IN the heart of a Vermont town in fall.

The mystery was fun and compelling, but MATEO AND ESTE ARE THE STARS! Their relationship, the pining, the banter. They have me hook, line, and sinker. I cannot wait to reread and catch all the masterful details I missed on the first read because I was so excited to turn the page and find out what happened next!

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

This was such a fun read, if you like YA fantasy ish, where the MC goes to a paranormal school, you'll love this book! (Think Wednesday, Netflix)

I particularly loved all the library descriptions? I used to be at my library literally every week as a kid, and reading a book about that is honestly a comfort.

I also loved the themes of friendship, and the main romance was such a lovely grumpy teen and sunshine-y teen ghost ❤️

TWs - death of parent, students dying in schools (aka the ghosts)

-- ty to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

I was hooked from the cover and the story itself does a great job in keeping the momentum going on. The story worked well overall and did everything that I was hoping for in the genre. It had a great mystery element going on and I was hooked from the first page. The characters worked well and I enjoyed that it had a bit of a suspenseful atmosphere. Rachel Moore wrote this well and I'm excited to read more from her.

"The passageways were their roadmap to traversing the Lilith without getting spotted by the Paranormal Investigators. They popped out from behind a statue on the fourth floor right as Dr. Kirk led the tour up the stairwell, and they sank into a hallway disguised behind a bookshelf when Mateo stepped a little too close and Posy’s Ghostbusters gear started trilling. At one point, Este was pretty sure she overheard Arthur trying to convince Dr. Kirk to team up with Mr. Liebowitz to put on a black-box production of The Phantom of the Opera."

I truly can't say enough good things about this book. Through every draft I've read, Rachel's love for the characters and storyline shines through and through. A delightful spooky romcom with equal parts heart, humor, and wit, this book is the kind you start reading and don't put down until you hit the last page. Este is a main character to root for and Mateo is a love interest to die for, and the rest of the crew will capture your heart all the same. The mystery is clever and set against the gorgeous backdrop of an exclusive university that's home to a library that would make any book lover starry eyed. Rachel's writing is atmospheric and stunning, and by the end of the book, I couldn't wait to read whatever she pens next.

Despite an explicitly sex scene, this feels very much written for an undemanding young teen reader. The writing is choppy, the plot ludicrous, and the characters/dialogue cliché and full of every trope out there. The adults are the usual "too stupid to live" stereotype while other characters are so OTT as to be absurd. The similarities to Netflix's Wednesday (quirky roommate, eery mansion school, paranormal love interest, etc.) are likely the reason this is getting published.

Story: Este's beloved but deceased father attended Radcliffe Prep and now is her chance to do the same. Obtaining a scholarship, she even managed to snag the same room her father used when he was there. But then she is framed for stealing a valuable book, Este is thrust into a serious conspiracy of missing students from the school's past.

To get an idea of the silliness, the plot starts with Este getting a ghost obsessed roommate who has nearly every gadget straight from Ghostbusters. The roommate accidentally knocks over and breaks a framed picture of Este's dad and behind the image (of father and daughter together) she finds a hidden ornate key she just naturally assumes has to be for a mysterious door at the school. Within a few pages, she finds the door and uses the key and enters a forbidden area. Cue ghost boy mischief, threat of being expelled, and a mystery to solve a la Nancy Drew.

The dialogue is just a silly and none of the characters, plot, situation, or any part of the book feel organic, natural, or nuanced. The romance is rushed, tacked on, and lackluster. Este is not a pleasant person most of the book yet everyone falls all over her all the time in their adoration. The adults have the depth of a Scooby Doo mystery (an issue that could be levelled at the Wednesday Netflix series as well) as does the plot.

If the writing was smoother, more fleshed out, and the main character more pleasant, this might have been ok in a mindless Summer read kind of way. But as it is now, this isn't fun, it isn't engrossing, and it is hard not to snicker at the book rather than with it. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

Evocative and lush from start to finish, THE LIBRARY OF SHADOWS is a true delight for anyone who's ever wanted to attend a New England boarding school in autumn or fall in love with a hot ghost. Rachel deftly weaves intricate threads of Este's journey through grief while simultaneously nailing a dry wit that will have you cackling out loud. Put on your favorite cardigan, brew a cup of chai, and curl up with this gorgeous debut as soon as you can!

The Library of Shadows by Rachel Moore is a must-read for fans of paranormal romance and romcoms. This captivating debut takes readers on a thrilling journey through the haunted halls of Radcliffe Prep, where ghosts and secrets lurk around every corner.

Protagonist Este Logano enrolls in the school with the hopes of uncovering the truth about her deceased father. But things take a spooky turn when she meets Mateo, a real ghost who is both frustrating and endearing. When Mateo frames Este for a book theft, she sets out to find him and clear her name. But what she uncovers is a web of secrets and danger that puts her own life at risk.

Moore’s writing is witty and engaging, with a cast of characters that will stay with readers long after the final page. The Library of Shadows is a delightful blend of romance, humor, and paranormal mystery that is sure to enchant and thrill readers of all ages. Highly recommended!