Cover Image: The Library of Shadows

The Library of Shadows

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I wasn't able to finish the book before it was archived, but I thoroughly enjoyed the part I was able to read and will be finishing it when my library gets its copy.

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It was okay. I don't really have much to say other than this is a simple okay read, not bad but not great. The characters felt a little hollow and inconsistent but not horrible.

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Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book.

I had such an entertaining time reading this book. I adore school settings, especially when they involve ghosts and family members who have passed away.

The dynamic between Mateo and Este was amazing. I loved reading all of their scenes and the conversations would have me extremely invested in the story. The other ghosts added so much to the story and they were definitely my favourite people to read about as we learned more about the school and the characters' backgrounds.

The plot was great. There was always something going on and to learn about. I could feel the intensity in the plot which kept me invested and wanting to read when I needed to go back to work.

I will be recommending this book and I hope other people enjoy it as much as I did, if not more.

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this book!!!! perfect for spooky season. the perfect autumnal read. i will now be reading all the paranormal romance books. i am addicted.

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This was so much fun! I had such a great time reading it. Ghosts, libraries and paranormal investigators - what more could you want?

It was a little bit predictable but that’s just my opinion. I really liked the characters and I thought the plot was pretty cool.

I’d definitely recommend if you’re looking to start getting into fantasy/dark academia, although there is less focus on the school than the fantasy if that makes sense.

Overall, a perfect, atmospheric read for autumn.

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The Library of Shadows by Rachel Moore is a young adult paranormal mystery. Radcliffe Prep is the third most haunted school in the country. A student disappearance isn’t uncommon and no one dares stay in the library after dark. And Este Logano enrolls with the hopes of finding her dead father. Not literally, of course. She doesn’t believe in ghosts. Going to her dad’s school just seems like her best hope at figuring out who he was. But then Este meets Mateo, who is maybe—probably—definitely—a real ghost. And an annoying one at that. When Mateo frames Este for the theft of a rare book from the library’s secret spire and then vanishes, Este will have to track him down or risk being expelled and leaving Radcliffe early just like her father did. Except following her father’s footsteps might be more dangerous than Este ever anticipated. As she investigates the library with its secret passageways, hidden tunnels, and haunted halls, she learns that the student disappearances aren’t just myth. And if she isn’t careful, she’ll be next.

The Library of Shadows is an interesting read. I liked getting to know Este, and thought her thoughts and behaviors were realistic, and I could relate to some of her efforts to stay unconnected to those around her. Her struggles to do everything herself, and do the best she can were completely on point for me. Mateo, the mystery of the book, and her father's connect to it all were revealed in a slow but steady pace, and I think that was done very well. I will admit that I saw certain reveals and aspects of the story coming, but the ride was worth it. I do have to admit that at some point I started to drift from the story, but that could completely be blamed on a busy life and could very well have nothing to do with the read. However, I felt like there was just a little bit of a lull in the story, but it picked back up for the ending.

The Library of Shadows is an engaging read with a nice balance of mystery, ghosts, and romance.

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While reading the story I was easily transported into each scene, this is due to the creative and skilful way Moore has brought life the words on the page. I am eagerly awaiting more from this author.

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Ad/pr product

“There is life, there is death and there is love - the greatest of these is love”

Today is my stop on the tour for this brilliantly crafted dark academia book which is perfect for this time of year

We follow Este as she navigates her way round a full scholarship at her Dads old prep school, and ends up being drafted in as the archive assistant after dark. When she meets Mateo her school year begins to get a lot more interesting and life (and death) will never feel the same again

I loved my reading experience of @byrachelmoore debut and I will be re reading this in the future as there are plenty of moments which need annotating and documenting

Thank you to @harper360ya and @instabooktours for having me along on this tour - this was one of my most anticipated reads for 2023 and it didn’t disappoint 🖤

“I don’t want to know another life without you in it”

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I made the decision to put this book down around the halfway point. It has all the hallmarks of a great dark academia novel, but while I love that subgenre, I'm not the target audience here. The writing in this book is trying too hard, while still somehow managing to come across as shallow. And the instant attraction between the main character and her love interest bothered me. I think I went into this book expecting that, while it's labeled YA, it would be on the upper end of that bracket. Alas, it seems much more geared toward younger teens that the characters portrayed, in my opinion. Which is absolutely fine, and will no doubt make it a beloved story for a plethora of readers. I am simply not among them.

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This was a fun read - a quick and engrossing romance filled ghost story. Este enrolls at the prestigious Radcliffe Prep, following in her deceased father’s footsteps, hoping to feel a connection to him. She hopes to settle into a normal high school experience, but then she meets Mateo and everything goes topsy turvy from there. Because he’s a ghost, isn’t he? And the disappearances of students are real, meaning Este may be next.

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The Library of Shadows is the perfect cozy romantasy book for your fall TBR! With complex characters that captured my heart right from the start and a mystery that held my attention throughout, this book was a quick and immersive read I'd recommend to all fans of young adult romance and fantasy.

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I was pretty excited for this one especially because someone compared it to "Julie and the Phantoms but make it dark academia." It didn't quite live up to standards. The descriptions felt long, the characters were not always interesting (or were far too annoying), and I kept waiting for "it." The thing that would make me dive into this book and never want to resurface.

Meh feelings all around.

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Firstly I’d like to thank the publisher for the eARC 🥰😘

The Library of Shadows is a cozy and super lovely yet gothic paranormal YA fantasy set in a crazy haunted school…just based on that you should want to read it now 😏🥰

I’m a huge fan of a book that I can read super quick and The Library of Shadows definitely gives you that, it’s so addictive you just have to keep reading and I just ended up finishing it so quickly!! 😍❤️ It’s the perfect time for everyone to pick this wonderful book up - Autumn is the perfect time for it. It was a really fun book with dark academia vibes which I love!!

I really really enjoyed The Library of Shadows and now I want a ghost boyfriend now please!! 😭😂 Can I get one to please? 4✨

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this was such a fun read! it gave me everything that i love in fantasy/romances. though i do have issues with the structure and writing style, overall, this was an enjoyable read!

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First I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins for sending me this arc, in return for an honest review.

This book got me really excited and just filled me up with my favourite type of murder mystery/paranormal haunting stories. I love the dynamic between Este and Mateo, the banter and laughter they share back and forth, the forbidden attraction that keeps growing between them, and as well the many other side characters that add to the story. I love the mystery behind the student disappearances, and how it is not easy to figure out who it is, but keeps you guessing who it could be and why. Este's love for stories and libraries just made me connect with her more as she tries to navigate the school mysteries so she can survive but also connect more with her father that had passed away. Try and solve why he left but also feel his love and memories as she walks the school campus. I highly recommend this book for a fun paranormal story.

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Este is a new student at Radcliffe Prep, following in her late father’s footsteps. Normally she loves a nomadic lifestyle with her mum, but since being awarded a full scholarship she’s decided to settle at Radcliffe to try and connect with her dad’s memory. Which (without giving too many spoilers), might not be the best of plans.

Radcliffe Prep has a host of quirky characters. Some are alive. Most are human. It also has a library that’s arguably a character in itself. Throw in some dark, mystical magics and you’ve got a great starting point for an adventure.

Something I loved was that the action started within the first chapter or so. What I expected to be a big reveal was just a ‘oh and by the way’ reveal. Which worked really well. There was a little too much angst for me, and one of two of the breadcrumb clues had me wondering how the characters couldn’t see what it meant. But maybe that was intentional, it is nice when you work it out before the characters. I am also obsessed with The Fades basically being like the clique in Mean Girls. Albeit a dark, twisted and decomposed version.

The Library of Shadows was a quick and easy read and I mostly enjoyed it while lazing on a lounger beside the pool. It’s quite a young YA read I would say. There’s nothing too risqué and the terror rating was definitely more of a horror-lite than terrifying.

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I think it's clear that I picked this book up because of the cover. I mean, that art? Are you kidding me? That's the problem though, I saw the cover and instantly started reading . . . and didn't really process that this was dark academy . . . my least favorite genre. So I think that is where I will leave my review. I truly did not enjoy this book but I can see how someone without an aversion to this genre would whole heartedly disagree. I don't want to leave a negative review on a good book that was just not written for me.

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Very cute little YA paranormal romance. I would have been obsessed with this as a teenager. It reminds me a bit of an updated Mediator (Meg Cabot) series feeling.

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This romantic, paranormal book is a great YA debut. Este Logano has enrolled in Radcliffe Prep, the third spookiest school around, on a mission to uncover the truth about her deceased father.

Along the way, she encounters Mateo, a charmingly annoying ghost, and together they embark on a wild journey through trapdoors, hidden passages, and ghost-filled halls to solve a mystery that started decades before.

If you love books set in a library, we have an entire list for you as well! Some of this young adult fantasy novel was definitely creepy and I could not stop turning the pages.

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Thank you Netgalley and Harper360YA for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was super interesting. I loved the setting, the school had this haunted atmosphere that came across really well in the writing. I found myself drawn into the story from the beginning, and it left me wanting more. The setting of the library was also really cool too, and definitely felt a little creepy at times. The plot itself was easy enough to follow, and I became super invested in the characters. The relationship between Este and Mateo was great to read, and also see develop. I loved that this had a mystery element along with the supernatural. Overall, I enjoyed my time reading this, it's the perfect spooky season read, that has ghosts, a very scary librarian, and an academic setting that really sets the scene!

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