I tried three times to get into this book but unfortunately I will be DNFing at about 45%. I'm not exactly sure what it was about it that wasn't working, but I frequently felt confused and like the story wasn't pulling me in. I was very interested in the premise but this one just wasn't for me. I would definitely be willing to try another book by this author, especially another horror with sapphic romance!

This mystery reminded me of knives out slash glass onion slash clue! The solving a mystery throughout with twists I never saw coming

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.

Wow. This is good YA horror book. The plot is well placed, and the characters feel well rounded with some growth as well.

4/5

This book messes with your head, and the twist is pretty gasp-worthy. That being said, to me, the book is too long and the story drags in places.

These Fleeting Shadows by Kate Alice Marshall caught my attention because I want to get back into horror but not anything gory. I just want creepy. And well, based on the cover, this book looks creepy. Thanks to the magic of audiobooks, I was able to get to this sooner rather than later. Helen Vaughn and her mother left their home, Harrowstone Hall when Helen was very young and she isn't quite sure why. Flash forward to Helen being a teenager and the patriarch of Harrow has died. Helen and her mother are called back. Surprisingly, the will names Helen as heir. However, to inherit, for all the family to inherit, she has to stay for a year. Seems easy, except Harrow is kind of like a labyrinth and there's many secrets and it just may be sinister. Also there is sort of a supernatural element.

I did not love These Fleeting Shadows. However, that could be because I am still trying to find my way in the genre, re-acclimate myself and figure out what I do like. There were some twists that I found to be quite creepy. Yet, I was never really all that invested in Helen or the plot. It was just kind of there as in hmmm okay I'll go along with this as I listen. The audiobook is narrated by Megan Trout and it is 10 hours and 54 minutes. I feel like the audiobook wasn't all that memorable. Your mileage may vary with this story. Overall, I'd give it 2.75 stars.

I loved this book, finding it hard to put down for even a moment. I loved the atmospheric setting, the characters and the twists and turns of the story. With this book being compared to Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, I went into this hoping that there would be lots of frights and chills up and down the spine. Thankfully this book not only lived up to my expectations, but exceeded them.

This is one of those books that it’s hard to talk about as I don’t want to give anything away. I will say that I really loved the fact that I didn’t see the twist and big revelation coming. The eventual truth and knowledge behind the house, why Helen and her mom left and more importantly why Helen’s grandfather left her the house were all things that didn’t even enter into my mind. Finding out the truth was such a surprise and made the story that much more enjoyable for its originality.

This is a book that. I know I will return to again and again, especially in the fall when I do my annual horror themed reading.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

The story follows Helen, who’s always been an outsider, after she inherits her family’s estate and its secrets. I enjoyed how the narrative tackled putting familial issues on a teenage girl and the blame that is put on them for mistakes. The novel deals with legacy, what does that mean, and the harm it causes. This is very much the core of the story and I liked it. Also, the twist was fantastic! I didn’t see it coming (not fully) and it brought some great ethical conversations with it. The plot of this novel was definitely the highlight.

Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for the characters. I found the character dynamics not to my taste. I didn’t find myself invested in Helen’s romance and social relationships. There were small conflicts with the romance interest and her new friends, but it was resolved quickly and not explored enough for me to care about it. I don’t believe the characters were badly done just not for me. You may enjoy these characters more than I did!

These Fleeting Shadows is a good gothic story with a great twist! If you’re into dark fantasy or creepy but not too scary stories with queer characters I would recommend you give it a read.

Wow - this plot twist caught me off guard!
The beginning of this horror novel was kind of meh for me, it dragged a bit for me and I couldn´t grasp what it tried to tell me - after the plot twist, it of course made a lot of sense. And I really enjoyed how the conflict was resolved. The second half was a 5 out of 5 for me.

Creepy read that will be enjoyed by y.a. readers.

Helen is forced to come to terms with family secrets as she is reintroduced to her mysterious family from which she and her mother have been estranged.

A distant family, a family legacy and an inheritance that maybe too good to be true. The spectral and unnatural feeling that Marshall is able to create gives this story its edge. With every page that is read there is a build up that has an unexpected end. In some moments, the writing seems to be at times convoluted and makes the intention hard to keep track with. But over all a spooky tail of generational inheritance.

I knew from the start that this would be pretty spooky which I was super excited for. This did not disappoint at all There were many twists and turns that kept me intrigued and I was invested in the story even if it did take me a while. Following Helen wasn't hard at all since she is a very interesting character. Overall, this is a perfect creepy read that many will enjoy!

This is a great spooky read for the fall season and I really enjoyed the twists and turns that you didn't see coming and the mystery was good as well. It was a gothic horror within a creepy haunted house vibe and man just really creepy. Poor Helen doesn't know what she is getting into trying to stay at the house for the year to inherit everything and every time she figures something out it just keeps getting more intense. I came into it not even remembering what the book was about and I think the less you know the better it makes the reading experience.

Thanks to Viking Book for Young Readers and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book in e-book form. All opinions in this review are my own.

A great blend of mystery and horror. At times could have used some more build up, but the atmosphere was delightfully spun in shadows and mystique.

If you liked The House of Hollows, Go Hunt Me, or The Honeys then I believe that you will enjoy this book. I really enjoyed the twists and turns that this book takes especially as you get close to the ending of this story. I like that the beginning takes a while to build up the story and introduce different people to you. I loved the way the action picks up in this story and how the scary scenes play out over the course of the book. There are moments in the end in which confuse me so I will have to re-read but its one that is worth another read through to keep track of the smaller plot aspects that build the story up.

I was amazed once again with the mystery and intrigue of this deeply crazy family and all the goings on related to the house hat ties them together. What a wild and wonderful read.

Excellent, atmospheric read with a brilliant twist! I always enjoy Kate Alice Marshall's books, and this was no exception. Highly recommended.

DNF. This book is not for me. There’s so many characters to keep track of. Im honestly so confused. Im also not finding it scary at all, if anything it’s very cheesy.

Thank you PenguinTeen for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Kate Alice Marshall will always be one of my go to authors. I love her writing style and enjoy her books so much.
This Gothic book is about a teen girl who inherits a mansion of an estranged grandfather. But of course a stipulation is in place in order for her to keep the house. For a year she must stay and be accepted by the home, but something is lurking in the shadows. A haunting past is discovered and creepy things begin to happen.

I absolutely love a good horror/thriller and this book did not disappoint. The pace of this book was perfect and always kept me wanting to know more. I loved each character and their complexity and the lessons this book was trying to convey.