Thank you to Netgalley, Maxym M. Martineau, and the publishers for giving my an ARC via audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I am obsessed with this book, especially in audiobook format. I was worried going into this book, mainly because I read the Beast Charmer trilogy via physical copies, so switching to the audio version was something that I was unsure about. However I really appreciated the different narrators for each point of view, it made the experience 10 times better than if each point of view held the same narrator.

Shadows of the Lost follows Gaige as he tries to navigate his new life as an immortal assassin and Kost as he struggles to help Gaige with the transition. I would warn everyone going in that the first 35% of the book can feel frustrating, but that just highlights how wonderful of a writer Martineau is. Gaige is struggling with depression and Kost is struggling to understand what this is like for Gaige. It is important for readers to realize that this is what depression is like, the thought processes can feel frustrating for those around the individual and as readers we can feel this frustration of wishing the two would simply communicate. However, it is not miscommunication, though it can feel like it at times. If you find yourself getting frustrated, wishing they would talk just remind yourself that that would not be realistic, but stick with it, I promise you will not regret it.

Gaige and Kost are my favorite. Watching them navigate the feelings they had prior and what that looks like now that Gaige is no longer a Beast Charmer is amazing. The pacing feels real rather than rushed or drawn out. The over arching plot took a turn that I did not fully expect until the epilogue came about and I cannot wait to see where the author takes this series. I am hoping that the next book follow two other people, with two specific pairings in mind, though I will not spoil which ones that I am hoping. The plot lines that could be followed are so intriguing to me, however I also would not complain if all three books follow Kost and Gaige.

Firstly Shadows of the Lost has amazing and unique world-building with an amazing magic system and so many 'beasts'/magical creatures. I also love how at the end of the book we are given a detailed glossary of all these creatures and you can tell how much time and effort the author put into this. However with the main story I felt like I was missing something, in a way this almost felt like a sequel we're dropped right into the story without much explanation to the characters or what is actually happening; because of this I really struggled to connect to the characters or the story. I think this has a really good basis to being an amazing fantasy series but perhaps it needs more editing.

This was an OK read. I believe that the main problem here is that I dind't care about the characters and sometimes felt like there was a lot of information I missed. I Almost DFN'it but decided finished and still didn't enyoied as much as I wanted. Also the audio format didn't help at all.

Interesting story. It says it's book one but there were a few times I felt like I was missing part of the story somehow. The characters seemed to have way more past than I was privy to. That being said it was still a really good story plot.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audio ARC.

I really liked the magic system, it was different from what I'm used to reading and the whole undead and beasts fascinated me. Especially the beast aspect. Loved having these different beasts, learning about them and how they fought, gave me major pokemon nostalgic vibes.
I really enjoyed the relationship between the two mc's and the journey they take together, and the steaminess was a pleasant surprise.

I had to stop and double check to make sure this wasn't a second book in a series, because from the beginning we are just dropped into this world that has this backstory that we hear about in snippets but never delved deeper into so I never felt I had the whole picture of what was happening and was struggling to piece together properly what had happened before and what the history was between characters. It wasn't until i looked at the author's backlog that I saw she had another series from the same world with these secondary characters.
I wished the author would have expanded a bit more of what happened in the other series, so new readers, like myself, would have an easier time to follow the story.

I think it was due to this disconnect that i struggled to fully enjoy and invest in the story and the world it was set in.

An epic fantasy tale with magical beasts, a shadow world and death. The book is jam-packed with action, taming the magical Creatures and what happens when they lose control. It reminded me of Jurassic World 1st part somehow 😅

There is also a bit of spicy angle which could be a good thing for certain audiences. My only qualm with the story was I was not able to attach myself to the characters or the plot and as I am not much of an action person, those detailed well-described fight scenes were too much for me. I m sure the book will be wonderful for the right audience; sadly, it did not work for me.

Genre: #Fantasy #lgbt #romance
Thank you @netgalley for the ARC

I actually loved this book so much. It was a great book. I also loved the characters and the relationships. I can not get over the book and the fights and the beasts that can be called. The book was amazing. There was spice in the book. I can't wait for the next book and to see what happens next.

I stopped twice to verify this is the first of the series. We start off dropping into the middle of a story in progress, which would be fine except the system of magic, and interpersonal connections are hard to follow, and are never really explained in any detail. We dive in with no idea what anyone looks like, or where they are.

The writing and dialogue are great, and the chemistry between the two main characters is palpable. This would have likely been a 5-star read if I had been able to actually get into it. It’s a wonderfully executed blend of fantasy and romance. There was just too much missing to ever be fully absorbed in the story.

A third person omniscient view would have been more appropriate than all of these different first person POVs which become even more confusing in the audio format.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC of this audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Maxym M. Martineau and Dreamscape Media for an audio arc of Shadows of the Lost in exchange for an honest review. This review is wholly my own and may not be reproduced.

"As a member of the Charmers Council, Gaige is able to form lasting bonds with the magical beasts of his world. At least, he used to be a Charmer...until he died and was brought back as one of the immortal assassins of Cruor. Now he's far more dangerous.

...and something beyond the shadows lies in wait, hungry to claim him for its own.

As leader of the assassins, all Kost can do is watch as Gaige struggles with his new life day by day. He wants nothing more than to ease Gaige's suffering--yet how can he when they both know he's the one responsible? There is nothing left but bitter memories and hopeless longing between them. Yet when Gaige is lost to the shadow realm, Kost is the only one with any chance of bringing him back: if they can learn to trust (and perhaps love) each other again."

I have been having luck with fantasy reads this year so far, so was happy to give Shadows of the Lost a listen.

While I did not enjoy it as much as some of the other fantasy reads so far this year, I did enjoy it and it's a solid 4 star read for me.

I did not realize going in that this was a spinoff of characters from a previous series, so at times, it felt like I was missing something. Come to find out, I was. Perhaps I should have researched better and read the original series first. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed this novel.

This was a fast-paced novel, but with a SLOOOOOWWWW burn. Kost & Gaige are characters you are going to fall in love with and love rooting for. Martineau did a great job of bringing you into the atmosphere to feel that you are actually present.

While I wait for the next installment to come out, I'm going to catch up on the original series!!!

Definitely give this one a go once it releases on June 13, 2023.