I had fun really this book it was quick past and exciting I. I love the story line and characters it was so fun story . Would recommend reading it was a blast !

Unfortunately, I had to DNF around 21%. This book sounded interesting, but as it went on, I couldn't find myself wanting to continue reading. I might give this book another try in the future, but for now, it just wasn't for me.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

“My life is a pile of promises with cracks and ruined edges.”

“A Kingdom of Souls and Shadows,” by Leslie O’Sullivan

Eala is a professor on a traveling for work to Ireland to study folklore. Her grandmother has left her a message to go to Ireland to find the truth. When Eala helps a ghost girl a man named Sionnach joins her to help the Fae realm.

This book was full of adventure and action. There were a ton of different creatures which was interesting. I found the book good, but it did not a standout in my mind. 3 out of 5 stars.

-Fae
-Ghosts
-Skeletons
-Druids
-White Swan
-Magic

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

I really enjoyed the plot of this book; I think the story was unique and I enjoyed the Irish folklore aspect of it. I do wish there was more about Ireland in general as the backdrop to this story. Ireland is insanely beautiful and has this whimsy and magic to it that I really wish had been portrayed a bit more because it really would have enhanced the entire story line to have that there. I did struggle a little with our two main characters. Their changing emotions (especially our heroine) gave me a bit of whiplash and made it hard for me to take them seriously and invest in their story. Their interactions were sort of unrealistic at times and it made it hard to follow. That being said, the plot line really saved the story for me. I loved the idea of the soul fall and the redeeming those that couldn’t move on. Overall, I’d give this 3 stars because I think this story and its continuation has real potential.

Rating: Not Rating. DNF
Review:
I DNF this book. It sounded like it was right up my alley too. The cover is so beautiful. The first 25% or so is beyond slow. I was confused with the flashes and worldbuilding. There was alot of telling and not showing. This book couldn't hold my attention. I really wanted to like this too. It just wasn't for me.

*I have had alot of ARCs to read recently. I got to it when I had a chance to. I apologize for the lateness of this review.*

I'm a big fan of lore in books so this book seemed like the right fit for me! It provided a history lesson which helped keep me more interested as well. When I read what this book was about I was not sure at first as I havnt been in the mood for reading on them but I went ahead and I'm glad I did!


The book is unique in its own way, with time traveling and romance to keep you going. I feel like the scenes we really well shown to the readers in this book as well.

Would deff recommend!

I love Eala if you love Folklore you will adore this book has mystery and paranormal elements hidden identity this was fun I see more books in the future

A Celtic tale that has romantasy vibes. This story was a great plot and drew me into it. I wouldn't say this is a book I couldn't put down but I did enjoy it a lot. I love found family and the teacher aspect. There is minimal spice in here. The ending of the story is beautiful and I loved it. The fact that this is a book one makes me happy.

This was everything that I was hoping for from an opening chapter in the Fae Destiny series. It had a great fantasy element to it and worked with the characters and the world overall. Leslie O'Sullivan has a strong concept and I enjoyed the way Leslie O'Sullivan created these characters. It had a great plot overall and the world had a overall feel that I looked forward to reading more. I'm excited to see where this series goes from here and the world was everything that I was looking for.

A Kingdom of Souls and Shadows is centered in Celtic lore, intertwined the Irish folklore with paranormal elements. The concept was intriguing, but I must admit I was a bit confused at different points of the story which didn’t allow me to enjoy it fully.

Our story begins slow, and it only picks up the pace around half the book, but it becomes quite interesting. I think between the pronunciation of the names and the lack of world building made it confusing for me. However, the plot was quite good, and the cliffhanger is killing me.

Overall, the writing is good, and the plot is interesting with a couple of twists that I wasn’t expecting. I think it might be a great series since it has potential if the world is a bit more developed. It was a nice story and I enjoy reading it and I’m curious to see where it goes.

Thank you, NetGalley & the publisher, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.

I thought I would enjoy this, but the story was more tell than show so I had to dnf. I was excited for the trip to Ireland and what would happen, and thought I would also get an interesting romance, but unfortunately the romance just threw me out of the book.

Okay I’m not sure if it was just me but I was confused most of the book! I think until about 22% into the book, is when I finally started to understand it. I feel like if there was a little more background in the beginning it would have been easier to follow. Also if there was a pronunciation guide in the beginning that would have been really helpful! Overall I liked the story. I loved the moments between Sion and Eala. Those moments really pushed me through the book! I’ll read the next book in the series when it comes out because I’ll need to know what happens next!

I have been provided with a review copy of this title from NetGalley for an impartial review. Awwww this was such a cute story. I was just captivated by everything that was taking place. It was just so easy to get into these characters lives and you just can't help but fall in love with them. I can't wait to see what's next from this author.

I enjoy Celtic fantasy stories. As a professor, leading students on a class touring of Ireland, Eala comes face to face with folklore she has only read about previously. I went on a similar trip when I was a student and found it interesting to view it from a professor’s perspective. I didn’t really connect much with the characters because they were not very emotionally available but the fantasy was lovely and Ireland was depicted with beauty and magic.

A Kingdom of Souls and Shadows held lots of promise for me as I am very interested in Celtic lore and love a good fantasy book. This book however, fell a bit flat for me. It's a very slow start and makes it difficult to really feel invested and get attached to the story and the characters. I also feel that the world building could have been explored so much more and given us more lore to really sink our teeth into and help us understand why things were happening.

It was an okay read however it might just not have been for me or the right time for me to have picked up this story. Nevertheless, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this book at 20%. It had a lot of promise and the plot sounded really interesting, I just was not able to get into this book. I’m not entirely sure what it was specifically. I will probably give this book a try another time, it was probably just me! So if this book sounds like something you’d like, I’d still say go ahead and give it a try because it is well written, I think I just wasn’t clicking with it at the moment.

*Actual rating 2.5, rounded up :)

˗ˋˏ ♡Thank you Leslie O'Sullivan and NetGalley♡ ˎˊ˗

Sorry, however I could not get into it. I tried at lot, but the plot and the story were just not grasping me in. Perhaps, it has not been the proper time for me to read this as I could not get into it. However, I will give it another try, a soft dnf.

In "A Kingdom of Souls and Shadows" by Leslie O'Sullivan, readers are transported into a realm where folklore intertwines with reality, and the line between myth and truth becomes blurred. The story revolves around Eala, a young woman whose passion for folk stories leads her to pursue an academic career in the study of the Fae. However, her academic pursuits take an unexpected turn when a cryptic message in her grandmother's will sends her to Ireland.

Upon arriving in Ireland, Eala encounters Sionnach Loho, a mysterious local expert on folklore. Their initial clash soon evolves into a partnership when Sionnach reveals his own connection to the Fae realm. Together, they embark on a quest ordained by the mighty Finnbheara, King of the Connacht Fae. As Eala delves deeper into this world of faeries and folklore, she must confront her own beliefs and decide whether to embrace the fantastical or retreat to the safety of her previous life.

The plot of "A Kingdom of Souls and Shadows" is rich with intrigue and suspense, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. Leslie O'Sullivan masterfully weaves together elements of fantasy and folklore, creating a world that feels both enchanting and perilous. The characters, particularly Eala and Sionnach, are well-developed and relatable, each grappling with their own inner conflicts as they navigate the challenges of the Fae realm.

O'Sullivan's writing style is captivating, drawing readers into the story with vivid descriptions and compelling dialogue. However, there are moments where the pacing feels a bit rushed, particularly in the latter half of the book, which could have been further developed to enhance the overall depth of the story.

Despite this minor flaw, "A Kingdom of Souls and Shadows" delivers an enthralling reading experience that will appeal to fans of fantasy and folklore alike. Leslie O'Sullivan's imaginative storytelling transports readers to a world where the lines between reality and myth blur, leaving them eagerly anticipating the next installment in this enchanting series.

Overall, "A Kingdom of Souls and Shadows" is a captivating journey into the realm of the Fae, where ancient legends come to life and ordinary mortals are drawn into extraordinary adventures. As Eala grapples with her destiny, readers will find themselves swept away by the magic of O'Sullivan's storytelling, lost in a world where anything is possible.

Eala Duir has recently lost her adoptive grandmother and found confusing information about her past in her grandmother's will. Eala heads to Ireland on a study trip where she hopes to find some answers. On the trip, Sion, a man who is a guide to the study group, shows her a link to her heritage that she never would’ve believed possible.

I absolutely love the description in this book. I could see the colors and hear the music. The mix of myth and history in the story has me wanting to read more about Ireland and plan a visit. For me, A Kingdom of Souls and Shadows was a different experience of the Fae. I think the next book I read will be about Irish folklore, especially Tir na nog. It will keep me busy until Leslie O’Sullivan publishes the next book of Eala’s adventure. The story is fast-paced and easy to follow for the most part. I almost missed a key part because I was reading so fast, but that may just have been my excitement to get to the next chapter.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

#AKingdomofSouls #NetGalley

This was definitely a fun and interesting read. I enjoyed the Irish folklore and the paranormal elements. The start was a little bit slow to get into and I did not completely connect with the main characters. As a result the book fell a little flat for me. I enjoyed the overall Irish folklore inspiration but would love to connect further with the main characters.