*Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

While I did mostly enjoy Where Shadows Meet overall, there were some aspects that fell flat for me. There is a solid foundation of the world and the characters and I liked how the story unfolded between past and present, as well as the new take on vampires and the other mythology of the world woven in. However, I had a difficult time staying engaged in this book, especially in the first half. There is a lot of info dumping that becomes overwhelming at times with everything there is to keep up with. I also didn’t feel as much of a connection to the characters as I would have liked. We do go deep into their backstories, but it doesn’t feel like we get to spend as much time with them in the present or actually get to see their character arcs unfold. Particularly with Leyla and Najja. I liked their friendship turned relationship, but I just wanted more from it. We don’t get to see them learn to trust each other despite being made to hate the other’s kind their whole lives. We don’t get to see the friendship develop into feelings and a relationship, it is just suddenly there. As far as the plot, I liked the idea of these two going an adventure to save Leyla’s friend and the complications of Najja being able to know part of the future, but we don’t get to this part of the story until halfway through the book, and a lot of the back half feels rushed. I am still looking forward to the sequel in the duology, as I am invested enough to care about what happens to the world and these characters, but I wish this first book could have had a better balance between world building, characters, and plot.

Patrice Caldwell’s Where Shadows Meet is a lush, atmospheric fantasy that seamlessly weaves mythology, romance, and destiny into a spellbinding tale. Set in the aftermath of a war between vampires, humans, and gods, the novel follows Leyla, a vampire princess who embarks on a perilous journey to Nekros, the island of the dead, in search of her missing friend. But as she unravels long-buried secrets, she risks awakening an ancient force tied to a tragic love story that has shaped the world she knows.

At the heart of the novel is the devastatingly romantic and hauntingly tragic relationship between Favre and Thana—a love that led to betrayal, sacrifice, and an unending thirst for redemption. Caldwell masterfully crafts an intricate world where fate and free will collide, exploring deep themes of loss, identity, and the lengths we go to for love.

With rich prose, breathtaking stakes, and a dark, immersive setting, Where Shadows Meet will captivate fans of The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri and Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. It’s a heart-wrenching and evocative debut that lingers long after the final page.

What an amazing read.The author brought to life incredible characters and a world rich with history. The more I read, the more I was pulled into the story. The characters felt real and their journey was full of twists. The world she created is full of secrets and magic that kept me hooked from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down, and I’m still thinking about it.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

An absolutely amazing debut fantasy!! The worldbuilding and lore was to fun to read and was so well explained. And it's sapphic, so it's obviously awesome.

Where Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell is a mesmerizing YA fantasy novel that blends mythology, vampire lore, and queer romance. The story follows Favre, Leyla, and Najja, whose intertwined narratives explore themes of love, power, and destiny. Favre’s diary entries reveal her tragic past with the Vampire Goddess Thana, whose prophesied return shapes the novel’s high stakes. Leyla, the vampire princess, embarks on a dangerous journey to rescue her best friend, with Najja, a spirit-seeing yamaja, as her reluctant companion. The worldbuilding is rich and atmospheric, with an intricate history of gods and vampires that adds depth to the plot. However, the pacing can be uneven, making some moments feel rushed while others drag. Despite this, the book delivers compelling characters, a beautifully crafted slow-burn romance, and a captivating story that makes it a must-read for fans of dark, romantic fantasy.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this ARC of Where Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell.

I was immediately intrigued by this novel after reading the description on NetGalley, as I’m a fan of vampire stories. This sapphic, dark fantasy romance is set in a post-war world where vampires and humans battle, along with the gods who created them. The story follows a vampire princess on a mission to rescue her best friend, taken during an attack on her kingdom, leading her to the Island of the Dead. Along the way, she meets a fate weaver and unexpectedly falls in love.

While I don’t often read YA due to the sometimes immature characters, I found the characters here to be mature and engaging. The pacing is steady, and although the book starts with a complex family tree, the information is revealed gradually, making it easier to follow. The story alternates between past and present and uses three viewpoints, which can be a bit confusing, but the author keeps everything clear and concise. Overall, this is a fresh, enjoyable take on the vampire/human war trope, with gods and fate weavers adding an intriguing twist.

ok loved this! the world-building was so rich, and the vampire lore felt fresh and unique. leyla was such a compelling main character, and i loved following her journey—so much tension, adventure, and emotion. the mix of mythology, magic, and high stakes kept me hooked the whole time. definitely a new favorite!

📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖
Title: Where Shadows Meet
Author: Patrice Caldwell
Page Count: 320
Format: Ebook
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book Number: 24
Dates Read: 2/1-2
Review: I was given this free advanced copy, and I leave this review voluntarily.

The first impression was that the cover was gorgeous, and the synopsis sounded great. When entering the world, I was put off slightly by the world building, but quickly, I was able to distinguish the characters and the duel timeline. The pacing was medium, and the character development was done well. I truly got invested in the characters, and I will definitely be reading the second book. Which I need right now! I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy with a slightly darker side.

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Where Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: YA Dark Romantasy
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: April 1, 2025

Multiple POV + Dual Timelines
Vampires + Witches
Sapphic Romance
Witty Banter
Forbidden Love
Toxic Relationship

This was a great debut fantasy! I loved how the author developed the lore throughout, especially how she starts the book by creating the first vampire. The vibes are immaculate, especially if you enjoy mythology! I am a little sad. This one is fairly short and it ends on a cliffhanger, so prepare thusly 😅 I can't wait to see where Leyla and Najja's story goes in the next book!


Thank you so much, Wednesday Books and NetGalley, for the digital review copy!

This was a quick read that really harkens back to the melodrama of the Vampire Diaries days. I think teens who enjoy fantasy worlds will enjoy dipping into this vampire story as it bleeds a little out of being strictly paranormal.

I love a deeply rich world with paranormal beings. However, I don’t enjoy opening a book and enduring major info dumps that are meant to introduce me to the world. I want to be taken through the world and see it unfold organically, not be hit over the head with a bunch of dry info.
I just could not find a way into this story.

The premise of this was intriguing. Nowadays, I'll give anything with vampires a shot because, well, I love vampires.

I requesting this book months ago but put it down and forgot why I put it down until I picked it back up again recently. And after reading a few pages I remembered why I stopped reading way back when.

Unfortunately, I had to dnf it. I didn't get far before the writing got to me. It has this push and pull effect where the character will be in the middle of an action followed by an exorbitant info dumping. I tried to read bit by bit for a few days but I can't do it. I've retained nothing and the more I read the more I am resenting this reading experience. The story and it's execution isn't for me.

And another note that isn't about the story itself but the author's note which states that the first book is a "morsel" for what's to come and basically to wait for book two is a wild thing to say before a reader has an opportunity to get into the story. Who says I'm gonna stick around for book one? And in this case I didn't.

I’ve been in my vampire era lately so of course I had to request this book. The cover is stunning and the premise was exactly what I was looking for. Unfortunately, it missed the mark for me. I struggled to get invested in the story and that really hindered my enjoyment of the book. I do think this will appeal to others, it just didn’t 100% work for me.

Patrice Caldwell’s *Where Shadows Meet* is a masterful blend of suspense, heart, and hauntingly beautiful prose. This captivating tale weaves elements of mystery, magic, and self-discovery into a story that lingers in the mind long after the final page.

Set in a world where shadows hold secrets and the line between light and dark is razor-thin, Caldwell introduces a protagonist whose journey is both deeply personal and universally resonant. The characters are richly drawn, each with their own motivations and secrets, making them feel fully alive and endlessly intriguing.

The atmospheric world-building is a standout, immersing readers in a setting that is as eerie as it is enchanting. Caldwell’s ability to balance tension with emotional depth keeps the pages turning, while the story’s themes of identity, resilience, and finding strength in unexpected places add layers of meaning.

For fans of stories that explore the magic hidden in the everyday and the courage it takes to face the unknown, *Where Shadows Meet* is an absolute must-read. Patrice Caldwell has crafted a tale as compelling as it is thought-provoking, solidifying her place as a master storyteller. I definitely recommend this darkly thrilling debut!

Unfortunately this book wasn't my cup of tea. I won't leave a review publicly anywhere as I think a lot of people will enjoy this book and I hate writing negative reviews.

It started out really fast paced and exciting, but the pace started to drag once the main characters were sent on their journey. I thought with the trauma at the beginning I would connect with them all (I usually love when the author hurts us/them) but I just didn't click with them this time around.

I really appreciate the chance to read this story and wish Patrice all the best in publication!!

Personally, I was lost through most of the first half of this book. There was too much thrown in right at the beginning. For the most part, it does start to smooth itself out in the second half, but I'd rather have my full investment and knowledge at the start.

I finished the book because I'm not a fan of DNF-ing. Some books are just more slowly read, and this one was only done as quickly as I did because I was on a time limit to complete it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Do you love vampire books? This is one of a kind! Such a unique take on vampire lore. I ate up every single word!

DNF at 40%. While I appreciated the premise of this book, the story just didn't deliver for me. I am sure there are many readers that will love this one. Thank you for the opportunity to read in advance.

The premise of this sounded so amazing there was no chance of me not picking it up. Gods, vampires, dueling romantic plot lines. An easy sell. Harder to sell was the actual execution. I found it super engaging at times and quite sluggish and even a bit confusing at others. I appreciate the idea and am optimistic that the second book will bring it all together. Thank you for the opportunity to read an advanced copy

I quite enjoyed this sapphic fresh take on vampire lore, even if it borrows a bit from Greek Mythology. I enjoyed the feminist-normative world where women of color were seen as natural leaders and warriors. That said, the narrative is a tad confusing in the beginning, but as the story went on, the time split made more sense and converges to the story's climax. Pacing was a bit hit or miss, as was relationship/character development, but there was enough to keep me reading and I will gladly read the sequel. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.