oh god.

thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an e-arc along with an audiobook. nothing against the narrator! it was good. the story itself tho? not for me.

the reason I decided to read it was because it was advertised as something for fans of TVD and who wasn’t/isn’t obsessed with that show? I think that set my expectations very high.

it unfortunately gave me nothing. the only comparison to tvd I could make is that there’s 3 girl best friends that are in high school and one day there’s this new mysterious guy that shows up in their town and starts going to their school. everything after that… god.

I don’t know what exactly put me off, maybe the annoying fmc, maybe the very modern, „cool” language, the very weird creatures or was it the gnome named Henry after Henry Cavill from the Witcher? help. it almost felt like a parody.

it just made me cringe a lot and when I thought it can’t get more cringy, it did. also I didn’t like any of the characters? maybe I should really stop reading about teenagers because they usually annoy me.

or maybe I should not do audio for fantasy books because I don’t get into the story as much. but I think I would’ve dnf if I was reading instead of listening so who knows what the right move really was.

Review:

This book was so fun and interesting. There were many parts that were very nostalgic like early 2000-2010 YA books which made it easy to get sucked into and make you yearn for those books again. The characters were great and I had so many moments I either laughed or was kicking my feet. This book does deal with the topic of death and grief and how hard it is to grow through especially for teens. It also touches on teens drinking and doing drugs, though I don't agree with teens doing those things, teens tend to experiment anyway and this book notes on that. The magic and Norse elements in this book were amazing and I loved it so much. It in fact was what drew me to this book. Charlie was incredible and she could really bring the snark at times.

Elias was the mysterious newcomer to town who had me intrigued at first but oh boy did I not see what was coming with him. The stuff with Charlie's dead twin sister was shocking and I couldn't believe it. The last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat and now I need more, so many things need answers. Overall I enjoyed this book a lot and can't wait for what is next.

This is a great fantasy book! The story was well written and filled with great world building. This was a great YA book.

I received this as an ARC (widget) and ALC! Disclaimer: I have not watched The Vampire Diaries. Maybe I would appreciate the MMC more if I had??

My thoughts while reading the first half: "Is this Twilight?... This is Twilight." The FMC is named Charlie! Then we got the second half and my thoughts changed: "Is this Marvel?? Now we have Loki."

The ending of this book was really good! So much action and reveals. I was intrigued enough by the ending to want to read more if there was to be a second book (which was set up well).

This book is a trip! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC and am so happy I did. Otherwise, I may have missed it.

The story starts out like a modern-day murder mystery, missing kids, shoes in trees, and weird symbols. Then, bam! the story changes course, and you end up deep in this mythical world! There is heartache, betrayal, surprise encounters, and so much great Norse mythos. It is a wild ride, and it is really just so much fun.

3.5/5

Wow, my 14 years old self would have ate this up and beg for so much more. The Vampire Diaries/ Twillight inspo is clearly there and I love the fact that it is norse mythology inspired as I don’t read a lot of these. It is clearly an urban-fantasy with major references to artists in our time (I see you Chappell). The dynamics of the characters is messy, clumsy at times and also childish but that’s what you get with high schooler so I can’t really complain. For me, what broke the pacing was the sudden arrival of a special someone who we are lead to believe are no longer. The visit set the plot in motion but I feel like this could have been handled better. It was too sudden, not well executed and threw me off. I also did not enjoy how one of the main character is basically Loki’s (for lack of a better word) servant. I do not understand the point of that action. Overall, my 25 years old self ejoyed the book as a fun quick read and I will probably read the second one when it comes out (thanks the the forced plot twist at the end and my severe pathology to always finish book series).

*Thank you to St Martin’s press for providing me for the eARC of this book in exchange of my honest review. All thoughts and opinion are my own. *

Finally, here’s something I said while I read the book (MINOR SPOIL) : "Apparently, he is a mare and she is in Asgard?? I am confused I thought this was Michigan hahaha"

I struggled to get through this book and unfortunately was not a fan. I think ultimately it is a bit confusing as it was not quite "romantasy"- the FMC was too immature to really call it that, though I really do not find the book to be appropriate for the age group that actually would not find the protagonist to be quite so childish. The Norse mythology is an interesting departure from typical books in the genre but in the end it is not compelling enough to set this book apart given that I did not really like or resonate with either FMC or MMC. Plot-wise things were not easy to predict so there is at least that.

I'm sad because I really wanted to love this book!

Honest opinion given in exchange for the ARC (thank you to the publisher and author).

3.5 ⭐️
Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC!

While I thought the world of Silver Springs was really interesting, heart was sort of lacking for me- I didn’t really bond with any of the characters. I also think the book could have benefited from a glossary after naming some of these creatures offhandedly in conversation and then them not coming back for chapters and chapters. If you weren’t reading this in 2 days I suspect some confusion.

I will say the plot was unpredictable in a good way- I never really could figure out Elias’ intentions, and the plot twist at the end did intrigue me for the next book.

Overall a decent read!

I really enjoyed this retelling of Norse mythology. It was a quick read as the action moved smoothly and kept you wanting to read more until the end. It is set up for a sequel and I hope to catch it!

Charlie sighed. If only her classmates knew the truth: that there was nothing romantic about this situation, that Elias was using this as a way to bully her into being his date, which allowed him to keep a close eye on her.

I enjoyed reading this book, but I really feel like the marketing was all wrong on this one. It's marketed as a romantasy, and I guess there technically is romance, but it really just feels like a horrifically domestically abusive relationship given a fantasy coating. I know a lot of things that are not romantic are normalized as romantic in society, but the things Elias does to her are flat-out inexcusable. I've read dark romance with serial killers and mafia love interests, but for me, there is no grovel that can in any way make up for what he has done to her over the course of the first book. This book feels like that meme on Instagram/Tiktok that pretends to be advertising a hardcore dark romance enemies-to-lovers book and says "if you want to read about these tropes you need... therapy" instead of naming a book, or something like that. I'd never say someone needs therapy just because of the tropes they enjoy reading about, because that feels mean-spirited and like it's weaponizing the mental health system to shame someone, which I don't think is appropriate, but the way Elias behaves towards Charlie is so wildly not within the romance genre that I don't understand the way this book is marketed at all, and it feels like a bait-and-switch.

Anyway, the story was fun to read. I'm not bothered by the illegal activities done by the teenagers like some other reviewers are, because teenagers do in fact drink and do drugs, it's a huge social problem so of course it shows up in books. Some of the side characters seemed more annoying than quirky, but that is again, also teenagers for you. It incorporated Norse mythology in an interesting way, although I don't understand why the author decided to have the Valkyries be chosen by Odin instead of by Freyja? There didn't seem to me that there was a particular reason for that particular diversion from the original myths. The book frustrated me at times, but I'm curious what the second book would be like. I hope Elias actually deals with some consequences for his actions, because... wow.

Soul of Shadow by Emma Noyes was a fun YA fantasy read. Charlie is a teenage girl that starts investigating the disappearance of a fellow student(s) from high school. At the same time a new student (Elias) shows up at school and Charlie finds him suspicious. This story reminded me a bit of The Lightning Thief with a teenager unaware of a mythological world and is suddenly thrust into it and trying to understand it and survive. I enjoyed the relationship between Elias and Charlie. I liked that Charlie took a while to warm up to Elias rather than instantly trusting him. I really liked reading about all the creatures in this supernatural world and how they were right out in the open and she could see everything after she had the eyaerberry. I really enjoyed this book!

This book immediately creates the perfect atmosphere, and the small-town vibe is spot on from the very beginning. The story is a quick and easy read, and the writing is done really well, making it enjoyable for teens and an older audience looking for that nostalgic mid-2000s teen setting.

I love how relatable Charlie feels, and how she is also a unique and interesting person. Elias is the perfect example of morally gray. I did find myself wanting to know more about him, and I’m hoping we get more of his backstory.

I loved how the Norse mythology was introduced. I personally haven’t read many books about it, and my knowledge is limited on the subject, so I appreciate the way the author gradually brings in more information in a natural and appropriate pace that kept me engaged.

The ending was so intense, and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series, I just know it’s going to be good!

Thank you, NetGalley and the Publisher for the e-arc of the book. All opinions are my own.

"Soul of Shadows" is the first book in an urban fantasy series set in Michigan, primarily in Silver Shores. The magic system is based on Norse mythology, which I found surprisingly interesting to learn about. This was my first experience reading a book inspired by Norse mythology, and I appreciated how it integrated these mythological elements, making the story engaging and captivating.

However, to put it simply, I did not enjoy this book. I found the portrayal of the main female character (FMC) to be unappealing, as she came across as naive and, frankly, somewhat stupid, masked by an attitude typical of a young, angsty teenager who is grappling with grief. This depiction of grief was one of the reasons I disliked the book; it seemed like the author used the character's grief to justify her actions without genuinely exploring how to cope with such profound emotions. Instead, the subject of grief was only addressed when it served the plot, lacking any meaningful exploration.

I did not like any of the other characters, including the FMC’s love interest, school friends, and family members. It felt like they were all living in their own worlds and, frankly, were quite selfish. They pushed the boundaries of the main character despite knowing her backstory, and at times, it seemed like they didn’t care that she existed in their lives. This was frustrating to read and felt inconsistent. Initially, I thought the author was trying to portray toxic relationships through them, but that wasn’t the case. The FMC had a very good, open, and friendly relationship with everyone, even with her brother, who pretends not to care about her.

I didn't like how the author frequently included modern references, such as social media, contemporary buzzwords, and TV shows. This repetitive inclusion often pulled me out of the story. While it's clear that the narrative takes place in contemporary times, it feels unnecessary to reiterate this so often, especially in a fantasy setting.

Most importantly, I did not like how the author normalized underage drinking, drug use, and casual hookups. While I understand that the characters are teenagers navigating their curiosity about adult activities, portraying these behaviors as everyday occurrences for teens sends the wrong message. It raises the question: How is this considered normal? Additionally, the fact that these actions seem organized and indirectly approved by the adults in the story is concerning.

Considering everything I've pointed out, it's clear that the story ultimately misses the mark. Its inconsistencies, obvious gaps, and predictability significantly undermine the overall experience. This not only left me feeling disappointed but also highlighted the potential for a much stronger narrative.

Soul of Shadow by Emma Noyes is a captivating romantasy inspired by Norse mythology, with the potential to be truly great with a few refinements. While the rich Norse lore and the irresistible charm of "Henry" (seriously, steal my heart, little puff man) won me over, I struggled to fully connect with the story. The foundation was solid, but it didn’t quite hold my interest throughout. That said, I did finish the novel, and there were moments where the plot gained momentum and became engaging. Overall, it was an okay read.

Although marketed as YA, I’d recommend checking the content before sharing it with younger readers, as it includes explicit language, underage drinking, and substance use.

3.5 stars

I struggled to get into this. I wanted to be shown more of the action rather than told what was going on, and for that reason it read as very preteen YA to me. The bad boy shy girl trope wasn’t done in a new and appealing way, and really didn’t captivate me and didn’t seem to really drive the rest of the story, which also was middling.
The concepts were okay, but the execution left me wanting.

3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, St. Martins Press, and Wednesday Books for this advanced copy. You can pick up Soul of Shadow on July 29, 2025.

All I knew about this book going into it is that it is Norse mythology-inspired and similar vibes to The Vampire Diaries. I'd say both of those takes are accurate. This book was a fine, middle-of-the-road YA fantasy (definitely geared toward a younger YA audience). The writing did a lot more telling than showing, and the romance is so Elena and Damon coded it's not even funny (or, really, that original). I didn't mind Elias and Charlie's relationship (ending drama aside), but it also wasn't anything we haven't seen before where girl who needs to get out of her shell meets bad boy.

But Charlie isn't just stuck in her shell, she's grieving the loss of her twin sister (similar to Elena mourning her lost parents??). Elias does help her get out more and embrace this new mythological world around her, but the plot wasn't as compelling as I would've liked it to be.

While I liked the premise and overall attempts with this book, I found it geared toward a much more introductory fantasy audience and was not for me.

This book transported me to an extraordinary realm that exceeded my wildest dreams. I adored all the characters. The writing and pacing were expertly crafted, and the vivid descriptions were truly breathtaking! I initially approached this book expecting a lighthearted read, but I emerged as a devoted enthusiast of the genre. If you appreciate a captivating, immersive narrative filled with unexpected turns, peril, and enchanting romance, this is the book for you!

This took my right back to the '90's and running to the bookstore to buy The Secret Circle and Vampired Diaries and everything else LJ Smith wrote (and all copies still reside on my bookshelves today). This was a fun read and I'm looking forward to the next. The Norse mythology was really interesting and the character development was fun to read. The slow burn romance left me wanting more! Great new YA fantasy series!

This book brings me back to the days when I loved books like Twilight and watching shows on the CW. This book is not bad, but it definitely gives that YA feeling (which I believe is intentional). No hate to this book and it's definitely my fault for choosing to read YA. A lot of this book was predictable yet entertaining and I likely would have loved this book years ago, but I think I may have outgrown this genre. I would say that if you love YA, you will likely love this book and I think it will be great for a wide audience.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Soul of Shadows intertwines folklore and fantasy into a harrowing tale with twists and turns in an insistent, fast-paced, and easy-to-follow way. Author Emma Noyes writes in a way that keeps the reader invested in the story and her characters long after the end.

My knowledge of Nordic folklore has mostly been gleaned from televised entertainment, so I appreciated the opportunities throughout this harrowing murder mystery of sorts that the author shared her expertise through the voices of various characters. I loved the imagery expressed through the world-building details. Each location the story plotted was easy to visualize, and I especially loved the mention of a location smelling of old books. It is an invocating way of setting the mood and pulling readers into the story.

This is book one, and I want to begin book two immediately...I hope it isn't too long a wait, as Soul of Shadows does not come out until July. Thank you to NetGalley, author Emma Noyes, and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this eBook ARC.