I loved this book! It’s completely different from other supernatural romance books I’ve read and I love it for that. I feel like I learned about a whole new world and became insanely invested in where this story is going! I cannot wait for the next one to keep unraveling the mystery of these awesome characters! A must read!

I took me a little to get into this book, but am invested enough after the ending. I can see how this was inspired by the TVD. As always with books like this, I like the morally gray characters, and am rooting for Elias (and his romance with Charlie).

Omg the plot twist this was good kept me wondering if really like it definitely will be looking out for more of your books thanks 😊

I received this arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

*4.5⭐️*
This book was so fun! I’ve been reading a lot of fantasy or dark romance books recently, and this was like a breath of fresh air. As soon as I started, it gave off such fun, mysterious vibes, and kept me wanting more. At about the half way mark it truly started to pick up, and the little twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat.

I loved the relationship between Charlie and her friends as well as the banter between them all as well as between Lou, Abigail, and Mason. It cracked me up!

I also really enjoyed the banter and subtle little digs between Charlie and Elias. It didn’t feel too cheesy, and kept me giggling.

The plot twists got me, and I found myself pacing around my apartment during the last few chapters wondering what was going to happen! It very obviously left an opening for a second book, and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.

When some of her high school classmates go missing under strange and mysterious circumstances, Charlie tries to snoop around the woods to do her own investigation. She finds way more than she bargained for. Teenage angst, homecoming, friendship, romance, and Norse mythology all rolled into a fun, quick read!

Thanks for the opportunity to read!

Seemed like dark and twisted Percy Jackson or maybe even house of nightish. It is a dark fantasy with tons of Norse mythology. Was a pretty cool read.

Magic meets folklore meets a hidden reality in a fast paced action, packed fantasy that never stops. Norse gods, evil Fenrir, missing kids, and homecoming, yep busy days. Fans of Maggie Stiefviter will love this, has a similar vibe.

Thank you to NetGalley, Emma Noyles, and St. Martin's Press for allowing access to the e-arc.

I want to start by saying that I loved the siblings and friendships in this book. The exploration of grief was well done. It felt important to see Charlie try to live without her twin sister. The enemies-to-lovers romance was a vibe. The Norse mythology embedded in a romantasy was unique. I enjoyed the first 100-150 pages of the book but it went downhill from there.

The story reminded me more of Twilight than The Vampire Diaries. I think this story could have benefited from having a Norse mythology story at the beginning of the book to introduce the reader to that element of the story. Instead, of repeating information throughout the book. I don’t want to spoil anything so I will be as vague as possible. I thought one of the reveals didn’t make sense to the story. I am disappointed that I didn’t love this book.

thank you for the arc! i think this book has a really cool premise but the pacing and time frame of this book is just too quick for me. i think 4 days is not enough time for the main characters to connect in a way that is convincing to the plot. otherwise, i really liked the main characters and the story!

This book has mystery, magic, and a little romance. Charlie’s classmate disappears, and a mysterious new guy, shows up. Soon, she’s caught in a world of danger and Norse mythology. If you like The Vampire Diaries then this book is for you.

I NEED MORE!!!!! It wasn’t enough I have so many questions. I throughly enjoyed it. It gave me everything I wanted adventure, romance, friendships. So so so good 👏

Dark, contemporary fantasty that weaves in norse mythology and magic. Captivating and keeps you pulled into the story the entire time

I am obsessed! “Soul of Shadow” is a nostalgic, dark contemporary fantasy that will trap you with mysteries, magic and romance. This one is for the girls who grew up with “Percy Jackson & the Olympians” and “The Vampire Diaries.” We love to see normal teenagers going about their high school life, until they uncover secret magical forces at play. While this book did have many nods to other beloved stories, it still felt wholly unique. I love to see a resurgence of this type of story - the main character navigating real things like the homecoming dance, friend drama, and grief, mixed with saving the world alongside a morally-gray attractive guy.

For those who love:
💜”The Vampire Diaries”
💜Norse Mythology
💜Contemporary Fantasy
💜Fake Dating
💜Mystery Solving
💜Morally Gray
💜Young Adult

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Soul of Shadow is absolutely brilliant, I can't remember the last time I read a book as fast as this one! Combining magic, gods, love, and friendships it was the perfect tale. Hands down 5 out of 5 stars, must add to your reading lists for 2025!

Everything about this book felt familiar in a way I couldnt place till I read the acknowledgements. Emma Noyes was inspired by Mystic Falls, and I think she made a better version.
Instead of vampires and werewolves, Silver Shores has a different kind of infestation, Norse magic.
I really enjoyed this book and think anyone who has found themselves wanting a more grown up percy jackson or more magical vampire diaries will love it.

Thank you Emma for listing the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book!

I’ve been watching vampire dairies for the first time and i definitely get those kind of vibes when I read this book.

High school is hard enough but imagine a classmate mysteriously disappearing.

Charlie finds herself interested in the new guy in town, Elias.

Truth and temptation lurk in the darkness!

This romantasy was really addicting. There were so many twists. Things I didn’t see coming! I really enjoyed this book!

Thank you NetGalley, Emma and St. Martin’s Press for the E-ARC!


Publication Date: July 29th 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️

#NetGalley

Thank you Netgally for the ARC.
This book is everything you could ever want to read! It’s a grab you and hold you to it kind of book. Norse mythology, TVD, high school and drama all in one. I can’t wait to read the next book! I love Charlie!

This book is an amazing YA romantasy

Thanks, Wednesday Books, for the arc!

I needed a distraction and this was the perfect book to pull me in and start a new obsession. My only regret is reading it so early that it’s not out yet so I have to wait forever for book two! Full rtc

A little more extended review:
I needed a distraction, and SOUL OF SHADOW by Emma Noyes was the perfect book for it. I was immediately pulled in and have a new obsession. Plus, it’s set in Michigan, so I loved that from the beginning!

Feels of:
•BVTS, especially the snarky sarcasm
•the ominous feels of TVD and the friendship feels of Elena/Bonnie/Caroline in season one
•Thor, Loki, and their situationships with their Marvel friends, frenemies, and each other
•Magic
•Garden gnomes

My only dislike is that I read it months before it was published and now will have to wait forever and a day for book two. But it will be worth it!!!

I won’t stop thinking about this one for a long time. I'll write a more detailed review closer to pub day, but I wanted to tell you what recently distracted me and made me happy!

🎶 vibes: “logical” by Olivia Rodrigo; “Not What It Seems” by Something Corporate

SOUL OF SHADOW is out on 7/29.

Content warnings: familial death, parental abandonment, grief, kidnapping, gun violence

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Emma Noyes delivers an immersive and thrilling fantasy in “Soul of Shadow,” blending Norse mythology with modern-day mystery. With its mix of adventure, dark twists, and a unique protagonist, this YA novel is perfect for younger YA readers who don’t mind a little violence.

At the heart of the story is Charlie, a relatable and refreshingly unique protagonist still grieving the loss of her identical twin sister. She’s trying to navigate high school while being drawn into a world just beneath the surface of her own, where Norse gods and monsters meddle unseen in the lives of mortals. When classmates start disappearing, Charlie finds herself entangled in a dangerous mystery—one that forces her to confront her past and her own connection to the supernatural.

One of the book’s standout elements is its approach to Norse mythology. It is both detailed and engaging, making the world feel rich and cinematic. While some moments of info-dumping may feel overwhelming, the vivid storytelling ensures that even readers unfamiliar with Norse mythology can follow along with ease. The pacing is mostly strong, though the middle of the book slows down as the romance takes center stage.

Speaking of romance, “Soul of Shadow” leans into familiar YA tropes like fake dating and enemies-to-lovers, which younger readers will likely enjoy. Elias, the morally gray love interest, is both alluring and mysterious, leaving you eager to learn more about his motivations. I hope there is more of a focus on Elias and his past in the sequel; I found him to be the most intriguing character. Though some aspects of the romance may feel predictable or cringeworthy, the tension between Charlie and Elias keeps things interesting.

Beyond the romance, the book shines in its portrayal of friendship. Charlie’s best friends provide unwavering support, grounding her as she becomes more entangled in the supernatural. Their dynamic is fun, even if a bit stereotypical, and adds warmth to the darker elements of the story.

The book truly excels in its twists and turns, with unexpected revelations that build up to a strong finale. The ending perfectly sets up a sequel, introducing a new mystery that will leave readers eager for the next installment. And of course, no review would be complete without mentioning the vätte—a mischievous creature that steals the show as one of the most delightful parts of the book.

With its engaging characters, gripping mythology, and a cinematic world that feels both nostalgic and fresh, Soul of Shadow is a must-read for YA fantasy fans.

This is a new author to me, and I enjoyed her writing. I had heard this book compared to Vampire Diaries and that was an instant hook. This book caused me to feel nostalgic for the YA vampire books from the earlier 2000's. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.