**5 Stars - A Spellbinding, Late-Night Adventure!**

Soul of Shadow by Emma Noyes is a gripping, Norse mythology-inspired fantasy that has completely captivated me! I couldn’t put it down—this book had me staying up way past my bedtime, and I don’t regret a single minute of it. Emma Noyes has done it again, weaving a world that is both rich in magic and deeply emotional. I’m still reeling from that plot twist!

As a fan of Noyes' *Sunken City* trilogy, I knew I was in for something special. And boy, was I right! The character development, particularly of Charlie, our fierce and grieving protagonist, had me rooting for her every step of the way. The way Emma explores grief and loss through Charlie’s journey is raw and relatable, and yet the story also packs a punch with magic, gods, and monsters, creating a perfect blend of emotional depth and high-stakes fantasy.

The world-building is top-notch! The Norse mythology elements are seamlessly woven into the story, and even though I’m no expert in mythology, Noyes makes everything so accessible and thrilling. And don’t get me started on the characters—Elias and Charlie's dynamic had me hooked from the very first page, with tension and chemistry that kept me guessing. The plot is full of twists, and the pacing was just right for a first book in what promises to be an unforgettable series.

I’m so grateful to Emma Noyes, NetGalley, and Wednesday Books for providing me with an early copy in exchange for my review. *Soul of Shadow* is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy, romance, and epic world-building. I cannot wait for the next book in this series, and I’ll be thinking about this one long after I’ve finished. Highly recommend!

It was a norse mythology fantasy adventure that i couldn't put down. This sucked me in. It was such a whimsical feeling with all the different creatures. The mystery of the missing kids had me curious, but as soon as Elias popped up, i was more curious about him. Who doesn't like a shadow guy, crushing on a shadow person....I'm here with you. And he calls her darling, swooning. When things started to get revealed, i was at the edge of my seat, and the ending left me shocked and needing more.

This book was awesome! I really love the mythology! And OMG the gnome is so freaking cute!! I want a gnomie guy like him! I really can't wait to see how Charlie develops! I really love the world and all of the attention to detail surrounding mythology. Book number two can't get here fast enough!

It feels like it would have been at home with other YA fantasy series popular in the 2000s and early 2010s. I would have read this as a teen. The aspect of a world hiding within the modern world isn’t new, but the Norse Mythology elements kept it fresh. There was more telling than showing as the plot progressed which made it hard at times to stay in the flow of the story. It’s an overall well written book with likable characters (I adored Vatte), strong dynamics, and interesting ideas. It’s written with teens in mind as the core characters are in their junior/senior year. Their actions and responses felt appropriate for that age demographic. I would probably read book two just to see how the cliffhanger is resolved. Teen fans of Vampire Diaries or Supernatural would definitely like this.

First off - this cover is something else!! Seriously!! Stunning!

Now on to the review. This book has the vibe of Vampire Diaries with the teen high school setting; teenage angst, drama, ect. The FMC is dealing with the death of her twin (grief can be a hard thing). Add to this the norse mythology, a morally grey MMC and the dark immortal world and you have a book that is a fun read. This is very much YA so if that is not your thing don't bother. These are teenagers, acting and thinking like teens and reacting to situations the way teens would (maybe, maybe not). I think with that in mind you enter this read simply to enjoy it the same way you do Vampire Diaries.

Soul of Shadow is an absolute masterpiece that swept me off my feet! From the moment I started reading, I was completely immersed in the world Noyes created—rich with dark magic, mystery, and a deep sense of longing that I couldn’t shake.

The protagonist’s journey was captivating, and I loved watching them grow and evolve with every page. The emotional depth and the bond between the characters were so beautifully written, and the story had just the right balance of suspense, danger, and heart. The world-building was lush and vivid, making every scene feel so real that I was lost in it.

What really stood out to me was how Noyes weaves emotion and tension into every moment. The stakes were high, and I found myself holding my breath during key moments, unsure of where things would go next.

If you’re looking for a novel that blends dark fantasy with rich emotional depth, Soul of Shadow is a must-read. It’s a journey that stays with you long after you turn the last page.

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

I loved everything about this book.Noyes's writing is vivid; I felt like I was watching a movie. I highly recommend this book .

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think with how many books are out there nowadays we have turned most of our morally gray MMC's into more of a morally pale grey or in some case even morally clear if you will. Elias? That's a true morally gray character. Charlie was one of the most realistic and incredible and awe inspiring FMC's I've read in a long time and this is not even touching on the world building. Phenomenal, an entirely new take of a world I have never seen before nor considered but absolutely jaw droppingly vivid. I need the second book, which I'm sure has not even been written yet like a plant needs CO2. I refuse to spoil this but if you love Norse mythology, mystery and a MMC who owns the title morally grey, pick this up! Immediately!!

*Soul of Shadow* takes readers on a gripping journey steeped in Norse mythology, captivating plot twists, and a character-driven narrative that keeps you hooked until the final page. The novel follows a complex protagonist, who we first meet as a grieving twin who has lost her other half due to an unexpected illness.

One of the standout features of this book is the intricate weaving of Norse mythology. The author skillfully incorporates ancient gods, mythical creatures, and long-forgotten lore into the story, which adds an immersive layer to the world-building.

The plot itself is full of twists and turns, each one more unexpected than the last. Just when you think you've figured out where the story is going, the author pulls the rug out from under you, leaving you eager to see what will happen next. These surprises don't feel forced, though; they emerge organically from the narrative, keeping the tension high and the stakes even higher.

The main character’s arc is another highlight. Watching her evolve from a depressed and grieving young lady who is a shell of herself without her win into someone capable of facing extraordinary challenges (and literal Norse gods) is quite a journey. The internal struggles she faces, coupled with their growth over the course of the novel, make for an emotionally resonant experience. It’s rare to come across a character whose journey feels as raw and real as the one portrayed here.

The dynamics between the main characters—especially the slow-burning relationship between the leading female and male protagonist—add a layer of emotional depth to the story. Their developing connection is handled with care, and the slow-burn romance is the perfect complement to the high-stakes action. It’s a refreshingly grounded element in a plot that could easily have been dominated by larger-than-life battles and cosmic forces.

In conclusion, *Soul of Shadow* is a masterful blend of mythology, mystery, and character-driven storytelling. Its clever twists, richly developed mythology, and complex character arcs make it a standout in the genre. Fans of Norse mythology, intricate plots, and slow-burn romance will find plenty to love here.

I would have loved this as a teen. The author said she wanted to create her own version of mystic falls and I can definitely see the inspiration. It also reminded me of shadow hunters and other early 2000s YA fantasy with the secret world hiding within ours. I definitely had to lean in to the cheesiness but I was entertained the whole time and would read the next one.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc. I can't wait for this book to be published. It was really enjoyable and the world building was excellent. This is a must read.

As far as YA novels go, I really enjoyed this one. Soul of Shadows was a mix of mystery and magical realism mixed in with Norse mythology. I really liked Charlie's and Elias' characters and the twist at the end. I would read the second novel from this series and would recommend it to my high school students, especially those who enjoy fantasy/mythology retellings in a contemporary setting.

I really wasn't liking this book at first, but there's a very fun twist at the end so I am happy I stuck with it, and I think I will read the sequel! It just felt ridiculous the way mythology is introduced and explained to the main character. Percy Jackson did it much more smoothly. However, you probably will like this if you liked Percy Jackson.

I've seen Soul of Shadow appear on several "Most Anticipated 2025 Releases" lists lately, so I was really excited to get an ARC for review.

Unfortunately, this one didn't live up to the hype for me, and I thought that it was just okay. It started out strong, and I was sucked into the mystery, but as soon as Charlie's world gets flipped upside down, the story went downhill for me. When it came to the inclusion of Norse mythology, there was a lot of telling vs showing, which was a bummer because it made things harder to connect with. I think it would have been more effective if some of the mythology and lore had been introduced and woven into the beginning of the story (maybe even as a class assignment or something?) instead of just given to us in spurts of info dumps.

I was also really disappointed that there wasn't more to the mystery of the missing classmates. The synopsis of the book makes it sound like a major plot point, but it was definitely more of a side tangent that helps bring characters together versus an actual mystery to be solved.

I read a lot of YA, and sometimes the lines between YA and adult fiction blur, but Soul of Shadow sits FIRMLY in the YA camp here and the characters definitely read as their junior-year high school ages. I do love a morally grey MMC or villain, though, and I thought Elias played the part well. I also appreciated the female friendships as well as Charlie's relationship with her older brother, Mason. Also, the vätte was adorable.

I had to DNF this book unfortunately because it was not for me. I did not feel a hook or connection to the characters. I wasn't a fan of the Norse Mythology. It felt too juvenile for me. The writing in general just wasn't my taste.

Thank you to Netgalley for letting me have access to this book! Personally I tore through the first 75% of this book but after that the book slowed down and I didn’t enjoy it as much. I realized that Elias and Charlotte together drove the story and when they weren’t together it was boring and lacking tension and suspense. Overall a solid read and is not bad at all. It’s like a 3.5/5

This is for the vampire girlies! What a fun read. This was definitely purely YA but I absolutely loved it

This was a really good book! I didn't expect the YA tone, but I also don't mind YA, so still enjoyed it. I loved the mix of fantasy and mystery and enjoyed the writing style! Would definitely recommend.

This book was like vampire diaries and twilight mixed into one and I loved it so much. I felt so much nostalgia and I was immersed.

This is my first time reading a book by Emma Noyes and won’t be my last! Soul of Shadow is a YA fantasy with Vampire Diaries/ Twilight vibes with a Norse mythology twist. The book captured my attention right away and I flew through the story. I look forward to reading the next book as well as reading other books by Emma Noyes.

Thank you to St. Martins Press/ Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.