I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book, but I did not think it would be the addicting tale it ended up being. The narrator was great, I was able to distinguish between multiple characters as she read, and she really added to the suspense of the story. I cried when it came to the ending with Henry I was so hooked into it. I only paused when I had to but I couldn't stop otherwise.

I could find nothing wrong with this book, the characters were amazing (I would die for Henry), the plot even more so. This book is so unique, it's a modern world that overlaps with all things norse (aka vikings). And I mean all things - mythology/gods, creatures, symbology, lore, and even a couple actual vikings trying to find their way back into valhalla. I devoured this book in a day, and because of THAT ENDING TWIST, I want the next one ASAP!!! Highly recommend everyone give this a try.

Wow! I really enjoyed this. Anytime I dive into urban or low fantasy I appreciate how much more enjoyable it is for me compared to high fantasy.

In this case the author really made it feel like there could be a whole magic world around you that you may not be able to see. This is a YA book but I think it’s going to suit a wide range of ages for fantasy lovers but it wouldn’t be for everyone.

I really enjoyed the found family aspect of this book with the friendships as well as family dynamics. While all the magic and adventure is on the surface there is a lot more underneath it all.

I consumed the audio book and the narrator Emily Pike Stewart did a good job with the characters. She spoke a good natural pace where I only bumped it up to 1.25 to listen to the majority. It does ride the pitch of her voice a bit but I actually liked the alteration better.

While some reviewers are going to complain about choices that the teens make and such but I found it completely appropriate. It captures teen behavior very well. My only criticism is that the pacing at times for a bit hung up but then it would work its way out and be fine for a while before happening again.

I loved experiencing the Norse mythology as well as various creatures that aren’t as common in fantasy but that are beings you use in D&D games. So it’s nice to have a bit of the more unique monsters.


I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary audio ALC from MacMillian Audio through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

Going into the book knowing it was YA was helpful. It was not as I expected though, a lot of twists and turns in a good way. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job. I love the strong supportive family/ friend vibes as well. Having dependable people you can count on in a supernatural realm is always appreciated. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to future sequels. Also, I want a Henry!!

This was such a fun read!! It def gave me Vampire Diaries mixed w/ Percy Jackson, but make it Norse Mythology instead of Greek Mythology. So think- Odin, Thor, & Loki. The storyline was pretty fast paced, which I enjoyed. You got just enough information to be jumping through. The story really didn’t lack, no critiques. I was pretty surprised by the twists as well, like I wasn’t expecting that, but the ending… Yeah, that’s not what I was expecting either. I really let my guard down lmfaoo. Overall, I was seated babes, this was so fun!!
The narrator did such a wonderful job, I was able to differentiate all the characters w/ ease 🫶🏽

This story took a little while to fully draw me in. At first, I was hooked, but then I started to lose interest at times, only to get pulled back in later. I was expecting more of a Vampire Diaries vibe, as mentioned in the premise, but it didn’t quite hit that mark for me. What I did appreciate, though, was the morally grey MMC and Charlie’s strong friendships and the sibling bond with her brother.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an advanced audio copy.

1 Star ⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced audio copy of Soul of Shadows in exchange for an honest review.

Narrator: Emily Pike Stewart
🎧 Narration 4/5 ✨ stars

Soul of Shadows is labeled YA and marketed to teens, while I know most could care less- I do not think this book is appropriate for teens. Unfortunately had to DNF this at 13%. I give a ton of grace for adult books - but when it comes to children/teens I don’t. The content warning bells started going off immediately. The book started off at a party, lots of talk of drugs, alcohol, smoking and under aged drinking. Multiple uses of “Jesus” and other explicit language. The mother gives her teen daughter a “sex book” full of smut and tells her - “it’s really good, I think you’ll like it.” There is death of a boy in school and death of FMC sisters twin. That’s in the first seven chapters and I have no desire to finish it. The narration is ok , the girls voice is a bit annoying in my opinion. Unfortunately, I feel like this book (so far) is trying so hard to tick all the boxes and be “cool” rather than tell me a story. I don’t like giving out bad reviews, but this was just way too juvenile and trying too hard to be “relevant”. Do not recommend.

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook arc. The story follows a girl navigating high school but starts being followed by a demon who she ends up teaming up with and she get pulled into help the demon after he threatens her. If you love Norse mythology then this is for you. While it’s wonderfully written this book wasn’t for me. I still enjoyed the audiobook and the narrators did a great job.

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

I want to start by I devoured this in one sitting. The book gave me a cozy nostalgic 90s feel, from Twilight, Vampire Diaries, and The Mortal Instruments. I loved exploration of friendship and grief in this books, and was extremely well done. It felt important to see Charlie try to live without her twin sister.

The juicy stuff, the enemies-to-lovers romance was a TOTAL vibe. I automatically fell in love with the FMC, Charlie, and do not even get me started about the MMC Elias, he is the definition of a complex and ambiguity character.

The Norse mythology embedded in a romantasy was unique, The uniqueness (to me) of the Norse Mythology was so compelling & described the Nordic creatures so beautifully well!

SOUL OF SHADOW is out on 7/29. Add it to your Goodreads, and I can n