I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it has since come out. This was pretty solid! I liked the mystery and that the plot just keeps on twisting. Definitely picking up book 2.

Content: mild language, some violence (not gory), magic, kissing only

Genre/tropes: historical fantasy romance, multiple POV, puzzles/mystery, hidden identity

My thoughts: This book was so much fun! The ending leaves many things unknown and begs more questions than it answers, as this is book 1 in the series. I have my theories (which are mostly unfounded, just my initial hunch from the start of the book 😂) and am interested to see where she takes this story and world!

I am intrigued by the magic in this book and how it works, and I love the experiments that Dorothy conducts with her father for a mix of science and magic within this world. I have many questions about it—which might be answered in a reread (or maybe won’t be revealed until later, if at all).

The pacing on this one is quick, as Dorothy sets about solving a series of puzzles/clues in order to discover the identity of the Samaritan (and all the better if she discovers who the Rook is too).

Moments I loved (in no particular order 😅)
✨Staying up all night decoding a clue
✨Ashley’s magic not working the same way on Dorothy
✨The ballet
✨Drinking contest on the train
✨Retrieval of a bracelet in the Necropolis
✨Dorothy solving puzzle after puzzle
✨Miles and Emme 😍
✨Stitching up a knife wound

I am truly not sure, what to think about this book. On one hand, I found it a little slow and a tad too telling, on the other, the last 100 pages went by very quickly leaving me wanting more.

Town of Shadows follows Dorothy and is set in Victorian London - with a twist. Namely that some noble lines are slanted with magic, which has been outlawed. In the midst of this, a notorious criminal known as 'the Rook' has started kidnapping people. One of the victims is Dorothy's father. To find him, she must tackle a puzzle to discover the identity of 'the Samaritan', an unknown person, who has helped save the victims of the Rook.

Only finding the man is not easy, and to do so, Dorothy enlists Ashley Gardner - a man with whom, you'll never truly know. Thus ensues chases across London to find Dorothy's father.

I loved the idea of this story, and I think the world is fun, but I have to admit the worldbuilding was a little messy. Some chapters I swalloed whole, others felt like they dragged by. All in all, I guess you can say this a pretty solid 3.25 star read for me. I was entertained throughout the book and I loved the twists throughout, as such I will likely read the next installment, even if there was things about this book, that also nagged me.

📚 Plot Snapshot
In a Victorian London where magic means a death sentence, Dorothy St. James must wield her forbidden power to save her kidnapped father. Teaming up with enigmatic illusionist Ashley Gardner, she steps into a deadly world of clues, betrayal, and secret identities. As danger and attraction swirl, Dorothy will discover the greatest trick is trusting her own heart.

🖋️ Writing Style Vibe
Jessica Scarlett delivers lush, atmospheric prose that breathes life into foggy streets and hidden magical underworlds. Snappy and immersive, her writing balances sharp wit with emotional resonance, keeping the pages turning long into the night.

❤️ My Highlights
✨🔍 Mystery & Mastery – The unfolding identities of the Rook and the masked Samaritan kept me guessing until the very end, just when I thought I had it figured out.
✨Dorothy’s Transformation – From timid alchemist to fierce heroine, Dorothy’s growth—driven by devotion to her father—was beautifully compelling.
✨Ashley’s Duality – Charming illusionist by day, secret-keeper by night—he had me both loving and wary of him. His complexity added delicious tension.
✨A Shared Circle of Depth – Secondary POVs like Emmeline’s adventurous cousin and loyal Miles enriched the plot; each felt like a spark ready to ignite in future installments.
✨Cinematic Setting – Haunted carnivals, moonlit rooftops, and smoky ballrooms created a world that begs for adaptation—think Netflix prestige series meets magical steampunk.
✨Well-Rounded Cast – Even minor characters, from street urchins to aristocratic patrons, felt vibrant and purposeful in a world burdened by danger and secrets.

🤔 What Fell Flat
A few action scenes edged toward predictability for seasoned fantasy readers.
Some romantic tension lingered longer than I’d have liked, stretching the slow burn into the final pages.

💭 My Thoughts
I’m usually wary of “romantasy,” but Town of Shadows changed my mind entirely. I devoured it in one sitting—not just because of the magic and suspense, but because Scarlett blends mystery, emotion, and atmosphere so well. Dorothy and Ash’s chemistry sparked without rushing into steam (kisses only!), and the worldbuilding felt fresh yet grounded. The ending left me breathless and hungry for the next chapter in this enchanting series. This deserves to be discovered far and wide 🌌✨

⭐ Final Rating: 5 Stars — Keep & Reread-Worthy

💕 The Swoon Scale
💍 Sparks: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
💬 Dialogue & Banter: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
🦋 Emotional Depth: ★★★★★ (5/5)
📖 Re-Readability: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

🔍 Advisory & Content Guide (via Goodreads & early reviews)
🌶️ Spice: None — closed-door romance
💬 Language: None
💞 Romance: Kisses only
⚠️ Content Warnings: Grief, violence, kidnapping, torture, magical peril, deception, seduction, minor mentions of substance use

🎯 Perfect For
✨Lovers of mysterious Victorian London with magical twists
✨Readers craving intelligent female heroes and heart-awakening slow burns
✨Fans of elegant historical settings navigated through underworld intrigue

Wow! What a fantastic start tom a new series! Town of Shadows was filled with endearing characters, mysterious plot twists, a morally grey MMC, and a delicious amount of yearning. It was a clean read in both language and content, which I thoroughly appreciated, and ended in a fantastic cliffhanger of sorts! Jessica Scarlett did a wonderful job of creating a truly unique magic system. The premise felt fresh and new and left me as a reader clamoring for more. I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book once it’s released!!

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I received a complimentary arc from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

I enjoyed this book and hope to read other by this author. Good storytelling and world building, well plotted characters
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I seriously loved this book. From the start, it pulled me in with its creepy small-town vibes and that slow build of suspense I couldn’t get enough of. Dorothy was smart, determined, and easy to root for. I really felt her emotions as she tried to make sense of everything happening around her.

The mystery had me hooked the whole way through, and I loved how the tension just kept building. And then there’s Ashley, he was so intriguing. I absolutely loved the slow burn between him and Dorothy. Their connection felt natural and earned, and it added just the right touch of romance without taking over the story.

The writing was easy to get lost in, the pacing was spot on, and the overall mood was perfectly eerie. If you like small towns with secrets, a strong female lead, and a story that keeps you guessing, Town of Shadows needs to be on your list.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

"For anyone who's always wished they had a little magic inside them.
You do."

WOW! This lovely Victorian novel was full of secrets, twists, grit, revenge, mystery, and magic. As with any new novel, it takes a minute to get into the world building, but once you’re in, you are hooked. It is exciting, captivating and will suck you in. If you like Caraval, Inheritance Games, or Dread Penny Society....just jump right into this book.

“Maybe the right path was always the dangerous one for a reason. Because it was the only one worth taking.”

The story has multiple points of view, which enriched the story for me. I loved Dorothy and her science brain, courage and determination. Emme was quirky, funny and lovable. Ashley and Miles are truly best friends and opposites. Ashley is smooth, smart, motivated and tricky. Miles is quiet, strong, shy and supportive. I could not stand her Uncle and I’m not giving anything away…but I have so many ideas about other characters.

"Ignorance is bliss."
"I don't want bliss," I whispered back. "I want to be awake...With you."

I was caught up in every backstory, possible future story and all the connections. You will be invested in their lives and the story…you will also rack your brain trying to solve all the riddles. There is friendship, romance, deceit and so much mystery. There is danger, ballets, circus, tension and deceptive twists.

“And I knew I shouldn’t want it. All of it. I shouldn’t crave his darkness, his secrets – his games.”

Spoiler…it’s a cliffhanger!! Wow, just wow! Go read it and you’ll understand.

🩵Thank you so much @thescarlettwriter for the arc of your amazing new book

I have been eagerly awaiting Jessica Scarlet’s next novel and it did not disappoint.

A magic-filled Victorian London. Dorothy is desperately trying to control her magic and avoid being arrested, but when the Rook kidnaps her father, she must find mysterious masked hero against all odds.

Enter Ashley Gardner, caught in a lie and requiring something Dorothy possesses, they strike a deal. Three clues about the hero and he gets what he needs.

This story kept me on my toes. It felt like Caraval meets Victorian England. HERE FOR THAT. The romance was swoony and I loved finding out more and more about the characters. Be warned, this is only book one and I will be (not so) patiently waiting for the next one.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5
Steam: kissing

TOWN OF SHADOWS
by: Jessica Scarlett
@thescarlettwriter

••I give 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📚-Book Release Date: July 1, 2025!-📚

~In Victorian London, magic earns you a noose... ✨Her magic is illegal. His lies are irresistible. And London’s most feared criminal is closer than either of them knows…

-TOWN OF SHADOWS, is a thrilling and captivating story that will capture and engage your full attention and carry you along for quite a puzzling suspenseful adventure through dazzling ballets, wild carnivals, and death-defying train rides. Filled precisely with sizzling tension, swoony romance, clever banter, fascinating and engaging characters, vivid details and descriptions, puzzles and riddles, great mystery, a dash of backstabbing, immaculate plot twists, and a gasping mind-blowing cliff hanger. Rest assured, that more is to come in a matter of months than years. My friends, this is such a unique and fantastic story set in the Victorian era (when gas lamps were most prevalent), but with MAGIC, and introduces fantastical elements into a historical timeline. It’s an incredible story that amazed me. I didn’t want to put this story down! This really is an intriguing clever story worth reading and soaking in completely. I am already for more to come! Well-done, @thescarlettwriter!📚💯👌❤️✨

“What if I didn’t want to be safe anymore? What if I wanted to be wild and adventurous like him? With him.”

•Content: magic, and magical creatures ish, some lies, a kidnapper on the loose, secrets betrayals, mentioning of a hand getting cut off and hangings-as a result of using magic, the word, “bloody,” slow-burn romance, light kisses only.

“I have been called a lot of things in my life,” I whispered. Her lips parted, and I felt my magic tiptoe in a circle around her, all on its own. “Man, thief, terror, saint, devil, and most recently, strange-but never a gentleman. I would beg you not to break that record.”

-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

"For anyone who's always wished they had a little magic inside them.
You do."

#townofshadows
#thescarlettwriter
#allaboutthebestreads

4.25 ⭐️! I've been a little obsessed with books set in this time period lately, so I was so excited to have the honor of ARC reading this book!

Town of Shadows is a gritty, magical romp of a gaslamp fantasy. There's mystery, banter, cat-and-mouse games, roniantic tension, so many twists, and an ending that will leave your jaw on the floor.

The vibes: Enola Holmes, Caraval, The False Prince, A Curse so Dark and Lonely

I fell in love with all four POV characters, their backstories, their secrets, and their banter. (I think Ashley and Emmeline were my favorites, though). Don't be intimidated by the multiple POV's; they all held different pieces of the puzzle and fit really well in the story.

By the way, Ashley is the MALE main character, and I personally think his name is pretty cool. Not biased at all. ;)

I loved the creative magic system and how twisty the plot was - I may have been a little confused at times but I was so impressed by how things came together in the end (in a cliffhanger, mind you) and how off I was in my predictions 😆 Well done, Miss Scarlett, for your misdirection 👏🏼

Overall, I had such a fun time reading this one! It's book one in a series (I believe it's going to be a trilogy) and I'm eagerly awaiting book two. I have a feeling it's going to be even better than this one!

I have loved the historical romance books from Jessica Scarlett. This book is a little bit different as it is still a historical victorian era story, but it has some magic and fantasy elements. It is called a gaslamp fantasy. I didn’t know if I would be interested as I don’t read a lot of fantasy type books, but the story had so much going on. Mysteries to solve, adventures to explore, and a scientific journal to dissect. The characters are intricately described and have a lot of depth. The only thing I didn’t like is, it does end in cliffhanger and now I have to wait for the next book. I’m quite sure I will be rereading it before the next story comes out. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I've read Town of Shadows by Jessica Scarlett as an arc. I got this in exchange for an honest review.

It was a great story where the FMC and MMC and all the other personages banter. I loved this bantering between them, gives it more of an interaction. Also the storyline is very strong.

It felt like I was watching some sort of a Sherlock Holmes movie, but with magic. I really loved it and I can't wait to get the sequel in my hands too!

It's mysterious, lovable, emotional ride that definitely earns a 5-star rating from me!

Town of Shadows by Jessica Scarlett
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 out of 5 stars)

Welcome to a version of Victorian London where magic isn’t just dangerous — it’s illegal. And damn, it’s atmospheric.

Town of Shadows pulled me in with its dark worldbuilding, and I was hooked from the very first page. It’s that perfect mix of eerie, elegant, and unpredictable. Magic exists, yes — but use it, and you’re as good as dead. That alone sets the tone: intense, secretive, and just the right amount of forbidden.

We follow Dorothy, a girl hiding her magic and herself, until her father is taken by a serial kidnapper known only as The Rook. That’s when she finally steps into the shadows and starts playing a dangerous game of riddles and masks with a certain charming illusionist — Ashley Gardner. And let me just say: their banter, their tension, and the way their story unfolds? Chef’s kiss. Every clue, every twist, every misdirection kept me turning pages way past my bedtime.

Now, heads up: this isn’t a single-POV story. If you’re someone who prefers to stick to just one or two perspectives, this might feel like a stretch. But for me? It worked. All those different motives, hidden agendas, and backstories made the world feel even more alive — and by the end, every piece came together in a really satisfying way.

The pacing is steady — not a breakneck rush, but never dragging either. It balances action and emotion so well, and I loved how the characters weren’t just “good” or “bad.” Everyone had a reason. And those reasons mattered.

Final thoughts:
If you like your magic forbidden, your heroes masked, and your worldbuilding dark but beautiful — Town of Shadows will absolutely hit the mark. Mysterious, emotional, a little bit twisted, and full of clever turns. A solid 5-star read for me.

•𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰•

{𝐒𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧: Book 1}

“𝙸𝚐𝚗𝚘𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚜.”

🪶 Release Date: July 1, 2025 🪶
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This was one of those books that instantly sucked me in as soon as I began reading! It was nothing short of an absolute work of art—filled with mystery, intrigue, and a modest dusting of romance. The magic was immensely intriguing and, ultimately, did the most to get me invested in this story. Everything—from the characters to the writing style of the book—worked together to create this masterpiece, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book once it’s released because that ending was something else! 🤯

I cannot express enough just how much I LOVED this book! The characters were divine—especially a certain Mr. Ashley Gardner, with his endless charm 😏 I thoroughly enjoyed the wild adventure this book took me on with the characters, through the streets, over the rooftops, and deep into the underbelly of London, searching for the ever-elusive Rook and Samaritan! Dorothy was a fabulous FMC, and her involvement in her father’s experiments added such fun dimension to her character! Her first encounter with Ashley simply has to be noted because of how utterly delightful and comedic it was 🤭 This book had some of the BEST side characters as well—they worked so well with the MCs and, honestly, stole the show at times!

The ✨magic✨ was extraordinary! Jessica Scarlett did a fantastic job of creating one of the most fascinating magic systems I’ve ever read about! I loved how it was explained so well, yet it still left the readers with a sense of intrigue and wonder about its unknown intricacies. I found the aspect of it being illegal to use magic added such a fun twist to this story, upping the stakes that much more!
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I received a complimentary arc from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

Great little fantasy read if you're in a slump. This is well paced and the writing kept me hooked. If you are looking for a new fantasy read this is it. Please go check it out.

"Ignorance is bliss."
"I don't want bliss," I whispered back. "I want to be awake...With you."

Town of Shadows by Jessica Scarlett

I was intrigued from the first page and couldn't stop! After finishing, I just had to sit and process my feelings for a bit. What a rollercoaster that was! I also don't think I will sleep well until book 2 releases.
The vibes of this book were exactly what my heart, soul, and mind was craving. My favorite historical time period besides Regency to read about is Victorian London because of the spooky, mysterious, darkened streets. If Dread Penny Society series by Sarah M Eden, Every Hour Until Then by Gabrielle Meyer, and Caraval by Stephanie Garber had a baby, it would be this book. If you love the mysterious vibes of those books, but want some magic too, then look no further than the Slanted London series. 

I loved all of the POVs. Honestly, I usually don't like multiple POVs, but because Jessica organizes them by chapter, they are easy to understand and follow. It was fascinating to get each characters' perspective and I am here for it!

I loved all of the characters- Emmeline is quirky and lovable. Dorothy is fiercely determined and stubborn and so sooo smart. Miles is loyal and kind. Ashley is mysterious, also stubborn, and many other things.I think I saw myself in both Emme and Miles a touch-loyal and quirky. I really loved their POVs and getting to know them.

Woah, her uncle is a piece of work! But I love her Aunt Marie!

This book had the best plot twists, the best characters, the most unique magic system, a clear plot, riddles that were hard to solve. My heart was pounding so hard and I couldn't read this one fast enough. I found my new favorite genre in this book and couldn't get enough!
Masterfully done, Jessica! This book will be my new obsession!

Favorite Parts:
Miles and Ashley intro
Magic system
Magic experiment
Their meeting
Ballet
Carnival and knife throwing
Lacing up her dress
Button factory
The auction!
Riddles
All the plot twists and romance
SO many parts but if I listed them, they would spoil the book, so I won't do that!

Content Warnings:
Language: Mild-hell (used correctly several times), bloody (used several times)
Sexual Content: Closed-door: Mildly suggestive dialogue, seedy places, woman gets accosted, innuendos, passionate kissing (somewhat descriptive)
Violence/gore: Moderate- Talk of hangings, kidnappings, man is hanged and woman is burned (both happen in past and is mentioned briefly without gory details), suicide (mentioned as happening in the past), man’s hand gets cut off (includes blood), man is mentioned as getting shredded by bear’s claws, character gets beaten and his wounds are mildly described/mentioned, person is stabbed and the wound is described as bloody
Substance Use: Mentions of various forms of alcohol, opium (mentioned a few times), bars, smoking, characters drink Vodka
Prejudices: none
Religious Content: none
Other: gambling, mental health, magic

Book Info:
Series: Slanted London bk 1
Genre: Gaslamp Victorian Historical Romantasy
Romance Level: Closed door
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Publisher: Oliver Heber Books
POV: Multiple
Debut in this genre

Thank you to the Author and publisher for the review copy. All gushings and thoughts are my own.

Town of Shadows – Book Review

⭐ 5/5

✨ gaslamp fantasy
🔮 magic
💞 slow burn clean romance
🧠 witty banter
👥 bromance
💭 multiple POVs (don’t worry, it worked)

Okay, so I was so excited about this book! Ever since Jessica announced she was writing another book—and in a different genre—I’ve been eagerly waiting for it. I loved her Wycliffe Family series, and A Lily in Disguise is one of my favorite historical romance books.

Honestly, I was a little afraid it wouldn’t live up to my expectations. But I was not disappointed!

The book is set in Victorian-era London, in a society where some people, called Slanted, have magic. Even though having magic is permitted, using it is illegal. Our main character, Dorothy, is Slanted and doesn’t know how to control her powers, so she lives reclusively, afraid of being arrested.

Dorothy’s father, a scientist, ends up being kidnapped by a figure who haunts London known as The Rook. The story follows Dorothy’s journey to get him back. Along the way, she meets Ashley and discovers he might know something about The Samaritan—a vigilante who saves people from The Rook.

But Ashley isn’t willing to just hand over the information. Instead, he and Dorothy engage in a sort of game — all the while, the pull they feel for each other grows stronger.

The author did an amazing job with the genre shift! There’s just something about gaslamp fantasy... the atmosphere is so rich and immersive—it pulls you right into the story. I can’t wait for the sequel!

If you love bookstore meet-ups, magical places, circus adventures, and slow burn romance, make sure to check this book out!

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

At 18, Dorothy hasn't exactly gotten into trouble yet—but mostly because she stays home, hiding away with her experiments. She can’t control her magic, so keeping a low profile is her safest bet. Everything seems calm... until the day her father disappears—kidnapped by the Rook, a criminal known for driving his victims insane. Now Dorothy has no choice but to go after him. The problem? Only one person has ever gotten close to the Rook: a mysterious masked hero no one can find.
Ashley Gardner is a charming illusionist who moves effortlessly between high society and the magical underground. When Dorothy tracks him down, she realizes he knows more than he’s letting on—though he denies any connection to the masked hero or the Rook. But when she manages to get her hands on a crucial message Ashley desperately needs, everything changes.

Her only option? Cut a deal: she’ll give the note back if he gives her three clues that might lead her to the masked hero. What she doesn’t know is that Ashley has no intention of making it easy. In fact, the clues are nearly impossible to figure out. Sure, he has his own reasons for keeping her off the trail… but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating.

This journey to find the Rook is about to take Dorothy through dazzling performances, chaotic carnivals, and dangerous train rides—and the deeper she goes, the more tangled her feelings for the mysterious illusionist become.
From wild carnivals to elegant ballets and all kinds of adventures in between, Dorothy will have to pull out every trick she knows to solve Ashley’s impossible riddles—and figure out what to do about the feelings she’s starting to have for him. The Rook is closer than ever, and the masked hero isn’t who she thought he was. The race to save her father’s mind is coming to a head… but when the truth finally comes out, will Dorothy—and her heart—make it out in one piece?

Great return from Jessica Scarlett! This story has It all, adventures, magic, romance a charming
hero and a delightful heroine! Dorothy and Ashley has been the best characters I have read about in a while! And Jessica's personality is all over the book.
Can't wait to read the second book in this series!

Do not miss out on this one! This was my first book by Jessica Scarlett and it did not disappoint. I was hooked from the beginning. It was the perfect combination of fantasy, mystery and romance all set in historic London. I loved that the story was told through multiple view points. The twists and turns kept me guessing to the very end. The pacing and details were perfect. I really loved Dory. She grew so much throughout the story. Despite being constantly tested and pushed she never gave up. Overall such an enjoyable read. I can’t wait for book two! I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book but all opinions are mine.