To Kill a Shadow by Katherine Quinn
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Web ID: 17340376Exceptional story
Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the gifted e-book. This book was truly incredible. I enjoyed both listening to the audiobook and reading the book simultaneously. The narrators did an exceptional job, bringing the characters Kiara and Jude to life. Kiara Frey is a fierce fighter, loyal friend, and strong woman. When she is selected to train with the King’s knights, her unexpected attraction to the commander, Jude, adds an intriguing layer to the story. As a small group venture into the darkest part of the lands, Kiara showcases her fighting skills and friendship. Each chapter started with some background that tied the story together. The plot is fast-paced, action-packed, and filled with surprising revelations that will keep you hooked. The ending leaves you eager to jump into the next book to discover what happens to Kiara and Jude. I highly recommend this book! The sequel, "To Shatter the Night," is set for release on December 3, 2024.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
To Kill a Shadow was a truly amazing read.
To Kill a Shadow by Katherine Quinn was one of those books that I wanted to read, but the idea of doing so gave me pause. The word “horror” in the synopsis had me rethinking the book. Yet it still called to me. I am so glad I got over my fear. From the moment I started reading, I was engrossed and couldn't put the book down. In fact, I've re-read parts of it several times because it's so good. 50 years ago, the Realm of Asidia was cursed into darkness. For almost as long, the families of Asidia have been asked to sacrifice one of their children to The Calling. A day when the Knights of the Eternal Star go through the Realm collecting the chosen to train and eventually venture into the cursed lands of the Mist to try and end the curse of darkness. The families believe this to be a privilege and many have their children training since birth. On this day, Liam Frey is to leave his family in Cila and join the Brotherhood of the Knights which is a guaranteed death sentence due to his asthma. After a spur-of-the-moment action brings attention to her, 18-year-old Kiara Frey is ordered to take her brother’s place. A decision that’s unheard of as The Calling has only ever been for boys. While in training, Kiara excels and shows great promise. In her, Jude Maddox, Commander of the Knights sees a better version of himself. They have an attraction that blooms into a friendship. And friendship isn’t really something either is used to having. Soon, King Cirian orders Maddox to gather a small group and return to the Mist, the same place Maddox lost all of his men to the year before. Maddox knows the recruits aren’t ready and that this is a mission they won’t return from but he has no choice. To Kill a Shadow was a truly amazing read. I loved the characters of Kiara and Jude. In fact, my heart broke for Jude, while I was awed by Kiara’s fierce tenacity. The story is made up of several tropes (found family, grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and forbidden romance). It is also full of mystery, intrigue, suspense and betrayal. This was a wild ride that will leave you speechless. To Kill a Shadow is definitely a violent story and there are content/trigger warnings on Entangled’s website that you should be aware of. I know people always say that they can’t wait for the next book to come out. But I seriously will be on pins and needles waiting. ~ Favorite Quotes ~ “You can’t save everyone.” “A good man is often the one who has known the most evil.” “Hope is a powerful thing to have.” “Some strengths do not lie in the physical.” “Control is an illusion, something to make us feel grounded and in charge of our destinies.” “Sometimes we have to give away pieces of ourselves to others we love, even if it hurts at the time.” “Love is nothing if not sacrifice.” “Books…They don’t lie or betray you.” “History always has a way of repeating itself, no matter how hard we try to rewrite the story.” “Knowledge had a way of altering one’s world.” “No one can break me.” “Love was acceptance.” **Received a copy from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed it. Also personally purchased a hardcover copy.**
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great Read
Love this book. Strength is bonds. And finding light in the darkness. Can’t wait to read the second book.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Dark, Adventurous Story.
*4.25* To Kill a Shadow was a dark, tense read. The premise of the book was promising and didn’t disappoint. This book featured some very interesting and terrifyingly detailed creatures. One thing I absolutely loved about this book was the characters! Each character had their good moments, but Jake immediately stood out. Kiara was an excellent FMC. She was resilient, stubborn, and undeniably strong. She is a very well written character that you can’t help but feel for. Jude!!! Such a great love interest. I loved being able to see his POV during the book. The plot of this story was well developed and the writing was perfect to create this chilling atmosphere. I’d say the plot of book was an even split between romance, action, adventure, and mystery. I enjoyed the buildup to the venture in the woods just as much as all the action in the woods. The world building in this book is nicely balanced. It doesn’t overload with information in the beginning, but rather gradually builds throughout the book. The last few chapters of this book have left me reeling. The plot twist??? Wow. I was definitely expecting something, but that was not what I was thinking at all. I cannot wait to see what the next book holds!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
SO GOOD! Please read this!
4.75⭐️ - rounded up to 5 ⭐️ This was my introduction to Katherine Quinn’s writing and I am so happy that I was able to try her out. This was such a fun romantic fantasy read with a good balance between a faster burn romance and the fantasy aspects of the world. There is a mist surrounding the Kingdom of Asidia, a plague following the fall of the Sun Goddess Raina. Only danger lies within the mist. The king’s Commander of The Knights of the Eternal Star, Jude Maddox, is conscripting new recruits to help find the secrets within the mist and help bring back the Sun Goddess Raina. He happens upon a fierce, strong-willed girl, Kiara Frey in a tiny town and adds her to the ranks. Both Jude and Kiara are pushed into the dangers of the mist, while also uncovering shared secrets and destinies. This is a true tale with worldbuilding, mythology, survival and romance. I loved Kiara’s character as a strong, wild woman who dances to her own song. She has many quirks, but when she starts making connections with the other recruits and commanders, people see her beauty. There is definitely an attraction between Jude and Kiara that draws them to each other and though I’m not usually a fan of “insta-love” or indescribable attraction, this was done very well and tastefully. Every chapter started off with a proverb, short legend or background lore for the reader that somehow connected to the chapter. I loved that touch, it really helped recap some of the things that were mentioned and bring them to the surface for the reader. I wish the Gods were the land were further fleshed out. Other than Raina, most are not brought up other than in passing or in only a chapter or two. I am hoping they take a bigger role in future books within the Mistland series. Very much looking forward to the sequel, the end leaves on a slight cliffhanger. Definitely excited to see what secrets are unveiled. Strong female leads Brooding, but protective Commander He Falls First Fantasy mixed with mystery Mix of Mulan & Game of Thrones “Night’s Watch” vibes Unknown Evil Gods & Prophecies If you love a YA romantic fantasy, alternating POVs from the strong leads and intriguing world building, this is made for you! Katherine Quinn is now on my auto-buy author list! I loved every second of it.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
This was better than I expected
Beautifully written. Kept me on the edge of my seat. Broke my heart. The FMC is strong, fierce, and independent. I can’t wait until the next one comes out.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Such a good read!
When there wasn’t a choice, all one could do was fight or die. Besides, I had been molded into a warrior, and a warrior I would be.” To Kill A Shadow is a YA Dark Fantasy set in a cursed world without sunlight. The cure is said to be found in the Mist, but those who enter rarely survive the madness and monsters lurking within. This year, there's a mandatory recruitment of soldiers, where families are required to send their sons to serve the King. Enter Kiara. Kiara has been trained to fight for years. She gets noticed when The Hand of Death, aka Commander Jude Maddox, watches her fight a bully picking on her brother. Instead of her brother being selected during The Calling to serve the Knights of the Eternal Star, Kiara is chosen. And girls are never chosen…Then Kiara's close band of befriended recruits is selected to journey into the Mist without her., a journey no one is expected to survive… Let's just say that the journey didn't go as you'd expect. And it's not over yet. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I literally couldn't stop reading. It's packed full of thrilling action, suspenseful mystery, and romantic angst. There's twists and turns you don't expect coming and losses you don't expect. I feel like only a part of the world has been built for us, and I'm eager to uncover more secrets behind the darkness and Mist. And after that ending, I need the next book, STAT! If you like any of these tropes, you'll love this book too! •YA Fantasy •Dual POV •Fierce, protective FMC •Brooding, morally grey MMC •Cursed, dark world •Forbidden romance •Hidden identity •Secrets & suspense •Twists & turns •Action & adventure Seriously, check out To Kill A Shadow and I hope you like it as much as I did!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Enjoyable characters, rich settings, good story!
'To Kill a Shadow' by Katherine Quinn is a split POV tale that follows the mingled paths of a Knight Commander named Jude Maddox and Kiara Frey, a young woman from a poor village, whose decision to protect her brother lands her in conscription. Jude, also known as the Hand of Death, is a brutally scarred warrior who is said to belong to the King. Marked inside and out, he's suffered greatly at the hands of those who should have loved him.. as much or more than he has from the enemies he has encountered. He's considered cold, hard, and unreachable, considering himself as much monster as the beasts he has felled. Kiara is an outcast in her village. Her connection with anyone left beyond her younger brother, is tenuous at best. Defiant, she's quick to anger and quick to fight, relishing the adrenaline of the challenge.. and that's exactly what puts her in peril. Though there is an overarching plot and clearly intentions for more in a series, I felt most of the book centered on the characters themselves. Quinn seemed to focus largely on the development of Jude and Kiara.. both as individuals.. and on the story growing between them. Pacing was moderate.. seemingly to allow time for things to expand between not only the main characters, but the cast of supporting characters as well. As is often the case, for me.. that meant it dragged just a little. Not enough that I ever wanted to stop reading, just enough that it felt like it took me a bit longer to read than it needed to. That's just my personal preference though and in no way does it reflect on the quality of the writing. That being said, I did feel there were moments the writing felt a little clumsy, but they were mostly brief and really subject to the same things 90% of modern authors seem to struggle with. Transitional moments in relationships and natural dialogue have got to be two of the most common I see. While these emotional transitions were a little off-balance, the dialogue here is largely pretty good. My only complaint is probably the actual statement that Kiara 'isn't like others.' I mean, we get it. We get tired of it.. but we get it. You don't have to say it. Again, that's personal taste. On that note, Quinn does have a habit of repeating things she doesn't want the reader to miss, which irks me because I pay attention. However, seeing as most readers seem to lose the plot easily, I can understand her choice to do so. Quinn did do a fantastic job on settings, in my opinion. From the grittiness of the small village, to the opulent, oppressive nature of the Knights home.. and later.. within the mist.. where all manner of vile and carnivorous thing might dwell, her descriptions are visually lush. I really loved Jude though and Kiara is a pretty good co-lead. I found her to be kind and funny.. and she managed not to annoy me.. which is really what I ask most in a 'strong, female character' design. I do hope Quinn continues the story as I am hooked enough that I want to see what Jude has planned.. and there's a villain I'm waiting to find out about in-depth. While I will happily recommend a read, there is a fair bit of violence and gore, and some subjects certain readers might find uncomfortable.. as it is a horror fantasy. (I received this title as an ARC. All opinions are mine and freely given.)
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com