Publishers Weekly
10/09/2023
In a kingdom cursed by a sinister, monster-inhabited mist, a determined teenager endeavors to save her sickly brother from certain death. Eighteen-year-old Kiara Frey and her younger brother Liam attend the Calling, an event during which families must forfeit their of-age sons to join the Knights of the Eternal Star, a brotherhood whose purpose is to banish the mist from the kingdom of Asidia. At the Calling, Kiara defends Liam from a bully, and her elite combat skills draw the attention of the Knights’ hooded commander, nicknamed the Hand of Death, who selects Kiara to join the Knights for training in the capital of Sciona—making her the first girl chosen in over half a century. In Sciona, she meets handsome knight Jude, the Hand of Death himself, and the two find themselves inexplicably drawn together. When callous King Cirian assigns Kiara a deadly mission, Jude tries to keep her at the base, but Kiara sneaks off to join the mission anyway, refusing to let Jude and her new friends face the terrors of the mist alone. In this sweeping debut, Quinn skillfully threads Kiara and Jude’s lived-in-feeling romance with high-stakes life-or-death situations, making for an intriguing if familiar fantasy adventure. The cast is intersectionally diverse. Ages 14–up. (Nov.)
From the Publisher
"In this sweeping debut, Quinn skillfully threads Kiara and Jude's lived-in-feeling romance with high-stakes life-or-death situations, making for an intriguing if familiar fantasy adventure. The cast is intersectionally diverse." —Publishers Weekly
“Right away, I was brought into the fictional world and all of its chaos. I thoroughly enjoyed the storytelling and beautifully descriptive writing.” —Could Be Reading
“I could go on forever, but I will end with this: do not sleep on miss Katherine Quinn. If you’re in the market for a thrilling YA fantasy romance (that feels to be more on the upper YA side for SURE), with a bi-sexual MC, tension and high stakes, betrayal and surprising reveals, look no further!” —Wicked Bee Books
“I'm obsessed with this book! When I read the premise, I thought it would be an interesting fantasy coming of age story, but it turned out to be so much more!” —Read with Kate 16
“I absolutely devoured this book, read all of it in one sitting and was immediately sad I didn't have more of this world to jump into! Definitely a. Top 10 read of the year for me.” —Rae’s Random Reads
“This is a fantastic beginning of a new series and I am looking forward to what happens next.
5 out of 5 stars.” —TC Books and More
“This story was so enthralling and captivating. I loved how Ki was so fearless and a true powerhouse. The push and pull between her and Jude was full of angst and tension but their witty banter was chef's kiss.” —Red Sonya Loves to Read
“5+++++ stars! wow I'm in shock, I’m in awe, so bewitched, this story is the best of the best, brilliant, dark, it is my first book by this author and it will definitely not be the last, it is SPECTACULAR!” —When Va Reads
“5 stars! Katherine Quinn is now an auto buy author for me. I was hooked from the very first page, and that's so rare for me.” —RoxasLoves
“Dark and daunting yet at the same time fierce, I absolutely loved the light and darkness wrapped up in To Kill A Shadow.” —Jotted by Jena
“This book spoke to me and I answered. Boy, did I answer. Ask me anything Kiara and Jude, it’s yours. ONE OF THE BEST FANTASY READS OF THE YEAR FOR ME. ALL CAPS AS IT DESERVES.” —Jessica DeSaMota
“This is an enthralling and imaginative fantasy novel that whisks readers away to a world of intrigue, romance, and daring adventure. Woah, this book was truly one I couldn’t put down an intriguing YA fantasy with romance and suspense.” —Rubie Reads
“This book! I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I really enjoyed it...YA hasn't been keeping my attention lately but To Kill a Shadow was one I couldn't put down.” —Erin Arkin 20
“The ending!! I cannot believe that we ended like that! I need the next book immediately. Overall, I would highly recommend this book!” —Maddie and Her Books
Kirkus Reviews
2023-10-21
A series opener blending fantasy and horror with an undercurrent of romance.
The sudden disappearance 50 years ago of the Sun Goddess, Raina, left the realm of Asidia awash in moonlight and misery. The annual Calling drafts boys, such as 18-year-old Kiara’s sickly brother, Liam, into the Knights of Eternal Star, who then venture into the accursed land of the Mist in search of answers. But Kiara’s brazenness captures the attention of the Hand of Death, the Commander of the Knights, and she’s recruited in her brother’s stead. Years of rigorous combat training have prepared Kiara well for the Knights—but not for the growing attraction between her and the Hand of Death himself, enigmatic Commander Jude Maddox. As they journey into the Mist, they must trust each other in order to survive and untangle the legends that just might save the realm. In a crowded fantasy field, the novel distinguishes itself by leaning into the macabre nature of its literally dark world, complete with shadow beasts, flesh-eating spiders, and the mercurial Mist itself. The unrelenting action sequences are not for the squeamish, and the dead (and undead) body count piles up. Cutscenes provide necessary narrative magic, reviving Kiara and Jude’s romance and buttressing the worldbuilding lore that opens many of the chapters. Main characters are cued white.
An atmospheric and promising first installment. (map) (Fantasy/horror. 14-18)
