Soul of Shadow

Soul of Shadow #1

by Emma Noyes

A thrilling Norse mythology inspired contemporary romantasy sure to excite fans of The Vampire Diaries and Atlas Six.

Charlie Hudson just wants to get through junior year. Since the death of her twin sister two years earlier, she’s drifted through life, going through the motions at school and parties and even at home. The spark that once burned so brightly within her has all but flickered out.

Until her classmate goes missing in the forest, leaving nothing behind but a pair of shoes and strange symbols carved into a tree.

Drawn to the disappearances by forces she can’t explain, she finds herself investigating the mysterious, alluring newcomer in town, Elias Everhart. With piercing eyes and sharp wit, he dances around her questions, only intriguing her further. Elias has a secret. More than one.

But what Charlie doesn’t know is that those secrets will lead her to a place she never imagined: a world hiding in plain sight, made of magic, gods, and monsters - and a first love fated to fall apart.

In Emma Noyes's Soul of Shadow, truths and temptations lurk in the darkness, and for Charlie, the only thing more dangerous than facing her past, is the boy with the power to change her future.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Mythology, Paranormal, Audiobook

352 pages, Hardcover

First published July 29, 2025

About the author

Emma Noyes is the author of HOW TO HIDE IN PLAIN SIGHT, GUY'S GIRL, and the Sunken City trilogy. The first book in her next YA romantasy series, SOUL OF SHADOW, comes out July 2025. She lives in Chicago with her Swedish husband and their accident-prone Pomeranian.

Author also writes under Emma V.R. Noyes

Reviews

[✨Julie✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

✩ 3 stars ✩

What to Expect:
➼ Small Town
➼ Morally Gray MMC
➼ Mysterious Deaths
➼ Fake Relationship
➼ Magical Creatures
➼ Grief & Loss
➼ Norse Mythology
➼ Young Adult
➼ Narrated by Emily Pike Stewart
➼ Third Person POV

My thoughts on this book are very neutral, which has made it extremely hard to review. For starters, I think my expectations were set a little too high by the authors Teen Wolf/Vampire Diaries comparisons. I was very much expecting this to be an epic love story, when in reality, the romance felt like more of a sub plot. I really struggled to decide if that
relationship was something I should be rooting for or not throughout the book which I think was by design but was honestly a bit off putting to me.

There are some very heavy themes throughout and a few of the plot twists I felt could have been handled a little better considering the impact they would have had on the characters. There were points where this felt almost Percy Jackson adjacent with the detailed inclusions of mythology and other moments where the undertones felt a little too sinister to the point where it almost aligned with the horror genre in my opinion (which is not my jam).

There were several major reveals at the end, but I don’t feel very compelled to continue this series or find out what’s next for these characters. I honestly felt like I wasn’t the target audience for this book but I’m not exactly sure who I would recommend it to since some aspects felt very YA and others were a little dark. Maybe a teen who likes a more sinister mystery?

Thank you to the author and Wednesday Books for the gifted finished copy in exchange for an honest review.

✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

Pre-read: This is being marketed as an ideal read for fans of Twilight and Teen Wolf and the author compares the MMC to Damon Salvatore… so basically I’m about to OD on nostalgia. 🤗

≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫

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[kitkat (semi-hiatus ♡︎) · Rating 4 out of 5]

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✧
➵ arc review
⋆˙⟡ release: july 29, 2025

ᯓ ✧ huge thanks to 𝒆𝒎𝒎𝒂 𝒏𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒔 for offering to send me a 𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 in exchange for an honest review!

- my thoughts -
i was quite literally on the edge of my seat throughout this whole book. its been awhile since i’ve read a book in just a few hours, but i couldn’t put this one down! and, oh my god, i’m going to be waiting with baited breath for the next book after that cliffhanger. although this book is marketed as young adult, there are some parts of this book that i would say boarder on new adult, such as mentions of sex, drugs, and violence.

- characters -
the main character, charlie, is a character that’s very easy to relate to. she faces struggles and challenges that feel very human compared to most fantasy books. i’m not talking about the magic side of things, but rather her struggles with grief, going through high school, and relationship issues. there were a few times in this book where i was a little bit frustrated with charlie, especially when it felt like, to me, that the answer she was looking for was right in front of her the whole time.

features -
- norse mythology
- paranormal urban romantasy
- third person
- single pov
- young adult
- fake dating
- enemies to lovers
- morally grey characters

————

i can't wait to start this one!

huge thanks to the author for sending me an eARC! <3

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why do I always root for the *bad* guy. Ugh. ❤️‍🩹

Snagged the ARC for book two so spent the day binge rereading this one. Definitely a solid 4 after revisiting but if Elias doesn’t get it together I’m going to lose it. My heart can’t handle book two if things continue this way. 😭😭

______________________________________________________

A story where love, magic, gods, and monsters collide.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books, for sending me over this ARC!

Why am I always rooting for the bad guy to secretly be *good* 😩😭

Honestly, this story had so much potential, and overall, I think the execution, world-building, and characters were all well done. I felt a connection to the storyline immediately and was fascinated by everything. This book is full of depth and many layers to the plot. I was a little disappointed by the last quarter of the book, mainly because I had high hopes and dreams for some of the characters, but maybe it will go in that direction in the second book. I plan to continue this series.

3.75 stars, but rounding up for GoodReads.

Pub Date Jul 29 2025

As always, all thoughts are my own. 🖤✨

[Emily | emilysbookshelf__ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge thank you to the author for sending me an early copy!

I am constantly and consistently in awe of Emma and her ability to write stories and worlds in which I am instantly hooked from the very beginning. Soul of Shadow is no different--I very quickly binged this in a couple of sittings. Inspired by Norse mythology (which I've come to LOVE) and perfect for fans of The Vampire Diaries, this book is truly the YA Romantasy of my dreams.

I fell in love with our FMC Charlie quickly. She would've been the type of girl I would have wanted to be friends with in high school. Her character, her loyalty to those important to her, and her curious and spontaneous nature had me cheering for her and rooting for her throughout the story. And our MMC Elias?! Don't even get me started--he is the definition of an alluring, morally grey character. My inner high schooler was screaming! I wanted to learn all I could about him and where he came from.

I just loved everything about this book. The world, the characters, the creatures and monsters, and the VÄTTE. I think the vätte might've been my favorite little character of all. I know Soul of Shadow doesn't release until July 2025 (put this book on your radar ASAP!!) but man oh man I am already so excited for the next installment in Charlie's journey. I am dying to know what happens next.

A very easy 5 stars!!!

[Brittany · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 Star ⭐️

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

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

Soul of Shadow 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.

[DianaRose]

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!

unfortunately, dnf’d @50% — as i get older (sob) i find a lot of YA does not appeal to me in the same way it did when i was a young adult myself, but now with so many different books under my belt, i find myself less and less impressed with YA books unless they are truly one of a kind - and there are many out there that are universal reads for everyone!

i feel that my disappointment is mainly due to many YA books attempting to tackle more adult themes rather than creating/addressing issues for the targeted audience.

also, i was just generally uninterested in this book as whole - murder mystery meshed with norse mythology sounded so interesting in theory, but it just fell so flat.

as for the narrator, she did a fine job!

i’m sure this book will find its audience but it’s not me.

[Chayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely incredible. If you loved the Vampire Diaries or any other show that combines the angst of high school with the darkness of a supernatural world, you will love this book! Emma’s writing is sharp and beautiful. She captures the tone of high schoolers dealing with grief and yet still being teenagers in all the best/worst ways. I am so excited for this book to be out in the world and for everyone else to discover it!

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany)]

The Vampire Diaries vibes, but make it Norse mythology inspired with angsty teens. Soul of Shadow is a light YA fantasy that feels a little bit nostalgic and doesn't take itself too seriously. It follows Charlie, a high school junior who is still grieving the death of her twin sister. Then kids start going missing and a strange tree carved with Norse symbols appears in the woods. And then a mysterious and cute new boy shows up at school - Elias Everheart. Elias is as dangerous as he is attractive and he comes with secrets...

This was entertaining and definitely feels aimed at teens. I do think it spent a little too much time explaining elements of Norse mythology in a way that slowed down the plot. I would have liked fewer explanations and more time with the romantic angst of a dangerous and bad idea relationship. But it's an intriguing start to a series with potential. If you liked Vampire Diaries, check it out. I do feel like book 2 needs to introduce an alternative love interest to keep things interesting though. I received an audio review copy from the author, all opinions are my own.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Came for the pagan sacrifices, stayed for Henry the Gnome

[Billie's Not So Secret Diary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soul of Shadow
by Emma Noyes
Soul of Shadow #1
Urban Fantasy YA Norse Mythology
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: July 29, 2025
St. Martin's Press
Ages: 14+

After the death of her twin sister, Charlie Hudson is just there, barely functioning because a part of her is missing. But when the shoes of a missing teen are found hanging from a tree carved with symbols, her life changes.

While looking in the forest for clues, she meets Elias, who lurks in the shadows, and he isn't a nice guy or what he's pretending to be.

Coercing her to help him, she agrees, and he shows her what has been hiding in her own world.


This is a very interesting take on Norse Mythology, creating a new spin on old tales. Charlie is a somewhat likable character, though her 'spacing out' years after her sister's death screams 'help', but worse is her friends and family, while they notice, they don't 'help' her, only ignore or call her self-centered.

Elias is a character you like and hate at the same time. While handsome and sweet, he has a darker side, and you don't know which to believe. The author did a good job with the 'twists' of his character.

I did get a lot of 'Twilight' vibes with the settings and a few situations, and while some claim 'Vampire Diaries' vibes, though the author credited the series in her acknowledgments, I didn't feel it. (And there are no vampires in this story!)

The ending was a cliff-hanger twist, and I should have seen it coming, but I missed it.

Of course, there are adult situations, but it's not detailed or graphic, and there is violence, so I think it's suitable for mature fourteen and older readers.

The book cover is pretty, and I get what the flowers and their colors have to do with the story, but it doesn't give a Norse impression.

Even though it was a little slow and some parts were irritating, repetitive, and typical YA, I did like it and would like to read the next in the series.


3 Stars

[Chasing Silhouettes · Rating 4 out of 5]

"He took a step closer, and she felt it again, that sense that the world was falling away, that everything was collapsing into this moment...."

So you know how it goes.... high school, new guy comes to town, he's hot and mysterious, charismatic and alluring. Unusual things start to happen after he arrives, which makes him quite sus. Now you find yourself in a bit of a situation, falling deeper into the dangerous world that he's revealed to you, and there's no going back. While your friends are oblivious and shipping you with this dark and deadly supernatural being that you don't know whether to run from or run to. And oh yeah, there's a school dance.

"It was that fluttering in her chest again. Like a hummingbird had awoken in her breastbone, its delicate wings sending excited shivers around her body."

There IS magical realism, magical creatures, and a whole world unmasked. Which brings to mind the Folkloric series by Karenza Grant (though much less cozy) or Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black, more than anything. And throw in a slew of Norse mythology.

It didn't turn out as I'd expected, which is a good thing. Unpredictable makes it more interesting. There were twists I didn't see coming, and it is not a HEA. After finishing, I'm just kind of umm. There are things that were left open, of course, but I feel like a main component was shut down and not sure how it could be redeemed. Guess I'll have to wait and see.

"She cared only for the lie, for that moment of perfect deception, when everything the viewer thought to be true was turned on its head."

ARC courtesy of Goodreads Giveaways / Wednesday Books

[Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yurrrrrrrp this was exactly what I needed and I can’t wait for the rest of the series 😛👻🐿️

[♡Molly♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ੈ✩‧₊˚Rating*ੈ✩‧₊˚
4.5/5 Stars

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗Tropes˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗
🍇 Fake Dating
🖤 Norse Mythology
🍇Shadow Daddy
🖤 Morally Black Love Interest
🍇 Mystery That Needs To Be Solved
🖤 Small Town


𓂃🖊Notes and Highlights-

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･” Her first thought: We did it. We made it out alive.
Her second: We will never be safe again.”°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

💭 Thoughts-
This book was so much fun to read! I am not one to love a whole lot of murder mystery or missing people or anything of the such, but I totally loved it in this book! This book had so many fun twists and turns throughout it that made it so much fun and made me not able to put it down, and I almost ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting. Not only that but the morally black love interest that I definitely should no t have probably loved but totally did even though he totally was like so so bad, but they say bad I say hot so… I may not be the best judge of character with this mmc 😅. The only real reason it doesn’t have a 5-star rating is that well I do like the mmc Elias now it took me some time to warm up to him with him being like a mass murder, threatening her family if she didn't do what he said and stuff like that but if we move past that small part of him I def like him now. All in all a great book that keeps you hooked the whole time and is super fun to read, would totally recommend!

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(Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

[akacya ❦ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2025 reads: 220/300

2025 tbr: 51/111

i received a complimentary audio copy from the publisher as part of their influencer program. i am leaving this review voluntarily.

content warnings: gun violence, disappearance/murder, death of loved one

since the death of her twin sister two years earlier, charlie hudson has just been going through the motions of life, the spark that was once in her now burned out. when her classmates start turning up missing, though, she’s determined to uncover what evil lurking in the forest is responsible. she teams up with a newcomer, elias everhart, who’s as mysterious as he is handsome. what charlie isn’t expecting is to have her eyes opened to an entirely new world, one filled with magic, gods, and monsters.

this book intrigued me because of the norse mythology aspect. i love mythology, but don’t come across many books featuring norse mythology, so i was excited for this component! luckily, this was one of the stronger parts of this book, and i was not let down as i read about mares, vättes, norse gods, and more. noyes did a decent job blending old mythology with the modern world, in my opinion. unfortunately, though, while the mythology was interesting, i found the plot a bit lacking. there were some good parts, for sure, especially as the mystery surrounding the missing kids unraveled. however, there were so many other parts that were just, for lack of a better word, corny. from charlie’s magic tricks to reveals that happened toward the end, i just had to wrinkle my nose a bit. still, this wasn’t a bad book, and i’m considering putting the next one on my tbr because i am intrigued to know what will happen between charlie and elias. i read this via audio, narrated by emily pike stewart. i thought her narration suited the story well, so if i pick book two up, it will likely be by audio again!

[whatkelseysreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down💫 maybe true 3? and not at all what I was expecting! Though that’s on me for (once again) not reading a synopsis beforehand😅 all I knew was Emma Noyes saying “romantasy inspired by Damon Salvatore and The Vampire Diaries”…so imagine my surprise when it was YA and there were no vampires💀 again, my bad!!!

HOWEVER! I did still like it!!

✨norse mythology
✨multiple reveals (including one I genuinely did not see coming👀)
✨an interesting magical world hidden where you least expect it IYKYK
✨bad boy who is new to town😏 a young shadow daddy if you will
✨fake dating
✨nostalgia for high school (and high school TV dramas), think homecoming, football games, who is talking to who is the lunchroom!
✨students keep going missing leaving behind strange signs…

I liked a lot of things - the magic, the friend group, the slight odes to TVD, Henry😂! But it had some pacing issues, the romance left me wanting ~more~, and I need YA to be GOOOOD to feel it lately and this just missed that. I will most likely read the next one still!

[Jas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma!!! Bravo! I feel like I'm a teenager obsessing over TVD and magic within Mystic Falls again... Emma did an incredible job creating this captivating supernatural world that pulled me right in. The uniqueness (to me) of the Norse Mythology was so compelling & she described the nordic creatures so beautifully (and terrifyingly) well! I absolutely fell in love with one little nordic creature in particular & found myself wishing I had one to keep in my own backpack 😜 I am a little in denial that I have finished the first book and can't immediately keep reading about what's going to happen next in the trilogy... Eternal gratitude for being gifted with the digital ARC and for taking me on this supernatural journey. Looking forward to getting my hands on the gorgeous hardcover copy when it's released!!

[☀︎El In Oz☀︎]

DNF at 10%

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc!

I thought this was college setting - it is not. I tried to push through but I just couldn’t do it I’m afraid. YA fantasy is not for me anymore.

[Mia · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I liked some aspects of this book pieces just didn’t come together. Unfortunately the pacing is inconsistent and writing just wasn’t for me.

[Krystle Rouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a promising novel at the beginning and had an intriguing premise but it just fell flat. As the story u folded the pacing was inconsistent and the plot was disjointed and confusing. This book has a lot of potential but just left me disappointed and wanting more.

I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

[jenelle ｡･:*˚:✧｡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one talk to me for the next 24 business days! I’ll be contemplating this book for the foreseeable future 😭👏🏻

Yall. Yalllllllllll. Why aren’t there more people RAVING about this book?! I literally wouldn’t change a single punctuation mark! Everything was so perfect! This is the kind of book I’ve been YEARNING for!

The modern setting surprised me, I almost went in too blind but it didn’t bother me even a little bit! We’ve got VERY TRUE ENEMIES!!! Like not reluctant allies, not “but there’s something about them,” NO. REAL HONEST TO GOODNESS ENEMIES!! Are they even lovers?! Literally idk!

The plot was so clear the entire time! I never lost sight of what we were doing! The reading was comprehensive, immersive, and perfectly paced!

You get a real vibe of all of the secondary characters and the town and everything surrounding the FMCs life!

There is A LOT of Norse mythology in the book and mythology is not my strong suit. I tend to lean away from books with mythological story lines but PHEW. NOT THIS ONE. And Emma does the most amazing job at informing without boring or over-informing the readers on Norse lore and its part in the story.



I. NEED. BOOK. TWO. it’s been a long while that I’ve died for the second book in a series, but I’m gonna be dying until I get it!

10/10 recommend!

[TeagzReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soul Of Shadow opens up like a YA murder mystery but quickly shifts into so much more! I actually didn’t know this was YA when I picked it up, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one!

The whole concept intrigued me; Norse mythology in an urban fantasy setting! Asgard and Midgard are one and the same but a spell cuts humans off from all magic, to protect them from the dangers of magic, like beasts and curses.

Emma Noyes cinematic writing transported me into each scene with ease, and I quickly lost myself in the story. Soul of Shadow is full of mystery, magic, adorable AND terrifying mythical creatures, enemies to lovers romantic tension, and a morally grey MMC that has the potential to be top tier! And how often do you get fake dating in a romantasy? I am such a sucker for that trope!

A few times it felt a bit cheesy or convenient, but because I’m not the intended audience for YA, I’m not holding that against it. That being said, there are also topics discussed that might be geared toward older teens.

Those twists at the end! I can’t wait to see where she goes with the series, I’m invested now! I think especially for the intended age group this will be a hit!

**Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for sending me a copy to read and review! All opinions are my own.**

[Thais • tata.lifepages • · Rating 4 out of 5]

Y’all I have been searching for a new series that gave me that Vampire Diaries feeling, with the mysterious small town, paranormal suspense and brooding bad boy MMC… & I FOUND IT 😱

This was such a nostalgic fantasy read, but at the same time so refreshing 😍 I LOVED the Norse mythology inspiration (we get a cute gnome sidekick!) and the characters were so well written I connected HARD & felt part of their inner circle 🥹

There are mysterious disappearances, strong friendships and then suddenly a newcomer in town with a bad boy attitude 👀 the banter was BANTERING, also the scenes where all three girls are together are just so fun and cozy it gave me Elena-Bonnie-Caroline vibes 😭❤️

What you can expect:
🖤Norse mythology
🖤morally grey MMC
🖤strong female friendships
🖤paranormal suspense
🖤small town mystery
🖤cute sidekick
🖤enemies to lovers
🖤for fans of TVD!

[jadynfrahm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC. This was sooooo good! I need the second one now! I could not out this one down, I was intrigued from beginning to end. The ending had me wishing for more and excited to read the next one. Everything about this books is beautiful from the cover to the writing to the characters and to the way the setting was explained. I could see this book so clearly in my mind while reading all because of how beautifully Asgard and its creatures were explained. I also have some theories about Charlie that I am excited to know if they are true. If you haven’t added this to your TBR do so now and read it as soon as it comes out!!!

[Amtulwahab · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley and the Publisher for the e-arc of the book. All opinions are my own.

"Soul of Shadows" is the first book in an urban fantasy series set in Michigan, primarily in Silver Shores. The magic system is based on Norse mythology, which I found surprisingly interesting to learn about. This was my first experience reading a book inspired by Norse mythology, and I appreciated how it integrated these mythological elements, making the story engaging and captivating.

However, to put it simply, I did not enjoy this book. I found the portrayal of the main female character (FMC) to be unappealing, as she came across as naive and, frankly, somewhat stupid, masked by an attitude typical of a young, angsty teenager who is grappling with grief. This depiction of grief was one of the reasons I disliked the book; it seemed like the author used the character's grief to justify her actions without genuinely exploring how to cope with such profound emotions. Instead, the subject of grief was only addressed when it served the plot, lacking any meaningful exploration.

I did not like any of the other characters, including the FMC’s love interest, school friends, and family members. It felt like they were all living in their own worlds and, frankly, were quite selfish. They pushed the boundaries of the main character despite knowing her backstory, and at times, it seemed like they didn’t care that she existed in their lives. This was frustrating to read and felt inconsistent. Initially, I thought the author was trying to portray toxic relationships through them, but that wasn’t the case. The FMC had a very good, open, and friendly relationship with everyone, even with her brother, who pretends not to care about her.

I didn't like how the author frequently included modern references, such as social media, contemporary buzzwords, and TV shows. This repetitive inclusion often pulled me out of the story. While it's clear that the narrative takes place in contemporary times, it feels unnecessary to reiterate this so often, especially in a fantasy setting.

Most importantly, I did not like how the author normalized underage drinking, drug use, and casual hookups. While I understand that the characters are teenagers navigating their curiosity about adult activities, portraying these behaviors as everyday occurrences for teens sends the wrong message. It raises the question: How is this considered normal? Additionally, the fact that these actions seem organized and indirectly approved by the adults in the story is concerning.

Considering everything I've pointed out, it's clear that the story ultimately misses the mark. Its inconsistencies, obvious gaps, and predictability significantly undermine the overall experience. This not only left me feeling disappointed but also highlighted the potential for a much stronger narrative.

[maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

HOLY PLOT TWIST!!! Ok so boom, I was NOT expecting that ending. Last fifty pages gave me whiplash more than once, it was a rollercoaster. Honestly, this whole book was and it was so much better that the main characters were paired to work together, trying to solve the small town mysteries. I think their journey really made you question EVERYTHING. The pacing for this book was actually perfect as well. I do think the book focused a lot on the fmc’s, Charlie, main hobby too much, felt a little odd for the book itself. But of course, it came full circle baby!! Her friends were a little annoying too, but still DEFINITELY worth the read! I am so grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this arc, I truly had a blast.

[Julie - One Book More · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soul of Shadow is the first in a new YA romantasy by Emma Noyes. I was excited to read this when I learned it was inspired by The Vampire Diaries and included Norse mythology. It's clear from the start that TVD is a favorite of the author. The main character reminds me so much of Elena, and her two closest friends are really similar to Elena's BFFs, too. There are even some places and events that are clearly based on TVD. I found myself comparing so many elements of the book to TVD, as well as Twilight and Loki, and it sometimes got in the way of my enjoyment of the story.

The MMC is a dark and morally grey mystery, and the romance between him and Charlie was riddled with conflict and tension. They definitely had chemistry, but some of the things he said and did bothered me. I don't know if I'd label this a romance, though I have a feeling that as the story progresses, it will develop into a more romantic relationship. Right now, it feels manipulative and abusive. I guess it ran just a little too dark and twisted for me. I was actually more interested in the romance between two of the secondary characters, the relationship between Charlie and her siblings, and the friendships.

The integration of Norse mythology was interesting, and I liked the fantasy elements. That being said, the story was slow at times, and I never got fully invested in it, the characters, or the love story. I don't know how Charlie could fall for Elias after some of the things he did to her and made her do. The threats he made and the things he said... he's going to need a massive redemption arc in the next book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

[BernLuvsBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mysterious disappearances, strange symbols left in the forest and a dangerous stranger.

Charlie Hudson is grieving the death of her twin sister when she begins looking into the mystery behind some local missing teens. While looking for clues in the forest, she meets Elias Everhart. Suddenly, she finds her eyes and her world opened to a world of magic and monsters. I enjoyed the hidden magical world aspect, the creatures, the mystery and Charlie and Elias. The blend of Asgard and Norse mythology was interesting. We even get the cutest little scene stealer creature companion who is obsessed with Henry Cavill (aren’t we all?).

The ending was unexpected and definitely left me wanting to know what will happen next.

[Ashley ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every page of this!! So excited to be invested in a fantasy series again like when I was a teen. The best part of this book was it was truly like I was watching a movie or tv series in my head which made it sooo easy and amazing to read

[❁ lilyreadsromance ❁ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The queen of trauma is back! (well, she's the Trauma Queen for me, I'm not sure for you guys tho.

In this one, she brought out an urban fantasy YA to her repertoire. Eating disorder what? OCD where? Oh no, we are dealing with grief now (and prom)!

Charlie Hudson was still dealing with the death of her twin, and you can say that she hadn't moved on yet, when everyone around her seemed to have. After a series of disappearances in her town, she found herself deep in the midst of it, especially after meeting the new boy in town. Little by little, as she walked into a new world, she gained a cute new companion and opened herself up to new experiences. However, secrets and deceits awaited her.

I don't know how to explain this feeling I have about this book, other than it felt nostalgic. It felt like I was back in that headspace when I was thirteen and reading those quirky YA fantasy books late at night. When I was in my biggest Supernatural fan mode and binged the whole 10 seasons in one month. When I was team Edward all the way (and not Team Charlie like I am now because ya know, I have daddy issues). It was that weird time of my life, when smutty books were low on my addiction list.

Hence, I may have liked this book because I'm a little bit biased. But again, that's the beauty of reading, isn't it? It's never the same experience for everyone. I may not love this book to high heaven but I definitely appreciate the feeling it brought me.

The plot is intriguing. It did take me by surprise somewhere there.

The characters are amazingly written. I love Charlie, despite her emo mood sometimes. I love the banter we have with Elias, the brooding bad boy. There are a few plot holes that I wish were addressed, a lot of them about Elias, but I'll wait for the next book before I pass my judgment. I love our small group of friends. I especially love Mason as a character. There's something about him that feels deeper than he should be. Also, Henry? My precious.

Above all, and this is what I love the most about this book. The worldbuilding. High praise for the way the author injected the whole supernatural/paranormal aspects into the book. It was so vibrant with histories, chaotic with its interesting creatures and so freaking enjoyable to read. I mean, I miss reading a good urban fantasy setting and this one delivered it perfectly. Despite the whole disaster it left us in in the end there, I don't want to leave this world so soon. Truly, it was the worldbuilding and diverse creatures that won me over. Without them, I think this book would be just your average fantasy YA. Well, the tropes obviously followed your typical average YA fantasy.

All in all, I'm bit biased, but I enjoyed the hell out of this book. It was a good time for me. Something could be improved with the plot (I was interested in the disappearances, but that didn't really fly much) but eh, I'm okay with it.

Who would I recommend this to? Someone who wants a palate cleanser. Who loves Norse mythology. Someone who enjoys good worldbuilding and mystical creatures roaming around in the background. Somthing with high school drama and the destruction of the world. Well, did I convince you yet?

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for providing me with a gifted ebook copy of Soul of Shadow through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Charlie Hudson just wants to make it through Junior year. Things haven't been easy since she lost her twin sister, Sophie, two years ago, and she feels like she's just going through the motions of life. But things take a mysterious turn when some of her classmates go missing, and strange symbols are found carved into the trees in the woods. Charlie knows she shouldn't get involved, but she can't resist the pull to investigate the disappearances. Her search ends up leading her to the new Senior, Elias Everhart, and Charlie discovers that there's magic, gods and monsters, and a world hidden in plain sight of her little town of Silver Shores.

I was definitely drawn to the premise of Norse mythology, mixed with modern day, in Soul of Shadow. The book really did give me a feel of The Vampire Diaries, with a small town having dangerous secrets. I actually felt like I could have been watching an episode of Legacies, while reading the book.

The book is a fun, easy read, and I enjoyed Charlie and her friends as the main characters. I loved the friend relationship between the three of them, and Lou and Abigail's constant bickering made me laugh. Elias was a great morally grey character, and he never seemed to do what I thought he would do.

There's a good bit of suspense with the missing students and how it ties into the Norse storyline. I really enjoyed the setting of a hidden world, and what it was like once Charlie had the ability to see it. The various creatures were a really great addition, and I just have to say that the Vatte that attaches itself to Charlie wins as one of my all-time favorite side characters!! The mythology of Odin and Loki really kept me interested in the conflict of the story, and I loved all of the Marvel movie references.

Soul of Shadow is definitely a fun, Young Adult fantasy read! The cliffhanger ending had me wanting more, and I can't wait to see where the story goes in the next book. If you enjoy shows/movies like TVD and Twilight, with high school drama, the supernatural, morally grey MMCs, secrets/lies, and small town vibes then I would highly recommend Soul of Shadow.