I’m a night mare, darling. I know you don’t yet fully grasp what that means, but surely you must have some idea. – Soul of Shadow
The first and most overwhelming thought I had when I finished this audiobook was quite simple: “I NEED BOOK TWO NOW!” Luckily for me, book two is released March 10, so I don’t have to wait too painfully long. This audiobook pulled me in quick and refused to let me go!
If you’re looking for a spoiler-free review of Soul of Shadow, this YA romantasy completely surprised me in the best way possible. It starts with highschool struggles and then slowly unfolds with magic, mystery, deep emotion, and one tiny character who stole my entire heart.
This post could contain affiliate links, which means I would receive a small commission at no cost to you should you shop using the links.
What Soul of Shadow Is About (Spoiler-Free)
Soul of Shadow follows Charlie, a young girl navigating both highschool and a dangerous magical world that exists just beyond her ordinary vision. When a classmate vanishes into the forest, leaving behind only his tennis shoes, mysterious symbols are discovered carved into a tree, and Charlie is pulled into a world she never knew existed.
Her search for answers leads her to become entangled with Elias, a newcomer whose charm has everyone swooning, but whose mysterious manner has Charlie questioning his connection to the disappearances.
With Elias’s help (or hindrance? It’s hard to truly tell at this point), Charlie finds herself transformed and able to see a hidden realm within her own world, filled with magic and creatures. As truths begin to surface, Charlie must navigate love, death, lies, and the unsettling realization that not everything (or everyone) is as it seems.
Soul of Shadow Review: Audiobook
This was such a fun and magical YA romantasy to listen to! The world feels immersive without becoming overwhelming with too many names and places, which again feels perfect for a YA audience. This touch of simplicity makes it easy to fall right into the story and stay there.
The audiobook narration was so good! The narrator brought emotional depth to the characters and really captured the perfect tone for both the dangerous and heartfelt moments. Her performance made the listening experience so easy to stay engaged with.
But we need to talk about Henry. My beloved Henry. The romantasy label is what initially pulled me in, but Henry is what truly stole my heart. I would protect him at all costs, and I need to find out more about his future immediately. Please.
Soul of Shadow Review: Final Thoughts
Going in, I expected a little more romance since this is marketed as a romantasy (I’m choosing to believe the romance will continue to grow in future installments). While the romantic tension was present, it still feels like it needs a lot more development to be fully believable at this stage.
Elias especially needs to get his act together. He left me wanting more clarity from his character, and I am so curious to see where his and Charlies story goes next.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Overall, Soul of Shadow was a four star read for me! With its mystery and magic, I am for sure continuing this series when available!
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review Soul of Shadow.
shop this post
