A Touch of Shadows by Jessica Thorne

This early review copy was gifted to me by Second Sky through NetGalley. This in no way impacts the rating of the book. All of my reviews contain my honest opinions.

Title: A Touch of Shadows

Series: The Lost Queen

Author: Jessica Thorne

Release Date: September 5, 2024

Publisher: Second Sky

Genre: Romantasy

Source: digital, NetGalley

TW: animal death, graphic sexual content

Synopsis

A lost queen’s sacrifice. Two kingdoms at war for centuries. And a spark of passion between hunter and hunted with the power to end everything…

The shadow magic has always whispered to Wren. The same dark power that once ravaged her home kingdom of Asteroth. So she must keep her magic hidden, only using it to help people in need in the remote border village she calls home. Discovery of her gifts would mean death.

Noble knight Finn has sworn to serve his new home, Asteroth, by hunting down those who use shadow magic. He has never forgiven his father, ruler of enemy kingdom Ilanthus, for his terrible cruelty. Spying for Asteroth in his own father’s royal court is his revenge – and carrying a warning of raiding parties on the move, Finn is passing through Wren’s small town…

When terrible creatures in the nearby forest attack him, Wren risks exposing her magic and saves his life. But as they touch, burning desire takes over.

And Wren’s magic floods through them both.

As the power fades, Wren and Finn’s wariness of each other returns, even with a new bond between them. But there’s no time to untangle their feelings from the seductive call of the magic. Because with enemy soldiers crossing the border, dark days are coming to Asteroth…

Their fates now entwined, can Wren and Finn learn to trust each other to save their kingdom? Or will they be the key to its destruction?

Thoughts

I was absolutely captivated by "A Touch of Shadows"! From the very first page, I found myself completely engrossed in the story. The plot was filled with unexpected twists and turns, and each revelation left me eager to uncover more.

The character dynamics were particularly impressive. I found myself deeply invested in the relationships between the various characters, each interaction adding depth to the overall narrative. The air of mystery and the abundance of secrets kept me on the edge of my seat, and I'm thrilled that there are still more to be revealed in future installments.

One aspect I particularly enjoyed was the magic system. The concept of light and dark magic being two sides of the same coin was fascinating. I loved how some characters "called the light" while others "pulled the shadows" – it added a unique dimension to the magical elements of the story.

Jessica Thorne's writing is simply beautiful. Her prose brought the world to life in vivid detail, making it easy for me to immerse myself in the setting. The court politics and the rich history between the characters added layers of complexity that I thoroughly appreciated.

Overall, I found the world-building to be exceptional. Thorne has created a rich, intricate universe that I can't wait to explore further. I'm already eagerly anticipating the next book in the series, which is releasing the same day as book one!