A review by er_inreads
Shades of Smoke and Shadows by Celia Ralk

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

As I read this book I tried to think how I would review it.  I could talk about the magic systems, the various species of fae, of shifters, I could talk about the wingspan. And I probably should.

I should tell you how it’s a unique take on fae and magic, on tyrannical kings & entire missing courts. We should talk about how the FMC is clearly more than she appears, about how certain magic appears on your skin in a physical form. We should talk about the sort-of love triangle, what I assume is a fated mate, the hidden identities that are slowly coming to light. The betrayals, the miscommunication, the attitudey, naive FMC who is absolutely not here to fuck spiders. We should talk about it all, about how I loved it, mostly. There was a few spots I felt were draggy (is that a word, idk, my heart and mind are destroyed), and a few that felt not needed, which is why it’s not a full 5 star. We should. But I can’t. 

Because I kept reading. I read, and my heart rate increased. And then it shattered. It shattered twice. The ending. THE ENDING. I need book 2, immediately.  

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to review this book. These opinions are my own.
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