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A review by alysepalsulich
To Kill a Shadow by Katherine Quinn
2.0
4/10 stars
I liked the cover and sprayed edges…that’s about it. I gave it four stars for the premise and design of the book, but there wasn’t anything else I enjoyed. Every single character fell flat as the author tried to rely upon tropes (ie, I’m not like other girls, overly friendly best friend, shadow daddy, chosen one…there wasn’t a single original character). Likewise, the story itself tried to play off of other hit romantacy novels (just reread Fourth Wing or pick up Once Upon a Broken Heart over this one for your own sanity). I think I’m even more upset about this book because I had been so excited to read it.
The premise is that there is a cursed land with knights (sick right?? We should get TONS of world building and plot development and magic system info). Our main character Kiara steps in to save her brother and becomes a knight herself even though the knights are all male (ooohhh so we’ll maybe get some She’s the Man Vibes). Starting off, the author throws you in the midst of things as though you’re joining a lecture for which you’re halfway late-I don’t have a problem with this as it can aid to an interesting middle of action start. However that info you feel like you’re missing? You never get it. That world building? Ignored. Character relationships? You’re TOLD how much everyone means to each other, but it’s never shown. Sadly, 90% of this book is telling not showing. It feels as though the author wanted every line to be quote worthy and wanted it to be as dramatic as possible, but in doing so made every sentence fall flat.
And then there is the romance. Have you ever heard of insta-love? Yeah check out this one. MOMENTS after first seeing her our supposed dark, cold, unfeeling assassin is in love and willing to give up the world for her. He reminded me of one of those guys you meet in college who has no social skills and ends up stalking you to your dorm and dining until you call campus police. Luckily, Kiara reciprocates his feelings so it’s not creepy (it still is to me, but we’ll ignore that). Kiara is the female equivalent so I guess it evens out. Only, she is determined to make every one of the knights her “brother.” I don’t remember the exact timeline, but within a few weeks she is commenting on how they are all as close knit as any family if not closer (mind you she came to take her brother’s place, but forget him am I right? Just replace him with these new guys). It is brought up MANY times how they are like family. You know how in SOC you love that found family as it grows and develops? Don’t worry, you don’t have to wait and read through any development here because you’ll be told over and over again how much they’re like family after instantly bonding.
In the midst of all of this Kiara and the knights are supposed to be training (again, we still don’t really know the knights’ purpose…they’re meant to fight, but what is that? The curse?) but it really reads more of Kiara and Jude trying to banter (this was copy paste cringe lines from every book) and both flirting and pretending to hate each other between their few meetings. This section is also Kiara reminding you she’s strong, unlike all those other girls who are weak and could never handle an environment like she is. Oh, and Jude (male love interest) growling every time a guy touches her…mind you she is the only female and she is sparring and friends with the guys…I think one time he managed to hold his growl back.
Eventually they head off into the cursed forest where there’s a lot of death, monsters, and confused feelings. The end was supposed to be a big plot twist, but realistically I think everyone will see some part of it coming (not from foreshadowing but because there isn’t any other option for the ending). Also, slight spoiler alert, but IMO the ending doesn’t make sense. The character that turns could have done what he did at any time so why wait? Why risk it? THERE IS NO LOGIC IN THIS BOOK. We never learn about the world or magic system and only gain an info dump on lore in the last few chapters.
Overall, I think the author was coerced into writing a romantacy in the Fourth Wing era and there’s nothing more there.
I liked the cover and sprayed edges…that’s about it. I gave it four stars for the premise and design of the book, but there wasn’t anything else I enjoyed. Every single character fell flat as the author tried to rely upon tropes (ie, I’m not like other girls, overly friendly best friend, shadow daddy, chosen one…there wasn’t a single original character). Likewise, the story itself tried to play off of other hit romantacy novels (just reread Fourth Wing or pick up Once Upon a Broken Heart over this one for your own sanity). I think I’m even more upset about this book because I had been so excited to read it.
The premise is that there is a cursed land with knights (sick right?? We should get TONS of world building and plot development and magic system info). Our main character Kiara steps in to save her brother and becomes a knight herself even though the knights are all male (ooohhh so we’ll maybe get some She’s the Man Vibes). Starting off, the author throws you in the midst of things as though you’re joining a lecture for which you’re halfway late-I don’t have a problem with this as it can aid to an interesting middle of action start. However that info you feel like you’re missing? You never get it. That world building? Ignored. Character relationships? You’re TOLD how much everyone means to each other, but it’s never shown. Sadly, 90% of this book is telling not showing. It feels as though the author wanted every line to be quote worthy and wanted it to be as dramatic as possible, but in doing so made every sentence fall flat.
And then there is the romance. Have you ever heard of insta-love? Yeah check out this one. MOMENTS after first seeing her our supposed dark, cold, unfeeling assassin is in love and willing to give up the world for her. He reminded me of one of those guys you meet in college who has no social skills and ends up stalking you to your dorm and dining until you call campus police. Luckily, Kiara reciprocates his feelings so it’s not creepy (it still is to me, but we’ll ignore that). Kiara is the female equivalent so I guess it evens out. Only, she is determined to make every one of the knights her “brother.” I don’t remember the exact timeline, but within a few weeks she is commenting on how they are all as close knit as any family if not closer (mind you she came to take her brother’s place, but forget him am I right? Just replace him with these new guys). It is brought up MANY times how they are like family. You know how in SOC you love that found family as it grows and develops? Don’t worry, you don’t have to wait and read through any development here because you’ll be told over and over again how much they’re like family after instantly bonding.
In the midst of all of this Kiara and the knights are supposed to be training (again, we still don’t really know the knights’ purpose…they’re meant to fight, but what is that? The curse?) but it really reads more of Kiara and Jude trying to banter (this was copy paste cringe lines from every book) and both flirting and pretending to hate each other between their few meetings. This section is also Kiara reminding you she’s strong, unlike all those other girls who are weak and could never handle an environment like she is. Oh, and Jude (male love interest) growling every time a guy touches her…mind you she is the only female and she is sparring and friends with the guys…I think one time he managed to hold his growl back.
Eventually they head off into the cursed forest where there’s a lot of death, monsters, and confused feelings. The end was supposed to be a big plot twist, but realistically I think everyone will see some part of it coming (not from foreshadowing but because there isn’t any other option for the ending). Also, slight spoiler alert, but IMO the ending doesn’t make sense. The character that turns could have done what he did at any time so why wait? Why risk it? THERE IS NO LOGIC IN THIS BOOK. We never learn about the world or magic system and only gain an info dump on lore in the last few chapters.
Overall, I think the author was coerced into writing a romantacy in the Fourth Wing era and there’s nothing more there.