Thank you NetGalley and SparkPress for the ARC of Follow the Shadows by Rosemary Drisdelle.

Follow the Shadows by Rosemary Drisdelle is a gripping thriller that takes readers on a pulse-pounding journey through the dark underbelly of a small town plagued by secrets and lies.

Set against the backdrop of a tight-knit community with a troubled past, Drisdelle masterfully crafts a tale of suspense and intrigue that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The story centers on the disappearance of a young woman named Ally, whose vanishing sends shockwaves through the town and sets off a chain of events that uncover long-buried secrets.

Drisdelle's writing is atmospheric and evocative, creating a sense of unease that permeates every page. The small town setting is vividly rendered, with its picturesque façade hiding a web of deceit and betrayal lurking just beneath the surface.

The characters in Follow the Shadows are complex and multifaceted, each harboring their own motivations and hidden agendas. From the enigmatic protagonist, Detective Eliot Lefebvre, to the colorful cast of suspects and witnesses, every character feels distinct and fully realized.

As the investigation unfolds, Drisdelle ratchets up the tension with each twist and turn, expertly building suspense until the shocking truth is finally revealed. The pacing is brisk, with short, punchy chapters that keep the momentum going and make it difficult to put the book down.

At its core, Follow the Shadows is a compelling exploration of the darkness that lurks within us all and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. It's a haunting and immersive read that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Overall, Follow the Shadows is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers, with its compelling characters, atmospheric setting, and twisty plot that will keep readers guessing until the final page. Rosemary Drisdelle has crafted a masterful thriller that will linger in the mind long after the last shadow has faded.

I really wanted to love this, I was instantly drawn in by the cover; but honestly I found the book a bit of a slog & I kept putting it down and forgetting about it for days at a time before I picked it up again. The world building was fairly basic, it wasn’t anything incredible. Enough to set a basic scene and that’s about it. The MC was a struggle and honestly I wanted to grab her by the shoulders and shake her a fair few times. Loved the dragons, they were great but I wanted more page time with them. For an alleged witchy book there wasn’t actually much witchiness or magic happening, it was quite sparse. I enjoyed it enough that I finished it but I don’t think I’d ever do a reread. It is very basic ya fantasy, perhaps a good introduction to the genre for tweens & very young teens.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of Follow the Shadows by Rosemary Drisdelle.

This was a lovely middle-grade/YA book with some lovely world building. I particularly enjoyed the different lands for the different dragons, and the way the author describes landscapes and scenery.

I will purchase a hard copy of this book to read to my students.

Solid YA Fantasy with an unexpected take on a dragon story.

Follow the Shadows by Rosemary Drisdelle tells the story of Marise who more or less by mistake ends up in Moerden, a world where Dragons live and where she ends up solving a mystery around the deaths of the Dragons there. There might be parasites involved which I thought was a really different kind of story that surely isn't being told a lot. Apparently Drisdelle is an expert on parasites and has even written a nonfiction book on them so I should think that the parasite part is absolutely plausible in its details.

Generally speaking, the world-building is pretty inventive and focused on a nature of different landscapes where different groups of dragons live. The way the dragon society was pictured I liked a lot. The thing that worked less well for me was unfortunately our heroine Marise. She is a bit self-centered and dense (which makes sense for a teenager) but then, from time to time, she would "know" things she actually had no way at all of knowing, but which were required for the plot. Like, she "knew" she would find a solution for the parasites and also find a way to heal an afflicted dragon. She also "knows" the correct names for things and animals in Moerden without anybody ever telling her, etc.

What is done realistically is how Marise grows with the challenges she is facing. However, I was not a fan of the fact that when Marise learns that her family thinks her dead she does not even consider finding a way to at least let them know that she is alive - it surely would have been a smaller challenge than ridding a whole world of a parasite, no?

This is probably written as YA but it actually reads younger. I think this would work well for middle grade as well. Maybe this is due to the fact that the writing is a bit simple and personally could not quite draw me in. Of course, this is mostly a matter of taste and I think this book should still appeal to the young and young at heart who like their dragon stories with a dash of something different.

I have received an advance review copy via NetGalley from the publisher and voluntarily provide my honest opinion. Thank you very much!

This book had an interesting story premise with a unique mix of high fantasy and syfy, the overall underlying message about the damage that we as humanity can do when introducing non-native species into an environment is an important one.
I feel the writing needed more polishing. The book was well-paced and engaging in places, but slow and clunky in others. There were a few confusing points, due to gaps in information. And there were a few places where the writing felt melodramatic. Lastly, even though this is marketed for young adult readers, the simplicity of the writing felt more suited for young middle grade readers.

Good ideas.

I was hesitant in reading this book after the impact Fourth Wing has left on me, but I was pleasantly surprised! I LOVED the dragons in the story. The main character however, felt rather annoying. She wasn’t an easy character to fall in love with. It was a pretty easy read that I had a fun time with, but it didn’t move me very much. I probably won’t reread, but had fun with it.

This was AMAZING. I loved reading about the main character and how she ended up getting sent to the world of dragons, with a beautiful history and hierarchy. It was interesting to read about the sickness dragons were facing and how the characters, dragon and human, all worked together in the end to try and cure it. I would love to read more with these characters and 100% recommend this to any fantasy fans, young or old, as I believe everyone would love a beautifully written story like this.

Thank you for the eARC.

I feel like this book is underdeveloped and had dragons just to check the box. I missed a lot of development and depth in the characters and plot. I feel like if this book had a little more writing time, it could be great for me.

First of all, a huge thank you to NetGalley and SparkPress for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Follow The Shadows is the first instalment in the Tales of Moerden series (I haven’t found any information on how many books there will be in this series) in which we follow Marise as she steals a crystal ball and accidentally ends up in another world, Moerden, full of dragons. Unable to return home, she learns that the dragons are dying from a mysterious illness, and decides to help them. Will she succeed in finding a cure to their illness? Will she manage to return home?

I would like to start by saying that this book is intended for younger audiences and that I would call it a middle grade book, not a young adult book as it is marketed. I really struggled to read this book because of this, and because of other things, such as the fact that the blurb makes you think that there will be lots of magic when, in reality, there is almost no magic involved. Also, things felt too easy at some point. I kind of wish I had DNF’d this book but that I am not that kind of person.

That being said, this book has some positive aspects! The worldbuilding is interesting with all the different kinds of dragons and the way their crystal balls work. The main character is not perfect, but that is what makes her believable and someone you could identify with. And there are a lot of dragons, although I probably would not recommend reading this book if you are looking to read a book as great as Fourth Wing sounds.

I will not read the sequel(s) of this book.

Follow the Shadows wouldn't be considered my normal read but I am so glad I picked this one up.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

Great concept full of magic and dragons. Sadly, I don't think the book lived up to its full potential and its clearly trying to piggybank on the dragon era of 2023. I didn't click with the Marise as a main character. The book had some interesting twists, lively pacing but the characters were 2D, rigid or self-absorbed letting the story down. Its mean girls meets dragons.

Gorgeous book cover and the designer deserves a solid 5 stars for a gorgeous design. Content of the book gets a 2 stars from me.

1.5/5

Received as an eARC from NetGalley

Positives: There were dragons.

Negatives: God, where do I start? I'm not sure what this book was trying to be, but I hated every second of it. Marise is annoying and confusing as a character, the dragons aren't much more interesting than she is, the writing is 'meh' at best, and I'm convinced the author has never met a teenager in their life. It was just boring and it could've been better if the main character was actually interesting.

Overall, bad.

The synopsis of this book is what drew me to wanting to read it. I did enjoy this book but felt that it fell into the much younger side of ya and I did struggle a little.
I think it was the fantasy and dragon aspect which is what drew me in mostly.
The book was good but it did take me a while to finish as I just wasn’t hooked unfortunately.
The authors writing style was easy to follow along with. The characters growth and development can been seen throughout the book.

Thank you to Netgalley, the Author and the Publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Title: A Captivating Journey into the Supernatural

"Follow the Shadows" by Rosemary Drisdelle is a spellbinding foray into the realm of the supernatural, blending mystery, intrigue, and paranormal elements to create an engaging and unforgettable reading experience.

The novel introduces us to Emily, a relatable and well-crafted protagonist who stumbles upon a mysterious ability to see and communicate with ghosts. Drisdelle skillfully portrays Emily's internal conflict and confusion as she grapples with her newfound powers. Emily's journey of self-discovery and acceptance forms the emotional core of the story, making her a character readers can easily connect with.

The plot is a finely woven tapestry of past and present, as Emily delves into the secrets of her family's history and the spirits that haunt her ancestral home. Drisdelle's writing is rich in detail, creating an atmospheric setting that draws readers into the haunted world she has created. The pacing is well-balanced, with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged from start to finish.

What sets "Follow the Shadows" apart is Drisdelle's ability to blend the supernatural elements seamlessly with the human drama. The interactions between Emily and the spirits are poignant and often heartwrenching, adding depth and emotion to the story. Additionally, the author explores themes of family, identity, and the enduring power of love, giving the narrative a profound and relatable dimension.

While the book leans heavily on the supernatural, it also tackles real-world issues such as grief and healing, making it a multi-layered and thought-provoking read. Drisdelle's prose is evocative, and her vivid descriptions allow readers to vividly imagine the eerie and mystical landscapes she paints.

In conclusion, "Follow the Shadows" is a captivating novel that seamlessly weaves together elements of the supernatural, mystery, and human drama. Rosemary Drisdelle's storytelling prowess shines through in this engaging and emotionally resonant tale. Whether you're a fan of paranormal fiction or simply enjoy a well-crafted story with relatable characters, "Follow the Shadows" is a must-read that will keep you enthralled until the very last page.

this book was okay. it was different than what i expected to be honest. i probably wouldn't reread it but i enjoyed it. i found that it was a little too young in the ya genre for me to thoroughly enjoy.

A really fun and cute read! I really enjoyed that! It was reallyatmospheric and had everything I love in a book! Fantasy, witches, animals, magic. All just a yes from me. It was a really fun read.

I got about 25% but couldn’t get into it. I think it might just not be for me but I bet a bunch of others will enjoy

The main character Marise is a girl who is interested in Witchy practices. She is so intrigued by Wicca that she steals a crystal ball & accidentally propels herself into another world……full of dragons! Once she is there she learns that some of the dragons are dying from a mysterious illness and she wants to help but not all of the dragons are happy to see her! Does she save the dragons? Does she find a way back home? Or is she stuck with dying and deadly dragons forever?

The story begins quite fast-paced with a lot of action happening straight away, I enjoyed this rather than a slow build up and it had me asking questions from the start. I do think there could have been a bit more background to give more context but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Marise is brave in her endeavours but I didn’t overly warm to her in the beginning. I found I was more concerned for the dragons but as the story went on I found I opened up to her a little more.

I loved the writing about the dragons and how they communicate, it’s so different to anything I’ve ever read about dragons which was a nice change. The mysterious illness had me worried for the dragons and I found myself vying for them to live!!!!

I would love to see a second story in this series, maybe even a prequel. I would like to know more about how the dragons live with each other, their relationships and the hierarchy etc. It would be great to get a bit more background on them.

Overall, I found this book easy to read and it kept me engaged throughout. The pace did lull in places but I was still drawn in by what might happen in the end. If you love dragons (I’m sure everyone does) and magical adventures (who doesn’t?) then this is definitely a book for you!

Thank you to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton & Rosemary Drisdelle for an Advanced Review Copy in return for an honest review!

I'm going to have to DNF this one. Definitely geared more towards middle grade so I am not the target audience you are looking for.