I really liked this book and the writing! The story was full of plot twists and intrigue. The Shadows of Wren was very imaginative and had unique story line that held my interest until the end.

Magical and action packed. I found myself really invested in this story. Good world building and great character development.

4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved this book!! The world building was great, leading the story to possibly continue into a series. To which I am very excited to see happen. Magic 🪄, necromancy, mythical creatures, shadow wielding, and some romance… yes please🤩

The story flowed so well for me, the characters, their journey, and their issues. I could not get enough of it. I loved how Jen Bliton made Wren relatable with anxiety and her doubtful thoughts.

Also, Wren and Tyran, ughhh I cannot get enough of them 🖤 I swear I wished this book had some 🌶️ scenes 😅 They literally are my favorites from the book. Like come on when Tyran calls Wren “My Dark Star” ⭐️ (internally screams), bye I’m unwell. Loved their interactions and how their relationship progressed.

Thank you Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book and to review it.

Rating: 2.5/5

The world building was incredible and the overall premise was promising; however, I felt that the characters lacked dimension and personality. I felt as if every character that was introduced, instantly opened their arms for one another - there was no tension or banter that I generally enjoy when I read fantasy books. The romantic dynamic between Wren and Tyran seemed instant, which may be perfectly ok for other readers but it is not my favorite. Overall, the book was an easy, simplistic read which may be perfect for some! Ultimately, I do not think this book was for me.

3.5 Stars Rounded to 4

I did enjoy this book but found it to be a little slow but after a few chapters it did get me hooked. The Shadow of Wren is a fantasy book which follows a forbidden love between two young magic users who both have different magic, one a mage the other a Necromancer. Magic which people have hunted down and been killed for.
The world building was fantastic and really descriptive. The book was well written and had a good plot. I loved the magic system in this book and found it worked perfectly. I did find that the book lacked some depth in both the characters development and the plot. I would have loved the plot to have more going forward.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

"Sometimes people fear what they don't understand"

I wanted to end the year with a fantasy that completely transports you into another world. The Shadows of Wren didn't fully scratch that itch. The world was well built and I understood the lore and the magic within it, I enjoyed the moments about trying to figure out the dynamics of how this world of Mages and Necromancers operates.

My biggest downside was the characters themselves, specifically our main female and male lead. From the beginning of the book I never truly felt connected or was made to care about Wren. I could tell the author tried to make me understand and connect with her but it felt more telling than showing. The same goes for Tyran, and because of this, their relationship didn't feel as if it had a lot of depth. It felt more insta-love for me because of how fast the relationship pacing was rather than a gradual progression of two people falling in love. This opinion doesn't go for all characters, however, as I enjoyed the depth and backstory we got from Viggo.

Overall as a fantasy, I enjoyed myself, but as a romance not as much.

Thank you to netgalley for the arc! <3

I wanted to love this. There is so much potential but it just fell short for me. I felt like some of the character and backstory descriptions were thrown in at such random intervals that the placement felt odd. Great story line; I just wish there was more....

I don´t know if the book has been for me at all, but Wren definitely is.
On the one hand the plot is simple, wich I like because sometimes less is more, but it would have been nice if there was more context. It introduces you to the villian and the plot but tell you very little about both, I feel that 50 more pages would have been good to give context and that everything was more organic.
On the other hand, the magic system and the supernatural creatures follow the limple line that I like, so great :) I like to read convoluted magic systems, but to be easier to understand are also well. And the fact of being able to visualize in my head the creatures that are spoken of so clearly has been such a pleasure.
But the jewel in the crown is Wren. Is a character that feels very real. The are times when she feels anxiety or even doesn't know how she feels, and it's one of the few stories where I've seen this. She makes mistakes, she feels overwhelmed, she doesn't easily forgive a betrayal just because it's the right thing to do, she is real and makes you empathize with her.
I think the final battle might have lasted a little longer to be more epic, but it's not a bad book. I think it might be ideal for someone who starts reading fantasy with romance, but without spice scenes.

This book tells the story of a young woman who goes on the hunt for an arsonist who set her beloved libraries on fire but they’re not just libraries to Wren and her community. The libraries held the Red Kingdom’s magical and ancient texts. She ends up joining forces with Tyran, a necromancer (user of death magic). This causes issues due to long held biases and stereotypes. This does have a romance element and follows the template used by many fantasy books.

Thank you Net Galley for the e-arc!

Wren is orphaned as a child and discovers that she has a gift for shadow magic. As she grows, she trains with her father to learn how to work her magic. This was a book that was difficult to get into, and that may be because I don’t normally read this type of genre, it did have a good plot/storyline but it just wasn’t for me.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I really wanted to like it, but this book simply wasn't for me. However, I do recognize that it might be perfect for some readers. So, here are a few reasons you might consider picking it up:

-Complete Story - no cliffhangers
-Fast Paced - the plot kept right on moving ahead
-Limited Worldbuilding - all plot and not worldbuilding info dump to sit through
-No complex plot to keep track of - everything is simply stated and there are no threads to tease out of remember

If you want a simple romantasy escape, this is the book for you.

Unfortunately, The Shadows of Wren didn't work for me because of its simplicity. There was no tension, no drama. Everyone politely introduced themselves and immediately offered up the information needed to move the plot along. I feel like it could have used a little more development.

“No matter how dark, and through all the shadows, I see you, and I love you.”

The Shadows of Wren by Jen Bilton is the first instalment in a romantic fantasy series. It follows Wren, a young mage, and Tyran, a mysterious Necromancer, as they discover they share an ancient magic which people are hunted down and killed for. Lives are changed when libraries begin burning down and valuable texts are stolen. Unlikely alliances must form to save the peace of their kingdom against a force trying to wield unformidable power.

This book had me completely captivated at the first page. The world-building was incredible and the intricate details made me feel like I was in the story. Each page held important information and the writing was well-paced. The plot took unpredictable and exciting turns leaving me completely hooked and on the edge of my seat, it was so hard to put down. I loved learning about the different characters and types of magic.

There were a couple of things which could've made this book even better. I think the romance between Wren and Tyran could've been more of a slow burn to create a phenomenal enemies to lovers story. On a few occasions, I found that the language used felt slightly too modern for the time period the story was depicted in. Other than those tiny criticisms, the story felt perfect.

I know we all love a Shadow Daddy, but how about a powerful shadow wielding FMC?

I truly can't believe The Shadows of Wren isn't viral, it's a must-read for all romantic fantasy fans!

Rating - ****/5
Spice - 1
This book was great! Lots of turns and twists and even had me in tears at some points. The story between Tyran and Wren was predictable in some aspect but still amazing.

The book was beautifully written and well thought out. The plot was also fantastic. The end was finished open ended so I am uncertain if there will be a second book in the future.

I like a little more spice in my books. This was definitely of the YA variety but great nonetheless. I would definitely recommend this book to all fantasy readers and it is also safe for all teens. I would however give caution to some scary aspects ex: different creatures and undead warriors.

4.4 rounded down to 4/5.

"The Shadows of Wren" by Jen Bliton invites readers into the enchanting world of Caldumn, a realm of magic and mystery. Fans of
Sorcery of Thorns will love this book as it weaves a captivating tale filled with vivid world-building and an intriguing magic system.

The story unfolds as the southern towns of Caldumn face an ominous threat – their libraries are burned, and ancient texts stolen by an unknown force. In the midst of this conflict, Wren, a nineteen-year-old Mage, becomes an unexpected key player. The narrative takes readers on a journey that goes beyond Wren's peaceful life, forming an unlikely alliance between different magical beings.

The characters, particularly Wren and Tyran, are well-crafted, and the dynamics between them add depth to the narrative. While the romance aspect develops quickly, the novel manages to maintain a sense of intrigue and anticipation. The drama surrounding Wren and Tyran could have explored additional obstacles to enrich their relationship further.

One of the book's strengths lies in its world-building. The author paints a vivid picture of Caldumn, immersing readers in its magical landscapes and diverse magical beings. The magic system is well thought out and adds an additional layer of fascination to the story.

"Shadows of Wren" is a fast-paced read, perfect for a cozy day or the onset of fall. It keeps the pages turning with a compelling plot that combines elements of fantasy, magic, and adventure. As a debut novel, Jen Bliton demonstrates impressive storytelling and leaves readers eagerly anticipating what comes next.

In conclusion, "The Shadows of Wren" is a must-read for fans of magical fantasy. With its enchanting world, well-developed characters, and an engaging plot, it establishes Jen Bliton as a promising new voice in the fantasy genre.

Outlier alert! First, let me say that the world building was exactly what I desire from a fantasy novel. And the cover is beautiful. What I couldn’t suspend reality for was the insta-love. That trope doesn’t ever work for me.

This fantasy book was so enjoyable. The magic system was very well done. And it had me hooked from the beginning. The romance was amazing. Would highly recommend!

That cover is what drew me in and I’m so glad I was able to read this, it had a great overall concept that worked in the genre. Jen Bliton has a great writing style for this type of book and the characters within this world. I was enjoying what I read and thought the characters were perfect.

I loved this book!
The story is told with such finesse and has a lovely storyline that makes you care for the characters and mourn when there is a loss of even the background characters. I read a lot and this is up there as one of the more beautiful books I have read recently, and I have read A LOT!
The story follows a young woman with powers and has known that there is something more within her. Very few know of this unknown power within her as it can be dangerous for others to find out. On a mission with her father and their troops, she gets separated and finds herself face to face with a necromancer, a breed that her father has hated and used to instill fear in her so she never mingles with their kind. After their unexpected meeting, they see each other again and realize that he also has the same power running through him.
They begin training with each other to determine the true strength of their power and how to wield it safely and it's a good thing they did because soon they will be face to face with Rhonin, his father.
The battle ensues for an obelisk that holds great power and can be unleashed using the power they both hold.
I can't tell you anymore without giving away a beautiful ending.
Please read it and I hope you enjoy it!

Shadows of Wren follows a mage. After a series of fires, she goes on a quest to find the culprits behind it.

On the journey she meets Tyran a necromancer. They have a strange connection that arises between them. This connection draws them together. This connection draws them together and they unite forces to save the kingdom.

"This was a good short book to read. I did like the characters and the story. The story kept me engaged and wanting more."

There's nothing like a magical read about a forbidden love of two young adults who hold a special magic to fight against an evil, dark power to save their lands.

Shadows of Wren is a nice fantasy read that is the start of great world building. Through the series, I can see the character developing some strong main female characters based on how her past will shape her to continue to fight for her land to be peaceful.