⭐️⭐️.5 - a very complex magic system that I did not understand but I really enjoyed aspects of the book and the concept was really intriguing!

The writing style was very poetic and flowed very well throughout the book. I really enjoy Kate Dylan’s style and the concept of this book was so intriguing!! Kate’s writing flowed so well keeping me interested and enthusiastic.

I was sad that I didn’t get on with this book because the idea and concept really intrigued me and I was so excited to read it. It could absolutely be a read at the wrong time and this experience will not prevent me from picking it up and trying again in the future.

I found the world building and magical system quite confusing which made it very difficult for me to understand what was happening. A good 1/3 of this book was about world building/ magical system building making it seem like world dumping. I feel like the magical system needs more pages to explain in a way that can be understood or made simpler because I am not built for this level of complexity 😩😩

I really enjoyed aspects of this book and the action was super fun and kept me interested!

I didn’t feel very connected to the characters which I think really affected my reactions to certain events preventing me from having the emotions I probably should have had.

I am going to try and read this book again in the future and hope I will be in a better position to understand the complex magical system because the plot and writing was so amazing.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins and Kate Dylan for this EARC. 🫶

2.5/5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodderscape for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my official petition for books to stop being compared to Six of Crows just because it has a heist. What makes Six of Crows great for me is the characters and the relationships between them.

This book did not sell me on the characters or their relationships. One conversation between Cemmy and Ezzo, Eve or Lyria is not enough to convince me that they have this familial bond, not to mention the fact that I barely know these characters. I wasn’t shown the bond between them. Plus when *spoiler* died, I felt like no one had a visceral enough reaction, they just continued on with their heist.

I also didn’t buy the relationship between Cemmy and Chase and feel as though it didn’t have a satisfying conclusion, as they had been lying to each other their entire relationship, and that did not get resolved.

The world building was so complex too, I still don’t know what color is what power because there are SO MANY options. Plus there were some politics and religious complexities, there was just a lot going on and I’m still not sure I fully grasp the motivations behind the different groups.

And I will not go into Savian, but he was such a boring and one-dimensional antagonist, not compelling at all.

I liked the writing and plot, but that is never really enough for me to truly enjoy a book, which is why this has a low rating for me.

The characters make or break a book for me, and there wasn’t enough growth and depth in the characters in this book for me.

UNTIL WE SHATTER is an exhilarating heist novel.

I love heist stories - the obstacles in the way that need clever work arounds, the fact that the obstacles only increase as the book continues (at least one additional set the fault of the protagonist!) It's such a fun premise and this book delivers on it. Break into the most secure place in the city, past a bunch of magical traps, and get out without the religious fanatics capturing you. And also deal with the shifty person employing you.

I really liked the cast. This is a gang of misfits who have come together to survive and now get on very well. It is a found family, except it doesn't end the way the trope usually does (which I liked - I love books that have real cost and this one acknowledges what the sheer amount of lying and bad decisions would do to people.)

The magic is a lot of fun too, described by colours but operating in a shadow-y world where there is no colour. A world that can literally shatter you in pieces, which was horrifying and a very nice limitation/price put into the magical world. Without spoilers, the threshold idea that came out of that leads to some great lines and way of framing certain moments.

Chapter 24 has got a reputation for being the most emotionally devastating, a reputation it well deserves. (And then to end the chapter with the book title? Very much a mic-drop moment.) Yet it is only the first of the "all goes wrong" moments that take the book rushing towards a pretty epic finale where the stakes only get higher and the trust thinner.

Like the author's debut series, MINDWALKER, UNTIL WE SHATTER is a standalone with a companion book coming. This book has a complete story and the next book will also standalone, though I'm hoping it will take place in the aftermath of this one as the situation this book unleashes could be a lot of fun to play with.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!

3.5 stars

Lots of mixed feelings about this one.

First of all, I found this book to be a really easy read. The author clearly knows her craft, because the writing is well-executed, with every sentence flowing seamlessly into the next. She does an excellent job of portraying everything the MC, Cemmy, was feeling in the moment, it felt like I was right there with her.

The pacing felt really fast, but also kind of slow at the same time? The characters spend a lot of time planning out the heist, with the heist taking place in the last ~25% of the book, but at the same time, they are constantly rushing around doing stuff.

I feel rather conflicted about the characters. I appreciate how much the characters (mainly Cemmy) mess up and miscommunicate, as it feels realistic for a bunch of 19 y/os, but at the same time, it's so frustrating.

I also have... thoughts. About the magic system. Actually, less so about the magic system, and more about how it's introduced and explained. I think the author does a good job of interweaving the exposition within the narrative; however, it's impossible not to notice the chunks of paragraphs dedicated to explaining things to the reader. You also get thrown right into the action from Chapter One, so the reader has to keep up with the action + learn how the magic works at the same time, which can make things kind of hectic. I didn't immediately grasp how the magic worked from the first chapter, though I found it to be immediately intriguing, but I did manage to sort of grasp it about 25% in.

Beyond the magic system, there's world-building politics to learn, which just. It's a lot to have to figure out. While I find the author did an alright job with this, I can definitely understand if other readers struggle with this aspect.

Regardless, I found this to be an enjoyable, interesting read for the most part.

I had the opportunity to read Until We Shatter by Kate Dylan which releases TOMORROW October 17, 2024! 🎨

Shout out to @hodderbooks, Hodder Publicity, @netgalley and @thekatedylan for ARC of this book!

This is one of those books that left me wanting more. I’m unwell most of the time, but this book truly left me unwell in the best way possible. I know it’s a stand alone, but I wouldn’t hate if you wrote a sequel @thekatedylan ..just saying.

I very much loved this magic system. There are certain colors that result in you having a specific form of magic. You then use this magic within the “Gray” which I believe is like a parallel realm within the universe?! Not 100% sure of the specifics, but I ate it up.

We follow a small cast of characters who are forced into a heist to help save the world in which they live. I loved Cemmy and her band of friends and really found myself captivated the entire novel. Fans of found family this one is for you!

I haven’t read Six or Crows, but I know it’s been compared to that novel. I feel strongly that if you like action, unique magic, and a fast pace then you should check this one out!

ALSO, swoon, look at the cover! I will be ordering a physical copy immediately 😍
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🏷️ #newrelease #newfantasy #netgalley #arcreview #untilweshatter #heist #romantasy #bookcommunity #bookish #bookstagram

DNF 28%

I'm sorry, but this book just wasn't it. I could not get invested enough in the characters or the world to care about what happens next. The magic system tried and failed to be interesting, and the prose couldn't save it.

The whole concept seemed interesting in theory, but the story is just a combo of cliches and confusing worldbuilding.

2.75 stars, Until We Shatter by Kate Dylan doesn't reinvent the wheel when it comes to a heist fantasy, but it does overcomplicate the magic system and leave you with under-developed characters. This one wasn't for me, I fear.

Until We Shatter follows Cemmy, a thief caught between two dangerous forces: the Church, which would see her dead for having magic, and the Council of Shades, who want her gone for not having enough. When her mother falls ill, Cemmy is left with no choice but to accept an impossible job. She must team up with the mysterious and secretive Chase to steal a powerful relic hidden in a deadly realm of shadows. Succeeding means safety for Cemmy and her loved ones, but failure could ignite a spark that will destroy the entire city.

What I Loved:

What really stood out to me about Until We Shatter was the unique magic system. Dividing magic into colors and having characters like Cemmy, who exist between the fully magical (Shades) and non-magical world, added an intriguing layer to the story. The twists were also a pleasant surprise, with subtle hints placed throughout that made them feel earned. I also enjoyed Cemmy’s relationship with Chase—it was a predictable direction, but in a way that made me root for them, especially with the tension between them building slowly.

What I Didn’t Love:

While the premise of a heist was exciting, it didn’t stay the central focus of the story. Instead, a lot of attention was placed on Cemmy's trust issues and learning about her magic. This caused some of the other relationships in the book to feel underdeveloped, making the found family aspect less convincing. Additionally, the political and religious tensions hinted at in the world-building were never fully explored, leaving parts of the story feeling incomplete. And although the magic system was original, the color names and terminology like “shattering” and “hues” came off as somewhat juvenile for the tone of the book.

Who I Recommend This Book For:

If you’re a fan of YA fantasy with a unique take on magic, Until We Shatter could be a great pick, especially if you enjoy character-driven stories with personal struggles at the forefront. However, if you’re looking for deep world-building or prefer more mature characters, this one might feel a little flat.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodderscape for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Until We Shatter is a fast-paced YA heist novel brimming with action, magic, intrigue, and secrets. The writing style is engaging, and the story is fascinating, making this book hard to put down.

What I loved the most, was the intricate and detailed world-building. The action takes place in Isitar, a city divided between the Shades, or the magic users, and the typics, who have no powers. With the Shades’ powers diminishing and the growing influence of the Church, whose mission is to ‘banish the evil’ of magic, Isitar is a powder keg. It is especially dangerous for half Shades, like the main characters, who have both magical and typical parents and are persecuted by both sides of the conflict for their unusual powers. The magic system in this book is complex and confusing until you grasp the basics. I recommend marking all the explanations you find while reading, as you might need to check them later.

The characters in this novel are a band of misfits hiding from both the Church and the Council of Shades. Their isolation makes them forge strong emotional bonds, and reading about their relationships was one of my favourite elements of this novel. Especially when the heist plot unfolds, and their close-knit group is shaken by the arrival of a new character and the discovery of all the secrets they kept from one another. The romantic subplot is another example of a relationship halted by a lack of trust and secrets.

To sum up, I enjoyed the way the complex worldbuilding is not only used as a background for the plot but becomes an integral part of the story. This novel forces the reader to stay focused, but it is definitely worth the effort.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Until We Shatter is a fast-paced story filled with action, betrayal and emotions. I adored the heist element and relationships between the characters, but unfortunatly had a harder time connecting to the story due to info dumping and lack of characters development. Neverthaless, a great choice if you're looking for a action packed read!

3.5 stars

I thoroughly enjoy a good heist book, and this one was exactly that!!! With a unique magical system, atmospheric storytelling, and found family, I could definitely see the Six of Crows comp. Definitely loved the vibes of this one!!

Until We Shatter by Kate Dylan had an intriguing premise, but unfortunately, I couldn’t finish it. The story and writing didn’t pull me in enough to keep reading. While the concept had potential, the execution fell short for me. The magic system wasn’t explained well, and the plot felt convoluted. Overall, it just didn’t hold my interest.

“I am the violence the world made of me”

This was my first book by Kate Dylan and enough for me to see Kate Dylan as a skilful writer and convince me to try her sci-fi series in the future. I tend to disagree with comparisons to successful books in the covers and blurbs as I believe it may cause more damage than success, although it will indeed create awareness to the title. Until we shatter might be suffer a bit from its comparison with Six of Crows, which is a well-beloved story by many. Not being comparable doesn’t make this a bad story because Until we Shatter has its own place, and deserves it.

This book has the typical difficult start of the fantasy genre where we are thrown into the middle of a world we don’t know, with a magic system we are not familiar with, and things happening we don’t yet understand. We have bits of required info dumb, but we also experience the learning alongside Cemmy as she discovers more about her powers.

I’ve found the plot fast paced and engaging, the action scenes well executed, and I was invested in the characters stories.

Things to enjoy in this book:
- Standalone (bless you Kate, can we have more of this please??)
- Found family
- Diverse set of characters (LGBTQIA+ and disabilities)
- Slow burn
- Heist story

Recommend for Young Adult fantasy fans.

I would like to thank Hodderscape and and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange of an honest review.

Kate Dylan rains emotional devastations and twists upon the reader with stunning ruthlessness that keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end. Look, I’m battling ADHD burnout, my ability to do anything I don’t HAVE to do to continue my existence and not lose my job is non existent rn but I couldn’t let this book go. I fought my way through the fog because I was enjoying it that much. (I won’t lie, I lived in fear of Chapter 24 and I was right too - because Kate committed a feels massacre SJM fans can only dream of).

It’s pacy and the world is flawlessly and elegantly built and I would be delighted to return for colouring book two if Kate ever returns to the world. Cemmy is a fantastic, traumatised MC whose behaviour is fully informed by her trauma but has terrible consequences as she and her friends are forced to make the most dangerous heist in the world by a dangerous fanatic. I really enjoyed watching her complicated relationship with Chase develop.

This fast-paced fantasy features a unique but overly complicated magic system, a captivating plot, and a strong found family element. , Kate Dylan’s writing, humor, and romance made it an addictive, enjoyable read.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

3.5 rounded to 4

I'll admit I struggled to get into this book at first, there's a LOT of information fed to the reader right off the bat and a ton of worldbuilding and lore to grasp within the first 20% alongside being thrown right into the action. Once I got to grips with it, I was able to enjoy it more though.

I think there's a lot going on in this book for the fact its less than 400 pages. It does feel as if so much is crammed in which maybe could have been spread across two books to let it feel more evenly dispersed.

But inevitably, Dylan's writing won me over. I really loved the heist and wish we'd spent even more time with it. The build up was fun though, and I really enjoyed the dynamics between the characters. My one small disappointment was that the character I believed FMC Cemmy had the better chemistry with is not the one she ends up with - but I'll name no names as I'm not about the spoilers!

First and foremost, I enjoyed this book WAY more than I expected to at the start. I think Kate Dylan has a unique beautiful writing style that doesn’t get so caught up in fancy prose as to overcomplicate it. She’s elegant yet still simple. The characters were great and the tension and mystery in the plot were fun to follow along. By about 15% into the story I was riveted. They action, intrigue, and romantic tension all shot up and then held until the end of the book. Cemmy has so many people in her life withholding information from her that it’s understandable why she struggles to trust and seems to always make the wrong choice. Her character arc a joy to read. Chase and his motives were my favorite mystery. I guessed pieces of it but was still shock the minute I realized the twist.
My biggest “complaint” is that Dylan’s world building was too good for the length of the book. This world and the magic system are incredibly intricate and unique. It would be absolutely fascinating and less overwhelming if it wasn’t dropped on the reader so quickly. I think this could be solved with a magic chart and maybe an appendix of sorts to help the reader keep track of all parties, magics, and powers in play.
Overall, very well done and I am glad I have an Illumicrate subscription.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I love the cover and blurb of this book, it is why I request to read the book. But then after I read it I can not connect my mind to the story. The world building is so confusing. Too many information and I can't even absorb the information even the magic system. I also can't connect with the characters. I'm not really fan of Cemmy and Chase and not really interested to see both their interaction.

4 stars.
Magic plus heist equals a great read. In all honesty, I found the colour system for the magic a little confusing until a certain part of the book however, I enjoyed the fact that there was hierarchies for magic. Mid way through, it all started to click; the magic and the plot got higher stakes and characters started to get complex. There were misunderstandings and confusion about who is the enemy and who is the hero.
I like the diversity of the characters with sexuality and disabilities thrown in. The relationships between the group were a found family trope but I liked that as events unfolded, bonds were broken and some were repaired and others weren’t.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodderscape for the chance to read this. I’m cutting it a bit fine and I know that I’ve got this coming in a book sub for this month anyway but I’m glad to own a hard copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

DNF 48%

Another case of a beautiful cover luring someone in. And ho boy is this cover absolutely GORGEOUS! But unfortunately I'm not reviewing the cover 🥺

I think the negatives in this book can be summed up in one way: INFO DUMPS. The magic system in this book was really interesting, but the only way the author saw fit to explain it to us was huge info dumps, which really takes you out of the story and your connection to the characters, which I wasn't really having.

Unfortunately, I found myself not really excited to keep picking this back up so I have to move on 😩