This is the first book in the Darklands series and it was interesting and excitingly written. The plot was well written and kept my interest. I also liked the characters and they were well written, although you could have learned more about them. However, I would have liked to see more world building, but maybe we will find out more in the next book. Overall, I enjoyed reading the book.

Thank you so much for allowing me the chance to read this! Overall it was a quick read that was decent. I do wish though there had been more details and world building. It felt like at times we only got a bit of info when it really required a longer explanation. Overall if you are into paranormal romance I would give it a try

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Very dark setting and mysterious characters make up the premise of the plot. It felt like magic realism met fantasy fiction in this novel and the result was an edge-of-the-seat narrative that kept evolving throughout the plot. I liked the characters and how their lives are glimpsed into through the progression of the plot. I would have loved to have some more world-building as a lot of it felt very abrupt in the story. But looking forward to reading more by the author.

Such a great supernatural thriller. I enjoyed the characters and the supernatural pieces were so well thought out and written. I loved how dark this book got in places.

An enjoyable weekend read - under 300 pages means a quick but nice read for the weekend. This book had great promise, I mean the blurb really reeled me in. However, the book seemed to be lacking something - not terrible, just like the feeling of needing more. More about the characters, more about the world, more....just more. I couldn't put my finger on exactly what I thought was lacking but it remained a niggling feeling in the back of my mind that it was just falling short. Despite this I still liked the book, and I would certainly read more from this author. The writing style is good and the characters are excellent - I loved seeing how they bonded together and learning more about them. Overall this is an enjoyable read.

Mix supernatural and Nancy drew then pepper in some charmed! I need the next book now! Follow Ari jones and her rag tag band of angels,ghosts witches and shades as they save the world! I loved this book I feel the characters were all so relatable. Charlie is my favorite character, her spunk and witchy vibe made me an instant fan!

DNF @ 16%

As much as I kept coming back to & tried to really get into this book - I just couldn't 😩 I don't have any solid reasoning - I just wasn't into it.

The book felt like a cross between Percy Jackson and supernatural (being one of my favourite tv series of all time), especially with the angels and demons aspects within this book. Having read other books with this urban fantasy setting, i can say i did enjoy this book! At times the book didn’t grab my attention, but it was a fun read!

What i will say is I loved Sam, his whole personality and dynamic with Ari was what kept me going in this book.

Thank you so much for letting me read!

Shades and Shadows is a strong offering for fans of dark fantasy with complex world-building and character-driven narratives. While the pacing can be slow and the world-building can be intricate, the atmospheric setting, thought-provoking themes, and well-developed characters make it an enjoyable and immersive read. If you appreciate a darker, more nuanced fantasy experience, this book is definitely worth picking up.

Good banter, good pacing, I thought this was a a really good start to a series. Looking forward to reading more.

I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it has since come out. This was such a interesting story and I liked the writing style. I liked the banter too. I like fast paced books but I did notice that this book rushed through things too quickly and it created plotholes and a lack of information. I still don't understand what an Irin is and what that means. Because it's otherwise good, those things didn't really stop the enjoyment of the book.

This urban fantasy novel will captivate readers with its thrilling paranormal adventures and exploration of complex moralities. The story delves into the blurred lines between good and evil, offering a nuanced perspective on redemption and the potential for change within even the most unlikely characters. Fans of morally gray protagonists and intricate magical systems will be drawn to this book's exploration of modern magic and its consequences.

The narrative unfolds through a suspenseful rescue mission that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. As the protagonists navigate a world where the supernatural and the mundane collide, they must confront their own beliefs and make difficult choices that will have far-reaching implications. The fast-paced plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, ensuring that readers will remain engaged until the very end.

With its richly imagined world, compelling characters, and thought-provoking themes, this book is a must-read for fans of urban fantasy and paranormal fiction. It is a story that will linger in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned, prompting reflection on the nature of good and evil, the power of redemption, and the enduring allure of magic in the modern world.

Rating-
DNF 13%

Genre-
Paranormal

Thoughts/Would I Recommend This?-
I just didn’t love this, and maybe I just wasn’t in the right place to read this or something, but I just didn’t enjoy reading this and could barely get this far in tbh… But I bet other people would really enjoy this if they are wanting to read a paranormal romance rn!


(this review was posted on Goodreads as of 02/23/25)

this book was ok. nice story, fun characters , cool magic, and lil bit of romance. like the other comments i found it lacking a bit more depth and description for my taste i like very detailed characters and world building but apart from that was an enjoyable read i do however think Sam carried the book for me, without his sense of humor and comments i may have dnfd . 3.5 stars for me

“Don’t get lost.” Ari gave a laugh. “Mom, please. In this town?”
Ari was lost.

While it took me a few days to actually read this it wasn't because of the book. That was due to work. If anything the fact it took me longer only made things worse because once I got into it I didn't like putting the book down. The plot and the characters are well developed and the story keeps you guessing where its headed. Usually I can work out that part pretty quicky. Reading books and watching shows and movies will do that to you. But not here. And that was my favorite part of the book. I couldn't predict it. And all that made me love it more.

This was a wonderful, well written adventure! I felt like I was there with the characters, experiencing everything alongside them.
Absolutely cannot wait for the next one!

Ashley Laster's Shades and Shadow is an entertaining, action-packed novel with amazing world-building and an engaging plot.


Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

It was a quick-paced ride and quite an enjoyable read. I enjoyed reading Ari's story and her adventure with her found family especially Sam and Ceph. Love the little romantic undertone too! Jealous ghost best friend is so cute haha. It was lighter than I expected, given the title and description. I enjoyed reading this book :))

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5.

It's been a while since I read a book that includes ghosts, angels, and demons. After reading the blurb, I thought this book sounds like a fantastic read.

It is a good read, but I felt something was missing? Maybe I expected it to be more gripping, more tension? There was less action and more dialogues. I wasn't really attached to this book. However, I loved the world-building. Especially the afterlife and its wintry scenery.

The minor characters in this book really stood out. I loved the friendships and the bond they all had together. Who knew a demon and an angel could be friends?

Overall, it was a great read. I loved the friendship between the different species. The storyline was good. I just wished there was more action. The kind of action that makes your heart beat faster.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!