Reign of Shadows
by Sophie Jordan
Series: Reign of Shadows #1
Published on February 9th 2016
by HarperTeen
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retelling, Romance
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads
Also by this author: Uninvited, Reign of Shadows
Seventeen years ago, an eclipse cloaked the kingdom of Relhok in perpetual darkness. In the chaos, an evil chancellor murdered the king and queen and seized their throne. Luna, Relhok’s lost princess, has been hiding in a tower ever since. Luna’s survival depends on the world believing she is dead.
But that doesn’t stop Luna from wanting more. When she meets Fowler, a mysterious archer braving the woods outside her tower, Luna is drawn to him despite the risk. When the tower is attacked, Luna and Fowler escape together. But this world of darkness is more treacherous than Luna ever realized.
With every threat stacked against them, Luna and Fowler find solace in each other. But with secrets still unspoken between them, falling in love might be their most dangerous journey yet.
With lush writing and a star–crossed romance, Reign of Shadows is Sophie Jordan at her best.
I received this book for free from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review.
This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
What the hell, Jordan? Seriously. What. The. Hell. That ending is so unfair. At least give me a release date for the sequel if you’re gonna torture me like this? I enjoyed this book quite a bit but if feels like it was all build up and then it ended right before the big climax ending. What. The. Actual. Fudge.
Reign of Shadows is a loose retelling of Rapunzel and it tells the story of Luna and Fowler. Seventeen years ago, an eclipse cloaked the kingdom of Relhok in darkness. In the chaos, the evil chancellor murdered the king and queen and took the throne. Luna, Relhok’s lost princess, has been hiding in a tower ever since. Her survival depends on the world thinking she is dead. But then she meets Fowler and soon after the tower is attacked and Luna escapes with him. But the world outside is more dangerous than she could have imagined.
I love fairy tale retellings and I haven’t read too many Rapunzel retelllings yet. The only one I can think of right now is Cress by Marissa Meyer. There is a lot to love in this book. There really is. The writing is gorgeous, the story is pretty unique for a retelling and the characters are pretty cool. I liked Luna and Fowler as characters, though I can’t say I love them. I liked the early twist around Luna that I had not seen coming. It’s not in the blurb either so I’m not spoiling it for you, but it was really cool. I loved this world of darkness Sophie had created here and the monsters that come with it.
But even though it had so much going for it, it wasn’t perfect. First off, while the story was very interesting, it felt like it was cut off too soon. The main part of this book is all build up to the sequel. I think it would’ve been fine to keep going for a bit instead of giving us this cliffhanger and leaving me kind of unsatisfied. I don’t mind cliffhangers, but not like this. Second, while I liked the twist around Luna, I didn’t like the way it didn’t really affect her abilities. Some things were too easy for her. That’s all I’m gonna say. And lastly… I couldn’t get behind the romance. I’m sorry. It was very very close to insta-love and I just couldn’t get myself to like it. I liked both of them as characters but the romance not so much.
Reign of Shadows is a well-written fairy tale retelling set in an interesting and unique world. Despite my issues with it, I still recommend it to fans of YA Fantasy/Retellings because the rest of the series has lots of potential.
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I know what you mean with this kind of ending! I just read a book that was the same way yesterday! It had so much suspense and build up and then when everything was just coming to a climax the book abruptly ended and now I need to wait! *mini frustration moment* DD:
Twitter: Bieke Paesen
Right? So annoying when that happens!
Aww, I’m sorry you couldn’t get with the romance! I really enjoyed it (hehe) but I can understand where you’re coming from with the insta-love. I wish we got to read more about the world, but I’m holding out for a sequel that’ll describe it well! The ending was so abrupt, I was surprised (and a lil’ frustrated) that it wasn’t a stand-alone!
Twitter: Bieke Paesen
Yeah, I wasn’t since I’d read that somewhere before I started it, but it was still very abrupt. =/
Twitter: CG Paper Fury
OMGGG HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS WAS A RETELLING. I MUST HAVE IT IMMEDIATELY. XD Ahem. So yes I might be a mild sucker for all retellings, no matter what. hehe. (I also love that cover.) Aaand, I’m mega intrigued by that ending. :O So maybe I should wait till book 2 is out before I read this!?? 😉
Twitter: Bieke Paesen
Yes, that would be very wise. XD
I love fairy-tale retellings and I was so intrigued by this book but honestly, I hate build up in a book. Especially when the whole book is just one thing after another with no other conflicts. UGh!! I’m sorry this wan’t everything you expected. I still might give this a try eventually, maybe, lol.
Twitter: Bieke Paesen
I hope you do. The sequel could be awesome, that’s what I’m hoping for! 🙂
Well, I’ m glad that you mostly enjoyed this one despite the cruel, CRUEL ending. I read a book like that last year: I would have given it 5-stars but the ending cut off MUCH too abruptly so I ended up docking it a star for it LOL! I need at least SOME resolution when the ending rolls around!! Anyway, thanks for the lovely review, I’m still curious about this one but at least I know what to expect 🙂
Twitter: Bieke Paesen
Right? Especially since I didn’t feel like I got a proper climax to the story. It’s like it cut off right when it was about to start. :/ It’s these kind of cliffhangers that frustrate me the most.
Twitter: The Infinite Limits of Love
I’m sorry you didn’t love this one, but I understand. I really really liked the romance in this so I was on a high. But omg that ending. *still crying*
Twitter: Bieke Paesen
Yeah, that ending is unfair. xDD
Ahhh, I’m quite excited about this still, even though it hasn’t had amazing reviews. I will give anything that is a fairy tale a shot, hehe! 🙂 Great review!
Twitter: Bieke Paesen
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it! 😀