"Without a Shadow" by H. J. Reynolds

 

"Without a Shadow" by H. J. Reynolds is an impressive debut fantasy revolving around an orphan thief who can steal with her shadow.

Adlai Bringer is a caster, a person born with a special shadow. Those born with this gift can use it to their advantage, as opposed to those born without it, called suncasts. When Adlai's father disappears one night, she is left to her own devices. Her father told her she can only teach her shadow one trick, so she teaches it to steal stuff from the desert market. She used to play the 'Shadow Game' with her dad, so now she does it without him. The plot thickens when she picks the wrong mark and finds herself on the run for her life, together with a fellow thief named Erikys. Thus began a grand adventure, chock-full of magic, mystery, and even a bit of romance.

I loved the book! It is an interesting book with a clearly thought-out plot and a refreshingly original premise. The plot is complex and engaging, and the polished execution makes this an enjoyable read. The story unfolds beautifully, and the narrative pulled me in time and time again. Strong writing, unique characters, superior world-building, a well-crafted magic system, and a suspenseful plot made it an enjoyable and engaging read.

The world-building is wonderfully done and draws the reader into the story. I liked the way the author slowly revealed information regarding the magic system and the characters, not spoon-feeding the readers. I didn't find it confusing and hard to follow at all. The heroine's moral dilemmas, her nightmares, and her choices were dealt with superbly by the author. I did feel Adlai was a bit impulsive and didn't think enough before acting.

All in all, I loved the book. It is a surprisingly refreshing tale. The story is well-paced and kept my interest from start to finish. There were lots of little moments in the book that made the characters seem like real people, such as the disappointments Adlai had when she failed to harness her powerful shadow. I also loved the interactions between the characters and the built-up of the suspense.

The ending was mind-boggling, leaving me biting my nails and afraid for the fate of the heroine. The author tied most loose ends, leaving just one or two loose. Hopefully, another book is on the cards. Adlai, the main character, is just one of those characters that you don't want to leave behind when the book ends. If you’re looking for a fresh, original read, then H. J. Reynolds’ novel might just be the book for you! Full stars from me and highly recommended!

* Thank you Edelweiss and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own. 

* For more info about the book: "Without a Shadow" by H. J. Reynolds