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Portrait of a Shadow
A missing sister. A mysterious boy. And a painting that holds the truth beneath its peeling edge...
Inez is missing, but missing things can always be found.
Mae knows this as a fact, even though the police investigation has come to a standstill, even though her parents are moving on. But when she goes to clear out her older sister’s studio, she finds a mess of research and a white canvas that seems even older than the ornate frame it is set in. The closer Mae gets to the canvas, the more difficult it is to pull her eyes away from its mottled surface, its heavy layers of white paint, its peeling top corner she is tempted to pull to see what’s beneath. But she doesn’t. Not yet.
Mae decides to trace her sister’s last steps in the hopes of finding answers, certain that Inez’s disappearance is related to the painting. And she knows she is desperate enough to let the strange boy who claims to have been Inez’s neighbor tag along. Even if his good looks don't help distract from his avoidance of her questions. So begins a scavenger hunt piecing together what they can find from what Inez left behind. One that leads to centuries-old questions best left unasked and secrets best kept in the dark.
From the author of A Guide to the Dark comes another tender horror story about the lengths we are willing to go for the truth and the ones we love.
Inez is missing, but missing things can always be found.
Mae knows this as a fact, even though the police investigation has come to a standstill, even though her parents are moving on. But when she goes to clear out her older sister’s studio, she finds a mess of research and a white canvas that seems even older than the ornate frame it is set in. The closer Mae gets to the canvas, the more difficult it is to pull her eyes away from its mottled surface, its heavy layers of white paint, its peeling top corner she is tempted to pull to see what’s beneath. But she doesn’t. Not yet.
Mae decides to trace her sister’s last steps in the hopes of finding answers, certain that Inez’s disappearance is related to the painting. And she knows she is desperate enough to let the strange boy who claims to have been Inez’s neighbor tag along. Even if his good looks don't help distract from his avoidance of her questions. So begins a scavenger hunt piecing together what they can find from what Inez left behind. One that leads to centuries-old questions best left unasked and secrets best kept in the dark.
From the author of A Guide to the Dark comes another tender horror story about the lengths we are willing to go for the truth and the ones we love.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published July 16, 2024
17 people are currently reading
4649 people want to read
About the author
Meriam Metoui
2 books115 followersMeriam Metoui is the author of Portrait of a Shadow and A Guide to the Dark. Born in Tunisia, she now lives in Detroit, Michigan, with her partner and her puppy. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Hunter College, where she received a master’s degree in English literature.
When not writing, she can be found behind a camera, obsessing over a new TV show, or wondering what hidden pockets of magic to write about next.
When not writing, she can be found behind a camera, obsessing over a new TV show, or wondering what hidden pockets of magic to write about next.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
June 12, 2024
2.5 stars rounded up.
The second half of this book was so much better than the first half. I honestly wonder if the author follows that novel writing advice where you start at the midpoint first. It was a helluva lot more exciting than the boring first half. Very thriller vibes with bits of horror thrown in.
Anyway.
I liked the author's debut, so I thought I'd like this too. But this felt like an early draft of a novel instead of something fully fleshed out. It was very light on the details and read like a bunch of scenes just happening sequentially, even with the flashbacks and some POV scenes from side characters.
Right at the beginning, the FMC, Mae, straight up goes on a road trip with her sister's neighbor that she just met. I get being young and stupid and desperate, but, umm, what. Throughout the entire road trip/investigation, there was no logical thought process where Mae was like, "Hmm... Maybe this is a dumb idea and I should ditch him."
I actually ended up liking the scenes that took place in 1891 over 2024 because the dynamic between Dev, Ravi, and Nik was really interesting. You've got brotherhood, friendship, and classism interplaying with each other. They were a lot more well-rounded than present day Mae and Dev.
But even then, the worldbuilding for the 1891 scenes was very light. The characters sounded and acted like modern day teens. Besides trains and horses, it didn't really feel all that authentic.
The ending feels like there might be a sequel, but honestly, after my experience with this one, I'm not that interested in picking it up.
Thank you to Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) and NetGalley for this arc.
The second half of this book was so much better than the first half. I honestly wonder if the author follows that novel writing advice where you start at the midpoint first. It was a helluva lot more exciting than the boring first half. Very thriller vibes with bits of horror thrown in.
Anyway.
I liked the author's debut, so I thought I'd like this too. But this felt like an early draft of a novel instead of something fully fleshed out. It was very light on the details and read like a bunch of scenes just happening sequentially, even with the flashbacks and some POV scenes from side characters.
Right at the beginning, the FMC, Mae, straight up goes on a road trip with her sister's neighbor that she just met. I get being young and stupid and desperate, but, umm, what. Throughout the entire road trip/investigation, there was no logical thought process where Mae was like, "Hmm... Maybe this is a dumb idea and I should ditch him."
I actually ended up liking the scenes that took place in 1891 over 2024 because the dynamic between Dev, Ravi, and Nik was really interesting. You've got brotherhood, friendship, and classism interplaying with each other. They were a lot more well-rounded than present day Mae and Dev.
But even then, the worldbuilding for the 1891 scenes was very light. The characters sounded and acted like modern day teens. Besides trains and horses, it didn't really feel all that authentic.
The ending feels like there might be a sequel, but honestly, after my experience with this one, I'm not that interested in picking it up.
Thank you to Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) and NetGalley for this arc.
July 16, 2024
I was really excited about the premise of this book, but the execution was more of a mixed bag for me. Portrait of a Shadow is a contemporary YA paranormal / light horror novel drawing on elements from The Picture of Dorian Gray. It follows a recent high school graduate trying to figure out why her older sister disappeared months earlier. When she goes to clear her sisters things from her apartment, she finds a strange white painting and meets a boy who was her sisters neighbor before getting pulled into a mystery that goes back many years.
It's a cool concept and there are parts of the book that really work, but it feels kind of under-developed. Some of the flashback scenes are clunky, some reveals are over-explained to us once things are pretty obvious what's going on, and some character choices don't make a ton of sense. I think there is a good story here, it just feels like it needs some polishing. The painting is kind of creepy, but I wanted a bit more from it. Overall I liked this, but I think it could have been a stronger book. That said, I will keep reading from this author because I think she's doing some cool things and it's interesting to have Middle Eastern and South Asian main characters is this genre. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
It's a cool concept and there are parts of the book that really work, but it feels kind of under-developed. Some of the flashback scenes are clunky, some reveals are over-explained to us once things are pretty obvious what's going on, and some character choices don't make a ton of sense. I think there is a good story here, it just feels like it needs some polishing. The painting is kind of creepy, but I wanted a bit more from it. Overall I liked this, but I think it could have been a stronger book. That said, I will keep reading from this author because I think she's doing some cool things and it's interesting to have Middle Eastern and South Asian main characters is this genre. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
January 6, 2024
Clearly, I'm biased but this is pretty good.
December 10, 2024
I saw that plot twist coming from a hundred miles away.
October 23, 2024
i refuse to believe any editor was involved in the publishing of this book
July 16, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and Henry Holt for the pre-release copy of Portrait of a Shadow. Below is my honest review.
I really enjoyed the concept of this novel - magic painting, mysterious disappearances, road trip with cute stranger boy next door. It reminded me of an episode of Charmed that revolved around a similar painting.
Alas, the execution felt a little lacking. The twist was predictable, as was the real situation surrounding the disappearances, and the ending was not satisfying. But I didn't hate it, and I was entertained still.
I liked the author's writing style, so maybe I'll try a future novel and see if there has been some growth.
Recommended with caveats mentioned above.
I really enjoyed the concept of this novel - magic painting, mysterious disappearances, road trip with cute stranger boy next door. It reminded me of an episode of Charmed that revolved around a similar painting.
Alas, the execution felt a little lacking. The twist was predictable, as was the real situation surrounding the disappearances, and the ending was not satisfying. But I didn't hate it, and I was entertained still.
I liked the author's writing style, so maybe I'll try a future novel and see if there has been some growth.
Recommended with caveats mentioned above.
August 29, 2024
A strong start lead to a stalled conclusion. I was quite invested in the beginning, and enjoyed the writing. Better than A Guide to the Dark, but still 3 stars.
February 9, 2024
“Home is hard when you run from it the second it catches up with you.”
“Portrait of a Shadow,” by Meriam Metoui
Mae decides to go clean out her sister, Inez, apartment because Inez has been missing for months. At the apartment Mae finds a strange blank canvas that Inez was obsessed with, according to the notes that progressively got harder to understand. When Mae feels a compulsion that the portrait is how she will find her sister and the neighbor boy who seems to know more about Inez than Mae does. Together they set off to uncover the mysteries of the painting and find Inez.
I loved this book. It was a quick read, and I didn’t get bored with any part of the book. I liked that it was a retelling of “The Picture of Dorian Gray”. I liked how awkward the characters were with each other, seeing as they just met so it really fit that they didn’t become sudden fast friends, but it developed slowly and awkwardly at times. I liked how the characters were non-white. The ending was surprising, and I did not see it coming at all, at least not with the spin that there was. Some of the things I wish were different was that if the book was longer because I wanted to see more of a deep dive visual into Inez decline and why she made the choices she made a lot more than the brush strokes we got in the book already. I also wish there were more scenes and information about why the painting was made and all that, we got a bit, but I felt like there had to be much more. 5 out of 5 stars, I really loved it.
Thank you for the Arc.
“Portrait of a Shadow,” by Meriam Metoui
Mae decides to go clean out her sister, Inez, apartment because Inez has been missing for months. At the apartment Mae finds a strange blank canvas that Inez was obsessed with, according to the notes that progressively got harder to understand. When Mae feels a compulsion that the portrait is how she will find her sister and the neighbor boy who seems to know more about Inez than Mae does. Together they set off to uncover the mysteries of the painting and find Inez.
I loved this book. It was a quick read, and I didn’t get bored with any part of the book. I liked that it was a retelling of “The Picture of Dorian Gray”. I liked how awkward the characters were with each other, seeing as they just met so it really fit that they didn’t become sudden fast friends, but it developed slowly and awkwardly at times. I liked how the characters were non-white. The ending was surprising, and I did not see it coming at all, at least not with the spin that there was. Some of the things I wish were different was that if the book was longer because I wanted to see more of a deep dive visual into Inez decline and why she made the choices she made a lot more than the brush strokes we got in the book already. I also wish there were more scenes and information about why the painting was made and all that, we got a bit, but I felt like there had to be much more. 5 out of 5 stars, I really loved it.
Thank you for the Arc.
November 28, 2023
This YA horror novel is loosely based on – or is the retelling of- The Picture of Dorian Gray. If you haven’t read the latter, do not be deterred, still read this one and then pick of The Picture of Dorian Gray later. Inez went missing 5 years ago. Everyone, it seems, has given up on her. However, her sister Mae, is left to the task of boxing up her belongings. Mae hasn’t given up hope on finding Inez and is determined to find a clue that someone missed. Enter Dev – he knows more than he is letting on – he knows about the painting. This book ends on a cliffhanger and not wrapped up nice and neat – but I really believe there will be a part two. Is this horror or scary? I would call it creepy. It has the vibes, but I did not need to sleep with the lights on.
October 31, 2024
This was good. It wasn’t horror in the least, so I’m not sure why that’s its top tag on Goodreads. But it was easy to read and engaging enough. I liked the twist near the end. The end itself was pretty open-ended and I’m not sure how I feel about it?
July 16, 2024
Thank you to the publisher and Net galley for providing me with an arc.
I was initially very excited to read this book as it sounded like The Picture of Dorian Gray retelling. Unfortunately this was so disappointing for me.
The story is only primarily centered around Mae, who is searching for her sister who mysteriously vanished one evening. When packing up her apartment she realizes that her sister was deep into research of an antique painting. Off she goes on a journey to discover what happened to her sister all those months ago, along with her sisters *handsome* neighbor.
Okay I couldn't take this book seriously. Your sister is missing, your family is falling apart, and her thoughts are solely on how soft Dev's lips look? I get that she's 18 but no one who is racked with guilt over the loss of her sister and the potential loss of her family unit, is going to be so enthralled by a guy she just met. She knows nothing about him, and yet she is so willing to go on a road trip and even sleep in the same room as him. This is so unrealistic. Not to mention, her sister has a journal that clearly holds a lot of secrets in it (because she kept it hidden in a loose floorboard), and she doesn't think to read it until like 48 hours later. Seriously?
The only interesting part of this story was the timeline that focuses on the history of Nik, Dev, and Ravi. I wanted to know more about that timeline because it felt far more intentional and thought out than Mae's timeline.
I had high hopes for this book, unfortunately it felt unfinished. The ending left off like it might continue on with another book, but I don't think I will continue.
I was initially very excited to read this book as it sounded like The Picture of Dorian Gray retelling. Unfortunately this was so disappointing for me.
The story is only primarily centered around Mae, who is searching for her sister who mysteriously vanished one evening. When packing up her apartment she realizes that her sister was deep into research of an antique painting. Off she goes on a journey to discover what happened to her sister all those months ago, along with her sisters *handsome* neighbor.
Okay I couldn't take this book seriously. Your sister is missing, your family is falling apart, and her thoughts are solely on how soft Dev's lips look? I get that she's 18 but no one who is racked with guilt over the loss of her sister and the potential loss of her family unit, is going to be so enthralled by a guy she just met. She knows nothing about him, and yet she is so willing to go on a road trip and even sleep in the same room as him. This is so unrealistic. Not to mention, her sister has a journal that clearly holds a lot of secrets in it (because she kept it hidden in a loose floorboard), and she doesn't think to read it until like 48 hours later. Seriously?
The only interesting part of this story was the timeline that focuses on the history of Nik, Dev, and Ravi. I wanted to know more about that timeline because it felt far more intentional and thought out than Mae's timeline.
I had high hopes for this book, unfortunately it felt unfinished. The ending left off like it might continue on with another book, but I don't think I will continue.
October 19, 2024
Ok so i am being nice and giving this book a 3.5, so rounding up to the 4 star review.
I thought this book sounded really good and I was excited to read it but I took we quite a bit to get it read. I was having a problem just sitting down to read and it kept my attention in a lot of the book, now some parts were good and really interesting. It was just mixed up. I will say that the 2nd half of the book was better than the first. The 1st seemed to brag a bit. This is just my opinion and I am a moody-mood reader so the best thing to do is go read this book yourself.
A paranormal/light horror novel. In my opinion i don't think this is very horror not even for a YA book, I was raised on R.L. Stine and Chistopher Pike. This book also had a little bit of thriller and mystery also.
The characters were just ok, nothing really stood out for them in my opinion. I think that writing the characters a bit better might have helped the story a lot.
This book is about the main character (Mae) who is not convinced her sister is not coming back and feels she needs to look into it more. While cleaning out her sister’s apartment Mae finds a painting, some odd research about the paintings, and a mysterious guy (one that her sister never has ever said anything about). This story takes place in a few different time (periods). Mae ends up going on a road trip with this random guy to find more info to help find her sister, and that's where the adventure starts in the present time parts of this book.
There were a few twists but they were not shocking, kinda predictable. The ending was sad I was hoping for a better ending.
Still glad that I read this book :)
I thought this book sounded really good and I was excited to read it but I took we quite a bit to get it read. I was having a problem just sitting down to read and it kept my attention in a lot of the book, now some parts were good and really interesting. It was just mixed up. I will say that the 2nd half of the book was better than the first. The 1st seemed to brag a bit. This is just my opinion and I am a moody-mood reader so the best thing to do is go read this book yourself.
A paranormal/light horror novel. In my opinion i don't think this is very horror not even for a YA book, I was raised on R.L. Stine and Chistopher Pike. This book also had a little bit of thriller and mystery also.
The characters were just ok, nothing really stood out for them in my opinion. I think that writing the characters a bit better might have helped the story a lot.
This book is about the main character (Mae) who is not convinced her sister is not coming back and feels she needs to look into it more. While cleaning out her sister’s apartment Mae finds a painting, some odd research about the paintings, and a mysterious guy (one that her sister never has ever said anything about). This story takes place in a few different time (periods). Mae ends up going on a road trip with this random guy to find more info to help find her sister, and that's where the adventure starts in the present time parts of this book.
There were a few twists but they were not shocking, kinda predictable. The ending was sad I was hoping for a better ending.
Still glad that I read this book :)
November 19, 2023
This book had such an intriguing set up. A sister who searches for answers to find her missing sister and is led to a mysterious painting and an even more mysterious set of twins. I really flew through the book wanting all the answers. Unfortunately, I finished feeling like I needed more. The ending felt rushed and not much a climax. The story was choppy in parts. However, I did enjoy trying to piece the answers together. Seems like it’s set up for a second one? I’ll definitely check it out if so. Maybe I’ll find my answers there.
August 8, 2024
This story involves a girl named Mae who is searching for her missing sister Inez, Inez's neighbor, a boy named Dev, who agrees to help her with her search, and a mysterious white painting with an eerie reputation that may or may not have had something to do with Inez's disappearance.
Inez has been missing for months, so Mae goes to her apartment to pack up her things and search for any clues to her disappearance. She meets Dev and agrees to let him go along with her on her search, even though she knows absolutely nothing about him. The two set off to find the artist who painted the white painting with nothing but the clothes on their backs and a car full of Inez's things (which they proceed to lose in the most "I saw that coming a mile away" way ever!). And they leave a trail of clues behind them everywhere they go that makes it easy for anybody trying to stop them to do just that.
When I read the description of the book, I thought it sounded intriguing, and I looked forward to reading my first horror novel in years. The story did occasionally hold some surprising moments, but ultimately, it didn't live up to its promise.
Inez has been missing for months, so Mae goes to her apartment to pack up her things and search for any clues to her disappearance. She meets Dev and agrees to let him go along with her on her search, even though she knows absolutely nothing about him. The two set off to find the artist who painted the white painting with nothing but the clothes on their backs and a car full of Inez's things (which they proceed to lose in the most "I saw that coming a mile away" way ever!). And they leave a trail of clues behind them everywhere they go that makes it easy for anybody trying to stop them to do just that.
When I read the description of the book, I thought it sounded intriguing, and I looked forward to reading my first horror novel in years. The story did occasionally hold some surprising moments, but ultimately, it didn't live up to its promise.
November 1, 2025
I don’t know why this book has 3 stars. It was so freaking good. I read it in 3 sittings during October. As an English/literature major I am
So impressed by the metaphors and imagery in this book. It’s so fast paced and it’s like a choose your own adventure but the author chose the adventure.
I also really loved the messed up family dynamics and how it’s past vs. present life.
This was so beautifully written. I highly recommend it if you don’t want to read a classic book.
BTW: I got my copy from a spooky blind date with a book at Little district books in Washington DC
So impressed by the metaphors and imagery in this book. It’s so fast paced and it’s like a choose your own adventure but the author chose the adventure.
I also really loved the messed up family dynamics and how it’s past vs. present life.
This was so beautifully written. I highly recommend it if you don’t want to read a classic book.
BTW: I got my copy from a spooky blind date with a book at Little district books in Washington DC
November 21, 2023
Wonderful wonderful wonderful!!!!
I can't tell you how hard it was to put this book down! It truly pulls you in from the first chapter! I don't think I've ever saved so many passages in a book before! So many funny moments and so many tense moments! Just an absolute joy of a book! 1000000% recommend to anyone who is a fan of horror and mystery! Truly the characters are loveable and the story is just amazing!
I can't tell you how hard it was to put this book down! It truly pulls you in from the first chapter! I don't think I've ever saved so many passages in a book before! So many funny moments and so many tense moments! Just an absolute joy of a book! 1000000% recommend to anyone who is a fan of horror and mystery! Truly the characters are loveable and the story is just amazing!
April 29, 2024
My only issue was this book is when you read the description it talks about Mae and her journey, but like a good 40% of the story talks about Dev and his past. So I feel like the parts that discussed the past could have been condensed and more focus could have been on the present time, but I also understand the need to set the background in order to have the present make sense. I did like how the past was revealed to us as the story went on, and I was shocked by the end. I did not expect that at all
Thank you NetGalley!!
Thank you NetGalley!!
October 15, 2024
i can't tell if this book didn't work for me because i'm being annoyingly picky with my books right now or if it's the lacking development with the overall story. there were some cool things and other parts i just couldn't care about. one of those stories that wouldn't happen if the main character mae was smart enough to avoid going on a road trip with her sister's potential neighbor aka a complete stranger lol
January 28, 2025
I read this to determine if it would be good for a school library. My verdict is yes, teens will like this very much.
November 24, 2024
PORTRAIT OF A SHADOW offers a contemporary reimagining of The Portrait of Dorian Gray and is a fast, engaging read for anyone looking to wrap up their reading challenge with a twist on a classic.
Anyone who says you can’t judge a book by its cover is lying, and the chilling illustration on the cover of Meriam Metoui’s second novel pulled me in from the moment I saw it. It ties nicely into the story itself, which centers on a piece of art so alluring that most who come into contact with it are never seen again. This list includes Inez, the older sister in a crumbling family, who disappears one day without a trace. Her younger sister, Mae, refuses to give up searching for Inez and finds a canvas in Inez’s apartment—blank except for white paint. As Mae uncovers the meaning of this seemingly innocuous painting, she’s joined by Inez’s roommate, Dev, on a wild journey to unravel the painting’s dangerous origins, which may explain Inez’s disappearance. The novel shifts between the present and the early days of the painting, giving readers an even more sinister glimpse into its eerie significance.
There are definite parallels between this novel and The Portrait of Dorian Gray, and I love that it brings a strong queer perspective, adding emotional depth to the story. For me, though, the dual timeline made it feel a bit like a mixed bag. I didn’t dislike the whole story, but the more moody, gothic elements of the 1891 (and beyond) timelines, with the fascinating dynamic between the three men involved, were more compelling and in line with what I expected from the novel. The present-day sections read more like an action movie—a thrilling search for a missing painting, but not quite as distinctive in tone.
That said, there’s a lot to enjoy here, including a thoughtful exploration of sisterhood and family as Mae seeks her own identity. Parts of the novel felt like sketches rather than fully fleshed-out moments, but if you enjoy fast-paced YA thrillers with a dash of horror, this is a great pick for you!
Anyone who says you can’t judge a book by its cover is lying, and the chilling illustration on the cover of Meriam Metoui’s second novel pulled me in from the moment I saw it. It ties nicely into the story itself, which centers on a piece of art so alluring that most who come into contact with it are never seen again. This list includes Inez, the older sister in a crumbling family, who disappears one day without a trace. Her younger sister, Mae, refuses to give up searching for Inez and finds a canvas in Inez’s apartment—blank except for white paint. As Mae uncovers the meaning of this seemingly innocuous painting, she’s joined by Inez’s roommate, Dev, on a wild journey to unravel the painting’s dangerous origins, which may explain Inez’s disappearance. The novel shifts between the present and the early days of the painting, giving readers an even more sinister glimpse into its eerie significance.
There are definite parallels between this novel and The Portrait of Dorian Gray, and I love that it brings a strong queer perspective, adding emotional depth to the story. For me, though, the dual timeline made it feel a bit like a mixed bag. I didn’t dislike the whole story, but the more moody, gothic elements of the 1891 (and beyond) timelines, with the fascinating dynamic between the three men involved, were more compelling and in line with what I expected from the novel. The present-day sections read more like an action movie—a thrilling search for a missing painting, but not quite as distinctive in tone.
That said, there’s a lot to enjoy here, including a thoughtful exploration of sisterhood and family as Mae seeks her own identity. Parts of the novel felt like sketches rather than fully fleshed-out moments, but if you enjoy fast-paced YA thrillers with a dash of horror, this is a great pick for you!
January 6, 2024
3 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I find myself very frustrated with this book. It has all the elements that could come together to make a great and unique story. But it just didn’t.
I do want to clarify that this could just not be the story for me. I feel like fans of the characterizations and writing in books like Belladonna and Fourth Wing would not have the same problems with this that I do.
The biggest issue I have with this is the way the story is structured. We often find out most of the vital information before our main character, Mae, does. This takes all the tension and mystery out of scenes as the reader is now waiting on our main character to learn what we already know. In addition to this, there are certain parts that are added in that don’t add at all to the characterization, plot, or world building. I found myself asking what the point of the scenes were if not just to add to the overall word count. Because otherwise they added nothing relevant.
So much of the story takes place in the past, and off screen. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But in this kind of story, where we are meant to feel a lot of tension, and this deep lingering sense of horror over what is going on, it led to a lack of a lot of life and depth. I don’t know who these characters are, and because of that I don’t really care what happens to them.
Much of the story involves Mae’s sister, Inez. I almost feel like we should be focused on her story in this book instead of Mae’s, and might’ve gotten a more interesting story through her point of view. The romance between Mae and Dev felt very surface level, we really didn’t get to know Dev at all, and so I didn’t really feel connected to him. All we knew about him in the present is that Mae considers him to be extremely attractive and he knows her sister. Concerning May, I also didn’t feel very connected to her, and I felt very frustrated that she was letting a lot of things go, and trusting this very strange boy, simply because she found him attractive. It’s one thing if she was a more naïve teenage girl, but Mae is 19, still young, but old enough to know she is making very concerning decisions. It doesn’t help that the the main plot only covers about two days in the present, which does not leave much time for us to get to know the characters or for them to develop opinions and feeling for each other.
*Spoilers Ahead*
There are many unanswered questions after the story concludes. Open ended or unanswered questions are completely fine, but this book centers around a painting that we know very little about in the end. We have no idea what happened to the original artist, and why her painting of all white paintings became a cursed object. We also never find out the connection between the shadow woman and her connection to the painting or artist. The most frustrating part of this book is that I actually really liked the surprise twist at the end, but again, because of the way the book was structured, it did not have the impact it was meant to. We find out the truth from a flashback scene in 1891 instead of with our main character, Mae, in the present. So we again already know the big reveal, while our main character has no idea. We’re just waiting on her to figure out what we already know. It’s very frustrating when I can see just how good this could have been.
I really struggled with this book, having to drag myself back to it despite it being so short, and I find myself disappointed with the end result. I wouldn’t count this author out though. She is clearly clever and has unique ideas. I do think I would give her next book a try.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I find myself very frustrated with this book. It has all the elements that could come together to make a great and unique story. But it just didn’t.
I do want to clarify that this could just not be the story for me. I feel like fans of the characterizations and writing in books like Belladonna and Fourth Wing would not have the same problems with this that I do.
The biggest issue I have with this is the way the story is structured. We often find out most of the vital information before our main character, Mae, does. This takes all the tension and mystery out of scenes as the reader is now waiting on our main character to learn what we already know. In addition to this, there are certain parts that are added in that don’t add at all to the characterization, plot, or world building. I found myself asking what the point of the scenes were if not just to add to the overall word count. Because otherwise they added nothing relevant.
So much of the story takes place in the past, and off screen. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But in this kind of story, where we are meant to feel a lot of tension, and this deep lingering sense of horror over what is going on, it led to a lack of a lot of life and depth. I don’t know who these characters are, and because of that I don’t really care what happens to them.
Much of the story involves Mae’s sister, Inez. I almost feel like we should be focused on her story in this book instead of Mae’s, and might’ve gotten a more interesting story through her point of view. The romance between Mae and Dev felt very surface level, we really didn’t get to know Dev at all, and so I didn’t really feel connected to him. All we knew about him in the present is that Mae considers him to be extremely attractive and he knows her sister. Concerning May, I also didn’t feel very connected to her, and I felt very frustrated that she was letting a lot of things go, and trusting this very strange boy, simply because she found him attractive. It’s one thing if she was a more naïve teenage girl, but Mae is 19, still young, but old enough to know she is making very concerning decisions. It doesn’t help that the the main plot only covers about two days in the present, which does not leave much time for us to get to know the characters or for them to develop opinions and feeling for each other.
*Spoilers Ahead*
There are many unanswered questions after the story concludes. Open ended or unanswered questions are completely fine, but this book centers around a painting that we know very little about in the end. We have no idea what happened to the original artist, and why her painting of all white paintings became a cursed object. We also never find out the connection between the shadow woman and her connection to the painting or artist. The most frustrating part of this book is that I actually really liked the surprise twist at the end, but again, because of the way the book was structured, it did not have the impact it was meant to. We find out the truth from a flashback scene in 1891 instead of with our main character, Mae, in the present. So we again already know the big reveal, while our main character has no idea. We’re just waiting on her to figure out what we already know. It’s very frustrating when I can see just how good this could have been.
I really struggled with this book, having to drag myself back to it despite it being so short, and I find myself disappointed with the end result. I wouldn’t count this author out though. She is clearly clever and has unique ideas. I do think I would give her next book a try.
March 15, 2024
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The cover of this is absolutely beautiful and is what drew me in first. I had such a high hopes. To be honest, 85% of this book was two stars from me. It was boring, the beauty of the concept and plot hidden behind flat words and dialogue. I didn't feel close to any of the characters, not that there were many. The last 15% of the book drew me in the way I wanted and bumped it up to three stars for me. I love a good ending, and even more so, a good twist ending. I want to post spoilers so bad but I will only say this: when you get to the twist, you realize the person is a piece of manure. Truly. Which hurt a small bit and would've hurt more had I truly connected with anyone. Dev and Mae's romance was too quick. I get attraction, and perhaps that is mainly what this was, but this isn't Disney. There are several points of views that we get here: mainly Mae's but with splashes of Dev's, Nik's, Ravi's, Delphine's, Inez's, and I believe even the portrait itself. They are not all necessary. Truly, the only ones we needed were Mae, Dev, Inez, and the flashback of Delphine. In case you were wondering, we do not get answers answered. This book is set up for a sequel, which I will be reading because I think it will be better than this one. I know it will. Though it took me awhile to read because I was bored and started skimming, I will recommend this because of where this will lead for a second book. Grammar is nearly perfect. My only true complaint is the slowness of the middle of the book.
March 17, 2024
So I guess some time in 2015 it was declared that every cute boy in a YA novel has to have dimples.
October 26, 2024
I never finished this book because I got really bored halfway through, but initially I thought this would be an easy read but I was wrong. The chapters were very long and boring and I don’t know how it ended but I thought it was kind of stupid
May 9, 2024
~~Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC!~~
The potential of this book was squandered so significantly.
Not only is the first two-thirds of this book extremely boring, with Mae, and eventually Dev, looking/driving around, but the horror aspect wasn't much of anything? There were interludes between chapters showing the portrait's history (i.e., people disappearing), but that alone wasn't enough to give me the creeps. If anything, it got repetitive whenever we got another scene of people disappearing via ~spooky circumstances~.
Mae and Dev were also pretty weak characters. Mae's personality wasn't anything but her want to find her sister and the flimsy, surface-level attraction she has for Dev, who's just the mysterious weirdo So much time was spent towards exposition and traveling, but I could care less whenever a little character moment came along.
I think what solidified my disappointment was the mystery behind portrait. We were told what it is before the main character, which completely destroyed the surprise twist when Mae finally caught up to what the reader learned literally the chapter before. Despite that, we also don't learn anything that should have been essential about the portrait.
Overall, this book just feels under baked. All the ingredients are there, but Metoui should have let it bake far longer. A shame, really, because her debut was one of my top reads last year. I hope her next work will grab me better.
The potential of this book was squandered so significantly.
Not only is the first two-thirds of this book extremely boring, with Mae, and eventually Dev, looking/driving around, but the horror aspect wasn't much of anything? There were interludes between chapters showing the portrait's history (i.e., people disappearing), but that alone wasn't enough to give me the creeps. If anything, it got repetitive whenever we got another scene of people disappearing via ~spooky circumstances~.
Mae and Dev were also pretty weak characters. Mae's personality wasn't anything but her want to find her sister and the flimsy, surface-level attraction she has for Dev, who's just the mysterious weirdo So much time was spent towards exposition and traveling, but I could care less whenever a little character moment came along.
I think what solidified my disappointment was the mystery behind portrait. We were told what it is before the main character, which completely destroyed the surprise twist when Mae finally caught up to what the reader learned literally the chapter before. Despite that, we also don't learn anything that should have been essential about the portrait.
Overall, this book just feels under baked. All the ingredients are there, but Metoui should have let it bake far longer. A shame, really, because her debut was one of my top reads last year. I hope her next work will grab me better.
December 25, 2023
NetGalley review//
When I finally found the time to sit down and read this book, I finished it in a few days which I think is a testament to the easy to follow writing that encompasses an intriguing storyline. You're immediately thrown into a scavenger sort of hunt for Mae's missing sister, Inez. Along the way you have a parallel story of two brothers and a mystery that ends up not being as predictable as you might think. There's hinting clues as to what it could be with a 'Picture of Dorian Gray' spin that keeps the pages turning. It hits every mark with characters that are complex, diverse, and complicated but easy to enjoy. Only critique would be that this didn't really hit the horror aspect it was advertised as and it takes a moment to get going with certain side plots such as a suspected romance feeling tiresome or not really making sense with the urgency of everything. However, the ending is worthwhile, making it an overall quick and enjoyable read.
When I finally found the time to sit down and read this book, I finished it in a few days which I think is a testament to the easy to follow writing that encompasses an intriguing storyline. You're immediately thrown into a scavenger sort of hunt for Mae's missing sister, Inez. Along the way you have a parallel story of two brothers and a mystery that ends up not being as predictable as you might think. There's hinting clues as to what it could be with a 'Picture of Dorian Gray' spin that keeps the pages turning. It hits every mark with characters that are complex, diverse, and complicated but easy to enjoy. Only critique would be that this didn't really hit the horror aspect it was advertised as and it takes a moment to get going with certain side plots such as a suspected romance feeling tiresome or not really making sense with the urgency of everything. However, the ending is worthwhile, making it an overall quick and enjoyable read.
February 14, 2024
This book follows Mae as she tries to figure out what has happened to her missing sister Inez. All she has as clues are a notebook, a white painting, and the next door neighbor with a cane.
I felt like this book had so much potential. I wished they had developed Mae and Inez’s characters a bit more. The story does a lot of time jumps in the story so I wished we saw a bit more of moments with them or of Inez with the other characters in the book.
I did really like the reveal at the end and the time jumps they did. The moments we had with those characters felt exciting. I just wished the main character had a similar impact. I also felt like there could have been a more horror aspect to the book. It felt more like a mystery/romance book.
Still enjoyed it and I am wondering if there is going to be a second book and that’s why things ended how they did or we’ll touch upon Inez’s character more. I felt like we knew nothing about her.
I felt like this book had so much potential. I wished they had developed Mae and Inez’s characters a bit more. The story does a lot of time jumps in the story so I wished we saw a bit more of moments with them or of Inez with the other characters in the book.
I did really like the reveal at the end and the time jumps they did. The moments we had with those characters felt exciting. I just wished the main character had a similar impact. I also felt like there could have been a more horror aspect to the book. It felt more like a mystery/romance book.
Still enjoyed it and I am wondering if there is going to be a second book and that’s why things ended how they did or we’ll touch upon Inez’s character more. I felt like we knew nothing about her.
July 15, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley Henry Holt and Co. for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited about the premise of this book, and the cover drew me in more. I loved getting the dual timelines throughout the book, and it was a great way to slowly give us information in regard to the characters. I enjoyed the plot twist at the end. It wasn’t too obvious and life-altering, but it did keep the story engaging.
I didn’t enjoy that the MC Mae immediately goes on a trip to find out about the painting and her missing sister with her sister’s neighbor she just met. They literally knew each other for 30 seconds before they agreed to go. I think I would’ve enjoyed this a bit more if everything hadn’t happened so quickly with little build up.
CW: injury/injury detail, cursing, death, toxic relationship
I was really excited about the premise of this book, and the cover drew me in more. I loved getting the dual timelines throughout the book, and it was a great way to slowly give us information in regard to the characters. I enjoyed the plot twist at the end. It wasn’t too obvious and life-altering, but it did keep the story engaging.
I didn’t enjoy that the MC Mae immediately goes on a trip to find out about the painting and her missing sister with her sister’s neighbor she just met. They literally knew each other for 30 seconds before they agreed to go. I think I would’ve enjoyed this a bit more if everything hadn’t happened so quickly with little build up.
CW: injury/injury detail, cursing, death, toxic relationship
January 9, 2024
I’m going to be in the minority for this one but I just didn’t love it. For being horror, it didn’t have a creepy vibe and most of the time I had to force myself to read it even with how short it was. I was just kind of bored. I was pretty disappointed with this. I think it would have been better for the main character to learn information and then we go back in time to see what happened instead of being told what happened and know before the main character. I was really hoping to like this. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the arc in return for an honest review.
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