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Where No Shadow Stays
Not yet published
Expected 31 Mar 26A homecoming queen and a bad-boy loner team up to break a generational curse in this YA supernatural horror from a talented American Egyptian voice.
Seventeen-year-old Mina is always focused on what comes next: exams, school dances, opportunities for a picnic by the lake. Filling up the future keeps her from lingering over how little she knows about her history or where she comes from. Anytime she asks her father questions about Egypt--or about her mother's mysterious death--he struggles to open up.
When Mina receives an invitation from an aunt she’s never met to visit the Haikal mansion, her mother’s childhood home in El Agamy, Mina accepts. She can’t resist the chance to learn more about her roots or what happened to her mother, even if it means lying to her loves ones for the first time in her life.
But when Mina returns from El Agamy, she doesn’t come back alone.
A sinister entity follows Mina from the Haikal mansion to her tiny California town. Mina is forced to abandon her friends, her father, and everything she loves in order to prevent the entity from violently possessing them. Isolated and fighting for her life, Mina must seek help from an unlikely ally: Jesse Talbot, the mortician’s hostile son and the only person who proves immune to possession. Jesse would rather floss with barbed wire than team up with social butterfly Mina, but he doesn’t exactly have a choice—after all, he’s running from family secrets of his own.
As Mina and Jesse dig deeper into Mina's family lore, they uncover a bloody debt that must be satisfied if Mina wants to finish senior year alive.
Seventeen-year-old Mina is always focused on what comes next: exams, school dances, opportunities for a picnic by the lake. Filling up the future keeps her from lingering over how little she knows about her history or where she comes from. Anytime she asks her father questions about Egypt--or about her mother's mysterious death--he struggles to open up.
When Mina receives an invitation from an aunt she’s never met to visit the Haikal mansion, her mother’s childhood home in El Agamy, Mina accepts. She can’t resist the chance to learn more about her roots or what happened to her mother, even if it means lying to her loves ones for the first time in her life.
But when Mina returns from El Agamy, she doesn’t come back alone.
A sinister entity follows Mina from the Haikal mansion to her tiny California town. Mina is forced to abandon her friends, her father, and everything she loves in order to prevent the entity from violently possessing them. Isolated and fighting for her life, Mina must seek help from an unlikely ally: Jesse Talbot, the mortician’s hostile son and the only person who proves immune to possession. Jesse would rather floss with barbed wire than team up with social butterfly Mina, but he doesn’t exactly have a choice—after all, he’s running from family secrets of his own.
As Mina and Jesse dig deeper into Mina's family lore, they uncover a bloody debt that must be satisfied if Mina wants to finish senior year alive.
304 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 31, 2026
4 people are currently reading
1740 people want to read
About the author
Sara Hashem
3 books2,542 followersSara Hashem is the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Jasad Heir. An American-Egyptian writer from Southern California, she spent many sunny days holed up indoors with a book. Sara’s love for fantasy and magical realms emerged during the two years her family lived in Egypt. When she isn’t busy naming stray cats in her neighborhood after her favorite authors, Sara can be found buried under coffee-ringed notebooks.
You can find Sara on Instagram and TikTok under @shashemwrites!
You can find Sara on Instagram and TikTok under @shashemwrites!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Want to read
July 23, 2025i'm reading anything this woman puts out
Want to read
August 1, 2025A new book by Sara! Consider me sat…
Also I wouldn’t mind a novella (or two) after that epilogue in The Jasad Crown… Like Sara we need more of the precious children!
Also I wouldn’t mind a novella (or two) after that epilogue in The Jasad Crown… Like Sara we need more of the precious children!
Read
July 29, 2025Me omw to raise a Sara Hashem Altar from the ground- just like a certain curly haired Qayida
August 21, 2025
Okay but how about a novella for Arin and Essiya
arc-tbr
October 31, 2025
Want to read
August 22, 2025i don’t fw this genre but i will be turning up for this ✋🏻 in sara hashem i trust 😋
December 3, 2025
WHAT WAS THAT ENDING
I am convinced Sara Hashem just loves to write the most heartbreaking, devastating endings to crush us readers. Just when I think the characters could be happy, I then have to pick up a box of tissues. This is why I love her writing, she knows how to pull a reader in, root for the characters, and catch us off caught with the plot twists and emotions.
Where No Shadow Stays follows Mina, the "golden girl" who begins experiencing haunting scenarios after a secret trip to Egypt, causing her to isolate from her friends and family. The only one who can seem to help her is the town's loner, Jesse, due to mysteries of his own. The two form an undeniable bond as they uncover secrets that date back generations. Blending history and horror together, Where No Shadow Stays will keep you on your toes throughout.
I loved the relationship between Mina and Jesse. Seeing Mina find parts of herself she never knew existed as the pair spend more time together, to then seeing their connection grow with tension and yearning is exactly why Sara Hashem is a master at crafting an unforgettable romance.
Honestly, I would read this woman's grocery list.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC!
I am convinced Sara Hashem just loves to write the most heartbreaking, devastating endings to crush us readers. Just when I think the characters could be happy, I then have to pick up a box of tissues. This is why I love her writing, she knows how to pull a reader in, root for the characters, and catch us off caught with the plot twists and emotions.
Where No Shadow Stays follows Mina, the "golden girl" who begins experiencing haunting scenarios after a secret trip to Egypt, causing her to isolate from her friends and family. The only one who can seem to help her is the town's loner, Jesse, due to mysteries of his own. The two form an undeniable bond as they uncover secrets that date back generations. Blending history and horror together, Where No Shadow Stays will keep you on your toes throughout.
I loved the relationship between Mina and Jesse. Seeing Mina find parts of herself she never knew existed as the pair spend more time together, to then seeing their connection grow with tension and yearning is exactly why Sara Hashem is a master at crafting an unforgettable romance.
Honestly, I would read this woman's grocery list.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC!
Read
November 11, 2025yes, but um....I'm still waiting for the novella after that epilogue...
December 28, 2025
I can’t believe Sara did this to me again 😫💔 full rtc
January 20, 2026
4.25⭐️
a sinister family curse and a tall, dark, and handsome bad boy MMC? SIGN 👏🏼 ME 👏🏼 UP
Sara’s writing is poetic with a sarcastic edge, and I absolutely love it! she quickly became one of my all time favourite authors after reading her Scorched Throne duology, and this YA horror of hers does NOT disappoint!
Mina and Jesse are such loveable characters, you can’t help but root for them from beginning to end. two characters who could not be more different, come together in a time of need to try and end a centuries old curse. the spine tingling horror, the hope, the friendship, the Egyptian elements l…I adored all of it.
I think my only piece of critical feedback on this story is that I was hoping for Jesse’s backstory to be flushed out a bit more. I would have loved more information on WHY he was able to help Mina. I felt it lacked clarity and I would have really loved more information to really understand Jesse’s character.
if you’re looking to dip your toe in YA horror then seriously look no further! Sara Hashem is an amazing author and I will read absolutely ANYTHING she writes!!
a sinister family curse and a tall, dark, and handsome bad boy MMC? SIGN 👏🏼 ME 👏🏼 UP
Sara’s writing is poetic with a sarcastic edge, and I absolutely love it! she quickly became one of my all time favourite authors after reading her Scorched Throne duology, and this YA horror of hers does NOT disappoint!
Mina and Jesse are such loveable characters, you can’t help but root for them from beginning to end. two characters who could not be more different, come together in a time of need to try and end a centuries old curse. the spine tingling horror, the hope, the friendship, the Egyptian elements l…I adored all of it.
I think my only piece of critical feedback on this story is that I was hoping for Jesse’s backstory to be flushed out a bit more. I would have loved more information on WHY he was able to help Mina. I felt it lacked clarity and I would have really loved more information to really understand Jesse’s character.
if you’re looking to dip your toe in YA horror then seriously look no further! Sara Hashem is an amazing author and I will read absolutely ANYTHING she writes!!
Want to read
August 22, 2025HELLO??????? HOLLY FCKAIRBALL
December 5, 2025
WOW… I am truly struggling to find the words, which seems to be a common occurrence when I finish a book by Sara Hashem. However, I’m going to try because this book is wonderful, heart wrenching, & beautifully written (as usual).
Her writing has a way of sucking you in from the very first page. She writes characters in a way that is so complex yet so genuine, they seem to jump off the page. I could hardly put this book down once I started it, I finished in two sittings. It is incredibly fast paced and I just needed to know where the story was going and how it would end… and the ending… wow.
Three for three with the five star books for me, I do believe this year has made her one of my new favorite authors. She’s absolutely brilliant.
& now, some of my favorite quotes-
Thank you to NetGalley & Holiday House for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
Her writing has a way of sucking you in from the very first page. She writes characters in a way that is so complex yet so genuine, they seem to jump off the page. I could hardly put this book down once I started it, I finished in two sittings. It is incredibly fast paced and I just needed to know where the story was going and how it would end… and the ending… wow.
Three for three with the five star books for me, I do believe this year has made her one of my new favorite authors. She’s absolutely brilliant.
& now, some of my favorite quotes-
Thank you to NetGalley & Holiday House for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
September 8, 2025
IM SEATEDDDDDDD
November 9, 2025
I KNOW I WILL LOVE WHATEVER SARA HASHEM WRITES.
Want to read
September 4, 2025Ma’am. This date is so far away. 😭
January 11, 2026
“Silence hangs like a guillotine in the empty room.”
This book is so hard to review. It’s hard because I’m not done mourning what could have been. What should have been. I can’t go into more details as this is intended to be a spoiler free review.
Sarah Hashem is an author I fell in love with when I found her first book, the Jasad Heir. I love it so much I rave about it to anyone who will listen, and it’s my most recommended series. I’ve read so many books, but that series really started my deep love for her.
When I saw this ARC was open for applications of course I had to apply. I was graciously granted the opportunity to read it. I am so blessed that I have.
It’s been 10 hours since I finished this book. I am still mourning its ending. I am mourning that I won’t get to see anything more of this world and its characters.
Mina is such an easy to love character, and I love a good grumpy and sunshine duo. I love how they found each other, following the first attack, I love the flashbacks of what happened throughout time, and I especially love the quips from the talented author who created all of this. The story is grabbing, there wasn’t a moment of boredom for me. It was a breath of fresh air. I was kicking my feet and giggling so many times.
Jesse… I can’t even begin. Sara has such a way with her words and some of the very specific spoiler statements I highlighted cannot go into this review, but I love him. I loved reading this book because I believe such similar things about my own partner that I had to laugh about it.
My biggest problem is some of the pacing felt too sudden. The next problem I had was that a specific scene was brought up and then quickly discarded like a half baked page filler. The scene in question felt like it had a lot of build up due to this being the big important thing to put this side character in the map— but it fizzled out so quickly it left me wondering why it was there in the first place.
These aren’t absolutely book ruining for me, no, and I still love the story. I just wish the pacing was more consistent and the one scene made more of an impact. I thought maybe we were going to get more of a description of something cool and maybe with the use of a computer they were going to crack the case in a completely different way, but no such luck.
I will always root for the underdog, and this book is no different. Which is what made the ending so impactful to me, because I don’t know how I’ll recover. 4.5/5 stars. I can’t wait to read it again when it releases and absolutely let it destroy me again.
She makes me care so much about all of her characters, it should be a crime.
This book is so hard to review. It’s hard because I’m not done mourning what could have been. What should have been. I can’t go into more details as this is intended to be a spoiler free review.
Sarah Hashem is an author I fell in love with when I found her first book, the Jasad Heir. I love it so much I rave about it to anyone who will listen, and it’s my most recommended series. I’ve read so many books, but that series really started my deep love for her.
When I saw this ARC was open for applications of course I had to apply. I was graciously granted the opportunity to read it. I am so blessed that I have.
It’s been 10 hours since I finished this book. I am still mourning its ending. I am mourning that I won’t get to see anything more of this world and its characters.
Mina is such an easy to love character, and I love a good grumpy and sunshine duo. I love how they found each other, following the first attack, I love the flashbacks of what happened throughout time, and I especially love the quips from the talented author who created all of this. The story is grabbing, there wasn’t a moment of boredom for me. It was a breath of fresh air. I was kicking my feet and giggling so many times.
Jesse… I can’t even begin. Sara has such a way with her words and some of the very specific spoiler statements I highlighted cannot go into this review, but I love him. I loved reading this book because I believe such similar things about my own partner that I had to laugh about it.
My biggest problem is some of the pacing felt too sudden. The next problem I had was that a specific scene was brought up and then quickly discarded like a half baked page filler. The scene in question felt like it had a lot of build up due to this being the big important thing to put this side character in the map— but it fizzled out so quickly it left me wondering why it was there in the first place.
These aren’t absolutely book ruining for me, no, and I still love the story. I just wish the pacing was more consistent and the one scene made more of an impact. I thought maybe we were going to get more of a description of something cool and maybe with the use of a computer they were going to crack the case in a completely different way, but no such luck.
I will always root for the underdog, and this book is no different. Which is what made the ending so impactful to me, because I don’t know how I’ll recover. 4.5/5 stars. I can’t wait to read it again when it releases and absolutely let it destroy me again.
She makes me care so much about all of her characters, it should be a crime.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
**ARC from Edelweiss in exchange for honest review**
4.5 stars rounded up!
i have recently discovered that i am generally okay with horror as long as it's in the written format. perhaps this is because i dont visualize much when i read. there was one scene in this book that i visualized and i DID, in fact, get the heebie jeebies from it.
i really appreciated how unique this story was. like... she can't be alone with anybody because the moment she is, a horrifying monster possesses them and tries to kill her!! this led to many interesting situations, like mina having to push away her family, friends and loved ones... and can only hang out with jesse, the only person who can't be possessed bc of . i loved the set up of the curse and the flashbacks that explained what happened to mina's mom and family. it was genuinely so interesting! i loved mina and jesse! i am totally okay after finishing the book! really! totally!
Anyway. My psychological damage aside. I DID enjoy this book, a lot.
4.5 stars rounded up!
i have recently discovered that i am generally okay with horror as long as it's in the written format. perhaps this is because i dont visualize much when i read. there was one scene in this book that i visualized and i DID, in fact, get the heebie jeebies from it.
i really appreciated how unique this story was. like... she can't be alone with anybody because the moment she is, a horrifying monster possesses them and tries to kill her!! this led to many interesting situations, like mina having to push away her family, friends and loved ones... and can only hang out with jesse, the only person who can't be possessed bc of . i loved the set up of the curse and the flashbacks that explained what happened to mina's mom and family. it was genuinely so interesting! i loved mina and jesse! i am totally okay after finishing the book! really! totally!
Anyway. My psychological damage aside. I DID enjoy this book, a lot.
February 3, 2026
I really enjoyed reading this YA horror novel, brimming with curses, mystery, and a bit of teen romance.
This story takes place across multiple timelines, with sections of chapters flashing back to both Mina and Nadine, often related to their time in Egypt at the Haikal estate. The flashback scenes were quite enjoyable as we tried to piece together what the Haikal curse entailed and what happened to Nadine and Mina.
I really liked Mina and Jesse and the whole cast of characters. The sassier Mina got, the more I liked her.
The premise of the curse taking over people when Mina is alone with them was fascinating, and so exciting in the first half of the story. Unfortunately, after that it kind of faded out - the vague threat was there, but I no longer felt that Mina’s life was in danger (which is good for Mina, but does not make an exciting second half). Luckily, the mystery took over and I remained hooked!
The biggest frustrations for me in this book were twofold - one is that we dropped important conversations for no narrative reason. For example, Mina is in the middle of telling Jesse what happened in Egypt, a distraction occurs, and they never finish even though they continue to have a discussion. I understand this is so that it can be revealed via flashbacks and excitement, but that’s just not how conversations work.
The other frustration was that Jesse’s curse was practically non-existent. How do we know he has no soul? It’s explained in a very hand-wavy way. What are the consequences of that? As far as I could tell, there weren’t any. I wonder if it was even necessary to the plot.
That said, the dread and creep of the curse crawled through every page of this book. It’s fast-paced and engaging, and I had a great time reading it. I’m embarrassed to admit that I own Jasad Heir and haven’t read it yet - I’ll be moving it to the top of my TBR for sure.
The ending? Devastating.
Thank you to Holiday House and NetGalley for an eARC of this book so that I may leave an honest review.
This story takes place across multiple timelines, with sections of chapters flashing back to both Mina and Nadine, often related to their time in Egypt at the Haikal estate. The flashback scenes were quite enjoyable as we tried to piece together what the Haikal curse entailed and what happened to Nadine and Mina.
I really liked Mina and Jesse and the whole cast of characters. The sassier Mina got, the more I liked her.
The premise of the curse taking over people when Mina is alone with them was fascinating, and so exciting in the first half of the story. Unfortunately, after that it kind of faded out - the vague threat was there, but I no longer felt that Mina’s life was in danger (which is good for Mina, but does not make an exciting second half). Luckily, the mystery took over and I remained hooked!
The biggest frustrations for me in this book were twofold - one is that we dropped important conversations for no narrative reason. For example, Mina is in the middle of telling Jesse what happened in Egypt, a distraction occurs, and they never finish even though they continue to have a discussion. I understand this is so that it can be revealed via flashbacks and excitement, but that’s just not how conversations work.
The other frustration was that Jesse’s curse was practically non-existent. How do we know he has no soul? It’s explained in a very hand-wavy way. What are the consequences of that? As far as I could tell, there weren’t any. I wonder if it was even necessary to the plot.
That said, the dread and creep of the curse crawled through every page of this book. It’s fast-paced and engaging, and I had a great time reading it. I’m embarrassed to admit that I own Jasad Heir and haven’t read it yet - I’ll be moving it to the top of my TBR for sure.
The ending? Devastating.
Thank you to Holiday House and NetGalley for an eARC of this book so that I may leave an honest review.
November 28, 2025
Oh look, another devastating story from Sara Hashem that has left me shattered into a million different pieces. This is their introduction into YA and specifically YA horror which is one of my favorite genres to read. The story starts with our introduction to Mina and we learn that something sinister has attached to her from her secret trip to Egypt over Spring Break. She had isolated herself from her friends, (ex) boyfriend and father. The only one who seemingly can help her is the town’s loner Jesse (goth lover boy) who has his own secrets. If you love the town golden girl x bad boy loner trope… you will be a fan of this!!! The story goes back and forth between present time and what happened to Mina 3 weeks prior. We also get flashbacks of other important characters and we learn more about the Mansour’s family history and sinister lore that has followed this family for generations.
There’s the perfect amount of history and eeriness that keeps you engaged with the plot and wanting to learn more about what is happening to this family. Mina soon discovers her mother (who died 9 years ago) isn’t exactly who she says she was and she learns deep family secrets that has her questioning everything she’s ever known. As she grows closer to Jesse, she also begins to see a new side to herself that she grapples with and learns maybe she doesn’t have to be the perfect daughter everyone expects her to be.
Other elements I enjoyed was the friendship dynamics, the relationship between Mina and her father and the Egyptian history and mythology in the story!
One thing Sara isn’t afraid to do is pull your heartstrings, feel immense pain and basically stomp all over your heart!!! But hey, I still eat it up everytime!
Another 5 star read!
Thank you to the publisher for the arc!
There’s the perfect amount of history and eeriness that keeps you engaged with the plot and wanting to learn more about what is happening to this family. Mina soon discovers her mother (who died 9 years ago) isn’t exactly who she says she was and she learns deep family secrets that has her questioning everything she’s ever known. As she grows closer to Jesse, she also begins to see a new side to herself that she grapples with and learns maybe she doesn’t have to be the perfect daughter everyone expects her to be.
Other elements I enjoyed was the friendship dynamics, the relationship between Mina and her father and the Egyptian history and mythology in the story!
One thing Sara isn’t afraid to do is pull your heartstrings, feel immense pain and basically stomp all over your heart!!! But hey, I still eat it up everytime!
Another 5 star read!
Thank you to the publisher for the arc!
January 22, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an early copy of this book! My thoughts and feelings below are 100% my honest opinion.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Oh, would you look at that, another book by Sara Hashem that causes me severe emotional damage. Question: Can I sue for emotional damage?? WHAT WAS THAT ENDING!? sigh. I guess I'll just make this book my personality for the foreseeable future and force everyone who will listen to read it so we can form a support group.
Where No Shadow Stays follows Mina Mansour, who is seeking answers about her mother’s mysterious death. Ultimately, she accepts a cryptic invitation from her aunt to visit her mother’s childhood home. However, when she returns home, something follows. Now, pursued by a sinister force, Mina teams up with the resident loner bad boy, and together they uncover a curse they have to work together to break.
My friends will be the first to tell you that I HATE anything horror-related, but if Sara Hashem writes it, I'm going to read it. Sara’s ability to weave a story is phenomenal, and this one is no exception. It was impossible to put down. This story is told through separate time lines as the present merges with the past in an unforgettable and chilling tale! It’s full of curses, mystery, romance, supernatural beings, and plot twists! Personally, I have never read anything quite like it, and it had me hooked from the very first chapter and the immediate witty banter between Mina and Jesse. Did I mention there was a romance subplot?? Yes, Horror AND romance! It's a combo I didn't know I needed. It was fast (but very well) paced, and while I tried to anticipate what would happen next, the twists kept on coming.
✨Read if you like:✨
👻Supernatural (TV Show)
👻Romance AND Horror (A combo I didn't know I needed!)
👻 Reluctant allies to lovers
👻 Unique Adventures
👻Mystery
👻 Family Curses and Lore
👻Ghosts
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Oh, would you look at that, another book by Sara Hashem that causes me severe emotional damage. Question: Can I sue for emotional damage?? WHAT WAS THAT ENDING!? sigh. I guess I'll just make this book my personality for the foreseeable future and force everyone who will listen to read it so we can form a support group.
Where No Shadow Stays follows Mina Mansour, who is seeking answers about her mother’s mysterious death. Ultimately, she accepts a cryptic invitation from her aunt to visit her mother’s childhood home. However, when she returns home, something follows. Now, pursued by a sinister force, Mina teams up with the resident loner bad boy, and together they uncover a curse they have to work together to break.
My friends will be the first to tell you that I HATE anything horror-related, but if Sara Hashem writes it, I'm going to read it. Sara’s ability to weave a story is phenomenal, and this one is no exception. It was impossible to put down. This story is told through separate time lines as the present merges with the past in an unforgettable and chilling tale! It’s full of curses, mystery, romance, supernatural beings, and plot twists! Personally, I have never read anything quite like it, and it had me hooked from the very first chapter and the immediate witty banter between Mina and Jesse. Did I mention there was a romance subplot?? Yes, Horror AND romance! It's a combo I didn't know I needed. It was fast (but very well) paced, and while I tried to anticipate what would happen next, the twists kept on coming.
✨Read if you like:✨
👻Supernatural (TV Show)
👻Romance AND Horror (A combo I didn't know I needed!)
👻 Reluctant allies to lovers
👻 Unique Adventures
👻Mystery
👻 Family Curses and Lore
👻Ghosts
January 18, 2026
4.25/4.5
Thank you so much to Holiday House and Netgalley for the ARC!
I ended up at 4.25/4.5 as a rating for this book. I had recently finished the Jasad Heir & Jasad Crown when I requested this and was not expecting AT ALL to receive an ARC! I absolutely adore Hashem's writing; it's concise but can be whimsically descriptive.
Jesse and Mina's relationship was everything teenage me would've wanted to read about. Brooding "bad" boy whose dad is the town mortician? SAY LESS!! Truly though, I enjoyed how much these two grew together through the book and how important it is to "be alone" and discover yourself, but also have people you love and trust around you when you need it. High school can be catty and difficult and I love that Hashem chose to show a different and totally plausible other side of that. The high school dramatics weren't a main plot point at all, it was Mina's own feelings and fears and her literally fighting for her life that was the focus.
I saw someone say that Hashem's writing is meant to devastate and they weren't wrong. I won't lie, I was incredibly sad when this ended; I was sure somehow this would still work out the way I wanted it to.
When it didn't, I was shocked and sobbing thinking of all the after-effects, but I think that was the point.
I kept wondering how, how HOW was this going to get resolved and I think that it not being totally resolved is just as impactful.
The only reason this isn't five stars is because I was a tad confused about the shadows and whatnot when they first arrived and didn't feel like we got any explanation for a while. Also the format of this ARC made reading it very difficult, but aside from that this was a very well written story that I will continue to think of for a while.
Thank you so much to Holiday House and Netgalley for the ARC!
I ended up at 4.25/4.5 as a rating for this book. I had recently finished the Jasad Heir & Jasad Crown when I requested this and was not expecting AT ALL to receive an ARC! I absolutely adore Hashem's writing; it's concise but can be whimsically descriptive.
Jesse and Mina's relationship was everything teenage me would've wanted to read about. Brooding "bad" boy whose dad is the town mortician? SAY LESS!! Truly though, I enjoyed how much these two grew together through the book and how important it is to "be alone" and discover yourself, but also have people you love and trust around you when you need it. High school can be catty and difficult and I love that Hashem chose to show a different and totally plausible other side of that. The high school dramatics weren't a main plot point at all, it was Mina's own feelings and fears and her literally fighting for her life that was the focus.
I saw someone say that Hashem's writing is meant to devastate and they weren't wrong. I won't lie, I was incredibly sad when this ended; I was sure somehow this would still work out the way I wanted it to.
When it didn't, I was shocked and sobbing thinking of all the after-effects, but I think that was the point.
I kept wondering how, how HOW was this going to get resolved and I think that it not being totally resolved is just as impactful.
The only reason this isn't five stars is because I was a tad confused about the shadows and whatnot when they first arrived and didn't feel like we got any explanation for a while. Also the format of this ARC made reading it very difficult, but aside from that this was a very well written story that I will continue to think of for a while.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Holiday House and NetGalley for the arc of Where No Shadow Stays by Sara Hashem, the queen herself.
WHO DO I SEND MY THERAPY BILL TO THIS TIME SARA?
In this book, we follow Mina who goes to her mother's home in Egypt and comes back to California with an entity that stalks her every move. With the help of the high school's leather-clad mystery boy Jesse, secrets are uncovered that shine a light on what exactly is abnormal about Mina and Jesse and how they can hope to make it through senior year.
The story in this YA horror fantasy is so unique and thorough, I felt like I was walking with Mina on her journey and feeling what she felt. The characters had such fresh voices and the ghostly lore felt so alive.
A perfect book if you want a little spooky tale and the classic tragic characters Sara Hashem loves to thrust upon her readers.
I do wish the ending wrapped up with slightly more of a finality and with a little more explanation of what exactly happened after the lake...
WHO DO I SEND MY THERAPY BILL TO THIS TIME SARA?
In this book, we follow Mina who goes to her mother's home in Egypt and comes back to California with an entity that stalks her every move. With the help of the high school's leather-clad mystery boy Jesse, secrets are uncovered that shine a light on what exactly is abnormal about Mina and Jesse and how they can hope to make it through senior year.
The story in this YA horror fantasy is so unique and thorough, I felt like I was walking with Mina on her journey and feeling what she felt. The characters had such fresh voices and the ghostly lore felt so alive.
A perfect book if you want a little spooky tale and the classic tragic characters Sara Hashem loves to thrust upon her readers.
I do wish the ending wrapped up with slightly more of a finality and with a little more explanation of what exactly happened after the lake...
November 9, 2025
I love Sara Hashem's work. So much so that even though I could only read this arc on a computer screen I pushed through and read it.
Without a doubt her work is as intriguing and captivating as always. Her dive into horror shows how good she is at capturing emotions and drawing the reader along for the ride.
The story emanates from Egypt which was a refreshing twist and gave the author room to excite and titillate readers as she traversed timelines in this one.
I enjoyed reading it and it definitely held my attention through strained eyes on the screen.
This is a book I will purchase on release just so I can enjoy it more thoroughly on my kindle.
Without a doubt her work is as intriguing and captivating as always. Her dive into horror shows how good she is at capturing emotions and drawing the reader along for the ride.
The story emanates from Egypt which was a refreshing twist and gave the author room to excite and titillate readers as she traversed timelines in this one.
I enjoyed reading it and it definitely held my attention through strained eyes on the screen.
This is a book I will purchase on release just so I can enjoy it more thoroughly on my kindle.
January 11, 2026
Even though I’m not a horror fan, I thought this would be good because I LOVED her other works. However, this just wasn’t for me. It was less scary and more just really, really confusing. I didn’t understand the family and the curse. I didn’t really understand Jesse and what was going on with him. He didn’t feel like a real character. I didn’t get emotionally invested in either character or in the story because I was just really, really confused. I think a good idea was there. I would have loved if there had been some tie to historic Egypt with the curse, but it was just again-confusing. It was at least a quick read!
November 12, 2025
A young adult horror, giving ghost story energy, a generational curse, and Egyptian background setting. The story pulls you in from the start! I loved the story and the characters, gives you the This was fast paced, a little too quick at times, but overall a page turner for sure. You're gripped to find out what the curse entails and how it will end. Can you be saved if it's in your blood to be cursed? Beware of the shadows.
Loved the ending.
Sara Hashem with another great read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House books for the e-Arc!
Loved the ending.
Sara Hashem with another great read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House books for the e-Arc!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love dark books and I've read quite a few, but this one just felt boring to me. The premise really pulled me in at first, a girl who can’t be alone with people because they immediately want to kill her. Such a cool concept!
However, the romance didn't click for me either. It’s just not my thing, though I have to say, the FMC wasn't annoying at all. This was my first book by this author, and while it wasn't the best introduction, it won't be my last. I'm definitely going to give her fantasy duology a try!
However, the romance didn't click for me either. It’s just not my thing, though I have to say, the FMC wasn't annoying at all. This was my first book by this author, and while it wasn't the best introduction, it won't be my last. I'm definitely going to give her fantasy duology a try!
November 6, 2025
In Where No Shadow Stays, a homecoming queen and a bad-boy loner team up to break a generational curse. The dark mythology is thoughtfully crafted, and is much more intricate than a simple horror story. The author voice is compelling and there is a certain warmth and familiarity in the setting and characters. Egyptian culture adds richness and depth to this captivating horror novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for an e-ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for an e-ARC.
December 29, 2025
Sara Hashem had found her way to the top of my list in terms of authors.
From the prose, to the characters, Where No Shadow Stays came through as another fantastic read.
The characters are well done, allowing you to fall in love easily with every last one. This certainly opens up the ability to be hurt by their fate, but I would not have it any other way.
Romance, horror, mystery. This YA novel truly had it all, and I cannot wait for the rest of the world to read it.
From the prose, to the characters, Where No Shadow Stays came through as another fantastic read.
The characters are well done, allowing you to fall in love easily with every last one. This certainly opens up the ability to be hurt by their fate, but I would not have it any other way.
Romance, horror, mystery. This YA novel truly had it all, and I cannot wait for the rest of the world to read it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As always, Sara Hashem goes for the emotional gut punch. I adored her previous books and immediately rushed to request Where No Shadow Stays, which absolutely did not disappoint. Her writing is immersive and beautifully crafted, the characters feel vividly real, and the sense of darkness hangs heavy and palpable throughout. Easily a five-star read from one of my favorite authors.
Thank you to Holiday House and NetGalley for the advance copy!
Thank you to Holiday House and NetGalley for the advance copy!
November 19, 2025
This book had all the things you look for in horror. Peppy teenager, angsty teenager. Moments where you shift slightly so nothing can creep up on you. Social commentary that punches you in the face. And you know it’s good when you start panic counting the pages.
Thank you NetGalley and Holiday House for this ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and Holiday House for this ARC.
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