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Shadowless
As a Beastblood-Emberstead halfie, Adrianne McCarthy is no stranger to criticism. Without being able to shift into her beast form, however, her personal shame bleeds on to her family. She’s Shadowless, linked to the world of the dead.
In her final year of Guardian training, Adrianne is desperate to prove herself. Striving to exceed everyone’s expectations, she agrees to help train a new advanced team on top of her Medic classes and gruelling clinical work. Despite her efforts, she is met with disrespect from the team and skepticism from her superiors, leaving her to wonder if her choice to be a Medic is really what she wants.
When a rebel uprising intersects with Adrianne’s struggle to find her own way, she’s faced with a choice between following social expectations or her intuition and is left more broken than ever. Reconciling with her true nature is the key to finding her place in the fight—unless it kills her first. Now, at the crossroad of who she’s been and who she really is, Adrianne finds that her connection to death is a strength beyond her imagination.
In her final year of Guardian training, Adrianne is desperate to prove herself. Striving to exceed everyone’s expectations, she agrees to help train a new advanced team on top of her Medic classes and gruelling clinical work. Despite her efforts, she is met with disrespect from the team and skepticism from her superiors, leaving her to wonder if her choice to be a Medic is really what she wants.
When a rebel uprising intersects with Adrianne’s struggle to find her own way, she’s faced with a choice between following social expectations or her intuition and is left more broken than ever. Reconciling with her true nature is the key to finding her place in the fight—unless it kills her first. Now, at the crossroad of who she’s been and who she really is, Adrianne finds that her connection to death is a strength beyond her imagination.
372 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2024
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15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 24, 2024
(4⭐) 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔
𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒓 I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy.
This book to me by surprise. I honestly had no idea what kind of vibes I was going to walk into and it was a complete delight. The best way to describe this book for me is a mix of the worldbuilding of Winx Club (yes, the animated version) with some elements that are reminders of space operas.
The characters are all very interesting and have unique things that make them stand out. I personally loved Adrienne but Marcus was also great. Rin is one of my favourites as well, meanwhile I could not stand Johana throughout most of the book.
The worldbuilding and magic system are both complex but filled with life and it does remind me a lot of the Winx and how Alfea is set up along with Magix for the first couple of seasons. The lineages were very interesting and I truly appreciated the maps at the start of the book.
The story was great but I do feel as if Shadowless had a bit of a slow start, with the story picking up the pace around halfway through the book. It was still very entertaining and getting to know Adrienne and the world was a treat, I just wish there was more action at the start.
𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒓 I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy.
This book to me by surprise. I honestly had no idea what kind of vibes I was going to walk into and it was a complete delight. The best way to describe this book for me is a mix of the worldbuilding of Winx Club (yes, the animated version) with some elements that are reminders of space operas.
The characters are all very interesting and have unique things that make them stand out. I personally loved Adrienne but Marcus was also great. Rin is one of my favourites as well, meanwhile I could not stand Johana throughout most of the book.
The worldbuilding and magic system are both complex but filled with life and it does remind me a lot of the Winx and how Alfea is set up along with Magix for the first couple of seasons. The lineages were very interesting and I truly appreciated the maps at the start of the book.
The story was great but I do feel as if Shadowless had a bit of a slow start, with the story picking up the pace around halfway through the book. It was still very entertaining and getting to know Adrienne and the world was a treat, I just wish there was more action at the start.
February 8, 2024
B.Joyce has done it once again; she has written an amazing novel that speaks of themes such a mental health, something we need more of in the world, & in such an respectful & yet true way. It was so interesting to follow around Adrianne, who is a side-character in the main series Moon Beetles.
What made it interesting for me is that we also get to see main characters from Moon Beetles such as Rin from Adrianne's view here while Adrianne is dealing with her own issues. We see her trying to balance the act of teaching, her own studies, mental health & past which proves a struggle. This truly makes her an relatable character. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I won't go to deep into detail but it's great to see Adrianne grow throughout the book. See her finding a path she didn’t knoe excisted. And then there is the epilogue; it's so beautifully & sweet, the perfect way to close off this book!
What made it interesting for me is that we also get to see main characters from Moon Beetles such as Rin from Adrianne's view here while Adrianne is dealing with her own issues. We see her trying to balance the act of teaching, her own studies, mental health & past which proves a struggle. This truly makes her an relatable character. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I won't go to deep into detail but it's great to see Adrianne grow throughout the book. See her finding a path she didn’t knoe excisted. And then there is the epilogue; it's so beautifully & sweet, the perfect way to close off this book!
July 4, 2024
Adrianne is the epitome of "because the world didn't end when I was 17"
I really, really enjoyed this! and as my introduction to the Illyson world it has only made me more excited to read the Moon Beetle series!
I related to so many parts of Adrianne and her story. And it at times made me reflect on my own way of navigating the big feelings explored in this lovely story.
This won't be for everyone but I think if you enjoy it, it will be really special to you.
I really, really enjoyed this! and as my introduction to the Illyson world it has only made me more excited to read the Moon Beetle series!
I related to so many parts of Adrianne and her story. And it at times made me reflect on my own way of navigating the big feelings explored in this lovely story.
This won't be for everyone but I think if you enjoy it, it will be really special to you.
February 21, 2024
"I don't want to continue to be the girl who hides. I want my wound to heal."
Shadowless is an emotion packed fantasy novel with realistic characters, an impressive magic system, incredible world building and a story that will leave you gasping for more. Adrianne will have you rooting for her the entire time, so be ready to be laughing while simulateniously sobbing for this awesome Beastblood badass.
TW: themes of suicide, blood, anxiety and depression.
Shadowless is a complex fantasy novel that follows Adrianne a 4th year student at a Guardian Academy who feels like the world is against her (and honestly, it kinda is). A talented and hardworking half Beastblood, half Emberstead, who is following a path that she is not sure is the one she should be taking. Adrianne started at the academy expecting to be who others wanted her to be. A powerful Beastblood who brings only success. But what happens when she loses her connection to her beast, and gains a link to the world of the dead. What happend when the world shifts and Adrianne must pick between her suffering normal or a new opportunity? I promise that Shadowless will leave you teary eyed and a fast beating heart.
5 stars! ⭐️
Shadowless is my favorite read of the year so far, as I couldn't put it down. A novel Packed with incredible world building and characters that the more I read about the more I loved. I felt such a connection to Adrianne, as a girl, a student and a person who feels lost. The pressures she is put under in school and at home added such a layer of depth to an already complex story. A lot of expectations packed on top of trauma, stress and sadness overpowers her. As nothing fills the void in her heart, nothing brings her the happiness and fufillment she was promised.
Shadowless has magic system that feels like Scifi, I was GRIPPED by the training and skill performances of the characters. I was brought back to the same level of amazement I felt when reading descriptive scenes in The Hunger Games series. I was hooked to my screen reading each step the characters had to take in their training and in the real world. Showing off their skills in medicine, magic and combat.
As someone with anxiety, I have never read a book that so perfectly capsulates the reality of living with depression and anxiety. I never felt triggered by the book, infact I felt deeply understood and validated. Adrianne loses her shadow, her beast tranformation after a suicide attempt. She is lost with no shadow, in an ocean of others expectations. I found the suicidal themes to be done correctly with respect. Reading about her growth was inspiring, especially when reading scenes of encouragement from people who love and care for her. Adriannes story was incredibly powerful that intertwined realistic flawed characters with fantasy elements such as creatures, powerful magical characters, incredible magic systems and a highly complex world.
A small note for my romantasy lovers:
Marcus, a demiromantic BADASS who is Adriannes crush had me BY THE THROAT. I loved their interactions as an asexual person myself, and it was so refreshing to read their story. And yes, the book does have LGBTQIA+ rep from lesbian to demisaexual characters! 🌈
I adored this novel as a fan of fantasy with deep themes, light romance, and characters that leave our hearts pumping
Shadowless is an emotion packed fantasy novel with realistic characters, an impressive magic system, incredible world building and a story that will leave you gasping for more. Adrianne will have you rooting for her the entire time, so be ready to be laughing while simulateniously sobbing for this awesome Beastblood badass.
TW: themes of suicide, blood, anxiety and depression.
Shadowless is a complex fantasy novel that follows Adrianne a 4th year student at a Guardian Academy who feels like the world is against her (and honestly, it kinda is). A talented and hardworking half Beastblood, half Emberstead, who is following a path that she is not sure is the one she should be taking. Adrianne started at the academy expecting to be who others wanted her to be. A powerful Beastblood who brings only success. But what happens when she loses her connection to her beast, and gains a link to the world of the dead. What happend when the world shifts and Adrianne must pick between her suffering normal or a new opportunity? I promise that Shadowless will leave you teary eyed and a fast beating heart.
5 stars! ⭐️
Shadowless is my favorite read of the year so far, as I couldn't put it down. A novel Packed with incredible world building and characters that the more I read about the more I loved. I felt such a connection to Adrianne, as a girl, a student and a person who feels lost. The pressures she is put under in school and at home added such a layer of depth to an already complex story. A lot of expectations packed on top of trauma, stress and sadness overpowers her. As nothing fills the void in her heart, nothing brings her the happiness and fufillment she was promised.
Shadowless has magic system that feels like Scifi, I was GRIPPED by the training and skill performances of the characters. I was brought back to the same level of amazement I felt when reading descriptive scenes in The Hunger Games series. I was hooked to my screen reading each step the characters had to take in their training and in the real world. Showing off their skills in medicine, magic and combat.
As someone with anxiety, I have never read a book that so perfectly capsulates the reality of living with depression and anxiety. I never felt triggered by the book, infact I felt deeply understood and validated. Adrianne loses her shadow, her beast tranformation after a suicide attempt. She is lost with no shadow, in an ocean of others expectations. I found the suicidal themes to be done correctly with respect. Reading about her growth was inspiring, especially when reading scenes of encouragement from people who love and care for her. Adriannes story was incredibly powerful that intertwined realistic flawed characters with fantasy elements such as creatures, powerful magical characters, incredible magic systems and a highly complex world.
A small note for my romantasy lovers:
Marcus, a demiromantic BADASS who is Adriannes crush had me BY THE THROAT. I loved their interactions as an asexual person myself, and it was so refreshing to read their story. And yes, the book does have LGBTQIA+ rep from lesbian to demisaexual characters! 🌈
I adored this novel as a fan of fantasy with deep themes, light romance, and characters that leave our hearts pumping
February 23, 2024
Like B Joyce's other books, Shadowless is a whirlwind of introspection, cultural reflection, and self-discovery -- I marvel at how the author can turn self-discovery into the primary plot and keep it engaging and exciting -- while mixed with cruel criticism, the travails of finishing school, dangerous missions, and rebel uprisings. I often wondered whether Adrianne would just entirely fail and never become who she hoped, and that kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering whether the author really would deign to allow a happily-ever-after -- which made her hard-won success so much the more satisfying. I loved all of it, and, as someone who has read the author's other works, I savored the tie-ins, crossovers, and insight that this work offered into the events and world of those. I should note, though, that this book rightfully does stand on its own, as Adrianne does, and it's everything it should be.
February 29, 2024
This book is full of strong themes regarding mental health and finding one’s own path in life. It was interesting to see Adrienne’s journey and at times it was quite relatable to certain periods in my life.
The plot itself is weak and there’s a lot (too much) of worldbuilding that’s unrelated to the story. But then this story is a spin off of the author’s main series (which I didn’t realise going in) so perhaps it all makes more sense in the grand scheme of things 😉
What I loved most was the (demi-)romantic subplot. Marcus is an absolute gem. The scenes with him were my favourite and I love him💕
At it’s core Shadowless is a story about self-exploration and growth, which it does quite well.
One of my favourite quotes:
“Every time I act on a gut instinct, someone gets angry and the earth beneath my feet seems to be turned over. The earth is disrupted, but you can’t plant anything in untilled soil.”
Rating: 3/3.5⭐️
The plot itself is weak and there’s a lot (too much) of worldbuilding that’s unrelated to the story. But then this story is a spin off of the author’s main series (which I didn’t realise going in) so perhaps it all makes more sense in the grand scheme of things 😉
What I loved most was the (demi-)romantic subplot. Marcus is an absolute gem. The scenes with him were my favourite and I love him💕
At it’s core Shadowless is a story about self-exploration and growth, which it does quite well.
One of my favourite quotes:
“Every time I act on a gut instinct, someone gets angry and the earth beneath my feet seems to be turned over. The earth is disrupted, but you can’t plant anything in untilled soil.”
Rating: 3/3.5⭐️
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