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The Shape of Shadows
Fight. Flight. Freeze. Fawn.
Selene Saintclare only knows how to do one of those things.
Selene has one goal - to get out. Haunted by her past, Selene is ready to leave her life behind in an attempt to finally track down her missing sister. She has the car packed and her keys in hand. But when she's attacked in the parking lot, Selene doesn't get out... She gets even.
What she isn't prepared for is to fall through the veil with her attacker, and end up trapped. To survive, Selene must navigate her own mental health and the dark reality of magic, supernatural beings, and ancient deities. Can she learn to tame her rage long enough to find a way back, or will Selene end up with blood on her hands? Again.
The Shape of Shadows is a fantasy romance with dark themes of past trauma. Reader discretion is advised. $1 from every sale goes directly to supporting fellow survivors of sexual assault and/or domestic violence.
Selene Saintclare only knows how to do one of those things.
Selene has one goal - to get out. Haunted by her past, Selene is ready to leave her life behind in an attempt to finally track down her missing sister. She has the car packed and her keys in hand. But when she's attacked in the parking lot, Selene doesn't get out... She gets even.
What she isn't prepared for is to fall through the veil with her attacker, and end up trapped. To survive, Selene must navigate her own mental health and the dark reality of magic, supernatural beings, and ancient deities. Can she learn to tame her rage long enough to find a way back, or will Selene end up with blood on her hands? Again.
The Shape of Shadows is a fantasy romance with dark themes of past trauma. Reader discretion is advised. $1 from every sale goes directly to supporting fellow survivors of sexual assault and/or domestic violence.
- GenresFantasy
518 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2025
17 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 11, 2025
A phenomenally raw and tragic story. I could not tear my eyes away from this book even when they were soaked with tears. I’ve never felt so utterly seen than I did while reading about Selene! Absolutely wonderful debut novel.
•magical
•fae/witches/shifters
•mental health/BIPOC/ LQBTQIA+ rep
•Deadly Trials
•And a stand for justice fueled with rage.
If you’re looking for feminine rage this book has that in aces… from page one to the last page, Selene is an absolute powerhouse!
•magical
•fae/witches/shifters
•mental health/BIPOC/ LQBTQIA+ rep
•Deadly Trials
•And a stand for justice fueled with rage.
If you’re looking for feminine rage this book has that in aces… from page one to the last page, Selene is an absolute powerhouse!
September 25, 2025
Omg how is this a debut?! It’s so good!! I loved the rawness of the characters and found family.
September 9, 2025
ARC Review:
The characters were lovely. I loved the representation and diversity. I struggled with the pacing ta bit at times but the story gripped me from the beginning and didn't let go.
I related a lot to the rage of Selene. I too was molded into something that for so long could only bite.
Enjoyed seeing the representation of mental health as well as disability.
The world is fun and I can't wait to read (hopefully) more from this author
The characters were lovely. I loved the representation and diversity. I struggled with the pacing ta bit at times but the story gripped me from the beginning and didn't let go.
I related a lot to the rage of Selene. I too was molded into something that for so long could only bite.
Enjoyed seeing the representation of mental health as well as disability.
The world is fun and I can't wait to read (hopefully) more from this author
October 14, 2025
I devoured The Shape of Shadows in a single day and didn’t want to put it down. The premise of memoir with fantasy elements is not something I've read before, and that helped the story feel fresh and original.
The beginning moved a little slow for me, but once the story got going, it didn't let up. A few missing words or misspellings popped up, not enough to pull me out. I give grace to self published indies because I know how much work goes into creating a book from the ground up!
What gutted me was how accurately the author captured CPTSD and the rage that comes from surviving an abusive home. That raw fury that never goes away...it was described perfectly. I’ve lived with that rage, and reading it on the page was so validating. The pagan holidays and the way they were celebrated felt so natural and were described beautifully.
Some parts hit hard enough to trigger old memories, but I kept going because the healing that followed was worth it. It was emotional, heavy, and beautiful. A story that hurt in all the right ways, but left me with a sense of peace by the end!
The beginning moved a little slow for me, but once the story got going, it didn't let up. A few missing words or misspellings popped up, not enough to pull me out. I give grace to self published indies because I know how much work goes into creating a book from the ground up!
What gutted me was how accurately the author captured CPTSD and the rage that comes from surviving an abusive home. That raw fury that never goes away...it was described perfectly. I’ve lived with that rage, and reading it on the page was so validating. The pagan holidays and the way they were celebrated felt so natural and were described beautifully.
Some parts hit hard enough to trigger old memories, but I kept going because the healing that followed was worth it. It was emotional, heavy, and beautiful. A story that hurt in all the right ways, but left me with a sense of peace by the end!
September 19, 2025
What an amazing debut dark fantasy novel , with out a doubt this book had me cheering, laughing , crying , getting angry , and just all the feels ! Knowing it’s part memoir really made it a personal read and semi spoiler we just might get more from C E Verrati with that ending !
Now that the praise is out of the way there are some things I would like to add commentary to. I think a lot of scenes and the book itself could’ve been longer . I felt like we missed some reactions and inside thoughts after a dialogue exchange a few times but it wasn’t enough to make me dislike the book in any way or anything it just made me want more , I think this novel very easily could’ve been longer if some of the scenes and character interactions were a little more fleshed out but I can’t even imagine how hard it is to make up conversations and I think this author did exceptionally well for her first novel! Yea so basically just longer time with the characters is my only qualm 😂 enjoy this read ! It was really fun!
Now that the praise is out of the way there are some things I would like to add commentary to. I think a lot of scenes and the book itself could’ve been longer . I felt like we missed some reactions and inside thoughts after a dialogue exchange a few times but it wasn’t enough to make me dislike the book in any way or anything it just made me want more , I think this novel very easily could’ve been longer if some of the scenes and character interactions were a little more fleshed out but I can’t even imagine how hard it is to make up conversations and I think this author did exceptionally well for her first novel! Yea so basically just longer time with the characters is my only qualm 😂 enjoy this read ! It was really fun!
October 8, 2025
The Shape of Shadows is a story of Selene learning to live, not just survive.
To say Selene Saintclare has had a rough life would be a massive understatement. After the difficult decision to leave her life and continue her search for her sister she is attacked outside her car. Selene has never been one to run away from a fight. So of course she chases her attacker and ends up on the other side of the veil, in another realm. She has to find a way back, but she needs to find herself first. This is a dark fantasy with romantic elements, there are a few open-door sex scenes. While this is a stand-alone, there is plenty of room for a sequel (please?).
Before we get into my thoughts, I need to get into a little bit of the background on this book. The author, C.E. Varrati, calls this not only a dark fantasy novel with romance, but her memoir. As someone who has lived through most of the things Selene has before she went through the veil, Varrati knows that is like to just survive with $1 from every sale going to supporting survivors of sexual assualt and/or domestic violence. Chapter 50 features her assault (nothing happens on page, just the before and after), but understanding that it can be triggering the reader can skip the chapter and not miss anything in the story. As a white author, she went out of her way to include diverse characters and get Black sensitivity readers (which is significantly more than can be said for most authors).
Now onto my thoughts: There is more character development in the first fifty pages of this book than some books achieve by the end of the story. I have gotten so tired of characters having traumatic backgrounds, but not really dealing with that trauma. Selene has been steeped in her trauma. While she is strong, she has weaknesses, dealing with PTSD, depression, and anxiety (the story even talks about her anti-depressants). So often we don't allow our heroines to be weak and it just makes the character feel flat. I'm literally tearing up right now thinking about how much I love Selene and wish that I could be Tilly and wrap her in a giant hug. Varrati show shows that just because a book takes place in a fantasy realm it doesn't mean that emotions can't be realistic and raw.
To say Selene Saintclare has had a rough life would be a massive understatement. After the difficult decision to leave her life and continue her search for her sister she is attacked outside her car. Selene has never been one to run away from a fight. So of course she chases her attacker and ends up on the other side of the veil, in another realm. She has to find a way back, but she needs to find herself first. This is a dark fantasy with romantic elements, there are a few open-door sex scenes. While this is a stand-alone, there is plenty of room for a sequel (please?).
Before we get into my thoughts, I need to get into a little bit of the background on this book. The author, C.E. Varrati, calls this not only a dark fantasy novel with romance, but her memoir. As someone who has lived through most of the things Selene has before she went through the veil, Varrati knows that is like to just survive with $1 from every sale going to supporting survivors of sexual assualt and/or domestic violence. Chapter 50 features her assault (nothing happens on page, just the before and after), but understanding that it can be triggering the reader can skip the chapter and not miss anything in the story. As a white author, she went out of her way to include diverse characters and get Black sensitivity readers (which is significantly more than can be said for most authors).
Now onto my thoughts: There is more character development in the first fifty pages of this book than some books achieve by the end of the story. I have gotten so tired of characters having traumatic backgrounds, but not really dealing with that trauma. Selene has been steeped in her trauma. While she is strong, she has weaknesses, dealing with PTSD, depression, and anxiety (the story even talks about her anti-depressants). So often we don't allow our heroines to be weak and it just makes the character feel flat. I'm literally tearing up right now thinking about how much I love Selene and wish that I could be Tilly and wrap her in a giant hug. Varrati show shows that just because a book takes place in a fantasy realm it doesn't mean that emotions can't be realistic and raw.
October 4, 2025
First off, I loved this. I absolutely loved this book. I was blessed to be an ARC and the author and I have been mutuals forever. I’ve been anticipating this book while also trying to go in a little blind so I could give it the best shot.
Selene, our FMC, goes on an incredible healing journey. Her trauma, her pain, her growth, it’s all done so beautifully. The author doesn’t glorify pain or trauma, she writes it tastefully. There’s mysticism, folklore, mythology, fae, vampires, werewolves and all of that can feel too much sometimes but the way everything is layered in this book, there’s not a moment where anything feels too much. This isn’t a romance where the MMC just fixes all her problems. Selene works hard, she grows in her own ways every single page and with every interaction she has with the characters. She talks herself down from the ledge, has her own coping mechanisms that grow and flourish in the found family she’s made. I’m not usually a slow burn kinda girl, and I wouldn’t necessarily call this slow burn, more mid-slow. But usually, I end up annoyed with all the push and pull in slow burns. There was none of that here, every step back and every single moment of this book served a purpose to better the development of the characters and the storyline itself. I haven’t read a book in a long time that took me on a whirlwind of emotions like this and I just can’t say enough good things. It’s betrayal and healing and growth and just so so unbelievably good. I cried like a baby through most of this book and I just can’t wait to see what else C.E Varrati comes up with next. Phenomenal read and I can’t recommend it enough.
Selene, our FMC, goes on an incredible healing journey. Her trauma, her pain, her growth, it’s all done so beautifully. The author doesn’t glorify pain or trauma, she writes it tastefully. There’s mysticism, folklore, mythology, fae, vampires, werewolves and all of that can feel too much sometimes but the way everything is layered in this book, there’s not a moment where anything feels too much. This isn’t a romance where the MMC just fixes all her problems. Selene works hard, she grows in her own ways every single page and with every interaction she has with the characters. She talks herself down from the ledge, has her own coping mechanisms that grow and flourish in the found family she’s made. I’m not usually a slow burn kinda girl, and I wouldn’t necessarily call this slow burn, more mid-slow. But usually, I end up annoyed with all the push and pull in slow burns. There was none of that here, every step back and every single moment of this book served a purpose to better the development of the characters and the storyline itself. I haven’t read a book in a long time that took me on a whirlwind of emotions like this and I just can’t say enough good things. It’s betrayal and healing and growth and just so so unbelievably good. I cried like a baby through most of this book and I just can’t wait to see what else C.E Varrati comes up with next. Phenomenal read and I can’t recommend it enough.
October 14, 2025
Okay, now that I’ve had time to collect my thoughts:
This book was so raw and emotional, and I could not tear myself away from it. There are parts where I was holding space for the author’s pain, and it felt like she was holding space for mine as well.
Selene Saintclare was born into darkness and raised to be a wolf. She knows rage. She knows pain. She knows how to bite. I, for one, relate and connect with that with every fiber of my being. Reading the descriptions of what she felt when she was dealing with PTSD symptoms, her fear of letting anyone get too close, and her belief that she wasn’t worthy made me feel so seen.
The trials and having to choose to fight for life. Eoghan and choosing to fight for love. Tilly, Nic, and Reyna and choosing to fight for friendship. Selene did so much unexpected (to her) healing through this book and it was so beautiful and such an emotional release for me reading it. Chapters 50 & 51 will stay with me for a long time.
Overall, the magic, healing, friendship, betrayal, and love in this story were captivating, and I couldn’t look away. This was my most anticipated book of the year, I preordered it 7 months ago, and it so far exceeded my expectations. I fell in love with the characters and world so quickly. Their pain and fears connected to my own. This was such a beautiful story. I really think this book is going to mean so much to a lot of people.
This book was so raw and emotional, and I could not tear myself away from it. There are parts where I was holding space for the author’s pain, and it felt like she was holding space for mine as well.
Selene Saintclare was born into darkness and raised to be a wolf. She knows rage. She knows pain. She knows how to bite. I, for one, relate and connect with that with every fiber of my being. Reading the descriptions of what she felt when she was dealing with PTSD symptoms, her fear of letting anyone get too close, and her belief that she wasn’t worthy made me feel so seen.
The trials and having to choose to fight for life. Eoghan and choosing to fight for love. Tilly, Nic, and Reyna and choosing to fight for friendship. Selene did so much unexpected (to her) healing through this book and it was so beautiful and such an emotional release for me reading it. Chapters 50 & 51 will stay with me for a long time.
Overall, the magic, healing, friendship, betrayal, and love in this story were captivating, and I couldn’t look away. This was my most anticipated book of the year, I preordered it 7 months ago, and it so far exceeded my expectations. I fell in love with the characters and world so quickly. Their pain and fears connected to my own. This was such a beautiful story. I really think this book is going to mean so much to a lot of people.
October 7, 2025
I absolutely love a story of found family, healing and feminine rage. This was everything I wanted it to be and more.
My heart is aching from this. I loved every second but the reality of living this leaves the story feeling bittersweet all the same.
Selene was the embodiment of a fighter. She chose to overcome her own pain and try to help others even if her trauma still haunted her.
The found family of Nic, Tilly and Eo. I have no words I love them all so much. Especially the ending where Nic confessed his real name! I genuinely laughed out loud at how absurd he is. I adore him.
I was so completely involved in this story line the villain reveal blindsided me and I’m not over that betrayal yet. The nuances and layers that went into the characters made it so much worse when the reveal happened.
Thank you so much to CE Varrati for trusting the world with your story and letting me arc read this book. This is my honest opinion.
My heart is aching from this. I loved every second but the reality of living this leaves the story feeling bittersweet all the same.
Selene was the embodiment of a fighter. She chose to overcome her own pain and try to help others even if her trauma still haunted her.
The found family of Nic, Tilly and Eo. I have no words I love them all so much. Especially the ending where Nic confessed his real name! I genuinely laughed out loud at how absurd he is. I adore him.
I was so completely involved in this story line the villain reveal blindsided me and I’m not over that betrayal yet. The nuances and layers that went into the characters made it so much worse when the reveal happened.
Thank you so much to CE Varrati for trusting the world with your story and letting me arc read this book. This is my honest opinion.
October 24, 2025
Welcome to the pack.
I've been following Cait on social media for a while and was really looking forward reading this book. It did not disappoint! I appreciate that she included a few pages of helpful resources and a comprehensive list of trigger warnings.
I could have easily consumed this book in a day, had I the time, I wouldn’t have put it down. I desperately hope you read this book. It’s raw and real and complex. Varrati isn’t kidding when she says it is an accurate representation of PTSD/CPTSD. The book so accurately depicts the aftereffects of long-term trauma and living in survival mode. It provokes many emotions, and I fear that too many of us relate to Selene and her experiences. If you’ve picked this book up, you’ll know. You either are Selene or know someone like her, but likely both. We tend to find our own and run in (sometimes feral) packs. ;)
The book follows FMC, Selene Saintclare. She’s fierce, feisty, sarcastic, angry, scared, full of grief (and love), and forcefully loyal. Selene quickly falls through the veil and begins her journey. Like the best ones, it’s unexpected but ultimately ends up where you need to be. I’ve always felt that family is chosen, and genetic relations mean little. Everyone deserves to find or become, a Selene, a Tilly, a Nic, and an Eoghan.
I know there’s a couple more books following this and I’m so excited for the next installments!!
I've been following Cait on social media for a while and was really looking forward reading this book. It did not disappoint! I appreciate that she included a few pages of helpful resources and a comprehensive list of trigger warnings.
I could have easily consumed this book in a day, had I the time, I wouldn’t have put it down. I desperately hope you read this book. It’s raw and real and complex. Varrati isn’t kidding when she says it is an accurate representation of PTSD/CPTSD. The book so accurately depicts the aftereffects of long-term trauma and living in survival mode. It provokes many emotions, and I fear that too many of us relate to Selene and her experiences. If you’ve picked this book up, you’ll know. You either are Selene or know someone like her, but likely both. We tend to find our own and run in (sometimes feral) packs. ;)
The book follows FMC, Selene Saintclare. She’s fierce, feisty, sarcastic, angry, scared, full of grief (and love), and forcefully loyal. Selene quickly falls through the veil and begins her journey. Like the best ones, it’s unexpected but ultimately ends up where you need to be. I’ve always felt that family is chosen, and genetic relations mean little. Everyone deserves to find or become, a Selene, a Tilly, a Nic, and an Eoghan.
I know there’s a couple more books following this and I’m so excited for the next installments!!
October 3, 2025
Breathtakingly tragic and inspiring.
CE Varrati’s writing is raw, realistic and gripping. Drawing from some of her own life experience allows others to be seen clearly - to see themselves in the FMC Selene. To see themselves and know its okay to let yourself heal.
The story blends our realistic traumas with a paranormal world- sometimes the only escape we can have. But reminds us that the power is always with in us, and our choice to let others in, to find where you feel at home.
Though a dark fantasy - this is not a dark romance. The MMC is always respectful and supportive. He meets her where she is and gives her the time to come to him.
There is abuse mentioned but not perpetrated by the main characters. Even with the heaviness, there is a lightness to the story. There is hope, there is love, there is strength even in the quietest moments.
I was so excited to have been given a chance to read this book and it absolutely did not disappoint.
CE Varrati’s writing is raw, realistic and gripping. Drawing from some of her own life experience allows others to be seen clearly - to see themselves in the FMC Selene. To see themselves and know its okay to let yourself heal.
The story blends our realistic traumas with a paranormal world- sometimes the only escape we can have. But reminds us that the power is always with in us, and our choice to let others in, to find where you feel at home.
Though a dark fantasy - this is not a dark romance. The MMC is always respectful and supportive. He meets her where she is and gives her the time to come to him.
There is abuse mentioned but not perpetrated by the main characters. Even with the heaviness, there is a lightness to the story. There is hope, there is love, there is strength even in the quietest moments.
I was so excited to have been given a chance to read this book and it absolutely did not disappoint.
October 11, 2025
*NO SPOILERS*
This book was sad, raw, warm, and so healing all in one.
Let me start by saying I LOVED how this book is clearly about trauma, but the author tied in fantasy aspects as well that added just a little extra something. It made it so much MORE. It was such an easy read and I kept finding myself thinking about the main character during the day, wondering how she was doing 🥹 the found family, and GIRLHOOD in this book will make you weep and want to hug your sister or best friend.
I’d also like to note the ✨ inclusivity ✨ was top tier!!!!
If you’re on the fence and looking for a book to read that will make you feel every emotion, go ahead and read 🖤
This book was sad, raw, warm, and so healing all in one.
Let me start by saying I LOVED how this book is clearly about trauma, but the author tied in fantasy aspects as well that added just a little extra something. It made it so much MORE. It was such an easy read and I kept finding myself thinking about the main character during the day, wondering how she was doing 🥹 the found family, and GIRLHOOD in this book will make you weep and want to hug your sister or best friend.
I’d also like to note the ✨ inclusivity ✨ was top tier!!!!
If you’re on the fence and looking for a book to read that will make you feel every emotion, go ahead and read 🖤
August 30, 2025
I was fortunate enough to be able to be an ARC reader for this amazing woman. This book was so powerful and it hit so close to home. Selene is definitely a badass woman who has overcome so much heartache and abuse. If you love books about a strong-willed woman who can fight her own battles. Who can finally see her worth and that she can be loved and deserves it. If you love magic, fae, shifters, vampires, and being a survivor of many many things. Then grab your tissues and dive into this story. Bravo C.E. Varrati, for your debut novel this is absolutely amazing!
September 27, 2025
This. Book. I had the honor of being an ARC reader for this amazing book! This book is raw in the most beautiful way. The depth of emotion in Selene and realness could have only been written by someone who has walked a similar path. I loved this book it is rare to see yourself so clearly in a character as I see me in Selene and in a debut novel to boot. It was beautiful to see how the other characters around her didn’t try to fix, or down play what she has gone through. But rather met her where she was at and showed her grace, friendship and love . This story of strength, resilience and rage will stay with me for along time. I was hooked from the beginning.
September 17, 2025
I'm clearly a little biased seeing as I wrote this book, but I've e shared so much of my experience and inspiration on social media... And now I want to share some of that information here, too.
I have both PTSD and CPTSD. I started reading again after a near-death experience delivering my second child. My brain desperately needed an escape, but I kept finding myself frustrated with the lack of accurate representation for mental health struggles. On one sleep deprived night, as I rocked my daughter to sleep for the umpteenth time, an ember formed.
And it kept forming.
At first, I thought I'd write a simple fantasy romance with PTSD rep. But as the story flowed, I quickly realized I was using my own lived experiences to develop Selene's character. That's how my dark fantasy meets memoir began.
I wrote this book for myself for many reasons. But I also wrote it for the fellow survivors of SA and/or DV who have longed to see themselves represented in a strong yet complicated FMC.
$1 from every sale goes directly to supporting survivors. My dream is to hand a $10k check to the local shelter I went to as a kid - to the organization that helped me realize what happened in my home was not normal and life could get better.
The Shape of Shadows is a story of survival. Written by a survivor. For all the survivors.
I have both PTSD and CPTSD. I started reading again after a near-death experience delivering my second child. My brain desperately needed an escape, but I kept finding myself frustrated with the lack of accurate representation for mental health struggles. On one sleep deprived night, as I rocked my daughter to sleep for the umpteenth time, an ember formed.
And it kept forming.
At first, I thought I'd write a simple fantasy romance with PTSD rep. But as the story flowed, I quickly realized I was using my own lived experiences to develop Selene's character. That's how my dark fantasy meets memoir began.
I wrote this book for myself for many reasons. But I also wrote it for the fellow survivors of SA and/or DV who have longed to see themselves represented in a strong yet complicated FMC.
$1 from every sale goes directly to supporting survivors. My dream is to hand a $10k check to the local shelter I went to as a kid - to the organization that helped me realize what happened in my home was not normal and life could get better.
The Shape of Shadows is a story of survival. Written by a survivor. For all the survivors.
October 11, 2025
READ THIS BOOK.
September 11, 2025
As someone who has read every version of this from rough draft to polished version, it has been an incredible journey. Selene is one of my favorite female characters. The internalization of her trauma and struggle is so raw and real, I felt like she was expressing my own thoughts and feelings on the page. I easily connected with her, and found her voice charming and often very funny, despite how angry she can be! In the soft moments, though, that’s where Selene really shined. She is beautiful proof that even with all the hard edges, there is still kindness to be found. Even the nicest people need to protect themselves, and that’s what Selene had to do. Her biggest struggle was letting others in, allowing them to help her when she could hardly keep it together, and seeing her growth in that aspect was inspiring. As for every other character, the author did a wonderful job of giving them their own voice, their own goals and struggles while still supporting the main character in her journey. The way it comes together into a bit of a plot twist also doesn’t hurt! I love the dynamic of gods and mortals, and the blend of pagan worship folds neatly into the world. It makes me feel like I could brew a little magic myself, if only I could apply myself more. All in all the perfect read for those long fall evenings we are facing. Highly recommend!
October 19, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an arc of this book (even though I unfortunately wasn’t able to finish it until just now 😅). I loved this book! I didn’t want it to be over. The characters, the scenery, the growth, the love… all so beautiful!
September 12, 2025
I have no words. I had to sit with this for a few days before I could come to terms with everything that happened. This book is like nothing I have ever read before.
For a fantasy book, it was so raw and relatable. I felt so seen. I have never connected to a book like I have with this one. Selene and her rage was something that shook me with how much I resonated with it.
I’m not a cryer. It’s very difficult for a book to make me tear up or even cry. But this book… this book made me tear up so much. It gutted me then it put me back together again little by little.
I cannot wait for the next book. I need it ASAP!
Fav Quote: “We all have shadows, Selene. Shadows that shape us. Shadows that have the power to break us.”
Tropes: haters to lovers, elemental magic, found family, paranormal beings, self healing/love, feminine rage
For a fantasy book, it was so raw and relatable. I felt so seen. I have never connected to a book like I have with this one. Selene and her rage was something that shook me with how much I resonated with it.
I’m not a cryer. It’s very difficult for a book to make me tear up or even cry. But this book… this book made me tear up so much. It gutted me then it put me back together again little by little.
I cannot wait for the next book. I need it ASAP!
Fav Quote: “We all have shadows, Selene. Shadows that shape us. Shadows that have the power to break us.”
Tropes: haters to lovers, elemental magic, found family, paranormal beings, self healing/love, feminine rage
September 14, 2025
This book was spectacular! I absolutely could not put it down. Selene is a spitfire! I’m. It going to spoil anything for readers, but you need this book. This will be on a best seller list for sure!
September 12, 2025
This being your debut novel it was phenomenal I can’t wait for people to meet Selene and hear her story ! Thank you so much for taking me on this journey with you !!!
September 6, 2025
It took me until about 25% in to really connect with the story. I was a little confused, but the further you go, the more it makes sense. I did actually enjoy a strong FMC that didn’t need a male to save her, she did it all on her own which was awesome. The story definitely pulled me in. The only thing that I would say probably needs addressed, although I know this is written in third person, is the amount of times the FMC name is used. For example, on one page her name is said 13 times. Easy to overlook though! Overall enjoyed this
September 5, 2025
This is beyond a 5 star read! Let me tell you something this book had me sobbing so hard I wasn’t able to speak. This is one of the most beautiful yet tragic books from the mental health representation to the processing of grief and trauma and Selene is a top tier FMC she doesn’t need a single person to fight her battles for her and she is no doormat. BRAVA! This is legitimately one of the best books I’ve read all year. I sat in silence for about 2.5 hours after I read it and whatever she writes next best believe I’m gonna be there ready to go! Thank you C.E. Varrati for the absolute honor of arc reading this book.
September 24, 2025
The Shape of Shadows is a magical blend of coziness, fantasy, healing, and badassery. It's the perfect book for spooky season, and for anyone looking for a realistic, relatable example of the healing journey from past trauma.
We follow our main character, Selene, who is attacked by a vampire and accidentally dragged across the veil into another world where fae, vampires, witches, priestesses, werewolves, and many more creatures reside. Getting back to the human world isn't easy, as it can only be done during special days when the veil is thin. Selene works to cross back to her world while also working to overcome her own internal struggles.
Selene has lived through several traumatic experiences, and as a result, is extremely hypervigilant, always on the alert for danger around her. Selene's trauma and the continued effects of it in her life are handled with so much care and realism in this book. In particular, the depiction of the freeze response and shame afterward is so real and humanizing - the freeze response so often gets overlooked, and I appreciated the way it was represented in this book. Overall, I think the way Selene is depicted in the book is going to be extremely healing for many readers - I wish I could pass this book over to a younger version of myself!
Despite all that she has experienced, Selene is a total badass. She's constantly dropping one-liners that had me dropping my jaw, and she's trained to literally be able to kick ass. She was a total force to be reckoned with.
Throughout the book, Selene struggles to drop her walls of steel and let others in, which I found to be extremely realistic and relatable! She often self-sabotages and gets in her own way, but still works to overcome her own inner barriers no matter how many times she metaphorically falls down.
Despite the heavy topics, there is a sense of warmth and coziness in this book that I chalk up to the safeness felt in it. From the setting itself to the cast of characters, there were so many times I wanted to pick up my cup of tea and drop right into the setting of the book.
We have a wonderful cast of characters that lead to a found family experience and a slow burn with a perfect MMC. Humor is dropped in throughout the book, which added a great sense of levity in addition to the cozy moments sprinkled throughout. This book expertly balances difficult topics with lovely moments - I couldn't get enough of it. I wish I could hang out with these characters in real life - especially Tilly!
We get an occasional dual POV from our MMC, which was also extremely fun to read. Both characters struggle to communicate their feelings, trying to find their own paths in life and surpass roadblocks they've encountered while growing up.
I loved watching Selene's journey and her discovery of her own powers - new and old. The ending was so satisfying - and I'm excited to see the seeds sown for a potential sequel. Would happily dive back into this world with these characters.
I'll also note that the trigger warnings were so well done for this book - often, trigger warnings are extremely vague, however this book was extremely thorough. I knew exactly what I was getting into before reading this book, which is something I think readers will appreciate before beginning.
Overall, I thought this was a beautiful read that so realistically captured real, very difficult human experiences while setting them in a fantastical world where magic and fun creatures exist. I highly recommend picking up The Shape of Shadows!
This book was provided to me as an ARC, and all opinions are my own.
We follow our main character, Selene, who is attacked by a vampire and accidentally dragged across the veil into another world where fae, vampires, witches, priestesses, werewolves, and many more creatures reside. Getting back to the human world isn't easy, as it can only be done during special days when the veil is thin. Selene works to cross back to her world while also working to overcome her own internal struggles.
Selene has lived through several traumatic experiences, and as a result, is extremely hypervigilant, always on the alert for danger around her. Selene's trauma and the continued effects of it in her life are handled with so much care and realism in this book. In particular, the depiction of the freeze response and shame afterward is so real and humanizing - the freeze response so often gets overlooked, and I appreciated the way it was represented in this book. Overall, I think the way Selene is depicted in the book is going to be extremely healing for many readers - I wish I could pass this book over to a younger version of myself!
Despite all that she has experienced, Selene is a total badass. She's constantly dropping one-liners that had me dropping my jaw, and she's trained to literally be able to kick ass. She was a total force to be reckoned with.
Throughout the book, Selene struggles to drop her walls of steel and let others in, which I found to be extremely realistic and relatable! She often self-sabotages and gets in her own way, but still works to overcome her own inner barriers no matter how many times she metaphorically falls down.
Despite the heavy topics, there is a sense of warmth and coziness in this book that I chalk up to the safeness felt in it. From the setting itself to the cast of characters, there were so many times I wanted to pick up my cup of tea and drop right into the setting of the book.
We have a wonderful cast of characters that lead to a found family experience and a slow burn with a perfect MMC. Humor is dropped in throughout the book, which added a great sense of levity in addition to the cozy moments sprinkled throughout. This book expertly balances difficult topics with lovely moments - I couldn't get enough of it. I wish I could hang out with these characters in real life - especially Tilly!
We get an occasional dual POV from our MMC, which was also extremely fun to read. Both characters struggle to communicate their feelings, trying to find their own paths in life and surpass roadblocks they've encountered while growing up.
I loved watching Selene's journey and her discovery of her own powers - new and old. The ending was so satisfying - and I'm excited to see the seeds sown for a potential sequel. Would happily dive back into this world with these characters.
I'll also note that the trigger warnings were so well done for this book - often, trigger warnings are extremely vague, however this book was extremely thorough. I knew exactly what I was getting into before reading this book, which is something I think readers will appreciate before beginning.
Overall, I thought this was a beautiful read that so realistically captured real, very difficult human experiences while setting them in a fantastical world where magic and fun creatures exist. I highly recommend picking up The Shape of Shadows!
This book was provided to me as an ARC, and all opinions are my own.
October 7, 2025
Gritty, raw, and relatable… A brand new—and poignantly refreshing—take on dark fantasy.
If you are looking for another check-the-boxes fantasy, this is not it. Varrati has created something entirely new—something that blends the heaviest and darkest parts of being human with the heaviest and darkest parts of the unknown and fantastical.
The story is crafted in such a way that characters and plot line are interwoven, which makes for a compelling and tight-knit story. Let’s talk about characters for a minute… It’s easy for characters to come in expected molds, but the author has done anything but that. Each character is unique; each has their own distinct voice. We see a lot of internal struggle and internal dialogue. With the subject matter of the book—mental health and healing—it is amazing how well it was handled. I was able to put myself in Selene’s shoes completely. I could feel when she was hurting. I could feel her sadness. I could feel her joy. It was believable, potent, and heartbreaking at times.
Also, Selene—the best of the best female characters I’ve seen in a while. Yes, she is badass to the core—but believably. She has soft spots. Buttons people can press. Things she needs to work on. Weak spots, weathered spots, she’s real. Overall, her resilience is what makes her shine as our protagonist.
Next, let’s talk about atmosphere. Without giving anything away, of course. The author has a knack for immersive storytelling. I could feel it as if I were there. (If you appreciate a cottage-core vibe as much as I do, please—what are you waiting for?) From the smells of baking bread and herbs, the sounds of a crackling fire, the softness of snowfall—to the more complex rituals, I was there for all of it.
So if you’re up for a dark fantasy that delivers in the most raw, human, intelligent way—here it is. Bravo, Varrati has made me a fantasy reader, and she will be an auto-buy author for me from here on out.
If you are looking for another check-the-boxes fantasy, this is not it. Varrati has created something entirely new—something that blends the heaviest and darkest parts of being human with the heaviest and darkest parts of the unknown and fantastical.
The story is crafted in such a way that characters and plot line are interwoven, which makes for a compelling and tight-knit story. Let’s talk about characters for a minute… It’s easy for characters to come in expected molds, but the author has done anything but that. Each character is unique; each has their own distinct voice. We see a lot of internal struggle and internal dialogue. With the subject matter of the book—mental health and healing—it is amazing how well it was handled. I was able to put myself in Selene’s shoes completely. I could feel when she was hurting. I could feel her sadness. I could feel her joy. It was believable, potent, and heartbreaking at times.
Also, Selene—the best of the best female characters I’ve seen in a while. Yes, she is badass to the core—but believably. She has soft spots. Buttons people can press. Things she needs to work on. Weak spots, weathered spots, she’s real. Overall, her resilience is what makes her shine as our protagonist.
Next, let’s talk about atmosphere. Without giving anything away, of course. The author has a knack for immersive storytelling. I could feel it as if I were there. (If you appreciate a cottage-core vibe as much as I do, please—what are you waiting for?) From the smells of baking bread and herbs, the sounds of a crackling fire, the softness of snowfall—to the more complex rituals, I was there for all of it.
So if you’re up for a dark fantasy that delivers in the most raw, human, intelligent way—here it is. Bravo, Varrati has made me a fantasy reader, and she will be an auto-buy author for me from here on out.
September 28, 2025
I just want to start of by saying that I am so grateful to have been selected to ARC read this book. I have followed along with the journey of this book for quite some time and to see it finally come to life is just so amazing!
This book absolutely made me feel seen in more ways than one. I connected with Selene on so many levels and how she viewed the world and how cautious she was with new people. Im not one to cry at anything really its very rare but I will tell you, you are going to need so many boxes of tissues the story is a mix of tragic and beautiful and so wonderfully written. If you are looking for a book that is both real and fantasy this is your next read the combination of the 2 is so wonderfully put together with the realness of what Selene has gone through and overcome. This book has such a badass FMC that you wont be able to look any further for another one I don’t think any could top how amazing Selene is. This book will have you in such a chokehold that once you pick it up you wont be able to put it down till you have finished.
This is a million/10 read and I am so looking forward to other books to hopefully come in the future. The how the author has wrote the book is smooth and easy to read. If you are interested in reading this book it absolutely needs to be moved to the top of your TBR you wont regret it!
This book absolutely made me feel seen in more ways than one. I connected with Selene on so many levels and how she viewed the world and how cautious she was with new people. Im not one to cry at anything really its very rare but I will tell you, you are going to need so many boxes of tissues the story is a mix of tragic and beautiful and so wonderfully written. If you are looking for a book that is both real and fantasy this is your next read the combination of the 2 is so wonderfully put together with the realness of what Selene has gone through and overcome. This book has such a badass FMC that you wont be able to look any further for another one I don’t think any could top how amazing Selene is. This book will have you in such a chokehold that once you pick it up you wont be able to put it down till you have finished.
This is a million/10 read and I am so looking forward to other books to hopefully come in the future. The how the author has wrote the book is smooth and easy to read. If you are interested in reading this book it absolutely needs to be moved to the top of your TBR you wont regret it!
October 24, 2025
The Shape of Shadows is a fantasy novel about Selene, a survivor of violence who has clawed her way through life learning how to stand up for herself and others and stand her own in life’s battles. But everything she knows is turned upside down when she is taken to a realm adjacent to our world full of other species, magic, found family, and much more.
Gods. If I could give this more than 5 stars I would. This is an absolutely stunning read. I couldn’t put it down and I couldn’t recommend it enough. It has such power in Selene and her learning how to trust others again after isolating in life for so long. And the mystery behind her figuring out what happened to her sister continues as a significant thread throughout her journey. With the added depth of characters for each of her found family members and the never ending additions to the plot, this is SO good. Wow. Thank you.
Gods. If I could give this more than 5 stars I would. This is an absolutely stunning read. I couldn’t put it down and I couldn’t recommend it enough. It has such power in Selene and her learning how to trust others again after isolating in life for so long. And the mystery behind her figuring out what happened to her sister continues as a significant thread throughout her journey. With the added depth of characters for each of her found family members and the never ending additions to the plot, this is SO good. Wow. Thank you.
September 22, 2025
I was hooked from the very first page. Feminine rage. Fight scenes. Magic. Love. Betrayal. Revenge. My gosh, this book checks all of the boxes for books I absolutely love. The character development was so incredible. The plot was great. I loved the storyline and all of the characters. As someone with PTSD and panic disorder, I felt myself being able to forgive myself for the life I had to live after my abuse. Selene is such a beautiful character and her love interest gives me hope at being able to find someone who can smooth my rough edges. Best book I have read in well over a decade and I am rereading it again as I type.
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