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A Tale for the Shadows: a novel of death and love
Editor's Sherry’s crisp, third-person narrative flows with tension, humor, and heart. ... Senka and Silas’s journey is ethereal and sweeping but also grounded in a passion for living a life of meaning, especially when the ghostly Senka declares, “I want to do something with my continued existence.” Sherry’s confident prose enchants all the way to the satisfying end, and readers will be moved by this poignant rendering of love, loss, and hope. --Booklife by Publishers Weekly
Love lingers. Justice waits. Death is only the beginning.
She was murdered by the man she loved. Now she’s a ghost bound to the cabin where she died—until a wounded vampire, an ancient enemy, and a mysterious cat change everything.
Senka was once a rising television star. Now, she’s a restless spirit, trapped in the site of her betrayal. But everything shifts the night Silas appears—an ageless Native American vampire fleeing a ruthless Maker determined to erase him from existence. When a violent confrontation leaves the cabin in flames, Senka is finally freed, and an unlikely partnership is born.
As Senka and Silas forge a path through shadows and centuries-old grudges, they begin to pursue justice—not just for Senka’s murder but for the other lives shattered along the way. Guided by ghosts who’ve chosen to remain in the world of the living and aided by Luna the twenty-third, a clever feline with a talent for love and loyalty, they face vengeful vampires, unravel hidden truths, and awaken powers Senka never imagined.
But love in the afterlife is complicated. Haunted by the past and hesitant to trust again, Senka must confront the choices that led her here—and decide if an eternity with Silas is worth risking her heart one more time.
Lush, lyrical, and darkly romantic, A Tale for the Shadows is a supernatural fantasy that blends ghost stories and vampire lore with emotional depth, wit, and resilience. Perfect for fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Dead Romantics, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this is a tale of second chances, found family, and the quiet power of choosing love—even after death.
Love lingers. Justice waits. Death is only the beginning.
She was murdered by the man she loved. Now she’s a ghost bound to the cabin where she died—until a wounded vampire, an ancient enemy, and a mysterious cat change everything.
Senka was once a rising television star. Now, she’s a restless spirit, trapped in the site of her betrayal. But everything shifts the night Silas appears—an ageless Native American vampire fleeing a ruthless Maker determined to erase him from existence. When a violent confrontation leaves the cabin in flames, Senka is finally freed, and an unlikely partnership is born.
As Senka and Silas forge a path through shadows and centuries-old grudges, they begin to pursue justice—not just for Senka’s murder but for the other lives shattered along the way. Guided by ghosts who’ve chosen to remain in the world of the living and aided by Luna the twenty-third, a clever feline with a talent for love and loyalty, they face vengeful vampires, unravel hidden truths, and awaken powers Senka never imagined.
But love in the afterlife is complicated. Haunted by the past and hesitant to trust again, Senka must confront the choices that led her here—and decide if an eternity with Silas is worth risking her heart one more time.
Lush, lyrical, and darkly romantic, A Tale for the Shadows is a supernatural fantasy that blends ghost stories and vampire lore with emotional depth, wit, and resilience. Perfect for fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Dead Romantics, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this is a tale of second chances, found family, and the quiet power of choosing love—even after death.
- GenresFantasy
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 18, 2025
43 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Sherry
2 books2 followersJoyce Sherry is a playwright-turned-novelist who writes stories where ghosts speak, vampires brood, and hope refuses to die—even after death. A lifelong lover of the strange and the tender, Joyce once collaborated with Ray Bradbury on a stage adaptation (yes, that Ray Bradbury), and her short fiction has been recognized by Vocal.Media and 3Elements Literary Review. She’s also a professional coach who helps people navigate life’s plot twists with humor and heart.
Joyce loves to tell stories. Her favorites are fantasies, and if she can get a cat or a dog into them, even better. She writes the kind of novels she likes to read. That way, every step of the writing process is a pleasure. Her protagonists are strong women, whether adults or adolescents, who are surrounded by a diverse, often quirky, cast of characters. Her works abound with humor, hope, and resilience.
Joyce loves to tell stories. Her favorites are fantasies, and if she can get a cat or a dog into them, even better. She writes the kind of novels she likes to read. That way, every step of the writing process is a pleasure. Her protagonists are strong women, whether adults or adolescents, who are surrounded by a diverse, often quirky, cast of characters. Her works abound with humor, hope, and resilience.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 15, 2025
I really enjoyed A Tale for the Shadows by Joyce Sherry! I was genuinely torn between giving this 4 or 5 stars, it came so close to being a 5-star read. In the end, I settled on 4 because, while it was emotional and beautifully written, it didn’t quite push me over that edge into a truly unforgettable read.
There’s a lot of ground covered in this book, and Joyce Sherry manages to handle it all in such an engaging and fluid way. The story weaves together emotion, grief, and love. It is all all wrapped in an atmosphere that feels both haunting and tender. I found myself completely drawn in as the pieces of the story slowly unfolded.
One thing I found a little hard to pin down was the exact timing of the story, it’s not immediately clear what time period everything is set in. However, I didn’t find this to be a major issue. The story still feels relevant and impactful, and the emotional weight and themes transcend any specific era.
I also really appreciated how the dual storylines were written. Two tales unfolding side by side, each with its own tension, tone, and emotional pull, yet seamlessly woven together, it’s not something I’ve seen done this effectively before.
And then there’s the story of Senka and Silas, which is absolutely beautiful. Their bond, heartbreak, and hope are portrayed with such tenderness and care. It’s the kind of story that stays with you long after the final page.
A Tale for the Shadows is emotional, layered, and deeply atmospheric. It’s a story about loss, love, and finding light even in the darkest corners and I thoroughly enjoyed every part of it.
✨ Thank you to Taylor Street Press for the eARC copy!
There’s a lot of ground covered in this book, and Joyce Sherry manages to handle it all in such an engaging and fluid way. The story weaves together emotion, grief, and love. It is all all wrapped in an atmosphere that feels both haunting and tender. I found myself completely drawn in as the pieces of the story slowly unfolded.
One thing I found a little hard to pin down was the exact timing of the story, it’s not immediately clear what time period everything is set in. However, I didn’t find this to be a major issue. The story still feels relevant and impactful, and the emotional weight and themes transcend any specific era.
I also really appreciated how the dual storylines were written. Two tales unfolding side by side, each with its own tension, tone, and emotional pull, yet seamlessly woven together, it’s not something I’ve seen done this effectively before.
And then there’s the story of Senka and Silas, which is absolutely beautiful. Their bond, heartbreak, and hope are portrayed with such tenderness and care. It’s the kind of story that stays with you long after the final page.
A Tale for the Shadows is emotional, layered, and deeply atmospheric. It’s a story about loss, love, and finding light even in the darkest corners and I thoroughly enjoyed every part of it.
✨ Thank you to Taylor Street Press for the eARC copy!
June 23, 2025
A ghost and a vampire fall in love and the result is one of the most tender, succinct, and heartbreaking explorations of grief in a story that I have ever read. It has been a long time since I last read a book that made me feel so much emotion. A Tale for the Shadows explores the different ways in which grief affects those around us-and how to cope with it. This was an instant 5 star read for me.
September 29, 2025
A Tale for the Shadows blends themes of crime, justice, death and love with the supernatural to create a unique story that will stay with you long after the final page.
Whilst the narrative began slowly and disoriented, it began to flourish with the development of villains and minor characters, whose presence in the story provides emotive scenes of hope, warmth and suspense. In hindsight, the disoriented nature of the beginning chapters lends to the feelings of the main character, Senka, who navigates a new existence after death.
Banter dialogue felt a little young at times, which didn't quite suit the overarching tone of the book. This led to some skimming of conversation to get back to the plot.
There is a diverse representation of characters in the book which adds to each individual character's depth, delving into cultural background and shaping their lives. This certainly lent itself to allowing minor characters to stand out, noting that Mrs. Wang and Luna very quickly became personal favourites.
The plotting and action from the main characters at first seemed too packed for a shorter book, making the book as a whole seem more like connected short stories as opposed to a cohesive story.
Overall, this book is a very enjoyable and easy read with touching themes that leave a lasting impression.
Thank you Netgalley and Taylor Street Press for the opportunity to read and review this book 🩷
Whilst the narrative began slowly and disoriented, it began to flourish with the development of villains and minor characters, whose presence in the story provides emotive scenes of hope, warmth and suspense. In hindsight, the disoriented nature of the beginning chapters lends to the feelings of the main character, Senka, who navigates a new existence after death.
Banter dialogue felt a little young at times, which didn't quite suit the overarching tone of the book. This led to some skimming of conversation to get back to the plot.
There is a diverse representation of characters in the book which adds to each individual character's depth, delving into cultural background and shaping their lives. This certainly lent itself to allowing minor characters to stand out, noting that Mrs. Wang and Luna very quickly became personal favourites.
The plotting and action from the main characters at first seemed too packed for a shorter book, making the book as a whole seem more like connected short stories as opposed to a cohesive story.
Overall, this book is a very enjoyable and easy read with touching themes that leave a lasting impression.
Thank you Netgalley and Taylor Street Press for the opportunity to read and review this book 🩷
October 26, 2025
It’s been a long time since I have had a book fully capture my attention and engage me all the way through, this book however did just that. I found A Tale for Shadows in a new and used book store located in downtown Salinas and just felt drawn to it. After reading that back I had decided that its place was with me and I would be purchasing it. While I am prone to buying books and abandoning them on my shelf I just couldn’t shake the urge to drop everything and read it. Now after finishing the book it might have been fate. The story was engaging written between two time periods written with enough anonymity to keep you wondering while also allowing you to form an understanding similar to the characters within the story itself. I was unable to put the book down and felt deeply for the characters rooting for almost all involved. There were moments where grief was discussed and I found myself tearing up. I will be spreading the word for this book as I had a great time.
August 6, 2025
Review TLDR: While this book definitely has its problems, the overall themes of grieving those we’ve lost, accepting death (in all its forms), and overcoming trauma are well-executed and moving. The romance is a bit on the lighter side, so this book probably doesn’t fit as much into the fantasy romance category as much as the publisher’s blurb suggests. It’s still a wonderful story told in a different way that will keep readers interested.
Spice Level: 1/5; Kisses and hugs – no sex depicted. This is a slow burn, people. With the focus being more on falling in love than falling into bed, this book is safe for all readers. That said, I found the build up to the “I love you’s” a bit lacking – they had only traded two kisses by that point and about as many hugs. There wasn’t much flirting before that, either. I think it’s safe to say we can call this a fantasy story with a romance subplot as opposed to a full-on fantasy romance novel. Senka and Silas are very sweet together, though. Healing from trauma is hard; doing it with someone you trust eases the burden significantly.
Pacing/Filler: The book starts off with a big moment – as any murder should be – but then moves into more of a character study for about half the book. It’s only at the 54% mark that the main characters begin actively planning and preparing for their first act of revenge on those who wrong them. I will say I wasn’t bored by the first half; the characters are interesting and the lore the author creates pulls you in. That said, once the plot kicks in it really kicks in.
Character Development: Senka, our FMC whose name is really Sarah Sommers and is absolutely, definitely not Sarah Michelle Gellar-Prinze/Buffy Summers, is an odd duck. On the one hand, I loved that she was initially characterized as a selfish jerk who missed all the red flags her husband was waving in her face because she was too focused on herself to care. But, perplexingly, that changes immediately in the first few chapters as she meets Silas and decides is she not that person anymore. We aren’t given any reason to think she’s changed and she doesn’t offer any explanation on why she wants to be a better person now – her personality isn’t the reason she died, after all. Maybe the years alone in the cabin gave her time for introspection, but it’s not discussed so I’m just guessing. That aside, Senka understandably spends a lot of the book learning how to trust again. Being murdered by someone you trust will do that to you.
Silas is pretty different from the standard romance hero as well. For one thing, he is incredibly trusting of a ghost he just met; he trauma dumps his story on her on their first day together, openly weeping as he describes transition into the undead. Given that his maker is actively sending people to kill him, and that Senka has by this point proven her ability to murder supernatural creatures, I am wary that he is not more wary – would you trust a stranger, knowing that your creator is sending other paranormal beings your way to end you? Not sure I would. His journey is about finding a new reason to carry on, even when times get tough and you feel all alone. Thankfully, now that there’s a pretty ghost hanging around, he isn’t quite so alone anymore.
In a way, however, these two are not really the main characters of the book. We have instead the Storyteller and the boy, Finn, she visits in the hospital to tell her tale – it seems that the Storyteller has made a habit of visiting the very sick, but there’s something special about Finn. The journey that they go on together throughout the narration is easily the most moving aspect of the book and ultimately, I think, what should be a larger selling point for the novel as a whole. The more we learn about these two the more the book feels like it’s coming together, while the revenge arcs Senka and Silas the Storyteller describes just don’t carry as much weight. Given that the publisher tries to sell this book as a romance novel and doesn’t mention Finn at all, that’s a bummer.
World Building: This the confusing aspect of this novel. I want to start with the timeline issues, as it’s nearly impossible to nail down when this story (which takes place on Earth and has Christianity, so likely also uses the same calendar we do) takes place. First, the FMC says that her childhood was in the late 20th century, suggesting she was an adult by the 21st. But then she relays a memory of being four years old and her mother showing her the home that “the dragon who played Toothless” lived in. The film version of How to Train Your Dragon came out in 2010. Which means she was born in the 21st century.
But wait, the author goes out of her way to have Finn read books and watch movies that came out in 2011 – so how can Senka have been an early-thirties adult who died, spent 15 years in a cabin, and had adventures by 2011 if she’s a kindergartner when those books/movies came out? And why does she reference the Captain America movies (the first of which also came out in 2011), or another character tell Silas about The Umbrella Academy TV show (2019), in the story?
Yet, somehow, award-winning actress Senka doesn’t know who Olivia Benson is – further confusing me on the timeline. Law and Order: SVU premiered in 1999. It’s still running as of 2025. The newest media mentioned is 2019, so backing up 15 years gives me the best guess I’ve got for when Senka died: 2004. But Mariska Hargitay was nominated for an Emmy for SVU in 2004 and Senka mentions having gone the Emmys that year…guys, this is killing me. How would Senka have seen the Captain America movies, but not SVU, while stuck in an abandoned cabin, which they supposedly found on Airbnb - which was founded in 2007? She also mentions having heard of Instagram, which was made in 2010. Ugh.
There’s another issue with Senka’s familiarity with her own supposed area of expertise – which is to say, she regularly quotes Shakespeare and Dickens, but is absolutely flabbergasted at the idea of vampires having sex. To this I ask: do Carmilla, Interview with a Vampire, and Twilight not exist in her world? I’m not sure what the author is trying to tell us here, except that perhaps Senka isn’t the sort of actress who does research for her roles or she’s just not very bright and missed literally all of the subtext of vampire media lore. Since Senka specifically cites small details from Dracula, I’m going to guess it’s the second option. The Count has three wives!
Obvious Errors an Author/Editor Should Have Caught: As always with an ARC, there are grammatical issues and some continuity errors that I hope are being worked out. For instance, at one point Senka picks up an axe and attacks someone, but then mentions that she’s never been able to affect objects before. However, barely more than a chapter before, Senka is able to turn a door handle and open a door. Either Senka forgot this, or the author did and the editor didn’t catch it either. Senka’s age when her parents passed away also changes throughout the book.
There are also some very strange word choices made throughout the book. For instance, “pelted” is sometimes used in the UK to mean “ran,” and is used that way in this book, but the author is from California so I’m not sure why she would use British English. Also, an American woman typically would not use the word “posh” to describe something fancy – another instance of British English not vibing with the Californian-born and raised FMC in the story. More than that, there are just some words that are wrongly used in context. People don’t generally “wag” their heads, nor do voices “stritch.” Unless Google has led me astray, even in the UK “stritches” is a cutesy way of describing the petting of an animal, not an adjective describing a tone of voice.
Lastly, this book is heavy on the “tell, not show” aspect of storytelling. This may be intentional, as the main story is being relayed Princess Bride-style to another character (and to us as readers), but I don’t think that’s the case. A lot of the things we are told are exposition dumps that someone hearing a story out loud probably wouldn’t find that interesting, such as the long, drawn-out explanations of vampiric abilities or Senka testing out her new ghostly skills. Stories told out loud tend to be direct and plot heavy, rather than full of world building details like if a vampire likes Brad Paisley songs or not. There are even instances of Finn and the Storyteller recapping what happens during the story, laying out the themes and details just in case the reader didn’t understand the first time. I think this is a case of an author not trusting her audience enough to pick up details unless they are spelled out for us.
Bechdel Test Survivor: Absolutely. Mrs. Wang is a hoot.
Content Warnings: Domestic abuse/murder. Animals eating a carcass. Child abuse is alluded to, but not shown. The death of a child is shown, as are the deaths of animals.
Is the FMC/MMC Unfaithful: Not in the slightest.
If You Like This, I Recommend: The Princess Bride by S. Morgenstern/William Goldman for the similar story structure and fantastical storytelling. The love story is just as charming too!
Spice Level: 1/5; Kisses and hugs – no sex depicted. This is a slow burn, people. With the focus being more on falling in love than falling into bed, this book is safe for all readers. That said, I found the build up to the “I love you’s” a bit lacking – they had only traded two kisses by that point and about as many hugs. There wasn’t much flirting before that, either. I think it’s safe to say we can call this a fantasy story with a romance subplot as opposed to a full-on fantasy romance novel. Senka and Silas are very sweet together, though. Healing from trauma is hard; doing it with someone you trust eases the burden significantly.
Pacing/Filler: The book starts off with a big moment – as any murder should be – but then moves into more of a character study for about half the book. It’s only at the 54% mark that the main characters begin actively planning and preparing for their first act of revenge on those who wrong them. I will say I wasn’t bored by the first half; the characters are interesting and the lore the author creates pulls you in. That said, once the plot kicks in it really kicks in.
Character Development: Senka, our FMC whose name is really Sarah Sommers and is absolutely, definitely not Sarah Michelle Gellar-Prinze/Buffy Summers, is an odd duck. On the one hand, I loved that she was initially characterized as a selfish jerk who missed all the red flags her husband was waving in her face because she was too focused on herself to care. But, perplexingly, that changes immediately in the first few chapters as she meets Silas and decides is she not that person anymore. We aren’t given any reason to think she’s changed and she doesn’t offer any explanation on why she wants to be a better person now – her personality isn’t the reason she died, after all. Maybe the years alone in the cabin gave her time for introspection, but it’s not discussed so I’m just guessing. That aside, Senka understandably spends a lot of the book learning how to trust again. Being murdered by someone you trust will do that to you.
Silas is pretty different from the standard romance hero as well. For one thing, he is incredibly trusting of a ghost he just met; he trauma dumps his story on her on their first day together, openly weeping as he describes transition into the undead. Given that his maker is actively sending people to kill him, and that Senka has by this point proven her ability to murder supernatural creatures, I am wary that he is not more wary – would you trust a stranger, knowing that your creator is sending other paranormal beings your way to end you? Not sure I would. His journey is about finding a new reason to carry on, even when times get tough and you feel all alone. Thankfully, now that there’s a pretty ghost hanging around, he isn’t quite so alone anymore.
In a way, however, these two are not really the main characters of the book. We have instead the Storyteller and the boy, Finn, she visits in the hospital to tell her tale – it seems that the Storyteller has made a habit of visiting the very sick, but there’s something special about Finn. The journey that they go on together throughout the narration is easily the most moving aspect of the book and ultimately, I think, what should be a larger selling point for the novel as a whole. The more we learn about these two the more the book feels like it’s coming together, while the revenge arcs Senka and Silas the Storyteller describes just don’t carry as much weight. Given that the publisher tries to sell this book as a romance novel and doesn’t mention Finn at all, that’s a bummer.
World Building: This the confusing aspect of this novel. I want to start with the timeline issues, as it’s nearly impossible to nail down when this story (which takes place on Earth and has Christianity, so likely also uses the same calendar we do) takes place. First, the FMC says that her childhood was in the late 20th century, suggesting she was an adult by the 21st. But then she relays a memory of being four years old and her mother showing her the home that “the dragon who played Toothless” lived in. The film version of How to Train Your Dragon came out in 2010. Which means she was born in the 21st century.
But wait, the author goes out of her way to have Finn read books and watch movies that came out in 2011 – so how can Senka have been an early-thirties adult who died, spent 15 years in a cabin, and had adventures by 2011 if she’s a kindergartner when those books/movies came out? And why does she reference the Captain America movies (the first of which also came out in 2011), or another character tell Silas about The Umbrella Academy TV show (2019), in the story?
Yet, somehow, award-winning actress Senka doesn’t know who Olivia Benson is – further confusing me on the timeline. Law and Order: SVU premiered in 1999. It’s still running as of 2025. The newest media mentioned is 2019, so backing up 15 years gives me the best guess I’ve got for when Senka died: 2004. But Mariska Hargitay was nominated for an Emmy for SVU in 2004 and Senka mentions having gone the Emmys that year…guys, this is killing me. How would Senka have seen the Captain America movies, but not SVU, while stuck in an abandoned cabin, which they supposedly found on Airbnb - which was founded in 2007? She also mentions having heard of Instagram, which was made in 2010. Ugh.
There’s another issue with Senka’s familiarity with her own supposed area of expertise – which is to say, she regularly quotes Shakespeare and Dickens, but is absolutely flabbergasted at the idea of vampires having sex. To this I ask: do Carmilla, Interview with a Vampire, and Twilight not exist in her world? I’m not sure what the author is trying to tell us here, except that perhaps Senka isn’t the sort of actress who does research for her roles or she’s just not very bright and missed literally all of the subtext of vampire media lore. Since Senka specifically cites small details from Dracula, I’m going to guess it’s the second option. The Count has three wives!
Obvious Errors an Author/Editor Should Have Caught: As always with an ARC, there are grammatical issues and some continuity errors that I hope are being worked out. For instance, at one point Senka picks up an axe and attacks someone, but then mentions that she’s never been able to affect objects before. However, barely more than a chapter before, Senka is able to turn a door handle and open a door. Either Senka forgot this, or the author did and the editor didn’t catch it either. Senka’s age when her parents passed away also changes throughout the book.
There are also some very strange word choices made throughout the book. For instance, “pelted” is sometimes used in the UK to mean “ran,” and is used that way in this book, but the author is from California so I’m not sure why she would use British English. Also, an American woman typically would not use the word “posh” to describe something fancy – another instance of British English not vibing with the Californian-born and raised FMC in the story. More than that, there are just some words that are wrongly used in context. People don’t generally “wag” their heads, nor do voices “stritch.” Unless Google has led me astray, even in the UK “stritches” is a cutesy way of describing the petting of an animal, not an adjective describing a tone of voice.
Lastly, this book is heavy on the “tell, not show” aspect of storytelling. This may be intentional, as the main story is being relayed Princess Bride-style to another character (and to us as readers), but I don’t think that’s the case. A lot of the things we are told are exposition dumps that someone hearing a story out loud probably wouldn’t find that interesting, such as the long, drawn-out explanations of vampiric abilities or Senka testing out her new ghostly skills. Stories told out loud tend to be direct and plot heavy, rather than full of world building details like if a vampire likes Brad Paisley songs or not. There are even instances of Finn and the Storyteller recapping what happens during the story, laying out the themes and details just in case the reader didn’t understand the first time. I think this is a case of an author not trusting her audience enough to pick up details unless they are spelled out for us.
Bechdel Test Survivor: Absolutely. Mrs. Wang is a hoot.
Content Warnings: Domestic abuse/murder. Animals eating a carcass. Child abuse is alluded to, but not shown. The death of a child is shown, as are the deaths of animals.
Is the FMC/MMC Unfaithful: Not in the slightest.
If You Like This, I Recommend: The Princess Bride by S. Morgenstern/William Goldman for the similar story structure and fantastical storytelling. The love story is just as charming too!
November 1, 2025
Overall: It really touched my heart, but some parts also frustrated me.
This story opens with a gut punch. A woman is murdered by her husband after ignoring her best friend’s last-minute warning. It’s a brutal, haunting start as we are in her head as it happens and experiencing it AS it happens, but also where my frustration started with the book. The scene hinges on a moment that feels more dramatic than logical; if her friend had expressed ANY concern before and she was simply tired of hearing it, it would’ve made sense. But as written, it’s the first time we’re told he’s voiced any worry, which made the entire setup feel a bit contrived. It’s a small detail, and it didn't pull me out of the story right from the start, but it was the start of a pattern.
At its core, it is a haunting but actually pretty fun story with grief, death, and second chances. The premise hooked me immediately, but what truly stood out wasn’t the vampire-ghost revenge plot; it was the frame narrative between the storyteller and the sick child, Finn. That portion of the book touched my heart. It’s tender, heartbreaking, and beautifully ties together the themes of loss and healing.
The story within the story (Senka and Silas’s arc) had a strong start but dragged in places. I loved their friendship and the idea of two broken souls finding companionship, but the romance itself felt underdeveloped and emotionally distant. This isn’t at all a sweeping fantasy romance as I perhaps erroneously expected, but more of a supernatural meditation on grief and connection, with a romantic subplot that somewhat superficially exists in the background.
Senka and Silas’s choices sometimes lacked logic, but their emotional struggles felt real, and the book’s honesty about mourning and moving on resonated deeply. I actually teared up at the end, but it was Finn's journey that hit me on that visceral level, and that was arguably not the meat of the book.
Lyrical, bittersweet, and quietly cathartic, this is about finding peace after or within pain. Just don’t go in expecting a full-blown romance; this one is about healing first.
Thanks so much to Storygram Tours and the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
This story opens with a gut punch. A woman is murdered by her husband after ignoring her best friend’s last-minute warning. It’s a brutal, haunting start as we are in her head as it happens and experiencing it AS it happens, but also where my frustration started with the book. The scene hinges on a moment that feels more dramatic than logical; if her friend had expressed ANY concern before and she was simply tired of hearing it, it would’ve made sense. But as written, it’s the first time we’re told he’s voiced any worry, which made the entire setup feel a bit contrived. It’s a small detail, and it didn't pull me out of the story right from the start, but it was the start of a pattern.
At its core, it is a haunting but actually pretty fun story with grief, death, and second chances. The premise hooked me immediately, but what truly stood out wasn’t the vampire-ghost revenge plot; it was the frame narrative between the storyteller and the sick child, Finn. That portion of the book touched my heart. It’s tender, heartbreaking, and beautifully ties together the themes of loss and healing.
The story within the story (Senka and Silas’s arc) had a strong start but dragged in places. I loved their friendship and the idea of two broken souls finding companionship, but the romance itself felt underdeveloped and emotionally distant. This isn’t at all a sweeping fantasy romance as I perhaps erroneously expected, but more of a supernatural meditation on grief and connection, with a romantic subplot that somewhat superficially exists in the background.
Senka and Silas’s choices sometimes lacked logic, but their emotional struggles felt real, and the book’s honesty about mourning and moving on resonated deeply. I actually teared up at the end, but it was Finn's journey that hit me on that visceral level, and that was arguably not the meat of the book.
Lyrical, bittersweet, and quietly cathartic, this is about finding peace after or within pain. Just don’t go in expecting a full-blown romance; this one is about healing first.
Thanks so much to Storygram Tours and the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
September 18, 2025
First, thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for approving my request to read an advanced copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
SECOND: THE CAT!
That needed a line all of its own. This cat might be the most realistic and adorable cat I've ever seen in print. The little 'prrp's and 'mrrow's and sniffs were an absolute highlight of this book and it has made me even more determined to adopt a cat of my own. Little Luna is the real star of this book!
But also, I guess the rest of the book was great too... even if it wasn't quite as cute as Luna the 23rd.
I really loved the premise: a ghost and a vampire help each other get the revenge they need and kill her murderer and his maker who is trying to kill him first. Senka and Silas were so good together and he was a stark contrast to the absolute stain on the fabric of the world that was Kenny.
(One tiny negative I'll get out of the way here, the number of names starting with S left me occasionally confused, but I'm not very good with names starting with the same letter, even in real life.)
The slow growth from partners in revenge to romance was really well done and it felt realistic enough that I could really imagine it in my head - I appreciated the time taken to get that right around what was also quite a full plotline. You've got the cool use of the book being a story told to a sick kid (very Princess Bride vibes which I loved) and two revenge plots alongside a romance and even some mini backstories to side characters. It's impressive this fit into a book that was less than 400 pages tbh.
The action was described really well so it was easy to visualise and I didn't get lost in it, each character felt like their own person and not just some flat copy-paste versions of each other, and I will repeat that THE CAT was the highlight of the book for me. I sent multiple highlighted portions in images to friends to show off the cuteness, and they all agreed it was adorable and well-written as a cat.
I can't really fault this book, this was one of the most easy 5 stars I have given so far this year. I recommend it to everyone.
SECOND: THE CAT!
That needed a line all of its own. This cat might be the most realistic and adorable cat I've ever seen in print. The little 'prrp's and 'mrrow's and sniffs were an absolute highlight of this book and it has made me even more determined to adopt a cat of my own. Little Luna is the real star of this book!
But also, I guess the rest of the book was great too... even if it wasn't quite as cute as Luna the 23rd.
I really loved the premise: a ghost and a vampire help each other get the revenge they need and kill her murderer and his maker who is trying to kill him first. Senka and Silas were so good together and he was a stark contrast to the absolute stain on the fabric of the world that was Kenny.
(One tiny negative I'll get out of the way here, the number of names starting with S left me occasionally confused, but I'm not very good with names starting with the same letter, even in real life.)
The slow growth from partners in revenge to romance was really well done and it felt realistic enough that I could really imagine it in my head - I appreciated the time taken to get that right around what was also quite a full plotline. You've got the cool use of the book being a story told to a sick kid (very Princess Bride vibes which I loved) and two revenge plots alongside a romance and even some mini backstories to side characters. It's impressive this fit into a book that was less than 400 pages tbh.
The action was described really well so it was easy to visualise and I didn't get lost in it, each character felt like their own person and not just some flat copy-paste versions of each other, and I will repeat that THE CAT was the highlight of the book for me. I sent multiple highlighted portions in images to friends to show off the cuteness, and they all agreed it was adorable and well-written as a cat.
I can't really fault this book, this was one of the most easy 5 stars I have given so far this year. I recommend it to everyone.
September 9, 2025
This was an oddly sweet if disorienting story. The characters were interesting but lacking in true emotional depth. As with the writing, most of the character development is told and not shown. The romance also had potential but had hardly any buildup - Senka and Silas connected from their first meeting and the romance itself was just lacking in chemistry.
The prose was lovely and very evocative. The author did a great job setting the scene and describing the world to the characters. The dialogue was difficult, though - it felt childish and choppy compared to the emotional richness of the prose.
The story itself was definitely compelling if a little slow. I liked seeing Senka and Silas get justice for themselves, but the way they did it didn't sit right with me. Readers should also know that a major focus of the story is Senka speaking with Finn, a young man who is sick with cancer. The story deals heavily with illness and death.
In all, I found this story unique and perfect for the incoming fall season. The lackluster romance and clumsy elements to the storytelling just detracted from the overall potential. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Taylor Street Press for the eARC!
The prose was lovely and very evocative. The author did a great job setting the scene and describing the world to the characters. The dialogue was difficult, though - it felt childish and choppy compared to the emotional richness of the prose.
The story itself was definitely compelling if a little slow. I liked seeing Senka and Silas get justice for themselves, but the way they did it didn't sit right with me. Readers should also know that a major focus of the story is Senka speaking with Finn, a young man who is sick with cancer. The story deals heavily with illness and death.
In all, I found this story unique and perfect for the incoming fall season. The lackluster romance and clumsy elements to the storytelling just detracted from the overall potential. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Taylor Street Press for the eARC!
December 10, 2025
I was immediately pulled into this story. The mix of ghost lore, vampire mythology, and emotional healing gave this book such a unique atmosphere, and I found myself completely hooked from the first chapter.
Senka is such a compelling protagonist — a murdered woman trapped in the place where she died, still carrying the weight of her past. Her journey from restless ghost to someone fighting for justice was beautifully done. And Silas? The perfect blend of ancient, weary, and quietly protective. Their dynamic is slow, hesitant, and tender in a way that makes you really root for them, even with all the darkness surrounding their pasts.
The worldbuilding is rich without being overwhelming, and I loved the mix of danger, mystery, and found-family moments — especially Luna the twenty-third, who absolutely stole every scene she was in. The blend of romance, supernatural elements, and emotional depth worked so well.
The pacing kept me invested, and even when things got intense, the story never lost its heart. It gave me vibes similar to The Dead Romantics with a darker edge, mixed with the atmospheric tension of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Overall, this is a beautifully haunting, darkly romantic tale about second chances, confronting your past, and choosing love—even after death. I really enjoyed it, and I’m excited to see what comes next from this author.
Senka is such a compelling protagonist — a murdered woman trapped in the place where she died, still carrying the weight of her past. Her journey from restless ghost to someone fighting for justice was beautifully done. And Silas? The perfect blend of ancient, weary, and quietly protective. Their dynamic is slow, hesitant, and tender in a way that makes you really root for them, even with all the darkness surrounding their pasts.
The worldbuilding is rich without being overwhelming, and I loved the mix of danger, mystery, and found-family moments — especially Luna the twenty-third, who absolutely stole every scene she was in. The blend of romance, supernatural elements, and emotional depth worked so well.
The pacing kept me invested, and even when things got intense, the story never lost its heart. It gave me vibes similar to The Dead Romantics with a darker edge, mixed with the atmospheric tension of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Overall, this is a beautifully haunting, darkly romantic tale about second chances, confronting your past, and choosing love—even after death. I really enjoyed it, and I’m excited to see what comes next from this author.
November 27, 2025
I love the premise: a woman is murdered by her own husband (prologue), becomes a ghost, and meets a vampire and his cat. It drew me to the book, especially the supernatural elements: the first part of this story is similar to thrillers I love, but this novel promised a supernatural twist. I liked the plot and the characters, but unfortunately something fell flat from the very first pages. The writing style and the POV did not draw me in, and the murder scene lacked emotions that would keep my attention. Perhaps it was more telling than showing, perhaps some characters (Kenny needed more depth beyond being jealous and generically evil!) lacked depth. Initially I was not the fan of the framing device with Finn and the Storyteller, but I liked how it came to a satisfying conclusion. Overall, it was a 3-star read that might be engaging for the fans of supernatural, slow-burn romance: I think I read too many "husband kills/harms wife, justice is pending" thrillers to be surprised or engaged by it (the Silas plot was more engaging).
I thank Netgalley and Taylor Street Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thank Netgalley and Taylor Street Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 18, 2025
A delightful and engaging story exploring the effects of grief and loss and overcoming them.
The author's prose is easy to follow and flows well. Each chapter ends up on a cliffhanger as the story itself is framed as being a story told by a storyteller instead of being current events. Think somewhat like The Princess Bride.
The characters were mostly full of life, although some side characters seemed a little one-dimensional without a lot to explore. The plot was steady, weaving in slow scenes with action-packed ones.
The romance between Senka and Silas was a bit lacking - it felt like they instantly warmed to each other and proceeded straight to a romantic relationship. While their romantic relationship was very sweet, I wish there was a bit more of a buildup to it.
Overall, a solid read exploring grief and loss framed within a story being told.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher Taylor Street Press for allowing me an ARC to read and review.
The author's prose is easy to follow and flows well. Each chapter ends up on a cliffhanger as the story itself is framed as being a story told by a storyteller instead of being current events. Think somewhat like The Princess Bride.
The characters were mostly full of life, although some side characters seemed a little one-dimensional without a lot to explore. The plot was steady, weaving in slow scenes with action-packed ones.
The romance between Senka and Silas was a bit lacking - it felt like they instantly warmed to each other and proceeded straight to a romantic relationship. While their romantic relationship was very sweet, I wish there was a bit more of a buildup to it.
Overall, a solid read exploring grief and loss framed within a story being told.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher Taylor Street Press for allowing me an ARC to read and review.
January 27, 2026
Review of ARC from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars, rounded up
This book is actually narrated by a woman, who is telling the story to a boy in a cancer ward at a hospital, telling him pieces of the story each night that she visits him in his dying state. The dual story lines of the love story, and of the dying boy, works beautifully for this book.
World building is done great, and the uniqueness of abilities of the supernatural characters were definitely interesting. Some things that I have never seen before.
I did have a bit of a hard time connecting with the main character, I think it was the repitition and the juvenile way her dialogue is written. And the book has two separate plot lines, so when one ends dramatically it almost feels like that should be the end of the book, but then it goes on to the next in an odd transition. I enjoyed Silas' plotline much more and wished that had been more detailed, leaving the other out.
Overall, this was a really good book!
3.5 stars, rounded up
This book is actually narrated by a woman, who is telling the story to a boy in a cancer ward at a hospital, telling him pieces of the story each night that she visits him in his dying state. The dual story lines of the love story, and of the dying boy, works beautifully for this book.
World building is done great, and the uniqueness of abilities of the supernatural characters were definitely interesting. Some things that I have never seen before.
I did have a bit of a hard time connecting with the main character, I think it was the repitition and the juvenile way her dialogue is written. And the book has two separate plot lines, so when one ends dramatically it almost feels like that should be the end of the book, but then it goes on to the next in an odd transition. I enjoyed Silas' plotline much more and wished that had been more detailed, leaving the other out.
Overall, this was a really good book!
July 7, 2025
A Tale for the Shadows is a riveting fantasy that uncovers how real ghosts and vampires live. The story deals with the seriousness of life and death, but underlines it all with hope. This story-within-a-story framed narrative (think Princess Bride) includes many tender moments commenting on death and dying, along with action, adventure, horror, and a bit of history thrown in. A special brand of humor adds a light in the darkness, and the cliff-hanging chapter endings will keep you up way past your bedtime. The description of a small town on California’s Central Coast is beautiful, right down to the sea-spray-drenched cemetery. You will be fascinated by the characters’ stories: Finn, the teenage cancer patient; Senka, the TV star ghost; Silas, the compassionate vampire; and Luna, Silas’s feline sidekick. Great for those who loved William Goldman’s The Princess Bride and Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book. Highly recommended.
July 12, 2025
This was an engaging and fun read, each chapter has almost cliff hanger endings that definitely kept me up late into the night reading.
The story telling style is reminiscent of Princess Bride, with the main character telling a tale to a kid and flashing into and out of it in rapid succession. I enjoy this style, especially when the author can wrap it up in a tidy and meaningful way. I think this is definitely the case in A Tale for the Shadows.
The main characters were likable to me, and the villains were easy to hate. Some of the side characters just felt like ethnicity boxes to check for diversity points though.
All in all I do recommend this book, it’s closer to 3.5 stars for me. Be sure to read the trigger warnings beforehand as some of the topics discussed are heavy.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Joyce Sherry, and Taylor St. Press for this digital advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
The story telling style is reminiscent of Princess Bride, with the main character telling a tale to a kid and flashing into and out of it in rapid succession. I enjoy this style, especially when the author can wrap it up in a tidy and meaningful way. I think this is definitely the case in A Tale for the Shadows.
The main characters were likable to me, and the villains were easy to hate. Some of the side characters just felt like ethnicity boxes to check for diversity points though.
All in all I do recommend this book, it’s closer to 3.5 stars for me. Be sure to read the trigger warnings beforehand as some of the topics discussed are heavy.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Joyce Sherry, and Taylor St. Press for this digital advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
August 5, 2025
A story full of profound feelings that soothes an unknown ache in the soul.
A Tale For The Shadows didn't start as a smooth sailing, for I couldn't grapple with the first meeting of two characters. It seems simply coincidental, as random as life's events and in it, it is equally enjoyable and unexpected. Between love and death, it is a story of seeking closure because only after a closure there is a new beginning.
The plot is simple but the emotions run deeper than we are ready to tackle. I always enjoy paranormal stories and specially those that relate to death and the emotions around it.
My fav part- the motivations of wandering ghost in this story was lighter than usually projected. Despite the paranormal, the story has a somber tone to it.
It is a ghost tale that is on the uplifting side. A happy ending... of sorts
A Tale For The Shadows didn't start as a smooth sailing, for I couldn't grapple with the first meeting of two characters. It seems simply coincidental, as random as life's events and in it, it is equally enjoyable and unexpected. Between love and death, it is a story of seeking closure because only after a closure there is a new beginning.
The plot is simple but the emotions run deeper than we are ready to tackle. I always enjoy paranormal stories and specially those that relate to death and the emotions around it.
My fav part- the motivations of wandering ghost in this story was lighter than usually projected. Despite the paranormal, the story has a somber tone to it.
It is a ghost tale that is on the uplifting side. A happy ending... of sorts
September 11, 2025
11/09/2025
2025 reads book 47
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Beautiful story, and nicely written but I wish it was mentioned in the blurb that the story was told to a teenager with cancer. It deals heavily with death (duh, ghosts and vampires) but also with serious illness. Me and my health-anxiety would have stayed away if I had known 😅
The characters felt a bit flat to me, the connection between Senka/Sarah and Silas felt a bit unbelievable. Especially Senka was so trusting to everyone: you would think the way she died would make her suspicious of everybody she met.
All in all the premise of the story was good, but the execution wasn't completely what I hoped for!
2025 reads book 47
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Beautiful story, and nicely written but I wish it was mentioned in the blurb that the story was told to a teenager with cancer. It deals heavily with death (duh, ghosts and vampires) but also with serious illness. Me and my health-anxiety would have stayed away if I had known 😅
The characters felt a bit flat to me, the connection between Senka/Sarah and Silas felt a bit unbelievable. Especially Senka was so trusting to everyone: you would think the way she died would make her suspicious of everybody she met.
All in all the premise of the story was good, but the execution wasn't completely what I hoped for!
August 21, 2025
This was absolutely stunning.
I thought this was very much going to be a “vengeful ghost kills her killer” style story with more action and not a lot of depth, but I was very wrong.
This was absolutely captivating. Silas was such a well natured and empathetic character with so much good in him. And his relationships with the Lunas was adorable.
Senka was every woman. Naive about her love. But seeing her blossom after death into something more than she ever was? Perfection.
There was not a single part of this I didn’t love.
Thank you to NetGalley and Taylor street press for allowing me to read this amazing story!
I thought this was very much going to be a “vengeful ghost kills her killer” style story with more action and not a lot of depth, but I was very wrong.
This was absolutely captivating. Silas was such a well natured and empathetic character with so much good in him. And his relationships with the Lunas was adorable.
Senka was every woman. Naive about her love. But seeing her blossom after death into something more than she ever was? Perfection.
There was not a single part of this I didn’t love.
Thank you to NetGalley and Taylor street press for allowing me to read this amazing story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2025
A Tale for the Shadows is a beautiful book about love, darkness, revenge, and new beginnings. It doesn’t take long before it sucks you in and enthralls you with lovable supernatural characters, a love story that is just so sweet, and explorations of grief in its many forms.
The beginning took a second for me to get into, largely because I struggled with some of the dialogue. But this does improve as the characters develop more.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and even shed a few tears towards the end.
Thank you, Netgalley and Taylor Street Press for the chance to read and review this ARC
The beginning took a second for me to get into, largely because I struggled with some of the dialogue. But this does improve as the characters develop more.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and even shed a few tears towards the end.
Thank you, Netgalley and Taylor Street Press for the chance to read and review this ARC
October 27, 2025
The idea behind this book was very interesting. However, I think the execution may not have been the best. I think I expected something different from it and when I started reading it, the story felt somewhat flat. One aspect that threw me off after a while was the repetitive storytelling (at a hospital context, which i found to be quite unusual for what i was expecting), it interfered with the pacing and made the story seem slow at times.
Thank you NetGalley and Taylor Street Press for the ARC for this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Taylor Street Press for the ARC for this book.
November 1, 2025
Absolutely loved this book. I really enjoyed the reading of it in a way that I was not expecting. The world was richly written, and the characters were unique. I loved the found family in the graveyard, and the way the characters came together. The storytelling portion of the story, the scenes in the hospital, were so well done. Even when I started to know what was coming, I still enjoyed the reading. It was a beautiful concept.
Thank you to Netgalley and Taylor Street Press for the ARC
Thank you to Netgalley and Taylor Street Press for the ARC
June 26, 2025
A pretty solid read.
A vampire and a ghost help each other get revenge and learn to fall in love.
This book wasn’t really for me, I didn’t enjoy the parallel storytelling and the characters while being well written just didn’t capture my attention
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read the ARC
A vampire and a ghost help each other get revenge and learn to fall in love.
This book wasn’t really for me, I didn’t enjoy the parallel storytelling and the characters while being well written just didn’t capture my attention
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read the ARC
November 11, 2025
Senka, murdered by someone she loves, turns into a ghost. Silas is the friendly vampire who rescues her from the wretched cabin where she was murdered. Together they start on a quest for revenge. Senka still has some growing up to do, but I loved her and it was fun watching her mature.
I especially enjoyed the Pacific Grove graveyard scenes and big house in Pebble Beach.
I especially enjoyed the Pacific Grove graveyard scenes and big house in Pebble Beach.
July 18, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Edit: A week on and I'm still thinking about this book, so I'm amending my review to 5 stars.
I loved this story. I was pulled in by the magic realism of the world. The characters were so loveable. The FMC knew her flaws and she changed for the better. She is ghost and she falls in love with a vampire. It's not traditional, but it's a beautiful companionship. He has a cat too. What's not to like?
I enjoyed the adventure they took together, to be together forever. The side characters were well executed also. It gave me Nettle & Bone vibes. So if you're into T. Kingfishers work, you might like this read. An unlikely found family who have each other's backs.
There is no spice in this, but it didn't need it. There was plenty of emotion, especially towards the end. I shed a couple of tears.
This is a story of people getting a second chance after death. It explores grief, death, love and loss. I would say it's focus is more aligned to this, than it is of fantasy. It's worth noting before reading. It is more character driven than plot.
Trigger warnings include but aren't limited to, death, death of a child, gore, blood, terminal illness, murder, gaslighting and grief.
Enjoy
Edit: A week on and I'm still thinking about this book, so I'm amending my review to 5 stars.
I loved this story. I was pulled in by the magic realism of the world. The characters were so loveable. The FMC knew her flaws and she changed for the better. She is ghost and she falls in love with a vampire. It's not traditional, but it's a beautiful companionship. He has a cat too. What's not to like?
I enjoyed the adventure they took together, to be together forever. The side characters were well executed also. It gave me Nettle & Bone vibes. So if you're into T. Kingfishers work, you might like this read. An unlikely found family who have each other's backs.
There is no spice in this, but it didn't need it. There was plenty of emotion, especially towards the end. I shed a couple of tears.
This is a story of people getting a second chance after death. It explores grief, death, love and loss. I would say it's focus is more aligned to this, than it is of fantasy. It's worth noting before reading. It is more character driven than plot.
Trigger warnings include but aren't limited to, death, death of a child, gore, blood, terminal illness, murder, gaslighting and grief.
Enjoy
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