Shadow Reaper

by Lynette Noni

Never bargain with a reaper.

The city of Aravell is in peril, plagued by a deadly blackmist that kills all it touches, and reapers who roam the streets, stealing magic from innocent children in their thirst for power. Seventeen-year-old Viridia Solace has trained for years to hunt these reapers but their ranks keep growing, led by the man who murdered her parents: the Reaper Priest.

When the Priest's most loyal follower, Reeve Ashton, is captured, he offers Viri a chance to avenge her parents . . . for a price. She knows better than to bargain with a reaper, let alone this reaper, but his offer is too good to resist.

Soon she's breaking him out of prison, colluding with his crew of magic thieves, and following him deep into the blackmist forest in search of an ancient legend, all so they can stop the Reaper Priest’s plot to doom the city. Viri is staking her life on Reeve's plan, but how can she trust a silver-tongued criminal to keep his word? And how can she trust her own heart when a buried secret could shatter everything?

Full of relentless twists, enemies-to-lovers romance, found family, and high stakes action, Shadow Reaper is the start of a breathtaking new duology from international bestselling author Lynette Noni.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romantasy, Romance, Young Adult Fantasy, Adult

Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 16, 2026

About the author

Australian author Lynette Noni studied journalism, academic writing, and human behaviour at university before venturing into the world of fiction. She is the #1 bestselling and award-winning author of THE PRISON HEALER series, THE MEDORAN CHRONICLES, and the WHISPER duology. To date, her books have sold more than one million copies in over 20 countries across the globe.

Reviews

[Darcey]

🚨 NEW LYNETTE NONI FANTASY SERIES ALERT 🚨

i am beyond hyped, folks! give it to me now!

[kitkat (semi-hiatus ♡︎)]

ignore me while i scream into the void real quick.

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Charlie]

Lynette Noni can probably hear me screaming my excitement for this book all the way in Australia (I live on the other side of the planet)🫶

[jenny reads a lot]

Ahhhh! Need this now!

“dark YA pitched as SHADOW AND BONE meets The Vampire Diaries (sans vampires), about a young reaper hunter who must conspire with her childhood friend-turned-mortal enemy and his crew of illegal magic thieves to stop a deadly foe from a plot to steal untold power-and doom their world”

[ᴄᴀᴛ]

A whole new ya fantasy series by Lynette Noni?? Oh I am SO ready

"The story follows a young reaper hunter who must conspire with her childhood friend turned mortal enemy and his crew of illegal magic thieves to stop a deadly foe from steaing untold power ─ and dooming their World!"

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never review things but I managed to snag a proof at YALC. So it deserves a review.

friends-> enemies -> lovers

It was really easy to read, the world building was really compelling but easy to understand and follow. kinda gave me RWBY vibes with the hunters and the artifacts.
There are so many lovable characters and I will be honest for the first half of the book I definitely prefer some of the side characters to the main protag, but she found her feet as the book went along.

Also would die for walnut just saying.

The story kept me engaged and the more I read the harder it was to put down. I did not expect the ending...well.. did one bit but not the reveal at the end. usually, I am pretty good at guessing, so it did catch me off guard.
now I need to wait like 2 years for the next one 😭😭

[Sword and Stories · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow Reaper by Lynette Noni
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars

This was such a fun read! From the very first page, I was hooked. Viri is the kind of FMC who immediately pulls you in; her story is captivating and her spirit is impossible not to root for. The world Lynette Noni has built is both fun and intriguing, with fierce hunters, mysterious reapers, a while host of magical lore that left me desperate to know more.

🥹 Found Family:
The best part of this story, the bit that truly stole my heart, was the found family vibe. Viri’s unexpected gang of friends and reluctant allies is the kind of crew you’d give anything to be part of- loyal, chaotic, and endlessly endearing.

👏 Plot:
This book is a rollercoaster of twists and turns. Some I smugly thought I saw coming… others blindsided me completely. And that ending? Lynette, how could you?? The first book isn’t even officially out yet and I already need my hands on book two!

❤️ Romance:
Then there’s Viri and Reeve. The perfect duo. Their banter sparkles with attraction, wit, and charm. I fell hard for Reeve's cocky charisma (as did Viri, though she’ll never admit it). I’ve already saved so many of their quotes because they’re just that good.

Verdict: Shadow Reaper is everything I want in a YA fantasy- immersive worldbuilding, a heroine you can’t help but cheer for, a found family you can't help smile around, and a duo whose chemistry lights up every page. This is a series I’ll be obsessing over for a long time.

A big thank you to House of YA and Lynette Noni for providing me an ARC of this book!

[Hasnita Singh]

I’d sell my best friend(s) to read this book NOW

[the_crimson_healer ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡ (back to gr!)]

Has me on chokehold 🤪

[Wicked Fox ✨️]

*fell to my knees* I'm so excited!!

[Jaimilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY JAW IS ON THE FLOOR!!!!!

The most captivating, magically charged, chemistry infused, banter filled, gut wrenching YA Fantasy that I've read in a long time!!!

Topped with a cliff hanger that will set your teeth on edge with so many twists and turns that you are glued to the page!!!

" No matter how dark the shadows seem, you'll never be alone in them. I promise. "

I was thrown head first into this world from the get go, the pacing - perfect! The characters, the plot, the magic system!!! All completely spot on!! I had such a hard time putting this down, that for days I was up till the early hours of the morning reading - pfft sleep .. not needed.

It was clear to me from the very start that this was going to be one of my favourite reads this year. The world building and unique magic system were both key elements that I found highly enjoyable and very easy to get lost in the world Lynette has created.

This is a YA Fantasy ( first in a duology ) - BUT its definitely on the darker and more mature side in terms of the creatures and magic used. No spice - which I love! Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against spice in a book. The way Lynette writes though, there is just no need for it. The story line is incredibly strong and unique on its own and she has a beautiful way of weaving pure chemistry between characters that doesn't feel the need to rely on any spicy romance especially since the main characters are between 17yrs - 22yrs. The entire story is clean, well executed and packed full of tension both between characters and storyline. The pacing between each scene is so fluid, it doesn't feel rushed nor does it feel dragging. I was captivated the entire time, chasing each new revelation.

" You can lie to yourself all you want, Little Shadow, but the next time you ask me to kiss you, we both know it'll be because you want it as much as I do."


STORYLINE

At 17years old, Viri is one of the youngest and most revered Hunters in the city. She along with other Hunters and city gaurds called the Nox, protect the city from Reapers - A person who siphons magic from another, enhancing their senses, speed, strength, healing and longer lifespans with their stolen magic. After the most reknown Reaper Priest kills her parents when she was just 11, Viri vows to hunt him down and exact her revenge.. but when his right hand man gets himself caught and thrown in the Noxs magically warded underground jail cell - the one and only person he will agree to talk to is Viri. Breaking almost every rule known to Hunter and Nox alike, Viri knows this could be her one shot at getting close to the Reaper Priest she has been hunting for 7 years, and she has a lot of questions. But when she finally sees the Reaper Priests second in charge, he offers her a bargain she knows she shouldn't take - His freedom for the answers she so desperately craves.

Characters

FMC - Viridia Solace ( Viri )

I found it very easy to love and admire the stength Viri exuded. Surviving such a broken past, she wasn't the kind of girl to be a victim. She had strengths AND weaknesses. There is nothing worse that having a female main character that is perfect at everything, there needs to be some grit and flaws that grounds them as a person, things they can overcome on multiple different levels and this is exactly what Viri offered. I appreciated the way I was privy to her internal struggles and her thought process, how she came to decisions and not every decision was correct. I also loved her relationship with her bestfriend Wynter. It felt fun and light with the under current of seriousness. Pure acceptance of each other and even with a difference of opinion, the respect and complete trust they both shared.

I find a lot of Lynette Nonis side characters offer very unique, loveable and relatable qualities that speak to very strong found family connections that you can't help but fall in love with.

MMC - Reeve

I loved this character the moment he came into the story. His overly confident attitude that held just a hint of cockiness with the full effect of knowing he was in complete control of every room he occupied. That sureness of himself that just exuded clarity without being overbearing in a suffocating kind of way. The familiarity that he toyed with Viri and the banter he so easily pulled from her, coupled with the fierceness in which he protected her. From the very start he has been my favorite character and I can't wait to see where book two fleshes out his story a bit more!!! That cliffhanger had me gagged!!

Side Character - Jonas

Another side character that I just LOVE!!! And yes I know I say that a lot! I did tell you already, all of Lynettes Side characters are top tier. When I picture Jonas, I envision him like a younger Milo from the Disney movie Atlantis, except he has an adorable bunny he takes with him everywhere! More so the personality characteristics than the physical appearance. Jonas is incredibly smart,  equal parts eager and humble to learn and explore magic, a bit timid and fiercely loyal. We loveeeeee Jonas and of course his bunny Walnut!


I don't want to go to much further into more side characters or villains as I don't want to give away any spoilers !! And trust me.. you want to ride this roller-coaster!!


The Magic System -

This was very intriguing and highly captivating, yet easy to understand. Babies are born with a kernal of magic that grows then peaks around the age of 14, children are then encouraged to surrender their magic to one of 4 Obelisk's in the corners of the city of Aravell which fuel the magic into warding the city, stopping the life threatening Blackmist from seeping across the boarders. After sacrificing their magic for the greater good, people are left with a small kernal of magic that is tied to their life force, if children don't sacrifice their magic by the age of 14 they risk their magic growing too much and causing a burn out resulting in death or mindless existence. Because of the large amounts of magic flowing through the children's bodies, they have become the largest target for the Reapers who are addicted to syphoning magic. When children start disappearing without a trace Viri knows undoubtedly its the Reaper Priest she has been hunting and vows to do whatever it takes, whatever the price to stop him. 


Tropes include -

• Strong Found Family
• Childhood friends to Enemys to something not defined but the chemistry is scorching!
• He falls first
• So much banter!
• Jail Breaks / Heists and a dangerous forbidden forest style Journey.
• Forced Proximity



Thank you so very much to Lynette Noni, Bec & Penguin Books Australia for sending me this incredible book!! It really has been one of my favourite reads all year and I am very excited to see it on shelves for its release in June!

[Sheree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single book Lynette Noni writes becomes an instant favourite, and Shadow Reaper is no exception.

"You already have everything you need to succeed. Trust yourself. Trust your friends."

Viridia Solace - Viri - has spent her life as a Hunter, hunting Reapers who kill children by siphoning their magic to chase a power high. And for Viri, it's personal. Her own parents had been killed by the leader of the Reapers seven years ago, when everything she ever knew was decimated and she was left alone to grieve and then vow vengeance.
Her chance comes when the right hand to the Reaper Priest is arrested and has the knowledge she needs to find her enemy. But he will only help her in exchange for his freedom. So Viri finds herself working alongside Reeve Ashton who makes her realise there is even more at stake than her personal vendetta.

So I LOVE Viri. She's badass and capable, not afraid to bend rules and also is able to admit when she is wrong - eventually.
I also love the rest of the crew, especially Walnut and I hope he gets more page time in the next one!

The banter and humour in this had me smiling and laughing for the first half of the book before it started to get real and then it was all the other emotions hitting hard and fast. There were twists and turns, some more predictable than others, but all made this book a non-stop RIDE right up until the very end and I am sitting here still in shock and disbelief and anguish that I will have to wait so long to find out what happens next.

The plot, the characters, the banter, the freaking twists - everything is a delicious 5 star meal and I am hungry for more!

[bella reads fantasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The queen of YA Fantasy has returned 📣
First I need to thank Penguin for sending me an extra early arc. I cannot be more grateful 😭

Lynette Noni has done it again by giving us an immersive world with a beautiful magic system, steeped in mystery where every layer gets revealed and you think you know what’s going to happen BUT YOU’RE WRONG!

What I loved:
🗡️ Found family
🗡️ Strong FMC, driven by loss and determination
🗡️ Accessible world building - Lynette makes a complex fantasy world easy to follow and learn
🗡️ Witty MMC, oh the charm on this one is 10/10
🗡️ Cliff hangers and plot twists to honestly keep you guessing but make so much sense when it’s revealed

This is a MUST READ for anyone who enjoys YA fantasy, dark magic, mystery, adventure, a slow burn romance, and high stakes

[Delusional Dawn]

i'm SO SO SO SO excited for this book! I love Lynette and her beautiful writing style and characters! I ADORE prison healer and would sacrifice ANYTHING to reread it again for the first time! (Jaren is literally STANDARDS). her Akarnae series and new release Wandering Wild are also AMAZING and I can't wait for this to be released 💗🫶🏻

[Veronica ✰♫︎]

*SCREAMING*

[Melanie Prince]

YESSS!!! I AM LITERALLY SHAKING IN MY BOOTS!! PLEASEE MOREE!!!

[Charlyn]

I'm so so so excited to read this omfg!!!

[Kenza]

Just got here from the newsletter!! So excited. The tropes and description fulfill all my ya fantasy needs!!

[Emma]

VERY keen to read this book! June 2026 cannot come fast enough!

Lynette is an automatic buy author for me and I’m yet to be disappointed!

[Kaitlynne]

I NEED AN ARC NOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW PLEEEEAASEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[Catrina]

Ordered from B&N
June 2026

[Charlie]

Lynette Noni can probably hear me screaming my excitement for this book all the way in Australia (I live on the other side of the planet)🫶