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Shadow Reaper
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.
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.
496 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 16, 2026
10224 people want to read
About the author
Lynette Noni
29 books9,276 followersAustralian 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
January 22, 2026
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
4.5 stars rounded up
→ read 1.19.26
- overview -
lynette. noni. never. misses. EVER. i'm only a few weeks into the new year, but i can already tell this one's going to be a top read of 2026. but seriously?!? this woman is giving us hit after hit and i am eating up every second.
this book is filled to the brim with the most mouth watering yearning. there are scenes in shadow reaper that will simultaneously smash your heart open and give you a warm hug. plus those plot twists?? what am i supposed to do with myself now?!? i'd like to think that i'm fairly good at predicting book plot twists, but this one got me realllll good. *throws kindle across the room*
the characters... oh my lord, these are my babies. viri and reeve's relationship is so genuine. this book perfectly weaves dark themes while still being an easy book to loose yourself in. like, even after everything these characters have been through, it never becomes a toxic relationship, which is the biggest red flag in most romantasies.
did i mention there's also a tiny fluffy bunny named walnut? 😭😭😭
⋆˙⟡ now playing - men on the moon by chelsea cutler ♫
"we put men on the moon, but i still don't know how to you."
♡ huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc - all thoughts are my own ♡
4.5 stars rounded up
→ read 1.19.26
- overview -
lynette. noni. never. misses. EVER. i'm only a few weeks into the new year, but i can already tell this one's going to be a top read of 2026. but seriously?!? this woman is giving us hit after hit and i am eating up every second.
this book is filled to the brim with the most mouth watering yearning. there are scenes in shadow reaper that will simultaneously smash your heart open and give you a warm hug. plus those plot twists?? what am i supposed to do with myself now?!? i'd like to think that i'm fairly good at predicting book plot twists, but this one got me realllll good. *throws kindle across the room*
the characters... oh my lord, these are my babies. viri and reeve's relationship is so genuine. this book perfectly weaves dark themes while still being an easy book to loose yourself in. like, even after everything these characters have been through, it never becomes a toxic relationship, which is the biggest red flag in most romantasies.
did i mention there's also a tiny fluffy bunny named walnut? 😭😭😭
⋆˙⟡ now playing - men on the moon by chelsea cutler ♫
"we put men on the moon, but i still don't know how to you."
♡ huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc - all thoughts are my own ♡
unreleased
August 1, 2025🚨 NEW LYNETTE NONI FANTASY SERIES ALERT 🚨
i am beyond hyped, folks! give it to me now!
i am beyond hyped, folks! give it to me now!
arc-tbr
January 7, 2026Ahhhh! 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”
“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”
Want to Read
May 2, 2026pre read-🚨 ARC Received ! 🚨
Thank you Penguin Teen Canada for the free copy 🩶
Soooo excited to read ✨ keep an eye out for reading updates!
Thank you Penguin Teen Canada for the free copy 🩶
Soooo excited to read ✨ keep an eye out for reading updates!
Want to Read
July 22, 2025Lynette 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)🫶
January 27, 2026
4.5⭐️
thank you so much netgalley for this arc!!
this book was one of, if not my #1, most anticipated read of 2026 and let me tell you, IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
prison healer is one of my favorite trilogies ever so i have been SOOOO excited for new book by her!!!!
there were so many genuinely good plot twists, and the banter between viri and reeve was chef's kiss 🤌🏻
this book had my jaw on the floor one minute and then had me tearing up the next
i CAN'T WAIT for book 2
thank you so much netgalley for this arc!!
this book was one of, if not my #1, most anticipated read of 2026 and let me tell you, IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
prison healer is one of my favorite trilogies ever so i have been SOOOO excited for new book by her!!!!
there were so many genuinely good plot twists, and the banter between viri and reeve was chef's kiss 🤌🏻
this book had my jaw on the floor one minute and then had me tearing up the next
i CAN'T WAIT for book 2
January 18, 2026
OH. MY. GOSH.
You would think that after reading 12, TWELVE, books by Lynette Noni then I couldn’t be surprised by her plot twists. Well you are wrong, BECAUSE I WAS SURPRISED. IN FACT IM IN DISBELIEF. BECAUSE WHAT?! I honestly feel so stupid and now I absolutely NEED to reread this book and see the foreshadowing moments because I KNOW THEY ARE THERE. Okay now time for the actual review, but first we have to back this up.
When Shadow Reaper was announced it quickly became my most anticipated read of 2026. Not only because Lynette Noni is my favorite author but also because it sounded SO INTERESTING. So I am not kidding when I say that I CRIED getting an email saying I got approved for the arc and I am also not kidding when I say that I dropped absolutely everything for this book and I am so glad I did BECAUSE OH MY GOSH.
This book not only met my very high expectations but it EXCEEDED THEM. I was so immersed into the world of Elverdine Isle to the point where time actually had no meaning. When I say that I was obsessed, I WAS OBSESSED. Every waking moment for the past three days has been spent reading this book. In addition to the world, Lynette Noni also delivered on the characters that you just can’t help but loving. Like tell me why I knew Reeve for one page but I already loved him as if I had known him for 100 pages. I EVEN LOVED A FREAKING BUNNY(dare I say the best part of the book). Lastly, as I said previously, this book did not HOLD BACK WITH THE PLOT TWISTS. The ending shook me to my core and I don’t think I’ll ever be the same. I might even dare to say that this plot twist was crazier than the one in the prison healer(and trust me, that is saying something). I should probably stop yapping now but just remember
“Never Bargain with a Reaper.”
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHERS FOR GIFTING ME THIS ARC! It truly meant the world to me😭
You would think that after reading 12, TWELVE, books by Lynette Noni then I couldn’t be surprised by her plot twists. Well you are wrong, BECAUSE I WAS SURPRISED. IN FACT IM IN DISBELIEF. BECAUSE WHAT?! I honestly feel so stupid and now I absolutely NEED to reread this book and see the foreshadowing moments because I KNOW THEY ARE THERE. Okay now time for the actual review, but first we have to back this up.
When Shadow Reaper was announced it quickly became my most anticipated read of 2026. Not only because Lynette Noni is my favorite author but also because it sounded SO INTERESTING. So I am not kidding when I say that I CRIED getting an email saying I got approved for the arc and I am also not kidding when I say that I dropped absolutely everything for this book and I am so glad I did BECAUSE OH MY GOSH.
This book not only met my very high expectations but it EXCEEDED THEM. I was so immersed into the world of Elverdine Isle to the point where time actually had no meaning. When I say that I was obsessed, I WAS OBSESSED. Every waking moment for the past three days has been spent reading this book. In addition to the world, Lynette Noni also delivered on the characters that you just can’t help but loving. Like tell me why I knew Reeve for one page but I already loved him as if I had known him for 100 pages. I EVEN LOVED A FREAKING BUNNY(dare I say the best part of the book). Lastly, as I said previously, this book did not HOLD BACK WITH THE PLOT TWISTS. The ending shook me to my core and I don’t think I’ll ever be the same. I might even dare to say that this plot twist was crazier than the one in the prison healer(and trust me, that is saying something). I should probably stop yapping now but just remember
“Never Bargain with a Reaper.”
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHERS FOR GIFTING ME THIS ARC! It truly meant the world to me😭
April 10, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy of this book.
This YA fantasy took a minute to get started, but once it did I couldn’t put it down. Viri and her friends are such an odd pairing of people, but somehow they work in a way that keeps this novel flowing perfectly. Plus, the pet bunny doesn’t hurt. This one is perfect for anyone, but especially those who don’t love a lot of spice with their fantasy.
This YA fantasy took a minute to get started, but once it did I couldn’t put it down. Viri and her friends are such an odd pairing of people, but somehow they work in a way that keeps this novel flowing perfectly. Plus, the pet bunny doesn’t hurt. This one is perfect for anyone, but especially those who don’t love a lot of spice with their fantasy.
March 2, 2026
Review of advance copy received from House of YA
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 ⭐️
“Never bargain with a reaper“
The city of Aravell is plagued by a deadly black mist, and reapers who siphon magic from children to appease their thirst for power. Seventeen year old, Viridia Solace hunts these reapers, despite the hunters efforts the reaper ranks continue to grow as they are led by the Reaper Priest - the man who murdered Viri’s parents. When the Priests most loyal follower, Reeve Ashton, is captured, he offers Viri a chance to avenge her parents.
✨ review ✨
I don’t know what she does or how she does it but Lynette Noni’s writing is always so captivating and addictive. I could not put this book down (except for when I forced to take a break halfway through - because international travel, but I digress). As always the world building is immaculate and magic system unique. I feel like Noni is known for her found family and animal side characters, which you can definitely find in this book. I did find the pacing great until a little over halfway through where it did slow down a bit, a lot of action ends up taking place in the last like 10% of the book, which had me GRIPPED. I did find myself guessing the plot, chapters before it was unveiled. However the ending plot twist was not on my radar at all, and I sat there in shock for 10 minutes just staring at the last page. (I definitely need to go back in for a reread because I need to find those hints I clearly missed in the lead up!). Overall I loved this story, of course it is left on a cliff hanger in true Noni fashion, and I’m now very upset I have to wait an unspecified amount of time for the sequel - which I suspect I will enjoy more (as this first book was very much more world and character building to set up the action that will take place in book 2)!
genre: YA fantasy
publication date: 2nd June 2026
arc and pr box so kindly gifted from Penguin (Teen) Random House Australia thank you so so much 🫶🏼🫶🏼
“Never bargain with a reaper“
The city of Aravell is plagued by a deadly black mist, and reapers who siphon magic from children to appease their thirst for power. Seventeen year old, Viridia Solace hunts these reapers, despite the hunters efforts the reaper ranks continue to grow as they are led by the Reaper Priest - the man who murdered Viri’s parents. When the Priests most loyal follower, Reeve Ashton, is captured, he offers Viri a chance to avenge her parents.
✨ review ✨
I don’t know what she does or how she does it but Lynette Noni’s writing is always so captivating and addictive. I could not put this book down (except for when I forced to take a break halfway through - because international travel, but I digress). As always the world building is immaculate and magic system unique. I feel like Noni is known for her found family and animal side characters, which you can definitely find in this book. I did find the pacing great until a little over halfway through where it did slow down a bit, a lot of action ends up taking place in the last like 10% of the book, which had me GRIPPED. I did find myself guessing the plot, chapters before it was unveiled. However the ending plot twist was not on my radar at all, and I sat there in shock for 10 minutes just staring at the last page. (I definitely need to go back in for a reread because I need to find those hints I clearly missed in the lead up!). Overall I loved this story, of course it is left on a cliff hanger in true Noni fashion, and I’m now very upset I have to wait an unspecified amount of time for the sequel - which I suspect I will enjoy more (as this first book was very much more world and character building to set up the action that will take place in book 2)!
genre: YA fantasy
publication date: 2nd June 2026
arc and pr box so kindly gifted from Penguin (Teen) Random House Australia thank you so so much 🫶🏼🫶🏼
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Lynette Noni does it again! 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘳 is an explosive young adult duology opener full of twists and turns, magical adventure, and charming romance.
Viridia hunts reapers in her quest for revenge, desperate to locate the Reaper Priest responsible for her parents' deaths. When his comrade, Reeve, is captured, she risks a dangerous bargain to gain access to the murderer. As conflicting feelings develop for Reeve, her former childhood friend, and a world-ending conspiracy is discovered, she'll have to decide who to trust - and learn how to trust herself.
Noni is the queen of crafting charming young adult fantasy with characters so lovely and full of life that they jump out of the pages. I instantly adored the cast of characters, and the found family elements are beautifully penned.
Viri is a compelling character whose backstory is tragic and plays a large role in her empowering growth. Reeve's confidence is rather endearing, especially as his body language reveals care for Viri. He's alluring and fierce yet sweet and gentle, and his sense of humor had me laughing out loud. Viri and Reeve's dynamic was addictive, and their story should be the blueprint for the he falls first trope! The friendships are heartwarming, and there's even an adorable fluffy sidekick!
𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘳 is magical and filled to the brim with addictive wanderlust. It's a book you'll stay up all night devouring because you can't put it down, and once you finish, you'll be up all night pondering the gut-wrenching cliffhanger. Lynette Noni will be holding me captive until the sequel is in my hands - I am desperate to see what happens next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the advance reading copy!
Viridia hunts reapers in her quest for revenge, desperate to locate the Reaper Priest responsible for her parents' deaths. When his comrade, Reeve, is captured, she risks a dangerous bargain to gain access to the murderer. As conflicting feelings develop for Reeve, her former childhood friend, and a world-ending conspiracy is discovered, she'll have to decide who to trust - and learn how to trust herself.
Noni is the queen of crafting charming young adult fantasy with characters so lovely and full of life that they jump out of the pages. I instantly adored the cast of characters, and the found family elements are beautifully penned.
Viri is a compelling character whose backstory is tragic and plays a large role in her empowering growth. Reeve's confidence is rather endearing, especially as his body language reveals care for Viri. He's alluring and fierce yet sweet and gentle, and his sense of humor had me laughing out loud. Viri and Reeve's dynamic was addictive, and their story should be the blueprint for the he falls first trope! The friendships are heartwarming, and there's even an adorable fluffy sidekick!
𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘳 is magical and filled to the brim with addictive wanderlust. It's a book you'll stay up all night devouring because you can't put it down, and once you finish, you'll be up all night pondering the gut-wrenching cliffhanger. Lynette Noni will be holding me captive until the sequel is in my hands - I am desperate to see what happens next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the advance reading copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3⭐️ - It's been way too long since I've had a Lynette Noni fantasy on my TBR, so I snatched this up the moment I saw it. And while Shadow Reaper didn't fully land for me, I was still able to enjoy it for what it was.
As a big fan of Noni's The Prison Healer series, I have been searching for a found family half as good as the one in those books, so I was really hoping we'd have a strong found family here. While all the side characters didn't spend a lot of time together, we did get introduced to a strong crew of characters with distinct personalities. The found family is just starting to take shape, and I have high hopes for book two.
Pacing-wise, things move slowly for most of the book, though twists and reveals are scattered throughout that kept things interesting. The final five chapters pick up significantly, and the ending twist was strong enough to pull me back in. I did not see it coming at all!
I did have two main sticking points. The romance felt off because Reeve and Viri's backstory and vibes gave more sibling energy than romantic tension. I do love the hunter/hunted trope, but this romantic arc felt forced.
The worldbuilding was also hard for me to follow. The magic system and world aren't that complicated, but characters are constantly speaking in half-truths throughout the book. With so many layers of misdirection stacking on top of each other, it was hard to parse through what was actually true about the world. I do still have some questions about the magic system and lore that I hope get answered in book two.
I'll be reading the second book because it's only a duology and I want answers, but it won't be a must-read-on-release-day situation for me.
Definitely recommend for readers who were fans of The Prison Healer series or someone craving a story with a lot of twists, turns, and misdirection.
✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Books for Young Readers for the ARC!
Burner Kindle Book Blog
As a big fan of Noni's The Prison Healer series, I have been searching for a found family half as good as the one in those books, so I was really hoping we'd have a strong found family here. While all the side characters didn't spend a lot of time together, we did get introduced to a strong crew of characters with distinct personalities. The found family is just starting to take shape, and I have high hopes for book two.
Pacing-wise, things move slowly for most of the book, though twists and reveals are scattered throughout that kept things interesting. The final five chapters pick up significantly, and the ending twist was strong enough to pull me back in. I did not see it coming at all!
I did have two main sticking points. The romance felt off because Reeve and Viri's backstory and vibes gave more sibling energy than romantic tension. I do love the hunter/hunted trope, but this romantic arc felt forced.
The worldbuilding was also hard for me to follow. The magic system and world aren't that complicated, but characters are constantly speaking in half-truths throughout the book. With so many layers of misdirection stacking on top of each other, it was hard to parse through what was actually true about the world. I do still have some questions about the magic system and lore that I hope get answered in book two.
I'll be reading the second book because it's only a duology and I want answers, but it won't be a must-read-on-release-day situation for me.
Definitely recommend for readers who were fans of The Prison Healer series or someone craving a story with a lot of twists, turns, and misdirection.
✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Books for Young Readers for the ARC!
Burner Kindle Book Blog
February 3, 2026
You can never go wrong reading a young adult fantasy by Lynette Noni.
The Prison Healer is one of absolute favorite young adult fantasy series written. When I heard Lynette was writing another series, I knew I had to have my hands on it. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I have read many fantasy books where the worldbuilding feels underdeveloped and the characters come across as flat or one dimensional. This book was phenomenal in comparison. The magic system is refreshingly unique, and each character carries such deep internal turmoil that they all feel layered, complex, and are genuinely fascinating. While the romance is not the central focus, the moments that are included are meaningful enough to carry you through the entire story.
What truly brought this book together for me was the found family element. Found family is one of my absolute top-tier tropes in fantasy. All the characters are somehow connected to one another and seeing them care for one another and protect each other was so beautiful.
I will say that a few of the plot twists were fairly predictable; however, that felt intentional. The obvious twists seemed designed to lower your guard just enough so the later revelations could hit harder, and they absolutely did. I am incredibly curious to see how the story continues to unfold in book two!!
The Prison Healer is one of absolute favorite young adult fantasy series written. When I heard Lynette was writing another series, I knew I had to have my hands on it. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I have read many fantasy books where the worldbuilding feels underdeveloped and the characters come across as flat or one dimensional. This book was phenomenal in comparison. The magic system is refreshingly unique, and each character carries such deep internal turmoil that they all feel layered, complex, and are genuinely fascinating. While the romance is not the central focus, the moments that are included are meaningful enough to carry you through the entire story.
What truly brought this book together for me was the found family element. Found family is one of my absolute top-tier tropes in fantasy. All the characters are somehow connected to one another and seeing them care for one another and protect each other was so beautiful.
I will say that a few of the plot twists were fairly predictable; however, that felt intentional. The obvious twists seemed designed to lower your guard just enough so the later revelations could hit harder, and they absolutely did. I am incredibly curious to see how the story continues to unfold in book two!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Oh my, I ate this up! Absolutely loved this one. The magic, the characters, the found family, the romance. I found it all addictive and finished it in no time.
The beginning took a little getting used to, especially the worldbuilding. But luckily that didn’t last long, and once I was in, I couldn’t put it down.
Reading Shadow Reaper felt like a rollercoaster. One moment I was reading in suspense, the next I was staring at the pages wide-eyed in shock and not long after, I had tears in my eyes.
The main characters, Viri and Reeve, go from friends to enemies to lovers, and it was such a joy to follow their journey. I loved these two so much. The banter, the tension, the inside jokes, the “who did this to you” moments. I ate it up! And Reeve’s nickname for Viri, 'Little Shadow', was just so cute!
Since it’s YA, there’s no spice. While it definitely could have fit the story, I didn’t necessarily miss it. The tension between Viri and Reeve is more than enough to make you giggle and kick your feet.
Some of the plot twists were fairly predictable, but thankfully there were also twists I absolutely did not see coming. I was literally on the edge of my seat.
All in all, I enjoyed this story so much and can’t wait for book two!
ℹ️ Shadow Reaper is the first book in a YA duology and will be released in June. Definitely add this one to your TBR!
Thanks to Penguin International Huddle for this amazing ARC!
The beginning took a little getting used to, especially the worldbuilding. But luckily that didn’t last long, and once I was in, I couldn’t put it down.
Reading Shadow Reaper felt like a rollercoaster. One moment I was reading in suspense, the next I was staring at the pages wide-eyed in shock and not long after, I had tears in my eyes.
The main characters, Viri and Reeve, go from friends to enemies to lovers, and it was such a joy to follow their journey. I loved these two so much. The banter, the tension, the inside jokes, the “who did this to you” moments. I ate it up! And Reeve’s nickname for Viri, 'Little Shadow', was just so cute!
Since it’s YA, there’s no spice. While it definitely could have fit the story, I didn’t necessarily miss it. The tension between Viri and Reeve is more than enough to make you giggle and kick your feet.
Some of the plot twists were fairly predictable, but thankfully there were also twists I absolutely did not see coming. I was literally on the edge of my seat.
All in all, I enjoyed this story so much and can’t wait for book two!
ℹ️ Shadow Reaper is the first book in a YA duology and will be released in June. Definitely add this one to your TBR!
Thanks to Penguin International Huddle for this amazing ARC!
Want to Read
July 25, 2025A 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!"
"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!"
January 22, 2026
Okay, where to begin… this book was nothing short of amazing. In this book you follow Viri who is a hunter. She hunts reapers, and has a main target to fulfill her revenge plan the Reaper Priest. She’s going about her duties, bringing in reapers, catching them before they can siphon from the children of the island when none other than Reeve is captured. With their history and the fact she hasn’t seen him in 7 years, does she trust him enough to figure out where all the missing children are going?
I had so much fun reading this. The author does a wonderful job with her storytelling. Throughout the whole book you have an underlying tone of there being more going on than what is said, so it’s easy to breeze through to get the answers while also trying to guess for yourself what the answers will be. I found myself thrown around left right and center with the reveals but even through all of that I wasn’t even a little bit prepared for the review at the end. What do you mean?!
Do yourself a favor and mark your calendar for the release date because you NEED this book in your life.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this title.
I had so much fun reading this. The author does a wonderful job with her storytelling. Throughout the whole book you have an underlying tone of there being more going on than what is said, so it’s easy to breeze through to get the answers while also trying to guess for yourself what the answers will be. I found myself thrown around left right and center with the reveals but even through all of that I wasn’t even a little bit prepared for the review at the end. What do you mean?!
Do yourself a favor and mark your calendar for the release date because you NEED this book in your life.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this title.
November 27, 2025
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 😭😭
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 😭😭
January 14, 2026
2.5⭐️
Ugh. I hated having to give that rating, but this was my most disappointing read in a while. Lynette Noni isn’t a one hit wonder. I’ve read plenty of her books and loved them. But this one seemed so shallow.
If you’ve read her before, specifically The Prison Healer series, you know she has twists DOWN. But the difference was that most of the twists in this book were either predictable or just seemed to come out of nowhere. The lack of groundwork made them unbelievable.
On top of this, the first half of the book was simultaneously too long and also not deep enough for me to truly love the characters. It also felt a bit like a teacher who wanted me to learn something.
At about 70% through, the story picked up and I sped through the end, but sadly, it still didn’t hit like her other books.
I don’t mean to turn away all the Noni fans. Maybe you’ll like it. But for me, this was a miss. (Although I still can’t wait for her next book! I think I’ll always be excited for a new book from her.)
Ugh. I hated having to give that rating, but this was my most disappointing read in a while. Lynette Noni isn’t a one hit wonder. I’ve read plenty of her books and loved them. But this one seemed so shallow.
If you’ve read her before, specifically The Prison Healer series, you know she has twists DOWN. But the difference was that most of the twists in this book were either predictable or just seemed to come out of nowhere. The lack of groundwork made them unbelievable.
On top of this, the first half of the book was simultaneously too long and also not deep enough for me to truly love the characters. It also felt a bit like a teacher who wanted me to learn something.
At about 70% through, the story picked up and I sped through the end, but sadly, it still didn’t hit like her other books.
I don’t mean to turn away all the Noni fans. Maybe you’ll like it. But for me, this was a miss. (Although I still can’t wait for her next book! I think I’ll always be excited for a new book from her.)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I want to thank the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me a read.
Shadow Reaper might find its fans of those who don't tread often in fantasy, bu even still the magic and lack of chemistry between the male love interest and protagonist make it rough.
Other little things bothered me too. The world building seemed to be quasi modern mixed with feudal (elevators?). I was expecting a cell phone to be dragged out of a pocket.
The magic really doesn't click as to its reasons / way it is until you get to the tail end / reveal. Even still, it's pretty weak. Book two seems to be where it all comes to the front and is hand in hand with the story.
I gave it three stars because you have a group of characters that actually DO something - male love interest, female lead, the friends and the plot itself is interesting. It just has so much clunky withholding and poor romance to really make it seem worthy of it all.
I won't be sticking around for the conclusion, since I felt that two books may not have been enough to fully grasp or explain the world, but it's what it is.
Shadow Reaper might find its fans of those who don't tread often in fantasy, bu even still the magic and lack of chemistry between the male love interest and protagonist make it rough.
Other little things bothered me too. The world building seemed to be quasi modern mixed with feudal (elevators?). I was expecting a cell phone to be dragged out of a pocket.
The magic really doesn't click as to its reasons / way it is until you get to the tail end / reveal. Even still, it's pretty weak. Book two seems to be where it all comes to the front and is hand in hand with the story.
I gave it three stars because you have a group of characters that actually DO something - male love interest, female lead, the friends and the plot itself is interesting. It just has so much clunky withholding and poor romance to really make it seem worthy of it all.
I won't be sticking around for the conclusion, since I felt that two books may not have been enough to fully grasp or explain the world, but it's what it is.
January 21, 2026
Shadow Reaper by Lynette Noni
Release Date:June 2nd
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Age rating:15+
Spice:none
Thank you Netgalley and Lynette Noni for this arc! YALL. Oh. My. Gosh. This book was absolutely insane. The world and magic system is so unique, and kept me captivated the whole time. I read this book in three sittings, it just completely took over my mind, and I had to know what happened next. Viri is such a good fmc. I fully enjoyed my time in her pov. I wanted to learn everything about her, and just love her so much. And Reeve *giggles like a mad woman*, Reeve is such a good mmc. I fell in love instantly, and every time he was in the page I was falling more for him. The banter between the two of them was SO GOOD! And the tension was just magnificent. I also loved how they both have so many layers, they’re like onions in a way, and each layer we peeled back had me connecting to them even more. And the PLOT WAS SUCH A PLOT! And THE TURNS AND TWISTS AND JUST EVERYTHING! The ending truly had me staring at the acknowledgments, as if waiting for more to magically appear. I most definitely recommend this book, and look forward to the sequel.
Release Date:June 2nd
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Age rating:15+
Spice:none
Thank you Netgalley and Lynette Noni for this arc! YALL. Oh. My. Gosh. This book was absolutely insane. The world and magic system is so unique, and kept me captivated the whole time. I read this book in three sittings, it just completely took over my mind, and I had to know what happened next. Viri is such a good fmc. I fully enjoyed my time in her pov. I wanted to learn everything about her, and just love her so much. And Reeve *giggles like a mad woman*, Reeve is such a good mmc. I fell in love instantly, and every time he was in the page I was falling more for him. The banter between the two of them was SO GOOD! And the tension was just magnificent. I also loved how they both have so many layers, they’re like onions in a way, and each layer we peeled back had me connecting to them even more. And the PLOT WAS SUCH A PLOT! And THE TURNS AND TWISTS AND JUST EVERYTHING! The ending truly had me staring at the acknowledgments, as if waiting for more to magically appear. I most definitely recommend this book, and look forward to the sequel.
February 9, 2026
I’m so excited to see Lynette Noni writing YA Fantasy again. For those of you who loved her Prisoner Healer trilogy, you’re going to want to pick this one up. I was immediately enthralled by this story just from the author’s letter in the beginning of the book. I wanted to know everything about who this enigmatic person behind bars was the author talks about having come to life in her mind. Lynette has this way of creating the most magical and mysterious characters that pull you into the story with their allure. Then she puts those characters inside worlds in which you must fight to survive, and you just can’t help becoming invested in their story.
Arvelle is a city plagued by a mist that kills you upon contact and reapers roaming the streets, feeding off children to steal their magic for themselves. Viridia has spent her life training to hunt down these reapers in an attempt to reach their leader, the Reaper Priest, who murdered her parents when she was a child. While she’s spent years trying to track her parent’s killer down with no luck all that seems about to change when the Reaper Priest’s most loyal follower is captured. He offers her a bargain that could help her get closer to their leader than she’s ever come before. All she must do in exchange for the information is help him escape. While Viridia knows to never bargain with a reaper, this deal seems too good to resist.
I really enjoyed this book. The whole crew of characters that come together was so much fun to follow. They each had such unique personalities, and they each brought something special to the story. Reeve was a very swoony mysterious man and I loved him! The yearning between Reeve and Viridia was palpable. While some of the twists were very predictable, I think you’ll still be surprised by some of them! There were a couple of times reading this where my jaw literally dropped. I can’t wait to pick up book two and continue this journey.
If you’re a fan of found family tropes, unique magic, a darker storyline, and a surprisingly magical fantasy, this is a book you’re going to want to pick up.
Thank you to Random House Children’s Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My review is based solely on my own opinion, and I appreciate the chance to read Shadow Reaper by Lynette Noni.
Arvelle is a city plagued by a mist that kills you upon contact and reapers roaming the streets, feeding off children to steal their magic for themselves. Viridia has spent her life training to hunt down these reapers in an attempt to reach their leader, the Reaper Priest, who murdered her parents when she was a child. While she’s spent years trying to track her parent’s killer down with no luck all that seems about to change when the Reaper Priest’s most loyal follower is captured. He offers her a bargain that could help her get closer to their leader than she’s ever come before. All she must do in exchange for the information is help him escape. While Viridia knows to never bargain with a reaper, this deal seems too good to resist.
I really enjoyed this book. The whole crew of characters that come together was so much fun to follow. They each had such unique personalities, and they each brought something special to the story. Reeve was a very swoony mysterious man and I loved him! The yearning between Reeve and Viridia was palpable. While some of the twists were very predictable, I think you’ll still be surprised by some of them! There were a couple of times reading this where my jaw literally dropped. I can’t wait to pick up book two and continue this journey.
If you’re a fan of found family tropes, unique magic, a darker storyline, and a surprisingly magical fantasy, this is a book you’re going to want to pick up.
Thank you to Random House Children’s Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My review is based solely on my own opinion, and I appreciate the chance to read Shadow Reaper by Lynette Noni.
April 7, 2026
4.25⭐️ Lynette Noni has done it again! She has managed to leave me absolutely gobsmacked by that brutal cliffhanger. She is the queen of plot twists and cliffhangers in my eyes and she has succeeded once again. I am now desperately waiting for the next installment. Thank goodness this is a duology or I would be going mad having to wait for so long.
I love Viri and Reeve so much. The yearning, THE PINING!!! was so good in this book. I was constantly giggling at every interaction they had together. The world building and magic system was out of this world. The thought of siphoning the magic out of someone and then turning into reaper because of it is so dark and twisted. I loved it. This entire plot is just riddled with plot twist after plot twists, some that I managed to guess which I was so proud of.
Also there’s a cute bunny named walnut and it’s so fluffy!!! .25 points just for that.
I truly cannot wait for book 2 cause after that ending I need some answers stat! Thanks to random house and netgalley for allowing me to read this eARC.
I love Viri and Reeve so much. The yearning, THE PINING!!! was so good in this book. I was constantly giggling at every interaction they had together. The world building and magic system was out of this world. The thought of siphoning the magic out of someone and then turning into reaper because of it is so dark and twisted. I loved it. This entire plot is just riddled with plot twist after plot twists, some that I managed to guess which I was so proud of.
Also there’s a cute bunny named walnut and it’s so fluffy!!! .25 points just for that.
I truly cannot wait for book 2 cause after that ending I need some answers stat! Thanks to random house and netgalley for allowing me to read this eARC.
January 31, 2026
3.25 ⭐️
Thank you to Penguin Random House, Knopf, and NetGalley for an eARC of this book!
Lynette Noni is just so good at creating an immersive world. Her Prison Healer series is one of my favorites, so I was excited to pick up Shadow Reaper. Noni’s writing is captivating and I loveeeee the characters she writes. Reeve, the MMC, really carried this book for me. I enjoyed spending time with the side characters, too. I’m a sucker for a found family, and I feel one brewing!! I wish those relationships were developed a little further in this first installment, though.
This book is twisty. It kept me on my toes, but maybe leaned a little too hard into so many twists and reveals in the last third of the book? If they were spread out a bit more, I think it would have been more impactful. The pacing in the first half was great, and then slowed down in the middle, but overall I still found myself engaged. The magic system is interesting, but could use more explanation.
This was a fun read, for sure!
Thank you to Penguin Random House, Knopf, and NetGalley for an eARC of this book!
Lynette Noni is just so good at creating an immersive world. Her Prison Healer series is one of my favorites, so I was excited to pick up Shadow Reaper. Noni’s writing is captivating and I loveeeee the characters she writes. Reeve, the MMC, really carried this book for me. I enjoyed spending time with the side characters, too. I’m a sucker for a found family, and I feel one brewing!! I wish those relationships were developed a little further in this first installment, though.
This book is twisty. It kept me on my toes, but maybe leaned a little too hard into so many twists and reveals in the last third of the book? If they were spread out a bit more, I think it would have been more impactful. The pacing in the first half was great, and then slowed down in the middle, but overall I still found myself engaged. The magic system is interesting, but could use more explanation.
This was a fun read, for sure!
April 2, 2026
Where to begin with?
First of all thank you NetGalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
My mind is still blowed out and I can’t still fully process wtf happend there 🤯🫨
I will do my best to start from the begining.
The world creation is so welcoming and not overwhelming at all. It’s all limited to an Island where the deadly mist is taking its toll. The only things that supress it from killing people and taking their ellixen - so called magic, are obelisks, treathen as wards - simple right?
Yea, so we have our girl Viri, an orphan who was trained and became a hunter. Her only goal is to seek and capture reapers - abominations along the people, who siphone ellixen from others - mainly children, to gain their power and killing them in a process. Viri has her own vendetta to fulfill, but when there is a bigger risk that overcome she has to ally with one of the repears - her ex-childhood friend, who looks like CAKE TO EAT RIGHT AWAY, Reeve.
They both began their mission, but the GHAZYLION secrets that both are trying to guard, are starting to sip away, making it sooooo interesting. The plot twist where twisting my gut almost all the time, and there was merely nothing I could predict. Author has made such an amazing job with the storyline. It was keeping me entertained and on the edge of psychosis all the time. I LOVE IT!
We have a simple found family trope, when everyone clicks right away, and despite their lack of trust at the begining, they all starting to bond while chasing the biggest threat.
Reeve on the other hand, was something else. When I did ADORE Jared from Prison Healer, Reeve has took his place in my heart and I do not mind at all. This guy is full of confident, some may say arrogant to the bone, but he knows his ways around Viri and he plays her heheh very well 😈🤭🥵🫨. I loved them both together, and moreover, I loved how simply they’ve started to trust each other.
God, I could yapp about this book all the time, but the truth is, it is just something, that you have to read. Simple as that. READ THIS BOOK !
Absolute 5/5, it will defenetly reach my top tier of this year.
First of all thank you NetGalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
My mind is still blowed out and I can’t still fully process wtf happend there 🤯🫨
I will do my best to start from the begining.
The world creation is so welcoming and not overwhelming at all. It’s all limited to an Island where the deadly mist is taking its toll. The only things that supress it from killing people and taking their ellixen - so called magic, are obelisks, treathen as wards - simple right?
Yea, so we have our girl Viri, an orphan who was trained and became a hunter. Her only goal is to seek and capture reapers - abominations along the people, who siphone ellixen from others - mainly children, to gain their power and killing them in a process. Viri has her own vendetta to fulfill, but when there is a bigger risk that overcome she has to ally with one of the repears - her ex-childhood friend, who looks like CAKE TO EAT RIGHT AWAY, Reeve.
They both began their mission, but the GHAZYLION secrets that both are trying to guard, are starting to sip away, making it sooooo interesting. The plot twist where twisting my gut almost all the time, and there was merely nothing I could predict. Author has made such an amazing job with the storyline. It was keeping me entertained and on the edge of psychosis all the time. I LOVE IT!
We have a simple found family trope, when everyone clicks right away, and despite their lack of trust at the begining, they all starting to bond while chasing the biggest threat.
Reeve on the other hand, was something else. When I did ADORE Jared from Prison Healer, Reeve has took his place in my heart and I do not mind at all. This guy is full of confident, some may say arrogant to the bone, but he knows his ways around Viri and he plays her heheh very well 😈🤭🥵🫨. I loved them both together, and moreover, I loved how simply they’ve started to trust each other.
God, I could yapp about this book all the time, but the truth is, it is just something, that you have to read. Simple as that. READ THIS BOOK !
Absolute 5/5, it will defenetly reach my top tier of this year.
February 19, 2026
Magic, alchemy, love, lures, secrets. This book has it all! From all the twists and turns you’ll be hooked from the beginning. While I was able to guess some of what is coming, I’d say most won’t. The writing, character/world building is on point. Great set up for another book!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Read
March 22, 2026Ending was so unexpected! Classic YA fantasy, twists were crazy
(Disclaimer I work for PRH, not in book production! My opinions are my own)
(Disclaimer I work for PRH, not in book production! My opinions are my own)
January 28, 2026
This had a very strong, solid start but fizzled out as it progressed. Unfortunately, I found it to be very predictable - I guessed all of the major "twists" well in advance, and spent the rest of the time trying to puzzle out how the characters hadn't figured out what I realized several chapters prior. This may be an artifact of the fact that this is a YA story, but I also just didn't find the factors driving the plot forward to be very convincing. The magic system also needs work - it is unnecessarily convoluted, while also lacking explanation of certain aspects.
This is clearly book 1 of a series as it leaves off on a cliffhanger. I personally will not be picking it up, but I hope this book finds its audience!
This is clearly book 1 of a series as it leaves off on a cliffhanger. I personally will not be picking it up, but I hope this book finds its audience!
April 24, 2026
Thank you to Penguin Random House for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
The city of Aravell is in peril, plagued by a deadly blackmist that kills all it touches and reapers who roam the streets, leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. Seventeen-year-old reaper hunter Viridia Solace has made it her life’s mission to capture their leader—the man who murdered her parents—but the notorious Reaper Priest has eluded the best hunters on Elverdine Isle for years. Until now. When the Priest’s right-hand man, 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, especially this one, but his offer is too good to resist. Only, trusting Reeve comes with a heavy cost, and soon Viri risks losing everything . . . including her heart.
You can’t help but fall in love with Viridia. Her tenacity and her desperate desire to help people draws you in, but it’s her kindness and her inherent goodness that keeps you engaged. The way she interacts with others is great to see. She’s a prodigy, excelling at her skillset beyond many - but she doesn’t let that get to her head. If anything, she is incredibly humble (unless paperwork is involved which is very understandable!). Her interactions with her best friend and her guardian warmed my heart immeasurably - even those softer moments with her mentor were great. What I loved most about Viri was the fact she is so driven to do well. I could see parts of myself in her and loved how she adapted to everything going on, refusing to be dragged down. It’s going to be so interesting to see how she holds onto her wits in the next book because she is in rather a situation at the end!
Reeve had me skeptical initially but I found myself won over incredibly quickly. Despite his … occupation, shall we say, he has an absolute heart of gold and a penchant for mischievousness. His clever quips and ability to lighten the room had me hooked, but I stayed for seeing those darker and more vulnerable moments. I love how delightfully complex he is as a person, his past defining his future whilst also doing his best to be this good person. Considering revelations revealed at the end of the book, I cannot wait to see him in the sequel!
You can guarantee that anything Lynette Noni writes, I am there to read it! I’ve never not enjoyed one of her books and this was certainly no exception. What a fantastic fantasy this is. Bringing in all the best tropes - found family and forced proximity leading the troops - to create this delightfully addictive story. The pacing felt just a tad off for me, but that’s more likely where my brain was at when reading rather than any slight of Noni’s. The unique magic system was incredibly interesting and I did like the little snippets throughout the book that offered the reader more of an insight into everything. And good lordy this book keeps the reader on their toes with twist after twist! We get to see so many fantastic characters here as well. Noni has a gift for writing a group of people that not only feel realistic but likeable too. I mean, who wouldn’t love someone who keeps their fluffy bunny with them to prevent separation anxiety?? Romance wise, it’s a slow burn. I can be a bit hit and miss with slow burns but Noni knocked it out the park! The yearning between them, the emotions surrounding their history, their desires to do good… it all came together oh so brilliantly! I should have expected by now that Noni would have me feeling distressed to say the least come the end of one of her books. WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT?! My heart has been shredded and my jaw dropped. Where is book two because I need that immediately!!!
Overall, Shadow Reaper is another stunner of a fantasy from Lynette Noni - one you cannot miss!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to Penguin Random House for an advanced copy of this book.
The city of Aravell is in peril, plagued by a deadly blackmist that kills all it touches and reapers who roam the streets, leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. Seventeen-year-old reaper hunter Viridia Solace has made it her life’s mission to capture their leader—the man who murdered her parents—but the notorious Reaper Priest has eluded the best hunters on Elverdine Isle for years. Until now. When the Priest’s right-hand man, 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, especially this one, but his offer is too good to resist. Only, trusting Reeve comes with a heavy cost, and soon Viri risks losing everything . . . including her heart.
You can’t help but fall in love with Viridia. Her tenacity and her desperate desire to help people draws you in, but it’s her kindness and her inherent goodness that keeps you engaged. The way she interacts with others is great to see. She’s a prodigy, excelling at her skillset beyond many - but she doesn’t let that get to her head. If anything, she is incredibly humble (unless paperwork is involved which is very understandable!). Her interactions with her best friend and her guardian warmed my heart immeasurably - even those softer moments with her mentor were great. What I loved most about Viri was the fact she is so driven to do well. I could see parts of myself in her and loved how she adapted to everything going on, refusing to be dragged down. It’s going to be so interesting to see how she holds onto her wits in the next book because she is in rather a situation at the end!
Reeve had me skeptical initially but I found myself won over incredibly quickly. Despite his … occupation, shall we say, he has an absolute heart of gold and a penchant for mischievousness. His clever quips and ability to lighten the room had me hooked, but I stayed for seeing those darker and more vulnerable moments. I love how delightfully complex he is as a person, his past defining his future whilst also doing his best to be this good person. Considering revelations revealed at the end of the book, I cannot wait to see him in the sequel!
You can guarantee that anything Lynette Noni writes, I am there to read it! I’ve never not enjoyed one of her books and this was certainly no exception. What a fantastic fantasy this is. Bringing in all the best tropes - found family and forced proximity leading the troops - to create this delightfully addictive story. The pacing felt just a tad off for me, but that’s more likely where my brain was at when reading rather than any slight of Noni’s. The unique magic system was incredibly interesting and I did like the little snippets throughout the book that offered the reader more of an insight into everything. And good lordy this book keeps the reader on their toes with twist after twist! We get to see so many fantastic characters here as well. Noni has a gift for writing a group of people that not only feel realistic but likeable too. I mean, who wouldn’t love someone who keeps their fluffy bunny with them to prevent separation anxiety?? Romance wise, it’s a slow burn. I can be a bit hit and miss with slow burns but Noni knocked it out the park! The yearning between them, the emotions surrounding their history, their desires to do good… it all came together oh so brilliantly! I should have expected by now that Noni would have me feeling distressed to say the least come the end of one of her books. WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT?! My heart has been shredded and my jaw dropped. Where is book two because I need that immediately!!!
Overall, Shadow Reaper is another stunner of a fantasy from Lynette Noni - one you cannot miss!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to Penguin Random House for an advanced copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to the publisher and to the author for an ARC copy in exchange for a review.
Shadow Reaper 6/5⭐
The best fantasy I've read so far this year!
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✨Plot✨
Aravell is in danger, from a deadly mist surrounding it that kills all it touches, to the Reapers who steal magic from innocent kids on the streets to satisfy their constant thirst for power. 17-year-old Viri Solace has trained for years to hunt these Reapers, but they keep growing. Led by none other than the murderer of her parents, the Reaper Priest.
When the priest's closest advisor, Reeve Ashton, is captured, he offers Viri a deal. A chance to avenge her parents if she breaks him out of prison. 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 and colluding with his band of magical thieves, and 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?
✨Characters✨
⚔️Viri⚔️
This girl was amazing!! I loved the girl boss energy and the fact that she is a prodigy hunter was really cool! I honestly never got annoyed at her, which is surprising for a YA fantasy. I love slowly learning more and more about her backstory, and just the character she is is insane.
💀Reeve💀
Reeve, the moody Reaper. No spoilers, but I absolutely loved him and his friend group. Also, this dude had some serious bars he was dropping randomly. I think this is the first time I've actually annotated something, and pretty much all I animated was stuff Reeve was saying. He is so sweet!
✨Wynter✨
Wynter is such a bestie/sister, but kind of got on my nerves at times. Her figuring out stuff to help Viri hunt better was cool (yes, I'm aware of how vague I'm being, but I don't want to spoil it!)
✨Writing Style✨
The writing was AMAZING! Unlike the prison healer, this was really fast-paced! I was fully immersed and flew through this book in just a couple of days!
✨⚔️Action⚔️✨
The action was so cinematic, like I need a movie nowwww. I love action where pretty much everyone but the main character has magic, and yet the main character is still holding their own lol.
✨Would I Recommend It?✨
YES YES YES. This is the new fantasy! I haven't read a new fantasy this good in sooo long! Think like a more fantasy take on Scythe! It was amazing, 100% recommend!
Shadow Reaper 6/5⭐
The best fantasy I've read so far this year!
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✨Plot✨
Aravell is in danger, from a deadly mist surrounding it that kills all it touches, to the Reapers who steal magic from innocent kids on the streets to satisfy their constant thirst for power. 17-year-old Viri Solace has trained for years to hunt these Reapers, but they keep growing. Led by none other than the murderer of her parents, the Reaper Priest.
When the priest's closest advisor, Reeve Ashton, is captured, he offers Viri a deal. A chance to avenge her parents if she breaks him out of prison. 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 and colluding with his band of magical thieves, and 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?
✨Characters✨
⚔️Viri⚔️
This girl was amazing!! I loved the girl boss energy and the fact that she is a prodigy hunter was really cool! I honestly never got annoyed at her, which is surprising for a YA fantasy. I love slowly learning more and more about her backstory, and just the character she is is insane.
💀Reeve💀
Reeve, the moody Reaper. No spoilers, but I absolutely loved him and his friend group. Also, this dude had some serious bars he was dropping randomly. I think this is the first time I've actually annotated something, and pretty much all I animated was stuff Reeve was saying. He is so sweet!
✨Wynter✨
Wynter is such a bestie/sister, but kind of got on my nerves at times. Her figuring out stuff to help Viri hunt better was cool (yes, I'm aware of how vague I'm being, but I don't want to spoil it!)
✨Writing Style✨
The writing was AMAZING! Unlike the prison healer, this was really fast-paced! I was fully immersed and flew through this book in just a couple of days!
✨⚔️Action⚔️✨
The action was so cinematic, like I need a movie nowwww. I love action where pretty much everyone but the main character has magic, and yet the main character is still holding their own lol.
✨Would I Recommend It?✨
YES YES YES. This is the new fantasy! I haven't read a new fantasy this good in sooo long! Think like a more fantasy take on Scythe! It was amazing, 100% recommend!
February 10, 2026
first, i would like to thank NetGalley, Random House Children’s Books, and Lynette Noni for the opportunity to read and review this book early! all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Shadow Reaper follows Viridia Solace, a hunter in the mountain city of Aravell who goes after reapers as they harm others and siphon magic, typically from children since they have the greatest source of magic. her true motivation is revenge, because the Reaper Priest—the leader of all reapers— is the one who killed her parents. and her chance at revenge comes in the form of Reeve Ashton, the Reaper’s Priest’s right hand man. soon, Viri finds herself breaking Reeve out of prison and following his little band of criminals in order stop the Reaper Priest’s plan to doom the entire city of Aravell. Can Viri truly trust Reeve to help her get revenge, or will both her tragic past and her heart get in the way?
this book was really good! i loved the magic system—ellixen and all the ways it can and can’t be used, and the challenges that come along with that. i think the concept of reapers, hunters, and mages was an interesting and fairly unique one compared to what i’ve read, and the characters were great too!
i loved how headstrong Viri was, especially for someone who’s only 17. she actually thinks with her head, and for the most part makes logical decisions! and of course i loved Reeve as well. who doesn’t love a hunky criminal with an attitude and a silver tongue?
i think my only issue with this book is the pacing combined with the length. Shadow Reaper is longer than i was expecting, which wouldn’t be so bad, except that the climax hits hard and fast after a loooot of build up with not too much happening until then. we spend a lot of time following Viri around, but she doesn’t learn some important secrets until the last 15% of the book, and then the “final battle” takes place in like two chapters, followed by a pretty big cliffhanger that just left me unsatisfied. but overall this was a good read, and i’m thankful for the chance to have read and reviewed this early. i’ll definitely read the second book whenever it comes!
Shadow Reaper follows Viridia Solace, a hunter in the mountain city of Aravell who goes after reapers as they harm others and siphon magic, typically from children since they have the greatest source of magic. her true motivation is revenge, because the Reaper Priest—the leader of all reapers— is the one who killed her parents. and her chance at revenge comes in the form of Reeve Ashton, the Reaper’s Priest’s right hand man. soon, Viri finds herself breaking Reeve out of prison and following his little band of criminals in order stop the Reaper Priest’s plan to doom the entire city of Aravell. Can Viri truly trust Reeve to help her get revenge, or will both her tragic past and her heart get in the way?
this book was really good! i loved the magic system—ellixen and all the ways it can and can’t be used, and the challenges that come along with that. i think the concept of reapers, hunters, and mages was an interesting and fairly unique one compared to what i’ve read, and the characters were great too!
i loved how headstrong Viri was, especially for someone who’s only 17. she actually thinks with her head, and for the most part makes logical decisions! and of course i loved Reeve as well. who doesn’t love a hunky criminal with an attitude and a silver tongue?
i think my only issue with this book is the pacing combined with the length. Shadow Reaper is longer than i was expecting, which wouldn’t be so bad, except that the climax hits hard and fast after a loooot of build up with not too much happening until then. we spend a lot of time following Viri around, but she doesn’t learn some important secrets until the last 15% of the book, and then the “final battle” takes place in like two chapters, followed by a pretty big cliffhanger that just left me unsatisfied. but overall this was a good read, and i’m thankful for the chance to have read and reviewed this early. i’ll definitely read the second book whenever it comes!
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