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When Shadows Burn
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50 copies available
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Vanessa Le's new fantasy duology starter follows a demon-hunting duo in an exorcist university layered with magic, murder, and corruption — perfect for fans of BABEL and DIVINE RIVALS.
In Yennington, exorcism is a job for two: a demon caller and a demon slayer. Kiet Sren is a hotshot caller despite dropping out of the esteemed Phenbridge University; his blood attracts any demon. Song Sarna is the top slayer of her class; her blade and wit kill any demon. Together, they run Inkspill Agency.
When Kiet's estranged family hires them to hunt an aberrant demon, they are propelled into the most dangerous job of their lives — an investigation that could uncover the workings of a deadly group seeking to destroy the university from the inside out.
But as their investigation dredges up long-buried history, they discover that the one behind this criminal group is closer to home than they realized, and that perhaps the upstanding Phenbridge University is hiding secrets of its own. To exorcize the aberrant demon and put an end to the deadly possessions, Kiet and Song must decide how much they're willing to bleed: for their families, for their city — and for each other.
Vanessa Le's latest crossover fantasy combines dark academia with a propulsive detective tale at its finest — with a slow-burn romance and medical magic system as intricate as lab work.
In Yennington, exorcism is a job for two: a demon caller and a demon slayer. Kiet Sren is a hotshot caller despite dropping out of the esteemed Phenbridge University; his blood attracts any demon. Song Sarna is the top slayer of her class; her blade and wit kill any demon. Together, they run Inkspill Agency.
When Kiet's estranged family hires them to hunt an aberrant demon, they are propelled into the most dangerous job of their lives — an investigation that could uncover the workings of a deadly group seeking to destroy the university from the inside out.
But as their investigation dredges up long-buried history, they discover that the one behind this criminal group is closer to home than they realized, and that perhaps the upstanding Phenbridge University is hiding secrets of its own. To exorcize the aberrant demon and put an end to the deadly possessions, Kiet and Song must decide how much they're willing to bleed: for their families, for their city — and for each other.
Vanessa Le's latest crossover fantasy combines dark academia with a propulsive detective tale at its finest — with a slow-burn romance and medical magic system as intricate as lab work.
384 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication November 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
Want to Read
November 12, 2025wow im so early this feels weird
so exciting
so exciting
Want to Read
November 15, 2025⋆⭒˚｡⋆ ୭ | pre-read
i will read anything vanessa writes. hopefully i can get the arc of this, when it comes out 🤞🏽
i will read anything vanessa writes. hopefully i can get the arc of this, when it comes out 🤞🏽
Read
November 18, 2025this book is so good I've read it twice already (pre-pub) and when I tell you you're not ready—
Want to Read
November 21, 2025ᝰ .ᐟ 📖 ⌗ pre-read: came across this book on sns and I think it would be a good match for my taste. Really excited to read it once it comes out!
April 2, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Publishers for sharing an ARC in exchange for my honest review :).
Check out my review on substack! : https://starringyou.substack.com/p/re...
Published by Macmillan’s Roaring Brook Press and weighing in at a hefty 384 pages, When Shadows Burn (or WSB, as Le acronymizes it), is slotted for release this December, with a sequel to follow. The novel takes place in Halberra, an amorphous country with 1950s technology and the dark academia aesthetics and multiculturalism of the United Kingdom. The city of Yennington is home to Halberra’s top exorcism school, Pembridge University, and it is in this context that we meet the novel’s demon-hunting protagonists, Song Sarna and Kiet Sren.
★★★★☆
University dropout Kiet Sren has spent roughly two years running an independent demon exorcism agency with the help of his best friend and straight-A Pembridge student Song Sarna. In WSB, exorcism is a two-person job based in blood magic: one person, the ‘caller’, uses their blood to lure and control a demon while the ‘slayer’ uses their blood to physically kill it. Kiet is a powerful caller, fake idgaf-er and reluctant nepo baby whose father serves as Chief Exorcist for Pembridge University. Song is the daughter of a first-generation Renisian immigrant, a diehard perfectionist, and a talented slayer. When Kiet and Song’s casework leads them to a string of demon murders in Yennington, they wind up thrust into a years-long mystery that could be closer to home than either realize. Thus begins two-hundred pages of late night detective work, rain on cobblestone, and glowing red eyes that wait for you in sewers and alleyways. WSB’s mystery plot is interspersed by a well-paced friends-to-lovers romance, and (mainly for Kiet) a lot of trauma processing and character growth.
I really, really enjoyed this book.
If you:
- Enjoyed the hit Pixar movie Big Hero Six or Netflix’s Kpop Demon Hunters
- Were a huge fan of Zuko’s character arc, and Zuko and Katara, in Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Liked the banter in Miraculous Ladybug, but sorely wished the storyline hadn’t been wasted on a children’s show
- Are looking for a quick-paced read that’s part murder mystery, part family trauma processing, and part ode to the immigrant child experience
You should definitely check out this novel.
At its emotional core, WSB is a coming-of-age novel about two young adults reconciling their childhoods and senses of worth. Using dual narration, Le weaves a character arc for each of her protagonists while developing a compelling mystery in the background. But truly, this novel’s strongest asset is its themes on family, trauma and grief, which are overwhelmingly explored through Kiet.
“Sometimes, he wondered if that was when his parents had started resenting him…they’d named him Kiet. The way Halberrans pronounced it—flatly, with no intonation—meant “rarity” in the Renisian tongue. But, add a questioning lilt, an upward stroke above the e, and his name meant “disease.”’
Le translates the complicated, identity-churning emotions of trauma processing into YA language with surprising finesse. She interjects Kiet’s internal monologues with pointed, matter-of-fact emotional revelations, and a willingness to simply see abuse for what it is. These blunt sentences combined with Le characterizing Kiet and his father’s relationship through dialogue, body language, and throwaway details makes the arc feel painfully real. Kiet is a seemingly two-dimensional character who, as the novel continues, has life breathed into him—his actions are (largely) explained through plot and dialogue in a way that feels engaging for the reader, but also inevitable. His relationship with Hiero, his deceased brother, is also explored, but lacks the impact of the father-son relationship for reasons I’ll delve into below.
But first, a note on how Le writes her protagonists, because the novel does have two. Song and Kiet (and especially their relationship with each other) are best showcased in their dialogue and banter, which Le is quite good at. But while Kiet’s character gains considerable depth throughout the novel’s second half, Song’s parallel arc is more mechanical with less payoff. This could be because, for reasons I cannot state without spoiling, Kiet’s emotional arc is inherently more tied to the novel’s mystery. Song’s arc is meant to comment on the unique pressure placed on immigrant daughters, the pitfalls of elite institutions, and finding worth outside of merit. However, her revelations feel a bit too on the nose, such as:
“The part of her that had pricked her palms with thorns to prove she was gifted” and “that she could die and still not be enough for everyone”.
Song’s foil, Hiero, and his dialogue surrounding perfectionism also feel occasionally too obvious, as if Le is overcorrecting for having these themes be tangential. The inherent metaphor of giving one’s blood, or even one’s life, for an institution or practice is powerful enough. I think developing these themes more gradually, and letting them speak for themselves at their apex, would make Song’s arc more impactful (more notes on this at the end).
As for romance, Kiet and Song’s chemistry starts off casual and tongue-in-cheek, but WSB contains several quiet moments in the lull between cases where we learn that in addition to being best friends, Song and Kiet are each other’s safe spaces. They are the most expressive, vulnerable, and even immature when they are together; they test out ideas or self-beliefs with each-other before they feel brave enough to take them to the world. The scene where Song breaks down in front of Kiet was, for me, when they truly became a couple to root for.
“‘She hardly knew what to say. ‘Are you really Kiet?’
His laugh was breathy. ‘I’m whoever you need me to be right now.’
‘Then you’re Kiet.’”
The almost-confession at the novel’s end was a little underwhelming, but I think it’s nothing that a few dialogue tweaks and added details couldn’t fix. Despite it being obvious, WSB never directly explores Kiet and Song’s relationship through the found family trope, and their confession scene forgets their roots as best friends. Of course, this novel has a follow-up coming, so we can be assured that Kiet and Song’s romantic story isn’t over yet—but I think, given the clear emotional punch Le can pack, that this scene deserves a stronger hit.
Even with these notes, I truly enjoyed When Shadows Burn. It was a smooth return to the YA genre, exploring far more nuance and character depth than I was expecting while successfully executing a mystery plot, a romance, and action scenes. I’ll absolutely be checking out the second half of this duology, and hope that it will explore Song’s character more, answer worldbuilding questions from the first novel, and continue to prod at themes of family, trauma, and belonging in surprisingly relatable ways.
If you made it this far, I hope you enjoyed my review! I plan to continue posting reviews of upcoming novels, so stay tuned :).
Specific Notes
As a footnote, some very specific notes for the publisher/author, and questions to be further explored in this novel or the next:
Yennington— is it old, or is it modern? The 1300s year setting, the presence of certain technologies (such as medicines, bombs, guns, and cars) and lack of others (cellphones and computers) creates a strange imbalance that isn’t sufficiently addressed by worldbuilding. There’s a very specific scene, where Kiet dials 611 and speaks to an operator, that fully yanked me out of the storyline because I was trying to reconcile it with details from the exposition. Are the Twins Halberran deities or Renisian ones? (I assumed the former, but it could be clarified).
Hemokinesis/exorcism and cultural identities— Is hemokinesis the only supernatural ability in this world, and did it originate in, or does it have genetic ties to, Renisia? Exorcism is referenced in ancient Renisian proverbs, and both Kiet and Song have Renisian ancestry, but what is Halberra’s relationship with the practice, and with Renisia itself? Do Halberrans vs. the Renisian diaspora take different approaches to, or views of, exorcism? Exploring these questions could dually support Song’s characterisation arc as well. Also, this is a bit of an aside, but WSB’s name etymology is inconsistent—Kiet’s parents and siblings have first names from different countries and regions.
Song’s character—while she doesn’t have childhood trauma, there are several missed opportunities to characterize her and explain her relationship with exorcism. What was Song’s relationship with her father like before she was admitted to Pembridge? Even if she’s known about her abilities for most of her life, it seems that most of her perfectionism and immense self-pressure arose at Pembridge. We don’t get to see what that transformation was like for her—did she experience imposter syndrome, culture shock? How does she handle the implicit cultural differences and class divide between herself and her peers?
SPOILERS BELOW!! ⬇️
Wes and Jillian—their involvement with a certain plot seemed less of a surprising, logical twist and more like a mechanical requirement for Kiet to find Song. Wes’ sister Cecilia, for instance, is entirely unmentioned until she becomes a motivator for his actions. While Wes’ storyline seems clearly primed to be addressed in the sequel, I think it needs more detail in this novel to prepare readers for the plot twist. (The same goes for Jillian, although she is a more minor character, so her motivations feel less important).
Check out my review on substack! : https://starringyou.substack.com/p/re...
Published by Macmillan’s Roaring Brook Press and weighing in at a hefty 384 pages, When Shadows Burn (or WSB, as Le acronymizes it), is slotted for release this December, with a sequel to follow. The novel takes place in Halberra, an amorphous country with 1950s technology and the dark academia aesthetics and multiculturalism of the United Kingdom. The city of Yennington is home to Halberra’s top exorcism school, Pembridge University, and it is in this context that we meet the novel’s demon-hunting protagonists, Song Sarna and Kiet Sren.
★★★★☆
University dropout Kiet Sren has spent roughly two years running an independent demon exorcism agency with the help of his best friend and straight-A Pembridge student Song Sarna. In WSB, exorcism is a two-person job based in blood magic: one person, the ‘caller’, uses their blood to lure and control a demon while the ‘slayer’ uses their blood to physically kill it. Kiet is a powerful caller, fake idgaf-er and reluctant nepo baby whose father serves as Chief Exorcist for Pembridge University. Song is the daughter of a first-generation Renisian immigrant, a diehard perfectionist, and a talented slayer. When Kiet and Song’s casework leads them to a string of demon murders in Yennington, they wind up thrust into a years-long mystery that could be closer to home than either realize. Thus begins two-hundred pages of late night detective work, rain on cobblestone, and glowing red eyes that wait for you in sewers and alleyways. WSB’s mystery plot is interspersed by a well-paced friends-to-lovers romance, and (mainly for Kiet) a lot of trauma processing and character growth.
I really, really enjoyed this book.
If you:
- Enjoyed the hit Pixar movie Big Hero Six or Netflix’s Kpop Demon Hunters
- Were a huge fan of Zuko’s character arc, and Zuko and Katara, in Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Liked the banter in Miraculous Ladybug, but sorely wished the storyline hadn’t been wasted on a children’s show
- Are looking for a quick-paced read that’s part murder mystery, part family trauma processing, and part ode to the immigrant child experience
You should definitely check out this novel.
At its emotional core, WSB is a coming-of-age novel about two young adults reconciling their childhoods and senses of worth. Using dual narration, Le weaves a character arc for each of her protagonists while developing a compelling mystery in the background. But truly, this novel’s strongest asset is its themes on family, trauma and grief, which are overwhelmingly explored through Kiet.
“Sometimes, he wondered if that was when his parents had started resenting him…they’d named him Kiet. The way Halberrans pronounced it—flatly, with no intonation—meant “rarity” in the Renisian tongue. But, add a questioning lilt, an upward stroke above the e, and his name meant “disease.”’
Le translates the complicated, identity-churning emotions of trauma processing into YA language with surprising finesse. She interjects Kiet’s internal monologues with pointed, matter-of-fact emotional revelations, and a willingness to simply see abuse for what it is. These blunt sentences combined with Le characterizing Kiet and his father’s relationship through dialogue, body language, and throwaway details makes the arc feel painfully real. Kiet is a seemingly two-dimensional character who, as the novel continues, has life breathed into him—his actions are (largely) explained through plot and dialogue in a way that feels engaging for the reader, but also inevitable. His relationship with Hiero, his deceased brother, is also explored, but lacks the impact of the father-son relationship for reasons I’ll delve into below.
But first, a note on how Le writes her protagonists, because the novel does have two. Song and Kiet (and especially their relationship with each other) are best showcased in their dialogue and banter, which Le is quite good at. But while Kiet’s character gains considerable depth throughout the novel’s second half, Song’s parallel arc is more mechanical with less payoff. This could be because, for reasons I cannot state without spoiling, Kiet’s emotional arc is inherently more tied to the novel’s mystery. Song’s arc is meant to comment on the unique pressure placed on immigrant daughters, the pitfalls of elite institutions, and finding worth outside of merit. However, her revelations feel a bit too on the nose, such as:
“The part of her that had pricked her palms with thorns to prove she was gifted” and “that she could die and still not be enough for everyone”.
Song’s foil, Hiero, and his dialogue surrounding perfectionism also feel occasionally too obvious, as if Le is overcorrecting for having these themes be tangential. The inherent metaphor of giving one’s blood, or even one’s life, for an institution or practice is powerful enough. I think developing these themes more gradually, and letting them speak for themselves at their apex, would make Song’s arc more impactful (more notes on this at the end).
As for romance, Kiet and Song’s chemistry starts off casual and tongue-in-cheek, but WSB contains several quiet moments in the lull between cases where we learn that in addition to being best friends, Song and Kiet are each other’s safe spaces. They are the most expressive, vulnerable, and even immature when they are together; they test out ideas or self-beliefs with each-other before they feel brave enough to take them to the world. The scene where Song breaks down in front of Kiet was, for me, when they truly became a couple to root for.
“‘She hardly knew what to say. ‘Are you really Kiet?’
His laugh was breathy. ‘I’m whoever you need me to be right now.’
‘Then you’re Kiet.’”
The almost-confession at the novel’s end was a little underwhelming, but I think it’s nothing that a few dialogue tweaks and added details couldn’t fix. Despite it being obvious, WSB never directly explores Kiet and Song’s relationship through the found family trope, and their confession scene forgets their roots as best friends. Of course, this novel has a follow-up coming, so we can be assured that Kiet and Song’s romantic story isn’t over yet—but I think, given the clear emotional punch Le can pack, that this scene deserves a stronger hit.
Even with these notes, I truly enjoyed When Shadows Burn. It was a smooth return to the YA genre, exploring far more nuance and character depth than I was expecting while successfully executing a mystery plot, a romance, and action scenes. I’ll absolutely be checking out the second half of this duology, and hope that it will explore Song’s character more, answer worldbuilding questions from the first novel, and continue to prod at themes of family, trauma, and belonging in surprisingly relatable ways.
If you made it this far, I hope you enjoyed my review! I plan to continue posting reviews of upcoming novels, so stay tuned :).
Specific Notes
As a footnote, some very specific notes for the publisher/author, and questions to be further explored in this novel or the next:
Yennington— is it old, or is it modern? The 1300s year setting, the presence of certain technologies (such as medicines, bombs, guns, and cars) and lack of others (cellphones and computers) creates a strange imbalance that isn’t sufficiently addressed by worldbuilding. There’s a very specific scene, where Kiet dials 611 and speaks to an operator, that fully yanked me out of the storyline because I was trying to reconcile it with details from the exposition. Are the Twins Halberran deities or Renisian ones? (I assumed the former, but it could be clarified).
Hemokinesis/exorcism and cultural identities— Is hemokinesis the only supernatural ability in this world, and did it originate in, or does it have genetic ties to, Renisia? Exorcism is referenced in ancient Renisian proverbs, and both Kiet and Song have Renisian ancestry, but what is Halberra’s relationship with the practice, and with Renisia itself? Do Halberrans vs. the Renisian diaspora take different approaches to, or views of, exorcism? Exploring these questions could dually support Song’s characterisation arc as well. Also, this is a bit of an aside, but WSB’s name etymology is inconsistent—Kiet’s parents and siblings have first names from different countries and regions.
Song’s character—while she doesn’t have childhood trauma, there are several missed opportunities to characterize her and explain her relationship with exorcism. What was Song’s relationship with her father like before she was admitted to Pembridge? Even if she’s known about her abilities for most of her life, it seems that most of her perfectionism and immense self-pressure arose at Pembridge. We don’t get to see what that transformation was like for her—did she experience imposter syndrome, culture shock? How does she handle the implicit cultural differences and class divide between herself and her peers?
SPOILERS BELOW!! ⬇️
Wes and Jillian—their involvement with a certain plot seemed less of a surprising, logical twist and more like a mechanical requirement for Kiet to find Song. Wes’ sister Cecilia, for instance, is entirely unmentioned until she becomes a motivator for his actions. While Wes’ storyline seems clearly primed to be addressed in the sequel, I think it needs more detail in this novel to prepare readers for the plot twist. (The same goes for Jillian, although she is a more minor character, so her motivations feel less important).
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
***Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.***
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
As a huge fan of Supernatural and the Mortal Instruments series, I was excited to read When Shadows Burn. It's a dark fantasy novel set at a demon hunting university. It follows the hunting duo Kiet (a demon caller) and Song (a demon slayer) as they investigate a mysterious demon on campus and the death of Kiet's brother.
The book begins fast throwing you into the world as Kiet and Song track a demon. I wish the author had spent more time describing the world. I was confused if it was a modern society or an older society. It was also tough to understand how blood was used as a weapon. By midway through the book, it made more sense, but I was loss in the beginning.
I enjoyed the friendship between Kiet and Song and how that relationship developed throughout the story. They both fought to overcome their own inner demons, and it felt relatable. Kiet had strong character development as he tried to discover his place in the world and his family.
The family dynamics was an interesting component of the story. Kiet's rebellious nature stemmed from his family and the school. I really enjoyed seeing his family relationships adapt throughout the story, but I felt like his mom was left out. She should have been more included, so I hope her character is explored more in the next book.
My biggest issue with the novel was the repetitive use of the word "twin." It was very distracting how this word was used as a substitute for God/swear word so many times. I also struggled with the pacing. The investigation would hit a stride, and then school life would take over. I wish these were better intertwined.
Overall, I enjoyed it. The ending was intense and made me like it more as it left on a cliffhanger (opening the door to the next book). I will be completing the duology when the next book is released.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
As a huge fan of Supernatural and the Mortal Instruments series, I was excited to read When Shadows Burn. It's a dark fantasy novel set at a demon hunting university. It follows the hunting duo Kiet (a demon caller) and Song (a demon slayer) as they investigate a mysterious demon on campus and the death of Kiet's brother.
The book begins fast throwing you into the world as Kiet and Song track a demon. I wish the author had spent more time describing the world. I was confused if it was a modern society or an older society. It was also tough to understand how blood was used as a weapon. By midway through the book, it made more sense, but I was loss in the beginning.
I enjoyed the friendship between Kiet and Song and how that relationship developed throughout the story. They both fought to overcome their own inner demons, and it felt relatable. Kiet had strong character development as he tried to discover his place in the world and his family.
The family dynamics was an interesting component of the story. Kiet's rebellious nature stemmed from his family and the school. I really enjoyed seeing his family relationships adapt throughout the story, but I felt like his mom was left out. She should have been more included, so I hope her character is explored more in the next book.
My biggest issue with the novel was the repetitive use of the word "twin." It was very distracting how this word was used as a substitute for God/swear word so many times. I also struggled with the pacing. The investigation would hit a stride, and then school life would take over. I wish these were better intertwined.
Overall, I enjoyed it. The ending was intense and made me like it more as it left on a cliffhanger (opening the door to the next book). I will be completing the duology when the next book is released.
May 8, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review ✨
When Shadows Burn examines knowledge and the harm institutions are willing to justify in the name of progress. The academic setting feels purposeful rather than aesthetic, especially as the story begins to reveal how deeply corruption is embedded within the systems meant to protect people.
What stood out most to me was how the novel handles its magic system. The exorcism work feels procedural and grounded, which gives the supernatural elements more weight. Instead of stopping the story for long explanations, the worldbuilding is woven into the mystery itself. You can tell there’s real thought behind how the system functions, and it adds so much texture to the mystery plot. It was genuinely the first time I’ve ever read of a magic system like this.
I also appreciated the structure of the slow-burn. Kiet and Song are not written as easy opposites, and their partnership develops through distrust, obligation, and shared loss as much as attraction. The slow-burn aspect work but I think is where the book is most lacking. It works because it grows naturally out of the investigation and the choices they are forced to make alongside one another. However, Song’s character was a bit flatter than Kiet’s in terms of romantic emotions so her feelings seemed more contrived than true. On the flip side I think Song’s need for validation and how she feels obligated to do well for her family was handled well and really made me feel for her.
The investigation plot keeps the novel moving, but the strongest parts of the book are the questions underneath it: who benefits from these systems, who gets sacrificed by them, and what people are willing to ignore when power and reputation are involved.
The book struggles the most in its side characters and I think that is because of how short the book was for how much it was trying to do. I felt as if some were more akin to NPCs at times rather than the fully fledged side characters they were intended to be.
Overall, Vanessa Le balances the mystery, character work, and worldbuilding well, and the result is a book that feels like a story while also bringing to light the dark side of large institutions and how it can negatively impact students.
When Shadows Burn examines knowledge and the harm institutions are willing to justify in the name of progress. The academic setting feels purposeful rather than aesthetic, especially as the story begins to reveal how deeply corruption is embedded within the systems meant to protect people.
What stood out most to me was how the novel handles its magic system. The exorcism work feels procedural and grounded, which gives the supernatural elements more weight. Instead of stopping the story for long explanations, the worldbuilding is woven into the mystery itself. You can tell there’s real thought behind how the system functions, and it adds so much texture to the mystery plot. It was genuinely the first time I’ve ever read of a magic system like this.
I also appreciated the structure of the slow-burn. Kiet and Song are not written as easy opposites, and their partnership develops through distrust, obligation, and shared loss as much as attraction. The slow-burn aspect work but I think is where the book is most lacking. It works because it grows naturally out of the investigation and the choices they are forced to make alongside one another. However, Song’s character was a bit flatter than Kiet’s in terms of romantic emotions so her feelings seemed more contrived than true. On the flip side I think Song’s need for validation and how she feels obligated to do well for her family was handled well and really made me feel for her.
The investigation plot keeps the novel moving, but the strongest parts of the book are the questions underneath it: who benefits from these systems, who gets sacrificed by them, and what people are willing to ignore when power and reputation are involved.
The book struggles the most in its side characters and I think that is because of how short the book was for how much it was trying to do. I felt as if some were more akin to NPCs at times rather than the fully fledged side characters they were intended to be.
Overall, Vanessa Le balances the mystery, character work, and worldbuilding well, and the result is a book that feels like a story while also bringing to light the dark side of large institutions and how it can negatively impact students.
May 31, 2026
a masterpiece of an atmospheric dark academia gothic fantasy that completely hooked me from the first page.
i loved this beautiful, complex world built up brick by brick in a way that seamlessly meshed clinical sciences and a demon filled universe. in this world, there’s a strict partnership between demon slayers and demon callers where powers of both mind and body need to sync to exorcise demons. the downside is toxic exposure, well known to happen to students in the academy. grounding the magic system in easy to understand and in some cases artfully subtle medical concepts makes the physical toll on these characters seem so real and incredibly high stakes.
at the heart of this dangerous environment, there are two stunningly flawed characters trying their best to not only survive this broken system, but work through the families they were born into and the family they lost along the way. the drama and intense dynamics that kiet faces had me clutching my chest. so many times i wanted to shake song during her family scenes. it was such a pleasure watching everything unfold and seeing their characters develop throughout the book.
but seriously, i loved both kiet and song so much! their chemistry! their unwavering loyalty! their friendship! i wanted to force my hands through the pages and push them together, screaming: *now kiss*!!! so many times. ugh the flashbacks on how they met were so good.
i will say i did truly hate the way the word “twins” was used and it pulled me out often reading multiple times. although linked to the world building, it was unnecessary, and really any other word could’ve replaced it- even a made up one and we would’ve been fine.
but overall, not a dull moment in this book. i actually passed out reading at 3am lol so pls pls give me the next one asap.
i loved this beautiful, complex world built up brick by brick in a way that seamlessly meshed clinical sciences and a demon filled universe. in this world, there’s a strict partnership between demon slayers and demon callers where powers of both mind and body need to sync to exorcise demons. the downside is toxic exposure, well known to happen to students in the academy. grounding the magic system in easy to understand and in some cases artfully subtle medical concepts makes the physical toll on these characters seem so real and incredibly high stakes.
at the heart of this dangerous environment, there are two stunningly flawed characters trying their best to not only survive this broken system, but work through the families they were born into and the family they lost along the way. the drama and intense dynamics that kiet faces had me clutching my chest. so many times i wanted to shake song during her family scenes. it was such a pleasure watching everything unfold and seeing their characters develop throughout the book.
but seriously, i loved both kiet and song so much! their chemistry! their unwavering loyalty! their friendship! i wanted to force my hands through the pages and push them together, screaming: *now kiss*!!! so many times. ugh the flashbacks on how they met were so good.
i will say i did truly hate the way the word “twins” was used and it pulled me out often reading multiple times. although linked to the world building, it was unnecessary, and really any other word could’ve replaced it- even a made up one and we would’ve been fine.
but overall, not a dull moment in this book. i actually passed out reading at 3am lol so pls pls give me the next one asap.
July 20, 2026
First I would like to thank both NetGalley and Macmillan Children Publishing Group for giving me early access to When Shadows Burn by Vanessa Le. The following review personal opinion on this book.
When I first saw this book, I was immediately hooked by the synopsis. I am no stranger to Vanessa’s work before, as I have another one of her works on my personal To Be Read shelf- The Last Bloodcarver. In When Shadows Burn, we follow our two main characters Kiet Sren, a estranged son from a wealthy family who’s trying to avenge his brother's death and Song Saran, a girl who is at the top of her class and just wants to do right by her father. In a world where demons are hunted and exorcized and families hold deep secrets.
Vanessa Le has an incredible way of writing individual characters that stand out and are just as lovable. One of the main characters, Song Saran, swiftly became my personal favorite throughout the book. The personal guilt that she faced with her dad hit hard. She was pushing herself so much just so her fathers sacrifices were for a good reason, putting so many expectations on herself to the point of no return. Family becomes an important plot point when it comes to this book. Song wants to do right by her father while Kiet wants nothing to do with his parents. Both are just so desperate enough to get that sense of satisfaction from their parental figures, pushing themselves past a breaking point multiple times. Song doing everything to do good by her father while Kiet tries to change the future but is doomed from the start.
It is marketed as those who love dark academia and a slow burn, and I love both of those things. The slow burn between Kiet and Song was deliciously slow, and I enjoyed every minute of it. The slow budding romance between them starts off invisible until it slowly built up to Kiet coming to his feelings towards the song. The scene where he came to the realization of his feelings was my favorite part of the book. This is a masterpiece of work, and I eagerly look forward to not only the publication of When Shadows Burn, but the sequel to it as well.
My only complaint about the book is the way that the Ebook was formatted. I say this because I am not sure how it will look on the physical copy. When we would change scenes within chapters, it was often clunky and hard to pin point when the change happened. To me there was no significant change with the scenes aside from the start of a new paragraph. To the point where you’d have to circle back to the beginning of a paragraph to know what was going on in certain parts of the book. Hopefully this is just because the formatted ebook rather than being in the final print.
Aside from that, this book was a phenomenal piece of work. One where it gets me excited to read all future work from Vanessa Le. Lastly I would again like to thank Macmillan Children Publishing Group as well as NetGalley for approving early access to this e-copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.
When I first saw this book, I was immediately hooked by the synopsis. I am no stranger to Vanessa’s work before, as I have another one of her works on my personal To Be Read shelf- The Last Bloodcarver. In When Shadows Burn, we follow our two main characters Kiet Sren, a estranged son from a wealthy family who’s trying to avenge his brother's death and Song Saran, a girl who is at the top of her class and just wants to do right by her father. In a world where demons are hunted and exorcized and families hold deep secrets.
Vanessa Le has an incredible way of writing individual characters that stand out and are just as lovable. One of the main characters, Song Saran, swiftly became my personal favorite throughout the book. The personal guilt that she faced with her dad hit hard. She was pushing herself so much just so her fathers sacrifices were for a good reason, putting so many expectations on herself to the point of no return. Family becomes an important plot point when it comes to this book. Song wants to do right by her father while Kiet wants nothing to do with his parents. Both are just so desperate enough to get that sense of satisfaction from their parental figures, pushing themselves past a breaking point multiple times. Song doing everything to do good by her father while Kiet tries to change the future but is doomed from the start.
It is marketed as those who love dark academia and a slow burn, and I love both of those things. The slow burn between Kiet and Song was deliciously slow, and I enjoyed every minute of it. The slow budding romance between them starts off invisible until it slowly built up to Kiet coming to his feelings towards the song. The scene where he came to the realization of his feelings was my favorite part of the book. This is a masterpiece of work, and I eagerly look forward to not only the publication of When Shadows Burn, but the sequel to it as well.
My only complaint about the book is the way that the Ebook was formatted. I say this because I am not sure how it will look on the physical copy. When we would change scenes within chapters, it was often clunky and hard to pin point when the change happened. To me there was no significant change with the scenes aside from the start of a new paragraph. To the point where you’d have to circle back to the beginning of a paragraph to know what was going on in certain parts of the book. Hopefully this is just because the formatted ebook rather than being in the final print.
Aside from that, this book was a phenomenal piece of work. One where it gets me excited to read all future work from Vanessa Le. Lastly I would again like to thank Macmillan Children Publishing Group as well as NetGalley for approving early access to this e-copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.
July 13, 2026
I had such a great time with this book. It kept my interest and I enjoyed the storyline. It was so different to have a school for excision.
Song was such a fantastic FMC and her strength and caring nature was amazing.
Kiet with his family dynamic was great to read, and it always amazes me. How an author can figure out what a reader needs to learn in a book.for me it was that every family is do and priceless at the same time. I can’t wait for the next book. Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity.
Song was such a fantastic FMC and her strength and caring nature was amazing.
Kiet with his family dynamic was great to read, and it always amazes me. How an author can figure out what a reader needs to learn in a book.for me it was that every family is do and priceless at the same time. I can’t wait for the next book. Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity.
May 28, 2026
Pub date: December 1, 2026
Thank you so much NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
Overall, the premise of this story is super duper cool (see below). I haven’t read or heard of anything like this before which is why I was super excited when I received this ARC. This book has SO MUCH potential, but I did find that some components fell flat for me. That being said, I’m doing my best to look at this reading experience in two ways, one as myself, and one as someone that YA caters towards.
Magic System: like I said before, this was a magic system like I’ve never read. Points for uniqueness! The execution is what lost me a little bit. I reallllllly needed more context about how demons fit into this society. The book description says demons are like diseases… but how? Why?? To me, demons are scary and dangerous and volatile, but they’re talked about in this book more like pests. Please help me understand! Along with that, I feel like I also needed some more information about the actual mechanics (physical/medical/emotional/etc) of how calling and slaying works. I had a hard time picturing what was happening during the demon encounters. It took me almost half of the book to feel like I had somewhat of a grasp of what was going on, and even still I never FELT anything deeper. However, looking at this through a YA lens, I don’t know if the lacking context would be as problematic. I just personally was in desperate need for background information to have the story as a whole hit harder.
Characters: Song and Kiet were fine. I don’t feel like I knew them very well, nor did I feel connected to them, but they also didn’t bother me. I think the side characters/stories were a little underdeveloped, which again didn’t feel egregious, but the lack of depth took away from the overall impact.
Slow-Burn: this book is marketed as a slow-burn… I’m not getting much burning, even in a YA book. If any sort of romance trope is going to be in the description, I think there should be a little more of it in the story. Yes, there is an admission of feelings, but that’s pretty much the extent of it and I don’t think there were any deep feelings of yearning. I personally don’t know if romance is even necessary this story at all, and I think my preference would be to keep them as deep platonic friends anyways.
My reading experience suffered a little bit, most entirely due to lacking context. I’d love to have seen more background woven in to the first bit of the book, with that I could easily see this becoming a 4 or 5 ⭐️ reading experience. But even as js, I think a lot of people are going to really really love this story once it comes out!!
✨ Synopsis: When Shadows Burn by Vanessa Le is the first book in a dark academia fantasy duology about a demon-hunting duo, Kiet and Song, who work at an exorcist university where demons are treated like diseases. The story follows the "opposites attract" pair as they investigate a dangerous conspiracy within the university, blending a murder mystery with a slow-burn romance, family drama, and a unique medical magic system. It's aimed at fans of Babel and Divine Rivals, featuring a "demon caller" and a "demon slayer" in a world where blood type dictates exorcism roles.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
Overall, the premise of this story is super duper cool (see below). I haven’t read or heard of anything like this before which is why I was super excited when I received this ARC. This book has SO MUCH potential, but I did find that some components fell flat for me. That being said, I’m doing my best to look at this reading experience in two ways, one as myself, and one as someone that YA caters towards.
Magic System: like I said before, this was a magic system like I’ve never read. Points for uniqueness! The execution is what lost me a little bit. I reallllllly needed more context about how demons fit into this society. The book description says demons are like diseases… but how? Why?? To me, demons are scary and dangerous and volatile, but they’re talked about in this book more like pests. Please help me understand! Along with that, I feel like I also needed some more information about the actual mechanics (physical/medical/emotional/etc) of how calling and slaying works. I had a hard time picturing what was happening during the demon encounters. It took me almost half of the book to feel like I had somewhat of a grasp of what was going on, and even still I never FELT anything deeper. However, looking at this through a YA lens, I don’t know if the lacking context would be as problematic. I just personally was in desperate need for background information to have the story as a whole hit harder.
Characters: Song and Kiet were fine. I don’t feel like I knew them very well, nor did I feel connected to them, but they also didn’t bother me. I think the side characters/stories were a little underdeveloped, which again didn’t feel egregious, but the lack of depth took away from the overall impact.
Slow-Burn: this book is marketed as a slow-burn… I’m not getting much burning, even in a YA book. If any sort of romance trope is going to be in the description, I think there should be a little more of it in the story. Yes, there is an admission of feelings, but that’s pretty much the extent of it and I don’t think there were any deep feelings of yearning. I personally don’t know if romance is even necessary this story at all, and I think my preference would be to keep them as deep platonic friends anyways.
My reading experience suffered a little bit, most entirely due to lacking context. I’d love to have seen more background woven in to the first bit of the book, with that I could easily see this becoming a 4 or 5 ⭐️ reading experience. But even as js, I think a lot of people are going to really really love this story once it comes out!!
✨ Synopsis: When Shadows Burn by Vanessa Le is the first book in a dark academia fantasy duology about a demon-hunting duo, Kiet and Song, who work at an exorcist university where demons are treated like diseases. The story follows the "opposites attract" pair as they investigate a dangerous conspiracy within the university, blending a murder mystery with a slow-burn romance, family drama, and a unique medical magic system. It's aimed at fans of Babel and Divine Rivals, featuring a "demon caller" and a "demon slayer" in a world where blood type dictates exorcism roles.
Want to Read
November 13, 2025I came across this title on BookTok. Dark academia and fantasy crossover with STEM and magic. Sounds intriguing!
June 2, 2026
3.5 stars
When Shadows Burn by Vanessa Le is a YA dark academia fantasy with a genuinely inventive premise: a demon exorcism university, a blood magic system with real consequences, and a murder mystery threaded through the center of it all.
The dual POV follows Song Sarna, the top slayer in her class, and Kiet Sren, a former top-ranked caller who dropped out to investigate his brother's death through his own uncredited agency. The blood magic concept is one of the book's clear strengths. Slayers draw on their own blood to fight, which creates finite stakes that make every encounter feel meaningful.
Where the book struggles is in the world-building. The demons and the blood gene science that determines who can be a slayer or caller both needed more development. Kiet is a relatable and engaging protagonist, though some of his chapters felt repetitive in their emotional beats. Song, by contrast, felt underdeveloped and distant. Her arc didn't feel as complete as Kiet's, and she often seemed to exist more as a narrative device than a fully realized character in her own right.
The book is also marketed as a slow burn romance between Song and Kiet. The potential is visible, and the setup lends itself to a friends-to-lovers trajectory. But with Kiet's chapters consumed by his brother's mystery and family grievances, and Song's focused on her academics, her father's expectations, and her illness, there isn't much room for the relationship to breathe or develop. It reads more like groundwork for book two than a romance that delivers in book one.
That said, the murder mystery element is compelling and kept the pages turning. For readers who enjoy dark academia, demon lore, and a mystery with real stakes, this has a lot to offer. The duology has strong bones, and I'd be interested to see how the second book develops both the world and its characters.
For my full review, check out my blog post here.
Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
When Shadows Burn by Vanessa Le is a YA dark academia fantasy with a genuinely inventive premise: a demon exorcism university, a blood magic system with real consequences, and a murder mystery threaded through the center of it all.
The dual POV follows Song Sarna, the top slayer in her class, and Kiet Sren, a former top-ranked caller who dropped out to investigate his brother's death through his own uncredited agency. The blood magic concept is one of the book's clear strengths. Slayers draw on their own blood to fight, which creates finite stakes that make every encounter feel meaningful.
Where the book struggles is in the world-building. The demons and the blood gene science that determines who can be a slayer or caller both needed more development. Kiet is a relatable and engaging protagonist, though some of his chapters felt repetitive in their emotional beats. Song, by contrast, felt underdeveloped and distant. Her arc didn't feel as complete as Kiet's, and she often seemed to exist more as a narrative device than a fully realized character in her own right.
The book is also marketed as a slow burn romance between Song and Kiet. The potential is visible, and the setup lends itself to a friends-to-lovers trajectory. But with Kiet's chapters consumed by his brother's mystery and family grievances, and Song's focused on her academics, her father's expectations, and her illness, there isn't much room for the relationship to breathe or develop. It reads more like groundwork for book two than a romance that delivers in book one.
That said, the murder mystery element is compelling and kept the pages turning. For readers who enjoy dark academia, demon lore, and a mystery with real stakes, this has a lot to offer. The duology has strong bones, and I'd be interested to see how the second book develops both the world and its characters.
For my full review, check out my blog post here.
Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
April 29, 2026
*Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group for this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I have not been compensated in anyway for this review.*
Initially, starting out this book, I wasn’t a huge fan of the authors writing style. I felt like we got a lot of narrative intrusion moments and there was a lot of long, descriptive sentences. However, this quickly became a five star read for me. What an intriguing and unique take in the dark academia fantasy sphere! In particular, the world building and magic system of this book really leaves me breathless. The incorporation of demons as pathogens, and the ability to use hemokenesis and fight with blood was so intriguing to me. You can also really feel the author’s love of medicine and pathology - it really bleeds through the novel, forgive the pun!
This novel read particularly close to my heart as an Ivy League student who also placed impossible expectations upon my own shoulders, suffered immense stress and bodily harm from chronic disease due to school, and was overcome by immigrant expectations of success both personally and familially. For that reason, it’s likely skewing my view of the novel and my review - but I extremely enjoyed it, thought it was well written, was moved to tears multiple times, and deeply connected to the ideas of cultural pressure and familial strife.
I do agree with other reviewers that I would’ve liked to see more personality from Song outside of academia and her golden girl personality. Maybe something to hint at what she used to like to do for hobbies before college or personal cruxes she has etc. - just something to humanize her more beyond who she is as a student and daughter.
I felt like Kiet was extremely well written - in particular, his family dynamics were very salient and compelling. I like the foil that Hiero ends up being to Kiet - two men on a similar path, but one was consumed, and the other was not. I’m not sure if this was intentional, but Hiero’s name reminded me of the Hierophant tarot card, which represents an adherence to authority and tradition. I felt like this perfectly described Hiero’s role as both older brother and caretaker, as well as eldest child, and represented the role, he was meant to play before he diverged from it. I also feel like the parental dynamics in Kiet’s family were well done in representing certain cultural expectations and inabilities to fully or easily express love due to both generational differences and fear for their children’s future successes. In particular, I thought that Oyen was also somewhat of a foil to Kiet and Hiero, representing a third path of academic and political authoritative adherence. I would’ve liked to see Maita included a bit more - but I also think that her role was to represent a complacency in parenthood that aloud for her husband to be the main presence, in all it’s good and bad (mostly bad for the majority of the book, let’s be honest). I found Oyen’s expression of love to Hiero and his apology to Kiet to be really compelling, and the hope that it left me for the family (and Lumi and Kiet’s specific relationship) going forward was strong.
Song’s relationship with her father was also really salient - you could really see where she was fabricating expectational ideas upon herself and attributing them to her father. This really touched me because I did the same thing with my own parents, when ultimately all they wanted was for me to be happy in life and have a stable, comfortable life. But I felt I had to break myself for success to honor them and to ensure that they, in the future, could be stable and comfortable. The end scene with her father was really touching to me for this reason.
Song and Kiet’s relationship was also really well done. I love (and hate) that Kiet finds restraint in his love for Song when he’s never realized that before in anything - even though it broke my heart emotionally to hear him deny his love for her aloud, it was still a super emotionally compelling part of his arc (even though I’m sure part of it is not having a honeymoon phase at the end of the first book going into the second). He finds a way to be unselfish and self-sacrificing in his love for Song, when, for the first time in his life, this is when he truly needs to be selfish because she actually feels the same way.
All in all, this was a five star read for me, likely due to the emotional and personal reasons behind it, but also because of the superbly crafted world building and magical system, the compelling dark academia premise, and the “will they won’t they” of Song and Kiet’s relationship. Also, I adore Inkspill and if anything happens to that cat, I will riot. I am eagerly anticipating book two!
Initially, starting out this book, I wasn’t a huge fan of the authors writing style. I felt like we got a lot of narrative intrusion moments and there was a lot of long, descriptive sentences. However, this quickly became a five star read for me. What an intriguing and unique take in the dark academia fantasy sphere! In particular, the world building and magic system of this book really leaves me breathless. The incorporation of demons as pathogens, and the ability to use hemokenesis and fight with blood was so intriguing to me. You can also really feel the author’s love of medicine and pathology - it really bleeds through the novel, forgive the pun!
This novel read particularly close to my heart as an Ivy League student who also placed impossible expectations upon my own shoulders, suffered immense stress and bodily harm from chronic disease due to school, and was overcome by immigrant expectations of success both personally and familially. For that reason, it’s likely skewing my view of the novel and my review - but I extremely enjoyed it, thought it was well written, was moved to tears multiple times, and deeply connected to the ideas of cultural pressure and familial strife.
I do agree with other reviewers that I would’ve liked to see more personality from Song outside of academia and her golden girl personality. Maybe something to hint at what she used to like to do for hobbies before college or personal cruxes she has etc. - just something to humanize her more beyond who she is as a student and daughter.
I felt like Kiet was extremely well written - in particular, his family dynamics were very salient and compelling. I like the foil that Hiero ends up being to Kiet - two men on a similar path, but one was consumed, and the other was not. I’m not sure if this was intentional, but Hiero’s name reminded me of the Hierophant tarot card, which represents an adherence to authority and tradition. I felt like this perfectly described Hiero’s role as both older brother and caretaker, as well as eldest child, and represented the role, he was meant to play before he diverged from it. I also feel like the parental dynamics in Kiet’s family were well done in representing certain cultural expectations and inabilities to fully or easily express love due to both generational differences and fear for their children’s future successes. In particular, I thought that Oyen was also somewhat of a foil to Kiet and Hiero, representing a third path of academic and political authoritative adherence. I would’ve liked to see Maita included a bit more - but I also think that her role was to represent a complacency in parenthood that aloud for her husband to be the main presence, in all it’s good and bad (mostly bad for the majority of the book, let’s be honest). I found Oyen’s expression of love to Hiero and his apology to Kiet to be really compelling, and the hope that it left me for the family (and Lumi and Kiet’s specific relationship) going forward was strong.
Song’s relationship with her father was also really salient - you could really see where she was fabricating expectational ideas upon herself and attributing them to her father. This really touched me because I did the same thing with my own parents, when ultimately all they wanted was for me to be happy in life and have a stable, comfortable life. But I felt I had to break myself for success to honor them and to ensure that they, in the future, could be stable and comfortable. The end scene with her father was really touching to me for this reason.
Song and Kiet’s relationship was also really well done. I love (and hate) that Kiet finds restraint in his love for Song when he’s never realized that before in anything - even though it broke my heart emotionally to hear him deny his love for her aloud, it was still a super emotionally compelling part of his arc (even though I’m sure part of it is not having a honeymoon phase at the end of the first book going into the second). He finds a way to be unselfish and self-sacrificing in his love for Song, when, for the first time in his life, this is when he truly needs to be selfish because she actually feels the same way.
All in all, this was a five star read for me, likely due to the emotional and personal reasons behind it, but also because of the superbly crafted world building and magical system, the compelling dark academia premise, and the “will they won’t they” of Song and Kiet’s relationship. Also, I adore Inkspill and if anything happens to that cat, I will riot. I am eagerly anticipating book two!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
**ARC review: the book was gifted but this is my honest opinion**
⭐ A Gothic Academia Fantasy with Demons, Mystery, and Heart
When Shadows Burn is a gripping blend of gothic academia, paranormal fantasy, and detective thriller, delivering a fresh take on the genre without relying on overused tropes like faeries or vampires. Instead, the story dives into a world of demons, exorcists, and morally complex magic systems, creating something that feels both unique and immersive.
Told through third-person dual POV, the narrative follows Kiet and Song, allowing readers to experience both sides of the story while building tension and emotional depth between the two leads.
⸻
🌶️ Spice Level
Low to moderate spice.
This story leans more heavily into plot, mystery, and character relationships rather than explicit romance. While there is chemistry between the characters, the focus remains on their partnership, emotional development, and the unfolding investigation.
⸻
🖤 Characters That Feel Real and Lived-In
One of the strongest aspects of this book is its character work.
Song is a strong, intelligent female protagonist studying at Phenbridge University as a demon slayer—gifted with blood that burns demons. She’s driven, disciplined, and deeply tied to her sense of duty.
Kiet, on the other hand, is an underdog dropout and demon caller who runs his own agency. In this world, callers bind demons while slayers destroy them, creating an interesting dynamic between the two roles—and between the characters themselves.
Their dialogue is engaging, natural, and often fun, adding depth to their relationship and making their partnership feel authentic as it evolves throughout the story.
⸻
🌍 Worldbuilding: Gothic Academia Meets Demon Hunting
The setting blends dark academia aesthetics with a demon-infested world, centered around Phenbridge University. The magic system—where callers control demons and slayers eliminate them—adds a structured and compelling layer to the story.
As Song and Kiet begin working together through Kiet’s agency, the novel shifts into a detective-style narrative, following a series of murders. The investigation unfolds like a thriller, pulling readers deeper into a world filled with danger, secrets, and hidden truths about Phenbridge itself.
⸻
👨👧 Themes of Family, Duty, and Identity
At its core, When Shadows Burn is deeply rooted in family and responsibility.
Song, as the daughter of an immigrant, carries a strong sense of obligation to her father and her future. Her journey reflects the pressure of living up to parental expectations, navigating disappointment, and balancing personal identity with family duty.
These themes add emotional weight to the story, grounding the supernatural elements in real, relatable struggles.
⸻
🗡️ Mystery, Twists, and Tension
The murder investigation drives much of the plot, giving the book a fast-paced, thriller-like structure. As Song and Kiet dig deeper, the story reveals hidden layers about the university and the world they live in.
And when the twist hits—it’s one you likely won’t see coming.
⸻
✨ Final Thoughts
When Shadows Burn stands out with its unique premise, strong character dynamics, and blend of gothic academia with paranormal mystery. The combination of demons, investigation, and emotional depth makes it an engaging and memorable read.
If you enjoy dark academia, demon lore, detective-style fantasy, and character-driven stories with meaningful themes, this is absolutely worth picking up.
⭐ A Gothic Academia Fantasy with Demons, Mystery, and Heart
When Shadows Burn is a gripping blend of gothic academia, paranormal fantasy, and detective thriller, delivering a fresh take on the genre without relying on overused tropes like faeries or vampires. Instead, the story dives into a world of demons, exorcists, and morally complex magic systems, creating something that feels both unique and immersive.
Told through third-person dual POV, the narrative follows Kiet and Song, allowing readers to experience both sides of the story while building tension and emotional depth between the two leads.
⸻
🌶️ Spice Level
Low to moderate spice.
This story leans more heavily into plot, mystery, and character relationships rather than explicit romance. While there is chemistry between the characters, the focus remains on their partnership, emotional development, and the unfolding investigation.
⸻
🖤 Characters That Feel Real and Lived-In
One of the strongest aspects of this book is its character work.
Song is a strong, intelligent female protagonist studying at Phenbridge University as a demon slayer—gifted with blood that burns demons. She’s driven, disciplined, and deeply tied to her sense of duty.
Kiet, on the other hand, is an underdog dropout and demon caller who runs his own agency. In this world, callers bind demons while slayers destroy them, creating an interesting dynamic between the two roles—and between the characters themselves.
Their dialogue is engaging, natural, and often fun, adding depth to their relationship and making their partnership feel authentic as it evolves throughout the story.
⸻
🌍 Worldbuilding: Gothic Academia Meets Demon Hunting
The setting blends dark academia aesthetics with a demon-infested world, centered around Phenbridge University. The magic system—where callers control demons and slayers eliminate them—adds a structured and compelling layer to the story.
As Song and Kiet begin working together through Kiet’s agency, the novel shifts into a detective-style narrative, following a series of murders. The investigation unfolds like a thriller, pulling readers deeper into a world filled with danger, secrets, and hidden truths about Phenbridge itself.
⸻
👨👧 Themes of Family, Duty, and Identity
At its core, When Shadows Burn is deeply rooted in family and responsibility.
Song, as the daughter of an immigrant, carries a strong sense of obligation to her father and her future. Her journey reflects the pressure of living up to parental expectations, navigating disappointment, and balancing personal identity with family duty.
These themes add emotional weight to the story, grounding the supernatural elements in real, relatable struggles.
⸻
🗡️ Mystery, Twists, and Tension
The murder investigation drives much of the plot, giving the book a fast-paced, thriller-like structure. As Song and Kiet dig deeper, the story reveals hidden layers about the university and the world they live in.
And when the twist hits—it’s one you likely won’t see coming.
⸻
✨ Final Thoughts
When Shadows Burn stands out with its unique premise, strong character dynamics, and blend of gothic academia with paranormal mystery. The combination of demons, investigation, and emotional depth makes it an engaging and memorable read.
If you enjoy dark academia, demon lore, detective-style fantasy, and character-driven stories with meaningful themes, this is absolutely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book had the character dynamics of Lockwood & Co. if the third-wheel character was replaced by a black cat named Inkspill.
When Shadows Burn is the first book in a YA dark fantasy duology set in a world where demons can only be exorcised by slayers and callers using their blood in tandem. It's been a while since I've read a YA fantasy that truly felt fresh and that I was desperate to finish, so I wasn't expecting this book to sweep me up in action and mystery immediately. I knew I was going to love this book just a few chapters in, and I quickly fell in love with Song and Kiet's dynamics. I was also hooked by the mystery aspects. The premise of an independent agency and "exorcism" jobs reminded me a lot of the Lockwood & Co. series, as did the character dynamics, which I really enjoyed as well.
Song Sarna (top slaying student at Phenbridge University) and Kiet Sren (powerful caller and university dropout) make up the demon-hunting duo that is Inkspill Agency. Kiet is no longer close with his well-known family after his brother's murder, but when a job appears that may have connections to his brother's killer, Kiet is desperate to work, even if it means cooperating with his parents. Meanwhile, Song struggles to balance her schoolwork and agency work while also keeping a dangerous secret, but Kiet is her partner, and she'll help him no matter the cost. The plot begins with a murder mystery structure that later shifts into more subterfuge and fantasy-related directions. I was drawn in from the beginning, but the pacing really picks up around halfway through the book, and the ending is absolutely explosive. I loved the constant tension and suspense, and I don't think I was bored for a moment. Similarly, there are plenty of twists to keep you guessing, and the ending clearly sets up for another book (the one thing I don't like about ARCs is that I have to wait an extra 6 months before the book even releases, let alone a sequel). I do want to mention that the dark academia themes aren't as relevant as the blurb makes them out to be, though they are a clear and important element of Song's motivation. Still, I enjoyed the read immensely and can't wait for the next book
If it wasn't clear by now, I adored the main duo. Song is the literal picture of an overachieving student; I related to her competitiveness in the academic setting, and I really enjoyed her balance of strength, intelligence, and kindness. I also related to Kiet on the academic burnout side, and I loved his snarky personality and devotion to solving the mystery. Their dynamics together were so fun to read about; there's banter to mask their true connection, and I really appreciated how natural their connection seemed. The side characters weren't as complex as the protagonists, but I enjoyed the glimpses I got of them and hope they'll appear more in book 2. Lumi (Kiet's sister) and Wes (a friend of Song and Kiet) intrigued me the most, especially because they were hard to read at times. Also, shoutout to Inkspill the cat; every demon-hunting agency needs a black cat for the aesthetic.
When Shadows Burn is the first book in a YA dark fantasy duology for readers who enjoy high-achieving characters, blood magic, academia with secrets, fantastical murder mysteries, and characters with dynamics like Lockwood and Lucy from Lockwood & Co..
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4.5/5
When Shadows Burn is the first book in a YA dark fantasy duology set in a world where demons can only be exorcised by slayers and callers using their blood in tandem. It's been a while since I've read a YA fantasy that truly felt fresh and that I was desperate to finish, so I wasn't expecting this book to sweep me up in action and mystery immediately. I knew I was going to love this book just a few chapters in, and I quickly fell in love with Song and Kiet's dynamics. I was also hooked by the mystery aspects. The premise of an independent agency and "exorcism" jobs reminded me a lot of the Lockwood & Co. series, as did the character dynamics, which I really enjoyed as well.
Song Sarna (top slaying student at Phenbridge University) and Kiet Sren (powerful caller and university dropout) make up the demon-hunting duo that is Inkspill Agency. Kiet is no longer close with his well-known family after his brother's murder, but when a job appears that may have connections to his brother's killer, Kiet is desperate to work, even if it means cooperating with his parents. Meanwhile, Song struggles to balance her schoolwork and agency work while also keeping a dangerous secret, but Kiet is her partner, and she'll help him no matter the cost. The plot begins with a murder mystery structure that later shifts into more subterfuge and fantasy-related directions. I was drawn in from the beginning, but the pacing really picks up around halfway through the book, and the ending is absolutely explosive. I loved the constant tension and suspense, and I don't think I was bored for a moment. Similarly, there are plenty of twists to keep you guessing, and the ending clearly sets up for another book (the one thing I don't like about ARCs is that I have to wait an extra 6 months before the book even releases, let alone a sequel). I do want to mention that the dark academia themes aren't as relevant as the blurb makes them out to be, though they are a clear and important element of Song's motivation. Still, I enjoyed the read immensely and can't wait for the next book
If it wasn't clear by now, I adored the main duo. Song is the literal picture of an overachieving student; I related to her competitiveness in the academic setting, and I really enjoyed her balance of strength, intelligence, and kindness. I also related to Kiet on the academic burnout side, and I loved his snarky personality and devotion to solving the mystery. Their dynamics together were so fun to read about; there's banter to mask their true connection, and I really appreciated how natural their connection seemed. The side characters weren't as complex as the protagonists, but I enjoyed the glimpses I got of them and hope they'll appear more in book 2. Lumi (Kiet's sister) and Wes (a friend of Song and Kiet) intrigued me the most, especially because they were hard to read at times. Also, shoutout to Inkspill the cat; every demon-hunting agency needs a black cat for the aesthetic.
When Shadows Burn is the first book in a YA dark fantasy duology for readers who enjoy high-achieving characters, blood magic, academia with secrets, fantastical murder mysteries, and characters with dynamics like Lockwood and Lucy from Lockwood & Co..
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4.5/5
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC.
I want to start off by saying that I really enjoyed the concept behind this story. It brought back memories of Soul Eater and Deadman Wonderland. The concept of slayers and callers is really cool, especially when the callers inhabit an interesting space of having a disability but that disability making them even more valuable than slayers. Kiet and Song have a great dynamic and the ending was definitely agonizing in that I wanted more.
On to the negatives: I found Song's character arc a bit, lacking. There was so much emphasis placed on how she felt like a failure of a daughter for "making" her father have to work at a flower shop to support her and her mentality of getting her degree even if it kills her, but not much emphasis placed on why or where she got the idea that her father was suffering. It makes the end where her father reassures her a little less satisfying because it meant that Song basically talked herself into destroying her body with no provocation. I think tweaking some scenes to show her father making offhand comments about his dreams before the flower shop would have helped make that part of the plot more satisfying for me.
I at times felt like there were too many characters. Wes for example felt like a character the author wanted us to care about but we weren't really shown why. Why did Song and Kiet think so highly of him? Jillian's motivations are basically not explained. Why was she so loyal to Hiero? She doesn't seem to serve any purpose other than to do things offscreen when Hiero is otherwise occupied.
Phenbridge didn't feel like much of a real place. It looms over the entire story as the symbol of everything Kiet hates but it has no real presence. It also strained my suspension of disbelief that it's apparently an open secret that exorcists will try to *poison* each other to gain an edge in classes. Considering these are classes where there is a nonzero chance of fatal injury, it's amazing that there are any exorcists left. Why is Phenbridge so competitive anyways? Surely 100 competent exorcists is better than 5 highly talented ones?
This one is a small gripe but the story includes a lot of little throwaway lines to let you know this is not our world from the days of the week being changed to the year being in the 1300s while having cars and phones but I wanted to know more about the world. Though I'm sure we'll learn more in the sequel.
To conclude, I would rate this at a 3.75 out of 5 and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
I want to start off by saying that I really enjoyed the concept behind this story. It brought back memories of Soul Eater and Deadman Wonderland. The concept of slayers and callers is really cool, especially when the callers inhabit an interesting space of having a disability but that disability making them even more valuable than slayers. Kiet and Song have a great dynamic and the ending was definitely agonizing in that I wanted more.
On to the negatives: I found Song's character arc a bit, lacking. There was so much emphasis placed on how she felt like a failure of a daughter for "making" her father have to work at a flower shop to support her and her mentality of getting her degree even if it kills her, but not much emphasis placed on why or where she got the idea that her father was suffering. It makes the end where her father reassures her a little less satisfying because it meant that Song basically talked herself into destroying her body with no provocation. I think tweaking some scenes to show her father making offhand comments about his dreams before the flower shop would have helped make that part of the plot more satisfying for me.
I at times felt like there were too many characters. Wes for example felt like a character the author wanted us to care about but we weren't really shown why. Why did Song and Kiet think so highly of him? Jillian's motivations are basically not explained. Why was she so loyal to Hiero? She doesn't seem to serve any purpose other than to do things offscreen when Hiero is otherwise occupied.
Phenbridge didn't feel like much of a real place. It looms over the entire story as the symbol of everything Kiet hates but it has no real presence. It also strained my suspension of disbelief that it's apparently an open secret that exorcists will try to *poison* each other to gain an edge in classes. Considering these are classes where there is a nonzero chance of fatal injury, it's amazing that there are any exorcists left. Why is Phenbridge so competitive anyways? Surely 100 competent exorcists is better than 5 highly talented ones?
This one is a small gripe but the story includes a lot of little throwaway lines to let you know this is not our world from the days of the week being changed to the year being in the 1300s while having cars and phones but I wanted to know more about the world. Though I'm sure we'll learn more in the sequel.
To conclude, I would rate this at a 3.75 out of 5 and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2026
First off, this cover is amazing. Stunning and dark, it immediately drew me to this book. I ended up having a lot of fun with it and couldn’t put it down.
Off the bat I adored the main characters dynamic. Lowkey… Song and Kiet reminded me of Maka and Soul from Soul Eater😌❤️ So if you’ve seen that anime or read the manga you’ll know exactly the type of dynamic between our main characters that I’m talking about. (Strict over achiever girl x nonchalant cocky boy). This story was reminiscent of Soul Eater in ways, so it felt nostalgic to me as that had been the first ever anime I watched 13 years ago.
I liked the “magic” system, which has to do with exorcising demons and there’s a lotttt of blood involved. There are callers and slayers, which work together in duos. Caller’s blood draws demons and can hold onto them. Slayer’s blood is what kills/harms the demons. (This is another reason I’m reminded of Soul Eater as there’s Meisters and Weapons who work together to hunt corrupted souls.)
This is primarily a murder mystery in an academia fueled backdrop, as only Song is still enrolled in their prestigious University. The atmosphere of the city this takes place in feels unique; it’s dark yet a different type of modern, almost gothic, there’s cars and lights yet not technology we know today. The descriptions are vivid and the stakes are clear, and high.
Other main themes in this story that hit hard, is living up to legacies, not wanting to let others down. Expectations even unspoken ones placed upon us by family and society shape us, and are the reasons Song and Kiet behave the way they do. Their character flaws are such a focal point of this story, both willing to run themselves to the bone just to be enough. They’re disastrous but committed, intelligent yet still university aged students up against the wall.
I personally loved the writing style, it was concise with not a lot of monologuing. Plenty of action to keep the story going forward, but with the right amount of telling. I could feel Song and Kiet’s quiet yearning for the other, the small moments of intimacy in their friendship. Adore them but they are idiots in love!!!
*ARC courtesy of netgalley*
US publishing date: December 1st 2026
Off the bat I adored the main characters dynamic. Lowkey… Song and Kiet reminded me of Maka and Soul from Soul Eater😌❤️ So if you’ve seen that anime or read the manga you’ll know exactly the type of dynamic between our main characters that I’m talking about. (Strict over achiever girl x nonchalant cocky boy). This story was reminiscent of Soul Eater in ways, so it felt nostalgic to me as that had been the first ever anime I watched 13 years ago.
I liked the “magic” system, which has to do with exorcising demons and there’s a lotttt of blood involved. There are callers and slayers, which work together in duos. Caller’s blood draws demons and can hold onto them. Slayer’s blood is what kills/harms the demons. (This is another reason I’m reminded of Soul Eater as there’s Meisters and Weapons who work together to hunt corrupted souls.)
This is primarily a murder mystery in an academia fueled backdrop, as only Song is still enrolled in their prestigious University. The atmosphere of the city this takes place in feels unique; it’s dark yet a different type of modern, almost gothic, there’s cars and lights yet not technology we know today. The descriptions are vivid and the stakes are clear, and high.
Other main themes in this story that hit hard, is living up to legacies, not wanting to let others down. Expectations even unspoken ones placed upon us by family and society shape us, and are the reasons Song and Kiet behave the way they do. Their character flaws are such a focal point of this story, both willing to run themselves to the bone just to be enough. They’re disastrous but committed, intelligent yet still university aged students up against the wall.
I personally loved the writing style, it was concise with not a lot of monologuing. Plenty of action to keep the story going forward, but with the right amount of telling. I could feel Song and Kiet’s quiet yearning for the other, the small moments of intimacy in their friendship. Adore them but they are idiots in love!!!
*ARC courtesy of netgalley*
US publishing date: December 1st 2026
April 21, 2026
This book grabbed my attention from the start. It was easy to follow and understand. The pace did lull a little after the middle but still had me wanting to pick it up, anticipating what happens next. It was one of the most unique and original books I’ve read in a long time. The world building was descriptive and detailed. I loved both the FMC and the MMC. I enjoyed their banter and dynamic. It was definitely a slow burn and I enjoyed seeing their friendship. The book switched between both of their POV. Usually with multiple POV, I favor one and get disappointed when I have to read the other one but that was not the case here. I was equally looking forward to both. If anything it just added to the story more. I liked the chapters that gave a flashback, it really helped shape the characters and give you a fuller picture of who they are.
This book really dived into dysfunctional and strained family dynamics. It was something I don’t personally relate to and didn’t particularly enjoy. However, it was written well so I was able to empathize with the characters and what they were going through.
I feel like there was a huge build up to the antagonist and the reveal fell a little flat to me. I think I was supposed to be shocked but I really didn’t feel shock or have much reaction to it. The explanation for the “why” behind the red feathers I feel could have been expanded more. I don’t fully understand the motive behind some people’s involvement. I also felt like the history of demons was lacking. I would like to know more about their background. Why they weren’t eradicated- do new ones just spawn up? And from where?
Final thoughts, I enjoyed the book. I will be reading the next one when it comes out. I’m invested in the story. I still have a lot of questions and things I want explained more but hopeful it will be revealed in the 2nd book. It was my first book by Vanessa Le and I look forward to reading another one!
Thank you to NetGalley, Vanessa Le, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Roaring Brook Press for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
This book really dived into dysfunctional and strained family dynamics. It was something I don’t personally relate to and didn’t particularly enjoy. However, it was written well so I was able to empathize with the characters and what they were going through.
I feel like there was a huge build up to the antagonist and the reveal fell a little flat to me. I think I was supposed to be shocked but I really didn’t feel shock or have much reaction to it. The explanation for the “why” behind the red feathers I feel could have been expanded more. I don’t fully understand the motive behind some people’s involvement. I also felt like the history of demons was lacking. I would like to know more about their background. Why they weren’t eradicated- do new ones just spawn up? And from where?
Final thoughts, I enjoyed the book. I will be reading the next one when it comes out. I’m invested in the story. I still have a lot of questions and things I want explained more but hopeful it will be revealed in the 2nd book. It was my first book by Vanessa Le and I look forward to reading another one!
Thank you to NetGalley, Vanessa Le, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Roaring Brook Press for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
**When Shadows Burn** by Vanessa Le is a captivating fantasy filled with magic, danger, family secrets, and unforgettable characters. From the very first chapter, the story pulls readers into a richly imagined world where loyalties are tested, hidden truths come to light, and every choice carries consequences.
Vanessa Le does an incredible job of building a world that feels both enchanting and threatening. The magic system is intriguing, the pacing keeps the story moving, and the stakes continue to rise as the plot unfolds. Every chapter seemed to reveal another layer of mystery, making it difficult to put the book down.
One of the strongest aspects of the novel is its characters. They are flawed, complex, and believable, each carrying their own burdens and motivations. The relationships feel genuine, and the emotional moments hit just as hard as the action-packed scenes. Readers will find themselves invested not only in the outcome of the story but also in the personal journeys of the characters.
The writing is vivid and atmospheric, creating a dark yet beautiful backdrop for the story's themes of identity, sacrifice, courage, and belonging. Vanessa Le balances moments of tension, heartbreak, and hope with remarkable skill, making the novel both exciting and emotionally engaging.
What stood out most to me was how seamlessly the author blended fantasy elements with deeply human struggles. Beneath the magic and adventure is a story about discovering who you are, confronting your past, and finding the strength to face an uncertain future.
**When Shadows Burn** is a fantastic read for fans of young adult fantasy who enjoy rich world-building, compelling characters, high stakes, and emotional depth. It's an immersive adventure that will keep readers turning pages long into the night and leave them eager for more.
Highly recommended for fantasy lovers looking for a story that is equal parts thrilling, magical, and heartfelt.
A perfect pick for readers who enjoy dark fantasy, magical intrigue, found family themes, and character-driven adventures.
Vanessa Le does an incredible job of building a world that feels both enchanting and threatening. The magic system is intriguing, the pacing keeps the story moving, and the stakes continue to rise as the plot unfolds. Every chapter seemed to reveal another layer of mystery, making it difficult to put the book down.
One of the strongest aspects of the novel is its characters. They are flawed, complex, and believable, each carrying their own burdens and motivations. The relationships feel genuine, and the emotional moments hit just as hard as the action-packed scenes. Readers will find themselves invested not only in the outcome of the story but also in the personal journeys of the characters.
The writing is vivid and atmospheric, creating a dark yet beautiful backdrop for the story's themes of identity, sacrifice, courage, and belonging. Vanessa Le balances moments of tension, heartbreak, and hope with remarkable skill, making the novel both exciting and emotionally engaging.
What stood out most to me was how seamlessly the author blended fantasy elements with deeply human struggles. Beneath the magic and adventure is a story about discovering who you are, confronting your past, and finding the strength to face an uncertain future.
**When Shadows Burn** is a fantastic read for fans of young adult fantasy who enjoy rich world-building, compelling characters, high stakes, and emotional depth. It's an immersive adventure that will keep readers turning pages long into the night and leave them eager for more.
Highly recommended for fantasy lovers looking for a story that is equal parts thrilling, magical, and heartfelt.
A perfect pick for readers who enjoy dark fantasy, magical intrigue, found family themes, and character-driven adventures.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 ! There is so much that I loved about this! It is definitely a mood read. This is the first of a dark academia fantasy duology. Think: A Deadly Education //Ninth House//Katabasis in terms of higher education & fantasy elements combined with The Mortal Instruments demon hunter vibes.
When Shadows Burn opens quickly, introducing us to Song & Kiet by showing us the process of how to exorcise demons with the complimentary magics of a “caller” and a “slayer”. I really loved the dynamic between both of them and how the friendship is emphasized over romance.
The science (specifically biology) based magic system is done really nicely, I think there is room to expand it even more in the second book. Heads up that there are blood & needles (lancets) if you’re squeamish!
One of my favorite elements was how Le handled the description of burnout (Slayer’s Sclerosis), and the (perceived) expectations of success and academic achievement. Statistically, according to a Stanford research article women are genetically predisposed to autoimmune disorders. (If you’re curious, you can read it here: https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-new... )
I think Le left a lot of opportunity to expand the world of Renisia/Halberra/Yennington/Phenbridge. The world building dropped really interesting pieces of culture, including immigration, language, & religion.
There is also huge potential to develop the benefits or repercussions of echium, and how Song moves forward with it. Is it addictive?!
I will definitely continue this series, because I too, would seek vengeance for my siblings.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group & Roaring Brook Press for this ARC!
When Shadows Burn opens quickly, introducing us to Song & Kiet by showing us the process of how to exorcise demons with the complimentary magics of a “caller” and a “slayer”. I really loved the dynamic between both of them and how the friendship is emphasized over romance.
The science (specifically biology) based magic system is done really nicely, I think there is room to expand it even more in the second book. Heads up that there are blood & needles (lancets) if you’re squeamish!
One of my favorite elements was how Le handled the description of burnout (Slayer’s Sclerosis), and the (perceived) expectations of success and academic achievement. Statistically, according to a Stanford research article women are genetically predisposed to autoimmune disorders. (If you’re curious, you can read it here: https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-new... )
I think Le left a lot of opportunity to expand the world of Renisia/Halberra/Yennington/Phenbridge. The world building dropped really interesting pieces of culture, including immigration, language, & religion.
There is also huge potential to develop the benefits or repercussions of echium, and how Song moves forward with it. Is it addictive?!
I will definitely continue this series, because I too, would seek vengeance for my siblings.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group & Roaring Brook Press for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Shadows Burn is filled to the brim with:
- [ ] Dark Academia
- [ ] Demon Exorcisms, and
- [ ] Dysfunctional family relationships
If these things are your jam, look no further.
What I liked about this book:
- [ ] Little Sarna’s. I would have loved a good long weekend there (forget the demons)
- [ ] The food- it’s a sweet detail
- [ ] Kiet’s emotional growth throughout the book
- [ ] Blood Weapons
- [ ] Kitty Inkspell
I could have used more:
- [ ] Verbal interactions, another POV and/or more explanation of Red Feather for the benefit of the readers and the characters…or at the very least, a more convincing reason for their actions.
- [ ] Some background on how genetics determine whether a person is a Caller versus a Slayer. Not just “It’s genetic.”I guess I am looking for MORE science, and more in-depth descriptions.
- [ ] A reason behind where the demons come from, and why they come at all? They just happen to be there? Did they come through a portal? Why? Did someone bring them there? If so, who and again, why? Are they magically and accidentally created from dreams, and nightmares? There are so many open ended possibilities.
- [ ] Exorcism scenes and descriptions of a…demon… that is not a Yeukai.
- [ ] Some more information about Phenbridge itself. Simply a history or just more interactions between the students and staff. At this point Phenbridge feels like an idea, not a place.
To sum it up, it is a fun and interesting story that could use a bit more world building.
Happy Reading!
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s for providing me with this ARC for review. All opinions are my own.
- [ ] Dark Academia
- [ ] Demon Exorcisms, and
- [ ] Dysfunctional family relationships
If these things are your jam, look no further.
What I liked about this book:
- [ ] Little Sarna’s. I would have loved a good long weekend there (forget the demons)
- [ ] The food- it’s a sweet detail
- [ ] Kiet’s emotional growth throughout the book
- [ ] Blood Weapons
- [ ] Kitty Inkspell
I could have used more:
- [ ] Verbal interactions, another POV and/or more explanation of Red Feather for the benefit of the readers and the characters…or at the very least, a more convincing reason for their actions.
- [ ] Some background on how genetics determine whether a person is a Caller versus a Slayer. Not just “It’s genetic.”I guess I am looking for MORE science, and more in-depth descriptions.
- [ ] A reason behind where the demons come from, and why they come at all? They just happen to be there? Did they come through a portal? Why? Did someone bring them there? If so, who and again, why? Are they magically and accidentally created from dreams, and nightmares? There are so many open ended possibilities.
- [ ] Exorcism scenes and descriptions of a…demon… that is not a Yeukai.
- [ ] Some more information about Phenbridge itself. Simply a history or just more interactions between the students and staff. At this point Phenbridge feels like an idea, not a place.
To sum it up, it is a fun and interesting story that could use a bit more world building.
Happy Reading!
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s for providing me with this ARC for review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Net Galley.
This novel follows the characters Song Sarna and Kiet Sren as they investigate a string of seemingly coordinated demon attacks throughout Yennington.
What I loved:
- The exorcism dynamic of a caller and a slayer was super interesting. I always like a fantasy / ‘magical’ element that ties the two main characters together.
- The family drama, particularly surrounding Kiet, was a big draw for me. I wanted to see more of his sister.
- The way the city was described, I was envisioning a mix between gotham and Shadowhunters-universe New York.
My comments:
- I’ve seen a couple other ARC reviewers say this, but Song’s story was a little flat. The fact that she was practically killing herself to graduate a school that apparently cared so little about the exorcists that were solely responsible for protecting the human population from demons felt like a gap in logic. The same goes for Song’s deduction that she needed to continue putting herself in harm’s way in order to make her father’s sacrifices worth it—but then she actively avoided him, even as her condition worsened. Overall, her motivations and her reasoning was not as fleshed out in comparison to Kiet’s.
- This was more of a personal note, but I felt like I was dropped in the middle of something from the very start. In an entirely new fantasy world, I think throwing the reader in head-first with the inciting incident is overwhelming. It left me personally feeling like I was playing catch-up for the first 25% of the novel. A prelude or an expository scene to establish some world building would be helpful to orient the reader.
This novel follows the characters Song Sarna and Kiet Sren as they investigate a string of seemingly coordinated demon attacks throughout Yennington.
What I loved:
- The exorcism dynamic of a caller and a slayer was super interesting. I always like a fantasy / ‘magical’ element that ties the two main characters together.
- The family drama, particularly surrounding Kiet, was a big draw for me. I wanted to see more of his sister.
- The way the city was described, I was envisioning a mix between gotham and Shadowhunters-universe New York.
My comments:
- I’ve seen a couple other ARC reviewers say this, but Song’s story was a little flat. The fact that she was practically killing herself to graduate a school that apparently cared so little about the exorcists that were solely responsible for protecting the human population from demons felt like a gap in logic. The same goes for Song’s deduction that she needed to continue putting herself in harm’s way in order to make her father’s sacrifices worth it—but then she actively avoided him, even as her condition worsened. Overall, her motivations and her reasoning was not as fleshed out in comparison to Kiet’s.
- This was more of a personal note, but I felt like I was dropped in the middle of something from the very start. In an entirely new fantasy world, I think throwing the reader in head-first with the inciting incident is overwhelming. It left me personally feeling like I was playing catch-up for the first 25% of the novel. A prelude or an expository scene to establish some world building would be helpful to orient the reader.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
(4.5 rounded up to 5 stars)
I really, really enjoyed this book. What initially drew me to it was the concept of a demon caller/demon slayer duo, which reminded me of Soul Eater (weapon and meister) and honestly? If you're a fan of Soul Eater, there's a pretty good chance you will also enjoy this book. Everything from the world to its characters to the blood magic system was really intriguing. The alternating third person perspective format of the book was a little difficult to follow at first but ultimately worked really well for this story, particularly toward the middle and end where the suspense was at its highest and I just couldn't bring myself to stop reading.
I was so invested in both Song and Kiet and their common goal as well as their own individual turmoil. To say that their romance is a slow burn would be an understatement and I really hope we get to see that continue to develop in the next book, but I also really enjoyed how this particular story was ultimately about family. Song bears the weight of her father's sacrifices, holding herself to the highest standards in hopes she can pay him back and provide for him as he did for her. Kiet, meanwhile, wrestles with grief and resentment towards his estranged family. Both underwent a lot of character development and their motivations felt authentic. Overall, this was a really fun, suspenseful, dark and gritty read and I look forward to the second book in the duology. Definitely consider picking this book up when it releases on December 1st!
(4.5 rounded up to 5 stars)
I really, really enjoyed this book. What initially drew me to it was the concept of a demon caller/demon slayer duo, which reminded me of Soul Eater (weapon and meister) and honestly? If you're a fan of Soul Eater, there's a pretty good chance you will also enjoy this book. Everything from the world to its characters to the blood magic system was really intriguing. The alternating third person perspective format of the book was a little difficult to follow at first but ultimately worked really well for this story, particularly toward the middle and end where the suspense was at its highest and I just couldn't bring myself to stop reading.
I was so invested in both Song and Kiet and their common goal as well as their own individual turmoil. To say that their romance is a slow burn would be an understatement and I really hope we get to see that continue to develop in the next book, but I also really enjoyed how this particular story was ultimately about family. Song bears the weight of her father's sacrifices, holding herself to the highest standards in hopes she can pay him back and provide for him as he did for her. Kiet, meanwhile, wrestles with grief and resentment towards his estranged family. Both underwent a lot of character development and their motivations felt authentic. Overall, this was a really fun, suspenseful, dark and gritty read and I look forward to the second book in the duology. Definitely consider picking this book up when it releases on December 1st!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was okay. By the end, I was very curious about what would happen, and I enjoyed the set up for the next book.
Things I didn't like:
-I wanted more characterization for both main characters. Kiet and Song were interesting, but they needed more development individually and then more development in their relationship. I did appreciate the flashback sequences where we were able to see some of their earlier interactions.
-The setting was confusing. I was uncertain of the time period--it felt modern at times and old at times. I never did have a clear idea of the intended era. Usually this is not a problem, even in fantasy books.
-The deities in this book were confusing, and they kept saying, "twins" about everything. Evidently the deities are twins, but I kept wondering who the twins were.
-I didn't enjoy this particular Dark Academia vibe. It felt stilted at times. Sometimes they felt like young people at university, and other times, they seemed to have more freedom.
Things I liked:
-I thought the family dynamics for both main characters were interesting and relatable. Chief Sren was an interesting character as well--very nicely written.
-I enjoyed the mystery surrounding a sibling's death. Kiet's determination to get to the bottom of the situation was understandable.
-I enjoyed the plot twist (that I won't ruin here), but I was entirely surprised and then became more curious about the whole story as a result.
Thank you Macmillan and Netgalley for providing this digital ARC for review. All opinions are my own.
Things I didn't like:
-I wanted more characterization for both main characters. Kiet and Song were interesting, but they needed more development individually and then more development in their relationship. I did appreciate the flashback sequences where we were able to see some of their earlier interactions.
-The setting was confusing. I was uncertain of the time period--it felt modern at times and old at times. I never did have a clear idea of the intended era. Usually this is not a problem, even in fantasy books.
-The deities in this book were confusing, and they kept saying, "twins" about everything. Evidently the deities are twins, but I kept wondering who the twins were.
-I didn't enjoy this particular Dark Academia vibe. It felt stilted at times. Sometimes they felt like young people at university, and other times, they seemed to have more freedom.
Things I liked:
-I thought the family dynamics for both main characters were interesting and relatable. Chief Sren was an interesting character as well--very nicely written.
-I enjoyed the mystery surrounding a sibling's death. Kiet's determination to get to the bottom of the situation was understandable.
-I enjoyed the plot twist (that I won't ruin here), but I was entirely surprised and then became more curious about the whole story as a result.
Thank you Macmillan and Netgalley for providing this digital ARC for review. All opinions are my own.
April 26, 2026
When Shadows Burn welcomes a new audience of demon hunter readers with an interesting mystery. However, does all the other elements to a story stick the landing?
As I was reading this, I knew prior to starting that this is the first part in a duology, so the settings things up was granted. Just as quickly as the action begins, it also ends and that is the same to be said for a lot of the pacing. I felt that there were moments where I felt really invested in the demon hunting side of things (where some parts felt like a dark academia ghostbusters!) and then we’d shift back to the university to simply mark off the fact one of the main characters was a university student.
I enjoyed the multi-pov between Song and Kiet, I didn’t feel favorable toward one side which I appreciate since it made for a nice reading experience. The strongest parts of this story were the family connections and emotional relationships between the characters. The settings, world-building, and lore of purpose behind demon and exorcism study all felt shallow.
I’d also like to add that the plot twist sets up a lot of interesting conversations and moments to happen in part two! Perhaps the second part will be more heavy and explain a lot of things that I wanted more exposition about reading part one. Personally, I feel When Shadows Burn is a collection of great ideas, and maybe the second part is necessary to fully flesh out the story that Le wants to tell.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing an ARC (Advanced Readers Copy). This review is based off of an uncorrected proof.
As I was reading this, I knew prior to starting that this is the first part in a duology, so the settings things up was granted. Just as quickly as the action begins, it also ends and that is the same to be said for a lot of the pacing. I felt that there were moments where I felt really invested in the demon hunting side of things (where some parts felt like a dark academia ghostbusters!) and then we’d shift back to the university to simply mark off the fact one of the main characters was a university student.
I enjoyed the multi-pov between Song and Kiet, I didn’t feel favorable toward one side which I appreciate since it made for a nice reading experience. The strongest parts of this story were the family connections and emotional relationships between the characters. The settings, world-building, and lore of purpose behind demon and exorcism study all felt shallow.
I’d also like to add that the plot twist sets up a lot of interesting conversations and moments to happen in part two! Perhaps the second part will be more heavy and explain a lot of things that I wanted more exposition about reading part one. Personally, I feel When Shadows Burn is a collection of great ideas, and maybe the second part is necessary to fully flesh out the story that Le wants to tell.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing an ARC (Advanced Readers Copy). This review is based off of an uncorrected proof.
May 16, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!!
When Shadows Burn was such an addictive read. The mix of dark academia, demon hunting, murder mystery, and slowburn romance completely worked for me. I loved the dynamic between Song and Kiet right away. Song being this disciplined top slayer at Phenbridge University while Kiet is the chaotic dropout whose blood literally attracts demons made for such a fun partnership. Their banter and tension carried so much of the story for me. I found myself laughing so many times and rooting for them both.
The worldbuilding was also incredibly immersive. The whole caller/slayer system and the medical-style magic behind exorcisms felt fresh and detailed without becoming overwhelming. I’ve never read a magic system like this before and it was so unique and cool.
I especially enjoyed the darker atmosphere surrounding Phenbridge University and the unraveling corruption hidden underneath everything. The investigation into the aberrant demon kept me hooked because every answer seemed to uncover something even worse.
This wasn’t a perfect 5-star read for me because a few parts felt a little slow in the middle, but overall I had a great time with it. The emotional stakes, family drama, dangerous secrets, and simmering romance (?) made it hard to put down. Definitely recommend this if you love dark fantasy with demons, academic settings, and characters who are constantly one bad decision away from disaster.
And the ending.. oof. I CANNOT wait for book two!
When Shadows Burn was such an addictive read. The mix of dark academia, demon hunting, murder mystery, and slowburn romance completely worked for me. I loved the dynamic between Song and Kiet right away. Song being this disciplined top slayer at Phenbridge University while Kiet is the chaotic dropout whose blood literally attracts demons made for such a fun partnership. Their banter and tension carried so much of the story for me. I found myself laughing so many times and rooting for them both.
The worldbuilding was also incredibly immersive. The whole caller/slayer system and the medical-style magic behind exorcisms felt fresh and detailed without becoming overwhelming. I’ve never read a magic system like this before and it was so unique and cool.
I especially enjoyed the darker atmosphere surrounding Phenbridge University and the unraveling corruption hidden underneath everything. The investigation into the aberrant demon kept me hooked because every answer seemed to uncover something even worse.
This wasn’t a perfect 5-star read for me because a few parts felt a little slow in the middle, but overall I had a great time with it. The emotional stakes, family drama, dangerous secrets, and simmering romance (?) made it hard to put down. Definitely recommend this if you love dark fantasy with demons, academic settings, and characters who are constantly one bad decision away from disaster.
And the ending.. oof. I CANNOT wait for book two!
Did Not Finish
March 23, 2026⭐ ARC Review
DNF at 23%
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I went into this really interested in the premise, especially with the idea of a demon-hunting duo set within a dark academia environment. The story starts off very action-packed, immediately throwing you into the world as Kiet and Song track and confront demons together.
One of the standout elements for me was the way the demons were portrayed. I found that aspect of the world really interesting, and it gave me slight Shadowhunter vibes in terms of how the supernatural elements were woven into the story.
By around chapter two, there are already hints of a larger mystery unfolding, including signs of a more organized threat behind the scenes. That early setup made it feel like the story was building toward something bigger, which I appreciated.
However, I ultimately decided to DNF at 23%. While the premise and initial setup were strong, I had difficulty fully immersing myself in the story due to the third-person, multi-POV writing style. This is entirely a personal preference, as I tend to connect more with first-person narratives.
I do think readers who enjoy multi-POV fantasy, darker academic settings, and more plot-driven stories will likely find this more engaging. There is a solid foundation here, and I can see it working well for the right audience — it just wasn’t the best fit for me.
DNF at 23%
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I went into this really interested in the premise, especially with the idea of a demon-hunting duo set within a dark academia environment. The story starts off very action-packed, immediately throwing you into the world as Kiet and Song track and confront demons together.
One of the standout elements for me was the way the demons were portrayed. I found that aspect of the world really interesting, and it gave me slight Shadowhunter vibes in terms of how the supernatural elements were woven into the story.
By around chapter two, there are already hints of a larger mystery unfolding, including signs of a more organized threat behind the scenes. That early setup made it feel like the story was building toward something bigger, which I appreciated.
However, I ultimately decided to DNF at 23%. While the premise and initial setup were strong, I had difficulty fully immersing myself in the story due to the third-person, multi-POV writing style. This is entirely a personal preference, as I tend to connect more with first-person narratives.
I do think readers who enjoy multi-POV fantasy, darker academic settings, and more plot-driven stories will likely find this more engaging. There is a solid foundation here, and I can see it working well for the right audience — it just wasn’t the best fit for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was my first book by Vanessa Le, and I didn’t really know what to expect from the writing style, but I ended up loving it! I flew through the pages because it was easy to follow, and the story itself was very engaging. I was hooked from the very first pages.
When Shadows Burn
reminded me of
Lockwood & Co
and
The Mortal Instruments
, two series that I absolutely adore
I enjoyed both Kiet and Song as main characters. Their banter and wit made me giggle quite a few times. I loved their friendship, and I really enjoyed watching two idiots in love. Their story starts with a murder, and as they dig deeper, we learn that Phenbridge University might not be what it seems. When Shadows Burn is a fast-paced story with layers upon layers of secrets and mystery
Also, chapter 37 had me on edge. I WANTED TO GO TO BED BUT I COULDN’T 😭 It was so sad and tragic, and I genuinely caught myself thinking, “I need THAT character’s POV.” I just love how fucked up they are. Me and complex, traumatized characters against the world
I will definitely continue with the series, and I totally recommend it if you’re a fan of dark academia, urban fantasy, paranormal fantasy (demons & demon hunters), or if you enjoyed any of the aspects I mentioned above!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the eARC!
I enjoyed both Kiet and Song as main characters. Their banter and wit made me giggle quite a few times. I loved their friendship, and I really enjoyed watching two idiots in love. Their story starts with a murder, and as they dig deeper, we learn that Phenbridge University might not be what it seems. When Shadows Burn is a fast-paced story with layers upon layers of secrets and mystery
Also, chapter 37 had me on edge. I WANTED TO GO TO BED BUT I COULDN’T 😭 It was so sad and tragic, and I genuinely caught myself thinking, “I need THAT character’s POV.” I just love how fucked up they are. Me and complex, traumatized characters against the world
I will definitely continue with the series, and I totally recommend it if you’re a fan of dark academia, urban fantasy, paranormal fantasy (demons & demon hunters), or if you enjoyed any of the aspects I mentioned above!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the eARC!
June 1, 2026
The first half of this book was quite excellent. There are demons and demon slayers (exorcists, as they’re called here), a murder mystery/detective storyline, interesting characters who are dealing with the pressure and expectations of being a college student, and a cat that can smell demons when she feels like doing her job. The plot was interesting, the pacing was great, and the characters were worth rooting for.
At the midpoint, you find out who the murderer is and then somehow the second half of the book was way more phenomenal than the first half, which surprised me because I had loved the first half and hadn’t expected to love the book even more after the midpoint. But knowing who the murderer was allowed us to dive into the secrets as to why they’d become a murderer which I found so compelling. We got more family drama, which only made the plot more intense and had me more invested in the characters. It was no longer a matter of “who dunnit” but will the good guys be able to stop them in time and how are they going to pull this off? I was captivated by every moment of it!
If you like demons, mystery, action, dark academia, or best friends-to-maybe one day lovers, this is a book worth reading.
Spice: very mild. One kiss, briefly described on page.
Thank you to Macmillan, Henry Holt and Co., and NetGalley for a copy of the eARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
At the midpoint, you find out who the murderer is and then somehow the second half of the book was way more phenomenal than the first half, which surprised me because I had loved the first half and hadn’t expected to love the book even more after the midpoint. But knowing who the murderer was allowed us to dive into the secrets as to why they’d become a murderer which I found so compelling. We got more family drama, which only made the plot more intense and had me more invested in the characters. It was no longer a matter of “who dunnit” but will the good guys be able to stop them in time and how are they going to pull this off? I was captivated by every moment of it!
If you like demons, mystery, action, dark academia, or best friends-to-maybe one day lovers, this is a book worth reading.
Spice: very mild. One kiss, briefly described on page.
Thank you to Macmillan, Henry Holt and Co., and NetGalley for a copy of the eARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
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