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The Rift Saga #1
The Shadow Enemy
In a realm of everlasting sunlight, Princess Mika is a warrior born of prophecy—and burdened by it. She hunts two Dark Princes destined to overthrow her kingdom in the tenth generation—her generation. Still grieving her father’s assassination, she vows to protect her disabled brother, the heir to the throne, who withers under the strain of failing magic.
Armed with only a partial prophecy, she embarks on a perilous quest to stop the princes before they drown her world in eternal shadow. When she captures one prince, her thirst for answers unleashes a dangerous grief-driven fury in her. Before she regains control, the prince’s brother retaliates by abducting her for leverage. Imprisoned in the very land she sought to destroy, an unforeseen magical bond between her and this prince both surprises and unnerves her. Bound to her enemy by this unexpected tether, Mika must navigate a deadly dance of deception, power, and desire. Is her magic finally awakening—or is it being twisted against her by the very prince she was born to destroy?
To save her brother and her throne, Mika must face the one enemy she fears herself.
Armed with only a partial prophecy, she embarks on a perilous quest to stop the princes before they drown her world in eternal shadow. When she captures one prince, her thirst for answers unleashes a dangerous grief-driven fury in her. Before she regains control, the prince’s brother retaliates by abducting her for leverage. Imprisoned in the very land she sought to destroy, an unforeseen magical bond between her and this prince both surprises and unnerves her. Bound to her enemy by this unexpected tether, Mika must navigate a deadly dance of deception, power, and desire. Is her magic finally awakening—or is it being twisted against her by the very prince she was born to destroy?
To save her brother and her throne, Mika must face the one enemy she fears herself.
- GenresFantasy
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 10, 2026
About the author
Jane McGarry
7 books90 followersAward winning fantasy author of fantasy romance and retellings. Visit me at www.janemcgarrybooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 23, 2026
This book is so much more than a fascinating fantasy world. It's about processing grief, letting go of anger, fear and hatred. It presents the question that when you are faced with the truth, will you let go of the years of lies and prejudge you were taught.
“Do not be so quick to judge something as mercurial as grief. It plagues survivors equally in its own way.”
I was captivated from the very first line. "My brother knows what it’s like to be hunted, an entire existence of vigilance and fear, but my job is to protect him from our enemy. If he is the hunted, I am the hunter."
This is a dual POV, but it follows 4 characters. Mika is reckless, loyal and a brave protector of her brother. She acts first and questions later. Her character development was the beauty of this book.
"... I have lived on the edge of a fear so great it nearly consumes me, because, in that moment, I let fear get the better of me." But when the sparks start between Mika and Lynx, she questions everything she knows "Are we really that different? Is that why the strange energy connects us?"
The contrast between the characters was done so well, each with their own strengths and flaws. Both kingdoms have hated each other for centuries and when the lies slowly unravel to reveal the truths leads up to a 5 star ending!
“Do not be so quick to judge something as mercurial as grief. It plagues survivors equally in its own way.”
I was captivated from the very first line. "My brother knows what it’s like to be hunted, an entire existence of vigilance and fear, but my job is to protect him from our enemy. If he is the hunted, I am the hunter."
This is a dual POV, but it follows 4 characters. Mika is reckless, loyal and a brave protector of her brother. She acts first and questions later. Her character development was the beauty of this book.
"... I have lived on the edge of a fear so great it nearly consumes me, because, in that moment, I let fear get the better of me." But when the sparks start between Mika and Lynx, she questions everything she knows "Are we really that different? Is that why the strange energy connects us?"
The contrast between the characters was done so well, each with their own strengths and flaws. Both kingdoms have hated each other for centuries and when the lies slowly unravel to reveal the truths leads up to a 5 star ending!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What do you get when you mix a volatile, hot headed FMC and MMC with a plot that keeps you flipping pages long past bedtime? The Shadow Enemy delivers exactly that. I was gifted an ARC of this novel, and this is my honest review. Overall, I give it a solid 4 stars.
The story follows our FMC, twin sister of the King of the Light kingdom. Trained as a soldier for her kingdom, she instantly goes into protective mode when her brother appears to be threatened. Enter the MMC, a prince in the Night Kingdom. Can we say, “Opposites attract!” The main plot involves a prophecy, and neither kingdom has all the details. Forcing a close proximity between the FMC and MMC as they are forced to work together to hunt for the missing details they desperately need. I liked that you get to see how the FMC begins to mature in her attitude and behaviors throughout the story. She started off more blinded in her actions and rage, but by the end of the story she begins to learn that immediate action and judgement is not always the best course. A standout element for me was the contrast between the royal brothers. The FMC’s brother and the MMC’s brother serve as the calmer, more level headed counterparts, grounding the fiery energy of our main duo. Their dynamic adds a great layer of balance to the narrative. The ending didn’t leave on a cliffhanger exactly, but it definitely ended at a spot where I am eager to see what happens in book 2. If you are looking for a creative new fantasy world, blossoming romance between the FMC and MMC, and a unique plot line between “light versus dark,” then The Shadow Enemy is definitely worth picking up. Thank you to Jane McGarry and JM Books for my ARC of this novel.
The story follows our FMC, twin sister of the King of the Light kingdom. Trained as a soldier for her kingdom, she instantly goes into protective mode when her brother appears to be threatened. Enter the MMC, a prince in the Night Kingdom. Can we say, “Opposites attract!” The main plot involves a prophecy, and neither kingdom has all the details. Forcing a close proximity between the FMC and MMC as they are forced to work together to hunt for the missing details they desperately need. I liked that you get to see how the FMC begins to mature in her attitude and behaviors throughout the story. She started off more blinded in her actions and rage, but by the end of the story she begins to learn that immediate action and judgement is not always the best course. A standout element for me was the contrast between the royal brothers. The FMC’s brother and the MMC’s brother serve as the calmer, more level headed counterparts, grounding the fiery energy of our main duo. Their dynamic adds a great layer of balance to the narrative. The ending didn’t leave on a cliffhanger exactly, but it definitely ended at a spot where I am eager to see what happens in book 2. If you are looking for a creative new fantasy world, blossoming romance between the FMC and MMC, and a unique plot line between “light versus dark,” then The Shadow Enemy is definitely worth picking up. Thank you to Jane McGarry and JM Books for my ARC of this novel.
May 12, 2026
I devoured The Shadow Enemy in two days — it’s the kind of YA fantasy that’s just ridiculously easy to fall into. You get the perfect mix of light vs. dark, prophecy, magic, scary creatures, and that constant tension of “everything we’ve been told might be wrong.” The worldbuilding is vivid without feeling heavy, and I loved how the story plays with misinformation and prejudice on both sides.
Mika was a big part of why this worked for me. She can be a lot at the start (especially with her temper), but her growth feels real, and the emotional core — especially the sibling bond — kept me invested beyond the action. There’s also a touch of romance and forced proximity that adds to the momentum without taking over the plot. The ending definitely made me want the next book, and overall this was a really fun, fast-paced read. 4 stars.
Thank you to Jane McGarry and BookSirens for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Mika was a big part of why this worked for me. She can be a lot at the start (especially with her temper), but her growth feels real, and the emotional core — especially the sibling bond — kept me invested beyond the action. There’s also a touch of romance and forced proximity that adds to the momentum without taking over the plot. The ending definitely made me want the next book, and overall this was a really fun, fast-paced read. 4 stars.
Thank you to Jane McGarry and BookSirens for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5⭐️
Overall, the story is a decent quick read. It has good world building, great pacing, and some solid side characters. But there were some issues. Wren's POV needed more depth. He felt very 2 dimensional. Mika and Lynx's relationship escalated rather quickly.
However, for me, the biggest issue with the story was Mika. For the first half of the story, she is unsufferable. She is constantly angry, rude, and self-centered. When she is disciplined for disobeying orders, she literally responds with, "I'm a princess. You can't lock me up. " 🤦♀️
Luckily, she gets kidnapped and has a reality check.
I did enjoy the ending. No huge cliffhanger, but still a nice twist or tease for the next book.
Thank you for choosing me to be an ARC Reader
Overall, the story is a decent quick read. It has good world building, great pacing, and some solid side characters. But there were some issues. Wren's POV needed more depth. He felt very 2 dimensional. Mika and Lynx's relationship escalated rather quickly.
However, for me, the biggest issue with the story was Mika. For the first half of the story, she is unsufferable. She is constantly angry, rude, and self-centered. When she is disciplined for disobeying orders, she literally responds with, "I'm a princess. You can't lock me up. " 🤦♀️
Luckily, she gets kidnapped and has a reality check.
I did enjoy the ending. No huge cliffhanger, but still a nice twist or tease for the next book.
Thank you for choosing me to be an ARC Reader
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2026
Thanks to Jane McGarry and BookSirens for providing this ARC!
This was a great YA fantasy! Light and dark, a prophecy, misinformation, prejudices proved wrong, two brothers vs a set of twins, an oracle, scary monsters, friendships, forced proximity, magic, the right amount of romance. 15 year old me would’ve adored this book! 47 year old me still thoroughly enjoyed it. I appreciated Mika having to work through feelings of guilt and betrayal and learning to control one’s temper, and thought it was expressed well. I’m definitely looking forward to the next one!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a great YA fantasy! Light and dark, a prophecy, misinformation, prejudices proved wrong, two brothers vs a set of twins, an oracle, scary monsters, friendships, forced proximity, magic, the right amount of romance. 15 year old me would’ve adored this book! 47 year old me still thoroughly enjoyed it. I appreciated Mika having to work through feelings of guilt and betrayal and learning to control one’s temper, and thought it was expressed well. I’m definitely looking forward to the next one!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Arc review
I'm so sad I finished this book in 48hours, I need more!
I absolutely adore Mika. She's sassy, stubborn, strong and sweet. All in one. She grows a lot emotionally and the it was lovely to follow her path and learn about her feelings. The bond with her brother is heartwarming and feels so real.
The worldbuilding is amazing. I could feel the hot wind and sand on impossible places. Or the cold dark forests on the dark side.
Oh and those princes on that dark side... how I went from No to oooh. ;)
A great book and I can't wait to read to next one on this series.
I'm so sad I finished this book in 48hours, I need more!
I absolutely adore Mika. She's sassy, stubborn, strong and sweet. All in one. She grows a lot emotionally and the it was lovely to follow her path and learn about her feelings. The bond with her brother is heartwarming and feels so real.
The worldbuilding is amazing. I could feel the hot wind and sand on impossible places. Or the cold dark forests on the dark side.
Oh and those princes on that dark side... how I went from No to oooh. ;)
A great book and I can't wait to read to next one on this series.
February 6, 2026
Read this ARC and enjoyed it for the most part. Something to consider is that this series is YA and for those starting off their fantasy journey this is a safe place to start without needing a glossary lol. FMC starts off frustratingly immature, but by towards the end you witness her healing, just wish the character development occurred closer to the middle rather than towards the end. The book was a bit stretched out for where it ended and I had hoped the encounters with the “mythical creatures” would have had you on the edge of your seat, but again being YA gotta condense it to keep the attention of younger readers. All in all good plot, characters you grow fond of, and it keeps you wondering what’s next. Sadly this is not a standalone so you’ll have to wait for the next one. Hopefully it’s not a long wait!
April 19, 2026
The Shadow Enemy opens in a kingdom of perpetual sunlight, but that’s exactly where the real darkness hides. Jane McGarry has built something that feels simultaneously familiar and fresh: a world fractured between light and shadow where neither side is what it believes itself to be, and the true threat has been watching from somewhere neither kingdom thought to look.
Princess Mika is a lot. Stubborn, impulsive, fueled by grief and love in equal measure. She makes mistakes, and she carries every one of them. Her relationship with her twin brother Nafi is one of the most quietly moving parts of this book. It’s the kind of sibling bond that feels lived in and real, not constructed for plot convenience, and it gives the story emotional stakes that go deeper than the prophecy driving everything forward.
What makes this stand out from other light versus dark fantasies is how McGarry handles the “enemy” framing. Both kingdoms have been raised on fear of the other, and that’s not backdrop but the engine of the whole story. When Mika and the princes are eventually forced into each other’s worlds, the dismantling of those beliefs earns its weight because it’s uncomfortable before it’s anything else. No easy understanding, no instant softening. The shift is earned slowly, and it shows.
The worldbuilding is vivid without being overwhelming. You feel the heat and grit of the kingdom of Light, and the cold, dense dark of the other side registers as something almost physical. A few characters feel like they have more to offer than a first book can fully hold, but that reads as intentional setup rather than a gap. Some readers may find Mika’s intensity frustrating early on but by the end, her character growth is satisfying.
This is a series opener that does exactly what it should: it builds a world worth staying in, gives you people worth worrying about, and leaves just enough unresolved to make the next book feel necessary.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Princess Mika is a lot. Stubborn, impulsive, fueled by grief and love in equal measure. She makes mistakes, and she carries every one of them. Her relationship with her twin brother Nafi is one of the most quietly moving parts of this book. It’s the kind of sibling bond that feels lived in and real, not constructed for plot convenience, and it gives the story emotional stakes that go deeper than the prophecy driving everything forward.
What makes this stand out from other light versus dark fantasies is how McGarry handles the “enemy” framing. Both kingdoms have been raised on fear of the other, and that’s not backdrop but the engine of the whole story. When Mika and the princes are eventually forced into each other’s worlds, the dismantling of those beliefs earns its weight because it’s uncomfortable before it’s anything else. No easy understanding, no instant softening. The shift is earned slowly, and it shows.
The worldbuilding is vivid without being overwhelming. You feel the heat and grit of the kingdom of Light, and the cold, dense dark of the other side registers as something almost physical. A few characters feel like they have more to offer than a first book can fully hold, but that reads as intentional setup rather than a gap. Some readers may find Mika’s intensity frustrating early on but by the end, her character growth is satisfying.
This is a series opener that does exactly what it should: it builds a world worth staying in, gives you people worth worrying about, and leaves just enough unresolved to make the next book feel necessary.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 13, 2026
3.5⭐️ ┇ Bookstagram ┇ BookTok
This was a fun YA romantasy with engaging, easy-to-follow world-building that keeps you entertained from start to finish.
The story follows Princess Mika and her twin brother, Nafi—the King of Light. Their kingdom has always been taught to fear the Dark, believing its people to be barbaric and evil, constantly threatening the peace of the Light. Meanwhile, Lynx and Wren, the princes of the Dark, have grown up hearing similar stories about the kingdom of Light.
Driven by her impulsive nature and desperate to understand a fractured prophecy that may threaten her brother, Mika kidnaps Wren in hopes of getting answers. In retaliation, Lynx captures Mika. As tensions rise, both sides begin to realize that the stories they've been told about one another may not be true. Forced together by circumstance, they must confront a greater evil—one that has been manipulating both kingdoms and seeks to bring them all down.
While the story doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, it clearly sets the stage for what’s to come. There are still several quests ahead to defeat the looming threat. I’m definitely interested in continuing the series.
‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧
➳❥ YA Fantasy
➳❥ Reluctant Allies
➳❥ Banter
➳❥ Sibling Bonds
➳❥ Forced Proximity
➳❥ Prophecy
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓕𝓪𝓿 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼
"I suppose sometimes we spend too much time concentrating on the negative of something and we don't see the gift standing right in front of us."
“I find complicated matters far more interesting in life.”
"Whatever magic connects us. It is volatile
April 3, 2026
The Shadow Enemy by Jane McGarry
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own, this is my honest review!
A battle between light and darkness isn’t always what it seems and this is a great YA fantasy novel which gives a common trope a delightfully uncommon twist!
Overall I enjoyed the book, and I would absolutely recommend it to those interested in getting into the fantasy genre but feel daunted by the length and complexity of the most popular series’ (think LOTR, ASOIAF, or Stormlight Archive for instance). There’s an interesting world without it being overly complicated, and the characters’ motivations are clear and understandable.
Speaking of the world building, I found it to be incredibly well done. The author did a fantastic job of painting the scene well and I could definitely picture the settings, the environment, and the general "vibe" of both kingdoms. I also really enjoyed the use of contrast between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of shadow – showing differences but also commonalities between the two, and how they both compliment and contrast with one another.
I did find the FMC Mika to be a little frustrating at times – she was immature and too much of a one track mind for my own personal tastes, but that does speak to her connection to the overall world building in the story. On the other hand, Wren, one of the MMCs felt a little bit underdeveloped, however, this does seem like something that’ll be expanded upon greatly in subsequent books.
Aside from this however, I was definitely engaged with the book (and by the end found Mika far more palatable, yay for character development!) and enjoyed it a lot. Looking forward to the next in the series!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own, this is my honest review!
A battle between light and darkness isn’t always what it seems and this is a great YA fantasy novel which gives a common trope a delightfully uncommon twist!
Overall I enjoyed the book, and I would absolutely recommend it to those interested in getting into the fantasy genre but feel daunted by the length and complexity of the most popular series’ (think LOTR, ASOIAF, or Stormlight Archive for instance). There’s an interesting world without it being overly complicated, and the characters’ motivations are clear and understandable.
Speaking of the world building, I found it to be incredibly well done. The author did a fantastic job of painting the scene well and I could definitely picture the settings, the environment, and the general "vibe" of both kingdoms. I also really enjoyed the use of contrast between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of shadow – showing differences but also commonalities between the two, and how they both compliment and contrast with one another.
I did find the FMC Mika to be a little frustrating at times – she was immature and too much of a one track mind for my own personal tastes, but that does speak to her connection to the overall world building in the story. On the other hand, Wren, one of the MMCs felt a little bit underdeveloped, however, this does seem like something that’ll be expanded upon greatly in subsequent books.
Aside from this however, I was definitely engaged with the book (and by the end found Mika far more palatable, yay for character development!) and enjoyed it a lot. Looking forward to the next in the series!
February 24, 2026
Not exactly a cliffhanger ending but I still need the next book ASAP so I can find out the reactions to that meeting on the bridge and what will happen next for these characters!
You follow the princes and princesses of two opposing kingdoms on opposite sides of a rift, who have both recently lost their father by what seems to be an assassination by the opposing side. One kingdom stuck in the shadows and the other always in the light, they both have noticed that more life threatening earthquakes or sandstorms popping up as they approach the timeline of the incomplete prophecy. When the princess of light captures they younger prince of darkness to try to understand why they keep crossing the rift and more about the prophecy, she ends up instead captured by the elder prince and brought back to his kingdom! Her brother must work with the younger prince as she works with the elder brother to understand this prophecy and why their histories seem to both be so wrong!
This multiple POV story had me hooked from the start, with following similar unraveling storylines from two opposite sides of the kingdoms and one very civil discussion (the two princes) and one very chaotic one (princess and elder prince). I really enjoyed watching how each side slowly realized everything they thought was not really true and that there are other pieces of the prophecy they need to work together to find! I also am very much a fan of a badass FMC so the princess was easily my favorite character (although Tove is a close second)! I cannot wait for the next books in this series! My rating 4.7/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
You follow the princes and princesses of two opposing kingdoms on opposite sides of a rift, who have both recently lost their father by what seems to be an assassination by the opposing side. One kingdom stuck in the shadows and the other always in the light, they both have noticed that more life threatening earthquakes or sandstorms popping up as they approach the timeline of the incomplete prophecy. When the princess of light captures they younger prince of darkness to try to understand why they keep crossing the rift and more about the prophecy, she ends up instead captured by the elder prince and brought back to his kingdom! Her brother must work with the younger prince as she works with the elder brother to understand this prophecy and why their histories seem to both be so wrong!
This multiple POV story had me hooked from the start, with following similar unraveling storylines from two opposite sides of the kingdoms and one very civil discussion (the two princes) and one very chaotic one (princess and elder prince). I really enjoyed watching how each side slowly realized everything they thought was not really true and that there are other pieces of the prophecy they need to work together to find! I also am very much a fan of a badass FMC so the princess was easily my favorite character (although Tove is a close second)! I cannot wait for the next books in this series! My rating 4.7/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
Review of advance copy received from Author
>Book Review – The Shadow Enemy
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 1st in the Rift Saga and ends in a cliffhanger. A cruel goddess split the world in half. One half of the world is in constant darkness, yet the people who live there have adapted. The other half of the world is in constant light. The people there have also adapted. There is a deadly rift in between the worlds. Only one bridge attaches the dark side and the light. Neither side trusts the other and don’t realize that the evil goddess has been pitting them against each other,
>Mika and Nafi are twins and part of the ruling family of the light. Nafi is the King and Mika a soldier. She has a horrid temper that she must keep in check, but fails a lot. Their father was recently killed by the Dark people, they believe.
>Wren and Lynx are the princes of the Dark. Their father was also killed by the Light people, they believe. Lynx captures Mika and Nafi has Wren. I found it funny how Lynx has Mika’s temperament. His lack of temper control actually teaches Mika how important it is to stay in control.
>The book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this book 4 stars. The universe in this story includes magic. The dark and light sides have different magics.
A mage lets the 3 princes and princess know they must find 3 parts of a written prophesy in order to find out what to do next. I enjoyed seeing how each side dealt with living in constant light/dark. I hope the next book develops the royal characters a bit more.
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 1st in the Rift Saga and ends in a cliffhanger. A cruel goddess split the world in half. One half of the world is in constant darkness, yet the people who live there have adapted. The other half of the world is in constant light. The people there have also adapted. There is a deadly rift in between the worlds. Only one bridge attaches the dark side and the light. Neither side trusts the other and don’t realize that the evil goddess has been pitting them against each other,
>Mika and Nafi are twins and part of the ruling family of the light. Nafi is the King and Mika a soldier. She has a horrid temper that she must keep in check, but fails a lot. Their father was recently killed by the Dark people, they believe.
>Wren and Lynx are the princes of the Dark. Their father was also killed by the Light people, they believe. Lynx captures Mika and Nafi has Wren. I found it funny how Lynx has Mika’s temperament. His lack of temper control actually teaches Mika how important it is to stay in control.
>The book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this book 4 stars. The universe in this story includes magic. The dark and light sides have different magics.
A mage lets the 3 princes and princess know they must find 3 parts of a written prophesy in order to find out what to do next. I enjoyed seeing how each side dealt with living in constant light/dark. I hope the next book develops the royal characters a bit more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.25 Stars rounded down
Absolutely loved this YA fantasy novel of a Princess heartbroken by her father's death and afraid for her brother's safety decides to hunt the enemy prince who she views as responsible. However everything goes sideways when the prince's older brother captures her instead.
It's a quick pace book even for a YA novel that is a good mix of adventure, romance and intrigue to keep me entertained. The FMC, Princess Mika is sassy, immature and stubborn...basically the perfect storm for someone who is going through a maturity growth/ redemption arc in the storyline. She is definitely a character you learn to love and then cheer for. Her twin brother Nafi is the King of Light and together they must work with the enemy princes of Darkness on a prophecy to save both kingdoms. I love that with both sets of siblings there is a level headed one while the other is the opposite and more chaotic. In true YA fantasy both sides need to work together to save everyone and get over their personal prejudices. The banter is amusing and for a YA novel I really enjoyed it! For those familiar with the Bridge Kingdom and want a lighter/ YA version of it then this is for you.
-Forced proximity
-Siblings bonds
- Snarky banter
-Enemies to lovers-ish (I mean this is YA)
- Light vs. Dark
-Magical world
- Grief processing
Though I received a gifted arc copy I will definitely be following the series and will pick up book 2. I'm definitely hooked.
#rrbooktours #yadarkfantasy #theshadowenemy #yafantasy
Absolutely loved this YA fantasy novel of a Princess heartbroken by her father's death and afraid for her brother's safety decides to hunt the enemy prince who she views as responsible. However everything goes sideways when the prince's older brother captures her instead.
It's a quick pace book even for a YA novel that is a good mix of adventure, romance and intrigue to keep me entertained. The FMC, Princess Mika is sassy, immature and stubborn...basically the perfect storm for someone who is going through a maturity growth/ redemption arc in the storyline. She is definitely a character you learn to love and then cheer for. Her twin brother Nafi is the King of Light and together they must work with the enemy princes of Darkness on a prophecy to save both kingdoms. I love that with both sets of siblings there is a level headed one while the other is the opposite and more chaotic. In true YA fantasy both sides need to work together to save everyone and get over their personal prejudices. The banter is amusing and for a YA novel I really enjoyed it! For those familiar with the Bridge Kingdom and want a lighter/ YA version of it then this is for you.
-Forced proximity
-Siblings bonds
- Snarky banter
-Enemies to lovers-ish (I mean this is YA)
- Light vs. Dark
-Magical world
- Grief processing
Though I received a gifted arc copy I will definitely be following the series and will pick up book 2. I'm definitely hooked.
#rrbooktours #yadarkfantasy #theshadowenemy #yafantasy
April 12, 2026
If you’re looking to get into fantasy (or you’re a YA fantasy lover who prefers no spice) run to this one.
Jane McGarry’s The Shadow Enemy gave me the best kind of nostalgia. It felt like being back in high school, completely swept up in a fantasy world for the very first time. The kind where you don’t want to put the book down because you need to know what happens next. The character development and world-building are so vivid and immersive, I genuinely felt like I was right there alongside them wandering through these worlds and feelings.
And the dual POV? So well done. It added perspectives to the story I felt like was so necessary and gave such a full picture of the world and its characters. I’m already hoping that continues in the next books.
The twists and turns hit in the best way (unexpected, but purposeful) and they really drive Mika’s character arc forward. You can feel her grief, the weight of it, and how it shapes every decision she makes. It made her journey feel raw and real in a way that stuck with me.
And that ending?! I have theories. I have questions. And I am impatiently waiting for book two.
If you love: immersive worlds, strong character arcs, and twists you don’t see coming…this one’s for you.
Jane McGarry’s The Shadow Enemy gave me the best kind of nostalgia. It felt like being back in high school, completely swept up in a fantasy world for the very first time. The kind where you don’t want to put the book down because you need to know what happens next. The character development and world-building are so vivid and immersive, I genuinely felt like I was right there alongside them wandering through these worlds and feelings.
And the dual POV? So well done. It added perspectives to the story I felt like was so necessary and gave such a full picture of the world and its characters. I’m already hoping that continues in the next books.
The twists and turns hit in the best way (unexpected, but purposeful) and they really drive Mika’s character arc forward. You can feel her grief, the weight of it, and how it shapes every decision she makes. It made her journey feel raw and real in a way that stuck with me.
And that ending?! I have theories. I have questions. And I am impatiently waiting for book two.
If you love: immersive worlds, strong character arcs, and twists you don’t see coming…this one’s for you.
June 24, 2026
I really liked this book. The story, by no means unique in a lot of ways, was well thought out and written. There was also a bit of a twist, because the way I thought the story was headed, got turned completely around about halfway through.
The characters were, for the most part, well developed—better than in the first book of many series. The main character, Mika, was well written and just annoying enough to make her feel real, while Lynx turned out to be quite different from his initial portrayal. I came away knowing less about Wren and Nafi, but they were still three dimensional.
The world is well built and it feels like the author knows exactly how it works. This might sound silly, but it is not always the case. There were no inconsistencies that I noted.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I am interested in the story enough that I will definitely keep my eyes out for the next book in the series and buy it.
The characters were, for the most part, well developed—better than in the first book of many series. The main character, Mika, was well written and just annoying enough to make her feel real, while Lynx turned out to be quite different from his initial portrayal. I came away knowing less about Wren and Nafi, but they were still three dimensional.
The world is well built and it feels like the author knows exactly how it works. This might sound silly, but it is not always the case. There were no inconsistencies that I noted.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I am interested in the story enough that I will definitely keep my eyes out for the next book in the series and buy it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thoughts:
If you're into:
✅Baddass FMC that doesn't need a man to save her
✅A book that deals with the mentions of grieving
✅Dark and Light
✅Forced Proximity
✅Fairly Short Chapters
Then I think this is for you :3
•I love the FMCs relationship with her brother, it does remind me quite a bit of my own. The teasing, the worrying, the way I'd definitely try to capture a dark prince so that my brother doesn't die (so similar)
•The romance dynamic sort of gives enemies to lovers, which although I'm not into its quite nice in this book
•Although I don't exactly like her temperament I can't blame her with all the things she's lost, I'd be fuming too even if im a fairly calm person.
So yes, I do recommend this, and I hope to come back for the second one if there's one in the works :>
If you're into:
✅Baddass FMC that doesn't need a man to save her
✅A book that deals with the mentions of grieving
✅Dark and Light
✅Forced Proximity
✅Fairly Short Chapters
Then I think this is for you :3
•I love the FMCs relationship with her brother, it does remind me quite a bit of my own. The teasing, the worrying, the way I'd definitely try to capture a dark prince so that my brother doesn't die (so similar)
•The romance dynamic sort of gives enemies to lovers, which although I'm not into its quite nice in this book
•Although I don't exactly like her temperament I can't blame her with all the things she's lost, I'd be fuming too even if im a fairly calm person.
So yes, I do recommend this, and I hope to come back for the second one if there's one in the works :>
March 11, 2026
This is book one in the Rift Saga by Jane McGarry. A gripping YA fantasy that keeps you entertained the whole time you are reading.
This story follows two worlds on the brink of destruction. One world is in constant light, while the other suffers in darkness. After our FMC Mika loses her father, she feels it is her duty to protect her brother at any cost. When Mika goes to kidnap the dark prince, she finds herself abducted by his brother in the process. They must then decide to work together to untangle the prophecy that has been brought upon them.
I really liked how this story developed and the huge character development growth that happened toward the end of the book. This is a YA fantasy with world-building that is easy to understand for someone who needs to find their footing in fantasy.
This story follows two worlds on the brink of destruction. One world is in constant light, while the other suffers in darkness. After our FMC Mika loses her father, she feels it is her duty to protect her brother at any cost. When Mika goes to kidnap the dark prince, she finds herself abducted by his brother in the process. They must then decide to work together to untangle the prophecy that has been brought upon them.
I really liked how this story developed and the huge character development growth that happened toward the end of the book. This is a YA fantasy with world-building that is easy to understand for someone who needs to find their footing in fantasy.
July 29, 2026
This was such a fun unique read. I’m not sure if I’ve read something like this before.
One of my favorite parts was the parallels between the sibling dynamics of Mika/Nafri and Lynx/Wren. This was so well done, having Lynx and Mika being the more impulsive, protective, and angry siblings while Nadir and Wren are calmer.
I think some readers may have a harder time with Mika because she come off as a bit unlikable / but I do think people need to remember this is YA. She’s young, angry, and impulsive. All of her actions tracked for her age.
The love story was fine, very YA. But honestly the best part of this story was the plot and Storylines. I would of loved to have seen a little bit more of a build up of them falling for each other. It did seem to happen suddenly. But otherwise fun read and I can’t wait for the next book!
One of my favorite parts was the parallels between the sibling dynamics of Mika/Nafri and Lynx/Wren. This was so well done, having Lynx and Mika being the more impulsive, protective, and angry siblings while Nadir and Wren are calmer.
I think some readers may have a harder time with Mika because she come off as a bit unlikable / but I do think people need to remember this is YA. She’s young, angry, and impulsive. All of her actions tracked for her age.
The love story was fine, very YA. But honestly the best part of this story was the plot and Storylines. I would of loved to have seen a little bit more of a build up of them falling for each other. It did seem to happen suddenly. But otherwise fun read and I can’t wait for the next book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced reader’s copy.
The Shadow Enemy is a solid YA story that plunges readers into a shattered realm where one side is stuck in unending daylight, and the other forever in shadow. I loved Mika, but felt that Wren’s POV was shallow and not as well thought out or powerful. The world building could’ve used more creative explanations for the monsters and reasons why each kingdom was separated—not just physically, but culturally as well. Additionally, the chemistry between Mika and Lynx—while physically described—did not feel emotionally earned. I still loved the story and the characters were lovable. I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a fast paced fantasy and would consider picking up book 2.
The Shadow Enemy is a solid YA story that plunges readers into a shattered realm where one side is stuck in unending daylight, and the other forever in shadow. I loved Mika, but felt that Wren’s POV was shallow and not as well thought out or powerful. The world building could’ve used more creative explanations for the monsters and reasons why each kingdom was separated—not just physically, but culturally as well. Additionally, the chemistry between Mika and Lynx—while physically described—did not feel emotionally earned. I still loved the story and the characters were lovable. I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a fast paced fantasy and would consider picking up book 2.
March 10, 2026
I really loved this book Princess Mika, who kidnaps an enemy prince in a world of light and dark. It is the first book in The Rift Saga and focuses on forced proximity, grief, and morally grey characters.
Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, snarky banter, and emotional damage. The world building is so good.
Princess Mika, a warrior burdened by prophecy, seeks to protect her brother and kingdom. After kidnapping a "Dark Prince," she is abducted by his brother, forcing her into a dangerous, magical, and romantic entanglement with her enemy.
Mika is stubborn, sassy, strong, and immature (reminder this is YA and the beginning of her journey)
I’m excited and looking forward to continue this series with book 2.
Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, snarky banter, and emotional damage. The world building is so good.
Princess Mika, a warrior burdened by prophecy, seeks to protect her brother and kingdom. After kidnapping a "Dark Prince," she is abducted by his brother, forcing her into a dangerous, magical, and romantic entanglement with her enemy.
Mika is stubborn, sassy, strong, and immature (reminder this is YA and the beginning of her journey)
I’m excited and looking forward to continue this series with book 2.
September 5, 2026
Pacing was off and sometimes very slow, especially at the beginning. Only got better after the kidnapping. The whole Rafiq thing was just drawn out for too long. Odd wording and sentences, sometimes took me several tries to understand (and I'm not talking about the odd typo that did happen occasionally but weren't serious.)
The story itself though was very good and I loved the characters. Mika was delightfully flawed at the beginning and learned throughout the story. Love the whole mystery and the prophecy (even if prophecy is painfully obvious in some parts like "princes." Eyeroll. LOL.) I do hope in book two to get more Wren and Nafi.
The story is solid and I adored the ride and I look forward to book two. Thank you to the author who I met at a book signing and signed my book.
The story itself though was very good and I loved the characters. Mika was delightfully flawed at the beginning and learned throughout the story. Love the whole mystery and the prophecy (even if prophecy is painfully obvious in some parts like "princes." Eyeroll. LOL.) I do hope in book two to get more Wren and Nafi.
The story is solid and I adored the ride and I look forward to book two. Thank you to the author who I met at a book signing and signed my book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Received this as an ARC.
I like this book for the most part. It was an easy read and I polished it off in a day.
It would be a good entrance book into the fantasy genre. No spice so appropriate for teenage readers.
I think it had a lot of potential and I enjoyed the world building. I think it could’ve had a little bit more detail to draw the reader in. I felt like some of the aspects didn’t fit like the addition of monsters, but maybe that is building up for the next book.
I appreciate it when the FMC doesn’t rely on a man to be strong. Mika was tough, but acknowledged her mistakes.
All in all, I would recommend it and I’m definitely interested in reading the second one.
I like this book for the most part. It was an easy read and I polished it off in a day.
It would be a good entrance book into the fantasy genre. No spice so appropriate for teenage readers.
I think it had a lot of potential and I enjoyed the world building. I think it could’ve had a little bit more detail to draw the reader in. I felt like some of the aspects didn’t fit like the addition of monsters, but maybe that is building up for the next book.
I appreciate it when the FMC doesn’t rely on a man to be strong. Mika was tough, but acknowledged her mistakes.
All in all, I would recommend it and I’m definitely interested in reading the second one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Shadow Enemy:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This story captivated me from the very first page. I’m anxious to get more answers in book 2!
One kingdom bathed in light ☀️
Another bathed in darkness 🌑
Both believe the other evil 👿
United against an unknown enemy ⚔️
To fulfill a prophecy neither kingdom knows in full 📜
Tropes:
Morally Grey
Forced proximity
Reluctant allies
Strong sibling bonds
Grief processing
Light vs dark
Snarky banter
Kidnapping for leverage
“Whatever magic connects us. It is volatile.”
“Somewhat handsome. Total a**hole.”
Thank you to Jane McGarry for allowing me to ARC read this book for you!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This story captivated me from the very first page. I’m anxious to get more answers in book 2!
One kingdom bathed in light ☀️
Another bathed in darkness 🌑
Both believe the other evil 👿
United against an unknown enemy ⚔️
To fulfill a prophecy neither kingdom knows in full 📜
Tropes:
Morally Grey
Forced proximity
Reluctant allies
Strong sibling bonds
Grief processing
Light vs dark
Snarky banter
Kidnapping for leverage
“Whatever magic connects us. It is volatile.”
“Somewhat handsome. Total a**hole.”
Thank you to Jane McGarry for allowing me to ARC read this book for you!
March 1, 2026
This was an interesting and unique fantasy read with focus on Light vs Dark. It is YA and that’s something to keep in mind while reading as the FMC, Mika, struggles to get a hold of her emotions a good bit of the book while dealing with grief and pressure of the prophecy. The immaturity/struggle does hold a purpose and has its place in the story, so push through!
The MMCs are all delightful! Wren is a bit uncertain but he does keep an open mind and fully thinks things through! Lynx is broody and temperamental but you can tell he is just working through the pressure of leading a kingdom. I do feel when he finally opens up a bit, it was a complete 180 switch with no warning. I would have liked POVs from all the siblings as it would have helped gain insight into their actions and thoughts. Maybe more in book 2?!
I did like the plot and the direction the book was going and it really captured my interest once I made it 80% into the book. All the twists and revelations!! So good. I didn’t want to put it down!
Seeing how the characters continued to struggle with their emotions and grow during the story made it easy to relate to and allowed you to connect to the characters and feel you are part of the story.
I would recommend to YA fantasy readers who enjoy a very slow paced book, a good plot with many twists and so much more to discover!
The MMCs are all delightful! Wren is a bit uncertain but he does keep an open mind and fully thinks things through! Lynx is broody and temperamental but you can tell he is just working through the pressure of leading a kingdom. I do feel when he finally opens up a bit, it was a complete 180 switch with no warning. I would have liked POVs from all the siblings as it would have helped gain insight into their actions and thoughts. Maybe more in book 2?!
I did like the plot and the direction the book was going and it really captured my interest once I made it 80% into the book. All the twists and revelations!! So good. I didn’t want to put it down!
Seeing how the characters continued to struggle with their emotions and grow during the story made it easy to relate to and allowed you to connect to the characters and feel you are part of the story.
I would recommend to YA fantasy readers who enjoy a very slow paced book, a good plot with many twists and so much more to discover!
March 1, 2026
The Shadow Enemy was a fun read! The worldbuilding is written so well; Jane McGarry's writing is easy to read and descriptive, which I loved! The FMC, Mika, is lovely to read about. She's fiery, sassy, and strongheaded. I adored reading about her relationship with her brother, Nafi. Their relationship was touching to read about, and I look forward to seeing how much stronger their familial bond gets in book 2. Also, I loved having Wren's POV. It was super interesting to read about him and his brother, Lynx; reading about all of the different familial ties in this book was great. I love the light v dark concept introduced as well as seeing how the two 'worlds' differ from Mika and Wren's POV. Thank you Jane McGarry and R&R book tours for providing me with an ARC to review!
March 1, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and JM Books for the ARC.
Plot 4.25/5
Characters 4/5
Ending 4.25/5
Interest 4/5
Overall 4/5
-I had a lot of fun reading this book. Seeing the two opposite worlds collide in a mysterious battle that brought sides don’t understand until quite later on, i loved seeing the developments. The plot of having the two sets of siblings separated was also very intriguing especially when it came to them discovering the worlds they were in.
-The characters were fine, I didn’t connect with them particularly but I enjoyed having Mika with Lynx in one world and Wren with Nafi in the other. The two respective sets of characters were quite similar to each other so it was interesting seeing how different their interactions were when they all wanted the same thing. The romance was alright, what bothered me is that they were always arguing with a lot of banter and once they slept together it was like it all disappeared and Lynx turned into a teddy bear. I wish that they kept some of their original dynamic.
-The ending isn’t exactly a cliffhanger but it’s not the ending you would want for these characters. So I would love to read more and see how things progress with the relationships of everyone and the development in the two separate worlds.
Plot 4.25/5
Characters 4/5
Ending 4.25/5
Interest 4/5
Overall 4/5
-I had a lot of fun reading this book. Seeing the two opposite worlds collide in a mysterious battle that brought sides don’t understand until quite later on, i loved seeing the developments. The plot of having the two sets of siblings separated was also very intriguing especially when it came to them discovering the worlds they were in.
-The characters were fine, I didn’t connect with them particularly but I enjoyed having Mika with Lynx in one world and Wren with Nafi in the other. The two respective sets of characters were quite similar to each other so it was interesting seeing how different their interactions were when they all wanted the same thing. The romance was alright, what bothered me is that they were always arguing with a lot of banter and once they slept together it was like it all disappeared and Lynx turned into a teddy bear. I wish that they kept some of their original dynamic.
-The ending isn’t exactly a cliffhanger but it’s not the ending you would want for these characters. So I would love to read more and see how things progress with the relationships of everyone and the development in the two separate worlds.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This sun versus night kingdoms fantasy is written so well! I easily kept up with the pacing, the plot line, and development and also finished it in a day from not wanting to put it down.
The midplot development added a slight mystery element that sets up Book 2 perfectly and the conclusion was slightly sneaky, not quite a cliff hanger but perhaps a hill hanger?
I do wish there was a little more build up for the romantic subplot, it felt intsta love to me and would love to see if our FMC heals a little more from her issues to gain some more maturity.
The midplot development added a slight mystery element that sets up Book 2 perfectly and the conclusion was slightly sneaky, not quite a cliff hanger but perhaps a hill hanger?
I do wish there was a little more build up for the romantic subplot, it felt intsta love to me and would love to see if our FMC heals a little more from her issues to gain some more maturity.
March 11, 2026
Arc Review
The Shadow Enemy The Rift Saga Book 1 by Jane McGarry
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you JM Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This book was really good and I didn't want it to end, I sat and read it in a 6 hour sitting and I have no regrets besides I finished it and I wasn't ready for it to end.
I loved the characters, and the plot and world-building was amazing. I wish I could read this again for the first time!!
#TheShadowEnemy #NetGalley
The Shadow Enemy The Rift Saga Book 1 by Jane McGarry
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you JM Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This book was really good and I didn't want it to end, I sat and read it in a 6 hour sitting and I have no regrets besides I finished it and I wasn't ready for it to end.
I loved the characters, and the plot and world-building was amazing. I wish I could read this again for the first time!!
#TheShadowEnemy #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
this is the first book in a YA series. it has the shadow realm and light realms, separated by 'the rift'. we meet 2 dark princes and the crown prince of the realm of light and his twin sister, princess Mika. Mika starts off blinded by grief, full of rage and anger. but the character development is next level.
such a great book to begin your journey into the world of fantasy and it is not ruled by spice which is so refreshing! really looking forward to the next book.
such a great book to begin your journey into the world of fantasy and it is not ruled by spice which is so refreshing! really looking forward to the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5⭐️ I really enjoys this book. It was a good easy read that had good world and character building. There were a couple areas that moved a little faster or slower than it could have but overall it did not take away from the story. Once I got into the book I found it hard to put down and was invested in finding out what happened next. Would recommend and will definitely be reading the next book. I received this as an ARC and I am leaving an honest review.
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