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The Shadowlands Duology #1
Eternal
In the Shadowlands, death is not the end.
It’s a chance to live again.
Hildegard is a shieldmaiden, tasked with defending her clan from Issarya, the kingdom to the south. The clans’ territory sits atop rich, fertile land that the starving desert kingdom desperately wants. They’ll do anything to take it for themselves and Hildegard is determined to stop them and keep her family safe, trusting in the gods to grant her victory. But the gods have been strangely silent…
Aleksander is a seer—the only one in Issarya—working for the king. He yearns to be a soldier and help strike back at the northern raiders, but a weak heart prevents him from doing so. Plagued by troubling visions of the future and pressured by the king to make sense of them, Aleksander finds himself caught up in a plot threatening the king’s life.
Suddenly, both Hilde and Alek meet violent ends at the hands of others and find themselves not in a peaceful afterlife, but the Shadowlands, caught up in an eternal war between the gods. For the one who can prove themself worthy and bring an end to the war, they will be returned to the living world, their life restored, a second chance secured.
But to do so, Hildegard and Aleksander will have to compete against their fellow soldiers in the afterlife—and each other. For only one can live again.
It’s a chance to live again.
Hildegard is a shieldmaiden, tasked with defending her clan from Issarya, the kingdom to the south. The clans’ territory sits atop rich, fertile land that the starving desert kingdom desperately wants. They’ll do anything to take it for themselves and Hildegard is determined to stop them and keep her family safe, trusting in the gods to grant her victory. But the gods have been strangely silent…
Aleksander is a seer—the only one in Issarya—working for the king. He yearns to be a soldier and help strike back at the northern raiders, but a weak heart prevents him from doing so. Plagued by troubling visions of the future and pressured by the king to make sense of them, Aleksander finds himself caught up in a plot threatening the king’s life.
Suddenly, both Hilde and Alek meet violent ends at the hands of others and find themselves not in a peaceful afterlife, but the Shadowlands, caught up in an eternal war between the gods. For the one who can prove themself worthy and bring an end to the war, they will be returned to the living world, their life restored, a second chance secured.
But to do so, Hildegard and Aleksander will have to compete against their fellow soldiers in the afterlife—and each other. For only one can live again.
- GenresFantasy
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 2, 2026
About the author
Rachel Terry
7 books67 followersRachel Terry grew up in a small town where nothing much ever happened, dreaming of grand adventures and far-away places, which she found between the pages of books. When not writing, she can be found reading, making YouTube videos, gaming with friends, or indulging in her love of history. She currently resides in the Midwest with her family and a cat named Crinkles.
Visit her online at: rachel-terry.com
YouTube: RachelTerryAuthor
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Visit her online at: rachel-terry.com
YouTube: RachelTerryAuthor
Instagram: rterrywriter
Facebook: rachelterryauthor
TikTok: rterrywriter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
May 12, 2026
Y’all don’t even KNOW! THIS WAS SUCH A GREAT BOOK!
Content warnings:
Sexual content: None
Language: Hell, damn, and shit (all used infrequently)
Violence/gore: Violence— lots, gore—none (iykyk)
First thing you should know: These characters are in their mid twenties and THEY ACT LIKE IT!
What do I mean by that?
Enemies though they (or rather, their nations) are, they don’t do the whole miscommunication thing every two seconds, they get over their prejudices for the goal, they don’t drawl on about how much they hate each other, they treat one another like humans (even if they have always been taught to think the other side was below them), and they aren’t holding daggers to each others throats and constantly trying to kill each other (aside from when they… uhh… meet…).
This book starts with each character going about their life in their respective nations.
Alek is a poor Issaryan seer with a heart condition. He’s strong in character, and he has a beautiful soul, but even when he gets a vision, he can never tell if that’s what it is or if he is just blacking out because of his heart. Breathing is physical exertion for him. BUT WHO CARES! I LOVE HIM!
Hilde is a Hinterland shieldmaiden in the Crow clan. Warrior, born and bred. She’s strong, and she hates the Issaryans with every part of who she is. She has a family who loves her, and a good life.
Until she gets deadified (no spoilers for you) and ends up in the Shadowlands (where the story takes place).
Same thing for Alek (but it’s kinda a blessing for him bc… he doesn’t have to deal with that heart condition anymore).
I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS!!!! Yes, even the FMC, Hilde! SHES GREAT! Imagine a strong and confident in her skill FMC that knew when she was outmatched/outskilled. And still did her best. Like, she went up against plenty of grown men much larger than her, but there were some she couldn’t deal with alone. Some… she… (excuse me while I cry bc I’m still stuck on that last 10% of the book 😭😭)
She hates Issaryans, so when she sees Alek the first time, she kills him. Multiple times. And then they don’t interact again for a WHILE.
But when they do, you know what she does? She recognizes the benefit of working together, just them… and she gets over herself. Her POV isn’t constant hate towards him, she isn’t constantly insulting him, AND SHE TEACHES HIM HOW TO FIGHT!!!!!!! (Which, honestly, I’d take that scene over any “he teaches her” scene any day! Why? Because it wasn’t full of lust and sexual tension, it made sense and it grew the characters— plural.)
Ugggg, idk… like, you can’t give me someone as epic as Hilde for an FMC and not expect me to love her. She’s just such a breath of fresh air from most FMCs I’ve read (and especially the one I read most recently), it’s just so hard not to understand her, empathize with her, cheer her on, and want her to get back!
Also, like, she wants to be just a hardened warrior, but she can’t not be soft. Multiple moments she is so compassionate towards characters, and it’s so nice to see.
“The Shadowlands might be cruel, but that doesn’t mean I have to be.”
Idk… all I can say is that Hilde is my favorite FMC I’ve ever read!
ALEK! I LOVE him! WHEN I SAY I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS I MEAN IT!
Alek had a vision. Before he “died”. It was of Hildegard Bjornarsdottir. He didn’t know how their fates were intertwined, didn’t even know who she was… until that heartwarming moment that she runs at him with an axe and imbeds it in his chest. 🫶
Obviously, he’s been taught his WHOLE life that Hinterlanders were barbarians. What did this do to ease that teaching? Absolutely nothing.
Can Alek deny the draw he has to her? Not a chance. The gods gave him the vision for a reason.
Alek proposes an alliance. Hilde is against it, but remember what I said about her putting prejudice aside? She does. And she agrees to teach him how to fight (bc my boy has zero experience).
Alek is so precious. Like, golden retriever 100%, but he is still a grown man. He still acts like it. He’s gentle and compassionate, but he does what he can to protect those (*cough* Hilde) around him.
Also, he’s so unintentionally funny (to me)!
There were multiple moments I wanted to cry for him. Neither he nor Hilde deserved this, and by golly they break my heart! I also love how Alek, on multiple occasions, is terrified… but he either says or thinks, “I’m not a coward!” And just goes for it 😆. He’s amazing!
MOVING ON! (I could go on about how much I ADORE those two for AGES)
I feel like I should give a brief explanation of the Shadowlands situation before I move on:
Some people that die go to the Shadowlands instead of the afterlife. Two gods, a brother and sister, were cursed to fight there until one could beat the other. Unfortunately, those gods were evenly matched, and they needed a human champion to tip the scales.
One god is Medua, the sister, the goddess of war.
The other is Camir, the brother, the god of war.
So, when you arrive, you spawn at a keep. Either Medua or Camir. The objective is to get to Heralds keep (where the gods are fighting eternally) and become the champion and go back to the mortal world.
But only one soul can win.
Camir and Medua may be opposing keeps, but you’re fighting those from your own keep as well. Everyone has a reason they’re fighting to go back to the mortal world, but not everyone can make it back.
(This whole thing… makes me want to sob all over again)
So basically, the keeps are like spawn points. You can journey for DAYS to the keep, but if someone (or something) strikes you down, you die again and respawn at the keep.
An endless cycle until someone finally becomes champion.
I LOVED the way the author did the world building! It was so cool to me! Like, the whole concept was epic, but even just parts of the world-building were great!
Being dead, you can’t bleed in the Shadowlands, but wounds can still be fatal. Stabbed in the thigh? You may not die right away… but if you would bleed out in the real world, then you’ll fade and respawn in the Shadowlands.
I loved that she explored how some people didn’t want to fight and instead chose simple lives outside of being trapped in the endless game of death after death.
Another thing I loved that the author did, is she gave us a glimpse at the characters day-to-day before they were sent to the Shadowlands! We have a reason to want them to win. We see what their lives were like, what they left behind, what they really want. They didn’t die in chapter one like most people would expect. I thought that was great.
Oh, and the romance? It was SO well done! WHEN I SAY I WANT SLOWBURN I MEAN THAT I WANT THIS!
The author does SUCH a beautiful job at building their trust instead of their lust. There are maybe one or two occasions in the first 90% that he passively thinks she’s beautiful, but there’s no constant reminder that they think each other are hot or that they’re feral-ly attracted to one another.
Their relationship builds on the small things. Things that don’t even seem like relationship building until it just, becomes that. It’s slow. Natural. It feels so right, and it makes me so happy. I WANT their relationship to succeed. Not because she stole his breath by wearing a dress that highlighted her curves, but because she saved a fox from a trap and he took note of it.
Not because he made her blush by looking at her and saying sweet nothings, but because he would move his shield during a spray of arrows to better protect both himself and her. Wordlessly.
There’s so many small moments they take not of about each other, so many little details, that you don’t even realize you’ve fallen in love with them just as they fell in love with one another.
It’s genuinely one of, if not the best, written romance I’ve ever read. Like, sobbing kind of beautiful.
Also, tell me why the author makes all of these emotions feel so really? I NEVER cry in books, but not only did I cry over them, I cried over Hilde. What she had lost. What she was mourning. She felt so real, her pain felt so real. Too many times these characters broke my heart 😭.
Also, the duel-fight scenes… OH MY GOSH! I love them so much together 😭😭😭
Uggggggg!!!!! I’m going through my kindle notes and highlights (it was an arc so they don’t show up on here), and like, I want to include SO MANY THINGS, but I don’t want to spoil it! I just want people to read the book! And I want their hearts to shatter like mine did! 😩
OH! And they don’t guess about their feelings. It’s not a “I think they like me back, but idk. But he—-, but also—-, then again—-“ type of thing.
They know. The other doesn’t even have to say it. Neither of them WANT to say it because of the stipulations on this whole thing. But they know. They’re both aware of how the other feels.
And it’s beautiful!
When I tell y’all tears were literally streaming down my face toward the end, I mean in. I was actually choking. I was trying not to be loud bc it was 1am, but also my heart was being absolutely abolished, so I was just sitting there dying, trying my best to read through the tears. Never in my life have I experienced that with a book. 😭
I’m just gonna leave this quote here:
“I don’t want to leave you.”
“I know, but you have a life to live, a family to go back to. You are not mine to own or claim.”
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Just— just— UGGG! JUST READ THE BOOK!
I received a copy of this book as an ARC! 😭 And— and book two isn’t even out yet 😭😭😭
Content warnings:
Sexual content: None
Language: Hell, damn, and shit (all used infrequently)
Violence/gore: Violence— lots, gore—none (iykyk)
First thing you should know: These characters are in their mid twenties and THEY ACT LIKE IT!
What do I mean by that?
Enemies though they (or rather, their nations) are, they don’t do the whole miscommunication thing every two seconds, they get over their prejudices for the goal, they don’t drawl on about how much they hate each other, they treat one another like humans (even if they have always been taught to think the other side was below them), and they aren’t holding daggers to each others throats and constantly trying to kill each other (aside from when they… uhh… meet…).
This book starts with each character going about their life in their respective nations.
Alek is a poor Issaryan seer with a heart condition. He’s strong in character, and he has a beautiful soul, but even when he gets a vision, he can never tell if that’s what it is or if he is just blacking out because of his heart. Breathing is physical exertion for him. BUT WHO CARES! I LOVE HIM!
Hilde is a Hinterland shieldmaiden in the Crow clan. Warrior, born and bred. She’s strong, and she hates the Issaryans with every part of who she is. She has a family who loves her, and a good life.
Until she gets deadified (no spoilers for you) and ends up in the Shadowlands (where the story takes place).
Same thing for Alek (but it’s kinda a blessing for him bc… he doesn’t have to deal with that heart condition anymore).
I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS!!!! Yes, even the FMC, Hilde! SHES GREAT! Imagine a strong and confident in her skill FMC that knew when she was outmatched/outskilled. And still did her best. Like, she went up against plenty of grown men much larger than her, but there were some she couldn’t deal with alone. Some… she… (excuse me while I cry bc I’m still stuck on that last 10% of the book 😭😭)
She hates Issaryans, so when she sees Alek the first time, she kills him. Multiple times. And then they don’t interact again for a WHILE.
But when they do, you know what she does? She recognizes the benefit of working together, just them… and she gets over herself. Her POV isn’t constant hate towards him, she isn’t constantly insulting him, AND SHE TEACHES HIM HOW TO FIGHT!!!!!!! (Which, honestly, I’d take that scene over any “he teaches her” scene any day! Why? Because it wasn’t full of lust and sexual tension, it made sense and it grew the characters— plural.)
Ugggg, idk… like, you can’t give me someone as epic as Hilde for an FMC and not expect me to love her. She’s just such a breath of fresh air from most FMCs I’ve read (and especially the one I read most recently), it’s just so hard not to understand her, empathize with her, cheer her on, and want her to get back!
Also, like, she wants to be just a hardened warrior, but she can’t not be soft. Multiple moments she is so compassionate towards characters, and it’s so nice to see.
“The Shadowlands might be cruel, but that doesn’t mean I have to be.”
Idk… all I can say is that Hilde is my favorite FMC I’ve ever read!
ALEK! I LOVE him! WHEN I SAY I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS I MEAN IT!
Alek had a vision. Before he “died”. It was of Hildegard Bjornarsdottir. He didn’t know how their fates were intertwined, didn’t even know who she was… until that heartwarming moment that she runs at him with an axe and imbeds it in his chest. 🫶
Obviously, he’s been taught his WHOLE life that Hinterlanders were barbarians. What did this do to ease that teaching? Absolutely nothing.
Can Alek deny the draw he has to her? Not a chance. The gods gave him the vision for a reason.
Alek proposes an alliance. Hilde is against it, but remember what I said about her putting prejudice aside? She does. And she agrees to teach him how to fight (bc my boy has zero experience).
Alek is so precious. Like, golden retriever 100%, but he is still a grown man. He still acts like it. He’s gentle and compassionate, but he does what he can to protect those (*cough* Hilde) around him.
Also, he’s so unintentionally funny (to me)!
There were multiple moments I wanted to cry for him. Neither he nor Hilde deserved this, and by golly they break my heart! I also love how Alek, on multiple occasions, is terrified… but he either says or thinks, “I’m not a coward!” And just goes for it 😆. He’s amazing!
MOVING ON! (I could go on about how much I ADORE those two for AGES)
I feel like I should give a brief explanation of the Shadowlands situation before I move on:
Some people that die go to the Shadowlands instead of the afterlife. Two gods, a brother and sister, were cursed to fight there until one could beat the other. Unfortunately, those gods were evenly matched, and they needed a human champion to tip the scales.
One god is Medua, the sister, the goddess of war.
The other is Camir, the brother, the god of war.
So, when you arrive, you spawn at a keep. Either Medua or Camir. The objective is to get to Heralds keep (where the gods are fighting eternally) and become the champion and go back to the mortal world.
But only one soul can win.
Camir and Medua may be opposing keeps, but you’re fighting those from your own keep as well. Everyone has a reason they’re fighting to go back to the mortal world, but not everyone can make it back.
(This whole thing… makes me want to sob all over again)
So basically, the keeps are like spawn points. You can journey for DAYS to the keep, but if someone (or something) strikes you down, you die again and respawn at the keep.
An endless cycle until someone finally becomes champion.
I LOVED the way the author did the world building! It was so cool to me! Like, the whole concept was epic, but even just parts of the world-building were great!
Being dead, you can’t bleed in the Shadowlands, but wounds can still be fatal. Stabbed in the thigh? You may not die right away… but if you would bleed out in the real world, then you’ll fade and respawn in the Shadowlands.
I loved that she explored how some people didn’t want to fight and instead chose simple lives outside of being trapped in the endless game of death after death.
Another thing I loved that the author did, is she gave us a glimpse at the characters day-to-day before they were sent to the Shadowlands! We have a reason to want them to win. We see what their lives were like, what they left behind, what they really want. They didn’t die in chapter one like most people would expect. I thought that was great.
Oh, and the romance? It was SO well done! WHEN I SAY I WANT SLOWBURN I MEAN THAT I WANT THIS!
The author does SUCH a beautiful job at building their trust instead of their lust. There are maybe one or two occasions in the first 90% that he passively thinks she’s beautiful, but there’s no constant reminder that they think each other are hot or that they’re feral-ly attracted to one another.
Their relationship builds on the small things. Things that don’t even seem like relationship building until it just, becomes that. It’s slow. Natural. It feels so right, and it makes me so happy. I WANT their relationship to succeed. Not because she stole his breath by wearing a dress that highlighted her curves, but because she saved a fox from a trap and he took note of it.
Not because he made her blush by looking at her and saying sweet nothings, but because he would move his shield during a spray of arrows to better protect both himself and her. Wordlessly.
There’s so many small moments they take not of about each other, so many little details, that you don’t even realize you’ve fallen in love with them just as they fell in love with one another.
It’s genuinely one of, if not the best, written romance I’ve ever read. Like, sobbing kind of beautiful.
Also, tell me why the author makes all of these emotions feel so really? I NEVER cry in books, but not only did I cry over them, I cried over Hilde. What she had lost. What she was mourning. She felt so real, her pain felt so real. Too many times these characters broke my heart 😭.
Also, the duel-fight scenes… OH MY GOSH! I love them so much together 😭😭😭
Uggggggg!!!!! I’m going through my kindle notes and highlights (it was an arc so they don’t show up on here), and like, I want to include SO MANY THINGS, but I don’t want to spoil it! I just want people to read the book! And I want their hearts to shatter like mine did! 😩
OH! And they don’t guess about their feelings. It’s not a “I think they like me back, but idk. But he—-, but also—-, then again—-“ type of thing.
They know. The other doesn’t even have to say it. Neither of them WANT to say it because of the stipulations on this whole thing. But they know. They’re both aware of how the other feels.
And it’s beautiful!
When I tell y’all tears were literally streaming down my face toward the end, I mean in. I was actually choking. I was trying not to be loud bc it was 1am, but also my heart was being absolutely abolished, so I was just sitting there dying, trying my best to read through the tears. Never in my life have I experienced that with a book. 😭
I’m just gonna leave this quote here:
“I don’t want to leave you.”
“I know, but you have a life to live, a family to go back to. You are not mine to own or claim.”
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Just— just— UGGG! JUST READ THE BOOK!
I received a copy of this book as an ARC! 😭 And— and book two isn’t even out yet 😭😭😭
June 5, 2026
Within the first chapter we got our FMC just slaying her enemies, and I was thoroughly hooked! Throughout the book you see the dynamic of our FMC and MMC change drastically from enemies to friends to something more 👀. We can see both of them battling what happened in the past and how they wonder if they could change it, or focus on changing the future (if there even is a future). You also learn that sometimes the people you used to trust with your life, can later become the ones who stab you in the back. There are so instances of character growth and development throughout the book and honestly it kept me so engaged. I was excited to see how this was going to go and that ending has me wanting so much more. Like the story just ends, leaving me with so many more questions than answers, and I. Ant wait to see where the author takes the story from here. ☺️
June 3, 2026
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
I received a copy of this book as an ARC and I feel very blessed.
First I should say I can not wait for the second book! Second “The Shadowlands might be cruel, but that doesn’t mean I have to be.” I love this book!
Hilde being a shieldmaiden in the Crow Clan and hating the Issaryans with all she has but being able to see past her hatred in order to work together, and Alek with his gentle compassion wanting to protect her even when he's scared and has no clue how to fight. The world building of the Shadowlands in this book were absolute cinema not to mention the character growth for both Hilde and Alek in this book chefs kiss!
“I don’t want to leave you.”
“I know, but you have a life to live, a family to go back to. You are not mine to own or claim.”
I received a copy of this book as an ARC and I feel very blessed.
First I should say I can not wait for the second book! Second “The Shadowlands might be cruel, but that doesn’t mean I have to be.” I love this book!
Hilde being a shieldmaiden in the Crow Clan and hating the Issaryans with all she has but being able to see past her hatred in order to work together, and Alek with his gentle compassion wanting to protect her even when he's scared and has no clue how to fight. The world building of the Shadowlands in this book were absolute cinema not to mention the character growth for both Hilde and Alek in this book chefs kiss!
“I don’t want to leave you.”
“I know, but you have a life to live, a family to go back to. You are not mine to own or claim.”
June 7, 2026
Absolutely phenomenal!!! At first I thought the story was gonna be a fantasy about war and protecting the king when the seer kept having visions, but it went way deeper than that, he was actually seeing into his future self. And what a strong FMC, she was amazing. So strong. I absolutely loved this story, it's everything I love in a fantasy book
June 10, 2026
This was an advanced copy. Thank you so much. In the beginning the story seemed promising. Once they started introducing characters it became a little too much for me. I felt confused and a lot was going on. I also think that part of it was me . I have the most difficult time with third persons pov. Thank you for giving me the chance to read it.
August 17, 2026
This Nordic inspired fantasy was gripping, heart wrenching, and filled with both tragedy and hope!
Hildegard, a shield maiden of Crow, is fierce, courageous, stubborn, yet truly seeks to save her family and clan from the Issaryans. Alek as a main male lead was so refreshing! He is a seer who suffered with a heart condition in the mortal world and the after effects of his visions. He is brave, diligent, and insightful. Now this story is a true enemies to lovers tale, with Hildegarde trying to do away with Alek the first time they meet in the Shadowlands. And Alek thinks all of Hildegarde’s people are barbarians, including her.
The magic system of the shadowlands was unique, with all those souls trapped there in the afterlife fighting to become the human champion, with a chance to live again. The love story was sweet, and it came to be like slowly falling snowflakes. I will say that the ending ripped my heart out but gave me so much hope for what is to come in book 2!
Romantic Content: ❌ No Spice
CW: Loss of Loved Ones, Death, Heart Condition, Mild Swearing, Betrayal
Hildegard, a shield maiden of Crow, is fierce, courageous, stubborn, yet truly seeks to save her family and clan from the Issaryans. Alek as a main male lead was so refreshing! He is a seer who suffered with a heart condition in the mortal world and the after effects of his visions. He is brave, diligent, and insightful. Now this story is a true enemies to lovers tale, with Hildegarde trying to do away with Alek the first time they meet in the Shadowlands. And Alek thinks all of Hildegarde’s people are barbarians, including her.
The magic system of the shadowlands was unique, with all those souls trapped there in the afterlife fighting to become the human champion, with a chance to live again. The love story was sweet, and it came to be like slowly falling snowflakes. I will say that the ending ripped my heart out but gave me so much hope for what is to come in book 2!
Romantic Content: ❌ No Spice
CW: Loss of Loved Ones, Death, Heart Condition, Mild Swearing, Betrayal
August 18, 2026
LOVED THIS!
The world details are so good and I enjoyed the characters. Enemies to lovers done well. The writing was really good, I couldn't put it down, especially the second half.
OMG that ending! Can't wait for Legend!
The world details are so good and I enjoyed the characters. Enemies to lovers done well. The writing was really good, I couldn't put it down, especially the second half.
OMG that ending! Can't wait for Legend!
June 6, 2026
This follows two people from warring clans who die and are sent to the Shadowlands where they have a chance at living again. To get this opportunity, they must end an eternal war that has been going on between two sibling gods within the Shadowlands that no one has ever been successful before. Hilde is determined to be the one to end it, and she reluctantly recruits Alek, her enemy, to help.
This was such a refreshing book to read. First off, it’s unique. These two that we meet in the first few chapters and get to know a bit about them and their personalities where they’re from, their family and the relationships they may have with others. And then that’s all taken away when they die and have to figure out how they can go back while also trying not to “die” again. I just have never read a book like this before.
I loved the Norse mythology inspired world. And despite most of the book taking place in the Shadowlands, you get to learn quite a bit about the world, the clans kingdoms before we sucked into the Shadowlands.
We get to learn about the people and some of the main characters and side characters. I expected a found family to develop at first, but then that clearly wasn’t going to happen, and again, this book had tropes that were hinted at, but then the book takes a turn I don’t expect, and I just loved that.
I loved Hilde. She’s tough, she’s stubborn and determined, and loves her family fiercely. And despite her extreme hatred towards Alek, she’s mature enough to know she needs help and is willing to get his help. She’s not kind at first, but she’s not petty, and I was so happy. I get so upset when so many authors portray these strong female characters, but they’re always bratty and petty. For once, I get to read a book with a strong female character who is good in a fight, but is not a brat or petty towards her enemy.
Then we have Alek. I’m used to the broody and grumpy male characters. I love them, but it was refreshing to read about a male character who is soft and kind, who has a heart condition, and yet cares and loves fiercely. His situation was one of the more devastating and unfair, and I just loved him with Hilde. He definitely threw her for a loop when he would react in a way she didn’t expect being her enemy.
They both grew to get her in a way. And the romance is such a slow burn, but a natural one. They learn about each other slowly and most of their interactions are them sparring, but there’s small moments where they get to know one another, and realize they both have similar thinking and the love that slowly grows is beautiful and heartbreaking since it seems doomed from the start.
I just loved this story so much. That ending hurt and I’m very much looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was such a refreshing book to read. First off, it’s unique. These two that we meet in the first few chapters and get to know a bit about them and their personalities where they’re from, their family and the relationships they may have with others. And then that’s all taken away when they die and have to figure out how they can go back while also trying not to “die” again. I just have never read a book like this before.
I loved the Norse mythology inspired world. And despite most of the book taking place in the Shadowlands, you get to learn quite a bit about the world, the clans kingdoms before we sucked into the Shadowlands.
We get to learn about the people and some of the main characters and side characters. I expected a found family to develop at first, but then that clearly wasn’t going to happen, and again, this book had tropes that were hinted at, but then the book takes a turn I don’t expect, and I just loved that.
I loved Hilde. She’s tough, she’s stubborn and determined, and loves her family fiercely. And despite her extreme hatred towards Alek, she’s mature enough to know she needs help and is willing to get his help. She’s not kind at first, but she’s not petty, and I was so happy. I get so upset when so many authors portray these strong female characters, but they’re always bratty and petty. For once, I get to read a book with a strong female character who is good in a fight, but is not a brat or petty towards her enemy.
Then we have Alek. I’m used to the broody and grumpy male characters. I love them, but it was refreshing to read about a male character who is soft and kind, who has a heart condition, and yet cares and loves fiercely. His situation was one of the more devastating and unfair, and I just loved him with Hilde. He definitely threw her for a loop when he would react in a way she didn’t expect being her enemy.
They both grew to get her in a way. And the romance is such a slow burn, but a natural one. They learn about each other slowly and most of their interactions are them sparring, but there’s small moments where they get to know one another, and realize they both have similar thinking and the love that slowly grows is beautiful and heartbreaking since it seems doomed from the start.
I just loved this story so much. That ending hurt and I’m very much looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
eARC provided by author in exhange for an honest review, thank you!
3.75 stars rounded up to 4
For me, this story started slowly. Admittedly, I feel this way about most books so I wasn't too upset. However, I found most of the way the story moved to be predictable. Sometimes it was enjoyable and others times it wasn't. I much preferred Alek's POV over Hilde (especially at the beginning), but until the end of part 1, both were kinda boring.
My personal hook was the end of chapter 8. Something happened that I didn't predict and that was really fun. I found my interest waning again after that, a lot of the book felt like it wanted to be detailed and give context but I personally found it a bit much and sometimes bordering on boring. For example, sometimes trees would be describes as fir, pine or oak and then other times it would just be other. Or Alek's condition would sometimes be referred to generally and other times be called a heart condition. It felt awkward and personally threw me off. Toward the end, I sometimes felt like the characters weren't necessarily moving through the story and were more being not so subtly guided, but I still enjoyed the ending overall.
Around chapter 21, when our two MCs finally speak, the story got interesting again. And it remained that way through to the end; the last third of the book was good, I just wish the first two thirds of the book was like the end.
The story did have these sparks of really interesting moments that I enjoyed, but they felt few and far between before the last third of the book. I did care about the characters, though, both of them even if I liked Alek more. But it was nice to watch Hilde's growth. And I have a bunch of questions about the other characters. And I'm interested in the Gods/deities of this world, mythology is something I always find interesting.
I also like dual or multi POV books so that was something I expected to enjoy, and did. Comparing Alek and Hilde's internal monologues to what was actually said or done was amusing on more than one occasion. Especially as the book progressed and you come to understand their motives and who they are a bit more.
The concept of this book is interesting, the idea of fighting in the afterlife for a chance to be alive again makes me intrigued even now. After the ending, I do admit I want to know what happens in book 2 and will likely read it. I absolutely at least want to know what happens.
3.75 stars rounded up to 4
For me, this story started slowly. Admittedly, I feel this way about most books so I wasn't too upset. However, I found most of the way the story moved to be predictable. Sometimes it was enjoyable and others times it wasn't. I much preferred Alek's POV over Hilde (especially at the beginning), but until the end of part 1, both were kinda boring.
My personal hook was the end of chapter 8. Something happened that I didn't predict and that was really fun. I found my interest waning again after that, a lot of the book felt like it wanted to be detailed and give context but I personally found it a bit much and sometimes bordering on boring. For example, sometimes trees would be describes as fir, pine or oak and then other times it would just be other. Or Alek's condition would sometimes be referred to generally and other times be called a heart condition. It felt awkward and personally threw me off. Toward the end, I sometimes felt like the characters weren't necessarily moving through the story and were more being not so subtly guided, but I still enjoyed the ending overall.
Around chapter 21, when our two MCs finally speak, the story got interesting again. And it remained that way through to the end; the last third of the book was good, I just wish the first two thirds of the book was like the end.
The story did have these sparks of really interesting moments that I enjoyed, but they felt few and far between before the last third of the book. I did care about the characters, though, both of them even if I liked Alek more. But it was nice to watch Hilde's growth. And I have a bunch of questions about the other characters. And I'm interested in the Gods/deities of this world, mythology is something I always find interesting.
I also like dual or multi POV books so that was something I expected to enjoy, and did. Comparing Alek and Hilde's internal monologues to what was actually said or done was amusing on more than one occasion. Especially as the book progressed and you come to understand their motives and who they are a bit more.
The concept of this book is interesting, the idea of fighting in the afterlife for a chance to be alive again makes me intrigued even now. After the ending, I do admit I want to know what happens in book 2 and will likely read it. I absolutely at least want to know what happens.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this ARC copy directly from the author and I thank you for the privilege of reading this book prior to its release date.
First off this book was easily a four star read for me I was in a reading slump and the entire month of May and this was one that helped pull me out of that slump!
⚔️ This is an enemies to lovers book with no spice!
⚔️ It is a duology and is the first book in the series and Legend will be the second
⚔️ this is a dual POV following both the FMC and MMC
The story of Hilde and Alek was highly adventurous and wonderfully written. Hilde a sheildmaiden of Crow and Alek a seer of the neighboring enemy land should have never crossed paths however fate had a different plan for both of them. In the shadowlands of death both of these unexpected characters meet fueled with hatred and animosity. Through the many challenges they face in the eternal war of the shadowlands they avoid each other at all cost. Until they are brought together despite their hate for each other’s home land.
Alek is an Issaryan and Hilde is a Hinterlander hailing from one of the four clans. They are destined to hate one another from birth always being at war for claim to land that neither will never give up. Despite the prejudice of each other’s upbringing when the two finally come together they know that only one can succeed but they still need each other. Alek in the living world had a heart condition the never allowed him to be a soldier or warrior and now he’s in the one place he must fight for a second chance at life, so he does the only thing he can do seek out Hilde to teach him how to fight.
Through the second half of the book both Hilde and Alek have to face many obstacles in their way as the try to make it to Herald’s Keep on multiple occasions the two of them eventually develop and relationship neither of them will be ready to give up. They slowly learn that neither of them are the person they expected them to be. They are officially in this together and decide neither will make it without the other. This book finishes in a way that is expected but also heartbreaking I am very curious to see how the next one picks up and how they come together to fix all the wrongs in the world!
“When we finally reach that keep, we’ll do it together.”
“A moment of pain. She’d close her eyes and when she opened them again, she’d be back in Medua’s keep, those familiar gray eyes waiting for her.Taking a deep breath, Hilde thrust the blade home.”
First off this book was easily a four star read for me I was in a reading slump and the entire month of May and this was one that helped pull me out of that slump!
⚔️ This is an enemies to lovers book with no spice!
⚔️ It is a duology and is the first book in the series and Legend will be the second
⚔️ this is a dual POV following both the FMC and MMC
The story of Hilde and Alek was highly adventurous and wonderfully written. Hilde a sheildmaiden of Crow and Alek a seer of the neighboring enemy land should have never crossed paths however fate had a different plan for both of them. In the shadowlands of death both of these unexpected characters meet fueled with hatred and animosity. Through the many challenges they face in the eternal war of the shadowlands they avoid each other at all cost. Until they are brought together despite their hate for each other’s home land.
Alek is an Issaryan and Hilde is a Hinterlander hailing from one of the four clans. They are destined to hate one another from birth always being at war for claim to land that neither will never give up. Despite the prejudice of each other’s upbringing when the two finally come together they know that only one can succeed but they still need each other. Alek in the living world had a heart condition the never allowed him to be a soldier or warrior and now he’s in the one place he must fight for a second chance at life, so he does the only thing he can do seek out Hilde to teach him how to fight.
Through the second half of the book both Hilde and Alek have to face many obstacles in their way as the try to make it to Herald’s Keep on multiple occasions the two of them eventually develop and relationship neither of them will be ready to give up. They slowly learn that neither of them are the person they expected them to be. They are officially in this together and decide neither will make it without the other. This book finishes in a way that is expected but also heartbreaking I am very curious to see how the next one picks up and how they come together to fix all the wrongs in the world!
“When we finally reach that keep, we’ll do it together.”
“A moment of pain. She’d close her eyes and when she opened them again, she’d be back in Medua’s keep, those familiar gray eyes waiting for her.Taking a deep breath, Hilde thrust the blade home.”
August 21, 2026
4 Stars
No Spice
Eternal was a delightful fast paced fantasy that had a taste of the Hunger Games but with MCs in their 20's. The book had heavy themes of violence, the afterlife and the affects of war.
Hildegard is a sword maiden from the cold Northern kingdom who defends her clans against the Southern desert armies. She has spent her adult years training and killing scores of soldiers. She even has a "game" with her mother to see who can kill more. They view the Southern army has nothing more then monsters who want their land.
Alek is a Seer, orphaned at a young age and brought to the palace to become a tool of the king. He has a heart condition which limits him physically. While the royal family don't have familiar love for him he is very loyal to them since he grew up with the princes in the palace.
Both Alek and Hilde are murdered and end up the Shadowlands, where you become a solider for the Gods in an eternal war. There can only be 1 winner who is granted a second chance of life. In a place where loyalty is non existence Alek is drawn to the Northern warrior woman he has seen in his visions. They start out as enemies but instead of a romantic arc Alex and Hilde build their trust on sharing pieces of their background with each other. In war there are no victors and placing blame on the other side doesn't solve their current issue to escape the Shadowlands or help their people back on the living side.
Alek is a walking green flag cinnamon roll- he has honor and integrity. I really enjoy watching Hilde gain trust and respect for him as they interact. The lines of being enemies blur as they work together to be the victor.
Hildei reminds me a little of Lara from the Broken Kingdom. She is a baddie with a sword but has a moral sense of integrity that no one expects from her. Instead of partnering with other warriors, she chooses Alek and then teaches him to fight. Where the Shadowlands almost forces you to be selfish and turn on everyone she still tries to remain true to herself.
Of course there is a HUGE cliffhanger at the end but expected with any fantasy duology. I'll definitely be picking up book 2 to see how this ends.
Tropes:
- Seer x Sword maiden
- Enemies to friends to lovers
- She kills him
- She trains him (after she kills him)
- Banter
No Spice
Eternal was a delightful fast paced fantasy that had a taste of the Hunger Games but with MCs in their 20's. The book had heavy themes of violence, the afterlife and the affects of war.
Hildegard is a sword maiden from the cold Northern kingdom who defends her clans against the Southern desert armies. She has spent her adult years training and killing scores of soldiers. She even has a "game" with her mother to see who can kill more. They view the Southern army has nothing more then monsters who want their land.
Alek is a Seer, orphaned at a young age and brought to the palace to become a tool of the king. He has a heart condition which limits him physically. While the royal family don't have familiar love for him he is very loyal to them since he grew up with the princes in the palace.
Both Alek and Hilde are murdered and end up the Shadowlands, where you become a solider for the Gods in an eternal war. There can only be 1 winner who is granted a second chance of life. In a place where loyalty is non existence Alek is drawn to the Northern warrior woman he has seen in his visions. They start out as enemies but instead of a romantic arc Alex and Hilde build their trust on sharing pieces of their background with each other. In war there are no victors and placing blame on the other side doesn't solve their current issue to escape the Shadowlands or help their people back on the living side.
Alek is a walking green flag cinnamon roll- he has honor and integrity. I really enjoy watching Hilde gain trust and respect for him as they interact. The lines of being enemies blur as they work together to be the victor.
Hildei reminds me a little of Lara from the Broken Kingdom. She is a baddie with a sword but has a moral sense of integrity that no one expects from her. Instead of partnering with other warriors, she chooses Alek and then teaches him to fight. Where the Shadowlands almost forces you to be selfish and turn on everyone she still tries to remain true to herself.
Of course there is a HUGE cliffhanger at the end but expected with any fantasy duology. I'll definitely be picking up book 2 to see how this ends.
Tropes:
- Seer x Sword maiden
- Enemies to friends to lovers
- She kills him
- She trains him (after she kills him)
- Banter
Review of advance copy received from Author
eARC received from author for an honest review.
Where do I start? I devoured this book! You follow both the FMC and MMC as dual POV – firstly in their own respective lives getting to know them – until they enter the Shadowlands. Or should I say arrived in the shadowlands after being ‘struck down’. Both in completely different ways, both impactful in their own way.
The rest of the book then takes place in the land of the dead – or the undead? The in between should we say – stuck in a land locked in eternal war until there is a champion. And there can only be one champion – one champion who then gets to go back their life.
Hilde, the FMC is just fab – strong, in mind and body, a warrior (shieldmaiden) in her life, a Hinterlander at heart, who has always fought against the Issaryans.
Alek, the Issaryan, is just a beautiful soul inside and out who meets his untimely end after being betrayed by the one he now thought of as a brother. A seer, although he never did master his visions…
Both enter the Shadowlands and immediately Alek is struck down once more, by the hand of Hilde, he fades into nothing only to reappear in another spot…suddenly he doesn’t feel like a bad seer anymore as visions begin to come to life before his eyes.
Everybody is on their own quest to become the Gods champion, but they soon learn violence is the way of life here, you may die again. And again. I often thought of Groundhog Day, as they are stuck in a loop – but who says just a day has passed? With each new ‘start’ brings with it fresh new scenery and different ways to die.
Enemies to lovers, that happened so slow and so natural that I almost didn’t see it coming myself. People you once held close, are now your enemies and your enemies? Well you may just end up working alongside them, even if for selfish reasons…Hilde and Alek take you on multiple adventures, their characters build beautifully and the story overall just kept me SAT!
Did I love it? Yes. Step into this world and find your new favourite read to recommend. I cannot wait to see where this story leads in the second book, you best believe I will be chomping at the bit until I can get my hands on it.
Where do I start? I devoured this book! You follow both the FMC and MMC as dual POV – firstly in their own respective lives getting to know them – until they enter the Shadowlands. Or should I say arrived in the shadowlands after being ‘struck down’. Both in completely different ways, both impactful in their own way.
The rest of the book then takes place in the land of the dead – or the undead? The in between should we say – stuck in a land locked in eternal war until there is a champion. And there can only be one champion – one champion who then gets to go back their life.
Hilde, the FMC is just fab – strong, in mind and body, a warrior (shieldmaiden) in her life, a Hinterlander at heart, who has always fought against the Issaryans.
Alek, the Issaryan, is just a beautiful soul inside and out who meets his untimely end after being betrayed by the one he now thought of as a brother. A seer, although he never did master his visions…
Both enter the Shadowlands and immediately Alek is struck down once more, by the hand of Hilde, he fades into nothing only to reappear in another spot…suddenly he doesn’t feel like a bad seer anymore as visions begin to come to life before his eyes.
Everybody is on their own quest to become the Gods champion, but they soon learn violence is the way of life here, you may die again. And again. I often thought of Groundhog Day, as they are stuck in a loop – but who says just a day has passed? With each new ‘start’ brings with it fresh new scenery and different ways to die.
Enemies to lovers, that happened so slow and so natural that I almost didn’t see it coming myself. People you once held close, are now your enemies and your enemies? Well you may just end up working alongside them, even if for selfish reasons…Hilde and Alek take you on multiple adventures, their characters build beautifully and the story overall just kept me SAT!
Did I love it? Yes. Step into this world and find your new favourite read to recommend. I cannot wait to see where this story leads in the second book, you best believe I will be chomping at the bit until I can get my hands on it.
June 9, 2026
⭐️ 4.5 Stars ⭐️
Eternal was one of those books that completely pulled me in and refused to let go.
From the very beginning, Rachel Terry created a story filled with emotion, heart, and the kind of connection between characters that makes you forget you’re reading and start feeling like you’re living the story alongside them. I found myself fully invested in every triumph, every setback, and every moment that brought these characters closer together—or threatened to tear them apart.
What I loved most was the emotional depth. The relationships felt authentic, the struggles felt meaningful, and the journey each character took felt earned. This wasn’t a story built solely on romance; it was a story about healing, sacrifice, hope, and the enduring power of love when life throws its hardest challenges your way.
Rachel Terry’s writing has a beautiful flow that makes the pages fly by. One chapter turns into three, then suddenly it’s midnight and you’re telling yourself, “Just one more chapter.”
The emotional moments landed exactly where they needed to. There were scenes that made my heart ache, scenes that made me smile, and scenes that reminded me why I love reading in the first place. The characters felt real enough that I couldn’t help but become attached to them.
The reason this wasn’t a full five stars for me is that there were a few moments where I wanted just a little more—more time with certain relationships, more exploration of a few story elements, and a bit more depth in places that left me wanting additional answers. But honestly, that’s a testament to how invested I was. I simply didn’t want the story to end.
If you enjoy:
✨ Emotional romance
✨ Character-driven stories
✨ Love that endures through hardship
✨ Themes of healing and redemption
✨ Heartfelt character growth
✨ Books that leave you emotional long after the final page
Then I highly recommend Eternal.
This was a beautifully written, emotionally engaging story that reminded me why I love getting lost in books. By the final page, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye—and that’s always a good sign.
A heartfelt, memorable read that earned every bit of its 4.5 stars
Eternal was one of those books that completely pulled me in and refused to let go.
From the very beginning, Rachel Terry created a story filled with emotion, heart, and the kind of connection between characters that makes you forget you’re reading and start feeling like you’re living the story alongside them. I found myself fully invested in every triumph, every setback, and every moment that brought these characters closer together—or threatened to tear them apart.
What I loved most was the emotional depth. The relationships felt authentic, the struggles felt meaningful, and the journey each character took felt earned. This wasn’t a story built solely on romance; it was a story about healing, sacrifice, hope, and the enduring power of love when life throws its hardest challenges your way.
Rachel Terry’s writing has a beautiful flow that makes the pages fly by. One chapter turns into three, then suddenly it’s midnight and you’re telling yourself, “Just one more chapter.”
The emotional moments landed exactly where they needed to. There were scenes that made my heart ache, scenes that made me smile, and scenes that reminded me why I love reading in the first place. The characters felt real enough that I couldn’t help but become attached to them.
The reason this wasn’t a full five stars for me is that there were a few moments where I wanted just a little more—more time with certain relationships, more exploration of a few story elements, and a bit more depth in places that left me wanting additional answers. But honestly, that’s a testament to how invested I was. I simply didn’t want the story to end.
If you enjoy:
✨ Emotional romance
✨ Character-driven stories
✨ Love that endures through hardship
✨ Themes of healing and redemption
✨ Heartfelt character growth
✨ Books that leave you emotional long after the final page
Then I highly recommend Eternal.
This was a beautifully written, emotionally engaging story that reminded me why I love getting lost in books. By the final page, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye—and that’s always a good sign.
A heartfelt, memorable read that earned every bit of its 4.5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of Advanced Copy received from Author
“For only one can live again.” Yeah, this book grabbed me by the throat with that line and never loosened its grip. ⚔️❄️
Eternal felt like stepping into a frost-covered battlefield where destiny, grief, and the gods are all sharpening knives in the dark. Rachel Terry crafted a world that feels ancient and brutal, soaked in mythology and the ache of survival. Every page carried this cold, haunting atmosphere that wrapped around me like winter fog.
Hildegard was everything I want in a fantasy heroine: fierce, loyal, stubborn, and painfully human beneath the shieldmaiden armor. And Aleksander? The quiet seer with a weak heart and the weight of prophecy crushing him? Absolutely devastating. Their dual perspectives balanced each other perfectly, one forged in strength, the other in vulnerability, yet both equally compelling.
The Shadowlands themselves were incredible. Not just an afterlife, but a war-torn proving ground where the dead still bleed, still fight, still hope. The concept alone is brilliant, but the execution made it unforgettable. Every trial felt meaningful, every betrayal cut deep, and the tension of knowing only one could return to life hung over the story like an executioner’s blade.
And the emotional damage? Immaculate. 🫠
This book delivered:
❄️ Norse-inspired fantasy vibes
⚔️ brutal trials and battles
🖤 enemies-to-allies tension
🔥 morally gray gods
👑 political conflict
💀 an afterlife soaked in war and sacrifice
❤️ aching slow-burn emotion
The ending left me staring at the wall like I’d just survived battle myself. I need the next book immediately because my soul is still wandering the Shadowlands alongside these characters.
If you love fantasy that feels cinematic, emotionally heavy, and carved from myth and steel, Eternal deserves a spot at the top of your TBR.
“For only one can live again.” Yeah, this book grabbed me by the throat with that line and never loosened its grip. ⚔️❄️
Eternal felt like stepping into a frost-covered battlefield where destiny, grief, and the gods are all sharpening knives in the dark. Rachel Terry crafted a world that feels ancient and brutal, soaked in mythology and the ache of survival. Every page carried this cold, haunting atmosphere that wrapped around me like winter fog.
Hildegard was everything I want in a fantasy heroine: fierce, loyal, stubborn, and painfully human beneath the shieldmaiden armor. And Aleksander? The quiet seer with a weak heart and the weight of prophecy crushing him? Absolutely devastating. Their dual perspectives balanced each other perfectly, one forged in strength, the other in vulnerability, yet both equally compelling.
The Shadowlands themselves were incredible. Not just an afterlife, but a war-torn proving ground where the dead still bleed, still fight, still hope. The concept alone is brilliant, but the execution made it unforgettable. Every trial felt meaningful, every betrayal cut deep, and the tension of knowing only one could return to life hung over the story like an executioner’s blade.
And the emotional damage? Immaculate. 🫠
This book delivered:
❄️ Norse-inspired fantasy vibes
⚔️ brutal trials and battles
🖤 enemies-to-allies tension
🔥 morally gray gods
👑 political conflict
💀 an afterlife soaked in war and sacrifice
❤️ aching slow-burn emotion
The ending left me staring at the wall like I’d just survived battle myself. I need the next book immediately because my soul is still wandering the Shadowlands alongside these characters.
If you love fantasy that feels cinematic, emotionally heavy, and carved from myth and steel, Eternal deserves a spot at the top of your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First things first: Hilde and Alek carry this book hard. Thankfully, they’re actually adults, which already puts them miles ahead of many book couples. No endless miscommunication or dramatic storming off into the woods—just two people trying to survive a very inconvenient situation where one of them has already killed the other. Multiple times. Romance, but make it complicated.
Hilde is refreshingly practical. She’s strong, capable, and—crucially—aware of her limits. Instead of holding a grudge forever, she just… gets on with things. Teaches Alek how to fight, shows some compassion, and generally behaves like someone who understands that the afterlife is already stressful enough without unnecessary drama.
Alek, meanwhile, is essentially a very determined golden retriever in human form. He has a heart condition, prophetic visions of his own death, and absolutely no business being in half the situations he ends up in—yet he keeps going anyway. He’s kind, scared, and stubborn in a way that makes you root for him, even when he’s clearly outmatched.
The pacing, however, takes its time. And by “takes its time,” I mean it settles in comfortably and refuses to rush anything. The world-building is detailed—sometimes a bit too detailed—and it took me a while to fully get invested. But once the main characters actually start interacting properly , the story picks up significantly.
The Shadowlands concept is genuinely interesting: dead characters stuck in a cycle of fighting, dying, and respawning, all for a shot at returning to life. The mechanics are clever, and the glimpses into their past lives add emotional weight that keeps things from feeling like just another fantasy battleground.
The romance leans heavily into slow burn—very slow burn. It’s less about big dramatic moments and more about small acts of trust and mutual support. No over-the-top declarations, no instant attraction—just two people gradually realizing they care about each other. It works, especially once the pacing improves.
Overall, while the beginning required some patience, the emotional payoff toward the end is strong. I ended up caring about the characters more than I expected, and I’m curious enough about the world to continue with the series.
(I received an ARC from the author)
Hilde is refreshingly practical. She’s strong, capable, and—crucially—aware of her limits. Instead of holding a grudge forever, she just… gets on with things. Teaches Alek how to fight, shows some compassion, and generally behaves like someone who understands that the afterlife is already stressful enough without unnecessary drama.
Alek, meanwhile, is essentially a very determined golden retriever in human form. He has a heart condition, prophetic visions of his own death, and absolutely no business being in half the situations he ends up in—yet he keeps going anyway. He’s kind, scared, and stubborn in a way that makes you root for him, even when he’s clearly outmatched.
The pacing, however, takes its time. And by “takes its time,” I mean it settles in comfortably and refuses to rush anything. The world-building is detailed—sometimes a bit too detailed—and it took me a while to fully get invested. But once the main characters actually start interacting properly , the story picks up significantly.
The Shadowlands concept is genuinely interesting: dead characters stuck in a cycle of fighting, dying, and respawning, all for a shot at returning to life. The mechanics are clever, and the glimpses into their past lives add emotional weight that keeps things from feeling like just another fantasy battleground.
The romance leans heavily into slow burn—very slow burn. It’s less about big dramatic moments and more about small acts of trust and mutual support. No over-the-top declarations, no instant attraction—just two people gradually realizing they care about each other. It works, especially once the pacing improves.
Overall, while the beginning required some patience, the emotional payoff toward the end is strong. I ended up caring about the characters more than I expected, and I’m curious enough about the world to continue with the series.
(I received an ARC from the author)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an eARC directly from the author in exchange for my honest review. Thank you so much for this opportunity!
Rachel Terry created such a unique concept with her storytelling in Eternal. Hilde and Alek live incredibly different lives— Hilde is a shieldmaiden of the Hinterlands, and Alek is a seer to the Issaryan King. On opposite sides of a war that has gone on for generations, they have never crossed paths and have been raised to believe only the worst about the other.
When tragedy finds them both, they find that the most unlikely of allies in life may be the strongest of alliances in death. In the Shadowlands, Hilde and Alek find themselves on the same side of an eternal war, fighting for the Goddess Medua for a chance to become Medua’s Champion and return to life among the living. However, only one can live again.
I really enjoyed the universe this book was set in. Everything was extremely well developed in the lore, the legends, and the conflicts. Unfortunately, the characters and the pace were not quite on par with the universe for me. With one more developmental edit, this book would have absolutely been a five-star read. I just wanted the characters to feel as beautifully developed as the world they were in.
I am curious where this series will go and look forward to the conclusion in book 2 of the duology!
Overall, this was a 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4 for the Goodreads rating system.
Rachel Terry created such a unique concept with her storytelling in Eternal. Hilde and Alek live incredibly different lives— Hilde is a shieldmaiden of the Hinterlands, and Alek is a seer to the Issaryan King. On opposite sides of a war that has gone on for generations, they have never crossed paths and have been raised to believe only the worst about the other.
When tragedy finds them both, they find that the most unlikely of allies in life may be the strongest of alliances in death. In the Shadowlands, Hilde and Alek find themselves on the same side of an eternal war, fighting for the Goddess Medua for a chance to become Medua’s Champion and return to life among the living. However, only one can live again.
I really enjoyed the universe this book was set in. Everything was extremely well developed in the lore, the legends, and the conflicts. Unfortunately, the characters and the pace were not quite on par with the universe for me. With one more developmental edit, this book would have absolutely been a five-star read. I just wanted the characters to feel as beautifully developed as the world they were in.
I am curious where this series will go and look forward to the conclusion in book 2 of the duology!
Overall, this was a 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4 for the Goodreads rating system.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2026
TLDR: if you want a fast-reading enemies-to-lovers where the ‘to-lovers’ bit is EARNED rather than being a foregone conclusion, and a world that surprises you and leaves you panting for the sequel, read Eternal NOW!
WHERE do I start? Ok, so the book starts in the middle of a generations-long feud between the Hinterlanders (think Vikings) and the Issaryans (think ancient Romans). Our MCs are established within opposing sides, naturally. I was so ready to settle in for the story beats that I’ve come to expect and then they both DIE 🫨😩
Alek and Hilde find themselves reborn in the Shadowlands (war purgatory. wargatory?) on the SAME side of an even longer-standing feud where factions must work together, but only one person can win a second chance to return to their life from before.
What I love most about this story is the way Rachel took her time with the relationship-building between Hilde and Alek. It feels like a special kind of alchemy to fit a pace like this into a relatively short book! The fits and starts and slowly built trust feel so true-to-life for how people come together, and when they finally admit to themselves and each other what’s going on between them, it’s that much more heart wrenching to get to that ending. I am so excited to read what happens next!
Thank you to Rachel Terry and team for the ARC!!!
WHERE do I start? Ok, so the book starts in the middle of a generations-long feud between the Hinterlanders (think Vikings) and the Issaryans (think ancient Romans). Our MCs are established within opposing sides, naturally. I was so ready to settle in for the story beats that I’ve come to expect and then they both DIE 🫨😩
Alek and Hilde find themselves reborn in the Shadowlands (war purgatory. wargatory?) on the SAME side of an even longer-standing feud where factions must work together, but only one person can win a second chance to return to their life from before.
What I love most about this story is the way Rachel took her time with the relationship-building between Hilde and Alek. It feels like a special kind of alchemy to fit a pace like this into a relatively short book! The fits and starts and slowly built trust feel so true-to-life for how people come together, and when they finally admit to themselves and each other what’s going on between them, it’s that much more heart wrenching to get to that ending. I am so excited to read what happens next!
Thank you to Rachel Terry and team for the ARC!!!
May 30, 2026
I got an arc copy of this book from the author. I found the story to be engaging and interesting. Especially with how Alek (the mmc) was feeble in life and unable to fight and how devastatingly adept Hilde (fmc) was at fighting.
In the story, both of them pass into the Shadowlands where they get the opportunity for a second chance at life. However, only one can escape.
Also, I do love their first meeting and how that goes.
The main criticism I have is that the way they learn about their objective in the shadowlands seems…iffy to say the least. I fully expected the end to show that they’d been lied to or that there was more to the fight than was being let on. Especially since we never find out how the people who told them about the goal found out about it in the first place. It wasn’t written down anywhere or anything. So, I definitely expected this to end up being a messed up version of the telephone game where it turns out that the second chance they are fighting for isn’t what they thought.
Still, it seems by the end that both Hilde and Alek grow beyond their initial goals.
While the pacing could be better I do have to say this was an enjoyable read and I look forward to book 2 to see what happens to Hilde and Alek.
In the story, both of them pass into the Shadowlands where they get the opportunity for a second chance at life. However, only one can escape.
Also, I do love their first meeting and how that goes.
The main criticism I have is that the way they learn about their objective in the shadowlands seems…iffy to say the least. I fully expected the end to show that they’d been lied to or that there was more to the fight than was being let on. Especially since we never find out how the people who told them about the goal found out about it in the first place. It wasn’t written down anywhere or anything. So, I definitely expected this to end up being a messed up version of the telephone game where it turns out that the second chance they are fighting for isn’t what they thought.
Still, it seems by the end that both Hilde and Alek grow beyond their initial goals.
While the pacing could be better I do have to say this was an enjoyable read and I look forward to book 2 to see what happens to Hilde and Alek.
June 2, 2026
I received an ARC copy of Eternal by Rachel Terry in exchange for an honest review.
The world-building was easily the strongest part of this book for me. The setting, the conflict between the clans and Issarya, and the concept of an afterlife shaped by an eternal war between the gods were all intriguing and well imagined. The premise immediately caught my attention and kept me curious about where the story would go.
Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the characters. Neither Hildegard nor Aleksander fully resonated with me, which made it difficult to become emotionally invested in their journey. Because of that, the book took me longer to read than expected. There were also some violent scenes that didn’t particularly work for me, and I found myself wishing for a more convincing romantic connection.
I kept waiting for the story to fully draw me in, but that moment never quite came. While I can appreciate the creativity behind the world and the overall plot, the emotional connection I was looking for never developed.
In the end, this book simply wasn’t the right fit for me. That said, readers who enjoy mythology-inspired fantasy, high stakes, and afterlife settings may have a very different experience.
⭐️⭐️ 2/
The world-building was easily the strongest part of this book for me. The setting, the conflict between the clans and Issarya, and the concept of an afterlife shaped by an eternal war between the gods were all intriguing and well imagined. The premise immediately caught my attention and kept me curious about where the story would go.
Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the characters. Neither Hildegard nor Aleksander fully resonated with me, which made it difficult to become emotionally invested in their journey. Because of that, the book took me longer to read than expected. There were also some violent scenes that didn’t particularly work for me, and I found myself wishing for a more convincing romantic connection.
I kept waiting for the story to fully draw me in, but that moment never quite came. While I can appreciate the creativity behind the world and the overall plot, the emotional connection I was looking for never developed.
In the end, this book simply wasn’t the right fit for me. That said, readers who enjoy mythology-inspired fantasy, high stakes, and afterlife settings may have a very different experience.
⭐️⭐️ 2/
June 7, 2026
WHAT AN AMAZING BOOK!!!! Eternal was my first ARC read and when I signed up I had only read some of the blurb and was sold! When I finally received the book I couldn't remember what it was about so I decided to go in blind and I'm so glad that I did. This is an enemies to lovers slow burn with a very unique story. I absolutely loved the book overall and couldn't put it down!!
There are two storylines, on one side you have Hilde who is a warrior and shieldmaiden on one side of a war. She fights for her people and to keep the Issaryans from taking their lands. Then you have Alek who is a seer for the Issaryan king. They are set against each other from the very beginning but their stories will cross as fate would have it. I was hooked and by the end of Part 1 my jaw was left on the floor with a shocking turn I did not expect. As the story progresses it gets even more interesting and keeps you guessing, you really have no idea what's going to happen until it does. The concept that Rachel Terry has written in these pages was something so very unique and intriguing, I absolutely loved this book. From the first page to the last, I was consumed and fell in love with the characters, well some of them, and I can't wait for book 2!!!
There are two storylines, on one side you have Hilde who is a warrior and shieldmaiden on one side of a war. She fights for her people and to keep the Issaryans from taking their lands. Then you have Alek who is a seer for the Issaryan king. They are set against each other from the very beginning but their stories will cross as fate would have it. I was hooked and by the end of Part 1 my jaw was left on the floor with a shocking turn I did not expect. As the story progresses it gets even more interesting and keeps you guessing, you really have no idea what's going to happen until it does. The concept that Rachel Terry has written in these pages was something so very unique and intriguing, I absolutely loved this book. From the first page to the last, I was consumed and fell in love with the characters, well some of them, and I can't wait for book 2!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an ARC from the author and here are my thoughts.
This was unexpectedly good! I don't read a lot of fantasy, but this had caught my eye. I quite enjoyed the world building, the imagery was amazing and I could really picture Hilde's home. There is no spice in this book except maybe a tiny little pepper seed toward the end, but it absolutely doesn't need it. The book opens on a battle and the stakes and tension just keep climbing. There were a few tiny little twists that were unexpected that really drove the plot and each one contributes to how the ending plays out. It was really easy to connect with these characters. You can feel the need that Hilde has to return to her family and her need to settle things so that her clan could live in peace. Alek was also very well written and you could feel his confusion as to why, after all he had been told about the Hinterlands, does Hilde treat him (and everyone else) with such kindness. I have suspicions about some things and am very curious to see what comes next.
This was unexpectedly good! I don't read a lot of fantasy, but this had caught my eye. I quite enjoyed the world building, the imagery was amazing and I could really picture Hilde's home. There is no spice in this book except maybe a tiny little pepper seed toward the end, but it absolutely doesn't need it. The book opens on a battle and the stakes and tension just keep climbing. There were a few tiny little twists that were unexpected that really drove the plot and each one contributes to how the ending plays out. It was really easy to connect with these characters. You can feel the need that Hilde has to return to her family and her need to settle things so that her clan could live in peace. Alek was also very well written and you could feel his confusion as to why, after all he had been told about the Hinterlands, does Hilde treat him (and everyone else) with such kindness. I have suspicions about some things and am very curious to see what comes next.
June 16, 2026
JUST finished my ARC of Eternal by Rachel Terry and wanted to give you my quick thoughts.
I’d rate it a solid 3.75 to 4 stars!The premise is honestly incredible—it follows a fierce shieldmaiden and a prophetic seer who both end up in the afterlife. They are forced to compete in a brutal trial run by the gods, but only one of them can win a second chance at life. The stakes are instantly massive.I absolutely loved the dynamic between the two main characters. The forced proximity and the whole rivals-to-allies vibe is done so well, and their banter is great. Once the actual competition starts, the tension is non-stop.The only reason it wasn't a full 5 stars for me was the pacing. The setup in the first half takes its time with the world-building, but then the story completely accelerates in the second half. I also just wanted even more lore about the gods because that concept was so fascinating!Overall, it’s a super gripping fantasy with a really unique twist on the afterlife. Definitely add it to your TBR if you like high-stakes competitions and slow-burn dynamics! 🙌
I’d rate it a solid 3.75 to 4 stars!The premise is honestly incredible—it follows a fierce shieldmaiden and a prophetic seer who both end up in the afterlife. They are forced to compete in a brutal trial run by the gods, but only one of them can win a second chance at life. The stakes are instantly massive.I absolutely loved the dynamic between the two main characters. The forced proximity and the whole rivals-to-allies vibe is done so well, and their banter is great. Once the actual competition starts, the tension is non-stop.The only reason it wasn't a full 5 stars for me was the pacing. The setup in the first half takes its time with the world-building, but then the story completely accelerates in the second half. I also just wanted even more lore about the gods because that concept was so fascinating!Overall, it’s a super gripping fantasy with a really unique twist on the afterlife. Definitely add it to your TBR if you like high-stakes competitions and slow-burn dynamics! 🙌
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
This is the 1st book by Rachel Terry in her The Shadowlands duology. This is a story of betrayal, perseverance, growth & hope. Hilde & Alek are so different, their only thing in common is that they are dead. It's written so well with a beautiful flow from their 2 points of view blending seamlessly together, with scenes of low action but deep thought for the 2 main characters. Set in The Shadowlands where they find themselves on the same side, instead of opposite ones, but also on their own side. Both their preconceived notions are challenged as they find themselves working together, knowing that only 1 can win. I kept hoping for a loophole, for something to happen to allow them both to succeed. It has a bittersweet ending, which felt right, but is only a part of their story. I now need to read book 2, Legend, to find out what happens next for them. 5 ⭐ read that I'd really like my daughter to read.
This is the 1st book by Rachel Terry in her The Shadowlands duology. This is a story of betrayal, perseverance, growth & hope. Hilde & Alek are so different, their only thing in common is that they are dead. It's written so well with a beautiful flow from their 2 points of view blending seamlessly together, with scenes of low action but deep thought for the 2 main characters. Set in The Shadowlands where they find themselves on the same side, instead of opposite ones, but also on their own side. Both their preconceived notions are challenged as they find themselves working together, knowing that only 1 can win. I kept hoping for a loophole, for something to happen to allow them both to succeed. It has a bittersweet ending, which felt right, but is only a part of their story. I now need to read book 2, Legend, to find out what happens next for them. 5 ⭐ read that I'd really like my daughter to read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First off thank you Rachel for letting me be an ARC reader again I ARC’d Phoenix and the Crown a while back and have read most of her backlist (I have maybe three books to go but needless to say I’m a fan) I want to say this is Rachel’s best work yet! The prose reminds me a lot of Victoria Aveyard’s and there was a depth to the characters I hadn’t seen in Rachel’s other books. I loved the voice of Hildegard and the slow softening of her exterior over time. Paired with the mild and kind Peeta Mallark esq Alek it was an excellent contrast!! He’s kind of the water to her fire. Kind on the outside and inside, refreshing to see in a love interest! I felt the characters frustration of constantly being sent back to medua’s keep and their desperation to live again. I do think there could’ve been more of a burn between Alek and Hilde but that’s pretty much my only qualm I highly recommend Eternal!! 4.75 Stars!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was such a refreshing read- I normally read romantasy but I find a lot of fantasy books put aside the plot for the character development (or they “hate” each other for two pages and start swooning immediately) I can definitely say that the plot premise continues to move forward while the characters learn and grow as people.
If you’re looking for a book with lots of adventure and fighting, this is a great fantasy book to check out.
Overall notes:
- warrior FMC
- sheltered MMC
- Viking vibes
- existential dread/questions
- themes of determining what’s important to you
- smart characters who still make dumb decisions
I’m definitely looking forward to the second book in this duology- the world building is fascinating and we got left on a major cliffhanger that could go so many ways.
If you’re looking for a book with lots of adventure and fighting, this is a great fantasy book to check out.
Overall notes:
- warrior FMC
- sheltered MMC
- Viking vibes
- existential dread/questions
- themes of determining what’s important to you
- smart characters who still make dumb decisions
I’m definitely looking forward to the second book in this duology- the world building is fascinating and we got left on a major cliffhanger that could go so many ways.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to the author for a chance to review this ARC. This was a good and fast read. Such a unique plot and world shared with dual perspectives. The concept of the Shadowlands was brilliant. Our FMC is a badass warrior and the MMC is well… not. They’re complete opposites but there’s a great balance there. True slow burn. Great character development.
I was hooked from the start but lost my stride in the middle with some of the back & forth. Admittedly, it could’ve been my own ADHD. I just needed our FMC & MMC to finally make it to Herald’s Keep.
You’ll be left on a great cliffhanger that will have you wondering where’s the rest of Hilde’s & Alek’s story & what happened in the shadowlands! Excited for sequel. I’m hoping for a reunion of sorts and I desperately want to know what happens to other characters who were/are in the shadowlands.
I was hooked from the start but lost my stride in the middle with some of the back & forth. Admittedly, it could’ve been my own ADHD. I just needed our FMC & MMC to finally make it to Herald’s Keep.
You’ll be left on a great cliffhanger that will have you wondering where’s the rest of Hilde’s & Alek’s story & what happened in the shadowlands! Excited for sequel. I’m hoping for a reunion of sorts and I desperately want to know what happens to other characters who were/are in the shadowlands.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am very grateful to have received an advanced copy of this book.
This was a very enjoyable and intriguing story, I enjoyed the writing, the concept was very interesting, and the writing really managed to keep my attention in sections of what could have been a very boring story with the main characters making the same journey over and over to try and escape the afterlife they were bound in.
I must say I didn't find it gripping in a way where I couldn't put it down BUT it was on my mind enough that I did keep picking it back up before bed each evening (admittedly I did stay up a bit later than I should have to finish it this morning as the last few chapters did have a bit of a hold on me).
I am very excited to see what happens next and will definitely be keeping my eye out for the sequel.
This was a very enjoyable and intriguing story, I enjoyed the writing, the concept was very interesting, and the writing really managed to keep my attention in sections of what could have been a very boring story with the main characters making the same journey over and over to try and escape the afterlife they were bound in.
I must say I didn't find it gripping in a way where I couldn't put it down BUT it was on my mind enough that I did keep picking it back up before bed each evening (admittedly I did stay up a bit later than I should have to finish it this morning as the last few chapters did have a bit of a hold on me).
I am very excited to see what happens next and will definitely be keeping my eye out for the sequel.
June 2, 2026
I read this book as an ARC, given by the author.
I loved the story of this book. The only reason that I gave it 4 stars is because there were parts that I felt dragged on and made it so that I didn't finish the book as quick as I normally finish books. I love that in the end the enemies turn out to care for each other but I am so sad that they are separated currently.
This book had a lot of details about the two characters so that you knew what was important to them and how they became the way they were. The event at the beginning of the book with Alek actually shocked me, I did not expect that at all. I also feel that the end battle was a little short and maybe there should have been some exchange of words between the Goddess and the final character.
Other than those little things, I loved this book and the characters and would recommend others read it!
I loved the story of this book. The only reason that I gave it 4 stars is because there were parts that I felt dragged on and made it so that I didn't finish the book as quick as I normally finish books. I love that in the end the enemies turn out to care for each other but I am so sad that they are separated currently.
This book had a lot of details about the two characters so that you knew what was important to them and how they became the way they were. The event at the beginning of the book with Alek actually shocked me, I did not expect that at all. I also feel that the end battle was a little short and maybe there should have been some exchange of words between the Goddess and the final character.
Other than those little things, I loved this book and the characters and would recommend others read it!
June 8, 2026
I really enjoyed this book! I liked that we get a little of Hilde and Alek’s story before they end up in the Shadowlands. It made their alliance and relationship that much more interesting because they come from two neighboring lands that are constantly fighting. I liked that their relationship built up very gradually after they become reluctant allies. They both had to rethink a lot of the preconceived notions they had about each other. It did take a while for the FMC and MMC to finally start interacting with each other. I would have liked a bit more of the book spent on their time together in the Shadowlands, but that did not take away from my enjoyment of their relationship. I thought this was a really unique story, and the ending has me anxious for the next book in the series!
I am grateful to have received an ARC of its book. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I am grateful to have received an ARC of its book. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I will try to review without spoilers so some of this may seem vague. I loved how she followed both main characters. It did feel like a very slow build, though still maintained my interest, and just when it was getting really good the book was over. The final fight scene of the book also felt very anticlimactic. The premise or the Shadowlands and the unique way she built it was very intriguing. I did struggle to comprehend how big or not big they were though. Despite mentioning that days and nights would feel longer or shorter than normal and in relation to each other there wasnt a built in way to grasp the distances traveled. It was refreshing to get away from instalove with this read. I enjoyed how one country was very viking while the other was romanesque.
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