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Of Death and Souls: A Slow-Burn Romantasy
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Expected 13 Oct 26Win a free print copy of this book!
12 days and 00:22:29
5 copies available
U.S. only
Dying is only the beginning.
When Noralie Locke vowed to find a way out of the ragged, rat-infested city streets, she didn’t think death would be the answer. But the Fates had different plans, and when Noralie meets her untimely demise, she suddenly gets a second chance at a better life.
The Shadow Realms offer Noralie a place of safety, comfort, and genuine companionship. As a Death Warden, she escorts the newly dead to the light and fights the Soul Hunters who want them for the dark. As a woman, she finds herself navigating the perils of love, which are just as complicated and messy in the afterlife. Especially when she is assigned to the most mysterious, broody, and handsome warden on this side of the realm.
But a shocking betrayal and a shift in power between good and evil begin to threaten her new world and the lives of the only family Noralie has ever known. When her charges are targeted, she suspects the hunters are after more than just their souls. To learn the truth, she’s forced to face the man who chose the darkness over her. Yet while their lost relationship still haunts her broken heart, a mysterious creature and a new warden appear with devastating secrets of their own that will force Noralie to make an impossible decision about her future.
Of Death and Souls is the first book of The Shadow Realms duology that follows spirited heroine Noralie Locke as she navigates her new reality in the afterlife—a world that seems too good to be true. This slow burn romantasy features strong themes of good versus evil and right versus wrong, with twists and turns that will leave readers wondering which side to choose. This book will appeal to fans of fantasy worlds and quick-witted characters such as those found in The Crimson Moth series, The Kindred Curse Saga, and Crescent City.
When Noralie Locke vowed to find a way out of the ragged, rat-infested city streets, she didn’t think death would be the answer. But the Fates had different plans, and when Noralie meets her untimely demise, she suddenly gets a second chance at a better life.
The Shadow Realms offer Noralie a place of safety, comfort, and genuine companionship. As a Death Warden, she escorts the newly dead to the light and fights the Soul Hunters who want them for the dark. As a woman, she finds herself navigating the perils of love, which are just as complicated and messy in the afterlife. Especially when she is assigned to the most mysterious, broody, and handsome warden on this side of the realm.
But a shocking betrayal and a shift in power between good and evil begin to threaten her new world and the lives of the only family Noralie has ever known. When her charges are targeted, she suspects the hunters are after more than just their souls. To learn the truth, she’s forced to face the man who chose the darkness over her. Yet while their lost relationship still haunts her broken heart, a mysterious creature and a new warden appear with devastating secrets of their own that will force Noralie to make an impossible decision about her future.
Of Death and Souls is the first book of The Shadow Realms duology that follows spirited heroine Noralie Locke as she navigates her new reality in the afterlife—a world that seems too good to be true. This slow burn romantasy features strong themes of good versus evil and right versus wrong, with twists and turns that will leave readers wondering which side to choose. This book will appeal to fans of fantasy worlds and quick-witted characters such as those found in The Crimson Moth series, The Kindred Curse Saga, and Crescent City.
498 pages, Paperback
Expected publication October 13, 2026
About the author
A.L. Garr
8 books132 followersA.L. Garr spends her days as a scientist and nights writing about creatures of the paranormal persuasion, especially those who like to bite. Her childhood imaginary friend was a witch, Halloween is sacred, and she is certain she has a supernatural sense of smell. A.L. Garr’s books feature swoonworthy romance, overlapping worlds, and sassy characters of all ages, understanding that adventure, excitement, and love have no age limit.
Learn more about A.L. Garr and her stories at www.algarrbooks.com or follow on the socials at @author_a.l.garr
NOTE: A.L. Garr previously published as Ashlee Sinn, Carla Winters, and Amber Garr
Learn more about A.L. Garr and her stories at www.algarrbooks.com or follow on the socials at @author_a.l.garr
NOTE: A.L. Garr previously published as Ashlee Sinn, Carla Winters, and Amber Garr
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 27, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 stars rounded up
Of Death and Souls took a concept I already love—the afterlife—and turned it into an entire fantasy world with its own rules, magic, politics, secrets, and a very questionable definition of who the “good guys” actually are. The premise immediately pulled me in, but what kept me reading was realizing fairly quickly that almost nothing in this world is as straightforward as Noralie is initially led to believe. The author describes The Shadow Realms as a romantasy duology set in the afterlife, and this absolutely feels like the beginning of something much bigger.
Noralie was such an easy FMC for me to root for. She’s curious, stubborn, impulsive, compassionate, and seemingly incapable of accepting an answer just because someone in authority tells her it’s true. I especially loved that her journey isn’t simply about romance. She’s trying to understand this completely unfamiliar existence while simultaneously beginning to question the systems and beliefs everyone around her seems to accept without hesitation.
And then there is Wulfe.
Sir.
I am apparently extremely predictable because give me an emotionally unavailable, secretive man who has lived far too long, carries approximately 700 years of emotional baggage, and absolutely does NOT want to develop feelings for the FMC…and apparently I will sit down and behave. 😂
Their relationship is a true slow burn, and I appreciated that. The attraction is there, but their connection develops through trust, friendship, vulnerability, frustration, and all those tiny moments where you realize someone cares long before they’re willing to admit it themselves. Wulfe is complicated and guarded, while Noralie brings this warmth and curiosity into his existence that slowly begins cracking through those walls.
The worldbuilding was probably my favorite part. Death Wardens, Soul Hunters, different realms, souls, magic, creatures, ancient rules—I kept thinking I understood how everything worked and then discovering another little piece that made me question it again. I LOVE fantasy where the line between light and darkness gradually becomes less obvious, and this book plays with that beautifully.
There are also some genuinely wonderful secondary characters and relationships here. The friendships matter. The loyalties matter. And as Noralie’s world expands, so does the emotional complexity of the story. I became invested in people I wasn’t expecting to care about, which made some later moments hit considerably harder than I was prepared for.
My only real criticism is the pacing through portions of the middle. There is a lot of mythology and worldbuilding to establish in a first book, and occasionally the training and explanations slowed things down when I wanted the larger mystery to keep moving. But once the story starts bringing those pieces together, I understood why so much groundwork had been laid.
And that final stretch?
Ma’am.
Suddenly I’m questioning EVERYONE. 😂
This is one of those fantasy books where finishing it doesn’t leave you with fewer questions—it leaves you with approximately 47 additional ones. Who can actually be trusted? How much of what Noralie has been taught is true? What is really happening within the Shadow Realms? And exactly how long am I expected to wait for book two??
I need answers.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 because the world was intriguing, the slow burn got me, and apparently dying does not exempt a woman from encountering emotionally complicated men.
Thank you to A.L. Garr for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Of Death and Souls took a concept I already love—the afterlife—and turned it into an entire fantasy world with its own rules, magic, politics, secrets, and a very questionable definition of who the “good guys” actually are. The premise immediately pulled me in, but what kept me reading was realizing fairly quickly that almost nothing in this world is as straightforward as Noralie is initially led to believe. The author describes The Shadow Realms as a romantasy duology set in the afterlife, and this absolutely feels like the beginning of something much bigger.
Noralie was such an easy FMC for me to root for. She’s curious, stubborn, impulsive, compassionate, and seemingly incapable of accepting an answer just because someone in authority tells her it’s true. I especially loved that her journey isn’t simply about romance. She’s trying to understand this completely unfamiliar existence while simultaneously beginning to question the systems and beliefs everyone around her seems to accept without hesitation.
And then there is Wulfe.
Sir.
I am apparently extremely predictable because give me an emotionally unavailable, secretive man who has lived far too long, carries approximately 700 years of emotional baggage, and absolutely does NOT want to develop feelings for the FMC…and apparently I will sit down and behave. 😂
Their relationship is a true slow burn, and I appreciated that. The attraction is there, but their connection develops through trust, friendship, vulnerability, frustration, and all those tiny moments where you realize someone cares long before they’re willing to admit it themselves. Wulfe is complicated and guarded, while Noralie brings this warmth and curiosity into his existence that slowly begins cracking through those walls.
The worldbuilding was probably my favorite part. Death Wardens, Soul Hunters, different realms, souls, magic, creatures, ancient rules—I kept thinking I understood how everything worked and then discovering another little piece that made me question it again. I LOVE fantasy where the line between light and darkness gradually becomes less obvious, and this book plays with that beautifully.
There are also some genuinely wonderful secondary characters and relationships here. The friendships matter. The loyalties matter. And as Noralie’s world expands, so does the emotional complexity of the story. I became invested in people I wasn’t expecting to care about, which made some later moments hit considerably harder than I was prepared for.
My only real criticism is the pacing through portions of the middle. There is a lot of mythology and worldbuilding to establish in a first book, and occasionally the training and explanations slowed things down when I wanted the larger mystery to keep moving. But once the story starts bringing those pieces together, I understood why so much groundwork had been laid.
And that final stretch?
Ma’am.
Suddenly I’m questioning EVERYONE. 😂
This is one of those fantasy books where finishing it doesn’t leave you with fewer questions—it leaves you with approximately 47 additional ones. Who can actually be trusted? How much of what Noralie has been taught is true? What is really happening within the Shadow Realms? And exactly how long am I expected to wait for book two??
I need answers.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 because the world was intriguing, the slow burn got me, and apparently dying does not exempt a woman from encountering emotionally complicated men.
Thank you to A.L. Garr for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.35
The yearning was Powerful!!!! 3✴️
Slow burn
Afterlife
Magic portals
Intensity of What love is
There is SO MUCH to uncover and yet I do need More! I want more
We meet Noralie (Main Character) who is from Hatcher's Point, she dances and looks good to those in her pub job but she really wants to get chosen to go the Queen Varya's castle so she leave her poverty no future life behind, unhappy but enjoying her life as much as possible given the circumstances.
She ends up having a relationship with Finley the region fiddle player when he Is in town.
Queen Varya she is greedy, lives in clean conditions, ask for to much taxes.
Noralie goes for the lottery on her birthday which is when the Rekoltae happens and it overlap this year which happens to be her birthday,
she didn't get accepted but she was notices.
Zion meets her at at her favorite place in the lake, which he took her to her death. He is a Soul Hunter
She winds up in the Shadow Realm and she meet Charales and Wulfe 😊
Blue eyes a hunk, and he is a Soul Hunter as well but he trying to become an Elder which is High Class Respect to get that. He and Noralie have a special bond immediately and it's EVERYTHING. They are OMG SO GOOD!!!! UHHHHH
They can talk through their minds, he has her move into his cottage house away from the town in a forest, and the magic abilities he expands the cottage to her liking, They are absolutely Adorable. Their intimate bond is developed so fast, you have no time to talk a break and breathe. The SLOW BURN is INTENSE.
Wulfe does in fact hide a lot from her when I do feel like she is brand New in this realm and figuring herself out, as well as being reminded on how she died (drowning ).
Wulfe to go from Realm's and he isn't supposed to know how, but he sorta trains her in becoming the New Ward that happens to literally fall in his lap. NO HATE , The LOVEL, ITS LOVE, you get me 😏😊
Wulfe becomes and Elder and Leaves and so Noralie is left alone 6 months, 2 weeks and 4 days to which finally she got her wasn't coming back. Seriously WTF
Noralie has 2 new friends who also are part of the Shadow Realm
ANNISTYN
TIMMONS
CHARLES- Father figure, but man the banter between them, and can feel the genuine connection.
She is summoned by the Elders
.MAZIE
ROLLIN
JUDITH
GALINA
MIKHAIL - Annistyn has a crush on an Elder, not allowed
When Gargoloin from the other side
Can only manifest in the Shadow Realms. In the living world they are simply whispers of shadows. Dark Angels."
GARGOLLIONS- Awakened, reborn, created, summoned looking for something/ someone. Bad MF
Children of the Dark
Darklings that death sent to collect souls who didn't deserve to go into the light forever.
The elders wipes her friends memories and her own as well from the events aspiring . She remembers everything, still and has to keep that a secret, Charles knows and Wulfe knows.
"You cannot be wounded in the Shadow Realms. Only when you visit the human words and take a physical form can you risk injury."
She elders gives her a New task because she isn't succeeding the Soul Hunting.
She (Noralie) then meets Blaine Kyrnan Royal Guard with brown hair brown eyes, sun kisses skin hinted a Northern accent a Hunk, do I say so myself.
She is told Blaine is her new Ward, who needs guidance, mentoring, and companionship.
She also be getting a New advisory
She has also been given her Leather bound notebook of Souls to take, which isn't achieved, so the Elders give her a different job which is Blaine and Sani her new advisor.
Blaine moves into Wulfe's cottage that Noralie also shared with Wulfe when they were a thing. THEY WAS TAKEN AWAY SO FAST, UHHHHHH
She matured so quickly and kept thinking back to Yeah I remember me doing that same thing, she is calm about it, no hiding nothing from Blaine, giving him the space he needs to adjust, cuz "That's is the way it is done here in the Shadow Realm." Also "Welcome to the world of Bland tunics and no individualism."
She is experiencing the same feeling she has for Wulfe but with Blaine who has healing powers, and Noralie herself had Shamon blood.
Wulfe is always coming to her rescue. But he chose Blaine for Noralie, and believes Blaine is up to something, and can't be trusted. The time is off I will say, Suspicious
Blaine is more trust worthy than Wulfe.
Blaine is easy going, interested in her past life and how she sees things, talking to each other is nothing. They have their own special bond and its concerning to Wulfe, and Noralie is so tongue tied to Wulfe it's Agonizing.
The fighting, the betrayal, the Heart gut wrenching heart ache, the lies, or half truths. The death and injuries.
The yearning was Powerful!!!! 3✴️
Slow burn
Afterlife
Magic portals
Intensity of What love is
There is SO MUCH to uncover and yet I do need More! I want more
We meet Noralie (Main Character) who is from Hatcher's Point, she dances and looks good to those in her pub job but she really wants to get chosen to go the Queen Varya's castle so she leave her poverty no future life behind, unhappy but enjoying her life as much as possible given the circumstances.
She ends up having a relationship with Finley the region fiddle player when he Is in town.
Queen Varya she is greedy, lives in clean conditions, ask for to much taxes.
Noralie goes for the lottery on her birthday which is when the Rekoltae happens and it overlap this year which happens to be her birthday,
she didn't get accepted but she was notices.
Zion meets her at at her favorite place in the lake, which he took her to her death. He is a Soul Hunter
She winds up in the Shadow Realm and she meet Charales and Wulfe 😊
Blue eyes a hunk, and he is a Soul Hunter as well but he trying to become an Elder which is High Class Respect to get that. He and Noralie have a special bond immediately and it's EVERYTHING. They are OMG SO GOOD!!!! UHHHHH
They can talk through their minds, he has her move into his cottage house away from the town in a forest, and the magic abilities he expands the cottage to her liking, They are absolutely Adorable. Their intimate bond is developed so fast, you have no time to talk a break and breathe. The SLOW BURN is INTENSE.
Wulfe does in fact hide a lot from her when I do feel like she is brand New in this realm and figuring herself out, as well as being reminded on how she died (drowning ).
Wulfe to go from Realm's and he isn't supposed to know how, but he sorta trains her in becoming the New Ward that happens to literally fall in his lap. NO HATE , The LOVEL, ITS LOVE, you get me 😏😊
Wulfe becomes and Elder and Leaves and so Noralie is left alone 6 months, 2 weeks and 4 days to which finally she got her wasn't coming back. Seriously WTF
Noralie has 2 new friends who also are part of the Shadow Realm
ANNISTYN
TIMMONS
CHARLES- Father figure, but man the banter between them, and can feel the genuine connection.
She is summoned by the Elders
.MAZIE
ROLLIN
JUDITH
GALINA
MIKHAIL - Annistyn has a crush on an Elder, not allowed
When Gargoloin from the other side
Can only manifest in the Shadow Realms. In the living world they are simply whispers of shadows. Dark Angels."
GARGOLLIONS- Awakened, reborn, created, summoned looking for something/ someone. Bad MF
Children of the Dark
Darklings that death sent to collect souls who didn't deserve to go into the light forever.
The elders wipes her friends memories and her own as well from the events aspiring . She remembers everything, still and has to keep that a secret, Charles knows and Wulfe knows.
"You cannot be wounded in the Shadow Realms. Only when you visit the human words and take a physical form can you risk injury."
She elders gives her a New task because she isn't succeeding the Soul Hunting.
She (Noralie) then meets Blaine Kyrnan Royal Guard with brown hair brown eyes, sun kisses skin hinted a Northern accent a Hunk, do I say so myself.
She is told Blaine is her new Ward, who needs guidance, mentoring, and companionship.
She also be getting a New advisory
She has also been given her Leather bound notebook of Souls to take, which isn't achieved, so the Elders give her a different job which is Blaine and Sani her new advisor.
Blaine moves into Wulfe's cottage that Noralie also shared with Wulfe when they were a thing. THEY WAS TAKEN AWAY SO FAST, UHHHHHH
She matured so quickly and kept thinking back to Yeah I remember me doing that same thing, she is calm about it, no hiding nothing from Blaine, giving him the space he needs to adjust, cuz "That's is the way it is done here in the Shadow Realm." Also "Welcome to the world of Bland tunics and no individualism."
She is experiencing the same feeling she has for Wulfe but with Blaine who has healing powers, and Noralie herself had Shamon blood.
Wulfe is always coming to her rescue. But he chose Blaine for Noralie, and believes Blaine is up to something, and can't be trusted. The time is off I will say, Suspicious
Blaine is more trust worthy than Wulfe.
Blaine is easy going, interested in her past life and how she sees things, talking to each other is nothing. They have their own special bond and its concerning to Wulfe, and Noralie is so tongue tied to Wulfe it's Agonizing.
The fighting, the betrayal, the Heart gut wrenching heart ache, the lies, or half truths. The death and injuries.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2026
This book is absolutely as intriguing on the inside as it is on the cover.
The book completely surprised me. Partly, because I went in blind, but also because the story seemed so unique. I thought it was going to go a completely different direction and then Chapter 5 happened… and I realized I should have read the synopsis. Because what a turn!
“I only believed that you were born, you lived, and then Death came for you in a ball of shadows or in a burst of light.”
This book is about the afterlife.
One thing this book did well was build the character up before throwing us into the afterlife. We got to get a sense of who Noralie was before becoming a Death Warden. She’s stubborn, questions everything, talks a lot. Just the way I like my FMCs.
Enter, Wulfe, her advisor upon entering the realm. They had an instant connection even before being bonded and forced to live together during training. Except, this relationship doesn’t isn’t going to go where you think it does… not giving more information there.
“It was a strange sensation—one that I couldn’t explain other than to say I felt the tether between us pull a little tighter.”
But wait, who is Blaine?
From before the afterlife. Now in the afterlife.
Noralie is charged to be his advisor.
“There was something about Blaine that had eased my soul in a way I didn’t believe possible anymore. Even though I’d only known him for two weeks…”
What is happening here A.L. Garr???
And that twist at the end? You have your hooks in me and I’ll take book 2 now please! 😮💨
“You are light in the darkness,” he said with a heavy Larasian accent.”
The book completely surprised me. Partly, because I went in blind, but also because the story seemed so unique. I thought it was going to go a completely different direction and then Chapter 5 happened… and I realized I should have read the synopsis. Because what a turn!
“I only believed that you were born, you lived, and then Death came for you in a ball of shadows or in a burst of light.”
This book is about the afterlife.
One thing this book did well was build the character up before throwing us into the afterlife. We got to get a sense of who Noralie was before becoming a Death Warden. She’s stubborn, questions everything, talks a lot. Just the way I like my FMCs.
Enter, Wulfe, her advisor upon entering the realm. They had an instant connection even before being bonded and forced to live together during training. Except, this relationship doesn’t isn’t going to go where you think it does… not giving more information there.
“It was a strange sensation—one that I couldn’t explain other than to say I felt the tether between us pull a little tighter.”
But wait, who is Blaine?
From before the afterlife. Now in the afterlife.
Noralie is charged to be his advisor.
“There was something about Blaine that had eased my soul in a way I didn’t believe possible anymore. Even though I’d only known him for two weeks…”
What is happening here A.L. Garr???
And that twist at the end? You have your hooks in me and I’ll take book 2 now please! 😮💨
“You are light in the darkness,” he said with a heavy Larasian accent.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had me wanting to immediately sign up for the afterlife, even though I previously thought I liked my life.
The morally gray mmc had me head over heels from his first appearance on the page, and even when he infuriated me and broke my heart, the love for him never ceased.
I love all the mysteries this book sets up to be unraveled and the magical gargoyles like creatures had me sitting up straighter and paying extra attention as I read because I immediately needed more of those!
I’ll confess this is one of my favorite authors but she set the bar even higher with this super unique portrayal of the afterlife and the mystery shrouding what side you should really be on. The main character is facing a lot and your opinions will vastly change throughout the story several times as hers do. Because every time you think you know for sure who the good and bad guys are, you don’t. You just don’t.
The mentor and mentee relationships will have you questioning morals and how the leadership in this world is set up, and your eyes will be glued to the pages for each new evolution of the relationship.
Is choosing darkness over love ever the right answer? This book will have you wondering if it could be, and you won’t be sorry for diving into this world and swimming through all the shades of gray between good and evil. You’ll only be sorry you didn’t toe the line of morally gray sooner!
The morally gray mmc had me head over heels from his first appearance on the page, and even when he infuriated me and broke my heart, the love for him never ceased.
I love all the mysteries this book sets up to be unraveled and the magical gargoyles like creatures had me sitting up straighter and paying extra attention as I read because I immediately needed more of those!
I’ll confess this is one of my favorite authors but she set the bar even higher with this super unique portrayal of the afterlife and the mystery shrouding what side you should really be on. The main character is facing a lot and your opinions will vastly change throughout the story several times as hers do. Because every time you think you know for sure who the good and bad guys are, you don’t. You just don’t.
The mentor and mentee relationships will have you questioning morals and how the leadership in this world is set up, and your eyes will be glued to the pages for each new evolution of the relationship.
Is choosing darkness over love ever the right answer? This book will have you wondering if it could be, and you won’t be sorry for diving into this world and swimming through all the shades of gray between good and evil. You’ll only be sorry you didn’t toe the line of morally gray sooner!
September 8, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
.5 🌶️
Thank you to A.L. Garr for an ARC!
This was such a fun read! Taking place mostly in the afterlife, I found myself fascinated with the world that A.L. Garr created with this one. Wulfe, our MMC, was morally grey, passionate, and devoted to Noralie, our FMC and his ward in the afterlife, yet struggled with an intense internal conflict from his past. Noralie was sharp-tongued, strong-willed, and a fighter, with a craving for adventure. Together they made for the perfect storm, though the fates were not always kind to the duo. There was a bit of a love triangle in this one, which isn’t always my jam, but I didn’t mind it much with this one. The plot twists had me shook with the revelations they uncovered and had me questioning everything. I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here in book two!
*Check TWs if needed.*
.5 🌶️
Thank you to A.L. Garr for an ARC!
This was such a fun read! Taking place mostly in the afterlife, I found myself fascinated with the world that A.L. Garr created with this one. Wulfe, our MMC, was morally grey, passionate, and devoted to Noralie, our FMC and his ward in the afterlife, yet struggled with an intense internal conflict from his past. Noralie was sharp-tongued, strong-willed, and a fighter, with a craving for adventure. Together they made for the perfect storm, though the fates were not always kind to the duo. There was a bit of a love triangle in this one, which isn’t always my jam, but I didn’t mind it much with this one. The plot twists had me shook with the revelations they uncovered and had me questioning everything. I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here in book two!
*Check TWs if needed.*
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book put me through so many emotions, ranging from happy to sad to really fucking angry. There were a lot of questions throughout the story, but not always a lot of answers. The romance especially made me feel everything, including the anger. 😂
I could picture some of the scenes really well while reading, and I enjoyed the fantasy elements and the overall story. I definitely recommend giving this book a try, especially if you're a fantasy girlie or guy.
The ending, however, didn't give me quite as much as I was hoping for. I don't necessarily feel like I need a second book, but if there is a book two coming, I'll absolutely read it because I still want answers to some of those questions. 👀
Overall, this book took me on an emotional roller coaster, and I enjoyed the ride even when I wanted to scream at the characters. 😂
I could picture some of the scenes really well while reading, and I enjoyed the fantasy elements and the overall story. I definitely recommend giving this book a try, especially if you're a fantasy girlie or guy.
The ending, however, didn't give me quite as much as I was hoping for. I don't necessarily feel like I need a second book, but if there is a book two coming, I'll absolutely read it because I still want answers to some of those questions. 👀
Overall, this book took me on an emotional roller coaster, and I enjoyed the ride even when I wanted to scream at the characters. 😂
August 28, 2026
YALLLLL!!! Holy SHAT! When I tell you that this book had me SAT. I WAS SAT. The FMC Noralie is just a normal girl on the other side of a brick wall of a royal kingdom that wants to better her life and be someone different. But when unexpected events takes her to the afterlife where she is bonded to a Death Wardon, Wulfe. He is suppose to teach her the ways of the afterlife and how to collect souls to help them pass on to the light and safe from the dark. She didn’t think she’d be falling head over heels for him either. This SLOW BURN romantasy has so much yearning for each other. So many secrets unanswered. So much batryal. Self discovery. Passion in what the mission is. BUT the ENDING!! *KICKS. SCREAMS. THROWS A 2 YEAR OLD TANTRUM* WHAT. THAT. FACK.
I need book 2 asap!
I need book 2 asap!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was right up my alley. It took me a bit to read because of work, but I never did want to put it down! The pacing was really well done and the characters are super captivating (I'm obsessed with Noralie)
The MMC had me swooning the second he stepped on the page and hasn't left me alone since. Wulfe is superior and if you don't agree, argue with the wall.
The world itself is so immersive and such a fun take on the afterlife. I loved being on the Shadow Realms and experiencing all of the creatures and characters we got to meet.
This is such a unique world and such a captivating time!
I can't wait for more people to read this one!
The MMC had me swooning the second he stepped on the page and hasn't left me alone since. Wulfe is superior and if you don't agree, argue with the wall.
The world itself is so immersive and such a fun take on the afterlife. I loved being on the Shadow Realms and experiencing all of the creatures and characters we got to meet.
This is such a unique world and such a captivating time!
I can't wait for more people to read this one!
Review of advance copy
This book starts with Noralie living a normal life in the lower part or the kingdom. Every year trying to get her number drawn for a better life. Then one day a horrible accident happens and she is thrown into a new life where she has to learn everything. She finally gets her warden and they have a connection like no other. Things happen and now she must figure things out on how to save people and a world shes now in. I loved the slow burn and the unexpected events that pop up. I definitely need book 2.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am always intrigued by a concept that is vastly different than my own beliefs. The afterlife in this story is unique, almost too good to be true, and full of creatures that may change your perspective. Noralie herself undergoes change: how she sees life (death), how she views good and evil, and how she pictures herself in this new reality. Wulfe himself is an interesting MMC. You really dont know where he stands, but are sure that he does have his reasons. Looking forward to book 2.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Advance reader review
This book omg. I couldn’t put it down. I fell in love with the story. I fell in love with the characters. I need the next book like right now. Definitely going to be buy the book to add to my home library.
This book omg. I couldn’t put it down. I fell in love with the story. I fell in love with the characters. I need the next book like right now. Definitely going to be buy the book to add to my home library.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Easy 6 star read for me!! Thank you Nerd Fam as well as A.L. Garr for the ARC copy of this. One of the most intriguing takes on the afterlife done in Fae fanrasy. I devoured this book...I need book 2 now!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Loved it so much.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Between the cover art and the characters i am just in jaw dropping amazement. Utterly beautiful. Engaging. Putting this book down was not an option.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I went into this pretty blind and wow it had me hooked. The mystery and many kept secrets had me really invested in figuring it along the way. The unique perspective of the afterlife was well done with dark vs. Light aspect. The morally grey MMC will have you in love and angry at the same time. And I adore Charles Iykyk. The story follows FMC noralie after her passing and into the afterlife where she become a warden. Those who help other souls pass on however there are those in the dark who prey on new souls and destroy them. And of course everything is not always what we think and the mystery adds up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story was SO heartbreakingly beautiful! I loved that this was set in the afterlife with grumpy x sunshine romance! And after THAT ending??? I cant wait for part 2!
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