Shadow Wars: The Secret War

by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Madaug Hishinuma, Hinako Hishinuma

From bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon and debut authors Hinako & Madaug Hishinuma comes a middle-grade fantasy adventure unlike any other, where demons rub shoulders with gods and one boy must learn to control his power before it's too late.

Ryuichi is a boy with a destiny he neither knows nor understands. The son of the god, Ryukage, and the gatekeeper Michi, he is banished as an infant to the mortal world in order to save his life and protect him from the dark powers who will gladly use and abuse him as they did his mother. Like her, Ryuichi is born with the ability to control the sacred gates that separate the world of humans from the realm of the demons. Theirs is a sacred duty, but one that comes with a great deal of risk.

Michi just managed to save her son's life before she lost her own and placed Ryuichi in the custody of her y�kai companion, Keiko. The fox demon hides Ryuichi in the human world and conceals his powers. But on his twelfth birthday the y�kai catch his scent and almost capture him. Worse, Ryuichi is becoming aware of his powers, powers he doesn't understand or know how to use. At least not yet.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Demons, Young Adult, Audiobook, Romance, Ebooks

Audio CD

Published August 1, 2023

About the author

Official Author site
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New York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon is a regular at the #1 spot. With legions of fans known as Paladins (thousands of whom proudly sport tattoos from her series and who travel from all over the world to attend her appearances), her books are always snatched up as soon as they appear on store shelves. Since 2004, she had placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats including manga and graphic novels. Her current series are: Dark-Hunters, Chronicles of Nick and The League, and her books are available in over 100 countries where eager fans impatiently wait for the next release. Her Chronicles of Nick and Dark-Hunter series are soon to be major motion pictures while Dark-Hunter is also being developed as a television series. Join her and her Paladins online at MySherrilyn.com and www.facebook.com/mysherrilyn

Fan Run International Sites:

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Reviews

[Billie's Not So Secret Diary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shadow Wars: The Secret War
by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Hinako Hishinuma, Madaug Hishinuma
Tween Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: May 27, 2025
Blackstone Publishing
Ages: 12+

Ryuichi is an orphan, and now he lives in a dojo, abused by his peers because he has no last name: his father died in battle and did not call out his name, so now it is forgotten.

But after discovering the truth, he does not know whom to trust because even his guardian, who has been hiding him from his father, has lied to him about who he really is. The gift he inherited from his mother, his father (who is alive), wants it so he can open the gates to the realm of the demons.


While the blurb of this story sounded great, the story was a huge disappointment! It did start off ok, but the writing seemed to be aimed towards preteens. Then, as it progressed, the plot and ideas were scattered around, as if the authors could not agree on subplots, the characters (descriptions, personalities), and where the story was going. (Maybe lost in translation?) And the settings, including the 'realm of the demons', all lacked descriptions!

The plot also jumped around so much that I'm not sure how long it took the events of the story to play out. While it seemed as if it should have taken a month or more, it read as if it took only a week. Worse than that, the MC, Ryuichi, is a whiner! Yeah, he was picked on, abused, but it didn't make him stronger; it made him weaker, as if he liked it. And I'm not even sure how old he is. He acts like a six-year-old. And speaking of age, the 'adults' acted like tweenagers. No maturity at all!

1 Star

[Chelsea 🥀🗡🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Shadow Wars: The Secret War," we follow the journey of Ryuichi, a young boy marked for death since birth, as he navigates a world steeped in Japanese lore and strives to fulfill his destiny. This middle-grade novel beautifully intertwines elements of mythology and adventure, making it an engaging read for younger audiences.

One of the highlights of the book is its rich incorporation of Japanese culture and folklore, which adds depth and authenticity to Ryuichi's journey. The author does an excellent job of creating a vivid world that captures the imagination and introduces readers to fascinating aspects of Japanese traditions.

While this may not be a book I would typically choose for myself, it's definitely one I would recommend for my oldest child. The themes of courage and destiny resonate well, making it a great read for young readers looking for adventure and inspiration. Overall, "Shadow Wars: The Secret War" is a captivating tale that successfully blends mythology with a coming-of-age story.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! :)

[Kayla A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryuichi is a young boy, hidden away to protect him from the dark forces of the Ryukage. He grows up an orphan, alone without knowing who his parents are. However, Ryuichi is more special than he ever thought possible. He has a hidden power, sealed for his own protection. But as he's thrust into the world of samurai and magic, he is faced with this power he cannot yet control. Ryuichi must discover who he truly is and who he can trust if he wants to survive.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Shadow Wars is a middle grade book that blends fantasy and folklore with a little historical twist. This book takes place in a Japan where chaos reigns as the Ryukage's forces ravage the land. Oda Nobunaga gets several mentions, and Hattori Hanzo himself is a semi-prominent character. The main focus is on Ryuichi's journey, with finding out who his parents truly were and finding what he so desperately craves--family. I loved the message that family doesn't have to be tied by blood, that you can choose who becomes your family. Found family is always so good, I don't care if it gets overdone because I will eat it up every time. I also really enjoyed a lot of the character interactions here. My favorites were disgruntled and exasperated Koichi who serves as a somewhat reluctant mentor, and Masaru, who I was delighted to find was a hardened bad boy with a secret heart of gold buried deep deep down. It won't be for everyone, but I did enjoy my time with it. I feel like it could make a good anime or movie one day.

[Lex · Rating 3 out of 5]

The “Shadow Wars: The Secret War” focuses on Ryuichi, an orphaned young boy of unknown power, hidden away in a samurai school. He has no friends and is mistreated for the majority of his early years. Suddenly, he is whisked away and thrust into a world of magic with no real training and learns that his father is alive. Decisions must be made on who to trust, and where allegiances lie.

I really appreciated a non-European fantasy setting. The mythology stands out as one of the best parts of this novel.

As an adult reader this was chaotic for me and I struggled to finish it but I’m not sure the middle grade readers will have that issue. I had a hard time understanding or believing Ryuichi’s motivations. Why is Ryuichi so kind hearted? He’s been abused all of his life, what value is he holding on to? Where did he learn it?

A lot of the book focused on his thought processes, especially the conflicts in his head and then which path he chooses to follow. While I didn’t always understand why he chose the path he did, I appreciated the way the authors laid it out. For a middle grade reader, I believe this is extremely valuable.

The world was amazing though I got lost a bit with so many characters and variations on characters. I appreciate a non-European fantasy setting and for that alone will recommend that the librarians in my district purchase a copy.

Pros: The world building/setting
The inner conflict of the main character

Cons: Chaotic
Unbelievable motivations

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! :)

[Jeremy Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sherrilyn Kenyon delivers an exciting new adventure with Shadow Wars: The Secret War, a thrilling departure from her iconic Dark-Hunter series. In collaboration with Madaug and Hinako, Kenyon has ventured into the world of middle-grade fiction, crafting a tale that’s as adventurous as it is imaginative.

Kenyon’s signature talent for creating compelling characters shines through, even in this new genre. The protagonists come to life with authentic coming-of-age moments—universally relatable yet detailed enough to propel the plot forward. The pacing is brisk, with the narrative unfolding through a blend of discoveries and action that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages.

True to Kenyon’s style, Shadow Wars is laced with paranormal intrigue. From Kitsunes to demons and shadow creatures, this story offers a rich tapestry of supernatural elements. The mystery deepens with each chapter, leaving tantalizing hints and plenty of room for future revelations in the series.

Fans of Soman Chainani’s School for Good & Evil will find Shadow Wars equally captivating. With its mix of adventure, mystery, and paranormal twists, this is one story you won’t want to miss!

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5
I received a eARC for my honest opinion

What an amazing middle grade fantasy book. I have read almost all of Kenyons book series and when I saw that she wrote one with her daughter in-law and son I knew that I had to read it. This book was fantastic!! You will find action, adventure, plot twists, a tiny amount of romance, mystery, paranormal creatures and a whole lot of secrets. In this book you will meet Ryuichi who doesn’t know that he is the son of a goddess that controlled the sacred gates between the human world and the demon world. With the gates unattended for years, and the humans have been having to deal with the demons coming into their world.

I liked that this book was a true mix of character driven and plot driven mixed in the right ways. I found the pace of the book to be perfect for it being an MG book, and all ages can read it and still love it. I enjoyed the fantasy, folklore that takes place in Japan. It was fun getting to learn about their mythology and getting to know the creatures. I enjoyed the found family vibe that I got throughout the book and the message that family doesn’t have to be tied by blood, you have the opportunity to choose who becomes part of your family. I loved that we got to see Ryuichi travel through life not feeling whole, he was missing part of himself. He is bullied and teased by his peers and his teachers his whole life, until one day when someone sees that he is special like them and takes a chance with him. He is then taken to a new school and is thrown into a world that he feels is strange, but he feels at home with them. I loved that you have a battle of good vs evil, you have a young man who is right now who has to pick what team he wants to be on. With any negative emotions that Ryuichi has it can lead his father to him and allow all the demons to pass through the gates, but if he stays positive and thinks of all the great things that he has come to love he will be more like his goddess mother and protect the gates.

The characters in this book are well written, they have depth, you see their development throughout the book. I loved that the characters are coming of age in this book, and you get to go on the journey with them. I loved the drunk uncle, he was all over the place, and he had a lot of emotions that he was trying to deal with on his own, but he has his own growth with that as well. can’t say more about the characters without giving more of the book away though. So instead, this book is full of magic, saving the world, learning about yourself, understanding evil vs good, choosing who you want in your family. I can’t wait for the next book

I want to thank NetGalley and Blackstone for the opportunity to review this book.

[Lamia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read that I really enjoyed, and I love that it is aimed at a middle school audience but still enjoyable for any older ager group as well. I think everyone needs to be in love with Japanese mythology like I am and no better time to start than when you are young have nothing but time to read.

Thank you Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the eARC.

I can't deny what first drew me into this title was the fact the Darkhunter Mommy herself Sherrilyn Kenyon was the big font author on this cover. I definitely got the vibe she used her proven brand of polish and drafting skills on the Hishinuma's story. I enjoyed it even if the main character was definitely written to be more relatable to a younger audience, but the twists were well written, and I loved the found family aspect of the tale. The worldbuilding was perfection and I definitely felt immersed in a fantasy version of the Azuchi-Momoyama period. I often see people asking for book recs for their children, and now I have one to throw into the pool.


🖤🖤🖤🖤
If you only want to see books I rate 4-stars or higher, get book recommendations or just connect and talk books follow me on Booksta
🖤🖤🖤🖤

[✧ Beanie Reads ✧ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
2.5 stars rounded down

I was originally going to round this up, but the more I thought about it, the more my 2-star descriptor of okaaaaaaay just really matched my feelings for this book.

It had a lot of anime feels. The plot, the magic system, all that stuff. Which I liked. And there were a lot of sprinkled in ideas I liked, such as Koichi's character idea and the group he leads.

But the writing just felt so very distant, head hoppy, and exaggerated. Plus it felt so much like a modern non-Asian wrote this with the way that the characters in this historical Japanese fiction spoke.

The ideas were there, the execution wasn't. Rather sad because I was looking forward to the book after the blurb 😞

[Tre' · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly emotional, a little chaotic, and totally worth the ride.

I grabbed Shadow Wars: The Secret War on a whim (sort of, I thought it had a cool cover), not expecting much beyond your standard magical-kid-goes-to-school setup. But let me tell ya, this one had me hooked. It’s got heart. Real heart. Ryuichi isn’t just some “chosen one” trope. He’s messy. He’s scared. He’s been tossed around his whole life, and suddenly he’s supposed to save the world with powers he barely understands? No pressure at all, right?

The world is wild, with magic, monsters, and gates to other realms, and it all hits pretty fast. I didn't know much about Japanese folklore going in, but that didn’t stop me from loving every second. And let’s not forget about the lovely drunk uncle. He’s all over the place, totally unpolished, and half the time smells like sake, but somehow? He’s exactly what Ryuichi needs. The story isn't just about magic and saving the world. It's about figuring out who you are when life’s been unfair, and choosing people who lift you up, even when they’re total trainwrecks themselves. Once I finished, I caught myself reaching for the next book... only to realize it doesn’t exist yet. Brutal.

*ARC was provided by Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Debby Tiner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a Sherrilyn Kenyon fan, I snagged this book as soon as I could. This book still has her classic style, snarky characters and funny one-liners.

This book included a cast of characters at the front and a glossary at the back.

One of my favorite parts of this book was its underlying moral that the things you believe about yourself matter, and it is important to have positive self-talk. I could not agree more.

I loved the mythological elements in this story and would love to see them expanded on.

The ending felt abrupt, and there were a lot of loose ends, so I imagine there will be a sequel.

I loved how the prologue set up the struggles of duality for Ryuichi. “.So wanted and so hated. So loved and so feared.”

Favorite quotes:

“Hanzō wanted him? Because he could swat a stick?”

“Run, idiot! Run!
He ignored his inner coward.”

“I am unworthy, but my heart is true."

“Mind where your thoughts graze. For an untended flock can quickly find itself in pastures where it cannot escape.”

“I am my own demon.
But then, wasn't everyone? In the end, everyone created their own nightmares. Manifested their worst fears.”

"Then how can you teach me?"
Koichi shrugged. "Never said I was any good at teaching."

"Don't tell me I've become something as boring as predictable.”

“Is there a question anywhere in my near future?"

“They were being shoveled forward like treats toward the mouth of a hungry toddler.”

"Just me seasoning you up."
Ryuichi snorted. "I don't need any more seasoning. Call me mochi and be done with it."

Ryuichi gaped at his shadow's assessment of him. "I'm not the puppet here. You're the one I made talk on walls at night."

“Now... he'd be alone again.
Except for the demon who threatened to eat him and the alcoholic who kept busting his chops.
And a yōkai protector he still wasn't sure he could trust.”

Favorite character: Masaru

If you like this book, you may also enjoy The Celestial Kingdom series by Sue Lynn Tan, Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh, or Serpentine by Cindy Pon.

[Megan Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reader's copy of the book. I enjoyed the Japanese mythology and lore of this story. I will admit that I am not the target audience for this book, however the story is well written and very engaging. It's definitely a first book of a series and introduces the characters and what's at stake very well. It'll be very interesting to read the rest of the series.

[Mary]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC! This was a cute middle grade fantasy set in Japan and based on Japanese mythology/folklore.

Although as an adult I am not the target audience for this, but I do think that this would be a great read for middle grade readers. There are some great themes of found family and learning to accept yourself as a whole, including the "bad." I did find that the narrative switched POV at random times, which made it a bit confusing at times. There are also a lot of Japanese words and mythology, which is great, but these were often not explained. For a younger audience who may not be familiar with Japanese, I think a glossary would be a great inclusion. Overall a fun start to a middle grade fantasy series that I hope finds its audience!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

We follow Yorukaze Ryuichi, marked for death since birth, in pursuit to fulfill his destiny.
A YA fantastical chosen one story following our underdog as he navigates new lands, friend and foe. Steeped in Japanese lore the world felt surreal.
I loved this! The story flowed perfectly and I do hope we get to see more Ryuichi and his crew. Thank you to NetGally for an ARC, this is a must read for the adventure loving folk.

[Mel T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read and loved all of Sherrilyn Kenyon's adult series, so I picked up this one and wasn't disappointed. The story is action-packed and suspenseful. Wonderful, deep characters and the storyline kept me glued to the pages. I love that she's aiming some of her excellent work at a younger audience. I'm looking forward to the next installment in this series!

[Bookish Venturess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. I've never read anything like it. The twist of finding out who Ryuichi is the child of. The demons and gods fighting and the samurai children learning to defend people. There is a lot of action and drama which adds to the story.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read, i loved the world and the set up, and it was such a great story!

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

What worked:
The story’s unusual, curious aspect occurs when Ryuichi’s protective yokai is revealed. Yokai choose the person they’ll protect and Masaru becomes Ryuichi’s guardian. However, Masaru is an evil demon and it’s unclear why he chooses an unremarkable samurai in training. It’s not unusual in books for spirits to protect heroes but it’s very strange when a “guardian” like Masaru doesn’t fulfill his role. Not only does he not appear when summoned but he’s prone to act against Ryuichi’s best interests. Masaru is allied with Ryuichi’s father, the malevolent Shadow King, who wants his son’s powers. Readers will enjoy the transformation of Masaru’s character when he experiences unexpected emotions.
Ryuichi’s life changes after being sent to the dangerous Night Patrol. The Night Patrol searches for demons during the night and most of its members end up lost or dead. They’re led by a disgraced, drunken warrior named Koichi who initially doesn’t provide much guidance. The dynamics change when Ryuichi is overwhelmed by a demon and the other members of Night Patrol come to his aid. Koichi begins to suspect something unusual about Ryuichi and the big secret is slowly revealed. Koichi is a fearsome protector for Ryuichi but also adds humor to the story. His sarcastic barbs toward others and himself lament becoming sober and taking on the role of Ryuichi’s guardian.
Ryuichi doesn’t know the identity of his parents so he feels unworthy of training to become a samurai. He feels he deserves the teasing and bullying from his peers and instructors which adds to his anger and loneliness. These feelings are significant since his character is teetering between good and evil. Negative emotions will lead him toward his father and allow demons to pass through the gate his mother once guarded. He’ll be overwhelmed by the shadows. On the other hand, he’ll become a guardian of his mother’s gate if he can stay positive and defeat the army of shadows.
What didn’t work as well:
The story includes an abundance of Japanese terms and readers should be able to use context clues to understand many of them. However, there are some terms whose meanings aren’t as clear. A glossary of terms might be helpful to ensure readers have correct meanings and mental images. It’s also challenging to keep a mental image of events as the characters fluctuate between humans, shadows, demons, and the shadow world.
The final verdict:
The plot is fascinating although the narrative sometimes makes it difficult to follow the events. A battle between good and evil always makes a good story and the immersion in Japanese folklore spices things up. Give the book a shot if you’re into Asian monsters or samurai.

[Mary Anne Wangen · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

Shadow Wars: The Secret War
by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Hinako Hishinuma, Madaug Hishinuma

What an adventure! I loved how this book has the right combination of hope, action, adventure, found family, suspense, history, and betrayal. Even though I am not the target demographic of this book, I still enjoyed it.

Ryuichi and his found family were written well. I loved how his new family was there to strengthen him and reassure him whenever he doubted himself. Despite his tragic back story, Ryuichi found good people to support him.

The Ryukage was a complex character - turned into a villain because of the desire to avenge his family. We see his dynamic with his minions then with his son. It’s interesting to know why he did the things he did in the climax of the story.

The world building of this book is wonderful. I am not familiar with Japanese lore, but this book got me interested in researching it. The authors also did a masterful job tying real Japanese history with fiction.

If there is one thing that I wish would be improved, it’s the amount of times the main character’s doubts was narrated. We already know Ryuichi doubted himself because of his family background and upbringing. We don’t need a reminder of it every chapter.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I’ll definitely read the next one!

[Desiree · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the chance to read this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. Being a huge Sherrilyn Kenyon fan, I was thrilled when I found this book by her son and daughter-in-law and couldn’t wait to read it. Sadly my excitement waned the longer I tried to read this. Ryuichi is an orphan who is mistreated terribly and has no friends. Then one day, he impresses Hanzo Hattori, who takes him under his wing to his school to train to become a samurai. This is where things go from bad to worse. He makes friends, he loses friends. He is admired by teachers, then they hate him. He gets thrown to Koichi, a drunk who treats him badly. Then Ryuichi finds out who his parents are and realizes he has these amazing powers. His mother was good, his father evil. He has to deal with his emerging powers and quickly choose a side.
Overall, it was an ok book but I got confused way more than I think I should have and that is why I didn’t enjoy this as much as I wanted to. I kept putting this down and it took me a very long time to read this. I feel like there should be a glossary in the beginning to help readers understand better. I think younger readers will enjoy this more and hopefully not be as confused.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a huge fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon for many years, and seeing the opportunity to read and review the book she wrote with her son and daughter-in-law thrilled me! It is an honor and privilege to read and review the book before it is even published!!!

The storyline and characters in Shadow Wars is amazing! Being a big fantasy reader, I expected odd-named people and places and this book does not disappoint...it is completely different than my reality and I love that! There was a bit of a learning curve, and perhaps a glossary of terms would have helped, but once I learned the vernacular, it was an easy, exciting read.

Shadow Wars follows Ryuichi, who does not know that he is the only child of a woman charged with guarding the gate between the human and demon worlds. Worse, she is long deceased and the gate has been unattended most of his life. The fight to learn who he is, learn how to control his powers, and regain control will keep you glued to your seat! Can't say more without divulging story secrets, but suffice it to say, you do not want to miss this story!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young baby is spirited away to the human realm to be hidden and raised to follow good but life doesn’t always turn out as planned.

Demons are running amuck and Ryuichi is about to leap into a destiny and learn of parents he thought he’d even have names for.

Come to a world of foxes and gods where the they still trained the samurai. If you’re looking for a pick me up, head over to Sherrilyn Kenyon partnered with H. Hishinuma and M. Hishinuma for this young fantasy action book.

For fans of Rick Riordan and the hunger games this book will keep you going from start to finish. Plenty of action with an underlying storyline that hits you in the Feels. I enjoyed the ride of this roller coaster. Gaining a found family can make all the difference.

Thank you NETGALLEY for allowing me to grab this ARC and the enjoyments of a new story

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book we follow Ryuichi , a young boy orphaned since birth. He has no idea who his parents or himself really are. We know however that he is destin for something great. We follow him, his journey and how he comes into his powers.
This was a good read based on Japanese lore. I wish I had know more about the topic before I read this book. I think it would have made a huge difference. This book seems more YA than adult fantasy. If I submit a review based on YA , I would recommend. The plot and different characters were a bit hard to follow but I think that was due to my lack of the culture. Overall I had fun reading !

I was able to read this as an eARC by NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing. Thank you both

[Hallee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine for the age bracket. didn’t realize it’s a middle grade. but the writing was actually good. and the story was interesting! a little confusing at times, I felt more explanation could have been given for background information, especially as someone who has extremely limited knowledge on the culture/lore.
got the book as an ARC from a friend. def would’ve eaten this story up as a kid. I appreciated an eastern mythology book for middle grade, considering I feel that the percy jackson series / greek mythology as a whole is written about more.
a little corny at the end- believe in yourself not the negative voice in your head blah blah as an adult corny but for that age a good lesson. we love a story with a lesson

[Robyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the idea of this book and the way it started out, but for a book under 300 this became an absolute chore to read. Nothing seemed to be cohesive or make sense, the plot or the characters. Kohichi is an alcoholic who cares about nothing, but then he cares about everything? Masaru is evil or a trickster or actually helping? His friends will do anything for him, but blame him for everything, but defend him? His father is the most evil man ever, but cares about his so, but runs away?

I really enjoyed the culture and I thought I was going to absolutely love this book, but it really wasn't good. 80% confusion and the description of the world itself was severely lacking.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read a new book by Sherrilyn Kenyon, whose work I've loved for years. Even though I'm not the target audience, I looked forward to reading something completely new from her and her co-authors.

I think this book would be great for tweens and teens, with a good amount of excitement, and a coming-of-age story that would keep them engaged. I struggled with names, which is to be expected, so a glossary of terms and pronunciations would be helpful.

Overall, I had difficulty sympathizing with the main character, but I did like his sake-drunk instructor a lot.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

My wife keeps telling me I need to read more Sherrilyn Kenyon. So I try one every so often.
I tried Shadow War because of the Japanese setting. I was not disappointed in that aspect.
Shadow Wars is a middle grade book that tells the story of Ryuichi, a young boy who doesn’t really know who he is.
I don’t often read middle grade books, but this one wasn’t bad. The story moved well and kept my interest fairly well.
I highly doubt that this book would make someone a Kenyon fan for life, but it was an enjoyable read.

[Pakou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow Wars: The Secret War is a middle grade book with fantasy, folklore and a bit of history. I found the pacing really good, and easy to follow. This book takes place in Japan. Ryuichi's journey focuses on family and self discovery. And I am a bit biased, but one of my favorite themes in any storyline is found family vs blood family. This is a world of samurais, magick, loyalty/betrayal, yokai, overcoming and discovering. I did enjoy this book overall, as I am a fan of Japanese culture. I read this voluntarily as an ARC thanks to Netgalley in exchange for a review.

[SuperMommy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow Wars is trademark Sherrilyn Kenyon writing, but with a Japanese twist. Enjoyed the world building in this novel, good versus evil, and interesting view into samurai. I loved the frequent references to family and that family is not only by blood but those that support and stand by you. The book ended in a way that it was obvious there was more to come, but it did not leave a cliffhanger which I appreciated. Looking forward to Ryuichi's next step in his adventure!

[Lisa Spofford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am voluntarily writing this honest review after reading a #gifted ARC via NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing. All opinions expressed are my own. SHADOW WARS: THE SECRET WAR by Sherrilyn Kenyon with Hinako Hinako and Madaug Hishinuma is the first book in the SHADOW WARS series. This is the supernatural adventure of an orphaned boy, Ryuichi. Banished, isolated, and hunted for a destiny he doesn’t understand he must master his inherited powers in order to protect sacred gates between the human and demon realms while figuring out who to trust. This is a teen and YA fantasy novel. While I often love YA fantasy, as an adult I found this novel ok. I liked Ryuichi, who was a noble youth despite being a target for bullying and neglect most of his life. After moving to a new samurai school, he made friends for the first time in his life, but he was unsure whether to trust the mentors in his life who were flawed and whose motivations were unclear. The book dragged a bit while the authors were world building, which surprised me as I usually adore everything this author writes. I also had a tough time keeping the characters straight. I would recommend this book for younger fantasy readers. I think that young teens would enjoy this book and connect with the hero more than I did.

[Debbie Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading the spellbinding and mesmerizing paranormal story. Ryuichi has never felt like he fit in until he ends up going to an elite school and starts to learn how to deal with his new found powers. Read the high recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting story by the fabulous author Sherrilyn Kenyon.