To Kill a Shadow by Katherine Quinn presents a traditional young adult fantasy narrative that, while familiar, left me yearning for deeper immersion. The world-building felt superficial, relying heavily on letters at the beginning of each chapter to convey history and lore. This method, though effective in some novels, fell short here, leaving me with more questions than answers.

The characters, particularly Kiara and Jude, lacked depth and development. Their interactions seemed rushed, and overall gave me that insta-love or insta- attraction feel than I don’t enjoy. It made it challenging to invest in their journey and romance progression.

The narrative also suffered from pacing issues. While the ending was action-packed, by that point, I was disengaged and more interested in concluding the read than in the outcome.

I alternated between reading and listening to the audiobook and found the narration choices puzzling. The narrators' voices sounded considerably older than the characters they portrayed, hindering my ability to connect with the protagonists. This casting decision detracted from the overall experience and made immersion challenging.

While To Kill a Shadow may appeal to readers seeking a conventional YA fantasy, it didn't resonate with me. The lack of intricate world-building, underdeveloped characters, and inconsistent pacing overshadowed the story's potential. Despite an intriguing cliffhanger, I don't anticipate continuing with the series.