Review Detail

WHERE SHADOWS MEET is a compelling YA fantasy about love, duty, and guilt. Najja is a yamaja, people who are gifted seers. Her gift is around death, something she has never liked, especially since her mother's death and guilt around it. Her sister, Simi, took her mother's mantle after her death, working on the tapestry of fate as head of the yamaja. Simi has called Najja to tell her that she must help the vampire princess, as this is the best path for fate. After Najja sees her sister's death, she decides to do as her sister requested and heads to find the vampire princess and keep her alive.

Once in the capital of the vampires, Najja finds Leyla, the vampire princess, who is carrying a lot of guilt over the loss of her father and her own weaknesses that have kept her from serving in the war against humans. Peace is only a year old between humans and vampires, and it is very fragile. Their fate is caught by the machinations of the original vampire, Thana, and her wife, Favre. Favre's story is told through what happened a thousand years ago, but also what she is doing in the present, out of a twisted and complicated love for Thana.

What I loved: I found the themes in this story to be quite compelling, particularly around love/twisted love, complicated and healthy/unhealthy relationships, obsession, guilt, death and grief/loss, and fate. These were all very thought-provoking, but love in particular threads throughout the story of all three, including love for their families, their people, and romantic love. Some of these relationships are quite twisty, complex, and filled with obsessions and shaped by generational trauma. Najja and Leyla are beginning to examine their own lives and relationships, which come to a head towards the end of the story with personal growth and epiphanies.

The story is told from three perspectives, Favre, Najja, and Leyla, and I found each to be quite enthralling. They are each set apart in terms of their personalities and experiences, and they tell the journey well through the weaving of their stories. In terms of the romance, it was a slow-burn but very strong, and Najja and Leyla seemed well-suited as they find their path to love.

The world-building was interesting but focused with details only being given as needed. There was not a lot of extra information, though the world was fascinating. The ending is not entirely complete, as the story will be continued in another book. That being said, I appreciated where it ended with a bit of a cliffhanger.

What left me wanting more: As a small thing, I would have loved to learn more about this world and particularly the gods/their functions. Additionally, the romantic fallout seemed very forced and sudden, and it was felt a bit out of sync with the story. That being said, it was still a smooth read overall with a quick pace.

Final verdict: WHERE SHADOWS MEET is an enthralling YA fantasy about love, guilt, and fate that I am excited to see continued in the next story!