Every Dark Shadow Review

Book: Every Dark Shadow

Author: Sarah Zimm

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Every Dark Shadow is the first book in the Whispers of Dust & Darkness Duology by Sarah Zimm and her novel. The second book in the trilogy, Every Thread of Light releases March 25, 2025.

This book, as described by the author as well, can be classified as Shadow and Bone magic meets ACOTAR found-family. Definitely gives Six of Crows vibes in my opinion.

Every Dark Shadow is so intricate and wonderfully written for a debut novel. The magic system is incredibly flushed out, the settings are perfectly described, and the bonds between the characters are beautiful.

First, the magic systems. As previously stated, it definitely gives Shadow and Bone/Grishaverse vibes with the different classifications. There are people who alter matter, people who control different elements, and even the light vs. dark aspect. The way that the magic is used is also similar, without being a copy and paste. It's clear to see where the inspiration came from, while still remaining original.

The settings are also very well done. It was so cool to see the "time travel" aspect of the book in the mortal realm, and the magie (magic) realm is so beautiful. All of the descriptions from the magic dust floating and dancing through the air, all the way to the trees, were all so full of life and magic, it was incredible. And the author did an amazing job with making you feel as if you were standing there as well, witnessing all this magic right in front of you.

Now for the characters. Every Dark Shadow follows our four main characters, with a large cast of side characters, mentors, and villains, and every one of them stands out.

Ophelia is our FMC, the supposed savior of this world, who has had her memories burried and her true identity is being hidden from her in the start of the novel while she hides out in the mortal world. Throughout the book, Ophelia comes into her own as she starts to discover the truth about herself and learn more about her powers.

Beside her throughout the novel are her three "keepers", Falcon, Rune, and Hart. Each of these boys holds a special, seperate space in Ophelia's heart, for different reasons. They each have their own motivations for agree to be her keepers and protect her while her memories remain burried, until the time comes for her to embrace her destiny.

Each of these four MCs are so unique, even the three boys who easily could've begun to blend together if the author wasn't careful. It was so easy to differentiate the boys, their speaking, their actions, motives, all of it was so different from one another, but at the same time it's easy to see why Ophelia loves and cares about all of them; it's hard not to! Even when one or more of them is being stubborn, overprotective to a fault, or simply having one of those dumb man moments.

In addition to our four MCs, there is a whoel cast of side characters that all stand out and make an impression in their own way. Even characters that we may only see a handful of times throughout the book make a lasting impression and it's hard not to become emotionally invested in them.

I'm so excited to see how the story progresses in the Book 1.5 novella, as well as the second book in the series that releases soon!

Now is the perfect time to pick up this series if you haven't already! The next book, Every Thread of Light releases in Hardback, Paperback, and on KU on March 25,2025!