Shadow Reaper by Lynette Noni
Series: Shadow Reaper #1
Published by Penguin Random House on 2026
ISBN: 979-8-217-0334504
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Goodreads

In Aravell, children turning fourteen sacrifice their magic to the Obelisks, towers that keep the deadly blackmist away.  Reapers steal their magic, and hunters try to stop them. Seventeen year old Viridia is a talented hunter whose parents were murdered by the Reaper Priest seven years ago.  To make matters worse, her brother Braeden and best friend Reeve became reapers that day.  When Reeve is arrested, Viridia uncovers a sinister plot to destroy the Obelisks that involves stealing children. She breaks Reeve out of jail and joins a crew of Reapers working to stop the Reaper Priest before that happens.  Viridia begins to remember hidden memories of the day her parents died that turns her life upside down.  Will she and Reeve manage to save the children and all of Aravell?  

This is the first in a duology and ends on a major cliffhanger. The book is a romantasy but skews more toward fantasy. It is clear that Viridia and Reeve are fated to be together, but that is not the main focus of the book. Their stories intertwine in a shocking plot twist that kept me reading more. Sleep was lost. The supporting characters are just as compelling and interesting as the main characters. This copy includes a beautiful map as well. 

Reviewed by Jaime Beal, RSU 40