Shadow Reaper – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Enemies, magic, twists, pure obsession.
YA book title: Shadow Reaper.
YA author: Lynette Noni.
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy/Romance.
Published by: Penguin.
ISBN: 9780241747117.
Recommended for children aged: 14+.
First published: Paperback June 2026.
This YA book is ideal for: KS3 and KS4 readers who enjoy dark fantasy and romance. Perfect for readers who have enjoyed Lynette Noni’s Prison Healer series and fans of Rebecca Yarros, Lauren Roberts, and Sarah J. Maas.
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Our review:
In the city of Aravell, darkness has enveloped everything. A deadly blackmist creeps through the streets, killing all it touches, while reapers, criminals who steal magic from innocent children, grow bolder and more numerous. At the heart of it all is the Reaper Priest, a figure of terrifying power and extraordinary cruelty, whose shadow has fallen over seventeen-year-old Viridia Solace since the night he murdered her parents. For years, Viri has channelled her grief into purpose, training relentlessly to become one of Aravell’s most resolute and unwavering reaper hunters, fuelled by a burning need for justice that has defined her entire existence.
When the Reaper Priest’s most trusted lieutenant, the dangerously charming Reeve Ashton, is captured, Viri sees her long-desired chance. But the price of his cooperation is one she never anticipated: his freedom. Forced into an uneasy and deeply reluctant alliance, Viri finds herself breaking her enemy out of prison and venturing with him and his crew of magic thieves into the deadly blackmist forest, chasing an ancient legend that may be the only hope of saving the city. With every step into the unknown, the line between enemy and ally begins to blur for Viri in ways that unsettle her far more than any reaper ever has.
A journey unfurls that will test everything Viri believes about justice, loyalty, and the people she thought she understood. Secrets long buried begin to surface, relationships shift in unexpected directions, and the closer she gets to the truth about the Reaper Priest, the more she begins to question everything, including herself.
Our verdict:
Lynette Noni has crafted a fantasy world that enchants the reader from the outset to the final lines of the novel. The city of Aravell is atmospheric, dark and dangerous, with an inventive and unique magic system. Central to the story is Viridia Solace, a protagonist whose fierce determination and barely contained grief make her instantly compelling. Her reluctant alliance with the silver-tongued Reeve Ashton crackles with tension and wit, and their slow-burning enemies-to-lovers dynamic is captivating. Alongside this, the found family that forms around Viri adds warmth and surprising tenderness to what might otherwise be a ruthlessly dark story.
What truly sets Shadow Reaper apart is the plot: a rollercoaster ride of twists, each one reframing everything that came before and driving the story forward with momentum. The banter between Viri and Reeve is captivating and utterly authentic, sparking natural chemistry and tension, drawing you deeper into their dynamic with every exchange. Just when you think you have found your footing, the ground shifts again, and nothing can quite prepare you for where it all leads: the ending lands like a thunderclap, jaw-dropping in the best possible way and leaving you desperate for answers only book two can provide. At the heart of it all is Viri herself, a protagonist who is tenacious and fiercely driven, yet refreshingly humble and genuinely vulnerable in the moments that matter most, making her relatable.
Many thanks to Penguin for the review copy.
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