The Shadow Realm Chronicles by E.M. Reed
- Diana Kathryn
- Oct 6
- 2 min read

Frequently, I reach for young adult novels to stay connected to my younger self, and to discover the stories adults either can't imagine or are too timid to write. I'm rarely disappointed.
I'm fortunate to know E.M. Reed personally, and The Shadow Realm Chronicles reminded me just how spectacular young writers are when you allow them the opportunity to create authentically.
This book is tremendously inventive. I haven't read anything like it for the YA audience in quite some time. Told in the individual voices of the ensemble cast (there are eight), each perspective is strong, deliberate, and allows us to experience their journey in a way the others can't. Ms. Reed clearly understands her audience and gave them a fascinating story to enjoy while diving deep into the angst of adolescence, surrounded by a fantasy environment rich in lore.
Some scenes, I felt compelled to read a second time, just to experience again, the threats lilting in the Dark, or the love shared in an unusual space. This book is a tapestry of symbols, and each moment of revelation is wonderfully crafted. It was a comfortable read for it's length and pacing. Still, that comfort was often rattled when confronted with an emotional moment that reminded of my own anxieties, which connected me to these characters even more. I found the dichotomy of confidence and doubt an insightful story engine.
I highly recommend you settle in for this great read... a little creepy, a little touching, and spectacularly innovative. Convention says I can only give the book five stars... but it should receive many more!
This is the first of Ms. Reed's books I've read, but you can be certain I'll be reading more of her in the future... She's got a stack of them! 😊
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