ARC Review: Dream By The Shadows by Logan Karlie

Published by Amazon Digital Services LLC - Kdp, Christy Ottaviano Books Genres: Dark Fantasy, YA Dark Fantasy
Format: ARC

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First Impressions

Dream by the Shadows has the kind of haunting premise that made me pause and say, Okay, yes... give me the shadows, the magic, the slow burn enemies to lovers angst. I was hooked by the idea of a girl accused of betrayal, exiled into a cursed dream realm ruled by a monster with secrets of his own. It promised darkness, tension, and fantasy romance with a gothic edge.

And while it does deliver on that promise in many ways, it’s not quite the knockout I was hoping for.

What I Loved

The atmosphere in this book is thick enough to chew on. The dream realm is lush, haunting, and full of that eerie, otherworldly tone I crave in fantasy. Karlie’s writing is beautifully descriptive and leans into the surreal, dreamlike elements in a way that makes the world feel alive, if not always fully graspable.

The romance is a solid slow burn. Esmer and the Shadow Bringer clash in all the right ways. It’s not rushed. There’s genuine emotional development, real stakes, and a believable build from distrust to something deeper. If you love brooding shadow magic wielders and heroines who have been through it and keep fighting anyway, you’ll find something here to root for.

Where It Faltered

The same dreamy quality that makes this book so immersive also muddies the waters. I had a hard time pinning down the rules of the world. What exactly is the Shadow Bringer? How does the corruption work? Why do some souls vanish and others linger? I’m fine with mystery, but when the plot hinges on magic systems or politics, I need a bit more clarity.

The pacing struggles in the first third. The setup is slow, and while it’s clearly meant to build tension and immersion, it borders on frustrating. I found myself having to push through until things started clicking into place around the halfway mark.

Also, if you’re someone who wants crisp worldbuilding and tight storytelling, this one might leave you feeling a little adrift. It’s ambitious, and I respect the vision, but not every thread gets tied up.

Final Thoughts

Dream by the Shadows is an imaginative and emotionally charged fantasy that feels like a gothic fever dream. It’s rich with longing, heavy with shadows, and undeniably romantic. But it’s also uneven. I found myself teetering between impressed and confused, enthralled and detached.

I landed at 3.5 stars. I liked it. Parts of it I loved. But I wanted a bit more depth in the magic, more traction in the plot, and fewer lingering questions by the final chapter.

That said, this is clearly the beginning of something bigger. It ends with potential, and I’d absolutely give book two a shot. Especially if Karlie digs deeper into the lore and tightens the pacing.

Recommended For:

Readers who enjoy dark, lyrical fantasy with gothic vibes.
Fans of enemies to lovers that leans emotional over spicy.
Anyone who doesn’t mind a little fog in their fantasy as long as the mood hits.

Not recommended for readers who want clean-cut magic systems or fast paced adventure right out the gate. This one meanders, but if you’re willing to walk through the mist, there’s beauty in the shadows.

Source: NetGalley and the Publisher

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I received this book for free from NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

🫶🏼 – Ali