I don’t know who you are, or why you need me, but you hurt her again and I will make you pay…
Alice has lived in the forest on the fringes of Alder Vale ever since her parents abandoned her. Alone, exiled, and feared by all. All except Lily.
Nature has always been Lily’s tonic, and she never feels more alive than when she’s amidst the trees. It was Alice who first called them the sisters of shadow, Lily the sunshine to her moonlight, for neither can exist without the other.
But something is stirring beyond the mountains. Whispers of spectres stalking the moors, women of unfathomable power luring children into a cult that has haunted local lore for a generation.
When Alice disappears, Lily knows she must rescue her or risk losing her forever.
Because the rumours were true all along…
Exile.
Monster.
Witch.
Katherine Livesey is an author of whimsical fiction living in the historic Northumberland countryside. She was born and raised in the wilds of Lancashire and spent much of her childhood running ragged across the moors or lost in a sea of books.
Katherine takes inspiration from folklore, wild landscapes and the classics of the Fantasy genre, as well as the ever-changing but ever-present natural world that surrounds her home. When not writing, Katherine can usually be found knee-deep in mud walking her two dogs with her partner, baking up a storm in her little country kitchen or watching an old favourite period drama.
Her debut novel, SISTERS OF SHADOW, is the first in a trilogy of Young Adult Fantasy novels, and has been described as “Anne of Green Gables” meets Diana Wynne Jones.
To find out more about Katherine, follow her on Instagram (@katherine.livesey)
I chose this book because I like to mix in some Young Adult (YA) reads, they tend to be lighter reads and fairly quick and in a slightly different style to more adult books while still being enjoyable. I really liked the blurb on this one.
We step straight into the story and immediately I felt immersed in the world of Lily and Alice. There is some quick-paced scene-setting before getting into the main story.
This is quite a classic coming of age story in the good v evil trope with a hint of witchcraft. We follow Lily on her journey facing her fears and overcoming difficult situations to find her greatest friend. Alice meanwhile is chained up by her captors and being forced to train her witchy powers against her will but is supported by her protector, Grace. This has a strong plot around love, friendships, strength and facing your fears. There is also a very sweet representation of LGBTQ relationships and bonding in adverse situations.
Lily and Alice are the main protagonists who are both very well-developed characters. However, while they are very different one cannot exist without the other. The other characters are just as well developed and interesting with their own backstories. Grace is an awesome character who really stuck out for me. She is strong, loving and will do anything to protect Alice. The relationship between Lily and hr uncle, though very briefly described, is strong and loving and feels very special. I particularly enjoyed the dysfunctional family unit at the lighthouse though, they were my favourite team.
The ending felt a little rushed but did end on a good cliff-hanger, setting you up perfectly for the next book in the series.
I really enjoyed this book but felt that it could have been better with a little more flesh on the characters and surrounding world. I couldn’t quite work out the time period it’s set in; at times it felt very old world whereas in others it seemed more modern. That said, it was nice to see two strong female leads and to follow their journey. I am already looking forward to the next instalment and would recommend this to young adults or any adult who enjoy a light, entertaining read and an escape to another world.
| Title | Sisters Of Shadow |
| Author | Katherine Livesey |
| Series | Sisters Of Shadow 1 |
| Format | Kindle |
| Page Count | 368 Pages |
| Genre | YA Fantasy |
| Publisher | One More Chapter |
| Release Date | 30th September 2021 |
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