Review: Of Shadows and Elves by Emma Hamm
“There is always time for romance...There will always be time for us, no matter how many armies stand in my way.”
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The Basics
Title: Of Shadows and Elves (Of Goblin Kings #2)
Author: Emma Hamm
Published: 2021
Publisher: Emma Hamm
Pages: 205
Format: Hardcover, omnibus edition
Genres: Fiction — Fantasy, Romance, Young adult Fantasy romance, High fantasy, Young adult fantasy
Book Synopsis
Freya has done the impossible: defeated the Goblin King. Her victory, however, does not bring the elation she imagined it would; instead, it spears her with regret. In besting the Goblin King, she has inadvertently condemned him to an eternity of imprisonment, and she has all but handed the crown to the cruel and sadistic Goblin Queen. To free the Goblin King and save his kingdom, she will have to venture into the lion’s den and play a deadly game of stealth and deception. She has already outsmarted one goblin monarch, can she outwit another?
My Review & Overall Thoughts
TLDR: No second-book slump here – Of Shadows and Elves is all you could want (and then some) in a sequel to Of Goblins and Gold.
Of Shadows and Elves is, dare I say, a better book than its predecessor. It has more of everything: action, suspense, character development, world-building, and of course, romance. It will have you holding your breath while you relentlessly turn page after page, and before you know it, hours will have passed by with you none the wiser. I was so engrossed by this book that I binge-read it in a single day – it is that unputdownable.
The star of Of Shadows and Elves (and what makes it such an addictive read) is the romance between Freya and Eldridge. It is slow-burn and tension-filled, and what it lacks in spice, it more than makes up for in yearning. For Freya and Eldridge, absence truly does make the heart grow fonder. The longer they spend apart, the greater their desire for one another becomes, creating a tantalizing build-up to their eventual reunion. Their relationship also has a sweeter side, with numerous aww-inducing moments throughout the story. In short, they are a couple you can’t help but root for.
While their romance might be the book’s highlight, it is by no means its entirety. As in Of Goblins and Gold, Freya finds herself on a quest. Only this time, her aim is not to defeat the Goblin King but rather, save him, and the foe she must face down is more fearsome than Eldridge ever was. Her newfound nemesis, the Goblin Queen, is conniving and ruthless to her core; she will stop at nothing to secure her crown. Outmaneuvering her is a daring game that places Freya in some precarious and tense situations. Even when she is not sneaking about or otherwise plotting, a sense of unease persists, and this unshakeable dread ensures that your attention never strays.
Freya’s game of cat and mouse with the Goblin Queen also sets the stage for some world expansion, albeit relatively minor. Of Shadows and Elves does not introduce us to any new lands; rather, it does a deep dive into a previously mentioned but barely explored place: the Winter Court. Freya visits the Winter Court in Of Goblins and Gold, but she is only there for the span of roughly 20 pages. Conversely, the vast majority of Of Shadows and Elves takes place in the Winter Court, allowing us to learn more about this mysterious and derelict kingdom.
While our knowledge of the Winter Court grows, our understanding of Freya evolves. Saving the Goblin King changes her. She becomes more self-confident and accepting of others. Her prejudice toward goblins and other magical beings, which she once wore on her sleeve, she now shuns, having realized it was rooted in fear and falsehoods. In freeing the Goblin King, she also loses a part of herself – but on that, I will say no more.
As for Eldridge, he too grows over the course of the story. He is still the enigmatic, cunning villain we have come to love, but he acquires greater depth. His shields come down, and we see him vulnerable, no longer the all-powerful king of goblins. We also learn more about his past, and in uncovering his history, his present motivations are elucidated.
Underlying everything is Hamm’s writing. It is engaging and easy to understand, ensuring that your attention is not only attained but also retained. Moreover, the story is well-paced; it moves along at a good clip without ever feeling rushed.
The not so good
The book ends on a cliffhanger, but fortunately, the sequel (and all of the other books in the series) is already out. So, there’s no need to wait to see what happens next.
Overall
Of Shadows and Elves is a captivating continuation of Freya’s story. If you liked Of Goblins and Gold, you are going to love this sequel. I can’t wait to continue the series and see what Freya and Eldridge get up to next.
Have you read Of Shadows and Elves? If so, let me know what you thought of it in the comments section below!
-Julia
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