Soul of Shadow - by Emma Noyes (Hardcover)

About the Book

While investigating a classmate's disappearance, sixteen-year-old Charlie finds herself drawn to a mysterious newcomer who uncovers a hidden world of Norse mythology and ill-fated love.

Book Synopsis

"Bursting with magic and danger." - Publishers Weekly
"Crackles with chemistry." - Booklist
"Absolutely sizzling romance." - Betty Cayoutte

Hearts will shatter in this thrilling romantasy for fans of Twilight and Teen Wolf where love, magic, gods, and monsters collide.

Charlie Hudson is just trying to survive junior year, navigating the halls of school and the chaos of parties like a ghost. But her world is about to become seriously transformed―like world shifting altered―when a classmate mysteriously disappears into the forest, leaving only a pair of shoes and strange symbols carved into a tree.

Drawn to the disappearances by forces she can't explain, she finds herself investigating the mysterious, alluring newcomer in town, Elias Everhart. With piercing eyes and sharp wit, he dances around her questions, only intriguing her further. Elias has a secret. More than one.

But what Charlie doesn't know is that those secrets will lead her to a place she never imagined: a world hiding in plain sight, filled with enchantments, mythic beings, hidden dangers―and a first love fated to fall apart.

In Emma Noyes's Soul of Shadow, truths and temptations lurk in the darkness, and for Charlie, the only thing more dangerous than facing her past, is the boy made of shadow with the power to change her future.

This DELUXE LIMITED EDITION features purple stained edges, a unique foiled case stamp, and beautifully designed endpapers. It's a must have for any book lover.

"This novel is perfect for readers of Holly Black, Lauren Roberts, and Stephanie Garber and mythology lovers who enjoy Rick Riordan and Joanne Harris." - School Library Journal

"Oh cool... I'm in love with a fictional subhuman bad boy again. Twisty, addictive, and whimsically wicked. Soul of Shadow gave me butterflies that bite." - Daisy Garrison, author of Six More Months of June

"What happens when an ordinary teen finds herself rocketed into an overlapping world of Nordic mythology? [A] breakneck story and surprising twists." - Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Review Quotes

GoodReads, "Readers' Most Anticipated 2025 Romantasy Books"

Paste Magazine, "The Most Anticipated YA Books of Summer 2025"

Reactor Mag, "All the New Young Adult SFF Books Arriving in July 2025"

"This novel is perfect for readers of Holly Black, Lauren Roberts, and Stephanie Garber and mythology lovers who enjoy Rick Riordan and Joanne Harris." - School Library Journal

"This emotionally charged romantasy perfectly blends Norse mythology, the realities of contemporary high-school life, and slow-burn romance in an intricate package. Effortlessly weaving Norse mythology into a modern setting, Noyes builds a vivid, rich fantasy world while keeping her characters emotionally grounded--Charlie's grief and growth feel real, and her dynamic with Elias crackles with chemistry. With morally gray characters, perfect pacing, and unexpected twists, this is the start of a compelling series teens and fantasy lovers won't want to miss." - Booklist

"Norse mythology and folklore permeate a treacherous, atmospheric setting bursting with magic and danger." - Publishers Weekly

"Soul of Shadow swept me away--I didn't want to put it down. Noyes' heartfelt characters and the absolutely sizzling romance make this a stunning romantasy that you won't want to miss." - Betty Cayouette, author of One Last Shot and creator of Betty's Book List

"Oh cool... I'm in love with a fictional subhuman bad boy again. This shimmering romantasy is twisty, addictive, and whimsically wicked. Emma Noyes renders worlds in colors I've never seen before, and Soul of Shadow gave me butterflies that bite." - Daisy Garrison, author of Six More Months of June

"What happens when an ordinary teen finds herself rocketed into an overlapping world of Nordic mythology? In Noyes' case -- a breakneck story and surprising twists." - Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Praise for How to Hide in Plain Sight:

"A raw and emotionally profound read. Eliot's strength is inspiring, and the smart and lyrical writing makes this book difficult to put down. Combining themes of family trauma, grief, and self-acceptance, this story is a tear-jerker in the best way possible." -- Raquel Vasquez Gilliland, USA Today bestselling author

"An honest, unflinching, and at times, heartbreaking exploration of how the walls we build to protect ourselves can block out the love we need to thrive. Noyes's prose crackles with feeling and fervent, relatable yearning. Readers will revel in the triumph of this beautifully affirming story of self-acceptance, as they race toward the hope-filled happily ever after." -- Rebekah Faubion, author of The Lovers

"Once again, Noyes sensitively portrays a heroine who is coming to terms with a mental illness and finally opening herself up to love. Flashbacks depict the onset of Eliot's OCD and the masking techniques she used to keep the peace. Add this new-adult novel to the growing list of romances that explore neurodiversity." -- Booklist

"I simply could not put this book down. Beyond the brilliance of the writing itself, Emma nailed the realities of OCD, a very misunderstood condition that so rarely gets accurate media representation. I laughed, I cried, and I healed through these pages." -- Alegra Kastens, founder of the Center for OCD, Anxiety and Eating Disorders

Praise for Guy's Girl:

"Emma Noyes' stunning adult debut is raw, real, and an emotional page-turner that will stay with you long after the last page. This love story is a must read." -- Krista & Becca Ritchie, New York Times bestselling authors

"Heartbreaking and romantic, Guy's Girl is a beautifully written and authentically raw story about the human journey through trauma, self-exploration and self-love." -- Samantha Young, New York Times bestselling author

"Emma Noyes completely captivated me with her spectacular debut! Guy's Girl is an honest, no-holds-barred look at life as a twenty something struggling to find love and find herself. Noyes deftly handles incredibly tough topics with care and sincerity, culminating in a sparkling work of fiction that I could not stop thinking about. This one stuck with me long after I finished the final page!" -- Falon Ballard, author of Just My Type

About the Author

EMMA NOYES writes books about love, mental health, and magic for both the young adult and adult genre. Her works have been published in over a dozen languages and include Guy's Girl, How to Hide in Plain Sight, The Sunken City series, and The Soul of Shadow series. She was named a 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30. She now lives in Chicago with her Swedish husband and their Pomeranian.