Until We Shatter by Kate Dylan - Book Review

Publication Date: 17th Oct 2024

Genre: YA Historical Fantasy, LGBT 

2.5 Stars 

One Liner: Will depend on how you like the FMC 

Cemmy’s life is always under threat. The only safe space for her is the In-Between, the Gray where neither the Council nor the Church can kill her. With her mother’s health failing, Cemmy becomes a thief. However, her latest project lands her and her friends in bigger trouble. 

Cemmy has to work with Chase (and others) to steal an ancient relic hidden by the Church. One wrong step could kill them and the path is filled with twists, landmines, and dead ends. Can she do it? 

The story comes in Cemmy’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

With a cover and premise like that, I couldn’t resist requesting the book knowing it is YA. Serves me right I suppose!

The author’s note is at the beginning, which I appreciate. It helped me understand the story to an extent. We also get a short list of the colors and their magic but a detailed list would have been helpful. This magic system is kinda complex without a reference. 

We know how important the beginning is for any book. This one has a great first page until the MC starts to talk to herself too often and provides too many details at once. The first two chapters were heavy, slow, and annoying. Instead of making me feel for Cemmy, I ended up being irritated by her. Easing some weight off these chapters should provide a smoother reading experience. 

Too much data about the magic system (especially when the initial chart isn’t enough) made it a laborious read in the first quarter. I was constantly pairing up colors to determine where the Hues fit and all that. I’m a go-with-the-flow kind of reader. Still, it wasn’t easy. 

The Council and Church part was a little easier. It is similar to religion vs. politicians, church vs. nonbelievers, etc., thingy. Think of something set in ancient Europe. That should give you an idea. 

Some of the side characters are cool. I like Novi; she is spunky, sassy, and a no-nonsense person. Eve and Ezzo are nice. The other girl is also nice. Though we are told there’s a found family trope, the dynamics aren’t really there. Also, lies, secrets, and repetitive wrong decisions are used to advance the plot. 

Chase, is well, supposed to be the hero. He tried. I have to admit that the poor guy tried to be the kind of hero readers would appreciate – morally gray with hidden secrets, a sad past, powerful, handsome, etc. I did like him okay. 

If you haven’t guessed by now, my issue is with the narrator and heroine, Cemmy. Thank god, her self-talk reduced considerably as the story progressed but it was too much in the beginning. I can see why it was necessary but, honestly, that girl cannot carry this plot on her whiny shoulders. Girl’s bi, so that’s the queer angle. For more than half the book, she has a thing for someone but suddenly feels attracted to the MMC. However, this ‘romance’ didn’t feel organic nor did they have much chemistry. 

There are dark elements here. Some of it can make you squeamish. That said, older teens should be able to read it. The ‘romance’ is not detailed either. 

There are a few plot holes, which raise some questions about the whole thing. I wish there was more detail about the world-building, the magic system, and the hierarchy in general. The ending is more HFN, which does align with the overall vibe. 

To summarize, Until We Shatter has an ambitious plot that rests on an angsty teenager and a group of ‘misfits’. You will like it better if you connect with the FMC. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton (Hodderscape), for eARC. 

#NetGalley #UntilWeShatter