Curse of Shadow and Stone by K. L. R. Kelly
01/26/2026
Deep in the Appalachian wilderness, an old debt comes due, and promises made will be fulfilled.Juniper has spent the majority of her life beneath the shadow of her family’s hollow, while her grandparents’ vigilant protection has shaped every step she takes. Orphaned by one parent and abandoned by the other, June wrestles with crippling anxiety and the haunting nightmares that threaten both her sense of reality and her career as an artist. When an unexpected, unsettling letter arrives from her estranged father—the man who vanished when she was only two years old—June’s fragile stability shatters. His request for a meeting draws June and her brother Aedon into a realm hidden just beyond the edges of the world they know, where ancient creatures walk freely and forgotten gods rule with ruthless authority. In this dangerous new land, June discovers that her nightmares are not merely dreams but echoes of a legacy she has long been shielded from. As long-buried truths come to light, she must confront a destiny entwined with powers both wondrous and merciless. To survive, June must decide whether to embrace the cruelty and responsibility of her new life—or risk losing everything, including her own life, to the forces that have been waiting in the shadows for her return. 467 pages, Paperback Published December 21, 2025
source: Goodreads
My review
The technical aspects of this novel were breathtakingly detailed. It was very easy to tell that the author was from Appalachia and treasures it greatly, as the mountains are both a gorgeously described setting and feel like a character onto themselves. Every scene was full of lush, vivid descriptions, making it incredibly easy to slide into the scene like a fly on the wall and *see* everything for yourself. It cannot be understated just how hungry this book made me with the well written descriptions of food! (I’ve never *craved* venison before this, by the way) Not to mention all of the beautiful outfits! The characters. My favorite in order would be the fiery southern main character, Juniper, her sweet and funny younger brother, Aedon, and their mysterious and chipper faerie cousin, Astrid. Their dialogue felt natural, engaging, and each personality jumped off of the page in a way that made them feel fleshed out and real. The background characters were also very well thought out—of whom I greatly enjoyed Rinn, the eerie sharp-tooth hound master, and Airk, the sweet sky prince. Even the characters that were “villainous” were written in perfectly detestable way. No spoilers— but while I understood the motivations of everyone who had a hand to play in the political chess game that is fae politics, it never made me detest them less for it! I enjoyed seeing how their motivations could have started out as ‘pure’ and ended up less than. The plot. While I normally do not read (or really enjoy) romance novels, I feel like this novel had so much to offer besides that. This was an introduction to a world beneath our noses that *feels* like it could be real. I really enjoy hero’s journeys, and it feels like we are just at the start of Juniper’s hero’s journey as she discovers the power she has for herself and herself only. This was a homecoming moment for her, to a past she had forgotten, and she is having to reckon with the fact that she will have to grasp her own power before anyone else can take it. She is fiercely well written, and in my opinion, the plot was refreshing in a way it felt like her journey to start healing and loving herself as she truly is— and regain her sovereignty. So to sum it up! This was a uniquely Appalachian take on a faerie tale and I think it accomplished everything it set out to be. The characters are definitely the strongest point, in my opinion!