Where Shadows Meet

A Novel

By: Patrice Caldwell

Narrated by: Alexis Campbell, Khaya Fraites, Melinda Sewak

This dark and thrillingly romantic debut vampire fantasy, which features multicast narration, questions what it truly means to sacrifice for love.

"This is a lush, intoxicating read, packing tender romance alongside vicious twists. My new obsession!"—Mark Oshiro, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Anger is a Gift and Into the Light

You have no idea what I’ve done for love. Just as you have no idea what you may one day do.

Once long ago, a girl named Favre sacrificed her wings for love. Thana, the young goddess she so willingly gave them up for, sacrificed that same love for power. But everything has a cost.

Favre never got over the loss of her wings. And Thana’s choices led to a life of eternal night, and later, their destruction. Favre has bided her time ever since, waiting for the chance to resurrect the girl she loves who turned her into the creature she hates.

Now, a thousand years later, Leyla, the crown princess of a vampire nation, must travel to Nekros, the island of the dead, when her best friend is captured during an attack on her nation’s capital. But nothing is as it seems. The closer she gets to her goal, the more she risks awakening an ancient evil and destroying everything she holds dear.

Set in the aftermath of a war between vampires, humans, and the gods that created them, Patrice Caldwell’s devastatingly romantic fantasy debut, Where Shadows Meet, centers the heart-wrenching pain of loss and the struggle of self-discovery to ask: do we choose our fates, or do our fates choose us?

“A feast for the senses. Love, friendship, loss, and the fantastic… it’s all here in exquisite, vivid detail. A brilliant addition to the dark fantasy genre.”—Kalynn Bayron, New York Times bestselling author of Cinderella Is Dead and Sleep Like Death

A Macmillan Audio production from Wednesday Books.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2025 Patrice Caldwell (P)2025 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

GoodReads, "Readers’ Most Anticipated 2025 Romantasy Books"

The Nerd Daily, "Anticipated Book Releases Hitting Shelves In 2025"

Screen Rant, "15 Upcoming Romantasy Books Of 2025"

The Nerd Daily, "Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases To Devour In 2025"

Book Riot, "The Most Anticipated Books of 2025, According to Goodreads"

LGBTQ Reads, "Most Anticipated LGBTQ+ Young Adult Fiction: January-June 2025"

The Splendid Shambles, "Most Anticipated Book Releases for 2025"

"Caldwell’s YA debut blends lush fantasy and high-stakes romance and features dynamic Black leads fighting against the stifling constraints of duty and honor…the layered worldbuilding is intriguing and enticingly crafted, weaving original mythology and first-person action"—Kirkus Reviews

“A lush and thrilling dive into a world of vampires and gods, Caldwell has crafted a story that is a feast for the senses. Love, friendship, loss, and the fantastic…it’s all here in exquisite, vivid detail. Where Shadows Meet is a brilliant addition to the dark fantasy genre.”—Kalynn Bayron, New York Times bestselling author of Cinderella Is Dead and Sleep Like Death

"Simultaneously epic and intricate, Where Shadows Meet is a stunning meditation on the nature of stories, fate, and complicated love."—Sara Holland, New York Times bestselling author of Everless, Evermore, Havenfall, and Phoenix Flame

Where Shadows Meet

Where Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell has a lot of ambition — and when it works, it really works. The writing is beautiful at times, almost poetic, and the themes of grief, identity, and healing feel genuine. I appreciated how Caldwell wasn’t afraid to explore darker emotions and let the story sit in uncomfortable places.

That said, the pacing was uneven. The beginning dragged for me, and it took a while before I really connected with the characters. Some of the world-building felt a little underdeveloped, and there were moments when I wanted more clarity about the rules of the magic and the stakes. I also found parts of the emotional arcs a little repetitive.

Still, there’s something powerful in the way the story lingers after you finish — even if getting there wasn’t always smooth. Worth picking up if you like introspective fantasy, but maybe not if you’re looking for a fast-paced, tightly plotted read.