What is your opinion?
EXcellent
"This is a lovely story. I'm usually a binge reader. However, the chapters were too long for me, so it took a while. As an audiobook fan, I believe this story would benefit from audio narration to describe the actions, etc. Overall, the storyline is good. Well done. "
A world well painted
"I enjoyed how the world has been created, giving it life on its own. I believe it's a good story and the brilliant way it has been presented shows the writer's talent "
I'm sorry
"I was asked to do a book swap over 2 months ago for this book. I have been MIA since. Life came like a wrecking ball. I was requested to read only the first 8 chapters back then but I just couldn't stop. It was so addicting I couldn't stop. I look up to see i'm on the last chapter and an hour has passed. The attention to detail was amazing. I loved how I felt a connection to the characters and felt like I was there with them. I can't wait to read more."
A deep dive into a dream-like fantasy
"As a lover of fantasy and a fan of world building and character exploration, I couldn’t recommend this story more. The main heroine, Vespera, is a well-rounded character that very quickly bore under your skin and make you root for her. Her behavior and reactions are fitting for circumstances, which makes her shine through the words. All the while, the writing style of the author is both vibrant and descriptive, making the scenes and events come to life. The care and imagination of the story simply flows and makes one eager to follow the girl who's discovering both her identity and destiny. All in all, I do honestly recommend that anyone else who loves fantasy should give this story a shot, and while you do so, prepare for both adventure and emotional roller-coaster! And for the author above all else: thank you for writing this with so much heart and for sharing your story! 😀"
Tempted into bining
"Magic, otherworldly dimensions. Interesting characters (could do with a bit more fleshing out, but still awesome) and Time manipulation (Hate the term "Time travel") Whats not to like. BIG thumbs up. Keep going!"
Masterfully done
"The narrative masterfully intertwines personal identity and destiny with grander themes of cosmic balance and ancient legacies. Vespera’s discovery of the Astralis, a mystical artifact tied to her lineage, opens the doors to a realm beyond comprehension—the Nexari. This otherworldly setting is as much a character as any individual, its dreamlike qualities evoking awe and danger in equal measure. The author does an excellent job exploring the emotional weight of Vespera’s revelations. Questions of belonging and purpose permeate her journey, resonating deeply with anyone who has felt adrift in their own life. These themes, paired with the vivid worldbuilding, make for an engrossing read. Vespera is a well-crafted protagonist, her struggles with identity and responsibility making her relatable and sympathetic. Her growing connection to the Astralis and the mysterious guide Aetherion sets up intriguing dynamics. Aetherion, an enigmatic figure bound by duty, serves as a fascinating foil to Vespera’s emotional depth, raising thought-provoking questions about autonomy and fate. However, the supporting characters—like Zyar and Sylas—feel under-explored. While their roles hint at importance, additional depth and development could make their contributions more impactful. The author's prose is lush and evocative, painting vivid imagery of the Nexari’s surreal landscapes and the Astralis’ ethereal glow. The sensory descriptions draws me in, making the world feel alive and immersive. That said, the pacing occasionally lags due to heavy exposition, particularly during dialogue exchanges. More action-driven sequences could balance the narrative and keep the tension high. But over-all this was a great read, I enjoyed it, thank you Author for sharing this story. "
Review
"I am in love with this book. I am not a fan of such fiction but giving this book a try was one of the wisest decisions I have ever made. I love how beautifully every scene is described. In the initial chapters, it was like yk, one-person POV almost and I love how beautifully it was explained. This is a success as an author in that you didn’t get your readers bored even with one person's POV❤️. The details were up to the mark that made me learn so many things. I would suggest this novel to everyone who wants to sit on the edge of their chair for some time.🌸❤️ Keep up the great work. You have done an amazing job so far!✨ Your book has loads of potential. "
A solution to help me get to sleep
"This book is probably what I needed. Now when I go to sleep, I can make more scenarios and wonder what will happen next. Grammar and punctuation is spot on. The description and vocabulary is perfect. The characters are beautiful and lovely. It’s just what I needed. Definitely something I would recommend to people looking for books to read. It needs a lot more reads. I can’t wait to finish this off and see how it ends. The pictures helped me A LOT. And I mean it. It helped me visualise it all. But this is just a 5/5. No arguments. Hope this ends well. XX Karmen Kay "
A Stunning Start to Children of Shadow
"I just finished reading the first five chapters of Children of Shadow, and wow—it completely hooked me. The story is packed with stunning visuals and a writing style that’s so detailed, it’s like you’re right there with the characters. Every scene feels alive, and it’s so easy to get lost in the world the author has created. The main character, Vespera, is honestly so inspiring. She starts out trapped in a life with no freedom, but in a single bold moment, she decides to fight back. That choice changes everything, and she’s suddenly thrown into this whole other dimension that’s just as mysterious as it is exciting. What I loved most is how the story mixes emotion with suspense—it keeps you on edge but also really invested in Vespera’s journey. You can feel her courage and determination, and it makes you want to cheer her on as she faces whatever’s waiting for her in this new world. If you’re into imaginative, fast-paced stories that pull you in and don’t let go, I’d totally recommend Children of Shadow. I can’t wait to see where Vespera’s adventure takes her next!"
FANTASY AUTHORS, THIS IS HOW FANTASY SHOULD BE WRITTEN!
"Everything, everything, EVERYTHING about this book is 5+++ stars! The narrative, the world-building, the pacing, the conflict, the plot—it’s absolutely spectacular! To be honest, I usually struggle with fantasy books. I’m not a native English speaker, and the fact that I haven’t read much fantasy in the last couple of years doesn’t help either. But when I started reading this, I was pleasantly surprised! The narrative is so easy to follow, yet it still retains that rich fantasy style—full of great vocabulary, vivid descriptions, and clear world-building. At first, I thought maybe it was because my vocabulary had expanded... LOL! Nah, just kidding! It’s all thanks to the author’s skill. She immerses the reader into the story effortlessly. Reading about Vespera’s hard life and how badly people treated her instantly makes you sympathize with her. With her forced wedding to an old man looming on the horizon, you’ll find yourself unable to stop reading because you’re dying to see how she escapes this nightmare called life. To be honest, the beginning of this story feels very familiar on Inkitt. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read about a tortured princess-type female lead who’s mistreated by her family and sold or forced to marry a bad man, only to be saved by a knight in shining armor. I suspected this story would head in the same direction—but OMG, by chapter 3, I was blown away! Yes, there is a knight in shining armor, and yes, he has long blonde hair (sigh... I suddenly remembered that hot guy from Lord of the Rings. What was his name again? Orlando Bloom’s character, lol). BUT THERE’S MORE! And I bet all the money in the world that he’s not who you think he is. He’s not an ordinary prince from a faraway kingdom. He’s... so much more! And by chapter 4, the adventure begins! I love, love, love stories with quests and challenges. I’m not a fan of fantasy stories where everything goes smoothly for the lead characters—I mean, where’s the fun in that? But Su David has created a masterpiece! She sets a perfect pace, introduces struggles right from the beginning, and includes just enough world-building for us to understand the otherworldly dimensions in this story. Bottom line: She rocks. Every fantasy lover should absolutely give this book a try, and every fantasy writer can learn a thing or two from it. Su has clearly put so much effort into this story, and it shows in her writing! Amazing job, Su—I’m genuinely impressed! 💖💖💖"
Vespera’s Awakening: A Gripping Start to Children of Shadow
"I read the first five chapters of Children of Shadow. It has a gripping story and detailed, immersive writing. Each scene is vividly described, making it easy to visualize the world and connect with the main character. The story follows Vespera, a young girl who has lived her life deprived of freedom. In a desperate moment, she finds the courage to fight back, changing her life forever. This act of bravery leads her to a mysterious new world, one that exists in a completely different dimension from the one she knows. The premise is fascinating, and the narrative skillfully balances suspense and emotion. It’s thrilling to follow Vespera’s journey as she steps into the unknown, and I’m eager to discover what challenges and adventures this new world holds for her. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys imaginative and deeply immersive stories. "
Both A Poignant and Thrilling Journey
"Children of Shadow offers a story that is both poignant and thrilling. The main character, Vespera, is truly an incredible character, and the reader can relate to her struggling and root for her. Her origins spark curiosity, and the author has done an incredible job teasing her big role and her higher purpose. The story also has its well-done thrilling moments that keep you on edge! Overall, Children of Shadow is a great book that keeps you hooked up from the start, and it definitely has a lot of potential in its story; the opening chapters show quite a lot of that potential. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone!"
Interesting world building indeed.
"I read Children of the Shadow (fantasy and romance) as a part of a review swap. There is Su is an excellent writer. The concept of Children of the Shadow is very strong. Initially, my only feedback is basically bringing the fantastical elements to the fore. Highlight them. If the summary tells the readers she is ill-treated. Hence the four long chapters of it kind of distracted from the elements I really wanted more about. But after her escape and/ or rescue, there is a distinct shift. Overall, until chapter ten, Children of the Shadow does justice to both the fantasy and romance genres but often it is too heavy on the telling aspect of lore which sometimes gets overwhelming. IMO, the summary could be shorter. The first five chapters weren't my favorite. The Mark of Cain chapter was good and her powers could be explored in a lot more detail. (I wished it was). I wanted a lot more of it rather than getting to experience her POS father's opinion and reaction to it. Vesper's escape followed a crash course of her powers and the other dimension, along with her destiny. The information can be distributed as often as it gets overwhelming. As a voracious fantasy reader, It's not uncommon to discover a new world, powers, and destiny, but how it's presented to the MC (and via them to the readers) is what makes a story either confusing or something readers get invested in. Children of the Shadow is a mix of both. Some aspects are beautifully shown, and others are delivered via a quick lesson with lots of details. If the imbalance of not enough and too much of the lore is balance, a good story has the potential to be an excellent story. "
