Keys and Shadows is a retelling of Greek Mythology which highlights other elements of the mythical world with witches and their counterparts, Witch Slayers alongside other magical beings.

Described as a Hades and Persephone retelling, I was immediately intrigued because to me of all the couples from Greek Mythology, I think they're the two whose lives have remained relatable and engaging through the ages. However, I don't think this quite hit the mark as a retelling although the author does take things from the stories with the Uhderworld, Elysium, Tartarus, and Asphodel which to me are a necessity to the story of Hades and his Goddess of Spring and Nature. There's also Cerberus who is given their unique spin which was well done, albeit threw me for a moment. I welcome every new look on these legends and the author gives us that.

Keys and Shadows is a good story, my only issue was that it felt like it took a little too long to get going for the first book in a series. I'd got to over halfway and was wondering just when we would enter Hades's dominion of the Underworld or however, Wohlen would bring it to life for us all. There were also times were I had to go back and double-check things because I'd get confused which can be frustrating, especially in a fantasy book. 

Althea, our female lead is a caffeine addict who alongside her Aunt, owns what seems like the perfect book store. I loved her rapport with Rian and her determination to remain independent even in the unknown however, I struggled to connect with her because she's often frustrating and contradicts herself throughout the book. I confess, I sometimes hoped she'd accidentally end up in the Styxx because she irritated me one too many times.  I think instead, I'd have welcomed more from Rian and his point of view to give more balance.

What the author excels with is the world-building and ability to breathe in her vision for a well-established place that is the land of the dead and the journey one takes to get there. You can see both her world and Rian's come to life which is a must in fantasy.

I enjoyed the concept, but it took just a little too long to get going for me, and if you're focused heavily on the retelling of these infamous deities? Keys and Shadows may not hit the mark for you. I'm hoping book two will be a little faster and we will see the characters grow because the reader is left on a cliff edge with book one.