**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**
Tracing Shadows is the first book in the Scout series by author Alex Lidell. I loved the first book in her Tides series (see my Ash and Air Review), which is an epic high fantasy adventure that takes place on the high seas! It was a five star read for me last year, and I have been kicking myself ever since for needing to continue on with the series. (I even bought the books!) But as soon as I saw that Alex Lidell was coming out with a new series, I knew I couldn't miss it. And honestly, the summary of Tracing Shadows appealed to me even more than the summary for Ash and Air did!  I absolutely loved this adventure. I loved everything about it! I loved the characters and I really really loved the world building that Alex Lidell created. Trust me, Tracing Shadows (and all of Alex's Books) is a book you do not want to miss. Alex Lidell has thoroughly impressed me with each of her two series. She is a masterful story teller.

Tracing Shadows is a book that builds slowly, but wonderfully. It takes a little bit of time to gather enough information to really shape the story, but there was really never a dull moment. Sometimes books that withhold information tend to be confusing or boring, but let me assure you that was not the case with Tracing Shadows. There is a bit of a Mulan vibe, with our main character Kali and her strong sense of family and honor. I loved Kali. A whole lot. I loved that Kali had to play roles as both a woman and man in her role as a scout. And her love interest interacts with her in both roles, which I thought was really interesting. I ate those scenes up!! And I liked it even more how awesomely she pulls it all off. She has the best personality for it. She is a hard worker and totally takes no prisoners. Kali is someone I want on my side, regardless of what the situation is. 

I am anxious for a bit more romance in the second book. I really liked the romance that we did get to see in Tracing Shadows, but it was by no means front and center. It wasn't the main focus of the story and I was totally ok with that, but it is something I hope to see more of in the next book. Tracing Shadows is mainly told through Kali's pont of view but we do get a smattering of chapters from secondary character's POVs. Some of those characters I liked and some...not so much. I cannot wait for the second book in this series. I love the spying, the politics and intrigue and the characters so much that I am really excited for me. But the ending was torture for me. I wanted so much more. It ended and I kept hitting the next page button on my kindle hoping there would be more! 

Bottom line: If you can't get enough fantasy, like me, this is a series you need to read. Plain and simple. Tracing Shadows is a fantastic first novel to what is going to be a favorite YA fantasy of mine. I can already tell. Kali is one of my favorite characters that I have met this year and Tracing Shadows is one of my favorite reads of 2018....hands down! Alex Lidell is such a strong author, that I am honestly becoming excited for anything she publishes. I am going to devour the rest of the Tides series and hope that it holds me over until the next book in the Scout series is released, because I am already itching for book 2! 

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs