When it comes to spirits, twins Moria and Ashyn know their place as one pair of the empire's Keepers and Seekers. When Ashyn makes her first trip into the Forest of the Dead as the only Seeker, the trip goes terribly wrong and an evil is unleashed on the village. When chaos erupts, the twins are separated, and they begin a journey to find each other and stop the evil shadows.

SEA OF SHADOWS by Kelley Armstrong transports you into a dark and scary world where spirits can drive a person mad and shadows can turn loved ones into monsters. Armstrong makes you feel like you're captured into this dark setting and doesn't let you go until you finish the last page.

Moria and Ashyn both feel an obligation to their duty as Keeper and Seeker, but beyond that, they are nearly opposites. Moria is outspoken and has a warrior-like bravery. When her and Ashyn get separated, Moria ends up traveling with Gavril, a guard from her village. I love how practical they both are, but you can still see a growing affection between them. Ashyn feels overshadowed by her tough twin and doesn't realize how intelligent and brave she is on her own. She ends up traveling with a thief that was exiled into the Forest of the Dead, Ronan. He is completely adorable, and I love how compatible they are to each other. The story flips focus between Ashyn and Moria, and both have adventures that keep you turning the pages well into the night.

All in all, I was utterly swept away by SEA OF SHADOWS. Kelley Armstrong is an amazing writer, and I love this start of a new series. For fans of any YA high fantasy, I would absolutely recommend picking up this haunting tale.