Review: Into the Shadows (Islands in the Mist, Book 4) by J.M. Hofer
A darker turning point where power deepens, memory lengthens, and the cost of legacy comes into focus.
Tour dates: January 19 - February 20, 2026. To see the full schedule of stops, visit the iRead Book Tours page here:
iRead Book Tours - Islands in the Mist Tour Schedule.
Disclosure: I received a copy of Into the Shadows (Islands in the Mist, Book 4) as part of an iRead Book Tours event. All thoughts are my own.
Series note: This review is part of a five-book iRead tour run for J.M. Hofer's Islands in the Mist series.
About Into the Shadows
Into the Shadows By J.M. Hofer
Series: Islands in the Mist #4
Published by Independent Author on 03/07/2018
Genres: Adult Fiction 18+, Fantasy
Formats: Audiobook, eBook, Paperback
Pages: 331
Taliesin escapes Affalon to discover things in the world are much changed. Uthyr Pendragon has taken Gorlois’ widow, Igerna, as his wife, and elevated Caer Leon to its former Roman glory. Peace may be short-lived, however, for rumours abound that Octa, son of Hengist, is alive and raising forces overseas, even though he was believed to have been executed in front of thousands at Uthyr’s victory games in Caer Lundein.
That is not all Taliesin learns from Uthyr. He discovers Nimue has left Affalon as well, traveling under her mortal name of Viviaine, and has allied herself with Myrthin. Sick with the bitterness of her betrayal, he races north to warn Arhianna, only to discover she has set off on a journey of her own. In his efforts to find and protect her, he strays into an ever-more complicated labyrinth of deceit, fraught with danger and sorrow he is unprepared for.
Arhianna still remembers nothing of Knockma. Redevoted to her husband, she leaves Mynyth Aur and follows him into Saxon territory in search of his clan, knowing he shall never be content until he learns what has become of his people. Her decision changes her fate in drastic ways, sending her on a journey that takes everything from her but her will to survive.
Meanwhile, Igerna grapples with whether or not to tell Uthyr about the mystery surrounding her unborn child, for she knows the truth could cost her everything.Though they do not yet know it, all of them have an immense role to play in the great wars to come; wars that threaten to take far more from the clans of Brython than their fortresses, fields and forests. Should they fail, their enemies will wipe out their gods and stories, ancient rites and sacred places, leaving nothing in their wake but the history they choose to write across their trampled bones.
Review at a Glance
| Genre | Historical Fantasy / Arthurian Legend |
| Setting | Britain during the rise of Pendragon power |
| Length | Adult novel |
| Content Rating | Adult (violence, captivity, political tension) |
| My Rating | ★★★★½ |
| Quick Take | A pivotal, darker installment that shifts the series away from clan survival and into politics, moral ambiguity, and the growing cost of magic, with Taliesin firmly at the center and the Arthurian future coming into clearer focus. |
My Thoughts
Into the Shadows marks a clear turning point in the series, shifting the narrative center away
from clan-level survival and into something darker and more inward. This feels very much like
Taliesin's story now, as the focus moves slightly away from Bran and settles into the cost of power,
captivity, and transformation. His arc carries the greatest emotional weight here, and the story asks
the reader to sit with consequence rather than momentum.
At the same time, the scope of the series widens. Uthyr's authority and ambition move decisively into
the foreground, bringing a stronger political presence to the narrative, while Igerna's role quietly
foreshadows what lies ahead in the next book. Myrthin appears less frequently, but when he does, his
scenes carry the weight of ancient knowledge and warning, reinforcing the sense of long memory and
inevitability woven through the story.
Where earlier books felt rooted in movement and discovery, this one feels intentionally weighted.
There is more politics than clan life here, and that shift may feel heavier, but it is purposeful.
The result is a smooth, deliberate arc that deepens the series and prepares the reader for what comes next.
By the final pages, Taliesin's journey feels firmly set, and the narrative momentum turns toward
Arthur, making The Young Stag feel like the natural next step in a story shifting from guidance
and memory to inheritance.
Closing Notes
Into the Shadows is not a fast or easy installment, but it is an important one. It deepens the demotional and political landscape of the series and rewards readers willing to slow down and sit with its weight. For those following the story from the beginning, this book feels like a necessary step before the next phase begins.
If you missed my thoughts on the earlier books in the series, you can also read my review of
Islands in the Mist (Book 1), Across the Sea (Book 2), and Rise of the Pendragon (Book 3).
Content Note: Rated PG-13 +M. Contains mild profanity, occasional non-explicit sexual content, and non-graphic battle violence. Book 4 also includes a rape scene.
View Into the Shadows on Goodreads
About the Author
About J.M. Hofer
From J.M. Hofer:
As a child, whenever anyone would ask me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I would answer, “I want to write books!” That enthusiasm has never wavered. Fifty years later, I still feel most fulfilled when I'm writing.
As a reader, I regularly devour books on mythology, folklore and fairy tales. I believe the stories we choose to tell generation after generation are doorways into the heart of humanity. These are the stories that assure us we're not the first to doubt ourselves or face what seems an impossible challenge; the stories that help us realize we're not alone in our struggles. Most importantly, they inspire us to summon the courage to leave behind the familiar and find out what we're made of--to face the dragon, resist the trickster, and heed the advice the village elder gives us.
My aim as a storyteller is to transport you to a world that feels ancient yet somehow familiar, where the veil between realms is thin and magic is very, very much alive.
Where to Buy
Also available from Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million.
Book Trailer
Prefer video? You can watch the official book trailer here:
Watch the trailer for Islands in the Mist series
Giveaway
Enter to win signed copies of the Islands in the Mist book series (all 5 books) (one winner) (USA only). Ends February 27, 2026.
ISLANDS IN THE MIST by J.M. Hofer Book Tour Giveaway
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Giveaway link
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This looks like a great read. Thanks for sharing.