The Shadow Girl
by Misty Mount
Over 1,000 5-star ratings on Goodreads | Rated 4.25 stars with over 2,000 ratings
Listen to Misty read an excerpt from her acclaimed novel.
“What an extraordinary page-turner!
This unique coming-of-age story is about a young teen named Zylia. Zylia is a very special person. She’s talented, empathetic, sweet and possesses a unique insight into the human condition. The problem is, she doesn’t know this about herself. In fact, if you asked her she would probably come up with a huge list if things she is NOT. As a result, she is fading away more and more every day. The only things keeping her ‘visible’ is her new and only friend, and a mystery involving a relative who simply vanished without a trace.
The Shadow Girl is beautifully written, evocative, and wholly original. I was so impressed with the author’s depiction of mental illness. Her fantastical approach was refreshing and illuminating. Can you imagine feeling so small, so inconsequential that you find yourself literally disappearing? I get shivers just thinking about it.
I loved everything about this book! The writing, rich characterizations, and Zylia! I adored her. She is wise beyond her years which in addition to so many other things, makes this story appealing to readers of all ages. Honestly, I can’t recommend it enough!”
Rating… A+
—Reads & Reels
“Spellbinding. Haunting. Eye-opening. Unforgettable. Brilliant.
The characters in this novel got to my heart! They were real, relatable and deeply affecting. The atmosphere is thick, vivid and engrossing which truly enhances the evocative storyline. Many scenes had me reminiscing about my high school years in comparison to Zylia’s. The themes introduced in this story are deeply contemplative and thought-provoking. Zylia is a truly unique main character who I adored, was fully invested in and loved rooting for. She will remain on my mind long after I have finished writing this review.”
—Witch Words
The Shadow Girl
Misty Mount
Thirteen-year-old Zylia Moss has always felt invisible in her overcrowded home. But when her reflection disappears from mirrors and her body begins fading entirely, she learns it’s not just a feeling—it’s a dangerous supernatural condition passed down through her family.
Dragged into the In Between, a haunting parallel realm where forgotten souls are trapped in shadows, Zylia encounters her great-aunt Angelica, who vanished decades earlier. To return to the world of the living, Zylia must make herself seen—truly seen—before the darkness erases her forever.
But returning home doesn’t end her troubles. Her family is unraveling—her grandmother’s dementia is worsening, her sister is bullied by her best friend, and her brother is drifting into dangerous territory. Armed with the strength she earned in the In Between, Zylia fights to help her loved ones, even as the threat of vanishing returns—and another student begins to fade.
A gripping blend of young adult fantasy, coming-of-age drama, and supernatural suspense, The Shadow Girl explores themes of invisibility, self-worth, mental health, and the power of being seen in a world that often looks the other way.
Perfect for fans of parallel world fantasy, emotional realism, and teen protagonists who must fight to reclaim their voice.
Paperback ISBN: 979-8-9990422-2-4
Ebook ISBN: 979-8-9990422-3-1
About Misty
Misty Mount is the author of The Shadow Girl, The Nanny Song, and The Keeper (The Underground Defenders). Her novels combine mystery, emotional depth, and compelling family drama, often exploring the bonds that hold people together in times of crisis. The Nanny Song and The Keeper have both earned strong reader acclaim for their suspenseful plots and poignant themes. When she isn’t writing, Mount crafts stories that invite readers to uncover secrets, confront hidden truths, and step into the lives of unforgettable characters navigating love, loss, and redemption.
First published at the age of thirteen, Misty has been crafting stories that slip between the shadows of imagination and reality ever since. A lifelong bookworm, she began writing as a child to dream up new endings for stories that didn’t go the way she wished. Her young adult novels weave mystery and urban fantasy with resonant explorations of anxiety and mental illness, creating darkly emotional worlds where hope and resilience still fight to break through. Born and raised in the heartland of the United States, Misty now spends much of her time in the United Kingdom, drawing on both places for inspiration.
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