Book Description
DeathSome people will do anything to avoid it. Even trade their immortal souls for endless existence.
Wraiths
Secretly, inexorably, they are infiltrating our world, sucking the essence out of unsuspecting victims with their hideous parody of a kiss.
Segue
Adam Thorne founded the Institute to study and destroy his monster of a brother, but the key to its success is held in the pale, slender hand of a woman on the run. There is something hauntingly different about Talia O’Brien, her unknowing sensuality, her uncanny way of slipping into Shadow.
Twilight
This is the place between life and what comes after – a dark forest of fantasy, filled with beauty, peril, mystery. And Talia is about to open the door
Review
Book 1 in The Shadow Series
SHADOW BOUND is a shockingly good read. I mean, where did this book come from? I barely remember hearing about it before I saw it in my Shelf Awareness email. I actually thought it was a YA book based on the cover (it is definitely adult). Although the cover really does a poor job of capturing this often somber, yet darkly beautiful urban fantasy.The prologue that sets up the mythology and history for the main character is nearly poetic. I reread it twice before continuing the story. I found my heartbeat actually racing and slowing along with the cadence of the prose. I was a little disappointed that the entire book was written the same way.
The actual story is told from the shifting POV of Talia O’Brien, a brilliant young doctor with a terrible secret, and Adam Thorne, a man consumed by guilt and rage driven to find the answers that will destroy his brother and save the world. I typically prefer female POV’s but in SHADOW BOUND it was Adam’s chapters that were strongest. Talia was so closed off in life, so cautious that at times I found her boring.
What was never boring was the world building. Made up of a combination of Greek mythology, Irish folklore, and traditional fey lore. The villains are the Wraiths, demon spawns who suck the soul from their victims via a Harry Potter-like Dementor’s kiss. They cannot be stopped, they cannot be killed, and their numbers are growing.
SHADOW BOUND is likely to appeal to UF/PNR lovers as well as fans of supernatural thrillers. The writing is evocative and lyrical, especially the prologue, and the mystery of the Wraiths and Talia is original and satisfying. The middle drags a bit, but that’s when the romance really develops so not a bad trade. The next book in the Shadow series is called Shadow Fall and will be released next month on July 27, 2010 and I will definitely be reading it. Sexual Content: References to sex. A scene of graphic sensuality. References to rape. Several graphic sex scenes.
My Rating (out of 5):
Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now & pre-order the sequel.
Click HERE to read an excerpt of SHADOW BOUND
Product Details
Publisher: Dorchester Publishing *Disclosure: I received this book courtesy of Dorchester Publishing
Disagree with my review? Contact me with your review for this or any other book I’ve reviewed and I might use it for 2nd Opinion Review.
For some reason I thought this was part of a series I didn't read and have been skipping over reviews of this. I'm so glad I clicked on this!
ReplyDeleteAdded to my TBR! Thanks!
Josh - You can contact me anywhere :) I'll hop over and check out your site and get back to you.
ReplyDeleteTara SG - Oh me too. It was fantastic. I'm still thinking about it!