The Shadow Reader [Mass Market Paperback]

There's something special about the Shadow Reader that sets it apart from other books in the urban fantasy genre. At first I couldn't put my finger on what this ephemeral bit of awesomeness was, but upon consideration it occurs to me that this book is an epic. Where most urban fantasy novels go for the supernatural mystery angle, this novel is high, epic fantasy set on a stage of the modern world, overlaid with the more fantastic world of the fey.

The story pulls you in from the start. Within a few pages of chapter one, you are racing across campus with McKenzie, fleeing fae rebels intent on kidnapping her for her unique ability. She's a shadow reader of unusual strength, someone that sees through fae glamor, and can track them by studying the portals they use to transport between locations and worlds. As we follow the story we discover that the fae are at war. A rebel force of fey has risen up and seek to supplant the current king with one of their own. McKenzie is human, but she has served in the fae king's war for years, tracking rebel leaders. Her unique skills have made her a valuable prize, and a dangerous enemy. She is kidnapped by the rebels during the first part of the story. Their intent? To either convert her to their cause or kill her.

The story sweeps us into the war. We travel between the camps of the rebels and the king, learn their truths, and begin to unravel their lies. We experience betrayals, victories, and losses, and through it all we doubt and wonder which side is the right one and who it is McKenzie should trust. This is a story about war, and ends with an epic series of cathartic events that promise to leave readers satisfied (it left me yelling "I LOVE THIS BOOK!" while my poor husband was trying to watch football). While I'm sure this book will be part of a series, everything wraps up so tidily it almost feels like a standalone novel. No cliffhangers here, I promise.

As others have said, McKenzie herself is very human protagonist. She has no amazing martial skills. Don't let the sword wielding heroine on the cover fool you, McKenzie is lucky if she hits something running straight at her with a dagger. She's not weak though, her strength just lies in other areas. She's loyal to a fault, determined, stubborn, and incredibly kind hearted. She grieves for every dead enemy left behind in the war. Sometimes she came across as a tiny bit weak, but it was refreshing to see such a normal girl, completely lacking in bad ass fighting skills staring as a urban fantasy heroine.

The romance elements of the book include two very yummie fae. Kyol, the fae kings swordmaster, and McKenzie's long time love. He is honorable, duty bound, and protective of McKenzie. They have a very tragic star crossed lovers thing going on. I loved Kyol and felt his story was one of the most moving in the book. Then there's the rebel leader, Aren. He's flippant, roguish, and dark. More your bad boy type. His intentions are (intentionally and sometimes frustratingly) difficult to ferret out. There's definitely a love triangle here, but it's not handled in the usual way, where the character vacillates back and forth, playing both men to the point where you want to smack her. Each man has their time in the story, and the McKenzie makes her decision by the end of the story. Whether or not this decision is truly final, remains to be seen in future books. I like both men enough I'm hoping for some more romantic tension.

Shadow Reader really has it all - an amazing world, a plot that is both suspenseful and epic, great characters, and a romance that will make you swoon no matter which man you choose to root for. If you are someone that loved the epic fantasy feel of Moning's Fever series, you'll probably enjoy this one. It's a completely different kind of book (different fae, different plot, VERY different characters), but the high fantasy theme will feel familiar. Either way, I highly recommend this novel.

There is something shocking about McKenzie Lewis, the protagonist in THE SHADOW READER by Sandy Williams. She's not a super woman/warrior goddess/magical titan capable of destroying the universe with a wink. Nope, unlike many urban fantasy heroines these days, McKenzie is pretty normal. She does have one ability that sets her apart from the rest of us; she's a shadow reader, someone who can watch a fae `fissure' (instantly teleport from one location to another) and know exactly where they will reappear. A highly coveted skill when there is a fae civil war going on, which is why McKenzie finds herself being sought after by both sides.

Where do I start with all the things I loved about THE SHADOW READER? The fae mythology wasn't overly complex, but it was unique and perfectly suited to this world. I especially loved the idea of chaos lusters, tiny, visible lightning bolts that dance over the skin under certain circumstances like when fae touch humans. And speaking of touching, the tug-of-war going on with McKenzie's heart was nothing compared to what I felt. How do you choose between the honorable warrior Kyol loyal to the fae king and the determined rebel leader Aren?

Another highlight for me was the constant cloud of doubt I was kept in. I was thrown back and forth suspecting first Kyol then Aren and back again so many times that I got dizzy. Just like McKenzie, I never knew who to fully trust, who to love, or who to align with. And just when I'd think I `d finally figured it out, something would happen and raise the questions all over again. The action was relentless and the
emotions kept so sky high that I couldn't decide until the very end.

THE SHADOW READER is a fantastically fun urban fantasy! One of the best debuts of the year and easily my favorite fae urban fantasy since Karen Marie Moning's Darkfever series. Wonderfully integrated mythology that flowed naturally in the story without needing lengthy explanations, a to die for love triangle, and a relatable non-super woman protagonist who relies on her brain and bravery to fight for what she wants. This is a book that checked off all my urban fantasy wish list boxes and I can't wait to read the sequel.

Sexual Content:
Kissing. References to rape

SOME SPOILERS BEWARE
Mckenzie is a shadow reader, a human with the ability to see fae and track them when they teleport or 'fissure'. Her ability makes her very valuable to the fae especially when there is a war on as the fae use their teleporting abilities to prottect themselves when fighting.
Mckenzie since the age of 16 has been helping the fae court to fight the rebel fae who want to replace the king, she has been helping them for 10 years and thanks to her many of the rebel fae have died. Mckenzie has been in love with the king's sword master Kyol for 10 years and is very loyal to him. When Mckenzie is kidnapped by the rebel fae's leader Aren she is very much desperate to get back to Kyol. As she gets to know the rebel fae she begins to doubt what she has been told by them and starts to suspect that she have been used and manipulated by the court.
The writing is good and the storyline was pretty interesting but I couldn't give this more than 2 stars because of my dislike of the heroine.
Mckenzie was someone I could not relate to AT ALL. She has put her life on hold since she was 16 because she's in love with Kyol - she's spent 8 years at uni and still not got a degree, she only has 1 human friend, she's never been in a relationship. She's been out on the odd date but has never had a boyfriend so yes she's a 26yr old virgin (rolls eyes).. and why because she's so in 'wuv' with Kyol who has told her for the last 10 yrs that they can never be together and to have a relationship with a human alas Mckenzie doesn't listen and begs for any crumbs Kyol throws her way.. she does have eventually have an epiphany and realises she's wasted 10yrs but the epiphany's 9.5 years to late.. I found her love for him quite sweet at times but I lost all respect for her when it's made clear she that made very little effort to connect with anyone else.
Mckenzie also went weak at the knees everytime Kyol or Aren touched her or even looked at her.. she sounded like a hormonal teenager not a 26yr old woman. She was very gullible and naive when it came to fae poilitics. She constantly made stupid decisions.. it just got too much. I really could have liked this book if Mckenzie was someone who after been told many times that she could not be with Kyol had actually moved on and been in a relationship or two with a human guy instead of pining away for Kyol.. who by the way being a red blooded male was probably having sex with other women. Also she should have made an effort to find out about the rebel fae's instead of just believing everything she was told. I think in future books she will probably be stronger as she's now learning more about the fae.
Other predictions for future books:
*She'll fall more in love with Aren
*She'll lose her virginity to Aren and become a nympho overnight
*one of Aren's ex-lovers will turn up to cause jealousy, angst and drama
*Kyol will pop up and she'll be confused about who she wants
*They'll be more fighting and fae politics
*Mckenzie and Aren will life-bond and have babies.

What I would like to happen (but never will):
*She breaks up with Aren to 'find herself'
*She stands up for herself more and is not at the beck and call of the fae 24/7.
*She dates human guys - has a passionate affair or two, a couple of flings and a steady realtionship with a human guy
*She finally finishes her degree and gets a job
*She gets more human friends and reconnects with her parents
*She finally gets with Aren after living her life more.. they have sex and because she's slept with human guys she can appreciate that Aren is a better lover.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 69 reviews  4.2 out of 5 stars