The Shadow Reader (McKenzie Lewis #1) by Sandy Williams
Urban Fantasy
October 25, 2011
Ace
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “I dedicated my life to my king. I should have dedicated it to you. “
McKenzie Lewis is a Nalkin-Shom-a shadow witch. She has a special gift that allows her to see and track the Fae by “reading” the shadows they leave behind when fissuring (teleporting). This gift has cost her family and friends; they believe her insane. From the time she was 16 years old till now (she’s 26) she has been in service to the King of the Fae, working to help track and capture the rebels who are bent on overthrowing the realm. She has also spent the last 10 years in love with the king’s sword-master; Kyol. She knows nothing can come of it, relations between humans and fae are forbidden yet she holds on against hope that someday they can be together.
McKenzie has been toying with the idea of retiring and begins taking collage courses to prepare herself for a normal life. When she is kidnapped by the fae rebel leader, Aren, that dream is shattered. He begins to show her the lies and half truths she has been told by the King. She finds herself starting to question everything she has ever known about the fae, it’s king, and her beloved sword master. When the war threatens to spill into the human realm, McKenzie has to choose who’ll she stand by during this devastating war for power.
Sandy Williams packs a powerful punch with her debut urban fantasy Shadow Reader. An energetic, explosive story that takes our world and intertwines it with fantasy. Our heroine McKenzie isn’t your average UF heroine. She has a gift but no special life saving powers or skills. She is an average human among a stronger and more deadly race. I admired her strength in the face of her gift. It couldn’t be easy to face the daily ridicule she experienced because of her ability to see the fae. The fact that Ms. Williams is able to develop her into an appealing protagonist instead of a victim says much about her characterization skills. The world building is fantastically complex with it’s political manipulations and geography make up. Though we only get a small sample of the territory, I look forward to peeling back the obvious layers and exploring what this world has to offer.
There are two story lines that run simultaneously and dependent upon one another. The main conflict and a love triangle. While I’m not a fan of love triangles, Ms. Williams does a remarkable job of setting it up in a realistic fashion and making it less an angst filled “oh who will I ever choose” and more a serious decision that will not only decide matters of her heart but also her future. Our two “heroes” are Kyol and Aren. Kyol is the king’s sword master. A serious warrior who’s loyalty to the king and his fellow fae is unquestionable. He loves McKenzie but the law forbidding them to interact romantically has him keeping her at arms length. We don’t see much of him till the near the end. Aren is the fae rebel leader. A charismatic, manipulative, chameleon of a man who at first sees McKenzie as a means to an end. He does not hesitate to use and lie to McKenzie but soon sees that she has been nothing more then a pawn in their war. Both men put the war first and use McKenzie in attempts to further their own goals. I will admit that I wasn’t impressed with McKenzie’s choice. I didn’t feel either of them deserved her.
The main conflict is a treacherous path filled with deception, misdirection, and betrayal. You never know who is telling the truth and just when you think you’ve figured it out, Ms. Williams changes direction and you are once again frantically trying to keep up. The ending felt like a roller coaster ride; relentlessly tossing me up and down, left and right as I screamed in both fear and excitement. This book will keep your emotions on overload till the very last sentence. Even though the book ends on a high note with an effective resolution; there is enough left open to allow for a second book.
I encourage all readers with a love of Urban Fantasy to run, not walk, to your nearest book store and get your very own copy. Ms. William’s Shadow Reader is a must read for 2011.
Overall Rating: B
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Scooper Speaks
Paranormal Haven – 5/5
Candance’s Book Blog – 5/5
Reflections on Reading Romance – 4/5
Goodreads
Author’s Website l Series Listing
This one looks like a good start to a series…I wonder about the romance though…..would I like it?
I think you would.
I got it because you told me to Tori! It’s on my short list to read…
Good-you should always do what I say. Now go get me a doughnut. LOL JK
Let me know what you think when you done.
A friend of mine says this is her favorite book of the year…..I’m a little afraid of the love triangle but she says it’s a good one and you seem to agree. I might take the plunge and read it.
I think you’ll really enjoy it.
Awesome review Tori, this book sounds so good! While I tire of the love triangle, I like that you said this one is your typical set up, so I’m thinking it will work for me in this case. This is me running to the bookstore:)
Thank you Jenny. I think you’ll be really surprised by the emotions this book invokes.
I’ve heard great things about this one. I’m getting it from the library today-can’t wait to read it now.
I hope you enjoy. It’s very nerve racking.
Great review! I thought The Shadow Reader was an excellent book! It definitely leans more toward the urban fantasy than the romance side, but the sexual tension is reeeaaallly good! It’s a must read for sure!!
Thank you. I felt like I was sitting on a live wire while reading. lol
Run huh?? I might have to do that!!
RUN!!!! lol
Wow everyone seems to love this book. I will not be passing this one up. Thanks for the review Tori.
Hope you enjoy. Interested in hearing what you think.
I have read so many good reviews already, this book is firmly on my mountain range TBR!
YAY! It’s a winner in my book.
Great review and I liked the book too, but have reservations. You summed up exactly why – I didn’t think either of them deserved her either and so I wasn’t entirely satisfied with the resolution.
I thought maybe it was just me but I wasn’t impressed with either as the romantic interest. I felt she felt she had to make a choice. I wanted her to say, “See ya,” and walk away. lol
I really really enjoyed this book! I second that RUN to read it! Def a top read for me. I loved the world-building and the characters. And Aren is beyond YUMMY!
I really hope she does a sequel. I’d like to visit this world again.
I heard she’s working on it and it will be out next year. My only fear is that the love triangle might be picked up again but I doubt it because I liked the way it was handled.
Gah. I’ve been barely resisting RUNNING to the bookstore to get this one for awhile now. And now you tell me to run don’t walk. *frets*
I do want it :D Sadly to run out and get it is impossible *sobs* Perhaps if I ran to another country
Ooh, I don’t think I’ve heard of this one before, but it sounds good! I’m always on the lookout for more good urban fantasy books, so I’ll definitely try and find this one sometime!
~Ailsa
I dont usually dig the whole love triangle thing either, just never really works for me. But I have been waiting and waiting to get this book, the rest of it sounds so good. Anything Fae is an auto read for me!
Hooray!!!!!!! I bought this one and now I’m so super glad I did. Great review! Can’t wait to start it…
It sounds so good, I can’t wait to read it, I’ve this book in my TBR pile, I’ll read it soon I think. Great review
Hey guys, just finished reading this book, and it’s awesome! Can’t wait for the 2nd book!