The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams [REVIEW]

TITLE: The Shadow Reader
(The Shadow Reader #1)
AUTHOR: Sandy Williams
PUBLISHER: Ace
PUB DATE: Oct 25 2011

Summary from Goodreads:

"There can only be one allegiance.
It’s her time to choose.

Some humans can see the fae. McKenzie Lewis can track them, reading the shadows they leave behind. But some shadows lead to danger. Others lead to lies.

A Houston college student trying to finish her degree, McKenzie has been working for the fae king for years, tracking vicious rebels who would claim the Realm. Her job isn’t her only secret. For just as long, she’s been in love with Kyol, the king’s sword-master—and relationships between humans and fae are forbidden.

But any hope for a normal life is shattered when she’s captured by Aren, the fierce and uncompromising rebel leader. He teaches her the forbidden fae language and tells her dark truths about the Court, all to persuade her to turn against the king. Time is running out, and as the fight starts to claim human lives, McKenzie has no choice but to decide once and for all whom to trust and where she ultimately stands in the face of a cataclysmic civil war."

Rating:

There are those who see beyond what normal human eyes can see. There are those who see creatures called the fae... and there are those who, like McKenzie, can see shadows they leave behind; shadows that she can read to track an escaping fae’s whereabouts. Her ability has made her an asset to the fae king. McKenzie is incredibly good at reading the shadows... good enough that the Rebels have thrown her plans of retiring and a chance at a normal human life out of proportion, and decided to kidnap her.

As she was confined by the Rebels, her captor, the fierce rebel leader, Aren makes her realize some dark truths about the Court she willingly serves. And now, McKenzie must make a choice whether to cling to the loyalty she has for the king, most of all to Kyol, the king’s sword-master whom she loves, or should she trust this rebel who has shown her the many things the Court has been eager to hide from her. In the end, she must decide which side she would be standing on once a brewing civil war finally commences.

I came across The Shadow Reader while I was browsing through Goodreads looking for an Adult Fantasy book I could read. When I saw Wendy @ The Midnight Garden gave it a 5-star rating, I was more than eager to see if it would be a satisfying read.

Hallelujah! This book has just left me grinning like an idiot afterwards. It was so good!

McKenzie has been made to believe that the rebels are vicious beings, and considering her past and what she experienced in the hands of a rebel before she met Aren’s lot, she has every reason to think that way. But I love the idea that the story showed her that when in any opposing sides, things aren’t as black and white as she sees it; there will always gray areas in between.

I admire McKenzie’s determination to have normal life. I love her loyalty and that she’s eager to take upon a responsibility, no matter how risky it could be. Most of all I love her stubbornness; it’s both her strongest point and greatest fault, kind of reminds me a bit of myself. Hahaha!

Now enough about McKenzie... Let’s talk boys. Kyol and Aren. Rawr! (Sorry I couldn’t help it). At the beginning, this was a seriously hard matter to choose from. Both are good men, both have shown they were worthy of McKenzie. But I have to say Aren has left me with butterflies in my stomach. My heart was fluttering all happily every time he came into picture.

The most memorable line he gave was: "If I were a good man, I'd acknowledge that Taltrayn is an honorable fae, that he loves you and would take care of you. I'd step down and let you have the man you've always wanted, but, McKenzie, I'm not as good as Taltrayn. I never will be, and I can't step down. I'll fight for the chance to be with you." See?! Oh, Aren – you sexy, hot fae rebel, you! *giggles*

This was definitely a great book! The awesome fae battle in chapter one made me sure that it was going to be on hell of a reading experience. It has everything I was told and was looking for in a story: a stunning kick-ass protagonist, a creative plot, vivid action scenes, and a twisted sexy love story on the side. It was such a thrilling adventure! Page after page after page, there was always something exciting happening. Definitely worth all the time and effort spent reading it.

I guess my only qualm is the book cover, it’s beautiful, really. But I didn’t see McKenzie brandish a sword like that. But what the heck – this was still epic!