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chunky_munky
Posted January 3, 2012
I loved this book. It was such an incredible read. Very addictive and exciting. Very fast paced, never got tedious or slow. I was hooked all the way from the first chapter. It was very well written, and the sentences were nicely formed. No confusions to the meaning, and paragraphs didn't get repetitive unlike so many other books. I've just added her to my favorite authors list too, and this book has just become my new favorite book. I can't wait for book #2. God I really hope that there's a book #2.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Twentyish human Houston resident McKenzie Lewis English major is frustrated with the intrusions into her obtaining her degree as eight years for a BA is ridiculous. While she takes an exam, the sword-master Kyol her Fae lover arrives. She reminds him that she told the Faerie to leave her alone this week. Kyol tells her they need her now as overt civil war in Faerie seems imminent. McKenzie knows her gift of tracking the fissures left behind by Fae travelers makes her in demand.
The king orders McKenzie to find the rebels. Instead the rebels kidnap her. Aren the rebel leader makes a just plea for her to join their side. While McKenzie considers their argument and is attracted to Aren, she has pledged her loyalty to the king and cannot turn away her taboo love of Kyol.
The Shadow Reader is a wonderful urban fantasy in which human technology has intruded on Faerie and realism is anchored by war atrocities committed by both sides in the name of righteousness. The story line is fast-paced while the female protagonist wants to stay out of the fight but becomes the rope in an ugly tug of war with collateral damage accepted by each combatant as the end justifies the mean. Although the romantic relationships confronting McKenzie with Aren and Kyol seem more a forced requirement, fans will want to enter the Sandy Williams realm.
Harriet Klausner
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 29, 2012
Why is it always seem to be that a perfectly great and wonderful Urban Fantasy gets ruined by a typical angst-filled romance/love triangle? Is it a requirement? I understand that romance is a hot genre--there are historical, contemporary, paranormal, suspense, ad nauseum categories for romance. But ENOUGH!!!! Can there PLEASE be more Urban Fantasy and Paranormal books written WITHOUT some stupid romance angsty crap in them? I would LOVE some more of those. There is nothing wrong with romantic relationships that have the typical ups and downs or disagreements but this soap opera crap well...... I won't print what I really think about them as I would get banned. PLEASE HELP!!! I know there are many others who feel the same way.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 7, 2011
This book was so well done!!! Great characters and story. This author just got added to my must read list. I want a book two, now!!!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.KasieF
Posted September 3, 2012
Loved this book! It gave me a 'book hangover' so I read it twice in a week. I cannot wait for the second one in October!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 20, 2012
I am looking forward to the next book!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.lizziefx
Posted July 5, 2012
I read a lot so I am always looking for new authors. In this case I picked an author that can really craft a story and kept me entertained through the entire book. This is book one in the series and you can bet I will be back for book two!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Trying to get through college and survive in the normal world is hard enough, but McKenzie Lewis toe the line through the mundane and the fae with her tracking abilities. As the knowledge of her astute skills pass through the warring kingdom, McKenzie's status as a rare Shadow Reader are getting around and as the opposing factions square off against each other McKenzie and her abilities will be coveted by all.
What was really amazing about the Shadow Reader was the world building and the characters. McKenzie is a strong willed character fighting for what she believes is right in her helping the fae, or really being in service of the fae, and as the plots thicken and McKenzie realizes the truth in what is being said about the court she held high from the rebel forces MxKenzie changes her alliances at the possible cost of her life. What you cannot have have, then no one else will seems to be a common motto along the lines of some fae.
With a pair of leading male characters, McKenzie has to find the truth that she believes in herself and what she believes is worth fighting for because there is are fae on both sides of the fight that she has feelings for. Will their want of her talents override McKenzie's safety, or will McKenzie's power turn the tides in the civil war among the fae.
Shadow Reader will catch readers in the middle of a war that started long before McKenzie came into her powers but which could cause her destruction. As if living and finding love in the real world was hard enough, imagine finding love in the arms of a rebel and a swords master of the Court, that is McKenzie’s dilemma as long as she can survive.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 7, 2011
I just deleted my last (and longer) review by accident so i'll keep this brief. Its definately worth the time of both urban fatasu fans and romance fans alike. I read a lot of these type of books and can say whole heartedly that this author avoids the standard pitfalls including a too uber chic main character (i like it when fairly normal people get involved in extrordinary situations) of yet another other worldly organization designed to save the world ( i always wonder how many of those there can actually successfully exsist in my imagination). This was a good start to a new take on fae/human conflicts and i hope the author has another planned. The three main characters were developed pretty well but i didn't quite understand all the rebels gripes although i get that she was trying to keep both sides viable as part of the plot. I'm glad i gave this book a shot and will keep an eye open for any more by this author
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 10, 2013
Great trilogy
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Sandy Williams reminds serious readers why Urban Fantasy is a genre to stick with. Her hot heroine McKenzie Lewis is a one of a kind shadow reader, tracking fae through fissures all while trying to earn a college degree. Caught in the middle of a war between the Court fae and rebels, McKenzie stands her ground with the nobles until rebel Aren gets into her head.
The Shadow Reader is one novel of which I can safely say that I loved each and every character. Even the evil ones were perfectly malicious! The first person narrative centers the focus of the novel on McKenzie, but there are about 12 characters moving the story along with their reoccurring roles or consistent presence. The many characters introduced aren't wasted in the story and it never feels like Williams spends incessant time describing them or trying to give them a brighter spotlight than they deserve.
Williams is a smooth storyteller. She doesn't get caught up in too many action scenes or history of the fae. It's fortunate because I can only imagine how much history is certainly involved in the political aspect of the war between court fae and the rebels. As the story progresses Williams hands out pieces of information here and there, but even before the end of the plot all those pieces have completed the big picture.
A big worry I usually have when it comes to fantasy novels is the names. I'm so glad to have been able to sail through The Shadow Reader with minimum issues with the fae names and language. Most of the words just roll right of the tongue and give the writing a romantic tone.
I am one hundred percent committed to The Shadow Reader Series. I ache with excitement to see what happens to McKenzie now that the war has taken a sharp turn and loyalties have become an important factor to the fae. Book 2 in the series, The Shattered Dark, has big expectations to meet.
Originally posted on Lovey Dovey Books
Anonymous
Posted April 22, 2012
Amazing! It takes off from page one. Can't wait for another one!
Kestrel16
Posted February 14, 2012
Added this one to my "Keeper" shelf. If you like romantic fantasy check it out. I will be watching out for Sandy Williams' future books.
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Posted December 26, 2011
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Posted January 13, 2012
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Posted September 22, 2012
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Posted November 1, 2011
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Posted October 31, 2011
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Posted February 25, 2012
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Posted December 21, 2011
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