The Crowded Shadows (Moorehawke Trilogy Series #2)

wrong ,match-up so far....so disappointed.

I wish i had liked this book more because the author writes well, but this book just became tedious after an action packed beginning. I started to skim after the first quarter and then I just closed the book and donated it to my local library.

We start off right where Poison Throne left off. Wynter is traveling alone in the dense forests to find the adored and disowned Rebel Prince Alberon. Wynter has many worries and trials while traveling through the crowded forest. She never imagined the woods in this direction to be so full of people... people who just may not be welcome in the Kingdoms lands. There is much more going on in the woods of the Kingdom than anyone ever expected. In the shadows of the Kingdom Forests there are many new worries and Wynter, Razi, and Christopher find themselves in the middle. This book is of the tribulations and trials the characters undergo while traveling alone in the dangerous forests of the Kingdom. You see that word has traveled far and wide that there is chaos in the Kingdoms lands and in other parts of the world as well. But this book focuses on our main characters. This is the middle child, being a second book, but this is the next section of the story in getting to the end results - getting to the Rebel Prince Alberon and seeing chaos has erupted in the kingdom. This book has a wonderful story to tell and add to the trilogy. As we don't hear much of the Bloody Machine or meet the Rebel Prince Alberon yet, we do see that Alberon is bringing many different cultures; ally and enemy alike to his table. What is this young man up to? Celine pulls the punches from the start. Right into the troubles and worries of Wynter's along with all the new ones in the crowded woods she's traveling in. I just have to say off the start here, I loved this book, and for many reasons. Now I will try to not to gosh my love to much after stating this here. :) I was so drawn into this book that my whole house could have burnt down around me, and I would not have known. Celine's writing style flowed very nicely for me, very fluint and absorbing. I could easily visualize everthing in my mind through Celine's writing. I love when I can easily see what is going on, it makes the story flow faster for me. I found myself going back and rereading sections of the book; NOT because I was lost but because I loved them fore how they where worded, the meaning in them, or from the shock of the happening. The characters are amazing and I really started to see much more going on in the woods of the kingdom. I learned more of the characters and really feel in love with them - all old and new. The story built on the suspense of the dark forest and had me worried for the characters, not knowing why I was worried but feeling is through the writing. But then in the end I got all my explainations and answers for the worries. The building of the cultures and world was amazing. Through learning more of the Merron people, and Christopher, I also learned of the cultures of the others by the way they reacted and compared the Merron religion to. This story had a quick pace for me, even though it was 474 pages. And there was lots happening to keep me wanting more. The momentum kept going and I just couldn't put the book down. Then there were a few unexpected twists to the story as well, which made me love it even more.

The schism between the father Southlands King Jonathan of Kingcourt and his rebellious son Prince Alberon remains wide and potentially deadly. Wynter Moorehawke searches for the Rebel Prince to learn why the split happened and what his intentions are. However each step on her quest seems dangerous as many have come to join the Rebel Prince's cause. Thus when Prince Razi and Christopher Garron whom she loves join her, Wynter welcomes them. The trio conceals their identity from rebels, royals, and outlaws as none can be trusted to leave them travel harmlessly. However, the most insidious are Loup-Garou slavers, but the most frightening is rumors that Alberon has forged an alliance with an enemy Marguerite Shirken, who in turn apparently has gained an alliance with the Merron; as everyone seems to want to overthrow King Jonathan. This sequel to the equally great The Poison Throne is a superb young adult political fantasy filled with plenty of intrigue outside of Kingcourt as strange bedfellows seem to be making alliances. Wynter and her two comrades find potential friends apparently already have joined known enemies as life for the heroine has become increasingly convoluted and complicated; not that love has simplified her personal relationships. This is a strong teen tale as Wynter has no time for coming of age as that will prove to late for the Southlands. Harriet Klausner