★ 08/27/2018
In the thrilling conclusion to Bowen’s Shadow series (following 2017’s Malice of Crows), intrepid cowboy and shape-shifter Rhett Walker must wrangle a diabolical and manipulative foe that forces him to reckon with a past he’s fought to forget. Shortly after someone very special to Rhett is nearly killed, he and his ragtag posse are attacked by marauding chupacabras, who warn that Rhett and company are being watched. They barely regroup before Rhett feels the tug of the Shadow, the mysterious force that notifies him of supernatural danger. It’s soon obvious that someone, or something, has a deeply personal vendetta against him, and that the people he loves most are in terrible danger. Can he rely on the Shadow to lead him true? Bowen’s wild and weird West, populated with all manner of supernatural beasties, is fully realized, and she barely lets up on the gunslinging action. The lovably irascible Rhett, only 17 and greatly changed over the course of the series, has come a long way in accepting himself, though he struggles with questions of destiny and choice. The final battle is bloody, fierce, and heartbreaking, and the hopeful conclusion is a fine feather in the cap of Bowen’s uniquely superb series. Agent: Kate McKean, Howard Morhaim Literary. (Oct.)
★ 2018-09-02
The absorbing conclusion to the adventures of the shape-shifting vigilante known as the Shadow.
Rhett Walker has lost a lot of people, and he'll go on to lose more. But he can't lose Sam Hennessy. Against his friends' advice, he'll do what it takes to save the warmhearted Ranger. And that's just one of the many hard choices Rhett has to make, because like it or not, he's the Shadow, with a destiny that calls him to fight for justice—and even though he's bone-tired, with "his life stretched before him like a mountain he'd never finish climbing," his destiny just won't quit. And he won't quit trying to protect the little band of misfits who've gathered around him, including Dan, the coyote shifter, Inès, the gorgon nun, Winifred, Dan's pregnant sister, and a few other allies who show up along the way. This novel picks up right from the cliffhanger ending of Malice of Crows (2017), with Sam Hennessy bleeding in the sand, and things never get easier for Rhett and his posse. Still, Bowen manages to create some moments of warmth and humor along the trail without ever letting the pace of this hard-charging adventure flag. And after all that he's been through, it's impossible not to love Rhett and root for him and Sam to find a little time to be at peace together.
Fans will love this final chapter in Bowen's story, in which her hero fights harder than ever to make a place in the world for himself and the people he loves.
"Absorbing...fans will love this final chapter in Bowen's story."
—Kirkus (starred review)
"Thrilling...a fine feather in the cap of Bowen's uniquely superb series."
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"With this latest entry in The Shadow series, Bowen burnishes her particular brand of Western mythic odyssey to a high shine. Outstanding pacing takes us from one exciting, well-crafted scene to another.... Extraordinary."—RT Book Reviews on Malice of Crows
"The stakes couldn't be higher, and the story couldn't be more absorbing. Fans of the Shadow will love returning to his world, and fantasy fans who haven't yet encountered this colorful cowboy should hurry up and dive in."—Kirkus (starred review) on Malice of Crows
"Rhett is one of Bowen's (Dawson's) best characters to date, and the world built in this series is rich and complex. One of my favorite new series, to be sure. If you haven't picked up the first book, Wake of Vultures, you really should. Then pick this one up too."—— Pop Culture Beast on Conspiracy of Ravens
"Conspiracy of Ravens isa heavy-gauge follow-up to Wake of Vultures' wicked opening salvo, serving up huge helpings of humor and tension and making another strong bid for the year's best list."—B&N.com on Conspiracy of Ravens
"Bowen's writing is as sharp and superior as ever - her examination of Rhett's growing and complex sexuality and gender identity is wondrous, and is a topic that is truly not being explored anywhere else."—RT Book Reviews on Conspiracy of Ravens
"Gritty and well-realized... The unforgiving western landscape is home to supernatural beasties as diverse as the human inhabitants, and no-nonsense Nettie is pragmatic and brave. Themes of self-worth, gender, and the complexity of identity are treated with frank realism and sensitivity, and the narrative is a love letter to the paranormal western genre."—Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Wake of Vultures
"Of all the books I've reviewed this year, Wake of Vultures' Nettie Lonesome stands out as the most compelling, well-crafted protagonist I've encountered... Bowen's superlative grasp of both character development and worldbuilding elevates a familiar story to mythic heights. "—RT Book Reviews (Top Pick!) on Wake of Vultures
"Bowen's Wake of Vultures overflows with imagination and voice, channeling shades of Stephen King's Gunslinger and Western classics like Unforgiven. Nettie Lonesome is sure to become one of the iconic characters of this generation. This book puts you under its spell and will not let you go!"—Jason M. Hough, New York Times bestselling author on Wake of Vultures
"Bowen has created a fascinating, textured Wild West world...Readers will love this absorbing fantasy adventure [and] its strong, dynamic heroine."—Kirkus (starred review) on Wake of Vultures
"Wake of Vultures is, quite simply, brilliant. A mind-bending mix of history, fantasy and folklore, it's a wild bronco of a read that'll leave you breathless for more."—Rachel Caine on Wake of Vultures
"Nettie Lonesome is a complex, tough, all-around wonderful protagonist. And Lila Bowen is equally wonderful for bringing us Nettie's story, set in a magical old west full of harpies and monster-hunters and stolen children and more. I look forward to more of Nettie's journey."—Jim C. Hines on Wake of Vultures
"I don't care what else you've seen in the bookstore today. Buy this book because it's the thrilling, delightfully written, and important one you've always wanted to read."—Kevin Hearne on Wake of Vultures
"Wake of Vultures doesn't just fly — it soars. Lila Bowen brings in a wild fantasy quite unlike anything I've ever read, with a voice that's weird and wonderful. Bowen is truly a talent to watch. Hot damn, is this book good."—Chuck Wendig on Wake of Vultures
"Sharp as a silver Bowie and unsentimental as a stray bullet, Lila Bowen's Nettie Lonesome earns a place among the legends of the Weird West."—Matthew Stover on Wake of Vultures
"Wake of Vultures is a ferocious, fascinating take on the magical Old West - creatively and unsentimentally grim, yet rich with hope and heart."—Cherie Priest on Wake of Vultures
"Nettie Lonesome kicks major ass. There is something strange and wonderful going on in Lila Bowen's head. It's the weird west fantasy that I never knew I've always wanted to read. Now I need more!"—Wesley Chu on Wake of Vultures
09/15/2018
Rhett Walker (formerly known as Nettie Lonesome, Ned, and Nat), the trans POC hero of Bowen's "Shadow" series finale, is cognizant of yet unburdened by his labels when facing danger and leading his crew of good-hearted monsters. With this book, Bowen successfully satisfies her passionate fan base while being accessible to new readers, raising the stakes with increasingly complex action sequences sure to delight fans of the Wild West-meets-supernatural world, while also doling out sufficient backstory to engage newcomers. As in the comic book and TV series Wynonna Earp, the elements of queer Western fantasy serve to create a thrilling backdrop to the universal human experience of leaving innocence behind. Old-school Buffy fans and Saga aficionados should line up to get the whole series. VERDICT Any library with the earlier entries must complete this fun, sexy, poignant series. Confidently recommended to both new and seasoned adult fantasy readers alike.—Nicole Steeves, Fox River Valley P.L. Dist., IL
