Review: The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams

The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 genies
Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Adventure, Fiction
Published: October 25, 2011
Pages: 307
Publisher: Ace
Source: Library Loan
Format: Paperback
Purchase At: TheBookDepository.com or Amazon.com

Goodreads Summary

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.

My Thoughts

I loved this book. Like honestly, it is such an exciting read and it's weird how surprised I am to say that - this book was exciting. Was it perfect? No, very close, but not quite. Williams made the fey sexy and different and so interesting to read about I was wishing myself for a hot fey guy. And other than with Ash from The Iron Fey series that has never happened before.

I guess a part of me still pictures faeries as dancing tree people, or was that the sprites? Anywho, I don't think:

Ooooh, Faerie = Hot!!

Usually, now because of this book, I do. A friend actually recommended this to me - thanks bud! - and I'm so thrilled to have gotten on board with this series. McKenzie is a good heroine. Somebody mentioned that she is constantly in need of saving; well if you were stuck in some dangerous other-world, what would you do? Don't lie, we all know you would not be pillaging the land and proclaiming yourself king/queen. What do you take me for? A human?! On a more serious note, I actually believe that it showed the level and severity of the fey's lethality, the chaos lusters were a fabulous touch on the author's behalf because they were a sure-fire way that no matter what she did McKenzie would always be visibly human. Imagine your skin on fire with skittering lightning, now that's a lot of pressure to fit in!

That said, the setting was purely brilliant; I was both terrified and enthralled by the realm as well as its interesting characters and frightening politics. It's just so weird to think about because they live for, well, forever and I'm kinda just equipped to think of the here and now - max a decade or two in the future - at the moment. How do the faeries handle one person ruling for forever?

{INSERT BIGGEST BRAIN SNAP, CRACKLE, POP EVER} *Judith has officially been mind-stumped.

Now to the MEN. Hey, Williams, do you mind me saying that your male characters are very delicious, like smouldering HOT?? Because I think so. It's funny because Aren and Kyol are described as having both the same coloured eyes but she manages to make them completely different. What I mean to say is that most times the rivalling males will look nothing alike. One could be light haired and dark eyed whilst the other would look like some dark haired and blazing eyed stud, it usually goes this way, but this author manages to make both Kyol and Aren similar but still so unique. It was hard at the beginning because a part of me got so absorbed in who she would ultimately choose - mind you there is nothing wrong/boring with the book that my mind was focussed so steadily to the main character's life more than anything else - but the girl's life was complicated!

It got to the point where I was wishing Williams would make the decision for me. Bottom line, they are both very excellent candidates.

That aside, the plot was engaging, the writing almost flawless - I felt like I was gliding through this book - and the characters, both creepy and not, were developed to perfection.

Some indisputable Facts: I liked The Shadow Reader and I like McKenzie. I also love Williams because the woman is awesome. That is all, Now where is my sequel?!

Final Thoughts: Really good Book! 5/5