I have been waiting (not so patiently) for the debut release
of THE SHADOW READER by Sandy Williams. When I finally got
my hands on a copy, I did a happy dance. I immediately dove
into the amazing world developed by Williams and I did not
want to leave.
THE SHADOW READER follows McKenzie, a college student who
has been hiding a major secret from those around her. She
can see the fae and they have decided to appear in the
middle of a final she has to pass to finally graduate with
the degree she has worked so hard to earn. Working for the
King of the fae has caused issues in her life but since they
pay for everything, she tries not to complain. They could
work on their timing though. When McKenzie finds herself
kidnapped by the enemy rebel fae, she must think on her feet
to protect those she cares about and find a way to get back
to her world. Doubts start to form around everything she has
believed about the fae war when the rebels reveal their
motivation behind the deadly rising against the monarchy.
So many things to like about this book! First off, the world
building is amazing. The story starts in the modern world of
humans. We travel back and forth from the world around us to
the alternate world of the fae. The contrast between worlds
was described in a way that the reader could easily imagine
themselves whisked away to the alternate realm. McKenzie's
internal conflict is portrayed wonderfully. I love how she
keeps trying to talk herself out of liking the rebels. The
male characters who are fighting for our heroine's attention
will draw the readers in. Neither are perfect and have done
horrible things but you can not help but fall for them. The
complexity of the story is refreshing and will have you
contemplating which side to root for until the end. On top
of all that, the action scenes will have you on the edge of
your seat.
War is never black and white. Williams gives us an exciting,
turbulent adventure that shows the reader that you can not
choose a side until you hear the whole story. This is a home
run of a debut novel. I encourage all fans of Urban Fantasy
to rush out and pick up a copy of THE SHADOW READER. You
will not regret it!
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.
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 to decide once and for all whom to trust--and where she ultimately stands in the face of a cataclysmic civil war.
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