 Title: Shadow’s Edge
|
Although the blurb for this book is incredibly blasé, I have to emphasize that the book itself is far from it. Geissinger exhibits good taste on nearly every page of this book whether that be in smells, flavors, or sounds. She may, in fact, have given her characters heightened senses only in so far as to display this quality. This taste can stray into the sumptuous more than is good in particularly the first hundred pages, often doting over the good life of luxuriant wines and million dollar apartments. Maybe some people like reading about the world of the rich and well off. I often do not.
The book paces well flipping right when needed into one of the two major character’s perspectives. I appreciate this dualism a lot because it gives me a sense of the whole picture, both sides of the story as it were. Both sides of the romance as well. This book gets almost perilously steamy in its second half as our protagonists join. This brings me to the somewhat sad but also enjoyable fact that the writing can be descriptive to the point of laughability. I did not find this to be a bad thing, in fact, I think a well-rounded book could do with some humor too. I am just not sure it was intentional.
Of the two, Jenna receives far more development than her mate. This is not the best since both share the limelight and I would have preferred his story to be more complex than just seek and seize, love and conquer. This brings me to another point. The way the Ikati are structured could do with some jazzing up. I am hoping in the second book to see a real shake-up in their rather backwards organization. Leander’s brother, Christian, could also do with some development. As well as Leander’s sister, Doria, and the only powerful female in the group, Morgan. They are given portrayals so close to us that we may think that at first that they have enough screen time but definitely as the story shifts into the third act and romance starts to happen, they get the short end of the stick. In fact, the whole apocalyptic scenario that pervades this tryst feels unnecessary. It is hard to feel alarm for this crew as all powerful as they are.
With all these blemishes in mind, the book remains colorful and full of surprises. I have gone out of my way like the blurb does not to mention the powers or the history of the Ikati race because much of my interest derived from uncovering these mysteries and wondering where they would lead. Geissinger has certainly crafted an odd race of creatures. I am excited to see where she leads them next.
| Recommendation: | Tasteful and sensual romance spanning both male and female point of view (a little light on the male side, a little shy on the action) |
| Like this, like that: | Premonition series by Amy A. Bartol, the Others series by Christine Warren and the Dragonfury series by Coreene Callahan. |
About the Blogger
I review Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance books with a focus all things werewolf. Based out of Ottawa, Canada
I really enjoyed this book as well, it made me think of another one, but follow Jenna was very interesting and I really enjoyed her nature. I’l glad you liked it as well. I can’t wait to read the sequel.