Shadow Sight by E. J. Stevens
Series: Ivy Granger #1
Published by Sacred Oaks Press
Published on: July 1, 2012
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 243
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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Some things are best left unseen...
Ivy Granger's second sight is finally giving her life purpose. Ivy and her best friend Jinx may not be raking in the dough, but their psychic detective agency pays the bills--most of the time. Their only worry is the boredom of a slow day and the occasional crazy client--until a demon walks through their door.
Demons are never a good sign...
A demon attorney representing the water fae? Stranger things have happened. And things are about to get very, very strange as a bloodthirsty nightmare hunts the city of Harborsmouth.
There's blood in the water...
Kelpies have a reputation for eating humans. Unfortunately, kelpies are the clients. When an Unseelie faerie this evil stalks the waterways of your city, you have to make hard choices.
The lesser of two evils...
Shadow Sight is the first novel in the Ivy Granger urban fantasy series by E.J. Stevens.
One word. Fascinating. That describes this book to a tee. Other descriptions? World building that doesn’t quit. Wonderful heroine. And so much more. I first read, Hunting in Bruges, by this author, and loved it. I bought this book as soon as I finished that one and was just now able to get around to reading it. I found it worth the wait.
Ivy Granger is a private detective of the supernatural sort. She is able to touch an object, and learn things. Like where an object is, or who has the object. She has visions, and some are horrific. Due to those, she can never touch another person or even an object without getting a vision. That’s where the gloves come in, she has to wear them, no matter how hot the weather is, all the time, pretty much. Relationships with any man is pretty much not going to happen either, and she has learned to not yearn for one. When a demon lawyer comes to her for help, life in the city of Harborsmouth, will never be the same.
There was so much to love about this read. I absolutely adored Ivy. Her voice, while telling her story, in the first person, was nothing short of perfect, if you love a character with snark and just all around wit for days. Her roommate and business partner is Jinx, named that because she’s a complete klutz. However, she is excellent at her work-which is scheduling Ivy’s appointments, and doing all the paperwork. Equally important to this story is Kaye, an elderly witch that owns an emporium, and is a good friend to Ivy. Rounding out Ivy’s friends are Hob, Kaye’s kitchen brownie(and quite the character)and a young troll, named Marvin, who I promise will win your heart. I must add that there is someone that just might change Ivy’s dating life. I’ll leave that for you to find out!
I have honestly never read a book with this much world building. Some people might not like that, but I was fascinated by all the different species of creatures from the supernatural world that are explained in detail. A lot of these creatures are ones I have heard of, but there possibly(probably) are others that the author has dreamed up, and my does she have quite the imagination, if that is true!
Harborsmouth seems to be the hub for the supernatural in this part of the world. They live side by side unsuspecting humans. Most of them are Fae, and use glamour to hide what they really are. One of Ivy’s talents is to see past the glamour. Not only do they walk among humans, but I sure wouldn’t go in the water there. Water creatures and monsters abound there. A truly magical city, and not necessarily of the good kind.
The only young adult in this story is Marvin the troll, but I believe this is considered YA. However, there is plenty of violence, and gory deaths to be had in this read, so I would recommend this to older teens, up to adults. I enjoyed the whole read, and plan on buying the next one titled, Ghost Light.
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
I have read one book by this author and I liked it, but then just forgot to finish series..it was a different one from this one, but I like the sound of this one, so I need to add it to my list. 🙂
Stormi recently posted…Write On Review-a-thon (March 21st-22nd)
I hope you enjoy all the different creatures 🙂
I absolutely loved her YA series and I just know this will be a fabulous read for me as well. So happy you liked it!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Cover Reveal: The Demon’s Deadline by Tori Centanni
Yes, I really did and I think it’s supposed to get even better as you go 🙂
The way you talked about this book, it seems like it’s not like the hundreds over Urban Fantasy in the market, so I’m definitely going to try it out. Besides, I love worldbuilding, sometimes I find that element lacking in UF, so that’s a positive point for me. Great review!
Sarah H recently posted…The Arcana Chronicles #1: Poison Princess by Kresley Cole
If you like a lot of world building, you should enjoy this one-I think anyway 🙂 And thanks!
This DOES sound like a fascinating series- I’m quite curious now. And I love characters that are snarky and/or witty; they tend to be quite enjoyable to read.
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Bittersweet by Kimberly Loth + Excerpt
I love a snarky main character too 🙂
This sounds like a great start to the series! the world-building sounds like it was done very well. I am a huge UF fan so I’m definitely adding this to my tbr pile.
A great review Lorna!
Sharon – Obsession with Books recently posted…What are your thoughts? Reviewing / Blogging can be daunting!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy 🙂
Oh gosh Lorna! You kill me with all of these finds 🙂 (actually you kill my wallet if they are on audio..lol)
This sounds like an interesting start to the series. They really are surprising me with some of these YA labels.
Thanks!
Lupdilup recently posted…The Accidental Demon Slayer Audiobook (review)
I just really loved all the different creatures and descriptions, and of course the snark. I hope you like it, if you find it on audio 🙂
Ooh I might have to look into this one! It sounds really interesting 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Kelsey recently posted…The Sunday Post #4
You’re welcome, I hope you enjoy if you do!
I had won one of her books but I could not read it, something with the formatting, and I should have noticed that then and not a year after
blodeuedd recently posted…#FitReaders: Weekly Check-In March 20 2015
Oh that is too bad-sorry that happened!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Shadow Sight by E.J. Stevens
@Blodeuedd I’d be happy to send you a copy of the book you won in the format of your choice (Kindle/PDF/Epub). My contact info is here: http://www.fromtheshadows.info/p/contact-ej_8.html 🙂
E.J. Stevens recently posted…Paranormal Road Trip: Destination Fairy, Texas with Margo Bond Collins
I adore a complex, thorough world build with lots of supernatural creatures, so I’m putting this one on my list for sure! Thanks for sharing!
Berls recently posted…Sunday Post | 78th Edition
Well it’s definitely thorough as far as creature descriptions and all the supernatural aspects for sure. My favorite part is Ivy and her snark though 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Shadow Sight by E.J. Stevens
Please don’t laugh at me, but I loved your review and went to B&N to download and it appears I already own it. *facepalm* well of course I do cause it sounds awesome!
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Sunday Post #153 Welcome Spring
Well of course I laughed because I do that all the time! I try and buy the same books, sometimes over and over I am positive 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Shadow Sight by E.J. Stevens
I don’t read many UF books but this one sounds intriguing. How awful would it be to not be able to touch others because of the visions you get from their touch. Wow, sounds really interesting though.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…What to Expect During a Venous Ultrasound
I found that part kinda sad-I can’t imagine never being able to touch another person or even an object that may have belonged to someone that died or something-it was an interesting premise.
Lorna recently posted…Review: Shadow Sight by E.J. Stevens
Great review Lorna, thanks! Adding this to my wishlist at once!
Aurian recently posted…Julia Quinn, Eliosa James and Connie Brockway: The Lady Most Likely – Read for #LLC2015
Thank you! I hope you like it as much as I did 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Shadow Sight by E.J. Stevens
The heroine and world building sounds great
They both were pretty great 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Shadow Sight by E.J. Stevens
Ivy sounds like a great character Lorna. Looks like there are a lot of great aspects about this story too, great characters and world building! Fab review!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
Thank you! Ivy was a great character-that is true 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Shadow Sight by E.J. Stevens
Lovely review, Lorna! I believe I have this one on my kindle so I am glad it’s a good read.
kara-karina recently posted…Historical YA Fiction Audio book Review: A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller
Oh good! I hope you enjoy 🙂 And thank you!
Lorna recently posted…Early Review and Character Interview with Celia Breslin, Author of Diamond Moon
I’m so glad you enjoyed meeting Ivy, Lorna. I didn’t enjoy Hunting in Bruges as much as you did, but I did like it and plan on reading Ivy’s series. I just haven’t gotten to it yet. I am a reader that likes lots of world building and details so it seems like I’d get that in Shadow Sight. And I also like great character development as well. So, I’m thinking I’ll be meeting Ivy sooner than later. Great review!
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…Review ~ Coda ~ CD Reiss
Yes everyone had different tastes that’s for sure! And if you are looking for detail, this is definitely a must 🙂 I think it’s supposed to get better as you go.
Lorna recently posted…Early Review and Character Interview with Celia Breslin, Author of Diamond Moon