The Shadow Aspect by Melanie Karsak
Series: The Harvesting #2
Published by Indie
Published on: July 15, 2015
Genres: Dystopian
Pages: 197
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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When Layla took the final step through the labyrinth, she thought she was saving the ones she loved.
She couldn't have been more wrong.
Layla and the other survivors now find themselves caught in a war for our world, the unwitting victims of a grudge seething for eons. Surviving the zombie apocalypse has become the least of their worries as they come up against vampires, shapeshifters, and fae. When she uncovers an unspeakable horror, whom can Layla trust? The carnie girl? The doctor searching for a cure? The tarot reader? The stranger with alluring gold eyes? Or the man she loves?
The wrong choice could doom them all.
When the world burns, mankind’s shadow side rises. Do we deserve to survive?
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Zombie Apocalypse anyone? This is book two of this series, although there is also a novella, Midway, making it three stories so far that I have read recently. I love finding a series that I want to read back to back, and that’s pretty much what I have been doing with these reads.
The Harvesting introduced us to Layla, a kick butt heroine, that has been leading what is now a small group of people from her hometown, into the world that is left after the zombies took over. In Midway, we met Cricket, a carnival worker that is also caught up in this new world. With this installment, the two heroines meet and band together. Cricket and Tristan now have a home base in a small college that is surrounded by a locked wall. Tristan is one of the more interesting characters in these books. He looks human, but no, not so much. I really liked his character in both books he’s featured in, although he was pretty different in Midway, than he is in this book. Of course, Layla’s new love, Jamie, is along for the ride. The rest of the college complex is made up of the few remaining friends of Layla’s and Jamie’s, the fortune teller Vella, who is first introduced in Midway, college students and other locals, and a doctor that is conducting experiments to find a cure for the “flu” that caused the zombies.
I appreciated the way the author filled this zombie world with other supernatural characters, ones that no one was aware of until the world changes. Vampires, and not the good kind, shape shifting Fae like characters that cause major problems for humans, and “earth” people that are trying to save humankind from those that want to end them.
As with the other installments, this is not a feel good read. Instead, it’s an exciting life or death thrill ride. Also, as before, not everyone survives. I must admit that one of the deaths in particular, pretty much blind sighted me. But this author is really not afraid to go there and that keeps this series from being cookie cutter, in any way. This one also features a pretty major cliffhanger, which I am not usually a fan of, but it didn’t bother me that much. Maybe. I am still thinking on that!
As with the other installments, I highly recommend this book to mature young adults and adults, due to the amount of violence, sexual situations, and language. Not to mention the all around creepiness factor. Next up is Witch Wood, another novella set in this same world, but with a new main character, although the blurb says it can standalone.
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.
Sounds like you are liking this series, some day I might check it out. 🙂
It’s well worth the read if you like this type of read Stormi 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: The Shadow Aspect by Melanie Karsak (@Mollykatie112, @MelanieKarsak)
Wonderful review Lorna, this is definitely a series I want to pick up.
Thank you Ali 🙂 I hope you get to try it sometime.
I just purchased book 1. I am now sold 🙂 I told you I was waiting till you reviews series 2.
I really hope you love it 🙂
Loving that cover. I need to get on this series! I have read the first one and loved it.
sherry fundin recently posted…The Halfling by @hd_gordon
I love these covers as well. I hope you find the time to read on because it really is a great series 🙂
YES!!! I am loving your reviews of this series..I need more installments!!
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Five Reads Perfect For A Snow Day!
I know! After the ending of this one and the next one being so different,I am really wanting the one that comes after Witch Wood. But at least all four were already out for me so I can’t really complain-much. 🙂
Oh no! She is stabbing herself 😉
I hope not…I think maybe she is drawing her sword-maybe?
It’s definitely been a while since I’ve indulged in zombie books! This one sounds like a good series to sink my teeth into.
I really have been enjoying myself with this series. I hope you enjoy if you get a chance to try it 🙂
This series really is a hit for you with each installment. That’s fantastic!
Yes I really am enjoying it. It’s really unique 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: The Shadow Aspect by Melanie Karsak (@Mollykatie112, @MelanieKarsak)
it’s great to see that you have again a great time with the author and the series. Plus zombies? What more can I ask for?
I never used to enjoy zombies but the tv show The Walking Dead totally cured me!Do you get that show there?
Lorna, you really are tempting me to read this series! I have to say I was excited to see that Layla and Cricket teamed up in this installment. I know, from your reviews, that these two could make quite the pair of ladies who can kick butt and take names. I’m really curious as to how it will all turn out. I’m so happy this was a great installment and that you’re enjoying this series so much!
I really am Brandee. Thank you! There is a lot to like about this series for sure 🙂
She does sound like a hard core main character and fun to follow
There’s actually two female main characters that are pretty great 🙂
Oh another good book in this series. I so need to start collecting these and reading them. I love how dark they sound… and I can totally see how the flu creates zombies. 😀
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…On My Wishlist: After the Woods by Kim Savage
That really are worth the read. So happy that Kimberly talked me into starting at the beginning instead of the novella I had bought 🙂
I really think that in darker post-apocalyptic books, there need to be some characters that die, and that really, really affect us. That is one of the things that make those stories a little more realistic, even if there are zombies involved.
I need to add this series to my TBR, it sounds fantastic, Lorna! Great review.
Thank you! And I agree, it wouldn’t be realistic in this type of read if there weren’t deaths,but thought I would mention it for those that don’t like that type of read.Hope you enjoy if you read this:)