Series: Rephaim, Book One
Publisher: Indigo
Format: ARC
Published: 3rd January 2013
Number of Pages: 400
Book: For Review*
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Romance, Gritty Realism, Thriller, Suspense, Action-Adventure, NA, YA
Recommended
Age: 14+
Contains: Swearing,
Violence, Alcohol References
No Drug References
Author's
Site: Paula Weston
Author's Twitter: @PaulaWeston
Warning: This review will be an excited rambling of a
fangirl.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you…
Every night in her dreams Gaby Winters
kills demons.
It’s
been almost a year since Gaby was in the car crash that killed her twin
brother, Jude. Her body has healed, but
her grief is still raw and constant.
Across
a crowded bar Gaby sees the man of her dreams, literally. Rafa not only looks exactly like the guy
who’s been appearing in Gaby’s dreams, he claims a history with her brother
that makes no sense.
Now
Gaby is forced to accept that what she thought she knew about herself and her
life is only a shadow of the truth – and that the truth is more likely to be
found in the shadows of her nightmares.
Combining the sexy supernatural appeal of
Lauren Kate’s Fallen series, the kick-ass action of Buffy
the Vampire Slayer and the edgy cool of True
Blood.
This
is angels and demons as you’ve never seen them before.
Review:
"You're supposed to be dead...”
Gaby's
life fell apart when her twin brother Jude died. That was a year ago.
She's moved away, to Pandanus Beach, started over. But she still
hasn't healed. Not really, not inside.
It
doesn't help that she keeps on dreaming the most disturbing things. Each
night in her dreams, Gaby kills demons in a bar. By her side, a guy with
green eyes who smells like sandalwood.
And
then one day, her dream guy walks into the bar. She's never met Rafa
before and yet he claims to have been best friends with her brother, even
though that makes no sense to her. In fact, nothing Rafa says makes any sense.
But
with more and more people like Rafa coming, claiming she should be dead – maybe
even should have stayed dead
– Gaby is forced to face the facts.
Her
life – everything she thought she knew and was – is a lie.
With
no idea what she is, what the entire world
is anymore, what's real and what's not, who can Gaby trust? And can she
stay alive in this world that makes no sense…?
I
picked Shadows up, just wanting to
have a quick flick through it to see what it was about. And I couldn't
stop reading. I don't know what it is about this book, but it’s freaking
addictive. Before I even realised what I was doing, I was a hundred pages
in and absolutely hooked. I'm not sure what it was that made Shadows really stand out. Maybe
it's the angel mythology. Maybe it's the action. Maybe it's Gaby's
voice – so real, so rich, so sad. Maybe it's that this is my first New Adult
experience. Maybe it's the gorgeous and utterly irresistible Rafa.
Who knows! Who cares! All that matters is that Shadows is a breath-taking book – an
amazing, amazing book, that I'm sure will be one of my favourites of 2013.
Hell, it's my favourite angel book of all time, ever. Period.
I
really loved Gaby – she was such a strong character, so broken and loveable and
strong. I could feel her pain – feel how
much it was destroying her, tearing her to pieces, making her empty. And
you not only felt for her,
you felt her. I loved watching
her grow and discover herself, watching her fight back and come into her own.
She was just a brilliant lead, damaged but tough as nails. My fave
kind of protagonist: strong but with a hidden vulnerability to make them
accessible and loveable.
Speaking
of love... I just instantly was drawn to Rafa. I don't know what it is
about him that makes him so darn irresistible. Perhaps it's that bad boy
thing – I have a real weakness for the bad boys. Or maybe 'cause underneath,
he's really, really sweet. He's warm, protective, and sweet, complex, mysterious
and so, so gorgeous. Oh, I just love him.
Daisy
was another favourite, as were Ez and Zak. Rephaim I wasn't so keen on? Daniel, Taya and Melchezedick – sorry, Malachi. I did not like them. Which was ironic,
'cause they were the so-called ‘good guys’...
I
also really loved Gaby's friend Maggie – she was the best friend in the history
of ever. Jason was cool too. Clever, brave, loyal. I liked
him.
And
even though we didn't actually meet him, I adored Jude. He was such an
amazing brother – I loved him to bits and mourned him right along with Gaby.
And I loved their bond. Felt their
bond…
As
for the connection between Rafa and Gaby... Whoa. It wasn't like your
usual teen romance. It was deep. Half the time, they were just
annoying each other. But it was just so hot – so full of chemistry.
I absolutely loved their banter and the way they had one another's back.
Weston's
writing was so amazing – and utterly compelling. The writing style was
insanely addictive and so strong. I felt them all – all the characters
and emotions. Especially Gaby. Her voice was so very real, so
genuine. I could feel every bit of her pain. But there are loads of
damaged narrators out there, aren't they? So what makes Gaby so different?
Well for one, there's the whole no-memories – or at least, no real memories – thing. But
more than that, there was the way she handled her pain. She hurt – so
much I hurt too – but she didn't let herself do that wallowing, selfish,
infuriating thing teen leads are so very good at. No, Gaby handled it all
like the adult she was: she dealt. And I loved that. It added a
whole brilliant layer to the voice: made it so real to me. So addictive
and beautiful.
As
for the plot, man was it awesome! So full of twists and mysteries and so much action! I loved how everything
was revealed so slowly, so teasingly, so addictively. It was just like:
here's one clue. Oh, and another. And another. Just one
little secret at a time. It was freaking addictive! And the action
– don't even get me started on
the action! It was so cool, so exciting. So awesome. Sigh... I will
admit that I saw this one bit coming – it felt kinda obvious to me. But
while I guessed the initial twist, I didn't see the twists that followed that
first twist... If that makes sense. But, God, I just adored this
plot!!
And
ohmigod, I loved all the
mythology! It's so new and cool – so unlike all the other angel books out
there. I just loved the spin Weston put on all the biblical angelic
myths. And what I loved even more than the kickass angel mythology of
this world? That it was set in Australia!
I loved the Aussie feel! It just added to the awesomeness that
already was the kickass angel stuff. So, yes, I adored this setting.
Yum yum, more please?
Ok,
so, angel stories. Loads of them are so samey, y'know? Shadows
was so totally different. For one, these angels weren't afraid to kick
butt. And when I say kick butt, I mean serious, hardcore, butt-kicking
awesomeness. These angels weren't your usual pacifists and they weren't really
religious. It was just so much fun to read an angel book that's so
hardcore and edgy and original. I just loved it. Shadows stands heads, shoulders, chests
and legs above all the other angel books out there.
As
you can all tell from this rambling review, I absolutely adored Shadows. It was one of those books
you're going to want to clear a whole day for, because you aren't going to be
able to put it down. Even if you don't like paranormals or angel books,
read Shadows, because it's special.
It's an angel book, but it has heart. Soul. And, God, it's
just so freaking good! As much as I wanted to read the book in one
sitting (which I did anyway – couldn't help myself!), I also wanted it to last
forever. I'm thanking Paula Weston for making it as long as it was – and
for the fact Haze is out in June,
which while being far enough away to make me crazy, isn't as bad as most sequel
waits. And I'm thanking her also for the ending, which wasn't
infuriatingly cliffhanger-y, but was also enough to leave me desperate for
more, more, more.
So
Shadows. Read it. It's so
much more than an angel book – so much more than a YA paranormal romance.
Just so much more than I could've ever expected and hoped for it to be.
And
I need Haze. I need more of
Rafa. And I take it back: June! Why is it so far away?! *breaks down crying*
Star Rating:
5 Out of 5
5 Out of 5
Read this
book if you liked:
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
Challenges
It's Taking Part In:
Happy Reading
Megan
* This
book was received from Orion/Indigo in exchange for an honest review
**
Quotes used are from a proof copy and may have been changed in the finished
book
