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A review by loverofromance
Shadow's End by Thea Harrison
5.0
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:πππππ
Cover:ππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: πππππ
Heart & Feels:πππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: ππππ
Page Turner Level:ππππ
Narration:π§π§π§π§π§
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨β¨
Eternity might be captured in a single kiss.
First Impressions
What on earth did I read and I am not sure if I am okay and breathing? haha oh what a wild ride. I am still feeling breathless over this read and what Thea Harrison has delivered here. I can't believe what a book this one was. I did put it off for a bit because I knew it would have some elements to it that I might not care for too much and yeah it was completely wild and you definitely need to go into this one with a open mind though. Its not going to be a story that will work for everyone. But I was eager to see how our pairing would fair and lets be real ....I have been wanting Graydon's book since the first book hahaha
First Line
With one blunt forefinger, Graydon tapped out a text on his smartphone.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Graydon, First Sentinel of the Wyr
The Heroine: Beluviel, consort to the Elven High Lord
Summary
Graydon and Beluviel, on the surface have to appear as if they are just two in the realm of knowing each other but can't reveal their true desires for each other as its completely forbidden. Two hundred years ago Gray and Beluviel fell in love in the search for Beluviel's son who had gotten caught up in gambling and on their journey in their search, they form a bond and a deep love. But when they discover some evil against innocents they do what they feel is right but that moments will entrench them in a bind that they won't know how to get out of. They fall into debt with a evil Djinn, Malphas which forbids them from touching one another or it will the life of Beluviel's son. But Graydon has never given up on the love he has always held for Beluviel and been working for two centuries to bring down their enemy, he just needs Beluviel to trust in him to bring them freedom along with their crew of friends to help them escape....but what will be the price of their freedom?
What I Loved
Shadow's End was beyond brilliant in every way I could have imagined. The moment that these two fell hard for each other, I was in 100% into this story and I couldn't put it down. I just wanted so much to see how these two would find their HEA especially when it starts off with seeing Graydon having so much yearning for the woman he loves. And I really appreciated how Thea Harrison wrote the flashback. Normally authors make you go back and forth. But I loved how she wrote the complete flashback early in the book and then you get to the present and I really wish more authors would handle more flashbacks like that. I hate the yo yo style of flashbacks.
Shadows End is a story that despite its facts of some cheating in it which isn't normally for me, the way that its told definitely worked for me. You can see how Beluviel is in a miserable arrangement of a marriage and has never known love and affection from her husband. But she wishes that Graydon could be the man she could be with. You see their mutual pining and aren't able to engage with each other and have had to stay away from each other for over two hundred years...I can't even imagine but you just feel the tension that builds throughout the story and within their relationship. And then you just feel that they need to be together. Their strength to continue fighting for their love and for freedom was so breathtaking and just breathes life and energy into the reader.
Thea Harrison wrote a true treasure of a read and I am still feeling overwhelmed by what I just read. Can this book write a bad book? Cause I don't think so lol And the more I read into this series the more I am sad that its coming to an end soon but also excited to see what the author truly delivers within this world. And I am so curious to see what she will be doing with Liam here. I hope we get to see some good things for him.
What I Struggled With
The flashback to the time when they first fall in love is super slow paced. I am not sure if it was the narration or not but it definitely affected my enjoyment slightly or it would have been a six star read. That is how good this book was especially the second half. I also wasn't a fan of who the author kills off in the end. I won't reveal who it is (its not the main characters) but it is a character I was hoping to get a story for actually.
Narration
Really well done. I am not sure if the issues I had in the first half of the book is due to the narrator or if it was just the pacing .....I am leaning towards the pacing....normally flashbacks can feel slower at times but I felt it was important to read it or I probably would feel so so lost.
Overall View
Shadow's End was sizzling and spell binding in every way....its a tale that stretches into the forbidden, that lays waste to expectations and boundaries and digs deep into the strength and courage of the heart!
You didn't walk away from those you loved. You fought for them, always, with everything you had, even if it meant fighting the long fight, and staying on the hardest, quietest, most difficult course
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance
Character Types: Shape Shifter, Dragon, Fae
Themes: Cheating, Heart/Emotion, Tear Jerker
Tropes: Road Trip, Star Crossed Lovers, Forbidden Love
Book Perspective
3rd POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A blend
If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Nalini Singh
Shelly Laurenston
Kresley Cole
Song This Book Inspires
Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes
Steam/Spice Explanations
Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.
Narrators:
Sophie Eastlake
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:πππππ
Cover:ππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: πππππ
Heart & Feels:πππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: ππππ
Page Turner Level:ππππ
Narration:π§π§π§π§π§
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨β¨
Eternity might be captured in a single kiss.
First Impressions
What on earth did I read and I am not sure if I am okay and breathing? haha oh what a wild ride. I am still feeling breathless over this read and what Thea Harrison has delivered here. I can't believe what a book this one was. I did put it off for a bit because I knew it would have some elements to it that I might not care for too much and yeah it was completely wild and you definitely need to go into this one with a open mind though. Its not going to be a story that will work for everyone. But I was eager to see how our pairing would fair and lets be real ....I have been wanting Graydon's book since the first book hahaha
First Line
With one blunt forefinger, Graydon tapped out a text on his smartphone.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Graydon, First Sentinel of the Wyr
The Heroine: Beluviel, consort to the Elven High Lord
Summary
Graydon and Beluviel, on the surface have to appear as if they are just two in the realm of knowing each other but can't reveal their true desires for each other as its completely forbidden. Two hundred years ago Gray and Beluviel fell in love in the search for Beluviel's son who had gotten caught up in gambling and on their journey in their search, they form a bond and a deep love. But when they discover some evil against innocents they do what they feel is right but that moments will entrench them in a bind that they won't know how to get out of. They fall into debt with a evil Djinn, Malphas which forbids them from touching one another or it will the life of Beluviel's son. But Graydon has never given up on the love he has always held for Beluviel and been working for two centuries to bring down their enemy, he just needs Beluviel to trust in him to bring them freedom along with their crew of friends to help them escape....but what will be the price of their freedom?
What I Loved
Shadow's End was beyond brilliant in every way I could have imagined. The moment that these two fell hard for each other, I was in 100% into this story and I couldn't put it down. I just wanted so much to see how these two would find their HEA especially when it starts off with seeing Graydon having so much yearning for the woman he loves. And I really appreciated how Thea Harrison wrote the flashback. Normally authors make you go back and forth. But I loved how she wrote the complete flashback early in the book and then you get to the present and I really wish more authors would handle more flashbacks like that. I hate the yo yo style of flashbacks.
Shadows End is a story that despite its facts of some cheating in it which isn't normally for me, the way that its told definitely worked for me. You can see how Beluviel is in a miserable arrangement of a marriage and has never known love and affection from her husband. But she wishes that Graydon could be the man she could be with. You see their mutual pining and aren't able to engage with each other and have had to stay away from each other for over two hundred years...I can't even imagine but you just feel the tension that builds throughout the story and within their relationship. And then you just feel that they need to be together. Their strength to continue fighting for their love and for freedom was so breathtaking and just breathes life and energy into the reader.
Thea Harrison wrote a true treasure of a read and I am still feeling overwhelmed by what I just read. Can this book write a bad book? Cause I don't think so lol And the more I read into this series the more I am sad that its coming to an end soon but also excited to see what the author truly delivers within this world. And I am so curious to see what she will be doing with Liam here. I hope we get to see some good things for him.
What I Struggled With
The flashback to the time when they first fall in love is super slow paced. I am not sure if it was the narration or not but it definitely affected my enjoyment slightly or it would have been a six star read. That is how good this book was especially the second half. I also wasn't a fan of who the author kills off in the end. I won't reveal who it is (its not the main characters) but it is a character I was hoping to get a story for actually.
Narration
Really well done. I am not sure if the issues I had in the first half of the book is due to the narrator or if it was just the pacing .....I am leaning towards the pacing....normally flashbacks can feel slower at times but I felt it was important to read it or I probably would feel so so lost.
Overall View
Shadow's End was sizzling and spell binding in every way....its a tale that stretches into the forbidden, that lays waste to expectations and boundaries and digs deep into the strength and courage of the heart!
You didn't walk away from those you loved. You fought for them, always, with everything you had, even if it meant fighting the long fight, and staying on the hardest, quietest, most difficult course
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance
Character Types: Shape Shifter, Dragon, Fae
Themes: Cheating, Heart/Emotion, Tear Jerker
Tropes: Road Trip, Star Crossed Lovers, Forbidden Love
Book Perspective
3rd POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A blend
If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Nalini Singh
Shelly Laurenston
Kresley Cole
Song This Book Inspires
Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes
Steam/Spice Explanations
Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.
Narrators:
Sophie Eastlake