Eliza's Shadow

Eliza's Shadow

by
3.91 of 5 stars 3.91  ·  rating details  ·  55 ratings  ·  28 reviews
Eliza Gowan's past has come back to hunt her. Since her mother's mysterious disappearance, Eliza has enjoyed a quiet life under the care of her aunt in the sleepy town of Port Rune. But the moment magnetic Ren Alden appears in her high school classroom, Eliza is thrust into the exciting world of magic and the path of danger. Menaced by an otherworldly enemy, Eliza embarks...more
Paperback, 332 pages
Published May 26th 2012 (first published March 26th 2012)
more details... edit details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 241)
filter  |  sort: default (?)  |  rating details
Alisa
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was kind of the typical YA supernatural romance. Eliza is just enjoying another typical day at school when the new boy, Ren, at school affects her in a way that no boy has ever done before. See what I mean- very typical. Thank heavens this is where the typical YA theme ends!
Right after Ren appears Eliza starts to experience weird dreams and begins remembering things about her childhood that she never remembered before. In her dre...more
Tee loves Kyle Jacobson
Eliza's Shadow is one of those books that takes you by storm. The cover is simple so it leaves it up to the imagination as to what the book is about. The blurb is simple so you think okay this is going to be a cute YA book but let me tell you what you get is so much more! I just could not put the book down because I wanted no I needed to know what was going to happen to the main character Eliza. Lord what happened totally took me by surprise. I mean I knew it was something but what it ended up b...more
Gaele
In an instant I was drawn into the story without knowing what to expect, and despite some pacing issues and character incongruities, this book did not disappoint. Eliza is a cleverly drawn, quiet, rather somber 16 year old girl, living with her aunt after her mother’s disappearance with no trace some six years earlier. Rather used to being on her own, or quietly passing time with her two friends, she is intelligent and rather sharp witted despite the great loss.

A new boy arrives in school, and...more
Linda
I would rate this 3.5 if able. It is very well written, but similar to other readers, felt that at times it was slow or just a little boring. I tried to relate to Eliza and struggled a bit. For someone who is 16 and finds out she is a witch, you would have thought she would be more excited at what she could do. She was very cautious instead. Her childhood could explain that....losing her mom during a hurricane, moving in with an aunt she barely knew, no father, new town, school, life in general....more
Tiana Lemons
When I first saw this book, I fell in love with the front cover. Even the title drew me in. I rad the synopsis and really did fall in love. I started reading and thought "Okay, kinda slow but, I gotta give it time!". When I got to the middle of the book, I only thought of one word that fit it. Pointless. I could not see the point in this story, AT ALL. I would always have to stop reading it to read another one because it just bored the crap out of me. When the cool fighting part came, it only la...more
Ashley (The Bibliophile's Corner)
3.5 out of 5

Cover Talk: I really like the simplicity of this cover. It took me until almost the end of the book to realize the significance of the red water lily on the cover, but once I made the connection, I loved the cover even more.

First Impressions: I had not actually read any reviews of this book until Catherine asked me to review it. The synopsis and the fact that it’s witchy, is what drew me in. I have a soft spot for magical books.

First Few Chapters: I was definitely drawn in from just...more
Sienna Logan (Lost to Books)
I'm am finding it very difficult to form an opinion on what I thought of this book. On one hand there were aspects I enjoyed but on the other hand there were things I didn't and for once I am confused as to what to think.

When reading the description I wasn't sure what to expect, it sounded like a book that would be full of twists, turns and action that involved some kind of paranormal things. In some cases this turned out to be true. The idea and plot that surrounded the story was intriguing and...more
Jo-Anna Walker
This is my first book by Catherine that I've read and I enjoyed it. I agreed to read this book because I love YA novels and anything magical.



Eliza is the main heroine of this story and I like her a lot. She has a good head on her shoulders and is a smart girl. She is also very protective of her aunt and for that, I like her more.



Ren is a very interesting and mysterious person and without giving any spoilers, I'd like to see what's next in store for these two.



The story is equipped with action, ma...more
Sarah
So I won the ebook version of this book at a giveaway and I'm really happy i did.

But first let's start with things I didn't like:
- insta love: that just never feels real to me ...
- main protagonist sometimes reacted a tiny bit unlogical
- time line was at some points unclear to me, meaning that I grasped the "months later" or "years later" jump very late

That being said:

I loved this book. I loved the story. I loved that book Eliza is meant to learn from. I loved the set-up. I even liked the love s...more
Justine
3.5 Stars
I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
If you have read any of my other reviews, you will know that I love when the cover art ties in nicely with the book like this cover did. I liked the subtle way that it was done. I enjoyed the story- line, I found it to have that hint of mystery all the way up until the end when you find out what has been going on. I found that the middle of the book slowed down, but the ending picked right back up. I liked the p...more
Maghon Thomas
What a fun little twist to the witching hour get it?! LOL anyways, this story is a fun read and fast paced, which of course makes me love it! There’s plenty to go around in the genre department. It’s a YA so anyone can grab it, it’s got suspense, it’s got romance, though it’s more like “I want but can’t break the rules” lol, it’s of course got some paranormal, and to top it off, it’s just good!

I love that Eliza is determined and even when she has melt downs and struggles, she keeps on going! She...more
Aki
More at my blog.

Eliza went through a lot of emotions in the span of 340 pages. She was confused, in love, sad, upset--it was delectable. She seems too mature for her age at times, which is very much understandable, since not everyone goes through everything she did.

Her feisty, teenage self occasionally appears, and it's quite refreshing because the novel has a serious tone to parts of it.

Ren is pretty awesome and exotic, and the tension between him and Eliza is exciting. Is it safe for me to ass...more
Jonel Boyko
5 big honkin stars. That’s what I’ve got to give this book. 5 big stars. Bolded, underlined, italicized, 72pt font stars.

This is a mellow story. It is the captivating, well written storytelling that keeps you coming back, rather than action sequences stacked end on end. This story is very skillfully told with an amazing cast to round it out. It is an enchanting tale of self discovery and growing up with an enticing supernatural twist.

It is also extremely well written, flowing seamlessly from on...more
Len
Eliza’s Shadow by Catherine Wittmack is an excellent book with paranormal events. As soon as I read the blurb, I knew right away that I am going to enjoy reading this book. It is a very interesting read from the beginning all the way to the end. This is a book that makes you want to keep reading to find out what happens next.

Eliza Gowan is a sixteen year old girl living in Port Rune, Massachusetts with her aunt Jane. When she was ten years old her mother mysteriously disappears one October even...more
Nancy (The Avid Reader)
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I received a copy of Eliza's Shadow from the author for review.

When Eliza was a girl her mother disappeared under suspicious circumstances. A "neighbor" is called in to take care of Eliza until her mother is found. Eliza always liked and loved the "neighbor" very much. But after Eliza starts having bad dreams the "neighbor" sends her to live with her Aunt. The "neighbor" believes that sending her away is the best thing for Eliza. She has...more
Diana Williams
Eliza's Shadow is a top-notch young-adult story by a talented new writer. The book drew me in immediately by its soulful, loving descriptions of life as experienced through the eyes of young Eliza. By the time the first chapter is finished the reader, along with Eliza, is swept away abruptly from her comfortable nursery-like worldview into a far different and (figuratively and literally) colder place. As the story skillfully weaves together the pieces, melancholy over Eliza's lost past gives way...more
Leigh
After her mother's unexplained disappearance, Eliza Gowan went to live with her aunt Jane in Port Rune. Eliza has tried to put the past behind her, but when she meets Ren Alden the nightmares and questions come flooding back. Ren will help her unlock mysteries from the past, and the magic abilities she didn't know she possessed. A dangerous journey awaits them but are they up for the task.

The author did a great job capturing my attention through her vivid details and characters. I enjoyed watchi...more
Susan
Catherine pens "Eliza's Shadow" with well written, strong, intriguing story line filled with magickal adventures and strong characters. A nice easy read that you will find hard to put down. Highly recommended for all YA and not so YA readers.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author which was provided for an honest review.
Samantha
This book is about a girl named Eliza who discovers she is a witch when a new boy, Ren, comes to her school. You follow her on her journey of learning her powers and dealing with normal life.
I enjoyed this book. The beginning was very good and really drew me in. I like Eliza's character a lot, and she has decent development throughout the story. Her romance with Ren is cute, if a bit confusing at times.
The plot was okay. It seemed a little jumbled in parts with transitions, and the pacing wasn't...more
Eryn
An interesting story, likeable characters, original and engaging. I read all of this book in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it.
It could have used more depth and detail, and a few times the story was a bit disjointed but still a nice read.
Erin
I absolutely loved this book! It reminded me of the first time I read Harry Potter. I just walked around the house reading it, not able to put it down. Perfectly descriptive! Awesome magical characters! Really hope there's another one coming. Best book I've read this summer for sure!
Averielle
I liked the book a lot, it just wasn't a favorite. Liked all the characters and the storyline, but it was kind of dragged out and boring.
Tanya Aranguren
I put down Fifty Shades of Grey for this one...which happens to be a much better written book with a more gripping plot! Love it!
Megan
This is such a fun read and beautifully written. I am very hopefully there will be more to come from Catherine Wittmack!!
Rebecca
Loved this book! Such a fun young adult novel, I can't wait to read more about Eliza and Ren.
Melanie
Aug 08, 2012 Melanie marked it as to-read
Can't wait to read it and I'm happy to say that I used to work with Catherine!
Marie
3.5 stars - review to come
Sara
This is a promising first novel by author (and dear friend) Catherine Wittmack. I look forward to more!
Nonzerosumness
May 19, 2013 Nonzerosumness marked it as to-read
Shelves: iml
« previous 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 next »
6422648
Catherine Wittmack was raised in Charlotte, NC. She holds a B.A. in English from Villanova University and a M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa. Her debut novel, Eliza's Shadow, was published on Amazon in May 2012. She lives in Charlotte with her husband, Charlie, and two sons, James and Jack.
More about Catherine Wittmack...

Share This Book

Your website

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »