Amazing. That's the word that comes to mind as I write this review literally minutes after finishing Shadows.

I loved every single page of this book, from the witty dialogue to nail-biting action. Every scene was just the right length and told me just enough to keep me satisfied and yet just little enough to keep me hooked with every page turn.

How refreshing it is to read a paranormal fiction that is not set in some gloomy town halfway between there and nowhere with snow and sleet and dreary days that I, living in a tropical climate, just can't relate to. Instead I have been whisked away to a quiet, warm and friendly town that still sets the scene for unpredictable events.

I love the main characters and I love to hate the rest, not that it's so black and white in this tale exactly who to trust. Each character has an interesting story to tell and I can't help but feel that we are just scratching the surface in this first installment of the Rephaim series.

The main character, Gaby, is the narrator and is just so easy to read. Her reactions are believable and her attitude is fresh and entertaining. Sure, she swears like a sailor at times but who wouldn't with the events that are thrown her way?

With characters in their late teens and older, without the usual YA "school setting", this story had a lot more freedom. So often the obligatory school days in so many YA books slow down the storyline and put unnecessary breaks in between sequences. This is not an issue in Shadows and the story is all the better for it.

With fair shares of action, mystery, comedy and romance, this is one book that you can read for what seems like a few minutes and then wonder "when did it get dark outside?"

I'm scared to write any more for fear of putting spoilers in this review. All I can say is this book is a must-read for any fans of the paranormal genre and also worth a try for readers of any kind who enjoy smart writing, characters with depth and attitude and a whirlwind ride full of twists and turns that I guarantee you won't see coming.