Christine Feehan's Blog - Posts Tagged "kindle-highlights"

Shadow Reaper Re-Read Recap!

Welcome to our wrap up of the Shadow Reaper re-read! Next week we'll be re-reading Shadow KeeperShadow Keeper!

It’s interesting going a long time without reading a book how things fade from my memory. It isn’t that I forget everything, I don’t. But, some of the details fade. So, re-reading Shadow Reaper was like adding color to a wonderful black and white picture. Everything becomes alive, vivid and detailed. I’m reminded of how much I enjoyed researching the art of shibari. I recalled them going to Japan, but not all the small details. It all came to life as I was reading it. It was a joy visiting those characters again. I love how Ricco was so willing to take a chance and I love how strong she was.
Three of my favorite scenes are-

description

1. There’s a scene in chapter three where Ricco has to tell his family about her and admit some secrets he’d been keeping from them. He knew Stefano might not be happy with the details of the woman Ricco had chosen, especially since that woman could be dangerous to him.

description

2. In Chapter 9 Ricco and Mariko had shared a past horror and it had drained them. Ricco was taking his emotions out on a punching bag as Mariko cried in the shower. I love that she realized he needed her and it was her own decision to go to him. To give herself to him. To be vulnerable to him.

description

3. I really enjoyed the chapter in which they go back to Japan together to face their demons. Chapter 17 shows the growth of their relationship and within themselves as well. And I enjoyed the change of scenery and culture, learning new things about shadow riders in another country.

I always like to see what passages readers choose as their favorite so I looked up on Kindle and took the top three passages. These are the most popular, most highlighted, in Shadow Reaper.
I thought it would be fun to comment on those as part of our re-read of Shadow Reaper this week.

Shadow Reaper Most Highlighted on Kindle

1. She was mixed—Japanese and American. Nothing. A nothing. A nobody. The kanji in her last name meant “female devil.” She didn’t even know what her real last name was because she’d dishonored the family simply by being born.

It’s heartbreaking for anyone who, especially when very young, has someone, who is influential in their life, degrade and debase us. Hurtful comments meant to make someone feel they are less, feel they are bad, they are unworthy, follow us even when we become adults.
Mariko was given over to a woman who hated her and who told her she was “bad” and unworthy, even giving her a name that meant “female devil”.
Every person who has ever had to endure and/or fight someone who tore them down can feel empathy for Mariko.

2. “The biggest problem is that she’s a shadow rider and I’m fairly certain she’s here to kill me.”

Ricco knew that telling his family, especially Stefano, was taking a chance. He knew Mariko was his. He needed the time to find out what she was there for, what her mission was. But, having her in his life was a high risk to him and would affect his entire family.
I love this scene. He showed his family his willingness to be vulnerable to a woman he wasn’t about to trust yet. It showed his commitment to winning her over and making her his. But, just as important as winning her was being honest and loyal to his family. He was in a precarious position, but determined to see it through because he needed her.

3. “It was Kenta Ito who killed Akiko’s father. He painted his face with her father’s blood and was dancing around Akiko and Nao. They wanted her to see that her family was dead. Nao had raped Akiko and he cut her to pieces. She was still alive, and Nao told her he was going to kill her little brother and sister. He told her he would violate her sister in front of her before he killed her. Her sister was three years old. Her brother was fifteen months.”

This was especially horrible on so many levels. What happened to the family was horrific. Nao was a leader who was able to turn his followers into these mindless, savage beasts that went into a frenzy of violence. All the while, Nao was completely cognizant of what he was doing. How he was manipulating and building everything around him to ensure maximum anguish and pain.
Throughout time there have been instances of mob/pack mentality resulting in elevated violence. Where one person may not cross a line into violence, add others to the group and someone to incite them you have cases of murder, torture or rape when, alone, it never would have happened. This family didn’t have to die. Nao orchestrated the annihilation of a family and directed his pack into a frenzy of hate.

To wrap up I thought I’d share the book trailer for Shadow Reaper and invite you to share with me what your favorite scenes were!
BOOK TRAILER LINK

description