Rising Shadows

World in Shadows #1

by Bridget Blackwood

Labeled an Arcane, Rachel Ryan wonders if she’s human anymore. After she’s thrown headlong into the world of The Preternatural Rachel learns Shapeshifters, Faeries, and Vampires aren’t legends. They’ve been living hidden in plain sight among humans. In her quest to save a child she will set off a cataclysmic chain of events. Her actions will disrupt the carefully balanced political chess board, casting once powerful pieces to the floor. A werewolf protector, a lost princess, a mad vampire, and an exiled Fae named Winter will rise up to challenge the status quo. A war that has been brewing in the shadows for centuries is ready to explode. Rachel must choose where her allegiance lies, tipping the scales, but who is an enemy and who is a friend?

Genres: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Paranormal Romance, Adult

107 pages, ebook

First published February 1, 2014

About the author

Bridget Blackwood is an East Texas native living in Dallas with her husband, three children, and a menagerie of pets. She is a self proclaimed horror movie addict and an avid reader with a voracious appetite for romance of all kinds. Her paranormal series, World in Shadows, started as a what-if daydream scenario. Loud, demanding characters keep pushing her to write more.

Reviews

[Jeanny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I was kindly provided the eARC for Rising Shadows via Netgalley.

Cover Art:
An improvement from the original. Looks less old school romance more UF/PNR to me.
POV:
Multiple POVs (3+)
Location:
The timeline is current. I was unable to determine the state the story took place. Although It was in the USA
Characters:
The characters could have benefitted from a bit more hashing out but with the many subplots & POVs to keep up with it's difficult to be interested in everyone's tale.
I wasn't oeverlu interested in Rachel Ryan or Bastien Bonivillian. They felt a bit shallow to me. In comparison Varian Caina & Winter Summerset had more character facets resulting in a more rounded, relatable & interesting individuals.
Plot:
The world isn't aware of any species other than humans, allowing for a fraction "in the know" to take advantage of paranormals. The overall story arc & pacing kept me interested in the story. This was a relatively quick & easy read; I read this in a couple of hours.
Romance:
Varian Caina & Winter Summersun
Rachel Ryan & Bastien Bonivillian
Overall Thoughts:
This was a fun read for me. The many POVs got a bit annoying at times but towards the end I got used to them. Initially I thought with so many different POVs the characters would feel shallow & the story confusing; luckily this wasn't the case. I was abeal to connect with 2 of the characters (Varian Caina & Winter Summersun) happily following along their story. My interest in characters didn't end there infact I look forward to Cleary Neil & Madalaina Bonvillian story in A Scarlet Fury (World in Shadows #2) by Bridget Blackwood. The author did an excellent job weaving the many subplots into one cohesive tale.

Warning: Cliffhanger ending
Rating: 4 stars
I'm intrigued enough in Winter's story to follow the series.
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This book counts towards my 2016 Cliterary Genius A to Z challenge. Letter R.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel Ryan has woke up in a hospital with no memory of who she is or why she is there. She soon finds that she is being held captive by a group of humans that have forced magic into her known as Arcane to try to turn her into a weapon against supernatural creatures. Rachel quickly turns the tides on those holding her captive and finds herself in a world filled with shapeshifters, vampires, fae and many other creatures with the threat of war coming.

Rising Shadows is what I would call and extremely fast paced adventure from start to finish. There is somewhat a lack of world building and character development with it going from one thing to another but strangely I still found myself learning enough about this world that with the non-stop action I just didn't want to put the book down.

The story does switch around from multiple characters points of view as it goes on but I always find myself enjoying getting into the head of all involved as I think it adds to a story. Some may find the fast pace a bit confusing but for me it helped learn about the world involved as it went.

I would warn there are several almost instant relationships involved in the book. I'm one that is usually more tolerant of insta-love so with this book it didn't really bother me as with the world of supernatural beings who is to say how they form their relationships? What happened worked well into the story in my opinion but be warned for those that don't tolerate it well.

Overall, fast paced and filled with excitement, would definitely continue on with the series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....

[Melanie♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this was not a good read for me. I made it half way before deciding to stop.

I found myself very confused - too many characters introduced too quickly. I was thrown into an alternate world, but without the world building that would help me make sense of it.

I didn't feel any connection or empathy with the heroine. I want to feel a part of the characters. Don't tell me how she feels, show me.

Sorry this one was not for me.

[Coco.V]

🎁The World in Shadows Series (4 book series) is FREE on Amazon today (3/24/2020)! 🎁

[Kristen Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I have to say that I don't think I've read an introductory book that is quite as WOWing as this one. Rising Shadows pulls you in from scene one full of question and anticipating outcomes. The world building is almost seamless, each little piece of information given feels like it fits right in. The mysteries and secrets add to the story and pull you into the the world of the Shadows and encourage you to dive in head first.

When first reading, I worried Rachel would be a character I'd loathe. She was confused and seemed kind of naive at the start of the book. That doesn't last to long though, as slowly Rachel comes back to herself. While she adjusts to her new circumstances, she definitely isn't wallowing in self pity or feeling woe is me. She longs to fight back and when she gets her chance, she does.

I absolutely love Rachel's snarky sarcasm, It's palatable. It comes off the pages whether it's in her head or outwitting her captors. She might be trapped, but she's not giving up or giving in. It's strong heroines like this that really fit into a paranormal world.

Bastien, sigh, oh Bastien. I kind of fell in love with him from the get go. Before he speaks. Before he meets up with Rachel, just the description of his first sighting and I digress. He's a great character, Hard Core Alpha Male, when he needs to be, and quite the opposite much of the time, when he so chooses. He feels an instant connection to Rachel, though that's more something you read into based on his actions throughout their initial meeting and afterwards.

The true nature therianthropy was great, I love how it all ties together. The different twists to certain things add a unique layer to this World in Shadows.

Rising Shadows introduces a bevy of characters, so its is a lot to take in, but I think that each new character brought up is important and has their place. From Claude and Madalaina to Cleary to Winter and Varian, you get a feel for how each "species" connects to and interacts with each other in this world.

Though things happen suddenly, the relationship between Bastien and Rachel does not feel forced, rather it is fitting. They continue to grow as a couple throughout the book.

I am fascinated by this new World and look forward to reading more of the books centered in it. The interactions between certain characters build up quite an anticipation for future stories that I am hopeless to ignore. If you are looking for a sometimes steamy, often Hilarious, full of Kick Butt Fun characters, look no further than this series.

[Leanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being new to paranormal books I was a bit worried how I'd like this book and Wow was I very pleasantly surprised. It grabbed my attention right away as the first chapter was exciting and full of action. Filled with love, drama, action, family issues, and Humor it actually is the perfect book. Besides being well written, the details put into each character are admirable and impeccable. I absolutely adored the unique and fun characters as they all were entertaining and deep in detail and personality. Imagine the movie Gladiator done up paranormal style and that is this book.With mind blowing fight scenes full of blood and action this is definitely a book you'll read in one sitting. I plan to read it again very soon as I'm left still thinking about these characters and missing them quite a bit. I was taken on an exciting and action packed adventure while reading this and I cannot thank you enough Author Bridget Blackwood. What is even better is that there are more books in this series woohoo thank goodness.

The story starts off with Rachel who wakes up in a hospital with an iv in her hand clueless as to why and how she got there. She instantly has to deal with the nurse from hell Janice; I possibly wanted to kick her many times. Rachel notices right away that some things are strange and confusing about this hospital and doctor Mr Richland. Plus her body is now going through new and strange unexplainable changes which brings a whole new set of obstacles for her to overcome. When asking them questions Rachel is pretty much ignored and left to her own will to figure out what is really going on. Luckily with the help of Bastein, the sexy strong werewolf Rachel stands a chance. The friendships she makes with many different interesting characters are beautiful, fun, and very necessary for her sanity and survival. But just one problem, she is human and this causes her some stress and problems. Will she finally get the answers she needs as to why she is stuck in a hospital? Will she adjust to her new skills or give up and run? Will the evil doctor continue to cause her problems? These and so many answers to come as soon as you read this excellent book.

[BabyMooSaysWhat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Title: Rising Shadows
Author: Bridget Blackwood
Series: World in Shadows #1
Publication Date: February 2014
Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating: **2 Stars**

My Review:

I can really see why people would be hooked by this story and the way the author portrays the characters. For me personally, it was all together too much and not enough all at the same time.

I just felt like I wanted more world building and a deeper background to the characters so i could really get behind them and what they were going through. I wanted to know more of what was going on and I felt like the story lacked any real depth.

Wait, maybe depth isn't the right word.... but I just know that I was given a tiny taste of greatness and I needed to know more. It was completely frustrating and put most of the book into a bad light for me.

My other problem was that there was too much going on too quickly. The kindle version of the book is a little over 100 pages and we were slammed with almost six different point of views with uneven narration and the flipping back and forth of perspectives gave me whiplash. It was just so much trying to happen all at once.

So, yeah...

Basically, a fantastic and intriguing idea with not enough detail and a rushed multi-person perspective... Kind of like this run on sentence.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot is fascinating and is what kept me reading. Unfortunately, the writing just wasn't for me. The book is fast paced, which is good because a lot happens. But the author doesn't go into very much detail. The idea was laid out but instead of expanding on it, it was skimmed over. That's one reason why I took a star away. The other was the reactions to the events weren't realistic. But, I think it says something about the plot when even with everything, I still didn't want to put the book down. I was going to give the book two stars based on the underdeveloped writing, but the fact that I didn't want to put the book down must count for something.

With that said, this book has almost every paranormal creature, it has romance, fate, torture, revenge, and kick ass characters. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Jamie Sadler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story took me a bit by surprise. When I first started reading it I thought it was going to be some dull medical experiment story. After a few chapters I was pleasantly surprised. I love a good shifter love story and Rising Shadows delivers. Racheal and Bastien are hot together. The love for Livia is amazing. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

This was my first book by Bridget Blackwood and I will certainly read her again. The story moved very quickly moving from one characters POV to anothers and bringing various stories into the whole. This series has great potential and I will be watching to see which direction she take it.

[Maghon Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying this is a very fun, short beginning to a great new series. I am already looking forward to the next book. It’s got a very easy flow, like you will want to read it in one sitting. And it’s not too long, so you could. There are so many excellent characters, and a wonderful meaning behind the plot line. And some mystery, and some action, and some serious steamy parts ;) Plus WEREWOLVES… Like I need to go on!

So, Rachel wakes up, and she realizes she is in a hospital, not long after that she notices it’s a mental hospital. Or is it? She is told she “forgot” again, but that’s not exactly the case. And she also realizes that this is WAY more than a mental hospital. They are conducting human experiments. Holy crapizoly! She has to get out, and thanks to those evil bastards who did this to her, she finds a way into the arms of a HAWT wolf. :) Rachel went through some horrible things in a very short time, or so it seems, and when she gets the chance to escape and save a little girl, she jumps at the chance. But her hurdles aren’t over. She is taken in by a werewolf pack, but she also has to defend herself against them. AND she learns just how many supernaturals are in existence. She’s so strong. I think I would have broken the first time in the “cage” and lost myself. No I won’t tell you what that means. And then she meets Bastien. And bonds with Livia.

Bastien is the son of the alpha wolf. He just doesn’t want to be that alpha. And then Rachel comes sweeping in, causing all kind of chaos, and he basically trips on himself to help her, then take her home, while she’s knocked out, and save her. He’s all kinds of fun. And he has a pack of extremely interesting people. Some scary, some awesome, like his dad and sister, some not so cool, like his mom. And they are all part of a supernatural world. Dude, the lion, he’s awesome, I can’t wait for the next book. And I’m still a little confused about what happened with the “fae” people, and even the vampires are interesting. I need to know some more about them too.

This book is a great opener for the series. I do wish it would have been longer, and had more, just more, about everyone, and everything, and anything. LOL Ok, I just wanted more. But it gives you the base to go on with how their world works, and what’s in store to come. The writing is very good, except that maybe a few more details could be added to some things, but other than that, I really can’t wait for the next one. In fact, I am looking forward to seeing Bastien’s sister and her tale. :) AND what’s to come with some of those other wonderful characters that were in this first book. :) 4.5 EXCELLENT WOLFY PAWS!!!

[Ahnah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. SPOILER ALERT!!!!

Where to begin?

Let's begin with the pros: I found myself devouring this book from page one. With compelling characters and non-stop(overused but completely accurate for this story.) action, I was pulled into this story. The characters are refreshing, the plot unique and the story telling was of a rare form.The main character, Rachel, finds herself awakened in a place she doesn't know, with no memory of the past. She is forced to fight and call upon her supernatural talents to save herself and a beautiful little girl name Livia. The story moves quickly for her as she finds herself on the journey that will forever change her life. Along the way she finds a rapid relationship, and encounters all manner of unique creatures, weres, vamps, fae. With sound writing and interesting plot, this book does a wonderful job of world building for future novels.

The cons: Rapid relationship, I was torn with how this moved so quickly and couldn't decide if I liked it because it was different or hated it because it was rushed.

There were a few grammar errors, which always throw me off. The sex scenes didn't flow quite as smoothly and felt very disconnected. They felt a bit rushed but to be quite honest, they were what they needed to be. I hate it in a story when there is a 4-5 page sex scene when the world is on the brink of destruction or someone is in dire straits, and the rescuers are too busy banging each other's brains out to remember this!

The biggest con, the introduction of a character who does not survive but does not garner enough attention(apparently) to get a full death scene. She disappears and is mentioned in one paragraph as to what happened. Why spend the time on a an interesting character just to brush off her final scene like that? Very frustrating but I am hoping the author has a plan for this.

All in all if a few things were fixed this would have received a higher rating. Very fast paced, kept my attention and I want the next book asap. Lol.

[Katherine Paschal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rachel has been locked up in a hospital for who knows how long being experimented on and then having her memory erased. Through experimentation, she has been turned into a weapon to wipe out supernaturals with just her mind. When she is set on a mission to destroy, she refuses to cooperate and instead sides with the supernaturals. Bastion, son of the shape-shifting Alpha, feels drawn to Rachel and will do anything to protect her, even go against the laws of his people. Their actions are a catalyst for a potential war.

I can honestly say that I really enjoyed the book, I just wish that it was longer. I flew through the pages since it was such a fast read, easily something I powered through in one sitting. I enjoyed everything I read for the most part, I just would have liked some more character development when it came to the relationship dynamics. I am a huge fan of the mate bond, but that does not cause insta-love, more like insta-attraction/draw/lust. But unfortunately, this story had characters that barely knew each other at all confess love after a few minutes of talking. I would have loved if the characters had time to build a relationship and get to know each other, which would have in turn caused the book to be longer. No complaints from me about a longer story because I enjoyed this world and the dynamics the author created.

If you are looking for a new paranormal read, dealing with all kinds of shapeshifters (and mates!) as well as witches, vampires, government experimentation, gory battles to the death, consuming love, Fairies, mystery, magic and an awesome set up for the next book, then this is the story for you. I look forward to reading more about Winter (even though this book was not about her, she is my favorite character) and the predicament she found herself in. I am excited to have stumbles across this world and can't wait for more adventures.

I received this title in return for my honest review.
For more reviews visit my blog at http://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those stories that grabs you from the beginning and doesn’t let go until the very last page and it will leave you wanting more.

Rachel wakes up in a room with no memory of who she is or how she got there. She is than thrown in a room where she is told that if she wants to live she better fight to the death with a werewolf. Thinking she is only human she has no idea how she will survive. But soon she finds out that the facility has been doing testing on her and she now has supernatural powers that will have to save her and a child named Livia. From here the story moves quickly and Rachel finds out that all the beings she thought were myth are in fact real and they want to use her to kill them all. But what they didn’t expect was for their experiment to turn on them and take them out. Along the way Rachel’s life is completely changed with some new friends, and a fast relationship with an, oh so sexy werewolf named Bastien.

I loved the fast pace of this story and the different POV’s from the characters as we got to see this world through their eyes and how they see one another. The relationship with Rachel and Bastien moves fast but they literally burn the pages they’re that HOT together. He has now become one of my new book crushes and I can’t wait for more of him in future books.

As much I loved this book I do have an issue with it. There is a character that I grew very attached to and something happens to her and all we get is a small mention of her later in the book. I am hoping Bridget touches on this in the next book as I really like this character and I am hoping things can be fixed somehow.

Bridget is defiantly on my Must But list after reading the start of her action packed and sexy alphas that will leave you breathless begging her for the next book which I need ASAP! 4/5 Bloody Fangs

[Kathy Wideman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fantastic read. It could be a little confusing the first couple of chapters depending on you, it wasn’t for me. This book has romance, violence, alpha, all kinds of preternatural creatures, and more. Rachel wakes and some learns she is about to be thrown into a world she knows nothing about. The Richland Institute has done something to her and they want her to be the weapon in their first against the supernatural world. She meets several other supernaturals along the way. A little girl Livia, a wolf named Bastian, and his sister Madalaina just to name a few. The supernatural world is about to be turned upside down with the presence of Rachel and Livia. This book had me laughing out loud at times; it has some sarcasm in it. I love supernatural books of any kind so this book was right up my alley. I was immediately sucked into the book and read all in one sitting in just a few hours. I will definitely book on look for other book in this series. A lot happens in this book and it is a bit fast paced. I love all the characters and can’t wait to read more about them in the future. Rachel and Bastian are hot together and as with any mated shifter couple he is willing to do whatever it takes to protect her. I liked that there were different types of shifters not just wolves. Then you throw vampires, witches, and the fae and the book is just that much better. It is the first book by Bridget Blackwood that I have read and look forward to reading other books by her in the future. I will be recommending this book to other for sure.
I was given this book in return for an honest review.

[Jasmyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually go with half stars on a review, but this book was too good to be considered average, but had just a handful of small things that kept it from a four. The beginning of the book was incredibly confusing at first. We are thrown into a world with very little explanation - very much like the main character is. The author does a good job of showing the reader the confusion Rachel experiences, but I just don't like being confused - a personal thing.

Once Rachel hooked up with the paranormals things got much much better. I love the world Bridget Blackwood has created. It was a great mix of reality and fantasy with the paranormal trying to fit in, but never quite being able to all the way. But Rachel is an anomaly, she doesn't fit in either world and her abilities and trust will be pushed to their limits.

I don't want to give too much away about the romance because it comes fast and sudden and is a turning point to the story. They are incredibly sweet and loyal to each other and seem like a great match. Their relationship was a great way to develop and really show off the good and bad of both characters.

There were tons of side characters that I would love to know more about. I think the politics and relationships Blackwood has started to develop here could turn into a very successful series. *This book was received in exhange for an honest review*

- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2014/0...

[Bianca78 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rising Shadows, originally published in 2014, was rereleased November 27 with a new cover design. The rerelease combines Rising Shadows (World in Shadows #1) and the novella Winter’s Kiss (World in Shadows 1.5) as one text. The book chronicles the tale of super-human Rachel Ryan. Exploited for her psychic gifts, Rachel is held hostage in a medical testing facility and injected with ‘magic’ to make her a supernatural killing machine. Once Rachel breaks free, she is met with a formidable cast of characters including shifters, vampires, and fae.
I tore through this book like a fanatic. I loved every moment of the action-packed tale as well as the burgeoning romance between a few character pairs. I enjoyed the sci-fi aspect of the book and the idea of the manufactured superhuman. The characterization in this book is first rate. Many of the characters are beyond intriguing, which will nicely propel the series.
My only head-scratching moment came with what I perceived to be an odd story arc. Upon research, I realized that Winter’s Kiss had been included as part of the book, accounting for the additional story line towards the end of the book. I’m torn, because as much as I adored reading more about the exiled fae princess Winter, the inclusion in the original text just didn’t flow for me.
Overall, a fantastic read. I look forward to reading and reviewing subsequent installments.

Reviewed for I Smell Sheep
http://www.ismellsheep.com/2015/11/bo...

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the books I'm always hesitant to pick up because I'm not fond of a protagonist that has lost his/her memories. I did because the plot seemed to be very intriguing. And, now I am so glad I did! The book was well-written, action-filled, and the characters well-defined. Her lack of memory hardly bothered me at all, especially since her personality was defined enough I didn't need any "background" information. I liked the setup for more intrigue in the future. Now for a couple things that bothered me. I felt Winter's story was an add-on and rushed at the end. I wish there would have been a whole story just for her and Varian, like it seems the next one is for Madalaina and her potential mate. I wasn't as upset as I could have been because the things left hanging at the end make me excited for another book with Winter and Varian. (Can't say too much because I don't want to give away anything.) And, I was a little, just a teeny, tiny bit, put off by the insta-love. I am more forgiving with shifter stories, but always still find it a little cliche. Although, everything did seem a little bit rushed, it was all still an excellent plot. But, despite my perceived holes in the book, I really recommend it to readers who like urban fantasy. The series has a lot of potential and I can't wait to read the rest!

Thanks to NetGalley and Booktrope for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review. This exact review will also be posted on Amazon.

[Barb VanderWel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know those books you start to read, but then you have to stop put it aside for another time. once you pick it up again though you love it and can't put it down well this is exactly like that for me. I started reading this book awhile ago, but then I had to stop because I just didn't like where the book was going. Now reading it this time around I could hardly put it down. I got ensnared by Bridget's writing. Yes the book does go back and forth from between quite a few characters, but I followed along easily. Plus it set up possibilities for future books in the series. I'm one that loves getting inside of all the different characters. The paranormal world created by Bridget is fascinating. Rachel is an arcane which I found truly intriguing. The stuff at the institute is what stalled me this first time around when reading, but this time I handled it fine. Funny how that works. If you're into paranormal I would give this a read because you are introduced to many different species in the paranormal world.

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has it all vampires,werewolves, elves and many other beings. Rachel has been used as a test subject and they have done awful things to her but she is not about to let them kill innocent people even if they aren't human. She will do anything to save the child Livia even if it means her dying.
Unfortunately for her captors she kills them and she is saved by a lycan Bastien who takes her as his mate. Things move very quickly but Livia is dying and no one knows what to do.
Winter hopes that her grandmother the elven queen will help to save the child as she is half elf. But no one wants to help Winter is has been exiled but someone has helped her get her magic back. Varian is a feared vampire as he is one of the strongest and he wants Winter even though they don't know each other.
Their lives are all about to be put to the test who will survive the fall out?
A great story that had me from the beginning and it was full of surprises. Can't wait to read the next one in the series. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.

[Kristen Pretti Bamford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.

Wow… There are no words! What a cliff hanger, in a good way!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I have been pushing away from paranormal books of late, but I couldn't be more happy that I grabbed this book!!
I am not kidding when I literally say, "I couldn't put this book down." I read all of the books in World in Shadows series so far. I read them ALL in the matter of two days, I just couldn't put it down. Every time that I had to place my Kindle down I was going nuts, because the book captured you in so much that even cooking dinner was a task!

At first (for me having a reading disorder), it was hard for me to get all the characters on track. But the way that the book evolves, its utterly fascinating and captivating.

I love the relationships that were formed and of course the hot and smexy scenes too ;)

[J Guzman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

There is great potential here. The characters are overall likable and the story starts out with the reader expecting a new twist on the classic fantasy beings.

However, I found myself frustrated that the book was split in two. The first half followed one character and her story was wrapped up too quickly and easily. It lacked the depth that I would have enjoyed.

The second story was left without a conclusion, that would be fine if you were going to catch up with the characters in the next story, but the preview of the next book has another character all together being followed.

So my praise is, I love fantasy characters and found these likable. My criticism is that these characters fell in love far too fast, far too easily and wrapped up their problems too easily.

[Louise Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the start. The characters are charismatic and believable. Yes there are a lot of characters but it is quite obvious that this is going to be a lengthy series with Rachel and Bastien's story flowing through them all albeit not always in a starring role. rachel is a strong woman who has been tortured but hasn't let that destroy her. She is slowly coming to grips with her power but does not hesitate to use it to protect those she loves. I just lived it and I couldn't put it down until I had finished it. It left me wanting more and I was so disappointed when I reached the end. If you are a lover of paranormal fantasy you will just love this book. This book is a keeper.

[DHHReview · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Going in I did not think I would be as impressed as I was. At every page the story kept me pulled in and dreading when it would end. I loved the multitude of supernatural species that were in this story. There was not any of the drama that you usually find in many books these days. Brilliant writing on using the pov from so many of the characters.

The book opens with Rachel being imprisioned and experimented on. Once she is out it is a race against time to save a little girl that came out with her. There are interspecies relationships abound and I loved it. While finding a cure for the girl other storyline form for several couples all struggling

[Dusty Summerford (Reviews by Reds) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great start to a series I'm about to devour!! Although I am not usually a paranormal fan, this book drew me in. The characters and plot is so unlike anything I've ever read. It is so action packed that you can't put it down.

Rachel Ryan wakes up in a hospital with no recollection of who or where she is. She quickly goes from a scared mouse to a Hellcat that no one can control.

Bastien Bonivillian is a born shifter. His Dad is the alpha of the pack. A chance encounter where all heck breaks loose brings him in contact with Rachel and Livia. He feels an instant connection with Rachel.

I simply can't wait to read more of this series!

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story line and the characters, but I feel like it was rushed. This whole world of supernatural being exists and you're just suddenly plunged into it without much background or explanation. I would have loved to focus more on the main characters and get more of their back stories than we did. Just to fill them out. It was hard to connect with them without really knowing them. Overall, I enjoyed it and am really glad I read it. I love a good kidnapping-held-hostage story with a supernatural love story mixed in. I just wish there was more meat on the bones of the story.

[S.D. Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going to give this four out of five stars as I hate cliff hangers like this one :) The story was very fast paces and even though I found the chapter head jumping a little annoying, I loved the story line and how it unfolded. The horror aspect is great and mixes well with the rest of the story. There are so many questions I haven't read the answer too, however there are a lot that get concluded within this book. I love Bastion, and without giving anything about the story away, how he comes into Rachel's life is very interesting. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Eva Millien · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in the World of Shadows series is a thrilling action packed read. I was thoroughly engrossed in the story from the very beginning and couldn’t put this fascinating story down. I wish it had been a little longer as there were so many captivating characters involved and they were all going in different directions but it certainly covered everything and packed a lot of excitement.

See my full review at: The Jeep Diva .com

[J.C. Hannigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novel! It pulled me in from the very first pages. I loved the way Ms. Blackwood weaved all the different characters in. I did feel some aspects (in the love department) were a little rushed HOWEVER it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the novel. Its a book about shifters and vampires, after all ;) "normal" doesn't exactly fit in to that and I'm perfectly fine with that. Can't wait to start book 2!

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took my by surprise. I was pulled into Ms. Blackwoods new world of Shifters, Fae, Vampires and now the newly created Arcane. Rachel wakes up in a nightmare, betrayed by a person she though was a friend. Forced to do unspeakable things and having no memory of them. Her bravery, compassion and abilty to move forward make this book very special to me. I can not wait to read book 2 in the series.