Cloak of Shadows

Netherwalker #1

by C.K. Dawn

What if all you've ever known of King Arthur's legend was a lie to mislead you from the truth? What if Camelot truly existed, but was destroyed to keep its secrets? What if there were descendants of The Knights of the Round Table defending us today from the creatures that lurk within the shadows? If the gloaming came looking for you, would you answer its call?

Fourteen year old Abigail Thorne answered the gloaming and it turned her life upside down. Along with her mentor Lourdes Reese, a seasoned hunter in The King's Court, she now banishes the evil shadows while most dociles sleep in their beds.
Fighting hidden creatures that feed on humans, glimpsing fractures that lead to another world, and wielding magical weapons all before geometry? That's a normal day for Abbey now, and she loves every minute of it. But, she has no idea that being sent to Britain for her last hunter trial will unleash a chain of events that will change everything and everyone she loves forever.
A life will be lost, a life will be taken, and an unexpected new romance will emerge all while the fate of two worlds balances on the edge of a hunter's blade.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal, Young Adult Fantasy, Supernatural

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 2014

About the author

Have you ever watched a cat stare at a wall, tracking something’s movements-- something invisible that sent shivers down your spine? Did it seem as if they were able to sense dark shadows lurking where the veil between worlds and reality thins? That’s precisely where the idea for the Netherwalker Series came from for CK Dawn!

USA Today bestselling author, coffee loving gamer girl, and Sci-fi enthusiast, CK Dawn always loved to snuggle up with her cat Hagrid (the shadow-seer) and read. But found writing was her bliss. So, a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away CK let her unique modern tale of knights and Camelot dancing in her head take form and fly with Cloak of Shadows, her Readers' Favorite award winning debut novel. Now, you can find CK writing in the witching hours with Hagrid by her side while being distracted far too often by social media. There's more to come in the Netherwalker Series so stay tuned. Seriously, the story has only just begun.

CK loves connecting with readers and hopes to hear from you soon.




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Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many tales from history to hear. Which were true and which were fabrications to hide the truth? One of the greatest legends was of King Arthur and his Knights, brave warriors all. Could it be possible that the descendants of these warriors have become guardians that defend us from evil to this very day? When your time comes, if the blood in your veins is the same as the Knights, like young Abbey’s, Duty calls and your life will be changed forever. Enter the world where warriors come in all shapes and sizes. Enter the world of C.K. Dawn and the new series Netherwalker with book one, Cloak of Shadows, where warriors are honed into lethal fighting machines and evil is kept at bay.

Sounds pretty ominous, doesn’t it? Probably because you haven’t met Abbey and her mentor, Lourdes! Abbey is priceless, her wit, candor and rough edges, not to mention her invisible sense of self brings humor and charm to a tale of good versus evil. Lourdie is a loner, far more powerful than her peers, she is unique among hunters and no one knows why she is so powerful. The two have been invited to Britain to hopefully find another hunter capable of being trained to do what Lourdie does. Too bad no one mentioned Temple, the often arrogant and aloof laird of the manor. While Abbey dubs him Mr. Hunky, Lourdie finds he unsettles her, oh wait, could she be fighting a romantic attraction to the man?

All’s not hearts and magic and flowers, though, evil is stalking the hunters and every second spent training MUST pay off as other worldly creatures threaten humanity. Heroes will fall, hearts will break, but the war goes on…

Sadly, I don’t remember King Arthur and his Round Table having an Abbey or a Lourdes among them! Thank you for correcting that oversight, C. K. Dawn! With brilliant attention to each scene, from the smell of sweat, the clashing of weapons and the chaotic action, C.K.Dawn has created a spellbinding world with characters that jump off the pages and appear before your very mind’s eye. The romance takes second chair to the action and the lives of these characters. Get ready to fight the good fight alongside the descendants of the world’s best warriors. Perhaps C. K. Dawn cast a spell over this tale, because I for one could NOT put it down! Brilliant writing, perfect pacing and exhausting action. Loved it!


I received this copy from C.K. Dawn in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Netherwalker - Book 1
Publication Date: September 28, 2014
Publisher: C. K. Dawn
Genre: YA Paranormal
Print Length: 290 pages
Available from: Amazon |  Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Ryan Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was epic!

Epic is not a term I use often. Epic followed by an exclamation mark-- even less. But this book warrants the hyperbole. The world-building and character development are phenomenal. This high-tech spin on Arthurian legend is sophisticated and futuristic, yet still pays homage to the traditional tales of the Knights of the Round Table.

This coming of age story features two strong female leads and spans continents-- worlds, even-- as our heroines protect humanity from otherworldly oppressors. With action, humor, and romance (a lot of romance, actually. At the risk of generalizing, my prediction is teenage girls will eat this stuff up) this book has a lot to offer.

Cloak of Shadows is an impressive debut novel, rare in its ability to keep its own voice while borrowing heavily from centuries-old mythos. Well done!

This is the seventeenth book I've featured on my book's (Atomic Aardvark) blog called "Bobbing for Indie eBooks" . A feature where I promote and give away copies of self-published eBooks by authors I've discovered and whose books I have enjoyed.

[Phillip Stephens · Rating 3 out of 5]

King Arthur Vampire Hunter

First of all, female readers should probably add a star to my rating. If you're a paranormal romance fan, add another. Don't think me sexist, I'm simply trying to connect audiences with books. By the same measure, if you consider The Once and Future King, the Harry Potter Series and Simon R. Greene's Knights of the Golden Torc series to be equally good, add two stars to my rating.

There are plenty of those readers out there. The cover on Amazon shows that Cloak of Shadows won a Readers' Favorite award.

By the end of the book, I was on board too. However, even though I know which readers react best to Cloak of Shadows, I still felt the first installment of CK Dawn's Netherwalker series stumbled out of the gate. Dawn ties the series to Arthurian legends but the storyline would have worked equally well without the connection. In fact, nothing about the Camelot connection enhances the storyline. And there's the rub.

Lourdie and her disciple Abbey fight netherwalkers, characters who dwell in the shadows to channel human souls to their masters in another dimension. They plug into an elite worldwide network, the King's Court, evolved over the centuries from Camelot's round table. The court's head, Lord Templeton, insists that Lourdie fly to England to train Court knights in her innovative fighting techniques, most particularly the ability to summon multiple orbs used to banish netherwalkers to their home realm.

Once in England, however, the knights can't duplicate Lourdie's orb making skills. Lord Templeton's disdain over her Americanized fighting skills doesn't help. Nor does the sudden onslaught of nightmares that sap her energy day-by-day.

As you might sense from the description, nothing in this story depends on Arturian legends as a foundation. You can substitute by UNCLE, Harry Dresden's White Council or Harry Potter's Order of the Phoenix for the Court and the story works equally well. Dawns desire to construct a new world for readers makes reading the story feel like driving through five-o'clock traffic with a stop sign at every block.

I mention the Order of the Phoenix because Abbey attends S.B. Devere, a private school for King's Court trainees that sounds remarkably like Hogwartz. The main difference being the presence of "dociles" (read "muggles") to lend cover to the school. As much as you want to feel Cloak of Shadows is a fresh take on established myth, too many of the pieces feel familiar.

Nor does Dawn control the pace with which she brings readers into her new world. In the first few chapters, she hurls dozens of characters at the reader—love interests, fellow court members, cafe owners and teachers—along with their place on the organizational chart. Every time the action picks up, a new character leaps into the story, including detailed dossier, to slow it down.

Four or five chapters into the story, Lourdie and Abbey fly off to England and every supporting characters we've had to memorize drops from the story. Completely. Dawn drops readers into a new story, a new organizational chart and the process begins again.

The good news? Once she finishes the chart, Dawn finally plunges into the real story: the romantic jousting between Lourdie and Templeton, the netherwalkers' psychic assault on Lourdie, her frustrations as she tries to train the knights. When she sees signs that the netherwalkers might be gathering at the gates to invade for the first time in centuries, no one believes her.

At long last, Cloak of Shadows gathers speed toward a quick kick finale.

Dawn welds strong girders to frame her vehicle. She makes the mistake of trying to hook up the world she intends to drag with her into the following novels like an overweight trailer. She did win a reader's favorite award with this book, so she earned a following. Had she jettisoned the world building and jumped the pond to England on page one, she would have delivered a page turner and, perhaps a book that really leaps from the crowd of her competitors.

The school would still be there, and Lourdes' favorite haunts in New York, and the kicked out guild quarters when she opens book two.

Rating system:
5 = Delicious dialogue, crisp prose, clever characters & compelling plot
4 = Great read, won't want to stop
3 = Definitely worth buying
2 = I will tell you what audience will like this, but other readers might want to look elsewhere
1 = If I review a book this bad I felt seriously compelled to warn you
Phillip T. Stephens is the author of Cigerets, Guns & Beer, Raising Hell and the new release Seeing Jesus. You can follow him @stephens_pt.

[Claire - The Coffeeholic Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly can't remember the last time I was able to read a book about King Arthur or even a retelling of his adventures along with the knights of the round table. When I read A Neophyte's Tale a month ago, I didn't have any inclination about this world when Abbey Thorne saw monsters lurking in the shadows. But I did get a glimpse of what she could do after Bernie took her up under his wings.

Now, this first book in the Netherwalker series by CK Dawn has been a really exciting and thrilling read! We now see Abbey as a 14-year old apprentice, fighting alongside her mentor Lourdes Reese and are formidable hunters in the King Arthur's Court. Together they hunt and fight the Netherwalkers who could create monsterrific illusions or hallucinations to the human mind and suck their life. Together, they went to Britain where they were assigned to train aspiring and deserving proteges in combat. Everything changed however when Lourdie started having massive headaches when they reached Cadburry Hill in Camelot. Oh yes, as in Camelot and the legendary Sir Lancelot!

Cloak of Shadows is a satisfying read, complete with all the ingredients of a really fantastic book! CK Dawn was able to weave a world that will let your imagination run wild. Futuristic, supernatural, mystifying, fantastic! I just loved getting lost in their world and with the characters. Don't even let me start with Temple, oh that dude could easily break my heart!

Anticipating Book 2 in the series. Yay!

[Lu J Whitley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stayed up until 2 AM last night/this morning finishing this book. It ended far too soon!
This is the story of Lourdie, a hunter for The King's Court - descendants of the Knights of the Round Table that protect the world from a race of life-sucking shadow creatures called Netherwalkers - and her spunky apprentice, 14 year-old Abbey. When the two big-city New Yorkers are shipped off to a remote part of the English countryside to train hunters from around the world in their special brand of combat, Lourdie becomes mysteriously affected by a strain of power reaching to her from the area around the Court's ancestral homeland of Cadbury Hill, the previous site for the legendary Camelot. Nightmares and changes in her already unique powers begin to manifest themselves, and she feels she must hide them from the rest of the hunters or risk appearing crazy or weak.
Let me just say, the beginning of this book was a bit of a tough one for me. It seemed to drag on, with a whole lot of back-story. That being said, as soon as the two main characters found their way to England, the whole feel of the story changed. Action, Adventure, Romance. It had it all. I didn't want to put it down. But almost as soon as I was hooked, the story was over. Sad days. I will definitely be in line to read the next book in the series. Count on that. I just have to know what happens now!

[Chiara Eberhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is amazing! I cannot wait for the next book in the series to come out. The action is fun and I really enjoy the spin this author put on Arthurian legend. Abbey is absolutely adorable and I love the banter between Lourdie and Temple. The Netherwalkers are also pretty darn creepy. I am, admittedly, a big fan of YA so I've devoured books like The Fever Series and Twilight Saga. If you like books like those and girls who kick butt you'll love this story. I wish Bernie would shepherd me so I could answer the gloaming's call. Come on Book 2!

[J.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fun read, I really enjoyed the spin on the legend and how the author pulled the story into a contemporary setting (references to World of Warcraft!). The relationship between Abby and Lourdes was great and very sisterly. Looking forward to the next installment!

[Scott Hitchcock · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 45%. It didn't start off badly but it stalled out with more of the same action. The book actually is probably good for a young teen.

[Jennifer Zamboni · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this book was amazing, I'll start off with that! I knew a little about the book when I first started, that is was a young adult read about the descendents of King Arthur's knights. But wow! I've never read anything like this before.

Ms Dawn works seamlessly between her two main characters, an adult, and a young teen, each has their own voice, and is portrayed realistically (well, as realistically as supernatural hunters can be!) as an adult, I related to the older of the two, but I definitely appreciated the voice of the younger as well. Brilliantly done!

This has a little bit of romance, and a lot of action, exactly my type of read. It's appropriate for a younger audience, as things don't get too steamy on the romance side of things. Definitely would recommend this book for young and adults alike, perhaps perfect for a mother daughter reading group. I'll definitely share this one with my girls, when they get to the young adult stage!

[K.S. Marsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

The shadows that lurk in the corner of your eye, that terrify you as a child, they are real. Netherwalkers slip through into our world, greedy to consume human lives. An ancient order of hunters are the first and last line of defence. And Lourdes Reese is the best they have to offer.

I'm not actually sure where to start with this book, there is just so much going on!

The world-building is fantastic. C.K. Dawn takes a new spin on the Arthurian legend, giving us an alternate history. The King's Court is a secret order that's woven through several legends, it's task is to banish the netherwalkers, and to protect innocent human lives - preferably whilst keeping them ignorant to the danger.

To become a part of the King's Court, you have to be descended from the original residents of Camelot. Most are born within the King's Court families. But some, like Abbey Thorne, are born outside and after fearing for their sanity when they see creatures no one else can, end up finding their way home.

The story follows Abbey, a 14 year old apprentice hunter; and her mentor Lourdes "Lourdie" Reese. Both of these female characters are strong, confident, and can take care of themselves.
Lourdie in particular was a very cool character. On top of being one of the best hunters in her home territory, Lourdie's unique abilities has earned her a trip to England, to train the best hunters from around the world.
Abbey is... a teenage girl. As much as I liked the character, I also found her very annoying and a little tiring to deal with - which kinda reminds me of my own baby sister!
The girls have their girly moments, they enjoy shopping and observing the bevy of fit young men at the Castle; but they never allow it to interfere with their duty.

There are some awesome scenes throughout the book, whether they are training within a holographic projection; or fighting demons for real. Actually, some of the simple interactions between the characters is equally awesome, and shines out.

This was somewhere around a 4.5 out of 5 for me, and very hard to rate.
Despite the fact that on paper, it ticks so many boxes; and that it is written really well; I was missing that "grab-me-and-don't-let-go" factor. I really wanted this to be one of the books that kept me up until three in the morning, because I had to know what happened next.
The worst thing is, I can't actually put a finger on why. So I'd like everyone to try this book for themselves and not be put off by my mini-negative note.
This is a series I'll definitely be continuing, and I'd love to hear everyone else's opinions.

[Cleo deLancey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chills and Thrills Aplenty! Great Read.
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Adventure
The prologue definitely had me hooked. Who can resist the lure of Sir Lancelot? Not I. We are then taken to modern day New York where we meet 14 yr old Abigail Thorne, who is doing battle against a terrifying, other worldly creature who can suck the life from humans. We also meet Lourdes Reese, Abbey’s mentor. Both are hunters in the King’s Court, a world-wide organization made up of the descendents of the knights of the round table (Sir Lancelot, sigh!). This organization protects the human population (dociles) from powerful other worldly creatures, collectively known as Krims. Abbey and Lourdie then travel to England for more training, where the pair also find budding romances. Abbey at 14, doesn’t recognize right away that her gamer friend, Louie, has a great crush on her. Lourdie fights her feelings for Temple (Abbey refers to him as Mr. Hunky) tooth and nail!
This book was difficult to put down (I finished it at 2:30am) with all the action between training practice and the real fights against evil. CK Dawn, you thrilled me, frightened me and made me laugh. I liked all the foreshadowing of something that is terribly wrong. This book was a wonderful adventure. It has a spell-binding plot, well developed characters, great history lessons, fabulous settings and architecture, some drama and the beginnings of a love story.
I anxiously await the next book as I need to know if Lourdes and Temple get together and also to find out why the Nevra-Hsi (pronounced Nev ahh-sigh. A Glossary in the back is a great help) were able to enter our world, an event that hasn’t happened since the time of King Arthur. The Nevra-Hsi are the biggest, badass creatures in the Netherworld and they are served by the Krims.

[Melanie Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Well, she does like to say that you're drenched in arrogance."

C.K. Dawn brings us into the world of Lourdes Reese and Abigail Thorne, a hunter and apprentice in the King's Court. Everything we know about the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is a lie; dark creatures lurk in the shadows (netherwalkers) and the hunters throughout the ages descended from the first Knights fight them. There are Courts all over the world and Lourdes and Abbey serve in the one located in New York.

Lourdes has a reputation nothing short of legendary; she is the only hunter known to create multiple orbs at once, a trait even she cannot fathom why or how. Abbey adores her mentor and strives for nothing but perfection, though she does fall prey now and then to caffeine highs, a teenage girl's mindset about attractive guys, and the wonders of gaming and Star Wars. Both characters are so relatable that one does not wish to stop following their adventures, whether if it involves Lourdes' wonderful battle of wits with Temple or Abbey's need to be stylish (steampunk influences for the win!) or to collect weapons in shades of pink.

When I realized I was nearly done with the book, I found myself going, "No, I still need answers! This can't end yet!" Fans of YA paranormal fantasy tales will enjoy this, especially if one enjoys twists on Arthurian myths and legends. Also, if you're a nerd like I am, you'll enjoy the gaming references as well.

[Melanie's · Rating 5 out of 5]

*This Book Was Given To Me By The Author In Exchange For An Honest Review*

This was a new to me author and any time you throw in a bit or Arthuiran legend with a twist you can normally count me in but this was amazing! I was not expecting the amazing story presented here where a tale so old can be presented with a whole new perspective and create a real page turner!

The characters are strong and well written and come to life as the story unfolds. This world is seriously amazing and the attention to detail outstanding. I cannot wait to read the next installment!

An easy 5 out of 5 stars from me!

V""V


***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exciting and well-written story!
I love that the world was introduced slowly; the scenery and characters fleshed out with such detail. Creating such relatable characters made their successes and failures truly resonate. The secret, magical world they were a part of was introduced piece by piece. The author is a master of giving the reader action and romance all while keeping them intrigued by the mysteries of how this secret society worked and each character's place in it.
Wonderful read! Highly recommended!

[Candice Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! I've been a beta-reader from..well...the beginning, and I've been hooked the entire time. I've read many books, from a wide range of genres, and I can easily say this first book has lit a fire to light the way for the rest of the Netherwalker Series. Well done CK! Now hurry your blarney up and finish book two, I need more Mr. Hunky!

[Emmeline (The Book Herald)]

Camelot? Fantasy? fighting evil and an unexpected romance? SIGN ME UP!

[Shaz X · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cloak of Shadows is an interesting twist on an old familiar tale involving King Arthur’s Court and, of course, which includes Sir Lancelot and the Knights of the round table.

This story follows a hunter by the name of Lourdie and her apprentice Abigail. It shows the way of life that Lourdie leads as a hunter, protecting the earth from the Netherwalkers and her guidance of Abby as she strives to become a fully fledged hunter just like Lourdie. Together, these characters epitomize “girl power”.

There are quite a lot of characters in this book; all of which belong to the Kings Court and all take on different roles within this. However, the main focus is on Lourdie and Abby. Lourdie is tough, strong and fiercely independent when it comes to her job as a hunter and when training her apprentice. She’s a very likeable character and when she completes some very cool hunting trips you can’t help but cheer her on. Abby is only 14, and she is portrayed very well in respect to her maturity in showing how young she is. Even thought as a hunter in training, she could be mistaken for someone much older. Abby is likeable, but she does have some irritating traits like her continual use of the word “dude”. Yes, I’m not a fan of that one but it does work to show and remind us of how young she is.

A lot of terms are used for different supernatural creatures in this book, and it did take me a little while to wrap my head around them. But by about half way through the book I had a much clearer idea of what each one was referring too.

I felt the story moved a little slower than I expected from a book of this genre. It took me until just over half way to being completely immersed in it. Once we reached that point, the pace picked up and so did the action.

Cloak of Shadows ends on a cliffhanger. However, the story feels finished in every other aspect and so this cliffhanger didn’t bother me as much as it normally would. It is, however, a great starting point for the next adventure in this series.

Overall, a fun ride and cool twist on a familiar story.

[Storm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received my copy from a Goodreads Firstreads giveaway.

Ooooh gods o.o Can this be a thing? Please? This is so going on my 'awesome' shelf.

The beginning is a little annoying in regards to Abby, but she's a spunky 14 year old girl, that's to be expected XD I remember being nearly as annoying at 14. Lourdes is a good counterpoint for the hyperactive teen.

I have to say this reads more like Lourdes' Story then Abby's though. I know the bit on the back makes it seem like Abby is the main focus, and she might end up being the main focus as the series goes on, but right now this seems more like Lourdes' story and not Abby's. There were missed opportunities for potentially awesome scenes so it's more a 'slice of life' style read, at least until you get to the big event at the end, when all the action comes out to play! I LOVED that part. I hope there's more of it in the next book. This is the first in a series though, so I expected world-building to be the basis. It did very little of that actually, which it could get away with being based on Earth, probably an AU Earth where this stuff could happen, but still earth in present-day format so the world-building wasn't needed as heavily and it worked out nice the bit of world building that there was. There was some backtracking where stuff could have worked better if mentioned earlier (or maybe I just missed it? Possible, seeing as I sped though the story. XD ) and some thing s I wish had been done a little differently, but still a way awesome story. I think I might have to shelve it next to my copy of Treasure Island despite the things I disliked, which is about the highest compliment I can give a new book since Treasure Island is on the top of my favorites list.

The story really sucked me in from the day I received it in the mail, the only thing that stopped me from finishing it sooner was library books about to run out of time. ^^; Definitely give this book a try if you like sci-fi, urban-updates to older stories, and new twists to classic tales!

[Tom Fallwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tying together a modern fantasy/supernatural thriller story with the legend of King Arthur fits perfectly in Cloak of Shadows. C.K. Dawn's writing skills truly shine in her descriptions of scenes and attention to details, showing a magnificent imagination. The depth of her characters in this fantastic novel are expertly brought forth. But her talent does not stop there.

This is not a fast-paced action fest or shoot-em-up, but it is profoundly engrossing. This is the kind of book that allows you to get to know the characters, to become not just someone watching from the sidelines, but someone involved in the story right along with them. When action does erupt, you feel worn out and exhausted, just as the characters, when it is over. The story draws you in, and while it did not hold me with the action, it left me wanting to learn more about the characters and the world in which they lived.

Subtle hints and pieces of scenes build up curiosity for more, to learn what is going on. I found myself wanting to read more just to find answers to questions in my mind, but the author is clever and does not give away too much, too soon. The story moves at a well-planned pace and provides a solid, climatic build up. Yet, while I got some of the answers I yearned for, others were left untold for the future of the story.

I finished this book only a short while ago, and now I am anxiously yearning for the next book. I have come to know Lourdes Reese, Abigail Thorne and many others, like old friends. I simply must see what happens next. When book #2 is released, I will be one of those in the front of the line, ready to continue this astounding tale. I highly recommend this book. I am amazed to find many indie authors, such as C.K. Dawn, that write with the same expertise and depth as many of the so-called greats. This author is one to watch.

[Sheilah · Rating 4 out of 5]

After finishing the prequel A Neophyte’s Tale, just the other day, I was excited to delve deeper into Dawn’s modern day King Arthur twist. I can assure you I was not disappointed. A writer who speaks my own language for sure. The main characters Lourdes and Abbey are strong, developed and likable girls. They are two peas in a pod that I would love to hang out with on any given day. I wanted to be their friends and as such enjoyed their journey immensely.

I was often finding myself trying to find time to read this story because the entirety was enjoyable. I never felt it got slow nor dull, and was just excited to be along for the ride. I wanted to read it, which says tons about a book, when it’s never a chore to get to the next phase.

The romance was nicely built-up and left me wanting more. I am excited to see where it will lead in the sequels to follow.

I have no complaints about this book, nothing I wish the author had done differently. As a newer author, I’m excited to add her to my list of writers to follow. I trust her sequels will be just as good and look forward to her other tales she has yet to tell.

If you are looking for a twist on the traditional King Arthur legend, then look no further. Cloak of Shadows is a unique and creative addition to the legend that is cloaked in mysticism and conjecture.

https://cellardoorbooks.wordpress.com

[T.M. Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book: Cloak of Shadows
Author: C.K. Dawn
Publication Date: 9/28/2014
Reviewed by: Tammy Payne- Book Nook Nuts
My Rating: 5 Stars


REVIEW

New to me author.

This book just wowed me. It gives you a bit of history mixed in with some futuristic stuff.

We have descendants of the Knights of the Round Table battling it up with guardians of the future. They have to battle against those who are from another world slimy creatures who feed on humans.

Abbey is a 14 year old who is apprenticing along side Lourdes who she admires so much. Abbey has really shown her strengths to be such a young fighter.

Lourdes is being sent to Britain to teach other guardians from around the world her special fighting technique. Abbey gets to go along with her. Once they are there all hell breaks loose and they are on a never ending battle along side them are other guardian fighters and one Sexy Knight..

Can they stop the creepy crawlies?
Will Lourdes be able to save those she holds dear?

The book ends with a cliffhanger :( But I am so ready now to read the next book !!!

Great read especially if you like a mix of Knights, Camelot, and Future.
C.K. Dawn

[Sunshine Somerville · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a lot of fun and exactly the kind of thing I would have loved to read as a teen. Not only are the two main characters super-cool, tough girls, but the entire concept of the story is creepy and interesting.

The mythology of this story plays with a twist on the classic Arthurian legend. There's definitely a supernatural element with otherworldly monsters. It's a great idea on the author's part to tie this all together in a modern setting, where hunters are carrying on the glorious tradition of protecting the world from creatures the rest of us can't see.

Abbey and Lourdie's relationship was my favorite element of the story. Their sister-like bond feels genuine, and they each have great personalities that together create a pairing that is hard not to like. All of the secondary characters are pretty great too, including of course the love interest(s).

Also, Lourdie's ongoing struggle with whatever is happening to her and her abilities adds a mysterious element to the story, and I can't wait to see what comes next.

The writing in both the short story and this full-length book is great. It's accessible for young readers but not boring for older readers. There's a nice balance of dark tension and light humor. Definitely worth a read.

[J.C. Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cloak of Shadows is an imaginative novel filled with invented legendary dignitaries from King Arthur’s Court, creatures from outside the sphere of our human existence and gallant huntsmen who expel the beasts from World. It is a young adult novel that encompasses: a fantastic author imagination to bring the reader thrills, excitement, and a little romance.The good vs. evil plot is evident throughout the book and the descendants of King Arthur’s Court fight the nether walker (krimvigars, krimvigos and krimdrogos), powerful best that fabricate hallucinations their human victim’s minds. Which side, the humans or the nether walker’s, will ultimately win? You may ask well to find out you need to read this the captivating tale, Cloak of Shadows. I believe the main character, Lourdie, Abbey, was my favorite, smart, cunning, and not without her own sense of power. However, Temple and Louie are all well- rounded characters that draw you in and make you apart of this exhilarating story. Well written and entertaining, C.K. Dawn has out done herself with this one.

[M.L. Stoughton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cloak of Shadows is a hard one for me to rate and review. It was a little more fantasy than I’m used to, so sometimes I had a hard time with the supernatural terms. But I can say this, the Netherwalkers are creepy and the thought of them being real and only seen as strange shadow lurking in a dark corner. EEEK!

The blurb seems like the story is supposed to be about fourteen-year-old Abby and her mentor Lourdie, and I think that’s how younger readers will feel. But for me, it felt more like the story was about Lourdie and her side-kick Abby. Not that it was a problem. I just thought I’d mention it, because I think the story will appeal to wide variety of readers.

I really liked Lourdie. She’s totally cool and kick-ass. Abby was a little more on the annoying side, like a little sister. I enjoyed the love interests with both of the girls. While Abby’s was a little more on the sweet side, the banter between Lourdie and Temple was fun. (I’d like to order my own Temple, please.)

The book started a little slow for me, but in the end there was a lot of action. I’d recommend.

[Hellvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

There should be more YA books like Cloak of Shadows - less of the vapid, sniveling wannabe vampiresses, and more butt-kicking SFH's (spunky female heroines)who aren't afraid to get stuck in and take down the baddies on their own terms.

Abbie and Lourdes are fabulous main characters, each complimenting the other perfectly, and each with their very individual quirks - they make a formidable duo, battling Netherwalkers, otherwise known as Krims in order to keep the world safely oblivious to the dangers surrounding them.

I can honestly say I've never read anything like it. Cloak of Shadows is a brilliant concept, well thought out and extremely well written, it flows beautifully, with several heart-stopping scenes that I raced through, because I couldn't stand not knowing what happened next.

I can't wait for the next installment.

[Rebecca McCray · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a captivating and well-written story.

The story pulls you into the action right from the start, then slowly unfolds the history as you go. I love this approach as it captures and holds my attention far more successfully than otherwise. The author has created an interesting and robust history to support the modern day demon hunters. What I find even more interesting is that they banish the demons rather than destroy them, which is a nice change to some of the more morbid and dark stories out there.

What really stands out here are the characters. Two strong females (Lourdes and Abby) are at the center of the tale. But whether it's these two or the large supporting cast, the characters are well-developed, interesting, and just plain likeable. I love the little additions like a pink taser for the young apprentice.

Definitely add this to your TBR for 2016.

[KULELE · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this series with A Neophyte's Tale which as I said in my review of it had definitely captured my attention and made me long for more.

CK Dawn had built a story which is so vast it's probably going to take several books in the series to bring this entire world together. There are lots of interesting characters and a whole lot of new words which I found a bit confusing at first. Several things and events were explained in detail but the ones I was waiting for to get clarifications on. Then everything was explained all in a hurry in the end.

All in all, it is a good story and definitely grabbed my attention. I still have a lot of unanswered questions and new questions had been raised at the end of the book. I'll be looking forward to the next book for sure to see how it develops.

[Katrina Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cloak of Shadows is a fantastic, modern day spinoff of King Author. Actually,  the scenery switches from modern day to classic while certain components of the story are more futuristic. Most of the story is told via Lourdes point of view.  There are parts where it is written through Abbey's, one scene is written through Temple's and then another is a dark mystery. It sounds confusing, but the smooth flow of the prose helps in distinguishing the roles. I thoroughly  enjoyed the action and training scenes. Dawn painted vivid imagery that left me in awe. My favorite sections of the story are filled with magic, a budding romance, and mystery galore. There are some feelings of agitation because I'd hope for a few answers before the story ended and this particular cliffhanger left me feeling uneasy. Overall, it is a great book I plan on sharing with my children when they are older. 5 stars!

[Michael Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cloak of Shadows, by C.K. Dawn is epic fantasy, with Arthurian legend come to life in the present. Could it be that the Knights of the Round Table and King Arthur himself were the grandparents of a worldwide force of protectors of mankind? Those born with the calling, different from normal humans, defend the world from creatures of the netherworld who devour humans. Abby Thorne, 14 year old apprentice hunter and her mentor, Lourdes Reese, patrol and protect Manhattan from attack. But their trip to England, the land of King Arthur and his descendants, expands the dangers to world. Cloak of Shadows is the first book of the Netherworld series, and a wonderful introduction to a fantasy world and characters you will love. The stage is set for high adventure in the next book, which I look forward to reading. Looking for Young Adult reading for summer. Here's a great pick.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Together we are stronger" This creed of the guardians is tested time and again as Abbey and her mentor Lourdie train and protect the shadow demons and more. What an exciting action packed read. And the descriptions place you right smack dab in the middle of it as you are transported one line at a time. Fun and intriguing. An excellent read. The characters are descendants of the Knights of the Round Table working together with guardians of the future. You get some history mixed in with the futuristic stuff.

This book is so well written you find yourself holding your breath and laughing out loud at the smart retorts, and even getting angry because they aren't supposed to kill these beast just banish them. But this isn't the end there is more to come because they have taken Marcus!! I highly recommend this book!