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She used to be called Emelyn. She used to be nobody. Now she is Siyan--a creature of magic known as an And'estar. But Siyan doesn't understand what that means, just as she can't control the power that has woken within her.
Addigan worked her entire life to master the Art of magic and become a respected Magister, only to fail her final test. Scarred and desperate to prove her worth, Addigan pursues rumors of trees of power and a mysterious people called And'estar.
When Siyan heads into the dense and dangerous forest searching for answers, she doesn't realize Addigan is coming for her. In this twisting chase of hunter against hunted, Addigan must choose how far she is willing to go to prove herself. And Siyan must let go of everything she knows--and everything she loves--if she is to gain control over her power. Even if it kills her.
In a journey that follows the intertwined lives of two women, A Shadowed Spirit is a mystical tale that redefines the boundaries between life and death, dreams and reality, and what one is willing to sacrifice to achieve the happiness she seeks.
Sara C. Snider was born and raised in northern California, but now lives in Sweden with her partner and two beastly cats. She has a bachelor’s degree in Archives and Information Science that is currently sitting on a shelf, collecting dust, as she pursues her literary dreams.
When not reading or writing, Sara enjoys wandering in the woods, playing computer games, and eating dumplings as often as possible. She loves all things faerie, and has grown to accept she will always be covered in cat hair.
A Shadowed Spirit did not disappoint. It enthrals you in same beautiful writing that the first book did. The ability of this author to weave words into breathtaking settings and actions never ceases to amaze me.
There were a few things here and there that made the book not perfect for me. Romance - My pet peeve. Even though the author tried to convey a sense of mystic connection between the two beings, I still felt they were strangers and their closeness came too quickly. A couple of characters disappeared too suddenly from the story. I felt some parts dragged on a wee bit during the inner monologues/questions and there was some repetitiveness to it from paragraph to paragraph or chapter to chapter. Also, the phrase 'it was all X could do to...' felt like a crutch, it was particularly repetitive. Oh, and I missed Cobber. Her humour brought a dimension to the story that I truly craved. I suppose there was no place for her though, considering the novel's tone.
A Shadowed Spirit is a much darker book than its predecessor, in my opinion. There is much doubt around Siyan - about herself, who she is, what her people area. When she first seeks some answers, I have to admit I was surprised and confused at the development of that part. However, it is also a more intimate story.
The way the narrative develops allows for Siyan to come across her answers in a wondrous, magical manner. However, a very dark one as well.
In the end, some of story's scenes will stick in my mind for their beauty, strength, purity and/or uniqueness. The fact is the book completely grabbed my attention, I read it any chance I got, and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next.
I recommend that you read this book after the first one, The Thirteenth Tower. Keep an eye on Sara Snider, she is a very tallented fantasy writer.
Disclaimer: I would like to thank the author for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
A Shadowed Spirit is darker than the first book in the series, and it proves to be a wonderful and very satisfying sequel. The characters are complex and well developed, each with their own struggles and foibles. Addigan in particular was great to follow, a very complicated and tortured woman -- exactly my kind of character! We get to know Syian better in this book too, as she tries to understand who and what she is, and what her place in the world is -- and this is very much central to the story.
The world Sara Snider has created is beautiful and dark, and this book is very much a journey into the darker side of magic and mysticism. The darker side of the story is balanced by a touching love story woven within the narrative.
The descriptions and setting are absolutely beautiful, both beautifully written and wonderfully imagined. All in all, it's a great book to curl up and escape the world with -- it'll make you wish you lived close to the Swedish forests that seem to be such an inspiration for the author!
The descriptions and setting are absolutely beautiful, both beautifully written and wonderfully imagined. All in all, it's a great book to curl up and escape the world with -- it'll make you wish you lived close to the Swedish forests that seem to be such an inspiration for the author!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for review.
A Shadowed Spirit by Sara C. Snider brings just as much excitement as the first book of the series, The Thirteenth Tower. Told in the perspectives of Siyan, a magical girl known as an And'estar, and Addigan, a woman who failed the test to become a Magister, this novel packs tons of action and romance, and is overall very thought-provoking. I really became attached to the characters and just couldn't stop reading!
I want to thank the author, Sara Snider, for reaching out to me with an offer to read and review "A Shadowed Spirit".
"A Shadowed Spirit" is book 2 of the Tree and Tower series and does not disappoint. The author has such an amazing ability to create a world that pulls you in and keeps you captivated to the very last sentence. In "A Shadowed Spirit" you meet Siyan, an And'estar searching for her own people so she can find out about herself and get answers to so many questions.
A stranger shows up at the Falconry Guild and seems much too interest in her and who she is. Siyan follows him when he leaves and discovers that he is associated with the Magister Tower. In fear she decides to leave immediately and continue her quest to find her people.
As Siyan travels she sends her Falcon ahead to search and find people like herself. Along her travels she meets a man named Enon. Enon is of the forest people and it is the people Siyan is searching for. She travels with him to his camp and meets his mother. Siyan is excited as she thinks she will finally find the answers to her questions. Instead, she ends up feeling more confused and unsure. Siyan sets out on a quest to find more of her people to bring about an awakening of the past that they have forgotten. Enon travels with her to provide help and safety as she journeys.
An interesting twist in the story is the man Jash, that Siyan had met at the Falconry Guild, along with the woman Addigan are tracking Siyan and Enon. Addigan had hired Jash to find an And'estar for her. Addigan wants to question Siyan about her being an And'estar and to bring her before the Grand Magistar. Addigan wants to gain their respect and her place in the order of the Magistar and thinks that Siyan will be able to give her what she wants.
"A Shadowed Spirit" is a journey into magic and mysticism but also a more dark and dangerous journey into the sprit realm as a young woman tries to understand who and what she is. I truly enjoyed reading "A Shadowed Spirit" and look forward to the next book in this series. I am anxious to see where the journey of the Tree and Tower series will take me next.
I highly recommend this series to all readers out there who enjoy well written fantasy. I do, however, recommend reading "The Thirteenth Tower" first before reading "A Shadowed Spirit".