Running with Shadows

by Kaitlyn Keller

Twenty-year-old Kei Sterling isn't a stranger to pain. After more than a decade of neglect and abuse, there isn't much he hasn't faced. So when he joins Genesis--a group of societal outcasts--he expects his nightmares to end, not get worse. But with clingy, obnoxious comrades, and a leader unworthy of their title, Kei finds he's on the verge of breaking for good.Then Genesis comes across Lucy Aims, the sole survivor of a suspicious string of fires destroying the country. Though Kei can see through her plan to exploit them, he recognizes pieces of himself mirrored inside her. At first, Kei is resistant to accept Lucy as part of Genesis, but the more he resists, the more he realizes that he just might need her.Sometimes life can't begin until you're willing to come out of the shadows.

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2019

About the author

Kaitlyn Keller is an enthusiastic teacher who uses her free time to create vivid and inviting worlds for readers to explore. She’s been writing since the age of 5 and has worked with authors including D.J MacHale, Mike Dellosso, and Kelly Long. She graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language and in 2017 with a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing. She lives in Central Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[Renee Marski · Rating 3 out of 5]

***I was given this book as an ARC in exchange for a review***

I want to start this by saying that i didnt read book one so i feel like i probably missed a lot. That being said i found the book very intriguing with complex characters. The book starts with the team hunting a missing team member, someone no one really wants back. They end up rescuing a girl and bringing her back with them. Throughout the book, the mc's past keeps cropping up, these figures looming. He even manages to get revenge on some, which is cathartic. And the book even has a sort of happy ending.

The reason i gave it three stars is because i couldnt stand the mc. I get the feeling that im supposed to feel bad for him due to his past but with his crappy attitude i just cant. He mentions all the time that the missing team member is a bully but he is too. He is never nice to any of his comrades and never has anything good to say. Then we meet the girl, the one he chose to save and her whole storyline is just confusing. She likes him even though he never says a single nice thing to her. She falls in love with him even though he treats her badly. Im sorry but a shitty past doesnt mean you get to treat others like crap.

Then we get to the interesting part of the story (the captured team mate is found and proves how crazy she really is by taking the girl hostage) and its like we flew through this. They manage to get the girl free but we are told this, not shown it. Then the leader of the group attempts to trick the crazy chick but i really didnt understand how and theres a bomb that goes off out of nowhere? Then they leave the girl behind!?!?!! What? This girl, who they have all been screaming (yes screaming) at the mc that she is good for him and the group, they leave her behind because shes the reason the leader died (leaders girlfriend is pregnant and demands this.) And yet, she makes it back the bunker anyway, because love.

I understand what the author was trying to achieve and im sure others will enjoy this. I just dont think i connected with the mc the way the author had hoped. That being said it was very well written and the world building is exceptional.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

To say that I liked this book is an understatement. I loved it (and will definitely be reading Walking With Strangers to get a better picture of the world within the book). I really empathized with the characters and found the storyline to be very engaging. If you like conflicted main characters who are more "grey" than a "White Knight" this is the book for you. Just one word of caution, though, this book deals with some dark themes that some readers might find disturbing or upsetting. I look forward to reading more by this author.

[Kaitlyn Legaspi · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

It's my first time reading a book with darker themes than what I'm used to, and Kaitlyn Keller did a really great job addressing those themes and incorporating it into her story. I really enjoyed reading this book and following a character that isn't your cookie-cutter, goody-two-shoes protagonist. All of her characters were really well-developed out and unique, and it was easy to discern their voices from reading the dialogue. I definitely recommend.

[N.G. Gallegos · Rating 5 out of 5]

****Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review****
This book has everything: worldbuilding, dialogue, character development and plot.
I enjoyed the story so much.
My favorite characters are Kei and Aiden! and of course Lucy.
What I liked about this story is knowing Kei's point of view of the story and understand that good and evil isn't just white and black, I loved how the characters are morally gray.
I'm looking forward in reading Lucy's point of view soon and knowing what happens in the sequel.
Thank you for creating this fantastical world, Kaitlyn!

[Maurizzio Zamudio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one grabbed me and didn't let me go. It has everything, good world-building, memorable characters, and a great story. Will definitely read more by the author and recommend it.

[Diane Lehew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book one anxious for book two

Really drew me in couldn’t wait to find out how the characters interact and evolve. Ready for book two.
Great start to this trilogy. Diane L