Gangs And Ghosts (Beyond The Shadows #1) by Katie May - Starting August 7th 2020

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

When I was three-years-old, I was found homeless in the woods, alone and feral.

When asked how I survived all of those years by myself, I had one answer: the Shadow Man.

I have no memory of that time. No memory of anything, really, before the accident. I rely on stories from my fathers about this supposed imaginary friend.

Got into a fight at school? The Shadow Man made me. Stole from a store? He forced me to. Snuck out of the house? He came with me.

I had almost completely forgotten about him.

Until I move into the horror house - the house rumored to be a gateway to hell. Strange things keep happening, and I am helpless to prevent them.

More importantly, people keep dying.

Particularly, people that harm me.

It’s already a struggle to survive a new high school and town (including the attention of a dangerous gang), but now I have to survive ghosts too?

One thing becomes painstakingly clear:

The Shadow Man wants me to come home.


This is a young adult, slow-burn, horror reverse harem romance. It is the first in a series and WILL end in a cliff-hanger!

[Tiera]

Hey can I join up on these? I’ve been on a Katie May kick recently since I discovered her in paranormal prison series!?

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Of course you can join. I became obsessed with the author after Blindly Indicted so I'm trying to read through her books!

[Tiera]

I started this. For some reason I thought we were starting on the 6th and I didn't want to start something else and then be tied up when we went to start this... OMG guys this book... super freaking creepy!

[Tiera]

Chapter 9: (view spoiler)[ This is taking a long time to "get started." I mean things are happening but I can't quite figure out how everything is tied in. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 11: (view spoiler)[ WTF is Joran's deal hes a super douche and I can't stand this jerk. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 14: (view spoiler)[ Dorian is totally a ghost... isn't he? I'm totally getting ghosty vibes from him.. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 17: OK I'm officially creeped the eff out. (view spoiler)[ Does she have multiple personalities or something? Whats up with her reaction to Camz. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 21: (view spoiler)[ Dorian is totally a ghost.. he has to be. (hide spoiler)]

[Tiera]

OMFG ya'll need to start this book ASAP.
Finished: (view spoiler)[ WTF was that ending! Thank the good Lord that this is a finished series. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to stop. I still don't know what is going on but this would make a great horror film no freaking lie. (hide spoiler)]

Gonna need to start the next one like.. now or something.

[Tiera]

How I'm feeling about the book: So occasionally you might run across a book that doesn't really have everything in your "best book ever list" but.. the author does one thing so freaking over the top good that it makes it feel like a 5 star for you even though you might not have felt that the characters had exactly enough depth, or the world building was a little skimpy and you can't quite figure out how everything "works." I feel like this series may be one of those for me. I don't watch scary movies despite my absolute love of paranormal and supernatural fiction. I find horror films give me so much anxiety that I start puking because of the suspense and buildup. For that reason I also don't read a lot of horror fiction so Im a little out of my element here but I can tell you that this book might have sparked some new interest in me. The Creeptastic meter was at a 10 from like 40% on lol. So glad ya'll had this down for a buddy read because I'm barely containing myself here. Glad I joined up on this one.. because going it alone would have been too much.

[Tiera]

Sorry I'm not so patiently trying to wait for ya'll to get started and see what I mean.

[Johanna]

I started feeling super interested about this book and it doesn't help seeing Tiera's comments 😂 My problem is that I started today other book and you're already starting tomorrow! 😱

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Johanna wrote: "I started feeling super interested about this book and it doesn't help seeing Tiera's comments 😂 My problem is that I started today other book and you're already starting tomorrow! 😱"

Lol yeah I had two books planned to read before this but now with her comments it seems like I’ll be picking this up ASAP 😂

[Rose]

Hey! I hope you guys don't mind me jumping in.

30% in

(view spoiler)[Going good so far. That scene with Kieran at her house... Lol. Tyler seems to be an asshole. For now, I hope he doesn't get into the harem. And I really like Camila.

I wonder if the little girl who slit her parents' and sister's throat is Camila? Because she seems to have no memories till the age of four (or six?). Maybe she previously lived here before she was put wherever she was before her fathers adopted her.

Speaking of that, I really like her family. I just hope the author doesn't kill them off, lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Rose]

50% in

(view spoiler)[Shit. But how? I thought Ian drove her home? She did it during the dream, eh?

And I didn't want Tyler to be on the harem at first but... Here we are. I know it's gonna be Tyler, Kieran, Dorian, Ian, Luke and Leroy. There is the possibility of a seventh guy we haven't met yet because that's what happened in the Together we Fall series but... Let's see. Not 100% sure tho.

And holy shit what the hell was happening at that church? And why? I'm not gonna get nighmares but that was still slightly creepy.

Oh and I love her family. Please please don't get killed. (hide spoiler)]

[Rose]

70% in

(view spoiler)[Holy shit. So Dorian doesn't exist, there is something in a secret room behind her closet, she has a dark alter ego and a ghost, possibly that Shadow Man, is willing to hurt her family to get to her?It's only been 20% since the last note!! Okay, one by one.

Dorian doesn't exist? He indirectly admitted he isn't human, though I'm not sure if Cami has realised it yet or not since she hasn't freaked out. Yet.

And ghost-hunting? Like for real? I don't know if I wanna love this book or hate it, because the former means that I'm weird and the latter means I'm not gonna enjoy the rest of the book. All those instruments!! Do I laugh a
and roll my eyes or be serious and enthralled?

Camz? I wanna know more about this darkness inside her. Why is she afraid of it? Like has she killed someone while she was Camz before that Jonathan(?) guy?

And OMG that message was so damn creepy! Don't leave me again? Why did it have to hurt Colt? Leave her family alone, Shadow Man!! Though it was, admittedly, rather funny to see all those guys showing up on her doorstep after she was brought home by Ty and Ian.

Oh and speaking of them, that kiss seemed a bit too soon to me. Like it was out of nowhere! And she also saw Ian naked. I knew he was gonna be a part of the Harem. Lemme see where this goes. I've heard the cliffhanger is horrible. (hide spoiler)]

[Rose]

Done!

(view spoiler)[ Yess! I loved it! I feel like the last part had less action than the 50% to 70% mark but that's okay. And her sister is the killer?! Then who murdered the students tho? Camz while Camila was dreaming or Karissa? I'm not dying over the cliffhanger but I'm gonna the read next book ASAP. Let's get this over with. (hide spoiler)]

[Rose]

Tiera wrote: "Chapter 9: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 11: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 14: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 17: OK I'm officially creeped the eff out. [spoilers removed]
Chapter 21: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ He's definitely a ghost. No way he isn't. I wonder why Camila hasn't figured it out yet. He can dream walk. He says humans shouldn't be able to see life threads, clearly implying he's not and he's wondering why Cami can see them, after which he promptly disappears. Plus, the principal who lives next door says she was concerned for Cami since she reminds him of her son. Dorian also is, incidentally, a neighbour. Plus, when she asks around school, no one knows him. You've already figured that out, I'm just putting the reasons out there. (hide spoiler)]

[Rose]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Of course you can join. I became obsessed with the author after Blindly Indicted so I'm trying to read through her books!"

Tiera wrote: "Hey can I join up on these? I’ve been on a Katie May kick recently since I discovered her in paranormal prison series!?"

Have you guys tried her Together We Fall series? That's the first and only series of hers I've read. I loved that so damn much. To me, this one pales a bit in comparison to TWF. That one was heartbreaking. It's been months since I read it and I've matured a lot from then but at that time, I cried for that book. I will have to do a re-read to know what I'll feel now. If you haven't, you guys should try it.

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

24%

(view spoiler)[ Okay so the twins seem funny and are more then likely to cause some trouble. She had a rough start to life that no-one really knows anything about and she knows that their is something not quite right about her. These visions seem dark and I wonder what it's all about. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

58%

(view spoiler)[ So the freaky stuff is starting. This is okay now that the darkness is showing. That vision was cool. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

76%

(view spoiler)[ I'm liking the twins and that they are now showing differences. She's surrounded by boys. Her sister is acting a little weird sometimes too. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Finished

(view spoiler)[ Wow her sister that was a little OTT. So we have the shadow man, who and what is he and what does he want? Is he really there to help them or to use them? (hide spoiler)]

Crystal

(view spoiler)[ This is almost to ghost files levels. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Tiera wrote: "Chapter 9: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 11: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 14: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 17: OK I'm officially creeped the eff out. [spoilers removed]
Chapter 21: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Lol your comments I take it you liked it. It is slow to start with but it picked right up in the end. You may want to check out . Me and crystal did that earlier in the year and this is very similar. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Tiera wrote: "How I'm feeling about the book: So occasionally you might run across a book that doesn't really have everything in your "best book ever list" but.. the author does one thing so freaking over the to..."

Lol I know what you mea. I can't watch horror really either but me and crystal are finding some good little series. You read something and your like I shouldn't enjoy this but you do.

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Rose wrote: "Hey! I hope you guys don't mind me jumping in.

30% in

Going good so far. "

(view spoiler)[ yeah that part with Kieran at her house was funny. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Rose wrote: "Done!

[spoilers removed]"


(view spoiler)[ Yeah it was a good book. Is it weird that I really don't care for the romance I just like all the creepy stuff. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Rose wrote: "Tiera wrote: "Chapter 9: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 11: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 14: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 17: OK I'm officially creeped the eff out. [spoilers removed]
Chapter 21: [spoilers..."

(view spoiler)[ Yeah I think he was the headmistresses son and that's why she's so interested in Cami maybe she'll use her to get her son back or get revenge for her son or something. (hide spoiler)]

[Tiera]

Rose wrote: "Tiera wrote: "Chapter 9: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 11: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 14: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 17: OK I'm officially creeped the eff out. [spoilers removed]
Chapter 21: [spoilers..."

(view spoiler)[ I totally think Dorian is the principles son. I was getting weird vibes from her.. and she even said that Cami reminded her of her son but it was like some weird past tense thing happening. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Rose wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Of course you can join. I became obsessed with the author after Blindly Indicted so I'm trying to read through her books!"

Tiera wrote: "Hey can I join up on these? I’ve been..."

We can check out that series. Me and Crystal go through about 4 series a month. If you guys haven't check out that is very similar to this and we loved it.

[Tiera]

Rose wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Of course you can join. I became obsessed with the author after Blindly Indicted so I'm trying to read through her books!"

Tiera wrote: "Hey can I join up on these? I’ve been..."

I discovered her in the Paranormal Prison series when I went through and read those. I did start her unfinished series: and also started this unfinished series of hers as well: . for some reason KU likes to only recommend unfinished stuff lol. I'll even wait for months to read something thinking... oh well it should be about finished by now but nooooo. I hate seeing the same books on my recommended feed over and over.. starts to make me twitch Lol!

[Tiera]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Rose wrote: "Tiera wrote: "Chapter 9: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 11: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 14: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 17: OK I'm officially creeped the eff out. [spoilers removed]
Chapter ..."

I was just amazed by how much I was actually getting creeped out! I mean it could be cause I'm overly sensitive to the horror aspect because I tend to avoid it.. either way it was enough horror for me to really like it despite the fact (view spoiler)[ that the book had a really slow start, the world building isn't fully revealed meaning my mind can only take the possibilities so far because I don't know the limits yet, and the characters really haven't had any time to be depthful especially with all the things going on. And with all those guys.. I'm afraid our relationship building may fall to the wayside. I'm not sure what is going to happen as the series progresses but a girl needs some wooing.. even if their is freaky ghost and shadow shit going down lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Rose]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "76%

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Haha good intuition. I wasn't suspecting Karissa much because I have my own little devil at home and it isn't uncommon for her to be hot and cold with me, mostly on the cold side though. I did, however, feel that the drawings could have some meaning and I was soon proved right. (hide spoiler)]

[Rose]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Rose wrote: "Done!

[spoilers removed]"


[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ No not at all😂 The romance hasn't gotten heated yet and it's just meh compared to the humour and creepy stuff going on. (hide spoiler)]

Tiera wrote: "Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Rose wrote: "Tiera wrote: "Chapter 9: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 11: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 14: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 17: OK I'm officially creeped the eff o..."

It wasn't that creepy to me because I used to read horror a few years ago. But my mom was like "Stop reading them! They're corrupting your mind! You'll get bad thoughts! You won't be able to sleep! Yada yada yada " so I stopped and wandered into fantasy.

(view spoiler)[ The book is definitely missing the depth it needs. She's trying to infuse humour, creeps and romance all in one book so some stuff is getting lost somewhere and nothing is really standing out to me solidly right now. Could be because the page count is really less. (hide spoiler)]

[Rose]

Tiera wrote: "Rose wrote: "Tiera wrote: "Chapter 9: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 11: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 14: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 17: OK I'm officially creeped the eff out. [spoilers removed]
Chapter ..."

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Rose wrote: "Tiera wrote: "Chapter 9: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 11: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 14: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 17: OK I'm officially creeped the eff out. [spoilers removed]
Chapter ..."

(view spoiler)[ So he's definitely the headmistress' son. And dead. Older since no one in school knows him and Cami is a senior. Now the only thing left to discern is what the Headmistress is gonna do. When Cami first met her, she said her gut wasn't exactly getting the best vibes from her so I wonder if that means the she is bad, or if she just misses her son. (hide spoiler)]

[Rose]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Rose wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Of course you can join. I became obsessed with the author after Blindly Indicted so I'm trying to read through her books!"

Tiera wrote: "Hey can I join up on the..."

I'm damn sure I've seen that cover before. I think it was during the time I used to read horror. I was eleven or something. My mom saw it and banned me. Even I was a bit creeped out. I'll check it out.

If you guys decide to read Together we Fall, count me in too.

[Rose]

Tiera wrote: "Rose wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Of course you can join. I became obsessed with the author after Blindly Indicted so I'm trying to read through her books!"

Tiera wrote: "Hey can I join up on the..."

😂
I'm pretty sure I've read Greed. I've seen that cover before but didn't realise the author. I've pretty much forgotten about it.😂 And I've heard Paranormal Prison is good. I'll check it out.

And I know right! I have this whole book of unfinished series' where I write down all the release dates. I even make an extra copy and pin it to my bedside wall so I don't forget new releases lol. Sometimes, I even get books that are the first of a line that hasn't been released yet. This pretty one right here is supposed to be released on 1st Jan 2021. First of the series. And I've known this from March! Feeds are weird.

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Rose wrote: "Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Rose wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Of course you can join. I became obsessed with the author after Blindly Indicted so I'm trying to read through her books!"

Tiera w..."

I def want to read Together We Fall but probably not till the end of this month or even September. I overbooked myself this month lol

And yeah I had to start a shelf for unfinished and finished series otherwise the pain of waiting is too much 😂

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

24% (view spoiler)[ Well that prologue hooked me. She was basically feral wtf?!?!? And I looove that she has two dads and is so defensive of them (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

51% (view spoiler)[Dorian has to be a ghost, he just has to be. I'm convinced lol. I love how she tells off Ty though, like in the beginning she was almost nervous to stand up for herself but not so much anymore! (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

76% (view spoiler)[I'm over here dying for her to grow her harem or start already lol. Kieran is such an enigma and I love that it's apparent almost all her guys don't like eachother. Can't help loving on the twins though, they remind me of the Weasley twins. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Finished (view spoiler)[The buildup was real in the book and now I'm literally dying to read the next one. Warning or not that cliffhanger came out of nowhere lol but damn if I'm not happy I waited till the series was complete. But ahhhh Karissa wth is going on?!?!?! (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Tiera wrote: "Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Rose wrote: "Tiera wrote: "Chapter 9: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 11: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 14: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 17: OK I'm officially creeped the eff o..."

(view spoiler)[The buildup really was pretty slow but damn if I am not fully invested now lol. Honestly with so much introduced I'm sad it's only three books and wondering how the author will manage to finish it all when she hasn't even picked a single guy. And I loooove the horror aspect, wish it was a little more. Though the bug scene or hearing sounds within the walls or in her case the closet I could so do without lol (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Tiera wrote: "How I'm feeling about the book: So occasionally you might run across a book that doesn't really have everything in your "best book ever list" but.. the author does one thing so freaki..."

See I learn a new thing everyday and I'm always recommending horror and it's not your jam lol.... Whoopsies, guess it works out when they are good books ;)

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Finished


[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[It is absolutely ghost files like. I totally got that vibe early on. Even had the slow buildup like that one did and now we're like what 20 books into it :) I'm really liking this one, hope it continues this good

(view spoiler)[As for her sister... Umm there were so many creepy and questionable moments and the heroine just let them go, like why smh?!?!?. There's the random times she acts like she's possessed or mentions the Shadowman, I'd be on the next bus far far away lmao (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Tiera]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "51% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yea, thinking back her personality kind of did a 180 in there.. one moment shes fixing to cry about some teasing the next moment she is all bad ass and not taking anyone's shit. (hide spoiler)]

[Tiera]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "76% [spoilers removed]"

Yes (view spoiler)[ the twins are my favorite so far, we have seen the most personality from them and I love how they are so different and yet so in tune with one another. Kieran though.. there is a lot of story there. I'm a little worried about how this author is going to pull this off in 3 books as well. Got lots of guys and lots of relationship building to start and it will have to start in book 2 since we are still almost at the introductory phase of relationships here in book 1. I do love how she told the twins about herself already. I feel like having more heads on this will kick some things into gear. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Tiera wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "76% [spoilers removed]"

Yes [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yeah I just love the twins. Even just their wild clothes and fedora ways are doing it for me Lmao. As for Kieran he’s kind of a oddity I think. Like I love his brooding character but it’s like he’s so many non connecting puzzle pieces that I hope the author works out. He’s this big buff brooding football player, Quarterback to boot yet has no friends and is an all around grump. Then he’s also super wealthy but obviously super messed up at home and is even a cutter which I think came way out of nowhere. It’s just so much for one character and doesn’t seem to fully work out like the rest of their characters do. Maybe I just find him more of a mystery than even Dorian and want more lol (hide spoiler)]

[Rose]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Rose wrote: "Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Rose wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Of course you can join. I became obsessed with the author after Blindly Indicted so I'm trying to read through her boo..."

Haha no problem. Request the thread whenever you guys are free and I'll join in when I see it in the monthly BR thread.

I've been wanting to organise my books with tags and shelves but the thought of doing it makes my head ache since that'll take loads of time I can use for reading, lol.

[Rose]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "76% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Wait till the next book for her harem😂 All in good time. Leroy and Kieran were definitely my faves. (hide spoiler)]

[Rose]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

The next one's cliffhanger is worse😂

[Rose]

Tiera wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "76% [spoilers removed]"

Yes [spoilers removed]"

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Tiera wrote: "Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Rose wrote: "Tiera wrote: "Chapter 9: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 11: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 14: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 17: OK I'm officially cre..."

Yes! And the page counts are also really small, so I feel like it lacks the depth it needs to have a very strong effect on me, but it's still good.

[Johanna]

Is it too late to join? I'm finishing one book and could finally start this one. Does book have to be finished before I can share my thoughts or can I update as I make progress? I'm new in the group so excuse me for my dumb questions -.-