the shadows, by j.r. ward

Rating

The Warden, as J.R. Ward is affectionately known by her many devoted fans, has done it once again. The Shadows, the edible bookmark’s first 5-bookmark read, was an emotional story that drew on the strong history and character development of those we’ve grown to know and love. And true to form, Ward left us chomping at the bit (pun intended) for more. I finished The Shadows over a week ago and I still get emotional thinking about it.

As has become the case, there were multiple story arcs in motion:

• Luchas, Quinn’s now disfigured brother who’s just barely holding on to life in the medical facility at The Brother’s Compound. Quinn is faced with making even more life-altering decisions on Luchas’ behalf that could forever devastate their already fragile relationship.
• Selena is fighting ‘The Arrest,’ which has taken the lives of so many of her Chosen sisters. This, in the face of the newfound love she and Trez have just acknowledged.
• iAm may have finally found love, only to have it torn away from him as quickly as it appeared. And in the midst of pursuing his own happiness, for once, he still maintains ultimately responsibility for Trez and his obligation to the s’Hisbe.
• Xcor and Layla continue to fight the mutual attraction they have until things finally come to a head with consequences that may not be reversible.
• Assail is self-medicating his loss of Marisol by getting high on his own supply.
• Something is brewing with Rhage and it’s not the beast within.

It sounds like a lot of story lines, and it is. But unlike some books of old in the series, there are enough to keep you engrossed and not too many that you can’t keep up. So if you’ve been on this journey from the beginning, you most assuredly will not be disappointed. And if you haven’t hopped on The Brotherhood bandwagon, it’s never too late!

Now, the bad news–we have to wait an entire year for the next installment! And I have no idea who I’m hoping it will be focused on. Assail? Xcor and Layla? I can never get enough of Wrath. But wait…there’s a spinoff!

Bloodkiss, the story of new characters, Paradise and Craeg, a younger generation, is coming out on December 1. Think that just might make the wait a little easier.