Book Review: Shadows by Paula Weston
Title: Shadows
Series: The Rephaim
By: Paula Weston
Author Info: Website | Twitter | Goodreads
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre Type: Paranormal, Angels, Urban
Publication Date: September 10th 2013
Pages: 400 pages
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Publisher: Tundra Books
Summary:
It’s almost a year since Gaby Winters was in the car crash that killed her twin brother, Jude. Her body has healed in the sunshine of Pandanus Beach, but her grief is raw and constant. It doesn’t help that every night in her dreams she kills demons and other hell-spawn.
And then Rafa comes to town. Not only does he look exactly like the guy who’s been appearing in Gaby’s dreams—he claims a history with her brother that makes no sense. Gaby is forced to accept that what she thought she knew about herself and her life is only a shadow of the truth—and that the truth is more likely to be found in the shadows of her nightmares.
Who is Rafa? Who are the Rephaim? And most importantly, who can she trust?
My Review
Paula Weston's novel SHADOWS, book one of the Rephaim Series, is a thrilling new take on Angel Mythology featuring exciting characters, great setting, and romance.
It's been almost a year since Gabby Winters lost her twin brother Jude to a tragic car-crash. Stricken with grief and healing both physically and emotionally, she is plague each night by strange and terrifying dreams. She carries a sword, fighting and killing strange creatures known as hell-beasts. Suddenly a stranger named Raffa shows up claiming to have been best friends with Jude and seems to know Gabby as well. With no memories of either, and sudden attacks from a mysterious group claiming to know her as well, Gabby is thrust into the world of Rephaim, fallen angels, and demons. A world she can't remember, but should.
Shadows is an exciting, fast-paced novel with a fantastic new take on Angel mythology that kept me furiously turning the pages. Filled with its own unique take on Angle mythology and lore, the plot of Shadows kept me captivated with its great world-building and it's unpredictable plot. In Shadows, a completely exciting world of the Rephaim is created. What makes Shadows such a great read is the unique lore Paula Weston has incorporated into the story. Ideas taken from the Book of Enoch are interwoven with angel legends and lore. An added paranormal twist gives Shadows an intense and dangerous feel. A world of fallen angels, demons, and hell-spawn. This is one of the few young adult books I have read that does a fantastic job setting up its own world of fallen angels.
The setting was also really great in Shadows, one that was unexpected, unique and totally different from the usual paranormal. Set in and around the fictitious Australian town of Pandanus Beach, Paula Weston drops us into a beautiful place of surf beaches and lush rainforest. A cross between a small hometown and new touristy attraction. But that's not all, Shadowfall takes us to some amazing places that involve the Rephaim that I loved just as well.
The characters were all fascinating to read about and well fleshed out. Gabby is a new favorite heroine of mine. She is definitely not one of the those girls who need someone to fight all her battles for her. I'm glad to say she ends up a real kick-ass heroine. By the end of the story Gabby is carries a katana and has some truly action packed fight sequences. Intense fight scenes that had me clutching my book and on edge. There's a lot going on for Gabby. The loss of her brother Jude, the strange dreams where she is fighting hell-hounds, and the sudden appearance of Raffa, the cocky guy in her dreams. She never totally gives up or loses all hope, but just keeps on fighting to find answers which I admired.
Raffa has some of my favorite lead male characteristics. Slightly cocky and self-assured attitude. He's mysterious, protective and kick-ass, but vulnerable and sweet. I knew right away I was going to like him when he shows up in Gabby's life. The sassy banter and connection between the two was perfect, and had me smiling. The romantic attraction between the two was definitely swoon-worthy. It was also clear from the very beginning Jaffa has an important role to play and was somehow connected to Jude and Gabby. I couldn't wait to read more about his history, as well as Gabby and Judes.
Paula Weston has created a unique cast of secondary that I'm just as excited about. Members of the Rephaim that gives us plenty of intense action and propel the story into some extremely exciting places and action sequences. The secondary characters bring the lore and history of the fallen angels and the Rephaim to a whole new and exciting level that I loved.
I'm completely excited over this series. Paula Weston has crafted a wonderful book with SHADOWS. I would definitely recommend it to readers fascinated by angel mythology and lore. Its fallen angel take is captivating and I can't wait to read more.
Rating: 4 Stars. I really liked it.
PLEASE NOTE: A courtesy review copy of this book was provided by Tundra Books via NetGalley in exchange for my fair review. Thank you Tundra Books for the review opportunity!
