Shadow's End

The hero had already been half in love with the beautiful Elven heroine before one night 200 years ago sealed in his love for her forever. Married to the High Lord of Elves and mother to his son, the heroine lives in a cage, one of which she created for herself. She married her husband because she thought she loved him, he married her for political game. When he bore a son with another woman, the heroine accepted the boy as her own and loved him more than life itself. Now, he's all grow up and making horrible choices, getting involved with worse people. When he disappears for a few days, she grows worried and risks her husbands wrath to track him down. That's where the hero comes in. He's always been enraptured by her beauty and her show more gentle iridescent personality is the light of his life. But the fact that she is unattainable is possibly the understatement of the century. Despite the knowledge that she could never be his, and the fact that her presence is an equal balance of pleasure and utter torment, he readily offers his help in finding her son. Together they track him to a seedy gambling hall before finding out he is in the company of a powerful Djinn. There, they are horrified to realize that things have gone from bad to impossibly worse. The son as indebted his soul to a Djinn, and the being now has complete control over the heir to the elven crown. As punishment for the hero destroying the gambling hall, the Djinn also has control over the hero and heroine as well. They are never to see each other again outside of social functions and if they break this law, the heroine's son will die. Heartbroken and lost in grief, they agree and part ways. Now, 200 yeas later, the hero has a vision of his own death. He's been acuminating evidence against the Djinn for 2 centuries, biding his time for the right moment to gain enough power to see him killed. He's never for one single moment forgotten his love for the heroine. He's thought about her every second of every day and now, he's finally able to see her again. Now a widow, the heroine knows her son is slowly losing his mind because of the bond he shares with the fiend. When the hero comes to her, telling her of his plan, she feels hope for the first time since that night 200 years ago. He's always been the love of her life and now finally they have a slim chance at the happiness that was always so far out of reach. I liked this story very much until the ending which kicked it into high gear and pushed it into love territory. The Romeo and Juliet theme was pretty evident and I don't remember reading about a more forbidden love affair then this. At some point near the middle I honestly had the sinking feeling that they would never get their happily ever after. That doubt was a welcome change of a pace from the typical romance when you know everything will work out fine. I was totally engaged in the torment both characters lived through and those few fleeting stolen moments when their love was permitted to shine through. I thought the end battle was totally awesome but freaking heartbreaking at the same time. The aftermath of that battle, and reading about the hero's grief made my own heart break in sympathy. He was such a lovely character. He was so kind and gentle hearted. He truly was the spot on portrayal of the Good Guy. And the heroine was just as deserving of the happiness she finally finds as she battles for the son's life all the while keeping a gentle and strong poise about her. Together they made for a lovely couple and you can check this off as yet another awesome addition to the series. show less

Listened to audio narrated by Sophie Eastlake. Except for the very odd pronunciation of Cuelebre, I loved Sophie's narration, she always brings these unique characters to life.

Gryadon is a Wyr Sentinel and a gryhpon, and Beluvial is the elven Lady of the Wood. When they first met two hundred years ago she was the consort to the Elven High Lord and their relationship was forbidden but a pariah Djinn discovered them. Between their secret and the Djinn's life hold on her son, they have been bound to be a part ever since.

For two hundred years Graydon has been searching and plotting to a way to free all of them of the djinn, so he can be with Belulviel and free Farion and he's finally found it, but it will have deadly consequences, he's seen show more it in a vision.

So fair warning on this review, I do my best to keep personal biases and judgements from unfairly affecting my ratings but infidelity's is a deal breaker for me and I've downgraded this book because of that. I understand that Beluviel and the High Lord only remained together as a business arrangement and that there were political reasons they stayed together for the public but it bothers me enough to affect my rating. If that infidelity wasn't in the beginning I would have loved this book 100% even with it's heartbreaking moments but it bothered me the entire book, even though in the present the High Elven Lord is dead and that is no longer an issue."

If you like my reviews I hope you will follow my blog. https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/ show less

Shadow's End
3 Stars

Two hundred years ago, Graydon, the first Sentinel of the Wyr, and Beluviel, the High Lady of the Elven Court, were forced by the pariah Djinn, Malphas, to relinquish their hearts' desire in order to save the life of another. Now, with the traumatic changes in the Elven court, Gray and Bel will have to fight their centuries old attraction if they are to survive the evil force that threatens to destroy not only their lives but those of everyone they hold dear.

Unfortunately, this installment does not live up to its potential. While the pariah Djinn storyline is gripping with excellent actions scenes and a very exciting climax, the romance is boring and bland.

Malphas is a despicable villain and his machinations show more throughout the series have made him a very worthy opponent to numerous couples. One of the highlights of this book is having them all come together to rid the world of his menace.

Graydon and Beluvial's romance is not as appealing. They have zero chemistry and the supposed intensity of their connection (after spending not even one full day together) is not credible or convincing. It is also impossible to accept that these two highly sexual beings remained celibate for two centuries.

All in all, bar one or two exceptions, this series has been going downhill for a while and it is time to wrap it up posthaste. show less

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨

Eternity might be captured in a single kiss.

First show more Impressions
What on earth did I read and I am not sure if I am okay and breathing? haha oh what a wild ride. I am still feeling breathless over this read and what Thea Harrison has delivered here. I can't believe what a book this one was. I did put it off for a bit because I knew it would have some elements to it that I might not care for too much and yeah it was completely wild and you definitely need to go into this one with a open mind though. Its not going to be a story that will work for everyone. But I was eager to see how our pairing would fair and lets be real ....I have been wanting Graydon's book since the first book hahaha

First Line
With one blunt forefinger, Graydon tapped out a text on his smartphone.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Graydon, First Sentinel of the Wyr
The Heroine: Beluviel, consort to the Elven High Lord

Summary
Graydon and Beluviel, on the surface have to appear as if they are just two in the realm of knowing each other but can't reveal their true desires for each other as its completely forbidden. Two hundred years ago Gray and Beluviel fell in love in the search for Beluviel's son who had gotten caught up in gambling and on their journey in their search, they form a bond and a deep love. But when they discover some evil against innocents they do what they feel is right but that moments will entrench them in a bind that they won't know how to get out of. They fall into debt with a evil Djinn, Malphas which forbids them from touching one another or it will the life of Beluviel's son. But Graydon has never given up on the love he has always held for Beluviel and been working for two centuries to bring down their enemy, he just needs Beluviel to trust in him to bring them freedom along with their crew of friends to help them escape....but what will be the price of their freedom?

What I Loved
Shadow's End was beyond brilliant in every way I could have imagined. The moment that these two fell hard for each other, I was in 100% into this story and I couldn't put it down. I just wanted so much to see how these two would find their HEA especially when it starts off with seeing Graydon having so much yearning for the woman he loves. And I really appreciated how Thea Harrison wrote the flashback. Normally authors make you go back and forth. But I loved how she wrote the complete flashback early in the book and then you get to the present and I really wish more authors would handle more flashbacks like that. I hate the yo yo style of flashbacks.

Shadows End is a story that despite its facts of some cheating in it which isn't normally for me, the way that its told definitely worked for me. You can see how Beluviel is in a miserable arrangement of a marriage and has never known love and affection from her husband. But she wishes that Graydon could be the man she could be with. You see their mutual pining and aren't able to engage with each other and have had to stay away from each other for over two hundred years...I can't even imagine but you just feel the tension that builds throughout the story and within their relationship. And then you just feel that they need to be together. Their strength to continue fighting for their love and for freedom was so breathtaking and just breathes life and energy into the reader.

Thea Harrison wrote a true treasure of a read and I am still feeling overwhelmed by what I just read. Can this book write a bad book? Cause I don't think so lol And the more I read into this series the more I am sad that its coming to an end soon but also excited to see what the author truly delivers within this world. And I am so curious to see what she will be doing with Liam here. I hope we get to see some good things for him.

What I Struggled With
The flashback to the time when they first fall in love is super slow paced. I am not sure if it was the narration or not but it definitely affected my enjoyment slightly or it would have been a six star read. That is how good this book was especially the second half. I also wasn't a fan of who the author kills off in the end. I won't reveal who it is (its not the main characters) but it is a character I was hoping to get a story for actually.

Narration
Really well done. I am not sure if the issues I had in the first half of the book is due to the narrator or if it was just the pacing .....I am leaning towards the pacing....normally flashbacks can feel slower at times but I felt it was important to read it or I probably would feel so so lost.

Overall View
Shadow's End was sizzling and spell binding in every way....its a tale that stretches into the forbidden, that lays waste to expectations and boundaries and digs deep into the strength and courage of the heart!

You didn't walk away from those you loved. You fought for them, always, with everything you had, even if it meant fighting the long fight, and staying on the hardest, quietest, most difficult course

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance
Character Types: Shape Shifter, Dragon, Fae
Themes: Cheating, Heart/Emotion, Tear Jerker
Tropes: Road Trip, Star Crossed Lovers, Forbidden Love

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A blend

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Nalini Singh
Shelly Laurenston
Kresley Cole

Song This Book Inspires
Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes

Steam/Spice Explanations

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.

Narrators:
Sophie Eastlake show less

~ 4.5 Shadow’s End Stars ~

Shadow’s End is book nine in the Elder Races series by Thea Harrison. It’s full of lose, heartache, longing, and love.

Each book in the Elder Races series deals with a different couple and can be read as a stand a lone, but they are best in order.

WOW! What an emotional journey. I never expected to learn the things I did about Graydon and I never expected to like Beluviel (not a fan of the Fae in this series) as much as I did.

Graydon, First Sentinel of the Wyr and a gryphon. I’ve come to love this quit, strong, steadfast and loyal Sentinel throughout the books and to see his past and learn what we do. wow just wow.

Beluviel consort to the Elven High King. She excels at fixing bad situation not only for show more herself, but for those around her. You see her character grow stronger throughout the book and by the end her voice is fierce.

As for the romance. I liked it. It did feel a little rushed at times. I could feel the bond forming between them and sparks do fly off the pages when they are together.

The events that take place in the plot will leave you devastated and delighted. Some major changes happen for all the Wyr not just for our leads. We are also treated to an exceptional flash back that explains what is going on with Graydon and Beluviel and how they got on a path they may not be able to change.

The events that happen in Shadow’s End will leave you reeling for their is no shortage of action, adventure, lose, longing and family love. All I can say is you will want a box of tissues handy.

show less

(blank)