Reign of Shadows

I really liked the premise of the book. I’ve always been fascinated with the idea that night overcomes the day and casts the world into shadow. I liked the idea that it unleashes a new darkness, creatures who thrive on the dark and cause more fear than the dark ever could. I imagine that if darkness were ever to overcome the day, people would long for the sunlight and the hope of a brighter future. I also think some people will thrive in the darkness and this book also shows that. It shows the hope of some people and the power others found in it. I think if it weren’t for the dark dwellers, the full scope of humanity’s darkness (and light) would’ve been out for display.

The novel was written in a way that drives readers through show more the narrative and maintains their attention. Although it seems like a lot doesn’t occur in the beginning of the novel, it didn’t feel boring or like there needed to be more action in the text. It keeps you entertained and invested in the characters, which I really enjoyed. I was glad to find a novel that didn’t drag on, but rather kept me interested.

Now, a common complaint against YA books is the “insta-love” that has begun to run rampant through the genre. However, I think what constitutes love is often misunderstood as attraction or even a crush. I think for this novel, there isn’t the prevalent us of the word “love” but rather the idea that there is attraction between the two main characters. It sort of lends itself to being something more than “insta-love” but rather the start of a relationship which could lead to love. I feel that this novel falls under that “insta-attraction” rather than the “insta-love” title.

I really liked Luna. She didn’t want to be dependent on anyone and she wanted to stand on her own two feet throughout the beginning of the novel. Her independence often overshadows the fact that she is blind. She knows she can handle herself, even though one of her senses doesn’t exist. She wants to be her own person, and I think a lot of the people in the text didn’t believe she could last on her own — be independent and survive without other people holding her hand. I also liked that the fact that she was blind wasn’t a big deal in the synopsis, because I think it overplaying it sort of cheapens how awesome it is that she is a strong female character that is blind.

Fowler sort of fell into the a-typical hero figure with a few interesting changes. He isn’t the selfless hero and devotes his life to ensuring that everyone around him survives. He is selfish. In fact, much of the story is driven by the fact that he would rather journey on his own and leave everyone else to suffer behind him. It’s clear that it used to bother him, leaving behind people and allowing them to suffer because he can’t be bothered to allow them to journey with him. He has his eyes on one goal and it is enough to drive everyone from him. He has hope, even when he pretends that he doesn’t. He hopes for the sun to shine and to bring new light to the world around him. He hopes that he will find a place that can bring him peace. He hopes for a great many things, and you can’t help hoping with him.

Overall, this novel is wonderful. It is a quick read, given the pacing and the writing. It draws you in from the beginning and I liked that about this book. It does sometimes fall into some stereotypical behavior, so don’t go into it expecting a groundbreaking read. It is definitely a good read though, and I am interested to see how the rest of the series continues. show less

ORIGINALLY POSTED: http://bibliomantics.com/2016/03/28/total-eclipse-of-the-plot-cassie-la-feels-he...

A wholly originally Rapunzel retelling, I was initially drawn to Reign of Shadows because the cover is beyond amazing. I mean, how could you not love it?

Reign of Shadows is set in a world plunged into almost complete darkness because of a total eclipse of the heart that took place 17 years ago. With the eclipse came the rise of the dark dwellers, a race of underground humanoid creatures with poor eyesight, but a great sense of smell and an unholy blood lust. Think if the monsters from The Descent and star-nosed mole rats had a baby.

Born into this frightening world is Luna, a princess who was whisked away by a loyal guard and an even show more more loyal wet nurse after the assassination of her parents on the night of the eclipse. To keep her safe and secure her inevitable reign, Sivo and Perla keep Luna, the true queen of Relhok locked in a tower in the middle of the woods away from the clutches of the new and very mad usurper.

Alternating between two POVS, that of self-assured Luna who has a unique POV I've never read before and the street smart (woods smart?) love interest Fowler, Jordan takes us all over her new world (a map would be nice in book two!), a place where bats have grown to enormous sizes and humans are the real monsters because aren't they always.

You know how I know humans are the real monsters? Not only do they willingly murder and sacrifice their own kind, they also name their children horrible things like Madoc and Dagne.

While I enjoyed the world that Jordan created, I didn't find Reign of Shadows to be the strongest novel writing-wise (except for a few brief moments of brilliance), perhaps due to its simplicity, or possibly because I read it in between the beautifully penned A Gathering of Shadows and Wolf by Wolf, both of which were superb.

In fact, had it not been for two crazy plot twists, I probably would have rated this book slightly lower than I did. As a lifelong reader, I'm usually pretty good at guessing things like this in advance, but these twists caught me completely off guard -- that's how subtle Jordan's breadcrumbs were.

Regardless of my minor complaints, I'm looking forward to book two in this series (trilogy? duology?), not only to conclude that ridiculous cliffhanger but also to hopefully get more insight into the even more frightening world that Relhok has become.

THE GOOD
-Loved the idea of a world driven into complete darkness
-Luna has a completely unique POV, one I've never read before
-Crazy plot twists I did not see coming
-4 foot bats!

THE BAD
-Writing bordered on too simplistic at times
-Those character names show less

I absolutely loved this book... It pulled me out of a month long rut and for that I am thankful.

It was a fast paced read with lush scenery and swoon worthy romance. When I say there was romance, I mean it had a VERY strong focus on romance. It went with the royalty/fantasy/magical theme, but there was grit and horror too. I really connected to the characters and found that the words were laced with rich emotion. I felt the fear and passion. I honestly felt as though I was within the pages... No to mention the twists. Oh gosh, they definitely proved to make things interesting! I can't say much, but if you read, I guarantee, you will be surprised.

Luna lives a sheltered life, under the protection of her guardians. She doesn't venture out show more of her tower much, but when she does sneak out, it ends up being a wild ride. She stumbles upon danger and offers up her protection. Her guardians aren't pleased with having visitors, but has to eventually learn to trust Luna's decision. Together Luna and Fowler embark on a journey through dark forests, stilt cities, and creepy lakes. Their relationship slowly blooms like a rose... thorns line the stem, but the overall picture is quiet beautiful.

It was a thrilling story with plenty of action. The ending will make some mad because of the cliffhanger, but book 2 releases soon! I can't wait to get my hands on it. Thank you Sophie Jordan for fueling my reading fire again. show less

I'm having a hard time deciding if I truly liked REIGN OF SHADOWS or if I just liked the ideas behind it.

I very much enjoyed the characters in REIGN OF SHADOWS. Both of the main characters were strong willed with a lot of fight in them even though they had lived very different lives and have very different roles. One was hard while the other was soft and they somehow ended up complimenting each other even as the bumped heads. Their romance is more sweet than fierce and even though it seems to come on fast, it is really drawn out too. The story was interesting and made me want to read and find the answers the author was slowly doling out.

So where is my problem with REIGN OF SHADOWS? There was a lot of nothing going on between the meat show more of the story and there were a lot of things I didn't feel were explained. Sure we learn some things about the characters and the world as they are slowly traveling and nothing is happening, but I would have loved more things to happen or for them to find a way to travel along faster. At the pace they are going right now, they will never get anywhere. I honestly can't tell you more than a handful of things that happened in the 304 pages I read. I am glad I got the points of the story, but it didn't feel like enough happened.

Of course then REIGN OF SHADOWS had to end on the cliffhanger that it ended on. It was one of those WHAT juts happened moments and I WANT to know what will happen next, so now I feel like I want to read book two even though book one had its issues.

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. show less

Reign of Shadows was certainly not perfect but despite it's imperfections I still enjoyed it. I think I'm just a sucker for a fairy-tale retelling, I almost never dislike them.

Here we have a loose retelling of Rapunzel set in a world plunged in darkness with only about an hour of light a day.
17 years earlier an eclipse left the kingdom of Relhok in the dark and it hasn't let up since. The day of the eclipse also happened to be the day Princess Luna was born. Unfortunately, her parents were murdered and she was rescued by her wet-nurse and a loyal guard. Ever since, they've lived in a tower deep in the woods.
The world is a dangerous place not just because the usurper would want her dead if he learned of her existence but because with show more the darkness came the dwellers.

The world-building leaves much to be desired. I wanted to know more about the dwellers and the eclipse. There's a bit of insta-love which I didn't really mind because I've come to expect it with books like this. I also liked Fowler and Luna together so..there's that.
While Reign of Shadows never quite reaches it's full potential I'm hoping the next book will. Regardless of whether it does or not I'll definitely be reading it because well...MAJOR cliffhanger. I can't just not know what happens next. show less

A book one, prepare for a cliffhanger at the end of this dystopian/fantasy novel.

Seventeen years ago, an eclipse darkened the land, and it has never ceased. There are short times of lights; it’s in these short intervals that one can venture about because in the dark, creatures rule. Luna, the princess of Relhok, has been raised in a secluded tower, unknown to the King who murdered Luna’s parents. Unaware of the danger, Luna wants more than a tower. When Fowler arrives, everything changes.

The Oracle tells the King the heir is alive. When the tower is discovered, Luna is sent out with Fowler to find a safe haven. Luna and Fowler have adversity after adversity as they travel to a rumored place of safety. It’s on this journey that show more Luna discovers what is truly going on, which creates a problem between them. Should they stay and help or run away?

You’ll enjoy the novel; it keeps the reader’s interest although it isn’t the best novel I’ve read in this genre. show less

Have you ever finished a book that you can't stop reading because it is just so darn good but where you loathe to reach the end because, well ... it's the end of the story? That's exactly how I felt reading Reign of Shadows!

This book is fantasy at it's best ... good vs evil, life threatening challenges, monsters, mayhem and a quest. Add in a bit of true love/ romance and it just adds up to a book that I couldn't put down!

{Likes} I really enjoyed the unexpected surprises in the plot! They kept me glued to the story and on the edge of my seat. I also really liked Luna and Fowler. Both are worthy characters and there's nothing like the bloom of young love fighting desperately to stay alive in a doomed fantasy world. I also really, really show more liked the ending!

{Dislikes} I really don't have anything that I disliked about this book other than having to wait to read the next one in this series!

Rating ...a 5 star read! show less