Running Scared: The Sentinel Wars [Mass Market Paperback]

Shannon K. Butcher (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 4, 2010 | Series: sentinel Wars (Book 3)

View our feature on Shannon K. Butcher’s Running Scared.

The thrilling third novel in Shannon K. Butcher's new urban fantasy series...

Lexi Johns has one purpose: to free her best friend from the hands of the Sentinels. And the Sentinel she has been running from for months, Zach, has one goal: to convince her that their destinies are entwined. For the magic that Zach has absorbed could destroy him if he doesn't find the woman to channel it for him. And he knows Lexi is the one...

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

After spending too many years as an industrial engineer, Shannon learned to write from her husband, bestselling author Jim Butcher. She learned writing craft in order to help him with his stories, but found the idea of writing her own too compelling to resist. She lives in Missouri with her husband and son, where conversations at the dinner table are more often about things someone made up than about anything that’s actually happened. Feel free to contact Shannon via her website.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Onyx; Original edition (May 4, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451412907
• ISBN-13: 978-0451412904
• Product Dimensions: 4.5 x 1.1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #373,415 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Since launching her career in 2007, award-winning author Shannon K. Butcher has penned more than eighteen titles, including the paranormal romance series, the Sentinel Wars; the action-romance series, the Edge; and a handful of romantic suspense novels and works of short fiction. Being a former engineer and current nerd, she frequently uses charts, graphs and tables to aid her in the mechanics of story design and to keep track of all those pesky characters and magical powers. An avid beader and glass artist, she spends her free time playing with colored glass and beads. You can find her online at http://shannonkbutcher.com/.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fast-paced and well written... May 4, 2010

By J. Nusz VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Lexi had been running for a long time, but she'd decided to stop and allow herself to be captured, so that she could save her friend Helen from the Sentinels. Her mother had warned her about the Sentinels, but Lexi knew that if her friend Helen had any chance of escaping them, then Lexi was that chance. She was willing to take the risk. For Helen. Zack had been tracking her for weeks, and it was easy to let him find her.

Zack knew Lexi was his life-mate. The problem was convincing her of it. She somehow had gotten the wrong idea about him, and about the Sentinels in general. So when Lexi calls, sounding desperate and alone, Zack doesn't hesitate to rush to her rescue.

As soon as Lexi and Zack get together, sparks begin to fly. Author Shannon K. Butcher has created another page-turner in the Sentinel series with RUNNING SCARED (which will be released May 2010). I couldn't wait to receive this book, and I was not disappointed! The plot is fast-paced, the characters are well-written and very real, and the settings are wonderfully detailed. I couldn't put the book down once I'd begun reading, and read the entire book in one sitting. I'll be looking forward to reading the next book in the series, LIVING NIGHTMARE, which will be released in November.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Needs "New Blood" May 24, 2010

By lovesbooks

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I loved the previous two books of this series and was counting the days until "Running Scared" came out, but it took me a few days to finish it, unlike the other two books that I scarfed down in an afternoon. Like the previous poster, I got tired of Lexie's previous brain washing. I respect Shannon Butcher's theme of the difficulty of seeing the present, it's just that it went on too long.

But my REAL objection of this book was that it was same old, same old. Yeah, yeah, we have the paranormal who knows that this woman is his eternal mate (only instead of his seeing color once more, he's no longer in pain) and her resistance, we have the species that cannot reproduce, and there's a conspiracy to kill the paranormals who protect the world. Yada, yada. We get it. Shannon Butcher is too creative an author, capable of giving Patricia Briggs a run for her money (high praise!), to rely on what has now become a cliche. She needs to get out of the box.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Highly emotional June 26, 2010

By Katie

Format:Mass Market Paperback

In this third installment of the Sentinel Wars series, Zach finally catches the elusive Lexi. Having had chased her for months and worrying for her safety, especially after her last frantic phone call, Zach was elated to find her. On the other hand, Lexi didn't want to be found, but when the Defenders, a group opposed to the Sentinels, asked for her help, she allowed Zach to find her. Her plan was to drive her car to the Sentinel compound and explode the C4 she had rigged in her trunk.

Of course, her plans didn't work out as well she had planned.

Zach confused her emotions and she was terrified of the possibility of him brainwashing her. She doesn't know what to believe. Will Zach persuade her to see the truth behind the Sentinels and the war they fight or will she remain blind?

Running Scared is an incredibly emotional story. The book is told extremely well from the perspectives of each character, focusing on their emotions. I felt angry and relieved for Zach. I could understand Lexi's frustration and confusion. In addition, other characters had intriguing stories that played upon the feelings of the reader.

Although I became teary eyed at least once during the course of this book, I cannot give Running Scared highest marks. I found the pacing uneven and many chapters told from the perspectives of secondary characters slowed, or abruptly stopped, the flow of the book. I found these chapters occasionally enjoyable but more often than not annoying and unnecessary.

My overall impression of Running Scared is favorable because I tend to enjoy books that focus on the characters. Unfortunately, the erratic pacing took away some of the emotional impact of this intriguing book. I still recommend reading Shannon K. Butcher, but I suggest reading her excellent romantic suspense novels before venturing into her paranormals.

BookingIt Grade: B+