The Shattered Dark (A Shadow Reader Novel) [Mass Market Paperback]

Sandy Williams (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 30, 2012 | Series: A Shadow Reader Novel (Book 2)

McKenzie Lewis has a gift. It allows her access to a world few have seen, and even fewer can comprehend. It’s her secret. And it exists in the shadows…

McKenzie was a normal college student, save for one little twist: she’s a shadow reader, someone who can both see the fae and track their movements between our world and the Realm. It’s a gift for which she has been called insane, one for which she has risked family and friends—and one that has now plunged her into a brutal civil war between the fae.

With the reign of the king and his vicious general at an end, McKenzie hoped to live a more normal life while exploring her new relationship with Aren, the rebel fae who has captured her heart. But when her best friend, Paige, disappears McKenzie knows her wish is, for now, just a dream. McKenzie is the only one who can rescue her friend, but if she’s not careful, her decisions could cost the lives of everyone she’s tried so hard to save.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for The Shadow Reader novels

“A fresh take on the fae, packed with suspense, surprises, and real moral dilemmas. Sexy and fun, this is a must for anyone who likes their fae modern, their stakes high, and their property damage extensive.”—Seanan McGuire, national bestselling author of the October Daye novels

“Combines top-notch writing and world-building with characters you’ll adore...and the star-crossed lovers may just break your heart. If you enjoy fae urban fantasy, then don't miss this splendid debut. Loved it. Can’t wait for the next book.”—Ann Aguirre, national bestselling author of Endgame

“Fantastically fun urban fantasy. One of the best debuts of the year…[it] checked off all my urban fantasy wish-list boxes and I can’t wait to read the sequel.”—All Things Urban Fantasy

“A gutsy heroine and plenty of fae lore.”—Library Journal

“Fun and fast paced.”—Fantasy Café

“Fantastic…filled with action and suspense. I was constantly on the edge of my seat.”—Urban Fantasy Investigations

About the Author

Sandy Williams graduated from Texas A&M University with degrees in political science and history. She worked as a librarian until her husband whisked her off to London on an extended business trip. Now she’s back in Texas, writing full-time, raising twin boys, and squeezing in time to play geeky board and card games like Settlers of Catan, Dominion, and Runebound.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Ace (October 30, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1937007812
• ISBN-13: 978-1937007812
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.8 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #576,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sandy Williams has lived and breathed books all her life. When she was a teen, she was always the first to finish her class assignments so that she could read as much as possible before the bell rang. Her grades didn't suffer (much), and she was able to enroll in Texas A&M University. She didn't sneak in novels there, but every other line of her college lecture notes are filled with snippets of stories. After she graduated, she decided to turn those snippets into books.

The Shadow Reader is her first novel, an urban fantasy published by Ace Books in 2011. The sequel, The Shattered Dark is forthcoming in November 2012, and a third untitled book set in the same world will be out in the fall of 2013. She looks forward to writing more urban fantasies and hopes to publish science fiction romance as well.

When Sandy isn't writing, she's taking care of her twin boys, who also debuted in 2011. They keep her busy, but she's occasionally able to sneak in time to read books by her favorite authors, and she still enjoys playing EuroGames like Dominion, 7 Wonders, and Agricola.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a lot happens to advance the story or characters, but the ending is killer! November 2, 2012

By Abigail TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

McKenzie Lewis, a human with the highly sought after ability to track fae, is back and once again embroiled in the fae civil war. In THE SHATTERED DARK, there's not quite as much story development, but be prepared for non-stop action, intrigue, and a few bombshells that will leave you dying for book three.

While THE SHADOW READER was one of my best reads in 2011, unfortunately, THE SHATTERED DARK does fall into the trap that so many sequels do: not a lot happens to advance the story or characters. There are countless escape scenes after escape scenes that all tended to blur together. I also was let down by the complete standstill with the romance. The upheaval in THE SHADOW READER was so deliciously devastating that I was dying to see the fallout from McKenzie's choices, but it wasn't really there in THE SHATTERED DARK. McKenzie agonized internally about her past decisions without really making any new ones.

On the upside, the ending of THE SHATTERED DARK was excellent. All the big developments I'd been hoping for finally happened and they were absolutely worth waiting for. I'm right back to the dying-to-know-what-happens-next phase that the first book left me in. So while the majority of this book felt like it was stalling for time, the ending saved it. There are no details about the third McKenzie Lewis book, but look for it to hit stores in 2013.

Sexual Content:
Kissing

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Recap packed Sequel November 5, 2012

By Mia234

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

After I finished this book I can't help but be disappointed.. sigh. When I finished the first book a couple of weeks ago I was so excited. But its follow up was a serious let down.

The author spent too much time revisiting every single event and idea from the first book that by the time we actual got to a new or continued storyline I was more than half way done with book. I skipped a lot of paragraphs because it was just mind babble. Honestly, we could have just continued the first book. It would have caused for a stronger cliffhanger.

At least we learned more about Aren in this book. Nothing good though. We also still don't have a clear antagonist but Lena and Mckenzie might be close to figuring it out. Will I stick around to find out who it really is? TBD.

I feel bad for Aren though. I feel even worse for Kyol. Paige's character annoys me and I'm not sure why she is even at the forfront of the novel. Plus I now realize how uninteresting Mckenzie is. She has zero skills except for shadow reading which isn't that impressive as it used to be. She can't draw, fight, or figure out her love life. She has no fire. I rather the author follow Aren pov than Mckenzie at this point... Mckenzie is a pretty weak main character if you ask me. I don't get the book cover either. She has yet to wield a sword correctly.

2 1/2 stars

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars UFR Reviews The Shattered Dark October 30, 2012

By Kathryn S. Steves

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I was a really big fan of Williams' first book, I think if I had to boil it down to one element that took her first book over the top for me, it would be her pacing. It was one of those books you really didn't want to put down, and so I had big hopes for her second book. I am happy to report that The Shattered Dark has the same awesome pacing as her first, and I really didn't want to stop reading until I finished (thank God for caffeine or I never would have made it past 3am).

I really like McKenzie, I feel bad for the hand she was dealt in a lot of respects. I can totally understand her desire to have a more normal life. After the events of the last book McKenzie is literally in the middle of some big time fae events, and the stakes couldn't be higher. And now with her friend Paige missing it just makes the stakes even bigger for McKenzie.

One of things I really love about Williams is the way she paints the relationships between characters. Oftentimes I feel like authors need to take time out of the action in order to give the reader a full sense of the relationships between characters, but Williams has an amazing way of keeping the action jam packed while putting together relationships that the readers not only understand but can pull for. I really enjoyed this book further exploration of McKenzie and Aren. I liked Aren from the minute I read him on the page, so being able to find out more about his backstory in this book was great. Plus I love watching/thinking what is going to happen next between these two. Kyol is also in this book, although not to the extent of the last, but he definitely keeps things interesting.

I think maybe the think I enjoy the most about McKenzie is that a lot of things that happen to her are completely beyond her control, but she makes decisions that are true to herself even when in the hardest of positions. I like that about her. She is really a fighter in every sense of the word. She's super enjoyable to read, and an extremely likable character.

There is so much more I would love to say about this book, but I don't want to give everything away. This book is such a great ride, finding out what is going to happen next is so much fun, so I don't want to ruin that for anyone. But that being said, if you enjoyed the first book, you will certainly enjoy the second. And if you haven't given Sandy Williams a try yet, than you should. She has great characters and amazing action. I can't wait to find out what happens next!