Veil of Shadows (Lightworld/Darkworld Novels) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jennifer Armintrout (Author)

Book Description

Series: Lightworld/Darkworld Novels | Publication Date: November 24, 2009

Old gods new betrayals

With the immortal denizens of the subterranean Lightworld and Darkworld societies locked in battle, the heiress to the Faery throne is exiled to the human realm above. Accompanied to the Upworld by her mother s most trusted adviser, Cerridwen is bound for Eire and the last Fae stronghold on earth. But even this fabled colony is no true haven.

During the Queene s banishment, the high priestess Danae established herself as ruler and she does not wish to relinquish her power, especially over the devout humans who live among the Fae as servants. Torn between her own beliefs and the ideals her mother died for, Cerridwen searches for clues to her destiny is it on earth among the humans, or beyond an ethereal portal, in the immortals ancestral home? Neither path can avert bloodshed and the choice may not be hers to make.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This series rocks in every way! ----Gena Showalter, New York Times bestselling author of the Lords of the Underworld series

Armintrout skillfully characterizes each character, and her use of description varies between chilling, beautiful, and disturbing. ----The Romance Readers Connection on Blood Ties Book One: The Turning

The relationships between the characters are complicated and layered in ways that many authors don t bother with. ----Vampire Genre on Blood Ties Book Two: Possession

About the Author

Jennifer Armintrout's first novel, The Turning, made the USA TODAY extended bestseller list. When not writing, Jennifer enjoys karaoke at dive bars and listening to classic rock at an inappropriate volume. She resides in a small town in west Michigan with her husband and children.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Mira Books; 1 Original edition (November 24, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778326780
• ISBN-13: 978-0778326786
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #658,701 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine conclusion to a unique, fae tale, November 29, 2009

By 

S. McCullough "pacey1927" (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Veil of Shadows (Lightworld/Darkworld Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

Well I have to admit with the conclusion of "Queene Of Light" I was concerned whether I would enjoy this series. Some elements were present from the get go: The writing was beautifully crafted, the Lightworld/Darkworld areas were intriguing, the politics were different than I have run across before. But I never felt close to part fae/part human Ayla or her lover, the fallen angel Malachi, perhaps because they didn't have enough 'humanity' for me to connect to. Plus, you know, first novels always have a tendancy to be bogged down with more background set up especially in a world so vastly different from our own. By "Child of Darkness" I knew I was hooked. "Child of Darkness" see Ayla ruling over the Fae Lightworld and her daughter Cerridwen flirting with an Elf who doesn't know who she really is. But Cerridwen is young, and had never been trained to take over her mother's throne because the fae are nearly immoratal. But Cerridwen accidentally betrays her mother and her people and a war starts between the Elves and the Queene's lightworld. The Elves call upon vicious blood thirsty creatures called waterhorses to attack the Lightworld. Soon there are very few of the fae left living. The end of Child of Darkness and the beginning of "Veil of Shadows" see Cerridwen and her appointed future mate/consort Cedric leaving the destroyed kingdom underworld and attempting to meet up with another group of Fae living above ground in an area hidden from the humans and their 'enforcers' by magic. Their is another Queene ruling these fae but Queene Danae was never a part of the line of the original Queene and Cedric and Cerredwen plan to gain rule over those people. First they must make sure to keep themselves alive and to play at Queene Danae's games. I think I still enjoyed the story to Child of Darkness best of the three novels, but "Veil of Shadows" was a wonderful book in its own right and a very worthy finale to this series. I felt closer to Cedric and Cerredwen and I approved of her reasons for wanting the throne. It was amazing watching the transformation from spoiled child to unselfish and strong queene. Equally exciting was watching the relationship between Cedric and Cerredwen change. In the first book he was with Queen Mabb and the second with a human gypsy so to see how he changed with each relationship also made for an intriguing character. I like this series leaps and bounds over Blood Ties (although I like it too) and if this is the true end of Lightworld/Darkworld I look forward to reading more of anything by Jennifer Armintrout. If she ever has an opportunity to continue this story though, I will be first in line to pick it up. I hope fantasy readers will not hesitate to read this series.

3.0 out of 5 stars Glad its Over, July 17, 2011

By 

R. McFeeters "Book Junkie" (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Veil of Shadows (Lightworld/Darkworld Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

I got this series because I have read the authors other work, which is in the paranormal genre but drastically different. Where the authors other series is a paranormal romance about vampires and is very intense this book is about a futuristic world where Fairies and everything else that goes bump in the night collide to make a detailed but sadly boring read.

I did read the first in this series (Queen of Light) and the second (Child of Darkness)- which I found to be the worse of the 3 in this series. Even though the first book lost my interest half way thru I am stubborn and decided to read these as well. I did not like where the last two installments took me - twenty years later and into the life and times of the first books characters daughter "Carridwen". Carridwen is naive, bratty, and annoying. Probably one of the more annoying women I have had to read about. I know she was supposed to be that way, but when it's such a huge part of the story it makes for a trying read. In the second installment she is decidedly more annoying, but in this last book she comes into her own thru trials and tribulations. He father a "Darkling" who was once a Deathangle whom fell for her mother the Fairy Queen is dead. Actually both her parents are dead, which puts her in precious situation. With her mother dead she is now the new Queen, yet there would not be a story if there was not someone or someone's protesting that fact which leads us thru the book. Cedric who is considerably more likable was here mother trusted adviser, he is thousands of years old, and it just so happens that before her mother's death she declared him to be Carridwen mate. So you have a twenty year old Halfling mated to a thousand year old Fairy. They have nothing in common and are not sure if they even like one another, unfortunately though Cedric is charged with her care and defending her against another Queen who wishes to be the sole Queen of the Fairies.

If you are looking for a paranormal romance do not get this - if you are looking for a scifi/fantasy book about rebellion, war, and politics then you'd liked this one.

I am giving this 3 stars because I do think it's well written if you are into this sort of thing. Unfortunately though I can't give it no more for two glaring reasons. One: the characters are not well described - besides their usual height, weight, hair color it was hard to imagine in your minds-eye what they actually looked like. i.e Carridwen had black feather wings, a small frame, and bright orange hair. Cedric was as tall as your average women and had light colored hair, moth wings...ahhhhh other than that, no idea. Two: lack of an actual love story.

Again though if romance is neither here nor there for you then this is an ok read.

4.0 out of 5 stars Lightworld/Darkworld novels, July 2, 2011

By 

Laura K - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Veil of Shadows (Lightworld/Darkworld Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

Good series, but a little hard to get started. Get past the first chapter and the rest of the story flows easily. Like this story but not as much as her Blood Ties series.