Shadow Bound by Erin Kellison
Publisher: Leisure Books (June 29, 2010)
Book summary: When a demon breaches the barrier between death and life, the salvation of the world depends on the passions of a beautiful banshee just coming into her power and the man willing to use her to avenge the destruction of his family.
My review: Kellison's debut novel was a wonderful book to read on the beach during my vacation. I was absorbed into Talia's world where shadows wrap themselves around her like a cloak and wraiths suck power from human victims. From the cover I first thought this was a paranormal YA until I read the sexy prologue and realized this was adult, but this could be a crossover read for older teens.
We first learn how Talia was conceived through an eerie meeting between a sickly artistic woman, Katherine, and the Fae creature we learn is actually Death. Katherine has been able to sense otherworldly beings and feels someone inside her room one night. Death has watched this woman from afar and admired her beauty. On this night--with her coaxing voice and his need--he breaks the rules to reveal himself. Their union creates Talia.
When we first meet the main character, Talia, she is a young, independent and intelligent woman, and has just received her doctorate. She is half-Fae and was raised by an aunt after her mother died. When Talia was involved in a fatal car accident at 15, she not only loses her aunt, she dies for a moment and enters the shadow world. This experience is what shapes the future of her educational life. Her thesis on life and death experiences comes to the attention of Adam Thorne, a wealthy young man who runs the Segue Institute, a company whose mission is to locate, study and annihilate wraiths. There is only one wraith he hasn't had killed yet and that is his brother, Jacob, held prisoner in Segue's basement. With the threat of a wraith war growing stronger, Thorne must find Talia, the key to solving the mystery of the wraiths. The only hindrance to his plan is both Segue and the wraiths want Talia for their own means. And Talia has gone missing.
For a trade size paperback, Shadow Bound packs in a tremendous amount of story on its 322 pages. It took a while for me to warm up to Talia. From being on her own for so long her character first came across cold and distant. As she learned how to use her abilities and let down her guard, she became more appealing. The other narrator, Adam, was the stronger voice of the two. I understood his loss and his need for vengeance against Jacob. The sections where he warred with himself regarding his motives for using Talia for Segue business was interesting and made him multi-faceted. The storyline had some interesting and cool concepts for a paranormal melding science and psychology with supernatural creatures for an engaging read. Talia may not start off by kicking monster butt but by the end of this book she has learned to trust herself and her abilities and to not be afraid to try things like push herself or fall in love. Recommended. I will gladly read the next installment, Shadow Fall, arriving next month.
Rating: +++1/2
Favorite excerpt: (Page 53, ARC edition.)
"She was hot, sweat prickling at her scalp, and she couldn't quite seem to catch her breath. He reclined the seat to engage a footrest. A drink appeared at her side from an attendant she had not noticed on boarding. The cabin both spun and tilted at the same time.
"She was hot, sweat prickling at her scalp, and she couldn't quite seem to catch her breath. He reclined the seat to engage a footrest. A drink appeared at her side from an attendant she had not noticed on boarding. The cabin both spun and tilted at the same time.
Adam brought the glass to her lips. "Easy now."
Cool fluid filled her mouth, splashed her throat, and dripped down her chin. The cabin lost its color and dimmed. Her darkness rolled over her. Claimed her again.
"Where's the goddamned doctor?" Adam shouted.
She reached out blindly for something to hold on to, desperate to keep from drowning. She found Adam, his strength an anchor in the storm of shadows shuddering around her. And beyond their deep, layered depths: Glowing red eyes. Black wind. The devil lurking in the darkness."
Cover comment: Upon first glance this book may be mistaken for a YA novel with the bottom corner curlicues and the heroine's prominent face, the dark shadows surrounding her. It works for me.
Series: Yes. Shadow Fall will be published in August.
Book source: From the publisher.
Great review! Really detailed and very clear!
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