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Thursday, July 7, 2016

Book Review: Shadow Rider (Shadow Riders #1) by Christine Feehan

Shadow Rider (Shadow Riders #1)
by Christine Feehan
June 28th 2016 by Jove
480 pages
The #1 New York Times bestselling “queen of paranormal romance”* is back with a sexy new series starring a Chicago crime family that hides a dark, mystical secret...

Whether it’s fast cars or fast women, Stefano Ferraro gets what he wants. When he’s not fodder for the paparazzi, he commands Ferraro family businesses—both legitimate and illegitimate.

While their criminal activity is simply a rumor yet to be proven, no one knows the real truth. The Ferraros are a family of shadow riders capable of manipulating light and dark, an ability Stefano thought ran in his family alone—until now.


With little left to her name, Francesca Cappello has come to Chicago in hopes of a new life. She wasn’t expecting to attract the attention of a man with primal hunger in his eyes, driven to claim her as his to protect and to please. And if he discovers her secret, it could ruin her... (less)

Francesco Capello, on the run from an influential adversary, seeks refuge with an old friend in an Italian neighbourhood in Chicago. But when the neighbourhood’s benevolent but dangerous ‘godfather’ claims her as his own, Francesca’s solitary life is turned upside-down. Stephano Ferraro protects his neighbourhood and its inhabitants like family and once he decides Francesca and he are linked, he becomes a man obsessed.

Shadow Rider is a paranormal romance with mafia tale flair. The Ferraro family is powerful, rich, and beautiful. Their family business is mysterious and precarious; once you’re in, there’s no getting out. The concept is entertaining and the first half of the book is deliciously written. I struggled to tear myself away from the unfolding story of Francesca, Stephano, and the Ferrero family.

I think it’s fair to say that Shadow Rider is light on the paranormal. I’m still not sure how shadow riding works and it’s not something that is explored at length. It’s less a magical maneuver, more of a tactical necessity. The family politics and romance are much more emphasised throughout the book. The second half of the novel is steeped in sexual encounter after sexual encounter and, while I’m never one to turn my nose up at a good textual romp, it became a bit daunting.

The central crisis of the story was fairly predictable as well. Because the absolute power and prowess of the Ferraros is constantly stressed, I had difficulty believing Francesca’s peril. The interest in this book is driven by characters and relationships, not necessarily original plot.

Overall this was a satisfying read and I will definitely check of book two when it’s released.

Four Sheep




Bianca Greenwood

About the Author:
I write every day and have done so since I was old enough to pick up a pen. (I spent a lot of time getting in trouble at school for writing instead of doing the things I was supposed to do.) Once I create my characters, I try very hard to have them react to situations as they really would. Sometimes I have preconceived ideas of what I would like them to do, but they don't mind me, because it would be out of character for them. They take on a life of their own. Sometimes when I throw difficult situations at them in the hopes I'll get a certain reaction and they don't do what I want, I complain bitterly to my husband and he laughs at me. Still, it is important to me to have them be real, not perfect people, so they make mistakes we lesser mortals might make.

2 comments:

  1. I read this a few days ago and had some of the same thoughts. I also really didn't like how domineering Stefano was, it was a little over the top for me.

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    Replies
    1. Agree! Totally domineering! A little alpha action usually works for me, but this was extreme.

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