GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Book Review: Shadow Walker (Bloody Hearts Book 1) by Anya J. Cosgrove + giveaway | I Smell Sheep

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Book Review: Shadow Walker (Bloody Hearts Book 1) by Anya J. Cosgrove + giveaway


Shadow Walker (Bloody Hearts Book 1)
by Anya J. Cosgrove
January 17, 2019
267 pages
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
A newborn witch is rescued by two smoking-hot brothers. Can she unravel their dark secrets? Or will she lose her soul trying?

Alana sucks at witchcraft. Healing, telepathy, seeing through illusions… she can’t master any of it.

Sparring with the six-foot-three muscular Walker brothers doesn’t help her focus. Alana’s not about to let herself fall for a man—or a demon—especially not the ones that abducted her in an attempt to save her life.

When a bitter demon learns of Alana’s existence, he’ll stop at nothing to possess her and drive a wedge between the two brothers. If Alana can’t learn to use her powers, she’ll die. If she can’t discern illusion from reality, she’ll lose her mind.

Nothing stays black and white in a world full of shadows.

Demons, witches, forbidden love… visit the otherworld today.



When a tragic accident triggers 20-year-old Alana’s witch powers, she becomes a beacon for demons everywhere. The target of their demonic blood lust, Alana must leave her life behind and take refuge in the enchanted home of a pair of brothers, Thom and Liam. While Thom is kind, generous, and gentle, his brother Liam is distant, gruff, and impatient. Liam is also a demon at constant war with his true nature. Alana must learn what she can from the brothers if she’s going to safely navigate her new life.

I struggled to finish this book. It took me a full month of starting and stopping. I have a firm policy, however, to complete every book I agree to read. Sometimes the tide turns and I find myself pleasantly surprised as the plot and characters develop. Shadow Walker was a slow starter but proved to be a decent read in the end.

I wasn’t initially hooked by the story for a few reasons. First, the book reads a little too much like young adult. I kept feeling a definite Vampire Diaries vibe and when I read the author’s notes at the end I realized why. I didn’t connect with Alana. She wasn’t substantive and accepted her abduction a little too easily. Once secluded in the mansion, it took ages before anything riveting happened.

Despite my initial negativity, I’m looking forward to book two. First, Liam compensates for the relative flatness of Alana and Thom. The passages written from his perspective were among the most colourful and imaginative. Though he’s a demon, and deplorable in some ways, I found he functioned as a normative of sorts. His commentary on Alana, though critical, rings true. My interest in the plot increased exponentially in the last third of the book. The action and potential romance ramps up significantly. Though the book ends in a cliff hanger of sorts, the conclusion is still rather satisfying.

I’m optimistic the traction gained at the end of book one will continue through the next installment and that I’ll find someone to identify with other than the demon.

3 ½ sheep





Bianca Greenwood



About the Author:


Anya J Cosgrove lives in Québec with her husband, her beautiful son, and two mischievous cats. She works as a veterinarian by day. She’s a travel and Disney junkie and is passionate about her favorite paranormal series.

What would Buffy do Kick ass!

Read it first! http://bit.ly/anyaslair

GIVEAWAY!
Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)
 

3 comments:

  1. Thanks for hosting today, Sharon! :)

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  2. I always try to finish any book I start. Ya never know how it will end and sometimes it is that last little bit that sets the hook. Great review.
    sherry @ fundinmental

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    Replies
    1. I agree. I always try to remember that someone worked very hard on their product. While every book might not be my cup of tea per se, I always try to see the good. With this book, once the action picked up, I was hooked for sure.

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