Lauren D.M. Smith's second novel, Enveloping Shadows, releases today. This is the first book that I've read by this author and I was quickly swept up in the action! I'm interested to see what she delivers next!
Title: Enveloping Shadows
Author: Lauren D.M. Smith
Genre: Fantasy/Romance
A fierce and beautiful warrior.
A man of secrets and shadows.
Only together can they stop the awakening horror.
Rumors of monsters and dark magic are circulating through the court, but Terrwyn is little concerned. Her superb sword skills are all she needs to protect the princess Aricia—and as chief bodyguard, the princess’s safety is Terrwyn’s only mission.
Too late, she realizes her mistake: a stranger cloaked in darkness snatches the princess before Terrwyn can react.
When a handsome stranger emerges from the shadows to save her life, Terrwyn has little choice but to allow him to accompany her. Zelek, shrouded in secrecy and on a mission of his own, has special skills that Terrwyn needs.
Together the warrior and the shadow-whisperer forge a plan to rescue the princess, and find themselves plummeting not only headlong into evil, but into the depths of passion and love.
A man of secrets and shadows.
Only together can they stop the awakening horror.
Rumors of monsters and dark magic are circulating through the court, but Terrwyn is little concerned. Her superb sword skills are all she needs to protect the princess Aricia—and as chief bodyguard, the princess’s safety is Terrwyn’s only mission.
Too late, she realizes her mistake: a stranger cloaked in darkness snatches the princess before Terrwyn can react.
When a handsome stranger emerges from the shadows to save her life, Terrwyn has little choice but to allow him to accompany her. Zelek, shrouded in secrecy and on a mission of his own, has special skills that Terrwyn needs.
Together the warrior and the shadow-whisperer forge a plan to rescue the princess, and find themselves plummeting not only headlong into evil, but into the depths of passion and love.
Honestly, the cover to Enveloping Shadows caught my eye first, and after reading the blurb I was so excited to get into it! I love a good fantasy, with magical elements entwined throughout. Throw in a tough heroine and I'm usually blown away. Enveloping Shadows was a good read with plenty of action, a slow developing romance and an interesting adventure into danger.
Terrwyn embarked on a journey to bring back princess Aricia after she disappeared into the shadows. Terrwyn seemed a little hot headed when only two other guards took the trip with her, and often voiced her opinions about their lack of loyalty. In the end she sucked it up and went on the journey. Soon she was alone and saved by a stranger she met at the palace, and they continued the journey together.
Zelek was my favourite character! He had a special ability that allowed him to communicate with shadows. He was able to use them to go on the right path and alert them of danger. He wasn't battle trained like Terrwyn, but was handy when they needed it. He liked how tough and loyal Terrwyn was from the first time they met, and wanted to get to know her better.
Terrwyn was harder for me to like. She took all the blame for what happened to princess Aricia, even though she was told countless times that she couldn’t have prevented it. She was a little naive, stepping into danger even though she'd been warned, and pushed those away that were genuine. However, she was great in a fight and used her skill and brain when a battle arose.
Unfortunately Enveloping Shadows fell a little flat for me. There was so much inner dialogue, and often repetitive dialogue, that left me a little bored. It felt like something was missing, maybe I just needed more interaction between the characters, conversations etc. The action drew me back in, as they faced all types of hideous monsters! So it had its good moments and its bad ones. I wonder if it was told from the first person perspective, if I would've enjoyed it more.
Complimentary copy provided by the Publisher, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a sweet moment between Terrwyn and Zel.
Zel put fingers under her chin and forced her to look at him. His gaze was no less bright as it bored into her eyes. Her brain was sluggish, thoughts fighting as if through water. She didn’t know what it was she wanted to say, only that she wanted to say something. Then he moved.
The hand holding her chin slid back to cradle her neck while his other hand pulled her tight as he pressed his lips down onto hers.
Kindle Arc Loc 2029
Hosted by Anna @ Herding Cats & Burning Soup
I'm a huge geek, book fiend, and someone who refuses to grow up (Popcorn for dinner is a perfectly legitimate decision. As is sliding down banisters). I have a bad case of wanderlust that has taken me all over the world, I've lived in three countries now and visited many more. This has also led me to have a rather...eclectic series of jobs up until now.I have finally settled down in a small village just outside of my hometown with my long-suffering husband. He puts up with my bouts of insanity and fan-girling and he even tolerates me forcing him to cosplay.
Right now I work in Kingston in tourism and spend most of my free time reading, writing, binge-watching shows, or swearing up a storm while playing video games.
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