rclz's review against another edition
5.0
This i the first book in Seressia Glaass's Shadowchaser's series. This was so good. In some places it was just heartbreaking but still a very good book. If this is one of those series where they just keep getting better the next books is going to be amazing. The main character's name is Kira, her job is to hunt the bad guys (Shadowblades) and keep the balance between good and choas. Her bodies powers make it impossible for her to touch another human being, skin to skin without harming, some times killing the other person. She is given a 4,000 year old knife to guard and with it comes a 4,000 year old warrior. The warrior can touch her and it doesn't have any effect besides the sparks that fly between them.
liatrek's review against another edition
5.0
This is a reread for me and I enjoyed it just as much as I did the first time. Kira is a badass MC with heart. This was a fun quick read with great world building and interesting characters. I really love the slow burn relationship between Kira and Khefar.
lesliethewanderlust's review against another edition
3.0
I initially decided to read this book because of the cover. An urban fantasy book with a black lead!? Wow. It's rare that you find much diversity in paranormal romance or urban fantasy, and if you do it's a small role and their not really too important to the plot. There's also the stereotype that may come with writing black characters. I've never read any L.A. Banks books, but from what I hear (and please correct me if I am wrong) that her books are written with "urban dialogue" and the characters are portrayed in a stereotypical way that can be marginalizing.
Shadow Blade is pretty good. The lead character is Kira Solomon a Shadowchaser. She is basically responsible for protecting the light ( good people, other beings) from the shadow a.k.a people who are evil. She has the power to kill with one touch which makes relationships impossible, both romantic and otherwise. That is until she meets Khefar a 4,000 year old man who needs to save 64,831 lives to pay for the ones he took in retribution for the slaughter of his family-as well as the lives he took in anger that were not associated with his loss. For some reason he can touch Kira without any reaction, and it's the first touch she has experienced in years. When he meets Kira he only needs to save two more people before he can go join his family in what I gather is heaven-or something like heaven. The book follows the two as they take on members of the shadow who want to destroy the world as they know it.
I feel as though the book started off relatively slow and then got really good and ended kind of "meh." The conclusion leaves a lot unanswered which I guess I will understand more when I read the next book. It didn't end on a cliffhanger, just left a lot unexplained. The world Glass creates is at times difficult to understand. All the talk about gods and souls, light and shadow was really confusing for me for awhile. I understood it more as I went along however. The romance in the books is pretty tame. Maybe more YA romance than UF romance. I'm interested to see where the story goes and if it keeps my interest.
Shadow Blade is pretty good. The lead character is Kira Solomon a Shadowchaser. She is basically responsible for protecting the light ( good people, other beings) from the shadow a.k.a people who are evil. She has the power to kill with one touch which makes relationships impossible, both romantic and otherwise. That is until she meets Khefar a 4,000 year old man who needs to save 64,831 lives to pay for the ones he took in retribution for the slaughter of his family-as well as the lives he took in anger that were not associated with his loss. For some reason he can touch Kira without any reaction, and it's the first touch she has experienced in years. When he meets Kira he only needs to save two more people before he can go join his family in what I gather is heaven-or something like heaven. The book follows the two as they take on members of the shadow who want to destroy the world as they know it.
I feel as though the book started off relatively slow and then got really good and ended kind of "meh." The conclusion leaves a lot unanswered which I guess I will understand more when I read the next book. It didn't end on a cliffhanger, just left a lot unexplained. The world Glass creates is at times difficult to understand. All the talk about gods and souls, light and shadow was really confusing for me for awhile. I understood it more as I went along however. The romance in the books is pretty tame. Maybe more YA romance than UF romance. I'm interested to see where the story goes and if it keeps my interest.
ezichinny's review against another edition
3.0
The world building in the story was top notch. The author took her time to set up an interesting world with great detail. The writing was very descriptive and the mystery was well woven. My issue is that I didn't feel drawn to the characters and it lacked that humanizing effect that love adds to these type of UF stories.
There seemed like an emotional attachment was forming between Kira and Khafuer, but it didn't materialize. I will read book 2 because there is great potential here.
There seemed like an emotional attachment was forming between Kira and Khafuer, but it didn't materialize. I will read book 2 because there is great potential here.
battlecat's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Very enjoyable read! Urban fantasy with an Egyptian mythology twist
lojeslj's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I wanted to like this more, but did get tired of the main character's continued self doubts. Perhaps that is supposed to balance out her otherwise bad assery, but it started to really get on my nerves.
setaian's review against another edition
3.0
Melindaloo said it well.
Good with a lot of potential and I loved the trickster god.
Read her review here.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/95156581?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
Good with a lot of potential and I loved the trickster god.
Read her review here.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/95156581?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
ingloriousgigi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was excellent from beginning to end. Its been a while since I have done old school style paranormal romance but it was worth it to step out of my comfort zone and read this book. The characters were fantastic, the world building was on point, and the plot was awesome. I highly recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Kidnapping, Blood, Sexual assault, Murder, and Gore
Moderate: Abandonment and Child abuse
The sexual assault is for when the bad guy strips the female MC without consent.rjsthumbelina's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
indigohan's review against another edition
4.0
It took me about three chapters to immediately order the entire series. YES PLEASE!
I love a tough bad-ass woman, I love her as a woc with a mysterious past and a curse that leaves her unable to touch anyone without harming them.
Not only is the protagonist a woc, but the majority of the main characters are also poc. All of the yes please.
Plus the Bechdel test? Oh, just two women sitting around talking about ancient weapons and stuff!
The research and world building are spot on. The teasers are the perfect amount of tease. Anything with a trickster god automatically gets my vote. And Khefar? I totally ship it!
4.5 Ancient semi-sentient blood-thirsty daggers out of 5.
Now I will be out haunting the mailbox if you need me
I love a tough bad-ass woman, I love her as a woc with a mysterious past and a curse that leaves her unable to touch anyone without harming them.
Not only is the protagonist a woc, but the majority of the main characters are also poc. All of the yes please.
Plus the Bechdel test? Oh, just two women sitting around talking about ancient weapons and stuff!
The research and world building are spot on. The teasers are the perfect amount of tease. Anything with a trickster god automatically gets my vote. And Khefar? I totally ship it!
4.5 Ancient semi-sentient blood-thirsty daggers out of 5.
Now I will be out haunting the mailbox if you need me