milly_2022's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
erinarkin20's review against another edition
5.0
OMG....I need the next book immediately!!! Full review to come.
booksherlocked's review against another edition
5.0
(POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT)
This is definitely the best book of the series. I just couldn't get enough! They stood up against Nathaniel and found Jude. And Daisy, my god! I knew something was off Mia. But the Brother (what a surprise!). And Rafael, my poor Rafa, at least he's alive. I love Paula because she isn't one of those authors who randomly kill your favorite characters.
It's full of drama, secrets, love, and of course fallen angels. I LOVED IT.
This is definitely the best book of the series. I just couldn't get enough! They stood up against Nathaniel and found Jude. And Daisy, my god! I knew something was off Mia. But the Brother (what a surprise!). And Rafael, my poor Rafa, at least he's alive. I love Paula because she isn't one of those authors who randomly kill your favorite characters.
It's full of drama, secrets, love, and of course fallen angels. I LOVED IT.
fictionalkate's review against another edition
5.0
If there is one Aussie author I feel needs more international recognition - it's Paula Weston. After finishing Shimmer, I can't suppress the urge to tell everyone I know just how great a series the Rephaim books are.
Gaby has had an eventful few weeks. For the past year she has tried to make a life for herself in Pandanus Beach. She has a best friend, Maggie, a job she enjoys and she is trying to come to terms with her grief after her twin brother died in a car accident. But Gaby's memories were altered and she's not the mere backpacker she thought she was. She is offspring of a fallen angel and very handy with a sharp blade. Now that Rafa has been imprisoned by evil, Gaby has to try to reconcile the two groups of Rephaim to rescue him.
One of the things I love most about this series is Gaby. She's dealing with so much and yet manages to keep it all together. I admire how true she is to herself - both to Gabe who she was for over a century but also the Gaby she has been for a year. She's fiercely loyal to those who have earned her trust and I admire her level-headedness. Her relationships are interesting to read because Gaby only knows half the story. The Rephaim all know her as Gabe and are just getting to know her as Gaby.
And then there's Rafa. I adore how Gaby's relationship with Rafa has evolved since Shadows. It seems so weird considering the very short time frame this series has spanned so far (less than two weeks!) but the attraction and chemistry between these two is amazing. This book has the potential to be very depressing - and not just in the woe he's gone kind of way. More the heroine pining for her lost partner - but I should not have been worried. The author handled their separation brilliantly. Rafa may have been absent but he was not forgotten nor did Gaby go overboard with hysterics. His absence was felt and was a driving force behind the action in the plot.
The supporting cast in this series are so much fun to read about. They're all complex characters in their own right and are people I want to know more about. The dynamics between the half-angels and their relationship with Gaby and Jude are so interesting read. I loved Gaby getting to connect with Micah whilst at the same time seeing a bit of who she used to be besides her warrior self. Having Gaby at the Sanctuary and having proof of her life as Gabe is beautifully complicated things and I loved seeing it unfold.
Plot wise - a lot happens and yet nothing at all. Because this book is almost happening in real-time it feels very action packed with decisions being made, action being taken and arguments being had all the time. But at the same time because Shimmer covers such a short time (just a few days) in the whole scheme of things not much happens. Personally - I liked the pace. It kept me interested and felt realistic with regards to the speed of the rest of the series.
I'm not usually into angel books. I'm not sure if it is because I feel like I've read them before or because their heavenly origins often conflict with my own beliefs. The Rephaim series has changed that for me. This series is one of my favourite urban fantasy reads and without a doubt - my all time favourite angel series. Shimmer is the perfect mix of action, supernatural intrigue and romance with characters I care about and love to read. I can not wait for Burn, the fourth and final book in this series, but I know that Paula Weston will not let us down because so far this series has been incredible.
Gaby has had an eventful few weeks. For the past year she has tried to make a life for herself in Pandanus Beach. She has a best friend, Maggie, a job she enjoys and she is trying to come to terms with her grief after her twin brother died in a car accident. But Gaby's memories were altered and she's not the mere backpacker she thought she was. She is offspring of a fallen angel and very handy with a sharp blade. Now that Rafa has been imprisoned by evil, Gaby has to try to reconcile the two groups of Rephaim to rescue him.
One of the things I love most about this series is Gaby. She's dealing with so much and yet manages to keep it all together. I admire how true she is to herself - both to Gabe who she was for over a century but also the Gaby she has been for a year. She's fiercely loyal to those who have earned her trust and I admire her level-headedness. Her relationships are interesting to read because Gaby only knows half the story. The Rephaim all know her as Gabe and are just getting to know her as Gaby.
And then there's Rafa. I adore how Gaby's relationship with Rafa has evolved since Shadows. It seems so weird considering the very short time frame this series has spanned so far (less than two weeks!) but the attraction and chemistry between these two is amazing. This book has the potential to be very depressing - and not just in the woe he's gone kind of way. More the heroine pining for her lost partner - but I should not have been worried. The author handled their separation brilliantly. Rafa may have been absent but he was not forgotten nor did Gaby go overboard with hysterics. His absence was felt and was a driving force behind the action in the plot.
The supporting cast in this series are so much fun to read about. They're all complex characters in their own right and are people I want to know more about. The dynamics between the half-angels and their relationship with Gaby and Jude are so interesting read. I loved Gaby getting to connect with Micah whilst at the same time seeing a bit of who she used to be besides her warrior self. Having Gaby at the Sanctuary and having proof of her life as Gabe is beautifully complicated things and I loved seeing it unfold.
Plot wise - a lot happens and yet nothing at all. Because this book is almost happening in real-time it feels very action packed with decisions being made, action being taken and arguments being had all the time. But at the same time because Shimmer covers such a short time (just a few days) in the whole scheme of things not much happens. Personally - I liked the pace. It kept me interested and felt realistic with regards to the speed of the rest of the series.
I'm not usually into angel books. I'm not sure if it is because I feel like I've read them before or because their heavenly origins often conflict with my own beliefs. The Rephaim series has changed that for me. This series is one of my favourite urban fantasy reads and without a doubt - my all time favourite angel series. Shimmer is the perfect mix of action, supernatural intrigue and romance with characters I care about and love to read. I can not wait for Burn, the fourth and final book in this series, but I know that Paula Weston will not let us down because so far this series has been incredible.
avora's review against another edition
4.0
Better than the 2nd book. Not a lot of filler, more action. I would recommend skimming the first 75% of the 2nd to get to this one and its killer cliffhanger.
shelbyreibin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.75
paperlove's review against another edition
5.0
Ich muss gestehen, meine Bewertung hat während dem Lesen erheblich geschwankt. Für die erste Hälfte würde ich diesem Band gerade mal 3 Sterne vergeben, doch das Ende war das dann wieder so vielversprechend, dass ich mich letztendlich doch für 4,5 Sterne entschieden habe. Trotzdem muss ich ganz allgemein sagen: Dieser Band war irgendwie unnötig und überflüssig.
Warum? Ganz einfach: Vor allem während der ersten Hälfte passiert nichts Nennenswertes. Nachdem Rafa am Ende des 2. Bandes entführt wurde, haben sich die Rephaim (gemeinsam mit den "Verbannten") in der Zufluchtsstätte der Rephaim in Italien niedergelassen. Die "ausgestossenen" Rephaim möchten Rafa so schnell wie möglich retten und deswegen nach Iowa reisen, um dort das Farmhaus, in dem er gefangen gehalten wird, dem Erdboden gleich zu machen. Nathaniel ist gegen diese impulsive Rettungsaktion und fürchtet, dass das eine Falle der Dämonen sein könnte, die letztendlich allen Rephaim das Leben kosten wird. Deshalb möchte er sich zuerst mit dem höher gestellten Rat besprechen und ihre Entscheidung abwarten.
Das führt dazu, dass Gaby während der gesamten ersten Hälfte in diesem Kloster in Italien rumhängt und wartet, bis eine Entscheidung gefällt wird. Ansonsten passiert gefühlt gar nichts.
Zu Beginn der zweiten Hälfte überschlagen sich die Ereignisse dann plötzlich. Die ausgestossenen Rephaim (inklusive Gaby und Jude) haben die Schnauze voll und teleportieren sich nun doch auf eigene Faust nach Iowa, um Rafa zu retten. Das alles passiert ziemlich schnell und zu meiner Überraschung, geht ihr Plan auf.
Rafa ist zwar schwer verletzt, hat aber überlebt, so dass er und Gaby sich endlich wieder in die Arme schliessen können.
Natürlich sind die übriggebliebene Dämonen von dieser Rettungsaktion alles andere als begeistert und durch eine Prophezeiung erfahren die Rephaim, dass die Dämonen auf dem Weg nach Pan Beach sind, um dort Unruhe zu stiften und womöglich unschuldige Menschen zu töten.
Den Rephaim bleibt also nichts anderes übrig, als ebenfalls dorthin zu gehen und dem Ganzen ein Ende zu setzen. Gaby teleportiert sich das erste Mal selbst und während sie das tut, geschieht etwas Merkwürdiges. In Pan Beach angekommen, merkt sie auch was: Sie hat ihre Erinnerungen zurück bekommen und weiss nun was in der Vergangenheit alles geschehen ist...
Und damit endet dieser Band in einer unglaublich spannenden Wendung. Gaby kann sich nun also an alles erinnern und das betrifft nicht nur die vermeintlich schlimme Vergangenheit mit Rafa, sondern hoffentlich auch das, was Jude und ihr zugestossen ist.
Als Leser hat man nun so lange darauf gewartet, dass Gabys Erinnerungen zurück kommen, dass man einfach weiterlesen MUSS. Ausserdem kam diese Wendung für mich dann doch sehr überraschend und lässt mich darüber hinweg sehen, dass zuvor kaum etwas Nennenswertes geschehen ist.
Vermutlich hätte es die Autorin einfach bei einer Trilogie belassen und die Handlung aus Band 2 und 3 (natürlich deutlich gekürzt) in ein einzelnes Buch packen sollen.
Trotz all der Kritik freue ich mich bereits auf das Finale und vor allem darauf endlich zu erfahren, was Gaby und Jude vor einem Jahr zugestossen ist.
Warum? Ganz einfach: Vor allem während der ersten Hälfte passiert nichts Nennenswertes. Nachdem Rafa am Ende des 2. Bandes entführt wurde, haben sich die Rephaim (gemeinsam mit den "Verbannten") in der Zufluchtsstätte der Rephaim in Italien niedergelassen. Die "ausgestossenen" Rephaim möchten Rafa so schnell wie möglich retten und deswegen nach Iowa reisen, um dort das Farmhaus, in dem er gefangen gehalten wird, dem Erdboden gleich zu machen. Nathaniel ist gegen diese impulsive Rettungsaktion und fürchtet, dass das eine Falle der Dämonen sein könnte, die letztendlich allen Rephaim das Leben kosten wird. Deshalb möchte er sich zuerst mit dem höher gestellten Rat besprechen und ihre Entscheidung abwarten.
Das führt dazu, dass Gaby während der gesamten ersten Hälfte in diesem Kloster in Italien rumhängt und wartet, bis eine Entscheidung gefällt wird. Ansonsten passiert gefühlt gar nichts.
Zu Beginn der zweiten Hälfte überschlagen sich die Ereignisse dann plötzlich. Die ausgestossenen Rephaim (inklusive Gaby und Jude) haben die Schnauze voll und teleportieren sich nun doch auf eigene Faust nach Iowa, um Rafa zu retten. Das alles passiert ziemlich schnell und zu meiner Überraschung, geht ihr Plan auf.
Rafa ist zwar schwer verletzt, hat aber überlebt, so dass er und Gaby sich endlich wieder in die Arme schliessen können.
Natürlich sind die übriggebliebene Dämonen von dieser Rettungsaktion alles andere als begeistert und durch eine Prophezeiung erfahren die Rephaim, dass die Dämonen auf dem Weg nach Pan Beach sind, um dort Unruhe zu stiften und womöglich unschuldige Menschen zu töten.
Den Rephaim bleibt also nichts anderes übrig, als ebenfalls dorthin zu gehen und dem Ganzen ein Ende zu setzen. Gaby teleportiert sich das erste Mal selbst und während sie das tut, geschieht etwas Merkwürdiges. In Pan Beach angekommen, merkt sie auch was: Sie hat ihre Erinnerungen zurück bekommen und weiss nun was in der Vergangenheit alles geschehen ist...
Und damit endet dieser Band in einer unglaublich spannenden Wendung. Gaby kann sich nun also an alles erinnern und das betrifft nicht nur die vermeintlich schlimme Vergangenheit mit Rafa, sondern hoffentlich auch das, was Jude und ihr zugestossen ist.
Als Leser hat man nun so lange darauf gewartet, dass Gabys Erinnerungen zurück kommen, dass man einfach weiterlesen MUSS. Ausserdem kam diese Wendung für mich dann doch sehr überraschend und lässt mich darüber hinweg sehen, dass zuvor kaum etwas Nennenswertes geschehen ist.
Vermutlich hätte es die Autorin einfach bei einer Trilogie belassen und die Handlung aus Band 2 und 3 (natürlich deutlich gekürzt) in ein einzelnes Buch packen sollen.
Trotz all der Kritik freue ich mich bereits auf das Finale und vor allem darauf endlich zu erfahren, was Gaby und Jude vor einem Jahr zugestossen ist.
raven_morgan's review against another edition
Aurealis Awards entrant; review will be added once the awards have been announced.
raven168's review
3.0
This one was much better than the last one was. 3.5 stars
There was a lot more action and all the extra people added more excitement as a whole. Gaby is also getting better at fighting and making decisions despite the short time frame. We learn so many more secrets in this book as well. Not only about/from Nathaniel, but also about who the traitors are in their midst and why. There's a lot more going on here than anybody thinks.
Having Jude back in Gaby's life really picked this story up for me. He's settling into this life with such ease and has been accepted back by the Outcasts without question, that Gaby can't help but feel a little jealous. Jude is smart and quick to put things together. Which makes him a great leader even if he doesn't remember his past. I also loved how defensive and protective of Gaby he was. His attitude in general was the best and I loved having him around.
With Rafa and Taya captured and being tortured, Gaby will do anything to get them back. Including going back to the Sanctuary and seeking Nathaniel's help. The Outcasts come along as well which makes for some intense situations right off the bat. Things settle down eventually and even Jason reluctantly shows up with Dani. After a "gift" shows up from Zarael and Dani lets Gaby know what's happening to Rafa and Taya, time is up on waiting for help. Gaby and the Outcasts find out what they need to know and launch their assault. Which is, of course, a success. On every count of their plan at least. To say Nathaniel is angry would be a vast understatement.
Both Rafa and Taya were in very rough shape when they got them back to the Sanctuary, but Rafa definitely seemed worse in some ways. Bel knew that Rafa's suffering would draw Gaby to him and delighted in the pain he caused him, but Rafa's determination to keep her safe was stronger. Still, having him back is the most important thing to Gaby and the two of them both want to move forward together. It's only a matter of hours after that that yet another crisis comes upon them. With the identities of the traitors out in the open now (one of which seemed obvious after a comment from Dani), one of them goes and takes Nathaniel's prisoner. With the discovery of the iron room, they get their hands on one of the women and Nathaniel wants answers from her...but doesn't get any. As if the numerous acts of betrayal from their own people were not enough, the Gatekeepers are not done with the Rephaim. When launching a physical attack on the Sanctuary works, the damage is extensive and many are hurt. And it only fuels Gaby's desire to do something about the next attack that Dani warns them about. When a mutual decision can't be reached between the Outcasts and the Sanctuary, the divide between them grows with new sides being taken by a few.
That ending was such a cliffhanger and I'm looking forward to finding out how all of this ends and what happened to Jude and Gaby a year ago.
There was a lot more action and all the extra people added more excitement as a whole. Gaby is also getting better at fighting and making decisions despite the short time frame. We learn so many more secrets in this book as well. Not only about/from Nathaniel, but also about who the traitors are in their midst and why. There's a lot more going on here than anybody thinks.
Having Jude back in Gaby's life really picked this story up for me. He's settling into this life with such ease and has been accepted back by the Outcasts without question, that Gaby can't help but feel a little jealous. Jude is smart and quick to put things together. Which makes him a great leader even if he doesn't remember his past. I also loved how defensive and protective of Gaby he was. His attitude in general was the best and I loved having him around.
With Rafa and Taya captured and being tortured, Gaby will do anything to get them back. Including going back to the Sanctuary and seeking Nathaniel's help. The Outcasts come along as well which makes for some intense situations right off the bat. Things settle down eventually and even Jason reluctantly shows up with Dani. After a "gift" shows up from Zarael and Dani lets Gaby know what's happening to Rafa and Taya, time is up on waiting for help. Gaby and the Outcasts find out what they need to know and launch their assault. Which is, of course, a success. On every count of their plan at least. To say Nathaniel is angry would be a vast understatement.
Both Rafa and Taya were in very rough shape when they got them back to the Sanctuary, but Rafa definitely seemed worse in some ways. Bel knew that Rafa's suffering would draw Gaby to him and delighted in the pain he caused him, but Rafa's determination to keep her safe was stronger. Still, having him back is the most important thing to Gaby and the two of them both want to move forward together. It's only a matter of hours after that that yet another crisis comes upon them. With the identities of the traitors out in the open now (one of which seemed obvious after a comment from Dani), one of them goes and takes Nathaniel's prisoner. With the discovery of the iron room, they get their hands on one of the women and Nathaniel wants answers from her...but doesn't get any. As if the numerous acts of betrayal from their own people were not enough, the Gatekeepers are not done with the Rephaim. When launching a physical attack on the Sanctuary works, the damage is extensive and many are hurt. And it only fuels Gaby's desire to do something about the next attack that Dani warns them about. When a mutual decision can't be reached between the Outcasts and the Sanctuary, the divide between them grows with new sides being taken by a few.
That ending was such a cliffhanger and I'm looking forward to finding out how all of this ends and what happened to Jude and Gaby a year ago.
dani005's review against another edition
4.0
3rd Reading (2021):
Eating up this series, just as I did the first couple times.
----------------------------------------------------------
1st Reading (2014):
THAT ENDING! THAT SHOULDN'T EVEN BE ALLOWED. I can't handle cliff hangers sometimes, especially to a series like this.
This book was a 4.5 and don't get me wrong it was an amazing book but it wasn't nearly as driven as the other books before it, and yet it was an intoxicating lead-up to the next book which is why I can't wait for the fourth- AS IN, I NEED IT NOW.
The first half of the book was again slow... but as much as i didn't like how slow it was, I could also appreciate it for building as much suspense as it did. There was so much foreshadowing and slowly more and more clues were being revealed in this book. This book wasn't as much of a rushing climatic book as a nerve wracking, anxiety inducing, suspenseful prologue for the next book. There was so much sitting and talking and contemplating which had me sighing with frustration more times than i can count and to be honest there were some scenes that felt more like fillers but then just as I began to feel myself being lulled into the monotonous routine of this book, something would be thrown at you and it would hook you and reel you back into this book's twisting plot and enrapturing mythology. I love how this author incorporates so much history and thought into how and why the magical aspects of this book take place.
This book was so frustrating in the aspect that it only spanned a day or so, and you know its leading into some great action and then, the last page, you get a taste of that climatic action you know is coming and then the author gives you one final hook that leaves you wanting so much more and then, she ends it!
I can NOT wait for the fourth!!!!!! This author, knows how to write some of the worst cliff hangers... much to my distress.
Eating up this series, just as I did the first couple times.
----------------------------------------------------------
1st Reading (2014):
THAT ENDING! THAT SHOULDN'T EVEN BE ALLOWED. I can't handle cliff hangers sometimes, especially to a series like this.
This book was a 4.5 and don't get me wrong it was an amazing book but it wasn't nearly as driven as the other books before it, and yet it was an intoxicating lead-up to the next book which is why I can't wait for the fourth- AS IN, I NEED IT NOW.
The first half of the book was again slow... but as much as i didn't like how slow it was, I could also appreciate it for building as much suspense as it did. There was so much foreshadowing and slowly more and more clues were being revealed in this book. This book wasn't as much of a rushing climatic book as a nerve wracking, anxiety inducing, suspenseful prologue for the next book. There was so much sitting and talking and contemplating which had me sighing with frustration more times than i can count and to be honest there were some scenes that felt more like fillers but then just as I began to feel myself being lulled into the monotonous routine of this book, something would be thrown at you and it would hook you and reel you back into this book's twisting plot and enrapturing mythology. I love how this author incorporates so much history and thought into how and why the magical aspects of this book take place.
This book was so frustrating in the aspect that it only spanned a day or so, and you know its leading into some great action and then, the last page, you get a taste of that climatic action you know is coming and then the author gives you one final hook that leaves you wanting so much more and then, she ends it!
I can NOT wait for the fourth!!!!!! This author, knows how to write some of the worst cliff hangers... much to my distress.