snarkymotherreader's review against another edition
5.0
A battle rages between the members of the Light and the Shadow, and Joanna Archer is stuck in the middle. Then again, her life has never been easy. Being assaulted as a teenager and living most of her life not knowing where her mother was has molded Joanna into a strong-willed, independent person. But no amount of physical training and sarcasm can help her with what life throws at her next: a crazy man’s claim that she’s a member of a troupe of superheroes and the murder of someone close to Jo may be more than she can handle.
The Scent of Shadows by Vicki Pettersson is one of the most engaging, frightening, and heartfelt books I’ve read - a definite 5 tombstone read. Vicki has no problems killing her darlings, both literally and figuratively, raising the emotional risk to each and every character you meet. You can actually feel them adapting to the trauma they have to endure, and your heart skips when they’re finally allowed a moment to just breathe. It may not happen as quickly as you’d like—yes, Jo, I’m looking at you!—but the growth is there, helping you relate to and care about them even more.
The whole comic book superhero plot fascinates me. Good versus evil may be a common theme, but the internal struggle Jo goes through figuring out which side she belongs sets The Scent of Shadows apart from the rest. The first time I read it, I was left wanting to know how the Light and the Shadow came to be and how Warren became their leader. I wanted to know if Ben and Joanna would ever be together again and what Hunter was hiding. It’s a testament to the author’s talent that she ensnared me so fully with her story of deception, lost love, and hope.
The Scent of Shadows by Vicki Pettersson is one of the most engaging, frightening, and heartfelt books I’ve read - a definite 5 tombstone read. Vicki has no problems killing her darlings, both literally and figuratively, raising the emotional risk to each and every character you meet. You can actually feel them adapting to the trauma they have to endure, and your heart skips when they’re finally allowed a moment to just breathe. It may not happen as quickly as you’d like—yes, Jo, I’m looking at you!—but the growth is there, helping you relate to and care about them even more.
The whole comic book superhero plot fascinates me. Good versus evil may be a common theme, but the internal struggle Jo goes through figuring out which side she belongs sets The Scent of Shadows apart from the rest. The first time I read it, I was left wanting to know how the Light and the Shadow came to be and how Warren became their leader. I wanted to know if Ben and Joanna would ever be together again and what Hunter was hiding. It’s a testament to the author’s talent that she ensnared me so fully with her story of deception, lost love, and hope.
ac223's review against another edition
4.0
Again I am alone. 4 1/2 stars for me. The Scent of Shadows doesn't have great reviews, but I thought it was fabulous! Maybe because I feel I can relate to the main character Joanna. She is tough, and sarcastic but only on the outside. This was real life emotions in a fantasy setting. All of the characters were well written, but not with overwhelming details. I loved it, and can't wait to read the next in the series. Another JF five star!
csdaley's review against another edition
3.0
There were parts of this book that I thought were fantastic. Some of the plot devices were forced to make the story work. I also thought most of the other heroes were not so good and kept waiting for the villian to cackle. A good first book, I will probably give the next one a go.
booklvrkat's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this book up at a Vicki Pettersson book signing. I was quite impressed, and that doesn't include the fact that she lives here in my home town. It was very interesting reading her take on the town and as the main character traveled through the casinos and the city.
The series is a bit of a "lengthy" read. Sometimes the author gets stuck and has a hard time moving forward but it is a well done series.
This book, tells the story of Joanna Archer and her life now and previously before she knew she was special. Love interests, new friends and a crazy comic book shop that has a little something extra.
The series is a bit of a "lengthy" read. Sometimes the author gets stuck and has a hard time moving forward but it is a well done series.
This book, tells the story of Joanna Archer and her life now and previously before she knew she was special. Love interests, new friends and a crazy comic book shop that has a little something extra.
bythepen's review against another edition
3.0
I had a hard time getting into it at first but I felt it got a lot better at the end. I think some of the earlier parts also hit a little too close to home emotionally and so I kept putting it down to get some distance and part of me dreaded picking it up again and getting another emotional hit. Which is not a bad thing on the writer's part -- kudos to Petersson for being able to do that to me. But it did contribute to my having a hard time getting into it. I plan to read the next book.
zeezeemama11's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely Amazing. Twists and turns in the plot that you world not expect. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. A must read if you like sci fi and you are into zodiac signs - or at least know your own. Based in Vegas- mention real places and streets. I've met the author when i lived there and she's a sweetheart. Third Book is to come out soon.
rclz's review against another edition
3.0
This is Vicki Pettersson's first book in her sign of the zodiac series. I wanted to like this but it just doesn't work for me. The whole supper hero thing just isn't the kind of suppernatural I like. I might try and finish it in the future but right now it's dead on arrival after only getting half way through.
dlmoldovan's review against another edition
2.0
Didn't quite know what to think about this. There were moments when I just wanted to scream at some of the characters, whether in frustration or anger, I am not sure. Things that were done to the main character were also making me cringe. I like the idea of the book. 12 Zodiac signs that are light, and they have 12 corresponding signs that belong to the shadows, and the first sign being half light and half shadow and having to choose her path. It's a good start. But I am not sure if I want to continue reading. I have the second one in the series, so I will give it a try, after some time has passed and I see how I feel about this one.