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A review by olivialandryxo
Shadow by Kara Swanson
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Dust was amazing, and Shadow still blew it completely out of the water. What a spectacular sequel! It has all of the best parts of the first book, plus a fast-paced story that managed to be both fun and stressful and a positively adorable romance. I love these characters so, so much, and my god, the nerves and emotions were running rampant from the very first chapter. I didn’t calm down until the final chapter, which was so sweet and better than anything I could’ve hoped for. Turns out, there’s calm before and after the storm, and the after makes all the hell of the storm worthwhile. My heart is happy, and this duology is definitely one of my all-time favorites. I’m talking top three favorite retellings of all time, top five books read this year, books I need a copy of yesterday. Add it to the list of books I’ve made it my life’s goal to hype up, because these are CRIMINALLY underrated. ❤️❤️❤️
I just wanna take a second to gush about how much I freaking adored the last chapter!! I’m so glad that Claire is alive—my heart would’ve been absolutely broken if she wasn’t—and that Neverland is healed. She and Peter are married, which is the absolute CUTEST THING EVER; I swear, these two are gonna give me cavities because they’re just that sweet. I love that Peter is bringing new kids to Neverland, and Lily is the queen of her tribe, and I’m just happy because everyone is happy.
Also, I really like that a) Hook had a change of heart in the end and b) he, his pirates and Connor are all still alive. Connor is healing, and Hook, Claire and Peter are all actually friends. It’s better than anything I could’ve hoped for, and honestly, props to Swanson for not killing Hook, because I was fully expecting that. I love when retellings stay true to the original characters and story but still manage to be their own story and surprise me too. It’s the best!! Literally no disappointments here!!! :)
Representation
Also, I really like that a) Hook had a change of heart in the end and b) he, his pirates and Connor are all still alive. Connor is healing, and Hook, Claire and Peter are all actually friends. It’s better than anything I could’ve hoped for, and honestly, props to Swanson for not killing Hook, because I was fully expecting that. I love when retellings stay true to the original characters and story but still manage to be their own story and surprise me too. It’s the best!! Literally no disappointments here!!! :)
Representation
- indigenous side characters of color
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
Parent death occurred prior to the story but is briefly mentioned on-page. Everything else occurs on-page to varying extents. Injuries include stab and gunshot wounds; body horror involves dark magic taking over a body.