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The Fae Games #1
Shadow Play
After two years at a dead-end job, Rebecca Peterson walks away from everything she knows to follow her dreams in Ireland. Instead of dreams, the dreary streets of Belfast rekindle her terrifying nightmares; and this time, they aren't confined to her imagination. Twisted and vicious, Faeries are being unleashed on Earth to prey upon unsuspecting humans. Becca must stay alive long enough to learn about this deadly Fae world and discover why she’s been drawn into its clutches.
Delving into the underbelly of the city, Becca discovers that she is not entirely alone in her struggles. However, centuries of secrecy make gathering information a challenge. When Becca crosses paths with two mysterious strangers, her life is only complicated further. The gorgeous but brooding Lochlan demands complete honesty while refusing to provide any answers of his own. On the other hand, Ronan’s enigmatic, charming persona is refreshingly disarming. With his sights set on making Becca his, he offers more help than most. Both men claim to help her, but Becca quickly learns that trusting others is difficult when you have secrets of your own …
**This is a re-edited edition of Shadow Play published with an updated cover.**
Warning: This is NOT a Young Adult novel! It contains graphic violence and scenes with adult sexual content. There is a cliffhanger ending, but the story is completed in book 2.
Delving into the underbelly of the city, Becca discovers that she is not entirely alone in her struggles. However, centuries of secrecy make gathering information a challenge. When Becca crosses paths with two mysterious strangers, her life is only complicated further. The gorgeous but brooding Lochlan demands complete honesty while refusing to provide any answers of his own. On the other hand, Ronan’s enigmatic, charming persona is refreshingly disarming. With his sights set on making Becca his, he offers more help than most. Both men claim to help her, but Becca quickly learns that trusting others is difficult when you have secrets of your own …
**This is a re-edited edition of Shadow Play published with an updated cover.**
Warning: This is NOT a Young Adult novel! It contains graphic violence and scenes with adult sexual content. There is a cliffhanger ending, but the story is completed in book 2.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2018
About the author
Jill Ramsower
39 books1,921 followersJill is a Texan, born and raised. She manages the hectic social calendars for her three active children and occasionally spends an evening with her dashing husband. Aside from being an author and a mom, she's a travel junkie and loves to read when she is not lost in her own stories.
With Jill’s books, you can count on confident heroines, plenty of steamy tension, and deliciously assertive leading men. There are no guarantees in life, but with her books, you know everything will work out in the end. However, a perfect ending would not be nearly as satisfying without a seemingly insurmountable challenge. Jill loves to add plenty of adversity in her stories, creating unforgettably dynamic characters and sneaky plot twists you will never see coming.
Find her on Facebook here-->https://www.facebook.com/jillramsower...
Never miss a release! Sign up for her newsletter here-->https://jillramsower_234b.gr8.com/
Check out her website here-->https://www.jillramsower.com/
With Jill’s books, you can count on confident heroines, plenty of steamy tension, and deliciously assertive leading men. There are no guarantees in life, but with her books, you know everything will work out in the end. However, a perfect ending would not be nearly as satisfying without a seemingly insurmountable challenge. Jill loves to add plenty of adversity in her stories, creating unforgettably dynamic characters and sneaky plot twists you will never see coming.
Find her on Facebook here-->https://www.facebook.com/jillramsower...
Never miss a release! Sign up for her newsletter here-->https://jillramsower_234b.gr8.com/
Check out her website here-->https://www.jillramsower.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
July 18, 2019
Full Review on my blog!
Oh my god. This was perfect. The perfect faerie book, I've never really liked faerie books/never really gotten into them but this series has blown my mind! Such a unique series, I recommend reading it.
Rebecca, or Becca has been a waitress for two years, and after an exhausting night slugging away table after table, so she decides that she can do better, I mean she has a degree so why not?! So she leaves her 2 week notice and quits, and like the next day she ends up landing her dream job at a museum in Belfast, Ireland.
After moving to Ireland, Rebecca steps off the plane, immediately, starts encountering strange men and even more surprisingly, strange creatures, and comes face to face with her living nightmares rather than her dreams.
She is thrown into the world of Fae, meeting people who tell her strange, wondrous, and sometimes conflicting things. Rebecca realizes that all her answers are either held by Lochlan, an utterly gorgeous but rude, she wants him to give her answers and demands complete honesty, yet he doesn't, and Ronan, charming but mysterious, more willing to give up information, but not entirely trustworthy. Honestly, when we first meet Ronan at the museum he gave off a weird vibe. I'm not going to give too much away, you NEED to read this book, because there are soo many things you won't expect. BUT who will Rebecca trust when her life depends on it? - though, I just realized I have shared a quote that will clearly tell you... oops.. not going to tell you where to find it....
This is the kind of book that sticks with you days after you've read it. It has romance, action, faeries, folklore... did I mention romance?!
I loved the the fairy tale/folklore concepts that are twisted into this novel and the mixture of Arthurian legends, it's not often that different myths are combined and done well. I loved we get to learn about the fae alongside Rebecca, which makes the world the author created feel really realistic. Honestly the story falls together really neatly, the plot was interesting, and the world building equally as intriguing.
The cliffhanger ending though!!! :c
_________________________________
Shadow Play |Review
Twilight Siege |Review
Shades of Betrayal |Review
Born of Nothing |Review
Midnight's End |Review
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Facebook
"Don't be afraid of the unknown merely because it's unknown. I have no doubt your strengths will see you through this."
Oh my god. This was perfect. The perfect faerie book, I've never really liked faerie books/never really gotten into them but this series has blown my mind! Such a unique series, I recommend reading it.
Rebecca, or Becca has been a waitress for two years, and after an exhausting night slugging away table after table, so she decides that she can do better, I mean she has a degree so why not?! So she leaves her 2 week notice and quits, and like the next day she ends up landing her dream job at a museum in Belfast, Ireland.
'A life lived in fear is a life half lived.'
After moving to Ireland, Rebecca steps off the plane, immediately, starts encountering strange men and even more surprisingly, strange creatures, and comes face to face with her living nightmares rather than her dreams.
She is thrown into the world of Fae, meeting people who tell her strange, wondrous, and sometimes conflicting things. Rebecca realizes that all her answers are either held by Lochlan, an utterly gorgeous but rude, she wants him to give her answers and demands complete honesty, yet he doesn't, and Ronan, charming but mysterious, more willing to give up information, but not entirely trustworthy. Honestly, when we first meet Ronan at the museum he gave off a weird vibe. I'm not going to give too much away, you NEED to read this book, because there are soo many things you won't expect. BUT who will Rebecca trust when her life depends on it? - though, I just realized I have shared a quote that will clearly tell you... oops.. not going to tell you where to find it....
“Crawling around on the table was a tiny man gathering crumbs. He was about six inches tall, if he were to stand up. He had greenish skin with brown hair and appeared similar to a doll-sized human wearing little scraps of clothing. Sensing he had an audience, the little man also froze. His already large eyes opened even farther as we held each other’s stare and time seemed to stand still. The moment ended in an instant when the man vanished, like a bubble that burst, he was just gone.”
This is the kind of book that sticks with you days after you've read it. It has romance, action, faeries, folklore... did I mention romance?!
I loved the the fairy tale/folklore concepts that are twisted into this novel and the mixture of Arthurian legends, it's not often that different myths are combined and done well. I loved we get to learn about the fae alongside Rebecca, which makes the world the author created feel really realistic. Honestly the story falls together really neatly, the plot was interesting, and the world building equally as intriguing.
The cliffhanger ending though!!! :c
_________________________________
Shadow Play |Review
Twilight Siege |Review
Shades of Betrayal |Review
Born of Nothing |Review
Midnight's End |Review
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Facebook
July 8, 2018
I really liked this book. I think it's a good urban fae fantasy. And, I really enjoyed reading this. Also, the Arthurian characters/aspects were an amazing addition to this book. The biggest issue I had was with the necklace. So, in this book the Main character Becca has a necklace and the necklace gives her powers and the sight to see the fae. But without the necklace she's just a normal unseeing unpowerful human. I wanted the main character to have powers and the sight in her own right, not by a piece of jewelry. I would recommend this book and this was a stand out to me. I will definitely read the duet to this book. But I do hope that in the next book Becca will become powerful in her own right and not have to rely on the necklace. 4 star rating.
P.S. I think that for this book being the first book this author has ever written that she did a good job. It was written really well. And, I like how she brought in Ireland as the setting for this book.
P.S. I think that for this book being the first book this author has ever written that she did a good job. It was written really well. And, I like how she brought in Ireland as the setting for this book.
October 20, 2018
*3 FAE STARS*
This book was actually a pretty nice surprise, but mainly because my expectations were not that high to begin with.
It was interesting from the very start though! The writing was great, the pacing as well, I loved the Irish setting and the Arthurean characters. Sadly, it was the ending I struggled with the most.
You know how most books end with this huge event happening or maybe even a cliffhanger? Well, nothing of the sort happens here. It just continues on as usual and suddenly it's over.
And the one scene at the end that I think was meant to be surprising and exciting, well, I saw it coming from a mile away guys.
I really hope more exciting things will happen in the next book, and that Becca will become more of a badass than she currently is! I don't dislike her though, because in some ways she's my spirit animal! But we all know I prefer my female characters a little more feisty though.
Received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
This book was actually a pretty nice surprise, but mainly because my expectations were not that high to begin with.
It was interesting from the very start though! The writing was great, the pacing as well, I loved the Irish setting and the Arthurean characters. Sadly, it was the ending I struggled with the most.
You know how most books end with this huge event happening or maybe even a cliffhanger? Well, nothing of the sort happens here. It just continues on as usual and suddenly it's over.
And the one scene at the end that I think was meant to be surprising and exciting, well, I saw it coming from a mile away guys.
I really hope more exciting things will happen in the next book, and that Becca will become more of a badass than she currently is! I don't dislike her though, because in some ways she's my spirit animal! But we all know I prefer my female characters a little more feisty though.
Received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
September 1, 2018
Overall, a very quick and entertaining read! I blasted through it, and now that the stage is set, I’m really looking forward to book #2. There’s the world of fae that I’ve grown to love, with a few changes to the formula. They’re able to lie. There seem to be more rules and a greater division when it comes to their interactions with humanity. And there are links between fae characters and ones we’ve heard about through history and literature. I really enjoyed that last bit. There’s a wee bit of smut, and a love triangle with a mostly obvious main choice. There’s not necessarily insta-love but rather insta-lust.
There were a few issues that pulled me out of the story. First of all, it’s not subtle with the events that’ll lead to reveals later on. They might as well have flashing neon signs above them telling us that they’re important details to note.
Another is that the main character Rebecca’s involvement in the plot isn’t as logical as it should be. It’s explained away by saying she’s “intensely compelled” to be nosy. She pushes herself to know more about the mysteries surrounding her, and then when she finds out it her involvement in said mysteries was destined to happen, she’s resentful of it. It doesn’t make sense. Shouldn’t it be more like an aha moment since she pushed so hard to be a part of it?
The last issue I had is that there’s too much exposition through dialogue. Explaining the world doesn’t come through the story, but through telling it to the main character from another. It was just a little jarring.
Those issues definitely improved further along in the book, and I found that it was easier to get into the story.
There were a few issues that pulled me out of the story. First of all, it’s not subtle with the events that’ll lead to reveals later on. They might as well have flashing neon signs above them telling us that they’re important details to note.
Another is that the main character Rebecca’s involvement in the plot isn’t as logical as it should be. It’s explained away by saying she’s “intensely compelled” to be nosy. She pushes herself to know more about the mysteries surrounding her, and then when she finds out it her involvement in said mysteries was destined to happen, she’s resentful of it. It doesn’t make sense. Shouldn’t it be more like an aha moment since she pushed so hard to be a part of it?
The last issue I had is that there’s too much exposition through dialogue. Explaining the world doesn’t come through the story, but through telling it to the main character from another. It was just a little jarring.
Those issues definitely improved further along in the book, and I found that it was easier to get into the story.
May 17, 2019
The pacing sucks. This is slow as hell. Way too slow, way too much description and internal monologuing. But the damn book has ensnared me into wtf just happened! I’m mad on her behalf!
The writing is ok. I felt there were a lot of expected cheesy lines or moments, like the wording didn’t feel polished but like what the reader would want to read? Idk. Anyways, I enjoyed the story to a degree but honestly I was bored to tears. I didn’t want to continue and I’m honestly surprised at how well it was rated.
I am going to try the next book but if we don’t get some resolution and answers soon I will be quitting.
The writing is ok. I felt there were a lot of expected cheesy lines or moments, like the wording didn’t feel polished but like what the reader would want to read? Idk. Anyways, I enjoyed the story to a degree but honestly I was bored to tears. I didn’t want to continue and I’m honestly surprised at how well it was rated.
I am going to try the next book but if we don’t get some resolution and answers soon I will be quitting.
July 11, 2018
I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review
I tried really hard to like this book. There are a lot of good elements that I really, really liked but I think that they were executed poorly. The concept of the story is great, reading the synopsis I couldn’t wait to jump into this world with Fae entering the human world and Rebecca caught getting caught in the middle. Then throw in the mystery surrounding why she is the only one who can see the Fae and the promise of a hunky Fae love interest and you have me hooked. Shadow Play is the author’s first book and I think that it reads that way. I do believe that there is potential for improvement and I am sure that with the following issues addressed, the second book will be so much better.
I think that the best way for me to write this review is to break it down into individual categories.
Characters- Not all of the characters were bad, with that being said, I do think that overall the whole book lacks character complexity or depth. I took most issue with our main character Rebecca. Throughout the book, I was so frustrated and tired of all of her decisions and how whiny and needy she is. I hated her reasoning behind her actions or should I say lack of reasoning because she doesn’t make any sense at all. She openly acknowledges that her actions are a bad decision but then goes ahead and does it anyway. This is a literal quote of what I mean:
“When my temper came to life, my decisions weren’t always rational and that night was a case in point.”
WTF???
If you think that this was the only instance of her impulsivity, you are wrong. This happens multiple times throughout the story and I just don’t understand her. These next few quotes are also evidence of this:
“I didn’t have a good answer for why I was intensely compelled to learn as much as I could about what was going on.”....
“Once I got it in my head that I needed to know what was going on, there was no stopping me.”
Rebecca is set up to be a smart, independent, attractive woman who may have special abilities that are now just coming to light but unfortunately she breaks character often enough that I just don’t believe it. I don’t see what is supposed to be so special about her that has two gorgeous Fae men fawning over her (more to come on this later) and I see her as an immature, dim witted, character that just goes along with everything that people tell her and has no independent thoughts for herself. Seriously, Rebecca will believe everything you tell her.
Writing- I thought the writing was mostly telling instead of showing. It was written very much like, "I went to work. Then I saw a strange man. Then I went home. Then I saw another strange man. Then this strange thing happened. Then that strange thing happened." It just felt so emotionless. There were few action moments but nothing that kept me in anticipation of what would happen next. I’m having a hard time connecting with what was driving the story, if I had to guess, I would say that it was the mystery surrounding Rebecca’s newfound abilities. Whatever it was, it lacked substance. I also still don’t know who or what we are fighting against. Is it Merlin? Who is the villain? Again, no depth, there is just evil for the sake of evil.
Pacing- The pacing didn’t work for me. Rebecca is in New York for the last 2 years waitressing since she can’t get a job with her degree and before we know it she lands her dream job in a museum in Ireland without any effort. Now we’re in Belfast and everything strange starts happening from the moment she steps off the plane. In a matter of days she encounters several Fae and is suddenly forcefully inserts herself in this whole new world just because. I also didn’t understand the point of her day trip to Faery- I hated how Rebecca just went along with everything and didn’t even question it. There was also mention of a traitor in the huntsman which could have added some more action but this was never explored further. I also have a hard time believing that all of these events would transpire in the span of 3 weeks.
Romance- Or lack thereof. There is no gradual build or development it’s all just about sex right off the bat. That is not necessarily bad but it’s just not for me. I don’t mind sex scenes but I found myself skimming over these ones. I wanted a bit of that forbidden love that we see in paranormal romance. I wanted at least one of the male love interests to woo Rebecca with whispering sweet nothings into her ears, to make her feel like they have never wanted anyone as much as they want her. I felt as though the author tried to make a love triangle but I don’t think it worked. Ronan didn’t ever seem like an option and although Rebecca found him attractive she never made any indication that she was considering him as a love interest. I still don’t understand what Rebecca sees in Lochlan or what he sees in her. It seemed that every time they had any interaction it was regarding secrets and bickering. Then out of nowhere he just starts kissing her and it’s just so random. Overall I just wanted more flirty banter or romantic actions leading up to the sex. There was just no anticipation leading up to it.
Like I mentioned earlier, there were a lot of elements of the book that I did like and really enjoyed.
Female friendships- I love that Rebecca had multiple friendships both old and new. Ashley was perhaps my favorite character in the whole book and deserves one whole star just for her character. She is the perfect best friend and I wish that she was my best friend. I loved how supportive of Rebecca she was and how she offered to stay with her while she got settled into her new job. I loved that she believed Rebecca even when what she was saying sounded crazy. I loved how she jumped in to help Rebecca when she was in trouble even though it got her hurt in the process and I love how deeply she cared for Rebecca’s safety and wellbeing. Cat was another great character and I wish she was more present in the story line. I love that she is someone who somewhat understands what Rebecca is going through and is someone that Rebecca can confide in. I am very happy that there was no pitting girl against girl and that everyone was so supportive of each other.
History- I love that the author threw in some historical references and I loved how she tied in the story of Merlin, Queen Guinevere, and Arthur to fit in with the story of Fae. The author clearly did a good job researching Fae/Faeiries and threw in a lot of facts about them throughout the story. Fae books are not too new to me as I have read about them in Sara J Maas’s books and most recently in the Cruel Prince but all of the facts are pretty consistent across the board. I also loved that the museum that Rebecca went to go work for is an actual museum and that the art referenced are also real pieces. I feel as though I learned a bit more from this book.
Modern terminology/references- There were a lot of nods to current events, shows, social media and plenty of other things that many readers will be able to relate too. I believe that readers in the Young Adult category will definitely be happy with how current this book is with modern themes.
I tried really hard to like this book. There are a lot of good elements that I really, really liked but I think that they were executed poorly. The concept of the story is great, reading the synopsis I couldn’t wait to jump into this world with Fae entering the human world and Rebecca caught getting caught in the middle. Then throw in the mystery surrounding why she is the only one who can see the Fae and the promise of a hunky Fae love interest and you have me hooked. Shadow Play is the author’s first book and I think that it reads that way. I do believe that there is potential for improvement and I am sure that with the following issues addressed, the second book will be so much better.
I think that the best way for me to write this review is to break it down into individual categories.
Characters- Not all of the characters were bad, with that being said, I do think that overall the whole book lacks character complexity or depth. I took most issue with our main character Rebecca. Throughout the book, I was so frustrated and tired of all of her decisions and how whiny and needy she is. I hated her reasoning behind her actions or should I say lack of reasoning because she doesn’t make any sense at all. She openly acknowledges that her actions are a bad decision but then goes ahead and does it anyway. This is a literal quote of what I mean:
“When my temper came to life, my decisions weren’t always rational and that night was a case in point.”
WTF???
If you think that this was the only instance of her impulsivity, you are wrong. This happens multiple times throughout the story and I just don’t understand her. These next few quotes are also evidence of this:
“I didn’t have a good answer for why I was intensely compelled to learn as much as I could about what was going on.”....
“Once I got it in my head that I needed to know what was going on, there was no stopping me.”
Rebecca is set up to be a smart, independent, attractive woman who may have special abilities that are now just coming to light but unfortunately she breaks character often enough that I just don’t believe it. I don’t see what is supposed to be so special about her that has two gorgeous Fae men fawning over her (more to come on this later) and I see her as an immature, dim witted, character that just goes along with everything that people tell her and has no independent thoughts for herself. Seriously, Rebecca will believe everything you tell her.
Writing- I thought the writing was mostly telling instead of showing. It was written very much like, "I went to work. Then I saw a strange man. Then I went home. Then I saw another strange man. Then this strange thing happened. Then that strange thing happened." It just felt so emotionless. There were few action moments but nothing that kept me in anticipation of what would happen next. I’m having a hard time connecting with what was driving the story, if I had to guess, I would say that it was the mystery surrounding Rebecca’s newfound abilities. Whatever it was, it lacked substance. I also still don’t know who or what we are fighting against. Is it Merlin? Who is the villain? Again, no depth, there is just evil for the sake of evil.
Pacing- The pacing didn’t work for me. Rebecca is in New York for the last 2 years waitressing since she can’t get a job with her degree and before we know it she lands her dream job in a museum in Ireland without any effort. Now we’re in Belfast and everything strange starts happening from the moment she steps off the plane. In a matter of days she encounters several Fae and is suddenly forcefully inserts herself in this whole new world just because. I also didn’t understand the point of her day trip to Faery- I hated how Rebecca just went along with everything and didn’t even question it. There was also mention of a traitor in the huntsman which could have added some more action but this was never explored further. I also have a hard time believing that all of these events would transpire in the span of 3 weeks.
Romance- Or lack thereof. There is no gradual build or development it’s all just about sex right off the bat. That is not necessarily bad but it’s just not for me. I don’t mind sex scenes but I found myself skimming over these ones. I wanted a bit of that forbidden love that we see in paranormal romance. I wanted at least one of the male love interests to woo Rebecca with whispering sweet nothings into her ears, to make her feel like they have never wanted anyone as much as they want her. I felt as though the author tried to make a love triangle but I don’t think it worked. Ronan didn’t ever seem like an option and although Rebecca found him attractive she never made any indication that she was considering him as a love interest. I still don’t understand what Rebecca sees in Lochlan or what he sees in her. It seemed that every time they had any interaction it was regarding secrets and bickering. Then out of nowhere he just starts kissing her and it’s just so random. Overall I just wanted more flirty banter or romantic actions leading up to the sex. There was just no anticipation leading up to it.
Like I mentioned earlier, there were a lot of elements of the book that I did like and really enjoyed.
Female friendships- I love that Rebecca had multiple friendships both old and new. Ashley was perhaps my favorite character in the whole book and deserves one whole star just for her character. She is the perfect best friend and I wish that she was my best friend. I loved how supportive of Rebecca she was and how she offered to stay with her while she got settled into her new job. I loved that she believed Rebecca even when what she was saying sounded crazy. I loved how she jumped in to help Rebecca when she was in trouble even though it got her hurt in the process and I love how deeply she cared for Rebecca’s safety and wellbeing. Cat was another great character and I wish she was more present in the story line. I love that she is someone who somewhat understands what Rebecca is going through and is someone that Rebecca can confide in. I am very happy that there was no pitting girl against girl and that everyone was so supportive of each other.
History- I love that the author threw in some historical references and I loved how she tied in the story of Merlin, Queen Guinevere, and Arthur to fit in with the story of Fae. The author clearly did a good job researching Fae/Faeiries and threw in a lot of facts about them throughout the story. Fae books are not too new to me as I have read about them in Sara J Maas’s books and most recently in the Cruel Prince but all of the facts are pretty consistent across the board. I also loved that the museum that Rebecca went to go work for is an actual museum and that the art referenced are also real pieces. I feel as though I learned a bit more from this book.
Modern terminology/references- There were a lot of nods to current events, shows, social media and plenty of other things that many readers will be able to relate too. I believe that readers in the Young Adult category will definitely be happy with how current this book is with modern themes.
December 27, 2022
— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Shadow Play
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: Book 1 of 5 of the Fae Games series
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Jill Ramsower
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Fantasy
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 23rd June 2018
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4/5
Rebecca Peterson has been a waitress for two years, and after a gruelling night slogging away table after table, she receives a job offer for the job of her dreams. After moving from New York City to Ireland, Rebecca steps off the plane, and comes face to face with her living nightmares rather than her dreams. Equipped with her strange necklace that seems to hold magical properties, and her best friend Ashley, Rebecca realises that all her answers are either held by Lochlan, utterly gorgeous but rude, demanding complete honesty yet providing no answers of his own, and Ronan, charming but mysterious, more willing to give up information, but perhaps not entirely trustworthy. Who will Rebecca trust when her life depends on it?
I actually loved this book. Shadow Play by Jill Ramsower is the kind of book that sticks in your mind days after you've read it. It has romance, contemporary, fantasy, did I mention romance? All that good stuff that makes a book really tick.
I found that Shadow Play seemed very inspired by the Grimm Brothers, which is such a gripping aspect for me, I adore the fairy tale/folklore concepts that are twisted into this novel and given a new lease of life next to the modernism of the language and references used. Also, the mixture of Arthurian legends thrown into this was a pleasure, it's not often that different myths are combined respectively and done well.
The normality interweaved with fanatical elements makes for an irresistibly compelling narrative. The story falls together really neatly, the author ties up all loose ends yet still leaves some enigmatic aspects which act as a segue to the sequel. (Not yet finished, or published.) Although the plot was interesting, and the world building equally as intriguing, there was a certain predictability in the direction the story was heading, usually, that would be a bad thing, but with Shadow Play it was a satisfaction to have the novel go the way I wanted it to.
Rebecca's character development is written nicely, as well, it was a pleasure reading about how her 'changes' (no, that's not a puberty reference.) as she discovers who she really is. The only thing that bothered me with Becca was that I would have preferred her to be a powerful person within her own right, and not rely on the necklace's abilities. I also thought that the author oversold on both Lochlan and Ronan, they felt very... done before. Broody, but handsome. Good looking, but mysterious. Generic character traits in powerful, dominating males that are competing. Disappointing, but I wasn't bored.
The one thing that hindered this story from being a five star was the ending, arguably the most important part to a book; the ending to Shadow Play did not sit right with me. It was weird, and uncomfortable, to put it nicely. It made me feel uneasy and for that reason I dropped a whole star. But I will not let it influence the rest of the story.
Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Shadow Play
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: Book 1 of 5 of the Fae Games series
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Jill Ramsower
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Fantasy
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 23rd June 2018
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4/5
"'Don't be afraid of the unknown merely because it's unknown. I have no doubt your strengths will see you through this.'"
Rebecca Peterson has been a waitress for two years, and after a gruelling night slogging away table after table, she receives a job offer for the job of her dreams. After moving from New York City to Ireland, Rebecca steps off the plane, and comes face to face with her living nightmares rather than her dreams. Equipped with her strange necklace that seems to hold magical properties, and her best friend Ashley, Rebecca realises that all her answers are either held by Lochlan, utterly gorgeous but rude, demanding complete honesty yet providing no answers of his own, and Ronan, charming but mysterious, more willing to give up information, but perhaps not entirely trustworthy. Who will Rebecca trust when her life depends on it?
I actually loved this book. Shadow Play by Jill Ramsower is the kind of book that sticks in your mind days after you've read it. It has romance, contemporary, fantasy, did I mention romance? All that good stuff that makes a book really tick.
I found that Shadow Play seemed very inspired by the Grimm Brothers, which is such a gripping aspect for me, I adore the fairy tale/folklore concepts that are twisted into this novel and given a new lease of life next to the modernism of the language and references used. Also, the mixture of Arthurian legends thrown into this was a pleasure, it's not often that different myths are combined respectively and done well.
The normality interweaved with fanatical elements makes for an irresistibly compelling narrative. The story falls together really neatly, the author ties up all loose ends yet still leaves some enigmatic aspects which act as a segue to the sequel. (Not yet finished, or published.) Although the plot was interesting, and the world building equally as intriguing, there was a certain predictability in the direction the story was heading, usually, that would be a bad thing, but with Shadow Play it was a satisfaction to have the novel go the way I wanted it to.
Rebecca's character development is written nicely, as well, it was a pleasure reading about how her 'changes' (no, that's not a puberty reference.) as she discovers who she really is. The only thing that bothered me with Becca was that I would have preferred her to be a powerful person within her own right, and not rely on the necklace's abilities. I also thought that the author oversold on both Lochlan and Ronan, they felt very... done before. Broody, but handsome. Good looking, but mysterious. Generic character traits in powerful, dominating males that are competing. Disappointing, but I wasn't bored.
The one thing that hindered this story from being a five star was the ending, arguably the most important part to a book; the ending to Shadow Play did not sit right with me. It was weird, and uncomfortable, to put it nicely. It made me feel uneasy and for that reason I dropped a whole star. But I will not let it influence the rest of the story.
Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Blurb:
They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger—if that's the case, I better be badass by the time this is over.
After two years at a dead-end job, Rebecca Peterson finally walks away from everything she knows to follow her dreams in Ireland. Instead of dreams, the dreary streets of Belfast rekindle her terrifying nightmares, and this time they aren't confined to her imagination. Twisted and vicious, Faeries are being unleashed on Earth to prey upon humans, who are unaware of the vile creatures walking among them. Becca must stay alive long enough to learn why she can see what others can't, and even more importantly, discover how to keep the Fae from destroying life on Earth.
Delving into the underbelly of the city, Becca discovers that she is not entirely alone in her abilities; however, centuries of secrecy makes gathering information a challenge. When Becca crosses paths with two mysterious strangers, her life is only complicated further. The gorgeous but brooding Lochlan demands complete honesty but refuses to provide any answers of his own. On the other hand, Ronan is enigmatic and charming, and with his sights set on making Becca his, he offers more help than most. But Becca quickly learns that trusting others is difficult when you have secrets of your own. Sometimes, the enemy is within....
Blurb:
They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger—if that's the case, I better be badass by the time this is over.
After two years at a dead-end job, Rebecca Peterson finally walks away from everything she knows to follow her dreams in Ireland. Instead of dreams, the dreary streets of Belfast rekindle her terrifying nightmares, and this time they aren't confined to her imagination. Twisted and vicious, Faeries are being unleashed on Earth to prey upon humans, who are unaware of the vile creatures walking among them. Becca must stay alive long enough to learn why she can see what others can't, and even more importantly, discover how to keep the Fae from destroying life on Earth.
Delving into the underbelly of the city, Becca discovers that she is not entirely alone in her abilities; however, centuries of secrecy makes gathering information a challenge. When Becca crosses paths with two mysterious strangers, her life is only complicated further. The gorgeous but brooding Lochlan demands complete honesty but refuses to provide any answers of his own. On the other hand, Ronan is enigmatic and charming, and with his sights set on making Becca his, he offers more help than most. But Becca quickly learns that trusting others is difficult when you have secrets of your own. Sometimes, the enemy is within....
July 20, 2018
When I used the "Look Inside" feature and read: "I flashed my teeth in a look that was probably more creepy carnie than patient waitress" I knew I had to read this. I read a lot of books from self-published authors and rarely are they this well-written or this well-edited. I'm very impressed with both aspects.
The storyline is a lot of fun. We meet Becca who is an adventurist at heart, and she's headed off to Ireland to pursue her dream of working in a museum. But once she gets there, things start to go topsy-turvy. She's surrounded by vampire-like creatures who are creeping her out, the hot guys she's bumped into are actually Faeries, and unbeknownst to her, she's got a bit of magic in her as well, with no idea how that could be possible.
I really liked Becca, she was strong and assertive, and once she was faced with the supernatural, she didn't sit there and deny it, like a lot of heroines fall prey to in this trope. It made me like her so much more and it made it easy to be her cheerleader.
We meet some rough and tumble fairies, and I have to admit I might have a bit of a crush on Lochlan. There's a great mix of steamy and high packed action. There's also a brownie who seems like he could make a perfect sidekick, that I absolutely must learn more about, and so I will anxiously await the next installment of the series in hopes that some resolution will come about.
So I was disappointed that this ended in a cliffhanger, but I absolutely loved Shadow Play. Such a great first novel for fans of fantasy, romance, adventure, and everything in between.
The storyline is a lot of fun. We meet Becca who is an adventurist at heart, and she's headed off to Ireland to pursue her dream of working in a museum. But once she gets there, things start to go topsy-turvy. She's surrounded by vampire-like creatures who are creeping her out, the hot guys she's bumped into are actually Faeries, and unbeknownst to her, she's got a bit of magic in her as well, with no idea how that could be possible.
I really liked Becca, she was strong and assertive, and once she was faced with the supernatural, she didn't sit there and deny it, like a lot of heroines fall prey to in this trope. It made me like her so much more and it made it easy to be her cheerleader.
We meet some rough and tumble fairies, and I have to admit I might have a bit of a crush on Lochlan. There's a great mix of steamy and high packed action. There's also a brownie who seems like he could make a perfect sidekick, that I absolutely must learn more about, and so I will anxiously await the next installment of the series in hopes that some resolution will come about.
So I was disappointed that this ended in a cliffhanger, but I absolutely loved Shadow Play. Such a great first novel for fans of fantasy, romance, adventure, and everything in between.
August 20, 2018
Shadow Play
A Dark Fantasy Novel
von Jill Ramsower
Jill Ramsower
Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles
Cover:
A wonderful cover for a book of this genre.
Review:
"They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger—if that's the case, I better be badass by the time this is over."
Shadow Play: A Dark Fantasy Novel is the first book in The Fae Games by Jill Ramsower, a book that drew me in right away with its beautiful prose and storytelling craft. The plot is well done and the characters are compelling. The setting comes out vividly through the narrative, allowing readers clear images of streets, places, and the general atmosphere in which the story takes place. Shadow Play is dark, somewhat disturbing, but utterly enjoyable.
It’s a well-written story that draws the reader into a plot of mystery, surprise, and romance. Each chapter is part of a serial that ends with the reader asking, “What’s next?!”
The author is a creative storyteller whose writing style is both flowing and descriptive. Her words are like brushstrokes on canvas painting a picture that holds our attention. You will quickly find yourself invested in the characters and plot, anxiously wanting to find out what will happen next.
If you think fantasy novels are not you thing, think again. This is a wonderful book well worth the read. I couldnt put it down! 4/5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and Independent Book Publishers Association for the free review copy.
A Dark Fantasy Novel
von Jill Ramsower
Jill Ramsower
Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles
Cover:
A wonderful cover for a book of this genre.
Review:
"They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger—if that's the case, I better be badass by the time this is over."
Shadow Play: A Dark Fantasy Novel is the first book in The Fae Games by Jill Ramsower, a book that drew me in right away with its beautiful prose and storytelling craft. The plot is well done and the characters are compelling. The setting comes out vividly through the narrative, allowing readers clear images of streets, places, and the general atmosphere in which the story takes place. Shadow Play is dark, somewhat disturbing, but utterly enjoyable.
It’s a well-written story that draws the reader into a plot of mystery, surprise, and romance. Each chapter is part of a serial that ends with the reader asking, “What’s next?!”
The author is a creative storyteller whose writing style is both flowing and descriptive. Her words are like brushstrokes on canvas painting a picture that holds our attention. You will quickly find yourself invested in the characters and plot, anxiously wanting to find out what will happen next.
If you think fantasy novels are not you thing, think again. This is a wonderful book well worth the read. I couldnt put it down! 4/5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and Independent Book Publishers Association for the free review copy.
July 26, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. It was such a fun read! I absolutely love stories about the Fae, and books set in Ireland and this one had both. The author did a really good job of using Ireland as the backdrop to the story. I loved her detailed descriptions of the different kinds of Fae. The main character, Rebecca was a very believable character and I felt she was very well developed. I loved her relationships with her girlfriends and her developing relationship with Lochlan. Speaking of...let's talk a bit about Lochlan. Are you looking for a new book boyfriend? Because if you are, Lochlan just might be your guy. This book gave me serious Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning vibes. If you've read that series and enjoyed it, I think you'll really like this book. The only negative things I have to say about the book and what keeps me from giving it five stars is that we don't really get any kind of resolution at the end. I know a lot of people leave you hanging with cliff hangers, but this felt like the book was just cut off in a really weird place for me. Other than that, the pacing was good, it kept me interested the whole time. I can't wait to read the next book and find out the rest of Becca's story. I give this one 4 stars!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 27, 2018
The blurb is already intriguing, and the book doesn't disappoint. Not many people can say they don't connect with Becca about being stuck in a dead-end job. Then having the chance to actually pursue your dream job, not one person I know wouldn't drop everything and go... Plus IRELAND? Duh! Of course we are jumping on a plane and meeting some hot guys with accents... but no one anticipated that they would be dangerous... and there was a whole world of supernatural creepers that were starting a WAR and you were at the center of it all!
My favorite part about Becca is her honesty, she is super honest, and even when she's lying by omission she is so torn up about it, but her motivations for it are pure. Honesty is a big trigger for me, I love an honest character, even when it's hard, and even when they are the bad guy. Honesty... big turn on.
Warnings, there is violence, there is sexual situations, and in the end... yes sex. There are also the occasional swear words, but I don't feel they are overly done, so it fit well with the story.
Full review on http://heavensfiction.blogspot.com/20...
This book was received by the author for an honest review
My favorite part about Becca is her honesty, she is super honest, and even when she's lying by omission she is so torn up about it, but her motivations for it are pure. Honesty is a big trigger for me, I love an honest character, even when it's hard, and even when they are the bad guy. Honesty... big turn on.
Warnings, there is violence, there is sexual situations, and in the end... yes sex. There are also the occasional swear words, but I don't feel they are overly done, so it fit well with the story.
Full review on http://heavensfiction.blogspot.com/20...
This book was received by the author for an honest review
August 20, 2018
review to come
August 14, 2018
I received a free copy of Shadow Play (Book 1 of the Fae Games) by Jill Ramsower in exchange for an honest review. Insofar as the book is marketed as fantasy, the main character is Rebecca Peterson. When she moves to Ireland for work, she becomes entangled with the Wild Hunt. Most of the book is spent trying to figure out what’s going on. Insofar as the book was marketed as a romance, there was no romance, just sex. Rebecca has two “suitors.” One man treats her incredibly badly/roughly/abusively throughout but is fantastically beautiful; Rebecca appears to be a kinky little thing who thinks this is sexy, so she falls in love with him. The other is also attractive and treats her well except for one incident involving an admittedly aggressive attempt to bed her. Apparently, he was not handsome enough to make up for the one faux pas. (She came off a bit shallow). Also, though Rebecca has no problems with being treated like a dirty whore (if you’re handsome enough, anyway); she thinks it’s just awful when someone calls her a whore. Yeah, not going to look for the sequel.
#ShadowPlay #NetGalley
#ShadowPlay #NetGalley
September 25, 2018
I always enjoy when the main character of a book moves out of her comfort zone, or moves somewhere new. I thought it was a nice touch that Becca’s best friend went with her to help her settle in. And I really did enjoy this story. But I did have a real problem connecting to the characters unfortunately. I just didn’t feel anything for them, and that’s something that can make or break a book for me. However, I did start to feel more connected to them towards the end.
All in all, it was a good story, I just wish I could feel more connected to the characters.
Here’s my favorite quote from the book.
"My mom’s mantra was ‘a life lived in fear is a life half lived.’ I may not have agreed with all her philosophies, but that one resonated with me on a deep level. I couldn’t miss out on life just because I was scared."
*****I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.*****
All in all, it was a good story, I just wish I could feel more connected to the characters.
Here’s my favorite quote from the book.
"My mom’s mantra was ‘a life lived in fear is a life half lived.’ I may not have agreed with all her philosophies, but that one resonated with me on a deep level. I couldn’t miss out on life just because I was scared."
*****I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.*****
December 9, 2019
Ok. So, here's the deal! This was a good read so far. I tend to really love a long series ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S GOOD! I don't want it to end. I think this story line has great potential. It has a couple books in the series which is nice. I like that it's not terribly slow. The main characters Rebecca and Lochlan are cute together. There's the whole mounting tension between the two, but then there's Ronan with the dimples and all (real boy next door kinda feel that girls tend to fall for) a possible love triangle maybe on the horizon. I love that it's funny with recent slang and attitude between"Becca"and her bestie (whose name has completely slipped my mind). They are pretty funny. I've been laughing quite a bit. The book it's paced pretty well so far but we'll see. I see a lot of similarity between this and Karen Marie Moning Series " The Fever Series" with the whole Seelie/Unseelie fae story line but I suppose that's pretty common in fae stories. Didn't want to spoil the read so, I was careful not to reveal too much. I'm already good into the second book so stay tuned ..... So funny, sexy, and mysterious.
March 13, 2019
Ends at 96%
Slow and wishy washy. Lots of talking and internal monologue. Meh. Nothing new or very engaging. . . . .
Slow and wishy washy. Lots of talking and internal monologue. Meh. Nothing new or very engaging. . . . .
November 6, 2019
This was a very exciting suspenseful story filled with lively interesting characters. I am enjoying the building attraction between Rebecca and Lochlan. Also, more trouble is in the near future and, I'm wondering how Rebecca fits into all of this turmoil. Looking forward to reading more of this captivating story.!!!!!
August 20, 2019
I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Shadow Play, book one in The Fae Games series by Jill Ramsower deals with the Fae, a population of mythological creatures that seems to abound in literature these days. Not that I mind, I truly enjoy stories that deal with the Fae…so, BRING IT ON!
Rebecca (Becca) hates her waitressing job in a New York City diner. Finally, one day she reaches her limit and quits; opting to stop simply surviving from day to day and go after what she really wants, her dream job as curator in an art museum. On a whim, thinking she probably doesn’t have a shot at it anyway she calls about a job at a museum in Ireland and is miraculously hired sight unseen…just from a brief conversation over the phone.
Now, I admit it; I found that pretty damned far-fetched. Talk about Seelie and Unseelie Fae all you want and I’ll happily go along with you. But have someone hired for a job in another country based off of nothing more than a short conversation and a few background checks and yeah….I’m skeptical; but ooookay I’ll go along with it for the sake of the story. Perhaps she had an amazing stroke of luck…perhaps it was something a tad bit more, who knows?
Regardless, Rebecca packs up her life in NYC and makes the move across the pond, not knowing what may lay in store for her. Then strange things begin to happen and she finds herself wondering if all the men in Ireland are rude and slightly off their rockers. That’s when her reality begins to change and the creatures she thought only existed in fantasy books begin to become reality, with two men at the center of it all; Ronan a charming and handsome man she meets at the museum and Lochlan, a gorgeous brooding bully of a man she cannot seem to resist.
This seems to have all the makings for a really good read doesn’t it? I agree, but I hate to say that it comes up just short of being that for me. Don’t get me wrong, I found it interesting and it did keep me reading but it really didn’t live up to its potential. And, I think what it really came down to is this; a lack of development in the relationships between characters. Sorry Ms. Ramsower, they just felt flat to me. Except for the relationship between Becca and Ash. I suspect that’s because Ash is based on someone Ms. Ramsower knows personally. At least that’s how it felt to me.
As for Ronan, he comes off as charming initially but I know from the very beginning who this slick charmer really is; he’s an eel with an unsavory motive. And Lochlan, well that relationship with Becca develops at a snail’s-pace. So that when something sexual does finally happen towards the end of the book, I was suspicious of it and saw through that before it even began as well; and I hate when that happens.
This book is marketed as a “gothic romance” but I have to disagree with that label. There may be a couple of sexually charged moments (more like highly intimately domineering moments) but there really is no “romance” to it at all. Not that there has to be romance in a book such as this, there doesn’t need to be…it could simply be fantasy fiction. Just don’t market it as a romance. There’s barely even a romantic element to it.
This leads me to my last observation. This book ends on a cliffhanger. I have no problem whatsoever with books that have a continuation to them but this one book never really wrapped up and even in a book with a continuation you need to wrap up each part of it. This made the book feel as though it simply ended abruptly and that left me feeling unsatisfied. Probably much the way Becca felt after the last chapter of the book. Obviously, you’d have to read it to know what I’m referring to.
I know I’ve said several things that I felt should have been improved, so let me end this review on what I did like about this book.
I liked the relationship between Becca and her best friend Ash. They have the kind of friendship I have with my best friends. When you need them they are there, no questions asked. When you need to tell them something that makes you sound bat-shit crazy; they say, that’s bat-shit crazy but because you are telling me…I believe you. When you call them in the middle of the night and tell them you need to bury a body…they say, where do I need to meet you and do I need to bring a shovel? No? That’s just me? Well…you get the picture.
Anyway…the dialogue between those two was fun and genuine. I could truly feel she was based off of someone the author knew personally.
I also appreciated how Ms. Ramsower worked in some characters from the Arthurian Legends (although this still is not an Arthurian Tale genre). I found that little addition to be unique and honestly, fairly plausible; a nice believable addition.
Also, as a book formatter I have to give props to whoever formatted and edited this book. I only remember finding one spelling error and the formatting was consistent throughout. That is important to someone like me.
So, down to the nitty gritty; would I recommend this book? Sure I would, particularly to those who enjoy a good fantasy adventure with what I would call a romantic element to it. It’s no panty burner but it is interesting, unique, and I think enough to keep me reading the next book in the series. I give it 3 Stars, and please keep in mind that for me that means I like it enough to go ahead and recommend it….but it’s not quite a “ya gotta rush out and get it” either.
Check out Jill Ramsower’s Shadow Play, book one in The Fae Games series and tell me what you think of it as well.
Shadow Play, book one in The Fae Games series by Jill Ramsower deals with the Fae, a population of mythological creatures that seems to abound in literature these days. Not that I mind, I truly enjoy stories that deal with the Fae…so, BRING IT ON!
Rebecca (Becca) hates her waitressing job in a New York City diner. Finally, one day she reaches her limit and quits; opting to stop simply surviving from day to day and go after what she really wants, her dream job as curator in an art museum. On a whim, thinking she probably doesn’t have a shot at it anyway she calls about a job at a museum in Ireland and is miraculously hired sight unseen…just from a brief conversation over the phone.
Now, I admit it; I found that pretty damned far-fetched. Talk about Seelie and Unseelie Fae all you want and I’ll happily go along with you. But have someone hired for a job in another country based off of nothing more than a short conversation and a few background checks and yeah….I’m skeptical; but ooookay I’ll go along with it for the sake of the story. Perhaps she had an amazing stroke of luck…perhaps it was something a tad bit more, who knows?
Regardless, Rebecca packs up her life in NYC and makes the move across the pond, not knowing what may lay in store for her. Then strange things begin to happen and she finds herself wondering if all the men in Ireland are rude and slightly off their rockers. That’s when her reality begins to change and the creatures she thought only existed in fantasy books begin to become reality, with two men at the center of it all; Ronan a charming and handsome man she meets at the museum and Lochlan, a gorgeous brooding bully of a man she cannot seem to resist.
This seems to have all the makings for a really good read doesn’t it? I agree, but I hate to say that it comes up just short of being that for me. Don’t get me wrong, I found it interesting and it did keep me reading but it really didn’t live up to its potential. And, I think what it really came down to is this; a lack of development in the relationships between characters. Sorry Ms. Ramsower, they just felt flat to me. Except for the relationship between Becca and Ash. I suspect that’s because Ash is based on someone Ms. Ramsower knows personally. At least that’s how it felt to me.
As for Ronan, he comes off as charming initially but I know from the very beginning who this slick charmer really is; he’s an eel with an unsavory motive. And Lochlan, well that relationship with Becca develops at a snail’s-pace. So that when something sexual does finally happen towards the end of the book, I was suspicious of it and saw through that before it even began as well; and I hate when that happens.
This book is marketed as a “gothic romance” but I have to disagree with that label. There may be a couple of sexually charged moments (more like highly intimately domineering moments) but there really is no “romance” to it at all. Not that there has to be romance in a book such as this, there doesn’t need to be…it could simply be fantasy fiction. Just don’t market it as a romance. There’s barely even a romantic element to it.
This leads me to my last observation. This book ends on a cliffhanger. I have no problem whatsoever with books that have a continuation to them but this one book never really wrapped up and even in a book with a continuation you need to wrap up each part of it. This made the book feel as though it simply ended abruptly and that left me feeling unsatisfied. Probably much the way Becca felt after the last chapter of the book. Obviously, you’d have to read it to know what I’m referring to.
I know I’ve said several things that I felt should have been improved, so let me end this review on what I did like about this book.
I liked the relationship between Becca and her best friend Ash. They have the kind of friendship I have with my best friends. When you need them they are there, no questions asked. When you need to tell them something that makes you sound bat-shit crazy; they say, that’s bat-shit crazy but because you are telling me…I believe you. When you call them in the middle of the night and tell them you need to bury a body…they say, where do I need to meet you and do I need to bring a shovel? No? That’s just me? Well…you get the picture.
Anyway…the dialogue between those two was fun and genuine. I could truly feel she was based off of someone the author knew personally.
I also appreciated how Ms. Ramsower worked in some characters from the Arthurian Legends (although this still is not an Arthurian Tale genre). I found that little addition to be unique and honestly, fairly plausible; a nice believable addition.
Also, as a book formatter I have to give props to whoever formatted and edited this book. I only remember finding one spelling error and the formatting was consistent throughout. That is important to someone like me.
So, down to the nitty gritty; would I recommend this book? Sure I would, particularly to those who enjoy a good fantasy adventure with what I would call a romantic element to it. It’s no panty burner but it is interesting, unique, and I think enough to keep me reading the next book in the series. I give it 3 Stars, and please keep in mind that for me that means I like it enough to go ahead and recommend it….but it’s not quite a “ya gotta rush out and get it” either.
Check out Jill Ramsower’s Shadow Play, book one in The Fae Games series and tell me what you think of it as well.
May 4, 2019
I enjoyed "Shadow Play" it was diverse and I read through it in a short amount of time. The characters were developed well and I never was lost or confused as the story moved forward (as can often happen in the genre), I am eager to read the next book.
October 5, 2019
Fae world collided
A great book filled with questions and awakenings. Bering brought into a world no one should I ow that exists. Full of suspense, monsters and sutptises. Loved it
A great book filled with questions and awakenings. Bering brought into a world no one should I ow that exists. Full of suspense, monsters and sutptises. Loved it
September 3, 2018
I enjoyed this urban fae fantasy for the most part, however it was a bit on the slow side for me and my first impression of the main character Rebecca quickly changed from liking to intense irritation. Not liking a lead character is always going to impact on my enjoyment.
Rebecca moves to Ireland to work and finds herself plunged into the paranormal world as she begins to see the fae, discovers she has some powers from of a necklace she's always worn and gets entangled with the wild hunt, there's also a return of her childhood nightmare shadow man. The necklace we later discover was given to Rebecca as a very young child by Merlin himself. There's a war coming and it looks like Rebecca will have a big part to play.
I loved the inclusion of the Arthurian legend, it's always been a favourite of mine, so any retellings/twists to that story automatically raises my interest level.
There's a bit of a triangle happening between Rebecca, and the two male lead characters Lochlan and Ronan.
Both are fae, both are members of the hunt and both are interested in Rebecca but for very different reasons.
Ronan is Mr nice guy, who wants to be friends, wants Rebecca's trust and immediately tries to warn her away from Lochlan (I had instant alarm bells going off with him.) Then there's Lochlan who is rude, dismissive, aggressive in a sexy alpha male way and yes he too does the warning off thing but his felt more real and believable to me, I really like him.
There's certainly a strong lust filled attraction between Rebecca and Lochlan, that was crystal clear but after the way this installment ended, I'm not sure how that's going to play out now.
Rebecca, as I've said irritated and angered me. I did actually like her at the start and I was willing to make allowances for her behaviour, I'm sure discovering the world is not what you thought would have an effect, but that level of immaturity only built my anger and by the end of this book I'd lost all sympathy for her. I know there's more to her than we presently know, so I'm hoping that once the reveal is made, I'll be able to move past the irritation (fingers crossed)
This is the first time I've read anything by Jill Ramsower and I liked her writing style. I'm definitely a fan of the use of modern, everyday language and thankfully Jill gives us that.
I will read the conclusion of the story, especially after the ending in this one.
I received this story from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
#ShadowPlay #NetGalley
Rebecca moves to Ireland to work and finds herself plunged into the paranormal world as she begins to see the fae, discovers she has some powers from of a necklace she's always worn and gets entangled with the wild hunt, there's also a return of her childhood nightmare shadow man. The necklace we later discover was given to Rebecca as a very young child by Merlin himself. There's a war coming and it looks like Rebecca will have a big part to play.
I loved the inclusion of the Arthurian legend, it's always been a favourite of mine, so any retellings/twists to that story automatically raises my interest level.
There's a bit of a triangle happening between Rebecca, and the two male lead characters Lochlan and Ronan.
Both are fae, both are members of the hunt and both are interested in Rebecca but for very different reasons.
Ronan is Mr nice guy, who wants to be friends, wants Rebecca's trust and immediately tries to warn her away from Lochlan (I had instant alarm bells going off with him.) Then there's Lochlan who is rude, dismissive, aggressive in a sexy alpha male way and yes he too does the warning off thing but his felt more real and believable to me, I really like him.
There's certainly a strong lust filled attraction between Rebecca and Lochlan, that was crystal clear but after the way this installment ended, I'm not sure how that's going to play out now.
Rebecca, as I've said irritated and angered me. I did actually like her at the start and I was willing to make allowances for her behaviour, I'm sure discovering the world is not what you thought would have an effect, but that level of immaturity only built my anger and by the end of this book I'd lost all sympathy for her. I know there's more to her than we presently know, so I'm hoping that once the reveal is made, I'll be able to move past the irritation (fingers crossed)
This is the first time I've read anything by Jill Ramsower and I liked her writing style. I'm definitely a fan of the use of modern, everyday language and thankfully Jill gives us that.
I will read the conclusion of the story, especially after the ending in this one.
I received this story from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
#ShadowPlay #NetGalley
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2018
Rebecca is living in New York when she starts thinking seriously about a career change. When her application is accepted at a museum in Belfast, Ireland, she and her best friend and roommate, Ashley, hop on a plane. Immediately, Rebecca starts encountering strange men and even more surprisingly, strange creatures . She is soon thrown into the world of Fae, meeting people who tell her strange, wonderous, and sometimes conflicting things. Where does she fit into all of this? Can she survive among the monsters?
I picked up this book because I am in a Karen Marie Moning dry spell at the moment after finishing High Voltage. I thought I would give it a try since it's set in Belfast. I did find the beginning to be very similar to the KMM books. (Girl from America comes to Ireland and discovers the world of Fae) but the similarities do seem to lessen as the story progresses. The first third or so of the book has a paradoxical combination of a fast/choppy pace while actually being quite slow. It is understandable since it's the first book in the series. It does pick up though, and I really enjoyed how the Fae lore seemed ubiquitous throughout humanity's history -- including Arthur, Guinevere, and Merlin, Tatiana and Oberon, and other historical figures (which makes sense since Fae are immortal). There were a few new types of Fae that I had never heard of, and the sexual tension between the main character and the two hunters was done well.
My favorite part was when
That being said, the editing does need some work. This book has a lot of potential if some of the issues can be fixed. I thought that there was a bit too much that was "in-your-face" explained when it didn't have to be, but there was actually a lack of physical scene-setting descriptions. I have no real idea of what Belfast is like after reading this book, and that is something I would have loved to have gotten a feel for.
I do think I will read the next one!
I picked up this book because I am in a Karen Marie Moning dry spell at the moment after finishing High Voltage. I thought I would give it a try since it's set in Belfast. I did find the beginning to be very similar to the KMM books. (Girl from America comes to Ireland and discovers the world of Fae) but the similarities do seem to lessen as the story progresses. The first third or so of the book has a paradoxical combination of a fast/choppy pace while actually being quite slow. It is understandable since it's the first book in the series. It does pick up though, and I really enjoyed how the Fae lore seemed ubiquitous throughout humanity's history -- including Arthur, Guinevere, and Merlin, Tatiana and Oberon, and other historical figures (which makes sense since Fae are immortal). There were a few new types of Fae that I had never heard of, and the sexual tension between the main character and the two hunters was done well.
My favorite part was when
That being said, the editing does need some work. This book has a lot of potential if some of the issues can be fixed. I thought that there was a bit too much that was "in-your-face" explained when it didn't have to be, but there was actually a lack of physical scene-setting descriptions. I have no real idea of what Belfast is like after reading this book, and that is something I would have loved to have gotten a feel for.
I do think I will read the next one!
July 29, 2018
Shadow Play: A Dark Fantasy Novel is the first book in The Fae Games by Jill Ramsower, a book that drew me in right away with its beautiful prose and storytelling craft. Rebecca Peterson moves to Belfast, Ireland in pursuit of a better life, leaving behind a dreary job, but moving away doesn’t stop her from having the nightmares that have terrified her for so long now. Nefarious faeries are unleashed on earth to target humans that have no idea of what danger they are in. But only Becca can see them and she is determined to stop them from hurting her kind. So, when she meets Lochlan and Ronan, she learns she is not the only one with special skills. But can these strangers help her understand her destiny?
A riveting urban fantasy with strong suspense; fast-paced, and featuring well-imagined and skillfully developed characters. At first, Becca appears to be someone who doesn’t fit into the world, and there is a noticeable uneasiness that follows her as she goes about her work. The reader notices that there is something abnormal about her as well, but how that is revealed is where Jill Ramsower demonstrates a singular gift for character. I love characters that evolve through the narrative and Becca is one such character — dynamic and real.
I love stories with a powerful premise on which the conflict hinges. The premise in Shadow Play: A Dark Fantasy Novel is that a young woman has a unique gift of seeing what others can’t see, and this disturbs her. So, how can she tell people around her that she sees a danger that they can’t see? How can they believe her and how can she help them if they are not aware of the danger? The plot is well done and the characters are compelling. The setting comes out vividly through the narrative, allowing readers clear images of streets, places, and the general atmosphere in which the story takes place. Shadow Play is dark, somewhat disturbing, but utterly enjoyable.
A riveting urban fantasy with strong suspense; fast-paced, and featuring well-imagined and skillfully developed characters. At first, Becca appears to be someone who doesn’t fit into the world, and there is a noticeable uneasiness that follows her as she goes about her work. The reader notices that there is something abnormal about her as well, but how that is revealed is where Jill Ramsower demonstrates a singular gift for character. I love characters that evolve through the narrative and Becca is one such character — dynamic and real.
I love stories with a powerful premise on which the conflict hinges. The premise in Shadow Play: A Dark Fantasy Novel is that a young woman has a unique gift of seeing what others can’t see, and this disturbs her. So, how can she tell people around her that she sees a danger that they can’t see? How can they believe her and how can she help them if they are not aware of the danger? The plot is well done and the characters are compelling. The setting comes out vividly through the narrative, allowing readers clear images of streets, places, and the general atmosphere in which the story takes place. Shadow Play is dark, somewhat disturbing, but utterly enjoyable.
September 7, 2018
When Rebecca decides she has finally had enough of her dead-end waitressing job in New York, she follows her dreams and finds a job opening at a museum in Ireland. However, her arrival in Belfast triggers a series of events she never could have predicted.
Overall I enjoyed this new take on urban fantasy, especially the allusions to classical mythology and Arthurian legend. Full of faeries, mythological creatures, partying, intrigue, and romance, this book fits well under the title of modern YA fantasy. Shadow Play is crowded with interesting characters and unusual creatures, all of which lead me to compare the world of Fae Games with a mix of The Mortal Instruments, ACOTAR and Grimm. The story itself was inventive and interesting enough not to feel derivative, and the setting in modern day Ireland made a very nice backdrop.
The main character Rebecca is not your typical YA heroine, which is in itself refreshing, however I found that I didn't actually like her as a person, and some of her story-line was closer to a wish-fulfillment scenario than a realistic (I obviously use the word within the realism of the fantasy world) set of events. The love triangle is in my opinion very over done, and although I like the characters of Ronan and Lochlan in themselves, I can't help but see them as a new version of the already used up Damon vs Stephan stereotype. Having said that, I think that Lochlan especially has the potential to be a very different type of character than we often see in books of this type, and I look forward to seeing how his character develops in the second and final installment.
My final thought is that it feels too short to me, and the end didn't really feel like the end of a book, even part one of a two part series. I wonder if the two books would make more sense to see as part one and part two of one larger volume.
Overall I enjoyed this new take on urban fantasy, especially the allusions to classical mythology and Arthurian legend. Full of faeries, mythological creatures, partying, intrigue, and romance, this book fits well under the title of modern YA fantasy. Shadow Play is crowded with interesting characters and unusual creatures, all of which lead me to compare the world of Fae Games with a mix of The Mortal Instruments, ACOTAR and Grimm. The story itself was inventive and interesting enough not to feel derivative, and the setting in modern day Ireland made a very nice backdrop.
The main character Rebecca is not your typical YA heroine, which is in itself refreshing, however I found that I didn't actually like her as a person, and some of her story-line was closer to a wish-fulfillment scenario than a realistic (I obviously use the word within the realism of the fantasy world) set of events. The love triangle is in my opinion very over done, and although I like the characters of Ronan and Lochlan in themselves, I can't help but see them as a new version of the already used up Damon vs Stephan stereotype. Having said that, I think that Lochlan especially has the potential to be a very different type of character than we often see in books of this type, and I look forward to seeing how his character develops in the second and final installment.
My final thought is that it feels too short to me, and the end didn't really feel like the end of a book, even part one of a two part series. I wonder if the two books would make more sense to see as part one and part two of one larger volume.
July 23, 2018
Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite
Shadow Play: A Dark Fantasy Novel (The Fae Games) (Volume 1) by Jill Ramsower falls into the dual genres of fantasy and urban fiction. This book would appeal most to a diverse audience of mature young adults and adults who enjoy reading about mystical creatures and who do not mind explicit language and a love scene. Rebecca Peterson’s life is forever changed by her decision to leave her job and travel to Ireland. In Ireland, Rebecca learns that humans are being preyed upon by a race known as the fae, but without their knowledge. Rebecca's search for answers leads her to meeting Lochlan and Ronan, who each have their own plans. Will Rebecca learn what she needs in order to survive or will she find herself lost amidst the secrets that surround her?
Move over Sam and Dean Winchester and make room for Rebecca Peterson in Shadow Play: A Dark Fantasy Novel by Jill Ramsower! This book offered a different take on the concept of the fae, which I personally found both interesting and enjoyable as it was unique from any other supernatural book I have read. I found Rebecca Peterson to be a compelling character who fostered a desire in me to discover what would happen to her. I loved the fact that I learned about the fae alongside Rebecca as it made the world the author created within the pages of this book feel realistic. Overall, I found myself enjoying this story so much that I finished it in just one day and I find myself excited to see where volume two will take me!
Shadow Play: A Dark Fantasy Novel (The Fae Games) (Volume 1) by Jill Ramsower falls into the dual genres of fantasy and urban fiction. This book would appeal most to a diverse audience of mature young adults and adults who enjoy reading about mystical creatures and who do not mind explicit language and a love scene. Rebecca Peterson’s life is forever changed by her decision to leave her job and travel to Ireland. In Ireland, Rebecca learns that humans are being preyed upon by a race known as the fae, but without their knowledge. Rebecca's search for answers leads her to meeting Lochlan and Ronan, who each have their own plans. Will Rebecca learn what she needs in order to survive or will she find herself lost amidst the secrets that surround her?
Move over Sam and Dean Winchester and make room for Rebecca Peterson in Shadow Play: A Dark Fantasy Novel by Jill Ramsower! This book offered a different take on the concept of the fae, which I personally found both interesting and enjoyable as it was unique from any other supernatural book I have read. I found Rebecca Peterson to be a compelling character who fostered a desire in me to discover what would happen to her. I loved the fact that I learned about the fae alongside Rebecca as it made the world the author created within the pages of this book feel realistic. Overall, I found myself enjoying this story so much that I finished it in just one day and I find myself excited to see where volume two will take me!
August 12, 2018
Reading the characters point of view isn’t always my favourite way to read.
So after reading the back cover I went in .......
And was pleasantly surprised. The scenes were very well written, and flowed nicely. The characters were very three dimensional, and believable.
So ...... Rebecca is just a “normal” human, she has recurring nightmares, and now they seem to be coming true. She “sees” things other people don’t. And that includes the fae (not at all like tinker belle) 🧚♀️ and they want to take over this dimension (as I said, not like tinker belle)
She just wants a fresh start, and believes it will be achieved in Ireland, wrong, her life isn’t really much better there. And when she finds others like her, she hopes she can survive long enough to rescue humanity.
It was great that Rebecca had several “girlfriends” she could rely on. Ashley was one of them, and to me she seemed the perfect friend. She was very supportive of Rebecca, and she believed Rebecca, even though half the stuff coming out of Rebecca’s mouth sounded crazy.
Lachlan is very secretive, but demands total honesty from Rebecca. He is hiding something, can Rebecca find out what ? Is he fae ? Is he like here ? And will he help in the up and coming bottle ? And if she does, what will she do ?
Ronan is the opposite. He is charming and very likeable, he wants Rebecca for his own. Will he succeed ? And does he have a hidden agenda of his own ?
And what secrets does Rebecca hide ?
I liked how the story of merlin, Guinevere and Arthur fit in with the history of the fae.
So after reading the back cover I went in .......
And was pleasantly surprised. The scenes were very well written, and flowed nicely. The characters were very three dimensional, and believable.
So ...... Rebecca is just a “normal” human, she has recurring nightmares, and now they seem to be coming true. She “sees” things other people don’t. And that includes the fae (not at all like tinker belle) 🧚♀️ and they want to take over this dimension (as I said, not like tinker belle)
She just wants a fresh start, and believes it will be achieved in Ireland, wrong, her life isn’t really much better there. And when she finds others like her, she hopes she can survive long enough to rescue humanity.
It was great that Rebecca had several “girlfriends” she could rely on. Ashley was one of them, and to me she seemed the perfect friend. She was very supportive of Rebecca, and she believed Rebecca, even though half the stuff coming out of Rebecca’s mouth sounded crazy.
Lachlan is very secretive, but demands total honesty from Rebecca. He is hiding something, can Rebecca find out what ? Is he fae ? Is he like here ? And will he help in the up and coming bottle ? And if she does, what will she do ?
Ronan is the opposite. He is charming and very likeable, he wants Rebecca for his own. Will he succeed ? And does he have a hidden agenda of his own ?
And what secrets does Rebecca hide ?
I liked how the story of merlin, Guinevere and Arthur fit in with the history of the fae.
August 18, 2019
Kindle Unlimited.
I should have loved this book. It has Fae that are scary, not cute. It has a mystery to solve, and a normal heroine without drama or body issues. I should have loved this book, but I didn't.
I couldn't get over the fact that this is essentially a poorly redone Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning. Not that the writing was bad, or that the grammar was terrible, because honestly, I only found two grammar issues in the entire book. It just didn't grab me the way that Moning's books do, and when the plot it THAT similar, you have to grab the reader.
That said, the three major faults that I found with the book are:
-Rebecca's involvement in the mystery. Yes, there is a mystery. But aside from curiosity, there is no reason for her to involve herself, or repeatedly put herself in harm's way. It's totally out of character for someone that seems like she plays it safe in life.
-The males in her sphere are actually quite mean. Why does she keep going back for more? Why not try to find a way around them? Again, this seems out of character for her.
-The cliffhanger ending after a traumatic experience. Yes, Becca has a "come to Jesus" moment with herself at the end there, but as a reader...that was harsh.
-This is dumb. I realize it is, but it still bothered me that the working in another country without a work visa issue didn't come up. Yes, it's a ridiculous thing to be hung up on, but I feel like the author took time to explain every other detail of Rebecca's life and outlook on life, and that one was just left hanging in the wind.
I should have loved this book. It has Fae that are scary, not cute. It has a mystery to solve, and a normal heroine without drama or body issues. I should have loved this book, but I didn't.
I couldn't get over the fact that this is essentially a poorly redone Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning. Not that the writing was bad, or that the grammar was terrible, because honestly, I only found two grammar issues in the entire book. It just didn't grab me the way that Moning's books do, and when the plot it THAT similar, you have to grab the reader.
That said, the three major faults that I found with the book are:
-Rebecca's involvement in the mystery. Yes, there is a mystery. But aside from curiosity, there is no reason for her to involve herself, or repeatedly put herself in harm's way. It's totally out of character for someone that seems like she plays it safe in life.
-The males in her sphere are actually quite mean. Why does she keep going back for more? Why not try to find a way around them? Again, this seems out of character for her.
-The cliffhanger ending after a traumatic experience. Yes, Becca has a "come to Jesus" moment with herself at the end there, but as a reader...that was harsh.
-This is dumb. I realize it is, but it still bothered me that the working in another country without a work visa issue didn't come up. Yes, it's a ridiculous thing to be hung up on, but I feel like the author took time to explain every other detail of Rebecca's life and outlook on life, and that one was just left hanging in the wind.
January 19, 2020
I loved this!
I only have 2 things I didn't care for about this book & they're related...1. That it had a cliffhanger ending and 2. That the other books aren't available via Kindle Unlimited so that I could have actually read the second book to find out how Becca's story ends! Aside from those two things, this was an amazing book that I would recommend to almost anyone! The only exception(s) to who I would recommend reading this: due to fight scenes, a "mugging" (I'm not giving more details than that on that one to avoid giving away any spoilers that would detract from the enjoyment of those who can handle this book), and the graphic nature of a disturbing encounter Becca has at the end of this book, I don't recommend it to anyone who would get offended by or is too young for graphically depicted violence. There is also a fair amount of drinking, some swearing, and discussion of sexual situations. I mention these things NOT because I felt the author went overboard but so other reader's, who may not want to read any of those things, can make an informed decision. I didn't particularly enjoy reading Becca's disturbing encounter, particularly as that was a big part of the cliffhanger, but I thought the author did an amazing job portraying it as well as Becca's response to it! That is actually why I wish they were Kindle Unlimited books...I am quite impressed with this author's ability to make me feel so strongly for Becca!
I only have 2 things I didn't care for about this book & they're related...1. That it had a cliffhanger ending and 2. That the other books aren't available via Kindle Unlimited so that I could have actually read the second book to find out how Becca's story ends! Aside from those two things, this was an amazing book that I would recommend to almost anyone! The only exception(s) to who I would recommend reading this: due to fight scenes, a "mugging" (I'm not giving more details than that on that one to avoid giving away any spoilers that would detract from the enjoyment of those who can handle this book), and the graphic nature of a disturbing encounter Becca has at the end of this book, I don't recommend it to anyone who would get offended by or is too young for graphically depicted violence. There is also a fair amount of drinking, some swearing, and discussion of sexual situations. I mention these things NOT because I felt the author went overboard but so other reader's, who may not want to read any of those things, can make an informed decision. I didn't particularly enjoy reading Becca's disturbing encounter, particularly as that was a big part of the cliffhanger, but I thought the author did an amazing job portraying it as well as Becca's response to it! That is actually why I wish they were Kindle Unlimited books...I am quite impressed with this author's ability to make me feel so strongly for Becca!
March 8, 2019
Shadow Play introduces us to Rebecca the world of the Fae - and yes, she's totally surprised to find out they exist. On top of it all, she discovers that the necklace she's been wearing her whole life is actually a Fae charm with some pretty remarkable abilities - and consequences.
Rebecca is thrown into the world of the Fae along with her best friend Ashley when she takes a job at a museum in Belfast. The Fae politics and factions are confusing, and Jill Ramsower does a fantastic job of introducing people and concepts as Rebecca discovers them. I could feel her confusion and lack of understanding without feeling totally confused myself.
As Fae danger and intrigue envelop Rebecca's world, she finds herself deep in the world of the Great Hunt and trying to keep the rest of humanity safe from the Unseelie and Shadow Fae that are sneaking through portals. When rumors of war and the return of Merlin surface, no one is quite sure what to think.
I loved the diverse characters and setting of Belfast was beautiful. There is a lot of intrigue and excitement. And I will warn you, there is a not so pretty cliffhanger at the end - but spoiler - while there's nothing to make what happens to Rebecca not awful - the second book uses it to make her a stronger person.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
Rebecca is thrown into the world of the Fae along with her best friend Ashley when she takes a job at a museum in Belfast. The Fae politics and factions are confusing, and Jill Ramsower does a fantastic job of introducing people and concepts as Rebecca discovers them. I could feel her confusion and lack of understanding without feeling totally confused myself.
As Fae danger and intrigue envelop Rebecca's world, she finds herself deep in the world of the Great Hunt and trying to keep the rest of humanity safe from the Unseelie and Shadow Fae that are sneaking through portals. When rumors of war and the return of Merlin surface, no one is quite sure what to think.
I loved the diverse characters and setting of Belfast was beautiful. There is a lot of intrigue and excitement. And I will warn you, there is a not so pretty cliffhanger at the end - but spoiler - while there's nothing to make what happens to Rebecca not awful - the second book uses it to make her a stronger person.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
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