Awesome! Just Awesome!It’s almost impossible to review this book without gushing. There is so much to love about The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams. The story is told from the main character McKenzie Lewis’ point of view. Let me tell you, I loved McKenzie’s voice. McKenzie is an intelligent young woman who has suffered through life because of her ability to see the fae. Gifted with Sight, McKenzie can also map where the fae go just by looking at their shadows. Consequently, McKenzie is a valuable human. McKenzie’s life is not easy. She has been in psychiatric wards, has had difficulty completing her college degree, she is estranged from her parents, and has few (basically only one) human friends. For someone who has been through so much, McKenzie is remarkably “normal” She is smart, observant, loyal, and determined. Oh, she also likes to escape from her captors – often. McKenzie is not one of those TSTL (too stupid to live) characters. Every move she makes is made for a reason.McKenzie has been working for the fae Court. Her handler Kyol, may or may not be in love with her. She has been working with him for ten years and McKenzie is in love with Kyol even though human-fae relationships are forbidden.McKenzie’s world changes when she is abducted by the rebels. Suddenly, her loyalties to the fae Court are challenged as she learns more about their oppressive ways and Kyol’s role. McKenzie is taken in by Aren who arranges for her to learn the fae language, something that she was not allowed to learn when she was in the fae Court. McKenzie is treated well by the rebels despite several attempts to escape. Then there’s Aren. *swoon* Now, you are asking yourself “Is there a love triangle?” Yes, there is. Is it an annoying love triangle where the girl plays the men off each other? No. Not at all. McKenzie’s world views get changed when she is with the rebels. She chalks up her attraction to Aren as Stockholm syndrome, but there is more to it. This is a love triangle done right. This is a fae book that I enjoyed. The world building is extensive but not complicated like most fae books. The fae realms had a similar feel to our world but without our technology. The book skipped between the fae realms and our world. An additional adversary was added: a group of human vigilante forces intent on destroying the fae.The fae structure and politics were intriguing, especially the way that the king’s influence was attained. I enjoyed the magical aspects as well, especially the way that human skin reacted in fae and how a fae’s touch would cause pleasurable electrical impulses on the skin. Neat! My only criticism of this book would be that a glossary of fae terms would have been appreciated. If you haven’t had the chance to read The Shadow Reader, move it up your reading list. A second book The Shattered Dark is planned for an October 30, 2012 release.Review posted on Badass Book Reviews.
