REVIEW: Shadowlight by Lynn Viehl

Series: Kyndred series, Book 1
(c) 2009
295 pages, Ebook ARC
Author's Website

Summary:

With one touch, Jessa Bellamy can see into a person's deepest thoughts. In the process, she has uncovered criminals and leaked information to the authorities for many years. However, her activities are catching up to her, and unbeknownst to her, people are watching her--a mysterious man named Gaven Matthias and a biotech corporation called GenHance Inc. Each wants her for his own purpose, but only one will get her...

Review:

Lynn Viehl crafted an amazing story--a brilliant mix of the paranormal and suspense. Each scene raises the stakes and escalates the mystery until she reveals the answers one by one, and I couldn't stop turning the pages due to the urgent need to know what happens next.

The worldbuilding is superb, especially with the use of the proper terminologies that lends credence to the world the author has built. Some of the foundation has already been laid during the Darkyn series, and Lynn Viehl just builds more upon it. It was nice to see how Lucan's and Sam's relationship has evolved, for those who love visiting with characters from the previous books. I do wish though there could have been some solid interactions--instead of the almost-interactions--between them and the main characters, but alas, it was not to be. Perhaps I'll get my wish in the succeeding books.

Jessa Bellamy makes the perfect heroine, smart and with a strong character. Having gone through a lot, she has emerged stronger from her experiences, though wary and cautious and protective, especially for her fellow Takyns. She is also smart and resourceful, and she knows when she is at the limit of her strength and needs to trust the hero. Oh, and did I say she's smart?

I love the mystery of Gaven's identity, and I have to admit that it is also in anticipation of the revelation of who he is that makes me keep scrolling down. I have such fun guessing who he could be and what he was about. I also like how his background intertwines with that of the arch enemy's. This makes me eager to read the next book in the series, where I'm sure we'll see more of them both.

I have to admit, I didn't like Rowan so much at first. But I warmed up to her when her backstory was revealed. One thing for sure, Takyns are such a wary, untrusting lot! However, one can't blame them. When evil men want to harvest your DNA, well, that's a lot of cause for keeping important things secret.

Though all the important threads pertaining to this book are addressed by the end of the story, Lynn Viehl leaves enough questions unanswered to make me wish I could get the next book now.

Book Rating: 4.0

Disclaimer: This e-ARC is provided for by the author.