Helpful Score: 6
Viehl hits it out of the park again with this continuation in the Darkyn world. This novel builds on the Darkyn world -- even includes a plot line with characters we know and love from the Darkyn series -- but everything is layered so smoothly that new readers won't have any problem starting with this new series. But be warned, you'll want to read the Darkyn series by the time you're done with Shadowlight and waiting for the next Kyndred book!
Shadowlight is an edge-of-the-seat tale with trouble at every turn and characters who find out that everything they thought was true isn't. Viehl's characters are three-dimensional making you understand and even sympathize with them, something not limited to the hero/heroine.
And, of course, there is the romance. The hero, Matthias, was amazing. The mystery of his past is really, really cool. The heroine, Jessa, was a wonderful mix of strength and vulnerability. It's hard to write a review and not give too much away, but I loved these characters. Rowan, a secondary character in this book but heroine in the next, was a special treat. She stole the show more often than not, LOL.
Overall it was a fast-paced read. The set-up was a bit slow with a little back and forth along the time line but well done. I read this in a single day and didn't want it to end. Viehl included the necessary back story without bogging down the pace of this story. And in typical fashion, Viehl threw in an incredible twist at the end hooking me completely (as if I wouldn't continue the series!) into the next book Dreamveil -- which can't come out soon enough.
Shadowlight is an edge-of-the-seat tale with trouble at every turn and characters who find out that everything they thought was true isn't. Viehl's characters are three-dimensional making you understand and even sympathize with them, something not limited to the hero/heroine.
And, of course, there is the romance. The hero, Matthias, was amazing. The mystery of his past is really, really cool. The heroine, Jessa, was a wonderful mix of strength and vulnerability. It's hard to write a review and not give too much away, but I loved these characters. Rowan, a secondary character in this book but heroine in the next, was a special treat. She stole the show more often than not, LOL.
Overall it was a fast-paced read. The set-up was a bit slow with a little back and forth along the time line but well done. I read this in a single day and didn't want it to end. Viehl included the necessary back story without bogging down the pace of this story. And in typical fashion, Viehl threw in an incredible twist at the end hooking me completely (as if I wouldn't continue the series!) into the next book Dreamveil -- which can't come out soon enough.
Helpful Score: 3
Good read. It was interesting seeing a plot without the Brotherhood although the author has found a suitably evil entity to take its place. The new Kyndred characters are fascinating with their own series of special abilities and murky pasts. The hero, Matthias, predates the Darkyn by centuries [something Alexandra will find fascinating when she finally learns it] and can call storms. The heroine, Jessa, can see your deepest, darkest secret with a touch. Some favorite Darkyn characters have their own subplot [primarily Lucan and Samantha although Alexandra gets in a few smart cracks as well] which marches along beside [but never quite touches] that of the Kyndred. The multiple viewpoints are occasionally overwhelming - a little like watching a music video where you switch from camera to camera too rapidly. But the stories converge as the book progresses and much becomes clear... Not all of course, there are more books to come!
Good characters and good plotting - I'm looking forward to the next book [June 2010]. Could you read this book without having read the Darkyn? Yes. Does it greatly enrich the reading of Shadowlight if you HAVE read the Darkyn? Definitely yes.
Darkyn
1. If Angels Burn (2005)
2. Private Demon (2005)
3. Dark Need (2006)
4. Night Lost (2007)
5. Evermore (2008)
6. Twilight Fall (2008)
7. Stay the Night (2009)
Kyndred
1. Shadowlight (2009)
2. Dreamveil (2010)
Good characters and good plotting - I'm looking forward to the next book [June 2010]. Could you read this book without having read the Darkyn? Yes. Does it greatly enrich the reading of Shadowlight if you HAVE read the Darkyn? Definitely yes.
Darkyn
1. If Angels Burn (2005)
2. Private Demon (2005)
3. Dark Need (2006)
4. Night Lost (2007)
5. Evermore (2008)
6. Twilight Fall (2008)
7. Stay the Night (2009)
Kyndred
1. Shadowlight (2009)
2. Dreamveil (2010)
Helpful Score: 3
Loved this new story arc on the Darkyn. It takes this great series in a whole different storyline while still keeping you updated on the characters from the earlier series. It's like visiting old friends to get an update on the other characters that you loved. The book has many layers and is told from a couple of different viewpoints and in parts. This threw me just a little as it kind of interrupted the flow on the story but only slightly. I think you would not appreciate the depth of the story unless you have read the other books in the Darkyn series (every one which was great by the way!) but this is one book you don't want to miss as it sheds some light on the first Darkyn. I can't wait till June for the next one in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
I LOVED this book! I think it is even better than the Darkyn series. Normally I am not one for the jumping back and forth from time period's, but this really works. She sum's up the new series beautifully. If you have not read the Darkyn series I think that you will ok with starting here, but I would greatly recommend reading the previous books just to catch up.
Helpful Score: 1
This story started off confusing, it didn't seem to flow. But about 100 pages into it, it all made sense. It is not a very romantic story, but this is the first in this series, so there was a lot of "set up" that had to happen for the rest of the series. I liked it, didn't love it as i did the Darkyn series, but some of the Darkyn play minor roles in this series as well. I WILL be waiting for the next installment.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed the Darkyn series (5 stars for all) but this spinoff wasn't up to par. It was very hard to get into and jumps back and forth in time (ancient Rome, 1998 and 2008) with different, seemingly unrelated characters and newspaper clippings that totally came out of left field. Over half way through, it started making sense and got interesting but the main characters Matthias and Jessa were both really unlikeable. You learn nothing about Matthias until the very end and Jessa has a major attitude problem. I enjoyed the return of Samantha, Lucan and Alexandra which sort of tied it to the Darkyn. The ending was a little forced and way too convenient.
Helpful Score: 1
i thought the darkyn series was fantastic. but the kyndred series has my heart racing from page one!
Jessa has always had a rare talent of telling marketing tips, this was morphed into something else once she survives a near-death experience. Now she can touch someone and tell their darkest secrets, whether or not they are a good person, or employee. Her talent is fun to read about. She started her own firm that does hiring for other companies, she's very successful at it. enhance is the naughty scientist of the book, they tested things on orphan children. The result is things like what Jessa can do. Once they figure out that she can do extraordinary things they go after her with a vengeance. This is steamy which is not my favorite type of book, but if you like steamy, this is for you. Steamy is not my favorite so I only rated it a three, but most ratings for this are higher.
This book was the first I've read of Viehl and did feel a bit disjointed by the flipping around to different characters and settings, but certainly not enough to stop reading. I think it would have helped to have read the Darkyn series first, but the author sufficiently explains the relationships the former H/h had in the prior books without much difficulty. There is a lot of action in this book. Viehl does a great job with animating the characters and the use of their powers.
Good book. If you've read her others I'm sure you'll like this one as well. It's a little confusing in the beginning but even's out quick. I can't wait for Dreamveil to come out in May.
