Author: Laura Kreitzer
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Published: February 22nd 2010 by iUniverse
Gabriella's past is a mystery, but that never stopped her from achieving her goals. As a supernatural specialist, and far more intelligent than anyone her age, she has always been ignored by her peers. Because of the isolation she has always felt, she put her life and soul into her job. Being a supernatural specialist hasn't given her the divine intervention she always longed for, until one day a shipment arrives from Italy containing three dead bodies with an uncanny ability to regenerate. Gabriella is frightened and intrigued, but not as scared as she becomes when a dark creature attacks her.
As the bodies come back to life, the plot takes an unexpected twist that you won't see coming. The supernatural world only begins to unfold before her as angels appear, her dreams start to haunt her, and the very past she has forgotten comes back with startling clarity. Romance blooms, escape plans are made, an assassin is out to kill her, and death is only around the corner. But what is more terrifying than all of it is the fact she is the chosen one, the Illuminator, the one who will save them all.
*I received my copy from the Publisher for review*
Before I got the offer to review this book, I hadn´t heard anything about this author. Now, I want to start the second in the series like as soon as possible. I seem to have a huge thing for angel of all sorts right now.
Okay, where to start? To say I really liked this book is not much of a review, so I try to come up with something better.
I have mixed feeling towards the characters of the book. On one hand, I really liked Gabriella who is a strong and independent woman with loner tendencies, a woman who still struggles with events from her childhood that made her lose the first five years of her life. It´s also not a big stretch to imagine that I adored Andrew, Gabriella´s very own Guardian and Angel. His fiercely protectiveness, calm and soothing manner and okay, his looks somehow really spoke to me. Strangely so, as I´m usually all for the bad boys in a story. But their growing relationship was really sweet. On the other hand, I felt like some of the other characters fell somehow short, which is really a shame. Lucia and Ehno are just as intriguing and I would have loved to read more about them. It´s the same with Joseph, the hunky FBI guy that sticks around for the story. I´m really hoping I´ll get to see mor of them in the next book.
As far as the worldbuilding is concerned, I have to admit that is original, well tought-out and very rich in details. The whole world of Angels, Guardians, Shadows and the Soul Stalker is nothing like you´ve ever read before. Well, at least I haven´t. You know when you sometimes read a book and think: Oh, that one reminds me or (insert title here)? I couldn´t possibly compare it to another book. There´s a lot of action, magic, prophecies and romance (romance mind you, no random sex scenes in this book. We´re dealing with angels after all! :) I guess their love has to be more…pure)
The story had just the right pace and I especially enjoyed the episodes where Gabriella had The Sight. There are some events in the book I really wouldn´t have anticipated. Plus, the end changes everything I´m like I said, I´m really looking forward to reading “Soul Stalker”, the next book in the series.
Two minor things were bothering me, however. I would have expected another, you know, more ancient name for an immortal being that has been around for 4000 years. Andrew? Not so much. It would also be noce for a change if the hero and Heroine would take more than say two days to determine that they are kindred souls. Just saying.
For all who are (like me) just discovering their love for angels or who want to read outside of their vampire/werewolves comfort zone, “Shadow of the Sun” might just be the right book for you.
As far as the books I´ve received for reviews are concerned, “Shadow of the Sun”, along with “Jenny Pox” is one of the most pleasant surprises.
I´m going to give “Shadow of the Sun” 4 out of 5 points!
3 comments:
Ha, funny point about "Andrew". I wish I could be a Supernatural Specialist.
Really thoughtful review. I wasn't interested at first, but I may give it a try.
Thank you for the sweet review.
-Laura
I've seen this book on a few blogs, and it does sound like a great read. I like the idea of the angles and such. Sounds like a great world created here too. :) Thanks for the review!
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