Review & Giveaway: The Shadow by Sylvain Reynard

The Shadow (The Florentine #2) by Sylvain Reynard

Publication Date: February 2nd 2015 by Berkley

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

About the book:

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Gabriel trilogy comes the hotly anticipated follow-up to The Raven, a sensual novel set in Florence featuring the dangerously intoxicating coupling of Raven and William…

Raven Wood’s vampyre prince has returned, pledging his love and promising justice for every wrong done to her. In the wake of their reunion, Raven is faced with a terrible decision—allow the Prince to wreak vengeance against the demons of her past, or persuade him to stay his hand. But there is far more at stake than Raven’s heart...

A shadow has fallen over the city of Florence. Ispettor Batelli will not rest until he uncovers Raven’s connection to the theft of the priceless art from the Uffizi Gallery. And while the Prince hunts a traitor who sabotages him at every turn, he finds himself the target of the vampyres’ mortal enemy.

As he wages a war on two fronts, he will need to keep his love for Raven secret, or risk exposing his greatest weakness...

My Thoughts:

Raven and William continue their passionate relationship in The Shadow, but there are things brewing in the background that become front and center by the end of the book. 

One of the things I like best about this series is Raven and William’s romance. There’s never a question about their love, they’re completely devoted to one another to the point of obsession.  No worries of a third party causing doubts here.  Instead of looking for their own gain, both Raven and William are selfless in their affections.  William, in a virtuous attempt to find justice for Raven makes some missteps that really cost her emotionally, but he meant well. Raven is a completely selfless character always looking out and protecting the downtrodden.  She’s slowly resurrecting William’s conscience by challenging his thinking and just by being around her, making him a better man.

As far as the plot, William’s brethren are scheming to overthrow him as Prince and take over the principality of Florence. William knows there’s traitor in his midst, but doesn’t know who or how far this traitor’s influence and plans go. The traitor’s identity isn’t revealed until the end.  It’s apparent that Aoibhe (pronounced: Ava) isn’t all that she seems to be.  I have to say I’ve disliked and distrusted Aoibhe from the beginning.

I didn’t understand Raven’s stance on (Highlight to see spoiler) becoming a vampire.(end of spoiler) Did it make me like her less? No. But still I don’t get it and can hardly believe that someone wouldn’t jump at the chance to (Highlight to see spoiler): live a long time. (end of spoiler).  Also why wouldn’t she at least Highlight to see spoiler) take some blood to heal her leg?\ Raven did surgeries to help fix it, and so how is taking the blood any different? Raven suffers through pain, and it’s completely unnecessarily. (end of spoiler) These issues continue to frustrate me somewhat and another strike against this story is the cliffhanger with no date listed for the third book. 

I’ve always wanted to go to Italy and now if I go Florence will be at the top of my list for stops. The city sounds like a Mecca of art and culture.

Sylvain Reynard’s writing is interesting, beautiful and descriptive without being overly done. I look forward to how everything will turn out. 

4 Suns

The lovely people of Berkely have provided a Paper Back copy of The Shadow by Sylvain Reynard to giveaway to one Waves of Fiction follower. Fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win. Good luck!

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