Review: The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams

The Shadow Reader
Author:Sandy Williams
Release Date: October 25, 2011
Publisher: Ace
McKenzie Lewis Book #1
ISBN:  1937007014
ISBN13: 9781937007010
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher

There can only be one allegiance.
It’s her time to choose.

Some humans can see the fae. McKenzie Lewis can track them, reading the shadows they leave behind. But some shadows lead to danger. Others lead to lies.

A Houston college student trying to finish her degree, McKenzie has been working for the fae king for years, tracking vicious rebels who would claim the Realm. Her job isn’t her only secret. For just as long, she’s been in love with Kyol, the king’s sword-master—and relationships between humans and fae are forbidden.

But any hope for a normal life is shattered when she’s captured by Aren, the fierce and uncompromising rebel leader. He teaches her the forbidden fae language and tells her dark truths about the Court, all to persuade her to turn against the king. Time is running out, and as the fight starts to claim human lives, McKenzie has no choice but to decide once and for all whom to trust and where she ultimately stands in the face of a cataclysmic civil war.

I was so happy to get this in the mail and jumped into it right away. McKenzie is human but she is one of the very few people who can see the Fae and read the shadows.  She has been working for years for the King and is very loyal to the Fae Court. She is kidnapped by the rebels and they start telling her things that contradicts everything she thinks she knows about the battles between both sides. If that isn't confusing enough for her she is spending a lot of time with the rebel leader Aren and is starting to realize her love for Kyol the Kings sword master that she can never be with just might not be what she wants anymore.

I cant even begin to tell you what I loved most about the book because it was all fantastic to read. I enjoyed the world that Sandy Williams has created.It was filled with creative places and the background and history wasn't overly complex. The plot was easy to follow and I honestly didn't want to stop reading. McKenzie was just a girl (besides her abilities that is) that just wants to have a normal life. She was easy to like and follow. She went from someone who always follows orders to someone who gave her opinion and fought for herself.  I went back and forth between Kyol and Aren. I really liked them both and at times I wanted one over the other to win McKenzie's heart but honestly would have been happy to see either of them with her. THE SHADOW READER was filled with action and suspense.  I was constantly on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next and which side would take the lead. The book ended in a way that provided a bit of closure yet began a new starting point for the next book and I will be among the first in line to snag a copy of book 2 which I  hope doesn't take to long to come out.

I gave it 5/5 stars