Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr

Review of Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr

Published: April 20, 2010

4 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: “Hunger for nourishment. Hunger for touch. Hunger to belong.

Half-human and half-faery, Ani is driven by her hungers.

Those same appetites also attract powerful enemies and uncertain allies, including Devlin. He was created as an assassin and is brother to the faeries' coolly logical High Queen and to her chaotic twin, the embodiment of War. Devlin wants to keep Ani safe from his sisters, knowing that if he fails, he will be the instrument of Ani's death.

Ani isn't one to be guarded while others fight battles for her, though. She has the courage to protect herself and the ability to alter Devlin's plans—and his life. The two are drawn together, each with reason to fear the other and to fear for one another. But as they grow closer, a larger threat imperils the whole of Faerie. Will saving the faery realm mean losing each other?”

Well I can honestly say I was pleasantly surprised by Radiant Shadows. The only book I originally loved out of this Wicked Lovely Series was Wicked Lovely itself. However, Melissa Marr truly brought back what was so key in Wicked Lovely into Radiant Shadows. Loving the characters whose point of views you are reading from are key and I loved Ani and Devlin. They are the exact opposites of Ash and Seth and seeing their story and how they evolve together was a treat.

What I really loved about Radiant Shadows is the fact that Melissa Marr stays true to each courts function, which is ultimately to have balance. In Wicked Lovely, Ash and Seth were this typical couple, happy and dealing with being a Queen and being Fey. Ash and Seth feed off each other’s happiness and sacrificed for one another, both acting like a little bit of Winter Court and little bit of Summer Court, to find balance. In Radiant Shadows, Ani and Devlin were total opposite and feed off passion for one another, for fighting, for being part Dark Court and part High Court. Ani and Devlin also did not sacrifice for each other, but became one in their own skins, finding their place in the world of the Fey.

I only gave 4 smirks for Radiant Shadows because I had trouble with another girl in the book named Rae (please read prologue of the book otherwise you will be lost). I just kind of felt like Rae’s presence was kind of weird and kinky (not in a good way). Other than that Radiant Shadows had every aspect I look for to enjoy a book (you know, violence, mystery, Fey, supernatural, love triangle, lust, revenge, just the usual). And seriously if you haven’t read the Wicked Lovely Series you are missing out. Ok well in my opinion you aren’t missing out on the two middle books (Ink Exchange and Fragile Eternity), but you definitely are with Wicked Lovely and Radiant Shadows. Plus check out the cover of Radiant Shadows, how do you not want to read it?

I also wanted to say a special thanks to my friend katarinasmama, who not only lets me borrow books that she owns without hesitation, but also encouraged me to have this blog.