4 stars for The Sharpest Blade (Shadow Reader book 3) by Sandy William.
The Shadow Reader series is one of my most adored urban fantasy novels. I come across this series in 2012 year end while scouting around for books of the same genre written from first person point of view. And this series come highly recommended from many of the members from a particular readers forum. Needless to say, book 1 The Shadow Reader and book 2 The Shattered Dark go straight to my to-be-read list.
I finish the first 2 books in quick succession, within a week. Then undergo major hangover as I yearn to go on role-playing as McKenzie, reliving her exhilarating adventures and basking in her bittersweet love story in the exquisitely created Realm versus human world. I love how the author creates the concept of edarratae or chaos lusters, which is some kind of energetic waves passing from fae to human and back every time they touch. It adds a mysterious yet enchanting dash of ardor whenever McKenzie is with Aren in the fae's world.
To one avid reader who so covet after such a fascinating urban fantasy, a 12-month wait is genuinely a torture. But a fabulous story with outstanding characters is well worth the long wait and I am really happy when book 3 is released. Try as I do to savour The Sharpest Blade by slowing down my reading pace, I finish the book I waited for 1 year in 2 day's time.
The Sharpest Blade is the third and final instalment to the Shadow Reader series. Sandy Williams lives up to her name by continuing to spin a tale of wistful love triangle amidst a tumultuous time of power struggle and unrest in the Realm. Some major things happen and there are feelings of guilt, remorse and regret. And in amongst the confusion of warfare, conflict of interest, sacrifices and staying true to oneself, the author does a beautiful job of wrapping up the trilogy brilliantly.
It is always hard to say goodbye to a much loved series, notably book 1 (I give a 5* rating) which I am still very much in love with. I will finitely miss this world and its amazing characters, especially McKenzie, Aren and Kyol; and am sad to let them go.
This trilogy has ended but it is not the end as I will certainly keep a lookout on anything else from this author.
Publisher: Ace
Publication date: 31 Dec 2013
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Torn between two worlds.
Torn between two lives.
McKenzie Lewis’s ability to read the shadows has put her—and …those she loves—in harm’s way again and again. The violence must end, but will the cost of peace be more devastating than anyone ever imagined?
After ten years of turmoil, the life McKenzie has always longed for may finally be within her grasp. No one is swinging a sword at her head or asking her to track the fae, and she finally has a regular—albeit boring—job. But when a ruthless enemy strikes against her friends, McKenzie abandons her attempt at normalcy and rushes back to the Realm.
With the fae she loves and the fae she’s tied to pulling her in different directions, McKenzie must uncover the truth behind the war and accept the painful sacrifices that must be made to end it. Armed with dangerous secrets and with powerful allies at her side, her actions will either rip the Realm apart—or save it.
*Blurb from author's website*
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