Review: The Sharpest Blade (Shadow Reader #3) by Sandy William

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*

Links to purchase:

Cocoa - Island of my Dreams - Day 5

Time and tide wait for no man.
4 days have come and gone.
On this day, our last day on Cocoa island...

Day 5 morning.

They say that if you can find the end of the rainbow, you will find a pot of gold there.

Breakfast for her.
French toast, grilled banana, passion fruit butter and cashew streusel.

Breakfast for him.
Cocoa breakast: eggs cooked to your liking with potato roesti, roast tomatoes, mushrooms, bacon and chipolatas.

Last round of snorkelling.

Taking abit of everything down as memories.

Our first and last lunch on the island.

Lunch for her. Seared local reef fish, chickpea, cauliflower and pomegranate salad with tomatoes, sumac dressing and hummus.

Lunch for him. Crispy fried snapper with sweet potatoes, mojo verde and lime aioli.

End off the sumptuous lunch with chocolate mousse, coconut and passion fruit cake with coconut sorbet.

A hefty bill of a meal.

The delayed check out allows us to capture more precious moments.

With the clock ticking away, every second counts.

The middle one, our dhoni for the past few nights.

Breathing in the here and now.

A walk to remember.

Though the sun has not set, the moon is eager to steal a peek.

There goes our luggage at 6pm sharp.

One last glimpse.

Lounging at the Faru Bar while waiting for our boat.

For her, an island affair cocktail.
She is sad that her affair with Cocoa island is coming to a close.

Walking our last round.

Farewell Cocoa island.

Heading towards the jetty.
Goodbye Cocoaaaaa.

Cocoa - Island of my Dreams - Day 4

Having nothing to do and the whole day to do it, is in itself a blessing.

Day 4. Waiting for sunrise to no avail.

Quiet. Peaceful. Serene.

Day 4 breakfast.
3 egg omelet with your choice of fillings: gruyere cheese, cheddar chesse, cottage cheese, peppers, leeks, onions, mushrooms, garden herbs, ham, smoked salmon, asparagus, spinach masala potato.

Ulaa restaurant, the one and only restauant on Cocoa island.

The salad bar.

Our next door neighbour. An exclusive family suite.

Where the jetty ends is the beginning of sharp descent into the ocean.

Time for calories burning.

Sudden gust of strong wind.

Spending rest of the day holed up in our dhoni, listening to melody of the rain as it becomes one with the vast ocean.

We skip dinner and receive a phone call from Ulaa restaurant inquiring on our absence. Such personalised service!