The Shadow Reader
by Sandy Williams
*Stay tuned after the review for an Audiobook Giveaway*
Published by: Ace/ Penguin Publishing
Audio published by: Tantor Audio
Publish Date: October 25, 2011
Genre: Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal
Series: MacKenzie Lewis #1
Source: Audible audiobook
My Rating: 
Blurb from Goodreads:
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.
My Review:
When The Shadow Reader first released, I was intrigued by this book. The concept of a world full of Fae and humans who can somehow “read” shadows caused by fae piqued my interest. I listened to the audio version of this book, and I really enjoyed it.
The world building in the Shadow Reader is excellent, it is centered around the Fae/ fairies. When the Fae cross into the human realm, they can not be seen by most humans, only some humans have the ability to see them. Even fewer humans can read the shadows, the paths the fae travel. Being in different realms has different effects and can cause weakness for the fae and for humans. The Fae are divided and at war with each other. In the Shadow Reader, MacKenzie (one of the humans who can read the shadows) is pulled into the war and her loyalties are tried and tested.
When the story begins, MacKenzie is pretty naive, she had easily believed everything told to her by the Fae King and by his swordsman, Kyol. MacKenzie was in love with Kyol and always hoped that he would make her a priority. When MacKenzie is kidnapped by the rebel Fae, she gets a very rude awakening to new viewpoints, and distracted by the rebel leader Aren. MacKenzie is very stubborn, especially when she is first kidnapped and tries to run away from her captors. I have to admit, even I got tired of the escape attempts after awhile. The story really picks up about halfway through with more plot twists, battles, and questions of loyalty. A love triangle develops and I felt for all of the characters involved, they all had their own flaws. In this story, there was no one clear hero or “good” side, no one is ever 100% pure or without fault. I really enjoyed that the lines were blurred in this book. It made the story that much more intriguing and believable at the same time. The story in The Shadow Reader revolves around a war, and the consequences of war are not pretty or easy.
At first, I wasn’t the biggest MacKenzie fan. She came across naive, stubborn, and a bit annoying at times. She did not want to see her world change too much, and when she was forced to see more she had a tough time accepting it. As the story continued, MacKenzie did grow quite a bit. She had to look at her life and choices more closely and make important decisions for her future, and choices that would affect the future of the fae. By the end of the book, I was proud of MacKenzie’s progress and very interested to see what comes next for all the characters.
With detailed world building and a story that will keep you guessing, The Shadow Reader is an excellent Urban Fantasy read. Urban Fantasy fans, I definitely recommend reading this one, especially if you like books centered around the Fae. There are not too many books or series that center around the Fae, but The Shadow Reader is one of the best I’ve read yet. It is an solid start to a new series, and I am eager to read book 2, The Shattered Dark, which releases in October, 2012.
As I said, I listened to the Audio version from audible.com. Amy Rubinate was the narrator and she did a great job with the story. Her timing was well-done and she handled the various characters voices well. So, for those of you who like to listen, the quality of the audio for The Shadow Reader is also excellent.
You can find The Shadow Reader at:
Author Sandy Williams is offering up an Audiobook CD set of The Shadow Reader for a Giveaway Contest here at Book Savvy Babe. Since this is an author sponsored contest, it is open to US only. Contest will be open for 1 week, starting today October 2 through midnight October 8. To enter, fill out the rafflecopter below. Good luck and happy reading/ or listening 
October 2, 2012 at 6:15 am
I really enjoy audio books and I purchased this book earlier this year and STILL have not read it! Honestly the cover caught me and make me press the buy it button!!!
Thank you for this great giveaway!!!
October 16, 2012 at 8:27 am
So happy you like the cover! I couldn’t have asked for a better one.
October 2, 2012 at 6:47 am
I’ve been really intrigued by this book and would love to have it on audio… smiles!
October 2, 2012 at 6:57 am
I have recently gotten into audiobooks and this seems like it will be a great Listen.Awesome giveaway. Thanks.
October 2, 2012 at 7:05 am
Audio books seem so expensive…would love to win one. The last one I listened too was Marley and Me. I was bawling in the carpool line at my daughter’s school
October 16, 2012 at 8:29 am
lol I learned my lesson back in elementary school when I read Where the Red Fern Grows: never listen to a book about a dog unless you’re prepared for bawling.
October 2, 2012 at 7:46 am
A world centered around the fae is a refreshing change. Usually they are only part of most stories. I like the twist that only a few humans can even see the fae. It seems the fae are always at war with themselves. I haven’t heard of this book before now. Thanks for sharing & a chance to win it! I’m off to my Audible.com membership account and adding this book to my wish-list.
October 16, 2012 at 8:31 am
Hope you enjoy the audiobook! And the different type of fae in The Shadow Reader.
October 2, 2012 at 8:05 am
This has been on my wishlist for awhile. I’m glad you liked it!
October 2, 2012 at 8:22 am
Sounds really interesting. Thanks for the giveaway!
October 2, 2012 at 9:38 am
I really have never tried audiobooks but everyone tells me they would be perfect for me. This sounds like a perfect fit for that long drive home
October 2, 2012 at 11:50 am
I love audio books and this one sounds interesting. I’ll be adding it to my wishlist at Audible.
October 2, 2012 at 2:11 pm
I have often come across books where the main character would annoy me, but have often found if I stick it out I am a true fan by the end. This sounds like an awesome series and it has been on my wishlist for a while. I am glad you enjoyed it. Definitely curious to see how the audio version turns out, the narrator can make or break it and it sounds like this one did a fine job
Thank you for sharing with us.
October 16, 2012 at 8:33 am
Hope you love the narrator! I *think* she does a good job, but I absolutely cannot listen to the audiobook because it doesn’t match the voices in my head. It’s so weird! lol
October 2, 2012 at 2:52 pm
Now this sounds different and interesting..totally grabbing a copy of this one. Excellent review!
October 2, 2012 at 4:10 pm
I LOVE audio books! They’re great to listen to while I’m biking or walking. Makes workouts FLY by! The cover of The Shadow Reader Rocks! I want my butt to look like that. LOL Thanks for offering the awesome giveaway!!
October 2, 2012 at 5:26 pm
LOL, the girl does have a cute behind… gives you something to work towards while listening I guess
October 16, 2012 at 8:35 am
hehe My mother-in-law’s first words when she saw the cover: Nice ass!
Sandy
October 2, 2012 at 6:16 pm
Nice of you to offer up an audio book, but I will stick to the print version. I love the sound of this book, and isn’t book two coming out soon? I need to find this and catch up!
October 16, 2012 at 8:36 am
Yep. The sequel, THE SHATTERED DARK, comes out in 14 days. Not that I’m counting or anything.
October 2, 2012 at 7:07 pm
I got this when it came out, and it has been on my TBL since, now I’m definitely moving it up the list.
Good luck to all!
October 2, 2012 at 7:23 pm
I love audio books. I would love to hear this book on audio. Thanks for the giveaway. Tore923@aol.com
October 3, 2012 at 1:12 am
Sounds like a great book! I’ve never tried an audio book, though I’ve heard that they’re great. Thanks for this great giveaway!!!
October 3, 2012 at 2:12 am
It sounds great and Sandy was blessed by the awesome cover fairy.
Love the cover!
October 16, 2012 at 8:17 am
You’re right – the cover fairies definitely visited me. I heart Gene Mollica’s work so much!
October 3, 2012 at 12:20 pm
I listen to audiobooks on my long commutes and have been wanting to check this book out. Good luck to everyone!
October 16, 2012 at 8:21 am
I almost wish I had long commutes so I could listen to more audiobooks. I only have a chance to listen to them at the gym now, and that doesn’t happen as often as it should! lol
October 3, 2012 at 5:07 pm
I love audiobooks, and when you have a story with detailed world building and a story that will keep you guessing, that’s all the better!! Thanks so much for the great review
October 4, 2012 at 3:02 am
[...] The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams -win the audiobook CD set! [...]
November 15, 2012 at 1:02 am
[...] Date: October 30, 2012 Genre: Urban Fantasy Series: Mackenzie Lewis #2 Book 1: The Shadow Reader (my review) My Rating: Blurb from Goodreads: McKenzie Lewis has a gift. It allows her access to a world few [...]