Shadows

I was given a digital copy of this book, free, in exchange for my honest opinion.

I hate to say it, but I am pretty disappointed with this one. With Bick's first installment I couldn't put it down. I pulled an almost all-nighter to see what was going to happen. I was really excited to get this one. And now here I am, finished with book 2 and wondering what the hell is going on. What is the point of this particular story?

It is a strange case where nothing happens and something happens all the time. It was jumbled and incoherent. Looking back, it's as if book 2's purpose was to move people into place for something else. But the reason is never identified. Then there's this sudden need to fight Rule, but again the reason is never disclosed. Clearly, there are some people that shouldn't be trusted (turns out that no one should be trusted). But we're not given a deep enough glimpse into the characters to understand why they are doing what they're doing. There are quite a few questions that are left unanswered. I really hope book 3 is better.

2 stars **

I experienced this as an audiobook. Katherine Kellgren's incredibly irritating voice was a separate torment from the awful story. The author has obviously read about mines, guns, explosives, whatever she writes about; she's learned the words but lacks personal knowledge. (Reconnaissance through a scoped Uzi?) Every time you think one of her unlikable characters is doing something sensible, he/she reverts to idiot type. The author uses every clichéd trick to build suspense, including a chapter one paragraph long. The gore is non-stop, but the ersatz zombies become ever less believable. So much time is spent on "my-brain-is-paralyzed-I'm-totally-freaked" histrionics that I believe only adolescent female horror/soap opera fans can ever tolerate it.

As with the first book, my wife caught a bit of it. She called it poorly written and researched emotional nonsense, reminiscent of a bad therapy session. Some characters reminded her of a girl freaking out at the onset her first period because nobody told her what it is. This one goes back to the library. They say anything free is worth what you paid for it, but I regret wasting these hours of my life.

Awesome book :) such a fan of this series

present for daughter

An awesome sequel to the first book, Ashes. Shadows was even more dark and intense than the first novel, continuing from where it left off of the deadly adventure. I was quite pleased with the turnout of this book; it was not a disappointing second to the trilogy as some books are.

ATTENTION: THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR PEOPLE WITH WEAK STOMACHS. It is very descriptive and gory, making it the perfect book for survival and zombie(although they aren't really zombies) story lovers. Bick's writing style is harsh, illustrating grotesque scenes vividly and accurately. In other words, if the disaster in the novels were to happen in real life, her representation of humanity is all too real. The author knows well about the subject, making the story believable.

While the first book strictly follows Alex, Shadows follows the lives of a couple other characters. It gets frustrating at times, because basically every chapter ends with a cliffhanger, so you have to wait a couple to continue on from that cliffhanger ONLY to be left with another; however, it does flow well from chapter to chapter.

reading it now...its great. Tiok a luttle longer than I thoufgt it would to receive it, but it was in perfect condition when i did.

The general opinion seems to be that Shadows, the second book in the Ashes trilogy, can not keep up with the brilliance of the first book.
Being the last one reading it, of course, I was warned and I do think that's why my own disappointment wasn't too harsh. I can't say I loved Shadows as much as I loved Ashes, but it's still one of the best books I've read this year.
The good thing about the book was Bick's writing, her ability to create suspense, to think in the mind of her characters, to never, ever draw an unrealistic plot line or twist and to keep you on the edge of your seat, wanting to know what happens.
Shadows could still have been amazing for all those qualities - if they hadn't been so familiar already. With Ashes I had the benefit of surprise, I was astonished by Bick's skills and that tied me over and kept me amazed until the end.
Shadows, though, had to score in plot and character development in order to wow me again. And while the latter is totally one of Bick's strenghts, I had my problems with the plot.
I can only agree with the masses when they say that Bick relied on too many points of view. In the beginning, it didn't bother me much that she went from one perspective only, Alex's, to several more. I can't name them all (spoilers), but I think at the end we were at at least five. Which is a lot.
Still, it's not the number of perspectives we had, but what they did to the novel, I think.
Peter's and Alex's plotline were cut short, in my opinion, and then stagnitized throughout the middle of the book. Orange's (substitute for he who shall not be named) perspective kept me entertained, but wasn't enough to stick through the other parts of the book without getting bored.
Jumping to a completely different topic, I think Bick went overboard with her realistic and descriptive writing style. This book, my dears, can hardly be considered YA anymore. That's my opinion, at least. If it was a movie, I'm sure anyone under sixteen (maybe even eighteen) wouldn't be allowed to see it. It's not just the violence that's going on in Shadows, it's mostly just the things the characters do to stay alive.
I mean, I get that in a situation like the one described in the book, people would probably behave that way. But I really do find it problematic to still call Shadows YA.
On a more positive side, the ending was fantastic and the novel left off at a really interestsing point. Also, Monsters is coming out soon, so if you haven't started the trilogy yet (and if you think you can handle it), I definitely recommend you go and pick it up.

**4.5 stars**

Alex has escaped from Rule – but what new horrors face her in the ravaged world outside?
Tom is safe – but what will he risk to find Alex?
Chris – how much does he really know about the terrible darkness of Rule? And what are his true feelings for Alex?
Ellie – where is she?

Yes indeed. All questions I had when I had finished “Ashes” the first book in this trilogy. Some are answered – some are not – and I can hardly wait to find out how this one turns out for all involved. Monsters await me – probably quite literally.

So, you have Young Adult fiction. Then you have Adult fiction. And somewhere inbetween you have Ilsa J Bick’s trilogy about a post apocalyptic, dangerous world, where no-one can be trusted and sometimes your best friend is also your worst enemy. A brilliantly imagined setting where in order to survive, ruthless is the only way to go.

There are several interlocking stories going on here as we follow Alex, Chris and Tom amongst others – separate but linked – on their journey through a landscape fraught with danger, ever changing, and filled with those of nefarious intent. The “changed” are scary, downright horrific and if you have a weak stomach, fair warning, there are no punches pulled here. And its possible that the change is not over yet…Just because you are one of the “Spared” does not guarantee that you will always be entirely you…

Multi stranded character arcs can confuse – I’ve heard people call this plot “convoluted” but for me it was rich in detail and imagination. Rather than give heart and soul to two or three main protagonists, Ms Bick breathes life into them all – whilst also managing to give the reader a full appreciation for the world they inhabit. Not an easy task and yes the plot building is complicated – you may lose some of the nuances of the journey – but its worth every second for the pure adrenalin rush that sometimes may overtake you.

If you love YA Post Apocalyptic fiction, and enjoy a story with many different faces I would recommend these books. Monsters will be on my reading schedule soon – I am hoping that the ending to this particular trilogy will satisfy me more than the last one I read. Yes you people who follow my reviews you all know what I am talking about! Shadows has had the perfect lead in to the finale. I will let you know if it lives up to the promise…

As an aside – I have the first two books in paperback (UK) and Quercus, James Fraser (cover design) and Arcangel Images (cover photo) have done another outstanding job here. I love the tactile presence of these novels on my shelf. Monsters is on my Kindle (I took the short route and went via netgalley) but I shall be purchasing the final paperback to complete my collection. Cover art. One of my favourite things about physical books…

**Purchased in Paperback via Amazon Uk***

Happy Reading Folks!

Bick delivers another gory action packed book.
I'm glad I had Ashes fresh into my mind going into this. There were so many different POV and things happening that if I hadn't of read Shadows straight away, I could of found it confusing. Shadows picks up where Ashes left off Alex has escaped Rule but is she any better off? We don't see as much of Alex in Shadows which I found a bit disappointing. I really liked her and the strength she has. What we do see of her is heartbreaking. She has so many things to deal with in Shadows but even when the people she is with take the easy way out she keeps fighting and trying to survive.
Tom is alive and ready to find Alex but his journey isn't exactly a picnic. With bounty hunters, Chuckies and people he thought he could trust gunning for him, his journey is fraught with danger. We don't get to see anything of Ellie in Shadows so your left with the question of what happened? I'm sure it will all come together in the final book.
What is happening with Peter is disturbing to say the least. His captors are so mysterious and evil and I'm dying to see where the author will take this. Even with the multiple POV I still really liked this book but I was confused some of the time trying to figure out who was talking.
Shadows is another book that's gory, bloody, disgusting, nail biting and horrifying book. When I was reading it I was thinking "OMG" and "Eww" and "I have to keep reading to see what happens"!!! It is a descriptive, action packed, heartbreaking, edge of your seat book. Im starting book 3 now and am looking forward to seeing how it all ends.