Review: Shadow Eyes

Title - Shadow Eyes

Author - Dusty Crabtree

Genre -YA Fantasy

Published - July 15th 2012

Publisher - Muse Publishing

Format - Kindle Review Copy

(Goodreads)(Amazon)

Synopsis

Iris Kohl lives in a world populated by murky shadows that surround, harass, and entice unsuspecting individuals toward evil. But she is the only one who can see them. She’s had this ability to see the shadows, as well as brilliantly glowing light figures, ever since an obscure, tragic incident on her fourteenth birthday three years earlier.

Although she’s learned to cope, the view of her world begins to shift upon the arrival of three mysterious characters. First, a handsome new teacher whose presence scares away shadows; second, a new friend with an awe-inspiring aura; and third, a mysterious and alluring new student whom Iris has a hard time resisting despite already having a boyfriend.

As the shadows invade and terrorize her own life and family, she must ultimately revisit the most horrific event of her life in order to learn her true identity and become the hero she was meant to be.

Review

I received Shadow Eyes in return for an honest review from the author. Iris’s life changed three years early when she developed the ability to see shadows and light. The shadows are these black creatures that attack themselves to people causing them to do bad things. She’s learned to deal with the shadows over the last three years avoiding places where they are stronger feeling safe at home. Iris has dreams that feel real, telling her things about the future. However this year is planning to change her life forever.

When her friend asks her out on a group date the relationship sparks into a relationship. They aren't the only ones from the group date that spark a relationship. As things progress with Josh soon shadows are pushing him to do things out of character. She also has a new teacher Mr. Delaney who is insanely handsome he implies he see’s something special with Iris about her gifts. Iris has a new friend the new girl Kyra who unlike her fellow students is shadow free and even radiates light.

Kyra isn't the only new student in school and this one seems to also have the light like Kyra. Even though Iris has a boyfriend she can’t deny her attraction to him but she’s determine not to fall for his charming smile. As her Computer Apps class pushes them together she’s torn between both the one who she’s been dating and the one who she’s enchanted by. As things at school get more and more bizarre her home-life takes its own downward spiral as her older experiences tragedy. Iris’s world continues to spiral out of control but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Will she learn the truth about who she really is? What’s really going on with the shadows and why Kyra and Patrick both radiate light?

I Love Iris it’s easy to connect with plus she’s bookish just like I am. She reminds me of myself because she gets excited by birthday gifts of books, bookmarks, and book store gift cards only the best gifts ever. She’s had to grow up a lot and learn to deal with her gifts over the last few years and that has caused her to be stronger. I wasn't sure at first how I felt about Patrick but by the end I liked him he’s a good partner for Iris even if he has a dark side.

I found Shadow Eyes captivating right from the start we are pulled into Iris’s life learning about her special gifts. The concept is a good vs. evil but the author has put her own unique spin creating a world of shadows and light. I loved the characters I found them engaging, and easy to connect with I couldn't wait to turn the page and see what would happen next to Iris. The author has created a fantasy story filled with suspense, action, romance and an ongoing battle of good vs. evil. The author has beautifully written a story that flows smoothly from start to finish. I like the way she ended the book with the hint at a possible sequel to the book. For her debut novel I think Shadow Eyes is an excellent novel and look forward to seeing what the author creates next.  

5 out of 5 stars