Ash’s review of Shaedes of Gray by Amanda Bonilla
Urban fantasy published by Signet Eclipse 06 Dec 11
I think maybe I am getting burnt out on paranormals because I feel like I never have anything new to say. I like Shaedes of Gray, but it doesn’t blow me away. With so many books out in this genre, I want to be wowed, and, sadly, it doesn’t happen very often anymore.
Darian (whose name I do not like, for a woman anyway. Not important to the book but still, it bugs me) is a bit more of the annoying urban fantasy heroine. She believes she is the only paranormal being in existence and, therefore, she believes she can never get close to someone, she always has to be alone, etc., etc., etc. I’m pretty tired of the whole “I want to love you, but I don’t know what love is and never will” thing she has going on. I also find it a little hard to believe that not once in her 100 years or so of life she never got even the smallest hint of other beings, considering it turns out that there is a pretty damn big paranormal population with their own government systems and everything. At times Darian comes off as just stupid and arrogant, not a person who is very appealing. Which makes me wonder why so many men seem to want her. I honestly don’t get it.
Everything else in the book I pretty much like. Shaedes of Gray doesn’t have the typical creatures. There are Shaedes, obviously, Jinn, Oracles, Fae, and other things both good and bad. I think this is what saved the book for me. It’s something refreshing that I am not used to reading about. The other characters are fascinating as well. The Shaedes are a mix of modern and old world who, as Darian says, feel like they are from Lord of the Rings. I want more of them and I hate when they aren’t the focus. Their king, Xander, is vying for Darian’s affection, and that is one thing that disappoints me. It’s as if a love triangle is thrown in just to add drama. I am hoping it doesn’t continue much longer because I really hate those. Tyler is my favorite for the hero, and, even though he messed up in a huge way (I wouldn’t have forgiven him as fast as Darian did), I still really like him.
Shaedes of Gray held my attention pretty well, and for me lately that is a huge feat. It does suffer from some bad dialogue, with the characters speaking like they are out of a bad made-for-TV movie. The constant repeating of the same things makes me roll my eyes every time (we get it Darian, you are a good assassin, you don’t kill innocent people), but I’m able to look past that and enjoy the story. It isn’t too complicated, nor is it a simple good vs. bad. I’ll probably read the next one, but I don’t think I would rush out to buy it.
Grade: C+
Summary:
In the shadows of the night, Darian has lived alone for almost a century. Made and abandoned by her former love, Darian is the last of her kind-an immortal Shaede who can slip into darkness as easily as breathing. With no one else to rely on, she has taught herself how to survive, using her unique skills to become a deadly assassin.
When Darian’s next mark turns out to be Xander Peck, King of the Shaede Nation, her whole worldview is thrown into question. Darian begins to wonder if she’s taken on more than her conscience will allow. But a good assassin never leaves a job unfinished…
Read an excerpt.
