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Lash #2
Shadow Man
A renegade vampire begins amassing a flock of true believers, threatening America’s vampire hierarchy. Weresnake Lash partners with old enemy Danial and new allies Burl and Spiderboy to track down and annihilate them. Betrayed and left for dead, Lash reemerges the victor, edging ever upward in the Assassin’s Ranking, and catching the eye of the sultry nightclub singer Cassandra Nile. Drawn into drugs by Cassie, Lash begins to doubt himself, yearning to leave his life of violence, even as enemies close in from every side. When catastrophe strikes again, and Hill House is destroyed, Lash flees north to Devlin, again pledging service to a Vampire Ruler in return for both safety and revenge. Horrifically injured saving Devlin’s life, Lash is granted a potion to tremendously slow his aging, along with an evil request. Healed yet disheartened, Lash returns to his old friend Jasmine, who urges him to take Devlin’s offer.
182 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2012
117 people want to read
About the author
Tara Fox Hall
89 books449 followersTara Fox Hall’s writing credits include nonfiction, horror, suspense, erotica, and contemporary and historical paranormal romance. She also coauthored the essay “The Allure of the Serial Killer,” published in Serial Killers - Philosophy for Everyone: Being and Killing (Wiley-Blackwell, 2010). Her first full-length action-adventure novel, Lash, published in April 2012. Her vampire series begins in June 2012, with the 1st novel Promise Me. Tara divides her free time unequally between writing novels and short stories, chainsawing firewood, caring for stray animals, sewing cat and dog beds for donation to animal shelters, and target practice.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 8, 2012
Once again, Tara Fox Hall has riveted me with the story of Lash, the were-snake enforcer / assassin and his journey to manhood in the employ of those running the supernatural underworld. I sincerely found this book to be addicting. Lash is a remarkable character, and I couldn't believe when it ended... It's so much about learning to be a man, but more, it's also about learning to be a human being in the face of adversity, when everything is pushing him to be the worst he could be -- it's that kind of journey that I love to read about. The pacing is perfect, weaving the intricacies of loyalty and betrayal, affection and friendship, hate and revenge... It's darkly humorous as much as it is tragic. I cannot wait until Book 3 in the series. Tara, type faster!
November 17, 2012
Although there are some bloody fights in this one, the story concentrates more on Lash’s love life and his desire to have someone who’ll love him just for himself and not for the notoriety of his reputation. It’s an older Lash and an introspective one, harkening back to all the people he’s loved who didn’t return that love, all the people he’s lost who might’ve loved him, and all the people he’s killed, some of whom seem to rise from the grave and seek revenge. The solitariness of his life because of his snake-nature and the prejudice against serpents is revealed to its fullest. Many characters from the previous book are still present and offering sympathy or a threat as the case may be.
Though the thread of the book is a little more settled than the first, which chronicled Lash’s rise to infamy, it’s still a good story…of a man forced by circumstance to become a threat to his particular world, a man wishing for nothing more than a quiet life with a woman who’ll reciprocate his love, and a few friends he can trust. The last comes in an ironic twist at the end of the book, the other appear to still be somewhere in the future, if indeed she exists at all. The scene in which Lash reveals how deep the hurt left by the one woman he could’ve loved and the ego-slaying blow she dealt him is both horrendous, revolting and nonetheless sympathy-evoking.
Again, I could draw parallels to The Godfather, but why do that, when the reader can do it for himself. The ending is bittersweet and left me wanting to know what’s going to happen next in Lash’s life as war looms on the horizon for the world and another war is beginning for the supernaturals. Lash is now approaching middle-age and is weary, and facing a future that may or may not be exactly of his choosing although it appears to be left up to him to accept it. And if he does? Well, he hasn’t been known for making the right choices, has he?
There are some books which transend genre. This series is one such. Take away the supernatural elements and you still have the story of a man’s struggle to overcome the circumstances of his life, sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing. Lash becomes an Everyman, stricing to survive while searching for the one things all men want and only a few ever obtain.
Sad, ironic, bittersweet…Bravo, Tara…waiting for Book #3.
This novel was supplied by the author and no remuneration was involved in the writing of this review.
Though the thread of the book is a little more settled than the first, which chronicled Lash’s rise to infamy, it’s still a good story…of a man forced by circumstance to become a threat to his particular world, a man wishing for nothing more than a quiet life with a woman who’ll reciprocate his love, and a few friends he can trust. The last comes in an ironic twist at the end of the book, the other appear to still be somewhere in the future, if indeed she exists at all. The scene in which Lash reveals how deep the hurt left by the one woman he could’ve loved and the ego-slaying blow she dealt him is both horrendous, revolting and nonetheless sympathy-evoking.
Again, I could draw parallels to The Godfather, but why do that, when the reader can do it for himself. The ending is bittersweet and left me wanting to know what’s going to happen next in Lash’s life as war looms on the horizon for the world and another war is beginning for the supernaturals. Lash is now approaching middle-age and is weary, and facing a future that may or may not be exactly of his choosing although it appears to be left up to him to accept it. And if he does? Well, he hasn’t been known for making the right choices, has he?
There are some books which transend genre. This series is one such. Take away the supernatural elements and you still have the story of a man’s struggle to overcome the circumstances of his life, sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing. Lash becomes an Everyman, stricing to survive while searching for the one things all men want and only a few ever obtain.
Sad, ironic, bittersweet…Bravo, Tara…waiting for Book #3.
This novel was supplied by the author and no remuneration was involved in the writing of this review.
November 8, 2012
A Riveting and Disturbing Read
It is the depression and most people are suffering hard times, but Lash, once dirt-poor boy from the swamp, is doing well. He has become bodyguard and friend to Abraham, powerful vampire ruler. But his horrific past catches up with him and he still has nightmares every night.
Shadow Man, the second in the Lash series, is a very dark book. It is the study of the evolution of a killer. As the story progresses, Lash becomes more and more cruel and merciless, no longer obeying even his private, admittedly very flexible, moral code. It seems there is nothing he is not prepared to do in order to survive, and he does some dreadful things just for his own pleasure.
Tara Fox Hall's superb writing draws you in, so that even when you are repelled by some of Lash's acts, you cannot help feeling some sympathy for him. And you find yourself gripped by a horrid fascination.
A very disturbing book written by a mistress of horror. Well done, Tara. You creeped me out again!
It is the depression and most people are suffering hard times, but Lash, once dirt-poor boy from the swamp, is doing well. He has become bodyguard and friend to Abraham, powerful vampire ruler. But his horrific past catches up with him and he still has nightmares every night.
Shadow Man, the second in the Lash series, is a very dark book. It is the study of the evolution of a killer. As the story progresses, Lash becomes more and more cruel and merciless, no longer obeying even his private, admittedly very flexible, moral code. It seems there is nothing he is not prepared to do in order to survive, and he does some dreadful things just for his own pleasure.
Tara Fox Hall's superb writing draws you in, so that even when you are repelled by some of Lash's acts, you cannot help feeling some sympathy for him. And you find yourself gripped by a horrid fascination.
A very disturbing book written by a mistress of horror. Well done, Tara. You creeped me out again!
December 15, 2012
I am very happy I had the chance to read this one! Thanks to the author for letting me get the chance to take the journey on this one!
Lash a weresnake is not getting what he needs in life so he must do something to make things better. He takes is chances in becoming a bodyguard to the most powerful vampire in the world, Abraham. But working for Abraham makes Lash the person he is starting to not like. Is is past catching up to him? WIll he find new allies or love? Will he get to live a life he wants?
Shadow Man is the 2nd in the series and I have to admit I loved the writing of Tara! I loved the dark feel of the story and Lash. I really got the into this book and felt like I was right there with him. I really felt for him as well and enjoyed going on the journey with him. There was crazy things going on in this one and it only made the story that much more page turning.
Make sure to get out and her both books so you can see all the obstacles Lash faces and the flow of the story will keep you on the edge! A dark read for sure!
Lash a weresnake is not getting what he needs in life so he must do something to make things better. He takes is chances in becoming a bodyguard to the most powerful vampire in the world, Abraham. But working for Abraham makes Lash the person he is starting to not like. Is is past catching up to him? WIll he find new allies or love? Will he get to live a life he wants?
Shadow Man is the 2nd in the series and I have to admit I loved the writing of Tara! I loved the dark feel of the story and Lash. I really got the into this book and felt like I was right there with him. I really felt for him as well and enjoyed going on the journey with him. There was crazy things going on in this one and it only made the story that much more page turning.
Make sure to get out and her both books so you can see all the obstacles Lash faces and the flow of the story will keep you on the edge! A dark read for sure!
March 22, 2013
Since the first book, I've found this series fascinating. I've never read anything with a weresnake before. I've also never read something with such a diverse amount of creatures in it. I loved the concept of Spiderboy's character. I think this world is very creative and I love reading about it. Read the rest of this review here: Paperbacks and Frosting
Want to read
December 20, 2012After reading the first in this series I was overjoyed to see you were doing a giveaway for Shadow Man, the second in the series! It's very kind of you to give everyone a chance. I'm very surprised and happy that I was the one winner out of 237 people who entered. As soon as I receive the novel in the mail and read it I will be sure to write a proper review. Thank you again for the chance.
December 18, 2012
I loved this book and I'm now looking for anything this author writes. What an original idea a weresnake. She grabbed me from the first page. I know you're saying, yuck, a weresnake? But I'm love Lash. This is the second book in the series, so now I have to go back and read the first one.
Read
November 22, 2013This is the second book in the Lash series. :)
December 6, 2012
WOW THIS BOOK WAS SO DAM CREEPY! I have never ever read a horror like this one. There is so much going on before you that at times I was like okay did I just read that or am I bugging out? Then I would go back and re-read it just to make sure I was not making things up. But Dam oh dam I have to read the first book because this is book two and it is Lash's story and how he became the cold hearted killer he is.
Lash comes from poverty. He knows he wants to make money and leave all that behind but to make money he has to do some not so nice things. he becomes bodyguard to the most powerful vampire in the world Abraham. It's working for Abraham where Lash learns that it is better to do what is told then go against it. He becomes this person that is cruel and mean. He hurts people sometimes for the job but sometimes for pleasure. He gets this high off of it but he soon finds himself in trouble and wanting to leave all that behind. But how do you put a past behind you when it defined you and your whole world?
Soon Lash will have to trust someone he is not sure can be trusted. As he goes to this person he is aware that he is going to need more protection so he seeks out the one person that can give him that. But what will he find in the end? Will it protection or will it be something else? This book was creepy as all get up but I love a good horror and if you are looking for that then come along for the greatest horror ride of a lifetime!
Lash comes from poverty. He knows he wants to make money and leave all that behind but to make money he has to do some not so nice things. he becomes bodyguard to the most powerful vampire in the world Abraham. It's working for Abraham where Lash learns that it is better to do what is told then go against it. He becomes this person that is cruel and mean. He hurts people sometimes for the job but sometimes for pleasure. He gets this high off of it but he soon finds himself in trouble and wanting to leave all that behind. But how do you put a past behind you when it defined you and your whole world?
Soon Lash will have to trust someone he is not sure can be trusted. As he goes to this person he is aware that he is going to need more protection so he seeks out the one person that can give him that. But what will he find in the end? Will it protection or will it be something else? This book was creepy as all get up but I love a good horror and if you are looking for that then come along for the greatest horror ride of a lifetime!
Read
March 9, 2013Adding the new Kindle Version of Shadow Man re-published by Double Dragon!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews