Shadow Hunt

Arash #1

by Elke Stevens

Author Elke Schuster is addicted to creating new worlds and settings. When she woke one morning with a particular fantasy story in mind she knew she needed some special creatures to go along with it. Fairies? No. Vampires? Overdone. When a friend suggested that angels were the ‘new’ vampires she mulled it over and introduced a new player in the world of fantasy creatures: the Arash, descendants of the stars whose name mean ‘bright’. More human than vampires, but powerful enough to be alluring, Schuster made them into the “stars” of her newest release Arash, Vol. 1, Shadow Hunt, the first in a four-book series.

Livia is the black sheep of her family, self-conscious and underachieving. That is, until she meets her new friends: the exuberant Natalie, her brother Rupert, the sculptor, intelligent librarian Will, stunning interior designer Ruth, and arrogant horse breeder Cassius. The group of mismatched friends makes Livia feel as if she may fit in somewhere for the first time in her life. Then she begins to suspect that her so-called friends are not who they claim to be. They hold a secret that could change Livia’s life forever.

Will her great love for one of them survive the challenges of becoming an immortal Arash? Will Livia herself manage to survive?

Genres: Paranormal Romance

245 pages, ebook

First published May 8, 2013

About the author

Elke Stevens lives in Vienna, Austria, and in London. She studied Romance philology and English and American Studies in Salzburg, Venice, and London, culminating in her dissertation on ‘Machiavelli under the Perspective of Greek and Latin Historiography’. After a career in marketing and the birth of her two daughters she founded a successful translation business. Elke loves books, modern art, travelling, shopping with her daughters and walking her dogs in Hyde Park.

Reviews

[Alicia Huxtable · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

Something a little different and it's a good different. The characters are really well written and I know Ruth shouldn't be one of my favorites but she is

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word. WOW. Okay I got that out of my system. I found this book on Net Galley and decided the premise was so unusual that I had to read it. And like I said, WOW. I received this book for an fair and honest review.

Livia is a shy,socially awkward, twenty one year old, who has just been dumped by her egotistical and arrogant boyfriend. She meets Natalie, a vivacious young woman who for some reason that Livia can’t figure out, takes Livia under her wing. She introduces Livia to her group of close friends and with one exception, they all befriend her. Now instead of sitting home alone feeling sorry for herself, she has a whole group of friends and plans for weekends. She can’t believe her luck. So what if she now seems to have a blue star shining outside her apartment at night, or the same type of cat turning up everywhere she goes.Then there’s that pesky little problem that her new friends don’t cast shadows. She even falls in love with one of them. What she doesn’t know is that this group of friends are actually a family of Arash. This is not a spoiler as the main part of the book begins with them. They are invisible to humans unless they choose not to be. The bar they frequent is only visible to others like them.They are immortal. And now is the time for them to take in a new member.

To say this is one of the most unusual paranormal/science fictions books I have ever read would be an understatement. I felt like I knew the characters in person and wanted to be friends with them, as they were just so real. The author has told a completely different story unlike anything out there. No vampires or werewolves or even witches to be had here.’You spend most of the book not sure what is going on-at least I did-and that was okay because I was so completely sucked into the story. Life got in the way a bit(sleeping and meals) but for the most part I couldn’t put it down. If I had a list of the top one hundred paranormal books I have ever read, this would definitely be in the top 15. There is still so much to learn about this group because it definitely didn’t all get told. It didn’t end with a cliffhanger but I still can’t get the next one soon enough.Needless to say it was extremely well written! If you love paranormal books,this book is definitely the one to read!

If I could rate it 10 out of 5 stars, I definitely would but I can’t so I rated it 5 well deserved stars. Review originally posted on PureTextuality on 06/27/2013

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arash: Vol 1. Shadow Hunt Elke Schuster


ARC supplied via Netgalley.

I love fantasy books especially those with a romantic element. Of course the genre is swamped with vampires and shape-shifters so something new is always a treat. Elke gives us the Arash, beings who begin as humans and become Arash through careful selection – no bloodsucking and biting involved! just those who fit certain criteria. Once Arash they can live among humans unnoticed if they are careful not to be seen, and are almost immortal. They can be killed by other Arash but I'm not certain if humans can kill them, certainly there don't seem to be hunters as is usual with vampires and shape-shifters.
This book involves a group of six Arash, who call themselves family and are in close contact. Their selection procedures have shown another suitable candidate is around and they search for him or her. Natalie, the youngest one, befriends Livia thinking she may be the person they seek. Livia has an unhappy background, her mother killed herself when she was a baby and her stepmother and stepsister don't really feel like family. Livia always feels inferior and slightly isolated from both family and her few friends. She is drawn in by Natalie instantly, they seem to get on so well and she can't help liking the vivacious and friendly girl, and the story goes on from there.
Its a fabulous group of “people” Elke has created, and they have their own very strict rules and laws about how they can behave to each other, and to humans to keep themselves hidden. I really love the concept, its fresh and unusual, something different in the well worn fantasy genre. Elke people are so well drawn they feel real and I immediately felt that I was among them and understood them as real characters, I empathised with poor Livia for feeling at odds with her family and was upset over her relationship breakup – dumped by face-book, sadly this is becoming a modern concept :( Natalie, well who couldn't like her, and her family, the delicious Rupert – attractive but in some ways a bit of a flake, a fence-sitter, then there's Will, he's special, super intelligent and so kind to everyone. Ruth – super-bitch in some ways, she's very anti Natalie and out to prevent her joining the family if she can but in ways that won't be attributed to her, and then Cassius. I loved him from the start, he seems outwardly quite cold but I suspect much of it is self protective. Of course there's the two others Randolph and Augustus ( think that's the names) – we don't see so much of them, they seem to be the “older” generation and though the whole family meet often this book is centred around the younger group mainly. All have their odd quirks but feel real, not cardboard characters but people you could chat to, enjoy a drink or meal with.
The story starts with Livia in some kind of mental institution and I had the horrible feeling it was going to end that way too :( and be one of those “it was all a dream” creations. I hate those, I feel cheated by that as a plot so I was really really glad to be proved wrong. We then meet Livia just before she's contacted by Natalie and slowly the story unfolds. My heart was up sometimes and other times down, as the way Elke writes had me feeling emotions along with the characters, what they felt I felt and I was hoping for things to turn out a certain way. The beginning scenes shows context later in the book and I understood what was happening then and how it fitted the plot.

Its great that although this is vol one and a scene setter it has a real plot and story-lines, and ends what I call Properly, not a horrible cliffhanger ending but one that ties up neatly although clearly hints at next book. There's a sample of how the next book starts at the end, and that and the content of this one certainly has me drooling with anticipation for what looks to be a fantastic series. Elke, I hope you write quickly as I need more NOW!! :)
Well written and edited and at £3.35 for 288 pages its a bargain and definitely one that bears reading over again. One for my keeper files.
Stars: full five, I simply loved this book and devoured it in one long sitting ( I am a quick reader and it is the main way I pass the day..). Roll on book two- please :)

[Stacy Sabala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review- Arash Vol. 1, The Shadow Hunt by Elke Schuster

Livia’s life is not going as she wants. She has to compete with her perfect step-sister. Her boyfriend breaks up with her on Facebook. She always deals with situations that make her uncomfortable by trying to be as invisible as she can. She is disgusted with herself at times. She sees herself as weak but she can’t do anything about it. She doesn’t fit in anywhere. Little does she know that her life is about to change.
The Arash, Randolph, Augustus, Will, Cassius, Ruth, Rupert, and Natalie, are on a shadow hunt looking for the newest member of their family. A shadow appeared and they must search out the person who fits the shadow. That person is to join their family and become Arash too. They are beings of light. They scatter to try and find that one person they are looking for.
Natalie has a feeling Livia is the one the Arash are looking for. She watches her for a while. Then when she approaches Livia, Natalie instantly likes her and invites her to stay with her on New Year’s Eve. They have a great time. As a result Livia is introduced to the rest of the group. She likes them, well most of them. Cassius scares her and Ruth instantly doesn’t like her. Rupert, however, has caught her eye. He is sweet and funny. Livia is happy to have them as her friends. Everything is perfect, until Livia starts to notice some weird things about her friends. They have no shadows, they are all rich, and they have these blue lights that appear in their eyes. She pushes it from her mind because she fears she is going crazy like her mother. She is happy but things aren’t as they seem. Her new friends are keeping things from her.
Ruth doesn’t want Livia to join the family and she tries to scare her away. She almost succeeds but Livia returns. Ruth tries everything but nothing works. Apparently she will have to do something permanent. Her actions almost destroy them both.
When her human family tries to intercede and has Livia committed because they think she is crazy, Livia almost believes that Ruth has succeeded. She doesn’t know if they will come for her during the next lunar eclipse. She can only join them then. She doesn’t know if she is strong enough to believe.
This book took a while to get started for me. It was very confusing at first. However when the characters started coming together the story united in a more complete way instead of two parallel parts.
Livia did drive me crazy. As a main female character, she was weaker than I like. I was glad to see her grow a backbone as the story evolved. The story, itself, was very unique. I liked the ending and can’t wait to read the next adventure these characters embark on. I give it a 4 out of 5.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book from cover to cover and feel that it was an amazing introduction in to the world of the Arash, which is why I gave it a 4 star rating. I admit I wanted to give the book a full five star rating but I didn't because I wanted to see how the story will develop in the other books in the series.

The author wrote the book in a way that kept you wondering all the way through what was going to happen next as well allowing the world of the Arash to unfold slowly due to what the main character Livia was learning about them as the story developed. I also loved the way that Elke developed Rhandolf the main Arash who turns out to be Livia's biological father because you were always wondering what secrets he was hiding. I loved the dynamics between the Arash family: Natalie the kind hearted, gentle, hopeless romantic bright Arash; Ruth the cold hearted, bitchy interior designer dark Arash; Will the kind, gentle, Gay bright Arash & brother to Ruth; Cassius the domineering but loveable horse breeding dark Arash; Rupert the balchy but gentle, sculpture bright Arash and brother to Natalie

The story begins where Livia has broken up with her boyfriend just before Christmas and is feeling lonely and like she doesn't fit anywhere again, then she meets Natalie. As she gets to know Natalie and her friends she begins to feel like she fits in somewhere at last. I loved the way that the Author wrote the dream sequences in the book as the way she described what was happening really made me as the reader feel like I was experiencing it myself as it was blatantly obvious that the character was feeling like is this a dream or is it really happening like you do sometimes with dreams.

All in all this was a fantastic first book in a four book series which I strongly recommend to any reader who loves books about mythical/ asteral beings. So all that is left to say is that I will be reading the rest of this series, in fact I am currently reading the second book in the series Raytara - Judgement of the Stars.

[Bobbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diving right in, I found the way the book was written in third person present tense somewhat disconcerting to start with, but after a short while I got used to it and it kind of worked, even if it did have a slight 'school essay' feel to it. Using the third person enables us to see what is going on with various different characters, which is always a bonus. I'm sort-of in love with first-person writing at the moment, but it can be restrictive when it comes to the storyline - you only ever get one side of the story.

Livia is ok, as heroines go - her inner monologue (which intersperses the main third-person narrative) gets a little whiny at times, but it is an inner monologue and if you can't whine to yourself now and then, when can you? With the help of the Arash, she discovers her own strengths and becomes a much more likeable character as the book goes on. At the start she's a bit wishy-washy, but she comes into herself by the end. I quite liked that she's not all good. She makes some bad choices that I have a feeling are going to rear up and bite her at some point, but that's life.

The Arash characters are a mixed bunch. Natalie is an enthusiastic friend, but a bit too bubbly for my taste at times. Ruth is a first-class bitch, and you have to admire her a little for it. Rupert I found a bit inconsistent - he doesn't really fit the artsy sculptor character that I felt he should be. Will is a sweetie, not an important character in this book but a good foundation for the future I feel. Cassius is hot. I would really have liked to get to know what's going on in his head more.

I'm interested to read the next book in the series, as I feel that this race of immortals can be developed and explored a lot more. We're only just getting to know them now, and I think they have a lot more to offer.

Review copy received from NetGalley, full review posted at http://escapeintowords.blogspot.co.uk...

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a highly addictive story that took me into a brand new world of immortals called the Arash. While the beginning was a little confusing and slow, once I hit the halfway mark, I couldn’t put the book down! I’m eager to see where this story goes in the next books.

The story revolves around Livia, who is a misfit going through a breakup. She is dragged into the world of the Arash by meeting some criteria for becoming one of them. There’s a lot of drama revolving around exactly how she “fits” with them, but, needless to say, that starts off a bigger chain of events. At first I was really rooting for the realness of Livia’s character, but as the book went on, I started to hate her. The choices she makes are mind-bogglingly bad. Not just normal bad, but mess up your life bad. That was just one of a few things that irked me about this book.

Going back to the beginning of the book, I had a really hard time following the story because of all the POV shifting. I found myself re-reading sections to try to figure out who is talking, who is thinking, and who is actually doing specific things. Once I got the hang of that (sort of), I was a little bit confused about the story. One minute we’re depressed, the next minute we’re happy, then we’re in love really quickly, then we rebound in the most horrible way, then we learn that everyone is sleeping with her mom? So confused.

Obviously I wasn’t confused or upset enough by this book to put it down, though. The story is engaging and dragged me through Livia’s bad choices all the way to the end. I wish there was more character development, even just in the form of Cassius. We are so rapidly thrown into this group that it could have really used just a few more chapters of character development to explain away some of the actions and choices.

[Kylie Harrison (The Reading Cow) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Livia is the odd one out in her family. Her mother died when she was a baby and she never fully got along with her step-sister. Her boyfriend dumps her and she feels lost and alone. Until the day she meets Natalie.

Natalie has a very outgoing personality and the girls were instant friends. As the story unfolds we are introduced to Natalie's family, which includes Randolph, Augustus, Cassius, Rupert, Will and Ruth. All have individual personalities and are very self confident. Livia often wonders why they like her so much as they seem like complete opposites to her.

As the story progresses, Livia begins to wonder about her new group of friends. Something just doesn't add up with them. She begins to notice little things about them which have her questioning her own sanity at times. Later, she learns that her new friends are Arash. Immortal beings that are born on a day that a comet passes close to the earth.

The prologue of Arash is written in Livia's POV. She's in a mental institution, and you get the impression that she is crazy. That drew me in immediately. I wanted to find out if she was sane or not and who was 'coming to get her' in the spring.

From there, the book switches view points between Livia and her friends. I was a little overwhelmed by the POV changes, and it took me a little while to really settle into the flow of the story. Once I got settled in to the flow I was completely hooked!

I really enjoyed reading Arash, and I am eagerly waiting for the next instalment in the series. I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series must be read in order. This is the first book.

Wow.... Just wow. I am floored by the immersive world and extensive history found in this incredibly unique urban paranormal series! I do not want to say too much because with a complicated storyline like this it is hard not to accidentally give spoilers.

Livia has always felt isolated and alone. She simply does not fit in anywhere ever. Her father doesn't like her and her stepmother is decent enough but so not her mum. Her stepsister puts her through the inquisition most times and in general is just not someone she can measure up to. Her life really is just following the path of least resistance and wondering why she doesn't fit in anywhere with anyone at all ... And why she is always feeling like she is being watched and followed... Is she crazy like her dead mum? Or is there something else out there following and watching her? What is with all the cats everywhere? They pop up in the most unlikely places!

This story is unique in so many ways! It's a very unconventional coming of age story filled with intrigue and suspense. You have to pay close attention or one of the many mysteries will lose you from the main plot. There is a bit of romance but mostly adventure and humor. I really enjoyed this book and can not wait to start the next Raytara - Judgement of the Stars (Arash)!!!

***This series is suitable for mature young adult through adult readers

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book from NetGalley.com as an ARC copy. After reading the summary I knew I had to read it. There are many books out there now that have vampires, wolves, angles, and other supernatural creatures, that this book looked to have a refreshing view. So I asked for a copy and received one. Let me tell you I was not disappointed at all! Once I was able to put my full attention to the book, I couldn't put it down until it was done!! The Arash are being that come from the stars. They have lived on earth since the dawn of time and once there is a sign for a new member to join their group, they commence a shadow hunt. This book tells the story of one groups' shadow hunt. It's full of adventure, some romance, and mystery. A must read if you are into supernatural beings!!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for review. I have not even heard about this story until I received it. After reading this first story in this series, I fell in love with it. I am so glad to have found an new unique paranormal read. The paranormal story line is unlike any other one I have read. This author makes the characters all come to life and believable with many twist in the story. I really didn't want to stop reading the story until I finished. Glad to have the next one already so I can see what else these characters get into. If you like new story lines in paranormal romance you will love this series.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for review. I have not even heard about this story until I received it. After reading this first story in this series, I fell in love with it. I am so glad to have found an new unique paranormal read. The paranormal story line is unlike any other one I have read. This author makes the characters all come to life and believable with many twist in the story. I really didn't want to stop reading the story until I finished. Glad to have the next one already so I can see what else these characters get into. If you like new story lines in paranormal romance you will love this series.

[Mollie! · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not going to give Arash a two star review. I think it deserves three stars. There were so many plot holes, though, that the twists and turns Schuster wanted to incorporate just came out sort of convoluted. After awhile I had to push myself not to finish, but to stay interested for more than two minutes.



For the full review of my thoughts on this book, visit my blog at www.bookdictivereviews.blogspot.com

[Crissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Livia has been a loner all her life. Doesn't have any friends and doesn't really fit in with her own family. She finally meets Natalie and her whole life changes. Are these new friends of her for real????? Is she just making them up???? I really liked this book and can't wait to read the next one. I have fallen in love with these characters and you really root for Livia and watch her grow! Thank you for a great book!!!!

[Taru · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting book to read. From time to time the story was quite addictive. The book had characters which you loved to hate. I'm wuite curious to read the next part of the series.

[Holly Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started off a bit slower.....more difficult to understand the narrator vs. Livia POV. I was wrapped up in the story by the middle and addicted by the end.

[Terri]

I could NOT with the writing. It was so simplistic and juvenile.