What do you think?
Rate this book
Shadows #3
Shadows Lost
Africa, 1888. Trying to forget the past that took her best friend and her mother away, Sonnet Gray busies herself with helping to build a hospital, taking care of a precocious child, and avoiding corsets. Together with Israel Rhode, the one man she can trust, their safe haven is discovered by an old enemy. Luke needs Sonnet to get back where he came from …
London, 1931. Rose Gray isn’t getting any better, and Bedlam Asylum has never been a safe place. Consumed with rage and insanity, Rose isn’t the only Gray who has learned to control her traveling through eras.
From the dark alleys of Jack the Ripper to the Spice Islands of Zanzibar, from an abandoned hospital to an elaborate mansion, from the cliffs of Italy to their childhood cottage of France, Sonnet and Rose travel. One is controlled by love, the other by revenge, but only one girl will be strong enough to end their story. The other will simply remain Lost …
London, 1931. Rose Gray isn’t getting any better, and Bedlam Asylum has never been a safe place. Consumed with rage and insanity, Rose isn’t the only Gray who has learned to control her traveling through eras.
From the dark alleys of Jack the Ripper to the Spice Islands of Zanzibar, from an abandoned hospital to an elaborate mansion, from the cliffs of Italy to their childhood cottage of France, Sonnet and Rose travel. One is controlled by love, the other by revenge, but only one girl will be strong enough to end their story. The other will simply remain Lost …
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2013
2 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Melyssa Williams
9 books52 followersHopeless bookaholic, hopeful author, magazine columnist, ballet teacher, mommy of three (not counting the dog or the chickens), drinker of mugs of half and half with a splash of coffee, red wine lover, former contemporary dancer, mind behind the Shadows Trilogy: Shadows Gray, Shadows Falling, and Shadows Lost. Coming in the holiday season of 2015, Once Upon A Winter, a steampunk retelling of the Nutcracker.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 4, 2013
When I read the final word of the last book in this amazing series, I smiled and said "Wow." Absolutely a perfect ending. Melyssa Williams drew me in with Shadows Gray. I am not one to read time travel novels but I must say, I fell in love with Sonnet and even Rose with all her madness. I felt complete when finishing Shadows Lost and maybe, just maybe, there could be another book someday about…I won't give it away.
Go purchase the series and get lost in this fantastic story.
Go purchase the series and get lost in this fantastic story.
November 25, 2017
Shadows Lost ends the trilogy of Sonnet and her sister Rose. While the middle book, Shadows Falling, is told more through flashbacks and journal entries, here we are back in the (much more stable) mind of Sonnet, who is now in late 19th century Africa with what’s left of her Lost family when she finds herself called back to her sister’s side. Rose is quickly unraveling, broken by her past and her inability to fix it.
Of all the Shadows books I found this to be the slowest in terms of pacing, but it was the most unpredictable in terms of plot. I knew Rose and Sonnet would have to settle their demons but there were many ways that could have happened. I mean, Rose is insane so basically the sky’s the limit. Still, the ending tied everything together, though by the end the tension seemed a bit..anticlimactic as it was clear that Rose wasn’t vengeful so much as psychotic.
Overall I think the best part of this series is its creativity and its avoidance of logical fallacies. It is hard to create a time travel series that avoids plot inconsistencies (especially that old classic - can you visit a place in time where a younger you already exists) but every single potential pitfall is addressed and rationalized instead of being dismissed as an inconvenience. It is a credit to Melyssa Williams that she took the time to ensure every part of her story held water. A good series for the young adult crowd to enjoy and get some extra history and literature education from. 3 stars.
Of all the Shadows books I found this to be the slowest in terms of pacing, but it was the most unpredictable in terms of plot. I knew Rose and Sonnet would have to settle their demons but there were many ways that could have happened. I mean, Rose is insane so basically the sky’s the limit. Still, the ending tied everything together, though by the end the tension seemed a bit..anticlimactic as it was clear that Rose wasn’t vengeful so much as psychotic.
Overall I think the best part of this series is its creativity and its avoidance of logical fallacies. It is hard to create a time travel series that avoids plot inconsistencies (especially that old classic - can you visit a place in time where a younger you already exists) but every single potential pitfall is addressed and rationalized instead of being dismissed as an inconvenience. It is a credit to Melyssa Williams that she took the time to ensure every part of her story held water. A good series for the young adult crowd to enjoy and get some extra history and literature education from. 3 stars.
September 22, 2013
I loved both Shadows Gray and Shadows Falling for their nail-biting suspense, surprising plot twists, and well-drawn characters. I was delighted to find that Shadows Lost offers up more of the same. It also happens to be a very fitting conclusion to the trilogy - I finished the book feeling a sense of satisfaction. Throughout the series I have admired the author’s savvy handling of the time-travel premise - one that can be difficult to pull off successfully. However, Ms. Williams’ writing seems to get better and better with every book. Although the Shadows series has been completed, I am hoping that she will return to the world of the Lost and tell additional stories about this fascinating tribe.
October 28, 2013
BRIEF REVIEW
- don't read these books out of order
- best book of the trilogy (and ends everything nicely)
- original concept
- strong characters
WORDSY REVIEW
Finally got round to reading this today - thanks, Amazon, for sending me constant emails about products I have no use for, but taking a month to tell me the third book in a trilogy is available.
First of all, let me say that I'm still not sure I'm the intended audience for these books. I see them as a kind of quality YA, but please correct me if I'm wrong.
My complaints with the previous books all had to do with the dialogue and some of the angst, but to be fair to the author I'm fussy about stuff like that.
Imagine my joy then, to find that not only is the dialogue now a lot more specific to each character, but there's even references to them using different slang. And accents. And not necessarily getting what the other is talking about because they're using phrasing they're unfamiliar with. To a lot of people that's not a big deal, but to me it's jarring, and to see that this book was different made me very happy. I like to pretend that it's because I moaned about it before (I know it isn't, I'm not that self involved).
I really think these books, taken as a whole, would make a good film. They're much better than the Twilight books (in my opinion), and very original in concept (unless there's a world of time-travelling-while-asleep fiction that has totally passed me by). The writing is strong, the characters and settings are well described, and the historical back and forth works nicely. If it's YA and I'm too old for it, whatever, because this books wraps everything up nicely and wound up the trilogy well.
- don't read these books out of order
- best book of the trilogy (and ends everything nicely)
- original concept
- strong characters
WORDSY REVIEW
Finally got round to reading this today - thanks, Amazon, for sending me constant emails about products I have no use for, but taking a month to tell me the third book in a trilogy is available.
First of all, let me say that I'm still not sure I'm the intended audience for these books. I see them as a kind of quality YA, but please correct me if I'm wrong.
My complaints with the previous books all had to do with the dialogue and some of the angst, but to be fair to the author I'm fussy about stuff like that.
Imagine my joy then, to find that not only is the dialogue now a lot more specific to each character, but there's even references to them using different slang. And accents. And not necessarily getting what the other is talking about because they're using phrasing they're unfamiliar with. To a lot of people that's not a big deal, but to me it's jarring, and to see that this book was different made me very happy. I like to pretend that it's because I moaned about it before (I know it isn't, I'm not that self involved).
I really think these books, taken as a whole, would make a good film. They're much better than the Twilight books (in my opinion), and very original in concept (unless there's a world of time-travelling-while-asleep fiction that has totally passed me by). The writing is strong, the characters and settings are well described, and the historical back and forth works nicely. If it's YA and I'm too old for it, whatever, because this books wraps everything up nicely and wound up the trilogy well.
October 10, 2013
I kept telling myself not to start reading this during the week, and to wait until I had time to read it all in 1 sitting. Fortunately I didn't take my own advice and now know what happens to sonnet, rose, and all the others. Unfortunately it's 1am and I will have to wake up in 5 hours.
So that is my first part of my review...it's too good to put down. The 1st book in the lost series is still my favorite, but this one still has the same excitement and intrigue.
There were many points where I was worried about the characters, and not sure what the outcome would be.
Melyssa does a fantastic job of making you feel a range of emotions towards every character. You'll care about and feel sorry for the ones you don't want to like, and be any at the ones you want to love. While there is still a sense of rout and wrong, the lines between good and evil become blurred, which makes for a powerful and interesting read.
This was a wonderful ending to the series, but I will definitely keep reading if Melyssa decides this really isn't the end, or if she decides to write something completely different. (Although part of me is itching to learn more of Luke's story...hint hint)
So that is my first part of my review...it's too good to put down. The 1st book in the lost series is still my favorite, but this one still has the same excitement and intrigue.
There were many points where I was worried about the characters, and not sure what the outcome would be.
Melyssa does a fantastic job of making you feel a range of emotions towards every character. You'll care about and feel sorry for the ones you don't want to like, and be any at the ones you want to love. While there is still a sense of rout and wrong, the lines between good and evil become blurred, which makes for a powerful and interesting read.
This was a wonderful ending to the series, but I will definitely keep reading if Melyssa decides this really isn't the end, or if she decides to write something completely different. (Although part of me is itching to learn more of Luke's story...hint hint)
January 25, 2015
It took me just 26 hours to finish the book (considering the 10hours of sleep tonight) and I have to say that I love the way the author writes (that's why I just bought "The alarming side effects..").
It was stunning just like the other two books. You think you know what's going to happen and then you think.. "You know nothing, Jon Snow". There was I moment when I thought to myself..."OMG ISRAEL IS JACK THE RIPPER!!!". And then .... Well, you know what happens!
Thank you for this three-books adventure Melyssa. I hope you'll write something else about Sonnet, Israel and the other Lost people. And even if you don't feel like, I tell you that you're an incredible writer and I'm eager to write "The alarming side effects...".
But I think I will start it this evening since I think my brain needs some rest!
(I wonder why I can't give your books five hundred stars!!! This is unfair ;) )
It was stunning just like the other two books. You think you know what's going to happen and then you think.. "You know nothing, Jon Snow". There was I moment when I thought to myself..."OMG ISRAEL IS JACK THE RIPPER!!!". And then .... Well, you know what happens!
Thank you for this three-books adventure Melyssa. I hope you'll write something else about Sonnet, Israel and the other Lost people. And even if you don't feel like, I tell you that you're an incredible writer and I'm eager to write "The alarming side effects...".
But I think I will start it this evening since I think my brain needs some rest!
(I wonder why I can't give your books five hundred stars!!! This is unfair ;) )
December 10, 2013
Well bugger me! I feel all topsy turvy upside down and inside out!!!
The ending was perfect. Just enough closure to give the warm and fuzzies.
I feel a bit sad for Luke, I never knew which way he would turn or who he was going to be. One minute I really liked him and thought he was righting his wrongs and then he just surprised me by doing the opposite! Rose just breaks my heart. Which sounds strange considering all the bad things she did. It's easy to see why Sonnet was so drawn to her and wanting her sister back.
I've spent the last few days reading this whole series and now I feel Lost myself!
The ending was perfect. Just enough closure to give the warm and fuzzies.
I feel a bit sad for Luke, I never knew which way he would turn or who he was going to be. One minute I really liked him and thought he was righting his wrongs and then he just surprised me by doing the opposite! Rose just breaks my heart. Which sounds strange considering all the bad things she did. It's easy to see why Sonnet was so drawn to her and wanting her sister back.
I've spent the last few days reading this whole series and now I feel Lost myself!
April 19, 2025
“Luke?”
“Haha no, Jack silly.”
readers: 😀😀😀😀😀😀😳
also sonnet not reading her insane sisters diaries felt like a wild move to me, like ok sonnet I read her diaries and I’m not even related to her? You don’t feel like that could’ve been helpful information?
Bruh not to mention, the sheer relief Iz must have felt when he saw it all happen? Like he did not have much skin in this familial game so I can only imagine that it was only a good thing for him 😂
A wild ride of a series from start to finish 💯
“Haha no, Jack silly.”
readers: 😀😀😀😀😀😀😳
also sonnet not reading her insane sisters diaries felt like a wild move to me, like ok sonnet I read her diaries and I’m not even related to her? You don’t feel like that could’ve been helpful information?
Bruh not to mention, the sheer relief Iz must have felt when he saw it all happen? Like he did not have much skin in this familial game so I can only imagine that it was only a good thing for him 😂
A wild ride of a series from start to finish 💯
October 25, 2013
Good, satisfying ending to a great trilogy. Williams does a great job of creating a spooky, tense atmosphere. My only complaint is I never really bought into the Sonnet/Israel relationship. It never felt to me like they had that much of a connection. Israel was always there, but Sonnet seems to take more notice of and (oddly) have more concern for her enemy Luke. And that ultimately is what keeps me from giving it five stars.
January 15, 2016
What a great series! These three books have taken me for a wild ride. At times I felt like I had to watch my own back...sitting on the edge of the chair trying to figure out what's lurking...who's the craziness of them all?! I did miss being privy to the madness in Rose's mind in the third book but maybe because it was safer there than being constantly on guard as was Sonnet. The historical parts of the story were woven in quite nicely.
September 30, 2013
I was SO thrilled that the day after I finished book #2 the third installment was published, I wasn't able to put it down! I found ways to feed my baby with one hand so I could read, I stayed up late and woke up early to finish it. I hope the author has plans to continue telling stories of the Lost (perhaps branching out into the lives of Lost we've met, hint hint).
January 3, 2014
Sonnet's story continues... I really enjoyed this series the way each book is from a different character's view. Very imaginative storyline.
March 18, 2014
A fantastic ending to a great trilogy. Usually the last book ends up being a little bit of a let down but this one was just as fantastic if not more then the first two! Well done Melyssa Williams
March 7, 2016
I loved this book. It neatly tied everything together all 3 of the books and with an outcome that I never dreamed of.
December 9, 2013
Probably my favorite of the series! Lots of good twists, turns and equal parts suspense and humor.
January 11, 2014
I waited quite awhile before reading this one, after the first two. My bad. It took me awhile to get "into" the story again and seemed at first like I already knew what had happened. About a third of the way through the book though, the two timelines met and we were off on an intriguing journey to try and discover the beginning. Where did it all begin and where will it end? To avoid spoilers, I will say that the ending was one of the possible scenarios I had imagined, but still delightfully unpredictable with a twist I certainly didn't foresee. Once Sonnet's special talent was discovered, the stress and worry of her lost condition diminished considerably. But, this author just has a way of putting things. Her metaphors, similes, and dialogue are fresh, unique and delightfully void of cliche. Looking forward to more and trying to figure out how to get these books onto the shelves of our local bookstore so more can enjoy them.
January 3, 2015
I so loved this series. This final book wasn't my favorite of the bunch, but it was still great. The only thing with the ones you love is you hate it when it's all over. I will definitely keep this author as one of my favorites! This series is a time traveling (in a weird genetic disorder kind of way) with history, suspense and romance. The history side is light, the romance is not cheezy and the twist and turns keep you reading. 4 stars for the final "shadow" book.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews