On Shadowed Wings

Ash Grove Chronicles #short

by Amanda DeWees

In this short story set in North Carolina, high-school senior Gail and college student Jim are drawn together on Beltane night when they team up to seek a mysterious butterfly hatching--and save a little girl from danger.

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Contemporary

54 pages, ebook

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

Amanda DeWees received her PhD in English from the University of Georgia and wrote her dissertation on 19th-century vampire literature—the perfect training, although she didn’t know it at the time, for writing Victorian gothic romance novels. Her books include With This Curse, winner of the 2015 Daphne du Maurier Award in historical mystery/suspense, and the Sybil Ingram Victorian Mysteries series.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I looked into this story as a tie-in to the Ash Grove books I'd already read by this author and really, really enjoyed. The whole school setting with a multi-generational cast opens up a lot of possibilities for getting into the back story of that fun supporting character you wanted to know more about, so I was really happy to see something new posted.

You don't need to have read the Ash Grove book first (although you should! Check out The Shadow and the Rose as a cool YA supernatural romance with a modern setting and a fun twist as the heroine is the one doing the rescuing). This story doesn't give anything away but you do get a really nice glimpse into the Ash Grove world and you get a good feeling for the tone of the series itself. If you like this story (and I loved it), then you'll want to read the series.

While never simplistic, the main characters are easy to identify and sympathize with. When a good-looking young scientist comes to campus in search of a quasi-supernatural phenomenon involving butterflies that happens just once a year on Beltane night, the heroine, Gail, finds herself drawn to him and out of her own metaphorical cocoon, and she finds that breaking free sometimes means discovering that you already have everything you already wanted. Well, ha ha, once you add the good-looking young scientist to your collection! (And if you've read the original stories, you'll really love a glimpse of Joy as a little girl and her relationship with her Dad.)

If you like solid writing, well-rounded characters that you can feel good about rooting for and a thoughtful love story that has much deeper significance than just “hey, you're cute, let's go out”, then this is the story for you. And once you've had a chance to visit Ash Grove, I'm betting you'll want to go back for more.

[Elisabeth Wheatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

To start off, nerd boys forever! They are far, far underrated and if only nerdy love interests were more prevalent in literature. *sigh*



This is a short story, so this will be a short review. I adored Gail and Joy’s relationship and the sororal love between them. This was a splendid piece that made me grin, giggle, and beam with happiness in just the space of a few dozen pages. You may have already guessed that I loved Jim to bits and now I am dying to get my hands on the rest of this series to read about Joy’s adventures.



In summation, this is an excellent sample of the author’s work that left me wanting to try more!

[Wanda Hartzenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

On Shadowed Wings (An Ash Grove Short Story|) by Amanda DeWees

This story is a full story even if it is a prequel to the series. Having read some of the books in this series I can tell you now that this is a perfect kick off point to an awesome series.
The author took a world almost visible from the corner of your eye, made it real, gave it gravity and added joy and sorrow to it all the while keeping it magic. Keeping it within and without our reach. While your reading, this world is as real as the one in which you take a sip of tea. When you put the book down to find your tea has gone cold, you want….no need to return. Brilliant.

WaAr

[Tina Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute short story.
I liked it a lot, I thought it was very awesome to see/read how Gail and Jim met. Especially since it influence Joy's life quote a bit .
There is not too much to say about it other than it was a nice read.

[Chris The Story Reading Ape · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant light read introducing the Ash Grove area and a childhood incident of one character who appears in 'The Shadow and the Rose' book. A good introduction to the author's writing style.

See my review also at:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-revie...

http://www.amazon.com/product-reviews...

http://www.amazon.ca/product-reviews/...

http://www.amazon.com.au/product-revi...

[Sandreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an ok short story but it felt so rushed, and it feels like there could have been more to Jim & Gail's story. So a bit disappointed. When I found out that there was a prequel short story to the series that I already loved so much I expected a lot more. It would've been better if it wasn't a short story, because then the romance would seem more believable, and there could actually be more of a foundation leading up the beginning of Tanner & Joy's venture into the supernatural unknown.

[The Good Fairy Nicci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. Splendid short story that I wished would last, with great pacing, character development, and a touching, heartfelt story. There were several points when I had to stop reading to say out loud, "Awwwww," because the author clearly took time to research myths, or to make her own. The Cherokee myth in question in the story really touched me.

Also, pleased with Gail's choice <3 Great story and worth the read.

I received this from the author for an honest review.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gail is spending time with 7 year old Joy after her mother's passing, which is a huge burden off of Dr. Sumner. One day Jim happens to stop by for a historical chat with Dr. Sumner and meets Gail. That one small meeting flipped his world upside down. I love how Jim's love of butterflies brought them together, but wished their romance wasn't so rushed. However it was great hearing more about the characters from this series.

[Jocelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that has a lot of myths and legends within itself On Shadowed Wings is a very interesting read. Not the greatest book I have ever read ,but it is not all that bad. overall it is a alright read!

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly sweet and well-developed, for a short story. The end still felt a tad too fast for me, but, since I've read the first book and know that Beltane is a bit hazy, it wasn't too much of a stretch.

[Alisa Jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice short story about the supporting characters in the series. Nice to see what young Joy was like as well

[lynda plizga · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT

Very light and airie. It was like reading a tickle.
Just enough for an enjoyable read.
Sometimes short is better.

[Jenika Ioffreda · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet short!

[The Modest Verge · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

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