What do you think?
Rate this book
Facing Shadows:
"We’re more than our worst impulses, more than the shadows we face."
When Evaya, a 16-year-old warrior, stumbles into one of the mysterious chasms that have suddenly appeared near her remote island village, she’s determined to find what’s causing them before another one destroys them all.
If only it were that simple.
Her concerns are ignored by her village’s Elders who are distracted by the decades-long feud between warriors and hunters—a conflict that has Evaya questioning which side she should be on. And a desperate power-play made by the volatile Elder warrior, Delcrom, could unravel any hope of unity.
Meanwhile, a prophesy suggests that pairing Evaya with the flawless young hunter, Rykas, would finally end the village feud. But she has developed complicated feelings for Aldric, a brooding cook who’s fallen hard for her. The only thing Aldric wants more than Evaya is to defeat his father, Delcrom, who intends to pair Evaya with Valgrun, a treacherous young warrior who will stop at nothing to claim her.
Evaya must unite her people and confront the mystery of the chasms before it’s too late. But can she save them without sacrificing her heart?
When Evaya, a 16-year-old warrior, stumbles into one of the mysterious chasms that have suddenly appeared near her remote island village, she’s determined to find what’s causing them before another one destroys them all.
If only it were that simple.
Her concerns are ignored by her village’s Elders who are distracted by the decades-long feud between warriors and hunters—a conflict that has Evaya questioning which side she should be on. And a desperate power-play made by the volatile Elder warrior, Delcrom, could unravel any hope of unity.
Meanwhile, a prophesy suggests that pairing Evaya with the flawless young hunter, Rykas, would finally end the village feud. But she has developed complicated feelings for Aldric, a brooding cook who’s fallen hard for her. The only thing Aldric wants more than Evaya is to defeat his father, Delcrom, who intends to pair Evaya with Valgrun, a treacherous young warrior who will stop at nothing to claim her.
Evaya must unite her people and confront the mystery of the chasms before it’s too late. But can she save them without sacrificing her heart?
421 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2023
9 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 24, 2023
This book grabbed my attention and wouldn’t let go! I found myself wondering what the characters were up to when I wasn’t reading. The author has created a rich world of friendship, danger, honor, and duty that’s easy to get lost in. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 10, 2023
Fun Read
YA Fantasy. It was fun to get to know these characters as they are figuring out who they are while also defending themselves from danger. This was a quick read that was hard to put down.
YA Fantasy. It was fun to get to know these characters as they are figuring out who they are while also defending themselves from danger. This was a quick read that was hard to put down.
April 8, 2024
Facing Shadows is a throwback to the type of book that made me a fantasy fan as a teenager.
That's no knock on the current "romantasy" trend, as I've read many great books fitting that description. But sometimes, contemporary fantasy novels are a bit light on the action and adventure for my personal liking.
But the action scenes are a strength of Facing Shadows. Author Anna J. Worthy is at her best when the characters are fighting for their lives. Evaya is a wonderful protagonist; I got invested in wanting her to succeed early on.
TL:DR? I enjoyed this book so much that I've already ordered Embers of Betrayal, the second book in the series.
That's no knock on the current "romantasy" trend, as I've read many great books fitting that description. But sometimes, contemporary fantasy novels are a bit light on the action and adventure for my personal liking.
But the action scenes are a strength of Facing Shadows. Author Anna J. Worthy is at her best when the characters are fighting for their lives. Evaya is a wonderful protagonist; I got invested in wanting her to succeed early on.
TL:DR? I enjoyed this book so much that I've already ordered Embers of Betrayal, the second book in the series.
March 17, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I thought the plot was well organized and it grabbed my attention within the first few chapters. The love triangle added extra dimension to story as well. You could feel the strong bond between members of the village and their desire to keep their community intact. Lots of action with a little love interest sprinkled in.
My main critique was the amount of characters in the book. There was even a family tree in the back of the book to try and help keep them all straight.
Overall, a great read!
My main critique was the amount of characters in the book. There was even a family tree in the back of the book to try and help keep them all straight.
Overall, a great read!
August 23, 2023
Super good! I absolutely loved the book. I've read it twice already, and there will totally be more books. I'm so excited for book two!
Read
August 13, 2024Excellent story! I was captivated from the beginning, I couldn't put it down! When I wasn't reading, I was thinking about the characters, Evaya being my favorite! I enjoyed all of their adventures and the excitement the writer brought with each.
Definitely recommend & I'm looking forward to book 2!
Definitely recommend & I'm looking forward to book 2!
September 4, 2023
I devoured this book from the very first page. The world within, filled with creatures of all kinds... the culture of the people within the story... the dialog and interactions of the many different characters, all of these things lent for a very engaging story. I look forward to the remainder of this adventure.
August 3, 2024
Great mystery and monsters.
I was immediately drawn in by the description of this book and couldn’t wait to start reading it. I was disappointed to discover that the main adventurous storyline doesn’t really gain momentum until almost halfway through the book, with the first half wrapped up mostly in teen romance. That being said, I did enjoy the mystery and the monsters enough to keep reading and desperately wanted to know what the big reveal was goin to be. I enjoyed the story if not always the writing style and am looking forward to the next book.
I was immediately drawn in by the description of this book and couldn’t wait to start reading it. I was disappointed to discover that the main adventurous storyline doesn’t really gain momentum until almost halfway through the book, with the first half wrapped up mostly in teen romance. That being said, I did enjoy the mystery and the monsters enough to keep reading and desperately wanted to know what the big reveal was goin to be. I enjoyed the story if not always the writing style and am looking forward to the next book.
November 6, 2023
I am delighted that I decided to pick up this book! It captivated me so much that I couldn't stop reading it. As a college student, I found myself engrossed in its pages during gaps between classes and as a way to take a break from studying. The book has a fairly large cast of characters, which took some time to get used to, but once I became familiar with them, I couldn't help but fall in love with each one. I particularly enjoyed the contrast between two of my favorites, Aubrida and Evaya. Despite coming from different backgrounds (one being a former princess and the other a warrior), they both possess natural leadership skills and fight for their beliefs.
Another aspect that I absolutely adored about this book was the world it was set in. Anna J. Worthy has created a breathtaking world, filled with extraordinary creatures and a stunning jungle/forest environment that is not typically associated with fantasy novels. Every aspect of this book was a joy to experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a new adventure.
I am devastated that the second book has not released yet. All of the characters have become my friends and I can't wait to see them again!
Another aspect that I absolutely adored about this book was the world it was set in. Anna J. Worthy has created a breathtaking world, filled with extraordinary creatures and a stunning jungle/forest environment that is not typically associated with fantasy novels. Every aspect of this book was a joy to experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a new adventure.
I am devastated that the second book has not released yet. All of the characters have become my friends and I can't wait to see them again!
May 20, 2024
Not my usual jam, and definitely not what I expected when I picked it up, but I LOVED this! I love the creative creatures and monsters, the intrigue, and the unique swear words! I'll be saying "Belg." forever now...
Love that it did not end on a cliffhanger, but definitely sets you up to want to read book 2 immediately!
Love that it did not end on a cliffhanger, but definitely sets you up to want to read book 2 immediately!
May 20, 2024
Reading with Ava. It was actually pretty entertaining and an enjoyable easy adventurous read.
November 1, 2023
LOVED THIS BOOK!! The way it opened had me hooked from the very first chapter. The pacing shows the author has mastered narrative fluidity without even the slightest bit of issue. Truly was my favorite aspect of this story, just being able to see how differently the main characters viewed events unfolding. There is also immense dedication and faith put into the world that was built making for the beginning of what should be an epic series. With a little bit of different genres all folding into this solid outing I highly recommend to anyone who is in need of a wonderful adventure.The romance was very warm and exactly the sunshine my rainy days needed. I do have ONE MAJOR gripe. I WANT MORE LOL. Seriously though loved this book and just wanted to share cause this one felt special 🌟
August 19, 2024
“Facing Shadows” is an absolute gem in the dark fantasy genre. Anna J. Worthy weaves a tale full of tension, mystery, and rich world-building that hooks you from page one. The relationships are complex and nuanced, with moral gray areas that keep things interesting. The world-building is atmospheric, blending a sense of urgency with deep lore and mystery. The pacing is excellent, giving just enough to keep you eager for the next page while leaving plenty to explore in future books.
If you’re a fan of dark, character-driven fantasy with a dash of romance and high stakes, this book is a must-read. Anna J. Worthy delivers a story that’s as gripping as it is heartfelt. Highly recommend for anyone looking to get lost in a world filled with wonderful characters and a fantastic story!
If you’re a fan of dark, character-driven fantasy with a dash of romance and high stakes, this book is a must-read. Anna J. Worthy delivers a story that’s as gripping as it is heartfelt. Highly recommend for anyone looking to get lost in a world filled with wonderful characters and a fantastic story!
August 18, 2024
Anna J. Worthy has created a rich, densely-woven world, packed full of characters, creatures, and customs that she has clearly put her heart and soul into developing. I got caught up in the story and am so impressed by how many layers, characters, and moving pieces came together at the climax. I loved our hero Evaya and am 100% invested in her story - Worthy has made things very interesting for her moving forward! I can't wait to read more of her in the sequels to see where her path takes her. In fact, I am excited to see what happens to the all members of this village. Bring on book 2! Congratulations to Worthy for this series!
August 11, 2023
This is one of my favorite YA novels! It has amazing romance and an intriguing world with lots of exciting creatures. It will most definitely pull at your heartstrings and having you cheering on some characters... and wanting to punch other characters in the face. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good YA fantasy!! (=
September 14, 2023
Wow--I loved this book, and I'm so excited for the rest of the series. There is such great worldbuilding and fun and creative monsters and characters. It flys by, and you won't want to put it down. I recommend it!
December 3, 2023
Awesome book. It's a super fun read. The author does a great job connecting you to the characters and the story is fun and exciting. It has a good balance of action and romance. I definitely recommend it.
September 17, 2023
This book was great! The world was very immersive and the character where all fun to meet and get to know. The creatures where also all very unique. Can't wait for the second book!
October 15, 2023
Phenomenal. Can't wait for book 2!
April 22, 2024
For starters, this has to be said. The author does an AMAZING job at world building. She's so descriptive that it really immerses you into the fantasy world.
There are a vast amount of characters with unique personalities. The author does a great job at distinguishing between them and they feel like real people with real dialog. (Except for the fantasy slang and slurs. Obviously that isn't real.)
If you ever get confused on the genealogy of the characters, don't worry. She's got you covered with an appendix for Family Trees.
Oh, and there's a map. How cool is that?
There are a vast amount of characters with unique personalities. The author does a great job at distinguishing between them and they feel like real people with real dialog. (Except for the fantasy slang and slurs. Obviously that isn't real.)
If you ever get confused on the genealogy of the characters, don't worry. She's got you covered with an appendix for Family Trees.
Oh, and there's a map. How cool is that?
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews