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Shadow #3
Shadowman
Erin Kellison’s Shadow series darkens with this evocative and gripping romance between a fae lord and his mortal love…
Journalist Layla Mathews is determined to break the story about the Segue Institute—and what really goes on there—even if it kills her. Her desperate search for elusive answers takes her into haunting peril and into the arms of an enigmatic man.
Following a lead to a dockside warehouse, she ventures deep into diabolical darkness where she discovers a forge, a hammer, and an uncanny iron gate that whispers promises of everything she’s ever hoped for…if she will just open it.
Through the portal, an abomination slips into the world, leaving a trail of blood and violence as it hunts Layla. She has no choice but to turn to Segue for help, learning that the old, renovated hotel sits on the brink of the shadowlands, where ghosts, wraiths…and a mysterious, but strangely familiar, dark lord of the fae bide.
The secrets hushed in Segue’s ballrooms, corridors, and research lab prove more terrifying than anything she suspected. But she finds hope in a cry in the night…and seduction in the shadows that once frightened her. She discovers that love transcends all barriers, even time, and its power may be their salvation.
Each book in the Shadow Series is a stand-alone urban fantasy romantic thriller. Contains mature themes.
Journalist Layla Mathews is determined to break the story about the Segue Institute—and what really goes on there—even if it kills her. Her desperate search for elusive answers takes her into haunting peril and into the arms of an enigmatic man.
Following a lead to a dockside warehouse, she ventures deep into diabolical darkness where she discovers a forge, a hammer, and an uncanny iron gate that whispers promises of everything she’s ever hoped for…if she will just open it.
Through the portal, an abomination slips into the world, leaving a trail of blood and violence as it hunts Layla. She has no choice but to turn to Segue for help, learning that the old, renovated hotel sits on the brink of the shadowlands, where ghosts, wraiths…and a mysterious, but strangely familiar, dark lord of the fae bide.
The secrets hushed in Segue’s ballrooms, corridors, and research lab prove more terrifying than anything she suspected. But she finds hope in a cry in the night…and seduction in the shadows that once frightened her. She discovers that love transcends all barriers, even time, and its power may be their salvation.
Each book in the Shadow Series is a stand-alone urban fantasy romantic thriller. Contains mature themes.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2011
5 people are currently reading
705 people want to read
About the author
Erin Kellison
54 books704 followersErin Kellison is the bestselling author of the Indulgence series, the Dragons of Bloodfire series, the Reveler series, and the Shadow series. She writes urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and fantasy. She loves other worlds and visits them as often as possible via movies and books and her kids' imaginations. When not daydreaming or writing, she's goofing off with her family in sunny Arizona.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
July 13, 2016
Once again, Erin Kellison impressed me. I cannot sing the praises for this series enough. This world full of fae, angels, Shadows, and wraiths she has beautifully described. This entire series was my gateway into adult paranormal romance and dark fantasy.
The characters are realistic and easy to relate to. Even Death (AKA Shadowman) is fantastic and personable (in his own way, of course). This book goes deeper into each and every one. And as you may guess from the earlier, Shadowman in particular. It is finally his turn for the spotlight. This books is filled with characters from her other books: Talia, Kathleen, Custo and Adam are all back. we also get a new addition: Layla. Why is she lurking around after Talia and Adam? Her story is heartbreaking yet adds so much depth to this series.
Being this is the end of the series, I do not wish to give things away but the book does a wonderful job wrapping up the story, yet still left me yearning for more when I was finished. Lots of unexpected turns in the story. The book starts off a bit slow but once it hit its groove, it was consistently fast-paced. Throughout the entire second half I was unable to put the book down hardly. I just had to know what was to become of these characters as our author keeps us guessing until the near end. Bravo for a great conclusion!
The characters are realistic and easy to relate to. Even Death (AKA Shadowman) is fantastic and personable (in his own way, of course). This book goes deeper into each and every one. And as you may guess from the earlier, Shadowman in particular. It is finally his turn for the spotlight. This books is filled with characters from her other books: Talia, Kathleen, Custo and Adam are all back. we also get a new addition: Layla. Why is she lurking around after Talia and Adam? Her story is heartbreaking yet adds so much depth to this series.
Being this is the end of the series, I do not wish to give things away but the book does a wonderful job wrapping up the story, yet still left me yearning for more when I was finished. Lots of unexpected turns in the story. The book starts off a bit slow but once it hit its groove, it was consistently fast-paced. Throughout the entire second half I was unable to put the book down hardly. I just had to know what was to become of these characters as our author keeps us guessing until the near end. Bravo for a great conclusion!
September 5, 2011
After enjoying Erin Kellison's novella, SHADOW TOUCH, I jumped at the chance to review SHADOWMAN. Though this is my first book in the Shadow series, I was swept up in the story from page one. Despite being a part of a series, SHADOWMAN is a satisfying stand along novel as well. I am eager to catch up with SHADOW BOUND and SHADOW FALL, to see if enjoyment of Layla and Khan deepens even more when I know more about their daughter.
Despite the complexity of this family's relationship, SHADOWMAN provides just enough background to quickly orient a someone new to the series (in a way that wouldn't phase an established reader at all). Layla's connection to Talia was a definite surprise, and I enjoyed the pragmatic Adam Thorne's response to this revelation more than anyone's. Talia and Adam are wonderfully written, balancing a global war with colicky twins, but it is definitely Khan and Layla who steal the show. Of all the preternatural romances I've read this year, the bond between Death and the bright, strong soul of Kathleen O'Brien is one of the most convincing. Pair that with the breathtaking chemistry between Layla and her newly rediscovered lover, and this is a romance to remember.
I am beyond impressed by how easy it was to leap into the series with this book, but SHADOWMAN is enjoyable enough on it's own that both SHADOW BOUND and SHADOW FALL area already cued up on my eReader. With interesting, accessible world building, and characters that just grow more and more likable, I get the impression that picking up any Kellison book is a good bet. SHADOWMAN was good enough that I'm going to finally going to buckle down and start from the beginning.
Full review at All Things Urban Fantasy.
Sexual Content: Sex scenes.
Despite the complexity of this family's relationship, SHADOWMAN provides just enough background to quickly orient a someone new to the series (in a way that wouldn't phase an established reader at all). Layla's connection to Talia was a definite surprise, and I enjoyed the pragmatic Adam Thorne's response to this revelation more than anyone's. Talia and Adam are wonderfully written, balancing a global war with colicky twins, but it is definitely Khan and Layla who steal the show. Of all the preternatural romances I've read this year, the bond between Death and the bright, strong soul of Kathleen O'Brien is one of the most convincing. Pair that with the breathtaking chemistry between Layla and her newly rediscovered lover, and this is a romance to remember.
I am beyond impressed by how easy it was to leap into the series with this book, but SHADOWMAN is enjoyable enough on it's own that both SHADOW BOUND and SHADOW FALL area already cued up on my eReader. With interesting, accessible world building, and characters that just grow more and more likable, I get the impression that picking up any Kellison book is a good bet. SHADOWMAN was good enough that I'm going to finally going to buckle down and start from the beginning.
Full review at All Things Urban Fantasy.
Sexual Content: Sex scenes.
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Amazon (print): http://amzn.to/1WCriXO
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Barnes & Noble (print): http://bit.ly/1nbLFzi
Barnes & Noble (Nook): http://bit.ly/1SrSuId
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1l9jIZ9
Apple iBooks: http://bit.ly/1Ep97P2
BAM: http://bit.ly/1qay9GS
September 22, 2011
Posted as a guest review at Fiction Vixen
Shadowman is the third book in Erin Kellison’s Shadow series. In this series there are three worlds: Mortality, where humanity lives; Shadowlands; and the Hereafter. Death, also known as Shadowman, lives in the dark and dreamy world of Shadowlands which can be as beautiful as it is horrifying. The building and melding of the three worlds is pretty fantastic, and enhances the feel of the experience.
I will start off by saying that I am really leery of reincarnation-themed love stories because there are a lot of moving pieces that can fail. When I realized very early on that this book would involve Thalia’s mother and Shadowman’s love Kathleen coming back somehow, I was nervous.
We meet this new character Layla Mathews and she’s not exactly that endearing at first. She is trespassing on the The Segue Institute’s facility trying to snap photos of Thalia and Adam, convinced that the recent bout of wraiths (humans who have sold their souls to stay in the land of mortality) is because of them. She then lies her way to get out of trouble and just keeps on lying and gets the boot out of there. But then we realize the how and why of her compulsion to stalk Thalia and Adam, and we get a dose of what it has been like for her as a child labeled “schizophrenic” going from home to home, belonging nowhere. I got her.
Meanwhile Shadowman has recently learned from Custo the angel that the love of his life and mother of his child Kathleen is not in Heaven. He basically flips his shit. He obtains a hammer from Custo as a gift and what does he do? The only logical thing, he builds a gate to Hell so that he can go in and find her there. D’oh! Little does he know, just because Kathleen isn’t in Heaven does not necessarily mean she is in Hell… but by the time this conclusion is reached, a devil escapes out the gate from Hell and is now running around the mortal world. The devil, formerly named Rose, is really entertaining. Rose pretty much murders everyone she comes across in “self-defense”. Following along with her as the people she comes across drop like flies made me giggle. In addition, the gate to Hell took on its own personality, which was very well done. But now everyone has to work together to try to destroy the gate, and the devil, and get Layla to remember who she was, before Fate takes her life the way it did Kathleen.
Shadowman is dreamy, literally. I love how he pined in the shadows for the very ill Kathleen O’Brien, born with a heart defect, never allowed to leave her sick room. Risked everything to cross through the veil between Shadow and Mortal worlds just to love her. In their short tryst, Shadowman got just enough time with her to watch her deliver their baby girl Thalia (who we meet in the first book in the series), and then she supposedly moved on to the Hereafter. 28 years later he is still pining for her, having put down his scythe and refusing to take on his duties as Death. When he is given a second chance at love with Layla, his desperation for her to remember who she was, and what they were to each other, is so moving. And when things finally start to click for Layla, and she embraces Shadowman back, the story takes on a very sentimental sweet love story.
“They were never meant to be together, yet were ruined for anyone else. They were a tragedy in the making, careening toward doom.
And she’d take as much as she could get.” Pg 226
Another part of Shadowman’s allure is that he takes on the image of whatever the beholder sees him as. For Kathleen and Layla, I saw him as a Brandon Lee from The Crow. Yum. The lame thing I have to mention is when he had to come up with a name for himself meeting Layla, instead of choosing Shadowman he uses “Khan”. It really didn’t work. Every single time I read the word “Khan” I giggled. But the building of tension between the two of them, as they yearned to be together in the same world, how they longed to steal time together, I was completely enamored.
The imagery Ms. Kellison creates in this fantasy world is genius in its ability to make you feel as though you are in an adult fairy tale. As Layla is watching Khan in a painting with the Shadowlands trees swaying and moving, he can appear to her there, you feel as though you are in a fairy tale book. When he moves with her through Shadow by taking her through a mirror, I was swept off my feet. Additionally, all the shadow and ghost activity in the west wing of the Segue Institute is downright scary, with that dang little girl ghost who keeps trying to take over Layla’s body! Shadowman took many turns I did not see coming, and I was pleased with the ride it took me on.
This was a fantastic romance fantasy and most definitely my favorite of the series. I found it to be very different than what is out there, and if dark adult fairy tales appeal to you, you should definitely check this series out! I would definitely not recommend reading this as a standalone. The events in the past two books are important for understanding what is happening.
Favorite quote:
“Perspective is not about what’s in front of the camera. Perspective is about the eye looking through it.” – Layla Mathews
Here is the reading order for the Shadow series:
Shadow Bound
Shadow Fall
Shadowman
Shadowman is the third book in Erin Kellison’s Shadow series. In this series there are three worlds: Mortality, where humanity lives; Shadowlands; and the Hereafter. Death, also known as Shadowman, lives in the dark and dreamy world of Shadowlands which can be as beautiful as it is horrifying. The building and melding of the three worlds is pretty fantastic, and enhances the feel of the experience.
I will start off by saying that I am really leery of reincarnation-themed love stories because there are a lot of moving pieces that can fail. When I realized very early on that this book would involve Thalia’s mother and Shadowman’s love Kathleen coming back somehow, I was nervous.
We meet this new character Layla Mathews and she’s not exactly that endearing at first. She is trespassing on the The Segue Institute’s facility trying to snap photos of Thalia and Adam, convinced that the recent bout of wraiths (humans who have sold their souls to stay in the land of mortality) is because of them. She then lies her way to get out of trouble and just keeps on lying and gets the boot out of there. But then we realize the how and why of her compulsion to stalk Thalia and Adam, and we get a dose of what it has been like for her as a child labeled “schizophrenic” going from home to home, belonging nowhere. I got her.
Meanwhile Shadowman has recently learned from Custo the angel that the love of his life and mother of his child Kathleen is not in Heaven. He basically flips his shit. He obtains a hammer from Custo as a gift and what does he do? The only logical thing, he builds a gate to Hell so that he can go in and find her there. D’oh! Little does he know, just because Kathleen isn’t in Heaven does not necessarily mean she is in Hell… but by the time this conclusion is reached, a devil escapes out the gate from Hell and is now running around the mortal world. The devil, formerly named Rose, is really entertaining. Rose pretty much murders everyone she comes across in “self-defense”. Following along with her as the people she comes across drop like flies made me giggle. In addition, the gate to Hell took on its own personality, which was very well done. But now everyone has to work together to try to destroy the gate, and the devil, and get Layla to remember who she was, before Fate takes her life the way it did Kathleen.
Shadowman is dreamy, literally. I love how he pined in the shadows for the very ill Kathleen O’Brien, born with a heart defect, never allowed to leave her sick room. Risked everything to cross through the veil between Shadow and Mortal worlds just to love her. In their short tryst, Shadowman got just enough time with her to watch her deliver their baby girl Thalia (who we meet in the first book in the series), and then she supposedly moved on to the Hereafter. 28 years later he is still pining for her, having put down his scythe and refusing to take on his duties as Death. When he is given a second chance at love with Layla, his desperation for her to remember who she was, and what they were to each other, is so moving. And when things finally start to click for Layla, and she embraces Shadowman back, the story takes on a very sentimental sweet love story.
“They were never meant to be together, yet were ruined for anyone else. They were a tragedy in the making, careening toward doom.
And she’d take as much as she could get.” Pg 226
Another part of Shadowman’s allure is that he takes on the image of whatever the beholder sees him as. For Kathleen and Layla, I saw him as a Brandon Lee from The Crow. Yum. The lame thing I have to mention is when he had to come up with a name for himself meeting Layla, instead of choosing Shadowman he uses “Khan”. It really didn’t work. Every single time I read the word “Khan” I giggled. But the building of tension between the two of them, as they yearned to be together in the same world, how they longed to steal time together, I was completely enamored.
The imagery Ms. Kellison creates in this fantasy world is genius in its ability to make you feel as though you are in an adult fairy tale. As Layla is watching Khan in a painting with the Shadowlands trees swaying and moving, he can appear to her there, you feel as though you are in a fairy tale book. When he moves with her through Shadow by taking her through a mirror, I was swept off my feet. Additionally, all the shadow and ghost activity in the west wing of the Segue Institute is downright scary, with that dang little girl ghost who keeps trying to take over Layla’s body! Shadowman took many turns I did not see coming, and I was pleased with the ride it took me on.
This was a fantastic romance fantasy and most definitely my favorite of the series. I found it to be very different than what is out there, and if dark adult fairy tales appeal to you, you should definitely check this series out! I would definitely not recommend reading this as a standalone. The events in the past two books are important for understanding what is happening.
Favorite quote:
“Perspective is not about what’s in front of the camera. Perspective is about the eye looking through it.” – Layla Mathews
Here is the reading order for the Shadow series:
Shadow Bound
Shadow Fall
Shadowman
August 30, 2011
Review to come closer to release date
Merged review:
I received this ARC from the publisher for review
Erin Kellison just writes one of the most fascinating series I've ever read! I love urban fantasy and I love fairy tales and basically this series takes both of those and mashes them together and the result is just incredible!
Kellison's books have the modern day faerie tale element to them. It's not necessarily faery tales retold, they just have the elements! In Shadowman, we get to know Shadowman himself a lot more and his lost love Kathleen. And he is determined to find his beloved to be with her once again. He even forged a gate to open a portal to Hell to perhaps draw Kathleen out.
Needless to say things don't go as planned. For it seems Kathleen is already in the real world and Shadowman will do anything to find and protect her from even more sinister creatures than the wraiths.
I don't want to get too much into the plot details for there were quite a few surprises along the way. Really astounding ones. Shadowman takes you away once again into its seemingly dark worlds of fae and other terrifying creatures. It's almost impossible to describe the beauty of the language. It really is like reading a modern day faery tale.
The pacing was incredible, the characters, both new and old, were well loved and hated. They were deep and complex. There is still so much to learn about these people despite having known some of them from the previous books.
This dark fantasy world is beyond beautiful and is one I highly recommend if you're looking for a different kind of read. There's still action, fights with creatures from the dark side--monsters. Angels who may or may not be totally angelic. Romance kindling between more than one set of characters. Everything about this series is tremendous and I look forward to reading more and more from Kellison! She's on my list for life!
Overall rating 5/5 stars!
Shadowman releases September 6, 2011
Merged review:
I received this ARC from the publisher for review
Erin Kellison just writes one of the most fascinating series I've ever read! I love urban fantasy and I love fairy tales and basically this series takes both of those and mashes them together and the result is just incredible!
Kellison's books have the modern day faerie tale element to them. It's not necessarily faery tales retold, they just have the elements! In Shadowman, we get to know Shadowman himself a lot more and his lost love Kathleen. And he is determined to find his beloved to be with her once again. He even forged a gate to open a portal to Hell to perhaps draw Kathleen out.
Needless to say things don't go as planned. For it seems Kathleen is already in the real world and Shadowman will do anything to find and protect her from even more sinister creatures than the wraiths.
I don't want to get too much into the plot details for there were quite a few surprises along the way. Really astounding ones. Shadowman takes you away once again into its seemingly dark worlds of fae and other terrifying creatures. It's almost impossible to describe the beauty of the language. It really is like reading a modern day faery tale.
The pacing was incredible, the characters, both new and old, were well loved and hated. They were deep and complex. There is still so much to learn about these people despite having known some of them from the previous books.
This dark fantasy world is beyond beautiful and is one I highly recommend if you're looking for a different kind of read. There's still action, fights with creatures from the dark side--monsters. Angels who may or may not be totally angelic. Romance kindling between more than one set of characters. Everything about this series is tremendous and I look forward to reading more and more from Kellison! She's on my list for life!
Overall rating 5/5 stars!
Shadowman releases September 6, 2011
Read
September 5, 2011After enjoying Erin Kellison's novella, SHADOW TOUCH, I jumped at the chance to review SHADOWMAN. Though this was my first full length book in the Shadow series, I was swept up in the story from page one. SHADOWMAN is such a satisfying stand alone novel, it was just icing on the cake that I could finish it and then immediately go back and enjoy SHADOW BOUND and SHADOW FALL.
SHADOWMAN provided just enough background to quickly orient someone new to the series without over-sharing for established readers (quite an accomplishment considering the complexity of Layla and Shadowman’s family life). Layla's connection to Talia was a definite surprise, and I loved Adam Thorne’s unflappable response to this revelation. To be fair, just about everything with Talia and Adam was wonderful (though balancing a global war and a set of colicky twins is no joke). Even with this great couple in the background, Shadowman and Layla steal the show. Of all the preternatural romances I've read this year, including those in the Shadow series itself, the bond between Death and the bright, strong soul of Kathleen O'Brien is one of the most convincing. Pair that with the breathtaking chemistry between Layla and her newly rediscovered lover, and this is a romance to remember.
I am beyond impressed by how easy it was to leap into the series with this book, despite the fact that I read the series backwards. Even with all the Shadow books under my belt, SHADOWMAN is still my favorite (with SHADOW FALL a close second). With interesting, accessible world building and characters that just grow more and more likable, I’m going to make sure that I keep up with Kellison’s books in the future.
Sexual Content: Several sex scenes.
SHADOWMAN provided just enough background to quickly orient someone new to the series without over-sharing for established readers (quite an accomplishment considering the complexity of Layla and Shadowman’s family life). Layla's connection to Talia was a definite surprise, and I loved Adam Thorne’s unflappable response to this revelation. To be fair, just about everything with Talia and Adam was wonderful (though balancing a global war and a set of colicky twins is no joke). Even with this great couple in the background, Shadowman and Layla steal the show. Of all the preternatural romances I've read this year, including those in the Shadow series itself, the bond between Death and the bright, strong soul of Kathleen O'Brien is one of the most convincing. Pair that with the breathtaking chemistry between Layla and her newly rediscovered lover, and this is a romance to remember.
I am beyond impressed by how easy it was to leap into the series with this book, despite the fact that I read the series backwards. Even with all the Shadow books under my belt, SHADOWMAN is still my favorite (with SHADOW FALL a close second). With interesting, accessible world building and characters that just grow more and more likable, I’m going to make sure that I keep up with Kellison’s books in the future.
Sexual Content: Several sex scenes.
August 29, 2011
Kathleen O'Brien died while giving birth to her daughter, Talia. Never once getting to hold her child. Even with her weak heart, Kathleen has always been independent and strong. In death she vowed to find away back to her Talia & Shadowman.
I'm happy to see Shadowman and Kathleen get their own book. A great love story that has suffered much pain and heartache. If anyone deserves a HEA it's definitely them. Shadowman is dark, dangerous and beautiful. As always filled with intense action. A wonderful story. Although I loved the first book this latest story is my favorite in the series. I loved that reincarnation plays a part in the story, made the character unique and real. If you lean more to dark fantasy romance you don't want to miss out on this series.
I'm happy to see Shadowman and Kathleen get their own book. A great love story that has suffered much pain and heartache. If anyone deserves a HEA it's definitely them. Shadowman is dark, dangerous and beautiful. As always filled with intense action. A wonderful story. Although I loved the first book this latest story is my favorite in the series. I loved that reincarnation plays a part in the story, made the character unique and real. If you lean more to dark fantasy romance you don't want to miss out on this series.
January 28, 2024
Layla Matthew’s is a reporter determined to get her story the truth about the wraiths that have spread like a virus across the country. However in order to do so she must get closer to the action that means she needs to get a closer look at the segue institute where she knows in her gut that the answers lie somewhere in there with the people in charge. Talia and her husband Adam they’re behind everything somehow and Layla will find out one way or another and report the truth.
However in doing so it changes her life for good although was it really a change or was this path always destined to happen you see Layla is a young woman with a difficult past who had no idea that her soul was that of Kathleen the lost love of the Shadow man and the mother of Talia the woman she’d come to the segue institute to find out more about believing that she’s part of the reason that wraiths walk the earth.
You see on her death bed Kathleen had promised to find a way back to her love and her child and she did so however loosing her memories when she was reincarnated into Layla.
The Shadow man has always been desperate to find his Kathleen but after searching the Heavens for her he assumed that the only other place she could be was in hell but how, why would she be there obviously there’s only one way to find out so he builds a hell gate one that should never be opened. However it is for brief moment in time the gate is opened by Layla and linked to her and in opening it even for just that brief moment it causes a devil to walk the earth and also for souls to recognise lost love.
Can Layla have it all her shadow man her child her grandchildren or will the devil that was released to the earth destroy her to stay alive walking around causing destruction in her wake.
With being reunited with his lost love the shadow man will stop at nothing to keep his Kathleen/Layla alive even after the fates cut her life line he won’t loose her again he’ll do anything to stop her death even if it means he stops being the reaper of souls
However in doing so it changes her life for good although was it really a change or was this path always destined to happen you see Layla is a young woman with a difficult past who had no idea that her soul was that of Kathleen the lost love of the Shadow man and the mother of Talia the woman she’d come to the segue institute to find out more about believing that she’s part of the reason that wraiths walk the earth.
You see on her death bed Kathleen had promised to find a way back to her love and her child and she did so however loosing her memories when she was reincarnated into Layla.
The Shadow man has always been desperate to find his Kathleen but after searching the Heavens for her he assumed that the only other place she could be was in hell but how, why would she be there obviously there’s only one way to find out so he builds a hell gate one that should never be opened. However it is for brief moment in time the gate is opened by Layla and linked to her and in opening it even for just that brief moment it causes a devil to walk the earth and also for souls to recognise lost love.
Can Layla have it all her shadow man her child her grandchildren or will the devil that was released to the earth destroy her to stay alive walking around causing destruction in her wake.
With being reunited with his lost love the shadow man will stop at nothing to keep his Kathleen/Layla alive even after the fates cut her life line he won’t loose her again he’ll do anything to stop her death even if it means he stops being the reaper of souls
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2024
The Shadowman (aka Khan in this book) was the catalyst for the wraiths finding a way into the world and he's been looking for his love (Kathleen) ever since they were parted. After finding out she wasn't in heaven with the angels, he started crafting a gate that would let him enter hell so he could bring her back.
Except...as it turns out Kathleen wasn't in heaven because she'd managed to find her way back to earth. As Layla. Layla might not have Kathleen's memories of her time with Shadowman, but she's drawn to him. And she's been chasing the wraith story since she first heard about them. Which, as it turns out, puts her in the path of Khan and leads her to Talia and, well, it's almost like she's in the exact place she's meant to be in at the exact right moment.
On Khan's end, it doesn't take him long to realize the truth about who Layla is, but his dereliction of duty and the gate he crafted and a host of other issues keeps getting in the way of them being together. Plus, you know, Layla needs to come to terms with the past before they can really be together-together. Throw in a demon with a little case of blood-lust and Shadow doing its thing and THINGS HAPPEN.
A family reunion (of sorts), a dangerous escapee, a lady looking for answers, fae (who love their sly tricks and wicked cajoling), a powerful man who is determined to find his love, and buckets of danger that keeps everyone on their toes. A solid ending to a good series!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Except...as it turns out Kathleen wasn't in heaven because she'd managed to find her way back to earth. As Layla. Layla might not have Kathleen's memories of her time with Shadowman, but she's drawn to him. And she's been chasing the wraith story since she first heard about them. Which, as it turns out, puts her in the path of Khan and leads her to Talia and, well, it's almost like she's in the exact place she's meant to be in at the exact right moment.
On Khan's end, it doesn't take him long to realize the truth about who Layla is, but his dereliction of duty and the gate he crafted and a host of other issues keeps getting in the way of them being together. Plus, you know, Layla needs to come to terms with the past before they can really be together-together. Throw in a demon with a little case of blood-lust and Shadow doing its thing and THINGS HAPPEN.
A family reunion (of sorts), a dangerous escapee, a lady looking for answers, fae (who love their sly tricks and wicked cajoling), a powerful man who is determined to find his love, and buckets of danger that keeps everyone on their toes. A solid ending to a good series!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
January 29, 2024
Shadowman is the full-length story of Kathleen and Shadowman! It is the third book in the Shadow series and I can't tell you how much I've been looking forward to this one!
Shadowman will stop at nothing to find Kathleen. He knows she's not in Twilight and since Custo has told him she's not in the Hereafter, then that only leaves Hell. So he builds a gate. It gets opened-just a crack-by Layla but something or someone slips through.
Oh, man, but I loved this story. It was a slow start but built up to an amazing story that kept me turning the pages, unable to put it down. I loved the twists and turns in it, as both Shadowman and Layla figure out just who they are, both to each other and to other people. It is chock full of emotion and the ending is full of action. I had to read it twice, just to make sure I hadn't missed anything.
It feels like the end of the series, but I sincerely hope we return to Segue. There is still so much to see, and I hope to catch up with all my favourite characters too. Absolutely brilliant and highly recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 29, 2024
Shadowman will stop at nothing to find Kathleen. He knows she's not in Twilight and since Custo has told him she's not in the Hereafter, then that only leaves Hell. So he builds a gate. It gets opened-just a crack-by Layla but something or someone slips through.
Oh, man, but I loved this story. It was a slow start but built up to an amazing story that kept me turning the pages, unable to put it down. I loved the twists and turns in it, as both Shadowman and Layla figure out just who they are, both to each other and to other people. It is chock full of emotion and the ending is full of action. I had to read it twice, just to make sure I hadn't missed anything.
It feels like the end of the series, but I sincerely hope we return to Segue. There is still so much to see, and I hope to catch up with all my favourite characters too. Absolutely brilliant and highly recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 29, 2024
February 9, 2024
Together at last
The Shadowman is fae, immortal - and Death incarnate. Layla Mathew's is a journalist an orphan, a foster child, connected to no one. The fae are restricted to the Shadowland between the mortal world and the Hereafter, but Shadowman long ago defied that restriction, and the borders between realms weakened as a result. Which is why Layla has strange visions, odd sensations, and an obsessive need to investigate Segue, the institute investigating and fighting wraiths and other incursions of magic into human affairs. This last novel in the Shadow Series brings those who started it all to a most astonishing and gratifying conclusion, but not without terror, drama, angst, and more paranormal phenomena. The fear, the excitement and the suspense had me enthralled from page one to the very end. The heat of romance was a welcome respite and a great counterpoint to the grim emotional discoveries Layla endured. Erin Kellison's breathtaking, other-worldly realm of Shadow will linger hauntingly in my mind for a long time. Readers who want a truly paranormal romance will find all they desire in this book, and the series that goes before it. This is a voluntary independent ARC review.
The Shadowman is fae, immortal - and Death incarnate. Layla Mathew's is a journalist an orphan, a foster child, connected to no one. The fae are restricted to the Shadowland between the mortal world and the Hereafter, but Shadowman long ago defied that restriction, and the borders between realms weakened as a result. Which is why Layla has strange visions, odd sensations, and an obsessive need to investigate Segue, the institute investigating and fighting wraiths and other incursions of magic into human affairs. This last novel in the Shadow Series brings those who started it all to a most astonishing and gratifying conclusion, but not without terror, drama, angst, and more paranormal phenomena. The fear, the excitement and the suspense had me enthralled from page one to the very end. The heat of romance was a welcome respite and a great counterpoint to the grim emotional discoveries Layla endured. Erin Kellison's breathtaking, other-worldly realm of Shadow will linger hauntingly in my mind for a long time. Readers who want a truly paranormal romance will find all they desire in this book, and the series that goes before it. This is a voluntary independent ARC review.
February 20, 2024
Shadow Man brings the remarkable Shadow series full circle. Once again Erin Kellison gave a spectacular story with the final Shadow book. I would be doing a disservice to give any of this story away. A book and series that all fantasy romance readers will love. Journalist Layla Mathews and her dark hero are on a journey of discovery, overcoming past mistakes, finding family and a love for the ages.
The Segue Institute, including those who live and work there with others from previous books are part of the story especially in fighting a new evil that has escaped. Everyone in on board for this battle but all do not agree to how the evil must be defeated. The development of the characters and the world building remain exceptionally strong. Fabulous twists as well as excellent writing give Shadow Man an addictive pull to keep reading one more chapter long after the lights should have been out.
Highly recommend this series including the third book, Shadow Man. I do think each book could be read on its own, but I loved reading the books in order. I know others will too.
The Segue Institute, including those who live and work there with others from previous books are part of the story especially in fighting a new evil that has escaped. Everyone in on board for this battle but all do not agree to how the evil must be defeated. The development of the characters and the world building remain exceptionally strong. Fabulous twists as well as excellent writing give Shadow Man an addictive pull to keep reading one more chapter long after the lights should have been out.
Highly recommend this series including the third book, Shadow Man. I do think each book could be read on its own, but I loved reading the books in order. I know others will too.
January 20, 2024
The series continue to be interesting but it was my least favourite instalment, not sure why but it was not easy to like Layla at first...then we understand her past yes but still how she was focused on making Segue the bad one and Talia a target bothered me a lot.
However the story is really addictive, we see how shadowman was willing to risk everything for Kathleen and there are so many twists that you can't put the book down.
i loved to see Custo take side and to discover new kind of paranormals; really it was great
Layla and " Khan" are hot together with some very steamy scene but thir souls were made for each other.
We also learn a bit more about Talia's children which sound promising.
I really recommend to read this series in order
However the story is really addictive, we see how shadowman was willing to risk everything for Kathleen and there are so many twists that you can't put the book down.
i loved to see Custo take side and to discover new kind of paranormals; really it was great
Layla and " Khan" are hot together with some very steamy scene but thir souls were made for each other.
We also learn a bit more about Talia's children which sound promising.
I really recommend to read this series in order
November 22, 2019
Erin Kellison has been a nice revelation for me. She has a vivid imagination and her books never get dull. So many twists and turns and excitement. the only problem is that when she adds so many negatives and backs her plot into a wall and then unravels it in one and a half pages, out of nowhere.
This was a problem for me in all her books. It made me feel stupid not really understanding how she gave the HEA. One minute everyone may be about to die and then , out of the blue comes the solution. But, like I said, she writes very well and has beautiful stories, so for now, I'll be enjoying more of her books.
This was a problem for me in all her books. It made me feel stupid not really understanding how she gave the HEA. One minute everyone may be about to die and then , out of the blue comes the solution. But, like I said, she writes very well and has beautiful stories, so for now, I'll be enjoying more of her books.
January 26, 2024
This is a fantastic series and a brilliant book to end it with. It grabs you from the first few pages and doesn’t let go. Death, or Shadowman, makes you stop and think about how hard his destiny is, and how unfair it would be for him to keep on living that way. You can’t help but smile and rejoice at the way his story ends.
Each character is so well written that you can vividly imagine being there,. You admire and sympathise with them and feel like they are real people.
To really appreciate their ending and get the most out of this book I would suggest you start at the beginning of the series and read it all.
Well done, Erin, you are an amazing author.
Each character is so well written that you can vividly imagine being there,. You admire and sympathise with them and feel like they are real people.
To really appreciate their ending and get the most out of this book I would suggest you start at the beginning of the series and read it all.
Well done, Erin, you are an amazing author.
January 31, 2024
So Really Enjoyed this Novel
Like all of Erin Kellison's books, I enjoyed this novel a lot. Love that the main characters got their HEA, and that's very important to me. These two had it a long time coming and somewhat happy with the ending. With an HFN ending for the series, there still remains a lot to be resolved. I am interested to see where Kellison goes with the next book!!
Like all of Erin Kellison's books, I enjoyed this novel a lot. Love that the main characters got their HEA, and that's very important to me. These two had it a long time coming and somewhat happy with the ending. With an HFN ending for the series, there still remains a lot to be resolved. I am interested to see where Kellison goes with the next book!!
May 24, 2021
I have to hand it to EK for giving Shadowman and Kathleen the most memorable beginning and end. What a fantastic way to end the Shadow trilogy!!!
I just have a few questions: where was Annabella in all of this? Why couldn't she be around? And where was Luca?
I hope there are more books in the Shadow world, because I don't want to leave just yet.
I just have a few questions: where was Annabella in all of this? Why couldn't she be around? And where was Luca?
I hope there are more books in the Shadow world, because I don't want to leave just yet.
January 27, 2024
Death finally gets his story. I have been waiting for this one since I read the first book in the trilogy and it was well worth the wait.
After losing his love, Kathleen, Shadowman has been searching for her. This is a story of how 2 beings from different worlds overcome the obstacles of being together. Amazing finish to the trilogy.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
After losing his love, Kathleen, Shadowman has been searching for her. This is a story of how 2 beings from different worlds overcome the obstacles of being together. Amazing finish to the trilogy.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
June 9, 2024
I love that Khan got his chance to fight for Kathleen, and to take Layla on in her new life. Very good read, well planned and well written.
August 25, 2011
I enjoyed the first two books in Erin Kellison’s Shadow series, and I was very excited to receive a copy of Shadowman. I am pleased to report that it does not disappoint and is another great addition to this creative paranormal romance series.
Shadowman, the fae creature better known as Death, featured heavily into the first two books of the series. His daughter by a mortal woman is the lead character in Shadow Bound, and he has been a constant presence at the edge of the narrative. In Shadowman, he finally steps to the forefront of the story. For the last twenty-eight years, he has been searching for Kathleen O’Brien, his mortal lover who died young. He has even given up his duties as the Grim Reaper so he can search heaven and hell to find her, and unfortunately, this dereliction of duty has caused serious problems in the mortal realm and in his home, Shadow.
It’s a little difficult to summarize Shadowman because so much of the story relies on a surprise reveal early on in the book. I definitely don’t want to ruin that surprise, so I’m going to attempt to review the book in the vaguest terms possible.
In short, it’s a great book. It takes a little while for things to start rolling, and there are a few plot threads in the beginning that left me wondering exactly what was going on, but with that surprise reveal, everything becomes clear and the story barrels forward to an exciting conclusion.
Shadowman, who gives himself the name Khan (don’t worry, it makes a few of the characters snicker, too), is a pretty good romantic hero. His fae nature and singleminded determination to find and be with Kathleen do make him a bit abrasive, but watching him learn to navigate the mortal world and its inhabitants was very interesting. That singleminded determination–and his appearance–make him pretty swoon-worthy, if that’s your thing in romantic heroes. He is needs to find Kathleen, and he is willing to rip open the doorway to Hell to find her. At the same time, the other characters in the book work with and against him in such a way that it tempers him, forcing him to realize that his is not the only will that matters. I like that Khan is arrogant but is also able to be humbled and therefore change for the better, even though the fae are by nature resistant to change.
This story’s romance is great. I prefer to read romances in which relationships develop organically, in a believable way rather than in a fated, soulmates trope. Khan and Kathleen are fated, in a way, but at the same time, it wasn’t like love struck like a bolt from the blue. The relationship in Shadowman definitely has bumps along the way (some of the bumps are actually brick walls right in the middle of the road), and I fully bought into it.
One thing I really appreciate about the Shadow series is how previously introduced characters aren’t just tossed aside. Talia and Adam, the couple from the first book, figure heavily into this story, as does Custo, the romantic hero in the second book. His wife, Annabella, actually doesn’t appear in this story, but that makes sense. Everyone that’s featured has a specific role to play in Shadowman, and despite having a pretty large cast of characters, no one feels extraneous.
I wish I could talk more about the story itself, but that would inevitably be spoilery, and I don’t want to spoil it for any of you. You’ll have to trust me when I say it’s a good one, with enough twists and turns to keep it realistic even when it dips into otherworldly territory. The villains are creepy and dangerous, as are some of the “good” guys, and the romance is satisfying and sexy. Kellison’s writing is rich and skillful, and this book sucked me right in.
Shadowman, the fae creature better known as Death, featured heavily into the first two books of the series. His daughter by a mortal woman is the lead character in Shadow Bound, and he has been a constant presence at the edge of the narrative. In Shadowman, he finally steps to the forefront of the story. For the last twenty-eight years, he has been searching for Kathleen O’Brien, his mortal lover who died young. He has even given up his duties as the Grim Reaper so he can search heaven and hell to find her, and unfortunately, this dereliction of duty has caused serious problems in the mortal realm and in his home, Shadow.
It’s a little difficult to summarize Shadowman because so much of the story relies on a surprise reveal early on in the book. I definitely don’t want to ruin that surprise, so I’m going to attempt to review the book in the vaguest terms possible.
In short, it’s a great book. It takes a little while for things to start rolling, and there are a few plot threads in the beginning that left me wondering exactly what was going on, but with that surprise reveal, everything becomes clear and the story barrels forward to an exciting conclusion.
Shadowman, who gives himself the name Khan (don’t worry, it makes a few of the characters snicker, too), is a pretty good romantic hero. His fae nature and singleminded determination to find and be with Kathleen do make him a bit abrasive, but watching him learn to navigate the mortal world and its inhabitants was very interesting. That singleminded determination–and his appearance–make him pretty swoon-worthy, if that’s your thing in romantic heroes. He is needs to find Kathleen, and he is willing to rip open the doorway to Hell to find her. At the same time, the other characters in the book work with and against him in such a way that it tempers him, forcing him to realize that his is not the only will that matters. I like that Khan is arrogant but is also able to be humbled and therefore change for the better, even though the fae are by nature resistant to change.
This story’s romance is great. I prefer to read romances in which relationships develop organically, in a believable way rather than in a fated, soulmates trope. Khan and Kathleen are fated, in a way, but at the same time, it wasn’t like love struck like a bolt from the blue. The relationship in Shadowman definitely has bumps along the way (some of the bumps are actually brick walls right in the middle of the road), and I fully bought into it.
One thing I really appreciate about the Shadow series is how previously introduced characters aren’t just tossed aside. Talia and Adam, the couple from the first book, figure heavily into this story, as does Custo, the romantic hero in the second book. His wife, Annabella, actually doesn’t appear in this story, but that makes sense. Everyone that’s featured has a specific role to play in Shadowman, and despite having a pretty large cast of characters, no one feels extraneous.
I wish I could talk more about the story itself, but that would inevitably be spoilery, and I don’t want to spoil it for any of you. You’ll have to trust me when I say it’s a good one, with enough twists and turns to keep it realistic even when it dips into otherworldly territory. The villains are creepy and dangerous, as are some of the “good” guys, and the romance is satisfying and sexy. Kellison’s writing is rich and skillful, and this book sucked me right in.
February 9, 2024
This is superb read! It's an intricately woven tale of love lost, then found and redemption. So many shocking twists that you don't see coming and a perfect ending. I loved it.
June 20, 2023
He could not pinpoint the moment he fell – perhaps when he first stepped out of Shadow. Or in that breath drawn to shape the sound of his first word, hush. Or years before when he came to watch her from his dim vantage when he had no call to do so. (Excerpt from Shadow Bound)
Shadowman. The fae Dark Lord. Death. He’s been known by many names to many people, appearing in whatever image the person who sees him forms of him. Cloven hooves, monstrous size, a billowing black cloak – he’s worn all these images. But none affected him beyond the surface — none save one. The woman who tempted him to cross through to our world saw him as a dark knight. Handsome and kind, always there, always watching until finally giving in to the allure of Kathleen’s bright soul.
“Can you show me how to go? I don’t know…”
He grinned. “I don’t know either.” (Excerpt from Shadow Bound)
Fast forward two books. Technically, it is two and a half books, but we would then quibble about the extraordinary length of time I had to wait to finish Shadowman’s story. Erin Kellison first introduced him in Shadow Bound, the first book in her Shadow series. He made appearances here and there throughout the first novel, then again in its sequel, Shadow Fall, but it was usually to save his daughter or kill things. I respect his ability to wield a nasty blade, but it didn’t help me find out if he and Kathleen ever found each other again! No, that little bit of information didn’t arrive until Shadowman, the happy-dance inspiring third novel in the series.
Layla Mathews, a woman who is the polar opposite of Kathleen O’Brien, is introduced as our heroine. Before you form a lynch mob, understand she is also Kathleen reincarnated. This informayion isn’t a spoiler. It’s revealed very early on, is on the bookmarks for Shadowman, and should be horribly obvious because Erin would not try to put our Shadowman with anyone else! To say there are obstacles to her and Shadowman being together would be a huge understatement. He’s fae. She’s human. There are wraiths and worse around and Moira, also known as Fate, has her hand in the cookie jar, so to speak.
There are so many obstacles, in fact, that the book seems almost too jam-packed with plot. I would have liked to see a little more growth from Layla instead of an almost instant change. Her character is so complex and troubled I wanted to watch the healing process. This in no way diminishes my enjoyment of Shadowman. Even with my one tiny complaint, I highly recommend it to all fans of storybook romance, urban fantasy, and angels with attitude. Erin Kellison has an amazing ability to thread beauty into the most dark of passages, eliciting true, heartfelt emotion through the turn of a phrase. I leave you with just such an example:
Now time was a torture of uneven beats strung together and stretched into a warp of perception.
Shadowman. The fae Dark Lord. Death. He’s been known by many names to many people, appearing in whatever image the person who sees him forms of him. Cloven hooves, monstrous size, a billowing black cloak – he’s worn all these images. But none affected him beyond the surface — none save one. The woman who tempted him to cross through to our world saw him as a dark knight. Handsome and kind, always there, always watching until finally giving in to the allure of Kathleen’s bright soul.
“Can you show me how to go? I don’t know…”
He grinned. “I don’t know either.” (Excerpt from Shadow Bound)
Fast forward two books. Technically, it is two and a half books, but we would then quibble about the extraordinary length of time I had to wait to finish Shadowman’s story. Erin Kellison first introduced him in Shadow Bound, the first book in her Shadow series. He made appearances here and there throughout the first novel, then again in its sequel, Shadow Fall, but it was usually to save his daughter or kill things. I respect his ability to wield a nasty blade, but it didn’t help me find out if he and Kathleen ever found each other again! No, that little bit of information didn’t arrive until Shadowman, the happy-dance inspiring third novel in the series.
Layla Mathews, a woman who is the polar opposite of Kathleen O’Brien, is introduced as our heroine. Before you form a lynch mob, understand she is also Kathleen reincarnated. This informayion isn’t a spoiler. It’s revealed very early on, is on the bookmarks for Shadowman, and should be horribly obvious because Erin would not try to put our Shadowman with anyone else! To say there are obstacles to her and Shadowman being together would be a huge understatement. He’s fae. She’s human. There are wraiths and worse around and Moira, also known as Fate, has her hand in the cookie jar, so to speak.
There are so many obstacles, in fact, that the book seems almost too jam-packed with plot. I would have liked to see a little more growth from Layla instead of an almost instant change. Her character is so complex and troubled I wanted to watch the healing process. This in no way diminishes my enjoyment of Shadowman. Even with my one tiny complaint, I highly recommend it to all fans of storybook romance, urban fantasy, and angels with attitude. Erin Kellison has an amazing ability to thread beauty into the most dark of passages, eliciting true, heartfelt emotion through the turn of a phrase. I leave you with just such an example:
Now time was a torture of uneven beats strung together and stretched into a warp of perception.
September 19, 2011
Shadowman, aka Death, wants his woman back. He knows that her soul didn’t go to Heaven, which means she might be in hell. So he makes a gate to travel and find her.
Layla is a journalist who wants to find out the truth about the wraiths, and the dark secrets locked away in Segue Institute, but most of all she wants a picture of Talia. She believes that Talia’s husband, Adam is behind the wraith outbreak, and will stop at nothing to uncover the secrets. She is caught trying to take a picture of Talia, and sent back to New York. On the way a strange woman named Zoe tells her where to find a man who can give her the answers. What she finds is not what she is expecting.
The setup of this world is fantastic! You have the human realm, the afterlife, and Twilight. Twilight, the forest between the human world and the afterlife are ruled by Fae. The Fae are not without jobs, Death is a fae, Fate is a fae, etc... The descriptions of the Fae are dark and beautiful. Actually most of the descriptions in this novel are dark, beautiful, and almost lyrical.
Shadowman is a suffering hero. It doesn’t help that when he appears to a person, that person sees what they perceive as Death. Years of harboring souls that shriek at the sight of him, hasn’t helped him. Kathleen, his love, didn’t see him as scary, instead she saw her dark prince. He was by far my favorite character in the novel. I have a thing for brooding heroes.
Layla is strong, independent, but soon becomes surrounded by the supernatural. It puts her far out of her depth, but she still finds ways to fight. At times things look very grim for her, but she is able to keep her chin up. The only thing I didn’t like was when she falls back on her past. She grew up being passed around from foster home to foster home, and feels alone. Sometimes her fear of being alone grew annoying.
This is a romance, but the steamy parts were lacking. This is also true for some of the action. Because the story is kind of lyrical, it lacks a lot of straight forward detail. I had to re-read scenes at times to make sure of what was happening.
The story starts out strong, but slowed for me towards the end. It is about a romance that seems impossible. Shadowman does such a great job being desolate and hurt at the beginning. It was easy to be drawn to him. There is so much going on, and so many problems building, that he is spread too thin. Both main characters do a lot of saving, but I felt the Shadowman did much more. The story wowed me, but the end wasn’t what I was expecting. I wanted more from it.
It could almost be called Gothic, but not quite. The characters swept me away at the beginning, and pulled me through their worlds. This is the third book of the series, and after reading it I want the first two. It can be read separated from the other two.
Layla is a journalist who wants to find out the truth about the wraiths, and the dark secrets locked away in Segue Institute, but most of all she wants a picture of Talia. She believes that Talia’s husband, Adam is behind the wraith outbreak, and will stop at nothing to uncover the secrets. She is caught trying to take a picture of Talia, and sent back to New York. On the way a strange woman named Zoe tells her where to find a man who can give her the answers. What she finds is not what she is expecting.
The setup of this world is fantastic! You have the human realm, the afterlife, and Twilight. Twilight, the forest between the human world and the afterlife are ruled by Fae. The Fae are not without jobs, Death is a fae, Fate is a fae, etc... The descriptions of the Fae are dark and beautiful. Actually most of the descriptions in this novel are dark, beautiful, and almost lyrical.
Shadowman is a suffering hero. It doesn’t help that when he appears to a person, that person sees what they perceive as Death. Years of harboring souls that shriek at the sight of him, hasn’t helped him. Kathleen, his love, didn’t see him as scary, instead she saw her dark prince. He was by far my favorite character in the novel. I have a thing for brooding heroes.
Layla is strong, independent, but soon becomes surrounded by the supernatural. It puts her far out of her depth, but she still finds ways to fight. At times things look very grim for her, but she is able to keep her chin up. The only thing I didn’t like was when she falls back on her past. She grew up being passed around from foster home to foster home, and feels alone. Sometimes her fear of being alone grew annoying.
This is a romance, but the steamy parts were lacking. This is also true for some of the action. Because the story is kind of lyrical, it lacks a lot of straight forward detail. I had to re-read scenes at times to make sure of what was happening.
The story starts out strong, but slowed for me towards the end. It is about a romance that seems impossible. Shadowman does such a great job being desolate and hurt at the beginning. It was easy to be drawn to him. There is so much going on, and so many problems building, that he is spread too thin. Both main characters do a lot of saving, but I felt the Shadowman did much more. The story wowed me, but the end wasn’t what I was expecting. I wanted more from it.
It could almost be called Gothic, but not quite. The characters swept me away at the beginning, and pulled me through their worlds. This is the third book of the series, and after reading it I want the first two. It can be read separated from the other two.
September 19, 2011
Shadowman, aka Death, wants his woman back. He knows that her soul didn’t go to Heaven, which means she might be in hell. So he makes a gate to travel and find her.
Layla is a journalist who wants to find out the truth about the wraiths, and the dark secrets locked away in Segue Institute, but most of all she wants a picture of Talia. She believes that Talia’s husband, Adam is behind the wraith outbreak, and will stop at nothing to uncover the secrets. She is caught trying to take a picture of Talia, and sent back to New York. On the way a strange woman named Zoe tells her where to find a man who can give her the answers. What she finds is not what she is expecting.
The setup of this world is fantastic! You have the human realm, the afterlife, and Twilight. Twilight, the forest between the human world and the afterlife are ruled by Fae. The Fae are not without jobs, Death is a fae, Fate is a fae, etc... The descriptions of the Fae are dark and beautiful. Actually most of the descriptions in this novel are dark, beautiful, and almost lyrical.
Shadowman is a suffering hero. It doesn’t help that when he appears to a person, that person sees what they perceive as Death. Years of harboring souls that shriek at the sight of him, hasn’t helped him. Kathleen, his love, didn’t see him as scary, instead she saw her dark prince. He was by far my favorite character in the novel. I have a thing for brooding heroes.
Layla is strong, independent, but soon becomes surrounded by the supernatural. It puts her far out of her depth, but she still finds ways to fight. At times things look very grim for her, but she is able to keep her chin up. The only thing I didn’t like was when she falls back on her past. She grew up being passed around from foster home to foster home, and feels alone. Sometimes her fear of being alone grew annoying.
This is a romance, but the steamy parts were lacking. This is also true for some of the action. Because the story is kind of lyrical, it lacks a lot of straight forward detail. I had to re-read scenes at times to make sure of what was happening.
The story starts out strong, but slowed for me towards the end. It is about a romance that seems impossible. Shadowman does such a great job being desolate and hurt at the beginning. It was easy to be drawn to him. There is so much going on, and so many problems building, that he is spread too thin. Both main characters do a lot of saving, but I felt the Shadowman did much more. The story wowed me, but the end wasn’t what I was expecting. I wanted more from it.
It could almost be called Gothic, but not quite. The characters swept me away at the beginning, and pulled me through their worlds. This is the third book of the series, and after reading it I want the first two. It can be read separated from the other two.
-Beth (Guest Reviewer)
Layla is a journalist who wants to find out the truth about the wraiths, and the dark secrets locked away in Segue Institute, but most of all she wants a picture of Talia. She believes that Talia’s husband, Adam is behind the wraith outbreak, and will stop at nothing to uncover the secrets. She is caught trying to take a picture of Talia, and sent back to New York. On the way a strange woman named Zoe tells her where to find a man who can give her the answers. What she finds is not what she is expecting.
The setup of this world is fantastic! You have the human realm, the afterlife, and Twilight. Twilight, the forest between the human world and the afterlife are ruled by Fae. The Fae are not without jobs, Death is a fae, Fate is a fae, etc... The descriptions of the Fae are dark and beautiful. Actually most of the descriptions in this novel are dark, beautiful, and almost lyrical.
Shadowman is a suffering hero. It doesn’t help that when he appears to a person, that person sees what they perceive as Death. Years of harboring souls that shriek at the sight of him, hasn’t helped him. Kathleen, his love, didn’t see him as scary, instead she saw her dark prince. He was by far my favorite character in the novel. I have a thing for brooding heroes.
Layla is strong, independent, but soon becomes surrounded by the supernatural. It puts her far out of her depth, but she still finds ways to fight. At times things look very grim for her, but she is able to keep her chin up. The only thing I didn’t like was when she falls back on her past. She grew up being passed around from foster home to foster home, and feels alone. Sometimes her fear of being alone grew annoying.
This is a romance, but the steamy parts were lacking. This is also true for some of the action. Because the story is kind of lyrical, it lacks a lot of straight forward detail. I had to re-read scenes at times to make sure of what was happening.
The story starts out strong, but slowed for me towards the end. It is about a romance that seems impossible. Shadowman does such a great job being desolate and hurt at the beginning. It was easy to be drawn to him. There is so much going on, and so many problems building, that he is spread too thin. Both main characters do a lot of saving, but I felt the Shadowman did much more. The story wowed me, but the end wasn’t what I was expecting. I wanted more from it.
It could almost be called Gothic, but not quite. The characters swept me away at the beginning, and pulled me through their worlds. This is the third book of the series, and after reading it I want the first two. It can be read separated from the other two.
-Beth (Guest Reviewer)
September 24, 2011
Review pending...
Merged review:
First off, I haven’t read any other books in this series. Saying that, I didn’t feel like I was lost while reading Shadowman. I think these books can be read out of order because Erin Kellison does a wonderful job explaining what has happened without overburdening the reader or being mundane to a reader who has read the first two books.
In the third book of the Shadow series, Shadowman is bound and determined to bring Kathleen back. He has forged a gate to hell and against the angel’s pleas, he must open it. He is unable to stand the thought that she is writhing in hell. Layla Mathew’s is drawn towards the gate after being banished from the Segue Institute by Adam Thorne. Her story on how the wraiths, regular people who gave up their soul for immortality, first came to the world is getting nowhere and she knows that Adam has the answers. She is given a tip by Zoe Maldano, a woman who has no love for Adam or the Segue Institute. Zoe tells her that the answers lie near the dock. Layla finds the gate and only touches it, but that is enough to unleash a nasty devil on the world. This devil with stop at nothing to kill Layla because if she does, hell will be unleashed upon the earth and the little devil is free to do whatever mischief she wants. Shadowman instantly realizes that Kathleen is not in hell but is reincarnated in Layla. The catch, he can’t force her to remember. Hopefully for both their sakes, she remembers soon.
Layla can’t figure out this man. He is mysterious and dark, but he has promised her a story. Now Layla just needs to open her mind to the possibility of another realm, a darker realm called the Shadow. Entering Shadow when you are not fae can lead to disastrous consequences. This is the realm that Shadowman lives in and there are trickster lurking about ready to pounce on Layla. Together they must discover who each other are. Shadowman is no long death and Layla is no longer who she thought she was. Now a new death has taken up the scythe and end what Shadowman has started.
Shadowman is dark and the world that Erin has created is amazing with angels, devils, wraiths, and ghosts meshed together. You are pulled into this world and unable to get out without losing yourself in the fae realm. I look forward to reading the first two books in this series.
Merged review:
First off, I haven’t read any other books in this series. Saying that, I didn’t feel like I was lost while reading Shadowman. I think these books can be read out of order because Erin Kellison does a wonderful job explaining what has happened without overburdening the reader or being mundane to a reader who has read the first two books.
In the third book of the Shadow series, Shadowman is bound and determined to bring Kathleen back. He has forged a gate to hell and against the angel’s pleas, he must open it. He is unable to stand the thought that she is writhing in hell. Layla Mathew’s is drawn towards the gate after being banished from the Segue Institute by Adam Thorne. Her story on how the wraiths, regular people who gave up their soul for immortality, first came to the world is getting nowhere and she knows that Adam has the answers. She is given a tip by Zoe Maldano, a woman who has no love for Adam or the Segue Institute. Zoe tells her that the answers lie near the dock. Layla finds the gate and only touches it, but that is enough to unleash a nasty devil on the world. This devil with stop at nothing to kill Layla because if she does, hell will be unleashed upon the earth and the little devil is free to do whatever mischief she wants. Shadowman instantly realizes that Kathleen is not in hell but is reincarnated in Layla. The catch, he can’t force her to remember. Hopefully for both their sakes, she remembers soon.
Layla can’t figure out this man. He is mysterious and dark, but he has promised her a story. Now Layla just needs to open her mind to the possibility of another realm, a darker realm called the Shadow. Entering Shadow when you are not fae can lead to disastrous consequences. This is the realm that Shadowman lives in and there are trickster lurking about ready to pounce on Layla. Together they must discover who each other are. Shadowman is no long death and Layla is no longer who she thought she was. Now a new death has taken up the scythe and end what Shadowman has started.
Shadowman is dark and the world that Erin has created is amazing with angels, devils, wraiths, and ghosts meshed together. You are pulled into this world and unable to get out without losing yourself in the fae realm. I look forward to reading the first two books in this series.
November 14, 2015
One of the many things I love about Erin Kellison's books is the unpredictability. She incorporates multi dimensional characters into a complex storyline, weaving in suspense, romance, impossible odds and strong MC's who steadfastly go after what they want. The author of the Reveler series has another winner in the Shadow Series and to me, this book is one of her best.
Death has been searching for Kathleen since she died while giving birth to their daughter, Talia. She isn't in Heaven, which leaves Hell, and he's furious that she would be punished for his crime. So he has abandoned his duties as the Grim Reaper and has built a gate to Hell with a hammer borrowed from an angel. As he reaches completion, he hears footsteps running outside and perceives a woman being pursued by two thugs. Then he sees the Fate Moira clip the woman's lifeline, consigning her to death.
Layla grew up in the foster care system, labeled as "different", "special needs", and on medication for paranoid schizophrenia because of the things she sees. She now works for the Global Insight, an online journal, where she is writing an investigative series on the Segue Institute and wraiths. When she trespasses onto Segue property to get pictures of Talia Thorne, Adam Thorne's mysterious half fae wife, Layla is escorted back home, but is given a lead by a disgruntled resident. She follows it to a warehouse listed as belonging to Adam Thorne, but is chased and attacked by two thugs intent on raping her. She escapes and enters the warehouse, which contains an metal gate that compels her to open it. A stranger instantly recloses it as something surges through. The man keeps calling her Kathleen, even after she gives him her name and tells him why she's there. She is enticed into going with him back to Segue when he tells her he can get her in to see Talia, who he claims is her daughter. And even as more unusual things happen, Layla is slow to believe the things she sees, much less what she's told, because of her history. But as events accumulate, she realizes there are other worlds besides Mortality, Death has his limits and that she is living on borrowed time, especially with a devil, Fate and a group of angels after her. A KU library read.
Death has been searching for Kathleen since she died while giving birth to their daughter, Talia. She isn't in Heaven, which leaves Hell, and he's furious that she would be punished for his crime. So he has abandoned his duties as the Grim Reaper and has built a gate to Hell with a hammer borrowed from an angel. As he reaches completion, he hears footsteps running outside and perceives a woman being pursued by two thugs. Then he sees the Fate Moira clip the woman's lifeline, consigning her to death.
Layla grew up in the foster care system, labeled as "different", "special needs", and on medication for paranoid schizophrenia because of the things she sees. She now works for the Global Insight, an online journal, where she is writing an investigative series on the Segue Institute and wraiths. When she trespasses onto Segue property to get pictures of Talia Thorne, Adam Thorne's mysterious half fae wife, Layla is escorted back home, but is given a lead by a disgruntled resident. She follows it to a warehouse listed as belonging to Adam Thorne, but is chased and attacked by two thugs intent on raping her. She escapes and enters the warehouse, which contains an metal gate that compels her to open it. A stranger instantly recloses it as something surges through. The man keeps calling her Kathleen, even after she gives him her name and tells him why she's there. She is enticed into going with him back to Segue when he tells her he can get her in to see Talia, who he claims is her daughter. And even as more unusual things happen, Layla is slow to believe the things she sees, much less what she's told, because of her history. But as events accumulate, she realizes there are other worlds besides Mortality, Death has his limits and that she is living on borrowed time, especially with a devil, Fate and a group of angels after her. A KU library read.
September 28, 2011
OMG! Can I just say OMG! I LOVED this book! I SO need to add Shadowman to my man harem. *sigh* Can I has him PLEASE? ;) He is your dark mysterious tortured man who is in total love with one woman. I mean really... can you resist?
Hey, get away from him! Resist! He's mine! *growls*
This is the story I think I've been wanting since I read the first book. We were introduced to Kathleen and Shadowman, but then they became secondary characters. Important and essential but not central to the stories. This book is their own. It is not a book of the past but a continuation of the series. All questions you might have had between these two in the past books will be answered in this story. That is all I am willing to say since I refuse to reveal my man further to you wanton readers. I mean really... didn't I already claim him? ;D
Well, I will say that PNR fans who were worried that this is too UF for their tastes will LOVE this story. UF fans won't be let down either. There is non-stop action and mysteries that open this world up even more to us. The fae are terrifying and the angels aren't exactly maleable. Nope, not a fluffy love tale, but one of heartache and strength on all the characters involved. Oh, and surprise! I actually liked Adam in this book! Finally! *whew*
I give this book 5 stars. I really love the idea that the person who truly does not fear death does not fear life either. Embracing death is only embracing change and that change is not always what we expect. Heh... I'll let you chew on that one for the moment. ;)
Hey, get away from him! Resist! He's mine! *growls*
This is the story I think I've been wanting since I read the first book. We were introduced to Kathleen and Shadowman, but then they became secondary characters. Important and essential but not central to the stories. This book is their own. It is not a book of the past but a continuation of the series. All questions you might have had between these two in the past books will be answered in this story. That is all I am willing to say since I refuse to reveal my man further to you wanton readers. I mean really... didn't I already claim him? ;D
Well, I will say that PNR fans who were worried that this is too UF for their tastes will LOVE this story. UF fans won't be let down either. There is non-stop action and mysteries that open this world up even more to us. The fae are terrifying and the angels aren't exactly maleable. Nope, not a fluffy love tale, but one of heartache and strength on all the characters involved. Oh, and surprise! I actually liked Adam in this book! Finally! *whew*
I give this book 5 stars. I really love the idea that the person who truly does not fear death does not fear life either. Embracing death is only embracing change and that change is not always what we expect. Heh... I'll let you chew on that one for the moment. ;)
September 5, 2011
Shadowman is the quickly paced, third installment in Erin Kellison's Shadow series. I have read the previous two novels and Erin's novella, Shadow Touch- all of which could be read as a standalone stories. They're all amazing reads, but Shadowman is now my favorite. Shadowman isn't quite as dark as the previous installments, but the romance is impressive regardless. Anyone who has read Shadow Bound and Shadow Fall will absolutely love Shadowman.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. However, it did take quite a few pages before I really got into it. So don't let the first slow chapters stop you- the story gets really good. The best part of Shadowman, other than the chemistry between Death and his lover, is that there was a lot of interaction with characters from the previous books. I love Tailia and Adam from Shadow Bound.
Shadowman is deliciously dangerous, I was so excited when I found out he was getting his own book. His back story with Kathleen is absolutely heartbreaking. If any couple should get their love story- this one should! There is nothing I love more than a dark Urban Fantasy with my Romance, if you're the same way, I highly recommend this series!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. However, it did take quite a few pages before I really got into it. So don't let the first slow chapters stop you- the story gets really good. The best part of Shadowman, other than the chemistry between Death and his lover, is that there was a lot of interaction with characters from the previous books. I love Tailia and Adam from Shadow Bound.
Shadowman is deliciously dangerous, I was so excited when I found out he was getting his own book. His back story with Kathleen is absolutely heartbreaking. If any couple should get their love story- this one should! There is nothing I love more than a dark Urban Fantasy with my Romance, if you're the same way, I highly recommend this series!
September 10, 2011
I just love this series! I don;t know if I have a favorite because they are all good, even the short story Shadow Touch. At first I didn't think that I was going to like Layla. Layla seemed like she was the kind of person who was snaking her way through, catching you in her webs. She seemed to have all the bad qualities that reporters possess. But, somewhere along the lines of the story, I grew to love Layla, stubborn as a mule but still good hearted.
Shadowman seems to possess the same stubborn qualities, and even tough he makes the wrong decisions sometimes, somehow in the end it all works out. I can't wait until the next book comes out, I am so curious to see what happens with Tailia's babies...
Shadowman seems to possess the same stubborn qualities, and even tough he makes the wrong decisions sometimes, somehow in the end it all works out. I can't wait until the next book comes out, I am so curious to see what happens with Tailia's babies...
March 20, 2012
I was desperate to get to reading this story by the time I made it through the first books in this series. You already know.so much about the couple and what they've sacrafised for.each other, you just haven't gotten anything from their point of view or really the reasoning behind certain choices. At the end of the third book you find out one of them is assumed to be trapped in hell this drives the shadowman to.do things he might never had, just to free his love from a fate hes sure he dealt her. This book comes with some major plot twists and turns that you wont see coming, it kept me on the edge of my seat yearning for more. All I have to say is great books and I seriously hope the next book comes outi soon I cant wait to read more
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