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Shadow Valley #1
How To Make Friends And Not Incinerate People
Being a teen is hard enough without supernatural powers.Aiden discovers a new world when his changeling abilities manifest. He's forced to move to Shadow Valley, a town hidden from the world -- and full of monsters. Students at the high school learn how to control their supernatural powers alongside regular classes. Graduation means the freedom to go out into the human world. Failure means being trapped in town for good.Aiden struggles with the fear of his powers and his strange classmates. When he meets bad boy Dylan, a dragonkin, they begin an unlikely friendship. But a mysterious figure stalks their dreams, tempting them with their heart's desire. To Aiden, he offers the chance to meet the fae family he's never known. To Dylan, he whispers promises of freedom from the wardens who enforce paranormal law. All they need to do in return is one little spell...When Dylan makes a dangerous choice, can Aiden act in time to save him?This YA contemporary fantasy series is centered on friendship and is appropriate for teen readers ages 12 & up.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2014
86 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Devin Harnois
27 books82 followersDevin Harnois has several published novels and he’d have more if he spent less time on Twitter and playing Dragon Age. Most of his books involve magic, monsters, and hope. They're also getting progressively more queer. He collects skull items and only a strong will prevents his apartment from being overrun by them.
In second grade he wrote his first story, a romance about two mice falling in love. He still has the original draft.
Devin lives in Minneapolis.
In second grade he wrote his first story, a romance about two mice falling in love. He still has the original draft.
Devin lives in Minneapolis.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 13, 2018
I almost gave this book 5 stars... the only reason I didn't is because I have a feeling that book two might be even better. This book was incredibly well done. The world the author created is magical of course, but it is also diverse and full of a whole collection of interesting people both humans and paranormal. The two MCs are fascinating, Aiden a fae changling who unknowingly grew up with two human parents and Dylan a Dragonkin who can't reconcile loving his power yet knowing he has it because of a horrible act. I really thought the author did an excellent job of portraying not just the two MCs scholl environment but also their two families as well. This book was so good I read the whole thing straight through. It the rest of this series is as good it is gonna be awesome. I can't wait to see what happens between Aiden andd Dylan as well as it seems their connection is morping into more than just friends.
July 10, 2020
“Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure”
This was a cute freebie I got after reading a different novel by the author, Rainbow Island.
In this book, our closeted bisexual protagonist Aiden has recently found out he’s a changeling. Due to some sort of peace accords, in this universe nuclear families of underage magical folk must move to Shadow Valley until their charges can get certified in control of their abilities.
Aiden’s family moves in after Fall semester has started. New town, new school, no friends ... and he knows nothing of magic. Indeed, he’s the only full-blood fae in town.
Oddly, though, he’s as alarmed about people discovering his sexual orientation as he is about coming into his full power.
Crushes, friendships, academic progress, bullies, and fish-out-of-water feelings are pretty standard YA fare. But Aiden is also concerned with whether the only parents he’s ever known still love him, his family transitioning to a nighttime school and work schedule (because vampires), wondering why his birth parents swapped him, and his kinda-crush on his only friend, legendary bad-boy Dylan.
This was a cute read, but I have to confess that I’m not raring to read the sequel and I don’t know why. There’s a big-bad who is set to return, and a hint of promise of more word-building. I might come back for more, but I’m not *begging* for more. Maybe because I want more than just a hint of world-building, or a promise of it, and as Aiden is still a Freshman in book 2 I’m not confident that I’ll see as much as I want.
Oops. I guess I’m a Dylan.
This was a cute freebie I got after reading a different novel by the author, Rainbow Island.
In this book, our closeted bisexual protagonist Aiden has recently found out he’s a changeling. Due to some sort of peace accords, in this universe nuclear families of underage magical folk must move to Shadow Valley until their charges can get certified in control of their abilities.
Aiden’s family moves in after Fall semester has started. New town, new school, no friends ... and he knows nothing of magic. Indeed, he’s the only full-blood fae in town.
Oddly, though, he’s as alarmed about people discovering his sexual orientation as he is about coming into his full power.
Crushes, friendships, academic progress, bullies, and fish-out-of-water feelings are pretty standard YA fare. But Aiden is also concerned with whether the only parents he’s ever known still love him, his family transitioning to a nighttime school and work schedule (because vampires), wondering why his birth parents swapped him, and his kinda-crush on his only friend, legendary bad-boy Dylan.
This was a cute read, but I have to confess that I’m not raring to read the sequel and I don’t know why. There’s a big-bad who is set to return, and a hint of promise of more word-building. I might come back for more, but I’m not *begging* for more. Maybe because I want more than just a hint of world-building, or a promise of it, and as Aiden is still a Freshman in book 2 I’m not confident that I’ll see as much as I want.
Oops. I guess I’m a Dylan.
June 22, 2024
Supernatural teens struggle with their powers and being a teen
This young adult book reads more for middle schoolers than high school. It does have some minor sexual references and r**pe is mentioned. So keep that in mind.
Aiden is a changling. He and his parents had no idea he was full fae until he accidentally used uncontrolled magic.
As a result, he and his family are forced to leave the Human world and enter an unknown area called Shadow Valley. He and all.other supernatural are forced to stay until they learn to control their magic and graduate.
Aiden finds himself among werewolves, a dragon kin, and all sorts of other creatures who are teenagers like him.
Dylan, the dragon kin, struggles with anger because he is likely the most dangerous in Shadow Valley and is treated poorly.
While Aiden and Dylan cope with high school angst and lessons danger begins to lurk.
I am well beyond my teen years and picked this book up hoping it was a humorous dragon book. It wasn't.
But, for any young adult wanting to read about a magical school, and is not bothered (or banned) from reading about difficult sexual topics, enjoy.
This young adult book reads more for middle schoolers than high school. It does have some minor sexual references and r**pe is mentioned. So keep that in mind.
Aiden is a changling. He and his parents had no idea he was full fae until he accidentally used uncontrolled magic.
As a result, he and his family are forced to leave the Human world and enter an unknown area called Shadow Valley. He and all.other supernatural are forced to stay until they learn to control their magic and graduate.
Aiden finds himself among werewolves, a dragon kin, and all sorts of other creatures who are teenagers like him.
Dylan, the dragon kin, struggles with anger because he is likely the most dangerous in Shadow Valley and is treated poorly.
While Aiden and Dylan cope with high school angst and lessons danger begins to lurk.
I am well beyond my teen years and picked this book up hoping it was a humorous dragon book. It wasn't.
But, for any young adult wanting to read about a magical school, and is not bothered (or banned) from reading about difficult sexual topics, enjoy.
November 22, 2020
Aiden, a high school freshman, has recently learned he is a changeling. A full blood fairy that was exchanged for a human child and has super powerful magic ready to burst from him. He's also discovered that a supernatural community exists just out of sight of humans and monsters of all sorts live in a special place called Shadow Valley and are monitored by wardens to ensure that no one is exposed and humans become aware of their presence. Aiden and his family (adopted in this case) come to Shadow Valley so Aiden can learn to control him magic and be certified to reintegrate with the human population. Dylan is a dragonkin, 1/4 dragon and controller of mighty flames. He also has a mighty rage and everyone in SV fears him. Except Aiden who quickly becomes his friend. Interesting characters in a not so lighthearted tale of growing up different and keeping secrets even from your own family and closest friends. Seriously did make me cry several times. Free book, which is the ultimate deal since it was also pretty good.
February 9, 2020
Okay
Okay, so the premise was good, the world building was good and the characters had depth not to mention the good grammar . The negatives aren’t huge but significant enough to shave off 2 stars. They are: 1) this one is personal-I’m used to older paranormal romance to the ninth grade ages threw me off. I like some sexy fun times in the books for a relationship but in this context that would be icky. 2) Auden and his constant whining and being scared really get annoying to the point where you wanna swear and stop reading all together- I get it he’s scared at the start-but show at least a hint of growth by the end even a tiny spark would be refreshing. Anyway, I’m not sure I’m gonna read the rest maybe if they steer it in the right direction.
Okay, so the premise was good, the world building was good and the characters had depth not to mention the good grammar . The negatives aren’t huge but significant enough to shave off 2 stars. They are: 1) this one is personal-I’m used to older paranormal romance to the ninth grade ages threw me off. I like some sexy fun times in the books for a relationship but in this context that would be icky. 2) Auden and his constant whining and being scared really get annoying to the point where you wanna swear and stop reading all together- I get it he’s scared at the start-but show at least a hint of growth by the end even a tiny spark would be refreshing. Anyway, I’m not sure I’m gonna read the rest maybe if they steer it in the right direction.
January 12, 2024
I read this book after it was a finalist (runner-up) for September Book of the Month in the LGBTQ/GSM Fantasy & Science Fiction group. I enjoyed it enough to get a friend to read it too. It's a high-schooler goes to magic school story. And yes, the main character is kinda a superhero with strong powers. But he is also sweet and scared of his powers. And he has a loving family that he is scared of hurting. A lot of anxiety in this kid. And he is scared of people finding out he is bisexual and has a crush on his best friend and how people will react. A villain shows up, but maybe not quite how you'd expect. I felt like the book often refused to conform to expectations while being sweet and super readable.
April 25, 2018
Aiden has serious self-doubt re. his abilities and a deep sense of guilt for having messed up the lives of the only parents he's known (whom he fears will reject him at some point, despite all they lovingly say), whereas Dylan is troubled by anger and dark, destructive fantasies (despite loving parents of his own). I read plenty of YA even though I'm well out of that age-range myself, but most school fantasies are more for the truly young. I found the writing OK (and well-edited), and the ill-advised choices were believable on the parts of these characters, but I won't be hurrying to get the next.
BTW, Aiden's PoV lets us know that he considers himself bi, not yet openly, but there's no romantic M/M interaction [yet]; we don't even know how the gorgeous Dylan would/will react, and Aiden himself, no jock or tough-guy, has issues with seeming "gay".
BTW, Aiden's PoV lets us know that he considers himself bi, not yet openly, but there's no romantic M/M interaction [yet]; we don't even know how the gorgeous Dylan would/will react, and Aiden himself, no jock or tough-guy, has issues with seeming "gay".
October 16, 2018
Wonderful!
Engaging characters who are not perfect. A wonderful alternate reality that is so different it seems entirely plausible. Be ready to leave your personal universe behind and immerse yourself in a (literally) magical world full of monsters. Not just for the YA audience. Life lessons without preaching.
Engaging characters who are not perfect. A wonderful alternate reality that is so different it seems entirely plausible. Be ready to leave your personal universe behind and immerse yourself in a (literally) magical world full of monsters. Not just for the YA audience. Life lessons without preaching.
November 14, 2020
YA fantasy. A teen finds out he's not human but is a faerie. He and his parents are sent to a secluded town for his training. He befriends a "bad boy" dragon with anger issues. Together they fight a dark fae who has tempted them both.
Typos: improper capitalization after quoted exclamations ("Marcus!" A teacher yelled, "Joe!" His mom called, "No" The fae sneered).
Typos: improper capitalization after quoted exclamations ("Marcus!" A teacher yelled, "Joe!" His mom called, "No" The fae sneered).
October 15, 2018
Great teen book
Great clean book about coming of age teenagers with magical abilities. Well written excellent characters and great plot twists a must read for freshmen in high school.
Great clean book about coming of age teenagers with magical abilities. Well written excellent characters and great plot twists a must read for freshmen in high school.
January 2, 2020
That is a nice supernatural, teenager, coming-of-age, highschool story. I like that the focus is on the main characters. It’s easy to read and really enjoyable. What I liked most is story has a big focus on friendship and the need to beling to somebody
September 17, 2021
Fun and lively.
Two best friends, different as night and day. An unlikely pair become best friends because well they are outstanding standouts.
Two best friends, different as night and day. An unlikely pair become best friends because well they are outstanding standouts.
January 12, 2024
Great YA read
Fast paced with a touch of romance and great characters. Fast reading plot, good versus evil, in a great novel. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Fast paced with a touch of romance and great characters. Fast reading plot, good versus evil, in a great novel. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
September 10, 2025
So this is a spoiler I wished I was told before starting so spoiler alert :
Aiden and Dylan do not end up together and never show interest toward each other the M/M tag for the first book is misleading, Aiden and Dylan both get their own love interest later on but they remain the main focus of the books, this is not much of a M/M book serie since the romance is not the main focus of the book it's more about friendship.
Aiden and Dylan do not end up together and never show interest toward each other the M/M tag for the first book is misleading, Aiden and Dylan both get their own love interest later on but they remain the main focus of the books, this is not much of a M/M book serie since the romance is not the main focus of the book it's more about friendship.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews