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The Eldritch Files #2
Elemental Shadows
How do we tell the good from the bad when they look the same? Elemental Witch and Magic Shop owner, Samantha Hawthorne, faces her future with the knowledge she was raised, taught, and groomed by the very evil responsible for the disappearance of her mother. Threads of Arcane Magic linger alongside the guilt Samantha endures for killing an innocent in her failed pursuit for revenge. Now Clerics, the Witch’s Judiciary Branch, appear and request her aid in proving the self-appointed Witch Queen of New Orleans possesses the rumored Malleus Maleficarum, The Witch’s Hammer. They believe her command of the book’s Arcane power is responsible for the death of three Witch Elders. But something else is rising in the city as reports of ghost sightings and evil shadows increase. Faced with a lingering fear her own use of Arcane Magic has tainted her in some way, mounting pressure with the threat of a warlock from the Clerics, and suspicion that the evil that escaped her is still influencing her decisions, Samantha calls upon her friends to weave their unique magic together to stop the rampage of Elemental Shadows. Elemental Shadows is the second book in the Eldritch Files series.
168 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2015
61 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Phaedra Weldon
154 books361 followersSometimes credited as Phaedra M. Weldon.
Born in Pensacola, Florida, Phaedra is the eldest of four children. She began writing in notebooks with her best friend in middle school.
After leaving college for a job in the Graphic Arts industry, Phaedra continued her love of writing in her spare time and was lucky enough at a writer's conference to meet Dean Wesley Smith, who later became her writing mentor, along with his wife, the bestselling mystery/fantasy/romance/science fiction writer, Kristine Kathryn Rusch.
Phaedra lives in Atlanta, Georgia. When not writing, she and her daughter spend their time playing games, letterboxing, or watching anime.
Series:
* Zoe Martinique
Born in Pensacola, Florida, Phaedra is the eldest of four children. She began writing in notebooks with her best friend in middle school.
After leaving college for a job in the Graphic Arts industry, Phaedra continued her love of writing in her spare time and was lucky enough at a writer's conference to meet Dean Wesley Smith, who later became her writing mentor, along with his wife, the bestselling mystery/fantasy/romance/science fiction writer, Kristine Kathryn Rusch.
Phaedra lives in Atlanta, Georgia. When not writing, she and her daughter spend their time playing games, letterboxing, or watching anime.
Series:
* Zoe Martinique
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 3, 2015
Fun YA series. But lacks on the romance and story-line department just as book 1.
But will continue with book 3 to see if that one will run better.
But will continue with book 3 to see if that one will run better.
March 9, 2020
It was a harder read than the first book. The whole "other plane" thing confused me, and I found myself re-reading parts, just to make sure I understood it correctly. That didn't exactly contribute to an effortless read. I had also been expecting "the big reveal" at the end since halfway through book 1.
Very odd that the main character didn't put 2 and 2 together herself and that she had to have been told.
Also, some parts seemed skipped over quite hurriedly
Alli n all I'd give it 2.5 stars
Very odd that the main character didn't put 2 and 2 together herself and that she had to have been told.
Also, some parts seemed skipped over quite hurriedly
Alli n all I'd give it 2.5 stars
November 26, 2016
A good follow-up
I really enjoyed this edition of the Eldrich Files. Some mysteries solved, some enemies made, some confusion and conflict. While the internal mystery wad a little lacking-the book focused on the long game-there was still a good pace and lots of intrigue.
I really enjoyed this edition of the Eldrich Files. Some mysteries solved, some enemies made, some confusion and conflict. While the internal mystery wad a little lacking-the book focused on the long game-there was still a good pace and lots of intrigue.
December 25, 2023
We follow Samantha and her motley crew of friends, family and mildly tolerated acquaintances. It is a sad story, where the heroine finds support when she needs it most. I was moved to tears, at the end, because I'm a big softie.
December 15, 2018
Loved it!
It's an intense story with so many twists and turns you may need a map! I took a nap while reading it because all the emotions running through my system wore me out!
It's an intense story with so many twists and turns you may need a map! I took a nap while reading it because all the emotions running through my system wore me out!
February 20, 2019
Cant put it down
Read the first book as part of a collection and immediately bought the second. Entranced by the characters. An escape from the world of the ordinary.
Read the first book as part of a collection and immediately bought the second. Entranced by the characters. An escape from the world of the ordinary.
March 11, 2019
This is a series that I just couldn't put down.
February 17, 2020
So not fair
I'm hooked. Love the characters. Love the story. Will follow the series till the conclusion. Already got the next book.
I'm hooked. Love the characters. Love the story. Will follow the series till the conclusion. Already got the next book.
October 23, 2016
Amazing!!! Couldn't put it down & the ending OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 17, 2017
This picks up where the last book left off, in the aftermath of the Leviathan Dionysus's treachery.
Sam is still reeling from the events, and to make matters worse, Dionysus is still at large and the Parliament (governing body of witches) has decided to forcefully enlist her services in solving a multiple homicide that seems to be committed by Arden Vervain. It turns out that the Parliament wants the Hammer badly enough to destroy Arden's reputation and Sam's.
We get to learn a bit more about Arcane magic, Ivan's powers, Kyle's feelings about Sam's perpetual streak of bad luck and catastrophe, and one of Crwys secrets. There's a big reveal at the end which many readers probably saw coming, but it was nice to have that confirmation.
Sam is still reeling from the events, and to make matters worse, Dionysus is still at large and the Parliament (governing body of witches) has decided to forcefully enlist her services in solving a multiple homicide that seems to be committed by Arden Vervain. It turns out that the Parliament wants the Hammer badly enough to destroy Arden's reputation and Sam's.
We get to learn a bit more about Arcane magic, Ivan's powers, Kyle's feelings about Sam's perpetual streak of bad luck and catastrophe, and one of Crwys secrets. There's a big reveal at the end which many readers probably saw coming, but it was nice to have that confirmation.
March 2, 2017
This is the second book in the Eldritch Files series
Samantha Hawthorne is an elemental witch, and owns a Magic Shop in New Orleans. Arcane magic is something that witches are taught to avoid because it will corrupt the witch and destroys them. Sam had no choice but to use Arcane Magic and is now parts of the magic linger within her.
Clerics, which is a part of the Witch’s Judiciary Branch, appear and require her to find Malleus Maleficarum better known as the Witch’s Hammer. The witch they believe is hiding the book is Kyle’s aunt, and even though Sam doesn’t want to help her in any way the Clerics threaten her in the worst way possible.
Samantha Hawthorne is an elemental witch, and owns a Magic Shop in New Orleans. Arcane magic is something that witches are taught to avoid because it will corrupt the witch and destroys them. Sam had no choice but to use Arcane Magic and is now parts of the magic linger within her.
Clerics, which is a part of the Witch’s Judiciary Branch, appear and require her to find Malleus Maleficarum better known as the Witch’s Hammer. The witch they believe is hiding the book is Kyle’s aunt, and even though Sam doesn’t want to help her in any way the Clerics threaten her in the worst way possible.
April 1, 2015
My musings :
The second book in the Eldritch Files didn't disappoint. I bought this book on Amazon Kindle as soon as I finished the first one. I totally love the book covers in this series. They are so symbolic and the cover of this book is a good representation of the story. Just look at the picture after finishing the book. You will understand what I mean.
Let me quote Shakespeare here , from Hamlet -"for there is nothing either good or
bad, but thinking makes it so" The book is a perfect example of the above quotation. We see more of Arcane and its effect on Samantha. Arcane might be dangerous but it's exaggerated in the witches' thoughts as far as this book's concerned. I am not saying it's good but it's been given too much of a bad reputation.
We also learn more about the personalities of the characters. Samantha comes across as an insensitive and selfish person at times. But she is also conscientious and loyal. She seems too trusting and cynical in turns. I knew that Robin and Samantha would break up. Robin is too weak for her. She needs someone who is both tender and bad-ass. Just like Crwys! He doesn't change much in this book. He is steadfast and on Samantha's side as usual. Ivan and Kyle are supportive of her in spite of what happens. That shows their loyalty and their love. Ivan shows growth in his magic while Kyle, well, he was cleared of my suspicions! I am not going to talk about the negative characters except to say that they are portrayed good. I don't want to spoil it for you.
The plot seemed a diversion of the path to Dionysus yet it was good and added more depth to the world. The world building is still contained but widened out a bit. I would like to learn more about the world in the coming books. We deal more with Faeries this time, learning more about the Queens. Two mysteries are cleared in this story. I am not saying! Read the book!..*grins*
I can say that I liked the book and I will continue reading the series. Thumbs up on the book in spite of the errors found in them.
My one line review : If you are on the lookout for a spunky heroine with powers and a good action then this is it!
My rating: 4/5
My reread factor: 4/5
Floryie @ http://thebookdrealms.blogspot.in/
The second book in the Eldritch Files didn't disappoint. I bought this book on Amazon Kindle as soon as I finished the first one. I totally love the book covers in this series. They are so symbolic and the cover of this book is a good representation of the story. Just look at the picture after finishing the book. You will understand what I mean.
Let me quote Shakespeare here , from Hamlet -"for there is nothing either good or
bad, but thinking makes it so" The book is a perfect example of the above quotation. We see more of Arcane and its effect on Samantha. Arcane might be dangerous but it's exaggerated in the witches' thoughts as far as this book's concerned. I am not saying it's good but it's been given too much of a bad reputation.
We also learn more about the personalities of the characters. Samantha comes across as an insensitive and selfish person at times. But she is also conscientious and loyal. She seems too trusting and cynical in turns. I knew that Robin and Samantha would break up. Robin is too weak for her. She needs someone who is both tender and bad-ass. Just like Crwys! He doesn't change much in this book. He is steadfast and on Samantha's side as usual. Ivan and Kyle are supportive of her in spite of what happens. That shows their loyalty and their love. Ivan shows growth in his magic while Kyle, well, he was cleared of my suspicions! I am not going to talk about the negative characters except to say that they are portrayed good. I don't want to spoil it for you.
The plot seemed a diversion of the path to Dionysus yet it was good and added more depth to the world. The world building is still contained but widened out a bit. I would like to learn more about the world in the coming books. We deal more with Faeries this time, learning more about the Queens. Two mysteries are cleared in this story. I am not saying! Read the book!..*grins*
I can say that I liked the book and I will continue reading the series. Thumbs up on the book in spite of the errors found in them.
My one line review : If you are on the lookout for a spunky heroine with powers and a good action then this is it!
My rating: 4/5
My reread factor: 4/5
Floryie @ http://thebookdrealms.blogspot.in/
February 8, 2016
How do we tell the good from the bad when they look the same? Elemental Witch and Magic Shop owner, Samantha Hawthorne, faces her future with the knowledge she was raised, taught, and groomed by the very evil responsible for the disappearance of her mother. Threads of Arcane Magic linger alongside the guilt Samantha endures for killing an innocent in her failed pursuit for revenge. Now Clerics, the Witch's Judiciary Branch, appear and request her aid in proving the self-appointed Witch Queen of New Orleans possesses the rumored Malleus Maleficarum, The Witch's Hammer. They believe her command of the book's Arcane power is responsible for the death of three Witch Elders. But something else is rising in the city as reports of ghost sightings and evil shadows increase. Faced with a lingering fear her own use of Arcane Magic has tainted her in some way, mounting pressure with the threat of a warlock from the Clerics, and suspicion that the evil that escaped her is still influencing her decisions, Samantha calls upon her friends to weave their unique magic together to stop the rampage of Elemental Shadows. Elemental Shadows is the second book in the Eldritch Files series.
December 12, 2015
The author needs to do better I knew from the first book what she told us at the end of this one wasen't suprising at all. This was a way to predictable book for me to give it a good rating so I give it 2.5 stars. The plot lacked anything unique and it was slow and way to random. Feelt like alot of the things that happend in this book was forced for the sole purpose of furthering the plot. The story didn't really flow as much as it hacked and stoped and hacked on. However I will say that it was an okay read and good enough for me to consider reading the next one, in the hopes that it will be better written than this was.
January 22, 2016
I downloaded the Eldritch Files- books 1-3 as a Collection . This book was book 2 in the anthology. The author shows so much promise, yet falls short by condensing potentially full-length novels into 150 page novellas. As a result, the worldbuilding consists of info dumps and vague references to the past (not covered in any detail in prior books). I enjoyed the story line, but some of the "twists" are ones you can see form miles away-- Everyone knows about the wolf-- not a huge surprise there. And drawing out Crwys' species has gotten ridiculous (I had two guesses going into book 2, but at the end of book three, I've added a 3rd--weaker-- possibility
February 21, 2016
Oh my Gosh!! So incredibly good!! This book held my attention from beginning to end...never letting up on intensity. I have purchased all of the books in this series and don't expect to be disappointed as I work my way through each book. I love how Ms Weldon weaves her stories to include 'reminders' from the previous book, so you do not feel as though you have no idea what she is talking about when she references characters from earlier books. I have a feeling I will be sad when I reach the end of this series. Next up...."Elemental Moon" (The Eldritch Files Book 3).
July 14, 2015
2.5 stars
There are some really disjointed parts in this. I felt like I was walking into the end of a conversation multiple times. There is an immaturity to the writing yet I still find myself wanting to know how things will resolve. I do hate when an author feels the need to rehash everything from previous books. Seriously annoying. Will try the 3rd in the hopes she will figure some stuff out. They are really very short books.
There are some really disjointed parts in this. I felt like I was walking into the end of a conversation multiple times. There is an immaturity to the writing yet I still find myself wanting to know how things will resolve. I do hate when an author feels the need to rehash everything from previous books. Seriously annoying. Will try the 3rd in the hopes she will figure some stuff out. They are really very short books.
April 7, 2015
Shadow series secrets
Ever been afraid of what be in the shadows? Well, this book might give you one more thing to worry about! Finding missing children and dealing with witch politics turns into a shadowy business, but Sam and colleagues are more than a match for the things that go bump in the night. Also, they new cyber witch skill is a great twist. On to book 3!
Ever been afraid of what be in the shadows? Well, this book might give you one more thing to worry about! Finding missing children and dealing with witch politics turns into a shadowy business, but Sam and colleagues are more than a match for the things that go bump in the night. Also, they new cyber witch skill is a great twist. On to book 3!
December 3, 2015
Still enjoying
I still get annoyed that Sam can't put two and two together to make four but I do enjoy this series and this book did make me feel deeply. She also shouldn't let the counsel steam roll her. They made a promise and she needs to grow some balls and tell them they cannot reneg on it.
I still get annoyed that Sam can't put two and two together to make four but I do enjoy this series and this book did make me feel deeply. She also shouldn't let the counsel steam roll her. They made a promise and she needs to grow some balls and tell them they cannot reneg on it.
June 6, 2016
a follow on story from the first book and it didnt disappoint
shadow people and clerics that all in a days work for sam....and learning how to deal with them
finding out that the smaller shadow people are the missing children and getting them back, then the heartbreak for sam when she finds out what has happened to her father and step mom...
cant wait for the 3rd installment...
shadow people and clerics that all in a days work for sam....and learning how to deal with them
finding out that the smaller shadow people are the missing children and getting them back, then the heartbreak for sam when she finds out what has happened to her father and step mom...
cant wait for the 3rd installment...
April 7, 2015
Good read
Some very interesting character development with some plot to go with it. I feel as if I am slowly learning what all the characters can do and envision the next books playing off of that. I enjoyed reading this book but felt a little unSatisfied in the end.
Some very interesting character development with some plot to go with it. I feel as if I am slowly learning what all the characters can do and envision the next books playing off of that. I enjoyed reading this book but felt a little unSatisfied in the end.
April 22, 2015
I liked the story. Thing I'm not sure is the choice of the title... There's nothing in the name of the series or the title of the book that makes me have a connection with the story. I mean, it's been three weeks since I read it and I had to read the excerpt to remember what the book was about....
May 25, 2015
Another fun story. Missing words show up frequently in this one, although not as often as in the first book. And the use of "raise" instead of "raze" really annoyed me. This kind of thing detracts from a story for me.
June 2, 2015
Oh so Brilliant!!!!!
Absolutely loved the second book in the series already planning on spending a whole day reading the next one. This was very brilliantly crafted and had al the elements I adore in my urban fantasy!!
Absolutely loved the second book in the series already planning on spending a whole day reading the next one. This was very brilliantly crafted and had al the elements I adore in my urban fantasy!!
September 22, 2015
Sam-Sam
This is a read! I love to watch as characters grow. I would definitely say Sam is growing and growing fast. I am excited to read the next installment of this series if for no other reason than to lean more about Grey. I always have hopes for a love connection as well.
This is a read! I love to watch as characters grow. I would definitely say Sam is growing and growing fast. I am excited to read the next installment of this series if for no other reason than to lean more about Grey. I always have hopes for a love connection as well.
October 22, 2015
After I read the first book Elemental Arcane I promptly purchased this one. I have to say I am hooked to this series! This is like a combination of Jennifer Esteps (Elemental Assassin Series)as well as the Dark Swan series by Richelle Mead. Highly recommend this series!!!!
February 8, 2016
I like this series and I'm not sure why. The characters lack depth, the villains are made of cardboard and the mysteries are predictable. But I enjoy reading them. I like the author's writing, even if the pacing is a little out of control.
April 4, 2016
This book felt like an in-between story, like it was there to propel the overall story in this series, and it didn't have its "own" story. It could accually just have been the last part of book 1. But it made want to know what happens next....
August 24, 2015
Good story. Sam solves the mystery of the shadow people and becomes familiar with Arcane magic as she defends herself. Gray becomes more familiar after Sam learns her secret.
November 9, 2015
the book just grabbed me and wouldn't let go until I finished it. I love those kind of books
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews