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Shaede Assassin #0.5
When Shadows Call: A Shaede Assassin Novella
A Shaedes of Gray Novella 0.5
Darian Charles wasn't always a member of the supernatural community. Nor was she always an assassin.
As a young woman growing up amidst the Suffrage movement, Darian is dazzled by the prospect of living an independent life. When her aristocratic father marries her off to San Francisco's most eligible bachelor, Henry Charles, she sees the possibility for love and adventure.
But her new life is far from perfect. For years, Darian suffers at the hand of her cruel husband, always yearning for an escape: one that she knows to be all but impossible.
When an enigmatic stranger comes to call, Darian finds herself charmed by his seductive smile and the inexplicable connection she feels. And when he makes her a thrilling—yet frightening—proposition, Darian must decide if she’s strong enough to answer the shadow’s call…
“Full of fascinating characters, high-stakes intrigue, and fast-paced action, it’s a truly exhilarating adventure! Do not miss out!”—Romantic Times (top pick, 4½ stars)
“Amanda Bonilla knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat...she’s a must read.” –Amanda Carlson, author of the Jessica McClain urban fantasy series
Darian Charles wasn't always a member of the supernatural community. Nor was she always an assassin.
As a young woman growing up amidst the Suffrage movement, Darian is dazzled by the prospect of living an independent life. When her aristocratic father marries her off to San Francisco's most eligible bachelor, Henry Charles, she sees the possibility for love and adventure.
But her new life is far from perfect. For years, Darian suffers at the hand of her cruel husband, always yearning for an escape: one that she knows to be all but impossible.
When an enigmatic stranger comes to call, Darian finds herself charmed by his seductive smile and the inexplicable connection she feels. And when he makes her a thrilling—yet frightening—proposition, Darian must decide if she’s strong enough to answer the shadow’s call…
“Full of fascinating characters, high-stakes intrigue, and fast-paced action, it’s a truly exhilarating adventure! Do not miss out!”—Romantic Times (top pick, 4½ stars)
“Amanda Bonilla knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat...she’s a must read.” –Amanda Carlson, author of the Jessica McClain urban fantasy series
132 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2012
5 people are currently reading
501 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Bonilla
18 books428 followersAmanda Bonilla lives in rural Idaho with her husband and two kids. She’s a part-time pet wrangler, a full-time sun worshipper, and only goes out into the cold when coerced. When she’s not writing she’s either reading or talking about her favorite books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 20, 2021
2021
Finally the new book is due for release so I just had to do a re-read and entering this world again has been amazing... Can't wait to re-read the rest!!!!
2014
I have to say, I started book 1 before I realised that this book existed... I sharp righted that wrong... and I'm so glad I did.
I read this before I finished the first book and here we find out about Darian's past, how she lived, how she was the battered wife and how Azriel came along and changed her life forever... Literally!
This short snippet was an excellent way to start a series, Amanda Bonilla is a superb author, one that can write words and allow me to travel with the story, even with my limited imagination!
Finally the new book is due for release so I just had to do a re-read and entering this world again has been amazing... Can't wait to re-read the rest!!!!
2014
I have to say, I started book 1 before I realised that this book existed... I sharp righted that wrong... and I'm so glad I did.
I read this before I finished the first book and here we find out about Darian's past, how she lived, how she was the battered wife and how Azriel came along and changed her life forever... Literally!
This short snippet was an excellent way to start a series, Amanda Bonilla is a superb author, one that can write words and allow me to travel with the story, even with my limited imagination!
June 6, 2012
Posted on Under the Covers
WHEN SHADOWS CALL is the prequel to the Shaede Assassin series by Amanda Bonilla. If you’re a fan of this series, then this novella is an absolute must-read! In this novella, Bonilla does a fantastic job of bringing insight to Darian’s character before she was Shaede.
As a human living in the 1900s, Darian’s life seems like the most perfect picture of happiness. However, upon closer inspection, readers catch a glimpse of the darker side of her life where she is the constant punching bag to her highly regarded but abusive husband. For five years, Darian tolerated the beatings her husband, Henry gave her night after night. It is not until one night that Henry brings a guest to their home that he finally snaps and beats Darian to her death.
This man that Henry introduces to Darian is no other than the elusive and mysterious Azriel whom readers know from the series. Bonilla crafts a well-paced and believable relationship between Azriel and Darian. I liked the fact that Darian was a little hesitant in trusting Azriel because, after all, she just met him. However, there is also the undeniably attraction between them that cannot be ignored. Which leads me to my next point....The sexual tension between Darian and Azriel finally overflows and yup, this leads to a smoking hot sex scene that had be breathless for more! Bonilla should definitely be writing more sex scenes like that.
I think part of the reason why the sex scene was so spectacular is because it involves Azriel. There’s his dangerous aura to him that intrigues readers and makes them want to find out more about him. I loved how possessive he was of Darian, but I also loved that he wasn’t quite the refined gentleman people think a person like him should be. Darian explains it well:
“My savior was no gentleman, he had admitted as much. And yet, I admired his unapologetic nature. He did not make excuses for his behavior or pretend to be anything other than what he was. I found his lack of pretense refreshing. “Good night, Azriel,” I whispered as I brushed his hair back from his brow. I couldn’t help but wonder, as I started down at his perfect countenance, if I hadn’t jumped from the frying man straight into the fire".
She may have escaped the dangers from the hands of her husband, but with Azriel, she still plays a dangerous game. The latter part of the novella depicts this nicely.
In the end, WHEN SHADOWS CALLS is a great addition to the Shaede series, giving insight to Darian’s past while making me fall in love with these characters even more. As if that were even possible.
WHEN SHADOWS CALL is the prequel to the Shaede Assassin series by Amanda Bonilla. If you’re a fan of this series, then this novella is an absolute must-read! In this novella, Bonilla does a fantastic job of bringing insight to Darian’s character before she was Shaede.
As a human living in the 1900s, Darian’s life seems like the most perfect picture of happiness. However, upon closer inspection, readers catch a glimpse of the darker side of her life where she is the constant punching bag to her highly regarded but abusive husband. For five years, Darian tolerated the beatings her husband, Henry gave her night after night. It is not until one night that Henry brings a guest to their home that he finally snaps and beats Darian to her death.
This man that Henry introduces to Darian is no other than the elusive and mysterious Azriel whom readers know from the series. Bonilla crafts a well-paced and believable relationship between Azriel and Darian. I liked the fact that Darian was a little hesitant in trusting Azriel because, after all, she just met him. However, there is also the undeniably attraction between them that cannot be ignored. Which leads me to my next point....The sexual tension between Darian and Azriel finally overflows and yup, this leads to a smoking hot sex scene that had be breathless for more! Bonilla should definitely be writing more sex scenes like that.
I think part of the reason why the sex scene was so spectacular is because it involves Azriel. There’s his dangerous aura to him that intrigues readers and makes them want to find out more about him. I loved how possessive he was of Darian, but I also loved that he wasn’t quite the refined gentleman people think a person like him should be. Darian explains it well:
“My savior was no gentleman, he had admitted as much. And yet, I admired his unapologetic nature. He did not make excuses for his behavior or pretend to be anything other than what he was. I found his lack of pretense refreshing. “Good night, Azriel,” I whispered as I brushed his hair back from his brow. I couldn’t help but wonder, as I started down at his perfect countenance, if I hadn’t jumped from the frying man straight into the fire".
She may have escaped the dangers from the hands of her husband, but with Azriel, she still plays a dangerous game. The latter part of the novella depicts this nicely.
In the end, WHEN SHADOWS CALLS is a great addition to the Shaede series, giving insight to Darian’s past while making me fall in love with these characters even more. As if that were even possible.
June 13, 2012
Posted at Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks
When Shadows Call is a novella by Amanda Bonilla and belongs in her Shaedes Assassin series. Basically, it’s a prequel to Shaedes of Gray, the first book in the series. As a companion book, it is absolutely wonderful.
The series is told in a first person perspective, from Darian’s point of view. Darian shares memories with readers in Shaedes of Gray – memories about her past and her life before and as she became a shaede. These are really interesting parts of the story and really help us relate to and care for Darian. When Shadows Call is basically these flashback memories only on a broader scale.
We learn a bit of Darian’s life before she met Azriel and the abuse she suffered from her husband Henry (whom I hate even more after reading this novella). We see the day she met Azriel in 1912 and the day she was saved by him. And we witness her transformation into a shaede. I love how Amanda kept true to the novel and kept Darian believing that she was turned by Azriel. We find out in the full length book that that is not entirely true but Amanda ‘plays along’ keeping the details consistent. There is no gap between the novella and the novel, and by that I mean they go together perfectly and not once did I find myself focusing in one detail and wondering if it was in fact the same as what we learned in the full book.
We also follow Darian in her first few days as a shaede and we see her fifteen years later, in 1927, when she asks Azriel to help train her to make her strong. Even after all that time, she still feels helpless thanks to what Henry did to her during their marriage and seeing her fight for the first time is awesome.
Even back in the day when Darian is a proper lady acting all demure, you can still see that there is some fire in her. And even though you can feel that Azriel is a bit of a slime, I feel he is good for Darian at that time. He helps her feel wanted. He helps her feel strong. He helps her become who we see in Shaedes of Gray, the good and the bad. This novella just helped me appreciate Darian and what he has gone through even more.
You could read this novella as a standalone but I would not recommend it. I feel you should read Shaedes of Gray first then go back to read When Shadows Call. I think you will get a better feel for it that way and you will definitely gain a new heightened admiration of Darian by reading them in that order. Yes, she is a messed up character and yes, she has some growing to do but she’s strong and devoted. She is now and she was even then. Any fan of the Shaedes Assassin series MUST read this novella. Absolutely must.
When Shadows Call is a novella by Amanda Bonilla and belongs in her Shaedes Assassin series. Basically, it’s a prequel to Shaedes of Gray, the first book in the series. As a companion book, it is absolutely wonderful.
The series is told in a first person perspective, from Darian’s point of view. Darian shares memories with readers in Shaedes of Gray – memories about her past and her life before and as she became a shaede. These are really interesting parts of the story and really help us relate to and care for Darian. When Shadows Call is basically these flashback memories only on a broader scale.
We learn a bit of Darian’s life before she met Azriel and the abuse she suffered from her husband Henry (whom I hate even more after reading this novella). We see the day she met Azriel in 1912 and the day she was saved by him. And we witness her transformation into a shaede. I love how Amanda kept true to the novel and kept Darian believing that she was turned by Azriel. We find out in the full length book that that is not entirely true but Amanda ‘plays along’ keeping the details consistent. There is no gap between the novella and the novel, and by that I mean they go together perfectly and not once did I find myself focusing in one detail and wondering if it was in fact the same as what we learned in the full book.
We also follow Darian in her first few days as a shaede and we see her fifteen years later, in 1927, when she asks Azriel to help train her to make her strong. Even after all that time, she still feels helpless thanks to what Henry did to her during their marriage and seeing her fight for the first time is awesome.
Even back in the day when Darian is a proper lady acting all demure, you can still see that there is some fire in her. And even though you can feel that Azriel is a bit of a slime, I feel he is good for Darian at that time. He helps her feel wanted. He helps her feel strong. He helps her become who we see in Shaedes of Gray, the good and the bad. This novella just helped me appreciate Darian and what he has gone through even more.
You could read this novella as a standalone but I would not recommend it. I feel you should read Shaedes of Gray first then go back to read When Shadows Call. I think you will get a better feel for it that way and you will definitely gain a new heightened admiration of Darian by reading them in that order. Yes, she is a messed up character and yes, she has some growing to do but she’s strong and devoted. She is now and she was even then. Any fan of the Shaedes Assassin series MUST read this novella. Absolutely must.
June 5, 2012
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I'm a pretty big fan of origin stories, and recently I have started to become more and more of a fan of novellas. This was a pretty awesome novella/origin story. I loved Darian when she was introduced to me in Amanda Bonilla's first book (check out the review if you don't believe me), so I was excited to see how things really started out for her. Granted I knew the big picture, throughout the first book you get a pretty decent glimpse into what Darian went through. But this was different, it wasn't just the simple telling of what happened in her life, but rather the living of it all. All the thoughts and feels that come along with that.
Darian is a hard woman, she has taken what was truly a hard beginning and turned herself into something so much more, and while I would love to go into detail about the person Darian is today, I think it would be robbing you of the experience of the first book. So instead I'll talk about what she was like in this book. Darian starts off as a very broken person. In no way do I think she has ever had a healthy relationship or been loved in the way a woman should be love. But worse than that her husband is a violent guy and beats her when he drinks, and to say it is easy to feel for Darian and to want her to get out of that situation would be an understatement.
Then of course Darian meets Azriel, who changes her entire life. You have Darian being this abused and beaten down woman who is on the brink of dying, turn into something more than human who is really starting to come into her own. She does this all along side Azriel, which I think is actually kind of awesome because you get to see Azriel in such a different light compared to the way you get to know him in the series.
I really enjoyed reading this novella and really getting to know Darian on a level I wasn't really expecting. She's a great character in the series, and that makes her all the more interesting when you get to really experience her back story right along side her. Of course I would recommend this novella to anyone who enjoyed book 1 in the series, but I also think if you are interested in trying out Amanda Bonilla's work then this would be an awesome introduction not only to her writing style but also to the series. All in all I am going to call this novella a don't miss. So go out, buy it, and enjoy!
I'm a pretty big fan of origin stories, and recently I have started to become more and more of a fan of novellas. This was a pretty awesome novella/origin story. I loved Darian when she was introduced to me in Amanda Bonilla's first book (check out the review if you don't believe me), so I was excited to see how things really started out for her. Granted I knew the big picture, throughout the first book you get a pretty decent glimpse into what Darian went through. But this was different, it wasn't just the simple telling of what happened in her life, but rather the living of it all. All the thoughts and feels that come along with that.
Darian is a hard woman, she has taken what was truly a hard beginning and turned herself into something so much more, and while I would love to go into detail about the person Darian is today, I think it would be robbing you of the experience of the first book. So instead I'll talk about what she was like in this book. Darian starts off as a very broken person. In no way do I think she has ever had a healthy relationship or been loved in the way a woman should be love. But worse than that her husband is a violent guy and beats her when he drinks, and to say it is easy to feel for Darian and to want her to get out of that situation would be an understatement.
Then of course Darian meets Azriel, who changes her entire life. You have Darian being this abused and beaten down woman who is on the brink of dying, turn into something more than human who is really starting to come into her own. She does this all along side Azriel, which I think is actually kind of awesome because you get to see Azriel in such a different light compared to the way you get to know him in the series.
I really enjoyed reading this novella and really getting to know Darian on a level I wasn't really expecting. She's a great character in the series, and that makes her all the more interesting when you get to really experience her back story right along side her. Of course I would recommend this novella to anyone who enjoyed book 1 in the series, but I also think if you are interested in trying out Amanda Bonilla's work then this would be an awesome introduction not only to her writing style but also to the series. All in all I am going to call this novella a don't miss. So go out, buy it, and enjoy!
August 7, 2012
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
I was ecstatic when I heard that this novella was about Darian's life before her transition and also incorporates some of her time with Azriel. Amanda does a great job of giving readers an overview of her back story in Shaedes of Gray but it's always better when you can experience the facts first hand. When Shadows Call is a topsy turvy read that'll take you from feeling hatred to love in 30 seconds flat.
This short story is a great example of Bonilla's scope as a writer. The first few chapters cast Darian as an "abused, 1900s wife" which couldn't be further from the assassin we currently know in the full length books. I wanted to kill her husband after only a few pages so Amanda really nailed the tone that she was striving for in my opinion. Then we meet her savior, the charming and dashingly handsome Azriel. Who's actually one of the bad guys in this series. Don't worry, I'm not really giving anything away here, there's a snippet about it in the blurb for Blood Before Sunrise. I checked! Anyway, taking a character that I previously disliked and casting him as a good guy instead was an interesting twist. There are definitely some neat role reversals going on in this novella! Plus the usual butt kicking, sizzling bedroom action and sass of course.
When Shadows Call does a fantastic job of giving existing fans an extra taste of Darian and is a nice sneak peek into this series for newcomers.
I was ecstatic when I heard that this novella was about Darian's life before her transition and also incorporates some of her time with Azriel. Amanda does a great job of giving readers an overview of her back story in Shaedes of Gray but it's always better when you can experience the facts first hand. When Shadows Call is a topsy turvy read that'll take you from feeling hatred to love in 30 seconds flat.
This short story is a great example of Bonilla's scope as a writer. The first few chapters cast Darian as an "abused, 1900s wife" which couldn't be further from the assassin we currently know in the full length books. I wanted to kill her husband after only a few pages so Amanda really nailed the tone that she was striving for in my opinion. Then we meet her savior, the charming and dashingly handsome Azriel. Who's actually one of the bad guys in this series. Don't worry, I'm not really giving anything away here, there's a snippet about it in the blurb for Blood Before Sunrise. I checked! Anyway, taking a character that I previously disliked and casting him as a good guy instead was an interesting twist. There are definitely some neat role reversals going on in this novella! Plus the usual butt kicking, sizzling bedroom action and sass of course.
When Shadows Call does a fantastic job of giving existing fans an extra taste of Darian and is a nice sneak peek into this series for newcomers.
June 17, 2012
Loved getting more of Darian before she was the badass assassin! Can't wait for July
June 7, 2012
Amanda Bonilla gives fans of her Shaede Assassin books more insight into our heroine Darian with this prequel novella. The story provides a closer look at Darian's early life, from the relationship she had with her abusive husband to the beginnings of her career as an assassin with Azriel.
In some ways, I felt like I "knew" a lot of this stuff about Darian. After all, most of it is either explained or shown in flashbacks during the course of the two novels. But Bonilla delivers it in such a way that it didn't ever feel boring or redundant. I think what I like so much about her writing is her ability to make me connect with her characters. Going through everything with Darian in the first person really pulled me in to what was happening to her. I cared.
What I really didn't expect was to feel anything positive towards Azriel. After all, the guy was a villain in book one. But wow. I could see why she fell for him. He is so seductive and attractive, that I was even drawn into his web. The sex is reallly hot. And for all the selfish things he does, he did save Darian from a horrific life. It was definitely food for thought and I doubt I'll look at him the same way when I see him again on-page.
Would this be as enjoyable for someone who hasn't read Shaedes of Gray? I'm not sure. I'd say this would serve readers best after reading that book. And if you haven't read it yet, what are you waiting for?
Rating: B+
In some ways, I felt like I "knew" a lot of this stuff about Darian. After all, most of it is either explained or shown in flashbacks during the course of the two novels. But Bonilla delivers it in such a way that it didn't ever feel boring or redundant. I think what I like so much about her writing is her ability to make me connect with her characters. Going through everything with Darian in the first person really pulled me in to what was happening to her. I cared.
What I really didn't expect was to feel anything positive towards Azriel. After all, the guy was a villain in book one. But wow. I could see why she fell for him. He is so seductive and attractive, that I was even drawn into his web. The sex is reallly hot. And for all the selfish things he does, he did save Darian from a horrific life. It was definitely food for thought and I doubt I'll look at him the same way when I see him again on-page.
Would this be as enjoyable for someone who hasn't read Shaedes of Gray? I'm not sure. I'd say this would serve readers best after reading that book. And if you haven't read it yet, what are you waiting for?
Rating: B+
Want to read
June 6, 2012Can't wait to read this one!
Interview with Amanda Bonilla on Badass Book Reviews.
Interview with Amanda Bonilla on Badass Book Reviews.
December 4, 2023
3.5 - on page domestic abuse & violence.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2012
Mon avis en Français
My English review
Do you know I love the Amanda Bonilla books? Yes, really! This series is just amazing, so it was impossible for me to not buy this little novella as soon as it was out. Well I even throw myself on it. I was very impatient to learn more about Darian, well ok, I think I always want to know more about her. But who can blame me?
We already had some notions about her past by her memories in the two first books but it’s true that it was a pleasure to have everything in details here. Our heart is broken when we see the battered woman she was, the free woman she becomes. And when we see the person she has managed to be, we can only imagine what she had endured to get there. This novel helps us to understand her feelings and her choices now, yes, because she had a very difficult life.
I’m happy to have discovered this book after reading the two others, It allowed me to put everything in perspective and to understand what was happening. Because this story has totally turned the life of our heroine upside down, and made the person we meet in the two first books.
The author has a real talent to convey the feelings of the characters and I find myself hooked by the story by requesting more and more. How could it be different? It’s impossible! It was a wonderful novella and I can only recommend this series, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. Some fabulous ideas, a fluid writing style, many touching characters, so what are you waiting for?
My English review
Do you know I love the Amanda Bonilla books? Yes, really! This series is just amazing, so it was impossible for me to not buy this little novella as soon as it was out. Well I even throw myself on it. I was very impatient to learn more about Darian, well ok, I think I always want to know more about her. But who can blame me?
We already had some notions about her past by her memories in the two first books but it’s true that it was a pleasure to have everything in details here. Our heart is broken when we see the battered woman she was, the free woman she becomes. And when we see the person she has managed to be, we can only imagine what she had endured to get there. This novel helps us to understand her feelings and her choices now, yes, because she had a very difficult life.
I’m happy to have discovered this book after reading the two others, It allowed me to put everything in perspective and to understand what was happening. Because this story has totally turned the life of our heroine upside down, and made the person we meet in the two first books.
The author has a real talent to convey the feelings of the characters and I find myself hooked by the story by requesting more and more. How could it be different? It’s impossible! It was a wonderful novella and I can only recommend this series, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. Some fabulous ideas, a fluid writing style, many touching characters, so what are you waiting for?
June 6, 2012
love,love love. When Shadows Call is the prequel to Amamda Bonilla's awesome urban fantasy-Sheades Of Gray. If you haven't read the novel, DO SO NOW! In here we get an indepth character analysis of Darian before she became immortal and a better understanding of why she would ever agree to the life she was offered.
August 29, 2012
Excellent prequel to the Shaede Assassin series.
September 22, 2013
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
What I want to know is how Azriel in this novella become the Azriel in the first book...
What I want to know is how Azriel in this novella become the Azriel in the first book...
December 29, 2018
Not sure i will continue with this series yet.
Wasn't a bad read, just confusing. Maybe i shouldn't have read the extra at the end.
Wasn't a bad read, just confusing. Maybe i shouldn't have read the extra at the end.
November 14, 2023
Everyone needs a good origin story.
March 24, 2025
Hell no, dnf at 60%
it’s 90 pages overall and I am not sure how I even managed to reach 60%
it’s 90 pages overall and I am not sure how I even managed to reach 60%
July 27, 2014
Life in the 1900s is not easy. Especially for Darian who is a victim of spousal abuse. When she abandons all hope, she is saved by Azriel – a mysterious and handsome man. He avenges her suffering by killing her husband (I mentally rejoiced at that) and whisks her away for a new beginning.
This novella describes Darian’s journey from a victim to an Assassin-in-Training.
There are several questions raised in this novella. To name a few,
What is Azriel hiding?
Why did he come looking for Darian in the first place?
Why is he so reluctant in providing any answers to Darian’s questions?
Though Darian doesn’t spell it out , it is a given that she is blindly in love with Azriel. He seems to care for her as well. Then,why have secrets from her?
All in all, this book awakens enough curiosity that you might just opt to read the next book in the series.
As a prequel to the series, this novella does a good job. At least good enough to keep me interested if not impressed.
What I did not like, was the fact that Darian seemed ‘clingy’ to me. She was so dependent on Azriel, that she never persisted to take a stand for herself. I understood her situation, and I know she needed some time to build a backbone. It seems later she did; she tried to save innocents. From a victim she became a predator, but still – she somehow lacked the gameness.
Here’s hoping that in the next book, Darian actually turns out to be the kick-ass heroine I was looking for when I came across the series.
Gemstreet Reviews
This novella describes Darian’s journey from a victim to an Assassin-in-Training.
There are several questions raised in this novella. To name a few,
What is Azriel hiding?
Why did he come looking for Darian in the first place?
Why is he so reluctant in providing any answers to Darian’s questions?
Though Darian doesn’t spell it out , it is a given that she is blindly in love with Azriel. He seems to care for her as well. Then,why have secrets from her?
All in all, this book awakens enough curiosity that you might just opt to read the next book in the series.
As a prequel to the series, this novella does a good job. At least good enough to keep me interested if not impressed.
What I did not like, was the fact that Darian seemed ‘clingy’ to me. She was so dependent on Azriel, that she never persisted to take a stand for herself. I understood her situation, and I know she needed some time to build a backbone. It seems later she did; she tried to save innocents. From a victim she became a predator, but still – she somehow lacked the gameness.
Here’s hoping that in the next book, Darian actually turns out to be the kick-ass heroine I was looking for when I came across the series.
Gemstreet Reviews
December 30, 2012
I've got the first book in this series on my bookshelf but when I found out there was a prequel novella, I bought it and decided to start here.
Darian is an abused and unloved woman. Married to a doctor hiding his sexuality in San Francisco 1912, she lives the life of a weakened and beaten down woman. She lives in fear of her cruel husband's moods and dreams of escaping--even with death.
The night one of her husband's friends stops by for dinner, her life changes forever. Not only is Azriel beautiful and mysterious, but he turns out to be her saviour.
He changes her, turns her into a Shaede--able to move in shadow--and offers her a new and exciting life of passion and shadows. But more importantly, she slowly starts to find the strength that was beaten out of her when she was human.
This was a great prequel novella! Sad, but very well written. An intriguing start to what seems to be an exciting new series. Looking forward to checking it out!
Darian is an abused and unloved woman. Married to a doctor hiding his sexuality in San Francisco 1912, she lives the life of a weakened and beaten down woman. She lives in fear of her cruel husband's moods and dreams of escaping--even with death.
The night one of her husband's friends stops by for dinner, her life changes forever. Not only is Azriel beautiful and mysterious, but he turns out to be her saviour.
He changes her, turns her into a Shaede--able to move in shadow--and offers her a new and exciting life of passion and shadows. But more importantly, she slowly starts to find the strength that was beaten out of her when she was human.
This was a great prequel novella! Sad, but very well written. An intriguing start to what seems to be an exciting new series. Looking forward to checking it out!
December 27, 2013
An interesting introduction to Darian and her world.
The story is original, describing how she came to be a Shaede and I'm looking forward to reading the first book in the series, Shaedes of Gray, where she will be used to her new abilities.
The story is original, describing how she came to be a Shaede and I'm looking forward to reading the first book in the series, Shaedes of Gray, where she will be used to her new abilities.
February 8, 2015
Wow... this is something I've waited for some time.
It's another world, a different one than all of the fiction I've read. The characters are intersting and new...the description of the world it's amazing. Not to much and not to little information...just the dose you need.
I can't wait to read the book, the short story made my day.
It's another world, a different one than all of the fiction I've read. The characters are intersting and new...the description of the world it's amazing. Not to much and not to little information...just the dose you need.
I can't wait to read the book, the short story made my day.
January 28, 2014
In the first full length book we got a shortened version of this, how Darian became a Shaede and met Tyler, but this one was more in depth. I liked learning more and to see Darian change from someone who was routinely beaten to someone who should be feared.
September 1, 2016
And that's how you write such an awesome novella that I have no choice but to run straight to the first book in the series.
Amazing writing and amazing world building. Darian is an awesome character. She has her flaws but she's not unaware.
Amazing writing and amazing world building. Darian is an awesome character. She has her flaws but she's not unaware.
August 14, 2016
Darian
Read 29th June 2012
Read 29th June 2012
March 9, 2013
the origin story.
April 14, 2013
I enjoyed this first book and looking forward to book two
February 4, 2015
This is the life of Darian before she became a shaede and how she turned into one. It's kind of nice and sweet.
April 25, 2014
A strange book. I don't like the hero at all. Darien our heroine has put up with domestic abuse for years. When she meets Azriel her life changes for ever.
January 26, 2015
Excellent start to a new series, this short story kept me hooked all the way through & eagerly moving to the next in the series
May 29, 2015
Great prequel novella to an interesting character and a truly unique set of beings. I love the idea of the Shaedes, and the story's written beautifully.
September 22, 2013
what did i just read
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