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Shadow and Light #2
Into Light
Poppy escaped the assassins who killed her father and found friendship, love, and a new family in the ruins of Denver, a harsh wilderness home to carnivorous plants, mutant animals, and dangerous people. But simply building a new life for herself is not enough. With the help of her friends and allies, Poppy must return to Goodland and confront the man who shattered her perfect life. She will do whatever it takes to stop him before he can destroy the peace and the people she has vowed to protect.
185 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2016
8 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
T.D. Shields
4 books26 followersPeople who know me have asked how on earth I find time to write. After all I have a full-time job, weekend contract work, a husband and four kids to take care of, so where does time to write fit in? Luckily, I'm a bit of an insomniac and my most productive hours are between midnight and five a.m. - It's the perfect time to write! If I tried to go to sleep I'd just be laying there writing a story in my head to entertain myself; so why not just write it down instead?
I have been writing stories in my head for as long as I can remember. I'm an avid reader, but if I find myself without a book handy I can pass the time by just writing a new story (or continuing an old one). Even though I've had the stories in my head for all these years, I never quite took the plunge into writing them down to share with others. The idea of letting other people into that private world in my imagination was just too scary. What if they're bored? What if they laugh? Worse, what if I'm trying to be funny and they DON'T laugh?
My sister finally convinced me to give it a try and I first wrote this book just for her. It was months before I expanded that audience to include some more beta readers. But having run the book through a few test audiences now, I finally feel like it's ready to share with rest of the world. Even though I wrote the book, I'll tell you honestly that I still love to read it; it's just a really fun read. I hope you'll read it and enjoy it, too!
I have been writing stories in my head for as long as I can remember. I'm an avid reader, but if I find myself without a book handy I can pass the time by just writing a new story (or continuing an old one). Even though I've had the stories in my head for all these years, I never quite took the plunge into writing them down to share with others. The idea of letting other people into that private world in my imagination was just too scary. What if they're bored? What if they laugh? Worse, what if I'm trying to be funny and they DON'T laugh?
My sister finally convinced me to give it a try and I first wrote this book just for her. It was months before I expanded that audience to include some more beta readers. But having run the book through a few test audiences now, I finally feel like it's ready to share with rest of the world. Even though I wrote the book, I'll tell you honestly that I still love to read it; it's just a really fun read. I hope you'll read it and enjoy it, too!
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 9 reviews
January 12, 2016
I eagerly awaited the sequel to Into Shadow, and got stuck into it right away.
Part of me wishes this was a trilogy instead of a two-part series, but I also think it ended perfectly. Poppy shares the spotlight with bestie Sharra in this part of the story. They're on a mission to bring an ex-pack member back from Goodland, but Poppy has other intentions. She plans to overthrow her 'Uncle' and the evil government that was put in place when said Uncle assassinated Poppy's father and tried to assassinate her.
Lots of action with very little downtime, the only thing missing from it was a romance factor. I NEED ME A LOVE STORY! (Even when I'm reading YA fic.) There was a little bit, but not enough for my taste.
Part of me wishes this was a trilogy instead of a two-part series, but I also think it ended perfectly. Poppy shares the spotlight with bestie Sharra in this part of the story. They're on a mission to bring an ex-pack member back from Goodland, but Poppy has other intentions. She plans to overthrow her 'Uncle' and the evil government that was put in place when said Uncle assassinated Poppy's father and tried to assassinate her.
Lots of action with very little downtime, the only thing missing from it was a romance factor. I NEED ME A LOVE STORY! (Even when I'm reading YA fic.) There was a little bit, but not enough for my taste.
July 4, 2017
"RODRIGUEZ LIES.
HE KILLED MY FATHER.
HE TRIED TO KILL ME.
SLEEP LIGHTLY, CRUZ, I'M COMING.
POPPY WALKER"
(Shields).
Into Light is intense and rebellious. It breaks from the "book norms" of love triangles and boy crazy main characters. This one is for those who love strong, female leads and stories about standing for what you believe in! Prepare yourself for a heart racing ride full of twists and turns!
The Plot: Poppy Walker has decided that it is time to take down the corrupt man that murdered her father. The same man that is tearing down the country, rebel by rebel. It's rebellion time, and with the help of Poppy's new Denver family, and her feline best friend, it may be possible to find justice and save the country from tyranny!
"...I would let my attitude make up the difference and carry myself as the authoritative politician I used to be." (Shields).
I had been waiting for this one to come out since I finished the e-arc of Into Shadow. I was not disappointed!! I almost wish this series had more books because I loved the writing style and the storyline. Shields created an outstanding dystopian world, and I picture imagery from Fallout (video game) and The Last of Us (video game), where there are bits of city that are left standing and bits of city that are destroyed or covered in overgrowth. I could see the world and the characters in my mind as I read.
"The sunbeams bounced off the buildings downtown to fracture in to dazzling rays that came at us from every angle. It was a stark contrast to the streets of Denver, which were so overgrown by trees and wild vegetation that almost every street was left in deep shadow no matter the time of day." (Shields).
The story was fast paced and thrilling. I loved that the books were centered around Poppy and her survival and not around a romance. Into Light finished this duology off strong with the premise of justice and a rebellion against a tyrannical president. The story of Poppy and her transformation is inspiring, and the characters that surround her are incredibly intriguing and heartwarming!
Poppy is still my favorite character, though Roomie and Sharra both come in close second. Poppy is brave, determined, and fierce. She is a survivor and she strays away from the "romance before mission norm" found in most books. She has all the same characteristics that I loved from book 1, but she goes through an epic transformation in book 2 that turns her in to someone to be respected (more than before) and someone who can incite a rebellion and save a country.
"I'm sure you all remember Poppy Walker. She's a lot tougher than she used to be but still just as eloquent." (Shields).
Roomie is a FANTASTIC character! Shields did an incredible job creating Roomie and his feline personality. He adds brightness and humor to the story, and he is fierce and protective of those he loves (mainly Poppy). I feel like the author must have sat in a room full of cats for days to get these personality traits just right. As an animal lover, I know first hand how a cat can have a human-like personality and behavior. Roomie fights with our main characters. He loves Poppy fervently, and when he is not roaming for food or protecting the gang, he demonstrates such humorous quirks that bring laughter to the story.
"Did you just lose an argument with your cat?' Rivers asked. 'Shut up.'" (Shields).
Sharra is our colorful, kick-ass character! She has colorful hair and an awesome personality to match. She also makes for an epic best friend. I love that Sharra took Poppy under her wing in book 1 and that she has created herself a big space in Poppy's heart (and mine). She is intelligent, caring, and fierce. She also breaks away from the "book norm" of allowing romance to cloud her judgement. Though she has found someone (not telling ;-P), she still puts her Denver family and the mission first. She is level headed and usually keeps the group sane.
"Sharra had a habit of downplaying problems in order to avoid panicking people, and I knew that what she called a situation was probably something most people would refer to as a catastrophe." (Shields).
Lucas is our heartthrob of the story. He is handsome, strong, protective, and smart. He cares about his group and loves Poppy. He is always calculating his next move and uses everything he has at his disposal to ensure the protection of Poppy and his group.
"Lucas and I locked eyes. I could see his frustration as he tried to find a way to protect us." (Shields).
Finally we have Cruz Rodriguez. This evil man is the one who murdered Poppy's father. He is selfish, greedy, and cruel. He rules with fear and immorality. We see more of him in book 2 and really see how his actions have affected the nation.
"He had subverted the ideals of our nation and destabilized the country until it was on the brink of revolt." (Shields).
I was sad to see this story end, but felt satisfied with the ending. Shadow and Light is my new favorite duology and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys action packed stories with bits of humor and strong female characters. This story has thrills, danger, adventure, laughter, romance, and futuristic technology. Into Shadow and Into Light are sure to impress!
HE KILLED MY FATHER.
HE TRIED TO KILL ME.
SLEEP LIGHTLY, CRUZ, I'M COMING.
POPPY WALKER"
(Shields).
Into Light is intense and rebellious. It breaks from the "book norms" of love triangles and boy crazy main characters. This one is for those who love strong, female leads and stories about standing for what you believe in! Prepare yourself for a heart racing ride full of twists and turns!
The Plot: Poppy Walker has decided that it is time to take down the corrupt man that murdered her father. The same man that is tearing down the country, rebel by rebel. It's rebellion time, and with the help of Poppy's new Denver family, and her feline best friend, it may be possible to find justice and save the country from tyranny!
"...I would let my attitude make up the difference and carry myself as the authoritative politician I used to be." (Shields).
I had been waiting for this one to come out since I finished the e-arc of Into Shadow. I was not disappointed!! I almost wish this series had more books because I loved the writing style and the storyline. Shields created an outstanding dystopian world, and I picture imagery from Fallout (video game) and The Last of Us (video game), where there are bits of city that are left standing and bits of city that are destroyed or covered in overgrowth. I could see the world and the characters in my mind as I read.
"The sunbeams bounced off the buildings downtown to fracture in to dazzling rays that came at us from every angle. It was a stark contrast to the streets of Denver, which were so overgrown by trees and wild vegetation that almost every street was left in deep shadow no matter the time of day." (Shields).
The story was fast paced and thrilling. I loved that the books were centered around Poppy and her survival and not around a romance. Into Light finished this duology off strong with the premise of justice and a rebellion against a tyrannical president. The story of Poppy and her transformation is inspiring, and the characters that surround her are incredibly intriguing and heartwarming!
Poppy is still my favorite character, though Roomie and Sharra both come in close second. Poppy is brave, determined, and fierce. She is a survivor and she strays away from the "romance before mission norm" found in most books. She has all the same characteristics that I loved from book 1, but she goes through an epic transformation in book 2 that turns her in to someone to be respected (more than before) and someone who can incite a rebellion and save a country.
"I'm sure you all remember Poppy Walker. She's a lot tougher than she used to be but still just as eloquent." (Shields).
Roomie is a FANTASTIC character! Shields did an incredible job creating Roomie and his feline personality. He adds brightness and humor to the story, and he is fierce and protective of those he loves (mainly Poppy). I feel like the author must have sat in a room full of cats for days to get these personality traits just right. As an animal lover, I know first hand how a cat can have a human-like personality and behavior. Roomie fights with our main characters. He loves Poppy fervently, and when he is not roaming for food or protecting the gang, he demonstrates such humorous quirks that bring laughter to the story.
"Did you just lose an argument with your cat?' Rivers asked. 'Shut up.'" (Shields).
Sharra is our colorful, kick-ass character! She has colorful hair and an awesome personality to match. She also makes for an epic best friend. I love that Sharra took Poppy under her wing in book 1 and that she has created herself a big space in Poppy's heart (and mine). She is intelligent, caring, and fierce. She also breaks away from the "book norm" of allowing romance to cloud her judgement. Though she has found someone (not telling ;-P), she still puts her Denver family and the mission first. She is level headed and usually keeps the group sane.
"Sharra had a habit of downplaying problems in order to avoid panicking people, and I knew that what she called a situation was probably something most people would refer to as a catastrophe." (Shields).
Lucas is our heartthrob of the story. He is handsome, strong, protective, and smart. He cares about his group and loves Poppy. He is always calculating his next move and uses everything he has at his disposal to ensure the protection of Poppy and his group.
"Lucas and I locked eyes. I could see his frustration as he tried to find a way to protect us." (Shields).
Finally we have Cruz Rodriguez. This evil man is the one who murdered Poppy's father. He is selfish, greedy, and cruel. He rules with fear and immorality. We see more of him in book 2 and really see how his actions have affected the nation.
"He had subverted the ideals of our nation and destabilized the country until it was on the brink of revolt." (Shields).
I was sad to see this story end, but felt satisfied with the ending. Shadow and Light is my new favorite duology and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys action packed stories with bits of humor and strong female characters. This story has thrills, danger, adventure, laughter, romance, and futuristic technology. Into Shadow and Into Light are sure to impress!
January 12, 2016
A great sequel and finale to such an intriguing story.
Poppy, our resourceful young ex-first lady, finds herself on the forefront of the conflict once again. She is still living in Denver with the cast of rebellious characters we met in book one, but she has a burning need to go back to Goodland. She has revenge on the brain. Revenge against the man she had once thought of as an uncle. The man who took everything from her.
Only, she has regained a lot of what was taken from her. She is no longer alone. When a member of her "pack" does something reckless and goes off on his own, it gives Poppy the chance to follow him to Goodland, hoping to stop him, but also hoping for a chance to do something she considers worthwhile - anything to help take down the new corrupt government that has risen. What she finds in Goodland is more than she could have hoped for, a resistance. But, are they enough to make a difference? And can they all be trusted.
This book was more action packed and fast paced than it's predecessor. The characters are just as likable, or detestable - depending on who. I may be a little in love with Lucas and Rivers both. I was a tad disappointed that they weren't in more of the story but the pure bad assery of Poppy and Sharra mitigated that. This was definitely their story. Romance was only on the periphery and I was ok with that.
If it wasn't for the evil government, I would totally want to live in Goodland - just to ride the slidewalks. So cool. lol - now you're intrigued so you have to read it!
Poppy, our resourceful young ex-first lady, finds herself on the forefront of the conflict once again. She is still living in Denver with the cast of rebellious characters we met in book one, but she has a burning need to go back to Goodland. She has revenge on the brain. Revenge against the man she had once thought of as an uncle. The man who took everything from her.
Only, she has regained a lot of what was taken from her. She is no longer alone. When a member of her "pack" does something reckless and goes off on his own, it gives Poppy the chance to follow him to Goodland, hoping to stop him, but also hoping for a chance to do something she considers worthwhile - anything to help take down the new corrupt government that has risen. What she finds in Goodland is more than she could have hoped for, a resistance. But, are they enough to make a difference? And can they all be trusted.
This book was more action packed and fast paced than it's predecessor. The characters are just as likable, or detestable - depending on who. I may be a little in love with Lucas and Rivers both. I was a tad disappointed that they weren't in more of the story but the pure bad assery of Poppy and Sharra mitigated that. This was definitely their story. Romance was only on the periphery and I was ok with that.
If it wasn't for the evil government, I would totally want to live in Goodland - just to ride the slidewalks. So cool. lol - now you're intrigued so you have to read it!
October 5, 2016
I am so going to miss this world that T.D. Shields has created and had me plunge head-first into over the course of two novels. Poppy Walker is such a great heroine that you can't help but root for her at every turn, as she seeks to avenge the death of her father by tracking down the man who is running the country with no regard for its citizenry.
Many books in this genre are built on a romantic angle between its heroine and a dashing or heroic male character. However, Ms. Shields breaks from the norm and makes this story all about Poppy - not that there isn't a love interest, but it doesn't encompass more than a small part of the story. In fact, the most dominating male character in Into Light is Roomie, Poppy's friend (who just happens to be a 50-pound tomcat). P.S. I LOVE ROOMIE!!
Well-written and engaging, this book was a very satisfying conclusion to the two-book series. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Shields' work... so get writing, ma'am!
Many books in this genre are built on a romantic angle between its heroine and a dashing or heroic male character. However, Ms. Shields breaks from the norm and makes this story all about Poppy - not that there isn't a love interest, but it doesn't encompass more than a small part of the story. In fact, the most dominating male character in Into Light is Roomie, Poppy's friend (who just happens to be a 50-pound tomcat). P.S. I LOVE ROOMIE!!
Well-written and engaging, this book was a very satisfying conclusion to the two-book series. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Shields' work... so get writing, ma'am!
January 12, 2016
I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this sequel. After reading Into Shadows, I knew I would love the next installment. Guess what? I did!
Into Light starts with Poppy living in Denver. And I, like Poppy, was ready to march into Goodland for a good fight against Cruz. When circumstances finally aligned for this to occur, the journey began. And wow, so much action takes place in this story as I knew it would. Which is why I looked forward to it. Shield’s is a master at writing fight scenes, and between the action and twists, I was on edge waiting to find out what happened.
The world building was phenomenal in Into Darkness, and it continued with this story. I thought the character development was deeper, especially with Sharra. I really learned more about the group as a whole.
If you’re looking for a unique dystopian story, this is definitely one series to read. I’m truly sad to say goodbye to Poppy and even Roomie. I am, however, looking forward to Shield’s next work.
Into Light starts with Poppy living in Denver. And I, like Poppy, was ready to march into Goodland for a good fight against Cruz. When circumstances finally aligned for this to occur, the journey began. And wow, so much action takes place in this story as I knew it would. Which is why I looked forward to it. Shield’s is a master at writing fight scenes, and between the action and twists, I was on edge waiting to find out what happened.
The world building was phenomenal in Into Darkness, and it continued with this story. I thought the character development was deeper, especially with Sharra. I really learned more about the group as a whole.
If you’re looking for a unique dystopian story, this is definitely one series to read. I’m truly sad to say goodbye to Poppy and even Roomie. I am, however, looking forward to Shield’s next work.
May 20, 2017
This series is fabulous!! The characters are easy to love but my favorite is Roomie hands down. You can't go wrong with this series!! I can't wait to see what T. D. Shields comes up with next!!
August 13, 2016
Poppy Walker is back in this, the second book in the Shadow and Light series by author T.D. Shields, and it is every bit as thrilling an adventure as her first book.
Even though she was still a teenager, Poppy was once the First Lady of the North American Alliance, which her widowed father served as President for a decade before he was ruthlessly overthrown in a coup. In the first book, "Into Shadow," Poppy was forced to run for her life to escape the White House and assassination. With the help of some unlikely allies she made her way to the ruined city of Denver where she joined a pack of revolutionaries, honed her already impressive fighting skills, and fell in love.
In this book she and her pack are about to wage war against the man who stole the Presidency and his henchmen. It's never certain, however, that she and her allies will be successful, particularly after the rebel group is infiltrated by a clever spy.
Shields has created an enormously appealing character in Poppy Walker. Trained from an early age in martial arts at her father's insistence, she knows how to fight and from her time as First Lady she has a pretty good grasp on how to resolve conflicts between groups that don't necessarily like one another. She's also determined to seek vengeance against the man who engineered the coup that killed her father and many of the people she knew before setting up a ruthless, totalitarian state. Despite her hand-to-hand combat skills and her grasp of politics at both the lowest and highest levels, however, she is still a young woman who is not always sure of her feelings and is prone to fits of jealousy when things don't go her way in matters of the heart. This, in my opinion, makes here a wonderful, fully realized character.
Shields has also created a host of well-imagined secondary characters and shows that she has impressive world-building skills as she creates the ruined cityscape of Denver and the gleaming capital of the Alliance.
Great characters; strong themes of love, revenge, loyalty, betrayal, and sacrifice, "Into Light" is a 5-star read.
Even though she was still a teenager, Poppy was once the First Lady of the North American Alliance, which her widowed father served as President for a decade before he was ruthlessly overthrown in a coup. In the first book, "Into Shadow," Poppy was forced to run for her life to escape the White House and assassination. With the help of some unlikely allies she made her way to the ruined city of Denver where she joined a pack of revolutionaries, honed her already impressive fighting skills, and fell in love.
In this book she and her pack are about to wage war against the man who stole the Presidency and his henchmen. It's never certain, however, that she and her allies will be successful, particularly after the rebel group is infiltrated by a clever spy.
Shields has created an enormously appealing character in Poppy Walker. Trained from an early age in martial arts at her father's insistence, she knows how to fight and from her time as First Lady she has a pretty good grasp on how to resolve conflicts between groups that don't necessarily like one another. She's also determined to seek vengeance against the man who engineered the coup that killed her father and many of the people she knew before setting up a ruthless, totalitarian state. Despite her hand-to-hand combat skills and her grasp of politics at both the lowest and highest levels, however, she is still a young woman who is not always sure of her feelings and is prone to fits of jealousy when things don't go her way in matters of the heart. This, in my opinion, makes here a wonderful, fully realized character.
Shields has also created a host of well-imagined secondary characters and shows that she has impressive world-building skills as she creates the ruined cityscape of Denver and the gleaming capital of the Alliance.
Great characters; strong themes of love, revenge, loyalty, betrayal, and sacrifice, "Into Light" is a 5-star read.
August 6, 2016
Obviously, I had to read Into Light right away! There's a reason the description is so short. It's very difficult to avoid spoilers, but I will say that it is worth every moment. By this time, Poppy has already begun her amazing transformation from intelligent, pampered First Lady to brave, toned revolutionary in Denver. She does not take anyone's tomfoolery and is in charge without ever intending to be. However, she keeps her cat Roomie with her - this reveals a lot about her character and how tender she still can be. Her friendship with Sharra actually makes a bigger difference than I thought it would. I love how they are connected, both tough tough ladies who aren't worried about boys, and so smart! It's a realistic friendship, but also #friendshipgoals!
So, how's the writing? Well, a scene of Poppy confronting her father's murderer back in Goodland brought tears to my eyes. So, there's the laughing and crying reader to consider. I would compare Into Shadow and Into Light to other transformative tales such as Tris Prior's, but they are not remotely the same. Poppy is everything you want in a heroine! I kind of wish there would be a third book. Not that the story isn't resolved and all, but just because it was such a great read!
Into Light is quick, descriptive, and witty. I actually enjoyed the sequel more than the first book because there was so much action and resolution. This may disappoint you romance lovers out there, but don't worry. There are a couple of romance side stories to feed your interest. But the people who may rejoice most of all is the cat ladies. Cat ladies, unite! Poppy is one of you!
So, how's the writing? Well, a scene of Poppy confronting her father's murderer back in Goodland brought tears to my eyes. So, there's the laughing and crying reader to consider. I would compare Into Shadow and Into Light to other transformative tales such as Tris Prior's, but they are not remotely the same. Poppy is everything you want in a heroine! I kind of wish there would be a third book. Not that the story isn't resolved and all, but just because it was such a great read!
Into Light is quick, descriptive, and witty. I actually enjoyed the sequel more than the first book because there was so much action and resolution. This may disappoint you romance lovers out there, but don't worry. There are a couple of romance side stories to feed your interest. But the people who may rejoice most of all is the cat ladies. Cat ladies, unite! Poppy is one of you!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 9 reviews