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Shadow Riders #2
Shadow Reaper
THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Christine Feehan returns to her scorching-hot series starring a Chicago crime family that has built its empire in the shadows...
Billionaire playboy Ricco Ferraro knows no other life. Being a shadow rider is in his blood--but so is a haunting desperation stemming from the secrets of his dark past. His recklessness puts not only his life at risk, but also the future of his entire family. To save them all, he must find a woman who can meet his every desire with a heat all her own...
Just when Ricco has given up hope, he meets her--a mysterious woman whose shadow connects with his. She's someone looking for a safe haven from the danger that has stalked her over the last several months. In Ricco's embrace, she finds one. But the darkness in which they so often find sanctuary can also consume them...
Christine Feehan returns to her scorching-hot series starring a Chicago crime family that has built its empire in the shadows...
Billionaire playboy Ricco Ferraro knows no other life. Being a shadow rider is in his blood--but so is a haunting desperation stemming from the secrets of his dark past. His recklessness puts not only his life at risk, but also the future of his entire family. To save them all, he must find a woman who can meet his every desire with a heat all her own...
Just when Ricco has given up hope, he meets her--a mysterious woman whose shadow connects with his. She's someone looking for a safe haven from the danger that has stalked her over the last several months. In Ricco's embrace, she finds one. But the darkness in which they so often find sanctuary can also consume them...
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 30, 2017
1201 people are currently reading
2831 people want to read
About the author
Christine Feehan
156 books52.9k followersChristine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 100 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series, Shadow Riders, Torpedo Ink and her Romantic Suspense novels. All of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.
Her series include:
The Dark Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/darkb...
The GhostWalker series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/ghost...
The Leopard Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/leopa...
The Shadow Series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/shado...
Torpedo Ink series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/torpe...
IN HER WORDS:
I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself. (www.christinefeehan.com)
Her series include:
The Dark Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/darkb...
The GhostWalker series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/ghost...
The Leopard Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/leopa...
The Shadow Series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/shado...
Torpedo Ink series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/torpe...
IN HER WORDS:
I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself. (www.christinefeehan.com)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 617 reviews
July 11, 2017
I liked it, but I thought the first half was stronger than the second. At first it was a solid 4, but the ending seemed rushed with all the revelations coming at once. I also thought it was a bit odd that the heroine wasn't quite as worried sick about her brother as I would have assumed. He seemed like more of a plot tool to get the hero and heroine to meet and I wasn't satisfied with the resolution there.
As I've mentioned before, I'm weary of Feehan's chapter long sex scenes. Honestly most sex scenes bore me these days unless I'm reading erotica. With traditional romance I'm mostly satisfied with briefer scenes. I guess there's only so many ways to write a love scene *shrugs*
As I've mentioned before, I'm weary of Feehan's chapter long sex scenes. Honestly most sex scenes bore me these days unless I'm reading erotica. With traditional romance I'm mostly satisfied with briefer scenes. I guess there's only so many ways to write a love scene *shrugs*
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June 2, 2017DNF at 25%
This writing style is sadly not for me. Too much insta everything and I think I made a mistake by jumping into this without having read the previous book because I struggled to understand the world building. The writing is a little too stuffy and purple prosey for my taste and ultimately what made me stop reading. Sometimes a book just isn't for you, and sadly this one definitely wasn't for me.
ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
This writing style is sadly not for me. Too much insta everything and I think I made a mistake by jumping into this without having read the previous book because I struggled to understand the world building. The writing is a little too stuffy and purple prosey for my taste and ultimately what made me stop reading. Sometimes a book just isn't for you, and sadly this one definitely wasn't for me.
ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
June 7, 2017
Shadow Reaper is book 2 in Christine Feehan’s Shadow Riders series. Ms. Feehan has built an incredible, original, intriguing and sexy world with the Shadow Riders series. I do strongly suggest you read bk 1 to get a better understanding of the Shadow Rider’s world.
Ricco and Mariko are both strong individuals with horrible experiences in their past, I felt they were perfect for each other. Their chemistry was intense and each provided the other with something that they needed to start moving on from their past hurts. There are many twists and turns in Shadow Reaper that kept me on the edge of my seat and some shocking me so much I thought to myself “Did I just read what I thought I did?” I found that this is one of the few times I have actually enjoyed the action and suspense in a book more than the sex scenes. Now this could be because I’m not a huge fan of Shibari and found the scenes to be a tad long, making me skip through them, don’t get me wrong there are part of the scenes that are truly hot and I would say some of the best Shibari scenes I’ve read. The only other issue I had was I thought explaining how the Riders felt each time they entered the shadows got repetitive. I can 100% say that I totally understand what happens when entering the shadows and don’t need to be reminded each time. (Wait was I just repetitive?)
I absolutely fell in love with the Shadow Rider world and the Ferraro siblings and cousins in book 1, my love for both only increased while reading Shadow Reaper.
All in all in I really enjoyed reading Shadow Reaper, just not as much as Shadow Rider. But don’t we all have at least one book in a much loved series that we don’t like as much as the others? I absolutely can’t wait for the next book in this innovative, original series Ms. Feehan has shared with us!
ARC provided for a voluntary and honest review.
November 1, 2025
Shadow Reaper was fast, fun and full of some really steamy romantic scenes.
Ricco, playboy, racecar driver has become a serious topic of concern with siblings. Recently, he barely survived a deadly crash and they aren’t sure he did it on purpose.
Mariko’s brother was kidnapped and the only chance she has at saving him is to carry out the worst crime by a Shadow Rider, kill another Shadow Rider, Rico.
Unfortunately for the both, they are destined mates. Rico must uncover Mariko’s secrets before it’s too late. While Mariko must choose between Rico and saving her brother.
This is second book in the Shadow Rider series, and I feel like we are barely scratching the surface of this “Shadow Rider” world.
Feehan fan girl here. I've read everything that she has written and that is no lie.
To say I was pumped about a new Shadow Rider series installment would be an understatement, so with greed anticipation, I delved right back into the Shadow world with Ricco's story.
I love the family dynamic of Ferraro family and highly enjoyed the romance.
My only complaint, I did find the telling a little repetitive. I mostly found the character's emotional/internal issues caused this hangup.
Pushing that little issue aside, I can't wait for more and didn't want the book to end...with it being over 400+ pages that is saying something.
I received this ARC copy of Shadow Reaper from Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest and voluntary review. Shadow Reaper is set for publication May 30, 2017.
Ricco, playboy, racecar driver has become a serious topic of concern with siblings. Recently, he barely survived a deadly crash and they aren’t sure he did it on purpose.
Mariko’s brother was kidnapped and the only chance she has at saving him is to carry out the worst crime by a Shadow Rider, kill another Shadow Rider, Rico.
Unfortunately for the both, they are destined mates. Rico must uncover Mariko’s secrets before it’s too late. While Mariko must choose between Rico and saving her brother.
This is second book in the Shadow Rider series, and I feel like we are barely scratching the surface of this “Shadow Rider” world.
Feehan fan girl here. I've read everything that she has written and that is no lie.
To say I was pumped about a new Shadow Rider series installment would be an understatement, so with greed anticipation, I delved right back into the Shadow world with Ricco's story.
I love the family dynamic of Ferraro family and highly enjoyed the romance.
My only complaint, I did find the telling a little repetitive. I mostly found the character's emotional/internal issues caused this hangup.
Pushing that little issue aside, I can't wait for more and didn't want the book to end...with it being over 400+ pages that is saying something.
I received this ARC copy of Shadow Reaper from Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest and voluntary review. Shadow Reaper is set for publication May 30, 2017.
May 13, 2017
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
What a wild ride this book was and NOT what I was expecting. I really wasn't sure how this one would compare with book one which I fell in love with. In Shadow Reaper, we have Ricco's book. Ricco is a bit of a mystery, so I was pleased to see that this was his book. At the beginning of this book, Ricco is in big trouble with his siblings. He ends up in a car accident and almost dies from it. So he is slowly recovering from it, but Ricco is also struggling with his past from his training he had to go to in Japan, when he was only 14 years old. And he goes through some life changing events, events that leads him haunted and threatens the life of himself and his family. Our heroine of the story is a fellow rider. Mariko Majo, was lied to growing up and even though she was trained as a rider, she was made to feel by her adopted family weak and incompetent. When her brother is kidnapped, and she it told to kill Ricco to get her brother back, she goes to investigate Ricco. But posing as a rope model for him, she realizes what a good man Ricco is, and she can't trade his life for her brothers ,especially when she doesn't know if killing Ricco would mean getting her brother back.
What I truly liked about this story was seeing a more backstory to the characters. Both Ricco and Mariko, have a strong bond to each other and its just not in the present. They have an important past together, and even though this story was a bit more slow going than book one, I still had a blast with this book and seeing these characters come together. And we get some plenty of fun action between the family members here. We get a bit of a teaser between the sister and Val (I have a feeling that will be a whopper of a read when we get it) and I did love seeing Stefan and Francesca again. And the way they welcome Mariko into the family, despite her not so honorable intentions from the beginning. And I do feel that this book was more exciting in some of the action scenes that are written. I felt as if I was on a roller coaster, and it was very thrilling. The dynamics of the story overall is what really kept me intrigued. It was so wonderful to see this book come together, with the family drama and intrigues, the more complex and depth of characters and the spicy romance. Now I do feel that the romance could have used a bit more juice to it. There was plenty of sex scenes, but I really wanted more of the emotional intimacy between these two, it felt a bit less than book one. Of course, there was quite a bit going on in this book and if you enjoyed book one, I do think you need to pick this one up and fall in love with this fun and thrilling family and I can't wait to see which sibling will be book three. Overall I found Shadow Reaper to be a thrilling adventure of rich Japanese culture, thrills and chills to keep you on the edge and a epic filled romance to give you all the feels!!
You have to know that I want you with every breath I take
[foogallery id="31201"]
What a wild ride this book was and NOT what I was expecting. I really wasn't sure how this one would compare with book one which I fell in love with. In Shadow Reaper, we have Ricco's book. Ricco is a bit of a mystery, so I was pleased to see that this was his book. At the beginning of this book, Ricco is in big trouble with his siblings. He ends up in a car accident and almost dies from it. So he is slowly recovering from it, but Ricco is also struggling with his past from his training he had to go to in Japan, when he was only 14 years old. And he goes through some life changing events, events that leads him haunted and threatens the life of himself and his family. Our heroine of the story is a fellow rider. Mariko Majo, was lied to growing up and even though she was trained as a rider, she was made to feel by her adopted family weak and incompetent. When her brother is kidnapped, and she it told to kill Ricco to get her brother back, she goes to investigate Ricco. But posing as a rope model for him, she realizes what a good man Ricco is, and she can't trade his life for her brothers ,especially when she doesn't know if killing Ricco would mean getting her brother back.
What I truly liked about this story was seeing a more backstory to the characters. Both Ricco and Mariko, have a strong bond to each other and its just not in the present. They have an important past together, and even though this story was a bit more slow going than book one, I still had a blast with this book and seeing these characters come together. And we get some plenty of fun action between the family members here. We get a bit of a teaser between the sister and Val (I have a feeling that will be a whopper of a read when we get it) and I did love seeing Stefan and Francesca again. And the way they welcome Mariko into the family, despite her not so honorable intentions from the beginning. And I do feel that this book was more exciting in some of the action scenes that are written. I felt as if I was on a roller coaster, and it was very thrilling. The dynamics of the story overall is what really kept me intrigued. It was so wonderful to see this book come together, with the family drama and intrigues, the more complex and depth of characters and the spicy romance. Now I do feel that the romance could have used a bit more juice to it. There was plenty of sex scenes, but I really wanted more of the emotional intimacy between these two, it felt a bit less than book one. Of course, there was quite a bit going on in this book and if you enjoyed book one, I do think you need to pick this one up and fall in love with this fun and thrilling family and I can't wait to see which sibling will be book three. Overall I found Shadow Reaper to be a thrilling adventure of rich Japanese culture, thrills and chills to keep you on the edge and a epic filled romance to give you all the feels!!
You have to know that I want you with every breath I take
[foogallery id="31201"]
June 5, 2017
Secrets, lies and love…
The Ferraro family are back! Was I stalking the shelves, haunting my kindle? Well, yes, but for very good reason! And Ricco and Mariko’s story is it!
“He wanted Mariko there with them. His woman. He just had to find a way to seduce her without being killed.”
Their stories are complicated. Painful, full of blinding grief and hurt, they both have lived their lives in the shadows of haunting events from years ago. Their coming together is shrouded in sexual tension, secrets, and the comforting feeling their souls were meant for each other…
“He would always be dominant, scary to enemies and yet gentle with those he loved.”
The Ferraro family members are alpha men and women. They are shadow riders, by birth, by blood, by family. There is a price to be paid, however, and Ricco knows that only too well. His story, Mariko’s story, unfolds in one devastating revelation after another. Their hearts are firmly in the right place as their minds try to keep up with each blow that comes their way. Trust and control, compassion and love wind their way through Ricco and Mariko’s relationship, binding them together one thread at a time…
This author knows paranormal. She can write unique stories, entire series that feel fresh and new each time. Family and love are at the center of each, however, and this series proves it in entertaining detail. I am almost giddy knowing there are many more Ferrero stories to come – and they have a heck of a lot of extended family. *insert happy dance right here* -Diane, 4.5 stars
The Ferraro family are back! Was I stalking the shelves, haunting my kindle? Well, yes, but for very good reason! And Ricco and Mariko’s story is it!
“He wanted Mariko there with them. His woman. He just had to find a way to seduce her without being killed.”
Their stories are complicated. Painful, full of blinding grief and hurt, they both have lived their lives in the shadows of haunting events from years ago. Their coming together is shrouded in sexual tension, secrets, and the comforting feeling their souls were meant for each other…
“He would always be dominant, scary to enemies and yet gentle with those he loved.”
The Ferraro family members are alpha men and women. They are shadow riders, by birth, by blood, by family. There is a price to be paid, however, and Ricco knows that only too well. His story, Mariko’s story, unfolds in one devastating revelation after another. Their hearts are firmly in the right place as their minds try to keep up with each blow that comes their way. Trust and control, compassion and love wind their way through Ricco and Mariko’s relationship, binding them together one thread at a time…
This author knows paranormal. She can write unique stories, entire series that feel fresh and new each time. Family and love are at the center of each, however, and this series proves it in entertaining detail. I am almost giddy knowing there are many more Ferrero stories to come – and they have a heck of a lot of extended family. *insert happy dance right here* -Diane, 4.5 stars
June 12, 2017
Just saw the trailer for this book on Facebook and it was really good. The acting wasn't terrible either. LOL I enjoyed the first one and after that trailer am looking forward to this one.
***After Reading***
I enjoyed this second addition to the Shadow series. I really love the idea of this series, with the Ferraro's family's ability to ride shadows and dispense justice. It makes for very interesting reading.
This is Ricco's story. He was sent away to Japan to be trained with other riders and that is where something bad happened when he was 14. What happened then, of course, all ties into the story we have today. It was a sad story, sad in the history and sad in what it brought about in the present.
Mariko, the heroine, is part of that past and it is a predictable intersect for the two, but still entertaining. Mariko is also a shadow rider and is a very good one, with a tragic childhood.
I really enjoyed the storyline in this book. I honestly, only had problems with the Shibari aspect of the story. Not because I find it disturbing or anything, bu basically, I didn't care about it at all. Those scenes did not interest me and I found myself skimming the story.
However, I did enjoy the story but it didn't grab me like some of Feehan's books have in the past. Again, with this one, like the previous book, Mariko did not have great self-esteem. While it didn't take up as much of the story as it did with Francesca it was still grating at times.
I'm really hoping that Emme and Val's story is next. The way Feehan portrayed somethings between them, I'm thinking it might be the next story. Here's hoping!!!
***After Reading***
I enjoyed this second addition to the Shadow series. I really love the idea of this series, with the Ferraro's family's ability to ride shadows and dispense justice. It makes for very interesting reading.
This is Ricco's story. He was sent away to Japan to be trained with other riders and that is where something bad happened when he was 14. What happened then, of course, all ties into the story we have today. It was a sad story, sad in the history and sad in what it brought about in the present.
Mariko, the heroine, is part of that past and it is a predictable intersect for the two, but still entertaining. Mariko is also a shadow rider and is a very good one, with a tragic childhood.
I really enjoyed the storyline in this book. I honestly, only had problems with the Shibari aspect of the story. Not because I find it disturbing or anything, bu basically, I didn't care about it at all. Those scenes did not interest me and I found myself skimming the story.
However, I did enjoy the story but it didn't grab me like some of Feehan's books have in the past. Again, with this one, like the previous book, Mariko did not have great self-esteem. While it didn't take up as much of the story as it did with Francesca it was still grating at times.
I'm really hoping that Emme and Val's story is next. The way Feehan portrayed somethings between them, I'm thinking it might be the next story. Here's hoping!!!
May 22, 2017
Shadow Reaper is the second book in Christine Feehan’s Shadow Riders series. I have been anxiously awaiting this book since the announcement that it would be Ricco Ferraro’s story and this book more than surpassed my expectations. Shadow Reaper is an outstanding follow up to the excellent first book, Shadow Rider. The main characters in this story are Ricco Ferraro and Mariko Majo and these two take the reader on an exciting, action-packed, romantic ride.
Ricco has been carrying and keeping a dangerous secret from his family regarding the time as a teen where he trained in Japan. Now those fears that have haunted Ricco are at the family’s doorstep.
Although he has suspicions about her motives, that he shares with his family, Ricco meticulously courts Mariko, letting her get to know him slowly and completely. Their romance was a sweet slow burn and the payoff was sensual and explosive. Mariko is a wonderful heroine…she is a trained shadow rider and has been honed to be a deadly warrior. Mariko is such a well-developed character, despite her being a disciplined, honorable rider, she is thoughtful, astute, and compassionate.
One of my favorites scenes in where the Ferraro’s are gathered in the penthouse sharing a family meal, with Francesca, Giovanni, and Taviano making pasta, alfredo sauce, and garlic bread transported me right into the penthouse kitchen and at the Ferraro table.
The community aspect of the plot is again, the heart of the Ferraro story. The habitants are warm, loyal, and to the Ferarro’s and each other. Signora Moretti had me laughing out loud at her antics. Lucia and Amo are excellent foster parents to young Nicoletta, who is still emotionally scarred from her traumatic experience of being repeatedly raped by her step-uncles. I could feel her embarrassment and withdrawal around the Ferraro’s; after all they all know what happened to the teenager. She will always have a hard time feeling comfortable in their presence. Even if she ends up married to a Ferraro, her trauma won’t just be between her and her mate…the entire family knows the worst thing that happened to her. I really hope that Emme follows up on actually training Nicoletta. Taviano is most protective of Nicoletta, I suspect she will likely be his mate...many years in the future.
This is PNR so there is sex but the first intimate scene is not until page 263, well past the halfway mark in the story. Shibari art seems to be an interesting storyline. However, I must admit that I don’t quite understand the rope bondage aspect, it sounds very sensual but agoraphobia-inducing for me.
I am suspicious of that Valentino Saldi; he seems to just happen to be on the scene wherever Emmanuelle is and inserts himself into her business. I love how Taviano refers to Val as the “prince.” I hope the Ferraro brothers keep an eye on that pretty boy Val, he is not a rider so he’s not for Emme…unless that rapscallion is hiding some skill.
It was also intriguing turn of events involving Eloisa, she is a tough, fiery grand dame. It will be interesting to see how the next phase of her life plays out.
Shadow Reaper is a fantastic balance of a character driven story books wherein there is equitable focus on the action, character growth and romance. I have pre-ordered Shadow Reaper and received this ARC copy to review. Shadow Reaper rates ten shining stars!
Ricco has been carrying and keeping a dangerous secret from his family regarding the time as a teen where he trained in Japan. Now those fears that have haunted Ricco are at the family’s doorstep.
Although he has suspicions about her motives, that he shares with his family, Ricco meticulously courts Mariko, letting her get to know him slowly and completely. Their romance was a sweet slow burn and the payoff was sensual and explosive. Mariko is a wonderful heroine…she is a trained shadow rider and has been honed to be a deadly warrior. Mariko is such a well-developed character, despite her being a disciplined, honorable rider, she is thoughtful, astute, and compassionate.
One of my favorites scenes in where the Ferraro’s are gathered in the penthouse sharing a family meal, with Francesca, Giovanni, and Taviano making pasta, alfredo sauce, and garlic bread transported me right into the penthouse kitchen and at the Ferraro table.
The community aspect of the plot is again, the heart of the Ferraro story. The habitants are warm, loyal, and to the Ferarro’s and each other. Signora Moretti had me laughing out loud at her antics. Lucia and Amo are excellent foster parents to young Nicoletta, who is still emotionally scarred from her traumatic experience of being repeatedly raped by her step-uncles. I could feel her embarrassment and withdrawal around the Ferraro’s; after all they all know what happened to the teenager. She will always have a hard time feeling comfortable in their presence. Even if she ends up married to a Ferraro, her trauma won’t just be between her and her mate…the entire family knows the worst thing that happened to her. I really hope that Emme follows up on actually training Nicoletta. Taviano is most protective of Nicoletta, I suspect she will likely be his mate...many years in the future.
This is PNR so there is sex but the first intimate scene is not until page 263, well past the halfway mark in the story. Shibari art seems to be an interesting storyline. However, I must admit that I don’t quite understand the rope bondage aspect, it sounds very sensual but agoraphobia-inducing for me.
I am suspicious of that Valentino Saldi; he seems to just happen to be on the scene wherever Emmanuelle is and inserts himself into her business. I love how Taviano refers to Val as the “prince.” I hope the Ferraro brothers keep an eye on that pretty boy Val, he is not a rider so he’s not for Emme…unless that rapscallion is hiding some skill.
It was also intriguing turn of events involving Eloisa, she is a tough, fiery grand dame. It will be interesting to see how the next phase of her life plays out.
Shadow Reaper is a fantastic balance of a character driven story books wherein there is equitable focus on the action, character growth and romance. I have pre-ordered Shadow Reaper and received this ARC copy to review. Shadow Reaper rates ten shining stars!
May 31, 2017
I enjoyed the first book in this series much more.
This book had such promise, but that potential soon turned to boring, repetitive narrative that didn't draw me in so much as it made me cringe.
If I had to read: "the ropes were an extension of him" one more time, I was going to throw my Kindle across the room. Come on, Christine! You're better than that! You can come up with a better way of saying "he's really good with tying ropes." While the plot nugget of Shibari is a new one, the rope tying scenes made my eyes cross, and the sensuality seemed forced. Because the man and woman seem to fall into insta-love/lust with one another, there is no real push and pull. It felt like they just fell into one another and voila! they have the sex.
Mariko is a kick-ass lady who can snap a neck as easy as she can put on her lipstick. One of my favorite scenes is when she is shadow riding through the garden, happily snapping mercenary necks. Mariko had the makings of a truly bad-ass heroine, but she slipped from being an assassin to being a ass-butt--a total wiener who couldn't seem to keep her edge. I don't think Ms. Feehan knew what to do with the character. One minute Mariko was this cold, analytical meter of justice, and the next she was weeping into her jasmine rice. While I do like how hard the Ferraro men fall for their women, Ricco was such a mushy bag of hurts and over-used playboy tropes, he couldn't seem to stand up straight enough to be seen as a capable alpha male. Also...the man was so poetic (the bad poetic, not the good kind) about his feelings, they felt forced and overly flowery. They didn't sound sincere. I rolled my eyes a lot.
I really like the idea of a rare breed of people who can use shadows to mete out justice, and I am looking forward to seeing more of their romances through the series, but this story fell flat for me.
This book had such promise, but that potential soon turned to boring, repetitive narrative that didn't draw me in so much as it made me cringe.
If I had to read: "the ropes were an extension of him" one more time, I was going to throw my Kindle across the room. Come on, Christine! You're better than that! You can come up with a better way of saying "he's really good with tying ropes." While the plot nugget of Shibari is a new one, the rope tying scenes made my eyes cross, and the sensuality seemed forced. Because the man and woman seem to fall into insta-love/lust with one another, there is no real push and pull. It felt like they just fell into one another and voila! they have the sex.
Mariko is a kick-ass lady who can snap a neck as easy as she can put on her lipstick. One of my favorite scenes is when she is shadow riding through the garden, happily snapping mercenary necks. Mariko had the makings of a truly bad-ass heroine, but she slipped from being an assassin to being a ass-butt--a total wiener who couldn't seem to keep her edge. I don't think Ms. Feehan knew what to do with the character. One minute Mariko was this cold, analytical meter of justice, and the next she was weeping into her jasmine rice. While I do like how hard the Ferraro men fall for their women, Ricco was such a mushy bag of hurts and over-used playboy tropes, he couldn't seem to stand up straight enough to be seen as a capable alpha male. Also...the man was so poetic (the bad poetic, not the good kind) about his feelings, they felt forced and overly flowery. They didn't sound sincere. I rolled my eyes a lot.
I really like the idea of a rare breed of people who can use shadows to mete out justice, and I am looking forward to seeing more of their romances through the series, but this story fell flat for me.
May 13, 2017
Shadow Reaper - The second book in the Shadow Riders series. Ricco has a dark edgy side that you found in Shadow Rider and you knew you wanted to find out why! Here is your chance.
What I truly love about this series is the absolute sense of family ties for the Ferraro clan, from the siblings to the cousins and the ties to the neighborhood and how they all matter. The respect they all have for Stefano and the love he clearly feels for his brothers and sister.
Ricco has been carrying a dark secret his entire adult life, one he finally has to share with Stefano and his family. He has done everything he can to try and protect them from something that happened when he was a 14 year old sent far from home to train in Japan. Forces are coming together to try and eliminate them or is it just Ricco? Enter Mariko, a woman of mystery, one who has her own demons to get through. Will she and Ricco be able to work together to get beyond their past, will she be able to put trust in Ricco a shadow rider who is being blamed for a brutal act? Who to believe, the family who took her and her younger brother in or Ricco who seems to look at her and see something more, more than anyone, including herself has ever seen.
What I truly love about this series is the absolute sense of family ties for the Ferraro clan, from the siblings to the cousins and the ties to the neighborhood and how they all matter. The respect they all have for Stefano and the love he clearly feels for his brothers and sister.
Ricco has been carrying a dark secret his entire adult life, one he finally has to share with Stefano and his family. He has done everything he can to try and protect them from something that happened when he was a 14 year old sent far from home to train in Japan. Forces are coming together to try and eliminate them or is it just Ricco? Enter Mariko, a woman of mystery, one who has her own demons to get through. Will she and Ricco be able to work together to get beyond their past, will she be able to put trust in Ricco a shadow rider who is being blamed for a brutal act? Who to believe, the family who took her and her younger brother in or Ricco who seems to look at her and see something more, more than anyone, including herself has ever seen.
September 12, 2022
If there is one thing I have realized about Christine Feehan's writing is that she knows how to unite characters with ties that bind and a code of honor that forms from those bonds. Her new Shadow Series is no exception, in fact I believe it delivers the strongest example of this skill.
Book 2, Shadow Reaper, expands our knowledge of the shadow riders and the dynamics of the Ferraro family. It is Ricco's story. We learn of his dark past, and an incident that can break or strengthen the family. Ricco's struggle comes to a head as a danger to his family grows. To save them, he can no longer keep his secret. To save himself he must trust in his destiny. Mariko comes to him bringing the dark parts of his past to light. Just because you know your destiny does not mean it's easy to accept it. Can the two build a trust and acceptance that will grow to love? Again Christine does an amazing heart tugging job weaving this part of the story together as turmoil and danger are faced by them and the Ferraro Family. They grow along with secondary characters so readers close the book happy and also aching to know what comes next for everyone.
Book 2, Shadow Reaper, expands our knowledge of the shadow riders and the dynamics of the Ferraro family. It is Ricco's story. We learn of his dark past, and an incident that can break or strengthen the family. Ricco's struggle comes to a head as a danger to his family grows. To save them, he can no longer keep his secret. To save himself he must trust in his destiny. Mariko comes to him bringing the dark parts of his past to light. Just because you know your destiny does not mean it's easy to accept it. Can the two build a trust and acceptance that will grow to love? Again Christine does an amazing heart tugging job weaving this part of the story together as turmoil and danger are faced by them and the Ferraro Family. They grow along with secondary characters so readers close the book happy and also aching to know what comes next for everyone.
May 30, 2017
✦Review & Giveaway: SHADOW REAPER (Shadow Riders Series, Book 2) by Christine Feehan http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-8RS
►Enter Facebook Giveaway (Paperback Copy of SHADOW REAPER) ➢ http://bit.ly/2qjlFcI
Publication Date: May 30, 2017
Genre: Romantic Suspense/ Paranormal Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 5 Stars
Wow! I loved this installment in the Shadow Riders series. It started fast and never let me up for air. Wild, heart thumping action; tempered with a sensual and hot romance. Ricco is a hard man to describe, there were so many enticing layers to him. I liked Mariko from the start. Strong, intelligent and loyal. She had so many obstacles in her life, yet she wasn’t bogged down by them. I really wanted them both to be happy, so they could go on enjoying that big family of his. I like how the Ferraros banter, then get down to scary business. I think this is one book that I’ll be reading again, just so I can get psyched up for the next one.
*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.
~*~*~*~
Kindle $7.99 http://amzn.to/2nUK2uX
✦Check out Book 1: SHADOW RIDER (The Shadow Riders Series, Book 1) by Christine Feehan
Review 5 Stars: http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-5yq | Kindle http://amzn.to/1QUqzAy
►Enter Facebook Giveaway (Paperback Copy of SHADOW REAPER) ➢ http://bit.ly/2qjlFcI
Publication Date: May 30, 2017
Genre: Romantic Suspense/ Paranormal Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 5 Stars
Wow! I loved this installment in the Shadow Riders series. It started fast and never let me up for air. Wild, heart thumping action; tempered with a sensual and hot romance. Ricco is a hard man to describe, there were so many enticing layers to him. I liked Mariko from the start. Strong, intelligent and loyal. She had so many obstacles in her life, yet she wasn’t bogged down by them. I really wanted them both to be happy, so they could go on enjoying that big family of his. I like how the Ferraros banter, then get down to scary business. I think this is one book that I’ll be reading again, just so I can get psyched up for the next one.
*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.
~*~*~*~
Kindle $7.99 http://amzn.to/2nUK2uX
✦Check out Book 1: SHADOW RIDER (The Shadow Riders Series, Book 1) by Christine Feehan
Review 5 Stars: http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-5yq | Kindle http://amzn.to/1QUqzAy
August 12, 2017
Shadow Reaper (Shadow #2) by Christine Feehan
Author: Christine Feehan
Title: Shadow Reaper
Series: Shadow
Cover Rating:
Book Rating:
Buy This Book:
Billionaire playboy Ricco Ferraro knows no other life. Being a shadow rider is in his blood - but so is a haunting desperation stemming from the secrets of his dark past. His recklessness puts not only his life at risk, but also the future of his entire family. To save them all, he must find a woman who can meet his every desire with a heat all her own...Just when Ricco has given up hope, he meets her - a mysterious woman whose shadow connects with his. She's someone looking for a safe haven from the danger that has stalked her over the last several months. In Ricco's embrace, she finds one. But the darkness in which they so often find sanctuary can also consume them.
I always know when I'm reading a Christine Feehan novel, the characters always come from a traumatic past, they've been victims, they have serious complex issues, the men are mirror images of eachother and the women are always doubly emotional creatures dependent on the love from the men who are obsessed with them and its almost always instant love from the get go and the entire story revolves around them having sex while the rest of the plot simply takes place.
Shadow Reaper was fairly good and felt much like coming home with Feehan's typical formula so I kind of enjoyed it although as the second book in the shadow series it wasn't as good as the first one which kind of bummed me out considering how much I was looking forward to reading Mariko's story. I was hoping she would be just as strong willed as she was in the first book but she felt a little overly too sensitive and a little less independent this time around.
I do like the concept of how the riders use the shadows - I do wish we had spent a lot more time using them. I look forward to reading the next book in the series and hope our riders gain victory.
Until next time book lovers...
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley Publishing. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
If any of Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews has been helpful please stop by to like my post or leave a comment to let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!
Thank you so much for stopping by!
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Author: Christine Feehan
Title: Shadow Reaper
Series: Shadow
Cover Rating:
Book Rating:
Buy This Book:
Billionaire playboy Ricco Ferraro knows no other life. Being a shadow rider is in his blood - but so is a haunting desperation stemming from the secrets of his dark past. His recklessness puts not only his life at risk, but also the future of his entire family. To save them all, he must find a woman who can meet his every desire with a heat all her own...Just when Ricco has given up hope, he meets her - a mysterious woman whose shadow connects with his. She's someone looking for a safe haven from the danger that has stalked her over the last several months. In Ricco's embrace, she finds one. But the darkness in which they so often find sanctuary can also consume them.
I always know when I'm reading a Christine Feehan novel, the characters always come from a traumatic past, they've been victims, they have serious complex issues, the men are mirror images of eachother and the women are always doubly emotional creatures dependent on the love from the men who are obsessed with them and its almost always instant love from the get go and the entire story revolves around them having sex while the rest of the plot simply takes place.
Shadow Reaper was fairly good and felt much like coming home with Feehan's typical formula so I kind of enjoyed it although as the second book in the shadow series it wasn't as good as the first one which kind of bummed me out considering how much I was looking forward to reading Mariko's story. I was hoping she would be just as strong willed as she was in the first book but she felt a little overly too sensitive and a little less independent this time around.
I do like the concept of how the riders use the shadows - I do wish we had spent a lot more time using them. I look forward to reading the next book in the series and hope our riders gain victory.
Until next time book lovers...
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley Publishing. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
If any of Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews has been helpful please stop by to like my post or leave a comment to let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews has a QR code for your phone!
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May 24, 2017
I am really loving the Shadow Rider series, which is the newest series from Ms. Feehan. This is the second book in a series that looks to span the entire family (a book for each of 5 siblings, at a minimum). The first book, Shadow Rider, was a wonderful introduction to the family members and the shadow riding concept. What I really loved about this second book is that we got a much deeper look into the global shadow rider community and the size of it, the rules of and players in that community, and a glimpse into the internal workings of that community overall. It really added to the arc of Ricco's story line to understand more about the shadow rider community at large. The action is fast paced in this book, and the love story is beautiful and fully evolved. We also get some wonderful hints for what's to come for the single siblings! As per the usual, Feehan leaves me desperately awaiting the NEXT release. :)
June 6, 2017
Very disappointed 2 stars from me
I loved the first book, but this one was so difficult to finish. I felt no connection to the H/h and the Shibari theme did not interest me at all.
With Feehan's writing style, you have to be fully invested in the story to finish. If you're not, it's gonna drag on forever. Her novels are long and intricately worded and I admit I don't read 2 Feehan novels right after the other; I just don't have the energy for it.
This made me sad because I was looking forward to this one so much since I enjoyed Stefano & Francesca's story a lot.
Hopefully the next one will be better.
I loved the first book, but this one was so difficult to finish. I felt no connection to the H/h and the Shibari theme did not interest me at all.
With Feehan's writing style, you have to be fully invested in the story to finish. If you're not, it's gonna drag on forever. Her novels are long and intricately worded and I admit I don't read 2 Feehan novels right after the other; I just don't have the energy for it.
This made me sad because I was looking forward to this one so much since I enjoyed Stefano & Francesca's story a lot.
Hopefully the next one will be better.
March 31, 2017
I enjoyed the first book more. This one was slower paced and didn't hold my attention as much. I really like the Ferraro family, along with their neighborhood. I liked the heroine and her backstory, but the romance wasn't as exciting.
June 3, 2017
3.5 Stars
I skipped most of the Shibari scenes because... no interest.
The action scenes in the book are very good.
If there is another one, I will read it.
I skipped most of the Shibari scenes because... no interest.
The action scenes in the book are very good.
If there is another one, I will read it.
June 4, 2017
4.25 stars—
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 30, 2017
Billionaire playboy Ricco Ferraro knows no other life. Being a shadow rider is in his blood - but so is a haunting desperation stemming from the secrets of his dark past. His recklessness puts not only his life at risk, but also the future of his entire family. To save them all, he must find a woman who can meet his every desire with a heat all her own...
Just when Ricco has given up hope, he meets her - a mysterious woman whose shadow connects with his. She's someone looking for a safe haven from the danger that has stalked her over the last several months. In Ricco's embrace, she finds one. But the darkness in which they so often find sanctuary can also consume them
••••••
REVIEW: 4.25 stars--SHADOW REAPER is the second installment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult SHADOW paranormal, romance series focusing on the Ferraro family-a Chicago crime family that uses ‘shadows’ to move about in secret. This is Ricco Ferraro, and Mariko Majo’s story line. SHADOW REAPER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
NOTE: Shadow Reaper contains scenes of graphic violence that may not be suitable for all readers.
Told from several third person perspectives including Ricco and Mariko SHADOW REAPER focuses on betrayal and revenge, as it follows the building relationship between billionaire playboy and shadow rider Ricco Ferraro, and Mariko Majo-a woman whose past is mired in blood and death. The darkness in Ricco is closing in, and our hero is desperate to find the one woman to calm his soul. Ricco is a master in the art of Shibari rope play and hopes to find a ‘rope model’ that is worthy of his ministrations and strengths. Enter Mariko Majo, a shadow rider, but also a woman from a long line of woman who have also modeled for the art of rope. What ensues is the fated romance between Mariko and Ricco, and the search for the people targeting the Ferraro family for sins of the past.
SHADOW REAPER is a story about one woman’s search for the truth, and one family’s battle with ghosts from the past. The Ferraro family is a well-respected Chicago crime family who take care of their own but when the entire family is targeted, not everyone will survive to see retribution and revenge.
Christine Feehan’s SHADOW series is similar in context to her Dark (Carpathian) series in that the male must find his mate-a woman who is capable of riding the shadows-or at the very least with the ability to bear children with the shadow riding gene. SHADOW REAPER contains scenes of graphic violence, blood shed and death; the $ex scenes are limited but long and intense although there are numerous sexual situations including the erotic art of Shibari rope play that is both sensual and seductive.
There are a large number of secondary and supporting characters including all of the Ferraro siblings, their extended family of cousins and relations, as well as an assortment of international shadow riding clans from Europe, Asia and Russia. The requisite evil has many faces and is very familiar to our story line couple.
SHADOW REAPER is an intense story of betrayal and revenge; family and blood; revelation and retribution. The premise is inventive and captivating; the characters are animated, colorful and dramatic; the romance is fated, passionate and energetic. Christine Feehan has created a sultry world of shadows and the supernatural where one family is bound by honor and code.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 30, 2017
Billionaire playboy Ricco Ferraro knows no other life. Being a shadow rider is in his blood - but so is a haunting desperation stemming from the secrets of his dark past. His recklessness puts not only his life at risk, but also the future of his entire family. To save them all, he must find a woman who can meet his every desire with a heat all her own...
Just when Ricco has given up hope, he meets her - a mysterious woman whose shadow connects with his. She's someone looking for a safe haven from the danger that has stalked her over the last several months. In Ricco's embrace, she finds one. But the darkness in which they so often find sanctuary can also consume them
••••••
REVIEW: 4.25 stars--SHADOW REAPER is the second installment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult SHADOW paranormal, romance series focusing on the Ferraro family-a Chicago crime family that uses ‘shadows’ to move about in secret. This is Ricco Ferraro, and Mariko Majo’s story line. SHADOW REAPER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
NOTE: Shadow Reaper contains scenes of graphic violence that may not be suitable for all readers.
Told from several third person perspectives including Ricco and Mariko SHADOW REAPER focuses on betrayal and revenge, as it follows the building relationship between billionaire playboy and shadow rider Ricco Ferraro, and Mariko Majo-a woman whose past is mired in blood and death. The darkness in Ricco is closing in, and our hero is desperate to find the one woman to calm his soul. Ricco is a master in the art of Shibari rope play and hopes to find a ‘rope model’ that is worthy of his ministrations and strengths. Enter Mariko Majo, a shadow rider, but also a woman from a long line of woman who have also modeled for the art of rope. What ensues is the fated romance between Mariko and Ricco, and the search for the people targeting the Ferraro family for sins of the past.
SHADOW REAPER is a story about one woman’s search for the truth, and one family’s battle with ghosts from the past. The Ferraro family is a well-respected Chicago crime family who take care of their own but when the entire family is targeted, not everyone will survive to see retribution and revenge.
Christine Feehan’s SHADOW series is similar in context to her Dark (Carpathian) series in that the male must find his mate-a woman who is capable of riding the shadows-or at the very least with the ability to bear children with the shadow riding gene. SHADOW REAPER contains scenes of graphic violence, blood shed and death; the $ex scenes are limited but long and intense although there are numerous sexual situations including the erotic art of Shibari rope play that is both sensual and seductive.
There are a large number of secondary and supporting characters including all of the Ferraro siblings, their extended family of cousins and relations, as well as an assortment of international shadow riding clans from Europe, Asia and Russia. The requisite evil has many faces and is very familiar to our story line couple.
SHADOW REAPER is an intense story of betrayal and revenge; family and blood; revelation and retribution. The premise is inventive and captivating; the characters are animated, colorful and dramatic; the romance is fated, passionate and energetic. Christine Feehan has created a sultry world of shadows and the supernatural where one family is bound by honor and code.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
February 24, 2018
"I’ll stand in front of you, beside you or watch your back."
May 30, 2017
Shadow Reaper by Christine Feehan is the 2nd book in her fantastic Shadow Riders series. Having read just about everything by Christine Feehan, I am amazed that this series is quickly becoming my favorite. I love the first book, Shadow Rider, and I must say that Shadow Reaper was equally great. I am loving every moment of this series. Now to my review. 🙂
A quick refresher on Shadow Riders:. Shadow riders have the ability to blend themselves to the shadows wherever they are, making themselves invisible to anyone. The Ferraro family run a legitmate business, live and protect the town where they live, and use their ability to help others in need to solve various problems and dispense justice
In Shadow Reaper, Ricco Ferraro is our hero, and at the start, his family (they are all elite shadow riders), are watching over him in the hospital. Ricco, who had a violent crash, which almost cost him his life, was determined to go home to recuperate. But his family, especially Stefano, the leader of the family, know Ricco has been reckless, and they suspect he is hiding a terrible secret. It will take Ricco, to see how happy Stefano is with Francesca, and know that he needs to find a woman who is capable of mating with a shadow rider, which will bring him out of the darkness that consumes him.
We meet Mariko, when she applies to be a rope model (shibari) for Ricco, who when interviewing her sees she is also a shadow rider. Ricco knows that the innocent persona presented by Mariko is hiding that she is there to kill him. Mariko has had a difficult life, and we learn early that she has been ordered to kill Ricco. But someone else is also plotting against Ricco and the entire Ferraro family, which becomes a major mystery throughout the story. Mariko will find herself attracted to Ricco, and knows he is a good man, which enables her to tell him the truth. The family will stand by Ricco and Mariko as the danger escalates for all of them. Slowly Mariko begins to feel like part of the family, and wants to help them fight off the enemy.
The romance between Ricco and Mariko was scorching hot, with even the rope modeling being very steamy & intense. Besides the sensual romance, the overall story line was very exciting. I loved seeing all the Ferraro’s work and bond together to fight their enemy, with many of them becoming injured. They are a powerful team, but they are all so much fun to spend time with. What I also love about this close-knit family is their loyalty, protection and care giving to their surrounding townsfolk. It will be Stefano & Ricco who will bring in other Shadow riders to help find the one behind the attacks, and it is a surprise ending as to who is behind this.
Shadow Reaper was such a fantastic story; nonstop action, suspenseful, steamy romance, great couple, awesome family and very exciting. As I have said before, this series has become one of my favorite series by Christine Feehan very quickly.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
A quick refresher on Shadow Riders:. Shadow riders have the ability to blend themselves to the shadows wherever they are, making themselves invisible to anyone. The Ferraro family run a legitmate business, live and protect the town where they live, and use their ability to help others in need to solve various problems and dispense justice
In Shadow Reaper, Ricco Ferraro is our hero, and at the start, his family (they are all elite shadow riders), are watching over him in the hospital. Ricco, who had a violent crash, which almost cost him his life, was determined to go home to recuperate. But his family, especially Stefano, the leader of the family, know Ricco has been reckless, and they suspect he is hiding a terrible secret. It will take Ricco, to see how happy Stefano is with Francesca, and know that he needs to find a woman who is capable of mating with a shadow rider, which will bring him out of the darkness that consumes him.
We meet Mariko, when she applies to be a rope model (shibari) for Ricco, who when interviewing her sees she is also a shadow rider. Ricco knows that the innocent persona presented by Mariko is hiding that she is there to kill him. Mariko has had a difficult life, and we learn early that she has been ordered to kill Ricco. But someone else is also plotting against Ricco and the entire Ferraro family, which becomes a major mystery throughout the story. Mariko will find herself attracted to Ricco, and knows he is a good man, which enables her to tell him the truth. The family will stand by Ricco and Mariko as the danger escalates for all of them. Slowly Mariko begins to feel like part of the family, and wants to help them fight off the enemy.
The romance between Ricco and Mariko was scorching hot, with even the rope modeling being very steamy & intense. Besides the sensual romance, the overall story line was very exciting. I loved seeing all the Ferraro’s work and bond together to fight their enemy, with many of them becoming injured. They are a powerful team, but they are all so much fun to spend time with. What I also love about this close-knit family is their loyalty, protection and care giving to their surrounding townsfolk. It will be Stefano & Ricco who will bring in other Shadow riders to help find the one behind the attacks, and it is a surprise ending as to who is behind this.
Shadow Reaper was such a fantastic story; nonstop action, suspenseful, steamy romance, great couple, awesome family and very exciting. As I have said before, this series has become one of my favorite series by Christine Feehan very quickly.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
June 2, 2017
I know I am the odd man out on Shadow Reaper. There are so many 4 & 5 star reviews but I am sorry Shadow Reaper is a total failure in my opinion. For the last 3 or 4 years The Queen of Paranormal Romance Christine Feehan has been a Hit Or Miss. This was a Miss. She spent to much time on outlandish fight action scenes instead of equalizing it with romantic scenes between Ricco Ferraro and Mariko Majo/Tanakas. Ok I am not interested in reading about rope tying what the heck is this, just a fancy way of describing sexual bondage? Oh don't get me started with the repetition verses in this story. CF says the same thing over and over just in a different ways. There has to be 50 plus characters names you have to remember, either Italian or Japanese names which she uses to fill up her word count.
I am sorry to all my many Feehan friends out there but this is a terrible story!! but I am glad you liked it. For those of you who know me. You know I call it as I read it. I don't think this is the series for me. I can't see myself reading Nicolette's story. I am sick of heroines who have been repeatedly gang raped and beaten. In this case Nicolette by her 3 step uncles. She has beaten and raped everyday by them for 2 years!! I Cannot Not Recommend this series. But I love Christine Feehans Dark series, GhostWalker series and her Leopard series. I will just stick with those series. Sometimes an author can write to many series and loose there way!
I am sorry to all my many Feehan friends out there but this is a terrible story!! but I am glad you liked it. For those of you who know me. You know I call it as I read it. I don't think this is the series for me. I can't see myself reading Nicolette's story. I am sick of heroines who have been repeatedly gang raped and beaten. In this case Nicolette by her 3 step uncles. She has beaten and raped everyday by them for 2 years!! I Cannot Not Recommend this series. But I love Christine Feehans Dark series, GhostWalker series and her Leopard series. I will just stick with those series. Sometimes an author can write to many series and loose there way!
April 24, 2019
This book spent so much time exploring Asian erotica that it completely lost the actual story - what there was of it. 2/3 sex, 1/3 story rather than the other way around just isn’t my cuppa.
June 12, 2017
Shadow Reaper is the second book in The Shadow Riders series. This is Ricco's story. He's been hiding a secret for many years about his time in Japan. Each Rider, at some point during their young life, is sent somewhere to train for a few years while living with a host family. Ricco spent some years from about the age of twelve, training in Japan. The incoming Riders and female Riders were not treated well by the instructors or other children. Then there comes a night where Ricco's life comes crashing down around him. The incident caused the instructors and their families to threaten Ricco with the death of his family if he ever reveals the truth of what happened that night. So Ricco went home after his time was up, and did everything he could to not only keep the secret, but to keep his family members from being attacked. During his time in Japan, he was taught the skill of Shibari, or rope tying. He finds it helps relax him. After a crazy accident with his car, Ricco decides he is going to hire a rope model and really get into his hobby. Maybe even produce a book of his art. What he really wants is to meet someone he can be with. He wants what Stefano and Francesca have.
Mariko needs this job as a rope model. She has arrived in Chicago with a mission and this job will give her the access she needs. Mariko is honorable and will do her own investigation before actually performing the task given her. It leaves her with a very hard choice between her morals and her family. Her choice gets made pretty early on and her true reason for applying for the job of rope model gets revealed to Ricco and the family.
However, Mariko is not the only person that has been sent to destroy the Ferraro family. They are attacked, each family member at the same time. The main members of the Chicago Ferraro family are descended upon and not all survive.
I fell in love with Ricco. He is so patient and protective. He carried around so much guilt for something he just couldn't have prevented. It maddened me that it took awhile for it to sink into him that although he didn't do things that night in the past, he was still a hero for what he accomplished. I love that even though Ricco and Mariko feel a strong connection when their shadows meet, they didn't just fall into bed. Ricco was so aware of what Mariko was thinking and feeling that he didn't push. He took things slow, trying out the Shibari slowly with her.
Mariko had such a low self-esteem and Ricco had to really work on that. It drove him crazy. But Mariko, being the strong, determined Rider she is, really stepped up and put a boatload of trust into Ricco. Being a rope model puts her in a pretty vulnerable position, but Mariko really starts to flourish.
Sometimes I felt like the Shibari scenes were kind of slow reading for me. They almost felt like too much information, but I think that was meant so we could understand the art. The action scenes were fast paced as the family gets attacked and I sped through trying to make sure everyone was alright. That trailer showing a Ferraro tombstone had me scared to death so I was just waiting for the awful deed to find out who it was. I love how kick-ass Mariko is and how she helps out Ricco during the attack on him.
I'm still curious about Nicola and how they are going to train her. I hope we get to see her heal more and become more trusting of the Ferraros. She is still being hunted, so I'm hoping the family gets her into some kind of training, even if she can't use the shadows she should have been trained to use since she was a toddler.
I really enjoyed Shadow Reaper and can't wait for more. The build up of the romance, despite how frustrating Mariko was about it sometimes, was nice and the action was fast paced and breath stealing. Shadow Riders are a different kind of supernatural and the skills they have are truly unique. Shadow Reaper is a great read and if you haven't given this series a try yet, I strongly urge you to.
The Excerpt
She had the strangest need, almost a compulsion, to shield Ricco from his brother’s scrutiny. From all of them. She sensed he detested appearing weak in front of anyone, but especially his family. He didn’t relax; if anything, he became much more tense. She moved closer to him, not understanding her need to shield him, but determined to do so all the same.
From the back, a woman hurried into the room. She was dressed in the same pin-striped suit her brothers were wearing, and there was no mistaking she was Emmanuelle Ferraro. She was absolutely gorgeous with her blue eyes and her thick dark hair. “Ricco!” She rushed right up to him and flung her arms around him, practically dragging him out of the chair. There were genuine tears in her eyes.
“I’m all right, Emmanuelle. A little truck can’t hurt me,” he assured
“No, but the fall on top of your car going into a wall might,” she objected. She hugged him again.
Mariko wanted to tell her that just touching him had to hurt him, but she kept silent, wondering when the last time she hugged her brother had been. Had she ever showed him the love she felt? Told him? She’d let Osamu Saito stamp out every joy in her, every bit of personality. As she’d grown, she moved through life in silence, hoping not to be noticed, afraid of drawing attention to herself.
She was big. Clumsy. Ugly. She’d brought shame on her family with her American looks and her undisciplined passion that clearly meant she followed in the footsteps of her whore of a mother.
She was surrounded by Ferraros. They were shadow riders. Americans. Their reputation was impeccable. They weren’t considered undisciplined; they were almost revered. They freely showed affection to one another, and concern. It was clear they loved one another. She couldn’t imagine that they would go very long without expressing that love. She loved her brother—loved him with everything in her—yet she couldn’t remember telling him, not since they were very little and she’d whisper it to him, afraid of being overheard.
Suddenly she could barely breathe. She was always calm, yet now, in the face of the knowledge that she might never find her brother, never be able to tell him that she cared, she couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t find a way to catch her breath. She wasn’t being fair to Ricco, contemplating killing him when she knew she never would. He was too good of a man. But she’d come with the vague idea that she might and now she was using him to hide while she figured out her next move. That wasn’t fair, either.
She’d tried to live a life of honor, but practically overnight she’d become the very person Osamu Saito had pounded into her night and day—that person she’d always told herself she wasn’t and could never be. Her throat closed and it seemed impossible to draw in air. Around her, the talk continued, the brothers reassuring themselves that Ricco, Lucia and Nicoletta were all right. They thanked Emilio and Enzo as well as her.
She felt a fraud. A terrible fraud. If they all knew that she had come to kill Ricco Ferraro, that she was willing to harm a fellow shadow rider, none of them would want to sit in the same room with her. She had to go. Right then. She knew the police were coming to question everyone, she heard the lawyer assuring them that the cameras in the street would have picked up the action. Still, she couldn’t stay. She had to leave.
She made one small move, a simple shifting of her feet. Ricco leaned back in his chair and wrapped his arm around her, drawing her close to him. At the same time, his head turned until his mouth was close to her ear.
“Stay with me, Mariko. I want you to stay.”
The Trailer
The Shadow Riders series
This review was originally posted on Rantings of a Reading Addict
Mariko needs this job as a rope model. She has arrived in Chicago with a mission and this job will give her the access she needs. Mariko is honorable and will do her own investigation before actually performing the task given her. It leaves her with a very hard choice between her morals and her family. Her choice gets made pretty early on and her true reason for applying for the job of rope model gets revealed to Ricco and the family.
However, Mariko is not the only person that has been sent to destroy the Ferraro family. They are attacked, each family member at the same time. The main members of the Chicago Ferraro family are descended upon and not all survive.
I fell in love with Ricco. He is so patient and protective. He carried around so much guilt for something he just couldn't have prevented. It maddened me that it took awhile for it to sink into him that although he didn't do things that night in the past, he was still a hero for what he accomplished. I love that even though Ricco and Mariko feel a strong connection when their shadows meet, they didn't just fall into bed. Ricco was so aware of what Mariko was thinking and feeling that he didn't push. He took things slow, trying out the Shibari slowly with her.
Mariko had such a low self-esteem and Ricco had to really work on that. It drove him crazy. But Mariko, being the strong, determined Rider she is, really stepped up and put a boatload of trust into Ricco. Being a rope model puts her in a pretty vulnerable position, but Mariko really starts to flourish.
Sometimes I felt like the Shibari scenes were kind of slow reading for me. They almost felt like too much information, but I think that was meant so we could understand the art. The action scenes were fast paced as the family gets attacked and I sped through trying to make sure everyone was alright. That trailer showing a Ferraro tombstone had me scared to death so I was just waiting for the awful deed to find out who it was. I love how kick-ass Mariko is and how she helps out Ricco during the attack on him.
I'm still curious about Nicola and how they are going to train her. I hope we get to see her heal more and become more trusting of the Ferraros. She is still being hunted, so I'm hoping the family gets her into some kind of training, even if she can't use the shadows she should have been trained to use since she was a toddler.
I really enjoyed Shadow Reaper and can't wait for more. The build up of the romance, despite how frustrating Mariko was about it sometimes, was nice and the action was fast paced and breath stealing. Shadow Riders are a different kind of supernatural and the skills they have are truly unique. Shadow Reaper is a great read and if you haven't given this series a try yet, I strongly urge you to.
The Excerpt
She had the strangest need, almost a compulsion, to shield Ricco from his brother’s scrutiny. From all of them. She sensed he detested appearing weak in front of anyone, but especially his family. He didn’t relax; if anything, he became much more tense. She moved closer to him, not understanding her need to shield him, but determined to do so all the same.
From the back, a woman hurried into the room. She was dressed in the same pin-striped suit her brothers were wearing, and there was no mistaking she was Emmanuelle Ferraro. She was absolutely gorgeous with her blue eyes and her thick dark hair. “Ricco!” She rushed right up to him and flung her arms around him, practically dragging him out of the chair. There were genuine tears in her eyes.
“I’m all right, Emmanuelle. A little truck can’t hurt me,” he assured
“No, but the fall on top of your car going into a wall might,” she objected. She hugged him again.
Mariko wanted to tell her that just touching him had to hurt him, but she kept silent, wondering when the last time she hugged her brother had been. Had she ever showed him the love she felt? Told him? She’d let Osamu Saito stamp out every joy in her, every bit of personality. As she’d grown, she moved through life in silence, hoping not to be noticed, afraid of drawing attention to herself.
She was big. Clumsy. Ugly. She’d brought shame on her family with her American looks and her undisciplined passion that clearly meant she followed in the footsteps of her whore of a mother.
She was surrounded by Ferraros. They were shadow riders. Americans. Their reputation was impeccable. They weren’t considered undisciplined; they were almost revered. They freely showed affection to one another, and concern. It was clear they loved one another. She couldn’t imagine that they would go very long without expressing that love. She loved her brother—loved him with everything in her—yet she couldn’t remember telling him, not since they were very little and she’d whisper it to him, afraid of being overheard.
Suddenly she could barely breathe. She was always calm, yet now, in the face of the knowledge that she might never find her brother, never be able to tell him that she cared, she couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t find a way to catch her breath. She wasn’t being fair to Ricco, contemplating killing him when she knew she never would. He was too good of a man. But she’d come with the vague idea that she might and now she was using him to hide while she figured out her next move. That wasn’t fair, either.
She’d tried to live a life of honor, but practically overnight she’d become the very person Osamu Saito had pounded into her night and day—that person she’d always told herself she wasn’t and could never be. Her throat closed and it seemed impossible to draw in air. Around her, the talk continued, the brothers reassuring themselves that Ricco, Lucia and Nicoletta were all right. They thanked Emilio and Enzo as well as her.
She felt a fraud. A terrible fraud. If they all knew that she had come to kill Ricco Ferraro, that she was willing to harm a fellow shadow rider, none of them would want to sit in the same room with her. She had to go. Right then. She knew the police were coming to question everyone, she heard the lawyer assuring them that the cameras in the street would have picked up the action. Still, she couldn’t stay. She had to leave.
She made one small move, a simple shifting of her feet. Ricco leaned back in his chair and wrapped his arm around her, drawing her close to him. At the same time, his head turned until his mouth was close to her ear.
“Stay with me, Mariko. I want you to stay.”
Posted by arrangement with Berkley Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © Christine Feehan, 2017.
The Trailer
The Shadow Riders series
July 1, 2017
The world that the author has created is definitely an interesting one. This is the second book in the Shadow Riders series and it's just as entertaining as the first. In this installment we get Ricco's and Mariko's story. Ricco is perceived as a billionaire playboy in the media. He always has a new girl on his arm every time he's spotted. His family is viewed as some sort of mob, and to a degree they kind of are. They are shadow riders and they take their job very seriously. They seek justice for those who require it. People come to them for help, and they travel through the shadows in order to serve justice. The whole concept definitely adds something new to the table of paranormal romances.
Mariko is a character that we didn't get a chance to meet in the previous book. Which we do get to see all of the previous characters that were introduced in the first book, Mariko is a new member to the series and therefor she is brought up to speed on who is who. So, I suppose you could read this book even if the first book doesn't appeal to you because the author explains some of the main characters for you. As for Mariko, even though she is new to us, she is not necessarily new to Ricco. I don't want to give anything away but lets just say that it's not your typical jilted love.
Due to these two characters history and their intertwined pasts, the story went well past what I was expecting. I thought we would get your typical damsel in distress, superhero alpha, and some insta-love. What I wasn't expecting was a kick-ass heroine who I think took out more people than the hero did. I mean, there's a scene in this novel where Mariko is jumping through shadows, popping out, and snapping guys necks like a boss. She comes off as this beaten down meek little thing but man, with her, looks are deceiving.
Shadow Reaper wasn't anything that I expected. The relationship between the two was a lot deeper than I thought it was going to be. The fight scenes seemed more intense than the last book. Plus, the villain was not someone I saw coming. If you're looking for a darker paranormal romance than I would recommend giving this series a try.
Mariko is a character that we didn't get a chance to meet in the previous book. Which we do get to see all of the previous characters that were introduced in the first book, Mariko is a new member to the series and therefor she is brought up to speed on who is who. So, I suppose you could read this book even if the first book doesn't appeal to you because the author explains some of the main characters for you. As for Mariko, even though she is new to us, she is not necessarily new to Ricco. I don't want to give anything away but lets just say that it's not your typical jilted love.
Due to these two characters history and their intertwined pasts, the story went well past what I was expecting. I thought we would get your typical damsel in distress, superhero alpha, and some insta-love. What I wasn't expecting was a kick-ass heroine who I think took out more people than the hero did. I mean, there's a scene in this novel where Mariko is jumping through shadows, popping out, and snapping guys necks like a boss. She comes off as this beaten down meek little thing but man, with her, looks are deceiving.
Shadow Reaper wasn't anything that I expected. The relationship between the two was a lot deeper than I thought it was going to be. The fight scenes seemed more intense than the last book. Plus, the villain was not someone I saw coming. If you're looking for a darker paranormal romance than I would recommend giving this series a try.
June 29, 2017
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.
With SHADOW REAPER, Feehan has managed to improve a series I already enjoyed. The part I liked, the sexy and dark vibe, was maintained, but the main characters felt more realistic and not so over-the-top. Also, the very original world continues to grow, and I find myself looking forward to all of the Ferraro siblings' stories!
Ricco was sweet and definitely a dominant character, but without the ridiculous levels of stubborn and bossy that characterized Stefano in the previous book. Mariko is completely different from Francesca's more submissive personality and she is a handful. She's got the shadow rider skills to match Ricco, but she lets herself be tied up by him. She's an enigma and a very interesting character. While Ricco's transition from playboy to crazy-in-love doting boyfriend was a little bit of a stretch, and the instalove he feels for Marik0 is mildly annoying, the development of their relationship outside of that is lovely to watch, as they get more comfortable with each other and learn more about each other.
While the storyline was a bit crazy, it kept me on the edge of my seat, with a twist I didn't see coming until the end! We learn more about the shadow rider world, and a little bit more about the various families, which is interesting. Plus, we learn what happened to Ricco in Japan, which was only hinted at in SHADOW RIDER. One aspect of the plot line, Ricco's interest in shibari and Marik0's desire to be a model for him, was really cool, as that is not something we frequently see in paranormal romance novels and it added a very sexy edge to the relationship.
All in all, SHADOW REAPER is a great second installment in the Shadow series. I devoured this dark, suspenseful novel, and I can't wait to read more about the Ferraro family.
Sexual content: Explicit sex scenes
With SHADOW REAPER, Feehan has managed to improve a series I already enjoyed. The part I liked, the sexy and dark vibe, was maintained, but the main characters felt more realistic and not so over-the-top. Also, the very original world continues to grow, and I find myself looking forward to all of the Ferraro siblings' stories!
Ricco was sweet and definitely a dominant character, but without the ridiculous levels of stubborn and bossy that characterized Stefano in the previous book. Mariko is completely different from Francesca's more submissive personality and she is a handful. She's got the shadow rider skills to match Ricco, but she lets herself be tied up by him. She's an enigma and a very interesting character. While Ricco's transition from playboy to crazy-in-love doting boyfriend was a little bit of a stretch, and the instalove he feels for Marik0 is mildly annoying, the development of their relationship outside of that is lovely to watch, as they get more comfortable with each other and learn more about each other.
While the storyline was a bit crazy, it kept me on the edge of my seat, with a twist I didn't see coming until the end! We learn more about the shadow rider world, and a little bit more about the various families, which is interesting. Plus, we learn what happened to Ricco in Japan, which was only hinted at in SHADOW RIDER. One aspect of the plot line, Ricco's interest in shibari and Marik0's desire to be a model for him, was really cool, as that is not something we frequently see in paranormal romance novels and it added a very sexy edge to the relationship.
All in all, SHADOW REAPER is a great second installment in the Shadow series. I devoured this dark, suspenseful novel, and I can't wait to read more about the Ferraro family.
Sexual content: Explicit sex scenes
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December 31, 2021Yok... Ben arka arkaya okuyamam bu seriyi... 5 ve 6. kitabı merak ediyordum ama kendimi bile bile de kurban edemem. 🤷🏻♀️
Hikayeye dair yorum bile yapmayacağım. Sorun bende miydi yoksa hikayede mi çözemedim. Çelişkili yerler vardı. Orjinal dilde olmasa, günümüzün popüler akımına uyup çeviri hatası derdim ama o da değil 🤭🤭
Aile bağları iyiydi ama onun dışında çok gerekli bir seri değil. Tarzıma da pek uymadı. Meraktan son kitaba üstünkörü bakarım belki.
Hikayeye dair yorum bile yapmayacağım. Sorun bende miydi yoksa hikayede mi çözemedim. Çelişkili yerler vardı. Orjinal dilde olmasa, günümüzün popüler akımına uyup çeviri hatası derdim ama o da değil 🤭🤭
Aile bağları iyiydi ama onun dışında çok gerekli bir seri değil. Tarzıma da pek uymadı. Meraktan son kitaba üstünkörü bakarım belki.
May 24, 2017
I loved this book from beginning to end. Christine Feehan has a unique way of drawing you in and capturing your attention. I could barely put this book down to sleep. It had me guessing and every time I thought I had it all figured out the characters threw something else at me.
Ricco was everything I thought he would be. Everyone thought he was a reckless playboy that only had eyes for fast women and fast cars but there was so much more to him. In book #1 (Shadow Rider) Stefano warns him of his ways and what might happen if he did meet the one woman that he was supposed to be with for the rest of his life. He has his secrets that he has keep from his family. As everything starts to come out that's when all hell breaks loose.
Mariko is perfect for Ricco. She is mysterious and in the beginning she had me guessing at every turn. I love her appearance of innocence and honesty. She gives something to Ricco that no one else can. She also has many secrets and there is also a mystery that she is unaware of.
I love this family. Once a Ferraro has taken you in they are going to protect you till the end. Stefano, of course, still serves as the head of the family and offers support to everyone even when they don't ask for it. The bothers are extremely protective and Emmanuelle is the sister that everyone wishes for. This family has made this neighborhood it's own community and they will protect everyone in it. This book has so many good scenes in it and a particularly good battle and I can't wait for the next installment.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ricco was everything I thought he would be. Everyone thought he was a reckless playboy that only had eyes for fast women and fast cars but there was so much more to him. In book #1 (Shadow Rider) Stefano warns him of his ways and what might happen if he did meet the one woman that he was supposed to be with for the rest of his life. He has his secrets that he has keep from his family. As everything starts to come out that's when all hell breaks loose.
Mariko is perfect for Ricco. She is mysterious and in the beginning she had me guessing at every turn. I love her appearance of innocence and honesty. She gives something to Ricco that no one else can. She also has many secrets and there is also a mystery that she is unaware of.
I love this family. Once a Ferraro has taken you in they are going to protect you till the end. Stefano, of course, still serves as the head of the family and offers support to everyone even when they don't ask for it. The bothers are extremely protective and Emmanuelle is the sister that everyone wishes for. This family has made this neighborhood it's own community and they will protect everyone in it. This book has so many good scenes in it and a particularly good battle and I can't wait for the next installment.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 22, 2017
For complete review check out my blog at https://booksaplentybookreviews.blogs...
June 12, 2017
Shadow Reaper billows with the erotic and tantalizing! Feehan delivers once again another intense story driven by intrigue and passion. Ricco's story takes the stratum of romance to new heights. Feehan weaves cultures and ethnicity with flare. The plot thickens in the series as we learn more about the powers the Ferraro family possess.
I can't wait for more!
I can't wait for more!
May 19, 2017
This is the second entry in the Shadow series and I truly think that it is necessary for you to read the first book in the series to know what is going on in this book. In fact, even though I read and truly enjoyed the first book, I wish that the author would have spent more time explaining the role of the Shadow Riders and their abilities. Instead, she left it to readers to remember everything from the first book. And frankly, if your an avid reader, you may have read lots of other books since that one. Although perhaps the author feared that the story would have simply been too long with the explanation of the Shadow Riders since it was well over 400 pages.
That said, this was still an enjoyable story featuring Shadow Riders, Ricco and Mariko, who may either be his salvation or his destruction. This book had plenty of action, at one point every member of the Ferraro family is under attack with no guarantees that any would survive. However, the action did not surpass the romance as Christine Feehan also brought Shibari into this novel. Definitely a strong entry into the Shadow Rider series as more of the back story of all of the Ferraro family was also included.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
That said, this was still an enjoyable story featuring Shadow Riders, Ricco and Mariko, who may either be his salvation or his destruction. This book had plenty of action, at one point every member of the Ferraro family is under attack with no guarantees that any would survive. However, the action did not surpass the romance as Christine Feehan also brought Shibari into this novel. Definitely a strong entry into the Shadow Rider series as more of the back story of all of the Ferraro family was also included.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
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