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Witches of London #2
Eagle's Shadow
What if the new love of your life also holds the keys to your past?
When Chicago journalist Tom Welsh meets British banker Sanders Templeton at a conference, Sanders insists they have a connection, though he does not know what it is. They’ve never met before—but the strangest thing is, Tom can also feel it.
Sanders Templeton is a highflier who has it all—the money, the lifestyle and a rare intellect. Only a few chosen people know that he also suffers excruciating pain since childhood, with no cure, a mystery to western medicine.
Sanders knows that meeting Tom may be the most significant event of his life. As their relationship deepens, they learn that this is not the first lifetime in which they’ve fallen for each other. This time, true love can be theirs if they find the courage to forgive.
This is a standalone novel in the Witches of London world.
When Chicago journalist Tom Welsh meets British banker Sanders Templeton at a conference, Sanders insists they have a connection, though he does not know what it is. They’ve never met before—but the strangest thing is, Tom can also feel it.
Sanders Templeton is a highflier who has it all—the money, the lifestyle and a rare intellect. Only a few chosen people know that he also suffers excruciating pain since childhood, with no cure, a mystery to western medicine.
Sanders knows that meeting Tom may be the most significant event of his life. As their relationship deepens, they learn that this is not the first lifetime in which they’ve fallen for each other. This time, true love can be theirs if they find the courage to forgive.
This is a standalone novel in the Witches of London world.
348 pages, ebook
First published February 4, 2017
19 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
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February 10, 2017Edit2: It's out! This is a standalone novel - it's all set in/around London and deals with "magick" and such.
Edit1: Somebody keeps changing the title. Please stop. The book is called "Witches of London - Eagle's Shadow", not "Eagle's Shadow", just like "Witches of London - Lars" is not called "Lars." Thanks!
Edit1: Somebody keeps changing the title. Please stop. The book is called "Witches of London - Eagle's Shadow", not "Eagle's Shadow", just like "Witches of London - Lars" is not called "Lars." Thanks!
January 12, 2017
Will review closer to the time of release. I guess it could be said that I'm a bit biased but that's honestly not the case here. I just absolutely adored this and all the while it destroyed me. Book hangover is extreme with this one but totally worth it.
And that cover?
And that cover?
February 6, 2017
First of all, if anyone wants to see the famous animated version of the cover:
So, this book... It's very different from Lars, but it's also very similar in some regards. Healing is again the main theme, but the trauma is very different and the tools (both spiritual and emotional) are new - and they're fascinating.
Where the first book had a steadfast an loyal Lars fighting for Rhys' life, this one has both men in pain (in different proportions emotional and physical), struggling against the unbreakable bond they don't understand and that hurts more every time they try touch it, no matter if to undo it or just to comprehend its nature.
The journey they undertake is quite harrowing (TWs for different kinds of historical unpleasantness revealed and relived), but their relationship is intense and rewarding, and (not surprising with these authors) there's lots of wit and even humour in this book.
I read this book in two sittings, finishing at 3am - it's simply unputdownable. You keep reading to get to the bottom of the story's mystery and you're rewarded with a great emotional payout too.
The characters are fantastic - both strong and fragile, beautifully flawed, complex and compelling. Then, as a bonus, we get the Witches - Lee and Julian - in supporting roles, and London itself as a fascinating backdrop, this time seen through a tourist's eyes, so very different from Lars' everyday reality.
So, this book... It's very different from Lars, but it's also very similar in some regards. Healing is again the main theme, but the trauma is very different and the tools (both spiritual and emotional) are new - and they're fascinating.
Where the first book had a steadfast an loyal Lars fighting for Rhys' life, this one has both men in pain (in different proportions emotional and physical), struggling against the unbreakable bond they don't understand and that hurts more every time they try touch it, no matter if to undo it or just to comprehend its nature.
The journey they undertake is quite harrowing (TWs for different kinds of historical unpleasantness revealed and relived), but their relationship is intense and rewarding, and (not surprising with these authors) there's lots of wit and even humour in this book.
I read this book in two sittings, finishing at 3am - it's simply unputdownable. You keep reading to get to the bottom of the story's mystery and you're rewarded with a great emotional payout too.
The characters are fantastic - both strong and fragile, beautifully flawed, complex and compelling. Then, as a bonus, we get the Witches - Lee and Julian - in supporting roles, and London itself as a fascinating backdrop, this time seen through a tourist's eyes, so very different from Lars' everyday reality.
February 20, 2017
WOW - this was an intense and compelling read... I couldn't put it down. Have you had that feeling of deja vu ? Felt like you knew someone before you met ? Tom & Sanders met at a conference, different lives and countries and yet they felt an instant connection. This was their journey from their past to ease their present. I adored the writing and the chemistry that was created between these two. This was not about heat but more about the relationship, friendship and trust. I loved it ❤
April 4, 2018
I was always fascinated with the idea of reincarnation and past lives and how much of an influence those past lives would have on our current one, so I really liked the setting, and I especially liked Tom as a character. Sanders came off as a bit of a bastard, but he grew on me at the end too. To be honest, the writing seemed a bit odd and left me confused more than once, though this is probably because English is not my first language, and I did get used to it after a while.
March 13, 2017
I don't know what to think, exactly, about this book. Only that when i started it it felt a bit off but by the 30% mark it clicked and i found everything so interesting. There's some very sad parts and others funny, both characters felt rounded with their own personality and i liked how they communicated about their problems, despite it being a kind of insta-love i think they there was chemistry between them and the way they got to know each other made reading their love story more enjoyable.
What i like a lot about Witches of London is that the magick in here just *is*, it's not fantasy because those aspects are pretty much down to earth and it's about things you've heard before so one might think it could happen in real life. Also, whether you believe in it all or not doesn't matter, the stories are truly engaging and the take magick has in each book is important yet feels right inside Witches of London's universe.
Very unique take on contemporary romance, can't wait for the next installment!
What i like a lot about Witches of London is that the magick in here just *is*, it's not fantasy because those aspects are pretty much down to earth and it's about things you've heard before so one might think it could happen in real life. Also, whether you believe in it all or not doesn't matter, the stories are truly engaging and the take magick has in each book is important yet feels right inside Witches of London's universe.
Very unique take on contemporary romance, can't wait for the next installment!
March 8, 2017
I don't know how to start.
My assumption is that this book is very personal to Voinov, at least that is what I get when I read the about the author page of the book. Editor in financial services? Also a pagan? Also has experienced reincarnation?
Now I have to say, my personality does not allow me to believe in any metaphysical, supernatural, whatever thing. So I expected to be a little bit thrown off as compared to the first book. But no. Whole reincarnation thing is so naturally woven to the story that even when I think rationally that it should not make any sense, when I read the pages, it feels natural. It feels normal. Honestly, it is quite impressing.
And on top of that we have finance related stuff. All those sustainability talk by itself makes me just more interested in the story. Unlike Return on Investment, this time we see the world from Tom's eyes; an insider but also an outsider. I assume like Voinov himself. The observations are pretty much spot on once again. And quite interesting and amusing to read.
And we have Sanders. As a character, he by himself is enough to hook me in. Not only his disease and struggles (); but also his quite inhuman personality and his rationality regarding Tom and his relationship with him. It was quite funny and sweet but also quite sad at times when he couldn't manage to see how he changed little by little.
And on top of that we have WWII glimpses, which as of now I assume Voinov is kind of master at telling though I've not yet read any of his military themed books. But the story told in the book is quite an intriguing dilemma.
But no, it doesn't end there. We have Evan. Quite an interesting side character. Hopefully he gets a book all to himself.
This was a well developed, well written book. Witches of London - Eagle's Shadow is pretty much a great example to how great a book could be when it is drawn from authors' own experiences.
As Tom says, amazing.
My assumption is that this book is very personal to Voinov, at least that is what I get when I read the about the author page of the book. Editor in financial services? Also a pagan? Also has experienced reincarnation?
Now I have to say, my personality does not allow me to believe in any metaphysical, supernatural, whatever thing. So I expected to be a little bit thrown off as compared to the first book. But no. Whole reincarnation thing is so naturally woven to the story that even when I think rationally that it should not make any sense, when I read the pages, it feels natural. It feels normal. Honestly, it is quite impressing.
And on top of that we have finance related stuff. All those sustainability talk by itself makes me just more interested in the story. Unlike Return on Investment, this time we see the world from Tom's eyes; an insider but also an outsider. I assume like Voinov himself. The observations are pretty much spot on once again. And quite interesting and amusing to read.
And we have Sanders. As a character, he by himself is enough to hook me in. Not only his disease and struggles (); but also his quite inhuman personality and his rationality regarding Tom and his relationship with him. It was quite funny and sweet but also quite sad at times when he couldn't manage to see how he changed little by little.
And on top of that we have WWII glimpses, which as of now I assume Voinov is kind of master at telling though I've not yet read any of his military themed books. But the story told in the book is quite an intriguing dilemma.
But no, it doesn't end there. We have Evan. Quite an interesting side character. Hopefully he gets a book all to himself.
This was a well developed, well written book. Witches of London - Eagle's Shadow is pretty much a great example to how great a book could be when it is drawn from authors' own experiences.
As Tom says, amazing.
February 4, 2017
Darum geht’s:
Der Finanz-Journalist Tom und der britische Banker Sanders begegnen sich bei einer Tagung in Chicago. Anfangs benimmt sich Sanders merkwürdig, fast schon wie ein Stalker, aber Tom erliegt schnell seinem Charme und sie verbringen den Rest der Konferenz gemeinsam. Beide spüren eine Vertrautheit, die nach so kurzer Zeit eigentlich nicht existieren dürfte. Und deshalb nimmt Tom die Einladung von Sanders, ihn in London zu besuchen, auch an.
So fand ich’s:
Sanders leidet schon immer unter Schmerzen, deren Ursache die Ärzte nicht finden können. Und doch sind die Beschwerden so heftig, dass sie Sanders fast die ganze Zeit einschränken und manchmal sogar ans Bett fesseln. Als er Tom kennenlernt, verschlimmern sich seine Beschwerden.
Der Leser erlebt mit, dass die beiden sich benehmen, als wären sie schon eine Ewigkeit zusammen – obwohl sie fast nichts über einander wissen. Und dass sie sich eigentlich kaum kennen, wird zum Problem, als Tom bei Sanders in London auftaucht. Statt einer Mischung aus Touristenprogramm, Bettspielchen mit Sanders und Kontakteknüpfen für seinen Finanz-Newsletter ist Tom gezwungen, sich mit Sanders Gesundheitszustand auseinanderzusetzen und dessen Bemühungen, die Ursachen dafür herauszufinden. Obwohl er sich am liebsten heraushalten will, hat auch Tom zunehmend das Gefühl, ein Teil von Sanders Geschichte zu sein. Und so stimmt er widerwillig zu, den Hypnosetherapeuten Lee aufzusuchen.
Es gibt auch mal augenzwinkernden, trockenen Humor in der Geschichte, wenn der lockere, temperamentvolle Amerikaner und der förmlich-steife Brite aufeinander treffen. In erster Linie irritiert Tom und Sanders aber die Vertrautheit für einander, die sie beide mögen und brauchen, aber auch nicht verstehen und einordnen können. Und beide kämpfen damit, dass Sanders davon getrieben ist, herauszufinden, wieso er an unerträglichen Schmerzen leidet, obwohl man keine körperlichen Ursachen dafür finden kann, und mittlerweile nach jedem Strohhalm greift.
Sowohl Tom als auch Sanders sind Charaktere, die eine Geschichte tragen können. Sie sind tiefgründig und stimmig und obwohl sie sehr unterschiedlich sind, bekommt man nicht nur gesagt, dass die beiden auf fast schon unheimliche Weise miteinander harmonieren, man spürt es als Leser selbst. Man wünscht ihnen ihr gemeinsames Happy End, obwohl man manchmal meint, es wäre unmöglich zu erreichen.
Die Art von Aleksandr Voinov, eine Geschichte zu erzählen, die niemals flach und oberflächlich, aber trotzdem gundlegend und elementar ist, gefällt mir schon immer. Und die Zusammenarbeit mit Jordan Taylor hat daran nichts geändert, denn die beiden haben zusammen ein sehr harmonisches Werk geschaffen, das einen in der etwas mystisch angehauchten Geschichte versinken lässt.
Besonders gefallen hat mir die Tatsache, dass die beiden Hauptpersonen Tom und Sanders eher zufällig zwei Männer sind. "Witches of London - Eagle's Shadow" konzentriert sich darauf, wie sehr es auf die Persönlichkeit ankommt, eben darauf, wer man ist - und nicht darauf, welches Geschlecht man hat.
Ich war fasziniert von Tom und Sanders und ihrer Geschichte und habe es sehr genossen, sie auf ihrer ungewöhnlichen Entdeckungsreise zu begleiten.
Der Finanz-Journalist Tom und der britische Banker Sanders begegnen sich bei einer Tagung in Chicago. Anfangs benimmt sich Sanders merkwürdig, fast schon wie ein Stalker, aber Tom erliegt schnell seinem Charme und sie verbringen den Rest der Konferenz gemeinsam. Beide spüren eine Vertrautheit, die nach so kurzer Zeit eigentlich nicht existieren dürfte. Und deshalb nimmt Tom die Einladung von Sanders, ihn in London zu besuchen, auch an.
So fand ich’s:
Sanders leidet schon immer unter Schmerzen, deren Ursache die Ärzte nicht finden können. Und doch sind die Beschwerden so heftig, dass sie Sanders fast die ganze Zeit einschränken und manchmal sogar ans Bett fesseln. Als er Tom kennenlernt, verschlimmern sich seine Beschwerden.
Der Leser erlebt mit, dass die beiden sich benehmen, als wären sie schon eine Ewigkeit zusammen – obwohl sie fast nichts über einander wissen. Und dass sie sich eigentlich kaum kennen, wird zum Problem, als Tom bei Sanders in London auftaucht. Statt einer Mischung aus Touristenprogramm, Bettspielchen mit Sanders und Kontakteknüpfen für seinen Finanz-Newsletter ist Tom gezwungen, sich mit Sanders Gesundheitszustand auseinanderzusetzen und dessen Bemühungen, die Ursachen dafür herauszufinden. Obwohl er sich am liebsten heraushalten will, hat auch Tom zunehmend das Gefühl, ein Teil von Sanders Geschichte zu sein. Und so stimmt er widerwillig zu, den Hypnosetherapeuten Lee aufzusuchen.
Es gibt auch mal augenzwinkernden, trockenen Humor in der Geschichte, wenn der lockere, temperamentvolle Amerikaner und der förmlich-steife Brite aufeinander treffen. In erster Linie irritiert Tom und Sanders aber die Vertrautheit für einander, die sie beide mögen und brauchen, aber auch nicht verstehen und einordnen können. Und beide kämpfen damit, dass Sanders davon getrieben ist, herauszufinden, wieso er an unerträglichen Schmerzen leidet, obwohl man keine körperlichen Ursachen dafür finden kann, und mittlerweile nach jedem Strohhalm greift.
Sowohl Tom als auch Sanders sind Charaktere, die eine Geschichte tragen können. Sie sind tiefgründig und stimmig und obwohl sie sehr unterschiedlich sind, bekommt man nicht nur gesagt, dass die beiden auf fast schon unheimliche Weise miteinander harmonieren, man spürt es als Leser selbst. Man wünscht ihnen ihr gemeinsames Happy End, obwohl man manchmal meint, es wäre unmöglich zu erreichen.
Die Art von Aleksandr Voinov, eine Geschichte zu erzählen, die niemals flach und oberflächlich, aber trotzdem gundlegend und elementar ist, gefällt mir schon immer. Und die Zusammenarbeit mit Jordan Taylor hat daran nichts geändert, denn die beiden haben zusammen ein sehr harmonisches Werk geschaffen, das einen in der etwas mystisch angehauchten Geschichte versinken lässt.
Besonders gefallen hat mir die Tatsache, dass die beiden Hauptpersonen Tom und Sanders eher zufällig zwei Männer sind. "Witches of London - Eagle's Shadow" konzentriert sich darauf, wie sehr es auf die Persönlichkeit ankommt, eben darauf, wer man ist - und nicht darauf, welches Geschlecht man hat.
Ich war fasziniert von Tom und Sanders und ihrer Geschichte und habe es sehr genossen, sie auf ihrer ungewöhnlichen Entdeckungsreise zu begleiten.
December 27, 2016
I was lucky in getting an ARC of this book.
It is a stunning rollercoaster of emotions. Dry humour, sadness, true love, fear and rage. It is all there and I felt all of it together with the characters as they struggled with what at first was incomprehensible and slowly became undeniable for them.
The plot masterfully weaves past and present into a tapersty of events that only start to make sense as you progress through the story.
And it all leads to a most satisfactory ending.
A more than worthy second entry to the Witches of London series.
It is a stunning rollercoaster of emotions. Dry humour, sadness, true love, fear and rage. It is all there and I felt all of it together with the characters as they struggled with what at first was incomprehensible and slowly became undeniable for them.
The plot masterfully weaves past and present into a tapersty of events that only start to make sense as you progress through the story.
And it all leads to a most satisfactory ending.
A more than worthy second entry to the Witches of London series.
August 15, 2022
Low steam, high concept,
painful, past lives and loves mess.
Strangely compelling.
painful, past lives and loves mess.
Strangely compelling.
April 4, 2017
Just as good as first one Witches of London - Lars, shares the same sense of everyday magic, while exploring very different themes.
Review here
Review here
February 12, 2017
As a chronic pain sufferer, nothing in this book surprised me. I, too, have done pharmaceuticals to the point of NOT suicide but relief. The entire back-story of Sander's willingness to try anything was truly believable. As a referral, he begins another form of pain management with Lee, another of the Witches of London, a pagan group. Lee teaches Sander about regression, a form of "past lives" that intrigues him very much. He feels an overwhelming certainty that his pain is connected to Tom, a man he recognizes but has never met.
I believe this to be a wonderful deep-thinking book yet I do not feel the need to tell others about so-called triggers. I feel this is an adult book with adult subject matter and language. There is no need for pampering.
If you're worried about triggers, you need to read another's review!
I believe this to be a wonderful deep-thinking book yet I do not feel the need to tell others about so-called triggers. I feel this is an adult book with adult subject matter and language. There is no need for pampering.
If you're worried about triggers, you need to read another's review!
February 6, 2017
Oh thank god, a decent damn book. I have been repeatedly disappointed lately. Actually it's a very good book. I am loving this witches of London series.
Trigger warnings: suicidal ideation, chronic severe pain. Graphic violence and people dying. (In the potato famine - I wasn't going to mention that, but I have friends who are Irish and I'd warn them about this) There is a happy ever after though. It is a bona fide romance.
The story is very intense. I was completely sucked in. I hope he and colleagues continue to write more in the series. It's just great.
Another warning: along the way, there is a sympathetic character who is a German officer in World War II. Not a nazi or ss, but some may have an issue with it.
Trigger warnings: suicidal ideation, chronic severe pain. Graphic violence and people dying. (In the potato famine - I wasn't going to mention that, but I have friends who are Irish and I'd warn them about this) There is a happy ever after though. It is a bona fide romance.
The story is very intense. I was completely sucked in. I hope he and colleagues continue to write more in the series. It's just great.
Another warning: along the way, there is a sympathetic character who is a German officer in World War II. Not a nazi or ss, but some may have an issue with it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2021
Book Reaction: https://neverhollowed.com/2017/05/05/...
Rating: 5 Stars – absolutely perfect
Rating: 5 Stars – absolutely perfect
May 25, 2018
An unusual story. I had tried to read this while travelling and finally managed to have a few quiet hours as we sailed to Amsterdam. Even though the romance wasn't overt and in your face, it was there, hidden in the words and expressions. An easy read once I could concentrate on it. Do we have multiple lifes? - an interesting take on regression therapy. Intrigued enough to want to read the rest of the series.
4 stars
4 stars
March 12, 2017
I'm still thinking about this book 24 hours later. There are certain elements I really don't understand, and a few silly editing mistakes, but it stayed with me. The reincarnation and past life regression aspects were really interesting. Lee is a great character to connect this book with Witches of London - Lars (though when Julian turns up briefly it makes me squirm - I just dislike that character). The balance between Tom's impulsiveness and Sanders' careful deliberation made for some good friction. One of the elements that confused me a bit was The sexual tension between the two characters was nice, though the act fell apart for acceptable story reasons. Ultimately, my main confusion stems from Even with my confusion, I was captivated by the book and couldn't put it down.
December 24, 2020
The second in the Witches of Long series after Lars. I enjoyed this one more than the previous book. The mystery in this seemed more compelling, although it was also a lot darker than Lars.
Sanders, millionaire environmental investor, is suffering from an unknown medical condition that leaves him in debilitating pain. At a conference, he sees Tom in the crowd and is immediately struck by his similarity to an old WWII picture he owns. Both Tom and Sanders feel this immediate familiarity with one another. Since this is a paranormal-ish book, the cause of their familiarity turns out to be multiple past lives together. Lee, from Lars, makes frequent appearances as their past-life regression therapist.
Tom is a skeptic, but Sanders, desperately in pain, is determined to figure out if something from his past is the cause of his current pain. Sanders is an emotionally distant character. He seems unable to understand the emotional impact of his actions on others. It's clearly a deliberate choice of the writers, but as a reader, it was unclear whether he really cared for Tom or just wanted to use him to get to the bottom of the mystery.
Tom, in contrast, is open and caring. He quickly falls for Sanders, but it was not clear to me exactly what Tom sees in him. Over the book, the attraction and longing become more palpable. The immediate attraction described in the beginning now has enough foundation that it becomes more plausible. Tom is willing to put aside his disbelief over the past-life thing to help Sanders. It's a rough road, but they are able to reveal the reason for Sanders' pain and work through it, building a stronger relationship between them.
I would be remiss if I did not mention that things get quite dark. The story gets into suicide, rape, drug use, and torture. Their past lives were not a walk in the park. When the source of all their present misery is revealed, it's both predictably ugly and worse than I had imagined. If you want something light, I would steer clear of this.
Sanders, millionaire environmental investor, is suffering from an unknown medical condition that leaves him in debilitating pain. At a conference, he sees Tom in the crowd and is immediately struck by his similarity to an old WWII picture he owns. Both Tom and Sanders feel this immediate familiarity with one another. Since this is a paranormal-ish book, the cause of their familiarity turns out to be multiple past lives together. Lee, from Lars, makes frequent appearances as their past-life regression therapist.
Tom is a skeptic, but Sanders, desperately in pain, is determined to figure out if something from his past is the cause of his current pain. Sanders is an emotionally distant character. He seems unable to understand the emotional impact of his actions on others. It's clearly a deliberate choice of the writers, but as a reader, it was unclear whether he really cared for Tom or just wanted to use him to get to the bottom of the mystery.
Tom, in contrast, is open and caring. He quickly falls for Sanders, but it was not clear to me exactly what Tom sees in him. Over the book, the attraction and longing become more palpable. The immediate attraction described in the beginning now has enough foundation that it becomes more plausible. Tom is willing to put aside his disbelief over the past-life thing to help Sanders. It's a rough road, but they are able to reveal the reason for Sanders' pain and work through it, building a stronger relationship between them.
I would be remiss if I did not mention that things get quite dark. The story gets into suicide, rape, drug use, and torture. Their past lives were not a walk in the park. When the source of all their present misery is revealed, it's both predictably ugly and worse than I had imagined. If you want something light, I would steer clear of this.
April 14, 2017
3.5 stars, I think?
Well. I don't quite know what I think about this one. I think it got off to a too-slow start. There were hints of what might be going on, but they were very subtle, and I felt like I was going way out on a limb to even make a stab at where the story was going and what it was ultimately about. I liked both Tom and Sanders, but...like Tom, I wasn't thrilled with Sanders' manipulativeness, although maybe that was really only how Tom was perceiving it.
While a good chunk of the book was kind of slow, and I felt that the plot was shoved at us in a kind of clunky way, things got intense in the last maybe quarter or so. This book is not for the faint of heart, it turns out. There was some fairly upsetting stuff (my stomach is still queasy an hour+ later), and I'm really not very easily upset by fiction. So. I don't really know how to review or recommend this! I'd say if you like Aleksandr's stuff, which I do, you should read it. But maybe, uh, just be cautious. And read some other people's reviews—I'm sure someone else gives warnings a bit more effectively. Also, if you don't want any spoilers, I wouldn't read any other reviews. Or the blurb, perhaps—I don't read blurbs because I feel they too often give too much away, and then you spend half the story in anticipation of stuff happening. (Would I have had a bigger clue if I'd read the blurb? Yes, but a book really needs to do its own heavy lifting. You shouldn't have to rely on a blurb in order to understand a story.)
I do feel satisfied by the ending, and I came away generally happy that I read the book. So, there's that!
While this is definitely a standalone (okay to read if you haven't read Lars), Lee and Julian both show up, and that was fun. :) Lee quite a bit with a significant role, Julian just a little.
With regard to the book itself, there were a number of editing issues, and the ebook was formatted kind of poorly (not terribly, but there were no chapters, which always bugs me).
Kind of a head-scratching reading experience. But I'm definitely looking forward to the next book, which is about Julian. Yay!
Well. I don't quite know what I think about this one. I think it got off to a too-slow start. There were hints of what might be going on, but they were very subtle, and I felt like I was going way out on a limb to even make a stab at where the story was going and what it was ultimately about. I liked both Tom and Sanders, but...like Tom, I wasn't thrilled with Sanders' manipulativeness, although maybe that was really only how Tom was perceiving it.
While a good chunk of the book was kind of slow, and I felt that the plot was shoved at us in a kind of clunky way, things got intense in the last maybe quarter or so. This book is not for the faint of heart, it turns out. There was some fairly upsetting stuff (my stomach is still queasy an hour+ later), and I'm really not very easily upset by fiction. So. I don't really know how to review or recommend this! I'd say if you like Aleksandr's stuff, which I do, you should read it. But maybe, uh, just be cautious. And read some other people's reviews—I'm sure someone else gives warnings a bit more effectively. Also, if you don't want any spoilers, I wouldn't read any other reviews. Or the blurb, perhaps—I don't read blurbs because I feel they too often give too much away, and then you spend half the story in anticipation of stuff happening. (Would I have had a bigger clue if I'd read the blurb? Yes, but a book really needs to do its own heavy lifting. You shouldn't have to rely on a blurb in order to understand a story.)
I do feel satisfied by the ending, and I came away generally happy that I read the book. So, there's that!
While this is definitely a standalone (okay to read if you haven't read Lars), Lee and Julian both show up, and that was fun. :) Lee quite a bit with a significant role, Julian just a little.
With regard to the book itself, there were a number of editing issues, and the ebook was formatted kind of poorly (not terribly, but there were no chapters, which always bugs me).
Kind of a head-scratching reading experience. But I'm definitely looking forward to the next book, which is about Julian. Yay!
April 29, 2018
I was a wee bit disappointed that this wasn't a continuation of Lars's story (or that he wasn't even in this one) because I loved the first book, but I loved this one just as much... if not just a little bit more. Also glad to see a few familiar faces like Lee and Julian!
I loved the reincarnation theme, and I think the circle of tragedy and hope, new beginnings and starting over, and how the consequences of the past can bleed into the present/future was fascinating. It left me thinking about this book long after I've finished reading it and has become a favorite.
I loved the reincarnation theme, and I think the circle of tragedy and hope, new beginnings and starting over, and how the consequences of the past can bleed into the present/future was fascinating. It left me thinking about this book long after I've finished reading it and has become a favorite.
February 18, 2017
This is a really good story. The idea of past lives is really fascinating and the subject was portrayed so well. My stomach physically hurt during those sessions.
An engrossing story as well. I felt pulled into the story and once those hooks were in I couldn't stop.
The characters are fascinating as well and their chemistry is electric. I cannot wait for more from these authors!
An engrossing story as well. I felt pulled into the story and once those hooks were in I couldn't stop.
The characters are fascinating as well and their chemistry is electric. I cannot wait for more from these authors!
Read
December 4, 2017This one was a trip and a half.
February 5, 2017
https://justlovereviews.com/2017/02/0...
4.5/5 stars
Sometimes when I read a book that has touched me, I find myself at a loss for words and basically want to flail on the ground and mutter nonsensically because I can’t find the proper words to describe how it made me feel. This is one of those times.
*rolls around flailing*
…….
(note: Just Love Reviews does not condone rolling around on the ground as an acceptable review process)
Oh, fine.
As flailing really isn’t an option when people are expecting actual words to be linked together to form mostly coherent sentences, here are some that I hope will suffice.
You know the saying ‘soul mates’? I think those are one of the most overused and misused words in the English language. I’m sure we’ve all known someone who used that phrase to describe their relationship with another person – only to have them break up months later. You know what, though? This book made me believe in those words again.
Witches of London – Eagle’s Shadow introduces us to two men who are soul mates in the truest sense of the word.
Sanders and Tom are strangers but…not. From the moment they meet, there is an undeniable but inexplicable recognition, a sort of deep-in-the-soul knowing of one another that both confuses and intrigues them. The weekend conference at which they meet doesn’t allow for much time to explore this connection, so Tom decides to fly to Sanders’ home in London to figure out where this attraction might lead and what it all means. But upon arriving, Tom quickly learns that Sanders is hiding a secret – he has an affliction which causes him to experience almost constant physical pain which Western medicine has been unable to diagnose or cure.
When Sanders decides to move forward with an alternate healing method he has previously been reluctant to pursue, it results in a shocking and disturbing revelation, and the two men are forced to confront some life-changing truths about a past neither of them knew they shared.
Darker and bolder than its predecessor, this book explores the concept of past lives and possibility that the emotional and physical damage experienced by our previous incarnations can affect the health and well-being of our present selves. It also asks us to believe in redemption and the power of forgiveness.
Much like Witches of London – Lars, there is an fascinating and open-minded exploration of healing through non-traditional means. I’ve never given much credence to the concept of reincarnation and my knowledge of it is fairly superficial, but this story manages to make it both appealing and rather frightening. I’m intrigued by the idea that there are some things we need to get right, that there are some life lessons that we must learn before we can move on, and we may need more than one lifetime to make it happen. On the other hand, the idea that our lessons may come at the expense of our physical and emotional well-being is rather intimidating.
As this story progresses, both the past and the present become intertwined and although the two men endure a rather difficult journey, it leads to a pretty amazing conclusion. I loved every minute of this book, from start to finish, and I was completely caught up in the story. This one is quite different from Witches of London – Lars, but it’s every bit as good and supremely entertaining.
I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
4.5/5 stars
Sometimes when I read a book that has touched me, I find myself at a loss for words and basically want to flail on the ground and mutter nonsensically because I can’t find the proper words to describe how it made me feel. This is one of those times.
*rolls around flailing*
…….
(note: Just Love Reviews does not condone rolling around on the ground as an acceptable review process)
Oh, fine.
As flailing really isn’t an option when people are expecting actual words to be linked together to form mostly coherent sentences, here are some that I hope will suffice.
You know the saying ‘soul mates’? I think those are one of the most overused and misused words in the English language. I’m sure we’ve all known someone who used that phrase to describe their relationship with another person – only to have them break up months later. You know what, though? This book made me believe in those words again.
Witches of London – Eagle’s Shadow introduces us to two men who are soul mates in the truest sense of the word.
Sanders and Tom are strangers but…not. From the moment they meet, there is an undeniable but inexplicable recognition, a sort of deep-in-the-soul knowing of one another that both confuses and intrigues them. The weekend conference at which they meet doesn’t allow for much time to explore this connection, so Tom decides to fly to Sanders’ home in London to figure out where this attraction might lead and what it all means. But upon arriving, Tom quickly learns that Sanders is hiding a secret – he has an affliction which causes him to experience almost constant physical pain which Western medicine has been unable to diagnose or cure.
When Sanders decides to move forward with an alternate healing method he has previously been reluctant to pursue, it results in a shocking and disturbing revelation, and the two men are forced to confront some life-changing truths about a past neither of them knew they shared.
Darker and bolder than its predecessor, this book explores the concept of past lives and possibility that the emotional and physical damage experienced by our previous incarnations can affect the health and well-being of our present selves. It also asks us to believe in redemption and the power of forgiveness.
Much like Witches of London – Lars, there is an fascinating and open-minded exploration of healing through non-traditional means. I’ve never given much credence to the concept of reincarnation and my knowledge of it is fairly superficial, but this story manages to make it both appealing and rather frightening. I’m intrigued by the idea that there are some things we need to get right, that there are some life lessons that we must learn before we can move on, and we may need more than one lifetime to make it happen. On the other hand, the idea that our lessons may come at the expense of our physical and emotional well-being is rather intimidating.
As this story progresses, both the past and the present become intertwined and although the two men endure a rather difficult journey, it leads to a pretty amazing conclusion. I loved every minute of this book, from start to finish, and I was completely caught up in the story. This one is quite different from Witches of London – Lars, but it’s every bit as good and supremely entertaining.
I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
February 14, 2017
This series amazes me again. Here was I waiting to read about Lars' s friends, Julian's astrology, Lee's Reiky, instead I meet Tom and Sanders. First I was a bit confused , Tom was easy to read as character but Sanders no very much till the end. Their is a story of reincarnation and love . Also this last wasn't clear, not from Sanders character, not from like he deals with Tom, maybe because the healing is the only and very important thing for Sanders( and real protagonist of series) . In fact the power of faith is what help the health, and I don't speck only about deity, but also Reiky as for Lee and other beliefs.
Eagle's Shadow is a very fascinating story, I liked all, especially Tom character , a real young man enthusiastic about life , I liked sightseeing London through his eyes and I loved as he cared for Sanders before ever know about past lifes. I liked like the authors make me enter into their visions ,in this book those of Tom and Sanders(as for Lars), so realistically tragic. A book this that I couldn't put down till the end.
Eagle's Shadow is a very fascinating story, I liked all, especially Tom character , a real young man enthusiastic about life , I liked sightseeing London through his eyes and I loved as he cared for Sanders before ever know about past lifes. I liked like the authors make me enter into their visions ,in this book those of Tom and Sanders(as for Lars), so realistically tragic. A book this that I couldn't put down till the end.
February 15, 2017
I've had to give this one a five. It took me a short while to get in to it but what an amazing story. It wasn't an easy read but definitely worth if for the ending. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
December 28, 2017
Well, that's what I get for buying a book without enough research, just because it was a sequel to something I really liked. I was *expecting* more about the queer neo-pagan friend circle from Witches of London - Lars, and instead, one character from that briefly shows up here to move the plot along (and then my favorite character from the other book once is in the room for no reason at all), and that's all they have in common. This is a reincarnation story, but NOT a nice one; there's a HORRIFIC event in the past that the book spends the entire book leading up to, and I guess I was supposed to think it was okay now or something at the end, but uh, not okay. HORRIFIC. And I cannot fathom why these characters are together. Did I mention the horrific thing?
As I said, I guess that's what I get for not having read about it, but it's SO different from the other book!
No.
As I said, I guess that's what I get for not having read about it, but it's SO different from the other book!
No.
February 7, 2017
Engaging book
I really like this book.
Two main characters that drew you in and great secondary characters with interesting lives and beliefs.
Tom and Sanders together were so good together and to see snapshots of former lives and how it impacted on the here and now was fascinating.
It was a tough read at times seeing into the past and I am very glad that I don't live in any of the times the boys passed through.
This was great writing engaging from the first words with kept you involved and wanting the pain for both Tom and Sanders to be resolved.
I really like this book.
Two main characters that drew you in and great secondary characters with interesting lives and beliefs.
Tom and Sanders together were so good together and to see snapshots of former lives and how it impacted on the here and now was fascinating.
It was a tough read at times seeing into the past and I am very glad that I don't live in any of the times the boys passed through.
This was great writing engaging from the first words with kept you involved and wanting the pain for both Tom and Sanders to be resolved.
February 13, 2017
I enjoyed the interesting premise of this book with the past lives and regressions. Much like the first book in this series, it was the surreal (maybe not the right word) elements that I enjoyed the most. Again I find myself interested in exploring these things as a result of reading this book, as I did after Lars.
Sanders and Tom together were somewhat lacking for me. I didn't feel the connection other than that of two people connected by history. Their "relationship" didn't feel real. Sanders was too removed and awkward, aspy almost, and Tom was too hotheaded and immature in some ways for them together to feel genuine.
All in all, another interesting book in the series but I missed the emotional connection.
Sanders and Tom together were somewhat lacking for me. I didn't feel the connection other than that of two people connected by history. Their "relationship" didn't feel real. Sanders was too removed and awkward, aspy almost, and Tom was too hotheaded and immature in some ways for them together to feel genuine.
All in all, another interesting book in the series but I missed the emotional connection.
October 1, 2021
Frankly, I bought this because the cover appealed to me. Whoa! Was I surprised! I don't think I've ever run across anything like this, and I certainly couldn't put it down. The book is fast-paced with superb character development. Though a tad "enhanced" for the sake of drama (as in movies) it's realistic and on-point in terms of its central premise. I've had, unfortunately, similar experiences, though not quite as dramatic, and a different healing modality was used. It's thrilling to see this type of under-recognized PTSD portrayed, without sensationalism, as the agonizing struggle it is. A struggle which is made even more difficult in a western cultural environment in which reality exists only if it's quantifiable. Kudos to the authors, and many thanks.
April 17, 2020
Tom & Sanders’ journey is heartbreaking & beautiful.
Absolutely fascinating.
Absolutely fascinating.
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