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Shadow King
Ambition. Betrayal. Revenge. Centuries ago, the Faerie Realm was decimated by a vile and corrupt spell. To survive, the different faerie races--led by the Fae--escaped to the Human Realm where they've lived ever since.
As the Fae Patriarch of Boston's criminal underworld, Aohdan Collins enjoys his playboy lifestyle while he works from the shadows to expand his growing empire, until one night when he shares a shot of whiskey with the lovely Seireadan Moore...
A Fae Seer, Seireadan is haunted by a vision of the Fae responsible for destroying Faerie and murdering her family. Common sense tells her to stay away from Aohdan, but his magnetism and charm are irresistible.As their passionate affair intensifies, Seireadan is pulled into the center of the underworld. And while her heart is bound to Aohdan, she cannot let go of her lifelong quest to hunt down the Fae who haunts her visions... especially when she realizes Aohdan might be the key to helping her find him.But is revenge worth betraying the one she loves?
As the Fae Patriarch of Boston's criminal underworld, Aohdan Collins enjoys his playboy lifestyle while he works from the shadows to expand his growing empire, until one night when he shares a shot of whiskey with the lovely Seireadan Moore...
A Fae Seer, Seireadan is haunted by a vision of the Fae responsible for destroying Faerie and murdering her family. Common sense tells her to stay away from Aohdan, but his magnetism and charm are irresistible.As their passionate affair intensifies, Seireadan is pulled into the center of the underworld. And while her heart is bound to Aohdan, she cannot let go of her lifelong quest to hunt down the Fae who haunts her visions... especially when she realizes Aohdan might be the key to helping her find him.But is revenge worth betraying the one she loves?
366 pages, Paperback
Published October 2, 2018
5 people are currently reading
896 people want to read
About the author
Susan K. Hamilton
11 books78 followersSusan K. Hamilton is the award-winning author of epic, dark, and urban fantasy books including Shadow King, The Devil Inside, and Darkstar Rising. Her short stories have been featured in the ESCAPE!, DECEPTION!, and Passageways anthologies from Writing Bloc.
Her new novel, Stone Heart, will release on August 30, 2022.
Horse-crazy since she was a little girl, she loves pretty much every furry animal on the planet (other than spiders). She also loves comfy jeans, pizza, and great stand-up comedy. Susan lives near Boston with her husband and a cat who runs the house like a boss.
Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @RealSKHamilton and on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/hamiltonsusank/
Her new novel, Stone Heart, will release on August 30, 2022.
Horse-crazy since she was a little girl, she loves pretty much every furry animal on the planet (other than spiders). She also loves comfy jeans, pizza, and great stand-up comedy. Susan lives near Boston with her husband and a cat who runs the house like a boss.
Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @RealSKHamilton and on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/hamiltonsusank/
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 27 reviews
January 18, 2019
I received this book from the publisher in return for an honest review. This in no way influences my opinion.
Years ago the Faerie Realm was corrupt by a spell, the Desolation, and now the Fae live among the humans. Aohdan is the Fae Patriarch of Boston where he owns a tattoo shop and a nightclub/bar called Underworld. And one night he meets Seireadan, also a Fae and a Raven, which gives her the ability to Sight. She can't see into the future whenever she wants, the Sight comes to her at random times. But when she was a little girl, experiencing her first encounter with the Sight, a man killed her family and the family's of many and he is the reason for the Desolation. Her goal is to find him and kill him to avenge her family. And she thinks that Aohdan can help her.
Wow! I enjoyed this story much more than I thought I was going to. The first couple of chapters are difficult to get into because the story doesn't start out by grabbing your attention. But if you keep going, you will find yourself not wanting to put the book down. Susan Hamilton created a magnificent world with great characters. There were so many details throughout the book just to describe the simplest things.
The characters Aohdan and Seireadan really grow on you and despite them having an insta-love relationship, you find yourself really cheering this duo on. But that being said, there are several intimate sex scenes in the book, ones that I found to be too detailed for my liking. I don't need to know all of little details during their private moments. Especially an entire chapter devoted to that. I also loved most of Aohdan's crew! Galen, Oisin, Kieran were some of my favorites. They are so loyal to Aohdan. I didn't like Rory from the beginning because he was very broody and seemed to always be in a pretty bad mood.
Shadow King definitely kept surprising me. Just when you think that you know these characters, something happens and I grew to love the characters even more. Yes, they flaws like every character but that's what makes them unique. I plan on reading more of Susan Hamilton's writing and I hope I get to see these characters again.
Years ago the Faerie Realm was corrupt by a spell, the Desolation, and now the Fae live among the humans. Aohdan is the Fae Patriarch of Boston where he owns a tattoo shop and a nightclub/bar called Underworld. And one night he meets Seireadan, also a Fae and a Raven, which gives her the ability to Sight. She can't see into the future whenever she wants, the Sight comes to her at random times. But when she was a little girl, experiencing her first encounter with the Sight, a man killed her family and the family's of many and he is the reason for the Desolation. Her goal is to find him and kill him to avenge her family. And she thinks that Aohdan can help her.
Wow! I enjoyed this story much more than I thought I was going to. The first couple of chapters are difficult to get into because the story doesn't start out by grabbing your attention. But if you keep going, you will find yourself not wanting to put the book down. Susan Hamilton created a magnificent world with great characters. There were so many details throughout the book just to describe the simplest things.
The characters Aohdan and Seireadan really grow on you and despite them having an insta-love relationship, you find yourself really cheering this duo on. But that being said, there are several intimate sex scenes in the book, ones that I found to be too detailed for my liking. I don't need to know all of little details during their private moments. Especially an entire chapter devoted to that. I also loved most of Aohdan's crew! Galen, Oisin, Kieran were some of my favorites. They are so loyal to Aohdan. I didn't like Rory from the beginning because he was very broody and seemed to always be in a pretty bad mood.
Shadow King definitely kept surprising me. Just when you think that you know these characters, something happens and I grew to love the characters even more. Yes, they flaws like every character but that's what makes them unique. I plan on reading more of Susan Hamilton's writing and I hope I get to see these characters again.
December 9, 2018
I had never indulged myself in books of faeries, elves and such, so it took me a while to get fully involved in the reading of Shadow King. Once I was able to adjust to the odd sounding names and circumstances that appeared in the early pages, i found the story quite compelling. It took me weeks to get thru the first few chapters but I finishe the last 60 chapters in three days reading. The story pulled me in and kept my interest as I became completely involved the lives of Aohdan and Sieradan. I really enjoyed the novel storyline and the intermingling of the faeries world and gangster Boston. I also enjoyed the way the author was able to grab my interest, albeit slowly, but allow me to join her in this interesting experience.
October 11, 2018
Susan K. Hamilton’s writing is delicious and her intricate world-building is fascinating. Creating a world of fantasy characters, with believable motivations and a compelling plot, in a setting of real-world Boston, was brilliantly done. Adding a romantic element was just icing on the cake, and some of it was actually pretty HOT... adults only. Hamilton creates a vivid world and spins a great story. I found ‘Shadow King’ to be a very enjoyable read!
September 19, 2018
This was such a fun read, and I loved the world that Susan Hamilton built. It felt familiar and strange at the same time. And the way she built up the relationship between Aohdan and Seireadan, it was so tense and romantic and sexy!
September 30, 2018
Susan K. Hamilton shows herself to be a master world builder in a book that works like the best fantasy novels should. The cover could use a bit of a polish, but the contents are worth the read.
December 5, 2019
I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.I've always been more of an Urban Fantasy or Paranormal Romance reader. It's not very often I pick up a fantasy. I feel like there is a lot of world building that needs to be done in a fantasy and I find my attention drifts off.
Shadow King did not overload on the world building, which I was grateful for. The Fae have built little geographical empires under the Seelie Court. Aodhan's group consists of a second and a group of captains. Aodhan is actively working on expanding his area when he meets Seireadan who is a Seer. His attraction to her gives some people the impression that Aodhan is a weak ruler. But there are also those that seek to destroy Aodhan.
Then we have Seireadan. She has her own set of problems. She is obsessed with finding the man she saw destroy her family. The relationship develops fairly quickly between Aodhan and Seireadan which is another reason his captains are so leery of her.
I was fine with the relationship until Aodhan goes a little far for my liking. He did get control of himself, but I think Seireadan forgives him much too easily. Once that incident is in the past, these two really seem to work well together and are a good team.
Shadow King does give you a lot of political drama and action. I found it really straddled the line between fantasy and urban fantasy. The world wasn't too complicated at all. I did feel it dragged on a little, but that could also be because I did pause this book and listened to something else in the middle of it. I enjoyed the characters, especially the captains. This was an enjoyable read.
This was the first time I had listened to Matthew Ebel. I didn't mind his narration. I felt like there were a lot of different accents thrown in. His female voices were also a little masculine. I would listen to him again though.This review was originally posted on Rantings of a Reading Addict
December 4, 2018
Reviewed by Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views (12/18)
“Shadow King” by Susan K. Hamilton is a captivating, fantasy tale readers will have a hard time putting down!
An evil spell explodes, resulting in the destruction of the Faerie realm. The surviving Fae escaped to the Human realm where they have co-existed for centuries. One of those Fae is the patriarch of a criminal underworld family in Boston – Aohdan Collins. Aohdan is a macho, sexy man-about-town, loved by the ladies, feared by all. Ambition to grow his empire has a firm grasp on Aohdan as the underworld grows darker in its corruptive forces. Who can be trusted? Who will betray the family? Aohdan meets his match in Seireadan Moore, a Fae Seer with a secret. Haunted by the murder of her family, Seireadan is on a mission to avenge their deaths and nothing will stop her from finding the Fae responsible and exacting her own revenge. As Aohdan and Seireadan fall deeper into the intensity of their relationship, factions from every side test their love, loyalty, and motivations.
First of all, WOW – just, wow! Susan Hamilton has created a story I won’t soon forget. Wrapping the Fae world into real-world Boston adds a layer that is authentic and believable, and I absolutely loved that element of the story. Some of the scenes are bloody and horrific, some hot and sexy – all are engrossing and well-written. Hamilton’s descriptive writing creates imagery so vivid it is easy to picture the seedy, dark areas of town in stark contrast with the opulence of the nightclubs, the impeccable suits and the beautiful people uptown. She clearly encapsulates the very essence of the gangster lifestyle in her writing.
The characters are multidimensional, genuine, full of life. The speech, mannerisms, and the way they carry themselves make them familiar, yet distinctive. One example is with Jimmy Boy, a young man who works for, and is under the protection of Aohdan. Jimmy Boy seems to lack motivation, easing along with as little effort on his part as possible. The picture of him I created in my mind was a skinny, awkward young adult with earbuds, a sloppy sweatshirt, and pants that are way too big for him. When Jimmy Boy sees Seireadan at the nightclub one night his confidence explodes as he literally puffs-up with machismo, enough to send a drink down the bar to her. She leaves the drink untouched and you can see Jimmy deflate right before your eyes on the pages. Can you picture him? Not only that, but haven’t you known someone just like him at some point in your life?
The interaction between the characters draws the reader in as well. The bond inside the criminal families, the distrust amongst the different families and the discord between humans and Fae keep the reader engaged and invested.
From fantasy to thriller and intrigue to steamy romance, “Shadow King” weaves in and out of multiple genres making it an appealing read for a wide spectrum of fans. With a plot that holds the reader hostage until the very end and fascinating characters, I couldn’t get enough of this story and look forward to reading more works from Susan K. Hamilton.
“Shadow King” by Susan K. Hamilton is a captivating, fantasy tale readers will have a hard time putting down!
An evil spell explodes, resulting in the destruction of the Faerie realm. The surviving Fae escaped to the Human realm where they have co-existed for centuries. One of those Fae is the patriarch of a criminal underworld family in Boston – Aohdan Collins. Aohdan is a macho, sexy man-about-town, loved by the ladies, feared by all. Ambition to grow his empire has a firm grasp on Aohdan as the underworld grows darker in its corruptive forces. Who can be trusted? Who will betray the family? Aohdan meets his match in Seireadan Moore, a Fae Seer with a secret. Haunted by the murder of her family, Seireadan is on a mission to avenge their deaths and nothing will stop her from finding the Fae responsible and exacting her own revenge. As Aohdan and Seireadan fall deeper into the intensity of their relationship, factions from every side test their love, loyalty, and motivations.
First of all, WOW – just, wow! Susan Hamilton has created a story I won’t soon forget. Wrapping the Fae world into real-world Boston adds a layer that is authentic and believable, and I absolutely loved that element of the story. Some of the scenes are bloody and horrific, some hot and sexy – all are engrossing and well-written. Hamilton’s descriptive writing creates imagery so vivid it is easy to picture the seedy, dark areas of town in stark contrast with the opulence of the nightclubs, the impeccable suits and the beautiful people uptown. She clearly encapsulates the very essence of the gangster lifestyle in her writing.
The characters are multidimensional, genuine, full of life. The speech, mannerisms, and the way they carry themselves make them familiar, yet distinctive. One example is with Jimmy Boy, a young man who works for, and is under the protection of Aohdan. Jimmy Boy seems to lack motivation, easing along with as little effort on his part as possible. The picture of him I created in my mind was a skinny, awkward young adult with earbuds, a sloppy sweatshirt, and pants that are way too big for him. When Jimmy Boy sees Seireadan at the nightclub one night his confidence explodes as he literally puffs-up with machismo, enough to send a drink down the bar to her. She leaves the drink untouched and you can see Jimmy deflate right before your eyes on the pages. Can you picture him? Not only that, but haven’t you known someone just like him at some point in your life?
The interaction between the characters draws the reader in as well. The bond inside the criminal families, the distrust amongst the different families and the discord between humans and Fae keep the reader engaged and invested.
From fantasy to thriller and intrigue to steamy romance, “Shadow King” weaves in and out of multiple genres making it an appealing read for a wide spectrum of fans. With a plot that holds the reader hostage until the very end and fascinating characters, I couldn’t get enough of this story and look forward to reading more works from Susan K. Hamilton.
October 4, 2018
Shadow King
A Dark Fantasy Tale
von Susan K. Hamilton
Inkshares / Quill
Cover:
The cover should be revised, because it looks quite amateurish designed. An improvement of the picture would enhance the cover a lot.
Review:
„Ambition. Betrayal. Revenge.
Centuries ago, the Faerie Realm was decimated by a vile and corrupt spell. To survive, the different faerie races—led by the Fae—escaped to the Human Realm where they’ve lived ever since.
As the Fae Patriarch of Boston’s criminal underworld, Aohdan Collins enjoys his playboy lifestyle while he works from the shadows to expand his growing empire, until one night when he shares a shot of whiskey with the lovely Seireadan Moore…
A Fae Seer, Seireadan is haunted by a vision of the Fae responsible for destroying Faerie and murdering her family. Common sense tells her to stay away from Aohdan, but his magnetism and charm are irresistible. As their passionate affair intensifies, Seireadan is pulled into the center of the underworld. And while her heart is bound to Aohdan, she cannot let go of her lifelong quest to hunt down the Fae who haunts her visions… especially when she realizes Aohdan might be the key to helping her find him.
But is revenge worth betraying the one she loves?“
This book is really entertaining but unfortunately not what would have stolen me immediately. The book is slowly picking up speed, but from the half of the book, the events became more intense. The author created a beautiful fantasy world, familiar and yet foreign. The relationship between the protagonists was stimulating, romantic and also erotic. What I liked was that you did not go too deep into a magical world and still have a touch of reality. This was especially true in the behavior of the characters and the descriptions of the scenes in the city. Nice and refreshing for me was also that the female protagonist was not weak and represented as a small helpless female. I am curious how the action will continue in the following volume. The reading was easy and fast and the writing style pleasant. I give the book 4/5 stars whereby I have to leave the cover now outside, because that would unfortunately deduct a point.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Inkshares Publishing House for the review copy.
A Dark Fantasy Tale
von Susan K. Hamilton
Inkshares / Quill
Cover:
The cover should be revised, because it looks quite amateurish designed. An improvement of the picture would enhance the cover a lot.
Review:
„Ambition. Betrayal. Revenge.
Centuries ago, the Faerie Realm was decimated by a vile and corrupt spell. To survive, the different faerie races—led by the Fae—escaped to the Human Realm where they’ve lived ever since.
As the Fae Patriarch of Boston’s criminal underworld, Aohdan Collins enjoys his playboy lifestyle while he works from the shadows to expand his growing empire, until one night when he shares a shot of whiskey with the lovely Seireadan Moore…
A Fae Seer, Seireadan is haunted by a vision of the Fae responsible for destroying Faerie and murdering her family. Common sense tells her to stay away from Aohdan, but his magnetism and charm are irresistible. As their passionate affair intensifies, Seireadan is pulled into the center of the underworld. And while her heart is bound to Aohdan, she cannot let go of her lifelong quest to hunt down the Fae who haunts her visions… especially when she realizes Aohdan might be the key to helping her find him.
But is revenge worth betraying the one she loves?“
This book is really entertaining but unfortunately not what would have stolen me immediately. The book is slowly picking up speed, but from the half of the book, the events became more intense. The author created a beautiful fantasy world, familiar and yet foreign. The relationship between the protagonists was stimulating, romantic and also erotic. What I liked was that you did not go too deep into a magical world and still have a touch of reality. This was especially true in the behavior of the characters and the descriptions of the scenes in the city. Nice and refreshing for me was also that the female protagonist was not weak and represented as a small helpless female. I am curious how the action will continue in the following volume. The reading was easy and fast and the writing style pleasant. I give the book 4/5 stars whereby I have to leave the cover now outside, because that would unfortunately deduct a point.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Inkshares Publishing House for the review copy.
April 8, 2019
More than 600 years after the Desolation, a spell that destroyed the Faerie realm, the faerie race has established an uneasy coexistence with humans in contemporary Boston.
Although not all humans have acclimated to the new normal, Aohdan Collins has adjusted quite well and has built a criminal underground empire. He’s likely a one-percenter, but tells the local detective snooping at his heels that he owns the Asmodeus Ink tattoo shop. He also owns a club, Underworld, that’s good for both business and for flirtations when he’s in the mood.
Seireadan Moore, a Fae with Sight, can sometimes portend the future. She works part-time at the metaphysical shop Sacred Circle. While she doesn’t need the money because her web business is quite successful, she enjoys meeting customers as her own business can be lonely. She is also on a mission to find the Fae who killed her parents when she was a child. His words “kill them all” still reverberates in her memory.
Of course, these two are destined to meet and they do at Underworld, but Seireadan is reluctant to begin a relationship with Aohdan. But she does so with passion and great peril. He is a powerful Fae and takes no prisoners. Aohdan doesn’t know that Seireadan can give as well as she gets or that her Sight might save him.
Hamilton does a cohesive job of writing about the integration of the two cultures. Her characters are believable and inhabit their roles fully. The reader is drawn into this double underworld of crime and Fae because Hamilton allows you to dwell in this dark fantasy until you stop turning pages.
She’s an exciting new writer to watch—and read.
Note: Adult Content
Although not all humans have acclimated to the new normal, Aohdan Collins has adjusted quite well and has built a criminal underground empire. He’s likely a one-percenter, but tells the local detective snooping at his heels that he owns the Asmodeus Ink tattoo shop. He also owns a club, Underworld, that’s good for both business and for flirtations when he’s in the mood.
Seireadan Moore, a Fae with Sight, can sometimes portend the future. She works part-time at the metaphysical shop Sacred Circle. While she doesn’t need the money because her web business is quite successful, she enjoys meeting customers as her own business can be lonely. She is also on a mission to find the Fae who killed her parents when she was a child. His words “kill them all” still reverberates in her memory.
Of course, these two are destined to meet and they do at Underworld, but Seireadan is reluctant to begin a relationship with Aohdan. But she does so with passion and great peril. He is a powerful Fae and takes no prisoners. Aohdan doesn’t know that Seireadan can give as well as she gets or that her Sight might save him.
Hamilton does a cohesive job of writing about the integration of the two cultures. Her characters are believable and inhabit their roles fully. The reader is drawn into this double underworld of crime and Fae because Hamilton allows you to dwell in this dark fantasy until you stop turning pages.
She’s an exciting new writer to watch—and read.
Note: Adult Content
January 18, 2019
When I first started reading this book I wasn't sure I was going to like Aohdan much as a main character. I much preferred Seireadan. Aohdan does not come across as a nice person, especially at the beginning, but as the book went on Hamilton did a great job of developing him so the reader begins to see his character and how he holds to a strict moral code. As their relationship develops both Aohdan and Seireadan bring different aspects of themselves to it, which has an affect on the other.
One thing I really liked about this story is that the fantasy and normal world aren't separate. The fae are known to the mundane world and interact with them. This isn't terribly common in fantasy books, and I found it really interesting. Hamilton does a great job of exploring how the two worlds might interact and what happens when the faeries can't simply escape to their own realm or use magic to fix or change things in the human world. This affects how the two worlds interact and what happens to the characters in those interactions.
Hamilton's writing is engaging and layered, and her characters are nuanced. If you're a fan of dark fantasy you'll enjoy this book. If you've never read dark fantasy but like contemporary fantasy and romance then this is a great place to jump into the world of dark fantasy!
One thing I really liked about this story is that the fantasy and normal world aren't separate. The fae are known to the mundane world and interact with them. This isn't terribly common in fantasy books, and I found it really interesting. Hamilton does a great job of exploring how the two worlds might interact and what happens when the faeries can't simply escape to their own realm or use magic to fix or change things in the human world. This affects how the two worlds interact and what happens to the characters in those interactions.
Hamilton's writing is engaging and layered, and her characters are nuanced. If you're a fan of dark fantasy you'll enjoy this book. If you've never read dark fantasy but like contemporary fantasy and romance then this is a great place to jump into the world of dark fantasy!
January 28, 2019
What a wonderful introduction to the writing of Susan K. Hamilton! I genuinely enjoyed her style and will definitely be following this indie author's career. Hamilton crafted a fantasy world that was rich and well-developed with colorful, yet relatable characters. I found myself turning the pages effortlessly, eager to remain in Hamilton's vivid world.
I would recommend Shadow King to those who ordinarily shy away from the Fantasy genre. The setting on the streets of Boston and unique approach of having Fae characters integrate into the human realm earned this book cross-genre status in my opinion. This is not for those who shy away from intimate sex scenes or violence, as you'll find a surplus of both. Hamilton's creative imagery is brilliant, and she pulls you into her scenes with a proficient hand. I look forward to reading Hamilton's next book.
I would recommend Shadow King to those who ordinarily shy away from the Fantasy genre. The setting on the streets of Boston and unique approach of having Fae characters integrate into the human realm earned this book cross-genre status in my opinion. This is not for those who shy away from intimate sex scenes or violence, as you'll find a surplus of both. Hamilton's creative imagery is brilliant, and she pulls you into her scenes with a proficient hand. I look forward to reading Hamilton's next book.
February 2, 2019
Susan K. Hamilton's writing has always struck me as swaggering with 'un-earned' confidence - which is to say - she writes with the moxie of an author on their 15th book, not their 2nd. Her debut novel, Darkstar Rising, helped (in my opinion) to confirm what Susan always believed - that she could WRITE. Shadow King fulfills that promise for the rest of us. We're treated to sex, high-stakes and danger in a world that is at once fantastical and rooted in reality. This reader is hopeful that Hamilton will take us on another visit to this world soon!
September 30, 2018
The crossover between our real world and the fantasy world described here is subtle enough to raise a realistic eyebrow. Undercurrents of realism in the description of the city and some of the behavior of characters keep this from getting bogged down in too much magic. A touch gritty in places with a satisfying conclusion. Oh, and the female lead? Not a pushover.
November 26, 2018
This was a great read, and I really enjoyed the strong, badass female heroine. She was fabulous. The Shadow King has a Sopranos, mobster vibe to it, a present day world where Fae people live side-by-side with humans, and Hamilton masterfully interweaves fantasy with contemporary drama so that the reader readily accepts the world she has created.
February 16, 2019
Good solid writing, though graphic and Corey in sections. Think godfather+ legends galore and you might get some idea what goes on inside this bookcover. Thank goodness, I don't mind bloodshed, so I was able to read and enjoy this story. I really loved the ending. If you like action, good plot, well written prose, get this book!
February 23, 2019
Ms. Hamilton writes with confidence and authority over the world she builds. This is a very cool story...dark fantasy on a reality-based backdrop with love, revenge, and crime lords! I've never met another book like it, and this story is GREAT. I look forward to more of the author's work!
December 29, 2020
This wasn't bad, but I think it was a little overly long, the plot could have been tightened up a bit, and there were some super cliched elements. However, having said that, I liked the characters, liked that females (at least females of note to the story) were shown to be as capable, blood-thirsty, and powerful as men, and liked the general world (even if it's not deeply developed).
All in all, I found it quite readable and would be happy to pick up another of Hamilton's books.
All in all, I found it quite readable and would be happy to pick up another of Hamilton's books.
October 25, 2019
I feel like this is the sort of book fans of everything from Carnival Row and Game of Thrones to Goodfellas and the Godfather will enjoy, including fans of urban fantasy authors like Holly Black and Laurell K. Hamilton.
Shadow King is an urban fantasy that seamlessly blends the fantasy world of Fae with the 'real' world of crime families. I like that it doesn't bog readers down with an info dump. Instead it goes right into the action and reveals details of the richly drawn world and its inhabitants throughout the story. If you're a regular fantasy reader, you'll be satisfied with the amount of detail, and if you aren't, you won't feel overwhelmed.
Sometimes the two 'worlds' blended so seamlessly, I'd be hard pressed to pinpoint how much the innerworkings of the central crime family were inspired by fairy lore, and how much they were inspired by the mob.
Like the romantic leads, it really was a match made in heaven.
Shadow King is an urban fantasy that seamlessly blends the fantasy world of Fae with the 'real' world of crime families. I like that it doesn't bog readers down with an info dump. Instead it goes right into the action and reveals details of the richly drawn world and its inhabitants throughout the story. If you're a regular fantasy reader, you'll be satisfied with the amount of detail, and if you aren't, you won't feel overwhelmed.
Sometimes the two 'worlds' blended so seamlessly, I'd be hard pressed to pinpoint how much the innerworkings of the central crime family were inspired by fairy lore, and how much they were inspired by the mob.
Like the romantic leads, it really was a match made in heaven.
October 27, 2019
Loved the book
I loved the story so much I wished it would not have needed. I hope she writes another shadow king book
I loved the story so much I wished it would not have needed. I hope she writes another shadow king book
June 1, 2019
This is the first book I have read by this author. I really enjoyed this story. I would have liked a little more of the "fantasy" aspect in regards to seeing Seireadan and Aohdan using their powers but I was not mad with the book. In fact, this was an very enjoyable, quick read. I finished this book in one day.
Seireadan and Aohdan made a good couple. Even though they had not went out on many dates before getting serious, I felt the chemistry. It was Aohdan that fell hard for Seireadan first. He may have been a powerful "mafia" type but he his heart can be broken.
Author, Susan Hamilton writes a wonderful storyline with engaging characters that will warm your heart. Whether you are a fan of fantasy or just great books in general, you will want to pick up a copy of this book.
Seireadan and Aohdan made a good couple. Even though they had not went out on many dates before getting serious, I felt the chemistry. It was Aohdan that fell hard for Seireadan first. He may have been a powerful "mafia" type but he his heart can be broken.
Author, Susan Hamilton writes a wonderful storyline with engaging characters that will warm your heart. Whether you are a fan of fantasy or just great books in general, you will want to pick up a copy of this book.
March 30, 2021
Love it. Some of the names hard to pronounce, but didn't really matter. Can't wait for the next one.
April 26, 2023
Great writing; Great Story
This was my first dark fantasy book and I enjoyed the story and Ms Hamilton’s writing a lot. She has a way of bringing the story and characters to life. Fae and human, as well as other beings have been forced to live together in society. That society is not always a peaceful one, in fact there is much dissension among the factions.
Protagonist and faerie patriarch Aohdan and faerie Seer Seireadan are perfect for each other. Both are strong and determined with a chemistry that won’t be denied. Aohdan rules with an iron fist when needed but is a fair and very loyal individual. Seireadan is on a quest to discover who destroyed her family and set in motion the Desolation that destroyed the Fae world, forcing them to retreat to the human realm and seal their fate forever. Both have trouble trusting others. Trust is hard earned but can be easily lost.
The world-building and descriptions create a feeling that you are living in their world. Experiencing their pain, their joy, their fear, and their love. I did not see the ending coming and became engrossed in its outcome. I could not put the book down. I had to know how it would end.
Ms Hamilton is a talented and brilliant writer and I look forward to reading more of her books.
In full disclosure - I won this book through a raffle she held and I am so glad I did. Thank you, Susan
This was my first dark fantasy book and I enjoyed the story and Ms Hamilton’s writing a lot. She has a way of bringing the story and characters to life. Fae and human, as well as other beings have been forced to live together in society. That society is not always a peaceful one, in fact there is much dissension among the factions.
Protagonist and faerie patriarch Aohdan and faerie Seer Seireadan are perfect for each other. Both are strong and determined with a chemistry that won’t be denied. Aohdan rules with an iron fist when needed but is a fair and very loyal individual. Seireadan is on a quest to discover who destroyed her family and set in motion the Desolation that destroyed the Fae world, forcing them to retreat to the human realm and seal their fate forever. Both have trouble trusting others. Trust is hard earned but can be easily lost.
The world-building and descriptions create a feeling that you are living in their world. Experiencing their pain, their joy, their fear, and their love. I did not see the ending coming and became engrossed in its outcome. I could not put the book down. I had to know how it would end.
Ms Hamilton is a talented and brilliant writer and I look forward to reading more of her books.
In full disclosure - I won this book through a raffle she held and I am so glad I did. Thank you, Susan
January 25, 2023
To be honest, I really didn't think I was going to like this book much when I first started it. I liked Seireadan, who was a Fae Seer, but I didn't like Aohdan, the Fae Patriarch of Boston, at all. I'm glad I decided to stick with it, though, because to get to know Aohdan is to love him, as they say. He's extremely loyal to his closest friends and even though it doesn't seem like it at first, he's actually very fair.
"Over six hundred years ago, one faerie - the Seelie king's brother, Luan - had unleashed a spell so foul and dark that it destroyed the entire Faerie realm. That spell became known as the Desolation, and to escape it, the faerie races, or what was left of them, fled to the human realm, sealing the portal doors behind them."
Both Seireadan and Aohdan have a connection to the Desolation that haunts them still. You have to wonder how that will affect any relationship they try to have.
I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to reading more of Ms. Hamilton's work.
4/5 stars.
"Over six hundred years ago, one faerie - the Seelie king's brother, Luan - had unleashed a spell so foul and dark that it destroyed the entire Faerie realm. That spell became known as the Desolation, and to escape it, the faerie races, or what was left of them, fled to the human realm, sealing the portal doors behind them."
Both Seireadan and Aohdan have a connection to the Desolation that haunts them still. You have to wonder how that will affect any relationship they try to have.
I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to reading more of Ms. Hamilton's work.
4/5 stars.
December 18, 2019
When you read stories about fairies, you expect good pixies, shimmering castles, and rainbows. Not in this fairy tale. This is a dark story of the Desolation of the Faerie realm and a fragile coexistence between faeries and the human race. The protagonists, Aohdan Collins and his love, Seiraeden are tough Faes. Covered in ink and piercings, they are a formidable part of the underworld.
While the story is dark and full of adult content, it is cinematic in nature, fast-paced, with well-developed characters and excellent world-building. It is apparent that a lot of research was done to create the characters of the faerie world. Recommended for fans of dark fantasy and paranormal romance.
While the story is dark and full of adult content, it is cinematic in nature, fast-paced, with well-developed characters and excellent world-building. It is apparent that a lot of research was done to create the characters of the faerie world. Recommended for fans of dark fantasy and paranormal romance.
July 15, 2020
Magical!
There is a lot to love about SHADOW KING. From the hot romance to the expertly crafted revenge plot and a new take on modern Faerie society, this urban fantasy has it all. Can’t wait to read more from Susan Hamilton.
There is a lot to love about SHADOW KING. From the hot romance to the expertly crafted revenge plot and a new take on modern Faerie society, this urban fantasy has it all. Can’t wait to read more from Susan Hamilton.
January 3, 2024
I’d never heard of this author but was gifted a signed copy of the book for Christmas. I was pleasantly surprised and devoured the book in a couple of sittings. I’ll definitely be checking out her other works. Give her a shot.
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