Deep Shadows

The Child Thief #2

by Bella Forrest

The heart-pounding second book of The Child Thief series.

After the night's shocking events, Robin, Jace, and their team find themselves thrust into a race for their lives.

Robin never could have imagined that things would go so wrong. Never could have dreamed that they would find what they found within that innocuous-looking building.

And now it's too late: they've seen what they've seen, and there is no time to talk. No time to even think. Not with the caliber of people who are now on their trail. Fleeing is their priority-but even if they escape, it's uncertain whether they will ever truly be free.

Because there's one thing Robin and her comrades can now count on: the deeper they dig in this strange world that was once called "the United States," the darker the shadows become...

Buy now!

*Beware of spoilers in the reviews below that are without spoiler alerts*

Genres: Dystopia, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult, Audiobook, Fiction, War

406 pages, Paperback

First published July 12, 2018

About the author

UPDATE MARCH 11, 2024:

BELLA IS BACK!

*** New, updated online store at https://BellaForrest.com

*** New books coming soon

*** Possible Film/TV series coming soon

*** Stay up to date by joining our e-mail list at https://BellaForrest.com/join

###

Bella Forrest is a lover of fantasy, romance, action, and mystery infused stories with twists you don’t see coming. She has sold over fifteen million books since her first novel was published in 2012.

Check out her website for a full list of her books: https://BellaForrest.com

Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BellaForrest...

Here's a list of some of Bella's books:

DARKLIGHT

Darklight (Book 1)
Darkthirst (Book 2)
Darkworld (Book 3)
Darkblood (Book 4)
Darktide (Book 5)
Darkbirth (Book 6)
Darkfall (Book 7)
Darkwilds (Book 8)
Darkhunt (Book 9)

A LOVE THAT ENDURES (Trilogy)
A Love that Endures 1
A Love that Endures 2
A Love that Endures 3

HARLEY MERLIN AND THE SECRET COVEN

Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven (Book 1)
Harley Merlin and the Mystery Twins (Book 2)
Harley Merlin and the Stolen Magicals (Book 3)
Harley Merlin and the First Ritual (Book 4)
Harley Merlin and the Broken Spell (Book 5)
Harley Merlin and the Cult of Eris (Book 6)
Harley Merlin and the Detector Fix (Book 7)
Harley Merlin and the Challenge of Chaos (Book 8)
Harley Merlin and the Mortal Pact (Book 9)
Finch Merlin and the Fount of Youth (Book 10)
Finch Merlin and the Lost Map (Book 11)
Finch Merlin and the Djinn's Curse (Book 12)
Finch Merlin and the Locked Gateway (Book 13)
Finch Merlin and the Forgotten Kingdom (Book 14)
Finch Merlin and the Everlasting Vow (Book 15)
Finch Merlin and the Blood Tie (Book 16)
Finch Merlin and the Legend of the Luminary
Persie Merlin and Leviathan's Gift (Book 18)
Persie Merlin and the Door to Nowhere (Book 19)
Persie Merlin and the Witch Hunters (Book 20)
Persie Merlin and the Dying Song (Book 21)

THE CHILD THIEF

The Child Thief (Book 1)
Deep Shadows (Book 2)
Thin Lines (Book 3)
Little Lies (Book 4)
Ghost Towns (Book 5)
Zero Hour (Book 6)

HOTBLOODS

Hotbloods (Book 1)
Hotbloods (Book 2): Coldbloods
Hotbloods (Book 3): Renegades
Hotbloods (Book 4): Venturers
Hotbloods (Book 5): Traitors
Hotbloods (Book 6): Allies
Hotbloods (Book 7): Invaders
Hotbloods (Book 8): Stargazers

THE GENDER GAME

The Gender Game (Book 1)
The Gender Secret (Book 2)
The Gender Lie (Book 3)
The Gender War (Book 4)
The Gender Fall (Book 5)
The Gender Plan (Book 6)
The Gender End (Book 7)

THE GIRL WHO DARED TO THINK

The Girl Who Dared to Think (Book 1)
The Girl Who Dared to Stand (Book 2)
The Girl Who Dared to Descend (Book 3)
The Girl Who Dared to Rise (Book 4)
The Girl Who Dared to Lead (Book 5)
The Girl Who Dared to Endure (Book 6
The Girl Who Dared to Fight (Book 7)

A SHADE OF VAMPIRE

Season 1: Derek & Sofia’s story

Books 1 to 7

Season 2: Rose & Caleb’s story

Books 8 to 16

Season 3: The Shade continues with a new hero...

Books 17 to 24

Season 4: A Clan of Novaks

Books 25 to 32

Season 5: A Dawn of Guardians

Books 33 to 41

Season 6: A Gift of Three

Books 42 to 50

Season 7: A Call of Vampires

Books 51 to 59

Season 8: A Voyage of Founders

Books 60 to 68

Season 9: A Birth of Fire

Books 69 to 77

Season 10: An Origin of Vampires
An Origin of Vampires (Book 78)
A Game of Death (Book 79)
A Veil of Dark (Book 80)
A Bringer of Night (Book 81)
A Circle of Nine (Book 82)
A Bender of Spirit (Book 83)
A Memory of Time (Book 84)
A Shard of Soul (Book 85)
A Break of Seals (Book 86)

Season 11: A Shade of Mystery
A Shade of Mystery (Book 87)
An Isle of Mirrors (Book 88)
A Sanctuary of Foes (Book 89)
A Ruler of Clones (Book 90)
A Gate of Light (Book 91)
A Dawn of Worlds (Book 92) ➜ Coming soon!

Reviews

[Empress Reece (Hooked on Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars...

This is the second book in the series and basically Robin, Jace and their OHA group are trying to figure out what the Compliance Authority knows, where their friends are located and if any of their homes are safe.

There were so many times this book frustrated the shit out of me because Robin and her group made some of the stupidest decisions. For ex...They know the Enforcers have the lists with their addresses on it and the Enforcers have been to some of their houses on that list because they are burned out shells, yet Robin and her merry band of rookies continue on searching the next houses on the list like it's a safe thing to do, then are shocked when they run into Enforcers??!! Are you kidding me? Plus I don't get why they took a train and walked to all of these houses which left them without anyway to escape except on foot. Why not just do a quick drive-by with a getaway driver if they really want to know if the house is safe?

Even better yet, if you know the Compliance Authority has that list of addresses, anyone with an ounce of sense, should just automatically assume those houses are unsafe and move the hell on with Plan B. Why risk the few people you have left and your overall goal by running a pointless and high risk mission? I don't get it

Also, Ant's house was on that list yet they just continued to hang out there and make their plans like they were perfectly safe and had no reason to expect the Enforcers to show up at any minute. Don't get that either??

Anyways, those are just a couple of the idiotic descions that I had to suffer through. I can't wait to see what disasters they run head first into in the next book.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like all of her books, this one picked up right where it left off. And Bella dosnt disappoint. But I felt this one was slower throughout. The beginning and end how ever have it all. Danger. Adrenaline. Desperation.
3.5
I enjoyed it ✌😁

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Deep Shadows” the second captivating episode in Bella Forrest’s “Child Thief” series opens after Robin and Jace’s harrowing escape from the Ministry’s trap having learned more about the corruption of a government willing to auction off the babies stolen from society’s lower classes. Chased by Ministry soldiers, ducking bullets as their ship faces a deadly encounter in the sky overhead they finally flee with their friends back to the city only to discover many of their team captured and the Ministry offering them a way out if they turn themselves in.

Intriguing, fast-paced and action-packed the plot heats up as they dig deeper into the secrets of their world looking for a way to save their teammates from being executed. Intensity and suspense build as Robin, Jace, Jackie and Ant look for the techs who can help them get into the OH+ website filled now with Ministry traps as they plan a way to rescue the captured members of their team. With twists and turns like the discovery of an organization called Little J.O.H.N. the story flows quickly and smoothly to an explosive confrontation near the end and a cliff-hanger that promises more thrills in the next book.

Igniting the adventure and excitement the author has created compelling and intense characters like Robin who was indulged by her adopted family, thrown out of her home at seventeen after getting pregnant only to have her baby stolen by the Ministry. Stubborn, loyal to her friends and trying hard not to fall for Jace, Robin can be impulsive, putting herself and others in danger while looking for information. Often edgy and wary because of the losses in his life, Jace is strong, often charming, and protective wanting more than friendship from a reluctant Robin. Often breaking the tension in the story is Ant’s humor as well as the commitment and dedicated friendship of sixteen-year-old Gabby, a techie living on a boat with her family.

I thoroughly enjoyed the second book as Robin and Jace are propelled deeper into the secrets of the government and the organizations fighting to topple its corruption.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! I couldn’t believe near the end how close Jace and Robin has gotten throughout the book. The amazing rescue by Little J.O.H.N at the end was unbelievably exhilarating. I had my theories on LJ. This is an even better reveal than I could’ve hoped for. The LJ team is unbelievable skilled. I hope they train all of the OH+ group. It has ever single thing I want in a great book. This book was filled with action and I couldn’t stop reading. I’m so excited to get into the next book.

[Phyllis Pickens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Survival !

The enemy is all around and out for blood ! The group is scattered and some fates are worse. So many set ups and set backs...There is strength in numbers!

[TP · Rating 2 out of 5]

The books the child thief and deep shadows by Bella Forrest are the first two books in the child thief series.
It promised suspense, action and romance in a dystopian futuristic America.
It is a not well-written and not well-constructed story about a young woman trying to get her child back and as a bonus bring down the governmental system with it. However, we have a heroine stumbling around, not really knowing what she is doing, neglecting possible failure, consequences and repercussions. A heroine who apparently knows as less as the reader about the world she is living in and the “enemy” she is facing. The book proclaims a grand goal and operates on a small scale.

For me, it only achieved a slow burn romance, which was believable and actually nice to read. Although it got a little teenage over dramatic at times. When the heroine had again some “eye rolling” inner debate of what to do and what not.
The action was also there at times.


After having read both released books, the child thief and deep shadows, I am more disappointed than having had a good read.

The governmental system and social structure the story is based on, sounded very questionable, although based on a good idea it still seemed tenuous at best.
Additionally, the whole rebellion idea, got weird pretty quickly, as the characters don’t use any violence. Not even for self defence. I am not sure if this is meant for a younger audience. But it is ridiculous, to watch them running around, equipped with weapons they never use. They never fight back. Starting a rebellion without being trained in combat or self defence. Carrying weapons not shooting them, when in one of their dangerous situations. I haven’t found the purpose in that. If the characters actively decided to lead some kind of ghandi rebellion, good for them, but nothing is mentioned as of its reasoning.

The same goes for the world building. In the first book, there is literally none. It is set in the year 2103 and I continuously wondered how this world looked like. What kind of futuristic landscape, technology, infrastructure?
During the story, some tech is used and mentioned, like a stealth aircraft and some kind of robotic suits, for example. But I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how they looked like. How it was possible they could fly with this aircraft undetected. Telling me it has stealth mode is not enough. How those suits did not stand out while they walked through the streets or took the train. How it is possible to not attract attention walking around in masks. Those and more inconsistencies through out the book kept on piling up. I could list so many, but simply gave up. Few got answered later on. But it looked more like an after thought, then fitting them into the story when it first came up.
The second book revealed more landscape details, yet it appeared the society and landscape took several jumps back right into the industrial area of the 17 th century than a fantastical dystopian future. Littered with factories, poor people living in rundown places, cramped together, starving and terrorised by the rich factory owners and government.
Even a house is once described as looking like a medieval church, I wonder how an American 19 year old girl knows anything about medieval churches, not having left the country, seen Europe or having had any educational reference to that.


The first books cover states “one girl decides to fight back”.
Well, our main character Robin does indeed do decide to fight back, tho she isn’t the only one, she is one of many. And additionally most of the time she has no clue what she actually does, which contradicts the whole idea and purpose of this book.
She does not contribute anything special to the table at all in regard of skills or talents.

The main plot looses its path early on, splinters in several directions, in several plot threads which divert from the main path.
Apparently the author plans a couple of more books for this series. As the first two, didn’t achieve anything for the main goal nor even the splintered plot threads.
Nothing was solved, nothing was answered, there was no progress, nothing. It only opened up more questions.
Most of the time the characters stumble around not knowing what they are actually doing. Getting swept from one direction to the next. With changing goals by the minute. And it is questionable what significance they are actually playing. As there is no reference to how big the population is. The capitol, the government and such. Are we talking here about a country with 300 000 people like Island, where 100 rebels are a significant amount. Or are we talking about a country with 60 million people, where 100 people are a drop of water on a hot stone. There is not even the factor what role the media plays. It is all not really thought through.
The main character’s goals sway from getting her child back, to dreaming of a rebellion to topple the government, having no idea how, to fleeing the country with her child, to not achieving anything and get back to her sad life as a factory worker, to rescuing the captured friends and getting rescued several times by mysterious black men. It is chaotically written and plotted.

The most annoying part was the writing style and the heroine. Listening to her inner monologues, with her wild theories of what ifs and whys. Every few pages. Especially her silly righteousness in explaining why people would do or say anything, assuming she knows it all. It is not a good writing style when using a first person narrator, to make the main character assume and tell what other persons are thinking, feeling and their actions behind it. Teaching and explaining for the reader everything, like a mix between first and third person narrator. Not appealing.
I started early on to scroll over her musings and explanations, her wild theories of whys and what ifs, her reasoning and moral based teachings of what is right and wrong.
Because it was not only unnecessary to the story it is also unnatural to think like that all the time and more and more a page filler than a real contribution to the plot. Especially in the second book.
It was tiring watching the characters stumble around. The whole book mostly consisted more of wild theories than action. It was tiresome to live more or less mainly in the head of the main character, going back and forth, arguing and debating all in her mind. For nothing at all. Throwing around wild theories and actually achieving nothing. At times she even thought, she is the main reason for several actions behind a big rebellion with a hundred people and their unachieved goals. A great delusion of grandeur without having contributed anything at all.


All in all, these books were disappointing. The ideas were good, but it needed at least one year of more work and rewriting. Those two first books could have been literally made into one, with a good editor and little more love and professionalism for the detail and writing, the world building and society. Potential but not used.
To be honest, if it wasn’t for the kindle unlimited status I wouldn’t have read the book, especially not the second book.
It could have been so much better. The author has so much unused potential compared to many other books I have read.

[Cher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bella Forrest has a gift for grabbing the reader for a rollercoaster ride with her storytelling. She does that for the most part with Deep Shadows.
I like the pace of Robin and Jace as far as their relationship goes. I noticed more background on a few more characters, but not others. More mystery to unfold.
Having trouble giving a review without spoilers, so I guess that's about it.
I had no idea this is a series in progress. I probably would have waited to start the series had I known. I do like this story, but am reluctant to recommend till I read the next book. With my Reader's ADD, not sure if I will care enough by the end of September when the next book is released.

[GypsyLace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn't call this a Romance, however it's sweet watching Jace and Robin's friendship grow into more. There are more characters in on the action, and a lot more mystery. Bella Forrest does not disappoint. I am reluctant to recommend this book before finishing the series.

[nat _lovestoread · Rating 5 out of 5]

So intense!!! 😱

OMG, OMG!!!... This book is so intense, I was so stressed and jumpy all the time, it was a really hard time for all of OH+ team, I could feel them traped several times, thank God it didn't happen!!!... Who the hell is Little John Org???... Oh and I love the tension between Robin and Jace, love them!!!... Can't wait for the next book!!! 🤗👍👏👏👏

[Megan Amaral · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly don't know what to say about this sequel. I was lightweight disappointed. I felt like there was a lot of nothing happening and every first idea ended up being the correct one. It got to a point where I was like...nope that is not my first idea, but I know it will ultimately be the right one so whatever. There was a little more romance in this book, but I didn't believe any of it - I felt like Robin was in this internal debate in the first book about not opening herself up to anyone because danger and she doesn't want what happened to her happen again, but in this book, she does over to his house and none of that matter whatsoever. She opened herself completely to him and was like screw what Nelson taught us about never opening up to anyone for safety reasons. She completely trusted and opened up to Jace and that #1 rule that she lived her last 2 years by just went out the window.

Also, even though when they are alone she acts like they are a couple and they talk about EVERYTHING, she still hasn't come to terms about her feelings towards Jace. I think at one point she referred to him as the guy she sometimes has a crush on. Like hold up, what? Like yes, just because ya'll cuddle at night with one another and hold each other's hands all the time doesn't make ya'll a couple, but at the same time...a guy you have a crush on sometimes? Girlfriend, com eon. Now I think that Robin is just using Jace for comfort. That she loves to know that there is someone always there to protect her and comfort her, but with no feelings attached. Jace clearly is in love with her....for whatever reasons I don't understand. But Jace is also another character I do not understand in this book. Maybe when the author tells the reader that Jace is a caveman, she doesn't actually mean what a caveman means to the reader. Maybe since this book is set so far in the future, when she says caveman, she really just means like a non-tech savey guy who lived in the wilderness in a colony, not fur skin, ohhh fire, caveman. But overall, Jace is hella sketchy, and is CLEARLY hiding something. Maybe the writing in this book was just terrible (I feel like I read a first draft of a book), but the author writes Jace as this nice guy who has a secret. It comes off to me like maybe Jace is a pathological liar and is pretending to not who who LITTLE J.O.H.N. is, but is actually apart of it. I don't know, for someone who is not tech savy, he understands a lot of technology at points. I don't trust him, and I don't trust whatever the leader's name is. I forget.

I want to keep reading this series, but maybe not for a little while cause this book was honestly crap. I mean I want to know what happens, but I think that is more of me being curious and not liking to not finish stories.

[Margaret]

The heart-pounding second audiobook of _The Child Thief_ series.

After the night's shocking events, Robin, Jace, and their team find themselves
thrust into a race for their lives.

Robin never could have imagined that things would go so wrong. Never could
have dreamed they would find what they found within that innocuous-looking
building.

And now it's too late: They've seen what they've seen, and there is no time to
talk. No time to even think. Not with the caliber of people who are now on
their trail. Fleeing is their priority - but even if they escape, it's
uncertain whether they will ever truly be free.

Because there's one thing Robin and her comrades can now count on: The deeper
they dig in this strange world that was once called "the United States", the
darker the shadows become....

Buy now!

[Lanelle Wald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story line dragged

This book dragged on even more than the first book. One would think that the author would get around to at least some part of the original plot in this book and not just the rescue mission. I would’ve liked to read in this book the rescue mission as well as some part of taking down the ministry. I hope the next book is more thought out and is the last in the series. I don’t think I can suffer through any more useless storylines. I started reading the first book because I liked the plot but so far it has been a disaster of a story. The only reason I plan to read the third book is to see if Robin and Nelson get the kids back before it’s too late.

[Lateshia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap!

This book-this series-will have you on the seat of your chair the entire time. I devoured this book. Cheering Robin and her team on through their harrowing adventure. They are drawn in way deeper than expected into their corrupt government that auctions babies off to the highest bidder if their birth parents fall below the economic line. They raid a building setting off the government to look harder in their direction than they intend and some of their people are captured. Getting away from a secret government agency is even harder done than said.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for an escape adventure?

Well if you are looking for an escape adventure book, this is the place.

Or heroine and her cohorts are caught up in the mystery of stolen children, mysterious websites, kidnapped techs and several shadowy government agencies.
Robin (Hood) not her real name, does a much better job with her self talk in this book, and we get down to a very frantic ending cliffhanger. A raid gone wrong and another suspicious group that seems to have parallel goals whip this book up into a frenzy of activity.
These are quick and fun reads.

[Kasandra Kurutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another page turner!

Again, everything Ms. Forrest writes is incredible! This journey of fighting a corrupt government by an average person who lost her child to this system is so relatable. Robin is atrong when she needs to be yet lets others give her strength when she needs it rather than being an always tough, do it alone kind of person. She has values and morals and sticks with them. Absolutely love to dystopian side to Bella's writings!!

[DAVID ALVAREZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot like the girl who dared to think

Enjoyable I liked reading but she goes on and on with her thinking in her head about what’s going on and sometimes it seems like they get into situations that are impossible to get out of and yet they do overall I’d say this is it OK book and I like the girl who dared to think Series is better but this was a lot like it same type of characters and stuff

[Michele Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story continues...

In this story after a mission goes sideways and several of Robins friends and cohorts get caught, they spend the next several days on the run, trying to come up with a rescue plan before execution day. Without any surviving IT members on their side, the group must rely on a teenager hacker to pull off their biggest worst planned mission yet, but they will stop at nothing to rescue their friends and family.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

After what seemed like an innocent, but dangerous raid for OH+ went horribly wrong, Robin, Jace, and what’s left of their crew are left to find a way to get their friends and other OH+ members out of the Authority Compliance’s Prison before they’re executed. SHE ACTUALLY CAN WRITE A BOOK IN A SERIES THAT ENDS!!! I’m genuinely impressed!! Do you hear that Ms. Forrest? That’s how you write an ending during a series!

[cheri carraway · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good story, but boring

Too many "what if's" and too much time spent on details that don't even matter. I think Bella Forrest just uses a lot of filler so she can sell more books. Only got half way through the second book before I couldn't take any more. I enjoy fantasy and science fiction because there are more situations to be explored. Sadly, Bella didn't utilize this opportunity.

[Allyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better

3.5 stars...This book was better than the first one. At least it had a plot, conflict, and resolution. It still moved slow at times and repeats at times. I'm tired of hearing about "bandwidth". It seems to be the catch phrase of the book. Also, left with many questions and no answers. But the characters are building and I'm staying to connect with them more. So I guess I'll see where they go from here.

[DeAnna F-S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Bella Forrest

Amazing twist to a story that i thought was going in a complete different direction. The turn made it even more exciting and exhilarating then it previously was, if that’s possible. Bella has a way with writing and such an imagination beyond what most people are capable of.

[Imogen Vasey Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much better than book one

I really enjoyed this book. Book one was comparatively slow but this one (book 2) finally saw things get moving. All those characters we learned about in book one finally had their moments to shine in an action packed story. I zipped through this book and have started book three immediately.

[Elizabeth✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like my review of the first book, it still had a lot of detail and unneeded paragraphs. However, it was not as much as the first book and liked this book better! It had a lot more action and I love how I’m getting to know the characters more and more! I love how this book is making me ask questions and keeps me intrigued the entire time. I’m ready for the next book! ☺️

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, the first book took a while to get going, and it did. I’m now fully invested in all 6 books. Should be made into a series of films, on par with divergent and hunger games. Enjoying the ride along with the kids to c if thy will save their friends. To crack the system and over throw the government. Really enjoyable.

[katrina rampenthal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eager for the next book in the series!

Love this author, she always creates worlds that are easy to lose yourself in. This is the third series of hers I'm reading and I'm looking at some of the older ones next!

[Chris Knight-waechter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non stop action

Loved book two f the Child Thief. Bella Forrest has done a great job on the character build, absolutely love Robin and Jace and the budding relationship. Book 3 is over a month out, ugh!

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Child theif 2

I totally loved this story was very glad that they continued from the 1st book. I always like a book that while you read it you can visualize the story inside your head. Can't wait to find out who little John is

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 is another great book by Bella Forrest

To know the government is selling babies and covering up everything is unimaginable. But this is what is going on and when they arrest people and threaten to kill them if others don't turn themselves in well read the book.....

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting!

This gets more exciting with each book. A daring rescue or two or three. Breaking into the Authority prison. And who were those guys in black who showed up?
Can't wait for the next book to find out what happens next!

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting Better

So this series is slowly getting better. More relationships between the characters are growing, which I love to see. I wish some loose ends had been cleared up though. What happened to their jobs? Do they ever get a change of clothes? Who the heck is Nathan?