Shadow Hunted

Shadow Slayer #1

by L.A. Johnson

The town's only hope is Lydia, a snarky fae who's getting tired of always having to save everyone. Her only help is the hot human detective she's forced to work with and her inappropriate gnome sidekick. The town is screwed.

Lydia is a fae, minus the magic. And she only resents it every day. The only supernatural work she can get is doing odd jobs for the head of the local mage order. Luckily, he doesn't like to get his hands dirty and that leaves her with steady work. Her only friend is a magical garden gnome named Drat.

When a series of grisly supernatural murders rock the town, Lydia is paired with Zack, a hot human police detective. The two of them have to get a handle on the situation fast, before panic ensues. It doesn't matter how hot or distracting he is, she has a rule. She doesn't date humans. No exceptions.

But the closer she and Zack get to the truth, the more enemies they make. That includes an evil mage who moved into town to take over. Even worse, it uncovers her own hidden past. She's either going to save the town, die trying, or get everybody killed.

Lydia's either a dud-fae or a mythical monster. And her past may come back to haunt everybody.

Genres: Paranormal

188 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2019

Reviews

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lydia is the main character, a fae without magic! Someone who was kicked out of magical school after testing found her to have no actual fae magic. She has to work for someone else, more powerful, doing odd jobs, which usually put her into danger, but not her boss, and for little pay. She has to get her hands dirty, so he doesn’t. Her only magical friend, as such, is a garden gnome called Drat, who appears at odd times, just to surprise her. We get introduced to her trying to catch a troll who has taken a pouch of magical potions and is causing havoc in the city.

A series of supernatural murders occur and Lydia is put onto the case. She finds someone peering in her window and finds out it is a human detective called Zack, who is also looking into these murders. The first one happened in the assistant to the mayor’s office and may have political reasons. The next one occurs and Lydia and Zack get there soon after, to find that more people have been killed, all in the targeting of just one man in the building. Whilst there, they discover the magical creature that has been summoned to do the killing.

This leads them to go back to her boss for a magical tracking device, to find who is responsible for the summoning spell. The person it leads them to, seems like a novice human seeking magical power, using internet chat rooms to find those promising magic to humans. What they find is an evil mage who wants to take over the whole town and has a lot of magical power behind him, plus more side-kicks.

Lydia has a sword that has been in her family for generations, which warns her of supernatural’s in her presence. Why it flames up in Zack’s presence is a query for later. She has a rule, she doesn’t date humans, ever! Even when they are as hot as Zack. In doing research about the summoning spell and the magical creature they saw, Lydia finds out a few truths about herself and her possible future.

The chasing of the troll at the beginning of the story and having to deposit him near the frightening forest, she hates to approach, left Lydia meeting a forest sprite who helped her to heal after an attack and also important information for her eventual battle against the creatures guarding the edge of the forest. Something her sword and her possible skills are built for. Finding the real truth behind her own hidden past could lead to her being a complete dud or a monster that cannot be controlled. Not what she was looking for. Nor is the secret behind Zack.

This was such an easy read. The storyline just pulls you in and keeps your interest the whole way through. Lydia is a likeable character and seems a bit of a downtrodden person, but will soon come into her own. The relationship that starts to grow between Lydia and Zack is an interesting one and I can’t wait to see where it develops in the next book. The confrontation under the strange moon, in the middle of a forest clearing, will be intense and what its result will be is yet to be seen. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and was very glad to and enjoyed it immensely. I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)

Accidentally deleted from 'all' shelves when I meant to remove from just one! -- Thankfully I had the original shelf open in another window, and it was just one page that I was able to grab a screenshot of, so I can re-add all 17 books.
I don't store reviews, so I have clue what else I added beyond the star rating, sorry! :(

I'll try to recall to add my thoughts, again, when I do a re-read.

First time read the author's work?: Yes

Will you be reading more?: Yes

Would you recommend?: Yes


------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)

All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked

Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)

[Margaux Espinosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic story, L.A. Johnson did a fantastic job with the writing. The characters are fantastic, funny and constantly finding themselves in awkward dangerous situations. I love that the story was action packed yet filled with light hearted humor and witty banter. I was sucked in right away and couldn’t put it down, I very much recommend this read and look forward to reading more in the future!

[Sheila Gabler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Lydia - she is tormented, kick-ass and drives like a maniac! The story is her coming into her own and realizing that that she controls her destiny and what comes next. The supporting characters are a blast - I especially love Drat and his inappropriate comments and his popping in and out unexpectedly. I received a free copy of this book and this in my honest review.

[Ann Keeran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this is the way to start a new series! A Fae who may or may not have powers, an extremely hot police officer and some really cool other-worldly beings populate the pages of this fantastic sci-fi novel. Grab the first Shadow Slayer book and get ready for lots of exciting action.

[Suzanne G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing where the series will go.

[Brett Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I really liked this paranormal story. Strong characters, great world building very interesting paranormal creatures. Off to read book two!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story.

I loved the story line and the characters. I hope to read more about Kaylee and Drat. I am going to read the next one soon.

[Larissa]

I just couldn't get into this? Wasn't feeling her 'partner' at all. :(