What do you think?
Rate this book
Touched by the Fae #2
Shadow
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B07XYHN2SJ
The fae are after me because I’m the Shadow. But what the hell is that supposed to mean?
The fae are after me because I’m the Shadow. But what the hell is that supposed to mean?
Black Pine Facility for Wayward Juveniles. The asylum. I always thought it was a place for broken kids like me and it is, I guess. But that's not all.
It's also a place where the fae put troublesome humans to forget about them.
After I was blamed for my sister's death, I was trapped inside for more than six years. My doctors—my captors—told me that I'd be free on my next birthday. In a couple of weeks, I would walk out of Black Pine forever.
I believed them, too.
The fae can't lie, but that doesn't mean they tell the truth. On my twenty-first birthday, I would be leaving the asylum... because the Fae Queen has decided it's time I was finally brought to Faerie to face her.
Yeah. That’s, uh, that’s gonna be a no.
You see, I spent the last six years pretending that the fae don't exist. That all changes when a Dark Fae helps me break out of the asylum. Nine. The Shadow Man who was my loyal guardian and only friend when I was a little girl. Now that he’s back in my life for the first time in years, he swears he only wants to help me.
Right.
With a return to the asylum impossible, my only goal is to escape the fae chasing me. Even Nine. Especially Nine. And that’s way harder than I thought it would be. He’s… he’s different than the Shadow Man I remember from my childhood. The cold, emotionless fae is showing me a whole new side to him—and this sexy, devoted fae is helping me discover exactly who I am.
Abandonment issues, right? I have them in spades. So while I’m trying to escape the fae, I’m also trying to outrun my growing feelings for Nine.
If only I could get the hang of the whole walking through shadows thing...
** Shadow is the second book in a planned trilogy featuring a wary & independent half-fae heroine, the Dark Fae who has shadowed her her entire life, and her quest to learn about who she really is and why the powerful Fae Queen wants her dead.
336 pages, ebook
First published December 10, 2019
257 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Lynch
65 books168 followersJessica Lynch loves to write! She's been writing ever since she was a child, and spent years writing fan fiction before deciding at the end of 2017 to begin focusing on her original works of fiction. A 14-time winner of NaNoWriMo, Jessica has tons of manuscripts waiting to be formed and shaped and introduced to the world -- plus countless more milling around in her brain. She just wishes she could type fast enough to get them all out!
When she's not writing or working, she's either reading, playing with her family of cats in Central New Jersey, rooting for her beloved Mets, or working on her graphic arts skills to bring her characters and cover art to life.
When she's not writing or working, she's either reading, playing with her family of cats in Central New Jersey, rooting for her beloved Mets, or working on her graphic arts skills to bring her characters and cover art to life.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 11, 2021
This was so bad!
Riley is an absolute moron. She just keeps making the same mistakes over and over and over again. She burys her head in the sand and runs away from EVERYTHING and just pretends nothing is real. She doesn't listen to people when they try to explain things to her, and then she gets angry when she's clueless, so she blames others for not keeping her informed. 🙄 She lashes out randomly and emotionally like a child. She expects others to trust her, but as soon as she gets angry she goes back on her word....
I mean, there is not a lot to like about this chick. I don't even feel bad for her when bad things happen to her, because she absolutely deserves it. I mean she is the very definition of TSTL(too stupid to live) and her personality is so unlikable that I really found myself struggling to have any sympathy for the girl.
I am still slightly intrigued by the story, but I am absolutely disgusted with Riley as a character. I don't know if I will read the next book. I'm just too turned off by the main character. It's not good when you have an unlikable main character in a book. It just ruins the whole story.
Riley is an absolute moron. She just keeps making the same mistakes over and over and over again. She burys her head in the sand and runs away from EVERYTHING and just pretends nothing is real. She doesn't listen to people when they try to explain things to her, and then she gets angry when she's clueless, so she blames others for not keeping her informed. 🙄 She lashes out randomly and emotionally like a child. She expects others to trust her, but as soon as she gets angry she goes back on her word....
I mean, there is not a lot to like about this chick. I don't even feel bad for her when bad things happen to her, because she absolutely deserves it. I mean she is the very definition of TSTL(too stupid to live) and her personality is so unlikable that I really found myself struggling to have any sympathy for the girl.
I am still slightly intrigued by the story, but I am absolutely disgusted with Riley as a character. I don't know if I will read the next book. I'm just too turned off by the main character. It's not good when you have an unlikable main character in a book. It just ruins the whole story.
February 11, 2020
Same ol' drawn out, depressing story as the first.
15% of the way in and she's STILL in the sewer...doing nothing but talking about a peach that made her sick. Why hasn't she tried to call the dark fae? Or left the darn sewer, at that? Why hasn't she done ANYTHING? The first book was pretty, unnecessarily, drawn out too; but I had hopes this one would get better quickly..it hasn't. It's like words are only being used to fill the pages, rather than weaved together to tell a story. She only complains, yells, complains some more, yells some more...and so on, for the ENTIRE first book and then the same thing at least 15% of the way through this one. Perhaps it gets better, I don't know. I won't read anymore, it's just too depressing and irritating. I feel bad leaving a bad review, but I'm really surprised it has such a high rating to begin with. Maybe people like being irritated and depressed more than I do? I have no idea.
15% of the way in and she's STILL in the sewer...doing nothing but talking about a peach that made her sick. Why hasn't she tried to call the dark fae? Or left the darn sewer, at that? Why hasn't she done ANYTHING? The first book was pretty, unnecessarily, drawn out too; but I had hopes this one would get better quickly..it hasn't. It's like words are only being used to fill the pages, rather than weaved together to tell a story. She only complains, yells, complains some more, yells some more...and so on, for the ENTIRE first book and then the same thing at least 15% of the way through this one. Perhaps it gets better, I don't know. I won't read anymore, it's just too depressing and irritating. I feel bad leaving a bad review, but I'm really surprised it has such a high rating to begin with. Maybe people like being irritated and depressed more than I do? I have no idea.
August 21, 2020
Good premise..... but....
The premise was good, with different characteristics in the MC, it might have been a great read. But....
The story kept going around in circles.
MC was really quite a dumb, self centered whiny brat. -It drove me nuts. I kept waiting for some sign of character growth, but it just wasn't happening. MC just kept doing the same stupid things over and over.... The story keeps going around in circles.
I persevered until more than half way through, but ended up snapping the book shut in disgust and disappointment.
The premise was good, with different characteristics in the MC, it might have been a great read. But....
The story kept going around in circles.
MC was really quite a dumb, self centered whiny brat. -It drove me nuts. I kept waiting for some sign of character growth, but it just wasn't happening. MC just kept doing the same stupid things over and over.... The story keeps going around in circles.
I persevered until more than half way through, but ended up snapping the book shut in disgust and disappointment.
June 30, 2020
2.5-3ish? I am still super intrigued by this story I just don't know if I'm committed yet. I'm so on the fence. On the one hand I still feel like the characters are on the flat side and the mysteries that surround everyone really doesn't help to round them out nor help endear anyone to the reader. I am confounded by our FMC's attraction towards our Shadow Man. Mainly because, they really haven't had any meaningful interactions. All of her feelings are based on her childhood in which we, as the readers, weren't there for. I wish the author had spent more time building the relationships in the actual story, and yet there is no real foundation for any sort of relationship because there can be no trust. Everyone expects our FMC to be "The Shadow," and yet there is no one to actually teach her what that means or entails. Its super frustrating the lack of information we are dealt here.
I don't know really what I want to do with this series.. I think I'm going to give it one more book and if things continue on the way they are now I'm going to have to just call it quits. We still don't have much of a "world build." It seems the world kind of consists of the FMC's general vicinity which makes the whole thing feel really shallow. One more chance..
I don't know really what I want to do with this series.. I think I'm going to give it one more book and if things continue on the way they are now I'm going to have to just call it quits. We still don't have much of a "world build." It seems the world kind of consists of the FMC's general vicinity which makes the whole thing feel really shallow. One more chance..
April 16, 2020
Freedom always comes at a price…
„Shadow “, the second volume in the “Touched by the Fae” Trilogy by Jessica Lynch, is a dark urban fantasy tale centered in the character of Riley, a half human/fae young woman that was committed to the Black Pine Facility for Wayward Juveniles at the age of fifteen.
Now a couple of weeks shy of her twenty first birthday Riley can almost smell freedom, only to have her hopes smashed one more time. The Asylum is not just as she thought, a facility for troubled teenagers, it is in fact the place where the fae lock up human children into oblivion. Still Ridley have been promised to be able to leave Black Pine when she reaches twenty-one, and the fae definitely cannot lie, thus….
…. so leaving should she, just to fall directly into the hands of the Fae Queen, a big no-no in Riley’s book. With close to none options, Riley is on the run, even from Nine, the Shadow Man of her childhood who seems to be the only ally the fae pursuers. Nine seems changed in a way that makes Riley doubt his true alliances and has become a tat too sexy and attractive for Riley’s comfort. As a rule, the fae don’t do favors, thus why does he keeping helping Riley without further explanation?
The book is a fast-paced, action-packed read, with equals parts of suspense, intrigue, introspection and raw emotion on Riley’s side, and some very nicely done unexpected turns that will keep you wonder how everything will line down in the end… until the cliff comes and let you hanging over… but do not despair… “Touch” the third and final volume in the Trilogy is already out, thus….. just keep on reading 😉
„Shadow “, the second volume in the “Touched by the Fae” Trilogy by Jessica Lynch, is a dark urban fantasy tale centered in the character of Riley, a half human/fae young woman that was committed to the Black Pine Facility for Wayward Juveniles at the age of fifteen.
Now a couple of weeks shy of her twenty first birthday Riley can almost smell freedom, only to have her hopes smashed one more time. The Asylum is not just as she thought, a facility for troubled teenagers, it is in fact the place where the fae lock up human children into oblivion. Still Ridley have been promised to be able to leave Black Pine when she reaches twenty-one, and the fae definitely cannot lie, thus….
…. so leaving should she, just to fall directly into the hands of the Fae Queen, a big no-no in Riley’s book. With close to none options, Riley is on the run, even from Nine, the Shadow Man of her childhood who seems to be the only ally the fae pursuers. Nine seems changed in a way that makes Riley doubt his true alliances and has become a tat too sexy and attractive for Riley’s comfort. As a rule, the fae don’t do favors, thus why does he keeping helping Riley without further explanation?
The book is a fast-paced, action-packed read, with equals parts of suspense, intrigue, introspection and raw emotion on Riley’s side, and some very nicely done unexpected turns that will keep you wonder how everything will line down in the end… until the cliff comes and let you hanging over… but do not despair… “Touch” the third and final volume in the Trilogy is already out, thus….. just keep on reading 😉
June 17, 2020
The premise for this series is really cool and has lots of interesting elements. All the Fae magic stuff is fun, and I’m really enjoying this series overall. Definitely read the previous book before this one, or you may be lost. In this book, Riley is still having trouble dealing with knowing that the Fae are real; she is not handling things well. I’m not a fan of her being so pity party in this book; she has a lot of issues that she needs to work through, how she grew up really damaged her self-worth and her mental growth. I’m getting tired of her bratty attitude; this whole book is her trying to wish everything away, bury her head in the sand, but that’s not going to work and she’s really kidding herself to think it will. The story moves a bit too slowly, but the story is still entertaining, and I’m still excited to read the next book. I just hope Riley stops being so problematic and acting so cracked. I want to root for her and I still do, but I want more strength from her. She needs to stop and think before she acts; she lets her emotions rule her too much. I hope to see more growth from her in the next book. There’s also a bit more about Riley and Nine’s connection, but I’m thinking Riley doesn’t have the maturity necessary for any type of romantic relationship; she really needs to work on herself first. With that being said, I do like that there’s a supportive relationship there. It’ll be interesting to see where this story goes, and how Nine and Riley end up.
May 28, 2020
>Book Review – Shadow
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 2nd in the Touched by the Fae trilogy and ends in a cliffhanger. Riley finds a friend in Carolina and learns to manipulate the shadows. Nine and Rys both mark Riley, but it is Nine’s mark that Riley wants. She shows her feeling for Nine, but they are not reciprocated until later in the story.
>Once again it is difficult to decide who is good and who is not. Carolina has her own reasons for helping Riley that may or may not be good for Riley in the end. A showdown with the fae queen revealed what happened to Riley’s parents and also reveals Nine’s true feelings for Riley.
>This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this book 5 stars. The descriptions in this book are really vivid and the settings are super gross! The romance is a true slow burn, but the romantic pull is huge.
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 2nd in the Touched by the Fae trilogy and ends in a cliffhanger. Riley finds a friend in Carolina and learns to manipulate the shadows. Nine and Rys both mark Riley, but it is Nine’s mark that Riley wants. She shows her feeling for Nine, but they are not reciprocated until later in the story.
>Once again it is difficult to decide who is good and who is not. Carolina has her own reasons for helping Riley that may or may not be good for Riley in the end. A showdown with the fae queen revealed what happened to Riley’s parents and also reveals Nine’s true feelings for Riley.
>This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this book 5 stars. The descriptions in this book are really vivid and the settings are super gross! The romance is a true slow burn, but the romantic pull is huge.
September 12, 2020
There's something that keeps me interested...
I'm interested enough in these books to keep reading them.. and giving them a decent rating.
The main character is pretty weak, and I'm not a fan of her personality at all really. There's a lot she doesn't question, but when she does ask questions she doesn't get answers sometimes and doesn't press for more. She picks a piece of paper off a dead person she knows but doesn't read what it says in this book, although there was plenty of time to in between picking it up and the end of the book.
There are grammatical errors.
I don't have really anything that's definitively positive to say...
But there's just something that interests me, makes me not hate it, and makes me curious enough to read the next ones.
I'm interested enough in these books to keep reading them.. and giving them a decent rating.
The main character is pretty weak, and I'm not a fan of her personality at all really. There's a lot she doesn't question, but when she does ask questions she doesn't get answers sometimes and doesn't press for more. She picks a piece of paper off a dead person she knows but doesn't read what it says in this book, although there was plenty of time to in between picking it up and the end of the book.
There are grammatical errors.
I don't have really anything that's definitively positive to say...
But there's just something that interests me, makes me not hate it, and makes me curious enough to read the next ones.
September 15, 2020
Wow, I found This Super Repetitive!😔
2.5 Stars 🌟
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
Shadow (Touched by the Fae #2)
I hoped that Riley, after escaping the mental health hospital, would become stronger in mind & body. She's had the Fae truth utterly confirmed to her, without a doubt, but still she doubts it & constantly convinced herself to bury her head in the sand!!😔 I found the repetivness & her constant indecision as well as her childish petulance towards Nine, truly frustrating & annoying!! If I didn't want to know the out come of 'how' she'll fulfil the prophesy I wouldn't read book #3 Touch. As I do, I'll attempt to struggle through it in a few days time, I need a break first!🙈
Debbie, 1970, UK
2.5 Stars 🌟
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
Shadow (Touched by the Fae #2)
I hoped that Riley, after escaping the mental health hospital, would become stronger in mind & body. She's had the Fae truth utterly confirmed to her, without a doubt, but still she doubts it & constantly convinced herself to bury her head in the sand!!😔 I found the repetivness & her constant indecision as well as her childish petulance towards Nine, truly frustrating & annoying!! If I didn't want to know the out come of 'how' she'll fulfil the prophesy I wouldn't read book #3 Touch. As I do, I'll attempt to struggle through it in a few days time, I need a break first!🙈
Debbie, 1970, UK
April 2, 2020
Slow and repetitive
I gave the first book a go and didnt hate it. The second book in my opinion is so slow going and completely receptive and the main character is absolutely childish. She comes off strong but then acts like a petulant child during important moments and I get that's her character but its obnoxious. The story isnt going anywhere. I made it 60% of the way through this before I just couldn't anymore. The book feels like it's being dragged out so there can be two more books which is disappointing.
I gave the first book a go and didnt hate it. The second book in my opinion is so slow going and completely receptive and the main character is absolutely childish. She comes off strong but then acts like a petulant child during important moments and I get that's her character but its obnoxious. The story isnt going anywhere. I made it 60% of the way through this before I just couldn't anymore. The book feels like it's being dragged out so there can be two more books which is disappointing.
June 24, 2020
Riley is out of the asylum. She learns of a foretold prophecy. She learns more about the Fae. Any more information and I will be giving away too much of the story. This book is the very exciting 2nd book in the Touched by the Fae series and I think that it is excellent. I was given a free copy of this audiobook at my request and this is my honest review.
July 2, 2020
While the story continues to develop, there's still a lot of repetitive information. I like the storyline and the concept. I like the twists and turns. I'm happy to give it 4stars but if it wasn't for all the repetition I'd easily give it 5. Still recommend it. Rhys and Nine weren't further developed so I wasn't happy with that but it's okay.
July 29, 2020
Another ok read
I liked the uniqueness of the story but it was too short but longer then the first book so lacked depth in some areas so I was left hanging and confused. The sewer scenes that continue from the first book is a bit much. Ok world building, ok characters, some action, some romance and some magic.
I liked the uniqueness of the story but it was too short but longer then the first book so lacked depth in some areas so I was left hanging and confused. The sewer scenes that continue from the first book is a bit much. Ok world building, ok characters, some action, some romance and some magic.
February 26, 2022
Lots and lots of repetitions
Lots and lots of repetitions. Very angsty and very YA. I found myself skipping a lot between 70 and 95% because I just couldn't take it. The characters are not really likable, the FMC is bratty and stupid most of the time. There's no real passion ir love between her and the two male characters. Just meh.
Lots and lots of repetitions. Very angsty and very YA. I found myself skipping a lot between 70 and 95% because I just couldn't take it. The characters are not really likable, the FMC is bratty and stupid most of the time. There's no real passion ir love between her and the two male characters. Just meh.
March 30, 2020
Riveting read!
I couldn't put it down. This story keeps you on the edge all the way to the Epic ending. I'm glad the main character is finally accepting who she is and is ready to fight for family and love.
I couldn't put it down. This story keeps you on the edge all the way to the Epic ending. I'm glad the main character is finally accepting who she is and is ready to fight for family and love.
April 30, 2020
Riley
Riley has escaped the asylum, but she still feels trapped. No family, no friends, what is a girl to do. Riley is homeless as she tries to figure out her next steps. One thing that does happen is two Shadows finally come together.
Riley has escaped the asylum, but she still feels trapped. No family, no friends, what is a girl to do. Riley is homeless as she tries to figure out her next steps. One thing that does happen is two Shadows finally come together.
May 22, 2021
Love this
These books keep getting better and better. I am so hooked on what is going to happen next. So addicting! If u want a different take in far books you have got to read these.
These books keep getting better and better. I am so hooked on what is going to happen next. So addicting! If u want a different take in far books you have got to read these.
April 18, 2020
The plot thickens
I have to admit I did not see that ending coming. Super excited to read book 3, I am glad I don't have to wait for it.
I have to admit I did not see that ending coming. Super excited to read book 3, I am glad I don't have to wait for it.
May 21, 2020
Whoa! Better than the first book! Now on to book 3!
June 3, 2020
Not liking Riley. She's very immature and does really stupid things. But maybe that's because she's been locked in a mental institution for 6 years. Hoping for some character development.....
November 27, 2020
Good story cant wait go c what happened Inn book 3. To had court Riley she thinks she's crazy but maybe she's not after so all
February 2, 2021
Shadows
This series so far has me stumped I like it but I'm not in love with it but I don't want to stop reading it
This series so far has me stumped I like it but I'm not in love with it but I don't want to stop reading it
May 18, 2021
Improvement on the first one. World build is good.
September 15, 2021
Interesting
The characters are great. I really like Nine. I look forward to seeing how much more they evolve from here.
The characters are great. I really like Nine. I look forward to seeing how much more they evolve from here.
March 17, 2022
the thought is good!
This book has potential. But you can’t get through it ugh the repeating is awful!!! We get it no need to repeat everything over and over!
This book has potential. But you can’t get through it ugh the repeating is awful!!! We get it no need to repeat everything over and over!
December 14, 2019
This series just keeps getting better and better!
“Shadow” is book 2 in the fast-paced continuation of the “Touched by the Fae” series. Riley is still in danger and unsure whom she can trust in this action-packed suspenseful tale takes this storyline to a new level. The drama, danger, intrigue, secrets, and twists make this installment even more exciting and intense for Riley, Nine and Rys with a cliffhanger ending that you won’t see coming. Join Riley on this amazing journey that began in the prequel “Favor” and continued through “Asylum”. I highly recommend this amazing addition to the series.
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily
“Shadow” is book 2 in the fast-paced continuation of the “Touched by the Fae” series. Riley is still in danger and unsure whom she can trust in this action-packed suspenseful tale takes this storyline to a new level. The drama, danger, intrigue, secrets, and twists make this installment even more exciting and intense for Riley, Nine and Rys with a cliffhanger ending that you won’t see coming. Join Riley on this amazing journey that began in the prequel “Favor” and continued through “Asylum”. I highly recommend this amazing addition to the series.
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily
January 20, 2020
In this second book the plot thickens. You don't need to reread the first book if you waited a long time because there is a lot of background context that will make you remember everything. This could be a bit boring, sometimes, but it will be all worth it. If you liked the first book you will love this one - trust me.
In this book we finally travel to fairy and find new incredible characters. Too bad not all of them are going to make it...
Just like in the first book, the ending will leave you dying to know the rest - so be warned!
In this book we finally travel to fairy and find new incredible characters. Too bad not all of them are going to make it...
Just like in the first book, the ending will leave you dying to know the rest - so be warned!
January 26, 2020
I absolutely loved this book!!❤️
I was completely glued to it much to the annoyance of my dogs neglect.
I love Nine and Riley as they struggle to figure out their roles within the prophecy and now a potential relationship that’s at least developing on Riley’s side.
This book swept me away into their world for a good afternoon and I didn’t want to leave.
I enjoy the author’s writing and character development and the ending had me gasping not only in surprise but in sadness as I have to wait for the next one to hurry up and be released!!
More Nine please!!❤️❤️❤️
I was completely glued to it much to the annoyance of my dogs neglect.
I love Nine and Riley as they struggle to figure out their roles within the prophecy and now a potential relationship that’s at least developing on Riley’s side.
This book swept me away into their world for a good afternoon and I didn’t want to leave.
I enjoy the author’s writing and character development and the ending had me gasping not only in surprise but in sadness as I have to wait for the next one to hurry up and be released!!
More Nine please!!❤️❤️❤️
January 19, 2020
I thought this book was excellent. It was well written and the characters and story were well developed. I loved the characters individual personalities and the character dynamics. The story was great. It was action packed and full of suspense, intrigue, twists and turns and emotion. I’d highly recommend this book and look forward to future books!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews