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When a simple assignment turns into a nightmare, can Raine and Gavin unravel old vendettas before they both pay the ultimate price?

All she had to do was keep one man safe…


Hunting monsters is Raine McCord’s specialty, so when she’s assigned to play bodyguard to Cheveyo, the head Magi of the Northwest Kyn, she figures it will be a relatively easy undertaking. It’s not like they’re walking into the demon realm, right? It’s just a straight-forward consult with the Southwest Kyn. Unfortunately, the simple task turns into a nightmare when Cheveyo is kidnapped and Raine is left for dead by one of the Kyn’s most feared creatures, a Soul Stealer.

The Stealer’s attack undermines Raine’s confidence as a warrior and damages her already unpredictable magic. To heal her mind and spirit requires help from the one man who can touch her soul, Witch-Fey warrior, Gavin Durand. To unravel an old vendetta’s sadistic magic and rescue Cheveyo, Raine is forced to face her stormy relationship with Gavin and embrace their ever-evolving magic.

As Raine and Gavin come together, they’ll tear apart the complex web of secrets and hidden vendettas haunting the Southwest Kyn to expose unsettling new truths that threaten their very existence.

396 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 21, 2012

152 people are currently reading
347 people want to read

About the author

Jami Gray

30 books461 followers
Jami Gray is the coffee addicted, music junkie author of hellbent warriors, wild magic, and riveting romance. Dive into her urban fantasy & paranormal romance series today.

Come follow me:
Jami's Amazon Page | Jami's Newsletter | Jami's Instagram


Grave Cargo (Arcane Transporter #1) by Jami Gray Shadow's Edge (Kyn Kronicles, #1) by Jami Gray Hunted by the Past (PSY-IV Teams #1) by Jami Gray Lying In Ruins (Fate’s Vultures, #1) by Jami Gray

RECENT & UPCOMING RELEASES
Shadow's Fall (Kyn Kronicles, #6) by Jami Gray Collision Course (Arcane Transporter, #4) by Jami Gray Blind Spot (Arcane Transporter #5) by Jami Gray

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5 stars
114 (36%)
4 stars
103 (32%)
3 stars
77 (24%)
2 stars
18 (5%)
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4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for TP.
1,039 reviews48 followers
February 27, 2021
3,5 stars
The second book in this series and the last book surrounding Raine and Gavin was also a good read and entertaining.
But overall a small disappointment, the author can do better.
It focused more on the case they were working on instead of giving the reader a balance between their work and private life.
And additionally the little private life the book offered mostly consisted of sex.
Long drawn out sex scenes.
Suddenly the book was finished and so many questions were left unanswered...
It wasn’t really satisfying and to my utter surprise turned into disappointment to learn that the following three books are about a new couple each.

Sadly the frustrated and sour feeling the author left me behind with by not giving this pair, I came to like for two books, a deserving end, left me with no desire to read any of the following books.
Profile Image for Tracy Kaufman.
190 reviews4 followers
December 20, 2018
I love this series. Full of action and not a ton of sex. I really like the fact the female lead does not keep allowing her insecurities to destroy her budding relationship. That is one of my pet peeves; the author tend to let their damaged female leads continue to destroy the relationship without them ever learning to trust. It becomes annoying and boring. Not this author!! Thank you!! The action is constant so I did not ever become bored. I just did not want to put it down. Plus the little extra short stories at the end wet my appetite for more.

I cannot wait for more on these two characters.
Profile Image for Christina.
9 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2012
Shadows Soul is a great work of the Paranormal Romance genre. Jami Gray has no trouble weaving an enticing cast of characters and a whole different world. By the end of the book I found myself frustrated –in a good way-. I wanted to read more. Now I have not read Shadows Edge, but if it’s as good as the second installment then I am in for another adventure with Raine and Gavin.

I will never look at shifters and witches the same way again. She has taken classic races of paranormal creatures and placed a new twist on them. Raine’s past seems to still be haunting her, but Gavin refuses to let her give in. He also refuses to let her run from the heat and passion that fill her every time she is in his presence. The journey they take together in this book is one that takes her from almost fragile to strong. Not saying she isn’t a tough woman, because she is.

Mentally though she feels broken to me, something the reader can identify with. But in the end she realizes that if she hopes to overcome the darkness threatening to suck her under, she has to realize she is strong, not broken.

Before the end of the book I found myself actually getting up and cheering her on, the whole mantra “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” Played over and over in my head. She finally came into her own with Gavin’s help, realized her strength, and stood up for herself.

The final action scene switched from pulse pounding, to sadness, it was the final nail in the coffin for me. It was the scene that finally made me realize I want to see more from Jami Gray.

The only thing that bothered me with this novel was our Heroine constantly questioned herself and her abilities, I understand why, but it happened too often for me. And I wish there had been more fighting scenes on the physical plane. Not that I did not love the metaphysical fighting on the psychic plane, which in my book was awesome. But you have a strong lead character both physically and psychically, I would have liked to see more physical.

Over all this book was very different from others I have read. My rating for this would be a 4.5 out of 5. I look forward to seeing more installments of this series from Jami Gray. Very few authors get me excited for a series, making me want to know what could possibly come next, but Mrs. Gray has done just that. I think anyone who loves Paranormal Romance should pick up this series and give it a shot, trust me, I do not think you will be disappointed.
Profile Image for DebbieReadsBooks.
2,766 reviews50 followers
May 18, 2017
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian.


* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *


Jumping straight in because the book does just that!


This is book two in the Kyn Chronicles series. While it would help to have read book one, Shadows Edge, before this one, I don't think its absolutely necessary. It would, however, give you a better picture just how Raine fought against her feelings for Gavin.


These books are not easy reads. They carry complicated plot lines, very long descriptive paragraphs and huge supporting casts that made ME slow my reading down.


And I loved them for it! Because, let's face it, if I have to slow down to keep it can go either of two ways: I'll love it or hate it. And here it was very much the former! I skim read at the best of times, so you can imagine how long it took me to read this book, some 364 pages (according to Goodreads) Days it took, DAYS I TELL YA!


Raine and Gavin's relationship continues to grow, develop, expand and get so much deeper than Raine ever expected. Gray best explains it when she describes their magic intertwined, threads of blue and silver so closely woven that to separate them might kill them both.


Gavin continues to embrace the damage (for want of a better word) done by the scientist in book one, and Raine only begins to do so.


Fighting the Soul Stealer takes a lot out of Raine, indeed me too, reading it, and it's Gavin who helps her get through it. Finding first Cheveyo and then Xander pushes them both past their limits.


Xander's story, book three, is laid out, and you just know that she and Warrick are gonna butt heads!


Creeping up in star rating a little but again, only Raine has her say! This one, absolutely, without a doubt, would have been a full five star read if Gavin had been given his voice. I needed to hear from him at keys points along the way: when he embraces his new skills and magic, when he really bonds with Raine on the most basic level, and when he thought her lost to the Soul Stealer.


SO, because Gavin doesn't get a say ...


4.5 stars (but rounded UP for the blog/Goodreads/Amazon)


**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Profile Image for Merissa (Archaeolibrarian).
4,191 reviews119 followers
January 19, 2024
Shadow's Soul is the second full-length book in the Kyn Kronicles series, and we reunite with Raine and Gavin. The tension was high between them before, but now it is simply off the charts. Raine can't understand how Gavin can forgive her for all that what done to him, although his response made me laugh! To top that off, Raine is sent on a mission to protect Cheveyo as he tries to help out an old friend. Things quickly turn sour, and Cheveyo disappears too, whilst Raine is grievously injured. The old 'gang' of Xander, Gavin, and Raine reunite as they try to work through the politics and histories of a different pack and find out just who is taking and killing people, as well as trying to stop them.

I am so glad that Jami Gray kept Raine and Gavin's relationship 'platonic' in the first book. The hints are there, and the tension is high, but trust me, it was better to have waited! I love how these two come together, how Gavin won't accept Raine's deflections or (wrong) feelings, but instead faces them head-on and challenges her every step of the way. Now, Raine questions herself, Gavin, Xander, Cheveyo, and pretty much everyone, in this book, but it is all for a reason. She needs to work her way through all her doubts and fears to make it through to the other side a stronger, better, person. With Gavin by her side, there is hardly any doubt that she will make it, but she is beaten up physically so many times during this book, you do wonder if it's her body that will give out, instead of her mind!

Excellently written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt the reading flow, Shadow's Soul finishes nicely, whilst tempting you with a hint to Shadow's Moon. Absolutely brilliant, and definitely recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 24, 2017
Profile Image for Jae Park.
173 reviews19 followers
October 13, 2015
The adventures of Raine McCord, as told in "Shadow's Soul", are indeed riveting. Non-stop action from beginning to end as the job of protecting the head Magi of the Northwest leads her into a confrontation with a Soul Stealer as well as Chindis. The Magi is then taken, and the chase begins.
Raine and her fellow Wraith Gavin follow the clues and use magic to find out who summoned the evil beings, as well as find the kidnapped Magi Cheveyo. Raine picks up a fair amount of physical damage battling the evil forces along the way, but forges a strong bond with Gavin.
I liked both the physical and magical components of the battles Raine and Gavin face as they find out the truth behind the kidnappings, deaths, and politics of the Kyn world. Very intriguing read, hard to put down, and the ending is excellent. I won't spoil it for any readers, but the final battle at the cabin is well-written and just plain epic.
I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways, thank you!
Profile Image for Pratr- Authors.
442 reviews10 followers
June 30, 2014

We pick up the story where Book One left off--with Gavin recovering from whatever the mad scientist did to him and Raine afraid he blames her for him becoming a lab rat. Raine's past seems to still be haunting her, but Gavin refuses to let her give in. He also refuses to let her run from the heat and passion that fill her every time she is in his presence.
if she hopes to overcome the darkness threatening to suck her under, she has to realize she is strong, not broken. The end of this book was a bit of a shocker, but thats what makes this book so good.

Book 2 was amazing it had action, love and sadness. it was a nice rang of motions. I feel so connected with out characters that you just want reach in and hug Raine and tell she can do it! she just need to be believe she is not broken.

I would rate this 5 out of 5 fangs

*Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock* so our authors know we are doing our part.
Profile Image for Nana Prah.
Author 24 books273 followers
July 20, 2014
Jami Gray is a phenomenal writer. If I could push her onto the NYT bestselling list, I totally would because that’s where she belongs. She knows how to set the reader inside of the story, as if it’s happening around them and not just in the book.

I loved book one if the Kyn Kronicles - Shadow’s Soul. And I super love Shadow’s Edge. The depth of the romance between Raine and Gavin increased to a level that blew my mind. She packed the story with action and romance without taking away from either. Their relationship was powerful, on so many levels- physical, spiritual, magical, and emotional.

I have book 3 Shadow’s Moon sitting on my Kindle. I have a feeling I’ll be losing more sleep reading that one, too.


Ms. Gray gave me a copy of the book after a little coercion. I was compelled to write a review because it’s absolutely fantastic.
Profile Image for Liv Rancourt.
Author 56 books185 followers
January 11, 2013
Shadow's Soul is very well-titled. In the first book in the series, Shadow's Edge, the main character Raine McCord was, well, edgier, ready to hit first and ask questions later. In Shadow's Soul, I thought Raine was more connected to her inner self, as exemplified by the growth in her relationship with Gavin. There's still plenty of opportunity for Raine to show off her fighting skills, but the descriptions of magic and the Kyn culture was more complex and nuanced. Fun read!
Profile Image for Dalene.
482 reviews12 followers
June 30, 2014
First, I would like to thank the author Jami Gray for giving me this book for an honest review. As with Shadow's Edge Book 1, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The storyline is great, the world building is awesome, I love the Kyn community. Raine is still my favorite character. The characters are well developed and defined. I love the world that Jami Gray has given us with her gift for writing. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Cyrene Olson.
1,412 reviews17 followers
July 9, 2016
Uncaged Book Reviews:

This book took some wild turns and a few twists I didn’t expect, which is great! Intricate scenes, you are in the story with them. I think the characters are even better flushed out in this book, and the relationship between Raine and Gavin has never been stronger. It’s a good thing that Raine is Kyn, she survives some of the most brutal action scenes, both magically, and physically. The author does not shy away from throwing her into the fray.
16 reviews2 followers
August 13, 2012
I just finished this book, and I loved it! The bad guy was a total mystery until the very end, and the main character has to face some really serious challenges both to herself and the man she loves. The author creates an intricate world that is both believable and interesting. I'd recommend this book to anyone!
Profile Image for Lynn Rush.
Author 38 books916 followers
December 15, 2012
Wow. What a great sequel. Really loved this book. Gavin and Raine are an awesome couple. Love the world Jami Gray created with all the magic and different supernatural creatures. Very creative and engaging. Only bad thing...where's book three?? It can't come quick enough for me! I must know what happens next.
Profile Image for Valerie.
437 reviews21 followers
August 28, 2015
I am really loving this series....the writing is great! It is detailed and somewhat more in depth then a lot of the books I have been reading. There is a more intelligent writing that really keeps me captivated. The characters are great and I love how they seem so real. Definitely looking forward to reading more!
Profile Image for Rachel-RN.
2,422 reviews29 followers
September 11, 2013
Good second book to a series. Much of the action is hard to follow as it occurs on the metaphysical plane. I liked the growth and development of Raine and Gavin's relationship.
Profile Image for Blake.
1,310 reviews44 followers
January 3, 2023
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I completely change my mind on a series, so want to change my scoring. -- I remove previously rated books to not give a false positive or negative, if books IMO got better or worse as the series progressed.)
(I do not read reviews before I read a book, I like to go in with an open mind.)

0.25*
Interesting world, though some stuff needs better explaining.
Kind of a spoiler -->

I'd hoped that Raine would get a new love interest or Gavin would be 'better' in this book. Obviously I was roundly disappointed. See below.

Disappointed this series got 7 books and the one I actually really liked book 1 of only got 4. :(

First time read the author's work?: No -- I first read book 1 in her Arcane Transporter series, IMHO a 4* book.

Will you be reading more?: Not this series -- Yes to the first AT book - need to read the others, but this series puts me off since book 2 went from 2.75* to under 1* rating.

Would you recommend?: No


------------
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 or DNF

I wish we could add 0.25 / 0.50 and 0.75 of stars to better show feelings towards books

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. :-)
Profile Image for Cherry Initiation.
111 reviews
January 6, 2021
What a disappointing follow up to the first book.
What a thirsty thot couple , imagine making out in every situation no matter what it is, blegh.
As a chaaracter Gavin has no substance whatsoever, and what in God's name is this magic system, there were whole paragraphs about scenes in the other plane , but things happened with no specific logic, it left the scenes hazy and hard to picture and my god did it drag.
The soulmate mumbo shit was whateeeeevah.
Raine is still emo to a lame amount, and now equally as thirsty.
Also this is gonna be weird buuuuuuut imaaaaagine inviting investigators to your home for some serious "investigating" but then they decide to sleep together in your very nice guest bedroom, it wasn't even that it happened it was the lead into it, no sense whatsoever, and i had the strangest idea that that was so disrespectful but I might be affected by a sudden flashback of jenny and summit from 90 day fiance.... I'm not even gonna explain.
But the point here is that whatever this romance is , it was lackluster, no amount of seemingly unstoppable display of emotion, before during and after a fight btw, can change the fact that this book was boring , including the mystery.
Meh bleh.
Profile Image for Jim Skypeck.
176 reviews
February 12, 2023
I liked the first book in this series quite a bit so I had hopes for book #2. The premise was interesting and I was looking forward to learning more about Raine and Gavin's abilities. Since both spent time as "lab rats", I knew there would be some surprises. What I did not expect was several sections of semi-explicit sex between them. I don't mind a bit of that (they are people) but I find it both a distraction from the narrative I am trying to follow and a bit lazy (need to fill up these pages--I'll add numerous paragraphs about them having sex). If these plot distractions continue in the following books, this may be my last Kyn Kronicle.
2,511 reviews13 followers
July 6, 2021
Amazing!!

Loved this book. There is magic and action all through this. The story is steeped in lore and so interesting. The characters are outstanding and loving and extremely dangerous at times. You will get hooked in this world and, when it ends, you want to jump back in. Even though you could read just one book, why would you when this series is turning out to be an amazing journey. Can't wait to read the next book. Really great job.
Profile Image for Cassie.
670 reviews3 followers
October 4, 2021
This book ping-ponged all over the place, and desperately needs an editor. The relationship between Gavin and Raine never felt real, and Raine’s self-doubts were so constant that it got annoying. It felt as if neither character really grew - sure, they worked on unlocking their magic, but they didn’t seem to grow as people. All that being said, I’m going to read the next book because I’m really interested in Xander.
1,086 reviews
December 10, 2020
Good

This continues Raine and Gavin’s story. I did find it a bit too easy his easy acceptance of her ignoring him during his recovery. Plus I wasn’t convinced they’d worked through their differences from Book2. That aside in this book they’re firmly a team and get their HEA. The mystery deaths and soul stealer were intense.
5 reviews
February 16, 2021
Entertaining

This book was entertaining. However, I felt it was a little unrealistic that sometimes in the middle of the fighting, the two became amorous. But maybe I just don’t get love, who knows. Anyhow, the number of proofreading errors was distracting, missing words, duplicate phrases, etc. I’m still going to read the next one.
Profile Image for T..
Author 13 books573 followers
September 1, 2021
Shadow's Soul, the second book of the Kyn Kronicles series, is an ebook I borrowed through Kindle Unlimited (KU). A nice, action-packed conclusion to Raine and Gavin's story line. The plot was layered with unexpected twists and I loved the ride. I caught more errors this time around, irritating rather than blaring (cleary=clearly), it could use a proofread.
257 reviews4 followers
February 25, 2023
fantastic read

Loved this addition to the series. As the first was this book is rammed full of action and edge of your seat moments.
Raine’s existence is threatened when a powerful enemy threatens. This time she is fighting for more than just her own life.
I couldn’t put this book down. Absolutely loved it
979 reviews11 followers
September 5, 2019
Demonic Killer

Really good mystery with spirits, a necromancer, and a demonic soul stealer. With Cheveyo sent to Arizona with Raine to help another magi, the shifter population is looking wolves to a demonic killer.
Profile Image for Tia.
502 reviews
May 2, 2020
Magic and Action

Captivating. The storyline is unique, intelligent, and adventurous. The characters are complex aspects of a world behind the mundane. This is the second of the series. An excellent read.
145 reviews2 followers
May 27, 2020
Intriguing eluminating

From the beginning of the story there is action and suspence from Raine and Gavin to unravel the underlying secrets. The short story at the end was interesting wouldn't mind if Jami Gray could explore New Orleans more.
Profile Image for C.  Wright.
14 reviews1 follower
October 1, 2022
Literally only using this second book in the series to help me fall asleep. I never write harsh reviews but unfortunately there just isn’t enough character and relationship between characters and the magic seems off.
Profile Image for E.G. Manetti.
Author 18 books157 followers
September 4, 2024
4.5

I enjoyed the first book in the series but was not bought into the Raine/Gavin romance. This sequel develops their relationship along believable lines and has all the action/adventure/excitement of the first book. My only quibble, a bit too much angst for my taste.
71 reviews
October 28, 2025
Loved these books!

It was just what I needed. I could not put it down. I might have been reading when I was supposed to be doing something else, oops! I liked seeing Raine's growth from the first book to this one. I also adore Gavin! I need more!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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