Shadow Pawn

Shadow Walker #2

by Jina S. Bazzar

Betrayed, hunted, afraid...half broken.
Melaina escaped Henry Nazar’s thugs, but her loved ones paid the price.
Desperate to find her aunt, Melaina accepts help from the last person she should: Soldier Bradley Savini, her ex-boyfriend turned rogue hunter.
Together, they embark on the hunt for Camila’s whereabouts, dodging thugs, soldiers, and other breed with agendas of their own.
And what they uncover could be the one thing to break Melaina forever.

Genres: Fantasy, Dystopia

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 18, 2022

About the author

Jina S. Bazzar is a Palestinian author, born and raised in Brazil.
Like most writers, her love of books began at a young age. Unlike most writers, she never aspired to become one.
It was only years after she became blind that she tried her hand at writing, giving voice to all the wild, rambling thoughts in her mind.
She now lives in Palestine with her family, taking inspiration from the smallest things in life. When she’s not writing or networking on social media, you can find her in the kitchen, baking while listening to (often very loud) music.
Find writing updates at:
linktree/jina_bazzar

Reviews

[Julie - One Book More · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow Pawn is the second book in Jina Bazzar’s Shadow Walker series, and it is an action-packed, fast-paced, and intense book! The story picks up where the first book left off, with Melaina desperate to find and rescue her aunt, protect her brother, and avoid being captured or killed by the many enemies who seem to be hunting her.

I’m loving Melaina. She’s smart and strong, and she has the coolest abilities, which totally come in handy in some epic fight scenes. Bradley’s character arc is quite compelling too, especially as he learns more about and reconnects with Melaina. Many chapters begin with an interrogation between Bradley and two officials, and their questioning and his answers add so much to his character development. The interrogations also offer some fantastic foreshadowing and heightened the already high tension in the book.

My favorite part of a story is often the romance, and I enjoyed the second-chance romance in this story. Melaina and her ex-boyfriend Bradley explore their feelings for each other as they rush to rescue her aunt. Their enemies-to-lovers relationship is much more prominent in Shadow Pawn. There are no complaints here! I loved it. Bradley and Melaina have a history, and it was explored throughout the story in their words, reflections, actions, gestures, and the easy way they work together. They make a great team, and their chemistry is pretty swoon-worthy. It feels like Bradley would do anything for Melaina and she for him.

The dystopian world and the supernatural elements are vivid and intriguing, and I like that the story delved more into the history of the world, the houses that rule, and how it all came to fruition. It put into context just how powerful some of Melaina’s enemies are and how they influence everything.

The book has the kind of plot where you’re constantly questioning people’s motives. It seems like everyone has something to hide, and Melaina learns there are few she can trust. There are so many twists and turns, and some majorly shocking betrayals and revelations. It’s super intense! At a few points in the story, my mouth was literally hanging open in surprise. And the ending! Oh my word. Bazzar writes the best cliffhanger endings! I can’t wait to read the next book.

Shadow Pawn is not a standalone, so I would definitely suggest reading the first book in the series before starting this one. Special thanks to Jina Bazzar for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

[Dana C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC for this book.

I loved diving into this book. I was lucky enough to read the first (which you should check out!), and I was instantly back into the story and the main character’s voice.

Just like the first book, I was slapped in the face with thrilling action and vivid imagery. The main character is a flawed, heart of gold mess that you can't help but identify with and fall in love with. And there's something so refreshing about watching the heroine go through so much trauma and have to DEAL with the injuries and consequences that follow.

This story is so real despite the fantastic alterations to the world. I loved every minute of it.

[Allyson E · Rating 3 out of 5]

As quickly as Melaina grew in determination and conviction in Shadow Walker, Shadow Pawn watches her get -literally- broken down. Continuing to rediscover her past, this sequel dives deep into the bonds that connect us all: family, friendship, and love. But how far is Melaina willing to push and sacrifice herself for those?

This sequel continues the edgy worldbuilding from book 1, but I found some aspects repetitive. Aside from another cliff hanger ending, the hardest part for me was having Melaina be constantly beaten down- mentally, emotionally, and absolutely physically. I would love to see a triumphant conclusion in book 3!

[Anny · Rating 5 out of 5]

rated

Loving this new series, plenty of Magic mystery and action for any Fantasy reader. Love finding new Author’s with imaginary differences to explore , well written and hard to put down.

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow Pawn is the second book in the Shadow Walker series. Shadow Pawn was a blast to read just like its predecessor Shadow Walker the first book in the series. The characters were all just as amazing in Shadow Pawn as they were in Shadow Walker.

I love the world that was created for the Shadow Walker series. The shadows give it an eerie feel making it dark and ominous. Giving you the creeps throughout the whole story.

The twists and turns were so enormous and twisty that they kept me guessing page after page. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see what lay ahead. Speaking of twists, this one big twist threw me for a loop as I never saw it coming. I was in suspense from beginning to end. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. It floored me, to say the least.

Melaina’s world is turned upside down when her aunt turns up missing. She has been taken and Melaina will do whatever she must to find her and get her back. Shadow Pawn is one big mystery from front to back. Melaina’s journey is one battle after another as she searches for her aunt.

Melaina is a thief but has been trying to do better. She has been trying her best to turn her life around for her brother. Melaina has been taking care of her brother for a long time. Melaina’s aunt and brother are all she has and she will do whatever it takes to keep them safe if she can’t she will make whoever messes with them pay dearly.

I highly recommend Shadow Pawn to anyone who likes a little bit of magic in their world! Grab your copy of Shadow Pawn today!

[Jonathan Pongratz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a phenomenal sequel! Sequel's rarely fare better than the first novel in a series, but I liked this one a little bit more than the first book.

Melaina's aunt has been taken, and she must risk everything to get her back. However, with Henry Nazar and others constantly on her trail it will take more than sheer ambition to meet her goal. As Melaina deals with the constant punches life throws her way, her quest for a better life throws her even deeper into the treacherous world she wants to escape from.

What I loved most about this book was the world building. This novel took what we learned about Mel's broken world and turned the dial up to eleven. There is so much more to the order of things, and I was captivated by each twist and turn as more was revealed.

Mel continues to grow and progress along her journey. This time around I got to see the softer side a bit more, and that was a really nice contrast to her hardened demeanor that she projects. Her ex Bradley had plenty of development too, and his aspirations are truly revealed, so I appreciated getting to understand him on a deeper level.

And holy moly, this plot was insane (in a good way)! From the very start, this novel moves quickly and doesn't let up for a second. There was plenty of superpowered action, revelations and betrayals that shocked me, and the occasional respite to maintain a great balance throughout. After finishing this book, I'm fiending to find out what happens next.

Highly, highly recommend this series!

[Misty's Book Space · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in the Shadow Walker series and this one picks up right where the first book left off and it immediately throws us back into all of the action and doesn't really let up. There's a lot more world building in this book which I did enjoy but at the same time it took over the story a little bit too much for my liking. Nothing really happened to move the plot forward until like the 60% mark. I would have liked more balance between the world building and the plot. There are plot twists that I didn't see coming and then there was one that I did see coming but I think the only reason I saw it coming was because of what I read in the synopsis, so I suggest skipping the synopsis until after you've read it. There's more of a romance in this one which I loved. I always zero in on the romance in books and this one was no exception. I still not certain of Bradley's feeling though because he's so hot and cold and it just doesn't make sense to me. Overall, I am having a good time with this series, and I can't wait to get to the next book.

[Aeris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t recall when was the last time I read a book where the protagonist was so tortured by the author. She gets trashed in basically every encounter with the bad guys (and the good guys aren’t any better!) and that’s just sad. It’s one of those books where you shout “don’t do it” or “don’t go there” while reading, but of course the protagonist does exactly that and situation is getting worse and worse…..Yet, you keep on reading.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It was grim, it was gory, it was depressing but the ending set a new perspective to everything that happened.

I hope that in the next book, the author will be kinder to Melaina but with the ending of book two, I kind of doubt it.

Do I recommend it? Yes, but brace yourself because Melaina is in deep trouble and it looks like the universe is against her.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast paced, intense and action packed read as we carry on from where we left off in book one! Melaina Is desperate to continue to find her aunt to rescue her and to try to avoid the enemies that are hunting her to try to kill her! With Bradley’s help their journey is fraught with danger, drama and intrigue in this dark and cruel dystopian world. It’s gripping, it’s thrilling and once again I found myself gripping the edge of my seat as I followed them on their adventure and as they revisit some old feelings they had for one another and their chemistry is off the charts. Twists and turns and huge surprises along the way will leave you stunned and i am anxious for the next book!

[E. Billups · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danger, loss, betrayal, and love. Shadow Pawn delivered loads of action as Melaina is on the run again to save her aunt. But what she discovers changes everything she believed. A betrayal of trust with magnitude to change her life. The romance with her companion, Bradley, adds another captivating layer to the story. Mrs. Bazzar, thanks for the great action-packed read. I’m looking forward to book 3.

[Benjamin Jones I · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the Shadow Walker series. It was captivating. And for someone with a very good imagination, you could literally see every scene play out. Highly recommend.

[Andrealarsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and entertaining

This book was a huge surprise. Very good story, and the twist is amazing. Can’t wait to read book 3.

[T.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well goddamn, I did not see that coming 🤯