REVIEW: The Shadow Chronicles by K R Fajardo

K: The Awakening

“Fifty years ago the Shadows betrayed me, left me to wither slowly into nothing, chained deep inside a hidden mountain cave. Meanwhile they took control of my kingdom, killing or enslaving any who would dare oppose them. But I am a patient woman … and immortal. The Shadows should enjoy their reign of terror while they can, in the meantime, I will continue to stare at these dark walls plotting my revenge. After all, it is only a matter of time, and I have all the time in the world.” K.

In the small town of Vicaris, Mikel and his daughter Citera live in and run a small clinic. It’s often chaotic and overwhelming, but neither of them would have it any other way. But their desire to help those in need, regardless of race or status, has often made them a target of the harassment by the Shadows forces.

Even so, when their Full-blood friend Rigar shows up at the back door of the clinic with the emaciated body of a young woman, Mikel doesn’t hesitate to bring her inside. And when they find out only minutes later the Shadows forces, including their henchman the Enforcer, are heading their direction, Mikel bravely puts his life on the line to protect the mysterious stranger.

Unbeknownst to Mikel, this young woman is the immortal queen the Shadows have been searching for decades to find. And it doesn’t take long before Mikel and his friends find themselves thrust into the midst of an ancient feud that will eventually decide the fate of Vanteria once and for all.

Vampires and Terrians.....My interest has been caught.

This was a long yet very interesting story about a different world of vampires. The characters were awesome and the inner demons they faced made for a uniquely fascinating story. There were some places where I felt the story was long and drawn out and I did have a bit of trouble keeping up with the characters, because they would switch POV in the middle of the chapters frequently and you never knew who was going to take over with the story next. I also felt as if I couldn't connect with the characters very well either. This book did have its high points and it did give me chills while reading it in those areas. This author does have an incredible knack for storytelling and has really piqued my interest to read more about these characters and where the author plans on taking us. I also hope to have some unanswered questions answered too as the series unfolds more. I still do recommend this read.

Linked

"Centuries ago I screwed up. Lost control of my darkness and did some things that I honestly wish I could erase from my memory. Feeling I had grown too powerful for my own good, the Council of Immortals banded together to create a linking spell which would forever connect my powers and emotions to those of a mortal with a pure and innocent heart. Unfortunately, the Council foolishly underestimated the depths to which my soul had descended. As a result, I have been forced to watch over and over again as my darkness eventually devoured the light shining within the poor souls chosen to be my Link. I would be lying if a said this didn't bother me, although probably not as much as it should. But regardless of my feelings, fate is fate, and unfortunately for Citera, hers has now become entwined with mine." - K.

Six months after K turned their lives upside down, Mikel, Citera, and their friends are beginning to settle into life inside Jaron’s camp. And with no patrols, inspectors, or Shadows around, it is a life none of them would have ever dreamed of having. However when ghosts from K’s past make an appearance and snap her usually unwavering control, Citera begins to be plagued by some strange and alarming symptoms. No longer able to keep the truth hidden, Jaron and K are forced to at last reveal the dark secret they have been keeping from the father and daughter, one that will alter the course of Citera’s life forever. 

While her friends are adapting to life in paradise, Maya is struggling to survive her own personal hell. Locked in the Tower, she lives from day to day, desperate to find a way to connect with the only person who could make it all tolerable. Jarod, however, wanting to protect her from the darkness that is growing inside him, continues to push her away. But when a trip outside the Tower leads to Jarod learning that he has been lied to by the only person he ever trusted, he finds himself at a crossroads. Should he continue living the charade, protecting people who would just as soon see him dead as to look at him, or for the first time in his life, should he do what is right for him and allow himself to fall for this girl who consumes his every waking thought? 

This story picked up where K left off.

Now this story rocked my world and my socks off!! I absolutely loved it!! There was more action, less jumping between character during the chapters, and I felt as if I could connect with the characters a bit more. Even some of my unanswered questions were answered better in this story, plus more. I loved the characters too, especially Citera and K and their bond and Jarod and Maya and their bond. I learned a lot in this story and it really kept my attention and really piqued my interest to wanna read more. I highly recommend this read!!