Monday, February 25, 2013

Review: Shadowlands

SHADOWLANDS
Shadowlands #1
Kate Brian
Young Adult
336 pages
Disney Hyperion
Available Now
Received from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
Rory Miller had one chance to fight back and she took it. Rory survived… and the serial killer who attacked her escaped. Now that the infamous Steven Nell is on the loose, Rory must enter the witness protection with her father and sister, Darcy, leaving their friends and family without so much as a goodbye.

Starting over in a new town with only each other is unimaginable for Rory and Darcy. They were inseparable as children, but now they can barely stand each other. As the sisters settle in to Juniper Landing, a picturesque vacation island, it seems like their new home may be just the fresh start they need. They fall in with a group of beautiful, carefree teens and spend their days surfing, partying on the beach, and hiking into endless sunsets. But just as they’re starting to feel safe again, one of their new friends goes missing. Is it a coincidence? Or is the nightmare beginning all over again?


MY THOUGHTS
Shadowlands is an extraordinarily creepy tale, our time with protagonist Rory interrupted periodically by the terrifying thoughts of a severely disturbed individual as he briefly details his fixation on–and plans for–the girl who got away. At first glance this first book of a trilogy seems like a fairly straightforward thriller, but the more time we spend in the small vacation resort town of Juniper Landing the more blurred the genre line becomes, until soon the questions as to what exactly is off about Rory's new world become as thick as the fog that envelops the seaside village nearly every evening. It's with hearts frantically pumping and breaths escaping in shallow bursts that we devour chapter after chapter, our fear of the unknown a constant companion that keeps our nerves raw until the very last page.

Perhaps one of the more interesting aspects of this story is that we know the identity of the killer from the very first chapter, our anxiety then stemming not from wondering who's after Rory, but rather how long it's going to take for him to find her and what he's going to do when he does. Our brief forays into his mind let us know just how sick Steven Nell truly is, this intimate knowledge creating a thriving conduit between us as readers and Rory herself, what we know of him making Rory's fear all the more real to us. Her nightmares then become our own, and her terror feeds our imaginations until the thought of closing our eyes in the dark of night causes us to break out in a cold sweat.

Rory is someone we easily connect with, our witnessing of her brush with death, however separated by paper and ink, linking us together inextricably from page one. Her father and sister's seeming nonchalance with regard to her safety only serves to strengthen our bond, our desire to throttle them every time they bemoan the lengths they must go to protect Rory almost overwhelming at times, but our anger and disgust over their reactions slowly turn to curiosity as the conundrum that is Juniper Landing slowly consumes us. Rory is an unreliable narrator, her diagnosis of PTSD after her mother's death rearing its head again after her experience with Steven Nell, making the way she relays events end in question marks rather than periods. Her possible instability only serves to dirty already murky water further, holding us captivated as we try desperately to find clarity amidst all the mental and emotional debris.

The only thing keeping Shadowlands from a much higher rating is the conclusion itself. We're left dangling with a cliffhanger not jaw-droppingly surprising given the subtle clues throughout, but it does kick us out of the story at a key moment of revelation, thus abandoning us to the monstrous list of burning questions raised by the final parting words. Certain pieces have been identified for us in the last chapter, but we have no idea yet how they fit together, the final line like the corner piece of a puzzle—perfect for us to build off of yet the blank page following those haunting words denies us all the remaining connecting pieces necessary to create a full picture. As a result, we part with Rory at essentially a starting point, our toes caressed and teased by the lapping waters of a sea of questions, with absolutely no answers to be found on the horizon no matter how hard we stare. Despite a frustrating end, Shadowlands is still beautifully chilling; a read that carves itself a place in our memories and refuses to budge.

Rating: 3.5/5

49 comments:

  1. Sometimes an ending can totally ruin or even save a story for me. I'm not quite sure about this book and since you specially complained about the ending, I might wait to see how this series progresses.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's funny - I didn't mind the ending when I first read the book, but in the days following when I started to think about all the questions I had because of it, I got really frustrated. I'm a hard to please reader apparently:)

      Delete
  2. Huh, I thought this one was more of a mystery, but you actually know who the killer is early on? That's interesting. I like how you actually get to see into the killer's mind! I mean, that would totally triple the creep factor of the book and I'm all for that. Too bad about the frustrating ending though... I would be inclined to wait until the series is out before reading this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, you learn who is in the first chapter, then it's a matter of figuring out if he's actually found her in Juniper Landing or if it's something else entirely:)

      Delete
  3. Ooh I like the sound of a beautifully chilling story! I've heard mixed reviews on this one, but most complaints centered around the cliffhanger ending. Rather than deterring me, this only makes me more curious, especially given how much you enjoyed the rest of the novel. I have an ARC and had moved it down my TBR, but I'm thinking I might give it a go after all. Or maybe I should wait to start it until book two comes out to avoid cliffy angst. :-)

    In any case, wonderful review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't mind the cliffhanger itself, it's more all the questions I had about the rest of the story because of what was revealed. It seemed to unravel so much of what had happened that I was really confused and there was no one available to answer my questions:) Still, I really enjoyed it right up until then!

      Delete
  4. Wow this is yet again a gorgeous review Jenny, seriously you know how to turn a book completely on it's head for me. I truly did believe that Shadowlands wouldn't be my sort of read, but the way you've described the mystery and how it's a chilling read? It makes me want to hang my head in shame for not paying it enough attention. Books which leave you with so many unanswered questions I find sometimes frustrating at times, but I think this one will just make me even more eager for the next instalment!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was definitely a nervous wreck reading this one Jasprit - I think knowing who the killer was and what kind of person he was just added to it, and I really liked that about it. I'm definitely going to be picking up book 2, she has some explaining to do:)

      Delete
  5. I actually picked this up the other day, but it was right after I finished The Rules for Disappearing and I simply couldn't handle two witness protection books in a row. I'm not at all thrilled about the cliffhanger, I simply don't understand why authors do that, but considering everything else, I think I'll be reading this sooner rather than later.
    Great review, Jenny!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooooo I really want to read The Rules for Disappearing! Can't wait to see what you thought:) I get that she was going for shock factor with the cliffhanger/reveal, but it seemed like with those few final words, the whole story turned to sand between my fingers and I couldn't grasp hold on to any part of it anymore. Still, I loved the rest of it:)

      Delete
  6. Eek! Your next review will be Boundless. I'm reading Unearthly right now;) As for Shadowlands, it's funny, because I heard that the ending somewhat leaves you wanting and craving for more and it was pretty good and not predictable. The thing that has mostly intrigued people about this book, as you pointed out, is that the killer is known all along. I think I'm going to wait for book two to come out. I have the first one, but I don't handle cliffhangers well, heh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really liked knowing who he was upfront. It made him feel more real and tangible, which in turn made Rory's story all the more terrifying:)

      Delete
  7. Oh, interesting that the readers knows who the killer is right away. Usually, that's the big mystery (as you know...). I'm into the story but I don't know if I could handle the ending. I'm big on solid endings and tend to get quite frustrated with too-loose or frustrating ones!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't mind some questions left open at the end, especially when a book is a first installment, but this ending makes you question EVERYTHING about what you just read, and that was a lot for me to deal with when I didn't have book 2 on hand to provide an answer or two:)

      Delete
  8. I did not mind the ending at all, it fact it was riveting for me. At the time I read this, there were not hints about it being a series, although I wanted it to be. I am sorry the ending ruined it for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think this ending will work for a lot of people, but I'm a girl who likes answers, so not having them drives me crazy. I really loved the rest of it though!!!

      Delete
  9. OK, see I was all excited until you said the 'C' word.

    Cliffhanger.

    I bought this book with some residual Christmas money because it sounded so cool. And I LOVE knowing that we know who the killer is from the jump. That is such a cool and abnormal thing for a writer to do. I love, love, love that. Sometimes I get frustrated because it's so obvious the author is trying to build suspense and mystery, but after a while it just gets tiresome.

    Now I'm nervous about reading this. Hmmm ... Very perplexing. Should I wait until book 2? Take the plunge and do it? WHAT DO I DO, JENNY?! LOL ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This one is kind of an epic cliffhanger Hannah, probably best to wait until book 2 is out:) But then again, if you read it, we could chat about all the questions I have. SO YOU NEED TO BUY THIS!

      Delete
  10. This one did not work for me. At all. I had such high expectations and I thought it got off to a great start with that first chapter, but after that: all downhill. :/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sorry Leanna! I really liked the murkiness of it until the very end. Then it got murkier than I could take without being able to immediately pick up the next book.

      Delete
  11. Oh. OH. I like the sound of this, Jenny. Creepy? Love. Thrillers? Love. Knowing the killer from the beginning? LOVE.

    Sucks about the ending, though. =/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think a lot of people out there will love the ending and be all surprised, but I'm not the kind of reader that loves surprises on the last page. I like answers. Lots of them:)

      Delete
  12. "Perhaps one of the more interesting aspects of this story is that we know the identity of the killer from the very first chapter, our anxiety then stemming not from wondering who's after Rory, but rather how long it's going to take for him to find her and what he's going to do when he does."

    This sold it for me. I think I'll wait until I have my hands on the whole series due to the cliffhanger warning.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This book is getting really varied responses which is always fun. I'd be interested to see what you thought Tara!

      Delete
  13. I ed to get a copy of this book as soon as I can. So many blogger friends seem to have enjoyed it that I'm convinced I will love it too. It's interesting that the reader is already aware of who the killer is. It must be even creepier waiting to see what he does next that way!
    Lovely review, Jenny!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really liked knowing who he was Nick! It made things creepier for me because then I just kept wondering when he was going to pop up and make himself known:)

      Delete
  14. Although I love unreliable narrators, I think this book would throw me over the edge. It seems to creepy, especially since you said that the anxiety is from waiting to see how long the killer will take to find her. Yikes! Thanks for the great review though, because I have always wondered about this book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was really uneasy the whole time I was reading, and I liked that about it. I kept getting muscle cramps because I was holding myself so rigid the whole time.

      Delete
  15. Hmm. Those sorts of endings can go either way for me, but usually it isn't positive. And I'm surprised that this is series. For some reason or another, I was under the impression that it was a standalone. Anyway, this book sounds like it has a lot going for it despite the cliffhanger. I'll have to try and get hold of it. :) Lovely review, Jenny!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It would have been a positive for me Sam if the big reveal at the end made all the pieces throughout the story fall into place, but this was the exact opposite. It ripped away all the pieces that were in place and left me with nothing, and that's why I was frustrated. I NEED ANSWERS!!!

      Delete
    2. And I think it's a series. Not positive though. It says "Shadowlands #1) on Goodreads which leads me to believe there is a number 2. Hopefully.

      Delete
  16. We could not have had more different opinions about this book, Jenny! I found that the suspense fell entirely flat and I did not connect to Rory at all. It irritates me when characters are supposedly playing second fiddle to their prettier sister (or friend, etc), despite the fact that everyone they meet is either instantly attracted to them or wants to be their BFF.

    Also, I found so much of the story (and the details) unbelievable. The FBI doesn't escort them to their witness protection place? Rory's father and sister's complete lack of concern for Rory?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahahaha oops:) It's definitely not a book for everyone, and most people will either love it or hate it I think. I still think the FBI situation is curious, I can't help but wonder if their various flaws can be attributed to the reveal at the end. Guess I'll have to wait and see:)

      Delete
  17. I am reading some very mixed reviews on this one which is disappointing considering how everyone was buzzing over this one. I think I might just have to pass, I just can't do another book right now where I read the entire thing only to be left with a passle of questions and a cliffhanger. Thanks, but no thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I've read other books by this author and really liked them so Shadowlands is already on my to read list. I always thought it was a stand alone and had no idea it's a series until your review.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Damn girl! You had me at creepy but totally held me with that review! I don't know if the book could compare to that! Oh but a cliffie? Confusion? Oh yea, I do think I'll wait for the second book to dive in, but you have me so curious about these characters!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I hate it when my enjoyment of a novel drastically decreases because of a cliffhanger and lingering doubts about the story, so it's a shame that happened with you too, Jenny. Still, Shadowlands seems fantastic and I love that the story is so gripping, even though the identity of the killer is known. Amazing review, dear! :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Yikes! I really hate it when endings leave us more questions than when we started. WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO US AUTHORS? :( Anyway, I'm glad you loved the story besides that and enjoyed reading about Rory. :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. As always lovely review! I was hoping you rate this one a bit higher, but still I love the way you describe it. The ending for me was the kicker! I soooo did not see that coming! Geesh! It had me hooked and boy did I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Well said (written) though I rated it slightly higher than you. I told you it would give you the creeps! Well, I hope the second book delivers a big hunk of the puzzle so we aren't left with that,to quote Seinfeld, "awful big Matzo Ball hanging out there". Great review, Jenny!

    Heather

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm glad we know who the killer is as I'm absolute rubbish at figuring that out on my own. I'm really looking forward to picking up my own copy of this!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I have this one so I'm glad that you mostly enjoyed it. I recently read a very negative review. But before that I had seen quite a few good ones. So I'm looking forward to reading this a bit more now. I'm definitely getting prepared to be sitting on the edge of my seat biting my nails!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I have been wondering about this books. I hate the cliffhanger part though. Thanks for the great review.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hmm, I've seen some very mixed reviews for this one - I know Rummanah was not a fan for example - and am a little hesitant at starting it especially because of the cliffhanger. Perhaps I'll wait for book 2 to come out and see if people's opinions change.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Interesting that we already know the identity of the psycho. That gives this book another creepy twist than most books - where you are trying to find out who is behind all the crazy stuff. The ending sounds frustrating, I hate when authors do that, but I will give it a shot! :)

    Mel@thedailyprophecy.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I agree that this is a very interesting book a lot because it doesn't fit well into one (or even two?) genres. A lot of people have commented that the cover doesn't make much sense when you read the initial description of the book, but I think once you actually read it you see that the cover works well. I actually didn't guess the ending for once (even though you obviously know SOMETHING is up), so I'm pretty psyched to see where she takes the series.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love thrillers, but I don't think I've read any YA ones.

    ReplyDelete