Monday 8 August 2011

Shadow Hills Review

Title: Shadow Hills
Publication Date: May 10, 2011
Published By: Egmont USA
Format: Paperback, 400 pages

*I purchased this book

Summary
After her sister Athena's tragic death, it's obvious that grief-stricken Persephone "Phe" Archer no longer belongs in Los Angeles. Hoping to make sense of her sister's sudden demise and the cryptic dreams following it, Phe abandons her bubbly LA life to attend an uptight East Coast preparatory school in Shadow Hills, MA — a school which her sister mysteriously mentioned in her last diary entry before she died. 
Once there, Phe quickly realizes that something is deeply amiss in her new town. Not only does Shadow Hills' history boast an unexplained epidemic that decimated hundreds of its citizens in the 1700s, but its modern townies also seem eerily psychic, with the bizarre ability to bend metal. Even Zach — the gorgeous stranger Phe meets and immediately begins to lust after — seems as if he is hiding something serious. Phe is determined to get to the bottom of it. The longer she stays there, the more she suspects that her sister's untimely death and her own destiny are intricately linked to those who reside in Shadow Hills.

My Thoughts
I actually bought this book because Nina Malkin, The author of Swoon has a blurb on the cover, and we all know I love that book, she didn't let me down. I absolutely adored Shadow Hills. This story is awesome and original and that is hard to find in paranormal these days. There are new supernatural beings and even some new talents I have yet to encounter. There are also scientific explanations for some of what goes on making it more tangible and upping the creep factor.
I found Phe really impressive, I've become so used  to female characters automatically shutting down and going into fits of denial and disbelief at the first hint of something otherworldly or strange that Phe blew me away with her quick acceptance and desire to find truth. I found myself going into denial and making stupid excuses for her. I've been corrupted by wimpy female protagonists!!
The mystery aspect was played out really well, enough info given to keep you intrigued but als enough withheld to keep you on your toes. I was never far ahead of the characters in figuring stuff out and sometimes I was behind. The ending gave closure but also left an opening for more books so I checked the authors blog and there will be more, and I can't wait. Shadow Hills gets 5 out of 5!


3 comments:

  1. I'm not sure I've heard of this one. I trust your opinion, though; I'm LOVING Shade so far!

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  2. Oooh this looks FABULOUS, I loooove the cover!

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  3. I read this a few books ago and absolutely loved it, I agree its a 5/5 book! It had a general foreboding feeling which is something I always love!

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I appreciate everyone's comments, I read them all. So keep 'em comin ;)