Shadow Blade

Shadowchasers, Book 1

By: Seressia Glass

Narrated by: Allyson Johnson

Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

For Kira Solomon, normal was never an option. Kira's day job is as an antiquities expert, but her true calling is as a Shadowchaser. Trained from youth to be one of the most lethal Chasers in existence, Kira serves the Gilead Commission, dispatching the Fallen who sow discord and chaos. Of course, sometimes Gilead bureaucracy is as much a thorn in her side as anything the Fallen can muster against her. Right now, though, she's got a bigger problem. Someone is turning the city of Atlanta upside down in search of a millennia-old Egyptian dagger that just happens to have fallen into Kira's hands.

Then there's Khefar, the dagger's true owner - a near-immortal 4,000-year-old Nubian warrior who, Kira has to admit, looks pretty fine for his age. Joining forces is the only way to keep the weapon safe from the sinister Shadow forces, but now Kira is in deep with someone who holds more secrets than she does, the one person who knows just how treacherous this fight is. Because every step closer to destroying the enemy is a step closer to losing herself to Shadow forever....

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©2010 Seressia Glass (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The heart-pounding first in Glass's Shadowchasers urban fantasy series piles on the twists and turns in a supernatural Atlanta where everyone has a hidden motive.... Kira's personal battle against the forces of chaos will keep readers riveted." (Publishers Weekly)

A solid urban fantasy

I took a few years off from urban fantasy and was happy to make this one of my first UF reads when I came back. Glass moves beyond Europe for a mythology-based worldbuilding that's intriguing, the heroine is stubborn and devoted to doing good, and her backstory plucks at the heartstrings while you watch her kick serious butt.

lovely concept...just didn't come together right.

there was something annoy the story that just want memorable for me. it was not a page Turner. usually I finish a book in a day this one took me a whole week. I didn't feel the connection between kefar and the shadow chaser. she didn't physically describe the two leads well, so I couldn't visualize them. I'm not sure about the next one. of I'll read it.

Great descriptive storytelling

The author has the most beautiful and sophisticated way of describe people, places, and things. The world is well detailed and complex. And the reader is dropped in the middle of it all.

Two blades combine and unite to save the world.

This is my first reading of a book by this author usually I’m not a sci-fi type of reader this wasn’t bad I would’ve liked more romance perhaps in later part of the stor this is my first reading a book by this author usually I’m not a sci-fi type of reader this wasn’t bad I would’ve liked more romance perhaps in the next book that’s part of this story I’ll see more romance between the two primary figures. If you like adventure definitely there’s that and be back round stories of both were sufficient for now I’m sure we will learn more later.

PITIFUL NARRATION

The narration is deplorable and was destracting from the tale. To say Allyson Johnson has no gift for accents is being polite. Her monotone delivery made what maybe a good story boring.

Agile Narrator, Fun Story, Realistic POCs

First, I think it's important to dispel the myth that the narrator is monotone or bad at accents, as suggested by a previous reviewer. Allyson Johnson is a very capable narrator who I will be happy to listen to again, especially as this series continues. (I've already picked up Book #2.) I found the characters distinguished themselves easily in this audible medium - deep, lyrical, sharp, mellow, agitated, Latin@, Afro-Caribbean, Commonwealth, etc. It was quite easy to listen to.

In fact, the book was so easy to listen to that I didn't completely mind that the story felt a bit... light, especially toward the end. I don't feel shortchanged as a reader in any way, but if you're looking for truly unexpected moments or stunning plot twists, this isn't quite the book for that. Almost in the style of an adult reading YA, you're probably going to guess most things before the protagonist does and usually be right.

I will say, however, that my reason for diving into this series still holds string enough to carry my interest into the next book. This is a story about a modern Black female warrior who is strong and smart but hardly perfect. I appreciate her existence in a genre that too often pretends people of color don't exist, can't have powers, can't be good guys, or can't hold an audience's attention as the lead. And in this story she's not alone! The entire cast of characters is a diverse mix of races, genders, class backgrounds, skills, networks, etc. - in a way that makes sense for a city as vibrant and varied as Atlanta.

So maybe the story could use a touch more complexity, but if you're looking for a fun fantasy/paranormal read, complete with action, tenderness, and plenty of attitude? This is a great place to start!

Excellent From Beginning To End

This book was excellent from beginning to end. Its been a while since I have done old school style paranormal romance but it was worth it to step out of my comfort zone and read this book. The characters were fantastic, the world building was on point, and the plot was awesome. I highly recommend this book.