Wings of Shadow

The Underground Trilogy, Book 1

By: Anna Kyss

Narrated by: Meghan Lewis

Length: 6 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

In the struggle for survival...

Meghan's graduation gift is one that any eighteen-year-old would dream of: traveling abroad to England. Her journey turns into more adventure than expected when Meghan meets the mysterious Kiernan and is introduced to a strange society hidden beneath the streets of London.

The fittest win out at the expense of their rivals... When Meghan's life is threatened, she flees the city and seeks sanctuary in a distant village: a place unseen by human eyes for over one hundred years. Not knowing if anyone can be trusted, Meghan tries to determine who is friend, who is foe... and who has captured her heart. Meanwhile, a battle for survival brews all around her.

©2012 Anna Kyss (P)2013 Anna Kyss

Surprising start to a new series

I really enjoyed this story. I not only listened but I read the kindle book as well. I switched back and forth between the audio and kindle version. I didn't read what the story was about when I started and as I listened I really thought the story was about vampires. I couldn't have been more wrong.

Meghan receives a gift to travel abroad to England. During her travels she meets a young man named Kiernan. They go on a date and he takes her to a place that she didn't know existed, some club that's hidden somewhere in London. She then finds herself held hostage against her will and Kiernan's father forcing her to be cut so his son can drink her blood. Meghan doesn't know what to do and is scared for her life.

When a chance comes for her to escape she flees. Meghan soon finds herself seeking sanctuary with Kiernan's twin in a village that's hidden from others. There she meets more of Kiernan's family and learns more about their lives.

The people in the village weren't keen on taking Meghan in but a meeting was held with the council and after they discovered that it was the queens son who was holding Meghan captive the council realizes that the village is the safest place for her. Meghan soon learns that these aren't people but Fae and the wings she thought was fake are real. She grows to love it there.

Kiernan and his twin brother have to help one another to help save Meghan once again. His father captures her and they have to put their differences aside to free her once more. The two of them have come to care about this human and they know personal loyalties have to be set aside to save Meghan and get her back.

I really loved this story. I mentioned I thought it was about vampires and I soon realized I was wrong. The story tells why blood was being drank from Meghan but you'll have to read it yourself to find out why. The story was filled with adventures, excitement, and even a bit of love. It was enjoyable to listen to as well as read.

I listened more to the story than I read. The narrator did a wonderful job with changing voices. I love a great narrator because without a talented one the book would be dull but this narrator did an exceptional job. I understood the characters that spoke. The narrator was extremely talented, so much I understood who was male and who the females are. I understood who every character was even ones that didn't have a major role in the story. I loved listening to the accents that some of the characters have. The narrator did a wonderful job telling the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I can't wait to listen to the second book. I haven't looked but I hope the next book has the same narrator as Wings of Shadow. The author Anna Kyss did a superb job when writing this story. She has a vivid imagination and it shows in her writing. I definitely recommend this story and age doesn't really matter. I'm not a teenager and I have a twenty year old son and a sixteen year old daughter. I love reading YA books and recommending books to my daughter. I will be getting this book for her to read because it's that good. I am going to read Wings of Memory next, it's the second book in The Underground Trilogy.

Great narrator, tough concept

I can be iffy when it comes to fantasy reads. This one was interesting and created intriguing world, It just didn't thrill me. The concept wan't anything new, good fae vs bad fae. It is kind of all over the place and I had a hard time keeping with the whole plot. Lots of stupid girl moments for the heroine.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Meghan Lewis, who does a fantastic job. Honestly her great read is one of the things that kept me listening. She has a terrific pace that keeps the book moving. One of the highlights of this book are the narrators skillful accents. I really enjoyed her work and would love to hear more reads from her.

Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

Dawn's Review of Wings of Shadow

I still can't decide if I like this book or not. It had an interesting story line, funny characters, awful characters and some that you just scratch your head at.

The whole story revolves around Kiernan, Meghan and Avery. Kiernan was taken away from his home by his father when he was 3 to be raised by him and the dark faeries. Avery, his twin brother, was raised by their mother and grandmother, the light faeries. Meghan meets Kiernan on a flight from the US to England and the two start dating. That's when things start to go wrong for Meghan. Meghan goes through capture, torture, escape, love and loss. She makes some new friends along the way while trying to find herself and decide what she wants to study in college.

Couldn't stop listening

First solo adventure to another country some becomes more as Our heroine follows her heart instead of her instincts into the world of faerie. Can't wait to start book 2. "This audiobook was provided by the author/narrator/publisher free of charge in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Blast."

Fairies, Fantasy, All here!!

What did you love best about Wings of Shadow?

Wings of Shadow was a very intriguing and interesting listen. The story kept my interest and caught my full attention.

What other book might you compare Wings of Shadow to and why?

The Iron Fae, Wings of Majesty, The Sound of Wings

Which character – as performed by Meghan Lewis – was your favorite?

I loved all of the characters she performed

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Was not planned that way, but once I started listening, I could not stop. Everything else just had to come second until this book was finished.

Any additional comments?

Waiting for the sequel, can't wait!

Great YA coming of age story!

Any additional comments?

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this story. The premise intrigued me because it was not the standard vampire, werewolf, or demon fantasy story. Wings of Shadow is basically a coming of age story centering on Meghan who is an American traveling abroad in an attempt to discover herself. Along the way she stumbles across two fairy communities and twin brothers, both of whom she develops an attachment.

Anna Kyss has a real gift for creating an interesting original story and keeping the reader engaged throughout. I found myself listening in the car for "just 5 more minutes" before going into work or in the garage at home after commuting home. She even evoked memories in me of my first kiss and crushes from 30 years ago.

Meghan Lewis's narration is also excellent. She had good pace, inflections, and tone. I also liked the differing voices, not only between the genders, but the twin brothers as well.

Well done!

The heroine killed this book

One of my problems with this book is that the heroine was never made real to me. The author only gave her as much development as you would give a passing secondary character. At the beginning, I honestly thought the heroine was a secondary character who was about to be killed or something before we met the actual heroine, because I was never given any reason to sympathize with her or to care what happened to her.

Not only was she not very well developed, but she was stupid. She never acted with any sense and she just kept going along with what the guys wanted while her only worry seemed too shallow to fit with the plot in the story.

And the one "guy" she is pining for is really kind of a jerk and has no redeeming qualities. He is too busy feeling sorry for himself and throwing tantrums to make himself likable.

And what qualities does this heroine have that makes all the guys want her except that she is pretty and will follow them dumbly wherever they lead? I wouldn't recommend this book to any Young Adult girls because I would frankly demand that they have more common sense than this.