The Shadow Aspect (The Harvesting Series Book 3)

By: Melanie Karsak

Narrated by: Kristin James

Length: 6 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

When Layla took the final step through the labyrinth, she thought she was saving the ones she loved.

She couldn't have been more wrong.

Layla and the other survivors now find themselves caught in a war for our world, the unwitting victims of a grudge seething for eons. Surviving the zombie apocalypse has become the least of their worries as they come up against vampires, shapeshifters, and fae. When she uncovers an unspeakable horror, whom can Layla trust? The carnie girl? The doctor searching for a cure? The tarot reader? The stranger with alluring gold eyes? Or the man she loves?

The wrong choice could doom them all.

When the world burns, mankind's shadow side rises. Do we deserve to survive?

©2015 Clockpunk Press (P)2015 Clockpunk Press

Danger is always present,but there might some hope

Would you listen to The Shadow Aspect (The Harvesting Series Book 3) again? Why?

Absolutely! Not only for the characterization brought to life through Kristin's voice, but also for the story being told. Melanie walks us through the next expansion of the world here. We saw the undead and vampires in the first book. We learn about the thin places and fog here, along with some of the natural spirits. Each growth of the world in each book is placed to explain and grow the stories. We even start to get a look into why this is happening along with how. And, to Layla and a few other observers, there is a difference in the undead as well.

Have you listened to any of Kristin James’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've continued listening to the series as I love Kristin's voice acting. She slips into each and every character, becoming them in voice. She does the breathless moments when in dialog. She does several accents through the story for Cricket, Tristan, and many others along with deeper and different tones for male and females. All this makes it so easy for the listener to differentiate the characters. I love how Kristin knows what words to put an accent on, to show there is more meaning behind the word.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I had a constant fear from the moment Layla and her friends walked into Claddagh-Basel college. I worried the whole time that something was going to happen. This was one of my biggest reactions. But there were a few as I started to feel for the undead... Hard to believe!

Any additional comments?

This book brings Cricket and those from her novella together with Layla and her friends from Hamletville.

I know the characters are in constant trouble with the danger of the undead and vampires, but it doesn't feel high strung fast. I really like this. People need rest, even if not 100% trusting of those around them. That comes through yet the stories moving to keep us interested. The grown of the world helps balance the pacing and action. Not to fast. Not to slow. Just right.

Really can't wait to continue in this series with the next novella and novel!

Unique epic post apocalypse world

The author and narrator create and bring you to an epic new post apocalyptic world. The prior novels set up different groups, areas and challenges. The world is a whole new place. This chapter brings groups together, reveals ancient enemies, betrayals are shocking, be ready for some serious action and some serious loss. Love this series! Very refreshing and new in its views! I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Loved it

I am a big fan and this book was fantastic! I enjoyed the tie in with the mystical and the zombie apocalypse.

LAYLA STILL KICKS BUTT LIKE A PRO!

What did you love best about The Shadow Aspect (The Harvesting Series Book 3)?

That Layla and Cricket's group finally joined forces...I really like both of them!!!

What other book might you compare The Shadow Aspect (The Harvesting Series Book 3) to and why?

This is a unique zombie series, there are not only zombies...there are vamps, fairies, shape shifters...really a cool concept!

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked many, but especially when Layla frees the Zombie mom, and gives her her baby...and Zombie mom gets her due justice!

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

I could have....I did listen to it in 1 day though...

Any additional comments?

** I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **

I loved book 1, and 1.5, and this one was pretty good too....This one picks up after the group has escaped the vamps...and is on the run...Well Cricket finds them with a tip from her card reading friend...they come back to a university where people have been surviving for awhile...Well there is a Doctor there up to no good...and as things always happen in a Z-Poc they barely escape, but now they have help....I love Cricket...and her and Layla are going to make a great team!

Thanks Melanie!!!

Exciting!

This starts off right where The Harvesting ended, so we are quickly brought back into Layla's world. Layla, along with the survivours of the island, thought they were finding safety but have ended up smack bang in the middle of a hoard of zombies. An intense scene follows but Layla and most of her group are found by Cricket and Tristan (whom we met in Midway). The are brought to a sanctuary where strong magic is helping to shield them. Will this be enough to hide them and keep them safe from the zombies, vampires and bad shifters?

Holy batman!! This was one heck of a ride, filled with action, adventure, and plenty of things happening that kept my attention throughout. The author has created a world that is impressive and captivating. She weaves a tale of, not only zombies, but a battle that has been raging for decades. One where mankinds very existence is on the edge. I loved her take on how and why the virus came to be. The world is one that I loved and adored!

The characters were once again well written and developed. Each one was genuine and authentic. They were easy to like and I loved everyone of them as they are so varied and surprising.

The plot was amazing too. Layla and Cricket come together and have to deal with Zombies, Vampires, Fairies and a crazy ass doctor who thinks she can find the antidote by injecting some unsuspecting people. It's an action packed, addicting and thrilling series and one I can't recommend enough. Amazing!!

Once again, Kristin James nailed the narration. She really knows these characters and understands the world. Loved her narration.

*I received a free copy of this but voluntarily reviewed it. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.*

OMG

The Shadow Aspect is just a suspenseful as the other two book in the Harvesting series. I can’t wait to read the next book.

What's not to love!!!

Loving this series so much! I know it sound strange to have zombies, fae people, psychics & vampires all in one story but this works! It works so well that I'm listening to the entire series straight through. The narrator is great, the store is fantastic, the writing is really good. The characters are likable & relatable. Give this series a try, I promise you'll enjoy it.

I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.

Such an Awesome Series!

The Shadow Aspect picks up right where The Harvesting leaves off, with Layla leading her people out of the labyrinth into a new and hopefully safer area. Karsak puts us right back into the fray and doesn’t pull any punches…in fact she damn near ripped my heart out towards the end of this one and that takes some effort.

In this book we have two POV’s to follow: Layla, our main character from the first book, and Cricket, the new character introduced in the novella Midway. While reading Midway is not necessary, I would definitely recommend it because there are some things that you won’t really ‘get’ unless you have…plus it’s a damn good novella. These two women are both badasses but completely unique and approach things in their own way. After the horrific events of The Harvesting Layla is slow to trust again and much more aware of the other world that is threatening their very existence . We get a lot more of her learning about her ability to see the ‘other’ side and I really like the direction it went, it certain sets it apart from the other zombie books out there even more. We see her grow and become a better leader, able to stand up for herself and others..even when it doesn’t necessarily make sense to other people. While Layla has become the backbone of the group, Cricket has become it’s heart of sorts. She works hard to make sure everyone is alright, even putting herself in the line of danger to do so, and she genuinely cares for the people around her. These two make for a great duo!

The world building still continues as we get more info on the other inhabitants of the world and what exactly caused the downfall of humanity. I love what Karsak has done with the mythology to make it stand out despite the same overall idea being used in many other books. I don’t want to go into detail about the new players in this game, but they are pretty cool and I’m really looking forward to seeing how their newly discovered involvement comes to a head in the next two books in the series.

Kirsten James is excellent yet again as the narrator, as she effortlessly switches between all the voices she’s created for the entire cast. I’m thoroughly impressed with her and though I’m sad that this series is coming to I do look forward to listening to her other work. I’ve actually bought an audio I didn’t really intend on buying because she was the narrator…and for me that is enough.

If you enjoy urban fantasy as told by an author who knows how to make you feel but pull no punches then this is definitely a series to get in to. It’s well written and fun, and if you listen to the audio you get the added bonus of KJ reading to you.

The Shadow Aspect

This book brought book one and two together for me. Layla and Cricket met in this book. They are very special girls....so cool. I enjoyed this series quite a bit and I can't wait to see what happens next. The author has even added more creatures to the mix of characters in this book or she tells more about the characters that we didn't know before now. I love it! "This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review."

The Shadow Aspect

love this series!This book brought old characters into contact with new ones.The story is awesome and Kristin James is the perfect narrator.I was given this book free by either the author,narrator or publisher.