Shadow’s End by Thea Harrison – Dual Review & Giveaway
Shadow’s End
Elder Races series – Book #9
by Thea Harrison
Release Date: December 1, 2015
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository
Description:
For Beluviel, consort to the Elven High Lord, and Graydon, gryphon and First Sentinel of the Wyr, even the slightest desire for each other is forbidden. But two hundred years ago, after a desperate play to save Beluviel’s stepson left them indebted to the cruel Djinn Malphas, they found their fates inexorably linked together—and the hunger between them growing too strong to ignore…
Two centuries later, with their debt to Malphas coming due, Beluviel and Graydon realize that, if they are to stand any chance of saving their souls, they must once again work together—this time more closely than ever before. But every moment they spend with each other brings them nearer to losing something even more vital—their hearts…
Barb’s Review:
Shadow’s End by Thea Harrison is the 9th book in her wonderful Elder Races series. I love this series, and Thea Harrison never fails to deliver a terrific story with a great couple. We have all been waiting a long time for Graydon’s story, and to watch this fierce loyal warrior show us his heart and passion was wonderful. I always liked Graydon, being Dragos 1st Sentinel, but now he has become one of my favorites.
Beluviel is our heroine, and we knew her from previous books. I think I need to go back to Lord’s Fall to look for the clues that would show Graydon and Beluviel as a couple. Beluviel is considered forbidden to Graydon, as she is the Elven High Lord’s stepmother and he is a Gryphon. But what we learn early on is that two hundred years ago, a strong love began for Graydon and Bel ,but she was married to the then Elven High Lord. Graydon came to her rescue to help save her stepson, Ferion, and during this adventure, they fell in love. But a villain, Malphas, a Djinn, had already controlled her son’s soul to do his bidding. Malpas forced an agreement that he wouldn’t kill the son, as long as Graydon & Bel never have anything to do with each other.
Two hundreds later, things have changed, especially with the death of the Elven High Lord, and Ferion, now the new High Lord, being controlled by Malpas. Graydon goes to Beluviel and together they must devise a plan to stop Malpas.
This is covered early on, and what follows is an exciting and wild adventure that will bring back so many of our favorites from previous books. I loved seeing them all work together to find a way to break the ultra powerful Malpas. During the planning, Graydon and Bel’s love grew and they were so great together. The big question was will they and the others survive the battle that puts all their lives in extreme danger.
The last half of the book was not only action packed with us on the edge of our seat, as well as being an emotional ride straight to the end. The ending was so well done, spending more time with our favorites; enjoying Graydon & Bel, and watching the start of future possibilities. Thea Harrison has another winner in Shadow’s End.
Sandy’s Review:
SHADOW’S END is the ninth full length installment in Thea Harrison’s contemporary, adult ELDER RACES paranormal, romance series. This is gryphon and First Sentinel of the Wyr demesne Graydon, and consort to the Elven High Lord, Beluviel’s (Bel) storyline. SHADOW’S END should not be read as a stand alone; for backstory and cohesion I recommend reading the series in order; for fans of the Novels of the Elder Races, a quick re-read of Lord’s Fall may be advisable to bring you up to date on what happened before. Several of the characters and couples from previous storylines, including Dragos, Pia and Liam, Sentinel Constantine, Djinns Soren and Khalil play secondary and supporting roles.
Told from dual third person perspectives, using present day and a prologue from the past, SHADOW’S END focuses on second chances for Graydon and Bel, and freeing Beluviel’s stepson Ferion, from a two hundred year old debt to the evil Djinn Malphas.
Bel’s stepson was a notorious gambler and found himself owing more than he could ever repay. Enter Graydon and Bel, who sold their souls to the devil in return for sparing Ferion’s life. Fast forward to present day where Bel and Graydon reunite in the hopes of destroying the first generation Djinn pariah Malphas, and ending a two hundred year old strangle hold over their souls. Another potential war is on the horizon, and Gray’s second sight shows that blood will be spilled, and lives will be lost.
The relationship between Bel and Gray is one of second chances. Two hundred years earlier, at the annual gala celebration known as the Masque of the Gods, Gray believed he had found his mate- the consort to the Elven High Lord-and a woman trapped in a loveless marriage to a philandering Elf. Agreeing to aid Bel in her attempts to free her stepson from eternal servitude, Bel and Gray found themselves making a pact with the devil himself. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative; limited in number, although not as erotic in nature as the relationship and storylines involving Pia and Dragos.
SHADOW’S END has a large ensemble cast of familiar secondary and supporting characters including former Wyr sentinel Rune and his mate the ancient vampyre Carling, harpy Aryal and her mate Quentin, Djinn Khalil and Oracle Grace Andreas, Wyr sentinel Constantine, Djinn Soren, vampire Julian and his mate Melly, as well as wolf shifter Luis and Claudia whom we met in one of the earlier Elder Races ‘Tarot Card’ novellas. It was a pleasure getting reacquainted with many of the characters we have grown to love.
Thea’s world building is a flight into the fantastic as each storyline focuses on the supernatural; the paranormal; and the different species whose lives intersect between worlds and demesne. There is action and suspense; romance and love; heartbreak and loss. Lives will be lost; the next generation continues to grow; and the proclamation of love and a happily ever after is never far behind.
SHADOW’S END feels like the end of a relationship. There is a party to say good bye; a hint at what’s next for the younger generation; and the potential for the series to set off in another direction. SHADOW’S END is the culmination of several storylines, premises and plots that focus on power, control and survival of the fittest. The Wyr Demesne and Lord Dragos continue to reign strong, but there is always someone or something else vying for position.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.
Thea’s publisher is offering a papercopy of SHADOW’S END to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.
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9. Giveaway runs from December 2 – December 6, 2015
