SACRIFICED BY SHADOW
Ascension Series #1
by S.M. Reine
Publisher: Self-Published (July 2013)
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Adult
Format: eBook (328 pages)
Source: Free book from author for honest review
Find It: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3 stars)
Lincoln Marshall is a small-town deputy with a very big problem. Six members of his church have been found dead, killed by a rogue werewolf. He’ll have to make a deal with the Devil to save victims that have gone missing — maybe literally.
Elise Kavanagh, preternatural investigator and exorcist, is the expert when it comes to violent deaths at the jaws of evil. She’s also the demon known as the Godslayer. Elise jumps at Lincoln’s case, and it’s not just because of his down-home charm. Someone’s laid a trap for her in Northgate, and she wants to find out who.
She’ll have to team up with Rylie Gresham, Alpha of the last surviving werewolf pack, to figure out who’s trying to blame the murders on werewolves. Only together can they stop the killings — and uncover the secrets buried in Northgate.
At A Glance
Even though the story was interesting, I found myself confused by many things.
The Good
Sacrificed by Shadow blew me away in the beginning. I loved how dark the story was and that most of the characters were interesting. Reine did not create a gentle world. There were a lot of supernatural creatures to deal with and a lot of betrayal and secrets to uncover.
The story and plot reeled me in right away. I truly did not know the whole who, what, were, when, and why of it all. Reine was good at keeping all the twists and turns a complete surprises. I loved reading about Elise and her investigation. Her times with the werewolves was the best though. They were either tearing out her throat or making alliances with her. So hilarious.
The writing was crisp and it flowed well. The mystery kept me guessing. I loved all the demon parts. I want to learn more about the demonology in this series. The action was very well done. Very graphic and detailed.
The Bad
My biggest problem with this book was that it was suppose to be the beginning of a series and it felt like I walked into the middle of a story. I know Reine has a lot of series and I think they connect in some way, but that shouldn’t matter. If this is suppose to be a new series, then there needed to be more background and explanation.
Elise is a complex character with a complex past and it felt like too much. Even with the information we got about Elise, I still didn’t understand her character 100%. Her past is still a mystery to me even though it was talked about.
I think the main plot got lost in a lot of different storylines that never got expanded on enough to be satisfying.
The Snuggly
There is sex, but it felt like sex for the sake of sex. It wasn’t needed and it lead to nowhere. You know me, I like me some sexy-time in my books, but I want the sex to be there for a reason.
Romance wise, there wasn’t much. Elise got burned by James a long time ago, but she still has feelings for him but hates him at the same time. That’s about it.
Final Thoughts
I don’t think I would continue this series. I wasn’t engaged enough. Plus, I think reading Reine’s other series is somewhat necessary to enjoy this series. But it was an overall interesting urban fantasy. Recommended to those who have read Reine’s other series.
“Getting shot was an experience that Elise ranked on the “unpleasantness” scale right around “trying to survive a week without coffee.”
“They were twin beasts in the night, swift and sleek and growling. With her body arched over the moonlight-soaked motorcycle, her thighs welded to metal and leather, Elise felt like she and the bike had become a single animal—another member of Rylie’s pack, restricted only to where the wheels could take her.”
Sarah Elizabeth
I haven’t read this series but I read one of the author’s other series, and I ended up laughing at things that really weren’t supposed to be funny! Don’t think I’ll be quick to pick this up.
Jennifer Bielman
hehe, now that’s funny. Yeah, it’s not for everyone.
sherry fundin
I have not read any of her work, but when I do I will check out the other series first. Thanks for the helpful review. Have a great weekend.
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, you should go to her website to see what series to start first.
kimbacaffeinate
I love dark urban fantasy, it is such a shame that you felt like you got dumped into an ongoing story. 🙁
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, you know UF is my fav, but I just left this book feeling okay about it.
Andrea Heltsley
I read this and thought much of the same thing! I actually read the werewolf series but not the other and its a combination of both, so I was really confused going in. This is a great urban fantasy series, but it would be better if reading all of the series. Thanks for posting the review!
Jennifer Bielman
So happy you agree. I did read another of her books a long time ago and it didn’t really help me in understanding this one.
Jaclyn Canada
I’m glad that you enjoyed it for the story even though it felt like you were missing information. That reminded me of the time when I messed up – totally and completely my fault – by reading The Outlaw Demon Wails first in The Hollows. I thought Kim Harrison was dumping entirely too much history and character information on me and I had bought all the books in the series, but put them away because I was lost. Then about four months later, I realized that I started them in the wrong order and now I absolutely love the series. Obviously I know that you didn’t make a similar mistake here with it being #1 in the series, but I felt your pain. Don’t mind my ramblings about that, it just reminded me of my blunder LOL 😀 Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven.
Jennifer Bielman
I have totally done that too, and I usually just go and get book #1 so it gets all straightened out. I actually thought I might have done the same thing with this book, then I saw that it was book #1 and was so let down.
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
I wanted to try this one when released, but time is crazy right know. I’ll still have to see about giving it a go. Sorry you had a few stumbles with it. 🙂 Thank you!
Jennifer Bielman
I know what you mean, it is getting crazy hard to read all these books right now.