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lynguy1's review against another edition
4.0
Master of Shadows by Joss Walker and R. L. Perez is the second book in the Jayne Thorne, CIA Librarian urban fantasy series. Jayne is sent to Paris to find her mentor and trainer when he goes missing. She ends up fighting an organization that is intent on achieving power. It has somehow acquired a mysterious poison that renders their enemies’ magical powers inert.
Jayne has to fight to overcome this weakness, resolve family issues with her sister Sofia, overcome difficulties with her shifter boyfriend Cillian, and find a hidden book of powerful magic spells and invocations.
The authors do a great job of characterization for the three main characters. Physical descriptions are supplemented with strengths, weaknesses, and personality differences. Jayne, Sofia, and Cillian have depth and are dynamic, changing, and growing as the story unfolds. However, we only get peaks at the antagonists’ personalities.
This story has a multi-layered plot with several mysteries and some twists and turns as well as a few surprises along the way. The ending was impactful. Themes include family, romance, power, lies, betrayal, and much more. While the main threads of the story conclude, there are many items to be explored in future books in the series.
Overall, this engaging and action-filled novel kept me entertained. If you enjoy light urban fantasy, then I recommend that you check out this series. The series should be read in order.
I received a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was July 31, 2022.
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My 4.05 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Jayne has to fight to overcome this weakness, resolve family issues with her sister Sofia, overcome difficulties with her shifter boyfriend Cillian, and find a hidden book of powerful magic spells and invocations.
The authors do a great job of characterization for the three main characters. Physical descriptions are supplemented with strengths, weaknesses, and personality differences. Jayne, Sofia, and Cillian have depth and are dynamic, changing, and growing as the story unfolds. However, we only get peaks at the antagonists’ personalities.
This story has a multi-layered plot with several mysteries and some twists and turns as well as a few surprises along the way. The ending was impactful. Themes include family, romance, power, lies, betrayal, and much more. While the main threads of the story conclude, there are many items to be explored in future books in the series.
Overall, this engaging and action-filled novel kept me entertained. If you enjoy light urban fantasy, then I recommend that you check out this series. The series should be read in order.
I received a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was July 31, 2022.
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My 4.05 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
maegan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
jessicajonesreads's review against another edition
5.0
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book before the pub date.
After reading book one, and finding the short story prequel, I was ready for another adventure with Jayne.
This one did NOT disappoint!! I don’t want to give any spoilers - but wow wow wow what an ending! I don’t know how I’ll wait until next summer for book 3!!!
Definitely give this series a go!
After reading book one, and finding the short story prequel, I was ready for another adventure with Jayne.
This one did NOT disappoint!! I don’t want to give any spoilers - but wow wow wow what an ending! I don’t know how I’ll wait until next summer for book 3!!!
Definitely give this series a go!
brancrisp's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
maggie56's review
5.0
Omg now I have to wait for "Keeper of Flames". .. it's like watching a great series and at the end of the season is a large cliffhanger
an_idiots_diary's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
dhasenkampf's review
3.75
This is a fun popcorn read series. I didn't enough the sequel quite as much as the first, mainly because of the developments in the romantic section. But it's still fun, lots of silly action, totally unrealistic plot points, quirky characters. I'll keep going in the series.
constant2m's review against another edition
5.0
Picking up immediately where the previous book left off, this is a tale of sisters - for sisters. Jayne is more determined than ever to use her newfound magic for good and take down her mother along with all of her evil schemes. Sofia is less convinced that magic can be used for good and just wants to take her sister and hide away from it all - after all, why would anyone seek out danger?
So, sadly for us, the sisters separate over irreconcilable differences at the beginning of the book and only come together near the very end. Fortunately, that also means we all get double the adventures. And adventures, they both have. This series is something of a cross between the Librarian and Indiana Jones. On that note, one of my favorite lines was when one of the characters said he'd really like to meet Indiana Jones because there's no way he would believe magic isn't involved, and in response, he is told that Indiana Jones isn't real. Well, maybe. But in this world, I'm pretty sure anything is possible. Also, Jayne is a complete nerd with all of her pop culture references. That may make this book a little dated down the road, but since I know most of the references, I find it hilarious.
As always, there is the question of who can be trusted, but I have been pleased to see that the two sisters, even despite cataclysmic differences of opinion, always have each other's back. As family doesn't always do. As family should. And to be fair, the differences don't all get ironed out, but they gain a deeper understanding of each other. They also never waiver in their desire to use their powers for good, which is a welcome relief in a world increasingly filled with morally gray fantasy characters. I loved it.
I received a free ARC from the author and have reviewed it willingly.
So, sadly for us, the sisters separate over irreconcilable differences at the beginning of the book and only come together near the very end. Fortunately, that also means we all get double the adventures. And adventures, they both have. This series is something of a cross between the Librarian and Indiana Jones. On that note, one of my favorite lines was when one of the characters said he'd really like to meet Indiana Jones because there's no way he would believe magic isn't involved, and in response, he is told that Indiana Jones isn't real. Well, maybe. But in this world, I'm pretty sure anything is possible. Also, Jayne is a complete nerd with all of her pop culture references. That may make this book a little dated down the road, but since I know most of the references, I find it hilarious.
As always, there is the question of who can be trusted, but I have been pleased to see that the two sisters, even despite cataclysmic differences of opinion, always have each other's back. As family doesn't always do. As family should. And to be fair, the differences don't all get ironed out, but they gain a deeper understanding of each other. They also never waiver in their desire to use their powers for good, which is a welcome relief in a world increasingly filled with morally gray fantasy characters. I loved it.
I received a free ARC from the author and have reviewed it willingly.
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