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tashasbooks 's review for:
Silence and Shadow
by Erin Beaty
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
What a conclusion! Silence and Shadow is the sequel to Blood and Moonlight, which I loved! This book combines a charming romance, thriller, and fantasy. If you like true crime with your YA fantasies, this is definitely the series for you.
After the events of the previous book, Catrin and Simon must flee the city. They arrive to the city Londunium and travel to a local Selanae university, known as Akademeia. Selanae with moon based magic hone their skill into healing and Cat hopes she and Simon are able to seek refuge there. However, the powerful council that manages Akademeia disapproving of her relationship with Simon as he is a "Hadrian" and shouldn't be privy to Selanae secrets. They threaten to take all of his memories of her, and so she must do what she can to fit in and protect him. At the same time, there is a local serial killer wracking up victims in the nearby forest, and Simon is recruited to help the investigation. Both Cat and Simon are thrust back into a world of murder, secrets, and conspiracies that threaten their lives.
This was a wonderful follow-up to the previous book, but it also stands on its own. We are introduced to a new city that has a new culture and government. There is also so much more learned about the Selanae and their history and magic. Cat discovers she is extremely powerful and that hasn't even begun to understand the true abilities she has. I love that the relationship isn't completely perfect either after the events of the first book. Both main characters are trying to figure out what they truly want. Simon is struggling to with the feelings that he is a burden to Cat and he is depending on her for stability. At the same time, Cat wants to learn more about her magic and culture, but she is afraid of the divide it causes between her and Simon. I feel this book focuses more on their romance and chemistry than the first as a subplot. The characterization for both characters is developed further.
The serial killer plot line is intriguing and differs from the first one, especially because there are other important events happening that move the plot. I do miss the setting of the sanctum and Cat's previous job, but we also learn more about the Akademeia and the Council that precedes it. Cat gains more agency by heading many of the parts of the investigation herself.
One part that I wish was improved on is the twist towards the end. Cat isn't sure which of the Selanae council members she can put her trust in, and it becomes obvious who is taking advantage of her and her naivety. There are many twists and turns throughout this story as it is a thriller as much as it is a fantasy novel. I'm very happy with how the ending left our main characters.
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
After the events of the previous book, Catrin and Simon must flee the city. They arrive to the city Londunium and travel to a local Selanae university, known as Akademeia. Selanae with moon based magic hone their skill into healing and Cat hopes she and Simon are able to seek refuge there. However, the powerful council that manages Akademeia disapproving of her relationship with Simon as he is a "Hadrian" and shouldn't be privy to Selanae secrets. They threaten to take all of his memories of her, and so she must do what she can to fit in and protect him. At the same time, there is a local serial killer wracking up victims in the nearby forest, and Simon is recruited to help the investigation. Both Cat and Simon are thrust back into a world of murder, secrets, and conspiracies that threaten their lives.
This was a wonderful follow-up to the previous book, but it also stands on its own. We are introduced to a new city that has a new culture and government. There is also so much more learned about the Selanae and their history and magic. Cat discovers she is extremely powerful and that hasn't even begun to understand the true abilities she has. I love that the relationship isn't completely perfect either after the events of the first book. Both main characters are trying to figure out what they truly want. Simon is struggling to with the feelings that he is a burden to Cat and he is depending on her for stability. At the same time, Cat wants to learn more about her magic and culture, but she is afraid of the divide it causes between her and Simon. I feel this book focuses more on their romance and chemistry than the first as a subplot. The characterization for both characters is developed further.
The serial killer plot line is intriguing and differs from the first one, especially because there are other important events happening that move the plot. I do miss the setting of the sanctum and Cat's previous job, but we also learn more about the Akademeia and the Council that precedes it. Cat gains more agency by heading many of the parts of the investigation herself.
One part that I wish was improved on is the twist towards the end. Cat isn't sure which of the Selanae council members she can put her trust in, and it becomes obvious who is taking advantage of her and her naivety. There are many twists and turns throughout this story as it is a thriller as much as it is a fantasy novel. I'm very happy with how the ending left our main characters.
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!