Book: Shine and Shadow by Eva Chase
Reviewed by plotdrunk
Rating: 4.5/5
Eva Chase is the cliffhanger queen! This book picked up right where the first book ended (thank god) in the middle of our murder mystery, and every answer throughout the book raised three more questions. I never knew exactly what her investigation would turn up next, and I loved following all the twists.
The magic system continues to be a highlight as well. The bloom and blight talents are fresh and interesting, and seeing more of Elodie's power in this book was fascinating. I loved seeing just how extreme her powers could be, which gave some really high stakes moments where the people coming after her clearly didn't fully understand what they were dealing with.
Another piece I loved getting to explore was Elodie's four matches. Chase managed to give each one different personalities, voices, and relationships with Elodie and each other, and they never blurred together into four interchangeable love interests. The tension and yearning definitely worked for me as I desperately hoped for more Cole time and was always left wanting more. There is one very spicy scene, but after THAT scene with Cole in the first book, I was hoping for more of that in this book with each of her matches.
My biggest criticism of their relationship is that it sometimes feels a little too easy. There are definitely moments of friction between them, but it did feel like her matches were sometimes too quick to fall into the "we'll do whatever we can to support you" mode. With five people trying to navigate a bizarre and complicated relationship, I had hoped for a little more conflict and messiness.
The plot may have dragged a little bit here and there, but it really picked up towards the end and I was hooked. I loved seeing her matches rescue her, protect her, and fight with her, and then of course, the cliffhanger!!!! Apparently I've got it bad, because I said thank you Eva, may I have another?
Thank you to the author and Book Sirens for letting me read this ARC! I'll be waiting (im)patiently for book 2.