Book: Shine & Shadow (The Second Fate of Elodie Devine) by Chase, Eva
Reviewed by Booksbystarlightandshadows
Rating: 4.5/5
I have loved being back in Elodie's world. After another close call at the end of book one, all Elodie's theories are up in the air as to who is behind the attack on Other Elodie. Her matches are on hand to help this time round (some with more gusto than others… cough cough Salvatore - I love how all in he is) and they begin to start tentatively working as a unit whilst keeping their connection under wraps.
I am so glad that the matches are dialled in and that hasn't been saved as a cliff-hanger. Elodie may not be telling them everything but given the situation she found herself in, it is completely understandable. I am still not on board with the dodgy aunt; I do not trust her at all. There is more than one person who shows their true colours though. I had been waiting for one of the frenemies to pull something; it wasn't what I expected but I don't think Elodie's excuses were going to last much longer with them after blowing them off for so long. I really enjoyed the academy aspect overall and the action scenes with the combat training. My head was on a swivel trying to keep an eye on where all the side characters were as I think there may be a couple more sleeper agents under our noses!
I hope we get to see more of Elodie and Asher in the next book; I am willing to put money on his glim being able to send her home in some way. I am intrigued to see if that becomes an option and if so how that will resolve itself. The MMCs may share names and faces but it does feel like they are characters in their own right and I can already imagine Elodie having some tough choices to make. I'd love to see some POVs from their side too as to what happened when Elodie disappeared on them!
My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read