More than a Novel

"I could go on for ages about how every character in this book is sexy, and I would love to have each of them in my bed, but there's more to Jared's writing than hot men. Reading 'Shadows' felt like drinking the very essence of love. I was torn between wanting to flip through each page because I was so addicted, and wanting to read it super slowly so it wouldn't run out because I was so addicted. In the end, I had to finish it, and I am simultaneously ecstatic and heartbroken. It's always painful to wait, but after reading 'Flames' and now having finished 'Shadows', I know that whatever's coming next will be worth it. The love that was showcased between Taeyon and Kadari in the first book only grew stronger in this one. And then there's Jendarr and Xavian, who fill me with such a fierce sense of protectiveness. Needless to say, I'm wonderfully attached. Their romance is inspiring and goes beyond a physical level. The sci-fantasy atmosphere of the book had me completely immersed in their world. When they cried, I cried, when they laughed, I laughed, and when (spoiler alert) the Alastrans came to attack, I was fully prepared to put on some Jarusaad armour of my own and join the fight. (I am still patiently waiting for my own cool weapons...) The worldbuilding in 'Shadows' added onto the multitude of layers we got in 'Flames'. It gets to the point where I sometimes imagine that Ridora is an actual planet just like Earth. It's the type of book that sucks you right in and, even when life forces me to take a few weeks away from reading, the moment I start again, I slip back into the world of Kadari, Taeyon, Jendarr and Xavian as if I'd never even left. I suppose I could say that Jared's writing has made me a parasocial fan. And I say this as the highest praise. It takes a truly special author to flesh out characters and entire worlds that can feel so different from our own and still so real. I might be rambling now, but I wish I could ramble more, and I wish I could write out the feeling that I got from reading the book. I could not recommend it enough, and I cannot wait to see what's next in store for my wonderful, brave princes of Ridora."