Shadowmaster by Susan Krinard Series: Nightsiders #3
Published by Harlequin on 1 March 2014
Genres: Adult, Dystopian, Paranormal
Pages: 304
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
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Humans and vampires on the brink of war
In San Francisco, a fragile truce is threatened by an assassination plot. Dhampir agent Phoenix Stryker has the beauty, brains – and blood – to infiltrate the vampires’ secret society and save the city. But once she’s in she finds her target, the assassin Drakon, is not the monster she expected.
Handsome, honourable and irresistibly attractive, Drakon will stop at nothing to save his people – and protect the woman he needs even more than the blood that keeps him alive. Now the key to the world’s survival may lie in their dangerous alliance…
*I received a free ARC of Shadowmaster from Harlequin via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*
Shadowmaster is an exciting and well executed dystopian / paranormal story where the female lead is a dhampir who knows how to fight dirty!
My Shadowmaster review:
Phoenix has been part of a more or less secret government organization since she was a child. She is neither totally human, nor totally vampire, thus those around her see her as different, and maybe a threat. She has one good friend at the Aegis, though, but when she’s sent on an important mission, she has to go on her own. She needs to find Drakon in the outskirts of the city, and she has to use any asset possible in order to help locate and bring Drakon in for questioning. The future of the world just might depend on her doing her job right.
There is a lot of excitement in Shadowmaster, and I loved how easily I entered this world that could have felt completely alien, but where I understood both the people and the way things worked quickly. Phoenix is a smart and independent young woman, and being a dhampir is both a blessing and a curse. Once she is sent on her assignment, she has not way of contacting Aegis, she has to be able to rely solely on herself.
With some unexpected twists I enjoyed a lot, Shadowmaster managed to take me on a trip into a new world, where I would have wanted to be by Phoenix’s side to help her out when the going got tough. Even if Shadowmaster is the third book in a series, I didn’t feel like I had missed anything by not reading the first two books, but I’m sure my enjoyment could have been even more if I had already entered this world before.
Written in third person past tense, Shadowmaster brought me straight into the story, and kept me there, not letting me put my kindle down even to sleep. If you enjoy different stories that dare to go a little outside the norm, you should pick up the Nightsiders series at your earliest convenience.
Some of my favorite Shadowmaster quotes:
Phoenix leaned against the wall of the building, taking deep breaths to ease her distress. She had never been so close to one of these unfortunate people. Aegis had kept her protected from such sights, from such thoughts.
There were still too many variables, too many unknowns. Phoenix had to be ready for attack while pretending to be completely out of her depth in every possible way. Which she very nearly was.
Of one thing she was certain: Shepherd had something more up his sleeve than wanting his own private Aegis operative, who happened to be standing in the thick of a very volatile situation.
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
Sounds like a good one, I might have to put that series on the ole TBR list. 🙂
I definitely want to read the prior books in the Nightsiders series, Stormi. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Its so wonderful when a wholly new world, can be presented in a way that it feels familiar and doesn’t leave you questioning everything. I love the idea of dhampirs and I’ve enjoyed the books that I’ve read with them in the past. So glad you enjoyed 😀 Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven.
I agree, Jaclyn, entering into a new world but not feeling lost means the writing is really good. I love dhampirs, too, and I look forward to reading the prior books in this series.
Thanks for stopping by, Jaclyn.
I love it when you get so enthralled by a book you don’t want to put it down! Great review Lexxie! I will have to check this out for myself!!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
Yeah, you should, Naomi. It’s right up your alley as well 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Oh I didn’t know this series by the author, I only read a ook by her in her UF series and I have book 2 but I really need more time to get into it it’s terrible. This one sounds nice though too.
I know what you mean about the time, Melliane. I wish I had a few extra hours per day just so I could read more 🙂 I think you’d enjoy Shadowmaster, the whole universe is very well done.
Thanks for stopping by.
It really sounds like an exciting read! I’ll definitely keep it in mind, thanks for sharing your thoughts, Lexxie 🙂
yeah, it was very good, Silvia 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
I always enjoy authors that think outside the box with regards to their story lines, and Krinard is definitely one of them! I’m currently reading her Midgard series, but might give her PNR a try now after reading your review.
I need to also add her Midgard series to my TBR, then, Carmel. And yes, her PNR series is awesome if this third book is like the rest.
Thanks for stopping by!
I’m intrigued, Lexxie. And I’m wondering if you’re going to go back and read the first 2 in the series? Obviously, Krinard did a great job in worldbuilding if you could enter at book 3 and not be completely lost. I’m up for reading a new take on dhampirs and I *need* more PR/UF in my diet, no??? 😉
I hope you’re doing well, my friend. Sorry I’ve been scarce…last Friday I spent most of the day in the car while Sky practiced driving her stick shift. 🙂 I worked all day Saturday and yesterday I spent recovering. Honestly, I DO NOT know how you do all you do!! *haha* I miss you! *BIG HUGS*
Yup, I’m definitely going to read the first two books, Brandee. Krinard did an awesome job both with worldbuilding and with character development, and I really enjoyed the story, too. What more can a girl ask for? and of course you need more PNR/UF in your diet, my dear 🙂
I’m good. I am just having lots of trouble getting started on my re-write of my paper. And the due date is approaching. I know I really have to do it – because I want to have my BA degree this summer – but I had worked so hard in order to not have to do anything UNI related during the summer. *SIGH* I will do it right now, once I finish commenting back:)
How was stick shift driving? My oldest is just starting to learn how to drive too, but she already has the licence for a light motorcycle, so she knows a little bit about what to look for and stuff. It’s going to be interesting to see how she does with a car 😀
I hope we’ll be able to catch up soon, Brandee. I miss you too! *BIG HUGS*
Twitter: talksupeblog
I have her other series, have yet to dive into it but this review is making me optimistic. I think I will enjoy her writing voice very much
I need her other series, then, Braine 🙂 Since both you and Carmel enjoy it, I’m sure I will, too.
Thanks for stopping by!