Reign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan
Published by HarperCollins on February 9th 2016
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Love & Romance, Royalty, Young Adult
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
Goodreads
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Destiny and darkness collide in this romantic, sweeping new fantasy series from New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan.Seventeen years ago, an eclipse cloaked the kingdom of Relhok in perpetual darkness. In the chaos, an evil chancellor murdered the king and queen and seized their throne. Luna, Relhok's lost princess, has been hiding in a tower ever since. Luna's survival depends on the world believing she is dead.But that doesn't stop Luna from wanting more. When she meets Fowler, a mysterious archer braving the woods outside her tower, Luna is drawn to him despite the risk. When the tower is attacked, Luna and Fowler escape together. But this world of darkness is more treacherous than Luna ever realized.With every threat stacked against them, Luna and Fowler find solace in each other. But with secrets still unspoken between them, falling in love might be their most dangerous journey yet.
Let me just go ahead and say this book didn’t work for me. Like, at all. I really like other books Jordan has written and this being a retelling/fantasy really had me pumped but good grief am I disappointed.
The plot of this story was so unoriginal. I felt like there was a “fantasy plot” checklist that was gone through and nothing unique was added at all. Well maybe one characteristic about Luna, but to be honest it didn’t really do much for the story and I had so many “but wait how is that possible” moments that I’m just choosing to ignore it. Anyways, all the typical things you see in a fantasy are there, heir in hiding âï¸, opposite sex comes along âï¸, they also have a secret âï¸, fall for each other âï¸, one is stand offish âï¸. Now I’m okay with all of those things, BUT I need more to the story than those things.
The romance was an overkill. I honestly think the book was like 90% romance and the “progression” of Luna and Fowler’s relationship and like 10% caring about what’s happening in their world. I get this is a Rapunzel retelling, BUT there are dark things brought up that I believe are supposed to make me feel like this book is intense, and it wasn’t doing that for me. Also, the personalities of Luna and Fowler were so generic and it felt forced. Like the author wanted them to have the personalities of a “independent heroine” and the “broody, stand offish hero” but it just wasn’t playing out right to me. I did a lot of eye rolling. Oh and Fowler has a secret, and I knew it from his first back story told, but I think it was meant to be this huge twist at the end.
Now let’s talk about all the…paranormal?! aspects of this book. I question it because there these things called Dwellers that are a big deal in the book, yet I couldn’t actually ever fully picture or figure out what these things are. For a while I thought they were something like zombies, but then the whole description of their faces changed that. But I never fully was told what they were and where they even came from. When something is THAT big of a deal through our an entire book, I need more info. Please.
So while reading I was thinking I would end up at least at a 3, because I mean it isn’t a bad story, it just isn’t anywhere close to being a unique one, and the romance overkill just wasn’t doing it for me, but the last 20%, ughhhhhhh. My eyes rolled so much, I was at the point at any intimate part I was skimming because I honestly just didn’t care. THEN…..THEN THE ENDING. Omg. There is a cliffhanger. But this cliffhanger made me go “What in the hell?” and then a swift yeaaaa I’m not touching the sequel, because the ending was just…..how to I put this eloquently? Erm, dumb. I had a sudden thought of “this is just all over the place”.
So, yea I didn’t like this one. I’m sure there are going to be people who LOVE it. In fantasy I just really need some uniqueness going on and I also really don’t like books outside of contemporary to be overtaken by romance. It’s just not my thing.
About Sophie Jordan
Sophie Jordan took her adolescent daydreaming one step further and penned her first historical romance in the back of her high school Spanish class. This passion led her to pursue a degree in English and History.
A brief stint in law school taught her that case law was not nearly as interesting as literature - teaching English seemed the natural recourse. After several years teaching high school students to love Antigone, Sophie resigned with the birth of her first child and decided it was time to pursue the long-held dream of writing.
In less than three years, her first book, Once Upon A Wedding Night, a 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Nominee for Best First Historical, hit book shelves. Her second novel, Too Wicked To Tame, released in March 2007 with a bang, landing on the USA Today Bestseller's List.
Have you read this one? Leave links to your review in the comments!Â
This was really helpful because I might have ran out and bought this book. I see I can definitely wait till I randomly see it go on sale or something.
If you do read it I seriously hope that you enjoy it!
Uuuugh, I’m so sorry that you didn’t like this book Crystal ð All the hugs. But your review is gorgeous ð Thank you so much for sharing about this one. I have heard some bad things, but also good things, which surprises me, lol. I never planned on reading this one. And 90% romance? That seems too much even for me, lol ð Doesn’t sound very exciting either. Sigh. I wish it had been better for you ð
I wish it had been too
I’ve sworn off debut fantasies for awhile so I won’t be picking this one up when I decide to go back.
LOL
I’ve actually been having some crappy luck with a lot of the debut fantasies happening so far this year. Love TIQ and TMK though ð
Oooh. I really liked this book.
I agree completely with your comment about it being a stupid ending, because it absolutely was infuriating. I’m quite a shallow reader, so I didn’t catch on to all of the foreshadowing and what not. Also, I tend to struggle with high fantasy, so this “fantasy-lite” was right up my alley.
Thanks for the great review. I love your gif choices.
<3
I could definitely see how that would make it work for you! I sincerely wish it had for me because I really enjoyed some of her others. But we can’t love them all lol thanks for stopping by Stacee <3
I’m so glad I read this review. I won this book (I think in a GR contest?) and was super excited about it. I’ll still read it but at least now I’ll have a better (and more realistic) idea of what to expect. Thank you!
I hope you end up enjoying it!
Thanks for being so honest! I think I may wait for this one to be in my library before I pick it up. Seems like something I would probably DNF if I wasn’t in the mood, which is why I’m so grateful for your honesty! Hope you enjoy your next read much more than this one!
You’re welcome! I really hate doing negative reviews because I hate to sound ranty, but it happens ð
I’m sorry you didn’t like this one! I think I gave it three stars. On the fantasy scale this one was low for me, it wasn’t my favorite but there were a few good factors about. This one just felt flat. I agree with a lot you have said! The GIFs are perfect by the way haha
Great review!
I’m glad you enjoyed it more than me! And gifs are my fave thing LOL
I’m really happy you were honest about this book! Personally, I really liked it, but in perspective, I can see more flaws and understand your dislikes!