The Beckoning Shadow audiobook

The Beckoning Shadow by Katharyn Blair is a young adult fantasy with of course a bit of romance added to the mix. The ideas and world building in this one weren’t overly new or original but it was still a fun story to read.Vesper Montgomery had left her home and the family she loved in fear that she may hurt them when she discovered she was one of the few in the world to gain powers. Vesper had the ability to summon ones worst fears but not being in control of her powers make them that much more dangerous.Vesper really had no plan when she left home but when she comes across the Tournament of the Unraveling she thinks she’s found the answer she had been looking for. Those entering the tournament are battling for a chance to rewrite the past and for Vesper that could mean she could return to her family.The idea that characters could suddenly find themselves with special powers and having a variety of powers to those oddities really kept reminding me of The Gifted. This world is much the same with the powerful feared by the normal and trying to hide those powers so as I mentioned this isn’t really a new wow factor when it comes to the overall idea behind the series. However, the characters and their stories were compelling enough to want to continue reading and kept the pages turning along so in the end I still enjoyed this one.I received an advance copy from the publisher via Edelweiss.For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/

Thank you Edelweiss and Katherine Tegen Books for sending a review copy in exchange for an honest review "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Oh, how grateful I am to have been sent an ARC of this absolutely marvelous book. Katharyn Blair created a world that I instantly fell in love with. Her writing kept me hooked to every page. Her characters were ones I loved so much. Her story was so very unique and definitely not what I expected.Vesper is our main character. She has the ability to summon your worst fears. The only problem is she isn't able to control it and it’s extremely dangerous. Her one chance to undo the mistakes that plague her is by entering the tournament of the Unraveling. I loved how the story developed. It wasnt hasty but it wasnt slow either (does that make sense? I hope it does). Even when there was no action going on I was still enjoying it. I loved how different the story was from any other one that I’ve read that involves having abilities or powers. The abilities were different and they weren't repetitive, and I especially loved Vesper’s.The events of the book were enjoyable. I loved the world building. Katharyn Blair is an author I’m going to look out for. At this point no matter what she writes, I’m going to read. Now I’m stuck with only one thought. And that is the fact that I read this 9 months in advance. Which means that I’m going to be waiting a long time for the next book. Was still worth it. Would recommend everyone to add this to their TBR.

Title: The Beckoning ShadowSeries: The Beckoning Shadow #1Author: Katharyn BlairRelease date: July 2, 2019Cliffhanger: NoGenre:YA, fantasyAfter all the warnings, all the lessons, all the looks over their shoulders—and the thing they should have feared the most was next to them, the whole time. Me. I was the scariest thing.I had no idea what to expect going into this book, but it ended up being more than I could have hoped for. It was such a fresh and exciting offering to the genre that was unlike anything I've read. I literally could not get enough. All it did was leave me hungry for more. I don't think the synopsis does it justice, it only gives you a small taste of what's inside. If I could draw a comparison, the first thing that comes to mind is a teen X-men story with an underground supernatural, gladiator-style tournament thrown in. Vesper is the main protagonist, a runaway teen trying to escape the mistakes she's made, but some things you just can't outrun. She doesn't like to stay in one place for too long, form any friendships, or draw any attention to herself. All she wants is to be left alone in the hope that she can prevent the events from her past from repeating themselves. It's a mistake that haunts her every day, when the idyllic life she once had was stolen from her. Vesper is a Harbinger, an Oddity that can tether herself to people's fears and make them a reality. The only problem is that she has no idea how to control the power that's inside her, and no longer has anyone who can teach her the things she needs to know. Growing up she lived in complete ignorance of the supernatural world filled with Rippers, Ledgers, Dusters, Shaders, and many more uniquely gifted people. She was unaware of the threat of Wardens who police Oddities, and the absolute power that they use that's not necessarily in the best interest of those they govern. We get little flashbacks of what happened after her power manifested, and how that led her to where she is now. I couldn't help but see the irony that her power was drawing out other people's fear, when her own greatest fear was using her power. It's not until the Tournament of the Unraveling that she may have to face her fear in order to win what she most desires. Vesper and Sam meet fairly early on in a nail biting, action packed scene. This is where we first get a sense of what she's capable of, and I...was...riveted. The power she wields is immense, with limitless possibilities, making her one of the most impressive of the Oddities. While she is near the top of the tier, she doesn't fall into the YA cliche of the chosen one, THE most powerful or rare. I found that refreshing for a change. There were a lot of kickass Oddities who presented a formidable challenge for Vesper to go up against. Not only because of their mastery over their powers but also her unwillingness to fight dirty with their darkest fears. She has a tough as nails exterior on the outside, someone who doesn't need help or sympathy, but she's more than the hardened girl she portrays. She can be a softie on the inside, and it puts her somewhat at a disadvantage with the cutthroat competition she enters. She wages a battle with herself over how far she's willing to go, what lines she's willing to cross. I’ve been so afraid of the monster inside I didn’t see the monster I was becoming.Sam becomes her financial backer for the tournament of the Unraveling. Entry for the wildcard is steep at 10K, but their partnership could be mutually beneficial. He gets to rewind his past, she gets to keep the large cash prize. But as she trains with Sam, their bargain is surrounded with deception and betrayal. Because they're both equally desperate to correct things from their past and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The end goal becomes murky the more they get to know one another. Vesper has a huge decision to make and a lot of soul searching to do in order to reach it. One of the best things about the book is Vesper's new group of friends from the Oddities world. They all welcomed her into their ranks with open arms, something she hadn't had in a long time.Slowly she lets them in, and eventually gifts them with her trust. But something even more compelling about their relationship was the fact that they become her opponents in the tournament which makes their friendship a whole lot more complicated. I think I forgot, even in that short amount of time, what it feels like to be with people. Sapphira reminded me, and now Sam feels like he’s snagged on me or something. I’m caught, a little. Stuck here, drawn by the way he looks as broken as I feel.So used to being alone and on defense, she really blossomed and found her strength with them at her back. There are some among the group that have their own secrets, and there are small hints that are dropped throughout, but I was pleasantly taken by surprise when they were revealed. I love when a plot can take me off guard with its twists and The Beckoning Shadow most definitely achieved that. Not only do the Oddities have their secrets, but there is a mystery in Sam's past that Vesper vows to help him solve. In turmoil over her growing feelings for the man who has been nothing but supportive to her, she makes it her mission to bring him the closure and answers he seeks. Not everyone is who or what they seem, and Vesper soon learns that the Wardens are the least of her fears. The devil you know is just as bad as the one you don't. The romance between Vesper and Sam was on the back burner through the story, delightfully slow burn. I absolutely loved Sam's character and his conflicted feelings for her added another layer of depth into the plot. Their romance was complex and progressed naturally in the story, rather than feeling rushed and unrealistic. A lot of fantasies fail to balance the romance and main conflicts appropriately, but I think Katharyn Blair did a fabulous job. I never felt as if any angle of the story was lacking. For a debut book, this was such an impressive offering. We get some amazingly choreographed supernatural action scenes, unpredictable plot twists, and a compulsively readable fantasy story that I raced through despite the considerable page length. It was a huge win for me, and bonus, there is no suspenseful cliffy at the end. I can't recommend this book more for those looking for a new series to get hooked on. You will not be disappointed!!FOLLOW SMOKIN HOT BOOK BLOG ON:

I still have goosebumps. Guys, the ending of this book is dynamite!! Can't wait to know what Katharyn has in store for book 2!!! I jumped so fast into the story, I felt everything... it's been a long time since I cried while reading a book. The characters are vibrant, they are so full of life, I cared for them. The writing felt like watching a movie: a fast-paced and action-packed story that led me to the edge of my seat more than once.Many many many thanks to HarperCollins Canada for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I’m as shocked as all of you are. I had this on a challenge list for 2020 and this was part of the “10 Books I Think I Won’t Like” list. And look where we are... eating some crow. Well so be it. This book is really good. If you want a main character that makes you think of Rogue and if the X-men were part of a world similar to The Darkest Minds this book is for you. It definitely leans more X-men, but whatever. You’ll get what I’m saying when you read this. It has a solid MMA plot line and a great villain; not to mention a main character fighting herself and her magic. There are a hundred different Oddities each with awesome and unique powers. Metallurgy, disappearing, fire, razor blades in their skin, And of course, ones who steal powers. Some of them are dicks... but some are pretty awesome. Which leads me too...A FOUND FAMILY CAN I GET AN AMEN! Aldrick, Sapphira, Abigail, Wex, Roy, Sam, hell, even Duncan. Ugh. My heart. What a solid group to make you smile. I am sad for the author cuz from what I can see it looks like book 2 either got cancelled or delayed. But you shouldn’t be scared to read this! The book ends in a sufficient way that you have answers. Sure, there’s a lingering... something, but that’s what happens when shit blows up in humans faces. And sometimes you as the reader don’t always need answers.

I expected more from The Beckoning Shadow. Hopefully book 2 will be better.

En realidad 4,5/5 🌟Una historia que arranca con mucha acción y que desemboca en un final absolutamente trepidante 😱Me ha gustado mucho y os lo recomiendo si os gustan las distopías y las protagonistas con fuerza y tenacidad. Próximamente reseña en https://rincondemarlau.blogspot.com

A unique and interesting urban fantasy (we have so few in YA) that is great for fans of Marie Lu’s The Young Elites - just add MMA! Loved seeing young women take down the patriarchy one vulnerable punch at a time.

RTC!

Un mundo donde hay personas a las que llaman anómalas por desarrollar poderes. La trama no es la más original del mundo pero está muy bien llevada. Y la protagonista ne ha encantado por su ironía al hablar, por ser natural y fuerte.El final es autoconclusivo pero puede dar pie a una siguiente parte.

I loved this book and you need to read it! I love Urban Fantasy and pretty much all things paranormal but I did not know what to expect starting this book because I did not know much about it. I mostly picked it up because it was something my friend gave me to read and something that sounded up my alley. I loved this book! I had been having a hard time getting into some of the books I had been trying prior to this book but this one just grabbed me. This is definitely a urban fantasy but YA which is less common than you’d think so it was such a great opportunity to be amazing. I loved Vesper and her unique powers and of course there was a love story that the characters fought against. If you are even intrigued I would define recommend it

There's a reason I stayed on my own for so long. You can't have people watching your back without the also seeing your scars Vesper is a runaway scared of herself and the dark power hiding within her that she can't control. But when a chance meeting introduces her to others with powers ('Oddities') and leads her to the opportunity to take part in a tournament that could give the winner the chance to re-write the past, Vesper finds herself unable to walk away.Vesper is a very sarcastic and 'real' character- I found myself laughing out loud at her inner voice, seeing thoughts on the page that I can relate to. This was a story of self-discovery and about learning to accept who your are and accepting that bad things that can happen. It also had a dash of romance, which I'm a sucker for.I really enjoyed Blair's desrciptive writing style and will be on the lookout for other books by her.****EDIT***** Just talking to my hubby about this book and he said, "what, so it's like Ninjago?" And....now I can't un-see that. It's like season 4(?) Of Ninjago. Like, so much. 😅😂

I really liked this book. Vesper is a lonely character who has run away due to something she feels guilty about. I enjoyed reading about all the different powers of different characters. There were two twists that I did not see coming. One of my favorite aspects of the book is how it touches on being homesick and also finding another place that can also feel like home. I think there is one more book coming and I am eager to see where it goes.