Shadowspell by Jenna Black

On top of spending most of her time in a bunkerlike safe house and having her dates hijacked by a formidable Fae bodyguard, Faeriewalker Dana Hathaway is in for some more bad news: the Erlking and his pack of murderous minions known as the Wild Hunt have descended upon Avalon. With his homicidal appetite and immortal powers, the Erlking has long been the nightmare of the Fae realm. A fragile treaty with the Faerie Queen, sealed with a mysterious spell, is the one thing that keeps him from hunting unchecked in Avalon, the only place on Earth where humans and Fae live together. Which means Dana’s in trouble, since it’s common knowledge that the Faerie Queen wants her – and her rare Faeriewalker powers – dead. The smoldering, sexy Erlking’s got his sights set on Dana, but does he only seek to kill her, or does he have something much darker in mind? (courtesy of Amazon)


Book 2 in Jenna Black's Faeriewalker series.  


A well-written young adult is a favorite of mine.  Shadowspell is so much more then well-written.  This is a must read, when you open it, you won't want to put it down, even after you're read the last page.  


Black's set up an intriguing world of Faerie - with the mortal realm and Faerie meeting in Avalon, the one place where all can live.  Dana is a 16 year old that has taken on a lot of responsibility in her early childhood, hence, she's always on point to make an adult decision.  She's not afraid to back down and has no plans to be walked over.  Great qualities for our heroine, however, she could be in a little over her head this time.  We all know how tricky the Fae can be.  Dana is still trying to settle in Avalon, of course, settling is hard when you are on the hit list.  Living underground for a teen, not much fun...plus she can't decide where to go with Ethan...he's tainted her trust already.  


I'm still in awe of how Black conjured this story and played it out so well.  Taking teen trials and turning it up notch after notch.  The Erlking's arrival and his interest in Dana sets up to be for her death...of course that's exactly what he wants you to think.  Thrown off guard, Dana will do anything in her power to save the ones she cares for and the Erlking pledges to keep her from harm.  How can anything go wrong?  Of course, Black tosses in the huge twist.  I was completely caught off guard, while I knew a deal couldn't be that easy, I never expected the flip.  Astonishing!  


Black's writing is intense, spicy, and vivacious.  Thank the publishing gods, Siren Song, book 3, will be out July of this year!


5 slices