Review: Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr

 Radiant Shadows           
(Wicked Lovely Series, #4)              
Written by Melissa Marr
Release Date: April 20, 2010
Published by HarperTeen

Melissa Marr DELIVERS once again!  The fourth installment in the Wicked Lovely series picks up where Fragile Eternity ended.  Before I started reading the book I will admit that I was a little bummed that Seth and Ash weren't the main characters of this book.  Radiant Shadows is Devlin and Ani's story.  Devlin is the brother of Sorcha (Queen of the High Court) and Bananach (the embodiment of War).  Ani is half mortal/half faery and she is also the daughter of Gabriel (Dark Court leader of the Hounds).  This installment in the series focuses on the Dark Court and the High Court.  I love the characters from the Dark Court!  Niall and Irial are two of my favorite characters from the series and they play a large role in Radiant Shadows!


 Summary from Goodreads:

"Hunger for nourishment.

Hunger for touch.
Hunger to belong.

Half-human and half-faery, Ani is driven by her hungers.
Those same appetites also attract powerful enemies and uncertain allies, including Devlin. He was created as an assassin and is brother to the faeries’ coolly logical High Queen and to her chaotic twin, the embodiment of War. Devlin wants to keep Ani safe from his sisters, knowing that if he fails, he will be the instrument of Ani’s death.

Ani isn’t one to be guarded while others fight battles for her, though. She has the courage to protect herself and the ability to alter Devlin’s plans—and his life. The two are drawn together, each with reason to fear the other and to fear for one another. But as they grow closer, a larger threat imperils the whole of Faerie. Will saving the faery realm mean losing each other?

Alluring romance, heart-stopping danger, and sinister intrigue combine in the next volume of Melissa Marr’s New York Times bestselling Wicked Lovely series."

My Thoughts:

This was a GREAT book!  If you read my Fragile Eternity review then you already know how much I love Melissa Marr's characterization.  All of the characters in her books have depth and are very layered.  The characters (new and old) in Radiant Shadows are no exception!  I loved the journey the principle characters took.  Both Ani and Devlin's lives at the beginning of the book were governed by others (Sorcha, Gabriel, Court expectations) and they both had sides to them that they were forced to repress because of their position within their Court.  Ani wanted to be accepted as a full member of The Hunt but her father maintained that she wasn't strong enough due to her mortal side.  Ani resented being coddled and wanted to be accepted as a pack member.  She was also constantly having to hide her 'hungers' from others because what made her 'different' also made her a target!  Devlin was made from Sorcha (logic/reason) and Bananach (war/chaos).  This meant that he had the capacity for strong logic and reason from Sorcha(which he clung to) and the capacity for violence, war and chaos from Bananach(which he fought to supress).  He always chose to align himself with Sorcha and the High Court.  This meant that he had to lock down all of the emotions/urges/cravings that stem from his 'sister' Bananach and carry himself in a "High Court" manner.  When Ani and Devlin's paths cross there is an instant connection that cannot be ignored by either- no matter the cost.  The chemistry between them is electric and the romance is dark and dangerous! What more could you ask for...Right?!  The other characters in the book were enjoyable as well.  I especially liked reading more about Niall (the new Dark King) and Irial (the former Dark King).  A surprising addition to the cast was Ani's steed Barry!  Who knew a steed had a sense of humor!?  There were a few new additions to the cast that I am sure we will see more of in future books too.

The pace of the book was perfect!  The were no slow parts and I had to force myself to stop reading.  I loved all the plot twists that were incorporated into the book.  It made it impossible to predict what was coming next!  The ending was the kind that I find satisfying because it wraps up all of the loose ends from this book but opens up the door for the next installment.  Melissa Marr's writing was flawless as usual and I am already dying for the next book!!!

**Arc provided by the author for a blog tour.