Shadow Fall

A strong start with a somewhat new spin on a dystopian YA book. It has echos of several well known series. The book stays very YA in some respects. Maia is whiney, so brace for that, and her obsession with the person she was supposed to love is juvenile and constantly stated. Honestly, the girl was 9 when her world changes and hadn't even met the guy. Her perfect love BS is ridiculous. The only likable thing about her is the Everly portion of her personality. she's got some grit and doesn't spend all her time complaining and waiting to be rescued. Maia spent years surviving in the pits but magically lacks common sense, fighting ability of any kind, and can't read people. So really not sure how she survived among cannibals and torturers for any length of time. It's not logical at all, but is clearly needed for the plot which then makes the plot feel forced.I am also disturbed by the emphasis on good women being compassionate and soft rather than capable of defending themselves (apparently only the bad ones can do that). Everly's cool detachment is depicted as worse than Maia's helplessness; the girl who died - can't remember her name - who is soft and not for for the trials gets more scene time than Teagan, whose strength leaps from the page in the few sense we see her. Mama's mom is bad, the prince's fiance is bad, the rebel girl helping Maia is bad...The physically or mentally strong women are crazy, or cruel, or indifferent, or killers. The good ones die or are victims. Neither depiction is complete or accurate.That is why I give it two stars. I don't think women have to be soft to be good, and I don't think someone survives what Maia survives without gaining some survival instincts. Sacrificing realistic character development for plot is not the way to go.

This dystopian novel is a work of word artistry. I was hooked from the very beginning, and though I couldn’t get through it as quickly as I would have liked (busy personal life right now), every time I picked up the book, I was thoroughly captivated by the world this author gave her readers.Maia was such an interesting character. Special for a reason unknown other, she has been fighting all her life simply to survive, because Lord knows the world would like nothing more than to see her perish. But she thrives and she survives, and she might just be the key that saves the earth from mass destruction. But how?I was so intrigued by the concept of “reconstruction” and the large role that it played in this world. What would it be like to literally put on someone else’s skin? To be someone else entirely…or maybe not entirely. Because a small, scared piece of the old Maia still remains. But will it help her odds at survival? Or will it be the thing that gets her killed?I highly recommend this book to dystopian lovers and those who enjoy a tale of adventure and peril. It has elements of romance in it, but I think that it is second to the story and world-building in this book. Be forewarned though, there is a MAJOR cliffhanger at the end. Beware all ye who pass beyond this review, and I sincerely hope y’all enjoy the ride!

When I first saw the cover of Shadow Fall, I absolutely knew I needed to have it. It is absolutely breathtaking. So as soon as it was delivered to my kindle, I dove right in. And all I have to say is WOW. Now before I begin, I just want to warn people that this book is dark. Much darker than you typically find in YA, which I think is amazing. The characters in this book were able to reach a depth of humanity you don't typically see, which was so so so refreshing.Now the world building in this book is amazing. You feel like you are right there in the mix of it, feeling the fear and anxiety the characters felt. The author did a wonderful job creating a truly immersible world. It didn't feel clunky or vague.The characters were incredible, but I will admit I favored Riser. He was just so... adorable. In a completely bad-ass way. The author basically had to define what a character would look like, act like without access to technology. She did such a great job, and didn't fall out of character at all. Many times you see authors falling into old habits, for example a character who never encountered technology being able to turn of a stereo without explanation. She really followed each character through and kept them in sync. Masterful Job!Overall, the author did a splendid job, and is incredibly talented! Now I just have to wait for book 2, which is going to be agonizing!P.S. I also bought the paperback, because just look at that cover!

Ok, where to start.... This is nothing like anything I've read in this genre. EVER. It's a crazy, twisty, turny, watch your back cause you don't really know who is really on your side type of book. But it's soooo much more than that. Going into details would take days. Basically there is a planet headed for earth. Not the earth we know. But a different one. Where the people are classed into houses of Bronze, Silver or Gold. Maia, is a mix. Her mother a Gold, father a Bronze. She's your main character...kinda. Then Riser. He really isn't explainable in a review. Honestly, not much about this is. I would say it's kinda part Hunger Games, but it's not. The only similarly is that 100 people have to become 4. But it's not anything like the HG. Not in any way. The planet will hit earth soon. Killing everything. The 4, are for 4 spots left on a space station. But the problems for Maia are many. She's not supposed to be there. Well, or anywhere for that matter. Same for Riser. And their cohorts...trustworthy? Untrustworthy? What is the true plan and what is the real end game? I wish I could tell you...too bad. LOL!! I try to avoid spoilers at all costs. I may accidentally slip up here or there, but nothing major. I hope. Moving on... Awesome world building...seriously, like no other. It's so incredibly well done I fell right in and got stuck. And the characters were so well developed that I thought I knew them. It is another amazing book by Audrey Grey. I want to peek in her mind, but I'm too terrified at the same time. ;)DawnBee <3

Yes, it's incredibly dark and violent. Think Hunger Games at its worst. Yes, it is negative and unless you like ending that are the antithesis of HEA then don't even start this book. All I can say is that there better be a sequel because I do not like books where everybody dies in the end and the bad guys win. And I really don't think this is YA fiction because of the utter bleakness. So why the 5 stars? Because, despite the above, this book was well written and riveting, truly riveting. The world building was great and the characters were wonderfully real. There were so many points in the story when I cried. The game of truth and dare, when Rider is culled, when a couple of the girls die. But by the time the hero seems to die I was too traumatized to cry anymore. Have I mentioned I hate cliffhangers, which I am so desperately hoping this is and NOT really the end. The hero can't be dead. Really, he can't be!

This was an amazing debut novel. I cameacross the book online and had to grab it. It fascinated me from the beginning and got me out of my book funk. Exciting, thrilling and with just enough romance to make me think that I need the next book NOW!!!

I like your writing, and this series. Compassion is never a weakness even in the strongest of us. It set us apart to be unique, thank you