The Shadow Hour (Girl at Midnight, #2)

by Melissa Grey

Everything in Echo's life changed in a blinding flash when she learned the startling truth: she is the firebird, the creature of light that is said to bring peace.

The firebird has come into the world, but it has not come alone. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, and Echo can feel a great and terrible darkness rising in the distance. Cosmic forces threaten to tear the world apart.

Echo has already lost her home, her family, and her boyfriend. Now, as the firebird, her path is filled with even greater dangers than the ones she's already overcome.

She knows the Dragon Prince will not fall without a fight.

Echo must decide: can she wield the power of her true nature - or will it prove too strong for her, and burn what's left of her world to the ground?

Welcome to the shadow hour.

• ISBN10: 0375991808
• ISBN13: 9780375991806
• Publish Date: 12 July 2016
• Publish Status: Remaindered
• Imprint: Delacorte Press
• Format: Hardcover (Library Binding)
• Pages: 432
• Language: English

Reviews

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

For me, THE SHADOW GAME was disappointment cake with disappointment frosting and I know a lot of that comes from what I look for in the books I read and what I specifically like to avoid.

Basically, if you want an interesting fantasy concept but are REALLY here for brooding and complicated romances, THE SHADOW GAME is the book for you. This was a theme I sensed in the first book as well, but it really took root in book two. I find this series has the opportunity for some really intricate, fascinating world building but instead chooses to fill the pages with love triangles and love against the odds and awkward interactions with old flames. If you look too closely at the fantasy world, it falls apart. The obstacles in the plot are side-stepped too easily. These are the things I look for in books - the magic and the adventure. Because these elements are cultivated less carefully than the romance... it didn't work for me.

I can see why a certain type of reader would love this - I really can! I took a chance on this series by continuing in and I'm more resolute now than ever that this series is not for me.

For a more detailed review on this book and others, as well as additional bookish content, fly on over to The Literary Phoenix.

[lizarodz]

Quite the Novel Idea https://quitethenovelidea.com https://quitethenovelidea.com/liza-reviews-the-shadow-hour-by-melissa-grey/The Girl at Midnight was one of my favorite books last year, making The Shadow hour one of my most awaited releases of 2016. It was an overall good read, but I loved it a bit less than book one.

The Shadow Hour starts a few months after the ending of The Girl at Midnight and find our crew - Echo, Dorian, Jasper, Caius and Ivy - in hiding. The whole supernatural world is looking for them and weird things are happening around the world that indicate another unknown dark entity might be a player as well. Mysterious enough? Well, I don't want to spoil it for you. Just be happy to know that the plot is a bit predictable at times, but surprising most times.

“When she was leaning against the roof’s cold concrete with Caius just inches from her, she didn’t feel like a person of interest, or a chess piece in the war between the Avicen and the Drakharin. She was just a girl, lying next to a boy, gazing up at the stars.”

I liked Echo in this installment of the series, but I think I liked her better in the first book. She's still stubborn, loyal, careful, but is also doubting herself a lot more. We can see the character growth by the end of the book, she learned to trust herself and her instincts more, but she's confused too. I LOVE Caius. He's now clear about his feelings, but also insecure because Echo gives mixed signals. He's protective of her, believes in her and wants her to be safe and happy. Isn't he sweet? *sigh*

Here is the part that I didn't like my dear readers: There are two lopsided triangles. To show you what I mean, it felt exactly like the picture below. The "main character" is obviously leaning toward one of the love interests, but there are confusing scenes with another love interest. I didn't mind it as much with Jasper, but it grated every time that Echo got all confused about Rowen and Caius. This is completely personal, I know, but I can't help but love and root for Caius. Not that Rowen isn't sweet and understanding, but I need Echo to make up her mind!


“And if you can’t believe in yourself yet, then know that I believe in you. I believe in your goodness and your light, especially when you can’t see it.”

The characterization is really good and there are other side stories running parallel during the book. The story is told from a third point of view and it allow us to be aware of all that does on. Melissa Gray's writing amazing, it has a special quality that makes it lyrical. The dialogue and banter among our cast of characters is priceless. From Echo's snarkynes, to Dorian's stiffness, to Caius formality... as I said, priceless.

Overall, The Shadow Hour was good, just not as good that I expected. I still liked it and it has a sort of mini cliffhanger so I will be eagerly waiting for The Savage Dawn, the conclusion of the trilogy due next year. This review was originally posted on Quite the Novel Idea

[Kelly]

The Girl At Midnight was a lyrically beautiful, atmospheric and likened to the beloved Daughter of Smoke and Bone series. Although I enjoyed The Shadow Hour, it didn't hold me captive as the first book in the series had. The mystery surrounding the Firebird is now know to both Avicen and Drakharin alike. Seen as a weapon in a centuries long war, Echo has the power to decimate and destroy, making her a valuable commodity. One aspect I was delighted to explore was the tentative bond shared between Dorian, an Drakharin and Jasper, who is Avicen. I was tiring of the romance between Echo and Caius along with Echo's sweetheart, Avicen Rowan. It was agonising as a reader to experience Echo's indecision between the boy who changed her life, to the young man who has the potential to chance the world. It was refreshing to follow the budding romance between Dorian and Jasper, which is not without it's drama but held such a charming innocence.

Dorian is still coming to terms with the heartbreak over the man who will never return his love, he has spent his time since the Black Forest beside Jasper as he battles an infection that refuses to heal. Dorian is a no nonsense character, while Jasper is skilled in the form of flirtation and innuendo. Together they are simply lovely.

The romance between Echo and Caius, Echo and Rowan, Jasper and Dorian and now Jasper and his former flame, warlock Quinn. Romantically, the storyline has the potential to alienate readers. Even though Jasper's only interest is in Dorian, former flame Quinn aggressively pursues Jasper by wanting to rekindle their relationship. Meanwhile, while the romance between Echo and Caius has reached a stalemate. Echo's history with Rowan was never revealed and the latter still believes he and Echo are in a relationship. It's not only messy, but it seems Echo begun a relationship with Caius when she was supposedly involved with Rowan. Confused?



I'm absolutely thrilled that the lovely feathered Ivy may have found herself a potential partner. She's a charming and charismatic character who has undergone a tremendous amount of growth.

One aspect I really enjoyed is how the conflict between the Avicen and Drakharin effected the mortal world. New York City lies above the Avicen nest and is decimated by the attack and left in ruins. It could have been the perfect opportunity to explore the worlds colliding scenario, but unfortunately it's never realised.

Melissa Grey is an achingly beautiful artist, she wields words like weapons but with such elegance and prose.

Where all things begin, so must all things end. The cradle of life is a pyre come death.

He fell in love with those stories he same way he fell in love with her. A little grudgingly at first, but eventually with complete abandon.

In the acknowledgements, Melissa Grey herself mentions how second in a series installments are incredibly difficult and I think most readers would agree wholeheartedly. In comparison to The Girl At Midnight, it was slightly underwhelming and seems to have misplaced the enchanted quality that endeared and captivated readers. But nevertheless, an entertaining read that has certainly left me eager for the finale.
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