Sea of Shadows (Age of Legends, #1)

by Kelley Armstrong

[limabean74]

Sea of Shadow by Kelley Armstrong is about Twin girls Ashyn and Moria who are the Keeper and Seeker of Edgewood. Once a year the Seeker goes into the Forest of the Dead to cleanse the forest of spirits and lay them to rest, while the Keeper protects the village. When Ashyn goes into the Forest of the Dead for the first time without her mentor with her. Something goes wrong but it's not because of her. Now separated the girls must try and find each other and warn the emperor of what has happened but this don't go as planned with monster and mercenaries after them, the girls, a exile and a guard must try and figure out what happened but they might not like the outcome.

Ashyn and Moria one is reserved and the other strong willed they make for get characters that create a great balance. I think Moria was my favorite, I loved her strong will and she was very outspoken, didn't like to follow the rules and was pretty badass. Ashyn was a quiet and worry some type person she was shy and I really did enjoy her. Both girls had somewhat of love interests however it really didn't have a lot of romance in this book. Ronan (exile) and Gavril (guard) are both mysterious characters with something to hide. I did not like Gavril at all in the beginning or middle I started to find him ok by the end but he was probably my least favorite out of the group. Ronin I liked he seems protective and could come off as a romantic, I am hoping in the next book to read more about him. Of the two boys Ronan was for sure my fav :)

I believe most of the story and interesting stuff happened at the end. Just when I wanted it all to be over because I couldn't take anymore I then just couldn't put it down (confused? So was I). I had such mixed feelings to the entire story. At points I felt it wasn't going anyplace and it didn't have a story but then about 65% in a story finally surfaced and it was getting good but the love hate relationship for it I was not fix able by this point. I love Kelley Armstrong and her darkest powers series and I remember at times those stories hit slow spots but this had such potential; action, fantasy, suspense and horror that I am hoping will make for more in the next book.

Cliffhangers are not bad but when the story is a little dragged and you get to a good part only to have it just end it is a bit of a bang your head on the table and want to cry moment. You waited all this time only for it not to have an ending.

I was contemplating a change from 3 stars to 4 but I will make it 3.5 as much as I have mixed feelings I would recommend this book. As I said I liked Ashyn and Moria and I want to see what happens with them and even Ronan and Gavril. The build at the end or maybe even twist made me give it more rating and allowed me to see that it has potential. If you are looking for Fantasy, Horror and some action with great characters you will enjoy this book I just warn you its rather slow at times and don't expect it to give you a clean ending but expect to once it's finished eager to read the next. I want to know what happens, looking forward to book #2.

Because reading is better than real life