Shadow's End (Elder Races, #9)

by Thea Harrison

[Melanie]

My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.

The Elder Races is a series I’ve been listening to for a long time. It is one that has ups and downs for me. I like some books better than others. This one was one towards the upper end. After the past two books spent with the Nightkind (a.k.a. vampires), we are back in the land of the Wyr (a.k.a. shifters). I was really glad for this shift back to the Wyr. I didn’t hate the Nightkind, but I enjoy the Wyr a lot more. I just had a better connection with the Wyr characters. I also felt that the previous book was more on the downside for me. I just didn’t like the romance. This one I like much better.
Graydon is a gryphon and Dragos right hand man and has been a sentinel for many, many years. He doesn’t ask for much, not even days off. But he does eventually go to Dragos and ask for a leave of absence with no questions asked, which Dragos gives reluctantly.

The story flashes back 200 years. Beluviel is the consort of the high lord of the Elves. She also has a stepson, Ferion, who has a gambling problem and gets himself into some trouble with a Djinn we’ve met before in Malphas. Beluviel and Graydon make a pretty big sacrifice to save Ferion from Malphas.

Graydon spent the 200 years looking for a way out of the bargain with the Djinn. A way to kill him or to get him in big trouble with the Djinn counsel. Julian, the Nightkind king, has a score to settle. Rune and Carleigh make an appearance too. There are several other characters that come to Graydon’s aid to help defeat the Djinn.

This was a wonderful story of romance and heartbreak. Belle and Graydon’s story was not an easy one. They had a hard life spending 200 years apart. Then coming back together wasn’t as easy as you would think it would be because of the deal with the Djinn. This was another story that had my eyes watering. It was a great addition to the series. Oh, and there some big news announced in the story as well. :-)

Narration
Sophie Eastlake did another great job with her narration of this series. This is a series that I started on audio and have never wanted to read. I’ve even been holding off on the novellas that came out this year hoping that they will be on audio like the ones from last year. I just love the way she voices these characters. She does a wonderful job with male and female voices and she has great pacing and tone.

I like to thank Tantor Audio for providing me with a copy of this Audiobook in exchange for an honest review.