Sea of Shadows (Age of Legends Trilogy)

I had put off reading this book for awhile. I 'm not entirely sure why. I think it was because I wasn't sure if it was going to be a book I would like since I'm not an avid fantasy reader. Well, lately I've been reading more fantasy and finally decided to give it a try. I liked it, but sadly I didn't love this.

The parts I did enjoy were the fantasy parts. The different creatures, the shadows, the spirits, the mystical creatures-all extremely interesting. I wanted to know more! I don't think I got enough answers about any of it. Regardless-that will hopefully be addressed in the sequel.

I am fairly undecided about the twins. It was hard to keep track of who was who. They were extremely different, but very similar. Sometimes I would miss the header that showed we were reading from the other twin's POV and would have to backtrack to figure out what was going on.

The plot was a bit slow. I kept waiting for something epic to happen, but it really didn't. The biggest things involved some of the fantasy aspects mentioned previously, but even then it seemed like they were being used to build up to something. Well, that something didn't really happen.

Overall I enjoyed this. It was a quick read and I did really like it. I just wanted more. More action, more fantasy, more from the characters, more answers. I'm definitely going to read the sequel, if only to see if you get more from it.

I have read all of Kelley Armstrong's Young Adult books, and this by far is my favorite one of the bunch. It does have a little bit of reminisces of her two other young adult series with Daigo and Tova, but other than that that is where the similarities stop. This is a much darker and gorier book than her other Young Adult books. But it is very interesting and entertaining. If feels similar to Maria V. Snyder Study Series. If you haven't read that, and you enjoyed this book you might like Maria V. Snyder series.

This book starts with action right way. Ashyn is going on her first seeking exhibition. Where she must go into the Dark Forest and gives peace to the anger spirits of the exile who had died there in the previous winter. Usually the seeking goes off without a hitch. But this time it goes horribly wrong.

The beginning of the book really catches your attention and you want to know more. The action and the story line is fast and easy to read really luring you in. But the middle of the book does lull a bit with them traveling and there isn't very much that goes on. But the end picks up once again and there is a surprising twist at the end that I didn't see coming and it really changed the outcome of the book of how I thought it would go. It also kind of end is a cliff hanger so there is another book coming in this series!

Twins Moria and Ashyn are the Keeper and Seeker of Edgewood. A small town on the edge of Forest of the Dead. In this society, the empire’s worst criminals are exiled to the Forest of the Dead, for the most part, to never be heard or seen from again. However, if you are lucky enough to survive this horrific forest, then your misdeeds will all but be forgiven. When the year’s annual festivities begin to honor and calm the spirits starts to take a dark turn, the twins lives will never be the same.

Sea of Shadows starts off a little slow. Building the world, introducing our characters, and basically laying the groundwork for all the craziness that eventually comes to pass. The story is told from both Moria and Ashyn’s perspectives. While each twin is easily to distinguish, it was also a little hard at times to try to figure out exactly whose perspective I was in at the moment. Personally, Moria was favorite twin. She was strong, brave, independent. Watching her adventure was definitely my favorite part. However, you cannot count out Ashyn. While Moria is strong and brave, Ashyn has a quiet strength to her. She is the backbone of the family and even Moria’s rock as needed.

In addition to the twins are Ronan and Gavril, our love interests. Both bring a needed extra layer to the read. Ronan with his humor. Gavril with his tragic past. Both a nice counterpart to the girls. But before you go thinking, “ugh, romance”… stop. While the budding romances do plan a key point in Sea of Shadows, thankfully it is more in the background than the foreground. They are not easy romances by any means, nor do they take over the book. Each grouping (Ashyn and Ronan / Moria and Gavril) go at their own pacing. Sometimes quickly. Sometimes very slowly.

Sea of Shadows is more about the journey to the ending, not just rushing to have everything come together.

Like the beginning, Sea of Shadows often times felt like it was taking FOREVER to get somewhere or to have something resolved. There are quiet a few pieces that must come together to have everything make sense, so personally, I was okay with the pacing. With the mystery of the Forest of the Dead to getting to the Emperor’s palace, I was never bored. The story was constantly changing scenery as the twins search for answers. Plus, there is a spooky undertone at certain points, which was an unexpected plus.

Verdict:

A little slow at times, but an incredible journey. One filled with romance, action, and a shocking betrayal.

ARC/YA Paranormal: Kelley Armstrong is such a good writer so when I saw this book as an the store Vine choice, I jumped on it.

It took me 40 pages to get into it and then I had to go back and reread the beginning. (Good thing I had a hard copy). I liked the main characters: the twins, the exile, and the warrior. Even with the continuity and logic problems, Armstrong is such a good writer that they can be forgiven. You know with Armstrong that there will be several red herrings in her books. She's that good.

So what did this book do that it loses two stars: The ending stinks because there is no ending. Even the Matrix had an ending of sorts. This has a continuation ending. You find out nothing. What's the deal with Gavril? What the deal with Ronan? What does the letter say? I knew it was going downhill when I had 20 pages left and too many questions. I know publishers like books that rook you into buying another book. But I want to choose a book because it's a good series, not so I can see how it ends. It's especially not fair when the next book isn't coming out for a while.

For this reason, I really cannot recommend this book. If it had an ending, not a happy ending, just an ending, I would have given it five stars.

Kelley Armstrong appears to be starting new series these days at the rate of rabbit procreation. I hadn't been exposed to much hype or indeed information when picking up Sea of Shadows, and so embarked on the journey with other than being familiar with the author, somewhat of a blank slate.

My initial thoughts were good. Kelley presents an interesting mythology surrounding the pair of protagonists, which is not overtly heroic (i.e. legends tell of a pair of twin girls who will save the world) but promises significant mayhem in the future. The body count starts out high which while surprising certainly kept the pace of the book going.

It was in the long-haul that I felt Sea of Shadows started to flounder. The pairing of each twin with a potential love interest while they journeyed (no epic fantasy cliche there) seemed a bit tacky. The majority of the plot was spilled in the first 1/3 leaving a big chunk of boring, then a rather forced conclusion which while suitability twisty didn't fit well with the beginning of the novel.

In summary Sea of Shadows (Age of Legends) feels a little like a uncomfortable attempt to create a Game of Thrones level epic for young adults. Unfortunately the finished product lacks the intrigue of plot or character to carry the book.

I had my eye on this one for a while but the reviews I had seen weren't that favorable. However, and I'll be honest, that cover just kept calling me. So, I decided to check it out from the library.

I read this book in a day. While there was one point where I had a small bit of "wait, what?" I believe that was due strictly to the POV switch and after a bit, I got in the swing. I loved Moria's attitude and thought Ashyn's personality complimented her sister's quite well (as did their bond mates, the hound and the wildcat. Those animals were probably my favorite characters after the twins). The creatures were kind of cool as well. There were some small dry spots during the journey (believe it or not, for me it was a bit towards the end) but I didn't find it too bad. I feel those who enjoy fantasy should definitely, at least, give this one a shot. I know I'm glad I did and will be getting a copy for my bookshelf! I look forward to reading the next.

As a side note, this is the first I've read by Kelley Armstrong. I see some who have read other books by her seem the most disappointed so perhaps that is why I enjoyed this one more? Either way, I still suggest a sample. :)

Summary:
Twins Ashyn (the Seeker) and Moira (the Keeper) are stationed at the edge of the Forest of the Dead where criminals are left to die. Moira's job is basically to keep the spirits from coming into the forest and her twin's job is to help the spirits stay happy and be at rest. In order to complete that part of her job, Ashyn must go into the forest, find the bodies of the dead and prepare them for burial. She completes a ceremony every year, and this will be the first one that she completes on her own. Unfortunately, things begin to go wrong and the twins have to deal with much more than they bargained for.

My thoughts:
Armstrong is a must read author. Going in, I knew that I was going to get a couple of (four in this case) very well developed characters and the world building of a pro. I was never disappointed. Moira, Ashyn, Gavril, and Ranon were all unique characters that were fully developed with strengths and flaws. Moira is what you would expect from a female warrior. She is a strong person, stubborn to a fault, and a master with blades. Her male companion fits her well. Gavril is also stubborn and strong. The relationship between the two of them is definitely worth the fights that are sure to save and hurt both of them. Ashyn is the opposite of her sister. She wants to please people and live in peace. This works out well for her job of making the spirits happy. It is part of her nature. The man for her, Ranon, is a bit of a bad boy. He brings out a spark in Ashyn that she doesn't have alone. The four of them overcome horrors that are fun to imagine, but definitely more from a scary novel than a traditional fantasy. I love the blend here because of that. The horror novel suspense, but the description of fantasy! Armstrong does an excellent job of keeping the plot moving, especially the last 100 pages or so. It's a book that will go on my favorite list for the upcoming school year.

Holy heck, what a great book! I'm not even a Kelley Armstrong fan but this series is one that I am going to keep an eye on.

Fantasy, set in another universe that is a mix of various cultures (derivative even but it is a good kind of derivative in that mixes and matches in a way that reads fresh), it is a story of Moria and Ashyn, twin sisters who the Seeker and Keeper respectively of their homeland. It is their duty to lead a pilgrimmage of sorts to the Forest of the Dead where the dead's spirits can be given peace, but first Moria has her dagger taken and then Ashyn's party goes wildly wrong, the time of relative calm is over.

Betrayals will abound, the action never stops, the pacing is great and the characterizations are pitch perfect for the world that Armstrong builds for them. It took a bit of time for me to warm up to Moria but Ashyn is relatable from the get go. There is romance of sorts but it isn't the main gist of the book. The intrigue of the political takes precedent over all.

Very well done; a lot of fun; and definitely keeping an eye on this series. This was Book 1 so I am in on the ground floor for this one.

This is another case where I just needed more. I've had this problem before with this author and I have come to the conclusion that her first books just aren't that strong. Now I always love the sequels and the books that follow so I'm definitely not giving up, but I think from now on I might wait until the sequels come out before picking up another first in a series by Ms. Armstrong.

For the most part though I was intrigued by the story. It did take me about 100 pages to really get into though and honestly if I wasn't a big fan of the author I don't know if I would have persevered on. I did though and I am glad that I did. The story is very intricate and I think that will be a problem for some people. I know I personally have problems when I am thrown into a new world with very little explanation and this is the case with Sea of Shadows. I still don't think I have completely grasped everything I was supposed to and that was my biggest problem. I want to be able to see what I am reading and with this one I couldn't visualize the world.

All in all though this was an okay start and I know I'll pick up the sequel, but it won't be the first book I look for when it releases.

I am a fan of Ms. Armstrong's Darkness Rising trilogy, so thought I'd try this one. And even though my favorite young adult genre is fantasy, replete with quests on horseback and swashbuckling dark heroes in realms with demon monsters, I find this book disappointing. After plowing through four hundred pages of sometimes hazy descriptions and inexplicable events, I was most unhappy to come to the end of the novel and discover that it was a prologue to the next, an unforgivable yet all-too-common literary trick to sell more books.
Don't get me wrong: I don't mind a trilogy. In fact, I've written my own. But I want three novels that can stand independently of each other, with their own plot, conflicts, and characters. There is just no purpose to this novel unless one reads the next. So even though I used to be an Armstrong fan, I'm sorry to say that I wasted my time on this one and will not be forced, even at Moira's knife point, to read the next in the series.

This book was dark, fast paced and a great start to what seams to be a really interesting series.

I enjoyed the characters- Moria and Daigo especially- immensely and found the world fascinating and intriguing.

There are a lot of great things going for this book, but there are some issues that hold it back (that being said, this IS the first book in a new series). There seems a bit lacking on the world building, things happen quickly and I feel like the description gets muddled from time to time and it did take me a while to get somewhat attached to the characters. There wasn't anything bad about them persay, it just took awhile for me to care about them, which perhaps is the case for most people when they start a series. But I mean there was a slight disconnect, but then the author reigned it all back in towards the end.

And the ending is what made the books for me. I was honestly debating between a 3.5-4 rating, but the ending came with several twists that had me feeling like I wasn't flipping through my kindle fast enough. Ms. Armstrong sure knows how to leave our jaws flapping and hearts twisted. And it's because of the ending that I'm giving this book a solid 4- and also the reason I'll be tuning in for the rest of the series.

That being said, I think those who loved the Shadow and Bone series and the Gracling series are really going to enjoy this new YA fantasy.

The story is told from alternating POV of twin sisters Ashyn and Moira. One is a Seeker and the other a Keeper and they are in charge of keeping order in the forest of the dead. One day when things don't go according to planned, Ashyn and Moira get separated and each sister goes on a journey to find the other one.

Ashyn is the "softer" sister. She is the reasonale one. The calm, rational one. She is very likable and is the yin to Moira's yang. Ashyn's twin sister, Moira, is the fearless warrior type. She is practical and tough. It was kinda fun reading about two very different sisters.

This book had some interesting fantastical creatures and I I enjoyed the world it took place in. My main complaint about this book is the pace....it sputters along in some places and then speeds up in others. The action came at an uneven pace and I found myself getting bored in certain sections of the story. I mean, overall, it wasn't a bad book. It just lacked a certain something to make this a page turner for me.

This is the first book in The Age of Legends trilogy.

I am a fan of Armstrong. I fell in love with her stories, when I started reading Bitten, book one of her Otherworld series. So when I love or like an author, I usually give their new work. I was not disappointed.
This story reads pretty fast. This installment has a lot of action, with some twists in it, and characters that one enjoys following. I just wish the world they inhabited was richer. One gets glimpses on how things are run in the society but I wish for bit more on the society and some of the history pertaining to the twins power, and how that came to be. Perhaps, in one of the other parts of this trilogy?
Otherwise, the tale is an enjoyable read from start to finish. A wonderful fantasy read.

While I've enjoyed Armstrong's urban fantasy offerings, they've started to wear just a little thin for me. I was excited to see what she would do with this book.

I have to say, I'm impressed.

This is meaty, dark, and horrific fantasy. True fantasy, not women in leather chaps. I loved the twins and found myself very quickly immersed in this world. The world Armstrong has built here is extremely dark, horrific, and stark. Yes, there are definite horror elements to this fantasy world.

While violent, the book is wholly appropriate for younger YA readers, while having enough of a meaty story to satisfy adult readers. I would have liked just a little less teen angst, but I have to say the light romances were kind of sweet.

It did lose a point for me for the ending. There's a huge difference between an open ending and no ending at all. Honestly, I wish I had waited until book two was out so that I could read them at once. I was left unsatisfied in the end.

A fast read and a great start to what promises to be a terrific new series. I'm looking forward to what comes next, but I do hope she takes more care with the ending of book two. Don't cheat your reader!

This reads like an Epic Fantasy, not YA. Yes the main characters happen to be young, but this is the case with many epic fantasies. The book deals with serious subject matter. There is violence and magic and loss and edge of your seat excitement.

I'm not going to re-cap the plot. Plenty of others have done so. My goal is to assure adult fans of Kelley Armstrong and Epic Fantasy that this is a VERY strong start to a compelling and engaging story that they will enjoy.

I stayed up till 3am last night reading the book and the minute I was back home from work, I picked the book back up to finish it.

One thing to note... this is very much the start to a long story. So this installment deals with introducing us to the characters and the world and setting up the overarching conflict of the series. But it ends there.

So, like me, you all will be hanging on the edge of your seat till the next installment to this series comes out. Because I've got to tell you, I'm hooked.

When I saw that Kelley Armstrong had a new YA book out, I knew that I needed it. This book was a bit different to get into because instead of Armstrong's usual paranormal, it was a fantasy read. I still very much enjoyed Sea of Shadows and going on this very epic coming of age journey. There were definitely a lot of things that happened that I would never have guessed. The ending was by no means a cliffhanger ending but the unanswered questions that lead up to that ending really sold me on needing the next book.
I enjoyed our two main characters and most of the secondary characters immensely. I loved that Ashyn and Moria were redheads, We don't see enough of that in books. Also I loved that they were opposites but got along so well. I loved their animals, they each had such personalities and were protectors. The boys were a different story lol. I liked them, but they disappointed me, so we will have to see if they are able to redeem themselves.
I really liked this story overall and I want to continue on with the series. I am excited to follow these characters and watch them continue to grow. I would recommend this novel to fantasy lovers.

My Review:
2 Stars

I finally put this on my DNF shelf after about 50%. This was an absolute tragedy in my mind because I am a huge fan of Kelley Armstrong and have thoroughly enjoyed all of the books that I have read.

I just absolutely could not stand the characters in this book. Their actions just did not align with the way the author was trying to portray them. In fact, they were the complete opposite.

There was just a complete disconnect between the characters and the plot and I found that I just absolutely dreaded picking up that book to try to read it.

The only redeeming quality this book had was the actual world building. Armstrong painted a pretty vivid world laced with magic, duty and colorful ideas.

The Forest of the Dead is where the empire sends their criminals. It is said that there is no way out once you're left in there. After the criminals have been in the forest for a year, the village of Edgewood sends the Seeker into the forest to find the bodies, bury them, and put their spirits to rest. Year after year, The Seeking is uneventful. But this year, something is wrong...

This was a surprisingly great read. It was different from anything I've read recently and that's a good thing. It is a fantasy novel aimed at young adults and I can certainly see younger fans of high fantasy really enjoying this. Before giving this book to your child, be warned that there is quite a bit of blood and gore, death, supernatural creatures, and lots of adventure. Sex is only hinted at and very briefly. My only complaint about the book is that I have to wait to see what happens next! I have a love/hate relationship with stories that end in cliffhangers. Fortunately, I loved this one and will definitely read the next book in the series as soon as I can get my hands on it!

This is another book that I tried to read when it first came out but did not finish it until now. I tend to finally read books when the second novel comes out.

I really enjoyed this novel and loved the twists and turns that happened. Plus, I liked the two main characters, Moria and Ashyn, and how the author changed POVS between the twins but in between 4 or 5 chapters. The side characters were awesome as well, I loved the two animals, Tova (a hound) and the Wildcat.

The world building was interesting as well, with all of the creatures of myths coming alive, and how the cities have a Keeper/Seeker to talk to spirits.

I will be picking up the second novel, which comes out next month because the ending was a big shock and I can't wait to see what happens next.

I recommend picking this up if you enjoy fantasy novels and Armstrong's writing style.

Kelley Armstrong is an author whose books I read and loved so I was definitely excited for The Sea of Shadows. But when the pre-release reviews started coming in I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive. But once I started this YA fantasy novel there was no doubt that Armstrong still has "it".

The elements of suspense, mythology, action and romance make The Sea of Shadows one hell of a page turner. The novel opens in the village of Edgewood, home to Ashyn and Moira. The twin sisters play the role of the Seeker and Keeper who protect the village from the Forest of the Dead. The sisters and their animal companions are revered because of the role they play in protecting Edgewood.
The story is told from the alternating POVs of Ashyn and Moira. Both the twins have a distinct voice - Moira's crass and feisty personality and Ashyn's quiet strength and sensitiveness added color to the narration. The love interests, Gavril and Ronan drew me into the stories with their enigma and it was delightful to watch them fall in love with the twins. The banter between Gavril and Moira had me smiling and brought such much needed humor to this otherwise grim story.

Armstrong does not hold back with the description of all the blood and gore that comes with writing an action packed fantasy novel so The Sea of Shadows is not for the faint-hearted. And for readers who have an appetite for fantasy and mythology, there are plenty of mythological creatures, mercenaries, bandits and sorcery to keep you on your toes. I have to admit that at the beginning I found the pacing to be far too slow however, as the story progresses it picks up and pulls me reader in. The political intrigue, death, betrayal and the secrets between the characters will propel the reader through the pages.

Something that I loved seeing is the relationship between the twins. Despite their very pronounced differences, the twins have each others back and their ability to understand each other was admirable. I'd definitely love to see more of this kind of sibling relationship in YA.

Thankfully there was no information dumping instead the set up of the world is revealed slowly through out the book. However, I felt that the world building in The Sea of Shadows was weaker when compared to Kelley Armstrong's previous works.

Given that this is the first time that Armstrong is dabbling in high fantasy, I have to say that The Sea of Shadows is a solid start. The Sea of Shadows had me hooked and there is so much potential for this trilogy so I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel.

I really enjoyed a lot about this book. Moira and Ashyn are alternately capable and insightful, and it was great seeing them meet challenges head-on. The early world-building was great, but then the story divides into two separate adventures. And, while they were still fun and thrilling, at times they became tedious and a little contrived in bringing mythology to life. It was like reading two versions of the same journey (which is what it basically was), but without much difference except for the variety of monster encountered. There is a great setup to future intrigue and adventure in the end, but it ends at the setup rather than taking the reader through the ultimate climax and then offering a teaser. So, basically the ending is purely procedural rather than an adventure, which doesn't really work for an action fantasy book. Still, it's a fun, smart, and interesting read and I will be back for the next book.

I have read nearly all of Armstrong’s novels and this start to a brand new young adult series is an exciting one! And its cliffhanger of an ending will leave readers eager for a sequel! Unlike her other novels, this one is pure fantasy and reels in the reader with plenty of excitement. Twin narrators with magical powers and mystical bonds to a larger wildcat and hound add to the fun. Ever since Sweet Valley, I have been a sucker for stories featuring identical twins and this is no exception to the fun. The romantic element adds to all the page-turning entertainment - with plenty of funny and realistic banter between the characters. There’s plenty of loose ends and mystery remaining to the plot and the magic which will, I am sure, all become clearer in the next installments to the series. It’s fast-paced and exciting - I really can’t wait to see what will happen next!

It is somewhat hard to describe the plot of this novel because in my opinion there did not seem to be much of one until the last ten percent of the novel. This book was a disappointing read, I actually like this author but Sea of Shadows just doesn't hit the mark.

I did like the some of the characters in the novel and the dialogue was okay but the story moved so slowly. It felt like nothing was happening. I do feel like this series has potential, but in the extremely competitive young adult genre it is very risky to expect readers to wait for another novel before the story even starts.

Overall, while this story has promise, the plot was too thin and the pace too slow. I would not recommend this novel unless you are very patient. 2.5/5

Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was excited to pick up this book, as I’ve enjoyed other YA books by this author. The first half of this book was a bit difficult for me to get into, as I found it a little bit tough to really follow what was happening, however, the book soon picked up. I really enjoyed the way the characters developed and the relationships that developed with them, especially the relationship between the two sisters. The story was interesting and and I read the second half of the book in one afternoon. This was a fast paced story, with a host of compelling characters, a tragic yet hopeful storyline, and a cliffhanger ending. I look forward to reading the second installment and further YA novels from this author. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a gripping YA Fantasy novel and reading some excellent character development.

Sea of Shadows by Kelley Armstrong is a fast-paced adventure full of twists, turns and magical creatures. Moria and Ashyn are twins and they are the Keeper and Seeker of Edgewood. They have just turned sixteen and it's time for them to lead the annual trip in the Forest of the Dead. However, things go terribly wrong and they must now find a way to stop and evil that no one saw coming.

This first novel in Armstrong's new series is a great start to a new adventure. The characters are likable yet flawed and there is just enough romance weaved throughout the story to keep the reader on their toes. You're left wondering what in the world is going on throughout the story, finding things out as the characters do. Great writing and a unique story line make this one worth reading.

I have seen Kelley Armstrong’s name out there for years, but have never read any of her works. I thought this might just be the book for me to try. I’m so glad I did! I was very impressed with her writing. She is descriptive and pulls you right into this new world without info dumps. She leads you along so effortlessly that you put the book down and are surprised by normal world around you.

This story follows 2 sisters. Ms. Armstrong does an amazing job in differentiating them and making them feel so believable. Each approaches things so differently, but it doesn’t clash and cause disruptions to the story flow.

Overall, I’m really enjoyed this story. It contains magic, mystery, suspense, danger, and a hint of romance.

Looking forward to book 2.

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: It’s easy to immerse yourself in this action-packed, exciting novel.

Opening Sentence: After three days of tramping across endless lava fields, Ronan quickened his steps at the sight of the forest.

The Review:

Sea of Shadows tells the story of Moria and Ashyn, twins, trained since they were young to be seeker and keeper of Edgewood. In this tiny village, the keeper and seeker keep the angry spirits at bay and keep a connection to their ancestors. But this year, during the annual trip into the Forest of the Dead, the spirits rebel — ancient monsters awaken and people are slaughtered. It’s up to Moria and Ashyn to discover why and how to save the sole survivors of Edgewood!

Moria and Ashyn are very different, beside physical appearance. Moria is fierce and impatient, with a quick tongue and talent in weaponry. Ashyn is quieter and more proper, regarded as the weaker of the sisters. I enjoyed the conflicting personalities, and it’s obvious that although they are far from the same they share a deep bond. Their spiritual animals, a Hound of the Immortals and a Wildcat, made me like the characters even more. Through the journey they both change a little, in subtle ways — Moria learns a little patience and Ashyn lets her more fiery side show once or twice.

Now let’s talk about the love interests. I can appreciate the relationship between Moria and Gavril, but I didn’t like it very much. Gavril doesn’t show enough expression towards Moria: the only way I realized they were supposed to be falling in love was through Ashyn’s point of view. On the other hand, Ashyn’s love interest Ranon was more fun. He added humor to an otherwise very tensely toned novel, loosening the suspense a bit.

With the two sister’s points of views so different, it was hard to get confused, but a few times I did. Sometimes it was just that Moria had narrated four chapters before this one and I expected Moria’s story, and same with Ashyn. Other than that, though, I didn’t get mixed up, and all was well in my reading. (Just be careful if you read it to not get too comfortable in one character — as soon as something exciting happens to one it will often flash to the other!)

I enjoyed how the setting was always changing. The adventure spanned over quite a distance, so you aren’t hearing about the dreary Waste’s barren sand too long.

To sum it up, Sea of Shadows was ripe with betrayals, cliffhangers, and action, although the romance was lacking a little. There were two or three kisses the whole novel, so if you’re a huge fan of Twilight by Stephanie Meyer you might want to avoid this title. Otherwise, you will really love it. You’ll want to pre-order it on your eReader or pick it up at Barnes and Noble. I’d recommend the latter, the cover is awesome. Definitely something you want to display on a bookshelf, that’s for sure! Happy reading!

Notable Scene:

It looks like… It cannot be…

She lifted her gaze slowly, almost not daring to look back at the door, certain that she would not see what she-

Moria walked through.

There were others with her. Ashyn didn’t see them. Her mind stopped there: Moria walked through.

She saw her sisters face, sweat-stained and hard, her blue eyes blazing fury. Moria spotted her and her rage evaporated a flicker of shock. Then she raced across the stone floor.

FTC Advisory: HarperCollins provided me with a copy of Sea of Shadows. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

The Age of Legends series is a must read for all Armstrong fans, even if you don't usually like YA or high fantasy. Her relationship building skills are in full force and her world building is consistent, thorough and true. Especially if you like Cainsville - you'll love this. That said, this particular volume does start slowly and you need to get to know the characters before you get the full value of the series. It is not as fast of a pace as some of her other works, however, by the end of the series you are engrossed and fully vested in the relationships.

The book was a slow burn, but once it started going, I could NOT put it down. It had all of the things that I like in a fantasy: magic, mythical beasts (like super awesome ones: giant Thunderbirds, acid-spitting Death Worms, & zombie-esq Shadow Stalkers), and super-awesome female leads. That's right TWINS!! Cause what makes a kick-ass main character kick-assier? Two of 'em! Plus when you have two great main characters, you also get two HOT love interests (this is a YA novel after all, why not)!

Final Recommendations: if you like fantasy, a little bit of magic, unique mythical creatures, animal companions, epic treks, sassy female heroins, a little bit o romance

I was intrigued by the idea of a Seeker and a Keeper and the topic of spirits in the woods and all of that fantasy stuff. I love fantasy. This is not a secret. It’s pretty darn easy to hook me onto a book with simply the mention of spirits and hunters and dragons and other fantasy type stuff. And the cover is beautiful. Did I mention that I’m a sucker for good covers?

The story in SEA OF SHADOWS is intriguing and very easy to get hooked on. I love the dark beginning – the prologue is so good. It leaves you super curious for the rest of the book, and the introduction to the Keeper and Seeker from someone else’s point of view is a great hook. I love the monsters and the dangers and the gritty adventure that the main cast has to wade through, as well as the sort of unknown threat that lingers throughout the book. The foreshadowing is so well done that when I did get to the parts that were foreshadowed, I literally said “OH. That’s so clever!” The ending as well catches you and throws you a bone, only to dangle it just in front of your nose where you can’t actually reach it. Wonderful. I can’t wait to see how the series develops.

I really liked the changing of the points of view between sisters. Their voices are so different, and their views on different situations couldn’t be more different. The switches are effective and well placed so that the action doesn’t lull in any place. There are so many cliffhangers that I had to read faster just to keep from bursting with the need to know how it turned out!

As a HUGE fan of almost everything this author write, I was really disappointed in this book. For one, there is very little character development before jumping right into action and peril. Sometimes that's ok, but there needs to be some in there SOMEWHERE. If you don't get to it at first, come back to it. The world she creates here has the potential to be very interesting and there's so much possibility for wonderful story writing here! Which is why it was such a bummer not to get it. This book felt rushed and slow at the same time. Rushed, like she was skipping over the back story, the build up of suspense, the character's inner worlds, and slow like even the action wasn't really action enough. If that makes sense? I do love love love Kelley Armstrong, and will probably read the next one because I hold out a strong hope that this was a fluke, but I'm also keeping my hopes in check. I don't want to be disappointed again!

I'm a Kelly Armstrong fan and her lastest offering doesn't disappoint. I love the story line and the dual female protaganists who are twins help make this book a page turner. All these things mesh and is one of the reason that I love to read. I like the mythological angle and hope she expands on that.

The romantic tension hinted at by the girls with their prospective love interests is very interesting and I hope Kelly Armstrong continues to explore that. It makes me root for the guys who are obviously in love with the girls.

If you like to read fantasy with mythological elements,a dash of romance, and fights with otherworldly creatures pick up a copy of this book.

This is a YA book, and it reads like, well...a YA book.

The characterizations are shallow, and seem secondary to the plot, which is not in itself a horrible thing. It just isn't something I prefer. I wasn't really able to get into the story, and I did roll my eyes at points. However, I aged out of the intended audience a few years ago.

The writing itself was very fast-paced, packed with action, and somewhat predictable. It is definitely aimed toward younger teen girls.

Overall, "Sea of Shadows" was a fun, shallow fantasy story, with a lot of romance and fast-paced action. I'm sure it will resonate with its target group. I'm just not it.

Perhaps it was a case of reading the right book at the right time, but I thoroughly enjoyed Kelley Armstrong’s most recent foray into young adult literature. Sea of Shadows was fascinating and frightening, and was nearly impossible to put down. Although I admit I eventually tired of the back-and-forth of Ashyn and Moira trying to locate each other, I was captivated by their roles as Keeper and Seeker, and desperately wanted a Daigo or Tova of my own (because who doesn’t want an oversized animal companion?).

Considering this was my first time reading any of Kelley Armstrong’s writing, I can’t comment on whether or not it is a departure from her typical works. Moreover, I’m not sure if the writing of Sea of Shadows is on par with the writing in the rest of Armstrong’s novels. What I can say, however, is that I really enjoyed this book.

The first third of Sea of Shadows reminded me of M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village, which utterly terrified me. The notion of an isolated community, steeped in tradition and bound by myth and rumor, nestled near a foreboding forest? Perhaps not the traditional recipe for invoking fear, but it certainly worked for me.

I’ll admit that I wasn’t fully on board for the latter half of the book—I was so delighted (and frightened) by the introductory chapters that the rest of the storyline seemed to pale in comparison. I am, however, very interested to see where the next book in the series continues.

The romance was reasonable to the genre, although I couldn’t be bothered with Ronan. Were I a 16-year-old girl once more, however, Gavril would have been crush-worthy in my books.

I should hope that the next installment of Armstrong’s series focuses more on the initial horror from the community of Edgewood, and I’d love to find out more about the history of Seekers and Keepers. Overall, if you like young adult fantasy, this book is definitely worth the read.

(originally posted on christiethinks.wordpress.com)

I really need to stop picking up high fantasy books because as much as I always want to love them, I very rarely ever do and I so wish I could say I loved this.

I enjoyed the writing and the characters but again as so often happens with me and high fantasy, I just had a really hard time connecting to the world or characters.

I always want to love them and be a part of their world, I just never can be.

This really isn't the fault of the writer because I like Armstrong's work, I have read a few of her books and really enjoyed them, which is why I choose to give this one a try, it is simply just me. Something in my brain just doesn't..compute? Relate? Like?

Having said all of that, I don't want to discourage anyone from giving this one a go because like I mentioned above, the writing is well done and there was critical world building involved, this just wasn't the read for me sadly. But I do think and truly believe that those that really like this fantasy will like this.

The world was imaginative and different and unlike anything else I have read in the genre. There were twists and turns in the story I wasn't expecting and some character growth along the way with the sisters (which I really enjoyed the whole concept and idea of the Keeper and Seeker by the way), and that is always crucial to me. I am always all about the growth.

So yeah, this maybe wasn't the read for me but still something I could totally appreciate.

I'm a big fan of Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld series, so I'll admit readily that I was expecting a novel in a more adult vein. That being said, Armstrong has always had a gift for complex storytelling, so I was intrigued by the novel's premise. But the characters just weren't engaging or complex enough to keep my interest. I did finish the novel and will probably get the next one from the library, just to see more magical development within the story, but I was disappointed overall.

It has taken me months to finish this book and it was only sheer determination that made me keep reading until the last page. I've not read anything this tedious in a long time and I'll not be finishing this series. The plot and characters seem shallow and though there it has a lot of fast-paced action it was predictable.

2-STARS: ** Receiving this book through the store's Vine Program did not influence my rating or review of this book.; all opinions are my own**.

I hate giving this a poor review, because I have been such a fan of the Otherworld series and its two YA spinoffs, as well as Nadia's adventures, but I had a hard time finishing this story. The world she built seems like it should have been interesting, but wasn't; the plot elements used to move the story forward seemed contrived and implausable, and the story still only plodded along; and as much as I wanted to like the two protagonists and their love interests, I just didn't. The only indication that this was written by an experienced writer is that the sentences were well crafted and flowed smoothly. Other than that, this looked like the work of a self published newcomer posting her books for free or for .99 while trying to build an audience, not the work of one of the giants of contemporary popular fiction. C'mon Kelley, you can do so much better.

First in the Age of Legends fantasy series for Young Adults.

My Take
I’m conflicted. I almost put this story down due to the stupid trope that reared up shortly after the tale started. My eyes were rolling so much I was getting dizzy. It was only because it was Kelley Armstrong that I persevered. Fortunately, it did redeem itself much later in the book.

This story is a set-up for the major conflict of one wronged man using horrible means to challenge his betrayer and using their own belief system to frame the story.

It’s a cruel world, one which sets twins up for murder unless they can survive a brutal test. If they pass, the twins become the Keeper and the Seeker, revered beings who protect their territory from the spirits that lurk.

Stupid begins with the governor of Edgewood and his disrespect for what Armstrong is setting up as beings to respect, worship. It continues with Tova trying to protect Ashyn who completely ignores him. He’s not my dog and even I can tell he’s trying to tell her something. And stupid continues back in the village with the lame actions Ashyn and Moria undertake. You’d never believe that they had had any training of any sort. A conclusion that is cemented when Moria’s stupid enough to want to run up to the clomping boots. Duh. And again, duh, when Moria tries to take off in the night with no preparation. She is such a child.

I’m not impressed with Edgewood’s idea of quarantine nor with their military prowess. Then there’s Moria’s interactions with Gavril…*eye roll*… Armstrong is obviously trying to set up an adversarial relationship between Moria and Gavril, and the problem is that it’s way too obvious. Yeah, more eye rolls. Nor is Ashyn any better. She leaps all over Ronan after he helps her out, accusing him of what could well be truth, but he very much deserves. What a bitch. Later Ronan gets back at her with his stupid bit. What is it that writers feel this need to keep information to themselves, from their characters?
”I’m not sure we can trust the emperor to care about the plight of Edgewood’s children when he apparently has so little regard for those of his own city.”

Kind of sounds like Moria who has little regard for the advice of others who have experience in areas where she has none. Unfortunately, there seem to be many areas in which she has no experience.

What is with those guards and the resident Seeker and Keeper at the imperial enclave? Supposedly, Ashyn and Moria are considered reliable as they are the guardians of the deadly Forest, so why would Ellyn doubt their word? Don’t they think that there might be extenuating circumstances as to why Ashyn and Moria are there? That there might truly be a huge problem? Of course, it doesn’t helpt that Moria has no concept of diplomacy.

Oh please. Why should he defend himself from her? She wouldn’t believe him anyway, as she’s always been too fast to judge, uncaring of evidence.

Fortunately, after some 200 pages, the writing gets better with less stupid going on. I was determined that I would not go on to the second installment, that is until I got to the end. Bloody Armstrong went and left that hook at the end, and now I’ll have to read the next story…but if it is stupid in the beginning, I swear I’ll put it down and not finish it.

The Story
There are four pairs of twins, Seeker and Keeper, within the kingdom: two pair roam the kingdom, the third pair is stationed in the nation’s capital, and the fourth pair guard “the most spiritually dangerous place in the empire---Edgewood”. At set times, the Seeker must enter the Forest and find the bodies of those who have perished and capture their souls to give them peace.

But there’s corruption at work, a corruption that leads to the top.

The Characters
Ashyn and Moria are twins, who serve the ancestral spirits. The first is the Seeker, who seeks the spirits of the dead to put their souls at rest; the second is the Keeper who protects her territory from unsettled spirits. Together they serve the community of Edgewood. Tova is Ashyn’s yellow hound, a Hound of the Immortals, and Daigo is Moria’s wildcat, a Wildcat of the Immortals; both are bond-beasts. Their much-loved father is a merchant.

Edgewood villagers
Gavril Kitsune is the son of the disgraced marshal of the Kitsune clan. He has been assigned to guard the forest where his father was sent for execution. Other guards include Faiban, Jonas, Levi, Oswald, Gregor, and Orbec. Healer Mabill. Wenda is one of the children, Quintin is one of the elderly, and Beatrix is one of the women who survived.

Ronan, his father, and his Uncle Cecil have been damned to die within the Forest. Aidra and Jorn are Ronan’s siblings who are now under the care of an aunt

The raiders
Barthol leads them; Fyren is his second-in-command. Liam.

The imperial city
Emperor Tatsu was once Marshal Kitsune’s best friend. Commander Alain is just one of many who welcome Gavril home. Thea and Ellyn are the resident Keeper and Seeker. Prince Tyrus is a bastard son of Tatsu and a friend of Gavril’s. Marshall Mujina is Kitsune’s replacement.

Belaset is a scale-covered girl, captured by raiders. King Machek of Denovoi is the emperor’s enemy.

The Forest of the Dead is on the outskirts of the empire, guarded by Edgewood. The forest is filled with spirits into which the exiled and convicted are thrust. If they survive, they are freed.

The Cover
I love the cover for the depth of its colors: a deep, deep teal of trees with the air surrounding them a lighter value of the teal green and the horror of the story is splashed in your face with a stylized swirl of blood, the same swirl that forms the “o” in the “of” of the title. The title itself is a raised gold foil while the author’s name is in white.

The title is what Ashyn and Moria experience, a Sea of Shadows that taunts and expands.

I went into it excited to read more of her work. Half way through I was skimming most of the pages. The main characters are really flat and almost unlikable in their foolishness. The plot throws random encounters in, complications happen far too late and the final resolution happens in like the last 3 pages. I feel like I wasted an afternoon.

Sea Of Shadows
By
Kelley Armstrong

My " in a nutshell" summary...

Sisters/twins Moria and Ashyn go to the Forest Of The Dead every year to pay respects to the spirits who have "passed." But this year something is really really wrong!

My thoughts after reading this book...

I hate this kind of book. I love this kind of book. I read it without needing to sleep or eat or move. I loved the twins and their pets! Tova the hound and Daigo the massive cat were magnificent! Ronan and Gavril ...amazing escorts! Thunder Hawks chasing them...blood dripping from trees, and everyone disappearing...this was a lovely delectable nail biter of a book!

What I loved about this book...

I loved that Moria and Ashyn were on the same quest but separated. I loved that they had Ronan and Gravil as reluctant escorts. The more they traveled the more chilling their adventure became. The quest...was the heart of this book!

What I did not love about this book...

It was a "little" bloody...so younger readers should be forewarned. No second chances in this book...you do something wrong...you are dead...and most likely not in a painless way.

Final thoughts...

I truly loved this book. It was my first reading experience with this author. She has mad writing skills. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!

This is a totally engrossing book. The first is a bit on the slow side, setting up the background, and then settles into a faster pace. The ending will leave you craving more.

The two lead characters are very different from each other and author Kelly Armstrong does a superb job of keeping their individual voices distinct. She does the same with the main male characters. So this, once you get past the beginning, is an easy to read book Heartily recommended for both fantasy and history fans.

Being familiar and a huge fan of Mrs. Kelley Armstrong’s work I jumped at the opportunity to start yet another series by her, but to my great disappointment “Sea of Shadows” didn’t live up to the rest of her work.

I found the characters to be underdeveloped and not at all fleshed-out. The relationships were not believable mainly because of how rushed they were. The events were disjoined and aimed to merely impress and shock without serving some purpose. The plot was unclear, as was the cause that jump started everything.

In conclusion I don’t think that epic fantasy suits Mrs. Armstrong’s writing style. She does urban fantasy much better, possibly because the illusion of operating within our modern world prevents her from going overboard.

I would recommend this book to fans of Cassandra Clare’s books though.

I did not finish this book. I read until about 60 pages and gave up. I had no connection to the characters or to the world. I got very little description of the world. It seemed to be influenced by Asian culture, but the only indication was the use of the word "kitsune." The book was hard for me to get into. I really wanted to put down the book sooner, but I wanted to to give it a chance. I was confused by the existence of Seekers and Keepers. I was also confused on why that society would send out people to be exiled only to have to lay their souls to rest later on a dangerous trek. It just doesn't really make sense to me. Besides the confusion, nothing was really memorable. I hope others will enjoy the book, but it just wasn't for me.

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Sea of Shadows by Kelley Armstrong
Book One of the Age of Legends series
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: April 8, 2014
Rating: 5 stars
Source: Ecopy from Edelweiss

Summary (from Goodreads):

They hear the spirits.They must obey.

In the Forest of the Dead, where the empire's worst criminals are exiled, twin sisters Moria and Ashyn are charged with a dangerous task. For they are the Keeper and the Seeker, and each year they must quiet the enraged souls of the damned.

Only this year, the souls will not be quieted.

Ambushed and separated by an ancient evil, the sisters' journey to find each other sends them far from the only home they've ever known. Accompanied by a stubborn imperial guard and a dashing condemned thief, the girls cross a once-empty wasteland, now filled with reawakened monsters of legend, as they travel to warn the emperor. But a terrible secret awaits them at court--one that will alter the balance of their world forever.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong comes a captivating new series that blends elements of fantasy and horror with the pulse-pounding action and romance that have earned her a devoted readership worldwide.

What I Liked:

People. I don't even know where to begin. I can't... I don't... THIS IS TOO MUCH. The responsibility to produce a review worthy of my feelings towards this book... I don't think I'll be able to do this book any justice. I know the rating on Goodreads is not SUPER high - usually, my rating of a book is lower than the overall rating on Goodreads - but I seriously loved this book.

Ashyn and Moria are the Seeker and the Keeper of spirits. Twins are rare, and twin Seekers and Keepers are even more rare. The Seeking Day has arrived, and Ashyn must go into the Forest of the Dead to put the souls of those exiled into the forest to rest. Citizens of Edgewood who go into the forest (not on account of exile) always return, unharmed. But something goes wrong, something is set into motion. Soon, the two of Edgewood is destroyed, and the girls must find help. They are separated, but each girl has a companion. It is up to the four of them - Ashyn, Ronan, Moria, and Gavril - to save the children of Edgewood, and to enter court to save themselves.

I LOVED the set of characters that Armstrong has developed. At first, I thought this book was only told from Ashyn's point-of-view, but then I quickly realized that it would be told from Ashyn AND Moria's perspectives, both third-person point-of-view. I really like this. We get to learn a good deal about each girl, and while I liked Ashyn more, I really like Moria as well. I really like all four of the main characters!

Right. There are four. Let me start with the girls. Ashyn is the quieter of the two, the more sensible, in my opinion, but the more naive. She is the healer-type, with the calm disposition, and observant nature. She is more like my outer nature, in that sense. But Moria appeals to my inner nature. She is a warrior, a fighter, a protector. She is feisty and crafty, impulsive and quick-witted. The girls are very different, but I really like both of them. Neither girl is particularly whiny or stupid or shallow. They have their negative qualities, but the qualities aren't horrible-human-being qualities (if you see what I mean).

The other protagonists are the two males - Gavril and Ronan. Gavril is a guard for Edgewood, and Ronan is an exile who survived while in the Forest of the Dead for months. Both are fierce and intelligent, brutal and cunning. Gavril is definitely the colder of the two, but he has his moments. Ronan is less cold, and more blunt (in general, he talks more Gavril). Gavril and Moria are travel together, and Ronan and Ashyn travel together. The four of them do not intermingle (all four, together) until the last part of the book, in Fairview. But I really enjoy reading about each one individually, and together. It is especially interesting to see what each girl thinks of the other male.

I suppose that sort of leads me to the romance. The romance between Ashyn and Ronan is more obvious and proclaimed than that of Gavril and Moria. In the case of the former pair, they talk about potential lovers (well, Ashyn basically asks Ronan if he has a girl waiting for him). And towards the end, they actually share a really sweet and intimate scene for the briefest of seconds. But the latter pair is a little more tricky. Moria refuses to acknowledge any feelings she might have towards Gavril. Gavril, well, he has as much emotion showing as a brick wall, so we don't actually know how he feels. Except sort of, at the end. But then, the ending. Things get confusing. So we never actually see a manifestation of a relationship between Moria and Gavril, but as readers, we can totally see it coming (hopefully!).

But I should say - the romance is very subtle, in this book. Its definitely takes a backseat to the actually plot - finding the children of Edgewood, finding each other (the girls), staying alive. There is no perceived love triangle. I hope it stays that way!

The plot. I've seen some people say that the book is boring and slow and that the characters are walking around for the entire book. The last part is true - the two pairs travel to Fairview, where the children of Edgewood were taken. The children were taken as ransom, I believe, and possibly to be a part of the shadow army that the enemy is creating. I'm not entirely sure. But anyway. I thought the plot was actually really interesting. It's shrouded in mystery, and you have to peel back layers and layers, but things get interesting quickly, in my opinion. The beginning is a tad bit slow, but once people start dying (which is pretty soon), question emerge, and trust me - you WANT to know what is going on.

The fantasy part of this novel is creepy cool. There are shadow stalkers - creatures made of shadow, death worms - like a snake, but an anaconda, I suppose, thunder hawks - gigantic hawk-like bird that sounds like thunder. Spirits are a huge part of this book - they speak to Moria and Ashyn, as the Keeper and Seeker, but evil ones also can inhabit humans. Creepy cool.

I think I've said a lot... but seriously, this book was great. I LOVE fantasy, and this book is a really great fantasy novel. I love the story, and I love the romance between each pair (especially Ronan and Ashyn). I cannot wait to see what happens in the second book - because the ending of this book is CRAZY. I was NOT expecting that at all. Although, I was expecting something sneaky... but not THAT. I seriously cannot wait. Gimme more!

What I Did Not Like:

I don't think I have any legitimate complaints... I just want the second book! And then the third! And so on!

Would I Recommend It:

Um, YES! Clearly, if I'm giving this book five stars, then you know this book has to be good. I don't just hand out five stars like that. Also? My rating of this book is higher than the overall rating on Goodreads - that NEVER happens (my rating is always lower). So. You should read this one, if you have a copy. It's worth it, especially for those fantasy lovers out there!

Rating:

5 stars. I think this is my first 5-star rating of 2014? Wait no, Alienated, and Sins of A Wicked Princess. Okay, my THIRD 5-star rating of 2014, out of... forty books read for the year so far. Three out of forty. I've only read two of Armstrong's book - The Summoning, and The Awakening - and I didn't really like them. But I LOVED this book, and will definitely be reading the next book!

It was hard for me to not give a book by Kelley Armstrong 5 stars, I absolutely love her and read everything she does. The reason this is 4 stars is simply that it was a bit hard to follow. The first 100 pages especially, I kept going because my faith in Kelley Armstrong is err strong ;-) I am glad I stuck with it and you will be too, it is a creative, unique character driven fantasy and I will be reading the next in the series as soon as it comes out.

I returned this to the library after listening to 4 cds.

I am clueless about what was supposed to be going on in this book. The. keeper and the seeker appease the shadow spirits. The village was gone (they left), but men on horses took the children. It seemed like whenever there was real action that we were spending time with the wrong twin. There just seemed to be meaningless bad things going on, and it was presented in the most boring way possible.

Was so glad to get my hands on this book finally. I loved the basis of the story, although I think there could have been just a little more world building. At times it seemed the story skipped ahead. This is a first in this series so I am not going to totally judge this series by the first one. Eagerly awaiting the second one to fall into my hands sometime soon.

I haven't read anything by Kelley Armstrong before, but this seemed interesting and I'm always on the lookout for new books for my daughter. This book was well written but overall a bit slow and I'm not sure this genre is one my daughter is quite ready for. So for me this was an okay book, but then again for the right age group this may be the right style/content.

I was interested in the world-building. I agree with other reviewers, though, that the whole criminals-condemned-to-die-in-an-evil-forest scenario is not a very practical one for a nation.

The story felt like it just got slower and slower, so I quit before I made it halfway. Also, for girls that had trained for battle their whole lives, they fell down a lot. They just kept tripping and falling down. Over everything.

My twelve year old daughter and I both tore through this book! I read it in 2 days, and as I read it, I couldn't help thinking how much my daughter would love it. She loves a good fantasy novel, she barely reads any other genre, but she is quite picky about what she reads. Often, she will read half and book, then label it as lame and move on to the next. Sea of Shadows was finished to the end though! In fact, when she was done, she asked if there is a sequel! I could only say, "I sure hope so!" because I'm waiting for it too!
Sea of Shadows is a very well written, suspensful horror/fantasy novel with just the right amount scare for tweens and teens. I really enjoyed it!

I really loved The Goddess series, but I couldn't get into Pawn. It was too political of a book for me. The concept was interesting though. It also had the whole Romeo and Juliet thing working for it. Overall, a good read but not really my type of book.

I love this Author, her way of writing and how she spins and twist the tale she is telling. I dont know what happened here. I tried, tried and then tried some more to listen and hoping the pace would pickup and something would happen. By chapter 8, it was still dragging and I had to return the book. Very sad, I was hoping to have some joyful hours of listening.

So, I did the bad thing and judged this by its cover, since I've seen it before and heard people talking about it. I didn't even look into what it was about. It was paranormal, which was great since that's what I normally head towards. It was told from different POV's, and I loved how both voices didn't sound the exact same since that sometimes happens in books like that. I did like it, but I'm not dying to get the next one. I feel like the next one might be a bit better, since that tends to happen, so I will continue!

As an extremely avid reader, I was looking forward to reading another great book from Kelley Armstrong. Her books haven't failed me yet.... until now. It was disjointed, and personally I felt way too much of the story line was missing for it to really hook me. I had difficulty wanting to finish this particular book. I'll continue to be a fan of her books but hopefully this was a quirk along the way.

I like Kelley Armstrong's books so I chose this based on that alone. I have not read any of her YA before this, so I did not know what to expect. I gotta say that I liked it. Armstrong created a thought out world and great strong female characters. These are characters a reader will enjoy. The twins are like ying and yang, complete opposites but it fits well. The story was good and engaging.

I'm always on the look out for new fantasy and this caught my eye. I haven't read anything by this author prior to this title and the dragon caught my eye even though I'm not into Japanese fantasy for some reason.

There was enough adventure and fantasy to keep me interested. Though I almost didn't finish this one. Glad I did!

I had forgotten what it felt like to be engulfed back into one of Kelley Armstrong's stories. Sea of shadows has fantasy like no other. The fact that its two main characters are female warriors brings even more excitement to the table. I highly recommend am entrance to Moria and Ashyn's life, you will not be disappointed with its epic fights, budding romance and imaginative landscapes. Must read for any ya!

Magic-wielding twins and their friends fight monsters and mercenaries. The twins, Ashyn and Moria have turned sixteen years old. They have decided that they will fulfilled their roles as Seeker and Keeper for Edgewood. With their being no executions allowed in the empires, the guards take the prisoners to the Forest of the Dead. The Seeker goes into this Forest of the Dead to seek spirits and put them to rest. However when Ashyn finds only a few spirits, she discovers monsters! After a massacre, the twins flee Edgewood and go to seek an audience with the emperor. They go with a con man, Ronan and a scorned warrior, Gavril Kituse. The twins animal companions Daigo, a wildcat and Tova, a Hound of the Immortals accompanied them.

The story is a little slow at times. It is an outstanding fantasy.

I got this book through Good Reads.

Twins are rare and when they are born they usually become Keeper and Seeker. The Keepers job is to keep the spirits from entering the village and the Seekers job is to go into the Forest Of The Dead and put the spirits to rest. Moira is the Keeper and Ashyn is the Seeker.

Every year the Seeker has to go into the Forest to quiet the spirits and this year is Ashyns first year doing it by herself. At the start everything goes as planned but when her companions start disappearing things start to go wrong. In the forest Ashyn meets Ranon, a criminal sent to die there. He may be her only hope of getting out alive.

OK, this was just amazing!!! From the very first page this book had me hooked.

Moira was a kick ass character. She was strong, stubborn, an amazing fighter and could throw a knife a hairs breath away from you. She was fierce and loyal but also kind and always looked out for her sister. Ahsyn on the other hand is quite and meek. In other words the total opposite of Moira. I loved how different both were, even though they are twins, but yet they make a complete whole. They each make the best of each other and are fiercely loyal to each other.

I loved both Gavril and Ranon. Gavril is surly and strong but you know deep down he has feelings for Moira. Ranon is more open with his feelings for Ashyn and I loved seeing both friendships progress. Moira is more practical in her approach to romance, she sees it more logically. To her a kiss is just a kiss and it doesn't have to lead to anything, whereas Ashyn is a romantic at heart.

The whole lore of Sea Of Shadows was unique and fascinating. The Seeker and Keepers have animals bonded to them that help them on their journeys. There is 3 pairs of these twins in the kingdom and its Ashyn and Moiras job to be at the Forest Of The Dead. This is where criminals are sent and left to die. These spirits often become vengeful which is why a Keeper and Seeker need to be there. If a spirit becomes vengeful they can become Shadow Stalkers. These spirits can then reanimate the dead and they become like zombies. We also have giant worm like things, giant Thunder Birds, warlocks and mercenaries. I absolutely loved the mythology.

Overall Sea Of Shadows was a breathtaking journey of magic, mystery, suspense, creepiness and danger. I loved every single aspect of this book! When I was reading it it took my breath away!! The separate journeys the girls make were dangerous and deadly and the way the author described things was so creepy. She has a way with words that make you apart of the book. Its an action packed, edge of your seat book and Kelley Armstrong has created a dark and dangerous world but one I cant wait to jump back into. This is a must read and all I can say is bring on book 2!!!