Katy's Reviews > Shadowlands

This book had a lot of potential to be brilliant, but 1) there was a lot that didn't make sense and 2) it was just too frustrating to read. I had a lot of "WTF" moments - some good, some bad.

I wasn't crazy about how the book started because I felt it was a little over the top. (view spoiler)[Their mother dying. Post traumatic stress and flashes. Car accident. Overdoing the dreams. (hide spoiler)] And Rory was just a little too much for me. I understand she's scared and freaked out, but I wanted to shake her and yell at her to get a freakin' grip.

About a third of the way through, I had my first "WTF" moment. I actually had to stop and go back and read the summary. Um, yeah, mixed feelings about that too.

And then there were just some things that didn't make sense.

I'm sorry but if the authorities assign to protective services, they will get someone to accompany you to an unknown location and have you all set up. They won't just say, "Here's the hideout, now go," and then send them on their way on their own. What if something happened to them on the way there? What if they never make it? And then once that happens, they're supposed to keep tabs on them. Not leave them there to flounder on their own. So the last part of my questions on that was answered at the end, but it still doesn't explain the start to make enough sense.

I also understand Brian was trying to set up the scene and depict the tension between the sisters with Christopher but you're left wondering, "What's the point?" for a good part of the book. And with making Rory the nerdy science geek, I get Brian made it a reason for jealousy, but she doesn't follow up with much. Why wear an "E=MC2" shirt if you can just make Darcy jealous of a normal girl who's not as pretty and popular as she is. Shrugs.

And then the overall story? Well the whole time I was reading it, I was frustrated because a lot didn't make sense, and I just knew Brian was going to jump out anytime with the shocking surprise that will tie it all together. It didn't make it any less frustrating to read. Well, at the end of it, I have even more questions. Yes, I understood what they were saying, and it was quite brilliant on Brian's part, but a lot of it still did not make sense. I have to leave this vague so I can't go into details.

So in short, I think this book is going to draw mixed feelings from most readers. I just hope that the sequel does a lot of explaining, because as it stands, I'm not satisfied with what she gave us.