USA
Today bestselling author K.A. Linde returns to the Royal Houses series with
House of Shadows: the story of Kerrigan Argon, a half-Fae, half-human as
she seeks her place in an unforgiving world filled with magic, mayhem, and
romance. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Holly Black, and V.E. Schwab.
Kerrigan Argon, a half-human, half-Fae, has joined the Dragon Society against
almost everyone’s wishes.
A year of training is required with her dragon.
First she must travel with the dark Fae prince, Fordham Ollivier, back to his
home in the House of Shadows. Nothing but slavery and death has ever awaited a
half-Fae in their halls.
But something is wrong within their wicked world. A thousand year old spell is
weakening. Cracks forming in the foundation. And Kerrigan may just be their
ruin or their salvation.
Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Royal Houses series!
For book one, House of Dragons, click HERE.
Book
2
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Audiobook (US) ~ Paperback (US)
Erica
– ☆☆☆☆☆
House of Shadows is the second installment in the Royal Houses series.
Since it is a continuation in an epic fantasy series, book one, House of
Dragons, must be read first to avoid confusion and to understand the
complex world building.
Since it had been a long time since I read the debut, I was fearful I would be
confused at the start of House of Shadows, but K.A. Linde flawlessly
delivered cues to clue the reader in without massive amounts of info dumps,
leading with a smooth transition from one book to the next as if ending one
chapter and beginning another.
Kerrigan was abandoned at the House of Dragons when she was a child. While she
was under the impression she was removed by her father due to her half-fae
lineage, it was to keep her safe under the protection of the mountain.
After the events of the previous installment, which I won't highlight to avoid
those reading this review before deciding to start the series, Kerrigan is
training to become a full-fledged member of the society. Combat, history, and
bonding with her dragon, while being targeted by Society members for not being
full fae, she has a large target on her back.
Kerrigan is a strong heroine. She's as gifted as she is flawed. Nothing comes
easy to her, trying with all her might to succeed even when she fails. She
doesn't necessarily take things in stride, but that is what makes her feel more
realistically human. Bridging the gap between all social classes, royals, fae,
half-fae, human, and destitute human, Kerrigan becomes a symbol of hope.
House of Shadows is an adventure. While fast-paced, it was a long,
complex journey filled with politics, battles, push-pull romance between
enemies turned lovers, smoldering into a slow burn with the whisper of a
triangle (quadrangle?) as Kerrigan is torn between what she wants, what she
needs, what would be for the good of her people, and what would be good for the
people she represents, not only in the Society or her royal lineage but for
those she sees as her people.
Everyone fighting each other, inter-fighting and species fighting, I won't get
into the overall plot, as that is something best dove into blindly. What I will
say is that Linde is a master of angst. Not only is our Dark Prince a
persnickety sort, stoic with a hot and cold personality, Kerrigan is dealing
with the King of the dregs, feelings from her teen years quite possibly rearing
their ugly head as he becomes protector instead of negotiator... then the royal
line comes in to create mischief, dragging along a betrothal of the lost
princess, one in which who needs her to be queen to his future king.
It's a year-long wait, which I will be anticipating the next installment, as it
promises to deliver more of which readers voraciously read in the first and
second installments. One thing I know not to fear is the seamless transition
from one book to the next, no need to reread, but I will say the prospect is
temping.
My guilty pleasure, sentient beings in a series, where they take on a life of
their own. Be it an inner beast, a gargoyle or a pixie, or a sarcastic dragon
partner. The relationship Kerrigan develops with her dragon, the witty
repartee, the teasing, the little snips and digs, it brings life to a creature
that is generally just on the pages.
Highly recommended to fans of both adult and young adult epic fantasy. House
of Shadows is sure to please the masses.
K.A.
LINDE is the USA Today bestselling author of the Avoiding series,
Wrights, and more than thirty other novels. She has a master’s degree in
political science from the University of Georgia, was the head campaign worker
for the 2012 presidential campaign at the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, and served as the head coach of the Duke University dance team.
She loves reading fantasy novels, binge-watching Supernatural,
traveling, and dancing in her spare time.
She currently lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her husband and two super-adorable
puppies.
Connect with K.A.
Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Website ~ Goodreads
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Group: K.A. Linde Books
Hosted by
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided
a free copy of House of Shadows (Royal Houses #2) by K.A. Linde to read and
review for this tour.
