The Shadows Beyond by TJ Rose is a gripping tale of betrayal and breathtaking moments that will stay with you long after you're finished. The wait for the next book is going to be excruciating after the last few chapters.
From the blurb:
That is, until the moment he brings back a malevolent spirit from the shadowrealm, and quickly finds himself unjustly arrested for the murder of four people.
After breaking free of foster care and a stint in juvie, all Cinn wanted to do was keep his head down and work his way up to become a professional chef. Now he’s forced to make a choice: life in jail, or allow a stranger to whisk him away to a mysterious institute in rural Switzerland with the promise of learning how to control his terrifying supernatural abilities.
Julien, the French charismatic charmer who is charged with warding over Cinn, also has a problem: the murder of his sister is still unsolved.
He needs help. Help that only Cinn can provide. He’ll do anything to get it, including making Cinn an offer that he can’t refuse. What Julien doesn't expect out of the bargain is their undeniable connection, which only serves to complicate matters as they navigate uncharted territories together.
Between battling an uprising of deadly creatures that not only threaten the moteblessed community, but the entire planet, and fighting their ever-growing attraction, can this opposites-attract pair overcome their demons to save the world, and each other?
The Shadows Beyond is part 1 of an MM urban fantasy romance duology, and contains explicit content. Full content warnings can be found within the book and on the author’s website. The overarching plot continues into book 2, with the end of book 1 offering a ‘happy-for-now’ for the main characters.
Molly Otto's review:
Well, this was a whirlwind of a ride for sure. Cinn is whisked away and dropped in a new world where he knows nothing and has to trust people he knows are holding secrets from him. Julien will do anything to avege the untimely death of sister, including using a man who deserves so much more. Cinn becomes a part of this group where they do eventually open up to him, yet Julien makes a choice that he should have never considered. The betrayal is palpable, and then a battle ensues that prevents them from trying to move on. This book will grip you and have you begging for more. What a way to begin a duet be prepared for many twists and turns and guessing who can and can't be trusted.
Warning, this book does end on a soft cliffhanger
SNik's review:
First in duet (Shadow and Light Duology). Paranormal urban fantasy. Slow burn. Found family. Dual POV. Soft cliffhanger. Heed content warnings.
Life is full of bad choices, and Cinn’s latest has him under arrest, with four people dead and then winging his way out of the country to a secret society that may be able to help him control his dreadful episodes. Julien is not only a skilled mote wielder, he comes from a family of privilege, but with his sister’s unusual death he hopes he can find answers in the newly discovered shadowslipper who may be able to communicate with the dead.
Cinn and Julien have very different problematic backgrounds, their chemistry is hard to deny but both men have baggage that keeps them from being close, as well as the constant dangers that they begin to encounter. The world building was interesting, with a good variety of secondary characters that drive parts of the story while still focusing on the growing connection between Cinn and Julien. The story is still very much up in the air when the books ends, along with Cinn and Julien’s relationship, but I am definitely invested in seeing where the overarching plot and their romance ends up.
Angel's review:
I first got introduced to this author when I read their debut novel, Monsters Within Men, and I've been eagerly awaiting their next release. The wait was well worth it! Upon reading the first page of this book I was immediately swept away into this universe full of magic, murder, mayhem, friendship, and love.
The world building was immaculate! There were so many different places that were described in great detail, I could practically envision everything that was being described. From the mortal world to the shadow realm everything was written in such a magnificent way. It made it easy diving into this world where Cinn can go between two different worlds.
I adored all of these characters, Cinn, Julien, Darcy, and Elliot. They were all immaculate! They each had their own individual personalities that really shine throughout this marvelous story and each one had a purpose for being there. It would not be as great of a book if those characters weren't apart of it, they definitely made this story what it is. I do have to say that I wasn't the biggest fan of Julien's character in the beginning, but I gradually started warming up to him the more the story went on. Overtime we got to delve into why Julien is the way he is, and learn more about his past, along with seeing his character grow and develop.
We also got to see a lot of character growth from Cinn as well. He started out wanting nothing to do with Julien, Darcy, or Elliot, but he starts to open up to them and begins to form a friendship with the three of them. Along with him forming friendships with those three characters, he also started realizing his own worth, and what he can do with his powers now that he's learning how to control them.
I really loved the plot of this book, it kept me engaged the whole time and it's making me eager for the next book. I didn't want this story to end because I was so enthralled with this world, and these characters. I want to find out if the demon cat is Beatrice reincarnated, and if Cinn's shadow realm is a projection of the future, and I want to know if Julien and Cinn will be able to work things out and be able to find their way as a couple.
I'm really excited to see where this story goes next!!
The Shadows Beyond is currently available as an e-book and paperback and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription
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