Review: Shadow Marked by Anna J. Evans

Shadow Marked by Anna J. Evans
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: NAL Trade
Available: May 4, 2010
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Book received from: Penguin

Samantha Quinn has been in the dark since age six, when her parents sacrificed her sight in a satanic ritual. She is trying to get over her demonic past, but horrific lifelike visions haunt her. Her intuition gets stronger and clearer with a wild, adrenaline-fueled sexual encounter with Jace, her brother’s childhood friend. And now Samantha is more tormented than ever by what she can “see”—and by what she felt in that forbidden encounter…

Samantha must now prevent the deaths she sees in her premonitions and protect her body from the same demon from her twisted childhood. Her dark curse reveals that Jace will be the next victim, and it is crystal clear that she must destroy the demon to protect her love.

REVIEWER: MamaKitty

Initially, I wasn’t sure what I was going to think of this book. The first chapter didn’t capture my attention immediately, but I kept reading because it was an interesting concept for me—a blind woman who battles demons—That’s pretty if you ask me. So I kept reading, hoping that it would get better. By chapter two, I literally could not put the book down – so much so that I made the family fend for themselves on dinner, just so I could finish reading.

The characters, Samantha and Jace, were really well-developed and I loved their interaction throughout the book. They’re so damaged and haunted by their respective pasts that it’s difficult for them to trust anyone, and even more difficult for them to accept a relationship between them. Their chemistry is off the charts hot (there’s one scene in an alley that had me running for some ice water to splash on my head).

Samantha (Sam) is a no-nonsense type of girl who can take care of herself despite the fact that she’s blind.  She doesn’t have time for ridiculousness and doesn’t dole it out in return, she cares deeply for her friends and family, and is funny to boot. She’s really cool.  Jace is totally on my Book Boyfriend list. He’s sexy, badass, tortured & broody, and still has the ability to be tender…all the delicious qualities I look for in a Book Boyfriend.

The supporting characters were wonderfully done. There were times when I hated Sam’s brother Stephen (which, to me, is the mark of a good author – if they can make me mad or make me sob, they’re doing their job correctly), and there were also times my heart tripped over itself because of something sweet that was said or done.

I did have two issues with the book… First, I felt as though some of the scenes (especially Sam’s visions) were a bit confusing. I didn’t know if it was a flashback, a vision, or if I’d missed something important, so I had to go back and re-read a paragraph once or twice. Second, the final battle scene seemed to drag on forever. Anna J. Evans has a wonderful way with words, but I think maybe she was a little too descriptive in this instance.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and it’s one that I would recommend to my friends. If you’re into paranormal romance (especially demons & blind chicks who can totally kick ass) this is the book for you!

Favorite Line:

“[He’s] dead, Sam confirmed, “I’m not sure about me. I saw myself in a mirror earlier, but I can’t see my arms or my body now, so I’m not sure if I’m going to die or not.”

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