![\"Shadow](\"https:\/\/www.monsterlibrarian.com\/TheCirculationDesk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/41nGxc8wDAL.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nShadow Runner<\/span><\/i> by K.J. Fieler<\/span><\/p>\n Black Rose Writing, 2023<\/span><\/p>\n 9781685132040<\/span><\/p>\n Available: Paperback, Kindle edition<\/span><\/p>\n Buy (pre-order): Bookshop.org<\/a> |\u00a0Amazon.com <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The only negative to <\/span>Shadow Runner <\/span><\/i>is that eventually, like all great stories, it ends.\u00a0 It would be tougher to put together a better YA fantasy\/thriller than this.\u00a0 Like the <\/span>Harry Potter<\/span><\/i> series, <\/span>Shadow Runner <\/span><\/i>has the ability to appeal to young and old alike, although it is oriented to the younger set.\u00a0 It\u2019s a must-read.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As far as genres, this is listed as “steampunk,” taking place in a Victorian-style society where fancy machines run on steam and electricity hasn\u2019t been invented.\u00a0 Shadow Runner’s<\/em> basic premise is that young, born to wealth Ada is kidnapped in her pre-teen years by a group of ladies known as the Shadows.\u00a0 They\u2019re like the Thieves\u2019 Guild in Dungeons and Dragons, taking robbery and assassination jobs from those willing to pay for it.\u00a0 As Ada grows and learns the trade of the Shadows, she eventually has to make some important decisions that will determine the course of her life.\u00a0 Is the Shadow life truly the life she wants, and can she compromise the values she grew up with?<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Despite the above, this isn\u2019t a story about robbing and killing.\u00a0 At its heart, it\u2019s a beautifully told tale of human interaction.\u00a0 Ada\u2019s adventures are secondary: the story is more about how she and her mentor, Nadine, have to come to trust and rely on each other, even though they live in a world where friendship can get you killed.\u00a0 The story adds another excellent layer when Ada shows compassion for a young outcast, Dieb, who everyone else scorns.\u00a0 The three of them have to decide what matters: their emotional ties to each other, or survival in an uncaring world.\u00a0 It\u2019s a back-and-forth for all of them, as none of the three characters are one-dimensional: they are all painted with shades of gray.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s how the author handles them that demonstrates serious writing skill.\u00a0 Readers will feel and connect with the characters as they try to survive, which isn\u2019t easy with a group of people to whom backstabbing is the norm.\u00a0 Some parts will make you angry, some will make you cry.\u00a0 When you love the characters enough that you are unhappy when the book ends, then you\u2019ve just read a pretty special story.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Despite the Shadow lifestyle, the author wisely avoids any graphic material. Characters do kill each other, but the author spares readers any messy details.\u00a0 It helps keep the focus on the interactions of the three leads themselves, which is where the book\u2019s appeal comes from.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bottom line: thiis is the first must-read of the summer for everyone.\u00a0 There\u2019s room for the story to continue in another book, and there will be a lot of unhappy readers if it doesn\u2019t happen.\u00a0 Highly recommended.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reviewed by Murray Samuelson<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Shadow Runner by K.J. Fieler Black Rose Writing, 2023 9781685132040 Available: Paperback, Kindle edition Buy (pre-order): Bookshop.org |\u00a0Amazon.com The only negative to Shadow Runner is that eventually, like all great stories, it ends.\u00a0 It would be tougher to put together a better YA fantasy\/thriller than this.\u00a0 Like the Harry Potter series, Shadow Runner<\/p>\n