Shadowspell by Jenna Black

Finally finished reading this!  It took me longer than expected to finish this.  It's the second book on Jenna Black's series about Faeriewalkers (half Fae, half human).  I mentioned in my review of the first book that I didn't really like it much but I'm going to give the series another chance.

Anyway, I was still a bit bored reading the first couple of chapters of this book.  Things got interesting for me when the Erlking and his Wild Hunt arrived.  The Wild Hunt is what Faerie would consider a nightmare.  They make a sport out of hunting Fae and mortals.  They are led by the Erlking who is said to be the only creature that the Faerie Queens are afraid of.  The Erlking is neither Seelie or Unseelie so he really is someone that you should always be in good graces with.

There was a time when the Erlking and his Wild Hunt would hunt inhabitants of Faerie and annihilate them just because they want to.  There are times that they would spare one's life but that does not mean that he is lucky.  If they did not kill you, it only means that you will have to join the Hunt and will now be a captive to the Erlking's power.  Sometimes, they would take the hunting into Avalon and unleash chaos unto the mortals there.

Fortunately, the Queens of Faerie were able to come up with deal that the Erlking accepted.  The agreement was that the Erlking can no longer chase Seelie or Unseelie members without the approval of their respective Queen.  Hence, the Erlking and his Wild Hunt became, in a way, slayers of the Faerie Queens.

The Erlking has somehow set his sights on Dana.  Of course, it has something to do with her being a Faeriewalker.  I actually found myself rooting for the Erlking because he raises the most sensible arguments when making a point to Dana.  She always fails to see the whole picture.  Or maybe because I'm not in here situation that's why I can weigh the situation better.

Dana is still the same stubborn, irritating girl from the first book.  She didn't change much when it comes to her attitude. However, her abilities/powers have grown.  She had been practicing on calling the magic and she was able to do so, it's just she does not know how to sustain it or what to do with it once the magic has come to her.

I think Dana is really a powerful Faeriewalker, if only she can hone her abilities.  And I honestly cannot guess how the series will end especially now with the complication of Dana's deal with the Erlking and her blossoming relationship with Ethan.  I still did not like this that much but I liked it more than the first book.  I will definitely read the third book just to satisfy my curiosity.


Rating: 3 of 5 STARS