#BookReview of SHADOWED INSTINCTS (Shadowed Series Book 2) by Wendi L. Wilson

Book Review of SHADOWED INSTINCTS (Shadowed Series Book 2) by Wendi L. Wilson

BLURB:

Melanie Johnson’s world just got turned upside down and she is still reeling from her father’s revelation of their shocking family secret.

Everything she knew about herself has been transformed- just as, on the night of the full moon after her 17th birthday, her very being will transform into something unfamiliar. Wild. Powerful.

Now Melanie’s family sweeps her off to the wilderness of Kentucky to join others like themselves and prepare for what lies ahead. The one constant in her life is Jeremy, who’s support gives her strength. Even as he struggles over his family’s betrayal and his own shifting identity, he stands beside her, hand in hand, as they discover the world that could have been theirs had circumstance not gotten in the way.

Melanie has an amazing birthday- her bond with Jeremy is solidified despite the attentions of an angel-faced new acquaintance, her best friend makes a surprise visit and everything seems right for once in her crazy new life- until someone makes an attempt on Jeremy’s life and she almost loses him.

Jeremy has rescued Melanie from death, kidnapping, and even the local mean girl. Now it’s her turn to protect him. No matter the cost.

*This is book 2 of the Shadowed Series and begins right where Shadowed Strength ended.

**This young adult paranormal romance is suggested for readers 16+ for language and mild sexual situations.

MY REVIEW:

This book starts right where the first one left off.  Melanie has just discovered her long-lost father is a weredog, and so is she.  And worse, her mom and dad expect her to move to Kentucky, where Darren is the alpha of his pack.  She doesn’t want to leave her best friend, Tara, or her boyfriend, Jeremy.  But, at the same time, she’s getting close to her first shift and scared of what that might entail.  With compromises on both sides, Mel, Elaine, Darren and Jeremy head to Kentucky to spend the summer.  Jeremy wants to go, as all his life, his parents told him they were the only weredogs they knew.  Jeremy has lots of questions his parent won’t answer.  What his parents also harbor, is a secret about him.  Once they arrive at the compound in Kentucky, Jeremy’s life seems to be in danger.  Who is trying to kill him, and why?

As Mel followed the clues as to who was after Jeremy, I got pulled right along with her.  The person she was zeroing in on  seemed to obvious, but there just weren’t any other suspects.  Or was there, hiding in plain sight?  The mystery part of the story was handled very well.  I didn’t see who the culprit was, until Wendi wanted me too.  Good job. 

While defending herself and family against the suspect, Mel inadvertently sets into motion something that will change her life, once again, forever.  And this is where the story ends.  Nice cliffhanger. 

I really liked Mel in the first book.  She was the underdog, and we wanted to root for her.  Now, she’s turned into this hotie that all the boys want, and it’s gone to her head.  That is to be expected, but I feel her character changed too much in to short of a time frame.  And, even though part of the story revolved around Jeremy searching for answers about himself, he wasn’t as fleshed out as he could’ve been.  I had a hard time relating to both of them. 

I don’t know whether it’s because I’d already fallen in love with the characters, or the story line just wasn’t as appealing to me, but I didn’t like this book as much as the first one.  I felt like it didn’t have as much action, too much kissy, feely.  Of course, it is a YA book and supposed to be full of teen angst.

It is a slower paced book, until the end, which is a whirlwind of action.  I couldn’t read fast enough.  Whew! 

So, even though I didn’t like the second book as well as the first one, it was still an entertaining story with a gripping ending.  I recommend the series to everyone who loves paranormal YA books, and I give it 4 feathers.

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