Winter's Shadow by M.J. Hearle: Review beyond words...

Winter's Shadow by M.J. Hearle

Published by Pan Macmillan AU on June 1st 2011

This book is only published in Austrailia but can be purchased internationally online at the following:

Book Depository

TheNile.com.au

 I have also heard that it can be found at Kobo, iBookstore, and eBooks, but I wasn't able to find it there.

Synopsis borrowed from Goodreads:

Blake Duchamp...

He's all that Winter Adams can think of. Ever since their fateful meeting at Pilgrim's Lament. Ever since he looked at her with those emerald eyes. Ever since he saved her life.

But Blake isn't all that he seems. There is a strangeness about him, something dark and otherworldly. Something dangerous. In his attic is a secret he would kill to defend, but Winter seems to have a special ability to make him forget his duty. And he is her only protection against the gathering darkness.

The only problem is, to protect Winter, Blake must risk exposing her to an even greater danger. Himself.

Darkfallen's thoughts:

AHHHH this book is SO SO SO good that I don't even know where to start. Which leads me to wonder if just saying that is the best thing I can do? Wondering if there is anyway that I can find the words to describe the level of awesomeness with in these pages?

But that's NOT good enough. So I'm going to try here...

First and Foremost, this is M.J. Hearle's debut novel, and this is not only the best debut novel I've ever read, but probably one of the BEST books I've ever read...period With equal parts suspense, love, swoon-worthiness, fright factor, heart wrenching moments you are left on the edge of your seat. This book will leave you white knuckle gripping the pages, feverishly reading in to the wee hours of the night(until your husband kicks you out of the bedroom and you revert to the living room because there is no need for sleep when your reading this), heart pounding, blood flowing, as you turn each and every page.

Winter's character is flawlessly written in the fact that she sees so many flaws in herself. She is shy, self-conscious, and kind of a self made loner. With her pale freckled skin, red hair, and lopsided mouth when she looks in the mirror she doesn't see anything worth looking at. Maybe that's why I relate to her, I dunno, but I love her. I love how she doubts herself, because that is something that I do everyday. How it is so hard for her to believe that Blake actually finds her attractive. How nervous she is when she is around him. It all just works so perfectly. I mean isn't that how most teenage girls feel?

Then there is Blake... *swoon swoon swoon*

I love the mystery behind him. In fact all the mystery behind the entire book just makes it that much better. You are constantly left guessing WHAT the supernatural element is.

At one point I wouldn't have been the least bit surprised if a ghost flew by the window, a vampire rang the doorbell, an incubus answered the door, a pixie let the werewolf off it's chain, while a faerie sits in the corner brushing her kitty, only to reveal that the kitty is actually a changeling! Yes....I really did think of all of these creatures while trying to figure it out.

Where any of my guesses right you ask? HAHAHAS come on now you don't really think that I'm gonna tell you now do you?

You will just have to read and find out! yes I am aware that I am evil...but you love me for it *winks*

But back to Blake and Winter. Their relationship, while tragically tangled, is smooth and perfect. The best part is how at one point I'm reading, loving it, flying through the pages, and then DA da dummmmm, and before I even realized that I had time to get emotionally attached there is an ache in my chest and a tear escaping my eyes as I audibly gasp. M.J.Hearle sneaks up behind you and compels you to a point you no longer feel like a bystander looking in. No you have become the story...the story has become you. This is by far the best Paranormal YA I've read in the last few months.

With a twist at the end that leaves you begging for more....I can't CAN'T wait for the next book in this series to come out. And you can bet you finest possession that I WILL be re-reading this book. Because once just simply isn't enough for a book with this much wonderment.

Look out world there is a new supernatural kid on the block and he isn't going anywhere!

One last note before we hit the road here. Unfortunately this book is only released in Australia right now. But never fear you can get a chance to read it through a tour that's going on HERE! Thanks to the fine people at Pan Macmillan AU & M.J. Hearle for making that possible. Also for all you publisher's out there M.J. Hearle is in the market for a US publisher, so please if your reading this do yourself a favor and look him up! I wouldn't steer ya wrong this book is beyond words...

If I could I would give this book more than 5 stars....

Which can only mean one thing, that it is time for some Darkfallen advice and my highest level of praise!

Buy it, borrow it, rent it, download it, steal it if you have to...but you have to READ this book!!!

you can even hop on tour with it, but do what ya gotta do to get your hands on it;)

Oh and I almost forgot....a little birdy told me there is going to be a giveaway.
like a signed copy, and maybe even multiple copies!!!
When you ask???
Well I'm not really supposed to say but....I hear lots of good things happen on July 1st
Like this little book will be 1 month old;)
*hint hint wink wink*

Until next time....