A Book Obsession..: Release Day Review: Shadow Silence by Yasmine Galenorn

Release Day Review: Shadow Silence by Yasmine Galenorn

, by Kt Clapsadl

Shadow Silence by Yasmine Galenorn

Whisper Hollow #2

Fifteen years ago, I ran away from Whisper Hollow, Washington, a small town on Crescent Lake in the Olympic Peninsula. But truth is, if you were born here, you can never really leave. I'm Kerris Fellwater, and I'm a spirit shaman. It's my responsibility to drive the dead back to their graves, because around Whisper Hollow, people—and secrets—don't always stay buried.

My best friend Peggin finds herself under a curse after she is almost taken by the Lady of the Lake, and the Unliving are determined to drag her back to the hungry waters. As Bryan—my guardian and mate—and I work to break the hex, we uncover a dark and violent mystery from the past. One the Hounds of Cú Chulainn will do anything to guard—even if they must summon a legion of the dead to destroy Whisper Hollow.

Let me preface this review with a disclaimer. Based on all of the other high review ratings on Goodreads, it would seem my frustrations with the plot leave me in the minority. So take this with a grain of salt as it could very well be just not to my preferences but a great read for everyone else.

The plot in SHADOW SILENCE really did not work for me at all. It felt so obvious and contrived. Peggin, Kerris' best friend decides she needs to buy a house right by the lake. The very lake whose lady kills everyone she can lure in. In fact, said lady has been particularly "hungry" as of late, and has been more vicious and murderous, killing more than she ever has before. Peggin knows this and yet she still is determined to live in a house right by the lake. Kerris of course tries to talk her out of it, but Peggin gets rather snippy about it. To make matters worse everyone else all but scolds Kerris and tells her she's not Peggin's mother, so let her be. But lo and behold (and this is not a spoiler as it's in the blurb) on the FIRST DAY Peggin is moving into the house she's taken by the lady. She's extremely distraught and "beside" herself as she's now marked for death. I mean really come on?! She knew what she was getting into, and I just honestly could not find an ounce of sympathy for her. I realize it sounds rather cold, but it just was too contrived to me. Considering this issue involves almost the entire book, I found myself completely unattached.

Speaking of unattached, I just didn't feel the same connection with Kerris as I did in the first book. There's a lot of filler here, and while she's supposed to be stronger and more confident, I really didn't see it this time around. She just came across as more afraid this time and it just didn't jive for me. I also wasn't really feeling the spark between her and Bryan this time around. I can't really put my finger on it, but it just wasn't working.

Overall this one just was a whole lot of meh for me unfortunately, and considering the first book in this new series didn't really wow me either, I don't think I'll be continuing. It's a shame because I typically enjoy Yasmine's work, but this series has earned a pass from me.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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