Rising Shadow
by Jacquelyn Wheeler
pub: Sept 2009
378 pages
Ashlyn Woods just transferred to one of the most beautiful campuses on the west coast, where she can't wait to start her life over as a normal college student. But her plans take an unexpected turn when she discovers that she is a Soterian: a person who develops amazing powers when the balance of good and evil shifts too far in evil's favor.
Soon she and the other Soterians are studying martial arts and learning to use their powers to prevent California from being plunged into chaos. But they quickly discover that they're up against a much more dangerous enemy than they anticipated. And when Ashlyn meets Kai, a devastatingly gorgeous guitar player, she realizes she must sacrifice more than she ever imagined.
Lots of action makes Rising Shadow a fun read. Ashlyn is just trying to get her bearings at her new college in Santa Barbara, CA. when she develops the ability to fly. Crazy but true since she is a Soterian, a person who’s abilities develop when the balance of good and evil goes in evil’s favor.
The story centers around a California political race and when the winner is announced under suspicious voting conditions, Ashlyn’s powers come to life. She isn’t alone. Several other college kids have super powers too and with the help of a professor from the college, they start training.
That’s when the story starts to shine. The beginning covers a lot of Ashlyn moving from Northern California to Southern California and getting situated at school. I could have done without that and been happier starting closer to when she develops her powers and gets together with the other super heroes.
There is also a lot of detail that bogged the story down for me but overall Wheeler does very well with a creative premise.
The group has to uncover the evil plot and determine how to overcome the bad guy. I did enjoy the interesting twist at the end. Wheeler gets you going one way and then surprises you.
Ashlyn and her group are interesting folk and their relationships come through as real especially with her friends and comrades. She does meet a hot guy in the beginning and they click quickly but he moves away.
They manage to fuel their long-distance romance and he comes back. He’s a sweet guy – no bad boy here but it’s easy to see why Ashlyn likes him and his acceptance of Ashlyn’s weirdness shows a surprising level of maturity.
Rising Shadow has great action, super heroes, political intrigue and suspense. It’s a good choice for those who like an entertaining thriller.You can check out the Soterians website for more info.
40 comments:
Sounds great! I'll have to check it out.
I loved Rising Shadow! So happy to see someone reading it! Can't wait for the next book in the series!
great review! I've heard such great things about it but I just never thought I'd want to read it but you've sold me!
Seems like another interesting read. I'm glad the author has a free ebook version on her website. I'm going to try reading a few chapters and if it captures my fancy, I'm definitely purchasing the book!
Great review - I really enjoyed this one :o) It's only a few weeks until Merger comes out & I'm looking forward to reading it!
Sounds pretty fun! Haven't stopped by in a little bit. Just wanted to say HI to the Kirk Clan. :)
Great review!The book sounds interesting!I like the fact that it has everything-great action,super heroes,political mayhem,suspense and a sweet long-distance romance!I already love this book!
I like books that are like a buffet putting a little bit of everything out on the table to enjoy! I enjoyed your review and will be borrowing this one from my sister soon yay!
Great Review =) I'm not planning to read that book though.
It sounds awesome! The cover is just okay to me. But I am willing to give this one a try.
Great review! :)
I don't like very much the cover, but I think it can be good :)
This is on my TBR
To be true,the cover is weird!
I've never heard of this before.Sounds really interesting.
I'm definitely interested in a good action thriller. Thanks for the great review, Alyssa!
I doubt I would ever pick this up from the cover, or even the synopsis, alone. Your review has me considering picking it up though. I could go for a good action-packed read.
Thanks for the review!
I've been interested in this one for a while and have found most reviews encouraging, so I want to rad it more.
I like the cover it stands out from the crowd for me.
Seahn
This sounds fascinating! And from what you described it sounds like it has a lot of my favorite aspects incorporated- political intrigue, suspense, and great action! *going on my TBR list!*
I have to agree about the cover. I don't like it. However, your review was good and I'll have to check it out. Thanks.
This one sounds excellent!! I just added it to my GR TBR list!!!
I dont know where this author gets the name Kai from but that is my husbands name. It's Hawaiian!!!
Very cool read! TFS!
Oooh! Looks like a great read! I might go and read it. :P
Sounds very interesting and the last bit you wrote about her relationship with the guy totally got me hooked *lol* I've to admit that I love a bit (Or a lot) of romance in any books! Thanks for sharing =)
Interesting ! I haven't read about this book before :)
wow Yay a new one for me!
Hmm, your review seemed a bit different to normal (maybe it's just me), but it was still great!
This book sounds awesome and I think a more attractive cover would really help it attract readers.
Great another one I had not heard of. Looking forward to checking it out.
Sorry, I'm #3 on the linky, but I didn't review this book, it was an accident. :)
I have to say, I laughed and laughed at the thought of California being plunged into chaos...kind of happening already, huh? :)
Thanks for the review.
I have to agree, the twist at the end was so awesome! I thought I had it all figured out...but really, I totally didn't. ;)
I just finished this book! It is so good! That is weird that you are doing a review for it, I literally just finished it!
I haven't heard much about this one yet. Sounds pretty good. Will have to add to my wish list.
Thanks for the great review.
You review convinced me, i'm really curious about this book and i'm adding it to my list, it sounds so great
I love the premise of superheroes developing powers only whe n they're needed. That is so cool! Nice review! I'll have to look out for this book.
Great review! I think I will check this out.
This looks really interesting, great review!!!
Sounds really cool. I need an action-y book every once in a while.
The story songs great but I wish it has a different cover.
:P
Interesting - I might read this.
My big problem is that everytime i say Soterian in my head I get this feeling she's going to saute me something delicious rather than go kick evil's butt!
This sounds interesting but the slow beginning due to too much detail is a negative for me, I too prefer my books to start right in the action!! :)
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