Hello Blogging World!

Jonny

Hey Misty, if you could choose what powers you inherited in Jina Bazzar’s world, what would you pick? Out of all the ones I saw, I think being super speedy would have a lot of advantages. I’m never going to be late to work again!

Misty

Hey Jonny. That’s a tough one because it would be cool to have any power. I actually quite like the shadow walker power although I don’t really have any use for that so maybe I would go with the one that dealt with technology. I can’t think of what it’s called now but I can always use the extra help with technology.

Jonny

Ooo love it! I tried googling the name but it gave me way too many answers lol.

This buddy read and rant is for Shadow Walker (Shadow Walker #1) by Jina Bazzar. 

Blurb:

When secrets are deadly, how far would you go to protect them?

A century ago, my family stood at the pinnacle of the magical world, the cornerstone of the mage community. But then came the plague and war, ravaging the world. When the dust settled, the mage Houses emerged from hiding and divided the remaining resources.

Now, I live on the fringes of society, stealing to support my aunt and brother. But today, everything is about to change. With the end of the term and a chance to work for the best firm not controlled by supernaturals, life is finally looking up.
Except when things seem too good to be true, they usually are.

Blackmailed and cornered, I have no choice but to pull off one last heist. Success means revealing my forbidden magic, but failure could cost the lives of everyone I love.

This is an updated edition of Shadow Walker. It’s packed with magic and action, perfect for readers who enjoy a strong yet flawed female lead. Dive into the first installment of this thrilling, action-packed four-book series, ideal for fans of K. M. Shea, Lindsay Buroker, Annabel Chase, Shannon Mayer, and many more!

GoodReads

Amazon

***Brief disclosure***

Jonny is an Amazon affiliate and earns a tiny commission for purchases made through the Amazon links in this post at no cost to you. It’s a great way to help him keep things running on his blog if you’re already intrigued enough to make a purchase. 

Buddy Read Book Rant:

Jonny

How’d you feel about Shadow Walker in general? Overall I really liked it. The urban fantasy and magic theme went really well with the heists Melaina had to do, and there was plenty of action despite the beginning feeling a bit slow at first. Oh, and I loved all the interesting worldbuilding too. I wanna know more about this plague and what happened!

Misty

I’ve been a fan of Jina’s for a while now and I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by her so far so I went into this one expecting to enjoy it and I did. I agree it was a bit slow for my liking for maybe the first half of the book but despite that I was intrigued and once the pace picked up I was flying through it.

I realized when reading this that I don’t tend to read a whole lot of Urban Fantasy so the fact that this felt so much like the real world with Magic did throw me a little bit. It just felt weird to me at first with it being the real world but that quickly changed. It was just new to me and I had to get used to it.

I loved learning about this world and all the magic. I need to know as well. Good thing I have all 4 books already.

Jonny

Yeah, it definitely picked up after a while and after that it was smooth sailing.

You know, I don’t tend to read a ton of urban fantasy either, but the worldbuilding really helped with that part. I think we’re in for a crazy ride!

Okay, so I gotta say that while there wasn’t romance, there was a lot of tension between Melaina and her ex . What did you think of that part of the story?

Misty

You know me so well Jonny. Of course I latch on to what little bit of a romance there was. Although you’re right it’s not technically a romance in this book but I could totally see them ending up back together by the end of the series. I don’t want to say who because of spoilers but I kind of got the feeling that someone else had feelings for Mel but that could just be me reading too much into it. Did you get that feeling??

Jonny

Haha, yes I do! I can totally see them getting together by the end of the series, and I think the backstory did so much more than give us tension. It revealed a softer side of Melaina that we hadn’t seen before. Sure, she cares about her family, but this was different and let us into her world on a deeper level. She had some valid reasons for breaking up with him, but they seem to have this soft spot for each other that could easily turn into something more.

I think I know what you’re talking about with someone else possibly having feelings for Mel, but I think it’s too soon to say on that one. I’ll shelve it in the maybe category.

Did you like Mel’s storyline as far as the plot goes? I loved her high-profile thief status because her powers of shadow and flame really worked in her favor (and they are totally awesome!), and her job is getting into a stickier situation than she ever could’ve imagined. I loved the mystery of it all.

Misty

Yes I loved getting to see a different side to Melaina even if it was just a glimpse. I don’t blame her for breaking up with him at all. It totally made sense and her reasons were very valid. I hope they grow closer in the next book. Sorry I always want to see a romance.

I agree it is too early to tell but I just got that vibe and was curious if it was just me because I’m always looking for the love in books.

I love Mel in general. She’s a badass and she doesn’t let her disability hold her back from doing what needs to be done. Yeah I don’t think she would have ever thought her job would end up being this dangerous.

Jonny

Totally. The break up was justified, but I’m thinking that there’s more to her ex than how he was in the past. I can’t wait to see the reasoning behind things and I actually think a rekindled romance would be really great for Mel and the story, so I’m gunning for it!

Right, it’s either the ex or this other person that we’re thinking of so far.

Yes, badass characters to the front! I loved how unapologetic and tough she can be, and I get why she’s that way. Exactly. If she would’ve known there was this much more to the job she would’ve taken something else. But I feel that the stakes are going to climb a lot higher in the next few books. Based on the hints we got this could go in a lot of chaotic directions.

Misty

I’m glad I’m not the only one hoping for a blooming romance in the next book(s).

Oh yes the next book we are going to see the stakes being raised higher. I read the synopsis for the next book and it made me want to immediately start reading it.

Thank have a question for you about the ending. Did you feel like it kind of ended abruptly? It ended and I was like what that can’t be where it ends? Surely there’s more.

Jonny

I think it would add that extra component that would make the story even more fully rounded.

Oh, I haven’t looked at the next one’s synopsis, but now I have to take a little peek … Okay I’m back and now I want to read the next one soon! This is why I have stacks of unread books in my office lol.

Actually, yes. Thanks for bringing that up. I thought there would be a little more of a traditional ending but it did kind of end abruptly to where I looked at the next page and went back like “Wait, what?” Luckily the series is complete!

Misty

There are just so many books we want to read and not enough time to get to all of them.

I’m so so glad we don’t have to wait for the next release. All four of them are out so we can jump in whenever we want.

Jonny

That and we are true book nerds so it’s super tough to resist a book if it’s calling to us.

Me too! I tend to avoid starting a series unless it’s done. I’m currently waiting on a few to finish like Seanan McGuire’s Wayward Children. There’s 10 so far and I still think it’s not done. Ugh!

Misty

Yes sometimes you just have to go the way your mood takes you.

I’m the opposite. I’m always starting series that aren’t complete. Which is why I have no bet 150 series started. Yes there are 20 books out in the Wayward Children series not including the 3 short stories and there’s more to come. I’m not sure how many more though.

Jonny

Especially if it takes you somewhere that might broaden your horizons. I’ve found so many great gems but reading outside of my box.

Oh gosh, that sounds crazy! Geez, maybe I’ll just read one of her completed series lol. I think i’ll be waiting for quite some time haha.

Well thanks for doing this read with me. I’m so glad I finally got to see Jina’s writing for myself and I’m definitely open to reading the next book in this series in a week or so if you have some availability.

Misty

Yes I love reading out of my “comfort zone” you’ve got me to do that several times with some of our buddy reads.

I’ve read all of them so far. Each one follows a different character so I would say if you wanted to go ahead and start them you can. They are pretty quick reads as well.

Thank you for suggesting this as our next buddy read. I’ve had the arc for like 2 years and I’m kicking myself for not getting to it sooner. Yes I am up to jumping into the second one. Just message me when you have some free time and I’ll let you know if I can fit it in.

Jonny

And you with me! It’s a wonderful thing. 🙂

Oh okay. I may have to see if my library has an ebook version. if they do I may just do a binge.

No problem! I was feeling the exact same way, so it’s great that we’re both able to get to it. Okay, will do! Until next time, my friend!

Misty

Thank you for buddy reading this with me. I had fun reading and discussing this one with you.

That’s A Wrap!

Thanks for joining us on our buddy read and rant of Shadow Walker! We had a lot of fun, and hope you did too! We will definitely be doing some more buddy reads in the future, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, why not check out Misty and Jonny’s other fun buddy reads?

Buddy Read: Slewfoot

Buddy Read: Cemetery Boys

Buddy Read: Ravensong

Buddy Read: Wolfsong

Buddy Read: Magic Bites

Buddy Read: The First to Die at the End

Buddy Read: They Both Die at the End

Buddy Read: Under the Whispering Door

Buddy Read: The Burning World

Buddy Read: Warm Bodies

Buddy Read: The Wicked Deep

Buddy Read: The Locke & Key Series

Buddy Read: Dark Lover

Buddy Read: Please Don’t Tell My Parents I’m a Supervillain

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