Kindle Edition Download to your Nook (eBook) Download from Apple iTunes (eBook) Download from Smashwords (eBook) Amazon Renee Writes Renee Writes Category:  Fantasy Publisher: Renee Scattergood ISBN-10:  1533474222 Type: Fiction Pages: 267 Copyright: 2015 ISBN-13: 9781533474223 Price: $3.99 (eBook) Auren is captured by the Galvadi trying to rescue her friend, Jade. Then she is tortured by the man who is supposed to love and protect her. When Makari finally realizes she's not the delohi-saqu as his father claims, he helps her escape, but their plans don't go as expected. Episode 7: Bound by Fate Auren’s best friend was captured during the Galvadi invasion, and her rescue attempt goes awry. Now Auren finds herself in the hands of an enemy who knows her true identity…one who has the power to be either her destroyer or her salvation. Episode 8: Broken Auren doesn’t succumb to Makari’s torture, so he decides his father was right about her being the delohi-saqu. Now he resorts to more sadistic methods to extract information, which could doom the Coalition if Auren fails to resist. Episode 9: Turning Tides Now that Makari knows the truth about Auren, he has sworn to protect her and help her escape. But when the other guides become suspicious, Makari’s loyalty is tested, and he is forced to do something he swore he’d never do again. Episode 10: Separate Paths Auren finally meets Shai, Kado’s daughter, but she is too weak from her months of torture to escape the reconciliation center. Makari takes over Shai’s cleansing sessions, but that means Auren will face daily torture again. To make things worse, Makari disappears and Auren is given a task that means taking the life of someone she loves. Episode 11: Escape Part 1 Auren and Shai begin their escape, but it doesn’t go as planned, and they are forced to adjust their plans. They are pushed to their limits, and Auren has to put her untried abilities to use or risk being recaptured. Episode 12: Escape Part 2 Makari has decided to stay with the Galvadi for Auren’s protection. Auren and Shai are on their own, and nature seems to be against them. After being seriously injured, Auren falls ill and it starts to look like they will never reach their meeting spot with Kado on the southern shore. Excerpt "Sir," a young private said, poking his head into the little alcove, which served as Deakan's office. "This has just come in." Deakan took the paper, dismissing him with a nod. "This isn't good." "What is it?" I asked, looking over his shoulder. "More Dansig Troops are being stationed near the reconciliation centers. Apparently, it's been reported the delohi-saqu has escaped the Dark Isle and might be somewhere on Appolia." He glanced up with a look of disapproval. "There's not much I can do without them knowing, Deakan. There is a specially trained shadow stalker, Drevin's son in fact, hunting me. There's little likelihood I will escape capture." I didn't know how to explain Kado's vision to him, so I didn't bother. "The fact is, eventually I will need to go to Nadiria. I have something I need to do there, but I have to be taken as a normal human. If they know I'm a shadow stalker, it's all over for me." "So you intend to give yourself up to them?" He was appalled. I shook my head. "Not if I can help it. I'd rather find another way. But if I am captured, Deakan, I will use it to my advantage. You can't come looking for me, okay?" I could see the battle raging inside him. It was bad enough he had lost Jade. I knew he would be reluctant to let me go so easily, especially knowing I was on my own. Finally, he nodded. "If Kado escapes, do you know what he’s planning?" "As far as I know he wants to get the shadow stalkers to Appolia to help fight against the Galvadi. I wouldn't count on them being here anytime soon. Not with what they're facing on the Dark Isle." "Understood," he said, his lips pressed into a thin line. "So we're on our own." "That's why I need to get to Nadiria, Deakan, to free my father. He can resolve things on the Dark Isle and make everything right again. He's the only one who can change what is happening here. I have to find him." "Then maybe I can help you get there." "How?" "I'm not sure, yet. Give me a couple of days to work it out." I nodded.

An Emotional Rollercoaster!
When I finished Part 1 of the series, I immediately downloaded Part 2 of the book! When Auren escapes from the Dark Isle, she goes in search of her friend Jade, who has been captured by the Galvadi. Auren secretly hopes to find her father in the Galvadi Reconciliation Centers and free him. Unfortunately, freeing her father becomes a difficult task. She finds that her only ally is Makari, the son of her enemy. He has been tasked with finding Auren, but he has plans of his own when he realizes that he has feelings for her. Makari has been brain washed by his father’s lies and believes that the Delohi-saqu needs to purge of her evil. Sadly, Makari knows that Auren is the Delohi-saqu and puts her through unimaginable pain to “save” her so that he can be with her. Will Makari convince Auren to give up being a Shadow Stalker so that they can be happy together? Can Auren resist Makari’s treatments and complete her mission to save her father?

This is the second part of the Shadow Stalker series and my favorite one so far. The emotional rollercoaster that Auren goes through is heartbreaking. I found myself crying for her and trying to give her my emotional support. The love story between Auren and Makari should be black and white, leaving the reader, and Auren, hating Makari, but it’s not that simple. Makari truly believes that he is helping Auren by freeing her from her darkness. In the end, I wasn’t sure if Auren could forgive him for everything that he had done to her.

Ms. Scattergood has outdone herself in the section of the story. The emotion and detail that she puts into every page is amazing. I found myself rushing to pick up the book to continue reading. My only negative comment is about the ending of this Part. The ending felt a little abrupt after being so involved in Auren’s moment-to-moment actions. The ending is summarized and felt rushed after all the wonderful details throughout the entire series. I would have like to see the story pick up in Part 3 rather than rush through the last section. I wanted to see and experience Auren’s relief to finally achieve some of her goals.

I am looking forward to reading Part 3 when it is released. I am hoping for a spectacular ending after experiencing this incredible journey. I gave Part 2 5 stars and hope that the next Part doesn’t disappoint!