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The Wounded Shadow by Patrick W Carr (the Darkwater Saga)

I did receive this book at no charge for my unbiased, honest opinion.

Let me start by saying this is part of a series, which I did not realize when I ordered the book. However, even though this is part of a series, it was easily read even without the context of the other books in the series. It is definitely a story in the same fantasy genre as LOTR, Narnia, or Harry Potter. Very well written with great detail, it easily allows you to imagine the journey on which the characters embark.

There are only 2 real complaints I have: 1] that the story line jumped around a bit; I feel like the author could have made it a bit easier to realize when the story jumps to another character's leg of the journey as it was a little hard to follow from one jump in the story at times. And 2] while the story isn't numbered or if (like me) you miss the small note in the upper corner of the cover indicating that it is part of a series, as  the reader, you have no idea there are books before it; this could easily be the editor/publisher that didn't see the need for a list of books in the series or to better display that it is in fact part of a series more prominently, BUT I always feel it is important to include a list of all books in the series that way the reader understands that some aspects of the story that were not explained in this book may have been explained in a previous book, along
with affording the reader the opportunity to read the prequels to that book in order BEFORE undertaking the new book.

Again, while it is a huge pet peeve of mine to read books in a series out of order, in this case, it posed no great issues. The story was EXTREMELY well written. It got its hooks in early on and the intrigue of figuring out the mission and how different aspects of the characters' journeys would affect the outcome of the mission was enthralling! I greatly enjoyed this book. The characters were relatable and complex. The story line kept you guessing. And considering that 99% of the books I've read are pretty formulaic and I can tell you the ending after reading the first couple of chapters, this one was not in that same group.

I don't want to give any spoilers away as I truly feel this should be read rather than have my feeble attempt to retell it  would never be able to come even remotely close to doing it justice. My best advice: even if your primary love is not fantasy, still give this one a try.
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