Jenny's review: Shadow Heir by Richelle Mead

Book description:

Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham strives to keep the mortal realm safe from trespassing entities. But as the Thorn Land's prophecy-haunted queen, there's no refuge for her and her soon-to-be-born-children when a mysterious blight begins to devastate the Otherworld...

The spell-driven source of the blight isn't the only challenge to Eugenie's instincts. Fairy king Dorian is sacrificing everything to help, but Eugenie can't trust the synergy drawing them back together. The uneasy truce between her and her shape shifter ex-lover Kiyo is endangered by secrets he can't--or won't--reveal. And as a formidable force rises to also threaten the human world, Eugenie must use her own cursed fate as a weapon--and risk the ultimate sacrifice...

Review:

Eugenie Markham is trying to find a way to protect her twins from the powers that are after them. It is prophesied that her son will be the one to overtake the human race, and therefore the other Kings and Queens of the Otherworld are out to get him, whether it be to stop him or make sure that it will happen. Either way, Eugenie knows that she needs to keep her babies and self safe. She decides to leave the Otherworld until they are born, and takes refuge with a Shaman in Alabama. She feels distant from her lands and anxious for the babies to come, and when her stepfather returns after the babies are born a month early she knows there is something wrong. Eugenie is forced to leave her babies in the care of the hospital and her new family to return to the Otherworld to stop the blight that is killing off their lands. Can she figure out how to stop this force against her and her other rulers? Will she be able to keep her babies safe from harm, and will she be able to make the right choices?

I had not read the other books in this series and was pleasantly surprised that I was able to connect with the characters easily and that the story was able to stand on its own.  I thought that the characters were well described and the past events were defined for me.  I think that it was a good book and shows that no matter what parents (and others) want what is best for their children and the children of others.  The story also had interesting twists in it that kept your attention throughout the book so that when you thought you would know how it was going to end you might be surprised.  All in all a great read.

Other books in the Dark Swan series:
Buy links can be found here!
Storm Born
Thorn Queen
Iron Crowned

*Reviewed by Jenny
*This book was sent by the publisher for review purposes.