Shadows by Paula Weston

Shadows The Rephaim Book One
Written by Paula Weston
Paranormal, Romance
Edition Published June 4th 2015
388 Pages
Purchased
Add to Goodreads
★★★★
It’s almost a year since Gaby Winters was in the car crash that killed her twin brother, Jude. Her body has healed in the sunshine of Pandanus Beach, but her grief is raw and constant. It doesn’t help that every night in her dreams she kills demons and other hell spawn.

And then Rafa comes to town. Not only does he look exactly like the guy who’s been appearing in Gaby’s dreams, he claims a history with her brother that makes no sense. Gaby is forced to accept that what she thought she knew about herself and her life is only a shadow of the truth, and that the truth is more likely to be found in the shadows of her nightmares.

Who is Rafa? Who are the Rephaim? And most importantly, who can she trust?
Twelve months after the accident that changed her life, Gaby is still morning the loss of her twin brother Jude. Gaby calls the small town of Pandanus Beach home, sharing a small bungalow with the effervescent Maggie and working as a part time librarian. But it's her nightmares that plague Gaby's thoughts, monsters and demons that are determined to destroy her, while she watches the mysterious green eyed stranger wielding a sword to protect her life. Hoping to win a short story competition to help make ends meet, Gaby submits a story created from her vivid nightmares... Until the green eyed stranger strolls into town.

Rafa brings stories of the Rephaim, the offspring of the fallen angels who wander the Earth in hiding. Rafa knew Gaby and twin brother Jude before their supposed accident, that her memories have been planted and Gaby isn't the mere mortal she claims to be. But Rafa represents one side of an internal feud between the Rephaim, a rogue group that doesn't believe in the teachings of the angel Nathaniel and have chosen to go their separate ways, the remaining half angels living and training at The Sanctuary.

But is isn't only Rafa who has arrived in Pandanus Beach to find her, those at The Sanctuary are desperate to find out why Gaby's memories have been altered and why she and brother Jude were on the run after a decade apart. None more so than Daniel, a Rephaite who once shared his life with Gaby and has now taken a vested interest in her bond with Rafa.

Why does everyone believe that Gaby should be dead? It seems whoever altered her memories, is trying to hide a secret that threatens to blow their world apart. With a band of demons wanting to capture her, it's not only Gaby's life that's in danger, but a war that will spill into the human world.

Kelly's Thoughts

Wow. Just wow.

Shadows was nothing short of incredible. Mixing the age old angels verses demon mythology, strong and sassy characters and an intense, slow burning romance. Deliciously so. It follows the story of Gaby, mourning the loss of her brother almost a year prior and attempting to find normalcy in the coastal Australian town. Gaby is a brilliant character, relatable, likable and adds sass to the storyline. She and best friend Maggie are a formidable pair and have a wonderful friendship of strength and solidarity. And then Rafa arrives.


I was officially swooning.

Rafa is everything you want in a love interest. The slow burn, the intensity. He smoulders, he'll seduce you and you'll love every moment. Rafa is the reason why we need flame retardant paperbacks. But beyond the intense love slash hate relationship he and Gaby share, they also share a history. One that Gaby can't remember. Not only are her fellow Rephaim accusing her of a crime she can't recall, but a past love in Daniel is leading the charge. Daniel isn't a villain, but a pretentious follower of Nathanial, a fallen angel who is using the Rephaim to cleanse his own sins. He claims to adhere to a higher power that no one has seen, but all follow blindly. It's no wonder Jude had escaped the The Sanctuary ten years prior, scoffing at their beliefs and going rogue along with a small group of Rephaim. Including Rafa.

I loved the inclusion of Angel lore, the Fallen and the angelic hierarchy that Paula Weston infused so beautifully. The history of the Rephaim was scattered throughout, often allowing the reader to learn the story behind the mythology as Gaby herself is taught. My only wish was that Gaby stop describing everything she smelt. Boys rarely smell nice, even angels I suspect. It would have been more convincing has she described Rafa as smelling like feet and farts. Stop sniffing people Gaby, it's creepy and the quickest path to becoming a social pariah.

The Final Verdict

I loved it and considering that paranormal romance isn't my genre of choice, I was thrown into a world that excited, engaged and enthralled me. From page one. Now with all four titles in the series out now, it's the perfect time to binge read. I've flown through the series, having already read the first three in only four days. And for a reader who tends not to finish many series', that's a testament to how incredible Paula Weston's vision is. READ. IT.

29 comments

  1. Yassss! I'm so glad you've finally discovered this series. I'm waiting for the rest of the books to come because Paula can be such a cruel author sometimes (oh, the cliffies!).

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    1. I've finished the series Joy and absolutely LOVED every moment. The series actually gets better and better with each installment. With the conclusion Burn being absolutely epic! I'm only sorry that I didn't discover the series sooner!

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  2. Jeepers! I don't think I've seen such raptures over a book from you in awhile! It's quite convincing, even though the summary sounds on the boring side. I'm looking for this one ASAP

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    1. The synopsis really doesn't do it justice Alyssa, it's absolutely brilliant! It's a mixture of urban fantasy and paranormal romance, but with so much sass, attitude and most importantly, swoon!

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  3. Rafa sounds like an angel after my own heart! There isn't nearly enough home grown fantasy in Australia, so I am completely and 100% going to purchase this book - with all the more confidence because you love it! I love the idea of angel lores, but I have not found an angel book I enjoy yet (then again, my experience is pretty much limited to Hush, Hush and some other forgettable title). I am *so* excited to read this. What a beautiful review Kells, the only way I can do your review justice is to go off and get the book hehe!

    *runs off to kindle store*

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    1. Yes, you need this series in your life Aentee! Angel themed books have been a real hit or miss for me too, mostly miss sadly. But this series blew me away. Each installment is stronger than the last and the conclusion is nothing short of epic. I can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  4. YES YES YES YES!! I'm so excited you enjoyed this first book, Kelly! I absolutely love it and even though I still have 2 books left to read, I can already tell that it's going to be an all-time favorite. I'm so happy to see you swoon over Rafe as well! Love that boy so much. I'm not much for angel mythology, but this one really worked for me.
    Wonderful review, Kelly!

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    1. Oh, wasn't he glorious Nick! I don't swoon often, but Rafa was such a well developed and moody character. This fast became one of my favourite series and even better still that it's Australian young adult too!

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  5. I love that this book incorporates some angel and demon mythology. Always a favorite for me when it comes to paranormal romance. I am also curious how Rafa knows her dead brother :D

    Sarah @ One Curvy Blogger

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    1. The storyline is delicious Sarah, but still so easy to follow. It's much more than the mythology, and it's gently woven through too, so no big blocks of information dumping. It's been the best angel series I've come across, it blows Angelfall out of the water!

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  6. haha that's kind of hilarious that Gaby sniffs people all the time!! Awesome review though. I haven't read these. I used to read a lot more paranormal romance, but it's cool that you liked this one even when the genre isn't your favorite. Always a good sign. :)

    -Lauren

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    1. It's right throughout the series too. I don't know why I picked up on it, but it's quite funny. I haven't been a big fan of paranormal romance, but love urban fantasy and the mix is absolutely brilliant. Definitely grab a copy Lauren, you'll love this one!

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  7. OMMGGG If I'm swooning over your review then you know it was a good one! And A SERIES you say? Oh count me in! I NEED to add this to Goodreads like so five seconds ago! Gosh I can't wait to read this. I can't read the rest of your awesome reviews to this series and glad you had so much fun reading it!♡

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    1. The series is absolutely brilliant, it's been the best angel series I've come across Keionda. Not only the storyline, but the sexual tension is absolutely delicious! I can't wait for you to grab a copy.

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  8. WASN'T THIS SO GREAT? I loved the way it flashed back between the present and the past--that really worked for me. And it's 100 times more awesome knowing that the author is Australian ;) I'll definitely be interested to see what Paula Weston comes out with next--because I'll definitely be getting it!

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    1. Me too Kara. She's incredible! I was tiring of urban fantasy, that's why I stopped reading it for so long. But she's invigorated my love for the genre again and it's a bonus her being a fellow Aussie too, and so humble and down to earth.

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  9. Okay WOAH, you're always reading something I know NOTHING about! I haven't read Paranormal in soooo long, and I told myself that I seriously need to buy more of it. I recently purchased The Evolution of Mara Dyer so I can finish the trilogy, so I'll be getting this as well. I need to step my paranormal game up! I haven't read UF in a while either, and since I've NEVER read angel mythology before, this is where I'll be starting! Amazing review as usual Kellz :)

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    1. I loved Mara Dyer! Awesome series too that gets darker with each book. The Rephaim series has been utterly brilliant Tika, the sexual tension is delicious and so, so sexy.

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  10. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS
    I AM SO GLAD YOU LOVED IT.
    I read the first book a couple years ago and felt very similarly. I loved Gaby's wit and I love her relationship with her best friend (and I like that she didn't hide things for her!)

    And Rafa is such a great interest. He may be based on stereotypes but he is so much more than that and I had so much fun reading about him (AND HIS INTERACTIONS WITH GABY!)

    You are going to have so much fun! :) I cannot wait to read your interview with Paula! :)

    Amazing review, Kelly :)

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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    1. Thanks Rashika. I've loved the series! I read all four books in only five days and I can't remember the last time I've even wanted to binge read an entire series. I cried during the last book, I just didn't want to let these characters go!

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  11. I'm so glad you found a book that gave you a sense of escapism! I've been having the worst of luck with books on my end (sigh). I can't help but compare this book to Angelfall though - fallen angels? Rafa? In Angelfall we have an angel named Raffe! Have you read Angelfall by chance?

    This is not to say that Shadows is not worth looking into, but I have to wonder :/

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    1. I've read Angelfall too Claudia, and this is completely different. I actually loved Shadows so much more! It's not as dark and more urban fantasy as well. There is so much snark and humour thrown in, not to mention so many likable characters and a brilliant take on The Book of Enoch and angel lore. I think you'd adore this series. It gets better with each installment too.

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    2. The Book of Enoch!? Okay, I'm in! I kid you not, my hubby and I are utterly fascinated with the context found within the actual Book of Enoch. It would be interesting to see where the author takes this story. Needless to say, there are glowing reviews for this series on Goodreads! I don't know how I missed this one :/

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  12. "Rafa is the reason why we need flame retardant paperbacks."

    OKAY. YOU GOT ME THERE XD I need to read this series asap. *scurries off* Also, the inclusion of Angel lore sounds great, because I love mythology and folklore in fiction. T'is wonderful.

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    1. It's actually a read now download on Netgalley at the moment Nirvana, so no excuses. Off you go. Looking forward to seeing your thoughts.

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  13. WOW, brilliant review. I have had a copy of this for so long and just never got to it. I definitely need to hurry up and get to it because it sounds amazing. You have sold me on this, I will be gobbling it up as soon as I can.

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    1. It's really an amazing series Charnell, I read all four books in only five days and simply couldn't put it down! Really looking forward to seeing what you think of it.

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  14. Whoa this one sounds amazing!! "Shadows was nothing short of incredible. Mixing the age old angels verses demon mythology, strong and sassy characters and an intense, slow burning romance." WHOA. Can I just read this now?! Slowburn romance, sassy characters, and a great mix of angels and demonology. I NEED THIS BOOK. Awesome review, I'm hooked <3

    Rachel @ A Perfection Called Books

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  15. It's been ages since I heard of a YA book about angels! It was a super popular trend some time back and I guess the hype just died down. So I am super happy to hear about this book, because I really loved the concept of fallen angels. Plus this book sounds amazing on its own! Slow burn, strong characters, action? Sign me up!

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