Review: Ecstasy: The Shadowdwellers

Ecstasy: The Shadowdwellers
Author: Jacquelyn Frank
Publisher: Zebra
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages

Summary: Among the Shadowdwellers, Trace holds power that some as willing to kill for. Without a stranger's aid, one rival would surely have succeeded, but Trace's brush with death is less surprising to him than his reaction to the beautiful, fragile human who heals him. By rights, Trace should hardly even register Ashla's existence within the realms of Shadowscape, but instead he is drawn to everything about her - her innocence, her courage, and her lush, sensual heat.

I bought my first Jacquelyn Frank book because of recommendations from fans of J.R. Ward. I like stories of tortured heroes and heroines who heal each other through their love. I'm a sap like that. I also enjoy erotic scenes within this context. Before I go on, I would like to say that perhaps I should have started with her earlier series, The Nightwalkers. I did find out that one of those characters showed up in this book, so their is some connection.

I had a hard time getting through this book to my dismay. I wanted to like it. Oddly, I found myself liking the side characters more than Trace and Ashla, the main characters. The erotic scenes seemed to pop up almost as if plugged into the plot, rather than working within it, if that makes sense. The world of the Shadowdwellers was interesting, but I felt it was confusing at times, almost as if there weren't enough details in the beginning.

Towards the end of the book I did start getting more of a feel for the characters and their personalities. I felt Ashla wasn't developed enough. She went from shy, confused and beaten down to feisty and sarcastic a little too quickly.

I don't think I will continue this series, but I do have to admit I wish I'd started with her Nightwalkers series first. That may have been part of my problem with this book. If anyone has feedback on this please leave a comment.

You can read Chapter 1 on the author's website here.



~Moonsanity