Blog Tour & Contest: Shadow Blade

Shadow Blade
Shadowchasers Series
by Seressia Glass
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Paperback, 352 pages
Available at Indie Bound, Powells, Barnes & Noble

Summary: Kira's day job as an antiquities expert, but her true calling is as a Shadowchaser. Someone is turning the city of Atlanta upside-down in search of a four-millennia-old Egyptian dagger that just happens to have fallen into Kira's hands. Then there's Khefar, the dagger's true owner-a near-immortal 4000-year-old Nubian warrior who, Kira has to admit, looks pretty fine for his age. Joining forces is the only way to keep the weapon safe from the sinister Shadow force.

I received Shadow Blade from the publisher so I could participate in the Blog Tour today. Seressia Glass is a new author for me, and I hadn't heard anything about the book, so I didn't know what to expect. First, I must say I think the book is unique because of the author's use of Egyptian mythology. The main character is aligned with the Goddess Maat, who is known for "regulating the stars, seasons, and the actions of both mortals and the deities, who set the order of the universe from chaos at the moment of creation." (Wikipedia). Because I'm not familiar with these traditions it did take me just a little bit to get settled in to the book, but once I did, it was a fast paced, action filled read.

I would consider Shadow Blade an urban fantasy, though not overly dark. The main characters, Kira, and later Khefar, are both set in their mission, their purpose in life, both assuming happiness is not really part of the program. I love the way the author develops the relationship between them. Though there is sexual tension, it's more complex than that for both of them as they have to learn to depend on one another. The chemistry between the characters is many layered is the best way I can describe it. The side characters are fascinating too, and well thought out. I love the character of Nansee. He offers comic relief, but he's also very interesting as he helps without "interfering", using cooking, stories and humor to guide his friends. All of Ms. Glass's characters are so alive and rich, making the reader want to know more about them.

Shadow Chase, the second book in the Shadowchasers series, will be coming out July 27th, 2010. I think it's going to be even better than the first book, which means it will be phenomenal. If you are a fan of Jessica Andersen, Patricia Briggs, or Kelly Gay I think you will really enjoy Shadow Blade.

THE SHADOW BLADE CONTEST
I've really enjoyed reading all the comments on the blog tour contests I've been having, so I'm going to continue with asking you a question to answer as your contest entry.

Authors will often write about a supernatural world of their own making or they will base their world on a mythology like Seressia Glass has done. Do you prefer one over the other, or is it the writing and the plot that matters more to you?

If you don't have an email linked to a Google account profile please leave your email in the comments. This contest will end Sunday, March 7th and I'll post the winner on Monday. I will use the random number generator to choose one person who will win a copy of Shadow Blade.

~Moonsanity