The Darkness of Shadows by Chris Little Review

Title: The Darkness of Shadows

Author: Chris Little

My Rating: 3.5/5

Part of a series? Not at the time of posting

Genre(s): Urban fantasy 

Description/Blurb:

Natalie’s parents weren't the nurturing type—and she has the physical and emotional wounds to prove it. For sixteen years she’s hidden behind a wall of sarcasm and decadent desserts, but now her father is back, and she has only one thought: to kill him before he can hurt the family that took her in.

But there’s more to his darkness than even his own daughter can understand, and a gun is no defence against magic that can raise the dead.

It turns out those scars he left on Natalie’s back were more than just a sadistic hobby. Now her father demands that she finish a ritual so ancient, so terrifying, that even the vampires and werewolves are nervous.

My review: 

An interesting take on the world of Urban Fantasy this. Our main character is not a superwoman; she doesn't go running off after the bad guys, she hobbles after them and for most of the book she’s in the dark about a few things regarding the world of magic. For a start for a long time Nat doesn't believe in the whole magic thing which is a bit of an issue considering her deranged father is quite good at it.

This is quite a good first novel from Chris Little, the plot is well constructed and the little of the mythology we do learn is easy to grasp as it follows some of the basic rules we’re used to but there are a few changes in there to keep it interesting. A couple of the characters do seem to be more of a stereotype than a well-developed character as Tina seems like a self-centred bitch stereotype without any more real development, there didn't seem to be a believable motivation for her more extreme actions. Nat’s father was a little better developed, and I get that he was meant to be some sort of insane, beyond reason sort of villain but the author had a chance to go into how he became that way while talking about the characters’ past and didn't go into it. The pace of the plot isn't really suitable for the type of reader who constantly needs something going on to keep them interested in the story, but I enjoyed it. I was able to sit back and relax for a bit before the next major event came along and added some more drama.

Overall, I’d recommend this to an urban fantasy fan who likes a book being filled with magic but is light on the mythology (saves you having to remember loads of obscure species names etc.). It’s  not a great read if you’re easily frustrated by books as at times you may feel an urge to yell at the main characters but it’s an enjoyable read all the same, you don’t have to be in love with all the characters to enjoy the book.