by Melanie Karsak
Series: Harvesting #2
Genres: Paranormal, Horror, Fantasy
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
When Layla took the final step through the labyrinth, she thought she was saving the ones she loved. She couldn’t have been more wrong. The unwitting victims of a grudge seething for eons, Layla and the other survivors now find themselves in a war for our world. With vampires lurking and shapechangers plotting vengeance, if mankind has any hope of survival, Layla must decide whom to trust: the carnie girl? The quiet doctor? The tarot reader? The stranger with alluring gold eyes? Or the man she loves? And then there are the voices. What does it forewarn if the dead can speak? When the world burns, mankind’s shadow side rises. Do we deserve to survive?
After loving the Harvesting, I was excited to begin The Shadow Aspect by Melanie Karsak, the second novel in her Harvesting series. Karsak perfectly blends fantasy and horror creating a tantalizing, nail-biting story that kept me on edge.
I loved the Harvesting, which started out like a typical zombie apocalypse and quickly blew my mind. Midway, a novella in the series gave us Cricket’s story and it totally rocked. Shadow Aspect picks up right where the Harvesting left off and we wasted no time diving right back into the action.
Admittedly, I struggled to regain my footing and reconnect with the characters since the story dove straight back into the tale as if I simply flipped to the next page. In fact, I stopped and went back to read my review of Harvesting. I am glad that I did, because the opening scenes were intense as our group suffered losses, and faced danger. After my refresher, I quickly slipped into the story and reconnected with the main characters. In this instance, I think a recap or prologue would have been beneficially.
This time we find ourselves in a different setting as we are introduced to new characters. Layla is uncertain of whom to trust but she is stubbornly determined to keep her group safe. They find themselves at the mercy of another group of humans who have found sanctuary with the walls of a university. Tristan, whom we met towards the end of Midway, is present, as is Cricket. They both will play an integral part in the story as it unfolds. The romance between Layla and James continues, as do other budding relationships showing that even at the end of times, we are capable of happy moments. These are secondary to the main plot, but serve to flesh out our characters and endear them to the reader.
Zombies are still wreaking havoc, as are the vampires but Karsak has hinted at more throughout the series and we finally learn that we are the unwitting victims of a battle that has raged for eons. She weaves a complex tale, with foreshadowing and strong, unique characters. A woman within the group reads tarot cards and her readings are uncanny. A Doctor tries to find a cure, and Layla makes a startling discovery. Tristan shows himself, and oh lordy things are about to get complicated. Brilliant and original I become completely caught up in the story.
The Shadow Aspect was action-packed, with intense battle scenes that will leave you biting your nails. Think Walking Dead with supernatural and paranormal twists. Karsak is a genre bender taking my love of zombie apocalypses and weaving in a surprising fantasy aspect that held me spellbound. Her characters are strong, particularly her female characters who are not afraid to leap into battle and take heads. I loved it, but do not become attached because Karsak will rip your heart out and leave you bawling.
The Shadow Aspect ends with nail-biting cliffhanger. No! No! No! I slammed the book shut and screamed. You best be writing Ms. Karsak..and quickly! Please.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Bookworm Brandee
This sounds amazing, Kimberly. Unique with great characters. But I don’t know how I feel about zombies. *ducks head*
kimbacaffeinate
I get it, and at times we have intense scenes with them, but this also has another element to it..so maybe it would be a good one to try.
Jennifer Bielman
Eeeee, this sounds badass! I love the cover. And you know I love zombies.
kimbacaffeinate
Zombie, vampires and other things…oh yeah you would totally like these
Paij Slater
Thanks for the heads up on the cliff hanger, I will wait to start the series until they are ALL out :)! Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
haha..chicken.
Priscilla and her Books
This reminds of School Spirits, a YA novel I read a couple of weeks back. “I loved it, but do not become attached because Karsak will rip your heart out and leave you bawling.” Boy, am I curious with this quote! 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah. she got me. She really did.
ShootingStarsMag
No, not a cliffhanger!! This sounds like a really awesome series though.
kimbacaffeinate
It is a great series..i just need more now!
Faye la Patata
Damn. I just added both books to my TBR and am biting my nails because I want to read them both, and soon. I am such a fan of horror survival, and seeing how kick-ass this is, I have a feeling I’m going to have a wild ride. AMAZING REVIEW, KIMBERLY!!! This is one excited bookworm over here 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Still totally worth it, and the novellas pack a punch too. She has another novella due out in October!
The Bibliophile Babe
Damn cliffy! This sounds really good; I haven’t read many zombie books!
kimbacaffeinate
Such a fun, nail-biting series. I hope you try them out!
Felicia the Geeky Blogger
What the what….cliffhanger. The horror part of this appeals to me a LOT! It was already on my radar but now I am sure I want it but the question is do I wait cause we all know me and cliffhangers do not get a long at ALL>
kimbacaffeinate
Me too Felicia, and I like that while this is horror, she weaves in this unexpected fantasy aspect that totally makes sense in regard to the current horror.
Debbie Haupt
Great review Kim, its a love hate thing when starting another book in a series takes right off from the last one, especially if you have to wait a while for the new one to release. It’s why many times I’ll wait until there are at least two books in a series before I delve. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
That makes sense Debbie. I have a love hate thing going with the cliffy.
Stormi
This series is on my list. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yay I am glad Stormi. I really like this author
Candace
Probably a bit too scary for me but I’ve heard a lot of good things about the first book.
kimbacaffeinate
It can get intense Candace..but isn’t overly gruesome. Nail-biting yes.
Sophia Rose
Sounds like a good kinds of creepy tingle, but good to know about the cliffie.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes,,if the cliffy made me scream I had to warn ya’ll
Mary Kirkland
Woohoo, vampires and zombies. Sounds good to me.
kimbacaffeinate
This is a neat series. It started like a horror series and took a twist that has me hooked.
Ramona
Fantasy and horror blend sounds like a winning mix 🙂 I’m going to check out the first book. Thank you for this recommendation, Kimba, it’s fantastic!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Ramona, it really is clever and keeps you engaged.
Haniya
Action packed scenes!! Strong female characters! Nail biting story and a cliffhanger!! This sounds like a hot series!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you decide to try them Haniya. I am having fun with it!
Anna
I get the feeling I must read this series. If it makes you this happy, I know it will be glorious. 🙂
Anna from Elements of Writing
kimbacaffeinate
I really am enjoying it, thanks Anna!
Braine Talk Supe
I’m on the lookout for a good zombie book, the ones I’ve tried so far aren’t to my liking. I enjoyed her steampunk series, this zombie series just might be my ticket to the decaying undead
kimbacaffeinate
This is twisted Braine, I think you will totally enjoy it. I love her steampunk books too
kindlemom1
This looks like it would be perfect for Something Wicked this year!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh yes…perfect!
blodeuedd
It kind of looks like she has stabbed herself
kimbacaffeinate
LOL *scrolls back up to cover* Yeah kind of..freaky
Sarah
Oh boy, those cliffhangers are hell, aren’t they?? Though I do like the sound of this world with vampires and zombies 😀 I love The Walking Dead, so I love that you compared The Shadow Aspect to TWD with a supernatural world. I love it!
kimbacaffeinate
This world is cool, intense and will keep you engaged Sarah.
Brandi Breathes Books
Action packed with intense battle sounds great for this one.
kimbacaffeinate
Right..I love when you cannot set it down.
Jenny
I do not like the sound of that cliffhanger Kim!!!! Not one little bit. And it’s always a touch frustrating when a book picks up immediately where the last one left off and doesn’t give any kind of well-integrated reminders as to the previous book, especially if there’s been 6 months to a year in between. Still, it sounds like that wasn’t enough to detract from your enjoyment and I’m glad this was such a great read for you!
kimbacaffeinate
I know..and it was all oh my god, eep, and noooooooooooooooo!!!
Nick
Fantasy and horror? Interesting! I like the sound of this, but I’m not gonna lie, I’m terrified of zombies. But also, cliffhanger! Boo! I dislike them more often than not. Anyways, I”m glad this series is going strong for you, Kim.
kimbacaffeinate
I have a love hate thing with cliffies…on one hand I was all no you cannot do that and on the other hand I cannot wait for the next book.
Melanie Simmons
Now I want to read this, but a cliffhanger. NOOOOOO! Maybe I’ll wait for the next book to be released because this does sound really interesting. I’m really starting to love more zombie books. I haven’t read one with zombies and vampires.
kimbacaffeinate
They are good but yes I want them closer together.
Lover Of Romance
wow!! this sounds way intense and really packs a punch. Not a big zombie fan though, but it does sound intriguing.
kimbacaffeinate
I like how this blends fantasy and other paranormal creatures..it really is quite the ride.
Naomi
Now, this is a little freaky… we are review twins today!!
I thought this was a good follow on too. I liked meeting the new characters, but I had to do a little refresher too, so I read my review and the last few chapters.
Great review girl!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, that is too funny 🙂 I am glad to hear it wasn’t just me 🙂
Melliane
Oh it’s nice, a new zombies story! It’s been a while since I haven’t read one so I confess that I’m quite curious! thanks for sharing!
kimbacaffeinate
This is quite clever with more than just zombies.