Rising Shadows (World in Shadows #1) by Bridget Blackwood
I don't usually go with half stars on a review, but this book was too good to be considered average, but had just a handful of small things that kept it from a four. The beginning of the book was incredibly confusing at first. We are thrown into a world with very little explanation - very much like the main character is. The author does a good job of showing the reader the confusion Rachel experiences, but I just don't like being confused - a personal thing.
Once Rachel hooked up with the paranormals things got much much better. I love the world Bridget Blackwood has created. It was a great mix of reality and fantasy with the paranormal trying to fit in, but never quite being able to all the way. But Rachel is an anomaly, she doesn't fit in either world and her abilities and trust will be pushed to their limits.
I don't want to give too much away about the romance because it comes fast and sudden and is a turning point to the story. They are incredibly sweet and loyal to each other and seem like a great match. Their relationship was a great way to develop and really show off the good and bad of both characters.
There were tons of side characters that I would love to know more about. I think the politics and relationships Blackwood has started to develop here could turn into a very successful series. *This book was received in exhange for an honest review*