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    Shadows
    Shadows
    Shadows
    Audiobook4 hours

    Shadows

    Written by Jennifer L. Armentrout

    Narrated by Justine Eyre

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    The last thing Dawson Black expected was Bethany Williams. As a Luxen, an alien life form on Earth, human girls are . . . well, fun. But since the Luxen have to keep their true identities a secret, falling for one would be insane. Dangerous. Tempting. Undeniable.

    Bethany can't deny the immediate connection between her and Dawson. And even though boys aren't a complication she wants, she can't stay away from him. Still, whenever they lock eyes, she's drawn in. Captivated. Lured. Loved.

    Dawson is keeping a secret that will change her existence . . . and put her life in jeopardy. But even he can't stop risking everything for one human girl. Or from a fate that is as unavoidable as love itself.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateMay 13, 2013
    ISBN9781452681689
    Author

    Jennifer L. Armentrout

    Jennifer L. Armentrout (also known as J. LYNN) is the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Wait for You and the Young Adult Lux and Covenant series, among other books. She writes steamy and fun New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. She is published with Entangled Teen and Brazen, SHP, Disney/Hyperion, and Harlequin Teen.

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    Reviews for Shadows

    4/5

    203 ratings23 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I thought reading this book was going to help my crazed state. Well, guess what? Not happening! Now I'm overly, doubly, superbly fanatical over the second book! How can you do this to me, Armentrout? Where's Onyx and when the hell can I get my claws on that delicious book already! Shadows was crazy, awesome, a wild different read. I knew the end result since I read Obsidian but I never thought that events would turn out the way it did. I was expecting it but the ending still buffeted me in the face and landed on me on my fat ass. Jeez, thanks a lot. So now, please please pretty please won't you hurry up the publication for Onyx? Because there's one certain devoted fan who's slowly dying from anticipation.
    • 5/5
      Loved this book I love the lux series great book
    • 5/5
      Good backstory to read right after Obsidian. I love how JLA makes Dawson obviously Daemon's brother but unique and adorable in his own way.
    • 4/5
      I can't help hearing of Young love by the Judds in my head. The story revolves around Dawson and Bethany. The new girl in school finds out she is surrounded by Luxen when Dawson accidentally lights up the bedroom appearing in his true form after having kissed Bethany. What choice does he have but to entrust her with the truth of who he was? When they are attacked by Arum, Dawson and Bethany disappear and are presumed dead. It ends on that cliffhanger.
    • 4/5
      In this prequel novella to Jennifer L. Armentrout’s “Lux” series, we meet Dawson Black, the much more outgoing brother of Daemon, whom we met in Obsidian. Even though this is a prequel, I’m going to say right up front that it is probably best to read it AFTER you read Obsidian – I feel some things that occur or are mentioned will actually make more sense if you’ve read that book first. This story will actually give you a little more background and expand a bit on what was mentioned in the first novel. Now on to the review.

      Right out of the gate, I loved the characters of Dawson and Bethany. They are, without a doubt, soulmates. Attraction is instant for Dawson, and he is not shy about showing it. He displays his interest in Bethany from the moment he meets her in class, much to the dismay of his brother Daemon and the other Luxen at school. I especially liked the fact that even though he is the more laid back brother, he does have a temper and will defend his family or Bethany if they are threatened. Bethany is a quiet, artistic soul who is surprised when she finds herself being pursued by the gorgeous Dawson. She is attracted to him, too, but has just had a bad break-up with her cheating ex-boyfriend so she is a little wary that Dawson is not as trustworthy as he appears. She is also struggling with a very overprotective mother, who became pregnant with Bethany when she was 16 years old and doesn’t want the same thing to happen to her daughter.

      For some readers, the instant attraction of these two may be a problem, but I really felt these two were meant to be together – maybe since I knew they were a couple before reading the story. The ease of their romance is offset by the hostility it engenders in the other Luxen; the fear of discovery is always at the forefront of their minds and falling in love with a human would definitely add to the worry. As they grow closer, the other Luxen definitely show their hostility to the relationship and Bethany starts to notice a few odd things about Dawson such as glowing eyes, supernatural speed, etc. She tries to ignore these anomalies, but when he unexpectedly shows his true self Dawson has to tell Bethany who and what he really is.

      I enjoyed getting into the characters’ heads. Shadows is told from multiple points of view, so we see inside Dawson, Bethany and even Daemon to understand the insecurities, fears, and concerns they all have. This really helped me feel closer to them. When tragedy struck (and there were actually two very significant events in this story) it had more impact since I was so involved with the characters. I was also left with some really big questions after reading this – what was the ultimate fate of Dawson and Bethany, and how did these events change Bethany?

      While this is a short story, there are some major events and a lot of character development going on, so this is a definite “must read” for fans. It helps show why the Luxen are so hostile to any relationship with humans – even something so simple as eating lunch with them at school. Shadows left me craving more of all of these characters, and the wait for Onyx in August just got a lot more difficult!
    • 4/5
      I went into this without knowing anything. I was surprised by how much I liked it. It’s YA PNR where the non-human is an alien. I didn’t even read the blurb so that was even an unknown to me. I mostly liked the characters and plot throughout, but definitely that ending caught my attention the most. I’m eager to continue the series.
    • 2/5
      This novella is a prequel to the Lux series, but I'd recommend reading at least the first book before reading it. It details the ultimately doomed Bethany and Dawson, Daemon's twin brother, who we are told in Obsidian are both dead because of their forbidden human-alien relationship.I must say that I like Dawson much better than Daemon, just because Daemon is so freaking overbearing. But I just didn't get many sparks in Dawson and Bethany's relationship, and it took me forever to read this book because there was nothing really intriguing here for me. I read this book after Onyx, which may have been a mistake, so I already knew a lot more about Dawson and Bethany than I would have had I read this after Obsidian. The relationship between Dawson and Bethany is definitely instalove, which I don't care for in books.Altogether, I don't feel that this adds much to the Lux series.
    • 4/5
      The first book in the Lux series, Obsidian, caught me off guard with its fresh and exciting brand of Sci-Fi action romance. Obsidian is pure fun and entertainment and leaves you craving for more. I jumped at the chance to read this novella to learn more about the mysterious events hinted at in Obsidian and to get more insight into the alien world.

      The setup of the series is a group of displaced aliens set up home in West Virginia, including the Black triplets: Dawson, Daemon, and Dee. They are supposed to keep a low profile, blend in and stick to themselves, while fighting off another evil faction of aliens that’s after their powers. The first book focuses on Daemon and the challenges that occur when sparks fly between him and human newcomer Katy. In this prequel we find out the story behind Dawson’s ill-fated romance with human Bethany.

      At first I thought I wouldn’t be as engaged with Dawson and Bethany’s story as I was with Daemon and Katy’s. But, I was quickly won over by Dawson’s sweet nature, and rooting for a different outcome than the inevitable. They are really interesting characters in their own right and help to round out the group. Their story also helps shed some character insight into stormy Daemon’s behavior. The brothers couldn’t be more opposite, but have a fierce family loyalty all the same. If you found Daemon too mean or over the top, prepare to be won over by Dawson.

      The story is told in dual narration so we get to see Bethany’s reaction to the alien family, and get cool tidbits from Dawson’s life at home. Bethany likes to paint, and she has an adorable baby brother. She is less feisty than Katy, but rolls with the punches pretty well considering the circumstances, and the frosty reception from the other alien sibs Ash, Adam and Andrew. Dawson and Bethany’s romance is bittersweet but I remain hopeful that their story will continue somehow.

      The novella is a generous size at 180 pages and it packs in a lot of story that adds a new dimension to the Lux series. Even though it is a prequel, I think it works better to read it after Obsidian. Shadows is a worthwhile read for Obsidian fans and a nice distraction while waiting for the next installment. I’m even more eager to read Onyx, due out this August.
    • 4/5
      This story is so sweet and so sad. I'm glad I've read it after Onyx, though.
    • 4/5
      Normally the novellas released as in-between parts of a series are really short, so I was pleasantly surprised by how long this was! I seriously paid $3.99 for a "novella" once that was literally 20 pages, so when this one kept going on and on I felt like I had won the lottery.I was so excited to get to know more about Dawson, Bethany, and their relationship before all the crap hit the fan. Dawson was so sweet and adorable, the complete polar opposite of his twin brother Daemon. It also made it so much sadder seeing how he was before and knowing how he is after, when he's an empty shell haunted by all he's been through. Bethany was actually totally different than expected. Now I don't know if it was just me being stupid but I thought Bethany was a blonde?? At least that's how I always pictured her, with pin straight blonde hair and kind of mousy. I never felt like I knew Bethany from reading the other books. Dawson was so in love with her but she just seemed so blah. I enjoyed getting her POV and seeing that she was just as much in love with Dawson as he was with her. Overall, this was a great addition to the Lux Series and I'm hoping there are some more novellas to come!! Maybe one about the Thompson siblings?
    • 5/5
      Shadows (Lux # .5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

      Shadows in a short novella which fills in some blank spots about Daemons brother Dawson Black.

      Since I’ve read Obsidian (Lux #1) first this story gave me some of the unanswered questions I had about the missing brother and what may have happened to them.

      Even though this is a short story it is a great read, Dawson and Bethany are a great couple and I loved their story.

      If you’re a fan of Jennifer L. Armentrout writing this is a must read.
      Shadows is about Dawson and Bethany how they met, the feelings, the romance, the acceptance of each other and oh did I mention hot boy.

      This short novel fills in some blank areas and you get to see how Dawson and Daemon are very different from each other but yet both swoon worthy. Best part is you get to read what happened to Dawson and Bethany and understand why they are not in Obsidian, the only question left is have they been taken by the DOD, are they dead? One can only hope they appear safe and sound…. This again is another must read!

      Jennifer has out done herself with this short novel and I have rated it another 5 star rating as I absolutely love her writing and the Lux Series. I recommend it to all my friends and followers.
    • 4/5
      This whole series has been a blast to read. Shadows is set before book one and goes into depth about a growing relationship that we've chronologically captured in bits and pieces of subsequent books in the series. This is a bittersweet telling we know will lead to... oh, read the books to find out. Great YA sci-fi. Equally great writing. Now waiting (im)patiently for book 4....
    • 4/5
      After reading Obsidian, I immediately dove into Shadows. It’s a rarity for me not to take a break in between books in a series, but I was so completely obsessed with Daemon and Katy that I needed more. I was also dying of curiosity in regards to Dawson’s and Bethany’s story. I knew this story was going to end sadly, but regardless this prequel was all kinds of awesome.

      Dawson is just swoon worthy…much more so than his cocky brother Daemon. Dawson is sweet, funny, open and just an overall good boy. You see some of these same traits in Daemon, but Dawson is more open and friendly on the outset where as Daemon is closed off. Daemon is not as much as a douche in Shadows as he is in Obsidian. The events in this book are what help change him into the character we meet in Obsidian. You do see the protectiveness of his family and his reasons for acting the way he does way better in Shadows. The danger from the Arum and government are tremendous. You get a little bit of that in Obsidian, but I think Shadows does a better job of setting the world up.

      My problem with this book was Dawson’s love interest- Bethany. Can’t say I really cared for her or saw what he saw in her. She was cool, but I found her bland. I also didn’t like the insta-love thing. Having characters reiterate that they don’t know what it is about the other person that makes him/her loveable or there is something special about this other person without showing how awesome the love interest can be is a cop out and lazy. At least with Kat we got to know her over the course of Obsidian and she had a kickass personality. With Bethany, not so much. She’s introduced as the new girl, Dawson falls for her and it goes from there. I understand the story is short, but being that the relationship of Dawson and Bethany is the catalyst for the craziness in Obsidian and the rest of the series it’s important to make their relationship solid and worth rooting for.

      Even though I’m complaining about the romance part of the book the rest of the plot was enjoyable and I did feel genuinely bad for this couple. Shadows is definitely worth checking out, but do yourself a favor and read it after Obsidian because it helps to see what Daemon has become first. Also, the prequel helps to explain events in Onyx (book 2) as well.
    • 4/5
      After being very reserved when it came to this series, I'm more than surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this.

      Aliens totally aren't my thing but Armentrout made it work for me. The sci-fi is there but not as extreme as I expected. The love story between Dawson and Bethany is the focus point (at least for me ;)).

      The story is fast-paced, even though the story line covers a few months. Maybe a bit too fast-paced, but as "Shadows" is a prequel, I can overlook that.

      As much as I'm not for sci-fi, I wished there were more explanations. For example, right at the start, "DOD" is mentioned and keeps being mentioned all throughout the book - I haven't found an explanation as to what exactly "DOD" stands for (although I have an idea). I hope that will change in the next installment.

      I won't even talk much about the storyline as I won't be able to do it justice.

      So, there we go: 4 solid stars.

      And thanks Kris, for making this series sound irresistible - otherwise I would've missed a great read!
    • 2/5
      Obsidian is an all time favourite of mine but this was just boring. I adored the parts with Daemon and Dee. But Dawson and Bethany? Yawn...
    • 4/5
      Following the love story of a young girl new to town and her introduction to the alien that becomes the love of her life had me swooning like a teenage girl. Not only was it young love but the addition of an alien race and their powers made this one intriguing book that was hard to put down. However, when I reached the end, I was left shaking my kindle in frustration (good frustration) at the ending the author produced and then instantly led me to download the next in the series wanting more. More romance, more sexy aliens and their powers.
    • 4/5
      Bethany Williams never thought her life would change so drastically when she starts a new school in West Virginia. She is talented artist who loves her younger brother, mom and dad and even her ailing uncle that is staying with them during his cancer treatments. Little did she know that her strange attraction to a beautiful boy in her class would pull her into a totally new world.

      Dawson Black is a triplet, he has an identical brother and a sister on the side. He has a huge secret, he is an alien….a being of energy and light in human form. The government does know they exist and keeps close tabs on them. Any every day human that learns of their existence seems to disappear. Dawson is completely drawn to the new girl in school and her name is Bethany.

      Against the advice of his family and other local aliens he continues to pursue Bethany even though it puts his life as well as Bethany’s in danger.

      Can he keep it a secret from the DOD (the government overseeing agency)? Can Dawson’s family and friends accept his love her Bethany and not turn her over? This book contains lots of twists, turns and action while a budding relationship develops into love. I want to comment on the ending but I can’t ruin it for you…
    • 5/5
      Both “Shadows” and “Obsidian” were on my Kindle just begging to be read. And of course, my thought was to read “Shadow” first because it is the beginning of the series and that just makes sense, however I found that “Obsidian” was the recommended read first. After reading the second book first, I fell in loved the character Daemon (review to come soon) and I thought that there was no way I could switch gears to Dawson (Daemon’s twin…alien brother.) I wanted to dive in the third book and get sucked into Daemon and Katy’s world again, but I followed the rules and selected “Shadow” and I am glad that I did.I knew that I would be bound to love this book. I loved the first one and blew my socks off, how could the second one not? And it is true…I couldn’t stop reading it. When I wasn’t reading it, I couldn’t stop thinking about how much I wanted to be reading it. The characters Dawson and Bethany were beautifully written for each other.Dawson is just as swoon-worthy as Daemon minus the snide comments. His love for their sister Dee adorable and his soon to be love for Bethany is just breath taking. How does Jennifer do this to me? Why do I want to be plucked out of my world of safety and placed in the face of danger just so that I can have a love like Dawson and Bethany? This book also answered some questions that were lingering from the first book.The reviews are right; this is a must read series!~BookWhisperer Reviewer MC~
    • 4/5
      Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: Tragic setup for the series to come with a good look at the aliens and how they operate. Opening Sentence: A shadow glided over the frozen hills, moving too quick to likely be cast by something of this Earth.The Review: Shadows, a Lux novella, can be read before or after Obsidian. I actually read this after so the fact the Daemon and Dee had another brother was a complete surprise to me. The events in this novella do happen before Obsidian if you want to read it chronologically. This novella really sets up the Luxen and how they operate and fight. Dawson Black loves his sister and brother. He will do anything to protect them from the evil Arum that hunt down and kill his kind the Luxen, even though his brother Daemon is a stronger fighter. Then one day Bethany Williams moves to town and Dawson is immediately infatuated with her. Luxen are supposed to mate with someone of their own kind but Dawson hasn’t been paired off yet but there is nothing that says he can’t date a human. Bethany is drawn to Dawson. She has no problem telling the difference between him and his identical brother Daemon. Bethany and Dawson begin to spend all their free time together. When the other Luxen try to stop Dawson from his relationship, he gets all territorial and won’t let them anywhere near Bethany. They reluctantly agree to his relationship, it is just too bad that Bethany is a target for the Arum. Dawson is so much nicer than his brother Daemon. He is considerate, kind and only has eyes for Bethany. He only gets mean with others when his relationship is threatened. Dawson is a hopeless romantic when it comes to Bethany. Bethany is tentative and sweet when it comes to Dawson. She believes he is too good to be true especially if she believes the rumors around school. Their relationship blooms quick in this novella. Shadows is told through several different points of view in the third person. Dawson, Bethany and Daemon all get time on the page unlike Obsidian which is told entirely from Katy’s first person point of view. It was excellent seeing the different personalities of Dawson and Daemon play out. Overall, Shadows is an excellent taste into the Lux series. Notable Scene: Andrew turned around, scowling when he saw Dawson. “Unless you’ve come to apologize for being such an ass to me, I don’t want any of what you’re selling.” His sister held a nail file over her fingers. “Somehow I doubt that’s why he’s here, Andy.” “Yeah, you’d be correct on that.” Dawson’s hands formed fists at his sides. “I want you two to listen, because I swear this will be the last time I say this. I want both of you to leave Bethany alone. Don’t talk to her. Don’t approach her. Hell, don’t even consider thinking about her.” Andrew raised himself fluidly, his blue eyes starting to glow like diamonds. “Or what?” The back of Dawson’s neck started to burn. Screw the whole telling him part. He shed his human form in an instant and shot down the narrow aisle, slamming into a still-human Andrew. Over the roar in his ears, he heard Ash’s surprised shriek. The force of his impact took them both all the way to the screen and when they hit, it ripped right over the dickhead’s face. Wrapping his hand around Andrew’s throat, he rose off the ground, dragging the struggling boy with him. Andrew had switched forms, but he couldn’t break Dawson’s hold. Dawson took him all the way to the vaulted ceiling, pinning him there. Or what? Dawson spoke directly into Andrew’s thoughts, driving the point home. You threaten Bethany again, in any way, and I’ll make sure you can’t talk again. To anyone. Ever. Do you understand me? “Dawson!” Ash yelled from below. “What are you doing? Stop! Do something, Adam!” Adam’s laugh followed. “Someone needed to put Andrew in his place. I always figured it would be Daemon. Who knew.”FTC Advisory: I purchased my own copy of Shadows. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
    • 5/5
      Having read Obsidian first, I knew what was coming when I started Shadows, but it didn't make it any less sad.What I loved most about this series is actually getting to learn Dawson, while getting to see another side of Daemon. The boys are pretty much exact opposites, and although Daemon isn't crazy about Dawson's feelings for Bethany, a human girl, he tries to be there for his brother.Knowing how their story would end, I was sure that when the moment came, it wouldn't be a big shock. Nope. It still was. There's so much emotion in that scene. Add in the final scene between Daemon and Dee? It is definitely an emotional end, whether or not you know about what is in store.Shadows manages to include Armentrout's usual humorous lines; most of which come from Dee. Seriously, the scene between Dawson and Dee in his bedroom? Priceless.I'm going to keep this short, as this is only a novella, but if you're planning on skip over this prequel, I'd say you're missing out. Yes, you know what to expect. But Shadows is still an emotional ride worth experiencing.
    • 4/5
      Shadows is the novella that tells the story of Dawson, Daemon and Dee's brother, and Bethany, a human girl. It takes place before Obsidian, but was released after Obsidian (Confusing, I know, haha). This story is good, and I liked Dawson and Bethany just fine. However, I could not keep myself from comparing them to Daemon and Kat, and in my opinion, they just couldn't compete. Daemon and Kat seem like the real deal to me, and Dawson and Bethany had a bit of insta-love going on. They were all syrupy sweet while Daemon and Kat are sarcastic. Because of that, I wasn't into Shadows as much as I was into Obsidian. However, I did enjoy learning about Dawson and Bethany, and this story helped clear up why Daemon is the way he is. Dawson is a bit more laid back than Daemon, and because of that, I can see how people would like him better. He's more social, and he seems to like people more. He's also not afraid to follow his heart, consequences be damned. However, he is flawed. He's extremely selfish, and I feel that he could have been a bit less bratty when pleading his case about Bethany. I believed they should be together if they wanted to be, but I didn't think that he needed to get all pissy about it constantly. Because of his flaws, he came across as very real and easy to relate to. I felt for Dawson, but for the life of me, I couldn't understand his obsession with Bethany. I mean I get being attracted to someone and wanting to get to know them, but he was a bit obsessive about her. Not stalker-type obsessive, but internally obsessive... I hope that makes sense.Don't worry, though. Bethany, too, was obsessed with Dawson. She started painting him and daydreaming about him constantly after she spoke to him once. I expect that behavior more from a female, but I still don't understand it. Bethany is a lot weaker than Kat, and because of that, I didn't like her as much. She's more of a pushover when it comes to letting people walk all over her. She is a nice girl, though, and I did like her... just not as much as Katy (see what I mean with the comparing?). Her personality went well with Dawson's, though, and they seemed to compliment each other nicely. This story read more like a romance than Obsidian. Basically, the plot revolves around the trials and tribulations of Dawson and Bethany's relationship. How they have to overcome obstacles, such as being different species, and how they have to go against mean girls and angry aliens in order to be together. The threat of the DOD and Arum gave the story an underlying sense of danger. There was not a lot of action until the very end. The story, of course, ends abruptly since it's only leading up to Obsidian, so if you haven't read Obsidian yet, the cliffhanger may annoy you. Since I read Obsidian first, it wasn't annoying to me. Basically, you should buy Obsidian when you buy Shadows, then you won't have the cliffhanger problem! :DOverall, I recommend this novella to anyone who is a fan of the Lux series. If you haven't heard of the Lux series, I'd recommend starting with Obsidian, then buying this novella to tide you over until Onyx is released in August. Also, Shadows fills in a lot of the gaps that were present in Obsidian. I know a lot more about Dawson and Bethany's story now, and I also know a lot more about the reasons for Daemon's jerkiness. Furthermore, I feel that Dawson and Bethany paved the way for other aliens to intermingle with humans more if they so desired. In the end, I admire Dawson and Bethany for standing up for their love and what they believe in. I just wish they hadn't been so damn sappy about it.
    • 5/5
      WOW! This was beautifully written. It felt 100% original, the characters felt 100% real and in the end it left me feeling all sorts of emotions.This book takes place before Obsidian and I must say that I wish it would have been released prior to Obsidian. You learn how Dawson and Bethany meet, fall in love and then are no longer. You get to understand why Daemon has such a jacked up attitude in Obsidian. He is still a major league jerk to the extreme and I really don't like him but you understand to a certain extent why. What was a surprise though was that he really wasn't that close to his siblings to begin with. Total weirdness.Be prepared to go through a bunch of emotions. Empty is the only word I can think of to describe the feeling I felt upon ending the book. I was crying, jaw open and feeling utter emptiness. I was actually hoping that just maybe Dawson and Bethany were just... missing...This book definitely made me appreciate the series more and I think it's a must read.
    • 4/5
      Shadows is a prequel to Obsidian. One of the defining moments for Daemon and Dee in Obsidian is what actually happens in Shadows.I read Shadows first and had it spoiled for me by my blog partner, KristyZ! But I digress. In Obsidian, Daemon and Dee both tell Katy about a quintessential moment in their lives up until then. That moment is this story. So I won’t spoil it, like someone else I know, I’m only going to say it’s about Daemon and Dee’s brother Dawson.There isn’t much to say about this other than it explains so many things in greater detail. It adds level of understanding to why Daemon and Dee are the way they are…good and bad. If you enjoyed Obsidian as much as I did, then you owe it to yourself and the characters to read this novella.