Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Cinnamon ‘Cinn’ Saunders thought he’d learnt to control his little ghost problem.

That is, until the moment he brings back a malevolent spirit from the shadowrealm, and quickly finds himself unjustly arrested for the murder of four people.

After breaking free of foster care and a stint in juvie, all Cinn wanted to do was keep his head down and work his way up to become a professional chef. Now he’s forced to make a choice: life in jail, or allow a stranger to whisk him away to a mysterious institute in rural Switzerland with the promise of learning how to control his terrifying supernatural abilities.

Julien, the French charismatic charmer who is charged with warding over Cinn, also has a problem: the murder of his sister is still unsolved.

He needs help. Help that only Cinn can provide. He’ll do anything to get it, including making Cinn an offer that he can’t refuse. What Julien doesn't expect out of the bargain is their undeniable connection, which only serves to complicate matters as they navigate uncharted territories together.

Between battling an uprising of deadly creatures that not only threaten the moteblessed community, but the entire planet, and fighting their ever-growing attraction, can this opposites-attract pair overcome their demons to save the world, and each other?

 

Book Review

“Between the idea and the reality. Between the motion and the act falls the shadow.” ~ T. S. Eliot

 

Cinnamon (Cinn) Saunders, of 'Beyond the Shadows' by T.J. Rose, has the extraordinary, disturbing ability to cross into an alternate dimension known as the shadows. His latest venture ends with him in jail, accused of killing four people. When a mysterious woman whisks him away, Cinn is left bewildered.

 

Cinn finds himself at a mysterious location called Auri in Switzerland, dedicated to training individuals with extraordinary abilities. Cinn is perplexed about why he is there, as he doesn't view himself as gifted at all. He considers his “ability” a curse. However, Cinn will go through the training if it can help banish his problem.

 

At Auri, he meets three students: Darcy, Elliot, and Julien. Each is mote-blessed – having the ability to call forth motes, specks of energy when gathered, are used as tools, with each practitioner having different degrees and proficiencies. When they tell Cinn that, besides his shadow slipping, he also has that ability, Cinn doesn't believe them.

 

Julian, much to his dismay, is tasked with being Cinn's guardian, guiding him and ensuring his safety. What starts as a burden soon turns into a distraction, and then an attraction that neither can deny. However, Cinn is wary of having his heart broken by a player. He yearns for someone faithful and truly in love with him. The question remains – can Julian be that someone? And does he even want to?

 

As with the start of any series, it takes a while to find my balance. There is so much information to absorb, especially in a story like 'Beyond the Shadows’. The world-building is incredible, and the theory behind the school, the people, and the purpose is, well, a lot! The book left me with more questions than answers, but fortunately, another book is coming, and I can hardly wait. Thanks, T.J. Rose!

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review.

 

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 397 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	12-July-2024
Price	$3.99 ebook, $14.99 paperback
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Beyond-Fantasy-Romance-Duology-ebook/dp/B0D1GW41WP