Review: Shadow Lands (The Warrior Chronicles #3) by K.F. Breene

In order to finally claim her title of Chosen and lead the Shadow People out of the Land of Mist, Shanti must make it through a century's old system to test her battle awareness, her fighting skill, and her ability to stay alive. She's about to enter The Trials, and she must do it alone.

Separated from Shanti on a dangerous island, Cayan must learn to use his mental skill while keeping his men safe from the people set out to kill them. But as more Inkna and Graygual flood the island, Cayan hears of a sinister force deep in the woods, rigging The Trials and killing any who venture too close.

It is now a race against time. The battle to become the Chosen has begun, and the victor is anything but decided.

Shadow Lands is the third book (approx 326 pages) in K.F. Breene’s epic fantasy series – The Warrior Chronicles. A completed six-book series with a prequel novella available too, which follows Shanti on her quest to kill The Supreme Being, Xandre, who is a despicable dictator whose vision it is to have everyone in the land under his tyrannical rule. Xandre was part of the massacre of Shanti’s entire village when she was just 5 years old.

What did I like about Shadow Lands?

Epic fantasy isn’t my first choice of reading material but I am a fan of K.F. Breene’s writing style and so started this series with an open mind back in December last year. I loved the first book, Chosen and downloaded the rest of the series shortly after finishing it, adding the Audible narrations too so that I could read AND listen to the stories, which has become my favourite way to read a book.

Shadow Lands starts where Hunted left off, with Shanti, Cayan, the Honour Guard, Sanders and a select few from Cayan’s army setting sail for the fabled and feared island where the Shadow People live. Ms Breene has been building her world and introducing us to more aspects of this amazingly rich fantasy world in each book.

Shadow Lands has a great plot that kept me gripped from beginning to end.

It continues to build upon the previous books and has a great number of action-packed fighting scenes. There is also heart-wrenching imagery of the horrors of war. However, it’s balanced beautifully with hope, love and fantastically written banter.

As a narrated book, I was once again impressed with Caitlin Davies’ performance. Loving the pace at which she read the story and her tonal adjustments for the various scenes and characters’ dialogue. I’d definitely buy books narrated by her in the future.

As my regular followers will know, I enjoy a story more when the leading female character is intelligent, resilient, self-reliant, has a good sense of humour and plenty of gumption. Shanti has all of these qualities and more. In fact, I love the way that all of the characters in this story have been written, their individual stories growing and developing in each book. They have all become very real in my mind (and heart). Oh, and like most Brits I do love a bit of banter. This story has plenty of it! I found myself COL (Chuckling Out Loud) throughout, usually at the banter and quips coming out of Shanti and the boys in the Honour Guard.

I loved the fact that the adventure aspect of this story kept me guessing what would happen next. The action kept me on the edge of my seat. The raw emotions and growing relationships, both platonic and romantic, made me go all dewy eyed as well as put a smile on my face. There was also the complex relationship between Shanti and Cayan that set my tummy a-tingling. *oooh*

Was there anything I didn’t like?

Well, I gave Shadow Lands 5 stars, so I obviously really enjoyed it. 😉

However, I’ll remind you that this is only the third book in a six book series. Therefore, you must expect a cliffhanger or two. If like me you HATE huge life-or-death cliffhangers, rest assured, Ms Breene doesn’t leave us hanging with a perilous situation like that. There are background story arcs that are left unresolved, however in my opinion, this is a good thing as it leaves enough story to continue into the next book and beyond.

Basically, what I’m saying is…

I didn’t want to stop reading this book!

It had everything that I look for in a great story: Intelligent writing style that’s easy to read, main characters with depth of personality that I can believe in, depth of character in the supporting cast, gripping background story, believable settings and situations. I loved the balanced mix of aspects; relationship, tension, action and mystery.

Due to the graphic nature of some of the more violent scenes, I’d only recommend this book to adults who are not offended by this sort of content. Readers who enjoy independent capable heroines and strong alpha heroes, tense often traumatic and brutal confrontations within epic fantasy adventures. Shadow Lands left me breathless, desperate to read more of The Warrior Chronicles series.

Has my review of SHADOW LANDS (WARRIOR CHRONICLES #3) encouraged you to find out more? I really hope so! Click on any of the links below to check out the book yourself.

Keep reading to find out more about the series and it’s author.

Warrior Chronicles by K. F. Breene

The Warrior Chronicles is a completed six-book fantasy series with a prequel novella available too.

The world Ms Breene has created is populated by different clans of people with various skills. For example, some clans are skilled craftsmen or effective traders. The warrior clans fight with blade and arrow, either protecting their inhabitants or enslaving others. There are aggressive clans who are hell-bent on stealing and invading other lands. Plus despicable dictators, warlords and aggressors whose vision is to have everyone under their tyrannical rule.

Books in the Series

It’s never too late to catch up and join the adventure. Click below to read my thoughts on each book. Or buy a copy yourself using my purchase links.

• Forged in Blood (Warrior Chronicles #0.5) (2015) (available on author website)
• Chosen (Warrior Chronicles #1) (2014)
• Hunted (Warrior Chronicles #2) (2015)
• Shadow Lands (Warrior Chronicles #3) (2015)
• Invasion (Warrior Chronicles #4) (2015)
• Siege (Warrior Chronicles #5) (2016)
• Overtaken (Warrior Chronicles #6) (2016)
• Overtaken: Bonus Epilogue (Warrior Chronicles #6.1) (2016) (available on author website)

Buy Warrior Chronicles in print, ebook and audiobook:

Amazon UK ¦ Amazon US ¦ Audible ¦ The Book Depository

Or, read for free using your Kindle Unlimited subscription! 💜 🥳 💜

About K. F. Breene

K.F. Breene is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Post, Amazon Most Sold Charts and #1 Kindle Store bestselling author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy and fantasy novels. With over three million books sold, when she's not penning stories about magic and what goes bump in the night, she's sipping wine and planning shenanigans.

She lives in Northern California with her husband, two children and out of work treadmill.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

About Caitlin Davies

Caitlin Davies is a voiceover artist and award-winning audiobook narrator. She is also a freelance audiobook director with Macmillan Audio and Hachette Audio.

Caitlin has voiced characters for the video game Magic: The Gathering Arena and is the voice of a number of popular audiobook series including House of Night, Penryn & the End of Days, Dragon Blood, The Warrior Chronicles, and The Talon Saga. 

Website

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read this review of Shadow Lands. Have you read any of the books in this series? Drop me a comment below so that we can chat.

K.F. Breene has written some of my favourite books. This places her firmly on my Amazing Authors’ Page. Don’t forget to check it out before you go.

Bye for now,

Flora x

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