I had an idea of doing a guest post during the month of October so I asked a few of my friends from COYER what is their favorite Monster is (some are not so scary) and what book they read that they loved that associated with the Monster they picked. The answers are great and the recommendation are even better! Enjoy!
The Monster & The Book
Hi everyone! I’m Kathy from My Nook, Books and More and thank you Michelle for having me here today. I am a huge paranormal fan and I love all monsters, especially vampires and werewolves. But today we are going to talk about the Grim Reaper and a banshee from the Shadow series by Erin Kellison.
The Grim Reaper is popularly depicted as a skeletal figure carrying a large scythe and in a black hooded cloak. His job is to guide souls into the afterlife. A banshee is a fae woman who begins to wail if someone is about to die. I’ve read a couple of books with these creatures but there is only one that has stood out above the rest – Erin Kellison’s Shadow series. I first came across this author when the first book Shadow Bound was free for the Nook. I was hooked as soon as I read the prologue which introduces readers to the Grim Reaper. He waits in the shadows until it is time to collect a soul. All mortals fear him except for Kathleen O’brien. She is terminally ill and knows Death is coming for her. She speaks to him in the shadows, thus calling him Shadowman. His instinct says to stay away from Kathleen but Shadowman can’t help from being fascinated with her strength and beauty. Shadowman breaks the rules and reveals himself to her as a handsome mortal. They fall in love and Kathleen lives long enough to give birth to their daughter Talia. Talia is raised by her aunt not knowing the truth about her father. But Talia knows she is different. She can control shadows and when she screams the Shadowman appears to protect her. Talia meets Adam Thorne who needs her help in his fight against wraiths, dangerous soul-sucking fae creatures. In return Adam helps Talia control her banshee abilities. There are 3 books in the Shadow series and I suggest you read them in order:
The 1st book Shadow Bound is Talia and Adam’s story and the beginning battle with the wraiths.
The 2nd book Shadow Fall is about Custio, Adam’s friend, and his battle against an evil fae to save the woman he loves.
The 3rd book Shadowman is the story of Talia’s parents and is my favorite from the series. I never would have imagined the Grim Reaper in a romantic role but you will be surprised with how loving and determined to be reunited with Kathleen.
Erin Kellison’s Shadow series is a fresh urban fantasy that is thrilling, suspenseful and romantic. It is also dark so it is a good choice for adding a spooky read for October.
Here are the books information from Goodreads:
Shadow Bound (Shadow #1)
Published June 29, 2010
Synopsis
Death… Some people will do anything to avoid it. Even trade their immortal souls for endless existence.
Wraiths… Secretly, inexorably, they are infiltrating our world, sucking the essence out of unsuspecting victims with their hideous parody of a kiss.
Segue… Adam Thorne founded the Institute to study and destroy his monster of a brother, but the key to its success is held in the pale, slender hand of a woman on the run. There is something hauntingly different about Talia O’Brien, her unknowing sensuality, her uncanny way of slipping into Shadow.
Twilight… This is the place between life and what comes after—a dark forest of fantasy, filled with beauty, peril, mystery. And Talia is about to open the door.
Shadow Fall (Shadow #2)
Published July 27, 2010
Sacrifice
Custo Santovari accepted pain, blood, even death, to save his best friend. But a man with all his sins just isn’t cut out to be an angel.
Mystery
One moment he’s fleeing Heaven; the next, he’s waking up stark naked in Manhattan. In the middle of a war. Called there by a woman who’s desperately afraid of the dark.
Shadow
It gathers around Annabella as she performs, filled with fantastic images of another world, bringing both a golden hero and a nightmare lover.
Wolf
He pursues her relentlessly, twisting her desires even as she gives herself to the man she loves. Because each of us has a wild side, and Annabella is about to unleash the beast.
Shadowman (Shadow #3)
Published September 6, 2011
Synopsis
Ghosts
They haunt the halls of the Segue Institute, terrifying the living, refusing to cross over. But one soul is driven by a very different force.
Love
It survives even death. And Kathleen O’Brien swore she would return to those she was forced to leave too soon.
Shadowman
He broke every rule to have her in life; now he will defy the angels to find her in death.
The Gate
Forging it is his single hope of being reunited with his beloved, but through it an abomination enters the world. Leaving a trail of blood and violence, the devil hunts her too. Pursued through realms of bright fantasy and dark reality, Kathleen is about to be taken.
About the Guest
Wife, Mom, Book Blogger, Addicted to The Vampire Diaries, Arrow, Sleepy Hollow & Outlander. YA, NA & Adult Fiction.
Thanks for stopping by to check out A Monster and A Book!
Have a fantastic day!
The first book I ever read about the Grim Reaper or Death was On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony. Then it was years and years and years before I read Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld series and met Lucien. Since then I’ve read a few more that have grim reapers, but very few banshees. They don’t get near enough love. 🙂
The only Grim Reaper books I’ve read are Charley Davidson and Transplanted Tales. The only Banshsee is in The Hollows and that was a minor character that was really only featured in one book. I’ll have to look up your suggestions.
This sounds like such a good series! I’ve only read two books with reapers, one was a YA urban fantasy where the boy was tricked and the other was a romance that really wasn’t very good. Adding this one to my list! Great post Kathy 🙂
I haven’t heard of this series, Kathy, and I was sure you were going to chat about Rachel Vincent’s Soulscreamer series… I need this one in my life now 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Michelle for having me on your blog today. This was a lot of fun and I’ve found a lot of new books to read. Thanks to you and Berls I’ve cleaned out my e-reader and have made new friends =)
Thank you for doing it for me! I am loving everyones answers and recommendation.
We are very happy to help with that 🙂 Remember it is coming back VERY soon!
I think my favourite series with girm reapers and banshee’s is Rachel Vincent her Soul Screamers series. Beside that I’ve read only a few other banshee or grim reaper books and most of those didn’t really leave a lasting impression. I do like the concept of banshee’s and wish there were more books with them. Shadow sounds like an interesting series!
I’ve heard good things about Soul Screamers. It is hard to find a series with these creatures that stands out. I was lucky to find the first book free and took a chance on this =)
wait, what, banshee? oo, my grabby hands want this.
Lol..the banshee in this series is unique from everything I’ve read so far. Normally they just wail but since Talia is half mortal she can control her abilities and play an active role in the story. I hope you get a chance to read this series =)
I have never read books with a Banshee but I used to be obsessed with Lost Girl (the TV show) and their was one in a couple of episodes and it really fascinated me.
I watched one episode of Lost Girl recently and now I have to start from the beginning.