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Shadow Caster

(The Nightwatch Academy – Book 1)

by Debbie Cassidy
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Slow Burn Urban Fantasy RH, Academy
Available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited

Down and Dirty

Fast paced and world heavy, this is an Academy read that shakes the genre, introducing new mythos and legends you can sink your teeth into. Free on Kindle Unlimited.

What is it about?

(Blurb from GoodReads)

Murdering humans is a huge no-no and comes with an off-with-your-head sentence. Doesn’t matter if you don’t remember doing the crime.

I killed a human, and no, it wasn’t on purpose, but that shit doesn’t matter to the council. I’m facing death. So, when I’m offered a deal to avoid execution, I’d be a fool not to take it, even if it means leaving the human world and urban life behind to enroll in the Nightwatch Academy – a gothic monstrosity hidden from human eyes, located way too close to the largest tear in the fabric of our reality.

It would be fun if I had any inclination of becoming a member of the Watch or supporting the shadow knights at keeping the Formorian threat at bay. But heck, the monsters beyond the mist aren’t my problem. I have personal demons to deal with.

Once I’m out, the Watch can shove it.

But one sip from the ceremonial goblet and my plans to coast are out of the window as my powers spark to life.

I’m an anomaly, one the Watch won’t be letting walk any time soon.

My only comfort is a man who prides himself on his ability to harness pain. Battle scarred and formidable, he’s my tutor, my mentor, and the object of some super saucy dreams. He’s completely off limits and my only hope of surviving my first test.

I’ll need to harness my powers fast.

There can be no distractions.

But when my fellow cadets start going missing then returning with no memory of who they used to be and my best friend is taken, turning a blind eye is no longer an option.

Allies are limited when you’re a freak. Luckily, I don’t need a cheer squad to get shit done. Whoever is responsible better watch out. I’m coming for them, and I’ll be bringing the pain.

Note from the Author

The Vampire Academy meets Game of Thrones in this kick-ass, supernatural academy, Urban Fantasy with a slow burn Why Choose Romance. 

Thoughts on Shadow Caster

I love Debbie Cassidy…. she just has a way of wrapping a tale that livens up the entire narrative, while still infusing just the right shade of darkness. Delightful! And while this may be an academy read, It’s different from the thrush of offerings amazing in the market. It’s a whole new world.

Pros:

• Well written.
• Great Characters!
• Justice is badass but still startlingly vulnerable, it’s a delicate balance and Cassidy pulls it off well.
• Hyde….. ohhh yeah.

Cons:

• Minor editing errors in punctuation, does not detract from the story.

Perspective

First Person, Single POV

Ending Type

Cliffhanger

Rating

R

Romantic Dynamic

Unsure…. M/F atm, but hints of MMMMF in the future. Maybe?

Character Age Range

18+ (almost 19)

Verdict

This is a fantastic ride that promises only to get hotter from here. Like most Debbie Cassidy novels, this intertwines mystery and action in a fantasy world worth checking out. Free on KU!

Published September 10th, 2019
249 Pages

If you enjoyed this review of Shadow Caster, please consider checking out a few of my other articles.

• A Thrift Shop Murder by N.M Howell – A Book Review
• Anyone But Rich by Penelope Bloom – A Book Review
• Wolf Tamer by Yumoyori Wilson – A Book Review

Your Turn

What are you reading today? Have you read this book yet? How about other books by Debbie Cassidy? What is your favorite? Leave a comment, I would love to chat!