Name: Shadowlark
ISBN: 9780761388661

Meagan Spooner

Ever since she escaped the city within the Wall, Lark Ainsley's wanted one thing: to find her brother Basil. She's always believed he would be the one to put an end to the constant fear and flight. And now, hidden underground in the chaotically magical city of Lethe, Lark feels closer to him than ever. But Lethe is a city cowering in fear of its founder, the mysterious Prometheus, and of his private police force. To get the truth about Basil, Lark has no choice but to face Prometheus. Facing her fears has become second nature to Lark. Facing the truth is another matter. Lark never asked to be anyone's savior. She certainly never wanted to be anyone's weapon. She might not have a choice.

Shadowlark

Sofie

I'm starting this review while I'm still reading because I have a few things to get off my chest. Warning, SPOILERS ahead. 

I LOVED the first book. In fact, I finished it yesterday, and started this one immediately after. It has such an interesting concept and a twist I truly didn't see coming. A heartbreaking, tragic twist, but unexpected nonetheless, which is always nice.

HERE ARE THE SPOILERS, FOLKS.

(view spoiler)[ The goodbye scene with Lark and Oren was heart wrenching. You could clearly see how deeply they cared for each other, and how, even after Lark discovered Oren was a shadow person, she couldn't let him die. She comforted him, stayed with him, and used the last of her magic to free him. And yes, I understand her torment, her disgust, when he kisses her. Because he has eaten people. And she can taste their blood on his lips. 

BUT. What I don't understand is their relationship in this book so far. Here Oren is, returned, saving Lark's life again, and she's angry? She thinks Oren betrayed her? Oren didn't even know himself that he was a shadow person. No matter what, no matter his fears, he stuck by Lark's side and kept her safe. She acknowledges this in the first book. So why does she now harbour such anger toward him?

It seems a little extreme. Yes, he's done awful things, but, even in his shadow form, he didn't hurt Lark. He couldn't. At his worst, he still protected her. And yet Lark is angry he's returned. She doesn't want him near her. She's keeping him at a distance despite what they've been through. 

When she sees the family of shadow people at the beginning of the novel, she's compassionate. She understands that they simply don't know who they really are, and can't be held accountable for what they do when they change. In their human form, they were kind, hospitable, and generous. Lark even reminds Tansy of this fact. 

But when Oren saves their lives - as a shadow, I might add - it's like she blames him for being what he is. He let her down somehow. He fooled her. When really, he didn't know. Here is this wonderful human, telling Lark to kill him so he can't hurt her, trying to kill himself so he can't hurt her, but he is the one she holds accountable for his actions as a shadow. Can she not see he is tormented? That he'd do anything for her?

And now that she can absorb power, why is she still so worried about him turning back? As mentioned in one of the chapters, they can fill a crystal with magic and Oren can keep that on him at all times so he won't change. I have a feeling that is what will end up happening, but for now, I just don't understand Lark's shift in character. All I want is for her to go to him, relieve some of the obvious pain he bares, and tell him that she forgives him. That it's not his fault. That he isn't a monster.
 (hide spoiler)]

Is that too much to ask for? I can't be the only thinking Lark is acting way out of character, right?

UPDATE:

ohmygod i love Oren. Why are dystopian characters so amazing!!!

UPDATE:

THANK GOD.

This was truly a wonderful sequel. I could see Lark's world so clearly, and i just about flew through this novel. 

And the end!! Wow. Better than I'd hoped. Will probably be done the third book in a few days.