Review: Shadow Heir- Richelle Mead

Title: Shadow Heir

Author: Richelle Mead  

Series: Eugenie Markham- Book 4

Release Date: January, 2012

Publisher: Zebra   

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 4 Hoots

Reviewer: Lenore 

Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham strives to keep the mortal realm safe from trespassing entities. But as the Thorn Land's prophecy-haunted queen, there's no refuge for her and her soon-to-be-born-children when a mysterious blight begins to devastate the Otherworld. . .

The spell-driven source of the blight isn't the only challenge to Eugenie's instincts. Fairy king Dorian is sacrificing everything to help, but Eugenie can't trust the synergy drawing them back together. The uneasy truce between her and her shape shifter ex-lover Kiyo is endangered by secrets he can't--or won't--reveal. And as a formidable force rises to also threaten the human world, Eugenie must use her own cursed fate as a weapon--and risk the ultimate sacrifice. . . (Amazon)

Shadow Heir is the epic conclusion to the Eugenie Markham series. I have long awaited this installment, but I was in a way disappointed with several aspects of the book. As always, Richelle Mead's writing sucks the reader in from sentence one. Readers will have no problem following the story, and will become engaged in the superb imagery of the Otherworld. The Oak King, Dorian, is by far my favorite character. (I think I like him better than Eugenie!) His and Eugenie's relationship throughout not only this novel but the series as well, is probably one of the most alluring aspects. Dorian always has some quip or snarky remark, making him the comic relief of this sometimes dark story. 

Shadow Heir begins rather slow and does not become the series we all love until midway through the book when all the action begins. Despite the slow beginning, readers are likely to think the book is too rushed. It seems as though it should have been two books in order to cover every aspect to the full potential. Shadow Heir is indeed the conclusion; however, the story line had less to do with the twins and Storm King's heir than to be expected. That point, overall, is my biggest complaint with the book. Yes, the story was engaging, fun, and so very Richelle, but was it an epic conclusion? No, not in my humble opinion. There are a few unresolved plot points, which readers may become irritated with. Hopefully this means she is leaving room to possibly return to the Eugenie world? Who knows. For long-time fans of the series and those new, Shadow Heir is a good, but not epic conclusion to the series. It is well worth the read, and do not get me wrong, a superb book. For those needing more Richelle Mead, lookout for The Golden Lily coming in 2012.