Wind and Shadow Review

Wind and Shadow (The Talbot Trilogy #1)

By Tori L. Ridgewood

Published June 20th, 2013 by Melange Books

230 pages

4 stars - Intriguing Paranormal Read!

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review!*

Rayvin Woods, photographer and natural witch. She just wanted to start her life over again after a series of misadventures. She didn't count on rekindling a lost love when she came home to Talbot...or battling a malevolent vampire and his coven for her life.

Grant Michaels, police officer. He thought Rayvin was a murderer. He will do whatever it takes to protect the community he loves from danger...but will he learn to trust his heart, and the word of a witch, before it's too late?

Malcolm de Sade, cunning vampire, imprisoned underground for a year by Charlotte Fanning and Pike Mahonen ("Mist and Midnight", Midnight Thirsts). His accidental release unleashes his hunger and ambition on a small, sleepy town…

***

Facing the past can be a nightmare. It's worse when a vampire is stalking you.

Review:

Wind and Shadow is an intriguing and thrilling take on witches and vampires. Witches and Vampires are definitely groups that we've all read about before and, most times, reading about them can become boring, repetitive. But Wind and Shadow is definitely anything but boring and repetitive.

Rayvin is a witch as was her mother before her. After a horrible accident, where everyone thinks she's guilty, in her small town of Talbot, Rayvin is forced to leave under the glares of all her friends and neighbors. Now, a couple years later, Rayvin is coming back to her former home where danger lurks. Rayvin only has one friend in the small town who believes that she is anything but guilty and welcomes her with open arms. But it seems like Rayvin can't catch a break because soon everyone is in danger and Rayvin is the only one who can save them, whether they like her or not.

Rayvin was a strong female lead and very smart. I really enjoyed reading through her eyes. Oh, and by the way, this is a dual perspective book, Rayvin and Grant. Anyways, Rayvin had definitely gone through many challenges ever since she was young and yet she got through life. She stood up for what was right and didn't let others push her around. Grant was an interesting character to read about and a strong male lead as well. The relationship between the two, while bumpy in the beginning, definitely had some steamy parts. There are a couple other characters as well, including the town vampire, Malcolm. His story is interesting but I can't help but not liking him for obvious reasons. He is also more of a classic vampire, being scary and evil. I have to say that I also loved Rayvin's cat, Samantha. I liked that Rayvin, being a witch, had a cat that was smart and knowing. 

Wind and Shadow is interesting, different, intriguing and romantic. There are some twists near the end and a definite cliff-hanger. It's a good start for a series starter. I haven't ever read any of Ridgewood's books but I can tell that she is a great author with some awesome ideas. I enjoyed the smaller details, like the stones that Rayvin uses for spells and the different rituals. I recommend Wind and Shadow for those wanting a good paranormal romance that is different and exciting. So go on and check it out!

Vanessa