CELINE KIERNAN; The Crowded Shadows

Author: Celine Kiernan
Novel: The Crowded Shadows (2nd in The Moorehawke Trilogy)
Release date: 2009
Category: Fantasy
Publisher: Allen&Unwin

Blurb: Along for the first time in her life, Wynter Moorehawke travels unprotected in the bandit-infested mountains, searching for missing Prince Alberon.

But every tyrant and bully who has even threatened the kingdom is gathering to Alberon’s table, and the forest is alive with spies and wolves. Within these crowded shadows, Wynter remains determined to fine the Rebel Prince and heal the rift that has come between King and Heir.

Review: Just like the first novel this one was a treasure. My insides hurt whenever I was not reading it and I forced myself to savor the book over two days so I was in pain for a long time. I didn’t want it to finish, especially knowing that the third book will not be released for a few months now.

The story continues were it left off in the Poison Throne, taking Wynter into dangerous territory. Everyone’s life is threatened, including her father's, Razi's, Christopher's as they all struggle to survive in a crumbling kingdom ruled by an obsessive king.

For those of you who love Christopher as much as Wynter and I do don’t worry, he and Razi are still two of the main characters no matter how alone Wynter is in the beginning. His relationship with Wynter deepens despite his annoying resistance to the tell the truth.

This is a must read novel, however I feel obliged to remind everyone, that also like the first novel it is not for the younger young adults, there is much violence, some of which even I found disturbing. It is a novel best enjoyed by the older reader, one who will be able to understand the many twists and turns of the plot.

Four stars