** spoiler alert ** I tried, I really did, but I just couldn’t care about the characters, or the story, and it annoyed the hell out of me that the hero and heroine have sex on page 60, 60! They had interacted like 3 or 4 times before and suddenly BAM, they just do it. I’m sorry but it was just too soon for me, as I see it there wasn’t nearly enough romantic/sexual tension between Syn and Xan for a sex scene so early in the story---it did absolutely nothing for my lady parts.
And yes, I know I should review this book by thinking of it as a whole, and not just say ‘I didn’t like’ it because of the too-soon-sex scene, but personally, a weak romance bothers me so much it usually ruins everything else going on in a story---it’s a pet peeve, I can’t control it.

I also didn’t enjoy the secondary plot, which is told from the point of view of this other guy who I’m thinking is the villain... I don’t know... the whole thing was just so brain-numbing and confusing that I couldn’t understand what was going on.

I’m being quite harsh on this book, which pains me, it truly does, especially because I received it directly from the author after winning a GR first-reads giveaway, my copy is signed and everything, so I desperately wanted to love it and immediately run to buy the other books in the series, but I guess it’s just not my cup of tea. *sad face* ( )

VEIL OF SHADOWS, by Shiloh Walker, is the romantic and action-packed second book in the Veil series. After reading, Through the Veil, I was very interested in continuing the story of this new world that Walker created. With the addition of new characters, I was hooked again.

I was very pleased to have won this ARC from Shiloh Walker, and those who loved the first book will definitely like this one. Syn and Xan were competition for the steamy romance that occured in TTV with Kalen and Lee. I also enjoy the mixing of science fiction, fantasy, and romance. Walker is skilled in the art of hooking and reader and not letting go.

The chemistry and passion between Syn and Xan was phenomenal. And the eye patch for Xan added an element of mystery that I love in my leading men! I liked the immediate attraction between the two but also the hesitancy to be serious during war-time in their world. The strain of uncertainty between the two created such sexual tension that it was sometimes overwhelming (in a good way). I think these two complimented each other perfectly and I rooted for them the whole time. I also enjoyed seeing the main characters from TTV (Kalen and Lee) through Syn and Xan's eyes. I enjoyed these characters in the first book and I was happy to be reunited with them once more.

Once again, Walker created such a visual masterpiece with this book. I felt like I was inside this dangerous world. This is one of the reasons why Walker is one of my favorite adult writers at the moment. If you are a fan of this series, I definitely recommend this fantastic sequel. ( )

I was given this book by the author.

I read this book back to back with Through the Veil, the first in the series, so I'll be comparing the two. Here's my Through the Veil review. And also this review will contain spoilers for the first book.

Veil of Shadows is the second book in Walker's Veil series, which focuses on the world Ishtan, a realm sandwiched between Earth and the demon realm of Anqar. The Warlords of Anqar, a dying race, have been raiding Ishtan for female breeding stock for centuries, unleashing the native demons and monsters of Anqar on Istan, both on purpose and accident.

Walker's world building is absolutely killer in this book, hitting the perfect notes between character focus, showing readers the larger conflict of the land, yet not letting anything be black and white. This book's focus is on a small military outpost, nearly abandoned by the rest of the world who believes themselves to be safe now that the gates between worlds have fallen. But last book's heroes, Kalen, Elina, Lee and more, are still in the wilds of Ishtan fighting the pocket populations of demons, wyrms, not to mention the Warlords who were left behind when the gates fell. They stand between the recovering world and disaster and the recovering world is only too glad to pretend the threat is all over.

Enter Syn and Xan, two warriors in Kalen's army. Syn is his captain, a witch completely unsure of herself now the the Ishtan magic was shattered in the backlash of the gate's fall. Xan is a drifter, a battle-hardened warrior who signs on to Kalen's fight, but whose past is a mystery. While the romance between the two is an important part of the story it's not all of the story and there are frequent point of view breaks to display the larger story of Walker's world.

Also my complaints about the first book are completely invalid for this one. Syn is a more sympathetic character than Lee, and since she's native to both the fight and Ishtan she's more in tune to the world setting (and therefore her point of view contributes better to the world building) than Lee was. Also Walker doesn't shy away from conflicts and fight scenes in this book, while still making them not the most important part of the story.

The pacing is better, and the story fleshier, making Veil of Shadows a fabulous read. It will especially appeal to fans of Anne Bishop or fantasy readers who enjoy a touch of romance and a touch of darkness with their epic fantasy. ( )