Monday, January 14, 2013

Review: Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh


Title: Enshadowed (Nevermore, #2) 

Author: Kelly Creagh

Rating: 2 Stars

Enshadowed is a disaster; pure, terrifying, earth-shattering literary disaster, hurling your way at velocities too fast to imagine. Ever since I finished Nevermore, I've been dutifully stalking Kelly Creagh's website for any mention of a sequel; a release date, a cover, a summary. Thus, on August 28th when I finally heldEnshadowed in my hands, I was breathless, shaking, and oh-so-very excited. Well, talk about a slap back into reality because it took me nearly five months to read Enshadowed. Yes, you read that right - five months.

If you look up "frustrating" "slow" "dull" "meaningless" or just "Middle Book Syndrome" in the dictionary, this will be the book cover next to those words. In the future, if I ever say a novel suffered from MBS, slap me and direct me to this review, because there is not even one book in the world that suffers from it as much as this one does. Not. One. What I'm trying to say here is that nothing happens in Enshadowed. Absolutely. Nothing.

Creagh's sophomore novel picks up directly where her debut left off, which is possibly its first flaw. You see, this series is not meant to be a trilogy - there isn't enough material for that. Instead, it's really just a duo, but Creagh has a talent for writing long, beautiful and languid phrases, rich with description and detail - so much so that it takes up this entire novel. For 70% of the story we are treated to Isobel as she sees visions, wanders through life shell-shocked from the events of the past Halloween and grieves Varen. In the last 30%, we are treated to a sudden shift into action, into what we think is answers but we learn is just a solid dose of confusion. In fact, I can't even summon up enough emotion to feel irritated by yet another cliffhanger ending - I think I'm just too happy I finally finished this.

You see, the problem with Enshadowed is that there is too muchof the wrong thing and too little of the right thing. Over half of this novel is dedicated to character development, gradually building Isobel's relationship with her parents and charting its changes as Varen's disappearance is prolonged. Out of all the people in the world, I am most probably one of the strongest supporters for character development, but character development without plot is a tragic flaw. Isobel simply pushes aside her parents well-wishes, she does exactly what she wants and makes no effort to conceal her new sense of insanity from those around her. If I could have, I would gone in and just strangled Isobel. Not only was she extremely disappointing as a character, butnothing happened! If Enshadowed had started out from Isobel reaching Baltimore, as she vowed in the end of Nevermore, and giving us flashbacks, building up the familial relationships that Creagh so obviously found important, perhaps then this would have been a better novel. Perhaps.

If all of that didn't sound bad enough - no plot, frustrating characters, too much character development, confusing visions that did nothing for the story - then it all just gets worse with Isobel constantly moping. Nevermore perfectly captured the tense, tender, and enriching relationship that Isobel and Varen shared, but Enshadowed reduces that into an Isabella-Swan-eque pining. I kid you not. Sure, perhaps Isobel isn't running out to dive from cliffs to see visions of Varen, but she's not doing anything a whole lot safer either.

Now, looking back, I can fully admit that the only reason this novel is getting two stars and not one - or zero - is because of Gwen, Isobel's best friend, Danny, Isobel's brother, and Isobel's parents herself. Considering that character development ruined this story, at least those characters shone and I enjoyed some parts of this tale, particularly Isobel's relationship with her parents, brother, and friend. While I do firmly believe that this could have all been condensed, at least into a novella if not just a final installment, at least Enshadowed has strong characters and beautiful writing to offer it some type of absolution.

I will, without a doubt, be reading the last novel. It is, after all, the last book; the one with all the answers that I wish this one had; the one where something will actually happen and not just drag on like a filler. Nevertheless, I won't be making the same mistake twice. I won't be checking Creagh's website anytime soon, I won't be pre-ordering the last novel, and I will keep my expectations so ridiculously low that there is no possible way I can be disappointed. If you haven't read Enshadowed yet, take my advice and skip to Chapter 25. Everything that is worth knowing about this book happens in the last ten chapters and if you want to know everything else, just go back and start from the beginning; it's too much of an effort to read this all the way through. Trust me, I know - I did, after all, struggle with this for five months.

33 comments:

  1. Hi, great review!
    Found you on goodreads. Enjoy your review style.

    http://amberabardan.blogspot.com.au/

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, Keertana, this sounds bad. I don't know why authors plan to write a series if the middle book is going to have nothing of interest happen! You can write standalones, people!

    I'm sorry this was such a boring book, I hope you get a better read from the final one!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unfortunately I have to agree with you. I love Nevermore but this one wasn't even close to it. I missed Varen badly. I dunno if there will be more books in this series but hopefully they'll be better than this one. Great review :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Uh oh Keertana! This does not sound promising at all! I adored Nevermore and had such high hopes for this book, so I'm really disappointed to learn it's a bit dull. Like you, I'm a huge proponent of character development, but there has to be forward momentum along with that development and it sounds like not too much happens in the plot department. *sobs*

    ReplyDelete
  5. I was really hoping you were going to say it starts out really slow but then gets fantastic! I loved Nevermore and was really excited to get this, but now I started it about a month ago and I'm not even halfway through. It's really dragging. If I knew it was going to get better, I might continue on, but now I wonder if I should just give up. I really hate to stop in the middle, but reading is supposed to be about pleasure so why torture myself?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh wow. I'm sorry Keertana that you had to endure this. It does not sound enjoyable in the slightest. I hate filler novels. They are a HUGE waste of time, and it sounds like this one was suffering from a serious case of MBS. Well, at least it's over with. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh dear... 5 months?! Good on you for sticking with it. I know I would have abandoned after 5 days. It's such a shame to hear this book was a disappointment. I really liked the first book, was pleasantly surprised by it even, but for some reason or another, the sequel is still un-read and collecting dust on my shelf. I don't think I'll attempt it any time soon either... Sorry this fell short for you, Keertana, but I hope your next book is more satisfying!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AHh... I hate middle book syndrome I just went through that with THe Essence. I was most curious about this series but I still haven't read book one, I kind of lost interest when the pub date got moved and then the lackluster reviews. I am not a fan of little plot...again I just went through that. I may pick this series up at a later date but for now I am not in a hurry.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Bwahaha, so I actually wanted to start this series, but hearing you (and everyone) say how bad the sequel is really makes me not want to bother at all. Thanks for saving me that bother! :P

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow, this sounds like a really frustrating read. I'm so sorry you were disappointed by this, Keertana! I admit I wasn't a huge fan of the first book myself, although I didn't hate it or anything. But it's worse when you go into a book thinking you'll enjoy it and having the opposite experience.

    Hopefully book three bounces back for you.

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your frustration with this novel really shows Keertana, and I'm sorry you had to struggle with this one so much! Based on how long it took you to read this, there's no way I'd actually make it through. I have yet to read the first, but have seen some rave reviews of it and was planning to pick it up sometime soon.

    I hate when nothing happens in a book. Seriously, it's annoying like no other! I'm a person who always needs something happening in a book, to keep the plot moving along. So if I were ever to pick up this book, I think I'll be taking your advice and skipping to chapter 25 and starting.

    Thanks for such a thoughtful review Keertana! I'm sorry this one suffered such an extreme case of Second Book Syndrome, and hope the last book is better! Kudos to you for sticking with this one and actually wanting to read the sequel. <3

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh maaaaaaaaaan. This is so disappointing. I really loved Nevermore. While I wasn't counting down days until Enshadowed released, I have been meaning to get around to this eventually because I want to see what happens. But.... nothing.... happens? =\ And Isobel sounds like she would really annoy me in this. Like Sam said, I would not have had the patience to last 5 months! Hell, I give up within 50 pages if a book is not doing it for me.

    So sorry this was epic downer. I hope the last book wins back your love!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I've heard GREAT things about the first book and not so great things about this one. I'm so sorry you didn't like it more! It always sucks when a sequel is so painfully worse than its predecessor. I hope your next read is better!

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is extremely disappointing to hear, especially when we had to wait sooo long for this installment. I have this but decided to wait when I heard talk of a cliffhanger. Ugh! I loved Nevermore so much, so like I said, very disappointing. :(

    Great honest review. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I think I have felt your pain once, though recently I haven't had to endure 5 months of agonising reading. That must be hard, especially with all the expectation it lets down much more than just buying it and thinking, 'this looks like a good book' and your disappointed, but not totally agonised from the long wait of the sequel. I haven't Nevermore but I do like the sound from the characters even if nothing happened, I think it will be worth me reading the first. A really good, insightful review, Keertana. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. How disappointing! I'm sorry this one didn't work out for you.. I can't say I've ever had a really bad second book experience, but I can imagine what a let down it would be. Hopefully you read something amazing next to make up for it :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm so sorry that you didn't enjoy Enshadowed. I read Nevermore last year and I was looking forward to read Enshadowed but after reading your review I don't think I'm going to read this book anytime soon. I hate it when a sequel suffers from MBS.
    Great review, though! :)
    Ifrah@Booksters' Cafe

    ReplyDelete
  18. Too bad this fell short for you, Keertana. Especially since you really enjoyed the first book and you waited for so long for this one but then only ended up being so frustrated and disappointed by it. Now I'm not really sure if I'm going to start this series. Nonetheless, thanks for the heads up and for this great honest review. :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Aw, I'm sorry you found this one to be dull and frustrating and pretty boring. I can't believe it took you five months to finish this! It must've really fell flat
    :( But hey, I've gotta give you credit for at least sticking with it. I would have given up within a fortnight.

    I CAN'T STAND IT when a book has practically no plot. I mean, that's the perfect, exact definition of a cash cow. What's the point in writing a book without an exciting, intriguing, absorbing plotline to keep you hooked?!

    Anyway, thank you for sharing a great and more importantly, honest, review with us. I love your review style :D

    And I hope the final book in this series turns out to be all you hoped for, with a more engrossing plot and more interesting characters. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm so sorry that Enshadowed didn't work out for you Keertana, I can totally sympathise with having your expectations set so high only for them to come crumbling down, when a book ends up being a huge disappointment. I really try to go into books not expecting much either these days as I hate it when they end up being a let down instead. I have my fingers crossed for you that the next book will end up being a lot better, somewhat reminiscent of what made you fall in love with Nevermore in the first place! :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Ooops! I've been reading all your reviews for quite some time now and I don't remember you ever being this sharp, which I suppose says enough. TO tell you the truth, I was never even remotely tempted to read this, although I did moderately enjoy the first book. As soon as Lisa said it ends with a cliffhanger, I knew I won't do it.
    Fantastic review, my friend. I hope your next read makes up for this torture.

    ReplyDelete
  22. You've convinced me to read the end of this novel and just read the last one. I'm all for character development but some plot would be nice. Plus, Varen's MIA and he was the main reason I liked the first novel so much. It's sad though but it's her artistic vision and what can we do but skip it? Haha.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Okay so I agree and disagree about this one. Not much happened and I found myself frustrated, needing so much MORE, but yet somehow I was still loving what I was reading, so I did like it a lot. I'm not sure WHY I loved it so much since it was so frustrating, but I did. But yet totally get why you didn't. Sorry it was disappointing for you. The end about killed me!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Yeah, I am kinda feeling like Heidi. I have wanted to start this series because it sounded like a good one (and the cover boy is wearing GUYLINER, be still my old-school Goth heart) but now I am not so sure I want to bother. Hmmm. I'll have to mull it over some more. Appreciate your honest review, as always, Keertana!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh dear. I thought the first one was fascinating and had high hopes for this book as well, but I've held off reading it because of the mixed reviews. I'm hoping the last novel is better...and wondering if I can skip this one completely. Or at least skim it...

    ReplyDelete
  26. fjhs [url=http://www.montblancoutletstores.co.uk]mont blanc[/url] nrcpen http://www.montblancoutletstores.co.uk loxs [url=http://www.montblancpenscheapsales.co.uk]cheap mont blanc[/url] ziiohd http://www.montblancpenscheapsales.co.uk dgma [url=http://www.montblancpenscheapstore.co.uk]cheap mont blanc[/url] nrjaux http://www.montblancpenscheapstore.co.uk ycmy [url=http://www.montblancpensonlinesales.co.uk]mont blanc pens[/url] xnaxst http://www.montblancpensonlinesales.co.uk qsen [url=http://www.montblancpensshops.co.uk]mont blanc[/url] etpagm http://www.montblancpensshops.co.uk wnow [url=http://www.montblancpensuksales.co.uk]mont blanc[/url] nlpkul http://www.montblancpensuksales.co.uk lbqd

    ReplyDelete
  27. nnjyk [url=http://beatbydreonlinesales.co.uk]dr dre beats[/url] rhcgk http://beatbydreonlinesales.co.uk sakei [url=http://beatsbydrebestsales.co.uk]beats by dre[/url] apmpi http://beatsbydrebestsales.co.uk qrfdv [url=http://beatsbydrecheapsales.co.uk]cheap beats by dre[/url] qrpei http://beatsbydrecheapsales.co.uk llghl [url=http://drebeatsheadphonesforsale.com]cheap beats by dre[/url] mlotq http://drebeatsheadphonesforsale.com frcip [url=http://cheapbeatsbydreoutletforsales.com]beats by dre[/url] oardp http://cheapbeatsbydreoutletforsales.com nkmdi [url=http://monsterbeatsdreheadphoneoutlet.com]beats outlet[/url] bbjuw http://monsterbeatsdreheadphoneoutlet.com qbsc

    ReplyDelete
  28. xppc [url=http://www.montblancoutletstores.co.uk]mont blanc uk[/url] lrbdvz http://www.montblancoutletstores.co.uk omzq [url=http://www.montblancpenscheapsales.co.uk]mont blanc pen[/url] ndpblu http://www.montblancpenscheapsales.co.uk jizg [url=http://www.montblancpenscheapstore.co.uk]cheap mont blanc[/url] myangd http://www.montblancpenscheapstore.co.uk iguf [url=http://www.montblancpensonlinesales.co.uk]mont blanc[/url] fdpedz http://www.montblancpensonlinesales.co.uk ssbo [url=http://www.montblancpensshops.co.uk]mont blanc[/url] xyyyqi http://www.montblancpensshops.co.uk zxrr [url=http://www.montblancpensuksales.co.uk]mont blanc[/url] ufufqw http://www.montblancpensuksales.co.uk aoql

    ReplyDelete
  29. rnmr [url=http://www.montblancoutletstores.co.uk]mont blanc pens[/url] htseyd http://www.montblancoutletstores.co.uk wamr [url=http://www.montblancpenscheapsales.co.uk]cheap mont blanc[/url] auukte http://www.montblancpenscheapsales.co.uk pfgv [url=http://www.montblancpenscheapstore.co.uk]mont blanc[/url] gartte http://www.montblancpenscheapstore.co.uk lqqm [url=http://www.montblancpensonlinesales.co.uk]mont blanc[/url] wljhaz http://www.montblancpensonlinesales.co.uk kkgh [url=http://www.montblancpensshops.co.uk]mont blanc pen[/url] ounbot http://www.montblancpensshops.co.uk vjlq [url=http://www.montblancpensuksales.co.uk]mont blanc uk[/url] ztwaew http://www.montblancpensuksales.co.uk fzmx

    ReplyDelete
  30. bhmy [url=http://www.montblancoutletstores.co.uk]mont blanc uk[/url] lcwial http://www.montblancoutletstores.co.uk eoap [url=http://www.montblancpenscheapsales.co.uk]mont blanc pen[/url] sfnyyl http://www.montblancpenscheapsales.co.uk vyud [url=http://www.montblancpenscheapstore.co.uk]mont blanc pens[/url] srdbod http://www.montblancpenscheapstore.co.uk zxgl [url=http://www.montblancpensonlinesales.co.uk]mont blanc sale[/url] xkhxcp http://www.montblancpensonlinesales.co.uk rchi [url=http://www.montblancpensshops.co.uk]mont blanc pen[/url] xydxhy http://www.montblancpensshops.co.uk mcga [url=http://www.montblancpensuksales.co.uk]mont blanc[/url] wkfjfa http://www.montblancpensuksales.co.uk kwsy

    ReplyDelete
  31. eamh [url=http://www.montblancoutletstores.co.uk]mont blanc pens[/url] itahcz http://www.montblancoutletstores.co.uk vsaf [url=http://www.montblancpenscheapsales.co.uk]mont blanc[/url] rfqyet http://www.montblancpenscheapsales.co.uk rjtf [url=http://www.montblancpenscheapstore.co.uk]mont blanc pens[/url] clgmcr http://www.montblancpenscheapstore.co.uk phrq [url=http://www.montblancpensonlinesales.co.uk]mont blanc pens[/url] hqvwzx http://www.montblancpensonlinesales.co.uk uvnw [url=http://www.montblancpensshops.co.uk]mont blanc[/url] tuujmd http://www.montblancpensshops.co.uk stcj [url=http://www.montblancpensuksales.co.uk]mont blanc pens[/url] bkbqss http://www.montblancpensuksales.co.uk ycax

    ReplyDelete
  32. wpkfs [url=http://www.drdrebeatsbuycheap.co.uk]beats by dre[/url] rzbva http://www.drdrebeatsbuycheap.co.uk tvgwb [url=http://www.drdrebeatscheapest.co.uk]dr dre beats[/url] tcoit http://www.drdrebeatscheapest.co.uk ygmju [url=http://www.drdrecheapbeats.co.uk]cheap beats[/url] kpwxo http://www.drdrecheapbeats.co.uk tfniz [url=http://www.drdreoutletstores.co.uk]beats outlet[/url] pevhm http://www.drdreoutletstores.co.uk rraht [url=http://www.drdreheadphonessales.co.uk]dr dre beats[/url] gnuve http://www.drdreheadphonessales.co.uk ompcm [url=http://www.cheapbeatsdrdrestores.co.uk]cheap beats by dre[/url] ztpfd http://www.cheapbeatsdrdrestores.co.uk lvyc

    ReplyDelete
  33. kqezh [url=http://www.drdrebeatsbuycheap.co.uk]dre beats[/url] caiza http://www.drdrebeatsbuycheap.co.uk hfgma [url=http://www.drdrebeatscheapest.co.uk]beats by dre[/url] cjace http://www.drdrebeatscheapest.co.uk gvlau [url=http://www.drdrecheapbeats.co.uk]beats by dre[/url] capax http://www.drdrecheapbeats.co.uk kfhcn [url=http://www.drdreoutletstores.co.uk]beats outlet[/url] maejc http://www.drdreoutletstores.co.uk hdlqt [url=http://www.drdreheadphonessales.co.uk]beats headphones[/url] wjxlg http://www.drdreheadphonessales.co.uk wgmzv [url=http://www.cheapbeatsdrdrestores.co.uk]dr dre beats[/url] uydgd http://www.cheapbeatsdrdrestores.co.uk wdpk

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing from my readers and I read, reply, and appreciate every one of the comments I receive!(: If you're a fellow blogger, please leave a link to your blog - I'd love to drop by!

Unfortunately, this is now an award-free blog. I simply do not have the time to respond and forward on the award, but I truly appreciate the nomination regardless.