Review: Historic and Modern Adventure and Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 24, 2014
Carmen Stefanescu’s “Shadows of the Past” offers adventure, romance, fantasy, magic and suspense.  It crosses so many genres that there is nearly something for almost every reader.  While I was concerned over some of the characters and the flashbacks, I found that the story as a whole came together well and almost seamlessly.“Shadows of the Past” starts out by following Genevieve, a frail and abused nun from the mid-15th century, on the run for her life through a cursed forest with an evil abbess hunting her, and trying to keep her true love safe.  At the same time, juxtaposing the story from the past is Anne, who is trying to rebuild her relationship with Neil on a hiking adventure when the couple inadvertently gets lost.  Anne starts to dream about Genevieve, and once led to an oak with a skull and a familiar cross, she and Neil start on a journey of dangerous adventure.Stefanescu’s has a strong writing style that incorporates a clear vision of the world from “Shadows of the Past” and the characters that inhabit it.  Her use of mythology and legend lends to the suspense that builds between both the past and the present as the two draw closer.  While the characters are relatable, some of the flashbacks within the flashbacks are harder to follow and can be confusing for some readers.  There are also some elements of Medieval England which seemed anachronistic.  But with an interesting story and generally believable characters, these flaws are easy to overlook.In “Shadows of the Past”, Stefanescu draws together the past and the present into a fast-paced and energetic story.  While some of the point of view shifts might be disconcerting for readers, the romance, suspense, and adventure are definitely entertaining.