Review: You Can't Ask For Anything Better Than This
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 19, 2013
I loved the first book of this series, Lethal Inheritance.  Book 2, Stalking Shadows, is just as solid.  At the very start, Ariel engages in a battle with an unexpected rival and moves on to a journey that lets the reader experience the character development of Ariel, Nick, and the talking cat, Twitchet.  Along the way, the plot thickens as the reader experiences the journey.  There are some secretly friendly Domos known as the Star Clan, a not-so-fun journey through the Morbid Forest, and a lot of not-very-nice Magans.  Ariel has a price on her head, and it seems those Magans not only want the reward but the supposed power that would come with being her capturer. In that mix comes an interesting character by the name of Kestril, a magician who may or may not be an ally. His dark, brooding character keeps the reader guessing.The story line also remains true. Ariel is just 17, has been thrown into extremely challenging situations and is totally out of her element when it comes to dealing with darkness, a love interest (Nick), and a talking cat who likes to interfere with the progress of her love life. She has survived serious battles with demons and the Serpentine, she has been tricked many times yet survives, she witnesses the death of a new friend; and through it all, she doesn’t give up the fight.However, I am an old person (groan) who has raised two teenage daughters and taught countless other teenagers. Along with loving them, I have been disappointed, frustrated, and annoyed by them. And so it is with Ariel, the 17-year-old main character.  She keeps missing the point of all that she is being taught.  She constantly lets her arrogances and fears defeat her. Granted, she keeps most of her torments to herself; but that frustrates me, too.  She has several chances to share her quandaries with people who could help her resolve them.  However, for various reasons, she chooses to hide all of the things that are holding her back.  How does she think she can come into her full potential as a Warrior and save not only her mother but mankind if she doesn’t use all the resources available to her? How come she refuses to recognize that hiding from the truth just keeps a person suspended in time with no chance for progress?  Don’t get me wrong, I still believe in Ariel; and I don’t consider this a flaw in the book.  The point that I am frustrated with Ariel’s behavior proves how spot on the author, Tahlia Newland, has portrayed Ariel as a kid struggling to overcoming all those teenage angsts so she can grow to the next level of mature that is required to finish her quest.  It proves that the story has not lost its power or its purpose.  I, as a reader, am still merged in the magic of the tale.Characters have to be true to themselves as well as to be who the author needs them to be, and Tahlia Newland has created a cast of wonderful characters who have carried the story gracefully. The book is well-written, the main storyline stays true, and the characters are strong, believable, and endearing.  You can’t ask for anything better than that.  I look forward to reading Book 3 in the series, Demon’s Grip.5 starsI received a free copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review on behalf of the Awesome Indies.Ulva Eldridge, AIA Reviewer