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Master Of Shadows | 
 enlarge | Author: Janet Lorimer
Publisher: Juno Books
Category: Book
List Price: $12.95
Buy New: $1.99
You Save: $10.96 (85%)
New (21) Used (10) from $1.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 1303337
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 248
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.7
ISBN: 0809557827
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780809557820
ASIN: 0809557827
Publication Date: October 1, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
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Product Description
As a child, Ariel McPherson was warned about a ferocious creature that allegedly stalked the forest near her family's summer cottage during the full moon. But surely those were merely stories meant to warn a little girl of dangers that lurk in any wood? When her adult world collapses, Ariel takes refuge in the cottage. Forced to go on an errand of mercy during a night of the full moon, Ariel finds legend crashing into reality. She meets a mysterious stranger, Louvel, in the forest. He will not allow her to see his face, but still strangely captures her heart. Then Ariel's life is shattered by a mysterious death; secrets are revealed and suspicions raised. Ariel's search for answers endangers her own life. Louvel may possess powers that can protect and help her...or he may a beast more fearsome than any found in a fairy tale.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
 Angieville: MASTER OF SHADOWS November 2, 2008
I am very partial to fairy tale retellings. I love the unique ways modern authors come up with to treat such old stories. In particular, I have a difficult time turning away a Beauty and the Beast retelling. My favorites (Robin McKinley's Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast and Rose Daughter) tend to be traditionally set versions of the tale. Although Alex Flinn's Beastly is a wonderfully modern retelling of the tale set in present-day NYC. MASTER OF SHADOWS resides in a rather odd place somewhere between the two. Set "Once upon a time toward the end of the 20th century," the story is definitely set in our modern world, but Lorimer keeps places and details purposefully vague so as to retain that timeless fairy tale feel.
And it works. A bit too well. I got the feeling this book wasn't sure what it wanted to be. Fundamentally a cross between The Phantom of the Opera: The Original Novel and the tale of Beauty and the Beast, it works really hard to be a rather creepy murder mystery as well, with the result that I felt confused and a bit jerked around for the majority of the book. I wanted to fall in love with the characters, but Louvel (the Beast) is kept at such a distance from the reader that it's difficult to care about him. All we know is he has a deep, dark secret and that he can somehow be in ten places at once. Ariel (Beauty) is likable enough, but she does seem a bit more overwhelmed than I would have expected by her loss of fortune and rich fiance.
I liked that Ariel had to unravel the many threads of the mystery before she could truly understand Louvel and the motley cast of odd characters he surrounded himself with. I liked that Louvel wasn't suffering from an evil spell, but was simply a man born into a pack of troubles. I liked the frequent references to the many other fairy tales that made up the fabric of Ariel's life. I think my main concern with the story was that these two characters spent a total of five days together (a week at the most) before Ariel was unceremoniously sent back to the world. And already they're soul mates. There was no time to develop a bond. It was simply there and, apparently, unbreakable. The whole book followed that pattern. Logical, at times gruesome, explanations for everything. Until finally, there was just no "magic" left. I am a consummate willing suspender of disbelief. But, unfortunately, the whole thing was too big a leap of faith for me.
 Predictable, but readable October 9, 2008
Janet Lorimer uses fairy tale imagery and gothic horror in Master of Shadows. But I was disappointed in the heroine's lack of common sense and was let down by the "big reveal" of the hero. The mystery was drawn out and predictable. Some of the writing seemed like something I might have read twenty years ago. Glad I got this from the library instead of spending money on it.
 Masterful Writing February 29, 2008
Janet Lorimer is a masterful writer. I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to pick up a book and be immediately sucked in by a great voice, a wonderful eye for detail, solid, compelling characters and a terrific story that hooks you immediately. Many years ago, I read some of Ms. Lorimer's children's books and am thrilled that she has moved to the world of adult fiction. If you like mystery mixed with a little fantasy, this is the book for you.
Beauty meets the Beast February 20, 2008
Only when I was nearly finished the book did it come to mind the story of Beauty and the Beast. This is a great romantic story of almost forbidden love and it reminded me of the characters, Catherine and Vincent from the television series "Beauty and the Beast". I loved those characters then and I love the characters portrayed in Master of Shadows. It is full of mystery, shadows, and suspense. I found the book hard to put down.
Mystery, excitement and fantasy meet December 5, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Master of Shadows was a wonderful book that kept me hooked until the end. Ms. Lorimer knows how to build suspense - not giving you too much or too little. And the surprising twists shake you up as soon as you think you know what will happen next. The descriptions help you picture exactly what is happening.
A fun and interesting read - a vacation in a book.
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