I really enjoyed this book. Oh, wait, disclaimer: I received an advance copy of this book from the author.

Okay, I really enjoyed this book. Of Shadow and Stone is a paranormal thriller that mixes together all kinds of paranormal creatures. The gargoyles require a mortal sentinel to keep them in check and Kate Mercer, popular Hollywood actress, just might be the next sentinel. In the meantime, the gargoyles are going a bit overboard in dishing out justice. Personally, I think the identity thief got what they deserved but this is why I’m not being considered for the sentinel job.

The hub of all this paranormal activity is a castle called Shadow Wood and its keeper (leader/ruler) Declan. I want to know more about Declan. I want to know a lot more about Declan. I think there could be an entire book just about Declan and how he ended up in his current position. Shadow Wood seems to be a safe haven of sorts for paranormal creatures. Kate is drawn to the castle in dreams and evenly travels their (transports) to learn of her pending decision. Of course, back home chaos ensues with the ex-boyfriend that just wants another chance, or is it the ex-boyfriend making all the trouble?

There is a lot of detail packed into this book but none of it seemed out of place to me. It didn’t interfere with any of the action and I think it was actually there to add to the description of one of the other characters (I’m talking about the “magic” wardrobe, I want one btw). There were was at least one moment when Kate bugged me (no, if you don’t wanna go to the wrap party with the ex then you don’t go with him, you don’t just go along with things) but nothing requires me to like everything about every character and some important things did come out of that scene.

So, yeah, I really enjoyed this book. There’s a little romance (not trashy romance novel romance), a little paranormal, and a thrilling ending.

*sigh*

This book was kind of on my radar for sometime so when a Facebook page I follow offered free copies as a promotional for a new online bookclub I threw my hand in the air and said, “me me me me.” And, so, I received a free copy and set aside what I was reading and commenced to reading this one.

And then I stopped.

And then I read some more.

And then I stopped.

And then I read some comic books.

And then my mom was in the hospital.

And then I went on a trip.

And then I read some more.

You get the idea.

The Light Between Oceans starts with Tom Sherbourne returning from the Western Front of WWI to his home country of Australia where he takes up lighthouse keeping. Eventually, he gets stationed at Janus Rock, a very remote posting and while traveling to his new station he meets Isabel. The two marry while Tom is on shore leave and then they head back to Janus Rock to set up married life. It goes pretty well except Isabel has three miscarriages, which are devastating for her. After the third, which results in a stillborn birth, a dingy washes up on the shore of the island carrying a deadman and a very much alive baby girl. Isabel manages to persuade Tom to not report the dingy and to pass the baby off as their own. It all goes smashingly until it doesn’t and that’s when things start to get interesting.

The book is told in three parts. The first two parts of the book are extremely slow moving. I don’t know if the pace of this portion of the book is supposed to mirror the isolation of Janus Rock but if I hadn’t been reading it for a bookclub, I probably would have stopped long before I got to part three. The descriptions of Janus Rock are quite beautiful and the agony of Isabel’s miscarriages seem to, also, match the desolation of living on a rock far from shore. I suppose now is a good time to mention that I don’t like Isabel. I suppose she is just a figure of her time. There is no such thing as prenatal care (was there?) so these miscarriages are her personal fault and why in the hell would she consider going back to the mainland during one of these pregnancies when her duty was to stay by her husband. And, why on earth would she need to see a doctor afterwards? Tom has a strong moral compass. He’s a military man that clings to the rules of lighthouse keeping to help him live in a world after surviving 4-years of war. Isabel manages to shame him (I felt) into keeping this baby with the argument that it’s a “gift from god” and just think of the horrible things that could happen to the baby because surely, even though we have no evidence of it, both her parents are dead. *sigh* This is where I wanted to smack the shit out of Isabel.

Part three doesn’t roll around until 200+ pages into the book. Should you make it this far, this is where things get interesting and the pace picks up. The gig is up and now the Sherbourne’s have to face the consequences of their decision to keep the baby. It might be difficult to put the book down if you make it this far. I ended up pulling an all nighter to just finish the book. I can’t say that I think it was worth it.