The Shadow (Florentine series) Paperback – February 2, 2016

I finished reading The Shadow, in one sitting, for the second time yesterday. It was even better the second time - and that's saying something, since I thought it was perfect a month ago. Seeing the tears glistening in my eyes, my soulmate asked me how I felt. This is how the conversation went:"Oh, my God, this book is so, so good.""What made it so good?""Everything.""Could you be a bit more specific?""I'm not sure. Nothing I could say would do it justice.""Why are you crying?""It's what readers do when a story is so perfect it's etched in your heart forever."So here I sit a day later, trying to write a decent review for my very favorite author. I'm not sure I'm worthy of paying adequate tribute to his work, except to say that when I read anything he writes, I am filled with a sense of being truly alive. Every sense is sharpened. I live and breathe the lives of his characters; absorb the mystery of their world; appreciate art I've never seen; hear music as if it were my first time. I fill my lungs with the air of the Italian countryside, hear the hushed conversations in the Uffizi Gallery, and feel the heat of every moment he so lyrically describes.The Shadow, #2 in the amazing Florentine Series, has the remarkable characteristics of every great love story - be it Dante and Beatrice or Romeo and Juliet, the skillfully crafted tale of Raven and William, the Prince of Florence, has everything you could possibly want in a dark romance. Passion. Complexity. Engaging and powerful sub-plots. Treachery. Betrayal. Secrets. Mystery. Moments of perfect joy, when the shadows are at bay and the two lovers experience the intensity of overwhelming desire, the joy of sexual union, and the vulnerability of intimacy. An undercurrent of suspense is palpable, beating in the background, building steadily; intensifying their deep personal conflicts; highlighting the fragility of the lovers' forbidden relationship; portending a sense doom, of ultimate sacrifice and agonizing grief. But there is so much more...in the midst of what may seem to be an inevitable tragedy, Sylvain manages to instill an abiding sense of hope. Hope that the forces converging to separate the two lovers and take William's throne - his soulmate - and his life - will miraculously be defeated. That the lost soul - the dark, avenging angel - will be redeemed. That the heroine's light will overcome his darkness and they will ultimately experience the happy ever after they deserve.It is simply a perfect read. I could not have hoped for more from this author or this series. And as always, having read it, I feel fulfilled, if not satisfied -- there is so much more to come to conclude this amazing story.And for those who, like me, may never get enough of Gabriel and Julia Emerson, they appear again -- in a scene that will shake you to your core. And, finally, Sylvain teases us with outtakes - otherworldly 'what-ifs' - flights of creative fantasy to make you crave the next story...and the next...and the next.

5 stars -plus…The Prince of Florence is back…and trying his best to prove to Raven that his love for her is strong a and could endure anything… Raven is the ray of hope in his world…The Shadow tell us more about Raven and William's past… different kinds of suffering but that shaped their personalities ever since…Lots of passionate and tender moments. I admire William even more now… The fact that he loves Raven for who she is…the beauty that shows inside and out…is sublime.."The woman with the great green eyes and the maddening, courageous soul."The intimacy their share when they are together surpass the physical…more than a strong connection. They are learning how to love each other with mind and body. Raven never expected to find love..and William was sure love wasn’t something he could feel…but, together they are discovering the layers of true love…and William’s words always touch me deeply:“Why shouldn’t a beautiful, fierce young woman hope for love?”“Because, as you put it, human beings are shallow.”“Love is deep.(…) “Love creates; it doesn’t destroy.”You know by now, that SR’s descriptions always make you feel like you are part of the scene…watching it unfold in front of your eyes…“He brought her to the center of the largest terrace, next to a large, impressive fountain that featured a statue of Venus and Cupid. Potted lemon trees stood broadly around its circumference. Raven inhaled the sunny, citrus scent."Florence’s beauty and history are the perfect background for this particular paranormal story. The art reference is always present and that’s what I like the most about his writing… you’re always learning something new… One of my fave quotes:"Art is the only beauty that never dies.”SR’s underworld has different elements. The vampyres transformation and darkness that surround their personality is explained mixing the common knowledge about supernatural creatures and theological (bible) references. In my opinion, that what makes his underworld so unique and fascinating.In The Shadow, the Prince is still trying to discover the identity of the traitor mentioned in the previous books. Lots of mystery, action, new elements about the Consilium make us eager to solve the puzzle and help him to keep the principality united.Another characteristic present in SR’s Florentine Series, is the fact that he blends history with his storyline (narrative). The story surround his mentor, the saint, that we read about in prior books is an exemple of that. If you take the time to do some research will see what I mean by that ;)In suma, The Shadow is a Amazing love story that has paranormal elements. So worth reading. It will take your breath away…Let Sylvain Reynard guide you through his underground and expand your world...“Love transcendes genre.”SR <3

It's taken me quite a while to pick up this installment of SR's second series. Even though if features The Emersons, they surely play second fiddle to William and Raven.I'm not a fan, as a rule, of novels about non-humans, but wanted to take another stab at The Florentine Series.I loved this book. I've talked to my friends about vampires in trying to understand more about their lives, their principalities, and their lack of remorse so I can more fully understand this underworld.One of the many things I admire about the author is that he always explores moral dilemmas and intertwines them with history and faith. Everything he writes in fantastic!

The story continues to deepen. I admire the flirts with history and the nods to the beauty of the setting and its art.

Amazing, I love it.the story captivated you from the beginning to the end. I read it in two days.wonderful.SR really gave his best in this one.

The mystery and intrigue woven into the Florentine series continues in the third installment (The Shadow). It is masterfully crafted in true Sylvain Reynard style and it is without doubt, my favourite book of this series so far.Many thought provoking questions and innuendos brought to the forefront from the storyline so far shall be answered; while astounding revelations are also uncovered. But of course, not all the secrets are revealed, leaving the reader in great anticipation for what is yet to come in the final installment of the series.While the storyline takes place in the underworld of Florence, it continues to incorporate renaissance history, art and architecture in true Sylvain Reynard style. But most importantly, it is an unconventional love story between a vampyre prince and his Cassita – Raven Wood.For those readers exploring Sylvain Reynard for the first time; I suggest you start this series with the novella – ‘The Prince’, and then continue with ‘The Raven’ before reading ‘The Shadow’. This way you experience the masterful way in which the author unfolds the storyline.To those readers already familiar with this fabulous series, you won’t be disappointed. This novel is well worth the wait. You will be mulling over the story and its characters well after you've finished, yearning for more, while at the same time ( if you’re like me) mourning the conclusion of this series and it’s wonderful characters before it’s even arrived.Congratulations Sylvain Reynard – you are simply a genius!

Just LOVE Reynard's writing - evocative, rich, pure escapism. Love the main characters, and the vampire/fantasy element is well balanced with the more romantic/relationship aspect which we're used to from the Gabriel series. More!!

I can say that this is one of the best books I read. It hits all the places of paranormal, human spirit and romance.This just does not disappoint like all Mr. Reynard's books.