Book Review: Sweet Shadows (Medusa Girls #2) by Tera Lynn Childs

Recently I went on reading kick and finally read a few books that have been begging to be read. Really could you say I went on a mini Harper Teen high and read a few of their recent titles that I have been anxious to read. Along with Sweet Shadows by Tera Lynn Childs that I reviewed here, I also read Team Human by Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan, and Glass Heart by Amy Garvey, and a few more. These are great reads, and I'll be posting my reviews for each of the titles here on the blog through out the day.

By: Terra Lynn Childs

Published by: Harper Teen 

Released on: September 4th, 2012

Source: ARC from the publisher to review

Series: Medusa Girls #2

Stars: 4.5 stars- I Really Enjoyed It!

Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

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Gretchen may have known she was a descendant of Medusa long before her sisters-after all, she's spent her life fighting the monsters that escape the abyss-but that doesn't mean it will be easy to teach the other girls the ropes. Can she rely on Grace and Greer, or even trust herself to keep them safe? Greer has pressing social commitments on her plate and precious little time to train in her newfound powers. But that wretched second sight won't leave her alone, and her fabled heritage seems to be creeping into her fashionable life.

Grace has worries closer to home-like why her brother, Thane, has disappeared. He's hiding something. Could it possibly be related to the secret heritage the triplets share?

With the warring factions among the gods of Olympus coming for them, the creatures of the abyss pushing into their world, and the boys in their lives keeping secrets at every turn, the three girls must figure out where their fate will take them and how to embrace the shadows of their legacy. -quoted from Epic Reads

I loved jumping right back into the sisters's world. Picking up right where Sweet Vemon left off, this storyline is much more intense, exciting and gets more in-depth with the Greek inspired mythology. Have I mentioned before how much I love this mythology?! I love that Tera stays true to these classic characters, while at the same time gives the classic lore a spin that works perfectly with this series. There's plenty of danger, twists, and these complicated romances the sisters are trying to deal with on top of fighting frightening, mythological creatures. If that wasn't enough, they still have to try and maintain a some what normal teen life style complete with going to high school. 

Gretchen, Grace and Geer are characters I've come to love. They're tough in their own ways and despite kicking some serious Greek mythological monster butt, they can still maintain their femininity perfectly, as well as being laid back. I feel like they're relatable in all the right ways, and despite all they have going on I found it easy to sympathize with each one of them as they try to prepare for what's to come, while shuffling homework, romance, and the secret lives they now lead. I like how each triplet has a distinct voice. I feel like I've gotten to know the girls well enough, that even if the book didn't list which sister was narrating which chapter (which it does list), I would have been able to figure it out. I love how each sister compliments the others. One sister has no problems kicking the crap out of someone, one's sassy, and the other a romantic. 

I've enjoyed getting to see that though the sisters each grew up in different homes, with different life styles, they have way more in common than they each first realized, and what I originally thought. I loved seeing how they've all grown extremely close, and have come to trust and rely on each other so quickly. It's what lies at the heart of the battle that's to come that fascinated me the most. I liked how Tera allowed me to see and understand the girls' being torn on their duty, and dealing with just life. The romance in this story is great! For each sister it's different. It's something that motives and drives the sisters to action in various ways. I have to say, I didn't see that shocking twist with Nick, Gretchen's love interest, coming. I loved the surprising potential love interest between Thane and Greer. Well I should say I'm anxious to see if anything will come out of it, and I'm waiting to find out what's going to happen with Grace. 

I love Greek mythology, and the suspense, and danger that lie with finding out and trying to figure out which Gods side with the triplets and which Gods want to see them fail intense is well written and drawn out in this book. The Greek Gods, it seems, are always at odds with each other, and it wasn't a huge surprise to me when a few Greek Gods intentions are revealed. Now that the girls know more about what's at stake, their roles as Guardians and Protectors may come at a cost as those they need to continue to help them are missing. I'm more than anxious to find out what roles the rest of the Gods have with the upcoming battle.

I can't wait to read more of this series! It's become one of those series I go to when I want to read something that gives me a little bit of everything I love. Great characters, an engaging story line, plenty of sass, romance, action, and butt kicking protagonists. If you're a fan of Tera Lynn Childs's books, love a well written Greek mythology, and are looking for an enjoyable read I'd recommend picking up this series.