Wow! Such creativity in Shadowman, book 3 of the Shadow series. Kathleen is reincarnated as Layla to return to her love, a devil is released on earth because Shadowman creates a gate to hell. An awesome Good vs Evil story. Erin Kellison once again does a great job pulling us in and keeping us there. ( )

First off, I haven’t read any other books in this series. Saying that, I didn’t feel like I was lost while reading Shadowman. I think these books can be read out of order because Erin Kellison does a wonderful job explaining what has happened without overburdening the reader or being mundane to a reader who has read the first two books.

In the third book of the Shadow series, Shadowman is bound and determined to bring Kathleen back. He has forged a gate to hell and against the angel’s pleas, he must open it. He is unable to stand the thought that she is writhing in hell. Layla Mathew’s is drawn towards the gate after being banished from the Segue Institute by Adam Thorne. Her story on how the wraiths, regular people who gave up their soul for immortality, first came to the world is getting nowhere and she knows that Adam has the answers. She is given a tip by Zoe Maldano, a woman who has no love for Adam or the Segue Institute. Zoe tells her that the answers lie near the dock. Layla finds the gate and only touches it, but that is enough to unleash a nasty devil on the world. This devil with stop at nothing to kill Layla because if she does, hell will be unleashed upon the earth and the little devil is free to do whatever mischief she wants. Shadowman instantly realizes that Kathleen is not in hell but is reincarnated in Layla. The catch, he can’t force her to remember. Hopefully for both their sakes, she remembers soon.

Layla can’t figure out this man. He is mysterious and dark, but he has promised her a story. Now Layla just needs to open her mind to the possibility of another realm, a darker realm called the Shadow. Entering Shadow when you are not fae can lead to disastrous consequences. This is the realm that Shadowman lives in and there are trickster lurking about ready to pounce on Layla. Together they must discover who each other are. Shadowman is no long death and Layla is no longer who she thought she was. Now a new death has taken up the scythe and end what Shadowman has started.

Shadowman is dark and the world that Erin has created is amazing with angels, devils, wraiths, and ghosts meshed together. You are pulled into this world and unable to get out without losing yourself in the fae realm. I look forward to reading the first two books in this series. ( )

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy:
www.allthingsurbanfantasy.blogspot.com

After enjoying Erin Kellison's novella, SHADOW TOUCH, I jumped at the chance to review SHADOWMAN. Though this was my first full length book in the Shadow series, I was swept up in the story from page one. SHADOWMAN is such a satisfying stand alone novel, it was just icing on the cake that I could finish it and then immediately go back and enjoy SHADOW BOUND and SHADOW FALL.

SHADOWMAN provided just enough background to quickly orient someone new to the series without over-sharing for established readers (quite an accomplishment considering the complexity of Layla and Shadowman’s family life). Layla's connection to Talia was a definite surprise, and I loved Adam Thorne’s unflappable response to this revelation. To be fair, just about everything with Talia and Adam was wonderful (though balancing a global war and a set of colicky twins is no joke). Even with this great couple in the background, Shadowman and Layla steal the show. Of all the preternatural romances I've read this year, including those in the Shadow series itself, the bond between Death and the bright, strong soul of Kathleen O'Brien is one of the most convincing. Pair that with the breathtaking chemistry between Layla and her newly rediscovered lover, and this is a romance to remember.

I am beyond impressed by how easy it was to leap into the series with this book, despite the fact that I read the series backwards. Even with all the Shadow books under my belt, SHADOWMAN is still my favorite (with SHADOW FALL a close second). With interesting, accessible world building and characters that just grow more and more likable, I’m going to make sure that I keep up with Kellison’s books in the future.

Sexual Content: Several sex scenes. ( )

Kathleen O'Brien died while giving birth to her daughter, Talia. Never once getting to hold her child. Even with her weak heart, Kathleen has always been independent and strong. In death she vowed to find away back to her Talia & Shadowman.

I'm happy to see Shadowman and Kathleen get their own book. A great love story that has suffered much pain and heartache. If anyone deserves a HEA it's definitely them. Shadowman is dark, dangerous and beautiful. As always filled with intense action. A wonderful story. Although I loved the first book this latest story is my favorite in the series. I loved that reincarnation plays a part in the story, made the character unique and real. If you lean more to dark fantasy romance you don't want to miss out on this series. ( )