Two races that don't care for each other are each dedicated to fighting the demons that prey on humans. A seer predicts that each race is key to the other's success, and arranges for a Shadow and a Warder who are meant for each other to meet. They do and begin to bond almost immediately, despite their wariness. The romantic angle develops very quickly, but there is magic involved in their match and they are spending a lot of time in close proximity. Despite the problems caused by mistakes each makes, they don't waste time in recriminations. Instead, they admit their failures and sadness, and keep moving towards their ultimate goal--fighting the demons.

And then there are the demons who are acting out of character. We learn a bit about them and some of what they are doing. And there are several fights with them.

There is only a little world building. And that typically occurs during conversations. However, the world is not terribly complex, so it is pretty easy to follow along.

I liked both of the main characters. She is sweet but feisty and optimistic despite the pain of her past. He is dark and guilt-ridden, yet honorable and with a sharp sense of humor.

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. ( )

This book drew me in right from the start! It was an amazing read and more than held my interest right up until the end. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!!! I fell in love with Celeste and Gabriel and sweet Fitz! ( )

I do so love being introduced to the work of an author I’ve never read, and finding a new gem to treasure. Such is the case with Molle McGregor’s Shadow’s Passion. I received this book from Library Thing with the request for an honest review, and I’m quite happy to say this book is a treat from start to finish.

Shadow’s Passion is a prequel to McGregor’s Shadow Warder’s series. It begins with the vision of an Oracle, seeing the urgent need for two separated races to come together to save the world from a demon scourge. Though legend says by joining together their power increases significantly, for fifteen hundred years the Shadows and Warders have worked separately to fight the Vorati demons. The demons take over the bodies of humans and consume their souls, feeding on the sadness, fear and despair of others and spreading their blight as they go. The Vorati, who have always been solitary beasts, have begun to work together. If not stopped they could become a ruling force and take over the world. It’s time for the Shadows and Warders to come together, and the Oracle knows just the pair to being the transition.

Celeste is a Shadow healer who cannot control her powers around electricity. She has cut herself off from all others, living a largely solitary existence in a tower set deep in the mountainous woods where she can do no harm should her powers go haywire. Her only constant companion is her Irish wolfhound. Gabe is an elite Warder soldier, one who hunts demons but also Warders who go rogue. He’s been sent on a mission in Celeste’s area and comes upon a group of Vorati who have her trapped; Gabe knows they will capture and torture her if given the chance. He is injured in the process of helping Celeste so, even though interaction between the two is forbidden, she brings him to her sanctuary to heal his wounds. They are both surprised by the strong connection that rapidly builds between them, and try to deal with that while strategizing how best to eliminate the Vorati nest in their midst.

Any time an author starts a new series I suspect it’s a great challenge to build up a world that quickly draws the reader’s interest yet gives enough information to set the stage for the action to come. McGregor does a great job in this regard; the prologue is an intriguing introduction, then the reader is thrown right into the action. The building relationship between Celeste and Gabe, especially given that it is verboten, is a pleasure to see unfold. There is plenty of passion and heartache (old and new), interspersed with action to keep the story moving. It’s clear this is just the beginning foray into what promises to be a vastly interesting and entertaining world. I look forward to visiting again soon. ( )