The Girl from Shadow Springs

A girl hardened by the harsh wilds of Shadow Springs and a boy softened by life in the South are forced together by a common need to avenge a loved one, each bringing their own strengths to the adventure... and weaknesses.

The Girl From Shadow Springs is the type of book you read curled up on your couch snuggled in millions of blankets as a blizzard swirls around outside (for the full effect, of course). Which is–surprising for this Texan–exactly how I read this book. I have Jorie and Cody to thank for keeping me sane during the Texas Blizzard of 2021, and for reminding me exactly why I've chosen to reside in Texas and not some harsh North controlled by a Winter Witch winks.

Jorie and Cody were an entertaining duo to say the least. Jorie– almost never willing to “lighten up”–and Cody–being a really spunky and adorable guy–had simply amusing interactions the entire time. They are polar opposites, but naturally, we know that opposites attract so it's easy to root for them.

The story is nonstop dilemma and problem as Jorie and Cody travel further and further into the unforgiving North. There's always an element of suspense to keep you turning the pages, and though some of the storyline was predictable (for me), there were other things that kept it fresh and exciting. The only thing that I almost didn't like was how the book was written in Jorie's uneducated slang. Until I was used to it (about halfway through the book), I could NOT turn off my inner editor, and the way Jorie spoke drove me crazy (if I ever see “weren't” used like that again, I shall scream!). However, the writing style in Jorie's voice is really what created the authenticity of her gruff and rough demeanor, making The Girl From Shadow Springs what it is. Without Jorie's narration, I feel like this would have been an entirely different book. And even though Jorie's way of narrating shows her tough lifestyle, the book never felt improperly edited; it was handled professionally, so in the end, it didn't bother me.

So, overall, I enjoyed The Girl From Shadow Springs and recommend it to fantasy lovers who would like more of a survivalist story, rather than a quest-like story. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.


I received this book for free from the author/publisher. All comments and opinions are entirely my own and I am leaving a voluntary review.