Shattered Mirror Review

Release Date: July 8, 2003
Publisher: Laurel Leaf
Age Group: 12+
Pages: 221 (Paperback)
Other Titles In Series: In The Forests on the Night, Demon in my View (You should read them in order.)

To the casual observer, Christopher Ravena and Sarah Vida look like normal high school students. But he’s a vampire who has sworn off human blood, and she’s a witch, a daughter of the most powerful vampire-hunting dynasty in history. Slowly, without meaning to, Sarah finds herself won over by his sensitivity, his gentleness, his kindness. But his past and her future collide when they both get tangled up with Nikolas, one of the most reviled vampires ever.
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I think I liked Demon In My View more, but this was still a really good addition to the Den of Shadows series.

The plot was very original, and executed well. There was lots of action, and the Sarah's journey was very well documented. Even so, I didn't have much trouble putting it down, although there were parts where I couldn't.

I think part of the reason it was semi-easy to put down was that I didn't love any of the characters. Sarah, Christopher, Nissa, and Nikolas, were all OK. Sarah was probably my favorite; she had awesome fighting skills, wasn't whiny, and let her emotions guide her through the whole book.

What can I saw about Amelia Atwater-Rhodes? She is one of my favorite authors. All of her books that I've read (which, right now, has only been the first 3 in the Den of Shadows series) have been very well-written, well thought out, and very quick reads. And, of course, Shattered Mirror was no exception.

So, although Demon in my View is still my favorite out of the series, Shattered Mirror was still a pretty darn good read, and quick. If you're looking for a new, relatively unknown, well-written vampire and vampire hunter book, pick up Shattered Mirror. And the rest of the 90s, gothic Den of Shadows series.

Demon In My View Review

Release Date: May 9, 2000
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 176
Other Books In Series: In The Forests Of The Night

Though nobody at her high school knows it, Jessica is a published author. Her vampire novel, Tiger, Tiger, has just come out under the pen name Ash Night. Now two new students have just arrived in Ramsa, and both want Jessica’s attention. She has no patience with overly friendly Caryn, but she’s instantly drawn to Alex, a self-assured, mysterious boy who seems surprisingly familiar. If Jessica didn’t know better, she’d think Aubrey, the alluring villain from her novel had just sprung to life. That’s impossible, of course; Aubrey is a figment of her imagination. Or is he?

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I have one big complaint about this book: it should be longer.

I enjoyed In The Forests Of The Night, but I definitely liked this one better. The plot instantly grabbed my attention, making me not want to put it down. I probably would've read it in one sitting if I didn't have to take care of my mom. All of that, and the fact that it's a small book, made it an easy day read.

Aubrey, who I hated in the last book, easily became a great character. Jessica was also an awesome character (and not because we have the same first name, but that was cool). I really didn't hate any of the characters, except for the villain, Fala.

The fact that Amelia Atwater-Rhodes was only 16 when she wrote this (and 13 when she wrote In The Forests Of The Night) amazes me. The story didn't leave any loose ends, and the writing was great, as expected.

I'd recommend this book/series quickly! I cannot wait for the next book, Shattered Mirror. Hopefully, there'll be more of the characters that I have easily fallen in love with.