I am so in love with this series ! Shadow Reaper is the second book in this refreshing new series from the always awesome Christine Feehan.

The Ferraro family is the most elite of the Shadow Riders. Ricco is probably the most damaged of the siblings. He finally had to reveal the secrets so that his family would give Mariko a chance. Their bond was strong and steeped in betrayal and secrets. Mariko fit right in with the bad ass Ferraro family. I felt so bad for her when the villain was revealed.

I never go wrong with a Christine Feehan book. As usual, this story blew my mind with action, suspense and intense sexual tension. It was fabulous ! I can't wait for more books in this series.

Ricco Ferraro leads the way through the twists and turns of this novel. We first met Ricco in book 1, Shadow Rider, he was the slightly standoffish brother with a secret that turned him darker during his Shadow Rider training in Japan when he was a teenager. Thankfully, we didn't have long to what to have that mystery revealed to us. Ricco's story starts when he meets the perfect match to his Shadows. But she's also clearly been sent after him. Was she sent by those in Japan that have been threatening Ricco and his family?

Our heroine's been alone for a long time, surviving the worst home situation. Now she's ready to prove herself an honorable Shadow Rider, will she follow through on her assignment, betraying the Shadow Rider vows? But something else is going on too. The Ferraro's are all being targeted now, not just Ricco. Can they unravel the mystery behind their current situation? And will they all survive?

I am really enjoying this new series. There are some similarities between this and the Ghostwalker series, in the characters and code they live by and since I absolutely LOVE that series I new I would like this one. The Ferraro family and the Shadow Rider community is revealed more in this novel than the first one, which was developing the premise of Shadow Riders more than anything. The family relationships, and insight into their parents and the other Shadow Rider families was really interesting. This was overall a bit of a slower paced novel compared to the first one, with more mystery intertwined. The villain reveal was really well done, and I didn't suspect it until right before the reveal. Nice!

Great second novel to the series. Its only downfall is that too many story lines start o cross and we lose sight of Ricco and Mariko. I love the background of Ricco's time in Japan and how he and Mariko are made for each other. It's another passionate tale from the amazing Christine Feehan. I can't wait for the series to continue!

Ricco has spent most of his life protecting his family from possible death. During childhood, every shadow rider is sent away from home for training. Ricco was sent to Japan. While there, he was put into vigorous training. He was also witness to a horror so profound that it would impact the rest of his childhood and follow him into adulthood. The very adults that were supposed to protect him threatened him and his family. They eventually sent someone to kill him after fifteen years.

Mariko us a shadow rider herself and was sent on a mission to either kill Ricco or lose her brother. The shadow riders exact swift justice upon those who are deserving of it. Mariko soon realizes that Ricco is not deserving of the justice that Mariko is there to give. As a matter of fact, Ricco is nothing that Mariko thought he would be. He is fierce and protective of his family and friends.

Ricco knows why Mariko is there, but he doesn’t care. He finally has found the woman that is meant for him and he means to keep her. He doesn’t care that she’s a shadow rider and she can bear shadow rider children. He’s looked his whole life for her and he’s not letting her go. Since he was fourteen years old, Ricco has walked a tightrope. He has finally shared the burden with his family and his relief is profound.

I didn’t particularly care for the shibari. It just didn’t belong, in my opinion. It wasn’t exactly BDSM, but it was a form of it. I’m very particular when it comes to some things and BDSM is one of them. Mariko did kick ass which was amazing. I love a heroine that can hold her own. Ricco respected her as a fighter which made me love him even more. It was more the story I had a problem with than the characters.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

I can't decide if the sexism or the racism is worse in this book. Describing Japanese women in general as submissive? Gross. Fetishistic exploitation of a Japanese phenomenon (and lazy at that - Shibari is the western interpretation of Japanese 'Kinbaku', if Ricco spent so long in Japan he would know that)? Racist. Constantly referring to women who aren't the protagonist as 'sluts' or 'whores'? Sexist. If I wanted to see women being called derogatory terms I would read the comments section of Jezebel. Your protagonist doesnt need to be in some way better than other women - at this point in time it feels disingenuous.

Moreover, The plot is nonsensical - hard to follow. It reads like Feehan forgot what she was doing half way through and just pivoted

I am thoroughly enjoying the Shadow series! This second book in the series has all the earmarks of another great read by Feehan.