Mini Review Enshadowed- Kelly Creagh

Varen Nethers is trapped in a perilous dream world -- a treacherous and desolate realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. Isobel Lanley, plagued by strange visions and haunted by the nightmares of Varen's creation, is the only one who can save him.Isobel knows that her only hope lies within a Baltimore cemetery. There, in the early morning hours of Edgar Allan Poe's birthday, a mysterious stranger known as the "Poe Toaster" will make his annual homage at the legendary poet's grave.Only the Poe Toaster holds the key to the way between worlds. But even greater dangers lie ahead for Isobel. An ancient evil, draped in veils of white, is watching, challenging her for Varen's affections. When Isobel finally finds Varen, he is no longer the quiet and brooding boy who once captivated her, but a dark force, powerful and malevolent

I loved the first novel, found the characters and world building interesting and unique. I love Edgar Allan Poe, so this author automatically intrigued me with the idea of a boy sucked into a world where Poe’s creations have basically come to life.

This book solves the mystery of Poe’s death and gives a name and face to the mysterious Poe Toaster. It also brings in some Hebrew mythology which I always enjoy.

However my issue with this book was that it took so long to get started. We spend more than half the book with Isobel trying to find a way to Baltimore to get to the Poe Toaster in hopes of him leading her back to Varen. Her character just bugs me, her parents bug me…pretty much everyone BOTHERED me. All I wanted was more of Varen and he is pretty much NOT in this book.

The ending felt rushed, so much happened at once and then BAM it ended on a cliff hanger and now I will have to wait who knows how long for the next installment since this one took forever to be published to begin with.

So a meh novel for me, not great, not horrible, it kept my attention and didn’t totally bore me.