The Shadow Order

Crossroads Witch, Book 1

By: J.S. Malcom

Narrated by: Amy Hall

Either I defeat the monster or I become the monster.

As if being locked up in the crazy house wasn’t bad enough, I wake up to discover that the person I trust most in the world just morphed into a bloodthirsty monster. My only chance for escape comes in the form of two women calling out from within a shimmering tunnel. So, it's either stick around and get murdered or jump through some kind of portal.

I take the option that doesn’t involve dying and find myself ushered into an ancient society of witches. I'm given a choice: I can either go it alone and take my chances or join their magical training program. The problem being I didn't even know I had magic, never mind the kind that can open a doorway between realms. But that’s exactly why I’m being hunted by a Fae demon looking to settle an old score. Now, I either find a way to defeat him or he’ll be using my magic to bring in the rest of his kind. If that happens, it won’t only mean the end for the world of witches. It’ll mean the end of the world.

The Shadow Order is a fast-paced, unpredictable new urban fantasy. If you like snarky kickass heroines, fast-paced action, magic, witchcraft, and romance, then grab it today!

©2021 J.S. Malcom (P)2021 J.S. Malcom

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This is a perfect storm of amazing storytelling and perfection by the narrator! Don’t wait, I have listened to over 9,000 minutes this year alone. This one is a standout!

Amaya

Even having read this book already, this narrator kept me on my toes. Her choice of voices for the main characters was spot on. Looking forward to her narrating the next two books in the series.

confusion and Mundanity

I'll start by saying I have been burnt out on Academy and school type books. and although this book that's a decent job in portraying the classmates and the dynamic is still has a very YA feel to it.

second this is clearly a book as a continuation in a entangled world. and without having read the other books it is very confusing like being tossed off a cliff into free fall.

I would have understood if it was mentioned anywhere that this is a part of a continuous world, and it's recommended to read the other books. might have enjoyed it as a sequel, but as it stands, nowhere was it mentioned that I should have read the other books, but the story is very much told in a way that you should have known about the previous happenings. I have an hour left and I seriously want a dnf it. it's becoming a drag, and I'm very confused as to why we need the second POV why do we need to know about Cassie it's very confusing I guess you might have been an important story in another book but why are we going along for her ride? nothing interesting seems to happen even during her povs it really adds nothing to the story.

Promising start, interested to see where it goes..

The Shadow Order (Crossroads Witch, Book 1) by J.S. Malcom and narrated by Amy Hall is a good listen if you’re looking for a book with magic, a little mystery, various creatures, and good narration. I’m interested to see where this one will go and already purchased the second in the series. Overall, I recommend and it’s a solid 4 stars all around.

What’s it about? Amaya, who’s in her early 20’s, has been living in a psychiatric hospital when strange things begin to occur. She is taken away by a group called the Shadow Order where she learns about the supernatural, friendship, love, and more. As the story unfolds, it becomes quite the fast-paced ride; magic, ley lines, skeleton’s serving food, dragon’s, demons, necromancers- there’s so much more but really don’t want to spoil it for you. There’s good character development and supporting characters. The story is told alternating between Amaya and Cassie’s (veil witch) view points. I liked not being sure where the book was heading and there’s a dark side to the story. What I didn’t care for was the “mean girl” aspect, but I guess that’s what goes with being part of a school (the book could have stood without- maybe in book two she becomes the villain? I guess we shall see).

The narrator, Amy Hall, was good overall and I enjoyed her narration. Her tones and pacing were reliable and characters were distinct. There was one voice I struggled with initially, but then adjusted after a few chapters so could just be me.

Parental guidance/trigger warnings: death, bullying, some light romance (kissing, light petting), mental health. Language used: Fx15, Sx34.

*I requested this audiobook from freeaudiobookcodes (dot) com at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you for allowing me to listen and review the book!

Mysterious and Riveting!

Amaya has no memory of what brought her to where she is, no idea who she is, or what she is. All she knows is that she ended up in an asylum. Then one night all hell broke loose! The Shadow Order is an engrossing start to what promises to be a fantastic, action packed, urban fantasy series! Fabulously written and beautifully narrated, this one is stuffed to the brim with well defined, well developed, ingenious characters, fast moving action, witchcraft, magic and mayhem! Admittedly, there were a few characters I wanted to cast evil spells on, but no spoilers here, I’m not telling who! Then, there were those cats! They stole my heart! I was truly captivated and throughly engaged for the entirety of this audiobook! I loved everything about it and I can’t wait to start the next one in the series! Five fabulous stars!