Shadows Review

Synopsis: The last thing Dawson Black expected was Bethany Williams. As a Luxen, an alien life form on Earth, human girls are…well, fun. But since the Luxen have to keep their true identities a secret, falling for one would be insane.

Dangerous. Tempting. Undeniable.

Bethany can’t deny the immediate connection between her and Dawson. And even though boys aren’t a complication she wants, she can’t stay away from him. Still, whenever they lock eyes, she’s drawn in.

Captivated. Lured. Loved.

Dawson is keeping a secret that will change her existence...and put her life in jeopardy. But even he can’t stop risking everything for one human girl. Or from a fate that is as unavoidable as love itself.

Review: 
This was included in the back of Opposition, but it will be released in paperback; by itself in November. Technically this is Lux series 0.5. I suggest if you are going to read this as a prequel, to read Obsidian first because it will make a lot more sense. On the other hand, if you have finished the whole series, this fills in the gaps of Obsidian. It is basically the backstory that you don't really learn much about in Obsidian and the rest of the series. 

Shadows fills in the missing puzzle pieces of why Daemon was initially so hostile to Kat, the relationship between the Blacks and the government, and the structure of the relationship between the Blacks and the Thompsons. 

Dawson really is something else. Obviously since Dawson is Daemon's identical twin, Dawson looks exactly like Daemon. They both carry themselves with a confidence that not many people/Luxen have. But where Daemon is the "bad boy brother," Dawson is the "good boy."

Dawson  just falls so hard for Bethany. It's completely adorable. Among the Luxen, while relationships with humans aren't forbidden, they are generally frowned upon. But Dawson is completely smitten and is willing to risk everything for a chance to be with her.

Since I read this after reading the entire Lux series, I knew what would happen to Dawson and Beth. But I didn't want anything to happen to them, they are just so in love. It crushed me to watch them fight to be a normal couple, free from the judgement of their species. 

In this book you also get to really see the Thompson triplets. Andrew in Dawson and Beth's POVs really isn't much different from Katy's. 

The end to the novella is heartbreaking even though I knew what was going to happen. During Shadows you see how close Dawson is to Dee. Which made Dee's loss hurt even more. I loved the insight you get into why Daemon acts the way he does toward humans. Overall, I love this novella because you get to see the backstory of Dawson and Beth, before the events in the rest of the series take place. 

Reading order of the Lux series:
Obsidian (Lux #1)
Shadows (Lux #0.5)
Oblivion (Lux #1.5)
Onyx (Lux #2)
Opal (Lux #3)
Origin (Lux #4)
Opposition (Lux #5)

Buy Shadows here:

Kindle

Paperback

*Shadows is available in paperback for preorder. It will be released November 1st, 2016