Book Review: Shadow Hills

Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus

Released: July 13, 2010
Publisher: Egmont USA
Pages: 400
Rating: 5 stars

His love captivated her... his secrets might kill her.

Since her sister’s mysterious death, Persephone “Phe” Archer has been plagued by a series of disturbing dreams. Determined to find out what happened to her sister, Phe enrolls at Devenish Prep in Shadow Hills, Massachusetts—the subject of her sister’s final diary entry.

After stepping on campus, Phe immediately realizes that there’s something different about this place—an unexplained epidemic that decimated the town in the 1700s, an ancient and creepy cemetery, and gorgeous boy Zach—and somehow she’s connected to it all.

But the more questions she asks and the deeper she digs, the more entangled Phe becomes in the haunting past of Shadow Hills. Finding what links her to this town…might cost her her life.

Shadow Hills has been highly talked about and one of the most anticipated reads of 2010 and I think its safe to say, it didn't disappoint. Shadow Hills was an incredible debut.

The back story is so deep and well-developed that I couldn't help but suspect everyone right off the bat...even though I'm not exactly sure what I was suspecting them of. This was one gripping read that kept me intrigued from page one until the very end. I just couldn't seem to put it down.

Not only was the plot interesting enough, the characters were also enjoying to learn about. Phe is ballsy and headstrong; she isn't afraid to speak her mind. Adriana had me laughing to tears with her quirky comments and snark remarks. Although Phe and Adriana's personalities are completely the opposite, Hopcus made their friendship seem so natural.

The writing was refreshing. Every scene I could really imagine what was taking place. And let me just tell you, Anastasia can write one heck of a horror scene. I was on the edge of my seat and screaming, "Stop", "Don't go in there", and "Turn around"! And when the secret was reveled, I was just completely shocked. It was nothing I could have ever thought of. I have to give Hopcus two thumbs up for her originality and very unique ideas.

Filled with a fabulous mix of suspense, horror, mythology, action, and comedy, Shadow Hills is a terrific read for fans of any and every genre.