If you're nostalgic for YA paranormal mixed with the dark fantasy elements of Shadowhunters and the surfer girl vibes of Blue Crush, AoWaS might be right up your alley!
Angel of Water & Shadow
One second, the sounds around River are white noise, the next it’s like the world is speaking to her directly. It started when she was eight—right after her mom was swept away by a rip current, never to be seen or heard from again. She assumes that the Voices, as she calls them, are a figment of her grief. But they’re real, and despite the fact that she doesn't even have her license or diploma, they’re certain she’s the one who will deliver Earth from darkness.
When River’s connection to the Voices abruptly shuts off at her school’s graduation party, it’s a step towards the normalcy she’s craved. But when a demon chases her off campus, a werewolf tries to eat her at a bonfire, and Source magic manifests at her fingertips, the Voices aren’t there to explain. Instead, a mysterious hunter named Ryder is—
Her fate was whispered in the tides...
he has clues about her identity they unravel together, although she feels like he’s unraveling her in the process. Caught in the middle of a centuries-old battle between two warring supernatural realms, to save humanity, River must find the Voices and unlock a part of her past she’s buried since that fateful day with her mom.
If her own self-loathing, and the ultimate betrayal, don’t stop her from wielding the power of love and acceptance.
Margie By the Bookcase, Amazon
Angel of Water & Shadow was such a breath of fresh air and so much more than what I expected!If you saw my aesthetic reel about the book, I used a lot of "painting" art pieces. And that's how the gorgeous prose read - like Tory grabbed my hand and walked me down a street lined with easels with the most gorgeous paintings.And they all flowed together to tell a haunting story of a high school graduate, the voices in her head, supernaturals and the most delicious bad boy with a not so bad boy heart! It touches on loss and mental health in a very open and beautiful way and I can't wait for book two!
What a fantastic start to a new series by a debut author!
Tati, Amazon
This was such a fun and fast paced read! I thoroughly enjoyed the Angel lore and the supernatural creatures we meet. I really enjoyed River and following her on her crazy journey. I think the author did such a good job developing her characters, because I was so invested in their stories and how they are going to end up. Cannot wait to read more.
Angel and supernatural lore
Angel of Water and Shadow was captivating from beginning to end. I fell in love with the characters and related to the protagonist, River, who is trying to make sense of the world while the weight of the world feels like, and is quiet literally is on her shoulders. This book was so raw and honest about love, grief, and mental health. It has a super natural element which made it an exciting and interesting read, and also sweeps the reader up in Rivers love life! The best of both worlds. The writing illustrates Rivers world beautifully. Pretty darn cool it takes place in Santa Cruz. It is also really funny! I 100% would recommend this book to anyone and cannot wait to read the following books!
Ashley, Amazon
EVERYTHING I WANTED FROM A BOOK AND MORE!!!
Jenn, Amazon
Can’t say enough good things about this book! It’s nice and fast paced with a pleasant amount of information giving out slowly so we are able to make are own assumptions. Definitely check your trigger warnings before reading! Angles, demons, and werwolf’s you can’t go wrong.
Couldn’t put it down.
Angel of Water & Shadow is the first novel in The Book of the Watchers, an upper YA paranormal series with a new adult lean and a dark fantasy feel. A fresh twist on angels and demons, where the line between reality and fantasy is blurred, this debut is full of forbidden love, heart-dropping betrayals, and learning how to turn tragic endings into new beginnings.
Perfect if you loved the fast-paced plot of The Mortal Instruments, the moody first-person POV of Twilight, and the dark fantasy vibes of Fallen.
blue crush meets shadowhunters
Vibe check
Angel of Water & Shadow is not *exactly* fade to black, which is where the lean towards New Adult comes in, but it's definitely not spicy or overly graphic—there's a few scenes that involves passionate kissing and one with bare upper bodies but it's brief. If you'd like to skip these scenes, you can still enjoy the story!
They are: the second half of chapter 18 (when River and Ryder go on on the Ferris Wheel) and chapter 25.
Please note this book contains content that might be upsetting to some readers, including violence, mature language, sexual content, alcohol abuse, sexual harassment, anxiety, auditory hallucinations, depression, and suicidal ideation. It is not intended for anyone under the age of 16.
PICK YOUR FAVORITE TROPE
Heat
🔥
series
1st
Pages
424
fantasy
YA/NA
If you’ve read Angel of Water & Shadow and are looking for more insight into our resident bad boy Ryder, a little heartbreak, and a whole lot of leather and angst: this scene delivers.
Go ahead...get the bonus chapter from the love interest's POV (for free!)
SPOILER ALERT: It takes place during the final battle, so fair warning: if you haven't read the book, it will contain spoilers.
Which
are you?
Archangel
Four archangels called the Watchers have guarded Mortal Earth from demons since the beginning of time. Discover which angel you are and uncover your power.
