Ricco has spent most of his life protecting his family from possible death. During childhood, every shadow rider is sent away from home for training. Ricco was sent to Japan. While there, he was put into vigorous training. He was also witness to a horror so profound that it would impact the rest of his childhood and follow him into adulthood. The very adults that were supposed to protect him threatened him and his family. They eventually sent someone to kill him after fifteen years.

Mariko us a shadow rider herself and was sent on a mission to either kill Ricco or lose her brother. The shadow riders exact swift justice upon those who are deserving of it. Mariko soon realizes that Ricco is not deserving of the justice that Mariko is there to give. As a matter of fact, Ricco is nothing that Mariko thought he would be. He is fierce and protective of his family and friends.

Ricco knows why Mariko is there, but he doesn’t care. He finally has found the woman that is meant for him and he means to keep her. He doesn’t care that she’s a shadow rider and she can bear shadow rider children. He’s looked his whole life for her and he’s not letting her go. Since he was fourteen years old, Ricco has walked a tightrope. He has finally shared the burden with his family and his relief is profound.

I didn’t particularly care for the shibari. It just didn’t belong, in my opinion. It wasn’t exactly BDSM, but it was a form of it. I’m very particular when it comes to some things and BDSM is one of them. Mariko did kick ass which was amazing. I love a heroine that can hold her own. Ricco respected her as a fighter which made me love him even more. It was more the story I had a problem with than the characters.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

I can't decide if the sexism or the racism is worse in this book. Describing Japanese women in general as submissive? Gross. Fetishistic exploitation of a Japanese phenomenon (and lazy at that - Shibari is the western interpretation of Japanese 'Kinbaku', if Ricco spent so long in Japan he would know that)? Racist. Constantly referring to women who aren't the protagonist as 'sluts' or 'whores'? Sexist. If I wanted to see women being called derogatory terms I would read the comments section of Jezebel. Your protagonist doesnt need to be in some way better than other women - at this point in time it feels disingenuous.

Moreover, The plot is nonsensical - hard to follow. It reads like Feehan forgot what she was doing half way through and just pivoted

I am thoroughly enjoying the Shadow series! This second book in the series has all the earmarks of another great read by Feehan.