Shadow Walker by LA Banks

From Goodreads:

Set in a post-apocalyptic world following the Armageddon, in Shadow Walker, the teenage children of the world’s Guardians of the Light must learn to hone their extra-sensory talents to one day join in the battle with their parents.  

While they are secreted away in the Temt Tchaas Academy, (aka Neteru Academy), these students must learn to fight evil as well as learn to resist the temptation of fighting with each other. Although these young people have super powers, they still struggle with the same dramas and insecurities like any other high school student – and just because their parents may be superhuman doesn’t mean their parents are perfect. Far from it. That only makes life more confusing, as peer pressure, budding romances, decisions about whether or not to snitch, or whether or not to use one’s supernatural gifts for personal gain must be sorted out.  

In this coming of age story, Sarah Rivera and her twin brother, Alejandro, must figure out when to use their wings or fangs, how to get along with their compound siblings, how to fit in with others in a huge new school, and perhaps most importantly, how to pick their battles to always fight for what is right.

 In this world, several beings from the light fight creatures from the dark. Even though this world sounds very simplistically black and white, it is far from that. In fact, easy labels are discouraged within the academy that these future guardian's of the light attend and friend and foe are not easily recognized by human sight. This, of course, made me fascinated by the world L A Banks has created. It is also a mixture of mythologies which includes religions of new and old as well as schools of thought like physics. It is a fascinating mixture of cultures.

Within this world, one major fight during Armageddon has been won and they are preparing for the next biggest fight. The gardians speculate the war they are awaiting is the true Armageddon, since the earlier fight was forced ahead of schedule. The story follows Sarah's POV so things are revealed as she learns about them. She is the daughter of the two highest ranking guardian's of the light. Her gifts have not come to full fruition and she seems scared of everything. However, once in the academy, things start to change. Oh, and I knew I was going to like Sarah as soon as she met bullies at the academy.

Nothing got her blood boiling like bullying. She might not fight for herself all the time, but seeing some weaker kid being picked on made her snap and go ballistic.

Of course when I read this line, I knew I'd be connected to Sarah and enjoy the world through her eyes.

I will admit, however, that at times you knew that something was going to happen, and you wanted the book to just get on with telling that exciting part of the tale. At other times I was seeing the wonder of the academy through Sarah's eyes and just wanted to linger and enjoy that part of the book. As for what happened, what had happened before they got to the academy, and how it ended... well, my *evil laugh* should explain that I won't reveal anything. I will tell you that I give this book 4 stars and recommend it to those that enjoy a YA UF where there is a small side of romance. It is more about Sarah's journey and I am curious as to where she takes us next.

Oh, and one great thing about this 488 pg. book... if you get it in ebook format (Kindle, B&N, or Smashwords) it's only $3.99! Pretty good steal, IMHO. ;)

Neteru Academy
LA Banks Website

On a side note, I have to be honest... when I first saw this book, I loved the cover. It was not the one that was finally published. It was:

Yep, I do prefer this one. :)

I received this book from Book it Forward ARC Tours and no compensation for my review was given.