Shadow Heir (Dark Swan #4) Review

Shadow Heir by Richelle Mead

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I did enjoy reading most of this book. Other parts, I didn't like so much.

The numerous times that Dorian had to say to Eugie, "What wouldn't I do for you?" was sweet but it should have sunk into her head long ago. She continued to hurt Dorian throughout the whole series. It's true that he manipulated her once or twice yet in one of those situations she would have made that decision regardless. He apologized for the things that he did. Yes he wanted things for his own reasons but he was in love with Eugenie and I don't recall her ever reciprocating although I feel that she felt it. They both made a lot of bad choices. She took pieces of Dorian and Kiyo that she liked and as soon as they messed up, she dropped them and went to the other. When I think about it Kiyo was a way bigger manipulator and user throughout the whole series. I'm not sure if he has one redeeming quality aside from him helping in dangerous times. But those were mainly for his own reasons. I don't think that he ever loved Eugie. He sided with Maiwenn every single time. I wish Eugie hadn't gone to him the second time. Dorian truly loved Eugie for so long and he barely got that love back. On their journey, I continued to hope that she would show him some true love but I never really saw it.

The second thing that really bothered me was when Dorian and Maiiwenn sent Volusian to Eugie and she didn't even allow him to give her the message. She never took her responsibilities seriously as queen of kingdoms. I don't feel like I could ever, even for a period of time, walk away from hundreds, thousands, or millions of people that were looking up to me for protection and care. I thought she would take responsibility eventually because she wanted to rather than out of feeling like she had to.

Kiyo pissed me of majorly in the last 2 books. It's as if he never cared at all. He marked her twice so that he could track her and spy on her for Maiwenn. He always sided with Maiwenn and nothing was ever for the greatest good. It was for what Maiwenn said the greater good was. He led her to believe that he was the father of her children. He even wanted her to terminate the pregnancy if it were only a girl. Kiyo led Eugie to believe that he would murder her and her children or her children after they were born. He acted like it was fine for him to have a child with Maiwenn but not with Eugie. And he never even apologized for anything. I can't believe the way that Eugie's nephew was killed. There was a chance that he would have been a good kid but no, they had to kill him. Kiyo and Maiwenn were truly evil.

I would have hoped at the end that Eugie would have told Dorian that she loved him after everything that he'd done for her and that he had 2 wonderful children. She should have brought them back with her. Her children are going to suffer in the end for not knowing about their parents, their culture, etc. If my parents weren't around me for the first years of my life, I'm not sure how I would feel. I probably wouldn't even feel like they're my parents. I would have grown up feeling like they should have taken me with them regardless and protected me instead of isolate me. I was extremely disappointed. I'm pretty sure Maiwenn and Kiyo should have died or at least she could have threatened to take her land if she didn't discontinue with the threats. Dorian could have taken control of her land. He's strong enough.

Conclusion, there were many things that I loved and hated about this book. Usually I wouldn't write so much, but there was a lot. It usually helps when I write immediately after I finish or else I forget about all the things that I loved and hated. LOL

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