Shadow Falls

I read this book about a year back and absolutely loved it. The woman who wrote it is actually my stepmothers' cousin. I am not a book worm and it takes a certain book to capture me, but this had what it took to keep my attention. I love it!

This is a beautifully written, moving novel about teenage Annie's search for answers after her brother's accidental death. Ryan's writing is fluid and poetic, her characters are engaging and real-to-life and the descriptions of the Wyoming wilderness are fantastic. I highly recommend this novel to both teenagers and adults.

This touching and page-turning story contains beautiful descriptions of its locations in Jackson, Wyoming. Annie was someone I, when I was a shy, searching-for-answers teenager girl myself, would have like to have been friends with - she's realistic, quirky, and wins you over. I love the complexity of the characters (especially Marcus), and the lovely flashbacks to scenes with Cody. Very enjoyable!

The ending made me cry a little, and I'm a 35 year old man. I was actually interested in the main character's thoughts as she struggles with the anguish of having lost a loved one. Very sweet story. There are some moments of suspense in the story when she faces danger from a bear, and also when she is forced to climb down a cliff-face at great risk. I will save a copy for my children when they are old enough to read.

A wonderful story dealing with life and death in the wilderness of Wyoming - Annie, changed forever by the loss of her brother, comes back for the annual summer visit to Grandpa's (one that she used to make with her brother) feeling insecure, unloved, inadequate compared to her vibrant, exciting, outdoorsy sibling. This book does justice to the complex layers of adolescent as well as adult grief, and introduces us not only to a cast of well-rounded, interesting characters but treats the wilderness itself as a character, embodied by the grizzly bear who appears to Annie throughout the story.