The situation on the Navajo Reservation is growing worse. The Skinwalkers are still strong and dangerous. The Brotherhood fights to defeat the Skinwalkers and bring harmony back to the People.

FBI Agent Teal Benaly is new to the force and her first assignment is to investigate an abandoned vehicle found on the Rez, and discovered to have a dead body inside. Medicine man and artisan, Lucas Tso gifted with the Sight, had a vision of a mystery woman in danger. When he encounters Teal, just in time to save her life, he is stunned. She is the very woman he’s dreamed about for many years, but had never met… until now. He knows his destiny is entwined with Teal’s.

But threat grows stronger as it becomes apparent the Skinwalkers want Teal off the Rez, killing her if necessary. Now Lucas must use all of his gifts to protect Teal from enemies she knows almost nothing about. What neither realize is that Teal may be Lucas’ salvation instead.

Shadow Surrender is an engrossing story that will keep you guessing and questioning the mysteries of the unknown. Navajo Mysticism takes center stage as we are thrust into the center of a magical war between good and evil. It is quite apparent that Linda Conrad has put a lot of time and effort into developing the story of the Night Guardians. We learn quite a bit about Navajo beliefs and magic while being entertained with a thrilling suspense story.

Keep in mind that though Shadow Surrender does stand alone, there are references to the underlying story of the Skinwalkers/Brotherhood war which may confuse if you’ve not read the previous books in the series. None of these details are crucial to this story, but knowledge of past events in the series will help in these incidences. I have not yet read the preceding books, though I own them. So now I intend to go back and start at the beginning for the whole story. And I am looking forward to future installments in the series as there is obviously much of this tale still to be told.

Teal has not put much stock in traditional Navajo beliefs for most of her life, having grown up in the city. When she comes to the reservation to investigate, she learns much about the Navajo way of life she’s long forgotten, if she ever knew it at all. Lucas is as traditional in his beliefs as one can get so the contrast between their ways of life adds some tension to their growing relationship. Following Teal’s journey back into the arms of her People, and into the heart of Lucas, adds a wonderful dimension to the tale. If ever there was an example of opposites attracting, Lucas and Teal’s relationship in Shadow Surrender is it.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, February 2007. All rights reserved.