Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout

This novella is meant as a prequel to the series and explains how Dawson and Beth (Bethany/Liz/Elizabeth) end up together and pronounced dead (well sort of).
I really liked certain aspects of the book, like getting to know Daemon, Dee, and Adam before Dawson's "death". They really were more open and trusting. It really made me miss Adam. He was such a nice guy. And the Black siblings relationships are so amazing. They truly care about each other and really do have each others' back. Daemon really didn't let Dawson down in the end. He understood what Dawson wanted and supported him. That is what Dawson truly needed, even if he does end up being captured.
Dawson is pretty hilarious and Beth is nice and likes to paint. I really don't have anything against either of them but I just couldn't get into the love at first sight + falling head over heels for each other. It seemed a bit too cliche, especially with the slip off the rock that lead to Dawson having to heal Beth, and her being so accepting of the Luxen thing. Yes, things like that do happen, but he went full Luxen during a make out session and she doesn't so much as scream or even really need a minute to wrap her head around it??? Unrealistic and that really isn't very intriguing for me.
This book did take my dislike of Will to a whole new level. Poor Beth and her family move out from New Mexico (I think) to take care of him because he is sick and has cancer (a usually curable kind but still) and he is a complete jerk. Not only that but he can see how Beth dotes on her brother and how much she cares for Dawson. All he can think about is how he should turn her in now that he suspects she was healed. What is in it for him? Clearly it wasn't a healing nor a mutation. Maybe he hoped he would be mutated? Or did he even realize what it was at the time? Still, how could he turn in his own NIECE? Oh I dislike him so very much. I am so glad Katy killed him. He deserved it.
My favorite part of the book, and perhaps the most touching was the pure anguish that radiated off the pages when Dee and Daemon found out Dawson had died. It broke my heart for them. Even thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. It explains so much about the following books, how they change and react to everything. It makes me wonder what I would do if I was told one of my brothers had died. If I could move a house, I probably would too. That scene will be forever etched in my mind.
Stars: 3.5/5 and most of those are for the epilogue.