Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Luiz Zafon

Shadow of the Wind is the chilling and compelling novel about the interwoven lives of Daniel Sempere and Julian Carax. The novel begins when Daniel chooses a book written by Julian Carax called “Shadow of the Wind” in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. The novel Daniel selects proves to be enthralling and he can’t put it down. However, when he tries to find more about Julian and read more of his works, he finds that there is nearly no information on the mysterious man. Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Luiz Zafon takes place in Barcelona starting in 1945 when Daniel is 10 up until his adult years as he struggles to piece together the story of Julian’s life. The novel also goes back in time when talking about Julian’s journey.
Filled with forbidden love, deep secrets and friendship, Shadow of the Wind is one of the best books I have ever read. Though long, it is a fast read because of the genius way that Carlos Luiz Zafon weaves together the similar stories of Daniel and Julian. This search for the truth and story of Julian puts Daniel and his friend Fermin in conflict with Inspector Fumero, a man known for his cruelty. As the novel goes on, the plot becomes more and more tangled as secrets are revealed. However as soon as one problem is solved, another problem quickly presents itself. The creative way that Zafon ties in the two stories of Daniel and Julian is flawless. If you like books about romance, secrets, and action, then Shadow of the Wind is perfect for you!