The Colony of Shadows is primarily based on the experiences of a nine-year-old boy, Varun, struggling to cope with the sudden loss of his parents. He starts living with his visually impaired aunt, Jyoti, in Bangalore when he suddenly discovers a portal in the garden that leads to a dilapidated colony that somehow resembles his old home in Delhi. The story deals with the aftereffects of that discovery and the unknown dangers that lurk in the colony of shadows.

From the bio, I learnt that Bikram Sharma had studied creative writing, and that is evident from the first paragraph itself, which is beautifully descriptive and gripping. The good plot construction and solid character development, along with the well-placed twists and turns, ensure that the reader’s interest remains till the end of the book.

The characters are relatable and worth rooting for. I could feel for Varun throughout. Sometimes, he does behave slightly weirdly, but he is a kid dealing with an unimaginable tragedy at a young age, and his strangeness is understandable. My favorite character was Jyoti, his aunt. Despite being visually impaired, she is such a strong woman, confronting her challenges with courage, humility, and compassion. I could relate to her sensibility, vulnerabilities, and commendable aspirations, and I loved how she cared for Varun and her mother despite her unfortunate limitations. Despite the darkness in her life, she is an inspiration, a testament to her name, Jyoti. It suits her perfectly.

The inclusion of Poppy, the dog, as another protagonist is another masterstroke. Poppy’s courage, loyalty, and selflessness are heartwarming, and in a couple of instances, her actions plucked at my heartstrings.

The supernatural aspect of the book makes it unique, and it has a major role in the story. Almost throughout the book, the author has done a brilliant job incorporating the supernatural theme in the story. I don’t have the heart to read horror fiction, but Mr. Sharma has weaved the supernatural element with finesse without making it overtly scary. Moreover, the descriptions are phenomenal, vividly depicting every scene. It has been a while since I read the book, and I can still picture almost all the scenes, especially the ones of the colony.

The language is lucid and unornamented and perfect for the story. Moreover, the grammar and punctuation are impeccable, something I struggle to find in Indian-authored books nowadays.

The tension is built exceptionally in the latter half, so much so that I was on the edge of my seat during the climax. Hats off to the author for that; it was exhilarating. However, in a book like this, the ending matters, where all loose ends need to be tied for a satisfying closure. I think Mr. Sharma faltered there a bit. Some supernatural elements were not explained properly, leaving me slightly unsatisfied. The behavior of a couple of characters towards the end was a bit strange and difficult to relate to, and the book failed to explain their actions sufficiently.

Nevertheless, for its unique setting, well-developed characters, and perfectly orchestrated plot, The Colony of Shadows certainly deserves a read. I recommend it to all fiction lovers.

4.4 stars from my side.