Into Shadow

by Morgan Daimler

Muireann spent six months planning to kill the dragon that killed her family. Now the dragon is dead, and she's realized that it was actually the lesser threat guarding a devastating weapon that, if it falls into almost anyone's hands, will bring war and destruction to her world. It can't be left where it is. It can't be hidden. It can't be trusted in the hands of anyone in power or who seeks power. Muireann's only option becomes a reluctant quest with the elf she rescued from the dragon, a would-be knight, a selkie, and an elven mage to find out as much as she can about the weapon and seek a way to understand the magic that created it. Pursued by a dragon-worshipping cult bent on revenge and a hidden enemy that will do anything to remake the world, the five friends must try to find answers before all is lost. Muireann thought that killing a dragon was going to be impossible. Saving the world is going to be much harder.

Genres: Fantasy, Queer

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2023

About the author

My name is Morgan Daimler. I have had my poetry and prose published in different places including various anthologies, Circle magazine, Witches and Pagans magazine and Pagan Dawn magazine. I am the author of the urban fantasy series Between the Worlds and (through Cosmic Egg Books) the high fantasy novel Into Shadow. I've written more than a dozen non-fiction works through Moon Books including Fairy Witchcraft, Pagan Portals: the Morrigan, Fairies: A Guide to the Celtic Fair Folk, A New Dictionary of Fairies, and Pagan Portals Aos Sidhe

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much for this wonderful read. I absolutely love the hero, a middle aged, overweight woman with glasses as she describes herself. Although I’m in my late 60s, I often consider myself the same. This book is well written and the characters develop so magically. Great discussions of many of the beliefs that hold those who don’t quite fit into “societal “ norms back from their full expression. Thank you for a book that challenges us to look up those words we are unfamiliar with as well as ideas we may explore.

[Victoria Bennison · Rating 5 out of 5]

What makes a hero? Is it someone who fights for glory or someone who fights for those they love? Is it someone who believes in enforcing the status quo or someone who believes in defending free will? Is it someone who hits the gym or someone who hits the library.

Morgan Daimler’s protagonist, Muireannm, must answer this question for herself, as she suddenly becomes a hero to those around her, while remaining skeptical of her authenticity in such a role. And it doesn’t help that there are those in the world that remain doubtful as well.
“I don’t believe you. You can’t seriously expect anyone to believe that a fat old woman killed a dragon. What’d she do, bore it to death.”

If you enjoy fantasies, have given up on ever being the hero of one, are a D&D fan, or just exhausted by traditional characters, this book is for you. You might even realize that you are already a hero, but like Muireannm haven’t accepted it yet.

In short, this book is endorsed by a fat old woman who needs glasses to see, and hasn’t yet given up the idea of adventure.

[Amy C]

'Into Shadow' by Morgan Daimler is a must-read for any fans of fantasy reading. This book helped me rediscover my love for the genre thanks to the author's engaging writing style and incredible character development. The characters were multi-dimensional, truly coming to life on the page. I found myself becoming deeply invested in their stories and rooting for them throughout the book. The plot was also exceptional, keeping me on the edge of my seat and hoping for more. Overall, 'Into Shadow' is a fantastic read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an immersive and exciting fantasy novel. I can't wait to see what Daimler has in store for us next!

[fred jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous book. A must read for lovers of the genre. A overweight, middle aged farmers widow, kills the Dragon that destroyed her family, rescues an elf and discovers and powerful ancient magical weapon, rescues a selkie who marries her and with a trainee knight and another elf start a journey to keep the weapon safe and discover how to destroy it. It's a book I could not put down. Wonderful strong well described characters, great world building, entertaining dialogue, action and intrigue. I cannot praise this book enough. 5 stars doesn't seem enough. I received a complimentary copy from Voracious and am leaving a honest voluntary review.

[Korin: A Crone Running Amok · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the fantasy I've been looking to read as an adult.
Muireann is a scholar, wife & mother. Nothing special, until a dragon kills her family. She spends six month studying & planning to kill the dragon. Fully intending to die in the process. She does kill it, but lived to realize that it protected a much greater threat. A weapon of great power. So she rescues an elf, then a selkie, hires a knight in training, & jobs with a mage who's an old friend & sets out to find answers.

I enjoyed this book so much.

[Siobhan MW · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is one of the most unique and interesting fantasy books I’ve read in a long time. It turns classic tropes on its head, and has created a wonderful world full of elves, selkies, dragons, and magic. All of the characters had such lovely, complex personalities and stories, and I loved the main character’s arc and journey. I seriously recommend this book to anyone who loves traditional fantasy but is looking for an unique take.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I read an advanced copy of this - but it's GOOD, y'all! I really enjoyed both the setting and the characterization. Risks and reactions and dealing with trauma were all way better than I recall reading in any other recent sword & sorcery fantasy. The representation is great, and believable. I love me some darker skinned elves, I can't remember the last time I read a book with a "anywoman" main character who is so Real, not a perfect model who can learn any skill in two days. The world of this novel is more open to queer and polyamorous relationships, and honestly despite the dragon and the antagonists, I kinda want to move there. Especially if I could date a badass selkie like Lee! Can't recommend enough! And I can't wait for the next one

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the non fiction books by Morgan Daimler and was curious about this fantasy one. I enjoyed it as it well plotted and entertaining.
Can't wait to read the next one
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

[Mael Brigde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Into Shadow - the Tallan Chronicles is a good read. I’m not surprised.

I have a love/boredom relationship with Quest stories. I've read far too many to be easily won over. A particularly good one, I recall, is [[The Hounds of the Morrigan]], which though slow moving is so thoroughly interesting that a meander is a gift, not an annoyance. Far too many are pretty cookie-cutter, though. So, when I saw that Daimler’s later novel was a quest, I did brace myself a tad, despite having enjoyed all of their previous novels. I needn't have worried.

This novel, not set in Daimler's usual fictional universe, is gently paced, well developed, and peopled by distinct and appealing characters whose relationships evolve in ways that both bring in the randiness of much fantasy fiction and stretch the boundaries of what is normal and acceptable. The journey—both physical and emotional—draws me in, and the book finishes in a very satisfying way, while leaving open the likelihood of becoming a series. To that I say, keep ‘em coming.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely enchanting fantasy, set in a queer and poly normative world which was refreshing and satisfying to read. There was urgency and adventure, but what really brought the story to life was the cast of characters, who were fun and engaging. Would love to read more about their adventures or adventures set in this world.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had hoped this would feature more of the author's nonfiction work in Irish mythology, in a fantasy setting (which is where my interest stemmed from); but maybe the good folk don't like to hear themselves spoken of too extensively!

There is plenty that this book does really well: descriptions of geography, nature, character motivations/flaws, magic, combat, cultures. A few aspects threw me out of the suspension-of-disbelief: the upfront and constant reassurances of the characters for one another (though perhaps quite deliberate on the part of the author); the pacing and explanations/exposition.

The inclusion of the open relationships did not seem to have a real value, other than to augment the antagonist's intent to throw shame on them near the end when they found their private life spied upon. Maybe it would have been more satisfying to bring it full circle with showing how much Muirri's self-confidence had grown as a result of all the love (not just narrating it).

The characters experienced very few real injuries or risks (mostly just their anticipation), and when they did they were quickly restored. I'd like to see more realistic drawbacks in the sequel! The muddied escarpment was a great highlight, in the struggle, the descriptive style, as well as in the payoff in the baths afterward!

Eager to read the next instalment!

[Kat Dodd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be given an advanced copy at Octocon 2022, and then didn't read it – because my mother in law borrowed my copy and forgot to tell me! (She loved it, by the way.) I just found it a few days ago on her bookshelf! A friend of mine who also had an advanced copy loaned me theirs, so I was able to still read it even without my own. Anyway, now to the story itself. This is the representation that I desperately wanted and needed and would have killed for as Baby Kat trying to navigate the world and find where I fit since I didn't seem to fit most people's molds. You want a plus-sized character that still kicks ass? She's here. You want age rep? It's here. You want disability rep? Also here! It's full of people finding their truths and living their lives to be true to themselves, regardless of what's expected of them. It's also super queer, poly, and very Found Family in the best ways, and as someone that's struggled with my family of origin and creating a family for myself, this resonates deeply. This is definitely going into my Comfort Reading pile, and I anticipate re-reading it many times to come. The stakes are too high for it to be cosy fiction, but it still elicits those same feelings for me.

[Clare Rhoden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book that turns high fantasy on its head with its brilliant cast of diverse characters. The only reason it's not a full 5 from me is that it needed (needs?) one more careful edit by a human. The number of near-homonym* errors kept throwing me out of the story, which was a shame. One or two, but there are more than that, which is a pity. If a sequel is coming, I'm going to read it. I loved the concept.

* eg causalities instead of casualties, savoir instead of saviour, pouring instead of poring, differential versus deferential ...

[K.S. Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I packed this book in my bag and went on an adventure! I love the fact that Morgan has not only given the reader LGBTQIA+ characters, they brought a main character to life that is relatable to so many of us. A middle aged woman who needs her glasses and isn't a size zero. The act of seeking revenge on a dragon for killing her family has consequences that they couldn't have predicted, both for Muireann personally and for the entire world that she calls home.

[Morgan]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.