The Clearing

by Anne Riley

Republished as Shadows of the Hidden.

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Young Adult Paranormal, Fantasy, Mystery, Fiction

Nook

First published February 13, 2011

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote it, so...I give it five stars!

[A Book Vacation · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

***This review based on the cover and novel The Clearing prior to its editing and republishing as 'Shadow of the Hidden.'***

This is one of those novels that I just happened to stumble upon, thanks to Amazon. I really love the recommendation feature on sites like Amazon and Barnes and Nobel, but I’m going to be honest, I am the reader that looks at the covers of books and, if it is appealing, will pick it up and read the synopsis. Then, if the synopsis is interesting, I’ll read the book. I know, I know, we aren’t supposed to judge books by their covers, but let’s be honest here: we are an aesthetic people. We like things that are pleasing to the eye, or things that peak our interest, grab our attention. That doesn’t mean there has to be a hot girl or guy on the cover; there doesn’t even have to be color on the cover! But it does need to be alluring enough that I’ll pick it up, and though many readers won’t admit this, it’s true for a lot of us, and especially true for younger adults (at least, it’s true for the ones I teach). A bland cover never cuts it for me, and I’ll walk right by the book because it didn’t strike my fancy. I’m not saying that always happens, but it certainly does if I haven’t ever heard of the book before… Now, looking at the cover of The Clearing, my interest was sparked, and by sparked I mean I looked at it and clicked the book right away. That’s it, a split second decision. I like the cover. I like the woods, weird things happen in woods, so my interest has been peaked. Of course, upon reading the synopsis, which you’ve now read above, I was sold. It’s the second paragraph that really did it for me, a boy who might have killed his sister… a girl running off into the forest to see what he’s doing… wow! This is right up my alley. And so, I read it, and I loved it.

Riley has done a phenomenal job creating an intense piece that keeps the reader’s interest from start to finish. Natalie is a wonderful character. She’s caring, concerned, smart, yet struggling with the death of her parents. She’s not a push over, and though her roommate and school peers taunt her for being the new girl, she takes it with stride and doesn’t let it ruin her life. I really liked that about her. It was refreshing to see a character so sure of herself that bullying didn’t cause her to crumple to nothing. I also really enjoyed the strong adult presence throughout the novel—Natalie doesn’t suffer alone, and she has a wonderful relationship with her aunt, confiding in her and letting her aunt know about the bullying. Yet, the novel’s main focus isn’t as much dealing with bullying as it is with Liam and the secrets he holds. Yes, Liam is the mysterious redhead suspected of murdering his own sister, though no evidence has even been found. He’s a very cryptic character, and though we don’t get to know him right away, as the novel progresses, we learn a lot of interesting information about him as a character and, through him, we learn the connection between the alternating stories within the novel.

Okay, let me back up. This novel really drew me in because there are alternating stories. The novel actually begins 317 years in the past, and the scene we first witness is quite chilling. Yet, Riley doesn’t give the reader all the facts just yet, and the next chapter jumps into present day, where we first meet Liam and Natalie. I was intrigued by both stories, but didn’t make the connection until halfway through the book. When I finally did make the connection, I’ll admit I was flabbergasted. I can’t divulge any secrets, but I can say that it threw me for a loop and actually made the story even more powerful, in my opinion, as Riley made some awesome connections between the past and present.

Honestly, this is a phenomenal story, and I really enjoyed it. The main characters are fleshed out and real, and while I would have liked to know a little more about some of the other characters, like Ethan, as they’re not the core characters, I feel Riley did a great job...

To read my full review (11/13):

http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...

[Jamey · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Clearing" sneaks up on you...in a good way. When I began the book, I was dubious about a few of the characters, but about a third of the way into the book, they go from being two-dimensional to fully-realized three-dimensional characters. The payoff is definitely worth it--not just with the characters, but with the more fantastical elements of the book as well.

Anne's true strength is her dialogue and inner monologue. It feels incredibly real (and often funny), and it's a sign that any of Anne's future novels--even if they're quite different in content and plot from The Clearing--will be immensely readable. Consider me a fan.

[Completely Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review in my Wrap Up Vlog
https://youtu.be/mAkPSjN_8eU

[K.L. Lantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update: This is being republished by Compass Press and they have put a GORGEOUS cover on it! Please ignore my complaining about the lack of awesome cover below. It's been more than remedied by Compass Press. So excited to see this incredible book get a new cover and a new chance to reach the readers who will love it.

Just finished reading The Clearing by Anne Riley and it was a very satisfying read! The twists and emotional intensity really got me. It dealt with the reality of bereavement very well in the midst of a supernatural plot, and made me cry more than once.

Update: Full Review as posted on my blog

*Happy sigh*

Yeah, I liked this book that much.

After I read the author's blog--and liked her so much I snagged her for a guest post over at The Best Damn Creative Writing Blog--I started to worry about the inevitable moment of truth: What if I read her book and didn't like it? After all, there are no guarantees about any given book, even those published by the big houses and buzzed all over the place as the next HP or Twilight! So what would I do if I didn't like THE CLEARING? This anxiety kept me from reading it at first, even when I had the lovely paperback sitting on my night stand. It waited patiently for me to grow a spine, which I did, thankfully.

All my stress, it turns out, was for naught. In fact, Riley's debut novel is right up there with the best in the urban fantasy genre. THE CLEARING boasts a suspenseful, spooky plot and relatable, tortured characters. I thought about it for days afterward. I wished for a sequel or companion novel to continue in the unique world Anne Riley created. I cried multiple times as the protagonist Natalie dealt with such serious issues as bullying at school and her parents' deaths. The twists are sublimely surprising, and the magical escapism enchanted me. Doesn't every girl hope deep down that she's special? Especially those of us who were bullied relentlessly in school!

And that is as specific as I'll be with the spoilers. :)

My one complaint, which I repeated on goodreads, is that I really wish the publishers that courted Anne had completed the sale. She ended up self-publishing with the blessing of her agent after multiple near-successes (which I think is admirable), and her book has received very positive reviews on goodreads, amazon, and smashwords. However, after reading it, I felt a bit of righteous indignation on Riley's behalf. I wanted THE CLEARING to get the royal treatment of comparable books! I wished it had been covered in the beautiful art that made me pick up Mistwood or any of Cassandra Clare's books. It needed something spooky and Druidish, ancient and compelling. I don't mean to insult the author's current cover, but it doesn't dress for the occasion. One might very well believe he's picking up a literary novel rather than a YA urban fantasy with commercial, mainstream appeal.

So I advise my readers not to believe what the cover is telling you. Imagine ancient symbols and a Druid cross encrusted with jewels or a girl and a boy embracing in a forest clearing with a spooky light glowing around them. Imagine Anne Riley's name in a script-and-scroll font, disappearing into the darkness on the bottom.

And once you've done all that, crack open this pleasure read and enjoy! It gets FIVE STARS from me. Well done, Anne! I hope to enjoy many more books with your name on them.

[Fiona Titchenell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oops, this was meant to be a review but was a comment for a while:

I feel very lucky to have stumbled on Shadows of the Hidden exactly when I did, because it's a real treat of a Christmas read, the kind that makes me want a mug of hot cider and a house with a fireplace.

The basics: In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Natalie Watson discovers that suspected murderer and fellow social outcast, Liam Abernathy, may have information on the disappearance of her parents five years prior. Liam turns out to be a time traveling Druid, and Natalie gets dragged into a bitter, centuries-spanning power struggle.

The downsides: The sadistic expository dialogue of the 18th century druidic main villains sometimes approaches old school James Bond levels of camp, especially contrasted with the realism of the modern day characters' portrayals. The chain of misunderstandings keeping Natalie and Liam apart for the first act of the story feels a little forced, though to be fair, this standard trope stands out in this case mainly due to how wonderfully reasonable a character Natalie is the rest of the time. Natalie's general awesomeness doesn't get to shine enough in the story's conclusion either, and even Liam in full white knight mode finds a very passive (if nicely disturbing) way of ultimately saving the day.

The upside: As serious as all those complaints might sound, I can't give less than an A- to a book that had me glued to it for four days, from beginning to end, and not in the can't-stop-watching-this-train-wreck sort of way. The plot is that fast paced, and Natalie's narration is that smart and lifelike, alternately laugh-out-loud and rip-your-heart-out with its sharpness. The relationship between Natalie and Ethan, her 21st century squeeze, is vividly realistic, and the resulting love triangle is beautifully balanced among three very lovable people. There is no epic clash here between sudden, unconditional, unfounded loves, just deep, naturally growing feelings between charismatic people who could easily have a future together, or not.

I'll definitely be looking out for Anne Riley's future work, and I heartily recommend Shadows of the Hidden to anyone looking for some holiday (or post holiday) reading.

(This review and others originally posted on www.facebook.com/FJRTitchenell)

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mousy and meek Natalie Watson is bullied and humiliated by the popular kids at her boarding school. But if only they knew the tragedy that led her there, and the secrets simmering around her. When Natalie notices that her classmate Liam sneaks out at night, she's intrigued and then shocked by what he has to tell her. His nightly excursions are linked to the death of her parents, who allegedly committed suicide. He knows things about their demise, and he's willing to share his knowledge as long as she comes to the clearing with him. The clearing is an open space in the woods next to their school, a circle that holds mysteries dating back three hundred years ago. In the mix of living with a bitchy roommate, wondering about the popular boy's interest in her and staying afloat in a school where she's ridiculed constantly, Natalie faces the truth about her parents. They had enemies, dangerous magical people who are now after her.

This novel kept me on the edge of my seat. It was quite suspenseful, and there's a historical twist to this paranormal. I was also sympathetic towards Natalie. I felt for her during the trying times with her classmates and the unrelenting grief over her parents' recent deaths. The character development, along with the nonstop action, kept me engaged throughout.

[Farmers Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good YA book. The story is unique. There is energy that plays out well through the scenes. The MC who has considered herself as one who doesn't fit in anywhere is actually gifted, unbeknownst to her. Separated from her parents due to their unexpected demise, Natalie (MC) can't seem to get the pieces of information leading to their death to add up. Liam might hold the answer to this.

Though a feather light 'love triangle' seems to develop, this is not a YA romance novel but a paranormal novel. This story would befit teen boys just as well as teen girls because of the type of paranormalcy and the dynamics of the story. Also Liam is a strong, supportive male character with a large roll. ;-) As the story develops Natalie and Liam are plagued with the typical high school bickery.

I will say there was a scene toward the last 10% of the book that seem to interrupt the flow for me. I understand the purpose of the second half of that scene but I feel the first half wasn't necessary. I found myself skimming through it until they go to the second part which held pertinent activity to the story's ending.

All in all it was a fun and intriguing book!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grabbed this at the emerging writers table at the Decatur Book Fest, and finished it one day. Young adult fiction has been a weakness of mine for a while, and I was surprised by this book. It's a well written story about a 16-year-old girl who moves from Athens, Georgia to a boarding school in Maine after the tragic and untimely death of her parents. The novel doesn't fail to capture your attention, and you can hardly suppress yourself from flipping through the pages to find out what happens next. You should attempt to hold back your temptation because skipping pages leads you to miss out on events (a mistake I discovered firsthand), which is a testament to the writing. The only gripe I had was the lack of initiative the main character possessed, and I found myself comparing Natalie Watson to Twilight's Bella (and not in a positive light). The damsel in distress mantra felt a bit repetitive, and I found myself wanting Natalie to do something on her own on more than one occasion. That said, I'm excited to see what Anne Riley will produce in the future and hope to see her more often in the teen paranormal romance circuit.

[Elle Strauss · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something strange going on in the clearing. Natalie Watson is new to town, a loner and an outcast, not unlike the strange and quiet Liam Abernathy. She's afraid of him and if they could just get their stupid English assignment done, she'd stay away from him forever.

Like that's gonna happen...

[Sarah Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is interesting and a good read for young adults. It was really hard to put down! I love the mixture of genres in this novel. The characters are easy to relate to and the plot-line keeps you engaged.

[Lauren Denton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me want to curl up under a warm blanket and drink a cup of tea! It's always so cold in the book--snow, bare branches, etc. Made me want warmth! Anne's book has great pacing--it doesn't lag or drag anywhere. And Natalie is a likeable MC.

[Jennasis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so excited about this book! I can't wait to read it and now just because I know the writer! It sounds so interesting and fun! I can't wait to get my hands on it! c:

[Miss T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book donation to my school which turned out to be fabulous. Plot carries you at a brisk pace leaving you breathlessly waiting to see where it will end.

[Kara Rutledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a first reads giveaway. The Clearing was very enjoyable and moved at a good pace. A definite must read.

[Kayla]

I loved this book, I couldn't put it down. :) It'll keep you in suspense the whole way through as you and Natalie (the main character) try to put pieces of the story together.

[Once · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book from the beginning to the very end. It was so interesting and it kept you on your toes. You felt like you were part of the story and that you were friends with the characters. Plus you kept wishing you could have something like that to happen to you in your life. I was glad my husband worked nights because I can get so much reading done and don't feel bad about not spending anytime with him.

The main character Natalie had to move to a private school because her aunt works there as the headmistress because 5 years ago her parents came up missing and everybody thinks they are dead but she doesn't think they are dead and will come back for her. She isn't your ordinary teenager at school. She isn't popular and she gets picked on all the time by the jock of the school and by her roommate. But during the whole time she is getting picked on she notices a red hair boy that in her math class which there is rumors going around about him supposedly killing his sister. But she doesn't think he would do such a thing. But at night she notices him going across campus every night at the same time and comes back at the same time also. She wants to know where he is going. Well in school she gets paired up with him for a project and has to do a presentation. Well he doesn't show up to school that day and she ends up going to his room on campus and starts going through his stuff to find out where he is going at night and wants to know if he killed his sister. Well when she is going through his closet she notices clothing from a different time period. She questions him and he finally tells her to meet him at a certain time at night and he will answer all her questions. She finds out things about him that are so cool and interesting and she also finds out about things in her life and where she came from and is her parents still alive or did they really die.

In this review I want to tell you more about what happens in the story but I can't because it's the type of book that you can't give away all the secrets and give away the spoilers of the story. It would ruin it for the reader. So if you like to solve mysteries and try to figure out things that happen in the characters lives you will love this book. I really hope the author writes a sequel to this story because I will read it. This book kept me wanting more when it was over with. I love books like that.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book to add to my list of those I am truly glad I accepted for review! Shadows of the Hidden was most definitely worth it. We meet Natalie at a difficult time in her life. With her parent's disappearance looming over her, it doesn't really seem fair that she should have to deal with normal teenage issues as well. Then she notices her classmate Liam sneaking off into the woods at night, which sets into motion quite the unbelievable and intriguing story.

I was amazed at how easily I fell into step with the characters in this book. Natalie is the type of character I adore. Sweet, strong, and honestly simple in her appearance and mannerisms. She's a wonderfully normal girl. I liked that the author gave Natalie this personality because it was believable. It made it easy to understand her! Still, the favorite character card definitely goes to Liam. Mysterious, sweet, and full of courage, he was a perfect partner for Natalie and I adored him.

Speaking of the story, it's a great one. I think Riley does a stellar job of keeping the plot moving. Always giving just enough to keep you guessing, and wanting to read on to find out where things are going. Mystery, and just a touch of magic, are turned into a rich tapestry of a story line. I couldn't keep myself from skipping ahead now and then to see if I was right about what was coming. I admit it. Although I would have liked a little more closure on certain aspects (no spoilers here!) I can't deny that I devoured this book.

I highly recommend giving Shadows of the Hidden a spot on your reading list. Fans of fantasy and science fiction will find elements to love here, as well as lovers of more contemporary reads. Kudos to Anne Riley for weaving such an epic tale. I can't wait to read more!

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. Only reason I didn't give it five stars is cuz it had a slight sci-fi twist to it, which I'm not a huge fan of. That being said, Shadows is a truly compelling read that I was loathe to put down. It took me several days to read, due to having to actually be a contributing member of society :-) If I could have, I would've locked myself in a room & read it in one sitting.

I really don't want to elaborate too much on the story itself. A huge part of the thrill of this book was uncovering its mysteries as I read. I wouldn't want to ruin that for future readers. I found Natalie to be a wonderful character, who was easy to relate to. She is really grounded & so unaware of how great she is in her simplicity. I really feel like her characteristics are so overlooked in our society today. So much importance is placed on having the right look & acting a certain way. The supporting characters are great as well, but again, I really want readers to be able to discover them.

If you like magic & mystery, with a little romance, you'll love this book!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this from the Holiday Hullabaloo back in December. The cover was so pretty and the blurb sounded very good. It did not disappoint. I highly enjoyed this book. The pages flew by and I could not put it down.

I liked the characters and was entertained by the plot. I will always have a sort spot in my heart for Celtic lore, so to have the characters be druids was something I highly enjoyed. I liked the concept of their talents, it add an interesting element to the story.

I as far as the characters went, I liked most of them. (even the bad guys) But I really had a problem liking Ethan, for obvious reasons. Read the book, and you will understand what I mean. I liked Natalie and loved her sense of humor that was thrown in there. (see first quotation below) Liam Abernathy, I liked him. Plus that is just such a fun name. He was interesting addition, even if I could see certain things coming from the beginning.

Will I read more by this author? Yes.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very impressed by this book, as well as the author. Anne Riley did a great job of handling a teenage complex. She dealt with bereavement in a good way too. The story itself had some twists and turns that I was not expecting at all, and thought that her whole concept was brilliant and played out very well. It had a different spin that I haven't encountered before, and was a fascinating read. I would be more than happy to read others books by her in the future, and will be recommending The Clearing.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I had sworn myself off YA last year but this was already on my Kindle. I have found that YA just doesn't hold my attention anymore and this one almost didn't, but I loved Liam's character and stuck with it. I am glad I did. Actually, most of the characters were well done, although I did think we needed more about Tessa and George. I really wanted Tessa's back story, she was integral to the story but she was really flat to me. We knew her sister's story, but why not hers? Or maybe a bit of their family so we could deduce Tessa on our own? Overall, job well done.

[The Cellist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book! I couldn't put it down the moment I began reading so, after 2 days I had finished it. The plot was astounding! It kept moving and never was there a dull moment. I believe my favorite part about reading this book was the character development. Characters changed in ways I didn't expect and their personalities grew as well. The story was also very relatable and was another reason I couldn't put it down. I really felt for Natalie. Overall, an amazing book! My only regret is that I didn't find it sooner! Hope many more people discover this book and enjoy it as much as I have.

[Jessie Weaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

I dug into Shadows of the Hidden quickly. At first I was sure I was going to abandon it, but (as another Amazon reviewer said) “it sneaks up on you.” I am just not a big fantasy reader, and the framework for this novel was a little creepy and weird. But as you get to know the main character, Natalie, and the quirky Liam, the novel becomes quickly engrossing. It was a big change from my norm, and a fun YA read.

[Heather McCorkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fun, intriguing mystery that kept me flipping pages once it got its hooks into me. After an exciting beginning it slowed down for a few chapters but I'm so glad I stayed with it because the payoff was truly worth it. If you enjoy mystery with fantastical elements, druids, or just great characters that you'll be rooting for, then you must read this novel!

[Heather McCorkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

In it's first incarnation as The Clearing, this book showed me that there are true gems among self-published novels. With characters that steal your heart, a story that keeps it pumping, and hardships that make it ache, Shadows is truly special. I have every confidence that it will be even more amazing in its traditionally published form.

[Staci · Rating 3 out of 5]

it seems more like a book for teens. The setting is northern Maine and takes place in two time periods... current day in the life of a high school girl who is grieving the loss of both her parents and 300 years ago, where she finds a mystery of sorts. It deals with time travel and druids and good vs. evil.

[Amy Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The pages flipped themselves! The characters were likable (or if not likable, interesting), and the fairy rings were a fascinating bit of lore I hadn't heard before. This book reminded me a good bit of Maureen Johnson's Shades of London series in style and ambience. Looking forward to "Pull"!

[Alison Beechner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was good. Slightly different theme than the YA paranormal I've read before and I really liked it.

[Morgan Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I personally loved the book!! The story was great, I loved the characters, Natalie was my favorite and I think this would make a great movie or TV show!