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The Shadowless
The earth has become a wasteland as a result of humanity's mistreatment of it. The sky has been dark for as long as anyone can remember, covered in an infinite roiling mass called The Everstorm. There are no trees. There is no grass. There is no hope.
Unless, that is, you're one of the priveleged who live in the protected cities beneath the domes. In these cities there are trees, parks full of vibrant grass, even waterfalls. All thanks to the wonders of solar energy, harvested by those outside of the domes when violent tornadoes tear the sky asunder and allow sunlight through.
Shipley Boden is a low-life working his way into the good graces of the Citizens, hoping one day to be allowed a living space under the protective dome. But when he stumbles upon an orphaned girl in the ruins of the past, he decides to deliver her to the nearest settlement and be done with it. Unfortunately for him, things don't ever go as planned.
Unless, that is, you're one of the priveleged who live in the protected cities beneath the domes. In these cities there are trees, parks full of vibrant grass, even waterfalls. All thanks to the wonders of solar energy, harvested by those outside of the domes when violent tornadoes tear the sky asunder and allow sunlight through.
Shipley Boden is a low-life working his way into the good graces of the Citizens, hoping one day to be allowed a living space under the protective dome. But when he stumbles upon an orphaned girl in the ruins of the past, he decides to deliver her to the nearest settlement and be done with it. Unfortunately for him, things don't ever go as planned.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2023
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 25, 2023
Nine words---Fast paced, gritty, sometimes poignant, and extremely well written.
Carlson's prose is smooth, with complex sentences that do not have to be read twice— which is good trick to pull off. The writing is also varied, which makes it even better.
At the very beginning, the storm in the prologue is extreme and vividly told, and shows that Dorothy and Toto got out of theirs easily in comparison.
In the prologue is the author’s ingenious set up, part mechanical, part mythical, and part of a future we do not want, and how the earth reacted.
Throughout, the way everything was named, the processes they live with, and the choices they inherited are compelling in the way they’re written and built upon. The dialog, and action scenes stand out. The author is not afraid of gore and it fits the action---especially with Lem and his abilities with fingers.
Throughout are social questions, mirroring our homeless crisis are easy to see, as some of the protagonists fight with their logic against the need to be human to other humans. Ecological future from decisions today is played out, some in beauty, but most in regret. It makes you think.
My favorite alien, for various reasons? Seg Nel, his persona is easy to read as human….
All along, the shadowless are clues that continue.
To balance the previous violence, loved The Menagerie. Beautifully done.
I love the past.
And the ending. Highly recommended.
Carlson's prose is smooth, with complex sentences that do not have to be read twice— which is good trick to pull off. The writing is also varied, which makes it even better.
At the very beginning, the storm in the prologue is extreme and vividly told, and shows that Dorothy and Toto got out of theirs easily in comparison.
In the prologue is the author’s ingenious set up, part mechanical, part mythical, and part of a future we do not want, and how the earth reacted.
Throughout, the way everything was named, the processes they live with, and the choices they inherited are compelling in the way they’re written and built upon. The dialog, and action scenes stand out. The author is not afraid of gore and it fits the action---especially with Lem and his abilities with fingers.
Throughout are social questions, mirroring our homeless crisis are easy to see, as some of the protagonists fight with their logic against the need to be human to other humans. Ecological future from decisions today is played out, some in beauty, but most in regret. It makes you think.
My favorite alien, for various reasons? Seg Nel, his persona is easy to read as human….
All along, the shadowless are clues that continue.
To balance the previous violence, loved The Menagerie. Beautifully done.
I love the past.
And the ending. Highly recommended.
May 21, 2023
The Shadowless is a fast paced apocalyptic novel with a well developed main character, Shipley Boden aka Lee. Lee is an endearing and smart, but also deadly, marauder in a dystopian Earth wasteland where a never ending storm leaves destruction with its “Black Eyes”. Avoiding the Red Kings, a vigilante group who wreak havoc in the dusty wastelands outside the safe and domed cities, is Lee’s biggest obstacle while searching for valuable resources in the destruction left in the wake of Black Eyes. The other obstacle is smuggling the goods into the domed city for those who will pay for it. It’s an eat or be eaten world, where mystery of how the Earth became a bleak and savage place is unknown. Then Lee stumbles upon Luna, a little girl who is deaf and the lone survivor of a severe storm. The two form an unlikely friendship and must brave the elements, Red Kings, a crooked businessman from the city, and the sci-fi twist you didn’t see coming.
The Shadowless is gripping and heartfelt. It raises questions about why society and humanity continue on such destructive paths both in our current reality and the fictional one in the story. Ty’s world building and imagery is well painted and detailed. The character juxtaposition plays right into the eye opening and heartbreaking ending. I got epic sci-fi apocalyptic movie vibes as it played out in my mind. With this third novel, Ty continues to develop and hone his writing skills and storytelling. I throughly enjoyed The Shadowless and thank Ty for another great read! 4.5 stars if I could! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Shadowless is gripping and heartfelt. It raises questions about why society and humanity continue on such destructive paths both in our current reality and the fictional one in the story. Ty’s world building and imagery is well painted and detailed. The character juxtaposition plays right into the eye opening and heartbreaking ending. I got epic sci-fi apocalyptic movie vibes as it played out in my mind. With this third novel, Ty continues to develop and hone his writing skills and storytelling. I throughly enjoyed The Shadowless and thank Ty for another great read! 4.5 stars if I could! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 26, 2023
This is the second book I've read by Ty, this time as an ARC reader. The stronghold of his writing is emotional connections between characters, and he does not disappoint in The Shadowless. In a dystopian setting that's a bit too likely given humanity's current trajectory, it's especially important that we have a character like Lee that can give us hope through the unforgiving setting. The world was rich and felt lived in and the story makes us all wonder about the path we're on and what we we would to to change it if we could. I expect nothing but great things from the rest of the Dadirri Saga!
May 19, 2023
I will say that The Shadowless is unlike anything I have ever read before. Is it sci-fi? Well, yes- but is so use more than that. Ty Carlson has done it again with a truly imaginative story that makes you stop and think. Real world problems that we could do something about. Check. Loving someone even though you have no choice? Check. In The Shadowless, readers are forced to recognize and process what and who they are. It challenges the typical ideas of what is good and evil. All in all, it was a wild ride that will change your emotions from one page to the next. I couldn’t recommend this book, or the others of this series, enough.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 28, 2023
I got to read this as an arc read This isn’t my typical read but I liked how it was written and this is my first book that I’ve read by Ty Carlson and I haven’t read anything like this before loved the characters and the storyline and I recommend this book for someone who likes to read sci-fi books
July 2, 2023
This was a great book Goldilocks is a great story and Ty did it right with this book. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 31, 2023
The Shadowless by Ty Carlson is book three in the Dadirri Saga. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I must say I’m a fan. With it being the third book I can say I honestly didn’t feel lost or confused in any way, everything was explained very well. To be honest it read like a standalone, so no fears on that front. This is a dystopian apocalypse with a splash of sci fi mixed it and was a very enjoyable read from start to finish.
The line that made me interested in reading this book was, “The Everstorm is merciless-the people who live beneath it are even worse.” It made me curious, why was the Everstorm merciless and why were the people worse? Well I got my answers… let me just say wow. That’s how good the storyline of this book is! The character of Shipley is my absolute favorite; and the friendship he forms with Luna is top tier. The book had me questioning about how society would fair if this actually happened… would humanity be lost? Fantastic read if you love a dystopian book mixed with sci-fi… then look no further!
Final review
4 out of 5 stars
The line that made me interested in reading this book was, “The Everstorm is merciless-the people who live beneath it are even worse.” It made me curious, why was the Everstorm merciless and why were the people worse? Well I got my answers… let me just say wow. That’s how good the storyline of this book is! The character of Shipley is my absolute favorite; and the friendship he forms with Luna is top tier. The book had me questioning about how society would fair if this actually happened… would humanity be lost? Fantastic read if you love a dystopian book mixed with sci-fi… then look no further!
Final review
4 out of 5 stars
January 22, 2024
I admit, I started out reading this book with a different sort of view but the more I read the book, the more I couldn't put it down! This book held me in suspense. It made me laugh. It made me cry. And it really made me think. Highly recommend this book to others!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 11, 2023
Loved it, beautifully written and could not put it down!!!!
May 19, 2023
While this is not my typical read, the world building, character arcs, and plot drove this story home for me. Loved the pacing and attention to detail. Carlson will make you laugh out loud one minute and have you gripping the pages the next. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Great read!
May 17, 2023
Not my typical read. But it was pretty interesting. The book has a few funny moments which it was a plus for me. The story was fantastic. I loved it.
May 6, 2023
The world building is immaculate. When i’m reading a book i like to feel like i’m watching a movie on the pages. This book did just that. Everything about it had me hooked from page to page.
April 27, 2023
Carlson does it again! This book had me laughing, crying, and wondering what the heck what going to happen!
This book did not disappoint! Again… like his second book was very different than the first, this one too was very different than the previous two books.
This book did not disappoint! Again… like his second book was very different than the first, this one too was very different than the previous two books.
January 16, 2024
I was able to reach out to this author and discuss reading this as an ARC. This isn't my typical read; but I truly enjoyed it. I was amazed with how fast I was able to blow through this book. Only reading the summaries of the first two books helped me go through a bit more easily as this is the third in a trilogy. It felt like a stand-alone; so do not fret about not reading the others! It is the emotional connections between characters that make his writing so strong, and he does not let down in The Shadowless. The characters like Lee, who can provide us hope through the unforgiving setting of a dystopian setting, are especially helpful in an increasingly likely dystopian future. Lee's character serves as an example of strength, resilience, and hope that can be found even in the darkest of times. His story reminds us that we can find our own strength to fight for a better future. In the end, Lee's story offers a glimmer of hope for a brighter tomorrow.
July 1, 2023
Shipley Bowden is a scavenger who lives on Earth in what appears to be our future, if things continue as they seem to be going currently. It is a dark and cruel world. The sun is hidden behind the "Everstorm," only appearing when one of the many "black eyes" (tornadoes) that happen across the world appears to cause even more death and destruction. After one such event, he finds a lone surviving 6 year old girl. He takes her with him, planning to find somewhere safe to leave her, but things don't go as planned.
I read an Advance Review Copy of this book. It was the 3rd book in a series, and not having read the first two, I don't know what happened before this point, but this book was a complete story on its own. In other words, I didn't feel lost, but I do intend to go back and read them when I get the chance anyway.
This was a fantastic post-apocalyptic story that tells a very vivid tale of what happens to the planet when people are only out for themselves, caring nothing about what happens to other people or the planet itself. I greatly enjoyed this one and would recommend it to anyone, even though it paints a grim future for mankind. Be warned though, there is a great deal of violence in this story.
I read an Advance Review Copy of this book. It was the 3rd book in a series, and not having read the first two, I don't know what happened before this point, but this book was a complete story on its own. In other words, I didn't feel lost, but I do intend to go back and read them when I get the chance anyway.
This was a fantastic post-apocalyptic story that tells a very vivid tale of what happens to the planet when people are only out for themselves, caring nothing about what happens to other people or the planet itself. I greatly enjoyed this one and would recommend it to anyone, even though it paints a grim future for mankind. Be warned though, there is a great deal of violence in this story.
June 12, 2023
this was a another winner in the Dadirri Saga series, it had everything that I was looking for from the other books in the series. Ty Carlson has a great writing style that I was invested in what was happening. It left me wanting to read more from the world and from the author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 27, 2023
Awesome book full of vivid imagery, a touch of science fiction, and the whole gamut of emotions. You won’t be able to put it down!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 5, 2023
Absolutely entertaining, fast paced Sci-fi dystopian adventure with fun world building and complex characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2024
Love this book. There are so many twists and turns you never know what's going to happen. The Dome is where everyone wants to be. It has power grass water and food. If you live outside the dome, then you do everything you can to survive . Awesome book. I definitely recommend
July 4, 2023
I was able to reach out to this author and discuss reading this as an ARC. This isn't my typical read; but I truly enjoyed it. I was amazed with how fast I was able to blow through this book. Only reading the summaries of the first two books helped me go through a bit more easily as this is the third in a trilogy. It felt like a stand-alone; so do not fret about not reading the others! It is the emotional connections between characters that make his writing so strong, and he does not let down in The Shadowless. The characters like Lee, who can provide us hope through the unforgiving setting of a dystopian setting, are especially helpful in an increasingly likely dystopian future. Lee's character serves as an example of strength, resilience, and hope that can be found even in the darkest of times. His story reminds us that we can find our own strength to fight for a better future. In the end, Lee's story offers a glimmer of hope for a brighter tomorrow.
May 27, 2025
wow, ANOTHER author reviewing his own work? What a tool.
Anyway, welcome back to another episode in The Dadirri Saga. Now this one....this one is special. My wife and I are foster parents. Well, We're a foster family because my kids are bio and part of that. Well we adopted one...shit I'm confusing y'all. Let me start over.
Okay so I'm a foster dad. My wife and I have 4 bio kids, we adopted one, and we foster many others throughout the year. When I was writing this particular story, we were fostering a brother and a sister. This particular story centers around my journey as a foster dad. The main character, Shipley Boden (Lee) is thrust into a position where he must either choose to leave a deaf orphan on her own in a violent and uncaring world, where she'll no doubt be killed or die from exposure, or to care for her knowing he's ill-equipped to become a sudden parent. His goals of living within the protection of the Cities is at stake, and his survival in The Red Wastes is threatened in this simple choice. Throughout the story you'll experience much of the joy, fear, and frustration that many foster parents go through when put in situations they never asked for, but in the end, you'll probably cry. In fact, I hope you cry several times in the story. I cried writing it. I think my favorite part was writing when Lee and Luna eat dinner together. There's something uniquely beautiful about children, don't you think? 5/5.
Anyway, welcome back to another episode in The Dadirri Saga. Now this one....this one is special. My wife and I are foster parents. Well, We're a foster family because my kids are bio and part of that. Well we adopted one...shit I'm confusing y'all. Let me start over.
Okay so I'm a foster dad. My wife and I have 4 bio kids, we adopted one, and we foster many others throughout the year. When I was writing this particular story, we were fostering a brother and a sister. This particular story centers around my journey as a foster dad. The main character, Shipley Boden (Lee) is thrust into a position where he must either choose to leave a deaf orphan on her own in a violent and uncaring world, where she'll no doubt be killed or die from exposure, or to care for her knowing he's ill-equipped to become a sudden parent. His goals of living within the protection of the Cities is at stake, and his survival in The Red Wastes is threatened in this simple choice. Throughout the story you'll experience much of the joy, fear, and frustration that many foster parents go through when put in situations they never asked for, but in the end, you'll probably cry. In fact, I hope you cry several times in the story. I cried writing it. I think my favorite part was writing when Lee and Luna eat dinner together. There's something uniquely beautiful about children, don't you think? 5/5.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews