Shadow on the Wall

The SandStorm Chronicles #1

by Pavarti K. Tyler

Rape. Murder. Extortion. All in a day's work for the nefarious RTK, the brutal, self-appointed morality police controlling modern Elih, Turkey. In these dark times who can stand against their iron-fisted rule? Enter Recai Osman: Muslim, philosopher, billionaire and Superhero? Shadow on the Wall is Book One of The Sand Storm Chronicles, which tells the epic transformation of a complicated man from mogul brat to . . . superhero.

Genres: Fantasy, Suspense, Speculative Fiction

248 pages, Paperback

First published April 17, 2012

About the author

USA TODAY Best Selling Erotic Romance Author

Pavarti K Tyler is an artist, wife, mother and number cruncher. She graduated Smith College in 1999 with a degree in Theatre. After graduation, she moved to New York, where she worked as a Dramaturge, Assistant Director and Production Manager on productions both on and off Broadway. Later, Pavarti went to work in the finance industry several international law firms. She now lives with her husband, two daughters and one very large, very terrible dog. She keeps busy working with fabulous authors as the Director of Marketing at Novel Publicity and penning her next novel.

Reviews

[Melissa Storm]

I have the distinct honor of writing the book club discussion guide for this novel, which means I get to be one of its very first readers. Yay!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently I was given the opportunity to get an ARC of the new litfic novel Shadow on the Wall by Pavarti K. Tyler. (For those of you not in the know, that’s Advanced Release Copy.) It’s probably my favorite thing about blogging. If I just told you whether or not I liked it, my answer would be full of profanities ending with the word “YEAH!” That being said, I’m going to try and remain professional while conveying why this book rocks my socks off.

The Set Up:
The heir to a multi-billion Euro company, Recai, wakes up in the middle of the desert with no clue why or how he got there. Thankfully, he is taken in by Hasad and his daughter Rebekah, despite the danger his mere presence poses. The RTK is everywhere, punishing anyone for anything close to breaking Shariah law, while flaunting it themselves. This only the beginning of a dangerous journey for Recai, and heartbreak can be found in every step. But there is a plan for him, a purpose. Every injustice, ever slight to human decency Recai witnesses prepares him for a destiny he has asked for his entire life. The question is, how long will it take him to realize it?

Yeah, it’s that good. Here’s why you’ll love it:

The world needs a Batman. Especially where people are oppressed. I think Ms. Tyler chose a great setting for her story, a Muslim city also home to Jews, Christians, etc. There are terrible, terrible things that religious zealots do in the name of their god, and it’s everywhere in the city of Elih. I loved this aspect of her story because it was wonderful to see a superhero stand up for issues that I hear about on a daily basis. As great as the Joker and Catwoman are, it’s nice to see the real bad guys get punched in the gut for a change. If I could, I would send Recai all over the world to fix some of this ridiculousness we let ourselves get talked into. Too bad he’s fiction.

The world needs a Non-WASP superhero. Part of the reason I asked to review this book was I because I found the idea of a superhero that wasn’t from an English speaking, or at least Anglo country refreshing. Hell, even the aliens, (Thor, Wonderwoman, Superman,) all show up white and speaking English. It’s not how I want my daughter to see the world. Yes, there are plenty of American heroes, but there are Indian and Arab and Jewish and Asian ones too. Or at least there should be.

You really understand the characters, even the unlikable ones. This might be my absolute favorite part of the whole book. Many times I have seen the first superhero story/comic/movie set up the great nemesis/super villain for episodes to come. Shadow is no exception. At one point in this book, the character who I see to be the Ultimate Nemesis does something pretty gruesome. What I love was that as I read the chapter, all I could think of was, “I would totally do the same thing in that situation. [The Ultimate Nemesis] let that guy off easy.” There are even some characters you start out hating that find redemption in the end, and most importantly: you are happy about it. That character it seems, didn’t need to die as horrible a death as you once thought. Ms. Tyler has found a way to put you in the shoes of each one of her characters, good or bad, and I think it’s an astounding piece of writing.

Why you wouldn’t like it:

(I had to think pretty hard on this one. The ideals behind this book are very accepting and tolerant, so I wouldn’t want to imply that by not liking the book, you are not accepting and tolerant. So here’s what I’ve come up with.)

You don’t like superhero fiction. Hey, it’s not for everyone. It’s for me and then some, but I can’t see, let’s say someone who needs to always be uplifted enjoying this book. Are there uplifting parts, absolutely, but you have to trudge though some pretty deep, dark places to get there. Which leads me to my next point…

You don’t like violence in your literature. Then stop reading now. Part of the reason superheroes are created is to combat evil. This book has it. Recai is not there to stop pickpockets. I’m talking to you, Mom. This book is great, but you couldn’t make it. It’s too rough for you. (Love you!)

And that’s all I got. Read this book. It comes out in May, you can pre-order at Amazon or Pavarti's blog. Start sending her gifts now and she might let you review it too… maybe.

[Mihir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full Review originally at Fantasy Book Critic

ANALYSIS: Shadow On The Wall is a book from an author that I had no clue about. We received a query letter about it and the book’s blurb along with its exotic setting heightened my interest in it. I was curious to see how the author would portray Islam within the confines of the superhero and urban fantasy subgenres. It was also marketed as literary fiction and this was also a plus point in consideration for me choosing it.

Shadow On The Wall is set in the city of Elih in Turkey and is set in modern times, however the exact year is never given. The reader is rather suddenly introduced to the main protagonist Recai Osman who is trapped into the desert outside the city of Elih with no precise recollection of his presence. He however tries his best to survive and is rescued by Hasad Sofaer, an Indian jew who takes him in his home and with the help of his daughter Rebekah tries to nurse him back to health. Things are going on a smooth keel however they soon turn dastardly as members of the RTK political party make an appearance in Hasad’s village and the twist of fate that triggers Recai’s heroic odyssey occurs. The story then skips three years and we are re-introduced to Recai as he comes back to Elih. This time however he’s not the person he was before and he will come across many characters that will lead to the rise of the sandstorm. There's also the other characters that are introduced such as Darya, Isik, Maryam and Fahri who share the page presence and further introduce twists in to the plot through their actions and plans.

Pavarti’s book is quite different than what I thought it would be, for one the author has really tried to focus on the minutiae of individual actions that further cascade down into horrific as well as benevolent events. I believe the author was trying to showcase the actions of fate as well as personal choice thereby giving both black and white sides to characters that we read about. The characterization of the book is the highlight of the book as the author gives us a veritable slice into the lives of myriad characters, both honest and devious, both male and female. While Recai Osman is the main character, the author also dwells into the life of secondary characters to present a wholesome side of life in the city of Elih. There are some strong parallels between Recai and Bruce Wayne however the author makes it very clear that Recai is not the same man as the Dark Knight. He however does share similar prejudices against those who have been corrupted.

Secondly the author’s prose draws in the reader into the story and life that is so suffocating in the city of Elih under various sanctions and constrictions placed by those in power, the reader will feel the pain felt by the characters and therefore their actions and motivations become that much more clear. Lastly the author has to be thoroughly commended for her research and background details in several Islamic sayings and fashion which she has described in the book, from the spellings to the greetings and customs, the author manages to get all her ducks in a row and this adds to the richness of the culture showcased within.

While all the wonderful points of the book do help, there are some facets to it that might affect the read for some readers. Beginning with the pacing which is a bit uneven and causes the read to falter a bit in the start and the middle of the book to a certain extent, while this is very subjective I felt that it did occur enough times to stifle the read. Another point of contention is that the author never really reveals what occurred to the main character that lead to his eventual transformation. I felt that this could have been explored more or at least a bit more exposition would have definitely helped explain the genesis of the story’s central character. This is also offset against the fact that this is the first book and therefore the authorial plan might be to reveal more as each volume progresses. Lastly the book I felt tries a bit too hard to showcase its literary side and this perhaps offsets the thriller aspect of the story.

CONCLUSION: Pavarti Tyler’s book is quite a mix up of styles and genres however one thing is true about it that the author has taken some pains to chalk out the story and flesh out the characters. Shadow On the Wall does it best to raise questions about the role of religion, gender, faith and society which I believe was the author’s purpose. Give it a read if you wish to explore a different culture and a different type of superhero.

[Inga · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review:

I read Shadow on the Wall by Pavarti K. Tyler few months ago, but it took me some time to finally write the review. Shadow on the Wall is a book which you read and then it haunts you in a good way. It was a page turner for me, but it woke so many thoughts which I had to get settled before putting down the review.

Shadow on the Wall is well-written and even though it is a page turner, it is dark, raw and beautiful in the same time. The writing is very smooth and the story flows on a quite quick pace. The characters are above fascinating and thought-wakening and the plot thrilling!

Plot:

The plot is complex and there are few different story lines to follow. It's like a puzzle which you have to put together step by step and you find few awesome surprises on your path. There are two complicated things for me with Pavarti's book: the first one was to determine which genre it is because you can actually put several different labels on it and all of them would be correct; secondly, describing the plot. I will do my best.

The story is taking place in Turkey where you meet the main character of the story Recai Osman who is Muslim, billionaire, victim and a hero. Recai finds himself in a desert, saved by a man called Hasad. Recai is brought to Hasad's home while his daughter Rebekah is nursing Recai... Until Islamic morality police RTK finds them and interferes. Things get ugly. Very ugly.

Then the story jumps few years ahead and Recai is a changed man. The reader is introduced to whole new set of characters who are smartly woven into the story. You are drawn into the world of Elih city where religion, values, traditions, people are given colorful and suffocating meaning. The desert has also a very huge role in the novel and I remember thinking if the author has ever been in desert in order to use such a powerful prose about it.

What I truly loved bout the plot was that it gave an insight to Islam from s very surprised later to find out that the story is written by a non-Muslim. I was quite impressed by her knowledge about Qua ran, women's rights and generally by Muslim settings. It looks almost seemless, because the writing is very smooth, but the story touches quite heavy topics. Shadow on the Wall will get reactions from every reader I believe, they will either love it or be disturbed by it. I was both. It's a book where you will not be indifferent, neither about the plot nor the characters. Very powerful writing!

Shadow on the Wall was very character driven story and there were lots of fascinating characters the author created.

Characters:

Recai remained a mystery for me. I would love to know what happened to him during the years which are not described in the first novel in the series. I loved his characters, but he also raised lots of questions and I am sure, that I will get my answers whenever the sequel is out.

I know that some people who have read the book would be surprised when I am saying that one of my favorite characters was Darya. Darya is devious, evil, sick in her head and I felt so sorry for her. She used every mean she possessed - money, connections, family to get what she wanted. I can't say, that I loved her character because she is evil, but it was interesting following the reasons behind her actions - to say the least.

Hasad had a huge role to play, especially when it came to Recai and his actions. Hasad is the only person from his past who is taken into the present.

There is a myriad of characters, both main and supportive ones worth mentioning. There is one thing common for all of them - they are fascinating!

Generally:

Shadow on the Wall is a brilliant book which flows smoothly and at the same time touches heavy topics of fundamental religion, women's rights, acting above the morality etc. It makes your head spin!It is that good! I highly recommend it and can't wait for the sequel!

[Kriss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic and powerful read that grabs you right from the beginning! I did not read this right away because I thought... Muslim Superhero? Ummm riiiiiiiight, and then I said to myself, oh gods a book that speaks against the violence of muslin women... OK I am against it but do I want to read a book about it in the guise of a superhero novel? So I put it off, BIG MISTAKE! I read the author's other pieces and realized I may have jusged to quickly so Christmas Eve I gave myself an early present, picked it up and read, read and read and I was unable to stop reading till I was done. And at the end of the book, with my mouth open, I kicked myself for not giving the book when I first received it!

This is not just a superhero story, this is not just about the plight of the Muslim women, this is not just about ... well it is about a lot of things! Ms. Tyler has not pulled any punches - misogamy, religion, greed, corruption, abuse, and right off the bat - rape. As a rape survivor so many times when I read a rape scene it is handled without care, full of gratuitous violence, and most of the time times sloppy. This did not even trigger me except for moving right to feeling righteous and wanting to get up and fight!

Where is the superhero you say? Recai Osman, son of a billionaire in Elih, Turkey. After attempting to help someone, he finds himself beaten and left for dead in the desert with the city no where in sight. Taken in and cared for by an elderly Jewish man with the help of his daughter. After recovering, resting and some true enlightenment (you have to have a superhero mentor)Recai is back in the city, though still recovering when he has a run in with a corrupt organization which changes everything and dark local hero was born... THE SANDSTORM! I giggled a bit but it was so well done I just could not help myself but ohh and ahh a lot. The action did not stop here.

Villians? Other than the organization RTK and those involved, there is Dayar. We love to hate her and we love her just a little... and have a tiny bit of empathy because of being a woman in Turkey. She believes she can lead in a world of men in a culture that is not ready for it. I was enamored with her and I applaud Tyler for presenting such a bleak world faced with such heroics by Dayar and the rest of the characters. Dayar is someone to watch, at the end of the book what she is left with, what she coveted has been stripped away. Where will be find her and Racai next?

I loved the book, I only have a few issues. ONE, it was TO DANG SHORT! TWO as I write my review (which I swear I had written back in December) I realize I am still waiting for more, book two needs to be written soon. To say this talented transgressive author has shown herself to be versatile is an understatement (see the rest of her offerings). What I love most about this author and her stories is she does not hold back, she has no problems writing "bungee jumping" tales... she takes risks and each time she does, they blaze a trail, as this one does, with talented and the brightest of lights.

This is not for everyone, there may be a it to much in your face realities but I still would recommend it to anyone who wants something out of the norm from an author not afraid to take chances. OH! AND it has a fantastic Q&A with Pavarti and book club ?'s to boot?!!

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I want to start by saying that this book has unique characters and the author portrays them in such a way that even those I hate, I have was able to basically understand their motivations. Racai Osman is the MC who lives in Turkey in a very difficult society. He wants to avenge a horrific act committed on a woman and for that I admired him. This book is definitely not for the weak at heart. There are graphic acts of violence, cruelty and rape committed on women, and so much more that could trigger certain people so I say do read with caution. That being said, I do believe it is a book that, although there is so much evil in it, is an important read and has beauty within the pages.

[Majanka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow on the Wall is perhaps my favorite book of the entire year. Why? It offers diversity, strong and likeable characters with distinct backgrounds and voices, a view into a culture we not so often see as the focus of a fantasy story, great storystelling and a lot more.

The story starts with Recai Osman, owner of a multi-million dollar corporation in the style of Bruce Wayne. What’s special about Recai is that he doesn’t live in the middle of New York city, Manhatten or even the English country side. He lives in Turkey. Not a lot of novels take place in the Arabian world, or in Turkey, and that along added something original and intriguing to the book. I was eager to read more about the culture, habits and people living in Turkey and the surrounding countries.

Unfortunately Recai’s life takes a turn for the worst when he finds himself thrown into the desert and left to die. He’s saved by Hasad, who hides Recai out of fear that the communist regime, the RTK, could be looking for him. You can see the RTK as a radical police force, who punishes people severely whenever they break the law, but who often break the law themselves.

After an assault on Hasad’s daughter, Recai swears he will avenge her. When he finally returns to his home and becomes a victim of the RTK himself, he decides that enough is enough. In true superhero style, he takes on a secret name “The Sandstorm” and starts to fight injustice.

What I really liked about the book is its focus on women’s right. We all know that in the middle east and Turkey, women tends to have less rights than men. They can’t divorce someone when they want to, they’re not allowed to take care of their children when the husband divorces them, and a lot more. These are sometimes very controversial topics, mostly because these aren’t just laws – they’re religious laws. I liked how the author touched these topics in the book. There were some violent and even cruel things done to women that were mentioned in this book, and I have to applaud the author for her bravery for talking about this.

Pavarti Tyler has made her very own Batman: Recai Osman, a man who fights against tyranny and violence. But not only has she made her very own superhero, set in a world where not everyone is equal, she has also made him an interesting and intriguing person, with doubts as much as everyone else. The way Recai grows throughout the novel is amazing. He starts out a bit naive, focusing mostly on his work, but he quickly changes and sees the world for what it truly is.

If you’re interested in reading something new and exciting, something that will keep you reading until the very end, then Shadow on the Wall is an excellent choice. It’s not for the faint of hard, but the fact that it touches controversial topics without exaggerated and with an extraordinary integrity makes it all the more worthy to read. You will not be disappointed.

[Gaele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for FMB Book Tours. I received a PDF copy of this book from the author for honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and it is an honest representation and my own responsibility.

It is rare that I find myself unable to put a book down. That was not the case with this book. We meet Recai Osman, of a Turkish father and a Kurdish mother: orphaned at a very young age: left with great wealth, a wonderful family legacy, and great guilt.

It is said that Art can bridge gaps; whatever form they may take. Essentially this story presents a perspective that is sorely lacking in the fiction of the west: a story that tells us in an entertaining, not biographical or anecdotal, way of how those people embroiled in the conflicts in the Middle East are far more similar than we might believe, or be led to believe. I do not believe the author planned to make a statement with the book, beyond we are more similar than different, but the portrayal of all of the characters feels authentic and tangible. It doesn’t take a great stretch of imagination to understand them, or their perspectives. The liberal sprinkling of terms specific to the Muslim religion was easy to understand the sentiment of the word, if not the actual meaning simply with a talent for placement for context. There is a glossary at the end as well – although I didn’t find it necessary but it would be helpful.

The book is organized into several smaller parts, each deals with a specific set of events that further allow us insight into events that both surround and involve Recai, while introducing us to characters that, despite their assumed differences, are able to form real bonds of friendship and family. We get to discover Recai as he discovers, or rediscovers who he is, and what he is meant to be in the progression of the story. We meet Rebekah and her widowed father, Hasad Sofaer, both Jewish who rescued him from a sand dune avalanche. Darya, a woman born to privilege and chafing at the restrictions of society, and Maryam who works as a nurse and lives independently, but appreciates the comfort and familiarity of the clothing restrictions. All have different perspectives on what their society has become, and what steps need be made to change it.

I really did enjoy this book – to sit and read it, and only it, straight through is a VERY rare occurrence for me. I will say that it is a story that has some very detailed and specific violence: violence against women, fights with men, fights against the sand. I would recommend this book to any adult who enjoys a read that captures your imagination and answers questions that we all have, but never asked.

[Dave DiGrazie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pavarti K. Tyler writes well. I had no doubt, as I read this meaty morality play with a superhero demiglaze, that I was reading an insider's exposè of how the local authorities who enforce Sharia law in large parts of the Muslim world use some of what is found in Muslim holy writings to oppress anyone who gets in their way, especially (but not exclusively) women. It shocked me to learn in the Q&A found at the end of the Kindle version, that Tyler is neither Muslim nor Turkish (this reviewer lived in Turkey for a year and has post-grad credits in Islamic studies; the book contains enough truth about Turkey and Islam that I was fooled).

Tyler has produced a moving story that helps us to understand the frustration and sometimes, the sheer terror that comes with being an oppressed minority. If Judaism (personified by the old, wise and somewhat difficult Hasan) is Tyler's Exhibit B, the oppression of women in the Muslim world is her Exhibit A. But Tyler has treated Islam fairly, showing that hijabs and burqas can be safe havens for the women who are used to wearing them. The narrator's mention of Islam's prophet always includes the corollary blessing required by Muslim piety. Tyler is concerned for the individual liberty of both women and men, whether Jewish or Mulsim, Sunni or Shi'a; she's not out to bash religion. She has made a loud, clear statement with literature that is thoughtful, nuanced, and well-researched. "Shadow" merits our attention whatever and whomever the object of our faith.

My main criticism of "Shadow" is a common one in this day of the literary series: The end comes abruptly, with too many loose ends to call it a masterpiece. Secondarily, the introduction of supernatural elements into Tyler's brutally-honest realism may also disorient and disappoint some readers. That said, those who go on to read Tyler's Q&A will understand the final scene in her last chapter as a Bruce Wayne/Peter Parker moment of reckoning. The epilogue may clue us to the future of Darya, a beauty whose character has parallels to Elphaba in the musical "Wicked" and whose ambition and cunning infuses the novel with latent sexual energy. Is she victim, perpetrator, or both? Has she hardened beyond redemption? These are questions, I think, that Tyler wants us to contemplate long after we're finished reading "Shadow." Perhaps she'll unfold it for us in the next book of what has the potential to be a spellbinding series with specific relevance for 21st-century humanity.

[Vidya-BooksAreMagic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready for another Batman!

Recai Osman is the multi-millionaire young lad, whose life is not any easier than a common man. When his mother committed suicide and his father left him with no parting words, Recai was a kid. Dealing these things on his own has made him insecure and angry from the inside..he thinks he could have saved him mother from leaving him. One day, he wakes up in a desert with no idea how he ended up there. He was caught in a sandstorm and nearly buried alive, when Hasad, a nice old man, saves him. Recai was taken care of Hasad and his daughter, Rebekah, with atmost care and compassion.

Between that, the land was occupied by RTK, the morality police, which claims to follow Allah's ways. But all these treacherous men do, is treat people in the worst way possible. Recai is still not completely healed, when few of these RTK men come searching into Hasad's house, when Hasad was not there. They rape Rebekah and kill her in the most humiliating way, making Recai to see all this. They also try to kill Recai, but somehow, Recai is saved..again. After 3 years of wandering in the desert, he seeks vengeance for Rebekah's murder and enters the society. Will he succeed in that cruel land? Or will his insecurities get the better of him?

This book has everything, any fiction reader would want. Excellent story-telling and emotional start makes this a success with me. Strong plot, deep characters.. This novel is definitely not your 'Happily Ever After' kind. But, this is more of realism, right? Not everyone gets their HEA..THE FACT! This was heart-wrenchingly sad in the beginning and as the story moved on, I was still sad. And even when I finished the book, I was sad..still.

Okay, if you think that I am exaggerating in any way, you really have to read it to find out. Go on, pick it up!

AMMMAZZZINGGGGG!

[Nely Cab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recai Osman is a handsome and wealthy businessman in the city of Elih, Turkey, living every man's dream. But his life turns into a hellish nightmare the day Recai opens his eyes to find himself buried in sand, beaten and hanging on to the last string of his life. Someone has left Recai to be swallowed whole by the desert and never to be heard of again.

Recai is saved by Hasad, who hides the stranger in his home, though fearing that the monopolized community police, known as the RTK, is linked to the man. After a brutal attack to Hasad's daughter, Rebekah, Recai swears upon her memory to seek vengeance on the RTK and their leader.

After three years of wandering through the desert in search of answers, Recai returns to the city of Elih, where he was thought dead. When Recai attempts to reincorporate himself into society, he finds himself defending a victim from the sickening attack by an RTK soldier. It is then that Recai becomes known as "The Sandstorm".

Author Pavarti K. Tyler has risen a "Muslim Superhero" from the sands of the desert. Tyler touches controversial topics which only a woman would dare to brave. The author's style of writing holds a poetic flare in her sentences, which adds to the appeal of the story.

Do be wary readers, as this book is not for the faint at heart and includes scenes of cruel violence against women. For those bold readers, you might want to fasten your reading glasses because you're in a for a thrilling ride!

-Nely Cab, Author of Creatura

[Java Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read a book this good in a very long time. Touted as Book 1 of a new series, I sincerely hope there are many more to come. I believe the author has a real passion for the premise of the series.

The book takes place in Turkey, highlighting practitioners of Islam and Judaism. Islam is predominant, and the new superhero, Recai, is a devout Muslim. Other Muslims at various stages of religious practice, or non-practice, are depicted as more than flat, stereotypical cartoons.

As I was reading, I felt shades of Bruce Wayne and Batman. In the epilogue, the author admits that influence. Unlike Bruce Wayne, Recai is uncertain about taking on the mantle of superheroism. He prays for guidance, which is refreshing. Like Bruce Wayne, he is horrified by the extremes that crimes have reached.

I received this book for free in order to review it for The Kindle Book Review website. I am not affiliated in any way with either the author or publisher(s).

-- Java Davis (The Kindle Book Review)

[Zefyr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free from a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. I'm not being paid for this review, but I do appreciate getting a free book. Thanks!

Flags go up for me when I see white American non-Muslim women writing about Islam and Muslimahs, so I was more than a bit relieved to find that Tyler did this mostly right. I'm knowledgeable enough about Islam and Judaism in Turkey that I was able to follow the cultural nuances I spotted, and not knowledgeable enough to know if there problematically inaccurate representations of culture. I say "mostly" because I felt like oppression of women, and the spiderwebbing impact of that, seemed to be treated as the biggest indicator of where they were. Not that she said untrue things, or that she talked about these characters' experiences with the oppression of women and nothing else, but...well. Let me backtrack.

I think what I admired most about the book is Tyler's care to portray the experience of oppression with attention to how each person's actions influenced each other's experiences, in a way that was true to life. It's not just that it's a political regime that explicitly limits the liberties of women more than men, or that the limits of those liberties make it such that to act or be acted upon results in ripples of destruction beyond any one person's control: it's that an oppressive structure is a Gordian knot, and every individual's action or reaction tugs on everyone else in some way. What do you do when your survival is a guarantee that someone else will take a hit? Most of us survive by trying not to think about it. Tyler illustrates it magnificently, but falls short in keeping her focus small. Maybe this is to be resolved in later books, with Elih be portrayed in the context of the rest of the world, with dynamic and multidimensional politics?

Yes, I know it's a superhero novel, but multidimensional political systems are no longer unusual in superhero comics, and they're perhaps even more catered to in magical realism and genre lit in general as the specific details can be attributed to fantastical causes rather than attempting to reproduce the entirety of the real. Louis de Bernières's Latin American Trilogy comes to mind, and I wish I'd read it more recently to do both writers their due in comparison; for the purposes of this review, I'll say that Bernières uses the capacities of magical realism to draw together an array of complex issues that if all real would take many history books, while Tyler uses the delight of magical realism to make stomachable a single issue in order to see its complexity. For the purpose of this book, it contributes to the apparent filtering down of troubles in small-town Turkey to a corrupt government that likes to feel superior to women. I think it was done well, and with risk, and don't intend to fail to give credit for that. Here's the credit: I felt she showed that she can take much greater risks. Here's the problem: By being a non-Muslim American white woman focusing on women's rights in a place under Muslim law, she reinforces an existing Western focus on this one specific issue at the exclusion of others. But she does it in a way that complicates the issue and gives voices to Muslimahs living in it, and I think that's a respectable and valuable thing to do with her part in that Gordian knot, where whatever choice she make will have an impact anyway.

The number of short (three pages or fewer) segments made momentum difficult. I thought I'd be able to read it in a single stretch of a few hours, but I found myself needing to put it down from time to time and read it in short bursts over a few days, in a way that I don't have when a book spends a bit more time on its scenes. I felt like this might have gone back to the risk issue above, like Tyler was wary of increasing the detail because the focusing of the lens was already getting into unknown territory. In fact, when I finished the novel I thought it might just be her writing style, but at the end of the book is a promo snippet for a novel she's still working on, Devour. The shear technical writing quality on a micro level in that few pages was significantly better than the technical writing quality of the Shadow on the Wall. Just before this is a promo snippet for her Two Moons of Sera, which was not as well written as Devour (which I now can't wait to read) but still technically superior to this book.

After sitting on this a few days I finally put it together: she's got the specific accuracy of these character's immediate lives down, and a significant piece of that big-picture view, and she's got comfort with their hearts and desires, but it feels like she doesn't have the comfort with the details of their lives yet. Each segment was a search for a detail to grab on to. The bit of Devour showed Tyler digging in to the details of these other characters, digging in past the elbow and learning the texture of the dirt under her fingernails. This book was fistfuls of sand that poured out from her hand too quickly to latch on to, and I don't read books for details that escape before I can get a feel for them. That sensation is something that can be harnessed if done properly to contribute to important themes and concepts in the book -- take, for example, some of the formatting choices in House of Leaves to give the feeling of watching a bullet pass through closing doors, or of a chase through tight hallways -- but it's a difficult choice to carry for an entire novel successfully. If that was the intention, I don't feel like it was worthwhile (other reviewers are talking about not being able to put the book down though, so your mileage may vary).

Miscellaneous things about the edition: Part 1 has single line spacing; the rest of the book looks like 1.5 or something. I appreciated the interview with Tyler at the end. It's got a list of fifteen questions to prompt discussions for book clubs, and the questions look like they could prompt some hours of discussion depending on the group. There's also a glossary; I think Tyler did a solid job of incorporating bits of Turkish and Arabic so that the meaning can be understood contextually if it's not already known, but it's good to have an easily accessible resource for accurate rather than individually interpreted meaning.

In short: I liked it a lot despite feeling like it was a shadow of itself, and I really want to read more.

[Misty Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping is defined as: Taking and keeping a firm hold of; grasping tightly.

A simple word really…when you actually think about it; BUT one that can potentially hold mounds of meaning.

Yesterday I gripped my husband’s hand as we watched TV. The day before that, I gripped a fishing pole with 3 year old daughter.

Gripping: Taking a keeping a firm hold on things.

People. Objects. Memories. Emotions. Stories. Shadow on the Wall.

“Recai Osman: Muslim, philosopher, billionaire and Superhero?

Controversial and daring, Shadow on the Wall details the transformation of Recai Osman from complicated man to Superhero. Forced to witness the cruelty of the Morality Police in his home city of Elih, Turkey, Recai is called upon by the power of the desert to be the vehicle of change. Does he have the strength to answer Allah’s call or will his dark past and self doubt stand in his way?

Pulling on his faith in Allah, the friendship of a Jewish father-figure and a deeply held belief that his people deserve better, Recai Osman must become The SandStorm.

In the tradition of books by Margaret Atwood and Salman Rushdie, Shadow on the Wall tackles issues of religion, gender, corruption and the basic human condition. Beautiful and challenging, this is not a book to miss.”

In all honesty, this book is not going to be for everyone. I feel it necessary to state this up front for those of you that flock to everything I put a five star rating on. (With or without reading the review – *cough* Mom!) If you are easily offended by the mistreatment of women (Think “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and “Speak”) and have a difficult time handling touchy subjects such as religion, then this is NOT the book for you. But…if you are drawn to books that have a deeper meaning, that bewitch you with their flawless plots (regardless of the harshness of the events that reside in them) AND urge you to believe in hope when even the characters themselves feel as though all hope is lost. Read this book immediately.

I cry when I read. This is something that I have come to accept and finally appreciate. While my husband thinks I’ve lost my mind for weeping over a few smudges of black ink (his words, not mine) I view it as the mark of expert craftsmanship. Not all books draw on something deep inside of you, some are simply read and then discarded. A brief hiatus from reality and then back to the grind. Others strike cords. “Shadow on the Wall” was one of those books for me. It not only stuck a cord, it gripped it, chopped it into tiny pieces and then fed it back to me on a silver platter.

At 20% in, I found myself in the throws of chest wracking sobs. Something that HASN’T happened to me since the ugliness of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” Much like Larsson, Tyler laid all of her cards on the table. She opened her characters up to the most unthinkable of human acts (rape) and she did so in a way that made the agony of it feel palpable. I was inside of that room, and though I wanted to (much like Tyler’s lead Recai) I couldn’t force my eyes away from it. It was a fact of this characters existence and I had to watch as it happened, to turn away would be cowardice.

It’s this single event that shapes the remainder of the story, and the emotions that ran thick throughout it.

Recai is all of the things stated above: Muslim, philosopher, billionaire, superhero. But much like our childhood superheros (for example: Batman) he he was thrust into his circumstances due to some deep-seeded issues of loss, revenge, and guilt.

Let me paint the picture differently. (It might help you to understand the driving force behind the actions in this book.) In “Casino Royale” James Bond (despite his many lovers in other movies) finally develops legitimate feelings for a woman named Vesper Lynd. At the end of this movie, she is killed. In the next installment of the series (“Quantum of Solace”) Bond is controlled by his anger and pain. He feel responsible for Vesper’s demise and because of this “responsibility” (however misguided it may be) he sets out to avenge her. The same could be said for Recai in “The Shadow on the Wall.” A horrible (but very brief) moment in his life takes a hold of his consciousness and develops into uncontrollable anger and pain. However, unlike Bond, his guilt is what fuels him not his anger, and eventual all of these emotions morph him into a man hell bent on correcting corruption.

With that…a superhero is born.

Though the plot is very segregated (allowing the reader insight through several different perspectives) it is fluid, well thought out, and intricate enough to engage ALL of your senses. Tyler does a wonderful job of incorporating Turkey’s cultural aspects (and language) without drowning the reader, and though some might feel (initially) turned off by it’s religious connotations, I assure you that by 50% your mind will be focused on a bigger picture.

In short. I loved this book, and cannot wait for the second installment. If for no other reason than my emotional connection to Recai.

Live it. Love it. Pass it on.

Happy Reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: you don’t have to stand up for everyone, but you can’t turn your back on everyone either.

[Drennan Spitzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As part of Novel Publicity's Book Club Bash Event, I was given the pleasure of reading Pavrati K. Tyler's Shadow on the Wall. This novel is surprising in all kinds of wonderful ways. Reminiscent of a Salman Rushdie novel, Shadow on the Wall, tells the story of Recai Osman, a child of privilege turned superhero after he witnesses a series of abuses in the city of Elhi in Turkey. Tyler touches on questions of morality, women's rights, the dangers inherent in religious fundamentalism, and ethnic and conflict, but she does so in a skillful and lighthanded way. In contrast to what I've elsewhere termed the "issues" novel, Tyler manages to weave these topics nearly seamlessly into a story that feels very much like magical realism.

Shadow final cover Tyler's writing is skillful and effortless, nearly like poetry. This is in lovely contrast to plot turns that are brutal, as we see a number of characters suffer in ways that seem almost senseless, as illustrated by this excerpt:

Knock. Just one solid sound.

Recai sat up too quickly and fell back against his mattress gasping as Rebekah stuck her head into his small room, her face creased with worry and fear.

“Cover yourself and stay silent,” she whispered before closing the door and rushing back into the living room to retrieve her burqa and open the door. Recai heard the movement of the heavy fabric she wore on top of her house dress as she moved across the room to greet their visitor. He wondered if she had retrieved her father’s gun which he’d overheard Hasad say was under the couch in the living room.

Before hiding beneath the thin sheet that covered him, he reached down and pulled the rug from the floor and threw it across his legs. He covered his head and melted against the wall with the pillow on top of his upper body. Feeling foolish, Recai laid there, wishing he had his ID, his phone, anything to help bribe his way out of this situation if it was indeed the RTK at the door.

Perhaps it’s just a neighbor, he thought. A neighbor come to ask after Rebekah’s father’s health or to borrow some salt. His attempt at rationalizing the unexpected visit did not quell his fears. The RTK made a habit of performing home inspections, especially if they suspected a woman alone. It wasn’t a safe time for anyone under the jurisdiction of Mayor Yilmaz.

Rebekah’s voice from the front room was soft and gentle. Recai could not make out the words but he managed to hear the sound of another voice. Was it a man? What man would she let into her home, knowing he was back here and her father away? Only one she could not turn away. Recai squeezed his eyes shut and prayed to Allah that it was her Rabbi, come to check on her.

“ . . . Only a storeroom, my father sleeps back here with the supplies and sometimes the animals so I can have the proper privacy a woman should be afforded,” Recai heard her say.

Rebekah’s voice was right outside the door to his room. She remained calm, not a hint of fear betrayed her. Few were able to handle themselves as coolly as she sounded. Recai prayed her strength would be enough.

They were in trouble. The only men who would feel at liberty to explore a woman’s home when she was alone were the RTK and their morality police. No one else possessed the sheer hypocritical audacity. And to come all the way out here, to this nothing village without even a paved road or proper mosque. Recai had the fleeting thought that perhaps this was not about Rebekah but about him and however he had ended up in the desert on the brink of death.

The door swung open abruptly, startling Recai despite his knowing it would happen. He was as covered as was feasible. He willed himself to fade into the shadows of the small room and tried not to breathe. In’shallah this would all be over soon.

As a result of this and other experiences, Recai becomes a reluctant vigilante and even a potential superhero, once he is transformed by a singular religious experience.

I cannot say enough how much I truly loved this novel, and it's not often that a novel comes a long that I feel like I love. And yet, I'm rather at a loss to be able to analyze why I loved it so much. I suspect it is the magical realism combined with Tyler's writing style and the setting, so foreign to me, that made me love this work. I am so thrilled that this is only the first of several proposed volumes of Tyler's The Sandstorm Chronicles, because I didn't want it to end. I look forward to more from Tyler.

Shadow on the Wall is available in both Kindle and paperback editions from Amazon. At $4.95 for the Kindle edition, you cannot go wrong if this is a genre that you appreciate!

NOTE: This review was originally published at Speaking of Books, my book review blog. Please visit me there: www.drennanspitzer.com

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for review from the author. I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally posted here: http://www.pocketfulofbooks.com/2012/...

I couldn't put this book down. It is extraordinarily gripping from the first page to the last, and the characters are so unusual and well-developed that you just want to discover more about them. The book is set in Turkey, in a real place called Elih (fun fact: Elih is the Kurdish name for a real Turkish town called 'Batman'. Nice.) Although the Elih that the author creates is fictitious and nothing like the real place, she chose the Turkish setting because she wanted somewhere with religious tensions between Muslims and Jews that didn't instantly evoke 9/11. You really do learn more about the Islamic faith from the book as it describes and portrays many rituals, prayers, greetings and passages from the Qur'an and religious tensions and different groups interpretations of religious texts are at the heart of the story. Tyler has clearly done her research and, for me, it really paid off.

In this story, there is a morality police called the RTK. They are a Muslim group who are in control of the city and are, basically, armed policeman who make sure that certain Muslim practices are being followed. There include: not drinking, smoking, eating pork, women must wear burkas and be accompanied by male chaperones, reading material is restricted, women are not allowed newspapers, etc etc. They are an intimidating and brutal force and, as we soon realise, very corrupt.

The RTK become the villains of the piece right from the outset of the book. If you are averse to brutal violence (including sexual and incestual) then you are going to find this book hard going. And I am not exaggerating. I have seen the most violent films out there and read incredibly violent books in the past, and this is definitely up there with them. At one point, I had to put the book down and watch some T.V because it was very prolonged and upsetting to read. However, it isn't gratuitous and is vital to the later story lines and provides the motivation of the main character for the events that follow.

Everything about this book feels sinister, suffocating and violent. The oppresive setting of the desert, which clogs your throat whilst also burning and dehydrating you if you dare to stray too far over its unknown terrain, was perfect. I loved the way the sand, like the RTK, managed to find its way into every crack and crevice of society and would occasionally wash over the city in a vicious storm which confined everyone to their homes. The author also uses Bible quotes at the beginning of each chapter, which evoke not a loving, benevolent God but the smiting, vengeful, angry God of the Old Testament, 'on your belly you shall crawl, and dust you shall eat, all the days of your life.' I liked this, as I felt it invoked the violence of religion which is the dark side of any practised religion: this underbelly of extraordinary violence is always there for those who wish to exploit it, as the RTK do in this book.

Another huge theme in this book is oppression of women and violence towards women. This theme, combined with the shifting narrative which focused on different characters and events sporadically, it reminded me of Steig Larsson's 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.' This book is very much about men who hate women and men who disrespect women in the worst possible ways. Women are used as pawns in games of power: if a man is to be punished for some crime or wrong he has committed, his wife or daughter is hunted and raped, thus losing her honour and any chance of a good marriage. She is then extradited from the family and either relies on the kindness of strangers or kills herself. Women are constantly assaulted, beaten, and verbally assaulted and blamed for tempting men if they do happen to be sexually attacked. It must be their fault for exposing a hand or an ankle. Darya is the niece of the Mayor of the city, and she represents a woman's lust and longing for a higher position and more power and respect than women are currently receiving. At one point she thinks;
'She yearned for a life in which all men looked at her as a force of nature not to be trifled with, to be able to stand outside in the wind, her hair uncovered, and scream that she had arrived.'
She portrays a kind of Princess Jasmine character; she does a lot of business from the Mayor behind a male pseudonym from her computer, yet no-one knows her true identity or that a woman would be capable of that difficult work. Women are hidden and seen as weak and pathetic; she takes extreme action against her circumstances with brutal consequences.

Overall, I think what I really loved about this book was how the author defied casting people into roles of 'good' and 'evil'. Characters who are generally good sometimes commit thoughtless acts, and characters who are villains of the most despicable kind can change or can be kind to the people they love. This made the characters much more rounded, and more unpredictable too which kept me engaged right until the very last page. I am really looking forward to reading the rest of this series!

[Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on my blog on the 3rd June 2012, here


I didn't know exactly what to expect when I started reading Shadows on the Wall, but I am glad to admit that I was blown away by what I did read. This story is so captivating and powerful that I simply would not hesitate to recommend it almost everyone that I know. It was a novel that really grabbed at me, that I couldn't stop thinking about, something that made me think and one that I just instantly fell in love with. It is a brilliant beginning to a new series and I am most definitely looking forward to reading on. It reminded me, in parts and in certain ways, of Khaled Hosseini's novels and as they're in my top favourites, it was only natural for me to love this novel a lot.

I feel that the first thing that must be noted is that this is most definitely an adult book. I've been reviewing a lot of YA lately so I wanted to clarify that straight away. I also feel that a warning should be noted about how graphic this book is. I feel that the violence is justified and really helps to make the book more powerful but I also know that this is not something that everyone else will agree with and so I would advise those who dislike graphic violent books to steer clear of this read. It is this violence, however, that really brought this book to life for me. I understood how Recai must have felt - somewhat - and it just really made the book feel so realistic - there is no avoiding the dark and dangerous path.

The narrative of this book switches POV between the main characters which I found really interesting but I also got confused at certain moments and had to back track to remember who I was reading. But this is probably because I was reading it so quickly as well because I was just so gripped to the storyline. I liked how it showed what was happening elsewhere at the same time to help interlink all the stories together and there were a few shocking moments when revelations were revealed that had me shocked to my very core. I loved that about it; I simply didn't see any of it coming!

What helps to make this novel even better are the stunning characters. Not one character is without flaws in this story and it really manages to help make them feel more realistic. I found it hard to truly connect with all the characters in this story - and there were quite a few important ones to remember as well - but I really liked Recai, Hasad and Maryam. I feel, for me, that their story together was the better story. They were so interesting to read about and I loved their interactions together. At first I found Darya to be rather irritating, especially as the story continued but by the end of the story I found her to be a lot more interesting. I'm still not completely hooked on her character but this may definitely change in the next instalment.


It would be impossible to leave this review without talking about the religious connotations of this novel. Pavarti has written a very powerful, political piece of writing without explicitly stating what she is trying to do within the words. It is an entertaining story that forces the reader to think, not just about the novel, but about the world they live in. I find this is absolutely amazing and is one of the things I like most about novels; they have the power to be controversial and stand the test of time. I felt that the message that she was trying to get across in this novel is extremely important, especially in the world today and I felt that it wasn't too overpowered - especially as the story is a kind of superhero tale.


Overall, this was a story that I enjoyed, found enthralling and really made me think. It also made me remember just how much I like foreign novels and need to read more of them. It was powerful and emotional and graphic and just really grabbed at me. I would happily recommend it to adults who want a controversial read that is different and unique and also to anyone who wants to read a superhero novel with a slight twist. It was definitely enjoyable and interesting throughout and will leave people wanting to read the next book straight away. I, for one, want to know what else will help - will it all help?

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, this novel really took me on a surprising ride. Every once in a while a novel will come along that will enrapture you into a meaningful and purposeful experience. This is a book in which the narrative tone reminded me of a wise person whose stories are elegant and naturally honest. The placements of the events and memories throughout the book are full of depth. There is also a switch of events from the past to the present and vice versa, and even that is so perfectly sequenced leaving just enough suspense for the future and enough curiosity for the mystery of the past. Goodreads says that this book is 'fantasy,' but really this book borders on 'real.' I experienced a truly touching journey.

This is definitely a book you can read again and again and always gain something new of meaning. I found so many incredible quotes throughout the book. My favorite lines were usually those of an optimistic nature, as well as a sad (even tragic) but real nature. For example, something as simple as the description of one of the characters, Hasad, who was "resourceful, able to accomplish things others only dreamt of." He was always making "the best of the challenges God has given us." There are so many more with the same meaningful caliber or better. Plus, the descriptive visual scenery of the interactions between the characters is phenomenally depthful, touching, and enrapturing. One, for example, is between Recai (the main character) and his saviour (also the father of the woman he loses): "Recai's eyes filled with water again as he fell on his knees before the old man. His life had been saved so many years before, only to be the cause of Rebekah's death. There was nothing about him that was worth saving. He failed time and again, never able to do or be enough. But he ached for the understanding of the only soul who knew the pain he suffered. He wept for the first time in a long time since Rebekah's death. Hasad placed a forgiving hand on his shoulder."

Now this brings me to the names in the story. I couldn't help but think that every time I read the names of the characters there was another level of depth filling the story. Recai. Rebekah. Hasad. Darya. Maybe I'm not used to such foreign names, but to me they sound musical, mystical, and they pretty much command attention.

I also loved the history of the characters. Each of them are very much imperfect but this really does make them special human beings. By history I mean mostly familial backgrounds. Recai's father made a fortune in the Osman Corporation in Elih, Turkey and later disappeared after his mother jumped without a warning off a yacht. This leaves him marked for life and later suffering the consequences of his character traits in the midst of a life that he didn't really sign up for but rather inherited. Rebekah's mother also passed away when she was only five years old and was forced to be "the child to fill the shoes of a much older woman, much wiser woman." Rebekah also suffered the loss of her baby brother shortly after he was born. Then you have the stories of Hasad and Darya which seem like secondary character but they bare just as much importance as Recai and Rebekah. Their stories are also fully of intrigue and human complexities.

There is so much more I could talk about in terms of this book. It is really one of those books I've encountered this year that I will be keeping on my bookshelf to possibly reread in the future. It's simple, yet depthful and touching.

[Book Gremlin Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

May have slight spoilers.

I really liked this book, going in did not know what I was expecting honestly it had been a long while since I read the book description and I just picked it up and started reading. I read it in about five hours, and I am a slow reader usually.

Recai is a wealthy man and wanted for pretty much nothing but recent events has set his life on a course that will push him though trial after trial.

Recai woke up in the desert without recalling how he came to be there, with the sun beating down on him and no shelter in sight he has no choice but to try to find his way back to the city. But disaster strikes and leaves him for dead until a man stumbles upon him and rescues him.

After witnessing the horrors of the RTK, the Morality Police, first hand he is both consumed with rage and guilt. He disappears. For four years until he reappears in the city that now feels so foreign apposed to the desert sand. The years away have changed him, in more than just appearance.

He doesn’t understand why he survived but he does know that change has to be wrought, and it seems like only he and a few friends are the only ones willing to try to make change for the better while everyone else clings to powerful men who exploit their fears ever tighter as the city crumbles.

We get quite a few points of view in this book, Recai’s, Hasad (the man who rescued him in the desert), his daughter, two other women (one who could be considered the protagonist), another man who was most definitely a bad guy and more. The swapping of POV was not confusing but it did add more to the plot

Can I aptly describe to you the plot of Shadow on the Wall? Honestly, no. Can I tell you about the religion or setting of this book? No. But what I can tell you is that Pavarti has created a book that is both gut-wrenching, suspenseful and literally gave me chill bumps in a few scenes.

The only thing that slowed me down and confused me at times in the book was the religion I think—not that I had anything against it but just that I do not know much about it so I was a little confused on a little of the terms and society rules and such. But after I figured them out the book went by like a breeze.

My favorite part of the plot and what has me most curious I admit is Recai and his connection with the sand/desert. The description saying he is a superhero… and we really only touch on it a little but by the end of the book it is definitely there in the plot and n the for-front of Recai’s mind so I am looking forward to picking up the second book and seeing what Pavarti does with it.

While I did really liked Shadow on the Wall book I have to admit that I felt like a few things never got answered, like how in the world Recai ended up in the desert in the first place, and with all of the different POV’s and more plot, that of course left a lot of unanswered questions for other characters as well—especially the epilogue! lol

This is only the first book though so hopefully all the questions I have will be answered in the next installment and I have said it before, from a reader stand point the cliffhanger sucks but one has to appreciate it because I know I am going to be picking up the next book to find out what is going on.

Altogether Shadow on the Wall was fast paced, dark, gritty, intriguing. I would recommend Shadow on the Wall book to most anyone.

*I received a hardcover/paperback/eBook copy/ARC of this book for free to review from the author/publisher/tour site; this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

[Donna Galanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

One man, witness to a terrible crime, paralyzed to help, and tormented by his inability to save a soul…leads to saving a new soul that sparks a revolution across a city of corruption and greed. Is he the new prophet come to save their very souls and help them rise up again? Or is he too far beyond his own redemption to deliver his people from the dark as The Sandstorm?

One word: Turkey. A place where Tyler creates her controversial novel, Shadow on the Wall. A place built of sand, wretched souls, heroic acts, true evil, heartache, and hope. Tyler weaves her characters with deft craft. We adore them. We hate them. We pity them.

Two words. Recai Osman. And I want more of him. Tormented soul to supernatural hero? We follow Recai’s transformation from a billionaire nomad seeking more from life to the one man who can save his people from evil. But will he have the courage to answer the call to savior? Tyler gives us a unique twist on the Muslim stereotype by giving us a super hero rather than the typical “terrorist”.

Shadow on the Wall is not for the faint of heart at times. It has an intensely personal and disturbing rape scene early on. In reading I thought, oh no, Tyler’s not going to go there! She did. I came to discover later that the witness of this terrible crime (Recai) is eventually led to saving another woman that may save a nation. Was the rape needed? Absolutely. And kudos to Tyler for taking a risk.

One word. One woman. Dayar. She creates her own blazing path, believing herself destined to lead in a world of men…yet at what price? And if she is defeated – what does that say about their world filled with violent extremes…of behavior, laws, and weather?

In Shadow on the Wall Tyler’s paints a vivid, gritty world swirling with danger, deception, lust, and greed where no woman is safe…and no man either with the lawless RTK in charge. Can one man save them all and transform a place gone mad? Does he have the courage and strength to answer a higher call or will his own self-doubt and self-loathing swallow him like the desert sand forever?

A couple of notes to ponder. Shadow on the Wall could have been much longer (it abruptly was cut too short as far as I was concerned) and just “ended” with many questions unanswered. This may be Tyler’s calling card I’m beginning to see from reading her other work.

There were some wonderful secondary characters in this book, Hasad, who is Recai’s father figure, and Mayam, a nurse who is a softer-savior figure. Both of these characters purpose was also left swirling in the sand…making we wonder if they will appear in Book 2. And Dayar, who is left painfully alone and powerless…will she rise again to create her own destiny in Recai’s new world?

Yet, even with so many questions raised that go unanswered I’m driven to keep thinking about these characters. I want more of them…especially “my” Recai, like a thirst in their desert storm that can never be quenched.

Tyler is a risk-taker, unafraid to tackle hard issues face on: corruption, depravity, religion, and the monsters hidden beneath a human guise. As I said, my only desire was for the book to be longer. I hope the doors left open will draw me into the next book in The Sandstorm Chronicles.

[Quinn Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow on the Wall takes on a lot of hot-button topics: religion, politics, sexism, misogyny, greed, corruption, abuse, and more. This is not a story for the faint of heart. Author Pavarti Tyler pulls no punches in her depiction of what it's like to live in the Middle East--Elih, Turkey specifically. Rich or poor, women in particular must endure a hard life living under Sharia law, and the author does not shy away from creating a realistic visual for readers.

The author is to be congratulated for not letting our minds fill in the gaps of how bad it could be. Tyler puts the violence right in your face during key horrific scenes. I was reminded of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo--a book I couldn't get through, primarily because of its gratuitous violence. Ironically, I didn't have the same reaction with Shadow on the Wall because I felt that Tyler's dramatic scenes were more purposeful. These weren't just characters of the author’s imagination; this is a wakeup call to what life is like for many families in the Middle East. It's shocking as it should be.

The numerous societal injustices which plague Elih, Turkey (which is a real city, but is more commonly known as Batman... hint, hint) creates the perfect backdrop for Tyler's protagonist, Recai Osman, son of a deceased Muslim billionaire businessman, who finds himself beaten and left for dead in the desert well beyond the Elih city limits. He is found and saved by Hasad Sofaer, a desert-dwelling Jew who also enlists the help of his daughter, Rebekah. Recai is on the road to recovery when an encounter with the corrupt RTK (think KGB) organization changes his destiny forever, becoming a local hero of sorts known as The SandStorm.

The story shifts dramatically at this point with many secondary characters and corresponding subplots. It does get a little harder to follow midway through the book and not all story lines are resolved, but since this is book one of the Sandstorm Chronicles, I suspect some of this is done intentionally by the author.

Shadow on the Wall is a complex, intense story that might not be for everyone, but it's an important story that promotes cultural awareness. If you like multi-cultural fiction, this would be a great book for you. I can't think of any books with a Muslim superhero-esque protagonist. In that respect, the book is quite clever and original in its concept.

I was surprised to learn after reading the book that the author is not from the Middle East, which is a testament to how thoughtfully and thoroughly she conducted her research. This is a well written and produced digital book. Tyler is doing everything right as an independent author. Shadow on the Wall is a fine first effort for what should be a successful book series.

This book was reviewed as part of the Wise Bear Digital Book Awards competition. Entry fees associated with the contest are administrative in nature and do not influence our honest, unbiased book reviews.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.owltellyouaboutit.com/posts/shadow-on-the-wall/

After reading and enjoying Pavarti K. Tyler’s Two Moons of Sera, I jumped at the chance to read Shadow on the Wall. I had no idea what I was in for. Unlike the quirky fantasy that is Two Moons of Sera, this first installment in The Sandstorm Chronicles is dark and sometimes hard to read. Still, I couldn’t seem to tear myself away from the story. It didn’t take long to catch my interest, and it kept me in horrified, stomach-wrenching engagement until the very end.

The characters are essential to this book. Without their depth and development, Shadow on the Wall would be half the book. Luckily, Tyler wrote amazing, complicated characters that are easy to sympathize with, even when they’re wrong. I love that she really let her character be who they are. Every word and action felt like it belonged to them. Nothing was ever forced, and I think that’s a huge part of what drove this book. Not only that, but every character goes through hardship. It’s amazing to see how that can change people and the choices people make because of their circumstances. That kind of depth is what makes Tyler an amazing character writer.

I found the plot equally engaging. I know nothing about Turkey or the Middle East in general. It was so refreshing to read something set in that area and really explore the culture. It was immediately obvious to me that Tyler did her research. The political and emotional elements of the plot were believable and eye-opening. I think that’s really the point. How many women really face this kind of oppression and abuse? It was often hard to swallow, but I think it will be worth it in the end. This book served mainly as an introduction to the series. I think Tyler does a Stellar job starting off her new series.

The book in written in third person, but the book switches point of views often. One moment the reader is following Recai, the next moment it’s switched to Darya or Fahri. I think this element really kept things interesting. It allowed for small cliffhangers throughout the book. The book ends with a promise… there is more to come. The question is will Recai be able to follow his calling and save his town? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

In short, Shadow on the Wall is an excellent start to what could be an excellent series. The characters are wonderfully complex and the plot is riveting.

Content: Profanity, violence, rape

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Shah Wharton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripped from the first page, I will begin by saying how much I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. Although it is not an easy read, I enjoyed the challenge.
This is a brutal, harsh, yet honest look at the human condition and its entanglements with faith, and about how the two can so tragically conflict.
It is set in Turkey, in a place called Elih, which is governed by a corrupt authority called the RTK, who are an extreme Muslim group, come armed and dangerous – especially if you’re a woman. They enforce certain faith prescribed practices such as no alcohol, no pork, etc. But it is women especially who were severely restricted: having to wear traditional dress and be chaperoned by a man at all, and even what they read is restricted – no newspapers for women, and no education!

The author clearly knows her stuff, which was necessary, as one major focal point of this book is how varied the interpretations of religious texts, such as the Qur’an, actually are. As a result, I learned about the Islamic faith from Shadow on the Wall, which allowed insights into its rituals, greetings, prayers, even adding passages from the Qur’an. But the author doesn’t just show us the dark side of Islam, but shows us with quotes from the Bible, that any faith-based on ancient texts – can be and often are misinterpreted to tragic ends. I have always believed this anyway – our history books scream it, as do our news channels. Others of you may find not agree. I challenge those of you to read this book.

The villains are the RTK, and their villainy is illustrated in very brutal scenes. If you’re not keen on books featuring violence against women, especially when sexual in nature, then I’d say to avoid it. It is extreme, but unlike slasher violence, it isn’t gratuitous. It’s necessary for the character development and plot lines, and disturbs in it’s proximity to truth more than anything else.
The author drags you into this world via rounded characters, multiple dramatic plot lines and an environment that is all-consuming in it’s sandy, dry, drought. This perfectly reflected the lives of the women, who were oppressed, raped, used to punish their men-folk, cast out and looked down on, thought of as weak, used as pawns in men’s lives. Essentially, they’re commodities, whose value came in ownership and ended at freedom. There is value in the fiction of this book, in illustrating the plight of too many women, and as a cautionary tale regarding what we choose to believe.
Let our faith not be blind.

I received this book as part of a book club feature tour but was not compensated for this review.

[Brooke Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy through a giveaway from Fighting Monkey Press.

Content Warning : Rape (Explicit, In Scene, Multiple), Abuse, Bigotry,

If you’re religiously sentimental and cannot handle reading about other culture’s beliefs then I’d only recommended it if you’re willing to expand your horizons. It’s not like recruiting material or anything so I don’t see the problem personally. But I’m not religious so w/e. It’s just there as a part of the culture like Christian countries. People just don’t see how ubiquitous around them usually.

Okay, so I haven’t read the comics (just seen several movie franchises) but I’m loving Recai’s backstory so much more than Batman’s. His parent’s story alone is far more interesting than just shot in an alley and I’m SO looking forward to finding out the truth behind the mystery.
Plus, who was the woman at the bar and how did he end up in the desert?

Plus, we don’t see a lot of him being an irresponsible playboy, then he’s repentant and actually makes strives to change. He may have been a brat before this book starts but we start the journey with him as he starts tumbling down so eh.

Plus, him using women’s coverings (shit, forgot if it’s hijab or burka) to protect his identity? Brilliant and great symbolism. Hope he keeps it up.

Plus, his traumatic event and wayward path is…arresting. I do wish we saw more of this training but, eh that’s not usual and can be very dull and irritating since they’re regressed as characters.
Plus, this world, its building and decline, its politics and injustices is so much better than a flat city with vapid ubervillians “trying to take over the world”. It’s grounded. And heartbreaking.

[Spoiler Redacted] is shaping up to be a kickass "Catwoman". She’s darker. She’s a victim. She’s a predator. She’s a product of her environment and her own twisted mindset. She does use her sexuality but 1.) it makes sense, 2.) It’s shown how it’s a double-edge weapon (not in a victim-blaming way), 3.) Every woman doesn’t use it and finally 4.) her sexuality isn’t her Achilles’ heel or a flaw (same for other women).

Fuck yes, all the portrayals of women are fantastic!

I LOVE this Superhero, setting, and story. My only issue is it’s been 4 years since being published and there isn’t a sequel! FFS! :((((((

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off I will say that this book is not for everyone as the author does not pull any punches when she is describing the despicable acts that are perpetrated by the villains in this book. It has a very dark, gritty feel that helps to add a real emotional edge, but is not suitable for all audiences.

Shadow on the Wall is a new take on the Batman mythos. A man who is very rich through his families dealings has tragedy strike very close to him and totally changes the way he looks at his world. When the people who are charged with enforcing the laws are using their authority to get whatever they want someone must stand up. That very scenario is what awakens Recai, whose family money has sheltered him from the truth of what is going on around him, to the tragedies that normal people are experiencing almost daily.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit, even though at times I was forced to cringe at the actions taken by certain characters. Pavarti made her city have a very distinct, realistic feel to it, while hinting at a bit of otherworldly possibilities. The characters were made to inspire strong emotional reactions as the bad guys were horrific people who go through life holding the power to rape and kill as they please without any real consequence. A lot of the good guys in the book are just normal people who are resisting the oppression of their society in small but powerful ways. This makes them a lot easier to respect, as they show kindness when it could mean their death. That kind of courage is a rare and powerful thing.

Recai starts out a bit naive, but that is quickly taken from him. When he finds himself after tragedy he is a vastly changed man who wants to restart the humanitarian projects that his father founded. He is also looking to help clean up his city in a much more direct way. There is a bit of mystery about Recai as he begins his career as a hero, I'm not going to spoil anything (hopefully) but I will say I am very curious to see where the series goes.

Review copy provided by the author.

[Lissette · Rating 4 out of 5]

For as long as he can remember, Recai Osman has been the keeper of secrets. Secrets that have bogged him down to the point that he's wished for death in more ways than one. Throughout his entire life, he's lost his loved ones and every remnant of his life. He's clamored many times for release from the earthly realm he lives in, but Allah has other ideas. Recai is meant for many things and Allah's will must be done.

Witnessing atrocities committed against him and his people, Recai has no other course of action but to come to the aid of those who need it. To do that, he'll need to take matters into his own hands and rise from the dead. He's failed to save those to close him in the past and he's not sure if he can live up to the standards Allah has set before him. Yet part of him wonders if he can do just that.

As doubts eat at him from every direction, Recai knows he must shed his insecurities if he's to succeed in setting all wrongs to right. Delving into the secrets of his past, he soon discovers that there's great treachery afoot. The cause of it is unknown, but he's determined to unmask the culprit with every step he takes. That, unfortunately, is easier said than done.

With each discovery he makes, attempts on his life are made. Yet Recai refuses to let them deter him from the path he now walks. He's the SandStorm, the one who will protect those who need a helping hand. Slowly, but surely, he will walk the path Allah has opened up for him. Along the way, his beliefs are sorely tested. Yet there's one thing he knows for sure, he will get to the bottom of things even if it kills him in the process.

This was quite a thought-provoking story. Granted, it's chock full of situations and violence that will keep the reader on the edge with every turn of the page. The religious themes throughout the book make you question the little things, but I think the aspect of it was beautifully integrated into the story and explained along the way. A very intriguing read!

[Gabbo Parra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Step aside, a new hero rises from the desert.

I like this new take on the rich, orphan boy turned super hero, because this one comes from a very different sphere.

With that out of the way, I have to stress other things.

It seems a little excessive the amount of foreign words, phrases and verses in this work. I understand Pavarti’s intention to immerse us in the culture. Nevertheless, in my opinion, fewer foreign terms would have helped us to be more in tune with what was happening without the constant interruption of these flow-breakers. And, yes, a glossary exists, but it’s located after two other parts of the work, and --by the time you reach there-- it kind of loses its purpose.

Since this is the first installment of a series, it’s only logical not all conflicts and mysteries are resolved. However, I feel that it took too long for Recai to recognize his call, and I never felt a strong connection with him.

With other characters, I felt a much clearer rapport. Maryam, the nurse, is an excellent example. In view of the fact that she lives in a very repressive culture, the mere fact that certain aspects of said culture seem to comfort her is interestingly believable and surprisingly refreshing.

Isik’s reasoning for being a bastard is the same used throughout the centuries by those who are truly evil at their core: They were mean to me; I’m going to be mean in return.

Darya gives a complete new meaning to the word ‘bitch’. I’m not happy with her actions --no matter her excuses-- but very satisfied with her outcome.

The moral of this work --as I see it-- is that no belief system is inherently bad, but those who exploit it, with their holier-than-thou attitude, make it abhorrent for the outsider, sending the wrong message about something that otherwise should be worthy of praise.

I received this book thanks to the RrR program from the Making Connections Group at Goodreads.

3.5 stars

[Jaime (Twisting the Lens) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tyler gives us a triumph in feminist literature, while supplying a believable ‘superhero’. Recai possesses no overt unearthly powers, but instead relies on his faith in knowing of what is right and wrong. In reality, he is just a man standing up for what he believes in, within the confines of the predetermined regime. The humanity which is displayed throughout the story is what makes it a success. Tyler is also not apt to shy away from graphically violent scenes to save those who wish to hide from the realities she discusses in the story. While the graphic scenes are not what one may want to read and have so forcefully pushed in front of them, they are necessary to be delivered in such a manner in order to keep us from hiding from the brutal truths in the lives of her characters.
Shadow on the Wall is a brilliant work, in that it is incredibly real and simplistic in its delivery. Tyler masterfully weaves complex issues of violence against women, religious oppression, and vigilantism into a cohesive, straight-forward look at the issues. Every one of the many characters is equally important within the story, and their position is easy to empathize with on some level- even if their actions are not. This is a work that shows the extremes to which the ruling class will go to keep their positions solidified, as well as the ability to control the population with fear, domination, and violence. Tyler pushes challenges the system and ideology every bit as much as Salman Rushdie; let us just hope she can avoid the fatwa. This is a success in what is sure to be an engaging new series from a powerful new voice.
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For the full review, please come visit me at: http://twistingthelens.wordpress.com

[Chris Torretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, now don’t go letting that synopsis throw you! I know it talks about Allah and I was wondering if it was going to be a deeply, overly religious book but I was pleasantly surprised! Yes it is about a culture who worships Allah and that is added in but it is not overly religious! Actually with how some of Recai’s powers work out there could probably be a little bit more praise and I still wouldn’t have been thrown off.

This is an intensely interesting story about a culture that is so very different from my own. It’s amazing and yet was easy to read. I literally tore through it. The first few pages were a little slow for me but I think it was mainly because I was waiting for the shoe to drop, for that religious aspect to rear it’s ugly head. But Pavarti K. Tyler does a remarkable job of adding in just enough religion to make the characters in this world believable and lovable.

Recai for instance is a really interesting guy. He starts out just like every other young, rich male, with no cause to support and then finds that there are indeed things that he wants to not only support but fight for. His growth is amazing to watch. The rest of the characters also matched him in intelligence and behavior. And although Recai is a great character without the support from other characters like Hasad, the aging older father figure, Recai wouldn’t have known the greatness that he found.

The villain in this book is great! I can not say anything but I loved it! Only downside for me were the politics and there was a LOT but the plot was really well planned and of course ended on a cliff hanger!! But it’s a dang good cliff hanger and it is making me wait for Sandstorm Chronicle #2 with bated breath!

[M.A Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Out of 5 Stars!!

Strength is not always how much you dead weight you can pick up, how many presses you can do, or how hard you can hit. Strength is also something inside of you that pushes you to do what is right and stand your ground when others want to force you to change your mind. This book is full of strength. The women are in a world that has them restricted to certain laws and hidden behind mask and veils. But the women of this book stand against them in their own ways. Not afraid to speak their mind and stand up for the truth while still holding respect. Not willing to get a man the satisfaction of being superior and giving them pain. They are able to pull their strength together inside of them and be brave and strong.

Faith is challenged and second guessed as the soldiers who claim to be doing the work of Allah but are in no way doing such. As they use their power to get what they want, take what they desire, and destroy what they wish it is Recai's faith that he must channel and stick true to help those around him. A drive to provide his people with better and the help of his jewish friend and fatherly figure he must come to terms with himself, his past, his faith and become the promise of hope...he must become the sandstorm.

This book is a wonderful read. A book that can combine so many aspects together and so many emotions and deep meanings. This may not have the happy ever after fairy tale stories that many believe all stories should have. But it has more. It has reality and realization. It touches your heart, your mind and your soul.