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Casting Shadows
Edward Kelley wants to destroy the world. His family is dead and his odd habits have made him a pariah in the small town of Hurst, Ohio. After the unexpected arrival of an anonymous package, Edward quickly discovers the tools to forge his malevolent fantasies into reality. Yet, he soon finds that he is not the villain of his own story and, with the help of a surrogate grandmother, an undead servant, and a foul-mouthed cop, he is fast on the road to becoming an unlikely hero. Casting Shadows is a quirky amalgamation of Contemporary Fantasy and Magical Realism, with a sprinkling of Classical Literature, Necromancy, and Russian Folklore added for good measure.
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 2, 2025
Slow
Most of this was slow, like dragged on in back story. In the last 2-3 chapters it wraps up and is done.
Most of this was slow, like dragged on in back story. In the last 2-3 chapters it wraps up and is done.
February 29, 2012
The blurb describes this book as a “quirky amalgamation of Contemporary Fantasy and Magical Realism, with a sprinkling of Classical Literature, Necromancy, and Russian Folklore added for good measure.” This pretty much sums Casting Shadows up nicely; it’s different to everything else I’ve read of late.
Set in the small town of Hurst, Ohio, the story opens with Edward hanging out at a cemetery in the rain. This was a beautifully written scene and sucked me in straight away. He’s there to raise an undead servant from the remains of a corpse. The servant Vincent is a strange being to get your head around; try to picture a skeleton with charred bones that seems to be on fire.
Edward wants to destroy mankind. After losing his parents & sister, he’s naturally angry at the world, and falls under the spell of a demon who takes advantage of his grief, setting Edward on a quest to bring destruction down upon humanity. Of course Edward can’t go through with this, and instead finds himself thrust forward as a warrior of protection. With his new mystical senses, he is privy to the hidden magic in the world, and in a dark forest he practises using his magical skills, preparing for the day he will have to face his enemy Briar Rose. Deep within this forest, he comes face to face with war-hungry goblins and friendly cogs. I loved the cogs: imagine branch-like/praying mantis-shaped creatures that speak. The goblins seemed to possess the strange Irish accent only American actors playing Irish characters can produce :) . Think of Tom Cruise’s voice in Far and Away and you’ll get the idea.
This story usually wouldn’t be my cup of tea but the descriptive writing drew me in from the first page. The prose is beautiful, evoking vivid images all the way through. On his unusual quest Edward encounters the giggling and deadly Briar Rose, another creature out to rip humanity apart at the seams, and the grandmother figure Emma who is actually a witch, and very, very old. We also get to spend time with the cursing, piss-taking cop Michael, Edward’s only friend in the world. He’s the sort of easy-going guy I’d enjoy going out for a beer with. I liked him much more than Edward who comes across as a sulky teenager for most of the book, rather than the 24 year old man he is. Too much time was spent on Edward’s training, leading to what I felt was a disappointing battle. I would have also liked more focus on Briar Rose. Her eerie giggle and child-like mannerisms belie her more sinister self.
This novel was easy and enjoyable to read, and I know I mention covers a lot in this blog but I love the artwork for this one. The figure half hiding in the trees, shrouded in his hoody is the perfect embodiment of the outsider Edward. Despite what sounds like heavy subject matter, Casting Shadows is a light read, perfect to while away a few hours.
Set in the small town of Hurst, Ohio, the story opens with Edward hanging out at a cemetery in the rain. This was a beautifully written scene and sucked me in straight away. He’s there to raise an undead servant from the remains of a corpse. The servant Vincent is a strange being to get your head around; try to picture a skeleton with charred bones that seems to be on fire.
Edward wants to destroy mankind. After losing his parents & sister, he’s naturally angry at the world, and falls under the spell of a demon who takes advantage of his grief, setting Edward on a quest to bring destruction down upon humanity. Of course Edward can’t go through with this, and instead finds himself thrust forward as a warrior of protection. With his new mystical senses, he is privy to the hidden magic in the world, and in a dark forest he practises using his magical skills, preparing for the day he will have to face his enemy Briar Rose. Deep within this forest, he comes face to face with war-hungry goblins and friendly cogs. I loved the cogs: imagine branch-like/praying mantis-shaped creatures that speak. The goblins seemed to possess the strange Irish accent only American actors playing Irish characters can produce :) . Think of Tom Cruise’s voice in Far and Away and you’ll get the idea.
This story usually wouldn’t be my cup of tea but the descriptive writing drew me in from the first page. The prose is beautiful, evoking vivid images all the way through. On his unusual quest Edward encounters the giggling and deadly Briar Rose, another creature out to rip humanity apart at the seams, and the grandmother figure Emma who is actually a witch, and very, very old. We also get to spend time with the cursing, piss-taking cop Michael, Edward’s only friend in the world. He’s the sort of easy-going guy I’d enjoy going out for a beer with. I liked him much more than Edward who comes across as a sulky teenager for most of the book, rather than the 24 year old man he is. Too much time was spent on Edward’s training, leading to what I felt was a disappointing battle. I would have also liked more focus on Briar Rose. Her eerie giggle and child-like mannerisms belie her more sinister self.
This novel was easy and enjoyable to read, and I know I mention covers a lot in this blog but I love the artwork for this one. The figure half hiding in the trees, shrouded in his hoody is the perfect embodiment of the outsider Edward. Despite what sounds like heavy subject matter, Casting Shadows is a light read, perfect to while away a few hours.
May 2, 2012
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I don't think I have read many books involving necromancy, or rather necromancy as a man elements. I know there are series out there, and some of them are really good according to many of the opinions of others. So I was glad to have the chance to try it out, after all I know a lot of people that love necromancers, and hey I even played a necromancer in Guild Wars (not well mind you).
Anyways on to the book. Edward is very much a broken guy, he has had some bad things happen to him in his life, and his grief would of course make him find an outlet for that grief. Although he does act out in a rather interesting, and of course oh so paranormal way.
I have to say first and foremost, that the author does some pretty quality writing, and the descriptions within the book are really good. The descriptions are very vivid and I think it makes it all the more easier for a reader to connect with the setting and the world when the descriptions are so vivid and entertaining to read.
On the other hand, every book does have at least one thing that can be improved upon. My biggest issue on this one is that I think it need a little bit of editing. I can handle a couple mistakes in a book, after all major publishing houses publish books all the time with one or two errors. But when I notice things more often then normal, at that point I think it's time the book should be sent to an editor.
That being said the book is still pretty good even with the minor editing issues. I really like some of the other characters in the book besides Edward. Edward is a flawed character from the beginning, so it makes sense that he comes across that to the reader. Although I think he does have a bit of a immature streak, and that I think he needs to grow up. But Edward as a character evolves throughout the book, so that also helps out.
The book is a pretty quick read, and it is an enjoyable ride. I found it fun and interesting to try out the whole necromancy concept, which was actually way more fun that I anticipated. I would have to say I think anyone who enjoys urban fantasy will probably enjoy this book.
I don't think I have read many books involving necromancy, or rather necromancy as a man elements. I know there are series out there, and some of them are really good according to many of the opinions of others. So I was glad to have the chance to try it out, after all I know a lot of people that love necromancers, and hey I even played a necromancer in Guild Wars (not well mind you).
Anyways on to the book. Edward is very much a broken guy, he has had some bad things happen to him in his life, and his grief would of course make him find an outlet for that grief. Although he does act out in a rather interesting, and of course oh so paranormal way.
I have to say first and foremost, that the author does some pretty quality writing, and the descriptions within the book are really good. The descriptions are very vivid and I think it makes it all the more easier for a reader to connect with the setting and the world when the descriptions are so vivid and entertaining to read.
On the other hand, every book does have at least one thing that can be improved upon. My biggest issue on this one is that I think it need a little bit of editing. I can handle a couple mistakes in a book, after all major publishing houses publish books all the time with one or two errors. But when I notice things more often then normal, at that point I think it's time the book should be sent to an editor.
That being said the book is still pretty good even with the minor editing issues. I really like some of the other characters in the book besides Edward. Edward is a flawed character from the beginning, so it makes sense that he comes across that to the reader. Although I think he does have a bit of a immature streak, and that I think he needs to grow up. But Edward as a character evolves throughout the book, so that also helps out.
The book is a pretty quick read, and it is an enjoyable ride. I found it fun and interesting to try out the whole necromancy concept, which was actually way more fun that I anticipated. I would have to say I think anyone who enjoys urban fantasy will probably enjoy this book.
December 2, 2012
Edward Kelley hates the world for taking from him his parents and sister. He stumbles upon a necromancy spell to raise a servant, and plans to erase humanity from Earth. Except his servant refuses to obey his orders to kill, his magic teacher turns out to be a demon, someone is trying to murder him, and a weird old lady shows up and calls herself his grandmother. Full of delightful sarcasm and not-unexpected plot twists, "Casting Shadows" is a pretty good (though short at 230 pages) story about magic and revenge. Points off for typos and grammatical errors. 3.8 stars total.
May 13, 2012
Casting Shadows is a great dark fantasy read, and one of the most unique elements was Edward’s manipulation of shadows as his magic. Again, it has great series potential, and although I did wonder why Briar Rose was initially after Edward, which wasn’t really addressed, it still makes for an interesting conflict and a cool story.
For my full review, go here: http://thedarkeva.com/2012/05/book-re...
For my full review, go here: http://thedarkeva.com/2012/05/book-re...
March 24, 2015
This book runs parallel to many places in my heart. The feelings of the character and his conflict with his beliefs, as well as his inner turmoil, remind me much of my own misgivings. And the lust for power...the ability to bring about change...this, too, is very much in tune with myself. After going a long time without reading anything -- fearing monotony and tired ideas -- Casting Shadows is the book to have reminded me how much I love reading.
February 21, 2012
I had a lot of fun reading this story. The author really should use an editor, though. "Staring" should only have one "r" and there's wrong words used like "too" instead of "to" that I find very distracting. There are some sentences that repeat...
I hope the author gets the book cleaned up for future editions because it actually was worth reading despite the need for editing.
I hope the author gets the book cleaned up for future editions because it actually was worth reading despite the need for editing.
February 27, 2013
The book is described as magical realism, contemporarily fantasy, necromancy, Russian folklore, and a bit more tossed in for spice. This is an accurate description of the book. I enjoyed the unlikely heroes rising to the occasion. In fact, I enjoyed most of the characters quite a bit. I recommend this book.
February 25, 2012
Got this for free on the Kindle. I was seriously surprised at how good it was. I loved it! Personable characters, humor, well-written action, fantasy; it's all there. While part of me is rooting for a sequel, the other part thinks a sequel couldn't possibly be as good...
March 28, 2012
J. Kelly Anderson's first novel was such a great read, I could not put it down. It was an awesome tale! If you enjoy stories about wizardry, give this book a try! You will not be disappointed!
April 5, 2013
Good story, but a few too many typos. (It just needed a little polishing).
Yes, magic plays a big role in this book, but as others have said it ultimately boils down to friendship.
Yes, magic plays a big role in this book, but as others have said it ultimately boils down to friendship.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews