Shadow Stations: Unseen

by Ann Grant

After college student Amy Wong hikes across an isolated Pennsylvania field with her German shepherd, a stranger stops her by a fence to ask for directions. The man disturbs her, from the taunt behind his eyes to the way her dog shies away from him. To her relief they part ways. But when she sees his cell phone fall from his coat, she can’t leave it on the ground. She decides she ought to return it to him… and discovers that instead of a cell, it’s a device that opens a terrifying window to scenes she never was supposed to see. (from pixelofink.com)

Genres: Science Fiction, Horror, Short Stories, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller

83 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 3, 2012

Reviews

[Tania · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amy has a chance encounter with a stranger that leaves her holding an unknown device and entering a world she had no idea existed. As she peels back the layers of mystery to find the truth, she gets further and further from everything she's ever believed, everything she's ever known. She's driven to know the truth, but it seems unlikely the truth will set her free...

Good plot and I liked Amy's spirit and gumption, but the men in this story were just ugh. Enough details were provided to believe in Amy's ability to solve (or partially solve) the mystery she discovered, but it felt like a lot of the story was glossed over in the interest of time. Leaving us on a big cliffhanger, hopefully questions would be answered in book 2. Assuming book 2 doesn't pick up a new plot and leave all these gaps unfilled.

[Paul Madsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting thriller

Amy is trying to recover from the loss of her fiance from an auto accident. When she finds what she believes is cell phone but discovers a device opening a way to another realm.. Thus begins an odyssey where she may find answers in an uncertain future.

[Stephen Clynes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amy Wung is walking her German shepherd dog Nikki when she meets a man who asks her for directions. This man is different as he has 6 fingers on each hand. She walks away and glances back to notice that he dropped his mobile phone. She turns and picks up the phone but this is a model of smartphone she has not seen before.

Shadow Stations: Unseen is a nice tale for dog lovers because of how people live with dogs. This novella is set in America and is a short story written in the style of a B movie. It is a fantasy adventure, a piece of science fiction that is not to be taken seriously. This daft silliness is easy reading due to it's clear writing style.

Amy has an attitude which is refreshing, although other reviewers disagree. This story however is lacking. Lots of things are simply convenient to make this story work. It is neither deep or gripping. There is nothing special about this book. It also lacks realism.

There is one funny paragraph that I can quote but this is the funniest in the whole book...


... Antoine stared at the palm trees beyond the beach. "Get up, man, get up. There's a house. I don't care if Granny Psycho lives there. I'm going to ring the fucking doorbell and get myself a cell phone and a rum and Coke."

... Shadow Stations: Unseen is a small 233 KB Amazon Kindle eBook and was written in 2012. I think it is a poor book and I will vote it only 2 stars. I suggest you give it a MISS. This is a 2nd class read. The ending is silly and tells me not to bother with the sequel called Shadow Stations: Black Friday.

[Georgeanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story very much. Amy annoyed me a ltttle, but I'm giving her a break because she's so young. I remember being her age and positive I was invincible and could handle anything and everything that came my way. I always said I was 'fine', even when I wasn't, too. She's a very believable character. I'm a dog lover, so she gets points for Nikki. She loses points for not being more upset about Luna, though. Her grieving for Ben was realistically portrayed, as was her reaction to Mike. He's a great guy, and I like him, but it's much too soon for her to be interested in a relationship. The 'box' is fascinating and the prisoner 'twist' was truly a surprise for me. I didn't see that coming - love when that happens! I'm looking forward to the sequel.

[Betsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book via a free edition offered on Amazon. I did read it in it's entirety, hoping for some answers to where the story was leading.
I thought that the device doing harm to her arm was out there. I saw no reason for it other than more words on the page.
Maybe more answers in the second book, but honestly, I am not interested enough to get book 2.
I also thought that the ending was all rushed together, and then the cliff hanger.
Mind you, I am not a writer and do not pretend to be one, but I always try to give a review if I receive a free book.
2 stars

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

What Is The Deal With Female Protagonists Lately? I'm not entirely sure how I managed to get through this whole thing.  Convenient plot devices that were about as transparent as a window, and an absolutely insufferable, selfish main character made what might have possibly been a good concept into a whiny angst-fest of stupidity.  What a waste of time.

[Toby Stenson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh!! I really tried to get into this book, but I just couldn't. The overall writing wasn't horrible, but the story just didn't make sense. It felt all over the place and I really couldn't follow what was going on.

[Gina · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was one bad short story! Horrible writing and not even worth the read for free. I don't recommend this to anyone. 1 star :(

[Adreanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I personally enjoyed it. Wish it didn't end with that cliff hanger though. now I have to wait until later to find out what happens.

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just..... weird :/

[Amanda Hicks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not wait for this to be finished.

I get that it is supposed to be a mystery, but I just did not care about anyone... at all...