Out of the Shadow: Under the Wing

by Blue Matt Jeff

A devastating genetic disease has caused a drastic decrease in male populations. Although their numbers are declining, the powerful still cling to their authority while ignoring the impending peril, while the female population strives to carry on the continuity of humanity. Princess Malak fled her homeland after her father agreed to an arranged marriage. Her engagement to a cruel and tyrannical man, who shares the same values as her controlling and oppressive family and society, is a formidable barrier to her contentment. Malak courageously ran away from her country, with the fear of imprisonment or death looming over her, to gain her freedom. To achieve her goals, the princess must cross borders to a country where women have a voice and power.

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopia

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 8, 2023

About the author

Blue Matt Jeff is a social activist with familial ties to the entertainment industry. They are concerned with human rights, women's rights, and LGBTQ+ rights around the world. Their debut novel, Out of the Shadow, is a dystopian novel that draws from Their prior life experiences. Mostly, Blue writes in Fantasy, but they write in other genres as well. Blue has also performed in numerous stand-up comedy events.

https://allmylinks.com/bluematt

https://bluemj.net/

Reviews

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of The Shadow is a dark dystopian where the combination of brutal climate change and a genetic ailment affecting men has reshaped the world we know. There are five remaining male-dominated countries, where kings are tyrants and rapists with women as slaves. The other countries are female-led, but equally power-hungry, and most men are treated like animals. Through detailed world building readers learn about the inner workings of the various governments and how they compare to each other.

While the synopsis mentions only Malak by name, there is a huge cast of characters. Because there is an omniscient narrator progression seems a bit clunky at times, but once the you get used to the point of view the story is interesting to follow. Malak is a princess seeking asylum in Hava, the strongest female-led country. Her family she escaped from lead two bordering male-led countries, which vie for political dominance over their enemies. Meanwhile, over in Hava, its leaders are planning an attack to eventually strip the power from Malak’s family once and for all. Chapters are divided by location rather than by character, with multiple map updates throughout the story. This makes the sometimes dizzying plotline easier to understand.

It’s hard to say the focus of the story is really on any characters due to how flat most of them seemed. This is true of the men especially – every single man not in Hava has a few basic traits: sexist, rapist, greedy, petulant. They’re clearly meant to be villains but there was no depth to any of them whatsoever. Understandably they’re not meant to be root-able, but the novel could have benefited from at least once intentionally nuanced antagonist. “Intentionally nuanced,” because it’s not clear if the protagonists of the story are meant to be morally gray or not. Hava is definitely not as evil as the male-led nations like Sada, but it wasn’t an ideal place to live either like the narrator describes it as. A good example is what happens to Dave, omitted because of spoilers. This scene showcases the hypocrisy of Hava – something I’m not sure the author meant to do.

This receives 4/5 stars because the female characters and their bonds were well written, the world was wonderfully built and explained, and the plot was entertaining.

Trigger Warnings: Pretty much everything except swearing

I reviewed this book for free via Reedsy Discovery. All opinions are my own. See my review here: https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/out...

[ChristysChapters · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️’s This super dark, dystopian novel is set in a world where the male population has been devastated by a genetic disease. Some countries in this world are still controlled by men and the women are treated in sadistic ways. Then, in other countries men are purely controlled by women and also treated cruelly. While it was too dark and sadistic for me personally, I think a lot of people into dark fiction will be intrigued by this book. It has ALL the triggers so be aware. While this is very disturbing, I have no doubt this type of mistreatment of women happens in real life like this everyday. At the same time, the treatment of men in Hava (a country controlled by women) is also disturbing and while some parts are understandable because of the genetic disease, other treatment of men is just as despicable as the treatment of women. Injustice is prevalent in all of the countries. The female main character, Malek is brave, emotionally determined and independent which is awesome. She runs away from her place in royalty and oppression in search of freedom. There is a lot of female empowerment and freedom juxtaposed with the exact opposite in other areas of this world. I did sit with this book for over a week figuring out how to review it and I’m left with the fact that it made me think. It made me consider if this world flipped and instead of a patriarchal society women were the ones in power would we continue to make decisions based on keeping that power, riches,fearing loss of control and keeping disparity or would we try to make a place where people could be equal and seek justice. That in and of itself makes me give this a 3.75. I was able to skim past some of the more horrific moments and keep focus on the overall themes of this book. I never want to ding a book because it’s not necessarily my cup of tea. Reading is subjective after all and I could definitely see that some of the shocking portions are necessary to describe life in these places. This is a spoiler free review so I won’t get specific, but there is a portion towards the end of the book that was a little far out for me and seemed disjointed from the rest of the book. Overall, if you enjoy dark, dystopian novels then this one will definitely leave an impression. I appreciate Blue Matt Jeff for gifting and trusting me with this ARC of Out of the Shadow in exchange for an honest review.

[Jacquetta Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books and though this was not my usual genre I read an ARC of this. The Author Blue Matt Jeff is new to me also. Very good writing , good character's, good emeshing them and their world. In a world where women would rule and men would be used, it was very interesting. I enjoyed reading the book.

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dystopian world where men are the minority but hold an iron grip on society and the women must make sure humanity continues and one young woman finds the courage to make a change. Very entertaining. I hope we see more of Princess Malak.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Taylor Erxleben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book at all 😊

I feel the world building was a bit confusing and the point of views got a bit jumbled on my end, but lots of action and emotion! A worked ruled by women…I mean what more could you ask for lol we love to see a deserving queen get her crown.

[Erin M. Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of the Darkness was not what I thought it was going to be. I’m not big into dystopian books, but I think to me it's saving grace was that it was a romance book. The smut was on the clinical side more of the flowing lyrical side word wise. Which did not make it a bad book, but it was not normally a book I would read or listen to as it was not for me. 
There were a few times I wanted to DNF the audio, but I decided against that. I actually wanted to know what happened in the end, with Malik, Saba and every other character in the book.
I received a complimentary audiobook from the author for a fair and honest review.

[Abigail L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dtep into a riveting world filled with courage, resilience, and the fight for freedom...

Set in a realm grappling with a devastating genetic disease, where the male population faces extinction, the story takes an unflinching look at a society dominated by power and control. Princess Malak, trapped in an oppressive marriage, dares to break free from the shackles of tradition, embarking on a treacherous journey to a foreign land where women hold influence and power. Her courageous quest becomes a rallying cry for change, as she unveils a world on the brink of collapse and fights to shape its destiny. This gripping tale of defiance and hope will keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to see how the battle for freedom unfolds and how it shapes the future of nations.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trigger warnings - EVERYTHING
This dark dystopian touches on a lot of social injustice topics. Scenes are graphic. I love the book cover, but if I had known just how detailed the triggering scenes were then I probably would've passed. I skimmed over the parts that were too much. The sad thing is, this is dystopian, but the events are based on things that actually happen or have happened in different parts of the world. It's a story that will make you think. There are several different story lines to follow. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either. If you don't have any triggers, I'd say go for it, give it a read or listen.

[Shayann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a good start, middle, and ending but it was not my type of book so I had a hard time finishing it because it made me uncomfortable.

[Lynn Dignan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was able to read a short intro of the book (a few chapters) enough to interest me. It definitely is a different storyline then I’m use to and not normally interested in due to some detailed sexual scenes, but love where its heading. It has me captivated and definitely know there’s some action and surprises waiting to happen.

Update: I was given the entire audio book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

I still stick to my previous review but instead of of 4 stars I bumped it up to 5 stars. Blue Matt is extremely graphic and detailed in this book that I had to take it in increments. When I say its not my normal kind of book, its not, but it was worth it...it was about empowerment and overcoming all obstacles. This book is not for the faint of heart.