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In the Valley, A Shadow
An action-packed sci-fi western tale of revenge, love, and identity.
The frontier planet Celestine, millennia from now. It was supposed to be the furthest Alix could get from the Xypha Corporation, that all-consuming entity at the heart of humanity’s interstellar expansion.
After the Xypha forward station arrives in orbit, Alix, a transgender pilot, finds herself out of work and her ship grounded. She’ll do anything to pay off her mounting debts so she can fly again—even if it means killing for the meanest crime boss in the Isidis Valley.
As Xypha’s influence grows, Alix is trapped in a web of betrayal and politics that threatens more than just her life.
Armed with a pair of Plasveld-7s, a sharp wit, and with the love of her life by her side, Alix embarks on a deadly path across the valley. Can she flee Xypha’s creeping shadow, or is it time to stop running and stand her ground?
The frontier planet Celestine, millennia from now. It was supposed to be the furthest Alix could get from the Xypha Corporation, that all-consuming entity at the heart of humanity’s interstellar expansion.
After the Xypha forward station arrives in orbit, Alix, a transgender pilot, finds herself out of work and her ship grounded. She’ll do anything to pay off her mounting debts so she can fly again—even if it means killing for the meanest crime boss in the Isidis Valley.
As Xypha’s influence grows, Alix is trapped in a web of betrayal and politics that threatens more than just her life.
Armed with a pair of Plasveld-7s, a sharp wit, and with the love of her life by her side, Alix embarks on a deadly path across the valley. Can she flee Xypha’s creeping shadow, or is it time to stop running and stand her ground?
- GenresScience FictionLGBT
216 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2024
9 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Tano
2 books13 followersSamantha Tano is a science fiction author based in Rhode Island. She has worked as an award-winning journalist and development editor. She is a proud and vocal transgender woman. Her first novel published in 2024, her micro-fiction has appeared online in Deep South Magazine, and she has appeared in The Boston Globe. You can find her reading in coffee shops around New England.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 18, 2025
An action packed, trans, sci-fi adventure with a diverse cast of characters, I felt this book set up the world really well, and I grew attached to many of the characters as the story progressed, particularly Alix and Felix.
I was happy with the conclusion of this story, while still wanting to read more books set in this world so I'm looking forward to seeing where Alix finds herself next!
I was happy with the conclusion of this story, while still wanting to read more books set in this world so I'm looking forward to seeing where Alix finds herself next!
September 26, 2024
In the Valley, A Shadow is a wickedly fun space western debut that centres a trans woman and her journey for some much-deserved vengeance against the men and megacorporation that wronged her. With a world as thoughtfully populated with unique flora and fauna as Star Wars, and a plot packed full of action and romance, this is a perfect next read for fans of Cowboy Bebop, Firefly, and Trigun Stampede.
The first book in a duology, In the Valley, A Shadow tells a complete tale with a satisfying ending (think of it as season one) then sets up a natural continuation and expansion of the story for book two.
The characters are a collecting of misfits and ne'er do wells, who you'll find familiar but with a fresh new perspective. Alix, the protagonist, is a trans woman who can be both fierce and vulnerable. Her partner, Felix, is the best android you'll ever meet. (Unlike the sassy droid companion, Felix is compassionate and kind. A big man with a bigger heart.)
The book is written mostly from Alix's POV, but does follow other characters as well so that you can fully explore the world of Celestine and the events of the book. While the world leans heavily on common Western tropes, they've been used in a way that feels modern and inclusive. Western fans will be satisfied, and space action fans will also have a good time so long as they're looking for a planet-bound adventure.
It's a quick, entertaining read with believable relationships balanced against action scenes that keep increasing the personal stakes. More importantly, it handles its conflicts with nuance and allows for good people to do bad things and bad people to do good things. This moral complexity is a welcome addition to a familiar genre overrun with white men in white hats. In the Valley, A Shadow gleefully kicks the saloon doors open to welcome new readers to some good old frontier fun.
The first book in a duology, In the Valley, A Shadow tells a complete tale with a satisfying ending (think of it as season one) then sets up a natural continuation and expansion of the story for book two.
The characters are a collecting of misfits and ne'er do wells, who you'll find familiar but with a fresh new perspective. Alix, the protagonist, is a trans woman who can be both fierce and vulnerable. Her partner, Felix, is the best android you'll ever meet. (Unlike the sassy droid companion, Felix is compassionate and kind. A big man with a bigger heart.)
The book is written mostly from Alix's POV, but does follow other characters as well so that you can fully explore the world of Celestine and the events of the book. While the world leans heavily on common Western tropes, they've been used in a way that feels modern and inclusive. Western fans will be satisfied, and space action fans will also have a good time so long as they're looking for a planet-bound adventure.
It's a quick, entertaining read with believable relationships balanced against action scenes that keep increasing the personal stakes. More importantly, it handles its conflicts with nuance and allows for good people to do bad things and bad people to do good things. This moral complexity is a welcome addition to a familiar genre overrun with white men in white hats. In the Valley, A Shadow gleefully kicks the saloon doors open to welcome new readers to some good old frontier fun.
January 29, 2025
okay, first of all, it is a crime that this book hasn’t taken over bookstagram yet. this is one of the best sci-fi books i've read in a while, and i need more people to pick it up asap. it’s got everything: an immersive world, an action-packed plot, a badass protagonist out for vengeance, and a slow-burn sapphic romance that just starts to bloom by the end. if that’s not enough to convince you, let me break it down.
first off, the worldbuilding? insane. celestine feels real in a way that so many sci-fi settings don’t. every detail is so well thought out—the dusty frontier towns, the ruthless crime bosses, the looming presence of xypha tightening its grip on the planet. there’s a perfect blend of sci-fi and western aesthetics, from high-tech weapons to old-school saloons where you just know a fight is about to break out. the setting isn’t just there for the vibes (though the vibes are immaculate)—it actively shapes the story, adding layers of tension and desperation to alix’s journey.
speaking of alix—what a character. she’s a trans woman, a pilot, and absolutely fueled by rage, and i was so here for it. she’s morally grey in the best way possible, willing to do whatever it takes to survive and get revenge on the megacorporation that wronged her. and honestly? she’s right. i don’t care how messy she gets; i was rooting for her every step of the way. her band of misfits is just as compelling, each bringing their own skills, flaws, and secrets to the table.
the action in this book is relentless. from the very first chapter, it throws you straight into the chaos, and it does not let up. there’s never a lull—just when you think things might slow down, another twist, another fight, another impossible situation keeps you hooked. that fight with the thin man? still gives me chills just thinking about it.
and then there’s the romance. while the main focus is alix’s fight for freedom and revenge, the slow-burn connection between her and sora is so well done. sora, the more level-headed and compassionate one, is the perfect balance to alix’s sharp edges and all-consuming need for justice. their dynamic is subtle at first, but by the end, you feel how much they mean to each other. i really hope we get more of their relationship in the next book.
at the end of the day, in the valley, a shadow is everything i want in a sci-fi novel. gritty, intense, full of complex characters and a world that feels lived in. the representation is fantastic, the villains are genuinely hateable (in a way that makes the stakes feel real), and the themes of resistance, identity, and survival hit hard.
and honestly? all throughout reading this book, i kept thinking—i need this as a movie. a series. a comic. a graphic novel. everything. it’s that good. every fight scene, every tense showdown, every stunning moment of worldbuilding—it demands to be seen.
i seriously cannot recommend this book enough. if you love sci-fi with depth, action, and some well-earned rage, read this immediately.
first off, the worldbuilding? insane. celestine feels real in a way that so many sci-fi settings don’t. every detail is so well thought out—the dusty frontier towns, the ruthless crime bosses, the looming presence of xypha tightening its grip on the planet. there’s a perfect blend of sci-fi and western aesthetics, from high-tech weapons to old-school saloons where you just know a fight is about to break out. the setting isn’t just there for the vibes (though the vibes are immaculate)—it actively shapes the story, adding layers of tension and desperation to alix’s journey.
speaking of alix—what a character. she’s a trans woman, a pilot, and absolutely fueled by rage, and i was so here for it. she’s morally grey in the best way possible, willing to do whatever it takes to survive and get revenge on the megacorporation that wronged her. and honestly? she’s right. i don’t care how messy she gets; i was rooting for her every step of the way. her band of misfits is just as compelling, each bringing their own skills, flaws, and secrets to the table.
the action in this book is relentless. from the very first chapter, it throws you straight into the chaos, and it does not let up. there’s never a lull—just when you think things might slow down, another twist, another fight, another impossible situation keeps you hooked. that fight with the thin man? still gives me chills just thinking about it.
and then there’s the romance. while the main focus is alix’s fight for freedom and revenge, the slow-burn connection between her and sora is so well done. sora, the more level-headed and compassionate one, is the perfect balance to alix’s sharp edges and all-consuming need for justice. their dynamic is subtle at first, but by the end, you feel how much they mean to each other. i really hope we get more of their relationship in the next book.
at the end of the day, in the valley, a shadow is everything i want in a sci-fi novel. gritty, intense, full of complex characters and a world that feels lived in. the representation is fantastic, the villains are genuinely hateable (in a way that makes the stakes feel real), and the themes of resistance, identity, and survival hit hard.
and honestly? all throughout reading this book, i kept thinking—i need this as a movie. a series. a comic. a graphic novel. everything. it’s that good. every fight scene, every tense showdown, every stunning moment of worldbuilding—it demands to be seen.
i seriously cannot recommend this book enough. if you love sci-fi with depth, action, and some well-earned rage, read this immediately.
August 17, 2024
A fun and imaginative debut novel! Great world building and characters, especially the plethora of characters from underrepresented identities. I'd recommend it to anyone, particularly fans of westerns, SciFi, or SciFi westerns. Kind of like Firefly vibes, but with zero Joss Whedon (this is a good thing)
June 15, 2024
I would first like to thank the author for allowing me to ARC read this book!
I do not read a lot of science fiction books, but found In the Valley, A Shadow to be an enjoyable read. It is not an exaggeration to say it is an action packed book, with the first scene starting with a bar-room brawl! The author incorporates a western vibe into a futuristic world, which I found to be an interesting twist. In a way, In the Valley, A Shadow also reminded me of the show Samurai Jack from the early 2000's, which made it an oddly nostalgic read for me, taking me back to the days of Cartoon Network.
I also did enjoy learning more about the main characters through the book. This was the first book I've read with a transgender female main character and I liked how her transition and identity was addressed throughout the book.
Overall, if you like science fiction with lots of action and a bad*ss main character, give this book a try!
I do not read a lot of science fiction books, but found In the Valley, A Shadow to be an enjoyable read. It is not an exaggeration to say it is an action packed book, with the first scene starting with a bar-room brawl! The author incorporates a western vibe into a futuristic world, which I found to be an interesting twist. In a way, In the Valley, A Shadow also reminded me of the show Samurai Jack from the early 2000's, which made it an oddly nostalgic read for me, taking me back to the days of Cartoon Network.
I also did enjoy learning more about the main characters through the book. This was the first book I've read with a transgender female main character and I liked how her transition and identity was addressed throughout the book.
Overall, if you like science fiction with lots of action and a bad*ss main character, give this book a try!
January 5, 2026
Wow. This is one of those shorter books that absolutely refuses to feel small.
This is a gritty, dust-and-lasers kind of sci-fi western; violent, political, and complex. Celestine is a place shaped by corporate greed, desperation, and people scraping by under systems designed to crush them. The creeping presence of Xypha hangs over everything like a storm cloud, and I loved how that pressure steadily tightens as the story goes on. This reminded me very much of a story set in the Firefly universe.
Alix is a fantastic protagonist. Hard-edged, guarded, competent, and clearly shaped by loss and betrayal. She absolutely keeps the reader at arm’s length, which sometimes made me wish I could get just a bit closer emotionally. But it mirrors how she moves through the world: cautious, controlled, never giving more than she has to.
Her relationship with Felix is a standout for me. It’s understated, steady, and deeply grounding in a story that’s otherwise steeped in drama and moral compromise. There’s no grand dramatics here, just trust, history, and care quietly anchoring Alix when everything else is burning. That subtlety really worked for me. I do think that Felix is a little flat compared to others, though. The supporting cast is a bit uneven in general. Alix and Sora feel fully realized and layered, while some of the other characters are thinner by comparison. It might have just been a me problem though.
Thematically, this book doesn’t pull punches. Power, resistance, survival, identity, and the cost of fighting back are all woven in here. People make brutal choices. Lines blur. No one gets out clean. For something relatively short, this packs an impressive amount of action, world-building, and emotional weight. Dark, intense, sharply written, and confident in what it’s doing. I’d follow Alix anywhere, even if she never fully lets me in.
This is a gritty, dust-and-lasers kind of sci-fi western; violent, political, and complex. Celestine is a place shaped by corporate greed, desperation, and people scraping by under systems designed to crush them. The creeping presence of Xypha hangs over everything like a storm cloud, and I loved how that pressure steadily tightens as the story goes on. This reminded me very much of a story set in the Firefly universe.
Alix is a fantastic protagonist. Hard-edged, guarded, competent, and clearly shaped by loss and betrayal. She absolutely keeps the reader at arm’s length, which sometimes made me wish I could get just a bit closer emotionally. But it mirrors how she moves through the world: cautious, controlled, never giving more than she has to.
Her relationship with Felix is a standout for me. It’s understated, steady, and deeply grounding in a story that’s otherwise steeped in drama and moral compromise. There’s no grand dramatics here, just trust, history, and care quietly anchoring Alix when everything else is burning. That subtlety really worked for me. I do think that Felix is a little flat compared to others, though. The supporting cast is a bit uneven in general. Alix and Sora feel fully realized and layered, while some of the other characters are thinner by comparison. It might have just been a me problem though.
Thematically, this book doesn’t pull punches. Power, resistance, survival, identity, and the cost of fighting back are all woven in here. People make brutal choices. Lines blur. No one gets out clean. For something relatively short, this packs an impressive amount of action, world-building, and emotional weight. Dark, intense, sharply written, and confident in what it’s doing. I’d follow Alix anywhere, even if she never fully lets me in.
July 31, 2024
I had the privilege of reading an ARC of In the Valley, a Shadow. What a beautifully, well written story of love, adventure, heartbreak and survival. This book took me on an adventure I haven’t seen or read before, and I’m blown away by the visuals of the landscape and animals, the people who are human, and the ones who are not—but who wish to be treated with love and kindness—and the politics between the wealthy and greedy, and those who are trying to make an honest living and living a peaceful life. Well done, Samantha Tano! I want to gallop on a stirrol through the chis grass of Celestine!
March 27, 2025
Sooo good. Can’t wait for the sequel!
August 11, 2024
In the Valley, a Shadow is an amazing sci-fi western - I loved this book!
Leaning very heavily into the western themes, I really felt the picture for every scene from saloons to scrapyards to sprawling deserts and prairies.
Each of the characters was amazing in their own way. Alix is a fantastic heroine - incredibly badass, but fighting a streak of darkness that is the result of a very traumatic life. Felix, an android who helps balance that darker side of Alix while at the same time very much holding his own and more. I have a feeling we still have a LOT more to learn about these two as we delve deeper into their history with the Xypha corporation.
Speaking of Xypha the other end of the spectrum this book has its share of great villains as well - starting with a corporation that is the apex of late stage capitalism, basically capable of buying planets to do nothing more than fuel the profit machine. At a more down to earth level, The Thin Man wins an award for a villain for being incredibly terrifying, oily, and plain coldhearted. Truly the epitome of the old west outlaw villain.
Top this all off with some genuinely edge of your seat fight scenes and this is absolutely a book I recommend. I cannot wait for more!
Leaning very heavily into the western themes, I really felt the picture for every scene from saloons to scrapyards to sprawling deserts and prairies.
Each of the characters was amazing in their own way. Alix is a fantastic heroine - incredibly badass, but fighting a streak of darkness that is the result of a very traumatic life. Felix, an android who helps balance that darker side of Alix while at the same time very much holding his own and more. I have a feeling we still have a LOT more to learn about these two as we delve deeper into their history with the Xypha corporation.
Speaking of Xypha the other end of the spectrum this book has its share of great villains as well - starting with a corporation that is the apex of late stage capitalism, basically capable of buying planets to do nothing more than fuel the profit machine. At a more down to earth level, The Thin Man wins an award for a villain for being incredibly terrifying, oily, and plain coldhearted. Truly the epitome of the old west outlaw villain.
Top this all off with some genuinely edge of your seat fight scenes and this is absolutely a book I recommend. I cannot wait for more!
December 30, 2024
This book checks every single box on the list of things I love about sci-fi. If you enjoy a good space western you absolutely must read this book!
It starts off with a bang and does not slow down at any point after that. There’s a ton of exciting action, a healthy dose of feminine rage, lively characters and rich world building that completely captures you until the very end.
I just want to say that I am in love with Alix. She’s an absolutely incredible, morally grey badass and I was reading this story just thinking, “Yes girl, kill them all.” We support women’s wrongs here-although she’s totally right and justified in everything she does.
The side characters and villains are really well done and I especially enjoyed the sprinkling of a romantic subplot in between all the action. I absolutely adore Alix’s relationship with Felix (he’s amazing and perfect in every way and I NEED to know more about him) and I loved watching her budding romance with Sora unfold. They are so different but just absolutely perfect together and I can’t wait to learn more about these characters in the next book!
It starts off with a bang and does not slow down at any point after that. There’s a ton of exciting action, a healthy dose of feminine rage, lively characters and rich world building that completely captures you until the very end.
I just want to say that I am in love with Alix. She’s an absolutely incredible, morally grey badass and I was reading this story just thinking, “Yes girl, kill them all.” We support women’s wrongs here-although she’s totally right and justified in everything she does.
The side characters and villains are really well done and I especially enjoyed the sprinkling of a romantic subplot in between all the action. I absolutely adore Alix’s relationship with Felix (he’s amazing and perfect in every way and I NEED to know more about him) and I loved watching her budding romance with Sora unfold. They are so different but just absolutely perfect together and I can’t wait to learn more about these characters in the next book!
June 18, 2024
I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I picked up this book, but it didn’t disappoint.
Without giving away any spoilers, the writing is beautiful, and the characters are very well-rounded. I enjoyed the pace of the book and how it immediately immerses you into the world.
The character of Alix is particularly interesting, and the author did a fantastic job with the world-building - Celestine feels like a real place. At the same time, the book gives off a cozy vibe, perhaps akin to "Westworld" with more sci-fi elements but created by Hayao Miyazaki.
I also pay close attention to dialogues in books, and Samantha crafted them beautifully. They are a pleasure to read and convey the characters' voices well.
All in all, "In the Valley, A Shadow" is a well-crafted book, and it feels very personal. The fact that Alix is a transgender character, and the way she navigates her identity and interacts with the Marshall, feels very emotional and genuine.
Thank you, Samantha, for providing me with an ARC copy of this book!
Without giving away any spoilers, the writing is beautiful, and the characters are very well-rounded. I enjoyed the pace of the book and how it immediately immerses you into the world.
The character of Alix is particularly interesting, and the author did a fantastic job with the world-building - Celestine feels like a real place. At the same time, the book gives off a cozy vibe, perhaps akin to "Westworld" with more sci-fi elements but created by Hayao Miyazaki.
I also pay close attention to dialogues in books, and Samantha crafted them beautifully. They are a pleasure to read and convey the characters' voices well.
All in all, "In the Valley, A Shadow" is a well-crafted book, and it feels very personal. The fact that Alix is a transgender character, and the way she navigates her identity and interacts with the Marshall, feels very emotional and genuine.
Thank you, Samantha, for providing me with an ARC copy of this book!
August 29, 2024
This book is incredibly well-written, it is just not the book for me. I ended up having to put it down after a few chapters because I'm not suited to this genre. I wanted to push my comfort zone outside of what I typically like reading, but I think I should stay where I'm comfortable.
So, here's a list of things you'll LOVE about this book:
-Technobabble
-Flying craft/space craft
-Contract work for the mafia
-Robot-style characters
-Friendship
-Tackling uncomfortable topics (like racism)
-Futuristic weapons
-Wild-west style fun in space
-Gambling
This book is really incredible, and I love the writing style. It's definitely worth the read when you like the above elements. I'll be regifting this book to a friend who loves these things, so the book can find its perfect home. I don't regret buying it at all! Samantha Tano is worth investing in as an author, and I hope everyone else also takes the risk. I'll be watching what she writes in the future as well in case any of her works crosses over into the genres I enjoy.
So, here's a list of things you'll LOVE about this book:
-Technobabble
-Flying craft/space craft
-Contract work for the mafia
-Robot-style characters
-Friendship
-Tackling uncomfortable topics (like racism)
-Futuristic weapons
-Wild-west style fun in space
-Gambling
This book is really incredible, and I love the writing style. It's definitely worth the read when you like the above elements. I'll be regifting this book to a friend who loves these things, so the book can find its perfect home. I don't regret buying it at all! Samantha Tano is worth investing in as an author, and I hope everyone else also takes the risk. I'll be watching what she writes in the future as well in case any of her works crosses over into the genres I enjoy.
March 27, 2025
This book was everything that I could want in a space western. Gun fights, sentient robots, shadow bosses, and parasitic corporations: Say less!
And the characters! Okay, so Alix is my new crush. For real! She is strong, stubborn, and incredibly capable. She throws it down and will not let her opponent up until they say uncle. She is Dark Angel with a serious propencity for hitting the bullseye every time. She's also real. She gets hurt, she has emotions, she leans on the people around her, and she loves. Stars above, she loves so hard and will protect those she gives her heart to until it beats its last.
I cannot wait to see and read more from Tano. The world she has built is by far as boundless as the universe.
And the characters! Okay, so Alix is my new crush. For real! She is strong, stubborn, and incredibly capable. She throws it down and will not let her opponent up until they say uncle. She is Dark Angel with a serious propencity for hitting the bullseye every time. She's also real. She gets hurt, she has emotions, she leans on the people around her, and she loves. Stars above, she loves so hard and will protect those she gives her heart to until it beats its last.
I cannot wait to see and read more from Tano. The world she has built is by far as boundless as the universe.
November 12, 2025
Great, gritty blend of sci-fi and Western. I loved both Alix and Felix, though I’m a bit desperate to get more on their respective backgrounds (even just more on how they met than what we got). I guess I should say, this story leaves a lot of questions for future investigation, but in a good way (I’ll be there for more in the series!). The plot was great, even if I was a little stunned by how often the faceless enemy blasters _do not miss!_ Which led to one of the most interesting things I want to learn more about in the future.
I dunno, somehow this managed to be a great story with a great blend of characters, backstory, current action, and hooks for the future. I can’t wait for the next.
I dunno, somehow this managed to be a great story with a great blend of characters, backstory, current action, and hooks for the future. I can’t wait for the next.
July 3, 2024
Fantastic characters and a fast paced story.
There’s no wading through chapters of exposition, the action starts in Chapter One. The setting descriptions so articulate, as if a movie is played while reading.
Age old sci-fi themes blended with new questions we always should have asked.
On the edge of my seat for the sequel!
There’s no wading through chapters of exposition, the action starts in Chapter One. The setting descriptions so articulate, as if a movie is played while reading.
Age old sci-fi themes blended with new questions we always should have asked.
On the edge of my seat for the sequel!
March 3, 2025
This is...so excellent. It has been a while since a book has captured me more in its writing than its plot. Don't get me wrong, the plot here is amazing and gripping. It's just that Samantha Tano writes so powerfully and visually that I fell in love with the writing before I even understood the plot. I cannot wait to read more from Tano. She is beyond talented.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews