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The Dryburgh Chronicles: The Existence of Shadows
Scotland is a land steeped in magic and mystery, but Lilian Darling doesn't believe in such things.
She has dedicated her career at Oxford University to clearing the names of those falsely accused of consorting with the devil, and that never involves any actual witchcraft. Until now.
When she and her research partner, Edgar Falkirk, head to the misty hills of the Scottish Borders to meet a promising source, their journey takes an unexpected turn. Edgar's accidental discovery of an ancient spell book, combined with an encounter with an overly enthusiastic research student, thrusts them back through time to the 16th century at the outbreak of the witch craze ensnaring early modern Scotland.
In this perilous era, the pair of astute academics must navigate a landscape where their modern knowledge and skepticism could mark them as heretics. As they race to find a way back to their own time, they must confront the very myths they sought to debunk and uncover a truth that transcends reason.
--
The Dryburgh Chronicles Part 1: The Existence of Shadows is a fast-paced magical mystery that combines quick wit with enchanting scene building weaving a time-traveling tale where nothing and nobody are what they seem.
She has dedicated her career at Oxford University to clearing the names of those falsely accused of consorting with the devil, and that never involves any actual witchcraft. Until now.
When she and her research partner, Edgar Falkirk, head to the misty hills of the Scottish Borders to meet a promising source, their journey takes an unexpected turn. Edgar's accidental discovery of an ancient spell book, combined with an encounter with an overly enthusiastic research student, thrusts them back through time to the 16th century at the outbreak of the witch craze ensnaring early modern Scotland.
In this perilous era, the pair of astute academics must navigate a landscape where their modern knowledge and skepticism could mark them as heretics. As they race to find a way back to their own time, they must confront the very myths they sought to debunk and uncover a truth that transcends reason.
--
The Dryburgh Chronicles Part 1: The Existence of Shadows is a fast-paced magical mystery that combines quick wit with enchanting scene building weaving a time-traveling tale where nothing and nobody are what they seem.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 30, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
July 31, 2024
ARC review- I technically rated this a 4.5⭐️, but do not let that subtract from how lovely this book is. The reason it is rated a 5 on here, simply, it deserves higher than a 4. Having an autistic female academic as a main character was so lovely to see. And although it isn’t said explicitly in the story, it is confirmed in the author’s note. I immediately connected with Lillian through that, and seeing my own experiences reflected in a cool main character was lovely. It was a very sweet and comforting book, with witches, gentle romance, academia, time travel, nature, and a very kind old man. The ending was somewhat sad, but not brutal or a giant cliffhanger.
August 18, 2024
The tale of Lillian, an neurodivergent academic, and her dear friend Edgar that travel to sixteen centuary Scotland. They have to discover some way to go back to their time, but first Lillian will save somene to the witch trials.
Really love the friendship of Edgar and Lillian, he does not care her oddeness and gives her the space she needs. That ending kill me... Really hope to read part 2 soon.
Really love the friendship of Edgar and Lillian, he does not care her oddeness and gives her the space she needs. That ending kill me... Really hope to read part 2 soon.
August 21, 2024
When Lilian and Edgar, academic researchers met Lilian's secret contact, little did they know of what was in store for them.
Let's go!
What I liked:
- The setting, atmosphere and descriptions.
- The book's main theme, even though I was expecting more info.
- Lilian, who I wanted to slap on many occasions, but she always knew how to fix things.
- The old Mr. Beaton.
- The way my curiosity was teased about witchcraft and time travel.
Now, what I didn't like:
- Edgar, musing about how much Lilian is pretty and brilliant and different and how much he loves her and how much of a fool he is thinking it can be reciprocated.
- Edgar, losing himself in his feelings instead of being more present, sharp and helpful.
- Even if I really appreciated the fact that Lilian is neurodivergent, I think it was more the subject of the book than the witchcraft/with trials we're told about in the blurb.
I'll be reading the next book in the series because things got interesting in the last two chapters or so and there's a promise of a good adventure waiting in the sequel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Let's go!
What I liked:
- The setting, atmosphere and descriptions.
- The book's main theme, even though I was expecting more info.
- Lilian, who I wanted to slap on many occasions, but she always knew how to fix things.
- The old Mr. Beaton.
- The way my curiosity was teased about witchcraft and time travel.
Now, what I didn't like:
- Edgar, musing about how much Lilian is pretty and brilliant and different and how much he loves her and how much of a fool he is thinking it can be reciprocated.
- Edgar, losing himself in his feelings instead of being more present, sharp and helpful.
- Even if I really appreciated the fact that Lilian is neurodivergent, I think it was more the subject of the book than the witchcraft/with trials we're told about in the blurb.
I'll be reading the next book in the series because things got interesting in the last two chapters or so and there's a promise of a good adventure waiting in the sequel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 30, 2024
They say the best way to understand a culture and its people is to live among them. This novel takes that notion seriously. In “The Dryburgh Chronicles, Part 1: The Existence of Shadows” by L.P. Halliday, Lilian and Edgar are two Oxford professors studying witchcraft trials in 15th-century Scotland. Their studies lead them to a mysterious book that takes them back through time and soon they must find a way to get past the fact that they actually traveled through time in order to save people – and themselves.
How often do you set out on a research expedition to a landmark in the UK, only to end up in the year 1596? That’s what happens to Lilian and Edgar. When Edgar finds a mysterious book that Lilian knows more about than he does, they become caught up in a mysterious spell thanks to a friend of Lillian’s who has other plans for the book.
While Edgar and Lilian share the same interests and academic pursuits, they are otherwise complete opposites. Lilian is aloof, standoffish, and all about sticking to a schedule. Schedules, routines, and punctuality are everything to her. Meanwhile, Edgar is more laid-back, gregarious, and affectionate. Plus, he has a crush on Lilian, something which she seems not to be interested in pursuing. Lilian is all about her academic life, paying little attention to social nuances or even romance. Edgar senses that she doesn’t have the same feelings for him, so he keeps his feelings for her to himself. It is obviously difficult for him, though he tries.
And then there is Lilian. Although she is cast in a negative light and does something horrible, she is not the cold-blooded monster portrayed in the story. I was so furious over what she did in the story that I was not willing to give her a chance to redeem herself or even explain away her why and how. But, yes, I did give this character that chance, and I am glad I did! It’s so worth it to keep reading this story after Lilian’s terrible mistake. Characters have a way of redeeming themselves and pressing onward rewards the reader with a well-rounded, captivating tale that takes a huge turn and becomes all the more engaging and entertaining.
There is quite a lot readers can take away from this story. There’s a lot of history about how witches were treated in Scotland in the 15th century, yes, but there are also important lessons to be learned in this story. Lessons about love and friendship. Especially about friendship. Lilian and Edgar are friends, but because of Lilian’s mistake, a wedge is driven into their friendship. Lilian realizes just how important Edgar is to her as a friend, but she struggles with her own faults and especially the huge mistake that she made. But wisdom comes to her in the form of a new friend she makes, one who helps her. And this wisdom is when he tells her, on page 210:
“We all get it wrong sometimes, lass. That’s the nature of being human … Friends argue, they hurt each other, but true friends also forgive. When you find him again, I’m sure you’ll see friendship can transcend.”
Lilian is so bent and focused on the Bad Thing she did that she forgets the fragility of being human. She forgets that we all make mistakes and that it is the friends who forgive and stay with us that truly matter. And she knows that Edgar really is such a friend, even though it is hard for her to see it that way at that time. In any event, I clung to the hope that there would be a shared romance between the two of them. I also wondered if they would find a way to return to their own timeline.
“The Dryburgh Chronicles” by L.P. Halliday is a captivating tale of friendship, history, love, and excitement. With its time travel and sense of adventure, it’s an entertaining and delightful story. As I read further in this book, I became hooked on the story and carried away by the goal the main characters were trying to achieve. Readers of historical fiction, science fiction, and romance are sure to find in this novel a story to be enjoyed and cherished.
How often do you set out on a research expedition to a landmark in the UK, only to end up in the year 1596? That’s what happens to Lilian and Edgar. When Edgar finds a mysterious book that Lilian knows more about than he does, they become caught up in a mysterious spell thanks to a friend of Lillian’s who has other plans for the book.
While Edgar and Lilian share the same interests and academic pursuits, they are otherwise complete opposites. Lilian is aloof, standoffish, and all about sticking to a schedule. Schedules, routines, and punctuality are everything to her. Meanwhile, Edgar is more laid-back, gregarious, and affectionate. Plus, he has a crush on Lilian, something which she seems not to be interested in pursuing. Lilian is all about her academic life, paying little attention to social nuances or even romance. Edgar senses that she doesn’t have the same feelings for him, so he keeps his feelings for her to himself. It is obviously difficult for him, though he tries.
And then there is Lilian. Although she is cast in a negative light and does something horrible, she is not the cold-blooded monster portrayed in the story. I was so furious over what she did in the story that I was not willing to give her a chance to redeem herself or even explain away her why and how. But, yes, I did give this character that chance, and I am glad I did! It’s so worth it to keep reading this story after Lilian’s terrible mistake. Characters have a way of redeeming themselves and pressing onward rewards the reader with a well-rounded, captivating tale that takes a huge turn and becomes all the more engaging and entertaining.
There is quite a lot readers can take away from this story. There’s a lot of history about how witches were treated in Scotland in the 15th century, yes, but there are also important lessons to be learned in this story. Lessons about love and friendship. Especially about friendship. Lilian and Edgar are friends, but because of Lilian’s mistake, a wedge is driven into their friendship. Lilian realizes just how important Edgar is to her as a friend, but she struggles with her own faults and especially the huge mistake that she made. But wisdom comes to her in the form of a new friend she makes, one who helps her. And this wisdom is when he tells her, on page 210:
“We all get it wrong sometimes, lass. That’s the nature of being human … Friends argue, they hurt each other, but true friends also forgive. When you find him again, I’m sure you’ll see friendship can transcend.”
Lilian is so bent and focused on the Bad Thing she did that she forgets the fragility of being human. She forgets that we all make mistakes and that it is the friends who forgive and stay with us that truly matter. And she knows that Edgar really is such a friend, even though it is hard for her to see it that way at that time. In any event, I clung to the hope that there would be a shared romance between the two of them. I also wondered if they would find a way to return to their own timeline.
“The Dryburgh Chronicles” by L.P. Halliday is a captivating tale of friendship, history, love, and excitement. With its time travel and sense of adventure, it’s an entertaining and delightful story. As I read further in this book, I became hooked on the story and carried away by the goal the main characters were trying to achieve. Readers of historical fiction, science fiction, and romance are sure to find in this novel a story to be enjoyed and cherished.
September 9, 2024
The Existence of Shadows is a fantastic book. I am already eagerly awaiting the rest of the trilogy to come out.
The book follows Lillian and Edgar, two Oxford historians on a trip to Scotland following a lead for research. Upon meeting an associate, things take a turn and Edgar and Lillian end up in the 1500s, living the experiences they used to study.
Without any potential spoilers, Edgar and Lillian delve into the world of witchcraft, and the boundaries between friendship and love.
It was difficult to decipher the ages of Edgar and Lillian, but I would guess late 20s or 30s based on their academic status.
The atmosphere is dark and mysterious. There were many plot twists I did not expect, but others reading may pick up quicker. The descriptions are vivid and made me feel immersed in 1500s Scotland/Edinburgh.
A must read for those interested in historical fiction, especially set during the time of witchtrails.
Thank you Book Sirens for the ARC
The book follows Lillian and Edgar, two Oxford historians on a trip to Scotland following a lead for research. Upon meeting an associate, things take a turn and Edgar and Lillian end up in the 1500s, living the experiences they used to study.
Without any potential spoilers, Edgar and Lillian delve into the world of witchcraft, and the boundaries between friendship and love.
It was difficult to decipher the ages of Edgar and Lillian, but I would guess late 20s or 30s based on their academic status.
The atmosphere is dark and mysterious. There were many plot twists I did not expect, but others reading may pick up quicker. The descriptions are vivid and made me feel immersed in 1500s Scotland/Edinburgh.
A must read for those interested in historical fiction, especially set during the time of witchtrails.
Thank you Book Sirens for the ARC
August 2, 2024
L. P. Halliday is a new author to me and The Dryburgh Chronicles made me very glad that I chose to read her work! The main characters are realistic and well-developed while the storyline was entertaining and engaging. I read it straight through! I’m looking forward to part 2 of this series. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I received this ARC from BookSirens and this is my honest and freely given opinion.
Disclaimer: I received this ARC from BookSirens and this is my honest and freely given opinion.
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October 16, 2024I am one of the judges of team Space Girls for the SPSFC4 contest. This review is my personal opinion. Officially, it is still in the running for the contest, pending any official team announcements.
Status: Cut
Read: 28%
There's elements I quite enjoyed about this story. Most of them pertain to the portrayal of the female coprotagonist Lilian who is brilliant in her field and kind to the people she likes, while being odd and unapproachable to everyone else.
Our book protagonist Edgar is a fellow college professor in a similar field and they both have a rough start because of her endless list of quirks that remind me of Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory tv show.
While I usually detest reading prologues, this book would have benefitted from rearranging the story of how Edgar and Lilian become friends. I like how he starts spying on her and she snaps at him saying she knows what he was doing because she could see his shadow under the doorway. It was quite a funny scene. By putting the how we met into a telling format in chapter 2, it felt somewhat distant to me, like an afterthought. Which given it seems like this book is focusing on them teaming up to solve a mystery together, I feel a prologue would cement much better how they become friends in a more showing format.
Instead, the book constant likes to remind us that Edgar harbors feelings for Lilian, but he doesn't dare to be clear about them due to the fear of ruining their friendship. Likewise, we are constantly reminded Lilian is not like every other girl by telling us with narration instead of showing her quirks.
Yes, I am aware I tend to be quite accepting of breaking the show, don't tell rule, particularly when reading Spanish language fiction. I do feel however this book would be much more concise by tightening the constant reminders of what we already know and giving us the full dynamics of their platonic relationship since this is supposed to be one of the key focuses of the book.
It seems like they are tasked with a mission to locate a strange book under the petition of a mystery woman Edgar has not met (only that the woman felt grating to Lilian for unknown reasons). They travel to the ruins of a building called Drybough and then the real story seems to happen around the 28% point of the novel.
From the plethora of positive reviews, it is obvious there's plenty of readers that enjoyed the story and characters. Readers that don't like mountains of text describing the shape and color of foliage are going to feel disconnected with this book. Sadly, I am the kind of reader that quickly loses patience with books that spend 70% of the text describing every intricate little physical detail of the scene. And this book has... lots and lots of huge paragraphs full of description. This is more of a personal issue, and other readers that adore books that move at a snails pace to smell every flower and describe the color of the bricks of each building will vibe with the writing style.
Given I am a judge of a Sci-Fi contest, one aspect is to also search for traces of Sci-Fi in the books. While indeed this is a Time Travel story, the mechanism of travel seems to be from a magical spell book. In reality, this book feels like a portal fantasy with some cozy mystery thrown in (where the portal casually takes the characters 500 years into the past). There are zero hints of Science Fiction, so therefore, this book is a cut for me.
Status: Cut
Read: 28%
There's elements I quite enjoyed about this story. Most of them pertain to the portrayal of the female coprotagonist Lilian who is brilliant in her field and kind to the people she likes, while being odd and unapproachable to everyone else.
Our book protagonist Edgar is a fellow college professor in a similar field and they both have a rough start because of her endless list of quirks that remind me of Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory tv show.
While I usually detest reading prologues, this book would have benefitted from rearranging the story of how Edgar and Lilian become friends. I like how he starts spying on her and she snaps at him saying she knows what he was doing because she could see his shadow under the doorway. It was quite a funny scene. By putting the how we met into a telling format in chapter 2, it felt somewhat distant to me, like an afterthought. Which given it seems like this book is focusing on them teaming up to solve a mystery together, I feel a prologue would cement much better how they become friends in a more showing format.
Instead, the book constant likes to remind us that Edgar harbors feelings for Lilian, but he doesn't dare to be clear about them due to the fear of ruining their friendship. Likewise, we are constantly reminded Lilian is not like every other girl by telling us with narration instead of showing her quirks.
Yes, I am aware I tend to be quite accepting of breaking the show, don't tell rule, particularly when reading Spanish language fiction. I do feel however this book would be much more concise by tightening the constant reminders of what we already know and giving us the full dynamics of their platonic relationship since this is supposed to be one of the key focuses of the book.
It seems like they are tasked with a mission to locate a strange book under the petition of a mystery woman Edgar has not met (only that the woman felt grating to Lilian for unknown reasons). They travel to the ruins of a building called Drybough and then the real story seems to happen around the 28% point of the novel.
From the plethora of positive reviews, it is obvious there's plenty of readers that enjoyed the story and characters. Readers that don't like mountains of text describing the shape and color of foliage are going to feel disconnected with this book. Sadly, I am the kind of reader that quickly loses patience with books that spend 70% of the text describing every intricate little physical detail of the scene. And this book has... lots and lots of huge paragraphs full of description. This is more of a personal issue, and other readers that adore books that move at a snails pace to smell every flower and describe the color of the bricks of each building will vibe with the writing style.
Given I am a judge of a Sci-Fi contest, one aspect is to also search for traces of Sci-Fi in the books. While indeed this is a Time Travel story, the mechanism of travel seems to be from a magical spell book. In reality, this book feels like a portal fantasy with some cozy mystery thrown in (where the portal casually takes the characters 500 years into the past). There are zero hints of Science Fiction, so therefore, this book is a cut for me.
October 10, 2024
I received an advance readers copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Books are like decadent, fluffy cakes – a combination of ingredients cooked baked to perfection. There are instances where everything comes together perfectly, and there are also instances where it’s good but not quite perfect. In my opinion, The Existence of Shadows contained all of ingredients: fantasy, mystery, time travel, history, and adventure. All of these ‘ingredients’ combined to create an entertaining, suspenseful novel.
This book follows Edgar & Lilian on an academic trip to Scottland, and their research leads them, literally, into the 16th century! They find themselves in Scottland around the time when thousands of women (& some men) were accused of practicing witchcraft & slaughtered. It is written with duel POV’s, so we are able to see what both Lilian & Edgar are thinking, feeling, and doing. Lilian’s POV is unique because she is neurodivergent & I loved seeing that represented! There are not enough books that follow characters like that, and it allowed me to see the adventure through a different set of eyes.
There were a couple of things that I believe would have made the book even better:
Halliday sprinkled in beautiful description of scenery & emotions of her characters at certain points, and when I was reading those parts I was engrossed in the book. I wish, however, that the description was more consistent. There were scenes that were so beautifully written that I could see exactly what Halliday wanted me to see, but there were also a few scenes that left me trying to figure out what I was missing.
In the beginning, I felt like I was rushed into the time travel aspect. I would have enjoyed it more if the build up to the time travel was a little more suspenseful & a little me detailed.
These were things that caused me to rate this book as 4 stars as opposed to 5 stars. Overall, I truly enjoyed the adventure that Halliday has started, and I am looking forward to seeing what else happens as this is the first book in the series (unsure if it’s a duology or full series).
Books are like decadent, fluffy cakes – a combination of ingredients cooked baked to perfection. There are instances where everything comes together perfectly, and there are also instances where it’s good but not quite perfect. In my opinion, The Existence of Shadows contained all of ingredients: fantasy, mystery, time travel, history, and adventure. All of these ‘ingredients’ combined to create an entertaining, suspenseful novel.
This book follows Edgar & Lilian on an academic trip to Scottland, and their research leads them, literally, into the 16th century! They find themselves in Scottland around the time when thousands of women (& some men) were accused of practicing witchcraft & slaughtered. It is written with duel POV’s, so we are able to see what both Lilian & Edgar are thinking, feeling, and doing. Lilian’s POV is unique because she is neurodivergent & I loved seeing that represented! There are not enough books that follow characters like that, and it allowed me to see the adventure through a different set of eyes.
There were a couple of things that I believe would have made the book even better:
Halliday sprinkled in beautiful description of scenery & emotions of her characters at certain points, and when I was reading those parts I was engrossed in the book. I wish, however, that the description was more consistent. There were scenes that were so beautifully written that I could see exactly what Halliday wanted me to see, but there were also a few scenes that left me trying to figure out what I was missing.
In the beginning, I felt like I was rushed into the time travel aspect. I would have enjoyed it more if the build up to the time travel was a little more suspenseful & a little me detailed.
These were things that caused me to rate this book as 4 stars as opposed to 5 stars. Overall, I truly enjoyed the adventure that Halliday has started, and I am looking forward to seeing what else happens as this is the first book in the series (unsure if it’s a duology or full series).
August 31, 2024
I received an ARC for this book through BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Frankly, I'm struggling a bit with writing my review. Why?
Because I can't really put what I think of this book into words. But, I'm trying anyway, so here goes.
As a whole, I liked the book, the story it is telling and I'm looking forward to read how it will continue.
I also liked that this book has a neurodivergent female main character. I wish there had been characters like Lilian in the books I read as a child/teenager/young adult.
Time travel, witchcraft, friendship and medieval times are also right up my alley. The touch of romance was enough, for me there doesn't need to be added more. But that's me not caring much aboutromance books.
Even though the story is not finished, the ending doesn't feel like a huge cliffhanger, something I absolutely hate about books (and films).
And then on to the things I liked less about this book.
Edgar is the other main character in the book and I dislike him. Not much, but I am a bit annoyed by his sweetness, his adoration, his softness. Don't get me wrong, an Adonis or a sturdy man isn't a character I'd exchange Edgar for, but a tidbit more toughness is something he could use imho.
Finally I was finding it difficult to read this book, at least untill half way. I'm used to reading long pieces of text, paragraphs that stretch to a page sometimes. And having a book where there's a blank line between every fourth line or so, it's something I really had to get used to. I tried to adjust that in the settings, but nothing I tried had the result I wanted.
All in all: I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next one!
Frankly, I'm struggling a bit with writing my review. Why?
Because I can't really put what I think of this book into words. But, I'm trying anyway, so here goes.
As a whole, I liked the book, the story it is telling and I'm looking forward to read how it will continue.
I also liked that this book has a neurodivergent female main character. I wish there had been characters like Lilian in the books I read as a child/teenager/young adult.
Time travel, witchcraft, friendship and medieval times are also right up my alley. The touch of romance was enough, for me there doesn't need to be added more. But that's me not caring much aboutromance books.
Even though the story is not finished, the ending doesn't feel like a huge cliffhanger, something I absolutely hate about books (and films).
And then on to the things I liked less about this book.
Edgar is the other main character in the book and I dislike him. Not much, but I am a bit annoyed by his sweetness, his adoration, his softness. Don't get me wrong, an Adonis or a sturdy man isn't a character I'd exchange Edgar for, but a tidbit more toughness is something he could use imho.
Finally I was finding it difficult to read this book, at least untill half way. I'm used to reading long pieces of text, paragraphs that stretch to a page sometimes. And having a book where there's a blank line between every fourth line or so, it's something I really had to get used to. I tried to adjust that in the settings, but nothing I tried had the result I wanted.
All in all: I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next one!
October 9, 2024
When I started reading the book, the first thing I noticed was that it was very short. So, naturally, I thought that it would be somehow rushed, skipping through the plot and not actually delivering anything. Oh, how wrong I was…
What I loved about it is the way the author manages to create an atmosphere by just describing the surroundings. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book thar manages to compel me to actually visualise it, imagine it, feel it in my bones. I just loved that I could feel the light drizzle and, as if, almost “touch “ the fog.
Then there’s the plot. The story itself calls to me, it was a bit predictable ( for me), but I enjoyed it nonetheless. What I would’ve wanted to see though, was a bit more in-depth information (no spoilers, just a hint) of the “book” beforehand. It just pops up and, I would’ve expected for two people like Ed and Lilian, given their occupation, to read it, research it thoroughly. And I would’ve wanted to see that in the book.
Also, after I read the afterword from the author, I would’ve loved to read more from Lilian’s POV, be “in her head” so to speak, because the literature really does lack such characters.
All in all, I would definitely love to read the next book in the series, although I wish that their characters were examined more closely, more in depth, even if that added another 100 pages to the book.
What I loved about it is the way the author manages to create an atmosphere by just describing the surroundings. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book thar manages to compel me to actually visualise it, imagine it, feel it in my bones. I just loved that I could feel the light drizzle and, as if, almost “touch “ the fog.
Then there’s the plot. The story itself calls to me, it was a bit predictable ( for me), but I enjoyed it nonetheless. What I would’ve wanted to see though, was a bit more in-depth information (no spoilers, just a hint) of the “book” beforehand. It just pops up and, I would’ve expected for two people like Ed and Lilian, given their occupation, to read it, research it thoroughly. And I would’ve wanted to see that in the book.
Also, after I read the afterword from the author, I would’ve loved to read more from Lilian’s POV, be “in her head” so to speak, because the literature really does lack such characters.
All in all, I would definitely love to read the next book in the series, although I wish that their characters were examined more closely, more in depth, even if that added another 100 pages to the book.
August 19, 2024
Time travel, Scotland, witch trials, twists and turns, fantastic storytelling, this book was hard to put down.
Edgar and Lillian take it in turns to tell us the story and it is great to hear two sides of the tale. Lillian is neuro-divergent as is the author, so this is an authentic telling of what it is like to be autistic. Edgar and Lillian are Oxford academics on the trail of research in the Scottish Borders, they get an immersive experience which is bit more than bargained for. Halliday doesn’t hold back on the brutality of the witch trials, giving us a detailed understanding of what it was like for women in the late 16th Century.
The descriptions of the scenery, the people and the houses are vivid, you are there with the characters in your mind. The characters are complex, not perfect but exceptionally well-crafted by the author.
I was intrigued from the start and will definitely read more of the series.
In terms of age, 14+ would be fine as long as there is an understanding that this is a raw account of life in 1596.
I received an ARC from Book Sirens - I'm happy to leave this review and happy I chose to read the book.
Edgar and Lillian take it in turns to tell us the story and it is great to hear two sides of the tale. Lillian is neuro-divergent as is the author, so this is an authentic telling of what it is like to be autistic. Edgar and Lillian are Oxford academics on the trail of research in the Scottish Borders, they get an immersive experience which is bit more than bargained for. Halliday doesn’t hold back on the brutality of the witch trials, giving us a detailed understanding of what it was like for women in the late 16th Century.
The descriptions of the scenery, the people and the houses are vivid, you are there with the characters in your mind. The characters are complex, not perfect but exceptionally well-crafted by the author.
I was intrigued from the start and will definitely read more of the series.
In terms of age, 14+ would be fine as long as there is an understanding that this is a raw account of life in 1596.
I received an ARC from Book Sirens - I'm happy to leave this review and happy I chose to read the book.
August 11, 2024
With a strong, intelligent, neurodivergent, female lead and an intricate and unpredictable storyline centred around historical witchcraft in Scotland, this book is brilliant!
The story is engaging throughout, with twists I did not expect, keeping me on my toes. The characters are endearing and the detailed, first person narrative meant I very quickly felt a strong affinity to them.
I am not a fan of romance novels, and when nods to a romantic storyline first appeared, I audibly groaned, but was soon proven wrong - romance is thankfully not central to this book, it rather it adds some flavour and I assume will lead into the next book in this series (I really hope there is another one!)
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I read this entire book in a few hours (with interruptions for tea of course) and so would recommend as an easy, weekend read.
This book is suitable for adult and teenage readers, but please note, it does contain descriptions of violence against women. Although I’d hope this was implied by the fact that it is a historical fiction based on witchcraft in Scotland, I wouldn’t want younger readers to be unprepared for this!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story is engaging throughout, with twists I did not expect, keeping me on my toes. The characters are endearing and the detailed, first person narrative meant I very quickly felt a strong affinity to them.
I am not a fan of romance novels, and when nods to a romantic storyline first appeared, I audibly groaned, but was soon proven wrong - romance is thankfully not central to this book, it rather it adds some flavour and I assume will lead into the next book in this series (I really hope there is another one!)
.
I read this entire book in a few hours (with interruptions for tea of course) and so would recommend as an easy, weekend read.
This book is suitable for adult and teenage readers, but please note, it does contain descriptions of violence against women. Although I’d hope this was implied by the fact that it is a historical fiction based on witchcraft in Scotland, I wouldn’t want younger readers to be unprepared for this!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 13, 2024
This book is a captivating blend of historical fiction and feminist intrigue. The author's creation of a strong, neurodivergent female protagonist is both refreshing and empowering. Set against the backdrop of Scotland's witch-hunting era, the story is a thrilling exploration of power, oppression, and the enduring human spirit.
The intricate plot, filled with unexpected twists, keeps readers engrossed from beginning to end. The author's vivid descriptions and the protagonist's first-person narrative create an immersive experience that makes it impossible to put the book down. While the novel doesn't shy away from depicting the harsh realities of its historical setting, including violence against women, it does so with a purpose, highlighting the strength and resilience of its characters.
A word of caution: because of its graphic content, this book may not be suitable for all readers. However, for those seeking a thought-provoking and empowering read, this is an absolute must.
The intricate plot, filled with unexpected twists, keeps readers engrossed from beginning to end. The author's vivid descriptions and the protagonist's first-person narrative create an immersive experience that makes it impossible to put the book down. While the novel doesn't shy away from depicting the harsh realities of its historical setting, including violence against women, it does so with a purpose, highlighting the strength and resilience of its characters.
A word of caution: because of its graphic content, this book may not be suitable for all readers. However, for those seeking a thought-provoking and empowering read, this is an absolute must.
August 17, 2024
Edgar Falkirk cannot help himself. He loves Dr. Lilian Darling from afar.
Their fellow professors see only Lilian's quirky side. Before Edgar, who she keeps at arm's length, she was alone most of the time. Then Lilian receives an invitation to conduct studies about legends and lore surrounding witch trials in Europe. She asks Edgar to come along, since he studies folklore.
Their work begins at an abbey, where Edgar finds a mysterious old book. Soon after, Lilian and Edgar find themselves in another time. The people don't seem too welcoming.
Suddenly the goal has changed from a study opportunity to a desperate effort to get home.
L.P. Halliday has written a captivating book. I enjoyed it completely and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
You don't have to be "quirky" (like me) to enjoy this book but if you are, I hope you feel the same warm feelings when you read about someone who won't give up reaching out to a woman he loves and who he believes could love him.
Thank you to BookSirens for the review copy. This is my honest review.
Their fellow professors see only Lilian's quirky side. Before Edgar, who she keeps at arm's length, she was alone most of the time. Then Lilian receives an invitation to conduct studies about legends and lore surrounding witch trials in Europe. She asks Edgar to come along, since he studies folklore.
Their work begins at an abbey, where Edgar finds a mysterious old book. Soon after, Lilian and Edgar find themselves in another time. The people don't seem too welcoming.
Suddenly the goal has changed from a study opportunity to a desperate effort to get home.
L.P. Halliday has written a captivating book. I enjoyed it completely and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
You don't have to be "quirky" (like me) to enjoy this book but if you are, I hope you feel the same warm feelings when you read about someone who won't give up reaching out to a woman he loves and who he believes could love him.
Thank you to BookSirens for the review copy. This is my honest review.
August 13, 2024
Incredible debut novel - I look forward to reading the sequel!
From the get-go, I found Lilian Darling to be a fascinating character. The book starts strong from Edgar's perspective and his admiration of Lilian pulled me in just like a friend describing someone they adore. This actually helped carry me through some moments where I felt Lilian was out of line, particularly when one rather shocking story was shared. On the flip side, Lilian's view of her friend and colleague was relatable and kept things feeling very real, even as the concept of time travel and spells requires one to suspend or stretch beliefs for a bit.
Several plot twists are involved, one of which I'd wondered about and one of which took me completely by surprise. Lilian and Edgar make mistakes, make friends, make amends, and make decisions that will affect themselves and others for a long time to come. It all led to a devastating open-ended conclusion that left me ready to grab that spellbook myself.
History, mystery, and magic are intertwined perfectly in The Existence of Shadows. I'll be watching for the release of book two of The Dryburgh Chronicles; I *must* know what happens next!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
From the get-go, I found Lilian Darling to be a fascinating character. The book starts strong from Edgar's perspective and his admiration of Lilian pulled me in just like a friend describing someone they adore. This actually helped carry me through some moments where I felt Lilian was out of line, particularly when one rather shocking story was shared. On the flip side, Lilian's view of her friend and colleague was relatable and kept things feeling very real, even as the concept of time travel and spells requires one to suspend or stretch beliefs for a bit.
Several plot twists are involved, one of which I'd wondered about and one of which took me completely by surprise. Lilian and Edgar make mistakes, make friends, make amends, and make decisions that will affect themselves and others for a long time to come. It all led to a devastating open-ended conclusion that left me ready to grab that spellbook myself.
History, mystery, and magic are intertwined perfectly in The Existence of Shadows. I'll be watching for the release of book two of The Dryburgh Chronicles; I *must* know what happens next!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 20, 2024
Lillian and Edgar are two friends who experience 16th century Scotland as part of a research project that allows them to see just how brutal life could be! In this dual POV book, each character has his and her own quirks and differences (Lillian is a neuro-divergent academic and Edgar is a Folklorist) but they build a solid friendship as they navigate through finding their way home.
This book has so much depth! There’s time travel and witch trials! There’s twists and turns and feminist energy… and underlying it all is a budding love story about a man who loves a girl no matter the differences.
I can’t wait to read book 2!
This book has so much depth! There’s time travel and witch trials! There’s twists and turns and feminist energy… and underlying it all is a budding love story about a man who loves a girl no matter the differences.
I can’t wait to read book 2!
September 25, 2024
Time travel with a twist.
Ooooh, so much great suspense and fantasy all squished into one story! I found both Lilith and Edgar to be a very interesting pair-academic researchers with a shared interest in events in Scotland’s past. Using details about historical witch trials while weaving a time travel suspense totally pulled me into the story. I think it was the details of imperfect human behaviour, vulnerability in the face being accepted and loved (or not) as well as the ongoing suspense that I couldn’t get enough of. A cliffhanger ending has me looking forward to the next novel in the series!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Ooooh, so much great suspense and fantasy all squished into one story! I found both Lilith and Edgar to be a very interesting pair-academic researchers with a shared interest in events in Scotland’s past. Using details about historical witch trials while weaving a time travel suspense totally pulled me into the story. I think it was the details of imperfect human behaviour, vulnerability in the face being accepted and loved (or not) as well as the ongoing suspense that I couldn’t get enough of. A cliffhanger ending has me looking forward to the next novel in the series!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 5, 2024
I did not care for this book and even though it ended with a clifhanger, I won't read the next one. For me, the book had too much witch craft with some very gruesome parts. I liked the quirky gal Lilian and Edgar as characters although they could use some additional depth to make them more real. Several characters are very likable at the start and then suddenly are presented as the witches that should have been avoided by our heros. The evil character tells you about it instead of there being anything to clue the reader into that being a possiblity.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 18, 2024
I received an advanced copy of this book and these are my thoughts. I liked the back and forth of two voices, Lillian and Edgar. I didn’t like Lillian until the end. I wish something had been said about autism or the spectrum in the beginning , as I thought she was autistic but it wasn’t confirmed until the end. I think the reader, if familiar with different gifted personalities, would be able to consider Lillian’s actions in a different light. I also thought the resistance to the idea of time travel wasn’t true to the characters. I absolutely love the cover.
I thought some language of Iona and Gelis was too modern.
I thought some language of Iona and Gelis was too modern.
August 18, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The book has an interesting premise, two Oxford professors doing research into the witch trials. The book starts out a little slowly and could have used a bit more history about Lillian and Edgar. In the afterward the author talks about Lillian being neurodivergent. I thought that the author did a good job in her description of Lillian to show that she had trouble relating to others in what is considered normal. Some parts of the book seemed rushed. While I realize this is just the first book in the series, I felt the ending was rather abrupt. I am interested enough in the story to be looking for the next book.
August 22, 2024
Loved, loved, loved this book! I felt all kinds of emotions reading this: annoyance, anger, curiosity, love, but the biggest thing was it actually made me cry. I haven't cried since reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! Let that sink in. I really wish I could contact the author to tell her how much the character of Lillian touched me! I can't wait to read the second book in the series!
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
August 5, 2024
"The Existence of Shadows" was amazing! I loved the diversity of the characters, the descriptions were on point, and the scenery made me feel like I was inside the book. The blend of mystery and fantasy elements was amazingly done, creating a rich and intriguing world. Each character was well developed and brought something unique to the story. My favorite character was Lilian (Loved her!!)
I 100% recommend this book to anyone looking for a magical read.
I 100% recommend this book to anyone looking for a magical read.
August 5, 2024
I read this as an ARC. This story had an interesting and unexpected cast of characters. The relationship between Lillian and Edgar was beautiful. Once the story really started picking up, a handful of chapters in, I was hooked! Would there really be witches or were they just healers? There was plenty of adventure and there was also character growth. All in all, a good read!
October 5, 2024
A delightful debut from L.P. Halliday that is clearly both a labour of love and a lot of research. I truly felt transformed in time and location - major Outlander vibes. It really picked up for me in the second half and I loved watching Lilian's growth. I need a sequel now!
August 24, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
First off: I love Lilian. Edgar can be a goof occasionally, but she's a shining star, and her beng neuro-divergent makes everything so much BETTER.
Now, onwards: overall I like the setting of this plot. As a long-time Outlander fan, this kind of thing is definitely my jam, but I have a few quibbles here and there.
Why weren't our two heroes more suspicious that Gelis didn't freak out about time travel, for one? But that said, for me, the writing occasionally sped through things a bit too quickly, and sometimes it was difficult to understand who was saying what.
Other than that, a good and solid first entry with a decent cliff hanger promising more shenanigans to come!
First off: I love Lilian. Edgar can be a goof occasionally, but she's a shining star, and her beng neuro-divergent makes everything so much BETTER.
Now, onwards: overall I like the setting of this plot. As a long-time Outlander fan, this kind of thing is definitely my jam, but I have a few quibbles here and there.
Why weren't our two heroes more suspicious that Gelis didn't freak out about time travel, for one? But that said, for me, the writing occasionally sped through things a bit too quickly, and sometimes it was difficult to understand who was saying what.
Other than that, a good and solid first entry with a decent cliff hanger promising more shenanigans to come!
September 30, 2024
Cute and cozy read. 🩷🩷🩷
October 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this, but I wish it had been longer and eased into the story a little more gradually. The journey of the main characters back in time is a fascinating concept but I felt like it was over just as it started, and the ending felt quite abrupt, even for having a sequel. I’m still definitely invested enough that I will read the sequel for sure.
It’s really more of a novella. I read it in about 3 hours total; started in the evening, and finished in the morning though it probably could be read in one sitting. I’m looking forward to the next one to see what happens with the characters. It had a lot of unexpected twists for its brevity.
When I first started reading the characters reminded me a lot of Emily and Wendell from Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries (which I adored). Lilian, like Emily, is a socially awkward bookish type while Edgar, like Wendell, is bright in his own right, but has more charm on his side. There is also a fantasy meets the academic element to it, though The Existence of Shadows is quite a bit darker.
It’s written with dual POVs and begins with Edgar’s point of view and about halfway through you begin hearing Lilian’s point of view. I think I would have liked it to have been more of a back and forth throughout I think, because I think only hearing Edgar’s POV for the first half made it harder for me to feel a connection to Lilian. You first start to get chapters with her POV right after she’s done something quite appalling, and although my perspective towards her did soften as she sought to amend her mistake, I started out with a pretty low opinion of her and couldn’t really wrap my mind around why Edgar loved her to begin with. I think if I’d been hearing her POV earlier than that event, I would have understood her more.
It was interesting to read an autistic character like Lilian. While I’m not autistic, I did find her social awkwardness relatable, as was her struggle with coming across as abrasive without intending to cause offense.
I really enjoyed the setting and descriptions of it, although at times wished there was a little *more* description of the environment and scenes. I didn’t feel as immersed in it as I would have hoped with this type of read. Overall still very enjoyable though.
I am grateful to the author for giving me an ARC e-copy to read this, but I leave this review voluntarily and my opinions are my own.
It’s really more of a novella. I read it in about 3 hours total; started in the evening, and finished in the morning though it probably could be read in one sitting. I’m looking forward to the next one to see what happens with the characters. It had a lot of unexpected twists for its brevity.
When I first started reading the characters reminded me a lot of Emily and Wendell from Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries (which I adored). Lilian, like Emily, is a socially awkward bookish type while Edgar, like Wendell, is bright in his own right, but has more charm on his side. There is also a fantasy meets the academic element to it, though The Existence of Shadows is quite a bit darker.
It’s written with dual POVs and begins with Edgar’s point of view and about halfway through you begin hearing Lilian’s point of view. I think I would have liked it to have been more of a back and forth throughout I think, because I think only hearing Edgar’s POV for the first half made it harder for me to feel a connection to Lilian. You first start to get chapters with her POV right after she’s done something quite appalling, and although my perspective towards her did soften as she sought to amend her mistake, I started out with a pretty low opinion of her and couldn’t really wrap my mind around why Edgar loved her to begin with. I think if I’d been hearing her POV earlier than that event, I would have understood her more.
It was interesting to read an autistic character like Lilian. While I’m not autistic, I did find her social awkwardness relatable, as was her struggle with coming across as abrasive without intending to cause offense.
I really enjoyed the setting and descriptions of it, although at times wished there was a little *more* description of the environment and scenes. I didn’t feel as immersed in it as I would have hoped with this type of read. Overall still very enjoyable though.
I am grateful to the author for giving me an ARC e-copy to read this, but I leave this review voluntarily and my opinions are my own.
November 2, 2024
This author took me to modern day and historical Scotland for a few hours.
This book is a captivating blend of historical fiction and feminist intrigue. The author’s creation of a strong, neurodivergent female protagonist is both refreshing and empowering. Set against the backdrop of Scotland’s witch-hunting era, the story is a thrilling exploration of power, oppression, and the enduring human spirit.
The intricate plot, filled with unexpected twists, keeps readers engrossed from beginning to end. The author’s vivid descriptions and the protagonist’s first-person narrative create an immersive experience that makes it impossible to put the book down. While the novel doesn’t shy away from depicting the harsh realities of its historical setting, including violence against women, it does so with a purpose, highlighting the strength and resilience of its characters.
A word of caution: because of its graphic content, this book may not be suitable for all readers. However, for those seeking a thought-provoking and empowering read, this is an absolute must.
This book is a captivating blend of historical fiction and feminist intrigue. The author’s creation of a strong, neurodivergent female protagonist is both refreshing and empowering. Set against the backdrop of Scotland’s witch-hunting era, the story is a thrilling exploration of power, oppression, and the enduring human spirit.
The intricate plot, filled with unexpected twists, keeps readers engrossed from beginning to end. The author’s vivid descriptions and the protagonist’s first-person narrative create an immersive experience that makes it impossible to put the book down. While the novel doesn’t shy away from depicting the harsh realities of its historical setting, including violence against women, it does so with a purpose, highlighting the strength and resilience of its characters.
A word of caution: because of its graphic content, this book may not be suitable for all readers. However, for those seeking a thought-provoking and empowering read, this is an absolute must.
November 2, 2024
A cozy read featuring time travel, Scotland, and the witch trials. This story was told from a dual point of view, and I really liked the neurodivergent female main character, Lilian. I loved the friendship between Edgar and Lilian as well and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
November 5, 2024
Sometimes, you just feel sad finishing a book, especially when you love the characters and connect with the main character. She’s a bit quirky, super organized, and very curious. I enjoyed the slowburn romance balanced with the fast story. Even though it’s only 200 pages, it is packed with magic, time travel, betrayal, and mystery. Now, I miss them and can’t wait for the second book.
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