ZACK LORAN CLARK is a writer and editor of books for young readers. He is the author of The Lock-Eater and co-author of The Adventurers Guild trilogy with Nick Eliopulos. A lifelong fantasy nerd, avid Dungeons & Dragons player, and aspiring sorcerer, he lives with his husband and their dog in Brooklyn, NY.
Shadowglass (The Doomsday Archives #3) by Zack Loran Clark & Nick Eliopulos Thank you to Zando Projects for the gifted copy 💛🕯️ ⭐ 3.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐✨
This series continues to lean into that perfect mix of creepy, fast-paced, and just a little too real in the way it blends the supernatural with modern life. In Shadowglass, the stakes feel more personal. When a student dies after posting something completely out of character, Serena starts digging and uncovers a disturbing pattern tied to an online streamer. And when she realizes her brother might be next, the story shifts from mystery to urgency very quickly.
What I liked most here was how the horror is layered. There are monsters and artifacts, yes, but there is also something unsettling about how it connects to online spaces and influence. That blend of digital and supernatural made the tension feel sharper and more current 📱🕯️
The pacing is quick and easy to follow, which makes it very readable, especially for the intended audience. The core trio, Serena, Hazel, and Emrys, continue to work well together, and I liked seeing their dynamic deepen as the danger increases.
At the same time, this one does push into darker territory than you might expect for a middle grade audience. There is nothing overly graphic, but the situations themselves can feel intense, especially with the themes of breakdowns and loss of control.
What I Loved • A strong mix of supernatural horror and modern digital themes 📱 • Fast-paced and engaging plot • High stakes that feel personal and urgent • A core friend group that works well together
What Didn’t Fully Work for Me • Some elements may feel a bit intense for younger readers • I wanted a little more depth in certain moments
This is a solid continuation of the series that leans darker and more suspenseful. If you enjoy creepy adventures with a modern twist, this one definitely delivers and sets things up for more to come 🖤📖
Three young members of the order discover a student in their school died after posting a disturbing online rant which was totally not her style. What caused her to do this? Serena decides to do research Serena which leads her to an online streamer which seems to attract young people just before they suffer very public breakdowns. Would this streamer be causing these deaths? At home, she discovers her brother Dom is to be the next victim. Upset, Serena tells Hazel and Emrys that something is wrong—there is a mysterious streamer that is causing these deaths recently deaths and has found out her brother is next. Serena with help from Hazel and Emrys fight the Shadowglass to save Dom. Will she be able to do it?
The author has written a heart-pounding suspenseful novel. This novel showed me a diabolical mix of menacing monsters, forbidden artifacts, and contemporary chills. This is the third volume of the series which means there is more to come! This series is guaranteed to keep you up way past your bedtime. I want―no, need―the next installment!”
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Shadowglass is a fast-paced, eerie middle-grade adventure that cleverly blends supernatural horror with the dangers of the digital age. In this third installment of The Doomsday Archives, Serena’s ability to sense otherworldly forces pulls her into a chilling mystery involving a sinister online presence that seems to target vulnerable teens—including her own brother. The concept of an ancient occult force evolving to hunt through the internet feels both fresh and unsettling, adding a modern twist to classic spooky storytelling.
What makes this book stand out is its balance of genuine creepiness and heartfelt stakes. Beneath the suspense and paranormal intrigue is a story about loyalty, courage, and protecting the people you love. Clark and Eliopulos keep the tension high while making the characters relatable and emotionally grounded. Shadowglass is a fun, slightly scary read that will especially appeal to fans of creepy mysteries with a contemporary edge.
A fast-paced page-turner with prescient warnings about the sinister things that lurk behind our screens. It felt like Black Mirror for young adults and there were times I had to pause and put the book down because it was just THAT suspenseful. I couldn't put it down for long because the story kept calling me back in. There were several references to earlier titles, so I don't recommend this as a standalone even though the core story does not seem dependent upon the earlier books. It was my entry point to the series, but I enjoyed it so much I want to go back and read the others. With some mildly graphic body horror, I recommend it for older teens to new adults.
This series is exactly what I would have been looking for when I was in school, and yet, at times, I wonder if it’s a little too graphic for kids that age (marked as 8-12 years on Amazon). Of course, at that age, I would have said I was old enough, so I leave that up to young readers and their parents. There isn’t a ton of gore but there are mentions of somewhat precarious situations. Still, the story flows well and lets your mind imagine things outside of this reality and imagination is always good. Looking forward to many more in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Zando Projects for the review copy.
If you are looking for a good middle school aged suspense novel filled with supernatural wonders- this is the book for you! As a middle school teacher, my students and I love this book. It gets you hooked right from the beginning. The novel will have you turning the pages. Serena, the main character, is strong and bold. The best part, is this book can be read as a stand alone or you can read more of them in the series!I highly recommend this book.
I won a copy of this book, thanks to Goodreads and Zando Projects.
It was an engaging story for Middle grade readers, and I thought the illustrations were wonderful. I do feel like you need to read the books in order because it kept making references to previous storylines that I was unaware of because I had not read those books. Overall, it's a good book for those young readers interested in a fantasy type book.