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Shade
Clendon Kiernan has always preferred the shadows. A place where he was free from the hate and fear, from the stares and ridicule of others. One night Clen discovers the shocking truth of why. He is a Shade. A thing of darkness. A creature with the ability to shred souls. When a vile whisper tells him to destroy everything around him Clen does the only thing he can.
But he cannot run from himself. The darkness growing inside Clen will soon consume him if he does not learn to control it. In his quest to do so, Clen learns that there is an entire world that exists in the shadows of Ellis, a world that has been hidden from him – secret clans with extraordinary abilities, the ghosts of a hidden past, and a war that’s been brewing for millennia. Clen must uncover the true history of Ellis, see through the generations of lies and deceit, and suffer betrayal and heartbreak if he is to save all those who hate and fear him. But when he learns the truth, will he want to?
The darkness in him could save Ellis. Or it could be what destroys it.
But he cannot run from himself. The darkness growing inside Clen will soon consume him if he does not learn to control it. In his quest to do so, Clen learns that there is an entire world that exists in the shadows of Ellis, a world that has been hidden from him – secret clans with extraordinary abilities, the ghosts of a hidden past, and a war that’s been brewing for millennia. Clen must uncover the true history of Ellis, see through the generations of lies and deceit, and suffer betrayal and heartbreak if he is to save all those who hate and fear him. But when he learns the truth, will he want to?
The darkness in him could save Ellis. Or it could be what destroys it.
Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2014
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Cody B. Stewart
3 books3 followersCody B. Stewart was born in the Adirondacks, in Upstate New York. His love of stories began in those mountains as he vanquished trolls, fought in the American Revolution and discovered his latent mutant powers. Stories have continued to consume his life, but he now plucks them out of his head and puts them down on paper in the form of novels and comic books.
He left the Adirondacks to grow into a man, did so, and has since returned with a wonderfully supportive wife and two sons.
He left the Adirondacks to grow into a man, did so, and has since returned with a wonderfully supportive wife and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 31, 2014
Clendon Kiernan has always been an outcast, hiding alone in the shadows away from people. He recently discovered he is a Shade, a creature of darkness that feeds by shredding souls. Its only a matter time before the Shade consumes him. Since he can't run from himself, the only way out is to learn how to control it. In doing so, Clen is introduced to the shadow of Ellis, a place filled with clans with special abilities. Secrets, deceit, love, manipulation, and hidden history are just a few things Clen has quested to uncover. Could a war be brewing? Does Clen even stand a chance?
I liked Clen as the main character. He was easy to relate to and I liked that we were kept in the dark just as he was. His past was revealed on a need to know basis. Though I am not a fan of flashbacks, these particular flashbacks worked in favor to uncover and hint secrets. The shade inside of him was my absolute favorite thing about this book. It was so funny to hear him want to murder everyone around him.
The biggest problem I had with Shade was that there were too many characters. I found it hard to keep track who was who and what their special ability was. Everyone had a certain role, but there were too many people. It almost got to the point where I needed to take notes. It came down to whether or not they survived by the end of their journey. Also the romance was hard to believe. I felt like Clen fell for Niko too fast. The chemistry between the two felt a bit forced.
Overall, I did enjoy this read. There was so much going on and a bunch of characters to keep an eye out for which kept the story engaging. The plot never stopped, something was always going on or soon would be. The writing is superb, especially with the action scenes. Action scenes were the easiest to read. The words just flowed and I could easily picture what went down when Clen was on the loose running, finding answers or being attacked. The Shade was funny, but Clen himself was also funny. His reasons for his behavior are too cute. By the end, I fell in love with Clen. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys paranormal sci-fi, action plots.
I liked Clen as the main character. He was easy to relate to and I liked that we were kept in the dark just as he was. His past was revealed on a need to know basis. Though I am not a fan of flashbacks, these particular flashbacks worked in favor to uncover and hint secrets. The shade inside of him was my absolute favorite thing about this book. It was so funny to hear him want to murder everyone around him.
The biggest problem I had with Shade was that there were too many characters. I found it hard to keep track who was who and what their special ability was. Everyone had a certain role, but there were too many people. It almost got to the point where I needed to take notes. It came down to whether or not they survived by the end of their journey. Also the romance was hard to believe. I felt like Clen fell for Niko too fast. The chemistry between the two felt a bit forced.
Overall, I did enjoy this read. There was so much going on and a bunch of characters to keep an eye out for which kept the story engaging. The plot never stopped, something was always going on or soon would be. The writing is superb, especially with the action scenes. Action scenes were the easiest to read. The words just flowed and I could easily picture what went down when Clen was on the loose running, finding answers or being attacked. The Shade was funny, but Clen himself was also funny. His reasons for his behavior are too cute. By the end, I fell in love with Clen. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys paranormal sci-fi, action plots.
October 31, 2014
Check out my full review as part of the YA Reads Shade Blog Tour over on my blog, SleepsOnTables. (There's also a giveaway!)
Let me start off by saying there is a LOT going on in this book. A lot of plot, many characters, relationships, struggles, you name it and there’s a lot of it. Shade follows Clen who in the very start of the book is this weird kid who feels like he doesn’t fit in and people are afraid of him. Clen often will go off on his own for hours or days without telling anyone, it’s just a part of who he is and how he deals. But what Clen doesn’t know is that there’s a reason he feels like he doesn’t fit in. He’s a Shade who can rip people’s souls out. Pretty legit right? Well all that is fine and dandy until he’s dropped into this secret world that was kept from him and is thrust into the middle of a war that he didn’t know existed, all of this while trying to fight the whispers he hears telling him to giving in and destroy everything. It’s a lot for one guy to handle.
My biggest issue with Shade was that it almost felt like two separate books, a book 1 and a book 2. I told you there was a lot of plot right? Well there was almost two whole distinguishable plots one after another. What I’m talking about is that a handful of chapters in something happens which takes Clen somewhere. While he’s there, there’s a big climax scene where something important happens. He gets away and reading it, I thought ‘Oh. Is it already done? . ..no wait. I’ve still got like 50% left.’ The way that things begin to calm down after that first climax makes you feel like the book is over, but then of course everything picks up again and we really get thrust into the main conflict of the book. Really, that first climax was only a small one but I can’t remember when the last time I’ve read a book that had like two different plot lines. I say this is my biggest issue but looking back I’m not actually sure it was a bad thing. If it would’ve been split up and made into two separate books, they both would’ve been too short but at the same time it’s a little confusing when you’re reading and get to that ‘first ending’. I’m not really sure how I feel about it and that’s my issue.
Shade has many different supernatural aspects. In this book we have the different clans, each having their own special abilities, and then some seemingly odd ball originals thrown into the mix who don’t necessarily fit with a clan. Clen belongs to the Shades and he can rip out people’s souls. There are also shape-shifters. The people in this clan transform into giant bear-like monsters who I’m sure would make the wolves from Twilight run for the hills. Another clan is rooted in mental abilities. These people can read minds, are telepathic, sensitive to emotions and feelings, are walking lie detectors, are telekinetic, and so much more. Now we’ve all seen these abilities in one move, TV show, book or another but it’s not often that we seem them all blended together in one storyline. That was a very neat part of this book. The way that each clan had it’s own set of abilities and how the clans functioned in the storyline was really creative and well-executed. It’s not something that was easy to do I’m sure so props to Cody.
Another part of Shade I enjoyed was the characters. Clen may be mopey and all ‘leave me alone’ in the beginning–and I’m not saying that that changes significantly throughout the book–but he’s also sarcastic and cynical. He brings a dark humor to the table with his take on the present situation. I loved that. Clen’s best friend Ollie is a riot as well but in a different way. He’s basically the polar opposite of Clen but keeping the humor, although not near as cynical. Ollie is one of those guys that you would just want to be around and I enjoyed all the scenes where he had dialogue. As for the other characters, I’m going to avoid spoiling anything and not name names and just use the general, everyone has their own redeeming qualities and you can see how each one was so well thought out to fit into the story and have a purpose. There weren’t really any fluff characters, everyone had a role.
A great aspect of the plot was the flashbacks that Clen was able to have. They really helped to explain what was going on with the clans and the reason for their past conflict. The way that Clen is able to see bits and pieces at a time is wonderful because then the reader wasn’t forced to get a giant explanation from another character and end up getting overwhelmed by it all. Each time he saw something it related to what was currently happening, it didn’t ever overextend it’s reach beyond the necessary.
I think my favorite part of Shade was the fact that one minor detail in the beginning plays such a major role in the last half of the book. When you read the beginning Clen is giving a little back story on this local ghost story and then it kind of gets shelved for a while and you’re thinking to yourself if that was even necessary and you just shrug and go along reading. But, it ends up coming back to the surface and explains so many things when you get farther in the story. When that happens it’s sort of an ‘aha’ moment because you know now it was introduced in the beginning for a reason. I love it when authors use tricks like that.
Oooh but another cool part that I almost forgot is that Cody uses the metaphor of mirrors multiple times in the story to show how Clen views himself and then how he sees himself changing as a person. It comes up after certain key events in the story and really does a good job showing how that event affected Clen. It’s another neat trick that I wasn’t expecting and am so glad was included.
Shade was great. I really enjoyed all that it’s about. Definitely a debut worth reading!
Let me start off by saying there is a LOT going on in this book. A lot of plot, many characters, relationships, struggles, you name it and there’s a lot of it. Shade follows Clen who in the very start of the book is this weird kid who feels like he doesn’t fit in and people are afraid of him. Clen often will go off on his own for hours or days without telling anyone, it’s just a part of who he is and how he deals. But what Clen doesn’t know is that there’s a reason he feels like he doesn’t fit in. He’s a Shade who can rip people’s souls out. Pretty legit right? Well all that is fine and dandy until he’s dropped into this secret world that was kept from him and is thrust into the middle of a war that he didn’t know existed, all of this while trying to fight the whispers he hears telling him to giving in and destroy everything. It’s a lot for one guy to handle.
My biggest issue with Shade was that it almost felt like two separate books, a book 1 and a book 2. I told you there was a lot of plot right? Well there was almost two whole distinguishable plots one after another. What I’m talking about is that a handful of chapters in something happens which takes Clen somewhere. While he’s there, there’s a big climax scene where something important happens. He gets away and reading it, I thought ‘Oh. Is it already done? . ..no wait. I’ve still got like 50% left.’ The way that things begin to calm down after that first climax makes you feel like the book is over, but then of course everything picks up again and we really get thrust into the main conflict of the book. Really, that first climax was only a small one but I can’t remember when the last time I’ve read a book that had like two different plot lines. I say this is my biggest issue but looking back I’m not actually sure it was a bad thing. If it would’ve been split up and made into two separate books, they both would’ve been too short but at the same time it’s a little confusing when you’re reading and get to that ‘first ending’. I’m not really sure how I feel about it and that’s my issue.
Shade has many different supernatural aspects. In this book we have the different clans, each having their own special abilities, and then some seemingly odd ball originals thrown into the mix who don’t necessarily fit with a clan. Clen belongs to the Shades and he can rip out people’s souls. There are also shape-shifters. The people in this clan transform into giant bear-like monsters who I’m sure would make the wolves from Twilight run for the hills. Another clan is rooted in mental abilities. These people can read minds, are telepathic, sensitive to emotions and feelings, are walking lie detectors, are telekinetic, and so much more. Now we’ve all seen these abilities in one move, TV show, book or another but it’s not often that we seem them all blended together in one storyline. That was a very neat part of this book. The way that each clan had it’s own set of abilities and how the clans functioned in the storyline was really creative and well-executed. It’s not something that was easy to do I’m sure so props to Cody.
Another part of Shade I enjoyed was the characters. Clen may be mopey and all ‘leave me alone’ in the beginning–and I’m not saying that that changes significantly throughout the book–but he’s also sarcastic and cynical. He brings a dark humor to the table with his take on the present situation. I loved that. Clen’s best friend Ollie is a riot as well but in a different way. He’s basically the polar opposite of Clen but keeping the humor, although not near as cynical. Ollie is one of those guys that you would just want to be around and I enjoyed all the scenes where he had dialogue. As for the other characters, I’m going to avoid spoiling anything and not name names and just use the general, everyone has their own redeeming qualities and you can see how each one was so well thought out to fit into the story and have a purpose. There weren’t really any fluff characters, everyone had a role.
A great aspect of the plot was the flashbacks that Clen was able to have. They really helped to explain what was going on with the clans and the reason for their past conflict. The way that Clen is able to see bits and pieces at a time is wonderful because then the reader wasn’t forced to get a giant explanation from another character and end up getting overwhelmed by it all. Each time he saw something it related to what was currently happening, it didn’t ever overextend it’s reach beyond the necessary.
I think my favorite part of Shade was the fact that one minor detail in the beginning plays such a major role in the last half of the book. When you read the beginning Clen is giving a little back story on this local ghost story and then it kind of gets shelved for a while and you’re thinking to yourself if that was even necessary and you just shrug and go along reading. But, it ends up coming back to the surface and explains so many things when you get farther in the story. When that happens it’s sort of an ‘aha’ moment because you know now it was introduced in the beginning for a reason. I love it when authors use tricks like that.
Oooh but another cool part that I almost forgot is that Cody uses the metaphor of mirrors multiple times in the story to show how Clen views himself and then how he sees himself changing as a person. It comes up after certain key events in the story and really does a good job showing how that event affected Clen. It’s another neat trick that I wasn’t expecting and am so glad was included.
Shade was great. I really enjoyed all that it’s about. Definitely a debut worth reading!
December 27, 2014
**I was given this book for free from the author so he wouldn't kill my soul...er, I mean in exchange for my honest review.**
4.5 stars rounded up
(Why 4.5? I dunno, it just seems right.)
"It seems like all we do now is plan how to break into psychiatric hospitals and plot to overthrow small-town tyrants. I miss the days when things were simple."
Shadeby Cody Stewart is the story of Clen Kiernan, a teen who faces a community filled with fear... of him. He doesn't know why, and his own parents have him seeing a psychiatrist. But after a freaky run-in at a rave and hearing a voice in his head, he finds himself running for his life. Turns out everyone's been keeping secrets from Clen and literally nothing is as it seems in his seemingly sleepy hometown.
To quote Clen's best friend, Ollie,
"Are they vampires? They better not be vampires."
And,
"I'm so sick of werewolves. If we end up fighting vampires, I'll probably puke in my mouth."
Ha!! This book... totally quotable.
To start off with, if you hate, detest, and feel inclined toward murder when you read first-person, present tense POV, just quit. Walk away; read no more of this review. It ain't for you. I personally love it and write in it myself. Grammatically, it could've used a line-edit once over, but that's just me...
Moving on...
Sooo, it's told in first-person narrative, present tense. We know precisely what the narrator, Clen, knows at that exact moment, AND NOTHING MORE. I had to keep reminding myself of that because I was like, "I'm confused. I don't get it!!" Well, so is Clen; he doesn't get it either.
To be honest (which is the only way I roll here at the LH), I started this book, then quit because I didn't get where it was going. Clen has to flee town. Then all hell breaks loose at his hideaway. What promised to be romance became a black hole of nothingness for me. I closed my reading app and stepped away.
Then, I began where I left off a while later. And, wow, was I ever glad I did. I didn't really need the romance to continue. I needed information. What is Clen? Who are the people in his neighborhood? And the secrets?? Too many for one book. Too many to end without an epilogue.
I won't give you much else, except to say that it is nothing like what I expected and nothing like I've ever read. Kudos to Cody Stewart. This was exceptional. I look forward to the next book!!
4.5 stars rounded up
(Why 4.5? I dunno, it just seems right.)
"It seems like all we do now is plan how to break into psychiatric hospitals and plot to overthrow small-town tyrants. I miss the days when things were simple."
Shadeby Cody Stewart is the story of Clen Kiernan, a teen who faces a community filled with fear... of him. He doesn't know why, and his own parents have him seeing a psychiatrist. But after a freaky run-in at a rave and hearing a voice in his head, he finds himself running for his life. Turns out everyone's been keeping secrets from Clen and literally nothing is as it seems in his seemingly sleepy hometown.
To quote Clen's best friend, Ollie,
"Are they vampires? They better not be vampires."
And,
"I'm so sick of werewolves. If we end up fighting vampires, I'll probably puke in my mouth."
Ha!! This book... totally quotable.
To start off with, if you hate, detest, and feel inclined toward murder when you read first-person, present tense POV, just quit. Walk away; read no more of this review. It ain't for you. I personally love it and write in it myself. Grammatically, it could've used a line-edit once over, but that's just me...
Moving on...
Sooo, it's told in first-person narrative, present tense. We know precisely what the narrator, Clen, knows at that exact moment, AND NOTHING MORE. I had to keep reminding myself of that because I was like, "I'm confused. I don't get it!!" Well, so is Clen; he doesn't get it either.
To be honest (which is the only way I roll here at the LH), I started this book, then quit because I didn't get where it was going. Clen has to flee town. Then all hell breaks loose at his hideaway. What promised to be romance became a black hole of nothingness for me. I closed my reading app and stepped away.
Then, I began where I left off a while later. And, wow, was I ever glad I did. I didn't really need the romance to continue. I needed information. What is Clen? Who are the people in his neighborhood? And the secrets?? Too many for one book. Too many to end without an epilogue.
I won't give you much else, except to say that it is nothing like what I expected and nothing like I've ever read. Kudos to Cody Stewart. This was exceptional. I look forward to the next book!!
February 24, 2015
Shade is a awesome action packed book that will appeal to all young adults, although the main character is a male there are plenty of strong supporting female characters that will have the girls saying, " yah, see, told ya so". Shade is classified as a young adult paranormal book but you can totally loose yourself in this town, as being real and their lives happening in this odd ball way. Poor Clendon has believed most of his life that he is just a messed up kid that for some reason other people are afraid of, so he is just more comfortable by himself off in the woods or hiding in the shadows. His best friend Ollie, has his own issues, his mom is messed up and his dad left when he was just a kid, and no one knows where.
But everything changes in one night. In one night, Ollie finally talks Clen into going to party in the Raveyard, in one night the Myrmidon try to kidnap Clen only to have Niko swoop in and nab Clen at the last moment and take him to Wyn for training and a explanation of what he is. But the Myrmidon attack again before Clen's training is finished but he is forced back to Ellis to protect his family and friends not to mention find so answers to some hard questions for everyone involved to hear.
Like I said this really is a awesome book, great for everyone. The characters work great with each other and it couldn't flow much better, I truly can not wait for the next book to come out I really hope I am allow to review it too. This is a book you will want to stay up past your bedtime reading until you finish it, you will just have to find out what happens to everyone page after page until the book is done and than you will be like me - when is the next one coming out? We need it NOW!!!
But everything changes in one night. In one night, Ollie finally talks Clen into going to party in the Raveyard, in one night the Myrmidon try to kidnap Clen only to have Niko swoop in and nab Clen at the last moment and take him to Wyn for training and a explanation of what he is. But the Myrmidon attack again before Clen's training is finished but he is forced back to Ellis to protect his family and friends not to mention find so answers to some hard questions for everyone involved to hear.
Like I said this really is a awesome book, great for everyone. The characters work great with each other and it couldn't flow much better, I truly can not wait for the next book to come out I really hope I am allow to review it too. This is a book you will want to stay up past your bedtime reading until you finish it, you will just have to find out what happens to everyone page after page until the book is done and than you will be like me - when is the next one coming out? We need it NOW!!!
September 30, 2015
{My Thoughts} – Clendon Kiernan is a teenage boy that is rather unusual. He seems to be feared and disliked by his peers, he seems to be the product of bullying and he seems to also be alone, lost and misconceived. He seems to be on the outside looking in at a world that makes very little sense to him.
His father tells him to stay away from certain sorts. His mother and father pretend like his behavior is more or less normal or not observed. He disappears for days at a time and when he gets back they just act like he wasn’t gone and set up an appointment with his shrink. His shrink and his parents kept making him believe that he was crazy or that he was losing his mind.
One night a lot of stuff happens at a party that he and his friend Oliver go to and then he is more or less almost killed and then he is kidnapped. When they get to where they are going he is told it’s for his own protection. While he is there he starts to learn new things about himself. New things about his family. Eventually he gets to go back home and then he learns even more.
I really liked the relationship between Oliver and Su and how Clen was always feeling like the third wheel. I liked how Clen was described, it helped to make you feel like you were him and that you were experiencing the same things he was. This was incredibly well written.
If you want to know what happens you will need to read the book. I will say its a real page turner and I hope to read a sequel sometime in the future. There is so much room left for a continuation!
His father tells him to stay away from certain sorts. His mother and father pretend like his behavior is more or less normal or not observed. He disappears for days at a time and when he gets back they just act like he wasn’t gone and set up an appointment with his shrink. His shrink and his parents kept making him believe that he was crazy or that he was losing his mind.
One night a lot of stuff happens at a party that he and his friend Oliver go to and then he is more or less almost killed and then he is kidnapped. When they get to where they are going he is told it’s for his own protection. While he is there he starts to learn new things about himself. New things about his family. Eventually he gets to go back home and then he learns even more.
I really liked the relationship between Oliver and Su and how Clen was always feeling like the third wheel. I liked how Clen was described, it helped to make you feel like you were him and that you were experiencing the same things he was. This was incredibly well written.
If you want to know what happens you will need to read the book. I will say its a real page turner and I hope to read a sequel sometime in the future. There is so much room left for a continuation!
November 16, 2014
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Clendon Kiernan thinks he's going insane. No one, including his psychiatrist, believes otherwise. He withdraws from his friends, family, even himself. It's not uncommon for him to disappear days on end. He knows he's different, but he doesn't know why. He thinks he wants and needs answers, but once he starts getting them, does he really want to know what's living inside him?
This book is a perfect mix of intrigue, suspense, thriller, paranormal, drama, and action. You have no idea what is going on even though the author gives you bits and pieces throughout. It isn't until the very end that everything is revealed and it's a doozy. One of my absolute favorite things is when a book keeps you guessing as to what the hell is going on until the very end. It makes a book readable, addicting, and one that you've just got to finish in order to figure out what is going on. In my mind, that makes this a 5 book story.
Clendon Kiernan thinks he's going insane. No one, including his psychiatrist, believes otherwise. He withdraws from his friends, family, even himself. It's not uncommon for him to disappear days on end. He knows he's different, but he doesn't know why. He thinks he wants and needs answers, but once he starts getting them, does he really want to know what's living inside him?
This book is a perfect mix of intrigue, suspense, thriller, paranormal, drama, and action. You have no idea what is going on even though the author gives you bits and pieces throughout. It isn't until the very end that everything is revealed and it's a doozy. One of my absolute favorite things is when a book keeps you guessing as to what the hell is going on until the very end. It makes a book readable, addicting, and one that you've just got to finish in order to figure out what is going on. In my mind, that makes this a 5 book story.
March 15, 2016
Shade is a very well written paranormal thriller about a teenage boy, his dysfunctional family, paranormal enemies, and ancient mysteries. Clem is an extraordinary guy at odds with the people around him; he also struggles with his own identity. The plot is original and full of twists and turns.
November 14, 2014
I enjoyed this book about Clen who thinks he's a normal teenage boy, but in reality he has something dark and dangerous inside of him. Can he learn to master it? Great teen read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews