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Shadowclaw
220 pages, Paperback
Published August 10, 2026
About the author
Dylan Roche
6 books35 followersDylan Roche is a journalist, editor, actor, director, playwright, teacher, and marathon runner based in Annapolis, Maryland, where he's a proud dog day to Tyrion the corgi.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 24, 2026
At first, I thought this was going to be some kind of Pennywise story. Nothing wrong with that at all. And the idea was further cemented when the kids tried to end Shadowclaw. Buuutttttt.... the author had other plans for the readers. This was a good monster story with a blend of middle grade and YA elements. The ending though... I can't help but think it's not over for these kids.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
[Overview]
✍️ Writing Style: 3.5/5
📖 Plot / Storyline: 2.5/5
🌙 Character Depth: 1.5/5
🔥Character Interactions: 1.5/5
Rating - 2.5
[Spoiler-free Section]
So it says in the acknowledgments that this is YA... but it's really not. Not in the writing or the content. I wouldn't even say this is middle grade. It's honestly not very spooky and the ending was quite "disney-esque", iykyk. I'm not saying it's a bad book, I think the writing was sufficient and easy to read, the idea was kind of neat, and I did enjoy the little interactions between Ethan and Robby that we had. But this is simply not spooky. Not even a little. There is no tension because the monster does literally nothing (except for that one time).
It was an okay-ish story. Not something I would re-read or necessarily recommend but I also didn't hate it. There were some interesting bits and pieces, but ultimately Shadowclaw is kind of a boring entity. He's just some guy and his "monster" powers weren't all that impressive. I wish there was something unique about him. Him transforming is cool, but when he does literally nothing with it... then what's the point. It honestly sucks out the tension so hard when Shadowclaw just sits around or TAKES A FUCKING WALK with Ethan and expositioning with him... like... eat this goober up. What the hell are we talking for!
Ethan even asks him this and Shadowclaw says he needs him afraid...... yeah, you're doing a poor job of that. Maybe don't take a leisurely stroll with your victim?
Unfortunately I think this story doesn't manage to be spooky at all. Not even for a younger audience. I loved spooky things since childhood and I have two younger sisters and let me tell you, Gen Alpha has seen scarier things on Roblox lmao. So while this wasn't a bad book per se, it didn't manage to be anything special or spooky. And I'm saying spooky instead of scary deliberately, I don't think this book wanted to be super scary, just a lil spoopy.
I think this book could MAYBE work for very young children who are just starting to read. And this is not even meant as a diss, but simply my conclusion of the execution. YA readers will be bored and middle grade readers will probably roll their eyes when you promise them this is scary. Still... I wouldn't say this was a terrible attempt, but there is a lot of room for improvement. The cover is amazing though, props to whoever designed it!
[Spoiler Section]
[Overview]
✍️ Writing Style: 3.5/5
📖 Plot / Storyline: 2.5/5
🌙 Character Depth: 1.5/5
🔥Character Interactions: 1.5/5
Rating - 2.5
[Spoiler-free Section]
So it says in the acknowledgments that this is YA... but it's really not. Not in the writing or the content. I wouldn't even say this is middle grade. It's honestly not very spooky and the ending was quite "disney-esque", iykyk. I'm not saying it's a bad book, I think the writing was sufficient and easy to read, the idea was kind of neat, and I did enjoy the little interactions between Ethan and Robby that we had. But this is simply not spooky. Not even a little. There is no tension because the monster does literally nothing (except for that one time).
It was an okay-ish story. Not something I would re-read or necessarily recommend but I also didn't hate it. There were some interesting bits and pieces, but ultimately Shadowclaw is kind of a boring entity. He's just some guy and his "monster" powers weren't all that impressive. I wish there was something unique about him. Him transforming is cool, but when he does literally nothing with it... then what's the point. It honestly sucks out the tension so hard when Shadowclaw just sits around or TAKES A FUCKING WALK with Ethan and expositioning with him... like... eat this goober up. What the hell are we talking for!
Ethan even asks him this and Shadowclaw says he needs him afraid...... yeah, you're doing a poor job of that. Maybe don't take a leisurely stroll with your victim?
Unfortunately I think this story doesn't manage to be spooky at all. Not even for a younger audience. I loved spooky things since childhood and I have two younger sisters and let me tell you, Gen Alpha has seen scarier things on Roblox lmao. So while this wasn't a bad book per se, it didn't manage to be anything special or spooky. And I'm saying spooky instead of scary deliberately, I don't think this book wanted to be super scary, just a lil spoopy.
I think this book could MAYBE work for very young children who are just starting to read. And this is not even meant as a diss, but simply my conclusion of the execution. YA readers will be bored and middle grade readers will probably roll their eyes when you promise them this is scary. Still... I wouldn't say this was a terrible attempt, but there is a lot of room for improvement. The cover is amazing though, props to whoever designed it!
[Spoiler Section]
August 12, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Crow Teen for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Shadowclaw” by Dylan Roche had a really fun premise. A childhood séance, a missing best friend, a creepy supernatural creature, and the opportunity to go back in time and stop a murder? Very unique and fun.
Ethan has been haunted by what happened to his best friend Robby ever since they were eight. The two of them participated in a séance to summon Shadowclaw, and that night Robby disappeared and was presumed murdered. His body was never found, though, which obviously leaves Ethan wondering whether something much stranger happened. Years later, Ethan is still carrying all of that guilt and fear with him.
Then, while babysitting with his girlfriend, Ethan discovers some kids playing with a Ouija board, and suddenly he's thrown back into his eight-year-old body on the night Robby disappeared. This is where the book really starts getting interesting. Because Ethan remembers everything. He knows what's coming. He knows Robby is supposed to die. And now he has one chance to change the past.
Of course, there's a tiny problem: Shadowclaw is real.
I really liked the time-travel aspect of this. Ethan isn't just trying to survive some random monster attack; he's essentially trapped between the past and present, trying to figure out whether changing one event will actually save Robby or somehow make everything even worse. Once the story gets going, it becomes a pretty quick survival story with Ethan and his friends trying to make it until morning.
Shadowclaw himself is a pretty creepy concept. He's basically a childhood boogeyman brought to life, complete with claws and a need for a victim. There are definitely some creepy moments and a little blood and gore, although I wouldn't call this an especially terrifying horror novel. And that's probably my biggest issue with the book.
The premise promises something much scarier than the actual story delivers. I wanted Shadowclaw to feel like this absolutely horrifying supernatural force, but there were times when he felt more like a creepy guy who was hanging around waiting for everyone to finish talking. There are moments where the characters are interacting with him instead of desperately trying to escape him, and that definitely took some of the tension away for me.
I also think the beginning could have been stronger. A lot of Ethan's childhood story is explained through him telling his girlfriend what happened, and I would have much rather experienced those events through flashbacks. The story finally kicks into gear when Ethan gets sent back in time, about a quarter of the way through.
That said, I really liked Ethan as a character. He's understandably terrified by everything that's happening, but getting thrown back into the worst night of his life forces him to confront the fear he's been carrying for years. Watching him gradually find the courage to stop running from what happened was probably my favorite part of the book.
The relationships between Ethan and Robby were also a highlight. There's a genuine emotional connection there, and it gives the story some heart underneath all the supernatural stuff. I actually wish we'd gotten more of the Shadowclaw lore, because there's a really interesting idea hiding underneath the story that could have been explored much more.
And the book is short. Like, one or two sittings short. Once the time-travel portion begins, the pacing gets much faster, and suddenly Ethan and his friends are making questionable childhood decisions while trying not to get murdered by a supernatural monster. Honestly, the fact that they're kids makes some of those choices more believable. Their survival instincts aren't exactly elite.
Overall, I thought this was a fun, easy horror read with a really cool concept. I just wish it had leaned harder into the horror and given Shadowclaw a little more to do besides ominously exist. If you're looking for something super dark and terrifying, this probably won't completely scratch that itch. The concept definitely did the heavy lifting for me, and I would have happily taken another 100 pages if they meant more Shadowclaw lore, more backstory, and a scarier monster. Still, Ethan's journey was satisfying, and the ending gives him the chance to finally move forward instead of being trapped by the worst night of his childhood.
“Shadowclaw” by Dylan Roche had a really fun premise. A childhood séance, a missing best friend, a creepy supernatural creature, and the opportunity to go back in time and stop a murder? Very unique and fun.
Ethan has been haunted by what happened to his best friend Robby ever since they were eight. The two of them participated in a séance to summon Shadowclaw, and that night Robby disappeared and was presumed murdered. His body was never found, though, which obviously leaves Ethan wondering whether something much stranger happened. Years later, Ethan is still carrying all of that guilt and fear with him.
Then, while babysitting with his girlfriend, Ethan discovers some kids playing with a Ouija board, and suddenly he's thrown back into his eight-year-old body on the night Robby disappeared. This is where the book really starts getting interesting. Because Ethan remembers everything. He knows what's coming. He knows Robby is supposed to die. And now he has one chance to change the past.
Of course, there's a tiny problem: Shadowclaw is real.
I really liked the time-travel aspect of this. Ethan isn't just trying to survive some random monster attack; he's essentially trapped between the past and present, trying to figure out whether changing one event will actually save Robby or somehow make everything even worse. Once the story gets going, it becomes a pretty quick survival story with Ethan and his friends trying to make it until morning.
Shadowclaw himself is a pretty creepy concept. He's basically a childhood boogeyman brought to life, complete with claws and a need for a victim. There are definitely some creepy moments and a little blood and gore, although I wouldn't call this an especially terrifying horror novel. And that's probably my biggest issue with the book.
The premise promises something much scarier than the actual story delivers. I wanted Shadowclaw to feel like this absolutely horrifying supernatural force, but there were times when he felt more like a creepy guy who was hanging around waiting for everyone to finish talking. There are moments where the characters are interacting with him instead of desperately trying to escape him, and that definitely took some of the tension away for me.
I also think the beginning could have been stronger. A lot of Ethan's childhood story is explained through him telling his girlfriend what happened, and I would have much rather experienced those events through flashbacks. The story finally kicks into gear when Ethan gets sent back in time, about a quarter of the way through.
That said, I really liked Ethan as a character. He's understandably terrified by everything that's happening, but getting thrown back into the worst night of his life forces him to confront the fear he's been carrying for years. Watching him gradually find the courage to stop running from what happened was probably my favorite part of the book.
The relationships between Ethan and Robby were also a highlight. There's a genuine emotional connection there, and it gives the story some heart underneath all the supernatural stuff. I actually wish we'd gotten more of the Shadowclaw lore, because there's a really interesting idea hiding underneath the story that could have been explored much more.
And the book is short. Like, one or two sittings short. Once the time-travel portion begins, the pacing gets much faster, and suddenly Ethan and his friends are making questionable childhood decisions while trying not to get murdered by a supernatural monster. Honestly, the fact that they're kids makes some of those choices more believable. Their survival instincts aren't exactly elite.
Overall, I thought this was a fun, easy horror read with a really cool concept. I just wish it had leaned harder into the horror and given Shadowclaw a little more to do besides ominously exist. If you're looking for something super dark and terrifying, this probably won't completely scratch that itch. The concept definitely did the heavy lifting for me, and I would have happily taken another 100 pages if they meant more Shadowclaw lore, more backstory, and a scarier monster. Still, Ethan's journey was satisfying, and the ending gives him the chance to finally move forward instead of being trapped by the worst night of his childhood.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"Shadowclaw, Shadowclaw, come and play..."
Ethan is a teenager babysitting with his girlfriend when he walks in on the two girls playing with a Ouija board. What starts as an innocent game quickly brings back memories of a terrifying night from his own childhood—one that he's tried to leave buried. As the past begins to catch up with the present, Ethan is forced to ask himself one question: Can he change the past and save his friends?
I had such a great time with this book. The atmosphere was easily my favorite part. It was dark, eerie, and had this constant feeling that something was lurking just out of sight. Every trip into the woods and every strange encounter had me waiting for the next creepy moment, and the tension kept building until the very end.
The characters were another highlight. They all felt distinct, and I loved watching them come together when everything started spiraling out of control. Their friendships and determination made it easy to root for them, and it gave the story a lot of heart alongside all the horror.
The mix of supernatural mystery, creepy folklore, and suspense kept me turning the pages. There were several moments that genuinely gave me chills, and the dark atmosphere never let up. If you enjoy horror with an unsettling vibe, great characters, and a story that blends the past with the present, this one is definitely worth picking up. A solid 4-star read for me.
Ethan is a teenager babysitting with his girlfriend when he walks in on the two girls playing with a Ouija board. What starts as an innocent game quickly brings back memories of a terrifying night from his own childhood—one that he's tried to leave buried. As the past begins to catch up with the present, Ethan is forced to ask himself one question: Can he change the past and save his friends?
I had such a great time with this book. The atmosphere was easily my favorite part. It was dark, eerie, and had this constant feeling that something was lurking just out of sight. Every trip into the woods and every strange encounter had me waiting for the next creepy moment, and the tension kept building until the very end.
The characters were another highlight. They all felt distinct, and I loved watching them come together when everything started spiraling out of control. Their friendships and determination made it easy to root for them, and it gave the story a lot of heart alongside all the horror.
The mix of supernatural mystery, creepy folklore, and suspense kept me turning the pages. There were several moments that genuinely gave me chills, and the dark atmosphere never let up. If you enjoy horror with an unsettling vibe, great characters, and a story that blends the past with the present, this one is definitely worth picking up. A solid 4-star read for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Shadowclaw has a really creepy premise, with a childhood séance, a mysterious creature and a murder that has stayed with the characters for years. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the characters, and the story was easy and fast to read. I also liked how much time was given to the characters and their relationships, which made me care about what happened to them.
The pacing was a little slower than I expected for the length of the book, but I understood why that time was needed to develop the characters and their connections.
My biggest issue was that the horror itself wasn't quite as dark or frightening as I was hoping for. Some of the choices surrounding the supernatural elements felt a little too young for my personal taste, although I can see them working well for the intended YA audience.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and atmospheric read with an intriguing premise and characters I liked, but I was hoping for something a little darker and scarier.
The pacing was a little slower than I expected for the length of the book, but I understood why that time was needed to develop the characters and their connections.
My biggest issue was that the horror itself wasn't quite as dark or frightening as I was hoping for. Some of the choices surrounding the supernatural elements felt a little too young for my personal taste, although I can see them working well for the intended YA audience.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and atmospheric read with an intriguing premise and characters I liked, but I was hoping for something a little darker and scarier.
August 8, 2026
Not gonna lie, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this novel but I had goosebumps several times while reading it. When I was at sleepovers as a kid we played Bloody Mary, but when an Ouija board was brought out I left immediately.
Once I read that an Ouija board was used in this novel to summon an entity, I knew it was going to scare me and also hit the spot for my horror junky self.
If you’re a fan of horror I would recommend this novel. It’s short, creepy, and to the point. If it hadn’t been for work I would have read this in one sitting.
Quick Blurb:
During a sleepover Ethan and his friends decided to play with a Ouija chanting “Shadowclaw, Shadowclaw, come and play!”
That night ended with Ethan’s best friend Robby being murdered.
Now years later, Ethan is doing his best to forget the past and convince himself that Shadowclaw was only a story. But one night while babysitting he finds himself transported back in time to that fateful night. He may have the chance to save Robby from a horrific death.
Release Date: August 11th, 2026
Thank you NetGalley & Quill & Crow Publishing House for the opportunity to read an eARC for an honest review!
Once I read that an Ouija board was used in this novel to summon an entity, I knew it was going to scare me and also hit the spot for my horror junky self.
If you’re a fan of horror I would recommend this novel. It’s short, creepy, and to the point. If it hadn’t been for work I would have read this in one sitting.
Quick Blurb:
During a sleepover Ethan and his friends decided to play with a Ouija chanting “Shadowclaw, Shadowclaw, come and play!”
That night ended with Ethan’s best friend Robby being murdered.
Now years later, Ethan is doing his best to forget the past and convince himself that Shadowclaw was only a story. But one night while babysitting he finds himself transported back in time to that fateful night. He may have the chance to save Robby from a horrific death.
Release Date: August 11th, 2026
Thank you NetGalley & Quill & Crow Publishing House for the opportunity to read an eARC for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc of
Shadowclaw by Dylan Roche.
2⭐️
This was such an interesting concept, another boogeyman - like book. This cover is amazing, and creepy. The Shadowclaw parts were creepy and adds chills to the air. But the overall story fell flat. Felt repetitive between the chapters. The characters felt one dimensional, no personality, very generic. This is marketed as a YA but felt more like a middle grade with blood and curse words. I feel that if this was a bit more flushed out and a little longer, that it would have a higher rating.
Shadowclaw by Dylan Roche.
2⭐️
This was such an interesting concept, another boogeyman - like book. This cover is amazing, and creepy. The Shadowclaw parts were creepy and adds chills to the air. But the overall story fell flat. Felt repetitive between the chapters. The characters felt one dimensional, no personality, very generic. This is marketed as a YA but felt more like a middle grade with blood and curse words. I feel that if this was a bit more flushed out and a little longer, that it would have a higher rating.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Shadowclaw was an excellent supernatural horror story that had me hooked almost immediately. I loved the time travel aspect and watching Ethan jump between two points in his life as he tried to stop Shadowclaw. It was fast-paced, creepy, and I especially loved that it went against the usual idea that the past can't be changed. I couldn't put this one down and ended up reading the entire book in one sitting. An easy 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read the ARC of Shadowclaw. It's well-written, very creepy and fast-paced. There's a lot of story and atmosphere in under 180 pages. I couldn't put the book down and read it in one go, it was that good!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I went into this book kind of blind and I found myself hooked from the start. It had this creepiness that came out right at the start and you knew it was going to stick around. I found myself super into the urban legend that is featured in the book and it really had some great twists and turns.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews