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The Shadow and the Light
There once was a man known as the Shadow. His hands wrought darkness, and through him, the Ending War gave rise to fear and devastation. He would have destroyed the land but for the Light, which stood in his way. And so, for nearly a century, he was imprisoned in a deep sleep. Yet the Shadow stirs once again.
- GenresFantasy
486 pages, Paperback
First published July 16, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 27, 2021
I read an ebook of this book.
I found this book in my kindle library and I'm unsure if it was sent to me by the author or not but I thought I'd give it a read. And boy am I not disappointed. This book is shown from multiple perspectives; Nathan, a woodlander teen living with his found family in a city that hates him and his people; Zain, the newly awoken Shadow Eorin who has been trapped within a tomb for 83 years and then bits from the other characters too. Zain is the Shadow. A troubled boy who welcomed the darkness in all those years ago and has not let it go since. He is awake and he is looking for his light. He is welcomed back by hoards as the world begins to fall into chaos. He is told his princess has died but the light has been reborn into a new princess, who after meeting Zain, soon finds herself in the company of Nathan and his adopted sister Patria who are leaving the city to go and find Nathan's biological brother Miles in the woodlander village of Greenwyth. Nathan and company find themselves following the princess into war to defeat Zain.
What struck me about this story is that it highlights something I fully buy into. Nobody evil is truly evil and nobody good is ever really good. It is choices and events along the way that shape the path we take. Zain chose evil because reality was just too hard. I loved how this author used nature inspired imagery to allow these characters to develop and be explored and I found myself getting upset for Zain and co as the story went on. I really enjoyed this read and if you can find it, I would read it. It is a well written fantasy and it definitely reads like a big house published fantasy.
I found this book in my kindle library and I'm unsure if it was sent to me by the author or not but I thought I'd give it a read. And boy am I not disappointed. This book is shown from multiple perspectives; Nathan, a woodlander teen living with his found family in a city that hates him and his people; Zain, the newly awoken Shadow Eorin who has been trapped within a tomb for 83 years and then bits from the other characters too. Zain is the Shadow. A troubled boy who welcomed the darkness in all those years ago and has not let it go since. He is awake and he is looking for his light. He is welcomed back by hoards as the world begins to fall into chaos. He is told his princess has died but the light has been reborn into a new princess, who after meeting Zain, soon finds herself in the company of Nathan and his adopted sister Patria who are leaving the city to go and find Nathan's biological brother Miles in the woodlander village of Greenwyth. Nathan and company find themselves following the princess into war to defeat Zain.
What struck me about this story is that it highlights something I fully buy into. Nobody evil is truly evil and nobody good is ever really good. It is choices and events along the way that shape the path we take. Zain chose evil because reality was just too hard. I loved how this author used nature inspired imagery to allow these characters to develop and be explored and I found myself getting upset for Zain and co as the story went on. I really enjoyed this read and if you can find it, I would read it. It is a well written fantasy and it definitely reads like a big house published fantasy.
August 19, 2015
"Memories, every last one of them, memories embroidered with pain and sorrow, bits and pieces of a life that he realized belonged to him."
From the very first moment, you really FEEL for him, even though he is 'darkness'. As I read the first chapter, I believe that in a way I understood how Satan must have felt upon being banished to hell! Indeed, the combined burden of agonizing pain, the inner turmoil and painful memories ("Better than suffering an eternity trapped inside his own mind, chased by nightmares that had been all too real in the life that had existed before?") could not have been carried more appropriately by any other character than someone who represents DARKNESS in its totality!
I love how the author introduces her characters by creating solid atmosphere which is described with such vivid imagery that you actually feel the character, including his pains, emotions, inner turmoil, desires, ambitions, dreams, etc., very well, all through that one atmosphere. That is truly a mark of a solid writer. Take the fantasy elements out of it and you would not find a more a realistic story of two characters standing on opposite ends of the spectrum than this one. The dialogs are often said in a matter-of-fact tone by the characters, which adds to its realism:
“What is he babbling on about, a record?” Nathan heard
Jay mumble to Miles.
“We'll explain it all later,” was Miles' distracted reply.
“I'll take us there.” Baldarich strode into what was left of the village, his massive figure cutting an intimidating sight through the drifting ash and smoke.
On the other hand, sometimes some characters speak in the same way which makes it hard to distinguish between their 'different voices'. Another negative I found in the book is the usage of lots of choppy sentences; perhaps it is part of the author's style but it does get irritating at times. However all these minor flaws can be overlooked in favor of the rock solid atmosphere which the author has created; truly it is the atmosphere which carries the story forward and keeps your emotions at an all time high; characters seem to be rather secondary to this intimidating atmosphere:
"Once more, the forest changed, and now it was filled with horrendous moans and sobs. A scene of sweat and blood. Arienne watched as Zain leaned helplessly over his sister, clutching her hand, brushing her damp hair. Tears fell from his eyes onto Zilpa's face as he spoke words of comfort into her ear. She was white and sickly, and pained grunts escaped through her clenched teeth." On a lesser note, I also found the chapter titles to be quite creative yet appropriate.
Highly recommended for someone who loves the fantasy genre but wants something different than the 'run of the mill' stuff.
Comment
From the very first moment, you really FEEL for him, even though he is 'darkness'. As I read the first chapter, I believe that in a way I understood how Satan must have felt upon being banished to hell! Indeed, the combined burden of agonizing pain, the inner turmoil and painful memories ("Better than suffering an eternity trapped inside his own mind, chased by nightmares that had been all too real in the life that had existed before?") could not have been carried more appropriately by any other character than someone who represents DARKNESS in its totality!
I love how the author introduces her characters by creating solid atmosphere which is described with such vivid imagery that you actually feel the character, including his pains, emotions, inner turmoil, desires, ambitions, dreams, etc., very well, all through that one atmosphere. That is truly a mark of a solid writer. Take the fantasy elements out of it and you would not find a more a realistic story of two characters standing on opposite ends of the spectrum than this one. The dialogs are often said in a matter-of-fact tone by the characters, which adds to its realism:
“What is he babbling on about, a record?” Nathan heard
Jay mumble to Miles.
“We'll explain it all later,” was Miles' distracted reply.
“I'll take us there.” Baldarich strode into what was left of the village, his massive figure cutting an intimidating sight through the drifting ash and smoke.
On the other hand, sometimes some characters speak in the same way which makes it hard to distinguish between their 'different voices'. Another negative I found in the book is the usage of lots of choppy sentences; perhaps it is part of the author's style but it does get irritating at times. However all these minor flaws can be overlooked in favor of the rock solid atmosphere which the author has created; truly it is the atmosphere which carries the story forward and keeps your emotions at an all time high; characters seem to be rather secondary to this intimidating atmosphere:
"Once more, the forest changed, and now it was filled with horrendous moans and sobs. A scene of sweat and blood. Arienne watched as Zain leaned helplessly over his sister, clutching her hand, brushing her damp hair. Tears fell from his eyes onto Zilpa's face as he spoke words of comfort into her ear. She was white and sickly, and pained grunts escaped through her clenched teeth." On a lesser note, I also found the chapter titles to be quite creative yet appropriate.
Highly recommended for someone who loves the fantasy genre but wants something different than the 'run of the mill' stuff.
Comment
September 10, 2015
An archetypal story with seven leading characters, among them a muse, an old man, and three hero archetypes, this novel has a certain appeal, not different from George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire. What makes this novel interesting is the author's ability to tell a grim story in a fairytale-like manner that although the reader is immersed in The Shadow, he/she can't help but be optimistic that in one of the four hundred pages of the book, a hero—or two—will come and save him/her.
With her knack of using words to create an imaginary world full of intricate details and amazing and lovable characters, S.K. Michels is undeniably a talented author to watch out for.
For full review:
https://theybascouniversity.wordpress...
August 16, 2015
When it comes to the genre of fantasy books I search for a story that is diferent, original and this was the case with The Shadow and the Light. It is an epic, well written fantasy about a man called Zain, who holds the darkness within him and is called the shadow and another called Nathan who is an orphaned woodlander. In their world there is a person who holds the light within them and while Zain covets it, Nathan suddenly finds himself having to protect it. I won't give anymore away for those who want to read the story. The shadow and the light is the kind of book that is hard to put down and absorbs you into every page, a truly great read!
March 4, 2016
I'd like to thank the author for providing me with a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review :)
The Shadow and the Light is a brilliant work of art with its beautiful writing,vivid descriptions,unique plot,fantastic world building and amazingly realistic and admirable characters.
We follow,in this epic battle of Light and Dark,two young boys--Nathan,a shy woodlander,and Zain tge Shadow--who find themselves at the opposite ends of re-emerging war not so different from the one that broke out eighty-three years ago. The Shadow has reawakened,abd another is known to be bearing the Light hindering his path.
The writing is something that captivates you from the very beginning. Reading the descriptions,for me,was like watching an artist paint wonders before your eyes. Everything too beautiful and breath-taking to be real.
The Light shone shone from her skin,casting about the room in dancing beams that warmed all those that gazed upon her. A magnificent creature,so powerful,so distant,so wonderous and strange and out of reach. It almost seemed she did not belong to this world,she should walk instead through palaces in the heavens,or labyrinths of deep seas. Forests where trees stretched out of sight,with canopies that spread for miles,or mountains that glittered white and violet.
I love nature-inspired stories! (I even have a separate shelf for it). This book was a great one. It was like a portal into another world. The whole time,I was surrounded by the greens of the forests,the winds of the mountains,the roar of a waterfall,or the smells of gardens. I did not ever want to leave those places.
I found the plot unique,with its intriguing twists. The mystery of Zain's past,though,was making me anxious. Why did his head always hurt so much? What did his nightmares mean? Whose memories were driving him mad? But as I got the answers--and at the right time-- I realized it was worth the wait.
The characters were really relatable and I loved the character developments! I loved how you got to feel how they felt,and see the world through their eyes and understand them deeply. It was beautiful.
The Shadow and the Light had been a phenomenal adventure for me and it's become one of my favorite books ever!
The Shadow and the Light is a brilliant work of art with its beautiful writing,vivid descriptions,unique plot,fantastic world building and amazingly realistic and admirable characters.
We follow,in this epic battle of Light and Dark,two young boys--Nathan,a shy woodlander,and Zain tge Shadow--who find themselves at the opposite ends of re-emerging war not so different from the one that broke out eighty-three years ago. The Shadow has reawakened,abd another is known to be bearing the Light hindering his path.
The writing is something that captivates you from the very beginning. Reading the descriptions,for me,was like watching an artist paint wonders before your eyes. Everything too beautiful and breath-taking to be real.
The Light shone shone from her skin,casting about the room in dancing beams that warmed all those that gazed upon her. A magnificent creature,so powerful,so distant,so wonderous and strange and out of reach. It almost seemed she did not belong to this world,she should walk instead through palaces in the heavens,or labyrinths of deep seas. Forests where trees stretched out of sight,with canopies that spread for miles,or mountains that glittered white and violet.
I love nature-inspired stories! (I even have a separate shelf for it). This book was a great one. It was like a portal into another world. The whole time,I was surrounded by the greens of the forests,the winds of the mountains,the roar of a waterfall,or the smells of gardens. I did not ever want to leave those places.
I found the plot unique,with its intriguing twists. The mystery of Zain's past,though,was making me anxious. Why did his head always hurt so much? What did his nightmares mean? Whose memories were driving him mad? But as I got the answers--and at the right time-- I realized it was worth the wait.
The characters were really relatable and I loved the character developments! I loved how you got to feel how they felt,and see the world through their eyes and understand them deeply. It was beautiful.
The Shadow and the Light had been a phenomenal adventure for me and it's become one of my favorite books ever!
January 13, 2016
Another fantasy adventure that drew me into characters as well as battle of good and evil. Eighty Three years ago the shadow is locked away as light gives her life to rid the world of it. Things in this novel are never as they seem. Loved watching Nathan go from youth to manhood as he finds courage to be who he is meant to be. Loved the wolf with a horn that is the lights protector. Not just humans in this story but other species as well and how they come together to battle the shadow that has found himself unleashed again. Is a fun fantasy. Thanks to Goodreads and S. K. Michels
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews