Heavens Shadow

by Jeff Downs, David L. Walker (Narrator)

Matthew Tanner is a young man living in an outcast village dreaming of more. He gets his chance and becomes a pilot flying a space freighter between a distant world and his own. As he works he finds out the truth of his parents murder and that his world is under the thumb of the planet's only corporation who run everyone's lives. He joins the underground and works to free his planet. 5 cassettes, appx. run time 7.5 hours.

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

5 pages, Audio Cassette

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Jeff graduated from Utah State University with an education degree and, for over 30 years, has been involved in various teaching and mentoring experiences. Currently he teaches junior high in Rexburg, Idaho. He is an avid reader, with many varied interests, who enjoys learning from books and people. He has a third degree blackbelt in Karate and enjoys working out every Saturday in his basement. Jeff and his wife, Kara, are “empty nesters” and enjoy traveling to visit their grandchildren whenever they get the chance.

Jeff believes literature should enlighten and edify. As Jeff puts it: “A biographer commented on one of my favorite authors, Sir Walter Scott. He said of the man, ‘Valor and nobility . . . to [Scott] must be in every tale for it to be worth the telling.’ I strongly believe this to be true and I’m grateful for those authors and publishers out there striving to produce uplifting and inspiring material.”

Reviews

[Kevin Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this while catching up on books at home. This starts out slowly with the background story and the action builds after about half of the book. Mild action and some fights take place and of cours there is always the love story.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this very creatively written story!

[T.K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a rough start, the book becomes quite enjoyable. It's similar to Ayn Rand's books, where noble characters fight a corrupt government, but here big business is the villian. Though it takes place on another planet that has no contact or awareness with Earth, there are many similarities to our world that sometimes bothered me. If you're going to write about waltzing to an orchestra, wearing a tux, why bother leaving the solar system?

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book looked very promising to me when I picked it up, since I am a HUGE fan of OSC's Ender series, I was a bit disappointed by the generic scripting and snail-like pace. It was an enjoyable enough read, but the plot was one that you find in dusty science fiction corners of used bookstores.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this book about every two years. Between times I try to remember just why I want to reread it. It's because it makes me think about what is important in life. Some political thinks as well. Science Fiction.

[Meghan Ball · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the greatest book I have ever read. The story was slow and promised lots of action that it never delivered. The main character is predictable and you feel like you are watching the story from the outside. I got so irritated I didn't even finish it.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. It tells of a world where the gospel is not had, but there are people who believe that there is something more than just death. It is the story of one young man and his Grandfather and the people in their town. I liked this book.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was published September 2001. Whether he intended it or not, this book foreshadows a lot of what has happened since that day. I disagree with how he tied everything up at the end, not because I don't like it, but because I don't think it would have happened that way.

[Jeannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I remember when Jeff was writing it and how he researched all of the details so well. Great book.

[Vernon Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked it up on clearance, just liked the cover and title. Didn't expect such a great story.

[Micheala · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot! It was a fun action filled book with some inspiring truths!