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Absence: Whispers and Shadow
FINALIST in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2016
'A superbly plotted fantasy. A finalist and highly recommended.' The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Absence - Whispers and Shadow is the first of a two part epic paranormal fantasy.
In a superstitious world of ghosts and spirit demons, where the membrane between the living and the dead runs thin; Della hides in full view. She has a secret called Absence she doesn't dare reveal; for to do so would risk being branded a witch. When an act of curiosity burdens her with shadow, she is thrust onto a dangerous path that will change her forever.
Can she trust the boy whose dead sister haunts the lake? Or the uncompromising exorcist whose order she spent most of her life running from?
'A superbly plotted fantasy. A finalist and highly recommended.' The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Absence - Whispers and Shadow is the first of a two part epic paranormal fantasy.
In a superstitious world of ghosts and spirit demons, where the membrane between the living and the dead runs thin; Della hides in full view. She has a secret called Absence she doesn't dare reveal; for to do so would risk being branded a witch. When an act of curiosity burdens her with shadow, she is thrust onto a dangerous path that will change her forever.
Can she trust the boy whose dead sister haunts the lake? Or the uncompromising exorcist whose order she spent most of her life running from?
- GenresFantasy
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2016
169 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
J.B. Forsyth
17 books8 followersJ.B.Forsyth lives with his wife and three children in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.
He is the author of the ABSENCE fantasy novels and their spin-off series TALES OF THE WESTLAND. Other works include TWISTED, a short story series set in and around Scarborough.
He is the author of the ABSENCE fantasy novels and their spin-off series TALES OF THE WESTLAND. Other works include TWISTED, a short story series set in and around Scarborough.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 9, 2021
Another free book that I enjoyed. It is very late right now and I need to sleep. Wonderful adventure.
I'll try Google for the 2nd book. If they don't have it, I am moving onto a new book.
I'll try Google for the 2nd book. If they don't have it, I am moving onto a new book.
August 21, 2017
Absence. We know the meaning of the word. I would encourage, better still, exort you not to be absent from the pages of this imaginative debut novel from from pen of J.B.Forsyth.
Forsyth guides us into a fascinating world of marauding exorcists, superstitious villages and fantastic creatures. The malign threat of witchcraft seeps through the fabric of daily life, its frightened victims are prime target for the exorcists' potent scour. Riding out from Irongate, their forbidding citadel, on missions to purge evil spirits, they have a busy workload.
Irongate, their city and power base. The very name resonates with a clang and a ring like an avenging sword. But above all. In the city square, a looming presence, squat and inscrutable, a riddle within an enigma, casting an ominous shadow over the wary citizens. This is the Reader, the nominal king. A colossal being, an amalgamation of an ancient race.
He sits there, he has always been there, from the birth of the city like a dormant volcano. Any flicker of life exists deep within and will only manifest itself when the delegated rulers of Irongate seek its divine guidance.
But it is a fragile existence, conspiracy is in the air. The exorcists are undermined by a power grab by one of its leaders, Izle Rohn to serve his own evil ends. Will he win this fiercely contested war of the minds, will his scour prevail that of his mentor Kaas Riole?
Yet his nemesis comes from an unexpected quarter. Sent on a mission to exorcise an evil spirit of the forest, the enigmatic Ormis and his redoubtable companion, Kring, a four armed warrior of the Toruck tribe, encounter the mysterious girl Della.
She is no ordinary girl. Trapped in childhood and left a cripple by a bite from an evil serpent, Della is a child of the stars with incredible powers. Powers that can defeat the dark arts of the malevolent Izle Rohn. This is Absence. She can transcend her physical presence to travel the world unseen and unheard. She can see the ghosts and spirits that wander the land. Will her powers be engaged to thwart the ambitions of Izla Rohn and be enough to destroy the iron rule of the Reader?
Follow Della, the girl from the mists of time on her incredible journey populated with memorable characters. The heroic Kring, a man to be reckoned with when the chips are down and Ormis, the indecipherable question mark, with his flame tattoo, streaking up his neck, under the shadow of his rakish hat This is one adventure not to be missed, so don't be Absent. Loose yourself in this wierd and intriguing world of ghosts, spirits and witches, not to mention the searing vivid scours of the exorcists. You won't regret it.
Whilst still in the grip of the exorcists, join them for further adventures for Tales of the Westland - also by the same author.
Forsyth guides us into a fascinating world of marauding exorcists, superstitious villages and fantastic creatures. The malign threat of witchcraft seeps through the fabric of daily life, its frightened victims are prime target for the exorcists' potent scour. Riding out from Irongate, their forbidding citadel, on missions to purge evil spirits, they have a busy workload.
Irongate, their city and power base. The very name resonates with a clang and a ring like an avenging sword. But above all. In the city square, a looming presence, squat and inscrutable, a riddle within an enigma, casting an ominous shadow over the wary citizens. This is the Reader, the nominal king. A colossal being, an amalgamation of an ancient race.
He sits there, he has always been there, from the birth of the city like a dormant volcano. Any flicker of life exists deep within and will only manifest itself when the delegated rulers of Irongate seek its divine guidance.
But it is a fragile existence, conspiracy is in the air. The exorcists are undermined by a power grab by one of its leaders, Izle Rohn to serve his own evil ends. Will he win this fiercely contested war of the minds, will his scour prevail that of his mentor Kaas Riole?
Yet his nemesis comes from an unexpected quarter. Sent on a mission to exorcise an evil spirit of the forest, the enigmatic Ormis and his redoubtable companion, Kring, a four armed warrior of the Toruck tribe, encounter the mysterious girl Della.
She is no ordinary girl. Trapped in childhood and left a cripple by a bite from an evil serpent, Della is a child of the stars with incredible powers. Powers that can defeat the dark arts of the malevolent Izle Rohn. This is Absence. She can transcend her physical presence to travel the world unseen and unheard. She can see the ghosts and spirits that wander the land. Will her powers be engaged to thwart the ambitions of Izla Rohn and be enough to destroy the iron rule of the Reader?
Follow Della, the girl from the mists of time on her incredible journey populated with memorable characters. The heroic Kring, a man to be reckoned with when the chips are down and Ormis, the indecipherable question mark, with his flame tattoo, streaking up his neck, under the shadow of his rakish hat This is one adventure not to be missed, so don't be Absent. Loose yourself in this wierd and intriguing world of ghosts, spirits and witches, not to mention the searing vivid scours of the exorcists. You won't regret it.
Whilst still in the grip of the exorcists, join them for further adventures for Tales of the Westland - also by the same author.
May 10, 2017
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Absence - Volume One: Whispers and Shadow
Author: J B Forsyth
Star Rating: 4.5 Stars
Number of Readers: 28
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 28 readers:
28 would read another book by this author.
28 thought the cover was good or excellent.
28 felt it was easy to follow.
28 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
16 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Readers’ Comments
‘Firstly, I loved the cover. It perfectly fits the story. This is a page turner. The pacing is perfect, and Della is interesting and well-developed.’ Male reader, aged 34
‘Ghosts, demons and a host of problems for the hero to face. Excellent ending too.’ Female reader, aged 41
‘This author is very, very good. He works well with character and speech. But it’s his ability to put together a thrilling plot that is his best quality. Nice cover too.’ Male reader, aged 56
‘I thought this was rather scary. So I loved it.’ Female reader, aged 55¨
‘There’s a good flow to this book. The writing style has a romantic sort of feel to it; flowing, a little bit velvety perhaps. I enjoyed the language very much. It felt like a warm blanket to wrap myself in.’ Female reader, aged 67
‘Strongly plotted and populated with memorable characters, both good and evil.’ Female reader, aged 29
‘A superbly plotted fantasy. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Absence - Volume One: Whispers and Shadow
Author: J B Forsyth
Star Rating: 4.5 Stars
Number of Readers: 28
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 28 readers:
28 would read another book by this author.
28 thought the cover was good or excellent.
28 felt it was easy to follow.
28 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
16 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Readers’ Comments
‘Firstly, I loved the cover. It perfectly fits the story. This is a page turner. The pacing is perfect, and Della is interesting and well-developed.’ Male reader, aged 34
‘Ghosts, demons and a host of problems for the hero to face. Excellent ending too.’ Female reader, aged 41
‘This author is very, very good. He works well with character and speech. But it’s his ability to put together a thrilling plot that is his best quality. Nice cover too.’ Male reader, aged 56
‘I thought this was rather scary. So I loved it.’ Female reader, aged 55¨
‘There’s a good flow to this book. The writing style has a romantic sort of feel to it; flowing, a little bit velvety perhaps. I enjoyed the language very much. It felt like a warm blanket to wrap myself in.’ Female reader, aged 67
‘Strongly plotted and populated with memorable characters, both good and evil.’ Female reader, aged 29
‘A superbly plotted fantasy. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
September 15, 2019
I find this book difficult to review because while I really enjoyed the story, I found the writing frustrating. Let me explain. This is not a standalone book nor one of a series. It is a continuing serial laid out like a series of short stories with different main characters, all moving together through the same main plotline. The constant shifts to a new point of view require a mental reset, and the necessity of explaining the new setting and characters each time gets in the way of our enjoyment of the story. Worse, the tale comes to a halt in the middle of the action of the last story, requiring that you buy the next book in order to find out what happens.
Likewise, the writing style needs cleaning up and polishing, being filled with too much description, both of settings and minute details of action, that slow down the pace to a frustrating crawl at times.
Having stated my complaints, I must say that the characters are realistic and sympathetic, and the conflicts are compelling. I found myself reading well past my usual bedtime without realizing it. The setting descriptions are creative and appropriate to the conflict, just rather out of control.
Recommended for Fantasy fans who like highly detailed settings and aren’t overly concerned with polished writing.
Likewise, the writing style needs cleaning up and polishing, being filled with too much description, both of settings and minute details of action, that slow down the pace to a frustrating crawl at times.
Having stated my complaints, I must say that the characters are realistic and sympathetic, and the conflicts are compelling. I found myself reading well past my usual bedtime without realizing it. The setting descriptions are creative and appropriate to the conflict, just rather out of control.
Recommended for Fantasy fans who like highly detailed settings and aren’t overly concerned with polished writing.
November 21, 2019
Delia and her uncle live in a small village. She has a bad leg and girls at school are constantly making fun of her. There is poison in her leg and she has to visit the Absence every day, in order to keep the poison from reaching her organs.
In this high fantasy world, there is membrane between the world of the living and world of the dead. It's thin and a few people that can cross it, like Della and her uncle. They can leave their bodies behind and fly around like ghosts, invisible to the ordinary people and stop aging. There is when the troubles, starts. One day she senses a strange creature in the absence and almost gets trapped by it. When escaping she takes something from her and her leg heal. But the creature is not done. She and her uncle have to run and hide, but he doesn't make it. Now left alone she is not sure who she can trust. It's only the start of very complex story.
The story is set in a high fantasy world, which is very well developed and very interesting.
My only complaint, the story is very dense and at times, it really slows down the flow of the story.
received from Author
In this high fantasy world, there is membrane between the world of the living and world of the dead. It's thin and a few people that can cross it, like Della and her uncle. They can leave their bodies behind and fly around like ghosts, invisible to the ordinary people and stop aging. There is when the troubles, starts. One day she senses a strange creature in the absence and almost gets trapped by it. When escaping she takes something from her and her leg heal. But the creature is not done. She and her uncle have to run and hide, but he doesn't make it. Now left alone she is not sure who she can trust. It's only the start of very complex story.
The story is set in a high fantasy world, which is very well developed and very interesting.
My only complaint, the story is very dense and at times, it really slows down the flow of the story.
received from Author
September 26, 2017
Are you absent? Don't be. Join Della for her amazing adventures. She has an incredible power - the power of Absence. Della can leave her mortal body, trapped in childhood by the poison of an evil foot soldier, to enter a world of spirits, demons and magical forces.
Meet the warrior exorcists, like the Knights Templer on a mission to hunt out and scour those in the grip of malevolent spirits. The enigmatic Ormis, like a laconic trouble shooter from the wild west, with his rakish hat and flame tatoo. And Kring. Who could forget Kring. The heroic warrior from the four armed Toruck race. I loved Kring. You always want him on your side when the chips are down.
Della has that one thing the exorcists would give their scours for. The power of Absence. I would love to tell you more, but I am too busy on my adventure. So don't be absent. Join me - you won't regret it.
Oh! I forgot to tell you about the Reader. Oh never mind - I'll let you find out.
Meet the warrior exorcists, like the Knights Templer on a mission to hunt out and scour those in the grip of malevolent spirits. The enigmatic Ormis, like a laconic trouble shooter from the wild west, with his rakish hat and flame tatoo. And Kring. Who could forget Kring. The heroic warrior from the four armed Toruck race. I loved Kring. You always want him on your side when the chips are down.
Della has that one thing the exorcists would give their scours for. The power of Absence. I would love to tell you more, but I am too busy on my adventure. So don't be absent. Join me - you won't regret it.
Oh! I forgot to tell you about the Reader. Oh never mind - I'll let you find out.
March 5, 2021
The only reason I did not give this 5 stars is because the book is absolutely LITTERED with typos, grammatical errors, omitted words, extra words etc. This does detract from the story somewhat.
HOWEVER. The story itself is fabulous! I truly thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters have great depth and are very easy to empathise with. Their descriptions are great, I can visualise them all. The characters are kind of all thrown together through no fault of their own and through various tragedies. In parts it is quite gruesome and incredibly descriptive. There has been a lot of thought out into this. The world craft is wonderful, the ideas of some of the characters gifts and skills are just wonderful. I want to go back again.
This is the beginning of a series and I honestly did not want to put it down and cannot wait for the next instalment.
HOWEVER. The story itself is fabulous! I truly thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters have great depth and are very easy to empathise with. Their descriptions are great, I can visualise them all. The characters are kind of all thrown together through no fault of their own and through various tragedies. In parts it is quite gruesome and incredibly descriptive. There has been a lot of thought out into this. The world craft is wonderful, the ideas of some of the characters gifts and skills are just wonderful. I want to go back again.
This is the beginning of a series and I honestly did not want to put it down and cannot wait for the next instalment.
December 8, 2021
I liked this book. The plot is pretty interesting as are the characters. I did think that Della didn't act like someone who is 5 centuries old. She talked about how her uncle treated her like a child because she looks like one, but I think she didn't really use the wisdom that she should have developed in the 500 years that she was able to survive. I thought she acted kind of childish.
There was some pretty poor editing in this book. It seemed like they only used spell check for editing. There were many instances where an incorrect word was used that was an actual word, but obviously didn't make sense in the sentence, e.g. "hansom" instead of "handsome" and "massage" instead of "message". Mistakes like these really interrupt the flow of the story and is a pretty careless editing mistake.
There was some pretty poor editing in this book. It seemed like they only used spell check for editing. There were many instances where an incorrect word was used that was an actual word, but obviously didn't make sense in the sentence, e.g. "hansom" instead of "handsome" and "massage" instead of "message". Mistakes like these really interrupt the flow of the story and is a pretty careless editing mistake.
November 19, 2020
I really wish I would have known this story would end with such a cliffhanger, especially after investing SO much time with its slow beginning. The story only really gets going after mid-way through, which is a lot to ask of a reader, only to end up finishing just as it was starting to get good.
Now that my gripes are out of the way, what can I say, I loved it. Della was a very richly created character, and I really cared for her. Ormis is one of the coolest characters I have read in a while, and his backstory had me reading until it that chapter was finished. He was introduced so late in the story, it's hard to imagine he is one of the main characters. I think the first 25% of the book could have been shortened.
Recommended for any dark, gothic fantasy lovers out there.
Now that my gripes are out of the way, what can I say, I loved it. Della was a very richly created character, and I really cared for her. Ormis is one of the coolest characters I have read in a while, and his backstory had me reading until it that chapter was finished. He was introduced so late in the story, it's hard to imagine he is one of the main characters. I think the first 25% of the book could have been shortened.
Recommended for any dark, gothic fantasy lovers out there.
February 1, 2024
Absence was an interesting story of an orphaned girl, Della, living with her uncle, and a runaway boy named Kye. It's not a bad tale, but sometimes I really don't like when a book can't stand on it's own. This is one of those end on a cliff hanger books. Sometimes, after reading the last page, I will hop right on Amazon to purchase the next one and find out what happens next. I don't want to know that badly.
September 14, 2017
This is a fantastic and unique story , very well written with fascinating imagery and appropriate atmosphere. Each chapter is filled with poetic descriptions and absorbing characters which made the story incredible. Unknowingly, I was flowing with the characters along the different paths of their journey. The portrayal of Ormis' flashback captured my mind and wet my eyes.
November 11, 2022
Excellent
Great characters, interesting plot, and no dull moments. I could skip some of the descriptions of the geography as scenery doesn’t interest me, but I understand it’s necessary to the building of the world. This is an excellent fantasy and an interesting world. Can’t wait to get the next book to see what happens to Della.
Great characters, interesting plot, and no dull moments. I could skip some of the descriptions of the geography as scenery doesn’t interest me, but I understand it’s necessary to the building of the world. This is an excellent fantasy and an interesting world. Can’t wait to get the next book to see what happens to Della.
July 27, 2023
Living a long life has its pitfalls.
I hadn't realized when I got this book that it was set in the past when superstition dictated everyone's actions. It is intriguing, scary, and macabre. It reveals a supernatural ability that allows Della's spirit to leave her body. Let the chaos begin!
I hadn't realized when I got this book that it was set in the past when superstition dictated everyone's actions. It is intriguing, scary, and macabre. It reveals a supernatural ability that allows Della's spirit to leave her body. Let the chaos begin!
October 19, 2018
Couldn’t put it down till I finished
Love it, but kept thinking I hope I don’t have nightmares tonight, it’s pretty scarey when you think about it, most people will love if this is what they love.
Love it, but kept thinking I hope I don’t have nightmares tonight, it’s pretty scarey when you think about it, most people will love if this is what they love.
March 9, 2019
A very good sci-fi fantasy book
This book will hold your attention from beginning, I hope there are not too many as this could get expensive. to end and then make you seek for the sequel
This book will hold your attention from beginning, I hope there are not too many as this could get expensive. to end and then make you seek for the sequel
August 5, 2020
Brutal and graphic violence
I liked the writing style, though spelling and punctuation mistakes are noticeable. The bloody violence and frightening imagery are making me decide against continuing the series.
I liked the writing style, though spelling and punctuation mistakes are noticeable. The bloody violence and frightening imagery are making me decide against continuing the series.
September 9, 2017
Not recommended.
Interesting, but the final chapter seemed to be a trick to sell a second book. Very deceiving. I won't be reading the rest of the set.
Interesting, but the final chapter seemed to be a trick to sell a second book. Very deceiving. I won't be reading the rest of the set.
October 11, 2018
Good story
Great tale with fascinating characters. I enjoyed the world-building, and the creatures, but wish the book had been properly edited.
Great tale with fascinating characters. I enjoyed the world-building, and the creatures, but wish the book had been properly edited.
December 2, 2018
Good book
Good book! Can't wait to have some money to buy book 2 and see where her next adventures take her.
Good book! Can't wait to have some money to buy book 2 and see where her next adventures take her.
April 3, 2019
Just couldn't get into it. Sorry!
May 4, 2020
Absence book 1
Good book, good story, original creatures. I think it will be a good series, and there aren't very many miss spelled words or punctuation
Good book, good story, original creatures. I think it will be a good series, and there aren't very many miss spelled words or punctuation
November 9, 2020
This was an interesting and well written book. I really enjoyed the premise of the story and the characters were well written. I would recommend this story to fans of the fantasy genre.
March 24, 2021
I very much liked the writing style.
March 29, 2023
This book was a tough read for me - I couldn't seem to get into it the way that I should have. I doubt that I'll be purchasing and reading the second book of this series, Mist and Shadow.
May 19, 2019
Fantastic
I could not put it down!!
I cannot wait to share it with my daughter—she is going to love it
I could not put it down!!
I cannot wait to share it with my daughter—she is going to love it
May 22, 2016
What a wonderful wonderful story. It literally bounces along, never taking a false step - there is not one wasted word in the entire book. It's the story of Della, a young girl (or is she?) and how her world is changed in every way by a chance encounter with 'something'. I don't want to give any more details for fear of diminishing people's enjoyment, but Della's story is brilliantly woven into a much bigger and wider pattern.
It is set in a world of superstition, spirits, and some fantastic beasts but it's so wonderfully written that everything feels so *real* and grounded. The characters are painted as fully 3 dimensional, and we get to see and feel their thoughts and emotions as they each come into focus. And this is where the quality of the writing really shows - motives, urges, thoughts, feelings are all painted in a complex and empathic way, meaning you're strongly attached to the characters and desperate to know what happens next.
There are some really tender moments too. A couple of times I had to stop reading and walk round the room drying my eyes, having been floored by something totally unexpected and tragic. It's testament to the beautiful writing which graces the entire book.
This is a brilliant story, beautifully written, with engaging characters set in a totally immersive world. A gloriously unexpurgated joy.
It is set in a world of superstition, spirits, and some fantastic beasts but it's so wonderfully written that everything feels so *real* and grounded. The characters are painted as fully 3 dimensional, and we get to see and feel their thoughts and emotions as they each come into focus. And this is where the quality of the writing really shows - motives, urges, thoughts, feelings are all painted in a complex and empathic way, meaning you're strongly attached to the characters and desperate to know what happens next.
There are some really tender moments too. A couple of times I had to stop reading and walk round the room drying my eyes, having been floored by something totally unexpected and tragic. It's testament to the beautiful writing which graces the entire book.
This is a brilliant story, beautifully written, with engaging characters set in a totally immersive world. A gloriously unexpurgated joy.
September 18, 2017
I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this, but it got me hooked from the start. I couldn't stop reading. It's a dark story with demons and original monsters. The characters are so endearing that you really care about what happens to them. The author gets inside their minds and really brings them to life. He has an excellent way of describing thoughts, feelings, the world, I could see it all clearly. At times I felt like I was walking in their steps. I loved this book. Would highly recommend it.
December 19, 2016
I enjoyed the beginning of the book, got lost when it switched tack and followed another character, but see how it brings the two in contact. Books leaves you hanging to read the second installment.
March 29, 2017
Recently finished reading this book. Found the first chapter slow but after that struggled to put the book down. The style of writing links each chapter seamlessly, building intrigue and suspense with each turn of the page. A unique storyline enhanced by the authors description which really brings the characters and moments to life. Well done J.B. Forsyth, a thrilling and enticing read, second instalment on order.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews