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The Shadow Crucible
In a world where angels, demons, and gods fight over the possession of mortal souls, two conflicted pawns are ensnared in a cruel game. The enigmatic seer Estella finds herself thrown together with Count Mikhail, a dogmatic Templar dedicated to subjugating her kind. But when a corrupted cardinal and puppet king begin a systematic genocide of her people, the two become unlikely allies.
Taking humanity back to their primordial beliefs and fears, Estella confronts Mikhail’s faith by revealing the true horror of the lucrative trade in human souls. All organized religions are shops orchestrated to consume mankind. Every deity, religion, and spiritual guide has been corrupted, and each claims to have the monopoly on truth and salvation.
In a perilous game where the truth is distorted and meddling ancient deities converge to partake of the unseen battle, Estella unwittingly finds herself hunted by Lucifer. Traversing the edge of hell’s precipice, Estella and Mikhail are reduced to mere instruments. Their only means to overcome is through courting the Threefold Death, the ancient ritual of apotheosis—of man becoming God.
The Shadow Crucible is a gripping epic set in medieval England where the struggle for redemption is crushed by the powers of evil. Tamara Lakomy is a new and compelling voice in the world of dark fantasy.
Taking humanity back to their primordial beliefs and fears, Estella confronts Mikhail’s faith by revealing the true horror of the lucrative trade in human souls. All organized religions are shops orchestrated to consume mankind. Every deity, religion, and spiritual guide has been corrupted, and each claims to have the monopoly on truth and salvation.
In a perilous game where the truth is distorted and meddling ancient deities converge to partake of the unseen battle, Estella unwittingly finds herself hunted by Lucifer. Traversing the edge of hell’s precipice, Estella and Mikhail are reduced to mere instruments. Their only means to overcome is through courting the Threefold Death, the ancient ritual of apotheosis—of man becoming God.
The Shadow Crucible is a gripping epic set in medieval England where the struggle for redemption is crushed by the powers of evil. Tamara Lakomy is a new and compelling voice in the world of dark fantasy.
368 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2017
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August 3, 2019
I received a review copy of The Shadow Crucible in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank T.M. Lakomy and Select Books Inc. for this opportunity.
This novel was influenced by the scriptures found within the Nag Hammadi scrolls which were written sometime between the 2nd and 3rd-century A.D. and resurfaced about 70-years-ago. Lakomy's stunning debut is a complex adult fantasy epic set mainly in an alternative medieval London that reeks shadowy imagery and environments reminiscent of Penny Dreadful. For the majority, this narrative follows two key players who are pawns in a greater game of which they do not yet comprehend. Firstly, the orphan protecting, demon tormented seer, Estella; who has been blessed with the gift of sight, and can often unwillingly see into Heaven itself. Secondly, Count Mikhael, a mind-reading Templar who enforces religious viewpoints and actions even though he also sees the spirits and grotesque beings that frequent beneath the radars of most individuals existence.
This story is unlike anything I have ever read before but unintentionally mixes a large amount of my favourite book-reading elements. My most accurate analysis would be as follows: Stunning complex historical fantasy, with the imagery and mythology of the world's greatest Epics, the gritty violence and tortuous nature of the most brutal grimdark, and the picturesque language and poetic prose that I envisage Oscar Wilde would have been proud of.
It commences at a steady pace for the first few chapters heightening an intense, dark, claustrophobic atmosphere. During these scenes, a despondent demon-littered London is presented, as is the initial meeting between Estella and Mikhael. Following the introductions, the world-building is then heightened, projecting the larger environment including the details of the monarchy and the often corrupt politics. There is a lot of corruption here and at the same time, Paradise Lost-esque angels and demons are all around. I loved the slow-burning to intense nature of the build up. By page 80 I was bewitched and under Lakomy's hypnotic spell.
Many religious and mythological heavyweights play an important part in this narrative. Including, but not restricted to Lucifer, Christ, Samuel, Merlin, just to name a few. I analysed that some traditional fantasy readers may not enjoy reading about entities they are familiar with as perhaps they like to lose themselves in a new or alien world. This wasn't an issue for me as most fantasy book Gods and religions are closely based on the stories from our world anyway just with alternate or obscure names.
In addition to the two unfortunate aforementioned pawns in the chess match of the Gods, the side characters are just as deep and complex. Some I wished we could have seen more of but perhaps limited 'screen-time' made them so intriguing. My favourites to read about were fallen angel Antariel who is actually based on a real-life personal demon as well as the horrid, grotesque, sadistic Cardinal Pious who instructs torturers to cut out innocent individual's eyes, and even the ambivalent Lucifer.
This tale is not as full-throttle action based as some modern fantasy, however; when these scenes are unleashed it truly is edge-of-the-seat-I-think-my-hat-might-fall-off-action. These scenes might actually leave casual readers confused and dizzy but they are extreme emotion heightening segments. Floating between Earth and Heaven and Hell is a veil known as the Twilit world where the Elder God's live, who no longer wish to battle against petty Gods and Lords. The world here is dream-like, not fully created reflecting the fact God rested on the 7th-day. The poetry, characters, and tone here are unique compared to what is used to describe the war between humans and the religious entities. The language and writing are exquisite and beautiful which led me to the Epic's comparisons. It's intriguing and it's never obvious what the next chapter will present. Dream-like? Action? Torture? Politics?
To certain people, this debut could appear as gnostic heresy. If you are highly sensitive or super religious then do not read this. Throughout, the characters are stunning, deep, and complex. To the extent where out of Jesus, Lucifer, and The Blind God- it is arguable who is the most righteous and who is ultimately utter evil. Undertones and subtext relate to blind faith, salvation, religious propaganda and how the winners write the histories that follow.
The world building is brilliant especially in London and in Twilit. Often the set-pieces are utterly unique and stunning. The final sequence is reminiscent of the horrors presented within Dante's Inferno. The dream-like sequences. Also the above-mentioned scenes of torture and sexual debauchery from the cardinal. The latter reminded me of Glotka from The First Law but without any of the awkward charm. The finale is stunning and unique as well as pretty upsetting. It is ultimately complete and highly poetic. This is the first book in a proposed trilogy and the culmination is perfect for what may happen next. I imagine the sequel will be 25 years later. The sides will be set. Angels have turned their backs on God, religious people have seen more than they should, the pieces on the chessboard are aligned and it may equal a world destroying confrontation. The story seems brilliantly well researched. I would have liked to have seen more of Estella's magical potential as her capabilities seem terrifying which leads to her being sought by almost all (angels, demons, Templars... all but Jesus hmmm). Estella is the strongest female protagonist I've read about in a long time which is heightened in this setting where to the religious, women were often seen as less than dirt. Brilliant book. Dark and beautiful. Some readers who wish to utterly lose themselves in a unique, different fantasy world may not like it though as a lot of what happens here is perhaps scarily believable and familiar. To anyone who follows my reviews, you know I've read almost all the top debuts this year. Well, for me, this is tied first place with McDonald's - Blackwing which speaks volumes. James Tivendale. x
This novel was influenced by the scriptures found within the Nag Hammadi scrolls which were written sometime between the 2nd and 3rd-century A.D. and resurfaced about 70-years-ago. Lakomy's stunning debut is a complex adult fantasy epic set mainly in an alternative medieval London that reeks shadowy imagery and environments reminiscent of Penny Dreadful. For the majority, this narrative follows two key players who are pawns in a greater game of which they do not yet comprehend. Firstly, the orphan protecting, demon tormented seer, Estella; who has been blessed with the gift of sight, and can often unwillingly see into Heaven itself. Secondly, Count Mikhael, a mind-reading Templar who enforces religious viewpoints and actions even though he also sees the spirits and grotesque beings that frequent beneath the radars of most individuals existence.
This story is unlike anything I have ever read before but unintentionally mixes a large amount of my favourite book-reading elements. My most accurate analysis would be as follows: Stunning complex historical fantasy, with the imagery and mythology of the world's greatest Epics, the gritty violence and tortuous nature of the most brutal grimdark, and the picturesque language and poetic prose that I envisage Oscar Wilde would have been proud of.
It commences at a steady pace for the first few chapters heightening an intense, dark, claustrophobic atmosphere. During these scenes, a despondent demon-littered London is presented, as is the initial meeting between Estella and Mikhael. Following the introductions, the world-building is then heightened, projecting the larger environment including the details of the monarchy and the often corrupt politics. There is a lot of corruption here and at the same time, Paradise Lost-esque angels and demons are all around. I loved the slow-burning to intense nature of the build up. By page 80 I was bewitched and under Lakomy's hypnotic spell.
Many religious and mythological heavyweights play an important part in this narrative. Including, but not restricted to Lucifer, Christ, Samuel, Merlin, just to name a few. I analysed that some traditional fantasy readers may not enjoy reading about entities they are familiar with as perhaps they like to lose themselves in a new or alien world. This wasn't an issue for me as most fantasy book Gods and religions are closely based on the stories from our world anyway just with alternate or obscure names.
In addition to the two unfortunate aforementioned pawns in the chess match of the Gods, the side characters are just as deep and complex. Some I wished we could have seen more of but perhaps limited 'screen-time' made them so intriguing. My favourites to read about were fallen angel Antariel who is actually based on a real-life personal demon as well as the horrid, grotesque, sadistic Cardinal Pious who instructs torturers to cut out innocent individual's eyes, and even the ambivalent Lucifer.
This tale is not as full-throttle action based as some modern fantasy, however; when these scenes are unleashed it truly is edge-of-the-seat-I-think-my-hat-might-fall-off-action. These scenes might actually leave casual readers confused and dizzy but they are extreme emotion heightening segments. Floating between Earth and Heaven and Hell is a veil known as the Twilit world where the Elder God's live, who no longer wish to battle against petty Gods and Lords. The world here is dream-like, not fully created reflecting the fact God rested on the 7th-day. The poetry, characters, and tone here are unique compared to what is used to describe the war between humans and the religious entities. The language and writing are exquisite and beautiful which led me to the Epic's comparisons. It's intriguing and it's never obvious what the next chapter will present. Dream-like? Action? Torture? Politics?
To certain people, this debut could appear as gnostic heresy. If you are highly sensitive or super religious then do not read this. Throughout, the characters are stunning, deep, and complex. To the extent where out of Jesus, Lucifer, and The Blind God- it is arguable who is the most righteous and who is ultimately utter evil. Undertones and subtext relate to blind faith, salvation, religious propaganda and how the winners write the histories that follow.
The world building is brilliant especially in London and in Twilit. Often the set-pieces are utterly unique and stunning. The final sequence is reminiscent of the horrors presented within Dante's Inferno. The dream-like sequences. Also the above-mentioned scenes of torture and sexual debauchery from the cardinal. The latter reminded me of Glotka from The First Law but without any of the awkward charm. The finale is stunning and unique as well as pretty upsetting. It is ultimately complete and highly poetic. This is the first book in a proposed trilogy and the culmination is perfect for what may happen next. I imagine the sequel will be 25 years later. The sides will be set. Angels have turned their backs on God, religious people have seen more than they should, the pieces on the chessboard are aligned and it may equal a world destroying confrontation. The story seems brilliantly well researched. I would have liked to have seen more of Estella's magical potential as her capabilities seem terrifying which leads to her being sought by almost all (angels, demons, Templars... all but Jesus hmmm). Estella is the strongest female protagonist I've read about in a long time which is heightened in this setting where to the religious, women were often seen as less than dirt. Brilliant book. Dark and beautiful. Some readers who wish to utterly lose themselves in a unique, different fantasy world may not like it though as a lot of what happens here is perhaps scarily believable and familiar. To anyone who follows my reviews, you know I've read almost all the top debuts this year. Well, for me, this is tied first place with McDonald's - Blackwing which speaks volumes. James Tivendale. x
July 5, 2017
"Mortals are weak and prone to mistakes; do not measure us by our worst, but rather by our virtue. In a world where we have many reasons to be evil, some choose goodness."
Shadow Crucible is such a strong debut novel! I'm not even sure what I could compare this to. It's almost like a historical fiction with fantastical and paranormal elements thrown in.
There still tends to be the stigma surrounding independently published books. This book blows that stigma out of the water. I tend to keep my reviews spoiler free, so I'll try and keep this as vague as possible. We follow a few characters in the book, 2 more so than the others, and it's set in the medieval gothic era of London. The 2 main characters of the book are Count Mikhail, a Knights Templar, and Estella, a seer. As you can probably tell, these 2 characters couldn't be much different. While I really enjoyed them, I think I might have enjoyed some of the side characters more. Mainly Antariel, but stating the reasons would be major spoilers. We also get a really great cast of angels and demons, which is what grabbed my attention with this book in the first place. And Lakomy sure gave us some major players! We've got Lucifer, Samael, I think Jesus makes an appearance, and some of the Archangels. My favorite scenes were, by far, when any of these angels or demons made an appearance. You just knew something was going to go down!
Luckily, there wasn't much need for world-building. Some like it, but I'm picky on my world-building, so it's nice when it's pretty much already done for us. But what I did love was her ability to set scenes up. She's able to make our surroundings vivid without giving us 2 pages of extensive and useless descriptions. Which seems to be something that some authors, understandably, find kind of tough. This definitely has a dark feel to it too, which I absolutely loved! This is pretty much what I pictured throughout the book:
I did have a few problems with the book, though. It obviously wasn't anything that ruined the novel for me, or my enjoyment, but I do feel that they're things worth addressing. Some of the action scenes tended to happen really quickly without much of a segue from it being a calm setting into the action. It wasn't something that happened often, but I did have to go back and reread a few scenes. The other thing was actually part of what I liked. I didn't really connect as well with the main characters as much as I did with the side characters. So I look at that one as a strength and a weakness. But I also tend to gravitate more towards side characters in every story I read, so take that for what it's worth.
All in all, I was extremely happy that I picked this book up! It had so many elements that I really enjoyed. If her debut novel is this strong then I can't wait to see her future works as she grows as a writer! Definitely recommend for anyone who loves a real life setting with some paranormal and fantasy twists to it.
Shadow Crucible is such a strong debut novel! I'm not even sure what I could compare this to. It's almost like a historical fiction with fantastical and paranormal elements thrown in.
There still tends to be the stigma surrounding independently published books. This book blows that stigma out of the water. I tend to keep my reviews spoiler free, so I'll try and keep this as vague as possible. We follow a few characters in the book, 2 more so than the others, and it's set in the medieval gothic era of London. The 2 main characters of the book are Count Mikhail, a Knights Templar, and Estella, a seer. As you can probably tell, these 2 characters couldn't be much different. While I really enjoyed them, I think I might have enjoyed some of the side characters more. Mainly Antariel, but stating the reasons would be major spoilers. We also get a really great cast of angels and demons, which is what grabbed my attention with this book in the first place. And Lakomy sure gave us some major players! We've got Lucifer, Samael, I think Jesus makes an appearance, and some of the Archangels. My favorite scenes were, by far, when any of these angels or demons made an appearance. You just knew something was going to go down!
Luckily, there wasn't much need for world-building. Some like it, but I'm picky on my world-building, so it's nice when it's pretty much already done for us. But what I did love was her ability to set scenes up. She's able to make our surroundings vivid without giving us 2 pages of extensive and useless descriptions. Which seems to be something that some authors, understandably, find kind of tough. This definitely has a dark feel to it too, which I absolutely loved! This is pretty much what I pictured throughout the book:
I did have a few problems with the book, though. It obviously wasn't anything that ruined the novel for me, or my enjoyment, but I do feel that they're things worth addressing. Some of the action scenes tended to happen really quickly without much of a segue from it being a calm setting into the action. It wasn't something that happened often, but I did have to go back and reread a few scenes. The other thing was actually part of what I liked. I didn't really connect as well with the main characters as much as I did with the side characters. So I look at that one as a strength and a weakness. But I also tend to gravitate more towards side characters in every story I read, so take that for what it's worth.
All in all, I was extremely happy that I picked this book up! It had so many elements that I really enjoyed. If her debut novel is this strong then I can't wait to see her future works as she grows as a writer! Definitely recommend for anyone who loves a real life setting with some paranormal and fantasy twists to it.
October 1, 2017
I had no idea what to expect from this book, but it was recommended by a friend so I decided to give it a try. I'm really glad I did. The Shadow Crucible is incredibly atmospheric, lush and evocative, a fascinating read for me. This is a grand undertaking, strange and hypnotic Gothic horror / dark fantasy a la Anne Rice, reminiscent mostly of her Memnoch the Devil, but with more story and depth of character. A uniquely enthralling and satisfying story, I highly recommend it.
April 1, 2017
The Matrix doused in medieval blood!
I think Shadow Crucible is what the Matrix would be like if it were medievally more violent, with a split personality disorder and a vengeance against religion.
“You want to end up chained like they are? Look at what they have done to them, look closer!” As he shoved her toward a row of men and women she tripped, hitting the ground painfully. They cowered in fear at the unexpected noise, dropping the quills and parchments they had been holding. Estella froze in horror as she looked more closely at the prisoners. Where their eyes should have been were empty sockets, carelessly bandaged with filthy linens.”
The opening chapter got me hooked!
This is class gothic fantasy, I have a morbid fascination with seers as it goes… (seriously the first chapter just throws you right in there, empty sockets AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!) If you like an unhealthy dose of sugar in your story then this is not for you, the bitter dregs of looking at a reality burning to the ground where Estella takes us for an insane ride against a blind god and ancient deities warring over us like commodities. Hooked on that cruel blind god – makes sense to me, why do people suffer? The god of this world is wilfully blind, tearing apart religions from the inside…
Ever since I saw the Matrix where humans were harvested like lightbulbs, something about that grated my bones, and it is like this takes it to a whole new level of fucked up!
Perhaps there is something psychologically wrong with me wanting to open Pandora’s box, I understand her, open the fucking box, see what’s inside. It is like the author is tempting you to open the box to pull back the lid, never quite showing you enough to let you know what is really in there, open the damn box!
I say The Matrix doused in blood, but it is more like Penny Dreadful had sex with Lord of the Rings and cooked the bastard son!
Spoiler alert – so the story starts with Count Mikhail arriving at RedFern Manor in the dead of night, there is the alluring yet sinister ways of Estella, a witch that seems all too real, benevolent, uncaring, cynical, cunning, a ruthless heroine.
Again, this book is not for the weak hearted, the medieval characters live up to their reputation, spanning across an intricate world on two planes of existence - Templars, Kingdoms, Witches, Seers – and on the other plane Deities, Angels, Demons, Saviours, a Blind God and the Goddess.
Out of nothingness a chessboard emerged, shimmering in jet and white marble. Calling forth the creation of blindness
Estella is the lead, caught in a love triangle between Mikhail the Templar, a demon seeking redemption Antariel, with warring kingdoms seeking to possess her for their own ends.
My sight brought me too close to the throne of God, and his sight burned me every day. I shivered in endless turmoil, for I stared too far into the void and it bled my eyes, detaching me from sanity, and my madness thrived upon my gift. I had become the ideal weapon for the chessboard of the gods, and the instrument most desirable.
Estella is of the Twilit born, people whose sight is coveted by the Church, and as the sense of urgency rapidly increases to find an answer to the arrival of the Blind God in the world, an unprecedented event as he rapes and kills the mother of the forthcoming messiah. Damn it, I want to say the next part.
Estella is not an ordinary heroine, she has no interest in the love triangles, she sees the world for what it is and wants to escape this medieval matrix at any cost. I think what killed me in Penny Dreadful which I loved was this astounding protagonist in Vanessa Ives, and then just the way it ended in the third season with forgiveness. Estella does not forgive, she lets the bitterness burrow deep within and then exacts her vengeance, whether King or man. No bullshit loveshitology!
This book gripped me and I wanted more, you can tell by the verses that open the chapters that Lakomy can take you deep into a whirlpool of imagery, but for some reason she prefers to skim the surfaces at times and slow down. The anguish to tear through and find the answers got me:
For I am dead inside and out, and my heart bleeds not for heaven, neither does it twang for the master puppeteer who mocks you all..... ��You worship the god of lies, whether in churches or as heretics hidden in secret covens. And you war against each other, proclaiming the other damned. But you are all lost, for the many houses of human religion are held by the string of the same master puppeteer.”
Something in the writing calls to me, tears at me, rips me through… it is devastating, sublime, poetic in its effort to make death that final destination we all herald to a known commodity. Just in case it is not already abundantly clear, this book will always have a special place on my book shelf.
The author sent me an advanced copy of this book for review.
I think Shadow Crucible is what the Matrix would be like if it were medievally more violent, with a split personality disorder and a vengeance against religion.
“You want to end up chained like they are? Look at what they have done to them, look closer!” As he shoved her toward a row of men and women she tripped, hitting the ground painfully. They cowered in fear at the unexpected noise, dropping the quills and parchments they had been holding. Estella froze in horror as she looked more closely at the prisoners. Where their eyes should have been were empty sockets, carelessly bandaged with filthy linens.”
The opening chapter got me hooked!
This is class gothic fantasy, I have a morbid fascination with seers as it goes… (seriously the first chapter just throws you right in there, empty sockets AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!) If you like an unhealthy dose of sugar in your story then this is not for you, the bitter dregs of looking at a reality burning to the ground where Estella takes us for an insane ride against a blind god and ancient deities warring over us like commodities. Hooked on that cruel blind god – makes sense to me, why do people suffer? The god of this world is wilfully blind, tearing apart religions from the inside…
Ever since I saw the Matrix where humans were harvested like lightbulbs, something about that grated my bones, and it is like this takes it to a whole new level of fucked up!
Perhaps there is something psychologically wrong with me wanting to open Pandora’s box, I understand her, open the fucking box, see what’s inside. It is like the author is tempting you to open the box to pull back the lid, never quite showing you enough to let you know what is really in there, open the damn box!
I say The Matrix doused in blood, but it is more like Penny Dreadful had sex with Lord of the Rings and cooked the bastard son!
Spoiler alert – so the story starts with Count Mikhail arriving at RedFern Manor in the dead of night, there is the alluring yet sinister ways of Estella, a witch that seems all too real, benevolent, uncaring, cynical, cunning, a ruthless heroine.
Again, this book is not for the weak hearted, the medieval characters live up to their reputation, spanning across an intricate world on two planes of existence - Templars, Kingdoms, Witches, Seers – and on the other plane Deities, Angels, Demons, Saviours, a Blind God and the Goddess.
Out of nothingness a chessboard emerged, shimmering in jet and white marble. Calling forth the creation of blindness
Estella is the lead, caught in a love triangle between Mikhail the Templar, a demon seeking redemption Antariel, with warring kingdoms seeking to possess her for their own ends.
My sight brought me too close to the throne of God, and his sight burned me every day. I shivered in endless turmoil, for I stared too far into the void and it bled my eyes, detaching me from sanity, and my madness thrived upon my gift. I had become the ideal weapon for the chessboard of the gods, and the instrument most desirable.
Estella is of the Twilit born, people whose sight is coveted by the Church, and as the sense of urgency rapidly increases to find an answer to the arrival of the Blind God in the world, an unprecedented event as he rapes and kills the mother of the forthcoming messiah. Damn it, I want to say the next part.
Estella is not an ordinary heroine, she has no interest in the love triangles, she sees the world for what it is and wants to escape this medieval matrix at any cost. I think what killed me in Penny Dreadful which I loved was this astounding protagonist in Vanessa Ives, and then just the way it ended in the third season with forgiveness. Estella does not forgive, she lets the bitterness burrow deep within and then exacts her vengeance, whether King or man. No bullshit loveshitology!
This book gripped me and I wanted more, you can tell by the verses that open the chapters that Lakomy can take you deep into a whirlpool of imagery, but for some reason she prefers to skim the surfaces at times and slow down. The anguish to tear through and find the answers got me:
For I am dead inside and out, and my heart bleeds not for heaven, neither does it twang for the master puppeteer who mocks you all..... ��You worship the god of lies, whether in churches or as heretics hidden in secret covens. And you war against each other, proclaiming the other damned. But you are all lost, for the many houses of human religion are held by the string of the same master puppeteer.”
Something in the writing calls to me, tears at me, rips me through… it is devastating, sublime, poetic in its effort to make death that final destination we all herald to a known commodity. Just in case it is not already abundantly clear, this book will always have a special place on my book shelf.
The author sent me an advanced copy of this book for review.
September 21, 2017
I have noticed that many reviewers (yours truly included) often begin their summaries with 'oh boy, this is such a difficult book to review...' This time, however, I believe it is only appropriate to make this disclaimer.
It is a very unusual novel that does not fit the conventional genre patterns. It makes it super hard to rank it or review the book properly. So instead of trying to summarise, I will just flag up a couple of things for the future readers. Some of these highlights may nudge to order this book today, others may not.
Okay, first things first.
Tamara T.M. Lakomy is a poet and it shows a lot! Her language is very vivid, full of character and emotion. But in a way it speaks only to your right-brain. This feels fresh and new - but kinda leaves your left-brain with not much to do (and when my brain is left idle - it wanders)
* NB: left/right brain theory is a hoax - but it is still convenient as an explanatory device.
The story is very strongly dialogue-driven. Some chapters consist of almost nothing but dialogue. So it also reads more as a play than a novel. With each chapter being a separate act. Just to avoid any confusion, the book is written in prose but it sometimes feels like verse. Highly unusual. Intriguing, and not what you typically expect.
This book can be also compared to an impressionist painting. For example:
If you look at it from a distance, you appreciate the composition and emotion conveyed by the artist. But when you zoom in - what you see is individual haphazard strokes. Same here, even though the story is set in a historical setting, it is hard to figure out when does the story take place? What year? What century? You cannot pin down the details, you start seeing 'strokes'. The setting is there to set the overall emotion and ambience - not to appreciate the specifics.
And here lies the root cause of me not falling in love with this book. English is not my first language, so the beauty of written word is sometimes lost on me (poems and verse are almost always are). With books being my escapism 'weapon of choice' I really crave to have strong and immersive plot and setting. Yes, I do enjoy good characters and atmospheric writing like the next guy. But I really need a strong plot. And details. I love historic details. Unfortunately, I missed both the ingredients in this story (or at least I wasn't able to appreciate them).
So in summary, if you really want to get out of the comfort zone and read something fresh, something that takes a completely new tack on writing style for dark fantasy / historical fiction - look no further, you have a winner. If you are like me, clutching desperately to the structure of the narrative and don't empathise too deeply with the characters...well, you have been warned.
It is a very unusual novel that does not fit the conventional genre patterns. It makes it super hard to rank it or review the book properly. So instead of trying to summarise, I will just flag up a couple of things for the future readers. Some of these highlights may nudge to order this book today, others may not.
Okay, first things first.
Tamara T.M. Lakomy is a poet and it shows a lot! Her language is very vivid, full of character and emotion. But in a way it speaks only to your right-brain. This feels fresh and new - but kinda leaves your left-brain with not much to do (and when my brain is left idle - it wanders)
* NB: left/right brain theory is a hoax - but it is still convenient as an explanatory device.
The story is very strongly dialogue-driven. Some chapters consist of almost nothing but dialogue. So it also reads more as a play than a novel. With each chapter being a separate act. Just to avoid any confusion, the book is written in prose but it sometimes feels like verse. Highly unusual. Intriguing, and not what you typically expect.
This book can be also compared to an impressionist painting. For example:
If you look at it from a distance, you appreciate the composition and emotion conveyed by the artist. But when you zoom in - what you see is individual haphazard strokes. Same here, even though the story is set in a historical setting, it is hard to figure out when does the story take place? What year? What century? You cannot pin down the details, you start seeing 'strokes'. The setting is there to set the overall emotion and ambience - not to appreciate the specifics.
And here lies the root cause of me not falling in love with this book. English is not my first language, so the beauty of written word is sometimes lost on me (poems and verse are almost always are). With books being my escapism 'weapon of choice' I really crave to have strong and immersive plot and setting. Yes, I do enjoy good characters and atmospheric writing like the next guy. But I really need a strong plot. And details. I love historic details. Unfortunately, I missed both the ingredients in this story (or at least I wasn't able to appreciate them).
So in summary, if you really want to get out of the comfort zone and read something fresh, something that takes a completely new tack on writing style for dark fantasy / historical fiction - look no further, you have a winner. If you are like me, clutching desperately to the structure of the narrative and don't empathise too deeply with the characters...well, you have been warned.
April 17, 2017
When I started reading The Shadow Crucible, I thought I knew what I’d got. The set-up looked like a straightforward Christian fantasy with angels, demons, Templars, and the such. I was reminded of Constantine, and Tom Sniegoski’s Fallen, only with a mediaeval setting. The male lead is cold, remote, firm. The female lead is wild, beautiful, dangerous and seems a bit petty – A Scarlet O’Hara with a retinue of orphans. And for a little while there I was afraid that this would be one of those romances where the cool controlling guy breaks and tames the wild woman. But, the fascinating world building and the writing style kept me reading, and I’m very glad I stayed with it.
Then, around page 57, the plot shape started to change, and I realised I was not reading some kind of historical romance. Page 73 pulled the rug out from underneath everything I thought I knew about this book. No one, it turned out, was as they seemed in those opening pages. What I thought was going on was not happening. I had been fooled, misled, overconfident… and I was very excited by this!
Thereafter, what the story keeps doing, is taking a step back every now and then to let you see a bigger picture than you could before. In the context of the bigger picture, what you thought you knew looks rather different, each time. With each step back, the world expands, the implications of the story get bigger, the stakes rise, the magic becomes even more wild and wonderful, the philosophy becomes even more persuasive…
Whilst trying to avoid spoilers, this is a book that is very much in opposition to dogma and blind faith. It’s a story to challenge organised religion and question the motives of anyone who uses religion as a power base. All of the characters go through radical changes. One way or another, they are peeled of their surface pretences and small selves to reveal the larger presence beneath. I came to love characters who, in the opening pages, I felt no attraction to. I came to feel sympathy for other characters I’d not really liked at the start. And some, when peeled back, where entirely horrifying. There’s not a vast amount of horror in the book but when it comes… it really is very dark indeed.
I think for most people, the writing style will make or break this book. This is an author relishing their deliberately archaic language. It is wordy, with turns of phrase that sound profoundly un-contemporary. If you’re the sort of person who only likes stark, pared down language, considers ‘said’ the only acceptable speech tag, and skims paragraphs of description, this is not for you. If you enjoy wilfully wordy books, I fully expect you’ll enjoy this. I found it difficult to put down, and was enchanted by the unconventional story-shape.
Then, around page 57, the plot shape started to change, and I realised I was not reading some kind of historical romance. Page 73 pulled the rug out from underneath everything I thought I knew about this book. No one, it turned out, was as they seemed in those opening pages. What I thought was going on was not happening. I had been fooled, misled, overconfident… and I was very excited by this!
Thereafter, what the story keeps doing, is taking a step back every now and then to let you see a bigger picture than you could before. In the context of the bigger picture, what you thought you knew looks rather different, each time. With each step back, the world expands, the implications of the story get bigger, the stakes rise, the magic becomes even more wild and wonderful, the philosophy becomes even more persuasive…
Whilst trying to avoid spoilers, this is a book that is very much in opposition to dogma and blind faith. It’s a story to challenge organised religion and question the motives of anyone who uses religion as a power base. All of the characters go through radical changes. One way or another, they are peeled of their surface pretences and small selves to reveal the larger presence beneath. I came to love characters who, in the opening pages, I felt no attraction to. I came to feel sympathy for other characters I’d not really liked at the start. And some, when peeled back, where entirely horrifying. There’s not a vast amount of horror in the book but when it comes… it really is very dark indeed.
I think for most people, the writing style will make or break this book. This is an author relishing their deliberately archaic language. It is wordy, with turns of phrase that sound profoundly un-contemporary. If you’re the sort of person who only likes stark, pared down language, considers ‘said’ the only acceptable speech tag, and skims paragraphs of description, this is not for you. If you enjoy wilfully wordy books, I fully expect you’ll enjoy this. I found it difficult to put down, and was enchanted by the unconventional story-shape.
August 25, 2017
My curiosity stirred when I received an advanced reader copy of The Shadow Crucible.
Intelligent world building with characters that trace an unexpected arc in their journeys through a medieval landscape. The style of this book is very different and takes you on a journey of discovery.
The character Estella’s struggle in the cruel game of the blind god against humanity, is the first time I have seen the gnostic texts so cleverly translated into an engaging narrative. The undertones of the goddess movement are striking, and the brave onslaught against blind religious dogma is captured in the twists and turns of this epic journey.
There is a suicidal undertone to some of the characters which unsettled me, and the mixture of many different belief systems was challenging in its breadth. However for those who have read esoteric texts, the substance of the spiritual undertones is deep and evocative, what some would perceive as a mish mash the more learned will see as a congruent thread that interweaves the belief systems of old with one overarching game which humanity is caught in. This is the core of the book and the central narrative in which the characters are caught.
I have long searched for a work of fiction that bridges the esoteric, the deities of old and the archaeological controversies of religion’s prehistory into an epic fantasy. Delivered.
The last chapter floored me, literally. The controversy of the threefold death is as great a challenge to modern Christianity as the enigma in the Da Vinci Code of Christ’s bloodline. Were it not for the fact that this were based on the renowned Mircea Eliade’s books on rites and initiation, I would have dismissed it, but these are the treasures of archaeology that have long been held at bay by the traditional narrative. This chapter alone is worth the entire book.
-----------------
Addition: I have now read it a second time to revisit the philosophical complexity, reading T.M. Lakomy's biography in her blog made me want to go back to the novel, there is a real sense of authenticity in her life experiences that she has sought to translate into the lead character Estella.
-----------------
For a more comprehensive review - I highly suggest reading James Tivendale's review which reignited my passion in this great debut novel:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
James Tivendale:
"To anyone who follows my reviews, you know I've read almost all the top debuts this year. Well, for me, this is tied first place with McDonald's - Blackwing which speaks volumes. x"
James highlights the importance of the Gnostic Texts which were resdiscovered shortly after World War II. The leather bound codices were found by a farmer close to the Nile in Nag Hammadi, Egypt.
There was a genocide of the Cathars and Bogomils to wipe out most of these texts, very few survived as they represented a threat to the Roman Catholic Church. An astounding story in itself, I believe it was Pope Innocent in 1209 when asked how shall we know the believers from the non-believers, Pope Innocent replied "kill them all, god will know his own"
Intelligent world building with characters that trace an unexpected arc in their journeys through a medieval landscape. The style of this book is very different and takes you on a journey of discovery.
The character Estella’s struggle in the cruel game of the blind god against humanity, is the first time I have seen the gnostic texts so cleverly translated into an engaging narrative. The undertones of the goddess movement are striking, and the brave onslaught against blind religious dogma is captured in the twists and turns of this epic journey.
There is a suicidal undertone to some of the characters which unsettled me, and the mixture of many different belief systems was challenging in its breadth. However for those who have read esoteric texts, the substance of the spiritual undertones is deep and evocative, what some would perceive as a mish mash the more learned will see as a congruent thread that interweaves the belief systems of old with one overarching game which humanity is caught in. This is the core of the book and the central narrative in which the characters are caught.
I have long searched for a work of fiction that bridges the esoteric, the deities of old and the archaeological controversies of religion’s prehistory into an epic fantasy. Delivered.
The last chapter floored me, literally. The controversy of the threefold death is as great a challenge to modern Christianity as the enigma in the Da Vinci Code of Christ’s bloodline. Were it not for the fact that this were based on the renowned Mircea Eliade’s books on rites and initiation, I would have dismissed it, but these are the treasures of archaeology that have long been held at bay by the traditional narrative. This chapter alone is worth the entire book.
-----------------
Addition: I have now read it a second time to revisit the philosophical complexity, reading T.M. Lakomy's biography in her blog made me want to go back to the novel, there is a real sense of authenticity in her life experiences that she has sought to translate into the lead character Estella.
-----------------
For a more comprehensive review - I highly suggest reading James Tivendale's review which reignited my passion in this great debut novel:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
James Tivendale:
"To anyone who follows my reviews, you know I've read almost all the top debuts this year. Well, for me, this is tied first place with McDonald's - Blackwing which speaks volumes. x"
James highlights the importance of the Gnostic Texts which were resdiscovered shortly after World War II. The leather bound codices were found by a farmer close to the Nile in Nag Hammadi, Egypt.
There was a genocide of the Cathars and Bogomils to wipe out most of these texts, very few survived as they represented a threat to the Roman Catholic Church. An astounding story in itself, I believe it was Pope Innocent in 1209 when asked how shall we know the believers from the non-believers, Pope Innocent replied "kill them all, god will know his own"
June 27, 2017
A gripping tale of good versus evil, angels and demons, and the fight for the mortal soul set in medieval England.
I won an advanced uncorrected proof copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am donating it to a senior assisted living facility.
I won an advanced uncorrected proof copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am donating it to a senior assisted living facility.
April 16, 2017
What happens when a goth takes on religion in medieval England?!
It would be so cool if this was made into a penny dreadful type style TV series, seen through the lens of a few DMT-laced absinthe shots. The alternate history combined with dark magic with hints of steampunk costume.
Intelligent, well written and showcasing a phenomenally strong female protagonist, from reading the author’s blog, appears Estella is a version of T.M.Lakomy. I am generally a very critical individual, would have liked to have seen more of Estella’s magic, understand its roots.
The book can be very character focused at times building up the spiritual beliefs in a war of consciousness, I think it would have done better to focus on the action, but then it would be like so many other books I read, different. First time I drank absinthe it tasted like battery acid, now I appreciate the textures and the rage of the green fairy.
Well onto the story, I have modified an explanation online from one of the interviews which captures the story better than I could ever retell it…
The Shadow Crucible is the harrowing story of two conflicted pawns in the cruel game between the Blind God and the Creator. The pawns are a tormented Seer and dogmatic Templar, manipulated on the chessboard of the Cruel Game to manoeuvre mankind to slavery. One is a Seer who has the gift of sight into the spiritual worlds where Angels, Demons and other entities fight over the dominion of earth and mortal souls, but lives a debauched nonchalant life trying in vain to assuage her burden. The other is a dogmatic Templar who sees his sole purpose in life to thwart the machinations of the blind god Samael, to unite the world under the undivided banner of the Templar Order.
The reign of horror is deeper than knowledge’s reach, as the insidious poison of the blind god Samael seeks to devour them and thwart the divine plan for humanity. What transpires is that every deity, religion and spiritual guide has been corrupted in a prison like structure where deception is rife, while each claim to have the monopoly on truth and salvation, these forces are cruelly manipulated for divine warring agendas. In a perilous game where the truth is distorted and meddling ancient Deities converge to partake of the unseen battle, Estella unwittingly finds herself hunted by Lucifer who seeks to deceive her into believing that he is the real light bearer of mankind as he reveals to her a damning version of creation where he is the true saviour of the world.
However, Mikhail believes he is led by the hand of God to subjugate the Twilit World whose seers, witches and mages are the ideal vessels for corruption since they linger outside the reach of the Church. Confronted by the age old question of why must one take on the burden of saving the world? All the characters believe they are saving the world, when they are just playing into Samael’s game, appealing to human nature’s weakness. The venal King, the stern Queen, the dogmatic Templar, the blind sage, the indolent seer – the world has been ruined by people pretending to save it (I concur)
Taking humanity back to their primordial beliefs and fears, the Seer confronts the Templar’s dogmatic faith by revealing the true horror of the lucrative trade in human souls; all organised religions are shops orchestrated to consume mankind.
Traversing the edge of hell’s precipice, they are reduced to mere instruments, their only means to overcome is through courting the Threefold Death, the ancient ritual of apotheosis – of man becoming God.
I think this book would do well with a Tom Hardy style Taboo remake, pull out the darker elements of Mikhail the Templar and really show what it is like to traverse the edge of hell’s precipice -- give it that Guillermo del Toro edge of Pan’s labyrinth and make sure their fingernails dip deep into the chairs until the end.
Look forward to the second instalment
Freddy Lacroix
It would be so cool if this was made into a penny dreadful type style TV series, seen through the lens of a few DMT-laced absinthe shots. The alternate history combined with dark magic with hints of steampunk costume.
Intelligent, well written and showcasing a phenomenally strong female protagonist, from reading the author’s blog, appears Estella is a version of T.M.Lakomy. I am generally a very critical individual, would have liked to have seen more of Estella’s magic, understand its roots.
The book can be very character focused at times building up the spiritual beliefs in a war of consciousness, I think it would have done better to focus on the action, but then it would be like so many other books I read, different. First time I drank absinthe it tasted like battery acid, now I appreciate the textures and the rage of the green fairy.
Well onto the story, I have modified an explanation online from one of the interviews which captures the story better than I could ever retell it…
The Shadow Crucible is the harrowing story of two conflicted pawns in the cruel game between the Blind God and the Creator. The pawns are a tormented Seer and dogmatic Templar, manipulated on the chessboard of the Cruel Game to manoeuvre mankind to slavery. One is a Seer who has the gift of sight into the spiritual worlds where Angels, Demons and other entities fight over the dominion of earth and mortal souls, but lives a debauched nonchalant life trying in vain to assuage her burden. The other is a dogmatic Templar who sees his sole purpose in life to thwart the machinations of the blind god Samael, to unite the world under the undivided banner of the Templar Order.
The reign of horror is deeper than knowledge’s reach, as the insidious poison of the blind god Samael seeks to devour them and thwart the divine plan for humanity. What transpires is that every deity, religion and spiritual guide has been corrupted in a prison like structure where deception is rife, while each claim to have the monopoly on truth and salvation, these forces are cruelly manipulated for divine warring agendas. In a perilous game where the truth is distorted and meddling ancient Deities converge to partake of the unseen battle, Estella unwittingly finds herself hunted by Lucifer who seeks to deceive her into believing that he is the real light bearer of mankind as he reveals to her a damning version of creation where he is the true saviour of the world.
However, Mikhail believes he is led by the hand of God to subjugate the Twilit World whose seers, witches and mages are the ideal vessels for corruption since they linger outside the reach of the Church. Confronted by the age old question of why must one take on the burden of saving the world? All the characters believe they are saving the world, when they are just playing into Samael’s game, appealing to human nature’s weakness. The venal King, the stern Queen, the dogmatic Templar, the blind sage, the indolent seer – the world has been ruined by people pretending to save it (I concur)
Taking humanity back to their primordial beliefs and fears, the Seer confronts the Templar’s dogmatic faith by revealing the true horror of the lucrative trade in human souls; all organised religions are shops orchestrated to consume mankind.
Traversing the edge of hell’s precipice, they are reduced to mere instruments, their only means to overcome is through courting the Threefold Death, the ancient ritual of apotheosis – of man becoming God.
I think this book would do well with a Tom Hardy style Taboo remake, pull out the darker elements of Mikhail the Templar and really show what it is like to traverse the edge of hell’s precipice -- give it that Guillermo del Toro edge of Pan’s labyrinth and make sure their fingernails dip deep into the chairs until the end.
Look forward to the second instalment
Freddy Lacroix
December 2, 2017
This book is really really amazing. I don't think I could write a review that would do it justice. Estella is such a strong female protagonist and based on the bio of the writer I can see why! The story is full of Magic, Religion, Mythology, Otherworldliness but not in a cheap beach read fantasy, but more in a very well written theological fantasy debate. Loved It!
April 10, 2017
Encouraging critique of a debut author
As a long time prolific reader of gothic works, I welcome you T.M. Lakomy to the genre and cast an expectant eye on your future works.
This is one of my first reviews on good reads, with thanks to the author for providing an advanced reader copy to my little bookshop.
My goal is to make you aware of the pitfalls you have fallen into, the lack of structure which somewhat took a glorious painting and framed it in a basic frame.
I would like to have seen more of the repercussions of the Twilit people. You did not go enough into the implications of the persecutions, you just glossed over them. One of the characters that ends up aligning themselves with the malevolent forces, his role was not explored enough. Though, the beautiful exploration of the relationship between Estella and Antariel was very moving, the role of Lucifer the most enigmatic and enthralling; he seemed of all the malevolent forces the most pure and appealing; able to give the world the reprieve it needed so much, revealing the dangerous facet of the not so innocent god who created the world. You find yourself believing him despite your convictions and reproaching Estella for her choice of allegiance. Then of course these are the motivations that draw you in.
The King’s redemption was very unexpected, avoiding the clichéd resolutions, and the depth in that chapter was most profound, painful and gripping. Embracing Samael’s leadership ultimately led to his encounter with his saviour, his downfall, the rise of his Queen who in turn heralds the emergence on the scene of the hidden players; the elder deities who towards the end of the novel, become the dominant voice of salvation.
It seems as though your novel is all setting the scene as a prelude to your next novel, without spoiling the narrative for other readers I will go no further here. From your poetry it is clear that you can write with a level of precision and depth that is far beyond the current structure of your novel, and hence this critique is to encourage you to write a masterpiece, to not release the second instalment of The Shadow Crucible until the very edifice and ceiling of that world are ornately carved and finished. To write every page with the fortitude with which you write your poetry, to eviscerate the unnecessary sojourns and departures from the core structure, and to sharpen the blade of each page, such that one cannot depart from the book, such that one would sacrifice cutting one’s fingers on the pages just to reach the very end of the novel and a deeper understanding of the cruel game.
Draw the reader in to that desperate need to understand this structure, just as write the opening stanza to the chapter:
It has written letters with your blood and sung out the note
And with your screams it gathered guests for the feast over your flesh
It watched you dig with broken fingers, your life choked at your throat
Deeper into the fiendish prison, their infernal mesh
This is the perilous game that will keep the reader hooked to understanding and escaping the infernal mesh, and whom the blind one has destroyed over the ages, how has he hunted the bright flames that can tip the balance of the chessboard between the gods. Why it is better to die than be the prey of the blind one?
The economy of the trade in human souls interests me, but it is little explained or understood, what do they gain in return for this trade. Or perhaps you are being purposefully elusive, perhaps you are even still seeking the answer yourself? To what extent do you believe these things in the construct of your own theological paradigm.
This is the hook that I would like you to explore further in the coming books, this anchoring paragraph in your novel:
Out of nothingness a chessboard emerged, shimmering in jet and white marble. Calling forth the creation of blindness, God summoned Samael, the fallen one, his arrogant bastard son that the Sophia had created without his permission. Wresting open the gates of night, he hauled him out of the darkness. Then bound in iron wrought by God’s will, he seated Samael chained before the chessboard. Then twilight came, an endless dusk, for neither light nor dark could prevail. From afar Lucifer turned from his lofty station to watch as God and Samael battled for dominion. And he saw how Samael gathered human souls like crops, as fuel to kindle his inner fires, thus beginning the lucrative trade in human souls.
Keep going.
Thomas McGuinness
As a long time prolific reader of gothic works, I welcome you T.M. Lakomy to the genre and cast an expectant eye on your future works.
This is one of my first reviews on good reads, with thanks to the author for providing an advanced reader copy to my little bookshop.
My goal is to make you aware of the pitfalls you have fallen into, the lack of structure which somewhat took a glorious painting and framed it in a basic frame.
I would like to have seen more of the repercussions of the Twilit people. You did not go enough into the implications of the persecutions, you just glossed over them. One of the characters that ends up aligning themselves with the malevolent forces, his role was not explored enough. Though, the beautiful exploration of the relationship between Estella and Antariel was very moving, the role of Lucifer the most enigmatic and enthralling; he seemed of all the malevolent forces the most pure and appealing; able to give the world the reprieve it needed so much, revealing the dangerous facet of the not so innocent god who created the world. You find yourself believing him despite your convictions and reproaching Estella for her choice of allegiance. Then of course these are the motivations that draw you in.
The King’s redemption was very unexpected, avoiding the clichéd resolutions, and the depth in that chapter was most profound, painful and gripping. Embracing Samael’s leadership ultimately led to his encounter with his saviour, his downfall, the rise of his Queen who in turn heralds the emergence on the scene of the hidden players; the elder deities who towards the end of the novel, become the dominant voice of salvation.
It seems as though your novel is all setting the scene as a prelude to your next novel, without spoiling the narrative for other readers I will go no further here. From your poetry it is clear that you can write with a level of precision and depth that is far beyond the current structure of your novel, and hence this critique is to encourage you to write a masterpiece, to not release the second instalment of The Shadow Crucible until the very edifice and ceiling of that world are ornately carved and finished. To write every page with the fortitude with which you write your poetry, to eviscerate the unnecessary sojourns and departures from the core structure, and to sharpen the blade of each page, such that one cannot depart from the book, such that one would sacrifice cutting one’s fingers on the pages just to reach the very end of the novel and a deeper understanding of the cruel game.
Draw the reader in to that desperate need to understand this structure, just as write the opening stanza to the chapter:
It has written letters with your blood and sung out the note
And with your screams it gathered guests for the feast over your flesh
It watched you dig with broken fingers, your life choked at your throat
Deeper into the fiendish prison, their infernal mesh
This is the perilous game that will keep the reader hooked to understanding and escaping the infernal mesh, and whom the blind one has destroyed over the ages, how has he hunted the bright flames that can tip the balance of the chessboard between the gods. Why it is better to die than be the prey of the blind one?
The economy of the trade in human souls interests me, but it is little explained or understood, what do they gain in return for this trade. Or perhaps you are being purposefully elusive, perhaps you are even still seeking the answer yourself? To what extent do you believe these things in the construct of your own theological paradigm.
This is the hook that I would like you to explore further in the coming books, this anchoring paragraph in your novel:
Out of nothingness a chessboard emerged, shimmering in jet and white marble. Calling forth the creation of blindness, God summoned Samael, the fallen one, his arrogant bastard son that the Sophia had created without his permission. Wresting open the gates of night, he hauled him out of the darkness. Then bound in iron wrought by God’s will, he seated Samael chained before the chessboard. Then twilight came, an endless dusk, for neither light nor dark could prevail. From afar Lucifer turned from his lofty station to watch as God and Samael battled for dominion. And he saw how Samael gathered human souls like crops, as fuel to kindle his inner fires, thus beginning the lucrative trade in human souls.
Keep going.
Thomas McGuinness
April 2, 2017
Gnostic Heresy in a fantasy world
The Shadow Crucible weaves heretical gnostic texts into a new age view of humanity as some prisoner of a blind god, as per the Apocryphon of John. The current Gnostic revival has been fueled by the fairy tale of The Da Vinci Code, with the National Geographic Societies jumping on the bandwagon of renewed interest in The Nag Hammadi Codices.
The author frames the three-fold death as providing new context for the extent of Christ’s suffering for all of mankind, she falsely connects the Lord with other deities who are falsely claimed to have suffered the same fate. There are many poorly researched online sites claiming Mithra, Horus and others suffered the same fate as the Lord, a gnostic initiation into becoming God, this false claim of apotheosis is dangerous. Put simply, Man cannot become God, there is only one God, one must hold firm to these words:
“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” John 17:3
This is what the LORD says… “I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God” Isaiah 44:6
To show that I am unbiased, and balanced, for “unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord” Proverbs 20:10. I will speak to the three main merits of the novel before fairly weighing the scales against it.
+ As a fantasy novel it delivers – and if that is all it claims to be, then the characters are engaging and troubling
+The descriptions of Lucifer as a fallen angel who tempts through his silver tongued words in the discourses of heaven and hell chapter are captivating
+As a dark fantasy debut novel this deserves 4 stars for originality
But now to balance the scales fairly, the author should make very clear that it is just fantasy and not some “salient golden thread connecting all faiths” in which case it would receive 1 star or no stars, the danger of an archaeologist writing such a book of pseudo-theology is that it lends gravitas to heresy.
I am referencing the work of Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D. of the Dean Burgon Soceity in countering the claims of this novel, in his article on "Christian" Gnosticisms Corruption of the Western/ Alexandrian Manuscripts, and as an archaeologist T.M. Lakomy should consider the counter argument to her claims.
"The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."
Psalm 12:6-7
The "Christianity" of the Gnostics is not really Christianity at all, it is a plagiarised version of many different texts reordered to advance their own false beliefs. The "scholarly" community may well be in a a frenzy about the so called Gnostic Gospels, and are mistaken in rewriting early Christian History with a Gnostic spin to reflect the findings at Nag Hammadi Egypt.
A quick background, Nag Hammadi is a village in Egypt near the Nile River. In 1945 Six Bedouin camel drivers were digging for fertilizer when one of them uncovered a human skeleton. Next to the skeleton was an earthenware jar. Inside the jar, they found thirteen leather-bound volumes containing fifty-two treatises, hence they were called the Nag Hammadi codices. This library of ancient documents, dated around 350 AD contained texts relating to an early Christian Heresy called Gnosticism. Dan Brown's book titled The Da Vinci Code falsely characterizes these writings as "the earliest Christian records" and the "unaltered gospels." The Nag Hammadi texts were all written in the second and third centuries AD. The truth is that every book in the New Testament was written in the first century AD! In fact, Gnostic beliefs did not begin to be mixed with Christianity until about 150 AD and so-called Christian Gnostic sects virtually disappeared by the 6th century. The only known exception was the Mandaean sect of Iran/Iraq.
These thirteen leather-bound volumes contained fifty-two treatises including - The Gospel of Thomas and The Apocryphon of John, in which the Shadow Crucible references the false deity born of the Sophia.
Peter Jones, professor of New Testament at Westminster Seminary California and director of Christian Witness to a Pagan Planet says "Gnosticism is formed from the Greek term gnosis meaning knowledge, but it means here a particular form of knowledge, namely spiritual experience.' Like all pagan spirituality, so-called Christian' Gnosticism engages in sacred technologies' (occult meditations, chanting mantras, drumming, etc.) to access the higher, spiritual self, the self that is part of God. And herein lies the problem.
Gnosticism claims to make you God, there is only one God
“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” John 17:3
Any rational scientist will tell you that the gnostic out-of-body experiences are just physically induced phenomena. In a word, the gnostic experience of enlightenment' is both the rejection of the goodness of the physical creation and an acquisition of the knowledge of the divinity of the human soul." Basically, Gnostics see the human soul as divine. You look within for God.
There was no consensus on a Gnostic canon of scriptures. Gnostic groups had no scruples about rewriting and adapting other religions sacred writings to fit their fancy. Many of their own works were circulated in different versions. Various sects had their own preferred rendition. Further, Gnostic groups had no unified doctrinal statement within Gnostic groups. In fact, the Nag Hammadi find revealed that a variety of different beliefs existed among different groups and individuals. For instance, some taught celibacy and others did not.
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Matthew 24:3
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12
The Gnostics taught that the physical (material) is evil and the spiritual (non-material) is good. Thus, a good god (spiritual) could not have created a physical world, because good cannot create evil (that is the spiritual would not create the physical). So the Gnostic god created a being, or a line of beings called aeons, removing himself from direct creation. One of these aeons, or gods, created the world, in the Apocryphon of John the Gnostics try to reverse the story of Genesis, which contends that the Sophia created the false God who created this world without the consent of her counterpart, and gave rise to a misshapen being called Samael, who is the central adversary in The Shadow Crucible.
From the Apocryphon of John it is Samael who prevents man from eating from the Tree of Knowledge in Genesis so that he may not arise to become a God like him:
This dim ruler has three names:
Yaldabaoth is the first.
Saklas is the second.
Samael is the third.
He is blasphemous through his thoughtlessness.
He said “I am God, and there is no God but me!”
Since he didn’t know where his own Power originated.
Yaldabaoth modeled his creation
On the pattern of the original realms above him
So that it might be just like the indestructible realms.
Not that he had ever seen the indestructible ones.
Rather, the power in him, deriving from his mother,
made him aware of the pattern of the cosmos above.
When he gazed upon his creation surrounding him
He said to his host of demons
The ones who had come forth out of him:
“I am a jealous God and there is no God but me!”
When he gazed upon his creation surrounding him
He said to his host of demons
The ones who had come forth out of him:
“I am a jealous God and there is no God but me!”
In this way all of creation became blind,
Ignorant of God above everything.
This narrative is much like the shadow crucible – fantasy, they were merely the Tolkien’s of their own time, without cinema a compelling narrative one could construct to entertain the masses was controversial heretical texts. Purposeful efforts to alter and corrupt the New Testament began almost immediately after each Gospel and letter were written.
"For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ."
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."
These false prophets and teachers are said to "privily...bring in damnable heresies." That is, they secretly introduced spurious (unauthentic, counterfeit or bogus) teachings that were "damnable heresies" or perversion of the truth. They sought to peddle these heresies among believers. And how would they do that? Certainly by their slick teachings but likely also in their writings and corruptions of what God had given in the New Testament.
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."
And though in the novel chapter Deus ex Machina Christ appears, it is designed as a contrived plot device, one that the reader expects and in so doing delivers what they expect before withdrawing the power of his salvation, we are not saved by our own hands but by grace alone. "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God...."
"Every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not of God...."
Gnosticism, in all of its varieties, was the most influential heresy faced by the early Church. Not only did the Gnostic corrupt many readings found in the New Testament, but offered their own writings as inspired scriptures. Gnosticism is thinly veiled Pantheism. Pantheism is the doctrine that identifies God with and in the whole universe, every particle, tree, table, animal, and person being are part of God. Or, to explain it in a very basic way, the Greek word pan = all. The Greek word theos = God). Therefore it literally means "God is All" and "All is God".
This is what the LORD says… “I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God” Isaiah 44:6
April 25, 2017
Congrats on the official release today!!!
The Matrix doused in medieval blood. I think Shadow Crucible is what the Matrix would be like if it were medievally more violent, with a split personality disorder and a vengeance against religion.
“You want to end up chained like they are? Look at what they have done to them, look closer!” As he shoved her toward a row of men and women she tripped, hitting the ground painfully. They cowered in fear at the unexpected noise, dropping the quills and parchments they had been holding. Estella froze in horror as she looked more closely at the prisoners. Where their eyes should have been were empty sockets, carelessly bandaged with filthy linens.”
The opening chapter got me hooked!
This is class gothic fantasy, I have a morbid fascination with seers as it goes… (seriously the first chapter just throws you right in there, empty sockets AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!) If you like an unhealthy dose of sugar in your story then this is not for you, the bitter dregs of looking at a reality burning to the ground where Estella takes us for an insane ride against a blind god and ancient deities warring over us like commodities. Hooked on that cruel blind god – makes sense to me, why do people suffer? The god of this world is wilfully blind, tearing apart religions from the inside…
Ever since I saw the Matrix where humans were harvested like lightbulbs, something about that grated my bones, and it is like this takes it to a whole new level of fucked up!
Perhaps there is something psychologically wrong with me wanting to open Pandora’s box, I understand her, open the fucking box, see what’s inside. It is like the author is tempting you to open the box to pull back the lid, never quite showing you enough to let you know what is really in there, open the damn box!
I say The Matrix doused in blood, but it is more like Penny Dreadful had sex with Lord of the Rings and cooked the bastard son!
Spoiler alert – so the story starts with Count Mikhail arriving at RedFern Manor in the dead of night, there is the alluring yet sinister ways of Estella, a witch that seems all too real, benevolent, uncaring, cynical, cunning, a ruthless heroine.
Again, this book is not for the weak hearted, the medieval characters live up to their reputation, spanning across an intricate world on two planes of existence - Templars, Kingdoms, Witches, Seers – and on the other plane Deities, Angels, Demons, Saviours, a Blind God and the Goddess.
Out of nothingness a chessboard emerged, shimmering in jet and white marble. Calling forth the creation of blindness
Estella is the lead, caught in a love triangle between Mikhail the Templar, a demon seeking redemption Antariel, with warring kingdoms seeking to possess her for their own ends.
My sight brought me too close to the throne of God, and his sight burned me every day. I shivered in endless turmoil, for I stared too far into the void and it bled my eyes, detaching me from sanity, and my madness thrived upon my gift. I had become the ideal weapon for the chessboard of the gods, and the instrument most desirable.
Estella is of the Twilit born, people whose sight is coveted by the Church, and as the sense of urgency rapidly increases to find an answer to the arrival of the Blind God in the world, an unprecedented event as he rapes and kills the mother of the forthcoming messiah. Damn it, I want to say the next part.
Estella is not an ordinary heroine, she has no interest in the love triangles, she sees the world for what it is and wants to escape this medieval matrix at any cost. I think what killed me in Penny Dreadful which I loved was this astounding protagonist in Vanessa Ives, and then just the way it ended in the third season with forgiveness. Estella does not forgive, she lets the bitterness burrow deep within and then exacts her vengeance, whether King or man. No bullshit loveshitology!
This book gripped me and I wanted more, you can tell by the verses that open the chapters that Lakomy can take you deep into a whirlpool of imagery, but for some reason she prefers to skim the surfaces at times and slow down. The anguish to tear through and find the answers got me:
For I am dead inside and out, and my heart bleeds not for heaven, neither does it twang for the master puppeteer who mocks you all..... “You worship the god of lies, whether in churches or as heretics hidden in secret covens. And you war against each other, proclaiming the other damned. But you are all lost, for the many houses of human religion are held by the string of the same master puppeteer.”
Something in the writing calls to me, tears at me, rips me through… it is devastating, sublime, poetic in its effort to make death that final destination we all herald to a known commodity. Just in case it is not already abundantly clear, this book will always have a special place on my book shelf.
The author sent me an advanced copy of this book for review.
The Matrix doused in medieval blood. I think Shadow Crucible is what the Matrix would be like if it were medievally more violent, with a split personality disorder and a vengeance against religion.
“You want to end up chained like they are? Look at what they have done to them, look closer!” As he shoved her toward a row of men and women she tripped, hitting the ground painfully. They cowered in fear at the unexpected noise, dropping the quills and parchments they had been holding. Estella froze in horror as she looked more closely at the prisoners. Where their eyes should have been were empty sockets, carelessly bandaged with filthy linens.”
The opening chapter got me hooked!
This is class gothic fantasy, I have a morbid fascination with seers as it goes… (seriously the first chapter just throws you right in there, empty sockets AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!) If you like an unhealthy dose of sugar in your story then this is not for you, the bitter dregs of looking at a reality burning to the ground where Estella takes us for an insane ride against a blind god and ancient deities warring over us like commodities. Hooked on that cruel blind god – makes sense to me, why do people suffer? The god of this world is wilfully blind, tearing apart religions from the inside…
Ever since I saw the Matrix where humans were harvested like lightbulbs, something about that grated my bones, and it is like this takes it to a whole new level of fucked up!
Perhaps there is something psychologically wrong with me wanting to open Pandora’s box, I understand her, open the fucking box, see what’s inside. It is like the author is tempting you to open the box to pull back the lid, never quite showing you enough to let you know what is really in there, open the damn box!
I say The Matrix doused in blood, but it is more like Penny Dreadful had sex with Lord of the Rings and cooked the bastard son!
Spoiler alert – so the story starts with Count Mikhail arriving at RedFern Manor in the dead of night, there is the alluring yet sinister ways of Estella, a witch that seems all too real, benevolent, uncaring, cynical, cunning, a ruthless heroine.
Again, this book is not for the weak hearted, the medieval characters live up to their reputation, spanning across an intricate world on two planes of existence - Templars, Kingdoms, Witches, Seers – and on the other plane Deities, Angels, Demons, Saviours, a Blind God and the Goddess.
Out of nothingness a chessboard emerged, shimmering in jet and white marble. Calling forth the creation of blindness
Estella is the lead, caught in a love triangle between Mikhail the Templar, a demon seeking redemption Antariel, with warring kingdoms seeking to possess her for their own ends.
My sight brought me too close to the throne of God, and his sight burned me every day. I shivered in endless turmoil, for I stared too far into the void and it bled my eyes, detaching me from sanity, and my madness thrived upon my gift. I had become the ideal weapon for the chessboard of the gods, and the instrument most desirable.
Estella is of the Twilit born, people whose sight is coveted by the Church, and as the sense of urgency rapidly increases to find an answer to the arrival of the Blind God in the world, an unprecedented event as he rapes and kills the mother of the forthcoming messiah. Damn it, I want to say the next part.
Estella is not an ordinary heroine, she has no interest in the love triangles, she sees the world for what it is and wants to escape this medieval matrix at any cost. I think what killed me in Penny Dreadful which I loved was this astounding protagonist in Vanessa Ives, and then just the way it ended in the third season with forgiveness. Estella does not forgive, she lets the bitterness burrow deep within and then exacts her vengeance, whether King or man. No bullshit loveshitology!
This book gripped me and I wanted more, you can tell by the verses that open the chapters that Lakomy can take you deep into a whirlpool of imagery, but for some reason she prefers to skim the surfaces at times and slow down. The anguish to tear through and find the answers got me:
For I am dead inside and out, and my heart bleeds not for heaven, neither does it twang for the master puppeteer who mocks you all..... “You worship the god of lies, whether in churches or as heretics hidden in secret covens. And you war against each other, proclaiming the other damned. But you are all lost, for the many houses of human religion are held by the string of the same master puppeteer.”
Something in the writing calls to me, tears at me, rips me through… it is devastating, sublime, poetic in its effort to make death that final destination we all herald to a known commodity. Just in case it is not already abundantly clear, this book will always have a special place on my book shelf.
The author sent me an advanced copy of this book for review.
April 21, 2017
This book is a whole lot of gorgeous writing, wonderfully deep research, and a captivating plot. If you love books that get into Christian Mythology, Templars, and the Occult, this is a must read for you. The writing blows you away all the time, and at the end it is just pure poetry. The plot and subject matter was the most interesting for me because it's something I have a passion for and the story is wonderful on a macro and micro level. Really great and already looking forward to the next!
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
April 4, 2017
The shadow crucible has a new take on gothic horror, shying away from cliches, the book crosses over epic fantasy with gothic elements. It has a lot of theatrical elements in it, the author clearly put a lot of effort into creating the atmosphere and the tensions. The psychological insight into the characters is what kept me going more than the theme and ongoing battles between different players.
June 19, 2017
I haven't quite finished this but it is absolutely brilliant. Very well written and will appeal to any fans of the genre. An amazing debut by a wonderful woman! (I got to meet her at a signing and she is beautiful as well as intelligent. An amazing lady who writes amazing books, and does amazing things! I confess I now have a massive girl crush)
June 14, 2017
This is quite the book to read. Seat gripping, nail biting page turner. This book will have you turning pages faster than you realize. Will have you asking questions as well as pondering on what you're reading. Well written. Highly recommended.
April 21, 2017
I have been looking for a good fantasy story. One of my friends advised me to read "The Shadow Crucible" which has a plot that isn't the same as all the others. The author planned the storyline very well, it slowly introduces the darkness to the reader.
At first glance, I had to get used to the dark atmosphere, but after several chapters, you would find something remarkable in this world.
I'm very glad that I give this book a shot and thanks to my friend for the inspiration to read it. The book is addictive and I can't wait to start read the next book from Tamara.
At first glance, I had to get used to the dark atmosphere, but after several chapters, you would find something remarkable in this world.
I'm very glad that I give this book a shot and thanks to my friend for the inspiration to read it. The book is addictive and I can't wait to start read the next book from Tamara.
May 17, 2017
The Shadow Crucible is a rich, melancholy story set in medieval England where angels, demons, and gods fight over mortal souls. Enigmatic-seer Estella Delcour is unaware of her God-given powers and the dangers lurking between her and those seeking to devour them. Few of those on her side, Count Mikhail develops an unexpectedly yet strong love for her that she can’t fathom nor trust.
Estella’s struggle for self-control is a grieving yet beautiful story. Each chapter grips your heart with a new and profound adventure. Though she understands the influence she has on other people, Estella fights vengefully to break free from the allure of those envious of her powers. Tamara Lakomy ignites the senses and imagination with sultry and poetic language. With this story, she hopes to inspire other authors to share the rich history and fantasies within African storytelling.
Estella’s struggle for self-control is a grieving yet beautiful story. Each chapter grips your heart with a new and profound adventure. Though she understands the influence she has on other people, Estella fights vengefully to break free from the allure of those envious of her powers. Tamara Lakomy ignites the senses and imagination with sultry and poetic language. With this story, she hopes to inspire other authors to share the rich history and fantasies within African storytelling.
November 20, 2017
Full review is here, on my blog.
This story follows Estella, who is a sort of pagan-ish seer in an alternate medieval Britain, and Mikhail, a Templar, who are both rolled together in a demonic plot hatched by Lucifer and Samael who are using the king and the church as puppets.
The real problem I’m having with reviewing it though, is that it’s really difficult for me to quantify my thoughts about this book. It was rather difficult to put down at times, and I thought it was really well written. The prose is quite nice and it describes the characters quite well. The plotline never lets up, but it does seem to skip ahead in time rather often. So, this happens, then two months later, this happens. My main problem is that I didn’t find myself rooting for either of the main characters, which I think I needed to do to really like this book.
Estella is… a confusing character. I wanted to root for her at the beginning, but her motivations change so rapidly that I found I didn’t really like her in the end. She’s being hounded by demons, one in particular, right up until she isn’t anymore. Her relationship with Mikhail is very bizarre, and often kind of maddening, and I couldn’t tell if it was so because she was being manipulated by demons, or what. I wanted to like her, but it didn’t really happen.
Mikhail is less confusing, but still not very likable at first. That being said, he is the sum of his parts. He is who he is supposed to be. He does change as a character as the book goes on, and I did feel for him, so at least there’s that.
I liked Antariel, the fallen angel. He was my favorite character. Lucifer was another character that was really well written as well, and well described. It seemed a bit weird to end up liking his character more than the main ones, because he’s kind of the bad guy (technically *the* bad guy, if you’re Christian and rather religious… uh… but if you are, you should um… probably just skip this book, lol).
The ending certainly wrapped up the events of this book while setting up definite future events (though how far in the future is sort of uncertain). I liked how it got where it was going. We see a lot of different mythologies and religious doctrine in this book, and mixing them up seemed to work alright. The Twilit realm and the Elders were interesting.
I dunno, all told, I thought it was written well enough that it kept me reading until the end, but I didn’t love it. I didn’t hate it, but I never really latched on like I do to most books that I read. It was a confusing book, to me. I honestly wish I had the same experience with this book that other reviewers of it had. Perhaps there was something about it that I missed, or something that went over my head about it. I don’t know.
Like I said, I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. It’s definitely got a ton of potential, and for a debut, it’s fantastically written. It’s worth your time to give it a go. I’m certainly open to seeing what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review of it.
This story follows Estella, who is a sort of pagan-ish seer in an alternate medieval Britain, and Mikhail, a Templar, who are both rolled together in a demonic plot hatched by Lucifer and Samael who are using the king and the church as puppets.
The real problem I’m having with reviewing it though, is that it’s really difficult for me to quantify my thoughts about this book. It was rather difficult to put down at times, and I thought it was really well written. The prose is quite nice and it describes the characters quite well. The plotline never lets up, but it does seem to skip ahead in time rather often. So, this happens, then two months later, this happens. My main problem is that I didn’t find myself rooting for either of the main characters, which I think I needed to do to really like this book.
Estella is… a confusing character. I wanted to root for her at the beginning, but her motivations change so rapidly that I found I didn’t really like her in the end. She’s being hounded by demons, one in particular, right up until she isn’t anymore. Her relationship with Mikhail is very bizarre, and often kind of maddening, and I couldn’t tell if it was so because she was being manipulated by demons, or what. I wanted to like her, but it didn’t really happen.
Mikhail is less confusing, but still not very likable at first. That being said, he is the sum of his parts. He is who he is supposed to be. He does change as a character as the book goes on, and I did feel for him, so at least there’s that.
I liked Antariel, the fallen angel. He was my favorite character. Lucifer was another character that was really well written as well, and well described. It seemed a bit weird to end up liking his character more than the main ones, because he’s kind of the bad guy (technically *the* bad guy, if you’re Christian and rather religious… uh… but if you are, you should um… probably just skip this book, lol).
The ending certainly wrapped up the events of this book while setting up definite future events (though how far in the future is sort of uncertain). I liked how it got where it was going. We see a lot of different mythologies and religious doctrine in this book, and mixing them up seemed to work alright. The Twilit realm and the Elders were interesting.
I dunno, all told, I thought it was written well enough that it kept me reading until the end, but I didn’t love it. I didn’t hate it, but I never really latched on like I do to most books that I read. It was a confusing book, to me. I honestly wish I had the same experience with this book that other reviewers of it had. Perhaps there was something about it that I missed, or something that went over my head about it. I don’t know.
Like I said, I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. It’s definitely got a ton of potential, and for a debut, it’s fantastically written. It’s worth your time to give it a go. I’m certainly open to seeing what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review of it.
December 11, 2017
The Shadow Crucible is a fascinating, well written story. As I turned each page, I was able to envision the characters and scene as if I were watching it unfold in front of me. The author weaves a tapestry of vibrant language, telling a tale that leaves the reader spellbound. Half way through the book, I was considering contacting the author to ask if a sequel is in store! I was really impressed at the author's talent considering this is her first book!
August 29, 2018
Gripping story that grabs you and won’t let go until you are through with it. Taking place in Europe the story serves as a crossroads to various streams of spirituality. At he heart of the story is sort of a three way spiritual war between God, Samael and Lucifer. Each one vying for their own position of kingship.
A major pawn in all of this is Estrella or Tsura. She is of twilight people, gifted with special magic abilities, they also follow the old gods. Estrella is a countess who owns a family manor. Back when she was a little girl her family was killed at the same time a certain little girl was . Estrella took her place . Up until now the ruse worked.
In comes Mikhail, a Templar night from royal birth, who acts as a guide and protector for Tsura. Love can complicate things and it sets up a sort of triangle between Mikhail, Tsura and Antariel. Antariel is a fallen angel. In the midst of this war Everyone is after her and her abilities. The church is capturing and torturing the twilight people in order to obtain their gifts, the church has been taken over by Lucifer.
Tsura goes on many adventures to escape the clutches of these demons. Plenty of action and suspense. Story line could use some Improvement and the ending was a bit flat.
A major pawn in all of this is Estrella or Tsura. She is of twilight people, gifted with special magic abilities, they also follow the old gods. Estrella is a countess who owns a family manor. Back when she was a little girl her family was killed at the same time a certain little girl was . Estrella took her place . Up until now the ruse worked.
In comes Mikhail, a Templar night from royal birth, who acts as a guide and protector for Tsura. Love can complicate things and it sets up a sort of triangle between Mikhail, Tsura and Antariel. Antariel is a fallen angel. In the midst of this war Everyone is after her and her abilities. The church is capturing and torturing the twilight people in order to obtain their gifts, the church has been taken over by Lucifer.
Tsura goes on many adventures to escape the clutches of these demons. Plenty of action and suspense. Story line could use some Improvement and the ending was a bit flat.
May 5, 2020
DNFed
So much descriptions and narration.
5% through the book and we are still at the same scene.
Slow as molasses.
So much descriptions and narration.
5% through the book and we are still at the same scene.
Slow as molasses.
August 20, 2019
"Finally Estella made her appearance. Upright and supple, she strode across the hall with the grace of an eastern dancer. The candle she held refracted its wan light on the many rings glinting on her fingers, golden with rubies and opals. Even from a distance the count could see the smoldering fire of her eyes, betraying an almost feline ferocity. He was troubled instantly, for this was no simple English rose. Nothing about this woman was tame, and she radiated poorly concealed power."
Seriously?!!
I was not expecting demons and angels wrought with the finesse of Daughter of Smoke and Bone, nor was I settling in for The Name of The Rose or even The Templars, but I was hoping for more than Mills and Boons with a couple of demons and dark omens thrown in for extra thrills.
In all fairness, I only suffered through the first couple of chapters, but life is too short for bad literature!
Seriously?!!
I was not expecting demons and angels wrought with the finesse of Daughter of Smoke and Bone, nor was I settling in for The Name of The Rose or even The Templars, but I was hoping for more than Mills and Boons with a couple of demons and dark omens thrown in for extra thrills.
In all fairness, I only suffered through the first couple of chapters, but life is too short for bad literature!
June 27, 2017
A gripping tale of good versus evil, angels and demons, and the fight for the mortal soul set in medieval England.
I won an advanced uncorrected proof copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am donating it to a senior assisted living facility.
I won an advanced uncorrected proof copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am donating it to a senior assisted living facility.
December 10, 2017
Mashallah, this my new Constantine and Van Helsing, the book remind me of gothic and theatre, but you seem troubled, I pray you find spiritual answer,
October 24, 2019
A richly crafted supernatural fantasy sprinkled with touches of Gothic horror, that gives an Anne Rice vibe to the reader with its baroque prose, an unique take on Biblical mythology and religion, and the grim-dark atmosphere of the story. In some parts, the novel felt hopelessly didactic, and the long conversations felt monotonous. The only thing that kept me going was the suspense, which Lakomy kept hanging like a sword above the head.
The worldbuilding was brilliant. Lakomy captures the ambience of an alternate medieval London rife with demons, witches, aristocracy, and the church in a very elegant manner. I particularly loved the conception of the twilit world, which was surreal and mysterious. The myth of Genesis is subverted in this book, and the clash between paganism and Christianity is discussed quite brilliantly. I also loved how Lakomy has incorporated the theme of the Divine Feminine in her novel. I think, it is one of the most celebrated aspects of her book, which is philosophical, deeply existential, and powerful at the same time. I was awed at how the author has so beautifully weaved the varied facets of Norse, Greek, and Christian mythology, along with theology in the story. It is too beautiful and poignant in some places.
The characters are quite intriguing. The one I found most fascinating was the ambivalent Lucifer. He is brilliantly portrayed with all the splendour, and callous deceptiveness that is associated with his character. Estella, I liked a lot. She is like nature, beautiful, complex, clever, and untamed, trying to exist in a patriarchal world. Her full potential as a character is still shrouded in mystery towards the end. I liked her interactions with the fallen angel Antariel, who is another fascinating character. The grimdark nature of the novel is revealed in the hypocrisy of the Church, torture, which I believed is modeled upon the events of the Inquisition.
The ending was a sort of surprise, and it was mysteriously captivating. The themes of birth, death, love, and rebirth comes to a full cycle towards the end in this game of gods. All the pieces are set, and the great war between light and darkness, and shadow will be fought in the mortal world. This is a really ambitious novel, but also filled with some flaws and ambiguity. I enjoyed the ambiguity in both the story and the characters, but, the didacticism annoyed me in some places and severely hampered my enjoyment of the novel. Rest said, I will definitely read another novel by Lakomy.
The worldbuilding was brilliant. Lakomy captures the ambience of an alternate medieval London rife with demons, witches, aristocracy, and the church in a very elegant manner. I particularly loved the conception of the twilit world, which was surreal and mysterious. The myth of Genesis is subverted in this book, and the clash between paganism and Christianity is discussed quite brilliantly. I also loved how Lakomy has incorporated the theme of the Divine Feminine in her novel. I think, it is one of the most celebrated aspects of her book, which is philosophical, deeply existential, and powerful at the same time. I was awed at how the author has so beautifully weaved the varied facets of Norse, Greek, and Christian mythology, along with theology in the story. It is too beautiful and poignant in some places.
The characters are quite intriguing. The one I found most fascinating was the ambivalent Lucifer. He is brilliantly portrayed with all the splendour, and callous deceptiveness that is associated with his character. Estella, I liked a lot. She is like nature, beautiful, complex, clever, and untamed, trying to exist in a patriarchal world. Her full potential as a character is still shrouded in mystery towards the end. I liked her interactions with the fallen angel Antariel, who is another fascinating character. The grimdark nature of the novel is revealed in the hypocrisy of the Church, torture, which I believed is modeled upon the events of the Inquisition.
The ending was a sort of surprise, and it was mysteriously captivating. The themes of birth, death, love, and rebirth comes to a full cycle towards the end in this game of gods. All the pieces are set, and the great war between light and darkness, and shadow will be fought in the mortal world. This is a really ambitious novel, but also filled with some flaws and ambiguity. I enjoyed the ambiguity in both the story and the characters, but, the didacticism annoyed me in some places and severely hampered my enjoyment of the novel. Rest said, I will definitely read another novel by Lakomy.
August 9, 2022
☆☆☆☆☆
(0 stars)
Oh my.
The Shadow Crucible, by T. M. Lakomy was not what I was expecting. Definitely I was wary of its dense text and rather ugly cover, but I did not fathom how difficult a read this was to be. It hurt. This book is written much like the author is unaware of what it means to create a story. As if written from Plato’s cave, guessing secondhand at what a writer’s craft is and turning up with the idea a plot is simply a series of events connected only by the virtue of being in chronological order.
It is edited for errors and formatted competently, but everything about this book screams of a hard, brutal lack of finesse. I am not ignorant of the idea of different story structures, I should say, that the western media idea of all stories conforming to the three act rollarcoaster is superior- but this is clearly not a case of some alternative system. It is merely a failure on all accounts of story telling, with character plots thinly written in a poorly defined yet over-detailed world, where every character speaks for paragraphs at a time yet fails to convey a single point.
I got a splitting headache from this book, forcing myself to actually read every line (often more than once) to try and parse what it even imagines of itself. This is a dark fantasy set in a vaguely medieval time of England, it exists uneasily as an alternate history without anything clearly alternative, and centers on angels, demons, and pagans. I had to pause as I wrote that last bit, because I truly struggle within myself at the notion of this ‘centering’ on anything.
Months and years pass without comment as god and anti-god wage eternal war, while Lucifer forms vague plans and our female lead is cat-like and so, so, beautiful and perfect. Peppered between scenes of people vaguely talking about things but not really are gorey tortures, sexual violence, and just a sprinkle of apparent homophobic vibes, just to keep things classy. And. Of course. A pointless haunting dread that is actually worsened by the time Jesus Christ himself shows up.
This is not actually a Christian book, by the way- it’s a strange mix of Wicca and Christianity, and at times is coyly anti-christian while still again featuring Jesus as a positive character. Like most aspects, The Shadow Crucible is confused about its own identity, and I don’t think I’ll be able to part the veil too much in the (long) review ahead.
Read the rest on my blog. It's too long! Lots of quotes!
(0 stars)
Oh my.
The Shadow Crucible, by T. M. Lakomy was not what I was expecting. Definitely I was wary of its dense text and rather ugly cover, but I did not fathom how difficult a read this was to be. It hurt. This book is written much like the author is unaware of what it means to create a story. As if written from Plato’s cave, guessing secondhand at what a writer’s craft is and turning up with the idea a plot is simply a series of events connected only by the virtue of being in chronological order.
It is edited for errors and formatted competently, but everything about this book screams of a hard, brutal lack of finesse. I am not ignorant of the idea of different story structures, I should say, that the western media idea of all stories conforming to the three act rollarcoaster is superior- but this is clearly not a case of some alternative system. It is merely a failure on all accounts of story telling, with character plots thinly written in a poorly defined yet over-detailed world, where every character speaks for paragraphs at a time yet fails to convey a single point.
I got a splitting headache from this book, forcing myself to actually read every line (often more than once) to try and parse what it even imagines of itself. This is a dark fantasy set in a vaguely medieval time of England, it exists uneasily as an alternate history without anything clearly alternative, and centers on angels, demons, and pagans. I had to pause as I wrote that last bit, because I truly struggle within myself at the notion of this ‘centering’ on anything.
Months and years pass without comment as god and anti-god wage eternal war, while Lucifer forms vague plans and our female lead is cat-like and so, so, beautiful and perfect. Peppered between scenes of people vaguely talking about things but not really are gorey tortures, sexual violence, and just a sprinkle of apparent homophobic vibes, just to keep things classy. And. Of course. A pointless haunting dread that is actually worsened by the time Jesus Christ himself shows up.
This is not actually a Christian book, by the way- it’s a strange mix of Wicca and Christianity, and at times is coyly anti-christian while still again featuring Jesus as a positive character. Like most aspects, The Shadow Crucible is confused about its own identity, and I don’t think I’ll be able to part the veil too much in the (long) review ahead.
Read the rest on my blog. It's too long! Lots of quotes!
March 31, 2018
I won a copy " The Shadow Crucible" from Goodreads to read and review.
I struggled to the end feeling an obligation of reviewing a book won.
I found this book well outside my usual reading choices and because of that and other various reasons, not to my liking. When I read the blurbs on the listing which went something like: In a world like a medieval London where two rival pawns are ensnared in a cruel game between powerful kingdoms, the novel appeared to fit right into the heroic-combat fantasy genre that I often read.
It did not take me long to find out that the fight was between un-earthly kingdoms . The book was peopled by demons, imps, soul-robbing wraiths, ward-slinging Templar hired killers and spell-buffing , dark-eyed seductresses. In other words, sort of a D and D Video game on LSD.
This was the world presented by T.M. Takomy, the author, who by her picture is a bit of a dark-eyed seductress herself. In fairness, she does have a way with words, with a florid style. Her prose is purple, with swirls of magneta , lilac, and ocher. It was phantasmagoric and hallucinogenic, with some cleanup -written exposition to keep the story moving. This may have appeal to many, but not to me.
Conclusion: there are many glowing reviews of this book so read it if the style and subject attracts you. Mine is one reviewer's opinion. Two stars, mostly for the exceptional imagination of the author.
I struggled to the end feeling an obligation of reviewing a book won.
I found this book well outside my usual reading choices and because of that and other various reasons, not to my liking. When I read the blurbs on the listing which went something like: In a world like a medieval London where two rival pawns are ensnared in a cruel game between powerful kingdoms, the novel appeared to fit right into the heroic-combat fantasy genre that I often read.
It did not take me long to find out that the fight was between un-earthly kingdoms . The book was peopled by demons, imps, soul-robbing wraiths, ward-slinging Templar hired killers and spell-buffing , dark-eyed seductresses. In other words, sort of a D and D Video game on LSD.
This was the world presented by T.M. Takomy, the author, who by her picture is a bit of a dark-eyed seductress herself. In fairness, she does have a way with words, with a florid style. Her prose is purple, with swirls of magneta , lilac, and ocher. It was phantasmagoric and hallucinogenic, with some cleanup -written exposition to keep the story moving. This may have appeal to many, but not to me.
Conclusion: there are many glowing reviews of this book so read it if the style and subject attracts you. Mine is one reviewer's opinion. Two stars, mostly for the exceptional imagination of the author.
June 21, 2020
For: Atmosphere, cool mysticism, examination of the damage caused by religious dogma
Not for: An action-adventure or anything traditionally associated with 'epic fantasy'. I don't think this falls neatly into any specific category.
I have a deep love for stories based on gnosticism, since the depictions of angels and demons and the like tend to be way more metal than in their contemporary depictions (see Peter Mohrbacher's art for examples of what I love).
The story reads more like excerpts from a debate between competing religious texts rather than a concrete narrative, and there are tons - and I mean tons - of narration vs. actual *doing*. Events that you'd much rather read about in real-time are referred to in passing way after the fact, which might be too much of a drawback depending on your storytelling preferences. I caught myself sighing and wishing that more than a handful of events were actually written out instead of just mentioned as means to move the loose plot forward. I think that had I been aware of the narrative style beforehand, I would have accepted it more readily. Despite that, I still think this is HANDS DOWN the best gnostics-derived fantasy I've ever read, as well as a scathing rebuke of religious dogma, which is always a plus. Also it's the best depiction of Lucifer by FAR.
Also also, I just found out this is the first of a planned trilogy. Weeeeee!
Not for: An action-adventure or anything traditionally associated with 'epic fantasy'. I don't think this falls neatly into any specific category.
I have a deep love for stories based on gnosticism, since the depictions of angels and demons and the like tend to be way more metal than in their contemporary depictions (see Peter Mohrbacher's art for examples of what I love).
The story reads more like excerpts from a debate between competing religious texts rather than a concrete narrative, and there are tons - and I mean tons - of narration vs. actual *doing*. Events that you'd much rather read about in real-time are referred to in passing way after the fact, which might be too much of a drawback depending on your storytelling preferences. I caught myself sighing and wishing that more than a handful of events were actually written out instead of just mentioned as means to move the loose plot forward. I think that had I been aware of the narrative style beforehand, I would have accepted it more readily. Despite that, I still think this is HANDS DOWN the best gnostics-derived fantasy I've ever read, as well as a scathing rebuke of religious dogma, which is always a plus. Also it's the best depiction of Lucifer by FAR.
Also also, I just found out this is the first of a planned trilogy. Weeeeee!
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