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Shadow Walker
Every three years like clockwork, on the first day of June, the Tribe rolls into town.
Skye McAdow knows his mother has a history with the caravan of peace-loving hippies who spend their summer at Pyramid Park, in the shadow of the cave known as Pharaoh’s Tomb, but Solana McAdow has always been careful to keep Skye away from the Tribe. Until this summer, the summer Skye turns seventeen, because two years ago, Solana vanished in the middle of the night, leaving Skye and his little sister Willow to make their own way in the tiny town of Dry Spring.
The Tribe is not Skye’s biggest worry. There is his Sight, for one thing. Nobody but Solana knows that Skye can See the future - and the past. Then there is Aunt Jenny, who has come to depend on Skye far too much since he moved out to the family farm; his Pa, who blows into town now and then, just long enough to use Skye as his personal punching bag; the Jock Club, led by the mayor’s son Braden Tuttle, who seems to have it out for Skye; and Kit Crawford, the only boy cheerleader in Dry Spring, who rescues Skye from one of Pa’s beatings on a spring night and suddenly appears in one of his Visions, in a future Skye cannot imagine.
But when the Tribe reaches out to Skye, he discovers that their carefree nomadic existence is a lie. The magic of Dry Spring, a place called Little Egypt, is what draws the Tribe back every three years to the old forest outside of town - a magic connected to the stories Skye’s mother used to tell him about Alfheim, the Land of the Elves, and the seven Aldar gods, who once fought a war for control of the Creation Stones. Over the course of one incredible summer, Skye will learn about loyalty, love, revenge, power, sacrifice - and the choices that determine our futures, whether we are ready for them or not.
Skye McAdow knows his mother has a history with the caravan of peace-loving hippies who spend their summer at Pyramid Park, in the shadow of the cave known as Pharaoh’s Tomb, but Solana McAdow has always been careful to keep Skye away from the Tribe. Until this summer, the summer Skye turns seventeen, because two years ago, Solana vanished in the middle of the night, leaving Skye and his little sister Willow to make their own way in the tiny town of Dry Spring.
The Tribe is not Skye’s biggest worry. There is his Sight, for one thing. Nobody but Solana knows that Skye can See the future - and the past. Then there is Aunt Jenny, who has come to depend on Skye far too much since he moved out to the family farm; his Pa, who blows into town now and then, just long enough to use Skye as his personal punching bag; the Jock Club, led by the mayor’s son Braden Tuttle, who seems to have it out for Skye; and Kit Crawford, the only boy cheerleader in Dry Spring, who rescues Skye from one of Pa’s beatings on a spring night and suddenly appears in one of his Visions, in a future Skye cannot imagine.
But when the Tribe reaches out to Skye, he discovers that their carefree nomadic existence is a lie. The magic of Dry Spring, a place called Little Egypt, is what draws the Tribe back every three years to the old forest outside of town - a magic connected to the stories Skye’s mother used to tell him about Alfheim, the Land of the Elves, and the seven Aldar gods, who once fought a war for control of the Creation Stones. Over the course of one incredible summer, Skye will learn about loyalty, love, revenge, power, sacrifice - and the choices that determine our futures, whether we are ready for them or not.
545 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2017
About the author
Raven Snow
71 books96 followersRaven Snow lives in the Pacific Northwest & enjoys writing Witch Cozy Mysteries. Please click the "+Follow" button.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 27, 2024
I received this book as part of a monthly giveaway read from Amazon in 2018. This was my first read through the novel and I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised at this dark, fantasy work. An initial caveat is that this book has all of the teen angst you would expect of YA material and then some due to its LGBT+ content. Trigger warning for slurs which fly fast and loose from a rural community, despite the PG-13 content.
The biggest draw is the world building that involves fantasy creatures: elves, wyvern, griffins, and elemental magic, without the benefit of actually travelling the alternate world described. I believe subsequent books are intended to go there, while this novel is intended to prepare a reader for a fascinating trip.
Now don't by any means think that this novel is just a gimmicky MacGuffin to entice a reader into buying into a series without providing a full, complete story. This story is 600 plus pages with a full plot and ending with no lingering cliff hanger.
Skye McAdow is an odd high school student with an odd group of friends. His mother has walked out on he and his little sister and left them in the care of his aunt and geriatric grandfather. He has taken on the responsibility of providing for his family, but little did he know that this summer he would undertake a hero's journey that would involve an alternate world of elves, elemental magic, and elder gods.
There will be horrors, fighting, and romance: most of which involve a group of nomads called the Tribe. Skye's mother, Solana, was a member of the Tribe, so they provide a link to Skye's identity that is spiritually enticing and ethereally profound. This novel is a well-paced, complex narrative with epic possibilities.
The biggest draw is the world building that involves fantasy creatures: elves, wyvern, griffins, and elemental magic, without the benefit of actually travelling the alternate world described. I believe subsequent books are intended to go there, while this novel is intended to prepare a reader for a fascinating trip.
Now don't by any means think that this novel is just a gimmicky MacGuffin to entice a reader into buying into a series without providing a full, complete story. This story is 600 plus pages with a full plot and ending with no lingering cliff hanger.
Skye McAdow is an odd high school student with an odd group of friends. His mother has walked out on he and his little sister and left them in the care of his aunt and geriatric grandfather. He has taken on the responsibility of providing for his family, but little did he know that this summer he would undertake a hero's journey that would involve an alternate world of elves, elemental magic, and elder gods.
There will be horrors, fighting, and romance: most of which involve a group of nomads called the Tribe. Skye's mother, Solana, was a member of the Tribe, so they provide a link to Skye's identity that is spiritually enticing and ethereally profound. This novel is a well-paced, complex narrative with epic possibilities.
March 9, 2017
This book is definitely one of my favorite books. I truly hope to see it get more attention. I can't believe it was free on Amazon (kindle edition).
It was not an easy read, it takes some time and commitment. However, it is worth the effort.
Normally I steer clear of young adult because of all the teenage angst. This book does have angst, but it's not annoying. This book is more for older teen and up. There is no sex (aside from some kissing).
Now the best parts. I'm just gonna list them.
Intricate plot
Diverse charectors
Well written
Nice pace
Hippies
Elves (sexy elves)
Griffins
Wryyns
Magic
LGBT charectors
Vivid imagery
Nostalgia
Small town "charm"
Forests
Caves
Detailed Earth based religion lore
A compete book with no huge cliff hanger yet there is room for a sequel
It's such a well rounded book...and I'm very sad it's over for me. Please, if any part of the book description interests you, give it a chance. You won't be sorry.
It was not an easy read, it takes some time and commitment. However, it is worth the effort.
Normally I steer clear of young adult because of all the teenage angst. This book does have angst, but it's not annoying. This book is more for older teen and up. There is no sex (aside from some kissing).
Now the best parts. I'm just gonna list them.
Intricate plot
Diverse charectors
Well written
Nice pace
Hippies
Elves (sexy elves)
Griffins
Wryyns
Magic
LGBT charectors
Vivid imagery
Nostalgia
Small town "charm"
Forests
Caves
Detailed Earth based religion lore
A compete book with no huge cliff hanger yet there is room for a sequel
It's such a well rounded book...and I'm very sad it's over for me. Please, if any part of the book description interests you, give it a chance. You won't be sorry.
July 8, 2017
Exciting, magical, heartfelt
Deftly written and a far cry from the cozy mystery genre, this book is pure magic. Snow weaves a tale that is simultaneously a magical adventure of grand proportions, a deep romance on many levels and a coming of age saga that explores not only what it means to grow up but to grow into who and what we are without shame or regret. Thoroughly enjoyable and absolutely riveting.
Deftly written and a far cry from the cozy mystery genre, this book is pure magic. Snow weaves a tale that is simultaneously a magical adventure of grand proportions, a deep romance on many levels and a coming of age saga that explores not only what it means to grow up but to grow into who and what we are without shame or regret. Thoroughly enjoyable and absolutely riveting.
May 27, 2019
I was really surprised by this book. Not only was it a lot longer than I was expecting (definitely not a bad thing) but it also held quite a few plot twists. I wasn't expecting LGBT to make an appearance but it isn't overly done and I wouldn't consider it adult content. This is one book that I wish had a sequel but it doesn't leave everything hanging at the end either.
September 3, 2017
Captivating
Even though there is a "vice" the main character has that may make some uncomfortable, this book is so eloquently written that it is easy to read through. Reading this book was like stepping into another world.
Even though there is a "vice" the main character has that may make some uncomfortable, this book is so eloquently written that it is easy to read through. Reading this book was like stepping into another world.
February 10, 2018
Fantastic Saga!
Loved this book. The "hippie" Tribe, the controversial subjects woven through the entire book, choices that must be made, all written in a rich, easy to sink into prose. One of the best books I have recently read.
Loved this book. The "hippie" Tribe, the controversial subjects woven through the entire book, choices that must be made, all written in a rich, easy to sink into prose. One of the best books I have recently read.
October 8, 2018
Love, love, love
Fantastic, engrossing and magical story. The characters and story draw you in and hold you to the very end. Hope there will be a second book to continue the story.
Fantastic, engrossing and magical story. The characters and story draw you in and hold you to the very end. Hope there will be a second book to continue the story.
March 27, 2022
Perfect balance of light and dark!
Awsome reading. I would recommend this book to anyone who may enjoy magic and love and the fight for what is right. Great story.
Awsome reading. I would recommend this book to anyone who may enjoy magic and love and the fight for what is right. Great story.
March 8, 2017
First time reading a book in this genre.
Absolutely loved it. Really different and touching. Very interested to read another book by this author. Just really surprised how much I loved it! Great book!
Absolutely loved it. Really different and touching. Very interested to read another book by this author. Just really surprised how much I loved it! Great book!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews