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Shadow #1
Shadow
Sean's spent the last sixteen years of his life using his powers in a never-ending quest of exacting vengeance while saving the lives of innocent victims. The problem however, is that's all Sean has been doing. Forced to hide who and what he is from the world, Sean's life has become a fairly meaningless existence.
But after an unexpected weekend with a rather willing woman, Sean suddenly realizes that there's a lot more to life than an endless stream of criminals and vengeance. It's time to let someone else punish the guilty.
It's time to start enjoying life.
Spoiler Contains harem, violence, bad language, and a fair amount of partying.
But after an unexpected weekend with a rather willing woman, Sean suddenly realizes that there's a lot more to life than an endless stream of criminals and vengeance. It's time to let someone else punish the guilty.
It's time to start enjoying life.
Spoiler Contains harem, violence, bad language, and a fair amount of partying.
393 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2017
315 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Jan Stryvant
56 books550 followersI'm new to the Harem / LitRPG thing (If I'd known more about LitRPG when I wrote Shadow, I might have incorporated more elements of that into it).
I have a FT job, so I work on this when I can. Hopefully the next one will be even better.
https://stryvant.blogspot.com/
I have a FT job, so I work on this when I can. Hopefully the next one will be even better.
https://stryvant.blogspot.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
May 17, 2021
very troublesome book
Stand-alone hard boiled crime drama with super powers, violence, and lots of graphic sex.
This is a book about a bad guy who does bad things. This book takes place mostly in the crime underworld so there are scenes of: murder, torture, enslavement, forced prostitution, child molestation, drug use, freaky sex, and lots and lots of rape. The main character keeps a 17 year old sex slave and sells her friend to a whorehouse. This is one of those kinds of books.
The basic premise here is that it's okay to be very bad if you you occasionally murder someone worse than you are. That's who shadow is. He is a killer of bad men. So it's totally Okay that's he's a drug dealing thug who doesn't always ask the girls before he takes them roughly.
In style and feel this books is very much like a William D. Arand book, except that the Antihero here is not all angsty & pissy. The writing here is (meh) pretty good, if a little spotty. The Narrative jumps around and skips forward months or years with telling you. The end of the book feels rushed and contradicts earlier statements. There are quite a few contradictions in this book but those are going to crop up when you try to have it both ways. I found this book engrossing and more than a little unsettling but I didn't not put it down other than to think very seriously about what I'd just read.
Stand-alone hard boiled crime drama with super powers, violence, and lots of graphic sex.
This is a book about a bad guy who does bad things. This book takes place mostly in the crime underworld so there are scenes of: murder, torture, enslavement, forced prostitution, child molestation, drug use, freaky sex, and lots and lots of rape. The main character keeps a 17 year old sex slave and sells her friend to a whorehouse. This is one of those kinds of books.
The basic premise here is that it's okay to be very bad if you you occasionally murder someone worse than you are. That's who shadow is. He is a killer of bad men. So it's totally Okay that's he's a drug dealing thug who doesn't always ask the girls before he takes them roughly.
In style and feel this books is very much like a William D. Arand book, except that the Antihero here is not all angsty & pissy. The writing here is (meh) pretty good, if a little spotty. The Narrative jumps around and skips forward months or years with telling you. The end of the book feels rushed and contradicts earlier statements. There are quite a few contradictions in this book but those are going to crop up when you try to have it both ways. I found this book engrossing and more than a little unsettling but I didn't not put it down other than to think very seriously about what I'd just read.
July 4, 2019
Rating 3.0 star
Meh. I like Jan Stryvant's work. I enjoyed both the Portals of Infinity and the Valens Legacy. While the writing style is the same and I did enjoy it. The story in this one was severely lacking. It kind of jumped all over the place and I could never understand the main characters motives or what his goals where. He was a bad guy but also a good guy. Not much to tell about the story really. This might have been a prep book for the other two series as it appears this book is stand alone and the other series are so much better.
Meh. I like Jan Stryvant's work. I enjoyed both the Portals of Infinity and the Valens Legacy. While the writing style is the same and I did enjoy it. The story in this one was severely lacking. It kind of jumped all over the place and I could never understand the main characters motives or what his goals where. He was a bad guy but also a good guy. Not much to tell about the story really. This might have been a prep book for the other two series as it appears this book is stand alone and the other series are so much better.
February 3, 2019
Definitely an Antihero
In the struggle between good and evil, Shadow Cat is definitely a neutral. He had his own code, his own morals and his own agenda. And he doesn't care what anybody else thinks about it. This is one of the better superhero novels I've ever seen. It's nuanced and complex, but it's also superbly plotted and never bogs down or gets stale. Well done, Mr Stryvant.
In the struggle between good and evil, Shadow Cat is definitely a neutral. He had his own code, his own morals and his own agenda. And he doesn't care what anybody else thinks about it. This is one of the better superhero novels I've ever seen. It's nuanced and complex, but it's also superbly plotted and never bogs down or gets stale. Well done, Mr Stryvant.
June 13, 2017
A festering turd that stands out even in the garbage dump of Kindle Unlimited: if you got this book for free, you paid too much.
When I was 15, and painted D&D miniatures on saturday nights, putting zit cream on my face, and dreaming of the day I would one day be cool, I used to write stuff like this. A tower of masculinity and grace; a literal cat-man, accomplished assassin, but a virgin, learns within the first few pages how to have SEX with a LADY...then pretty much starts getting rapey right away. All the while, he's "cleaning up the criminal underworld" in a series of ritualistic arena fights to the death. I got as far as the lurid descriptions of the main character's fucking HAREM before I was like "aaalright." and threw this title into the void.
When I was 15, and painted D&D miniatures on saturday nights, putting zit cream on my face, and dreaming of the day I would one day be cool, I used to write stuff like this. A tower of masculinity and grace; a literal cat-man, accomplished assassin, but a virgin, learns within the first few pages how to have SEX with a LADY...then pretty much starts getting rapey right away. All the while, he's "cleaning up the criminal underworld" in a series of ritualistic arena fights to the death. I got as far as the lurid descriptions of the main character's fucking HAREM before I was like "aaalright." and threw this title into the void.
March 11, 2018
Viva le Shadow
This was a great read. I enjoyed the development of Shadow and the characters and how you were just dropped into the moment from the start. It’s a change from the Valens Legacy, but a welcomed one. Dealing with super powers is new for me and this was a wonderful introduction.
This was a great read. I enjoyed the development of Shadow and the characters and how you were just dropped into the moment from the start. It’s a change from the Valens Legacy, but a welcomed one. Dealing with super powers is new for me and this was a wonderful introduction.
January 15, 2019
Wow, this is one of the best novel I had never heard of. I'm pretty picky when it comes to super hero stories. I really enjoyed this. It was so much more of a complete, complex story than I every expected. It's like a mash up of two of my favorite series, "Good Intentions" by Elliott Key and "Super Sale on Super Heros" by William Arand. Even though the audio book was only a little over 13 hrs., the story seemed to go on with many different stages that were all very well developed. I was impressed.
July 14, 2017
A super slice of life
Shadow follows the life of a super vigilante as he transitions into super play boy, and again into shady citizen.
Lots of sex and violence, abbreviated in tasteful fashion.
Well written and engaging, it was aiming for four stars until it ended without a clear ending.
I had a good time, but I felt cheated by the abrupt cessation. Like life, the good is in the journey, and the end is unrelated to the quality of the path.
Shadow follows the life of a super vigilante as he transitions into super play boy, and again into shady citizen.
Lots of sex and violence, abbreviated in tasteful fashion.
Well written and engaging, it was aiming for four stars until it ended without a clear ending.
I had a good time, but I felt cheated by the abrupt cessation. Like life, the good is in the journey, and the end is unrelated to the quality of the path.
March 3, 2019
Entertaining
Loved it. Great character development, a feel-good factor when it ended which is oddly missing these days since a lot of writers love a cliffhanger ending way too much. Also liked how the MC sticks to his own character and doesn't suddenly do a backflip on his stance out of political correctness. All in all, entertaining, definitely a pageturner and would love having a few more in a series, if the writer has any such plans.
Loved it. Great character development, a feel-good factor when it ended which is oddly missing these days since a lot of writers love a cliffhanger ending way too much. Also liked how the MC sticks to his own character and doesn't suddenly do a backflip on his stance out of political correctness. All in all, entertaining, definitely a pageturner and would love having a few more in a series, if the writer has any such plans.
December 12, 2017
Good Story
I enjoyed this book. It was a darker slice of life. It was a bit rough around the edges but the story is a good progression of this person's life. It still is a bit open for a second book but it could also be the last one. It also is a harem story but it is done well and it doesn't seem forced like a lot of other books.
I enjoyed this book. It was a darker slice of life. It was a bit rough around the edges but the story is a good progression of this person's life. It still is a bit open for a second book but it could also be the last one. It also is a harem story but it is done well and it doesn't seem forced like a lot of other books.
October 14, 2017
An instant favorite!
Shadow is one of the best anti-hero I've read in a long time. Well written, honest to himself and his own motivations. I loved this book and look forward to more from the author!
Shadow is one of the best anti-hero I've read in a long time. Well written, honest to himself and his own motivations. I loved this book and look forward to more from the author!
February 18, 2018
Decent super fiction with anti-hero, not hero or villain
I like good super fiction, and liked that the title character wasn't too far hero or villain, but had his own consistent moral code.
I will reccomend this book to my friends who like Wolverine, even though I don't.
I like good super fiction, and liked that the title character wasn't too far hero or villain, but had his own consistent moral code.
I will reccomend this book to my friends who like Wolverine, even though I don't.
April 17, 2023
Kinda like a reverse furry fantasy? My second read through painted a much darker atmosphere.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2017
Sexy Superhero Romp
This story is not a serious super hero story, but a little closer to a "Penthouse Letter with Super Powers." It was fun to read, and a couple scenes had me wanting to go jump my wife, but it was missing some of the elements that are usually taken more seriously in supers novels.
For one thing, the author left out a fair amount of detail on some of the most critical fights and situations the protagonist had to deal with. Usually, in these sorts of novels, that is THE most important parts. I'm not sure if it was a point of his design, or what, but the sex scenes got a LOT of detail, and the foe who gave him the biggest fight of the novel wasn't even really described. We were told about his incredible action conflicts later, "but for now, let's peer in our protagonist while he's screwing his house slave." I think novelist was just attempting to focus on the relationships in the protagonist's life, rather than the usual action sugar.
Technically, the novel wasn't bad, but there were issues. Plot-wise, the pacing wasn't outstanding. This novel felt like 20 short stories taped together. Because the protagonist never seemed to be in dire conditions, for the most part, there were no real worry-ratcheting moments. I never felt unsure that the protagonist was going to win. Also, grammar and spelling were great in the first half or so, and then the author kind of fell off on that aspect...apostrophes used poorly, word choice errors, etc. We began to mourn the death of his editor at around 50%, almost exactly.
Overall, not a bad novel. I had fun reading it, which is the main thing.
This story is not a serious super hero story, but a little closer to a "Penthouse Letter with Super Powers." It was fun to read, and a couple scenes had me wanting to go jump my wife, but it was missing some of the elements that are usually taken more seriously in supers novels.
For one thing, the author left out a fair amount of detail on some of the most critical fights and situations the protagonist had to deal with. Usually, in these sorts of novels, that is THE most important parts. I'm not sure if it was a point of his design, or what, but the sex scenes got a LOT of detail, and the foe who gave him the biggest fight of the novel wasn't even really described. We were told about his incredible action conflicts later, "but for now, let's peer in our protagonist while he's screwing his house slave." I think novelist was just attempting to focus on the relationships in the protagonist's life, rather than the usual action sugar.
Technically, the novel wasn't bad, but there were issues. Plot-wise, the pacing wasn't outstanding. This novel felt like 20 short stories taped together. Because the protagonist never seemed to be in dire conditions, for the most part, there were no real worry-ratcheting moments. I never felt unsure that the protagonist was going to win. Also, grammar and spelling were great in the first half or so, and then the author kind of fell off on that aspect...apostrophes used poorly, word choice errors, etc. We began to mourn the death of his editor at around 50%, almost exactly.
Overall, not a bad novel. I had fun reading it, which is the main thing.
January 23, 2018
I enjoyed this book as I’ve enjoyed all of Stryvant’s novels, but I’m not quite sure what to make of it. On the most superficial level, it’s a super hero novel—but the tone is very different than most super hero stories I have read. On another level, it’s a novel about a criminal working his way through the underworld on his own terms. In yet another light, it’s the story of a young man who suffered terrible abuse as a child getting his life together—even if the life he constructs is far from typical. All of that may be reading way too much in Stryvant’s narrative, because mostly this is a tale of pretty tough super who has sex with just about everyone he meets. He has so much sex that it gets in the way of the story and takes up space you would have liked to have seen devoted to other aspects of the tale—especially the fight scenes and the development of the bad guys so that they could have become three dimensional. That being said, we do get to follow Shadow through several years of his life and watch him grow and evolve as he finds his place in the world. It’s an enjoyable journey and one that I might read again in a few months.
May 5, 2017
This is one of those books that doesn't look like much at first, but draws you in and keeps you interested. Very obviously not a first book for this author, but probably under another name as nothing else comes up in searches.
The situation is interesting - a world where people have "super" capabilities, some sort of magic exists although not gone into. But the main character is interesting, and as you learn more about him the more interesting his story is. Some explicit sex (not gratuitous, part of the character), some violence, and overall a nice stroll though a world just somewhat different than our own.
Enjoyed it. Would be interesting to see more about this world and those who live in it.
The situation is interesting - a world where people have "super" capabilities, some sort of magic exists although not gone into. But the main character is interesting, and as you learn more about him the more interesting his story is. Some explicit sex (not gratuitous, part of the character), some violence, and overall a nice stroll though a world just somewhat different than our own.
Enjoyed it. Would be interesting to see more about this world and those who live in it.
September 26, 2021
Entertaining and worth a read
Entertaining, well-written (although the repeated misspelling of “conscience” as “conscious” has me shaking my head at proof-readers/editors).
Shadow is a very interesting character, and I had guessed at his motivations, long before he revealed them. He is tough, smart (although not too smart) and dangerous to know, albeit the Mary Sue effect is prone to strike, on the odd occasion. A proper explanation behind his different forms would have been appreciated, even a brief one. Still, the good more than outweighs the - not bad, but perhaps… grey areas?
I would like to read more by the author. If this is their first novel, it’s a fine start, carving out an unexpected niche in the heroic urban fantasy/superbeing genre.
Entertaining, well-written (although the repeated misspelling of “conscience” as “conscious” has me shaking my head at proof-readers/editors).
Shadow is a very interesting character, and I had guessed at his motivations, long before he revealed them. He is tough, smart (although not too smart) and dangerous to know, albeit the Mary Sue effect is prone to strike, on the odd occasion. A proper explanation behind his different forms would have been appreciated, even a brief one. Still, the good more than outweighs the - not bad, but perhaps… grey areas?
I would like to read more by the author. If this is their first novel, it’s a fine start, carving out an unexpected niche in the heroic urban fantasy/superbeing genre.
May 23, 2017
I read this in a super hero/villain kick. I didn't have high expectations for the book but it was a fast, novel read.
The characters do actually show some personal development beyond new super powers. Shadow grows and changes as a person as his world view is altered through experience. It didn't end up being the dark, gritty book I was expecting but more of a slow walk out of the darkness.
The language is pretty simple, so a great work this isn't. Its got good fight sequences, a raft of characters that come and go, and a generally believable story arc.
It could use an editor and the earlier parts definitely could be rewritten to have more of an impact.
The characters do actually show some personal development beyond new super powers. Shadow grows and changes as a person as his world view is altered through experience. It didn't end up being the dark, gritty book I was expecting but more of a slow walk out of the darkness.
The language is pretty simple, so a great work this isn't. Its got good fight sequences, a raft of characters that come and go, and a generally believable story arc.
It could use an editor and the earlier parts definitely could be rewritten to have more of an impact.
February 17, 2018
Harem style modern fantasy
This book is okay.
The anti-hero hero of the book "shadow cat" is a panther-human hybrid. Not were although that's close.
He finds sex and goes crazy for it. A bad guy with a code of honor. Kinda crazy but makes sense. He picks many girlfriend and that's okay. Until towards the end when it gets messy.
Author is obviously a horn dog.
Anyway the book at the end goes off the rails. Losing the last few chapters would have been a better story if they hadn't been written.
Oh he's a killer of evil men. Interestingly the only thing everyone can agree on is, like killing Nazis, killing child molesters doesn't cause any internal moral dilemmas.
This book is okay.
The anti-hero hero of the book "shadow cat" is a panther-human hybrid. Not were although that's close.
He finds sex and goes crazy for it. A bad guy with a code of honor. Kinda crazy but makes sense. He picks many girlfriend and that's okay. Until towards the end when it gets messy.
Author is obviously a horn dog.
Anyway the book at the end goes off the rails. Losing the last few chapters would have been a better story if they hadn't been written.
Oh he's a killer of evil men. Interestingly the only thing everyone can agree on is, like killing Nazis, killing child molesters doesn't cause any internal moral dilemmas.
September 27, 2022
Fun read, he's a cat with a ferocious attitude
The MC turned the abuse that he suffered as an innocent child into hunting down pedophiles and ending them. When he realized that he was outta control he decided on a fresh start in a new location. He used his assets to quickly accumulate ill-gotten gains but was generous with his minions and ruthless to any adversaries. The also decided to live well but inconspicuiously aside from having so much sex that his parts didnt break from overuse. All said, another well done story involving feline-human hybrid characters by the author of the Valens series.
The MC turned the abuse that he suffered as an innocent child into hunting down pedophiles and ending them. When he realized that he was outta control he decided on a fresh start in a new location. He used his assets to quickly accumulate ill-gotten gains but was generous with his minions and ruthless to any adversaries. The also decided to live well but inconspicuiously aside from having so much sex that his parts didnt break from overuse. All said, another well done story involving feline-human hybrid characters by the author of the Valens series.
May 16, 2018
Summary: Sex, sex sex, plot sex sex, plot, sex sex sex and so on.
But no, really it was quite a fun read, and turns out to be quite a long read as well. Admittedly a bit boring at times.
The book is..... episodic? Each arc is about a certain point of the MC's life. Quite a few time jumps, lasting 10 years. Not a bad way of story telling, I realized, the author can probably even write another book with side story during all the time gaps.
Nice read, I like it.
But no, really it was quite a fun read, and turns out to be quite a long read as well. Admittedly a bit boring at times.
The book is..... episodic? Each arc is about a certain point of the MC's life. Quite a few time jumps, lasting 10 years. Not a bad way of story telling, I realized, the author can probably even write another book with side story during all the time gaps.
Nice read, I like it.
October 23, 2018
It was decent. A little monotone overall, more of a recollection than a story with "rising action, climax, resolution" etc.
The timeline was a little confusing. I noticed easily a half dozen mistakes- "He's been here 10 years", "Has it already been 12 years", and at the end of the book "Home? After 8 years..."
The world building was very not-involved. The reader eventually can figure most of the details out for themselves, but it takes awhile. Some people might like that though.
The timeline was a little confusing. I noticed easily a half dozen mistakes- "He's been here 10 years", "Has it already been 12 years", and at the end of the book "Home? After 8 years..."
The world building was very not-involved. The reader eventually can figure most of the details out for themselves, but it takes awhile. Some people might like that though.
May 23, 2017
Couldn't finish
This book uses about 3rd grade English. Fine if your in 3rd grade. Not sure what it's about. I read about. 10 percent but could not continue. Forget it, there are much better adult super hero books around. See my other reviews if you're interested. Two stars cause it may get better.
This book uses about 3rd grade English. Fine if your in 3rd grade. Not sure what it's about. I read about. 10 percent but could not continue. Forget it, there are much better adult super hero books around. See my other reviews if you're interested. Two stars cause it may get better.
September 11, 2018
Fun story with plenty of action
Fun read . Supers good and bad harem, sex, sex slave fighting and a big black cat as the main character. Caution do not read if you don't like any of the above because this book has plenty of them. This book is well written and I could have been written as the first book of a series.
Fun read . Supers good and bad harem, sex, sex slave fighting and a big black cat as the main character. Caution do not read if you don't like any of the above because this book has plenty of them. This book is well written and I could have been written as the first book of a series.
May 6, 2017
Nice
Book jumps around a lot. Sometimes a day sometimes years. Shadow is pretty awesome overall and acts more like I would expect most men (myself most definitely included) would in his position. Very fun read.
Book jumps around a lot. Sometimes a day sometimes years. Shadow is pretty awesome overall and acts more like I would expect most men (myself most definitely included) would in his position. Very fun read.
May 18, 2017
Fun male fantasy romp. As for grammar and spelling as long as the story is fun and engaging I don't even notice or care it just isn't important. The one thing that I did notice though is that the time is almost incoherent that could use a little work
January 4, 2018
Here kitty kitty...
This story kept me mesmerized from beginning to end. I like cats, I like big cats, I like werecats and shape shifters. So sit down with a cup of catnip tea and enjoy the show!
This story kept me mesmerized from beginning to end. I like cats, I like big cats, I like werecats and shape shifters. So sit down with a cup of catnip tea and enjoy the show!
February 19, 2018
Good read
I like the books that stretch reality to thinnest and was disappointed but the warning about the sex I figured oh there will not be that much but hey not complaining when here was a lot all in all after the typos and such a decent read
I like the books that stretch reality to thinnest and was disappointed but the warning about the sex I figured oh there will not be that much but hey not complaining when here was a lot all in all after the typos and such a decent read
September 22, 2018
Sexy, Bloody, Sarcastic
Similar to his other books, this is a fast paced romp with the good, the bad, and the ugly. Super heroes, shifters, and a wicked sense of justice and humor! Dive right in, The Cat is loose!
Similar to his other books, this is a fast paced romp with the good, the bad, and the ugly. Super heroes, shifters, and a wicked sense of justice and humor! Dive right in, The Cat is loose!
February 17, 2019
Super powers and cat. What's not to love?
The story of Shadow is an interesting one as he is a complex character. I've read other books by this author and anxious to read more. His plots are well thought out and the characters are fascinating. I highly recommend his books.
The story of Shadow is an interesting one as he is a complex character. I've read other books by this author and anxious to read more. His plots are well thought out and the characters are fascinating. I highly recommend his books.
September 20, 2020
One of my all time favorites!!!
I’ve read this book 4 times now and will probably read it again and again the characters and storyline is top notch it hooks you in from the beginning and doesn’t stop!! I pray he writes more books with these characters!
I’ve read this book 4 times now and will probably read it again and again the characters and storyline is top notch it hooks you in from the beginning and doesn’t stop!! I pray he writes more books with these characters!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews