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Shadow Soul
"The greatest battles aren't fought with fists and swords. The deciding battle, the one holding the key to your fate, is fought in the mind."
Haunted by her past, Camilla’s only goal in life is to forget—her identity, her home, what she has done. Resorting to desperate measures to find peace, she ends up in hospital on more than one occasion, battered and bruised.
Only Camilla knows the caregivers’ pity is misplaced.
Just as she learns to live within her own skin, an elusive young man arrives to shake up her status quo. When he proves as headstrong as Camilla, she must decide whether she will continue to flee from her purpose and duty, or return home to face the demons that shadow her every move?
To find her path, she must first find herself.
Haunted by her past, Camilla’s only goal in life is to forget—her identity, her home, what she has done. Resorting to desperate measures to find peace, she ends up in hospital on more than one occasion, battered and bruised.
Only Camilla knows the caregivers’ pity is misplaced.
Just as she learns to live within her own skin, an elusive young man arrives to shake up her status quo. When he proves as headstrong as Camilla, she must decide whether she will continue to flee from her purpose and duty, or return home to face the demons that shadow her every move?
To find her path, she must first find herself.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2019
5 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Bavis
3 books25 followersM.J. Bavis coined her first book as a teenager and it was about horses, mean girls and a misunderstood heroine—and a worrying amount of violence. It took a move from her Finnish childhood home to the UK, a degree in Criminology and a bit of living to realise horses and mean girls weren't her thing. Still, she loves writing young adult novels with fantasy, mystery, big emotions and headstrong characters. When she’s not writing she’s chasing after her ridiculously fast toddler, dodging footballs, binging on Netlifx, or browsing for her next book to read on her e-reader.
Her YA low fantasy, Shadow Soul—a story of a broken girl learning to slay her demons—is available in e-book and paperback formats on Amazon.
Her newest book, The Inflictor - a dystopian romance - is available now on Amazon!
Her YA low fantasy, Shadow Soul—a story of a broken girl learning to slay her demons—is available in e-book and paperback formats on Amazon.
Her newest book, The Inflictor - a dystopian romance - is available now on Amazon!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 25, 2019
This book is so interesting and unique, and although it has been a while since I read it, the story remains quite clear inside my head. It was more than I expected. In general, I enjoy paranormal plots but this one is more than just that, it starts being almost a mystery/contemporary book and advances to become a Fantasy book. I think it handles that in a unique way, you can appreciate a unique mix between reality and fantasy.
4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You can find more fo my reviews on my blog A Book. A Thought.
Much of the story takes place in England which I LOVE, and because of this, it manages to have a perfect setting that makes the plot atmospheric and engaging. I always like to describe this sensation like when you watch a TV show , such as Supernatural or The Vampire Diaries, or those kinds of shows that are atmospheric and very addictive.
The way in which the author manages the world-building is also very unique, I don't want to go into details because I think it's something that will surprise you once you read it yourself, but basically it's about a fantastic creation within our own world, which I adored and I think is very difficult to do. If you've ever read "Heart of Mist" by Helen Schewerer, I think it's something very similar happening in both books regarding the surprising and changing construction of the world.
The characters are quite interesting to follow, I confess that none surprises me 100%, but I did commit to their searches and achievements. Camilla's a girl who's obviously broken inside and we follow her through many struggles and internal battles, it's very interesting because, in the beginning, you don't really know what happens to her and what are the reasons behind her so impulsive acts, but when you know more about her story and things begin to reveal, everything becomes clearer and you can get to put yourself in her place. She proves to be a very strong girl in the end, and I think she grows a lot, which I love to see happen. Then we have Leo, an incredibly well-created character, I loved when he appears on the scene, I think he contributes a lot to the plot, he's determined and although he has his failures, I feel he feels very real and relatable. In the end, I think that all the characters contribute, in some way, even when they're very little time on the scene has an impact in the story, and that's perfect.
The writing style is SO good, it's not complex at all but at the same time you can't stop reading, it's really addictive and I can see the great talent of the author when it comes to describing, from places to characters, I adored how she can also give you funny scenes and very dramatic scenes and never ceases to be interesting.
I would highly recommend this book to those who find it difficult to delve into fantasy since it's a very subtle touch in this first book, of what I think will be a series, perhaps. I also recommend it if you want a quick and addictive reading that will keep you on the edge of your seat, intrigued and wanting to know what will happen next. It's SO atmospheric, you'll really feel that you're seeing everything with your own eyes, so I hope you decide to give it a chance
First Thoughts || 06/25/2019
I LOVED it!! what a wonderful surprise
A quick but incredibly complete reading, fantasy unites with reality in a unique way
December 24, 2022
THIS IS A SPOILER SO IF YOU DONT WANT IT SPOILED...READ TILL I TELL YOU TO STOP!! BC I won't SPOIL IN THE FIRST HALF. :)
Ha-ha, funny story...so basically I want to say that I mixed up this book and another book and I thought this 1 was the other and the other this 1... now. I AM VERY HAPPY THAT I DID THAT BC THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING!! Anywaysss...THANK U M.J.BAVIS FOR WRITING THIS.
Tbh, I acc wanted to read a book with these characteristics, so I acc got my mysterious book by accident. So I got the book for free and it was in a giveaway (I can't remember who acc posted it...but it was from 1 of the groups.)
I will start us off with the characters. I fell in LOVE with Leo/Elikai!!😏😏 Lmaoo he seems sooo hott🥵🥵😂. (THEY SHOULD MAKE IT INTO A MOVIE!!) Anyways 😂, I really liked how we got to know Keilen throughout the story. I loved when she was dreaming, and her dreams were of him, even though they were kind of nightmares, we got to know him and his personality and what he meant to Kal/Milla. Tbh, I thought that Tony and Jill were going to overreact when Milla told them abt the special power she had and where she came from...they were calm...and understanding...which in a way was good. I also LOVED that the characters were so realistic and that the characters were unexpectable and full of surprises...🤐
The story on its own was very unique and if the characters weren't that great, it would hv kinda ruined the excitement. Tbh, I freak out when there is a romantic scene-there weren't a lot and nothing romantic acc happened-but when ____ and ____were alone together I was streaming for them to reveal their feelings.😂😂 I HATED when ____was so rude to ____like, ma'am, scuuse mee-be nicer pls-he LOVES U!!😂 The genres of this book are ALOT and it was very interesting how in the beginning, it started as a mystery kind of story and then turned into a dystopian kind of world included. I OBV loved that bc I can read mystery and dystopian book 24/7 and I won't get tired😂!! I also loved that 97% of the story was set in the modern world with all the fancy tech we got like phones and computers, and I liked how the ppl from Narun were learning how to use them!! very exciting!! 😂
So the end is going to hv ALOT of spoilers bc I can't keep it in anymore so if u only get to read a little bit...the better...bc there will be more fun things to wait for!!😏😏 1 thing that I missed abt the story that could hv improved was that there was light nothing told abt Kal's family and friends in Narun...hopefully, it would be clearer in the 2nd book bc I will DEFF read it!!😂
STOP RIGHT HERE IF U HVMT READ THE BOOK OTHERWISE, I WILL SMACK U!!😂😂😑
Hope you liked my (long) review and I will be deff trying to write more of books that I've read before. If you need any book review on my shelf that I haven't reviewed, u can always msg be either on Pinterest or straight on here and I will reply ASAP. Im always waiting on here 😂😂. Cyaaa
Ha-ha, funny story...so basically I want to say that I mixed up this book and another book and I thought this 1 was the other and the other this 1... now. I AM VERY HAPPY THAT I DID THAT BC THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING!! Anywaysss...THANK U M.J.BAVIS FOR WRITING THIS.
Tbh, I acc wanted to read a book with these characteristics, so I acc got my mysterious book by accident. So I got the book for free and it was in a giveaway (I can't remember who acc posted it...but it was from 1 of the groups.)
I will start us off with the characters. I fell in LOVE with Leo/Elikai!!😏😏 Lmaoo he seems sooo hott🥵🥵😂. (THEY SHOULD MAKE IT INTO A MOVIE!!) Anyways 😂, I really liked how we got to know Keilen throughout the story. I loved when she was dreaming, and her dreams were of him, even though they were kind of nightmares, we got to know him and his personality and what he meant to Kal/Milla. Tbh, I thought that Tony and Jill were going to overreact when Milla told them abt the special power she had and where she came from...they were calm...and understanding...which in a way was good. I also LOVED that the characters were so realistic and that the characters were unexpectable and full of surprises...🤐
The story on its own was very unique and if the characters weren't that great, it would hv kinda ruined the excitement. Tbh, I freak out when there is a romantic scene-there weren't a lot and nothing romantic acc happened-but when ____ and ____were alone together I was streaming for them to reveal their feelings.😂😂 I HATED when ____was so rude to ____like, ma'am, scuuse mee-be nicer pls-he LOVES U!!😂 The genres of this book are ALOT and it was very interesting how in the beginning, it started as a mystery kind of story and then turned into a dystopian kind of world included. I OBV loved that bc I can read mystery and dystopian book 24/7 and I won't get tired😂!! I also loved that 97% of the story was set in the modern world with all the fancy tech we got like phones and computers, and I liked how the ppl from Narun were learning how to use them!! very exciting!! 😂
So the end is going to hv ALOT of spoilers bc I can't keep it in anymore so if u only get to read a little bit...the better...bc there will be more fun things to wait for!!😏😏 1 thing that I missed abt the story that could hv improved was that there was light nothing told abt Kal's family and friends in Narun...hopefully, it would be clearer in the 2nd book bc I will DEFF read it!!😂
STOP RIGHT HERE IF U HVMT READ THE BOOK OTHERWISE, I WILL SMACK U!!😂😂😑
Hope you liked my (long) review and I will be deff trying to write more of books that I've read before. If you need any book review on my shelf that I haven't reviewed, u can always msg be either on Pinterest or straight on here and I will reply ASAP. Im always waiting on here 😂😂. Cyaaa
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2024
"If Shadow Soul has taught me anything, it's that one should never give up. Whatever your circumstances, whatever your dream, however high you've stumbled - rise and rise again. There is always light at the end of even the darkest of tunnels.
Follow the Light."
M.J. Bavis
And that is exactly what your book is teaching us readers, M.J.!
A big warm thank you for that!
Let me start off by saying that I didn't know at all what to expect when I decided to give this book a try. The blurb was interesting enough but didn't give much away and it had too few reviews to really let in on the plot. In the end, I decided to just see how it goes. And I'm telling you folks, it turned out to be A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!
Camilla wants to forget! She wants to forget her identity, her home and her past because her guilt and loss are too much to bear! Physical pain is a welcome punishment for the deeds of her past and that is why Camilla ends up in hospital on more than one occasion, battered and bruised, and hurting. It's easy to put yourself into dangerous situations when you have nothing to loose; and that's exactly what Camilla does. Moving, or better said running, from place to place with no friends, no attachments and no purpose, she got so used to fleeing the demons that shadow her every move, that she forgot how to live.
Until kindness is given her, with understanding and no questions, by a caretaker in the hospital Camilla last awakens in. Everyone there pities the girls who was brought in practically in a coma. The battered girl who seems to know nothing other than her own name. And in the wake of that kindness, Camilla finally starts to settle down and learn to live within her own skin. She makes friends and starts to really live. Or that's how it would appear at least. A girl with a false name living a shadow of the life she could really have! For what is life after all, if you build it on a lie? And what future can you have when you hide from who you really are?!
Just as things seem to settle down for Camilla, the past comes crashing down on her, in the form of an elusive young man who simply doesn't want to back down! He will bring out all of Camilla's demons and present her with a choice she would have never dreamed of making. A path she would have never hoped to take. A future she firmly believes she doesn't deserve.
"The greatest battles aren't fought with fists and swords. The deciding battle, the one holding the key to your fate, is fought in the mind."
Leo dares her to face her demons: Stop being a chicken Kalika. But will Camilla have the courage to do it?
When we take a too big fall and sink too deep, the strength to rise back up and carry on may be a little out of reach. And that's exactly what Camilla faces. When she is offered that new noble purpose and call to duty will she be able to step up to the challenge, or is the pain of her past too huge to face?
To find her path, she must first find herself.
Both Camilla, as well as the other characters are solid. Flawed and easily identifiable with. Camilla is fully broken and her path towards mending herself is a touching testimony of courage. Leo on the other hand...
Ohhh My!!! I just love Leo!!!
He's the perfect hero to root for!! Not that he's perfect cause he isn't! He's just cool and awesome and determined and... well yeah, you get the idea! :)
The writing style is beautiful. Clean and naturally flowing, it makes reading a pleasure. And the plot... it will have you hooked already by the time you hit the quarter mark! You'll find yourself trying your best to fit the pieces of the puzzle together and find out what in the world can be so bad that a girl would want to put herself in a coma to forget! You'll get little clues dropped on the way, just like a little trail of breadcrumbs that you can't help but want to follow!
Let me not forget the bromance! If bromance is how you call the awesome relationship between friends of both sexes! The bromance rocks in this book! The witty banter, the sarcasm, the humor and yes, even the love!!! You will absolutely love it!!
"So you don't hate me? Leo stopped across the road from my house.
"No, you doughnut, though you do rub me the wrong way."
In the end, cause I already kept you too long :D... this book will give you heartbreak and determination, humor and love, mystery and action as well as a little reminder to never give up and always, always, always... get back up try again!
This paranormal fantasy YA is one of those page turners that you'll find yourself cradling in the wee hours of the morning when your eyes are already heavy and still, you just don't wanna stop reading because:
A new debut by an author to watch for, Shadow Soul reads like a charm!
You have got to try this people!!
You may just like it quite as much as I did!
Happy reading. :)
Check out this review and more over at The Magic Book Corner
Follow the Light."
M.J. Bavis
And that is exactly what your book is teaching us readers, M.J.!
A big warm thank you for that!
Let me start off by saying that I didn't know at all what to expect when I decided to give this book a try. The blurb was interesting enough but didn't give much away and it had too few reviews to really let in on the plot. In the end, I decided to just see how it goes. And I'm telling you folks, it turned out to be A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!
Camilla wants to forget! She wants to forget her identity, her home and her past because her guilt and loss are too much to bear! Physical pain is a welcome punishment for the deeds of her past and that is why Camilla ends up in hospital on more than one occasion, battered and bruised, and hurting. It's easy to put yourself into dangerous situations when you have nothing to loose; and that's exactly what Camilla does. Moving, or better said running, from place to place with no friends, no attachments and no purpose, she got so used to fleeing the demons that shadow her every move, that she forgot how to live.
Until kindness is given her, with understanding and no questions, by a caretaker in the hospital Camilla last awakens in. Everyone there pities the girls who was brought in practically in a coma. The battered girl who seems to know nothing other than her own name. And in the wake of that kindness, Camilla finally starts to settle down and learn to live within her own skin. She makes friends and starts to really live. Or that's how it would appear at least. A girl with a false name living a shadow of the life she could really have! For what is life after all, if you build it on a lie? And what future can you have when you hide from who you really are?!
Just as things seem to settle down for Camilla, the past comes crashing down on her, in the form of an elusive young man who simply doesn't want to back down! He will bring out all of Camilla's demons and present her with a choice she would have never dreamed of making. A path she would have never hoped to take. A future she firmly believes she doesn't deserve.
"The greatest battles aren't fought with fists and swords. The deciding battle, the one holding the key to your fate, is fought in the mind."
Leo dares her to face her demons: Stop being a chicken Kalika. But will Camilla have the courage to do it?
When we take a too big fall and sink too deep, the strength to rise back up and carry on may be a little out of reach. And that's exactly what Camilla faces. When she is offered that new noble purpose and call to duty will she be able to step up to the challenge, or is the pain of her past too huge to face?
To find her path, she must first find herself.
Both Camilla, as well as the other characters are solid. Flawed and easily identifiable with. Camilla is fully broken and her path towards mending herself is a touching testimony of courage. Leo on the other hand...
Ohhh My!!! I just love Leo!!!
He's the perfect hero to root for!! Not that he's perfect cause he isn't! He's just cool and awesome and determined and... well yeah, you get the idea! :)
The writing style is beautiful. Clean and naturally flowing, it makes reading a pleasure. And the plot... it will have you hooked already by the time you hit the quarter mark! You'll find yourself trying your best to fit the pieces of the puzzle together and find out what in the world can be so bad that a girl would want to put herself in a coma to forget! You'll get little clues dropped on the way, just like a little trail of breadcrumbs that you can't help but want to follow!
Let me not forget the bromance! If bromance is how you call the awesome relationship between friends of both sexes! The bromance rocks in this book! The witty banter, the sarcasm, the humor and yes, even the love!!! You will absolutely love it!!
"So you don't hate me? Leo stopped across the road from my house.
"No, you doughnut, though you do rub me the wrong way."
In the end, cause I already kept you too long :D... this book will give you heartbreak and determination, humor and love, mystery and action as well as a little reminder to never give up and always, always, always... get back up try again!
This paranormal fantasy YA is one of those page turners that you'll find yourself cradling in the wee hours of the morning when your eyes are already heavy and still, you just don't wanna stop reading because:
A new debut by an author to watch for, Shadow Soul reads like a charm!
You have got to try this people!!
You may just like it quite as much as I did!
Happy reading. :)
Check out this review and more over at The Magic Book Corner
July 4, 2022
The book starts with the main character, Camilla, waking up from a coma. This trope works well here because Camilla lets the reader know this is a common phenomenon. I was intrigued. What causes these comas? Is she in a Groundhog Day/Russian Doll situation? Not exactly.
Shadow Soul first has the hint of a crime/thriller, which is magnified by a dynastic mystery and political tensions between Narun, Camilla's home, and another force. She also makes a shocking discovery about the identity of someone close to her, creating a great deal of tension in the book. There are elements of fantasy in this novel, too. As such, I recommend Soul Shadow for fans of adventure, thriller, and fantasy, especially when these genres are combined.
Shadow Soul first has the hint of a crime/thriller, which is magnified by a dynastic mystery and political tensions between Narun, Camilla's home, and another force. She also makes a shocking discovery about the identity of someone close to her, creating a great deal of tension in the book. There are elements of fantasy in this novel, too. As such, I recommend Soul Shadow for fans of adventure, thriller, and fantasy, especially when these genres are combined.
January 19, 2019
I had the honor of beta-reading this book, and doing so was an absolute pleasure. To quote myself (of a few months ago in an email to the author):
"Okay I meant to knock out a couple chapters and then get some real-life work done, but instead I did ZERO homework and finished your manuscript because as soon as the climax really kicked off I could. Not. Stop. Reading."
To start with, the writing in this thing is beautiful, crisp, and clean. Kindle Unlimited books can be hit-or-miss when it comes to conventions, but this delightful read is so professional you'll forget it's self-published. Beyond that, the plot itself is tidy and easy to follow. You will find yourself scrambling to turn the page to learn what happens next.
I wouldn't know precisely how to classify this book (YA? Fantasy? Kinda paranormally? dunno?) but suffice it to say that the author has an incredible capacity for world-building, and she's done so within the context of our world, which is especially difficult. You will become immersed in this new world, desperate to put all the pieces together and learn more as the characters drop breadcrumbs to the truth.
The characters are rich and believable and incredibly sympathetic. The heroine is broken and down on her luck, but she has incredible courage and her wry sarcasm is especially delightful to read. Watching her slowly overcome her past and re-emerge into the world was amazing. The hero... I don't wanna spoil anything, but he charmed me into submission by the end of the book. Beyond the MCs, though, the secondary cast was incredibly well-developed. There isn't a single two-dimensional character in this book. Everyone you meet feels real.
The bottom line-- in this book you will find action, adventure, heartbreak, love, and humor. It is a page-turner from the start, and will leave you craving more of the characters, of the world, and of this writer's style. Highly recommend!
"Okay I meant to knock out a couple chapters and then get some real-life work done, but instead I did ZERO homework and finished your manuscript because as soon as the climax really kicked off I could. Not. Stop. Reading."
To start with, the writing in this thing is beautiful, crisp, and clean. Kindle Unlimited books can be hit-or-miss when it comes to conventions, but this delightful read is so professional you'll forget it's self-published. Beyond that, the plot itself is tidy and easy to follow. You will find yourself scrambling to turn the page to learn what happens next.
I wouldn't know precisely how to classify this book (YA? Fantasy? Kinda paranormally? dunno?) but suffice it to say that the author has an incredible capacity for world-building, and she's done so within the context of our world, which is especially difficult. You will become immersed in this new world, desperate to put all the pieces together and learn more as the characters drop breadcrumbs to the truth.
The characters are rich and believable and incredibly sympathetic. The heroine is broken and down on her luck, but she has incredible courage and her wry sarcasm is especially delightful to read. Watching her slowly overcome her past and re-emerge into the world was amazing. The hero... I don't wanna spoil anything, but he charmed me into submission by the end of the book. Beyond the MCs, though, the secondary cast was incredibly well-developed. There isn't a single two-dimensional character in this book. Everyone you meet feels real.
The bottom line-- in this book you will find action, adventure, heartbreak, love, and humor. It is a page-turner from the start, and will leave you craving more of the characters, of the world, and of this writer's style. Highly recommend!
August 16, 2022
Shadow Soul is a great read that I found hard to put down!
Camilla was an amazing main character. The mystery surrounding her past was very well done, making me constantly say “one more chapter, one more chapter…”
Leo was a very fun character as well. The enemies to lovers (well potential lovers) dynamic added to the story, and Leo’s own secrets made for an even more intriguing read.
Camilla does struggle with a lot of heavy things including the desire to self harm, grief, and survivors guilt, so be careful if any of these trigger you, but personally I thought all of these topics were handled in a very realistic way and nothing was too graphic or upsetting.
Overall I really enjoyed this story! I have never read anything like it and I’m excited to start book two!
Camilla was an amazing main character. The mystery surrounding her past was very well done, making me constantly say “one more chapter, one more chapter…”
Leo was a very fun character as well. The enemies to lovers (well potential lovers) dynamic added to the story, and Leo’s own secrets made for an even more intriguing read.
Camilla does struggle with a lot of heavy things including the desire to self harm, grief, and survivors guilt, so be careful if any of these trigger you, but personally I thought all of these topics were handled in a very realistic way and nothing was too graphic or upsetting.
Overall I really enjoyed this story! I have never read anything like it and I’m excited to start book two!
June 16, 2022
It's not often that I finish a book and like it enough to move straight onto the next one in the series, but that's exactly what I did here. Shadow Soul is a real page turner with the perfect combination of mystery, friendships, potential romance, broken souls, and pure intrigue. It was easy to read and I found myself whizzing through the pages, almost wanting it to slow down so I could make it last for longer!
January 8, 2019
I was fortunate enough to be a beta reader for this story.
It was around Thanksgiving when I got to read Shadow Soul and I recall sitting at the kitchen counter with my nose in the pages while everyone was conversing and meal prepping. I'm a bookworm, so I got away with it. :) From start to finish I read Shadow Soul in less than 24 hours. It truly was a book I could not put down!
The story pulls you in with curiosity and it keeps you reading with its enchantment! This is a UK book and I fell in love with the terminology that is a different form of English than here in the US. Sometimes I did have to pull up Google to understand the difference, but that didn't take away from the story.
This is manuscript I fell in love with as a beta reader, and I am proud of M.J. Bavis and wish her much success in her publication of Shadow Soul!
It was around Thanksgiving when I got to read Shadow Soul and I recall sitting at the kitchen counter with my nose in the pages while everyone was conversing and meal prepping. I'm a bookworm, so I got away with it. :) From start to finish I read Shadow Soul in less than 24 hours. It truly was a book I could not put down!
The story pulls you in with curiosity and it keeps you reading with its enchantment! This is a UK book and I fell in love with the terminology that is a different form of English than here in the US. Sometimes I did have to pull up Google to understand the difference, but that didn't take away from the story.
This is manuscript I fell in love with as a beta reader, and I am proud of M.J. Bavis and wish her much success in her publication of Shadow Soul!
August 10, 2020
Alright, my Nugs, it’s been a while since I’ve written a review, so I wanted to start us off again with a great read! A while back, I read Shadow Soul by M.J. Bavis and loved it. Now I will admit that the first chapter gave me a lot more questions than answers, but if you allow yourself to read into every bit of that first chapter, you can’t help but be intrigued and continue on the journey. Let’s go through the steps.
Book Cover:
The book cover keeps it pretty simple as far as details it provides for the story. My desire to read the book came from the synopsis more than the cover. On the cover of Shadow Soul, you see a college-age girl with simple attire and standing in the middle of the see. I think this shows the right choice on the author’s part to show the isolation that the Main Character Camilla feels throughout the story. Many cultures use water to represent restoration, and the story follows Camilla, who is in search of restoring herself as a better person. All in all, it’s a beautiful cover with great connotation behind it.
The Story
Shadow Soul starts as what felt like a suspense novel with Fantasy speckled throughout, but the further into the book you get, the more Fantasy you see. I loved that it wasn’t such a heavy-handed Fantasy novel, and it developed the characters enough before M.J. Bavis added classical Fantasy elements. While it was a fantasy novel, it addressed real issues with the characters trying to overcome less than favorable pasts and showing that even the healthiest of friendships struggle at times.
The Conclusion
I like to keep book reviews simple, as not to give away too much for those interested. I believe that exploring novels and making your discoveries while you read is essential. So, I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially those who enjoy a Fantasy novel based in the real world. A beautiful cover to welcome you into a healthy reading level novel and my recommendation.
I look forward to reading Book 2 Shifting Shadows.
Book Cover:
The book cover keeps it pretty simple as far as details it provides for the story. My desire to read the book came from the synopsis more than the cover. On the cover of Shadow Soul, you see a college-age girl with simple attire and standing in the middle of the see. I think this shows the right choice on the author’s part to show the isolation that the Main Character Camilla feels throughout the story. Many cultures use water to represent restoration, and the story follows Camilla, who is in search of restoring herself as a better person. All in all, it’s a beautiful cover with great connotation behind it.
The Story
Shadow Soul starts as what felt like a suspense novel with Fantasy speckled throughout, but the further into the book you get, the more Fantasy you see. I loved that it wasn’t such a heavy-handed Fantasy novel, and it developed the characters enough before M.J. Bavis added classical Fantasy elements. While it was a fantasy novel, it addressed real issues with the characters trying to overcome less than favorable pasts and showing that even the healthiest of friendships struggle at times.
The Conclusion
I like to keep book reviews simple, as not to give away too much for those interested. I believe that exploring novels and making your discoveries while you read is essential. So, I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially those who enjoy a Fantasy novel based in the real world. A beautiful cover to welcome you into a healthy reading level novel and my recommendation.
I look forward to reading Book 2 Shifting Shadows.
May 22, 2021
How does one rate their own book…?
Let me tell you a little about it instead. Shadow Soul is a Young Adult, possibly even classed as clean New Adult, novel that falls somewhere among urban fantasy/low fantasy. It’s the result of years of hiding it in the ‘bottom drawer’, countless editing sessions, a lot of self-doubt, and finally, both relief and excitement that my debut is actually (self-)published! It’s been quite a ride and the characters will always have a special place in my heart.
Shadow Soul is free on Kindle Unlimited and is now also available in paperback!
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
Hope you'll give it a chance! :)
P.S. Shadow Soul is the first book in a duology. Second book will be released later this year. No cliffhangers.
Let me tell you a little about it instead. Shadow Soul is a Young Adult, possibly even classed as clean New Adult, novel that falls somewhere among urban fantasy/low fantasy. It’s the result of years of hiding it in the ‘bottom drawer’, countless editing sessions, a lot of self-doubt, and finally, both relief and excitement that my debut is actually (self-)published! It’s been quite a ride and the characters will always have a special place in my heart.
Shadow Soul is free on Kindle Unlimited and is now also available in paperback!
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
Hope you'll give it a chance! :)
P.S. Shadow Soul is the first book in a duology. Second book will be released later this year. No cliffhangers.
April 2, 2020
Well written, with engaging characters, this is the story of Camilla, who tries to run from a past she can’t escape. I particularly liked the characters of her friends; Anita, Tony and Jill. I’m not a fan of the trope of the heroine being horrible to the love interest, while he devotedly puts up with her constant verbal and physical abuse, but it’s done well for that sort of thing.
I would have loved if this book had focused more on the fantasy elements rather than the characters, as I love the idea of hidden worlds, and I would have liked to know more about how it existed, where it could be accessed, why they believed and behaved the way they did, and how come they had not been influenced by our world.
However, it’s not fair to judge the book by what I would have liked it to be.
If you enjoy characters with a dark past, secrets, and lots of angst, this book is for you.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I would have loved if this book had focused more on the fantasy elements rather than the characters, as I love the idea of hidden worlds, and I would have liked to know more about how it existed, where it could be accessed, why they believed and behaved the way they did, and how come they had not been influenced by our world.
However, it’s not fair to judge the book by what I would have liked it to be.
If you enjoy characters with a dark past, secrets, and lots of angst, this book is for you.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2022
Shadow Soul was a pleasure to read from start to finish! It was the perfect blend of contemporary and fantasy, and although it's not a romance, there's definitely room for romance in the sequel.
I loved watching the mystery that was Camilla unfold, each chapter giving enough information to keep me hooked while also providing more pieces of the puzzle. Camilla is not of this world. Well, she is. She's from Narun, which is a secret kingdom hidden right here in our world. But Camilla fled her homeland when something terrible happened with her lover and partner. She's trying (and failing) to make a life here without him when Leo comes along. He knows her secrets and wants to be her new partner...something she is not at all open to. However, we soon learn that Leo has secrets of his own and will do anything to protect Camilla. I'm sure I'm not the only reader who ships Leo and Camilla so hard! I greatly enjoyed watching her slowly warm up to him and as the mysteries around him are revealed, we learn he's MUCH more than we thought!
I also want to take a moment to praise the author's actual writing style. It was so lyrical and descriptive, providing the perfect imagery to go along with this story. With realistic and likeable characters, an addictive plot, and exceptional writing, this is definitely a 5 star read! I'm eager to get the sequel and see what's next for Leo and Camilla as they go on the run!
I loved watching the mystery that was Camilla unfold, each chapter giving enough information to keep me hooked while also providing more pieces of the puzzle. Camilla is not of this world. Well, she is. She's from Narun, which is a secret kingdom hidden right here in our world. But Camilla fled her homeland when something terrible happened with her lover and partner. She's trying (and failing) to make a life here without him when Leo comes along. He knows her secrets and wants to be her new partner...something she is not at all open to. However, we soon learn that Leo has secrets of his own and will do anything to protect Camilla. I'm sure I'm not the only reader who ships Leo and Camilla so hard! I greatly enjoyed watching her slowly warm up to him and as the mysteries around him are revealed, we learn he's MUCH more than we thought!
I also want to take a moment to praise the author's actual writing style. It was so lyrical and descriptive, providing the perfect imagery to go along with this story. With realistic and likeable characters, an addictive plot, and exceptional writing, this is definitely a 5 star read! I'm eager to get the sequel and see what's next for Leo and Camilla as they go on the run!
February 18, 2020
From the first second I started to read “Shadow Soul" I was attracted to its energy. My tentative look at the sample was soon translated into downloading the whole. I am embarrassed at how long it took me to read in the end. About 7 days instead of the 1 day it would have taken (282 pages) if I had not been distracted with annoying real life. The story was gripping all the way through. I got a bit impatient in the middle as I wanted to know Camilla's back story and what Leo was up to and I wasn't being told but then even more action started once the villain of the piece made his move.
The ending left me thinking. There is a lot more to come. The story is nowhere near ended but that will have to wait for another day, another story. This part of the story had a satisfying conclusion in spite of this.
If you are looking for an entertaining, action-filled novel that is especially suitable – in my view – for anyone between 15 and 30, though being older won't stop you enjoying it, then look no further, and dive right in.
The ending left me thinking. There is a lot more to come. The story is nowhere near ended but that will have to wait for another day, another story. This part of the story had a satisfying conclusion in spite of this.
If you are looking for an entertaining, action-filled novel that is especially suitable – in my view – for anyone between 15 and 30, though being older won't stop you enjoying it, then look no further, and dive right in.
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June 27, 2021I greatly enjoyed Shadow Soul! The beginning of this book was a little hard for me to understand what was going on and why, but it didn't take long to delve into Camilla's world. She's a great character, full of spit and vinegar, with a train load of issues that she tries her hardest to avoid. But she has a good heart and a kind soul, and she does all she can to do right by the people she loves.
I loved how patient Leo was with her. You can tell he cares for Camilla deeply and only wants the best for her. He helps her see her worth in ways she hasn't for a very long time. I enjoyed all of the supporting characters as much as the main characters. The plot twist wasn't a huge surprise, but it was well done in advancing the story forward.
You can tell that the author put a lot of time and effort into this book. It really shows in the excellent writing, and the entire novel is extremely well edited -- I only noticed a couple of minor typos in the whole book.
I'm excited to read book 2 and see where these characters go from here!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
I loved how patient Leo was with her. You can tell he cares for Camilla deeply and only wants the best for her. He helps her see her worth in ways she hasn't for a very long time. I enjoyed all of the supporting characters as much as the main characters. The plot twist wasn't a huge surprise, but it was well done in advancing the story forward.
You can tell that the author put a lot of time and effort into this book. It really shows in the excellent writing, and the entire novel is extremely well edited -- I only noticed a couple of minor typos in the whole book.
I'm excited to read book 2 and see where these characters go from here!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
December 8, 2019
This is a solid story, and I enjoyed the world that’s been created. The writing conveys the turbulent emotions that run rampant through the characters. Great job!
With that said, I would caution any writer who decides to kill off a character to make sure that I feel the impact of their death ( ha, a pun for some levity).
Also, Tony and Jill are two of my favorite characters, and they were often sidelined to the wastelands. I would have enjoyed them being part of the journey in a more effective way, even if it was only to show our two foreigners how to stalk someone on google or some other understated skill. Not all characters have to fight with their fists. Maybe in book two!
Narun and Gorah were introduced and I look forward to them being fleshed out as well.
Drive and inner strength fuel this story. Book two is highly anticipated~
With that said, I would caution any writer who decides to kill off a character to make sure that I feel the impact of their death ( ha, a pun for some levity).
Also, Tony and Jill are two of my favorite characters, and they were often sidelined to the wastelands. I would have enjoyed them being part of the journey in a more effective way, even if it was only to show our two foreigners how to stalk someone on google or some other understated skill. Not all characters have to fight with their fists. Maybe in book two!
Narun and Gorah were introduced and I look forward to them being fleshed out as well.
Drive and inner strength fuel this story. Book two is highly anticipated~
March 14, 2019
Oh! My god this book is so good, I love it.
From the beginning of this book I was so intrigued, the plot is so amazing, and is unpredictable, so is great, when you think something is going to happen, it happen in a different way.
I loved the characters, their growth.
I liked the romance
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Desde el principio de este libro, estaba tan intrigada, la trama es increíble y es impredecible, por lo que es genial. Cuando crees que algo va a suceder, sucederá de una manera diferente.
Me encantaron los personajes, su crecimiento.
Me gusto el romance
From the beginning of this book I was so intrigued, the plot is so amazing, and is unpredictable, so is great, when you think something is going to happen, it happen in a different way.
I loved the characters, their growth.
I liked the romance
------------
Desde el principio de este libro, estaba tan intrigada, la trama es increíble y es impredecible, por lo que es genial. Cuando crees que algo va a suceder, sucederá de una manera diferente.
Me encantaron los personajes, su crecimiento.
Me gusto el romance
March 31, 2019
Shadow Soul is a great introduction to the curious world of Narun. Camilla, making her troubled way through our world, is a fascinating character and the pace of the book makes it a page turner. I can't wait to read more.
February 20, 2019
Such a great book.
Loved the storyline, interesting and well written finished it in 2 days. Really recommend this book and excited for the sequel.
Loved the storyline, interesting and well written finished it in 2 days. Really recommend this book and excited for the sequel.
April 25, 2020
I enjoyed this novel. I liked the way the fantasy element is woven into the contemporary life of the characters. Some of the characters, Jill and Tony, seem so ‘real’ that they felt like my own best friends too!
The book is ranked in Teen and YA. Yet I’m an older reader and loved it - I feel it has a wider appeal. The story is fast-paced and exciting in most parts although I felt it stalled a little in the middle.
I found it very well written with great dialogue throughout. I was slightly disappointed with the ending - I felt Leo deserved a little more from our heroine after all he’d put up with!
I recommend this read and I am looking forward to reading the follow-up. I did wonder though about how to pronounce the kingdom ‘Narun’’ - should it rhyme with ‘run’ or ‘maroon’ ?
The book is ranked in Teen and YA. Yet I’m an older reader and loved it - I feel it has a wider appeal. The story is fast-paced and exciting in most parts although I felt it stalled a little in the middle.
I found it very well written with great dialogue throughout. I was slightly disappointed with the ending - I felt Leo deserved a little more from our heroine after all he’d put up with!
I recommend this read and I am looking forward to reading the follow-up. I did wonder though about how to pronounce the kingdom ‘Narun’’ - should it rhyme with ‘run’ or ‘maroon’ ?
May 9, 2019
Great read
I throughly enjoyed this book. The characters are well developed and the plot keeps you guessing. It was an intriguing book from start to finish.
I throughly enjoyed this book. The characters are well developed and the plot keeps you guessing. It was an intriguing book from start to finish.
July 7, 2020
Engaging and suspenseful read.
"Shadow Soul" is a fast-paced, well-written story about self doubt and second chances. The characters are imperfect, authentic, and utterly engaging. You'll soon find yourself being drawn into their world in this fascinating spin on a modern fantasy.
"Shadow Soul" is a fast-paced, well-written story about self doubt and second chances. The characters are imperfect, authentic, and utterly engaging. You'll soon find yourself being drawn into their world in this fascinating spin on a modern fantasy.
March 18, 2021
Camilla is haunted by a past she can’t escape, struggling against internal demons, and just wants the peace of being able to forget in this lovely little YA fantasy tale. But when are things ever easy? She uses pain as a way to cope, and winds up hospitalized. It’s hard to describe the premise without giving away spoilers that the book is careful to only divulge in dribs and drabs, but I’ll tell a little while being vague… we meet Camilla when she’s just woken up after being unconscious in the hospital for two months. From her internal dialogue, there is much more going on below the surface than she’s letting on. When she gets out, we learn from her friends Tony and Matthew about a string of recent attacks in the area… all young girls. Camilla again grows edgy that someone may discover the truth. But what is that truth?
I adored the characterizations in this, Camilla and Leo, and the way the story unfolded gradually, mysterious little pieces of the whole gradually coming to light. The author has a lovely way with words and the writing really sucked me in. Very interested to see what happens in book two!
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
I adored the characterizations in this, Camilla and Leo, and the way the story unfolded gradually, mysterious little pieces of the whole gradually coming to light. The author has a lovely way with words and the writing really sucked me in. Very interested to see what happens in book two!
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
May 4, 2021
The start is gripping: a girl in a coma left at a hospital. Nobody knows who she is but she heals remarkably quickly.
I loved that the book began in the middle of Camilla's story: she has plenty of baggage and mystery to let slip along the way.
It's set in the real world, which works well, and there's another world that remains abstract throughout: presumably we see it in the next in the series and find out whether the goodies and bad guys are as black and white as Camilla believes.
For all her bluster, Camilla did a lot of passing out and needing rescuing. I'd have liked her to play a more active role in her own survival, and for the relationship with Leo to have played out across a longer time-scale.
This is a great set-up for the series, and it's not at all clear which direction it'll take.
I loved that the book began in the middle of Camilla's story: she has plenty of baggage and mystery to let slip along the way.
It's set in the real world, which works well, and there's another world that remains abstract throughout: presumably we see it in the next in the series and find out whether the goodies and bad guys are as black and white as Camilla believes.
For all her bluster, Camilla did a lot of passing out and needing rescuing. I'd have liked her to play a more active role in her own survival, and for the relationship with Leo to have played out across a longer time-scale.
This is a great set-up for the series, and it's not at all clear which direction it'll take.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2023
Shadow Soul grabs the reader from the start with MC Camilla waking up from a lengthy coma in a hospital. It is made clear that she is not what she appears to be and must feign behavior to meet the expectations of those around her. She makes friends with a nurse, who goes so far to allow Camilla to stay with at her house, give her a job, and encourage her to take college classes. It seems Camilla is starting a new life, but then a stranger begins stalking her new friend Tony-or is the stranger stalking Camilla? The writing is skillful and engaging, the pacing swift, and the plot clever and twisty. It is a taut, engaging read that I highly recommend!
May 28, 2020
Enjoyable read.
I enjoyed reading this book. The story focuses on the internal journey of the main character. The unveiling of the main character's backstory feels almost like a thriller as the reader pieces the mystery together. In a lot of books I've read lately, I've found the female protagonist only supports the love interest in the climax instead of solving the problem. In this one, though, the focus on her internal journey is the real plot, not the action--though there is some of that. Overall it's an enjoyable read.
I enjoyed reading this book. The story focuses on the internal journey of the main character. The unveiling of the main character's backstory feels almost like a thriller as the reader pieces the mystery together. In a lot of books I've read lately, I've found the female protagonist only supports the love interest in the climax instead of solving the problem. In this one, though, the focus on her internal journey is the real plot, not the action--though there is some of that. Overall it's an enjoyable read.
December 17, 2021
Shadow Soul was a pleasure to read and had me hooked from chapter one. I loved how the whole mystery unravelled as we read and always gave just enough to make me keep turning the pages while still keeping the suspense.
The characters were great, from the MC to the villain, who I didn't expect until it was too late, and, my favourite character, the love interest? I loved the chemistry, love/hate thing they had going on, and I cannot wait to get into book 2 to find out where it leads them.
An utterly enjoyable story and a recommended read!
The characters were great, from the MC to the villain, who I didn't expect until it was too late, and, my favourite character, the love interest? I loved the chemistry, love/hate thing they had going on, and I cannot wait to get into book 2 to find out where it leads them.
An utterly enjoyable story and a recommended read!
March 18, 2022
They say you should never judge a book by its cover, and I'm not sure why but I was expecting this to be something of a love story..how wrong I was. This is a fast-paced actioner that draws you in from the very start and I could not put it down. I normally read horror, but I have to admit that this was very well written and without a large amount of gratuitous violence. If I have a criticism, it felt rushed in one or two places, but I loved this, and would definitely read more from this author.
June 29, 2023
Mystery and Action
Camilla wakes up from a coma and makes a decision. With the help of a sweet nurse, she starts over. Until everything comes crashing down. Her old life pops back up and she cant hide it from her friends. Someone from her home wants her to come back but she fights it, the past too painful to bear. And then the worst happens and she gets kidnapped. The twists in this book are amazing, the world building awesome, and the heroine someone to root for!
Camilla wakes up from a coma and makes a decision. With the help of a sweet nurse, she starts over. Until everything comes crashing down. Her old life pops back up and she cant hide it from her friends. Someone from her home wants her to come back but she fights it, the past too painful to bear. And then the worst happens and she gets kidnapped. The twists in this book are amazing, the world building awesome, and the heroine someone to root for!
August 3, 2020
What an excellent young adult contemporary fantasy. This intriguing tale of two intersecting worlds had me hooked immediately with its believable characters and its well constructed and fascinating storyline. Don’t even get me started on the jaw-dropping bombshell at 84%!
I can’t wait to read the conclusion of this superb duology.
I can’t wait to read the conclusion of this superb duology.
July 8, 2023
Such a good book I was hooked from the first page and couldn't put it down.
I loved the ever changing relationship between Leo and Camilla.
I loved the world building. This book is full of mystery and secrets that slowly unfold.
I am looking forward to the next book to find out what is in store for them next.
I loved the ever changing relationship between Leo and Camilla.
I loved the world building. This book is full of mystery and secrets that slowly unfold.
I am looking forward to the next book to find out what is in store for them next.
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