What do you think?
Rate this book
The World She Silenced #1
A Land in Shadow
Darkness engulfs a ravaged land …
Dreadful legions of undead devour any remnant of life …
But there is still hope …
Dreadful legions of undead devour any remnant of life …
Ashyla, a crazed Goddess gone mad with vengeance, will stop at nothing to regain her stolen freedom. Trapped with a ravenous Shadow that she can no longer control, and a fiery nemesis destined to strike her down, she must balance the strings of a crumbling realm, else forever lose her glimpse of freedom.
But there is still hope …
A group of companions, with no memories of their former selves, is thrust into a barren world of decay. Tasked with reuniting with the Flame, and defeating the vile Shadow, they must journey through the dark wilderness consumed by death and destruction. It is a battle for survival. In a land full of traitors and lies, will the companions escape the iron clutches of darkness, or will they fall victim to Ashyla’s webs of deception?
I hope you enjoy the book! Feel free to leave a review and share with your friends! Any support to help me get started is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
-Dan
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2019
5 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Whitman
2 books3 followersDaniel Whitman is an engineer who, on the side, loves to dabble in the realm of fantasy. He grew up reading fantasy books and playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, and Diablo. Now, he is taking this childhood passion and crafting his own stories.
Daniel’s passion is for dark fantasy, with a special interest in morally complex characters and heart-wrenching moments. He wrote his first book, A Land in Shadow, while he was still in high school. Now, in graduate school, he is continuing the adventure with his latest book: A Resurgence of Hope.
While Daniel is an engineer by trade, writing is his passion. His dream is to be listed among the greats of fantasy, and any support for him to achieve this would be greatly appreciated!
Daniel’s passion is for dark fantasy, with a special interest in morally complex characters and heart-wrenching moments. He wrote his first book, A Land in Shadow, while he was still in high school. Now, in graduate school, he is continuing the adventure with his latest book: A Resurgence of Hope.
While Daniel is an engineer by trade, writing is his passion. His dream is to be listed among the greats of fantasy, and any support for him to achieve this would be greatly appreciated!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 18, 2025
A solid 5 star read!
Honestly, A Land in Shadow feels like a really solid dark-fantasy opener. The world is bleak and dangerous, and you get that constant sense that everything is on the edge of collapse. I liked how the story follows a group of characters who wake up with no memories and have to survive while figuring out who they are, it keeps things mysterious and tense. While some characters may follow familiar fantasy archetypes, their interactions and personal journeys help elevate the stakes.
The goddess Ashyla was especially interesting to me. She’s powerful but broken, and her struggle with vengeance and control adds a lot of depth to the story.
The author does a good job setting the mood and keeping the plot moving. The writing reveals a passion for classic fantasy and role-playing influences, with detailed worldbuilding and a tone that evokes survival against overwhelming odds.
Overall, it’s a good pick if you enjoy darker fantasy with undead threats, lost identities, and a strong survival vibe. It feels like the kind of first book that’s clearly setting up something bigger.
Honestly, A Land in Shadow feels like a really solid dark-fantasy opener. The world is bleak and dangerous, and you get that constant sense that everything is on the edge of collapse. I liked how the story follows a group of characters who wake up with no memories and have to survive while figuring out who they are, it keeps things mysterious and tense. While some characters may follow familiar fantasy archetypes, their interactions and personal journeys help elevate the stakes.
The goddess Ashyla was especially interesting to me. She’s powerful but broken, and her struggle with vengeance and control adds a lot of depth to the story.
The author does a good job setting the mood and keeping the plot moving. The writing reveals a passion for classic fantasy and role-playing influences, with detailed worldbuilding and a tone that evokes survival against overwhelming odds.
Overall, it’s a good pick if you enjoy darker fantasy with undead threats, lost identities, and a strong survival vibe. It feels like the kind of first book that’s clearly setting up something bigger.
November 12, 2025
Some books do not just tell a story, they pull you into a dream you do not want to leave. That is what Land in Shadow did for me. From the first chapter, I felt like I was walking through a forgotten town full of whispers and unspoken memories. Every page hums with emotion, quiet, haunting, and beautiful.
The way Whitman builds his world feels almost alive. You can sense the chill in the air, the flicker of light through the trees, and the heavy stillness that makes you want to look closer. It is not just what happens, it is how it feels that stays with you.
I love books that make me pause, think, and imagine, and this one did all three. There is something tender in the shadows here, something worth exploring. If you are drawn to stories that feel both intimate and mysterious, I think you will find something special in Land in Shadow.
Book two is waiting for me, and I am ready to step back into Whitman’s world whenever I need to remember why I fell in love with stories like this in the first place.
The way Whitman builds his world feels almost alive. You can sense the chill in the air, the flicker of light through the trees, and the heavy stillness that makes you want to look closer. It is not just what happens, it is how it feels that stays with you.
I love books that make me pause, think, and imagine, and this one did all three. There is something tender in the shadows here, something worth exploring. If you are drawn to stories that feel both intimate and mysterious, I think you will find something special in Land in Shadow.
Book two is waiting for me, and I am ready to step back into Whitman’s world whenever I need to remember why I fell in love with stories like this in the first place.
September 18, 2025
A fun, gritty read filled with memorable characters in a Dungeons & Dragons style setup. The story is a wild ride from start to finish, the world is oppressive and seemingly insurmountable, and the author's passion and care for the story can be felt in the pages. Can't wait to see what he cooks up next.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews