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Casting Shadows
The shadows have a life of their own.
Kai and his eleven friends must work together to stop these living shadows before they destroy all that is light. Will they be able to do it before darkness falls?
Beware the shadows.
Are you afraid of the dark?
It was dark. Derek couldn't see his fingers even when they were right in front of his face. He was floating, or maybe he was sinking? He couldn't tell. There was nothing around him for as far as he could see. Derek felt different. He didn't feel complete. Like there was a piece of him missing.
A shiver ran down his spine., he was being watched. A mirror appeared in front of him. Derek gazed at his reflection, there was something different about it. Then he knew. It was the cold smirk and dark eyes that were different. His reflection's smirk grew. "Hello Derek," it said.
"W-who are you?"
"I'm you. Well, the side that no one sees."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means, dear Derek, that you are going to be stuck here watching me murder your friends."
"No!" Derek cried in horror as his reflection stepped out of the mirror. He tried to grab his reflection but it stepped away and walked into the darkness laughing. Derek could only watch as he was left floating in the eternal darkness.
It was the beginning of a devastatingly perfect storm.
Kai and his eleven friends must work together to stop these living shadows before they destroy all that is light. Will they be able to do it before darkness falls?
Beware the shadows.
Are you afraid of the dark?
It was dark. Derek couldn't see his fingers even when they were right in front of his face. He was floating, or maybe he was sinking? He couldn't tell. There was nothing around him for as far as he could see. Derek felt different. He didn't feel complete. Like there was a piece of him missing.
A shiver ran down his spine., he was being watched. A mirror appeared in front of him. Derek gazed at his reflection, there was something different about it. Then he knew. It was the cold smirk and dark eyes that were different. His reflection's smirk grew. "Hello Derek," it said.
"W-who are you?"
"I'm you. Well, the side that no one sees."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means, dear Derek, that you are going to be stuck here watching me murder your friends."
"No!" Derek cried in horror as his reflection stepped out of the mirror. He tried to grab his reflection but it stepped away and walked into the darkness laughing. Derek could only watch as he was left floating in the eternal darkness.
It was the beginning of a devastatingly perfect storm.
258 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2015
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 6, 2019
This is the first of three books. Casting Shadows, Finding Light and Catching Darkness are all three of them.
Esther Fisher has much to improve on but to be honest, there were certain scenes that gave me goosebumps and had me reading twice just to feel that rush of excitement again. I felt that her description of some scenes felt like she was describing camera movements during a movie and that made it all the more interesting and vivid.
The characters were all very sarcastic which is my kind of humour and I found myself chuckling every few pages. I thought that that was a nice relief from the main plot.
Fisher introduced many characters at the same time and made it difficult to remember names and roles, however, she forms characters as the book progresses and the appearances and personalities of each character starts to form in my mind towards the very end of the novel. This no doubt, will help the enjoyment of the second book because I would already know many of the characters.
The transition from this book into the next was very intriguing. I can already feel that the second book would be much better than this first one.
This young author accomplished a very complex story and I'm looking forward to the next books to satisfy my curiosity.
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OKAY FROM HERE ON OUT ARE MY FEELINGS ABOUT THE PLOT WHICH CONTAINS SPOILERS
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SPOILERS
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The plot was very easy to follow and it was a concept that I have scene many times. Zodiac Warriors, transferring to another academy, a secretly powerful best friend, ect.
BUT it did get me really excited to see some plot twists. Like with Caz.
However one HUGE problem I have was the character development. I could see the attempt in having character development but it made no sense because it CAME OUT OF NO WHERE. For example, Derek and Kai had this weird enemy thing going on and all of a sudden in ONE PAGE, right after the target practice training ended, you're telling ME, THAT THEY BECAME BESTIES. I'm not even exaggerating. They became the BEST of FRIENDS. So much so, that I began shipping them.
THE SHIPPING! oh my goodness.
I know that in the beginning, it's said that Kai is a regular, average teenager. but he really IS average. Most novels would start with that and then show that he actually has some resolve but this guy really didn't even fight when Sarah was kidnapped. He really didn't feel any special besides that fact that this man is A PLAY BOY.
BOII who is Kai ending up with?! Like this man is such a play boy, I was shipping him with Leon, then some girl that we NEVER SEE OR UNDERSTAND AGAIN, Elle, then Sarah, then Derek, then Allesha! Which hurts me cuz like Allesha is getting really close to Kai while her BOYFRIEND is knock out, unconscious. Like this girl SLEPT in KAI'S BED! also there were some moments with Scarlet.
ALSO THE PLOT HOLES... I dunno if they're on purpose or not but like... there's so many! Let me list them out. Someone tell me if any of these are cleared up in the next books.
1) How come everyone left the academy when summer ended but it seems like everyone was there before summer except for Kai since Kai flew there right after high school ended.
2) I thought Derek was NOT dead. but they never talk about him leaving the academy with everyone else or if he even woke up. Did i just miss that page? There was so much build-up and worry about Derek but his health is never talked about again
3) When Caz goes to Kai's place, how is Kai supposed to stop him from leaving if Caz is on house arrest but it's PRETTY CLEAR that Caz is more powerful than Kai
4) How come Caz and Kai got so close?! SINCE WHEN. They legit just had that one moment in the interrogation room.
5) They referred to routine rescue missions when they rescued Sarah. But routine rescue missions were never even talked about. Who are the rescuing in those missions?
6) What were they doing in... was it egypt? where Brady was killed?
7) Did Brady die by Derek's hands because in the description of his death, that's what it sounded like to me. But apparently he was struck by some shadow?
8) Kai's grandmother WENT to this academy. but after mentioning it, Kai acts like Zodiac Warriors don't run in the family.
9) Thomas said he doesn't like to get close to anyone anymore. But he's out here with scarlet acting all lovey-dovey.
10) How come Thomas didn't leave with the rest of the warriors? If most of them retire after a few years, Thomas must be WAY over his limit.
11) How do they retire?
12) Last time I checked, there was no island on the bermuda triangle
13) They mention that Leon has powers and the principle knows about them but THEY NEVER MENTION THAT AGAIN. WHAT?! Especially the fact that Leon said "oh, I'm stronger than all of them" like, Leon what are you doing in Toronto when everyone is fighting for their lives?! Also he said "I can protect him better" FROM WHAT?! How much is Kai really worth if the stars already decided that he would die at the end of the ceremony?
14) What did Caz do with the crown?
15) Why did Caz decide to keep Kai alive instead of someone else who was destined to die?
16) Elle said that she already talked out of script. WDYMMM?! You telling me she just broke the fourth wall or something? What script? Did someone send her there just to distract Kai so that they could take Sarah?
17) Why did the shadow people want to take sarah?
18) What was the sign that Caz mentioned was missing from the painting on the ceiling?
19) How did Caz get his powers?
20) Why did Kai run to Caz to help him just from that little dream? I really, would not have done that because I wouldn't have REALLY known who Caz is.
Also the scene that I kept re-reading as mentioned before was the part where Caz opened his eyes and it was Kai's eyes. and Caz said "Kai come help me." or something like that. That was SICK. I loved that scene. It gave me goose bumps.
If you made it this far, I can only assume that you really care about this book or that you're Esther Fisher herself.
Dear Esther Fisher,
So, sorry I gave you 3 stars but I'm sure you know that you can definitely improve better.
You are a friend of a friend of mine and therefore, I know that the you were very young when you wrote this book and because I know you were young when you wrote this, I feel like I was looking at it through the eyes of an editor instead of just sitting and enjoying the book. So sorry for all the criticism. Otherwise, I finished the book instead of just leaving it for naught so that says something about my enjoyment of it. In fact there were some moments where I completely forgot that this book is by a novice writer.
I'd like to thank you for my copy of the book. You don't even know me and yet you signed one to my name and gave me one anyways. Thanks for that. You gave it to me 4 years ago. Sorry it took so long for me to finish. This is the first time I've ever REALLY read the acknowledgements. It's nice to recognize names.
I've always thought of writing a book and publishing it just like you did but I never quite had that much determination. So even if it's 3 stars, in my heart you're a 5 because this is incredible and you're a role model and an inspiration. You showed me that it's possible and I only wish that I could've done as much as you had done at your age.
PS. (womp I guess this turned into a letter instead of a review)
I was the person to add this book onto GoodReads because I wanted to review it but it didn't exist. I hope I filled in the description correctly.
Esther Fisher has much to improve on but to be honest, there were certain scenes that gave me goosebumps and had me reading twice just to feel that rush of excitement again. I felt that her description of some scenes felt like she was describing camera movements during a movie and that made it all the more interesting and vivid.
The characters were all very sarcastic which is my kind of humour and I found myself chuckling every few pages. I thought that that was a nice relief from the main plot.
Fisher introduced many characters at the same time and made it difficult to remember names and roles, however, she forms characters as the book progresses and the appearances and personalities of each character starts to form in my mind towards the very end of the novel. This no doubt, will help the enjoyment of the second book because I would already know many of the characters.
The transition from this book into the next was very intriguing. I can already feel that the second book would be much better than this first one.
This young author accomplished a very complex story and I'm looking forward to the next books to satisfy my curiosity.
-
-
OKAY FROM HERE ON OUT ARE MY FEELINGS ABOUT THE PLOT WHICH CONTAINS SPOILERS
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
SPOILERS
-
-
-
-
-
-
The plot was very easy to follow and it was a concept that I have scene many times. Zodiac Warriors, transferring to another academy, a secretly powerful best friend, ect.
BUT it did get me really excited to see some plot twists. Like with Caz.
However one HUGE problem I have was the character development. I could see the attempt in having character development but it made no sense because it CAME OUT OF NO WHERE. For example, Derek and Kai had this weird enemy thing going on and all of a sudden in ONE PAGE, right after the target practice training ended, you're telling ME, THAT THEY BECAME BESTIES. I'm not even exaggerating. They became the BEST of FRIENDS. So much so, that I began shipping them.
THE SHIPPING! oh my goodness.
I know that in the beginning, it's said that Kai is a regular, average teenager. but he really IS average. Most novels would start with that and then show that he actually has some resolve but this guy really didn't even fight when Sarah was kidnapped. He really didn't feel any special besides that fact that this man is A PLAY BOY.
BOII who is Kai ending up with?! Like this man is such a play boy, I was shipping him with Leon, then some girl that we NEVER SEE OR UNDERSTAND AGAIN, Elle, then Sarah, then Derek, then Allesha! Which hurts me cuz like Allesha is getting really close to Kai while her BOYFRIEND is knock out, unconscious. Like this girl SLEPT in KAI'S BED! also there were some moments with Scarlet.
ALSO THE PLOT HOLES... I dunno if they're on purpose or not but like... there's so many! Let me list them out. Someone tell me if any of these are cleared up in the next books.
1) How come everyone left the academy when summer ended but it seems like everyone was there before summer except for Kai since Kai flew there right after high school ended.
2) I thought Derek was NOT dead. but they never talk about him leaving the academy with everyone else or if he even woke up. Did i just miss that page? There was so much build-up and worry about Derek but his health is never talked about again
3) When Caz goes to Kai's place, how is Kai supposed to stop him from leaving if Caz is on house arrest but it's PRETTY CLEAR that Caz is more powerful than Kai
4) How come Caz and Kai got so close?! SINCE WHEN. They legit just had that one moment in the interrogation room.
5) They referred to routine rescue missions when they rescued Sarah. But routine rescue missions were never even talked about. Who are the rescuing in those missions?
6) What were they doing in... was it egypt? where Brady was killed?
7) Did Brady die by Derek's hands because in the description of his death, that's what it sounded like to me. But apparently he was struck by some shadow?
8) Kai's grandmother WENT to this academy. but after mentioning it, Kai acts like Zodiac Warriors don't run in the family.
9) Thomas said he doesn't like to get close to anyone anymore. But he's out here with scarlet acting all lovey-dovey.
10) How come Thomas didn't leave with the rest of the warriors? If most of them retire after a few years, Thomas must be WAY over his limit.
11) How do they retire?
12) Last time I checked, there was no island on the bermuda triangle
13) They mention that Leon has powers and the principle knows about them but THEY NEVER MENTION THAT AGAIN. WHAT?! Especially the fact that Leon said "oh, I'm stronger than all of them" like, Leon what are you doing in Toronto when everyone is fighting for their lives?! Also he said "I can protect him better" FROM WHAT?! How much is Kai really worth if the stars already decided that he would die at the end of the ceremony?
14) What did Caz do with the crown?
15) Why did Caz decide to keep Kai alive instead of someone else who was destined to die?
16) Elle said that she already talked out of script. WDYMMM?! You telling me she just broke the fourth wall or something? What script? Did someone send her there just to distract Kai so that they could take Sarah?
17) Why did the shadow people want to take sarah?
18) What was the sign that Caz mentioned was missing from the painting on the ceiling?
19) How did Caz get his powers?
20) Why did Kai run to Caz to help him just from that little dream? I really, would not have done that because I wouldn't have REALLY known who Caz is.
Also the scene that I kept re-reading as mentioned before was the part where Caz opened his eyes and it was Kai's eyes. and Caz said "Kai come help me." or something like that. That was SICK. I loved that scene. It gave me goose bumps.
If you made it this far, I can only assume that you really care about this book or that you're Esther Fisher herself.
Dear Esther Fisher,
So, sorry I gave you 3 stars but I'm sure you know that you can definitely improve better.
You are a friend of a friend of mine and therefore, I know that the you were very young when you wrote this book and because I know you were young when you wrote this, I feel like I was looking at it through the eyes of an editor instead of just sitting and enjoying the book. So sorry for all the criticism. Otherwise, I finished the book instead of just leaving it for naught so that says something about my enjoyment of it. In fact there were some moments where I completely forgot that this book is by a novice writer.
I'd like to thank you for my copy of the book. You don't even know me and yet you signed one to my name and gave me one anyways. Thanks for that. You gave it to me 4 years ago. Sorry it took so long for me to finish. This is the first time I've ever REALLY read the acknowledgements. It's nice to recognize names.
I've always thought of writing a book and publishing it just like you did but I never quite had that much determination. So even if it's 3 stars, in my heart you're a 5 because this is incredible and you're a role model and an inspiration. You showed me that it's possible and I only wish that I could've done as much as you had done at your age.
PS. (womp I guess this turned into a letter instead of a review)
I was the person to add this book onto GoodReads because I wanted to review it but it didn't exist. I hope I filled in the description correctly.
Displaying 1 of 1 review