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The Light and Shadow Chronicles #0
Origin of Shadow
The voice broke into his thoughts, everywhere and nowhere at once, deafening, yet somehow a whisper. “Are you ready to learn the truth?”
Heir to a notorious crime syndicate, sixteen-year-old Vincent Wilder is determined to live up to his father’s intimidating legacy, and expand his violent empire. The Wilders have terrorised the city of Pabell for decades and Vincent knows the business inside and out - and has dirtied his own hands more times than he dares to count.
But no matter how ready he thinks he is, nothing could have prepared him for life at the helm. His father was a man of many things, but secrets wasn’t one of them. Or so Vincent had thought. The deeper Vincent gets into his leadership role, the more terrifying and inexplicable skeletons he uncovers.
With the threat of a revolution, a mysterious and intrusive voice in his head, and a long-lost history he had known nothing about, is he really up to the challenge?
You’ve read the Children of Light’s origin story, now experience the same events from a different perspective with this prequel novella from The Light and Shadow Chronicles.
Heir to a notorious crime syndicate, sixteen-year-old Vincent Wilder is determined to live up to his father’s intimidating legacy, and expand his violent empire. The Wilders have terrorised the city of Pabell for decades and Vincent knows the business inside and out - and has dirtied his own hands more times than he dares to count.
But no matter how ready he thinks he is, nothing could have prepared him for life at the helm. His father was a man of many things, but secrets wasn’t one of them. Or so Vincent had thought. The deeper Vincent gets into his leadership role, the more terrifying and inexplicable skeletons he uncovers.
With the threat of a revolution, a mysterious and intrusive voice in his head, and a long-lost history he had known nothing about, is he really up to the challenge?
You’ve read the Children of Light’s origin story, now experience the same events from a different perspective with this prequel novella from The Light and Shadow Chronicles.
89 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2019
1 person is currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
D.M. Cain
21 books496 followersD.M. Cain is a dystopian and fantasy author working for Creativia Publishing. The Light and Shadow Chronicles series features a range of books which can be read in any order. The series instalments to date include A Chronicle of Chaos, The Shield of Soren, Genesis of Light and Origin of Shadow.
Cain has released one stand-alone novel: The Phoenix Project, a psychological thriller set in a dystopian future. The Phoenix Project was the winner of the 2016 Kindle Book Review Sci-Fi novel Award.
Cain lives in Leicestershire, UK with her partner and two young children, and spends her time reading, writing, reviewing and indulging in geek culture (Marvel, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Final Fantasy).
Cain has released one stand-alone novel: The Phoenix Project, a psychological thriller set in a dystopian future. The Phoenix Project was the winner of the 2016 Kindle Book Review Sci-Fi novel Award.
Cain lives in Leicestershire, UK with her partner and two young children, and spends her time reading, writing, reviewing and indulging in geek culture (Marvel, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Final Fantasy).
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 10, 2019
Origin of Shadow is gripping, in a slightly disturbing way. It will make you question your own morals and values as you are dragged into the world seen through the eyes of Vincent and his mysterious, constant ‘companion’.
Cain has a gift for building an entire world you want to know more about. I’ve experienced this in her longer novels, but she can also deliver in barely 25.000 words.
Like the others, Origin of Shadow can be read as a stand-alone, but for us who’ve read them all so far, there are some familiar names and telltale signs in this one, which makes the story even more interesting. Personally, I can’t wait for the next one. Give me more!
Cain has a gift for building an entire world you want to know more about. I’ve experienced this in her longer novels, but she can also deliver in barely 25.000 words.
Like the others, Origin of Shadow can be read as a stand-alone, but for us who’ve read them all so far, there are some familiar names and telltale signs in this one, which makes the story even more interesting. Personally, I can’t wait for the next one. Give me more!
February 10, 2020
Being an heir to a crime syndicate isn’t the greatest legacy. Unfortunately that’s what Vincent inherited. Loads of action to keep you reading.
December 6, 2019
Realistic and Intense Characterisation
Having been introduced to Vincent Wilder and the mysterious Bavelize in previous books in the wonderful Light and Shadow Chronicles series, it was intriguing to see how their relationship began, and how the Brotherhood of Shadow rose to prominence.
Wilder's origins as an "ordinary" Mafia-style crimelord make it easy for us to see how he makes the transition into the leader of the sworn enemies of the Children of Light, heralding the numerous battles between good and evil, and angels and demons in D.M. Cain's epic fantasy series.
The author builds realistic, and somewhat intense, characterisation as we get to know Wilder. Yes, he's a ruthless, vicious crimelord, but there's a softer side to him as well, which we hadn't seen before in the earlier books. Maybe as his empire grows, that aspect of his character is either buried deeper inside him ready to emerge in a forthcoming book, or it's been thoroughly ripped away.
Whichever path the author illuminates for Wilder to tread in future, this powerful novella plays on our emotions as it culminates in Wilder taking his place in the new fledgling era. We think we know what drives Wilder. But maybe the very final sentence shows us that his mindset has been created by something else.
The heart of this story beats with realistic crime characters who show insurrection, and who want to seize every opportunity opening up to them, when their status quo is brutally changed. And running parallel to this, is the growing relationship between Wilder and the Bavelize.
Oh, and we also get to see the teenaged Callista Nienna before she takes her place as commander of the Children of Light and ruler of Alcherys. Wilder is already forming his opinions of her.
A compelling five-star page-turner from D.M. Cain, as she introduces us to what will become in her other books, a war-torn land as Vincent Wilder's Brotherhood of Shadow battles Callista Nienna's Children of Light for domination of the planet.
Having been introduced to Vincent Wilder and the mysterious Bavelize in previous books in the wonderful Light and Shadow Chronicles series, it was intriguing to see how their relationship began, and how the Brotherhood of Shadow rose to prominence.
Wilder's origins as an "ordinary" Mafia-style crimelord make it easy for us to see how he makes the transition into the leader of the sworn enemies of the Children of Light, heralding the numerous battles between good and evil, and angels and demons in D.M. Cain's epic fantasy series.
The author builds realistic, and somewhat intense, characterisation as we get to know Wilder. Yes, he's a ruthless, vicious crimelord, but there's a softer side to him as well, which we hadn't seen before in the earlier books. Maybe as his empire grows, that aspect of his character is either buried deeper inside him ready to emerge in a forthcoming book, or it's been thoroughly ripped away.
Whichever path the author illuminates for Wilder to tread in future, this powerful novella plays on our emotions as it culminates in Wilder taking his place in the new fledgling era. We think we know what drives Wilder. But maybe the very final sentence shows us that his mindset has been created by something else.
The heart of this story beats with realistic crime characters who show insurrection, and who want to seize every opportunity opening up to them, when their status quo is brutally changed. And running parallel to this, is the growing relationship between Wilder and the Bavelize.
Oh, and we also get to see the teenaged Callista Nienna before she takes her place as commander of the Children of Light and ruler of Alcherys. Wilder is already forming his opinions of her.
A compelling five-star page-turner from D.M. Cain, as she introduces us to what will become in her other books, a war-torn land as Vincent Wilder's Brotherhood of Shadow battles Callista Nienna's Children of Light for domination of the planet.
November 17, 2019
The books in this universe can be read in whatever order you wish. They are meant to be at various times. I have not seen this type of book writing before and it looks very promising.
Origin of Shadow is about two organizations that have been fighting for a long time. This story is about Vincent “taking” over and what happens. I found it very interesting and cannot wait for more. I have added D.M. Cain as a favorite author and will be reading more.
Although she says that any of her books can be read in any order, I hope she does some series so that we can find out what happens to some of the characters. Well done!
Origin of Shadow is about two organizations that have been fighting for a long time. This story is about Vincent “taking” over and what happens. I found it very interesting and cannot wait for more. I have added D.M. Cain as a favorite author and will be reading more.
Although she says that any of her books can be read in any order, I hope she does some series so that we can find out what happens to some of the characters. Well done!
December 2, 2019
Origin of Shadow is part of The Light and Shadow Chronicles, which the author says can be read in any order. That certainly holds true for this book, however it does make me want to find out more about the world that D.M. Cain has created, and the characters that inhabit it.
Following the death of his father, Vincent has to take over the Wilders Crime Syndicate, but is unprepared for the introduction to his new constant companion, the Bavelize, and the Brotherhood of Shadow.
Origin of Shadow is a gripping and intriguing short story, and, for me, a great introduction to this series.
Following the death of his father, Vincent has to take over the Wilders Crime Syndicate, but is unprepared for the introduction to his new constant companion, the Bavelize, and the Brotherhood of Shadow.
Origin of Shadow is a gripping and intriguing short story, and, for me, a great introduction to this series.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews