Shiloh

Shiloh #1

by Helena Sorensen

In a world of perpetual shadow, a boy is born wielding remarkable power over fire. Amos is seven when he kills a Shadow Wolf and becomes a legend in Shiloh. Everyone is amazed by him . . . and afraid that his father may be a madman. His father tells stories about a world beyond the Shadow, a time before the Shadow. People who tell those stories usually come to unfortunate ends. The year Amos and his best friend, Simeon, turn twelve, they are itching to prove themselves. An impetuous plan to steal a beautiful lantern goes miserably awry, and the lantern's owner prophesies that Amos will be devoured by the Shadow. For the first time, a seed of fear is planted in Amos's mind, and when his father is killed by a Shadow Wolf on the last day of the Great Hunt, the fear takes hold. If so great and brave a man as his father could fall to the Shadow, what hope does he have? Does anyone ever truly escape the Shadow?

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Christian, Teen, Christian Fiction, Childrens

292 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2013

About the author

Helena Sorensen grew up outside Tampa, Florida in a little backwater called Fort Lonesome. She is not making this up. As a child, she went exploring in the orange groves, searching for empty shotgun shells and fragments of broken glass. Since then, she has performed in show choirs and chamber choirs, received a degree in Music Education, written songs and poems, and traveled to Italy and Ireland. She never saw any of this coming.

She also had no idea of becoming either a mother or a writer, yet here she is, living in Nashville with two kids and four published books to her name. She ponders the humor of the divine and the strange adventure of living while she drinks kombucha on the porch and reads everything from Ursula Le Guin to Dave Barry to Betty MacDonald.

You can find her essays on her Substack, "Filaments."

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous book. A friend recommended it to me on the basis that it was similar in feel to The Tales of Goldstone Wood- which is an accurate statement, since Shiloh reminded me not only of that series but of several other books and series, including:

-The Wingfeather Saga . . . for the focus on family, the world that's rich and dark and strange and familiar and frightening and yet strangely comfortable all at once, the emphasis on the power of stories and music, and just the general feel of the story. (I have a strong suspicion that the author is, if not a fan of the Wingfeather Saga itself, at least a fan of Andrew Peterson's music. )
-The Tales of Goldstone Wood . . . for the beauty of the setting even in the midst of the darkness, the perfectly flawed characters, the lore of the world, and the emphasis on light amidst the darkness (though that's also a very Wingfeather theme).
-The Silimarillion (or, certain parts of it) . . . for the stories told of Shiloh's creation and lore.
-The Auralia Thread . . . for the dark world, for the characters whose light sets them apart, and the threads of mystery running through the book.

There were one or two things I didn't like- namely, how the story seemed to repeat certain things that had already been established and didn't necessarily need repeated- but overall, this was wonderful.

[Kate Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! The worldbuilding was so rich and deep even in a setting where you could barely see ten feet in front of you. I grew to hate the shadow and love the snatches of radiance and light. My favorite character was Simeon with Orin as a close second. Too often I am Phebe, so her storyline was particularly heartbreaking and encouraging. (And Amos!!!) This was a serious book, so there weren't any laugh outloud moments; but, oh did I cry! Their world was a picture of ours--so dark but with hope and identity to be found. I especially loved the nightingale song; first because it was beautiful, and second because of its meaning. Not recommended for younger readers because of some violence, ill-treatment of women, and creatures on the side of evil including a shapeshifter. I also didn't appreciate that the immortals from their mythology that seemed to resemble angels were referred to as "the gods", but it wasn't a huge issue.

Best quote: Ezra smiled then, his eyes sparkling. "What do you believe?"

Altogether, I was encouraged by this soul-filled story while enjoying the fantasy element perfect for older readers. ;)

[Ming-Wai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helena Sorensen spins a beautiful and haunting tale that grabbed me from the very beginning and I could not escape the pull of the story. The characters that Sorensen fashioned together walked their way deep into my heart and their struggles resonated within my soul. We all fear the Shadow that lurks in all the corners of this world and we all long for a home where the shadow will be banished forever.
And as the Shadow encroached toward Amos; my heart ached. And I cheered as Phebe and Simeon fought with all they had against the hopelessness that threatened to take hold of their hearts.

Thank you Mrs. Sorensen for a wonderful tale that resounds true.

[Yael Itamar · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a review request from this author a while back. (I'm embarrassed to admit when.) I started it shortly after it showed up in my inbox, but every time I picked it up, I couldn't bring myself to read more than twenty pages at a time. Honestly, if it weren't for the fact that I promised the author a review, I probably wouldn't have finished it at all.

I'll start by saying what I liked about SHILOH. Stylistically, this book is good (minus a few instances of purplish prose). I liked how all of the characters, including the main characters, spoke with peasant accents. (You always see minor or supporting characters with accents, but never protagonists.) And I liked Simeon, Phebe, and Isolde. (The description makes it sound like Amos is the protagonist, but that's not the case--which is a good thing, because I found Amos flat, boring, and unrelatable.)

Now here's where I list the problems:

First of all, I was incredibly bored. Stuff happened. Sometimes. But there was very little by way of I-need-to-know-what-happens-next tension. Up until the last 60 pages or so, there wasn't much of a plot. No stakes. No goals or obstacles. The characters were basically just going about the motions. And when something cool did happen, it was either rushed or skipped over. (A fight with a dragon! Why didn't I get to see the fight with the dragon?)

There was also the mythology problem. There were far too many myths and stories and songs (see this post), and it finally came to the point where I was skipping over all of them. If it's not immediately relevant to the story at hand, then it needs to be condensed as much as possible.

There was also the fact that this story covered too large a timespan. It starts with a seven-year-old who kills a Shadow Cat. I don't care how much of a special snowflake he is, I refuse to believe that a seven-year-old can accomplish something like that. Did he have to be seven? At the very minimum, I would accept twelve. (And yes, the story could have easily been edited so that Amos started as a twelve-year-old and still finished the story as a teenager.)

I was also confused about a lot of the worldbuilding and magical elements (ie, the whole deal with the Hall of Shadows). Oh, and the "perpetual darkness" part. Like, how "dark" are we talking? The story references the absence of a sun, but that can't be possible--the descriptions are all very visual, there is a distinction between night and day, and the characters are capable of embroidery, fine metal forgery, and distinguishing colors. From the way I pictured things, it couldn't have been worse than rainy-day grayness. But if that's the case, where is this light coming from? It can't all be from campfires/lanterns.

So overall, I'm sorry to day that this book was not successful for me, and I apologize to the author for taking so long to review it.

[Sarah ⚘ · Rating 5 out of 5]

《 five stars 》

⭒˚.⋆ ❝ wither, wither little maiden? whither light and laughter gone? wherefore would the darkness take thee from the warmth of mother's arms? ❞ ⋆.˚⭒

From the moment I opened this book, I was hit with the overwhelming sense of it being very much the sort of book I want to write someday. A book with a vibrant, folkloric feel, and grounded in deep truths. A story that feels as though it could have been passed down from generation to generation to generation, for years and years to come. The sort of story that lasts. And I think those stories are beautiful, don't you? 💕

[Celestria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an interesting book! I loved the lore of the world, it felt very reminiscent of Middle Earth. The characters were really good, especially Simeon. I loved seeing his character development. The world is very dark (literally) and so many tragic things happened and my heart broke for the characters and the decisions some of them made, so it was on the verge of being depressing, but it wasn't because I knew good would triumph and the light would have to overcome the shadow in the end.

[Joseph Brink · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read these a long time ago and enjoyed them. Don't remember much about them, tbh.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shiloh is a story of choices and of fear, fear that hangs over every inch of Shiloh with a tangible darkness. Can the light be seen in such blackness?

Amos, a young boy with extraordinary gifts, is suddenly burdened with terrible responsibilities. Grief clouds his mind and fear begins to fester in his heart for the first time in his life. The choices Amos makes impact the thing most precious to him: his family.

I would truly recommend Shiloh to anyone who enjoys fantasy/adventure stories. You cannot help being caught up in Amos’ tale! You will root for him and you will cry for him and you will scream at him during his growth from a confident young boy to a grief-stricken young man and the choices he makes in that grief.

And Shiloh provides not only an exceptional main character, but compelling secondary characters as well. (My favorite is Simeon, Amos’ best friend.) These dynamic characters and the beautiful, but eerie, location descriptions bring Shiloh to life while its rich history gives it depth.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, amazing trilogy.
Still fantastic the second time around.

[Kylee Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating story! I’ve never read anything like this before!

[Everything Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this book for teens ages 13 + up. The story was very well written and it hooked me in from the very beginning. I also liked that the author took a great amount of detail and incorporated it into the story to basically build a "Shiloh" world. I loved that! I felt I was actually there, witnessing the events. I felt like I was part of the pack.

Helena Sorensen did an amazing job with character development. I found myself being taken away by the all of the characters. I just loved Amos. I mean at the age of seven, he killed a Shadow Wolf; that is bad-ass! At such a young age, he had to struggle to stay in the light and not be taken by the Shadow. The novel portrays a coming of age story and provides such whole hearted morals; its just hard not to like. At twelve years old, Amos experiences life changing and devastating events and he must essentially decide to fulfill his destiny, overcome his fear and build self-confidence to become a "man". While reading this book, I felt scared, stressed, happy, sadness, but most of all, hope.

All in all, I enjoyed this book and am definitely hoping there is a sequel.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorensen has the innate ability to create a story that is interesting and enjoyable to teens, as well as to more mature readers - a hallmark to a true classic.

The world of Shiloh and its inhabitants stay with the reader long after the last page is read. My one wish is for more of Shiloh...more of the everyday life in Shiloh, more of each character's dreams and struggles, more of everything! I can only hope for more novels about Shiloh from this author.

[Kailie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed this today: “The Children of the Morning will dwell in darkness...only until the day breaks and the Shadows flee away.”

[Stephanie Gillis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll have a more detailed review coming on my main channel but overall it's not a bad book. I have one part that was hard to suspend disbelief for and that's that this world is basically in neverending cloud-cover because of "the Shadow" and while a cool aesthetic for a fantasy world, how were they able to grow anything?

ASIDE from that, it's an interesting story about grief, an allegory for alcoholism, and the healing process which I appreciated even if at times it was a little heavy-handed with the message. I do think the description of the book is a little misleading as it covers many more characters than Amos himself. That being said I really liked the journey for Simeon more than anyone and would have probably been more invested if it was just his story overall.

[Cassiday Stearns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shiloh was a fun and realatively quick read for me. I enjoyed the lore of the world and Sorensen has a great theme of exploring what it takes to have hope in a seemingly hopeless world. She uses the classic battle between light and darnkess in literal sense, which I enjoyed.

While a fun read, pacing varies throughout the book. I found the lore interesting, which made it easy to keep reading through some of the slower paced chapters. Majority of the action tends to packed into the later chapters and moves quickly.

[Bridget E. Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

[Rachel Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with the world building aspects of this book. The mythology and magical creatures and elements were introduced so quickly it was difficult to keep track of all of it. Often creatures would be placed into the story with little to no explanation of their purpose or form.
Nevertheless the imagery and story were enjoyable.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very real and heavy book, though a fantasy, it traffics in the very real and sobering themes of love, brokenness, depravity, despair, and redemption. Where a more classical YA fantasy may tread further from the edge, Sorensen plunges headlong into these heavy motifs. All of which is to say, this is not a book for late night reading (if you want to sleep). The story is good, the way narratives should be (but often aren’t these days). I will definitely be continuing in this series.

[Fi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shiloh is the story of a boy living in the darkness, famous throughout his world for doing something at the age of seven that most fully grown men would not be able to do - killing a Shadow Wolf. Amos kills the Shadow Wolf after it attacks his parents flock and his younger sister, Phebe and from then on his life is never the same. Growing up with his heroic deed constantly hanging over his head, he is now known as Wielder of Fire and when Amos rescues one of the village boys, Simeon, from the bullies he befriends him. Simeon is different too, he's a gentle boy, son of the village magistrate but perhaps most importantly he's a Dreamer, a rare talent in Shiloh which only leads to ostracise him further.

The world of Shiloh is permanently shrouded in darkness, candles and lanterns are always lit even in the middle of the day. The people have always lived this way, for as long as they can remember and this adds to the dark atmosphere of Shiloh, it lends almost a permanent layer of despair and foreboding to the story. When Amos is told that he will fall to shadow he fears the worst and assumes he will be killed by a shadow wolf. What he couldn't predict is the tragedy about to strike his family, unable to see his way through the grief Amos starts to drift from his path and falls to the darkness. Years pass, Simeon becomes the strong character - in love with Phebe despite her scars, and in a way becomes the true hero of the story. Things are never quite as they seem in Shiloh and what you expect from a character is mostly not what you get. Ultimately it's about making the right choices, admitting that you maybe were wrong and facing up to the consequences. I can honestly say that I loved most of the characters that Helena has created, the only one I didn't was Mordecai - for obvious reasons! I got completely drawn into Shiloh, everything was so vivid which considering everything about it screams darkness was amazing. The writing was solid, the world created so detailed and believable. I had a hard time putting this book down and I can only hope that we get to read more about Shiloh, maybe in the form of prequels, as I would love to know more about the Immortals involved and the Night Weavers, the Nelya and a host of other things I still have questions about. If you like detailed, complex fantasy then Shiloh is the book for you and enjoyable whether you're a YA fan or not.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

When Helena Sorenson offered to send me this for review, I jumped at the chance - having read the premise on her website, I was interested. I also thought it sounded weird - and I'm not going to lie, it was weird - but as I think we all know, weird is a good thing.

Overall, I enjoyed Shiloh; the storyline was original and unique, and I got a very clear sense of the world Sorenson was creating, with its perpetual darkness and ominous forests, the oily river that runs through it, and the tiny villages full of people struggling through lives in the blackness, mistrustful of each other and blind to the truth. I also liked the character's names - they felt 'fantasy' without being over the top - and the place names (though the alliteration of Pallid Peaks and Whispering Wood made me cringe a little. I felt that it took away from their scariness). I'm not going to say this book didn't have its flaws, because that would be untrue; whilst the characters were credible, well-developed and good throughout, I couldn't believe that Simeon and Amos were seven at the beginning - the way they spoke and acted made them seem much older. When I began reading I also wasn't a fan of the dialect used, but as the novel progressed I did get used to it and I suppose it did give me a clearer connection with some of the characters. I also felt that a certain romance was very predictable - but maybe I'm just a cynic. The other thing that killed me was the formatting and I know most people don't understand fonts so this isn't really a valid point but it was in Arial and Times New Roman, interspersed together, and the indents were so big and I just, I just...~whimpers~ But anyway.

My main problem with the novel was definitely the pacing. A lot happened in a short space of time and quite often I felt that a lot more suspense and build-up was required. This makes me think that perhaps I am simply too old for the book - I am used to wordier, longer novels and to me it felt more like a story for, say, an 11 or 12 year old. However, that said, I did enjoy the book - Sorenson did what every fantasy writer aspires to, which is create a tangible world with a problem that the readers are rooting to be solved. I have given it 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads and I would say that, if you are that bit younger - pre-teen, I think - then I would definitely recommend Shiloh to you.

Thanks again for sending it to me, Helena!

[Sabrina Olteanu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

When I saw the description of Shiloh on Itching For Book I wanted to join the tour no matter what. I've never read a book like this before and I was excited. It has legends, dragons, wolves, clans and everything that will make a book so interesting.
Helena Sorensen created this world of darkness Shiloh, a different one, that has stories about a light beyond the Shadow. The ones that live there have only known the darkness that surrounds them.
In Shiloh there is a legend about killing the great Shadow Wolf. The one that got to him was Amos, and he did it when he was only seven years old. He fearless, amazing a warrior, but his family it’s different from him. They believe in the tales of the light, and they are afraid of the darkness and the Shadow Cat. But, Amos has a true friend, Simeon who lives in another town. When they turned the age of twelve, they have the opportunity to finally go to the Great Hunt. That’s when Amos finally knows what fear feels like and he doesn't like it. Especially the dark man that approaches him and leads him down a dark path.

I have to honest and say the book was well written and the characters were well-developed. My only problem with the book was the boys age, it was hard to believe seven years old could such things. For me the story was fast paced, different from what I've read so far, but I liked it.
I felt sorry for Amos, especially after his father death. He started acting bad, mean, even after he came back to the town. He spends a lot of time in anger and I don’t think that is an easy thing to do, particularly for a kid that age. But, he came true and realized that he was hurting people and pushing the away. I also like Simeon who was timid, but determined, he works hard for what he wants and tries to stand for what he wants and what he believes. To me, the people that lived there contradicted a lot, they hated the darkness and didn't believed the stories about the light. But, they wanted it even if they were skeptical. Hopping it’s a hard feeling in that town, because they suffered a lot and they are scared of what can happen next. I recommend this book if you want to take a chance on reading something different! Thank you for giving me the chance to read Shiloh!

[Scott Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a world of darkness and Shadow, can there be hope? This was a great read about hope and faith amidst overwhelming pressure to just give in.

The Good:
I loved this sweet family and the characters of this world. I loved the world and the writing style. This book had me from the very beginning and I didn't want to put it down. There is not much that I didn't really love about this book. Plus is it FREE on amazon right now :)

The Bad:
The ending felt abrupt to me. I had three chapters left and I was thinking, "How is this going to be tied up in 3 chapters?" and then it was over.

The Ugly (content advisory):
There really wasn't any "ugly". No content warnings for this book as it is clean and appropriate for any audience.

Recommended for:
As much as I loved this book, I'm not sure who I can recommend it for. The protagonists of the book are mainly children and a sweet family, so you would generalIy think this book would be great for kids. However, it is a very heavy book in regards to its themes. To paint the beautiful picture of hope and faith amidst dark times, the times get very, very dark. The picture is all the more beautiful due to the deepness of the dark, but it still remains that some of the heavier things that happen in the book might be lost on younger children. For sure teens can read it (though they might not appreciate it and be bored), but I'm not sure about preteens or younger. In a lot of ways, this book is not fun. It is a very beautiful story, but it is not fun. I connected with it deeply and appreciated the heavier parts, but it is not a light read. So having said all this, I think this book would be really appreciated by people who like coming of age stories but are mature enough to appreciate the heaviness of the content.

[Rachelle Sperling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so fascinated by this book I couldn't put it down and I read it entirely too quickly. I'm going to have to go back and read it again.

Interesting and creative, I believe this series will especially appeal to fans of Anne Elizabeth Stengl. There are a lot of characters and some complicated world building woven together into a riveting tale.

[Je74393 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I approached this book with the wrong expectations. I thought it was going to be for middle-schoolers and probably light. Instead it was a story of almost constant dread, grief, and calamity. I will admit that I had a hard time with it because of that, but I was also very pulled into the story. The world felt very real. Also, after reading it I could see good fruit in my life for having read it. I did have my heart hardened against all the painful moments I thought were coming, though, so I can't say I was as fully devastated as I would have been with my guard down. So I would not recommend it for children at all. In all likelihood I would only hand it to a full-grown adult. Still, despite my difficulties with it I have already thought about reading it again.

[Janna Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Amos and Simeon, two young boys who live in "a world of darkness, a world of fire and stone and wood and earth, of arrows and horses and clans and legends." That world reminds me of someplace like Scotland or Ireland, toward the end of the middle ages, but with a few major differences. The world Helena has created is cloaked in an actual, physical darkness, and the Shadow realm of this world contains many dangerous enemies. Helena's beautiful prose pulls you into this world, where the sun, if there is a sun at all, has never been seen. It's a gripping story, filled with action, tenderness, faith and love.

[G. Bradshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shiloh was an amazing ebook! I loved the way that the author introduced the reader to the Shadow World...it had a spiritual flavor to it but yet it showed the emotional value that made the Shadow World come to life. I loved the character development and the notion of "hero" - which resonated throughout the book. I loved the cover to the story and found that it rightfully represented the darkness that engulfed the people of Shiloh.

This is an amazing story that will capture your imagination!

[Tawanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shiloh is a fantasy world but it feels as real as our own. It resonates with every-day people with every-day responsibilities who must find a way to lift their eyes above their doubts and see hope.
I immediately connected with the characters, feeling the fear of the Shadow in all of Shiloh and the hope and light reflected in the heart and songs of Phebe.
Amos, like all of us, has to choose between living out of his fears or looking beyond the Shadow to find hope.....purpose.....destiny.
I'm hoping for a sequel! I encourage everyone to read Shiloh because it is everyone's story.

[Beth Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬

This is the thought that came to mind over and over as I read Shiloh. Beautiful, intricate storytelling.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ohh. Helena Sorensen’s books leave me with so many emotions. The worlds she creates (at least in the books I’ve read) are unrelentingly dark - in the case of Shiloh, physically dark as well as psychologically and spiritually so. Loss, grief, disappointment, bleakness, despair - she paints them with unflinching strokes that sometimes hit like punches to the sternum and leave you breathless the same way. But the light always breaks through, especially at the very end, in such brilliance it brings me to tears.

I could have wished for a bit more light in the light-dark balance, a longer denouement to bask in its warmth and pour balm on my emotional wounds. Hence my rating. There is a good story here and some intriguing and potent themes, but I ended the book exhausted, craving more answers, and still needing time to grieve the last of the gut-punches. (Note: If, like me, you find yourself in that place at the end, I recommend skipping past the second book in the series to read the prologue of Songbird, which picks up where this book leaves off. Seeker, in between, is a prequel. I read the first twenty pages of Songbird and now feel as if I am psychologically prepared to back up and read the second book.)

Sorensen’s subtle Christian themes are definitely present. The worlds she creates are certainly not allegorical, and both here and in The Door on Half-Bald Hill, there are elements of the fictional world that clash with a biblical worldview (such as the pantheon of gods in Shiloh). But there are powerful images and moments that echo or reverberate with Truth - the kinds of story elements that make you want to make everyone read this book so that you can use them as illustrations of spiritual principles.

There is darkness, violence and peril, definitely some gore, though not heavy or shocking. A hint of squeaky-clean and altogether lovely romance that makes me wish for something just like it for everyone I love.

I’ve read more inspirational or edifying stories in this genre, but Shiloh is well worth reading, especially if you need to immerse in something cathartic, but don’t want to stay mired in hopelessness.

“May the light shine on you.”

[Jane | Book Flutter ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this book for teens ages 13 + up. The story was very well written and it hooked me in from the very beginning. I also liked that the author took a great amount of detail and incorporated it into the story to basically build a "Shiloh" world. I loved that! I felt I was actually there, witnessing the events. I felt like I was part of the pack.

Helena Sorensen did an amazing job with character development. I found myself being taken away by the all of the characters. I just loved Amos. I mean at the age of seven, he killed a Shadow Wolf; that is bad-ass! At such a young age, he had to struggle to stay in the light and not be taken by the Shadow. The novel portrays a coming of age story and provides such whole hearted morals; its just hard not to like. At twelve years old, Amos experiences life changing and devastating events and he must essentially decide to fulfill his destiny, overcome his fear and build self-confidence to become a "man". While reading this book, I felt scared, stressed, happy, sadness, but most of all, hope.

All in all, I enjoyed this book and am definitely hoping there is a sequel.