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From a Shadow Grave
This is no ordinary ghost story.
Wellington, 1931. Seventeen-year-old Phyllis Symons' body is discovered in the Mt Victoria tunnel construction site.
Eighty years later, Aroha Brooke is determined to save her life.
Wellington, 1931. Seventeen-year-old Phyllis Symons' body is discovered in the Mt Victoria tunnel construction site.
Eighty years later, Aroha Brooke is determined to save her life.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
February 8, 2020
From a Shadow Grave is a short story divided in to four parts . The first part sets up the rest of the story. It tells of Phyllis and how she is murdered, buried alive by her boyfriend George after finding out she is pregnant.
The next three parts provide three different scenarios as to what happened to Phyllis. In the first scenario she dies and becomes a ghost, haunting the hillside where she was killed. In the second scenario she is rescued, and in the third scenario she rescues herself.
This book contains elements of the paranormal and a little time travel. I enjoyed reading the different scenarios. I did not enjoy the second person point of view, which in my opinion keeps the reader from connecting with the characters.
I received a free copy of this book from Booksirens. My review is voluntary.
The next three parts provide three different scenarios as to what happened to Phyllis. In the first scenario she dies and becomes a ghost, haunting the hillside where she was killed. In the second scenario she is rescued, and in the third scenario she rescues herself.
This book contains elements of the paranormal and a little time travel. I enjoyed reading the different scenarios. I did not enjoy the second person point of view, which in my opinion keeps the reader from connecting with the characters.
I received a free copy of this book from Booksirens. My review is voluntary.
September 12, 2019
I really loved From A Shadow Grave. Melancholy, sweet and thoughtful, with echoes of Atonement and of Gaiman at his best. A story about stories, and anyone who knows me well knows that those are what I like best. Highly recommended.
November 1, 2020
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the different parts, especially the last two, but the use of second person isn't my favorite.
June 28, 2020
Astonishingly complex for its length. Also, the first work I'm reading for this year's Worldcon nominations (in this case, the Sir Julius Vogel Award ones) that made my heart as full as my mind.
I greatly enjoyed that it doesn't allocate blame or dish out "good/evil" tags. It merely tries to see why we are as we are.
Some of the more filling moments:
https://choveshkata.net/forum/viewtop...
I greatly enjoyed that it doesn't allocate blame or dish out "good/evil" tags. It merely tries to see why we are as we are.
Some of the more filling moments:
https://choveshkata.net/forum/viewtop...
May 14, 2020
From a shadow grave is not your run of the mill ghost story. Instead it is stories within a story.
"You’re a ghost story, and all other stories of you have been told and ended. You deserve more stories than you get."
Every chapter tells a similar story of a girl named Phyllis but each ending differs. You will be drawn in quickly to the life and death of Phyllis Symons.
This novella starts by telling you of the life and death of a young pregnant woman at the hands of the man she loves. Each chapter following lays out a different path her story could take.
In one scenario she becomes a ghost who remains teethered to the place her life ended. She is trapped there and utterly alone. Nothing more than " a haunt, a presence that unnerves them , unnatural and perhaps malevolent." In another scenario she is rescued and in the final she is able to save herself.
Of all the scenarios presented I enjoyed the first one the most. Buchanon was able to evoke strong feelings of sympathy and Phyllis' pain is made palatable. As you read you cant help but grieve for her.
Overall this was a excellent novella. It was refreshing to read a ghost story that is something more than the spooky cliche. I definitely recommend giving this book a try!
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Booksirens in exchange for an honest review.
"You’re a ghost story, and all other stories of you have been told and ended. You deserve more stories than you get."
Every chapter tells a similar story of a girl named Phyllis but each ending differs. You will be drawn in quickly to the life and death of Phyllis Symons.
This novella starts by telling you of the life and death of a young pregnant woman at the hands of the man she loves. Each chapter following lays out a different path her story could take.
In one scenario she becomes a ghost who remains teethered to the place her life ended. She is trapped there and utterly alone. Nothing more than " a haunt, a presence that unnerves them , unnatural and perhaps malevolent." In another scenario she is rescued and in the final she is able to save herself.
Of all the scenarios presented I enjoyed the first one the most. Buchanon was able to evoke strong feelings of sympathy and Phyllis' pain is made palatable. As you read you cant help but grieve for her.
Overall this was a excellent novella. It was refreshing to read a ghost story that is something more than the spooky cliche. I definitely recommend giving this book a try!
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Booksirens in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this read - the crisp prose and impressive storytelling quickly set the scene and drew me in to the life (and death) of Phyllis, a teenager in Wellington in the years between the wars.
The author does a really fine job with this unusual novella as we experience the harsh life lived by an uneducated teenage girl as the Depression swirls, leading to tragedy and murder.
What follows is a fascinating look at three different scenarios that could have played out after Phyllis is hit with a shovel and has dirt piled on her dying body near a construction site. This is a ghost story, and Buchanan does a really fine job keeping things within the boundaries of the world she's created. Suspension of disbelief is easy - regardless of fantastical elements - as the storytelling is very good.
There's a really nice sense of place, time(s), and the characters operating in this world. There's also a great sense of humanity, and even in its short length it touches on a variety of issues, local and global. Fascinating.
Not only would I read more from this author - I'd jump it up the TBR pile. Very good.
The author does a really fine job with this unusual novella as we experience the harsh life lived by an uneducated teenage girl as the Depression swirls, leading to tragedy and murder.
What follows is a fascinating look at three different scenarios that could have played out after Phyllis is hit with a shovel and has dirt piled on her dying body near a construction site. This is a ghost story, and Buchanan does a really fine job keeping things within the boundaries of the world she's created. Suspension of disbelief is easy - regardless of fantastical elements - as the storytelling is very good.
There's a really nice sense of place, time(s), and the characters operating in this world. There's also a great sense of humanity, and even in its short length it touches on a variety of issues, local and global. Fascinating.
Not only would I read more from this author - I'd jump it up the TBR pile. Very good.
May 16, 2020
What a lovely little gem of a novella! In 1931 Wellington, a girl is buried alive and left for dead by the father of her unborn child. What follows in this cleverly constructed novella are three versions of what happens next - one in which she becomes a ghost, one in which a time traveller comes to her rescue, and one in which she saves herself. I usually avoid stories written in second person like the plague as it is an incredibly difficult style to pull off, but Buchanan clearly possesses the requisite skill and displays it to great effect. There is a wonderful sense of promise infused in this tale - it is haunting (pun intended), atmospheric, exquisitely written and absolutely compelling.
*** I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. ***
*** I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. ***
January 19, 2020
Beautiful story! I was transported into Phyllis and Aroha’s journeys. Buchanan's writing it hopeful and heartfelt - I felt Phyllis’s pain, hope and growth.
Overall, I had a wonderful experience reading this!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Overall, I had a wonderful experience reading this!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 29, 2024
i loved this read! it beautifully combines history with the magical, educating readers about some key moments in 20th century Aotearoa while also exploring a fantasy realm of parallel realities. the whole story felt super unique and the characters were so relatable and human
January 30, 2020
**I received a review copy of this book from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review**
Ghosted, in a good way.
Novellas and short stories are often harder to write than full-length novels. You get a lot less room to ramble: every word needs to belong, and further the action in some way. When done properly, it's a joy to read one. In "Shadow Grave," Andi C. Buchanan has properly written a great joy.
Phyllis Symons was attacked and left for dead. What happens next depends on your point of view. There are various possible futures, but all of them swirl around Aroha Brooke, an unusual young woman who operates as a freelance ghostbuster of sorts: she's one of the few people who can not only see, but reason with and battle with, paranormal critters. From Aroha's point of view, Phyllis is a ghost story, one she is determined to undo. As for Phyllis herself, her future may yet be unwritten. Or rewritten. Or undone and THEN rewritten.
Buchanan manages to be blunt and elegant at the same time: there's a haunted (pun intended) quality to each version of Phyllis, so that even the subtle variants give off the same wistful glow. Writing from second person perspective is a) hard, and b), annoying, a technique only a gifted writer should use; luckily, Buchanan is a VERY good writer.
Aroha is a bit more of a mystery. She just plays the cards she was dealt as best she can, and tries to make life more bearable for both the living and the living dead. Her quiet, actions-louder-than-words love for Phyllis makes this the queer brown love story you didn't know you needed until it showed up in your feed.
Major publishers should be paying attention, and librarians should be looking to add this to their collections, especially if they have popular world fiction sections. Highly recommended, especially for fans of Jo Walton.
Ghosted, in a good way.
Novellas and short stories are often harder to write than full-length novels. You get a lot less room to ramble: every word needs to belong, and further the action in some way. When done properly, it's a joy to read one. In "Shadow Grave," Andi C. Buchanan has properly written a great joy.
Phyllis Symons was attacked and left for dead. What happens next depends on your point of view. There are various possible futures, but all of them swirl around Aroha Brooke, an unusual young woman who operates as a freelance ghostbuster of sorts: she's one of the few people who can not only see, but reason with and battle with, paranormal critters. From Aroha's point of view, Phyllis is a ghost story, one she is determined to undo. As for Phyllis herself, her future may yet be unwritten. Or rewritten. Or undone and THEN rewritten.
Buchanan manages to be blunt and elegant at the same time: there's a haunted (pun intended) quality to each version of Phyllis, so that even the subtle variants give off the same wistful glow. Writing from second person perspective is a) hard, and b), annoying, a technique only a gifted writer should use; luckily, Buchanan is a VERY good writer.
Aroha is a bit more of a mystery. She just plays the cards she was dealt as best she can, and tries to make life more bearable for both the living and the living dead. Her quiet, actions-louder-than-words love for Phyllis makes this the queer brown love story you didn't know you needed until it showed up in your feed.
Major publishers should be paying attention, and librarians should be looking to add this to their collections, especially if they have popular world fiction sections. Highly recommended, especially for fans of Jo Walton.
November 18, 2019
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Loved the way Andi has brought life to this book. A well written book describing of how Aroha Brooke wants to make the best use of her abilities that lies within her which others possibly can't trying to stop stop the past becoming the future.
I like how it starts - "All ghost stories start with endings" and each chapter is a transition that you are sure to notice. It's been a subtly different read.
Loved the way Andi has brought life to this book. A well written book describing of how Aroha Brooke wants to make the best use of her abilities that lies within her which others possibly can't trying to stop stop the past becoming the future.
I like how it starts - "All ghost stories start with endings" and each chapter is a transition that you are sure to notice. It's been a subtly different read.
May 28, 2023
Totally weird but incredibly compelling story (or should I say stories?). What a wonderfully creative narrative that kept me thinking and wondering what the heck was happening. Full review coming soon.
UPDATE: whoops, forgot to update this with my Lesbrary book review 3 years ago lol. Link below:
https://lesbrary.com/meagan-kimberly-...
UPDATE: whoops, forgot to update this with my Lesbrary book review 3 years ago lol. Link below:
https://lesbrary.com/meagan-kimberly-...
May 6, 2020
“All ghost stories start with endings, but you are a woman, not a story.”
This book tells the story of the various possibilities a single event may go. The one factor that always remains the same is this — an attempted murder of a teenage girl on a hillside in New Zealand. Whichever particular path is the ‘truth’ isn’t quite the point in my opinion. Certain moments and people still fill in spaces along each timeline. It was both paranormal and a little bit sci-fi. Both things I tend to enjoy in a read.
As a story told in second person, this isn’t a normal read for me, but I enjoyed it quite a lot. There is something almost diaphanous about the writing and prose despite how suffocating and dark the subject matter is. Like something drifting along in the wind that touches your arm lightly and gets your attention. It had mine the whole way through.
It was a quick read; a single sitting was all it took for me. I truly would not have minded more had there been so!
I received a free copy of this book for review from BookSirens. Thank you so much to them and the author for the opportunity.
This book tells the story of the various possibilities a single event may go. The one factor that always remains the same is this — an attempted murder of a teenage girl on a hillside in New Zealand. Whichever particular path is the ‘truth’ isn’t quite the point in my opinion. Certain moments and people still fill in spaces along each timeline. It was both paranormal and a little bit sci-fi. Both things I tend to enjoy in a read.
As a story told in second person, this isn’t a normal read for me, but I enjoyed it quite a lot. There is something almost diaphanous about the writing and prose despite how suffocating and dark the subject matter is. Like something drifting along in the wind that touches your arm lightly and gets your attention. It had mine the whole way through.
It was a quick read; a single sitting was all it took for me. I truly would not have minded more had there been so!
I received a free copy of this book for review from BookSirens. Thank you so much to them and the author for the opportunity.
April 12, 2021
A home grown ghost story. The possible different endings to a young girls story with a paranormal twist.
I loved the idea. Before reading this I got very excited to delve in but I’m very sad to say I was slightly disappointed. I feel as if the paranormal aspect was forced into a story that didn’t need it and it was almost as if it was an afterthought. It was also written in second person and I really felt increasingly badgered by the author as the story developed. I never grew to love Phyllis or Aroha or really any of the characters and the different possible endings, instead of feeling complete and standalone, felt disjointed and almost made the reading experience uncomfortable. I feel like this story spent way too much time telling me things I didn’t need to know and when it came to important moments they were glossed over with barely a second thought. The effects of time travel for example... there wasn’t enough for me to fully appreciate the consequences chosen by the character and I feel this really effected my reading experience.
I loved the idea. Before reading this I got very excited to delve in but I’m very sad to say I was slightly disappointed. I feel as if the paranormal aspect was forced into a story that didn’t need it and it was almost as if it was an afterthought. It was also written in second person and I really felt increasingly badgered by the author as the story developed. I never grew to love Phyllis or Aroha or really any of the characters and the different possible endings, instead of feeling complete and standalone, felt disjointed and almost made the reading experience uncomfortable. I feel like this story spent way too much time telling me things I didn’t need to know and when it came to important moments they were glossed over with barely a second thought. The effects of time travel for example... there wasn’t enough for me to fully appreciate the consequences chosen by the character and I feel this really effected my reading experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2020
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When I first started reading the book, it was a bit of a struggle for me personally. I don't usually read books with 2nd person perspective, but this one I came to enjoy a lot.
When reading the synopsis for it I expected something different, but when reaching the end of the book I was pleasantly surprised and content with what I had read.
It wasn't like any other book I read and I enjoyed the direction the story went, I enjoy reading different people's takes on time travel and I found this iteration to be one that I didn't even consider.
I found myself getting angry when things happened to Phyllis and elated when things went her way. I loved the relationship between Phyllis and Aroha.
All in all I enjoyed this and kind of wish for more.
When I first started reading the book, it was a bit of a struggle for me personally. I don't usually read books with 2nd person perspective, but this one I came to enjoy a lot.
When reading the synopsis for it I expected something different, but when reaching the end of the book I was pleasantly surprised and content with what I had read.
It wasn't like any other book I read and I enjoyed the direction the story went, I enjoy reading different people's takes on time travel and I found this iteration to be one that I didn't even consider.
I found myself getting angry when things happened to Phyllis and elated when things went her way. I loved the relationship between Phyllis and Aroha.
All in all I enjoyed this and kind of wish for more.
June 14, 2020
I was provided with an advanced copy of the novel and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
When I picked up this story, I was expecting to get just one story. Instead, the reader is told four. The first story is about Phyllis and her murder. The remaining three stories show different possibilities for how her story could've ended differently. I enjoyed the way the author crafted three incredibly distinct directions where the story could go. I also appreciated the time-travel and alternate universe aspects of the book.
While I liked the ideas for this book, it was written in second person which I'm not the biggest fan of. It made it hard for me to connect to the characters in the narrative. The narrative made it hard for me to get into the story overall as well. I thought each story in and of itself was okay, but not much stood out to me. I'd give this book a solid 2.5 Stars
When I picked up this story, I was expecting to get just one story. Instead, the reader is told four. The first story is about Phyllis and her murder. The remaining three stories show different possibilities for how her story could've ended differently. I enjoyed the way the author crafted three incredibly distinct directions where the story could go. I also appreciated the time-travel and alternate universe aspects of the book.
While I liked the ideas for this book, it was written in second person which I'm not the biggest fan of. It made it hard for me to connect to the characters in the narrative. The narrative made it hard for me to get into the story overall as well. I thought each story in and of itself was okay, but not much stood out to me. I'd give this book a solid 2.5 Stars
May 29, 2020
I absolutely adored this story. Living in Wellington it is a tale we hear snippets about that holds a grim fascination. From a Shadow Grave takes that tale and makes it about a real person, a person who deserves more stories than she had and who gets them in this book. I actually had to put it down when I first started reading it because I was in a bit of a delicate place emotionally. Writing that gets you in the feels like that is writing that hits the mark. When I picked it up again I inhaled it in one sitting. I love the detail and the history and richness of the characters. Definitely not your ordinary ghost story!
October 23, 2020
I enjoyed this paranormal novella. The story is told from the point of view of Phyliss Symons talking about herself as if she is looking on. The story follows Phyliss as a naïve seventeen year old who quits school and runs away to live with George. He kills her and the stories stem from what could have happened in four different lives. I received this book for free and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
October 4, 2020
I picked this up based on a list posted on Twitter of notable Kiwi science fiction/fantasy in the aftermath of Worldcon 2020. A ghost story spun out in multiple directions starting from the murder of a woman in Wellington in the early 30s. Explores feminism, gender roles, and cultural shifts over time.
November 19, 2021
While the concept is interesting and the splits fo eventually make sense at the end, the jumping within the second chapter especially is distracting at best. Also, the novella length left both the characters and the concept underdeveloped.
It may be helpful to some readers to note that this is written in second person.
It may be helpful to some readers to note that this is written in second person.
August 17, 2025
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/from-a-shadow-grave-by-andi-c-buchanan/
Brief but efficiently chilling story of a 1930s murder victim in Wellington, New Zealand, who comes back in three different alternative supernatural ways.
Brief but efficiently chilling story of a 1930s murder victim in Wellington, New Zealand, who comes back in three different alternative supernatural ways.
September 2, 2020
One of my NZ author recommendations from ConZealand.
A really good story, really well written.
I'm not 100% sure about the very last paragraph, but I totally get what's going on and was a very happy reader.
Highly recommended.
A really good story, really well written.
I'm not 100% sure about the very last paragraph, but I totally get what's going on and was a very happy reader.
Highly recommended.
December 2, 2020
Thoughtful and introspective
A fascinating series of perspectives of what might have been, and how lives can be drawn together across time and (infinite) possibilities.
Refreshing and well narrated.
A fascinating series of perspectives of what might have been, and how lives can be drawn together across time and (infinite) possibilities.
Refreshing and well narrated.
August 22, 2024
Interesting, relatable, fantastical, sad, confusing. Quite liked the writing style, could really visualise the settings - maybe I’m boring but I would have loved to committed to just one storyline and some absolutes.
May 13, 2020
Four stories in one. A ghost story with a difference from this New Zealand writer. A good read although the ending did not quite work for me.
February 19, 2021
Ghosts, possibilities, stories. Elegantly structured and gorgeously written. A beautiful, heart-filling novella.
April 7, 2021
Wow. Amazingly put together, beautifully written and very clever
April 29, 2021
This was such a gem of a short book! In just under 100 pages I feel like I went through such a journey and I absolutely adored it. I picked this one up with the intention of just reading a few pages and just could not put it down. I loved how the book explored three different possible endings to the story but still somehow wasn’t confusing at any point. I absolutely fell in love with the characters and was rooting for them each in each and every possible ending. I also loved how the paranormal element was bought into the Wellington setting - it was so much fun to read about, especially as I could picture all the locations and settings which was so cool! I will most definitely be looking for more work by this author because I loved it so much!
Form: physical
Form: physical
March 8, 2020
I would give this novella 7 out of 5 stars if I could.
Set in 1930s Wellington (primarily), this novella was, for me, about possibilities. While the events of young Phyllis's life are harrowing and heart-breaking, this novella humanises and pays tribute to her beautifully.
This piece is written in the second person, which is not generally something that I support. (I find it tends to come across as pretentious and awkward). In this case, however, I found that it connected me to Phyllis's internal life more deeply than either a first- or third-person narration would have.
The character development was brilliant, with the three primary characters (Phyllis, George, and Aroha) jumping off the page. The pacing was fantastic. The world-building was also expertly handled, given the jumps in time and the (primary) historical setting of the story.
My only regret is that this wasn't a longer work - I enjoyed reading it so much. I cannot wait to read more from this author.
I received a review copy of this novel via BookSirens.
Set in 1930s Wellington (primarily), this novella was, for me, about possibilities. While the events of young Phyllis's life are harrowing and heart-breaking, this novella humanises and pays tribute to her beautifully.
This piece is written in the second person, which is not generally something that I support. (I find it tends to come across as pretentious and awkward). In this case, however, I found that it connected me to Phyllis's internal life more deeply than either a first- or third-person narration would have.
The character development was brilliant, with the three primary characters (Phyllis, George, and Aroha) jumping off the page. The pacing was fantastic. The world-building was also expertly handled, given the jumps in time and the (primary) historical setting of the story.
My only regret is that this wasn't a longer work - I enjoyed reading it so much. I cannot wait to read more from this author.
I received a review copy of this novel via BookSirens.
August 19, 2020
"People will say that you are just a ghost story". They name you not with your name, but with the site of your murder. You deserve more stories than you get." This was part of the chapter already gripping and found the whole story captivating. Even though its told that it is a ghost story, it entailed a different description from the title itself. Make you think. Good read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews