Shadows & Sideshows: Finnegan Family Supernatural Hunters, Vol. One (Finnegan Family Sideshow, #1-4)

Finnegan Family Sideshow #1-4

by Judy Black

If Sam Winchester was the illustrated lady in a traveling sideshow in the 1900s, he'd be Hazel Finnegan.

Hazel has a power, and with that power, a responsibility. She hunts down the things that go bump in the night, and once she kills them, traps them into her skin via magical tattoo transference. Then she can call upon the monsters she's vanquished to help her take out other baddies. But she might be in over her head this time.

Her father is missing, and she and her brother are desperate to find him. But they also have a traveling sideshow to run, locals to placate, competing shows to handle, travel to coordinate, and monsters to slay.

Now Hazel needs to find out where her father has gone, who took him and why, and what it means for the future of her sideshow, her family, and just maybe the world. And time is running out.

Shadows & Sideshows collects the first four novellas of the Finnegan Family Supernatural Hunters, a new historical fantasy series from author Judy Black, set in the world of Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter.

397 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2020

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Judy Black is an author of fantasy and a lover of folklore. With an M.A. in Rhetoric and Composition, she makes a living slinging words of all shapes and sizes. Judy is a vocal supporter of bringing conversations about mental health and illness into the light. She makes her home in Atlanta where she lives with two cats.
source: Amazon

Judy Black is a writer who makes her home in Atlanta, Ga. She loves games, books, cats, and most things with caffeine. She's a tabletop gaming nerd with several published Dungeons & Dragons adventures, including Ghastly Grins, in the ENnie nominated UnCaged anthology. You can watch her Tabletop RPG group game on Roll For Trouble on Twitch.
source: about the author in "Shadows & Sideshows"

Reviews

[Puchi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is interesting but I believe it could have been written in half the length of the book. The problem is that you've read half the book and still don't have too much idea of the main story. Even at the end I don't feel I get to know too much about the hidden plot that is supposed to be the beginning of the series. The idea is original and empowering for women but I don't know if the lack of content is because the author wanted a series and lengthened the story or if it's intentional to let you immerse in mini adventures that don't give much about the main plot of the book and that leaves you interested but lets you down with how little you know about the real plot of the series.

[Brandy Hilliard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book. It was definitely a strange format. It was like I was reading multiple books in 1 but the book is not marked as an omnibus… the chapters kept resetting like I was starting a new book.

Lots of mythical creatures! When I found this book the description said “if Sam Winchester was a girl” so while I would not necessarily agree with this 100% I can see why it was started. Lots of Cryptid creatures and hunting and capturing them. All woven into a story.

I will look for book 2… the ending of this one leaves open for a follow up. Not really a cliffhanger ending… the story was resolved but a door was left ajar incase the author wants to continue

[Michelle Grimison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating concept… reminiscent of the winchesters (papa & Sammy anyway)… but while they may be saving people by hunting things, let’s twist it a bit make them sideshow performers, a woman, and add some magic of when you destroy a creature they become part of you in a tattoo that you can summon to come to your aid like Pokémon! Add an epic boss fight with a Demon, and Bam! Lovely story, fully captivating!

[Kati McDermott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hazel is an amazing main character who appears tough but she has soft parts that echo and designate in your soul. A new concept that has not been done before as far as I know. Magnificent story. I liked the conclusion but I wish there was more

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely do not know why anyone would put forth their own fiction and compare it to a character from a TV show, because that sure as rain made this just came across to me as bizarre fanfiction.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series! It's got Supernatural vibes except our main hunter is female, and it's got found family and a great community feel. I really enjoyed the magic and the mystery of this one!

[Kaija · Rating 1 out of 5]

terrible. i never put books down before finishing them. i think i made it thru half a chapter.