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From Shadows: The Lost Library Series
Zev Porter, a run of the mill Fortune Hunter, never expected to find
magic during a simple job - to listen to an old woman's story. But stories
hold magic, and upon completing the job, a piece of Ulterra's missing
magic is released. There are more stories to save and more magic to
release.
However, not everyone wants magic saved. The Shadow
Dwellers are willing to do the unspeakable to strip the land of magic.
Zev is torn. With magic back in his life, darker thoughts have begun to
crowd his mind, and he finds them welcoming. If he continues with his
journey, his darkness will only grow
stronger.
The sun is setting, and Zev must decide if he is willing to sacrifice everything
he knows for magic – or if it would be easier to join the Shadow
Dwellers and succumb to the darkness
entirely.
magic during a simple job - to listen to an old woman's story. But stories
hold magic, and upon completing the job, a piece of Ulterra's missing
magic is released. There are more stories to save and more magic to
release.
However, not everyone wants magic saved. The Shadow
Dwellers are willing to do the unspeakable to strip the land of magic.
Zev is torn. With magic back in his life, darker thoughts have begun to
crowd his mind, and he finds them welcoming. If he continues with his
journey, his darkness will only grow
stronger.
The sun is setting, and Zev must decide if he is willing to sacrifice everything
he knows for magic – or if it would be easier to join the Shadow
Dwellers and succumb to the darkness
entirely.
524 pages, Paperback
Published October 27, 2020
1 person is currently reading
10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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April 3, 2021*No edits were made to reviewers posts
Five Stars
Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite
From Shadows is the first book in The Lost Library Series by author R. E. Journeys. In this epic fantasy for young adults, our hero Zev Porter wanted nothing but a job when he received an opportunity he could pass up. A very strange job description caught his eye. All he had to do was listen to the story told by an old woman and live through the night. The moment he entered the home of the woman, he knew something was up and something was very wrong. However, listening to her story proved to be the catalyst for the biggest adventure of his life. Before he knew it, the future of a magical world rested on his shoulders and he had no idea what he was supposed to do. But he had no choice. He either saved the magical world or it would die. Was there any way for him to get out of this mess or was it too late for him?
From Shadows is a fantastic epic fantasy. R. E. Journeys gave a complete background with a heavy dose of mystery, a protagonist who we could stand by, and set the tone just right so that we could enjoy the story at our own pace. I loved how simple and reasonable Zev’s reactions were. He showed how he was feeling and what he thought. He had a crystal-clear personality and his will to survive played a vital role in moving the story forward. I enjoyed the doomed atmosphere, the magic, the creatures the author introduced with almost a fanfare, and captivating dialogues that had me hooked to the story. You may think of this book as typical young adult fiction, but you are in for a surprise.
Five Stars
Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
From Shadows is a work of fiction in the epic fantasy, action, and adventure sub-genres, and was penned by author R. E. Journeys. Written as the opening novel to The Lost Library series, this first adventure is recommended for the mature end of the young adult reading age group, due to some moderately graphic content that features explicit language usage, violence, and death. The plot focuses on Zev Porter, a fortune hunter who finds himself out of work and losing his love for the wild lifestyle he used to lead. But when his unemployment leads him to a series of events that could ruin the world, Zev is forced to face his inner demons and find out if he has the courage to be a hero.
Author R. E. Journeys has crafted a fascinating and high-octane fantasy novel that mature young adults and adult readers alike will be sure to enjoy. In terms of world-building, I enjoyed the creation of Ulterra and its magical lore, peppered with atmospheric details, but also familiar and pseudo-historical references that make this fantasy world feel more real. I also really enjoyed the fact that the novel was penned in the first person present tense, which gave it a real sense of immediacy and provided a closeness to the central character, particularly through the suspenseful and emotive times. Zev is a resourceful and wily protagonist who knows how to have an adventure, and overall, I would highly recommend From Shadows for fans of Dungeons and Dragons, Warhammer, and the like. An accomplished series opener indeed.
Five Stars
Reviewed By Vincent Dublado for Readers’ Favorite
From Shadows is the first book in the Lost Library Series by R.E. Journeys. This is an epic fantasy novel about Zev Porter, an out of luck fortune hunter who gets more than he bargained for from the Fortune Hunter’s Bureau after receiving a job of listening to an old lady’s tale about a king and a set of twins with remarkable power. As he listens to the old lady’s tale, he begins to worry that he was not getting the full story, and then he passes out. He regains consciousness in the company of elves and tries to muster his rational faculties to convince himself that magic does not exist in Ulterra. The elves ask him to aid them in defeating a demon that controls their kingdom—and this is just the beginning in his quest to restore magic in Ulterra.
The first impression from any prospective reader will be, “Why write another fantasy book hero?” From Shadows will captivate you with a mystery where insurmountable evil can be overcome. Journeys writes of a hero who does not exactly project heroic ideals, but it is the commonality of his doubts and flaws that make him relatable. As an epic adventure, this book has something pertinent to say about the heroic subject. You might feel that Porter may be deficient or incomplete in some way, but it does not negate the fact that he gets the job done. Two months after he started his adventure he finds that the world of magic is more interesting than the ordinary, and he emerges as a more mature character. If you wish to trace Zev Porter’s development as a hero, then this book in the series is where you start.
Five Stars
Reviewed By Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers’ Favorite
From Shadows by R.E. Journeys is Book 1 of The Lost Library Series. Zev Porter is an unemployed fortune hunter, once searching for high adventure but never thinking he would find it. In desperation, he takes a job that requires him to listen to an old woman’s story at her manor. Nothing hard about that; it’s only a story after all. But as he settles down to listen to her talk about a king and two powerful twins, he finds himself transported into the story. Now he has to save the magical world from destruction and restore magic back to the Kingdom of Ulterra. Along the way, Zev is forced to face his own demons and, given that there are some who don’t want the magical world saved, he has some tough decisions to make. Will he sacrifice everything to return the magic or will he give in and join the Shadow Dwellers?
From Shadows: The Lost Library Series Book 1 by R.E. Journeys is a young adult adventure story. It does contain graphic language, death, and violence in places so younger readers should be aware of this. This is an unputdownable story that grabs your attention right from the start. The descriptive nature of the writing and the author’s enthralling tone pull you straight into the story, drawing you ever deeper into its intricate web. The story moves at a decent, steady pace and it is action all the way. This is a story that stimulates your imagination, with a unique plot and some wonderful characters that may be fantastical but all have real flaws and are easy to relate to. This would suit fans of fantasy adventure stories but discretion is advised due to the graphic nature of parts of it.
Five Stars
Reviewed By Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers’ Favorite
From Shadows by R.E. Journeys is Book 1 of The Lost Library Series. Zev Porter is an unemployed fortune hunter, once searching for high adventure but never thinking he would find it. In desperation, he takes a job that requires him to listen to an old woman’s story at her manor. Nothing hard about that; it’s only a story after all. But as he settles down to listen to her talk about a king and two powerful twins, he finds himself transported into the story. Now he has to save the magical world from destruction and restore magic back to the Kingdom of Ulterra. Along the way, Zev is forced to face his own demons and, given that there are some who don’t want the magical world saved, he has some tough decisions to make. Will he sacrifice everything to return the magic or will he give in and join the Shadow Dwellers?
From Shadows: The Lost Library Series Book 1 by R.E. Journeys is a young adult adventure story. It does contain graphic language, death, and violence in places so younger readers should be aware of this. This is an unputdownable story that grabs your attention right from the start. The descriptive nature of the writing and the author’s enthralling tone pull you straight into the story, drawing you ever deeper into its intricate web. The story moves at a decent, steady pace and it is action all the way. This is a story that stimulates your imagination, with a unique plot and some wonderful characters that may be fantastical but all have real flaws and are easy to relate to. This would suit fans of fantasy adventure stories but discretion is advised due to the graphic nature of parts of it.
Four Stars
Reviewed By Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite
From Shadows is the first entry in The Lost Library series by author R. E. Journeys. It's an action/adventure fantasy novel that follows a tenacious young man named Zev Porter, who works at an agency called the Fortune Hunters Bureau. One day, working on an assignment, Zev visits an ancient house occupied by a mysterious woman named Clara. While listening to her story, Zev unwittingly transports himself into the story. Zev soon learns that a group called the Shadow Hunters are influencing mythological stories, which is seeping magic out of Ulterra. Now, with the help of two elven twins named Ethra and Letha, and a talking magical creature named Tyre, Zev must visit each story and defeat the Shadow Dweller King to restore magic and hope among his people.
I couldn't help but compare From Shadows to The Witcher novels as both series are based on premises where protagonists go off on adventures to fight magical creatures. But the similarities end there as R. E. Journeys has woven a unique yarn that reiterates the importance and impact that stories have on people and how these stimulate their hopes and dreams. There is not a single dull moment to be found in here as it moves at a brisk pace and is action-packed. The worldbuilding could have been better, but given the fact that this is the first novel in the series, I can't complain much. From Shadows can be wildly imaginative, gleefully playful, and surprisingly somber at times. I would recommend it to fantasy fans who love adventure stories.
Five Stars
Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite
From Shadows is the first book in The Lost Library Series by author R. E. Journeys. In this epic fantasy for young adults, our hero Zev Porter wanted nothing but a job when he received an opportunity he could pass up. A very strange job description caught his eye. All he had to do was listen to the story told by an old woman and live through the night. The moment he entered the home of the woman, he knew something was up and something was very wrong. However, listening to her story proved to be the catalyst for the biggest adventure of his life. Before he knew it, the future of a magical world rested on his shoulders and he had no idea what he was supposed to do. But he had no choice. He either saved the magical world or it would die. Was there any way for him to get out of this mess or was it too late for him?
From Shadows is a fantastic epic fantasy. R. E. Journeys gave a complete background with a heavy dose of mystery, a protagonist who we could stand by, and set the tone just right so that we could enjoy the story at our own pace. I loved how simple and reasonable Zev’s reactions were. He showed how he was feeling and what he thought. He had a crystal-clear personality and his will to survive played a vital role in moving the story forward. I enjoyed the doomed atmosphere, the magic, the creatures the author introduced with almost a fanfare, and captivating dialogues that had me hooked to the story. You may think of this book as typical young adult fiction, but you are in for a surprise.
Five Stars
Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
From Shadows is a work of fiction in the epic fantasy, action, and adventure sub-genres, and was penned by author R. E. Journeys. Written as the opening novel to The Lost Library series, this first adventure is recommended for the mature end of the young adult reading age group, due to some moderately graphic content that features explicit language usage, violence, and death. The plot focuses on Zev Porter, a fortune hunter who finds himself out of work and losing his love for the wild lifestyle he used to lead. But when his unemployment leads him to a series of events that could ruin the world, Zev is forced to face his inner demons and find out if he has the courage to be a hero.
Author R. E. Journeys has crafted a fascinating and high-octane fantasy novel that mature young adults and adult readers alike will be sure to enjoy. In terms of world-building, I enjoyed the creation of Ulterra and its magical lore, peppered with atmospheric details, but also familiar and pseudo-historical references that make this fantasy world feel more real. I also really enjoyed the fact that the novel was penned in the first person present tense, which gave it a real sense of immediacy and provided a closeness to the central character, particularly through the suspenseful and emotive times. Zev is a resourceful and wily protagonist who knows how to have an adventure, and overall, I would highly recommend From Shadows for fans of Dungeons and Dragons, Warhammer, and the like. An accomplished series opener indeed.
Five Stars
Reviewed By Vincent Dublado for Readers’ Favorite
From Shadows is the first book in the Lost Library Series by R.E. Journeys. This is an epic fantasy novel about Zev Porter, an out of luck fortune hunter who gets more than he bargained for from the Fortune Hunter’s Bureau after receiving a job of listening to an old lady’s tale about a king and a set of twins with remarkable power. As he listens to the old lady’s tale, he begins to worry that he was not getting the full story, and then he passes out. He regains consciousness in the company of elves and tries to muster his rational faculties to convince himself that magic does not exist in Ulterra. The elves ask him to aid them in defeating a demon that controls their kingdom—and this is just the beginning in his quest to restore magic in Ulterra.
The first impression from any prospective reader will be, “Why write another fantasy book hero?” From Shadows will captivate you with a mystery where insurmountable evil can be overcome. Journeys writes of a hero who does not exactly project heroic ideals, but it is the commonality of his doubts and flaws that make him relatable. As an epic adventure, this book has something pertinent to say about the heroic subject. You might feel that Porter may be deficient or incomplete in some way, but it does not negate the fact that he gets the job done. Two months after he started his adventure he finds that the world of magic is more interesting than the ordinary, and he emerges as a more mature character. If you wish to trace Zev Porter’s development as a hero, then this book in the series is where you start.
Five Stars
Reviewed By Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers’ Favorite
From Shadows by R.E. Journeys is Book 1 of The Lost Library Series. Zev Porter is an unemployed fortune hunter, once searching for high adventure but never thinking he would find it. In desperation, he takes a job that requires him to listen to an old woman’s story at her manor. Nothing hard about that; it’s only a story after all. But as he settles down to listen to her talk about a king and two powerful twins, he finds himself transported into the story. Now he has to save the magical world from destruction and restore magic back to the Kingdom of Ulterra. Along the way, Zev is forced to face his own demons and, given that there are some who don’t want the magical world saved, he has some tough decisions to make. Will he sacrifice everything to return the magic or will he give in and join the Shadow Dwellers?
From Shadows: The Lost Library Series Book 1 by R.E. Journeys is a young adult adventure story. It does contain graphic language, death, and violence in places so younger readers should be aware of this. This is an unputdownable story that grabs your attention right from the start. The descriptive nature of the writing and the author’s enthralling tone pull you straight into the story, drawing you ever deeper into its intricate web. The story moves at a decent, steady pace and it is action all the way. This is a story that stimulates your imagination, with a unique plot and some wonderful characters that may be fantastical but all have real flaws and are easy to relate to. This would suit fans of fantasy adventure stories but discretion is advised due to the graphic nature of parts of it.
Five Stars
Reviewed By Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers’ Favorite
From Shadows by R.E. Journeys is Book 1 of The Lost Library Series. Zev Porter is an unemployed fortune hunter, once searching for high adventure but never thinking he would find it. In desperation, he takes a job that requires him to listen to an old woman’s story at her manor. Nothing hard about that; it’s only a story after all. But as he settles down to listen to her talk about a king and two powerful twins, he finds himself transported into the story. Now he has to save the magical world from destruction and restore magic back to the Kingdom of Ulterra. Along the way, Zev is forced to face his own demons and, given that there are some who don’t want the magical world saved, he has some tough decisions to make. Will he sacrifice everything to return the magic or will he give in and join the Shadow Dwellers?
From Shadows: The Lost Library Series Book 1 by R.E. Journeys is a young adult adventure story. It does contain graphic language, death, and violence in places so younger readers should be aware of this. This is an unputdownable story that grabs your attention right from the start. The descriptive nature of the writing and the author’s enthralling tone pull you straight into the story, drawing you ever deeper into its intricate web. The story moves at a decent, steady pace and it is action all the way. This is a story that stimulates your imagination, with a unique plot and some wonderful characters that may be fantastical but all have real flaws and are easy to relate to. This would suit fans of fantasy adventure stories but discretion is advised due to the graphic nature of parts of it.
Four Stars
Reviewed By Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite
From Shadows is the first entry in The Lost Library series by author R. E. Journeys. It's an action/adventure fantasy novel that follows a tenacious young man named Zev Porter, who works at an agency called the Fortune Hunters Bureau. One day, working on an assignment, Zev visits an ancient house occupied by a mysterious woman named Clara. While listening to her story, Zev unwittingly transports himself into the story. Zev soon learns that a group called the Shadow Hunters are influencing mythological stories, which is seeping magic out of Ulterra. Now, with the help of two elven twins named Ethra and Letha, and a talking magical creature named Tyre, Zev must visit each story and defeat the Shadow Dweller King to restore magic and hope among his people.
I couldn't help but compare From Shadows to The Witcher novels as both series are based on premises where protagonists go off on adventures to fight magical creatures. But the similarities end there as R. E. Journeys has woven a unique yarn that reiterates the importance and impact that stories have on people and how these stimulate their hopes and dreams. There is not a single dull moment to be found in here as it moves at a brisk pace and is action-packed. The worldbuilding could have been better, but given the fact that this is the first novel in the series, I can't complain much. From Shadows can be wildly imaginative, gleefully playful, and surprisingly somber at times. I would recommend it to fantasy fans who love adventure stories.
December 19, 2020
Ratings - 4.8
It was just a few days back when I was thinking about old good days, I am sure we all must have had those days where our grandparents or the one older in our families told you some magic stories and being a child you believed in them? Yeah I remember those bed time stories and I was missing them so i thought of reading a fantasy with some supernatural elements. The book I picked is called "From Shadows: The Lost Library Series".
Starting with the title of the book "From Shadows: The Lost Library Series". The title is a relevant one which gives a little idea about the story, personally I was much curious to know the story just by reading its title. Gives a dark shadowy vibe so I feel it is a nice fit. Cover on the other hand is a very creative one and I personally liked the design. Overall the outer appearance of the book is worth appreciating and I would give it a 2/2 for the title and the cover.
Talking about the plot of the book, the story has many intimidating characters. The characters which have been given a great thought while creating and I could feel it while reading it. Basically the story revolves around the magic world, Zev who is a fortune hunter and currently is not doing much. The life is just normal but the things change, the life for zev changes, the magic is unleashed, the adventure kicks in, I remember when I was reading it I had a very emotional connect to the story because I felt my grandparents were narrating it to me. The way it was written is just so good. With every page I turned I found something new to appreciate about the book. Although the starting of the book was a bit slow took a little time for storyline to set but when it did it was like I was watching a show which was taking me through all of the world created by the author. Also I wonder if a person's mind can create a world like this, how beautiful would the person/ author 's mind be trust me I am a fan. It the book much than you think of, not just the story but the dialogues, the details explained, the situation which are being presented. Trust me when I say I do not have any reason to say no to this book. I would like to thank the author for giving me such an experience through the book. So for the content I would like to give it a 1.8/2.
Talking about the words and the language used in the book, in terms of difficulty the book has very easy language that can be understood by young ones to the adults. The choice of words is something that gets the credit for the smooth flow while reading the book. So if you haven't read it what are you guys waiting for?
It was just a few days back when I was thinking about old good days, I am sure we all must have had those days where our grandparents or the one older in our families told you some magic stories and being a child you believed in them? Yeah I remember those bed time stories and I was missing them so i thought of reading a fantasy with some supernatural elements. The book I picked is called "From Shadows: The Lost Library Series".
Starting with the title of the book "From Shadows: The Lost Library Series". The title is a relevant one which gives a little idea about the story, personally I was much curious to know the story just by reading its title. Gives a dark shadowy vibe so I feel it is a nice fit. Cover on the other hand is a very creative one and I personally liked the design. Overall the outer appearance of the book is worth appreciating and I would give it a 2/2 for the title and the cover.
Talking about the plot of the book, the story has many intimidating characters. The characters which have been given a great thought while creating and I could feel it while reading it. Basically the story revolves around the magic world, Zev who is a fortune hunter and currently is not doing much. The life is just normal but the things change, the life for zev changes, the magic is unleashed, the adventure kicks in, I remember when I was reading it I had a very emotional connect to the story because I felt my grandparents were narrating it to me. The way it was written is just so good. With every page I turned I found something new to appreciate about the book. Although the starting of the book was a bit slow took a little time for storyline to set but when it did it was like I was watching a show which was taking me through all of the world created by the author. Also I wonder if a person's mind can create a world like this, how beautiful would the person/ author 's mind be trust me I am a fan. It the book much than you think of, not just the story but the dialogues, the details explained, the situation which are being presented. Trust me when I say I do not have any reason to say no to this book. I would like to thank the author for giving me such an experience through the book. So for the content I would like to give it a 1.8/2.
Talking about the words and the language used in the book, in terms of difficulty the book has very easy language that can be understood by young ones to the adults. The choice of words is something that gets the credit for the smooth flow while reading the book. So if you haven't read it what are you guys waiting for?
June 29, 2022
I won this book in a giveaway and had been itching to read it ever since. Needless to say, I wasn’t disappointed.
We traipse into Ulterra, a world that’s gradually losing its magical properties. The cause of this loss? A dark entity and his minions—the Shadow Dwellers—hell bent on manipulating all to their cause. It’s much deeper than simple world domination, folks!
Enter protagonist, Zev! Zev is a Fortune Hunter (similar to a bounty Hunter) and unaware of the danger that’s altered the world around him. That is, until he takes a job that other Fortune Hunters left abandoned.
What proceeds is a very entertaining and fun read that’s unique in its own right. Personally, I envisioned this as sort of a PG animated story that utilizes humor, suspense and hidden messages behind its profound page turning ability.
In conclusion, Journeys created a fun read with colorful characters (one of which I absolutely loved the antagonist’s subtlety intertwined with another) and a complex plot which keeps your gears turning!
We traipse into Ulterra, a world that’s gradually losing its magical properties. The cause of this loss? A dark entity and his minions—the Shadow Dwellers—hell bent on manipulating all to their cause. It’s much deeper than simple world domination, folks!
Enter protagonist, Zev! Zev is a Fortune Hunter (similar to a bounty Hunter) and unaware of the danger that’s altered the world around him. That is, until he takes a job that other Fortune Hunters left abandoned.
What proceeds is a very entertaining and fun read that’s unique in its own right. Personally, I envisioned this as sort of a PG animated story that utilizes humor, suspense and hidden messages behind its profound page turning ability.
In conclusion, Journeys created a fun read with colorful characters (one of which I absolutely loved the antagonist’s subtlety intertwined with another) and a complex plot which keeps your gears turning!
October 26, 2020
This rating is for the Kindle book:
An engrossing, fun and adventurous story for all ages of readers! I love the characters and it’s great seeing things from Zev’s perspective. I encourage everyone to get the ebook, or paperback, read this book and get lost in the excitement. The story keeps moving and I didn’t want to put it down. A great escape from our daily busy lives. I can’t wait for the sequels.
An engrossing, fun and adventurous story for all ages of readers! I love the characters and it’s great seeing things from Zev’s perspective. I encourage everyone to get the ebook, or paperback, read this book and get lost in the excitement. The story keeps moving and I didn’t want to put it down. A great escape from our daily busy lives. I can’t wait for the sequels.
Read
October 26, 2020*No edits were made to reviewers posts
Five Stars
Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
From Shadows is a work of fiction in the epic fantasy, action, and adventure sub-genres, and was penned by author R. E. Journeys. Written as the opening novel to The Lost Library series, this first adventure is recommended for the mature end of the young adult reading age group, due to some moderately graphic content that features explicit language usage, violence, and death. The plot focuses on Zev Porter, a fortune hunter who finds himself out of work and losing his love for the wild lifestyle he used to lead. But when his unemployment leads him to a series of events that could ruin the world, Zev is forced to face his inner demons and find out if he has the courage to be a hero.
Author R. E. Journeys has crafted a fascinating and high-octane fantasy novel that mature young adults and adult readers alike will be sure to enjoy. In terms of world-building, I enjoyed the creation of Ulterra and its magical lore, peppered with atmospheric details, but also familiar and pseudo-historical references that make this fantasy world feel more real. I also really enjoyed the fact that the novel was penned in the first person present tense, which gave it a real sense of immediacy and provided a closeness to the central character, particularly through the suspenseful and emotive times. Zev is a resourceful and wily protagonist who knows how to have an adventure, and overall, I would highly recommend From Shadows for fans of Dungeons and Dragons, Warhammer, and the like. An accomplished series opener indeed.
Five Stars
Reviewed By Vincent Dublado for Readers’ Favorite
From Shadows is the first book in the Lost Library Series by R.E. Journeys. This is an epic fantasy novel about Zev Porter, an out of luck fortune hunter who gets more than he bargained for from the Fortune Hunter’s Bureau after receiving a job of listening to an old lady’s tale about a king and a set of twins with remarkable power. As he listens to the old lady’s tale, he begins to worry that he was not getting the full story, and then he passes out. He regains consciousness in the company of elves and tries to muster his rational faculties to convince himself that magic does not exist in Ulterra. The elves ask him to aid them in defeating a demon that controls their kingdom—and this is just the beginning in his quest to restore magic in Ulterra.
The first impression from any prospective reader will be, “Why write another fantasy book hero?” From Shadows will captivate you with a mystery where insurmountable evil can be overcome. Journeys writes of a hero who does not exactly project heroic ideals, but it is the commonality of his doubts and flaws that make him relatable. As an epic adventure, this book has something pertinent to say about the heroic subject. You might feel that Porter may be deficient or incomplete in some way, but it does not negate the fact that he gets the job done. Two months after he started his adventure he finds that the world of magic is more interesting than the ordinary, and he emerges as a more mature character. If you wish to trace Zev Porter’s development as a hero, then this book in the series is where you start.
Four Stars
Reviewed By Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite
From Shadows is the first entry in The Lost Library series by author R. E. Journeys. It's an action/adventure fantasy novel that follows a tenacious young man named Zev Porter, who works at an agency called the Fortune Hunters Bureau. One day, working on an assignment, Zev visits an ancient house occupied by a mysterious woman named Clara. While listening to her story, Zev unwittingly transports himself into the story. Zev soon learns that a group called the Shadow Hunters are influencing mythological stories, which is seeping magic out of Ulterra. Now, with the help of two elven twins named Ethra and Letha, and a talking magical creature named Tyre, Zev must visit each story and defeat the Shadow Dweller King to restore magic and hope among his people.
I couldn't help but compare From Shadows to The Witcher novels as both series are based on premises where protagonists go off on adventures to fight magical creatures. But the similarities end there as R. E. Journeys has woven a unique yarn that reiterates the importance and impact that stories have on people and how these stimulate their hopes and dreams. There is not a single dull moment to be found in here as it moves at a brisk pace and is action-packed. The worldbuilding could have been better, but given the fact that this is the first novel in the series, I can't complain much. From Shadows can be wildly imaginative, gleefully playful, and surprisingly somber at times. I would recommend it to fantasy fans who love adventure stories.
Five Stars
Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
From Shadows is a work of fiction in the epic fantasy, action, and adventure sub-genres, and was penned by author R. E. Journeys. Written as the opening novel to The Lost Library series, this first adventure is recommended for the mature end of the young adult reading age group, due to some moderately graphic content that features explicit language usage, violence, and death. The plot focuses on Zev Porter, a fortune hunter who finds himself out of work and losing his love for the wild lifestyle he used to lead. But when his unemployment leads him to a series of events that could ruin the world, Zev is forced to face his inner demons and find out if he has the courage to be a hero.
Author R. E. Journeys has crafted a fascinating and high-octane fantasy novel that mature young adults and adult readers alike will be sure to enjoy. In terms of world-building, I enjoyed the creation of Ulterra and its magical lore, peppered with atmospheric details, but also familiar and pseudo-historical references that make this fantasy world feel more real. I also really enjoyed the fact that the novel was penned in the first person present tense, which gave it a real sense of immediacy and provided a closeness to the central character, particularly through the suspenseful and emotive times. Zev is a resourceful and wily protagonist who knows how to have an adventure, and overall, I would highly recommend From Shadows for fans of Dungeons and Dragons, Warhammer, and the like. An accomplished series opener indeed.
Five Stars
Reviewed By Vincent Dublado for Readers’ Favorite
From Shadows is the first book in the Lost Library Series by R.E. Journeys. This is an epic fantasy novel about Zev Porter, an out of luck fortune hunter who gets more than he bargained for from the Fortune Hunter’s Bureau after receiving a job of listening to an old lady’s tale about a king and a set of twins with remarkable power. As he listens to the old lady’s tale, he begins to worry that he was not getting the full story, and then he passes out. He regains consciousness in the company of elves and tries to muster his rational faculties to convince himself that magic does not exist in Ulterra. The elves ask him to aid them in defeating a demon that controls their kingdom—and this is just the beginning in his quest to restore magic in Ulterra.
The first impression from any prospective reader will be, “Why write another fantasy book hero?” From Shadows will captivate you with a mystery where insurmountable evil can be overcome. Journeys writes of a hero who does not exactly project heroic ideals, but it is the commonality of his doubts and flaws that make him relatable. As an epic adventure, this book has something pertinent to say about the heroic subject. You might feel that Porter may be deficient or incomplete in some way, but it does not negate the fact that he gets the job done. Two months after he started his adventure he finds that the world of magic is more interesting than the ordinary, and he emerges as a more mature character. If you wish to trace Zev Porter’s development as a hero, then this book in the series is where you start.
Four Stars
Reviewed By Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite
From Shadows is the first entry in The Lost Library series by author R. E. Journeys. It's an action/adventure fantasy novel that follows a tenacious young man named Zev Porter, who works at an agency called the Fortune Hunters Bureau. One day, working on an assignment, Zev visits an ancient house occupied by a mysterious woman named Clara. While listening to her story, Zev unwittingly transports himself into the story. Zev soon learns that a group called the Shadow Hunters are influencing mythological stories, which is seeping magic out of Ulterra. Now, with the help of two elven twins named Ethra and Letha, and a talking magical creature named Tyre, Zev must visit each story and defeat the Shadow Dweller King to restore magic and hope among his people.
I couldn't help but compare From Shadows to The Witcher novels as both series are based on premises where protagonists go off on adventures to fight magical creatures. But the similarities end there as R. E. Journeys has woven a unique yarn that reiterates the importance and impact that stories have on people and how these stimulate their hopes and dreams. There is not a single dull moment to be found in here as it moves at a brisk pace and is action-packed. The worldbuilding could have been better, but given the fact that this is the first novel in the series, I can't complain much. From Shadows can be wildly imaginative, gleefully playful, and surprisingly somber at times. I would recommend it to fantasy fans who love adventure stories.
February 10, 2021
From Shadows: The Lost Library Series Paperback
by R.E. Journeys
My Review
So it was 2 days back , I received a paperback copy of the book and I couldn’t wait to finish it in one go and trust me you guys will be hooked to the story.
From Shadows: The Lost Library Series by R.E. Journeys is a long read of 524 pages and took me overnight to finish reading this one and its an absolute thriller.Starting with the title of the book " the title is such that made me eager to read this one. After reading it I feel the title was a perfect fit. The cover on the other hand is as creative as the first one. Overall the other appearance of the book was not compromised and it was just amazing.
Coming to the plot , so the story is packed with Epic creativity, actions, and fantasy that will keep you interested throughout.So the central plot revolves with Zev Porter, a fortune hunter who discovers himself out of work and losing his enjoyment of the wild community he used to lead. Zev after losing his job has to go through a series of event that eventually leads to confront his inner fears and figure out if he has the strength to be a fighter.I loved the character of Zev because he is smart and resilient character who knows how to live an adventure and I totally loved him as a character.As the story progresses incidents happen and are revealed and things become fascinating which kept me hooked throughout. You're pulled into the storey from the very first pages and the author holds you there through the novel.You will be surprise to see how elaborately the author has delivered the story and this will completely take you to a ride of perfectly blended storyline. I can give a woo for the twist and turns the author has included in the story and I bet you will not be able to predict things when you will get to read it.Trust me I am a fan of this author. I could talk about it for a long time with even breaking my voice, it's that kind of a book. I have had this experience in a very long time and I would like to thank the author for giving me a chance to read this one out and I am definitely not forgetting this.For the story I would like to give it a 1.8/2.
by R.E. Journeys
My Review
So it was 2 days back , I received a paperback copy of the book and I couldn’t wait to finish it in one go and trust me you guys will be hooked to the story.
From Shadows: The Lost Library Series by R.E. Journeys is a long read of 524 pages and took me overnight to finish reading this one and its an absolute thriller.Starting with the title of the book " the title is such that made me eager to read this one. After reading it I feel the title was a perfect fit. The cover on the other hand is as creative as the first one. Overall the other appearance of the book was not compromised and it was just amazing.
Coming to the plot , so the story is packed with Epic creativity, actions, and fantasy that will keep you interested throughout.So the central plot revolves with Zev Porter, a fortune hunter who discovers himself out of work and losing his enjoyment of the wild community he used to lead. Zev after losing his job has to go through a series of event that eventually leads to confront his inner fears and figure out if he has the strength to be a fighter.I loved the character of Zev because he is smart and resilient character who knows how to live an adventure and I totally loved him as a character.As the story progresses incidents happen and are revealed and things become fascinating which kept me hooked throughout. You're pulled into the storey from the very first pages and the author holds you there through the novel.You will be surprise to see how elaborately the author has delivered the story and this will completely take you to a ride of perfectly blended storyline. I can give a woo for the twist and turns the author has included in the story and I bet you will not be able to predict things when you will get to read it.Trust me I am a fan of this author. I could talk about it for a long time with even breaking my voice, it's that kind of a book. I have had this experience in a very long time and I would like to thank the author for giving me a chance to read this one out and I am definitely not forgetting this.For the story I would like to give it a 1.8/2.
November 14, 2022
I normally dont do reviews as I fear giving away details of a story but for this one im making the exception:
First of all when i first heard about this book my first thought was a grown up version of Magic Tree House.
That was only partly correct.
This book is amazing (IMO) I loved the character development of Zev, and cant wait to see what other journey's he takes!
**spoiler ⚠️ alert**
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...
.......
...
......
...
While the characters must go through the stories to save magic they learn so much about themselves.
When Zev accidentally kills someone he carries the feeling of never wanting to do that again which ends up being really important to that last story they must enter.
Like this when your reading some small details dont seem to really matter but in the end every detail in this story matters.
Each story the characters visited gives them a renewed sense of self and shows them there is more to the world that just what was infront of them in the beginning.
First of all when i first heard about this book my first thought was a grown up version of Magic Tree House.
That was only partly correct.
This book is amazing (IMO) I loved the character development of Zev, and cant wait to see what other journey's he takes!
**spoiler ⚠️ alert**
.....
...
.......
...
......
...
While the characters must go through the stories to save magic they learn so much about themselves.
When Zev accidentally kills someone he carries the feeling of never wanting to do that again which ends up being really important to that last story they must enter.
Like this when your reading some small details dont seem to really matter but in the end every detail in this story matters.
Each story the characters visited gives them a renewed sense of self and shows them there is more to the world that just what was infront of them in the beginning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2020
An engrossing, fun and adventurous story for all ages of readers! I love the characters and it’s great seeing things from Zev’s perspective. I encourage everyone to get read this book and get lost in the excitement. A great escape from our daily busy lives. I can’t wait for the sequels.
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