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In the Shadow of Monstrous Things
A late night out in Corfu should have been nothing more than a forgettable stop on an otherwise perfect sailing trip. Instead, a stranger's cryptic warning proves true, and Josh survives an attack that should have killed him outright. He carries the wound home to Cairns without a scratch to show for it. He should have known better than to think he'd gotten away clean.
When the next full moon rises, Josh discovers exactly what he brought back with him. He's not sick. He's not losing his mind. He's turning into something that shouldn't exist. Something with claws, and hunger, and no memory of what it does in the dark.
He's not the only one who's noticed.
A secretive government taskforce is already closing in, more interested in what Josh is becoming than who he still is underneath it. His girlfriend Danni refuses to run, even as keeping his secret starts costing her everything she has. And somewhere in the shadows, an older, hungrier predator with a very old grudge hasn't finished with him yet.
Josh has one moon cycle to master the monster inside him before it costs him everyone he loves, or before the people hunting him get there first.
In the Shadow of Monstrous Things kicks off an action-packed urban fantasy saga where ancient gods still walk unseen among us, government conspiracies run deeper than anyone suspects, and the line between man and monster is thinner than Josh ever wanted to find out.
About the Old World Saga
The divine awakens, and so do the things that wait beyond the stars.
When an Australian traveller named Joshua Dare survives a chance encounter with creatures from myth on the island of Corfu, he inherits a curse born of Zeus and sets in motion a chain of events that will pull gods, angels, monsters and mortals into the greatest conflict the world has never known existed.
The Old World Saga fuses mythology, cosmic horror and action across a cast of unforgettable characters, building towards an epic reckoning between the old powers of the world and the things that predate them. The series is available now.
When the next full moon rises, Josh discovers exactly what he brought back with him. He's not sick. He's not losing his mind. He's turning into something that shouldn't exist. Something with claws, and hunger, and no memory of what it does in the dark.
He's not the only one who's noticed.
A secretive government taskforce is already closing in, more interested in what Josh is becoming than who he still is underneath it. His girlfriend Danni refuses to run, even as keeping his secret starts costing her everything she has. And somewhere in the shadows, an older, hungrier predator with a very old grudge hasn't finished with him yet.
Josh has one moon cycle to master the monster inside him before it costs him everyone he loves, or before the people hunting him get there first.
In the Shadow of Monstrous Things kicks off an action-packed urban fantasy saga where ancient gods still walk unseen among us, government conspiracies run deeper than anyone suspects, and the line between man and monster is thinner than Josh ever wanted to find out.
About the Old World Saga
The divine awakens, and so do the things that wait beyond the stars.
When an Australian traveller named Joshua Dare survives a chance encounter with creatures from myth on the island of Corfu, he inherits a curse born of Zeus and sets in motion a chain of events that will pull gods, angels, monsters and mortals into the greatest conflict the world has never known existed.
The Old World Saga fuses mythology, cosmic horror and action across a cast of unforgettable characters, building towards an epic reckoning between the old powers of the world and the things that predate them. The series is available now.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2020
About the author
Joel Adam Preston
10 books9 followersCurrently, Joel lives and works in tropical North Queensland, fresh from moving out of the Australian Outback.
Prior to his adventure into the heart of Australia, Joel had an exciting and varied range of jobs, all of which provide an endless pool of information for his novels. After completing a degree in multimedia journalism in Townsville, North Queensland, he hung around university for another year to manage the on-campus night club. After that, life grew a bit less exciting as his hunt for a full time job led him into a couple of years of mundane work. Yet, it all turned around when he applied to be an English teacher in Japan.
Moving to Japan showed him a whole new way to live. While it was only for a short period, the experience would have a profound impact. All of sudden, chasing opportunities wasn’t such an easy idea to dismiss.
When he returned from Japan, he applied for an exciting government job. He worked at Cairns airport while he underwent test after test until at last he was accepted. And after his training, where did he get sent? Back to the desert where he was born.
Outside of work, Joel is a passionate amateur snowboarder, whose main barrier to improvement is what he calls ‘the fear of death’.
He also travels frequently, having a few big hikes under his belt. Namely that of summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and reaching Everest Base Camp in Nepal. His favourite place in the world is Japan, where he tried to get to every year (when life allows it).
Joel is also a big nerd, indulging in many things of that persuasion. He loves the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter (saying without shame that he has read each book over twenty times each).
Joel hopes you enjoy his novels and promises there are bigger and better stories still to come.
Prior to his adventure into the heart of Australia, Joel had an exciting and varied range of jobs, all of which provide an endless pool of information for his novels. After completing a degree in multimedia journalism in Townsville, North Queensland, he hung around university for another year to manage the on-campus night club. After that, life grew a bit less exciting as his hunt for a full time job led him into a couple of years of mundane work. Yet, it all turned around when he applied to be an English teacher in Japan.
Moving to Japan showed him a whole new way to live. While it was only for a short period, the experience would have a profound impact. All of sudden, chasing opportunities wasn’t such an easy idea to dismiss.
When he returned from Japan, he applied for an exciting government job. He worked at Cairns airport while he underwent test after test until at last he was accepted. And after his training, where did he get sent? Back to the desert where he was born.
Outside of work, Joel is a passionate amateur snowboarder, whose main barrier to improvement is what he calls ‘the fear of death’.
He also travels frequently, having a few big hikes under his belt. Namely that of summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and reaching Everest Base Camp in Nepal. His favourite place in the world is Japan, where he tried to get to every year (when life allows it).
Joel is also a big nerd, indulging in many things of that persuasion. He loves the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter (saying without shame that he has read each book over twenty times each).
Joel hopes you enjoy his novels and promises there are bigger and better stories still to come.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 14, 2022
In the Shadow Of Monstrous Things is the first book in the series written by Joel Preston. The book is based on the fascinating concept of werewolves. This book is supernatural thriller and mythological fiction where the origin and the curse of werewolves is highlighted. The book is heavily inspired by Greek mythology. The story of the book revolves around the concept of werewolves but in today's world where our protagonist named Joshua Dare gets tangled up in supernatural phenomenon.
Joshua undergoes a transformation caused by the effects of lunar light. Josh now is unable to comprehend the experiences that he is having. He must go on a journey to unveil the mysteries behind all this and to get answers for his questions. Also the government authorities is on his tail for bloody massacres that had happened over the period of time as he is primary suspect.
The story of the book is the journey of Joshua Dare which takes him to the world of ancient Greek. In order to discover the origin of werewolves and his curse, he now must face supernatural phenomenons and forces that are beyond logic and comprehension.
The book highlights the concept of werewolves like no other book has ever done before. The story of the book is well paced. The world building is very much commendable and character development is also amazing. The book is engaging and gripping to read. It is very interesting and holds your attention from the first to the last page. It is highly recommended to those who love supernatural thriller stories.
Joshua undergoes a transformation caused by the effects of lunar light. Josh now is unable to comprehend the experiences that he is having. He must go on a journey to unveil the mysteries behind all this and to get answers for his questions. Also the government authorities is on his tail for bloody massacres that had happened over the period of time as he is primary suspect.
The story of the book is the journey of Joshua Dare which takes him to the world of ancient Greek. In order to discover the origin of werewolves and his curse, he now must face supernatural phenomenons and forces that are beyond logic and comprehension.
The book highlights the concept of werewolves like no other book has ever done before. The story of the book is well paced. The world building is very much commendable and character development is also amazing. The book is engaging and gripping to read. It is very interesting and holds your attention from the first to the last page. It is highly recommended to those who love supernatural thriller stories.
October 5, 2026
I had a bit of a unique experience reading In the Shadow of Monstrous Things, as I personally know Joel from working with him, which made this one even more enjoyable for me.
I loved picking up on the little personal touches throughout the book, particularly the inclusions and references to people I know. It added another layer to the story for me and was a really nice touch — there were definitely a few moments where I found myself smiling when I recognised something or someone.
The concept itself was probably my favourite part. I really enjoyed the way Joel blends a modern setting with Greek mythology, gods and monsters. It’s a great idea and gives the story its own identity while still drawing on mythology that’s familiar to most people.
Overall, a really enjoyable read and a great start to what Joel is building. Knowing the author obviously made it a little more personal for me, but I genuinely enjoyed the world and concept he’s created.
Very keen to see where the story goes next and to read the rest of the series.
★★★★ 4/5
I loved picking up on the little personal touches throughout the book, particularly the inclusions and references to people I know. It added another layer to the story for me and was a really nice touch — there were definitely a few moments where I found myself smiling when I recognised something or someone.
The concept itself was probably my favourite part. I really enjoyed the way Joel blends a modern setting with Greek mythology, gods and monsters. It’s a great idea and gives the story its own identity while still drawing on mythology that’s familiar to most people.
Overall, a really enjoyable read and a great start to what Joel is building. Knowing the author obviously made it a little more personal for me, but I genuinely enjoyed the world and concept he’s created.
Very keen to see where the story goes next and to read the rest of the series.
★★★★ 4/5
December 11, 2021
A no holds barred Australian werewolf yarn. Just brilliant. A really good storyline that is 100% believable and then an appropriate amount of violence to reflect the reality of a werewolf in Far North Queensland. The description of the transformations are just awesome and the authors knowledge of Greek mythology and the werewolf origins make this tale really authentic. Beats every other werewolf tale out there and the fact that is in Australia is icing on the cake. Loved it. A real page turner.
January 11, 2021
Such a page turner, I enjoyed every moment of this book. It’s a great take on a classic werewolf tale. With so many relatable Australian characters it is bound to create some laughs!
December 12, 2021
Great take on the often stereotypical werewolf genre, lots of mythology written into, great book!
December 12, 2021
A very enjoyable and unique take on the conventional werewolf story.
December 12, 2021
What a surprising read. Taking a mix of myth and legend, and placing it in tropical Australia. Certainly not your usual werewolf setting. Great story.
December 16, 2021
Great novel, great series, definitely do recommend giving it a read.
This booked had me from the start and struggled to put it down as the story really has you wanting more at every chapter.
This booked had me from the start and struggled to put it down as the story really has you wanting more at every chapter.
December 12, 2021
Highly recommend In the shadow of Monstrous Things. A great read from start to finish.
I normally only read true stories and autobiographies and had little interest in fiction books.
Until a friend recommended I read this book. Well it had me hooked - a fantastic read which had me awaiting the rest of the series.
I normally only read true stories and autobiographies and had little interest in fiction books.
Until a friend recommended I read this book. Well it had me hooked - a fantastic read which had me awaiting the rest of the series.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews