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Shadowsight
Aidan is a Shadeborn.
Blessed with power from a long dead god, Aidan escapes his servitude under the cold hand of his master, Lockheart, and flees the walled city of Stoneveil in search of his legacy; the Shadeborn guild.
In a chance encounter in the forests beyond the city’s border, Aidan is rescued by a Shadeborn of legend—Nyx—and is taken to the Nightshade guild to be trained amongst his kin. Learning to harness the powers of the Shade that have kept him alive so long is no easy task, especially with most young Shadeborn at the guild having been trained from birth by Shadeborn parents.
Training with his pack, Aidan forms strong bonds and learns to trust and rely on each of them. Though, when something goes terribly wrong at a guild event, Aidan and his pack are flung into active Shadeborn duty in a clandestine operation to retrieve one of their kidnapped guild members.
Whilst Aidan had escaped slavery and the sixty-foot wall of Stoneveil, fate wants him back there. When faced with a chance for revenge against those who have wronged him and the duty he has to his friends, Aidan must make hard decisions that he must live with for the rest of his life.
With masked phantoms haunting his dreams to the racist Lightbringer cult in the cities, Aidan has many battles to choose from.
Now that he has something to lose, he must decide if winning the battle is worth losing himself in the process.
Blessed with power from a long dead god, Aidan escapes his servitude under the cold hand of his master, Lockheart, and flees the walled city of Stoneveil in search of his legacy; the Shadeborn guild.
In a chance encounter in the forests beyond the city’s border, Aidan is rescued by a Shadeborn of legend—Nyx—and is taken to the Nightshade guild to be trained amongst his kin. Learning to harness the powers of the Shade that have kept him alive so long is no easy task, especially with most young Shadeborn at the guild having been trained from birth by Shadeborn parents.
Training with his pack, Aidan forms strong bonds and learns to trust and rely on each of them. Though, when something goes terribly wrong at a guild event, Aidan and his pack are flung into active Shadeborn duty in a clandestine operation to retrieve one of their kidnapped guild members.
Whilst Aidan had escaped slavery and the sixty-foot wall of Stoneveil, fate wants him back there. When faced with a chance for revenge against those who have wronged him and the duty he has to his friends, Aidan must make hard decisions that he must live with for the rest of his life.
With masked phantoms haunting his dreams to the racist Lightbringer cult in the cities, Aidan has many battles to choose from.
Now that he has something to lose, he must decide if winning the battle is worth losing himself in the process.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
624 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 10, 2022
1 person is currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Ellis
1 book11 followersJoseph Ellis is a twenty-one year old fantasy author hailing from Liverpool, England, and has a subtle appreciation for making people cry by putting words in the correct order.
Born an only child, Joseph has a lot of free time on their hands that is filled with strategy games, trivia nights, and metal music, all of which leaving its imprints on their books. With their debut book Shadowsight leaving more than a few tear-stained pages, if you want a happy ending, you've come to the wrong man.
Born an only child, Joseph has a lot of free time on their hands that is filled with strategy games, trivia nights, and metal music, all of which leaving its imprints on their books. With their debut book Shadowsight leaving more than a few tear-stained pages, if you want a happy ending, you've come to the wrong man.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 28, 2022
I mean I'm biased, but I think this thing is pretty great ;)
Though, of course, don't listen to me, listen to the crowd!
Though, of course, don't listen to me, listen to the crowd!
August 16, 2022
This book deserves all the stars. All of them. And this isn't one of those things where I'm just rating it five stars because it's an indie book and there's not going to be as many reviews and I'm just being polite because I know the author will see it (admit it, you've done this. I've done this.)--I genuinely adore this book. It's great on all fronts: worldbuilding, story, and characters.
Joseph's clearly put time into the worldbuilding and magic systems. You get a sense that there's a whole world these characters have yet to explore, and the magic systems are well balanced with advantages and consequences. The Shade is very cool and it's weaved into the novel along with conflicts; it's not just a tool the characters use when it suits their needs. It's in so many aspects of the story (along with some religious criticism--which is ALWAYS fun).
The story itself will keep you on your toes. It lures you in with a false sense of security, lets you get attached to the characters, and then everything goes to hell. It's very fun and I may have dropped several f-bombs. But they're well deserved. You WILL want to strangle the author.
But speaking of characters, my god are they wonderful. If anyone ever asks me to pick a favourite, it's over. Aidan and his little crew feel so real and I'd just love to step into their world and befriend them, but the older mentor characters keep it real too. They're not just there to boss around the newbloods, they have their own pasts and issues and relationships as well. The characters are all just all around very well done. Not to mention gay. So many characters in this book are not straight and it is SO refreshing. You look at a lot of books with groups of five or more main-ish characters and they're all straight. That is statistically improbable and also boring. If I wanted to see that I'd just go to a high school football game.
Anyway, how could I forget though, the non-human characters. Yes, I'm talking animal companions. They are ADORABLE. Read the book for Rema, if nothing else. You know you want to see a blueberry-loving little fox creature. You know you do.
I'm aware this is getting lengthy, but I am legally obligated to mention that the main romance in this book is great. I am of the mind that most romantic relationships I read in fiction would be as good or better if they were platonic, but the main one in Shadowsight changed my mind about them. Sometime in the later chapters I decided that they actually were great as a couple and, although I wouldn't have been upset if they were still platonic, I also am not upset that they moved to romantic. Aidalice is aro approved.
If you read all this, just read the book. I could never do it justice.
Joseph's clearly put time into the worldbuilding and magic systems. You get a sense that there's a whole world these characters have yet to explore, and the magic systems are well balanced with advantages and consequences. The Shade is very cool and it's weaved into the novel along with conflicts; it's not just a tool the characters use when it suits their needs. It's in so many aspects of the story (along with some religious criticism--which is ALWAYS fun).
The story itself will keep you on your toes. It lures you in with a false sense of security, lets you get attached to the characters, and then everything goes to hell. It's very fun and I may have dropped several f-bombs. But they're well deserved. You WILL want to strangle the author.
But speaking of characters, my god are they wonderful. If anyone ever asks me to pick a favourite, it's over. Aidan and his little crew feel so real and I'd just love to step into their world and befriend them, but the older mentor characters keep it real too. They're not just there to boss around the newbloods, they have their own pasts and issues and relationships as well. The characters are all just all around very well done. Not to mention gay. So many characters in this book are not straight and it is SO refreshing. You look at a lot of books with groups of five or more main-ish characters and they're all straight. That is statistically improbable and also boring. If I wanted to see that I'd just go to a high school football game.
Anyway, how could I forget though, the non-human characters. Yes, I'm talking animal companions. They are ADORABLE. Read the book for Rema, if nothing else. You know you want to see a blueberry-loving little fox creature. You know you do.
I'm aware this is getting lengthy, but I am legally obligated to mention that the main romance in this book is great. I am of the mind that most romantic relationships I read in fiction would be as good or better if they were platonic, but the main one in Shadowsight changed my mind about them. Sometime in the later chapters I decided that they actually were great as a couple and, although I wouldn't have been upset if they were still platonic, I also am not upset that they moved to romantic. Aidalice is aro approved.
If you read all this, just read the book. I could never do it justice.
March 30, 2023
Shadowsight by Joseph Ellis is an exciting debut novel from a promising young indie author! This high fantasy story's strengths lie in its worldbuilding, characters, and unique magic system.
The worldbuilding in Shadowsight felt immersive - I had no problems imagining the world Ellis created due to his vivid, sometimes Clancy-esque level of detail. I am excited to see this found-family of characters explore the wider world outside the guild in future instalments! I was impressed by thought Ellis put into developing the magic system, which feels like a combination of Pokemon and aspects of Mistborn's type of magic system. I wish we would have seen more of the creatures the Shadeborn can summon in action, and I'm excited to see how those powers develop in future instalments. While it fits well into the genre of high fantasy with its magic system and settings, I was happy to see that it wasn't full of elves, orcs, and 'typical' fantasy elements, which sets it apart.
Shadowsigh boasts a large cast of characters, but I'd say my two favorites are Alice, as a character unlike typical fantasy heroines, and Cragsworth, the mute little golem who just wants to help in the forge. If he dies, I'll riot.
Fans of found family, exciting action, unique magic systems, and immersive world building are sure to love Shadowsight!
The worldbuilding in Shadowsight felt immersive - I had no problems imagining the world Ellis created due to his vivid, sometimes Clancy-esque level of detail. I am excited to see this found-family of characters explore the wider world outside the guild in future instalments! I was impressed by thought Ellis put into developing the magic system, which feels like a combination of Pokemon and aspects of Mistborn's type of magic system. I wish we would have seen more of the creatures the Shadeborn can summon in action, and I'm excited to see how those powers develop in future instalments. While it fits well into the genre of high fantasy with its magic system and settings, I was happy to see that it wasn't full of elves, orcs, and 'typical' fantasy elements, which sets it apart.
Shadowsigh boasts a large cast of characters, but I'd say my two favorites are Alice, as a character unlike typical fantasy heroines, and Cragsworth, the mute little golem who just wants to help in the forge. If he dies, I'll riot.
Fans of found family, exciting action, unique magic systems, and immersive world building are sure to love Shadowsight!
January 3, 2023
Who would I be kidding with any less points; this really is a 5-star read. And it's not just generosity coming out of me — no. Joseph's book has genuinely played right into my taste and captivated my attention all throughout.
What has been really surprising to me is that this book is actually indie. I won't pretend I'm a connoisseur of the indie side of the industry, or the publishing industry at all, as Shadowsight really has been the first indie book I've ever read. And I'm not trying to jump on train with the people who hold indies to a lesser standard, by far I'm not — I strongly believe, in fact, that this novel is a perfect example that self-published authors can indeed be on par with those who have been taken under the wings of the industry's greatests.
Let me begin with the writing style. Joseph has a voice of his own when it comes to phrasing sentences in his story. The narrative perfectly sets the mood of the scenes, the wording being bright when needed and often sprinkled with the main character’s darkish humour when situations grow tense. The dialogue between characters is realistic, flowing like an actual conversation, which is no surprise when each of the characters have a voice of their own.
The characters all have a distinct personality. From the introverted but reckless Alice, through the mature and loyal Elaine, to even heroic personalities like that of Nyx, Shadowsight has it all. These characters live, they feel, they hurt, they overcome, and most importantly they grow. I would be in the wrong if I didn’t mention that through the months I’ve read Shadowsight, these characters have grown very close to my heart.
Next up is the worldbuilding. This aspect is perhaps best described as Sanderson-esque. If you are fond of the worlds Brandon Sanderson has created in, say, his Mistborn series, there is no way you wouldn’t like the world which Joseph has brought to life on the pages of this book. It has towns which resemble those of the early modern period of history, it has nobility, it has poor people, guilds that live away from town, Shadeborn and Shadeless. Beasts in a system that add a sprinkle of Pokémon vibes to it all. The magic system is easily graspable but loads of fun if looked at in detail. Although, as I said, the worldbuilding has a semblance of Sanderson’s style, Joseph’s world remains unique to him. If anyone asked me, I probably couldn’t explain it with sheer reason — it’s all about the vibes that I personally got.
The plot advances at a very fair pace. For the first half of the book, we are introduced to the world, meeting a lot of wholesomeness. All the while, the conflicts of the book are already being hinted at. In the second half, however, the action really kicks in. Characters are ripped free of their peace of mind and are forced into a situation where they have to grow in order to adapt. When I say this second half hurts, I mean it hurts. Sometimes terribly. But it is a fair compensation for the tons of wholesomeness in the first half. Even with all the pain it produces, Shadowsight remains a gorgeous story all throughout. Moreover, the epilogue introduces aspects of the story which give great potential to the continuation of the series being even more unique.
And now a paragraph for cover art appreciation, too. When the book first arrived through the mail and I opened it, I was hit by a train of awe. I’m telling you, it is one of the most beautiful covers I have ever seen on a book. Hannah Coppernoll did meticulous work with it.
Lastly, let me address this one thing:
If any of you have looked into previous reviews on Amazon and on Goodreads, you might have noticed some people saying that the book is full of typos and mistakes. Yes, this has been a real issue for the early paperback editions that got to people (I myself have received one of these; but one I'm grateful to have, in retrospect), but as far as I'm aware it has already been fixed. Thus leaving future readers of both kindle and paperback editions with crisp prose to consume.
Alright, that's it about me spreading mind! Now go read the book! And recommend it to friends and family! It deserves all the love it gets.
I’m looking forward to what will come next for the Shadeborn Chronicles! ❤
What has been really surprising to me is that this book is actually indie. I won't pretend I'm a connoisseur of the indie side of the industry, or the publishing industry at all, as Shadowsight really has been the first indie book I've ever read. And I'm not trying to jump on train with the people who hold indies to a lesser standard, by far I'm not — I strongly believe, in fact, that this novel is a perfect example that self-published authors can indeed be on par with those who have been taken under the wings of the industry's greatests.
Let me begin with the writing style. Joseph has a voice of his own when it comes to phrasing sentences in his story. The narrative perfectly sets the mood of the scenes, the wording being bright when needed and often sprinkled with the main character’s darkish humour when situations grow tense. The dialogue between characters is realistic, flowing like an actual conversation, which is no surprise when each of the characters have a voice of their own.
The characters all have a distinct personality. From the introverted but reckless Alice, through the mature and loyal Elaine, to even heroic personalities like that of Nyx, Shadowsight has it all. These characters live, they feel, they hurt, they overcome, and most importantly they grow. I would be in the wrong if I didn’t mention that through the months I’ve read Shadowsight, these characters have grown very close to my heart.
Next up is the worldbuilding. This aspect is perhaps best described as Sanderson-esque. If you are fond of the worlds Brandon Sanderson has created in, say, his Mistborn series, there is no way you wouldn’t like the world which Joseph has brought to life on the pages of this book. It has towns which resemble those of the early modern period of history, it has nobility, it has poor people, guilds that live away from town, Shadeborn and Shadeless. Beasts in a system that add a sprinkle of Pokémon vibes to it all. The magic system is easily graspable but loads of fun if looked at in detail. Although, as I said, the worldbuilding has a semblance of Sanderson’s style, Joseph’s world remains unique to him. If anyone asked me, I probably couldn’t explain it with sheer reason — it’s all about the vibes that I personally got.
The plot advances at a very fair pace. For the first half of the book, we are introduced to the world, meeting a lot of wholesomeness. All the while, the conflicts of the book are already being hinted at. In the second half, however, the action really kicks in. Characters are ripped free of their peace of mind and are forced into a situation where they have to grow in order to adapt. When I say this second half hurts, I mean it hurts. Sometimes terribly. But it is a fair compensation for the tons of wholesomeness in the first half. Even with all the pain it produces, Shadowsight remains a gorgeous story all throughout. Moreover, the epilogue introduces aspects of the story which give great potential to the continuation of the series being even more unique.
And now a paragraph for cover art appreciation, too. When the book first arrived through the mail and I opened it, I was hit by a train of awe. I’m telling you, it is one of the most beautiful covers I have ever seen on a book. Hannah Coppernoll did meticulous work with it.
Lastly, let me address this one thing:
If any of you have looked into previous reviews on Amazon and on Goodreads, you might have noticed some people saying that the book is full of typos and mistakes. Yes, this has been a real issue for the early paperback editions that got to people (I myself have received one of these; but one I'm grateful to have, in retrospect), but as far as I'm aware it has already been fixed. Thus leaving future readers of both kindle and paperback editions with crisp prose to consume.
Alright, that's it about me spreading mind! Now go read the book! And recommend it to friends and family! It deserves all the love it gets.
I’m looking forward to what will come next for the Shadeborn Chronicles! ❤
August 30, 2022
I bought this book primarily to support an indie writer because generally speaking this isn’t the usual type of story I’m into but truthfully I could not put this book down once I started it!! The world building is exceptional and I absolutely loved how in depth the characters are. Not to mention the writing is beautiful!!!!
October 3, 2022
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I couldn't help but start reading it the day it came out! From the first few chapters I knew this was going to be a five star read, there was no doubt about it. I was immediately immersed in this unique world with its communities, beasts, magic, and beliefs. I can't pick a favorite character because they all own a piece of my heart, even the ones that I once wanted to punch in the face. What I especially loved about this book is though the focus may be more YA with teens learning how to be incredible through their struggles, it also highlighted that their teachers were far from perfect and taught through their own hardships. Ellis also gives a shining example of how to naturally include representation that many authors can learn from. I really liked how the love aspect wasn't the main focus, instead the reader can sense it growing in each scene in a way that doesn't steal from the main plot. It was adorable, natural, and appropriate to the ages of the couple. I can go on and on about this incredible debut novel, and I will be recommending it every chance I get. Ellis has now become an instant-buy author who can take all my money.
November 11, 2023
I genuinely don’t know what I just read, terrible literature from an incompetent author that reeks of pretension
November 23, 2022
4.5 Stars
Shadowsight is a story about family, love, loyalty, and revenge. Fate dealt Aidan a bad hand, and now he's on a mission to find his place in the world as a young Shadeborn. But when he finally finds his pack, his life is thrown into chaos once again. Will Aidan succumb to the wolves, or will he learn to use the teeth he’s been born with?
Warring guilds, spiritual prejudices, old gods whispering in young minds… all topped off with a shot of found family. Oh yeah. That's the good stuff.
For the first book in a series, Shadowsight has an amazingly high emotional voltage. One moment you'll be smiling and giggling, and in the next you'll be holding back tears (this specific alludes to "G O N E"). After the initial action, it takes a minute for the story to bloom, but trust me, you'll love it when its anthesis finally approaches.
Joseph Ellis has created an intricate world of Shade and beasts and technology that's easy to immerse yourself in. Seriously, I respect the amount of detail that has been packed into these pages. The Pokémon-esque concept of taming beasts especially caught my eye, and made me really, really, really want a necklace that turns into a Moon Phoenix, etc.
The contrast between the two main settings locations is a stark one, enhancing the tones of the story. The walled city of Stoneveil, with its secrets and dog-eat-dog society, is dark and hostile, while the Nightshade Guild is surprisingly heart-warming. You'll immediately feel at home in the sprawling feast halls and libraries and training arenas of the Guild.
I was very glad that the Shadeborn and Lightbringers didn't adhere to the "Light is good, dark is evil!" trope. We've seen enough of that. We get it— humans are afraid of the dark, so they'll naturally assume it's evil. The Shadeborn are people, like everyone else. Some are good, some are bad, most are just doing what they can to survive.
Besides the excellent worldbuilding, Shadowsight’s strengths lie in its characters. When I’m reading any book, it takes a while for me to get attached to the little people inside it, but I watched these kiddos in Shadowsight go through a LOT. We've bonded. They're my blorbos now. Damien, Elaine, Alice, Rose, Celine, Cassius, Loft, Nyx, REMA… (I can keep going, but I'll end up listing every character in the book). All the dynamics were delightful, and every one of them was well-written, with proper depth and development.
If you (cruelly) made me choose a single character, I would choose Alice. Want to know why? Go read the book and find out! Half-kidding. From her backstory to her personality traits, and how all those items complement each other— Alice is the best.
Shadowsight is also wonderfully diverse (on the racial, sexual and neurodivergent spectrums), without falling into any annoying stereotypes. We're entering a new age of books, where everyone can see themselves and relate to characters, and it makes me so happy.
One detail I love (and couldn’t not mention) is how Elaine probably doesn't feel the urge to label her bottles because she's dyslexic. She knows them by-heart, so what use are labels? The only effect they'll have is encouraging Damien to use them.
Aidan, as a main character, was somewhat lacking, in my opinion. He didn't have the same, shall we say flair as the others, and consequently I don't feel that strongly about him. His narrative voice could have been developed a little bit more. Be that as it may, he definitely isn't a bad protagonist. Like I said, all the characters were nicely rounded. I admire his story and his character arc— he has the foundation of a powerful character. I look forward to seeing what he'll grow into in the future.
The only other critique I have is that, at certain times, the plot feels rushed. And I’m still not clear on what happened in Chapter 67, or rather, why it did. However, the overarching storyline makes it a good read.
As for the romance, Aidan and Alice will always have my heart. They have that sweet, innocent love that’s unfortunately so rare in the YA genre.
All in all, I adore this book. If you’re looking for a heartfelt story full of imagination and amazing characters, I’d recommend giving Shadowsight a whirl. It’s a great debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what Ellis writes in the future.
“My mother discovered my Shade when I was younger. Noticed how my eyes would turn purple, that I could create rifts from nothing in the palm of my hand and gaze upon other worlds.”
"If I’m a monster like they say I am, then I will be a monster on my own terms."
Shadowsight is a story about family, love, loyalty, and revenge. Fate dealt Aidan a bad hand, and now he's on a mission to find his place in the world as a young Shadeborn. But when he finally finds his pack, his life is thrown into chaos once again. Will Aidan succumb to the wolves, or will he learn to use the teeth he’s been born with?
Warring guilds, spiritual prejudices, old gods whispering in young minds… all topped off with a shot of found family. Oh yeah. That's the good stuff.
For the first book in a series, Shadowsight has an amazingly high emotional voltage. One moment you'll be smiling and giggling, and in the next you'll be holding back tears (this specific alludes to "G O N E"). After the initial action, it takes a minute for the story to bloom, but trust me, you'll love it when its anthesis finally approaches.
Joseph Ellis has created an intricate world of Shade and beasts and technology that's easy to immerse yourself in. Seriously, I respect the amount of detail that has been packed into these pages. The Pokémon-esque concept of taming beasts especially caught my eye, and made me really, really, really want a necklace that turns into a Moon Phoenix, etc.
“Plus, he’s literally a sword, what’s not to love?”
The contrast between the two main settings locations is a stark one, enhancing the tones of the story. The walled city of Stoneveil, with its secrets and dog-eat-dog society, is dark and hostile, while the Nightshade Guild is surprisingly heart-warming. You'll immediately feel at home in the sprawling feast halls and libraries and training arenas of the Guild.
"Yes, there’s dust in every corner, but that’s what makes it home, and it’s good to have you back as a part of it."
I was very glad that the Shadeborn and Lightbringers didn't adhere to the "Light is good, dark is evil!" trope. We've seen enough of that. We get it— humans are afraid of the dark, so they'll naturally assume it's evil. The Shadeborn are people, like everyone else. Some are good, some are bad, most are just doing what they can to survive.
Besides the excellent worldbuilding, Shadowsight’s strengths lie in its characters. When I’m reading any book, it takes a while for me to get attached to the little people inside it, but I watched these kiddos in Shadowsight go through a LOT. We've bonded. They're my blorbos now. Damien, Elaine, Alice, Rose, Celine, Cassius, Loft, Nyx, REMA… (I can keep going, but I'll end up listing every character in the book). All the dynamics were delightful, and every one of them was well-written, with proper depth and development.
If you (cruelly) made me choose a single character, I would choose Alice. Want to know why? Go read the book and find out! Half-kidding. From her backstory to her personality traits, and how all those items complement each other— Alice is the best.
Shadowsight is also wonderfully diverse (on the racial, sexual and neurodivergent spectrums), without falling into any annoying stereotypes. We're entering a new age of books, where everyone can see themselves and relate to characters, and it makes me so happy.
One detail I love (and couldn’t not mention) is how Elaine probably doesn't feel the urge to label her bottles because she's dyslexic. She knows them by-heart, so what use are labels? The only effect they'll have is encouraging Damien to use them.
Aidan, as a main character, was somewhat lacking, in my opinion. He didn't have the same, shall we say flair as the others, and consequently I don't feel that strongly about him. His narrative voice could have been developed a little bit more. Be that as it may, he definitely isn't a bad protagonist. Like I said, all the characters were nicely rounded. I admire his story and his character arc— he has the foundation of a powerful character. I look forward to seeing what he'll grow into in the future.
The only other critique I have is that, at certain times, the plot feels rushed. And I’m still not clear on what happened in Chapter 67, or rather, why it did. However, the overarching storyline makes it a good read.
As for the romance, Aidan and Alice will always have my heart. They have that sweet, innocent love that’s unfortunately so rare in the YA genre.
"Alice smiled. And damn, he was losing himself in it."
"This was wartime. They were soldiers. This couldn’t last."
All in all, I adore this book. If you’re looking for a heartfelt story full of imagination and amazing characters, I’d recommend giving Shadowsight a whirl. It’s a great debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what Ellis writes in the future.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews