Valley of the Shadow

by Tom Pawlik

Conner Hayden is certain he survived his near-death experience for a reason. He thinks it’s to save the life—and soul—of Mitch Kent. Mitch’s body remains on life support while his spirit is trapped with the old farmer Howard Bristol in the Interworld—a strange and dangerous dimension that Conner narrowly escaped during his brush with death in Pawlik’s award-winning debut novel, Vanish . Meanwhile, in the Interworld, Mitch receives a warning from a mysterious Howard is not who he appears to be, and Mitch must flee immediately. Pursued by Howard and a terrifying creature, Mitch soon learns the truth about what happened to him and that his only hope of survival lies at the very edge of the Interworld.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Thriller, Horror, Suspense, Mystery

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

JUMP IN. HANG ON.

Tom Pawlik award-winning author of the The Quantum Chronicles a series of rip-roaring space adventures featuring his half-alien hero, Johnny Quantum. He has also written Vanish, Valley of the Shadow, Beckon, The Way Back, Son of Man and Recollection from the 7 Hours anthology. His thought-provoking, edge-of-your-seat thrillers are infused with nonstop suspense that grabs you on the first page and won't let go until the last. He lives in Ohio with his wife, six children and one large dog. He currently works as a novelist, educator and freelance writer. He’s also an accomplished public speaker and loves to address almost any group to talk about writing, story, art and culture or just about any other topic he thinks he knows everything about.

Reviews

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

“There’s two guys—two kids in a car,” Jim’s voice was shaky. Out of breath. “I think they’ve just been shot…” Tom pulls you into his story quickly and he never stops drawing you deeper and deeper into his thoughtfully woven story.

Tom Pawlik has a very creative imagination and an exciting writing style that keeps you turning the pages to see what he’s created for you to experience next. Tom gives you a glimpse into a universe—interworld—beyond the physical, into heavenly realms and beyond.

I haven’t read anything this creative, refreshing and eye opening since Frank Peretti hit the book world with This Present Darkness. Tom Pawlik has a gift of lifting the veil for us so he can give us a peek into the spiritual struggle we can’t see here on earth.

The main characters thought of Eternity. “It was serious business after all. Eternity. Conner was surprised—and saddened—at how little thought most people seemed to give the topic. Death was the one thing they could be certain of, yet they acted as if ignorance would make them live forever.”

This author also has a good sense of humor, “Conner, you’ve gone from being a hard-core agnostic to the apostle Paul in a matter of weeks. Didn’t you think that might be a little disconcerting to some of your friends?”

This book is not for the faint of heart. Although there is a very powerful spiritual thread throughout the entire story the author reveals the evil side of this world and that of the next. It may make you feel uncomfortable, but it does make you think. There are haunting situations that are woven in the middle of some spiritually amazing scenes. Tom Pawlik stays away from being totally gruesome; I wouldn’t have been able to read this book if he would’ve gone over the edge.

I think Tom Pawlik has a good balance of good and evil portrayed in this novel. Please push through the parts that make you go ‘Hmmm,’ my friend, because this author also takes you to the mountain tops and your spirit will soar! It will give you hope, and a new perspective of just how much the Lord cares for you. You won’t stop thinking about this story after you’ve finished. You can count on it!!

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

[Nick Woodall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not inspired like Vanish (his first novel). It seemed like he tried too hard and had to use some tricks to make the story flow. You did find out what happened to the characters in the Vanish. It helped conclude the character's stories.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a bit hard at first to read this book as it was the second in a series, however I did catch on fairly quickly and could understand it. Great story with plenty of twists and surprises...

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because I wanted to know how the story began in Vanish ended. I would have preferred that the author had tied things up in one book because the second book felt dragged out beyond the necessary. Where book one was subtle and compelling this book was heavy handed in a way that turned me off. The only thing I liked about it was the fact that it picked up from the second book one ended, and didn’t retell or Rex plain anything from book one. I suspect that the south or may have actually written one book but for whatever reason it was decided to split it into two. Note to author if you’re going to do that you have an obligation to your readers to not leave loose ends dangling at the end. There was no reason not to resolve all the characters fates. Maybe you were planning a book three? No thank you.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sequel to 'Vanish' and re-introduces some of the characters from the previous novel as well as introduces a couple of new ones for this story. It moves at a decent pace. I did not 'know' how it was going to end until just before the very end. Actually, the way it goes about 'ending' completely shocked me, because, on the one hand, it was not 'the happy ending' readers would have liked. But from a Christian's perspective, it was a bittersweet ending.

My favorite scene from the book is:
"So what is it about this chalk? How does it work? Magic?"
"Not quite. It's a little technical, but in layman's terms, the chalk is made of inversely charged quantum particles in a state of temporal flux."

We are reintroduced to Mitch, Devon, Howard, and Connor [as well as Connor's wife and daughter, Marta and Rachel] from the previous novel. We also meet Jim and Annie the couple who were going to get divorced in the beginning of the first novel , Nathan the driver of the truck that put Mitch into a coma , and Owen and Mrs. Bristol spawn and wife of Howard, truly evil incarnate . There are other 'minor characters' as well, but these are the main 'players' in this novel.

Mitch is running out of time. His dying father is thinking of pulling the plug. If that happens, he is lost for all eternity. Connor is having nightmares of his NDE while trying to find his place in God's world and at work as well as his repaired family. Jim is struggling with how God is pushing him to 'exercise' his faith. We find out Howard is not quite the man he seems to be. Connor tries to help Devon, but fails. He then thinks maybe God wants him to help Howard Bristol. He also wants to try and help Mitch make it back to physical reality lest he be lost for eternity. Devon is a haunted individual because of his NDE and not coming back alone. Jim and Annie also want to help Devon as well as try to help Connor. It was a crazy book, on the one hand. A lot of 'stuff' going on throughout, but still easily followed in the reading.

Spoiler alert!!!! I was shocked that Connor died in the end. I had no idea that was going to happen until he took a shotgun blast to the back. He locates Bristol's farm using Google and sees a cabin in the woods. He visits Howard's body after visiting Devon and then Mitch's comatose body. There, he meets Mrs. Bristol, who convinces him to come to her farm for lunch. There, he meets Owen, their abomination of a son. Owen tells Connor he will kill Connor if he sees Connor again as Connor leaves the farm. Connor had initially lied about his identity until forced to tell the truth at the farm. He sneaks back to the farm and enters the woods, intent on finding this cabin after arming himself from a local store. There, he finds an underground chamber in the cabin in which two girls are bound up for a sacrifice. We find out the horrific truth: Mrs. Bristol has made a deal with the devil when her son died twenty-some years ago. Each year, upon the anniversary of his death and resurrection, she has to sacrifice another life in payment for another year for her son. Now, in order to bring Howard back as well as pay for her son, she will sacrifice the two young women. After initially freeing the two girls, Connor and Katie are recaptured by Owen, but Amber escapes. She returns with a shotgun and kills Owen before knocking Mrs. Bristol to the ground. She should have killed her! Grrrrr! She releases Connor and Katie, but Mrs. Bristol recovers and starts shooting the shotgun. Connor uses his body to protect the girls as they flee, and he dies as they escape to his vehicle and flee the area. I could not believe it! Most authors usually have some kind of miraculous event occur in which the 'hero' is brought back to life by God. However, that means Connor is going to his heavenly reward. On the way, he provides Mitch the opportunity needed to return to his comatose body and a second chance at life. Yeah, it was a crazy ending! Rachel and Marta grieving and having trouble understanding 'God's plan' for their lives. They would know he was in Heaven and that he died a hero, but it would still extremely bitter to have lost their husband and father like they did. I hated how they ended it with Rachel and Marta's loss. Maybe the author felt it would have been cheapened by lessening the impact of Connor's death; I don't know. It was hard to read.

At one point, it strongly reminded me of 'the matrix' what with the way some of the conversations were going, about how maybe the physical world is not what we think it is. Also, the talk that Morpheus has with Neo in the training room where they are sparring ['you think that is air that you are breathing?'] strongly came to mind in some of the conversations between Mitch, Howard , and Nathan . Part of me expected a man in black wearing sun glasses to step out from behind the curtain at one point! hahahahah On the one hand, it really brought to mind the verse where Jesus states that the eternal is more 'real' than the physical [or something like that; I might be paraphrasing it more than I realize].

The description of standing 'at the end of the world' and looking up at Heaven's realm was pretty amazing. It was beautiful, and I enjoyed reading it.

I cannot quite say in the end that everybody gets what's coming to them, because that would not be true. In one way, it was a powerful book [especially because of the ending, in my opinion]. It also serves to remind us that this planet, this realm, this physical reality is not our ultimate 'home' and that we were meant for more than what this life has to offer.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picks up where Vanish leaves off. Honestly a little disappointed. I really enjoyed Vanish (gave it 5 stars), but this book wasn't written quite as well.

Pros: kept you turning the page, on the edge of your seat, you find out what happens to the remaining characters from Vanish. Redemption features. A surprise twist from Howard's family.

Cons: storyline seemed rushed, not planned out well, choppy, didn't always tie in well (ie Devon and the demon who came back with him, and the storyline of Jim & Annie - Jim saved Devons life). Don't like how Connor's story went.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. Interesting speculative story regarding the “in-between” time of life and death. The author identifies the failings of many who neglect the critical question of eternity, heaven, and salvation. There were quite a few characters, and references to previous events which took place in the first book in the series, so it was sometimes difficult to understand what was going on. Overall, an enjoyable read.

[Nancy Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Different Christian Book

Are you a Steven King fan? Do you like creepy books? Are you a Christian book reader? If you answered yes to any or all of those questions you will absolutely love Valley of the Shadow. This book is scary without a doubt! But it still offers a Christian message without being "preachy". I recommend it to all readers who answered the questions yes!

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the follow up to Vanish. While I really enjoyed the first book it took a little more to really get into this one. Connor Hayden finds his way home after his near death experience in the first book. More questions are answered in this book I actually started it and put it down. Since I had it I decided to tough it out and and finished it tonight. I'm glad I continued to read it.

[TheReadingKnitter/ Kasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a wonderful second book in the series. I loved figuring Mitch, Nathan and Conner out. Howard not so much. Ha. I understand why this is the last book but I do wish I could find out what happened with Mitch. I will be reading more from this author.

[The Scorpion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom pawlik does it again with this sequel. Love the way he has intertwined the stories. I am not going to give any spoilers. But get ready for some tears towards the end. Didn’t expect the ending to end the way it did. A great read.

[Kih Bergin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful conclusion to the two part series!! I loved every minute of reading both and they both were very difficult to put down!! I highly recommend Vanish and Valley of the Shadow!! You will not be disappointed with them. Quick to grab your attention and not let go!!

[Averil Pesce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow what a crazy ride. This book is a sequel to Vanish and I wasn't sure how I was feeling about it at first but once you got into it it was cool. It was neat how he developed the characters...how you got to dive more into their stories. The spiritual aspect of this story was amazing! It'll make you take a look at your own life! I loved it!

[Ellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the first one, but it is still worth reading.

[Honesty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I don't remember quite as much about this book as the first one, although the ending was pretty good.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best two books I've ever read!!! I stayed up until 3 this morning reading; I couldn't put it down!! Extremely fast-paced supernatural thriller that delves deeply into the concepts of heaven, hell, and what the so-called "light at the end of the tunnel" that dying people experience could really be. Containing the themes of forgiveness, redemption, and true spirituality, this book along with its prequel, Vanish, will keep you guessing until the end. Be sure to read the prequel, Vanish, first.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was looking for a new book this one jumped out at me. I read Pawlik's first book Vanish a couple years ago and remember flying thru it over a summer week in Cali. The sequel did not disappoint! I had to remember what happened in the first, but caught on quick. The way that Pawlik can tell 5 stories simultaneously and switch between them kept the story rolling. This was a combo of a Ted Dekker story and the movie Inception with so called aliens. Can't wait for more!

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the sequel was much better with greater character development of Conner and Mitch, but also an enhancement of the spiritual element demonstrating how evil can pervade our lives and consume it, without us even really knowing it.

Tom - a super novel, I'll be recommending it to all my friends as it highlights the critical interplay between the spiritual and the physical worlds. Well done, be great as a movie. Can't wait for No.3

[Mollie McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was even more powerful than the first! Though it's a fiction book, it gives insight into how powerful the spiritual world really is, and shows we desperately need to be aware of it.
"Christians in America have been lulled into thinking demons aren't real. Satan is subtler here. He comes as an angel of light"

[Ivy Manongdo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the story, plot, morale, and the thrill. It is indeed page turner book. You can't keep your eyes of the book because you're rooting for what will happen next. I'm glad i bought this book in Logos Hope. It is not only a great novel but also a great way to increase your faith with God. Everything really happens for a reason. You just have to trust God for whatever plans He has for you.

[Heath Choate · Rating 4 out of 5]

First let me say I loved this book. It only got a 4 because I liked Vanish more. I think this was because Vanish was filled with suspense and intrigue about what was happening.

With Valley that background is established and the narrative is more straight forward. The story is great.

[Melissa (Alaska Bound) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sequel to Vanish, which wrapped up that storyline. I really liked where he took the plot and connected with this series.

[Davina Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was confused first couple pages but once u realize what the author is doing, you get really engaged. messes with ur head about the afterlife or "the in between".

[Dion · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10.
Still compelling reading. Just spells out too much for the reader, unlike the first book, which kept its mystery.

[Lyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would have a really hard time if I had to pick if I liked this one or the first more. Pray that author will keep writing, as he is fabulous.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

can't wait for the sequel

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit out of the ordinary from what I usually read. It is a book that really makes you think.

[Carolina Montague · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wrote a review of this book for ForeWord when I was a book reviewer there. The review is at: https://www.forewordreviews.com/revie...

Carolina

[Kaci Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

So good! Shockingly better than the first! These books kept me up late many nights, full of suspense with a very deep underlying meaning!