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The Monsters in our Shadows
"I absolutely loved this book." - Independent Book Review
“This is dystopian fiction at its finest.” - Readers Favorite 5 Stars “We all have personal “monsters in our shadows” – Cembal masterfully translates that horrific reality into a stunning novel. Wow. Just wow.” - JOHN KELLY
"Cembal’s thoughtful horror novel is a taut, well-paced read with a remarkably bleak atmosphere. The story compellingly shows how humanity’s choices change when dealing with new, dark realities." - Kirkus“Fast-paced with gut-wrenching, edge of your seat, gotta know what’s next feeling.” - GoodReads
“This is the first time a book has given me actual nightmares! Wonderful story, creative plot- like nothing I’ve read before. One of the best books I have read this year” Netgalley Review
IN DEVELOPMENT AS A MAJOR MOTION PICTUREIt's been a century since "the great consumption." Humanity has been devoured to the edge of extinction by the ever-ravenous Shivers - terrifying, shapeless creatures that latch onto their hosts, tormenting them over time before consuming them all at once. The last of civilization lives in the crumbling city of Atlas, where they subsist on processed insects and await their inevitable fate. Anthem is the city Exilist, tasked with trapping the Shivers and banishing them to the malevolent Deadlands outside the city walls. But Anthem is ailing and destined to soon fall victim to his own Shiver, a fate he's reluctantly accepted. As Anthem begins to withdraw from his world, a threat he's unprepared for comes hurtling home. If he is to save anyone, he will have to travel into the Deadlands in search of a remedy to tame these creatures. But no Atlas dweller has ever made it back alive, and Anthem must confront his own darkness before humankind is forever lost to the monsters in our shadows.
“This is dystopian fiction at its finest.” - Readers Favorite 5 Stars “We all have personal “monsters in our shadows” – Cembal masterfully translates that horrific reality into a stunning novel. Wow. Just wow.” - JOHN KELLY
"Cembal’s thoughtful horror novel is a taut, well-paced read with a remarkably bleak atmosphere. The story compellingly shows how humanity’s choices change when dealing with new, dark realities." - Kirkus“Fast-paced with gut-wrenching, edge of your seat, gotta know what’s next feeling.” - GoodReads
“This is the first time a book has given me actual nightmares! Wonderful story, creative plot- like nothing I’ve read before. One of the best books I have read this year” Netgalley Review
IN DEVELOPMENT AS A MAJOR MOTION PICTUREIt's been a century since "the great consumption." Humanity has been devoured to the edge of extinction by the ever-ravenous Shivers - terrifying, shapeless creatures that latch onto their hosts, tormenting them over time before consuming them all at once. The last of civilization lives in the crumbling city of Atlas, where they subsist on processed insects and await their inevitable fate. Anthem is the city Exilist, tasked with trapping the Shivers and banishing them to the malevolent Deadlands outside the city walls. But Anthem is ailing and destined to soon fall victim to his own Shiver, a fate he's reluctantly accepted. As Anthem begins to withdraw from his world, a threat he's unprepared for comes hurtling home. If he is to save anyone, he will have to travel into the Deadlands in search of a remedy to tame these creatures. But no Atlas dweller has ever made it back alive, and Anthem must confront his own darkness before humankind is forever lost to the monsters in our shadows.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2023
42 people are currently reading
772 people want to read
About the author
Edward J. Cembal
1 book27 followersEdward J. Cembal is a Canadian horror author and screenwriter. His award winning debut novel, The Monsters in our Shadows, is currently in development as a feature film. Growing up a storyteller, he toured as a musician before a diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy took him from the road, leading him to focus on his writing full time. On the surface he creates gripping stories with mystery, horror, and suspense. Diving deeper, the themes threaded through his work echo the personal themes of disease, depression, his nightmares, and, least of all, hope. He currently resides in Toronto, with his wonderful wife and softy of a pup Juno.
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January 23, 2023
We all have personal “monsters in our shadows” – Cembal masterfully translates that horrific reality into a stunning novel
Book Information
The Monsters in our Shadows is written by Edward J Cembal. Thank you to the author for providing me with an Advance Readers Copy for review. The book is due to be published on February 28th, 2023, and is his first novel. Cembal is a Canadian Author who toured as a musician before a diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy. He subsequently dove into writing that explores existential horrors—to all of our benefit if this book is any indication.
Summary
Imagine if you were stalked by a monster every day. One that was focused solely on you and that you knew would eventually kill you, no matter what you did. That's life in Atlas…….the last human settlement.
Anthem is the city's “Exilist”. He has the dangerous and thankless job of trapping the monsters and banishing them to the deadlands outside the city's protective walls. The lives of every person in the city rest in his hands. Anthem has his own problems too, and a daughter to protect. He finds himself unprepared for the new challenge thrust upon him, one with life-and-death consequences for him, his daughter, and all of humanity.
My Thoughts
Wow. Just wow,
I enjoyed everything about this book. It is beautifully written. Has great character development. Makes you care for the city, its inhabitants, and their survival.
It also introduces a new horrific kind of monster (at least for me). One that is tied directly to each individual. That lives with you. That stalks you every day—each day getting just a bit closer. A monster that others can see but ignore at best or shun you at worst. One that literally eats you alive.
I don’t think it’s a spoiler to highlight the somewhat obvious symbolism here (again, at least for me) that we all have monsters. Things we hide that eat at us and will consume us completely if we don’t find a way to deal with them or get help with them. It could be depression, mental illness, disability, loneliness, or even just long-harbored secrets. It could be a multitude of things. The author creates a whole society that is driven by this concept and does so in a wonderfully horrific and dystopian way.
Anthem, the protagonist, is a great and well-written character. His heart, drive, and moral compass showing strongly even as he battles his own shadows and self-doubt. Cembal's ability to paint a picture of the city, the “deadlands” and the horrors (and beauty) of each fantastic, especially for a first novel.
Dystopian, science fiction, paranormal, horror, and mystery all skillfully wrapped up in a bow allowing the reader to self-identify with that story. Extraordinary!
Recommendation
Read it. Preorder it. Get it. Read it.
You will not be disappointed.
Rating
5 Monstrous Shadowy Stars
Book Information
The Monsters in our Shadows is written by Edward J Cembal. Thank you to the author for providing me with an Advance Readers Copy for review. The book is due to be published on February 28th, 2023, and is his first novel. Cembal is a Canadian Author who toured as a musician before a diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy. He subsequently dove into writing that explores existential horrors—to all of our benefit if this book is any indication.
Summary
Imagine if you were stalked by a monster every day. One that was focused solely on you and that you knew would eventually kill you, no matter what you did. That's life in Atlas…….the last human settlement.
Anthem is the city's “Exilist”. He has the dangerous and thankless job of trapping the monsters and banishing them to the deadlands outside the city's protective walls. The lives of every person in the city rest in his hands. Anthem has his own problems too, and a daughter to protect. He finds himself unprepared for the new challenge thrust upon him, one with life-and-death consequences for him, his daughter, and all of humanity.
My Thoughts
Wow. Just wow,
I enjoyed everything about this book. It is beautifully written. Has great character development. Makes you care for the city, its inhabitants, and their survival.
It also introduces a new horrific kind of monster (at least for me). One that is tied directly to each individual. That lives with you. That stalks you every day—each day getting just a bit closer. A monster that others can see but ignore at best or shun you at worst. One that literally eats you alive.
I don’t think it’s a spoiler to highlight the somewhat obvious symbolism here (again, at least for me) that we all have monsters. Things we hide that eat at us and will consume us completely if we don’t find a way to deal with them or get help with them. It could be depression, mental illness, disability, loneliness, or even just long-harbored secrets. It could be a multitude of things. The author creates a whole society that is driven by this concept and does so in a wonderfully horrific and dystopian way.
Anthem, the protagonist, is a great and well-written character. His heart, drive, and moral compass showing strongly even as he battles his own shadows and self-doubt. Cembal's ability to paint a picture of the city, the “deadlands” and the horrors (and beauty) of each fantastic, especially for a first novel.
Dystopian, science fiction, paranormal, horror, and mystery all skillfully wrapped up in a bow allowing the reader to self-identify with that story. Extraordinary!
Recommendation
Read it. Preorder it. Get it. Read it.
You will not be disappointed.
Rating
5 Monstrous Shadowy Stars
October 29, 2024
My thanks to the Book Whisperer, Edward J. Cembal and Netgalley
Well, I'm about 2 months overdue on this review.
I have 2 or 3 excuses for that, but....ugh, why bother?
I'm making this a short review. Mostly because its after 1:00 am, and I'm tired. Yep! I did give that excuse! Wish I could have used that when I was in school.😉
I thought that Mr. Cembals idea behind this story was unique. The concept was freaking intense! I honestly had a difficult time putting myself there without imagining that I'd freak out and be messed up for a wee bit!
Honestly, I don't want to give much detail into the story. The concept didn't seem like much to begin with, but hold onto your ass, because its kind of different. More of a fever dream or sleep paralysis than a nightmare.
As we used to say decades ago....Good shit, Maynard!
Ill be on the lookout for more from this author.
One thing that kept this from being 5 stars? Yep...that ending was a little too twee.
Well, I'm about 2 months overdue on this review.
I have 2 or 3 excuses for that, but....ugh, why bother?
I'm making this a short review. Mostly because its after 1:00 am, and I'm tired. Yep! I did give that excuse! Wish I could have used that when I was in school.😉
I thought that Mr. Cembals idea behind this story was unique. The concept was freaking intense! I honestly had a difficult time putting myself there without imagining that I'd freak out and be messed up for a wee bit!
Honestly, I don't want to give much detail into the story. The concept didn't seem like much to begin with, but hold onto your ass, because its kind of different. More of a fever dream or sleep paralysis than a nightmare.
As we used to say decades ago....Good shit, Maynard!
Ill be on the lookout for more from this author.
One thing that kept this from being 5 stars? Yep...that ending was a little too twee.
August 30, 2024
⭐️ 4.5 stars ⭐️
{ 𝚂𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 ➛ 𝙿𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝙴𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚢 𝙱𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙼𝚎 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙷𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚣𝚘𝚗 }
>> When we forget the infection
Will we remember the lesson?
If the suspense doesn't kill you
Something else will <<
— POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD —
The Monsters in our Shadows was a unique experience, dystopian and apocalyptic.
Plunged into this horrific time, where Shadows devour their hosts, where humanity has been lost, we follow Anthem, the Exilist, who fights for a better future for his daughter.
What stood out for me was the deeper meaning to these monsters, the Shivers that plagued this world. Or at least, the meaning I found in them. [ I might be way off, so don’t take any of this as actual info ]
Predominant were the themes of loss, death, ignorance, denial. In the midst of the destruction stood Anthem, a rose, hope hanging on by its last thread, desperate for salvation, for freedom.
Anthem was an amazingly written character, real and relatable, strong but flawed, carrying his own demons but still not giving up.
I don’t really know the supposed origin of the Shivers, but I connected the most with one of the theories. The theory that they are somehow depression manifested. Feeding off of our hurt, our sadness, becoming stronger until all is left of us is the shell they can devour whole. The more you try to deny its existence, the more it lurks in the darkness, waiting.
The story started off a bit slow in the beginning, but it definitely grew on me the more I kept reading. For how grotesque and horrific the plot was, I found the writing and the overall vibe to be almost poetic, musical. I feel there might be a meaning to the music elements, to their names,but didn’t quite catch it. [the author was a musician, so the presence of musical influences makes a lot more sense now]
More than just having an interesting concept and well done characters, the writing was very atmospheric. I loved the thunder, no lightning, no rain. I felt immersed, like I was right in Atlas.
I didn’t expect to be moved by this, but it turned out not only to be a great horror piece, but also quite emotionally compelling. Will definitely have to check out more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
{ 𝚂𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 ➛ 𝙿𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝙴𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚢 𝙱𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙼𝚎 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙷𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚣𝚘𝚗 }
>> When we forget the infection
Will we remember the lesson?
If the suspense doesn't kill you
Something else will <<
— POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD —
Ignorance is a difficult sanctum to guard when the truth is already inside the walls.
The Monsters in our Shadows was a unique experience, dystopian and apocalyptic.
Plunged into this horrific time, where Shadows devour their hosts, where humanity has been lost, we follow Anthem, the Exilist, who fights for a better future for his daughter.
What stood out for me was the deeper meaning to these monsters, the Shivers that plagued this world. Or at least, the meaning I found in them. [ I might be way off, so don’t take any of this as actual info ]
“The world crumbles around you, and you stand on the edge with a rose.”
Predominant were the themes of loss, death, ignorance, denial. In the midst of the destruction stood Anthem, a rose, hope hanging on by its last thread, desperate for salvation, for freedom.
Anthem was an amazingly written character, real and relatable, strong but flawed, carrying his own demons but still not giving up.
I don’t really know the supposed origin of the Shivers, but I connected the most with one of the theories. The theory that they are somehow depression manifested. Feeding off of our hurt, our sadness, becoming stronger until all is left of us is the shell they can devour whole. The more you try to deny its existence, the more it lurks in the darkness, waiting.
The story started off a bit slow in the beginning, but it definitely grew on me the more I kept reading. For how grotesque and horrific the plot was, I found the writing and the overall vibe to be almost poetic, musical. I feel there might be a meaning to the music elements, to their names,
More than just having an interesting concept and well done characters, the writing was very atmospheric. I loved the thunder, no lightning, no rain. I felt immersed, like I was right in Atlas.
I didn’t expect to be moved by this, but it turned out not only to be a great horror piece, but also quite emotionally compelling. Will definitely have to check out more from this author.
« Maybe the meaning to life is to give life meaning. »
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
February 4, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley & Edward J. Cembal for an eARC of this book. The following review is my honest reflection on the text provided.
Take your mental health and project it onto your own personal monster that stalks you endlessly. Make it so everyone can see your monster, judges you for its existence, and avoids making eye contact or discussing anything to do with it. It makes you an unfit parent or partner, suicide risks the lives of everyone you know, and death is inevitable; just wait for the Reaper to show up and escort you out of town. At which point your monster devours you, one limb at at time, slowly savouring its meal, before moving on to anyone nearby. Welcome to The Monsters in our Shadows.
"Still distant, she took a sip of her cold, bitter tea. 'It showed up after I gave birth. This vacuum where the brightest future used to be. It's my fault.'
'It's not your fault. Never is.'
Could you fault a candle's flame for being hushed out by a hurricane? Or the poor soul treading in the darkest ocean, sinking from exhaustion? Could you blame the hyena's hunger, or its captured prey's submission to the feast? No, it wasn't her fault. This much he had gathered during his tenure as Exilist."
There are a few hurdles to overcome...
-The scope is a little small, and we don’t get as many details as I’d like.
-For someone who had problems going down stairs and walking across town without knee pain, Anthem manages to do a LOT of running throughout the Deadlands.
-Rib’s motivation is incredibly opaque and confusing, even for a crazy person.
But overall, this is a unique, interesting concept told in a captivating way.
Graphic, gory, and terrifying; The Monsters in our Shadows is the harrowing tale of dystopian horror it promises. Thanks to the fast pace, it feels like a much quicker read than the page count would suggest. Despite the gore and the sense of hopelessness in this terrifying world, I couldn't stop reading and had no idea what would happen next.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
Take your mental health and project it onto your own personal monster that stalks you endlessly. Make it so everyone can see your monster, judges you for its existence, and avoids making eye contact or discussing anything to do with it. It makes you an unfit parent or partner, suicide risks the lives of everyone you know, and death is inevitable; just wait for the Reaper to show up and escort you out of town. At which point your monster devours you, one limb at at time, slowly savouring its meal, before moving on to anyone nearby. Welcome to The Monsters in our Shadows.
"Still distant, she took a sip of her cold, bitter tea. 'It showed up after I gave birth. This vacuum where the brightest future used to be. It's my fault.'
'It's not your fault. Never is.'
Could you fault a candle's flame for being hushed out by a hurricane? Or the poor soul treading in the darkest ocean, sinking from exhaustion? Could you blame the hyena's hunger, or its captured prey's submission to the feast? No, it wasn't her fault. This much he had gathered during his tenure as Exilist."
There are a few hurdles to overcome...
-The scope is a little small, and we don’t get as many details as I’d like.
-For someone who had problems going down stairs and walking across town without knee pain, Anthem manages to do a LOT of running throughout the Deadlands.
-Rib’s motivation is incredibly opaque and confusing, even for a crazy person.
But overall, this is a unique, interesting concept told in a captivating way.
Graphic, gory, and terrifying; The Monsters in our Shadows is the harrowing tale of dystopian horror it promises. Thanks to the fast pace, it feels like a much quicker read than the page count would suggest. Despite the gore and the sense of hopelessness in this terrifying world, I couldn't stop reading and had no idea what would happen next.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
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December 17, 2024
Whew, well….
Let’s just say this took me awhile to get through. Much longer than I would have liked. If I am sucked in, I can devour a book in a day or two. This one unfortunately took me months for lack of interest.
The story was much slower than I would have liked. We follow a man tasked with cleaning up the monsters in the city which loom over its people. A delicate balance of casting out the monsters before they run rampant and endanger more lives.
It just felt like I was struggling as much as the MC, but not in a good way. I didn’t feel connected to the story, invested in the MC or even what was going to happen.
There are good thoughts behind this, more poetic than the dystopian story I was hungry for. I’d say read some other reviews and decide what kind of post-apocalyptic story you’re looking for before you read this. It’s not like TWD, and more fantasy than anything with the monsters. It just didn’t hit the mark for me unfortunately.
Let’s just say this took me awhile to get through. Much longer than I would have liked. If I am sucked in, I can devour a book in a day or two. This one unfortunately took me months for lack of interest.
The story was much slower than I would have liked. We follow a man tasked with cleaning up the monsters in the city which loom over its people. A delicate balance of casting out the monsters before they run rampant and endanger more lives.
It just felt like I was struggling as much as the MC, but not in a good way. I didn’t feel connected to the story, invested in the MC or even what was going to happen.
There are good thoughts behind this, more poetic than the dystopian story I was hungry for. I’d say read some other reviews and decide what kind of post-apocalyptic story you’re looking for before you read this. It’s not like TWD, and more fantasy than anything with the monsters. It just didn’t hit the mark for me unfortunately.
February 28, 2023
Happy publication day!!
5⭐️
I am blown away by this debut novel by Edward Cembal. It was such an amazing, fast paced speculative fiction novel.
High level this is a dystopian horror sci-fi speculative fiction. It follows Anthem an excilist for the last city on earth Anthem. The world has ended after the great consumption, when these shadow creatures appeared.
For some reason random people are afflicted and have a shadow monster following them until it finally has to feed (eat the person). This is where Anthem plays a role and helps others reach the next stage of life and essentially exiled to what's known as the dead lands. This story sets up with this information and then Anthem is later sent on a mission to find more medicine to help the inflicted.
From the very beginning of this book it had me captured and I couldn't wait to see where it went next. It never really let up or had slow spots. This book is uncomfortable and graphic with the monsters at times but I was there for it. It's tastefully done.
Beyond this being a monster dystopian book the core of this book is a take and look into mental illness. How we can feel like we are being devoured by anxiety, depression, stress etc and that there is no way out, for some of us this is something that will always be there and have to know how to cope with it. Keep it in check before it's too late.
My favorite phrase that came up multiple times in this book was "the other side of what you're going thru could be one step away. Take the step. Keep going."
I would highly recommend this book to at fans of horror, dystopian or sci fi. It's so well done and I look forward to what Cembal does next,
Thank you to NetGalley and Edward Cembal for this advance reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.
I will be posting my review on my Instagram page the.Floofs.booknook and retail sites on or near publication date
5⭐️
I am blown away by this debut novel by Edward Cembal. It was such an amazing, fast paced speculative fiction novel.
High level this is a dystopian horror sci-fi speculative fiction. It follows Anthem an excilist for the last city on earth Anthem. The world has ended after the great consumption, when these shadow creatures appeared.
For some reason random people are afflicted and have a shadow monster following them until it finally has to feed (eat the person). This is where Anthem plays a role and helps others reach the next stage of life and essentially exiled to what's known as the dead lands. This story sets up with this information and then Anthem is later sent on a mission to find more medicine to help the inflicted.
From the very beginning of this book it had me captured and I couldn't wait to see where it went next. It never really let up or had slow spots. This book is uncomfortable and graphic with the monsters at times but I was there for it. It's tastefully done.
Beyond this being a monster dystopian book the core of this book is a take and look into mental illness. How we can feel like we are being devoured by anxiety, depression, stress etc and that there is no way out, for some of us this is something that will always be there and have to know how to cope with it. Keep it in check before it's too late.
My favorite phrase that came up multiple times in this book was "the other side of what you're going thru could be one step away. Take the step. Keep going."
I would highly recommend this book to at fans of horror, dystopian or sci fi. It's so well done and I look forward to what Cembal does next,
Thank you to NetGalley and Edward Cembal for this advance reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.
I will be posting my review on my Instagram page the.Floofs.booknook and retail sites on or near publication date
January 27, 2023
3.5
Overview:
😍 Post-apocalyptic
😍 Action-horror
🆗 Save the world adventure
🆗 Creepy town
😍 Ethereal
🆗 Cannibals
The Monsters in our Shadows is an extremely weird, unique horror novel. At a time when post-apocalypse is coming back into fashion a bit, I hope it receives a lot of love!
The world has ended. Shadow monsters called 'Shivers' that attach and slowly devour their hosts have sucked the world dry and humans are living in small, walled-off communities- exiling their Shiver infested. The story focuses on Anthem, an Exilist whose job it is to remove these people from the community. After a chance encounter, he is sent on an important mission to save his colony from certain doom.
This is a weird little book. It is a very easy read and the concept is insanely cool. It can be frustrating because the scope is quite small, and I often found myself wanting to experience more of the world. Anthem is not a very well-defined character, but I think this book is meant to be more about exploring a dark and hostile universe. It is nowhere near as well-written as The Road, but I highly recommend it if you like atmospheric horror with characters that mostly exist to tell a story of humanity in peril in that same vein.
Shivers are absolutely horrifying. Edward J Cembal's ideas are very cool. This is a fun, fast read and absolutely worth it for folks who vibe with this genre.
Overview:
😍 Post-apocalyptic
😍 Action-horror
🆗 Save the world adventure
🆗 Creepy town
😍 Ethereal
🆗 Cannibals
The Monsters in our Shadows is an extremely weird, unique horror novel. At a time when post-apocalypse is coming back into fashion a bit, I hope it receives a lot of love!
The world has ended. Shadow monsters called 'Shivers' that attach and slowly devour their hosts have sucked the world dry and humans are living in small, walled-off communities- exiling their Shiver infested. The story focuses on Anthem, an Exilist whose job it is to remove these people from the community. After a chance encounter, he is sent on an important mission to save his colony from certain doom.
This is a weird little book. It is a very easy read and the concept is insanely cool. It can be frustrating because the scope is quite small, and I often found myself wanting to experience more of the world. Anthem is not a very well-defined character, but I think this book is meant to be more about exploring a dark and hostile universe. It is nowhere near as well-written as The Road, but I highly recommend it if you like atmospheric horror with characters that mostly exist to tell a story of humanity in peril in that same vein.
Shivers are absolutely horrifying. Edward J Cembal's ideas are very cool. This is a fun, fast read and absolutely worth it for folks who vibe with this genre.
December 19, 2022
I received this as an ARC to rate and review. This is my honest feedback.
This novel was such a fun, fast-paced, horrifically wonderful, action packed book! I don't want to spoil anything for anyone by saying too much but I was on the edge of my seat the entire book. I finished this in just a few short hours and could not put it down! I highly suggest going into this one without knowing too much as I feel you will get the most out of it that way. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
This novel was such a fun, fast-paced, horrifically wonderful, action packed book! I don't want to spoil anything for anyone by saying too much but I was on the edge of my seat the entire book. I finished this in just a few short hours and could not put it down! I highly suggest going into this one without knowing too much as I feel you will get the most out of it that way. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
November 26, 2023
My thanks to Netgalley and the book's publisher for gifting me a free copy for my opinion on this book.
This book is dark, dystopian fiction, set in a post-apocalyptic world of one surviving city, Atlas, surrounded by a sky-high Wall that separates it from the death lands beyond. Some of the people within the city are cursed with a Shiver, a shadowy, hungry monster that consumes its host and then goes on to terrorize anyone else in the vicinity. Our hero, Anthem, is an Exilist, meaning his job is to trap the Shiver and its victim and toss them outside of the Wall without getting killed. It's a hideous job, but someone's got to do it. Anthem is hiding his own Shiver, and trying to keep his daughter safe in an orphanage at the same time.
I loved the worldbuilding, and really wanted more of it. Outside of the city walls, in the decaying cityscape of interstates, fallen buildings, subways and old factories - that seemed to be where most of the action was, despite its reputation that nothing could survive there. I also really loved the scene with the old lady that used wires to keep her mouth turned up in a smile - somehow this reminded me of an old X-Men villain somewhere.
I really wanted to know the origin of the "monsters in our shadows," and once it all connected into place, I'm not sure how I felt about it. As Anthem learned how to tether his monster, literally, it all seemed to connect together, including the cover image of the Shiver as a Rorschach test.
Kudos to the author for a wonderful debut novel! I would definitely read more by him.
This book is dark, dystopian fiction, set in a post-apocalyptic world of one surviving city, Atlas, surrounded by a sky-high Wall that separates it from the death lands beyond. Some of the people within the city are cursed with a Shiver, a shadowy, hungry monster that consumes its host and then goes on to terrorize anyone else in the vicinity. Our hero, Anthem, is an Exilist, meaning his job is to trap the Shiver and its victim and toss them outside of the Wall without getting killed. It's a hideous job, but someone's got to do it. Anthem is hiding his own Shiver, and trying to keep his daughter safe in an orphanage at the same time.
I loved the worldbuilding, and really wanted more of it. Outside of the city walls, in the decaying cityscape of interstates, fallen buildings, subways and old factories - that seemed to be where most of the action was, despite its reputation that nothing could survive there. I also really loved the scene with the old lady that used wires to keep her mouth turned up in a smile - somehow this reminded me of an old X-Men villain somewhere.
I really wanted to know the origin of the "monsters in our shadows," and once it all connected into place, I'm not sure how I felt about it. As Anthem learned how to tether his monster, literally, it all seemed to connect together, including the cover image of the Shiver as a Rorschach test.
Kudos to the author for a wonderful debut novel! I would definitely read more by him.
August 3, 2025
Stars: 4.5 out of 5
Oof, this was a depressing book to read, and up until the very last chapter, I really didn't know if the author would give us even a sliver of hope at a decent ending.
The world is bleak - most of the world (at least the continental USA, from what I see) has been eaten by Shivers. Those are monsters that appear out of a person's fears, depression, despair, and grow closer and closer, until they literally eat the person who created them. They are like our darkest emotions made manifest, and the more we experience those emotions, the closer they get, and the closer they get, the more negative emotions we experience. It's a vicious circle that ends in death and blood.
As it stands, only the village of Atlas is left, the last refuge where what's left of humanity hides behind high walls from the horrors roaming the Deadlands. It's a bleak and run-down village in the middle of a downtown of some unnamed pre-Shiver city where humans try to survive under a constant cloudy sky where the sun hasn't shone in years and no rain ever fell. Only thunder, no lightning, no rain.
I would say the saving grace of this book is Anthem, our protagonist, because even though his world is bleak, and the work he does is even bleaker, he harbors a wealth of compassion and a sliver of hope that refuses to die even in the most dire circumstances. We experience the horrors of this world through his eyes, and he has the knack of seeing beauty and peace even in the darkest times. And a child-like wonder for new things, like the man playing piano in the middle of a dead city, or the peaceful surface of a lake undisturbed by human activity. Yes, Anthem can be whiny and depressed, and downright annoying throughout the book, but his refusal to give up, to lie down and let his Shiver eat him is what makes us root for him.
My only complaint about Anthem is that he can be rather obtuse sometimes. Or maybe naive? Like his insistence to see the best in people, no matter what. Him trying to reason with Doubleday even when it was obvious to everyone else that the man wouldn't listen.
On the other hand, this willingness to negotiate and try to get his point across is what helped him get what he wanted at the Spit, and help the afflicted of Atlas in the end, so I can't fault him for that.
I would also say that the story has plenty of twists and turns, and I honestly couldn't say where we were heading most of the time. Like I said, I wasn't even sure we would get a good ending, since the events leading to it were depressing.
All in all, it's a wonderful reflection about mental illness and depression, and how sometimes we let our negative emotions eat us from the inside. Here, those emotions are made manifest, just waiting to consume us.
I loved the main message of this book as well - that no matter what, no matter how dark the times and how bleak your world is, hope might be just one step away. You just have to be courageous enough to take that step, and then another, and then another one.
PS: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Oof, this was a depressing book to read, and up until the very last chapter, I really didn't know if the author would give us even a sliver of hope at a decent ending.
The world is bleak - most of the world (at least the continental USA, from what I see) has been eaten by Shivers. Those are monsters that appear out of a person's fears, depression, despair, and grow closer and closer, until they literally eat the person who created them. They are like our darkest emotions made manifest, and the more we experience those emotions, the closer they get, and the closer they get, the more negative emotions we experience. It's a vicious circle that ends in death and blood.
As it stands, only the village of Atlas is left, the last refuge where what's left of humanity hides behind high walls from the horrors roaming the Deadlands. It's a bleak and run-down village in the middle of a downtown of some unnamed pre-Shiver city where humans try to survive under a constant cloudy sky where the sun hasn't shone in years and no rain ever fell. Only thunder, no lightning, no rain.
I would say the saving grace of this book is Anthem, our protagonist, because even though his world is bleak, and the work he does is even bleaker, he harbors a wealth of compassion and a sliver of hope that refuses to die even in the most dire circumstances. We experience the horrors of this world through his eyes, and he has the knack of seeing beauty and peace even in the darkest times. And a child-like wonder for new things, like the man playing piano in the middle of a dead city, or the peaceful surface of a lake undisturbed by human activity. Yes, Anthem can be whiny and depressed, and downright annoying throughout the book, but his refusal to give up, to lie down and let his Shiver eat him is what makes us root for him.
My only complaint about Anthem is that he can be rather obtuse sometimes. Or maybe naive? Like his insistence to see the best in people, no matter what. Him trying to reason with Doubleday even when it was obvious to everyone else that the man wouldn't listen.
On the other hand, this willingness to negotiate and try to get his point across is what helped him get what he wanted at the Spit, and help the afflicted of Atlas in the end, so I can't fault him for that.
I would also say that the story has plenty of twists and turns, and I honestly couldn't say where we were heading most of the time. Like I said, I wasn't even sure we would get a good ending, since the events leading to it were depressing.
All in all, it's a wonderful reflection about mental illness and depression, and how sometimes we let our negative emotions eat us from the inside. Here, those emotions are made manifest, just waiting to consume us.
I loved the main message of this book as well - that no matter what, no matter how dark the times and how bleak your world is, hope might be just one step away. You just have to be courageous enough to take that step, and then another, and then another one.
PS: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2024
4 stars - I really enjoyed this book
Imagine… walled up city, dystopian times, people afflicted with monsters (Shivers) that live in their shadows and feed on their hosts.
Anthem, the city’s Exilist.. His job is to remove those who reached the end of their lives and their monsters outside the city walls. At the same time, afflicted with his own Shiver, Anthem is trying to find a cure and save his little girl and others from the horrible monsters.
This story was action packed, made me feel quite tense in places. The pacing was great. We had moments that felt nice and fast intertwined with slower ones that allowed us to take a breath and rest from all the action for a bit. Loved that. I think it made this story well balanced.
Characters were well written. You couldn’t help but root for them and feel their pain.
The story is full of metaphors, suggestions of depression, sadness, grief and others. Could be quite sad and emotional in places.
For a debut book I have nothing but praise. Not quite 5 stars though. I felt like something was missing, but if you asked… I wouldn’t be able to tell you what..
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this.
Imagine… walled up city, dystopian times, people afflicted with monsters (Shivers) that live in their shadows and feed on their hosts.
Anthem, the city’s Exilist.. His job is to remove those who reached the end of their lives and their monsters outside the city walls. At the same time, afflicted with his own Shiver, Anthem is trying to find a cure and save his little girl and others from the horrible monsters.
This story was action packed, made me feel quite tense in places. The pacing was great. We had moments that felt nice and fast intertwined with slower ones that allowed us to take a breath and rest from all the action for a bit. Loved that. I think it made this story well balanced.
Characters were well written. You couldn’t help but root for them and feel their pain.
The story is full of metaphors, suggestions of depression, sadness, grief and others. Could be quite sad and emotional in places.
For a debut book I have nothing but praise. Not quite 5 stars though. I felt like something was missing, but if you asked… I wouldn’t be able to tell you what..
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this.
December 16, 2022
This is a fast paced, action-packed novel. It's a good winter read when you are looking for a page turner. It is horror/sci fi and a new take on apocalyptic fiction. The book is set in the future where people are attacked by monsters called Shivers when it is their time to Die. Anthem is called the Exiler and helps them pass more peacefully. He decides to go on a quest to defeat the shivers and save his child.
January 4, 2023
What a unique read! I really liked the creativity of the plot and the entire book is really well written. I did find the book to be a tad slow because of the extensive world building but that didn’t really take away from my reading experience. If you’re looking for a one of a kind Dystopian novel, I would definitely recommend The Monsters in Our Shadows
December 29, 2022
[Blurb goes here]
In a dystopian future, only one city remains. Hidden behind a wall that reaches the skies, Atlas has a constantly declining number of citizens. Nothing much grows in the soil of Atlas. Insects are an important part of their diet.
Anthem is the Exilist for the dwindling population. His job is not an easy one. While most think that the pamphlets speak the truth, and something wonderful awaits the exiled outside the wall, Anthem believes that, for them, ignorance is bliss: some of the people living in the small, and ruined city are attached to a Shiver. Giving the afflicted a numbing substance called Felixodine, will keep the monsters at bay, but not indefinitely. Anthem's responsibility is to Exile the tormented, taking them out into the wastelands before their Shiver consumes them, and starts killing others.
Outside the wall there is nothing, or so Anthem thinks.
He also has a Shiver, but hides it well. His only desire: to help everyone get rid of the creatures that plague them. He wants to have a word with The Architect, apparently not one member of the family of the man ruling Atlas, has been exiled. Might be that there is a cure?
This is an amazing read. Not only for its premise: being terrorized by monsters lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce and devour you, when the time comes. The character development is impressive. From the man running the only store in the city, to Anthem. There's a deep understanding of all those involved. Not one player goes unnoticed by the author.
The story will take Anthem from Atlas, into the wastelands, where new threats await.
Skillfully written, it kept me on my toes, there's not a moment when you'll feel relaxed, as the action is nonstop. I can't recommend this novel enough.
Thank you for the advanced copy!
In a dystopian future, only one city remains. Hidden behind a wall that reaches the skies, Atlas has a constantly declining number of citizens. Nothing much grows in the soil of Atlas. Insects are an important part of their diet.
Anthem is the Exilist for the dwindling population. His job is not an easy one. While most think that the pamphlets speak the truth, and something wonderful awaits the exiled outside the wall, Anthem believes that, for them, ignorance is bliss: some of the people living in the small, and ruined city are attached to a Shiver. Giving the afflicted a numbing substance called Felixodine, will keep the monsters at bay, but not indefinitely. Anthem's responsibility is to Exile the tormented, taking them out into the wastelands before their Shiver consumes them, and starts killing others.
Outside the wall there is nothing, or so Anthem thinks.
He also has a Shiver, but hides it well. His only desire: to help everyone get rid of the creatures that plague them. He wants to have a word with The Architect, apparently not one member of the family of the man ruling Atlas, has been exiled. Might be that there is a cure?
This is an amazing read. Not only for its premise: being terrorized by monsters lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce and devour you, when the time comes. The character development is impressive. From the man running the only store in the city, to Anthem. There's a deep understanding of all those involved. Not one player goes unnoticed by the author.
The story will take Anthem from Atlas, into the wastelands, where new threats await.
Skillfully written, it kept me on my toes, there's not a moment when you'll feel relaxed, as the action is nonstop. I can't recommend this novel enough.
Thank you for the advanced copy!
January 30, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review!
I absolutely loved this book. I am a big horror/sci-fan, and this delivered on every front. I can honestly say that there wasn’t a single thing that I disliked. I loved Anthem’s character development, the world-building, and the creepy atmosphere; I was constantly on the edge of my seat! I would recommend for others to go into this blind to really get the most out of the story! I couldn’t put the book down, and used every amount of free time to get a few chapters in! The plot had constant twists and turns that I never saw coming! This is easily my favorite book of the year so far, and it will take A LOT to knock it down from its pedestal. To the author, Edward J. Cembal, I will be the first to pounce on anything that you write in the future!
I absolutely loved this book. I am a big horror/sci-fan, and this delivered on every front. I can honestly say that there wasn’t a single thing that I disliked. I loved Anthem’s character development, the world-building, and the creepy atmosphere; I was constantly on the edge of my seat! I would recommend for others to go into this blind to really get the most out of the story! I couldn’t put the book down, and used every amount of free time to get a few chapters in! The plot had constant twists and turns that I never saw coming! This is easily my favorite book of the year so far, and it will take A LOT to knock it down from its pedestal. To the author, Edward J. Cembal, I will be the first to pounce on anything that you write in the future!
September 14, 2023
“I would hurl words into this darkness, wait for an echo, and if an echo sounded, no matter how faintly, I would send other words to march, to fight, to create a sense of the hunger for life that gnaws in us all.”
— Richard Wright
A unique dystopian tale of horror. I won’t go into the premise details, as so many others have mentioned them in their reviews, and the synopsis on the book is spot on.
This was horrifying, interesting, and I definitely wanted a bit more because it had the potential to be incredible! Each chapter seemed like it held a twist or surprise or kept me guessing. I think the characters could’ve been a bit more detailed and wished they had stayed out of tropes we’ve seen in other redemptive stories.
I’d definitely be interested in reading a sequel or prequel to this book!
Thank you to the author & NetGalley for a copy!
— Richard Wright
A unique dystopian tale of horror. I won’t go into the premise details, as so many others have mentioned them in their reviews, and the synopsis on the book is spot on.
This was horrifying, interesting, and I definitely wanted a bit more because it had the potential to be incredible! Each chapter seemed like it held a twist or surprise or kept me guessing. I think the characters could’ve been a bit more detailed and wished they had stayed out of tropes we’ve seen in other redemptive stories.
I’d definitely be interested in reading a sequel or prequel to this book!
Thank you to the author & NetGalley for a copy!
September 26, 2024
This book was entertaining enough. You could definitely tell this was the authors first book. While the plot was interesting, parts felt a little lacking and some parts I found myself kinda rolling my eyes. I got the road kinda vibes with the cannibalism and end of the world kinda stuff. I saw they are making this book into a movie so I'm super curious to see what they will do with it. The main character Atlas was very curious and brave. I like how he didn't just accept things for what they were and went on a search to find a solution to change the things that were flawed in what was left of their society.
July 27, 2024
The Monsters in Our Shadows is an excellent post-apocalyptic journey of discovery, mayhem, and love. The monsters in this novel are not unlike those of bestselling author Adam Nevill, in that they are relatively nondescriptive. Also similarly to Adam Nevill's work, it is complex and emotionally layered, dealing with topics such as mental health, moral dilemmas, and the brutality of post-apocalyptic living.
I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure, and if you are into tropes such as dystopian society, post-apocalyptic adventure, and/or books that deal with mental health in abstract ways, then this is the book for you!
I would like to say thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.
I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure, and if you are into tropes such as dystopian society, post-apocalyptic adventure, and/or books that deal with mental health in abstract ways, then this is the book for you!
I would like to say thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.
December 22, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review!
Spoiler free review: I really enjoyed this read, I definitely need to get back into more horror/dystopian books and this one really resparked that interest for me. The pacing is good, world building was phenomenal (and I am not envious of the inhabitants of Atlas whatsoever) and great action scenes. It’s hard not to care about the characters and I was just rooting for Anthem hardcore the whole time.
I will definitely be checking out more of Cembal’s books in the future.
Spoiler free review: I really enjoyed this read, I definitely need to get back into more horror/dystopian books and this one really resparked that interest for me. The pacing is good, world building was phenomenal (and I am not envious of the inhabitants of Atlas whatsoever) and great action scenes. It’s hard not to care about the characters and I was just rooting for Anthem hardcore the whole time.
I will definitely be checking out more of Cembal’s books in the future.
October 3, 2023
happy release day to this book :)
March 7, 2023
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this e-ARC. The synopsis was what first caught my attention. I already have an huge interest for sci-fi, and I wanted to try out more horror book genres.
Some members of the community have monsters, Shivers, that await for the perfect moment to devour their host. It is the Exilist’s job to ease them into their deathbeds, yet everyone finds that what he does is taboo. He made it his mission to find a more humane solution to deal with this problem.
This perfectly depicts a dystopian society, how the human race is on the brink of extinction and resources were becoming more limited. Horror was also intertwined flawlessly that made the book a more appealing read. The descriptions for the monsters were gruesome, even the details of a severed hand had me shivering (no pun intended).
It was a slow start but I soon couldn’t put it down. I was curious about how things would come to be, being mostly surprised at every twist the author has added. Although origins of the creature were never concretized, I still liked how they at least found a better solution.
I have a soft spot when it comes to children in books, and this made me more enticed to the story. Despite the copious amount of times that the main character wanted to give up, he wants his daughter to find and experience the pleasures that the world has to offer. But he can only do that if he speaks the truth, to reveal the monster that lurks with him.
This book is all about learning to co-habit with the monsters inside you, how it really isn’t something to be ashamed of, but something that you must face. the monster in this book could be a metaphor for a lot of things, mental stress, past faults, or built-up anxiety. You aren’t alone in this journey, open up and there will be someone who is willing to walk with you.
Some members of the community have monsters, Shivers, that await for the perfect moment to devour their host. It is the Exilist’s job to ease them into their deathbeds, yet everyone finds that what he does is taboo. He made it his mission to find a more humane solution to deal with this problem.
This perfectly depicts a dystopian society, how the human race is on the brink of extinction and resources were becoming more limited. Horror was also intertwined flawlessly that made the book a more appealing read. The descriptions for the monsters were gruesome, even the details of a severed hand had me shivering (no pun intended).
It was a slow start but I soon couldn’t put it down. I was curious about how things would come to be, being mostly surprised at every twist the author has added. Although origins of the creature were never concretized, I still liked how they at least found a better solution.
I have a soft spot when it comes to children in books, and this made me more enticed to the story. Despite the copious amount of times that the main character wanted to give up, he wants his daughter to find and experience the pleasures that the world has to offer. But he can only do that if he speaks the truth, to reveal the monster that lurks with him.
This book is all about learning to co-habit with the monsters inside you, how it really isn’t something to be ashamed of, but something that you must face. the monster in this book could be a metaphor for a lot of things, mental stress, past faults, or built-up anxiety. You aren’t alone in this journey, open up and there will be someone who is willing to walk with you.
February 28, 2023
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this e-ARC. The synopsis was what first caught my attention. I already have an huge interest for sci-fi, and I wanted to try out more horror book genres.
Some members of the community have monsters, Shivers, that await for the perfect moment to devour their host. It is the Exilist’s job to ease them into their deathbeds, yet everyone finds that what he does is taboo. He made it his mission to find a more humane solution to deal with this problem.
This perfectly depicts a dystopian society, how the human race is on the brink of extinction and resources were becoming more limited. Horror was also intertwined flawlessly that made the book a more appealing read. The descriptions for the monsters were gruesome, even the details of a severed hand had me shivering (no pun intended).
It was a slow start but I soon couldn’t put it down. I was curious about how things would come to be, being mostly surprised at every twist the author has added. Although origins of the creature were never concretized, I still liked how they at least found a better solution.
I have a soft spot when it comes to children in books, and this made me more enticed to the story. Despite the copious amount of times that the main character wanted to give up, he wants his daughter to find and experience the pleasures that the world has to offer. But he can only do that if he speaks the truth, to reveal the monster that lurks with him.
This book is all about learning to co-habit with the monsters inside you, how it really isn’t something to be ashamed of, but something that you must face. the monster in this book could be a metaphor for a lot of things, mental stress, past faults, or built-up anxiety. You aren’t alone in this journey, open up and there will be someone who is willing to walk with you.
Some members of the community have monsters, Shivers, that await for the perfect moment to devour their host. It is the Exilist’s job to ease them into their deathbeds, yet everyone finds that what he does is taboo. He made it his mission to find a more humane solution to deal with this problem.
This perfectly depicts a dystopian society, how the human race is on the brink of extinction and resources were becoming more limited. Horror was also intertwined flawlessly that made the book a more appealing read. The descriptions for the monsters were gruesome, even the details of a severed hand had me shivering (no pun intended).
It was a slow start but I soon couldn’t put it down. I was curious about how things would come to be, being mostly surprised at every twist the author has added. Although origins of the creature were never concretized, I still liked how they at least found a better solution.
I have a soft spot when it comes to children in books, and this made me more enticed to the story. Despite the copious amount of times that the main character wanted to give up, he wants his daughter to find and experience the pleasures that the world has to offer. But he can only do that if he speaks the truth, to reveal the monster that lurks with him.
This book is all about learning to co-habit with the monsters inside you, how it really isn’t something to be ashamed of, but something that you must face. the monster in this book could be a metaphor for a lot of things, mental stress, past faults, or built-up anxiety. You aren’t alone in this journey, open up and there will be someone who is willing to walk with you.
February 27, 2023
Right off the bat I knew I was going to like The Monsters In Our Shadows. The world ended. Atlas, a crumbling city where its residents are all that remain of humanity. The shivers, shapeless creatures who latch on to the host, torment them, and eventually they consume the host whole. The story follows Anthem, the city's exilist who's job is to remove the shivers to the deadlands outside the city walls.
I really enjoyed this book, I thought the concept was unique and pretty damn cool. It was medium paced, engaging and easy to follow. I found myself on the edge of my seat a few times dying to know what will happen next.
For the first half of the book I was convinced this will be a 5 star read for me, but it lost some points for a few things I didn't enjoy. I expected a little more from Anthems character, he felt a little flat and ultimately I didn't end up caring for him much. I also felt myself rolling my eyes at times, he became annoying and whiny with the nonstop I should give up, I should keep going, I should give up, I should keep going dialogue and it was exhausting to read over and over again. (-.5 stars.) The " big twist" and ending wasn't bad but felt very underwhelming for my personal taste. I just expected more (-.5 stars.)
If you love dark and bleak dystopian, post apocalyptic, sci-fi, horror this may be a great read for you.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Edward J Cembal for sharing the digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my authentic review.
I really enjoyed this book, I thought the concept was unique and pretty damn cool. It was medium paced, engaging and easy to follow. I found myself on the edge of my seat a few times dying to know what will happen next.
For the first half of the book I was convinced this will be a 5 star read for me, but it lost some points for a few things I didn't enjoy. I expected a little more from Anthems character, he felt a little flat and ultimately I didn't end up caring for him much. I also felt myself rolling my eyes at times, he became annoying and whiny with the nonstop I should give up, I should keep going, I should give up, I should keep going dialogue and it was exhausting to read over and over again. (-.5 stars.) The " big twist" and ending wasn't bad but felt very underwhelming for my personal taste. I just expected more (-.5 stars.)
If you love dark and bleak dystopian, post apocalyptic, sci-fi, horror this may be a great read for you.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Edward J Cembal for sharing the digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my authentic review.
August 21, 2024
Set in a dystopian/post-apocalyptic world, you have a small civilization of people living in Atlas, where MMC Anthem lives a primarily solitary life working as an Exilist. Now, in this world you are likely to develop a “Shiver”. Shivers are terrifying monsters that live in your shadow, growing over time until they are ready to fully consume you - literally. Anthem’s job is to get to you before this happens so that when you are being consumed he can essentially chuck you out of the city as nicely as possible and save everyone else from your Shiver as it will turn onto others once eaten its original host. Now, what happens when the city runs out of the drug that makes this whole process somewhat humane? Or when the Exilist’s own Shiver can no longer be ignored? Here is where Anthem leaves the safety of the city to enter the “Deadlands” to try to save civilization and find a way to live with these monsters.
I watch a lot of post-apocalyptic movies/TV, but I don’t often read this type of story so this was a different experience for me and definitely hit the mark - it’s exciting to hear that it’s being made into a movie. There was some really creepy/graphic imagery in here that felt truly horrific (in a good way haha). I also really appreciated the deeper messages the author tackled with depression and accepting our darkness. Overall would recommend to horror lovers who enjoy those dystopian/post-apocalyptic landscapes. And, yayyy, Canadian author!
Thank you NetGalley for this read.
I watch a lot of post-apocalyptic movies/TV, but I don’t often read this type of story so this was a different experience for me and definitely hit the mark - it’s exciting to hear that it’s being made into a movie. There was some really creepy/graphic imagery in here that felt truly horrific (in a good way haha). I also really appreciated the deeper messages the author tackled with depression and accepting our darkness. Overall would recommend to horror lovers who enjoy those dystopian/post-apocalyptic landscapes. And, yayyy, Canadian author!
Thank you NetGalley for this read.
March 4, 2023
“The other side of what you’re going through could be
This very intriguing new dystopian story was fun from the start. There is a lot of symbolism in this tale but I loved that it wasn’t so forced to make it eye rolling in the end. The characters were developed well enough all though o do feel a few were brought into the story too quickly with no background. I’m not sure if this was purposely done for further books or to just move the story a little more easily.
Anthem the main protagonist is what we all wish we could be. A down on his luck father but strong in his convictions and never giving up. Having to come to the conclusion of facing owns own demons or shadows is very well told as Anthem’s growth as his exile moves along.
This fast paced story takes a bit to get going but then doesn’t stop until the bitter end. I will be recommending this book to not only anyone asking for a great new read but for anyone who asks for any suggestions.
Thank you to netgalley and Edward Cembal for this advanced for in exchange for my honest review.
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This very intriguing new dystopian story was fun from the start. There is a lot of symbolism in this tale but I loved that it wasn’t so forced to make it eye rolling in the end. The characters were developed well enough all though o do feel a few were brought into the story too quickly with no background. I’m not sure if this was purposely done for further books or to just move the story a little more easily.
Anthem the main protagonist is what we all wish we could be. A down on his luck father but strong in his convictions and never giving up. Having to come to the conclusion of facing owns own demons or shadows is very well told as Anthem’s growth as his exile moves along.
This fast paced story takes a bit to get going but then doesn’t stop until the bitter end. I will be recommending this book to not only anyone asking for a great new read but for anyone who asks for any suggestions.
Thank you to netgalley and Edward Cembal for this advanced for in exchange for my honest review.
February 19, 2024
This was a wow 5 star read for me. I read it in one day, couldn't stop. I thought it was a perfectly created post- apocalyptic horror novel with depth and originality from the Rorschach test on the cover to the inscription and quote in the beginning to the last page. A horrifying world, a city behind a useless wall, an inept leader and people with monsters and people that are monsters.
I thought it was wonderfully written, horrific, and somehow thoughtful and hopeful without being sappy, more metaphors than you can shake a stick at but it all worked perfectly together. As I was reading I was reminded of a couple of other writers, the imagination of China Mieville but without the (over) abundance of adjectives or king without the extra 400 pages and hopelessness, even though I greatly enjoy them both. This was my favorite read this year. Its a debut novel, I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.
I thought it was wonderfully written, horrific, and somehow thoughtful and hopeful without being sappy, more metaphors than you can shake a stick at but it all worked perfectly together. As I was reading I was reminded of a couple of other writers, the imagination of China Mieville but without the (over) abundance of adjectives or king without the extra 400 pages and hopelessness, even though I greatly enjoy them both. This was my favorite read this year. Its a debut novel, I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.
August 14, 2024
The Monsters in our Shadows has such a unique premise, mixing horror and post-apocalyptic world. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t fully convince me. It takes a while for the main adventure to begin, and a few parts felt unnecessarily drawn out and repetitive. The intrigue was very good though, full of twists and turns every other chapter. The main character was endearing but a bit forgettable and lacked development.
I found the world description to be rather disappointing. I may have missed something, but it’s never explained how the Shivers appear and why only with certain people. Also why they don’t climb the wall when they can walk on walls and ceilings? They were really interesting creatures, but there were way too many holes in their construction. Overall, a fun read with a very cool premise but lacklustre execution.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I found the world description to be rather disappointing. I may have missed something, but it’s never explained how the Shivers appear and why only with certain people. Also why they don’t climb the wall when they can walk on walls and ceilings? They were really interesting creatures, but there were way too many holes in their construction. Overall, a fun read with a very cool premise but lacklustre execution.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
August 25, 2024
Ravenous shivers are haunting the last of humanity. The Monsters in our Shadows delivers a dystopian world full of malevolence, threat and hopelessness. The plot is full of mystery and intrigue. The start is slow and it creeps up in pace to an epic showdown. I loved the underlying message about confronting our darkness. The shivers are vividly described and terrifying, they are also not the only monsters present. The main character is well-written, I liked his morals and inner dialogue. There are other characters but this is definitely his story and development. I think this book has a lot of offer readers, there’s science fiction elements, horror, gore, mystery and the paranormal. Since finishing it I keep thinking about it, the signs of a great read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
August 7, 2024
Rating: 5
Format: ebook
Trigger Warning: This novel deals with themes related to mental health and may be distressing for some readers. Please review the book’s summary/description carefully before reading.
Review:
WOW. OUTSTANDING. BRAVO.
In this gripping dystopian tale, we follow Anthem, an Exilist in a ravaged world plagued by shadow monsters known as Shivers. These entities trail their victims until they are ultimately consumed. Anthem's role is to escort these individuals out of the walled city of Atlas and ensure they are devoured by their Shivers. Driven by desperation, he seeks a cure for his own Shiver and a treatment to save his daughter. The quest for medicine to stave off the monsters becomes a race against time, leading readers through an emotional and thrilling journey to save the world alongside Anthem.
Highlights:
⭐️ THE. PLOT. The story’s world-building is captivating, and the unfolding narrative kept me eagerly turning pages.
⭐️ Emotional Depth & Metaphors: The book’s exploration of mental health through its metaphors is profound. Cembal draws from personal experiences to shape Anthem's character and the novel’s world, creating a deeply resonant narrative.
⭐️ Character Growth: Anthem's evolution throughout the plot is palpable, with Cembal’s evocative writing showcasing significant emotional development.
Pitfalls:
❌ None!
Thank you to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for providing a free copy of this ebook for my honest review and feedback.
Format: ebook
Trigger Warning: This novel deals with themes related to mental health and may be distressing for some readers. Please review the book’s summary/description carefully before reading.
Review:
WOW. OUTSTANDING. BRAVO.
In this gripping dystopian tale, we follow Anthem, an Exilist in a ravaged world plagued by shadow monsters known as Shivers. These entities trail their victims until they are ultimately consumed. Anthem's role is to escort these individuals out of the walled city of Atlas and ensure they are devoured by their Shivers. Driven by desperation, he seeks a cure for his own Shiver and a treatment to save his daughter. The quest for medicine to stave off the monsters becomes a race against time, leading readers through an emotional and thrilling journey to save the world alongside Anthem.
Highlights:
⭐️ THE. PLOT. The story’s world-building is captivating, and the unfolding narrative kept me eagerly turning pages.
⭐️ Emotional Depth & Metaphors: The book’s exploration of mental health through its metaphors is profound. Cembal draws from personal experiences to shape Anthem's character and the novel’s world, creating a deeply resonant narrative.
⭐️ Character Growth: Anthem's evolution throughout the plot is palpable, with Cembal’s evocative writing showcasing significant emotional development.
Pitfalls:
❌ None!
Thank you to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for providing a free copy of this ebook for my honest review and feedback.
December 20, 2022
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story was great, I sped through the first half of the book within a day.
We fallow Anthem, an Exilist who lives in the walled city of Atlas. The post apocalyptic world is dark and bleak, one where monsters called Shivers haunt the living until they are hungry enough to devour them alive. Anthem is tasked with moving the afflicted and their shivers out of Atlas and to keep the city safe. This is not an envious role within the community, people see the Exilists as horrible people who bring death to their doors.
Anthem, a broken man, who wants to help the city and cares deeply for the habitants, is thrown out of the city and has a new job, one that could save or destroy his people.
This world is dark, bleak and humanity is on the brink of extinction. The journey is hard but the rewards could be the change that humanity needs to survive.
I really enjoyed this story. The characters were great and you cared for the habitants of Atlas, the stress and fear they must be under is terrible. The world building was great, I really liked hearing about Anthems day to day role within the city. The twist at the end was a little obvious but didn’t detract from the overall story.
4/5 - very good story, one I’m very glad I picked up.
🐦 - @readsgavin
This story was great, I sped through the first half of the book within a day.
We fallow Anthem, an Exilist who lives in the walled city of Atlas. The post apocalyptic world is dark and bleak, one where monsters called Shivers haunt the living until they are hungry enough to devour them alive. Anthem is tasked with moving the afflicted and their shivers out of Atlas and to keep the city safe. This is not an envious role within the community, people see the Exilists as horrible people who bring death to their doors.
Anthem, a broken man, who wants to help the city and cares deeply for the habitants, is thrown out of the city and has a new job, one that could save or destroy his people.
This world is dark, bleak and humanity is on the brink of extinction. The journey is hard but the rewards could be the change that humanity needs to survive.
I really enjoyed this story. The characters were great and you cared for the habitants of Atlas, the stress and fear they must be under is terrible. The world building was great, I really liked hearing about Anthems day to day role within the city. The twist at the end was a little obvious but didn’t detract from the overall story.
4/5 - very good story, one I’m very glad I picked up.
🐦 - @readsgavin
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