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Shadows That Speak #1
A Shadow
Are you afraid of the dark? Come on a journey, and Follow a spooky shadow's haunting call. Read if you dare, and be prepared to be transported through a whimsical, gothic tale with illustrations.
44 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2022
30 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Gitte Tamar
17 books24 followersBrigitte, "Gitte," Tamar was born in a small rural Oregon town. Growing up, she was enthralled by scary tales featuring poetic tones and consistently gravitated towards writing darkened narratives. In the different storylines, Brigitte explores the harsh realities of social issues faced by today's generations. This includes the dark outcomes brought on by peer pressure, addiction, homelessness, mental illness, childhood trauma, and abuse. She feels it is essential to share narratives that refrain from sugarcoating the topics society tends to shy away from.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 26, 2022
Daniel Manley is a monster – but it’s not his fault he was made this way. As a child in nineteenth century London, he was used to the evils of humanity and wanted to die, until he heard a voice who saves him. He calls this voice Father and does whatever it wants no matter how dark and evil its demands. Is Daniel imagining this voice or is he truly following the orders of some horrible monster?
The plot of this work promises to be dark and memorable, but for me it fell short. There were plenty of dark spots, some particularly detailed, brutal, and gruesome, but there was zero emotion in the way it was written, making it impossible to connect to the story. As the story was told from the villain’s point of view, I expected to enjoy learning the insights related to why he was doing what he did. But there was no depth of character and really no depth to the story.
There were also descriptions included throughout the work that were pages long, greatly detracting from the plot without adding anything to the work. Similarly, there was no real tension or buildup throughout the work, so the climax of the novel didn’t bring any sort of real feelings of resolution or any real feelings at all. The murders were all written in much the same manner, with pages of descriptions then just a few short sentences for the actual act. This took away all tension from these scenes.
The story is written as pages and pages of exposition broken up periodically by Daniel’s interactions with Father. By and large the exposition is just the mental ramblings of an unrelatable character. This made it difficult to find any connection to both the character and the story.
Unfortunately, there really wasn’t anything that I enjoyed about this work. The characters were lacking in depth, and even the exploration of mental illness wasn’t done in a meaningful manner. The only good thing was that I didn't notice any errors, so it seems as if it was proofread well. But overall, I don’t recommend this work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The plot of this work promises to be dark and memorable, but for me it fell short. There were plenty of dark spots, some particularly detailed, brutal, and gruesome, but there was zero emotion in the way it was written, making it impossible to connect to the story. As the story was told from the villain’s point of view, I expected to enjoy learning the insights related to why he was doing what he did. But there was no depth of character and really no depth to the story.
There were also descriptions included throughout the work that were pages long, greatly detracting from the plot without adding anything to the work. Similarly, there was no real tension or buildup throughout the work, so the climax of the novel didn’t bring any sort of real feelings of resolution or any real feelings at all. The murders were all written in much the same manner, with pages of descriptions then just a few short sentences for the actual act. This took away all tension from these scenes.
The story is written as pages and pages of exposition broken up periodically by Daniel’s interactions with Father. By and large the exposition is just the mental ramblings of an unrelatable character. This made it difficult to find any connection to both the character and the story.
Unfortunately, there really wasn’t anything that I enjoyed about this work. The characters were lacking in depth, and even the exploration of mental illness wasn’t done in a meaningful manner. The only good thing was that I didn't notice any errors, so it seems as if it was proofread well. But overall, I don’t recommend this work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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November 3, 2022DNF @50%
December 1, 2022
I was very disappointed in this book, the blurb had made so many promises but never delivered. It took me quite a while to get into. Then when something did happen it was just over. No build up or fanfare and so repetitive. For me a very mediocre read, I just hope that other readers will enjoy it more just not for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
June 9, 2022
Daniel Manley did not experience a single moment of human kindness when cast out as a child onto the merciless cobblestone streets of 19th century London…
This was an absolute pleasure to read. The prose flowed from the pages like a fine wine, transporting me effortlessly to a time where high society was everything.
The read is quite verbose, but not in a bad way. Daniel Manley is the unconventional narrator of his own life story. He is a narcissistic, Victorian man of questionable mental stability… of course it’s going to be verbose. I mean, what narcissist doesn’t like the sound of their own voice!?
I absolutely loved everything about this book, so much so that I’ve already purchased the second volume and preordered the third.
If I had to be nitpicky, I wasn’t a fan of the American English spelling. For a book set in Victorian England, and the characters high opinion of their own intellectual prowess, I would have preferred Queens English. But like I say, nitpicking.
Absolutely highly recommended.
This was an absolute pleasure to read. The prose flowed from the pages like a fine wine, transporting me effortlessly to a time where high society was everything.
The read is quite verbose, but not in a bad way. Daniel Manley is the unconventional narrator of his own life story. He is a narcissistic, Victorian man of questionable mental stability… of course it’s going to be verbose. I mean, what narcissist doesn’t like the sound of their own voice!?
I absolutely loved everything about this book, so much so that I’ve already purchased the second volume and preordered the third.
If I had to be nitpicky, I wasn’t a fan of the American English spelling. For a book set in Victorian England, and the characters high opinion of their own intellectual prowess, I would have preferred Queens English. But like I say, nitpicking.
Absolutely highly recommended.
August 28, 2022
This might be one of the most disturbing yet captivating psychological thrillers I have ever read. Daniel Manley is a deranged individual who's mind we are in as he commits these heinous murders, all while listening to the ever present voice of "Father." We never really hear "Father's" voice, just Daniel narrating what he told him, and I think that makes his presence all the more creepy.
The author has this haunting, almost lyrical prose that just WORKS for this type of novel.
This is definitely a slow burn, with a lot of exposition and meandering thoughts from Daniel. I think this set the tone and ambiance for this story amazingly, as we descended further and further into Daniel's depraved mind. Seeing him delve deeper into his madness was so enthralling and it was hard to look away. I found myself forcing myself to put this book down from time to time because I needed to take a break from his dark mindset.
Overall, I really found this interesting and I am going to continue with the rest of the books in this series.
*Thank you to Booksirens for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
The author has this haunting, almost lyrical prose that just WORKS for this type of novel.
This is definitely a slow burn, with a lot of exposition and meandering thoughts from Daniel. I think this set the tone and ambiance for this story amazingly, as we descended further and further into Daniel's depraved mind. Seeing him delve deeper into his madness was so enthralling and it was hard to look away. I found myself forcing myself to put this book down from time to time because I needed to take a break from his dark mindset.
Overall, I really found this interesting and I am going to continue with the rest of the books in this series.
*Thank you to Booksirens for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
March 25, 2022
Eerie! Fast-paced! Riveting! Emotional! Suspenseful! Compelling! Complex! This book brings it ALL! It was an artful melding of twisted psychological thrills and nail-biting suspense. THIS is how you start a new series and leave your readers anxiously awaiting the next one!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
December 4, 2022
It's going to take time to process what I just read. It's so much more than a psychological thriller. The main character is the definition of narcissistic & clearly has a plethora of mental health issues. The descriptions of characters, settings, & gory murders are immersive & draw you into the story. I have Gitte Tamar's next book, Shadows that Tempt cued up and ready to read!
February 20, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Foremost, this review is only my opinion as a reader. I appreciate that other readers may enjoy this novel, but it was not for me. I struggled to get engaged from the very beginning.
In terms of the actual writing, the writer is a good writer in terms of language, word choice, and sentence structure. The story and characters, for me, had no depth. I think the story and characters had promise. The premise of the story was intriguing but not well executed for me. I found the novel full of unnecessarily long descriptions that repeated for pages and for chapters. The story may have been better executed in a short story format. Furthermore, I felt that the characters lacked any depth. I understand that the main character’s mental health is questionable, but no nuance is given. The character falls flat for me. Also, I do not understand how the novel is commenting on the stigma of mental health. I can only guess the backstory is supposed to connect here, but again, I would say the theme is not well-executed.
The story is overly descriptive, and the descriptions are repeated just in different words each time. I found myself wanting to skim the book frequently.
The novel read the same way from beginning to the end for me, so the climax of the novel also fell flat. However, the last chapter provided an interesting backstory, and I liked that the novel closed with that chapter. I did not catch any rise or fall of action, and I felt that the murders happened so quickly that there was no time for any anticipation. Also, the murders did not seem very creative to me. It seemed like there were pages of repeated descriptions and then a few lines of murder. I guess I wanted more exploration of the act of murder itself.
I think the author has writing talent, and I apologize that their style is not for me. I can appreciate that other readers may enjoy it. However, I will pass on the next book in this series.
In terms of the actual writing, the writer is a good writer in terms of language, word choice, and sentence structure. The story and characters, for me, had no depth. I think the story and characters had promise. The premise of the story was intriguing but not well executed for me. I found the novel full of unnecessarily long descriptions that repeated for pages and for chapters. The story may have been better executed in a short story format. Furthermore, I felt that the characters lacked any depth. I understand that the main character’s mental health is questionable, but no nuance is given. The character falls flat for me. Also, I do not understand how the novel is commenting on the stigma of mental health. I can only guess the backstory is supposed to connect here, but again, I would say the theme is not well-executed.
The story is overly descriptive, and the descriptions are repeated just in different words each time. I found myself wanting to skim the book frequently.
The novel read the same way from beginning to the end for me, so the climax of the novel also fell flat. However, the last chapter provided an interesting backstory, and I liked that the novel closed with that chapter. I did not catch any rise or fall of action, and I felt that the murders happened so quickly that there was no time for any anticipation. Also, the murders did not seem very creative to me. It seemed like there were pages of repeated descriptions and then a few lines of murder. I guess I wanted more exploration of the act of murder itself.
I think the author has writing talent, and I apologize that their style is not for me. I can appreciate that other readers may enjoy it. However, I will pass on the next book in this series.
January 15, 2022
Unreliable narrators are one of literature's greatest tools. Whether we know they're unreliable from the start or it's planted like a trail of crumbs leading deep into the shadows, such characters having control of the story forces us to reckon with the limits of a narrative's truth and our own willingness to believe what we're told. Gitte Tamar's Shadows That Speak presents us with an unusual twofold case: we know the narrator is unreliable and mad in much the same way of those in Poe's "Tell-Tale Heart" and "Cask of Amontillado", but the narrator believes himself completely sane, guided by the sure and bedeviled hand of the shadowy Father. That is, Daniel can see things even the audience is not privy to, which lead him to believe in his own sanity while acknowledging that we may find him otherwise.
Gitte Tamar's veneration for the genre is apparent with every turn of phrase, and Daniel Manley's particular style of narration struck me as an impressive cocktail of Poe, Wilde, and American Psycho's Patrick Bateman. With a pedigree like that to back him, it is entirely possible the frequently self-absorbed tone may not be to every reader's taste, but if 19th Century madmen are your thing, Shadows That Speak is a propulsive read.
This relatively short work of darkness and societal violence is not much interested in building suspense - our narrator is simply too involved with his brilliance to not divulge his plans to us as soon as he concocts them - but it nonetheless envelops readers in a sense of near-unshakeable discomfort. Indeed, for a while I thought this might be a novel chronicling the path of a sort of Jack the Ripper; a man intent on cleaning up society not by ridding the world of the less fortunate but of the overly greedy upper-class. After all, when Daniel Manley isn't expounding upon his own physical prowess, he has quite the sharp tongue for the upper echelon of social circles; some of the novel's best lines come from his descriptions and rationales for how he targets his victims.
Perhaps what makes Shadows so successfully unsettling is its steadfast dedication to living in the perspective of the hunter. At no point is there a true break to someone else's view, rather we are treated with the constant reminder that everyone around our narrator is a helpless victim with false knowledge of situations he himself has orchestrated. He controls not only our narrative but that of an entire family's lives, leaving them all twisting in the wind until they come crashing down right where he and Father deem they should be.
Tamar's goal of exploring mental illness through the lens of a thriller is successful in the way Poe, Wilde, Thomas Harris are, in that the villain is not interested in garnering sympathy from the reader so much as he is in painting himself in a light he deems the most favorable to himself and the demon which controls him. Interestingly, there does come a rather surprising moment of tension between Daniel Manley as he has constructed himself for the first three quarters of the novel and how he views the control dynamics when it comes time for him to obtain the destiny he felt so sure he was meant for. There is no fighting of the mental illness here, only complete embrace, and what that means for Daniel's actions in this case sets him as a clear villain against social norms forging a class battle with a world that would cast him on the street.
Talking plot without spoilers is virtually impossible for Shadows given that it more or less dives right in with no buildup of suspense, but that is far from a bad thing. It simply means the only way to discover a modern-made old school madman is to curl up with this haunting little number on a cold and rainy day with a fire burning just enough to make the corner shadows dance.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank the publisher and BookSirens for the opportunity.
Gitte Tamar's veneration for the genre is apparent with every turn of phrase, and Daniel Manley's particular style of narration struck me as an impressive cocktail of Poe, Wilde, and American Psycho's Patrick Bateman. With a pedigree like that to back him, it is entirely possible the frequently self-absorbed tone may not be to every reader's taste, but if 19th Century madmen are your thing, Shadows That Speak is a propulsive read.
This relatively short work of darkness and societal violence is not much interested in building suspense - our narrator is simply too involved with his brilliance to not divulge his plans to us as soon as he concocts them - but it nonetheless envelops readers in a sense of near-unshakeable discomfort. Indeed, for a while I thought this might be a novel chronicling the path of a sort of Jack the Ripper; a man intent on cleaning up society not by ridding the world of the less fortunate but of the overly greedy upper-class. After all, when Daniel Manley isn't expounding upon his own physical prowess, he has quite the sharp tongue for the upper echelon of social circles; some of the novel's best lines come from his descriptions and rationales for how he targets his victims.
Perhaps what makes Shadows so successfully unsettling is its steadfast dedication to living in the perspective of the hunter. At no point is there a true break to someone else's view, rather we are treated with the constant reminder that everyone around our narrator is a helpless victim with false knowledge of situations he himself has orchestrated. He controls not only our narrative but that of an entire family's lives, leaving them all twisting in the wind until they come crashing down right where he and Father deem they should be.
Tamar's goal of exploring mental illness through the lens of a thriller is successful in the way Poe, Wilde, Thomas Harris are, in that the villain is not interested in garnering sympathy from the reader so much as he is in painting himself in a light he deems the most favorable to himself and the demon which controls him. Interestingly, there does come a rather surprising moment of tension between Daniel Manley as he has constructed himself for the first three quarters of the novel and how he views the control dynamics when it comes time for him to obtain the destiny he felt so sure he was meant for. There is no fighting of the mental illness here, only complete embrace, and what that means for Daniel's actions in this case sets him as a clear villain against social norms forging a class battle with a world that would cast him on the street.
Talking plot without spoilers is virtually impossible for Shadows given that it more or less dives right in with no buildup of suspense, but that is far from a bad thing. It simply means the only way to discover a modern-made old school madman is to curl up with this haunting little number on a cold and rainy day with a fire burning just enough to make the corner shadows dance.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank the publisher and BookSirens for the opportunity.
January 25, 2022
This was an absolutely absurd and wild ride, and I was totally on board for it. This is a very graphic and disturbing horror novel, so please check content warnings before diving in. I think this book has a particular audience—and the good news is that I am that audience. If you like horror books with unreliable narrators that are about a serial killer, homicidal maniac, delusional, narcissistic psychopath, then this is the book for you!!
Gitte Tamar has a beautiful writing style that is quite wordy and poetic. Some felt a bit rambling, but this definitely added to the unreliable nature and delusions of our narrator. Our main character is driven to heinous murders, believing that he’s being guided by ‘Father’ to carry out this plan and rid society of the morally inferior. He finds a way to give meaning to his life, regardless of his flawed beliefs, and is filled with giddy elation at his and Father’s plan.
Whether or not Father is real or a metaphor, he is incredibly real to our main character, and the impetus for his actions. I was yearning to learn more about his childhood and upbringing and so glad that this was revealed. I couldn’t believe parts of what I was reading but found myself watching the book in my head because of the excellent (and comical) dialogue and absurdity of the scenes. I found myself gasping aloud at the thoughts and words that came out of the main character’s head and mouth.
This was an enjoyable read but became repetitive, and this was mostly why it was a 4-star read for me. With some more roadblocks in the plot and other characters beginning to catch on to the horror show, I think this could have gone in a really interesting direction. I really enjoyed the discussions of class and societal issues and whom we deem “trustworthy.” The idea of good looks, an appearance of wealth and nobility, and other shallow features being the metric for how worthy we deem an individual in society was very interesting to get a look at from inside the mind of the main character. His ideologies were fascinating to learn more about, as they became more convoluted and flawed as the story went on.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Gitte Tamar has a beautiful writing style that is quite wordy and poetic. Some felt a bit rambling, but this definitely added to the unreliable nature and delusions of our narrator. Our main character is driven to heinous murders, believing that he’s being guided by ‘Father’ to carry out this plan and rid society of the morally inferior. He finds a way to give meaning to his life, regardless of his flawed beliefs, and is filled with giddy elation at his and Father’s plan.
Whether or not Father is real or a metaphor, he is incredibly real to our main character, and the impetus for his actions. I was yearning to learn more about his childhood and upbringing and so glad that this was revealed. I couldn’t believe parts of what I was reading but found myself watching the book in my head because of the excellent (and comical) dialogue and absurdity of the scenes. I found myself gasping aloud at the thoughts and words that came out of the main character’s head and mouth.
This was an enjoyable read but became repetitive, and this was mostly why it was a 4-star read for me. With some more roadblocks in the plot and other characters beginning to catch on to the horror show, I think this could have gone in a really interesting direction. I really enjoyed the discussions of class and societal issues and whom we deem “trustworthy.” The idea of good looks, an appearance of wealth and nobility, and other shallow features being the metric for how worthy we deem an individual in society was very interesting to get a look at from inside the mind of the main character. His ideologies were fascinating to learn more about, as they became more convoluted and flawed as the story went on.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 13, 2022
A man completing the unthinkable bidding of a shadow whose embrace fills him with a sense of comfort is explored in Gitte Tamar’s Shadows That Speak.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Having faced a harsh life devoid of kindness when cast out on the cobblestone streets of London in the 19th century as a child, Daniel Manley pled for death over the life he was living. His despair is suddenly halted when he hears a voice in the darkened alley that gives him some hope and purpose for a future. Naming the voice and shadowy presence “Father,” Daniel embraces his presence and does his bidding, bringing horrific terror and cleansing their filth from the world to those who have been deemed to play a role in ruining society. Feeding off of the violent acts undertaken under advice by Father, Daniel soon sets up shop in the home of a deceased landed man, and presents himself as a wealthy gentleman intent on marrying one of the three daughters in the Bonnet family as a ruse to complete his deadly deeds.
With an unreliable, and possibly unhinged and delusional, narrator, this quickly-paced story is morbidly entertaining with the eerie and gruesome elements presented in equal measure, yielding an unsettlingly fascinating narrative. There were moments of dark humor with the descriptive observations from Daniel’s unique perspective conveyed through a rather conversational tone with the reader. Though Daniel’s character is absurdly intriguing and raises questions about his state of mind, particularly in relation to his captivating backstory provided at the novel’s conclusion, and the Bonnet family are repeatedly stereotypically presented, it feels as if there’s a missing portion of deeper development that would make them more engrossing and fully realized characters.
Overall, I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book through BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Having faced a harsh life devoid of kindness when cast out on the cobblestone streets of London in the 19th century as a child, Daniel Manley pled for death over the life he was living. His despair is suddenly halted when he hears a voice in the darkened alley that gives him some hope and purpose for a future. Naming the voice and shadowy presence “Father,” Daniel embraces his presence and does his bidding, bringing horrific terror and cleansing their filth from the world to those who have been deemed to play a role in ruining society. Feeding off of the violent acts undertaken under advice by Father, Daniel soon sets up shop in the home of a deceased landed man, and presents himself as a wealthy gentleman intent on marrying one of the three daughters in the Bonnet family as a ruse to complete his deadly deeds.
With an unreliable, and possibly unhinged and delusional, narrator, this quickly-paced story is morbidly entertaining with the eerie and gruesome elements presented in equal measure, yielding an unsettlingly fascinating narrative. There were moments of dark humor with the descriptive observations from Daniel’s unique perspective conveyed through a rather conversational tone with the reader. Though Daniel’s character is absurdly intriguing and raises questions about his state of mind, particularly in relation to his captivating backstory provided at the novel’s conclusion, and the Bonnet family are repeatedly stereotypically presented, it feels as if there’s a missing portion of deeper development that would make them more engrossing and fully realized characters.
Overall, I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book through BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
May 2, 2022
Gitte Tamar explores darkness, madness and evil in this book, and I honestly don’t know what to make of it, as I will get into.
The premise of Shadows That Speak is that Daniel Manley, orphaned as a child, grows up in the slums of an unnamed town in England in the mid nineteenth century. At the sixth hour of the sixth day of the sixth month, he lays down in a filthy alley, begging to die. He hears a voice that he eventually calls Father, and the voice leads him down a road of increasing evil and violence, as he feels he’s been instructed to rid society of its dregs.
The author, in the story narrated by Daniel (an unreliable narrator if there ever was one) beautifully captures what appears to be insanity - or is it possession by an evil entity? As Daniel becomes increasingly mad (or possessed), his violent acts become more reprehensible, and these episodes are graphically described. The end of the book was a bit off kilter for me, but let’s leave it at that as I don’t want to leave a spoiler.
So, was it madness or possession? Are the things he sees (that we have to take at his word) imagined or caused by an evil being? There’s no answer here, which is why I don’t know what to make of this book, but in the end that doesn’t matter. It was disturbing, at times too graphically violent for me, yet also was morbidly fascinating. Not for the faint of heart.
I received a free advance copy, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
The premise of Shadows That Speak is that Daniel Manley, orphaned as a child, grows up in the slums of an unnamed town in England in the mid nineteenth century. At the sixth hour of the sixth day of the sixth month, he lays down in a filthy alley, begging to die. He hears a voice that he eventually calls Father, and the voice leads him down a road of increasing evil and violence, as he feels he’s been instructed to rid society of its dregs.
The author, in the story narrated by Daniel (an unreliable narrator if there ever was one) beautifully captures what appears to be insanity - or is it possession by an evil entity? As Daniel becomes increasingly mad (or possessed), his violent acts become more reprehensible, and these episodes are graphically described. The end of the book was a bit off kilter for me, but let’s leave it at that as I don’t want to leave a spoiler.
So, was it madness or possession? Are the things he sees (that we have to take at his word) imagined or caused by an evil being? There’s no answer here, which is why I don’t know what to make of this book, but in the end that doesn’t matter. It was disturbing, at times too graphically violent for me, yet also was morbidly fascinating. Not for the faint of heart.
I received a free advance copy, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
January 28, 2023
While I had high expectations of this book based on the summary and plot, it just did not work for me. Often times, I felt descriptions were overdone and very wordy. Almost like a thesaurus was used excessively. While this may very well be the usual language of the author, it just did not flow for me. The main character is not likeabke whatsoever. And idk if we’ll ever know if “Father” is really a dark spirit or a side effect of Daniel’s mental illness. Considering the narcissistic personality and thought processes of Daniel, I’m going to assume that it’s just his mental illness and twisted internal desires that make him do the awful things he does.
Speaking of which, the gruesome moments make my stomach turn because no only it it disturbing, but it’s also bothersome how Daniel doesn’t even bat an eyelash or seem to have an inkling of remorse. Again, I guess it’s just his nature. It was incredibly difficult for me to digest, nonetheless.
Furthermore, I’m sure there are plenty of people out there that LOVE this type of writing. It’s just not for me, unfortunately. That’s why I’m going to leave this review in the middle. Not bad writing, just not my cup of tea.
If you like dark, intricate, and twisted. Give this one a shot. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Speaking of which, the gruesome moments make my stomach turn because no only it it disturbing, but it’s also bothersome how Daniel doesn’t even bat an eyelash or seem to have an inkling of remorse. Again, I guess it’s just his nature. It was incredibly difficult for me to digest, nonetheless.
Furthermore, I’m sure there are plenty of people out there that LOVE this type of writing. It’s just not for me, unfortunately. That’s why I’m going to leave this review in the middle. Not bad writing, just not my cup of tea.
If you like dark, intricate, and twisted. Give this one a shot. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 2, 2022
I wasn't really sure what I was getting into with this book. I would classify it as a disturbing psychological thriller.
Daniel Manly is an orphan living on the streets in 19th century London when he encounters a shadow figure he names "Father". Father guides him in his acquisition of wealth, ultimately leading to his delve into madness. Daniel is narcissistic, vain and from what I can tell, psychotic. He believes that Father is leading him to rid the world of those he has deemed inferior.
This book is disturbing, graphic and a true horror novel. I'm not one who is easily affected by stuff like this as I love a good serial killer book complete with pictures. My issue with the book and why I only gave it three stars is it is very wordy. The chapters are long and at times the descriptions were repetitive, and I found myself skimming. Overall while I found the premise interesting it just fell flat for me. This is the first in a series of three, so maybe the other two worth my trying. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
Daniel Manly is an orphan living on the streets in 19th century London when he encounters a shadow figure he names "Father". Father guides him in his acquisition of wealth, ultimately leading to his delve into madness. Daniel is narcissistic, vain and from what I can tell, psychotic. He believes that Father is leading him to rid the world of those he has deemed inferior.
This book is disturbing, graphic and a true horror novel. I'm not one who is easily affected by stuff like this as I love a good serial killer book complete with pictures. My issue with the book and why I only gave it three stars is it is very wordy. The chapters are long and at times the descriptions were repetitive, and I found myself skimming. Overall while I found the premise interesting it just fell flat for me. This is the first in a series of three, so maybe the other two worth my trying. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
September 25, 2022
This is the first book in a series. Set in the late 1800s, Daniel Manley is out of his mind yet believes he is rational. He's sharp-tongued and follows the directions from a voice he calls Father, which leads to escalating violence and evil acts. Is he mad? Or is he possessed?
When I first read Shadows That Speak, I was strongly reminded of the writing styles of Tanith Lee. It's a dark and violent work but I found it kept my attention during the entire book. While there wasn't a lot of depth in the characters, this is the first book in a series and there certainly may be additional character development in future books. It's a graphic and disturbing work and not for everyone. If you find horror books to be something you enjoy, this is a book for you. The imagery from Shadows That Speak have stayed with me.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this ARC (published in late 2021). In return this is my honest review and all opinions are my own.
When I first read Shadows That Speak, I was strongly reminded of the writing styles of Tanith Lee. It's a dark and violent work but I found it kept my attention during the entire book. While there wasn't a lot of depth in the characters, this is the first book in a series and there certainly may be additional character development in future books. It's a graphic and disturbing work and not for everyone. If you find horror books to be something you enjoy, this is a book for you. The imagery from Shadows That Speak have stayed with me.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this ARC (published in late 2021). In return this is my honest review and all opinions are my own.
February 4, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book is perfect for fans of Jane Austen or Bridgerton. Only instead of a handsome duke or Mr. Darcy, you have Daniel Manly. A rake that is under the guidance of an evil presence he calls Father. Imagine Patrick Bateman from American Psycho when you think of Daniel. He is immensely vain and obsessed with everything going his way.
Father has encouraged him to remove the filth from the world. This filth meaning women and men.
“Some claim I am evil. Evil? Ha! I howl at their naivety. Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf..a coward, that’s who! Through living, I have discovered that to satisfy humanity’s perspective regarding evil, you must be vile.”
You can expect violence and very descriptive imagery. There are no simple sentences in this book. Daniel refers to himself as a ravenous lion searching for prey like antelope.
This book is perfect for fans of Jane Austen or Bridgerton. Only instead of a handsome duke or Mr. Darcy, you have Daniel Manly. A rake that is under the guidance of an evil presence he calls Father. Imagine Patrick Bateman from American Psycho when you think of Daniel. He is immensely vain and obsessed with everything going his way.
Father has encouraged him to remove the filth from the world. This filth meaning women and men.
“Some claim I am evil. Evil? Ha! I howl at their naivety. Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf..a coward, that’s who! Through living, I have discovered that to satisfy humanity’s perspective regarding evil, you must be vile.”
You can expect violence and very descriptive imagery. There are no simple sentences in this book. Daniel refers to himself as a ravenous lion searching for prey like antelope.
September 19, 2023
I received an ARC copy of this book.
The book started off well, but I found it slowed down. And I definitely enjoyed the ending more than the lead up to the end. I felt like the stakes were being raised, but we didn't know what the conflict was.
The story was interesting, but I did have a bit of a hard time connecting with the story itself due to the flowery writing. I found myself getting lost in the flowery writing style so much I stopped paying attention to the actual plot of the story. I found myself getting distracted by the writing, though some of it was enjoyable.
I thought the end was very fitting , though I was not expecting it. And the ending definitely boosted my rating. I really enjoyed the ending.
The book was enjoyable, I'm just not sure it was entirely my cup of tea. Though, I did really enjoy the details to the protagonist especially.
The book started off well, but I found it slowed down. And I definitely enjoyed the ending more than the lead up to the end. I felt like the stakes were being raised, but we didn't know what the conflict was.
The story was interesting, but I did have a bit of a hard time connecting with the story itself due to the flowery writing. I found myself getting lost in the flowery writing style so much I stopped paying attention to the actual plot of the story. I found myself getting distracted by the writing, though some of it was enjoyable.
I thought the end was very fitting , though I was not expecting it. And the ending definitely boosted my rating. I really enjoyed the ending.
The book was enjoyable, I'm just not sure it was entirely my cup of tea. Though, I did really enjoy the details to the protagonist especially.
February 16, 2023
Daniel Manley is evil incarnate. As one of the rejected of society as a child, he is now a sophisticated, wealthy adult and wishes to seek revenge for the suffering he experienced. He is encouraged by Father, whose dark spirit imbues Daniel with strength to commit the most heinous acts.
This book is rather slow, but very descriptive in nature. There are long sections of writing used to create vivid pictures of each scene. Not everyone enjoys this, but I do because as this story is told from the viewpoint of the villain, it gives more information about who he is as a character. The story is very emotionless, which is fitting as it seems someone would have to be devoid of emotion to commit the acts that Daniel does.
This book is rather slow, but very descriptive in nature. There are long sections of writing used to create vivid pictures of each scene. Not everyone enjoys this, but I do because as this story is told from the viewpoint of the villain, it gives more information about who he is as a character. The story is very emotionless, which is fitting as it seems someone would have to be devoid of emotion to commit the acts that Daniel does.
June 8, 2022
Shadows that Speak might be for a niche audience but if you are in that niche, you'll love it! The writing is dry and morose, which makes it hilarious. The self-absorbed monologues of the narrator reminded me of Patrick Bateman from American Psycho. The book is also deliciously violent and the constant rationalization of such gore by the narrator is what reeled me in. Only the last few chapters (except the epilogue) fell short for me, but overall it was an engaging read. If you love horror books with unapologetically antagonistic main leads, this one's for you.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 22, 2022
A little slow in the beginning quickly became a ride with a rapidly declining, mental health challenged character. Throughout the entire book, one never reads the person’s name. All you read is his slow descent into his delusions. The pace at which he was able to decide how his next victim would come to meet their end, was alarming. I seriously could not stop reading. I HAD to reach the conclusion to this very strange novel. And the End! I am still reeling from the sheer brilliance. Please read this book to see if you share this opinion.
Read
September 21, 2022A short tale of shadows enticing horror vibes in you. A little too short for me, but considering this is focused on a smaller age group, it is understandable. However, I must say the illustrations in this book are captivating.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 21, 2022
This was...a little hard to read. I'm not sure if it was the writing style, or that I just wasn't a fan of the main character (which it's fine to be a villain, but he was repetitive: I get it, you hate women and want to take them down a peg). It felt like a slog to get through. I think the tone was good, but it just wasn't personally for me.
January 27, 2022
This was a wow oh wow book. It is a supernatural thriller that keeps you facillating between this or that in the mind of a mental unstable narrator. This was a roller coaster book that takes you on an unforgettable adventure.
June 3, 2022
Captivating
Even though it was a short read I enjoyed the twist and turns of this book with Daniel guided by his so called savior “Father”. Looking forward to more great books from this author!
Even though it was a short read I enjoyed the twist and turns of this book with Daniel guided by his so called savior “Father”. Looking forward to more great books from this author!
June 11, 2022
Really enjoyed this book, reminded me a bit of American Psycho with the narrator’s massive ego. The words are chosen with such care to make the narrator as unreliable and egotistical as possible.
I received an advanced copy for free.
I received an advanced copy for free.
November 29, 2022
Daniel Manley is a narcissist. He is also mentally challenged. Is he really acting out directions he is given by the voice in the shadows, or is it all a very lurid figment of his imagination?
I received a free copy of Shadows That Speak through BookSirens, and have chosen to leave a review.
I received a free copy of Shadows That Speak through BookSirens, and have chosen to leave a review.
April 9, 2022
page turner
The author leads you into the twisted kind of the main character. Disturbing is an understatement in this twisted tale.
The author leads you into the twisted kind of the main character. Disturbing is an understatement in this twisted tale.
June 26, 2022
A strange book that somehow pulled me into, to read it twice in one year!
Read
July 26, 2022DNF @ 29%.
I do not remember the last time I actively decided to NOT finish a book. This gave me too many American Psycho vibes and I absolutely hated that book.
I do not remember the last time I actively decided to NOT finish a book. This gave me too many American Psycho vibes and I absolutely hated that book.
February 14, 2023
Hmmmm… it’s different.
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