Lily

by E.G. Creel

Discover what it means to be born with a shadow. Lily’s shadow is only hours old and already a killer. But is it really Lily’s fault, and should she suffer the consequences for actions for which she had no control?

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories

54 pages, Paperback

Published June 23, 2022

Reviews

[Dana Cristiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank E.G. Creel and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Right from the first sentence this little book hooked me.
"Lily was born with a shadow!"

Dubans are being born alongside a twin, but in Lily's case it didn't happen. She was born with a shadow, which was considered a bad omen.
However, her loving father tried stealing a twin so that people won't sentence their daughter to death.

Unfortunately, he instead steal a baby rolldarc creature. This creates a tragedy when the rolldarc's mom appears.
This is how Lily's adventure starts and she meets a key character in the story, a white-bearded man who takes care of her.

There was an unexpected ending, but I liked it and I want to read the first book as well, alongside with the last one in this trilogy.

4.5 stars.

[rae ✿ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because Dubans are born together, and they die together

This is a sweet fantasy short story about Lily, who is a duban. Dubans always give birth to twins whereas Lily was born alone and a single-born child like Lily is considered to have a shadow. And Dubans believed that shadows were bad luck so the moment she was born she was about to be thrown off a cliff but something strange happened.

wow so I randomly found this available on netgalley and the blurb intrigued me so I picked it up right away. I finished this book in an hour and I loved it! I love the magical, spooky, mysterious feeling, and it feels like a bedtime story you get before going to bed. It's such an easy read💞

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Lily is a short story about Lily, who's a Duban. Dubans are born twins, but in Lily's case, she was born with a shadow, which is seen as a bad omen amongst her people. Her beloved father tries to save Lily from a death sentence by stealing another twin, but this causes the situation to worsen as the twin he steals is a baby rolldark creature. When the rolldarks mother arrives, it leads to tragedy for Lily, who then gets taken care of by a man with a white beard. This was a short but captivating story and well worth the read!

[Brittanica Bold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an interesting and dark little story. I loved the misfit orphan premise, the idea of this "Santa Claus" guardian, and a vibe not dissimilar from a Grimm fairy tale.

I liked how the author let us know this was a novella connected with two other stories, to which I would be interested in reading.

3.5 dark little stars.

[Ri ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this on netgalley. A sweet fantasy short story about a Duban girl Lily who is born without a twin means she is born with a shadow twin. Everyone has shadows but Dubans' shadow twin are a dangerous thing so her the villagers wants to kill her “Because Dubans are born together, and they die together”

Well I had fun reading this and it was cute. I liked how Lily find the people who cared for her and survived in the end with the help of her shadow twin and her old man.

Thanks to Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sudeshna Banerjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book. I fell in love at first sight with the cover photo of this book. I knew I had to read it as soon as I saw it.

The writing skills of the author is beautiful. The character development was really good and the plot twists were placed at the correct places. The author managed to keep me engaged throughout the book with their captivating descriptions. I didn't get bored at all.

I will definitely recommend this book to everyone. Grab your copy today and you will definitely enjoy it.

#Lily #NetGalley

[Rachelle LeBlanc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lily is a quick read. Dubans are born as twins. Lily was born with a shadow instead of the twin. She was supposed to be thrown over a cliff; however, the person who was supposed to throw her over went over instead. Her father finds her and leaves for a human village to find her a twin. He finds a baby but it isn't human and he doesn't realize it until he is already back to the village. The rest of the story is about Lily being passed from village to village. I think Lily could have been longer. There was too much squeezed into this very short story.

[C Reads Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was odd. For the most part I found this story entertaining but the end was unsatisfying and the writing left a lot to be desired.

The story started out rocky for me. The writing is a little dramatic and I'm not sure what's with the occasional narrator voice popping up to refer to the "episodes." I didn't get it.

There weren't any characters I cared about, either. I know this is a very short story about fantasy creatures but it seems like there should be something or someone to relate to. There were not. Main character Lily is the only consistent character through the whole story and she's a baby then a toddler from beginning to end.

After the first couple "episodes" I started to find this really fun. It's dark and twisted and interesting even if it's not really anything to get emotionally invested in. Things were happening. I thought yes, this is going somewhere awesome.

Then the ending happened and it retconned most of my previous enjoyment. I'm now pretty sure this is an origin story for the main character of another book, but that is not at all clear going in. I expected answers to the questions asked in the book synopsis and was disappointed to not get any.

[Linn van den Heuvel · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Lily was born with a shadow. Now, you might be thinking, what's the big deal?"

I loved this short story! It was very original and had a good fantasy vibe. During reading it, and knowing it was a short story, I hoped there would maybe me more. And there is, because at the end of the book you get teased about The Immortal (a story about White Beard) and about Gena (about Lily's future).

So, Lily is about a girl, but she's not human. She's a Duban and Dubans are mostly born as twins. If they are not, they will have a shadow and that's a very bad omen. Children with shadows will be banished or even murdered. In her young life, Lily has to go through some very sad moments but eventually ends up with the loving character of White Beard. He cares for her as much as he's able to, until two angry men come to kidnap Lily and fulfill the promise of making sure Lily doesn't live to see another day. White Beard gathers everything he needs and seeks the help of a friend, but he's an old man and not sure if he can fulfill this quest.

An enchanting story in a magical world. I really enjoyed reading it and am excited to read the other two books!

[Library of Pearl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a magical and unique little tale that I ate up in one cosy little sitting.

While it stormed outside, I cosied up with this whimsical adventure of creatures born with either twins or evil shadows; parallel realms connected by doors; creatures of all varieties and a character reminiscent of Santa Claus.

I really enjoyed the writing style, the short episodic nature of the story and the flow in general. I certainly need to check out more from this author!

Many thanks to E.G Creel and Netgalley for this delightful little story. ✨

[Danielle Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am in awe at how much life can be found in such a short story. The exploration between the protection of innocence, the fear of the unknown, and generational storytelling packs a powerful punch on each page. The illustrations are hauntingly beautiful. The fast pace let's you travel through years invoking feelings of each season's passing and with it the passage of time. Lily is a magical and thought provoking read.

[FloofyMooseReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily by E.G. Creel is a middle grade fantasy short story that is quite cute. It’s about a girl that instead of being born with a twin, she’s born with a shadow. She bops around from caregiver to caregiver as a small child and we learn about the experiences around her. It’s short, but I loved the characters and the story. The author’s voice is almost melodic at times and that made it enjoyable to read.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Recommendation: I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was a fun, quick read. Based on the author’s note at the end, this is related to two other of the author’s works - a fantasy novella titled The Immortal and a YA fantasy novella, Gena. I enjoyed this short story such that I’ve added those two novellas to my #tbr. If you are looking for a small bite of cute fantasy that’s enjoyable to read, I think you would like this story.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written book and lovely story. The wink and nudge to the reader is delightful and the premise and flow had me engaged. I loved the idea that a character may be cast out over and over, but is ultimately found and taken care of in the moments that need it.

Beautiful in text and imagery.

[Shanice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the reader copy.

Not sure if this is aimed at children or more a short story fairytale for adults. With that being said, I don’t think there was enough ‘story’ for the idea.

The premise was very cool and I think there were some crucial plot points that were missed, and also things added to the story which needed more explanation and general background.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

All who are born as Dubans are born as twins. Lily, unfortunately, is an exception. Due to the unique circumstances of her single birth, Lily is considered an outcast and even cursed from the moment she arrives. Even though she was born alone, Lily has never truly been alone and never will be. To live this way is to be feared, and this is something young Lily will never truly realize if her parents have their way. When her parents attempt to deceive the rest of the community, things take a strange and dangerous turn.

Lily, a short story by E.G. Creel, centers around the title character. Though the bulk of the action revolves around Lily from the time she is born, the narrative focuses primarily on White Beard, a figure who first appears as a Santa Claus-type character. Lily’s circumstances are extraordinary, and Creel has given readers an especially remarkable storyline in which to revel. The stunning world the author has created features amazing creatures, and the imagery conjured is breathtaking.

This short story packs a big punch in just short of 50 pages. With a fairly large cast of characters introduced in a short length of time, Creel’s storyline will fascinate readers right out of the gate. The overall verbiage in the story feels like classic folk and fairy tales; the more modern references don’t seem to add to or blend well with the story.

I recommend the short story Lily by E.G. Creel to readers who enjoy quick fantasy action and adventure stories. Readers will find that this tale is reminiscent of the Brothers Grimm style of fantasy and fairy tales with dark twists.

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, it’s true I unapologetically wrote an autobiography extolling my own megalomaniacal tendencies. What? Aren’t all autobiographies megalomaniacal?

Regardless, I’d no idea that my name could lure me to literary work. But a book named Lily … come on. I snapped that up.

Lily stayed on my TBR for a while (these days audiobooks are just easier) and then I happened across E.G. Creel reading Lily on her TikTok page and whoa. Remember, I’m the teacher that scheduled tons private story time with the local librarian because I loved it as much as my students did. So, of course, E.G. Creel’s story time with the TikTok audience was just too good to resist.

And though I was tantalized by hearing the story of Lily and her shadow, totally engaged with each magical or heart stopping moment, as Lily moved from one misadventure to another, I’ll confess, I did read go on and read ahead. Proving once again that megalomaniacal isn’t my only shortcoming.

So, if you’re on TikTok pop in on E.G. Creel and let her weave her story time magic for you, as she did for me. Or pick up your own copy of Lily, it doesn’t even have to be your name.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8Qtt9N3/

[Jodie Simpson · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️ A short story with dark fairytale vibes full of mythical creatures which introduces us to Lily, a baby born and passed around many homes before she even grows to girlhood.

This story is written in a fairytale style with the odd appearance of the narrator speaking to the audience. If this is the type of writing that you prefer, then you may find it much more enjoyable than I did as this is not my preference.

We are given so many snippets of information about the many characters and places we come across in super speed, not really allowing any time or detail to truly understand what’s going on. It wasn’t even enough to sit in the atmosphere of the story, merely being a vibe. If this story was recreated with a focus on details and character development I could see it having a huge audience of readers who adore atmospheric reads of the dark twisty fairytale style.

I imagine someone who enjoys a dark and quirky bedtime fairy tale experience which is quick and easy to read, might really like this story.

[Joey Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Author E. G. Creel and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

A story based on mythology and magic, it’s was a unique tale of a young Duban being born without a twin but with a shadow. Her journey in her young life to stay alive and being raised by different beings.

What a interesting tale, I didn’t know what to expect from this novella before reading, but it caught my eye so I wanted to give it a read. It was very unique and I don’t think there’s any others stories like this.

Within this darker tale we follow baby Lily as she is almost killed multiple times throughout the story all because she has a strong powerful and possibly evil shadow. From a midwife that deems her shadow dangerous instantly, to a thieving father who forces her to be raised by a Rolldarc beast, all before the loving Old White Beard takes her in. Everything in this story was so different and all so dark, but it really worked and weaved together a very interesting tale.

I loved Lily and Old White Beards relationship she really loved him and he loved her, he was in awe of her shadow and all that it can do. I enjoyed learning more of exactly what it was capable of doing as he helped her grow and learn without any fear of it. But we left the story on a new chapter, Lily is now with Emma and the story will take another new turn of events for Lily and her shadow in another book.

If you enjoy mythology or legends or stories of a similar nature then I think you’d really enjoy this one. It’s a very unique story, it’s done in a novella form so the story moves on quickly but I actually found I liked the way it was told. It was dark and twisty and there was something round every corner.

[Jasper · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and E. G. Creel for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This novella definitely had potential, but unfortunately wasn't nearly fleshed out enough to warrant a higher rating.

I really liked the premise of a girl being born alone in a society that usually only has twin-births, and exploring the consequences of that in a grim, atmospheric setting. The book is also an incredibly easy read, and could definitely be enjoyed by someone looking for a bedtime-esque story. Other than that, I really struggled to enjoy my time reading Lily.

A lot of the scenes could have used a little bit more care. I oftentimes felt like the novella was falling woefully short of the atmosphere it was trying to convey.
There were also a few things that had no real anchor in the novella as it stands. The description of the book says Creel imagined it to be narrated by David Attenborough, but the few lines of narration were sprinkled in with otherwise very sterile/barebones writing. There wasn't enough consistency with these 4th wall breaks to make them humorous or endearing rather than immersion breaking.
Halfway through the book, we're also introduced to some themes of Norse mythology that came seemingly out of nowhere, and 90% of the characters and creatures we meet could have used a lot more fleshing out.

The book sits at less than 40 pages, so there was definitely room for more exposition and scene-setting, and I wish Lily had been allowed to take up the space it could have filled with its very interesting premise.

[Kelly | Bookmarks 'n Blankets · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story had an interesting concept; unfortunately, it needed to be developed further. It felt really disjointed and needed further explanation. I was left with many questions and quite confused. It felt like I was missing a much bigger story. I did read the author’s note that this was the origin story of a character in another one of her books, but I thought it could be read as a standalone short story. However, that was not the case. Also, the narrator breaking the fourth wall and talking to the reader was not necessary and felt cheesy. It took me out of the story.

But I did like the characters, fantasy elements, and overall tone and atmosphere. It was a bit creepy and eerie. It felt like a classic fairytale, which I enjoyed, but I wish we got more backstories of the characters and more details of this fantasy world. I also liked the different fantasy creatures and the lore of this realm. The few illustrations we got in some episodes were cute. I wish it were more consistent, and we saw them with every episode.

The pacing was a little rushed, but this is a novella, so that’s to be expected. I’m intrigued to continue this journey by reading the other books in this series.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

[Linn van den Heuvel · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Lily was born with a shadow. Now, you might be thinking, what's the big deal?"

I loved this short story! It was very original and had a good fantasy vibe. During reading it, and knowing it was a short story, I hoped there would maybe me more. And there is, because at the end of the book you get teased about The Immortal (a story about White Beard) and about Gena (about Lily's future).

So, Lily is about a girl, but she's not human. She's a Duban and Dubans are mostly born as twins. If they are not, they will have a shadow and that's a very bad omen. Children with shadows will be banished or even murdered. In her young life, Lily has to go through some very sad moments but eventually ends up with the loving character of White Beard. He cares for her as much as he's able to, until two angry men come to kidnap Lily and fulfill the promise of making sure Lily doesn't live to see another day. White Beard gathers everything he needs and seeks the help of a friend, but he's an old man and not sure if he can fulfill this quest.

An enchanting story in a magical world. I really enjoyed reading it and am excited to read the other two books!

[Shayna greycoupon · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Lily" by E.G. Creel is a peculiar and fast-paced short dark fantasy story featuring a unique crossover from "The Immortal." The narrative, imagined with Sir David Attenborough's voice, presents an episodic structure, with each chapter concluding in a cliffhanger, creating a sense of urgency and anticipation. The title character, Lily, is notably born with a shadow, a concept explored throughout the story.

The tale's brevity and pace contribute to a somewhat rushed feeling, potentially leaving the reader longing for a more extensive exploration and fleshing out of the themes and characters. The occasional direct addresses to the reader by the author introduce an unexpected and jarring element, disrupting the immersive experience.

Despite these aspects, the story offers a distinctive blend of fantasy and narrative techniques, making it a noteworthy addition to the indie author landscape. The author's creative approach and distinct narrative style can be appreciated by those seeking unconventional fantasy tales.

[Tatyana ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the author, E. G. Creel, for an advanced copy of this book!  

This short story follows Lily who is a Duban. Every Duban is born as a twin. So when Lily is born with a shadow instead it is expected that she will be killed by her community to her parents’ dismay. Lily ends up surviving, but unfortunately, her parents do not. As a result, she ends up being passed between two adoptive families who care for her until she is a toddler. Along the way, this short story explores how powerful the fear of the unknown can be through Lily and other characters. There are also magical elements woven throughout the story with other worlds and creatures. After reading this, I learned that this story is connected to some of the author's other novels where we learn more about Lily and her adoptive father. I would be interested in learning more about the characters and this world, especially since this ends on a cliffhanger.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very short, yet very good! Being a Norse Pagan, I can't help but think that White Beard is Odin. There is just enough intrigue to make me want to read the other 2 books that the author says is connected to this book.

The pace was just fast enough that you wanted to keep going so you could find out what was happening. Not a lot of world building which is good for a novella this length. To me this whole book was a set up to explain why Lily is the way she is when she is older. I can't wait to read the other books to find out more!

This book was provided for free by NetGalley to review.

[Diane Mendenhall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given the opportunity to review this book via NetGalley. Lily caught my attention quickly and held it as I continued to read. By the time I finished the story, I decided to check out further stories by E.G. Creel specifically The Immortal and Gena. E.G. Creel built and interesting world and this story is an interesting way to step into that world. I really want to learn more about Lily and her shadow. White Beard is an intriguing character that I was glad to find there is an additional story. I am curious about Dubans and why they always are born with a twin. I have read several stories about shadow sisters and this was an interesting take on it.

[Maria Martins · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like the Brothers Grimm style of fantasy and fairy tales with dark twists this short story is for you! Is was such an interesting and dark little story. I loved the misfit orphan premise, the idea of this "Santa Claus" guardian, and a vibe not dissimilar from a Grimm fairy tale.
I loved the spooky, magical elements and found the narrative voice pleasantly entertaining. With just under 60 pages, the story made me feel like a child again, providing a brief escape from the real world.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[zthebookwormz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily’s story had me not knowing what will happen next and I loved it. It’s short and sweet with plot twists that I didn’t see coming!

I loved Lily’s and White Beard’s relationship you could see how much he cared for her through out the story🫶🏻

I loved the writing and it was an interesting story that I honestly didn’t want to put down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next.

Would definitely recommend picking up if you wanted a short story to read!!

I received this as an ARC by the author and this is my honest review🖤📚

[iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily was a sweet, quaint novella with peculiar characters and a charming plot. It somewhat gave me similar vibes as the show Over the Garden Wall. I loved the spooky, magical elements and found the narrative voice pleasantly entertaining. With just under 40 pages, the story made me feel like a child again, providing a brief escape from the real world.

Thank you, NetGalley, for sending me an e-ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great short dark fantasy story. The story is about Lily, a Duban. Dubans give birth to twins, but on rare occasions, Dubans can give birth to a single child. These children have a shadow, and it's a sign of bad luck. Lily was almost killed when she was unexpectedly saved on the day of her birth. The story progresses a little quickly, but the story is so good. It gave a little bit of Christmas/Santa Claus vibes. I loved the sprinkle of Norse mythology throughout the story as well.

*Thank you, NetGalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.*

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a great little short story about a village that only has twins — and then Lily is born with a shadow only — so her father goes looking for a twin to hide the truth — but then disaster comes and the story gets even more interesting with a fairytale and mystical quality we follow Lily from birth through yearly childhood . I would definitely like to read more about these characters and these unique worlds. This short story could be expanded and made into its own novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for this ARC , this is my honest review .