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Book Review: Shadow Runner by K.J. Fieler

 

Shadow Runner by KJ Fieler

Shadow Runner by K.J. Fieler

Black Rose Writing, 2023

9781685132040

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition

Buy (pre-order): Bookshop.orgAmazon.com

 

The only negative to Shadow Runner is that eventually, like all great stories, it ends.  It would be tougher to put together a better YA fantasy/thriller than this.  Like the Harry Potter series, Shadow Runner has the ability to appeal to young and old alike, although it is oriented to the younger set.  It’s a must-read.

 

As far as genres, this is listed as “steampunk,” taking place in a Victorian-style society where fancy machines run on steam and electricity hasn’t been invented.  Shadow Runner’s basic premise is that young, born to wealth Ada is kidnapped in her pre-teen years by a group of ladies known as the Shadows.  They’re like the Thieves’ Guild in Dungeons and Dragons, taking robbery and assassination jobs from those willing to pay for it.  As Ada grows and learns the trade of the Shadows, she eventually has to make some important decisions that will determine the course of her life.  Is the Shadow life truly the life she wants, and can she compromise the values she grew up with?

 

Despite the above, this isn’t a story about robbing and killing.  At its heart, it’s a beautifully told tale of human interaction.  Ada’s adventures are secondary: the story is more about how she and her mentor, Nadine, have to come to trust and rely on each other, even though they live in a world where friendship can get you killed.  The story adds another excellent layer when Ada shows compassion for a young outcast, Dieb, who everyone else scorns.  The three of them have to decide what matters: their emotional ties to each other, or survival in an uncaring world.  It’s a back-and-forth for all of them, as none of the three characters are one-dimensional: they are all painted with shades of gray.

 

It’s how the author handles them that demonstrates serious writing skill.  Readers will feel and connect with the characters as they try to survive, which isn’t easy with a group of people to whom backstabbing is the norm.  Some parts will make you angry, some will make you cry.  When you love the characters enough that you are unhappy when the book ends, then you’ve just read a pretty special story.

 

Despite the Shadow lifestyle, the author wisely avoids any graphic material. Characters do kill each other, but the author spares readers any messy details.  It helps keep the focus on the interactions of the three leads themselves, which is where the book’s appeal comes from.

 

Bottom line: thiis is the first must-read of the summer for everyone.  There’s room for the story to continue in another book, and there will be a lot of unhappy readers if it doesn’t happen.  Highly recommended.

 

Reviewed by Murray Samuelson

 

Book Review: Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening by Marjorie Liu, artwork by Sana Takeda

Monstress, Volume 1 written by Marjorie Liu, artwork by Sana Takeda

Image Comics, 2016

ISBN: 9951632157096

Available: Kindle ebook, print

Monstress, Volume 1 collects issues 1-6 of a fantastic comic written by Marjorie Liu and drawn by Sana Takeda. The story is set in an alternate vision of 1900’s Asia, and includes elements of steampunk, kaiju, and horror fiction. The world includes humans, monsters, and magical creatures, existing in a constant state of struggle and war. The animal-hybrid Arcanics and the Cumea witch-nuns are at the center of this war. The Cumea capture, auction, or buy Arcanics for reprehensible experiments, slavery, or worse. The story opens with Maika Halfwolf, a teenage girl who is discovering her mysterious past, up for auction. A high ranking member of the Cumea takes her, and a few other Arcanics, back to her mistress’s palace. The sorceress doesn’t know it, but the taking of Maika will turn out to be a deadly mistake for her captors. Upon her escape, Maika rescues the tiny, skittish, fox girl, Kippa. They are joined by the ever-present badass of a cat, Master Ren.

I love horror comics, and Monstress has quickly become my favorite comic series for this genre. Liu has created a rich, dark world, and characters are fascinating. Maika, throughout the story, remains stalwart and aloof, despite her class status in this world. This manages to be a strength as much as a weakness. She’s cold and calculating, even when such a demeanor is not warranted, and puts her at odds with her “betters.” Since Kippa is a child, she exudes innocence and cuteness. Maika does her best to be patient with her, which is to say she isn’t. No matter how badly Maika treats her, Kippa doesn’t give up on her. Master Ren is a talking cat, who seems to appear when he is needed the most. He’s protective and mysterious, and knows more than he communicates.

Takeda’s artwork is, in a word, exquisite. There is so much detail in the panels, and every page is in full color. The book took me three times as it normally takes me to get through a comic because I just wanted to drink in the artwork. It’s absolutely gorgeous.

I can’t get enough of this series. Highly recommended.

Contains: blood, violence

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker


Book Review: On Her Majesty’s Behalf: The Great Undead War, Book II by Joseph Nassise


On Her Majesty’s Behalf: The Great Undead War: Book II by Joseph Nassise

Harper Voyager, 2014

ISBN-13: 9780062048783

Available: Paperback, Kindle

 

This is the second book in The Great Undead War series (the first book is By The Blood of Heroes. Normally I would never start a story in the middle, but I jumped at a review copy of this novel because I have read and heard great things about Joesph Nassise’s work.

This isn’t just another post-apocalypse undead story; it hits several popular genre publishing trends at once. The Great Undead War is an alternate history/zombie/steampunk series. It’s a combination that in lesser hands could easily fail, but Nassise pulls it off.

In this novel, set during the Great War (World War I), the world is under siege from zombie hordes created by German chemical weapons. Our hero, Major Burke,  and his company, are given the job of getting into zombie-occupied London to rescue the royal family. They must battle their way through zombies: the shamblers of the first novel, and the more vicious shredders.

This short novel is a rare case where I could have handled another hundred pages. The pace is great, and the action moves quickly. The vibe is that of a military action novel, but it also succeeds as a horror novel. It is well written and thoroughly researched.

This is a great crossover novel. I highly recommend this book for readers who like adventure fantasy, zombie novels, steampunk, and military adventure fiction. Libraries should also have this available for young adult readers ages 14 and up– they will love it. I intend to go back and read the first book, and will be in line when the next one comes out.

Contains: Zombie violence

Reviewed by David Agranoff