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marieplatts's review
4.0
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.
_whatjennreads's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kristjanlarson's review
4.0
This book was a bit of a stretch for me as the horror/sci-fi genre is not typically a favorite. That said, the blurb looked like enough of an interesting take to make it with the effort. To set the stage, we have a ruined apocalyptic landscape with enclaves of humans behind walled communities scrambling to survive. From the shadows, a terrifying creature (aka Shivers) emerges that haunts a specific person for a time until its hunger becomes to much prevent it from literally eating its host and if not “exiled” outside of the protective walls by then, going on a rampage devouring anybody else nearby. While there are some obvious analogies and symbolism from these shadow horrors, my interest was more on the basic story that follows Anthem, the city "Exilist" (aka The Reaper) who was responsible for making sure the afflicted were “escorted” out through the city walls into the deadlands before the Shiver goes nuts. Having a Shiver is always a death sentence … it is only a matter of time.
Anthem has a daughter … and his own Shiver, so the clock is ticking to find the truth. Does the Architect (ruler of the City of Atlas) have the answers? Maybe that is why not a single member of that family has ever been “exiled.” Or maybe the truth is outside the walls in the Deadlands. There is a mystery here (and a dark secret); however, you can’t figure it out on your own, so you are left to the whims each tantalizing encounter that keeps Anthem's apocalyptic "hero's journey" from being completely hopeless. If you enjoyed The Road, this story is probably right up your alley. Truthfully it is the end that makes this any good for me, with the obvious nod to depression and the hope contained therein; however, as mentioned above … this was not for me, so I am rounding my final score up.
I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#TheMonstersInOurShadow #NetGalley
Anthem has a daughter … and his own Shiver, so the clock is ticking to find the truth. Does the Architect (ruler of the City of Atlas) have the answers? Maybe that is why not a single member of that family has ever been “exiled.” Or maybe the truth is outside the walls in the Deadlands. There is a mystery here (and a dark secret); however, you can’t figure it out on your own, so you are left to the whims each tantalizing encounter that keeps Anthem's apocalyptic "hero's journey" from being completely hopeless. If you enjoyed The Road, this story is probably right up your alley. Truthfully it is the end that makes this any good for me, with the obvious nod to depression and the hope contained therein; however, as mentioned above … this was not for me, so I am rounding my final score up.
I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#TheMonstersInOurShadow #NetGalley
calistaandrechek's review
0.75
Thank you to NetGalley, Edward J Cembal and Book Whisperer for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I got 40-45% through and I felt like nothing really had happened yet so I couldn’t bring myself to finish it.
laurathebookhermit's review
3.75
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an e-arc of this title for review.
This book is a story set in a world 100 years post viral take over. However, I wouldn't say that it is particularly triggering for those sensitive to post epidemic plot lines. It did feel very different because of the unique nature of the epidemic.
The opening chapter drew me in and was actually super creepy and intriguing. Although this is not a perfect book I do recommend it overall. It was really interesting and actually the flaws were very much something that indicated to me how into the story I was. I really just wanted more description and time in certain moments of the story. Sometimes there were moments that were so quick that I had to go back and re read as I was getting confused with where people came from or went too. I think that these things could have been sorted easily with a little more development time.
Another, point I want to make is that I am predominantly a character driven reader. I think that it is a sign of a great plot that I didn't care about any of the characters particularly, and still wanted to keep reading. I would say this was in parts a 3 star read for me, but the starting chapter and the final 30% really brought the rating up for me. I liked the interesting concepts and mirroring of real life stuff, in a world that feels very much how our world could go in this situation. I also found this book really quotable and if I had a physical copy of it, I would absolutely have been highlighting a bunch. The twists were really good too... again, especially in the last 30%.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a gory horror, enjoys a twisty plot, and likes to think about the human condition and how it is affected by the world around us and vice versa.
This book is a story set in a world 100 years post viral take over. However, I wouldn't say that it is particularly triggering for those sensitive to post epidemic plot lines. It did feel very different because of the unique nature of the epidemic.
The opening chapter drew me in and was actually super creepy and intriguing. Although this is not a perfect book I do recommend it overall. It was really interesting and actually the flaws were very much something that indicated to me how into the story I was. I really just wanted more description and time in certain moments of the story. Sometimes there were moments that were so quick that I had to go back and re read as I was getting confused with where people came from or went too. I think that these things could have been sorted easily with a little more development time.
Another, point I want to make is that I am predominantly a character driven reader. I think that it is a sign of a great plot that I didn't care about any of the characters particularly, and still wanted to keep reading. I would say this was in parts a 3 star read for me, but the starting chapter and the final 30% really brought the rating up for me. I liked the interesting concepts and mirroring of real life stuff, in a world that feels very much how our world could go in this situation. I also found this book really quotable and if I had a physical copy of it, I would absolutely have been highlighting a bunch. The twists were really good too... again, especially in the last 30%.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a gory horror, enjoys a twisty plot, and likes to think about the human condition and how it is affected by the world around us and vice versa.
bookalorian's review
4.0
It took me ages to really get into this book but honestly, I find most post apocalyptic books tend to ease you in slowly. The pace was quick and meaty and the build up to what the monsters are, scared me half to death!
The writing was smashing and the characters seemed to come to life right on the page. That is a serious gift in a writer. The book was a little monotonal and I wasn't a huge fan of Anthems and that is hard for me because I need to love the main character to really get into the book but all the book was a brilliant read for halloween.
I do have to admit I don't read much sci-fi but having it mashed up in horror was definitely an experience I want again.
4 stars
The writing was smashing and the characters seemed to come to life right on the page. That is a serious gift in a writer. The book was a little monotonal and I wasn't a huge fan of Anthems and that is hard for me because I need to love the main character to really get into the book but all the book was a brilliant read for halloween.
I do have to admit I don't read much sci-fi but having it mashed up in horror was definitely an experience I want again.
4 stars
wickedreads221b's review
4.0
Thank you Net Galley & Edward Cembal for an eARC of this book for an honest review.
Dystopian/Horror/ Sci-Fi
I need to preface this review with the fact that this book does have some dark themes, but I can't begin to say how much I loved this. Just the sheer concecpt of this book is *Chef's Kiss* and as someone who struggles with some of the themes in this book, is it very appreciated. This story has nestled into my heart & I won't soon forget it. My only compliant is that as the story starts to ramp up, our main character goes mentally from feeling like the 40(ish) year-old that he is, to almost a 20-25 year old.
I'll definitely be on the lookout for more works from this author in the future
Dystopian/Horror/ Sci-Fi
I need to preface this review with the fact that this book does have some dark themes, but I can't begin to say how much I loved this. Just the sheer concecpt of this book is *Chef's Kiss* and as someone who struggles with some of the themes in this book, is it very appreciated. This story has nestled into my heart & I won't soon forget it. My only compliant is that as the story starts to ramp up, our main character goes mentally from feeling like the 40(ish) year-old that he is, to almost a 20-25 year old.
I'll definitely be on the lookout for more works from this author in the future
read_byred's review
Gothic story about the monsters we try to hide from the world. I liked that it was so clearly an allegory for depression/mental illness, but just was not super into the story over all.
readingwithkirstyn's review
4.0
I found The Monsters in our Shadows and found myself really hooked right away. It was the perfect mix of creepy horror and dystopian that I really want and find myself looking for in these types of books. I found a lot of parallels to this and the real life world we live in today. I loved the main characters resilience and drive, never giving up and persevering when things become difficult. This book will keep you up at night wondering what's hiding in the shadow.