Reviews (XXVII)

4.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat dark and well worth a read, March 7, 2014

By

Robert Clark

This review is from: Shadows of the Past (Kindle Edition)

Shadows of the Past, by Carmen Stefanescu, is, in effect, two novels intertwined into one. One, set several hundred years ago, revolves around Genevieve and, to a lesser extent, around Andrew. The other, set in the present, has Anne as the main protagonist with Neil as the secondary main character. While Shadows of the Past has to be considered a paranormal romance, the romance element is simply one part of a complex story.

The paranormal aspects of the book start out as hints and suppositions. Even well into the novel the reader has to wonder if the supernatural elements are really there, or are the products of the characters’ minds. Was the venomous snake crawling up to Neil a sending from some evil power or was it just a snake in the wrong place at the wrong time? Are the spectral figures Anne sees real or products of her imagination? Is there an actual linkage between Anne and Genevieve? Only toward the end does Stefanescu leave no doubt that the paranormal is operating as a major factor in her novel.

The constant movement within the two basic time frames, and some back and forth jumps within each, can prove a bit disconcerting at first. However, unlike some novels, in Shadows of the Past the two story lines are always clearly delineated and can’t be confused with each other. As the novel progresses smoothly this ceases to be a problem as Stefanescu draws the reader into the plot.

For those who like their paranormal romances light and fluffy with happy endings, Shadows of the Past probably isn’t a good choice. While most novels in this genre put the protagonists in danger or at least in crisis time after time, they almost always finish with a happy ever after ending. Stefanescu’s work is darker. The threats and problems are as much psychological as physical, and, as in real life, not every problem is easily solved and not every ending is happy.

This does not mean Shadows of the Past is a downer. In the critical story line the good guys win, it’s just that their victory doesn’t mean their lives will always be perfect. I found the concession to realism in the fantasy refreshing.

No novel is perfect, although the imperfections are often less in the novel itself than in the mindset of the reader. There are sections of Shadows of the Past that I found a bit repetitive. However, in all those cases, I could see where Stefanescu would have considered the retelling of specific events critical to make sure the reader understood what was happening.

There was one minor scientific glitch where DNA, instead of something like carbon dating, was used to determine the age of some bones. In the over-all context of the book, the error was irrelevant.

Apparently Shadows of the Past is intended as one book in a series, or at least a book with a sequel, because one rather ominous passage at the end certainly sets the stage for another book.

Carmen Stefanescu’s Shadows of the Past is a little different from the typical paranormal romance, which is a good thing, and is an enjoyable read.

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Book Reviews (X)

Book Review: SHATTERED (Mind Shadows 1) by Patrick Royal

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The only thing that multi-published, award winning horror author, Tom Elliot, wanted was to move to the country for a change of scenery and relaxation, to a quiet part of southern Illinois. It seemed he'd picked out a wonderful spot, miles away from the closest neighbor and even further away from civilization.

Tom couldn't write to save his soul. Weird thoughts trampled through his head and left him wondering if he'd made a mistake moving from Chicago. Could it have been that he ripped himself from his element, like his best friend, Michael Gully, had predicted? That he couldn't answer yet.

Words came and flowed like wildfire, but at what price? Tom's imagination was getting the best of him and running rampant. The very characters that he created tormented him, driving him mad where he couldn't distinguish fiction from reality.

My Review

I've always been a big fan of horror fiction, and I was really looking forward to reading this book. The author, Patrick Royal, delivers a taut horror novel, with an imaginative premise, that moves with speed and agility.

With a fast moving plot that keeps you turning the pages and a marvelous ride of emotion, Patrick Royal's Shattered grabbed me from page one. There are many things I'd like to say, but I'll mention only the aspects which wouldn't give away the ending, as I don't want to spoil the other readers' experience. Shattered is a real spine-tingler. The type of novel where the reader asks breathlessly, "What next?"  It reveals the hidden, dangerous power of a highly creative mind, the mind of a successful horror writing novelist. Shattered tells the compelling and gritty story of Tom Elliot. I loved the chapters where we get to know Tom Elliot better.  Little by little, the fiction world he creates sneaks into his life, reality and illusion, past and present becoming one and leading him to wonder 'if his mind was right at that moment.'

           

Other characters - Michael, his long time friend, Susan a woman he meets at a supermarket, and he enjoys having around, “You’re a very smart person, Tom Elliot,” Susan said and grinned. Tom liked that. It had been a very long time since he had a woman look at him like that. - are believable and immediately evoke empathy from the reader. Not so much his grandmother.

           

The flow of the story was smooth. It wasn't too rushed and it didn't drag which is very nice. The mysteries were given out in a perfect timing. I like how the author built the tension.

           

It took me one session to read it end-to-end. I wholeheartedly recommend it to those who love horror novels, but not only. You will enjoy it and devour it, but beware don't read it during the night.                       

           

Shattered is an enormously gripping story, in my opinion a psychological horror, which fully deserves its five stars review.