A Shadow’s Curse
Garin James never asked to be a hero—but how far will he go when those he loves are cursed?
In a town where monsters truly do lurk in the shadows, Garin James is but a simple farmer tending his fields for the harvest. But the woods that border his home are haunted by wraiths—creatures that were once people, now poisoned by the deadly rafflesia flower. Already burdened by the disappearance of his father and brother, Garin thought he had nothing left to lose. When his mother, Joy, is arrested, and the infamous Captain Lucien marks him as an enemy of the law, his world begins to unravel. Soon after, his friend Ben is poisoned, and the countdown begins to save him from a fate worse than death.
Thrust into a dangerous quest, Garin must journey into the heart of wraith territory. Joined by an unlikely companion—a mysterious girl from Mystic Canyon—he must navigate through a land consumed by dark magic to find an ancient relic. With time running out, the lines between friend and foe blur, and Garin must decide just how much he’s willing to sacrifice to save the very world around him—before it’s all lost forever.
S. Madaris –
What a fun read with a fascinating setting and a compelling adventure! I finished this in just two sittings, as the prose moved quickly and the tension of the story was established very quickly. The constant presence of something as simple as shadows and a setting sun kept the suspense level high, as that darkness meant the presence of the true danger throughout the story. I enjoyed the themes throughout of friendship, trust, and loyalty and was also really engaged with the EPIC climax, with some action that was intense and truly large in scope. In fact, I could have spent several more chapters in this world and though it does have a very satisfying conclusion, I would be very interested in revisiting this fantastical realm!