Stalking the Shadows by BJ Edwards
Posted: 30 Jun 2017, 15:30
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of “Stalking the Shadows” by BJ Edwards]
Stalking the Shadows is a complex story set around 12,000 years ago in megalithic Britain. The climate is harsh and fear lives amongst the Neanderthals, one of the last surviving clans. As the story begins, it is clear that there is a rivalry between the homo Neanderthals and the Homo sapiens.
Hamek, is the chief of the Homo sapiens. Hamek’s son, Dimek, is injured on a hunt trying to prove his manhood to his father. Two men of the Neanderthals help him and take him in, teaching him their ways. When Hamek is informed by this, he attacks the Neanderthal tribe and kills everyone including the ones that helped his son. An elder of the tribe, who knows magic, curses Hamek’s tribe and that is when his land becomes scarce of food. As the living situation become harsher, Dimek and Drushuk, another powerful elder figure in the tribe, set off with a few others to find better living conditions for their people.
Hamek is very angry for them leaving and sends Mugra to bring them back. Mugra finds Dimek and Drushuk and instead challenges them to a fight. Drushuk intervenes calling on the Gods. Here is, in my opinion, where the story changes perspective. There are dark Gods and good Gods within the content of the story. When Hamek realizes that Mugra betrayed him, he asks for Mugra to be killed. Mugra wants revenge and pledges to become chief instead. Two sets of armies emerge with the support of two sets of Gods. Dimek and Drushuk’s army battles against Mugra’s army. Each army is supported by their own set of Gods.
What stands out in this book is the author’s in-depth and descriptive writing of the story. The character development has been created with the utmost perfection. The historical references and the detailed relevant information truly takes you back in time and has you fully understand the harsh conditions existed in the past.
The introduction of the Gods is what sets this apart from others in its genre. While the book is very complex and various storylines are intertwined within the text, I still found it interesting to read. The author captures the emotions and feelings of its reader, with his delightful style of lyrical storytelling. The book is about friendship, love, magic, Gods, sacrifice, war, cruelty and bravery. I believe anyone that is interested in reading historical books would enjoy this one.
As always, there was room for improvement. The content failed to include a space or an indication, whenever there was a change in the point of view. This caused confusion and disconnected the smooth flow that should have naturally come with such a complex written story. For this reason, “I rate this book 3 out of 4.”
In summary, I believe that the strong world setting of the story and the picturesque descriptiveness of the writing makes this book very appealing and enjoyable to read. This is the first book of the ‘Ancient Destiny’ series and I look forward to seeing what this author has in store for us.
Stalking the Shadows is a complex story set around 12,000 years ago in megalithic Britain. The climate is harsh and fear lives amongst the Neanderthals, one of the last surviving clans. As the story begins, it is clear that there is a rivalry between the homo Neanderthals and the Homo sapiens.
Hamek, is the chief of the Homo sapiens. Hamek’s son, Dimek, is injured on a hunt trying to prove his manhood to his father. Two men of the Neanderthals help him and take him in, teaching him their ways. When Hamek is informed by this, he attacks the Neanderthal tribe and kills everyone including the ones that helped his son. An elder of the tribe, who knows magic, curses Hamek’s tribe and that is when his land becomes scarce of food. As the living situation become harsher, Dimek and Drushuk, another powerful elder figure in the tribe, set off with a few others to find better living conditions for their people.
Hamek is very angry for them leaving and sends Mugra to bring them back. Mugra finds Dimek and Drushuk and instead challenges them to a fight. Drushuk intervenes calling on the Gods. Here is, in my opinion, where the story changes perspective. There are dark Gods and good Gods within the content of the story. When Hamek realizes that Mugra betrayed him, he asks for Mugra to be killed. Mugra wants revenge and pledges to become chief instead. Two sets of armies emerge with the support of two sets of Gods. Dimek and Drushuk’s army battles against Mugra’s army. Each army is supported by their own set of Gods.
What stands out in this book is the author’s in-depth and descriptive writing of the story. The character development has been created with the utmost perfection. The historical references and the detailed relevant information truly takes you back in time and has you fully understand the harsh conditions existed in the past.
The introduction of the Gods is what sets this apart from others in its genre. While the book is very complex and various storylines are intertwined within the text, I still found it interesting to read. The author captures the emotions and feelings of its reader, with his delightful style of lyrical storytelling. The book is about friendship, love, magic, Gods, sacrifice, war, cruelty and bravery. I believe anyone that is interested in reading historical books would enjoy this one.
As always, there was room for improvement. The content failed to include a space or an indication, whenever there was a change in the point of view. This caused confusion and disconnected the smooth flow that should have naturally come with such a complex written story. For this reason, “I rate this book 3 out of 4.”
In summary, I believe that the strong world setting of the story and the picturesque descriptiveness of the writing makes this book very appealing and enjoyable to read. This is the first book of the ‘Ancient Destiny’ series and I look forward to seeing what this author has in store for us.
Good job with the review!