Review of The Shade of Highfall
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Erika_anaid
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- Latest Review: The Shade of Highfall by Mark O'Dell
Review of The Shade of Highfall
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Shade of Highfall" by Mark O'Dell.]
Set in the magical land of Highfall, where status is determined by where you might reside; we meet Shrew. An orphan with the ability to blend into shadows that allows her to survive the streets of Low Reach, the poverty section of Highfall. We follow Shrew as her circumstances change and she must adapt to the world around her. Meanwhile, Highfall is being plagued by a religious cult vying for power, with the help of a drug called fang weed. Shrew must tread carefully with help from magical and non-magical friends to help stop the darkness from taking over.
The Shade of Highfall by Mark O’Dell, is written with remarkable detail, in regards to world building and understanding the environment that this adventure takes place in. The author really thrusts readers into the environment that Shrew is trying to navigate. O’Dell is successful in making the reader understand where and how the circumstances feel to Shrew, making the reader feel like they are a part of her journey. Shrew is also very well developed as a character; her fire, her wit, and her overall characterization endears her to the audience. She is very much a product of her environment and understanding where she started her journey only strengthens that.
As a character, Shrew, is funny and entertaining, and for me, one of the only reasons I finished reading. However, I find that the other characters introduced don’t have the same layer of depth. While the scenery and Shrew have purpose, the other characters you meet along the way seem to be slightly more superficial in nature. There is so much potential in other characters that don’t feel fully realized which, I feel, takes you out of the book when Shrew isn’t around or as prevalent. Also, although magic is woven in this novel, I would have enjoyed more explanation to certain magical elements. It feels like so much focus has been but into world building that everything else seems to just dim in comparison.
I would rate The Shade of Nightfall, a two out of four stars. I found it difficult to finish this book but could see how it would appeal to someone else. The story line was filled with possibility but the lack of development in characterization dampens the impact of plot points or certain circumstances. Everything in this book feels like it is in support for Shrew making it feel less like something that could have actually happened in this far off world your reading about.
I feel this novel would mostly appeal to adult woman who love fantasy. Purely, because Shrew, as the main character, is strong willed and powerful in her own right; she takes charge of her circumstances and her own destiny. The magic in this novel is so seamlessly intertwined with everyday life that I find that could be a wonderful escape into fantasy, for those who love entering new worlds. It leaves you believing there is even more magic in this world than written about. As the adventure deepens, so does the magic and that only deepens the curiosity enveloping the world written by O’Dell.
******
The Shade of Highfall
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Set in the magical land of Highfall, where status is determined by where you might reside; we meet Shrew. An orphan with the ability to blend into shadows that allows her to survive the streets of Low Reach, the poverty section of Highfall. We follow Shrew as her circumstances change and she must adapt to the world around her. Meanwhile, Highfall is being plagued by a religious cult vying for power, with the help of a drug called fang weed. Shrew must tread carefully with help from magical and non-magical friends to help stop the darkness from taking over.
The Shade of Highfall by Mark O’Dell, is written with remarkable detail, in regards to world building and understanding the environment that this adventure takes place in. The author really thrusts readers into the environment that Shrew is trying to navigate. O’Dell is successful in making the reader understand where and how the circumstances feel to Shrew, making the reader feel like they are a part of her journey. Shrew is also very well developed as a character; her fire, her wit, and her overall characterization endears her to the audience. She is very much a product of her environment and understanding where she started her journey only strengthens that.
As a character, Shrew, is funny and entertaining, and for me, one of the only reasons I finished reading. However, I find that the other characters introduced don’t have the same layer of depth. While the scenery and Shrew have purpose, the other characters you meet along the way seem to be slightly more superficial in nature. There is so much potential in other characters that don’t feel fully realized which, I feel, takes you out of the book when Shrew isn’t around or as prevalent. Also, although magic is woven in this novel, I would have enjoyed more explanation to certain magical elements. It feels like so much focus has been but into world building that everything else seems to just dim in comparison.
I would rate The Shade of Nightfall, a two out of four stars. I found it difficult to finish this book but could see how it would appeal to someone else. The story line was filled with possibility but the lack of development in characterization dampens the impact of plot points or certain circumstances. Everything in this book feels like it is in support for Shrew making it feel less like something that could have actually happened in this far off world your reading about.
I feel this novel would mostly appeal to adult woman who love fantasy. Purely, because Shrew, as the main character, is strong willed and powerful in her own right; she takes charge of her circumstances and her own destiny. The magic in this novel is so seamlessly intertwined with everyday life that I find that could be a wonderful escape into fantasy, for those who love entering new worlds. It leaves you believing there is even more magic in this world than written about. As the adventure deepens, so does the magic and that only deepens the curiosity enveloping the world written by O’Dell.
******
The Shade of Highfall
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Shade of Highfall by Mark O'Dell
