Meet New Books
Meet New Books
Book Cover

Shadows

Save:
Find on Amazon

Shadows by John Saul is a gripping tale that explores the concept of true artificial intelligence and its potential dangers. The story follows ten-year-old Josh MacCallum, a gifted but lonely child who finds solace at the Barrington Academy, a mysterious school overlooking the Pacific coast. As Josh delves deeper into the Academy's secrets, he uncovers dark experiments and sinister forces at play, leading to a chilling and suspenseful narrative. John Saul's writing style is described as fast-paced and dark, with intricate character development and compelling twists that keep readers engaged till the very end.

Characters:

Characters are multifaceted, showcasing a mix of empathy and malevolence, reflecting the complexity of human nature in dire circumstances.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is fast and immersive, skillfully blending engaging character development with themes of horror.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows a gifted boy's journey as he enters a specialized school, where dark and tragic events occur amid his struggle for acceptance and belonging.

Setting:

The setting is atmospheric, combining a secluded mansion with a background of isolation, enhancing the horror elements of the story.

Pacing:

The pacing is rapid and engaging, effectively heightening the tension and keeping readers hooked.
The first day of school was even worse than he’d thought it would be. Part of it was the weather. It was one of those perfect days when any normal ten-year-old boy would rather be outside, poking arou...

Notes:

Josh MacCallum is a ten-year-old genius bullied for being too smart.
He ends up at Barrington Academy, a school for gifted youngsters.
Students at the academy start committing suicide under mysterious circumstances.
The story features themes of child abuse, suicide, and animal experimentation.
Dr. Engersol, the head of the academy, conducts creepy experiments on brains and artificial intelligence.
The book was written over 20 years ago and reflects the technology of that time, which can feel dated today.
Characters like Josh, Amy, and Mr. Connors stand out as likable, while others are portrayed as evil.
The ending has surprising twists, including a lack of justice for certain characters.
There are complaints about typos in the ebook version, affecting the reading experience.
The book's atmosphere is described as creepy, especially the setting of the old academy mansion.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include child abuse, suicide, animal experimentation, and themes of intense psychological horror.

From The Publisher:

They call it the Academy. A secluded, cliff-top mansion overlooking the rugged Pacific coast. A school for children gifted - or cursed - with extraordinary minds. Children soon to come under the influence of an intelligence even more brilliant than their own - and unspeakably evil. For within this mind a dark plan is taking form. A plan so horrifying, no one will believe it. No one but the children. And for them it is already too late. Too late, unless one young student can resist the seductive invitation that will lead… into the Shadows.

Ratings (1)

Loved It (1)

Reader Stats (1):

Read It (1)

About the Author:

John Saul's first novel, Suffer the Children, was an immediate million-copy bestseller. His other bestselling suspense novels include Perfect Nightmare, Black Creek Crossing, and The Presence. He is also the author of the New York Times bestselling serial thriller The Blackstone Chronicles, initially published in six…

 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.