So, What's Your Book About?
It’s the number one question I get asked when I tell someone I’ve written a book. And for good reason! When you’re considering a new read, you want to know one main thing: what’s it about?
I can’t remember ever picking up a book—or even watching a TV show or movie—without first knowing a little about the story. What if it’s a horror novel, and I hate anything with blood? That’s a problem. [note Shadowless may have a ghost, but it's certainly not horror]
So, what’s Shadowless about?
Well, there are a few ways I can answer that. The first is the most straightforward: my elevator pitch. [Cue dramatic movie-trailer voice circa the 1990s...]
"In a kingdom where souls are bound to magical animals called Shadows, Rowena’s Shadow is a ghost—silent, powerless, and a death sentence if anyone finds out. Forced to live in hiding, she joins forces with a rebellious outcast to uncover the truth about the bond between humans and Shadows. But in a world where souls are split in two, the truth might shatter everything."
Wait, scratch that. Cate Blanchett’s voice from the opening of The Lord of the Rings would be so much better. Go back and imagine a breathy elf-queen reading the pitch instead. Nice, right?
But honestly, as a reader, I often want more than just a synopsis. I want to know what the book feels like. Plot alone isn’t enough. It’s the emotion, the atmosphere, and the intangible things that give you that pleasant afterglow when you close a really good book.
Shadowless opens cozy and warm, with a charming, whimsical feel and humor sprinkled throughout. There’s action, a fight scene or two, lots of twists and turns, and a dash of sweet romance. An air of mystery winds through every chapter, and by the end, your heartstrings will be plucked like a harp. I've also been told by readers that their "mind was blown" at one point or other.
Oh, and there's a castle set mostly in autumn. Because that's all any of us ever want: to live in a castle during perpetual autumn.
But maybe you’re a fan of comparing books to other favorites. So let’s get more specific:
Where would you find Shadowless on a private bookshelf—the kind not organized by the Dewey Decimal System but carefully curated by a book fanatic?
Shadowless would be cozied up among classic fantasies. Directly on its right would be The Golden Compass series. Philip Pullman’s “daemons” are very similar to Shadows, although his didn’t have magic like mine. On the left, you’d find the fiction of C.S. Lewis, as Shadowless explores spiritual and philosophical questions through vibrant storytelling, much like The Chronicles of Narnia or The Great Divorce.
Nearby, you’d spot the action-packed Wingfeather Saga, the rich magical world-building of Harry Potter, and perhaps the Caraval series for its lush romance and pretty costumes.
Shadowless belongs among all these stories and others like them.
And just in case you’re a visual person, here’s a graphic:
If you’re still curious, there’s only one thing left to do—read it for yourself!
Join Rowena and Penalynn as they investigate the mystery of Shadows and uncover secrets that could change everything.
Available on Amazon February 25th, 2025!
Add it to your GoodReads now:
