I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was many things, but disappointing was not one of them. Relatively short but sweet, it was dark, it was gritty, it seeps under your skin and leaves you wanting more. Mutants, 'Dark Ones' and vampires both good and evil add additional challenges to humanity’s fight for survival in a world bent on destroying them all. Colton, some guy seemingly out of nowhere with no memory of who he is or where he comes from, shows up out of the blue and quickly turns into an unwitting hero. The people of the Zone begin to look up to him more and more as he becomes not only a symbol of human strength, but of hope itself.
Another anomaly was the reappearance of Vincent. While he looked the same, and mostly acted the same, it was not truly who the Zone remembered. The true Vincent was dead, and the being masquerading as Vincent was there to serve a much bigger purpose. At first I thought this may lead to too much going on and wind up muddling the plot, but everything ended up blending seamlessly into one big, wonderful story.
Shadow City is a brilliant mix of dystopian, dark fantasy, and sci-fi. It holds the look of a post-apocalypse with what is referred to as the “Glitch,” but this goes much further than your old-school radioactive bio-hazardous outbreak. As if Hell had literally found its way to Earth, a rift broke open to unleash the ‘Dark Ones.’ Brutal and merciless, it is immediately clear that they are the true evil in that dying world. Among the mix of darkness and conflict, there are a couple of budding love stories for those that love a little bit of romance.
The world was a dark and dreary place. Everything was out to get everybody, from the vampires, the dark ones, mutants, and even other people themselves. In the Zone, it was easier to find people one could potentially trust. Outside of it, everything was a potential threat, and supplies were getting harder and harder to come by. There wasn’t a lot going for the humans that were still alive, and the universe itself seemed to be fighting against humanity’s survival. Still, human perseverance stayed strong. When life pushed them, they pushed back harder.
I think one of the things that made me like this story so much is how everything blends together so well. It jumps points of view a lot, but in a way that feels seamless. It all still makes sense, and gives a better understanding of scenes, situations, and is done in a way that doesn’t leave you confused. You know exactly whose eyes you’re looking through, you know who is talking, and there is no lack of clarity. Personally, I love when this is pulled off. It’s one thing to have a great story told in one character’s point of view, but to have even a decent story told in multiple, let alone such a great one as this? Fan-freaking-tastic.
Now for the vampires. I have to say, I am loving the way Anna Mocikat has portrayed them. These vampires definitely DO NOT sparkle, thank goodness. Shadow City keeps to the fact that vampires are predators. They are stronger, faster, and generally wiser, but also dependant on the blood of humans. With so many bent on exterminating all human life (and some wanting all vampires gone as well), the vampires have created a pact with the Zone. In exchange for blood, the vampires offer their protection. Much needed protection, at that.
On a deeper note, this book seems to subtly delve quite a bit into religious aspects, as I sort of hinted at earlier on. Or maybe I’m reading too far in to this? Bear with me though, here. The Dark Ones are occasionally referred to as demons. All from the rift appear to be very Hellish, and the leader is not that far off from what Satan himself may be imagined up to be. One of the terms used for the ‘Dark Overlord’ was also Arog Baal. Baal is, to my knowledge, actually a term used for “Head of Infernal Powers” somewhere. (Correct me if I’m wrong though. Seriously.) I picked up on that and got all excited because I knew where it was going from the introduction of that malicious son of a gun. But on TOP of all of this, Colton’s appearance almost has the feel of a Godsend or an angel or something. Do you see what I’m getting at, here?!
By the end of the book, we have so much answered, but still so many more questions. I can’t wait for the next book. Each character is so unique in their own way, and I’ve fallen in love with all of them.
If I had to pick something to really critique, the only thing I could think of is that some of the grammar was a little weird, but not in a way that really took me away from the story or distracted me.
After reading Shadow City, I would gladly read other works by Anna Mocikat.
*As an additional update on this review, I would also like to mention the new audiobook out on audible for Shadow City. It’s phenomenal so far, and if you’re more of a listener than a reader I highly recommend it!