Stars: 4.5 out of 5

Oof, this was a depressing book to read, and up until the very last chapter, I really didn't know if the author would give us even a sliver of hope at a decent ending.

The world is bleak - most of the world (at least the continental USA, from what I see) has been eaten by Shivers. Those are monsters that appear out of a person's fears, depression, despair, and grow closer and closer, until they literally eat the person who created them. They are like our darkest emotions made manifest, and the more we experience those emotions, the closer they get, and the closer they get, the more negative emotions we experience. It's a vicious circle that ends in death and blood.

As it stands, only the village of Atlas is left, the last refuge where what's left of humanity hides behind high walls from the horrors roaming the Deadlands. It's a bleak and run-down village in the middle of a downtown of some unnamed pre-Shiver city where humans try to survive under a constant cloudy sky where the sun hasn't shone in years and no rain ever fell. Only thunder, no lightning, no rain.

I would say the saving grace of this book is Anthem, our protagonist, because even though his world is bleak, and the work he does is even bleaker, he harbors a wealth of compassion and a sliver of hope that refuses to die even in the most dire circumstances. We experience the horrors of this world through his eyes, and he has the knack of seeing beauty and peace even in the darkest times. And a child-like wonder for new things, like the man playing piano in the middle of a dead city, or the peaceful surface of a lake undisturbed by human activity. Yes, Anthem can be whiny and depressed, and downright annoying throughout the book, but his refusal to give up, to lie down and let his Shiver eat him is what makes us root for him.

My only complaint about Anthem is that he can be rather obtuse sometimes. Or maybe naive? Like his insistence to see the best in people, no matter what. Him trying to reason with Doubleday even when it was obvious to everyone else that the man wouldn't listen.

On the other hand, this willingness to negotiate and try to get his point across is what helped him get what he wanted at the Spit, and help the afflicted of Atlas in the end, so I can't fault him for that.

I would also say that the story has plenty of twists and turns, and I honestly couldn't say where we were heading most of the time. Like I said, I wasn't even sure we would get a good ending, since the events leading to it were depressing.

All in all, it's a wonderful reflection about mental illness and depression, and how sometimes we let our negative emotions eat us from the inside. Here, those emotions are made manifest, just waiting to consume us.

I loved the main message of this book as well - that no matter what, no matter how dark the times and how bleak your world is, hope might be just one step away. You just have to be courageous enough to take that step, and then another, and then another one.

PS: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book offers a compelling blend of engaging storytelling and thoughtful themes. Whether through rich character development, a gripping plot, or insightful commentary, it holds the reader’s attention from start to finish. The writing is clear and well-crafted, with moments of depth that invite reflection. Regardless of genre, it delivers a satisfying and memorable reading experience. A recommended read for those looking for a book that entertains while offering something meaningful beneath the surface.

This book was action packed and very entertaining. I highly recommend this for people who like monster-feature books or movies.

In 2019 my health started going down hill and I didn't take into consideration what that would mean for my book reviewing. Sadly, I've been trying to play catch up for years and it's been affecting my ability to keep up with present day tasks. So I greatly apologize for this but I am going to clear out all these older review books and focus on present day. I will come back and update this review if I end up reading the book, which is very possible as a lot of these books are still ones I would like to read, I just don't think the pressure looming over me is helpful. Thank you for giving me a chance to early read these books and I am so sorry I wasn't able to provide what was needed.

I enjoyed this one a lot. The plot was fast in my opinion and the characters were interesting. I do wish it was longer though as I didn’t want it to end

Overall, a pretty solid dystopian novel. I felt that the world building could have been a bit more fleshed out, but the story itself had me hooked.

This novel fell short for me due to its repetitive use of words like “folding into…” and “the horror,” which proved to be distracting. Additionally, the lack of significant world-building left me feeling disconnected and confused about the story’s direction.

As a reader who values well-developed characters, I found the protagonist, Anthem, to be disappointingly two-dimensional. While he had clear goals and a defined role, I struggled to form any emotional connection with him

Towards the end the narrative lacked the tension and intensity I expected. I found myself questioning the absence of gripping deaths or intense battle scenes that could have heightened the sense of urgency and engagement.

This was such an interesting mix of sci-fi, dystopia and horror. I don’t normally gravitate towards horror with a sci-fi heavy vibe but I really enjoyed this one!

This book was fantastic, I didn't really read the synopsis in detail to give myself as little details as possible and it paid off. I don't want to spoil anything, but this is definitely a book you should pick up if you like fast paced books that are easy to digest within a few hours. I can't wait to read more from Edward in the future.

wow! this was like an expansion on stephen kings the mist for me
but different!
i love the metaphors on depression, i loved this concept
i saw a lot of reviews saying it was slow but i honestly enjoyed every minute and the story engaging and the characters were taken as they should be
i want more! and this could very easily be made into a series or at least have a sequel someday
plus i saw on imdb its in development for a movie and i don’t know if thats true but im very excited. i loved this tale

This was such a dark and bleak horror in the best way possible. Probably one of the best apocalyptic reads I've come across yet. The first half of the book was much more engaging than the second half, which is why I cannot give this five stars. But overall, I loved this read!

The Monsters in our Shadows has such a unique premise and despite the bleakness of the world and a good amount of gore, I felt myself unable to put the book down. The world building is outstanding and the way Cembal can take a tiny moment with a peripheral character but give it so much impact is really impressive. Several times throughout, the story takes a turn in an unexpected direction, which kept me constantly engaged and on edge wondering what was in store next.

My thanks to Netgalley and the book's publisher for gifting me a free copy for my opinion on this book.

This book is dark, dystopian fiction, set in a post-apocalyptic world of one surviving city, Atlas, surrounded by a sky-high Wall that separates it from the death lands beyond. Some of the people within the city are cursed with a Shiver, a shadowy, hungry monster that consumes its host and then goes on to terrorize anyone else in the vicinity. Our hero, Anthem, is an Exilist, meaning his job is to trap the Shiver and its victim and toss them outside of the Wall without getting killed. It's a hideous job, but someone's got to do it. Anthem is hiding his own Shiver, and trying to keep his daughter safe in an orphanage at the same time.

I loved the worldbuilding, and really wanted more of it. Outside of the city walls, in the decaying cityscape of interstates, fallen buildings, subways and old factories - that seemed to be where most of the action was, despite its reputation that nothing could survive there. I also really loved the scene with the old lady that used wires to keep her mouth turned up in a smile - somehow this reminded me of an old X-Men villain somewhere.

I really wanted to know the origin of the "monsters in our shadows," and once it all connected into place, I'm not sure how I felt about it. As Anthem learned how to tether his monster, literally, it all seemed to connect together, including the cover image of the Shiver as a Rorschach test.

Kudos to the author for a wonderful debut novel! I would definitely read more by him.

Title: Monsters in Our Shadows - A Thoughtful Exploration with Room for Refinement

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨

"Monsters in Our Shadows" by Edward J Cembal is a collection of poetry that ventures into the intricacies of the human experience, examining the shadows that reside within us all. While the work carries moments of poignant reflection and insightful observations, it falls just shy of a higher rating due to some inconsistencies in pacing and thematic cohesion.

Cembal's exploration of mental health, relationships, and societal reflections is commendable. The poems exhibit moments of brilliance, encapsulating the complexity of emotions with vivid language and evocative imagery. The author's ability to address profound themes with sensitivity is evident, creating an emotional landscape that readers can resonate with.

However, the collection occasionally suffers from pacing issues, with some poems feeling more rushed or lacking the refinement found in others. While the diversity of themes is a strength, a more cohesive thread connecting the poems could enhance the overall impact. At times, transitions between pieces could be smoother, contributing to a more immersive reading experience.

Despite these considerations, "Monsters in Our Shadows" remains a commendable effort, offering readers a platform for introspection and a mirror to their own shadows. Cembal's poetic voice holds promise, and with a more consistent refining of execution, future works may reach even greater heights.

In conclusion, "Monsters in Our Shadows" is a collection that sparks contemplation and provides a glimpse into the depths of human emotion. While the journey through the shadows is engaging, a more refined structure and pacing could elevate the collection to a higher tier of poetic resonance.

Thank you NetGalley & Tempus Press!

We will all die one day. Death is the only guarantee life gives us. We either cower from the inevitable or we accept it and try our hardest to live the best life possible.

Now imagine that death is no longer out of sight out of mind. Imagine death lurking in every corner of every room you ever enter. Picture living a life where your demise is breathing down your neck day and night. Do you still cower or do you try and live life and find a solution to the possible destruction of man kind?

Edward J Cembal gives us a story that could be interpreted in a million different ways and symbolism can be found within every page. To go off the most obvious interpretation, this is a story about death, the death of loved ones and acceptance of your own literal looming death.

While I appreciated the creativity and the outside of the box thinking I just did not love this one. Parts were unnecessarily long and even some parts were just out right unnecessary. While I did not hate this book I also did not love it. A middle ground three stars is what I rate this book.

3.5 stars, rounding down because I'm nitpicky.

As several other reviewers mentioned, this is a very cool premise with a somewhat lackluster execution. I don't think this book was quite ready for publication and could have really shone after another round or two of editing and proofreading. (I'm quite happy to suspend my disbelief when it comes to monsters and cannibals, but I lose the plot when you expect me to believe that one middle-aged man can cart a plastic box containing a human body and a monster clear across town by himself using just a couple of seatbelts.)

A thinly-veiled allegory about mental health, othering, and acceptance of your shadows, made literal with actual man-eating monsters. I do enjoy a post-apocalyptic setting and this was well-done, alternately bleak and hopeful, with moments of beauty and potential amid the horror and despair. Anthem's hero's journey was engrossing, even if I did wish he'd sleep, eat, and rest more!

I wanted more world-building from the not-so-dead Deadlands and the backstory to the Great Consumption. Certain threads, like felixodine and the "smile" directive of Atlas, came together rather late in the story, feeling like they weren't fully developed until the book was well underway and the writer and editor should have circled back to the beginning to properly lay the groundwork earlier on.

The dialogue could have used more work as well; none of the characters had a unique voice, and their speech was oddly stilted, most of them speaking in fragmented sentences (no, I'm not referring to Rib here). Further workshopping could have given more color and depth to the characters.

This was a quick read, with plenty of room for further development that I wish it had received. While it skims the surface a bit where I wanted a deeper dive, it was still sufficiently creepy and dreary, and an overall enjoyable read.

Overall an entertaining read that takes an interesting approach to providing commentary on mental health issues. I struggled with Anthem lacking depth as a character, and I also felt a little disconnected during the part of the book involving Rib, a feral man, which was set up in a way that made it impossible for Anthem and Rib to have any sort of meaningful conversation together. Nevertheless, for the most part the book captured my attention and I definitely plan on reading more from this author.

An epic horror dystopian adventure for fans of The Road, but with horrific creatures that will live in your nightmares.

We all have our shadows, but imagine if yours had a razor sharp smile and was getting closer to devouring you whole as each day passes.

That is The Monsters in Our Shadows.

Not only was this an epic dystopian adventure, but the horrific creatures and scenes in this was outstanding. The writing was incredible, and I came away with so many beautiful quotes that had no business being in such a dark book, but fit perfectly. I finished this in record time, and could not put it down, or wait to see what was next.

Honestly so excited to hear of the possibility this makes it to film, because it will be incredible

It took me ages to really get into this book but honestly, I find most post apocalyptic books tend to ease you in slowly. The pace was quick and meaty and the build up to what the monsters are, scared me half to death!

The writing was smashing and the characters seemed to come to life right on the page. That is a serious gift in a writer. The book was a little monotonal and I wasn't a huge fan of Anthems and that is hard for me because I need to love the main character to really get into the book but all the book was a brilliant read for halloween.

I do have to admit I don't read much sci-fi but having it mashed up in horror was definitely an experience I want again.

4 stars

This was definitely a unique take on a dystopian world. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Gets your brain thinking about al sorts of things which I do like in these types of books.