Shadow of the Hidden: A Novel of Adventure Horror by Kev Harrison
Shadow of the Hidden is an adventure horror novel by Kev Harrison. It was published on March 20, 2024 by Brigids Gate Press and weighs in at 196 pages.
Reading Shadow of the Hidden was a full experience. Kev Harrison not only wrote a page-turner of a story, but he took me on a trip to places I’ve never explored and made me feel immersed in the world he created. The descriptions, both in setting and language, were fantastic and added so much to my feeling like I was alongside the characters as the story unfolded. I truly felt transported.
In this book, you follow Seb, a linguistic attaché for a French archaeological team. It doesn’t take long for Harrison to thrust him and readers right into the action. Seb’s good friend (and landlord during his stay in Turkey), becomes cursed. And it’s a doozy, definitely not your everyday bad luck kind of curse. This spell is lethal, and time is of the essence to remove its effect on Oz and his family. Eager to help his friend, Seb goes with Oz on a whirlwind adventure hunting down clues and meeting fascinating characters throughout the book.
I enjoyed watching Seb vacillate on whether he believed in the cultural superstitions or not as he and Oz uncovered artifacts and hints along the way. This story is as much about the hex and time running out to save Oz as it is the genuine friendship between the two of them. The lengths these friends will go to to help each other is a beautiful tribute to the characters.
I have to mention one word: coffee. Despite the fact that you’re being led through a tale of an evil djinn, if you read this book and don’t long for a cup of java I’ll be shocked! You’ll also be treated to numerous stops along the way where Harrison teases you with other delectable drinks and foods that just might leave your mouth watering.
Shadow of the Hidden takes readers on an emotional journey, both for Seb and Oz. Readers will feel the rush of supernatural dangers and surprises as well as the turmoil and grief both of these characters experience. It’s a well-rounded story.
This is the second book I’ve read by Harrison, and I’m ready for more. I have my fingers crossed that he will revisit some of the characters in Shadow of the Hidden and whisk us away on another wild adventure. I’ll pack my bags and my coffee cup!
Need more reviews of Kev Harrison’s work?
Check out my review of Below, an occult horror novella by Kev Harrison that takes readers on a trek into a collapsed and abandoned gold mine in California.
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Who is Kev Harrison?
Kev Harrison is a writer of dark fiction and English language teacher from the UK, living and working in Lisbon, Portugal where he resides with his partner in crime Ana and their two cat overlords.
His short fiction has been published in a variety of magazines, podcasts and anthologies and he is a staff writer for This is Horror.
- From Kev Harrison’s website
About the Publisher:
Brigids Gate Press, an indie press established in 2021 by Heather, Clyde, and S.D. Ventura-Vassallo, believes in the power of STORY. We seek to be a forge where new and established talents are refined and developed, and their stories shaped and tempered into beautiful, dark, mysterious, and thrilling tales that will delight readers. Above all, we seek to do our utmost to help and encourage writers on their journeys.
- From the Brigids Gate Press website
