Review: Shadow of the Hidden by Kev Harrison
Blurb:
It’s Seb’s last day working in Turkey, but his friend Oz has been cursed. Superstition turns to terror as the effects of the ancient malediction spill over and the lives of Oz and his family hang in the balance. Can Seb find the answers to remove the hex before it’s too late?
From Kev Harrison, author of The Balance and Below, journey with Seb, Oz and Deniz across ancient North African cities as they seek to banish the Shadow of the Hidden.
Review:
Shadow of the Hidden caught my eye in an instant for several exciting reasons – a short yet engaging read filled with supernatural/horror elements plotted around an adventure/mystery while also being infused with some drool-inducing F&B stuff… Well, WOW! Sounds super exciting and intriguing, doesn’t it?! Let me tell you very honestly right now – it’s even better than it actually sounds! Hence, I would like to extend my gratitude towards the author, the publisher – Brigids Gate Press, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital advanced reader copy.
What’s it about?
Sebastian “Seb” Mackie has been in Anatolia, Turkey for the past few months pertaining to his work based on archaeology. Life has been going pretty well away from his home in London, thanks to his landlord and firm friend, Oz. But that’s when things start taking a turn… a really, really bad turn indeed. When Oz’s calm and humorous personality is suddenly shattered by a series of “unnatural” incidents, Seb must prolong his stay to try and help out in any way possible.
Oz firmly believes that he has been “cursed”, and that an evil spirit is now hell-bent upon him and everyone that he cares for. Seb doesn’t really believe in such things, and isn’t convinced of his friend’s assumptions… at first, that is. Surely there can be no explanation to what’s going on in his friend’s life at the moment… at least no “natural” way of putting it. Is the “curse” real in any way, shape, or form? Is there really something evil behind such strange happenings?
“… there are things in this world we don’t understand, and I pray to whatever good there is among those things, that you never live to see what I did today.” Ibrahim stood and stretched. “What I’m saying is, neither of us believe. Not really. But you said yourself, something is going on. Keep your eyes open and pray that whatever it is doesn’t come for you.”
What starts off as a set of “superstitious” beliefs and happenings in Turkey, soon pan out in an adventure horror/thriller ranging from Tunisia’s Kairouan – “the holy city in hell”, to Egypt’s Al Maqbara – the necropolis. There is help for the duo in the form of professor Deniz Yilmaz and Dr. Ibrahim Gharbi. But will that prove enough? There are lives at stake… dangers aplenty… the “supernatural” seemingly all around – djinns, ghuls, spirits; you name it… and ultimately a desperate race against time for everyone involved.
The good
HOLY WOWZERS! This was an absolutely amazing read in every possible way! I was definitely surprised at how good it was, and equally enthralled until the very last page.
Set in pretty much the present times (with mobiles, laptops, Uber, etc.), the story was engaging, intriguing, and super fun throughout. I was literally glued from the word go!
The writing was just superb; written in the first person POV of Seb (while also being narrated by the MC himself). The incorporation of the Turkish and other regional languages present was well done too.
The characters were very well written, very much relatable, and enjoyable to read. The chemistry between them was great to read.
There were multiple F&B references present, and I most certainly had a strong craving for them all, be it the Turkish coffee, tea, or the baklava!
The ending, in my honest opinion, was really well done. I really hope that there’s a sequel asap (cuz it all sets up so nicely!).
The “not so” good
Believe me, but I have literally no complaints whatsoever. It delivers what it promises, and even then some! If there’s any real complaint from my side, it would be that it was over way too soon… and that there wasn’t a sequel already in the waiting!
Highlights
I’ll just leave this exchange right here:
“What do you know about djinn?”
“Wishes, lamps. Disney’s Aladdin, basically.” I chuckled.
“There are stories like that one. Others where they are simple tricksters, making fun with children, or hiding things. But there are others.”
“Others ...?” I raised an eyebrow theatrically.
He leaned across the table and whispered. “Some of them are like your demons. Wicked. Dangerous.”
Other info.
There were a couple of b/w drawings/illustrations present which was great.
There were also multiple references/Easter eggs present throughout that I enjoyed coming across… one such is even present in the dialogue highlighted above! (I was thinking of maybe spoiling the rest here, but nope… go have a look for yourselves!).
What was even exciting to see was the ‘afterword’, which hints at a sequel! Honestly, I can't wait for it!
Note: Mature themes are present (profanity, graphic depictions, blood/gore, etc.). Not suitable for younger audiences.
Final thoughts
Shadow of the Hidden by Kev Harrison (has got a nice ring to it as well, no?) is an exceptional read from start to finish. A relatively short read that’s fast-paced, has well written and relatable characters, an exciting and equally intriguing plot, an adventure thriller with a solid dose of the supernatural/horror elements, and topped-up with a nice dash of F&B stuff. TRUST ME, YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS OUT ON IT WHATSOEVER! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, but here’s how I would well and truly describe it:
“Reads like a Dan Brown-esque adventure thriller… but with a healthy dose of the supernatural!”
If you haven’t figured it out already by now, I would STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you check it out ASAP!
