When a book is a real gut punch, I can have a hard time writing a review that does that feeling justice. How do I tell others (in writing therefore, not using facial expressions) how I got a sick feeling in my stomach? How I was shocked, amazed, happy, sad, confused, and had a full understanding of things sometimes all at once?
When I started The Shadower by Peter Hoey and Maria Hoey I didn’t think I would have that issue, but by the end of things, heck, by the middle of things, I was having that thought. How do you describe something that is as bizarre, weird, frightening, funny and even a little out of this world?
I guess I could say it is 1984 with darker, gray, and busy (that are not always completely in detailed focus) illustrations and a female protagonist. And this woman is a little less beat down than 1984’s person. There is less of the “mind control” of the people and more what one would think of if you were Jewish in the 1940s Germany, France, Holland or other occupied areas of World War II. Or what you think of when you hear and think of the Soviet Union or other Communist heavy countries pre-1980s. But I also want you to forget that. I mean, I don’t want you to go at this with preconceived notions. This book is nothing like that. At least, not really.
It is its own story, with its own twists and turns, with its own ending and middle and beginning. Things might not make sense, at first, but I promise you will be as confused at the end; maybe even more so. It is a personal read where you come away from it with something different than anyone else, even if there are similarities. Read via an online reader copy, this book is available. 
I am going to say this is a Bingo Joker as one character (I won’t say which) was totally underestimated and should have been watched more closely. Because when everyone thought it was safe, “Character Joker” lets them have it!
cbr18bingo Joker
