A review by narratricenessa
Shadowless by Randall McNally

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 I am the bringer of death, the instrument of destruction, whom all enemies fear. I am the invisible blade that strikes unseen in the darkness. I am the shadowless damned.

Randall McNally's Shadowless is among the most fascinating and uniquely structured (indie) books I had the pleasure of reading.

Shadowless is an epic, dark fantasy novel set in the world of the Northern Realms. The main protagonists are individuals born without a shadow - children of various gods that are hunted throughout the continent by the Shadow Watchers (armed soldiers assigned to temples) and the gods themselves.

The book could be described as a collection of interconnected short stories. The story is told from multiple POVs; in each chapter, the readers are introduced to a different protagonist. McNally's characters are complex and as diverse as the lands and kingdoms of the Northern Realms.

You judge me on acts that you feel are criminal when they are none of your concern. Now that those acts might serve your purpose, you willingly ignore any potential wrongdoing and repercussions, choosing instead to cite beliefs that these deeds will somehow be for the greater good.

However, the chapters are not arranged in chronological order - one might be set in the present and another in the past. These deliberate choices form an intriguing puzzle that the readers have to put together as they progress throughout the book. At times it can be challenging, but I promise you it's well worth it.

My only complaint about the book is related to the page space dedicated to character development. With so many POV characters in one book, it is understandable that not all of them would get enough page space for detailed character development. Some things would be resolved in a few lines, or wouldn't be explained in enough detail as I would have liked. This could have been resolved by having fewer POV characters, but having fewer POV characters would diminish the reading experience.

With a fascinating and diverse cast of characters, intriguing and amusing chapter titles (such as "The Botanical Misdemeanors of Dorrin Brethil" or "The Infectious Charm of Clantiâr Novastus"), a plot that will lure you in from the very start and keep you glued to the story... To the ending that will make you question everything and have you craving for more... Shadowless is a spectacular book that should find its way to every lover of epic, dark fantasy! This 5 ⭐ read is well worth your time!