Review for Of Myth And Shadow by Matthew S. Cox

Of Myth And Shadow by Matthew S. Cox 

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Publication: Division Zero Press

Publication Date: Aug 20, 2019

Format: Mobi

Price: $7.99

Pages: 899

Amazon Link: Click Here

Rating:

• Trigger Warnings & Disturbances: Nil
• Erotic / Sensual content: 6/10
• Gore & Dismemberment: Nil

Serelin bawled, every ounce of loneliness and abandonment she had ever felt left her body in the form of tears. She squeezed herself against her real father. The stupid gown wouldn't let her wrap her legs around him as well as her arms, so she merely dangled like a living amulet from his neck. She had been thrilled to be with him before she knew the truth. Her fear that she may be cast aside evaporated. Nothing in the world could have made her happier.

“I am sorry,” said L'an. “The assassin activated a portal spell from a trinket. I had only seconds and choose to kill him for what he did rather than let him escape. He didn't live long enough to speak of who hired him.”

“He does not matter.” Jhelan rasped, his voice heavily laden with emotion. “I know who did this…” He growled, tightening his embrace around his daughter.

“Imrys…”

Fantasy is derived from imagination which ultimately leads to innovation, and it is innovation that sets the course for humanity, be it for good or misfortune. Created upon a foundation of prosaic fabrications from medieval folklore, Matthew S. Cox innovatively builds up his story to an enrapturing tome, Of Myth And Shadow. This 899-pager is a coming of age, adult fantasy consisting of pathfinders with entwined fates and political intrigues. Sensitive readers are heeded to be cautious: noticeable traces of sexual content, as well as, violence against women and children.

Cox’s writing comprises 168 chapters; his style and plot structure are lucid and precise. He uses medieval literature to craft unique dialects within the narrative. There is a certain flair in his writing for graphic visualizations, for example, “The dense woodlands blocked the light of the three moons, leaving them barely able to see by the time they stopped to camp. Fires and lanterns attracted danger, so they ate a cold meal of dried meat. Sounds of animals robbed Liam of the confidence necessary to sleep well. He tossed and turned upon a makeshift bed of dead leaves.” (page 99) Cox dedicates several chapters to each character using an omniscient third-person perspective to define their lives. You will experience your mind scheming and predicting plot twists as the events unfold. As your eyes peruse through every passage and word your curiosity will be driven to a peak level.

 At the beginning, it is difficult to singularly follow the progress of each character’s life, but this situation is impermanent since their lives interlock as the story progresses. Thus, it requires close attention to follow the narrative. A map illustration of the characters’ world would be a valuable asset to this masterpiece and an exciting feast for our imagination. Furthermore, a character introduction will be a punchy, value-addition since multiple characters influence the plot development. It is worth noting that the chapter titles summarize the events in their respective pages.

 As a character-driven novel, Cox's characters are multidimensional; varying from innocent to calculating personalities. They are diverse in their given situations as vile or naïve, protagonist or antagonists, and heroes or anti-heroes. The constant character and situational changes will keep you on your toes, especially when they seek love in different forms. Shadow or secondary characters play their roles exceptionally well, such as, portraying the harsh life in an undeveloped village. Cox’s idealistic notion about medieval women is presented through harsh living conditions. He questions their independence while making them seem unwanted and abused. Contrasted to these vulnerabilities strong female characters are able to emerge. The remarkable qualities among these characters are their strong inter-relationships and their supportive mutual understanding. What is unique about these characters is their realistic and open-minded nature, and their ability to voice their opinions about political and social unrest. Their dialog is thought-provoking, for instance, “… An idle rich man is evil’s plaything… To place a ruler above all else is to invite the touch of corruption and evil. It takes little for the demons to cloud the minds of men. If a king becomes unjust, those who serve him unquestioningly become unjust.” (page 99)

 The most fascinating creature that you may encounter is the shadow dragon, Penumbras, who has free reign over any character’s sub-conscious and feeds on their dark memories and fears. Cox’s design of this character is reminiscent of Stephen King's IT. Cox provides his insights on self-discovery through Elves, Druids, Wizards, Goblins, Outlaws, Demons, and ordinary Humans. Through these classic pairings — good versus evil, weak versus strong, right versus wrong — an entirely fresh and addictive tale is born. Note that Cox’s Of Myth And Shadow is not a quick read. The novel ends on a satisfying cliffhanger with certain incomplete sub-plots imploring for a sequel.