Mad Shadows

Author: Joe Bonadonna

Publisher: iUniverse Inc

Pages: 335

Firstly let me state this clear that it’s about time the Indian (and of course Asian) bookaholics start choosing books like this. For, i bet that it'll be an entirely different experience - so much like a safe excursion in to another world, a dark world(dark, dreary, but extremely enjoyable and intriguing) swelling with dark arts of necromancy, witchcraft, evil magic. . . . . . Etc. It is time to take a detour from the usuals( but i don't blame all of them, exceptional and marvelous works do emanate:)) like i said , reading 'Mad Shadows' was like a little trip to that world, which Joe Bonadonna has so prudently penned to perfection- Aerlotha,Valdar....a sojourn amidst necromancers and witches, disembodied spirits, evil entities, creatures of the dark nights. The introduction of the supernatural investigator was extremely fresh subject (for this humble reader, of course) and that too with his marvelous, magical dowsing rod. personally, as an Indian reader, as a south Indian, native of Kerala state, having born and bought up in a state rich with supernatural fables - of black magicians, Tantrics, yogis,Yakshis, kinnaras and Gandharvas(all Indian versions of witches, black magicians and supernatural entities J) , i could enjoy the book to the fullest, that everything from the chilling fables and legends, long dormant in me , seemed to have given life to the images and description(exceptionally perfect description, i must say) in the chapter. This is why i have already recommended it to many of my friends here.

Another remarkable fact is that Joe had been very careful to do away with making it excessively dreary, too dark and ghostly, for it could have been a disaster for a tale akin to this. the author had packed interesting little adventures with the advent of intriguing characters like Yozinda(In The Vale of the Black Diamond, Blood on the Moon) and many female supporting characters that leave the reader wishing that their tale (and venture) never ended.

The cover art, to mention, is very cleverly chosen that it don't leave a speck of the rich , thick darkness and spooky adventures inside, unprojected. The book can't have a better cover. The portrait of shadowy Dorgo with his magical Dowsing rod, and all the ghostly figures starring/peeping from the back!

Story

MAD SHADOWS is the collection of six short stories;

1) Mad Shadows

2) The Secret of Andaro's Daughter

3) The Moon Stones of Sor Lanarum

4) The Man Who Loved Puppets

5) In the Vale of The Black Diamond

6) Blood on The Moon

* Mad Shadows is the story of evil, dark entities thrust for gold. Their reign of terror in the city of valdar exceeds all limits. The city is forced to open their eyes in the mornings to the sight of dead bodies and savor death's dreary, foul smell, of rotten flesh. Dorgo Mikawber(Dorgo the Dowser, i liked this usage better) come to their rescue, investigating the mystery and thereby nullifying the evil presence.

* The Secret of Andaro's Daughter is, as the name indicates, about Dorgo's investigation of the mysterious disappearance of an alchemist and his daughter, who is believed to have the possession of a magical key to immortality.

* The Moon Stones of Sor Lunarum is the tale of two brothers fetching magical moon stones owned by a witch. Strange and apparently unexplainable murders start to occur then. The hero Dorgo is called for help. He is to secure the magical stones before wrong hands use it for the cause of evil.

* The Man Who Loved Puppets, is about a strange illness that strikes a little town, affecting mostly the children leading them to a state of coma (tales about strange illness that affect a small population/township/village and a magical holy cure that comes are said in tones, especially in my country, but this one is truly different and worth reading) Dorgo is destined to root out the cause for the mishap and save the children.

*In The Vale of the Diamond and Blood On the Moon 

These two stories among the six are my favorite. where Dorgo, our hero and Yozinda takes on thrilling ventures and ends up in unsolved mysteries and cursed populations who gaze at them with their pity, fear stricken eyes, so desperate for help, that Dorgo can't do away with getting involved. in the first story the two set out to the canyon of Severnus Tujeer seeking the magical Black Diamond which has the capacity to cure great blights. Yazinda intends to cure her brother (stricken by an illness) using the magical powers of the diamond. In Blood on Moon Dorgo and Yazinda reaches the latter’s hometown of Okalin and finds the town population in benumbing fear as the place is cursed with mysterious and unsolved murders. Dorgo gets in to action rooting out the cause of the murders.

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Well, i may also include a request to the author(that i would be sharing with many fellow readers) -  to send Dorgo for more adventures, to dispatch the Dowser to solve more mysteries amidst ghosts, vampires, half humans and witches(Sorry Dorgo but we can't help it J) i am eager to devour more of Dorgo ventures, do pen more Joe. And thank you for this amazing work.