this was a really creepy novel, I loved how the atmosphere was able to add to my enjoyment. The characters were great and I had a good time reading this.

This story is about, Nick Konasek, with his description "An American divorced man with a slight love affair with alcohol". The story begins in 2015 with learning about him, his work, and daily life after that we learn how he met his wife and how things develop until they divorced. This part was hard to read for me especially because I didn't follow the timeline given at every chapters' beginning (I read them again following timeline), with that this part wasn't interesting for me much but it is needed for story development.

Until that point, there is a normal marriage that doesn't go so well because of his alcohol problem and other little things. With that, he and his wife, Margot, have some weird behaviors that can't be explained. But everything changed, after Margot calling him and telling him their behaviors were because of some evil spiritual creature. At that point, Margot explains how she comes to this conclusion (this has too much detail too). But after this point story became interesting with they try to learn about this creature and how can save themselves and keep their daughter safe. If you are curious about what happened to them then read and learn for yourself.

I can't say this is an action story but mostly about feelings and doing investigations to save themselves but yet interesting story. I would like to read the story from the point of Margot's but even without that, I enjoyed reading the story. We read the story all the time Nick's point of view and Margot's feelings mostly a mystery.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the BooksGoSocial Publishing Group providing me a copy of #TheDemonoftheShadows in exchange for an unbiased review.

PS. This book not available at Barnesandnoble or kobo retail sites so I couldn't add my review for it.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book. Very spooky book on Native American myth. Look forward to reading more.

I got a free advance reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Independent Book Publishers’ Association!

The Demon Of The Shadows is about a possession. Nick and his ex-wife, Margot, are not exactly on cordial terms. However, when she calls and asks that he meet her to talk about something that’s very important, he still cares enough to find out what’s troubling her. She reveals to him that she thinks they may both be possessed by a Native American spirit. However, what makes this unlike a normal possession is the fact that it is not obvious to others. People who know the possessed think that they are just in a downward spiral in life. Even when the possessed one finally erupts, they think it was just bound to happen. Scared for their lives, Margot and Nick are determined to fight back and find a ritual that can help. However, Margot and their daughter, Marissa disappears and it’s up to Nick to stand up to the beast and save them all.

The possession in this book was unique. No outrageous behavior. No outright violence. The possessed people just behaved strangely and it gradually got worse until the inevitable explosion. Like Margot kept reiterating, that is what made it hard to realize what was going on.

The verbal abuse was really tough to read. The constant drinking made it even worse. I found myself cringing everytime Nick had any alcohol because I knew what would happen. To read about the marriage’s deterioration was hard because I understood both sides of the relationship.

The plot moved quickly and I found myself quickly racing through this book. Without revealing anything, the climax of this book was everything I hoped for. I enjoyed this book immensely.

Suitable audience: Horror readers will enjoy this book. Older teens and young adults can read this book. It includes graphic violence which may not be suitable for younger teenagers. Parents will have to use their discretion.

Recurrent themes: Native American mythology. Alcoholism. Verbal abuse. Divorce.

Violence: Very graphic violence and murder. Violence against animals.
Sexual Content: Characters have sex but the author does not go into detail.
Profanity: Multiple uses of profanity
Religious Themes: Native American spirits and Jesuits
Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: Alcoholism and smoking. Mention of marijuana

This is a complex story about demons and their possession of humans. The Demon of the Shadows blends several elements of Native American folklore/culture and spiritual beliefs across the board. There are some scenes between Margot and Nick that made me cringe and the reader is left to interpret whose actions are the result of outside influences. The subject matter is tackled in a different matter from anything else that I’ve read and it isn’t an easy read at times when it gets mired in the darkness. But then, that’s what horror is supposed to do.

The Demon of the Shadows is a totally fresh take on possession that I enjoyed. There was no spewing of green vomit, no exorcisms, no tying anyone to a bed. It was creepy in the way that the evil works it's way in a subtle way so that no one really knows that the demon even exists. This tactic is well explained in the book and makes one wonder about things in our real life.
Nick and Margot meet in college in the town of Clarion. In Clarion Nick stumbles upon an abandoned farm that fills him with dread. He takes Margot there, and they also explore some dark tunnels, and these activities sets the two on a troublesome course of dysfunction that eventually ends their marriage. Reading through the verbal marital abuse was harrowing.
Eventually Margot figures out what has been causing them so much pain and causing them to act in such horrible says and she reaches out to Nick to help. She believes that they can find a cure and rid themselves of this evil. Margot insists that they must first return to where this all began. The lair, so to speak, and she insists on bringing their innocent 13 year old daughter with them.
The reader and the Nick, our narrator, are never sure what actions are influenced by the evil, by simply drinking too much, or by good or bad human intentions. Again, much life real life.
As for the evil influence, the author impressed me here. You have to pay attention as this is explained in the, book because it is not a simple story of the devil and demonic possession. If you, like me, enjoy such books then you will enjoy this one because it is so different. It was refreshing to read a book on this subject that was totally unlike the norm. There is a lot here about native american culture and spiritual beliefs. Now that I've finished this novel I'm curious about what Mr. Scala writes about here regarding the evil influence which poisons Nick and Margot's lives. Excellent novel. #Netgalley #TheDemonOfTheShadows