This book started off a little slow for me; I didnt connect to the characters very quickly, but it reved up as it went on, and I ended up really enjoying it!

"The other side of what you're going through could be one step away. Take the step. Keep going."

This book has two sides for me, so I’m breaking it down in a two-part review:

PART ONE: The surface story unfolds in a desolate, post-apocalyptic world where humanity teeters on the edge of extinction, hunted by terrifying creatures known as Shivers. These shadow-like monsters latch onto a host, growing silently until they’re ready to devour them whole. The protagonist, Anthem, is an Exiler in Atlas, the last bastion of human life. His grim job is to remove the afflicted before their Shivers consume them, a task that’s thankless but crucial. As Anthem searches for answers about the Shivers, hoping to save what remains of humanity, he discovers much more than he ever anticipated.

The story is compelling and action-packed, with a fast pace that keeps the reader engaged. However, it sometimes felt more like a screenplay than a novel, rushing through scenes that could have benefited from deeper exploration. The characters and world are intriguing, but they’re only given a surface-level treatment. Slowing down and delving deeper could have turned this into an epic adventure rather than just an entertaining one. The ending, too, felt a bit too neat—a Hollywood-style resolution that didn’t quite match the grim tone of the world. A more nuanced, hopeful yet bleak conclusion would have felt more authentic to the setting. Despite these shortcomings, it’s an enjoyable read, and it will likely translate well into an entertaining movie.

Thanks to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for the ARC.

The metaphor of the Shivers being the physical manifestation of your depression/mental illness is very on the nose here, but I like the Eldritch horror aspect of it. The characters feel underdeveloped, and the worldbuilding seems so small. I wouldn't mind one if the other was better done. Specifically, characters like Rib are dropped with little answers, and others like Zoey will suddenly show up out of nowhere to provide all the answers. It's a little unsatisfying, but not bad overall.

The monsters in our shadows by Edward J. Cembal is an captivating read. While it was able to set a claustrophobic and dystopic atmosphere, it fails to keep the story compailing enough to not get frustrating.

My interest in the book was paramount and I was waiting to be blown throughout the book and even though it didn't disappoint me thoroughly it didn't keep me engaged too. I feel that the setting was Aerie and cembal has succeeded in setting the tone of the whole book as despairing and suffocating as possible. The hopelessness feels so real that one wonders if that might be possibility of our future soon enough.

The story is set in near future after great exhaustion. The Architect has founded a city inside a wall where everyone is relatively safe, outside the wall lies deadlands where no live human beings goes. There are these creatures called shivers which latch onto their hosts lurking in the darkness bidding time. Unless it's time they won't really attack the person. But that anticipation of when one is going to attack sets the tone of the book. Humans behave like shivers do not exist coz that's what the life is all about now.

And then there is exilist who Exile people to deadlands when it's their time. But he knows something about all of this isn't right, and that's where the journey starts. With ups and downs but there were lot many times when the story didn't make any sense to me. There were some characters introduced suddenly and unexpectedly and there is no point I saw to their existence or introduction as an addition to the particular story, they didn't really add anything to the story. It even halted the flow of the narrative to an extent that I felt like quitting the book altogether.

Despite all the points I mentioned I really found the monsters in our shadows as a powerful read with lot of potential but poor execution. In the future I would definitely like to pick up the book by the author.

Thank you Netgalley and book whisperer for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Dystopia horror that will keep you guessing! Well written and amazing world building. I'm unsure about the exact origin of The Shivers but the theory it's depression related really resonated, making this book deeper then expected.

Although the whole concept was good I don’t think I really connect with the characters within this book but overall it was a very enjoyable read

I wasn't very interested in this book. I suppose it just wasn't really my kind of thing unfortunately.

Edward J. Cembal's The Monster in Our Shadows is an ambitious debut novel that captures the essence of despair in a grim dystopian world. While the book has its strengths in atmosphere and concept, its execution often falters, leaving readers with a mix of intrigue and frustration.

At its core, the story revolves around the Shivers, shadowy monsters that serve as literal embodiments of depression (the "metaphor" is so on the nose, I can't see them be anything else). These creatures latch onto individuals, feeding on their fear and ultimately consuming them—both figuratively and literally. The author’s depiction of this apocalyptic world, where these creatures roam and despair permeates every corner, is vividly dark. In fact, Cembal succeeds in making the weight of hopelessness quite tangible, crafting a narrative that is almost suffocating in its sadness. The bleak tone is not a flaw but an effective choice, in my opinion, aligning with the novel's thematic exploration of mental health and despair.

However, while the premise is compelling and imaginative, the execution leaves much to be desired. The narrative often meanders, bogged down by encounters and elements that seem to lead nowhere (mostly characters). What really rubbed my theater kid brain the wrong way: the character Alexander Chekhov (yes, there's a guy, who introduces himself with that name), gives Anthem, the protagonist, a gun—a setup that nods to Chekhov's famous principle of dramatic payoff—but the gun ultimately serves no purpose. This lack of follow-through with plot elements can be found all throughout the story.

The repetitive nature of the plot also detracts from its impact. While the Shivers as depression incarnate is a potent metaphor, the narrative struggles to sustain momentum or offer meaningful variation. Instead, the repetition of events and the lack of narrative cohesion reduce all emotional responses to boredom and an exasperated "oh, not again." Then again, that might be the point here...

Despite these shortcomings, The Monster in Our Shadows is not without merit. Cembal's ability to create an oppressive, melancholy atmosphere is undeniable, and the concept of externalizing depression as monstrous entities is both imaginative and poignant. The world-building is solid enough when it comes to the setting, and the book’s commitment to its dark tone is commendable. I cannot stress enough just how hopeless this books feels all throughout. However, the lack of narrative focus and the numerous unresolved threads make it a frustrating read at times.

In conclusion, The Monster in Our Shadows is a novel that teeters between a brilliant idea and uneven execution. It is a deeply somber exploration of depression wrapped in a dystopian fantasy, but its potential is hampered by its debut-like flaws. Readers who appreciate atmospheric, introspective stories may find value in its themes, but those seeking a tight, well-paced narrative might walk away unsatisfied.

This is an eery gothix adventure with I Am Legend vibes and rich plot development. It feels dystopian in the best ways, the story truly creates an alternate universe.

Edward J. Cemba’s The Monsters in Our Shadows is a haunting and immersive tale of survival, sacrifice, and the thin line between humanity and the monsters we battle. Set in a crumbling, gothic-inspired city on the brink of annihilation, the story follows Anthem, an Exilist tasked with banishing the sinister Shivers—eldritch creatures that consume their hosts with unrelenting hunger. Anthem’s grim mission takes a darker turn as he grapples with his own internal Shiver, its cravings threatening to overwhelm him as the city’s fragile existence teeters on collapse.

Cemba masterfully weaves a dark, atmospheric narrative filled with vivid, unsettling imagery and thought-provoking themes. Anthem’s journey beyond the city walls is as much a psychological exploration as it is a perilous adventure, blending action and introspection in equal measure. The monsters lurking in the shadows are both literal and metaphorical, forcing readers to reflect on the nature of fear, guilt, and self-determination.

With richly drawn characters and a plot that builds relentless tension, The Monsters in Our Shadows is a gripping tale of resilience and redemption. Fans of dark fantasy and gothic horror will be enthralled by Cemba’s deft storytelling and the chilling world he brings to life. This is a story that lingers, much like the Shivers themselves, leaving readers questioning the shadows within.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review.

I thought this was a very interesting novel. The strongest part about it was the initial idea. I don't know how well I connected to the characters, but I did enjoy it.

Now, I will start by saying I am not usually one for this short of book but I really wanted to try something different and I am so glad I did as this book did not disappoint! I loved the dystopian vibe of the book and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the plot! This book had me on the edge of my seat a lot and was a great psychological horror/thriller! I will definitely be reading more books like this in the future so thank you for allowing me to experience a new genre I thoroughly enjoyed!

What a wild ride! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading this. The story building and character development were fantastically done.

This book literally gave me nightmares. I can hear that "smacking" noise clearly. It reminds me of some of Willow Rose's horror stories. If you are looking for a book guaranteed to scare you, you've found it!

A truly creepy scary horror of a book that’s kept me up half the night!!! One to read with the big light on! A great horror book that is well worth a read for anyone who wants to be scared witless.

Thank you to NetGalley, Edward J Cembal and Book Whisperer for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I got 40-45% through and I felt like nothing really had happened yet so I couldn’t bring myself to finish it.

Whew, well….

Let’s just say this took me awhile to get through. Much longer than I would have liked. If I am sucked in, I can devour a book in a day or two. This one unfortunately took me months for lack of interest.

The story was much slower than I would have liked. We follow a man tasked with cleaning up the monsters in the city which loom over its people. A delicate balance of casting out the monsters before they run rampant and endanger more lives.

It just felt like I was struggling as much as the MC, but not in a good way. I didn’t feel connected to the story, invested in the MC or even what was going to happen.

There are good thoughts behind this, more poetic than the dystopian story I was hungry for. I’d say read some other reviews and decide what kind of post-apocalyptic story you’re looking for before you read this. It’s not like TWD, and more fantasy than anything with the monsters. It just didn’t hit the mark for me unfortunately.

This book was hard to get in to. The story was too far fetched for me. I know other people really enjoyed this book. Maybe I just couldn’t read between the lines kinda thing.

This was one of the first book I requested on NetGalley when I joined. I was very excited to read and review this book but had an issue with downloading so was not able to access it.

This story was action packed, made me feel quite tense in places. The pacing was great. All in all a well balanced novel.