Nicely done. This author writes very well, and has the art of the short story down. I look forward to his future work. Recommended.

I really appreciate the free copy for review!!

This book featured a lot of artistic imagery and I felt the way Williams presented his words was lovely. Very imaginative. He explores a range of emotions and handles his themes with humour and grace. A lovely read.

Petulant Shadows
By: Gregory S. Williams

4 stars

This was a very well written book of short stories and poems. Each brings to the whole a storyline that makes you really think and to also appreciate the little things around you.

This was a book that was a bit out of my comfort zone, but I am so glad I found it and tried it. I was pleasently pleased at how much I enjoyed each individual story or poem. Each brought its own magic to the pages or its own thought provoking message. I was pleasantly surprised that I learned some new things along the way. I even found myself gripping my book while reading, whether from sadness, or whatever emotion I felt at that moment.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the Author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Reviews

Petulant Shadows by Gregory S. Williams is a novel of poetry, short stories, thoughts, and vignettes.

Williams starts off strong with a short story of marriage and trauma, which leads us into a retelling of The Last Leaf by O. Henry. Although the twist here is that the story takes place during 2020, throughout the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is a beautiful story of friendship, survival, and coming together even when you must stay apart. I must say my favorite story by far was The Review, if I was rating this story alone it would be 5 stars. Here we meet a lost young man, homeless and giving up on life. We learn of his difficult backstory and go on a journey through “his review.” This review is all of the major points in his life and what can be. This story is full of trauma, but also hope and forgiveness.

The main struggle I had as a reader is I struggled to find the dots that connected the collection together. It felt very jumbled. Some pieces were strong, but would be followed by a “thought” or a “vignette” that didn’t hold up to that same strength. This also made it very difficult to try to find an overarching theme.

What can be said regardless is that the writing in Petulant Shadows is fantastic. Williams knows how to write a beautifully descriptive tale and I look forward to checking out more of his work.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Gregory S. Williams invites readers on a mesmerizing journey with his collection of short stories and poetry, Petulant Shadows. Through a diverse range of tales, Williams showcases his mastery of storytelling and his ability to weave intricate narratives that captivate the imagination. From a man trapped in the sea's depths to a dreamer encountering a camera crew, each story is a portal to a world where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary. With a touch of wit, humor, and profound insight, Petulant Shadows is a compelling tapestry that ignites curiosity and emotions, leaving readers both pondering and entertained.

Ever wonder what it’s like to dive into a world where the ordinary turns into a maze of extraordinary?!?! Well this book is just right for that. This is the world you’ve been looking for. This book will make your stomach do a happy dance and your heart melt. Williams writing can definitely be a roller coaster of emotions, but the good emotions. With heart and humor packed all into one book, you get that experience of a lifetime with this book. Petulant Shadows is the book that turns words into worlds, making your imagination stronger then ever!!!

Ever wonder what it's like to dive into a world where the ordinary turns into a maze of extraordinary? Well, Petulant Shadows by Gregory S. Williams is like that secret portal you've been looking for! Seriously, this book's got stories that'll make your brain do a happy dance – like a guy getting swept into the sea by a selfie (how's that for an adventure?), or a love story that's a bit like that rom-com you never knew you needed. And let's not forget the dreamer who bumps into a camera crew while he's snoozing – talk about dreaming big! Williams' writing is like the ultimate rollercoaster of emotions, with heart and humor packed in every page. If you're up for a wild ride of imagination that'll leave you chuckling and maybe even scratching your head in awe, Petulant Shadows is your ticket to a world of words that'll light up your imagination. Go on, grab your copy and get ready to dive into the unexpected!

First, I want to thank NetGalley for this opportunity!
This book was simply a pleasure to read, and reflect on each text the author wrote. Everything was meticulously thought out, the rhymes, the way of presenting, the thin red line that linked all together.
I really loved it.
I don't have much to complain about, because everything is there. The writing, the emotions, the coherence, everything you need to be into it, is there.