I really loved this book, as it was not only well written and an exciting read, it was a wonderful allegory on how we often avoid confronting our own demons until they become too big to manage on our own.

Excellent book, loved it! Looking forward to more from this author! Apologies for the lateness of my review

I thought this was a good book. Definitely a different idea and I enjoyed that. The author made this book easy to understand and get into this world. A must read!

As someone who frequently delves into horror genres, I found The Monsters in Our Shadows to be a refreshing and captivating read. The author successfully crafted a unique narrative that kept me guessing from start to finish. I was especially impressed by how well he navigated the story’s length; for a debut horror novel, it was clear he had a strong vision and executed it effectively without getting bogged down in excessive details.

My thanks to the Book Whisperer, Edward J. Cembal and Netgalley
Well, I'm about 2 months overdue on this review.
I have 2 or 3 excuses for that, but....ugh, why bother?
I'm making this a short review. Mostly because its after 1:00 am, and I'm tired. Yep! I did give that excuse! Wish I could have used that when I was in school.😉
I thought that Mr. Cembals idea behind this story was unique. The concept was freaking intense! I honestly had a difficult time putting myself there without imagining that I'd freak out and be messed up for a wee bit!
Honestly, I don't want to give much detail into the story. The concept didn't seem like much to begin with, but hold onto your ass, because its kind of different. More of a fever dream or sleep paralysis than a nightmare.
As we used to say decades ago....Good shit, Maynard!
Ill be on the lookout for more from this author.
One thing that kept this from being 5 stars? Yep...that ending was a little too twee.

This is a great effort but, for me, the ending doesn't quite work. I think it's worth reading and recommending with caveats. My concerns are difficult to discuss this without spoilers but I think the symptom - here the "shadows" that plague residents of the city - are not adequately linked to the cause that is revealed in the closing. Thus, I don't think the solution offered works either. But by and large, it's a scary book so give it a try.

The cover is particularly good.

This was a debut novel for this author, and the writing shows that clearly. That being said, the story itself was compelling and interesting, combining horror with existential dread and a dystopian future. The Shivers are monsters that we create and are part of us, following us until we give up and allow it to consume us. The metaphors are many. Anthem, an Exiler, finds out how to save humanity from itself. As I said the author needs to really improve his craft and get a really good editor., but he has the talent.

I was a little hesitant going into this book, because I’m still delving into my horror era, but this book was GOOD!

I thought it was a standalone so I was worried how the ending would wrap up, and I was afraid it was going to be rushed, but I feel like it ended well & left me wanting to pick up the next book!

I feel like the pacing was done well, it kept me on the edge of my seat! The storytelling and worldbuilding and the plot was done well and I feel like there weren’t many, if any plot holes and unexplained things that couldn’t be explained in the next book.

Thank you to the author, and Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

An exceptionally crafted horror novel, masterfully written and brimming with complex, multidimensional characters. Anthem, the Exilist, on the precipice of being replaced, uncovers a sinister truth that challenges his perception of reality. His perilous journey through the desolate Deadlands leads him in search of the enigmatic Felixidrine, where he encounters challenges far surpassing his wildest expectations. Driven by an unyielding determination to save his daughter and countless others from the clutches of the insidious Shivers, Anthem pushes himself beyond the boundaries of human endurance, demonstrating unwavering courage and unwavering resolve. I devoured this book with insatiable fervor, unable to tear myself away from its captivating narrative. The tantalizing conclusion leaves readers yearning for more, hinting at the continuation of Anthem's extraordinary odyssey. This exceptional work of horror literature comes highly recommended, an absolute must-read for aficionados of the genre.

This story was action packed, made me feel quite tense in places. The pacing was great. We had moments that felt nice and fast intertwined with slower ones that allowed us to take a breath and rest from all the action for a bit. Loved that. I think it made this story well balanced.

Gothic story about the monsters we try to hide from the world. I liked that it was so clearly an allegory for depression/mental illness, but just was not super into the story over all.

I really liked this book. I loved how the Author made Anthem so relatable. Anthem is caught between doing his job and trying to figure out how to save his daughter. With a pressing timeline he is thrown into a new environment where he has to learn how to survive while still completing what may be an impossible mission. Loved the twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. This one is definitely worth a read!

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.” Thank you NetGalley

This book... I have read and reread the first 3% of this book so many times, I still don't know what is going on

Edward J. Cembal’s The Monsters in Our Shadows is an exceptional blend of horror and dystopia. The story masterfully explores the complexity of inner demons, trauma, and the human psyche. The pacing is perfect, keeping you hooked from beginning to end. The whole book is tense, full of action and dives into moral ambiguity, making readers question the thin line between good and evil. A brilliant read for anyone who loves dark, unsettling and thought-provoking storytelling. Highly recommended!

The Monsters in Our Shadows is a gripping, graphic, and gory dystopian horror that satisfies all horror promises. Set within the last remaining city, Atlas, surrounded by an enormous wall protective against the deadly world beyond, the story follows Anthem, an Exilist whose grim task is to dispose of people cursed with the Shiver, a monstrous entity devouring its host and spreading terror. Anthem's own personal struggle, hiding his own Shiver in the midst of trying to protect his daughter, really adds an emotional element to the quick and unpredictable plot.

Add twisted, unnerving characters—the old woman whose mouth was wired to be in a continual smile, for instance—and it's one incredibly unsettling atmosphere, à la classic villain Blog. Unfortunately, as dark and hopeless it was, the concept of actually being in such a setting—and tension—to the very end, kept me reading. If anything, I wish there was even more of this haunting world.

This is the Giver for a new generation. I am writing this review after just finishing The Monsters in Our Shadows a moment ago, and I am in tears. What a beautiful story of perseverance, grief, fear, shame, and finding the strength to move on. This is a perfect allegory for the struggle of depression, told through a dystopian tale about Shivers- monsters that quite literally follow their prey like shadows. Anthem, our troubled 'Exilist", is in charge of removing the Shivers and their still living prey from his town. The catch is- he has his own Shiver, and he wants to find a way out.

The pacing of the story is perfect. I worried that it would fall into classic dystopian novel cliches, but I was so pleasantly surprised. I found myself wanting to hurry through the chapters because I was so worried for and invested in the main characters, but at the same time knew that I would miss them when the book was over. The world building sets itself up well for a sequel, but also gives us a satisfying ending that truly made my heart soar. Anthem, Zoey, Melody and Sal are warriors in a fight against hopelessness, against nihilism, and will make you realize how truly worth living life is. The most beautiful stories could be right around the corner if you just take the next step.

If you are a fan of The Giver, the Babadook, A24 films, and fast paced literature, I cannot recommend this enough. This is an instant classic for me with so much reread potential. I cannot wait to see what the author does next (I hope something else in Anthem's world- Zoey's tale, maybe?).
I requested and received this as an ARC and am under zero obligation to review!

I just couldnt get too into this book. It was too similar for me in the idea of Maze Runner and the monsters, the untouchables. It was a good and fun read all in all. The story behind the monsters being our true fears and what we come to end up with, is a true way to get you to start thinking.

4 stars - I really enjoyed this book

Imagine… walled up city, dystopian times, people afflicted with monsters (Shivers) that live in their shadows and feed on their hosts.
Anthem, the city’s Exilist.. His job is to remove those who reached the end of their lives and their monsters outside the city walls. At the same time, afflicted with his own Shiver, Anthem is trying to find a cure and save his little girl and others from the horrible monsters.

This story was action packed, made me feel quite tense in places. The pacing was great. We had moments that felt nice and fast intertwined with slower ones that allowed us to take a breath and rest from all the action for a bit. Loved that. I think it made this story well balanced.

Characters were well written. You couldn’t help but root for them and feel their pain.

The story is full of metaphors, suggestions of depression, sadness, grief and others. Could be quite sad and emotional in places.

For a debut book I have nothing but praise. Not quite 5 stars though. I felt like something was missing, but if you asked… I wouldn’t be able to tell you what..

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this.

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to finish this novel in time with all of the personal stuff I have going on, however I got over halfway through and would like to give feedback based off of what I was able to read.
I loved this book, I was hooked from the start and I can’t wait till I am able to finish it! Everything from the suspense to the characters was amazing. I loved the amount of detail put into the scenes, and overall I found this novel to be well written.

This was such a unique concept and I honestly enjoyed every minute. It was super fast paced and we were thrown directly into the action. I also loved the characters and I was really invested in how everything would work out. I look forward to more from this author in the future!