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Shadows of the Night
Ethan Harkreader – College dropout turned stage tech extraordinaire
Rosemary Delacroix – Trained from birth to protect the world from darkness
Persephone Snow – The number one pop star in the world, and she knows it
As the shadows rise, this trio from three vastly different worlds find themselves caught in the crossfire of a conflict that stretches back millennia and their lives on a collision course with love, war, heartbreak, and destiny.
Rosemary Delacroix – Trained from birth to protect the world from darkness
Persephone Snow – The number one pop star in the world, and she knows it
As the shadows rise, this trio from three vastly different worlds find themselves caught in the crossfire of a conflict that stretches back millennia and their lives on a collision course with love, war, heartbreak, and destiny.
- GenresFantasy
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 28, 2024
2 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Darin Kennedy
37 books79 followersDarin Kennedy, born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Bowman Gray School of Medicine. After completing family medicine residency in the mountains of Virginia, he served eight years as a United States Army physician and wrote his first novel in 2003 in the sands of northern Iraq. His debut novel, The Mussorgsky Riddle, was born from a fusion of two of his lifelong loves—classical music and world mythology— and is slated for publication by Curiosity Quills Press in Fall/Winter 2014. His short stories can be found in various publications, as well as two short story compilations available on Amazon, and he is currently hard at work on his next novel. Doctor by day and novelist by night, he writes and practices medicine in Charlotte, North Carolina. When not engaged in either of the above activities, he has been known strum the guitar, enjoy a bite of sushi, and rumor has it he even sleeps on occasion. He is represented by Stacey Donaghy at Donaghy Literary Group. Find him online at darinkennedy.com.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 10, 2025
I picked up this book via Kickstarter because I thought the concept looked interesting and I was looking to explore a new genre. I’m happy to say that it didn’t disappoint.
The story begins with a roadie helping to save a pop star from a kidnapping attempt after a concert and the action only grows more intense from there. The reader is introduced to a hidden world of magical beings called the Ascendant, who walk among us unnoticed by the average person. People who can manipulate shadows, summon elemental powers and manipulate technology with magic are central to the story.
I enjoyed how the characters developed as their story progressed. I was often surprised by some revelations about their personalities. The pacing was great and I never got bored, though no scene felt rushed. I also appreciated how the author was able to find an 80’s song title for each and every chapter.
I look forward to the future installments in this series. I’ll be starting Book 2 soon.
The story begins with a roadie helping to save a pop star from a kidnapping attempt after a concert and the action only grows more intense from there. The reader is introduced to a hidden world of magical beings called the Ascendant, who walk among us unnoticed by the average person. People who can manipulate shadows, summon elemental powers and manipulate technology with magic are central to the story.
I enjoyed how the characters developed as their story progressed. I was often surprised by some revelations about their personalities. The pacing was great and I never got bored, though no scene felt rushed. I also appreciated how the author was able to find an 80’s song title for each and every chapter.
I look forward to the future installments in this series. I’ll be starting Book 2 soon.
July 21, 2024
I picked up the new contemporary fantasy, Shadows of the Night (and the rest of the Songs of the Ascendant trilogy) through a Kickstarter campaign, and I’m so glad I did!
No spoilers here, but this was the most fun I've had with an e-book in a while. This book was described to me as at the intersection of X-Men/Heroes, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Chuck, and Highlander, with large inspiration from 80’s songs in general and Pat Benatar in particular, and I only had to delve a little into the story to see how true that was.
We’re introduced quickly to Ethan, Persephone, and Rosemary, who become suddenly and inextricably linked in a way none of them expected, and find themselves running from a series of powerful figures. This growing cast of threats pursues them from the shadows (sometimes literally) while the mystery about what exactly they are after grows.
The pace was great and made it hard to put the book down. There was noticeable growth within and between characters, and I really liked that the “bad guys” were not excluded from this dynamic. I can already smell a certain situation between protagonists that is going to drive me crazy. I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy and any of the inspirations listed above.
No spoilers here, but this was the most fun I've had with an e-book in a while. This book was described to me as at the intersection of X-Men/Heroes, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Chuck, and Highlander, with large inspiration from 80’s songs in general and Pat Benatar in particular, and I only had to delve a little into the story to see how true that was.
We’re introduced quickly to Ethan, Persephone, and Rosemary, who become suddenly and inextricably linked in a way none of them expected, and find themselves running from a series of powerful figures. This growing cast of threats pursues them from the shadows (sometimes literally) while the mystery about what exactly they are after grows.
The pace was great and made it hard to put the book down. There was noticeable growth within and between characters, and I really liked that the “bad guys” were not excluded from this dynamic. I can already smell a certain situation between protagonists that is going to drive me crazy. I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy and any of the inspirations listed above.
March 2, 2026
We're running with the shadows of the night
So baby, take my hand, you'll be alright
Surrender all your dreams to me tonight
They'll come true in the end
Sorry! Got so caught up in this Pat Benatar-inspired heroic fantasy novel that I started singing. SHADOWS OF THE NIGHT is so much fun - likeable characters, a fast-moving plot, and tons of action.
Ethan Harkreader is a rock ‘n’ roll roadie—a guy who lives on the road and helps make the shows happen, even if he never hears the cheers. His latest gig is the Persephone Snow tour. She’s the reigning pop princess—and acts like she thinks she’s royalty. Persephone is a tough artist to work for, and Ethan tries to keep his head down and do his job.
That is, until a band of supernatural villains try to kidnap Persephone after a show. Ethan tries to help. Thankfully, Rosemary and her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Delacroix, aren’t just a top-notch security team. They’re also more-than-human beings with extraordinary powers, and they’re fighting on the side of good.
Ethan and Persephone find themselves in the middle of an ages-old conflict they had no idea even existed. But the singer insists that the show must go on. As the tour progresses, she and Ethan encounter dangers they never imagined… and learn more about themselves and each other.
If you like heroic fantasy, this is one you need to check out. There’s high stakes, some sinister bad guys, and nail-biting action scenes galore. Thankfully, author Darin Kennedy has more from these characters in the Songs of the Ascendant trilogy, and I can’t wait to read the other books!
So baby, take my hand, you'll be alright
Surrender all your dreams to me tonight
They'll come true in the end
Sorry! Got so caught up in this Pat Benatar-inspired heroic fantasy novel that I started singing. SHADOWS OF THE NIGHT is so much fun - likeable characters, a fast-moving plot, and tons of action.
Ethan Harkreader is a rock ‘n’ roll roadie—a guy who lives on the road and helps make the shows happen, even if he never hears the cheers. His latest gig is the Persephone Snow tour. She’s the reigning pop princess—and acts like she thinks she’s royalty. Persephone is a tough artist to work for, and Ethan tries to keep his head down and do his job.
That is, until a band of supernatural villains try to kidnap Persephone after a show. Ethan tries to help. Thankfully, Rosemary and her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Delacroix, aren’t just a top-notch security team. They’re also more-than-human beings with extraordinary powers, and they’re fighting on the side of good.
Ethan and Persephone find themselves in the middle of an ages-old conflict they had no idea even existed. But the singer insists that the show must go on. As the tour progresses, she and Ethan encounter dangers they never imagined… and learn more about themselves and each other.
If you like heroic fantasy, this is one you need to check out. There’s high stakes, some sinister bad guys, and nail-biting action scenes galore. Thankfully, author Darin Kennedy has more from these characters in the Songs of the Ascendant trilogy, and I can’t wait to read the other books!
August 27, 2025
Even just from the synopsis, this story already feels like it’s bursting with energy and promise. I love the way it brings together such unique characters a college dropout, a trained protector, and a world-famous pop star and throws them into a battle against ancient darkness. It sounds like the perfect mix of fantasy, destiny, and human emotion, with hints of love and heartbreak woven into the bigger fight. I can already imagine the drama, the clashes of personality, and the growth each character will go through. Definitely feels like the start of an epic and unforgettable adventure!
February 4, 2026
This one starts slow, laying the groundwork for all that is to come in this first novel of an adventure that could last up to nine books or more. The final fifth of the book, I was unable to put it down. I won't post spoilers because most of the plot of this book is cleverly foreshadowed. The ready is left with enough questions so they will definitely want to see what happens to these characters in the next book.
I liked the author's notes that let the reader in on part of his writing process in creating this series.
I liked the author's notes that let the reader in on part of his writing process in creating this series.
November 12, 2024
Kennedy gives us a epic urban fantasy full of 80's pop references that is fast, fun, and incredibly entertaining. Grab this series and settle in for a ride that will make you want to run, not walk, to the second book.
April 6, 2025
Really enjoyed this book. I got to meet the author when I bought it and just the passion he had talking about it made me very interested in reading it. Not my usual type of book but I’m glad I branched out
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews