Weight of Shadows

by Ana Domini

Mantis will do anything to stay awake because when he sleeps, his fears roll out of his dreams into the world. Mantis is a killer in post-pandemic Washington, D.C. This new world is lush, uncrowded, and alive with potential, but dark clouds now threaten to block out the sun. Those who survived the Creep are virtually immortal, yet many beg Mantis to kill them. When he does what they want, they haunt him. Mantis winds up in a mental hospital with no memory of the mysterious past beyond his breakdown. On the grounds, Mantis discovers a crumbling temple in an abandoned garden. He meets a shadow being who knows how Mantis can ditch his he must free the ghosts of the people he killed. In the temple, the shadow angel teaches him how to help them. Mantis learns to wield the primordial elements of earth, fire, air, and water, as the mysteries of his identity and the pandemic unravel. But the clouds are deepening, plunging the world into darkness. Ready or not, with his nascent skills Mantis must dive in.

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2020

Reviews

[Steve Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up without knowing much about it, and loved it. A totally engaging read, and wow, was the writing good. This author really has a flair for descriptions and characterizations. It’s a somewhat noir dystopia, but at the same time, the book is eccentric and different enough that it defies easy description. There is a pandemic going on, and some supernatural elements, yet it is set in a mental asylum that reminded me a little of “One flew over the cuckoo’s nest”. It’s surreal at times, with dream-like sequences and magical elements that make you wonder how it all ties together. But as the story progresses, you begin to find out more and more about this world, and the pieces fall into place. By the end, everything makes sense. I trusted the author to pull me along for the ride in this evocative tale until the secrets were revealed, and I’m glad I did. Quite simply, a really enjoyable book.

[the-librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weight of Shadows is a a fascinating dive into a post-apocalyptic world after a pandemic sweeps the world’s population and leaves the survivors nearly immortal.

The mystery quickly unfolds and sends the reader down some fascinating paths as you join the protagonist Mantis on an adventure to discover his past and understand what haunts him, grasp the scope of his powers, and discover mysteries and powers never before imagined.

The character and setting are memorable and will leave you with the desire to read more about his world. There aren’t a lot of books that leave me wanting lots more. The story is very satisfying but is left full of possibilities for further exploration. Lots of fun and highly recommended.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Post-pandemic Washington D.C. might be a setting a little too real world for some of us right now, given the state of things, but "Weight of Shadows" by Ana Domini is thoroughly enjoyable none-the-less. This dark fantasy penned for teens and young adults is as odd as it is fascinating. The world that author Ana Domini describes so vividly is terrifying in a dozen different ways, most of them subtle which is even creepier (once you read the book, you'll get what I did there). The specifics of the plague and its aftermath were fascinating and Mathis as a character brought the whole thing together so well. This isn't just a survival story, it's not just a post-apocalyptic tale, and it's certainly not your average fantasy, dark or otherwise. I never give much of the plot away in my reviews but trust me on this, this plot and its twists are on fire!

Ana Domini is a talented writer, one I am excited to read more from in the future.