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Once there was a girl who spoke to shadows...

Rune's mother is uncaring and her brother is too young to protect her, so when Rune's father sells her to the depraved city of Wraith at the young age of ten, no one stops him. His last words to her are of a debt he cannot pay. The shadows who’ve kept Rune company as long as she can remember seem to know what he speaks of and yet they keep their silence.

And so Rune grows up living in servitude to Wraith’s brothel and its manipulative mistress, Agata, all while having only the faintest recollections of her forgotten childhood. Years later when she finally escapes Wraith, a wild place wrapped up in hedonism and old world ritual, she vows to never return...

When a child prince is kidnapped by a masked killer in a neighboring kingdom, however, Rune no longer has a choice. Joined by Weylin, her old love and a fellow Wraith runaway, she returns to the accursed city and the shadows of her past.

Not all is as it seems as threads of memory begin to unravel, revealing old lies and dark secrets.

The debt of her past may be too high to pay.

The shadows are speaking.

Death is waiting.

Shadowspeak is book one in the Realm of Skuggar series.

Paperback

First published February 23, 2021

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About the author

Raven Eckman

16 books66 followers
Raven is a freelance editor by night and fangirl at every other available opportunity.
She always knew books were her passion, well after her grandmother’s challenge to read a book a day, and obtained her B.A. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from Arcadia University.

Over the past four years, she has worked with a range of authors, both self-published and traditionally published, on short stories and novels from horror to contemporary in YA and Adult fiction.

Currently, she’s drowning in her TBR list, drafting her second WIP, brainstorming a new project, and expanding her freelancing business—all while looking for more bookish things to get involved with.

Her debut novel, Shadowspeak, will be published by Fox Pointe Publishing, LLP, in February 2021.

She is active on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook when she remembers.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Lucie V..
971 reviews1,783 followers
March 24, 2022
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley (thank you Fox Pointe Publishing). All thoughts and opinions are my own.

🆗❌ Characters
❌ World-building
❌ Plot
❌ Pace / Flashbacks

DNF at 20%

This book is so confusing! We have no details about the world-building or the gods they believe in. There are mentions of rituals and ceremonies, but no explanation whatsoever. It is hard to keep track of what’s happening and to get invested in this book. There are many flashbacks dispersed through the chapters, but it makes it even harder to understand what is happening or why it is happening.

Almost half of the chapters consist of flashbacks, but we don’t know when they happened or why they are relevant to the story. Rune also has a rare ability, she is able to see and talk to shadows, but we don’t know why she has this ability, and half of the time I was not sure if she was seeing a shadow or someone real or how exactly she interacted with the shadows. Again, the back and forth between the present and the memories added even more confusion to the story-line.

From what I understood, Rune has been sold by her father when she was about 11 years old. We jump 5 years later, where she seems to be a kind of prostitute/courtesan? Her mistress beats her and forces her to take part in a ceremony where hunters (no idea who they are exactly) can bid at a silent auction to buy the people? Insert a weird almost-incest scene, and a not-so-clear escape through the woods with her lover (again, it is all quite confusing). Add a few vague and unrelated memories in the middle of the action, and then we jump again three years later, and Rune is a barmaid, trying to run away from her dark past. Honestly, I stopped after that because I was too confused, and after reading 20% of the book, I still had no idea where this story was going, and I didn’t have the motivation to keep reading.

Honestly, I don’t care at all about Rune, she has no personality, and there is not enough interaction for me to know and care about the other characters. There is also a hint of mystery about the masks that people are wearing, sometimes it seems almost as if the masks were sentient, but then again, we had no more details, so it just remained a weird mystery.


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Profile Image for Susan Stradiotto.
Author 37 books164 followers
February 11, 2021
Thank you to Fox Pointe Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC copy of Shadowspeak.

I'm at a loss for what to say about Shadowspeak. Rather than classifying it as dark fantasy, I'd probably go to the point of calling it psychological fantasy. There is something cathartic about this story, but it's hard to put my finger on what. It's deep and should make you feel if you listen. I liked Rune and sympathized with her and her journey. However, I was not expecting this to take me on the ride it did.

The story is good and complex, and the characters are well imagined. When you sit down with this book, prepare yourself to give the story the appropriate time and attention. If you do not sink into the voice and read carefully, readers, you will not enjoy this read. It doesn't fit with so many of today's fantasy reads where you can just sail through it and get the high points. In order to understand this book, you need to be able to absorb and think before you judge. The words on the page within one scene are easy enough to read, but overall, this book is hard to read for other reasons.

First, the subject matter is trauma. Everyone experiences trauma in their own way. I've never had PTSD, so it was initially hard for me to align myself with the randomness of Rune's narrative. I can respect it, but I cannot empathize. As a reader, it was difficult to put the snippets of memory together cohesively. I think a second read would do the trick.

Second, the perspective is so close to the main character that I felt inside her head for the entire book. At times, I felt like I couldn't breathe I was so close to Rune. Given the darkness and the subject matter, that's not an easy spot to be.

The author did an excellent job of immersion. I recommend to those who enjoy delving into the human psyche and trying to figure out what's going on with that person.

Profile Image for Ashley.
38 reviews
January 22, 2021
I will be honest, the description is what caught my interest not the cover but boy was it a good read. You will read about the harsh, confusing past and present life of Rune the girl who talks to shadows. She's abused, traded to Wraith, a city of the worst type of revelry and debauchery, escapes with her love only to return to pay a debt(s) that does not belong to her; all while having small bits of visions from the shadows to make sense of her past. This book had me feeling the angst, love and betrayal; I was totally invested. I fully felt like I was trying to solve the past and glimpses Rune was given right along with her.

I loved the atypical relations between characters because they are living in a harsh world, I could not predict how the relationship would unfold.

However, I was left a little unsatisfied for how the plot was resolved. I don't want to give any spoilers so you'll just have to find out for yourself because it really was a fantastic read.
Profile Image for Ashley.
38 reviews
January 11, 2021
***NetGalley***

I will be honest, the description is what caught my interest not the cover but boy was it a good read. You will read about the harsh, confusing past and present life of Rune the girl who talks to shadows. She's abused, traded to Wraith, a city of the worst type of revelry and debauchery, escapes with her love only to return to pay a debt(s) that does not belong to her; all while having small bits of visions from the shadows to make sense of her past. This book had me feeling the angst, love and betrayal; I was totally invested. I fully felt like I was trying to solve the past and glimpses Rune was given right along with her.

I loved the atypical relations between characters because they are living in a harsh world, I could not predict how the relationship would unfold.

However, I was left a little unsatisfied for how the plot was resolved. I don't want to give any spoilers so you'll just have to find out for yourself because it really was a fantastic read.
Profile Image for Emma.
27 reviews
February 7, 2021
I received this book as a beta reader through Fox Pointe publishing.

I agree with many of the other reviews in that it was very confusing at first. All of the back and forth between memories and reality without a lot of context of time was difficult to understand. I continued to read though because I realized that Rune likely had a lot of PTSD, and it seems that perhaps she was just as confused about her memories because they didn’t fully make sense. Once she had returned to Vodihr and was stabbed and taken by the shadows to learn more about her past, things started to come together and make a LOT more sense. She was learning of her past just as we were. In this way, the author did an excellent job in writing the book from Rune’s perspective and helping the reader fully experience the story as Rune was. The confusion may be a turn off for some people, as I’ve seen on the Goodreads reviews, but I noticed that those individuals also said they didn’t finish the book. In not finishing the book, they may have never understood the full story or appreciated the way the plot unfolds.

Overall, as a reader who likes engaging books, this was definitely engaging. I was constantly wondering how everything fit together in the story. It is complex and multi-faceted, just like any person’s life experience is. Things that may not make sense when you are 7 or 8 years old ultimately are leading to something you do as an adult. I have never personally experienced trauma or symptoms of PTSD, but from what I have learned through my education, the snippets of the past coming up through, seemingly, minor triggers (i.e. a song, a word, a person), are accurate to their experience. I think perhaps things could have come together in such a way to keep readers wondering while still feeling a sense of understanding while reading the story from the beginning, but I was satisfied with how it came together at the end since I read through the entire book, and also read through it quickly enough to remember the confusing elements from early chapters that made more sense as Rune gained knowledge of her story.
Profile Image for Kiersten Hall.
Author 10 books96 followers
February 10, 2021
'Shadowspeak' is an odyssey into the main character's psyche and the story of how she triumphs over her trauma and fears. If the reader goes into this book expecting the 'same old, same old', the reader will be overwhelmed by the emotional intensity of the book's darkness; the complexity of the plot.

The author does a good job of portraying trauma and the physiological responses to that trauma; sensory, emotions, etc. Rune (M.C.) is at the mercy of her trauma and her abilities. Nine times out of ten, Rune is experiencing memories against her will. She doesn't know what she's going to see and when she's going to see it. The painful memories, in high-definition, re-traumatize her every single time. The key to reading this book is to understand the italics are memories and those memories could be from anyone. The author gives the main character a lot to overcome but she does do it. Rune does get a happy ending but it's not a Disney-ending, it's a realistic ending.

For the reader familiar with trauma and PTSD, 'Shadowspeak' is cathartic and eye-opening. For the reader unfamiliar with trauma and PTSD, this book is a visceral experience.

In short, 'Shadowspeak' is for the sophisticated reader... and someone who has an appreciation for the toll trauma can take in and on life.
Profile Image for Reece.
387 reviews4 followers
January 16, 2021
ARC from NetGalley

DNF @ 71%

For starters, that cover is an atrocity, and it makes the book seem so much younger than it is. This is a dark read. It seems Norse in influence. We follow Rune through confusing flashbacks throughout. Half the fucking book is in italics as we are living through Rune's memories with no guidance, no fucking clue what we are reading about, when or why. Things are slowly revealed later, but as you're reading it, it's really bloody confusing. I mean, even later it's fucking confusing.

I don't really even know Rune's personality after having read 71% of this book. I don't give a single shit about any character. I have no idea what was going on or why. I spent the entirety of my reading it frowning like.. dafuq am I reading? The plot is meandering, there is no character growth, no real reason to give a shit about anyone, no reason to keep reading honestly. I have no fucking idea what I just read. I want my time back.
1 review
February 10, 2021
Shadowspeak kept me at the edge of my seat. It had me yelling "Run" right with the characters. This is one I would keep in my collection to read again!
Profile Image for Jill Criswell.
Author 4 books170 followers
January 26, 2021
This book is different. The main character suffers from PTSD, and when she's triggered--which happens often--the story jumps back and forth between different time periods in her life. She can also see ghosts (called shadows), and when she touches them, or sometimes when she touches a living person, she sees the ghost's or the living person's memories.

All of this jumping around can be disorienting at first, but it really puts you in the character's head--it's disorienting for her too--and I found it to be an interesting and bold approach to storytelling. There's also a lot of cool, Norse inspired world building that's really intriguing. The story is dark and brutal, which I love. So much betrayal and heartbreak!

There's a lot going on in the story, and I wasn't always sure what was happening or why, but it usually didn't bother me. In this way, it reminded me of "Wicked Saints." You don't have to be clear on every detail, as long as you're enjoying the ride. And for me, this ride was enjoyable!
1 review
February 28, 2021
Extremely mentally challenging. Love the depth of various levels of memories. Very well written. Gifted,talented author.
Profile Image for Nicole.
154 reviews5 followers
April 1, 2022
This book hit me right in the "feels"!

Pros: from the very start, I immediately resonated with the "others", shadows, and abandonment. I KNEW I HAD to read Shadowspeak!


At first, I got a kind of Hunger Games vibe, but as the story progressed, the plot became something original and enticing unlike anything I've seen or read before (and I read a LOT).


Until the very end, I felt myself falling in love with Rune, her struggles and triumphs alike, as well as the entire world Eckman created. In ways, it even helped me to understand my own world and experiences that “shadow” Rune’s.


The characters are wholly consistent, Eckman is a true wordsmith (one of my most FAVORITE things about this book is how well written it is), and there are scenes I just didn't see coming but that were more than welcomed and needed for a cohesive, unrushed ending. I always love when authors take their time with tying everything up and make it worthwhile to read.


Cons: I had a little trouble at first understanding this world, but the more I read, the easier it was to get. It was complicated, not unlike our own, but well worth the time reading.


Conclusion: if you're looking for a read that's original, has action, is well written, and will still manage to grab your heartstrings (with its shadowy threads), this is IT.


(You'll get the shadowy reference once you give this one a read!)
Profile Image for Bek.
154 reviews5 followers
February 4, 2021
DNF 67%

This is a seriously dark read. The cover of this book doesn’t really reflect the content inside. It makes the book seem like it would appeal to a younger audience and in no way possible should this be for audiences under 18 years.

The author provides content warnings for sexual, emotion, physical, and verbal abuse of children and adults, incest, animal cruelty and drug use, plus a plethora of other pretty heavy topics.

Then there’s the book itself. I really struggled with how often this book jumped between the two time periods of Rune’s flashbacks and the present story. There’s no real guidance between these and as a whole, I was left very confused.
Profile Image for Aliza Kathryn.
18 reviews13 followers
April 26, 2021
Slow build but once the characters and plot got put into action I couldn’t put it down! Twists at every corner as the story and the mystery unravels memory by memory.
Took a little bit for me to get used to the world building but this this is one of my favorite “worlds” I’ve read in a fantasy novel! Very different thanks others I’ve read which was why it look me a little to get used to it. I can’t wait till more books come out that take place here! I’m dying to know more

Trigger warnings are given for PTSD and Abuse.
Profile Image for Becca D.
97 reviews
January 5, 2022
Such a wild ride! I would almost classify this as a psychological thriller - but maybe that’s going a bit too far. 😅

I admit I felt very lost at first, but details slowly pour in throughout the story. I know some readers don’t care this style, but it is very fitting with this story since the main character is missing so much of her own life and you are on this journey with her learning more as she learns more about herself.

If you start this one, don’t give up too early! It’s definitely a different storytelling style (or it is to me), but I think it was worth reading and very enjoyable!
Profile Image for Erica B (ricci.reads).
192 reviews2 followers
January 19, 2021
Umm... DNF

Based on the content warnings at the beginning of the book and the other reviews I think I need to skip this one.

~ Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this title ~
Profile Image for Jennifer Henschel.
645 reviews3 followers
January 13, 2022
I could not finish this book. I was so confused. As soon as I understood one concept things would change. The constant flashbacks were annoying. I think I've only given 1, maybe 2, books a 1 star before, but this one definitely deserves it.
Profile Image for Shannon.
130 reviews
February 11, 2021
Plot was too confusing Dnf. A lot of triggering situations that are beyond cruel. The characters were not my favorite.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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