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Shadow Gods Saga #1
In the Shadow of Death
A backwater system in the Deklan Oligarchy, the Four Suns hides a sinister plot to destabilize the Serrll Combine government. An Envoy is sent to uncover the scheme before the Serrll explodes into factional warfare. Having ‘volunteered’ as a military aide to the Envoy, Second Scout Terrllss-rr uncovers a link between slavery and local government’s plans to cede the Four Suns. That knowledge marks him for death. Fleeing, his survival blister crashes on Anar’on, the fabled world of the Wanderer nomads. Terr is found in the deep desert, lost, without memory, without a past. To restore himself, Terr undergoes training in the Discipline. Facing the god of Death, he receives more than he bargained for.
- GenresScience Fiction
346 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2001
About the author
Stefan Vucak
41 books126 followersStefan Vučak has written twenty-one novels, which include eight SF books in the Shadow Gods Saga. His Cry of Eagles won the coveted Readers’ Favorite silver medal award, and his All the Evils was the prestigious Eric Hoffer contest finalist and Readers’ Favorite silver medal winner. Strike for Honor won the gold medal. He also spends time as an editor and book reviewer. Stefan lives in Melbourne, Australia.
To learn more about Stefan, visit his:
Website: www.stefanvucak.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/StefanVucakAuthor
Twitter: @stefanvucak
To learn more about Stefan, visit his:
Website: www.stefanvucak.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/StefanVucakAuthor
Twitter: @stefanvucak
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 10, 2025
You have such a unique voice, and I really admire the way you were able to make every page so engaging. Honestly, it’s one of those books that stays with you long after reading.
September 14, 2019
Second Scout Terrllss-rr, Terr runs into a little boy, Alasi who has been marked as a slave. Terr wants to help the boy but Alasi no longer trust anyone. Terr decides to make a deal with Alasi. Terr hopes to gain his trust in this way. Alasi is very suspicious of Terr but decides to take him up on his offer. Alasi then proceeds to tell him about his family and what happened to them. Ben explains that some men came and took them away . Now he wants Terr to find his family.
When Terr looks into finding Alasi's family he learns that his family was taken away to another planet. With the investigation Terr finds a link to slavery in another planet. After this discovery Terr's life is in danger and while in route to investigate this link his ship is attached and he crashes on the planet Anar'on. Terr is all alone on Anar'on and low on water and food and no idea where or how he is going to get more. He has no idea how bad his injuries that he acquired in the crash are either. If he doesn't find water soon his injuries could be the least of his problems.
Will Terr find the help he needs? Is he all alone on Anar'on? Can be fine away off Anar'on in time to save his world? All the answers and more can be found in In the Shadow of Death. So with saying this I highly suggest you one click yourself a copy today!
I really enjoyed reading In the Shadow of Death and can't wait to see what is in store for us in the next book. In the Shadow of Death grabbed my attention from the first page and never let go. In the Shadow of Death was so well written that when I was reading it I could see it playing in my head as if it was a movie. I could see Terr as he was flying in his ship as he was being attacked and I could hear the ship's computer as it was relaying information to Terr. I could see Terr on the planet Anar'on and I could just imagine how the land may have looked like a dessert or barren of plant life with no water in site.
In the Shadow of Death is just the kind of book that I have wanted to read for a long time as it reminds me in ways of that TV show Killjoys as well as Star Trek and Star Wars. If you like TV shows and movies like this then I believe you will enjoy In the Shadow of Death.
When Terr looks into finding Alasi's family he learns that his family was taken away to another planet. With the investigation Terr finds a link to slavery in another planet. After this discovery Terr's life is in danger and while in route to investigate this link his ship is attached and he crashes on the planet Anar'on. Terr is all alone on Anar'on and low on water and food and no idea where or how he is going to get more. He has no idea how bad his injuries that he acquired in the crash are either. If he doesn't find water soon his injuries could be the least of his problems.
Will Terr find the help he needs? Is he all alone on Anar'on? Can be fine away off Anar'on in time to save his world? All the answers and more can be found in In the Shadow of Death. So with saying this I highly suggest you one click yourself a copy today!
I really enjoyed reading In the Shadow of Death and can't wait to see what is in store for us in the next book. In the Shadow of Death grabbed my attention from the first page and never let go. In the Shadow of Death was so well written that when I was reading it I could see it playing in my head as if it was a movie. I could see Terr as he was flying in his ship as he was being attacked and I could hear the ship's computer as it was relaying information to Terr. I could see Terr on the planet Anar'on and I could just imagine how the land may have looked like a dessert or barren of plant life with no water in site.
In the Shadow of Death is just the kind of book that I have wanted to read for a long time as it reminds me in ways of that TV show Killjoys as well as Star Trek and Star Wars. If you like TV shows and movies like this then I believe you will enjoy In the Shadow of Death.
August 2, 2013
All that really need be said about this novel is this: it's simply gorgeous. There is no coveted goal in novel writing it doesn't attain: an intriguing plot, well-drawn characters, atmospheric descriptions, pacing attuned to storytelling... Any one of these elements could be picked out and without exception the praise of its full implementation has to be sung for „In the Shadow of Death“. There is, however, no complete review without critique.
In consequence two aspects shall be highlighted and put to exalted scrutiny: descriptions and plot construction.
Descriptions tend to a certain density by the generous use of adjectives and adverbs. Such density accrues the charge of the atmosphere. Such density accrues the charge of the atmosphere and this is of particular benefit to the novel when the pace is set down a gear, when Terr, stranded with the desert nomads, initiates his training in the spiritual track of the Discipline. The desert landscape is vividly represented before the reader's eye and its influence on Terr becomes palpable. But a few times throughout the whole of the book I felt that descriptions were compressed to the point of information-overload, like in this sentence: „Fractal tendrils reached in jagged fingers from the southern polar cap to vanish in faded muddy patches of green and flashes of azure from the small shallow seas.“
As for the plot, it is a pure joy for anyone who cherishes a complex societal and political backdrop in sci-fi. The criss-crossing pathways of diplomatic manoeuvring are outspread in subtle conversations between characters playing daringly their double-handed game. As rarely happens in unison, the development of the plot results both complex and thrilling.
But I think it is arguable whether the plot has not become a little lost in its own complexity.
To summarise the basic tenet: Kapel Pen rules a planet to which a lucrative mining colony is attached. She has to respond to the overarching rule of the Deklans. The Karkans can be seen as a competitor state to the Deklans. As already the blurb reveals, Kapel Pen plans to „cede the Four Suns“ system, of which her own planet forms a part. That is, she wants to cede it to the Karkans. While the blurb makes this known to the reader from the start, it is supposed to be unknown to the principal players of the Serrll Combine, a sort of super-government including both the Deklans and the Karkans.
But really it is hard to understand why the final divulging of Kapel Pen's plan appears such a surprise to the officials of the Serrll Combine. They themselves spell it out from the beginning, only with a lesser reach than it finally assumes.
Enllss, one of these officials, envisages from early on the idea that the Karkans strive to increase their political pull in the Serrll Combine by way of “territorial acquisition”. He remarks that attention should concentrate on “Kapel Pen and the other three Controllers“ of the Four Suns System. He says, „I need to know what Kapel and the Karkans are plotting“.
However, when Kapel's plan becomes known in explicit form to Enllss, he exclaims that „[w]e've been pounding our brains worrying about market monopolies“ while Kapel's dealings with the Karkans really were aiming for territorial acquisition. But this is no news at all. As can be seen above, Enllss had already calculated the possibility.
Thus, I would be inclined to see an inconsistency here. But it is of pivotal importance to clarify that this doesn't undermine the quality of the plot construction. To the contrary, I'm ready to admit that my above critique is somewhat sophisticated. That I could have formulated it at all has only been possible because of the complexity and finery that the construction of the plot carries. Therefore, what might appear as a point against the novel really is a strong point in its favour. Ambiguity in details can only show up in a story development that is remarkable for its richly layered and craftily detailed outlay.
Beyond any sophistication: the book just makes for a marvellous sci-fi experience. What's the more, it is not for an isolated story that the author has expended so much creative wit in the representation of characters and socio-political background. They are further fleshed out in six consecutive novels that, judging by the quality of this one, must sum up to an enthralling saga about the rise and fall of gods and empires. At the same time a focus will be held on personality growth as Terr advances in the way of the Discipline. „In the Shadow of Death“ calls for a resounding recommendation.
[This is a shortened version of the full review, to be found on the reviewer's blog.]
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
In consequence two aspects shall be highlighted and put to exalted scrutiny: descriptions and plot construction.
Descriptions tend to a certain density by the generous use of adjectives and adverbs. Such density accrues the charge of the atmosphere. Such density accrues the charge of the atmosphere and this is of particular benefit to the novel when the pace is set down a gear, when Terr, stranded with the desert nomads, initiates his training in the spiritual track of the Discipline. The desert landscape is vividly represented before the reader's eye and its influence on Terr becomes palpable. But a few times throughout the whole of the book I felt that descriptions were compressed to the point of information-overload, like in this sentence: „Fractal tendrils reached in jagged fingers from the southern polar cap to vanish in faded muddy patches of green and flashes of azure from the small shallow seas.“
As for the plot, it is a pure joy for anyone who cherishes a complex societal and political backdrop in sci-fi. The criss-crossing pathways of diplomatic manoeuvring are outspread in subtle conversations between characters playing daringly their double-handed game. As rarely happens in unison, the development of the plot results both complex and thrilling.
But I think it is arguable whether the plot has not become a little lost in its own complexity.
To summarise the basic tenet: Kapel Pen rules a planet to which a lucrative mining colony is attached. She has to respond to the overarching rule of the Deklans. The Karkans can be seen as a competitor state to the Deklans. As already the blurb reveals, Kapel Pen plans to „cede the Four Suns“ system, of which her own planet forms a part. That is, she wants to cede it to the Karkans. While the blurb makes this known to the reader from the start, it is supposed to be unknown to the principal players of the Serrll Combine, a sort of super-government including both the Deklans and the Karkans.
But really it is hard to understand why the final divulging of Kapel Pen's plan appears such a surprise to the officials of the Serrll Combine. They themselves spell it out from the beginning, only with a lesser reach than it finally assumes.
Enllss, one of these officials, envisages from early on the idea that the Karkans strive to increase their political pull in the Serrll Combine by way of “territorial acquisition”. He remarks that attention should concentrate on “Kapel Pen and the other three Controllers“ of the Four Suns System. He says, „I need to know what Kapel and the Karkans are plotting“.
However, when Kapel's plan becomes known in explicit form to Enllss, he exclaims that „[w]e've been pounding our brains worrying about market monopolies“ while Kapel's dealings with the Karkans really were aiming for territorial acquisition. But this is no news at all. As can be seen above, Enllss had already calculated the possibility.
Thus, I would be inclined to see an inconsistency here. But it is of pivotal importance to clarify that this doesn't undermine the quality of the plot construction. To the contrary, I'm ready to admit that my above critique is somewhat sophisticated. That I could have formulated it at all has only been possible because of the complexity and finery that the construction of the plot carries. Therefore, what might appear as a point against the novel really is a strong point in its favour. Ambiguity in details can only show up in a story development that is remarkable for its richly layered and craftily detailed outlay.
Beyond any sophistication: the book just makes for a marvellous sci-fi experience. What's the more, it is not for an isolated story that the author has expended so much creative wit in the representation of characters and socio-political background. They are further fleshed out in six consecutive novels that, judging by the quality of this one, must sum up to an enthralling saga about the rise and fall of gods and empires. At the same time a focus will be held on personality growth as Terr advances in the way of the Discipline. „In the Shadow of Death“ calls for a resounding recommendation.
[This is a shortened version of the full review, to be found on the reviewer's blog.]
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
April 5, 2015
I love sci fi novels and the Shadow Gods Saga is rapidly becoming one of my favourite series ever. Not only is this book extremely well written with wonderfully complex characters, the plot is also extremely easy to keep track of. Sometimes authors pile on so much information that it’s a challenge to keep track of what’s going on – but that just isn’t the case here at all. I really cannot wait to read the rest of the series!!
April 9, 2017
“Fantastic World Building.”
Second Scout Terr is relieved of command of an M-3 ship, and suddenly assigned to an envoy looking into slavery on Elexi. Unfortunately, there is more going on than slavery, and much of it involves politics. Terr is almost killed, and must face the god of Death.
This was a very interesting piece of work by a master storyteller who has built a universe as fascinating as STAR WARS or STAR TREK. There are interesting characters, and plenty of action, but my main problem with the story is the long drawn out politics that fuel the story as well as the action. Because of politics, it left me often confused and trying to keep everything straight in my mind, causing the pace to slow for me. The author is exceedingly good with creating political systems, and this is to his credit. But as a reader that prefers more action, and less politics in a story, it just wasn’t for me. That should not stop readers from buying this book. It is well crafted, and the writing is good. I highly recommend it to science fiction readers who like political intrigue in their reads.
Second Scout Terr is relieved of command of an M-3 ship, and suddenly assigned to an envoy looking into slavery on Elexi. Unfortunately, there is more going on than slavery, and much of it involves politics. Terr is almost killed, and must face the god of Death.
This was a very interesting piece of work by a master storyteller who has built a universe as fascinating as STAR WARS or STAR TREK. There are interesting characters, and plenty of action, but my main problem with the story is the long drawn out politics that fuel the story as well as the action. Because of politics, it left me often confused and trying to keep everything straight in my mind, causing the pace to slow for me. The author is exceedingly good with creating political systems, and this is to his credit. But as a reader that prefers more action, and less politics in a story, it just wasn’t for me. That should not stop readers from buying this book. It is well crafted, and the writing is good. I highly recommend it to science fiction readers who like political intrigue in their reads.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews