Map of Shadows

J.F. Penn

Aug 2018 · Mapwalker Book 1 · Curl Up Press via PublishDrive

About this ebook

A map of skin etched in blood.

A world under threat from the Borderlands.

A young woman who must risk the shadows to save her family.

When her Grandfather is murdered under mysterious circumstances, Sienna Farren inherits his map shop in the ancient city of Bath, England. She discovers that her family is bound up with the Ministry of Maps, a mysterious agency that maintains the border between this world and the Uncharted.

With the help of Mila Wendell, a traveler on the canals, Sienna discovers her own magical ability and a terrifying place of blood that awaits in the world beyond.

But when she discovers a truth about her past and the Borderlands begin to push through the defenses, Sienna must join the team of Mapwalkers on their mission to find the Map of Shadows – whatever the cost.

In a place written out of history, a world off the edge of the map, Sienna must risk everything to find her father ... and her true path as a Mapwalker.

This is book 1 of the Mapwalker fantasy adventure trilogy.

Mapwalker trilogy:

Map of Shadows #1

Map of Plagues #2

Map of the Impossible #3

Ratings and reviews

It's funny; though I have read Joanna Penn’s nonfiction books, I have never read any of her fiction ones. So when I saw this book show up at one of my favorite book review sites, I had to snap it up. I will admit, too, that the idea of maps figuring into a story so centrally also intrigued me. I've always had a fascination with maps myself as they both reflect a physical reality and a figurative one, reflecting the needs and the culture from which they spring. In this book, Ms. Penn has mirrored that as well. The maps in this book are very special. They not only show something physical, but they themselves also act as a border, keeping a shadowy, malevolent twin earth separated from our own. The descriptions in the book are very rich and evocative without seeming overly so as to slow down the plot. I was immediately pulled into the world and had to keep turning the pages to see what was going to happen. The book is fast paced, perhaps a little too much so as I thought characterization could have been stronger, and some incidents were mentioned but not explored that perhaps should have been. But all in all, I found this to be a fantastic dark fantasy read, and I look forward to reading more of the series and more fiction by this author. I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

Map Of Shadows is the first book in the Mapwalkers series and is an interesting read. I appreciated that the author started with a paragraph to explain the Mapwalkers' world and how the maps are used. The characters are well developed and different. The storyline is creative and somewhat strange. I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.

This was the first book by this author that I've read, but it won't be the last. I thought the story line and character work were fabulous. The book had a smooth flow to it. I was hooked from beginning to end and am eagerly awaiting the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.