The Shadow Things

by Jennifer Freitag

The Legions have left the province of Britain and the Western Roman Empire has dissolved into chaos.

With the world plunged into darkness, paganism and superstition are as rampant as ever.

In the Down country of southern Britain, young Indi has grown up knowing nothing more than his gods of horses and thunder; so when a man from across the sea comes preaching a single God slain on a cross, Indi must choose between his gods or the one God—and face the consequences of his decision.

The Shadow Things is a well-researched, gripping story that brings out the best in people – and the worst. Buy a copy today to find out which it will bring out in you...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Historical

192 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 2010

About the author

Jennifer Freitag is an author of young adult historical fiction (THE SHADOW THINGS) and fantasy (PLENILUNE). THE SHADOW THINGS and PLENILUNE are available through Amazon.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age Appropriate For: 15 and up for violence, intense content, and mild romance
Best for Ages: 15 and up

I started this book because I wanted to listen to something on my Kindle while I worked, and I am trying to read a bunch of books from the Homeschool Authors blog this year. I knew I was going to get a well written story, but I was not prepared to be amazed by it.

This story captured not only my imagination, but also my heart. I don’t think I have ever read a book with so many hard/sad events in it that I actually ended up loving. It pulled me back in time to ancient Britain, and made me feel like I was with Indi and his struggles.

I am not very familiar with this time in history, but I felt like the author did her research. The details of daily living and political structure seemed too real to have been made up. I would guess that this author spent hours learning about this time and place so that she could make her readers feel as if they were really there.

Indi was not only a wonderful character, but he also was one that tugged at my heartstrings. I felt as if I was there watching him through his struggles, finding faith, and witnessing the suffering of his people. He was so realistic as well as likable.

Christianity is the whole thrust of this story, yet without feeling fake. Watching as the little brown man and his message of a God of love changes the hearts of people and the lives of a village, my heart was touched.

This was not a light read; it was tough. Famine, abuse, suffering for your faith, and betrayal are not glossed over, but neither does the author go into so much detail. The story is very emotional and that is part of why it is so good.

I highly recommend this book to those who like Christianity at the center of their books, good historical fiction, and stories that make you feel like you are really there.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The Shadow Things is an unusual book, at least in my experience, both in its choice of subject and the fearless way in which it delivers its message. Set in ancient Britain, it is the story of a pagan chieftain's son who receives the Christian gospel from an outsider, and faces difficult choices and persecution from those closest to him following his acceptance of it.

I felt for a while in the first part of the book that there was a good deal of exposition; that the characters' interactions were serving mainly as a framework for explaining the Gospel (although this explanation is necessary to the story). But after Indi's conversion it grew more absorbing, with its depiction of the subtle, gradual effects on a society of one person in it standing for the true God. The suspense builds tremendously leading up to the climax; I found myself reading faster and faster (probably faster than I should have been) in a mix of eagerness and dread of seeing how things would turn out.

I will admit upfront that this ancient time period and the type of life explored is not my preferred brand of historical fiction; perhaps I would have found myself a little more invested in the story and characters overall had the setting been something else. It is sometimes dark and often brutal, and thus I wouldn't recommend it for younger readers; these elements are handled tastefully but without pulling many punches. I will say this to connoisseurs of genre Christian fiction: if you dislike books that are vaguely "Christian" in little more than name—The Shadow Things is not one of those. Its presentation of the Gospel is explicit and eloquent, probably the best I've encountered in a contemporary book, and it deserves praise for that.

[Kendra Ardnek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this because I follow the author's blog and have heard some pretty high opinions. It took me a while to get into it though, partly from computer/kindle issue.

Round about 30-40% of the way through I finally got my Kindle app to behave and was I was hooked. I could not put the book down.

This is a type of story that you don't see often - or, at least, I don't see very often - unless you go back and read books by Henty or Sutcliff. It's about a chieftain's son in a changing Britan. Rome is gone, and there are rumors of a new God - the Christos.

The story is told in broad, thick strokes, a very different style from what I usually see. I really enjoyed it, and it definitely deserves every bit of the high opinions I heard of it.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Shadow Things" is a Christian historical novel set in southern Britain, apparently sometime in the late 5th century. There was a nice level of setting and everyday historical detail to bring the story alive in my imagination.

The main focus of the story was about a few members of a pagan tribe choosing to follow Christ and the conflict between them and those in the tribe who still followed the pagan ways. The story contained a number of discussions about God and how Christ can give salvation, but they flowed naturally from the story. There was a statement made by a recent convert on page 71 about what becoming "children of God" meant that sounded a bit mixed with pagan ideas, but otherwise the theology was standard.

The characters were interesting and struggled realistically with whether or not to follow Christ. However, after they made that decision, time passed so quickly that we didn't really get to see their struggle to live in a truly Christian way. They just live that way with occasional conversations with each other about "it's hard." The portrayal of living under persecution was nicely done, though, and added tension to the relationship conflicts. However, I agree with the reviewer who said that the story "ended the way I wanted it end, but not exactly the way I thought it should end." You'll have to read the story to find out what that means. :)

There was no bad language or graphic sex. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable historical novel.


I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.

[Suzannah Rowntree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many of the home educated, I grew up reading the occasional Rosemary Sutcliff book. Sutcliff's novels were often set in ancient or early medieval Britain, meticulously well-researched and exquisitely written. While I did (and do) appreciate Sutcliff's deep characters, historical detail, and mature writing style, there always seemed something missing in her books. They rarely left me feeling satisfied; often, they left me depressed or (as with The Shining Company) deeply traumatised! Eventually I put it down to Sutcliff's not being a Christian, and therefore carrying a faint dreary echo of the words vanitas vanitatum omnes vanitas...

But what if I told you that, before her death, and perhaps under the influence of CS Lewis and GK Chesterton and some of the early church fathers, Rosemary Sutcliff had converted to Christianity and then written one last book? And that it was moody, complex, and suspenseful, with some truly gut-wrenching moments? That it was deep, profound, and amazingly faithful to the spiritual aspect of the time in which it was set? That it was written in prose like a tolling bell, clear and measured and lyrical and so beautiful as to make the reader weep tears of envy?

Well, Rosemary Sutcliff never wrote that book. The good news is that Jennifer Freitag has.

Read the rest of my review, together with an interview with the author, at my blog, Vintage Novels.

[Abigail Hartman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A vivid story set in a dark and oft-forgotten time and place - the Downlands of Britain just after the fall of the Roman Empire. The writing is beautiful and at times heart-wrenching, and the whole story carries a powerful theme.

[Rachel Lauto · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shadow Things....
Reading Jennifer Freitag's book was like reading one of Rosemary Sutcliff's Roman-Britain novels--only better because Jenny happens to focus on Christianity in her plot and characters, which I loved.
Her descriptions, as usual, are impeccable and blood-red and living.
The plot centers around Indi, a young man and a pagan, and his journey to Christ through a series of dark, desperate, and impacting events. I loved the characters--Indi, yes, but the side characters: Procyon, the missionary, and Sylvia, Indi's wife, and Lenag, his sister.
I love how clearly Jenny wove the truth of God and the war between dark and light into this novel without it feeling preachy. It was a very natural and beautiful presentation of the Gospel to a young man in a totally pagan world.

[Leanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had ment to write a review for this book long ago...I am afraid I was so much so in awe of the story and wordcrafting I had read that I only ever got as for as commenting my thoughts in a pages read update status. "There are times one wishes books weren't so vivid. Then one wouldn't feel the need to cry or want to punch the villians. That I supose is the mark of a great writer. Amazing story crafting, Jenny Freitag" For a more cohesive and informative review I would probably recomend Katie's review. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Isis Macnamara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Warning! Warning! That's the warning label this book ought to have had. Advertised as "in the spirit of authors like C.S. Lewis" it is instead a novel about how pagans are bloodthirsty and wrong while Christians are gentle,good and right. It was pretty stomach churning and historically inaccurate to boot if you know anything about the tribes of Britain around the time the book takes place.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good! A sweet, truth filled story, leaving me hungry for heavenly things, thirsty for living water and so glad to belong to the kindhearted "Christos".
( Also, I loved its size! Long enough to be well told, but short enough to not require too much commitment : )

[English · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. It was surprisingly well- researched, moreso than some GM titles. I actually got a "sense" of what life was like for rural people in post-Roman Britain (about the mid 400s), caught between a tribal lifestyle of their ancestors ekeing out a living in rural settlements and the more sophisticated and complex world of Rome, with its international connections, luxury goods, laws and customs.

Indi was actually a very well-developed character, and his growth and journey through the story was well written. Really well-written. Plus the dogs. The dogs are characters in thier own right: those hounds!! (You can tell this was written by a dog lover.) The prose is gorgeous, and the story full of suspense and unexpected moments.

When I saw at the end the note saying that the author was inspired by C.S Lewis, the title and themes of the work made perfect sense. Without meaning to give anything away, it is very much aligned with his concept of The Shadowlands, that is the good and joyful things of the world being a reflection or shadow of the glories of paradise and the perfection of heaven.

Indi doesn't get much joy in his life when he people think he is literally the cause of a curse upon them, but he persists, or sometimes barely exists through the terrible struggles and trials of it which is probably what makes this story so satisfying.

Recomended for all Historical Fiction lovers, with some content warnings for violence and sex references.

[Joshua Patricio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book just pulped my heart. I saw and felt how Indi went through because of the Christos - his newly accepted God. I felt I was inside the book, like I was one of the people in the (dun). Everything in the book seems all true. I thought Indi's mother will believe him at the end and accept his new found faith, but only a dissappointment. The author is splendid. 😊

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: the author is my sister-in-law. I mention this not to justify the review I’m about to write, but simply by way of complete honesty. In the same interest, if the book were in any way significantly flawed or deficient, it would be my duty to say so. Happily this is not the case. More than just a tale of trial and suspense, this story is imbued with the timeless truth of the Light of the world.

Toward the first part, the story itself is quite compelling. The brisk pace of events fits the book’s brevity – I read the bulk of it in a single day – and it’s a thrilling ride. One might complain that this reckless speed makes the momentous changes that occur seem to abrupt, even unjustified. Upon closer examination, however, it will be seen that we’re given adequate information as to why things shake out as they do, and the characters’ actions, for the most part, are perfectly believable. Only Cynr’s transformation from friend to enemy felt a little forced, as if it was more necessary to the story than to the character. True, we’re not given much time to dwell on one sea change before the next comes rolling in, but hey, sometimes life is like that. Regarding the ending, without giving too much away I’ll say this: it ended the way I wanted it end, but not exactly the way I thought it should end. Given all that led up to it, I’m not it wouldn’t have been better if it were taken to the extreme, but ultimately the author stayed true to her characters and story. Plus it’s always rewarding when someone who deserves to get shot in the face actually does.

There are many books that can be read on two, or perhaps more, levels – the overarching story and the symbolic or allegorical subtext underneath. Not so here; it is from its higher message that the story derives its singular compulsion. Indi’s conversion from his tribal paganism to Christianity, and the enmity this earns him and his compatriots from those left behind, provide the bulk of the narrative tension. But the young man’s struggles will speak directly to the reader as well. Indi’s experiences – the despair of realizing the depths of one’s own depravity, the overwhelming joy of finding forgiveness in the Cross of Christ, the bewilderment at the tribulations which only intensify, the incomprehensible peace that breaks through the storm – these will be familiar to any who have taken even their first steps along the narrow Way. It is no inconsequential task to attempt to present in fictional form the very real truths that the Creator has ordained, lest one inadvertently presume upon His sovereignty or chance to blaspheme against His Name. Yet in this regard the author has acquitted her charge admirably – she has set her characters and plot upon the unshakable foundation of Biblical truth, and therefore they resonate with that same timeless reality.

So here’s to you, my sister, and this beautiful piece you have crafted; may your pen never run dry, and from it may the unshadowed gleam of the Light in which you walk ever shine.

[Carmel Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts:
Wow. This book is so spiritually encouraging and inspiring, yet without being...stuffy. It was very refreshing, in my opinion. The characters were well-written and believable (those of you who know my qualms with Elsie Dinsmore will know how much this meant to me). I have to say, my favorite character was Indi. Ack, I just loved reading about him. His thought-processes were similar to mine. His patience was ah-mazing.

When I first started it (I took it to school ready during study hall), I read it at the steady pace that I read most other books (that is excluding The Hunger Games, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Johnny Tremain, and the abridged Les Miserables). And then I got about 100 pages into it. And suddenly, I couldn't put it down. The day I reached that point happened to be another school day, and I was in study hall. It got to a rather epic part (hint: someone's water broke) when I had to leave for my art class. I tell you, that was the longest art class ever. And then I took it to the park to read underneath a tree in the rain-threatening weather (no, it didn't end up raining, but it was a nice effect). And then I proceeded to read it all the way home, and couldn't bear to sit down and eat the lovely dinner than Momma prepared for me until I'd read the last 10 pages. Suffice it to say, I couldn't put it down. :)

Pros: It is so historically acurate that it could be a true story. And it is full of Bibilical truths, which I really liked.
Cons: If you don't like sad stories, this may not be for you. Although the ending was happy, there were a few deaths, (including one of my favorite characters near the end. *wipes a tear*)
Violence: There are several scenes where characters are struck across the face, and one scene where a child's head is crushed.
Romance: There is a small love story in this book. (and if you're a romantic like me, this will make you like it even more) There is talk of one character commiting adultery. Details are not given.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
I recommend this book for ages 14+

[Ness Kingsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm very much a fan of Rosemary Sutcliff and this books possesses echoes of her style – in the beautiful prose which almost reads like poetry.

This isn’t a clichéd book. Seriously. It isn’t. The twists and turns I found to be entirely unexpected – especially the ending.

And it isn’t a pleasant ‘let’s eat rainbows and ride unicorns’ tale. Oh no, of course not. There was a particular character who only appeared in a few scenes yet who I grew attached to. I was rooting for her survival. She was so wittle and cute. But then, then … she wasn’t.

The part of this book which really stood out to be was the scene where Procyon is explaining to Indi about creation. It’s so beautiful, so right.

But all these beauties we see are but dreams in the night, whispers of a hope to come beyond the end of this Age, that wonderful Other Thing.

Even if you don’t fancy going on this particular adventure, this book is worth getting just for this scene, this explanation.

My favourite characters were Llyeln, Tade and Mylor.

And Indi – not for the boy he was, but for the man he becomes.

All in all, this was a book which grew on me. I think that perhaps I enjoyed the latter end rather than the beginning. There were parts which left a frown on my brow – but then, human beings never seem to act in quite the way I expect them to. Apparently, this is the same with fiction.

As the build up to the climax commenced and I realised that a certain something was going to happen, I grew resigned to it – and interested on just how Jennifer Freitag was going to illustrate it. Quite intently interested, to be honest. BUT THEN …

a longer-ish review can be found on Adventures of the Bookish Kind

[Ashes H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Thats the one word to describe Jenny's novel. The emotion was pure cut, nothing overally dramatic. It was realistic, gripping, and heart rending all the same. Indi's change of life and believe wasn't a dramatic all of a sudden thing, but it wasn't drug out to such an extent of boredom. His broken hearted devotion to Sillvia when she cheated on him. Lenag's quiet love for Cynr even during his cruelets moments (though, her last straw might've broken when during the certian part towards the end). Llyeln's friendship during Indi's trials. Procyon's all around beautiful humility and love for everyone. The bitter truth of how you never really know a person until they are your enemy. But, I think the part that hit me the most, was the ending. I know (from a fellow writer's POV) that we want the best for our characters. Even when we are slaying their family, heaping grief on their heads, we want them to come out on the top. But Jenny fixed a perfect middle ground. Yes, from a Writer's POV, it would've been the best for Indi to gain his chieftianship, to have his Mother become a Christos follower, to have Lenag and Cynr live happily ever after. But, in the real world, does that always happen? Indi, Sillvia, Llyeln, Mylor, Tadc all came out on top. Lenag, I have yet to decide, but the rest did. Maybe not the shining top, maybe not the earthly beautiful mountian top, but they did get the best. That, I love the most.

[jillian n. · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the last page, setting it down, and just letting it soak in, one can't help but ask themselves why an author like this remains so obscure.

Jennifer Freitag is brilliant.

It's quite an unimpressively-sized book, with a lovely but fairly simple cover design--nothing flashy, nothing showy--but as for what's between those covers...there's nothing unimpressive or simple there!
It has a wonderful set a well-rounded, very likable, and fully believable characters. I loved the post-Roman Britain setting. The story-line was fantastic. It was spiritually inspiring, but without being stiff and pushy about it.
All this was wonderful, but what really strikes a person, what really gives it the "wow" factor is...the writing. The way Jennifer weaves her words to create such a vivid, bright patterned setting. The way it just sorta washes over you with poignant beauty. The way everything is there where you can reach out and touch it in all it's poetically gorgeous glory. Like a graceful butterfly and like a gleaming sword blade. Jenny is truly gifted, and I can't to read more from this dreadfully under-appreciated writer.

This book scores a rating of 4.25 stars from me. Which, coming from me, is really not too bad. Not too bad at all.

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jennifer Freitag has a beautiful writing style. I have enjoyed following her blog for some time now, and was excited to discover The Shadow Things in my local library. And the writing did not disappoint--it was full of rich description and well-woven language.

In fact, it was a beautiful novel all the way through. I found the plot riveting, and Indi's journey moving. All of the characters, good and "bad," were very well written and fleshed out. And the introduction of a loving God provides a beautifully stark contrast to the fear-motivated paganism, which, while I can say nothing to the historical accuracy, was explained well.

Why only 3/5, then? I'm not sure. Perhaps it just wasn't my cup of tea. The only complaint I have is that the ending didn't sit well with me. To avoid any possible spoilers, I'll just vaguely say that there was a bit of violence that occurred with hardly the bat of an eye, though it was the only such situation in the novel. Lives are treasured, people loved, except for that one brief moment.

However, I can say that if (when?) Jennifer Freitag publishes another book, I will most certainly read it!

*This review originally posted to poetree.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is set in Britain after the Roman Legions have left and the world has fallen back into darkness and paganism. Set in one of the tribes of southern Britain, Indi has grown up in a culture of angry gods that capriciously vent their whims on the people. Then a man from across the sea comes preaching a single God, slain on a cross. Indi slowly comes to believe the truth of the One God, yet in so choosing, he becomes the the scapegoat for everything bad that happens to his people. The book looks at the often difficult circumstances that develop as a result of faith.
The book presents a clear picture of the depths of man's depravity in a world of darkness. It looks at relationships that change when one friend believes in the true God and what cost a person must pay for his faith. There is a strong gospel message in the midst of the bittersweet story.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jennifer Frietag is a talented author. Think Rosemary Sutcliff plus C.S. Lewis. Think beautiful words woven together like a tapestry, showcasing the incredible truths we find in the Bible, all through real-to-life characters.

As for this book... I read it two years ago. Twice, so that I could have clear thoughts about it. I still don't. Perhaps if I read it again, now that I'm a little older?
I'm confused by the book because my thoughts were so different from the other reviewers. For me, while the writing is beautiful and the characters real, the book itself was kind of depressing. I never felt like the light overcame the darkness, rather the reverse. I'm not sure what I missed...

[Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was infinitely better than I originally thought it was going to be. I don't normally care for depressing stories, and mark my words, this one can get a little depressing with the pagan practices and how they clash with Christianity (actually, this book reminded me a lot of a biography of Saint Patrick that I read.) but it was also a very powerful story, despite the novel's short size.

I wouldn't recommend this to younger readers because it can get a little disturbing and there are some mature themes that are true to the time period of the story (and believe me, I've done a little research of these peoples before, so yes, I know that they really were often that ruthless and cruel)

However, overall, if you think you can handle it, this story is not one to miss.

[Sarah Cnossen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book so very intriguing. A great read! It displays well the struggle people of tradition have when thrust into a world of change.

This is the tale of Indi, a Chieftain's son in a pagan tribe, and his difficult journey of faith in the one true God, the Christos. Estranged from his own family and demoted a slave in his own home, Indi learns to rely on the living God and in return gains peace and eternal life.

To read the full review, visit my blog: Sarah, Plain & Average (http://sarah-plainandaverage.blogspot...)

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was truly a masterpiece - just beautiful! There were some things I disagreed with, however, about her theology, but not so much that I wasn't able to appreciate the book. I thought it was pretty amazing the way the author was able to weave in all the "talks" about God without making anything awkward.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book started out unassumingly, but by the time I got to the end, I thought my heart would stop. Wonderfully written story of a young man's journey from the darkness of false gods to the Light of the true God, set in post-Roman Britain. Books like this make my heart sing.

[Grace Brazell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reveiw upcoming...

[Jack Baillot · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review http://howeverimporbable.blogspot.com...

[Diana Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A much enjoyable if not challenging read. It was perfect for the moment for me and I know several others who would like it too. I've chosen it for my guest blog review on www.dianamj.wordpress.com

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars