The Shadow Glass by Josh Winning ~ a Review

by MK French 

Jack Corman's father Bob had once created a film called "The Shadow Glass" that was deemed too scary for children and too infantile for adults, making Bob a laughingstock in the industry. Jack hated his father and fears being a failure just like him. After Bob's death, Jack returns to his family home only to discover that after a thunderstorm, the puppets from the film start talking. Jack must team up with others to go after the villains to save London and perhaps rekindle a love for the film along the way.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

March 2022; Titan Books; 978-1789098617
audio, ebook, print (400 pages); fantasy

The Shadow Glass is something of a fantasy and horror novel, complete with a race against the clock to save the world. It evokes classic movies like The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and The Neverending Story. The book opens with a review of the in-book film "The Shadow Glass," which very much feels like every other movie review I've ever seen of classic 80's movies. Interspersed between chapters are fragments of interviews or the script of the film, a touch I really loved seeing. Jack, Toby, and the kettu are on a quest of their own to find the Shadow Glass, mirroring the contents of the film. Along the way, he learns more about the father he had thought of as a distant drunk that cared more about the film than about Jack. The novel has the beats of a fantasy adventure, fighting off the Big Bad while looking for the key to salvation. As fun as that is, I also enjoyed seeing Jack come alive again, becoming someone more interested in the world around him than remaining curled up in his emotional loss and pain.

This book is full of 80's nostalgia as well as a hero's journey, and I loved all of these messy, emotional characters. Grief, anger, and love are all mixed up and fully entwined in the story. Love and resentment are different sides of the same coin, lacing memories of the Shadow Glass and Bob's legacy. Amelia, Jack, and Wesley all live with that legacy in different ways, creating battles of their own. The action sequences are wonderful, and I really wish this book can be turned into a movie to see it. Reading this gave me a bit of a book hangover, and I want to dive right back into this world.

Buy The Shadow Glass at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.