Edward Kelley wants to destroy the world. His family is dead and his odd habits have made him a pariah in the small town of Hurst, Ohio. After the unexpected arrival of an anonymous package, Edward quickly discovers the tools to forge his malevolent fantasies into reality. Yet, he soon finds that he is not the villain of his own story and, with the help of a surrogate grandmother, an undead servant, and a foul-mouthed cop, he is fast on the road to becoming an unlikely hero. Casting Shadows is a quirky amalgamation of Contemporary Fantasy and Magical Realism, with a sprinkling of Classical Literature, Necromancy, and Russian Folklore added for good measure.
Casting Shadows
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
J. Kelley Anderson is a fan of comic books, John Milton, tattoos, pulp detective novels, herpetology, folklore, video games, and all things sci-fi and fantasy. Growing up, he wanted to be either a ninja or a maple tree. These aspirations led him to teach college English. He lives in Ohio. Visit his website: http://www.jkelleyanderson.com
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More About the Author
J. Kelley Anderson is a fan of comic books, John Milton, tattoos, pulp detective novels, herpetology, folklore, video games, and all things sci-fi and fantasy. Growing up, he wanted to be either a ninja or a maple tree. These aspirations led him to teach college English. He lives in Ohio. www.jkelleyanderson.com
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good book for urban fantasy lovers: Casting Shadows by J. Kelley Anderson
February 6, 2012
Format:Paperback
I've always liked stories that are a bit different from the average. Casting Shadows by J. Kelley Anderson is definitely a book that tells a story like that.
At the beginning, the main character Edward performs a magic ritual in a cemetery to summon an undead servant. He only does this because he is under a spell and a demon is trying to influence his deeds. However, the new servant, Vincent will not be the merciless evil being that one could expect. He will be more like a friend, who always has Edward's best interests at heart, but he also has his own will and his own views about things. He does his best to protect him from himself and from the evil forces that are at work in the ususally quiet little town of Hurst, Ohio. A very powerful witch grandmother also appears, who tries to teach Edward how to become a warlock. He also encounters several types of magical beings and learns that he has to become the champion fighting for mankind and he really needs to grow up for the task very quickly. His only connection to normal life remains his best friend, Michael who is a local police officer and who, fortunately, has a sense of humor.
Casting Shadows is a real page-turner, the characters are well-drawn, likeable and more complex than the ususal fantasy clichés. The story is a unique mixture of what we have seen already and what we have not. There are also some great humorous scenes added.
If you are interested in urban fantasy, do not miss this book. It's highly recommended.
At the beginning, the main character Edward performs a magic ritual in a cemetery to summon an undead servant. He only does this because he is under a spell and a demon is trying to influence his deeds. However, the new servant, Vincent will not be the merciless evil being that one could expect. He will be more like a friend, who always has Edward's best interests at heart, but he also has his own will and his own views about things. He does his best to protect him from himself and from the evil forces that are at work in the ususally quiet little town of Hurst, Ohio. A very powerful witch grandmother also appears, who tries to teach Edward how to become a warlock. He also encounters several types of magical beings and learns that he has to become the champion fighting for mankind and he really needs to grow up for the task very quickly. His only connection to normal life remains his best friend, Michael who is a local police officer and who, fortunately, has a sense of humor.
Casting Shadows is a real page-turner, the characters are well-drawn, likeable and more complex than the ususal fantasy clichés. The story is a unique mixture of what we have seen already and what we have not. There are also some great humorous scenes added.
If you are interested in urban fantasy, do not miss this book. It's highly recommended.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By llhall2
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
It has been such a long time since I've come across a book that kept me this engaged. I came across an ad for it at a web comic I follow, obtained the sample chapter from Amazon on my iPad, and literally was hooked within the first few pages. It carried me along the plot to the point, I couldn't put it down. I've even enticed my daughter to read it.. All I had to tell her was "Necromancer.. in Ohio. OHIO!" and she read the first page. She's getting it tonight. Thank you for a wonderful read and I hope to see more of Mr. Edward Kelley in the future. Instant favorite.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By S. Faller
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this. This is a 'buddy' story + origin of a hero combined. It is one of the better fantasy world and real world mash ups I've read. What happens when the unexplainable occurs in Hurst, Ohio? How is the average Joe affected? I felt like I was drinking a cup of philosophy while eating my pulpy meal.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worth the Read
Loved the folk tale and magical elements, but be warned . . . there be typos ahead. Oh and the best part of this book? Zero romance. Read more
Published 1 month ago by A. R. Pasternak
5.0 out of 5 stars
Original, imaginative, story. Husband enjoyed this.
My husband has just finished reading this urban fantasy novel.
He is an avid reader, consumes half a dozen books a week. He said he enjoyed it immensely. Read more
He is an avid reader, consumes half a dozen books a week. He said he enjoyed it immensely. Read more
Published 5 months ago by K. Shell
5.0 out of 5 stars
surprisingly funny
The magic theory application which is the basis for this story is a pleasant break from the vampire, zombie mythos permeating current popular fantasy. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Coronita Cerveza
4.0 out of 5 stars
UFR Reviews Casting Shadows
I don't think I have read many books involving necromancy, or rather necromancy as a man elements. I know there are series out there, and some of them are really good according to... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Kathryn S. Steves
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Beginning for a Series
I'll admit it I read this book because it was free, but I enjoyed it so much the minute I finished I went to see if the author had any other books published. Read more
Published 13 months ago by NorCal Girl in The South
5.0 out of 5 stars
Casting Shadows
Casting Shadows is an entrancing novel of loss, love, revenge, acceptance, and power. Set in Hurst, Ohio, Edward Kelley has no family and only one friend. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Star @ The Bibliophilic Book Blog
4.0 out of 5 stars
Goblins & Witches & Cogs, Oh My!
The blurb describes this book as a "quirky amalgamation of Contemporary Fantasy and Magical Realism, with a sprinkling of Classical Literature, Necromancy, and Russian Folklore... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Emma Meade
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good short read.
Casting Shadows is a well done urban fantasy novel mostly taking place in suburbia. The main character is out-of-depth and the reader shares in his explorations and revelations in... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Sacrath
4.0 out of 5 stars
Flawed but fun
This suburban fantasy featuring black magic and a variant on the Bagi Yaga legend reminds me of a B movie that entertains thoroughly despite not being "great" by most measures. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Teresa Noelle Roberts
5.0 out of 5 stars
Its a good read
This was a lot of fun. The story brought a fresh perspective to the Baba Yaga myth. The characters were vivid and spoke with there own voices. I would love some more.
Published 15 months ago by Robert J. Lindeman
