"Laced with plenty of action and a bit of downright spookiness."
~ Colleen Drippe, Hereditas Literary Magazine "The first two books ... kept me on the edge of my seat for several nights." ~ Jill K. Willis, Award-Winning Author "You'll rarely hear me say that a book would make a terrific movie, but I'd say that about Shadow in the Dark. ... Tweens and teens who enjoy a medieval setting, plenty of action, and a good scare won't be able to put this book down." ~ Barb Szyszkiewicz, OFS, CatholicMom.com |
"Intelligent and exciting!" ~ The Writer's Edge "An engaging medieval adventure with appeal that transcends its denominational press." ~ School Library Journal "[T]weens and teens will enjoy this masterfully constructed historical fiction novel. There's adventure, there's mystery, there's justice, there's friendship. Xan is a relatable hero grappling with common coming of age problems." ~ Good Books for Catholic Kids |
"When good books are often in short supply, I am excited to discover another story that has a high entertainment factor, educational value[,] but also positive role models and messages for young readers."
~ Theresa Linden, Award-Winning Author "A brisk-moving and suspenseful tale, Shadow in the Dark majestically presents the power of truth and mercy slowly but surely overpowering a world driven by death and mayhem. Exquisitely balanced, the story has both the simplicity to appeal to a young reader and the richness to touch an adult audience. Kolenc has penned a masterpiece." ~ Dan Flaherty, The Scholar |
"Shadow in the Dark has a wholesomeness that makes it stand out like a mountain among the suggestive emotionally confused sludge that has become the accepted fare to dish up for our youth. This could be the future standard for sound adolescent literature!"
~ Leo Madigan, The Weka-Feather Cloak "Shadow in the Dark is an entertaining and engrossing adventure story well-suited for young readers (and their elders, too); it deserves many readers--and many sequels." ~ Joseph Esper, After the Darkness |
"[W]ell suited for boys and enjoyable for girls, too. The worldbuilding is excellent, and the characters are believable."
~ Karina Fabian, Author of the DragonEye, PI Series
"With Shadow in the Dark, Kolenc has produced a real page turner that is both instructive and edifying. Great wisdom and virtue is promoted through a compelling story... very effective!"
~ Martin Kennedy, A Philadelphia Catholic in King James' Court
"Fast-paced, engaging, and suspenseful, Shadow in the Dark brought Xan and the monks of Harwood Abbey to life. At the same time, Kolenc skillfully brings to the reader lessons in living the Christian life without it being artificial to the story. I look forward to further stories about Xan and life at Harwood Abbey."
~ Mary Catharine Perry, Amata Means Beloved