🩸 Horror Fiction

Shadowmancy

✍️ Jason Franks
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$12.99
Temporarily out of stock

Currently unavailable

This book is sold out right now. Leave your email — we'll let you know if it comes back, and you'll get 10% off any book today.

In stock now — readers of this book also loved:

The Haunting of Hill House -16% 🔥 Bestseller
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
7
Shirley Jackson
The Haunting of Hill House
$9.99 $12.00
92
Edgar Allan Poe: Collected Works
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe: Collected Works
$24.99
92
Frankenstein
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Frankenstein
$26.95
92
Frankenstein (With Reproduction of the Inside Cover Illustration of the 1831 Edition)
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
1
Mary Shelley
Frankenstein (With Reproduction of the Inside Cover Illustration of the 1831 Edition)
$11.99
88
And Then There Were None
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
1
Agatha Christie
And Then There Were None
$10.99
88
Frankenstein
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
1
Mary Shelley
Frankenstein
$10.95
88
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A boy at a magic academy faces enemies from his disgraced father's past.

Quay enters the Academy with little support. His father’s reputation precedes him, drawing ire from old rivals and distrust from former friends. Franks constructs a scenario where isolation is the norm for the protagonist. The story examines how power corrupts or destroys when wielded by the traumatized. There are no heroic triumphs described here, only the looming threat of Quay’s escalating abilities. The narrative remains tight on this central conflict without wandering into broader world-building exercises. It appeals to fans of psychological horror and dark academia tropes.

Key Themes
disgraced professor magical academy inherited enmity
Literary Context

This 2019 release from Argonautica Press fits into the contemporary US market for supernatural fiction. It targets readers of horror and gothic literature who appreciate stories about isolated protagonists facing systemic hostility.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Shelton Thompson · M.R. James · Tana French
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Argonautica Press 📅 2019 📖 196 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780648478744

📝 Description: Shadowmancy

Jason Franks presents a dark narrative centered on Quay, a young student at an unnamed Academy. The story begins with his arrival, where he faces immediate hostility. As the son of a disgraced professor, Quay finds himself targeted by his father’s former enemies. His potential allies offer no comfort, creating a hostile environment for the damaged boy. Franks, writing for readers who enjoy supernatural fiction, explores themes of inherited guilt and magical power. The text does not provide chapter titles or specific plot resolutions beyond this initial conflict. It suits those interested in gothic tales of academic intrigue and dark magic. Readers seeking lighthearted adventure or clear moral binaries may find the tone too bleak. The narrative focuses on Quay’s internal struggle as his abilities grow stronger. This growth poses a risk to everyone around him, suggesting he may become more dangerous than his disgraced parent ever was. The book is published by Argonautica Press and falls within the horror genre. It offers a compact look at power dynamics in a magical setting.

💎 Our verdict on Shadowmancy

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Franks delivers a tightly wound narrative that prioritizes psychological tension over expansive lore. The protagonist’s isolation is palpable, creating an atmosphere of dread that permeates every interaction. By focusing on the internal struggle and escalating danger rather than external resolutions, the text maintains a consistent tone of bleakness. This approach suits readers who prefer atmospheric horror to action-oriented plots. The examination of inherited guilt provides depth without becoming overly academic. However, those seeking clear moral binaries or lighthearted adventure will likely find the experience too oppressive. It is a strong entry for collectors of dark fantasy and true crime enthusiasts interested in the mechanics of fear.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate the claustrophobic intensity of psychological horror will find this narrative compelling. The book offers a tight, focused exploration of isolation and fear without distracting world-building. Those drawn to dark academia settings where social dynamics serve as a weapon rather than a backdrop will appreciate the hostility Quay faces. It is ideal for fans of vampire lore or cosmic dread who prefer character-driven tension over plot-heavy adventures. The lack of heroic triumphs provides a refreshing, albeit bleak, alternative to traditional fantasy resolutions. If you enjoy stories that examine how power destroys the wielder, this compact look at magical dynamics offers a sobering and atmospheric experience.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

Franks delivers a tightly wound narrative that prioritizes psychological tension over expansive lore. The protagonist’s isolation is palpable, creating an atmosphere of dread that permeates every interaction. By focusing on the internal struggle and escalating danger rather than external resolutions, the text maintains a consistent tone of bleakness. This approach suits readers who prefer atmospheric horror to action-oriented plots. The examination of inherited guilt provides depth without becoming overly academic. However, those seeking clear moral binaries or lighthearted adventure will likely find the experience too oppressive. It is a strong entry for collectors of dark fantasy and true crime enthusiasts interested in the mechanics of fear.

✍️ More books by this author Jason Franks

Bloody Waters
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jason Franks
Bloody Waters
$19.99
81
Read →
Faerie Apocalypse
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jason Franks
Faerie Apocalypse
$19.99
81
Read →

🏛 Books from this publisher Argonautica Press

Bloody Waters
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jason Franks
Bloody Waters
$19.99
81
Read →
Go to Hell
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jason M Fischer
Go to Hell
$19.99
78
Read →

You might also like

See more →
Bloody Waters
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Jason Franks
Bloody Waters
$19.99
81
Read →
Faerie Apocalypse
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Jason Franks
Faerie Apocalypse
$19.99
81
Read →
Go to Hell
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.4
1
Jason M Fischer
Go to Hell
$19.99
78
Read →
The Haunting of Hill House -16% 🔥 Bestseller
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
7
Shirley Jackson
The Haunting of Hill House
$9.99 $12.00
92
Read →
Edgar Allan Poe: Collected Works
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe: Collected Works
$24.99
92
Read →
Frankenstein
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Frankenstein
$26.95
92
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist