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🩸 Horror Fiction

The King of Shadows

Name: The King of Shadows
Price: 37.50 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781941971093

✍️ Robert McCammon

Reader Score

4.7

(3 reviews)

$37.50

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A 1704 voyage turns into a nightmare on a secluded island where reality fades away.

The story centers on Matthew Corbett and his companions as they pursue information about Ciro's demonic mirror. Their ship is stopped by whales, leading them to an isolated location where hospitality masks danger. The islanders provide food but obscure the true nature of their presence. Matthew and his friends face a gradual loss of grip on reality. The plot relies on the tension between the quest for knowledge and the threat of losing one's identity. McCammon uses the historical backdrop of Italy to ground the supernatural events. The narrative does not offer easy escapes or clear resolutions for the characters trapped by the island's power.

Key Themes

identity erosion demonic mirrors isolation

Literary Context

This work is set in January 1704 during a journey through Italy. It draws on legends of sorcery and demon summoning associated with the character Ciro. The narrative blends historical travel with gothic horror traditions prevalent in supernatural fiction.

Robert McCammon

📚 all books by this author (29) →

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

H.P. Lovecraft · Shirley Jackson · Daphne du Maurier

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Lividian Publications 📅 2022 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781941971093

📚 This Book in Collections

👹 Monsters & Creature Features

📝 Description: The King of Shadows

Matthew Corbett travels to Italy with Hudson Greathouse and Professor Fell to find a demon-summoning mirror. The group seeks Brazio Valeriani and details regarding a mirror crafted by the sorcerer Ciro. Legend suggests this artifact summons demons from beyond the veil. Their journey takes a dark turn when a pod of whales disables their ship, forcing them onto a secluded island. The locals greet the castaways with a lavish feast, yet the atmosphere remains unsettling. As the island exerts its influence, the characters struggle to hold onto their sanity and sense of self. McCammon is known for his work in horror and supernatural fiction. This book suits readers who enjoy historical settings mixed with psychological dread and supernatural elements. Those seeking lighthearted adventure or straightforward historical non-fiction may find the tone too intense. The narrative focuses on the erosion of identity under mysterious pressures rather than traditional monster hunting.

💎 Our verdict on The King of Shadows

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

McCammon delivers a dense, unsettling tale that demands attention from its readers. The narrative effectively builds dread through isolation and the gradual fading of reality, creating a palpable sense of unease. However, this approach means it does not suit those seeking lighthearted adventure or straightforward historical non-fiction. The tone is too intense for casual reading, as the story offers no easy escapes or clear resolutions. It is best reserved for fans of psychological horror who enjoy complex plots where the mystery lies in the erosion of self rather than external action. Readers expecting traditional monster hunting may find the focus on identity loss frustrating.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate horror fiction that prioritizes psychological erosion over physical combat will find this title compelling. McCammon crafts a tense atmosphere where the threat is not merely survival, but the loss of identity itself. Those interested in historical settings infused with supernatural mystery will enjoy the intricate plot involving demonic artifacts and isolated island dynamics. The narrative rewards patience, offering a slow-burn exploration of sanity under duress rather than immediate thrills. It is ideal for audiences seeking intense, atmospheric dread where reality itself becomes the antagonist, providing a unique twist on traditional monster hunting tropes by focusing on the internal collapse of the characters.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

Seekers of atmospheric dread and psychological horror will appreciate this tale of unraveling sanity in a remote setting. However, if you prefer lighthearted swashbuckling or factual historical accounts, the intense tone and supernatural ambiguity here will likely feel too heavy and confusing for…

Reader rating

4.7

Based on 3 reviews

Katie L.

December 22, 2025

Arrived quickly and well packaged. A few scenes I will not forget, whether I want to or not.

Tom R.

September 4, 2025

A new favorite

This has been on my wishlist for months. The ending is bleak and honest, not a twist for the sake of one. Definitely recommend.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No. The focus is on psychological unraveling and the loss of identity under mysterious pressures, rather than combat with physical creatures.

Absolutely not. The atmosphere is unsettling and intense, centering on dread and supernatural ambiguity rather than lighthearted escapism or straightforward action.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

Robert McCammon continues his legacy of blending visceral horror with rich period detail in this gripping narrative. Set during the turbulent early eighteenth century, the story channels classic Gothic traditions of isolation and ancient evil. By focusing on the erosion of identity rather than simple monster hunting, McCammon aligns himself with masters of psychological terror who use historical backdrops to amplify the fear of losing one's self to unseen forces.