The Father of Shadow and Death

A Fantasy Horror Novel

By: Tim McKay, T. J. McKay

Narrated by: T. J. McKay

Beneath the splendor of empires, there ever beats a poisoned heart.

In the city of Naemralda, a glorious capital of untold wealth and glamor, the people of Ceremai live in exile—content but loathed, and ever dreaming of the homeland they left behind. Only a scorned arbiter and failed priest, Braddock Tuzzein, knows the truth.

That the lands they seek, the lands their ancestors escaped at great cost, are home to a fallen god.

Hakaz, the Dark One, whose waking spirits nearly shattered Braddock’s mind with a single touch.

And now, the wolves of the fallen god are coming for them all.

A tale of grisly murders, monsters, and madness, The Father of Shadow and Death follows one man’s doomed quest to save his people—from the wrath of a vengeful god, and the traitors who hound his every step.

But woe to those who would break a man’s soul.

For the shame of the father begets wrath of the son.

Dar’shenna Cere Ma’z.

“Glory to the children of wrath.”

©2025 T. J. McKay (P)2025 T. J. McKay

Fast-paced horror/fantasy

what a wild ride! This dark fantasy was full of unexpected twists and definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. I love that the Author also took time to let us get to know the main character. I can’t wait to read more in this series. Fast-paced horror/fantasy

Shadow, Horror, and Heart — A Stunning Blend

The Father of Shadow and Death is dark fantasy at its finest. Tim McKay builds a world thick with dread, mystery, and myth, and the tension never lets up. Braddock is a flawed, deeply human protagonist whose downward spiral feels unnervingly real, and the horror elements are executed with precision. The audiobook narration pulled me straight into the story and didn’t let go. This is a book that knows exactly what it wants to be—brutal, atmospheric, and unforgettable.

Dark and gripping!

I really enjoyed this dark story that definitely leans horror!
The writing is strong with a clear direction, the author knows what he wants to say and does it excellently.
World building is fulsome and unique, I enjoyed the fast pace of the story.
Braddock is a powerful character that is easy to follow, he has a distinct voice and despite the horrors he experiences, he stays true to himself. Ceremai is such a cool character, his story arc with Braddock really made the book for me. Their interactions were a highlight.
I'm looking forward to more from Tim!

The only slight negative is the narration.. While Tim did a great job, a professional voice actor would have brought the story to life in a different way. I also know how expensive it is to produce an audiobook so take that with a grain of salt!