The Shadow Rises

Witch-Hunter, Book 1

By: K.S. Marsden

Narrated by: Jonathan Ip

Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

When a new witch threat rises, only Hunter Astley can stop it....

In the face of dark magic and evil witches, a secret witch-hunting society works tirelessly to keep them at bay. The Malleus Maleficarum Council has strict rules and practises for eradicating magic. 

Due to their work, witches have been almost forgotten, relegated to myth; but the rumours are starting to emerge of a new power that will throw the world into chaos. 

As the only seventh generation witch-hunter, Hunter Astley is the best the MMC has to offer. With the help of his colleagues, it’s a race to track down this new threat and stop it...in any way he can. 

Part one of the Witch-Hunter trilogy. 

©2013 K.S. Marsden (P)2018 K.S. Marsden

Horror of the Witch Variety

I love horror content in all shapes and sizes, but I don't often come across a story about witches! I was excited to see that 'The Shadow Rises' was of the witch variety and the story delivered in a delightful way! While the tale felt just a bit slow to me at particular times, it was well worth listening to all of it and I think it's a very solid start to a new series! I would continue to listen to this series and I would recommend this book to friends who enjoy horror, but particularly.. witches! Jonathan Ip gives a good performance.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Great twist and direction the book takes

This is the first book I’ve read/listened to by this author and I would happily listen to the next in this series. This was a great book- original, with an interesting twist to the story. There is a degree of conclusion to this book but there is a definite lead into the next book. The issue presented is solved yet there is a broader issue, kind of like winning the battle but not yet the war.
We learn about the witches and witch hunters through the main character Hunter as he explains things to his newly acquired apprentice. He also has an assistant James. The Council has been trying to keep witches under control and monitoring them. It seems a Shadow witch has appeared- an all powerful witch, and she’s trying to regain control for the witches. Hunter, as a seventh generation witch hunter, has more power than any other hunter and the balance of the fight lays on his shoulders. There is also a touch of romance in this book that divides Hunter.

This is the first book I’ve listened to by this narrator ( Jonathan IP ) and I would listen to another. He has a very calm, smooth style to his narration. It gives a sort of ominous feel during the battle scenes. The variations in characters is subtle, but he does provide them with distinct voices. The female character voices are natural. I was drawn in with his narration.

There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.

A witch hunter named Hunter... <3

Smart, original, and interesting!! I loved this audiobook. Definitely a series that I can get into!! And I can't wait to read the next book. And I really hope that K.S Marsden continues writing for this series. (I really hope I get to review the next book!) The narration was also very well done. I highly recommend this book!!

This Book was given to me at my request. I am providing a voluntary review.

Excellent start to a great series

This books took a bit to grab me but it ended up pulling me in. I enjoyed how the author developed the characters a bit slower because it made for a great ending. My runs flew by listening to this and I highly recommend it. I can’t wait to get started on book 2.

not your typical witch book

took a turn I did not expect! was a little rough to get into at the beginning due to the accent but I adjusted.

Excellent Narrator & Exciting Plot

This book starts out with an interesting character, unique magic system and intriguing plot. And things only go up from there. I especially love the final twist in the story and the development of the main character. My only complaint is that the plot moves so fast, I sometimes feel like I missed a big section of time that might have added to the story or setting.

The narrator did a beautiful job. His accent work was perfect and I could easily enjoy all the characters.

Bring the Witch Hunters

I really enjoyed this book. I liked how the Witch Hunters gain more powers every generation. Hunter is a 7th generation witch hunter. He has to go against a shadow witch. There is a little bit of romance between Hunter and Sophie. I wonder where the story is going to go in the next book.

Horror and witches

This story got going with the action from the opening scene then slowed down for a bit before it picked up again. I liked the way the characters pushed and challenged certain ideas at times though I wished there had been more challenge to the established beliefs of the main character. There were a few times when I wanted to knock some sense into the main character or knock off a little of his ego but this fit with the type of character he was. This is a different take on witches than I am used to and the author had a lot of word building to do but it wasn’t too in your face which was nice. I liked the twist I kind of had a feeling that might be what would happen but it was still fun to see. I am very curious to find out what happens next for these characters and how their beliefs change or don’t change. I really want to know what will happen with the shadow witch. This was a very fun character to learn about though I want to know more about what a shadow witch really is. Hopefully we will learn more later in the series.

I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Recommended!!

I really enjoyed this story. Was a little slow in the beginning, and time jumps in parts that took a moment to fighter out. Jonathan did a great job.

I love Hunter.

The Shadow Rises is a book about witches and hunters. Hunter Astley, is a 7th Generation witch and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the audiobook. I actually found myself enjoying the other characters in this book.
It was a pretty good pace and it was filled with twists and turns. I know I had a couple of loud *gasps* moment while listening. I was caught aback.
The narrator did a great job and kept my attention while I listened. I really enjoyed the accent. 😍

Witch Hunter

I highly enjoyed listening to this book which I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. With the way it ended I can't wait to listen to the rest of this series

Thoroughly enjoyable.

Hunter is a 7th generation witch hunter for the Malleus Maleficarum Council. Most witch hunters are only 3rd or 4th generation so Hunter is a bit of an anomaly. When he comes across two witches trying to sacrifice a woman for their magic, he saves her and ends up recruiting her to the life. She is apprenticed to a witch hunter, but when he is killed and Hunter hears whispers that the Shadow Witch is rising again and has her sites set on the woman he saved, he has to team up with Sophie to find the Witch before she becomes all powerful.

Every so often you open a book with no expectations at all, you hope said book will entertain you but that's about it. But said book does more than entertain you!! It enthralls you, grips you and just about blows you away. Well this is what happened here!! I had no idea what to expect when I started, but I know I didn't expect to fall in love with the world the author created. It was fantastic!!

I loved the plot. Usually the witch hunters are portrayed as bad guys, but here they are the good guys. To them, all magic is bad and witches are to be stopped. I also loved how they stopped the witches, which I won't say here because I'd consider it a spoiler ;) The whole plot was fast paced, entertaining and amazing. The author not only created a fascinating world, but they managed to throw a few extreme curve balls into the mix and had me gasping out loud because I did not see it coming!!!

The characters were all well developed. It took me a little while to warm to Hunter, but he grew on me! I loved seeing him interact with Sophie and seeing their relationship grow. I'm really looking forward to seeing where the author takes the story!!!

In all, this was an awesome read. Reading it was like finding the diamond in the rough!!! I hope book 2 comes to audio soon as I'm dying to see what happens next.

Jonathan Ip read this really well. He was easy to listen to and had plenty of tones and voices to bring the story to life. I really enjoyed his performance.

I was given this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.

Loved it from the start!

What can I say except I loved it!?
From the start both the author and the narrator set the tone of the story which keeps you hooked right until the end.
I can’t really find any faults with this book except to say I saw a few things coming (no spoilers!), but through no fault of the author!
Wait, yes, I can find a fault; the other 2 books aren’t yet released on audio and I’m dying to see where the story leads next! :)
Buy it and listen to this immediately under peril of death!
This is an honest review of a free review copy.

amazing book

When a new witch threat rises, only Hunter Astley can stop it....
In the face of dark magic and evil witches, a secret witch-hunting society works tirelessly to keep them at bay.
I really enjoyed this book well written by K.S. Marsden and brought to life by Jonathan Ip
can't wait for next book

Not the usual Witch story

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Hunter Astley works for the The Malleus Maleficarum Council who have for centuries eradicated evil witches and dark magic.
However there’s a new witch threat and only Hunter can stop them.
I love books on witches and other supernaturals and I like this goes about things in a new way.
I am going to buy book 2 now.

The Shadow Rises

Excellent first book to a series!I loved it! Narration by Jonathan ip was perfect. I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.

An excellent adventure

In my opinion a good fantasy novel needs 3 things a well realised world, a compelling story and engaging characters.

The shadow rises delivers all 3.

When we are introduced to the protagonist Hunter I initially rolled my eyes and expected an arrogant hero in a contrived story, however while the story doesn't offer anything necessarily new or challenging it was nevertheless entertaining throughout and there is certainly more to Hunter than meets the eye.

The narration is also excellent handelling different characters well and giving the whole story the very English atmosphere the author intended.

A great opening to the trilogy!

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

I'd give it more stars if I could

Fantastic paranormal fantasy, with a plot twist I didn't see coming! The world building is seamless, the hero (despite being heir to a great fortune and a huge mannor etc) is intelligent, likeable, basically a badass without being arrogant with it. There is tragedy and triumph, there are friendships, disasters, and a cliffhanger that has meant that I just HAD to buy the next in the series!

I especially love that there were so many truly English things about this book, with one of the supporting characters being a northerner, all of the little colloquialisms were perfect.

And Jonathan Ip should just narrate everything, I'd buy the phone book in audio if he was the one reading it

Literally the only thing that annoyed me was the way that Sophie was punished by one of the characters for not going out on a date with him: every time I hear the words "fridgid bitch" now I cringe.

Brilliant

A brilliant British novel of witches, witch hunters and revenge. I thoroughly enjoyed this gripping start to a new series. The narration was amazing and a joy to listen to :) I would definitely recommend this book.

Fabulous thriller fantasy.

From the narrator's voice to the smooth dialogues from Hunter and Sophie... Polar opposites but Oh My Gosh I want them to be together!
I want the second book so that I can see if they can work it out.. despite the whole witch vs. witch hunter thing...

Fabulous Audiobook!!!