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Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite

Evergreen Falls might have been just a small town, but its closely-knit society was deeply rooted in a rich history that shaped its establishments, norms, and even beliefs. As a young boy, Riley Harper enjoyed spending his days exploring both his creativity and the town's rare beauty. Now in his mid-twenties, he could not shake off the feeling of disconnection from everything. Pressure from his job and a recent breakup morph into unbearable frustration. Desperate to escape his plight, he wanders into Shadowood Forest. But his life is about to take a wild turn as he encounters The Huntress, a mysterious predator better known to the townsfolk as a myth. Riley must face his fears to conquer The Huntress, but only if he survives the impending darkness. Discover more in Rufus Watson's The Shadows Within.

Lovers of supernatural horror and psychological thrillers blended with suspense, adventure, and more will find Rufus Watson's The Shadows Within an enthralling read. With intense prose and an intriguing plot, Watson introduced me to a fascinating and dynamic cast. The evocative depictions brought the scenes to life on the pages. It felt like I was next to the cast in every scene, watching them unfold. The subtle and macabre tone of the storyline and the images give the narration an unsettling touch. The cliffhangers and plot twists had me hooked. I never knew what was coming next, and I kept flipping through page after page. Watson maintains a delicate line between reality and perception, giving the story a borderline dreamy and hypnotic quality. Entwining the narration with stark realism, he explores themes such as psychological trauma, identity, anxiety, mental illness, and more.