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A Ruin of Shadows
General Daynja Édo is a legend: head of the Boorhian Empire's military and possessor of a mask of invulnerability. She has raised her Shadow Army of seven assassins from childhood. But mounting disillusionment over a life of brutality, a petulant emperor, and prodding from The Artful Djinni force her to defy orders for the first time in her thirty year career. When the empire decides they no longer need Édo if they can get the mask, she must face the monsters of her own making and the legacy they've turned against her.
66 pages, Paperback
First published April 24, 2018
12 people are currently reading
1825 people want to read
About the author
L.D. Lewis
8 books176 followersL. D. Lewis (she/her) is an editor, publisher, and Shirley Jackson award-nominated writer of speculative fiction. She serves as a founding creator and Project Manager for the World Fantasy and Hugo Award-winning FIYAH Literary Magazine. She also serves as the founding Director of (Hugo-nominated) FIYAHCON, Researcher for the (also award-winning) LeVar Burton Reads podcast, and pays the bills as the Director of Programs and Operations for Lambda Literary. She once chaired a Nebula Conference and Tech Directed a Nebula Award Ceremony (but hasn’t quite won a Nebula), and she runs the Ignyte Awards alongside Suzan Palumbo. She is the author of A Ruin of Shadows (Dancing Star Press, 2018) and her published short fiction and poetry includes numerous appearances in online publications, as well as Scholastic and Neon Hemlock anthologies, and Jordan Peele’s Out There Screaming. She lives in Georgia on perpetual deadline, with her partner, two cats, a coffee habit, and an impressive LEGO build collection. Visit ldlewiswrites.com to learn more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
May 8, 2018
Loved this story. A brutal yet wickedly funny tale of vengeance.
April 25, 2018
The mask-wearing General Daynja Édo, gifted with invulnerability, became a soldier for the Empress of Boorhia at a young age and, decades later in the reign of the Empress' son, she has conquered the known world for the Empire using her particular skills and her army of seven Shadows, each hand-picked and carefully trained. She is revered within the Empire and feared outside it, but when she refuses an order to kill the insignificant ruler of a tiny, pacifist country, the Emperor sends her own Shadows after her to confiscate her mask and put her powers to better use in the hands of someone more loyal. He has, however, chosen the wrong person to target, and the bloody conflict that follows will have consequences that could reshape the global balance of power.
This is a violent and compelling story- the action scenes are well-written and I'd be curious to read another story in the world, either a follow-up to this one or one completely separate- there are certainly enough passing details about the setting that could support stories of their own. The General is an anti-heroine and the narrative commits to that, not flinching away from what she's done but at the same time making it easy to want her to succeed given the cost if she fails, and the Artful Djinni is a delightful character and nice foil to the General herself. I really enjoyed this one and will definitely keep an eye out for future releases by the author.
This is a violent and compelling story- the action scenes are well-written and I'd be curious to read another story in the world, either a follow-up to this one or one completely separate- there are certainly enough passing details about the setting that could support stories of their own. The General is an anti-heroine and the narrative commits to that, not flinching away from what she's done but at the same time making it easy to want her to succeed given the cost if she fails, and the Artful Djinni is a delightful character and nice foil to the General herself. I really enjoyed this one and will definitely keep an eye out for future releases by the author.
July 7, 2018
The absolutely stunning words and world of L.D. Lewis are not to be missed. Our heroine is an intriguing and complex character that you want to follow to the ends of the world. This is a quick read and leaves you craving more. Pick it up ASAP
July 20, 2018
I loved this story! A Ruin of Shadows is a very quick novella; I read it in an hour, but wow does it make an impression.
General Daynja Édo has spent decades building the Boorhian Empire. With her “army” of seven shadows (assassins), she has spent her life in brutal violence. Now, after thirty years, she’s wondering if she’s made the right choices with her life. When the new Emperor, a man she has no respect for, gives her an order she finds abhorrent, General Daynja Édo plots rebellion.
The General is an anti-heroine, there’s no question about that. I don’t know if what she’s feeling goes so far as regret or guilt. It might, but she’s certainly not naming those emotions or speaking them aloud. I don’t think she’s seeking redemption exactly… it’s more like she’s gone this far but no further. Even anti-heroines have to draw the line somewhere, and Daynja has drawn the line. Perhaps she’d contemplate retirement instead, but the Emperor sees her as his tool, and he’d never let her go.
The General is legendary. She’s killed kings and conquered empires, and she’s known for her mask, which grants her an impenetrable suit of armor. In a word, Daynja has a cool factor. And how often do you get to see older female protagonists be this badass? Oh, and there’s no romance, so that’s also a plus for me! Finally, I’m always here for a good anti-heroine, and Daynja is certainly that.
If I have one criticism, it’s that I want more! I think the story works perfectly well as is, but I would kill for a sequel. Or a prequel. Or really just more with this world. A Ruin of Shadows gives us all the answers it needs too, but I’ve still got questions. How did Daynja meet the djinn? I would love to know more about their relationship.
I don’t want to say too much more about A Ruin of Shadows because it is such a short book. Going into more detail would verge into spoiler territory. I’ll just say this: I honestly had no idea whether or not Daynja would make it out alive. This novella is chock-full of violence, so be aware of that.
Overall, I really loved this story of a badass, older, female general who has Had Enough. I’ll be sure to read more by L.D. Lewis!
Review from The Illustrated Page.
General Daynja Édo has spent decades building the Boorhian Empire. With her “army” of seven shadows (assassins), she has spent her life in brutal violence. Now, after thirty years, she’s wondering if she’s made the right choices with her life. When the new Emperor, a man she has no respect for, gives her an order she finds abhorrent, General Daynja Édo plots rebellion.
The General is an anti-heroine, there’s no question about that. I don’t know if what she’s feeling goes so far as regret or guilt. It might, but she’s certainly not naming those emotions or speaking them aloud. I don’t think she’s seeking redemption exactly… it’s more like she’s gone this far but no further. Even anti-heroines have to draw the line somewhere, and Daynja has drawn the line. Perhaps she’d contemplate retirement instead, but the Emperor sees her as his tool, and he’d never let her go.
The General is legendary. She’s killed kings and conquered empires, and she’s known for her mask, which grants her an impenetrable suit of armor. In a word, Daynja has a cool factor. And how often do you get to see older female protagonists be this badass? Oh, and there’s no romance, so that’s also a plus for me! Finally, I’m always here for a good anti-heroine, and Daynja is certainly that.
If I have one criticism, it’s that I want more! I think the story works perfectly well as is, but I would kill for a sequel. Or a prequel. Or really just more with this world. A Ruin of Shadows gives us all the answers it needs too, but I’ve still got questions. How did Daynja meet the djinn? I would love to know more about their relationship.
I don’t want to say too much more about A Ruin of Shadows because it is such a short book. Going into more detail would verge into spoiler territory. I’ll just say this: I honestly had no idea whether or not Daynja would make it out alive. This novella is chock-full of violence, so be aware of that.
Overall, I really loved this story of a badass, older, female general who has Had Enough. I’ll be sure to read more by L.D. Lewis!
Review from The Illustrated Page.
May 8, 2018
General Edo is like Okoye if she got older and had to deal with a whiny ruler instead of T'Challa. This is the story of a woman with enough confidence of self to recognize all the ways she helped build an empire and precisely when she's grown tired enough of it to take it down. Imagine if the head of the CIA lived in a technologically advanced, black fantasy kingdom and was an actual badass who decided to just ruin America. That's a wild way to describe Edo's journey, but you'll see what I mean once you actually read it.
There's a lot of themes in here of power, when to exert it and what the costs of that exertion mean in the long term. What I appreciate about Edo's journey is that she tries to simply pull back from the structure she helped create without violence. But like so many imperialist concepts, you can't often pull away from them without it getting nasty. And man does it get nasty...
You'll be enthralled with how this plays out. I promise this story doesn't disappoint and you will (like many) want to see what happens next.
There's a lot of themes in here of power, when to exert it and what the costs of that exertion mean in the long term. What I appreciate about Edo's journey is that she tries to simply pull back from the structure she helped create without violence. But like so many imperialist concepts, you can't often pull away from them without it getting nasty. And man does it get nasty...
You'll be enthralled with how this plays out. I promise this story doesn't disappoint and you will (like many) want to see what happens next.
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February 17, 2019Enjoyed this a lot, a bit more later when I put up my 2018 novella highlights :)
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Source of the book: Lawrence Public Library (who ordered it on my request, thank you!)
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Source of the book: Lawrence Public Library (who ordered it on my request, thank you!)
April 12, 2021
Enjoyed the concept and the humour of the protagonist Edo. The world was fleshed out to the extent that I was disappointed that there weren't another 250 pages.
May 14, 2018
I loved everything about L. Lewis’ latest release, A Ruin of Shadows. Not only is it aptly named, it featured a woman – General Edo – who is heading toward the end of her career, a career which was laying waste and conquering territory for the government.
When she is asked to destroy another civilization, Edo balks. Instead, she wants to withdraw from her duties, and move away from her bloodied history. But her desire to retreat is met with hostility from the powers that be and they demand she comply. Edo’s response is swift… and breathtaking.
I was engrossed in this story, drawn in by Lewis’ characters and the world she created – one of a Black imperialist nation that decides to exert its dominance on someone who has made it the power that it is.
Edo is self-assured and secure in her capabilities, partially shown in how she chooses her battles. However, when she decides to fight, the battle rages, leaving you gawping at what transpires. Action-packed fantasy at its best.
When she is asked to destroy another civilization, Edo balks. Instead, she wants to withdraw from her duties, and move away from her bloodied history. But her desire to retreat is met with hostility from the powers that be and they demand she comply. Edo’s response is swift… and breathtaking.
I was engrossed in this story, drawn in by Lewis’ characters and the world she created – one of a Black imperialist nation that decides to exert its dominance on someone who has made it the power that it is.
Edo is self-assured and secure in her capabilities, partially shown in how she chooses her battles. However, when she decides to fight, the battle rages, leaving you gawping at what transpires. Action-packed fantasy at its best.
October 26, 2019
I read this novella because my fellow SFWA Board Member, Nathan Lowell, recommended to me. And wow - was he ever spot on with just how amazing this story is. The protagonist is unusual, a war-weary general grown weary of serving a corrupt empire, yet unable to easily extract herself from her invisible chains. The way she breaks free - and her powerful triumph - had me rapt from beginning to end. I can only hope this is a prequel to more and longer stories with this riveting character in a brilliantly conceived world. Highly recommend!
April 4, 2018
I mean, I could say that I am biased, except it's not like I love this book because I published it, I am publishing it because I love it.
April 24, 2018
Badass. Cool fight scenes, complicated hero, delightfully capable but unworthy opponents. And djinn.
October 23, 2020
Rep: Black cast, nonbinary character
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December 27, 2018quick read but i enjoyed the pov of an older, jaded/cynical, badass woman
May 5, 2018
I don't want to say too much about A RUIN OF SHADOWS aside from the fact that I loved it. I want you to discover the badass, grimly hilarious, General Édo on your own, a badass Black woman who built an empire for an empress on the strength of her mind, body, and brilliant military force that she trained from childhood.
This isn't an origin story in the typical sense, because the General is a veteran of 30 years, but it is an origin. This is the story of a new unworthy emperor taking over the empire from his mother, the empire Édo helped build, and treating Édo as a servant. A tool. And Édo saying, "fuck that." Thus beginning the second act of her life, and hopefully showing us the beginning of a new story. I need to see Édo again, in her second act, tearing down the empire that she helped to build.
This isn't an origin story in the typical sense, because the General is a veteran of 30 years, but it is an origin. This is the story of a new unworthy emperor taking over the empire from his mother, the empire Édo helped build, and treating Édo as a servant. A tool. And Édo saying, "fuck that." Thus beginning the second act of her life, and hopefully showing us the beginning of a new story. I need to see Édo again, in her second act, tearing down the empire that she helped to build.
December 5, 2018
HOT DANG. This was an awesome little read! I read the whole thing in just a few minutes, but it was a hell of a lot of fun. The General is a complete and utter badass - Lewis' writing was really exciting as well in the amount of world she packed into the scant number of pages. I'm really excited to read more of her work (and to get more from Dancing Star Press!).
April 29, 2018
This fell under my bed and I forgot til this morning when I finished it in one sitting. I want more. Reminds me a bit of Ember in the Ashes.
June 15, 2018
Short but full, complete. Surprising heartbreak, surprising heartfulness (surprising only b/c I was thinking of it as an adventure story). Some nice style to the writing too.
November 23, 2021
This was a triumph of a novella. Dense with lore, action-packed, humorous and slightly melancholy, I was bowled over by Lewis' ability to create a meaningful story while expending less than a hundred pages. The story follows a middle-aged assassin named General Édo and her squad of seven Shadows, elite assassins that work with her in service of the empire's imperial aspirations. However, when Édo is asked by the Emperor to cross a moral line she didn't know she had, she flips the script on her handlers and goes rogue against the people who were once her family.
I wish I had a second brain just to process all of the juicy details of the world. Édo's original mission being to take down the mortal representations of ancient Gods? A plague that turns people into zombie-like creatures? A lush, tropical country containing both cutting-edge technology and decaying temples? Every tiny facet of this story left me clawing at the walls for more. I could spend a 10 book series just luxuriating in the depths of the broader universe Lewis teases at.
What is more, Édo is a phenomenal protagonist. Equal parts brutal and just, she commits to her actions with a sense of honor and determination even when they point her in troubling directions. I loved her relationship with the ever-present Djinni, from their rapid-fire quips to their hints of deeper shared history. I wish we'd gotten more from each of the individual Shadows, but the narrative Battle Royale of the novella's second half gives us cool insight into their unique specialities.
I am so glad that I discovered Ruin of Shadows and L.D. Lewis, and I can't wait to read what she writes next!
I wish I had a second brain just to process all of the juicy details of the world. Édo's original mission being to take down the mortal representations of ancient Gods? A plague that turns people into zombie-like creatures? A lush, tropical country containing both cutting-edge technology and decaying temples? Every tiny facet of this story left me clawing at the walls for more. I could spend a 10 book series just luxuriating in the depths of the broader universe Lewis teases at.
What is more, Édo is a phenomenal protagonist. Equal parts brutal and just, she commits to her actions with a sense of honor and determination even when they point her in troubling directions. I loved her relationship with the ever-present Djinni, from their rapid-fire quips to their hints of deeper shared history. I wish we'd gotten more from each of the individual Shadows, but the narrative Battle Royale of the novella's second half gives us cool insight into their unique specialities.
I am so glad that I discovered Ruin of Shadows and L.D. Lewis, and I can't wait to read what she writes next!
January 16, 2019
Don't let the length of the story dissuade you, packs a big punch in a small package! Can't wait for more from this author
April 30, 2018
L.D. Lewis really knows how to tell a story. This is a short book...maybe 20 to 25,000 words...but it reads like more. It has a full story, beginning, middle, and end, and packs more punch than a lot of things three times its length. I can't believe how much world building the author crams into so few pages--it never feels forced--and how seamlessly she weaves character, world-building, and action. Every page matters, as the tension is high throughout. Just really well done.
General Edo is a fantastic character. I hope to see more stories about her in the future.
My only fault with the book doesn't lie with the author, but bears mentioning, as it may affect your reading experience...the publisher formatted the paperback with an inexplicably small font. It's 65 pages, but would have read a lot easier if the same story was formatted to maybe 90. So if you're someone who has an issue with reading tiny font, you may want to go with the electronic version.
General Edo is a fantastic character. I hope to see more stories about her in the future.
My only fault with the book doesn't lie with the author, but bears mentioning, as it may affect your reading experience...the publisher formatted the paperback with an inexplicably small font. It's 65 pages, but would have read a lot easier if the same story was formatted to maybe 90. So if you're someone who has an issue with reading tiny font, you may want to go with the electronic version.
May 9, 2018
General Daynja Édo is renowned for her decades of ruthless service to the Boorhian Empire. She's a clever military strategist, a dedicated mentor to her team of assassins, and a figure of legend and mystery. And she's tired of it all. When she receives an order she can't accept, Daynja is ready to rebel, even if it means destroying her entire life.
This is a novella, which for me was the main flaw of the book, because I didn't get enough story to feel satisfied. Daynja is a fascinating, complicated character who I hope will get a novel soon. Lewis writes wonderfully, pulling off sentences jam-packed with worldbuilding, voice, and humor: "They put in at a transit station about a mile from Citadela's gates, and in an exchange that was never not bizarre, traded the driftcar for ceremonial black rhinos." She also accomplishes the difficult task of writing action scenes that can be clearly pictured. I'll be looking out for more of her work.
This is a novella, which for me was the main flaw of the book, because I didn't get enough story to feel satisfied. Daynja is a fascinating, complicated character who I hope will get a novel soon. Lewis writes wonderfully, pulling off sentences jam-packed with worldbuilding, voice, and humor: "They put in at a transit station about a mile from Citadela's gates, and in an exchange that was never not bizarre, traded the driftcar for ceremonial black rhinos." She also accomplishes the difficult task of writing action scenes that can be clearly pictured. I'll be looking out for more of her work.
May 13, 2018
[FULL DISCLOSURE] the author of this novella, L.D. Lewis is a friend and critique partner of mine. That doesn’t make my review—which is an easy 5 Stars—any less valid, because I’ve had no problem giving friends/critique partners 3 and 4 star reviews before. However A RUIN OF SHADOWS captured me not just from the first page, but the first sentence. And even though I’m in the middle of an incredibly stressful time of work right now where I can barely focus on anything else, Lewis’s writing still managed to make me forget everything else around me the moment my eyes hit the page, transporting me to a world where hired assassin generals with army’s of Seven Shadows and magic protective full body masks have surprising moral codes. It was a delight from start to finish. I hated when it ended. But nothing disappointed me.
Actually that’s not true. I was disappointed that I wasn’t able to read more of Lewis’s writing. But I’m hopeful that this is soon to change.
Actually that’s not true. I was disappointed that I wasn’t able to read more of Lewis’s writing. But I’m hopeful that this is soon to change.
June 9, 2018
A Ruin of Shadows is further confirmation that there are still new stories to tell in the fantasy genre. I love this book and any free moment that I could spare, I read, rapidly turning pages until I reached the awesome ending. The characters are well-rounded -- especially the main character General Édo -- who is a mysterious and compelling force to be reckoned with. My other favorite character is loyal Djinni. The elegantly written fight scenes (oh yes, they were brutally violent and bloody, but elegant all the same) are brilliantly contrasted with the tender and bitter-sweet moments shared between Édo as a child with her mother. These events piqued my curiosity and I must learn more about this woman's past. It's a must-read book!
April 29, 2018
The build up and destruction of these characters was such a treat. I can't wait to read another chapter of this awesome character! General Edo is the anti-hero I didn't know I needed!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2025
I finished this in one sitting and it was fantastic! While I don't believe it was an inspiration or meant as a nod to that genre, General Edo picking off her numbered Shadows one by one reminded me of Japanese hitman/assassin movies, where the ranked killers must slash their way to the top. This is a quick and bloody story about a warlord who goes rogue after her Empire has decided she has served her purpose. The number one assassin in her cadre of elite killers wants to finish her himself, to claim the mask she possesses. The mask that bestows supernatural protection upon its wearer...
There is not a lot of length to flesh out the odds and ends of this world, but the pictures we get are wonderfully vibrant. I loved the author's descriptions of the living quarters and General Edo wandering about in the city; this was uniquely evocative and lush prose, and I was particularly drawn to how Lewis puts her sentences together. My one quibble was the sometimes strangely modern words/more 'quippy' blockbuster movie-esque exchanges between characters that (for me, at least) clashed with a world that seemed so utterly removed from our culture and our time. A small gripe though for an otherwise captivating story and great execution of a revenge tale.
Dancing Star Press has been on my radar for a while and I will now definitely check out more work from them, and from this author specifically.
There is not a lot of length to flesh out the odds and ends of this world, but the pictures we get are wonderfully vibrant. I loved the author's descriptions of the living quarters and General Edo wandering about in the city; this was uniquely evocative and lush prose, and I was particularly drawn to how Lewis puts her sentences together. My one quibble was the sometimes strangely modern words/more 'quippy' blockbuster movie-esque exchanges between characters that (for me, at least) clashed with a world that seemed so utterly removed from our culture and our time. A small gripe though for an otherwise captivating story and great execution of a revenge tale.
Dancing Star Press has been on my radar for a while and I will now definitely check out more work from them, and from this author specifically.
January 2, 2019
I just realized that I never logged, rated and reviewed this book anywhere, even though I've urinals read it three times in the last 6 months. I don't know how that could happen. But this way a great book will be my first read and review of the year.
What I love so much about this book is how perfectly written it is. Amazing exposition, from the very first page you get drawn into this magical world and while you learn more about it over time, it's never confusing, but keeps making your reading experience feel richer and richer.
As short as it is, as brilliant is it. The story is layered, brutal, with incredible depths to find between the lines. Starting with the relationship the General has with her Shadows, to her relationship with Djinni and the inner turmoil and struggles she faces and tries to work through. While she tries to stay in denial. It's amazing.
This was an incredibly gripping and fascinating story, one of my favorite novellas of last year, a frequent reread of mine and a perfect, action-packed story full of emotions and complexities. Can't recommend highly enough.
What I love so much about this book is how perfectly written it is. Amazing exposition, from the very first page you get drawn into this magical world and while you learn more about it over time, it's never confusing, but keeps making your reading experience feel richer and richer.
As short as it is, as brilliant is it. The story is layered, brutal, with incredible depths to find between the lines. Starting with the relationship the General has with her Shadows, to her relationship with Djinni and the inner turmoil and struggles she faces and tries to work through. While she tries to stay in denial. It's amazing.
This was an incredibly gripping and fascinating story, one of my favorite novellas of last year, a frequent reread of mine and a perfect, action-packed story full of emotions and complexities. Can't recommend highly enough.
August 31, 2019
An action packed fantasy short story following the General of a unit of assassins who turns against the empire and has to survive her unit hunting her. I loved the different assassins even though it's bittersweet with them being enemies! But Edo herself is a great character, logical and pissed off in the perfect amounts! The invincible mask, and the secret djinni added a brilliant touch of fantasy. It all wrapped up perfectly in such a short story but I totally would have read a full novel about them.
December 13, 2018
A Must-Read
General Daynja Édo is charged with one last mission, but she has something else in mind. With her elite squad of assassins and an army at her heels, she reminds them all about why she is still the best out there.
General Daynja Édo is charged with one last mission, but she has something else in mind. With her elite squad of assassins and an army at her heels, she reminds them all about why she is still the best out there.
December 12, 2018
Downloaded this when a tweet by the author randomly caught my eye; I'm glad I did, as this is a very nicely put together little story that reminds me of something Kameron Hurley might have written. I look forward to more from L.D. Lewis in the future.
July 21, 2022
A quick read, but a good read. What impressed me is that in just under 70 pages, it managed to convey a sense of age and history. The world feels lived in before we even get there.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews