The Shadow by James Patterson

A Mystery/Thriller, 2021 by Grand Central Publishing, 400 Pages

What I Didn’t Like:

The shadow isn’t the main character. While he’s important, this is the story of Maddy Gomes, a teenage girl in the future. If you have a background with this character or wanted him to take center stage, that will be highly disappointing.
Under explored powers/gifts. I always like when we’re dealing with supernatural characters who are learning what they’re capable of. I felt cheated that we just jumped right over the part where they were learning them. It made them feel like they were instantly experts.
Ending felt rushed and a bit too convenient. Which is weird considering it also felt like it was being left open for future sequels. Not my favorite ending.

Supernatural powers are always fun. This makes use of a couple of good ones and I liked the way limitations or restrictions were put on them in this world.
Lamont is a great character. He’s different than I expected, but still interesting. The entire concept of bringing the shadow into the future is intriguing.
Short chapters keep you paced well through the story and heighten in the intensity.

This one will likely appeal to a young adult audience who likes mystery/thriller and is intrigued by the idea of a superhero in a dystopian future world.

It was, in my opinion, problematic to borrow the character of the Shadow for this story. It would’ve been better to use a completely unknown superhero in this dystopian world. Also, this one reads like a young adult story. It would do better to be marketed as one of Patterson’s young adult novels.