Shadows: Visible and Invisible
by Leslea Wahl, Carolyn Astfalk, Corinna Turner, Antony B. Kolenc, Theresa Linden, Marie Keiser, T. M. Gaouette
Published by Catholic Teen Books
Shadows: Visible and Invisible, the newest story anthology from Catholic Teen Books, is a must-read for teens during the spooky season. With powerful tales ranging from historical fiction to contemporary stories to sci-fi and speculative fiction, the authors gently nudge readers to appreciate the importance and efficacy of praying for souls at all times of year.
These are powerful stories. There’s definitely suspense, but readers won’t experience the kind of terror they may feel when reading secular horror books. Because each author carefully and gently makes the connection to the true origins of the Hallowtide triduum (All Hallow’s Eve, or Halloween as it is now known, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day), the reader is left not with unsettling despair, but instead comforted that our prayers for souls — even the souls of people we don’t know — can and do make a difference.
What I love about the story anthologies from Catholic Teen Books is the variety of genres included in each volume, and the opportunity to get to know characters from the authors’ longer works. While all the stories in this book are standalones, many have a connection to other books by these authors, which make books like this an excellent introduction to the novels and novellas by the featured authors. A short story is also a great opportunity to try a new genre!
Recently, Leslea Wahl and Antony Barone Kolenc, two authors whose work is featured in this collection, appeared on an episode of the Catholic Momcast to talk about this book.
Enter the giveaway to win a copy of this book and some Shadows swag! (US entries only)
From the publisher:
This fall, discover the true origins of Halloween and how your prayers can assist those in Purgatory.
Catholic Teen Books is excited to share its third anthology, Shadows: Visible & Invisible. This collection of short stories by 7 different authors is centered around the All Hallowtide Triduum of All Hallows Eve, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. These fictional stories are meant to help teens learn more about the history of these important days on the Church calendar through engaging tales.
What’s in this book?
Shadows: Visible & Invisible by Leslea Wahl, Carolyn Astfalk, Corinna Turner, Antony B. Kolenc, Theresa Linden, Marie Keiser, T. M. Gaouette.
- Grace doesn’t know what it means to go “souling,” but she certainly wasn’t expecting it to be like this!
- A storm drives William and his friends inside the dark church for shelter. Are animals making noises in the loft or is it something more sinister?
- Trapped in the mountains by a blizzard and a pack of T. rex, Darryl, Joshua and Harry’s All Hallows’ Eve is looking dangerous enough–even before things take an eerie turn.
- A medieval girl in a nunnery struggles with conflicts when another novice breaks her vows on the day of All Souls, revealing a shocking secret.
- Vanessa doesn’t need anyone’s help, and she sets out to prove it by going alone to investigate strange lights in the cemetery.
- When you live on a spaceship like Philip does, visiting the cemetery to pray for the dead always comes with the risk of joining them.
- It’s another All Hallowtide, and on this All Soul’s Day, a young man finds himself at the cemetery yet again, but he’s not alone. Will tonight be the night, or will the torment continue?
Copyright 2024 Barb Szysziewicz
Images courtesy of CatholicTeenBooks.com, all rights reserved, used with permission
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