Shade

Melanie Wells, author of My Soul to Keep and When the Day of Evil Comes

"Things that go bump in the night are not all figments of overwrought imaginations or evidence of mental illness. As our heroine discovers, evil personified preys on the ignorance of its victims. Lock your doors and windows, leave the lights on, and hunker down for a splendid, spine-chilling read."

Donita K. Paul, author of the DragonKeeper Chronicles

Christian fiction is coming out of the box and leading the way are authors such as John B. Olson. His soon to be released thriller takes the genre of suspense and supernatural fiction to an entirely new level, and it works.

Kind of.

"Shade" tells the story of grad student Hailey Maniates and her "protector", a homeless man who goes by the name of Melchi. When Hailey is attacked one night on her way home, he swoops in and saves her from whatever it was that wanted to kill her, carrying her to the hospital and then vanishing.

It's then that Hailey starts having visions...hallucinations...nightmares of astounding proportions. Diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic, the doctors put her on medication to make them go away. But they don't. And who, or what, was it that attacked her that night and that still hunts her? Where did the homeless man come from, and is he really a mere homeless man?

So begins the hunt...to find Melchi and discover who (or what) he is...to find Hailey's enemy and uncover why he (or it) wants her so badly...to know if there be vampires out there.

Yes, I said the "v" word...and if anyone can make it plausible, it's John B. Olson! Now, the first third of this one is confusing. Had he defined some terms earlier on in the story, I wouldn't have had to hunt so hard for the bread crumbs that kept me going.But around the ninth or tenth chapter (I know, that seems like a long time...), this story really kicks into gear. And it's worth the read, just to see how he crafts this remarkable tale of shadows and redemption. I hope he continues in this genre for a while, honing his craft and creeping me out in a good way for many more novels!

This isn't one for the "Big Honkin' Chicken Club", but if you don't have a membership there yet, take a chance on "Shade"...I think you'll be glad you did! I'm giving it four out of five bookmarks, with a flashlight as a charm...it gets dark in here quite a bit!

"Shade" releases from Broadman and Holman October 2008 (so sorry to tempt you so early, but hey...a gal's gotta review what a gal's gotta review!). — A Peek at My Bookshelf Fiction Blog

Unloved, unclean, threateningly large and homeless, Melchi is tormented by his failures to remain pure of heart. When he rescues a defenceless woman being terrorized by evil and finds himself falling for her beauty his worst fears surface.

Hailey Maniates nightmare begins as she is pursued by an elusive force, is rescued by a crazy man whose eyes express more than a thousand words, and whose thoughts she can somehow perceive without him speaking aloud.

Stalked by evil, derided by colleagues and friends and diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, Hailey doesn't know whom to trust. Melchi is the only person who makes sense to Hailey and that is frightening all on its own. He acknowledges her terror as truth, but his strange ways and fearsome strength confuse her mind as do her burgeoning feelings for this unusual man, who may very well be the source of her fears and the cause of her problems.

Be prepared to bend your mind in more ways than one as you delve in to the harrowing journey of Hailey, Melchi and their battle with evil. Shade is chock full of action, terror, mind games and tender emotion as John B Olson tosses Hailey in to a real life nightmare and makes her squirm! The initial chapters had me all at sea and I felt a little of what Hailey feels, confused and somewhat frustrated but as the story opened up, I found my feet and launched in to the battle for Hailey's mind, body and soul. Melchi is an amazing character with untapped depths. A brief glimpse in to his childhood is horrifying and sets the scene for his adulthood, a man striving for righteousness while being choked by his failings, ignorant yet with a wisdom of the ages, fearful yet willing to fight with unsurpassed courage. How John manages to weave in attraction in this supernatural thriller is anyone's guess but it works! I am more than a little intrigued with where John will take this series but I am strapped in for what is going to be a ride of supernatural proportions! If you like your novels to be thought provoking, dark with plenty of heart pounding action, very evil bad guys with not just a little weirdness, Shade is just the ticket! - Rel, www.relzreviewz.blogspot.com

Grad student Hailey Maniates is working late one night when someone or something attacks her. After barely escaping from her lab, she is rescued by a strange homeless man who vanishes into the night. Her encounter with himleaves her with strange abilities and bizarre emotions that she can’t seem to make sense of. Soon Hailey reunites with her rescuer and suddenly finds herself in the middle of a deadly game against an unimaginable evil. Now she must decide whether or not to put her trust in a seemingly delusional homeless man who seems to be the only one that can save her.

John B. Olson offers up a fresh and surreal tale beautifully set in the streets of San Francisco. On the surface Shade is a mysterious tale laced with vampire themes and supernatural thrills. However, just when we think we know where the story is going, Olson effectively pulls the rug out from beneath us and takes us in yet another mind-boggling direction. This story is fun and captivating, supported by strong characters and smart writing. Shade is a classic good vs. evil tale that is told in a fresh new way that will resonate with readers long after the end. I can only hope we will see more of these characters from Olson in the future. If you haven’t discovered John B. Olson by now, there is no better place to jump in! - Jake Chism, BookshelfReview.com

“From its stunning first scene to its heartwarming last, Shade is a striking tale of mystery and danger that kept me hooked. This is Olson’s finest work yet, and reading it, one gets the feeling he’s just getting warmed up.” - Robin Parrish, Author of Relentless and Merciless

“Things that go bump in the night are not all figments of overwrought imaginations or evidence of mental illness. As John Olson’s heroine discovers, evil personified preys on the ignorance of its victims. Lock your doors and windows, leave the lights on, and hunker down for a splendid, spine-chilling read.” - Donita K. Paul, Author of The DragonKeeper Chronicles

“Olson is a seasoned storyteller, and Shade is quite a story! As the heat turns up, and as menacing tones and brooding characters abound, the theme of God’s grace boils to the surface. A few years back, Olson gave us a new twist on Jekyll & Hyde; now he puts his own fast-paced spin on the Dracula story. I can only hope there’s a sequel in the works!” - Eric Wilson, Author of Field of Blood and A Shred of Truth

“A rare combination of page-turning thriller and characters so well drawn that you will think about them long after the story is finished.” - Kathryn Cushman, Author of A Promise to Remember and Waiting for Daybreak

“John Olson draws us into a swirling, surreal world, made more terrifying because it inhabits the ordinary places of a young woman’s life. Best of all, while the story conveys horror in vivid strokes, it also paints the beauty of humble, noble, sacrificial love through a character that will live me for a long time.” - Sharon Hinck, Author of the Sword of Lyric series

“An intelligent, fast-paced novel that keeps the reader guessing until the very last page. Shade portrays deep spiritual truths while continuing to stretch the envelope.” - Hannah Alexander, Author of the Hideaway series

Readers will be taken on the ride of their lives in this hang-onto-the-bar thriller. Olson’s writing and ability to blend reality and fantasy willhave them clamoring for more. - Patsy Glans- Romantic Times Book Reviews

Christy Award–winner for Oxygen, Olson, a biochemist-turned-novelist, keeps pace with a page-turning thriller that will please fans of paranormal spiritual battle tales. In a goth-vampire–infused mind-bending race through the streets and underworld of San Francisco, Hailey Maniates discovers a deeper diagnosis than paranoid schizophrenia for her hallucinations. One man wants her as bait in a cosmic duel, and another—Melchi, the “child of prophecy”—wants to save her life. With the help of her graduate school friends and Melchi, Hailey turns from victim to fellow soldier with Melchi in the battle against the evil Mulo, the spirits of the dead who act like vampires. With breathless pacing, a sharp sense of suspense, memorable descriptions and a churning plot, this novel is a must-read for those who enjoy such authors as Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti. Readers will appreciate carefully woven themes from Dracula, science, faith, conspiracy theory and divine battle. Christian themes surface in the supernatural warfare, and a Christian character, Susan Boggs, helps Hailey see beyond the physical world to a deeper reality. (Oct.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Average Rating:

8 of 11 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)

Reviewed by Theresa (Roaring Branch PA), November 22, 2009

Hailey Maniates was a tall and beautiful third year grad student majoring in Biochemistry. One night, after returning to her lab, she is pursued by someone or something. Terrified, she runs through Golden Gate Park where she is rescued by a very tall homeless man. She can't understand it, but she can read his mind and she can feel his emotions. He sprints her to the hospital, and leaves her to explain her story. Even though Hailey thinks this is due to the shock from the trauma, the doctors feel it is something more. Hailey is put in a mental institution and is medicated for her hallucinations. She knows she's not crazy, and must find the very tall homeless man to find out what happened and get her many questions answered. What really did pursue Hailey? Why did she think she saw herself being chased through the attackers eyes? How could she feel the thought and emotions of the homeless "giant"? What was happening to her? Was she really just the crazy person her doctors diagnosed her to be? I had read the second book of this series, "Powers", first, and was a little concerned that I may have ruined this first book. Not at all!! From the beginning, "Shade" pulled me in. Masterfully written, it's full of mystery and intrigue and heart-stopping, spine-tingling terror. Olson wrote a fantastic page-turner that scared the pants off me! His characters have depth and memorable qualities that I won't easily forget, nor will I be comfortable being alone in the dark for a long time to come!!

Reviewed by Cheri Williams (California), June 19, 2009

An urban fantasy, Shade twists, turns and veritably races through the streets of modern day San Francisco. “I can feel them. The homeless man and… some kind of monster. I know what this sounds like, but I’m not crazy! I’m a grad student—here at UCSF. Something attacked me in my lab. It was in my head. I saw myself through its eyes” (Page 42). How can graduate student Hailey Maniates be anything but terrified? The Mulo wants her dead. A homeless giant assigns himself her protector. And emergency room doctors question her sanity. Before she knows it she’s locked up in a psychiatric ward with a new identity—paranoid schizophrenic. But Hailey is sure she’s not having hallucinations, that she’s not crazy. Well, she’s pretty sure. In this fast-paced, mind-bending thriller, Christy award winning author, John B. Olson, explores the age old battle between good and evil. Is Hailey misdiagnosed with a debilitating mental illness at the hands of an agnostic physician? Or in the supernatural battle of a lifetime with spirits of the dead? Told from a Christian worldview, Olson employs a masterful use of language, characters that get under your skin and a genuine exploration of faith. Not so much outright scary as deep down frightening, readers will be thinking about Hailey and Melchi long after they put the book down. Shade is full of faith, mystery, science, suspense and a double-dollop of romance. Recommended for adults and older teens who like romance or thrillers. The book trailer and a sample chapter are available at http://bhpublishinggroup.com/fiction/books.asp?p=9780805447347 You will not fear the terror of the night. —Psalm 91 From the Christian Library Journal; used by permission.

Reviewed by Cara Putman (Indiana), February 07, 2009

I'm not a vampire book reader -- and kept hearing this one described as the vampire book without the vampire. I'd heard people couldn't sleep with the lights off after reading it...I didn't find it that scary...instead I found this book slowly pulled me in and left me flipping pages because I couldn't get ahead of the author and anticipate where he planned to take the plot. Instead, down to the last page I was surprised by how John wrapped up the story. The book has strong supernatural threads with glimpses of the goth underworld and a fleeting flash of a Narnia-type setting. The writing is strong with characters that left me wondering who I could root for. I think the name comes from the swirls of gray that fill the pages. If you're looking for a book that is unique in Christian fiction with strong suspense and supernatural notes, then this book is for you.

Reviewed by Ginger (PA), January 15, 2009

Shade has it all, suspense, intrigue, romance, and lots of plot twists to keep you guessing. I only thought that the end was a little hard to swallow.

Reviewed by Jill Williamson (Oregon), January 12, 2009

When a noise scares Hailey from the science department at her collage, she runs. A great fear presses down on her and suddenly she can see herself, as if she is looking through the eyes of her pursuer. She can feel his thoughts, his emotions. She flees the campus and runs into Golden Gate Park, but falls and hurts her ankle. Just as her pursuer is about to attack, a towering homeless man rescues her. As he carries her to the emergency room, she can sense his thoughts as well. The hospital workers think she might be schizophrenic, that she hallucinated the whole ordeal. They prescribe heavy medication that leaves Hailey falling asleep at her desk. She can’t live like this. She knows she’s not crazy, and the only way to prove it, is to find her rescuer. But when she finally does, he seems as crazy as she feels, going on and on about ancient monsters who are hunting them. It makes no sense, but Hailey can’t stop thinking about this giant hero. She is drawn to him, but is that because he is right? because he is sick and needs help? or because he’s the monster and is using his powers on her? Ooh! This was a creepy one, but I really liked it. John B. Olson has a great way of hooking you with his unique characters. I instantly liked both Hailey and Melchi (the homeless man). And the plot just kept twisting and turning, I couldn’t even guess how it was going to end or what the whole monster thing was all about. This is an adult book, but older teens who like thrillers will love it. Recommended (with caution for those who don’t like to be scared).

Reviewed by Lynn Rush (Arizona), December 22, 2008

This book was amazing. I started it on a Saturday night and finished it the next day. John B. Olson did a fantastic job hooking me into his characters. I absolutely loved Melchi. His tortured existence was so entrancing. I love characters like that. Great read!!

Reviewed by Janna Ryan (North Platte, Nebraska), December 01, 2008

This is an amazingly eerie book that makes you think and keeps your heart pounding through the entire book. What is Hailey experiencing? Is it vampires, hallucinations, mental illness? Who is the homeless giant? "Whom do you trust when you can't tell reality from fantasy?" I loved Hailey and Melchi, but spent the whole book trying to figure out if they were right for each other and who the bad guys were. Intriguing book and highly recommended for readers that love fantasy / sci-fi books. **** (4 stars) for originality

Reviewed by Jennifer @ Quiverfullfamily.com (Canada), November 09, 2008

In Shade John Olson has created a world in which nothing is as it seems, and where no answers are certain. As Hailey struggles to make sense of the battles raging around her she moves between belief and disbelief, struggling to set her feet on a firm ground that never quite materializes. Olson keeps certain aspects of his story amorphous, leaving room for reader interpretation and paving the way for future novels in this vein. Often referred to as a Christian vampire novel, I would not assign Shade this label. While the determinedly stalking antagonist -- the Mulo -- is given his name from the term for a Gyspy vampire, this isn’t precisely what he is. Certainly there are vampire-like aspects to his character, but he is not entirely one of them, an example of the vague and undetermined nature of this work. However, the emotional tenor created, the fear of the chase and the ever present night hunter create a dark world of fear similar to that found in vampire-genre novels. Olson does not rely upon the elements of fear and danger to drive his novel alone; he has populated this dark, mysterious world with characters whose emotions are authentic and ring true. In the unlikeliest romantic pairing Olsen brings together a huge, odorous homeless man who is either brainwashed, insane, or an unlikely hero figure with a brainy, emotionally recalcitrant heroine who may not have it all together mentally and sparks a tender flame between them. This thread of storyline is beautifully touching, and it works; a feat traditionally considered difficult for male authors – congratulations John.

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