Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Seventh Shadow is a work of fantasy fiction written by author Keelan John Powell, and forms the opening book of the Pathwalkers series. Set in a world of the author’s creation based on the Olympian system of gods from Greek mythology, our central story follows the former king of Olympus, Arathós. When Arathós purported that mortal men and immortals were made equal and should be treated as such, his throne was taken and Arathós was killed. Now returned to the world at a time when darkness reigns, the former king must re-learn who to trust and overcome his previous betrayal to save existence itself from destruction.

Author Keelan John Powell writes exceptionally well. However, The Seventh Shadow does read very much like a mythological tale rather than a fantasy novel and takes a little while to get into the style of it. Pitching Arathós as an Olympian hero against the backdrop of more popular gods like Zeus is a bold move, and one that pays off well within the pages of this adventure, and adds to the originality and unique angle of the work. The plot of The Seventh Shadow is episodic and enjoyably complex, and the host of other mythological cast members who join Arathós – be they enemy or friend – are realistically characterized with formal but powerful dialogue through the tale. Overall, mythology fans are certain to love this epic saga of fantastical events, and I think general fantasy fans will be rewarded if they stick close to the complex plot.