Blurb: After the untimely death of his parents, nine-year-old Varun struggles to adjust to his new life in Bangalore with his perceptive aunt and bedridden grandmother. When he climbs through a hole in the wall of their back garden, he discovers a mysterious colony that lies abandoned and in ruins. It’s strangely familiar, and the more he explores it, the more it resembles his old home in Delhi. But the comfort of familiarity is deceptive, for something dangerous lurks in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike – and wreak havoc. Will Varun survive this threat? Or will he vanish from the world, swallowed alive by the colony of shadows?
by Bikram Sharma
Book: The Colony of Shadows
Author: Bikram Sharma
The Colony of Shadows by Bikram Sharma is a gripping foray into the realms of grief, reality and promises, and supernatural, a rollercoaster ride through a world where the shadows of this other world hold the memories of the past that are no longer possible to recreate. The book explores themes of suspense, mystery, and perhaps even psychological intrigue.
The novel’s protagonist, Varun, is a complex and relatable character whose life takes an unexpected turn when he stumbles upon the harsh reality of a new life without his parents. While roaming around the grove in Bangalore bungalow, he came across a little hole in the boundary wall that hints at the existence of a hidden colony where shadows possess an eerie sentience. As he delves deeper into this enigmatic world, the line between fact and fiction becomes blurred, and Varun’s journey to discover this colony and the lurking shadow is a mesmerizing one.
The plot itself is a labyrinth of mystery and intrigue, with layers of supernatural elements that are both imaginative and thought-provoking. As Varun delves deeper into the colony’s exploration, readers will find themselves pondering questions about the nature of darkness, human curiosity, and the boundaries of reality.
The plot weaves and flows through good and dark times with eloquence and empathy. I stepped into this book with trust and came out with my heart full of warmth and emotion. The author’s ability to craft a foreboding atmosphere is commendable.
The characters in “The Colony of Shadows” are complex and multi-dimensional. Their motivations are explored in depth, allowing readers to connect with their struggles and triumphs. The protagonist’s journey is particularly compelling as he navigates through a new lifestyle in Bangalore and faces his inner demons of the past. However, I didn’t understand the behaviour of Usha. I was looking forward to the explanation of her behaving like that with Varun, but nothing much was described over there. Moreover, the part where Anu and Alok convince Varun to go back into the real world isn’t explained very well either. Given that these two are major elements in the story, I was expecting more deliberation on these. A sudden switch in Praveen’s psyche was a twist that nobody could’ve imagined.
The world exists outside of your grief.
The interplay of personalities and the shifting dynamics keep the reader engaged, and the dialogue is both authentic and captivating. The pacing of ‘The Colony of Shadows’ is generally well-maintained, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. The author excels in building tension, and the suspenseful sequences are truly spine-tingling. However, there are moments when the narrative could have been more concise, as certain scenes drag on, causing a temporary lull in the overall momentum.
The author’s descriptive prose brings the eerie and damaged colony to life, making it feel like a character in itself. The vivid imagery creates a sense of unease that lingers throughout the entire story.
While ‘The Colony of Shadows’ is an enthralling read with a strong narrative, it does have some room for improvement in terms of character development and background establishment. Nevertheless, it’s a book that delivers an eerie and captivating story that will appeal to those who enjoy the blurred lines between reality and the unknown.
In conclusion, ‘The Colony of Shadows’ is a hauntingly atmospheric and suspenseful novel that explores the dark depths of human curiosity and the mysteries lurking in the shadows. It offers an immersive reading experience that will leave readers pondering the boundaries of reality long after the final page is turned.
The people we love are never gone. They stay with us.
My Rating
*This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program.
Read React Review 
Loved reading your review. I have read this book too and it was special because of how sensitively it portrayed grief and disability.
LikeLike