Hall of Shadows
by Mariah Stillbrook

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GENRE: Horror

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BOOK BLURB:

In the quiet life of Tess Moreau lies a remarkable power-her touch revives ashes, defying nature's laws. When she uncovers a mysterious book linked to her grandmother and a witch's coven, her journey begins. Guided by a cursed deck of oracle cards, Tess delves into The Hall of Shadows, a realm crafted by her ancestors. With each dimension traversed, she uncovers her true lineage-a descendant of mythical beings. As Tess's humanity wanes, her destiny beckons. At journey's end, she faces a choice: preserve or destroy the hall. In a tale of magic and identity, Tess's odyssey may end, but her legacy is just beginning-a testament to the power within us all.

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EXCERPT ONE:

The thing about being a smudge of darkness against a black backdrop is that no one ever sees you. That is until there’s smoke. I’ve always been a creature of the night. Not like a vamp—although that would be kind of badass. I wouldn’t ever want to be like the sparkly ones, but I wouldn’t have an aversion to the cult classic: razor sharp fangs with no morals kind. Like They Thirst or Salem’s Lot, but maybe with a little more humanity left inside the creatures. I could totally rock alongside The Lost Boys.

I’ve always clung to the shadows. It’s safe there. You know, like the night sky, or the stars. The twinkle of just that small bit of light breaking through this world. It knows me, unlike this place. This place is crawling with filters that no one else seems to notice—colored lenses that sharpen the edges of what most people, if given the chance, wouldn’t want to see. My Grandma Reanin used to say the same things. I guess that’s why I make so many people uncomfortable. I look for the details most people find cringy. Imagine if they knew the truth about me.

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AUTHOR BIO:

Mariah Stillbrook is the witchy author of In the Pines, Hall of Shadows, and The Lost Erwain. Originally from Iowa, she lives in Colorado with her white German shepherd, husband, and little girl. She spends most of her days writing, reading, and enjoying the occasional hike. In her late twenties she realized that her writing was missing something, magic. She now focuses her writing on urban fantasy and horror in both adult and young adult genres.

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