Shadow of the Hidden by Kev Harrison: A Horror Book Review by Jim Mcleod
I used to think the Mummy was the most underrepresented monster in horror books and movies. However, this novella from Kev Harrison reminded me that the Djinn are even more forgotten sons and daughters of the horror world.
I am trying to understand why this is the case? As they are perfect for some tremendous thoughtful horror that looks at greed, passion, the follies of getting what you wish for, etc. Plus, they have the potential for some excellent kills and torture, as this book perfectly exemplifies.
I am a modern scientific man. However, thanks to my upbringing from my mother and my Granny, I still succumb to the superstitious ways. Which had me screaming at the page when the events happened that turned what could have been a lighthearted travel guide into a full-on WTF horror book. Seriously, why are so many people eager to upset older women? Have you never read a fairy tale? Clearly, the protagonists of Shadow of the Hidden by Kev Harrison have yet to. Which is a good thing, as I didn’t want to read a lighthearted summary of the book’s style.
A buddy story between Seb and Oz is at the heart of Shadow of the Hidden by Kev Harrison. I loved these two characters’ relationship. It had a genuine feel, which is ideal considering the hell that Oz’s stupidity puts them through. Seb is clearly a better man than me. I would have ditched Oz pretty quickly after the horrific stuff happened.
Another aspect of this relationship was the fish-out-of-water/stranger-in-strange-land vibes that Seb is put through. It was refreshing not to have Seb as the great white saviour type of hero that is so common in these horror books.
Those of you worried that the Djinn in this book is a reworking of the Djinn in the Wishmaster series of films, never fear. The Djinn here is a much more elemental horror rather than a wise-cracking franchise-hogging villain. Harrison cleverly keeps the Djinn itself on the sidelines of the narrative and action. By limiting its page time. Harrison distils the horrific effect of the creature to be 100% proof. It never feels overused as a gimmick. And it allows the story to focus on the friendship of the two protagonists and their action-packed quest to find a way to defeat it. And on that note, when a solution is found, I had one of the most significant heart-sinking moments in my horror reading history.
Shadow of the Hidden by Kev Harrison is an intense, action-packed horror novel. One that balances the need to tell an exciting story with some graphic horror scenes and a respect for the culture and region of the novel’s setting. Confession time, I smiled at the fate of the goats. I hate goats. They give me the creeps with their weird, slitty eyes.
Imagine Graham Masterton in his prime but without all the troublesome misogyny.
Shadow of the Hidden by Kev Harrison
It’s Seb’s last day working in Turkey, but his friend Oz has been cursed. Superstition turns to terror as the effects of the ancient malediction spill over and the lives of Oz and his family hang in the balance. Can Seb find the answers to remove the hex before it’s too late?
From Kev Harrison, author of The Balance and Below, journey with Seb, Oz and Deniz across ancient North African cities as they seek to banish the Shadow of the Hidden.
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