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    Isle of Shadows
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    Isle of Shadows
    Unavailable
    Isle of Shadows
    Ebook400 pages7 hours

    Isle of Shadows

    By Tracy Higley

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    Revised and updated from the original, Christy-award finalist Shadow of Colossus.

    Enslaved in a World of Money and Power, Tessa Dares to be Free.

    Raised as courtesan to wealthy and powerful men, Tessa of Delos serves at the whim of her current patron, the politician Glaucus. After ten years with him, Tessa has abandoned all desire for freedom or love, choosing instead to lock her heart away.

    But when Glaucus meets a violent death in his own home, Tessa grasps at a fragile hope. Only she knows of his death. If she can keep it a secret long enough, she can escape.

    Tessa throws herself on the mercy of the Greek god Helios, but finds instead unlikely allies in Nikos, a Greek slave, and Simeon, Glaucus’s Jewish head servant. As Simeon introduces her to a God unlike any she has ever known and Nikos begins to stir feelings she had thought long dead, Tessa fights to keep her heart protected.

    As an assassination plot comes to light, Tessa must battle for her own freedom—and for those to whom she has begun to open her heart—as forces collide that shatter the island’s peace.

    “. . . Readers will find much to enjoy here: fine writing, suspense, mystery, faith, love, and a new look at an old story.” —Publishers Weekly (for Garden of Madness)

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherThomas Nelson
    Release dateNov 12, 2012
    ISBN9781401687458
    Unavailable
    Isle of Shadows
    Author

    Tracy Higley

    Tracy L. Higley started her first novel at the age of eight and has been hooked on writing ever since. She has authored ten novels, including Garden of Madness and So Shines the Night. Tracy is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Ancient History and has traveled through Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Italy, researching her novels and falling into adventures. See her travel journals and more at TracyHigley.com

    Read more from Tracy Higley

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    Reviews for Isle of Shadows

    3.5/5

    57 ratings18 reviews

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    • 3/5
      Set in ancient Rhodes, where the Colossus - the largest statue of that time and one of the ancient wonders of the world - once stood. The Statue serves as a place for the main character, Tessa, to run to when she is in turmoil and needs a place to think. She even plans to take her own life there, for her life as a Hetaira means that she can be bought and sold, even though she is prized for her wit and serves as a companion to an influential man. Tessa longs for freedom and when chance seems to deliver it into her hands she is determined to take it. Meanwhile a mysterious stranger called Nikos appears in Rhodes and seems determined to infiltrate himself into their household. Will he be a help or a temptation and a hindrance? Tessa must decide as time quickly passes - for as the chapter headings tell the reader, an earthquake will soon change the lives of everyone in Rhodes forever.I enjoyed the historical aspects of this book and the depiction of Greek and Jewish culture and customs. Sometimes the story seems too far fetched for me, however. I'd rate it as an average Christian fiction read, and suggest it if someone really likes historical settings. It's the first of a series where the author writes about each of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. So there will be more to read if you like this one.
    • 4/5
      Tracy brought the reader to the land of the past. The historical details and setting let me see the place and its people. The plot interwove a tail that drew me in. The timeframe, only 7 days, was packed. How did they even sleep?The characters were real, although the hero seemed too perfect to respond so well, even in the realm of servant. I highly question the heroines' ability to speak for a man. Her role seemed too elevated for their society, (although the premise of the book). Tracy was able to weave it make it believable.I appreciated the real Christian perspective, not just a hint and a prayer of a Christian book.Will look for more of her books.
    • 2/5
      The back cover states, "Shadow of Colossus is an enticing portrait of an ancient pagan culture from a biblical worldview." The biblical worldview is very sparse in the book - a short section on Passover and the last 30 pages of the book. It is a gripping plot. The violence and sex are not dwelt on but are present. The "seven wonders" theme is more a backdrop rather than telling much about the wonder. I know this is an "uncorrected proof" but the number of typos really bothered me.
    • 4/5
      Shadow of Colossus is the story of Tessa of Rhodes, a courtesan in 227 B.C. She serves Glaucus, a member of the ruling council, and although she is well known throughout Rhodes for both her beauty and intellect, Tessa longs for freedom and resents her status as a slave. After Glaucus dies accidentally, she glimpses a chance to escape her life, if she can hide her master's death from the rest of the city. Unused to trusting others, she must rely on two men to help her carry out the deception, Simeon, an elderly Jew also in Glaucus's service, and Nikos, a young Greek with a mysterious secret who quickly falls in love with Tessa.Meanwhile there is political unrest in the city as tensions rise between the Greeks and Jews. While Tessa tries to carry Glaucus's voice for peace another councilman, the power hungry Spiro, has plans of his own. Not only does scheme to take control of the government but he also has plans to take Tessa as his own. This book was entertaining but for the most part, it was quite predictable. It would probably appeal most to high school readers, but the story was not without merit. I liked the way that faith was tied into the novel through the character of Simeon and his family. I found that the presentation of God's love by the Jewish characters was an interesting way to stray from traditional Christian fiction.
    • 2/5
      I was really looking forward to reading Shadow of Colossus. I love historical fiction and have been wanting for some time to read something set in ancient Greece, so when I received this as an ARC from LT I was really happy (Thanks LT!) I started reading it as soon as it came in and initially I was okay with it, assuming that things would flesh out as I read.. they didn't. This book was so disappointing in it's lack of historical value, very little is told of the period and the customs etc of the people. The characters are one dimensional, single purposed and unbelievable. However, the story is still based on a good premise, it was so promising, I see some people compare this to a YA novel and I think that is appropriate for the level of writing but personally I would want my kid to get more history out of a book like this, than to waste his time reading something of so little value. I hope this goes back to the publisher for some revisions, Higley could expand on the historical aspects of the story and flesh the characters out more, add a little more complexity to the plot and have a decent book.
    • 5/5
      Reason for Reading: I had been wanting to read it anyway. The Ancient Greece and Seven Wonders angle appealed to me.Summary: Set in 227 BC on the Greek island of Rhodes, Tesa was sold into bondage by her mother ten years ago and has been a courtesan ever since. She holds quite a high position in society as the hetaera of a wealthy politician, but still she must meet his every need in the privacy of his home. When her patrician is accidentally killed Tesa comes up with a plan to finally escape this island and its bondage but at this time she also meets a young man different than all the other men whom she has grown cold towards, this man actually seems to care. And all the while brewing deep beneath the earth the tectonic plates are coming together in what will be an immense earthquake that will destroy not only the Greek town and Jew village but also bring the Colossus statue of Helios to it's knees.Comment: I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. I have to say I wasn't particularly in an Ancient history mood when I sat down to read it but the book grabbed me from the first chapter onwards. Tesa is a strong character caught in an ugly life of slavery and prostitution from which she is determined to free herself. Though to have survived so long in this lifestyle she has set aside her joy for life and become a cold, unfeeling person, impossible to reach. When she finds love it is extremely hard for her to set aside the control she has placed on her feelings for so long.The book has an exciting political plot, with people plotting behind one another's backs to become the most powerful one. With three deaths and a near mass murder, one cannot help but be carried away by the fast-paced, exciting plot. Part love story, part political thriller and part examination of the Old Testament Jewish faith this engaging read was a page-turner for me.From a Christian publisher I feel the label "Christian fiction" is a bit of a misnomer as the story takes place 227 years before Christ. Yet one can't quite call it "Biblical fiction" as the events are fictional, not from the Bible. I'm more apt to call this simply "historical fiction" or "historical romance" that mainstream readers would most likely enjoy. There are Jewish characters who believe in God and they introduce Him to a couple of Greek characters. There is one sentence near the end of the book where a Jewish character mentions the coming, one day, of a Messiah. I'd recommend to anyone, regardless of creed, who is interested in the time period. I'm looking forward to reading other books in this series.
    • 3/5
      Shadow of Colossus is set in 227 B.C. so don't let yourself be scared off by this blurb from the back of the book: "Here is a powerful story showing how the love of God can transform even the most hardened person and bring back to life the soul jaded by sin and grief." There really isn't a whole lot of preaching in this book, thankfully. (My apologies to those of you like your books preachy.) It reads almost like a YA book due to its simplicity. I probably would have loved Shadow of Colossus when I was 14 or so, but as an adult I find it to somewhat less appealing. Still, I found myself whipping through it in order to find out what became of the characters. I do wish there had been a little more detail about the aftermath of the great quake. All in all it was a 'barely acceptable' reading experience.
    • 1/5
      *SPOILER WARNING**SPOILER WARNING**SPOILER WARNING*While I thought the plot of this book was interesting, I was deeply disappointed in the writing itself. I found the characters to be not only simplistic, but shallow. The political situations portrayed, while they ought to be complex, were portrayed equally simplistically. Most annoying of all were the misogynistic messages that a) a woman cannot be beautiful and influential and single without being cold and lost and empty, and that b) God, the right man, and the promise of baybeez is what every woman needs to feel fulfilled and satisfied with her life. Ugh.Beyond that, the book's backpage summary promised "an enticing portrait of an ancient pagan culture from a biblical worldview". I'm not certain what "a biblical worldview" is supposed to mean (and I'm not certain that whoever wrote the blurb does, either), but the "enticing portrait..." consisted mostly of very brief scenes in places of worship that were used mostly as a backdrop for social and political machinations. There really is very little here about the ancient world, Greek paganism or the political complexities of the time and place portrayed.Finally, the metaphors used to imply personal development of the characters were beyond heavy-handed - I felt bludgeoned by them. I finished the book because it had, as I said, an interesting plot...but several times I had to put it down when the author's overriding messages were being hammered too loudly through the story itself.
    • 3/5
      I agree with the other reviewers that the writing was overly simplistic for the premise. It seemed to be more a YA "teen romance" than the more adult book I was expecting. Also I wanted more historical information. One of the main reason's I enjoy reading historical fiction is it provides intresting information as well as a glimpse into what life might have been like in a particular period. Shadow of Colossus might as well have taken place in the present day, there was very little detail about what life was like in Rhodes or what distinguished that place and time. The charachters were not completely uninteresting, they just seemed to be lacking any depth.The book was a fairly enjoyable if predictable "quick read" It just didn't live up to my hopes for the premis.
    • 4/5
      After reading this story, while reading a note provided after the story within the book I found that this really explained what I think as a whole about the tale. "Weaving in and out of actual events, brushing lightly against the lives of characters from the pages of history, the Seven Wonders novels take us beyond man's ingenuity and hubris to explore the Supreme Creator's work in the ancient world beyond Israel. From the fall of the mighty Colossus of Rhodes to the destruction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one thing becomes clear: The power of redemption will never be silenced, and the One True God still desires to draw all men unto himself." This novel might have taken place in 227 BC, but there is no doubt in my mind that it falls within a classification of Christian fiction. Through the characters hearts and mind, the "one true God" makes his love and redemption vision known. The author has used a talent for story telling to educate and to fill the soul with a redemptive tale that is as classic as the story of the woman at the well or the good Samaritan. God loves you, and can use you, and desires you, no matter your past or situation.
    • 2/5
      Tessa is a hetaera, a courtesan paid to provide company, advice, and favors to the patron who pays her handler the highest price. Though Tessa is a paid companion, she has a unique position in Grecian society. As she is partnered with powerful men, she becomes a sounding board and confidant to them, subtly influencing their opinions on society and the area's politics. Although Tessa has a powerful voice in the community, which is rare for a woman, she doesn't have what she desires most: her freedom. Living with the churlish and abusiveGlaucus, her current patron, Tessa's life is filled with bitterness and anger. After a particularly troubling evening with Glaucus that ends in a violent argument, Tessa is witness to an accident that leaves him dead. Now she must find a way to escape the blame for his death and keep it a secret from the powerful men who rely on him. As she maneuvers these intrigues, she meetsNicos, a servant recently hired by the now-dead Glaucus . As Nikos moves into the household, Tessa finds that she can't hide her secret from him and must decide if Nikos will eventually be a help or a hindrance. But all is not what it seems, as many of the people Tessa must deal with have hidden agendas, malevolent plans, and secret identities. Tessa must navigate a dangerous backdrop of deception and naked ambition to find her way to freedom and a new life. While doing this, she must also learn to free herself from the emotional chains that her profession has placed upon her.Although the first few pages of the story seemed pretty intriguing, I quickly lost patience with this book. One of the reasons was the unrealistically shallow character portrayals. All of the characters were one-dimensional and simplistic. There just wasn't a lot going on with any of these people mentally or verbally, and it felt like I was reading about really rough stock characters instead of people who I was supposed to sympathize with or feel for in any way. Though the story itself was interesting, I never really cared for any of the players.Another thing I wasn't prepared for were the traditional Christian messages and values throughout the book. I read this book not knowing much about it other than the premise, and was a little put off by some of the sentiments expressed throughout the story. Although it wasn't annoying, there was some blatant proselytizing in addition to some very irksome opinions scattered along the story. In one instance, it was posited that it was a woman's highest imperative to produce offspring; if she didn't, her life didn't amount to very much. I found that passage alone left me feeling really uncharitable towards the book. Had I known that this book was a kind of religious platform, I would have probably had a different opinion of it, because I would have been prepared for it. As it was, the religious messages weren't pervasive or preachy, but they still felt cumbersome and stood out blatantly from the rest of the story.Lastly, I thought that the writing style was somewhat unvarnished and simple. The sentence construction in most of the book was very basic andunchallenging . I think a little more weight and artfulness in the prose would have shifted the narrative onto a more complex level. Lacking this, some elements that could have been powerful seemed trivial and lacked depth. Overall, though, I found the plot the most interesting thing about the book. Although it only covered a few days, there was much intrigue and imagination in that respect. Despite my other problems with the story, I found myself drawn to the outcome of the personal and political situations that the characters faced. The author's ability to involve fantastically dramatic elements in the story kept me engrossed with the story itself, despite the other drawbacks. The book had a great premise and the possibility of rich characters, but the mechanics of the writing defeated all that.I think this book would be a good choice for those who enjoy Christian themed historical fiction, or for a young adult audience. As long as the reader doesn't expect too much from the story and can appreciate it for what it is, I think that they can avoid the disappointment that I had with the book. This is supposedly the first book in a planned series called the Seven Wonders. I can't really say that I will be reading any of the others, though the author does include a sneak peek into the first chapter of the next book in the end of Shadow of Colossus. For those who aren't sure about reading the book, perhaps a brief read through of this section might give you an idea of whether you would like the book or the series.
    • 5/5
      I received this book in exchange for a honest review.
      Isle of Shadows by Tracy L Higley
      Christian READ

      This is a great christian read. The author weaves christian fiction wonderfully and adds aspects of the bible in it in a unique way. The journey Tessa takes is a hard one and through it finds the true meaning of life and love. This is the first book I had the honor of reading. I'm simply amazed. I'm not a history person but I loved Tessa's story. The author was amazing at the descriptions and the visualization you encounter in this book. I love how the author gives us a little surprise in the end with a biblical reference to one of Jesus' followers.

      From the very first page the author takes you back to a time before Christ in the land of Rhodes, where we learn about Rhodes most respected hetera, Tessa of Delios. Tessa is in a world not of her own choosing and is forced to be a slave in many respects. She longs to be free from men and their possessive needs. When an accident threatens to leave Tessa in line for death, Simeon and Nikos become her ally in this deadly game of politics and power. Can she trust them when she has hardened her heart to love and trust? This journey with Tessa is a emotional one that has hurt and grief that transforms to love and acceptance of God's greater picture. I give this book a 5 star review!
    • 3/5
      I finally was able to read Shadow of Colossus after winning it and then misplacing it. It appealed to me because of the Ancient Greece setting. Tessa was an okay lead character but I think she was what made me enjoy the book as much as I did. Overall it was just an okay book, some parts were very slow but it picked up the pace in other parts. I would be willing to read other books in the Seven Wonders series.
    • 3/5
      Tessa is a courtesan or high class prostitute longing for freedom. When her master dies, she uses his misfortune to create a new life for herself. T.L. Higley is a very good writer, but this book didn't hold my attention. The one thing I missed in his book was the sense of location. As I read another of her books, Petra: City of Stone, I was there at that location and could see, smell, and feel the locality. I also couldn't identify with the main characters. Well written, but not the type of book that draws me in, and a disappointment.I received an electronic version of this book through the "bookSneeze" program.
    • 5/5
      On the Greek island of Rhodes in 227 BC, Tessa of Delos is as highly respected as a high-priced hetaera can be. She is the arm candy a wealthy and powerful politician, Glaucus. She is also desired by many others and has the ability to influence the council that rules Rhodes through Glaucus. Despite all this the only thing Tessa wishes for her freedom. Upon Glaucus' abrupt death Tessa learns the truth. She's not to be set free but sold to the next person in line with enough money to buy her, a man even crueler than Glaucus ever was. With the help of one of Glaucus' most loyal servants, Tessa is able to keep his death a secret while she plots her escape but being the most recognized hetaera on the island makes this an almost impossible task. This was a wonderful saga intertwined with a heart-warming romance. On the opening pages Tessa is on the verge of suicide but she sees a light at the end of the tunnel that blossoms into brilliant hope. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read City of the Dead which is out now and Guardian of the Flame due out in October. I highly recommend this for historical fiction lovers.
    • 3/5
      I won this book in a Goodreads.com Giveaway and have finally had a chance to finish it. Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Tessa was very believable as she tried to keep hope alive even against all the pain she's been through with life. The story was well paced and had a bit of a mystery to it but it seemed a bit...preachy.

      I'm not against God being in books I read or characters finding their way but it just seemed shoe-horned into the book. It didn't make me hate the book but I do admit to skimming in two different chapters when I felt things were being laid on really heavy.
    • 4/5
      Shadow of a Colussus takes us into the life of Tessa, a courtesan and slave on the Island of Rhodes in the year 227 BC, the week before an earthquake that topples the Colossus. It is a story of political intrigue and the story of how a women who had taught herself to be as unfeeling as a statue learns to trust and love. The author adds a lot of historical detail--we learn about the interior of homes, the public baths and the aquaduct system and the religous practices of the people. I have two criticisms dealing with the faith aspects of the book. Fist, s Jewish characters refer to God as Yahweh, and I know that is against the Jewish faith. Secondly, one Jewish character, and old man, tells Tessa that God told him he would not die until he saw his Redeemer--and this is over 200 years before Christ.
    • 5/5
      The year is 227 B.C. The place is Rhodes, a Greek island.For ten years, Tessa of Delos has been in Glaucus’s ownership as his hetaera (an owned woman). Tessa had given up all hope. It seemed like she would never experience freedom again. It looked like the only way Tessa would gain her freedom was to take her own life. The Gods had another plan; they were looking down on her that day. Glaucus befalls a terrible fate, which will ultimately change things for Tessa forever. The next couple of days will be the hardest for Tessa and will require all her strength in order to survive. Tessa had a great personality about her. She was a pillar of strength as well as endurance. I enjoyed reading Shadow of Colossus. I found myself having a hard time putting it down. I felt Mrs. Higley writing really brought a real Greek authenticity to the story. Reading Shadow of Colossus by T.L. Higley is the first time I have read anything by this author. I love discovering new authors especially ones that I can recommend to all my friends. Shadow of Colossus was flawless in my opinion. Shadow of Colossus is the first book in the Seven Wonders series. If all the rest of the books are as amazing as this one was than this series will be a bestseller hit. I look forward to a long successful future to Mrs. Higley and her books.