Shadows in the Cave (Cherokee Mists Book 2)

A colorful tale of ancient Cherokee legends, magic, and the beings known as the Immortals—the creators of the world.

Years after the events of ‘The Promised One’, Shonan is chief of his people and refuses to allow his family to use magic, which he blames for a great loss. But his son, Aku, inherited his mother's shape-shifting ability and longs to use it.

Just as he begins to learn his power, he encounters a violent tribe called the Brown Leaf People and is forced on a quest to the Darkening Land, the underworld, to save his sister and father with the help of his great-grandmother and unusual companions. A thrilling and extraordinary quest to save his family and bring back healing magic to his tribe.

Author Reviews

"A magical novel that is deeply rooted in the oldest storytelling traditions of North America. A skillful reworking of mythic themes and archetypes rings true on many levels. For all who love mythic fiction and fantasy." (On Zadayi Red, Volume One of the Cherokee Mists series.) -- Terri Windling, Editor of The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror

"Drama, emotion, magic, imagination, mysticism, insight into prehistoric peoples -- this book is an amazing ride into the unknown." -- Tony Hillerman

Professional Reviews

"The heroic magical quest has a fresh element in SHADOWS IN THE CAVE with its engaging Native American setting. The authors draw effectively on Native American mysticism to create a fine fable." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Blevins possesses a rare skill in masterfully telling a story. He is a true storyteller in the tradition of Native people." -- Lee Francis, Native American Studies, University of New Mexico.

"A powerful reshaping of a Cherokee legend that blends fantasy traditions with Native American culture and myths to create a unique atmosphere of nature magic and Indian lore. Fans of Native American myths, as well as fantasy, should enjoy this new twist on a young man's rite of passage and his date with destiny." -- Library Journal

Reader Reviews
“A superb coming of age Cherokee quest fantasy. The Galayi Tribal War Chief Shonan has banned the use of magic especially by his family ever since the events that shook him and his tribe several years ago (see Zadayi Red). Although he honors the Gods and knows his wife Meli has the power of shapeshifting and her grandmother is a seer who lately seems to talk to herself or some spirit no one else sees, he prefers earthly pragmatism over the mystical. Their oldest children are twin twelve years old, Aku and Salya. A male Aku has the maternal paranormal skill of shapeshifting that he yearns to use, but fears disobeying his father while his female twin ironically cannot.

“Unable to resist Aku practices shifting by himself. However, as he begins to become proficient, the Brown Leaf People violently attack the Galayi's five villages. Shonan and Salya are dispatched to the underworld Darkening Land while his sibling's body is owned by a monster. There only hope to return to the living is Aku; who must find himself if he is to save his family members.

This is a superb coming of age Cherokee quest fantasy that grips the reader the moment the Brown Leaf tribe attacks. The story line focuses on the young hero whose reflective doubts are his biggest impediments to saving his twin and their father. Fans preferring some action intermingled with major moments of meditative pensiveness will enjoy Aku's journey into his mind, heart and soul as he traverses the Shadows in the Cave of the Darkening Land.” --Professional Book Reviews, Harriet Klausner