"Magical, full of whimsy, and rich in vivid descriptions, this is the animal fiction done right…In this charming debut tale, Armstrong adeptly blends classic storytelling with the usual genre tropes of literary fiction, creating a timeless, brilliant story of an animal kingdom. . .The forest folks (animals) are sketched with great skill and understanding. Zak is absolutely adorable, a possum of good intentions, a hero to root for; Armstrong makes his story both emotionally fraught and witty yet enriching for the reader. The fierce and spunky Swrogah will make readers cheer for her throughout, and the gentle giant Sark, the enigmatic Moksoos, the ingenious Sena are equally convincing. Armstrong captures the vast wilderness of prehistoric woodland and the barren beauty of vast ice belt in its full glory with breathtaking descriptions, executing a finely calibrated juggling act between the real and the imaginary. Filled with memorable characters, excellent worldbuilding, and witty dialogue, Armstrong’s superb tale brilliantly speaks to the environmental issues of today. It’s as much a story of perseverance, courage, self-discovery, and friendship as it is of the battle between good and evil. Fans of Richard Adams’s Watership Down will feel right at home." The Prairies Book Review
"A stunning tale told through the odyssey of a lovable possum, and the friends and lessons he collects along the way. Embedded throughout are clues that lead the reader to reflect on how modern mankind fails to identify itself as part of nature, and the ramifications of this failure. Through deceptively sophisticated writing, Armstrong interweaves complex biological principles into an entertaining narrative laced with drama, suspense, terror, humor, beauty, wisdom and hope. This book should rank as a mainstay of environmental literature for generations to come." Nelwyn McInnis, Conservation Scientist, The Nature Conservancy
"This is an imaginative tale with a fully realized animal kingdom of colorful characters. The writing is original and often poetic, such as this description of “the large white tern who floated gracefully, like a ghostly marionette.” The environmental message is serious, but the story is often light and loving as the animals with their very human traits attempt to deal with the sans-pelages, while also trying to intuit the meaning of a “peculiar celestial event.” The event, observed by Stella, a wise upland sandpiper, seems to portend doom, but what, why, when? While a book narrated entirely by animals can be a tough sell, this tale is as delightful as it is dismaying and will surely resonate with a wide audience, particularly, those with a deep love of this earth." Blueink Review, Starred Review
"...As I read, I was reminded of the works of Voltaire, whose sharp satire is always hidden beneath humorous tales told through exaggerated characters. . .Shadowshine earns a score of 4 out of 4 for its thought-provoking philosophizing swathed in imaginative, fanciful storytelling. It would most appeal to adults with a sense of whimsy and a love for the natural world..." Online Book Club
"...With great characters, an engaging story, and a message for the ages, what more could you ask for! Join Zak and his companions on the quest to defeat the evil Mungo and save the forest. Who knows? You might discover something about yourself as well along the way." Why Read
“A timely and fearless tale of courage in the face of insurmountable odds, Shadowshine: An Animal Adventure by Johnny Armstrong is a brilliant piece of creative fiction...In the spirit of so many great animal adventure authors, from Brian Jacques to Kenneth Grahame, this uplifting novel is ambitious, original, and highly relevant for readers today.” Self-Publishing Review
"Armstrong’s ‘Shadowshine’ has taught us that we have a short-sighted view of the future of humanity’s survival. We need Nature as much as Nature needs us, but we have forgotten this important fact and have forced Nature down to a lower pedestal. This one-sided conversation has gone on for far too long, we need to let Nature speak. More importantly, we need to listen." Michelle Bowles, Book Chat
"Shadowshine: An Animal Adventure teaches readers humility, compassion, and unyielding strength to pursue life goals despite various challenges. Interested readers may pick up this book to learn these lessons while reading through a fictional yet fantastic tale of a possum and his pack of friends battling different challenges with creative charms." Jayson, Goodreads
"Shadowshine is a grand novel of ideas disguised as a charming animal fable. It addresses big questions of identity, society and reality as it follows Zak the bilingual possum-poet on his odyssey to defend the (delightfully eloquent) forest creatures of his region against an existential threat. I had the extra pleasure of hearing the author read from it a couple of weeks ago. If you get that chance, take it." K. R. Wilson, Author of An Idea about My Dead Uncle, Winner of the 2018 Guernica Prize For Literary Fiction
"Up there on your bookshelf between Tolkien and Watership Down is where this book belongs. As an anthropomorphic adventure that winds through the realm of animals possessing courage, savagery, perseverance, and ultimately wisdom in the face of mounting evil threats – humans disconnected from the natural world – the tale is relevant, if not necessary." Kelby Ouchley, biologist, novelist, author of essays and books on Louisiana wildlife, including his most recent: Bayou Diversity: Nature & People in the Louisiana Bayou Country
"From the very imaginative mind of a razor sharp observer of wild and human nature springs this enchanting novel about the journey of the forest-folk, endearing woodland animals imbued with the innate wisdom to truly know themselves. We only wish that Armstrong continues to pursue his passion to craft such wondrous tales to help us see our place in the natural world." Latimore Smith, Conservation Scientist, The Nature Conservancy. Recipient of the 2018 Environmental Law Institute National Wetlands Award for Conservation and Restoration.
"...readers receive a solid adventure that is intriguing and hard to put down. . . . Johnny Armstrong crafts an absorbing, fun story that will entertain even as it poses food for thought about the animals’ relationships, choices, and evolutionary process. Adult enthusiasts of animal-based fiction are in for a real treat." D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
"Shadowshine is not only immensely entertaining, it also provides a much deeper commentary on the environmental damage that humans, or “sans-palages,” continue to wreck on the environment. The story is told from the perspective of the forest folk, and from such a perspective, offers great insight into the narrow and short view of the human race. It is impossible not to fall in love with the characters and enjoy every minute of the adventure. A must read—hugely entertaining and thought provoking—the best combination." Senneh Patterson O’Reilly, Photographer and former U.S. Forest Service Firefighter, 5-star Goodreads Review
“In Shadowshine, his debut novel about a captivating animal adventure, Johnny Armstrong says among humankind’s biggest failings is not understanding that we are all part of nature. Of all the communities that are most important to our long-term survival, the community of nature is at the top of the list.” Sumeet Manhas, Baltimore Post-Examiner
I really enjoyed this book on so many levels. First, it is an engaging eloquent often amusing adventure story set in prehistoric times with delightful animal characters. The central character, Zak, is lovable and at times very funny. The story is interwoven with a powerful environmental message without being overbearing or preaching. This environmental message is imperative in our times and reflects the author’s deep commitment to conservation of our natural world. It’s a message that all of us need to take to heart. Even though Zak, the central character, is said to be 48 years old in the story, I often found myself thinking of his experiences having a lot in common with an indigenous walkabout, vision quest or heroes’ journey. All told, this book is amazing by any standards, even more so as it is the author’s first published novel at an age when most people have retired to passivity. It is a well written page turner. I highly recommend it. Sharon K. Patterson, 5-Star Amazon and Goodreads Review
"...this book is especially valuable because it addresses the pressing issue of human impact on the natural world from the perspective of the animals most affected by it. . . [Shadowshine] has a message everyone should hear. . . I recommend this book primarily to adults who have a passion for the natural world and are interested in an allegorical story about human impact on the environment." hawkreader10 @LitPick; LitPick Reviews
“A must read! Once in a great while, a book comes along that is so unique, so brilliantly written and so impossible to put down that it belongs in a category all its own. "Shadowshine" is, to me, one of those books. It could be compared to "Watership Down," I suppose, but it's more than that. True, this book is an animal adventure but it's also a perfect blend of literary and popular fiction, with three-dimensional, complex characters moving along a well-crafted plot that kept me engrossed and reading long after I should have been asleep. Zak, Sena and the other forest folk became dear friends, while the unfeeling and destructive humans were creatures I'd cross a continent to avoid. I won't give away any spoilers. I'll just urge parents to order two copies of "Shadowshine": one for their adolescent children and one for themselves...to be shared with others who appreciate excellent fiction that happens to contain a powerful message." McCoy, Amazon 5-Star Review
"Shadowshine is a fun read that combines natural history with adventure and just a touch of magic. . . Johnny Armstrong really brings the characters to life while introducing the reader to a diversity of animals and habitats that poetically emphasize the need for conservation both in Zak’s world and ours." Dr. Natalie Clay, Entomologist, Professor of Environmental Science, Louisiana Tech University
"Shadowshine is a delightful and captivating read that weaves a tale of great adventure with unique and entertaining characters called the forest-folk. The author brilliantly develops the magnificent personality of each character, enabling the reader to journey vicariously with them through their mysterious and undisturbed forest. Armstrong’s style is original, ingenious and eloquent... Penny Humphries, 5-star Goodreads Review
"A delightful story with a serious message. I read this book several weeks ago and it keeps playing out in my mind. That's what a good plot with a message is supposed to do and Mr. Armstrong pulls this off flawlessly. It's a book that addresses the very real problem of what we as humans are doing to the environment and to its four-legged inhabitants--who have as much right to be here as we do. But don't take my word for it. Grab a copy, kick back and bury yourself in this fine story..." Cajun Joe, 5 Star Amazon Review
" Three words: delightful, entertaining, and enlightening." Tom Aswell, author of Louisiana Rocks: The True Genesis of Rock & Roll, and Louisiana’s Rogue Sheriffs: A Culture of Corruption
"I rarely discover a book that completely engages me in its story and characters, while making me stop and think about underlying issues at the same time. "Shadowshine" did that and more. Both adult and more mature young adult readers will enjoy the adventure and fall in love with many of the main characters, but they'll also come away (as I did) with a new-found respect for nature and a deep concern about how systematically humans are destroying it. Dr. Armstrong's first novel should be on the shelves of public and school libraries and in the hands of all public and private wildlife conservation group members. "Shadowshine" is a cautionary tale beautifully told." Elizabeth Gilbert, 5 Star Goodreads Review
"This columnist found this book to be a true delight as well a quietly instructional guide on the plight of animals and the earth. I know that one day this book will become required reading in schools and universities." Michael Wynne, author, historian, preservationist
"Shadowshine: An Animal Adventure by Johnny Armstrong is a well written book that makes the readers think about what they are reading, and hopefully be able to apply it to their daily lives . . ." Reader Views Review
“A memorable cast of animals leads a tale with a strong environmental message.” Kirkus Reviews
“An enchanting and imaginative adventure ... This engrossing story makes us think about our identities and our place in nature.” Hollin Vicedomini, co-owner of No. 9 Books and Records
"Shadowshine is a rare treat. The reader learns to know and love these quirky characters who are trying, in their humble way, to make things right. Many surprising insights are threaded throughout this lovely story, which is wonderfully told. One to read again." Anita, 5-Star Goodreads Review
"An important and timely message! I loved this book! It has a timely environmental message told from the point of view of some endearing animal characters. The author is obviously extremely knowledgeable with regard to plant and animal species, and is able to beautifully describe the settings and characters in a sophisticated and yet light hearted way." Janet Thibault, 5 Star Amazon Review
“. . . I really enjoyed reading it. It’s extremely well-written. [Johnny] is an excellent storyteller.” Danny Plaisance, Owner, Cottonwood Books, Baton Rouge, La.