Shadow of the Steeple – Shawni Kurth

“𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.”

(Trigger Warning: Sexual Abuse, Violence, Language)

Shadow of The Steeple is a phenomenally penned, highly moving tale of one Delilah Carlson – a teenager looking for acceptance in her peer group. Unfortunately, this thirst for approval has led her down a road of ruin from where there’s no turning back. Engaging in relations with a man older than her has turned her life in such a way that she never anticipated.

Delilah finds it hard to navigate her teenage phase by drowning in the ocean of drugs, alcohol, underage sex, and danger. Even when she decides to confide in those dear to her, she finds out that the justice system was not the solace she was seeking. Is the life she wanted worth burying the secrets of the steeple?

Phenomenal. Outstanding. Emotional Rollercoaster. These are a couple of adjectives bouncing off my mind as I sit here trying to phrase my feelings into legible words. Sometimes you come across a story that stays in your mind. You might not always remember it, but you will come across something – a quote, a book, or even an object sometime in your life and that will remind you of that story. Shadow of the Steeple is THAT kind of a story.

The title of the book was the reason why I picked it up in the first place. It spoke volumes, and I couldn’t pass out on this book. I am so glad I didn’t. This is the kind of book that makes you think. It makes you contemplate your life, your choices and your decisions.

The storyline was fast-paced, but it will resonate well with the readers – especially the teenage audience. “Every choice comes with its inevitable consequence.” This quote is what the author has based her book on. The flow is really smooth, and never once did I feel that the book lacked a pull. From the very beginning, it drew me in like a moth drawn to a flame.

The dialogue delivery was commendable. Again, though, I wish I could’ve been more invested in the dialogues. At some places, they seemed a little superficial. In addition, there were a few instances where I felt that there was too much ‘telling’ of the story & less ‘showing’ the reader the story. However, these were the only two shortcomings of the book and the good parts easily trumped the slightly less-good ones.

The characters were penned with impressive prowess, and they seemed complex enough to pass off as real people. The author has managed to create a story that is bound to make the readers feel something. Shadow of the Steeple is a book everyone should read. The themes addressed in this book might be triggering for some readers, so please beware.

In a nutshell, this is one book that will stay in my mind for a long time.

𝚁𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙽𝙶 = ☆☆☆☆☆