A map of skin etched in blood.A world under threat from the Borderlands.A young woman who must risk the shadows to save her family. When her Grandfather is murdered under mysterious circumstances, Sienna Farren inherits his map shop in the ancient city of Bath, England. She discovers that her family is bound up with the Ministry of Maps, a mysterious agency that maintains the border between this … up with the Ministry of Maps, a mysterious agency that maintains the border between this world and the Uncharted.
With the help of Mila Wendell, a traveler on the canals, Sienna discovers her own magical ability and a terrifying place of blood that awaits in the world beyond.
But when she discovers a truth about her past and the Borderlands begin to push through the defenses, Sienna must join the team of Mapwalkers on their mission to find the Map of Shadows – whatever the cost.
In a place written out of history, a world off the edge of the map, Sienna must risk everything to find her father … and her true path as a Mapwalker.
Mapwalker Fantasy Adventure Trilogy:
- Map of Shadows #1
- Map of Plagues #2
- Map of the Impossible #3
more
Map of Shadows introduces the reader to a world beyond the border, where dangerous forces threatened to erupt into our world. A secret society where unique magic users struggle to hold back the darkness from consuming our world.
Map of Shadows is fast-paced and easy to read. It is marketed as dark fantasy, and that darkness is definitely visible as we follow heroes deep into the borderlands, but the extreme depravity of the villains just creates a strong desire for justice in the reader.
The book closes off with a satisfying conclusion but opens the door for a longer-running series with these characters.
Map of Shadows (Mapwalker, #1), my twelfth read from author J.F. Penn, although the first eleven were all Arkane books. Captivating, with well-developed characters coupled with an outstanding suspense story-line with its intricately woven twists and turns. Penn, as always, does a good job with her character development. I’ll be reading more by this author and in this series. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 – July 24, 2018).
Another fast-paced novel from JF Penn, full of blood, gore and maps on human skin. The pace is so rapid that there are a great number of scenes in the attempt to save the world from those on the other side.
I know of the door in Bath Abbey, always wondered what it was.
Thoroughly recommend this book.
I don’t normally read fantasy. I gave this a try because of Joanna’s non-fiction work – and found myself drawn into the world and finishing it in two sittings. Really fine descriptive writing and excellent pacing.
This author never fails to engage the reader and keep the pages turning.
I wouldn’t usually choose fantasy to read, but, luckily for me, I didn’t know this was fantasy when I bought the book, which just goes to show you should always tread outside your comfort zone. I did know it was adventure though, and I do like an adventure.
I have to say I was a little dubious during the prologue as I wasn’t quite sure what was going on with Michael Farren but then neither did Sienna Farren, his granddaughter, who turned out to be the main character in this story. Stick with it because once we meet her in chapter 1 I was on safer ground and enjoyed finding out about her true gifts, as indeed she did, sort of.
I liked the fact the story is set in a real place, Bath, as I felt that grounded everything when the story dipped into, and then fully submerged, in the darkness of the Borderlands, a shadowy parallel world.
This story is wonderfully visceral, and in places, sickening. It is true escapism to another world, one far darker than our own, where the borders are held precariously in place by the magic of a few. The other characters were well-rounded too – Bridget, Mila, Perry, Xander and Finn. The fact I can name them from memory tells me that.
For me, Map of Shadows showed terrific imagination, it had a good pace throughout and brilliantly descriptive writing. It is the start of a series and while it is a complete story itself with no horrendous cliff hanger you can tell there is so much more to come. Sienna finding her true path after being so lost in her previous life, and the passion of a love, torn apart. This is a rollicking good read; I highly recommend it.
An outstanding dark fantasy thriller by a talented author
Map of Shadows, the first book in the Mapwalkers series, is a well-crafted dark thriller. Joanna Penn weaves a plot that moves between the light and dark sides of human nature. People called Cartographers use magic to defend the world against dark forces living in an alternate Earth. But the border between the worlds has broken down, and shadow Cartographers are attempting to invade our existence, bringing their practice of human sacrifice and other ghastly customs. The book’s magic consists of portals that are opened between the two Earths by blood and maps drawn on the skin of those people with magical abilities.
I am a big fan of Joanna Penn, mainly because of her writer’s podcast and non-fiction books. This is her first fiction book I’ve read, and it won’t be the last. Give the book a try; I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
The story moved along at a decent pace, but a little too simplistic for my taste. Felt like a YA novel from the 60s. Was OK, but not exciting enough to follow up with the sequels.
I do NOT recommend this book. It is vile and disgusting. I quit reading when it got into maps on skinned people and child sacrifice. Will NOT be finishing it!
I usually do not finish a book. However, by 50% the way through, it was not getting any better so didn’t waste my time. I think this is YA book. The writing was simplistic. No matter what situations the characters found themselves in, there were no emotions – no depth. World building, descriptions were minimal. Things happened, but they didn’t react emotionally – the MC finds out there’s another world existing besides our own and she has the ability to go there. There was no incredulity – but almost immediate acceptance. Things were too conveniently solved. I’m not willing to give the rest of the series a chance based on this book.
I have other books from this author – another series – haven’t read yet and now wondering if they are going to be a waste of time.
Of Borders and Maps
It’s funny; though I have read Joanna Penn’s nonfiction books, I have never read any of her fiction ones. So when I saw this book show up at one of my favorite book review sites, I had to snap it up. I will admit, too, that the idea of maps figuring into a story so centrally also intrigued me. I’ve always had a fascination with maps myself as they both reflect a physical reality and a figurative one, reflecting the needs and the culture from which they spring. In this book, Ms. Penn has mirrored that as well. The maps in this book are very special. They not only show something physical, but they themselves also act as a border, keeping a shadowy, malevolent twin earth separated from our own. The descriptions in the book are very rich and evocative without seeming overly so as to slow down the plot. I was immediately pulled into the world and had to keep turning the pages to see what was going to happen. The book is fast paced, perhaps a little too much so as I thought characterization could have been stronger, and some incidents were mentioned but not explored that perhaps should have been. But all in all, I found this to be a fantastic dark fantasy read, and I look forward to reading more of the series and more fiction by this author.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
The MC Sienna is a young women who is still defining what she wants to do with her life because she doesn’t like her job and has broken off a relationship with her boyfriend. Sienna is notified that her grandfather passed away and has left her something in his will she travels to the small village her grandfather lived in and and discovers she has been left his small map shop. Sienna also soon discovers her family had secrets. Sienna is a map walker with magical powers. Her fathers family has been charged to protect the bonders of earth and the outer world. I found the story and world building to be very interesting.
I love the concept of Mapwalkers and the Borderlands it was really fascinating but the book is so fast paced I feel there is room to explore so much more as the series goes forward. I loved the concept of forgotten places moving off maps and and disappearing into a place called the Shadowlands.
It was such a unique story line and I would definitely read more from this author.
I received this book from Booksprout for an honest review.
This was the first book by this author that I’ve read, but it won’t be the last. I thought the story line and character work were fabulous. The book had a smooth flow to it. I was hooked from beginning to end and am eagerly awaiting the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
J.F. Penn wrote a fast-paced, dark fantasy thriller about a young woman named Sienna that belongs to a family of mapmakers and their connection to another world called the Borderlands. Map of Shadows is the first book of the trilogy and does a solid job of setting up the conflict between the people of this world and the Borderlands. Penn does an excellent job with the thriller aspect of the story but I will admit that I wanted to get to know Sienna, the protagonist a little more. It felt like she was more of a conduit to the story then being the main reason for the story. I hope to get more about her in the Map of Plagues and the third book. There is a lot of room for Sienna to grow as a mapmaker. Solid opening to this trilogy.
This one had some cool world building and a great concept. With a little more polishing, this writer has the potential to be great!
A grimdark tale of what could be hiding in the shadows. A thrilling read. I found the Borderlands to be very dystopian in nature.
I couldn’t bond with Sienna, though. Not knowing why she was aimless and unhappy to work in an awesome library left too many unanswered questions. The sudden romance in the last chapter made no sense to me. Perhaps more Deep POV (sharing Sienna’s feelings and thoughts throughout the story) would have made this an amazing read.
Great worldbuilding. And the twist!
I like the idea of different powers, the whole mapwalking thing, and that they have to be careful of using their powers.
Perry, with his fire magic, is my favourite character.
A great urban fantasy read. Great cover!
Star rating:
Editing: 4 stars
Premise: 5 stars
Wonder: 4 stars
Trigger warnings: slavery, rape, forced pregnancies, genocide, blood sacrifice (including children), thoughts of self-harm/suicide, murder and other atrocities that might be a trigger for some.
Overall: 4 stars
Total = 4 stars
*I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest opinion.
“It is not drawn on any map; true places never are.” Herman Melville.
“A map of the human heart is worth far more than the map of a city.”
Borderland, a sinister non Earth-side, where the evil, the worse kind of humans, the sick, the war residues have been banished is gaining territory on earth-side, our present day, by blood maps. I found this story unique and compelling, the mapwalkers a very significant and enticing concept. It reflects the borders and emigration state in today’s everyday life for millions of people seeking a better place to live. The conflict between Mapwalkers and Shadow cartographers is ancient, but now the borderlanders are gaining terrain with a cruel and sadistic warlord. The atrocities committed there are unmentionable and gross, to gain more magical powers. It’s a gritty and cruel aspect of mankind’s worst instincts. An emotional and physical struggle of survival, courage and love, of friendship and betrayal. Crisp, compelling, great command of language, excellent geographic descriptions, and rich character development. I’m totally mesmerised by the universe Penn has created here. Looking forward to reading Map of Plagues #2 soon!
Map of Shadows is the first book in the Mapwalkers series. Joanna Penn has created a unique story line with interesting characters (Sienna and Mila). The book is fast paced with lots of action (quite a roller coaster ride). It is quite a page turner, I found myself reading into the wee hours of the night in order to see what came next. If you are looking for a book with lots of action, suspense, intrigue, and twists/turns this is the one for you that I highly recommend. Received a copy from Hidden Gems and this is my voluntary and honest review.
I was given an advance copy, by J.F. Penn for my honest review.
‘Map of Shadows’ falls in genre’s that I don’t typically read, but with J.F. Penn writing it, plus since I really like her Arkane Series and just figured I would miss out if I didn’t read it.
Just like with Stephen King, Penn has the gift, to give her readers a heart pounding hellacious read, one that’s well researched, puts you right in the pages, full of heart pounding twist and turns and leaves you begging for more.
It’s really my type of book, due to the fast pace, it’s action packed, full of suspense, tension filled, has you on the seat of your pants and like the good very evil theme.
Penn’s characters are amazing the good ones or the evil ones, they just come to life, making the story all that better and your right their in the midst of the action.