Maressa Voss’s novel introduces an order of wizards that are able to control the four elements and gain insights from them. These wizards live separate from normal people because they’ve been labeled as charlatans and scammers. However, the order—called dactyli—have to interact with the world surrounding them and multiple people to collect varied points of view and memories in order to construct the objective truth. This was enough to grab my attention.
In addition to 
the mages, there are other groups of people besides the common folk, who are ruled by a totalitarian and abusive leader. When Shadows Grow Tall does a very good job of bringing people of all backgrounds together in a sort-of-happenstance way. The dactyli Lovelace and Gunnar are out to gather information and resources to stop a rogue dactyli from getting more powerful. Kylene, a common girl, begins her quest for her rebel father and that takes her to encounter a tribe of wise people deeply connected to nature.
The novel’s strengths rely on describing settings and developing characters. The story is mostly told through Kylene and Lovelace’s perspectives, and the traditional quest of the hero is easily traceable in both characters’ development.
Although this is a novel mostly built on tropes, it doesn’t feel tiring nor boring. The novel is very literal on the “road trip” aspect and feels like a tour around The Grasp, the world the story is set it. A great deal of lore regarding every aspect of The Grasp is featured, and it definitely leaves the reader wanting more.
However, the novel’s weakness is that many things happen backstage and the reader gets a second-hand retelling of what transpired. The book is very preoccupied trying to neatly hold itself together and resolves some plot points without directly involving the reader.
The story also takes a little to start and, at times, has the characters say where it’s going instead of showing. The book begins storylines, develops them, realizes in the middle they’re becoming too complex, and wraps them up a little forcefully. It’s not an incomplete book at all, but it feels like a methodically wrapped present. Very self-aware.
But in my opinion, the highlights outweigh the stumbles. I found it refreshing that there weren’t any romantic subplots. These characters relate to one another via friendship and camaraderie. They work together towards a common goal, and there’s no unnecessary romantic drama.
The novel evoques wonderful imagery, presents complex world-building, and teases at an interesting mythology. No word yet on whether this will be a saga, but the open ending is definitely a good hook for a second book. I will be seated.
Ultimately, if you want to immerse yourself in a nature-focused setting and a complex world that hints at bad governance and how common folk can come together and strike back against authoritarianism, give When Shadows Grow Tall a chance. If you are looking for a quick hero’s journey with an interesting twist on the wizard trope, pick this book up. Not to mention that it’s got some cheeky dialogue here and there that can make you chuckle.
Adriana Acevedo is an editor, writer, and sleep paralysis demon. She's been published in magazines like samfiftyfour and Impostor. She's bilingual and living in the monstruos Mexico City. Whenever she's not reading horror stories or watching horror movies, she's baking sourdough bread. Read more of her writing here.