Review by Karl Verhoven

White Shadows is set in a version of medieval times when life is hard and superstitions are commonplace, although not without foundation. The lurid cover is somewhat the misrepresentation, though. While a version of a scene that occurs, it undersells a cleverly plotted saga of power and the lust for it, beginning with a beast slaughtering travellers and abducting a prince. This upsets a delicate balance between local powers. Some, though have the foresight to see which way the cards are falling. “It could not have happened at a worse time”, one notes, “the king is dying and his heir disappears? I don’t believe in coincidences”.

It would seem the political intricacies and supernatural threats of A Game of Thrones were very much an influence on Antoine Ozanam in constructing White Shadows, and following the assorted powers over the opening pages is a complicated business. Count Lajoc is revealed early as the principal villain, responsible for earlier malevolence unknown to those he deals with, but given the circumstances and weakened power, everyone has an agenda.

A large cast is rapidly introduced, but Antoine Carrion’s character designs ensure they’re all easily distinguished once their names have sunk in. He also puts considerable effort into realising locations, external and internal, yet look closely and this is achieved with a minimum of lines while the restrained colour adds depth and texture. Whatever the technique, this is is impressive art.

Under the guise of a search, Ozanam whittles the cast down over the first of what was originally two French volumes, while also revealing more about the motives of those who survive. It’s cleverly handled, with few emerging with credit, while everything is upended by the introduction of a previously mentioned, but missing person. It sets the stage for the concluding half.

While the supernatural is downplayed, the plotting, accusations and manipulation become compelling, with readers at times aware of deceit and at others taken by surprise. Ozanam adroitly moves characters out of sight when required, and continues to introduce people affecting events for better or worse in what develops into a rollicking adventure and a race against time with elegantly placed cliffhangers ending page after page. The only significant problem is the absence of any character readers can really care for, but plenty of villains populate White Shadows, and this translation may be a decade late, but it’s very welcome.