UFV alumni’s debut horror novel hits virtual shelves
Hazel’s Shadow is the debut novel from UFV alumni Nicole MacCarron, released in late March. Its plot combines the dark themes of a zombie apocalypse with the paranormal, and manifests in its protagonist, Hazel, being able to see ghosts. Ever heard of a shadow person — a dark, humanoid entity often associated with folklore and sleep paralysis? MacCarron’s novel preys on the innate and human fear of the dark with an elusive but sinister antagonist connected to a zombie outbreak where ghosts are the least of the protagonist’s concerns.
One of the defining (and dividing) features of the novel is that, although well-written, it’s clearly meant for a younger audience. It’s classed as paranormal young adult fiction, targeted toward ages 13-18. This means readers are unlikely to see detailed, flowery descriptions, complex vocabulary, or extensive characterization. It’s reminiscent of Cirque du Freak, an early 2000s book saga that spun a tale about gore, nightmarish circuses, and vampires, but for a younger readership. If you’re not a strong reader, this is an accessible and recommended read for those wanting to dive into some horror this summer. However, if you’ve already sunk your teeth into Stephen King novels, this particular novel might not be as satisfying.
While the plot isn’t overly complex, Hazel’s Shadow does play with some interesting ideas — although perhaps not as developed as higher-level readers are hungry for. If ghosts are real, what happens when someone becomes a creature of the undead? Additionally, when delving into any zombie fiction, there’s always an explanation for how the apocalypse was started, whether that be a parasite, virus, or laboratory containment breach. Hazel’s is related to a shadow who has terrorized her since childhood, previously thought to be confined to her house but having later appeared at the hospital where the outbreak occurred.
MacCarron also manages to incorporate representation without it feeling forced or in-your-face. When the opportunity arises, Hazel is revealed to be overweight and insecure about it at times, but it isn’t written as a negative or self-hatred-inducing trait. With her weight comes immense strength, allowing her to chuck desks at zombies, run long distances, and in general be a badass. She also struggles over the course of the novel with her feelings toward a female classmate named Jen.
As MacCarron puts it: “I believe in representation. It ought to be there, and I wanted it to be normal … She might be gay and she might be heavy, but she’s also an athlete, she can see ghosts, she’s a good friend. She’s a lot of things. She’s a person.”
For those interested in grabbing a copy, MacCarron self-published the novel through Amazon Kindle in ebook and paperback format. For readers who want to read a writing sample before they purchase, a short prequel is also available through her website at nicolemaccarron.com by signing up for an author newsletter.
As a UFV student, MacCarron finished a degree in English before pursuing teaching, also through UFV. To further build upon her skills, she took a novel-writing class instructed by Andrea MacPherson where a deep passion was sparked for National Novel Writing Month (affectionately dubbed NaNoWriMo). MacCarron was also on the editorial board for the 2013 Louden Singletree as a webmaster.
“That has definitely come in handy now because I had no idea how much I would need that to create my own website and get out there on social media.”
The Louden Singletree editorial board is also where she met two other students, Jess Wind and Katie Stobbart, who went on to form an editorial company — the same company that would later edit her novel. MacCarron is a testament that UFV students can go on to become distinguished alumni — working as an elementary school teacher by trade and beginning to gain traction as a budding new novelist.
Hazel’s Shadow is a debut novel with exciting new ideas for the young adult paranormal and zombie genres. With a sequel hinted to be in the works by the author, it’s worth checking out for readers who are looking to round out their summer reading or just want to gain a new fear toward shadow people and the dark.
The Cascade was given a press copy of Hazel’s Shadow in exchange for an honest review.
Chandy is a biology major/chemistry minor who's been a staff writer, Arts editor, and Managing Editor at The Cascade. She began writing in elementary school when she produced Tamagotchi fanfiction to show her peers at school -- she now lives in fear that this may have been her creative peak.
