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Stations of Shadow
On the surface, New York City is a gentrified play toy for the rich. But underground, the art scene is weirder than ever.
Sebastian Ricciuti, known by night as the Hydra, wants to change the way people think about drag by infecting the scene with a macabre flavor, even if that means exposing the ghosts in his head and finding the way beyond his own flesh. To be the best, a performer must reach into their psyche and pull out the nightmares that lie beneath. What would happen if we tapped into the full potential of our brain? Could it change person’s skin and reveal the monster beneath?
Adrian Zapatero, better known as Hera Wynn, wants to be the sickest drag performer New York City has ever seen. He will stop at nothing until he is the supreme. Bejeweled in glitz, tattooed with lace, and slathered with lipstick the color of shadow, Sebastian and Adrian bring freak culture back to subterranean clubs with storms in their eyes and theatrical violence in their heart.
But at what cost? Desire makes people weak. Envy breeds bitterness. Artists incite their own insecurities. There can only be one Queen of the Night. And she must do whatever it takes to earn that crown, even if it means destroying romance, reputations and friendships. Sycophants can only take so much emotional distress before they implode.
Drag racing in New York City has never been darker.
Sebastian Ricciuti, known by night as the Hydra, wants to change the way people think about drag by infecting the scene with a macabre flavor, even if that means exposing the ghosts in his head and finding the way beyond his own flesh. To be the best, a performer must reach into their psyche and pull out the nightmares that lie beneath. What would happen if we tapped into the full potential of our brain? Could it change person’s skin and reveal the monster beneath?
Adrian Zapatero, better known as Hera Wynn, wants to be the sickest drag performer New York City has ever seen. He will stop at nothing until he is the supreme. Bejeweled in glitz, tattooed with lace, and slathered with lipstick the color of shadow, Sebastian and Adrian bring freak culture back to subterranean clubs with storms in their eyes and theatrical violence in their heart.
But at what cost? Desire makes people weak. Envy breeds bitterness. Artists incite their own insecurities. There can only be one Queen of the Night. And she must do whatever it takes to earn that crown, even if it means destroying romance, reputations and friendships. Sycophants can only take so much emotional distress before they implode.
Drag racing in New York City has never been darker.
- GenresHorror
340 pages, Paperback
Published July 18, 2020
About the author
J. Daniel Stone
23 books88 followersNYC born and raised J. Daniel Stone writes urban horror with a queer focus. He sold his first story when he was 22-years-old and has since written four novels (The Absence of Light, Blood Kiss, Stations of Shadow and Daubed in Darkness), as well as a short story collection (Lovebites & Razorlines) and a novella (I Can Taste The Blood). He writes under a pseudonym to keep the wolves at bay.
Visit him at www.SolitarySpiral.com and all socials @SolitarySpiral
Visit him at www.SolitarySpiral.com and all socials @SolitarySpiral
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 5, 2020
Stations of Shadow is such a dark story with well-defined characters and a very unique plot. Sebastian (Hydra Lerna) and his Adrian (Hera Wynn) are drag queens in New York City. The relationship between the two is complex. There is love, jealousy, lust, and appreciation. The book starts with a magnificent jaw-dropping underground performance by Sebastian as Hydra Lerna which makes Adrian envious about it and curious to know his friend’s secret. “Hydra Lerna faced the crowd, two extra heads now grown out of her neck, viper teeth and dragon scales glittering with gore as the last of her flesh costume was ripped away and plopped in a gummy heap on the stage”
The story takes place in different periods where we get to see the pasts of Sebastian, Adrian, and Lilith. This circle of friends has it all too. Both Lilith and Adrian are in love with Sebastian and they cannot stand each other. When the two are talking to each other their dialogue is witty and droll. I loved the characters' personal stories a lot. They are not something unusual and I am sure many readers would relate to them. “What Lilith hated the most was that Adrian met Sebastian first, to which he used as sacred ammunition. He knew it was a trigger for her”'
Another big side of the story is Sebastian’s relationship with his psychiatric Dr. Veronica Pazzesca. As you read about his past you will understand his mental health issues and the split personality he had. At times as a reader, I was confused about what was real and what was not. Was this Hydra just one side and one of the personalities of Sebastien or was it this demon creature that was living inside him and came out whenever she wanted? I love it when a book plays tricks on my mind. I feel this was intentionally done this way by J. Daniel Stone and I have to say it is brilliant because like the protagonist you will also be confused as a reader and want to know more.
Despite how one might think that Sebastian was a complex and bossy character, I feel he was not. The guy had his problems but as he said at one point that everybody was thinking about him as a leader while in reality, he was just a guy who wanted to forget his past! He was considered a leader because he brought them all together. He acted like the glue that made them stick together
Stations of Shadow is not your regular cliche supernatural horror story. It has a lot more depth to it which needs you to be focused and concentrating on the events happening. The vivid scenes make the story comes alive before your eyes. Sometimes this can be scary because of the amount of darkness some of the scenes have. The dark horror and the complex LGBTQ characters combined together made this a wonderful reading experience. I don’t know if all J. Daniel Stone’s books have the same tone of depth, darkness, and complexity as this is the first book I read for him. I guess I will know that when I read more of his work.
“She was the shade of end times, the color of blaspheme; she was the pigment of plaque”
Many thanks to the author for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for this honest and unbiased review.
The Review
The story takes place in different periods where we get to see the pasts of Sebastian, Adrian, and Lilith. This circle of friends has it all too. Both Lilith and Adrian are in love with Sebastian and they cannot stand each other. When the two are talking to each other their dialogue is witty and droll. I loved the characters' personal stories a lot. They are not something unusual and I am sure many readers would relate to them. “What Lilith hated the most was that Adrian met Sebastian first, to which he used as sacred ammunition. He knew it was a trigger for her”'
Another big side of the story is Sebastian’s relationship with his psychiatric Dr. Veronica Pazzesca. As you read about his past you will understand his mental health issues and the split personality he had. At times as a reader, I was confused about what was real and what was not. Was this Hydra just one side and one of the personalities of Sebastien or was it this demon creature that was living inside him and came out whenever she wanted? I love it when a book plays tricks on my mind. I feel this was intentionally done this way by J. Daniel Stone and I have to say it is brilliant because like the protagonist you will also be confused as a reader and want to know more.
Despite how one might think that Sebastian was a complex and bossy character, I feel he was not. The guy had his problems but as he said at one point that everybody was thinking about him as a leader while in reality, he was just a guy who wanted to forget his past! He was considered a leader because he brought them all together. He acted like the glue that made them stick together
Stations of Shadow is not your regular cliche supernatural horror story. It has a lot more depth to it which needs you to be focused and concentrating on the events happening. The vivid scenes make the story comes alive before your eyes. Sometimes this can be scary because of the amount of darkness some of the scenes have. The dark horror and the complex LGBTQ characters combined together made this a wonderful reading experience. I don’t know if all J. Daniel Stone’s books have the same tone of depth, darkness, and complexity as this is the first book I read for him. I guess I will know that when I read more of his work.
“She was the shade of end times, the color of blaspheme; she was the pigment of plaque”
Many thanks to the author for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for this honest and unbiased review.
The Review
October 9, 2020
Stations of Shadow immediately intrigued me with its plot revolving around drag culture and the macabre/supernatural. How could I say no to that?! But what I got was even more than I expected. The writing style in this book is rich with evocative details, Queer and pop culture references, and characters with such intricate and complex mindsets, situations, and personalities. Stage names Hera Wynn and Hydra are fierce competitors and I they are described with such vivid imagery each time. Their relationship is definitely not an easy one, and the more you read the story, the more you are pulled deeper in it. Some of the scenes appeared in slow motion in my head when reading. It was as if I was watching the show and I could see the lights flashing and hear the beat of the music but time was slowed down as everything was unraveling around me.
This is the first of J. Daniel Stone I have read and I have already bought more! The way he can shine a light onto the scene and tell a compelling story is something I am eager to continue exploring. 4 stars!
This is the first of J. Daniel Stone I have read and I have already bought more! The way he can shine a light onto the scene and tell a compelling story is something I am eager to continue exploring. 4 stars!
Shelved as 'quit-dnf'
July 30, 2020Stations of Shadow is incredibly well written and J. Daniel Stone’s authorial voice is strong and unique. Equally interesting is the premise and the exploration of drag culture in New York. There’s an aesthetic here that reminds me a bit of Preston Fassel’s Our Lady of the Inferno. Unfortunately, I’m just not sinking into this book as deeply as I hoped, nor am I connecting with the characters. It’s a good read, but given its density and deliberate pacing not the right book for my current headspace. I’ll have to give this another shot at a later date!
July 27, 2020
As we can derive from the synopsis for the book, Sebastian and Adrian are drag performers, known by their stage names of Hydra Lerna and Hera Wynn, respectively. Through flashbacks, we are given insight into Sebastian’s extremely troubled childhood, and his subsequent time spent in a psychiatric facility. These flashbacks are interspersed throughout the story, intertwined with the present-day narrative to help us understand the disturbing nature of Sebastian’s darkest thoughts. This method is much more effective than an “info-dump” of exposition, and Stone should be commended for the way he handled it. As he should for the sensitive way he conveyed Sebastian’s psychological problems. He instils compassion for Sebastian in the mind of the reader, which is especially effective when the true nature of the Hydra comes to the fore.
Stone introduces us to the world of drag performance in New York City, the camaraderie and competition, the cliques and confrontations. Through his desperation to be the best, Sebastian has made enemies along the way; some jealous of the Hydra, others angered by his relentless pursuit of the crown. While Adrian is considered a friend (although he wishes it were more), and Hera Wynn is seen as an understudy to the Hydra, there are those in the community who wish to fuel an explosive feud between the two. Alone, it makes for an intriguing concept for a story, especially for those unfamiliar with the scene. But things take a cosmically horrific turn when Sebastian loses control of the Hydra onstage, and the aftermath is felt by all in the community. Many dismiss it as superior practical effects employed by Sebastian to cement his place at the top. But the reader discovers, through internal monologue and Sebastian’s interactions with Adrian, that there really is something otherworldly going on. And Stone’s portrayal of this is wonderful.
His previous work has been complimented by authors such as Kathe Koja and Josh Malerman, who have described it as “fierce” and “refreshing as hell” respectively. Indeed, his writing style continues to be just as lavish and dark and evocative as ever. Descriptions of the clubs are as shadowy as the alleys and abandoned buildings the performers call home, and the blood flows freely when Stone ramps up the horror. Aside from the drama of the complex relationships, there are more than a few horrific set pieces throughout, not least of all the scene towards the end when some of the main cast are surrounded by zombie-like denizens of the dark, fans of the drag scene who, urged on by the Hydra’s bloody performances, want to see the final battle between the Hydra and Hera Wynn.
The book feels like it could be the culmination of much of Stone’s previous work, bringing together characters and storylines from previous novels and short stories to one, magnificent and bloody battle. However, given the grand setting of NYC and the diverse nature of its inhabitants, there are undoubtedly many more stories to be told. And, based on the experience of reading his latest art, there are surely few people more qualified to deliver jet black poetic tales from the shadowy streets of the Big Apple than J. Daniel Stone. As he says in the book: “It takes an open mind to really understand a city’s underbelly; you can’t just shut it out and act like the world is turning without them.” As long as there are writers like Stone to tell the stories, we certainly won’t be shutting them out.
Stone introduces us to the world of drag performance in New York City, the camaraderie and competition, the cliques and confrontations. Through his desperation to be the best, Sebastian has made enemies along the way; some jealous of the Hydra, others angered by his relentless pursuit of the crown. While Adrian is considered a friend (although he wishes it were more), and Hera Wynn is seen as an understudy to the Hydra, there are those in the community who wish to fuel an explosive feud between the two. Alone, it makes for an intriguing concept for a story, especially for those unfamiliar with the scene. But things take a cosmically horrific turn when Sebastian loses control of the Hydra onstage, and the aftermath is felt by all in the community. Many dismiss it as superior practical effects employed by Sebastian to cement his place at the top. But the reader discovers, through internal monologue and Sebastian’s interactions with Adrian, that there really is something otherworldly going on. And Stone’s portrayal of this is wonderful.
His previous work has been complimented by authors such as Kathe Koja and Josh Malerman, who have described it as “fierce” and “refreshing as hell” respectively. Indeed, his writing style continues to be just as lavish and dark and evocative as ever. Descriptions of the clubs are as shadowy as the alleys and abandoned buildings the performers call home, and the blood flows freely when Stone ramps up the horror. Aside from the drama of the complex relationships, there are more than a few horrific set pieces throughout, not least of all the scene towards the end when some of the main cast are surrounded by zombie-like denizens of the dark, fans of the drag scene who, urged on by the Hydra’s bloody performances, want to see the final battle between the Hydra and Hera Wynn.
The book feels like it could be the culmination of much of Stone’s previous work, bringing together characters and storylines from previous novels and short stories to one, magnificent and bloody battle. However, given the grand setting of NYC and the diverse nature of its inhabitants, there are undoubtedly many more stories to be told. And, based on the experience of reading his latest art, there are surely few people more qualified to deliver jet black poetic tales from the shadowy streets of the Big Apple than J. Daniel Stone. As he says in the book: “It takes an open mind to really understand a city’s underbelly; you can’t just shut it out and act like the world is turning without them.” As long as there are writers like Stone to tell the stories, we certainly won’t be shutting them out.
July 2, 2020
I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.
Halfway through this novel, I couldn't decide whether this book was too brilliant for me to totally understand every nuance, or pretentious AF. The truth is probably somewhere near the middle.
Read the whole review at https://www.jaynelockwood.com/2020/06...
Halfway through this novel, I couldn't decide whether this book was too brilliant for me to totally understand every nuance, or pretentious AF. The truth is probably somewhere near the middle.
Read the whole review at https://www.jaynelockwood.com/2020/06...
March 25, 2021
J. Daniel Stone (@solitaryspiral) writes what I call "Outsider horror stories" that are wholly queer and transgressive. His worlds, usually gritty New York scenes, defy conventional norms and center around LGBTQ+ protagonists who live in the margins/shadows and bleeeeed Art. These stories are wild, heady, dark, and illicit, and they are not for the meek of heart.
When I think of Queer and High Horror, this is the vision I get: outlaw body horror drenched in music, sweat, performance, and transformation.
Educator Bettina L. Love defines "Queer" as a word that "functions as a space to think, act, perform, create, and be outside what is considered 'normal,' particularly what White, straight, middle-class America says is normal." "Queer" is a term in which I find creative and individual freedom. It's a space where I find my own Infinite and Possible. It's a space that is comfortable with shadows because only through marriage with our darkest, renegade parts do we find wholeness.
In *Stations of Shadow*, in some ways a surprising sequel to his earlier novel, *Blood Kiss*, Stone continues to gives readers a glimpse into his Infinite. It is a horror story about two drag queens (the Hydra and Hera Wynn) in a terrible, intense relationship, both codependent and sexual, and a group of creatives who get embroiled in a darkness that they have unleashed. (Lilith was my fave character.) Stone explores the jugular vein between pain/trauma and the role of the artist, and the denouement is as satisfying as any of the craziest unravellings of horror storytelling.
When I think of Queer and High Horror, this is the vision I get: outlaw body horror drenched in music, sweat, performance, and transformation.
Educator Bettina L. Love defines "Queer" as a word that "functions as a space to think, act, perform, create, and be outside what is considered 'normal,' particularly what White, straight, middle-class America says is normal." "Queer" is a term in which I find creative and individual freedom. It's a space where I find my own Infinite and Possible. It's a space that is comfortable with shadows because only through marriage with our darkest, renegade parts do we find wholeness.
In *Stations of Shadow*, in some ways a surprising sequel to his earlier novel, *Blood Kiss*, Stone continues to gives readers a glimpse into his Infinite. It is a horror story about two drag queens (the Hydra and Hera Wynn) in a terrible, intense relationship, both codependent and sexual, and a group of creatives who get embroiled in a darkness that they have unleashed. (Lilith was my fave character.) Stone explores the jugular vein between pain/trauma and the role of the artist, and the denouement is as satisfying as any of the craziest unravellings of horror storytelling.
November 9, 2020
Drag horror. Just those two words hooked me.
I have loved Horror since my Dad placed the yellow paperback of THE SHINING into my hands. And I have been a fan of the Art of Drag in all its forms for most of my adult life. Needless to say, I was over the moon when I had the opportunity to experience STATIONS OF SHADOW in exchange for an honest review. And let me tell you, it is indeed an experience.
J Daniel Stone uses lush language and very theatrical descriptions to draw you into the story of Sebastián and Adrian, also known as The Hydra and Hera Wynn, respectively.
Theirs is strange, complex relationship. The more Stone draws us into their story, we're able to see Adrian's adoration for Sebastián morph into bitterness and envy. It's that jealousy that helps set the stage for the dark things to come.
Stone has given us a fresh horror story in STATIONS OF SHADOW that is so unlike anything I've read before. The premise is so original and he writes with such detail that you can taste and smell the NYC underground where The Hydra and Hera Wynn are stomping the runway. I don't know that I came to "like" any of our protagonists, but I definitely was fully invested in the journey Stone takes us on.
STATIONS OF SHADOW is a unique, macabre story that glitters darkly in your brain. I would absolutely encourage anyone looking for something new and exciting in the Horror genre to pick up their own copy, mine is taken.
I have loved Horror since my Dad placed the yellow paperback of THE SHINING into my hands. And I have been a fan of the Art of Drag in all its forms for most of my adult life. Needless to say, I was over the moon when I had the opportunity to experience STATIONS OF SHADOW in exchange for an honest review. And let me tell you, it is indeed an experience.
J Daniel Stone uses lush language and very theatrical descriptions to draw you into the story of Sebastián and Adrian, also known as The Hydra and Hera Wynn, respectively.
Theirs is strange, complex relationship. The more Stone draws us into their story, we're able to see Adrian's adoration for Sebastián morph into bitterness and envy. It's that jealousy that helps set the stage for the dark things to come.
Stone has given us a fresh horror story in STATIONS OF SHADOW that is so unlike anything I've read before. The premise is so original and he writes with such detail that you can taste and smell the NYC underground where The Hydra and Hera Wynn are stomping the runway. I don't know that I came to "like" any of our protagonists, but I definitely was fully invested in the journey Stone takes us on.
STATIONS OF SHADOW is a unique, macabre story that glitters darkly in your brain. I would absolutely encourage anyone looking for something new and exciting in the Horror genre to pick up their own copy, mine is taken.
January 5, 2023
When I was growing up, I longed to find queer representation in horror. I hungered to see myself reflected in the genre I loved. Growing up in the 80s, I rarely found that. Things are starting to change now. Still not so much in New York publishing, but in the small press there is a great movement of queer horror. Stations of Shadow by Stone epitomizes the very best of that.
What I love so much about this novel, other than the fascinating and complex characters and the wild and engrossing plot, is that this isn't queer horror in terms of a generic horror plot with some queer characters thrown in. No, this is queer horror where the queerness of the characters is vital and instrumental to the plot. It drives and shapes the story, informs and defines it. It's the kind of horror I dreamed of finding as a young person.
I would be remiss if I didn't also mention the beautiful prose Stone crafts here. The language is like silk, poetic and lyrical even when describing filth and violence. There is something extra special in that juxtaposition. This man doesn't just know how to tell a story; he knows how to tell it gorgeously.
What I love so much about this novel, other than the fascinating and complex characters and the wild and engrossing plot, is that this isn't queer horror in terms of a generic horror plot with some queer characters thrown in. No, this is queer horror where the queerness of the characters is vital and instrumental to the plot. It drives and shapes the story, informs and defines it. It's the kind of horror I dreamed of finding as a young person.
I would be remiss if I didn't also mention the beautiful prose Stone crafts here. The language is like silk, poetic and lyrical even when describing filth and violence. There is something extra special in that juxtaposition. This man doesn't just know how to tell a story; he knows how to tell it gorgeously.
October 15, 2023
This is a story that caught me off guard. I’ve read Stone’s work before and got what I expected. Rich, lush and detailed prose with “transgressive” subject matter.
But what I also got was some amazing character development with characters who were made from trauma. This story of drag culture is, in many ways, about transformation. The world up to a certain point, has failed and disappointed them until they find each other. They love and lust, hate and distrust because they were conditioned by their past to distrust the world. The characters find and create a world of surrealist nightmares that they feel oddly safe in.
It’s challenging and worth your time to visit this fascinating world.
But what I also got was some amazing character development with characters who were made from trauma. This story of drag culture is, in many ways, about transformation. The world up to a certain point, has failed and disappointed them until they find each other. They love and lust, hate and distrust because they were conditioned by their past to distrust the world. The characters find and create a world of surrealist nightmares that they feel oddly safe in.
It’s challenging and worth your time to visit this fascinating world.
August 11, 2020
The writing style of tis author is so vivid and alive with imagery that you feel that you are right there with the characters. The setting is the underground scene of drag performances in NYC. The main characters are performers who are lovers, friends and competitors. Their relationship is intriguing throughout.
I found myself thoroughly enjoying immersing my imagination into the strange & dark world the author so aptly described.
I found myself thoroughly enjoying immersing my imagination into the strange & dark world the author so aptly described.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews