Shadowmancer (2002) by G.P. Taylor is a fantasy novel and religious allegory in 18th-century Yorkshire, England. The plot centers on Obadiah Demurral, a vicar with malicious intentions of controlling the world by manipulating the powers of a powerful, ancient artifact called Raphah. A local duo, Thomas Barrick and Kate Coglund, and an enigmatic African newcomer named Raphah band together to thwart Demurral's plans. The story intertwines themes of magic, spirituality, and the eternal battle between good and evil.
Taylor's novel has attracted mixed responses from critics and audiences, who have singled out the book for its negative portrayal of witches and pagans. Additionally, others have criticized the novel for spreading pro-religious ideals (Taylor wrote Shadowmancer in response to what he saw as atheist propaganda). Nevertheless, Shadowmancer is widely regarded as an important novel in the fantasy genre and has otherwise been mostly well-reviewed by critics and the general public. In their review of the book, Publisher's Weekly said, "Taylor, a vicar himself who is making his writing debut, offers plenty of action, suspense, and mystical creatures, all sure to hold appeal for fans of the fantasy genre."
