Valley of Shadows

A Novel

By: Rudy Ruiz

Narrated by: Gary Tiedemann

A visionary neo-Western blend of magical realism, mystery, and horror, Valley of Shadows sheds light on the dark past of injustice, isolation, and suffering along the US-Mexico border.

Solitario Cisneros thought his life was over long ago. He lost his wife, his family, even his country in the late 1870s when the Rio Grande shifted course, stranding the Mexican town of Olvido on the Texas side of the border. He’d made his brooding peace with retiring his gun and badge, hiding out on his ranch, and communing with horses and ghosts. But when a gruesome string of murders and kidnappings ravages the town, pushing its volatile mix of Anglo, Mexican, and Apache settlers to the brink of self-destruction, he feels reluctantly compelled to confront both life, and the much more likely possibility of­ ­death, yet again.

As Solitario struggles to overcome not only the evil forces that threaten the town but also his own inner demons, he finds an unlikely source of inspiration and support in Onawa, a gifted and enchanting Apache-Mexican seer who champions his cause, daring him to open his heart and question his destiny.

As we follow Solitario and Onawa into the desert, we join them in facing haunting questions about the human condition that are as relevant today as they were back then: Can we rewrite our own history and shape our own future? What does it mean to belong to a place, or for a place to belong to a people? And, as lonely and defeated as we might feel, are we ever truly alone?

Through luminous prose and soul-searching reflections, Rudy Ruiz transports listeners to a distant time and a remote place where the immortal forces of good and evil dance amidst the shadows of magic and mountains.

©2022 Rudy Ruiz (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

Critic reviews

Publishers Weekly Pick

Gizmodo Pick

BuzzFeed Books Pick

“Ruiz writes with the ache of the lonely and the audacity of the hopeful. His prose is unforgiving and his characters unrelenting. Valley of Shadows contains a sharpness of vision that is exceedingly rare; and through this tale of redemption and rediscovery, Ruiz certifies his voice—as well as his philosophy of togetherness—as a ferociously necessary addition to American letters.” -- James Wade, award-winning author of All Things Left Wild

Excellent

Such a compelling story. Beautifully written, with magical realism woven through out. Felt transported to another place and time.

Fantastic book.

The story. The narrator. I was so enthralled by the story. I hope the author writes many more books like this one.

Love it!!!

First book of the year and it was amazing!!! I love the magical realism, the cultural and political aspects of the story. I will definitely read it again and will buy a hard copy for my physical book collection

Excellent

Keeps your attention with a talent from the writer also narrating was excellent loved this

Unique drama you won’t want to pause

I had no idea what I was getting into but the unique story captivated me quickly, within a couple chapters, and I charged through it all weekend listening whenever I could. The narrator was very good too, deftly shifting between a wide range of characters, by ethnicity, gender, and age. I look forward to exploring more from both.

Enjoyed it…for the most part

I enjoyed this book, the characters, the culture, history etc. but it was difficult to get passed the mispronounced words in Spanish especially Luz’s father’s last name. Chalkboard + nails scenario.

Valley of Shadows

I really enjoyed this book. The story was very interesting. Lots of intriguing situations. This is my first story by Rudy Ruiz. It won’t be my last!