Tessa of Delos is very much like the massive statue of Helios, located in the port city of Rhodes, in ancient Greece. A structure whose feet she often rests upon as she considers her plight in life. A hetaera (a kept woman), Tessa is well-respected in the community, not only for her outstanding beauty, but forher intelligence and astute political mind. Like the mighty colossus that stands 110 feet tall, Tessa and the structure have much in common, both are made of stone and firmly anchored in their place.

Regardless of the respect Tessa receives, she is still enslaved to the whims of her master, a fate that leaves her pondering the taking of her own life. She would rather be free than continue to live her life as a possession for a man she has nothing but disdain for.

When Glaucos, her wealthy benefactor is murdered by her own hands, Tessa is left to consider the penalty of death she has reaped on her own head. Unwilling to remain a slave she concocts a dangerous web of lies that will ultimately become her undoing.

Helped in her quest to become free is a strong and handsome stranger, Nikos, who mysteriously appears on the island and quickly becomes embroiled in her quest for freedom. Through Nikos, Tessa must come to terms with the pain of her past, gain his alliance, while simultaneously relegating him to the outer courts of her heart, a heart so hardened as to be inpenetrable.

With a marvelous cast of interesting and intriguing characters T.L. Higley's SHADOW OF COLOSSUS is a thrill-filled saga that will keep the reader's mind abuzz with wonder at the masterful weaving of her intricate plots. Those with acute sleuthing abilities will find themselves stumped time and time again as they careen towards the climactic plot resolution. Although Historical Fiction, SHADOW OF COLOSSUS is written with a modern day twist that doesn't bog the reader down with irrelevant details, but takes them back in time and allows them to view a world they may have never known. SHADOW OF COLOSSUS is skillfully written, and masterfully executed.

Reviewed by *Guest Reviewer Rosalind Stormer
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers