The Woman who drew a War: The Illustrator of Shadows

By Ettore Piroso

She survived a war by drawing it.
The cost was everything else.

Pulled from an ordinary life into the violent undercurrents of a nation at war, Isabella's rare talent for drawing becomes both her refuge and her danger. What begins as a means of survival soon draws her into a hidden world of secret commissions, shifting loyalties, and constant risk, where a single sketch can mean protection, betrayal, or death.
As armed conflict spreads, Isabella is forced to move from city to city, adapting to new identities and impossible choices. Love is lost. Innocence is sacrificed. Trust becomes a luxury she can no longer afford. From remote refuges to shadowed corridors of power, her journey unfolds as a relentless test of courage in a country tearing itself apart.

The Woman Who Drew a War is a sweeping historical novel about survival under tyranny, the moral weight of talent, and the quiet resilience of a woman navigating the brutal machinery of war, armed only with charcoal, paper, and her will to endure.

Perfect for readers of atmospheric historical fiction, wartime sagas, and morally complex heroines.

Editorial Praise

Five Starts "The Illustrator of Shadows is a relatively short but incredibly impactful story that questions war, morality, authoritarian regimes, and the yoke of silence when faced with atrocities. "
- Readers' Favorite

Five Stars "This story gave me more insight into what war does to people, beyond the total waste of life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.."
- Readers' Favorite

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GFKJLZL3
• ISBN13: 9798242753242
• Release Date: January 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 444 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.3" x 8.0"