Landon Snow and the Shadows of Malus Quidam (Landon Snow, Book 2) [Hardcover]

R. K. Mortenson (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Landon Snow

Landon Snow is heading into the darkness, hot on the trail of his younger sister Holly who has set off on a mission of her own. Emerging in the magical realm of Wonderwood, Landon discovers that Holly has been kidnapped by shadowy wolf-like creatures. With the help of his old friends-a horse named Melech, elfish Odds, and the poet/prophet Vates-Landon learns what he needs to do to set his sister free. But he'll need lots of courage. Will Landon be able to rescue Holly from the shadows of darkness and free the Odds from Malus Quidam's evil power?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

R. K. Mortenson, an ordained minister in the Church of the Lutheran Brethren, has been writing poems and stories since he was a kid. Landon Snow and the Volucer Dragon is his fourth novel. A former Navy chaplain, Mortenson is a pastor in North Dakota. He serves a church in Mayville, where he lives with his wife, daughter, and two sons.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Incorporated (March 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597890448
• ISBN-13: 978-1597890441
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #216,271 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thanks for visiting! Writing Landon Snow's adventures was a blast. I hope you enjoyed them. Or, if you haven't yet checked them out, I hope that you do. I'm a pastor and live with my wife and three children in North Dakota. I'm currently working on a contemporary fantasy/thriller for young adults.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better and Better, March 5, 2006

By 

S. Stevenson "FictionAddict" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Landon Snow and the Shadows of Malus Quidam (Landon Snow, Book 2) (Hardcover)

LANDON SNOW AND THE SHADOWS OF MALUS QUIDAM continues the story that began with LANDON SNOW AND THE AUCTOR'S RIDDLE, and far surpasses the first book in adventure and excitement. The second book in the series by first time author R. K. Mortenson brings Landon AND his sister Holly into the land of Wonderwood, where Odds watch the coin flip, and Vates, the prophet and poet, posts mysterious messages about the wood. But this time, something is wrong. It's a lot colder and darker than Landon last remembers, and soon it's an all out war between Landon and the shadows of Malus Quidam, who seeks to cover all of Wonderwood with his darkness.

Mortenson is definitely improving. His second book is a little less random than the first, giving it more of an Oz book feel than Alice in Wonderland. The adventure and pace run much more quickly, and there is definitely a major enemy to be dealt with this time around. Adding Holly, Landon's sister, into the mix as a main character is perfect, creating a lot of fun moments between them, and at the same time giving Landon something to fight for.

This book is great for those who loved the Spiderwick Chronicles, or the old Oz books, but all with a Christian twist, which isn't preachy, but subtle and succinct. Kids (and adults!) will love this second adventure, and I know I am eagerly looking forward to the third installment, LANDON SNOW AND THE ISLAND OF ARCANUM coming out Fall 2006.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An imaginative story with fun word play, October 24, 2006

By 

Judy Fedele "Blogger, Lost and Found" (Syracuse, New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Landon Snow and the Shadows of Malus Quidam (Landon Snow, Book 2) (Hardcover)

Book Two of Mortenson's imaginative series starts out with the same rich description and fun word play that made the first book (Landon Snow and the Auctor's Riddle) such a pleasure to read.

Main character Landon Snow is joined by his sister Holly in this visit to Wonderwood. What starts out as an adventure quickly becomes a search and rescue mission when Holly is taken captive by the Wolf-Shadows of Malus Quidam. Landon rejoins his friends Melech, Ditty, Hardy and Vates. Together they follow the vision given them from the Auctor which they believe will rescue Holly. With Landon as the leader, each friend has a part to play as the plan begins to unfold before them. They put their faith into action and trust the Auctor for the outcome. "To do the Auctor's will!" becomes the war-cry, and a more potent force there never was. The Shadows are defeated; Holly is set free, and (bonus) Ludo and the Odds are released from their long enchantment.

The book ends sweetly, with the door left open (so to speak) for a return visit to Wonderwood. Landon gets to share his adventure with Holly, and it is hinted that perhaps Bridget, the youngest sister, might get in on the action in the next book in the series (Landon Snow and the Island of Arcanum). This series has an across-the-board appeal, and not just for the younger crowd. Another well-written work by R.K. Mortenson.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Landon Snow Returns in Book Two, May 20, 2006

By 

Cheryl Russell "Book reviewer, writer" (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Landon Snow and the Shadows of Malus Quidam (Landon Snow, Book 2) (Hardcover)

Landon Snow's return to Wonderwood isn't at all like he envisioned. Instead of a fun reunion with friends, it has turned into a rescue mission, on two fronts.

The first front is his sister Holly. Lured below the Button Up Library, the (BUL), she's become a prisoner of Ludo, Chief Odd and in charge of the Great Coin. Without Holly, Landon can't return home to his parents, granparents, and youngest sister.

His second front is the worm-like shadows that cover Wonderwood. Dubbed Bookwyrmn by the books in the BUL, they are really the henchmen for Malus Quidam, an evil figure bent on defeating Wonderwood and ruling the Odds. In order to defeat The Shadows of Malus Quidam, Landon needs to remember where his True Strength lies. But defeat them he must, for failure means he and Holly will never leave Wonderwood.