Megiddo's Shadow (Hardcover)

by Arthur Slade (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Grade 7 Up–An engrossing and thought-provoking story of a young man fighting in World War I. Upon learning of his brother's death at the German front, 16-year-old Edward Bathe lies about his age and enlists, leaving Canada and his father's farm for England. When he injures himself training a horse, he meets Emily Waters, an army nurse. Their relationship progresses through letters when Emily transfers to the front. A move from the infantry to the yeomanry starts Edward's war in earnest, but his plans to avenge his brother's death are altered when he is sent to Palestine to fight the Turks. Soldiers die from the heat and disease, horses fall in action, and friends die in battle. The young man's faith in God and in humanity are shaken, and he returns to Canada injured in body and spirit. All of the characters are fully realized, from Edward, a church-going innocent, to his Uncle Nix, a friend of the family and an army colonel who spouts platitudes about people in the Empire having to dig in and give but who honestly believes what he says. Edward's camaraderie with his tent mates keeps him reasonably sane until he discovers that one of them enjoys killing. Megiddo's Shadow is the perfect book to have on hand for the ever-popular historical-fiction assignment, but don't purchase it for only that reason. Buy it because it is a powerful book that needs to be read.–Lisa Prolman, Greenfield Public Library, MA
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From Booklist
After his older brother is killed in World War I, a devastated 16-year-old Edward cares for the family farm while his depressed father lays mute in bed. In his pain and anger, Edward vows to continue his brother's fight and help defeat the Huns. Lying about his age, he enlists in the Canadian army and is shipped to England to embark on his tour of duty. There he is transferred to a cavalry unit destined to fight the Turks and begins a tentative romance with a young nurse. Edward's coming-of-age story culminates in the plains near Megiddo, the ruins of King Solomon's city, where it is said Armageddon will take place and Satan will "climb out of hell and gather his armies." Slade skillfully integrates the plot-driven war narrative with the more psychological underpinning of loss: loss of a loved one and loss of innocence. A solid addition to teen war fiction, this book expands the comparatively small body of realistic World War I novels for this age group. Holly Koelling
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books (October 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385747012
• ISBN-13: 978-0385747011
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,430,144 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A well told story for any age, January 21, 2007

By	M. Reid (Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A sobering story, well told. It follows the journey of 16 year old Edward Bathe, from the Canadian prairie, who joins the army to fight the Huns in France in 1917. Instead, he finds himself in the cavalry on his way to the Middle East. The story is well researched, full of details about army life, and also chronicles the emotional turmoil and growth of Edward. There are a few twists in the story and Slade's writing propels the reader forward. While intended for the young reader, Megiddo's Shadow was very much enjoyed by this 'mature adult'.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gritty war novel, November 29, 2008

By	Marsha Skrypuch (Brantford, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Megiddo's Shadow (Mass Market Paperback)

Art Slade plunges the reader into the shoes of Edward, a 16 year old who has just lost his revered older brother in the Great War. Edward lies about his age and enlists to avenge his brother's death. He quickly finds out that war is not as glamorous as he thought.

The historical detail is bang-on and Edward's day to day experiences are so real that the reader can practically feel the grit of sand in her teeth. There is much in this novel that is very mature but it's handled deftly. I found myself weeping many times as I suffered Edward's losses. A compelling read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Out-of-the-ordinary historical fiction!, June 7, 2008

By	Deborah Sandford "Marian the Librarian" (Madison, NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

This is well-documented historical fiction from Canadian author Arthur Slade encompassing the lesser known topic (at least to Americans) of World War I across the globe and particularly at the Palestinian front. Sixteen-year-old protagonist Edward is devastated by the death of his older brother Hector who is killed in battle, under unclear circumstances. Edward's widowed father takes to his bed, unresponsive and unable to run his farm. Edward simply cannot abide running the farm accompanied by his internal and external miseries. He lies about his young age, joins the army in England, hoping to fight the Huns in France and avenge his brother's death. And what a story it is--on the front and behind the scenes with his beloved horse Megiddo. What keeps readers turning the pages are fascinating details to questions never thought to be asked regarding mundane intricacies of human nature unmasked, fleshing out not only the war's anguish, but Edward's coming-of-age anguish as well. Suitable for mature readers younger than YA who are looking for engaging historical fiction about war.