The Seer of Shadows [Hardcover]

Avi (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Newbery Medalist Avi weaves one of his most suspenseful and scary tales—about a ghost who has to be seen to be believed and must be kept from carrying out a horrifying revenge.

The time is 1872. The place is New York City. Horace Carpetine has been raised to believe in science and rationality. So as apprentice to Enoch Middleditch, a society photographer, he thinks of his trade as a scientific art. But when wealthy society matron Mrs. Frederick Von Macht orders a photographic portrait, strange things begin to happen.

Horace's first real photographs reveal a frightful likeness: it's the image of the Von Machts' dead daughter, Eleanora.

Pegg, the Von Machts' black servant girl, then leads him to the truth about who Eleanora really was and how she actually died. Joined in friendship, Pegg and Horace soon realize that his photographs are evoking both Eleanora's image and her ghost. Eleanora returns, a vengeful wraith intent on punishing those who abused her.

Rich in detail, full of the magic of early photography, here is a story about the shadows, visible and invisible, that are always lurking near.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“An intriguing ghost story. Details about photographic processes add authenticity, while the book’s somber ending will leave spines tingling.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review) )

“This tale proves that the time-honored ghost story, capably researched, well-paced and fusing the Gothic elements of mystery, madness and romance, can still thrill in the hands of a skilled craftsman.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“In perhaps his best work yet, Avi has created a truly chilling tale that will stay with the reader long after the last page is turned and the lights are turned out.” (Children's Literature )

About the Author

Avi is the author of more than sixty books, including Crispin: The Cross of Lead, a Newbery Medal winner, and Crispin: At the Edge of the World. His other acclaimed titles include The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and Nothing But the Truth, both Newbery Honor Books, and most recently The Seer of Shadows. He lives with his family in Colorado.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (March 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060000155
• ISBN-13: 978-0060000158
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #920,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Avi has published more than sixty books. Among them is Crispin: The Cross of Lead, winner of the 2003 Newbery Medal. Other novels with nineteenth-century settings, like The Traitors' Gate -- his grand nod to the work of Charles Dickens -- are listed before the title page, and include the Newbery Honor Book, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Avi and his family live in Denver, Colorado.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars seeing the unseen, March 25, 2008

By 

Yumi (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Seer of Shadows (Hardcover)

"photography reveals facts" or at least some form of the truth which is why people began to prefer it to paintings. Horace Carpetine, the main character and apprentice to the photographer Enoch Middleditch, finds himself in a difficult position when his employer looks to profit by deceiving a customer. Mrs. Von Macht has recently lost her only child and comes to Enoch Middleditch for a photograph to place on her daughter's grave. She appears to be a grieving mother but things are not as they seem and Horace soon discovers the horrifying truth. When the deception becomes reality, things quickly begin to unravel and suddenly, everyone is in great danger.

I loved the book because it is suspenseful and I have an interest in photography. I have developed film and watched an image appear in the developer so I could relate to Horace's love of the art. But while it is noted that this book is for ages 9-12, I would hesitate to give this book to a 4th or 5th grader. The nature of the daughter's death is disturbing and for children who are easily frightened, this book could discourage them from ever posing for another photograph. Also, because this book is set in the 1800's and photography was new, some of the terminology and equipment will be completely foreign to a child, especially in our digital age. But for more advanced readers who like a little horror, it's a great read!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars ghost story, April 5, 2008

By 

Reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Seer of Shadows (Hardcover)

Enjoyed the book and the main characters. Subject matter may be too dark for a sensitive reader. I would not recommend for a younger reader.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quite a Creepy Little Book, May 25, 2009

By 

Tamela Mccann "taminator40" (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Seer of Shadows (Hardcover)

Avi's Seer of Shadows is a delightfully creepy tale designed to take its young adult readers into the darker side of ghosts and things that go bump in the night. Heck, even this *slightly* older than young adult reader found herself able to vividly imagine a sinister young ghost set on terrorizing those who wronged her in life, and the idea that a ghost can materialize through photographs is one often put forth in the paranormal community. No wonder I looked cautiously over my shoulder as I read alone late at night!

Young Horace Carpetine finds himself apprenticed to a rather lazy photographer in 1872; business isn't all that good, so when an odd appointment is made, Horace doesn't think twice about accepting on behalf of his master to photograph the seemingly bereft Mrs. Von Macht. Mrs. Von Macht wants to bring reassurance to her recently deceased daughter's spirit by placing a photo of herself on her tomb, but Horace's master sees the opportunity to set himself up as a "spiritual" photographer by manipulating the photo to look as though the ghost of Eleanora has returned. It doesn't take long for Horace and the servant Peggy to realize that Eleanora has indeed returned, and she's bent on revenge toward her adopted parents. Things rapidly spin out of control as the two race to protect the Von Machts and help Eleanora return to the spectral realm.

Rich in atmosphere, Seer of Shadows is a fast read that envelops you quickly. With more scrutiny, the ideas don't hold up as well, but that's all right since the book more than accomplishes its goal of scariness. More bothersome to me is the "romance" between Horace and Peggy, which definitely doesn't fit the time period (even if it does make for a nice element). I liked how the story was tied up in the end, however, and could imagine someone telling this tale late at night at a slumber party. Good writing with just the right touch of the macabre.