The Shadow of the Bear: A Fairy Tale Retold [Paperback]

Regina Doman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 2008

When Bear, a mysterious young man, lands on Blanche and Rose Brier's doorstep in New York City, the two sisters have conflicting opinions on whether or not he is dangerous. Even as Blanche learns to trust him, her fears that Bear's friendship threatens their family prove terrifyingly true. A modern retelling of the classic Brothers Grimm fairytale.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: Regina Doman (October 6, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981931804
• ISBN-13: 978-0981931807
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #128,678 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, October 27, 2008

By 

Steven R. McEvoy "MCWPP" (Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Shadow of the Bear: A Fairy Tale Retold (Hardcover)

Some books just fall into your hands, and instantly become treasures you want to share with all you know. This is one of those books. It is a modern retelling of the story from the Brothers Grimm, of Snow White and Rose Red. It is the story of two brothers and two sisters, all of whom have lost much in life and are not fully what they at first appear. The sisters have lost their father and had to move back into New York City. The brothers have lost their mother and have both been convicted of drug charges. Then one fateful night their fates become somehow intertwined.

The sisters are Blanch and Rose, two girls who grew up in the countryside, and who now reside in the city. They live with their mother and attend secondary school. The first of the brothers we meet is named Bear; he has dreadlocks, is big and tough, yet upon spending an evening with the Brier sisters and their mother he reveals different parts of his past. He has a passion for life, loves poetry and takes the girls on outings. But there is always a dark side to a Bear and this one is no different. He has secrets and his story and journey are still unfolding. The mystery revolves around a murdered priest, an abandoned church and the school the sisters are attending.

This story is wonderfully told. The author draws you in and keeps you captivated from first page to last. Each chapter begins with a quote from the original fairy tale, and foreshadows what is coming, yet in New York the mysteries and magic of a fairy tale are very different from the German countryside. Regina Doman is a true storyteller, not just an author. His skill with the pen makes you see the action as it is taking place, and you feel so drawn into the story that you feel like a character sitting on the sidelines waiting to see what will happen next.

This is the first book in a trilogy and I cannot wait to lay my hands on books two and three. This story was so captivating that it left me wanting more immediately. If you are looking for some great summer reading this term, give this book a try.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!!, January 25, 2009

By 

Rose Red (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shadow of the Bear: A Fairy Tale Retold (Hardcover)

Before I read The Shadow of the Bear, I read the Twilight series. It's funny, because with all the fame those books got, this book, and every one of Regina Doman's books, far exceed them. It's one of those rare Catholic books that bring God and good morals (unlike the Twilight books) into the story without making it dull or boring. I actually cried while reading Waking Rose, the third in the series. And even non-Catholics can appreciate the quality of this book. The way Regina writes her books is spectacular, using beautiful language that is almost like poetry. I not only purchased all four of her books for myself, but many of my friends and family, and all of them are hooked! Regina has a wonderful look on life, and teaches you how to be a good person whether you want her too or not. I stayed up until three in the morning once finishing this book, even though I had read it before! I fall in love with the characters every time I read it, and Regina has a way of making you feel their pain, joy, love, and sorrows. This book is one of the greatest books I've ever read. The only books that I enjoy more are the third and fourth books in her series!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great series!, April 11, 2009

By 

C. Sheppard (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Shadow of the Bear: A Fairy Tale Retold (Paperback)

I have been trying to find a good Catholic series, especially for teens. This one is great! The way Ms. Doman has turned some of Grimm's fairy tales into novels with Catholic teaching and morals is interesting and fun to read. I couldn't put this one down, and I can't wait to read more!