Shadow [Hardcover]

Jenny Moss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2010

Adventure, romance, and magic fill this tale of a girl who longs for love and freedom, and above all, to know herself.

In a time of kings, queens, and conspiracy, it's impossible to know whom one can trust. . . .

In a kingdom far away and long ago, it was prophesied at her birth that the queen would die before her sixteenth birthday. So Shadow, an orphan girl the same age as the young queen, was given the duty to watch her every move. And as prophesies do tend to come true, the queen is poisoned days before her birthday. When the castle is thrown into chaos, Shadow escapes with a young knight, whom she believes was betrothed to the queen.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9 Shadow has grown up with young Queen Audrey. A prophecy at the queen's birth predicted her death before her 16th birthday, and by staying at her side constantly, Shadow is supposed to help prevent that fate. While the two girls were close when they were younger, now that they are nearly 16, Audrey criticizes and taunts Shadow, who resents her lack of freedom and identity, never having known her parents. When Audrey dies suddenly, Shadow takes advantage of the ensuing chaos to escape the palace, with the help of Sir Kenway, a knight who was a close companion of Audrey's. As Shadow travels, she discovers clues to her own identity and destiny, and she has to mature and accept the new role that is being offered to her. Moss has created a complex story full of intrigue and secrets, with Audrey's regent and advisors sometimes seen as supporting her and sometimes against her, and with a variety of factions looking for power after her death. Shadow's first-person narration captures readers' interest and pulls them into the story as they come to understand her situation along with her. Her growth in perception and understanding as she moves beyond her own self-centeredness adds to the story's depth. Fans of fairy-tale retellings like Robin McKinley's Beauty (1978) and Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted (1997, both HarperCollins) will enjoy this tale's slightly more mature mix of fantasy and adventure with a touch of romance. Beth L. Meister, Milwaukee Jewish Day School, WI
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From Booklist

Shadow, an orphan, lives as Queen Audrey’s shadow, echoing her every step in hopes that the queen will escape the death that has been prophesied to come by age 16. It appears that the plan has failed when the queen is poisoned and found by Shadow the next morning. This causes a royal knight, Sir Kenway, to whisk Shadow away, vowing to protect her. As the pair travels across Deor’s battered countryside, Shadow becomes aware of her ability to sense the feelings of others. She also learns that she is the daughter of the earth goddess, Erce, and that she is the real queen who must now rescue the throne from the evil Fenryn. Ample dialogue illuminates Shadow’s feisty spirit and leads to flirtatious banter between Shadow and Kenway. While Shadow seems overly selfish and brooding at times in comparison to those around her, she grows in dimension as she begins to understand the situation around her. Action, romance, and interesting supernatural elements enliven this historical fantasy with a strong female protagonist. Grades 6-9. --Heather Booth

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Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1 edition (April 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545036410
• ISBN-13: 978-0545036412
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,399,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable young adult fairy tale fantasy. March 30, 2010

By Rebecca Herman HALL OF FAMEVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

For as long as she can remember, the orphaned peasant girl called Shadow has spent every moment of her life following around Queen Audrey, the young queen of Deor, their kingdom. She has no memory of her real name or of her life before she became the queen's "shadow." The young queen was prophesized to die before her sixteenth birthday, and Shadow's presence is supposed to somehow protect her, but Shadow doesn't understand how, and longs to escape the dreary castle and the queen's cruelty.

Shadow gets her wish in a different way than she had hoped for when tragedy strikes and Shadow is sent away from the castle under the protection of Sir Kenway, a handsome young knight that Shadow believes was in love with Queen Audrey. She doesn't understand why she is special, why her life was saved, and why she must go on this journey with Sir Kenway. On their quest, they find danger, mystery, romance, long-buried secrets, and a destiny that Shadow never could have imagined.

Shadow, the second book by talented and versatile new young adult writer Jenny Moss, was a delight to read. It is a traditional fantasy set in a medieval world with knights and princesses, castles and evil wizards, and a quest to discover the main character's destiny and save the kingdom. Most young adult fantasy books these days are urban fantasy, set in our modern world, so it was such a refreshing change to read a book set in a faraway and magical kingdom. I highly recommend this book to readers who are looking to read a story that is different from the typical young adult fantasy or who love fairy tale inspired fantasies such as those by Gail Carson Levine or Shannon Hale.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too April 15, 2010

By TeensReadToo

Format:Hardcover

Shadow has always been what her name implies. Seen by no one, following the queen around for her protection. But when the castle is invaded and the queen poisoned, Shadow must run away with Sir Kenway. She does not know where they are going, nor why, nor for what reason. She must trust him and those she meets. That's hard for a shadow with no feelings to do. How will she save her kingdom and those she loves?

SHADOW was a good read. While I didn't find it to be unbelievably spectacular, it had a good plot and was a solid book. Older readers may find the writing too simple, but other elements propel the book along.

Shadow, the character, was easy to relate to. I find that I keep my emotions more guarded, as does she. Some may find her a bit too cold, however. Sir Kenway was both good and bad. His inability to see past class ranks was frustrating, but he showed his true kindness at other times. I would have appreciated more character development, as there were many interesting secondary characters. The plot pacing was a little off. There was a lot of traveling and searching, and then suddenly everything was revealed. I would have preferred things to be pieced together. It was, however, still an interesting storyline.

I enjoyed the story as a whole, but individual parts were lacking. It was a good solid story, nothing wrong with it, but it wasn't a stunner. This is not a negative review. I enjoyed myself the entire time, but looking back it probably could have been better. I think slightly younger readers would enjoy this story, as it is simple and exciting.

Reviewed by: McKenzie Tritt

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Liked it but... June 4, 2010

By Kindle-aholic VINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I can't say I loved it. The book flowed well, action was well-paced, and it definitely kept my attention. However, there was something missing. I read in another review that they found the characters unsympathetic, and I have to agree, to an extent. I started feeling sorry for their respective situations, but I feel like something was missing from the interaction between Shadow and Kenway. A little too much of them looking into each others eyes, and then they're mad at each other again, or someone has interrupted them. The issue of Shadow's parentage should have been explored more. The ending felt rushed as well. I was left wanting more, not necessarily a sequel, but more from the story itself.