The Shadowmancer Returns: The Curse of Salamander Street [Hardcover]

G. P. Taylor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 10, 2007

In this thrilling, much-anticipated sequel to the runaway hit Shadowmancer, G. P. Taylor once again takes readers on a gripping journey. Kate and Thomas have barely escaped the evil sorcerer Demurral, and are sailing to London to make a fresh start. But someone knows they are coming, and is lying in wait to lure them into the darkest heart of the city. Meanwhile, Raphah, who has had a narrow escape of his own, sets out on a terrifying journey to find his friends, all the time haunted by a shadowy beast. Eventually, the friends’ paths meet on a cursed street, hidden from the world—a place where fates are decided and old enemies seek revenge. They thought it was over . . . but can evil ever be destroyed?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up—This muddled sequel to Shadowmancer (Putnam, 2004) follows Kate and Thomas as they flee to London with the smuggler Jacob Crane, hoping to escape the evil vicar Obadiah Demurral. Their Ethiopian friend Raphah, last seen falling overboard their ship, has made it to shore in the belly of a whale, with the help of Riathamus, "the power of all goodness." He is taking a land route to the capital in the company of Demurral's former servant Beadle. Eventually Kate and Thomas are kidnapped by a sinister alchemist who uses supernatural means to control his child-labor force, while Raphah and Beadle uncover a plot involving the Holy Grail. The development of this story of good against evil is rather slapdash: at one point Kate is force-fed a hallucinogen and instantly starts behaving like an addict at rock bottom. The flashes of inspiration are weighed down by Taylor's awkward prose and heavy-handed moralizing. Fans of the first book will likely welcome a sequel, but other readers of both fantasy and Christian fiction already have many superior resources to call upon.—Christi Voth, Parker Library, CO
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

With stakes no smaller than absolute dominion over heaven and earth, an epic battle continues in this sequel to New York Times bestseller Shadowmancer (2003), part of a larger series of Christian allegories set in old-time England and written by a former parson. Unlike the intervening Wormwood (2004)and Tersias the Oracle (2006), this book revisits Shadowmancer's main players. Friends Kate and Thomas flee demon-conjurer Obadiah Demurral only to find themselves caught in a sinister trap; a parallel story follows Beadle, Demurral's reformed lackey, as he and the prophetlike youth Raphah sort friends from enemies among passengers on a coach journey to London. From a Hound of the Baskervilles–style subplot to dark, wild fairy magic, Taylor writes arrestingly of evil's many guises, although the overcomplicated plot can be difficult to follow, and the death of one of the main characters will shock some readers. Even so, this should be as popular as its predecessor. There's a scarcityof exciting fantasies that place shivery magic in the context of Christian beliefs and provide heroes guided by heavenly purpose and the "deep magic" conferred by faith. Mattson, Jennifer
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (May 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399243461
• ISBN-13: 978-0399243462
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,820,343 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A motorcyclist and former rock band roadie turned Anglican minister, Graham Peter (G. P.) Taylor has been hailed as "hotter than Potter" and "the new C. S. Lewis" in the United Kingdom. His first novel, "Shadowmancer," reached #1 on the "New York Times" Best Sellers List in 2004 and has been translated into 48 languages. His other novels include "Wormwood" (another "New York Times" best seller which was nominated for a Quill Book Award), "The Shadowmancer Returns: The Curse of Salamander Street," "Tersias the Oracle," and "Mariah Mundi." Taylor currently resides in North Yorkshire with his wife and three children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars gripping dark fantasy, May 16, 2007

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Shadowmancer Returns: The Curse of Salamander Street (Hardcover)

In 1752 England Obadiah Demurral continues his quest to conquer heaven in order to rule on earth. Three children (Raphah, Thomas and Kate) with the help of the angel Raphael thwart his last efforts, but he is not finished. The three children travel to London aboard pirate Jacob Crane's ship, who has become a believer. He is taking his previous cargo to Salamander Street, supposedly a place of safety from Demurral.

Raphah gets separated from the others when he falls overboard. When Beadle, Demurral former slave happens upon a beach he sees a whale and out of his mouth comes Raphah. They head to London together. Meanwhile Crane, Kate, and Thomas reach London but officials board the ship and confiscate his cargo and inform him that Demurral sent word ahead that Crane kidnapped the children and stole something precious from him. When they reach the inn on Salamander Street Galphus takes Thomas to his factory and forces him to sign indenture papers. Later Kate is taken to Galphus's factory as a prisoner. Crane eventually is captured as well. They are waiting for Demurral to reach them as Galphus is his minion as good and evil clash for the souls of the children and their allies.

This dark fantasy grips readers with its good vs. evil war on earth in which Demurral seems more powerful than even the angel Raphael. The story line is action-packed never slowing down in its epic battle on the streets of eighteenth century London, yet the key players are fully developed so that the audience understands motives (some altruistic to save the world; others ambitious to rule the world). G.P. Taylor provides a wonderful fantasy with a religious theme that readers of all ages will appreciate.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what was ordered, February 3, 2009

By 

Sarah W. Benson (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Shadowmancer Returns: The Curse of Salamander Street (Hardcover)

This book was one of the items on my grandson's Christmas list and I simply wanted to find a copy in good condition to give him. Although it wasn't clear in the picture online, the book received was hardback. That was a nice surprise because the book is one in a series that my grandson is collecting and will probably keep into adulthood.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Shadowmancer Returns: Curse of Salamander Street, October 9, 2008

By 

C. Pekkala - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Shadowmancer Returns: The Curse of Salamander Street (Hardcover)

Great Read!! J.P. Taylor has a way of making the reader feel truly involved in the story. A fantastic story.....as usual. I only wish that I had another of his books in the Shadowmancer series to read after I finished my book. Hopefully.........SOON !! C.Pekkala