Shadows and Strongholds: A Novel

Average customer rating:

Superb! Every bit as good as LORDS OF THE WHITE CASTLE, and possibly better ...

Just as Good as the Rest

SHADOWS AND STRONGHOLDS IS SUPERB!

Great

Wonderful!
Shadows and Strongholds: A Novel
Elizabeth Chadwick
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0312349246
Release Date: 2005-11-29

Book Description

A medieval tale of pride and strife, of coming-of-age in a world where chivalry is a luxury seldom afforded, especially by men of power.

England, 1148---ten-year-old Brunin FitzWarin is an awkward misfit in his own family. A quiet child, he is tormented by his brothers and loathed by his powerful and autocratic grandmother. In an attempt to encourage Brunin’s development, his father sends him to be fostered in the household of Joscelin de Dinan, Lord of Ludlow. Here Brunin will learn knightly arts, but before he can succeed, he must overcome the deep-seated doubts that hold him back.

Hawise, the youngest daughter of Lord Joscelin, soon forms a strong friendship with Brunin. Family loyalties mean that her father, with the young Brunin as his squire, must aid Prince Henry of Anjou in his battle with King Stephen for the English crown. Meanwhile, Ludlow itself comes under threat from Joscelin’s rival, Gilbert de Lacy. As the war for the crown rages, and de Lacy becomes more assertive in his claims for Ludlow, Brunin and Hawise are drawn into each other’s arms.

Now Brunin must defeat the shadows of his childhood and put to use all that he has learned. As the pressure on Ludlow intensifies and a new Welsh threat emerges against his own family’s lands, Brunin must confront the future head on, or fail on all counts....

Customer Reviews:

Superb! Every bit as good as LORDS OF THE WHITE CASTLE, and possibly better ..........2007-08-12

This prequel to LORDS OF THE WHITE CASTLE begins in 1148 when Fulke FitzWarin's father, known as Brunin, is 10 years old. It relates the political struggles of the times - King Stephen's final years, Henry of Anjou's (the future Henry II) challenges for the throne and the Welsh border raids.

As the author explains in the endnotes, much of the story about Brunin FitzWarin is based on a 14th Century romantic tale, sometimes called the FitzWarin romance. It should, therefore, be taken with a grain of salt. "[T]he chronicler played fast and loose with many facts," writes Chadwick, "especially with regard to the timing and placing of some of the major players."

The story is of a boy who comes of age during difficult times. It is about love, betrayal and loss, and survival.

If you like Diana Gabaldon or Sharon Kay Penman, you will probably like this book. Chadwick matches Gabaldon's skill for storytelling and romance. The history in her books is not as solid as Penman's, but you'll recognize a number of the people from having read Penman's books.

Just as Good as the Rest.......2007-01-19

Much of Elizabeth Chadwick's research is carried out as a member of Regia Anglorum, this is an early medieval re-enactment society. Her writing in recent books has become much more accomplished. She now writes about the period with the convictions of her obvious knowledge of the subject and has also made a subtle change from writing what were in effect historical love stories (nothing wrong with that) to historical novels with a love interest. Her books are now much earthier and in my humble opinion are much better for it. She has now written quite a number of books and has received many accolades for her writing.

Shadows and Strongholds is another medieval tale from the pen of Elizabeth Chadwick, an author who writes this type of book better than anyone else I can think of. The author always tries to get some sort of love interest into her novels but this should not in any way deter male readers from the book. The authors knowledge of the period about which she writes is second to none and there is plenty in her books for both male and female readers to get their teeth into.

The author's style is slowly changing, to my way of thinking for the better, but what does remain constant is her knowledge of the period about which she writes and her ability to draw the reader into the story, until they could almost be there. This is a rare talent indeed.

SHADOWS AND STRONGHOLDS IS SUPERB!.......2007-01-05

18 Aug 2004: Refers to UK Hardcover Edition

This is a medieval tale of Brunin FitzWarin and Hawise de Dinan. It begins in England, 1148 and ten year old Brunin is a misfit in his own family. He is a quiet child and is tormented by his brothers and is detested by his own paternal grandmother, Mellette. His beautiful mother, Eve, is a shy, quiet woman who doesn't have the mettle to stand up to her mother-in-law or her domineering husband, Fulke FitzWarin and therefore is incapable of protecting herself, let alone her oldest son.
Brunin's father decides that the boy needs encouragement to fully develop and sends him to be fostered in the household of his friend, Joscelin de Dinan, Lord of Ludlow. Brunin will learn the knightly arts but he must also learn to overcome his own self-doubts.

There he meets Hawise, the youngest daughter of Lord Joscelin and they form a friendship while growing up together at Ludlow. He learns to fight with Lord Joscelin, and his father for Henry of Anjou for Henry's crown against King Stephen. However, in the background, rival threats against Ludlow and Whittington become more prevalent and additional battles must be fought.

This is an extremely well-written book and delves deep into the personalities of the main characters, especially Brunin and Hawise. I felt their emotions so strongly it was almost akin to being in their shoes. A veritable page turner! I couldn't stop and was sad to see it end! Another winner for author Elizabeth Chadwick and anyone who reads her novels!

Great.......2006-08-16

The "family chronicles" was a rather popular genre between the 12th to the 14th centuries. These chronicles were written by clerics, under the supervision of the family.
One of these chronicles is the story of the Fitzwarin family, and this ancient piece was the basis for the wonderful novel "Shadows and Strongholds".

This is a story of two childhood friends and eventually husband and wife, Brunin Fitzwarin and Hawise de Dinan, and their adventures and tests of courage and love in times where nothing is for sure and everything is under threat, including the beloved castle where they both spent most of their years and where their future awaits- Ludlow castle.

This is a fascinating story, based on true facts and real characters- highly recommended!

Wonderful!.......2006-06-11

Elizabeth Chadwick's ability to create both believable characters and believable medieval settings is nothing short of amazing. Shadows and Strongholds is a romance, but it's far superior to most category romances, and really, it's superior to most historical novels in general. I can hardly wait for Chadwick's next book.

Shadows in the Dawn: The Lemurs of Madagascar

Average customer rating:

A good book to introduce children to the joys of research.

Shadows in the Dawn: The Lemurs of Madagascar
Kathryn Lasky
Manufacturer: Gulliver Books Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0152002812

Book Description

Stunning photographs and evocative text take readers to far-off Madagascar. There, primatologist Alison Jolly dwells and works among lemurs. These fascinating primates live only on the island of Madagascar, where they socialize in troops--and where, like humans, they are often involved in power struggles and family disputes. Threats to the environment have endangered lemurs, but Dr. Jolly hopes that by studying these unusual animals she’ll discover ways for people to live in harmony with their distant primate cousins.

Customer Reviews:

A good book to introduce children to the joys of research........1998-03-20

I think the best part of the book is that it shows children the fun and excitement of doing primate research in the wild. It shows why Alison Jolly hasreturned to the same piece of forest for the last30 years. It balances that by displaying some ofthe sorrowwhen you cannot help a dying animal.

And of course, it describes Lemur catta social organizationat a level which should be entertaining to children,and mentions briefly some of the other lemurs foundin Berenty reserve.

Book Description

In the middle of a deep forest is an enchanted valley and a castle where only shadows live, shadows of kings and queens who have waited for hundreds of years for the spell cast upon them to be broken.

One day, a girl named Lucy follows a little dog through a tunnel into the valley and meets the mysterious red-haired Michael, who takes her into the shadow world to meet Prince Mika and his mortal wife Gloria, their children and their children's children, and learn the magic that will lift the spell.

This version of Shadow Castle is a new, expanded author's edition with material never published before!

Customer Reviews:

shadow castle.......2007-09-11

i'm thrilled that this book is back in print..my sister and i have fought over our copy for years...our kids have loved it also...they need to write more books like this

Delicious!.......2006-07-08

What a pleasure to see this charming children's chapter book back in print. It was a favorite of mine when I was grade-school age, and an old, taped-up and battered copy still sits on on my bookshelf. In this tale, the lives and adventures of a family of fairies and half-fairies are paraded before the eyes of Lucy, a little human girl who has wandered into the borderlands of their world. A mysterious young man named Michael takes Lucy to a deserted castle where the shadows of past inhabitants can be seen on the walls of a tower room. As Lucy watches the shadows move about, Michael identifies each figure, and recounts their adventures of long, long ago.

The stories of the fairy princes and princesses, and their human and non-human relatives and associates, are told a simple but descriptive prose that young readers should find appealing. For children still a little bit young for the vocabulary of Harry Potter, but too old for Dr. Seuss, this is a perfect read. The illustrations are delightful as well--how I loved the pictures of beautiful Princess Meira and her friend, the dragon Branstookah!

Magical classic back in print.......2006-05-28

This compelling fantasy is back in print after many years, and would make a great gift to any 7-11 year old. It was my mother's favorite growing up, then mine, and I have this expanded edition to my 8 year old niece who says it is better than Harry Potter!

Shadow Castle.......2006-04-08

I was so very happy to find that Amazon has this book....I have looked for years for this book..I had read it has a child and loved it I read it so many times it was worn out..Then for some reason it disappeared...I was quiet upset for the loss of my book
I know Shadow Castle almost Verbatim......This is perhaps one of the best childrens book ever written if not the best...I have bought a copy and shall keep it safe to read to my grandchildren
Thank You for bringing back one of the happy memories of my childhood....Shadow Castle...

Finally found it again!!.......2006-02-01

I read this book when I was about 10 and then it disappeared. Since I couldn't remember the name of the title it took me about 3 weeks of typing in every key word I could think of and had just about given up when I found it again. I think this is one of the best children's books ever with great characters and plot and just seems timeless! I know my niece will enjoy it as much as I did and still do and I'm so glad it's back in print.

The Shadow Academy (Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights, Book 2)

Average customer rating:

Another Great Installment
Good continuation.
Its ok
An Incredible Sequal to the Young Jedi Knights Series
Great!

The Shadow Academy (Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights, Book 2)
Kevin J. Anderson , and Rebecca Moesta
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Young Jedi Knights | Series | Teens | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0425171531

Customer Reviews:

Another Great Installment.......2007-07-19

The second book in the Young Jedi Knights Lowie, Jaina and Jacen are visiting Leo's newest business GemDriver when its suddenly attacked by an Imperial fleet. The Jedi are kidnapped and taken to the Shadow Academy, where students are being trained in the dark side of the Force by a Dark Jedi who has teamed up with the Night Sisters of Dathomir. Tenel Ka missed the tripped because she was meeting with an ambassador. She and Luke go after them. Another very exciting story.

Good continuation........2006-01-04

I am not a big hater of Mr. Anderson like a lot of people are. These were written to a younger audience and he achieved it. They are still interesting and these stories play a big part in the following books. I would recommend this book to Star Wars fans young and old. I'm sorry I waited to read these but it makes them more interesting knowing what happens to them later.

Its ok.......2004-03-14

This book is ok but there is no lightsabers in it so its not really exciting

An Incredible Sequal to the Young Jedi Knights Series.......2003-07-25

I especially liked this Book because it really starts the Jedi/Sith relation ship and it begins the actual story because it introduces the real enemy to the Jedi: The Shadow Academy.

In this book, Luke tells the Young Jedi knights that he encountered spies in his acedemy long ago, sent by the Second Imperium. Luke came across one truely talented young man by the name of Brakiss. Instead of banishing him like the others, he decided to keep him and train him. Luke made an attempt to turn him from the dark side.

One day, while Luke was giving the young man lessons, Brakiss left the Jedi acedemy and fled. Luke had failed to turn him and later will encounter him in a more deadly form.

The Solo twins, Jacen and Jaina, and their friends, Lowbacca and Tenal Ka, have been given permission by Lando Calarissian to come to his Gem diver station located on the Gas Giant Yavin. They all decide to go, except Tenal Ka. She imforms her friends that she thinks that the experiance would be boring and that she had seen rainbow gems on Gallinore.

When the twins arrive at the Gem diver station, Lando shows them around and tells them how his company mines a very rare gem known as Corusca Gems. When Lando is done showing them how to capture the gems, an unknown fleet appears. Lando tells them that nothing could get past their heavily armored walls, but the fleet had a speacial mechanism that got through. They later relise that the ship was using Corusca Gems to cut trough. When the ship docked with the station, and Dark women walked into the station with a squad of strom troopers. Jaina, feeling a distrubance in the force, somehow knew that they were after her and her friends.

The dark women stunned all the guards and captured the young jedi knights and took them to the Shadow Acendmy where they would be trained as Dark Jedi to assist the Second Imperium.

I really enjoyed this book and it was a very good addition to the Young Jedi Knights series.

Great!.......2003-04-18

This is probably one of my favorites in the Young Jedi Knights sereis.
Jaina, Jacen, and Lowie go to Lando's GemDiver station. While they're there, a group kidnapps them. They are taken to the Shadow Academy to be trained in the Dark Side of the Force.
Meanwhile, Tenal Ka and Luke learn of the kidnapping and set out to find the twins and Lowie.
Will Luke and Tenal Ka find Jaina, Jacen, and Lowbacca? Or will the Shadow Academy succede where the Emperor did not(turning the heirs of Anakin to the Dark Side of the Force)?
Grab this book and find out! You won't regret it!!![.]

Knight of Ghosts & Shadows (Bedlam's Bard, Bk. 1)

Average customer rating:

this one time? At a ren faire?
Fantastic Urban Fantasy Novel
Real Life History
Not as good as the SERRAted Edge series
Knight of Ghosts and Shadows

Knight of Ghosts & Shadows (Bedlam's Bard, Bk. 1)
Mercedes Lackey , and Ellen Guon
Manufacturer: Baen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Contemporary | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Epic | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0671698850

Customer Reviews:

this one time? At a ren faire?.......2007-02-07

If I'd written this review as a teen, I probably would have given the book four stars. As it is, I've gotten older and more cynical. The book has three main characters: Korendil, a "young" elf of 200 years or so, Beth, a musician and witch; and Eric, a flautist who discovers that he has magic powers and is the only one who can save L.A. (and the world) from the forces of evil. Through music. There are good elves, but also bad elves with their own agenda. As other reviewers have pointed out, there could definitely be more character development, but all in all, it's an entertaining read.

Fantastic Urban Fantasy Novel.......2004-12-03

One of my most favored memories and my introduction into the genre of Urban Fantasy. Mercedes Lackey and Ellen Guon weave a wonderful web of Elves in the modern day world. The character development is extremely well done, but the plot is left a littl thread-bare in places. Not to worry though, as it seems that this novel is more about exploring the characters than it is about exploring a setting in a story. The characters of Eric, Beth, and Kory are well worked, and their feelings on all sorts of subjects is explored in great detail. This is one of my favorite all-time books. Give it a whirl!

Real Life History.......2004-02-02

Anyone who performed or vended at either "Big Faire", which is what Californians call the two nine week long every summer Rennaisance Faires, one Northern, one Southern, will recognize this book as a fantasy utilizing what happened when Southern Faire's site for years was bulldozed and the Faire had to move. Not surprising as Lackey herself has connections to the Faire folk.

Other than that, the book itself is interesting, not the least because it broke Lackey's invariable pattern of doing trilogies. Knight of Ghosts and Shadows is actually the second book in a "trilogy", if you want to call it that, book one being bowery Boyz I beleiv, about a healer witch in a modern day city slum who does not return until the second half of book three, summoned to tourney....and of course Lackety then continued on with a second "trilogy" on bard eric's life alone after she managed to get rid of the other two main characters in Knight of Ghosts and Shadows. Rather funny, it was...first, a tripod was the strongest thing in nature, and then POOF, the beginning of the first book in the second "trilogy" disposes thoroughly of the idea.

It could be read as an object lesson in ignoring conditions you yourself set up in writing, I suppose, as well as a historical reference.

The book itself is decent, as is its antecendent and sequel, I'd just advice not to read these three and the second three after Lackey breaks up her threesome. Pick one or the other, instead.

Not as good as the SERRAted Edge series.......2001-01-27

I'm a fan of Mercedes Lackey from a long time back so when I saw this book at the bookstore, I immediately snatched it up. It's the story of a melancholy street-busker, Eric Banyon, and how his talents with the flute earn him the love of the warrior elf Korendil and the witch/rockstar Beth, and also the eternal gratitude of the elves in California for creating a new home for them after their's is bulldozed. That's it. It's a pretty good story but it's definitely got some flaws.

First of all, Korendil is an extremely flat character. He just stands there in his armor and smiles. Throughout the book, Mercedes lackey flips from person to person to tell the story from several points of view but Kory hardly speaks at all.

As for the flipping view points, I did like that we got to hear the opinions of the main bad girl, Ria, but all that flipping around got confusing. I found myself flipping around more than once trying to find out what was happening.

One final caveat: there is a very small, miniscule amount of homosexuality in this book. In fact, compared to Ms. Lackey's Magic's Price, Promise, Pawn series this is nothing. But, if this kind of thing offends you, don't read the book.

The thing I loved most was the magical music, literally. Anyone with a passion for music should read this book. Hearing the sounds she matched the music to made me want to go downstairs and play the piano.

If you love the idea of magic and music together, buy this book. Those parts made my heart soar!

If you liked this book, the SERRAted Edge series is ten times better. It is very similar to this book but the characters are more interesting, in my opinion. It is also by Mercedes Lackey and she recently re-released the four books of the series into two volumes.

Mercedes Lackey rocks!

Knight of Ghosts and Shadows.......2000-06-11

This book was very enjoyable, another well-done work of Mercedes Lackey's. The characters were all very interesting and well developed. Sometimes Banyon's tendency to run away from problems got annoying, but this "flaw" in his character only made him seem more real to me. Beth and Korendil were great additions to the story as well, though I coudn't exactly call the latter realistic. The classic story of hope lost, found, lost and found a couple more times, then, triumph over the ultimate evil. This book has definitely gone on my favorite's list.

Shadow Warrior (Knights of the Magical Realm)

Average customer rating:

Shadow Warrior-A Joyfully Recommended Title
Four talented authors pulled me into the story and didn't let go until the last page!
Smokin' HOT!!!
On Your Toes Exciting
Shadow Warrior Knights of the Magical Realm

Shadow Warrior (Knights of the Magical Realm)
Delilah Devlin , Myla Jackson , Layla Chase , and Betty Hanawa
Manufacturer: Triskelion Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Fantasy, Futuristic & Ghost | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1933471999

Book Description

In the not so distant future four former military men suffer a mystifying alteration. Transformed in a place known to them as "Hell Hospital" these soldiers were the ultimate experiment. Now their bodies react in strange and animalistic ways as these men discover they are now part man and part feline and each possesses a sensual hunger they can't control. It's up to them to find the people responsible for their genetic engineering and put a stop to a madman's quest for power while their entire existence hangs in a tenuous balance. Four women will encounter these deadly predators. Will they be strong enough to tame the beast within? Or will the fall prey to the Shadow Warrior?

Customer Reviews:

Shadow Warrior-A Joyfully Recommended Title.......2007-02-20

Shape shifters are born - right. But what if science figured out a way to make the perfect shifter and what if madmen got that knowledge and was determined to use it for their own ends?

Cougar by Layla Chase
Kol Thorstein has taken an extended leave from his Special Forces unit. He has been having odd black outs and memory lapses since he was rescued from captivity. Kol knows that if he can't control it or find the solution, he will kicked out. Zoia Stavros is a private investigator sent to track down a soldier that has disappeared. Zoia finds Kol with little trouble and after meeting him begins to wonder about the story her client gave her. Kol and Zoia figure out his problem and almost instantly understand just how much danger they could be in.

Cougar brings together a highly trained Special Forces soldier and an up and coming PI who face a problem that could get them both killed. Zoia has a lot of experience with the post-traumatic symptoms and is determine to help Kol. Kol is wondering if he has come down with post-traumatic stress disorder after his release. Kola and Zoia are wrong about the problem but together they begin the journey to face down their enemies. Cougar brings you right into the story and the entire book. After finishing I was very happy to be able to go on to the next. Ms. Chase was very successful in setting the hook and I couldn't wait to get to Zoia and Kol's ending.

Jaguarondi by Betty Hanawa

Dylan Gomez has recently been forced out of the Service and the Special Forces because of the blackouts he suffers from. These blackouts are very new to him and the worse part is he can't remember and always wakes up naked. Today is no different, well it is a bit as he is in a cage and a strange woman is standing over him demanding answers. Haley Lundberg works in Wildlife Control Management and is surprised to find a man has replaced the Jaguarondi in her cage. Haley might be a civilian now, but for a while she was in the service and part of an elite woman's force. Haley and Dylan are both shocked to see him shift back and forth between a man and a Jaguarondi - now the question is who did it and why. Dylan is pissed and going to find out but not alone because no way is Hayley going to let him go on his own. Such begins their journey to danger and discovery.

Jaguarondi has two levelheaded ex-service specialists trying to wrap their minds around something out of fantasy. Haley knows that she can't ignore what she has on film and besides she doesn't want to ignore sexy Dylan anyway. Dylan is in total denial until Haley finds a way to make him remember one of his blackouts. Knowing that no one should every mess with free will, Haley and Dylan are determined to locate who changed Dylan and where it was done. I loved the full steam ahead and don't mess with us attitude of Haley and Dylan. It was so interesting seeing two logical people trying to put logic towards a fantastic problem. Again Jaguarondi pulled me in even more and I finished the story wondering where my journey was going to take me.

Black Panther by Myla Jackson

Ramon Osceola has retreated to his island home to bring himself back under control. He has no idea what was done to him while being held captive, but it was enough for the military to retire him almost immediately after his rescue. Hannah Richards is on the run and isn't quite sure who she is running to. Hannah is a doctor who was blackmailed into doing scientific experiments on several men. She knows that her reception might be deadly when she admits who she is and what she has to offer. Ramon and Hannah connect right away but the feelings of passion are edged with rage to begin with. However Ramon can't turn Hannah away after he discovers why Hannah did it. They start a dangerous trip of rescue and revenge.

Black Panther places a very pissed panther in very close and personal contact with his doctor. Ramon knows he was given the ability to shift into a Panther but he isn't sure why or who exactly was behind it. Hannah has wanted Ramon since he was one of her subjects and now she must face his anger and request his help. Ramon and Hannah work their way from rage and desperation into passion while tracking down the person behind the experiments. The emotions that were written into Black Panther leaped off of the pages. The surprises for Ramon and Hannah kept me turning the pages. Another wonderful story in a great book.

White Tiger by Delilah Devlin

Casey McTaggert is a data gatherer in a secret government agency. She has been tracking the double agent known as the "Tiger" for several years and when it became clear he was in the US she was determine to get to him. However she is amazed to find out that the "Tiger" is actually a White tiger shifter. Khalid Razeh has been an unknown double agent for years and has stayed out of the states for a long time. He was held captive with several other men, however he was the only one the group who is not American. Khalid knows that he has to find the solution before he is used as a scapegoat. Casey and Kahlid never expected the passion that pulled them together. Casey knows even better than Khalid what the danger is they are facing and who is actually behind everything.

In White Tiger you find out that sometimes the government can be fooled but not totally ticked. Casey had access to enormous amounts of data that until she meets Khalid doesn't come together in her mind. Khalid knows his life could be in danger if he doesn't get to the bottom of why he was changed. Casey and Khalid join forces to solve the mystery despite the danger they both will face. I was so happy to find that they were joined by the others for the showdown. Casey is able to gather all the pieces of her data together to help Khalid just when it matters the most. Ms. Devlin took two characters that should not have been able to come together and not only made it work, but made it seamless.

Shadow Warrior has four outstanding stories that intertwine so well that I actually forgot I was reading 4 stories by different authors. I found the entire plot line just different enough that it captured my attention right away. I actually did not want to put it down when I had to and picked it up as soon as I could to finish it. There is not one story that I can say stood out to me more than the rest, which is why I loved the entire anthology and kept forgetting it was an anthology. My only wish was that the ending was extended just a bit more so that I could have seen the final showdown.

Shadow Warrior to me is a must read and one I know I will come back to again and again. There are very few anthologies in which I actually forget that I'm reading a collection of stories by different authors, Shadow Warrior is one and so well done that I not only recommend it highly, but I Joyfully Recommend it. Enjoy it - I know you will.

Jo
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Four talented authors pulled me into the story and didn't let go until the last page!.......2006-11-11

I loved this anthology! The stories were imaginative and well thought out. Genetically enhanced shapeshifters? Sexy as hell heroes? Smart, sensual, take no bull heroines? Steamy sex? Thrilling stories? I'll take all of the above and you can get them in this book! I was rivetted from page one and the stories and love scenes flowed and had me turning pages right up to the very end. I highly recommend it!

Smokin' HOT!!!.......2006-11-10

I've read my share of sensual romance, but this one is truly smokin' hot. Best part of all, the romance is entwined in engrossing, can't-put-it-down stories of shapeshifters. Each author's story was unique and well thought out. I loved being able to suspend my belief and get totally caught up in their futuristic world. Thanks for the great read.

On Your Toes Exciting.......2006-11-10

I found this book to be gripping and sensual. The characters are well developed and all four books flow seamlessly into each other. The background was unique and diverse and the characters jumped off the pages. Well written. I'd wait in line to buy another book by these talented four authors.

Shadow Warrior Knights of the Magical Realm.......2006-11-07

I was very disappointed in this book. The whole premise was shaky to begin with. The shape-shifter who was genetically enhanced and the woman who suppossedly fall for them. The lovemaking was stilted and boring, and overall just not what I expected. Do yourself a favor and save your money.

Average customer rating:

Practical Jokes Gone Awry
Wow... You got to read this book!!!
My favorite book to read aloud
The Shadow Club
When Revenge Goes a Little Too Far...

The Shadow Club
Neal Shusterman
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0142300942

Book Description

The Shadow Club starts simply enough: the kids who are tired of being second-best get together and, for the first time, talk about how they feel. But soon the members decide to play practical jokes on the first-place winners they envy, and things begin to spin dangerously out of control.

"This is a provocative novel . . . The plot is ingeniously simple and the course of events compelling. Brisk enough to snag a popular audience, but forceful in impact, it will leave readers thinking." (Booklist, starred review)

Customer Reviews:

Practical Jokes Gone Awry.......2007-07-01

Jared, a ninth-grader, is so sick of always being the second-best runner on his team. No matter how hard he pushes himself, he is always beaten by Austin. To make things worse, Austin loves to rub it in when he beats Jared.

Jared's best friend Cheryl knows how he feels. Her cousin Rebecca, who is a year younger than her, is a better singer than Cheryl and she seems to be constantly rubbing Cheryl's face in that fact. Jared and Cheryl are both fed up.

When they feel they can't take it anymore, Jared and Cheryl decide to start a secret club to vent their feelings--The Shadow Club. They invite Cheryl's little brother Randall, who is the number two swimmer on his team. They invite the second best trumpeter, the second prettiest girl in the class, the second best basketball player, and the second best student to join.

All of the members of the club get together and at first aren't sure what to do besides say bad things about those who are beating them all of the time. Then they decide that more needs to be done. Jared comes up with the idea of playing practical jokes on those students they detest. He thinks if no one knows about the club and no one plays a joke on his or her own enemy, all of the club members will escape being suspected of playing the jokes. So it starts.

Green slime shows up in a trumpet before a big solo. The best student's pet tarantula is put in the hood of the best runner's sweatshirt. The best swimmer has his toenails painted bright red while he's asleep.

The members of the Shadow Club are thrilled with their accomplishments. But then things start getting out of control. Jokes are being played that no one seems to know about, and they are getting meaner and more destructive by the day. Could someone be trying to frame the members of the club?

I thought this book captured the attitude of many junior high school students--it highlighted the feelings of competition and the petty nastiness that occurs in students of this age. I thought Jared should have been able to see when things were getting out of control, though, and should have been able to stop the club before anything bad happened.

Wow... You got to read this book!!!.......2007-05-25

The Shadow Club
By: Neal Shusterman

Review done by: A Mid-Prairie Teen Student

You would have no idea what you would be expecting if you got a book titled The Shadow Club, I sure didn't. The Shadow Club is a great book having middle school to high schooled aged students making mistakes and seeing the consequences in the end.
Jared, a middle school aged kid, is the main kid in this story. He is the second best runner in his school and hates being second best. He absolutely hates Eric, the best runner in school, and would do absolutely anything he could to be better than Eric. This is where the trouble started.
Jared's friend Cheryl, the second best singer, wanted to start a club called the Shadow Club. This means for people to come to this club if they're second best in something. Like second best singer, second smartest person in school, and even second prettiest girl in school. All these second best kids formed this club and got themselves into trouble without even knowing it.
This is quite a story and it is written by Neal Shusterman a fantastic author. He is an American author of books for young readers, and also a screenwriter. He has won and award called the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for The Schwa Was Here, and he was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He now lives in Orange County, California with his four children. So as you have seen he has a busy life but he has certainly used some of his time to write great books.
This is an amazing book but I'm not going to tell you what happened in the end. Once you read it, it will shock you incredibly as you will see. I will tell you though that it teaches great things like making friends, the trouble you can get yourself into with just starting little things, and how much hate can really hurt someone else's life.
I dare you to read this book even if you think you're the best person in your school. Just go and read this book so that you can see the secrets some second best people may be thinking right now.

My favorite book to read aloud.......2006-07-29

I have been reading the Shadow Club to my 7th graders for more than 10 years. The humor, especially in the character of Ralphy Sherman, keeps the class listening. The suspense builds to the point that I have students begging me not to stop reading. Many students tried to buy the book because they just couldn't wait for me to finish reading. I was happy for a few years that it was out of print, so they couldn't find it to read ahead of me.
There are many lessons that apply directly to children of middle school age, and my favorite is looking at how the students laughed at Tyson McGaw at the beginning, but feel for him at the end of the book. Hopefully they will look closer at individuals and not make fun of them because they are different.
I have never had a student who didn't like this book and it is the only one that I have read that when I finish, the students applaud.

The Shadow Club.......2006-07-19

There are the winners, the people who are first all the time, never losing. Then there are the second bests, almost coming in first. That is what the book 'The Shadow Club' is all about, beating the best.

Jared Mercer is the second best runner, second best to Austin Pace. This Austin teases him everyday, until one day, it's too much. That was the start of the Shadow Club.

Jared and Cheryl, best friends, decide on five other people to be in their club. Randall is the second best swimmer, Jason, the second best trumpet player, Abbie, second most popular girl, Karin "O.P." Han, second smartest, and Darren, the second best basketball player. They play small, seemingly harmless pranks - painting the swimmer's toenails, giving out pages of the most popular girl's diary - but then someone listens in on a meeting, Tyson McGaw. Tyson is a foster child with no friends. Then when someone starts to frame hime, things go spiralling out of control Tyson is all to blame. But are things really how they seem?

Shusterman is a great writer. You can really relate to the book which has a ton of detail. It keeps you on the edge and so does the following book, 'The Shadow Club Rising'.

~AD

When Revenge Goes a Little Too Far..........2006-02-24

Meet the second-bests: a group of kids who, although they have one thing they're best at, still get beat daily by the "unbeatables." Although these kids are good kids, well-behaved, smart, athletic, interesting, their lives are being ruined by those who always seem to be one step ahead, stealing the limelight and rubbing it in until you just wish they'd never been born.

Thus is the basis for THE SHADOW CLUB, a secret group of seven kids who decided to get back at those who make their lives miserable by playing harmless pranks on them--pranks that will embarass them before their admirers, and give the second-besters their just due.

Except revenge, as revenge always seems to do, comes back to bite you in the butt. Pranks start getting out of control, even though they're not being comitted by the Shadow Club members. Someone's out to sabotage their club, and one of the "unbeatables" could wind up getting seriously hurt--even killed. As the Club seeks to get the biggest loser in school, Tyson McGaw, to confess to the pranks, the Shadow Club comes to realize that they might not be the all-around good kids that they thought they were.

What started out as fun is turning into something darker, and no one seems to know how to make it stop.

THE SHADOW CLUB is a great read by Neal Shusterman. Dealing with human nature, the fact that kids can traumatize each other more than anyone else can, and the fact that we all have anger inside of us is forefront in the story. A great read!

The Rebel Worlds / Knight of Ghosts & Shadows (Signet Double)

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The Rebel Worlds / Knight of Ghosts & Shadows (Signet Double)
Poul Anderson
Manufacturer: New American Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0451118855

Grail Quest #3: The Shadow Companion (Grail Quest Trilogy)

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Grail Quest #3: The Shadow Companion (Grail Quest Trilogy)
Laura Anne Gilman
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0060772867
Release Date: 2006-10-31

Book Description

The Quest for the Holy Grail has begun. Three teenagers, Gerard, Ailis, and Newt, have earned a place on the Quest alongside the Knights of the Round Table. But they are not the only ones seeking this treasured cup. King Arthur's sinister half sister, Morgain le Fay, wants the Grail for herself. To make sure she doesn't fail, she has summoned help from someone more evil and powerful than she—the Shadow Companion. But what Morgain doesn't know is that the Shadow Companion has come with a secret agenda. Now it is more important than ever for Gerard, Ailis, and Newt to recover the Holy Grail . . . before a dark power gets it first.

Bedlam's Bard: Knight of Ghosts and Shadows, Summoned to Tourney

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Bedlam's Bard: Knight of Ghosts and Shadows, Summoned to Tourney

Manufacturer: Guild America Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: B000BO1Q26

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