Brit Doper: Have you read Shadowmancer? ( kids book)

[Shirley Ujest]

I heard about this book (http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_802270.html?menu=news.weirdworld.heartwarmers) and it seems to be red hot over there in Kid Lit.

Anyone read it yet?

[Rapunzel]

Haven't read it yet but I know the first (self published by the author) editions are going for hundreds of pounds on ebay.

[Shirley Ujest]

I was just cruising around ebay and found it for sale for great gobs of mula.

Hmmmm.

[Draknek]

I have it, but I haven't got round to reading it yet. It's probably second on my to-read list.

Certainly looks interesting, though, and if I remember after reading it, I may try to find this topic again

[Shirley Ujest]

It's not available over here yet, so I am very interested in what those who have read it think.

and naturally, trying to scrounge a copy off of some nice person I'm a whore, but I'm ok with it. :)

[Draknek]

Okay, I have now read it.

It has a good plot, it is for the most part very well written, and it is certainly very gripping.

I can't say that I see anything that stands out about it, but this generally doesn't seem to have anything to do with which books become bestsellers.

It seems rather short - the events in the book span three, maybe four days. However, it doesn't seem rushed or too slow. And this does avoid turning it into an unrealistic quest, where the odds are defied at every turn.

I'm no good at reviews/ratings, so I'll just stop myself there and leave myself open for questions.

[Aro]

I was recommended this book recently by a guy from Scarborough who knows the author. He told me it was a darker version of 'Harry Potteresque' writing for older kids.

I have since bought it but not yet read it. I shall soon, it looks quite short.

Draknek :
Is it in the same league as Philip Pullman and his "His Dark Materials" trilogy?

[Draknek]

Not in the least.

His Dark Materials is (IMO) more emotional, more exciting, and has a better plot.

Going from memory, of course - I can obviously remember Shadowmancer better than HDM, and I'm not very good at remembering books anyway.