Shadow

March 8, 2010
Moss (Winnie's War
) slips off target with a stiff and colorless fantasy. Due to a prophecy that Queen Audrey will die before her 16th birthday, Shadow must spend her life by the vain and selfish Audrey's side, though she's not exactly sure why (“My role.... was established long ago and no one dared question it now”). When Audrey is poisoned shortly before the fated birthday, Shadow is swept into hiding by the queen's suitor, Sir Kenway. Kenway reveals he's been sworn to keep Shadow safe and bring her to a witch in the mountains. Shadow discovers that the regent, the queen's cousin, is corrupt, and the country is slowly dying because the resident nature spirit is in mourning; naturally, Shadow is the only one who can solve both of these problems. Although the basic story has promise and some interesting mystical elements, the characters are flat and unsympathetic, and the romantic pair have scant chemistry. Shadow is passive, selfish, and apathetic throughout the story, distancing readers from what could have been a transformative journey of forgiveness and redemption. Ages 10–18.

July 1, 2010
Gr 5–9—-hadow 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"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2010
Grades 6-9 Shadow, an orphan, lives as Queen Audreys 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 Deors 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 Shadows 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.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)