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audreychamaine's review against another edition
3.0
When an old lady dies, Olive and her parents move into the creepy mansion that had been closed off to people for years. Olive slowly discovers that the house has many secrets, including paintings that she can travel into, and a trio of talking cat-demons. As Olive struggles to put the pieces together, she begins to learn how much danger she and her parents are actually in. Olive has to act fast, before she finds that she becomes part of a painting permanently.
The Shadows was a fun, fast-paced story with a likable heroine. I especially like any book that includes talking cats as guides for the female lead, a la Alice. Another highlight of this book are the terrific illustrations--I thought they captured the spirit of the story perfectly. While it didn't stun me with brilliance, I genuinely enjoyed reading this book and look forward to seeing what other adventures Olive will have in her house, or beyond.
The Shadows was a fun, fast-paced story with a likable heroine. I especially like any book that includes talking cats as guides for the female lead, a la Alice. Another highlight of this book are the terrific illustrations--I thought they captured the spirit of the story perfectly. While it didn't stun me with brilliance, I genuinely enjoyed reading this book and look forward to seeing what other adventures Olive will have in her house, or beyond.
caitlin_lore's review against another edition
5.0
5 reasons why this book is marvelous!
You get to (almost) literally escape to another world with Olive! I’m now searching for a pair of magical spectacles.
West’s imagination is perfect for the middle school age. Olive has to take care of herself now and then while her parents are working, but she gets to have her own adventures. Middle Schoolers will connect with the “trying to grow up” idea but still utilize their imagination and innocence!
Um… talking cats anyone?
Harvey. He’s one of the talking cats and my favorite. He likes to act out different characters: spies, pirates, etc, and how fun is that?
Olive’s adventure don’t stop here. You can find her in Spellbound and The Second Spy
If you happen to find Elsewhere, please let me know.
Originally published on The Hopeful Heroine
You get to (almost) literally escape to another world with Olive! I’m now searching for a pair of magical spectacles.
West’s imagination is perfect for the middle school age. Olive has to take care of herself now and then while her parents are working, but she gets to have her own adventures. Middle Schoolers will connect with the “trying to grow up” idea but still utilize their imagination and innocence!
Um… talking cats anyone?
Harvey. He’s one of the talking cats and my favorite. He likes to act out different characters: spies, pirates, etc, and how fun is that?
Olive’s adventure don’t stop here. You can find her in Spellbound and The Second Spy
If you happen to find Elsewhere, please let me know.
Originally published on The Hopeful Heroine
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted here.
I have been meaning to read The Shadows by Jacqueline West since it won the Cybil in MG Fantasy and Science Fiction last year. I finally got around to it now that the new winners are about to be announced. I can see why this one was chosen as a winner. This is a story sure to appeal to children who like their fantasy on the slightly creepy side. For adult fans of the genre there is also quite a bit of nostalgia on offer in the book.
The story in this book is full of a child's dreams come true. An old Victorian house that is bought with all the possessions still inside and free to explore. All those old things to play dress up and all the interesting places to discover. Plus a library full of ancient books with piled high on shelves with ladders. The home also comes with cats. Cats that talk. Life doesn't get much more exciting than that and Olive is enjoying herself. Except for certain paintings that are creeping her out she loves the old house. After finding a pair of glasses that actually allows her to enter the paintings things become a little more dire. There are people inside the paintings who have an extraordinary and frightening tale to tell. Olive finds herself caught in a sinister plot that puts her and her entire family in danger and she doesn't know who she should trust: the lovely painting of a girl named Annabelle or the cats everyone in Elsewhere is telling her are evil witch's familiars.
In addition to the setting of the old house and the mystery of the paintings this book has a supernatural element in it that is downright creepy. If you have a young child who likes haunting stories with a mild fear factor this one is a good choice. It is not too scary, just scary enough and the intense parts of the plot move quickly.
For kids who like series The Shadows is only the first adventure in The Books of Elsewhere. The sequel, Spellbound, is currently available and the third volume, The Second Spy, will be released in July of this year.
I have been meaning to read The Shadows by Jacqueline West since it won the Cybil in MG Fantasy and Science Fiction last year. I finally got around to it now that the new winners are about to be announced. I can see why this one was chosen as a winner. This is a story sure to appeal to children who like their fantasy on the slightly creepy side. For adult fans of the genre there is also quite a bit of nostalgia on offer in the book.
The story in this book is full of a child's dreams come true. An old Victorian house that is bought with all the possessions still inside and free to explore. All those old things to play dress up and all the interesting places to discover. Plus a library full of ancient books with piled high on shelves with ladders. The home also comes with cats. Cats that talk. Life doesn't get much more exciting than that and Olive is enjoying herself. Except for certain paintings that are creeping her out she loves the old house. After finding a pair of glasses that actually allows her to enter the paintings things become a little more dire. There are people inside the paintings who have an extraordinary and frightening tale to tell. Olive finds herself caught in a sinister plot that puts her and her entire family in danger and she doesn't know who she should trust: the lovely painting of a girl named Annabelle or the cats everyone in Elsewhere is telling her are evil witch's familiars.
In addition to the setting of the old house and the mystery of the paintings this book has a supernatural element in it that is downright creepy. If you have a young child who likes haunting stories with a mild fear factor this one is a good choice. It is not too scary, just scary enough and the intense parts of the plot move quickly.
For kids who like series The Shadows is only the first adventure in The Books of Elsewhere. The sequel, Spellbound, is currently available and the third volume, The Second Spy, will be released in July of this year.
deranged_pegasus's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the book. I liked the idea of pictures really being a portal to the past or other places.
mom2triplets04's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to this on audio and it was amazing. It's a very cute middle grade book. I even had my kids listen to it on a long ride to my parents house. We all really enjoyed this. Can't wait to listen to the rest of the series.
channywax's review against another edition
I've been on a middle-grade kick lately and this book was so much fun! Olive was a great main character with her shy personality and different quirks. I loved how brave she was. Also, LOVED the cats! I think my kids will love this book. Starting the sequel ASAP! :)
nssutton's review against another edition
4.0
This book reminded me strongly of Coraline, with Olive distanced from other children her age and the child of pre-occupied parents, but the tales quickly diverge there. The Shadows is less of a morality tale and more the story of a girl coming into her bravery. The central mystery of the house is well-plotted and wrapped neatly, although the promise of a series is evident from the book title right on through to the last sentence. As I've said before, I'm not the biggest proponent of talking animals, but the three protective cats were an interesting element to the story. I liked the character Morton, a boy trapped inside a painting so long he has become part of it, the best. His storyline reminded me a lot of Michael Buckley's latest installment in The Sisters Grimm series, as they were traveling through storybooks, trying not to alter too much of the tales, lest they attract the attention of the Editor.
At the end of the day, there's nothing like a good ole-fashioned haunted house story, is there? Inspired by this read, I suggested my boyfriend and I listen to This American Life's House on Loon Lake while returning from a holiday party late last night. If you ever wanted the chance to explore a fully stocked abandoned house -- even if the repercussions are as scary as you imagine they could be -- I highly recommend this as a double combo.
At the end of the day, there's nothing like a good ole-fashioned haunted house story, is there? Inspired by this read, I suggested my boyfriend and I listen to This American Life's House on Loon Lake while returning from a holiday party late last night. If you ever wanted the chance to explore a fully stocked abandoned house -- even if the repercussions are as scary as you imagine they could be -- I highly recommend this as a double combo.
alefebvre8's review against another edition
5.0
4,5/5⭐️
I remember reading this when I was around 12 years old and wow it’s just as great today.
Fun characters you feel for or can relate to, thrown into this mystical atmosphere in a wonderful writing. I wish they made a movie out of this book, it’d be so good.
Definitely more of a light read since it is sort of a children’s novel but still worth the read!
I remember reading this when I was around 12 years old and wow it’s just as great today.
Fun characters you feel for or can relate to, thrown into this mystical atmosphere in a wonderful writing. I wish they made a movie out of this book, it’d be so good.
Definitely more of a light read since it is sort of a children’s novel but still worth the read!