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jacquelinec's review against another edition
3.0
As the appointed "shadow" of a young queen, our protagonist has been the subject of unmerited scorn and mistreatment at the hands of Queen Audrey and her court. She dreams of life far away from the castle that is her, and the queen's, prison. Unfortunately for her, freedom is constantly out of reach. Shadow's duty is to always be at the side of the queen. For what reason, no one knows. They can only speculate that it has something to do with the mysterious prophecy that foretells Audrey's death prior to her sixteenth birthday.
When this prophecy is fulfilled, Shadow is quickly ushered out of the castle under the protection of a young knight, Sir Kenway. Despite the dangerous circumstances that surround her, Shadow can't help but be excited for this is the escape that she has longed for.
Shadow's journey through the slowly dying country is richly imagined and full of action. The setting is well-drawn and almost palpable. The characters that populate it are varied and each brings something special to a plot that, despite a hole or two, is pretty intriguing.
My only complaints with the story lie with the two primary characters, Shadow and Sir Kenway. I had a hard time liking either of them. At times, Shadow came across as entirely too selfish and bitchy. While I understand that her background merits some of her attitude, sometimes she took it too far. Because of this her change of mindset towards the end of the novel seemed less like growth and more like she just suddenly, and inexplicably, flipped the script. Likewise, Kenway came off as a bit bipolar as well...
To continue reading this review, head to my blog The Eclectic Book Lover.
When this prophecy is fulfilled, Shadow is quickly ushered out of the castle under the protection of a young knight, Sir Kenway. Despite the dangerous circumstances that surround her, Shadow can't help but be excited for this is the escape that she has longed for.
Shadow's journey through the slowly dying country is richly imagined and full of action. The setting is well-drawn and almost palpable. The characters that populate it are varied and each brings something special to a plot that, despite a hole or two, is pretty intriguing.
My only complaints with the story lie with the two primary characters, Shadow and Sir Kenway. I had a hard time liking either of them. At times, Shadow came across as entirely too selfish and bitchy. While I understand that her background merits some of her attitude, sometimes she took it too far. Because of this her change of mindset towards the end of the novel seemed less like growth and more like she just suddenly, and inexplicably, flipped the script. Likewise, Kenway came off as a bit bipolar as well...
To continue reading this review, head to my blog The Eclectic Book Lover.
bak8382's review against another edition
3.0
The aptly named Shadow has always been just that, the shadow who must remain with the Queen at all times as it was prophesied that Queen Audrey would not live beyond her sixteenth birthday. The only thing Shadow longs for is her freedom, and when the unthinkable happens she has it, but at what price? As she begins a journey with a young knight, Sir Kenway, that will change her life forever.
There are some interesting and unexpected twists to this story, although I suspect that most people (including myself) had the biggest twist figured out long before our heroine. While I understand that Shadow has been mistreated her entire life, and feels loyalty to no one her stubbornness to maintain her freedom in the face of others suffering was a bit much for me. Kenway is a bit of a jerk in the beginning making it hard to understand why Shadow likes him, but thankfully he mellows out and their relationship then develops nicely.
There are some interesting and unexpected twists to this story, although I suspect that most people (including myself) had the biggest twist figured out long before our heroine. While I understand that Shadow has been mistreated her entire life, and feels loyalty to no one her stubbornness to maintain her freedom in the face of others suffering was a bit much for me. Kenway is a bit of a jerk in the beginning making it hard to understand why Shadow likes him, but thankfully he mellows out and their relationship then develops nicely.
zusy's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this book off a library shelf several months ago but because it took me forever to read Dragonhaven by Robin McKinley, I kept renewing this book. Then I promptly started it last night after finally finishing my last book and finished reading it today.
I thought it might be similar to Poison Study by Maria Snyder but it wasn't. Still good though. I didn't know where all it would lead. The book felt almost a little too quick though. Some characters and relationships and situations weren't fleshed out enough for me.
I thought it might be similar to Poison Study by Maria Snyder but it wasn't. Still good though. I didn't know where all it would lead. The book felt almost a little too quick though. Some characters and relationships and situations weren't fleshed out enough for me.
kblincoln's review against another edition
3.0
Shadow is the servant of a the queen of Deor, forced to "shadow" the queen by the elders of the kingdom because of a prophecy about the queen's death.
Treated badly by all, Shadow nurses her grudges in silence until one day she awakes...and the queen is dead.
Of course Shadow isn't the lowly servant she has seemed all these years, and her actions will determine the fate of a kingdom.
Shadow was great. Her foil, Lord Kenway, was refreshingly unperfect (he's classist and alternates between being looking down on her and wanting to help her). The story of Shadow's escape from the castle and then subsequent quest to get away from her pursuers hung together well, and the characters came alive for me.
And that's it. It's a well done story but nothing I haven't seen before.
I suppose if I haven't read a whole bunch of YA about the lowly servant who isn't actually a lowly servant questing in a Western Medieval Society, then this might have been more compelling for me.
However, competently told as it was, the story didn't reach out and grab me.
This Book's Food Designation Rating: A wholesome ham sandwhich on white bread for the straight-forward goodness of the story, but slight blandness.
Treated badly by all, Shadow nurses her grudges in silence until one day she awakes...and the queen is dead.
Of course Shadow isn't the lowly servant she has seemed all these years, and her actions will determine the fate of a kingdom.
Shadow was great. Her foil, Lord Kenway, was refreshingly unperfect (he's classist and alternates between being looking down on her and wanting to help her). The story of Shadow's escape from the castle and then subsequent quest to get away from her pursuers hung together well, and the characters came alive for me.
And that's it. It's a well done story but nothing I haven't seen before.
I suppose if I haven't read a whole bunch of YA about the lowly servant who isn't actually a lowly servant questing in a Western Medieval Society, then this might have been more compelling for me.
However, competently told as it was, the story didn't reach out and grab me.
This Book's Food Designation Rating: A wholesome ham sandwhich on white bread for the straight-forward goodness of the story, but slight blandness.
suzannedix's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing! Similar to Graceling in that the main character is blessed/cursed with a gift. Interesting mystery/adventure. I think middle school kids will really enjoy this.
blacksheepdigitalva's review against another edition
4.0
So, I bought shadow about a year ago from a used book store, started reading it, then quit for some reason. Now I've actually read it!! It was a pretty good book. It was extremely predictable and on a much lower reading level than I am used to. Overall though, it was good.
desert_mar's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0