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she_who_reads_'s review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
slagathor's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
barberchicago_books's review
4.0
Splendid literary-based, partly historical, mostly fantasy middle grade!
I loved the characters and the HUMOROUS banter of friendship that was woven through this rollercoaster of revelations and life-threatening challenges.
Kids 4th and up will love this story of friendship, acceptance of who you are, and mysteries of who is actually telling the truth.
Feels like a series. I hope it is. Much more is in store for Abby, Gwynn, and Grimsby!
I loved the characters and the HUMOROUS banter of friendship that was woven through this rollercoaster of revelations and life-threatening challenges.
Kids 4th and up will love this story of friendship, acceptance of who you are, and mysteries of who is actually telling the truth.
Feels like a series. I hope it is. Much more is in store for Abby, Gwynn, and Grimsby!
marion_cleborne's review
5.0
I was looking to read more middle grade fiction, so when I saw The Last Shadow Warrior described as “Percy Jackson meets Beowulf,” I knew I had to read it.
Abby Becket is a twelve-year-old girl whose life is turned upside-down when she moves to a prestigious and mysterious school in Minnesota tied to her Viking roots. However, on the way there, an eyeless man attacks her, putting her father in a coma. Abby has only days to figure out how to wake him up and convince the school council the ancient enemies of the Vikings, the Grendels, are still alive.
This pace of this action-packed book is snappy, keeping the attention of even reluctant readers. The writing, too, is engrossing. It uses a lot of sentence fragments, which may annoy some readers, but I found it fitting. There are beautiful descriptions in the writing as well, so pretty they feel a little odd for the twelve-year-old first-person narrator. But she is the daughter of an English teacher, so maybe that’s normal! The dialogue is natural and fun, and the characters have a lot of chemistry. There are also quite a few twists and turns. Even as an adult reader, there were some things I did not see coming, which is always fun!
I definitely saw the Percy Jackson comparison as I read it, both in story-telling (especially the bingo scene) and in writing style. If you are a fan of those books, you’ll probably like this one as well! The school setting gave me slight echoes of Harry Potter as well.
I’d recommend this book to most people who enjoy middle grade lit, especially those who aren’t yet in love with reading. The ending has a lot of series potential, so I am looking forward to see where the story (and author) goes next! Finally, as a Minnesotan, I loved the setting, but… Lutefisk is disgusting. Sorry, Abby!
Abby Becket is a twelve-year-old girl whose life is turned upside-down when she moves to a prestigious and mysterious school in Minnesota tied to her Viking roots. However, on the way there, an eyeless man attacks her, putting her father in a coma. Abby has only days to figure out how to wake him up and convince the school council the ancient enemies of the Vikings, the Grendels, are still alive.
This pace of this action-packed book is snappy, keeping the attention of even reluctant readers. The writing, too, is engrossing. It uses a lot of sentence fragments, which may annoy some readers, but I found it fitting. There are beautiful descriptions in the writing as well, so pretty they feel a little odd for the twelve-year-old first-person narrator. But she is the daughter of an English teacher, so maybe that’s normal! The dialogue is natural and fun, and the characters have a lot of chemistry. There are also quite a few twists and turns. Even as an adult reader, there were some things I did not see coming, which is always fun!
I definitely saw the Percy Jackson comparison as I read it, both in story-telling (especially the bingo scene) and in writing style. If you are a fan of those books, you’ll probably like this one as well! The school setting gave me slight echoes of Harry Potter as well.
I’d recommend this book to most people who enjoy middle grade lit, especially those who aren’t yet in love with reading. The ending has a lot of series potential, so I am looking forward to see where the story (and author) goes next! Finally, as a Minnesotan, I loved the setting, but… Lutefisk is disgusting. Sorry, Abby!
allison_on_a_book_break's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
victxriax's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
4.0
Adventurous and enjoyable read!
I found it difficult to believe that a 12-year-old could just start driving a car without any prior planning. Also, why was everyone at her school who were also around 12 driving luxury cars..?? Why did it seem like everyone at the school was rich? I also found Chase a bit unrealistic especially in the scene where he randomly starts beat-boxing.
kindredbooks's review
adventurous
fast-paced
3.5
I received a copy of The Last Shadow Warrior by Sam Subity from Scholastic Canada in exchange for an honest review.
Have you ever wondered if the Vikings truly disappeared like the world believes they have? These fierce and adventure-seeking people once travelled around the world, making their way to new lands before others did. In this first book of a new fantasy series, we are introduced to Abby Beckett who comes from a long line of Viking warriors. Abby wishes for nothing more than to follow in her mother’s tradition and protecting the world from the evil monsters known as Grendels. After being attacked in her own home, Abby and her father make their way to Vale Hall, a school with more secrets that will soon affect Abby - and perhaps the entire world.
This was such a fast-paced story with an interesting pace and premise that readers are sure to be drawn into the story. Abby is a strong willed and kind heroine who readers will be sure to root for as she and her new friends uncover the secrets at their school. This is sure to be a new favourite for readers interested in the Vikings, epic battles with monsters, and mythological creatures and beings.
Thank you to Scholastic Canada for the copy of the book.
Have you ever wondered if the Vikings truly disappeared like the world believes they have? These fierce and adventure-seeking people once travelled around the world, making their way to new lands before others did. In this first book of a new fantasy series, we are introduced to Abby Beckett who comes from a long line of Viking warriors. Abby wishes for nothing more than to follow in her mother’s tradition and protecting the world from the evil monsters known as Grendels. After being attacked in her own home, Abby and her father make their way to Vale Hall, a school with more secrets that will soon affect Abby - and perhaps the entire world.
This was such a fast-paced story with an interesting pace and premise that readers are sure to be drawn into the story. Abby is a strong willed and kind heroine who readers will be sure to root for as she and her new friends uncover the secrets at their school. This is sure to be a new favourite for readers interested in the Vikings, epic battles with monsters, and mythological creatures and beings.
Thank you to Scholastic Canada for the copy of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Death of parent
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Last Shadow Warrior
Author: Sam Subity
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: fantasy readers, Viking lovers, MG readers
Publication Date: May 4, 2021
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (violence, grief, some scary moments)
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 320
Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Abby Beckett is proud to come from a long line of elite Viking warriors known as the Aesir. She's spent her entire life training to hunt the horrific creatures known as Grendels - the ancient foe of the Aesir - just like her mother did before she died. But there's just one, small problem: No one has seen a Grendel in centuries, and the Viking Council wants to disband the Aesir . . . forever.
When her father is injured in an attack that leaves him in a coma, Abby is forced to take refuge at Vale Hall, a mysterious school in Minnesota where nothing is quite as it seems. She soon discovers the tables have turned and a Grendel is hunting her, but when she tries to alert the Viking Council, they accuse her of making up stories for attention . . . just like her mother did.
Desperate to protect her father and clear her mother's name, Abby goes on a dangerous quest to discover the truth--a journey that brings her face-to-face with some unlikely foes, including a Ping-Pong-playing sea monster with a wicked backhand, and a dark Valkyrie with a fondness for bingo. Abby quickly realizes that someone at the school is trying to stop her progress and destroy the Aesir for good. And only she can unravel the sinister plot before it's too late.
When her father is injured in an attack that leaves him in a coma, Abby is forced to take refuge at Vale Hall, a mysterious school in Minnesota where nothing is quite as it seems. She soon discovers the tables have turned and a Grendel is hunting her, but when she tries to alert the Viking Council, they accuse her of making up stories for attention . . . just like her mother did.
Desperate to protect her father and clear her mother's name, Abby goes on a dangerous quest to discover the truth--a journey that brings her face-to-face with some unlikely foes, including a Ping-Pong-playing sea monster with a wicked backhand, and a dark Valkyrie with a fondness for bingo. Abby quickly realizes that someone at the school is trying to stop her progress and destroy the Aesir for good. And only she can unravel the sinister plot before it's too late.
Review: I really liked this book! It was funny but also had my favorite: Viking folklore! I thought the characters were very well developed and played off each other well. The world building was amazing and the plot kept me interested from beginning to end.
The only issue I had with the book is that the pacing did slow down a bit throughout the book and it broke up the flow of the book.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
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