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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
Highly recommend for anyone, young or old, who is interested in Shakespeare, his writings, the Globe Theatre, that time period in London, or A Midsummer Night's Dream specifically. Very informative historical fiction, told in a nice, readable story.
AMAZING! I loved it! I grabbed it because I was in a rush, but now I want to read it again and again. Really great.
This is a YA novel, but the characters are rich and the plot intriguing.
King of Shadows is a quick read—something to be enjoyed in an afternoon. Cooper seems to work too hard to create enough tragedy to warrant present-day's Nat Field's attachment and devotion to Shakespeare. The story is told from present day Nat's point of view which at times works better than others. The narrative style goes from focused, erudite and detail oriented to abruptly chit-chatty, switching from first to second person. These transitions jar the narrative flow. The story is strongest in the middle act where Nat is back in time acting with Shakespeare. The story here reads like a j.v. version of Shakespeare in Love with of course the triumphant performance for Queen Elizabeth who has come in secret to the Globe. Acts one takes too long to set up the world and act three takes to long to wrap up the story. Anyone familiar with the play, the playwright and the Globe's history will appreciate Cooper's attention to detail. Others not as familiar may feel overwhelmed at first but won't mind once the story gets underway.
I had to read this book for school and didn't really expect to like it. But I really loved it. I loved reading about Nat, the acting and William Shakespeare. If you like theatre and/or Shakespeare, I definitely recommend the book.
Wow this book is so magnificent. Just beautiful. In it, a boy stage actor goes back to Shakespeare's time and plays Puck... and there are lots of deep meaningful things too. But it's a wonderful story, very well-written, and I just dive right through it in about an hour every time. It's one of the four or five books that have ever made me cry.
So, so good.
Highly recommended.
So, so good.
Highly recommended.
I'm not saying this book was terrible, I just don't think it was worth my time.
It may just be because I read this for school and therefore had to analyze the ever loving crap out of it, but this book quickly lost my interest. It wasn't for lack of quick plot or uninteresting characters (actually, that may have been a contributing factor). I found the problem to derive mostly from the fact that there was nothing huge to analyze. Yes, it had its underlying themes and messages and whatnot, but I found examinations to be very surface level and well-childish.
I would give the author the benefit of the doubt and say that this book wasn't for my age range if not for the fact that it was assigned to me. It was neither bliss nor torture, this book. Never did I shake from excitement or have butterflies in my stomach. The only time I would have discussions about it with my friends was in class.
For once, this book was just a book, and that was its down fall.
I use books as an escape from all of the things going on around me, all of the stressors, all of the people, especially those set in a place unlike my own such as historical fiction or fantasy. It was supposed to take me away, sweep me into a world of chamber pots and Shakespeare, but all I felt was, at best, mild interest.
I do have to give the author credit for her vivid descriptions of the Elizabethan Era though. If Cooper's plot was enough to draw me in, I would have felt as if I were right there along with Nat and the other Chamberlain Men. From the old-fashioned sights to the horrible smells, she captured it all!
Her most grevious downfall would have to be the ending. There were many lose strings and in some ways, I felt the conclusion left more questions than answers. This might just be my logical brain thinking, but wouldn't plays Arby was trying to save not have existed before 21st Century Nat was sent back in time? And how is the modern day Arby actually Burbage? Is he some kind of immortal entity or just a descendant? Who was the boy at the beginning with Arby who recognized Nat's value? If Arby was a descendant, was the legacy just passed down or was there a whole organization looking for a Nathaniel Field? How did the time travel even work? Also, Nat's present time friends should have been way more skeptical of Nat's story. They practically figured out what was going on with what, their smarts?
Wow, that was a lot of questions. See? More questions than answers with that ending.
Over all, it was a eh book.
It may just be because I read this for school and therefore had to analyze the ever loving crap out of it, but this book quickly lost my interest. It wasn't for lack of quick plot or uninteresting characters (actually, that may have been a contributing factor). I found the problem to derive mostly from the fact that there was nothing huge to analyze. Yes, it had its underlying themes and messages and whatnot, but I found examinations to be very surface level and well-childish.
I would give the author the benefit of the doubt and say that this book wasn't for my age range if not for the fact that it was assigned to me. It was neither bliss nor torture, this book. Never did I shake from excitement or have butterflies in my stomach. The only time I would have discussions about it with my friends was in class.
For once, this book was just a book, and that was its down fall.
I use books as an escape from all of the things going on around me, all of the stressors, all of the people, especially those set in a place unlike my own such as historical fiction or fantasy. It was supposed to take me away, sweep me into a world of chamber pots and Shakespeare, but all I felt was, at best, mild interest.
I do have to give the author credit for her vivid descriptions of the Elizabethan Era though. If Cooper's plot was enough to draw me in, I would have felt as if I were right there along with Nat and the other Chamberlain Men. From the old-fashioned sights to the horrible smells, she captured it all!
Her most grevious downfall would have to be the ending.
Wow, that was a lot of questions. See? More questions than answers with that ending.
Over all, it was a eh book.
I was afraid the re-read wouldn't live up to my love of this book, but it did. I don't know how many times I read this book in middle school, but it was a lot. I had a copy that I wrote down "this is my favorite page" on one page of the book, and I memorized the sonnet that Will gives to Nat. I don't know if I would have loved this book so much if it was new to me now, but it shaped so much about me that now reading it is like getting a view into why I am the way I am.
This book combines my love of theatre, Shakespeare and fantasy into one. Love it. It wasn't time-travel for the hell of it, there was a point. Cooper gave life to Shakespeare and described performing his work perfectly.
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Grief
Minor: Cancer, Suicide, Blood, Vomit