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Shadowmancer
 
 
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Shadowmancer (Paperback)

by G.P. Taylor (Author) "It was a still October night ..." (more)
2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
Price: CDN$ 8.48 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over CDN$ 39. Details
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Product Description

From Amazon.co.uk

Written to include such elements as magic, witchcraft, superstition, sorcery, history, folklore and smuggling, Shadowmancer has become a book that simply cannot be ignored. Despite such fierce competition as JK Rowling's mighty bestseller Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, The Reverend Graham Taylor's debut children's novel has nevertheless garnered impressive media coverage.

At the heart of his story lies the classic battle between good and evil. On one side Taylor has painted one of the most despicable men possible--Obadiah Demurral, an 18th century vicar who preaches restraint and tolerance to his flock of god-fearing but misguided souls while all the time hiding the fact that he is a shadowmancer--a sorcerer who speaks to the dead--who commands these unfortunates to do his own bidding. For Demurral is intent on seeking to control the ultimate power in the universe. He doesn't want to worship God anymore, he wants to be God. And in the finest traditions of such stories, he will stop at nothing to achieve his dastardly goal.

Lined up against him, however, are some equally inventive good guys. Thomas Barrick, at 13, is the spunky almost-orphan who can intuitively see straight through Demurral's pious act and knows him to be evil to the core. Helping him is feisty tomboy Kate Coglan, Raphah--a mysterious African who has journeyed far to reclaim the precious symbols that Demurral is using for evil purpose, and Jacob Crane, a smuggler with a big grudge against the demented vicar.

The plot might wobble a little in places and the simmering religious overtones might get up a few people's noses, but Taylor's colourful cast is undoubtedly a triumph. The characters are larger than life, engaging, plentiful--and you'll care what happens to them. (For ages 10 and over) --John McLay --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up–The wild 18th century Yorkshire coast frames a dark suspenseful tale rife with mythic and religious symbolism in the audio version of the novel by G. P. Taylor (Putnam, 2004). Much darker than the Harry Potter tales, shallower and more explicitly religious than Tolkien, and never relieved by humor or whimsy, the tale is exceptionally well read by Graeme Malcolm. He dramatically and distinctly voices every character, complete with believable dialects and accents, and brings the horrible supernatural creatures to life. Two children, Kate and Thomas, are caught up with a mysterious stranger from Africa named Raphah who has come to Whitby to confront the evil Rev. Demurral who, by devious means, acquired a powerful religious artifact previously in Raphah's keeping. Tone and pitch, pacing and delivery, all combine in Malcolm's reading to impart a sinister tone through the dialogue of these diverse characters. He adds a marvelous dimension to the story as well as bringing an occasional warm vocal note of comfort and encouragement that would be easy to miss in the reading. The story is absorbing in its desperate efforts to save the world from the clutches of evil Demurral who turns out to be less threatening than the furies he has unwittingly unleashed. Imbued throughout with Christian imagery by many different names, the story proceeds to a classic good vs. evil climax. Almost unrelieved in its urgency and fearful happenings, teens will enjoy the adventure and suspense and should not be put off by the gothic darkness or religious references.–Jane P. Fenn, Corning-Painted Post West High School, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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It was a still October night. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews

74 Reviews
5 star:
 (16)
4 star:
 (11)
3 star:
 (7)
2 star:
 (9)
1 star:
 (31)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
2.6 out of 5 stars (74 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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3.0 out of 5 stars The Strength Behind the Hype, Nov 2 2005
By Brian Austin (Durham, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
A good solid book in its own right, and well worth the read for anyone who enjoys fantasy with a dark edge. The comparison to Tolkein - I think - does an injustice to both this author and to Tolkein. They are not in the same league and a reader who goes to this book expecting Tolkein's writing style cannot help but be disappointed. Yet I recommend it without hesitation on its own merits.

A basic Bible knowledge will be of help to the reader in following some of the symbolism, although word-plays and coined words often disguise the symbolism that is there. Many - perhaps most - Christian readers will struggle with some of the occult references. It is not a "feel-good" book for Christian readers. It grapples with key issues and exposes corruption in high places within the church, although the time period allows some distancing and cushions the impact.

Very much a genre book, this story is somehow breaking across typical genre boundaries and drawing a wide and diverse readership. It is worth checking out and forming your own opinion.

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1.0 out of 5 stars Tiresome; 1.5 stars, Oct 28 2004
By Curio (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: Shadowmancer: El Hechicero de Las Sombras (Shadowmancer) (Paperback)
The story is very artificial, as if written by formula. The characters are uninteresting and predictable with stark black and white moralities, and any doubt they have towards the thinly-veiled allusions to God (Riathamus) is quickly erased as they see the light and become inspired in all His goodness! All the protagonists are proper God-fearing people, and the antagonist is all about ridiculing and calling God weak--the baddies have no redeeming qualities whatsoever, and the only motive is the tired, "I wish to rule the universe" sort of wash. Okay--so many other fantasy stories have a "save the world" conflict--but it's done well. Here, it's just...I dunno. When I finish reading a section, it's hard to pick it up again.

It's really just a bad morality story, where the lost can only find redemption through this "one true God." Raphah is the worst--all he does seems only to demonstrate what Mr. Taylor wishes Christianity could be filled with: full of flashing lights, instant miracles, and astounding displays of His Goodly Powers. If you feel you must read the book, you should make a running tally of how many people Raphah converts.

Show, don't tell! Remember that bit of advice from your English teachers? Be prepared to be told what to feel, what to think, and everything in between, as if we weren't intelligent enough to make our own observations.

Sorry, but Taylor should've stuck to his sermons--or produce non-fiction instead, where he can freely ridicule everything pagan, superstitious, and immoral, without presenting all this under his brand of "fantasy."

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4.0 out of 5 stars fantasy adventure, Oct 2 2004
By Reader (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Shadowmancer (Audio Cassette)
I found the book to be a fun and exciting read . I wasn't expecting great literature just a few hours of escapism into fantasy. The book was written for children but most adults would enjoy it too. Unless you can't handle a few references from the Bible. The authors next book Wormwood was even better. I am looking forward to more books from this author.
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 		 Most recent customer reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Breach of Promise
So many possibilities for a great story, but alas, all squandered in the hurry to cram the book with too much undeveloped information. Read more
Published on July 18 2004 by Amanda Richards

1.0 out of 5 stars Bleh
Quite frankly, a terrible book. If you HAVE to read this book, wait a few months and borrow it from the library. The characters are flat and undeveloped. Read more
Published on July 15 2004 by shihlin2

1.0 out of 5 stars A Disappointment
The book was truly disappointing. As an avid reader of fantasy I too was deceived with the false advertisements that this was the next Harry Potter. Read more
Published on July 13 2004 by hasoule

5.0 out of 5 stars Appeals equally to advanced young adult and adult audiences
G.P. Taylor's Shadowmancer is taking the U.K. by storm, and Americans will surely find out why when they begin to absorb this fantasy of a victor determined to obtain a weapon so... Read more
Published on July 9 2004 by Midwest Book Review

1.0 out of 5 stars A huge disappointment
The main problem with this book is simple; the writing is terrible. The constant shifts in point of view make it confusing and jerky. Read more
Published on July 7 2004

3.0 out of 5 stars Not great, but not bad either
I think I would have liked this book better if it hadn't been touted as "the next Harry Potter." It has a lot of similarities of story to the Potter books, but the next great... Read more
Published on July 6 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
It held your attention from the beginning to the end. A must read.
Published on July 4 2004

1.0 out of 5 stars You call this literature?
Right away I could tell the book should've been called "Shallowmancer". It's plot is lacking as much as the author failed to be a Tolkien, Lewis, or Rowling! Read more
Published on July 3 2004 by analiknowles

4.0 out of 5 stars Well Written Fantasy for Young Adults
Mankind, with the help of God and His angels, fight the fallen angels, witches, sorcers and evil spirits (in the guise of men). Read more
Published on July 3 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars Shadowmancer on it's own merits
An extraordinary tale of the teeneagers on their quest. The story is strealined to take you through the fantasy existence and the challenges that are faced. Read more
Published on July 2 2004 by A. LICAUSI

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