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Shadowghast (An Eerie-on-Sea Mystery)
£7.00£7.60 (-8%)
A creepy magician with a shadowy act. A legend that goes back to the dawn of time. Eerie-on-Sea just got stranger. And darker…
A mysterious stage magician has set up in the theatre at the end of the pier, with an act so hypnotic and strange that Herbie Lemon and his friend Violet Parma suspect dark forces are at work. Meanwhile, folk are disappearing from Eerie-on-Sea, and no one knows why. There is an Eerie legend that goes back to the dawn of time, about a creature made of darkness that devours the shadows of the living. But could the Shadowghast really have returned?
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Additional information
| Publisher | 1st edition (2 Sept. 2021), Walker Books |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 336 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1406386308 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1406386301 |
| Reading age | 9 – 12 years |
| Dimensions | 22 x 15 x 2.5 cm |
by Whispering Stories
Our young protagonist and Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel in Eerie-on-Sea, Herbie Lemon is back in the third instalment of his series set in the spooky seaside town. If you are unfamiliar with the series then you need to start at the beginning with ‘Malamander‘ which will explain all about the young lad being washed up on the shore in a crate of lemons and his job at the hotel, plus this is where he meets his best friend Violet.
In the third book, Herbert gets a surprise when a woman, a magician, turns up in Eerie-on-Sea, for the Ghastly Night celebrations that take place once a year at the end of the pier. She states that she is his aunt and that she has come to take him home, but whilst Herbert is sure she is telling the truth, Violet is not. Although she does have more pressing issues as her friend and boss Jenny from the book dispensary has gone missing and with the legend that is the Shadowghast instilled into the resident’s minds, it isn’t long before people begin to believe that the man who steals shadows has returned.
Shadowghast is a fabulous book and brings together all the characters from the previous two stories and adds a few more to the mix. Eerie-on-Sea (originally called Cheerie-on-Sea but the first two letters fell off the sign), will capture the imagination of the reader with its amazing shops, including the book dispensary with its Mermonkey that chooses the right book for you. A talking cat, and a whole host of amazing and unusual residents.
The plot is full of adventure and I love the nod to the 80s in the arcade, including the movie BIG!! This is the perfect book for this time of year with its creepy and slightly dark plot. It is engaging and keeps the reader entertained the whole way through and gives them a thrilling ride as they join Herbert and Violet once again.
*I received a free copy of this book, which I voluntarily reviewed
by Miss Collins
There is something about Thomas Taylor’s writing that just dazzles. Having read Malamander for the first time this summer, I devoured the next two in quick succession.
But my goodness, is Shadowghast my favourite. The writing is sublime, wonderfully descriptive and playful in a way I can’t remember reading before. It has been a very long time since I have read a book (series!) that has stuck with me as much as the Eerie-on-the-Sea series has.
Shadowghast appeals to me the most for the spooky, Halloween element to the plot. The creature’s origin story is delightfully eerie (living up to the brand name) and it leaves you guess what is going to happen throughout the story. Extremely engaging and I shall be recommending the whole series to the children I taught last year who have now moved into Year 5 and will undoubtedly enjoy it as much as I have.
by Erin Hamilton
Herbert Lemon and Violet Parma are back for another spine tingling, thrilling adventure in their creepy seaside town of Eerie on Sea. Perhaps the perfect summer tourist hot spot, in autumn the town turns eerie, creepy and full of spooky legends.
This adventure features the legend of the Shadowghast, a hungry shadow devouring man with creepy smile and horns on his head- the proper stuff of nightmares. Strange things begin to happen in the weeks before Halloween, or Ghastly Night as locals celebrate it. Missing friends, the arrival of a magician and her troupe, and a truth for Herbie to understand.
The same fantastic characters feature in this third book in the series, Jenny from the Book Dispensary, Erwin the entirely wonderful bookstore cat, and of course, grumpy Mr Mollusc, still looking for any reason to get rid of Herbie. Violet is still pushing Herbie out of his comfort zone and searching for new adventures, while the rest of the town carry on as normally as they can.
Amidst this tale of trickery, legend and truth, someone familiar makes a return to Eerie-on-Sea!
Herbie, at his very core, just wants some answers and truths about his life before the Grand Nautilus Hotel. He yearns for family and a sense of home- Will Shadowghast bring any of those for Herbie?
Thomas Taylor has an incredible style of writing in which the reader feels entirely a part of the story. We can see the action, hear the thoughts and predict what might happen next. We also root strongly for Herbie as he has been part of this story since book one, and I am certain I am not the only reader who has a special place in their heart for this lost and founder.
There is one spoiler I must provide….evidence of yet another spooky visit back to Eerie on Sea and another adventure for Herbie and Vi.
by Harvey
Great book, follows on the story, my son was glued to it
by Richie S. Moore
I love the characters, they’re dynamic and the fun but dark adventures they find themselves in. Always a pleasurable read!
by Lost Without a Book
This is a great third book in the Eerie-on-Sea series, once again following Herbert Lemon and Violet as they uncover more of the legends from the town. Shadowghast is an old story about a shadow that steals other people’s shadows so when strangers arrive and shadows start going missing, it is up to Herbert and Violet to find out what is really going on.
More sinister than the previous two books, this was action packed with the two children having to work out which adults are helping them and who is getting in their way. Well written and a great spooky read.
I received a free digital ARC of this from the publisher via Netgalley but also bought a copy for the school library.
by Fiona M
I loved my first two visits to Eerie on Sea, after the summer visitors have gone. I was excited for this new adventure and it didn’t disappoint. Herbie and Vi are great characters and their stories are shared by a host of quirky residents of Eerie.
Can’t wait for the next adventure….