Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Speak (Penguin Group)
Pages
356
Description
Fantasy. Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. A compelling and inventive novel set in a world where science and magic are at odds Maggie knows something's off about Val, her mom's new husband. Val is from Oldworld, where they still use magic, and he won't have any tech in his office-shed behind the house. But-more importantly-what are the huge, horrible, jagged, jumpy shadows following him around? Magic is illegal in Newworld, which is all about science. The magic-carrying gene was disabled two generations ago, back when Maggie's great-grandmother was a notable magician. But that was a long time ago. Then Maggie meets Casimir, the most beautiful boy she has ever seen. He's from Oldworld too-and he's heard of Maggie's stepfather, and has a guess about Val's shadows. Maggie doesn't want to know . . . until earth-shattering events force her to depend on Val and his shadows. And perhaps on her own heritage. In this dangerously unstable world, neither science nor magic has the necessary answers, but a truce between them is impossible. And although the two are supposed to be incompatible, Maggie's discovering the world will need both to survive.… (more)
Description
A compelling and inventive novel set in a world where science and magic are at odds, by Robin McKinley, the Newbery-winning author of The Hero and the Crown and The Blue Sword, as well as the classic titles Beauty, Chalice, Spindle’s End, Pegasus and Sunshine
Maggie knows something’s off about Val, her mom’s new husband. Val is from Oldworld, where they still use magic, and he won’t have any tech in his office-shed behind the house. But—more importantly—what are the huge, horrible, jagged, jumpy shadows following him around? Magic is illegal in Newworld, which is all about science. The magic-carrying gene was disabled two generations ago, back when Maggie’s great-grandmother was a notable magician. But that was a long time ago.
Then Maggie meets Casimir, the most beautiful boy she has ever seen. He’s from Oldworld too—and he’s heard of Maggie’s stepfather, and has a guess about Val’s shadows. Maggie doesn’t want to know . . . until earth-shattering events force her to depend on Val and his shadows. And perhaps on her own heritage.
In this dangerously unstable world, neither science nor magic has the necessary answers, but a truce between them is impossible. And although the two are supposed to be incompatible, Maggie’s discovering the world will need both to survive.
Maggie knows something’s off about Val, her mom’s new husband. Val is from Oldworld, where they still use magic, and he won’t have any tech in his office-shed behind the house. But—more importantly—what are the huge, horrible, jagged, jumpy shadows following him around? Magic is illegal in Newworld, which is all about science. The magic-carrying gene was disabled two generations ago, back when Maggie’s great-grandmother was a notable magician. But that was a long time ago.
Then Maggie meets Casimir, the most beautiful boy she has ever seen. He’s from Oldworld too—and he’s heard of Maggie’s stepfather, and has a guess about Val’s shadows. Maggie doesn’t want to know . . . until earth-shattering events force her to depend on Val and his shadows. And perhaps on her own heritage.
In this dangerously unstable world, neither science nor magic has the necessary answers, but a truce between them is impossible. And although the two are supposed to be incompatible, Maggie’s discovering the world will need both to survive.
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2013
Physical description
356 p.; 8.25 inches
ISBN
0147512204 / 9780147512208
Similar in this library
User reviews
LibraryThing member pwaites
If you’ve read any other Robin McKinley books, Shadows will be very familiar. An animal loving girl goes to have her mystical climatic encounter that draws upon her unexplored magical heritage, all the while accompanied by a practical herd of random animals.
Shadows is written in the stream of
“Ahh,” I think, “this book will be focused around the balance between science and magic. That will play a large role in the ending, and new discoveries about it will be made.” This never happens.
I’m not really sure what does happen. The entire book is very meandering with crucial elements going unexplained or unexplored and with notable plot holes and logic fails popping up all over the place. While Sunshine and Dragonhaven had some of the same meandering quality, it worked for them because of an interesting narrator and more structure to the plot. Maggie… well, I never felt like I got a grasp on her. I’d say that it’s probably because her life’s pretty boring. She’s just the normal teenager going to high school. Yes, she happens to be the chosen one, but that element isn’t explored much. Besides, you need something other than “chosen one” to make you an interesting character.
I’m not really sure how the world set up works either. Maggie lives in Newworld (probably the US), which has banned magic and prefers technology. Maggie’s stepfather comes from Oldworld (probably Europe), which is all about magic. There’s also Farworld (totally Asia) and Southworld (no idea). So, are world’s continents? Why do we divide them up like this? Are all continents homogeneous in their approach to magic? Then what the heck’s up with Farworld and Southworld? Besides throwing the names out there and the “Newworld’s science, Oldworld’s magic” almost nothing is mentioned.
At the start of this review, I was complaining that this felt like a collection of all the “standard Robin McKinley elements.” Unexplored magical heritage – Sunshine. Random herd of animals – Spindle’s End and The Hero and the Crown. Animal loving – pretty much every book. Mystical climatic encounter – every single book (I’m serious here).
A couple pages in, Maggie starts talking about her dog. “Ahh, of course she has an animal companion,” I think, “It’s a Robin McKinley book.” By the end, when she goes to have her mystical climatic encounter that draws upon her magical heritage, she’s accompanied by six dogs and a cat. Oh, and some sheep and rabbits show up around then.
I don’t think I’d be as annoyed if it was just the one dog. One dog, that’s reasonable. Six? Really? She’s already done that with Deerskin, and the dogs were actually relevant in that book. For Shadows, they were just sort of tagging along. Supposedly animals somehow prevent the amydar (some sort of vague radar that the army is using for vague purposes, possibly to search for magic usage, also vaguely defined) from finding them or causing headaches. Or maybe both. This was never explained. It was just sort of presented as a reason for dragging a whole pack of dogs along with her.
The back of the book says, “Maggie meets Casimir, the most beautiful boy she has ever seen.” I probably should I used this as a clue that there was going to be a lot of teen romance in this one, but it’s a Robin McKinley book. She doesn’t normally have a large focus on the romance elements. But Shadows has the mandatory love triangle, and guess what? One of them’s a werewolf!
To be fair, the love triangle wasn’t too odorous and did get tied up reasonably before the end. But, still. Casually thrown in werewolves?
On an upbeat, I did love the magical algebra textbook.
I’m not sure I can recommend this one. I have a friend who adores it, and she’s usually the pickiest reader around, so Shadows can’t be all bad. If you’re new to Robin McKinley, I’d suggest The Hero and the Crown or Sunshine instead. If you’re already a fan and bent on reading Shadows, all I can say is try to get it from the library instead of buying a copy. In all likelihood, this won’t be one you’ll want to reread.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
Shadows is written in the stream of
Show More
conscious, first person style that McKinley employees for both Sunshine and Dragonhaven. Maggie, the main character, lives in Newworld, where magic is illegal and science rules. When her mom marries Val, who’s from the magical Oldworld, Maggie isn’t happy – Val has strange shadows that move independently of him. This about sums up the first hundred pages of the book. However, the summery hints at things that don’t really appear. See the last paragraph of it: “In this dangerously unstable world, neither science nor magic has the necessary answers, but a truce between them is impossible. And although the two are supposed to be incompatible, Maggie’s discovering the world will need both to survive.”“Ahh,” I think, “this book will be focused around the balance between science and magic. That will play a large role in the ending, and new discoveries about it will be made.” This never happens.
I’m not really sure what does happen. The entire book is very meandering with crucial elements going unexplained or unexplored and with notable plot holes and logic fails popping up all over the place. While Sunshine and Dragonhaven had some of the same meandering quality, it worked for them because of an interesting narrator and more structure to the plot. Maggie… well, I never felt like I got a grasp on her. I’d say that it’s probably because her life’s pretty boring. She’s just the normal teenager going to high school. Yes, she happens to be the chosen one, but that element isn’t explored much. Besides, you need something other than “chosen one” to make you an interesting character.
I’m not really sure how the world set up works either. Maggie lives in Newworld (probably the US), which has banned magic and prefers technology. Maggie’s stepfather comes from Oldworld (probably Europe), which is all about magic. There’s also Farworld (totally Asia) and Southworld (no idea). So, are world’s continents? Why do we divide them up like this? Are all continents homogeneous in their approach to magic? Then what the heck’s up with Farworld and Southworld? Besides throwing the names out there and the “Newworld’s science, Oldworld’s magic” almost nothing is mentioned.
At the start of this review, I was complaining that this felt like a collection of all the “standard Robin McKinley elements.” Unexplored magical heritage – Sunshine. Random herd of animals – Spindle’s End and The Hero and the Crown. Animal loving – pretty much every book. Mystical climatic encounter – every single book (I’m serious here).
A couple pages in, Maggie starts talking about her dog. “Ahh, of course she has an animal companion,” I think, “It’s a Robin McKinley book.” By the end, when she goes to have her mystical climatic encounter that draws upon her magical heritage, she’s accompanied by six dogs and a cat. Oh, and some sheep and rabbits show up around then.
I don’t think I’d be as annoyed if it was just the one dog. One dog, that’s reasonable. Six? Really? She’s already done that with Deerskin, and the dogs were actually relevant in that book. For Shadows, they were just sort of tagging along. Supposedly animals somehow prevent the amydar (some sort of vague radar that the army is using for vague purposes, possibly to search for magic usage, also vaguely defined) from finding them or causing headaches. Or maybe both. This was never explained. It was just sort of presented as a reason for dragging a whole pack of dogs along with her.
The back of the book says, “Maggie meets Casimir, the most beautiful boy she has ever seen.” I probably should I used this as a clue that there was going to be a lot of teen romance in this one, but it’s a Robin McKinley book. She doesn’t normally have a large focus on the romance elements. But Shadows has the mandatory love triangle, and guess what? One of them’s a werewolf!
To be fair, the love triangle wasn’t too odorous and did get tied up reasonably before the end. But, still. Casually thrown in werewolves?
On an upbeat, I did love the magical algebra textbook.
I’m not sure I can recommend this one. I have a friend who adores it, and she’s usually the pickiest reader around, so Shadows can’t be all bad. If you’re new to Robin McKinley, I’d suggest The Hero and the Crown or Sunshine instead. If you’re already a fan and bent on reading Shadows, all I can say is try to get it from the library instead of buying a copy. In all likelihood, this won’t be one you’ll want to reread.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
Show Less
LibraryThing member readinggeek451
In a lot of ways, this is reminiscent of Diana Wynne Jones. But the dogs are pure McKinley.
I enjoyed it, but I don't think I'll buy it to re-read.
I enjoyed it, but I don't think I'll buy it to re-read.
LibraryThing member reading_fox
As ever with Mckinley's writing (that if which I've read at least) it leaves you wanting more. This is a very enjoyable YA adventure for girls with dogs, but too little is explained, the coincidences slightly too heavy, and overall it would have been better as a longer novel with more detail and
Maggie is an ordinary teenage girl in Newworld (Distinct from Oldworld where magic still runs deep, far world of the orient and all the other factions of a familiar earth). Newworld has embraced science and technology as a way of keeping the demons (alternate universes?) known as cobies from breaking through and disrupting life. SO she's finishing college can't stand algebra and seriously attracted to the new server at the local pizza place. She cares for animals, has a mongrel collie dog and helps at the local animal shelter, but doesn't like her slightly scary stepdad who's only recently moved in. Somehow he seems to have extra shadows around him. But Newworld doesn't have any magic, and fiercely guards it's borders so even if he's from Oldworld it can't be that. And then within the space of three days it all goes completely haywire, a Cobie does break through, shadows seem the least of her worries, she discovers new talents, her friends new talents, and goes on a rescue mission and the book ends.
I told you it would have made a better novel at a slower pace. There's a lot thrown in without much justifcation, Taks comes from japan and folds origami, which when blended with her algebra equations seems to have special powers, But there's no rhyme or reason for this, or the Japanese background. Likewise Casmir the pizza sever, coming from Oldworld, knowing her stepdad, and generally being awesomely capable without more a than a few words of dialogue. He didn't really work as a character because there wasn't the space. There's no tension between Maggie, her best friend Jill and the two blokes, everything just falls into place. The whole plot just falls into place. Which is kind of typical of a YA novel, but not what I was expecting from the complexities that McKinley can rise to - or that the world inspired.
The writing is however seamless and captivating. Maggie if no-one else shines all the way through and manages a little bit of angst at the tricky decisions before just getting on with it. The world is clever and I'd have liked to know a lot more about it, when and why it split etc, the basis for the magic that can be done, and how/where the Shadows come from. Also of course it ends on a bit of a anticipatory note as if there were more to come. But Mckinley doesn't write sequels, so we're left pondering what the future will be for all of them. At least the dogs know it will involve petting and face licking. Not being much of dog person this does somewhat put me off caring too much.
Show More
less hectic pace. Maggie is an ordinary teenage girl in Newworld (Distinct from Oldworld where magic still runs deep, far world of the orient and all the other factions of a familiar earth). Newworld has embraced science and technology as a way of keeping the demons (alternate universes?) known as cobies from breaking through and disrupting life. SO she's finishing college can't stand algebra and seriously attracted to the new server at the local pizza place. She cares for animals, has a mongrel collie dog and helps at the local animal shelter, but doesn't like her slightly scary stepdad who's only recently moved in. Somehow he seems to have extra shadows around him. But Newworld doesn't have any magic, and fiercely guards it's borders so even if he's from Oldworld it can't be that. And then within the space of three days it all goes completely haywire, a Cobie does break through, shadows seem the least of her worries, she discovers new talents, her friends new talents, and goes on a rescue mission and the book ends.
I told you it would have made a better novel at a slower pace. There's a lot thrown in without much justifcation, Taks comes from japan and folds origami, which when blended with her algebra equations seems to have special powers, But there's no rhyme or reason for this, or the Japanese background. Likewise Casmir the pizza sever, coming from Oldworld, knowing her stepdad, and generally being awesomely capable without more a than a few words of dialogue. He didn't really work as a character because there wasn't the space. There's no tension between Maggie, her best friend Jill and the two blokes, everything just falls into place. The whole plot just falls into place. Which is kind of typical of a YA novel, but not what I was expecting from the complexities that McKinley can rise to - or that the world inspired.
The writing is however seamless and captivating. Maggie if no-one else shines all the way through and manages a little bit of angst at the tricky decisions before just getting on with it. The world is clever and I'd have liked to know a lot more about it, when and why it split etc, the basis for the magic that can be done, and how/where the Shadows come from. Also of course it ends on a bit of a anticipatory note as if there were more to come. But Mckinley doesn't write sequels, so we're left pondering what the future will be for all of them. At least the dogs know it will involve petting and face licking. Not being much of dog person this does somewhat put me off caring too much.
Show Less
LibraryThing member bluesalamanders
Maggie lives in a world where magic and technology both exist. Where she lives is very anti-magic and pro-technology, but their technology is having increasing difficulty handling some of the dangers of their world. Maggie discovers she has some unusual abilities and learns to use them, through a
First the bad: there is a distinctly anti-science and -technology feel to this story that I didn't care for. Also, the end of Shadows makes it feel like the first book in a series but (knowing McKinley's style) it is unlikely that there will be sequels.
Shadows is set in a world a few steps sideways from Sunshine. There are obvious parallels, with the dangers of (and for) magicians, the magic-sniffing technology, and the government agencies going a little overboard in trying to protect the public from the magical menace. Maggie is another of McKinley's reluctant heroines, but this time she's backed up by a cadre of friends as well as various animal companions and other...things. One thing I really liked was how McKinley managed to make a textbook into a character that I cared about, kind of like the Really Useful Book in the movie Mirrormask.
Overall I enjoyed Shadows, but - mainly due to the anti-science feeling that permeates the story - it is unlikely to become one of my favorites.
Show More
combination of guesswork and help from others.First the bad: there is a distinctly anti-science and -technology feel to this story that I didn't care for. Also, the end of Shadows makes it feel like the first book in a series but (knowing McKinley's style) it is unlikely that there will be sequels.
Shadows is set in a world a few steps sideways from Sunshine. There are obvious parallels, with the dangers of (and for) magicians, the magic-sniffing technology, and the government agencies going a little overboard in trying to protect the public from the magical menace. Maggie is another of McKinley's reluctant heroines, but this time she's backed up by a cadre of friends as well as various animal companions and other...things. One thing I really liked was how McKinley managed to make a textbook into a character that I cared about, kind of like the Really Useful Book in the movie Mirrormask.
Overall I enjoyed Shadows, but - mainly due to the anti-science feeling that permeates the story - it is unlikely to become one of my favorites.
Show Less
LibraryThing member tierneyc
Shadows. By Robin McKinley. Nancy Paulsen Books / Penguin Young Readers Group. 2013. 356 pages. $18.99 hbk. 978-0399165795. Grades 6-12.
In the “Newworld,” magic has (supposedly) been “gene-chopped” away – but the living shadows that follow Maggie’s stepfather around hint at something
In the “Newworld,” magic has (supposedly) been “gene-chopped” away – but the living shadows that follow Maggie’s stepfather around hint at something
Show More
going on underneath the surface. Through Maggie’s point of view, McKinley deftly blends typical teenage concerns (crushes! algebra! a totally uncool stepdad!) with a pseudo-scientific world in which magic is actually bursting at the seams (spoiler alert: by the end of the novel, Maggie has discovered that most of the people in her life have some capacity for magic). Some elements are integrated less successfully than others (the often-unexplained appearance of various foreign words in Maggie’s lexicon feels more alienating than innovative), but ultimately Maggie is a relatable, empowering female fantasy character in a magical world whose slight differences from our own are well fleshed-out and explained via plot demonstration rather than pure narratorial description. Though the novel, in its tone and subject matter, is rather different from much of McKinley’s other fantasy work, it is a modern take on the genre that does not feel as though it were missing the mark or trying too hard. Middle and high schoolers looking to ease their way into the fantasy genre would do well to start with Shadows. Show Less
LibraryThing member emmyson
As much as I LOVED Beauty, The Hero and the Crown, and The Blue Sword, you'd think this would be a sure thing. Nope. I got bored, so I decided I had better things to do with my time. I may come back to it at some point, but I kind of doubt it.
LibraryThing member foggidawn
Maggie has stepfather problems -- namely, her new stepfather always seems to be accompanied by threatening, roiling shadows. In a world where technology has been developed to replace and subdue magic, the shadows seem unsettlingly like something that shouldn't be allowed to exist any more. Or maybe
In some ways, this is very different from what McKinley has written before -- more teenage angst, and a setting that feels more like the future than the past -- but in other ways it is trademark McKinley. The dogs, for instance, and the way the magic works at the climax of the book, that I find hard to pin down but understandable in context. Also the rambling, which is one of McKinley's charms but may be irritating to some readers who don't want to go wandering off into backstory in the middle of a paragraph of dialogue. This isn't going to be up with BEAUTY and THE HERO AND THE CROWN as a new favorite McKinley, but it's sitting comfortably in the midrange.
Show More
Maggie just isn't crazy about the idea of her mother getting remarried. As magic seems to strengthen its grip on Maggie's technology-focused world, Maggie learns that many things are not what they seem. Also dogs, boys, and a likeable Algebra textbook. (I know, that last one seems a little bit out there, but remember, it's fantasy.)In some ways, this is very different from what McKinley has written before -- more teenage angst, and a setting that feels more like the future than the past -- but in other ways it is trademark McKinley. The dogs, for instance, and the way the magic works at the climax of the book, that I find hard to pin down but understandable in context. Also the rambling, which is one of McKinley's charms but may be irritating to some readers who don't want to go wandering off into backstory in the middle of a paragraph of dialogue. This isn't going to be up with BEAUTY and THE HERO AND THE CROWN as a new favorite McKinley, but it's sitting comfortably in the midrange.
Show Less
LibraryThing member amberwitch
The narrative voice is similar to Dragonhaven, although slightly more unobtrusive.
The plot reminded med a grittier and less humorous version of a Diana Wynne Jones novel.
Not McKinleys strongest story.
The plot reminded med a grittier and less humorous version of a Diana Wynne Jones novel.
Not McKinleys strongest story.
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
One thing I love about Ms. McKinley's books is that she creates such compelling worlds. And that she expects her readers to be smart enough to figure things out without a lot of explanation. Maggie is great and Taks is even better and while the chances of any follow up books are slim, still I can
Show More
imagine the adventures they might have. Show Less
LibraryThing member Angelina-Justice
I really want to give this book more stars because it had great potential. But sadly I can't. There were some fun concepts and lovable characters. It is a good story, but it is poorly delivered. I'm not entirely sure the problems with this story originated with McKinley. I haven't read much by her,
Despite any idiosyncrasies the author may have, the editing team should have, and could have, done a better job. There were problems with spelling, typos and grammar. Many of these should have been caught by spell check. The rest should have been flagged by editors.
I'm okay with a run on sentence, if is stream of consciousness or colloquialism. But such a device should not bring the story to a halt. If the reader has to double or triple back to make sense out of a segment, it becomes bad writing/editing.
Show More
so I can't jugde fairly. Despite any idiosyncrasies the author may have, the editing team should have, and could have, done a better job. There were problems with spelling, typos and grammar. Many of these should have been caught by spell check. The rest should have been flagged by editors.
I'm okay with a run on sentence, if is stream of consciousness or colloquialism. But such a device should not bring the story to a halt. If the reader has to double or triple back to make sense out of a segment, it becomes bad writing/editing.
Show Less
LibraryThing member MikeRhode
A young adult novel aimed at females, but I'm secure in my manhood and enjoyed it.
LibraryThing member Mirandalg14
Thanks to Netgalley.com and Penguin Young Readers Group for allowing me access to this title.
3.75 stars. Deductions for the repeated annoying use of "dead battery" and for they horrendously long chapters.
I was surprised by the twist in the characterization of the shadows and that while you would
I found this one to be more along the writing style of Pegasus than Beauty or some of the other retellings. It was a little slower and more descriptive in the circumstances, but not horribly so.
I would recommend this to fans of Robin McKinley and anyone who enjoys a realistic fantasy.
3.75 stars. Deductions for the repeated annoying use of "dead battery" and for they horrendously long chapters.
I was surprised by the twist in the characterization of the shadows and that while you would
Show More
originally have thought them evil, it turned out that they were not. I also liked the growth in the relationship between Maggie and Val. Not all step-parents are bad. Sometimes you just have to get used to the situation and get to know the person a little better to understand where they are coming from.I found this one to be more along the writing style of Pegasus than Beauty or some of the other retellings. It was a little slower and more descriptive in the circumstances, but not horribly so.
I would recommend this to fans of Robin McKinley and anyone who enjoys a realistic fantasy.
Show Less
LibraryThing member NineLarks
This was like a teen version of Sunshine.
Which was a little disappointing actually.
As usual, per Robin McKinley, it's a rambly type of book that goes off unnecessary tangents with unnecessary details and strange usage of parenthesis. I was really annoyed at the first 50 pages because of how many
I found the plotline interesting, except I could see so many parallels to Sunshine. I did love the concept of shadows. The world was a little fascinating. I could almost see it as part of Sunshine's world after another 200 years or so.
Similarly the main character is way too similar to Sunshine.
Mother remarries. She discovers she has magic much later than usual. She does things no one thought possible. They are both vegetarian. I think it's because McKinley puts a lot of herself into her main characters so they start having a bit of the same tone. But it's a little jarring because characters shouldn't be that similar...
And then when you step back and think about it, all she seemed to do was cry and fold origami. And kiss boys too, I guess.
She felt way too tween for me. And honestly, she just got together with the boy and all of a sudden he's on her every thought so she just cries? That annoyed me.
But I just really love Robin McKinley's boy scenes. Something about the way she writes them makes me shiver and tense in anticipation.
Other things I liked: the algebra book and its rebinding; the herding of rabbits; origami; Jill as the best friend; and of course the animals.
Despite my complaints, I still liked the book (minus the first 50 pages).
Two and half stars rounded up. Ah, I really do have a soft spot for Robin McKinley.
Recommended for those who read Robin McKinley. Her other books are better though. You shouldn't start here if this is your first foray into her worlds. Try "The Blue Sword" and "The Hero and the Crown" first.
Which was a little disappointing actually.
As usual, per Robin McKinley, it's a rambly type of book that goes off unnecessary tangents with unnecessary details and strange usage of parenthesis. I was really annoyed at the first 50 pages because of how many
Show More
random parentheses were used. (It's like you couldn't get through a single paragraph without a random comment bracketed by these babies.) But then the plot settled in and the writing seemed to smooth out as more things occurred and it was all good. I found the plotline interesting, except I could see so many parallels to Sunshine. I did love the concept of shadows. The world was a little fascinating. I could almost see it as part of Sunshine's world after another 200 years or so.
Similarly the main character is way too similar to Sunshine.
Mother remarries. She discovers she has magic much later than usual. She does things no one thought possible. They are both vegetarian. I think it's because McKinley puts a lot of herself into her main characters so they start having a bit of the same tone. But it's a little jarring because characters shouldn't be that similar...
And then when you step back and think about it, all she seemed to do was cry and fold origami. And kiss boys too, I guess.
She felt way too tween for me. And honestly, she just got together with the boy and all of a sudden he's on her every thought so she just cries? That annoyed me.
But I just really love Robin McKinley's boy scenes. Something about the way she writes them makes me shiver and tense in anticipation.
Other things I liked: the algebra book and its rebinding; the herding of rabbits; origami; Jill as the best friend; and of course the animals.
Despite my complaints, I still liked the book (minus the first 50 pages).
Two and half stars rounded up. Ah, I really do have a soft spot for Robin McKinley.
Recommended for those who read Robin McKinley. Her other books are better though. You shouldn't start here if this is your first foray into her worlds. Try "The Blue Sword" and "The Hero and the Crown" first.
Show Less
LibraryThing member NineLarks
This was like a teen version of Sunshine.
Which was a little disappointing actually.
As usual, per Robin McKinley, it's a rambly type of book that goes off unnecessary tangents with unnecessary details and strange usage of parenthesis. I was really annoyed at the first 50 pages because of how many
I found the plotline interesting, except I could see so many parallels to Sunshine. I did love the concept of shadows. The world was a little fascinating. I could almost see it as part of Sunshine's world after another 200 years or so.
Similarly the main character is way too similar to Sunshine.
Mother remarries. She discovers she has magic much later than usual. She does things no one thought possible. They are both vegetarian. I think it's because McKinley puts a lot of herself into her main characters so they start having a bit of the same tone. But it's a little jarring because characters shouldn't be that similar...
And then when you step back and think about it, all she seemed to do was cry and fold origami. And kiss boys too, I guess.
She felt way too tween for me. And honestly, she just got together with the boy and all of a sudden he's on her every thought so she just cries? That annoyed me.
But I just really love Robin McKinley's boy scenes. Something about the way she writes them makes me shiver and tense in anticipation.
Other things I liked: the algebra book and its rebinding; the herding of rabbits; origami; Jill as the best friend; and of course the animals.
Despite my complaints, I still liked the book (minus the first 50 pages).
Two and half stars rounded up. Ah, I really do have a soft spot for Robin McKinley.
Recommended for those who read Robin McKinley. Her other books are better though. You shouldn't start here if this is your first foray into her worlds. Try "The Blue Sword" and "The Hero and the Crown" first.
Which was a little disappointing actually.
As usual, per Robin McKinley, it's a rambly type of book that goes off unnecessary tangents with unnecessary details and strange usage of parenthesis. I was really annoyed at the first 50 pages because of how many
Show More
random parentheses were used. (It's like you couldn't get through a single paragraph without a random comment bracketed by these babies.) But then the plot settled in and the writing seemed to smooth out as more things occurred and it was all good. I found the plotline interesting, except I could see so many parallels to Sunshine. I did love the concept of shadows. The world was a little fascinating. I could almost see it as part of Sunshine's world after another 200 years or so.
Similarly the main character is way too similar to Sunshine.
Mother remarries. She discovers she has magic much later than usual. She does things no one thought possible. They are both vegetarian. I think it's because McKinley puts a lot of herself into her main characters so they start having a bit of the same tone. But it's a little jarring because characters shouldn't be that similar...
And then when you step back and think about it, all she seemed to do was cry and fold origami. And kiss boys too, I guess.
She felt way too tween for me. And honestly, she just got together with the boy and all of a sudden he's on her every thought so she just cries? That annoyed me.
But I just really love Robin McKinley's boy scenes. Something about the way she writes them makes me shiver and tense in anticipation.
Other things I liked: the algebra book and its rebinding; the herding of rabbits; origami; Jill as the best friend; and of course the animals.
Despite my complaints, I still liked the book (minus the first 50 pages).
Two and half stars rounded up. Ah, I really do have a soft spot for Robin McKinley.
Recommended for those who read Robin McKinley. Her other books are better though. You shouldn't start here if this is your first foray into her worlds. Try "The Blue Sword" and "The Hero and the Crown" first.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Bookswithbite
Taking a chance in reading a new authors work, I found this plot to be somewhat confusing.
Plot: This story begins in the shoes of Maggie, a young teenager who is not happy that her new stepfather is not what he seems. At first, this plot confused me cause I thought that Maggie was making up thing
Friendship/Love: Once it is revealed about the Oldworld, there are a few characters who are more than what they seemed. Throughout the story, they help Maggie and her family through the struggle of governmental battle. Meeting Casmir, helps Maggie look at things different than being biased all the time. Casmir is good for Maggie cause he himself harbor’s secrets that in the end, help Maggie in who she is.
Ending: I sort of knew this part was going to happen being that well…when reading a story like this with magic and power struggle it always seems to come out this way. Maggie’s mom has been keeping certain things secret. A secret that will change Maggie. I enjoyed the dramatic ending cause it gave the story a completion.
Shadows is good story that follows magic and power. The chucky part of Maggie’s angst does throw off the reader a bit. Utilizing great detailing towards the middle of the story, the reader is then immerse in a whole new world. Nicely written with great evolving characters, Shadows is good
Plot: This story begins in the shoes of Maggie, a young teenager who is not happy that her new stepfather is not what he seems. At first, this plot confused me cause I thought that Maggie was making up thing
Show More
about her new stepdad since she didn’t really like the idea of her mom getting married. Furthermore into the story, the plot later reveals that there are many worlds in the world that this author is writing in. After getting that little bit of information, I found it a bit easier to understand the plot.Friendship/Love: Once it is revealed about the Oldworld, there are a few characters who are more than what they seemed. Throughout the story, they help Maggie and her family through the struggle of governmental battle. Meeting Casmir, helps Maggie look at things different than being biased all the time. Casmir is good for Maggie cause he himself harbor’s secrets that in the end, help Maggie in who she is.
Ending: I sort of knew this part was going to happen being that well…when reading a story like this with magic and power struggle it always seems to come out this way. Maggie’s mom has been keeping certain things secret. A secret that will change Maggie. I enjoyed the dramatic ending cause it gave the story a completion.
Shadows is good story that follows magic and power. The chucky part of Maggie’s angst does throw off the reader a bit. Utilizing great detailing towards the middle of the story, the reader is then immerse in a whole new world. Nicely written with great evolving characters, Shadows is good
Show Less
LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
Lovely. It is, perhaps, a trifle more YA than most McKinleys - it's actually set in a high school. Or at least the protagonist is in high school and dealing with the problems that brings (like oversized textbooks. Which turn out to be extremely useful, in a slantwise fashion...). And closer to
Show More
urban fantasy/contemporary fantasy than most of her books. A fascinating new slant on the usual McKinley story - girl finds herself in a situation where her old rules don't work, and new abilities are showing up and making her the solution to all the problems. I like Maggie, and Mongo. Funny thing - somehow from the excerpts I'd read I'd decided Mongo was called that because he was huge, Marmaduke-style. When he's identified as a border collie I felt my brain tipping as it tried to change gears... The excerpts really didn't prepare me for this story, though I'm not sure why. I was pretty sure the shadows were the Enemy, less sure about Val's part, and expected the story to be about her repelling the Invasion of Evil all by herself (plus her dog). Yeah, not. Great story, much more realistic than my imagination had laid out, and it's more about social change than Repelling Evil... I'd love to see these people/this world again (no, no, Robin, I'm not asking for a series! Just...a short story or two? Maybe?), though there's no real loose ends left dangling. Just - the story ends with them working on changing everything, and I'd love to see how it shakes out. Especially for those who didn't have a problem with how it was before...if there are any. There certainly do seem to be a lot of "one of us"es! Show Less
LibraryThing member LibraryCin
Maggie lives in Newworld, where magic isn't allowed; it's all about science now. When Maggie's mother marries Val, someone from Oldworld, Maggie has a bad feeling about him from the start. He has weird “shadows” that seem to follow him (though this doesn't seem to bother anyone else).
I really
I really
Show More
enjoyed this. It especially picked up about halfway through, when Maggie found out more about Val and his shadows. Maggie also seems to have an affinity for animals, and she volunteers at the local animal shelter, so I loved that about the book! I'm not sure if there will be a sequel or not, but with the way it ended, I think it's open for one. I'd read the next one if there will be one. Show Less
LibraryThing member Courtney_Anne
What is happening here? This book was nightmarishly bad. It was incoherent and did not flow at all. The slang and colloquialisms were way over-the-top, as was her wannabe "cool high school kid" lingo. Some of my favorite books were penned by McKinley, but this book is absolute crap. I couldn't even
Show More
finish (because I couldn't understand what the hell was happening, and it was stupidly slow and boring). This is the second release by McKinley in recent years (the other being Pegasus) that is cringe-worthy and not worth the price of the paper it's printed on. Yikes. Show Less
LibraryThing member Herenya
Shadows is about 17 year old Maggie, who hates her new stepfather. More specifically, she hates his shadows.
Ostensibly Shadows has more in common with Sunshine and Dragonhaven than McKinley other novels: it is an urban fantasy set in a world that is a lot like our world but clearly isn't our world;
These are all things I like. I like the world-building and the way it doesn't explain a lot of things yet leaves me convinced that Maggie's world exists beyond the borders of Maggie's story. I enjoy the rambly first-person, and the way this allows one to really get to know Maggie and her history with the important people (and animals!) in her life.
In other respects, Shadows has McKinley's fingerprints all over it. There are clearly rules to magic but using magic is seen to be an intuitive thing, because the story is told from the perspective of someone who doesn't know what those rules are. The heroine is very determined, and prepared to work with a single-minded focus when it comes to the things she's passionate about. Animals are important - not just to Maggie, who has a dog and volunteers at an animal shelter, but to the plot. And they're full of personality, distinct and convincing.
I really enjoyed this. Fall into the story and gobble it up in one go enjoyment. I like how it begins as a story about a teenager who is deeply uncomfortable with her new stepfather, and how it explores that and shifts to become a story about how NewWorld (where Maggie lives) views magic. I like Maggie's friendships with Jill and Takahiro. I love Mongo, Maggie's crazy border collie mongrel.
So we brought Mongo home [...] He was maybe five months old and already crazy, and you could guess that some ordinary family hadn't been able to cope with a hairy attack squad carooming off the walls and trying to fetch pieces of furniture so someone would throw them for him.
Ostensibly Shadows has more in common with Sunshine and Dragonhaven than McKinley other novels: it is an urban fantasy set in a world that is a lot like our world but clearly isn't our world;
Show More
it's told in the first-person by a narrator prone to tangents and digressions; and the narrator, upon discovering new information about herself and her world, is confronted with an exhausting and occasionally terrifying learning curve.These are all things I like. I like the world-building and the way it doesn't explain a lot of things yet leaves me convinced that Maggie's world exists beyond the borders of Maggie's story. I enjoy the rambly first-person, and the way this allows one to really get to know Maggie and her history with the important people (and animals!) in her life.
In other respects, Shadows has McKinley's fingerprints all over it. There are clearly rules to magic but using magic is seen to be an intuitive thing, because the story is told from the perspective of someone who doesn't know what those rules are. The heroine is very determined, and prepared to work with a single-minded focus when it comes to the things she's passionate about. Animals are important - not just to Maggie, who has a dog and volunteers at an animal shelter, but to the plot. And they're full of personality, distinct and convincing.
I really enjoyed this. Fall into the story and gobble it up in one go enjoyment. I like how it begins as a story about a teenager who is deeply uncomfortable with her new stepfather, and how it explores that and shifts to become a story about how NewWorld (where Maggie lives) views magic. I like Maggie's friendships with Jill and Takahiro. I love Mongo, Maggie's crazy border collie mongrel.
So we brought Mongo home [...] He was maybe five months old and already crazy, and you could guess that some ordinary family hadn't been able to cope with a hairy attack squad carooming off the walls and trying to fetch pieces of furniture so someone would throw them for him.
Show Less
LibraryThing member MizPurplest
While I did really enjoy this book, I'm sorry to say I didn't enjoy it as much as I do most of her books. I felt like I'd heard the narrator's voice already in some of her other recent books, and the story wasn't fleshed out as much as I would have liked to really get a sense of the characters.
Show More
However, still a really fun read. Show Less
LibraryThing member cindywho
McKinley let's us know that she's channeling Diana Wynne Jones with her dedication. It's like a trip to Witch World with the hidden magics and the dread of authority. There are also many critters and origami.
LibraryThing member treehorse
So, this felt like Sunshine-lite and not in a good way. There was little plot and the protagonist was forgettable. None of the side-characters were memorable. Hell, the most memorable thing about the book was the protagonist's algebra book.
also: I am tired of werewolves. Can the urban fantasy world
also: I am tired of werewolves. Can the urban fantasy world
Show More
move on, please? Show Less
LibraryThing member elenaj
I enjoyed this book a lot, although it took me 30 or 40 pages to get into it. There is a slightly annoying tendency to heavy-handed repetition, but otherwise the characters are interesting and well-drawn, and the story is engaging and fun.
LibraryThing member Fence
Ever since I read Sunshine I’ve been a fan of McKinley. I loved that book, and I got a lot of echoes of that in this one. The alternate, not-quite-our world. The magic mixed with the mundane.
Shadows is set in an alternate world, one where the Newworld has eradicated all magic, and the risks they
And from the outset Maggie does not like her stepfather. On their first meeting he creeped her out with the shadows that seemed to loom around him. Has he brought something with him? And if so how did he manage to cross the border?
The female first person central character. The importance of family.
But at the same time it is a very different book, and it probably isn’t fair to compare the two at all. But if you did enjoy Sunshine then you might want to give this a go.
Back to Shadows.
I’d have to say that it took me a while to get into it and its world. I think that it is a book that rewards the time you spend with it. I was reading in quick snatches at first, and I think my experience of the book then suffered, but once I got a bit of time and really got stuck into it I adored it. I love Maggie as a character. She is a teenage girl, one who has lost her father, and who doesn’t like the new man in her mother’s life. All very real and easy to understand. And even before the magic begins to make its presence felt her story was an engrossing one for me.
Also there are dogs and dog care, and origami and paper folding. And boys who may be a romantic interest, or may not. And don’t worry, it never turns into a “love will save the world” sort of story. It is a thread in the plot, not the whole shebang.
But it isn’t as good as Sunshine1 It almost spends too long getting to know Maggie and her dog. And when the magic element does kick off it seems a little rushed. So not a perfect book, but one that I’m glad I read.
Shadows is set in an alternate world, one where the Newworld has eradicated all magic, and the risks they
Show More
feel it brings. Magical families have been gene-spliced and teenagers are regularly tested to ensure that no magic user might slip through. This is a world where the word magician is a bad word. Not like Oldworld, where Maggie’s stepfather is from, there magic and magicians are everywhere.And from the outset Maggie does not like her stepfather. On their first meeting he creeped her out with the shadows that seemed to loom around him. Has he brought something with him? And if so how did he manage to cross the border?
The female first person central character. The importance of family.
But at the same time it is a very different book, and it probably isn’t fair to compare the two at all. But if you did enjoy Sunshine then you might want to give this a go.
Back to Shadows.
I’d have to say that it took me a while to get into it and its world. I think that it is a book that rewards the time you spend with it. I was reading in quick snatches at first, and I think my experience of the book then suffered, but once I got a bit of time and really got stuck into it I adored it. I love Maggie as a character. She is a teenage girl, one who has lost her father, and who doesn’t like the new man in her mother’s life. All very real and easy to understand. And even before the magic begins to make its presence felt her story was an engrossing one for me.
Also there are dogs and dog care, and origami and paper folding. And boys who may be a romantic interest, or may not. And don’t worry, it never turns into a “love will save the world” sort of story. It is a thread in the plot, not the whole shebang.
But it isn’t as good as Sunshine1 It almost spends too long getting to know Maggie and her dog. And when the magic element does kick off it seems a little rushed. So not a perfect book, but one that I’m glad I read.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Tikimoof
Maggie read a lot like a teenager, which felt accurate, but really, really annoying sometimes. I was still totally hooked until the end, but the stream of consciousness stuff just didn't yield results as good as Sunshine's.
Awards
Mythopoeic Awards (Finalist — Children's Literature — 2014)
Call number
YA B McK