Fans of Serafina and the Black Cloak and The Night Gardener will devour Shadow Weaver, the first in a dark middle-grade fantasy duology that’s filled with shadows, danger, magic, and has the feel of a new classic.

Emmeline’s gift of controlling shadows has isolated her from the rest of the world, but she’s grown to be content, hidden away in her mansion with Dar, her own shadow, as her only company.

Disaster strikes when a noble family visits their home and offers to take Emmeline away and cure her of magic. Desperate not to lose her shadows, she turns to Dar who proposes a deal: Dar will change the noble’s mind, if Emmeline will help her become flesh as she once was. Emmeline agrees but the next morning the man in charge is in a coma and all that the witness saw was a long shadow with no one nearby to cast it. Scared to face punishment, Emmeline and Dar run away.

With the noble’s guards on her trail, Emmeline’s only hope of clearing her name is to escape capture and perform the ritual that will set Dar free. But Emmeline’s not sure she can trust Dar anymore, and it’s hard to keep secrets from someone who can never leave your side.

Out January 2018

MY THOUGHTS:

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

A girl who can control her shadows; a companion shadow that talks to her and is mischievous, and an adventure into discovering who she really is and why she can do what she can…

A great middle-grade read! Filled with fantasy, magic, shadows behaving unnaturally, suspense, and adventure… you can’t go wrong with this book.  The relationship between Dar and Emmeline is cleverly written. The MC’s character arc develops perfectly, with Dar helping her to reach her goals.

The author’s lyrical writing moves the pace along unhindered and transitioning from one plot element to the next without issue.  The author’s voice carries the story forward with captivating qualities.  Connolly is a true story-teller of amazing talent.  She captivates the reader and keeps them invested in the world she’s created through talent and a mesmerizing ability to haunt your thoughts.

What a great book! I’m so happy to have found this author and will be looking forward to seeing what she is writing next!

I gave this book: