The Shadow Thieves

OK, I'm not a kid. In fact, I am a 65-year-old grandmother. That said, I am also looking for a summer read for the various DGC's who stop by for a chapter or two most afternoons. You know, front porch, fan breeze, iced tea and soft drinks, sometimes a store-bought cookie or two. Or even a homemade something-or-other, if the older DGC's want to make one, then eat it. This is it. They'll LOVE it! I like the idea that the story can stand by itself--no cliff-hangers here. Especially since we're going to have to wait a year for the next volume, then another year for the third one. (Harry Potter, anyone?) Then, the humor will definitely appeal to my pre- and early-teen DGC's--it did to me! Having worked many years in bureaucracies (as we all do, these days) Hades was very familiar, and more apt than most kids are likely to realize! The writing is good. There's enough suspense to prickle the neck, but not so much as to give nightmares to the littlest ones. (I wouldn't give Neal Gaimon's CORALINE to a really sensitive child, for instance, and I hae me doots about several others . . . .) On the other hand, have you SEEN what cartoons are like on TV these days? Sheesh. I suspect that many conservative Christians will have great trouble with the premise of the book--that the Greek version of the afterlife is the 'real' one, but remember, this is fiction! I think kids ALWAYS understand the difference, if one explains.

Fantasy is a popular genre nowadays, there's no denying that. Almost every young adult or "children's" book that has been released over the past few years have been a "Book One of ___" or "The First of a Trilogy" and that does not exclude "The Shadow Thieves" the first of a planned Trilogy called "The Cronus Chronicles." This book is different, though. Very different. Upon reading this book, you (a normal person, I assume) take a trip into the Underworld of Greek Mythology, along with two other normal kids. "The Shadow Thieves" gives new lives to the well known characters of Greek Mythology, and finds a great villain in the power hungry and over-the-top Philonecron. And trust me folks, I've read a lot of fantasy, and it's HARD to come upon a good villain. I'll keep it short--this book is amazing. The two main characters, Charlotte and Zee are believable and likable. At first, I decided to hate Zee, but could not keep up with my dislike of him for long, because I soon found myself relating to him and growing quite fond of the character. The relationship between Zee and Grandmother Winter is beautiful, as is the nervous relationship between Zee and Charlotte--my only negative comment about the characterization is that Zee and Charlotte do too much hand holding and arm rubbing for cousins. But on a brighter note, the narration is funny and flowing, and the imagery is clear and precise. This book finds a perfect median between SHOWING and TELLING, and it's a fresh start to a new series. I highly recommend. (I also must add, the epilogue is beautiful and it sums up all of the loose ends.) 9 out of 10.

Anne Ursu has penned two adult novels as of this review. With the understanding that adult authors are often completely incapable of writing children's books (to say nothing of children's fantasy novels) I approached, "The Shadow Thieves" with the greatest of trepidation. The first in a series called, "The Cronus Chronicles" (a particularly interesting name when you consider that Cronus never makes an appearance), the book yet another addition in the Greek mythology trend sweeping libraries and bookshelves nationwide. "The Lightening Thief" and "Corydon" were just some of the first of these. What sets "The Shadow Thieves" apart is that we're looking at a whole new setting. It's Hades, ladies and gents! And Ursu, for the record, is doing a fabulous job of bringing its various charms to our attention. Two kids. Two stories. On the one hand you have Charlotte. She's been having kind of a crappy time of it at school. She's not popular, she doesn't like her new English teacher, and she didn't get into the school play. So when she finds a new kitten, she feels a little better. And when her cousin Zee comes to live with her family (and he's cool) things seem okay. Of course there's that thing where all the kids in school have started getting some bizarre wasting disease. Add onto that Zee's story, and suddenly things don't seem so hunky-dory after all. Apparently Zee has provided a supervillain by the name of Philonecron (call him Phil) with the means of raising the ultimate army. The army is made out of the shadows of children and with it he means to conquer Hades. Yup, you heard me. Hades is real. The Greek gods are real. And it's basically up to two kids to save humanity from a fate worse than death. I got one word for you: compelling. Ursu knows how to set up suspense, drama, and a great deal of fear. Her bad guy is bad. Her good guys are conflicted. And most importantly? The entire endeavor is shot through with a healthy dose of humor. Sometimes this can be a little much. The narration is fond of putting in a word or a joke where words and jokes are not necessarily needed. But by and large I was relieved to find myself enjoying the story thoroughly. Standing at a healthy 424 pages, the book is actually quite a quick read. The illustrations at the beginning of the chapters don't hurt a bit either. One of the nicest things about, "The Shadow Thieves" is the fact that while you can see a sequel as coming, the first book doesn't leave you hanging. Some fantasy series ("Door of Time" I'm looking at YOU) use their first book merely as a set-up for future titles. Ursu doesn't do that. Honestly, "The Shadow Thieves" could be a stand alone novel and it wouldn't be any the worse for it. Maybe a little depressing, considering what happens to us all when we die (think harpies), but no more so than the existence meted out in Philip Pullman's, "The Amber Spyglass". Ursu writes at a steady clip without sacrificing c

Thirteen-year-old Charlotte Mielswetzski wouldn't call herself a liar --- she prefers the term "storyteller." By adding just a bit of imagination and a good straight face, she can weave herself out of any trouble she finds herself in --- at least until now. Strange and unbelievable circumstances begin to alter Charlotte's world, and nothing could have prepared her for what she must face. First, Charlotte discovers an adorable kitten --- or does the kitten discover Charlotte? Then, the weird, tuxedo-wearing fellow hiding in the bushes doesn't seem very normal. Plus, Charlotte's new English teacher, Mr. Metos, resembles a vampire a little too much for comfort. And when Charlotte's cousin Zee comes to live with them, one of the first things he asks her is if her friends are getting sick. But then Charlotte's classmates do start becoming ill, one by one, until the education board decides to close the school. Zee tells her that the same thing happened at his school; all the kids except him came down with some mysterious disease. One evening, on the way home from a friend's house, two creepy fellows attack Charlotte and Zee. But thankfully, Mr. Metos screeches by in his car and they are rushed away to safety --- at least for the moment. Afterwards, Mr. Metos explains everything to them, but these explanations are quite difficult to believe. Those Greek myths they had been studying in English class? Well, they aren't myths at all, but real! One of the characters in the Underworld is trying to take over, and he's launching his evil quest by stealing kids' shadows to man his army! Charlotte and Zee must embrace as much courage as possible in order to set out on a rescue mission that takes them down into the depths of darkness. In book one of The Cronus Chronicles, Anne Ursu expertly weaves her entertaining story in and around the famous Greek myths, and includes such characters as Zeus, Hades, Prometheus, a three-headed dog, harpies, and lots of other well-known accomplices. She writes with a smart, hilarious flair that pulls the reader through the pages quickly, while her in-depth descriptions bring the story up close and personal. --- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman, author

I'm lazy, so if I take the time to write a review, you can take it from me, I loved the book. I'm a fan of Anne's books for grownups (Spilling Clarence and The Disapparation of James) so I've waited impatiently for this one. And it was worth the wait. The book's exciting and occasionally creepy and sometimes scary but the humor kept me laughing out loud, even as I was worrying that Charlotte and Zee had gotten themselves into bigger trouble than they could handle. Charlotte and Zee both come across as real kids, with real worries, who find the courage they need to face the Underworld and save us all from the horrors of Tantalus. I think the idea of basing the adventure on the Greek myths is wonderful...fresh and interesting. I can't wait for the second volume in the series. (Oh, and in the interest of full disclosure...yup, that's me on page 143, though I'm not really a 13-year-old English soccer player. I've never met Anne in person but we know each other through the Miracle of the Internets.)