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Summary
Summary
Thorn, an outlaw's son, wasn't supposed to be a slave. He's been sold to Tyburn, an executioner, and they're headed to Castle Gloom in Gehenna, the land of undead, where Thorn will probably be fed to a vampire. Lilith Shadow wasn't supposed to be ruler of Gehenna. But following the murder of her family, young Lily became the last surviving member of House Shadow, a long line of dark sorcerers. Her country is surrounded by enemies and the only way she can save it is by embracing her heritage and practicing the magic of the undead. But how can she when, as a girl, magic is forbidden to her?
Just when it looks like Lily will have to leave her home forever, Thorn arrives at Castle Gloom. A sudden death brings them together, inspires them to break the rules, and leads them to soar to new heights in this fantasy with all the sparkle and luster of a starry night sky. Book 1 of a three book series.
Advance Praise: "If you are pining for that thrill you felt when you first discovered Harry Potter, let me recommend Shadow Magic . Here is a fantasy world you will lose yourself in -- with Six Great Families of magic, the nicest princess of darkness you've ever met, a peasant boy with skills to rival Robin Hood, and a supporting cast of zombies, paladins, ghost puppies, executioners, minstrels, murderers, and a giant hero bat. I defy you not to love this story." -- Rick Riordan
"Zestful, dynamic and addictive, Shadow Magic is storytelling at its most exuberant. Joshua Khan sweeps you up on the very first page and never lets you go. Close shaves, high adventure, wild fantasy, and giant bats -- this book has it all. I haven't had this much fun in ages. Sit back and enjoy the ride!" --Jonathan Stroud
"Great, in-depth, unusual world-building coupled with funny, down-to-earth writing. Just call me Joshua Khan's number one fan."-Sarah Rees Brennan
"There's plenty of magic to be found in Shadow Magic -- necromancy, giant bats, ghosts! -- but the real enchantment is the spell it weaves around the reader. I'd battle a whole army of the dead just to get to spend more time in Castle Gloom and the world Joshua Khan has created." -- Rachel Hawkins
"An executioner's apprentice, an embattled queen of shadows, and a royal hostage join forces toward a common goal-survival in a treacherous world of monsters and magic. Shadow Magic is like the best of haunted house adventures-a dark and twisty thrill ride with just the right amount of creepy humor." -- Cinda Williams Chima
"Working together but never losing sight of their individual objectives, Thorn and Lily uncover surprising truths about their families. Despite the gloomy setting, this book vibrates with hope. Short chapters filled with action, appealing characters, and cliff-hanger endings make this fantasy the kind of book readers will find hard to put down. Recommended for all middle grade collections." -- School Library Journal (starred review)
Author Notes
Joshua Khan was born in Britain, a land filled with ancient castles, dark forests, and tales of legendary heroes and fantastical monsters. He can tell you who King Arthur fought on Baden Hill, but can't tell you what he himself had for breakfast. So, his head stuffed with magical stories, it was inevitable that Joshua would want to create some of his own. Hence the Shadow Magic series. Josh lives in London with his family, but he'd rather live in a castle. It wouldn't have to be very big, just as long as it had battlements. Follow him on Twitter: @WriterJoshKhan
Reviews (3)
Booklist Review
Gehennian Princess Lily of the Shadowlands, runaway Thorn (the woodcutter's son), and hostage Prince K'Leef of the Sultanate of Fire share a common problem: they want nothing more than to be released from their obligations and see their families again. But Lily's family was murdered, and she might be next, so she and the two boys, bound in different ways to serve Castle Gloom, work together to keep one another safe and try to literally unmask the mysterious, scarred necromancer intent on taking the Shadow kingdom for himself. Khan's debut relies a bit too heavily on cliché and stereotypical characters; but he kicks it up a notch when it comes to fight scenes, including a fantastic twist that involves a massive bat rather than a (predictable) dragon. There are plenty of exciting elements (zombies, ghosts, specters), and readers will appreciate Lily's determination to be more than just a princess who needs protection. Hibon's few illustrations are suitably dark and menacing for this middle-grade fare.--Welch, Cindy Copyright 2016 Booklist
School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-8-After insulting his keeper and a prospective buyer, brazen slave Thorn is saved from his imminent punishment by Tyburn, executioner of House Shadow, and taken to Castle Gloom in Gehenna. There, he meets 13-year-old Lilith Shadow, surviving member of the reigning family and the country's new-and reluctant-ruler. Together, and with the help of House Solar's political hostage, Prince K'Leef, the trio set out to prove who killed Lily's family. Surrounded by enemies both known and unknown, the friends discover who they can trust while learning some surprising truths about their families and one another. With his versatile vocal skills, narrator Ramon De Ocampo brings to life a host of engaging characters with colorful, distinctive voices, especially the high-maintenance nanny Mary and the haughty prince Gabriel. His entertaining narrative style complements Khan's humorously morbid story and will have listeners simultaneously laughing hysterically and on the edge of their seats. VERDICT This fast-paced middle grade fantasy/adventure has wide appeal and may resonate most strongly with fans of dark humor or zombies and those individuals who enjoyed Jennifer A. Nielsen's "Ascendance" trilogy. Highly recommended. ["Despite the gloomy setting, this book vibrates with hope": SLJ 2/16 starred review of the Hyperion book.]--Audrey Sumser, Akron-Summit County Public Library, OH © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A woodcutter's son's and a new queen's paths intertwine in this debut middle-grade high fantasy. Twelve-year-old Thorn is unexpectedly purchased at a slave market far from home by Tyburn, executioner for the dread Shadow family, necromancer rulers of Gehenna. Thorn agrees to work (slavery is illegal in Gehenna) for a year and a day in exchange for money and passage home so he can right a wrong. The narrative switches perspectives and introduces Lily, newly crowned queen of Gehenna after the recent murder of her family. Lily's been promised to the priggish Gabriel Solar in an attempt to reconcile generations of animosity between their lands. Encouraged by her beloved but chronically drunk uncle to marry for her people's sake, Lily resists, a decision that seems unlikely, empowered, and selfish simultaneously. When Lily and Thorn meet they become fast friends, attempting to solve the mystery surrounding Lily's family's murder. Though the setup is promising, Khan's plot is uneven, and there's too little character development to compensate. And though it's commendable that Lily doesn't need Thorn to rescue her, a deus ex machina mantle saves the day instead. Hibon's black-and-white illustrations recall Chris Riddell's; both Thorn and Lily appear to be white. A kingdom that embraces darkness but not evil is an interesting concept but not enough to make up for choppy pacing and flat characters; here's hoping the sequel is better balanced. (map, cast of characters) (Fantasy. 9-13) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.