The Revenge of the Shadow King

by Derek Benz and J.S. Lewis

Book Overview

This irresistible first novel tells the story of four friends who find themselves caught up in the dangerous quest to save their town when the wicked creatures from their card game come to life. Max... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0439795745
• ISBN13: 9780439795746
• Release Date: March 2006
• Publisher: Orchard Books (NY)
• Length: 373 Pages
• Weight: 1.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.8" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 10 to 13 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 8

Customer Reviews

I devoured the book in one day

I absolutely loved the Revenge of the Shadow King. I couldn't stop reading it. I read it as I walked home from school and read it every spare minute that I could. A must read for anyone!

A wonderful fantasy read for 10 to 14 year olds!

Max Sumner is a very rich kid in the small town of Avalon, Minnesota whose parents have just divorced. He lives with his mom and baby sister who is 18 months old. This summer Max wouldn't have anything to do if it weren't for his friends Harley, Ernie and Natalia. They all meet at Mr. Iverson's store "Shoppe of Antiquities" to play a card game Mr. Iverson taught and is teaching them called Round Table. I imagine this is much like the Magic fantasy game my older sons played. The four friends call themselves the Grey Griffins and love to meet in their tree clubhouse or each other's homes. Max loves going to his grandmother's home to spend the night. While there he discovers a magical book and accidentally lets loose a mischievous faerie called a spriggan that is also a shape shifter! She tricks him into releasing an evil thing called a Shadow and from then on the adventures and excitement are non-stop! I read this book at the request of my 7th grade son who bought it at a school book fair. It is very well done and I can see why he looks forward to the next installment! For parents, I also loved this book as the authors did not feel the need to put in vulgar and offensive language!! It is so refreshing to have a book that you KNOW is fine for your son/daughter to read. So many of the so-called young adult books these days have alot of swearing, smoking, drinking, etc. even if the characters are as young as these. A pleasure!!

Written for kids...

... As an adult and an avid reader of SciFi/Fantasy I tend to be very picky. Were this an adult book I'd have given it 3 stars for a fairly interesting story and sophomoric style. But it's geared toward the 10 to 12 year old reader and, therefore, hit the mark squarely. Yes, Natalia was annoying. Unfortunately I *knew* a Natalia when I was that age (though maybe they were rainbow stickers instead of unicorns on the bike) so she didn't seem all that unrealistic to me. A light read for adults, but something I think younger readers will enjoy quite a bit.

Got To Be A Kid Again

I loved reading for enjoyment when I was in grade school, and find in the last two decades that I'm deluged with management and business books, serious biographies and textbooks. I forgot what it was like to just read for fun, but this book taught me again. I don't know which I enjoyed more: the book or the fact that I could still read for pure enjoyment. The book had to be that well written to engage this senior manager. Not since I was ten years old have I not wanted to put down a book as much. I felt like a friend of Max's and hoped for him to call. I found Natalie's intelligence was slightly formidable -or annoying- even to this old geezer. No wonder at twelve years of age, I found girls attractive, interesting, and yet oddly intimidating. Earnie and Harley seemed so perfect just being themselves, and it was comforting how the kids all looked out for each other. Honestly, what a ride this book was for me. I don't know whether to recommend it to my friends, their kids, or their grandchildren. I hope there's more books about the Grey Griffins in the future. Read this book and enjoy the ride yourself. You'll see.