About the Book
Title: The Shadow of Atlantis (Shadows From the Past, Book 1)
Author: Wendy Leighton-Porter
Year Published: 2012
Publisher: Mauve Square Publishing
Pages: 196
Recommended Age: 8+
Summary (Amazon):
Ten-year-old twins Joe and Jemima Lancelot have no idea why their parents have disappeared, but a mysterious old book which had belonged to their father holds the answer… and so begins an unusual quest to discover the truth. Together with Max, their remarkable Tonkinese cat, and Charlie from next door, the children embark on an epic adventure, travelling back in time to the lost city of Atlantis. Once there, however, they soon run into problems. Can they save the people of Atlantis from the disaster which is about to destroy their land forever? And will they find their way back to the safety of their own time before it’s too late?
My Review:
We follow the adventures of two ten-year-old twins, forced to go and stay with their Uncle Richard due to their parents mysterious disappearance. With a gold necklace the only link to their parent's whereabouts, Jemima and Joe are suitably devastated by their by their predicament. Soon after their arrival, they befriend their neighbour Charlie, who is a little on the small side and prone to the taunts of the school bullies. When a strange book and some odd trinkets reveal a portal to a time that no longer exists, the children are excited for an adventure. They soon discover they have stumbled into the ancient mythical city of Atlantis. Their cat Max somehow follows them through, the portal, and the four friends find themselves taken in by a little girl called Varna's family.
The friends enjoy learning about this new and exotic place, but unfortunately they have attracted some unwanted attention from the Temple priests, especially since they are not the first visitors to Atlantis. The children realise that Atlantis's is due for some kind of disaster and they do everything they can to convince their new adoptive family that they must leave, or risk perishing. The unwanted attention, lands them in the prison cells at the hands of the sinister priests, but more surprises are in store for the friends. I won't give the ending away, so you will just have to read it yourself. In an exciting turn of events, the children find their way to safety, but not without a new resolve, to do everything in their power to find their missing parents. Thus concludes the first of many great adventures that Jemima, Joe, Charlie and Max embark upon in the Shadows From The Past series.
This was a great book, with characters that you could really grow to love immediately. The children are caring and supportive or each other, with just a hint of mischief, which Ms Porter writes so wonderfully. Their desire to help their new adoptive family, reveals things about themselves that they never realised and in turn, gives them new courage and resolve to find their parents. The Priests in the tale were quite sinister and nasty so I would suggest children aged 10+ would most enjoy this tale. It was even paced with enough high's and low's to keep my attention, and I would highly recommend this lovely series to middle graders and I am excited for the next in the series.
5 Stars
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Great Deal!!
*** You can buy the all 6 books (electronic copies) in the series (The Shadow of Atlantis, The Shadow of the Minotaur, The Shadow of the Trojan Horse, The Shadow of the Pyramid, The Shadow of the Volcano, and The Shadow of Camelot) for only 99 cents each from Amazon between October 14 and 28, 2013. Get hooked on this great series NOW by clicking on the Amazon button below. ***
About The Author, Wendy Leighton-Porter
Dividing my time between homes in England and South-West France, I live with my husband Simon and our two beautiful Tonkinese cats. I spent 20 years as a teacher of French, Latin and Classical studies, but now write books for children instead of teaching them.
The Shadow of Atlantis is the first book in a series of 15 planned time-travel stories, featuring 3 children and, unsurprisingly, a rather special Tonkinese cat. Having recently completed number #7, The Shadow of the Norman Arrow (coming soon!), I’m currently working on the eighth book in the series.
As I take my young readers on a magical mystery tour through the past, I’m also hoping that my love of history, myth and legend will rub off on them too. Personally, I’m enjoying the journey so much, I don’t ever want it to end! Why not come along with me for the ride?
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The Shadow of Atlantis Blog Tour Schedule (2013)
October 14October 15
October 16
October 17
October 18
October 19
October 20
October 21
October 22
October 23
October 24
October 25
October 26
October 27
October 28
*** The Shadow of Atlantis Blog Tour Giveaway ***
Prize: One winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash
Contest runs: October 14 to November 5, 11:59 pm, 2013
Open: WW
How to enter: Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by author Paul Hewlett and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.
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Thanks so much for hosting me on your blog, Julie, and for your great review. I really appreciate your support.
ReplyDeleteIt was a total pleasure Wendy, best of luck with the rest of the tour.
DeleteThanks so much for taking part in the Shadow of Atlantis Blog Tour Julie! So glad you enjoyed the book. The priests were rather sinister weren't they? It definitely created some tension in the tale and I'm trying to think about whether the Magic Tree House has a similar feel. I think it really varied by book and historical event discussed. Anyways, it's tricky hitting the right level of tension with middle graders (as I'm sure you are aware!) Thanks Julie!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I don't think I have read the Magic Tree house, well, not that I can remember, but yes, that lovely innocence that Wendy writes is refreshing. Thanks for stopping by.
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