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Jumping At Shadows
When Belle discovers the secret of a family heirloom, she and her friend Rosy are propelled into a world of the shadows—the same shadows that have been haunting Belle all her life. Soon Belle realises that the future rests in her hands, and only she can keep the magic of her ancestors from falling into the clutches of a dangerous mad man.
Shadows have always haunted the women of Belle’s family. When Belle comes into the possession of a crystal hemisphere on her thirteenth birthday, the shadows become more menacing than before. Belle and her friend Rosy discover an identical hemisphere buried in the garden—and suddenly, Belle can travel through space and time. Belle and Rosy find themselves in another world, where Belle has special powers. Here she comes face to face with her secret family heritage, the shadows that have stalked her, and the evil ruler Madgar, who wants the crystal to further his desires.
Shadows have always haunted the women of Belle’s family. When Belle comes into the possession of a crystal hemisphere on her thirteenth birthday, the shadows become more menacing than before. Belle and her friend Rosy discover an identical hemisphere buried in the garden—and suddenly, Belle can travel through space and time. Belle and Rosy find themselves in another world, where Belle has special powers. Here she comes face to face with her secret family heritage, the shadows that have stalked her, and the evil ruler Madgar, who wants the crystal to further his desires.
139 pages, ebook
First published July 14, 2012
About the author
Helen A. Howell
4 books5 followersHelen is the author of Jumping At Shadows, her debut Novella, a fantasy fiction for children 9/10 years up to adults, released in 2012.
Her second Novella I Know You Know, a Psychic Thriller for adults, was released by Crooked Cat Publishing on February 21 2013.
Her New Novella Mind Noise will be released early in 2014 by Crooked Cat publishing.
She is a fiction writer, who writes in several genres which include fantasy, noir, horror and humour. She has written several short stories, flash fictions, poems. Her work has appeared in both e-zine and print publications.
She was born in England and lives in Australia, where she is currently finishing writing the serial WIZARD
Helen is a member of Friday Flash Dot Org. and is a regular participant in writing Friday Flash.
Her second Novella I Know You Know, a Psychic Thriller for adults, was released by Crooked Cat Publishing on February 21 2013.
Her New Novella Mind Noise will be released early in 2014 by Crooked Cat publishing.
She is a fiction writer, who writes in several genres which include fantasy, noir, horror and humour. She has written several short stories, flash fictions, poems. Her work has appeared in both e-zine and print publications.
She was born in England and lives in Australia, where she is currently finishing writing the serial WIZARD
Helen is a member of Friday Flash Dot Org. and is a regular participant in writing Friday Flash.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 5, 2012
I'm glad to say I had the opportunity to beta-read Jumping at Shadows last year. It was a fun read then, and it has only improved since. It made me think of a Hallmark Special, and I could almost hear the accents of the English girls as I read, except that Hallmark Specials don't often feature parallel worlds and magic. And there's some real grit in this story, don't let my comparison make you think it's all happy-sappy.
Belle and Rosy are charming girls, on the edge of adolescence, not yet interested in boys. Until they stumble across the missing pieces to Belle's family heirloom, their main concern in life is dodging the mean girl, Shelly. Their independence, I think, is what really makes them stand out. When they discover a way to travel to the world where Belle's shadows come from, they don't bother telling their parents — they seize the opportunity and run with it.
When the story really got rolling, I kept thinking about Clarke's Law — "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" — because I was never quite sure which it was. For example, a "wishing stone" would provide you the item you desired, but by taking it from somewhere (or someone) else. Maybe that's where the dryer socks go? It had reciprocal properties, allowing you to wish something gone, and that's an important part of the story. If it was truly magic, it was a rigidly logical kind of magic, one that makes a lot more sense than most magic "systems" in fiction. The ambiguity works in the story's favor, at least for me. One could argue that Jumping at Shadows is fantasy or soft sci-fi, and I think it works for fans of either genre.
The character development in this was so good, I never really gave much thought to a young girl bearding the power-mad wizard in his own den. The assets that Belle gathers along the way were truly made for her, and she has no problem using them to help her friends.
The author categorized it as a "children's book," but it's a good one for all ages. Check it out!
Belle and Rosy are charming girls, on the edge of adolescence, not yet interested in boys. Until they stumble across the missing pieces to Belle's family heirloom, their main concern in life is dodging the mean girl, Shelly. Their independence, I think, is what really makes them stand out. When they discover a way to travel to the world where Belle's shadows come from, they don't bother telling their parents — they seize the opportunity and run with it.
When the story really got rolling, I kept thinking about Clarke's Law — "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" — because I was never quite sure which it was. For example, a "wishing stone" would provide you the item you desired, but by taking it from somewhere (or someone) else. Maybe that's where the dryer socks go? It had reciprocal properties, allowing you to wish something gone, and that's an important part of the story. If it was truly magic, it was a rigidly logical kind of magic, one that makes a lot more sense than most magic "systems" in fiction. The ambiguity works in the story's favor, at least for me. One could argue that Jumping at Shadows is fantasy or soft sci-fi, and I think it works for fans of either genre.
The character development in this was so good, I never really gave much thought to a young girl bearding the power-mad wizard in his own den. The assets that Belle gathers along the way were truly made for her, and she has no problem using them to help her friends.
The author categorized it as a "children's book," but it's a good one for all ages. Check it out!
October 18, 2012
In “Jumping at Shadows”, by Helen Howell, Belle and her school chum Rosy discover that an old family heirloom is the part of a magical inheritance, brought to our world by one of Belle’s ancestors, many hundreds of years ago. Digging in the garden, they unearth another section of the magical device. Upon bringing them together, powers are revealed that have lain dormant for centuries.
These came from a parallel world of magic and wizards, dreaded spells and usurpers battling for control of the land. The beautiful girl Therina, daughter to one of the great wizards of the age, was the one who took the Crystal Sphere out of the realm of magic and brought it to our mundane world. From generation to generation, it was passed down, until it ended up in the hands of Belle.
The influence of the magic is such that as the corrupt ruler of the magical world has his minions search for the long-lost Crystal Sphere, Belle perceives them as shadowy, ghost-like figures. As the magic rises in strength, Belle is pulled from the world of alarm clocks, gym class and classroom bullies into the land of spells, magical guardians and dreadful secrets.
This book is a fast, light read which will appeal to young adult audiences.
These came from a parallel world of magic and wizards, dreaded spells and usurpers battling for control of the land. The beautiful girl Therina, daughter to one of the great wizards of the age, was the one who took the Crystal Sphere out of the realm of magic and brought it to our mundane world. From generation to generation, it was passed down, until it ended up in the hands of Belle.
The influence of the magic is such that as the corrupt ruler of the magical world has his minions search for the long-lost Crystal Sphere, Belle perceives them as shadowy, ghost-like figures. As the magic rises in strength, Belle is pulled from the world of alarm clocks, gym class and classroom bullies into the land of spells, magical guardians and dreadful secrets.
This book is a fast, light read which will appeal to young adult audiences.
July 17, 2012
For a while now, I have been reading and enjoying Helen Howell’s brilliant adult-themed short stories and works of flash fiction that frequently delve into the darker underside of human nature. But her latest release, Jumping at Shadows marks a delightful and unexpected shift in style and genre, and illustrates the versatility of Helen’s exceptional creative abilities.
Jumping at Shadows is a beautifully written fantasy aimed at kids of all ages. It is a story about a friendship between two girls Belle and Rosie, who find themeselves propelled into a world of the shadows, and battling with the evil Madgar to save themselves and their world from destruction.
The story is highly imaginative, magical and smart, and rips along at a cracking pace. Helen has created two beautifully realised worlds, with believable characters that come together in an inventive and cleverly structured way. As the story unfolds, the suspense and intrigue grows, with one cliffhanger and nail-biting episode following the next, culminating in a brilliant showdown and climax that leaves room for a sequal.
Jumping at Shadows includes just the right mix of supernatural mystery, humour and pantomime scariness to amaze and delight young readers who have grown up on a staple diet of Harry Potter, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and other great fantasy stories.
So, all in all, Helen Howell has created a modern classic that will enthrall children and the young at heart for many years to come. She is indeed a very talented and magical yarn spinner.
Ist Class... 5 star!
Jumping at Shadows is a beautifully written fantasy aimed at kids of all ages. It is a story about a friendship between two girls Belle and Rosie, who find themeselves propelled into a world of the shadows, and battling with the evil Madgar to save themselves and their world from destruction.
The story is highly imaginative, magical and smart, and rips along at a cracking pace. Helen has created two beautifully realised worlds, with believable characters that come together in an inventive and cleverly structured way. As the story unfolds, the suspense and intrigue grows, with one cliffhanger and nail-biting episode following the next, culminating in a brilliant showdown and climax that leaves room for a sequal.
Jumping at Shadows includes just the right mix of supernatural mystery, humour and pantomime scariness to amaze and delight young readers who have grown up on a staple diet of Harry Potter, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and other great fantasy stories.
So, all in all, Helen Howell has created a modern classic that will enthrall children and the young at heart for many years to come. She is indeed a very talented and magical yarn spinner.
Ist Class... 5 star!
October 22, 2013
Author Helen Howell has such a charming 'voice' in this book that Jumping at Shadows is remarkably hard to put down. The two youngsters who 'jump' from adventure to adventure are funny and sweet (but not too sweet) and manage to ingratiate themselves with the reader as their story picks up steam.
What young girl doesn't dream of travelling to faraway and imaginary lands where magic rules and evil lurks around every corner; a place where spunk and bravery can rule the day and the bad guy may not stand a chance against the righteous energy of a cheerful twosome.
I thoroughly enjoyed Jumping at Shadows. I think it's the perfect read for any young girl between the ages of eight and 13.
What young girl doesn't dream of travelling to faraway and imaginary lands where magic rules and evil lurks around every corner; a place where spunk and bravery can rule the day and the bad guy may not stand a chance against the righteous energy of a cheerful twosome.
I thoroughly enjoyed Jumping at Shadows. I think it's the perfect read for any young girl between the ages of eight and 13.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews