What do you think?
Rate this book
Shadow Chaser
“Before I tell you a story most adults won’t, there’s something I must
I’m homeless…”
Faye Delaney and her parents stay in other people’s houses all over the South Island of New Zealand while they save money for their own forever-home. Faye doesn’t mind – she’s home-schooled, and each new house-sit comes with pets or farm animals, gardens or forests, and always a fresh piece of Aotearoa to explore.
While the Delaneys tour the South Island, so do rumours. People report seeing large, slinking shadows while out for a walk, riding their bike, or sipping a cup of tea – feline shadows that fade before anyone can get a second look. As a veteran house-sitter, Faye knows animals. And she hears the ring of truth in these rumours. Armed with a backpack, a notebook, and a great sense of direction, she’s going to get to the bottom of this possibly ancient mystery.
She’s going to chase shadows.
I’m homeless…”
Faye Delaney and her parents stay in other people’s houses all over the South Island of New Zealand while they save money for their own forever-home. Faye doesn’t mind – she’s home-schooled, and each new house-sit comes with pets or farm animals, gardens or forests, and always a fresh piece of Aotearoa to explore.
While the Delaneys tour the South Island, so do rumours. People report seeing large, slinking shadows while out for a walk, riding their bike, or sipping a cup of tea – feline shadows that fade before anyone can get a second look. As a veteran house-sitter, Faye knows animals. And she hears the ring of truth in these rumours. Armed with a backpack, a notebook, and a great sense of direction, she’s going to get to the bottom of this possibly ancient mystery.
She’s going to chase shadows.
214 pages, Hardcover
Published May 20, 2023
1 person is currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Angela Armstrong
10 books66 followersBefore writing books, Angela studied English and Film at the University of Otago, taught full-time in schools, owned an art gallery, and reviewed books for trade publishers. She lives in Northland, New Zealand, where she works full-time in the arts and heritage sector.
Link Tree:
https://linktr.ee/angelaarmstrong
Goodreads Disclaimers:
I know there are mixed feelings about authors' presence on goodreads. I've been a reviewer, and I know it can be surprising to have an author enter the room on feedback, but overall, I liked that. I also enjoy reading reviews of my books. I comment on some. I know my books won't be for everyone, so it's safe to be honest without fear of Authorzilla (though if you can manage respectful, that's nice).
I don't post reviews for every book I read here, but do add some when the mood strikes right.
Official Website:
http://www.angelaarmstrongbooks.com/
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@ange_armstrong
Amazon:
amazon.com/author/angelaarmstrong
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ange_armstrong
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/angelaarmst...
Link Tree:
https://linktr.ee/angelaarmstrong
Goodreads Disclaimers:
I know there are mixed feelings about authors' presence on goodreads. I've been a reviewer, and I know it can be surprising to have an author enter the room on feedback, but overall, I liked that. I also enjoy reading reviews of my books. I comment on some. I know my books won't be for everyone, so it's safe to be honest without fear of Authorzilla (though if you can manage respectful, that's nice).
I don't post reviews for every book I read here, but do add some when the mood strikes right.
Official Website:
http://www.angelaarmstrongbooks.com/
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@ange_armstrong
Amazon:
amazon.com/author/angelaarmstrong
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ange_armstrong
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/angelaarmst...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 4, 2023
Shadow Chaser simmers with rich wisdom, wairua, whanau and spiritual kaitiaki - guardians of the forest and waterways.
Faye’s family are professional house sitters. Hoping to save money to get onto the property ladder, they move from place to place caring for the homes, properties, pets and livestock of others. Faye shares these responsibilities with her parents and experiences the joys and sorrows of many arrivals and departures. House sitting around the South Island, the Delaneys hear of big cat sightings. Faye’s imagination is gripped by the idea and she begins to search for signs of the elusive black panthers.
Faye Delaney makes a refreshing narrator, unhampered by the snark and skepticism of her older YA literary cousins, this 12 year old adventurer sees the world through a pleasantly untainted lens. With parents who love her, believe in her, have time for her and provide a unique and wholesome lifestyle for her, it’s no wonder that Faye has grown into a caring, compassionate, brave young soul. This is what gives her the courage to speak up and fight for what matters.
The narrative weaves the realities of their everyday life, ongoing family drama surrounding her mother’s infertility, Faye’s own admirable management of Anxiety (with a capital A) with a growing sense of awe, wonder and trepidation that the black cats might be more than figments of imagination.
Things come to a head when Faye learns local conservationists are planning a hunt and remarkably her parents support her in opposing the event.
Armstrong gives Faye an authentic voice and structures the narrative across a variety of compelling and familiar settings. I loved the sense of landscape and atmosphere created in each new location and loved discovering the personalities of the animals in their care. I found myself grieving each departure.
This is a heart warming story. I was as much enamored with the farm/house sitting adventures as I was with the shadow cat sightings. I love the way Faye’s parents listen to her and value her opinion, there’s so much love in this story you want to be a Delaney. They struggle and suffer loss and fight for one another, making them a strongly knit unit.
Expect to be swept away by Faye, the Delaney’s and the shadow guardians of the forest. You won’t be disappointed.
Faye’s family are professional house sitters. Hoping to save money to get onto the property ladder, they move from place to place caring for the homes, properties, pets and livestock of others. Faye shares these responsibilities with her parents and experiences the joys and sorrows of many arrivals and departures. House sitting around the South Island, the Delaneys hear of big cat sightings. Faye’s imagination is gripped by the idea and she begins to search for signs of the elusive black panthers.
Faye Delaney makes a refreshing narrator, unhampered by the snark and skepticism of her older YA literary cousins, this 12 year old adventurer sees the world through a pleasantly untainted lens. With parents who love her, believe in her, have time for her and provide a unique and wholesome lifestyle for her, it’s no wonder that Faye has grown into a caring, compassionate, brave young soul. This is what gives her the courage to speak up and fight for what matters.
The narrative weaves the realities of their everyday life, ongoing family drama surrounding her mother’s infertility, Faye’s own admirable management of Anxiety (with a capital A) with a growing sense of awe, wonder and trepidation that the black cats might be more than figments of imagination.
Things come to a head when Faye learns local conservationists are planning a hunt and remarkably her parents support her in opposing the event.
Armstrong gives Faye an authentic voice and structures the narrative across a variety of compelling and familiar settings. I loved the sense of landscape and atmosphere created in each new location and loved discovering the personalities of the animals in their care. I found myself grieving each departure.
This is a heart warming story. I was as much enamored with the farm/house sitting adventures as I was with the shadow cat sightings. I love the way Faye’s parents listen to her and value her opinion, there’s so much love in this story you want to be a Delaney. They struggle and suffer loss and fight for one another, making them a strongly knit unit.
Expect to be swept away by Faye, the Delaney’s and the shadow guardians of the forest. You won’t be disappointed.
May 15, 2023
I have a new obsession, and this book is it. Warnings for shameless gushing, and a spoiler, which I've tried to hide.
The gushing:
As a Canadian expat living in New Zealand, I needed this book. As a woman who grew up listening to her father's stories of growing up on a farm, I needed this book. As a mother of young daughters, I really needed this book. Angela Armstrong hits some of the fullest, most resounding notes with this one: It's the song of New Zealand at its best, sung by a protagonist I can't help but adore. Mystery and spirit come together in this book, and lead us to unexpected moments of grace; like I said, I NEEDED this book. And I'll carry pieces of it with me forever.
Okay, I'm done gushing. Maybe.
The actual review:
SHADOW CHASER is an intimate peek into the life of an unusual family. The Delaneys aren't just full-time house-sitters; they're also homeschoolers. Our narrator, Faye, is their daughter, and her voice is one of the strongest aspects of the novel. She reminds me of both Laura Ingalls in BY THE SHORES OF SILVER LAKE, and Anna Paquin in FLY AWAY HOME: she has a strong sense of justice, a deep understanding of nature, and a lifestyle many 12-year olds would envy at first glance. She has her challenges, too: particularly, her ongoing confrontations with Anxiety, and her family's situation.
Faye applies her strength of character and insatiable curiosity to the mystery of the Big Cat Sightings in New Zealand, but the shadows she chases take on forms no one might expect. This primary storyline is matched with the evolution of the Delaneys as a house-sitting family, and as a single-child household. It explores aspects of mental health I rarely see handled for this age group, but which are 100% necessary.
I'll level with you, fellow readers: this book made me cry, both with sorrow, and with joy. Armstrong interweaves her study of a family with an exploration of New Zealand from both naturalist and spiritualist perspectives; she shows that nature can manifest healing in the simplest, most merciful ways, if we're brave enough to seek it out, and protect it in our turn. More than anything, Armstrong offers a gorgeous homage to the country of my choosing, the best place I've ever called home, and the healing spirit of nature.
In the end, I wish I could reach back through time and hand my 12-year old self this book. My situation was different from Faye's, but I would have related to her engagement with nature, her love of animals, and her fascination with New Zealand, and all its shadows.
The gushing:
As a Canadian expat living in New Zealand, I needed this book. As a woman who grew up listening to her father's stories of growing up on a farm, I needed this book. As a mother of young daughters, I really needed this book. Angela Armstrong hits some of the fullest, most resounding notes with this one: It's the song of New Zealand at its best, sung by a protagonist I can't help but adore. Mystery and spirit come together in this book, and lead us to unexpected moments of grace; like I said, I NEEDED this book. And I'll carry pieces of it with me forever.
Okay, I'm done gushing. Maybe.
The actual review:
SHADOW CHASER is an intimate peek into the life of an unusual family. The Delaneys aren't just full-time house-sitters; they're also homeschoolers. Our narrator, Faye, is their daughter, and her voice is one of the strongest aspects of the novel. She reminds me of both Laura Ingalls in BY THE SHORES OF SILVER LAKE, and Anna Paquin in FLY AWAY HOME: she has a strong sense of justice, a deep understanding of nature, and a lifestyle many 12-year olds would envy at first glance. She has her challenges, too: particularly, her ongoing confrontations with Anxiety, and her family's situation.
Faye applies her strength of character and insatiable curiosity to the mystery of the Big Cat Sightings in New Zealand, but the shadows she chases take on forms no one might expect. This primary storyline is matched with the evolution of the Delaneys as a house-sitting family, and as a single-child household. It explores aspects of mental health I rarely see handled for this age group, but which are 100% necessary.
I'll level with you, fellow readers: this book made me cry, both with sorrow, and with joy. Armstrong interweaves her study of a family with an exploration of New Zealand from both naturalist and spiritualist perspectives; she shows that nature can manifest healing in the simplest, most merciful ways, if we're brave enough to seek it out, and protect it in our turn. More than anything, Armstrong offers a gorgeous homage to the country of my choosing, the best place I've ever called home, and the healing spirit of nature.
In the end, I wish I could reach back through time and hand my 12-year old self this book. My situation was different from Faye's, but I would have related to her engagement with nature, her love of animals, and her fascination with New Zealand, and all its shadows.
May 21, 2023
As someone who lives in Ashburton and knows the tale of the panther sitings well, I really enjoyed this story.
We have a family who travel from place to place, housesitting for people all over the South Island. We get to experience farm life, the serenity of our beautiful countryside and lakes, and a tiki tour through some of my favourite places. And woven throughout is the hunt for the elusive black panther sighted all around Canterbury.
Our main character, Faye, is a young girl with a thirst for knowledge and adventure. She has a different sort of a life, being homeschooled and travelling every few weeks or months. When she hears about the panther sightings, she can’t help but start searching everywhere she goes.
I love the way the author has included the use of te reo and spirituality throughout. Also that Faye’s parents encourage her to dig in and learn, and fight for what she believes in.
It’s a fabulous story for younger readers, I’d say around 8-12 years.
We have a family who travel from place to place, housesitting for people all over the South Island. We get to experience farm life, the serenity of our beautiful countryside and lakes, and a tiki tour through some of my favourite places. And woven throughout is the hunt for the elusive black panther sighted all around Canterbury.
Our main character, Faye, is a young girl with a thirst for knowledge and adventure. She has a different sort of a life, being homeschooled and travelling every few weeks or months. When she hears about the panther sightings, she can’t help but start searching everywhere she goes.
I love the way the author has included the use of te reo and spirituality throughout. Also that Faye’s parents encourage her to dig in and learn, and fight for what she believes in.
It’s a fabulous story for younger readers, I’d say around 8-12 years.
May 22, 2023
It’s been a while since I’ve sat and finished a book in one sitting, but I simply could not put this one down (much to the disgust of 1 dog and 2 cats who all wanted my attention)! Beautifully written, a perfect mix of emotion and education, and, quite simply, a gorgeous book to lose oneself in. Moments of honest joy and sadness woven throughout with peaceful spirituality and a real-world feel… one to re-read again and again and again.
June 7, 2023
Thank you to Angela and BookSirens for providing me with a copy of this book! All opinions are my own!
Oh my goodness I adore how Angela tells stories and really immerses you into them every single time! I know this story was extremely personal to her, and you could tell that every word was written with such care.
I absolutely loved the way that anxiety and infertility were both addressed in this book. The portrayal of therapy, especially to a young child, was so well done, and I loved seeing the incorporation of what Faye was taught by her parents and how she was able to overcome even when Anxiety came knocking. I think the handling of infertility was also spectacular in that it must have been so hard to portray something like this from a child's point of view.
I loved learning more about New Zealand and its Indigenous culture. Faye was so loveable, even to an adult reader, and I enjoyed seeing the world through her eyes. You could feel her family's love and joy, and it was hard to be anything but happy while reading. I do think that the ending felt a bit rushed, but otherwise, I adored it!
If a kid in your life is dealing with anxiety, your family is dealing with infertility, or you simply want a darn good read, well look no further!
Oh my goodness I adore how Angela tells stories and really immerses you into them every single time! I know this story was extremely personal to her, and you could tell that every word was written with such care.
I absolutely loved the way that anxiety and infertility were both addressed in this book. The portrayal of therapy, especially to a young child, was so well done, and I loved seeing the incorporation of what Faye was taught by her parents and how she was able to overcome even when Anxiety came knocking. I think the handling of infertility was also spectacular in that it must have been so hard to portray something like this from a child's point of view.
I loved learning more about New Zealand and its Indigenous culture. Faye was so loveable, even to an adult reader, and I enjoyed seeing the world through her eyes. You could feel her family's love and joy, and it was hard to be anything but happy while reading. I do think that the ending felt a bit rushed, but otherwise, I adored it!
If a kid in your life is dealing with anxiety, your family is dealing with infertility, or you simply want a darn good read, well look no further!
Read
May 28, 2023As a 40+ year old father, this book was not one I would not normally pick up, but after a few chapters I felt a connection to the main character. She reminded me of my own daughter and her relationship with her mother.
I started the book again reading the story to my daughter and was not disappointed.
My daughter enjoyed the adventurous spirit of the young girl. The touches of New Zealand slang and amazing descriptions of the location makes it another reason we as a family have to explore our own backyard.
This book will bring you back to your own childhood or open your eyes to the wonders that New Zealand has to offer. Great read for all ages.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I started the book again reading the story to my daughter and was not disappointed.
My daughter enjoyed the adventurous spirit of the young girl. The touches of New Zealand slang and amazing descriptions of the location makes it another reason we as a family have to explore our own backyard.
This book will bring you back to your own childhood or open your eyes to the wonders that New Zealand has to offer. Great read for all ages.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
July 17, 2023
This is a tremendously interesting and entertaining book. I loved the richness of the storytelling, the mystery, the great interactions of the close family, the exuberance and increasing confidence of the main character. The best book I have read this year.
July 29, 2023
Loved this book. It was wholesome and felt like a hot cup of Bell tea on a kiwi winter night. That’s to say it was heartwarming and endearing.
It was kiwi through and through.
It was kiwi through and through.
June 20, 2023
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Shadow Chaser is a coming-of-age story about a young girl named Faye Moana Delaney who lives with her parents, Tai and Abbey*. Not in a single home, though. To set the record straight, from page one, Faye explains that her family is homeless. Set in New Zealand after the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown, Faye and her parents relinquish their house and take up house-sitting for couples who own farmland and livestock. At each new house-sit, Faye makes new friends with horses and goats, dogs and cats, and christens newborn lambs and chickens, knowing that when the homeowners return, she’ll have to say goodbye and move on and start over. This constant cycle of settlement and uprooting puts further stress on her parents, who are relying on IVF treatment to have a baby. Each miscarriage drives Faye’s parents further apart and into their own interests: Tai with his MMORPGs, Abbey with her remarkably versatile animal care.
The only thing that’s consistent in Faye’s life is the media coverage of big cat sightings in southern New Zealand. While no evidence has been found that identifies the elusive panther, all reported sightings conjure a similar likeness: a large black cat with a low frame and a long tail, often seen briefly in the bush or overhead in the canopy before disappearing without a trace.
Considered an apex predator never before seen in Aotearoa**, this mysterious big cat has caught the attention of Faye—and a pack of hunters advocating to protect native wildlife (with guns). There are skeptics, sure—people who call this experience “pareidolia,” or seeing what we want to see, making it difficult for outliers like Faye to be heard. Yet Faye also explores possibilities beyond the physical realm. What would it mean for our guardians and stewards to show themselves to us and we didn’t take their presence seriously? Faye becomes determined to unite her parents in her cause to find the shadow cat (though, “what then?” comes to mind. Thanks, Anxiety) and stop the hunt before it’s too late.
As an adult reading a book whose target audience skews much younger than me, I found myself reading Shadow Chaser with a childlike sense of wonder as to how a writer can capture the voice of a young girl so vividly. Reading this book rekindled the joy of reading for me, to be sucked into another world and learn something new with great appreciation. What I truly loved about this book is getting to learn about it all through Faye, the kind of explorer who is deeply attached to nature and all the joys and fears it can conjure within us when humans feel threatened by the unknown. Equal parts chilling and empowering, Shadow Chaser is a book for farm- and nature-lovers of all ages seeking to spark our own sense of pareidolia—that is, seeing meaning in the mundane, or defamiliarizing reality to make our way to back to it, renewed.
* Faye comes from a mixed family—Abbey is Scottish and Tai is Ngāi Tahu, from the southern Māori iwi (tribe). I was overjoyed to finally read a book about a mixed/multicultural family that fully embraced all sides of Faye’s identity without feeling the need to exploit or mine her for trauma or representative clout. As someone who is mixed-race, reading this book meant a lot to me, especially when it comes to valuing multiple and contradicting realities. I can only imagine the kind of empowerment I would have felt had this book come out when I was Faye’s age, eager to find someone else like me in the vast multitude of books unread.
** After I finished the book, I went on a panther chase of my own (aka, I googled things!). Shadow Chaser seems to be inspired from the very real Canterbury Panther scare in southern New Zealand. There is some recent evidence, (no) thanks to a hunter photographing his kill—a large black cat, which was later confirmed to be a large feral cat and very much not a panther—but ultimately, the sightings never escalated to killings or reports of missing livestock. For now, the New Zealand black panther is a vaporous cryptid entity in the bush that will give me the creepy spooky chills just thinking about it.
Shadow Chaser is a coming-of-age story about a young girl named Faye Moana Delaney who lives with her parents, Tai and Abbey*. Not in a single home, though. To set the record straight, from page one, Faye explains that her family is homeless. Set in New Zealand after the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown, Faye and her parents relinquish their house and take up house-sitting for couples who own farmland and livestock. At each new house-sit, Faye makes new friends with horses and goats, dogs and cats, and christens newborn lambs and chickens, knowing that when the homeowners return, she’ll have to say goodbye and move on and start over. This constant cycle of settlement and uprooting puts further stress on her parents, who are relying on IVF treatment to have a baby. Each miscarriage drives Faye’s parents further apart and into their own interests: Tai with his MMORPGs, Abbey with her remarkably versatile animal care.
The only thing that’s consistent in Faye’s life is the media coverage of big cat sightings in southern New Zealand. While no evidence has been found that identifies the elusive panther, all reported sightings conjure a similar likeness: a large black cat with a low frame and a long tail, often seen briefly in the bush or overhead in the canopy before disappearing without a trace.
Considered an apex predator never before seen in Aotearoa**, this mysterious big cat has caught the attention of Faye—and a pack of hunters advocating to protect native wildlife (with guns). There are skeptics, sure—people who call this experience “pareidolia,” or seeing what we want to see, making it difficult for outliers like Faye to be heard. Yet Faye also explores possibilities beyond the physical realm. What would it mean for our guardians and stewards to show themselves to us and we didn’t take their presence seriously? Faye becomes determined to unite her parents in her cause to find the shadow cat (though, “what then?” comes to mind. Thanks, Anxiety) and stop the hunt before it’s too late.
As an adult reading a book whose target audience skews much younger than me, I found myself reading Shadow Chaser with a childlike sense of wonder as to how a writer can capture the voice of a young girl so vividly. Reading this book rekindled the joy of reading for me, to be sucked into another world and learn something new with great appreciation. What I truly loved about this book is getting to learn about it all through Faye, the kind of explorer who is deeply attached to nature and all the joys and fears it can conjure within us when humans feel threatened by the unknown. Equal parts chilling and empowering, Shadow Chaser is a book for farm- and nature-lovers of all ages seeking to spark our own sense of pareidolia—that is, seeing meaning in the mundane, or defamiliarizing reality to make our way to back to it, renewed.
* Faye comes from a mixed family—Abbey is Scottish and Tai is Ngāi Tahu, from the southern Māori iwi (tribe). I was overjoyed to finally read a book about a mixed/multicultural family that fully embraced all sides of Faye’s identity without feeling the need to exploit or mine her for trauma or representative clout. As someone who is mixed-race, reading this book meant a lot to me, especially when it comes to valuing multiple and contradicting realities. I can only imagine the kind of empowerment I would have felt had this book come out when I was Faye’s age, eager to find someone else like me in the vast multitude of books unread.
** After I finished the book, I went on a panther chase of my own (aka, I googled things!). Shadow Chaser seems to be inspired from the very real Canterbury Panther scare in southern New Zealand. There is some recent evidence, (no) thanks to a hunter photographing his kill—a large black cat, which was later confirmed to be a large feral cat and very much not a panther—but ultimately, the sightings never escalated to killings or reports of missing livestock. For now, the New Zealand black panther is a vaporous cryptid entity in the bush that will give me the creepy spooky chills just thinking about it.
May 31, 2023
This book wasn’t at all what I expected, both in the story and in the way it was written, but it was an absolute delight to read.
I loved the characters dynamics of Faye and her mum an dad. In a way it seems such an exciting and wonderful way of life, and reasoning behind this way of life soon becomes apparent, but I also think it would be hard never settling in one place you can call home. Faye is a young girl who has a different way of life as her parents house sit all over South Island. She gets to experience the different scenery, and being an animal lover gets to help look after many animals, so when she hears about panther sightings she just has to go and explore.
It truly was a delight to read, one that I’m 100% sure my own daughter would absolutely love. I received an advanced review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved the characters dynamics of Faye and her mum an dad. In a way it seems such an exciting and wonderful way of life, and reasoning behind this way of life soon becomes apparent, but I also think it would be hard never settling in one place you can call home. Faye is a young girl who has a different way of life as her parents house sit all over South Island. She gets to experience the different scenery, and being an animal lover gets to help look after many animals, so when she hears about panther sightings she just has to go and explore.
It truly was a delight to read, one that I’m 100% sure my own daughter would absolutely love. I received an advanced review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 22, 2023
I am from the US but I consider myself blessed to have had a wonderful, if fleeting, trip to New Zealand years ago. If I could uproot and live anywhere it would be there. I love the diverse beauty of this country whether it be its geography, its culture, its people, its recreation, just all of it. This wonderfully wholesome book is a testament to how incredible this region is and makes me quite dejected that in my limited time there I only had access to the north island. House-sitting around a beautiful country, taking care of animals, and exploring all it has to offer sounds like a dream (granted it would come with its own challenges as well). The family depicted here struggled to add another member and infertility and miscarriage are definitely themes that aren't to be taken lightly, but I would love to be a part of their unit. The mother absolutely is a reflection of what I hope to be for my only child as he grows up- we could all strive to live up to her example. I loved the lore this book offered even if the bits of te reo Māori was a bit hard to follow at times toward the end (there's a word list at the beginning but I was reading digitally and didn't "flip back" to it much after the initial reading and mostly used context clues). I loved it and am so glad that I was able to get a promotional ARC from Book Sirens to review!!
August 28, 2023
Told from Faye’s POV (Point of View), this story is magical, funny and sad in places as she and her parents come to a crossroad or two in their lives!
Thoroughly recommend this amazing journey around New Zealand, with scenery and cultures depicted beautifully. Farming and pets in their various forms were described with great accuracy and understanding of how they tick - clearly similar no matter where in the world we hail from!
A lovely story for all ages but particularly suited for tweens, teenagers and young adult readers.
Received this as an Advanced Reader copy for free via BookSirens and this is my own opinion, given voluntarily.
Thoroughly recommend this amazing journey around New Zealand, with scenery and cultures depicted beautifully. Farming and pets in their various forms were described with great accuracy and understanding of how they tick - clearly similar no matter where in the world we hail from!
A lovely story for all ages but particularly suited for tweens, teenagers and young adult readers.
Received this as an Advanced Reader copy for free via BookSirens and this is my own opinion, given voluntarily.
August 20, 2023
I may not be the typical reader this book aims for, yet diving into the pages of "Shadow Chaser" was an unexpected thrill. Despite not being the book's prime audience, I found myself utterly captivated by the world Angela Armstrong crafted. The story's charm lies in its authenticity, particularly in the dynamics between Faye and her mother Abbey. The dual allure of unraveling a captivating mystery and immersing myself in the protagonist's love for nature kept me eagerly turning pages.
One delightful surprise was the inclusion of a glossary for 'New Zealand' terms, ensuring that readers from every corner of the globe can step into this local mystery without missing a beat. I love that we get the opportunity to uncover a mystery right in our own backyard!
"Shadow Chaser" gracefully weaves many themes, inviting young readers to explore topics like conservation/kaitiakitanga, anxiety and determination. After reading I couldn't help but go on a digital expedition to learn more about the true urban legend that forms the foundation of this tale. The blending of fiction and reality left me both spellbound and inspired.
What truly sets this book apart is its endearing sincerity. This portrayal of intrigue, blended seamlessly with Aotearoa's unique essence, painted a picture I hadn't encountered before. With every chapter, the connection between mystery and emotions grew stronger, making "Shadow Chaser" a gem that I wholeheartedly recommend.
One delightful surprise was the inclusion of a glossary for 'New Zealand' terms, ensuring that readers from every corner of the globe can step into this local mystery without missing a beat. I love that we get the opportunity to uncover a mystery right in our own backyard!
"Shadow Chaser" gracefully weaves many themes, inviting young readers to explore topics like conservation/kaitiakitanga, anxiety and determination. After reading I couldn't help but go on a digital expedition to learn more about the true urban legend that forms the foundation of this tale. The blending of fiction and reality left me both spellbound and inspired.
What truly sets this book apart is its endearing sincerity. This portrayal of intrigue, blended seamlessly with Aotearoa's unique essence, painted a picture I hadn't encountered before. With every chapter, the connection between mystery and emotions grew stronger, making "Shadow Chaser" a gem that I wholeheartedly recommend.
September 29, 2024
Lovely story. This book has a very different narrative from anything I've read before. It was nice to read about a loving, intact family even if they are living an unusual lifestyle. It was , however, not what I was expecting at all. The synopsis hinted at a supernatural mystery but this was actually a coming of age story.
July 6, 2023
Sometimes we come across a book that doesn't fit just in one category or shelf, mostly because the authors are bolder or free from labels.
This slice-of-life contemporary novel has a 12-year-old main character who narrates her story in the 1rst person. Her family house-sits for others and doesn't have a home of their own. I had never experienced the point of view of a family like this, very interesting with pros and cons. They take care of a large farm, dealing with animals but also spend a few days in a house with a fun dog. It varies. This homeschooled introverted girl named Faye has an affinity with nature and New Zealand's mystical culture. She is also an advocate for the animals (nature/life) and sometimes something more.
The author is careful to name important triggers before the book starts because it is labeled as a middle-grade novel. As we experience with authors in the past who are not afraid to speak of some subjects (like girls' periods) this author addresses miscarriages (of the mother of course) and how Faye perceives her family's pain. In a way, it brings her closer to her mother, but usually, that is not the case. I relate to this, and I never read a book that addressed this theme from the daughter's point of view: how we are kept aside and treated as ignorant children, how anxious we feel, and what we have to put aside so we can be adults and support our parents even when we are just kids watching the family in pain. This is not the case…. The author builds a better relationship and mother and daughter communicate. Always from Faye's point of view. I think the author addressed this well.
The other trigger. There is a mysterious cat that is being hunted. Guns. The author addresses ignorance. When adults don't understand or feel threatened, they hunt. Faye is against hurting animals, predators or not, and fights for it.
Apart from these two core themes, the novel is a fast read of family love, land love, and activism.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This slice-of-life contemporary novel has a 12-year-old main character who narrates her story in the 1rst person. Her family house-sits for others and doesn't have a home of their own. I had never experienced the point of view of a family like this, very interesting with pros and cons. They take care of a large farm, dealing with animals but also spend a few days in a house with a fun dog. It varies. This homeschooled introverted girl named Faye has an affinity with nature and New Zealand's mystical culture. She is also an advocate for the animals (nature/life) and sometimes something more.
The author is careful to name important triggers before the book starts because it is labeled as a middle-grade novel. As we experience with authors in the past who are not afraid to speak of some subjects (like girls' periods) this author addresses miscarriages (of the mother of course) and how Faye perceives her family's pain. In a way, it brings her closer to her mother, but usually, that is not the case. I relate to this, and I never read a book that addressed this theme from the daughter's point of view: how we are kept aside and treated as ignorant children, how anxious we feel, and what we have to put aside so we can be adults and support our parents even when we are just kids watching the family in pain. This is not the case…. The author builds a better relationship and mother and daughter communicate. Always from Faye's point of view. I think the author addressed this well.
The other trigger. There is a mysterious cat that is being hunted. Guns. The author addresses ignorance. When adults don't understand or feel threatened, they hunt. Faye is against hurting animals, predators or not, and fights for it.
Apart from these two core themes, the novel is a fast read of family love, land love, and activism.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 21, 2023
Slice of life meets an age-old mystery
My younger self would have 100% tried to investigate and been scared the entire time. I'm not sure I would have the confidence to stand up for my convictions, especially against adults.
Definitely will be buying a copy for my younger nieces who will love this
My younger self would have 100% tried to investigate and been scared the entire time. I'm not sure I would have the confidence to stand up for my convictions, especially against adults.
Definitely will be buying a copy for my younger nieces who will love this
July 10, 2023
"Shadow Chaser" was a charming book. This was such a sweet read about growing up and standing up for what you believe in. The main character, Faye, is the homeschooled daughter of house sitters. She travels around New Zealand with her parents and helps tend to the households and animals at the places they sit. As rumors of big cat sightings increase, a hunt is arranged to protect the native wildlife. Faye finds herself the sole voice of reason as she hunts for the truth in these sightings. I would have liked a little more detail for the reference to Faye's culture, but overall it was a wonderful story.
June 25, 2023
At first I thought the book was aimed at very young adult and wasn’t sure about it, but it grew on me and I appreciate the look at New Zealand and Māori culture and history, as well as the house-sitting culture. The story moves along nicely though sometimes it feels like the shadow is a secondary plot. But the final third of the book starts to get deeper and it all comes together. Faye and her parents are great characters as are all the animals. This book could be a great starting point for younger readers —and older ones— to then do more reading and research about Aotearoa and Māori culture as well as geography of New Zealand. I’ve learned a bit on my own over the years, so it was fun to read this and come across terms and places I’m familiar with.
I received a free copy for voluntary review. My opinion is purely my own.
I received a free copy for voluntary review. My opinion is purely my own.
November 3, 2023
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but I was very pleasantly surprised!
I loved the story telling, the family dynamic and the overall great feeling this book left.
I loved the story telling, the family dynamic and the overall great feeling this book left.
June 17, 2023
Faye Delaney is homeschooled and homeless. She and her parents are house/farm sitters. Living in homes and caring for animals for other people while they are on vacation. Faye loves the animals they care for. And deals with loss on a regular basis. I loved that Faye is not afraid to love fully even with the knowledge that she will be with each animal only for a short time. One day, Faye learns that there may be big cats roaming the South Island of New Zealand. When she realized they are house sitting near where the big cats have been seen, she becomes determined to find them. But when she learns there is a movement to hunt down the big cats to protect local wildlife even without evidence that the cats are killing, she has to do something.
I received this ARC for via BookSirens. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book was so much more than I expected. It is a book about home, about love, about grief and loss, and about being who you truly are. I am so glad I read it. Be sure to read the About the Author section as well. I look forward to reading more by this author. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Having a glossary in the book would have been helpful. As someone who lives in the United States, I was unfamiliar with the wildlife and some of the terms used in this book.
Content warning: miscarriage, hunting, guns, mourning.
I received this ARC for via BookSirens. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book was so much more than I expected. It is a book about home, about love, about grief and loss, and about being who you truly are. I am so glad I read it. Be sure to read the About the Author section as well. I look forward to reading more by this author. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Having a glossary in the book would have been helpful. As someone who lives in the United States, I was unfamiliar with the wildlife and some of the terms used in this book.
Content warning: miscarriage, hunting, guns, mourning.
August 12, 2023
It will build up your little imagination designed for younger readers but as an adult enjoyed this short novel There were few occasions in the story that I find relatable in terms of feeling sometimes we encounter in any part of our life.
Overall I enjoy this read which you can finish in one sitting.
3.7/5 stars
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Overall I enjoy this read which you can finish in one sitting.
3.7/5 stars
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 28, 2023
This was a lot of fun to read. As someone who is from the South Island of New Zealand, I loved reading about this family traveling all around this part of the country.
While reading, I had no idea how this book would end, but I really like the direction it went in.
Overall I really enjoyed this and it was so nice to read a book full of New Zealand and Maori culture references.
While reading, I had no idea how this book would end, but I really like the direction it went in.
Overall I really enjoyed this and it was so nice to read a book full of New Zealand and Maori culture references.
August 29, 2023
Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to the author Angela Armstrong and BookSirens for the opportunity.
First, I would like to say I enjoyed meeting Faye and her family. I enjoyed their relationship and learning more about them. However, I struggled with understanding this character because although she is 12 years old, she talks and acts like someone who is older, around 15-16 years old.
Second, there were spacing, spelling, and word issues from time to time. As an ARC though I've seen more difficult reads due to this than this.
Without these things getting in my way I may have rated it higher though I'll admit I understood that this book was not written for an adult like me. I'm not sure I understood what the story was really about it. It read more of a young girl's diary than a story with a plot. Though once again with the way Faye is written she does not sound 12 years old. The way she describes certain things such as anxiety just does not read as coming from a 12-year-old to me. Sure, she's homeschooled and learns more about life through living it, but that doesn't mean she would know how to articulate things the way she sometimes does. I will admit though one of my favorite lines about her anxiety is written fabulously: "I'm still addressing my Anxiety (which I picture as a 2-year-old version of me who is really just trying to help" (41%) ...then later she says, "It's as if Miss Anxiety is pulling at my aorta like it's a shirt sleeve, and I'm auntie busy talking to other adults" (43%). I read these lines and laughed while thinking "get out of my head!" I've been there. I understand what Faye means. I like how the author addresses the character's anxiety. It makes her relatable, but at the same time I believe she did a disservice to the character by not making her slightly older. If I were a kid of 12 reading this unless I was a genius or a book nerd, I would felt very put off by how the character isn't like most 12-year-olds. She doesn't play, have friends who aren't animals, and genuinely seems very lonely though she tries to say this doesn't bother her. I see that this character doesn't have the stability she needs. Yes, her parents obviously love her and try the best they can with what they are given, but the message I got from all the moving around is that their needs and wants come before hers. This is also highlighted by the ending. What parent would be okay with their child taking on such a responsibility? I'm not a parent so I can't understand what drives them, and once again I understand this book wasn't written for someone with my mind. However, I believe that the picture this book gave me with its words did not match up with the author’s intentions. With that being said, I don't know if I could recommend this to other readers without telling them to manage their expectations. Readers can learn a lot from Faye, but I'm unsure what the ultimate lesson is with this book.
First, I would like to say I enjoyed meeting Faye and her family. I enjoyed their relationship and learning more about them. However, I struggled with understanding this character because although she is 12 years old, she talks and acts like someone who is older, around 15-16 years old.
Second, there were spacing, spelling, and word issues from time to time. As an ARC though I've seen more difficult reads due to this than this.
Without these things getting in my way I may have rated it higher though I'll admit I understood that this book was not written for an adult like me. I'm not sure I understood what the story was really about it. It read more of a young girl's diary than a story with a plot. Though once again with the way Faye is written she does not sound 12 years old. The way she describes certain things such as anxiety just does not read as coming from a 12-year-old to me. Sure, she's homeschooled and learns more about life through living it, but that doesn't mean she would know how to articulate things the way she sometimes does. I will admit though one of my favorite lines about her anxiety is written fabulously: "I'm still addressing my Anxiety (which I picture as a 2-year-old version of me who is really just trying to help" (41%) ...then later she says, "It's as if Miss Anxiety is pulling at my aorta like it's a shirt sleeve, and I'm auntie busy talking to other adults" (43%). I read these lines and laughed while thinking "get out of my head!" I've been there. I understand what Faye means. I like how the author addresses the character's anxiety. It makes her relatable, but at the same time I believe she did a disservice to the character by not making her slightly older. If I were a kid of 12 reading this unless I was a genius or a book nerd, I would felt very put off by how the character isn't like most 12-year-olds. She doesn't play, have friends who aren't animals, and genuinely seems very lonely though she tries to say this doesn't bother her. I see that this character doesn't have the stability she needs. Yes, her parents obviously love her and try the best they can with what they are given, but the message I got from all the moving around is that their needs and wants come before hers. This is also highlighted by the ending. What parent would be okay with their child taking on such a responsibility? I'm not a parent so I can't understand what drives them, and once again I understand this book wasn't written for someone with my mind. However, I believe that the picture this book gave me with its words did not match up with the author’s intentions. With that being said, I don't know if I could recommend this to other readers without telling them to manage their expectations. Readers can learn a lot from Faye, but I'm unsure what the ultimate lesson is with this book.
July 16, 2023
Refreshing, cozy, charming, and not what I expected!
Our engaging protagonist, Faye, has seen large feline-like shadows in the countryside of New Zealand's South Island. She's 12, and she wants to investigate.
I expected this 'mystical beast' storyline to take over the book completely. It didn't, but the book was better for it. Instead, this storyline almost felt to me like a sub-plot or a narrative structure around which the heart of the book sits. The true stars of this book, for me, were Faye herself, her mom and dad, and their fascinatingly episodic house-sitting adventures.
I loved this adorable family and their interesting circumstances around being 'homeless,' since they perpetually go from one house-sitting job to another. I've always appreciated seeing other ways of being in the world, and this book delivers beautifully in that regard.
In fact, the unusual living circumstances here brought to mind a book I loved when I was a boy of about 10, Black and Blue Magic by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. It was about a twelve-year-old boy whose mom owned a boarding house in San Francisco, and the boarders came and went while magic ensued. As a young reader, I loved seeing a family that lived differently from mine. Likewise here, I think the 'unusual living circumstances' aspect of Shadow Chaser would make it especially interesting for young readers.
I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship between Faye and her mom, and the way both of her parents treated her with so much respect and equality. They recognized their daughter as an individual worthy of respect, even though she was only 12, and I adored that. It's perhaps a bit damning of modern day parenting depictions in fiction that this aspect of the book was so refreshing, but there you have it.
So while I entered this book expecting some sort of magical creature adventure (and I did get a small taste of that), what really kept me going was this delightful family, our charming protagonist, and the intriguing way they lived their life together.
This book is a quiet little gem.
Our engaging protagonist, Faye, has seen large feline-like shadows in the countryside of New Zealand's South Island. She's 12, and she wants to investigate.
I expected this 'mystical beast' storyline to take over the book completely. It didn't, but the book was better for it. Instead, this storyline almost felt to me like a sub-plot or a narrative structure around which the heart of the book sits. The true stars of this book, for me, were Faye herself, her mom and dad, and their fascinatingly episodic house-sitting adventures.
I loved this adorable family and their interesting circumstances around being 'homeless,' since they perpetually go from one house-sitting job to another. I've always appreciated seeing other ways of being in the world, and this book delivers beautifully in that regard.
In fact, the unusual living circumstances here brought to mind a book I loved when I was a boy of about 10, Black and Blue Magic by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. It was about a twelve-year-old boy whose mom owned a boarding house in San Francisco, and the boarders came and went while magic ensued. As a young reader, I loved seeing a family that lived differently from mine. Likewise here, I think the 'unusual living circumstances' aspect of Shadow Chaser would make it especially interesting for young readers.
I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship between Faye and her mom, and the way both of her parents treated her with so much respect and equality. They recognized their daughter as an individual worthy of respect, even though she was only 12, and I adored that. It's perhaps a bit damning of modern day parenting depictions in fiction that this aspect of the book was so refreshing, but there you have it.
So while I entered this book expecting some sort of magical creature adventure (and I did get a small taste of that), what really kept me going was this delightful family, our charming protagonist, and the intriguing way they lived their life together.
This book is a quiet little gem.
May 28, 2023
3.5 out of 5 stars
I would like to start by saying that I am very far out of the targeted age group, however I was very intrigued by the homeless/home sitting aspect and I read a lot of YA paranormal fantasy. This book was not quite what I expected but it was certainly a very interesting and well written book.
I definitely enjoyed reading about the everyday life of the family and all about New Zealand. This part was very unique and interesting.
I also liked how supportive and empowering Faye's parents were. Given that most books these days are about disfunctional families, reading about a family that really loved and supported each other was like a breath of fresh air!
The paranormal mystery was not what I thought it would be. It is certainly not bad but it took a very different turn to what I expected. In addition to that, Faye's behaviour and way of thinking felt "too mature for her age" to me. And I am not quite certain what the whole "miscarriage" part added to the plot and how suitable - although very well written - this topic is for Middle Grade kids. (IMHO, Shadow Chaser is a middle grade book, rather than a YA one). Last but not least, I found the use of the Maori words interesting, but having to go to the glossary to look them up threw me off the story. (The Glossary was a great idea, but too long for me to memorize.)
Overall, I think that this book is very unique and memorable. I would highly recommend it for middle grade kids. However, I would like to end by saying that to me it reads more like an activist adventure, rather than a paranormal mystery. If you expect to read a magical, paranormal adventure (like: AMARI and the Night Brothers or Harry Potter etc)...this book is not it!
I would like to start by saying that I am very far out of the targeted age group, however I was very intrigued by the homeless/home sitting aspect and I read a lot of YA paranormal fantasy. This book was not quite what I expected but it was certainly a very interesting and well written book.
I definitely enjoyed reading about the everyday life of the family and all about New Zealand. This part was very unique and interesting.
I also liked how supportive and empowering Faye's parents were. Given that most books these days are about disfunctional families, reading about a family that really loved and supported each other was like a breath of fresh air!
The paranormal mystery was not what I thought it would be. It is certainly not bad but it took a very different turn to what I expected. In addition to that, Faye's behaviour and way of thinking felt "too mature for her age" to me. And I am not quite certain what the whole "miscarriage" part added to the plot and how suitable - although very well written - this topic is for Middle Grade kids. (IMHO, Shadow Chaser is a middle grade book, rather than a YA one). Last but not least, I found the use of the Maori words interesting, but having to go to the glossary to look them up threw me off the story. (The Glossary was a great idea, but too long for me to memorize.)
Overall, I think that this book is very unique and memorable. I would highly recommend it for middle grade kids. However, I would like to end by saying that to me it reads more like an activist adventure, rather than a paranormal mystery. If you expect to read a magical, paranormal adventure (like: AMARI and the Night Brothers or Harry Potter etc)...this book is not it!
June 22, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Faye Delaney's parents think that renting a house or an apartment is a waste of money. That is why Faye is homeschooled, and they house sit around New Zealand. When she starts hearing about a shadow cat that has been sighting, she has her own encounters. That propels her to do an investigation. She got more than she bargained for. When a hunt is issued to hunt this mystery shadow cat, she tries to stop them in her own way, trying to manage her anxiety in the process.
It's a good story of how to overcome your anxiety. Especially when Faye has her little adventures. For some reason, I find it more suitable for younger kids. There is some action and adventure weaved into this story. If you just want a nice read, learning about places and without too much scary stuff, this is the book.
Faye Delaney's parents think that renting a house or an apartment is a waste of money. That is why Faye is homeschooled, and they house sit around New Zealand. When she starts hearing about a shadow cat that has been sighting, she has her own encounters. That propels her to do an investigation. She got more than she bargained for. When a hunt is issued to hunt this mystery shadow cat, she tries to stop them in her own way, trying to manage her anxiety in the process.
It's a good story of how to overcome your anxiety. Especially when Faye has her little adventures. For some reason, I find it more suitable for younger kids. There is some action and adventure weaved into this story. If you just want a nice read, learning about places and without too much scary stuff, this is the book.
May 7, 2025
Spoiler free review of Shadow Chaser by Aotearoa author Angela Armstrong!
This book follows Faye and her family as they house sit on various farms through the South Island. Drawing from the big cat sightings that many have claimed they have seen, this book follows a fictional story of Faye and her own black cat sightings.
This was a very easy to read, YA novel that not only encapsulated the beautiful south island of New Zealand but also the light heartedness of being a child and growing up.
I read this one in less than 24 hours and had a great time while reading it. Being a north islander I actually didn’t know about the big cat sightings but now I do!
This book follows Faye and her family as they house sit on various farms through the South Island. Drawing from the big cat sightings that many have claimed they have seen, this book follows a fictional story of Faye and her own black cat sightings.
This was a very easy to read, YA novel that not only encapsulated the beautiful south island of New Zealand but also the light heartedness of being a child and growing up.
I read this one in less than 24 hours and had a great time while reading it. Being a north islander I actually didn’t know about the big cat sightings but now I do!
March 7, 2024
this was ok wasn't exciting as the other books we read, but it was interesting, mysterious creatures, which was kind of revealed but not completely. the author did give warning on content on certain things, also included a glossary which both are at the beginning of the book. there is one section we don't agree on but that is just us. don't know if there is a 2nd book to this. need to know what the mystery guardian is.
October 3, 2023
I absolutely loved this. Faye was a wonderful, wise main character, and the relationship with her parents as they lead their nomadic life around Aotearoa New Zealand is brilliantly portrayed.
December 22, 2023
A well-narrated tale about a family of house sitters working their way around New Zealand farms. Drawing from folklore of big cats being seen in the wilderness, this is a gentle tale about teenager Faye and her quest to find out more.
If you love the wide open spaces of New Zealand farms, then this tale is for you.
I was an ARC reader and am happy to leave this review.
If you love the wide open spaces of New Zealand farms, then this tale is for you.
I was an ARC reader and am happy to leave this review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews