Moll Pecksniff and her friends are living as outlaws in a secret cave by the sea, desperate to stay hidden from the Shadowmasks. But further along the coast lies the Amulet of Truth, the only thing powerful enough to force the Shadowmasks back and contain their dark magic. So, together with Gryff, the wildcat that’s always by her side, and her best friends Alfie and Sid, Moll must sneak past smugglers, outwit mer creatures and crack secret codes to save the Old Magic.
With more at stake than ever before and the dark magic rising fast, can Moll and her friends stop the Shadowmasks before it’s too late?
Catapult into this page-turning adventure from the author of Sky Song, perfect for fans of J.K. Rowling, Michelle Harrison and Eva Ibbotson.
'Reminded me of the very best of the Harry Potter books' Piers Torday, author of The Last Wild
'A thrillingly wild adventure - bold, breathless and beautifully told' Jonathan Stroud, author of Lockwood & Co. 'No one does edge-of-seat action like Abi Elphinstone' Emma Carroll, author of Letters from the Lighthouse 'Abi Elphinstone’s books are full of adventure, wit, heart, and, above all, bravery’ Katherine Rundell, author of The Explorer ‘Abi Elphinstone is proving to be a worthy successor to CS Lewis’ The Times 'A gifted storyteller... one of today's greatest children's authors' LoveReading
Also by Abi The Dreamsnatcher The Night Spinner Sky Song Winter Magic (anthology) Everdark (World Book Day) Rumblestar Jungledrop The Crackledawn Dragon Everdark
Abi Elphinstone grew up in Scotland where she spent most of her childhood building dens, hiding in tree houses and running wild across highland glens. After being coaxed out of her tree house, she studied English at Bristol University and then worked as a teacher.
THE DREAMSNATCHER is her debut novel for 8-12 years (published by Simon & Schuster in 2015). THE SHADOW KEEPER is her second children's book (published by Simon & Schuster in 2016).
When she's not writing, Abi volunteers for Beanstalk, teaches creative writing workshops in schools and travels the world looking for her next story. Her latest adventure involved living with the Kazakh Eagle Hunters in Mongolia…
This is the second book in the Dreamsnatcher series that sees Moll Pecksniff, her wildcat friend Gryff, and best friends Siddy and Alfie search for the second amulet that will help to bring down the dark Shadowmasks. In this instalment we go from the wild coasts with sea spirits and kelpies to dark and dying forests, and tempestuous lighthouses with ghost pirates. It’s a story full of friendship, trust, hope and the fight for old magic.
I really love the relationship between Moll and her friends. They’re the centre to the story at all times, all of them holding up and supporting the others while they meet a host of strange and horrible characters on their adventures. Siddy is the quiet one, more reserved and scared. He prefers to stand back and wait for others to male the first move, but he’s also not afraid to correct Moll when she’s being too aggressive or unfriendly. He’s also fiercely loyal. Alfie is more mysterious, with a dark secret of his own that he’s desperate to hide from Moll. He’s forever doubting himself and his abilities because of his awful past, but he’s courageous too. And Moll, the leader, draws out the strengths of them all with the fierce Gryff at her side. The story would not be as good without the ‘Tribe’. And the introduction of Scrap adds another layer to the group, with a sensitivity and kindness to her that’s hidden beneath a sad yet fierce exterior. They’re all very well developed, and loveable.
The secondary characters are just as good, my personal favourites being Puddle and Dorothy. Eccentric, completely barmy yet warm and instantly likeable. These are characters that after only a few sentences our heroes seem to trust - and normally the cynic in me would be doubting how genuine their actions could be, yet in this case I could understand completely why they would feel so at home with Puddle in the lighthouse. Willow is another. Ethereal and motherly, she demonstrates wisdom without appearing condescending.
The story is mainly fast paced (with the exception of a quite slow start with Moll hiding in the caves) and bounces from one perilous situation to another with lots of action and characters to meet along the way. Sometimes this pacing feels too fast, and I would have liked some quieter scenes with deeper character development as it skims over some important scenes quickly, however I can accept the lack of development for plot. The writing is also good, and I flew through this very quickly. I found the ending a little lack lustre in that it didn’t really answer any of my burning questions, although the epilogue sets this up for a thrilling, yet creepy showdown with the final Shadowmasks.
Entertaining children’s story with plenty of action to satisfy my appetite for middle grade fantasy. I’m interested enough in the story to pick up the last instalment, although when I’ll get round to it is another story entirely.
WOW! As the much anticipated second instalment in this trilogy, The Shadow Keeper exceeds expectation. Once again, the story is complex, the characters brave, endearing, frustrating. Right from the very first scene, the pace never slackens as we race across land and sea to find the amulet containing Moll's mother's soul. There's magic aplenty, with smugglers, kelpies and lighthouse keepers all thrown in for good measure. An absolute masterclass in BIG ACTION SEQUENCES. This is UKMG at its finest. Bring on the next instalment!
I can't even remember the last time I thought a sequel in a series was better than the first book, especially when it's the middle book of a trilogy! Utterly loved this, magic and fun all the way to the end :D
Well where do I start? Abi is a pure and utter genius! From start to finish, I was so engaged with the text and I am beyond excited for the final instalment.
It was great to be reunited with Moll and Gruff, but it was also lovely to be introduced to Puddle, Scrap and Willow. I found myself intrigued as to what Moll and Siddy were going to get up to and what dark forces they were going to face - at times I wanted to be there with them!
Now since last summer, there have not been many books that have really grabbed my attention, none that I have read so quickly, however this one I couldn't put down! I think this was because I empathised with the characters so much. After being on adventures with them before, I knew what they were like and what they could face, and this time I just felt like I was with them. I got pretty emotional throughout the book, especially when Willow was being so encouraging and thoughtful and when Olive was talking to her daughter, Moll, through a letter - such beautiful words. Also, (how can I forget) I got so anxious when Gryff was hurt, but I am so glad he is okay! Abi's characterisation is just mind blowing and I hope to discover more authors who are like this!
Throughout the book I could imagine every page so clearly in my mind. From the Owls with wings like knives, to the beautiful golden eagle at the end, I could clearly picture everything which made it so much more exciting. I would love for children in my class to read this book and interpret what they read through drawing/art; it would be great to see if our ideas were similar! Furthermore, I would definitely love to see this book on the big screen!!
This is such an excellent book and I feel so lucky to have read it! I am most definitely giving this book, and Abi's current series a place in my classroom. Every child should have the privilege of reading this magnificent story and experience the same as what I have with Moll and Gryff. A huge thumbs up and five stars from me!
A thrilling tale with such lovable (and loathable) characters. The magical elements of Over Sea, Under Stone, Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings intertwine into a surprisingly still original adventure story.
The second in the Dreamsnatcher series was just as thrilling and intriguing as the first! We join Moll, Alfie, Siddy, and Gryff on their journey to find the second amulet, where they learn some surprising secrets along the way and meet new friends and enemies in their journey.
I'd still say this isn't my favourite series of Elphinstone's; i'm not sure what there is about it that holds me back from loving it but there is just something I don't connect with. I still think it's partly because of the very bizarre mix of our world and magic. It just doesn't completely work for me because every now and again they mention shotguns and it jars me out from the magic.
I love the wide range of secondary characters we get in this book; Scrap and Puddle being my two absolute favourites. I honestly felt more emotionally attached to them then I did with Moll. I do love that we get to know a bit more about Alfie in this book, and that his story still remains quite a mystery. I just wish we had a bit more character development for Siddy and Moll.
I definitely enjoyed this book and felt it was very fast paced, and i'll definitely be checking out the third in the series.
Ow how my heart hurts. Such a beautiful book that was hopeful and fun but also made me cry. Abi Elphinstone isn't scared to hurt her characters, no matter who the intended audience is. She doesn't hold back, brighten up hardships or dumb things down.
We are reunited with Moll, who has moved with her gypsy family to a cave by the sea. She needs to find amulets to defeat the Shadowmasks, contain their dark magic and restore the old magic. I love this world and its magic, how nature oriented it is. I love the adults in this as well, they are present and helpful, but it still is very much Moll who has to save the day. I love the kelpies, the lighthouse keeper Puddle, the smugglers. I love this book.
This is very much a story about friendship. Moll is definitely a Gryffindor, fiery and brave. Never far from her side is her Wildcat Gryff, who is just perfect. We learn new things about Alfie, and the new character Scrap is an amazing addition to the team. All these kids (including Siddy) would do absolutely anything for each other, and the pain they feel when one of their friends gets hurt really resonates to the reader.
We fall right into the action from page 1, and the plot moves along at a great pace. There isn't a single 'boring' moment. Definitely a book I read I couldn't put down and read in a single sitting. I cannot wait to read the third book in this series, but at the same time I don't want it to end.
Di buku kedua ini, Moll dan Gryff harus nemuin amulet kedua. Yang merupakan syarat buat menghancurkan sihirnya shadowmask. Tapi, di bab kedua ini, lebih terasa menegangkan. Soalnya, Moll sempet kena tipu. Terus, jati diri Alfie dipertanyakan di sini. Apalagi, Oak terluka parah gara-gara masuk ke dalam tipuan dari para shadowmask.
Upaya mereka yang di buku sebelumnya bisa komplit ditemani banyak orang dewasa. Di buku ini, benar-benar cuma Moll dan teman-temannya. Yang mana dia jadi lebih ga percayaan sama siapapun yang ditemuinya. Secara, dia abis kena tipu. Jadi, makin sulit perjalanannya apalagi Gryff sempat terluka.
Bagunys, Syd ikut. Jadi, ada orang yang masih bisa berpikir dengan kepala dingin. Dan mampu menghadapi Moll yang tempramen.
The Dreamsnatcher was one of my very favourite reads last year and I fell even more head over heels with The Shadow Keeper.
Abi Elphinstone’s writing is even more wonderfully vibrant than I remembered. It’s so physical and lively that I felt like I was with Moll, Gryff, Siddy and Alfie every step of the way. I was so caught up in the adventure that I barely managed to write any review notes (which I usually do unfailingly) – there was too much to experience for me to pull away for even a minute. This is the kind of writing and story that will made kids realise just how magical reading and stories can be.
Moll is stubborn and brave and full of heart. She goes on quite a journey through The Shadow Keeper and I was constantly going between cheering her on and wanting to give her a big, squishy cuddle. Moll’s journey takes her from kelpies to spirits, smuggler gangs to a tempestuous lighthouse called Dorothy – there isn’t a still moment in this book and I read it in two big gulps.
The Shadow Keeper is another gorgeous adventure story filled with magic, friendship, love and loyalty.
I put off reading this sequel as I didn't want to be disappointed after the Dreamsnatcher as I loved it so much. I needn't have worried as The Shadowkeeper is brilliant, even better I feel than the first! Abi Elphinstone has shown her development as an author by strengthening her characters (especially Siddy) and tightening the storyline in a truly inspirational way. It is full of fast paced adventure and the well-informed description in the book brings the whole story to life. I could not put it down and am can't wait for the last book in the trilogy.
THE SHADOW KEEPER leans into the quest element of the story. After the more adventure feel of the first book that only introduced the amulets at the end, this book was focused towards finding the second amulet. There was still a lot of adventure, but it felt more like a quest book than anything - which I liked, as a lover of classic fantasy-esque books.
There was also a high incidence of riddles in this book, underpinning the quest. I like puzzles, so it was a fun addition to the book, the characters having to crack codes and such to find the next clue to get the amulet.
There was a very deliberate withholding of information in this book - a lot of "it is not the right time for you to know" that went on. It's not my favourite technique to control information in a book, as the reasons rarely feel solid, making it feel more like the information is being held back for tension, and for a big reveal later.
For example, the information about Gryff's weakness is held back until after it becomes important (the information is whispered to Moll beforehand, but the reader isn't told). It was an instance where I think telling the reader about it before would have been more powerful, as I'd have been on edge more because I knew the specifics. Then the initial "he's injured" would have had a bigger impact as I wasn't waiting for the "why/how" to be explained.
I think this might be an age gap thing. I am more than twice the target age range, and so my expectations about information aren't the same as the target market. But it was an interesting craft thing to note - something I'm more aware of noticing as I read these days!
And onto the finale! After the final chapter, it promises to be a very emotional quest now they are close to the end, but have lost what is dear to them.
As if starting this novel, I have not read the first book in the series (The Dream Snatchers) but I found this book in my bargain book shop for £3.50 and didn't realise it was a sequel but it seemed interesting. The plot is easy to pick up and follow. Elphinstone's style embodies classic story telling and a modern and unique edge. Moll is introduced to me as a swashbuckling hero, with a Percy Jackson-esque flare. She feels like a character a child would want to play in the playground at breaktime. Sid is the character no young child wants to be but the character everyone loves. He feels the most real and emotive. We love that man for who he is, the cowardly lion if I do say so. Alfie annoys me. I can't explain it he just unsettles me even after "Alfie's story". He makes me feel uncomfortable. I'm currently half way through, and I'm struggling I have to keep reminding myself that I'm not this books target audience. But overall I am enjoying it. The plot is resolute and familiar, it's kind. After finishing this book. I can wholeheartedly say I would have consumed this book as a child. Right now it's hard to read, but as I am not 9-12, I can see why it is that way for me. Elphinstone builds the world so well I can follow it without context. A truly well written book.
Another dramatic addition to the amazing series, The Shadow Keeper never ceased to amaze me. In my opinion, the main characters were more Alfie and Gryff than Moll because the reader discovers that Alfie isn't "real" and can only be seen by some characters until he eventually vanishes at the end, where Elphinstone foreshadows that he might not be gone forever. Also Gryff lost his whiskers and therefore became blind and more vulnerable which is a side the reader hasn't seen before, but somehow was cured by Alfie's tears. I have to hope that the last book brings explanations to all the questions this book has brought!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
finished reading this and then straight into the next in the trilogy.
really good read. This book picks up where the last one stops with Moll looking for the second amulet of truth and her quest to find them. loved the twists and turns in the story and looking forward to how the book concludes.
I have had this book in my tbr pile for a while now. Don’t know why I haven’t read it earlier. Following the adventures of Moll and her tribe to defeat their enemies and release the souls of Molls ma and pa. In this book it’s her Ma’s soul. Beautifully written. Heartbreaking in places. Off to find number three in the pile.
I didn't enjoy this anywhere as much as I had hoped to. I felt like it was just one thing happening after another with no time for any of the situations to breathe so I never really felt a sense of any perl and each time a danger occurred it was magically and rapidly solved before it had time to have any emotional impact on me.
A great fantasy adventure with gypsies, smugglers, a Wildcat, wolves and lots of peril. This is book two in the Dreamsnatcher series and it is an exciting read. I raced through it and really enjoyed it. Now I'm reading the third in the series. Suitable for KS3 boys and girls.
I enjoyed the 2nd installment more than the first . The relationships and friendships were deeper and the odds felt greater. I can definitely see resemblances with other stories. Fast paced and enjoyable and had a strong heartbreaking ending as all middle of the trilogy installments should.
In this book, you will be going on a journey with moll and her companions on the quest to find to save the old magic while trying to hide from the shadowmasks and their dark magic. I have to admit that it took a while to get into this book, although it still bored me, and that's why I gave it 2.5 stars. I got excited during the parts where they almost or do encounter the shadow masks. You have to read the dreamsnatcher #1 to understand this book, though. I would recommend this book to people with an interest in low-level books, fantasy, or quick reads.