An ihrem zehnten Geburtstag erfährt Sophie von ihrem Großvater ein unglaubliches Geheimnis: Im Wald hinter ihrem Haus liegt die magische Pforte in die Schattenwelt verborgen. Und sie ist die neue Wächterin dieses geheimen Portals, das die gefährlichen Schattenwesen – die Tintenkappenkobolde, Sumpfschrecke und Fledermauselfen – davon abhält, in ihre Welt einzudringen und Unheil über die Menschen zu bringen. Doch wird sie dieser schwierigen Aufgabe gewachsen sein?
Der magische Schlüssel, der das geheime Portal in die Schattenwelt verschließt, wurde gestohlen! Nun ist es Sophies Aufgabe, ihn zurückzuerobern. Was allein die Wächter wissen: Der Schlüssel kann das Tor nur öffnen, wenn einer von sechs Juwelen, die irgendwo in der Menschenwelt versteckt sind, in seinem Griff sitzt. Doch als Sophie und ihr Freund Sam von gefährlichen Kobolden angegriffen werden, vergisst sie alle Vorsicht und verrät im Zorn dieses Geheimnis an den fiesen Koboldkönig Ug. Nun wissen auch die Schattenwesen, worin die Magie des Schlüssels liegt, und eine atemlose Jagd beginnt …
Linda Chapman was born in Liverpool in 1969. She had many different jobs before becoming a full-time writer in 1999 including working as a theatre stage manager, a dog trainer, a bookseller, a nanny, a teacher and a research assistant. She has written over 300 books for children, some under her own name, others under different names and she often collaborates with other authors. She is currently writing books with Julie Sykes and they are co-authors on the NYT bestselling Unicorn Academy series as well as Mermaid Academy, Forever Homes and Pocket Unicorns. Linda lives in Leicestershire with her husband, three children, two horses and three dogs. She has written many different series including: My Secret Unicorn, Star Friends, Best Friends Bakery, Stardust, Skating School and, most recently, Magic Keepers and Moonlight Riders.
Sophie and the Shadow Woods is a brand new series of books aimed at 7+ girls. The Goblin King is the first of six short books in which ten year old tomboy, Sophie Smith, takes on the role of Guardian of the magic gateway between our world and the Shadow Realm, occupied by sinister creatures such as goblins, trolls and boggarts. Accompanied by her good friend, Sam, (who says Geronimo a lot..), Sophie encounters very real physical danger in the shape of the Ink Cap Goblins whose venomous liquid can cause severe blistering. Will our action-loving heroine's expertise in tae kwon do be enough to save the day? Will her twin brother Anthony's jealousy jeapordise her mission? You'll just have to read on to find out!
Yes, I imagine that this series will end up being slightly formulaic but it is really refreshing to see an alternative to the Daisy Meadows writing machine which has produced so, so many Rainbow Magic books. Sophie is most certainly a 21st Century girl who can enjoy skateboarding, obstacle courses and martial arts and have a boy for her best friend. It has a fast-paced narrative with short punchy chapters so it would be attractive for both independent reading and as a bedtime story. My 7 year old daughter really enjoyed this book and is looking forward to reading the rest of the series - they do like collecting things at that age!!
Sophie Smith, tomboy, could not be more different from her in-crowd twin brother Anthony. They are staying with their grandfather while their archaeologist parents are away in Egypt, and Sophie is used to being ignored by him in favour of her brother. But on her 10th birthday she comes into her inheritance, she is the Guardian of the Gateway, the barrier between her world and that of the goblins of the Shadow World who would love to get through and cause mayhem. But Sophie, whilst playing with her best friend Sam, has lost the key to the Inkcap Goblin King.
Good size and length for a confident 7 year old reader, fully of funky illustrations. The ideas aren't really new, Spiderwick is the obvious influence but great fun all the same
A mishmash of cliches, cardboard cutout characters, down your throat girls are more than just pink moments, and ludicrous reasoning all to get the highly unoriginal story moving.
It is a good opening to the series and I enjoyed the empowerment of a young girl, although the stereotypes are strong but as this is aimed at younger readers I understand why but I live for the day a girl can be portrayed as strong without the need to make her a tomboy.
Das Cover erinnert mich sehr an Spiderwick, aber auch wenn es um ein ähnlich fantastisches Thema geht. Sind die Charaktere ganz anders, tw. härter (z.B. grimmiger Opa). Mir hat es gefallen. Besonders auch die schönen braunen Strichzeichnungen.
honestly the grandpa kind of sucked but! I really loved this book as a kid. the shadow files inspired so many games of my own and I loved the idea of fighting goblins and whatnot. it is also funny how insanely the grandpa switched up on Anthony
An absolutely fantastic little middle-grade series that grabs you from the beginning, I just couldn’t put this one down! I really like Sophie and Sam too, I can’t wait to see who or what? they face next 💕
This book is awesome. It is fast-paced and action packed. He story is easy to follow and flows perfectly. The main character, Sophie, is badass and funny. Sam, her best friend and partner in crime is so lovable. I read a similar book earlier this week but that one deals with monsters and was not so well-written whereas this book has more of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer kind of vibe and is more fantasy than urban fantasy. I love this book. I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the books in this series! The best part is I believe both girls and boys can enjoy reading this book. One of my favourite books read this week! 5 stars. No question!
Spannendes Kinderbuch indem Sophie an ihrem 10. Geburtstag zur Wächterin des Schlüssels zum Tor der Schattenwelt wird. Zusammen mit ihrem Freund Sam kämpft sie gegen Tintenkappenkobolde, die den Schlüssel geklaut haben,und schlägt sie in die Flucht. Nur leider flieht der König mitsamt dem Schlüssel. Wird es Sophie gelingen den Schlüssel zurück zu bekommen???
This book series was, I think, the thing that started my book craze. And therefore is the reason that I have book stacks everywhere and a bunch of crazy, geeky, nerdy friends. And I love it for that reason. I have always been a true believer in girl power and no books have ever depicted it to me as much as this one. It is truly special and holds a big space in my heart.