The Shadowed Manse

The Arthur Paladin Chronicles #1

by David Alastair Hayden, Pepper Thorn (With)

Abandoned by his family … trapped in a house of shadows … destined for more than 7th grade math.Arthur Paladin doesn’t fit in. Not at home with the ultra-strict grandmother who had to raise him after his mother died and his dad disappeared. And not at school where the teachers think he’s trouble and the other kids think he’s a freak. But every night he dreams about learning amazing things, the sort of things you need to know to save the world. Then Arthur finds out his grandmother may send him to military school, which leads to a fight with his “perfect” cousin, which leads to the mysterious plate over his heart getting broken, which leads to … his whole world turning upside down.Shadow creatures appear out of nowhere to kill him. An angelic being from another dimension begs for his help. He gets locked in a house that looks like an English cottage on the outside but is actually a mansion on the inside. It’s packed with shades, flying across the universe, and he’s only got Morgan Apple to help him — Morgan Apple who apparently sits beside him every day just to call him a moron.And that’s when life gets really weird. That’s when Arthur finds out he’s the next Multiversal Paladin.Fans of Doctor Who and Harry Potter will be enchanted by this universe-spanning, high-octane, whimsical, science-fantasy adventure.

Genres: Fantasy

164 pages, Paperback

First published March 27, 2014

About the author

David Alastair Hayden writes science fiction and fantasy. He lives in Alabama. He studied history, literature, and religion at the University of Alabama.

David is also an avid collector of vintage manual typewriters, mostly from the 1950's.

To learn more about David's upcoming projects or to leave him feedback, please visit www.dahayden.com.

Reviews

[Zaineb Bookwala · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a fantasy/sci-fi novel about a boy who never really fits in, finds that he might be the last paladin and needs to save the world. The story is interesting and the first few chapters really hook you in. The Shadowed Manse is the first part in the series and deals mainly with introduction of the main characters, the fantasy world, its basic workings. The book is a bit small but i am hoping as the series progresses it will be 'bigger on the inside'.

[Andrew Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Excellent Beginning

There is lots to like in this Flash Gordon meets Harry Potter introduction to a new series. Arthur Paladin is a frustrated kid with a good heart but bad temper. He's one step from boarding school when the world around him changes. The world building flows easily into the narrative and the characters aren't cookie cutter or flawless. The science fiction nature of it offers a change from the normal fantasy fare. If you liked The lightning Thief or The Chronicles of Narnia, you will like this series.

[Carly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and easy to get in to. An interesting read.

[B.H. Alsop · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous and fast read. Guaranteed to get you hooked into the series.

[Emmy]

*Giving this a second chance*



I've loved David's books since he posted them on Wattpad. I sat on pins and needles, eagerly awaiting the weekly uploads.

When I found his books on iBooks, I downloaded them all. Life got ahead of me and before I had a chance to read them, my iPhone died and for the life of me, I didn't know to which email my account was connected nor my password.

Alas, some were freebies and I downloaded them. Waiting until I could swallow them.

I was excited for him when he pulled them down, citing something about a deal with a publisher or such. Soon after, iBooks prompted me to update, which, you guessed it, made them disappear. I didn't understand but no fowl. I didn't know when I'd get around to it, so I let it go.

When I got this book, it still took a bit of time before I began my adventure with a regular character, Arthur. (Different from The Storm Dragon's Heart characters and The White Tigress cast.) But I was happy to branch out and follow David's imagination.

It was a quick follow before I clutched my heart and wondered "What happened to my author? Damn you, Arthur!"

Starting off, ingenius. A boy full of anger and prolly feelings of abandonment. A maternal grandmother who raises him but she and his mom's side of the family makes no secret they think he'll be like his good for nothing dad.

A reader will feel his pain, angst, and hopelessnes. It was so beautifully heartbreaking.

Then. We get the holes. The glare in your face ones:

“Blood trickling down his arms and back, Arthur plunged into the woods behind Aunt Carolyn's house.”

Seconds later:
“but Derek kicked him in the ribs and scored a direct hit on the device over Arthur's heart —
CRACK!
The disc broke, and a shard tore through Arthur's skin and shirt. A short hiss followed, like helium from a punctured balloon.
Arthur rolled away, fought back tears, and clutched at his chest. Hot blood trickled out between his fingers. He tried to hold back his tears … to not show any weakness."

Then he crashes into Morgan, they fall down a slope and have a five minute argument if they're friends THEN she notices he looks a mess....?

It could be funny. But if you saw a bloodied up classmate ... let's talk about the weather before we have a serious confession?

Totally.

W.
T.
F.

Can someone let me know when the second edition comes out???

[Keary Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, am looking forward to the rest of the series.

If you liked Harry Potter, Percy Jackson or just enjoy good young adult action/fantasy you will enjoy this series. The books are only 125-150 pages but full of well written action. Very good reads for the young boy who just doesn't fit in, even better if he is 14 like the hero of this book.

[Brycen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. It really pulls you in. I throughly enjoyed this story line and hope to see more books from this young man.