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Shadow Creatures
Bloomsbury presents Shadow Creatures by Chris Vick, read by Nina Yndis.
Tove was 12 and Liva 9, when the Germans occupied Norway. They remember everything as if it happened yesterday. A middle grade story of bravery, resilience, rivalries and shadow creatures in the night.
Mose and her daughter Agna are incomers in the village, treated with suspicion. But young Liva, left out of the secrets her sister Tove and brother Hakken share, idolises Agna and follows her everywhere. Unwittingly, they lead the German soldiers to a perfect island. Once a haven for picnics and story-telling under the midnight sun, it is transformed into a grim POW camp. This is an unlikely place to find buried treasure, but it's there.
Friendships are made and broken, family trust is turned upside down and lives change forever as Tove and Liva recall their childhood experiences of living through WW2 in a story that moves from light to darkness to light again.
Tove was 12 and Liva 9, when the Germans occupied Norway. They remember everything as if it happened yesterday. A middle grade story of bravery, resilience, rivalries and shadow creatures in the night.
Mose and her daughter Agna are incomers in the village, treated with suspicion. But young Liva, left out of the secrets her sister Tove and brother Hakken share, idolises Agna and follows her everywhere. Unwittingly, they lead the German soldiers to a perfect island. Once a haven for picnics and story-telling under the midnight sun, it is transformed into a grim POW camp. This is an unlikely place to find buried treasure, but it's there.
Friendships are made and broken, family trust is turned upside down and lives change forever as Tove and Liva recall their childhood experiences of living through WW2 in a story that moves from light to darkness to light again.
- GenresHistoricalMiddle Grade
Audible Audio
Published October 3, 2024
2 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Chris Vick
7 books45 followersChris Vick writes books for young people about the sea, danger and the wonder of magic and stories.
He spent years working in whale and dolphin conservation and a lot of time surfing before enrolling on the Bath Spa MA in Writing for Young People. He has written four books, published in several countries.
Chris has appeared at festivals including Hay, Bath Children's Literature festival and Mare di Libri (Sea of Books) in Italy and has written blogs/features for the Guardian and Bustle.com. on YA issues. He lives near Bath, with his wife and daughter.
Girl. Boy. Sea.
Shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie medal
'Perfect for your 14 yr old,' 'A world of near death and the discovery of an unlikely friendship.'
Jasbinder Bilan (The Guardian)
'Moral dilemmas, spiritual guidance and human cruelty underpin this rollicking adventure of unlikely friends.' (The Daily Mail)
Kook
'A no-holds-barred love story set in the Cornish surfer scene' 'A fast-paced read for older teens.' 'Kook is a gripping and heartbreaking story of love and obsession.' (The Guardian)
He spent years working in whale and dolphin conservation and a lot of time surfing before enrolling on the Bath Spa MA in Writing for Young People. He has written four books, published in several countries.
Chris has appeared at festivals including Hay, Bath Children's Literature festival and Mare di Libri (Sea of Books) in Italy and has written blogs/features for the Guardian and Bustle.com. on YA issues. He lives near Bath, with his wife and daughter.
Girl. Boy. Sea.
Shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie medal
'Perfect for your 14 yr old,' 'A world of near death and the discovery of an unlikely friendship.'
Jasbinder Bilan (The Guardian)
'Moral dilemmas, spiritual guidance and human cruelty underpin this rollicking adventure of unlikely friends.' (The Daily Mail)
Kook
'A no-holds-barred love story set in the Cornish surfer scene' 'A fast-paced read for older teens.' 'Kook is a gripping and heartbreaking story of love and obsession.' (The Guardian)
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 7, 2024
What a beautiful story about love, friendship, family, and loyalty in times of hardship.
Three siblings (Tove, Liva and Haakon) enjoy their slow life in a coastal area of Norway. Their days are filled with simplicity and admiration of nature. Liva is the youngest, only 9, and she loves listening to folk stories and spending time with Agna, a new girl in the neighborhood. When the war begins and suddenly invaders come to their little village lives get changed and nothing is simple anymore.
This book is beautiful. The writing is soft and warm. The story is emotional, but not overwhelming. The fact that the author blended in some folk beliefs and historical facts is another bonus. This is a gem worth reading, worth having on your shelf.
Three siblings (Tove, Liva and Haakon) enjoy their slow life in a coastal area of Norway. Their days are filled with simplicity and admiration of nature. Liva is the youngest, only 9, and she loves listening to folk stories and spending time with Agna, a new girl in the neighborhood. When the war begins and suddenly invaders come to their little village lives get changed and nothing is simple anymore.
This book is beautiful. The writing is soft and warm. The story is emotional, but not overwhelming. The fact that the author blended in some folk beliefs and historical facts is another bonus. This is a gem worth reading, worth having on your shelf.
November 16, 2024
Shadow Creatures is a work of middle grade historical fiction set in Norway during the Nazi occupation. In the author’s note, Chris Vick explains the inspiration for the novel came from his own family and their experiences.
I love that most of the novel revolves around the lives of girls, and women, highlighting their crucial roles- in the shadows- of the war effort.
The novel feels very authentic- well-researched and it doesn’t shy away from showing the horrors of war, which is a necessary part of that authenticity when conveying people’s stories in such times. Chris Vick weaves in references to Scandinavian folklore, which intensify the connection of these people to their land and history. These legends also galvanise the spirits of the young protagonists.
This is an extraordinary story of resistance. I am always fascinated and humbled by the heroism of people who resist despite the highest of stakes and the smallest of chances. This story widens my knowledge of how different populations reacted to Nazi tyranny- this is the first time I’ve read a fiction based on how some of the Norwegian population stood up to their oppressors. Chris Vick shows the resistance in all its forms- from small individual, often spontaneous acts, to the more organised, specialised Milorg.
War is such a grown-up domain (& obsession) and yet children’s lives are often devastatingly impacted. It’s always fitting, therefore, to see children’s perspectives. The story opens in the current day. Georgy is on holiday in Norway and asks her grandmother, Tove, and her Grand-Aunt, Liva, to recount their childhood stories from the war. Earlier that day, Georgy had also encountered Agna, another peer of Tove and Liva, who now lives in the forest, keeping herself to herself- she too is an incredible protagonist in the story about to be revealed to Georgy. A lesson to children not to make assumptions based on age and appearances!
As mentioned earlier, the violence and cruelty of war is shown in Shadow Creatures (in an age-appropriate way) and we see the speed in which lives can be turned upside down. The sense of danger highlights just how courageous, and utterly necessary, resistance was. As with so many war stories, in the end, as the toll is seen, there is a huge sense of the futility of war. What was gained? So much was lost. That said, by rejoining the older cast at the end, still carrying with them the trauma of their experiences, but living their lives- readers can also see the resilience of the human spirit.
This is a fantastic read and I will be pushing it into the hands of anyone 9+
I love that most of the novel revolves around the lives of girls, and women, highlighting their crucial roles- in the shadows- of the war effort.
The novel feels very authentic- well-researched and it doesn’t shy away from showing the horrors of war, which is a necessary part of that authenticity when conveying people’s stories in such times. Chris Vick weaves in references to Scandinavian folklore, which intensify the connection of these people to their land and history. These legends also galvanise the spirits of the young protagonists.
This is an extraordinary story of resistance. I am always fascinated and humbled by the heroism of people who resist despite the highest of stakes and the smallest of chances. This story widens my knowledge of how different populations reacted to Nazi tyranny- this is the first time I’ve read a fiction based on how some of the Norwegian population stood up to their oppressors. Chris Vick shows the resistance in all its forms- from small individual, often spontaneous acts, to the more organised, specialised Milorg.
War is such a grown-up domain (& obsession) and yet children’s lives are often devastatingly impacted. It’s always fitting, therefore, to see children’s perspectives. The story opens in the current day. Georgy is on holiday in Norway and asks her grandmother, Tove, and her Grand-Aunt, Liva, to recount their childhood stories from the war. Earlier that day, Georgy had also encountered Agna, another peer of Tove and Liva, who now lives in the forest, keeping herself to herself- she too is an incredible protagonist in the story about to be revealed to Georgy. A lesson to children not to make assumptions based on age and appearances!
As mentioned earlier, the violence and cruelty of war is shown in Shadow Creatures (in an age-appropriate way) and we see the speed in which lives can be turned upside down. The sense of danger highlights just how courageous, and utterly necessary, resistance was. As with so many war stories, in the end, as the toll is seen, there is a huge sense of the futility of war. What was gained? So much was lost. That said, by rejoining the older cast at the end, still carrying with them the trauma of their experiences, but living their lives- readers can also see the resilience of the human spirit.
This is a fantastic read and I will be pushing it into the hands of anyone 9+
August 6, 2024
I received this from NetGalley and I absolutely loved it! Probably the first book I have ever read about Norway’s occupation during the Second World War. Incredibly interesting to see how that country fared - dare I say much better than most! Although I say that entirely based on this one group of people. Liva especially was a wonderful character to read about and I enjoyed her chapters the most. I am definitely keen to read more from this author, as well as being now on the lookout for more on Scandinavia during WWII.
January 5, 2025
4.5 stars
June 1, 2025
I’ve researched SOE on the Norwegian islands, so thought I knew heaps about WW2 Norway. I clearly didn’t! Illuminating, incredibly well researched and inspired by the author’s courageous family.
This is well worth reading.
This is well worth reading.
November 17, 2024
Fantastic WW2 story. Loved learning about Norway in WW2. Excellent characterisations and a real page turner. Will definitely be recommending this to Year 6 but it’s a great read for an adult as well. Best children’s book I have read this year.
August 22, 2024
I received an eARC from the publishers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
SHADOW CREATURES is a historical novel about the Nazi occupation of Norway, and sisters who find their own ways to survive and resist in little and big ways, while protecting one another.
The occupation of Norway is a part of World War Two that's not mentioned as much in the British curriculum and this book shines a light on it. The story charts the experience of ordinary Norwegians whose lives are turned upside down by the arrival of German officers and all their rules, disrupting daily life (such as stopping fishing, which was people's livelihood and food source) and enforcing strict rules.
Because the tale covers so many aspects of the occupation (including things like either the bouncing bomb raids or the heavy water plant sabotages - I think it was intentionally left vague) it's a great jumping off point to introduce children to this area of the war. It will broaden their understanding of its reach and so I can see it being a great tool for schools.
This book is on the upper MG/lower YA edge, and so very accessible to both groups. It covers the entire occupation of Norway, so though Livia and Tove start aged 9 and 12 respective, the book ends with them 14 and 17.
The story is framed by a grandchild asking for this family story, and then wanting to see the places. It is a very personal plea to remember these events as we lose the generations who experienced the war, and the author's note (explaining the inspiration from his own family history) reinforces this important message.
SHADOW CREATURES is a historical novel about the Nazi occupation of Norway, and sisters who find their own ways to survive and resist in little and big ways, while protecting one another.
The occupation of Norway is a part of World War Two that's not mentioned as much in the British curriculum and this book shines a light on it. The story charts the experience of ordinary Norwegians whose lives are turned upside down by the arrival of German officers and all their rules, disrupting daily life (such as stopping fishing, which was people's livelihood and food source) and enforcing strict rules.
Because the tale covers so many aspects of the occupation (including things like either the bouncing bomb raids or the heavy water plant sabotages - I think it was intentionally left vague) it's a great jumping off point to introduce children to this area of the war. It will broaden their understanding of its reach and so I can see it being a great tool for schools.
This book is on the upper MG/lower YA edge, and so very accessible to both groups. It covers the entire occupation of Norway, so though Livia and Tove start aged 9 and 12 respective, the book ends with them 14 and 17.
The story is framed by a grandchild asking for this family story, and then wanting to see the places. It is a very personal plea to remember these events as we lose the generations who experienced the war, and the author's note (explaining the inspiration from his own family history) reinforces this important message.
October 18, 2024
A fascinating look at WW2 from a slightly different perspective
November 18, 2024
Well, this will be an awkward read for the people still following the 'lived experiences only' fad. We're in rural Norway, and beyond a framing device quickly dispensed with, what we are reading is the story told by two older women, sisters, of how they grew up under Nazi occupation. They have a lot to say, and very differing opinions about, another girl in the village – the rich girl whose mother caught the eye of the SS commandant, and whose house had the place's only proper lawn. The father of Liva and Tove has smuggled himself away to be a resistance fighter, perhaps, leaving them with a strong mother and a hot-headed older brother. But the third girl, Agna, may in her own way be as strongly anti-German has he is, and may be fighting back in a special manner. For the woods around the village – even if they're not populated by trolls, sprites and special characters like that, they're filled with the belief in them, and special places to tell fairy tales and ghost stories. If you can't win and resist the Nazis a standard way, perhaps you might do so by engaging with the other world beyond ours…
This is very much a snowy del Toro story, although one much more quietly, calmly engaging with spirit belief. What it is doing much more vocally is talking of the Quislings – the collaborators, traitors to their kind, the people cooperating with the occupiers just to damned well get by. This is a very readable essay on culpability – if the people you try and act against then do something horrible as a result, how much of that is on your shoulders?
Don't get me wrong, this is not plodding and philosophical and moralistic about such matters – but it certainly isn't as dramatically magical as you might hope. War – building POW camps, stopping the locals having radios and canoes and guns, demanding the name of the higher-ups in the resistance hierarchy – is a mundane factor of life, and wishing the sprites and woodland spirits altered the balance of luck and power is not that realistic a one. And who this serves best is the maturer reader who can work that out, with or without the evidence here. Even the most courageous, affirmed, determined and dogged people here make mistakes and run out of answers. The book refuses to spoonfeed us a magic get-out, nor some of the information a more populist read might – we're never precisely told what went on when someone had a bit part to play in a night bombing raid.
All told, this is a smart effort, and a strong achievement. There will be some who want the pages to evoke the fantastical more than they can, especially now Ms Rundell has taken the word 'Creatures' and made a mahoosive hit read with them. But be on board with the reality of this – this is rationing and rationalism, not the wondrous – and this will show its cleverness very capably. It's a historical fiction, not a genre piece, for all its talk of the unknown. Know that, and know it to be an educational, surprising, clever piece of work, doing the author's ancestors very proud.
This is very much a snowy del Toro story, although one much more quietly, calmly engaging with spirit belief. What it is doing much more vocally is talking of the Quislings – the collaborators, traitors to their kind, the people cooperating with the occupiers just to damned well get by. This is a very readable essay on culpability – if the people you try and act against then do something horrible as a result, how much of that is on your shoulders?
Don't get me wrong, this is not plodding and philosophical and moralistic about such matters – but it certainly isn't as dramatically magical as you might hope. War – building POW camps, stopping the locals having radios and canoes and guns, demanding the name of the higher-ups in the resistance hierarchy – is a mundane factor of life, and wishing the sprites and woodland spirits altered the balance of luck and power is not that realistic a one. And who this serves best is the maturer reader who can work that out, with or without the evidence here. Even the most courageous, affirmed, determined and dogged people here make mistakes and run out of answers. The book refuses to spoonfeed us a magic get-out, nor some of the information a more populist read might – we're never precisely told what went on when someone had a bit part to play in a night bombing raid.
All told, this is a smart effort, and a strong achievement. There will be some who want the pages to evoke the fantastical more than they can, especially now Ms Rundell has taken the word 'Creatures' and made a mahoosive hit read with them. But be on board with the reality of this – this is rationing and rationalism, not the wondrous – and this will show its cleverness very capably. It's a historical fiction, not a genre piece, for all its talk of the unknown. Know that, and know it to be an educational, surprising, clever piece of work, doing the author's ancestors very proud.
October 15, 2024
"Shadow Creatures" by Chris Vick is an exhilarating and thought-provoking adventure that seamlessly blends the natural world with mysticism. The story follows Ella, a strong and relatable protagonist, on a journey of survival and self-discovery in the wilds of Norway. Vick’s writing is atmospheric, painting vivid landscapes and creating a tangible sense of tension throughout the narrative. The characters are well-drawn, and the plot moves at a perfect pace, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
What sets this novel apart is its exploration of humanity’s connection to nature, the environment, and the mystical shadow creatures that serve as metaphors for deeper, primal fears and instincts. It’s a thrilling, immersive read that will appeal to both young adults and adults alike. Chris Vick has crafted a beautiful yet haunting tale that lingers long after the final page. Highly recommended for fans of nature-infused thrillers with a supernatural twist!
What sets this novel apart is its exploration of humanity’s connection to nature, the environment, and the mystical shadow creatures that serve as metaphors for deeper, primal fears and instincts. It’s a thrilling, immersive read that will appeal to both young adults and adults alike. Chris Vick has crafted a beautiful yet haunting tale that lingers long after the final page. Highly recommended for fans of nature-infused thrillers with a supernatural twist!
September 16, 2024
Even now there are still so many unknown stories from the second world war, and it’s good to see a story that shines a light on Norway’s plight during the occupation as the majority of books will focus on other nations. This may be a work of fiction, but Vick has created a moving tribute to the people whose voices still need to be heard.
Having split points of view from the central characters enhances the heightened tension and the heart rate of the reader! It expertly shows how quickly actions have consequences and under the Nazi's gaze, people were a breath away from catastrophe with every gutsy move of resistance.
This book deserves to be a huge success, it’s captivating and can make a huge impact on the hearts & minds of young readers.
I received an early copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
Having split points of view from the central characters enhances the heightened tension and the heart rate of the reader! It expertly shows how quickly actions have consequences and under the Nazi's gaze, people were a breath away from catastrophe with every gutsy move of resistance.
This book deserves to be a huge success, it’s captivating and can make a huge impact on the hearts & minds of young readers.
I received an early copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
November 18, 2024
Excellent middle grade historical fiction based on the author’s family’s experience of Nazi occupied Norway. You can read my full review here: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
August 23, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and Head of Zeus for my ARC copy.
This was a really quick and easy read.
This was a really quick and easy read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews