Shadow Town

Shadow Town #1

by Richard Lambert, Unknown Author

From the author of The Wolf Road, picked by The Times & Sunday Times, FT, Guardian and Irish Times as one of the Best Children’s Books of 2020, a compelling thriller about a boy caught up in a land of shadows ruled by a mysterious queen. The first in a stunning new series for younger children.

Toby leads a quiet life in London until a mysterious shadow appears, taking Toby into another world.

In a dangerous land enslaved by the cruel Regent, where the Dreamers have the magical power to turn dreams into reality, Toby meets Tamurlaine, a strange girl who has lost her memory. To uncover the mystery of her identity and get Toby back home, the pair must go on a thrilling journey to the heart of the kingdom, the castle of the Regent …

Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Childrens, Young Adult, Friendship

MP3 CD

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This is Richard^^Lambert

Richard Lambert was born in London. He has had many different jobs including teaching medieval history and working for the NHS. He currently lives in Norfolk where, when he isn't working, he writes stories and poems. His poetry has featured in the Times Literary Supplement, The Spectator, and The Forward Prize Anthology.

Shadow Town is Richard Lambert's first novel for children and follows his debut YA novel, The Wolf Road.

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I watched a discussion between some authors in which this author took part. I was intrigued by his work and got hold of this one right away. The book is, I think, more mid-grade than young adult. The protagonist, Toby, is 13, but intended readers are more likely around the 11 mark.

Toby is a well put together character. He longs for his dad's regard, but his dad is too wrapped up himself to bother himself with his son. He absorbs attitudes and ways of interacting that make him rude and unpopular. But then he is flung into an adventure in another world, witnesses a murder, and then struggles to find his way home.

Many classic story elements from a writer who knows how to construct a story. There is some humour, plenty of adventure and plenty that the intended audience will enjoy. Some nuance in the characters, but it's a children's story. All the same, there is character transformation for Toby, and something very interesting going on with the nasty little shadow that kicks off the story.

This won't be one of my all time favourites, but it was good enough for me to read something else from this author.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Lambert’s second YA novel Shadow Town is more dark fantasy than horror and is perfect for kids looking for some gentle escapism. The prologue introduces a shadow which infiltrates our world and ends up sleeping in the front garden of main character, thirteen-year-old Toby. He is a very well- drawn, but rather sad character who lacks friends, is a bit young for his age and is caught between his feuding parents who are heading for a separation. Toby’s ‘real’ world is very convincing, however, once he heads down a dark shadowy tunnel he reappears in another world which have some weird similarities to our own, as well as some striking differences. Accompanied by his cat Albert and new friends he makes along the way Toby goes on a coming-of-age voyage of discovery to find a way home back to his family home.

The fantasy land nicely blends magical realism with gothic elements in a land where dreamers (such as him) can turn dreams into reality which remind Toby of the failed novel his dad has been working on for as long as he can remember. Although it lacks the edge of darker fantasies Shadow Town has a big heart and sometimes a soften narrative can also hit that literary sweet spot. AGE RANGE 11+

[Chimene · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Audiobook)

I found this through my library app. I'm surprised there's not much on Goodreads in regards to reviews.

I actually thought this was a well put together story with some interesting concepts around dreaming and the dreamer.

The mc is a young boy named Toby. After trying to understand/accept his parents separation, he finds himself in a strange new place with his mum. A new home, a new school and all Toby wants is to go home.

In a strange turn of events, Toby stumbles into a story book world... a story being written by his father.

Toby's character was believable for his age - his interactions between other characters for example.

An interesting tale with plenty of twists and turns along the way.

[Emziethebookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow Town was a journey I just was not expecting at all from this amazing author, I've already read a book by this author and when a seen shadow Town a just had to jump right into it as was wanting to read more by him.
Once a read the plot of the book I just knew a had to jump right in, and instead of reading I choose audio for this one and it made it come to life in my opinion.
The characters you got to meet throughout shadow Town were on a complete new level of enjoyment, really did like listening to them throughout the book and most certainly couldn't fault them.
Will definately be keeping my eyes open for the rest of this series as book 1 was really enjoyable.

[Miles Row · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating is more for it as a kids book than an adult book although still an enjoyable fantasy with a twist that I didn't guess.

[Camilla Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll give book 2 a try if it becomes available on my library app. I think the next book will get interesting quicker as the scene is already set.