The Book of Shane

Spirit Animals: The Book of Shane #1

by Nick Eliopulos

This trilogy of e-shorts shines a light on one of the most compelling--and dangerous--villains of the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling series.

There are two sides to every story.

Throughout their quest to save the world, Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan have faced off against a brutal enemy the Conquerors. Their vicious tactics have toppled countries and devastated families.

Shane is a Conqueror.

A boy himself, he's been both a mysterious friend and cunning foe to the heroes--with a past more complicated than any of them realized.

Now Shane's story will finally be told . . . and history will be written by the victors.

Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Middle Grade, Audiobook

48 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 30, 2014

About the author

Nick Eliopulos was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, where he grew up on a steady diet of super-hero comics and “non-fiction” books about alien abductions, psychic phenomena, and Sasquatch. He was fortunate to have parents and teachers who encouraged his off-beat reading habits, which ultimately led him to pursue a degree in cultural studies at the University of Florida.

Shortly after graduating, Nick moved to New York to work in publishing. In the course of his thirteen-year career as a children’s book editor, he had the opportunity to write for a number of licensed properties, from Thomas the Tank Engine to DC Super Friends and Scholastic’s New York Times bestselling multiplatform series Spirit Animals. His original comics work has appeared in anthologies Stuck in the Middle and First Kiss (Then Tell).

Nick’s debut novel, The Adventurers Guild, will be published by Hyperion in October 2017. Co-authored with his best friend Zack Loran Clark, the book is heavily inspired by the duo’s collaborative storytelling experiences with tabletop role-playing games; they’ve been in the same weekly gaming group for nearly a decade.

Nick lives in Brooklyn with his husband, a fellow editor, author, and Southern transplant. He’s currently employed as a narrative designer for an indie video game studio. He still reads super-hero comics and harbors an ever-dwindling hope that Sasquatch might be out there.

Reviews

[Shriya Pillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this book. It shows the story in a different point of view. It really helps you understand why the conquerors hate the greencloaks.

[Emily Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

First King Shane bonds with Gravh, an alligator. He becomes the Devouer and steals the talismans of the great beasts. He fights a Greencloack and helps save a boy named Achi. He gets recruits from his army, know as Conquerors. Achi as mad at Shane for bringing him to his father, who betrayed his village. The war ends, and there is a big celebration. Shane tracks his old tutor, Yumaris, and finds more Conquerors trapped in an abandoned temple. They find a secret tunnel. Shane leaves the group and finds Yumaris. He returns to safety.

The theme for this book is to not judge people. For one example, Shane was known as the bad guy, but he helped Achi when he got home. He carried him to safety. Another example is how people thought of Shane as the bad guy, but he helped Karmo escape to safety. A final example is how Zerif was acting like a nice foreigner that wanted to help, but in the end he was a horrible villain. This teaches that looks can be deceiving and that we should get to know people before we judge them or trust them.

Some things I like about this book is how it was from the bad guy's point of view. So then you could see he wasn't so bad and that he was just trying to help his kingdom. I like how people could have spirit animals, the idea is unique and fun. Although, I don't like how it jumps forward in time occasionally, so I am confused momentarily. I also don't like how there are no chapters. It just has part 1,2,3, and 4. One other thing I don't like is how it takes place during a war so there is some violence, although it is not detailed.

[Jude T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a amazing choice for fantasy book fans. It is a bit confusing if you haven't already read the whole spirit animals series. Basically it shows why "Shane" (the main character) became the biggest enemy of the heroes in the main series, Conor, Melin,Rolan, and abeke. When he was little his father (the king of his homeland) captured a man named zerif, who worked for the conquerors. He persuaded Shane to free him and also persuaded him to join the conquerors. Shane's dream had always been to summon a spirit animal (this happens in a sacred ceremony called a nectar ceremony, when children are given the chance to summon a spirit animal.). Shane had failed his test, and when zerif offered him a guerenteed way to get a spirit animal, he was sold. But doing this ment he now had to do what zerif told him to. Shane ended up being the leader of the conquerors and with his spirit animal gerthon the cobra, he set out for Rolan,Abeke,Melin,and Conor.

[itchy · Rating 3 out of 5]

eponymous sentence:
p7: Venom dripped from its fangs to the floor.

Hello there, Shane.

[Laurel S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about the life of shane before the war. It shows his family, how he got his spirit animal, and how people lived in Stetriol.

Even though it is a short book it makes up for it with the sequels. I liked it a lot. It's cool because, the books are kinda made up of parts and they show different times during his life. Before the war, During the war, and after. If you like the book series Spirit Animals, you will like this book.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and learning more about this character. I enjoyed seeing how Shane developed and grew with his twisted understanding of life. The question that really still plays in my mind is, "Did Shane really have a choice about which side he was fighting for?"

Anyone who likes a little added insight into Shane and his choices will enjoy this story...

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to understand Shane's story more after having read the Spirit Animals series. Readers can see what happened in Shane's life to help make him who he is and why he makes the decisions he does.

[fan yang]

O.k., but too short....

Good to know Shane's story to understand his actions more!
Too short, took only 30 minutes to read.. Overall o.k.!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite interesting to hear the story from Shane's point of view.

[Marin Bach-Antonson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I thought that this book was really good and I'm going to ,continue the series because it ends on a good cliff hanger

[Nadya · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars really. Not quite as engaging as the Spirit Animals series, but maybe it'll get better.

[Katniss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great! Interesting read as it is from the "enemy's" point of view. It gives a lot of insight on the Spirit Animal Series.

[Elliz]

Its good

[Brianna]

I think this is a great book because it really explains all the details you need to know to imagine the pictures in your head and because it has good ideas to explain and write the book.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

These were enjoyable side stories showing a new side to the Shane we encounter in the Spirit Animals series. Glad we read it.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read, a nice different perspective of Shane's story. Pretty fast read. Great addition to the Spirit Animals series.

[Edgar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best prequels I've read. We find out where Zerif comes into the picture, and WHAT THE HECK Shane was THINKING when he let people drink the Bile.

[Morgan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought it was would be good at first but it got duller and duller

[Nolan Sage · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give it 4.5 stars

[Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wszystko cud ale ja chce kolejną część!

[Anais · Rating 5 out of 5]

So amazing. A must read for all.

[Lia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like they gave Shane a backstory and some fillers between series. So I read it 6 times.

[౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

yes I am a basic person. I see villain backstory, I read. this was middle grade but I enjoyed this entire series so much!

[Isla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huh. Shane has a super crazy backstory. No way!

[Worm of the Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little “okay” about the ending but otherwise very good book.

[Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good

[K. · Rating 1 out of 5]

"SPIRIT ANIMALS" IS NOT A CONCEPT FOR NON-NATIVE PEOPLE TO TAKE.

The title and blurb alone are incredibly racist and appropriate Native cultures. It's never ok for spirit animals to be used in this way. They're sacred to many Native peoples. Something a lot of Native people won't even talk about among themselves/ourselves because it's so sacred and private. For this series to even mention spirit animals is offensive, let alone ENCOURAGE KIDS TO ROLE PLAY HAVING A SPIRIT ANIMAL. Don't pick up this trash. The entire concept is rooted in the oppression of Native people.

Settlers just take and take and take, with no regard or respect for the cultures they're stealing and profiting from. Stop it. Please, just stop. This book and this entire series is sickening. Make up your own concepts and use your own words. Stop appropriating Indigenous peoples. You're causing real harm.

[Jakenv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good addition to series. Serves as background on one of main characters. Additional books are in Kindle format for short updates.